Cytotoxic and Bacteriostatic Activity of Nanostructured TiO2 Coatings

Nanostructures are structures, mainly synthetic (nanosurfaces, cylindrical nanotubes, and nanospheres), which range between 1-100 nm in at least one dimension and can be engineered to a wide range of physical properties. This paper aims to explore the bacteriostatic and cytotoxic characteristics of nano-TiO2 coated specimens of glass, stainless steel and ceramic with different thickness and roughness. The results show that stainless steel and glass specimens with a nano-TiO2 coating thickness of 200 nm have a bacteriostatic effect of 97% and 100%, respectively after 30 minutes of UV exposure. Glass specimens with a nano-TiO2 coating thickness of 750, 200 and 50 nm have a bacteriostatic effect of 86%, 93% and 100% after 60 minutes. Nano-TiO2 coatings show a great bacteriostatic but not a cytotoxic effect, thus representing a valuable alternative for biomedical applications

Nutrition: From the First Medicine to the First Poison

Severe adverse reactions of the organism to environmental elements have been dizzily rising in humans and pets over the last 50 years. Such reactions can be expulsive (vomit, diarrhea, dandruff, and abundant secretion or excretion) or driven by an inflammatory process (which has been considered as healing process) in charge to destroy every toxic introduced into the body. Thus, it is clear that if a contaminated food is assumed daily, the inflammatory process becomes inevitably chronic. Most common inflammatory processes of dogs and cats originate from this condition, which we observed to be frequently caused by well-defined contaminants: toxic residues of oxytetracycline (OTC). In fact, once everything containing in this compound is eliminated, all inflammatory processes tend to rapidly and spontaneously regress. Here, we reviewed and discussed the problem related to the amount of pharmacological and chemical substances, which are used to increase the production of fruits, vegetables, intensive farming-derived meat and fish, milk, eggs, and grain. Such substances can persist within the products in variable amount and, gradually or rapidly (often in a few hours), poison the organism causing reactions such as allergies, anaphylactic shocks (not so frequent), autoimmune diseases (fortunately not so frequent but continuously increasing), and inflammatory processes, the most common reaction. In this context, nutrition, as a daily and frequent habit, should be taken seriously into account; given that wild animals do not seem to have the same pathologic reactions, there are no doubts that many foods deriving from intensive farming have become a poison rather than a remedy

Functional Pet Foods

Functional foods provide health benefits if they are consumed on regular basis. Some nutraceutical pet diets have been demonstrated to exert health benefits in vitro and in vivo while also exhibiting palatability to the animals. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overall update of commercially available pet diets with proven efficacy against pathologies with an inflammatory background. Research on pet food is still scarce and biased. The ultimate success of functional pet foods will depend on delivering bioactive components in a predictable and assured manner to effectively reduce the risk of disease and/or support the body. Our investigations outlined the improved health status of sick dogs by means of a commercially available nutraceutical pet diet approach. Therefore, additional investigations into the consumption of functional foods in domestic animal nutrition should be done in order to study dietary interventions for disease prevention and treatment

Narrative review of telemedicine consultation in medical practice

BACKGROUND: The use of telemedicine has grown across several medical fields, due to the increasing number of “e-patients”. OBJECTIVE: This narrative review gives an overview of the growing use of telemedicine in different medical specialties, showing how its use can improve medical care. METHODS: A PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus search was performed using the following keywords: telemedicine, teleconsultation, telehealth, e-health, and e-medicine. Selected papers from 1996 to 2014 were chosen on the basis of their content (quality and novelty). RESULTS: Telemedicine has already been applied to different areas of medical practice, and it is as effective as face-to-face medical care, at least for the diagnosis and treatment of some pathological conditions. CONCLUSION: Telemedicine is time- and cost-effective for both patients and health care professionals, encouraging its use on a larger scale. Telemedicine provides specialist medical care to patients who have poor access to hospitals, and ensures continuity of care and optimal use of available health resources. The use of telemedicine opens new perspectives for patients seeking a medical second opinion for their pathology, since they can have remote access to medical resources that would otherwise require enormous costs and time

Protective Effects of Borago officinalis (Borago) on Cold Restraint Stress-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats: A Pilot Study

Stress is a typical body's natural defense to a generic physical or psychic change. A specific linking mechanism between ulcer onset and psycho-physical stress prolonged exposure has been reported. We decided to investigate the possible effects of Borago officinalis L. (Borago) in preventing physical (stress)-induced gastric ulcers in a rat model. Eighty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 16 groups, pretreated with a control solution, omeprazole (20 mg/kg), Borago methanolic extract (25, 50, 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg), Borago organic extract (50, 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg), Borago aqueous extract (5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/kg), and D(-)-2-Amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (AP5) (25 mg/kg) and kept in stressful conditions such as water immersion and restraint-induced stress ulcers. The animals were sacrificed and their stomach scored for the severity and the number of gastric ulcers. Methanolic extract (500 mg/kg) significantly reduced both ulcer parameters (***p < 0.001 and **p < 0.01, respectively). Aqueous and organic extract significantly decreased severity score at 5 and 10 mg/kg (**p < 0.01 and ***p < 0.001, respectively), and at 250 and 500 mg/kg (***p < 0.001), respectively, while gastric ulcers' resulted number significantly reduced only at 10 mg/kg (*p < 0.05) and at 500 mg/kg (**p < 0.01), respectively. On the other hand, aqueous extract significantly increased the mucosal gastric content of cAMP (*p < 0.05) and NR2A and NR2B subunits (*p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01, respectively) at 5 mg/kg. Organic extract showed also a significant cytotoxic effect at 500 and 1,000 mg/kg with a 3T3 cell viability reduction of 43.6% (**p < 0.01) and 92.1% (***p < 0.001), respectively. Borago aqueous extract at 10 mg/kg could be considered as a potential protective agent against stress-induced ulcers, and it is reasonable to possibly ascribe such protective activity to a modulation of the NR2A and NR2B subunit expression

Comparison of the effects of hyaluronidase and hyaluronic acid on probiotics growth

Hyaluronic acid has several clinical applications. Recent evidences suggested antimicrobial properties against several pathogens. The aim of the present survey was to evaluate the effect of hyaluronic acid, alone or in combination with hyaluronidase, on protechnological or probiotic strains

HIV-1 Tat-induced diarrhea evokes an enteric glia-dependent neuroinflammatory response in the central nervous system

Despite the effectiveness of combined anti-retroviral therapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected-patients frequently report diarrhea and neuropsychological deficits. It is claimed that the viral HIV-1 Trans activating factor (HIV-1 Tat) protein is responsible for both diarrhea and neurotoxic effects, but the underlying mechanisms are not known. We hypothesize that colonic application of HIV-1 Tat activates glial cells of the enteric nervous system (EGCs), leading to a neuroinflammatory response able to propagate to the central nervous system. We demonstrated that HIV-1 Tat-induced diarrhea was associated with a significant activation of glial cells within the colonic wall, the spinal cord and the frontal cortex, and caused a consistent impairment of the cognitive performances. The inhibition of glial cells activity by lidocaine, completely abolished the above-described effects. These observations point out the role of glial cells as putative effectors in HIV-1 Tat-associated gastrointestinal and neurological manifestations and key regulators of gut-brain signaling

Pathological Investigation of the Effect of Bovine Colostrum Against 5-FU-Induced Liver, Kidney, and Heart Toxicity in Rats

This study aimed to investigate the possible histopathological and immunohistochemical effects of bovine colostrum (BC) against the toxic effects of 5- fluorouracil (5-FU) on the liver, kidney, and heart of Wistar Albino rats. Animals were divided into three groups: control, 5-FU, and 5-FU+BC. The control group received 2 mL/kg i.p. saline, the 5-FU group 100 mg/kg i.p. 5-FU, and the 5-FU+BC group received 100 mg/kg i.p. saline on the first day of the study. The 5-FU and 5-FU+BC groups received 100 mg/kg i.p. of 5-FU and 1000 mg/kg BC orally each day of the study. Liver, kidney, and heart tissues were examined histopathologically for lesions and the expression of TNF-α, HSP-27, CASP-3, and 8-OHdG. No pathologic lesions were observed in the control group, whereas severe pathologic lesions were observed in the 5-FU group. In the 5-FU+BC group, the lesions were less severe than in the 5-FU group. In immunohistochemical examination, biomarker expression was not observed in the control group, whereas it was severe in the 5-FU group and less severe in the 5-FU+BC group. At the end of the study, it was observed that 5-FU-induced pathological findings in liver, kidney, and heart tissues decreased with the use of bovine colostrum. The difference between the control group and the 5-FU and 5-FU+BC groups was significant (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Although the BC addition did not show any statistical significance in the pathological scores of 5-FU in liver, kidney, and heart tissues, it was observed that it improved the lesions of these tissues. Nevertheless, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses showed visible improvements in the 5-FU+BC group. Although more studies are needed, it is hoped that BC will improve prognosis by both reducing the side effects of 5- FU, a good chemotherapeutic agent, and its antineoplastic properties

Bee pollen, from the flower to the harvest, and its potential therapeutic properties

Pollen is contained in flowers, and it is the strategic element that the gymnosperms and angiosperms have implemented to carry out sexual reproduction. The pollen grain can have different shapes, from round to triangular, up to multilobed shapes typical of each species. Each pollen grain is a single cell containing two male gametes. Inside we find the cytoplasm, with the nucleus and the organelles, and externally, a coating layer that determines its resistance. Both male gametes are involved in fertilization, resulting in the formation of a zygote and an endosperm. Pollen in angiosperms is contained in the apical part of the stamens. In gymnosperms, pollen is produced in microcones. The stamens are filaments with buttons in the upper part, called anthers. The anther usually contains four paired pollen sacs responsible for producing the pollen grains. Once mature, the anther opens, and the pollen is released. The pollen, on the surface of the anthers, appears as a powder with colors ranging from white and yellow, to the different varieties of red, brown, black, or green, based on the botanical species, whose dimensions vary from 250 μm up to 5 μm. The female organ of the flower is the Pistil. This organ in the larger basal part contains the ovary, where the ovules are stored. In the apical part, we find the stigma, which, thanks to an adhesive substance, will hold the pollen, which, by opening, will allow the pollen tube to descend into the ovary and fertilize the ovule, which will become a seed. This phenomenon is called pollination. Self-pollination occurs in monecious plants when pollen grains are transferred from the anther to the stigma on the same flower or an adjacent flower on the same plant. Crosspollination occurs in diecious plants when pollen grains are carried on the stigmas of different plants. Pollination can occur thanks to the wind as for conifers or by other vectors and is defined as anemogamous, hydrogamous, or zoogamous. The first depends on the wind, the second on the water, and the third on animals; particularly, the one that occurs thanks to insects is said to be entomogamous. Evolution has ensured that this union between the vegetable and animal worlds was created, and to make it even more effective, the plants have dressed their flowers in colors, scents, and sweet nectar to attract animals and use them as vectors for the pollination. Even the choice to place the pollen on the anthers was successful as the insect to get to the nectar must obligatorily get dirty with pollen. The passage from flower to flower will carry out the pollination service. Bees play a role of primary importance. Bees retain blooms of the same type to best perform their task before moving on to another. In this way, the plants ensure the species’ survival and the bees’ nectar and pollen to be used as food for the hive. Some trees have specialized in producing flowers, fruits, and male and female genital organs so that a particular insect can only reach them. This mutualistic relationship has allowed the creation of botanical biodiversity over time. Even the morphology of the pollen changes according to the species it belongs to. Pollen transported by the wind is usually small and with smooth shapes to better allow their transport. Typically, these pollens determine allergic phenomena in humans. The pollen grains, which require entomophilous pollination, have different shapes and sizes; externally, they are covered by a layer composed of lipids and carotenoids called Pollenkit, which makes the grains sticky, whose purpose is to be recognized by the female part of the flower. They can also present hooks or protrusions to better attach to pollinators. In the outer part, the pollen grain has a layer called Sporoderma. The Sporoderma is divided into two structures, the intina in the innermost part, which surrounds the plasmalemma, the cell with its internal organs and has a structure made up of cellulose fibers, which offers mechanical protection against crushing. The outermost layer is called Esina; its function is support and resistance thanks to a conformation rich in Sporopolleine, which is highly structured and cross-linked polymer. It is divided into nexin more internally and sexin more externally. Its external morphology is typical for each species and variety. This characteristic is exploited in palynology for the identification of the botanical origin of the pollen, which also allows the distinction of the various kinds of honey, which, thanks to the pollen of origin, acquire typical flavors and aromas. Other substances are present in the granule, which makes it a perfect system to survive for a long time, maintaining its peculiarities. There may be openings on the surface, which, if circular in shape, are defined as Pores or Shots if they have an elongated shape; their task is to let the pollen tube out. They can occur on the entire surface or only in the equatorial zone. Internally there are two nuclei whose function is to develop the seed and the fruit simultaneously. As far as Propolis is concerned, it is not naturally present in the hive; rather, bees produce it after collecting resinous substances from arboreal essences and are mixed with bee enzymes, pollen, and wax. The resin plays a protective role for both floral and vegetative buds against external agents such as bacteria and fungi, as well as an attractive purpose for the bees and all pollinating insects. Resin can be found at the bark level, and it is produced mainly to protect the plants from infections and pathogens entry

Mechanisms and therapeutic effectiveness of lactobacilli

The gut microbiome is not a silent ecosystem but exerts several physiological and immunological functions. For many decades, lactobacilli have been used as an effective therapy for treatment of several pathological conditions displaying an overall positive safety profile. This review summarises the mechanisms and clinical evidence supporting therapeutic efficacy of lactobacilli. We searched Pubmed/Medline using the keyword 'Lactobacillus'. Selected papers from 1950 to 2015 were chosen on the basis of their content. Relevant clinical and experimental articles using lactobacilli as therapeutic agents have been included. Applications of lactobacilli include kidney support for renal insufficiency, pancreas health, management of metabolic imbalance, and cancer treatment and prevention. In vitro and in vivo investigations have shown that prolonged lactobacilli administration induces qualitative and quantitative modifications in the human gastrointestinal microbial ecosystem with encouraging perspectives in counteracting pathology-associated physiological and immunological changes. Few studies have highlighted the risk of translocation with subsequent sepsis and bacteraemia following probiotic administration but there is still a lack of investigations on the dose effect of these compounds. Great care is thus required in the choice of the proper Lactobacillus species, their genetic stability and the translocation risk, mainly related to inflammatory disease-induced gut mucosa enhanced permeability. Finally, we need to determine the adequate amount of bacteria to be delivered in order to achieve the best clinical efficacy decreasing the risk of side effects