Methacrylic polymers bearing side-chain permanent dipole azobenzene chromophores spaced from the main chain by chiral moieties, 3 a Synthesis and chiroptical properties of the homopolymer of (R)-3-methacryloyloxy-1-(4'-nitro-4-azobenzene)- pyrrolidine and of copolymers with the enantiomeric monomer (S)-3-methacryloyloxy-1-(4'-nitro-4-azobenzene)- pyrrolidine

Abstract The optically active photochromic homopolymer deriving from radical polymerization of the monomer (R)-3-methacryloyloxy-1-(4'-nitro-4-azobenzene)- pyrrolidine, containing a chiral group of one prevailing configuration interposed between the methacrylic moiety and the photochromic azoaromatic chromophore, has been synthesized and characterized. Copolymers with the enantiomeric monomer (S)-3-methacryloyloxy-1-(4'-nitro-4-azobenzene)pyrrolidine have also been prepared in order to evaluate the effect on the overall optical activity of side chain chiral groups of opposite configuration in various ratios. The spectroscopic and chiroptical properties in solution of the polymeric derivatives have been assessed

Side-Chain Multifunctional Photoresponsive Polymeric Materials

The contribute reviews the recent literature concerning the state-of-the-art of the research on amorphous polymeric derivatives bearing side-chain photoactive moieties such as the azo-aromatic and the carbazole chromophore as functional groups, in addition to the presence of structural or chemical features suitable to also provide the macromolecules of chiral properties

Microimaging FT-IR of Head and Neck Tumours. The case of salivary glands

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Part 21: Copolymers with methyl methacrylate

AbstractOptically active photochromic copolymers, deriving from methyl methacrylate (MMA) and the methacrylic ester of (S)-3-hydroxypyrrolidine linked through the nitrogen atom to the highly conjugated photochromic 4'-(β-cyano-β- (methylsulfonyl)vinyl)-4-azobenzene moiety, have been prepared and characterized with the aim to evaluate the effect on their chiro-optical and thermal properties exerted by the insertion of inactive MMA groups along the main chain. The results indicate that these properties are still remarkable at a content of photochromic units as low as 26 mol-%

Zebrafish caudal fin as a model to investigate the role of probiotics in bone regeneration

: Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer several beneficial effects to the host, including enhancement of bone mineralization. However, probiotic action on bone regeneration is not well studied and therefore we analysed various effects of probiotic treatment on the caudal fin regeneration of zebrafish. Morphological analysis revealed an increased regenerated area with shorter and thicker lepidotrichia segments after probiotic treatment. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy imaging analysis highlighted the distribution of phosphate groups in the regenerated fins and probiotic group showed higher amounts of well-crystallized hydroxyapatite. At the midpoint (5 days post amputation) of regeneration, probiotics were able to modulate various stages of osteoblast differentiation as confirmed by the upregulation of some key marker genes such as runx2b, sp7, col10a1a, spp1 and bglap, besides suppressing osteoclast activity as evidenced from the downregulation of ctsk. Probiotics also caused an enhanced cell cycle by regulating the expression of genes involved in Retinoic acid (rarga, cyp26b1) and Wnt/β-catenin (ctnnb1, ccnd1, axin2, sost) signaling pathways, and also modulated phosphate homeostasis by increasing the entpd5a levels. These findings provide new outlooks for the use of probiotics as a prophylactic treatment in accelerating bone regeneration and improving skeletal health in both aquaculture and biomedical fields

Nitrogen and chlorophyll status determination in durum wheat as influenced by fertilization and soil management: Preliminary results.

Handheld chlorophyll meters as Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) have proven to be useful tools for rapid, no-destructive assessment of chlorophyll and nitrogen status in various crops. This method is used to diagnose the need of nitrogen fertilization to improve the efficiency of the agricultural system and to minimize nitrogen losses and deficiency. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of repeated conservative agriculture practices on the SPAD readings, leaves chlorophyll concentration and Nitrogen Nutrition Index (NNI) relationships in durum wheat under Mediterranean conditions. The experimental site is a part of a long-term-experiment established in 1994 and is still on-going where three tillage managements and three nitrogen fertilizer treatments were repeated in the same plots every year. We observed a linear relationship between the SPAD readings performed in the central and distal portion of the leaf (R2 = 0.96). In fertilized durum wheat, we found all positive exponential relationships between SPAD readings, chlorophyll leaves concentration (R2 = 0.85) and NNI (R2 = 0.89). In the unfertilized treatment, the SPAD has a good attitude to estimate leaves chlorophyll concentration (R2 = 0.74) and NNI (R2 = 0.77) only in crop grow a soil with relative high content of soil organic matter and nitrogen availability, as observed in the no tilled plots. The results show that the SPAD can be used for a correct assessment of chlorophyll and nitrogen status in durum wheat but also to evaluate indirectly the content of soil organic matter and nitrogen availability during different growth stages of the crop cycle

Does the molecular and metabolic profile of human granulosa cells correlate with oocyte fate? New insights by Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy analysis

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Application of laboratory methods for understanding fish responses to black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) based diets

A major challenge for development of sustainable aquafeeds is its dependence on fish meal and fish oil. Replacement with more sustainable, nutritious and safe ingredients is now a priority. Over the last years, among several alternatives proposed, insects have received great attention as possible candidates. In particular, the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens; BSF) represents a concrete example of how the circular economy concept can be applied to fish culture, providing a valuable biomass rich in fat and protein valorising organic by-products. In the last decade, several studies have been published about the use of different BSF dietary inclusion levels for various fish species including experimental models. Varying and encouraging results have been obtained in this research field using a plethora of laboratory methodological approaches that can be applied and coupled to obtain a comprehensive view of the BSF-based diets effects on fish physiology, health, and quality. The present review aims to explore some of the most promising laboratory approaches like histology, infrared spectroscopy, gut microbiome sequencing, molecular biology, fish fillets’ physico-chemical and sensory properties, essential for a better understanding of fish welfare and fillet quality, when BSF is used as aquafeed ingredient. In particular, great importance has been given to European finfish species and experimental models.publishedVersio

Synchrotron characterization of hexagonal and cubic lipidic phases loaded with azolate/phosphane gold(I) compounds: a new approach to the uploading of gold(I)-based drugs

none9Gold(I) phosphane compounds have recently attracted a renewed interest as potential new protagonists in cancer therapy. A class of phosphane gold(I) complexes containing azolate ligands has been successfully tested against several cancer cell lines and, in particular, against basal-like breast (BLB) cancer, a form characterized by strongly severe diagnosis and short life lapse after classic chemotherapy. Even though the anticancer activity of gold(I) phosphane compounds is thoroughly ascertained, no study has been devoted to the possibility of their delivery in nanovectors. Herein, nonlamellar lyotropic liquid crystalline lipid nanosystems, a promising class of smart materials, have been used to encapsulate gold(I) azolate/phosphane complexes. In particular, ((triphenylphosphine)-gold(I)-(4,5-dichloroimidazolyl-1H-1yl)) (C-I) and ((triphenylphosphine)-gold(I)-(4,5-dicyanoimidazolyl-1H-1yl)) (C-II) have been encapsulated in three different lipid matrices: monoolein (GMO), phytantriol (PHYT) and dioleoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). An integrated experimental approach involving X-ray diffraction and UV resonant Raman (UVRR) spectroscopy, based on synchrotron light and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, has been employed to establish the effects of drug encapsulation on the structure and phase behavior of the host mesophases. The results indicate that gold(I) complexes C-I and C-II are successfully encapsulated in the three lipid matrices as evidenced by the drug-induced phase transitions or by the changes in the mesophase lattice parameters observed in X-ray diffraction experiments and by the spectral changes occurring in UV resonant Raman spectra upon loading the lipid matrices with C-I and C-II.openPaola Astolfi, Michela Pisani, Elisabetta Giorgini, Barbara Rossi, Alessandro Damin, Francesco Vita, Oriano Francescangeli, Lorenzo Luciani, Rossana GalassiAstolfi, Paola; Pisani, Michela; Giorgini, Elisabetta; Rossi, Barbara; Damin, Alessandro; Vita, Francesco; Francescangeli, Oriano; Luciani, Lorenzo; Galassi, Rossan

Knockout of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Impairs Reproduction in Female Zebrafish

none8The pleiotropic effects of glucocorticoids in metabolic, developmental, immune and stress response processes have been extensively investigated; conversely, their roles in reproduction are still less documented. It is well known that stress or long-lasting therapies can cause a strong increase in these hormones, negatively affecting reproduction. Moreover, the need of glucocorticoid (GC) homeostatic levels is highlighted by the reduced fertility reported in the zebrafish glucocorticoid receptor mutant (nr3c1ia30/ia30) line (hereafter named gr-/-). Starting from such evidence, in this study, we have investigated the role of glucocorticoid receptor (Gr) in the reproduction of female zebrafish. Key signals orchestrating the reproductive process at the brain, liver, and ovarian levels were analyzed using a multidisciplinary approach. An impairment of the kiss-GnRH system was observed at the central level in (gr-/-) mutants as compared to wild-type (wt) females while, in the liver, vitellogenin (vtg) mRNA transcription was not affected. Changes were instead observed in the ovary, particularly in maturing and fully grown follicles (classes III and IV), as documented by the mRNA levels of signals involved in oocyte maturation and ovulation. Follicles isolated from gr-/- females displayed a decreased level of signals involved in the acquisition of competence and maturation, causing a reduction in ovulation with respect to wt females. Fourier transform infrared imaging (FTIRI) analysis of gr-/- follicle cytoplasm showed major changes in macromolecule abundance and distribution with a clear alteration of oocyte composition. Finally, differences in the molecular structure of the zona radiata layer of gr-/- follicles are likely to contribute to the reduced fertilization rate observed in mutants.openMaradonna, Francesca; Gioacchini, Giorgia; Notarstefano, Valentina; Fontana, Camilla Maria; Citton, Filippo; Dalla Valle, Luisa; Giorgini, Elisabetta; Carnevali, OlianaMaradonna, Francesca; Gioacchini, Giorgia; Notarstefano, Valentina; Fontana, Camilla Maria; Citton, Filippo; Dalla Valle, Luisa; Giorgini, Elisabetta; Carnevali, Olian