Numerical scattering simulations for interpreting simultaneous observations of clouds by a W-band spaceborne and a C-band ground radar

The spaceborne W-band (94 GHz) Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) onboard the CloudSat (CS) satellite, which was launched in 2006, is providing valuable information about global cloud properties. This work aims at interpreting collocated time/space observations from CPR on CS and a ground C-band (5.6 GHz) Radar (GR), with the help of numerical simulations of electromagnetic scattering returns from populations of monodisperse spheres of ice and liquid water. Two cloud systems over Apulia region are investigated. CPR and GR images have been geo-referenced, then combined and displayed for analysis. The numerical simulations of the two radar reflectivities are used as a tool in the inversion procedure, aiming at identifying the hydrometeors, in their phase and size distribution, in the cloud volume simultaneously observed by the two radars. The possible vertical profiles of hydrometeors are presented

Alzheimer's Proteins, Oxidative Stress, and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Interplay in a Neuronal Model of Alzheimer's Disease

In this paper, we discuss the interplay between beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptide, Tau fragments, oxidative stress, and mitochondria in the neuronal model of cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) in which the molecular events reminiscent of AD are activated. The identification of the death route and the cause/effect relationships between the events leading to death could be helpful to manage the progression of apoptosis in neurodegeneration and to define antiapoptotic treatments acting on precocious steps of the death process. Mitochondrial dysfunction is among the earliest events linked to AD and might play a causative role in disease onset and progression. Recent studies on CGNs have shown that adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) impairment, due to interaction with toxic N-ter Tau fragment, contributes in a significant manner to bioenergetic failure and mitochondrial dysfunction. These findings open a window for new therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving and/or improving mitochondrial function

Transport and metabolism of l-lactate occur in mitochondria from cerebellar granule cells and are modified in cells undergoing low potassium dependent apoptosis

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Medaglioni preparatori per “Maestri di Ateneo”

The bio-bibliographical profiles of certain jurists who have shown by their presence the University of Urbino, in particular the Faculty of Law, during the twentieth century are here proposed. It is the "preparatory works" – so to speak – of a much more expansive and articulate "anthology" which is being published by the University under the title "The Masters of the University. The lecturers of the University of Urbino in the twentieth century". The vast breadth of these "sketches" and the atmosphere that is created through them – even because they are here in chronological order – around what was the only faculty of the University at the beginning of the century, may justify a reproduction, that is not a mere repetition. This applies even if it is a few items that relate to the Roman law, and more.Si propongono qui i profili bio-bibliografici di taluni giuristi che hanno illustrato con la loro presenza l’Università di Urbino, in particolare la Facoltà di Giurisprudenza, nel corso del XX secolo. Si tratta dei “lavori preparatori” – per così dire – di una ben più ampia ed articolata “antologia” che sta per essere pubblicata a cura dell’Ateneo con il titolo di “Maestri di Ateneo. I docenti dell’Università di Urbino nel Novecento”. La maggior ampiezza di questi “bozzetti” e il clima che attraverso essi viene a crearsi attorno a quella che all’inizi del secolo era l’unica Facoltà dell’ateneo urbinate può giustificare questa che non è una mera riproposizione. E ciò anche se si tratta di solo 5/6 voci che riguardano il diritto romano, e non solo.DOI: 10.4459/STU.2013.002.I

Cytochrome c is released from mitochondria in a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent fashion and can operate as a ROS scavenger and as a respiratory substrate in cerebellar neurons undergoing excitotoxic death

In rat cerebellar granule cells both reactive oxygen species production and release of cytochrome c take place during glutamate toxicity. This investigation was aimed (i) to ascertain whether and how these two processes are related and (ii) to gain insight into the role played by the released cytochrome c in the onset of neurotoxicity. Cytochrome c release takes place owing to the generation of reactive oxygen species both in glutamate-treated cerebellar granule cells and in sister control cultures incubated in the presence of the reactive oxygen species-generating system consisting of xanthine plus xanthine oxidase. In the early phase of neurotoxicity (30-min glutamate exposure) about 40% of the maximum (as measured at 3 h of glutamate exposure) cytochrome c release was found to occur in cerebellar granule cells from mitochondria that were essentially coupled and intact and that had a negligible production of oxygen free radicals. Contrarily, mitochondria from cells treated with glutamate for 3 h were mostly uncoupled and produced reactive oxygen species at a high rate. The cytosolic fraction containing the released cytochrome c was able to transfer electrons from superoxide anion to molecular oxygen via the respiratory chain and was found to partially prevent glutamate toxicity when added externally to cerebellar neurons undergoing necrosis. In the light of these findings, we propose that in the early phase of neurotoxicity, cytochrome c release can be part of a cellular and mitochondrial defense mechanism against oxidative stress

CloudSat-based assessment of GPM Microwave Imager snowfall observation capabilities

The sensitivity of Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Microwave Imager (GMI) high-frequency channels to snowfall at higher latitudes (around 60◦N/S) is investigated using coincident CloudSat observations. The 166 GHz channel is highlighted throughout the study due to its ice scattering sensitivity and polarization information. The analysis of three case studies evidences the important combined role of total precipitable water (TPW), supercooled cloud water,and background surface composition on the brightness temperature (TB) behavior for different snow-producing clouds. A regression tree statistical analysis applied to the entire GMI-CloudSat snowfall dataset indicates which variables influence the 166 GHz polarization difference (166∆TB)and its relation to snowfall. Critical thresholds of various parameters (sea ice concentration (SIC), TPW, ice water path (IWP)) are established for optimal snowfall detection capabilities. The 166∆TB can identify snowfall events over land and sea when critical thresholds are exceeded (TPW \u3e 3.6 kg·m−2, IWP \u3e 0.24 kg·m−2 over land, and SIC \u3e 57%, TPW \u3e 5.1 kg·m−2 over sea). The complex combined 166∆TB-TB relationship at higher latitudes and the impact of supercooled water vertical distribution are also investigated. The findings presented in this study can be exploited to improve passive microwave snowfall detection algorithms

Dendrosomal curcumin nanoformulation downregulates pluripotency genes via miR-145 activation in U87MG glioblastoma cells.

Glioblastoma is an invasive tumor of the central nervous system. Tumor recurrence resulting from ineffective current treatments, mainly due to the blood–brain barrier, highlights the need for innovative therapeutic alternatives. The recent availability of nanotechnology represents a novel targeted strategy in cancer therapy. Natural products have received considerable attention for cancer therapy because of general lower side effects. Curcumin is a new candidate for anticancer treatment, but its low bioavailability and water solubility represent the main disadvantages of its use. Here, curcumin was efficiently encapsulated in a nontoxic nanocarrier, termed dendrosome, to overcome these problems. Dendrosomal curcumin was prepared as 142 nm spherical structures with constant physical and chemical stability. The inhibitory role of dendrosomal curcumin on the proliferation of U87MG cells, a cellular model of glioblastoma, was evaluated by considering master genes of pluripotency and regulatory miRNA (microribonucleic acid). Methylthiazol tetrazolium assay and flow cytometry were used to detect the antiproliferative effects of dendrosomal curcumin. Annexin-V-FLUOS and caspase assay were used to quantify apoptosis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the expression of OCT4 (octamer binding protein 4) gene variants (OCT4A, OCT4B, and OCT4B1), SOX-2 (SRY [sex determining region Y]-box 2), Nanog, and miR-145. Dendrosomal curcumin efficiently suppresses U87MG cells growth with no cytotoxicity related to dendrosome. Additionally, the accumulation of cells in the SubG(1) phase was observed in a time- and dose-dependent manner as well as higher rates of apoptosis after dendrosomal curcumin treatment. Conversely, nonneoplastic cells were not affected by this formulation. Dendrosomal curcumin significantly decreased the relative expression of OCT4A, OCT4B1, SOX-2, and Nanog along with noticeable overexpression of miR-145 as the upstream regulator. This suggests that dendrosomal curcumin reduces the proliferation of U87MG cells through the downregulation of OCT4 (octamer binding protein 4) variants and SOX-2 (SRY [sex determining region Y]-box 2) in an miR-145-dependent manner

The Impact of GLP-1 RAs and DPP-4is on Hospitalisation and Mortality in the COVID-19 Era: A Two-Year Observational Study

Novel antidiabetic drugs have the ability to produce anti-inflammatory effects regardless of their glucose-lowering action. For this reason, these molecules (including GLP-1 RAs and DPP-4is) were hypothesized to be effective against COVID-19, which is characterized by cytokines hyperactivity and multiorgan inflammation. The aim of our work is to explore the potential protective role of GLP-1 RAs and DPP-4is in COVID-19 (with the disease intended to be a model of an acute stressor) and non-COVID-19 patients over a two-year observation period. Retrospective and one-versus-one analyses were conducted to assess the impact of antidiabetic drugs on the need for hospitalization (in both COVID-19- and non-COVID-19-related cases), in-hospital mortality, and two-year mortality. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the variables associated with these outcomes. Additionally, log-rank tests were used to plot survival curves for each group of subjects, based on their antidiabetic treatment. The performed analyses revealed that despite similar hospitalization rates, subjects undergoing home therapy with GLP-1 RAs exhibited significantly lower mortality rates, even over a two-year period. These individuals demonstrated improved survival estimates both within hospital and non-hospital settings, even during a longer observation period