New Synthetic Endocannabinoid as Anti-Inflammaging Cosmetic Active: an In Vitro Study on a Reconstructed Skin Model

Endocannabinoids have been recently appointed as interesting cosmetic actives in regulating inflammaging, a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, known for being involved in many senescence\u2019s manifestations, included skin aging. The aim of this study was to assess the anti-inflammaging activity of a new synthetic endocannabinoid, Isopalmide\uae, on a reconstructed skin model, on which inflammaging has been reproduced through UVA radiation and light mechanical stress. We tested Isopalmide\uae both as a single active and conveyed in a cosmetic product, in comparison with Anandamide, a well-known natural endocannabinoid with anti-inflammatory action. The anti-inflammaging activity of topically applied products has been assessed, after 6 hours of treatment post-irradiation, through the transcriptional modification of genes involved in the NF-\u3baB pathway and the epigenetic pathway targeting miRs as potential biomarkers of inflammaging: miR-21, miR-126 and miR-146a. The results confirmed the anti-inflammatory action of Anandamide which inhibits NF-\u3baB, while Isopalmide\uae showed its anti-inflammaging activity through the establishment of an inflammatory/anti-inflammatory balance by maintaining NF-\u3baB inactive in the cytoplasm and active in the nucleus. The anti-inflammaging activity was shown also by the cosmetic product containing Isopalmide

Characterization of a disease-associated mutation affecting a putative splicing regulatory element in intron 6b of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common recessive disorder caused by >1600 mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. About 13% of CFTR mutations are classified as “splicing mutations,” but for almost 40% of these, their role in affecting the pre-mRNA splicing of the gene is not yet defined. In this work, we describe a new splicing mutation detected in three unrelated Italian CF patients. By DNA analyses and mRNA studies, we identified the c.1002–1110_1113delTAAG mutation localized in intron 6b of the CFTR gene. At the mRNA level, this mutation creates an aberrant inclusion of a sequence of 101 nucleotides between exons 6b and 7. This sequence corresponds to a portion of intron 6b and resembles a cryptic exon because it is characterized by an upstream ag and a downstream gt sequence, which are most probably recognized as 5′- and 3′-splice sites by the spliceosome. Through functional analysis of this splicing defect, we show that this mutation abolishes the interaction of the splicing regulatory protein heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 with an intronic splicing regulatory element and creates a new recognition motif for the SRp75 splicing factor, causing activation of the cryptic exon. Our results show that the c.1002–1110_1113delTAAG mutation creates a new intronic splicing regulatory element in intron 6b of the CFTR gene exclusively recognized by SRp75

Small-scale distribution of metazoan meiofauna and sedimentary organic matter in subtidal sandy sediments (Mediterranean Sea)

While variations in sedimentary organic matter (OM) quantity, biochemical composition and nutritional quality as well as in meiofaunal abundance and assemblage composition at the macro- and mesoscale are relatively well known, information about variations at the microscale is much scarcer. To shed some light on this issue, we tested the null hypothesis by which abundance and composition of the meiofaunal assemblages, and the quantity, biochemical composition and nutritional quality of sedimentary organic matter in coastal shallow environments do not vary within a frame of 1 m2. No significant variation within the frame emerged for OM quantity, nutritional quality, biochemical composition and the abundance of meiofaunal assemblages. On the other hand, the composition of meiofaunal assemblages varied significantly within the frame and exhibited a clear segregation of assemblages farther to the shore, as a likely result of local micro-hydrodynamic conditions. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that lipid and protein sedimentary contents had a random distribution, whereas carbohydrate and biopolymeric C contents and meiofaunal total abundance were characterized by a patchy distribution, with discrete peaks within the sub-frame squares (ca. 0.1 m2). Phytopigments showed a spatial positive autocorrelation distribution, following the micro-hydrodynamic pattern, with patches larger than the sub-frame square, but smaller than the entire one (1 m2). Overall, our results suggest that, within 1 m2 of subtidal sandy sediments, three replicates could be sufficient to assess correctly OM attributes and the abundance of meiofauna, but could be possibly inadequate for assessing meiofaunal assemblages’ composition at a finer scale (<1 m2)

Cytoskeleton changes and impaired motility of monocytes at modelled low gravity

Summary.: Investigations performed in space have shown that gravity changes affect important cellular mechanisms like proliferation, differentiation, genetic expression, cytoskeletal architecture, and motility in lymphocytes, monocytes, and other mammalian cells. In particular, a dramatic depression of the mitogenic in vitro activation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes was observed at low gravity. The hypothesis of the present work is that a reduced interaction between T lymphocytes and monocytes, essential for the second signalling pathway, might be one of the reasons for the observed depression of the in vitro activation of human lymphocytes. Cell motility and with it a continuous rearrangement of the cytoskeletal network within the cell is essential for cell-to-cell contacts. Whereas nonactivated lymphocytes in suspension are highly motile at low gravity, no data are available so far on the motility of adherent monocytes. It thus can be argued that impaired monocyte locomotion and cytoskeletal changes could be responsible for a reduced interaction of monocytes with T lymphocytes. In this study, the locomotion ability of J-111 cells, an adherent monocyte cell line, attached to colloidal gold particles on coverslips and exposed to modelled low gravity in the random positioning machine was found to be severely reduced compared with that of controls and the structures of actin, tubulin, and vinculin were affecte

Structure and Thermodynamic Stability of the OsC and OsC2 Molecules by Theoretical Calculations and by Knudsen Cell Mass Spectrometry

Knudsen cell mass spectrometric equilibrium measurements together with theoretical computations have been employed to gain structural and thermodynamic information of the OsC and OsC[sub 2] molecules. Several levels of theory have been applied to determine the structures, molecular parameters, and physico-chemical properties of OsC(g) and OsC[sub 2](g), and their singly charged ions. Complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations were performed on the apparent [sup 3]Σ[sup -] ground state and first [sup 3]Δ excited state of OsC. From the analyzed gaseous equilibria and the thermal functions calculated from the computed molecular parameters, the following atomization enthalpies, Δ[sub a]H[sub 0][sup o](OsC,g) and Δ[sub a]H[sub 0][sup o](OsC[sub 2],g), and enthalpies of formation, Δ[sub f]H[sub 298.15][sup o](OsC,g) and Δ[sub f]H[sub 298.15][sup o](OsC[sub 2],g), in kJ mol-1, have been obtained: OsC, 605.6±14.0 and 895.4±14.0; OsC[sub 2], 1154.6±18.0 and 1059.5±18.0. The results have been compared with those for the other platinum metal carbides and oxides

Schrödinger’s worker: Are they positive or negative for SARS-CoV-2?

In these days of 2020, tests for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, and their use in the context of health surveillance of workers, are becoming popular. Nevertheless, their sensitivity and specificity could vary on the basis of the type of test used and on the moment of infection of the subject tested. The aim of this viewpoint paper is to make employers, workers, occupational physicians, and public health specialists think about the limits of diagnostic tests currently available, and the possible implication related to the erroneous and incautious assignment of “immunity passports” or “risk-free certificates” to workers during screening campaigns in workplaces

Knudsen Cell Mass Spectrometric Investigation of the B2N Molecule

High-temperature Knudsen cell mass spectrometry has been used to study the equilibria involving the B2Nmolecule over the Si–BN system. Thermal functions needed in the evaluation of the mass spectrometric equilibrium data have been calculated from available experimental and theoretical molecular parameters. The enthalpy changes for the reactions2B(g)+Si2N(g)=B2N(g)+2Si(g),and BN(s)+B(g)=B2N(g)have been measured. The following atomization enthalpy,ΔaHo0,and enthalpy of formation,ΔfHo298.15,in kJ mol−1, of1045.5±18 and551.3±18 for theB2N molecule have been determined from these reactionenthalpies. Atomization energies of similar molecules have been compared and discussed

Italian Magnetic Network and magnetic reference fields at 2010.0

The Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) has systematically undertaken the task of making measurements of the Earth's magnetic field in Italy. By tradition and because of the elongated geometric shape of our peninsula and islands, in Italy, a grid of more than 110 points, called the first order repeat stations, with an average spacing around 55-60 km, is in operation. Over this grid the measurements are repeated regularly, every 5 years. A survey of 131 repeat stations of the Italian Magnetic Network (including 2 observatories, 11 stations in Albania, 3 stations in Corsica and 1 in Malta) was carried out between 2009 and 2010 with the main purpose of updating our magnetic cartography. We describe the characteristics of magnetic first and second order networks, the magnetic measurements and the data reduction procedure. In agreement with the recommendations of MagNetE Committee, we report new repeat station data measured and reduced at 2010.0. An analytical expression, a second order polynomial, in latitude and longitude for the field elements, was determined, and coefficients for 2010.0 and average secular variation over the period 2005-2010, were obtained. The new maps for Italy, for D, F, H and Z at the epoch 2010.0, are shown. A selection of stations from the Italian Magnetic Network, based on their low values of anomaly with respect to a 'normal' field, is also proposed for future surveys

Runtime adaptive iomt node on multi-core processor platform

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) paradigm is becoming mainstream in multiple clinical trials and healthcare procedures. Thanks to innovative technologies, latest-generation communication networks, and state-of-the-art portable devices, IoTM opens up new scenarios for data collection and continuous patient monitoring. Two very important aspects should be considered to make the most of this paradigm. For the first aspect, moving the processing task from the cloud to the edge leads to several advantages, such as responsiveness, portability, scalability, and reliability of the sensor node. For the second aspect, in order to increase the accuracy of the system, state-of-the-art cognitive algorithms based on artificial intelligence and deep learning must be integrated. Sensory nodes often need to be battery powered and need to remain active for a long time without a different power source. Therefore, one of the challenges to be addressed during the design and development of IoMT devices concerns energy optimization. Our work proposes an implementation of cognitive data analysis based on deep learning techniques on resource-constrained computing platform. To handle power efficiency, we introduced a component called Adaptive runtime Manager (ADAM). This component takes care of reconfiguring the hardware and software of the device dynamically during the execution, in order to better adapt it to the workload and the required operating mode. To test the high computational load on a multi-core system, the Orlando prototype board by STMicroelectronics, cognitive analysis of Electrocardiogram (ECG) traces have been adopted, considering single-channel and six-channel simultaneous cases. Experimental results show that by managing the sensory node configuration at runtime, energy savings of at least 15% can be achieved