Studying pyrolysis products of bottom-of-the-barrel fuel with Py-GCxGC- TOF/CSD/FID

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Sonoprocessing of oil: Asphaltene declustering behind fine ultrasonic emulsions

Despite the transition toward carbon-free energy carriers, liquid fossil fuels are expected to occupy an important market share in the future. Therefore, it is crucial to develop innovative technology for better combustion reducing the emissions of pollutants associated with their utilization. Water in oil (w/o) emulsions contribute to greener combustion, increasing carbon efficiency and reducing emissions. Water content, emulsions stability, and droplet size distributions are key parameters in targeting the efficient use of emulsions as combustibles. In particular, for fixed water content, the finer the emulsion, the better its beneficial effect on combustion. In this work, two emulsions, mechanically and ultrasonically generated, were compared. Cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) allowed the visualization of water droplets inside the oily matrix. No surfactants were added to the oil, due to its high asphaltenic content. Asphaltene molecular aggregates, namely clusters, act as natural surfactants stabilizing the emulsions by arranging at w/o interface and forming a rigid film. The asphaltenic rigid film is clearly visualized in this work and compared for the two emulsions. The results showed finer water droplets in the ultrasonically generated emulsion, together with a reduction in the thickness of the asphaltenic film. Ultrasonically induced cavitation favored the de-clustering (breakage of intermolecular forces) of asphaltene molecules. Thus, smaller clusters allowed to stabilize smaller water droplets resulting in an ultra-fine emulsion, which improves the combustion performances of the fuel

Polylevolysine and Fibronectin-Loaded Nano-Hydroxyapatite/PGLA/Dextran-Based Scaffolds for Improving Bone Regeneration: A Histomorphometric in Animal Study

The regeneration of large bone defects is still demanding, requiring biocompatible scaffolds, with osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. This study aimed to assess the pre-clinical efficacy of a nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HA)/PGLA/dextran-based scaffold loaded with Polylevolysine (PLL) and fibronectin (FN), intended for bone regeneration of a critical-size tibial defect, using an ovine model. After physicochemical characterization, the scaffolds were implanted in vivo, producing two monocortical defects on both tibiae of ten adult sheep, randomly divided into two groups to be euthanized at three and six months after surgery. The proximal left and right defects were filled, respectively, with the test scaffold (nano-HA/PGLA/dextran-based scaffold loaded with PLL and FN) and the control scaffold (nano-HA/PGLA/dextran-based scaffold not loaded with PLL and FN); the distal defects were considered negative control sites, not receiving any scaffold. Histological and histomorphometric analyses were performed to quantify the bone ingrowth and residual material 3 and 6 months after surgery. In both scaffolds, the morphological analyses, at the SEM, revealed the presence of submicrometric crystals on the surfaces and within the scaffolds, while optical microscopy showed a macroscopic 3D porous architecture. XRD confirmed the presence of nano-HA with a high level of crystallinity degree. At the histological and histomorphometric evaluation, new bone formation and residual biomaterial were detectable inside the defects 3 months after intervention, without differences between the scaffolds. At 6 months, the regenerated bone was significantly higher in the defects filled with the test scaffold (loaded with PLL and FN) than in those filled with the control scaffold, while the residual material was higher in correspondence to the control scaffold. Nano-HA/PGLA/dextran-based scaffolds loaded with PLL and FN appear promising in promoting bone regeneration in critical-size defects, showing balanced regenerative and resorbable properties to support new bone deposition

Inducible T-Cell Costimulator Ligand Plays a Dual Role in Melanoma Metastasis upon Binding to Osteopontin or Inducible T-Cell Costimulator

Recently, we demonstrated that inducible T-cell costimulator (ICOS) shares its unique ligand (ICOSL) with osteopontin (OPN), and OPN/ICOSL binding promotes tumor metastasis and angiogenesis in the 4T1 breast cancer model. Literature showed that OPN promotes melanoma metastasis by suppressing T-cell activation and recruiting myeloid suppressor cells (MDSC). On the opposite, ICOS/ICOSL interaction usually sustains an antitumor response. Here, we engineered murine B16F10 melanoma cells, by transfecting or silencing ICOSL. In vitro data showed that loss of ICOSL favors anchorage-independent growth and induces more metastases in vivo, compared to ICOSL expressing cells. To dissect individual roles of the three molecules, we compared data from C57BL/6 with those from OPN-KO, ICOS-KO, and ICOSL-KO mice, missing one partner at a time. We found that OPN produced by the tumor microenvironment (TME) favors the metastasis by interacting with stromal ICOSL. This activity is dominantly inhibited by ICOS expressed on TME by promoting Treg expansion. Importantly, we also show that OPN and ICOSL highly interact in human melanoma metastases compared to primary tumors. Interfering with this binding may be explored in immunotherapy either for nonresponding or patients resistant to conventional therapies

CFSE: A New Method for Identifying Human Limbal Stem Cells and Following Their Migration in Human Cornea

Aim: To develop a method capable of identifying human corneal limbal stem cells (LSCs) and follow their proliferation and migration in the epithelium. Materials and methods: Ten fresh matched pairs of cadaveric normal human corneas were obtained from donors. Carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) was used to target LSCs. The distribution of CFSE-positive cell clusters was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy by counterstaining with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Fluorescence was digitally recorded for seven days, and the rate of cell movement was determined. Results: CFSE-labeled cells were tracked in corneas. Analysis of time sequences revealed that they moved centripetally. Daily average CFSE-labeled LSC movement was 0.073\ub10.01 cm (\ub1SD). Conclusion: CFSE allowed us to identify LSCs and to track their centripetal migration from the limbal basal layer to the anterior ocular surface. This experimental system appears to be a valuable tool for further studies on corneal epithelial cell migration and proliferation

Worse Disease Prognosis Is Associated to an Increase of Platelet-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 Patients

Platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (PLT-EVs), the most abundant circulating EVs, have been found to be increased in several human diseases, including viral infections. Recently, we documented that PLT-EV counts are higher in SARS-CoV-2+ patients, enrolled during the first two waves of COVID-19, occurred in Italy last year, and we suggested PLT-EVs as a biomarker of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The present study is aimed at testing the ability of PLT-EV levels, measured at hospital admission and within one week of hospitalization, to predict patient's outcome. We applied an easy, fast, and reliable method, based on flow cytometry, for the detection of PLT-EVs in unmanipulated blood samples. In a cohort of SARS-CoV-2 patients, enrolled during the third wave of COVID-19 in Italy, we confirmed that PLT-EV counts are higher in comparison to healthy controls. Moreover, their number is not affected by prehospitalization treatment neither with heparin nor with steroids that are recommended by WHO guidelines. Noteworthy, we identified two pattern of patients, those who increased their PTL-EV level during first week and those reducing it. The former group representented more compromised patients, with higher 4C score, and unfavorable outcome. In conclusion, our new findings would suggest that a worse evolution of the disease is linked with increasing PLT-EV levels in the week after hospital admission

Bone Disease in Medullary Sponge Kidney and Effect of Potassium Citrate Treatment

Background and objectives: In medullary sponge kidney (MSK)—a common malformative renal condition in patients with calcium nephrolithiasis—hypercalciuria, incomplete distal renal tubular acidosis, and hypocitraturia are common. Clinical conditions with concomitant hypercalciuria and/or incomplete distal renal tubular acidosis are almost invariably associated with bone disease, making osteopathy highly likely in MSK, too. Patients with MSK have never been investigated for osteopathy; neither has the potential effect of potassium citrate administration (CA) on their urinary metabolic risk factors and on bone mineralization

L’interpretazione contemporanea di un isolato della Roma barocca. Riprogettazione e rappresentazione tridimensionale delle fasi di trasformazione dell’isolato compreso tra via Crispi, via Sistina, via del Tritone e via Zucchelli.

Il Laboratorio di progettazione del Master in Restauro architettonico e cultura del patrimonio ha studiato nel corso delle edizioni XII e XIII (2014-2015) il restauro urbano dell’isolato del centro storico di Roma delimitato dalle vie Crispi, Sistina, del Tritone e Zucchelli. L’isolato, posto al limite della zona densamente urbanizzata fin dall’epoca romana, ha subito numerose modifiche e trasformazioni, soprattutto nella seconda metà del XIX secolo. La zona centraleera occupata sin dalla fine del XVI secolo dal Convento delle Carmelitane Scalze e sue pertinenze. Mentre il fronte su via Crispi, oggi occupato dalla Galleria Comunale di Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, e l’adiacente chiesa di San Giuseppe si sono conservate nel tempo, la parte del complesso conventuale che si estendeva sulla parallela via Zucchelli ha subito una serie di consistenti demolizioni nel 1935 a causa di dissesti delle strutture murarie. Da allora l’area, destinata a deposito della nettezza urbana, si trova in uno stato di deprecabile degrado. Il laboratorio di progettazione del Master ha offerto all’amministrazione capitolina gli studi e i progetti dei suoi studenti, come già avvenuto in alcune precedenti edizioni, per risarcire un vuoto urbano degno di miglior futuro. Lo scopo del progetto di restauro, insieme architettonico ed urbano, è il ripristino dei volumi perduti delle case su via Zucchelli e del Convento di San Giovanni a Capo le case in funzione della ricomposizione dell’isolato e tenendo conto della necessaria convivenza tra l’assetto premoderno e i nuovi edifici realizzati dopo il 1870. L’assetto dell’area interna è stato studiato alla luce dei necessari collegamenti tra i nuovi spazi ampliati della Galleria comunale, i resti archeologici rinvenuti nel corso dei recenti scavi della Soprintendenza statale, e l’edificio della Galleria Gagosian. Un risultato non secondario è stato quello di restituire, sulla base di una consistente documentazione iconografica, la rappresentazione tridimensionale delle fasi evolutive di una pezzo di città di grande interesse storico e architettonico