Microplastics in deep water : a combined GC-MS e FT-IR approach

Microplastics are water-insoluble, solid polymer particles that are 645\u202fmm in size. A lower size boundary has not been defined, but particles below 1\u202f\u3bcm are usually referred to as nanoplastics rather than microplastics. The ubiquity of microplastics of all sizes in surface water, groundwater and wastewater has raised the question if pollution of drinking water occurs and to date, few studies indeed described the presence of this new contaminant in tap and bottled water. Toxicity it is not yet known, they might cause local inflammations in the gut, but a transport into organs might occur. As a final problem in this field, microplastics in the environment are difficult to sample, to identify and standardized methods do not exist. For this reason, we have been involved in a research project finalized to the definition of a protocol strategy for sampling and analysis of microplastics in drinking waters, coming from deep water wells, in the networks of three large cities in the Northern part of Italy. The project is on going and presently two groups of deep water samples have been collected in the city of Milano and Brescia, before and after the treatment stages used for the urban network. Great attention has been paid to sampling and extraction steps as microplastic contamination, in this kind of samples, is expected to be very low and contamination during sampling might occur through air or materials. Analytical methods have been defined for the detection of main microplastic contamination, like PE/PP, PS, PA, PVC e PET residues > 1 \ub5m. Samples have been analysed first by a non-destructive approach using a Spotlight 200i microscope equipped with a \ub5ATR probe and coupled to an FT-IR spectrophotometer, followed by a mass spectrometric characterization of the polymers by a solid phase microextration (SPME) GC-MS of thermal decomposition products (TED) of microplastic residues. Results will be presented and critically discussed

Transducer Arrays over A²B Networks in Industrial and Automotive Applications: Clock Propagation Measurements

Advanced automotive applications like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Individual Listening Zones (ILZ) require a high number of transducers (i.e., microphones, accelerometers, and loudspeakers) usually arranged as arrays. Transducer arrays are widely employed in several applications besides automotive field, such as teleconferencing systems, industrial and civil monitoring of noise and vibrations. Automotive Audio Bus ( A2B ) is an audio transport protocol that solves the latest requirements of automotive and industrial fields. A2B allows transporting up to 32 channels in a multi-node daisy chain network and guarantees synchronization and low deterministic latency. This paper aims to develop a clock propagation model of an A2B network composed by transducer arrays. This model will be useful to evaluate the impact of the bus on the array performance. Firstly, a theoretical description of the A2B protocol and jitter analysis is provided. It follows a description of the jitter measures carried out on the clocks distributed along the A2B network. Lastly, latency introduced by nodes of the network is investigated

First evidence of protein modulation by polystyrene microplastics in a freshwater biological model

Microplastics (MPs)are now one of the major environmental problems due to the large amount released in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as their diffuse sources and potential impacts on organisms and human health. Still the molecular and cellular targets of microplastics\u2019 toxicity have not yet been identified and their mechanism of actions in aquatic organisms are largely unknown. In order to partially fill this gap, we used a mass spectrometry based functional proteomics to evaluate the modulation of protein profiling in zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), one of the most useful freshwater biological model. Mussels were exposed for 6 days in static conditions to two different microplastic mixtures, composed by two types of virgin polystyrene microbeads (size = 1 and 10 \u3bcm)each one. The mixture at the lowest concentration contained 5 7 105 MP/L of 1 \u3bcm and 5 7 105 MP/L of 10 \u3bcm, while the higher one was arranged with 2 7 106 MP/L of 1 \u3bcm and 2 7 106 MP/L of 10 \u3bcm. Proteomics\u2019 analyses of gills showed the complete lack of proteins\u2019 modulation after the exposure to the low-concentrated mixture, while even 78 proteins were differentially modulated after the exposure to the high-concentrated one, suggesting the presence of an effect-threshold. The modulated proteins belong to 5 different classes mainly involved in the structure and function of ribosomes, energy metabolism, cellular trafficking, RNA-binding and cytoskeleton, all related to the response against the oxidative stress

Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cell-Conditioned Medium Promotes Vascularization of Nanostructured Scaffold Transplanted into Nude Mice

Several studies have been conducted on the interaction between three-dimensional scaffolds and mesenchymal stem cells for the regeneration of damaged tissues. Considering that stem cells do not survive for sufficient time to directly sustain tissue regeneration, it is essential to develop cell-free systems to be applied in regenerative medicine. In this work, by in vivo experiments, we established that a collagen-nanostructured scaffold, loaded with a culture medium conditioned with mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue (hASC-CM), exerts a synergic positive effect on angiogenesis, fundamental in tissue regeneration. To this aim, we engrafted athymic BALB-C nude mice with four different combinations: scaffold alone; scaffold with hASCs; scaffold with hASC crude protein extract; scaffold with hASC-CM. After their removal, we verified the presence of blood vessels by optical microscopy and confirmed the vascularization evaluating, by real-time PCR, several vascular growth factors: CD31, CD34, CD105, ANGPT1, ANGPT2, and CDH5. Our results showed that blood vessels were absent in the scaffold grafted alone, while all the other systems appeared vascularized, a finding supported by the over-expression of CD31 and CDH5 mRNA. In conclusion, our data sustain the capability of hASC-CM to be used as a therapeutic cell-free approach for damaged tissue regeneration

Transducer Arrays Over A²B Networks in Industrial and Automotive Applications: Clock Propagation Measurements

Advanced automotive applications like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Individual Listening Zones (ILZ) require a high number of transducers (i.e., microphones, accelerometers, and loudspeakers) usually arranged as arrays. Transducer arrays are widely employed in several applications besides automotive field, such as teleconferencing systems, industrial and civil monitoring of noise and vibrations. Automotive Audio Bus ( $\text{A}^{2}\text{B}$ ) is an audio transport protocol that solves the latest requirements of automotive and industrial fields. $\text{A}^{2}\text{B}$ allows transporting up to 32 channels in a multi-node daisy chain network and guarantees synchronization and low deterministic latency. This paper aims to develop a clock propagation model of an $\text{A}^{2}\text{B}$ network composed by transducer arrays. This model will be useful to evaluate the impact of the bus on the array performance. Firstly, a theoretical description of the $\text{A}^{2}\text{B}$ protocol and jitter analysis is provided. It follows a description of the jitter measures carried out on the clocks distributed along the $\text{A}^{2}\text{B}$ network. Lastly, latency introduced by nodes of the network is investigated

Gold Nanorods as Radiopharmaceutical Carriers: Preparation and Preliminary Radiobiological In Vitro Tests

Low-energy electrons (Auger electrons) can be produced via the interaction of photons with gold atoms in gold nanorods (AuNRs). These electrons are similar to those emitted during the decay of technetium-99m (99mTc), a radioactive nuclide widely used for diagnostics in nuclear medicine. Auger and internal conversion (IC) electron emitters appropriately targeted to the DNA of tumors cells may, therefore, represent a new radiotherapeutic approach. 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals, which are used for diagnosis, could indeed be used in theragnostic fields when loaded on AuNRs and delivered to a tumor site. This work aims to provide a proof of concept (i) to evaluate AuNRs as carriers of 99mTc-based radiopharmaceuticals, and (ii) to evaluate the efficacy of Auger electrons emitted by photon-irradiated AuNRs in inducing radio-induced damage in T98G cells, thus mimicking the effect of Auger electrons emitted during the decay of 99mTc used in clinical settings. Data are presented on AuNRs’ chemical characterization (with an aspect ratio of 3.2 and Surface Plasmon Resonance bands at 520 and 680 nm) and the loading of pharmaceuticals (after 99mTc decay) on their surface. Spectroscopic characterizations, such as UV-Vis and synchrotron radiation-induced X-ray photoelectron (SR-XPS) spectroscopies, were performed to investigate the drug–AuNR interaction. Finally, preliminary radiobiological data on cell killing with AuNRs are presented

Phage therapy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in a cystic fibrosis zebrafish model

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary disease due to mutations in the CFTR gene and causes mortality in humans mainly due to respiratory infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In a previous work we used phage therapy, which is a treatment with a mix of phages, to actively counteract acute P. aeruginosa infections in mice and Galleria mellonella larvae. In this work we apply phage therapy to the treatment of P. aeruginosa PAO1 infections in a CF zebrafish model. The structure of the CFTR channel is evolutionary conserved between fish and mammals and cftr-loss-of-function zebrafish embryos show a phenotype that recapitulates the human disease, in particular with destruction of the pancreas. We show that phage therapy is able to decrease lethality, bacterial burden, and the pro-inflammatory response caused by PAO1 infection. In addition, phage administration relieves the constitutive inflammatory state of CF embryos. To our knowledge, this is the first time that phage therapy is used to cure P. aeruginosa infections in a CF animal model. We also find that the curative effect against PAO1 infections is improved by combining phages and antibiotic treatments, opening a useful therapeutic approach that could reduce antibiotic doses and time of administration

Efficacy and safety of nimodipine in subcortical vascular dementia : A randomized placebo-controlled trial

Background and Purpose-Evidence of drug efficacy in vascular dementia (VaD) is scanty. Therapeutic trials should address VaD subtypes. We studied the efficacy and safety of the calcium antagonist nimodipine in subcortical VaD. Methods-242 patients defined as affected by subcortical VaD based on clinical (ICD-10) and computed tomography criteria were randomized to oral nimodipine 90 mg/d or placebo. Results-230 patients (121 nimodipine, mean age 75.2\uc2\ub16.1; 109 placebo, 75.4\uc2\ub16.0) were valid for the intention-to-treat analysis. At 52 weeks, the Sandoz Clinical Assessment Geriatric scale 5-point variation (primary outcome measure) did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. However, patients on nimodipine performed better than placebo patients in lexical production (P<0.01) and less frequently showed deterioration (3 or more point-drop versus baseline) on a Mini-Mental State Examination (28.1% versus 50.5%; \ucf\u872 P<0.01) and Global Deterioration Scale (P<0.05). Dropouts and adverse events were all significantly more common among placebo than nimodipine patients, particularly cardiovascular (30 versus 13; RR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.11 to 4.60) and cerebrovascular events (28 versus 10; RR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.23 to 4.98), and behavioral disturbances requiring intervention (22 versus 5; RR, 3.88; 95% CI, 1.49 to 10.12). A worst-rank analysis, performed to correct for the effect of the high dropout rate in the placebo group, showed additional significant differences in favor of nimodipine in Set Test and MMSE total scores. Conclusions-Nimodipine may be of some benefit in subcortical VaD. Confirming previous results, the safety analysis of this study shows that in this high-risk population, nimodipine might protect against cardiovascular comorbidities

The First Year of Sars-Cov-2: Which Mutations Spread Rapidly Around the Word?-Minireview

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a worldwide crisis with profound effects on both public health and the economy. In order to combat the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic, research groups have shared viral genome sequence data through the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID). SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus, which is a family with significant adaptive evolution). Worldwide research groups are generating and sharing SARS-CoV-2 proteome sequence data in a rapid fashion as a global effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid spread of an alternative variant of coronavirus has been blamed for the introduction of strict tier four mixing rules for many people, strict restrictions on mixing at Christmas in England, Scotland and Wales, and other countries placing the United Kingdom on a travel ban. So how has it gone from being non-existent to the foremost common sort of the virus in parts of England during a matter of months? Now that vaccines have been developed and are being deployed to address the COVID-19 pandemic, a major concern is the emergence of mutations in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that confer immune escape or enhanced fitness. As such, it is important to assess how rapidly SARS-CoV-2 proteins are mutating . While it is currently unclear if these mutations benefit the virus, their continued surveillance and the detection of new proteome variants are likely to illuminate key aspects of viral function. The government's advisers on new infections now say they need "high" confidence that it's more ready to transmit than other variants