Biodegradation of 3-chlorophenol in a sequencing batch reactor

The present paper shows the results obtained through a study on the biodegradation of 3-chlorophenol (3-CP) in a Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR). To such a purpose a lab-scale SBR was fed a synthetic wastewater containing 3-CP and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) diluted in tap water. The operating strategy, in terms of both the duration of either the cycle or the react phase, was changed throughout the experimental activity in order to find out the optimal one allowing to ensure constant and high removal efficiency despite the increasing 3-chlorophenol concentration in the feed. Biomass collected from a full-scale continuous flow activated sludge facility treating domestic wastewater was used as seed, after being acclimated to 3-CP by means of several batch tests. The results showed that a periodically operated activated sludge system can be successfully used for the biodegradation of chlorophenol compounds, after the needed members of the microbiological consortium are selected and enriched

Conformation of microcontact-printed proteins by atomic force microscopy molecular sizing.

We investigated the structural changes occurring in proteins patterned via microcontact printing. This was done by molecular sizing using atomic force microscopy to observe the structure of printed individual metalloprotein molecules in the unlabeled and untreated states. We observed that the size of the printed proteins were more than 2-fold smaller than the native shape, which indicates that some deformations take place upon the contact-assisted adsorption on silanized silicon dioxide. This can be attributed to simultaneously occurring effects, and particularly to the sandwiching between surfaces of very different hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties during contact lithography

Le lesioni polipoidi della colecisti: problemi diagnostici e terapeutici

Le lesioni polipoidi della colecisti costituiscono un’entità eterogenea di difficile definizione diagnostica preoperatoria. L’indicazione chirurgica è discutibile ma in alcuni casi obbligatoria . In questo studio abbiamo analizzato i dati clinici relativi a 25 pazienti sottoposti consecutivamente a colecistectomia laparoscopica per formazioni polipoidi. Ciò al fine di evidenziare la possibile correlazione fra aspetto ecografico e valutazione istopatologica e di definire l’indicazione terapeutica

High Fat Diet and Inflammation - Modulation of Haptoglobin Level in Rat Brain

Obesity and dietary fats are well known risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases. The analysis of specific markers, whose brain level can be affected by diet, might contribute to unveil the intersection between inflammation/obesity and neurodegeneration. Haptoglobin (Hpt) is an acute phase protein, which acts as antioxidant by binding free haemoglobin (Hb), thus neutralizing its pro-oxidative action. We previously demonstrated that Hpt plays critical functions in brain, modulating cholesterol trafficking in neurons, beta-amyloid (Aβ) uptake by astrocyte, and limiting Aβ toxicity on these cells. A major aim of this study was to evaluate whether a long term (12 or 24 weeks) high-fat diet (HFD) influences Hpt and Hb expression in rat hippocampus. We also assessed the development of obesity-induced inflammation by measuring hippocampal TNF-alpha, and the extent of protein oxidation by titrating nitro-tyrosine (N-Tyr). Hpt concentration was lower in hippocampus of HFD rats than in control animals, HFD was also associated in hippocampus with the increase of Hb level, inflammation and protein oxidative modification, as evidenced by the increase in the concentration of TNF-alpha and nitro-tyrosine. In fact, TNF-alpha concentration was higher in rats receiving HFD for 12 or 24 weeks compared to controls. N-Tyr concentration was more elevated in hippocampus of HFD than in control rats in both 12 weeks and 24 weeks groups. Finally, we found that the treatment of the human glial cells with cholesterol and fatty acids significantly impairs Hpt secretion in the extracellular compartment. We hypothesize that the HFD-dependent decrease of Hpt in hippocampus, as associated with Hb increase, might enhance the oxidative stress induced by free Hb. Altogether our data, identifying Hpt as a molecule modulated in the brain by dietary fats, may represent one of the first steps in the comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying the diet-related effects in the nervous system

Safety and activity of trastuzumab-containing therapies for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer: our long-term clinical experience (GOIM study).

Background: Trastuzumab is widely used as the treatment of choice for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Patients and methods: Seventy patients, median age 57 years and range 31–81 years, were included in our retrospective analysis with the aim to evaluate safety and activity of trastuzumab-containing therapies. Results: We observed for first-line treatment response rate (RR) 41%, stable disease (SD) 47% and time to progression (TTP) 8 months (range 1–44). Corresponding numbers for second line were RR 23%, SD 62% and (TTP) 9 months (range 3–23) and beyond second line RR 22%, SD 78% and (TTP) 9 months (range 4–19). Overall survival was 19.2 months (3–62 months). The median cumulative dose of trastuzumab administrated was 5286 mg (464–17 940 mg). Trastuzumab was well tolerated. Median left ventricular ejection function (LVEF) at baseline was 62% and at the end of treatment was 59%. The more relevant adverse events consisted of an asymptomatic decrease in LVEF to 40% (baseline 60%) and a grade 3 symptomatic increase in bilirubin. Conclusion: Trastuzumab-containing therapies in MBC show a good safety and toxicity profile and a remarkable activity even in heavily pretreated women. Patients should benefit from continued trastuzumab therapy, as shown by the maintenance of (TTP) even beyond second-line treatment

Chemical composition and biological activities of oregano and lavender essential oils

Folk medicine uses wild herbs, especially from the Lamiaceae family, such as oregano and lavender, in the treatment of many diseases. In the present study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of the essential oils of Origanum glandulosum Desf. and Lavandula dentata L. against multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. The chemical composition of essential oils and their effect on the ultrastructure of the tested bacteria and on the release of cellular components that absorb at 260 nm were studied. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity and the production of reactive oxygen species in human lymphocytes treated with essential oils were evaluated. Thymol (33.2%) was the major constituent in O. glandulosum, and β-pinene (17.3%) was the major constituent in L. dentata. We observed ultrastructural damage in bacteria and increased release of cellular material. Furthermore, ROS production in human lymphocytes treated with essential oils was lower than in untreated lymphocytes and no cytotoxicity was observed. Therefore, the essential oils of lavender and oregano could be used as a source of natural antibacterial and antioxidant agents with potential pharmacological applications

West Nile virus: the Italian national transplant network reaction to an alert in the north-eastern region, Italy 2011.

We report four cases of West Nile virus (WNV) transmission following a single multiorgan donation in north-eastern Italy. The transmissions were promptly detected by local transplant centres. The donor had been tested for WNV by nucleic acid amplification test (NAT) prior to transplantation and was negative. There were no detected errors in the nationally implemented WNV safety protocols