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Donkey milk is gaining interest as a natural nutritional and medicinal product, mainly because its composition is similar to that of human milk, and it has some potential biological properties, such as antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antiaging, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. Considering the increasing prevalence of several chronic diseases related to oxidative stress and inflammation and the multiple beneficial properties and nutritional value of donkey milk, an up‐to‐date review of the current studies related to the antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory abilities of donkey milk is necessary. Therefore, this review aims to discuss the relationship between inflammation and oxidative stress; and to further systematically review the progress of recent research on donkey milk, mainly including its nutritional value and functional properties. Particularly, we highlighted the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative properties of donkey milk using in vitro model, animal model, and the potential role of donkey milk in alleviating some chronic diseases related to inflammation. Practical applications: This paper was conducted on anti‐inflammation and antioxidant activities of donkey milk and its related products, in addition to a summary of the relationship between oxidative stress and inflammation and the value of donkey milk. Donkey milk and its related products have been shown to scavenge reactive oxygen species, activate the antioxidant system, enhance immune function, and maintain the balance of intestinal flora in in vitro and in vivo models. This paper should provide a better understanding of the influences of oxidative stress and inflammation on host health and the biological functions and application of donkey milk, and will provide a certain basis for the nutritional regulation of several chronic diseases related to oxidative stress and inflammation. However, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. In addition, few clinical studies have been performed to establish its multiple benefits in humans. Further research is warranted to evaluate its impacts on health at molecular levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper was to explore the mechanism of bladder meridian massage (BMM) on anxiety in rats with chronic stress. Chronic stress induced rats to establish rat anxiety model. The sugar water preference (SPF), tail suspension time (TST), and forced swimming time (FST) of rats were measured. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and inflammatory cytokines in serum and hippocampus of rats were detected. Brain neurotransmitters (dopamine (DA), 5- hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and norepinephrine (NE)) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to detect autophagy protein expression in hippocampus of rats. BMM significantly increased SPF, decreased TST and FST, increased SOD level in serum and hippocampus, and decreased MDA level and cytokine level. BMM reversed the changes of neurotransmitters. At the same time, BMM significantly decreased autophagy protein expression in hippocampus of rats. The above results show that BMM significantly relieve anxiety induced by chronic stress in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Inflammation is a host defense mechanism in the body after it is infected and damaged. If inflammation is not treated in time, then it may cause a variety of diseases, such as cancer and autoimmune diseases. Herbal essential oils are natural extracts that can suppress inflammation effectively and are expected to be used in therapeutic drugs for anti-inflammatory diseases in the future. Aim of the review. We review the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of essential oils derived from 16 herbs. Materials and methods. We searched the literature of the fields of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory herbal essential oil activity published in English within the past five years via databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and The Web of Science). Results. A total of 1932 papers were found by searching, and 132 papers were screened after removing duplicates and reading article titles. Fifteen articles met the requirements to be included in this review. Among those selected, 11 articles reported in vivo research results, and 10 articles showed research results. Conclusion. Essential oils extracted from herbs can reduce inflammation by regulating the release of inflammatory cytokines involved in multiple signalling pathways. Herbal essential oils are expected to be developed as anti-inflammatory drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper was designed to predict the mechanisms of the active components of Huaji Jianpi Decoction (HJJPD) against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) based on network pharmacology-combined animal experiments. The candidate compounds of HJJPD and its relative targets were obtained from TCMSP and PharmMapper web server, and the intersection genes for NAFLD were discerned using OMIM, GeneCards, and DisGeNET. Then, the target protein-protein interaction (PPI) and component-target-pathway networks were constructed. Moreover, gene function annotation (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed to study the potential signaling pathways associated with HJJPD's effect on NAFLD. Molecular docking simulation was preformed to validate the binding affinity between potential core components and key targets. Eventually, the candidate targets, the possible pathway, and the mechanism of HJJPD were predicted by the network pharmacology-based strategy, followed by experimental validation in the NAFLD mice model treated with HJJPD. A total of 55 candidate compounds and 36 corresponding genes were identified from HJJPD that are associated with activity against NAFLD, and then the network of them was constructed. Inflammatory response and lipid metabolism-related signaling pathways were identified as the critical signaling pathways mediating the therapeutic effect of the active bioactive ingredients on NAFLD. Compared with the model group, the liver wet weight, liver/body ratio, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in serum in the HJJPD low-dose (17.52 g/kg·d), medium-dose (35.04 g/kg·d), and high-dose (70.07 g/kg·d) groups significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Light microscope observation shows that HJJPD could control the degree of lipid denaturation of the mouse liver tissue to a great extent. RT-qPCR results show that the mRNA expression levels of peroxisome proliferative activated receptor gamma (PPARG), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), antiserine/threonine protein kinase 1 (AKT1), and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (PTGS2) in the liver tissues of the three HJJPD groups (17.52 g/kg·d, 35.04 g/kg·d, and 70.07 g/kg·d) were significantly lower than those in the model group (P < 0.05). HJJPD can exert its effect by inhibiting hepatic steatosis and related mRNA expression and decreasing the levels of other liver-related indexes. This study suggested that HJJPD exerted its effect on NAFLD by modulating multitargets with multicompounds through multipathways. It also demonstrated that the network pharmacology-based approach might provide insights for understanding the interrelationship between complex diseases and interventions of HJJPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pharmaceutical excipients are compounds or substances other than API which are added to a dosage form, these excipients basically act as carriers, binders, bulk forming agents, colorants, and flavouring agents, and few excipients are even used to enhance the activity of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and various more properties. However, despite of these properties, there are problems with the synthetic excipients such as the possibility of causing toxicity, inflammation, autoimmune responses, lack of intrinsic bioactivity and biocompatibility, expensive procedures for synthesis, and water solubility. However, starch as an excipient can overcome all these problems in one go. It is inexpensive, there is no toxicity or immune response, and it is biocompatible in nature. It is very less used as an excipient because of its high digestibility and swelling index, high glycemic index, paste clarity, film-forming property, crystalline properties, etc. All these properties of starch can be altered by a few modification processes such as physical modification, genetic modification, and chemical modification, which can be used to reduce its digestibility and glycemic index of starch, improve its film-forming properties, and increase its paste clarity. Changes in some of the molecular bonds which improve its properties such as binding, crystalline structure, and retrogradation make starch perfect to be used as a pharmaceutical excipient. This research work provides the structural modifications of native starch which can be applicable in advanced drug delivery. The major contributions of the paper are advances in the modification of native starch molecules such as physically, chemically, enzymatically, and genetically traditional crop modification to yield a novel molecule with significant potential for use in the pharmaceutical industry for targeted drug delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose. Stroke represents one of the most important causes of morbidity (Just over hundred million patients with disabling of ongoing effects of stroke at a given time, globally) and mortality (the second leading cause of death) worldwide. Innovative system biology-based approach is likely to increase the understanding of the underpinning of acute stroke promise to enhance stroke prevention, acute treatment, and neurorehabilitation. Recent growing body of evidence with shared pathobiology with COVID-19 and the critically important role of inflammation in the context of stroke points to far-reaching consequences of acute stroke, just as in the case of COVID-19 (postacute event issues as well as long term issues). So far, stroke is typically defined by late-appearing disease manifestation by the range of stroke subtypes as defined by the WHO or American Stroke Association. This definition neglects the underlying pathobiological mechanisms such as low-grade chronic inflammation and already compromised vascular system. Diseases such as stroke are hardly a simple result of a single problem but rather a complex cascade of pathobiological processes and interactions in a complex biochemical environment. The evidence of changes in innate immunity and adaptive immunity during the index event of acute stroke and recovery over next 3-12 months can be easily elicited with simple bedside blood tests such as neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with well over 300 published papers including several systematic reviews and meta-analyses confirming this. Global standard operating procedures (SOP) of stroke care are dictated by the national and international stroke guidelines at present. It is imperative to explore the evidence of system biology approach in current stroke guidelines. This is likely to be a key turning point in managing stroke across the continuum (prevention, management of acute event, and rehabilitation). Methods. We systematically searched for guideline recommendation on the day-to-day use of peripheral inflammatory markers such as NLR published in the English language between January 1, 2005, and October 2020. Any other evidence of system biology-based approach or recommendation was explored within the selected guidelines for this scoping review. Only the latest guideline per writing group was selected. Each guideline was analyzed independently by 2 to 4 authors to determine clinical scenarios explained/given, scientific evidence used, and recommendations presented in the context of system biology. Results. The scoping review found 2,911 titles at the beginning of the search. Final review included with 15 guidelines. Stroke-related organizations wrote sixty-five percent of the guidelines while national ministries wrote a fewer number of guidelines. We were primarily interested in recommendations for acute management in AIS published in the English language. Fifteen eligible guidelines were identified from 15 different countries/regions. None of the guidelines recommended the routine use of peripheral markers of inflammation, such as NLR, among their acute assessment and management recommendations. None of the existing guidelines explored the system biology approach to one of the most complex diseases affecting the human brain, stroke. Conclusions. This systematic review has identified a significant evidence-practice gap in all existing national stroke guidelines published in English medium as of October 2020. These guidelines included the only current "living stroke guidelines," stroke guidelines from Australia with a real opportunity to modernize the living stroke guidelines with systems biology approach, and provide 2020 vision towards better stroke care globally. Investigation of complex disease such as stroke is best served through a systems biology approach. One of the easiest places to start is simple blood tests such as total white cell count and NLR. Systems biology approach point us towards simple tools such immune-inflammatory index (SII) and serial systemic immune inflammatory indices (SSIIi) which should pave the way for the stroke physician community address the challenges in systems biology approach in stroke care. These challenges include translating bench research to the bedside, managing big data (continuous pulse, blood pressure, sleep, oxygen saturation, progressive changes in NLR, SII, SSIIi, etc.). Working with an interdisciplinary team also provides a distinct advantage. Recent adoption of historic WHO-IGAP calls for immediate action. The 2022 World Brain Day campaign on Brain Health for All is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and start the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defensin Alpha 4 (DEFA4) is the fourth member of the Alpha Defensins family known as a part of antimicrobial peptides in the innate immune system. DEFA4 has a strong preference to kill Gram-negative bacteria more than Gram-positive bacteria. In addition, DEFA4 exhibits antiviral activity against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in vitro. Moreover, DEFA4 can act as an inhibitor of corticosterone production (Corticostatin). On the other hand, alternations in DEFA4 gene expression have been reported in different disorders such as diseases related to inflammation and immunity dysfunction, brain-related disorders, and various cancers. The up-regulation of DEFA4 appears to be involved in the malignant transformation or aggressive form of cancer. Interestingly, the modified version of DEFA4 fragment (1–11) was potent and efficient against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This review provides a general background abSaudi Arabia out DEFA4 and sheds light on changes in DEFA4 gene expression in different diseases. The paper also discusses other aspects related to DEFA4 as an antimicrobial and antiviral agent. The research was conducted based on available articles obtained from databases starting from 1988 to the present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a common chronic skin disease, psoriasis is characterized by the involvement of congenital acquired inflammatory immune diseases. In the study, our results indicated the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on psoriasis‐like skin and the potential protection mechanisms that have not yet been investigated. In vivo, psoriasis‐like skin mice model was induced by imiquimod (IMQ), then was treated by ginsenoside Rg1 for consecutive 4 weeks to evaluate its effect, respectively. In vitro, M5 cocktail treatment of human immortalized keratinocyte HaCaT‐induced psoriasis‐like skin cell model, which was exposed to ginsenoside Rg1. The inflammatory cell infiltration, expression level of keratinocyte proliferation marker Ki67, keratinocyte proliferation, inflammatory cytokines, and ROS/NLRP3 pathway‐related proteins in vivo and in vitro were examined by hematoxylin and eosin, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, CCK‐8, flow cytometry, and western blot. All results demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg1 attenuated the injury of psoriasis‐like skin, which inhibited the proliferation of skin keratinocytes and the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and the level of inflammatory factors such as IL‐1β and IL‐18, and decreased the level of Ki67, NLRP3, and caspase‐1 in mice and HaCaT. Furthermore, NLRP3 overexpression attenuates the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on M5 cocktail‐induced proliferation and NLRP3 inflammasomes in HaCaT. These results demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg1 could suppress the ROS/NLRP3 pathway to treat psoriasis‐like skin. Practical applications: This is the very first study to explore the efficacy of ginsenoside Rg1 against psoriasis‐like skin lesions to reveal the underlying mechanism. In this paper, the detection of skin histopathological analysis, CCK‐8, flow cytometry, western blot, and ELISA analysis shows that ginsenoside Rg1 has preventive effect on psoriasis caused by imiquimod or M5 cocktail through inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome, which helps in the development of novel nutraceutical/functional food against psoriasis and thus could improve the quality of life in psoriasis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to probe into the impact of high-flux dialysis and hemodiafiltration on patients with chronic rental failure, this paper selects in total 92 cases with chronic renal failure receiving hemodialysis from November 2018 to July 2021, allocating them into two groups based on the random table, each with 46 cases. The control group received hemodiafiltration, the observation group is given high-flux hemodialysis, and we compared serum inflammatory factor level and antioxidant factor level before and after treatment, as well as cellular immune factor level (CD3+, CD4+) and humoral immune factor level (IgE) before and after treatment in the two groups; the renal function, serum total calcium ion level, and serum phosphorus ion level in the two groups were compared before and after treatment, as well as the proportion of metabolic abnormalities in calcium and phosphorus ion levels during treatment; the trend of changes in axillary temperature during treatment in the two groups is analyzed. After treatment, serum inflammatory factor level (hs-CRP & TNF-α) is lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05), antioxidant factor level (MDA) is lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05), and SOD level is higher than that in the control group (P < 05). After treatment CD3+ and CD4+ levels in the observation group are higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). For patients with chronic renal failure, high-flux hemodialysis is available to better reduce inflammatory response, improve antioxidant and immune capacity in the body, and help maintain calcium and phosphorus metabolic balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. At present, renal injury caused by sepsis seriously endangers the health of patients. Our paper proposed to study the protective effects of meloxicam (Mel) in sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (SAKI) and the underlying mechanisms. Methods. The in vitro and in vivo models of SAKI were established using lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Mel was injected intraperitoneally at 60 mg/kg into male C57BL/6 mice 4 hours before LPS injection (10 mg/kg). The HK-2 cells were treated with LPS (1 μg/mL) and Mel (40 μM). The renal function and renal pathological changes as well as renal inflammation and apoptosis were detected in SAKI mice. The inflammation and apoptosis of HK-2 cells induced by LPS were also detected. Results. The treatment of Mel significantly decreased the elevated levels of serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in SAKI mice. In addition, the results of HE staining suggested that Mel significantly reduced kidney damage in SAKI mice. Consistently, Mel reduced the expression of LPS-induced kidney injury markers (NGAL and KIM-1). Moreover, LPS induced the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) in the kidney, which can be reduced by Mel. Furthermore, Mel effectively reduced the number of apoptotic cells and inhibited the expression of proapoptotic-related proteins (cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax) but increased the antiapoptotic-related protein (Bcl-2) in the kidneys of SAKI mice. Mechanistically, Mel inhibited the phosphorylation of P65 but induced the phosphorylation of AKT and the expression of glycoprotein B of nonmetastatic melanoma (GPNMB). However, knocking down GPNMB can eliminate the anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects of Mel. Conclusion. Mel alleviated sepsis-induced kidney injury by inhibiting kidney inflammation and apoptosis via upregulating GPNMB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diverticulosis of the colon is the most common condition in Western societies and it is the most common anatomic alteration of the human colon. Recurrent abdominal pain is experienced by about 20% of patients with diverticulosis, but the pathophysiologic mechanisms of its occurrence are not completely understood. In the last years, several fine papers have showed clearly the role of low-grade inflammation both in the occurrence of symptoms in people having diverticulosis, both in symptom persistence following acute diverticulitis, even if the evidence available is not so strong. We do not know yet what the trigger of this low-grade inflammation occurrence is. However, some preliminary evidence found colonic dysbiosis linked to low-grade inflammation and therefore to symptom occurrence in those patients. The aim of this paper is to summarize current evidences about the role of inflammation in symptom occurrence in symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease and in symptom persistence after an episode of acute diverticulitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is a chronic inflammatory state, and several studies have shown that the mechanisms of insulin resistance and abnormal islet β-cell function in diabetes are closely related to inflammatory reactions. Inflammation plays a critical role in diabetic complications. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), a new area of genomic research for gene regulation, have complex biological functions in various aspects of cellular biological activity. Recent studies have shown that lncRNAs are associated with the regulation of inflammatory responses in various ways, including at the epigenetic, transcriptional, and posttranscriptional levels. This paper presents a brief review of studies on the mechanisms of lncRNAs in diabetic inflammation. The purpose of this article is to determine the role of lncRNAs in the process of diabetic inflammation and to provide new strategies for the use of lncRNAs in the treatments for diabetic inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has increased in the pediatric population. Irisin, an adipomyokine, is involved in white adipose tissue browning, energy expenditure, insulin sensitivity, and anti-inflammatory pathways. Data on the associations among circulating irisin levels, soluble cell adhesion molecules (sCAMs), and inflammatory cytokines is scarce in children and adolescents with MetS and T2DM. Subjects aged 6-16 years were grouped into T2DM, MetS, and healthy controls. Serum irisin levels were significantly lower in the MetS (6.6 [2.8-18.0] ng/mL) and T2DM (6.8 [2.2-23.2] ng/mL) groups compared with controls (30.3 [24.6-57.1] ng/mL). Negative correlations between irisin and the BMI percentile ( R = -0.358), WC percentile ( R = -0.308), and triglycerides ( R = -0.284) were identified, while positive associations with TC ( R = 0.287), HDL-c ( R = 0.488), and LDL-c ( R = 0.414) were observed. Significant negative correlations were found between irisin and sNCAM ( R = -0.382), sICAM-2 ( R = -0.300), sVCAM-1 ( R = -0.292), MCP-1 ( R = -0.308), and IFN- α 2 ( R = -0.406). Of note, lower concentrations of most sCAMs (sICAM-1, sPSGL-1, sP-selectin, sEpCAM, sICAM-2, sALCAM, sPECAM-1, sCD44, sVCAM-1, sICAM-3, sL-selectin, and sNCAM) were shown in T2DM subjects compared with MetS patients. Lower irisin levels induce a lack of inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation. In T2DM, higher ROS, AGEs, glucotoxicity, and inflammation trigger endothelial cell apoptosis, which downregulates the sCAM expression as a compensatory mechanism to prevent further vascular damage. In opposition, in subjects with MetS that have not yet developed T2DM and its accompanying stressors, the upregulation of the sCAM expression is ensued., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Anna S. Huerta-Delgado et al.)

Purpose. To evaluate the presence of ocular surface mucin in patients with atopic and vernal keratoconjunctivitis (AKC/VKC), we investigated the mRNA expression levels of SAM-pointed domain-containing ETS-like factor (SPDEF) and mucin-related genes on the ocular surface. Methods. Nineteen patients with AKC or VKC were divided into two groups based on the severity of the disease as determined by their clinical scores for AKC/VKC: the stable group and the active group. Impression cytology was performed in all patients using filter paper, and the expression levels of SPDEF, MUC1, MUC4, MUC5AC, MUC16, and eotaxin-2 mRNA were determined by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results. The results showed that the expression levels of SPDEF and MUC5AC mRNA in the active group were significantly decreased compared with those in the stable group. Furthermore, clinical scores were significantly negatively correlated with the expression levels of SPDEF mRNA and significantly positively correlated with the expression levels of eotaxin-2, which is a biomarker for eosinophilic inflammation on the ocular surface. Cluster analysis classified the patients with AKC/VKC into three clusters, and the stable group was divided into two clusters according to the condition of ocular surface mucin. Conclusions. Ocular surface mucin in patients with AKC/VKC is altered in accordance with the clinical severity of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells has attracted more and more attention as a regenerative therapy for the treatment of liver diseases. A large number of studies have shown that this kind of cells can inhibit the activation of hepatic stellate cells and regulate tissue homeostasis and immune system via a variety of ways. Meanwhile, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can inhibit apoptosis of hepatocyte, improve liver function, and reduce inflammation through multiple pathways. These cells have a broad prospect in the treatment of liver cirrhosis. At present, there are many studies on the specific mechanism of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in the treatment of liver cirrhosis. This paper reviews the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis and the mechanism of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in the treatment of liver cirrhosis, discusses the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine method in enhancing the efficacy of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation, and looks forward to its application prospect in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a progress in the study of glycation reaction which is one the possible reason for multiple metabolic disorders. Glycation is a nonenzymatic reaction between nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins resulting into the formation of early glycation products that may further lead to the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The precipitation of AGEs in various cells, tissues, and organs is one of the factors for the initiation and progression of various metabolic derangements including the cancer. The AGE interaction with its receptor "RAGE" activates the inflammatory pathway; yet, the downregulation of RAGE and its role in these pathways are not clear. We explore the effect of anticancer novel nanoassemblies on AGEs to determine its role in the regulation of the expression of RAGE, NFƙB, TNF-α, and IFN-γ. This paper is based on the in vivo and in vitro study in glycation and lung cancer model systems. Upon the treatment of nanoassemblies in both the model systems, we observed a protective effect of nanoassemblies over the inhibition of glycative and oxidative stress via mRNA expression analysis. The mRNA expression results corroborated with the reactive oxygen species (ROS), carboxy-methyl-lysine (CML), and fluorescence studies. In this study, we found that the presence of common factors for glycation and lung cancer is oxidative and glycative stress. This oxidation and glycation might be responsible for the initiation of inflammation which may further lead to uncontrolled growth of cells leading to cancer. This can be a strong association between lung cancer and glycation reaction. The intervention of the anticancer and antiglycation effects of multimodal nanoassemblies throughout the study promises a new pathway for cancer research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (ZRR, the fresh rhizoma of Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is also a traditional spice, widely used around the world. The present paper reviews advances in research relating to the botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens. In addition, this review also discusses some significant issues and the potential direction of future research on Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens. More than 100 chemical compounds have been isolated from Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, including gingerols, essential oils, diarylheptanoids, and other compounds. Modern studies have confirmed that Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens has pharmacological effects on the nervous system and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems, as well as antiemetic, antibacterial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. However, the modern studies of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens are still not complete and more bioactive components and potential pharmacological effects need to be explored in the future. There is no unified standard to evaluate the quality and clinical efficacy of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens. Therefore, we should establish reasonable, accurate, and reliable quality control standards to make better use of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pneumonia refers to a death‐causing infection. Astragali Radix (AR) and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (AMR) are widely used as traditional tonic and promising edible immunomodulatory herbal medicine, but the systemic mechanism is not well understood. Therefore, a strategy based on network pharmacology and molecular docking was designed to explore the systemic mechanism of AR‐AMR acting on pneumonia. After a series of bioinformatics assays, seven kernel targets were obtained, including TNF, IL6, IFNG, IL1B, IL10, IL4, and TLR9. And seven key compounds were identified as the synergy components of AR‐AMR acting on pneumonia, the four key compounds belonging to AR were (3R)‐3‐(2‐hydroxy‐3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐7‐chromanol, formononetin, quercetin, and kaempferol, the three key compounds belonging to AMR were atractylone, 14‐acetyl‐12‐senecioyl‐2E, 8E, 10E‐atractylentriol, and α‐Amyrin. The crucial pathways were mainly related to three modules, including immune diseases, infectious disease, and organismal systems. Collectively, these observations strongly suggest that the molecular mechanisms of AR‐AMR regulating pneumonia were closely related to the correlation between inflammation and immune response. Practical applications: Astragali radix and Atractylodis macrocephalae rhizoma can be used as "medicine‐food homology" for dietary supplement. AR and AMR are widely used as a traditional tonic and promising edible immunomodulatory herbal medicine. The AR‐AMR herb pairs are used for compatibility many times in the recommended prescriptions in COVID‐19 develop pneumonia in China. However, the ingredients and mechanisms of AR‐AMR acting on Pneumonia via immunomodulation are unclear. In this paper, bioinformatics and network biology were used to systematically explore the mechanisms of the AR‐AMR herb pairs in treatment of pneumonia, and further analyze the correlation mechanism between it and COVID‐19 develop pneumonia. To sum up, our study reveals the interrelationships between components, targets, and corresponding biological processes of AR‐AMR acting on pneumonia. Understanding these relationships may provide guidance and theoretical basis for the further application of AR‐AMR herb pairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preeclampsia (PE) affects 5-8% of pregnant women, and it is the major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. It is defined as arterial hypertension in women after 20 weeks of gestation which cooccurs with proteinuria (300 mg/d) or as arterial hypertension which is accompanied by one of the following: renal failure, liver dysfunction, hematological or neurological abnormalities, intrauterine growth restriction, or uteroplacental insufficiency. Currently, pathophysiology of preeclampsia poses a considerable challenge for perinatology. Preeclampsia is characterized by excessive and progressive activation of the immune system along with an increase in proinflammatory cytokines and antiangiogenic factors in fetoplacental unit as well as in vascular endothelium in pregnant women. A single, major underlying mechanism of preeclampsia is yet to be identified. This paper discusses the current understanding of the mechanisms which underlie the development of the condition. Some significant factors responsible for PE development include oxidative stress, abnormal concentration and activity in mononuclear phagocytic system, altered levels of angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors, and impaired inflammatory response triggered by inflammasomes. Detailed understanding of pathophysiology of inflammatory process in PE can largely contribute to new, targeted anti-inflammatory therapies that may improve perinatal outcomes in PE patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Testicular structural and functional impairment is a serious complication in male diabetes mellitus (DM) patients that leads to impaired fertility in adulthood. In contrast to other endocrine therapies, islet transplantation (IT) can effectively prevent and even reverse diabetic nephropathy and myocardial damage. However, whether IT can alleviate diabetes-induced testicular injury remains unclear. In this study, we sought to investigate the effect of IT on diabetes-induced testicular damage. A diabetic rat model was established by streptozotocin injection. DM, IT, and insulin treatment (INS) groups were compared after 4 weeks of respective treatment. We confirmed that IT could effectively attenuate diabetes-induced testicular damage and recover sperm counts more extensively compared with INS in diabetic rats. In addition, significantly higher levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and lower contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected in the testes of the IT group versus diabetic rats. Mechanism studies revealed that IT significantly activates the expression of Nrf-2, HO-1, and NQO-1 and inhibits upregulation of the NF- κ B expression in response to DM, while INS only exhibit slight impact on the protein expression. Therefore, we speculate that IT may prevent the progression of testicular damage by downregulating oxidative stress and inhibiting inflammation via Nrf-2/HO-1 and NF- κ B pathways., Competing Interests: All authors declare that there are no financial or nonfinancial competing interests regarding the publication of this paper., (Copyright © 2019 Xiandong Zhu et al.)

Inflammation can cause various chronic diseases like inflammatory bowel diseases. Various food protein-derived bioactive peptides (BAPs) with anti-inflammatory activity have the potential to manage these diseases. The aim of this paper is to overview the mechanisms and the molecular targets of BAPs to exert anti-inflammatory activity. In this review, the in vitro and in vivo effects of BAPs on intestinal inflammation are highlighted. The mechanism, pathways, and future perspectives of BAPs as the potential sources of therapeutic treatments to alleviate intestinal inflammation are provided, including nuclear factor-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinase, Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription, and peptide transporter 1 (PepT1), finding that PepT1 and gut microbiota are the promising targets for BAPs to alleviate the intestinal inflammation. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the role of dietary BAPs in attenuating inflammation and gives a novel direction in nutraceuticals for people or animals with intestinal inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cynanchum paniculatum Radix, known as Xuchangqing in Chinese, is commonly prescribed in Chinese Medicine (CM) for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases. The anti-inflammatory property of Cynanchum paniculatum can be traced from its wind-damp removing, collaterals' obstruction relieving, and toxins counteracting effects as folk medicine in CM. This paper systematically reviewed the research advancement of the pharmacological effects of Cynanchum paniculatum among a variety of human diseases, including diseases of the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, urogenital, hematopoietic, endocrine and metabolomic, neurological, skeletal, and rheumatological systems and malignant diseases. This review aims to link the long history of clinical applications of Cynanchum paniculatum in CM with recent biomedical investigations. The major bioactive chemical compositions of Cynanchum paniculatum and their associated action mechanism unveiled by biomedical investigations as well as the present clinical applications and future perspectives are discussed. The major focuses of this review are on the diverse mechanisms of Cynanchum paniculatum and the role of its active components in inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) is a common allergic disease that is often associated with the onset of rhinitis or asthma. The incidence of AC has increased significantly in recent years possibly due to air pollution and climate warming. AC seriously affects patients' quality of life and work efficiency. Th (T-helper) 2 immune responses and type I hypersensitivity reactions are generally considered the basis of occurrence of AC. It has been found that new subpopulations of T-helper cells, Th17 cells that produce interleukin-17 (IL-17), play an important role in the Th2-mediated pathogenesis of conjunctivitis. Studies have shown that Th17 cells are involved in a variety of immune inflammation, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, and asthma. However, the role of Th17 and IL-17 in AC is unclear. This paper will focus on how T-helper 17 cells and interleukin-17 are activated in the Th2 immune response of allergic conjunctivitis and how they promote the Th2 immune response of AC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric precancerous lesions (GPLs) are an essential precursor in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer, known to be one of the most common and lethal cancers worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a positive prospect for the prevention and therapy of GPL owing to several advantages including a definite curative effect, fewer side effects compared to other treatments, multiple components, and holistic regulation. Despite these characteristic advantages, the mechanisms of TCM in treating GPL have not been fully elucidated. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge with respect to herbal formulations and the therapeutic mechanisms of TCM active ingredients for GPL. This paper elaborates on the mechanisms of TCM underlying the prevention and treatment of GPL, specifically those that are linked to anti-H. pylori, anti-inflammation, antiproliferation, proapoptotic, antioxidation, antiglycolytic, and antiangiogenesis effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of incisional hernia after kidney transplantation varies between 1.1% and 3.8%. These are usually repaired electively using polypropylene mesh. We present here a case where a patient presented as an emergency, with a large painful incisional hernia over his kidney transplant, and evidence of local erythema and systemic inflammation. As this could have represented either infection or rejection, the patient was started on antibiotics and subsequently underwent graft nephrectomy and hernia repair using a biological (porcine-derived) acellular dermal matrix, Strattice™, with a satisfactory outcome. In addition, histology showed evidence of allograft rejection. This is the first reported case of an incisional hernia containing a rejecting kidney allograft, managed with nephrectomy and biological mesh repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Altmetrics analyze the visibility of articles in social media and estimate their impact on the general population. We performed an altmetric analysis of articles on central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating disease (CIDD) and investigated its correlation with citation analysis. Methods. Articles in the 91 journals comprising the "clinical neurology," "neuroscience," and "medicine, general, and internal" Web of Science categories were searched for their relevance to the CIDD topic. The Altmetric Explorer database was used to determine the Altmetric.com Attention Score (AAS) values of the selected articles. The papers with the top 100 AAS values were characterized. Results. Articles most frequently mentioned online were primarily published after 2014 and were published in journals with high impact factors. All articles except one were dealt with the issue of multiple sclerosis. Most were original articles, but editorials were also common. Novel treatments and risk factors are the most frequent topics. The AAS was weakly correlated with journal impact factors; however, no link was found between the AAS and the number of citations. Conclusions. We present the top 100 most frequently mentioned CIDD articles in online media using an altmetric approach. Altmetrics can rapidly offer alternative information on the impact of research based on a broader audience and can complement traditional metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The body's autoimmune process is involved in the development of Graves' disease (GD), which is manifested by an overactive thyroid gland. In some patients, autoreactive inflammatory reactions contribute to the development of symptoms such as thyroid ophthalmopathy, and the subsequent signs and symptoms are derived from the expansion of orbital adipose tissue and edema of extraocular muscles within the orbit. The autoimmune process, production of antibodies against self-antigens such as TSH receptor (TSHR) and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), inflammatory infiltration, and accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) lead to edematous-infiltrative changes in periocular tissues. As a consequence, edema exophthalmos develops. Orbital fibroblasts seem to play a crucial role in orbital inflammation, tissue expansion, remodeling, and fibrosis because of their proliferative activity as well as their capacity to differentiate into adipocytes and myofibroblasts and production of GAG. In this paper, based on the available medical literature, the immunological mechanism of GO pathogenesis has been summarized. Particular attention was paid to the role of orbital fibroblasts and putative autoantigens. A deeper understanding of the pathomechanism of the disease and the involvement of immunological processes may give rise to the introduction of new, effective, and safe methods of treatment or monitoring of the disease activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autophagy plays a key role in ischemic stroke, but its mechanism remains to be elucidated. In order to explore the effect of autophagy on ischemic stroke, bibliometric analysis and view tools are used to identify the directions of the global research trends and construct full view of the autophagy in ischemic stroke from 2006 to 2022. The research hotspots of autophagy related to ischemic stroke are visually analyzed and generated various visual maps to display publications, authors, sources, countries, organizations, and keywords. By bibliometric analysis, it can be seen that the investigations of autophagy in ischemic stroke is focused on both brain injury and neuroprotection. The impact of a variety of inflammatory factors and signaling pathways on autophagy following an ischemic stroke is also studied. Autophagy plays an important role in all phases of ischemic stroke. It is of great significance to guide the development of treatment plans for ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To explore the effect of C-phycocyanin (C-PC) on voiding behavior and histological changes in cyclophosphamide- (CYP-) induced cystitis in mice. Methods. Sixty female mice were included. The mice in the C-PC group received C-PC (25 mg/kg, twice, i.p.) and then CYP (200 mg/kg, i.p.) two hours later, while the mice in the CYP group only received the equivalent CYP. Saline was injected in the mice in the control group. A voided stain on paper (VSOP) test was conducted to analyze the micturition. The bladders were harvested for histological evaluation and measurements of inflammatory factors. Results. C-PC reduced the micturition frequency in the mice with CYP-induced cystitis. The bladder/body weight ratio and edema were remarkably higher in the CYP group compared to the C-PC group. C-PC suppressed the expressions of COX-2, PGE2, and EP4 (prostaglandin E receptor 4) according to the ELISA assay. Immunohistochemical staining also indicated that C-PC reduced the expressions of COX-2 in urothelium and EP4 in smooth muscles. Conclusions. C-PC relieved symptoms associated with CYP-induced cystitis in mice by inhibiting bladder inflammation through COX-2 and EP4 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The normal function of ovaries, along with the secretion of sex hormones, is among the most important endocrine factors that maintain the female sexual characteristics and promote follicular development and ovulation. Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a common cause in the etiology of female infertility. It is defined as the loss of ovarian function before the age of 40. The characteristics of POI are menstrual disorders, including amenorrhea and delayed menstruation, accompanied by a raised gonadotrophin level and decreased estradiol level. Inflammatory aging is a new concept in the research field of aging. It refers to a chronic and low-degree proinflammatory state which occurs with increasing age. Inflammatory aging is closely associated with multiple diseases, as excessive inflammation can induce the inflammatory lesions in certain organs of the body. In recent years, studies have shown that inflammatory aging plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of POI. This paper begins with the pathogenesis of inflammatory aging and summarizes the relationship between inflammatory aging and premature ovarian insufficiency in a comprehensive way, as well as discussing the new diagnostic and therapeutic methods of POI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) is a glycoprotein belonging to the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) family that is expressed on a wide variety of cells and holds a complex role in inflammation through its alternate splicing and generation of various isoforms, mediating intricate mechanisms of modulation and dysregulation. Initially regarded as a tumor suppressor as its expression shows considerable downregulation within the epithelia in the early phases of many solid cancers, CEACAM1 has been linked lately to the progression of malignancy and metastatic spread as various papers point to its role in tumor progression, angiogenesis, and invasion. We reviewed the literature and discussed the various expression patterns of CEACAM1 in different types of tumors, describing its structure and general biologic functions and emphasizing the most significant findings that link this molecule to poor prognosis. The importance of understanding the role of CEACAM1 in cell transformation stands not only in this adhesion molecule's value as a prognostic factor but also in its promising premise as a potential new molecular target that could be exploited as a specific cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grisel's syndrome is a nontraumatic atlantoaxial subluxation which is usually secondary of an infection or an inflammation at the head and neck region. It can be observed after surgery of head and neck region. Etiopathogenesis has not been clearly described yet, but increased looseness of paraspinal ligament is thought to be responsible. Patients typically present with painful torticollis. Diagnosis of Grisel's syndrome is largely based on suspicion of the patient who has recently underwent surgery or history of infection in head and neck region. Physical examination and imaging techniques assist in diagnosis. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of acute nontraumatic torticollis after recently applied the head and neck surgery or undergone upper respiratory tract infection. In this paper, a case of an eight-year-old male patient who had Grisel's syndrome after adenotonsillectomy is discussed with review of the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium hydroxide is used extensively as an intracanal medicament in endodontics for many years. It is used in various clinical situations such as to promote apexification, to repair perforation, to enhance healing of periapical lesions, to control root resorption, and to control exudation in teeth with persistent periapical inflammation. This paper presents a case report in which Ca(OH)2 was used as an intracanal medicament for treatment of periradicular lesions using two different vehicles in two different teeth of same patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although a critical role of adaptive immune system has been confirmed in driving local and systemic inflammation in type 2 diabetes and promoting insulin resistance, the underlying mechanism is not completely understood. Inflammatory regulation has been focused on innate immunity especially macrophage for a long time, while increasing evidence suggests T cells are crucial for the development of metabolic inflammation and insulin resistance since 2009. There was growing evidence supporting the critical implication of T cells in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. We will discuss the available effect of T cells subsets in adaptive immune system associated with the procession of T2DM, which may unveil several potential strategies that could provide successful therapies in the future., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

Background: Although there has been abundant research on chronic low-grade inflammation as a potential mechanism underlying the link between mood disorders and cardiovascular risk, less is known about the role of inflammatory factors and anxiety disorders. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the bi-directional associations between inflammatory markers including interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) with anxiety disorders and its subgroups.Methods: The sample consisted of 3,113 participants (53.7% women; mean age: 51.0, S.D. 8.8 years), randomly selected from the general population, who underwent comprehensive somatic and psychiatric evaluations at baseline and follow-up (mean follow-up duration = 5.5 years, S.D. 0.6). Anxiety disorders were assessed with semistructured diagnostic interviews. Inflammatory biomarkers were analyzed in fasting blood samples.Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, current anxiety disorders (β = 0.09, 95% CI 0.00-0.17) and agoraphobia (β = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.07-0.43) at baseline were associated with a steeper increase of hsCRP levels over the follow-up period. Current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was associated with a lower increase of IL-6 levels over the follow-up period (β = -0.52, 95% CI: -1.00/-0.04). There was no evidence for an association between inflammation markers at baseline and anxiety disorders at follow-up.Conclusions: The prospective association between agoraphobia at baseline and hsCRP levels over the follow-up period suggests that chronic low-grade inflammation may be a consequence of this condition. The decrease in IL-6 in PTSD also requires further investigation. No evidence was found for chronic low-grade inflammation as a predictor of future anxiety disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontal disease is a common inflammatory disease. It affects about 20–50% of global population in both developed and developing countries. Early detection of slight changes of periodontal tissue plays an important role in prevention of onset and progression of periodontal disease. Hence, there is a need of a screening test to assess periodontal tissue for health check-ups. Salivary levels hemoglobin (Hb) has been proposed to assess the conditions of the inflammation of gingiva. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate and summarize critically the current evidences for Hb as periodontal screening test. We performed a literature search of report published using PubMed databases. A total of 55 articles were retrieved and 16 were selected. Our review focuses on corelation coefficient with periodontal clinical parameters or sensitivity and specificity. As a result, fourteen studies calculated sensitivity and specificity of Hb. Six studies measured salivary levels hemoglobin at laboratory: three studies used polyclonal antibody reactions and other studies used colorimetric tests. Eight studies used paper strip method: 4 studies used monoclonal antibody reaction and 4 studies used colorimetric tests. Youden’s indexes by antibody reaction were better than those of colorimetric methods. Evidences are described above and further studies are necessary to set the cut off values stratified by gender, age and number of remaining teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Obesity is a global health problem of epidemic proportions, which is characterized by increased adipose tissue (AT) mass and significant repercussions in different body apparati and systems. AT is a special connective tissue, which contains several types of cells, in addition to adipocytes, and is a highly active endocrine and immune organ, which directly modulates many processes, including energy balance, metabolism, and inflammation. Summary. In this paper, the authors list and attempt to answer in a brief and simple way several questions regarding the complex relationships between obesity, adipose tissue, and inflammation, with the objective to provide an easy way to understand the main changes that occur in this pathological state. The questions are the following: Is adipose tissue only made up of adipocytes? Are adipocytes just a reservoir of free fatty acids? Do different types of fatty tissue exist? If so, which types? Can we further subcategorize the types of adipose tissue? Is it possible to form new adipocytes during adulthood? What is the role of inflammation? What is the role of macrophages? Are macrophages central mediators of obesity-induced adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance? What causes macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue? What is the role of hypoxia in AT alterations? Is there cross talk between adipocytes and immune cells? What other changes occur in AT in obesity? Does metabolically healthy obesity really exist? Is this a benign condition? Key messages. Obesity is a complex disease with numerous metabolic consequences, which are mainly the result of dysfunction that occurs in the adipose tissue of patients with this pathology. Understanding the pathophysiology of AT and the changes that occur in obesity would contribute to a better approach to patients with obesity, with the inherent medical implications that could result from this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) serve as the immune system's primary transportation hub outside of the affected ablated tissue. This study aims to explore the transcriptomic profiling of the immune response in PBMCs induced by microwave ablation (MWA) in low-risk thyroid cancer. Methods. For eight patients diagnosed with low-risk thyroid cancer, 10 ml of peripheral venous blood was collected before MWA as well as one day and one month after MWA. mRNA was extracted from PBMCs for transcriptome next-generation gene sequencing and qRT-PCR analyses. The plasma samples were used for chemokine detection purposes. Results. One day and one month after MWA, there were significant changes in GSEA, particularly in the NF-kappa B-TNFα pathway, inflammatory response, and early and late estrogen response. Common changes in differently expressed genes resulted in a significant downregulation of tumor-promoting genes (BCL3, NR6A1, and PFKFB3). One day after low-risk thyroid cancer MWA, GO enrichment analysis mainly revealed processes related to oxygen transport and other pathways. One month after MWA, GO enrichment analysis mainly revealed regulation of toll-like receptor signaling and other pathways. Furthermore, inflammation-related cytokines and regulatory genes, as well as tumor-promoting cytokines and regulatory genes, were downregulated after MWA. Conclusions. This study presents a comprehensive profile of the systemic immune response induced by thermal ablation for treating low-risk thyroid cancer. More significantly, this study provides valuable insight into potential references for systemic antitumor immunity of ablation against low-risk thyroid cancer. This trial is registered with ChiCTR1900024544. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is aimed at assessing the impact of soluble dietary fiber inulin on the treatment of diabetes-related chronic inflammation and kidney injury in mice with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The T2DM model was created by feeding the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice a high-fat diet and intraperitoneally injecting them with streptozotocin (50 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days). The thirty-six ICR mice were divided into three dietary groups: the normal control (NC) group, the T2DM (DM) group, and the DM + inulin diet (INU) group. The INU group mice were given inulin at the dose of 500 mg/kg gavage daily until the end of the 12th week. After 12 weeks, the administration of inulin resulted in decreased serum levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (CRE). The administration of inulin not only ameliorated renal injury but also resulted in a reduction in the mRNA expressions of inflammatory factors in the spleen and serum oxidative stress levels, when compared to the DM group. Additionally, inulin treatment in mice with a T2DM model led to a significant increase in the concentrations of three primary short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) (acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid), while the concentration of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), a prominent inflammatory factor in diabetes, exhibited a significant decrease. The results of untargeted metabolomics indicate that inulin has the potential to alleviate inflammatory response and kidney damage in diabetic mice. This beneficial effect is attributed to its impact on various metabolic pathways, including glycerophospholipid metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, and tryptophan metabolism. Consequently, oral inulin emerges as a promising treatment option for diabetes and kidney injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, and CD4+ T cells formthe core immunopathogenic cascade leading to chronic inflammation. Traditionally, Th1 cells (interferon-γ-producing CD4+ T cells) driven by interleukin 12 (IL12) were considered to be the encephalitogenic T cells in MS and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS. Currently, Th17 cells (Il17-producing CD4+ T cells) are considered to play a fundamental role in the immunopathogenesis of EAE. This paper highlights the growing evidence that Th17 cells play the core role in the complex adaptive immunity of EAE/MS and discusses the roles of the associated immune cells and cytokines. These constitute the modern immunological basis for the development of novel clinical and preclinical immunomodulatory therapies for MS discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper deals with the applicability of biological monitoring to the assessment of exposure and possible effects deriving from exposure to engineered nanomaterials (NM). After establishing a conceptual framework in which human biomonitoring should be placed, the paper reviews the critical issues related to the unusual properties of NM affecting the implementation of biomonitoring activities for this new class of chemicals. Relying on the recent advances in the toxicogenomic, it is possible to assess whether specific biological pathways are activated or perturbed by specific NM. However, to evaluate if quantitative changes in these biomarkers can be used as indicators or predictors for toxicity in humans, validation on well characterised groups of exposed people is needed. At present, it appears more pragmatic to evolve NM-associated biomarker identification considering relevant biological responses found in environmental and occupational studies and assessing the early events associated with exposure to these NM. The battery of biochemicalmarkers includes soluble molecules, antioxidant capacity, peroxidated lipids and carbonyl groups in serumproteins as a biomarkers of systemic inflammation and vascular adhesion molecules to assess endothelial activation/damage. Abnormalities in exhaled breath condensate chemistry reflecting intrinsic changes in the airway lining fluid and lung inflammation seem promising tools suitable for BM studies and are broadly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) represent a heterogeneous group of microorganisms that are naturally present in many foods and possess a wide range of therapeutic properties. The aim of this paper is to present an overview of the current expanding knowledge of one of the mechanisms by which LAB and other probiotic microorganisms participate in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal inflammatory disease through their immune-modulating properties. A special emphasis will be placed on the critical role of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and a brief overview of the uses of genetically engineered LAB that produce this important immune response mediator will also be discussed. Thus, this paper will demonstrate the critical role that IL-10 plays in gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases and how probiotics could be used in their treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomimetic membranes (BMM) based on polymer filters impregnated with lipids or their analogues are widely applied in numerous areas of physics, biology, and medicine. In this paper we report the design and testing of an electrochemical system, which allows the investigation of CO2 transport through natural membranes such as alveoli barrier membrane system and also can be applied for solid-state measurements. The experimental setup comprises a specially designed two-compartment cell with BMM connected with an electrochemical workstation placed in a Faraday cage, two PH meters, and a nondispersive infrared gas analyzer. We prove, experimentally, that the CO2 transport through the natural membranes under different conditions depends on pH and displays a similar behavior as natural membranes. The influence of different drugs on the CO2 transport process through such membranes is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]