The need for a coordinated action to elucidate ecological occurrence and functions of endophytic fungal communities

Abstract Research concerning endophytic fungi has recently received a remarkable boost following a general trend to investigate and exploit biodiversity in all its forms, and because of the easier access to equipment and methods, which enables quicker identification procedures. The available data highlight that, besides the plant hosts, endophytes consistently interact with the other components of biocoenosis, and that the assortment of the microbial consortium is also to be considered on account of the reciprocal influence between the several species which are part of it. Unravelling these complex ecological relationships is fundamental because of possible translational applications, particularly regarding crop management. However, this requires that the available information concerning plant species, ecological contexts or functional categories of endophytes is examined fully. In this aim, a coordinated effort appears to be necessary to organise the current knowledge to increase the significance and the practical impact of new findings

Metabotropic glutamate 2/3 receptors and epigenetic modifications in psychotic disorders: a review

Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder are chronic psychiatric disorders, both considered as "major psychosis"; they are thought to share some pathogenetic factors involving a dysfunctional gene x environment interaction. Alterations in the glutamatergic transmission have been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of psychosis. Our group developed an epigenetic model of schizophrenia originated by Prenatal Restraint Stress (PRS) paradigm in mice. PRS mice developed some behavioral alterations observed in schizophrenic patients and classic animal models of schizophrenia, i.e. deficits in social interaction, locomotor activity and prepulse inhibition. They also showed specific changes in promoter DNA methylation activity of genes related to schizophrenia such as reelin, BDNF and GAD67, and altered expression and function of mGlu2/3 receptors in the frontal cortex. Interestingly, behavioral and molecular alterations were reversed by treatment with mGlu2/3 agonists. Based on these findings, we speculate that pharmacological modulation of these receptors could have a great impact on early phase treatment of psychosis together with the possibility to modulate specific epigenetic key protein involved in the development of psychosis. In this review, we will discuss in more details the specific features of the PRS mice as a suitable epigenetic model for major psychosis. We will then focus on key proteins of chromatin remodeling machinery as potential target for new pharmacological treatment through the activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors

Local Triangle Choice for Impact Computation in the Tactile Exploration of a Virtual Surface

Evaluating the intersection of the trajectory of the exploring finger, with the virtual surface representing the scene, is a key problem in the VIDET project of an aid for the visually impaired. A substitute for Delaunay triangulation, which permits of local computation for that goal, is proposed

External ultrasound-assisted lipectomy: effects on abdominal adipose tissue

The use of ultrasound “on the surface” was hypothesized by Scuderi et al. in 19871 and resumed by Zocchi in 1996.2 Ultrasound-assisted liposuction is as a technique that can be associated with suctionassisted lipectomy.3 This new technique is called external ultrasound-assisted lipectomy. Whereas ultrasound- assisted liposuction emulsifies adipose tissue due to adipocyte membrane lysis, external ultrasound- assisted lipectomy, being less “invasive,” induces cell-to-cell contact loss and alters collagenic fibers. This leads to an easier detachment of adipose cells, which remain unaltered and can be mechanically removed. The external ultrasound-assisted lipectomy technique is the transcutaneous application of ultrasound by means of high-frequency ultrasound upon massive infiltrated tissue, followed by traditional liposuction. Results showed that several different effects were detected on both adipocytes and collagen fibers

Human Adipose Stem Cells: From Bench to Bed-Side

Stem cell-based therapies for repair and regeneration of different tissues are becoming more important in the treatment of several diseases. Adult stem cells currently symbolize the most available source of cell progenitors for tissue engineering and repair and can be harvested using minimally invasive procedures. Moreover, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), the most widely used stem cells in stem cell-based therapies, are multipotent progenitors, with capability to differentiate into cartilage, bone, connective, muscle, and adipose tissue. So far, bone marrow has been regarded as the main source of MSCs. To date, human adult adipose tissue may be the best suitable alternative source of MSCs. Adipose stem cells (ASCs) can be largely extracted from subcutaneous human adult adipose tissue. A large number of studies show that adipose tissue contains a biologically and clinically interesting heterogeneous cell population called stromal vascular fraction (SVF). The SVF may be employed directly or cultured for selection and expansion of an adherent population, so called adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). In recent years, literature based on data related to SVF cells and ASCs has augmented considerably: These studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of SVF cells and ASCs in vivo in animal models. On the basis of these observations, in several countries, various clinical trials involving SVF cells and ASCs have been permitted. This review aims at summarizing data regarding either ASCs cellular biology or ASCs-based clinical trials and at discussing the possible future clinical translation of ASCs and their potentiality in cell-based tissue engineering

Le prospettive delle fonti rinnovabili nel quadro della politica energetica dell’Unione Europea

The 2030 Agenda examines the issue of energy efficiency and renewable energy, setting ambitious goals for 2030. The present Italian law related to renewable energy is based on the European Directive 28/2009, which was  recast  in the 2001 Directive in December 2018. The new Directive establishes a binding EU target, laying down that 32% of EU enrgy consumption must be derived from renewable sources by the year 2030. Considering that the previous target for Italy was 17%, it emerges that the new objectives are particularly ambitious and will require the adoption of new national laws and local measures, aimed at the adoption of an energy policy consistent with the European strategy. This paper focuses on the issue of the  energy efficiency of buildings in the EU and Italy, highlighting the new trends and the relationship with renewable energy sources and self-consumption. The topic is of strategic importance in the context of the choices that will be made in the field of energy policy as over half of the final energy consumption of the EU is to be attributed to the heating and cooling systems of buildings. Some of the main analyses are here presented and show the historical trends of the EU Directive 28 and 2001, with our sights set on the deadlines of 2020and 2030. One of the aims of this work is to highlight the relevance of the expected growth of the renewable energy sources in the electric sector and the trend for the energy efficiency of  buildings. Le prospettive delle fonti rinnovabili nel quadro della politica energetica dell’Unione EuropeaL’Agenda 2030 esamina il tema dell’efficienza energetica e dell’energia rinnovabile ponendo degli obiettivi ambiziosi entro il 2030, coerenti con la politica energetica dell’Unione europea. L’attuale schema legislativo italiano inerente la promozione delle fonti rinnovabili di energia si riferisce alla Direttiva europea 28/2009, che nel dicembre del 2018, dopo circa 9 anni, è stata rifusa nella Direttiva 2001, apportando delle importanti novità inerenti gli obiettivi vincolanti da conseguire entro il 2020. Secondo la nuova rafforzata politica di promozione alle fonti rinnovabili di energia, gli Stati membri dovranno garantire che nel 2030 la percentuale di energia derivante da tali fonti sia pari almeno al 32% rispetto al consumo lordo finale di energia dell’Unione. Considerato che il precedente obiettivo dell’Italia per l’anno 2020 consisteva in una percentuale di generazione rispetto ai consumi del 17%, si prospetta l’esigenza di porre particolare attenzione riguardo i nuovi obiettivi della Direttiva 2001 anche mediante l’adozione di nuove misure nazionali e locali. Il presente lavoro focalizza l’attenzione verso le previsioni della futura politica energetica e evidenzia l’importanza del tema dell’efficienza energetica degli edifici. L’argomento è di importanza strategica nell’ambito delle scelte che dovranno essere intraprese nell’ambito della politica energetica in quanto oltre la metà del consumo di energia finale dell’Unione è da attribuire al settore del riscaldamento e del raffrescamento degli edifici. Uno degli obiettivi dell’analisi presentata in questo lavoro è quello di evidenziare l’esigenza di elaborare un approccio più sinergico rispetto al tema dell’efficienza energetica, privilegiando i sistemi di generazione elettrica che utilizzano la tecnologia fotovoltaica finalizzata all’autoconsumo degli edifici.L’Agenda 2030 esamina il tema dell’efficienza energetica e dell’energia rinnovabile ponendo degli obiettivi ambiziosi entro il 2030, coerenti con la politica energetica dell’Unione europea. L’attuale schema legislativo italiano inerente la promozione delle fonti rinnovabili di energia si riferisce alla Direttiva europea 28/2009, che nel dicembre del 2018, dopo circa 9 anni, è stata rifusa nella Direttiva 2001, apportando delle importanti novità inerenti gli obiettivi vincolanti da conseguire entro il 2020. Secondo la nuova rafforzata politica di promozione alle fonti rinnovabili di energia, gli Stati membri dovranno garantire che nel 2030 la percentuale di energia derivante da tali fonti sia pari almeno al 32% rispetto al consumo lordo finale di energia dell’Unione. Considerato che il precedente obiettivo dell’Italia per l’anno 2020 consisteva in una percentuale di generazione rispetto ai consumi del 17%, si prospetta l’esigenza di porre particolare attenzione riguardo i nuovi obiettivi della Direttiva 2001 anche mediante l’adozione di nuove misure nazionali e locali. Il presente lavoro focalizza l’attenzione verso le previsioni della futura politica energetica e evidenzia l’importanza del tema dell’efficienza energetica degli edifici. L’argomento è di importanza strategica nell’ambito delle scelte che dovranno essere intraprese nell’ambito della politica energetica in quanto oltre la metà del consumo di energia finale dell’Unione è da attribuire al settore del riscaldamento e del raffrescamento degli edifici. Uno degli obiettivi dell’analisi presentata in questo lavoro è quello di evidenziare l’esigenza di elaborare un approccio più sinergico rispetto al tema dell’efficienza energetica, privilegiando i sistemi di generazione elettrica che utilizzano la tecnologia fotovoltaica finalizzata all’autoconsumo degli edifici. The Perspectives of Renewable Energy Sources in the Framework of UE Energy PolicyThe 2030 Agenda examines the issue of energy efficiency and renewable energy, setting ambitious goals for 2030. The present Italian law related to renewable energy is based on the European Directive 28/2009, which was  recast  in  the 2001 Directive in December 2018. The new Directive establishes a binding EU target, laying down that 32% of EU enrgy consumption must be derived from renewable sources by the year 2030. Considering that the previous target for Italy was 17%, it emerges that the new objectives are particularly ambitious and will require the adoption of new national laws and local measures, aimed at the adoption of an energy policy consistent with the European strategy. This paper focuses on the issue of the  energy efficiency of buildings in the EU and Italy, highlighting the new trends and the relationship with renewable energy sources and self-consumption. The topic is of strategic importance in the context of the choices that will be made in the field of energy policy as over half of the final energy consumption of the EU is to be attributed to the heating and cooling systems of buildings. Some of the main analyses are here presented and show the historical trends of the EU Directive 28 and 2001, with our sights set on the deadlines of 2020and 2030. One of the aims of this work is to highlight the relevance of the expected growth of the renewable energy sources in the electric sector and the trend for the energy efficiency of  buildings