A NOVEL PERFUSED CONTUSION SPINAL CORD INJURY MODEL TO ASSESS RAPID MECHANICAL PROPERTIES CHANGES AFTER BLOOD SPINAL CORD BARRIER BREAKDOWN

Blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) disruption exacerbates the tissue damage caused by spinal cord injury (SCI), but the mechanisms and dynamics of how the barrier breakdown affects the mechanical properties of the tissue remain unclear. The perfused bovine ex vivo indentation injury model described here represents a new platform to investigate the short-term effects of altered blood flow and vascular permeability following traumatic spinal cord injury. Our results indicate that injured cords exhibit changes to bulk perfusion, as evidenced by laser speckle contrast imaging, in addition to decreased barrier function shortly after injury. Indentation tests that simultaneously simulate a crush injury and provide force-indentation data reveal that tissue softening initiates as early as 30 minutes when perfused with whole blood. Perfusing with resuspended RBC (rRBC) instead of whole blood mitigates the decreased stiffness, highlighting the importance of white blood cells and plasma proteins in mediating the extracellular matrix mechanical response after SCI. Immunohistochemical staining indicates increased levels of extravasated Evans blue, ED-1, and vimentin in injured sections, suggesting mechanisms underlying the rapid response in mechanical properties following injury. This research provides novel insights into the immediate mechanical and vascular changes following spinal cord injury

DIGITgame: Gamification as Amazing way to learn STEM Concepts Developing Sustainable cities Idea in the Citizen of the Future

DIGITgame, intends to improve scientific skills and competences through an innovative teaching methods. It is based on Smart City projecting and realized by the development of a mini-game with challenges based on the scientific concepts. DIGITgame proposes a new approach to teach traditional topics of environmental sciences using the thematic of Smart Cities and taking advantage introducing the videogame solution. It will permit to reinforce the achievement of advanced and high quality competences, both in scientific topics and digital knowledge. Match between traditional teaching approach, gamification challenge and informatics is the keystone to turn students in involved and aware citizens

Allergens from Edible Insects: Cross-reactivity and Effects of Processing

Purpose of Review The recent introduction of edible insects in Western countries has raised concerns about their safety in terms of allergenic reactions. The characterization of insect allergens, the sensitization and cross-reactivity mechanisms, and the effects of food processing represent crucial information for risk assessment. Recent Findings Allergic reactions to different insects and cross-reactivity with crustacean and inhalant allergens have been described, with the identification of new IgE-binding proteins besides well-known pan-allergens. Depending on the route of sensitization, different potential allergens seem to be involved. Food processing may affect the solubility and the immunoreactivity of insect allergens, with results depending on species and type of proteins. Chemical/enzymatic hydrolysis, in some cases, abolishes immunoreactivity. Summary More studies based on subjects with a confirmed insect allergy are necessary to identify major and minor allergens and the role of the route of sensitization. The effects of processing need to be further investigated to assess the risk associated with the ingestion of insect-containing food products

Kardiovaskuläre hämodynamische Veränderungen nach antenatalenKortikosteroiden bei Feten mit intrauteriner Wachstumsretar-dierung und bei zeitgerecht entwickelten Feten

PURPOSE:  To investigate hemodynamic effects after antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) administration in appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and early growth restricted (GR) fetuses by measurement of Doppler cardiovascular function parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  Prospective cohort study. AGA and GR singleton pregnancies receiving ACS for fetal lung maturation between 24 + 0 - 33 + 6 weeks were enrolled. Feto-placental vascular hemodynamics were studied by: umbilical artery (UA) pulsatility index (PI), middle cerebral artery (MCA) PI, renal artery (RenA) PI. Cardiac function was evaluated by ductus venosus (DV) PI and by echocardiographic parameters: E to A wave ratios (E/A) and mitral and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE and TAPSE) for diastolic function, left and right myocardial performance index (MPI) for overall (diastolic and systolic) function. A single operator performed all the measurements at 3 different time points (E): E0 before or within 4 hours of ACS administration (baseline examination), E1 24 - 48 hours after the first dose and E2 7 days after the second dose of ACS. The values were expressed as z-scores. Pairwise comparisons with paired t-test were performed to compare measurements before and after exposure to ACS. RESULTS:  25 AGA and 20 GR fetuses (mean gestational age: 31 + 1 and 30 + 6, respectively) were included in the analysis. In the AGA group ACS administration was associated with a significant reduction in UA PI. In the GR fetuses ACS temporarily (E0-E1) restored UA-end diastolic flow (EDF) in 6 of 9 fetuses with A/R-EDF ("Return of EDF phenomenon") and produced a significant increase (worsening) in right MPI (both in E1-E2 and in E0-E2). CONCLUSION:  ACS administration is associated with UA vasodilation in both AGA and GR fetuses and with an increase in right MPI in the latter group. This suggests a worsening in cardiac function in GR fetuses

Has Xylella fastidiosa "chosen" olive trees to establish in the Mediterranean basin?

<p>Severe decline of olive trees was observed in the Lecce province, Apulia (Italy), and received the name ‘complesso del disseccamento rapido dell’olivo’ (olive rapid decline complex). Affected plants showed leaf scorch symptoms and dieback of twigs, branches and even of the whole plant. Similar symptoms, unusual for the area, have also been observed in other Apulian localities (Cerignola, Foggia, Canosa di Puglia, and Andria). Three fungal species were associated with the symptoms: Phaeoacremonium aleophilum, Neofusicoccum parvum, and Pleurostomophora richardsiae. The latter is the first report of this fungal species infecting olives. In the Lecce province, the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa also was detected from affected olive trees. Xylella fastidiosa is a quarantine agent in Europe that had been previously reported in the Mediterranean region, but did not spread probably because of the lack of a vector. Present findings suggest that this fundamental condition has now been met.</p

Bryo-Activities: A Review on How Bryophytes Are Contributing to the Arsenal of Natural Bioactive Compounds against Fungi

Usually regarded as less evolved than their more recently diverged vascular sisters, which currently dominate vegetation landscape, bryophytes seem having nothing to envy to the defensive arsenal of other plants, since they had acquired a suite of chemical traits that allowed them to adapt and persist on land. In fact, these closest modern relatives of the ancestors to the earliest terrestrial plants proved to be marvelous chemists, as they traditionally were a popular remedy among tribal people all over the world, that exploit their pharmacological properties to cure the most different diseases. The phytochemistry of bryophytes exhibits a stunning assortment of biologically active compounds such as lipids, proteins, steroids, organic acids, alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic compounds, polyphenols, terpenoids, acetogenins and phenylquinones, thus it is not surprising that substances obtained from various species belonging to such ancestral plants are widely employed as antitumor, antipyretic, insecticidal and antimicrobial. This review explores in particular the antifungal potential of the three Bryophyta divisions\u2014mosses (Musci), hornworts (Anthocerotae) and liverworts (Hepaticae)\u2014to be used as a sources of interesting bioactive constituents for both pharmaceutical and agricultural areas, providing an updated overview of the latest relevant insights