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Body composition with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry: from basics to new tools
2020
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in nowadays considered one of the most versatile imaging techniques for the evaluation of metabolic bone disorders such as osteoporosis, sarcopenia and obesity. The advantages of DXA over other imaging techniques are the very low radiation dose, its accuracy and simplicity of use. In addition, fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) values by DXA shows very good accuracy compared to that of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. In this review we will explain the technical working principles of body composition with DXA, together with the possible limitations and pitfalls that should be avoided in daily routine to produce high-quality DXA examina…
Linking immune-mediated damage to neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis: could network-based MRI help?
2021
Abstract Inflammatory demyelination characterizes the initial stages of multiple sclerosis, while progressive axonal and neuronal loss are coexisting and significantly contribute to the long-term physical and cognitive impairment. There is an unmet need for a conceptual shift from a dualistic view of multiple sclerosis pathology, involving either inflammatory demyelination or neurodegeneration, to integrative dynamic models of brain reorganization, where, glia-neuron interactions, synaptic alterations and grey matter pathology are longitudinally envisaged at the whole-brain level. Functional and structural MRI can delineate network hallmarks for relapses, remissions or disease progression, …
Paracentrin 1, a synthetic antimicrobial peptide from the sea-urchin Paracentrotus lividus, interferes with staphylococcal and Pseudomonas aeruginosa…
2014
The rise of antibiotic-resistance as well as the reduction of investments by pharmaceutical companies in the development of new antibiotics have stimulated the investigation for alternative strategies to conventional antibiotics. Many antimicrobial peptides show a high specificity for prokaryotes and a low toxicity for eukaryotic cells and, due to their mode of action the development of resistance is considered unlikely. We recently characterized an antimicrobial peptide that was called Paracentrin 1 from the 5-kDa peptide fraction from the coelomocyte cytosol of the Paracentrotus lividus. In this study, the chemically synthesized Paracentrin 1, was tested for its antimicrobial and antibiof…
Differential Effects of Antibiotic Therapy on the Structure and Function of Human Gut Microbiota
2013
The human intestinal microbiota performs many essential functions for the host. Antimicrobial agents, such as antibiotics (AB), are also known to disturb microbial community equilibrium, thereby having an impact on human physiology. While an increasing number of studies investigate the effects of AB usage on changes in human gut microbiota biodiversity, its functional effects are still poorly understood. We performed a follow-up study to explore the effect of ABs with different modes of action on human gut microbiota composition and function. Four individuals were treated with different antibiotics and samples were taken before, during and after the AB course for all of them. Changes in the…
The role of the Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen as a tumor-associated molecule.
1990
The Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (Gal-GalNAc) represents a tumor-associated molecule, which is assumed to be one of the few chemically well-defined antigens with a proven association with malignancy. In order to analyze the role of the carbohydrate structure Gal-GalNAc for gastrointestinal tumors, we immunized Balb/c mice with MCF-7 breast tumor cells together with synthetic Gal-GalNAc linked to a BSA carrier. One monoclonal antibody (82-A6) was established which recognizes the Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen according to the biochemical and serological analysis presented here. In contrast to the studies performed in the past, immunohistochemical results using this antibody 82-A6 did not exhib…
Fab fragments from a monoclonal antibody against a germ tube mannoprotein block the yeast-to-mycelium transition in Candida albicans.
1990
Fab fragments prepared from the immunoglobulin G monoclonal antibody (MAb) 4C12, which reacts with a determinant expressed on the hyphal extension of germ tubes of Candida albicans, inhibited germ tube formation, but intact MAb 4C12 did not. Indirect immunofluorescence showed a punctate binding pattern on cells incubated with Fab fragments but a confluent binding on cells incubated with intact MAb 4C12.
Kaempferol as a dietary anti-inflammatory agent: current therapeutic standing
2020
Inflammation is a physiological response to different pathological, cellular or vascular damages due to physical, chemical or mechanical trauma. It is characterized by pain, redness, heat and swelling. Current natural drugs are carefully chosen as a novel therapeutic strategy for the management of inflammatory diseases. Different phytochemical constituents are present in natural products. These phytochemicals have high efficacy both in vivo and in vitro. Among them, flavonoids occur in many foods, vegetables and herbal medicines and are considered as the most active constituent, having the ability to attenuate inflammation. Kaempferol is a polyphenol that is richly found in fruits, vegetabl…
Novel Approaches for Immunosuppression in Graves’ Hyperthyroidism and Associated Orbitopathy
2020
<b><i>Background:</i></b> Both Graves’ hyperthyroidism (GH) and Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) are associated with significant adverse health consequences. All conventional treatment options have limitations regarding efficacy and safety. Most importantly, they do not specifically address the underlying immunological mechanisms. We aim to review the latest development of treatment approaches in these two closely related disorders. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> Immunotherapies of GH have recently demonstrated clinical efficacy in preliminary studies. They include ATX-GD-59, an antigen-specific immunotherapy which restores immune tolerance to the thyrotropin…
Effects of different doses of doxepin on passive avoidance learning in rats
2013
Background: Studies have shown that Doxepin has anti-inflammatory effects and reduces oxidative stress. Due to the fact that other tricyclic antidepressants have been shown to have neuroprotective effects, this study aimed to investigate the effects of different doses of doxepin on passive avoidance learning in rats. Materials and Methods: Old male Wistar rats were used in this study. Doxepin was administered intraperitoneally (1, 5 and 10 mg/kg) for 21 days. Passive avoidance learning test was used for evaluation of learning and memory. Rats received foot electrical shock on fifteen day, and step through latencies were evaluated one week after the electrical shock in retention phase. Resul…
Comparison of the contractile effects of endothelin-1 and sarafotoxin S6b in goat isolated cerebral arteries
1992
1. The effects of endothelium-derived endothelin-1 and snake venom-derived sarafotoxin S6b, peptides with striking structural and functional similarities, were examined and compared in isolated middle cerebral arteries of goats. 2. Endothelin-1 and sarafotoxin S6b contracted cerebral arteries in a concentration-dependent manner. The potency of endothelin-1 (EC50 = 4.9 (3.9-6.2) x 10(-10) M) was about ten times higher than that of sarafotoxin S6b (EC50 = 5.5 (4.4-6.9) x 10(-9) M). The tension returned to basal values after repeated washings and contraction with endothelin-1 could be reproduced. Endothelin-1 and sarafotoxin S6b induced further contraction in arteries precontracted with prosta…