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The article focuses on examining the effects of different light-colored radiations on adult human skin cells, specifically keratinocyte and fibroblast cell lines, to understand the potential mechanisms, including both degenerative and proliferative processes.

The article focuses on exploring the effects of sensory stimuli, both incentive and disincentive, on Counter Movement Jump (CMJ) free arms performance in young volleyball athletes, using a digital accelerometer sensor, with findings suggesting a higher influence of visual stimulus.

The article focuses on using electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate the activation of executive functions, specifically inhibition and working memory, during walking, finding that inhibition was more involved than working memory, with a significant relationship.

The article focuses on analyzing the impact of visual stimuli on stabilometric and plantar pressure parameters related to postural stability and body weight distribution, revealing differences in variability, correlations, and adaptations in open-eye (OE) and closed-eye (CE) conditions.

The article focuses on investigating the impact of antiretroviral drugs, specifically integrase inhibitors and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, on the differentiation of adipocytes using an in vitro adipogenesis model, revealing that integrase inhibitors individually.

The article focuses on the investigation of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and its impact on placental vasculogenesis, revealing a significant down-regulation of podoplanin (PDPN) expression in the villous stroma of women infected during the third trimester.

Background: Interdigitating podocyte foot processes are an essential part of the kidney filtration barrier. They form highly specialized cell-cell contacts that are ultrastructurally described as a slit diaphragm (SD). The SD is composed of a multiprotein complex that contains features of adherens as well as tight junctions which link the large extracellular domain of nephrin to the cytoskeleton. One tight junction-associated protein that has been shown to be localized within the SD complex is MAGI2 (membrane-associated guanylate kinase inverted 2), which is specifically expressed in podocytes. The aim of this work was to study the expression of MAGI2 in glomerular diseases and to evaluate whether a diff erent regulation of this protein occurs in diff erent glomerulopathies. Additionally, we wanted to investigate the infl uence of MAGI2 and nephrin on their relative localization. Methods: We investigated the Magi2 regulation in three different rodent models of glomerulopathy as well as in the genetic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)-like zebrafish model. MAGI2 expression was evaluated in kidney biopsies of patients affected by minimal change disease (MCD), primary and secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in comparison with healthy controls. Immunostaining was performed and slides were imaged using confocal laser scanning and super-resolution 3D-structured illumination microscopy (3D-SIM). Filtration slit density (FSD) was determined on human biopsies by PEMP (podocyte exact morphology measurement procedure) [1] and MAGI2/Nephrin ratio measurements were performed with a customized macro for the ImageJ-based platform FIJI. Using LC-MS/MS, RNA sequencing, and Taqman RT-qPCR, expression studies were performed in murine glomeruli freshly isolated or in vitro de-differentiated over time (GlomAssay) [2]. To evaluate the coregulation of Magi2 and nephrin in the zebrafish model, the respective orthologues (nphs1 and magi2a) were knocked-out using CRISPR/Cas9. Transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the effects of the knockout from an ultrastructural point of view. The expression of these two proteins in both strains was analyzed by immunofl uorescence staining and proteinuria was assessed using an automated screening approach. Results: MAGI2 was expressed in a linear pattern along the filtration slit and colocalized with nephrin in both healthy filtration slit and eff aced areas regardless of the species (human, mouse, rat and zebrafi sh). Magi2 was uniformly down-regulated in animal models of glomerulopathy as well as in de-differentiated podocytes. A reduction of MAGI2 was found in human biopsies of patients suffering from primary FSGS, but not in MCD and secondary FSGS. Transmission electron microscopy revealed podocyte foot process effacement in both CRISPR/Cas9 zebrafi sh knockout models, while the morphology of the glomerular basement membrane and glomerular endothelial cells was well preserved. Additionally, Nphs1 expression was significantly reduced in magi2a-KO larvae, whereas interestingly Magi2a expression was unchanged in nphs1-KO larvae. Conclusions: Here, we have demonstrated that the expression of MAGI2 in the glomerulus is associated with the expression of nephrin in all the species investigated. By using knockout larvae, we showed that Nphs1 expression is dependent on Magi2a and not vice versa. MAGI2 is downregulated in glomerular diseases, presumably as a consequence of podocyte dedifferentiation. Finally, the expression of MAGI2 seems to be specifically regulated depending on the podocytopathy investigated, suggesting a role for this protein to distinguish between different glomerulopathies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on placental vascularization. It mentions that expression of transmembrane phosphoglycoprotein protein, CD34 and podoplanin (PDPN) as markers of vasculogenesis to find any differences between women with Covid-19 and healthy controls.

The article presents the observational study which explores the biomarkers response in middle distance runners using antioxidants. It mentions that exercise training (ET) provides health benefits to patients belonging to several clinical settings. It discusses that antioxidants can contribute to preventing or contrasting oxidative stress and its associated cellular damage.

The article offers information about the baropodometric evaluation of postural stability and plantar pressure parameters in healthy subjects. It mentions that study helped to assess the accuracy and repeatability of a novel pressure plate in static conditions and to define the most reliable parameters for the assessment of postural stability and foot morphology.

The article presents a study which explores the involvement of tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) on adipocyte differentiation. It mentions the use of INSTI in combination with reverse transcriptase inhibitor nucleotide analogues.

The article offers information on sagittal whole body posture during walking assessed by 3D gait analysis in healthy population. Topics include information on evaluation of posture by clinical and instrumental methods; gold standard for the static and dynamic postural assessment; and 3D-Stereophotogrammetry using DB-total protocol. excursion range, absolute excursion range, average, intra-subject coefficient of variation.

BACKGROUND: Asymmetrical posture maintained over long trainingperiods may affect phenotypic plasticity, resulting functional to sporting goal but negative to the locomotor system. Aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate these long-term effects in competitive boxers. METHODS: Baropodometric analysis was used to assess 20 competitive boxers and 20 nonsportsmen in upright bipedal posture for 5 s and for 51.2 s with open (OE) and closed (CE) eyes. RESULTS: The boxers' group (BOX) showed a larger total foot load (TFL) (p=0.022) on the right foot and a larger rearfoot load (RfL) (p=0.011) on the left foot compared to non-sport controls (CTR). Moreover, a larger forefoot load (FfL) (p=0.001) on the right foot respect to left one was found in the BOX group, with the inversion of the RfL to FfL ratio (p=0.001) between two feet, while no significant differences were found in the CTR group. These findings, associated to a significantly larger center of foot angle (COF) in the BOX group, may indicate an anti-clockwise rotation of the anatomical structures above the ankle joint of the right hemisoma respect to the left one, that appears to be consistent with the orthodox stance. Eventually, the BOX group showed a larger centre-of-pressure sway area (COPsa) in the OE condition than what measured in the CE and a significant difference in Romberg Index (BOX< CTR). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study seem to confirm the theory of neuro-muscular plasticity imprinted by the repetitive movements and long-lasting postures. Moreover, competitive boxers show an increase of proprioceptive function and a decrease of visual dependence on the postural control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The human imunodeficiency virus (HIV) still continues to be a global health problem, counting more than approximately 38 million people with the infection at the end of 2020, and of these, approximately 25.4 million people appear to be currently on treatment (UNIAIDS, December 2020)1. The antiretroviral drugs used belong to the class: nucleoside analogues, nucleotide analogues, integrase inhibitors (InInt), protease inhibitors (IP) and non-nucleoside analogues. Side effects of therapy include the development of lipodystrophy, which leads to the accumulation of abdominal and dorsocervical region fat2. METHODS: The objective of the study is to evaluate in vitro the morphological and molecular effects on adipogenesis and lipogenesis, following single exposure to some drugs belonging to the class of integrase inhibitors (RAL, DTG, ELV, BIC) and combined exposure of these with tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)3, nucleotide analogue. RESULTS: In the case of single drug treatments, differentiation does not appear to be very different from that of control, although increased expression of both PPARγ and C/EBPa is observed. Instead in the combined treatment with TAF, an inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and a morphological change of the cells are evident, especially in combinations BIC+TAF and DTG+TAF; an increase in the level of PPARγ expression is observed in the early stages following induction, with a subsequent down-regulation, while the cells appear with an irregular shape and jagged contours. CONCLUSIONS: The use of some of these drugs in patients who already have a BMI above normal values and therefore a particularly present fat mass at impendenziometry, could have a role in limiting lipid accumulation and/or the differentiation of mesenchymal cells into adipocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thyroid gland is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body. Thyroid cancers are the most common endocrine tumors and are more prevalent in women and elderly individuals. In particular, papillary thyroid carcinoma is often non-enveloped and multifocal, i.e., it simultaneously affects different parts of the thyroid gland, and spreads mainly because of lymph nodes. Curcumin possesses a wide variety of biological functions, and thanks to its properties, it has gained considerable attention due to its profound medicinal value. We have undertaken the present work in order to define the possible role of curcumin in modulating the genetic expression of cell markers and to understand the effectiveness of this nutraceutical in modulating the regression of cancer phenotype. As a template we used the TPC-1 cells treated with the different extracts of turmeric, and examined the levels of expression of different markers (proliferative, inflammatory, antioxidant, apoptotic). Our data show for the first time that curcumin-enriched compounds are able to decrease TPC1 cell survival and this occurs through the induction of apoptosis mainly by significantly reducing the accumulation of Bcl2 and cyclin D1 and the levels of p21 and p53. Besides, ß-catenin, involved in cell growing, is also reduced by these curcumin-enriched compounds. It is also noteworthy that Nrf2, a downstream target of p21, is also affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postural instability and resulting falls are major factors determining quality of life, morbidity, and mortality in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) (1); the ability to control balance is different in people with Parkinson's Disease (PD). The application of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) at low frequencies in a patient with PD influences physiological and psychological functions. The purpose of this preliminary study was to explore the acute effects of whole body vibration (WBV) on balance and stabilometric parameters, in a patient with PD, during the 20-min post-intervention. Postural sways of the participant was assessed with a stabilometric platform before and after WBV exposure to. Motor symptoms were assessed by the UPDRS (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale) motor score. The patient was subject to a whole body vibration session (5 set of 1 minute with 1 minute rest) at low frequencies on Double Vibe Bosco Platform. The vibration frequency used was 5 Hz. The assessment of the balance was performed at the baseline (T0), immediately after the exposure (T1), after 10 minutes (T10) and 20 minutes (T20), with Cyber Sabot Plate System. The stabilometric survey was carried out with open eyes. The postural parameters that were analyzed were the Area of the Pressure Center (AREA), Center of Pressure Total Distance (LENGTH) and Variance of Speed (S.VAR). Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (RM-Anova) was performed to evaluate significant differences among the different variables (Area,Length and S.Var), no significant differences were found for the variables analyzed. Whole body vibration (WBV) training has emerged as an alternative and effective method which allows greater short term improvement in strength and balance with less time of application. No impairments in static balance were found after an acute bout of whole body vibration at low frequency in a patient with PD, consequently, whole body vibration may be considered as a safe application in individuals with PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After an acute liver damage, tissue regeneration repairs lesions with degradation of deposed fibrotic material, while mechanisms of tissue restoration are persistently activated following several repeated injuries, inducing deposition of extracellular matrix. (ECM). Factors responsible for ECM remodeling have been identified in a pathway involving a family of zinc-dependent enzyme matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), together with tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Recent experimental models suggested a role of CCR5 receptor in the genesis of liver fibrosis. Drawing from these background we decided to evaluate the effects of the treatment with the CCR5 inhibitor Maraviroc on LX-2, a human hepatic stellate cell line (HSC). Treatment with Maraviroc resulted in a block in S phase of LX-2 cells with increased expression levels of cyclin D1 and p21 while the expression of p53 was reduced. Treatment with Maraviroc was also able to block the accumulation of fibrillar collagens and extracellular matrix proteins (ECM), as demonstrated by the decrease of specific markers as Collagen type I, α-SMA and TGF-β1. In addition we observed a down regulation of both metalloproteins (MMP-2, MMP-9), used for the degradation of the extracellular matrix and their inhibitors (TIMP-1, TIMP-2). The identification of a compound that may modulate the dynamic of liver fibrosis could be crucial in all chronic liver diseases. Maraviroc could play an important role because, in addition to its own anti-HIV activity, it could reduce the release of pro-inflammatory citokynes implicated in liver fibrogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) provides a major Ca2+ entry route in cancer cells. SOCE is mediated by the assembly of Stim and Orai proteins at endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-plasma membrane junctions upon depletion of the ER Ca2+ store. Additionally, Stim and Orai proteins underpin constitutive Ca2+ entry in a growing number of cancer cell types due to the partial depletion of their ER Ca2+ reservoir. Herein, we investigated for the first time the structure and function of SOCE in primary cultures of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) established from primary tumor (pCRC) and metastatic lesions (mCRC) of human subjects. Stim1-2 and Orai1-3 transcripts were equally expressed in pCRC and mCRC cells, although Stim1 and Orai3 proteins were up-regulated in mCRC cells. The Mn2+-quenching technique revealed that constitutive Ca2+ entry was significantly enhanced in pCRC cells and was inhibited by the pharmacological and genetic blockade of Stim1, Stim2, Orai1 and Orai3. The larger resting Ca2+ influx in pCRC was associated to their lower ER Ca2+ content as compared to mCRC cells. Pharmacological and genetic blockade of Stim1, Stim2, Orai1 and Orai3 prevented ER-dependent Ca2+ release, thereby suggesting that constitutive SOCE maintains ER Ca2+ levels. Nevertheless, pharmacological and genetic blockade of Stim1, Stim2, Orai1 and Orai3 did not affect CRC cell proliferation and migration. These data provide the first evidence that Stim and Orai proteins mediate constitutive Ca2+ entry and replenish ER with Ca2+ in primary cultures of CRC cells. However, SOCE is not a promising target to design for alternative therapies for CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neurotransmitter glutamate increases cerebral blood flow (CBF) by activating postsynaptic neurons and presynaptic glial cells within the neurovascular (NVU) unit. Glutamate does so by causing an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in the target cells, which activates the Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent NO synthase (NOS) to release NO. It is unclear whether brain endothelial cells also sense glutamate through an elevation in [Ca2+]i and NO production. The present study assessed whether and how glutamate drives Ca2+-dependent NO release in bEND5 cells, an established model of brain endothelial cells. We found that glutamate induced a dose dependent oscillatory increase in [Ca2+]i, which was maximally activated at 200 µM and inhibited by MCPG, a selective blocker of Group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors. Glutamate-induced intracellular Ca2+ oscillations were triggered by rhythmic endogenous Ca2+ mobilization and maintained over time by extracellular Ca2+ entry. Pharmacological manipulation revealed that glutamate-induced endogenous Ca2+ release was mediated by inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive receptors and NAADP-gated two-pore channel 1 (TPC1). Constitutive SOCE mediated Ca2+ entry during ongoing Ca2+ oscillations. Finally, glutamate evoked a robust, although delayed increase in NO levels, which was blocked by pharmacologically inhibition of the accompanying intracellular Ca2+ wave. Of note, glutamate induced Ca2+-dependent NO release also in hCMEC/D3 cells, an established model of human brain microvascular endothelial cells. This investigation demonstrates for the first time that metabotropic glutamate-induced intracellular Ca2+ oscillations and NO release have the potential to impact on neurovascular coupling in the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several lines of evidence suggest that adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) strains play an important role in Crohn's disease (CD). The objective of this study was to investigate the pathogenic role of two AIEC strains, LF82 and O83:H1, in CD patients. Organ cultures of colonic biopsies from patients were set up to assess the effects of LF82 and O83:H1 on the expression of CEACAM6, LAMP1, HLA-DR, ICAM1 by immunohistochemistry and of IL-8, IFNγ, and TNF-α genes by RT-PCR. Moreover, on Caco2 cells, we analyzed the cell cycle, the expression of MGMT and DNMT1 genes, and DNA damage induced by LF82 and O83:H1, by FACS, RT-PCR, and DAPI staining, respectively. Epithelial and lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMNC) expression of CEACAM6 and LAMP1 were higher in biopsies cultured in the presence of both O83:H1 and LF82 than in biopsies cultured with non-pathogenic E. coli. Both AIEC strains induced increased expression of ICAM-1 on blood vessels and HLA-DR on LPMNC. We observed higher levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-8 transcripts in biopsies cultured with both AIEC strains than in those cultured with NP. Both LF82 and O83:H1, block the cell cycle into S phase, inducing DNA damage, and modulate the expression of DNMT1 and MGMT genes. Our data suggest that LF82 and 083:H1 strains of E. coli are able to increase in CD colonic biopsies the expression of all the pro-inflammatory cytokines and all the mucosal immune markers investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]