Self-compacting concrete with recycled concrete aggregate: Study of the long-term properties

This paper investigates the shrinkage and creep of self-compacting concrete prepared with coarse and fine recycled concrete aggregates (up to 40% of total amount of aggregates). Physical properties and porosity measurements are studied and related to the mechanical properties. Results highlight that self-compacting characteristics are maintained when recycled aggregates are utilized and their good quality promotes high mechanical properties. Creep behavior and pores size distributions are more influenced by the content and assortment of recycled aggregates, although their effect is more limited compared to what occurs in traditional concrete with recycled aggregates

The atypical receptor CCRL2 (C-C Chemokine Receptor-Like 2) does not act as a decoy receptor in endothelial cells

C-C chemokine receptor-like 2 (CCRL2) is a non-signaling seven-transmembrane domain (7-TMD) receptor related to the atypical chemokine receptor (ACKR) family. ACKRs bind chemokines but do not activate G protein-dependent signaling or cell functions. ACKRs were shown to regulate immune functions in vivo by their ability to scavenge chemokines from the local environment. This study was performed to investigate whether CCRL2 shares two of the main characteristics of ACKRs, namely the ability to internalize and scavenge the ligands. Cell membrane analysis of CCRL2-transfected cells revealed a weak, constitutive, ligand-independent internalization, and recycling of CCRL2, with a kinetics that was slower than those observed with ACKR3, a prototypic ACKR, or other chemotactic signaling receptors [i.e., chemokine-like receptor 1 and C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 2]. Intracellularly, CCRL2 colocalized with early endosome antigen 1-positive and Rab5-positive vesicles and with recycling compartments mainly characterized by Rab11-positive vesicles. CCRL2-transfected cells and activated mouse blood endothelial cells, that endogenously express CCRL2, were used to investigate the scavenging ability of CCRL2. These experiments confirmed the ability of CCRL2 to bind chemerin, the only recognized ligand, but excluded the ability of CCRL2 to perform scavenging. Collectively, these results identify unique functional properties for this member of the non-signaling 7-TMD receptor family

The atypical receptor CCRL2 (C-C Chemokine Receptor-Like 2) does not act as a decoy receptor in endothelial cells

C-C chemokine receptor-like 2 (CCRL2) is a non-signaling seven-transmembrane domain (7-TMD) receptor related to the atypical chemokine receptor (ACKR) family. ACKRs bind chemokines but do not activate G protein-dependent signaling or cell functions. ACKRs were shown to regulate immune functions in vivo by their ability to scavenge chemokines from the local environment. This study was performed to investigate whether CCRL2 shares two of the main characteristics of ACKRs, namely the ability to internalize and scavenge the ligands. Cell membrane analysis of CCRL2-transfected cells revealed a weak, constitutive, ligand-independent internalization, and recycling of CCRL2, with a kinetics that was slower than those observed with ACKR3, a prototypic ACKR, or other chemotactic signaling receptors [i.e., chemokine-like receptor 1 and C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 2]. Intracellularly, CCRL2 colocalized with early endosome antigen 1-positive and Rab5-positive vesicles and with recycling compartments mainly characterized by Rab11-positive vesicles. CCRL2-transfected cells and activated mouse blood endothelial cells, that endogenously express CCRL2, were used to investigate the scavenging ability of CCRL2. These experiments confirmed the ability of CCRL2 to bind chemerin, the only recognized ligand, but excluded the ability of CCRL2 to perform scavenging. Collectively, these results identify unique functional properties for this member of the non-signaling 7- TMD receptor family

The alliance between genetic biobanks and patient organisations: the experience of the telethon network of genetic biobanks

Background: Rare diseases (RDs) are often neglected because they affect a small percentage of the population (6-8 %), which makes research and development of new therapies challenging processes. Easy access to high-quality samples and associated clinical data is therefore a key prerequisite for biomedical research. In this context, Genetic Biobanks are critical to developing basic, translational and clinical research on RDs. The Telethon Network of Genetic Biobanks (TNGB) is aware of the importance of biobanking as a service for patients and has started a dialogue with RD-Patient Organisations via promotion of dedicated meetings and round-tables, as well as by including their representatives on the TNGB Advisory Board. This has enabled the active involvement of POs in drafting biobank policies and procedures, including those concerning ethical issues. Here, we report on our experience with RD-Patient Organisations who have requested the services of existing biobanks belonging to TNGB and describe how these relationships were established, formalised and maintained. Results: The process of patient engagement has proven to be successful both for lay members, who increased their understanding of the complex processes of biobanking, and for professionals, who gained awareness of the needs and expectations of the people involved. This collaboration has resulted in a real interest on the part of Patient Organisations in the biobanking service, which has led to 13 written agreements designed to formalise this process. These agreements enabled the centralisation of rare genetic disease biospecimens and their related data, thus making them available to the scientific community. Conclusions: The TNGB experience has proven to be an example of good practice with regard to patient engagement in biobanking and may serve as a model of collaboration between disease-oriented Biobanks and Patient Organisations. Such collaboration serves to enhance awareness and trust and to encourage the scientific community to address research on RDs

Telethon Network of Genetic Biobanks: a key service for diagnosis and research on rare diseases

Several examples have always illustrated how access to large numbers of biospecimens and associated data plays a pivotal role in the identification of disease genes and the development of pharmaceuticals. Hence, allowing researchers to access to significant numbers of quality samples and data, genetic biobanks are a powerful tool in basic, translational and clinical research into rare diseases. Recently demand for well-annotated and properly-preserved specimens is growing at a high rate, and is expected to grow for years to come. The best effective solution to this issue is to enhance the potentialities of well-managed biobanks by building a network.Here we report a 5-year experience of the Telethon Network of Genetic Biobanks (TNGB), a non-profit association of Italian repositories created in 2008 to form a virtually unique catalogue of biospecimens and associated data, which presently lists more than 750 rare genetic defects. The process of TNGB harmonisation has been mainly achieved through the adoption of a unique, centrally coordinated, IT infrastructure, which has enabled (i) standardisation of all the TNGB procedures and activities; (ii) creation of an updated TNGB online catalogue, based on minimal data set and controlled terminologies; (iii) sample access policy managed via a shared request control panel at web portal. TNGB has been engaged in disseminating information on its services into both scientific/biomedical - national and international - contexts, as well as associations of patients and families. Indeed, during the last 5-years national and international scientists extensively used the TNGB with different purposes resulting in more than 250 scientific publications. In addition, since its inception the TNGB is an associated member of the Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure and recently joined the EuroBioBank network. Moreover, the involvement of patients and families, leading to the formalization of various agreements between TNGB and Patients' Associations, has demonstrated how promoting Biobank services can be instrumental in gaining a critical mass of samples essential for research, as well as, raising awareness, trust and interest of the general public in Biobanks. This article focuses on some fundamental aspects of networking and demonstrates how the translational research benefits from a sustained infrastructure

Des pierres dans ma poche di Kaouther Adimi: analisi, traduzione e commento

Questo lavoro si è interessato della traduzione e del commento del libro Des pierres dans ma poche di Kaouther Adimi, autrice algerina contemporanea. In particolare sono stati analizzati alcuni aspetti relativi alla struttura, al contesto storico, alla tematica e allo stile presenti nel romanzo. In this thesis work I have commented and translated from French to Italian the book Des pierres dans ma poche by Kaouther Adimi,a contemporary Algerian writer. In particular I have analyzed the structure, the historical context, the themes and the style of the novel

Enhanced and Selective Lipid Extraction from the Microalga P. tricornutum by Dimethyl Carbonate and Supercritical CO2Using Deep Eutectic Solvents and Microwaves as Pretreatment

Microalgae are promising alternative sources of several bioactive compounds that are useful for human applications. However, lipids are traditionally extracted with toxic organic solvents (e.g., mixtures of chloroform and methanol or hexane). In this work, we develop a new lipid extraction protocol for obtaining a fatty-acids-rich extract from the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and microwaves (MWs) were investigated as pretreatments for environmentally friendly solvent extractions using dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and supercritical CO2(scCO2). Pretreatments with various DESs formed by choline chloride (ChCl) and different hydrogen-bond donors (oxalic acid, levulinic acid, urea, ethylene glycol, and sorbitol) were tested in combination with DMC extraction. DESs formed by ChCl and carboxylic acids gave the best results, increasing both the selectivity and the total fatty acid (TFA) extraction yield of DMC (by 16% and 80%, respectively). DESs combined with MW heating followed by DMC extraction allowed a TFA yield and fatty acid profile comparable to those of the traditional Bligh and Dyer extraction method to be reached, along with a much better selectivity (88% vs 35%). This pretreatment was also demonstrated to significantly improve the extraction efficiency of scCO2, increasing the TFA yield by a factor of 20 and providing highly purified triglyceride extracts

A homemade furnace. Influence of occupational skills in a fire-related planned complex suicide

The term "\u80\u9cplanned complex suicide\ue2\u80" means the combination of more than one method of suicide, planned to prevent failure of the first method to ensure a fatal outcome. Professional skills and tools are sometimes used to plan and perpetrate the suicide. A case of planned complex suicide of a mechanical engineer working with furnaces in a tube factory is herein reported. The suicide was committed in a rudimental furnace set up in the victim\ue2\u80\u99s apartment using his professional skills, by assembling furniture, mattresses, books and flammable liquid present in the house. Three-dimensional models of the crime scene before and after the realization of the \ue2\u80\u9chomemade furnace\ue2\u80\u9d are proposed. The discussion will focus on the importance of a comprehensive analysis of the professional background of the victim to infer the manner of death for the identification of complex and occupation-related suicides