FROM HOME SAFETY TO INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM: HOW ITALIAN TALK SHOWS FRAMED MIGRATION AFTER THE PARIS ATTACKS

This article investigates the migrants’ representation in the Italian talk shows and how new reading frames are developed after the Paris terrorist attacks in November 2015. The theoretical framework is composed by studies on migrants’ representation in media. After recognition of all the primetime Italian talk shows that have been broadcasted in the period between 14 November 2015 and 14 January 2016, we have chosen three: Ballarò, Quinta Colonna e Piazza Pulita. The selected corpus has been analyzed using the typical tools of the content analysis as investigation applied to the narrative-conversational structure of talk shows

From home safety to international terrorism: how Italian talk shows framed migration after the Paris attacks

This article investigates the migrants' representation in the Italian talk shows and how new reading frames are developed after the Paris terrorist attacks in November 2015. The theoretical framework is composed by studies on migrants' representation in media. After recognition of all the primetime Italian talk shows that have been broadcasted in the period between 14 November 2015 and 14 January 2016, we have chosen three: Ballarò, Quinta Colonna e Piazza Pulita. The selected corpus has been analyzed using the typical tools of the content analysis as investigation applied to the narrative-conversational structure of talk shows. (author's abstract

Ultrasound-induced transformation of fluorescent organic nanoparticles from a molecular rotor into rhomboidal nanocrystals with enhanced emission

Fluorescent organic nanoparticles (FONs) based on aggregation-induced emission (AIE) are receiving increasing attention owing to their simple preparation, enhancedoptical properties, and a wide range of applications. Therefore, finding simple methods to tune the structural and emissive properties of FONs is highly desirable. In this context, we discuss the preparation of highly emissive, amorphous AIE spherical nanoparticles based on a structurally-simple molecular rotor and their sonochemicaltransformation into rhomboidal nanocrystals. Interestingly, the ultrasound-induced modification of the morphology is accompanied by a remarkable enhancement in the stability and emission of the resulting nanocrystals. Detailed characterization of both spherical and rhomboidal nanoparticles was carried out by means of several microscopic, crystallographic, and spectroscopic techniques as well as quantum mechanical calculations. In a nutshell, this work provides a unique example of the ultrasound-induced switching of morphology, stability, and emission in FONsFinancial support from Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity, MICINN (CTQ-2011-24187/BQU), MIUR through FIRB program (contract no. RBFR10DAK6), ERC Advanced Grant 2012 (number 320951

Unraveling the peculiar modus operandi of a new class of solvatochromic fluorescent molecular rotors by spectroscopic and quantum mechanical methods

A prototype for a new class of fluorescent molecular rotors (FMRs), namely 4-(diphenylamino)phthalonitrile (DPAP), was synthesized and its sensitivity towards solvent polarity and viscosity probed using photophysical and computational methods. DPAP is characterized by a pronounced fluorosolvatochromism in polarity-dependent absorption, emission and fluorescent lifetime experiments. At the same time, a strong viscosity response is observed, especially in polar and protic solvents. Quantum mechanical calculations assisted in interpreting the unusual solvent sensitivity of DPAP in terms of its high flexibility, giving rise to solvent-independent, barrier-free rotations. As a matter of fact, the modus operandi in DPAP contrasts that of traditional FMRs involving twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) states. The influence of this unusual flexible character on excitation and emission energies was studied using computational methods upon considering twisting of the molecule in solvents of different polarity. Furthermore, a detailed characterization of the excited state profile was attained using time resolved spectroscopy techniques. In particular, a contrasting deactivation pattern of the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state was observed in low and high polar media. Moreover, in low and medium polar solvents strong emission is accompanied by triplet excited state formation, while in high polar and protic solvents the ICT state is highly stabilized and decays primarily non-radiatively. Notably, a viscosity increase in the latter solvents hampers rotations leading to a strong emission enhancement. This latter behavior, coupled to a remarkable solvatochromic character, makes DPAP a promising probe for biological and environmental sensing and imaging applications

Reversible vapochromic response of polymer films doped with a highly emissive molecular rotor

We report on a new vapochromic system suitable for sensing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) based on polymer films doped with 4-(diphenylamino)phthalonitrile (DPAP), a fluorescent molecular rotor sensitive to both solvent polarity and viscosity. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC) films containing small amounts of DPAP (#0.1 wt%) were prepared and exposed to saturated atmospheres of different VOCs. DPAP/PMMA films show a good and reversible vapochromism when exposed to VOCs with high polarity index and favourable interaction with polymer matrices such as THF, CHCl3, and acetonitrile. Analogously, DPAP/PC films exposed to polar and highly polymer-interacting solvents, that is, toluene, THF, and CHCl3, show a gradual decrease and red-shift of the emission. In contrast to DPAP/ PMMA films, an unexpected increase and further red-shift of fluorescence are observed at longer exposure times as a consequence of an irreversible, solvent-induced crystallization process of PC. The vapochromism of DPAP-doped films is rationalized on the basis of alterations of the rotor intramolecular motion and polarity effects stemming from the environment, which, in concert, influence the deactivation pathways of the DPAP intramolecular charge transfer state. Overall, the present results support the use of DPAP-enriched plastic films as a new chromogenic material suitable for the detection of VOCs

Social Interactions of Dat-Het Epi-Genotypes Differing for Maternal Origins: The Development of a New Preclinical Model of Socio-Sexual Apathy

Social interaction is essential for life but is impaired in many psychiatric disorders. We presently focus on rats with a truncated allele for dopamine transporter (DAT). Since heterozygous individuals possess only one non-mutant allele, epigenetic interactions may unmask latent genetic predispositions. Homogeneous “maternal” heterozygous offspring (termed MAT-HET) were born from dopamine-transporter knocked-out (DAT-KO) male rats and wild-type (WT) mothers; “mixed” heterozygous offspring (termed MIX-HET) were born from both DAT-heterozygous parents. Their social behavior was assessed by: partner-preference (PPT), social-preference (SPT) and elicited-preference (EPT) tests. During the PPT, focal MIX-HET and MAT-HET males had a choice between two WT females, one in estrous and the other not. In the SPT, they met as stimulus either a MIX-HET or a WT male. In the EPT, the preference of focal male WT rats towards either a MIX- or a MAT-HET stimulus was tested. MIX-HET focal males showed an abnormal behavior, seeming not interested in socializing either with a female in estrous or with another male if MIX-HET. Focal MAT-HET males, instead, were very attracted by the female in estrous, but totally ignored the MIX-HET male. We assessed the expression of noradrenaline transporter (NET) in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus, finding differences between the two offspring. MIX-HETs’ hypothalamus and hippocampus showed less NET than MAT-HETs, while the latter, in turn, showed higher NET than WTs. These behavioral differences between heterozygous groups may be attributed to different maternal cares received. Results allow preclinical understanding of epigenetic factors involved in social-behavior abnormalities, typical of many psychiatric disorders

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Hepatic Steatosis: Could Low-Grade Chronic Inflammation Be Mediated by the Spleen?:

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by an extreme variety of phenotypes and controversial metabolic implications. Hepatic Steatosis (HS) and low-grade chronic inflammation (LGCI) might be common findings in PCOS. We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate the LGCI and HS in young women with PCOS according to their Body Mass index (BMI), Insulin Resistance (IR), and PCOS phenotypes. Sixty young premenopausal PCOS women and 20 age-matched controls participated. Primary outcome measures were the presence/severity of HS; LGCI index evaluated as spleen longitudinal diameter (SLD) by UltraSound, C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Interleukin (IL)-6 levels; BMI and the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HoMA) of IR. The second outcome measures were testosterone, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) levels, and Free Androgen Index (FAI). The presence of HS and LGCI was not significantly different between NW and O/O patients, while there were significant differences particularly when the PCOS-women were grouped according to IR or to PCOS phenotypes. At multiple regression adjusted for BMI, HoMA-IR and the spleen size were the major determinants of the severity of HS (β= 0.36, p=0.007, and β= 0.28, p=0.034, respectively). At multiple regression SLD represented the unique predictor of FAI (β=0.32; p=0.018). In young women with PCOS, HS was detected independently from obesity and was well predicted not only by IR but also by spleen size, with variable expression of the liver-spleen axis across the different PCOS subtypes. A possible role of the spleen in determining LGCI also in women with PCOS is emphasized

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels, phosphoprotein enriched in diabetes gene product (PED/PEA-15) and leptin-to-adiponectin ratio in women with PCOS

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is frequently associated with hypovitaminosis D. Vitamin D is endowed with pleiotropic effects, including insulin resistance (IR) and apoptotic pathway. Disruption of the complex mechanism that regulated ovarian apoptosis has been reported in PCOS. Phosphoprotein enriched in diabetes gene product (PED/PEA-15), an anti-apoptotic protein involved in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is overexpressed in PCOS women, independently of obesity. Leptin-to-adiponectin ratio (L/A) is a biomarker of IR and low-grade inflammation in PCOS. The aim of the study was to investigate the levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D), and L/A, in association with PED/PEA-15 protein abundance, in both lean and overweight/obese (o/o) women with PCOS.</p> <p>Patients and Methods</p> <p>PED/PEA-15 protein abundance and circulating levels of 25(OH)D, L/A, sex hormone-binding globulin, and testosterone were evaluated in 90 untreated PCOS patients (25 ± 4 yrs; range 18-34) and 40 healthy controls age and BMI comparable, from the same geographical area. FAI (free androgen index) and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HoMA-IR) index were calculated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In o/o PCOS, 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower, and L/A values were significantly higher than in lean PCOS (p < 0.001), while there were no differences in PED/PEA-15 protein abundance. An inverse correlation was observed between 25(OH)D and BMI, PED/PEA-15 protein abundance, insulin, HoMA-IR, FAI (p < 0.001), and L/A (p < 0.05). At the multivariate analysis, in o/o PCOS L/A, insulin and 25(OH)D were the major determinant of PED/PEA-15 protein abundance (β = 0.45, β = 0.41, and β = -0.25, respectively).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Lower 25(OH)D and higher L/A were associated to PED/PEA-15 protein abundance in PCOS, suggesting their involvement in the ovarian imbalance between pro-and anti-apoptotic mechanisms, with high L/A and insulin and low 25(OH)D levels as the main determinants of PED/PEA-15 protein variability. Further studies, involving also different apoptotic pathways or inflammatory cytokines and granulosa cells are mandatory to better define the possible bidirectional relationships between 25(OH)D, PED/PEA-15 protein abundance, leptin and adiponectin in PCOS pathogenesis.</p

Reduction of De Novo Lipogenesis Mediates Beneficial Effects of Isoenergetic Diets on Fatty Liver: Mechanistic Insights from the MEDEA Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Non‐alcoholic liver steatosis (NAS) results from an imbalance between hepatic lipid storage, disposal, and partitioning. A multifactorial diet high in fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), n‐6 and n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), polyphenols, and vitamins D, E, and C reduces NAS in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) by 40% compared to a MUFA‐rich diet. We evaluated whether dietary effects on NAS are mediated by changes in hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL), stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD1) activity, and/or β‐ oxidation.; Methods: According to a randomized parallel group study design, 37 individuals with T2D completed an 8‐week isocaloric intervention with a MUFA diet (n = 20) or multifactorial diet (n = 17). Before and after the intervention, liver fat content was evaluated by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, serum triglyceride fatty acid concentrations measured by gas chromatography, plasma β‐hydroxybutyrate by enzymatic method, and DNL and SCD‐1 activity assessed by calculating the palmitic acid/linoleic acid (C16:0/C18:2 n6) and palmitoleic acid/palmitic acid (C16:1/C16:0) ratios, respectively; Results: Compared to baseline, mean ± SD DNL significantly decreased after the multifactorial diet (2.2 ± 0.8 vs.1.5 ± 0.5, p = 0.0001) but did not change after the MUFA diet (1.9 ± 1.1 vs. 1.9 ± 0.9, p = 0.949), with a significant difference between the two interventions (p = 0.004). The mean SCD‐1 activity also decreased after the multifactorial diet (0.13 ± 0.05 vs. 0.10 ± 0.03; p = 0.001), but with no significant difference between interventions (p = 0.205). Fasting plasma β‐hydroxybutyrate concentrations did not change significantly after the MUFA or multifactorial diet. Changes in the DNL index significantly and positively correlated with changes in liver fat (r = 0.426; p = 0.009). Conclusions: A diet rich in multiple beneficial dietary components (fiber, polyphenols, MUFAs, PUFAs, and other antioxidants) compared to a diet rich only in MUFAs further reduces liver fat accumulation through the inhibition of DNL. Registered under ClinicalTrials.gov no. NCT03380416

Environmental concentrations of fibers with fluoro-edenitic composition and population exposure in Biancavilla (Sicily, Italy)

Introduction. The town of Biancavilla (Sicily) was included in the National Priorities List of Contaminated Sites due to environmental dispersion of amphibole fibers owing to the extraction of materials from a local quarry. The present report summarizes results from several, hitherto unpublished, environmental surveys carried out in the area, as well as from published analyses of the chemistry and composition of fibers.Methods. Data included here comprises environmental fiber concentrations by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analysis in soil, indoor and outdoor air, personal monitoring, as well as a chemical characterization of the fibers.The full chemical structure and spectroscopic characterization of fibers were obtained through a multi-analytical approach: SEM-EDS, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), as well as Mössbauer (MS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies.Results. Data analyzed provided a spatial and temporal picture of fiber concentrations in Biancavilla, and a qualitative assessment of population exposure. Results suggest that until 2000, the population had been exposed to high levels of amphibole fibers. Mitigation measures adopted since 2001, gradually reduced exposure levels to about 0.1-0.4 ff/l. Previous studies on fibrous amphiboles from Biancavilla reported considerable chemical variability. Differences in composition, especially concerning the presence of Si, Ca, Fe, and Na, were found both within and between samples. Compared to the previously investigated prismatic fluoro-edenite, these fibrous fluorine amphiboles consistently showed higher average values of Si and Fe content, whereas Ca was significantly lower, which we consider a distinctive characteristic of the fluorine fibrous variety.Conclusions. The population of Biancavilla had been highly exposed to a suite of fibrous amphiboles for over 50 years. Dust mitigation measures have gradually reduced exposure, but continuous environmental follow-up is necessary in order to monitor exposurelevels and prevent adverse health effects for future generations