Aims:  This study was undertaken to evaluate the oxalate‐degrading activity in several Lactobacillus species widely used in probiotic dairy and pharmaceutical preparations. Functional characterization of oxalyl‐CoA decarboxylase and formyl‐CoA transferase in Lactobacillus acidophilus was performed in order to assess the possible contribution of Lactobacillus in regulating the intestinal oxalate homeostasis. Methods and Results:  In order to determine the oxalate‐degrading ability in 60 Lactobacillus strains belonging to 12 species, a screening was carried out by using an enzymatic assay. A high variability in the oxalate‐degrading capacity was found in the different species. Strains of Lact. acidophilus and Lactobacillus gasseri showed the highest oxalate‐degrading activity. Oxalyl‐CoA decarboxylase and formyl‐CoA transferase genes from Lact. acidophilus LA14 were cloned and sequenced. The activity of the recombinant enzymes was assessed by capillary electrophoresis. Conclusions:  Strains of Lactobacillus with a high oxalate‐degrading activity were identified. The function and significance of Lact. acidophilus LA14 oxalyl‐CoA decarboxylase and formyl‐CoA transferase in oxalate catabolism were demonstrated. These results suggest the potential use of Lactobacillus strains for the degradation of oxalate in the human gut. Significance and Impact of the Study:  Identification of probiotic strains with oxalate‐degrading activity can offer the opportunity to provide this capacity to individuals suffering from an increased body burden of oxalate and oxalate‐associated disorders.

Poor responsiveness to either clopidogrel or ticlopidine at steady state was common, whereas nonresponders to both drugs were relatively infrequent (3.5%, 95% confidence interval 1.5% to 7.9%), suggesting that poor response to thienopyridines may frequently be a drug-specific mechanism.

By analyzing simultaneously selected SNPs, it might be possible to glean precious information in predicting VLU onset or in stratifying patients according to their potential to heal. Although significant, our findings must be considered preliminary and the proposed prognostic indicators considered with caution, before ulterior more extensive studies in different populations can eventually confirm the present findings.

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These results provide evidences for the presence of pharmacogenetic relationship between peculiar coagulation-balance gene polymorphisms and different levels of PDT-V effectiveness in patients with AMD-related CNV.

The FXIII-34L variant was significantly associated with shorter healing time after superficial venous surgery, suggesting a role in the healing and tissue regeneration phases. Conversely, HFE-C282Y, despite its role in ulcer establishment, did not affect the postoperative healing time. In perspective, the identification of patients with a poor prognosis may give clinicians the opportunity to modify management and to target tailored therapies in the view of a new and alternative concept of treatment based on pharmacogenomics.

The topical application of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is recognized as a useful approach to improve skin health. This work aims to characterize by a multidisciplinary approach, the wound healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-pathogens and proteomic effects of six LAB lysates, belonging to the genus Lactobacillus. Our results demonstrated that the lysates of tested LAB stimulated the proliferation of keratinocytes, and that L. plantarum SGL 07 and L. salivarius SGL 19 accelerated the re-epithelization by inducing keratinocyte migration. The bacterial lysates also reduced the secretion of specific pro-inflammatory mediators from keratinocytes. Furthermore, viable L. salivarius SGL 19 and L. fermentum SGL 10 had anti-pathogenic effects against S. aureus and S. pyogenes, while L. brevis SGL 12 and L. paracasei SGL 04 inhibited S. aureus and S. pyogenes, respectively. The tested lactobacilli lysates also induced specific proteome modulation of the exposed keratinocytes, involving dysregulation of proteins (such as interleukin enhancer-binding factor 2 and ATP-dependent RNA helicase) and pathways (such as cytokine, NF-kB, Hedgehog, and RUNX signaling) associated with their specific wound healing and anti-inflammatory effects. This study indicates the different potential of selected lactobacilli, suggesting that they may be successfully used in the future together with conventional therapies to bring relief from skin disorders. Abbreviations LAB Lactic acid bacteria TNF-α Tumor necrosis factor-alpha IFN-γ Interferon-gamma PBS Phosphate buffered saline DMEM Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium MCP-1 Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 RANTES Regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted LC-MS/MS Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry SWATH Sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra The skin, considered the largest organ of the body, is involved in a variety of functions and acts primarily as a protective barrier preventing the entry of potential pathogens. In particular, skin homeostasis is regulated by microorganisms, the so called skin microbiota, which act on keratinocytes and on their cytokine release, ensuring

These data provide evidence of the presence of a pharmacogenetic relationship between peculiar coagulation-balance genetic backgrounds and different levels of PDT-V effectiveness in patients with AMD with occult CNV.