Dairy by-products valorization with biomethane and biohydrogen production through lactose fermentation in AnMBR

Dairy liquid by-products after cheese production (e.g. whey for hard cheese, “scotta” for ricotta, brine for mozzarrella, lactose syrup after milk standardization by ultrafiltration) represent a potential revenue for food factories where large scale industrial production is implemented, as additional ingredients may be recovered, transformed and sold as separate products. Still, these by-products may also represent a problem for small/medium size factories or in areas that are far from ingredients transformation platforms: complete processing of smaller volumes or shipping liquids over long distances is not convenient. By-products are often disposed as waste, generating unproductive cost for the factory and worsening environmental footprint. In this paper a simple closed loop solution is evaluated for full valorization of those by-products, based on the technologies of: protein separation/concentration and anaerobic treatment of the lactose containing permeate

Mechanical Characterization and Chemical Identification of Clear Binders for Road Surface Courses

The development of non‐black asphalt mixtures for surface courses may play a significant role to improve functional, aesthetic and environmental issues of road pavements. Nowadays, the development of clear binders as substitutes for traditional bitumen in asphalt mixtures, which combine durability and mechanical properties, exalting the color of pavements for a better integration of road networks in urban and environmentally sensitive areas, is undoubtedly a timing challenge. However, the selection and classification of clear binders are often based only on color and standard requirements referred to traditional bitumen that do not describe consistently the binder behavior. A better understanding on clear binder properties is required to guide the aggregate selection and the mix design for surface layer, merging safety, aesthetical and environmental benefits into long lasting pavement. This paper presents a comprehensive experimental program, including empirical tests, infrared spectrum analysis, and rheological testing over a wide range of temperature and frequency, to determine the overall mechanical behavior of three clear binders. Results highlighted that the selected clear binders differ from traditional bitumen in terms of mechanical behavior. Different composition or origin can induce to completely different performance. Moreover, the combination of several testing procedures allowed suggesting specific application methods and uses for the three clear binders

Identification and Characterization of a κB/Rel Binding Site in the Regulatory Region of the Amyloid Precursor Protein Gene

Several observations support the hypothesis that pathogenetic mechanisms of beta amyloid formation in Alzheimer's disease may involve alterations in amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene expression. In this regard, molecular dissection of the APP gene transcriptional regulation is of primary importance. We report evidence that members of the family of transcription factors NF kappa B/Rel can specifically recognize two identical sequences located in the 5'-regulatory region of APP. These sequences, which we refer to as APP kappa B sites, interact preferentially with p50-containing members of the family. In particular, p50 homodimers and p50/p65 and p50/c-Rel heterodimers act as transcriptional activators at the APP kappa B site. Finally, the nuclear complex specifically binding to the APP kappa B sites proves to be an integral part of neurons and lymphocytes

Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: from Preclinical Models to Genotype-phenotype Correlation and Pathophysiology

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a hereditary myocardial disease characterized by the replacement of the ventricular myocardium with fibrous fatty deposits. ACM is usually inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern with variable penetrance and expressivity, which is mainly related to ventricular tachyarrhythmia and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Importantly, significant progress has been made in determining the genetic background of ACM due to the development of new techniques for genetic analysis. The exact molecular pathomechanism of ACM, however, is not completely clear and the genotype-phenotype correlations have not been fully elucidated, which are useful to predict the prognosis and treatment of ACM patients. Different gene-targeted and transgenic animal models, human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte (hiPSC-CM) models, and heterologous expression systems have been developed. Here, this review aims to summarize preclinical ACM models and platforms promoting our understanding of the pathogenesis of ACM and assess their value in elucidating the ACM genotype-phenotype relationship

Algorithms and Bounds for Drawing Non-planar Graphs with Crossing-free Subgraphs

We initiate the study of the following problem: Given a non-planar graph G and a planar subgraph S of G, does there exist a straight-line drawing {\Gamma} of G in the plane such that the edges of S are not crossed in {\Gamma} by any edge of G? We give positive and negative results for different kinds of connected spanning subgraphs S of G. Moreover, in order to enlarge the subset of instances that admit a solution, we consider the possibility of bending the edges of G not in S; in this setting we discuss different trade-offs between the number of bends and the required drawing area.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures, extended version of 'Drawing Non-planar Graphs with Crossing-free Subgraphs' (21st International Symposium on Graph Drawing, 2013

Nuclear Factor \u3baB-Dependent Neurite Remodeling Is Mediated by Notch Pathway

In this study, we evaluated whether a cross talk between nuclear factor \u3baB (NF-\u3baB) and Notch may take place and contribute to regulate cell morphology and/or neuronal network in primary cortical neurons. We found that lack of p50, either induced acutely by inhibiting p50 nuclear translocation or genetically in p50(-/-) mice, results in cortical neurons characterized by reduced neurite branching, loss of varicosities, and Notch1 signaling hyperactivation. The neuronal morphological effects found in p50(-/-) cortical cells were reversed after treatment with the \u3b3-secretase inhibitor DAPT (N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-1-alanyl 1]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester) or Notch RNA interference. Together, these data suggested that morphological abnormalities in p50(-/-) cortical neurons were dependent on Notch pathway hyperactivation, with Notch ligand Jagged1 being a major player in mediating such effect. In this line, we demonstrated that the p50 subunit acts as transcriptional repressor of Jagged1. We also found altered distribution of Notch1 and Jagged1 immunoreactivity in the cortex of p50(-/-) mice compared with wild-type littermates at postnatal day 1. These data suggest the relevance of future studies on the role of Notch/NF-\u3baB cross talk in regulating cortex structural plasticity in physiological and pathological conditions

Transcriptional profiling of human bronchial epithelial cell BEAS-2B exposed to diesel and biomass ultrafine particles

Background: Emissions from diesel vehicles and biomass burning are the principal sources of primary ultrafine particles (UFP). The exposure to UFP has been associated to cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, including lung cancer. Although many aspects of the toxicology of ambient particulate matter (PM) have been unraveled, the molecular mechanisms activated in human cells by the exposure to UFP are still poorly understood. Here, we present an RNA-seq time-course experiment (five time point after single dose exposure) used to investigate the differential and temporal changes induced in the gene expression of human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) by the exposure to UFP generated from diesel and biomass combustion. A combination of different bioinformatics tools (EdgeR, next-maSigPro and reactome FI app-Cytoscape and prioritization strategies) facilitated the analyses the temporal transcriptional pattern, functional gene set enrichment and gene networks related to cellular response to UFP particles.Results: The bioinformatics analysis of transcriptional data reveals that the two different UFP induce, since the earliest time points, different transcriptional dynamics resulting in the activation of specific genes. The functional enrichment of differentially expressed genes indicates that the exposure to diesel UFP induces the activation of genes involved in TNFa signaling via NF-kB and inflammatory response, and hypoxia. Conversely, the exposure to ultrafine particles from biomass determines less distinct modifications of the gene expression profiles. Diesel UFP exposure induces the secretion of biomarkers associated to inflammation (CCXL2, EPGN, GREM1, IL1A, IL1B, IL6, IL24, EREG, VEGF) and transcription factors (as NFE2L2, MAFF, HES1, FOSL1, TGIF1) relevant for cardiovascular and lung disease. By means of network reconstruction, four genes (STAT3, HIF1a, NFKB1, KRAS) have emerged as major regulators of transcriptional response of bronchial epithelial cells exposed to diesel exhaust.Conclusions: Overall, this work highlights modifications of the transcriptional landscape in human bronchial cells exposed to UFP and sheds new lights on possible mechanisms by means of which UFP acts as a carcinogen and harmful factor for human health

Cortical Structure Alterations and Social Behavior Impairment in p50-Deficient Mice

Alterations in genes that regulate neurodevelopment can lead to cortical malformations, resulting in malfunction during postnatal life. The NF-κB pathway has a key role during neurodevelopment by regulating the maintenance of the neural progenitor cell pool and inhibiting neuronal differentiation. In this study, we evaluated whether mice lacking the NF-κB p50 subunit (KO) present alterations in cortical structure and associated behavioral impairment. We found that, compared with wild type (WT), KO mice at postnatal day 2 present an increase in radial glial cells, an increase in Reelin protein expression levels, in addition to an increase of specific layer thickness. Moreover, adult KO mice display abnormal columnar organization in the somatosensory cortex, a specific decrease in somatostatin- and parvalbumin-expressing interneurons, altered neurite orientation, and a decrease in Synapsin I protein levels. Concerning behavior, KO mice, in addition to an increase in locomotor and exploratory activity, display impairment in social behaviors, with a reduction in social interaction. Finally, we found that risperidone treatment decreased hyperactivity of KO mice, but had no effect on defective social interaction. Altogether, these data add complexity to a growing body of data, suggesting a link between dysregulation of the NF-κB pathway and neurodevelopmental disorders pathogenesis