Hyaluronic acid reduces bacterial fouling and promotes fibroblasts’ adhesion onto chitosan 2D-wound dressings

Wound healing is a dynamic process that can be seriously delayed by many factors including infectious complications. The development of dressings with intrinsic wound healing activity and/or releasing bioactive compounds may help with addressing such an issue. In this study, hyaluronic acid (HA) at different percentages (1–35%) was used to modify chitosan (CS) biological and physico-chemical properties in order to obtain 2D-matrices able to promote healing and protect from infection. HA incorporation in the CS matrix decreased film transparency and homogeneity, but improved film water uptake and surface wettability. The water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) increased up to a 5% HA content, where it reached the highest value (672 g/m2 day), and decreased for higher HA contents. At all of the tested HA concentrations, HA affected mechanical properties providing matrices more flexible than pure CS with benefit for wound care. Pure CS films permitted S. epidermidis adhesion and biofilm formation. That was not true for CS/HA matrices, where HA at concentrations equal to or greater than 5% was able to avoid S. epidermidis adhesion. Fibroblasts adhesion also took benefit from the HA presence in the film, especially at 5% content, where the best adhesion and proliferation was found

Agronomic, nutritional and nutraceutical aspects of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) cultivars under low input agricultural management

Among cereals, durum wheat has a central role in the Italian diet and economy, where there is a historical tradition of pasta making. In the present study, we evaluated the nutrient and nutraceutical properties of 2 old and 6 modern durum wheat varieties grown under low input agricultural management. Considering the lack of available data on the adaptability of existing durum wheat varieties to the low input and organic sectors, the research aimed at providing a complete description of the investigated genotypes, considering the agronomic performance as well as the nutrient and phytochemical composition. The experimental trials were carried out at the same location (Bologna, Northern Italy) for two consecutive growing seasons (2006/2007, 2007/2008). No clear distinction between old and modern varieties was observed in terms of grain yield (mean values ranging from 2.5 to 4.0 t/ha), highlighting that the divergence in productivity, normally found between dwarf and non-dwarf genotypes, is strongly reduced when they are cropped under low input management. All durum wheat varieties presented high protein levels and, in addition, provided remarkable amounts of phytochemicals such as dietary fibre, polyphenols, flavonoids and carotenoids. Some of the investigated genotypes, such as Senatore Cappelli, Solex, Svevo and Orobel, emerged with intriguing nutritional and phytochemical profiles, with the highest levels of dietary fibre and antioxidant compounds. The study provided the basis for further investigations into the adaptability of the durum wheat genotypes to low input management, for the selection of genotypes characterised by higher yield and valuable nutrient and nutraceutical quality

Using salinity to improve nutritional and market value of strawberries

Plants respond to salinity by producing antioxidants and osmolytes; some of these are nutritionally useful to humans (e.g. phenolics), or may improve the sensory quality of produce (e.g. sugars). For the current study, strawberries were irrigated with 0, 10, 20 or 40 mM NaCl, and the responses in antioxidants, phenolics, and flavour attributes were measured. A linear positive relationship was observed between salt stress and antioxidant concentrations, and the DPPH antioxidant assay responded more clearly than the FRAP assay. Phenolics were increased with statistical significance by salinity at all treatment levels, although trends differed between total phenolics and the subclasses anthocyanins and total flavonoids. It was seen that mild salinity (10 mM) with a low impact on yield could be used to increase antioxidants (6-10% above control) and total phenolics (11-16% above control). However differences between cultivars outweighed differences due to salinity in treatments below 20 mM NaCl. We found that sugars in strawberries (unlike other fruits) weren’t increased by salinity treatment. The lack of sugar increase can be explained by suggesting that organic acids are more important osmolytes than sugars for strawberries under salinity. However it was also determined that the failure of strawberries to increase their soluble sugars during salt stress can be explained by the lean nutrient regimes used by researchers, which don’t represent commercial production practices. Practically, mild salinity (≤20 mM) can be used to increase strawberry fruit value, but should be combined with an appropriate nutrient regime to avoid harm to flavour quality. The varieties Elsanta and Elsinore are both suitable for salt treatment, but Elsanta is better for antioxidant and phenolic production, as well as being more salt tolerant

Long-Term Prognostic Impact of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients with COVID-19

The characteristics and clinical course of hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been widely described, while long-term data are still poor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical outcome and its association with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. This was a prospective multicenter study of consecutive COVID-19 patients hospitalized at seven Italian Hospitals from 28 February to 20 April 2020. The study population was divided into two groups according to echocardiographic evidence of RV dysfunction. The primary study outcome was 1-year mortality. The propensity score matching was performed to balance for potential baseline confounders. The study population consisted of 224 patients (mean age 69 \ub1 14, male sex 62%); RV dysfunction was diagnosed in 63 cases (28%). Patients with RV dysfunction were older (75 vs. 67 years, p < 0.001), had higher prevenance of coronary artery disease (27% vs. 11%, p = 0.003), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (50% vs. 55%, p <0.001). The rate of 1-year mortality (67% vs. 28%; p 64 0.001) was significantly higher in patients with RV dysfunction compared with patients without. After propensity score matching, patients with RV dysfunction showed a worse long-term survival (62% vs. 29%, p <0.001). The multivariable Cox regression model showed an independent association of RV dysfunction with 1-year mortality. RV dysfunction is a relatively common finding in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, and it is independently associated with an increased risk of 1-year mortality

The Strong Relationship Between Dust Lifting and Atmospheric Electric Properties During Aeolian Processes

Results of field campaigns performed in the Sahara desert during the dust storm season. Focus on the observed enhancement of atm. E-field during dust events

The role of the atmospheric electric field in the dust-lifting process

Mineral dust particles represent the most abundant component of atmospheric aerosol in terms of dry mass. They play a key role in climate and climate change, so the study of their emission processes is of utmost importance. Measurements of dust emission into the atmosphere are scarce, so that the dust load is generally estimated using models. It is known that the emission process can generate strong atmospheric electric fields. Starting from the data we acquired in the Sahara desert, here, we show for the first time that depending on the relative humidity conditions, electric fields contribute to increase up to a factor of 10 the amount of particles emitted into the atmosphere. This means that electrical forces and humidity are critical quantities in the dust emission process and should be taken into account in climate and circulation models to obtain more realistic estimations of the dust load in the atmosphere. <P /

Afianzando lazos entre la universidad y las escuelas primarias mediante la extensión

En este trabajo se expone como el proyecto de extensión universitaria “La Facultad va a la Escuela” ha afianzado su vínculo con las Escuelas Primarias de La Plata, Berisso, Brandsen y Punta Indio, resultado de un trabajo continuado que llevo a un creciente apoyo de las autoridades escolares. Desde el año 2002, el objetivo es contribuir a mejorar la enseñanza de las Ciencias Naturales, incentivando el uso de la experimentación y observación en el espacio áulico, como una forma más de aprendizaje y apropiación del conocimiento. Para alcanzarlo generamos espacios de intercambio democráticos con los maestros, donde se trabajan herramientas metodológicas que permiten la implementación de experiencias en el aula y el análisis crítico de las mismas. Los espacios incluyen talleres dentro del ámbito escolar y encuentros de evaluación conjunta distritales. El impacto alcanzado ha favorecido la innovación en las prácticas de enseñanza, el desarrollo de proyectos de ciencia y la revalorización del laboratorio y de la alfabetización científica. Como consecuencia, para el Ciclo Lectivo 2014 surgió como nuevo objetivo lograr que quienes participan se constituyan en agentes multiplicadores hacia sus pares, y no sólo hacia sus alumnos, siendo fundamental para ello el rol de los directivos y la incorporación al proyecto institucional.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Afianzando lazos entre la universidad y las escuelas primarias mediante la extensión

En este trabajo se expone como el proyecto de extensión universitaria “La Facultad va a la Escuela” ha afianzado su vínculo con las Escuelas Primarias de La Plata, Berisso, Brandsen y Punta Indio, resultado de un trabajo continuado que llevo a un creciente apoyo de las autoridades escolares. Desde el año 2002, el objetivo es contribuir a mejorar la enseñanza de las Ciencias Naturales, incentivando el uso de la experimentación y observación en el espacio áulico, como una forma más de aprendizaje y apropiación del conocimiento. Para alcanzarlo generamos espacios de intercambio democráticos con los maestros, donde se trabajan herramientas metodológicas que permiten la implementación de experiencias en el aula y el análisis crítico de las mismas. Los espacios incluyen talleres dentro del ámbito escolar y encuentros de evaluación conjunta distritales. El impacto alcanzado ha favorecido la innovación en las prácticas de enseñanza, el desarrollo de proyectos de ciencia y la revalorización del laboratorio y de la alfabetización científica. Como consecuencia, para el Ciclo Lectivo 2014 surgió como nuevo objetivo lograr que quienes participan se constituyan en agentes multiplicadores hacia sus pares, y no sólo hacia sus alumnos, siendo fundamental para ello el rol de los directivos y la incorporación al proyecto institucional.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Afianzando lazos entre la universidad y las escuelas primarias mediante la extensión

En este trabajo se expone como el proyecto de extensión universitaria “La Facultad va a la Escuela” ha afianzado su vínculo con las Escuelas Primarias de La Plata, Berisso, Brandsen y Punta Indio, resultado de un trabajo continuado que llevo a un creciente apoyo de las autoridades escolares. Desde el año 2002, el objetivo es contribuir a mejorar la enseñanza de las Ciencias Naturales, incentivando el uso de la experimentación y observación en el espacio áulico, como una forma más de aprendizaje y apropiación del conocimiento. Para alcanzarlo generamos espacios de intercambio democráticos con los maestros, donde se trabajan herramientas metodológicas que permiten la implementación de experiencias en el aula y el análisis crítico de las mismas. Los espacios incluyen talleres dentro del ámbito escolar y encuentros de evaluación conjunta distritales. El impacto alcanzado ha favorecido la innovación en las prácticas de enseñanza, el desarrollo de proyectos de ciencia y la revalorización del laboratorio y de la alfabetización científica. Como consecuencia, para el Ciclo Lectivo 2014 surgió como nuevo objetivo lograr que quienes participan se constituyan en agentes multiplicadores hacia sus pares, y no sólo hacia sus alumnos, siendo fundamental para ello el rol de los directivos y la incorporación al proyecto institucional.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació