Synergistic effects of neurons and astrocytes on the differentiation of brain capillary endothelial cells in culture

Brain capillary endothelial cells form a functional barrier between blood and brain, based on the existence of tight junctions that limit paracellular permeability. Occludin is one of the major transmembrane proteins of tight junctions and its peripheral localization gives indication of tight junction formation. We previously reported that RBE4.B cells (brain capillary endothelial cells), cultured on collagen IV, synthesize occludin and correctly localize it at the cell periphery only when cocultured with neurons. In the present study, we describe a three-cell type-culture system that allowed us to analyze the combined effects of neurons and astrocytes on differentiation of brain capillary endothelial cells in culture. In particular, we found that, in the presence of astrocytes, the neuron-induced synthesis and localization of occludin is precocious as compared to cells cocultured with neurons only

Perfusion MR Imaging in Differentiating High-Grade from Low-Grade Gliomas

To correlate perfusion MR imaging with histologic grade of cerebral gliomas. Materials & Methods Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) maps were determined in 22 patients with pathologically proved gliomas (11 glioblastomas, 8 anaplastic gliomas and 2 low-grade gliomas) by dynamic contrast-enhanced T2*-weighted MR imaging. MR examination was completed with conventional T1- and T2-weighted imaging. The rCBV maps were calculated with an independent workstation by fitting a gamma-variate function to the contrast material concentration versus time curve. Relative CBV ratios obtained between tumor and normal white matter were compared between glioblastomas, anaplastic gliomas and low-grade gliomas by means of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results Mean rCBV ratios were 4.85 (\ub1 1) for glioblastomas, 3.87 (\ub1 0.7) for anaplastic gliomas and 1.65 (\ub1 1.6) for low-grade gliomas. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrates significant differences between glioblastomas and anaplastic gliomas (p<.05), between anaplastic gliomas and low-grade gliomas (p<.05) and between glioblastomas and low-grade gliomas (p<.01). The rCBV ratio cutoff value between highgrade gliomas and low-grade gliomas was 2.52 with a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 75% respectively. Conclusion Perfusion MR imaging is a reliable technique for differentiating high-grade from low-grade glioma

Analysis of Ga grading in CIGS absorbers with different Cu content

This work investigates the effect of Cu content and Ga grading on the performance of CIGS cells, by means of numerical simulations and comparison with corresponding experiments. Different Ga profiles and Cu average concentrations are considered. We show that the optical effect of Cu content must be properly taken into account to model NIR absorption. As far as the GGI profile is concerned, we show that the main improvement can be obtained by increasing the GGI ratio toward the back-side; an optimized notch bandgap profile can be designed with the help of these indications

HIDDEN HERITAGE

Poster convegno: Presentazione Progetto di ricerca finalizzato a rendere accessibili quei ‘patrimoni’ o quei ‘bacini culturali’ tangibili e intangibili attualmente sottostimati e invisibili alla collettività. Hidden Heritage che rientrano a pieno titolo nelle categorie protette dalla legislazione italiana ma che non sono, in realtà, riconosciuti come tali perché poco noti o difficilmente esperibili. L’intento del progetto è quello di fornire un prodotto-servizio (replicabile e adattabile) che, veicolato tramite le diverse competenze del design (web, interazione, servizio, prodotto ed evento, comunicazione, nautica, etc.), possa rendere questi ‘bacini culturali’ noti e fruibili. In tal senso il digitale consente un’accessibilità remota facilitata e strategica nel favorire la conoscenza del patrimonio stesso e nel riconnettere l’utenza ad una successiva esperienza diretta e reale del bene

YAP activation is an early event and a potential therapeutic target in liver cancer development

Background and Aims: Although the growth suppressor Hippo pathway has been implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathogenesis, it is unknown at which stage of hepatocarcinogenesis its dysregulation occurs. We investigated in early rat and human preneoplastic lesions whether overexpression of the transcriptional co-activator Yes-associated protein (YAP) is an early event. Methods: The experimental model used is the Resistant-Hepatocyte (R-H) rat model. Gene expression was determined by qRT-PCR or immunohistochemistry. Forward genetic experiments were performed in human HCC cells and in murine oval cells. Results All foci of preneoplastic hepatocytes generated in rats 4 weeks after diethylnitrosamine (DENA) treatment, displayed YAP accumulation. This was associated with down-regulation of the β-TRCP ligase, known to mediate YAP degradation, and of microRNA-375, targeting YAP. YAP accumulation was paralleled by up-regulation of its target genes. Increased YAP expression was also observed in early dysplastic nodules and adenomas in humans. Animal treatment with verteporfin (VP), which disrupts the formation of the YAP–TEAD complex, significantly reduced preneoplastic foci and oval cell proliferation. In vitro experiments confirmed that VP-mediated YAP inhibition impaired cell growth in HCC and oval cells; notably, oval cell transduction with wild type or active YAP conferred tumorigenic properties in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions: These results suggest that i) YAP overexpression is an early event in rat and human liver tumorigenesis; ii) it is critical for the clonal expansion of carcinogen-initiated hepatocytes and oval cells, and, iii) VP-induced disruption of YAP-TEAD interaction may provide an important approach for the treatment of YAP-overexpressing cancers

Experimental apparatus for solar energy storage via methane production

Paper presented to the 3rd Southern African Solar Energy Conference, South Africa, 11-13 May, 2015.Renewable energy production from intermittent sources has seen a large expansion the last decade and has introduced new challenges in the energy system. Problems are related to the non-programmable electric power generated and the production peaks that especially characterize photovoltaic energy. In addition to these issues, the extensive and long-term task of reducing CO2 emissions should be considered. The utilization of CO2 as a feedstock for producing fuels not only contributes to alleviating global climate changes but also provides a new research field for energy development. An innovative process for solar energy storage via methane production seems to be a viable technology to tackle the above-mentioned issues. In this paper an experimental apparatus, formed by PV panels, a pressurized electrolyser and a Sabatier reactor is presented. The Sabatier reaction exothermically combines hydrogen and carbon dioxide to produce methane and water. The produced methane is a carbon neutral gas that fits in with the existing natural gas and allows to overcame issues related to the intermittence and non-programmability of solar power. The paper focuses on the description of the experimental apparatus and the results of a preliminary investigation. An economic evaluation was also carried out on the integration of methanation process with a traditional PV system.cf201

Astragali radix: could it be an adjuvant for oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy?

Neurotoxicity is a major side effect of platinum derivatives both during and after treatment. In the absence of effective pharmacological compounds, the opportunity to identify safe adjuvant treatments among medicinal plants seems appropriate. Astragali radix is an adaptogenic herbal product recently analyzed in platinum-treated cancer patients. With the aim of evaluating the anti-neuropathic profile of Astragali radix, a previously characterized aqueous (Aqu) and two hydroalcoholic (20%HA and 50%HA) extracts were tested in a rat model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy. Repeated administrations significantly reduced oxaliplatin-dependent hypersensitivity with 50%HA, the most effective, fully preventing mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity. Ex vivo, 50%HA reduced morphometric and molecular alterations induced by oxaliplatin in peripheral nerve and dorsal-root-ganglia. In the spinal cord and in brain areas, 50%HA significantly decreased activation of microglia and astrocytes. Furthermore, 50%HA prevented the nephro- and hepato-toxicity induced by the anticancer drug. The protective effect of 50%HA did not alter oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis in colon tumors of Pirc rats, an Apc-driven model of colon carcinogenesis. The hydroalcoholic extract (50%HA) of Astragali radix relieves pain and promotes the rescue mechanisms that protect nervous tissue from the damages triggering chronic pain. A safe profile strongly suggests the usefulness of this natural product in oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy