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Background: A growing body of evidence links a high-fructose diet (HFrD) to metabolic disturbances, including inflammation, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and also endothelial dysfunction, yet its role in allergic asthma remains underexplored. Considering that obesity and hypercholesterolemia exacerbate asthma by promoting systemic inflammation, investigating interventions with dual metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the potential modulatory effects of rosuvastatin in ameliorating the effects of HFrD-induced metabolic and vascular dysfunction in the context of allergic asthma. Methods: Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to eight groups, receiving either a standard or HFrD for 12 weeks. Allergic asthma was induced using an ovalbumin sensitization and challenge protocol, while controls were administered saline. Selected groups were treated with rosuvastatin throughout the entire duration of the experiment. Body weight, abdominal circumference and serum biomarkers were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. Endothelial function was assessed by evaluating vascular reactivity in an isolated organ bath. Additionally, histopathological analyses of aortic and pulmonary tissues were conducted to investigate inflammatory responses and morphological changes. Results: Rats on HFrDs exhibited significant increases in body weight, abdominal circumference, lipid profiles and blood glucose, which were further aggravated by allergic asthma. Rosuvastatin treatment notably reduced lipid levels, C-reactive protein and immunoglobulin E, while also enhancing vascular reactivity and attenuating aortic and bronchial wall thickening. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that rosuvastatin may serve as an effective therapeutic agent for addressing vascular and inflammatory complications associated with a high fructose intake and allergic asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topic of ragweed pollen (RW) versus house dust mites (HDMs) has often been deliberated, but the increasing incidence of co-sensitization between them has been scarcely addressed. Utilizing Sprague Dawley rats, we explored the effects of co-sensitization with the combination of HDMs and RW pollen extracts in correlation with high-fructose diet (HFrD) by in vitro tracheal reactivity analysis in isolated organ bath and biological explorations. Our findings unveiled interrelated connections between allergic asthma, dyslipidemia, and HFrD-induced obesity, shedding light on their compounding role through inflammation. The increased CRP values and airway hyperresponsiveness to the methacholine challenge suggest a synergistic effect of obesity on amplifying the existing inflammation induced by asthma. One of the major outcomes is that the co-sensitization to HDMs and RW pollen led to the development of a severe allergic asthma phenotype in rats, especially in those with HFrD. Therefore, the co-sensitization to these allergens as well as the HFrD may play a crucial role in the modulation of systemic inflammation, obesity, and airway reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollen from common ragweed is an important allergen source worldwide and especially in western and southern Romania. More than 100 million patients suffer from symptoms of respiratory allergy (e.g., rhinitis, asthma) to ragweed pollen. Among the eleven characterized allergens, Amb a 6 is a non-specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP). nsLTPs are structurally stable proteins in pollen and food from different unrelated plants capable of inducing severe reactions. The goal of this study was to produce Amb a 6 as a recombinant and structurally folded protein (rAmb a 6) and to characterize its physicochemical and immunological features. rAmb a 6 was expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells as a secreted protein and characterized by mass spectrometry and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy regarding molecular mass and fold, respectively. The IgE-binding frequency towards the purified protein was evaluated using sera from 150 clinically well-characterized ragweed-allergic patients. The allergenic activities of rAmb a 6 and the nsLTP from the weed Parietaria judaica (Par j 2) were evaluated in basophil activation assays. rAmb a 6-specific IgE reactivity was associated with clinical features. Pure rAmb a 6 was obtained by insect cell expression. Its deduced molecular weight corresponded to that determined by mass spectrometry (i.e., 10,963 Da). rAmb a 6 formed oligomers as determined by SDS-PAGE under non-reducing conditions. According to multiple sequence comparisons, Amb a 6 was a distinct nsLTP with less than 40% sequence identity to currently known plant nsLTP allergens, except for nsLTP from Helianthus (i.e., 52%). rAmb a 6 is an important ragweed allergen recognized by 30% of ragweed pollen allergic patients. For certain patients, rAmb a 6-specific IgE levels were higher than those specific for the major ragweed allergen Amb a 1 and analysis also showed a higher allergenic activity in the basophil activation test. rAmb a 6-positive patients suffered mainly from respiratory symptoms. The assumption that Amb a 6 is a source-specific ragweed allergen is supported by the finding that none of the patients showing rAmb a 6-induced basophil activation reacted with Par j 2 and only one rAmb a 6-sensitized patient had a history of plant food allergy. Immunization of rabbits with rAmb a 6 induced IgG antibodies which strongly inhibited IgE binding to rAmb a 6. Our results demonstrate that Amb a 6 is an important source-specific ragweed pollen allergen that should be considered for diagnosis and allergen-specific immunotherapy of ragweed pollen allergy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a comparative study of the plasticity of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and rat muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs). The study was performed on two cell populations that were isolated by aspiration from the femur bone marrow and gastrocnemius muscle biopsy of 6-week-old albino rats. Both cell populations were exposed to identical stimulation conditions. The cells were capable of undergoing osteogenic, chondrogenic, adipogenic and epithelial differentiation, as shown by histochemistry and immunostaining techniques. The MDSC population showed behavior and characteristics similar to the bone marrow MSC population; however, the osteogenic and adipogenic potential was more reduced compared to MSCs. Our results indicate a positive expression of E cadherin and Cytokeratin 10 after 28 days under epithelial stimulation, suggesting a potential use for gastrocnemius muscle MDSCs as a promising source for regenerative therapies, including re-epithelialization and skin regeneration.

A wide variety of chemicals can be used as antibacterial agents to prevent contamination. Antiseptics and disinfectants are widely used in hospitals and are an essential element in combating and preventing nosocomial infections. A wide variety of active chemicals or biocides are present in these products. Disinfectants and antiseptics affect bacteria in many ways. The widespread use of antiseptics and disinfectants has contributed to the development of microbial resistance, in particular cross-resistance to antibiotics. In medical practice, antimicrobial agents must be selected taking into account the specific microorganisms, pH, solubility, toxicity, organic material present and last but not least the cost. No ideal antimicrobial chemical exists, however the correct choice and proper use of current substances will result in an adequate level of disinfection. This paper aims to review the main antimicrobial chemical agents, the mechanisms by which they act and their importance in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance to most antibiotics currently used is constantly on the rise, thus posing a serious threat to human health. Control of microorganisms is essential to prevent the transmission of diseases and infections and to prevent unwanted microbial contamination. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new strategies by which pathogenic bacteria could be eliminated. The spread of microorganisms can controlled by using physical and chemical agents. Physical agents include control methods such as high or low temperature, desiccation, radiation, osmotic pressure, filtration. The result of the action of these factors is related to their intensity, the duration of time the bacterial cell was exposed, the environment in which it activates, the cell structure, but also its sensitivity to one or more factors. That is why it is necessary to develop new strategies through which pathogenic bacteria can be easily annihilated, as alternatives to, or associated with, antibiotic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The roles of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the processes of tissue regeneration and reparation were debated very much in the last period. The MSCs seems to sustain the tissue restoration by maintaining such environmental conditions which favor this process due to their ability to release cytokines and even growth factors. Starting from this data we developed an experimental protocol aiming to evaluate the changes of the MSCs secreted substances in to the culture media after in vitro interaction with a titanium-hydroxyapatite (HAP-Ti) biomaterial as well as a control biomaterial, anodized titanium (Ti-a). From each biomaterial were prepared squared 0.6 mm plates as well as an elution. The secretion of MSCs was evaluated either after direct contact either after elution addition in culture media. An immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) was used for following cytokines and growth factors: tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin 12 (IL12), interleukin 4 (IL4), interleukin 10 (IL10), tumor growth factor beta (TGF-beta) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). According to the data obtained in our experiments, evaluation of secretory profile in MSCs in vitro into contact with the tested biomaterials indicated that cells releases into the culture medium higher concentrations of TNF alpha and IFN gamma, changes with no statistical significance except elution prepared from anodized titanium (Ti-a). The effect, even present is less extensive in the case of HAP-Ti, which demonstrates its better quality compared to the material used as a positive control. In addition, an increased release of interleukins with suppressor and anti-inflammatory effects (IL10, IL4) appears suggesting a possible better tissue integration of this material. The in vitro MSCs contact with tested biomaterials appear to stimulate the release into the environment of VEGF, the highest concentration being found in tests with elution of HAP-Ti. Overall, our results suggested that the proposed materials are not very well structured and need to be optimized in order to be more stable. However it appears that HAP-Ti is less reactive than Ti-a suggesting that HAP-Ti should be the chosen material for future improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystal violet (CV) based microtitre plate assay is one of the most widely used method in screening for biofilm forming bacterial strains or in evaluating the efficacy of antibiofilm products. Despite the modifications made over the time in order to increase CV staining method's accuracy, this assay still shares the issue of "edge effect", phenomenon due mainly to evaporation of the liquid from the peripheral wells. This allows the planktonic cells to stick to the walls, which in turn binds the CV dye and gives a false result as biofilm biomass, thus increasing the rate of experimental errors. The present study aimed to improve the accuracy of the crystal violet staining assay, by reducing the "edge effect" through certain modifications that involved either changing the incubation conditions, by using a climate chamber instead of a classic incubator or the working technique, by filling the peripheral wells from lines A, B, G, H and columns 1, 2, 11 and 12 of a 96 well microtiter plate with sterile distiled water. Results showed that by filling the peripheral wells with water, the „edge effect" is reduced and the OD values are relatively homogene with lower standard deviations, when compared with incubating in a classic incubator and in the climate chamber (p< .05). Therefore, this improvement to crystal violet based microtiter plate assay has shown to give minimum variability in our results, mainly when the biofilm assay requires long incubation time involving more than 24 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During oxidative stress the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant protective systems is disturbed. Reactive oxygen species (chemical species with an odd electron) include: hydroxyl radical (OH-), superoxide anion (O2˙‾), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), while antioxidant protective systems are classified into: enzymatic antioxidants (superoxidismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase) and non-enzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione, vitamin E, ascorbic acid, selenium, beta-carotene and vitamin A). In the face of microbial invasion, cells defend themselves by releasing reactive oxygen species, but almost all bacteria have evolved and are able to form and use a range of antioxidants to manage the toxic effects of oxidative stress. To understand the defense mechanisms of bacteria, bacterial models were used that managed to characterize their adaptive responses. The development of methods capable of correlating oxidative stress with the bacterial response could contribute to obtaining a perspective on the development of new antibacterial strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, IgE-mediated allergy diagnosis is based mainly on skin prick tests, but these tests are not recommended for patients that had previously experienced a severe allergic reaction to an allergen source. Serum specific IgE quantification has also its flaws. Therefore, in vitro cellular assays, such as the basophil activation test (BAT) are a good diagnosis alternative. Basophil activation test measures the IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to allergens without exposing the patients to a risk of anaphylaxis. BAT is a functional assay that measures the expression of activation markers such as CD63 and CD203c on the surface of basophils. It is widely used in allergy research but recent clinical validations and standardisations made this test available also for routine testing. In this study, we describe the mechanisms behind the basophil activation test and its clinical application in food, respiratory, venom and drug allergy diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we propose the design and implementation of an electrophysiological experimental device capable of acquiring in real time three cardiovascular parameters: an electrocardiographic derivation (DII), the phonocardiogram and the peripheral photoplestismogram pulse wave at the level of a finger from the upper limb. These parameters allow us to measure systolic parameters with the help of appropriate software and mathematical relationships to calculate the Blumberger hemodynamic index and ejection fraction of the left ventricle. The method is completely noninvasive, simple to perform than the classic polyphysiogram that involved recording the carotid sphygmogram and allows the assessment of the systolic function of the left ventricle in the family doctor's office or of general medicine that does not have the equipment and skills necessary to perform the echocardiographic examination. The preliminary results show a good correlation between the ejection fraction measured echocardiographically (72%) and the value determined with the presented device (77%), which recommends testing the device on significant batches of patients with various cardiovascular pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]