Strong Cation Exchange with Innocence: Synthesis and Characterization of Borate Containing Resins and Macroporous Monoliths

Strong cation-exchange resins featured by a low loading of noncoordinating BF₃^– or B­(C₆H₅)₃^– anions in styrene–divinylbenzene matrices at various cross-linking degrees were synthesized via free-radical bulk copolymerization with the appropriate borate monomers. The polymerization mixture was tailored to obtain swellable materials for use as insoluble carriers of single-site heterogeneous catalysts. The parent macroporous monolith was also prepared for direct use in continuous flow applications showing excellent hydrodynamic properties and high chemical and mechanical stability. All resins were carefully characterized in the solid state, and their ability to immobilize molecular metal complexes was demonstrated

Exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic field affects biofilm formation by cystic fibrosis pathogens

Aims: To evaluate the in vitro effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF) on growth and biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strains from cystic fibrosis patients. Materials & methods: The motion of selected ions (Fe, Ca, Cu, Zn, Mg, K, Na) was stimulated by the ion resonance effect, then influence on growth and biofilm formation/viability was assessed by spectrophotometry or viability count. Results: Generally, exposure to ELF-MF significantly increased bacterial growth and affected both biofilm formation and viability, although with differences with regard to ions and species considered. Conclusion: Exposure to ELF-MF represents a possible new approach for treatment of biofilm-associated cystic fibrosis lung infections

Salivary proteomic analysis in asymptomatic and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection: Innate immunity, taste perception and FABP5 proteins make the difference

Background and aim: SARS-CoV-2 infection spawns from an asymptomatic condition to a fatal disease. Age, comorbidities, and several blood biomarkers are associated with infection outcome. We searched for biomarkers by untargeted and targeted proteomic analysis of saliva, a source of viral particles and host proteins. Methods: Saliva samples from 19 asymptomatic and 16 symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infected subjects, and 20 controls were analyzed by LC-MS/MS for untargeted peptidomic (flow through of 10 kDa filter) and proteomic (trypsin digestion of filter retained proteins) profiling. Results: Peptides from 53 salivary proteins were identified. ADF was detected only in controls, while IL1RA only in infected subjects. PRPs, DSC2, FABP5, his-1, IL1RA, PRH1, STATH, SMR3B, ANXA1, MUC7, ACTN4, IGKV1-33 and TGM3 were significantly different between asymptomatic and symptomatic subjects. Retained proteins were 117, being 11 highly different between asymptomatic and symptomatic (fold change >= 2 or <=-2). After vali-dation by LC-MS/MS-SRM (selected reaction monitoring analysis), the most significant discriminant proteins at PCA were IL1RA, CYSTB, S100A8, S100A9, CA6, and FABP5. Conclusions: The differentially abundant proteins involved in innate immunity (S100 proteins), taste (CA6 and cystatins), and viral binding to the host (FABP5), appear to be of interest for use as potential biomarkers and drugs targets

Analysis of Roman Era archaeological finds from Museo Territoriale del Lago di Bolsena with non-destructive investigation techniques

The management of the Museo Territoriale del Lago di Bolsena has made various types of archaeological finds available for non-destructive and non-invasive analysis using advanced techniques. The finds date from the Roman period and were collected during the excavation campaigns of the French School in the archaeological area of Poggio Moscini in the town of Bolsena (Viterbo) between 1962 and 1973. The finds on which the analyses focused are: metallic handles, pots and mosaic tiles. The techniques used to carry out this archaeometric study are based on X-ray diffraction (XRD). In addition, Raman and Fourier-Transform IR(FTIR) spectroscopies in the reflection mode have been considered for the characterisation of the finds. The content of this paper is part of the research activity of the project REMEDIAVI (Ricostruzione virtuale ed in realtà aumentata di Volsinii Novi: un approccio avanzato per la fruibilità sostenibile dell'area archeologica di Bolsena)

Allele-Specific Silencing of Mutant mRNA Rescues Ultrastructural and Arrhythmic Phenotype in Mice Carriers of the R4496C Mutation in the Ryanodine Receptor Gene (RYR2)

Mutations in the cardiac Ryanodine Receptor gene (RYR2) cause dominant catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), a leading cause of sudden death in apparently healthy individuals exposed to emotions or physical exercise

Trends in chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Italy over a 10-year period: Clues from the nationwide PITER and MASTER cohorts toward elimination

Objectives: The study measures trends in the profile of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus linked to care in Italy. Methods: A cross-sectional, multicenter, observational cohort (PITER cohort) of consecutive patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) over the period 2019-2021 from 46 centers was evaluated. The reference was the MASTER cohort collected over the years 2012-2015. Standard statistical methods were used. Results: The PITER cohort enrolled 4583 patients, of whom 21.8% were non-Italian natives. Compared with those in MASTER, the patients were older and more often female. The prevalence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) declined (7.2% vs 12.3; P <0.0001) and that of anti-hepatitis D virus (HDV) remained stable (9.3% vs 8.3%). In both cohorts, about 25% of the patients had cirrhosis, and those in the PITER cohort were older. HBeAg-positive was 5.0% vs 12.6% (P <0.0001) and anti-HDV positive 24.8% vs 17.5% (P <0.0017). In the logistic model, the variables associated with cirrhosis were anti-HDV-positive (odds ratio = 10.08; confidence interval 7.63-13.43), age, sex, and body mass index; the likelihood of cirrhosis was reduced by 40% in the PITER cohort. Among non-Italians, 12.3% were HBeAg-positive (vs 23.4% in the MASTER cohort; P <0.0001), and 12.3% were anti-HDV-positive (vs 11.1%). Overall, the adherence to the European Association for the Study of the Liver recommendations for antiviral treatment increased over time. Conclusion: Chronic hepatitis B virus infection appears to be in the process of becoming under control in Italy; however, HDV infection is still a health concern in patients with cirrhosis and in migrants