2023 Citations

Balneotherapy has demonstrated clinical efficacy in the management of pathologies involving low-grade inflammation and stress. In rheumatic conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA), this therapy presents anti-inflammatory properties and potential to improve psychological well-being. Although the neurohormones serotonin and dopamine are known to be involved in these processes, surprisingly they have not been studied in this context. The objective was to evaluate the effect of a cycle of balneotherapy with peloids (pelotherapy) on circulating serotonin and dopamine concentrations in a group of aged individuals with OA, after comparing their basal state to that of an age-matched control group. In our pilot study, a pelotherapy program (10 days) was carried out in a group of 16 elderly patients with OA, evaluating its effects on circulating serotonin and dopamine concentrations (measured by ELISA). Individuals with OA showed higher levels of serotonin and lower dopamine levels, in line with the inflammatory roles o

Previous studies have demonstrated that T cell exhaustion is associated with poor clearance of Hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, whether the expression of exhaustion markers on innate‐like circulating γδ T cells derived from patients with HBV infection correlates with the serum level of vitamin D is not completely understood. In this study, we found that the frequency of circulating Vδ2+ T cell and serum levels of vitamin 25(OH)D3 were significantly decreased in patients with HBV. And serum 25(OH)D3 levels in HBV‐infected patients were negatively correlated with HBV DNA load and PD‐1 expression on γδ T cells. Interestingly, 1α,25(OH)2D3 alleviated the exhaustion phenotype of Vδ2 T cells in HBV‐infected patients and promoted IFN‐β expression in human cytotoxic Vδ2 T cells in vitro. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that vitamin D plays a pivotal role in reversing γδ T‐cell exhaustion and is highly promising target for ameliorating HBV infection.

Background Cancer cells are characterized by changes in cell cytoskeletal architecture and stiffness. Despite advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of musculoskeletal cancers, the corresponding cellular mechanical properties remain largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in cellular stiffness and the associated cytoskeleton configuration alterations in various musculoskeletal cancer cells. Methods Cell lines from five main sarcoma types of the musculoskeletal system (chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, fibrosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma) as well as their healthy cell counterparts (chondrocytes, osteoblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblasts, skeletal muscle cells) were subjected to cell stiffness measurements via atomic force microscopy (AFM). Biochemical and structural changes of the cytoskeleton (F-actin, β-tubulin and actin-related protein 2/3) were assessed by means of fluorescence labell

Poor quality of sleep leads to an increase in severity of the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia (FM) syndrome and vice versa. The aim of this study was to determine if the poor perceived sleep quality in FM patients could be corroborated by objective physiological determinations. Perceived sleep quality was evaluated (through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) in 68 FM patients compared to an age-matched reference group of 68 women without FM. Objective sleep quality (measured using accelerometry), and systemic concentrations of sleep-related hormones (catecholamines, oxytocin, serotonin, and melatonin) were evaluated in two representative groups from the reference control group (n = 11) and FM patients (n = 11). FM patients reported poorer subjective sleep quality compared to the reference group. However, no significant differences were found in accelerometry parameters, except for a delay in getting in and out of bed. In addition, FM patients showed no significant differences in oxytocin concentration

Recent studies show that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) improves cognitive and motor functions in patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Gamma rhythm low-field magnetic stimulation (LFMS) is a new non-invasive rTMS technique that generates diffused and low-intensity magnetic stimulation to the deep cortical and subcortical areas. To investigate the potential therapeutic effects of LFMS in PD, we subjected an experimental mouse model to LFMS (as an early treatment). We examined the LFMS effect on motor functions as well as neuronal and glial activities in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated male C57BL/6J mice. Mice received MPTP injection (30 mg/kg, i.p., once daily for 5 days) followed by LFMS treatment, 20 min each day for 7 days. LFMS treatment improved motor functions compared with the sham-treated MPTP mice. Further, LFMS significantly improved tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and decreased glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels in substantia nigra pars compac

Although the predominant symptom in fibromyalgia (FM) is muscle pain, and fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), differential diagnosis is very difficult. This research investigates the psychoneuroimmunoendocrine disorders of FM patients and ascertains whether a previous CFS diagnosis affected them. Through accelerometry objective parameters, physical activity/sedentarism levels in relation to fatigue are studied, as well as whether perceived levels of stress, anxiety, and pain correspond to objective biomarkers, all of these with respect to a reference group (RG) of women without FM. FM patients have a worse psychological state and perceived quality of life than those with RG. These perceived outcomes are consistent with impaired objective levels of a sedentary lifestyle, higher systemic levels of cortisol and noradrenaline, and lower levels of serotonin. However, FM patients with a previous CFS diagnosis had lower systemic levels of IL-8, cortisol, oxytocin, and higher levels of adrenaline and serotonin

Objectives: Erdosteine, an oral mucoactive anti-oxidant molecule, interferes with the pathological processes seen in respiratory disorders including thickened or increased mucus production, increased oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation; however, its efficacy as an asthma therapy remains to be fully clarified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of erdosteine on epithelial barrier function in asthma. Methods: To investigate the effects of erdosteine on cell barrier expression in a mouse model of asthma, BALB/c mice ( n = 8 per group; total of 40 mice) were exposed to saline (Sham), ovalbumin (OVA), or OVA plus TiO2 inhalation (200 μg/m3; OVA + TiO2). The mice were then treated with erdosteine orally (OVA + TiO2 + Erdos) or intraperitoneal dexamethasone (OVA + TiO2 + Dex). Bronchoalveolar lavage and histology were performed. Enhanced pause was used as an indicator of pulmonary function, and samples were collected. The effect of erdosteine on cell barrier expression was assessed by

Background and Aims Dietary patterns are important in managing ulcerative colitis [UC], given their influence on gut microbiome-host symbiosis and inflammation. We investigated whether the Mediterranean Diet Pattern [MDP] vs the Canadian Habitual Diet Pattern [CHD] would affect disease activity, inflammation, and the gut microbiome in patients with quiescent UC. Methods We performed a prospective, randomised, controlled trial in adults [65% female; median age 47 years] with quiescent UC in an outpatient setting from 2017 to 2021. Participants were randomised to an MDP [n = 15] or CHD [n = 13] for 12 weeks. Disease activity [Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index] and faecal calprotectin [FC] were measured at baseline and week 12. Stool samples were analysed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Results The diet was well tolerated by the MDP group. At week 12

When the proliferation of residual hepatocytes is prohibited, biliary epithelial cells (BECs) transdifferentiate into nascent hepatocytes to accomplish liver regeneration. Despite significant interest in transdifferentiation, little is known about the maintenance of nascent hepatocytes in post-injured environments. Here, we perform an N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) forward genetic screen and identify a mutant containing a nonsense mutation in the gene nibrin (nbn), which encodes a component of the Mre11-Rad50-Nbn (MRN) complex that activates DNA damage response (DDR). The regenerated hepatocytes cannot be maintained and exhibit apoptosis in the mutant. Mechanistically, the nbn mutation results in the abrogation of ATR-Chk1 signaling and accumulations of DNA damage in nascent hepatocytes, which eventually induces p53-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, loss of rad50 or mre11a shows similar phenotypes. This study reveals that the activation of DDR by the MRN complex is essential for the survival of BEC-derived hepato

BackgroundChildren are less susceptible than adults to symptomatic COVID‐19 infection, but very few studies addressed their underlying cause. Moreover, very few studies analyzed why children highly exposed to the virus remain uninfected.MethodsWe analyzed the serum levels of ACE2, angiotensin II, anti-spike and anti-N antibodies, cytokine profiles, and virus neutralization in a cohort of children at high risk of viral exposure, cohabiting with infected close relatives during the lockdown in Spain.ResultsWe analyzed 40 children who were highly exposed to the virus since they lived with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected relatives during the lockdown for several months without taking preventive measures. Of those, 26 reported mild or very mild symptoms. The induced immune response to the virus was analyzed 3 months after the household infection. Surprisingly, only 15 children had IgG anti-S (IgG+) determined by a sensitive method indicative of a past infection. The rest, negat

Objective: Left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion or exclusion has been used in patients with atrial fibrillation to prevent stroke, but the techniques and devices have shortcomings. This study aims to validate the safety and feasibility of a novel LAA inversion procedure.Methods: LAA inversion procedures were done in six pigs. Before the procedure and at 8 weeks postoperatively, heart rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded. The serum concentration of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was measured. The LAA was observed and measured by transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) and intracardiac echocardiogram (ICE). At 8 weeks after LAA inversion, the animal was euthanized. The heart was collected for morphology and histology, including hematoxylin-eosin, Masson trichrome, and immunofluorescence staining.Results: TEE and ICE showed that LAA was inverted, and the inversion was maintained during the 8-week study duration. Food intake, body weight gain, heart rate, blood pressure, ECG, and serum

Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is complicated by the presence of drug use disorder comorbidity. Here, we examine whether conditioned fear (PTSD model) modifies the rewarding effect of mephedrone and if repeated mephedrone injections have impact on trauma-related behaviors (fear sensitization, extinction, and recall of the fear reaction). We also analyzed whether these trauma-induced changes were associated with exacerbation in metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and the GluN2A and GluN2B subunits of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor expression in such brain structures as the hippocampus and basolateral amygdala. Male adolescent rats underwent trauma exposure (1.5 mA footshock), followed 7 days later by a conditioned place preference training with mephedrone. Next, the post-conditioning test was performed. Fear sensitization, conditioned fear, anxiety-like behavior, extinction acquisition and relapse were then assessed to evaluate behavioral changes. MMP-9, GluN2A and GluN2B were subse