Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yu Feng Shang, Yi Yang Shen, Meng Chen Zhang, Min Chao Lv, Tong Ying Wang, Xue Qun Chen, Jun Lin
Summary: Saliva production and secretion are essential functions of the salivary glands, with multiple functions including moistening, digestion, mineralization, lubrication, and mucosal protection. Saliva undergoes dynamic changes in its chemical and physical properties during physiological and pathophysiological processes. The central nervous system regulates salivary secretion and function through various neurotransmitters and neuroreceptors. Salivary glands play a crucial role in innate and adaptive immunity and protection, and saliva contains potential biomarkers for monitoring and predicting health and disease in clinical practice and precision medicine.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Railson O. Ferreira, Walessa A. B. Araga, Leonardo O. Bittencourt, Luanna P. M. Fernandes, Karolyny M. Balbinot, Sergio M. Alves-Junior, Joao de Jesus V. Pinheiro, Cristiane do Socorro Ferraz Maia, Maria E. Crespo-Lopez, Rafael Rodrigues Lima
Summary: This study found that alcohol consumption during pregnancy significantly decreased total protein concentration and amylase activity in the saliva of offspring rats, leading to oxidative stress and morphological changes in the parotid and submandibular glands.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Priscille Barreaux, Hilary Ranson, Geraldine M. M. Foster, Philip J. J. McCall
Summary: The blood feeding behavior of female mosquitoes, which affects their ability to transmit malaria, is not well understood in the presence of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). This study examines how both insecticide resistant and susceptible mosquitoes interact with different types of nets while attempting to blood feed on a human arm. The results showed that ITNs did not effectively prevent host searching but significantly reduced blood feeding success and volume for all mosquitoes, although the resistant mosquitoes were able to compensate for the decrease by accelerating their rate of blood ingestion.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nguyen Khanh Toan, Sang-Gun Ahn
Summary: The study reveals that aging-related metabolic changes may trigger salivary gland dysfunction, leading to poor oral health. Various metabolic neuropeptides or hormones are involved in causing or contributing to salivary gland dysfunction, including decreased saliva flow and age-related diseases. Therefore, aging-related metabolism shows promise for early diagnosis, increased therapy options, and identifying new metabolic pathways that could potentially be targeted in treating salivary gland dysfunction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Anna Klimiuk, Anna Zalewska, Malgorzata Knapp, Anna Skutnik-Radziszewska, Mateusz Maciejczyk
Summary: Heart failure (HF) not only affects cardiovascular function but also leads to various oral and salivary gland pathologies. This study evaluated the correlation between salivary inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors and hyposalivation in HF patients, as well as the use of salivary biomarkers in HF diagnostics. The results showed significantly higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, anti-inflammatory cytokines, Th1, Th2, Th17, chemokines, and growth factors in the saliva of HF patients. However, there was no dominance of either branch of the immune response. The concentration of selected biomarkers was significantly higher in HF patients with salivary gland dysfunction compared to patients with normal saliva secretion and healthy subjects. Multivariate regression analysis showed that salivary cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors were closely related to salivary gland function. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, salivary TNF-alpha, INF-gamma, IL-12, and EOTAXIN/CCL11 were identified as the most effective markers for differentiating HF patients with hyposalivation from those with normal saliva secretion and controls. Interestingly, some pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators were found to have higher concentrations in saliva than in plasma. However, the diagnostic utility of salivary cytokines and chemokines in the differential diagnosis of HF patients was not confirmed.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Hongming Du, Zhen Fu, Yi Zhong, Yi Yuan, Jing Zhao, Xu Ding, Sheng Li, Shiyu Gao, Yuchi Zhu, Haiyang Song, Heming Wu
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and saline irrigation on relieving xerostomia in Sjogren's syndrome (SS) patients. The results showed that irrigating the major salivary glands with TA or saline led to improved saliva flow and reduced dryness symptoms. Patients with milder xerostomia responded better to the treatment.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Trizah K. Milugo, David P. Tchouassi, Reginald A. Kavishe, Rhoel R. Dinglasan, Baldwyn Torto
Summary: Through experiments on Anopheles gambiae and Parthenium hysterophorus, it was found that root phytochemicals of the host plant can influence oviposition site selection by female mosquitoes, leading to a lower hatch rate and a potentially longer lifespan for larvae that hatch earlier.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Brenda Oseno, Faith Marura, Rodney Ogwang, Martha Muturi, James Njunge, Irene Nkumama, Robert Mwakesi, Kennedy Mwai, Martin K. Rono, Ramadhan Mwakubambanya, Faith Osier, James Tuju
Summary: This study evaluates the utility of IgG responses to members of the Anopheles gambiae D7 protein family as serological markers of human-vector contact. The results show that the D7L2 salivary antigen has great potential as a biomarker of exposure to mosquito bites and as a tool for assessing the efficacy of vector control strategies.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
M. Chiu, B. Trigg, M. Taracena, M. Wells
Summary: Mosquitoes pose the greatest animal threat to human health, transmitting hundreds of millions of infections and causing around 1 million deaths annually. This study focused on analyzing the larval SG of mosquitoes, revealing significant differences in cell architecture and gene expression, with lumen formation during the larval stage through secretion. The research highlights the potential candidate targets for disrupting SG and interrupting the transmission of mosquito-borne pathogens.
INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Martin Schicht, Adrian Reichle, Mirco Schapher, Fabian Garreis, Benedikt Kleinsasser, Malik Aydin, Afsun Sahin, Heinrich Iro, Friedrich Paulsen
Summary: MUC8 is secreted by salivary glands and released into saliva, with varying concentrations between genders and patients with salivary stone disease. It plays a role in inflammatory events and salivary stone formation, with higher concentrations in saliva from the side with salivary calculi.
Article
Immunology
Donghyun Kim, Ye Jin Jeong, Yerin Lee, Jihoon Choi, Young Min Park, Oh Chan Kwon, Yong Woo Ji, Sung Jun Ahn, Hyung Keun Lee, Min-Chan Park, Jae-Yol Lim
Summary: Recent studies have shown that the oral microbiome in patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS) differs significantly from that in healthy individuals. The composition and diversity of the oral microbiome are correlated with clinical features of SS, especially ductal structures and salivary flow, suggesting that the oral microbiome may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker for SS.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Priscille Barreaux, Jacob C. Koella, Raphael N'Guessan, Matthew B. Thomas
Summary: This study presents novel laboratory-based assays that simulate realistic exposure of mosquitoes to insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and quantify the impact of exposure on traits important for malaria transmission. The results showed that a standard ITN had lower instantaneous mortality against resistant mosquitoes compared to a resistance-breaking net, but still had significant impacts on transmission-related traits.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Francesco Baldini, Mafalda Viana
Summary: It is unclear how malaria mosquitoes in the Sahel region persist during the dry season and rebound quickly at the onset of rains. Recent research by Faiman and colleagues suggests that aestivation, a dormancy mechanism, is a major strategy for the mosquitoes' persistence and could be targeted for vector control.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Alicia Jaramillo-Underwood, Camelia Herman, Daniel Impoinvil, Alice Sutcliff, Alaine Knipes, Caitlin M. Worrell, LeAnne M. Fox, Luccene Desir, Carl Fayette, Alain Javel, Franck Monestime, Kimberly E. Mace, Michelle A. Chang, Jean F. Lemoine, Kimberly Won, Venkatachalam Udhayakumar, Eric Rogier
Summary: IgG serology can be used to estimate exposure to Anopheline malaria vectors and the Plasmodium species they transmit. In a study conducted in Haiti, spatial analysis and spatial interpolation were used to identify clusters of schools with high levels of IgG to Anopheles albimanus salivary gland extract (SGE), and logistic regression analysis revealed the associations between individual- and environmental-level factors and high IgG levels. This study highlights the importance of using IgG serology with SGE to approximate vector biting and identify risk factors for vector exposure in children.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Franck Adama Yao, Abdoul-Azize Millogo, Patric Stephane Epopa, Ace North, Florian Noulin, Koulmaga Dao, Mouhamed Drabo, Charles Guissou, Souleymane Kekele, Moussa Namountougou, Robert Kossivi Ouedraogo, Lea Pare, Nourou Barry, Roger Sanou, Haida Wandaogo, Roch K. Dabire, Andrew McKemey, Frederic Tripet, Abdoulaye Diabate
Summary: The release of genetically-modified sterile mosquitoes shows potential for malaria control, but its effectiveness has not been tested in the field. This study demonstrates that genetically-modified mosquitoes have reduced survival and dispersal compared to wild-types. These findings provide crucial information for the development of more effective strains of malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Anesthesiology
Zaccaria Ricci, Valeria Raggi, Eleonora Marinari, Leonardo Vallesi, Luca Di Chiara, Caterina Rizzo, Katja M. Gist
Summary: This study described the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of acute kidney injury in critically ill children with cardiac disease. Severe AKI occurred in 43% of patients and was most often diagnosed early by urine output criteria. Late severe AKI was associated with worse outcomes.
JOURNAL OF CARDIOTHORACIC AND VASCULAR ANESTHESIA
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Francesco Gesualdo, Lucie M. Bucci, Caterina Rizzo, Alberto E. Tozzi
Summary: This study discusses the research and commercialization of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in vaccine communication, advocating the value of combining tools such as data science, risk communication, and behavior change in vaccine communication activities, and promoting innovation and human-centered design methods to accelerate the development and testing of vaccine promotion campaigns.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Catherine Bourgouin, Nicolas Puchot, Richard Paul
M S-MEDECINE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giovanna Elisa Calabro, Sara Boccalini, Donatella Panatto, Caterina Rizzo, Maria Luisa Di Pietro, Fasika Molla Abreha, Marco Ajelli, Daniela Amicizia, Angela Bechini, Irene Giacchetta, Piero Luigi Lai, Stefano Merler, Chiara Primieri, Filippo Trentini, Sara Violi, Paolo Bonanni, Chiara de Waure
Summary: This study analyzed the burden of influenza in the elderly population and the characteristics, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of influenza vaccines. The research found that in Italy, the burden of influenza is high among the elderly, and the use of aQIV is cost-effective for this population.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Claudio Costantino, Caterina Rizzo, Roberto Rosselli, Tatiana Battista, Arianna Conforto, Livia Cimino, Andrea Poscia, Daniel Fiacchini
Summary: This commentary presents ten strategies to address vaccine hesitancy, including the establishment of multidisciplinary working groups, the development of monitoring systems, the dissemination of good practices and tools, interdisciplinary training, and community engagement. These strategies can be implemented in Italy and other European countries to systematically and organically address vaccine hesitancy.
Article
Pediatrics
Daniela Loconsole, Francesca Centrone, Caterina Rizzo, Desiree Caselli, Azzurra Orlandi, Fabio Cardinale, Cristina Serio, Paola Giordano, Giuseppe Lassandro, Leonardo Milella, Maria Teresa Ficarella, Maria Elisabetta Baldassarre, Nicola Laforgia, Maria Chironna
Summary: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is the leading cause of hospitalization in young children, and the implementation of COVID-19 control measures has affected its epidemiology worldwide. A study in Southern Italy describes the characteristics of hospitalized children with RSV in 2021, revealing an increased number of cases with a delayed peak in November.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alexander Domnich, Donatella Panatto, Elena Pariani, Christian Napoli, Maria Chironna, Ilaria Manini, Caterina Rizzo, Andrea Orsi, Giancarlo Icardi
Summary: This study aimed to compare the relative vaccine effectiveness of MF59-adjuvanted trivalent vaccine and non-adjuvanted quadrivalent vaccine against severe laboratory-confirmed influenza. The results showed that the MF59-adjuvanted vaccine was more effective in preventing severe acute respiratory infection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carolina Barillas-Mury, Jose M. C. Ribeiro, Jesus G. Valenzuela
Summary: This article reviews recent progress in the understanding of pathogen transmission from human to vector and from vector to host, and highlights new strategies for controlling vector-borne diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miriam Carbonaro, Martina Aulitto, Giovanni Gallo, Patrizia Contursi, Danila Limauro, Gabriella Fiorentino
Summary: A newly discovered enzyme, AmCel9, from a thermophilic microorganism was found to have broad substrate specificity and good catalytic activity, making it a promising biocatalyst for lignocellulose deconstruction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jose M. C. Ribeiro, Natalia J. Bayona-Vasquez, Khemraj Budachetri, Deepak Kumar, Julia Catherine Frederick, Faizan Tahir, Brant C. Faircloth, Travis C. Glenn, Shahid Karim
Summary: The Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum, is a tick species found in the Southeastern states of the USA, extending from the Gulf of Mexico to Mexico and other Central and South American countries. This tick is a vector for Rickettsia parkeri and Hepatozoon americanum. A draft genome of A. maculatum was generated, revealing 237,921 protein-coding genes and providing insights into its basic biology.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giovanni Gallo, Domenico Zannini, Barbara Immirzi, Alessandra De Bruno, Gabriella Fiorentino, Giovanni Dal Poggetto
Summary: The aim of this study was to extract antioxidant molecules from the pectin purification process of citrus lemon waste and encapsulate them in stable pectin films for a green and circular economy process. Seven molecules were recovered, identified, and quantified, and their antioxidant power and stability over time were evaluated. The stability and thermal properties of the bioactive fraction were improved by complexing it with 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD). The most promising complexes showed increased stability over time compared to uncomplexed antioxidants when incorporated into a pectin film, demonstrating potential for the delivery of antioxidant molecules.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Luigi De Angelis, Francesco Baglivo, Guglielmo Arzilli, Gaetano Pierpaolo Privitera, Paolo Ferragina, Alberto Eugenio Tozzi, Caterina Rizzo
Summary: Large Language Models (LLMs) have gained attention due to the release of ChatGPT, a user-centered chatbot by OpenAI. This perspective article discusses the evolution of LLMs and the impact of ChatGPT in the field of artificial intelligence. LLMs offer multiple opportunities in scientific research, particularly in Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks. However, the use of LLMs, including ChatGPT, presents ethical and practical challenges, especially in the medical field, where it has the potential to impact public health and exacerbate the spread of misinformation.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Francesco Baglivo, Mariano Magri, Luigi De Angelis, Valerio Aprile, Martina Minelli, Raffaele Stifini, Pierluigi Lopalco, Caterina Rizzo, Alberto Fedele
Summary: This study found that heterologous vaccination schedules may be more effective in preventing Omicron SARS-CoV2 infection compared to homologous vaccination schedules, with some heterologous schedules performing better than homologous ones.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Melina Garcia Guizzo, Ben Mans, Ronel Pienaar, Jose M. C. Ribeiro
Summary: Tick saliva plays a role in blood feeding through its antihemostatic and immunomodulatory activities. Transcriptome analysis of tick salivary glands revealed a large number of transcripts coding for secreted polypeptides. However, many of these transcripts do not match the predicted proteomes, suggesting a high degree of polymorphism within the genes encoding these proteins.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Education, Scientific Disciplines
Francesco Baglivo, Luigi De Angelis, Virginia Casigliani, Guglielmo Arzilli, Gaetano Pierpaolo Privitera, Caterina Rizzo
JMIR MEDICAL EDUCATION
(2023)
