Abstract

Objectives
To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial/antivirulence action of bovine lactoferrin and its ability to synergize with levofloxacin against resistant Helicobacter pylori strains and to analyse the effect of levofloxacin, amoxicillin and esomeprazole with and without bovine lactoferrin as the first-line treatment for H. pylori infection.

Methods
The bovine lactoferrin antimicrobial/antivirulence effect was analysed in vitro by MIC/MBC determination and twitching motility against six clinical H. pylori strains and a reference strain. The synergism was evaluated using the chequerboard assay. The prospective therapeutic trial was carried out on two separate patient groups, one treated with esomeprazole/amoxicillin/levofloxacin and the other with esomeprazole/amoxicillin/levofloxacin/bovine lactoferrin. Treatment outcome was determined with the [13C]urea breath test.

About this book

Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein belonging to the transferrin family. It acts as a defense in host animals against microbes and viruses, since it has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial and antiviral activities. Lactoferrin has been shown to regulate the growth and differentiation of many types of cells. The results of recent studies indicate that lactoferrin is a potent regulator of dermal fibroblasts, and promotes cutaneous wound healing. The collagen gel contraction, a model of wound contraction during wound healing process, and migration of human fibroblasts were enhanced by lactoferrin. LRP-1 (LDL Receptor related Protein-1) acts as a signaling receptor for lactoferrin that mediate fibroblast response to lactoferrin by activating ERK/MAPK signaling pathway. In addition, lactoferrin promotes biosynthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) component such as type-I collagen and hyaluronan. Hyaluronan is a major component of ECM in connective tissue and promotes wound healing. The promoting effect of lactoferrin on hyaluronan production was accompanied by promotion of HAS2 (hyaluronan synthase 2) expression.

These observations suggest that lactoferrin promotes the wound healing by providing an ECM that promotes fibroblast migration. Lactoferrin is also known for its anti-inflammatory and immune modulating properties. According to recent in vivo study, lactoferrin promotes wound repair by promoting the early inflammatory phase of wound healing. Based on this, recombinant human lactoferrin was subsequently tested clinically in a Phase II trial in patients with diabetic ulcers and was found to be effective. Lactoferrin should be further evaluated in patients with diabetic and other types of ulcers.

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   Original articol 

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   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GODBYRbPL00&feature=youtu.be

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Due indagini nazionali, condotte tra marzo e aprile 2020 dall’Istituto di ricerche sulla popolazione e le politiche sociali del Cnr (Osservatorio Mutamenti Sociali in Atto Covid-19), mostrano l’aumento del rischio di violenza nelle coppie durante il confinamento e una significativa presenza, nella popolazione, di stereotipi di genere che condizionano lo svolgimento delle attività domestiche. Gli studi pubblicati sulla rivista internazionale European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences

Oggi è la Giornata internazionale per l'eliminazione della violenza contro le donne. Ma quali conseguenze ha avuto la convivenza forzata causata dalla pandemia sugli equilibri delle coppie italiane? L’Istituto di ricerche sulla popolazione e le politiche sociali del Consiglio nazionale delle ricerche (Cnr-Irpps), tramite l’Osservatorio Msa-Covid-19, ha condotto a partire da fine marzo 2020 due indagini che hanno mostrato l’esistenza di un rischio di incremento dei fenomeni di violenza di coppia, registrando, al trascorrere del lockdown, un aumento dei soggetti che hanno dichiarato la possibilità di atti di violenza psicologica reciproca fra i due sessi e di violenza fisica verso le donne. I tre articoli originati da tali ricerche sono stati pubblicati sulla rivista internazionale European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences.

A partire da martedì 24 novembre la Città Metropolitana, il Comune di Firenze e MUS.E promuovono un fitto calendario di appuntamenti digitali che coinvolge i musei fiorentini (Museo di Palazzo Vecchio, Museo Stefano Bardini, Museo di Santa Maria Novella, Cappella Brancacci, Museo di Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Museo Novecento, MAD – Murate Art District, centro storico Patrimonio Mondiale), permettendo a chi lo volesse di continuare a frequentarli anche durante la dolorosa fase di chiusura imposta dall’emergenza sanitaria in corso. Un vero e proprio ristoro dei musei, che in questo modo si affiancano alle misure del governo, per restituire energie a quanti lo vorranno.

Arte a domicilio, Mezz’ora d’arte, Mezz’ora con Raffaello, Talking about museums sono lequattro proposte grazie a cui far accedere ogni settimana nelle proprie case l’arte e la cultura, ristoro vitale specialmente nel momento storico attuale. Un insieme di iniziative che, realizzate in collaborazione con Opera per Santa Maria Novella e grazie al prezioso sostegno di GIOTTO - love brand di F.I.L.A. Fabbrica Italiana Lapis ed Affini, Mukki, Unicoop Firenze, Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella,e Tenderly – brand di Lucart Spa, consentirà ai musei cittadini di rinnovare il proprio impegno a fianco della società non smettendo di offrire occasioni per riflettere, interrogarci e conoscere oltre che per farci compagnia e leggere in modo nuovo il quotidiano.

Vincente il lavoro di equipe e l’efficacia del percorso terapeutico

Solare con occhi scurissimi, apparentemente timido ma in realtà affettuoso e cordiale con tutti. Questo è il piccolo Alejandro (nome di fantasia per tutelarne la privacy), ha solo 6 anni e viene dal Venezuela. Arriva a Napoli con la sua famiglia due anni fa, in cerca di una speranza. Nel suo Paese ha ricevuto una diagnosi di leucemia linfoblastica acuta, un tumore del sangue a progressione rapida. Il piccolo è subito affidato alle cure degli ematologi dell’Ospedale Santobono-Pausilipon che propongono, come strategia per sconfiggere la malattia leucemica
recidivante, un trapianto di cellule staminali. Ma a rendere difficile l’avvio del programma terapeutico è la presenza di un’infezione da virus dell’Epatite C, contratta dal piccolo durante le cure effettuate per debellare la leucemia. Questa infezione, infatti, rischia di compromettere severamente il fegato nell’immediato periodo pre- e post-trapianto di cellule staminali.

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