Spectral phasor imaging on a commercial confocal microscope without a spectral detector.

Spectral imaging is a fluorescence microscopy technique with several applications, including imaging of environment-sensitive probes, spectral unmixing and identification of fluorescent species. In confocal microscopes not equipped with a spectral detection unit, spectral images can be obtained using the lambda scan mode of the microscope, namely the sequential acquisition of images using a tunable emission filter or other dispersive optical elements. Unfortunately, the lambda scan mode has poor temporal resolution, is a photon-wasting technique, and is not ideal for the spectral imaging of live samples.

Protective Roles of Zinc and Selenium Against Oxidative Stress in Brain Endothelial Cells Under Shear Stress.

Background: Hypertension is a major risk factor for cerebrovascular diseases due to its damaging effects on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and associated pathologies. Oxidative stress-induced endothelial damage plays a critical role in BBB disruption, potentially leading to cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of two essential trace elements, zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se), against oxidative stress in human brain endothelial cells (HBCE5i) exposed to hypertensive shear stress.

Molecular, Physical, and Technical Performance Response After a Competitive Match in Male Professional Soccer Players.

Background: Male professional soccer players frequently compete in multiple matches weekly, and each match significantly impacts their homeostasis, health, and performance. This study evaluates players response at 48 h post-match by combining biological and GPS data. Investigating biochemical and performance metrics offers insights into the physical demands of high-intensity exercise, essential for optimizing performance, recovery, and overall athlete health.

Alteration of Immunoregulatory Patterns and Survival Advantage of Key Cell Types in Food Allergic Children.

All allergic responses to food indicate the failure of immunological tolerance, but it is unclear why cow's milk and egg (CME) allergies resolve more readily than reactivity to peanuts (PN). We sought to identify differences between PN and CME allergies through constitutive immune status and responses to cognate and non-cognate food antigens. Children with confirmed allergy to CME ( = 6) and PN ( = 18) and non-allergic (NA) ( = 8) controls were studied.

Bioimpedance Patterns and Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA) of Body Builders.

Bodybuilders are athletes characterized by high muscle mass. During competitions, the evaluation is performed based on aesthetic parameters. The study aims to provide normative references of body composition with the vector bioimpedance methodology (BIVA).

SPLIT-PIN software enabling confocal and super-resolution imaging with a virtually closed pinhole.

In point-scanning microscopy, optical sectioning is achieved using a small aperture placed in front of the detector, i.e. the detection pinhole, which rejects the out-of-focus background.

Morphological and Functional Effects of Ultrasound on Blood-Brain Barrier Transitory Opening: An In Vitro Study on Rat Brain Endothelial Cells.

With the recent advances in medicine, human life expectancy is increasing; however, the extra years of life are not necessarily spent in good health or free from disability, resulting in a significantly higher incidence of age-associated pathologies. Among these disorders, neurodegenerative diseases have a significant impact. To this end, the presence of the protective blood-brain barrier (BBB) represents a formidable obstacle to the delivery of therapeutics.

Effects of a 24-Week Exercise Program on Functional Fitness, Oxidative Stress, and Salivary Cortisol Levels in Elderly Subjects.

Aging is a biological and irreversible process characterized by physiological alterations resulting in a progressive decline in biological functions, decreased resistance or adaptability to stress, and increased disease susceptibility. A decline in functional fitness, imbalance between pro- and antioxidant capacity, and/or hormonal dysregulation adversely impact physical capacity, emotional status, and overall quality of life, especially within the elderly population. On the other hand, regular physical activity is considered an effective strategy to prevent and reduce those changes associated with primary aging and concurrent chronic disease, while slowing age-related physical degeneration.

Proposal of a New Parameter for Evaluating Muscle Mass in Footballers through Bioimpedance Analysis.

The evaluation of muscle mass in athletes correlates with sports performance directly. Bioimpedance vector analysis is a growing method of assessing body composition in athletes because it is independent of predictive formulas containing variables such as body weight, ethnicity, age, and sex. The study aims to propose a new parameter (Levi’s Muscle Index, LMI) that evaluates muscle mass through raw bioelectrical data.

L. Leaves as a Potential Food Source of Phenolic Compounds with Biological Activity.

It is well recognized that functional foods rich in antioxidants and antiinflammation agents including polyphenols, probiotics/prebiotics, and bioactive compounds have been found to have positive effects on the aging process. In particular, fruits play an important role in regular diet, promoting good health and longevity. In this study, we investigated on biological properties of extract obtained from L.

The Protection of Zinc against Acute Cadmium Exposure: A Morphological and Molecular Study on a BBB In Vitro Model.

Cadmium (Cd) is a well-known occupational and environmental pollutant worldwide, and its toxicity is widely recognised. Cd is reported to increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and to penetrate and accumulate in the brain. Although many lines of evidence show that Cd toxicity is induced by different mechanisms, one of the best known is the Cd-dependent production of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Pareto optimal metabolic engineering for the growth-coupled overproduction of sustainable chemicals.

Our research aims to help industrial biotechnology develop a sustainable economy using green technology based on microorganisms and synthetic biology through two case studies that improve metabolic capacity in yeast models Yarrowia lipolytica (Y. lipolytica) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae).

The Thyroid Gland: A Revision Study on Its Vascularization and Surgical Implications.

: The "classic" thyroid gland arterial vascularization takes into account two superior thyroid arteries (STA), two inferior thyroid arteries (ITA) and, occasionally, a thyroid ima artery (TIMA). The present review focuses on exploring the available data concerning thyroid gland arterial vascularization and its variations. : Here, we analysed 49 articles from the last century, ranging from case reports to reviews concerning cadaver dissection classes, surgical intervention, and non-invasive techniques as well.

Antioxidant support to ameliorate the oxaliplatin-dependent microglial alteration: morphological and molecular study.

Oxaliplatin is a third-generation chemotherapy drug mainly used for colorectal cancer treatment. However, it is also known to trigger neuropathy whose underlying neurobiological mechanisms are still under investigation and currently available treatments show limited efficacy. It is now established that neurons are not the only cell type involved in chronic pain and that glial cells, mainly astrocytes and microglia, are involved in the initiation and maintenance of neuropathy.

The Cerebellar Dopaminergic System.

In the central nervous system (CNS), dopamine (DA) is involved in motor and cognitive functions. Although the cerebellum is not been considered an elective dopaminergic region, studies attributed to it a critical role in dopamine deficit-related neurological and psychiatric disorders [e.g.

The Influence of Menstrual Cycle on Bioimpedance Vector Patterns, Performance, and Flexibility in Elite Soccer Players.

Purpose: To examine whether menstrual cycle affects body composition and bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA) patterns, jumping and sprinting ability, and flexibility in elite soccer players.

Methods: A total of 20 elite female soccer players (age: 23.8 [3.

The Italian law on body donation: A position paper of the Italian College of Anatomists.

In Italy, recent legislation (Law No. 10/2020) has tuned regulations concerning the donation of one's postmortem body and tissues for study, training, and scientific research purposes. This study discusses several specific issues to optimise the applicability and effectiveness of such an important, novel regulatory setting.

Clobetasol promotes neuromuscular plasticity in mice after motoneuronal loss via sonic hedgehog signaling, immunomodulation and metabolic rebalancing.

Motoneuronal loss is the main feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, although pathogenesis is extremely complex involving both neural and muscle cells. In order to translationally engage the sonic hedgehog pathway, which is a promising target for neural regeneration, recent studies have reported on the neuroprotective effects of clobetasol, an FDA-approved glucocorticoid, able to activate this pathway via smoothened. Herein we sought to examine functional, cellular, and metabolic effects of clobetasol in a neurotoxic mouse model of spinal motoneuronal loss.

Changes in physical activity levels, eating habits and psychological well-being during the Italian COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: Impact of socio-demographic factors on the Florentine academic population.

The confinement and lockdown imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have produced restrictions in the lifestyle of Italian citizens with variations in their psychological well-being. The aim of the study was to identify changes and relationship with socio-demographic parameters. An online survey was administered to 1383 subjects (1007 females and 307 males) working in the University of Florence, Italy.

Oxaliplatin-Induced Neuropathy: Genetic and Epigenetic Profile to Better Understand How to Ameliorate This Side Effect.

In the most recent decades, oxaliplatin has been used as a chemotherapeutic agent for colorectal cancer and other malignancies as well. Oxaliplatin interferes with tumor growth predominantly exerting its action in DNA synthesis inhibition by the formation of DNA-platinum adducts that, in turn, leads to cancer cell death. On the other hand, unfortunately, this interaction leads to a plethora of systemic side effects, including those affecting the peripheral and central nervous system.

Lung Surfactant Decreases Biochemical Alterations and Oxidative Stress Induced by a Sub-Toxic Concentration of Carbon Nanoparticles in Alveolar Epithelial and Microglial Cells.

Carbon-based nanomaterials are nowadays attracting lots of attention, in particular in the biomedical field, where they find a wide spectrum of applications, including, just to name a few, the drug delivery to specific tumor cells and the improvement of non-invasive imaging methods. Nanoparticles inhaled during breathing accumulate in the lung alveoli, where they interact and are covered with lung surfactants. We recently demonstrated that an apparently non-toxic concentration of engineered carbon nanodiamonds (ECNs) is able to induce oxidative/nitrosative stress, imbalance of energy metabolism, and mitochondrial dysfunction in microglial and alveolar basal epithelial cells.

Alcohol-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Impairment: An In Vitro Study.

In recent years, alcohol abuse has dramatically grown with deleterious consequence for people's health and, in turn, for health care costs. It has been demonstrated, in humans and animals, that alcohol intoxication induces neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration thus leading to brain impairments. Furthermore, it has been shown that alcohol consumption is able to impair the blood-brain barrier (BBB), but the molecular mechanisms underlining this detrimental effect have not been fully elucidated.

Cadmium-Induced Cytotoxicity: Effects on Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain.

Cadmium (Cd) is a well-known heavy metal and environmental toxicant and pollutant worldwide, being largely present in every kind of item such as plastic (toys), battery, paints, ceramics, contaminated water, air, soil, food, fertilizers, and cigarette smoke. Nowadays, it represents an important research area for the scientific community mainly for its effects on public health. Due to a half-life ranging between 15 and 30 years, Cd owns the ability to accumulate in organs and tissues, exerting deleterious effects.

Faecal microbiota transplant from aged donor mice affects spatial learning and memory via modulating hippocampal synaptic plasticity- and neurotransmission-related proteins in young recipients.

Background: The gut-brain axis and the intestinal microbiota are emerging as key players in health and disease. Shifts in intestinal microbiota composition affect a variety of systems; however, evidence of their direct impact on cognitive functions is still lacking. We tested whether faecal microbiota transplant (FMT) from aged donor mice into young adult recipients altered the hippocampus, an area of the central nervous system (CNS) known to be affected by the ageing process and related functions.