The non-indigenous Paranthura japonica Richardson, 1909 in the Mediterranean Sea: travelling with shellfish?

An anthurid isopod new to the Mediterranean Sea has recently been observed in samples from three localities of the Italian coast: the Lagoon of Venice (North Adriatic Sea), La Spezia (Ligurian Sea) and Olbia (Sardinia, Tyrrhenian Sea). The specimens collected showed strong affinity to a species originally described from the NW Pacific Ocean: Paranthura japonica Richardson, 1909. The comparison with specimens collected from the Bay of Arcachon (Atlantic coast of France), where P. japonica had been recently reported as non-indigenous, confirmed the identity of the species. This paper reports the most relevant morphological details of the Italian specimens, data on the current distribution of the species and a discussion on the pathways responsible for its introduction. The available data suggest that the presence of this Pacific isopod in several regions of coastal Europe might be due to a series of aquaculture-mediated introduction events that occurred during the last decades of the 1900s. Since then, established populations of P. japonica, probably misidentified, remained unnoticed for a long time

Different roles for the acyl chain and the amine leaving group in the substrate selectivity of N-Acylethanolamine acid amidase

N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) is an N-terminal nucleophile (Ntn) hydrolase that catalyses the intracellular deactivation of the endogenous analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). NAAA inhibitors counteract this process and exert marked therapeutic effects in animal models of pain, inflammation and neurodegeneration. While it is known that NAAA preferentially hydrolyses saturated fatty acid ethanolamides (FAEs), a detailed profile of the relationship between catalytic efficiency and fatty acid-chain length is still lacking. In this report, we combined enzymatic and molecular modelling approaches to determine the effects of acyl chain and polar head modifications on substrate recognition and hydrolysis by NAAA. The results show that, in both saturated and monounsaturated FAEs, the catalytic efficiency is strictly dependent upon fatty acyl chain length, whereas there is a wider tolerance for modifications of the polar heads. This relationship reflects the relative stability of enzyme-substrate complexes in molecular dynamics simulations

Investigación arqueométrica de los ladrillos de las antiguas murallas defensivas de la ciudad de Pavía (norte de Italia)

A study was conducted on bricks sampled from the defense walls around the historic town of Pavia (northern Italy) erected during Roman (uncertain) and “Spanish”(sixteenth-seventeenth centuries) times. An analysis of colour, macro- and micro-chemical composition,mineralogical clusters and structural-textural features showed that similar raw materials were used in the manufacture of these bricks, although certain variations were identified: particle size is finer in Roman bricks, while the “Spanish” version contains ground carbonate and “chamotte” additives. The “Spanish” bricks,fired at lower temperatures, are more porous. The wide range of firing temperatures used to make “Spanish” bricks was very likely related to the intended use. The sporadic presence of maghemite is discussed in the context of the atmosphere prevailing in the kilns. The “Spanish” bricks are lighter in colour as a result of their carbonate content and lower firing temperature. These characteristics, which affect the weather resistance of the different types of brick, should be taken into account in restoration work.Se investigan ladrillos recogidos en las murallas defensivas de la histórica ciudad de Pavía (norte de Italia), que fueron construidas en tiempos romanos (no establecidos)y “españoles” (siglos XVI y XVII).En base al color, composición química tanto total como puntual, asociaciones mineralógicas y características texturales,se concluye que se utilizó una materia prima similar en ambas épocas, con algunas particularidades: granulometría más fina en los romanos, adición de carbonato molido y chamota en los “españoles”. Por su parte, la porosidad es mayor en los ladrillos “españoles”. El amplio rango de temperaturas de cocción observado para estos últimos debe estar relacionado con los distintos usos para los cuales fueron destinados. La presencia esporádica de maghemita se discute, además, en función del tipo de atmósfera imperante en el horno de cocción. El color de los ladrillos “españoles” es más claro, como corresponde a su mayor contenido en carbonatos y menor temperatura de cocción. Estas características ejercen una notable influencia en la resistencia a la meteorización de los distintos tipos de ladrillos y deben, ser tenidas en cuenta ala hora de elaborar posibles planes de restauración

Micro- and Nanopatterned Silk Substrates for Antifouling Applications

A major problem of current biomedical implants is the bacterial colonization and subsequent biofilm formation, which seriously affects their functioning and can lead to serious post-surgical complications. Intensive efforts have been directed toward the development of novel technologies that can prevent bacterial colonization while requiring minimal antibiotics doses. To this end, biocompatible materials with intrinsic antifouling capabilities are in high demand. Silk fibroin, widely employed in biotechnology, represents an interesting candidate. Here, we employ a soft-lithography approach to realize micro- and nanostructured silk fibroin substrates, with different geometries. We show that patterned silk film substrates support mammal cells (HEK-293) adhesion and proliferation, and at the same time, they intrinsically display remarkable antifouling properties. We employ Escherichia coli as representative Gram-negative bacteria, and we observe an up to 66% decrease in the number of bacteria that adhere to patterned silk surfaces as compared to control, flat silk samples. The mechanism leading to the inhibition of biofilm formation critically depends on the microstructure geometry, involving both a steric and a hydrophobic effect. We also couple silk fibroin patterned films to a biocompatible, optically responsive organic semiconductor, and we verify that the antifouling properties are very well preserved. The technology described here is of interest for the next generation of biomedical implants, involving the use of materials with enhanced antibacterial capability, easy processability, high biocompatibility, and prompt availability for coupling with photoimaging and photodetection techniques

Calcium as a key player in arrhythmogenic cardiomiopathy : adhesion disorder or intracellular alteration?

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited heart disease characterized by sudden death in young people and featured by fibro-adipose myocardium replacement, malignant arrhythmias, and heart failure. To date, no etiological therapies are available. Mutations in desmosomal genes cause abnormal mechanical coupling, trigger pro-apoptotic signaling pathways, and induce fibro-adipose replacement. Here, we discuss the hypothesis that the ACM causative mechanism involves a defect in the expression and/or activity of the cardiac Ca2+ handling machinery, focusing on the available data supporting this hypothesis. The Ca2+ toolkit is heavily remodeled in cardiomyocytes derived from a mouse model of ACM defective of the desmosomal protein plakophilin-2. Furthermore, ACM-related mutations were found in genes encoding for proteins involved in excitation\u2012contraction coupling, e.g., type 2 ryanodine receptor and phospholamban. As a consequence, the sarcoplasmic reticulum becomes more eager to release Ca2+, thereby inducing delayed afterdepolarizations and impairing cardiac contractility. These data are supported by preliminary observations from patient induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Assessing the involvement of Ca2+ signaling in the pathogenesis of ACM could be beneficial in the treatment of this life-threatening disease

Protein-Protein Interaction Inhibitors Targeting the Eph-Ephrin System with a Focus on Amino Acid Conjugates of Bile Acids

The role of the Eph-ephrin system in the etiology of pathological conditions has been consolidated throughout the years. In this context, approaches directed against this signaling system, intended to modulate its activity, can be strategic therapeutic opportunities. Currently, the most promising class of compounds able to interfere with the Eph receptor-ephrin protein interaction is composed of synthetic derivatives of bile acids. In the present review, we summarize the progresses achieved, in terms of chemical expansions and structure-activity relationships, both in the steroidal core and the terminal carboxylic acid group, along with the pharmacological characterization for the most promising Eph-ephrin antagonists in in vivo settings

Conjugated polymers mediate intracellular Ca2+ signals in circulating endothelial colony forming cells through the reactive oxygen species-dependent activation of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1)

Endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) represent the most suitable cellular substrate to induce revascularization of ischemic tissues. Recently, optical excitation of the light-sensitive conjugated polymer, regioregular Poly (3-hexyl-thiophene), rr-P3HT, was found to stimulate ECFC proliferation and tube formation by activating the non-selective cation channel, Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). Herein, we adopted a multidisciplinary approach, ranging from intracellular Ca2+ imaging to pharmacological manipulation and genetic suppression of TRPV1 expression, to investigate the effects of photoexcitation on intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+](i)) in circulating ECFCs plated on rr-P3HT thin films. Polymer-mediated optical excitation induced a long-lasting increase in [Ca2+](i) that could display an oscillatory pattern at shorter light stimuli. Pharmacological and genetic manipulation revealed that the Ca2+ response to light was triggered by extracellular Ca2+ entry through TRPV1, whose activation required the production of reactive oxygen species at the interface between rr-P3HT and the cell membrane. Light-induced TRPV1-mediated Ca2+ entry was able to evoke intracellular Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum through inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors, followed by store-operated Ca2+ entry on the plasma membrane. These data show that TRPV1 may serve as a decoder at the interface between rr-P3HT thin films and ECFCs to translate optical excitation in pro-angiogenic Ca2+ signals

Procesos de alteración asociados al contenido de minerales arcillosos en materiales pétreos

Stone alterability/durability is depending upon a number of intrinsic and extrinsic factors among which "clay minerals" constituents, either diffused throughout the stone framework or as coating-filling of void spaces, can play an important role. Swelling-shrinking and aggregation-disaggregation phenomena occurring by interaction of argillaceous particles with water and other fluids can cause destructuration of the stone resulting in a variety of pathologies. Also salt crystallization which is depending on fluid transfer, moisture evaporation and ion concentration in the circulating solutions, can be influenced by clay mineral reactivity. Furthermore, saline solutions can drastically change the clay minerals behaviour, resulting in enhanced "osmotic" swelling and variations in clay aggregation geometry; these phenomena resulting in significant stone damage. Case histories concerning several lithotypes used for monumental buildings and artistic manufacts are reported for showing the role of different clay mineral types in determining trend and intensity of decay processes.Varios factores, tanto intrínsecos como extrínsecos, pueden condicionar la alterabilidad/durabilidad de materiales pétreos. Entre ellos, la presencia de minerales arcillosos, bien como constituyentes difusos o recubriendo-rellenando huecos, puede jugar un papel importante. El resultado de la interacción de las partículas arcillosas y el agua (u otros fluidos) da lugar a patologías que son consecuencia de una serie de daños internos producidos por las continuas variaciones plásticas, asociadas a parámetros físicos y cristaloquímicos de este tipo de minerales. Entre los que podemos citar la desestructuración de la piedra (bien por agregación-desagregación de las partículas arcillosas o por procesos de hinchamiento-contracción) que está asociado, por ejemplo, con la cristalización de sales, producida por la transferencia de fluidos a su través, o a variaciones de humedad, a concentraciones iónicas de la solución, en función de la reactividad de las arcillas presentes, o a efectos provocados por tensiones osmóticas que modifican la geometría de aglutinación de las propias partículas. En este artículo se analizan diferentes litotipos utilizados en la construcción y ornamentación de edificios históricos, todos ellos con minerales arcillosos, así como sus patologías, definiéndose las tendencias y los procesos degradativos encontrados

Arachidonic acid-evoked Ca^{2+} signals promote nitric oxide release and proliferation in human endothelial colony forming cells

Arachidonic acid (AA) stimulates endothelial cell (EC) proliferation through an increase in intracellular Ca^{2+} concentration ([Ca^{2+}]_{i}), that, in turn, promotes nitric oxide (NO) release. AA-evoked Ca^{2+} signals are mainly mediated by Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channels. Circulating endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) represent the only established precursors of ECs. In the present study, we, therefore, sought to elucidate whether AA promotes human ECFC (hECFC) proliferation through an increase in [Ca^{2+}]_{i} and the following activation of the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). AA induced a dose-dependent [Ca^{2+}]_{i} raise that was mimicked by its non-metabolizable analogue eicosatetraynoic acid. AA-evoked Ca^{2+} signals required both intracellular Ca^{2+} release and external Ca^{2+} inflow. AA-induced Ca^{2+} release was mediated by inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors from the endoplasmic reticulum and by two pore channel 1 from the acidic stores of the endolysosomal system. AA-evoked Ca^{2+} entry was, in turn, mediated by TRPV4, while it did not involve store-operated Ca^{2+} entry. Moreover, AA caused an increase in NO levels which was blocked by preventing the concomitant increase in [Ca^{2+}]_{i} and by inhibiting eNOS activity with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME). Finally, AA per se did not stimulate hECFC growth, but potentiated growth factors-induced hECFC proliferation in a Ca^{2+} - and NO-dependent manner. Therefore, AA-evoked Ca^{2+} signals emerge as an additional target to prevent cancer vascularisation, which may be sustained by ECFC recruitment

Membrane Environment Enables Ultrafast Isomerization of Amphiphilic Azobenzene

G.M.P. and E.C. contributed equally to this work. G.M.P. acknowledges the financial support from Fondazione Cariplo, grant no. 2018-0979. The authors thank the financial support from the EU Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 643238 (SYNCHRONICS). The authors also thank Dr. Daniele Viola for helping with the analysis of the TA data.The non‐covalent affinity of photoresponsive molecules to biotargets represents an attractive tool for achieving effective cell photo‐stimulation. Here, an amphiphilic azobenzene that preferentially dwells within the plasma membrane is studied. In particular, its isomerization dynamics in different media is investigated. It is found that in molecular aggregates formed in water, the isomerization reaction is hindered, while radiative deactivation is favored. However, once protected by a lipid shell, the photochromic molecule reacquires its ultrafast photoisomerization capacity. This behavior is explained considering collective excited states that may form in aggregates, locking the conformational dynamics and redistributing the oscillator strength. By applying the pump probe technique in different media, an isomerization time in the order of 10 ps is identified and the deactivation in the aggregate in water is also characterized. Finally, it is demonstrated that the reversible modulation of membrane potential of HEK293 cells via illumination with visible light can be indeed related to the recovered trans→cis photoreaction in lipid membrane. These data fully account for the recently reported experiments in neurons, showing that the amphiphilic azobenzenes, once partitioned in the cell membrane, are effective light actuators for the modification of the electrical state of the membrane.Fondazione Cariplo. Grant Number: 2018‐0979EU Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme. Grant Number: 64323