Magneto-plasmonic heterodimers: Evaluation of different synthesis approaches

Nanomedicine has gained huge attention in recent years with new approaches in medical diagnosis and therapy. Particular consideration has been devoted to the nanoparticles (NPs) in theranostic field with specific interest for magnetic and gold NPs (MNPs and GNPs) due to their peculiar properties under exposition to electromagnetic fields. In this paper, we aim to develop magneto-plasmonic heterodimer by combining MNPs and GNPs through a facile and reproducible synthesis and to investigate the influence of different synthesis parameters on their response to magnetic and optical stimuli. In particular, various syntheses were performed by changing the functionalization step and using or not a reducing agent to obtain stable NP suspensions with tailored properties. The obtained heterodimers were characterized through physical, chemical, optical, and magnetic analysis, in order to evaluate their size, shape, plasmonic properties, and superparamagnetic behavior. The results revealed that the shape and dimensions of the nanocomposites can be tuned by MNPs surface functionalization, as well as by the use of a reducing agent, giving rise to nanoplatform suitable for biomedical application, exploiting the gold absorbing peak in the specific gold absorbing range of GNPs, while maintaining the superparamagnetic behavior typical of the MNPs. The obtained nanocomposites can be proposed as potential candidates for cancer theranostics

Lacrimal Gland Tumours in Dogs: A Histological and Immunohistochemical Study

Previous article in issueNext article in issue Introduction: Lacrimal gland tumours (LGTs) are well-known neoplasms affecting both the nictitating membrane and the main lacrimal glands in dogs; however, extensive histological and immunohistochemical studies are currently lacking. In recent years an increasing number of LGTs with a complex (i.e. epithelial and myoepithelial) phenotype have been recorded in our routine histopathology service. The aim of the present study was to review histological and immunohistochemical features of LGTs in dogs. Material and Methods: Nictitating membrane (NM) and main lacrimal gland (LG) biopsy samples from the departmental archive (2010\u20132016) were reviewed. HE sections were re-evaluated by light microscopy. Since a specific classification for LGTs is currently lacking, the classification proposed by Goldschmidt (2011) for mammary gland tumours was applied. Immunohistochemistry for pancytokeratin (CK AE1/AE3), CK14, \u3b1-smooth muscle actin, calponin and p63 was performed. Results: One-hundred and sixty-one NM and LG specimens were reviewed: 106 neoplastic lesions were diagnosed, 28 were epithelial gland tumours (25 NM; three LG). Twenty-four of 28 were carcinomas: seven complex, five solid, two simple tubular, two tubulopapillary, two comedocarcinoma, one ductal, four carcinoma and malignant myoepithelioma, one malignant myoepithelioma. Four were benign tumours: two complex adenomas, two multilobular adenomas. CKAE1/AE3 labelled tubular cells, while CK14, \u3b1-SMA, calponin and p63 labelled myoepithelial cells, when present. Conclusions: In the present cohort of cases, NM and LG complex carcinomas and adenomas were highly represented among LGTs. NM and LG carcinomas outnumbered adenomas and were characterized by marked intratumoural variability. A specific classification for lacrimal tumours is needed

ABA biosynthesis- and signaling-related gene expression differences between sweet cherry fruits suggest attenuation of ABA pathway in bicolored cultivars

Fruit development involves exocarp color evolution. However, signals that control this process are still elusive. Differences between dark-red and bicolored sweet cherry cultivars rely on MYB factor gene mutations. Color evolution in bicolored fruits only occurs on the face receiving sunlight, suggesting the perception or response to color-inducing signals is affected. These color differences may be related to synthesis, perception or response to abscisic acid (ABA), a phytohormone responsible for non-climacteric fruit coloring. This work aimed to determine the involvement of ABA in the coloring process of color-contrasting varieties. Several phenolic accumulation patterns differed between bicolored ‘Royal Rainier’ and dark-red ‘Lapins’. Transcript abundance of ABA biosynthetic genes (PavPSY, PavZEP and PavNCED1) decreased dramatically from the Pink to Red stage in ‘Royal Rainier’ but increased in ‘Lapins’, which correlated with a higher ABA content in this dark-red cultivar. Transcripts coding for ABA signaling (PavPP2Cs, PavSnRKs and PavMYB44.1) were almost undetectable at the Red stage in ‘Royal Rainier’. Field trials revealed that ‘Royal Rainier’ color development was insensitive to exogenous ABA, whereas it increased in ‘Lapins’. Furthermore, ABA treatment only increased transcript levels of signaling genes in ‘Lapins’. Further studies may address if the ABA pathway is attenuated in bicolor cultivar

Screening of conditions controlling spectrophotometric sequential injection analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite its potential benefits over univariate, chemometrics is rarely utilized for optimizing sequential injection analysis (SIA) methods. Specifically, in previous vis-spectrophotometric SIA methods, chemometrically optimized conditions were confined within flow rate and reagent concentrations while other conditions were ignored.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The current manuscript reports, for the first time, a comprehensive screening of conditions controlling vis-spectrophotometric SIA. A new diclofenac assay method was adopted. The method was based on oxidizing diclofenac by permanganate (a major reagent) with sulfuric acid (a minor reagent). The reaction produced a spectrophotometrically detectable diclofenac form. The 2⁶full-factorial design was utilized to study the effect of volumes of reagents and sample, in addition to flow rate and concentrations of reagents. The main effects and all interaction order effects on method performance, i.e. namely sensitivity, rapidity and reagent consumption, were determined. The method was validated and applied to pharmaceutical formulations (tablets, injection and gel).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Despite 64 experiments those conducted in the current study were cumbersome, the results obtained would reduce effort and time when developing similar SIA methods in the future. It is recommended to critically optimize effective and interacting conditions using other such optimization tools as fractional-factorial design, response surface and simplex, rather than full-factorial design that used at an initial optimization stage. In vis-spectrophotometric SIA methods those involve developing reactions with two reagents (major and minor), conditions affecting method performance are in the following order: sample volume > flow rate ≈ major reagent concentration >> major reagent volume ≈ minor reagent concentration >> minor reagent volume.</p

Improving pulse crops as a source of protein, starch and micronutrients

Pulse crops have been known for a long time to have beneficial nutritional profiles for human diets but have been neglected in terms of cultivation, consumption and scientific research in many parts of the world. Broad dietary shifts will be required if anthropogenic climate change is to be mitigated in the future, and pulse crops should be an important component of this change by providing an environmentally sustainable source of protein, resistant starch and micronutrients. Further enhancement of the nutritional composition of pulse crops could benefit human health, helping to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies and reduce risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. This paper reviews current knowledge regarding the nutritional content of pea (Pisum sativum L.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.), two major UK pulse crops, and discusses the potential for their genetic improvement

Histological and immunohistochemical features of a recurrent epithelial-myoepithelial lacrimal gland tumor in a dog

Purpose: To describe histological and immunohistochemical features of a rare lacrimal gland tumor. Methods: A conjunctival mass in the upper eyelid, lateral cantus, was surgically excised from an 11 year-old female mongrel dog. Eight months later the dog presented with recurrence of a larger orbital mass, and complete orbital exenteration was performed. Samples from both surgeries were formalin fixed and submitted for histology. Microtomic sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and serial sections immunostained with the standard ABC method in order to characterize neoplastic cells. Monoclonal antibodies antivimentin, cytokeratin 14 (CK14), CK19, CK8/18 and alpha smooth-muscle-actin (aSMA) were applied. AEC served as the chromogen. Results: Histologically, the first mass excised was a large, capsulated, neoplastic nodule with expansive growth. The second mass was a large multilobulated un-encaspulated nodule with multifocal signs of infiltrative growth. In both tumors two distinct cell populations were present: cuboidal cell lining small ductular structure and elongated cells with scant, clear cytoplasm disposed in short bundles or in whorls around ductal structures. Cuboidal cells were positive for CK19 and CK8/18, spindle cells were CK14 and aSMA positive. Both cell types were vimentin negative. Based on histological and immunohistochemical feature a diagnosis of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (ECM) was posed. Conclusions: ECM is a rare tumor of lacrimal gland, whose histological features parallel those of salivary tumors, in which both component of secretory parenchyma, i.e. epithelial and myoepithelial cells, undergo neoplastic transformation. Further investigations are necessary to understand the specific prognostication criteria for this type of neoplasm

Profumi lontani

Il progetto vincitore del concorso internazionale per la riqualificazione del complesso ex tabacchificio centola, Pontecagnano Faiano (SA