Endogenous coenzyme Q content and exogenous bioavailability in D. melanogaster

Development and aging significantly impact the cellular levels of Coenzyme Q (CoQ), which is associated with both pathological and physiological conditions. Aim of this study was to describe the CoQ status throughout the lifetime of Drosophila melanogaster, a well-established model in aging studies. CoQ9 and CoQ10 distribution was analysed across different body segments and various life stages in both male and female flies. The results indicate that CoQ(9) is the predominant isoform in every phase of flies' life cycle, with the highest concentrations observed in the thorax. We noted distinct trends in CoQ distribution during aging, which varied according to sex and body segments (head, thorax, and abdomen). Supplementation with two concentrations of CoQ(9) and CoQ(10) (15 mu M and 75 mu M) for 2 weeks induced a segment- and sex-specific CoQ uptake. Although 75 mu M CoQ(10) was more effective in modulating the CoQ status, lifelong treatment with this concentration did not affect the longevity of the flies

Multi-criteria approach for the environmental impact assessment of inland aquaculture

Trout farming, that represents the most important sector for aquaculture inland production in Italy, can cause negative effects on aquatic ecosystems. Recently, in the framework of Water Frame Directive 2000/60/EC and national law DL 152/2006, concerning the sustainable uses of water resources, multi-criteria approaches have been suggested to evaluate the impact of fish farming on aquatic ecosystems. In this study trout farms of central Italy were selected to investigate the effects of their effluents, on receiving water bodies using a multi-criteria approach based on physicochemical parameters, microbiological and macrobenthonic indicators, detected in sampling stations located upstream/downstream the trout farm. Moreover, antibiotic susceptibility against antibiotics allowed and/or forbidden by current law (D.lgs 193/56/06) was tested on E. coli strains. The results indicate variations of chemical parameters and biological indicators from upstream to downstream sites in some of the investigated farms. Antibiotic resistance of E. coli strains suggested a large use of tetracycline and a possible past use of chloramphenicol. This study represents a first contribute to the knowledge of fish farm impacts on aquatic systems in Central Italy

Weight bearing versus conventional CT for the measurement of patellar alignment and stability in patients after surgical treatment for patellar recurrent dislocation

Purpose: To compare weight-bearing cone-beam computer tomography (CBCT) and conventional computer tomography (CT)-based measurements of patellofemoral alignment and stability in patients surgically treated for recurrent patellar dislocation. These scans implied respectively single-leg up-right posture, the knee flexed, and lower limb muscles activation, versus supine position with the knee extended. Methods: A total of 17 patients (11 males/6 females) after surgical reconstruction with fascia lata allograft for recurrent patellofemoral dislocation were analyzed at 60-month follow-up. Tilt and congruence angles and tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove (TT-TG) offset were measured on images obtained from CBCT and conventional CT scans by three independent and expert radiologists. Paired t tests were performed to compare measurements obtained from the two scans. Inter-rater reliability was assessed using a two-way mixed-effects model intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: Only TT-TG offset was found significantly smaller (p < 0.001) in CBCT (mean 9.9 ± 5.3 mm) than in conventional CT (mean 15.9 ± 4.9 mm) scans. ICC for tilt and congruence angles and for TT-TG offset ranged between 0.80–0.94 with measurements in CBCT scans, between 0.52 and0.78 in conventional CT. Conclusion: In patients surgically treated for recurrent patellar dislocation, TT-TG offset was found overestimated with conventional CT. All measurements of patellofemoral stability and alignment were found more consistent when obtained with weight-bearing CBCT compared to conventional CT

Effect of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction method on patellofemoral contact pressures and kinematics.

Background: There remains a lack of evidence regarding the optimal method when reconstructing the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) and whether some graft constructs can be more forgiving to surgical errors, such as overtensioning or tunnel malpositioning, than others. Hypothesis: The null hypothesis was that there would not be a significant difference between reconstruction methods (eg, graft type and fixation) in the adverse biomechanical effects (eg, patellar maltracking or elevated articular contact pressure) resulting from surgical errors such as tunnel malpositioning or graft overtensioning. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Nine fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were placed on a customized testing rig, where the femur was fixed but the tibia could be moved freely from 0\ub0 to 90\ub0 of flexion. Individual quadriceps heads and the iliotibial tract were separated and loaded to 205 N of tension using a weighted pulley system. Patellofemoral contact pressures and patellar tracking were measured at 0\ub0, 10\ub0, 20\ub0, 30\ub0, 60\ub0, and 90\ub0 of flexion using pressure-sensitive film inserted between the patella and trochlea, in conjunction with an optical tracking system. The MPFL was transected and then reconstructed in a randomized order using a (1) double-strand gracilis tendon, (2) quadriceps tendon, and (3) tensor fasciae latae allograft. Pressure maps and tracking measurements were recorded for each reconstruction method in 2 N and 10 N of tension and with the graft positioned in the anatomic, proximal, and distal femoral tunnel positions. Statistical analysis was undertaken using repeated-measures analyses of variance, Bonferroni post hoc analyses, and paired t tests. Results: Anatomically placed grafts during MPFL reconstruction tensioned to 2 N resulted in the restoration of intact medial joint contact pressures and patellar tracking for all 3 graft types investigated (P >.050). However, femoral tunnels positioned proximal or distal to the anatomic origin resulted in significant increases in the mean medial joint contact pressure, medial patellar tilt, and medial patellar translation during knee flexion or extension, respectively (P <.050), regardless of graft type, as did tensioning to 10 N. Conclusion: The importance of the surgical technique, specifically correct femoral tunnel positioning and graft tensioning, in restoring normal patellofemoral joint (PFJ) kinematics and articular cartilage contact stresses is evident, and the type of MPFL graft appeared less important. Clinical Relevance: The correct femoral tunnel position and graft tension for restoring normal PFJ kinematics and articular cartilage contact stresses appear to be more important than graft selection during MPFL reconstruction. These findings emphasize the importance of the surgical technique when undertaking this procedure

CD93 A POTENTIAL PLAYER IN CYTOTROPHOBLAST AND ENDOTHELIAL CELL MIGRATION

CD93, also known as complement component C1q receptor, is expressed on the surface of diferent cellular types such as monocytes, neutrophils, platelets, microglia, and endothelial cells, and it plays a pivotal role in cell proliferation, cell migration, and formation of capillary-like structures. These processes are strictly regulated, and many fetal and maternal players are involved during placental development. At present, there are no studies in literature regarding CD93 in placental development, so we investigated CD93 expression in frst and third trimester and PE placentas by immunohistochemistry and western blotting analysis. In addition, we performed in vitro experiments under oxidative stress conditions to demonstrate how oxidative stress acts on CD93 protein expression. Our data showed that CD93 was expressed in villous cytotrophoblast cells, in some fetal vessels of frst and third trimester and PE placentas and in the extravillous cytotrophoblast of cell columns in the frst trimester placentas. Moreover, we detected a signifcant decrease of CD93 expression in third trimester and PE placentas compared to frst trimester placentas, while no diferences were detected between third and PE placentas. No diferences of CD93 expression were detected in oxidative stress conditions. We suggest that CD93 can guide extravillous cytotrophoblast migration through β1-integrin in uterine spiral arteries during placentation in the frst trimester of pregnancy and that the decrease of CD93 expression in third trimester and PE placentas could be linked to the poor extravillous cytotrophoblast cells migration. So, it might be interesting to understand the role of CD93 in the frst phases of PE onset

Detection of Emerging and Re-Emerging Pathogens in Surface Waters Close to an Urban Area

Current knowledge about the spread of pathogens in aquatic environments is scarce probably because bacteria, viruses, algae and their toxins tend to occur at low concentrations in water, making them very difficult to measure directly. The purpose of this study was the development and validation of tools to detect pathogens in freshwater systems close to an urban area. In order to evaluate anthropogenic impacts on water microbiological quality, a phylogenetic microarray was developed in the context of the EU project µAQUA to detect simultaneously numerous pathogens and applied to samples from two different locations close to an urban area located upstream and downstream of Rome in the Tiber River. Furthermore, human enteric viruses were also detected. Fifty liters of water were collected and concentrated using a hollow-fiber ultrafiltration approach. The resultant concentrate was further size-fractionated through a series of decreasing pore size filters. RNA was extracted from pooled filters and hybridized to the newly designed microarray to detect pathogenic bacteria, protozoa and toxic cyanobacteria. Diatoms as indicators of the water quality status, were also included in the microarray to evaluate water quality. The microarray results gave positive signals for bacteria, diatoms, cyanobacteria and protozoa. Cross validation of the microarray was performed using standard microbiological methods for the bacteria. The presence of oral-fecal transmitted human enteric-viruses were detected using q-PCR. Significant concentrations of Salmonella, Clostridium, Campylobacter and Staphylococcus as well as Hepatitis E Virus (HEV), noroviruses GI (NoGGI) and GII (NoGII) and human adenovirus 41 (ADV 41) were found in the Mezzocammino site, whereas lower concentrations of other bacteria and only the ADV41 virus was recovered at the Castel Giubileo site. This study revealed that the pollution level in the Tiber River was considerably higher downstream rather than upstream of Rome and the downstream location was contaminated by emerging and re-emerging pathogens

Hydroalkoxylation of terminal and internal alkynes catalyzed by dinuclear gold(I) complexes with bridging Di(N-heterocyclic carbene) ligands

A series of six dinuclear gold(I) complexes with bridging bidentate N-heterocycic carbene ligands (NHCs) of general formula Au2Br2LX (L = diNHC, X = 1–6) have been studied as catalysts in the intermolecular hydroalkoxylation of terminal and internal alkynes. The best catalytic results have been obtained by using Au2Br2L4, characterized by 2,6-diisopropylphenyl wingtip substituents and a methylene bridging group between the two NHC donors. Complex Au2Br2L4 has been structurally characterized for the first time in this work, showing the presence of intramolecular aurophiclic interaction in the solid state. In the adopted reaction conditions Au2Br2L4 is able to convert challenging substrates such as diphenylacetylene. Comparative catalytic tests by using the mononuclear gold(I) complexes AuIL7 and IPrAuCl have been performed in order to determine the possible presence of cooperative effects in the catalytic process

Benthic diatom communities and their relationship to water chemistry in wetlands of central Italy

Diatoms are good environmental indicators and are often the main component of phytobenthos, one of the key groups of organisms recommended by the Water Framework Directive (W.F.D.) for the assessment of ecological status of surface waters. Although diatoms are regularly used as indicators in rivers and in lakes, less is known about the benthic diatom communities in wetland systems, especially in Italy. The main aim of the project was to provide a contribution to the knowledge on distribution, composition and structure of benthic diatom communities in wetland systems in Italy. In 2005, we investigated the benthic diatom communities and their relationships to water variables of nine ponds and wetlands along the Tyrrhenian coast near Rome. Furthermore, a first application of seven European diatom-based indices on this type of water body was undertaken. A total of 225 species and varieties belonging to 54 genera were identified. The Canonical Correspondence Analysis indicated that certain species were closely associated with each wetland type and their distribution mainly depended on nutrient and chloride contents: pollution tolerant species (i. e. Luticola goeppertiana, Mayamaea atomus, Navicula subminuscula) in the wetlands connected to river mouths, halophilous species and also marine littoral species (i. e. Nitzschia elegantula, Amphora coffeaeformis, Achnanthes brevipes var. intermedia, Epithemia adnata var. porcellus) in the coastal brackish ponds and wetlands, and less eutrophic species (i. e. Achnanthidium minutissimum, A. biasolettianum) in the lowland freshwater wetland. In general, the indices classified most of the studied water bodies as bad, poor and moderate status; few sites were classified into a good class, even for at least in one sampling occasion. Eutrophication and Pollution Index (EPI-D), Trophic Diatom Index (TDI), Taxa Pollution Tolerant (%PT), Pollution Sensitivity Index (IPS) and Generic Diatom Index (IDG) were significantly correlated to nutrient contents in the studied wetlands. Our preliminary data set illustrated the potential of the use of these benthic algae as bioindicators in wetlands

Interacting Geo Semantic Web Communities with the DBin platform: use cases and perspectives

The Geospatial Web will have a profound impact on managing knowledge, structuring workflows within and across organizations, and communicating with like-minded individuals in virtual communities. The enabling technologies for the Geospatial Web are geobrowsers such as NASA World Wind, Google Earth and Microsoft Live Local 3D. These threedimensional platforms revolutionize the production and consumption of media products. They not only reveal the geographic distribution of Web resources and services, but also bring together people of similar interests, browsing behavior or geographic location. This book summarizes the latest research on the Geospatial Web’s technical foundations, describes information services and collaborative tools built on top of geobrowsers, and investigates the environmental, social and economic impacts of geospatial applications. The role of contextual knowledge in shaping the emerging network society deserves particular attention. By integrating geospatial and semantic technology, such contextual knowledge can be extracted automatically – for example, when processing Web documents to identify relevant content for customized news services. Presenting 25 chapters from renowned international experts, this edited volume will be invaluable to scientists, students, practitioners, and all those interested in the emerging field of geospatial Web technology