Evaluating the Protective Properties of a Xyloglucan-Based Nasal Spray in a Mouse Model of Allergic Rhinitis

A breached nasal epithelial barrier plays an important role in driving allergic rhinitis (AR). Corticosteroids remain the standard of care (SoC) but come with side effects, thus alternative safe and effective treatments able to avoid inflammation and restore barrier integrity are needed. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the barrier-forming capacity of a xyloglucan-based nasal spray (XG) and compare its efficacy to several SoC treatments (corticosteroid spray, oral mast-cell stabilizer and oral antihistamine) in reducing allergic responses in addition to its effect when concomitantly administered with an antihistamine. An ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mouse AR model was used. XG shows a significant efficacy in reducing histological damage in AR mice; improves nasal rubbing and histamine-induced hyper-responsiveness. Total and OVA-specific IgE as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines are significantly reduced compared to OVA challenged-mice, with im-proved efficacy when used as an add-on treatment. However, XG reduces mucous secreting cells (PAS-positive) and mucin mRNA expression similar to the corticosteroid-treated mice. XG-spray maintains tight junction protein expression (ZO-1) and conversely decreases HDAC1 significantly; the latter being highly expressed in AR patients. Moreover, the concomitant treatment showed in all of the endpoints a similar efficacy to the corticosteroids. This innovative approach may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for nasal respiratory diseases like AR, reducing undesirable side effects and improving the quality of life in patients.     

Therapeutic Acellular Scaffolds for Limiting Left Ventricular Remodelling-Current Status and Future Directions

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of heart-related deaths worldwide. Following MI, the hypoxic microenvironment triggers apoptosis, disrupts the extracellular matrix and forms a non-functional scar that leads towards adverse left ventricular (LV) remodelling. If left untreated this eventually leads to heart failure. Besides extensive advancement in medical therapy, complete functional recovery is never accomplished, as the heart possesses limited regenerative ability. In recent decades, the focus has shifted towards tissue engineering and regenerative strategies that provide an attractive option to improve cardiac regeneration, limit adverse LV remodelling and restore function in an infarcted heart. Acellular scaffolds possess attractive features that have made them a promising therapeutic candidate. Their application in infarcted areas has been shown to improve LV remodelling and enhance functional recovery in post-MI hearts. This review will summarise the updates on acellular scaffolds developed and tested in pre-clinical and clinical scenarios in the past five years with a focus on their ability to overcome damage caused by MI. It will also describe how acellular scaffolds alone or in combination with biomolecules have been employed for MI treatment. A better understanding of acellular scaffolds potentialities may guide the development of customised and optimised therapeutic strategies for MI treatment.     

Tourism and regional growth in Europe

The paper analyses the impact of domestic and international tourism on the economic growth process for 179 European regions. The econometric analysis is based on a spatial growth regression framework where the rate of GDP per capita growth at the regional level for the period 1999–2009 depends on tourism flows, in addition to the traditional growth variables. Besides controlling for initial conditions, we also include a wide set of covariates to account for the endowment of human and technological capital and for the geographical, social and institutional features of the regions. The results, confirmed by several robustness checks, demonstrate that regional growth is positively affected by domestic and international tourism.     

Interactivity and multimodality in language learning: the untapped potential of audiobooks

Universal Access in the Information Society - In this work, we present three case studies, involving classes in primary and secondary schools, in Denmark. The studies, conducted in the past...     

Social learning in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus).

Investigates whether golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) pups can acquire a new behavior by interacting with an experienced adult conspecific. The behavior consisted of using teeth and forepaws to retrieve a piece of food dangling from a small chain. Instrumental learning techniques were used to train the demonstrators. Four groups of pups were exposed to different kinds of social experience. In the 1st group, the pups interacted with their skilled mother, in the 2nd group, they did the same with their inexperienced mother, in the 3rd group, they interacted with inexperienced littermates; and in the 4th group, the pups were tested individually. At the end of an acquisition period, the pups were tested individually to assess their performance. Results demonstrate that interacting with a skilled mother has a remarkable effect on the acquisition of a new feeding behavior by hamster pups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mechanical modelling of capacitive RF MEMS shunt switches

The mechanical response of a RF MEMS shunt connected switch in coplanar waveguide configuration has been studied by using both an uni-dimensional approach based on analytical equations and a Finite Element Method (FEM) with commercial software simulations. The analytical model, developed by means of a MATHCAD program, has been used to predict the dynamics of the device, mainly taking into account its re-configuration time and the energy balance involved in the actuation and in the de-actuation mechanisms. After that, 2D and 3D simulations have been performed to get the really deformed shape of the bridge, depending on the central and lateral actuation of the suspended beam. After that, 2D and 3D simulations have been performed by a central and lateral actuation of the suspended beam to get the really deformed shape of the bridge. Theoretical and experimental results about the threshold voltage and the response time of the device confirm the validity of the proposed modeling.     

Narrow-band filtering by means of triangular meta-material resonators based on RF MEMS cantilevers in CPW configuration

Microsystem Technologies - Triangular resonators, designed by using Radio Frequency Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (RF MEMS) cantilevers in coplanar waveguide (CPW) configuration, have been...     

Experimental protocols for the assessment of redox thermodynamics of nonstoichiometric oxides: A case study of YMnO3-δ

The thermodynamics of reduction in variable valence oxides are important in a vast number of fields in which point defects, and in particular oxygen vacancies, control material functionality. Here, we present, by way of an example measurement of the material YMnO_3-δ, for which the vacancy formation energy has not been previously reported, best practices for material characterization. Sample mass is recorded by thermogravimetric analysis at temperatures from 600 to 1500°C under five different gas atmospheres, with oxygen partial pressure ranging from 0.081 to 7.66 × 10^–5 atm. Because YMnO_3-δ displays relatively small nonstoichiometry, less than 0.09, over the range of conditions examined, a large sample was required to record the modest mass changes. In the more oxidizing conditions, equilibrium behavior was recorded using a finite heating rate of 10°C min^–1. In the more reducing conditions, absolute mass changes with temperature were large such that the evolved oxygen increased the oxygen partial pressure in the sample vicinity, precluding equilibration under finite heating. Accordingly, a temperature-stepped protocol with long isothermal holds was employed. Analysis of the results from these stepped measurements required interpolation, which was carried out on the ln(δ) versus 1/T plane. In the nonpolar, centrosymmetric phase (P6₃/mcm and δ ≥ 0.016), the enthalpy of reduction was found to be 304 ± 4 kJ (mol-O)^–1, as averaged over the δ range 0.020–0.035. While YMnO_3-δ is known to incorporate oxygen excess in its ambient temperature, polar phase (P6₃cm), the conditions leading to such behavior were not included in this study.     

Efficacy of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) on Impulsive Behaviours and Aggressiveness in Psychiatric Disorders

It is the focus of increasing interest to investigate the effects of long-chain n-3 and long-chain n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFAs; LC n-6 PUFAs) on psychiatric symptoms in a transdiagnostic perspective. There is some evidence that low levels of LC n-3 PUFAs and a higher ratio of LC n-6 to LC n-3 PUFAs in plasma and blood cells are associated with aggressive and impulsive behaviours. Therefore, implementation of LC n-3 PUFAs may produce positive effects on hostility, aggression, and impulsivity in both psychiatric and non-psychiatric samples across different stages of life. A possible mechanism of action of LC n-3 PUFAs in conditions characterized by a high level of impulsivity and aggression is due to the effect of these compounds on the serotonin system and membrane stability. Studies that evaluated the effects of LC n-3 PUFAs on impulsivity and aggressiveness indicated that addition of rather low doses of these agents to antipsychotic treatment might reduce agitation and violent behaviours in psychosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, personality disorders, and impulsive control and conduct disorders. The present review is aimed at examining and discussing available data from recent trials on this topic.