Effect of ageing and ischemia on enzymatic activities linked to Krebs' cycle, electron transfer chain, glutamate and aminoacids metabolism of free and intrasynaptic mitochondria of cerebral cortex

The effect of ageing and the relationships between the catalytic properties of enzymes linked to Krebs' cycle, electron transfer chain, glutamate and aminoacid metabolism of cerebral cortex, a functional area very sensitive to both age and ischemia, were studied on mitochondria of adult and aged rats, after complete ischemia of 15 minutes duration. The maximum rate (V (max)) of the following enzyme activities: citrate synthase, malate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase for Krebs' cycle; NADH-cytochrome c reductase as total (integrated activity of Complex I-III), rotenone sensitive (Complex I) and cytochrome oxidase (Complex IV) for electron transfer chain; glutamate dehydrogenase, glutamate-oxaloacetate- and glutamate-pyruvate transaminases for glutamate metabolism were assayed in non-synaptic, perikaryal mitochondria and in two populations of intra-synaptic mitochondria, i.e., the light and heavy mitochondrial fraction. The results indicate that in normal, steady-state cerebral cortex, the value of the same enzyme activity markedly differs according (a) to the different populations of mitochondria, i.e., non-synaptic or intra-synaptic light and heavy, (b) and respect to ageing. After 15 min of complete ischemia, the enzyme activities of mitochondria located near the nucleus (perikaryal mitochondria) and in synaptic structures (intra-synaptic mitochondria) of the cerebral tissue were substantially modified by ischemia. Non-synaptic mitochondria seem to be more affected by ischemia in adult and particularly in aged animals than the intra-synaptic light and heavy mitochondria. The observed modifications in enzyme activities reflect the metabolic state of the tissue at each specific experimental condition, as shown by comparative evaluation with respect to the content of energy-linked metabolites and substrates. The derangements in enzyme activities due to ischemia is greater in aged than in adult animals and especially the non-synaptic and the intra-synaptic light mitochondria seems to be more affected in aged animals. These data allow the hypothesis that the observed modifications of catalytic activities in non-synaptic and intra-synaptic mitochondrial enzyme systems linked to energy metabolism, amino acids and glutamate metabolism are primary responsible for the physiopathological responses of cerebral tissue to complete cerebral ischemia for 15 min duration during agein

Three Collections of Gǝʿǝz Manuscripts Recently Surveyed in Italy: An Inventory

The report aims to introduce three little known collections of Gǝʿǝz manuscripts hosted in the following Italian institutions: Castello d’Albertis, fondo Sapeto (Genoa), Biblioteca Giovardiana, fondo Quattrociocchi, and Monumento Nazionale Abbazia di Casamari (both in Veroli, Frosinone). The forty-two manuscripts (codices and scrolls) preserved in the three collections were surveyed, digitized and analysed through non-invasive techniques in the course of two fieldworks conducted in May 2015 and June–July 2017. The present article, conceived as a preliminary report to a more detailed catalogue currently under preparation, describes how the manuscript collections emerged and provides an introductory description of the textual content and the physical features of each item

El proceso de reconciliación entre Estados Unidos y Vietnam desde 1973

Given the failure of the reconciliation process between Vietnam and the United States after the Paris Agreements of 1973, a new process of normalization emerged propelled by USA in 1990. This qualitative study will analyze how the economic and political factors that emerged since 1990 influenced the relationship between the two countries...Ante el fracaso del proceso de reconciliación entre Vietnam y Estados Unidos, después de los Acuerdos de París de 1973, surgió un nuevo proceso de normalización impulsado por EE.UU en 1990. Este estudio cualitativo analizará cómo los factores económicos y políticos que surgieron desde 1990, influyeron en sus relaciones..

Análisis de cómo las desigualdades socioeconómicas influyen en la acentuación de enfermedades

Treballs Finals del Grau d'Economia, Facultat d'Economia i Empresa, Universitat de Barcelona, Curs: 2023-2024, Tutor: Nicolai Boris Brachowicz QuintanillaEn el presente trabajo se estudiará como los determinantes socioeconómicos pueden influir en las desigualdades en la salud, para dicho estudio se han seleccionado cuatro enfermedades: obesidad, diabetes, depresión y enfermedades de larga duración o crónicas. Además, se han seleccionado una serie de variables cualitativas como nivel de estudios, actividad economica, desempleo y estado de salud autopercibida. El analisis se realizará mediante un modelo de regresión logística dado que las variables dependientes tienen carácter binario. A través de este modelo se estimarán una serie de hipótesis que se llevarán a cabo gracias a las variables binarias y a las variables predictoras. El objetivo central de este análisis es determinar si las disparidades socioeconómicas inciden en la agravación de enfermedades

Surveying, modeling and communication techniques for the documentation of medieval wooden painted ceilings in the Mediterranean area

Wooden painted ceilings of the Mediterranean area in the middle age have their origin in the islamic culture and were then spread in the countries under the dominion of the Arabs; some of the surviving ceilings are now located in Sicily and Spain. In the historic centre of Palermo two well preserved medieval ceilings are still surviving; the first, built in the XII century, is located in the Palatine chapel; the second one, built in the XIV century covers the “Sala Magna” in the Steri of Palermo. The research, focused on the ceiling in the Steri, deals with the definition of a process for the integration of surveying techniques (photogrammetry, laser scanning), modelling processes and communication technologies for the documentation of such artefacts. The documentation of painted ceilings requires the strict integration of photographic and 3D metric data; the existing documentation is usually made of documents (drawings, photographs) that keep geometric and metric data separated from the photographic documentation of the paintings. The first stage in this work is therefore addressed to produce a digital document that combines metric and photographic data in a 3D textured model; in the second stage a vocal guide interacting with the 3D model has been developed; such guide, thought as a support to people visiting the Steri, uses a database with historic contents and symbolic interpretation of the painted scenes to answer specific questions and “take” the visitor close to the related paintings

Voltammetric characterization of gold-based bimetallic (AuPt; AuPd; AuAg) nanoparticles

Bimetallic nanoparticles are nowadays some of the most promising materials for catalytic, electrocatalytic and electroanalytical applications thanks to their novel optical, catalytic, magnetic, and sensing properties. Such novel features, often different and enhanced with respect to the monometallic counterparts, make these systems good candidates to be conveniently applied in a wide range of fields. The possibility to obtain different kinds of bimetallic composites (in terms of composition, structure, metal loading, morphology, etc.) goes in parallel with the need of powerful and accurate characterization tools. Among the commonly involved techniques like Optical Spectroscopy and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), also the more powerful Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM) and Extended X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) are widely used. However, these analytical tools present some drawbacks in terms of high costs and low accessibility. In this context, electrochemistry and particularly Cyclic Voltammetry, is here proposed as an alternative, low cost, easy to use and simple characterization technique. The possibility to use electrochemical methods to study the final structure of bimetallic nanocomposites was already demonstrated in the Literature [1-2], but there is still lack of information on how such systems change and evolve in time and after aging periods. Therefore, Cyclic Voltammetry is here used, as a complementary technique to HR-TEM and EXAFS not only to investigate the structure of alloyed or core-shell gold-based (Au-Pt; Au-Pd; Au-Ag) systems (by studying the quantity and type of metals present in the materials), but also to elucidate the evolution and growth in time of such bimetallic samples. Time evolution characterization allows to control the morphology and to fix it at the desired point. Finally, the characterized gold-based nanocomposites are used in electrochemical sensing and electrocatalytic applications. A strong improvement in the response, in terms of higher peak currents and electrocatalytic effects, of the bimetallic systems with respect to the monometallic counterparts is evidenced, due to the intimate contact between the two metals, which is responsible of synergistic effects. Also, the effects of an eventual carbonaceous support on the properties of the metal nanoparticles and the possible synergistic effects between composites and supports are investigated [3]. [1] K. Tschulik, K. Ngamchuea, C. Ziegler, M.G. Beier, C. Damm, A. Eychmueller, R.G. Compton, Adv. Funct. Mater., 2015, 25, 5149\u20135158. [2] V. Pifferi, C. Chan-Thaw, S. Campisi, A. Testolin, A. Villa, L. Falciola, L. Prati, Molecules, 2016, 21, 261. [3] A. Testolin, S.Cattaneo, W. Wang, D. Wang, V. Pifferi, L. Prati, L. Falciola, A. Villa, Surfaces, 2019, 2, 205-215

Bioactive compounds extraction from malted quinoa using water-ethanol mixtures under subcritical conditions

The extraction of bioactive compounds from malted quinoa flour using different water/ethanol mixtures under subcritical conditions was performed, and two mathematical models to describe the extraction kinetics were compared. The variables evaluated were extraction temperature, solvent mass flow rate and solvent composition, and the best conditions were selected using a screening design. The extract with the highest antioxidant activity with 95% inhibition of DPPH, 2084 mg GAE/100 g flour of total phenol content (TPC), and 2029 mg QCE/100 g flour of total flavonoid content (TFC) was obtained at 200 °C, 2.5 g/min and 25% ethanol. For these conditions, the two-site kinetic model had a better fit. When comparing these results with conventional extraction techniques, the extraction yield and antioxidant capacity enhanced. Hence this technique results promising since it also allows to obtain extracts with an antioxidant activity similar to commercial antioxidants.Fil: Mufari, Jesica Romina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnologia de Los Alimentos de Entre Rios. - Universidad Nacional de Entre Rios. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnologia de Los Alimentos de Entre Rios.; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez Ruiz, Andrea Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos y Química Aplicada. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos y Química Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Bergesse, Antonella Estefanía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Miranda Villa, Patricia Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos y Química Aplicada. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos y Química Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Nepote, Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Velez, Alexis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba; Argentin

Junctional Adhesion Molecule, a Novel Member of the Immunoglobulin Superfamily That Distributes at Intercellular Junctions and Modulates Monocyte Transmigration

Tight junctions are the most apical components of endothelial and epithelial intercellular cleft. In the endothelium these structures play an important role in the control of paracellular permeability to circulating cells and solutes. The only known integral membrane protein localized at sites of membrane–membrane interaction of tight junctions is occludin, which is linked inside the cells to a complex network of cytoskeletal and signaling proteins. We report here the identification of a novel protein (junctional adhesion molecule [JAM]) that is selectively concentrated at intercellular junctions of endothelial and epithelial cells of different origins. Confocal and immunoelectron microscopy shows that JAM codistributes with tight junction components at the apical region of the intercellular cleft. A cDNA clone encoding JAM defines a novel immunoglobulin gene superfamily member that consists of two V-type Ig domains. An mAb directed to JAM (BV11) was found to inhibit spontaneous and chemokine-induced monocyte transmigration through an endothelial cell monolayer in vitro. Systemic treatment of mice with BV11 mAb blocked monocyte infiltration upon chemokine administration in subcutaneous air pouches. Thus, JAM is a new component of endothelial and epithelial junctions that play a role in regulating monocyte transmigration

Evaluation of wet de-bittering conditions of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

Los granos de quinoa presentan en su episperma saponinas, compuestos con actividad antinutricional y que le otorgan sabor amargo al grano, por lo que deben desamargarse previo a su consumo. La falta de precisión acerca de las condiciones más adecuadas para realizarlo por método húmedo, evidencia la necesidad de contar con informaciónque aporte claridad. Objetivo: el objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar las condiciones de desamargado vía húmeda en granos de quinoa, con el fin de comparar su efectividad con un método cuantitativo. Materiales y métodos: se evaluaron como variables el tiempo, relación agua/granos y temperatura. Para determinar el contenido de saponinas residuales, se utilizó el método dela espuma (estimación afrosimétrica) y se compararon los resultados con espectroscopía. Resultados y discusión: todas las variables ejercieron un efecto significativo y una correlación negativa sobre el contenido de saponinas. La interacción de las variables permitió establecer las condiciones de extracción que tuvieron mayor eficiencia: 6 minutos, relación masa granos/solvente 10 mL/g, independientemente de la temperatura. Por espectrofotometría, se observó la misma tendencia.Conclusiones: la conjugación de estas condiciones permite realizar lavados en tiempos breves, con una cantidad de agua determinada y sin la necesidad de aplicar temperatura. El método demostró ser sencillo, práctico y eficiente para la remoción de las saponinas.Quinoa grains present in its episperm saponins, compounds with antinutritional activity that give bitter flavor to the grain. Therefore, they must be previously removed for their consumption. The lack of precision about the most appropriate conditions to perform it by wet method, demonstrates the need to have information that provides clarity. Aim: the aim of this work was to evaluate the conditions of wet de-bittering in grains of quinoa, in order to compare its effectiveness with a quantitative method. Materials and methods: Time, water/grain mass ratio and temperature were evaluated as variables. To determine the content of saponins, foam method (afrosimetric estimation) was used and the data obtained by spectrophotometric method was used to compare. Results and discussion: All the variables presented a significant effect and a negative correlation on the saponin content. The interaction between the variables allowed establishing the conditions of extraction that had greater efficiency: 6 minutes, solvent/grain mass ratio 10:1, independently of the temperature. The same tendency was observed by spectrophotometry. Conclusions: the conjugation of these conditions enables to carry out washes in short periods of time, with a certain amount of water and without the need to apply temperature. The method proved to be simple, practical and efficient for the removal of saponins.Fil: Bergesse, Antonella Estefanía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Nutrición; ArgentinaFil: Miranda Villa, Patricia Paola. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencias y Tecnología de los Alimentos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos y Química Aplicada. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería de Procesos y Química Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Mufari, Jesica Romina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencias y Tecnología de los Alimentos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Albrecht, Claudia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Cervilla, Natalia Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos Córdoba; Argentin

Xerostomia, gustatory and olfactory dysfunctions in patients with COVID-19

Background The novel Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) continues to have profound effect on global health. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence and characterize specific symptoms associated with COVID-19. Methods This retrospective study included 326 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection evaluated at the Emergency Department of the Umberto I Polyclinic Hospital, Rome, Italy between March 6th and April 30th, 2020. In order to assess xerostomia, olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions secondary to COVID-19, a telephone-based a modified survey obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2014 for taste and smell disorders and the Fox Questionnaire for dry mouth were administered to 111 patients (34%) after discharge between June 4th and June 12th. Results Taste dysfunction was the most common reported symptom (59.5%; n = 66), followed by xerostomia (45.9%; n = 51) and olfactory dysfunctions (41.4%; n = 46). The most severe symptom was olfactory dysfunction with a median severity score of 8.5 (range: 5–10). Overall 74.5% (n = 38) of patients with xerostomia, 78.8% (n = 52) of patients with gustatory dysfunctions and 71.1% (n = 33) of patients with olfactory dysfunctions reported that all symptoms appeared before COVID-19 diagnosis. Overall, the majority of patients reported one symptom only (45.9%, n = 51), 37 (33.3%) reported the association of two symptoms, and 23 (20.7%) patients reported the association of three symptoms at the same time. Conclusion Xerostomia, gustatory and olfactory dysfunctions may present as a prodromal or as the sole manifestation of COVID-19. Awareness is fundamental to identify COVID-19 patients at an early stage of the disease and limit the spread of the virus