Promising Perspectives on the Use of Fullerenes as Efficient Containers for Beryllium Atoms

The possibility of using fullerenes as containers for toxic beryllium atoms is studied by a multi-scale approach in which first-principles and classical molecular dynamics simulations are combined. By studying the energetics, electronic and spectroscopic properties of Be-fullerene systems and by simulating their interaction at finite temperature in vacuo and in representative biological environments it is concluded that: i) Be endohedral complexes can be obtained by implanting Be atoms at energies >2.3 eV that is consistent with laser implantation technologies; ii) it is in principle possible to distinguish stable endohedral complexes from metastable exohedral ones by optical absorption, suggesting that optical spectroscopy can be a valuable a non-destructive technique to assist the synthesis and the control of implanted films iii) the Be-endohedral complexes are long-lived and thermodynamically stable and can confine beryllium both in vacuo and in aqueous solution; iv) Be@C60 complexes are likely unable to penetrate the selectivity filters of a prototypical protein showing that fullerene prevents undesired interactions with biomolecules and toxicity effects of Be2+ related to replacement of the Ca2+. Overall, these results provide an assessment on the possibility to encapsulate Be atoms into fullerenes by ion implantation to synthesize inert and highly stable and safe molecular containers for toxic beryllium radionuclides. Great opportunities are expected for the realization and application of Be-C60 complexes to nanotechnology and nanomedicine with particularly appealing perspectives in the field of neutron capture therapy of cancer

Ag/In lead‐free double perovskites

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Dai balconi ai parchi urbani: buone pratiche per un giardinaggio consapevole

Prodotto nell’ambito del progetto LIFE15 GIE/IT/001039 “Alien Species Awareness Program”(ASAP), è un opuscolo di tipo tecnico-pratico che intende fornire alcune informazioni di base sulle piante esotiche invasive presenti in Italia nonché, seguendo le buone pratiche dettate nel Codice di condotta definito nell’ambito della Convenzione di Berna, proporre un numero non esaustivo di specie native da utilizzare in alternativa alle piante esotiche invasive inserite nella Lista di Rilevanza Unionale e per le quali vi è divieto di importazione, commercio, possesso, riproduzione, trasporto, utilizzo e rilascio in natura. E’ indirizzato a tutti coloro che sono coinvolti direttamente o indirettamente nella produzione, commercializzazione e impiego delle piante ornamentali: aziende florovivaistiche importatori di piante e tutti coloro che svolgono un ruolo nella progettazione e realizzazione di aree verdi quali gli Architetti paesaggisti, i Dottori Forestali, i Dottori Agronomi e a tutti gli appassionati di giardinaggio. La scelta di utilizzare specie autoctone nel verde urbano risponde anche all’esigenza di garantire una migliore tutela e conservazione della biodiversità negli spazi urbani

Drop of Butyrylcholinesterase Activity after Cyclophosphamide Conditioning as a Predictive Marker of Liver Transplant-Related Complications and Its Correlation with Transplant-Related Mortality in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Recipients

Transplant-related liver complications are a potentially fatal condition of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in pediatric patients, actually representing one of the main factors involved in transplant-related mortality (TRM). The search for a specific marker capable of predicting the development of this condition is a relevant clinical issue. We have observed a variable reduction in serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity after a cyclophosphamide-containing conditioning regimen. This study aims to determine the cutoff of BChE activity reduction that might be a specific prognostic marker for liver complications after HSCT. Our results show that the reduction of BChE values below 2000 U/L the day before the transplantation is an indicator strongly associated with the transplant-related liver complications (p < 0.0001). The incidence of overall survival at 1 year was significantly higher in the BChE > 2000 U/L group compared to the BChE < 2000 U/L group (84.7% versus 58.5%, p < 0.001), while the TRM rate was significantly lower (8.1% versus 23.1%, p < 0.05). None of the patients undergoing prophylaxis with defibrotide developed severe liver complications. Starting defibrotide treatment at the first signs of hepatic dysfunction in patients with particularly low BChE activity levels reduces severe liver transplant-related complications

LIFE ASAP – INCREASING AWARENESS ON ALIEN SPECIES IN ITALY

In the EU alone, social and economic impacts of invasive alien species (IAS) are estimated at over 12 billion euros annually: of the 12,000 alien species reported today in Europe, more than 3,000 are present in Italy, of which over 15% are invasive. This is a growing phenomenon: at global level the annual rate of first records dramatically increased in the last 200 years, with 37% of all first records reported most recently (1), while in Europe, the number of alien species increased by 76 percent over the past 30 years. The project LIFE ASAP (Alien Species Awareness Program, LIFE15 GIE/IT/PROTECTED), co-funded by the European Commission, started in October 2016 and will end in March 2020. The coordinating beneficiary is ISPRA - Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale and beneficiaries partners are the University of Cagliari, Legambiente, Federparchi, Regione Lazio, Nemo s.r.l. and Unicity s.r.l. The general aim of the project is to reduce the rate of introduction of IAS and limit the impacts on the Italian territory through i) the increase of public awareness of the risks associated with biological invasions and by promoting their active participation and the adoption of responsible behaviours; ii) supporting the national implementation of the Regulation (EU) no. 1143/2014, which entered into force on the 1st January 2015, "on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species". The LIFE ASAP project envisages various and diverse education, information and communication campaigns addressing citizens and all major stakeholders and professionals directly or indirectly involved in the management of invasive alien species. ASAP target audiences range from public administration personnel, protected natural areas staffs, zoos, botanical gardens and scientific museums operators to professionals such as veterinarians, biologists, landscape planners, foresters, and agronomists; it also includes the hunting and sport fishing sector and the trader of pets, plants and seeds. Since Botanical Gardens, together with zoos, scientific museums and protected areas, interact with society as a whole, organizing dissemination activities for schoolchildren and the general public, hosting cultural events of social interest, they represent ideal venues where training and information coexist. In this framework, the Botanical Section of the Department of Life and Environmental Sciences of the University of Cagliari, in collaboration with the Botanical Garden Services Centre (HBK) of the University of Cagliari will be the “botanical heart” of a national network that will involve many supporting partners: the Italian Botanical Society, the Botanical Gardens of Catania, Rome and Siena, CREA (Consiglio per Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Bagheria, Palermo), CIRBFEP (Centro di Ricerca “Biodiversità, Fitosociologia ed Ecologia del Paesaggio”, Rome), and the floriculture company “Sgaravattiland” (Capoterra, Cagliari). In the first year of activity, alongside the first training sessions for botanical gardens, scientific museum and zoo operators, an educational path on alien species will be established in the Botanical Garden of Cagliari. This path will guide visitors through the observation of a selection of invasive alien plants, and will be integrated with the description of the alien animal species associated with these plants. Short questionnaires will be distributed to visitors to evaluate the awareness acquired. During the life-span of this LIFE project, thematic days on particular categories of alien species and various activities dedicated to schools of every order and degree will be proposed, in order to raise awareness and involve different sectors of the general public and the future citizens. Hopefully, in the long period, the dissemination of information on good practices and the implementation of responsible behaviours by every sector of the society will lead to a more effective policy of contrasting biological invasions in Italy

Chestnut Wood Mud as a Source of Ellagic Acid for Dermo-Cosmetic Applications

Ellagic acid (EA) has long been recognized as a very active antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agent. However, its low bioavailability has often hampered its applications in health-related fields. Here, we report a phospholipid vesicle-based controlled release system for EA, involving the exploitation of chestnut wood mud (CWM), an industrial by-product from chestnut tannin production, as a largely available and low-cost source of this compound. Two kinds of CWM with different particle size distributions, indicated as CWM-A and CWM-B (<100 and 32 µm, respectively), containing 5 ± 1% w/w EA, were incorporated into transfersomes. The latter were small in size (~100 nm), homogeneously dispersed, and negatively charged. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assays indicated up to three-fold improvement in the antioxidant properties of CWM upon incorporation into transfersomes. The kinetics of EA released under simulated physiological conditions were evaluated by UV-Vis spectroscopy and HPLC analysis. The best results were obtained with CWM-B (100% of EA gradually released after 37 days at pH 7.4). A stepwise increase in the antioxidant properties of the released material was also observed. Cell-based experiments confirmed the efficacy of CWM-B transfersomes as antioxidant agents in contrasting photodamage

Citrus limon Extract Loaded in Vesicular Systems for the Protection of Oral Cavity

Background: The nanoincorporation of the extract of Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck var. pompia into liposomes was aimed at improving its antioxidant and antibacterial effects. Methods: The extract of the rind of Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck var. pompia was obtained by maceration in ethanol, evaporation, and freeze-drying. The extract phytochemical fingerprint was obtained by HPLC and mass spectrometry, and it was determined that gallic acid, neohesperidin, eriocitrin, and neoeriocitrin were the most abundant components. The freeze-dried extract was loaded in liposomes, glycerosomes, and penetration-enhancer-containing vesicles prepared with propylene glycol (PG-PEVs). Results: Capability of the vesicles of improving efficacy of the extract in counteracting oxidative stress was studied in vitro in keratinocytes, along with antimicrobial activity against planktonic cultures of Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Streptococcus sanguinis. Conclusion: Results showed that the vesicles, especially glycerosomes and PG-PEVs, prevented oxidative damage and cell death, and inhibited bacterial proliferation

Mass spectrometric discrimination of phospholipid patterns in cisplatin-resistant and -sensitive cancer cells

RATIONALE Development of therapy-resistant cancer is a major problem in clinical oncology, and there is an urgent need for novel markers identifying development of the resistant phenotype. Lipidomics represents a promising approach to discriminate lipid profiles of malignant phenotype cells. Alterations in phospholipid distribution or chemical composition were reported in various pathologies including cancer. Here we were curious whether quantitative differences in phospholipid composition between cisplatin resistant and sensitive model cancer cell lines could be revealed by mass spectrometry means. METHODS The phospholipid content of cell membranes of cancer cell lines CCRF-CEM and A2780, both responsive and resistant to cisplatin, was analysed by solid phase extraction (SPE) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS and tandem MS-MS). Extracts were obtained by disruption of cells with a dounce tissue grinder set followed by centrifugation. To minimize the enzymatic activity, phospholipids were extracted from cell extracts by SPE immediately after the cell lysis and analysed by MS. Both supernatant and pellet fractions of cell extracts were analysed. RESULTS A phospholipid profile specific for cell lines and their phenotypes was revealed. We have documented by quantitative analysis that phosphocholines PC P-34:0, PC 34:1, PC 20:2_16:0, LPC 18:1 and LPC 16:0 PLs were present in 200 - 400 μM concentration range in CCRF-CEM cisplatin-responsive cells, but absent in their cisplatin-resistant cells. Similarly, PC 34:1, LPC 18:1 and LPC 16:0 were increased in cisplatin responsive A2780 cells, and PC 20:2_16:0 was downregulated in cisplatinresistant A2780 cells. CONCLUSIONS In this work we showed that the ESI-MS analysis of the lipid content of the therapy-resistant and sensitive cells can clearly distinguish the phenotypic pattern and determine the potential tumor response to cytotoxic therapy. Lipid entities revealed by mass spectrometry and associated with development of therapy resistance can thus support molecular diagnosis and provide a potential complementary cancer biomarker

Dexmedetomidina intranasale per sedazione procedurale

La sedazione procedurale al di fuori della sala operatoria \ue8 sempre pi\uf9 frequentemente gestita da pediatri non anestesisti, adeguatamente addestrati nella selezione dei pazienti, nell\u2019utilizzo dei farmaci e nella gestione delle eventuali complicanze legate alla somministrazione degli stessi. La dexmedetomidina ha propriet\ue0 farmacologiche uniche, in primis quella di indurre il sonno, senza deprimere l\u2019attivit\ue0 respiratoria o influire sulla perviet\ue0 delle prime vie aeree. Diversi studi pediatrici ne dimostrano l\u2019efficacia e la sicurezza in corso di sedazione procedurale, anche utilizzata da medici non anestesisti. Tra i numerosi strumenti a disposizione del medico in questo ambito riteniamo che la dexmedetomidina somministrata per via intranasale avr\ue0 un ruolo sempre pi\uf9 di primo piano