Clinical efficacy of bronchodilators in equine asthma: Looking for minimal important difference.

BACKGROUND: Airway obstruction is the main trait of severe equine asthma that affects respiratory function and elicits detrimental effects on clinical presentation. Only few and underpowered clinical studies have investigated the impact of improvement in lung function induced by bronchodilators on the clinical signs of asthma-affected horses. OBJECTIVES: To identify the minimal important difference (MID) in lung function elicited by bronchodilator leading to a meaningful improvement in clinical signs. STUDY DESIGN: Pairwise meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis. METHODS: Literature searches were performed for studies that investigated the effect of bronchodilator therapy on lung function and clinical condition of asthmatic horses. The relationship between the change in lung function variables and clinical score was analysed via random-effect meta-regression. One-point change of the Improved clinically Detectable Equine Asthma Scoring System (IDEASS) score was used to identify the MID. RESULTS: A significant (P<0.05) relationship was found between the changes in IDEASS score and maximum change in transpulmonary pressure (ΔPplmax ) or pulmonary resistance (RL ). Since only the model resulting for RL passed through the origin (Y-intercept when X = 0: -0.31, 95% CI -0.75 to 0.14), this variable was used to identify the MID correlated with a meaningful improvement in clinical signs. The resulting MID value was a change in RL of 0.63 cm H2 O/L/s (95% CI 0.33-0.94), representing the slope of meta-regression model (high quality of evidence). MAIN LIMITATIONS: No long-term studies investigated the effect of bronchodilator agents on both lung function and clinical signs in asthmatic horses. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, bronchodilator pharmacotherapy in equine asthma elicits clinically meaningful effect when RL increases ≥1 cm H2 O/L/s, a value indicating the MID. Assessing the MID based on change in RL may improve the quality of evidence and the scientific impact of future clinical trials as it extends beyond the simple, and limiting, evaluation of statistical significance.

Intestinal immunity of dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula spiral valve: A histochemical, immunohistochemical and confocal study.

The present study describes histochemical and immunohistochemical characteristics of the spiral valve and its associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) in the dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula. The mucosal surface of the spiral valve represents the first line of defense against pathogens coming from the external environment through food. Epithelial, mucus and immune cells play a key role in controlling the inflammatory response. Valve intestine of S. canicula had many folds lined by simple columnar cells and goblet cells, which later reacted positive to PAS, AB and AB-PAS, histochemical stains differentiated the different types of mucins; lectin histochemistry (PNA and WGA), detected neutral and acid mucins secreted that plays an important role in protection against invading pathogens. Integrin α5ß1 was expressed in enterocytes that line the valve's folds with greater marking in the apical part of the cells. Laminin was found on the apical side of the epithelium, in fibrillar and cellular elements of the lamina propria and in the muscularis mucosa. In the spiral valve gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) has been studied. For the first time, massive leucocytes aggregates were identified by confocal immunofluorescence techniques, using the following antibodies: TLR2, S100, Langerin/CD207. Our results expand knowledge about Dogfish valve intestine giving important news in understanding comparative immunology.

Microplastics occurrence in the Tyrrhenian waters and in the gastrointestinal tract of two congener species of seabreams.

In this work it is reported for the first time the characterization of microplastics from sea water samples and in two congener species of seabreams: Pagellus erythrinus and P. bogaraveo, Mediterranean fish species of great commercial importance. An experimental survey was conducted on May-June 2017 in the southernmost part of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Microplastics found in the sea water and in the grastrointestinal tract of two teleosts were characterized by Raman and IR spectroscopies. Microplastics found in sea water samples appeared in the form of fragments made of plastics of low and high density (PVC and LPDE). All the microplastics found in fish belonged to Nylon 66, typical fibers used in industry and in fisheries. Our findings highlighted the importance of further studies along the food web chain for a better understanding of the diffusion and possible consequences of this terrible threat.

An Ecological Studybased on Textile Sensory Platforms to Improve Safety and Well-Being at Work.

This paper describes a study performed in the frame of WEARABLES project and reports about preliminary analysis of the results on the activity, HR and breathing rate distribution. Objective of the study was the monitoring of employees' well-being finalized at the investigation on the correlation between daily working activity and the observed physical parameters. The study has been performed by using sensing textiles, to collect objective work-correlated parameters during daily activity aiming at the acquisition of objective indicators for an improved management of people within teams. Scope of the project was to monitor a sample of 28 volunteers in environmental service delivery (at the Amey's contract with Wolverhampton City Council), for a period of two non-consecutive weeks per volunteer, with a total of 275 data acquisition sessions.

PPAR-α Modulates the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Melatonin in the Secondary Events of Spinal Cord Injury.

Melatonin is the principal secretory product of the pineal gland, and its role as an immunomodulator is well established. Recent evidence shows that melatonin is a scavenger of oxyradicals and peroxynitrite and reduces the development of inflammation and tissue injury events associated with spinal cord trauma. Previous results suggest that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α), a nuclear receptor protein that functions as a transcription factor activated by fatty acids, plays a role in control of secondary inflammatory process associated with spinal cord injury (SCI).With the aim to characterize the role of PPAR-α in melatonin-mediated anti-inflammatory activity, we tested the efficacy of melatonin (30 mg/kg) in an experimental model of spinal cord trauma, induced in mice, by the application of vascular clips (force of 24 g) to the dura via a four-level T5-T8 laminectomy, and comparing mice lacking PPAR-α (PPAR-α KO) with wild-type (WT) mice.The results obtained indicate that melatonin-mediated anti-inflammatory activity is weakened in PPAR-α KO mice, as compared to WT controls. In particular, melatonin was less effective in PPAR-α KO, compared to WT mice, as evaluated by inhibition of the degree of spinal cord inflammation and tissue injury, neutrophil infiltration, pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. This study indicates that PPAR-α can contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity of melatonin in SCI.

A new co-micronized composite containing palmitoylethanolamide and polydatin shows superior oral efficacy compared to their association in a rat paw model of carrageenan-induced inflammation.

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), a special food for medical purposes, has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Nevertheless, PEA lacks direct ability to prevent free radical formation. Polydatin (PLD), a natural precursor of resveratrol, has antioxidant activity. The combination of PEA and PLD could have beneficial effects on oxidative stress induced by inflammatory processes. In the present study, we compared the effects of micronized PEA (PEA-m) and PLD association (PEA-m+PLD) with a new co-micronized composite containing PEA and PLD (m(PEA/PLD)) in the rat paw model of carrageenan (CAR)-induced acute inflammation. Intraplantar injection of CAR led to a time-dependent development of peripheral inflammation, in terms of paw edema, cytokine release in paw exudates, nitrotyrosine formation, inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. m(PEA/PLD) reduced all measured parameters. Thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia were also markedly reduced. At the spinal cord level, manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) was found to be nitrated and subsequently deactivated. Further, m(PEA/PLD) treatment increased spinal MnSOD expression, prevented IkB-α degradation and nuclear factor-κB translocation, suggesting a possible role on central sensitization. m(PEA/PLD) showed more robust anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic effects compared to the simple association of PEA-m and PLD. This composite formulation approach opens a new therapeutic strategy for the development of novel non-narcotic anti-hyperalgesic agents.

A novel protective formulation of Palmitoylethanolamide in experimental model of contrast agent induced nephropathy.

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a complication in patients after administration of iodinated contrast media. Several risk factors contribute to the development and progression of CIN, including hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Animal models of CIN by surgical intervention to reproduce its clinical and pathology has been developed, and thus, therapeutic methods tested. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is a member of the fatty acid ethanolamine family with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we analyzed streptozotocin-induced diabetes model and in an another set of experiment a surgical remotion of the kidney with the aim of evaluating effect of ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA-um(®)) on contrast induced renal disfunction and glomerular morphology alteration. In a first step of our study, we demonstrated that PEA-um(®) significantly reduced CIN-mediated glomerular dysfunction, modulates Na(+) and K(+) levels in plasma and decreased urine and plasma NGAL levels and α-GST urine levels. Moreover, in a second set of experiment we investigated how PEA-um(®) reduced creatinine and BUN plasma levels after nephrectomy, ameliorate renal and medullary blood flow and re-established renal parenchymal after CIN induction as well as after nephrectomy. Take together our results demonstrated that PEA-um(®) are able to preventing CIN in diabetic rats and alteration of biochemical parameters after nephrectomy.

Preliminary evaluation of Wearable Wellness System for Obstructive Sleep Apnea detection.

Several studies have proven how sleep deprivation has a negative impact on daily life, affecting people's psychophysical state. In this field, research is focusing on the improvement of unobtrusive sleep monitoring devices for promoting sleep hygiene and early detection of sleep disorders. This study aims to assess the use of a textile-based wearable system, with its associated apnea detection algorithm, in monitoring of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAs). The system has been compared through the simultaneous acquisition of physiological signals in parallel with polysomnograph in laboratory and home environments. Results show that such a wearable system could be successfully used for early detection of OSAs (Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome) and could stimulate people to a better self healthcare looking for a specialized medic examination and eventually undergoing to proper treatment avoiding the onset of OSAs co-morbidities.

n-3 fatty acids: role in neurogenesis and neuroplasticity.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are essential unsaturated fatty acids with a double bond (C=C) starting after the third carbon atom from the end of the carbon chain. They are important nutrients but, unfortunately, mammals cannot synthesize them, whereby they must be obtained from food sources or from supplements. Amongst nutritionally important polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids, α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are highly concentrated in the brain and have anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. They are involved in many bodily processes and may reportedly lead to neuron protection in neurological diseases. aged or damaged neurons and in Alzheimer's disease. Their effect in cognitive and behavioral functions and in several neurological and psychiatric disorders has been also proven. The dentate gyrus (DG), a sub-region of hippocampus, is implicated in cognition and mood regulation. The hippocampus represents one of the two areas in the mammalian brain in which adult neurogenesis occurs. This process is associated with beneficial effects on cognition, mood and chronic pharmacological treatment. The exposure to n-3 fatty acids enhances adult hippocampal neurogenesis associated with cognitive and behavioral processes, promotes synaptic plasticity by increasing long-term potentiation and modulates synaptic protein expression to stimulate the dendritic arborization and new spines formation. On this basis we review the effect of n-3 fatty acids on adult hippocampal neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. Moreover their possible use as a new therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases is pointed out.

New therapeutic strategy for mood disorders.

The development of new treatments for mood disorders, as anxiety and depression, is based on identification of neural substrates and the mechanisms underlying their etiology and pathophysiology. The heterogeneity of mood disorders indicates that its origin may lie in dysfunction of multiple brain regions (amygdala, nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and cingulate cortex). The hippocampus of patients with depression show signs of atrophy and neuronal loss. This suggests the contribute of new neurons to the biology of mood disorders that is still under debate. The production of new neurons, referred to as neurogenesis, occurs throughout life in discrete brain areas such as the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus and the subventricular zone/olfactory bulb. Findings describing that neurogenesis process in DG is increased by antidepressants, like fluoxetine, and it is required for the behavioral effect of antidepressants, lead to a new strategy and drugs for the treatment of mood disorders. As many patients display poor response to therapy, research on depression and antidepressant drugs is necessary. In this regard, focusing on neurogenesis and neuroplasticity processes in experimental models is particularly interesting for the understanding of the pathophysiology of mood disorders and should define the role of adult-born neurons in hippocampal physiology. Different classes of drugs are currently prescribed for the treatment of mood disorders. Among them selective serotonin reuptake (SSRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), specific norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic acids (TCA) alleviate symptoms of mood disorders. Here we review different strategies that may be adopted for impairing mood disorders and that may be further developed for innovative therapeutic approaches.

The unusual toxicity and stability properties of crude venom from isolated nematocysts of Pelagia noctiluca (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa).

We have firstly investigated the toxicological activity by hemolytic assay of crude extract obtained by sonication of holotrichous isorhiza isolated nematocysts of the Scyphozoan Pelagia noctiluca, collected in the Strait of Messina. The hemolytic activity was both time- and dose-dependent on fish, rabbit, chicken and human red blood cells. At lowest doses rabbit and chicken erythrocytes were the most sensitive, whereas those of eel were the most resistant to the crude extract. Different storage conditions, such as -20 degrees C, -80 degrees C for up to 6 months and lyophilization, did not affect the stability of crude venom. Moreover, neither treatment at 4 degrees C, 20 degrees C and 37 degrees C for different time periods ranging between 30 min and 24 h, nor harsh thermal treatment at 80 degrees C and 100 degrees C affected the hemolytic power. The crude venom resulted even stable towards proteolysis and alkaline pH values.

A current concept of trauma-induced multiorgan failure.

Trauma deaths continue to show a trimodal distribution: immediately at the scene, within the first 24 hours during initial resuscitation, and in the next 3 to 4 weeks as a result of multiple organ failure.(1) Failure to resuscitate adequately in the emergency department can lead to acidosis, hypothermia, and coagulopathy, which can result in multiple organ failure and cause death in these patients. Our current understanding of the initial response to shock and trauma and the development of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome and progressive organ failure is one of a continuum initiated and perpetuated by inflammation and inflammatory mediators. The pathophysiologic character, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of traumatic injury-induced multiple organ failure are discussed.