Synuclein expression in the lizard Anolis carolinensis

The synuclein (syn) family comprises three proteins: alpha-, beta- and gamma-syns. In humans, they are involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and in tumors. Members of the syn family were sequenced in representative species of all vertebrates and the comparative analysis of amino acid sequences suggests that syns are evolutionarily conserved, but information about their expression in vertebrate lineages is still scarce and completely lacking in reptiles. In this study, the expression of genes coding for alpha-, beta- and gamma-syns was analyzed in the green lizard Anolis carolinensis by semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blot. Results demonstrate good expression levels of the three syns in the lizard nervous system, similarly to human syns. This, together with the high identity between lizard and human syns, suggests that these proteins fulfill evolutionarily conserved functions. However, differences between lizard and humans in the expression of syn variants (two different variants of gamma-syn were detected in A. carolinensis) and differences in some amino acids in key positions for the regulation of protein conformation and affinity for lipid and metal ions also suggest that these proteins may have acquired different functional specializations in the two lineages

A Novel T6 Rapid Heat Treatment for AlSi10Mg Alloy Produced by Laser-Based Powder Bed Fusion: Comparison with T5 and Conventional T6 Heat Treatments

AlSi10Mg is the most widely studied Al alloy used to produce components by laser-basedpowder bed fusion (LPBF), also known as selective laser melting. Several papers have alreadyinvestigated the effects of conventional heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanicalbehavior of the LPBF AlSi10Mg alloy, overlooking, however, the particular microstructureinduced by rapid solidification. This paper reports on the effects of a T5 heat treatment and anovel T6 heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical behavior of the LPBF AlSi10Mgalloy, consisting of rapid solution (10 minutes at 510°C) followed by artificial aging (6 hours at160°C). The short solution soaking time reduced the typical porosity growth occurring at thehigh temperature and led to a homogeneous distribution of fine globular Si particles in the Almatrix. In addition, it limited the diffusion processes, increasing the amount of Mg and Si insolid solution available for precipitation hardening and avoiding the microstructuralcoarsening. As a result, the strength-ductility balance was improved by increasing both yieldstrength and elongation to failure, respectively of about 14 and 7 pct compared with the bestsolution among those reported in the literature for conventional T6 heat treatment of LPBFAlSi10Mg alloy

Characterization of Coffee Silver Skin as Potential Food-Safe Ingredient

By-products from the coffee industry are produced in large amounts each year. Among other wastes, coffee silver skin (CSS) is highly available and more stable due to its lower content of water. This research aimed to characterize coffee silver skin composition and evidence its potentiality for use as a food-safe ingredient in new formulations. Results showed an average total dietary fiber content of 50% but with a higher ratio for insoluble than soluble fiber. A high content of total phenolic compounds, chlorogenic acid, caffeine, and caffeic acid was found and correlated with the high measured antioxidant capacity. Moreover, minerals (e.g., calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, copper, iron, manganese) important for human wellbeing were found at a high level in CSS, while toxic minerals (e.g., nickel) were found at low levels. In conclusion, coffee silver skin could have an advantageous role for the recovery of valuable compounds and as a potential food-safe ingredient

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum associated to fermented foods: in vitro evidences for its beneficial role in ameliorating intestinal inflammation

Fermented food microbes have recently recovered scientific interest for their health-promoting potential. Among them, Lactiplantibacillus (Lpb.) plantarum strains, with a long history as starter cultures in the production of a wide variety of fermented foods, showed the potential to affect host health in several in vitro and in vivo studies. Our study was aimed to investigate selected Lpb. plantarum strains, isolated from fermented foods, to face oxidative stress and related inflammatory damage at intestinal level, in order to be considered a promising strategy in intestinal inflammatory diseases. For this purpose, we examined food- and human- associated Lpb. plantarum strains for their in vitro capacity to tolerate oxidative stress as well as for their antioxidant potential by three different chemical assays (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP). In addition, the specific ability of each strain to modulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in response to either oxidative or inflammatory stress and to reduce IL-17A, IL-17F and IL-23 release in an inflamed intestinal cell model was investigated. Overall, the results show that Lpb. plantarum endure high levels of induced oxidative stress through partially neutralizing ROS, whereas they elicit their production when co‑cultured with normal mucosa intestinal cells (NCM460). Moreover, pre‑treatment with food‑borne Lpb. plantarum significantly reduces pro ‑inflammatory cytokines IL‑17F and IL‑23 levels in inflamed NCM460 cells. Both IL-23 and IL-17 are pro-inflammatory cytokines with an active role in the pathophysiology of chronic inflammatory disorders, thus targeting the IL23/IL17 axis could be a considerable way to treat intestinal inflammatory diseases. Our results suggest that food‑vehicled Lpb. plantarum strains might reduce inflammatory response in intestinal cells by directly modulating local ROS production and by triggering the IL‑23/IL‑17 axis with future perspectives on health benefits derived by the consumption of functional foods enriched with selected strains

Colloidal properties and stability of olive oil-in water emulsions stabilized by starch particles

In this study, olive oil-in-water emulsions (30% oil, v/v) were prepared by using high-pressure homogenization and different concentrations of modified corn starch particles (6–10% w/v). After a preliminary physical characterization, the modified starch particles were used to produce olive oil-in water (o/w) emulsions whose droplet size and distribution, flow behavior, microstructure, and physical stability were evaluated. The stabilization by Pickering phenomena was observed, as well as the formation of a starch network able to entrap oil particles. Increasing the starch concentration enhanced the emulsion physical stability by improving the oil particles' stabilization within the starch network

Bone Healing Evaluation Following Different Osteotomic Techniques in Animal Models: A Suitable Method for Clinical Insights

Osteotomy is a common step in oncological, reconstructive, and trauma surgery. Drilling and elevated temperature during osteotomy produce thermal osteonecrosis. Heat and associated mechanical damage during osteotomy can impair bone healing, with consequent failure of fracture fixation or dental implants. Several ex vivo studies on animal bone were recently focused on heating production during osteotomy with conventional drill and piezoelectric devices, particularly in endosseous dental implant sites. The current literature on bone drilling and osteotomic surface analysis is here reviewed and the dynamics of bone healing after osteotomy with traditional and piezoelectric devices are discussed. Moreover, the methodologies involved in the experimental osteotomy and clinical studies are compared, focusing on ex vivo and in vivo findings

In Vitro Activity of Essential Oils Against Planktonic and Biofilm Cells of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL)/Carbapenamase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria Involved in Human Nosocomial Infections

The aim of this study was to analyze the antibacterial activity of four essential oils (EOs), Melaleuca alternifolia, Eucalyptus globulus, Mentha piperita, and Thymus vulgaris, in preventing the development and spread of extended-spectrum -lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. A total of 60 strains were obtained from the stock collection from the Microbiology Laboratory of Hesperia Hospital, Modena, Italy. Twenty ESBLproducing E. coli, 5 K. pneumoniae, 13 KPC-producing K. pneumoniae, and 20 MBL-producing P. aeruginosa were cultured and reconfirmed as ESBL and carbapenamase producers. Polymerase chain reaction was used for the detection of genes responsible for antibiotic resistance (ESBL and KPC/MBL). Antibacterial activity of the EOs was determined using the agar disk diusion assay, and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were also evaluated. Lastly, adhesion capability and biofilm formation on polystyrene and glass surfaces were studied in 24 randomly selected strains. M. alternifolia and T. vulgaris EOs showed the best antibacterial activity against all tested strains and, as revealed by agar disk diusion assay, M. alternifolia was the most eective, even at low concentrations. This eect was also confirmed by MICs, with values ranging from 0.5 to 16 g/mL and from 1 to 16 g/mL, for M. alternifolia and T. vulgaris EOs, respectively. The EOs’ antibacterial activity compared to antibiotics confirmed M. alternifolia EO as the best antibacterial agent. T. vulgaris EO also showed a good antibacterial activity with MICs lower than both reference antibiotics. Lastly, a significant anti-biofilm activity was observed for the two EOs (*P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01 for M. alternifolia and T. vulgaris EOs, respectively). A good antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity of M. alternifolia and T. vulgaris EOs against all selected strains was observed, thus demonstrating a future possible use of these EOs to treat infections caused by ESBL/carbapenemase-producing strains, even in association with antibiotics