Rhodanese-BSA polymers entrapped in insolubilised gelatin gels: properties and behaviour in continuous systems

The enzymatic oxidation of cephalosporin C to glutaryl-7-amminocephalosporanic acid (glutaryl-7-ACA) was carried out utilizing permeabilized whole cells of the yeast Trigonopsis variabilis entrapped in Ca-alginate beads. The biomass, cultured in a rich medium containing D,L methionine and harvested after 72 h of growth, exhibited high levels of D-aminoacid oxidase activity. Prior to use, thewho,lke cells were permeabilized with four freeze-thawing cycles and immobilized in polysaccharide matrices, such as Ca-alginate and K- carrageenan, and in an insolubilised gelatin gel. The best results in terms of activity yield and storage stability were obtained with cells entrapped in Ca-alginate beads. These cells were utilized for glutaryl-7-ACA production in a continuous stirred batch reactor (CSTR) and in a packed bed reactor working in a plug flow reactor (PFR), using 50 mm Cephalosporin C as substrate. The performances of the two systems were compared. The overall on a void volume basis) were 1.63 g and 255 mg of glutaryl-7-ACA h-1 in the PFR and in CSTR, respectively

Nicotinic Acid Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate-induced Ca2+ Release INTERACTIONS AMONG DISTINCT Ca2+ MOBILIZING MECHANISMS IN STARFISH OOCYTES

An intracellular mechanism activated by nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP(+)) contributes to intracellular Ca(2+) release alongside inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins-P(3)) and ryanodine receptors. The NAADP(+)-sensitive mechanism has been shown to be operative in sea urchin eggs, ascidian eggs, and pancreatic acinar cells. Furthermore, most mammalian cell types can synthesize NAADP(+), with nicotinic acid and NADP(+) as precursors. In this contribution, NAADP(+)-induced Ca(2+) release has been investigated in starfish oocytes. Uncaging of injected NAADP(+) induced Ca(2+) mobilization in both immature oocytes and in oocytes matured by the hormone 1-methyladenine (1-MA). The role of extracellular Ca(2+) in NAADP(+)-induced Ca(2+) mobilization, which was minor in immature oocytes, was instead essential in mature oocytes. Thus, the NAADP(+)-sensitive Ca(2+) pool, which is known to be distinct from those sensitive to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate or cyclic ADPribose, apparently migrated closer to (or became part of) the plasma membrane during the maturation process. Inhibition of both Ins-P(3) and ryanodine receptors, but not of either alone, substantially inhibited NAADP(+)-induced Ca(2+) mobilization in both immature and mature oocytes. The data also suggest that NAADP(+)-induced Ca(2+) mobilization acted as a trigger for Ca(2+) release via Ins-P(3) and ryanodine receptors

Dolphin Morbillivirus in Eurasian Otters, Italy

We report biomolecular evidence of dolphin morbillivirus in 4 wild Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) from southern Italy; 2 animals showed simultaneous immunohistochemical reactivity against morbilliviral antigen. These cases add further concern and support to the progressively expanding host range of dolphin morbillivirus in the western Mediterranean Sea

Spatial genetic structure in the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) meta-population from its core range in Italy

We characterized the genetic structure of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) meta-population living in the core of its Italian distribution range providing results from 191 fresh spraints, collected from 24 watercourses included in Southern Italy. Furthermore, according to ecological corridors and barriers, we discuss the likely ways of movement and possible evolutionary fate of these populations. We genotyped 136 samples using 11 Lut microsatellite nuclear markers amplified from faecal dna. Microsatellites were moderately variable (Ho = 0.45; He = 0.46), with a total number of alleles and average number of alleles per locus in the meta-population of 50 and 4.54, respectively. No significant heterozygosity excess was observed in meta-population suggesting no recent population bottlenecks. Bayesian clustering discriminated a sub-structuring of the meta-population in five putative clusters, indicating that local populations are genetically differentiated: three of these seem to be identifiable with geographically defined sub-populations (from the Cilento, Agri and Basento river basins). The fourth is represented by multiple sub-populations with admixed genotype, that include genotypes from the Lao, Sinni and Abatemaco river basins, living in a landscape with the higher environmental permeability. Landscape genetic analysis could provide evidence of an unexpected ecological corridor: the seacoast, highlighted, for the first time as a new way for the dispersion of the South-Italian otters. Deepening the knowledge of these perspectives is crucial to identify solid strategies aimed at the future health of the populations of the Italian otters, by restoring dispersal corridors and managing the watercourses

Needs-appropriate services for people with young onset dementia: The perspectives of healthcare professionals

Young onset dementia has become a growing challenge in national healthcare systems. Concerns about the situation have already been expressed; however, they mostly report the views of services end-users. Aimed at finding out useful further improvement, interviews documenting the working experiences of professionals addressing healthcare services to people with young onset dementia (YOD) were analysed qualitatively. The interviews resulted in four themes and twelve categories. The themes regarded services’ complexity and responsiveness, the levels of education and knowledge on YOD, the impact that serving people with YOD reflects on staff working experience and quality of life, and a series of proposals aimed at improving services by giving people with YOD and families the provision of care they deserve. Although some of the themes recapped the ones reported in the previous literature, the mixture of internally and externally driven instances represented in the themes depict the complexity of care delivery in the services. Findings are discussed in the light of a pragmatical framework capable of suggesting what changes services should implement to be timely responsive

Situaciones de desastres o catástrofes: agentes y dispositivos de intervención

El presente artículo recoge una breve síntesis del recorrido realizado como equipo interdisciplinario de investigación que llevó adelante el Proyecto “Situaciones de desastre o catástrofe: Agentes y Dispositivos de intervención” (Facultad de Trabajo Social - UNER). El mismo trata lo relativo a las inundaciones producidas en la ciudad de Santa Fe (Argentina) en los años 2003 y 2007; a través de un estudio descriptivo, exploratorio e interpretativo, inscripto en la lógica cualitativa de investigación social.En la última etapa de este trabajo profundizamos el análisis del Contexto General de la Investigación, actualizamos el Estado del Arte, el Marco Teórico y trabajamos desde la Estrategia General Metodológica seleccionada, finalizando con las Conclusiones a las que arribamos luego del análisis e interpretación, desde un enfoque psicosocial. Los dos ejes conceptuales claves de la tensión teoría-empiria, fueron los agentes de la intervención y los dispositivos institucionales en que se desempeñaron; de los que emergen dos categorías centrales que son: agentes, su afectación subjetiva y dispositivos profesionales e institucionales de la intervención.Esbozamos también las líneas de apertura que dejaron interrogantes abiertos a futuras indagaciones científicas alrededor de esta compleja área del conocimient

Anales del III Congreso Internacional de Vivienda y Ciudad "Debate en torno a la nueva agenda urbana"

Acta de congresoEl III Congreso Internacional de Vivienda y Ciudad “Debates en torno a la NUEVa Agenda Urbana”, ha sido una apuesta de alto compromiso por acercar los debates centrales y urgentes que tensionan el pleno ejercicio del derecho a la ciudad. Para ello las instituciones organizadoras (INVIHAB –Instituto de Investigación de Vivienda y Hábitat y MGyDH-Maestría en Gestión y Desarrollo Habitacional-1), hemos convidado un espacio que se concretó con potencia en un debate transdisciplinario. Convocó a intelectuales de prestigio internacional, investigadores, académicos y gestores estatales, y en una metodología de innovación articuló las voces académicas con las de las organizaciones sociales y/o barriales en el Foro de las Organizaciones Sociales que tuvo su espacio propio para dar voz a quienes están trabajando en los desafíos para garantizar los derechos a la vivienda y los bienes urbanos en nuestras ciudades del Siglo XXI