Selective reduction in the expression of type-1 metabotropic glutamate receptors in the hippocampus of adult rats born by caesarean section

Perinatal hypoxia causes long-term neurobiological consequences, including alterations in mechanisms of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and cognitive dysfunction. Changes in neurotransmitter receptors have been associated with these alterations, but little is known on how early hypoxia influences the expression and function of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors in adult life. This is an important issue because mGlu receptors are implicated in mechanisms of synaptic plasticity. Here, we examined the expression of mGlu1, mGlu5, and mGlu2/3 receptor subtypes in the hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, prefrontal cortex, and dorsal striatum in 6-month old Wistar rats (a) born by vaginal delivery; (b) born by caesarean section; and (c) born by caesarean section followed by 20 min of asphyxia. Unexpectedly, we found a large reduction of mGlu1α protein levels in the hippocampus of rats born by caesarean section regardless of the presence of asphyxia. No changes in mGlu1α receptor protein levels were found in the other brain regions. Levels of mGlu5 and mGlu2/3 receptors and levels of GluA2/3 and GluN1 subunits of AMPA and NMDA receptors did not differ among the three groups of rats in any brain region. These results are consistent with previous findings showing that changes in mGlu1 receptors occur within the epigenetic programming caused by early-life events

The interaction of bacterial pathogens with platelets.

In recent years, the frequency of serious cardiovascular infections such as endocarditis has increased, particularly in association with nosocomially acquired antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Growing evidence suggests a crucial role for the interaction of bacteria with human platelets in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular infections. Here, we review the nature of the interactions between platelets and bacteria, and the role of these interactions in the pathogenesis of endocarditis and other cardiovascular diseases

Intergenerational accumulation of impairments in maternal behavior following postnatal social stress

Early adversity such as depressed maternal care can have long-term physiological and behavioral effects on offspring and future generations. Exposure to chronic social stress (CSS), an ethologically model of postpartum depression and anxiety, during lactation impairs maternal care and exerts similar effects on the F1 dam offspring of the stressed F0 dams. These changes associate with increased corticosterone and neuroendocrine alterations. CSS F2 offspring further display decreased social behavior as juveniles and adults and decreased basal levels of corticosterone. This current study investigates the intergenerational inheritance of alterations in maternal behavior in F2 CSS dams together with neuroendocrine and immune markers to explore whether aspects of maternal behavior are intergenerationally inherited through immune and neuroendocrine mechanisms. We find that defects in maternal care behavior persist into the F2 generation with F2 dams exhibiting a pervasively depressed maternal care and increased restlessness throughout lactation. This occurs together with reduced basal cortisol (in contrast to an increase in F1 dams), a lack of changes in neuroendocrine gene expression, and reduced serum ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1) levels - a marker for inflammation and blood–brain barrier integrity. The data support the hypothesis that the effects of chronic social stress can accumulate across multiple generations to depress maternal care, increase restlessness and alter basal functioning of the immune system and hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis

Novel Poly(urethane-aminoamides). An in vitro study of the interaction with heparin.

In order to obtain heparin-binding polyurethanes, tertiary amino-groups have been introduced in the polymer backbone by attributing a key-role to the chain extender, i.e. substituting butanediol, commonly used in polyurethane synthesis, with a tailor-made diamino-diamide-diol. In this work a poly(ether-urethane-aminoamide) (PEU/PIME/al) was obtained with poly(oxytetramethylene) glycol 2000, 1,6-hexamethylene-diisocyanate and the new chain extender, in the molar ratio 1:2:1. The heparin binding capacity of PEU/PIME/al was evaluated with 125I labelled heparin, using for comparison the analogous polymer obtained with a diamide-diol (i.e. the poly(ether-urethane-amide) PEU/PIBLO/al), and two commercially available biomedical polyurethanes (Pellethane 2363 and Corethane). pH and ionic strength dependence of the heparin uptake were investigated by treating all the polyurethanes with solutions of 125I heparin into buffers from pH 4 to 9 or NaCl molarity from 0.0 to 1.0. The stability of the interaction with bound heparin was investigated by sequential washing treatments (PBS, 1 N NaOH, 2% SDS solution), then analysing the residual radioactivity on the materials. Results indicated that the heparin binding of PEU/PIME/al is significantly higher and more stable than that of the other polyurethanes, with a time-dependent kinetic. The interaction with heparin appears to be prevalently ionic, with the contribution of other electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), performed on human plasma with polyurethane-coated, heparinized test tubes, indicate

Monoclonal antibodies to CNA, a collagen-binding microbial surface component recognizing adhesive matrix molecules, detach staphylococcus aureus from a collagen substrate.

Previous studies showed that Staphylococcus aureus expresses a collagen-binding MSCRAMM (Microbial Surface Component Recognizing Adhesive Matrix Molecules), CNA, that is necessary and sufficient for S. aureus cells to adhere to cartilage and is a virulence factor in experimental septic arthritis. We have now used a monoclonal antibody (mAb) approach to further analyze the structure and function of CNA. 22 mAbs raised against the minimal ligand binding domain, CNA-(151-318), were shown to bind to the MSCRAMM with similar affinity. All mAbs appear to recognize conformation-dependent epitopes that were mapped throughout the CNA-(151-318) domain using a chimeric strategy where segments of CNA are grafted on ACE, a structurally related MSCRAMM from Enterococcus faecalis. These mAbs were able to inhibit (125)I-collagen binding to CNA-(151-318) as well as to intact S. aureus cells. They also interfered with the attachment of bacteria to collagen substrates. Furthermore, some of the mAbs could effectively displace (125)I-collagen bound to the bacteria. These displacing mAbs were also able to detach bacteria that had adhered to a collagen substrate in a preincubation, raising the possibility that some of the mAbs may be used as therapeutic agents

Protection and enhancement of the \uab Geodiversity \ubb of Beni Ghedir Valley (Tataouine, south-east Tunisie)

During last years the IUGS (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) and UNESCO has suggested to start projects with the idea of integration of the protection of geodiversity with sustainable economic development (Projects Geosites, Natural Monuments, etc). A better understanding of the links between cultural identity and geodiversity can help people appreciate the relevance of geodiversity in their everyday lives. In particular these links can be used to make local communities aware of their local resources and to encourage them to participate in promoting and conserving them. The research conducted in the last two years in the area of Tataouine (south-east TUNISIE) between IGRG- University of Bologna and AAMTT- Tataouine, have helped to identify in the valley of Beni Ghedir an important witness of geologic, landscape, cultural and socio- economic values, that the local authorities are keen to preserve. The overall objective of the project for the development of this valley being the exploitation of natural and anthropic benefit of sustainable development in taking specific objective the rehabilitation and development. The B\ue9ni Ghedir valley develops in the most southern sector of the \uabChain of Matmata\ubb, a prominent monoclinalic structure with elevations of about the 300-600 m, characterized by the widespread presence of geomorphologic evidences of the type of "cuestas" or other forms of modelling of slopes linked to selective erosion . Particularly the chain is heavily dissected by a dense hydro-graphic network system where water erosion has configured a very dissected landscape valleys, gullies and badlands. Late Jurassic \u2013 Early Cretaceous exposed strata mainly consist of an alternation of coastal to shallow-carbonatic marine deposits. Furthermore, a variety of fossil remains (primarily terrestrial and marine vertebrates, fishes, invertebrates, megaplants and remains of dinosaurs) support intervals dominated by terrestrial sediment supply and deposition. Such beds are fundamental to the reconstruction of ancient ecosystems as well as in the reconstruction of the complicated palaeogeographic setting of the area. From a geomorphological and landscape point of view the Beni Ghedir valley show a typical arid climate, somewhat very aggressive because rainfall is highly irregular and usually intense and causing intense erosion (annual average rainfalls range between 200 and 300 mm, but daily intensities may reach 150 mm). Similarly, the accentuated topography promote the rapid concentration of runoff water thus increasing their faculty erosive. The water management is dominated by a complex system of \u201cjessour\u201d, a very ancient typical hydraulic system at small scale used to bank the runoff from the mountain chain. The jessour (plural of a \u201cjesr\u201d) are hydraulic units made of three components: the impluvium, the terrace and the dike: 1) the impluvium is the area destined for collecting and channelling of the meteoric water; 2) the terrace, formed progressively by the decantation of the carried sediments, is the area where the agricultural activities are carried out (generally olive, fig, almond, date palm, legumes etc); 3) the dike (local called \u201ctabia\u201d) is a barrier intended to block the sediments and run-off. The jessour influence and control almost completely the traditional agroforestry farming of the area (trees such as date palms, olives, figs, almonds, etc). Maintenance of traditional methods can reduce the negative impacts caused by modern activities and support their positive characteristics The territorial and environmental framework is completed by the presence of a typical "Ksar of mountain", the oldest form of rural housing in the area. It is a hilltop collective granary with single or multi-level long barrel vaulted storage rooms (\uabghorfas\ubb) which are stacked and walled to form a fortified ksar The Ksar was conceived to protect its residents and secure subsistence from ..