Crying Time and RORγ/FOXP3 Expression in Lactobacillus reuteri DSM17938-Treated Infants with Colic: A Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate crying time, retinoid-related orphan receptor-γ (RORγ) and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) messenger RNA levels (transcription factors that can modulate T cell responses to gut microbes), and to investigate gut microbiota and fecal calprotectin in infants treated with Lactobacillus reuteri for infantile colic. STUDY DESIGN: A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial was conducted in primary care in Torino from August 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016. Patients suffering from infantile colic were randomly assigned to receive daily oral L reuteri (1 × 108 colony forming unit) or placebo for 1 month. Daily crying times were recorded in a structured diary. FOXP3 and RORγ messenger RNA in the peripheral blood was assessed with real-time TaqMan reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Gut microbiota and fecal calprotectin were evaluated. RESULTS: After infants with colic were supplemented with L reuteri DSM 17938 for 30 days, crying times were significantly shorter among infants with colic in the probiotic group compared with infants in the placebo group (74.67 ± 25.04 [IQR = 79] minutes /day vs 147.85 [IQR = 135] minutes /day [P = .001]). The FOXP3 concentration increased significantly (P = .009), resulting in decreased RORγ/FOXP3 ratios: 0.61 (IQR = 0.60) at day 0 and 0.48 (IQR = 0.28) at day 30 (P = .028). Furthermore, the probiotic increased the percentage of Lactobacillus (P = .049) and decreased fecal calprotectin (P = .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Infants with colic treated with L reuteri for 30 days had a significantly decreased crying time and an increased FOXP3 concentration, resulting in a decreased RORγ/FOXP3 ratio. The treatment reduced fecal calprotectin. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00893711.

Changes in the Messenger RNA Expression of Toll-Like Receptors 2 and 4 in Healthy Infants According to Age.

BACKGROUND: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are potentially useful indicators of several pediatric disease states. Here, we explore the mechanisms by which inflammation is regulated by interactions between microbiota and the host. Little data are available regarding the expression of TLRs in postnatal healthy infants. TLR 2 and TLR4 are extracellular TLRs that act as innate immune receptors by recognizing a wide range of endogenous ligands and microorganisms. METHODS: The aim of this study was to use real-time polymerase chain reaction to investigate the expression of the messenger RNAs (mRNAs) of TLR2 and TLR4 in blood samples obtained from healthy full-term infants and toddlers. RESULTS: We analyzed the mRNA expression levels of TLRs in 88 healthy term children separated according to age. The median expression level of TLR2 was 1.49 ± 1.10 arbitrary units (AU) (n = 25) in infants younger than 3 months, 0.67 ± 0.72 AU (n = 25) in infants aged between 3 and 12 months, and 0.03 ± 0.02 AU (n= 38) in infants older than 12 months. The median expression level of TLR4 was 1.25 ± 0.79 AU (n = 25) in infants younger than 3 months, 0.75 ± 0.54 AU (n = 25) in infants aged 3 to 12 months, and 0.44 ± 0.28 AU (n = 38) in infants older than 12 months. There was difference in the mRNA expression level of TLR2 and TLR4 between infants aged 0 to 3 and 3 to 12 months and those aged more than 1 year (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively) CONCLUSION: We found that the expression levels of TLR2 and TLR4 were associated with age. In particular, we observed that their expression increased during the suckling period and then clearly decreased once the infants reached 1 year of age (p < 0.001). These findings could be related to microbial colonization and the immune system.

Comparison of formula-fed infants with and without colic revealed significant differences in total bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and faecal ammonia.

AIM: This study compared the faecal microbial composition of formula-fed infants who did and did not have colic. METHODS: Faecal samples from formula-fed infants under 16 weeks of age with (n = 38) and without (n = 39) colic were collected at Department of Pediatrics in Turin, Italy, between February 2014 and October 2015. The pH and faecal ammonia were determined and total bacteria, bifidobacteria, lactic acid bacteria and coliforms were quantified by fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH). RESULTS: Faecal ammonia was significantly higher in the colicky infants than in the controls (483 vs. 216 µg/g, p < 0.05). The FISH counts of total bacteria were lower in colicky infants (1.8E10 ± 1.5E10) than in the controls (3.4E10 ± 3.0E10) (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of coliform bacteria was significantly higher in colicky infants (p < 0.05). No differences were observed for the bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria counts between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our comparison of formula-fed infants with and without colic revealed significant differences in total bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and faecal ammonia. This study provides the stimulus for further studies of the gut microbiome, using new methods of analysis such as 16S metagenomics sequencing in order to lead to more tailored dietary approaches.

Latex peptidases of Calotropis procera for dehairing of leather as an alternative to environmentally toxic sodium sulfide treatment.

Dehairing of crude leather is a critical stage performed at the beginning of its processing to obtain industrially useful pieces. Tanneries traditionally apply a chemical process based on sodium sulfide. Since this chemical reactive is environmentally toxic and inefficiently recycled, innovative protocols for reducing or eliminating its use in leather depilation are welcomed. Therefore, latex peptidases from Calotropis procera (CpLP) and Cryptostegia grandiflora (CgLP) were assayed for this purpose. Enzyme activity on substrates representative of skin such as hide powder azure (UHPA), elastin (UE), azocollagen (UAZOCOL), keratin (UK), and epidermis (UEP) was determined, while depilation activity was assayed on cow hide. Only CpLP was active against keratin (13.4 UK) and only CgLP was active against elastin (0.12 UE). CpLP (93.0 UHPA, 403.6 UAZOCOL, 36.3 UEP) showed higher activity against the other substrates than CgLP (47.6 UHPA, 261.5 UAZOCOL, 8.5 UEP). In pilot assays, CpLP (0.05% w/v with sodium sulfite 0.6% w/v as activator) released hairs from cow hide pieces. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses of the hide revealed that the dehairing process was complete and the leather structure was preserved. The proteolytic system of C. procera is a suitable bioresources to be exploited by tanneries.

The role of sexting in couple wellbeing for Italian women during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the sexuality and quality of life of people around the world. A particularly negative effect was detected on women's sexual health. As a consequence, many women began to use social media not only to stay in touch with their social networks, but as a way of maintaining sexual contact. The main aim of this research is to observe the positive effects of sexting in women's wellbeing as a strategy to manage the negative effects of a condition of forced isolation. We collected all our data between November 2020 and March 2021 during a period of strict restrictions in Italy due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Study 1, the relationship between loneliness, sexting behaviors, and sexual satisfaction was tested on 312 adult women. The results showed the mediator role of motivation for sexting in the relationship between loneliness and sexual satisfaction. In Study 2, 342 adult women were organized into two groups (women who had sexting at least once during the second wave of the pandemic = 203, and women who did not have sexting during the pandemic = 139) and were assessed on a couple's wellbeing (intimacy, passion, commitment, and couple satisfaction) and electronic surveillance. The results show that women who had sexting during isolation had higher scores on intimacy, passion, couple satisfaction, and electronic surveillance. These findings suggest the important role of sexting as an adaptive coping strategy during particular conditions of social isolation.

Diuretic activity of Euphorbia serpens extracts in Wistar rats.

Euphorbia serpens has been used in central-west region of Argentina in traditional medicine as diuretic plant. The aim of this present study was to evaluate the diuretic activity of E. serpens in-vivo. We used dried aerial parts, and infusions from these were orally administered to Wistar rats. Its effect was evaluated using furosemide as a positive drug and isotonic salt solution as negative control. Their urine output was quantified at several time intervals. The volume of urine excreted and Na+ increased significantly, being similar to furosemide. Mannitol, was the main component in aqueous extracts of E. serpens, and the acetone extract showed the presence of Δ12- oleanane-type triterpenoids compounds, mainly hederagenin. No toxic effects were observed.

Antinociceptive effect of cyclic and linear diterpenoids as new atypical agonists of κ-opioid receptors obtained from four species of the Baccharis genus, and vehiculated in nanometric niosomes.

New natural analgesic compounds that act in KORs are important alternatives for potential therapeutical use in medicine. In this work, we report and compare here the antinociceptive activity displayed by cyclic and linear diterpenes, obtained from the genus Baccharis. The antinociceptive activities determined were relatively strong, in comparison whit morphine. The antinociceptive mechanism of action was made through naloxone administration (a non-selective antagonist of opioid receptors). The more active compounds were vehiculized successfully in niosomes at nanometric scale. The observed antinociceptive activity for Bartemidiolide oxide (BARTO), obtain from Baccharis artemisioides, was greater than Flabeloic acid dimer (DACD), the first compound isolated from Baccharis flabellata that was reported possessing antinociceptive effects. We also conducted docking calculations and molecular dynamics simulations, which suggested that the newly identified diterpenes might share the molecular action mechanism reported for Salvinorin A (SalA). Molecular simulations have allowed us to appreciate some subtle differences between molecular interactions of these ligands stabilizing their respective complexes; such information might be useful for designing and searching for new inhibitors of KORs.

The welfare of immigrants: Resilience and sense of community.

The accessibility to national health services by immigrants residing in our country has produced a widespread improvement of health indicators and health prevention for the entire population. The main goal of this study is to investigate the welfare conditions of immigrants, alongside two fundamental sources of psychological resources. In particular, the role of resilience and sense of community as protective factors against the risk of developing negative welfare outcomes, including life satisfaction and the perception of general health (physical and mental), were considered as indicators. The following self-report questionnaires were sent to a sample of 354 immigrants, stratified by ethnicity and gender: Life Satisfaction Scale (SWLS), General Health Questionnaire, CD-RISC 10 Scale, and the Sense of Community Index SCI-2. The results obtained through regression models show how resilience and a sense of community are significant protective factors in terms of life satisfaction and general health. From an applicative point of view, it is highlighted that public and political bodies take a leading role in the design of public health interventions; in fact, their intervention should be aimed at increasing the psychological resources and ability to fulfill the health needs of specific populations.

Immigrant prisoners in Italy. Cultural mediation to reduce social isolation and increase migrant prisoner well-being?

PURPOSE: This study aims to highlight how easy it is for immigrants to break Italian law because of the country's inadequate cultural and linguistic mediation service. Insufficiencies in this service also have a negative impact on both the psychological and physical health of migrant prisoners. Furthermore, Italian is used in legal disputes and prison, and reference is made to Italian culture, preventing migrants from understanding their position regarding the law. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This report concerns the psychological discomfort of migrant incarcerated individuals within Italian prisons due to national laws in force. Consideration is also given to the negative impact on the physical health of incarcerated migrants. FINDINGS: Best practice should include adequate space for linguistic and cultural mediation in reception centres and prisons. It is considered suitable to combat social exclusion, even in prison. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The report is not research on prisoners, but it focuses on making visible the condition of migrant individuals incarcerated in Italy. SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Enforced isolation does not allow immigrants to become a community resource but has negative repercussions in terms of financial, social and well-being costs. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This paper is one of few in limited, national or otherwise scientific output, to contribute to migrant inmate visibility in Italy. Taking action for the well-being of migrant prisoners will not only have a positive impact on a social level but should also help reintegrate these individuals after serving their sentence.

The Role of Internalized Transphobia, Loneliness, and Social Support in the Psychological Well-Being of a Group of Italian Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Youths.

Although transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) youth represent a highly resilient community capable of successfully overcoming adverse life circumstances, they still face social stigma that negatively impacts their health, being at risk of developing negative feelings toward their own TGNC identity (i.e., internalized transphobia). A poorly investigated dimension in TGNC health research is perceived loneliness. Thus, within the minority stress theory, the present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of loneliness and the moderating role of social support in the relationship between internalized transphobia and psychological well-being among 79 Italian TGNC youths aged 18 to 30-years-old who participated in an online survey. The main results show that loneliness partially mediated the relationship between internalized transphobia and psychological well-being. In addition, social support emerged as a significant moderator, as the impact of internalized transphobia on psychological well-being decreased at moderate and high levels of social support, but not at low levels. The findings have significant implications for clinical practice and psychosocial interventions to reduce the impact of internalized stigma and stress on psychological health.

Expresión atípica de enfermedad poco frecuente manifestada con nódulos pulmonares cavitados / Atypical Expression of Rare Disease Manifested with Cavitary Lung Nodules

Los nódulos pulmonares pueden ser variados: sólidos, en vidrio esmerilado; granulo matosos o no granulomatosos; cavitados o no cavitado. Son un hallazgo frecuente en las imágenes de tórax cuando el paciente llega a la consulta. Según sus características y en concordancia con los antecedentes del paciente (historia clínica, exámen físico y resultados de laboratorio) nos orienta a las distintas etiologías: infeccioso, autoinmune u oncológico. Sin embargo, muchas veces es un gran desafío clínico. Se presenta el caso de una paciente joven sin antecedentes que consulta por tos de 3 meses de evolución. En TC de tórax se evidencia masa mediastinal izquierda que desplaza tráquea y nódulos pulmonares bilaterales cavitados. Luego de descartarse etiologías más probables por frecuencia para su edad y forma de manifestación clínica, se arriba al diagnóstico de Linfoma de Hodgkin clásico Esclero Nodular con compromiso extranodal. Enfermedad poco frecuente y en nuestro caso, modo de presentación atípica.

Lung nodules can vary in nature: solid, ground glass, granulomatous or non-granulo matous, cavitary or non-cavitary. They are a common finding in chest imaging when the patient comes to the consultation. According to their characteristics and the patient's history (medical history, physical examination, and laboratory results), they guide us towards different etiologies: infectious, autoimmune, or oncological. However, many times it is a great clinical challenge. We present the case of a young patient with no previous medical history who came to the consultation with a cough of 3 months of evolution. The chest CT showed left mediastinal mass displacing the trachea and bilateral cavitary lung nodules. After ruling out more probable etiologies based on frequency for the patient's age and clinical manifestation, the diagnosis was: classic nodular sclerosing Hodgkin lymphoma with extranodal in volvement. A very rare disease, and in our case, with an atypical form of presentation.

The effect of perspective taking on the mediation process.

BACKGROUND: Previous research demonstrated several benefits of strategic perspective taking in the field of intergroup relations and, more specifically, in the negotiation processes aimed at conflict resolution. The present study, which analyzes the effect of perspective taking and mediation in a conflict setting, corroborates the psychological models that hypothesize the positive effects of the assumption of the competitor's perspective on having intergroup conflict and lessening of negative consequences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After being involved in an epistolary debate on a topic for which their ingroup had very contrasting views compared to an outgroup, participants were asked to use a feeling thermometer to assess their level of intergroup hostility. Mediation was then used as a conflict-resolution strategy for half of the participants. Furthermore, the assumption of perspective was manipulated, resulting in a 2 (conflict: presence vs absence) × 2 (perspective taking: presence vs absence) × 2 (mediation: presence vs absence) between-subjects design. Finally, participants were asked to use the same feeling thermometer to evaluate whether feelings of hostility diminished. RESULTS: The results show that in conflict situations, the level of hostility decreases the most when the mediation process is accompanied by perspective taking. CONCLUSION: The results extend recent results about the advantages of a significant social ability - perspective taking - for improving intergroup relations.

Antinociceptive effect of neo-clerodane diterpenes obtained from Baccharis flabellata.

We report here for the first time antinociceptive effects of extracts from Baccharis flabellata. Two extracts in this analysis, one obtained in summer and the other during winter time. Our results indicate that both extract show strong antinociceptive effects, being the extracts obtained during the summer significantly more active. Our results suggest that this activity is mainly due to the presence of the diene-acid clerodane ent-15,16-epoxy-19-hydroxy-1,3,13(16),14-clerodatetraen-18-oic acid (DAC) and its dimer called DACD. Employing naloxone as an antagonist of opioid receptors, we demonstrated that both compounds act on opioid receptors, being the antinociceptive effect of DACD stronger than DAC. Thus, the antinociceptive activity of DACD was almost two times stronger than DAC (44.8 over 24.6 s in the hot-plate test) after one hour of treatments. In order to better understand the mechanism of action at molecular level of these compounds, we conducted a molecular modeling study analyzing the molecular interactions of DAC and DACD complexes with the κ-ORs. Our results suggest interactions for both DAC and DACD with Gln115, Val118, Tyr119, Asn122 and Tyr313 stabilizing their complexes; however, these interactions are significantly stronger for DACD with respect to DAC. This finding could explain why DACD have a higher affinity for the κ-ORs. These results are in agreement with the obtained antinociceptive effect. In addition, our results indicate that these neoclerodanes would have a mechanism of action similar to that of salvinorin A; such information can be very useful for the design of new inhibitors of κ-ORs.

North/South Differences Among Italian Emerging Adults Regarding Criteria Deemed Important for Adulthood and Life Satisfaction.

The main goal of this study was to compare Northern and Southern Italian emerging adult university students, regarding the importance attributed to criteria for adulthood and the levels of life and education satisfaction. Self-report questionnaires were filled by 475 Northern and Southern Italian University students (Age M = 22.91, 76% females, n = 359). Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that Southern emerging adults were more likely to place importance on family capacities, norm compliance, interdependence and role transitions as criteria for achieving adulthood than Northern emerging adults. Regarding gender differences, females were more likely to believe in the importance of norm compliance than males, while males were more likely to espouse the importance of legal transitions. Finally, emerging adults from the North reported higher levels of life satisfaction than their Southern counterparts. We interpreted these findings in light of socio-economical and gender socialization differences among Northern and Southern Italian emerging adults.

Gastroprotective effects and antimicrobial activity of Lithraea molleoides and isolated compounds against Helicobacter pylori.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Lithraea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in South America to treat various ailments, including diseases of the digestive system. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the in vivo antiulcer and antimicrobial activities against Helicobacter pylori of L. molleoides and its isolated compounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methanolic extract 250 and 500 mg/kg, (LmE 250 and LmE 500, respectively) and infusions, 10 g and 20 g en 100mL (LmI 10 and LmI 20, respectively) of L. molleoides was evaluated for antiulcer activity against 0.6N HCl, 0.2N NaOH, 200mg/kg acetilsalicilic acid and absolute ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. The degree of erosion in the glandular part of the stomach was assessed from a scoring system. Acute toxicity in mice was also evaluated. The antiulcer effect of the isolated compounds (catechol, mannitol, rutin, gallic acid, ferulic acid and caffeic acid, 100mg/kg) was evaluated against absolute ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. The anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of L. molleoides and isolated compounds was performed using broth dilution methods. RESULTS: The LmE 250, LmE 500, LmI 10 and LmI 20 produced significant inhibition on the ulcer index in 0.6N HCl, 0.2N NaOH, 200mg/kg acetilsalicilic acid and absolute ethanol- induced gastric ulcers in rats. The isolated compounds, catechol, mannitol, rutin, ferulic acid and caffeic acid were active in absolute ethanol- induced gastric ulcers in rats. L. molleoides and different compounds showed antimicrobial activity in all strains tested. The lowest MIC value (0. 5 µg/mL) was obtained with catechol in six of eleven strains assayed. No signs of toxicity were observed with doses up to 2g/kg in an acute toxicity assay. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that L. molleoides displays potential antiulcerogenic and antimicrobial activities and the identification of active principles could support the use of this plant for the treatment of digestive affections.

Análisis sobre carbono neutralidad y dificultades técnicas para la implementación de una clínica dental ecológica / Analysis on carbon neutrality and technical difficulties for the implementation of an ecofriendly dental office

Resumen El tema de la ecología en los últimos años ha sido de gran interés para la población en general, más aún en las empresas para disminuir el impacto ambiental generado, y la práctica odontológica no está exenta, ya que como es de conocimiento, se genera gran cantidad de basura mucha de la cual es infecciosa y altamente contaminante, por lo que la tendencia actual es de generar menos impacto ambiental en todos los aspectos del diario vivir y eso está retomando fuerza. Se abordó el tema de la carbono neutralidad, ya que es un complemento para entender el daño y la huella de carbono que se genera en la actualidad. De igual manera parte del trabajo se basó en la indagación sobre la cantidad de información que poseen los odontólogos acerca del tema de las clínicas dentales ecológicas, asimismo como de los requisitos necesarios para el proyecto, y se enlistaron las principales dificultades que ellos consideraban impedimento para aplicar esta modalidad en su práctica profesional.

Abstract The research intends open a gate between the dental industry and ecofriendly practices, now that the tendency to have less contamination impact in a daily basis routine has risen in the past years. The topic of carbón neutrality has come to the table since it is an important complement to have a better understanding of the damage and carbon foot print that is happening in the present. As well, big part of the study was to investigate if the dentists have had any kind of information regarding ecofriendly dental offices and it requirements, as well to see which one is the biggest difficulties dentists think are pushing them back to apply this modality in their day to day routine.

Caracterización por HPLC y FTIR de los extractos acuosos de tres especies diuréticas del centro-oeste argentino / Characterization by HPLC and FTIR of the aqueous extracts of three diuretic species from the Argentine center-west

Euphorbia serpens Kunth var. microphylla Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae), Amaranthus muricatus (Moq.) Hieron. (Amaranthaceae) y Lithraea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae) son plantas usadas tradicionalmente en el Cono Sur de América como diuréticas. Las dos primeras son hierbas denominadas vulgarmente "yerbas meonas", mientras que la última, un árbol perennifolio, es conocido como "molle de beber" o "molle dulce". El objeto de este trabajo es caracterizar los extractos acuosos de estas drogas vegetales, identificando y cuantificando manitol por HPLC, debido a que este alcohol sería el principal responsable de la actividad diurética que han mostrado las tres plantas. Se realizó además, la caracterización fisicoquímica de las especies vegetales por comparación de los espectros de FT-IR. Los cromatogramas obtenidos por HPLC muestran picos con tiempos de retención a 35,44 min (estándar) característicos para manitol, y el área por debajo de las respectivas curvas permitió establecer concentraciones respecto a materia seca entre 23,056 g Kg-1 en E. serpens var. microphylla; 4,638 g Kg-1 en L. molleoides; y 2,080 g Kg-1 en A. muricatus. Estas cifras explican las diferencias en la potencia diurética descripta en la bibliografía para las especies en estudio. Los espectros IR presentan una relación de áreas de las bandas CO/CH que resultó distintiva para las dos especies (8,42 para E. serpens var. microphylla; 9,28 para A. muricatus; y 11,18 para L. molleoides). El valor mayor correspondiente a L. molleoides indica mayor cantidad de compuestos oxigenados. Los datos espectrales obtenidos permiten contribuir a la caracterización de los extractos acuosos de estas especies y aportan datos para un control de calidad efectivo de las drogas vegetales y los medicamentos herbarios que los contengan en su formulación. (AU)