UHPLC-MS/MS Method for the Analysis of 2,6 Toluene Diisocyanate and 2,4 Toluene Diisocyanate Released from Microa-gglomerated Corks in Wine

Micro-agglomerate corks, made by agglutination of cork granulate through the addition of different adhesives, represent an important slice of the market of cork stoppers. Binder glues which are polyurethane- or butadiene-based have been used since they have strong agglomerating effect. Unfortunately, polyurethane-based glues can have isocyanide end group compounds which can migrate into the wine. 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (2,4-TDI) and 2,6 toluene diisocyanate (2,6-TDI), can be found in adhesive and could migrate into wine. A simple ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method for the determination of these active ingredients (a.is.) in wine has been developed. The method has been validated under Eurachem CITAC guidelines (Cooperation on International Traceability in Analytical Chemistry). Instrument limit of detection (LOD) and to a limit of quantification (LOQ) for 2,6 TDI and 2,4 TDI were 0.42 and 0.39 μg/L, and 1.72 and 1.57 μg/L, respectively. Four different solvents applied for recoveries showed quite different rates ranging for 2,6 TDI and 2,4 TDI from 17.96 to 88.53 %, and 40.08 to 99.18 %, respectively. Real sample analysis showed low residue levels, especially of 2,6 TDI, with values always below the LOQ. The data reported on real samples allowed to establish that from a risk management purpose, no toxicology risk can be accomplished

Protein kinase C isoenzymes in human neuroblasts involvement of PKCε in cell differentiation

AbstractAlthough neuronal cells are a major target of phorbol ester action, the activity of the various protein kinase C (PKC) isoenzymes have not been studied in detail in human neuroblasts. Differentiation of the LAN-5 human neuroblastoma cell line by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is accompanied by a twofold increase in PKC activity. Since PKC is a multigene family, we investigated which isoforms were expressed in control and differentiated cells, and which of these isoenzymes is involved in neuronal differentiation. We found that: (1) PKC activity is higher in differentiated than in undifferentiated cells; (2) RT-PCR analysis showed the expression of mRNA for PKCα, -γ, -δ -ε and-ζ and the absence of mRNA for β in untreated LAN-5 cells; (3) Western blot evaluation with PKC isoform-specific antibodies showed the same pattern of PKC expression in non-differentiated cells; (4) Expression of PKCε mRNA was significantly enhanced by IFN-γ-induced differentiation, while the other isoforms were not affected; (5) Differentiation of LAN-5 cells with IFN-γ or retinoic acid induced overexpression of the PKCε protein, while inhibition of cell proliferation by fetal calf serum starvation was without effect. These findings suggest that expression of PKCε isoform is tightly coupled with neuronal differentiation and may play a role in the maintenance of the differentiated state

Insights into the Structure of Dot@Rod and Dot@Octapod CdSe@CdS Heterostructures

CdSe@CdS dot@rods with diameter around 6 nm and length of either 20, 27, or 30 nm and dot@octapods with pod diameters of ?15 nm and lengths of ?50 nm were investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. These heterostructures are prepared by seed-mediated routes, where the structure, composition, and morphology of the CdSe nanocrystals used as a seed play key roles in directing the growth of the second semiconducting domain. The local structural environment of all the elements in the CdSe@CdS heterostructures was investigated at the Cd, S, and Se K-edges by taking advantage of the selectivity of X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and was compared to pure reference compounds. We found that the structural features of dot@rods are independent of the size of the rods. These structures can be described as made of a CdSe dot and a CdS rod, both in the wurtzite phase with a high crystallinity of both the core and the rod. This result supports the effectiveness of high temperature colloidal synthesis in promoting the formation of core@shell nanocrystals with very low defectivity. On the other hand, data on the CdSe@CdS with octapod morphology suggest the occurrence of a core composed of a CdSe cubic sphalerite phase with eight pods made of CdS wurtzite phase. Our findings are compared to current models proposed for the design of functional heterostructures with controlled nanoarchitecture

Influence of the technological process on the biochemical composition of fresh roe and bottarga from liza ramada and mugil cephalus

Bottarga is a high-priced delicacy with high nutritional value, and, in Italy, bottarga from mullets has been recognized to be a traditional food product. The flathead grey mullet Mugil cephalus and the thinlip grey mullet Liza ramada are the main cultured grey mullets in the Mediterranean Sea. In this study, fresh roe and bottarga from these two species were investigated to evaluate the influence of the technological process and the species on their biochemical composition and health advantages. The 1 h/200 g salting-out step did not increase the levels of NaCl in the bottarga, although it highly decreased the levels of some heavy metals like Cu and Al. Processing of fresh roe in bottarga led to an essential modification of the lipid fraction, following a general series of monousatturated fatty acid (MUFA)> poliunsutturated fatti acid (PUFA) > saturated fatty acid (SAFA) and an increase in both !3 and !6 in Liza ramada. Moreover, bottarga showed higher levels of squalene and cholesterol and an increased Essential Amino Acid/Total Amino Acid ratio (EAA/TAA) in both species. In addition to the nutritional benefits for the consumer, the process proposed in this study may represent a reliable tool for local producers to obtain a final bottarga with both a reproducible biochemical composition and organoleptic characteristics

Mesoporous Phosphate-Based Glasses Prepared via Sol-Gel

In the present study, a mesoporous phosphate-based glass (MPG) in the P2O5-CaO-Na2O system was synthesised, for the first time, using a combination of sol-gel chemistry and supramolecular templating. A comparison between the structural properties, bioactivity and biocompatibility of the MPG with a non-porous phosphate-based glass (PG) of analogous composition prepared via the same sol-gel synthesis method, but in the absence of a templating surfactant is also presented. Results indicate that the MPG has enhanced bioactivity and biocompatibility compared to the PG, despite having similar local structure and dissolution properties. In contrast to the PG, the MPG shows formation of hydroxyl carbonate apatite (HCA) on its surface after 24 hours of immersion in simulated body fluid. Moreover, MPG shows enhanced viability of Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells after 7 days of culturing. This suggests that textural properties (porosity and surface area) play a crucial role in the kinetics of HCA formation and in interaction with cells. Increased efficiency of drug loading and release over non-porous PG systems was proved using the antimicrobial tetracycline hydrochloride as a drug model. This study represents a significant advance in the field of mesoporous materials for drug delivery and bone tissue regeneration as it reports, for the first time, the synthesis, structural characterisation and biocompatibility of mesoporous calcium phosphate glasses.In the present study, a mesoporous phosphate-based glass (MPG) in the P2O5-CaO-Na2O system was synthesised, for the first time, using a combination of sol-gel chemistry and supramolecular templating. A comparison between the structural properties, bioactivity and biocompatibility of the MPG with a non-porous phosphate-based glass (PG) of analogous composition prepared via the same sol-gel synthesis method, but in the absence of a templating surfactant is also presented. Results indicate that the MPG has enhanced bioactivity and biocompatibility compared to the PG, despite having similar local structure and dissolution properties. In contrast to the PG, the MPG shows formation of hydroxyl carbonate apatite (HCA) on its surface after 24 hours of immersion in simulated body fluid. Moreover, MPG shows enhanced viability of Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells after 7 days of culturing. This suggests that textural properties (porosity and surface area) play a crucial role in the kinetics of HCA formation and in interaction with cells. Increased efficiency of drug loading and release over non-porous PG systems was proved using the antimicrobial tetracycline hydrochloride as a drug model. This study represents a significant advance in the field of mesoporous materials for drug delivery and bone tissue regeneration as it reports, for the first time, the synthesis, structural characterisation and biocompatibility of mesoporous calcium phosphate glasses

Influence of the MCT1 rs1049434 on Indirect Muscle Disorders/Injuries in Elite Football Players

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MCT1 rs1049434 polymorphism and indirect muscle injuries in elite football players. One hundred and seventy-three male elite Italian football players (age = 19.2 ± 5.3 years) were recruited from a first-league football club participating at the Official National Italian Football Championship (Serie A, Primavera, Allievi, Giovanissimi). The cohort was genotyped for the MCT1 rs1049434 polymorphism, and muscle injuries data were collected during the period of 2009-2014 (five football seasons).Genomic DNA was extracted using a buccal swab, and genotyping was performed using PCR method. Structural-mechanical injuries and functional muscle disorder were included in the acute indirect muscle injury group.Participants with the MCT1 AA (AA = 1.57 ± 3.07, n = 69) genotype exhibit significantly higher injury incidents compared to participants with the TT genotype (TT = 0.09 ± 0.25, n = 22, P = 0.04).The MCT1 rs1049434 polymorphism is associated with the incidence of muscle injuries in elite football players. We anticipate that the knowledge of athletes' genetic predisposition to sports-related injuries might aid in individualizing training programs

A study of blow-ups in the Keller-Segel model of chemotaxis

We study the Keller-Segel model of chemotaxis and develop a composite particle-grid numerical method with adaptive time stepping which allows us to accurately resolve singular solutions. The numerical findings (in two dimensions) are then compared with analytical predictions regarding formation and interaction of singularities obtained via analysis of the stochastic differential equations associated with the Keller-Segel model