Infectious diseases and autoimmunity

Introduction: Autoimmunity occurs when the immune system recognizes and attacks host tissue. In addition to genetic factors, environmental triggers (in particular viruses, bacteria and other infectious pathogens) are thought to play a major role in the development of autoimmune diseases. Methodology: We searched PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus without time limits for relevant articles. Results: In this review, we (i) describe the ways in which an infectious agent can initiate or exacerbate autoimmunity; (ii) discuss the evidence linking certain infectious agents to autoimmune diseases in humans; and (iii) describe the animal models used to study the link between infection and autoimmunity. Conclusions: Besides genetic predisposition to autoimmunity, viral and bacterial infections are known to be involved in the initiation and promotion of autoimmune diseases. These studies suggest that pathogens can trigger autoimmunity through molecular mimicry and their adjuvant effects during initiation of disease, and can promote autoimmune responses through bystander activation or epitope spreading via inflammation and/or superantigens.</br

Non-monotonic variation of the grain size in Cu nanopowders subjected to ball milling

Ball milling (BM) a Cu nanopowder resulted in an increase of the average grain size from 8 to 52 nm, followed by a gradual decrease to 19 nm. In contrast, the grain size of coarse-grained Cu decreased monotonically from 290 nm to 19 nm. Fitting a model to the kinetic curves indicates that the two processes have similar activated volumes during collisions. It also reveals that particles over 100 nm are formed when nanoparticles are compressed during a collision for the first time.University of Cagliari and performed within the European Community Horizon 2020 Programme, COST Action CA15102 Solutions for Critical Raw Materials under Extreme Conditions (CRM_EXTREME

Synthesis and study of polyhydroxylated phenol derivatives with potential cosmetic and phytoiatric applications

Tyrosinase (polyphenol oxidase, E.C. 1.14.18.1) and laccase (phenol oxidase, E.C. 1.10.3.2) are multifunctional copper-containing enzymes, that are keys in melanin biosynthesis, melanisation in animals and browning in plants. Our study is aimed to prepare new monomer and dimer phenol derivatives as potential inhibitors of melanin production starting from natural hydroxylated aromatic units

Strategie di sintesi per la preparazione di bifenili ossidrilati chirali non racemi di interesse agrobiologico

L’attività di ricerca del gruppo è rivolta alla sintesi di bifenili con interessanti caratteristiche stereochimiche, ottenibili mediante metodi semplici e diretti al fine di un loro utilizzo nei sistemi biologici ed in agricoltura

A homogeneous reconstruction of regional data: household accounts and disposable income, 1970-1995

The paper reconstructs the items of the regional accounts, disposable income and wealth of the household sector for the North-West, North-East, Centre, and South and Islands for the years 1970-1995. The analysis is significant for the length of the sample period, the number of time series considered and its use of an econometric method of disaggregation that ensures efficiency and consistency with the national data available.regional data, household, income

Isolamento ed analisi di molecole bioattive da estratti di <i>Pistacia Terebinthus L.</i> vegetante in Sardegna

Il genere Pistacia (Anacardiacee) include P. Terebinthus, piccolo albero a foglie decidue presente in Sardegna solo in una ristretta area calcarea della costa est, Cala Gonone (NU). Le specie del genere Pistacia hanno un largo uso in etnobotanica; venivano usati come antiinfiammatori, antibatterici, nel trattamento dell’eczema. Questo ci ha portato a pensare, anche in base alla letteratura presente, che nelle piante appartenenti a questo genere ci siano delle molecole particolarmente importanti dal punto di vista farmaceutico. Partendo dalle osservazioni di etnobotanica abbiamo voluto investigare la composizione chimica di questa specie con lo scopo di trovare, eventualmente, dei nuovi nutraceutici

Risposta dell'orzo (<i>Hordeum vulgare</i> L.) a differenti livelli di intensificazione colturale

Two source of barley germplasm (pure lines selected from local populations and improved varieties) were compared at 3 locations in Sardinia (Ottava, SS; Cabras, OR; Ussana, Ca) under different levels of agronomic treatments: with and without chemical weed control and at two levels of nitrogen (80 g ha-1 e 40 kg ha-1 N). The results of commerciaI barley varieties show different responses according to the input level. Within Sardinian germplasm several interesting genotypes, for low-input conditions have been identified. The comparison between the genotypes selected from the local populations and the commerciaI barley varieties underline that plant breeding for low-input conditions could be improved by the utilization of germplasm adapted to extensive practices. In tre località della Sardegna (Ottava, SS; Cabras, OR; Ussana, Ca) è stata effettuata una serie di prove comparative fra il 1990 e il 1993 utilizzando due gruppi di genotipi: varietà commerciali e linee pure selezionate all'interno di alcune popolazioni locali sarde. Gli interventi tecnici considerati sono stati la concimazione azotata e il controllo chimico delle infestanti; in particolare sono stati utilizzati due livelli di concimazione azotata (80 kg ha-1 e 40 kg ha-1 di N) mentre per quanto riguarda il diserbo è stata presa in considerazione la presenza o l'assenza del trattamento. I risultati relativi alle sole varietà commerciali indicano la presenza di risposte differenziate in relazione alla riduzione degli input. All'interno del germoplasma sardo sono state messe in evidenza delle linee di notevole interesse per la loro capacità produttiva. In base ai risultati ottenuti sembra possibile affermare che alcuni genotipi sono più adatti di altri ad essere coltivati in presenza di bassi livelli di intensificazione colturale. Il confronto fra il comportamento delle linee selezionate dalle popolazioni locali e le varietà commerciali sottolinea come il miglioramento genetico per l'ottenimento di varietà adattate ad agroecosistemi caratterizzati dall'impiego di bassi input possa utilmente giovarsi di germoplasma adattato a condizioni estensive di coltivazione

Natural phenolic inhibitors of trichothecene biosynthesis by the wheat fungal pathogen <i>Fusarium culmorum</i>: a computational insight into the structure-activity relationship

A model of the trichodiene synthase (TRI5) of the wheat fungal pathogen and type-B trichothecene producer Fusarium culmorum was developed based on homology modelling with the crystallized protein of F. sporotrichioides. Eight phenolic molecules, namely ferulic acid 1, apocynin 2, propyl gallate 3, eugenol 4, Me-dehydrozingerone 5, eugenol dimer 6, magnolol 7, and ellagic acid 8, were selected for their ability to inhibit trichothecene production and/or fungal vegetative growth in F. culmorum. The chemical structures of phenols were constructed and partially optimised based on Molecular Mechanics (MM) studies and energy minimisation by Density Functional Theory (DFT). Docking analysis of the phenolic molecules was run on the 3D model of F. culmorum TRI5. Experimental biological activity, molecular descriptors and interacting-structures obtained from computational analysis were compared. Besides the catalytic domain, three privileged sites in the interaction with the inhibitory molecules were identified on the protein surface. The TRI5-ligand interactions highlighted in this study represent a powerful tool to the identification of new Fusarium-targeted molecules with potential as trichothecene inhibitors

Functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes as ultrasound contrast agents

Ultrasonography is a fundamental diagnostic imaging tool in everyday clinical practice. Here, we are unique in describing the use of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as hyperechogenic material, suggesting their potential application as ultrasound contrast agents. Initially, we carried out a thorough investigation to assess the echogenic property of the nanotubes in vitro. We demonstrated their long-lasting ultrasound contrast properties. We also showed that ultrasound signal of functionalized MWCNTs is higher than graphene oxide, pristine MWCNTs, and functionalized single-walled CNTs. Qualitatively, the ultrasound signal of CNTs was equal to that of sulfur hexafluoride (SonoVue), a commercially available contrast agent. Then, we found that MWCNTs were highly echogenic in liver and heart through ex vivo experiments using pig as an animal model. In contrast to the majority of ultrasound contrast agents, we observed in a phantom bladder that the tubes can be visualized within a wide variety of frequencies (i.e., 5.5–10 MHz) and 12.5 MHz using tissue harmonic imaging modality. Finally, we demonstrated in vivo in the pig bladder that MWCNTs can be observed at low frequencies, which are appropriate for abdominal organs. Importantly, we did not report any toxicity of CNTs after 7 d from the injection by animal autopsy, organ histology and immunostaining, blood count, and chemical profile. Our results reveal the enormous potential of CNTs as ultrasound contrast agents, giving support for their future applications as theranostic nanoparticles, combining diagnostic and therapeutic modalities

Valutazione biologica di inibitori di tirosinasi nei confronti di larve e pupe di Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera Tenebrionidae)

Tyrosinase plays an important role in cuticle tanning and sclerotization in insects. Use of selective inhibitors active toward this enzyme could offer the opportunity to elaborate new sustainable biological control techniques. These substances might also act as a synergistic increasing target species susceptibility to pathogen agents or insecticides