Crystallization Kinetics of Alkali Feldspar in Peralkaline Rhyolitic Melts: Implications for Pantelleria Volcano

Peralkaline rhyolites, associated with extensional tectonic settings, are medium to low viscosity magmas that often produce eruptive styles ranging from effusive to highly explosive eruptions. The role of pre-eruptive conditions and crystallization kinetics in influencing the eruptive style of peralkaline rhyolitic magmas has been investigated and debated considering equilibrium conditions. However, experimental constraints on the effect of disequilibrium in crystallization in such magmas are currently lacking in the literature. Therefore, we performed isobaric cooling experiments to investigate alkali feldspar crystallization kinetics in peralkaline rhyolitic melts. Experiments were performed under water-saturated, water-undersaturated, and anhydrous conditions between 25 and 100 MPa, at 670–790°C and with experimental durations ranging from 0.5 to 420 h. Here we present the first data on crystallization kinetics of alkali feldspar, which is the main crystal phase in peralkaline rhyolitic melts, in order to improve our understanding of the evolutionary timescales of these melts and their ability to shift between effusive and explosive activity. Our experimental results indicate that the alkali feldspar nucleation delay can range from hours to several days as a function of undercooling and H2O content in the melt. Thus, a peralkaline rhyolitic magma can be stored at the pre-eruptive conditions for days without important variations of its crystal fraction. This suggests that crystallization may not necessarily play the main role in triggering fragmentation during explosive eruptions of peralkaline rhyolitic magmas

Creatine kinase and progression rate in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with no recognized clinical prognostic factor. Creatinine kinase (CK) increase in these patients is already described with conflicting results on prognosis and survival. In 126 ALS patients who were fast or slow disease progressors, CK levels were assayed for 16 months every 4 months in an observational case-control cohort study with prospective data collection conducted in Italy. CK was also measured at baseline in 88 CIDP patients with secondary axonal damage and in two mouse strains (129SvHSD and C57-BL) carrying the same SOD1G93A transgene expression but showing a fast (129Sv-SOD1G93A) and slow (C57-SOD1G93A) ALS progression rate. Higher CK was found in ALS slow progressors compared to fast progressors in T1, T2, T3, and T4, with a correlation with Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) scores. Higher CK was found in spinal compared to bulbar-onset patients. Transgenic and non-transgenic C57BL mice showed higher CK levels compared to 129SvHSD strain. At baseline mean CK was higher in ALS compared to CIDP. CK can predict the disease progression, with slow progressors associated with higher levels and fast progressors to lower levels, in both ALS patients and mice. CK is higher in ALS patients compared to patients with CIDP with secondary axonal damage; the higher levels of CK in slow progressors patients, but also in C57BL transgenic and non-transgenic mice designs CK as a predisposing factor for disease rate progression

The Effects of Red-Grape Seed and Pomace-Flour Dietary Supplementation on Broiler Chickens

Wine by-products, generated in large quantities and wasted with serious environmental and economic consequences, are an exceptional alternative to conventional and non-sustainable food sources. The aim of the study was to understand if these by-products could be reused in feed for broiler chickens, improving certain blood parameters important in immune responses, by testing different concentrations and administration times. The effects of the grape-seed and pomace flour of red-wine waste were evaluated. Three different diets were tested containing pomace (0%, 3%, and 6%), grape seeds (0%, 3%, and 6%), and a mix of pomace and grape seeds (0 and 3%) for 7, 21, and 42 days. Esterase, alkaline phosphatase, and peroxidase activity, along with glucose, reactive oxygen species, and glutathione levels, were evaluated in blood samples. The results showed significant changes in the parameters analyzed, especially after 21 and 42 days of administration. All diets administered showed significant effects based on exposure time and by-product concentration used. The greatest effects seem to have come from grape-seed flour. All the by-products of wine production analyzed in this study showed important antioxidant activities and can be included in the food context of farm animals in different growth phases at different concentrations

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Histamine Regulates the Inflammatory Profile of SOD1-G93A Microglia and the Histaminergic System Is Dysregulated in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a late-onset motor neuron disease where activated glia release pro-inflammatory cytokines that trigger a vicious cycle of neurodegeneration in the absence of resolution of inflammation. Given the well-established role of histamine as a neuron-to-glia alarm signal implicated in brain disorders, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression and regulation of the histaminergic pathway in microglial activation in ALS mouse model and in humans. By examining the contribution of the histaminergic system to ALS, we found that particularly via H1 and H4 receptors, histamine promoted an anti-inflammatory profile in microglia from SOD1-G93A mice by modulating their activation state. A decrease in NF-κB and NADPH oxidase 2 with an increase in arginase 1 and P2Y12 receptor was induced by histamine only in the ALS inflammatory environment, but not in the healthy microglia, together with an increase in IL-6, IL-10, CD163, and CD206 phenotypic markers in SOD1-G93A cells. Moreover, histaminergic H1, H2, H3, and H4 receptors, and histamine metabolizing enzymes histidine decarboxylase, histamine N-methyltransferase, and diamine oxidase were found deregulated in spinal cord, cortex, and hypothalamus of SOD1-G93A mice during disease progression. Finally, by performing a meta-analysis study, we found a modulated expression of histamine-related genes in cortex and spinal cord from sporadic ALS patients. Our findings disclose that histamine acts as anti-inflammatory agent in ALS microglia and suggest a dysregulation of the histaminergic signaling in ALS

Intramuscular IL-10 Administration Enhances the Activity of Myogenic Precursor Cells and Improves Motor Function in ALS Mouse Model

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is the most common adult motor neuron disease, with a poor prognosis, a highly unmet therapeutic need, and a burden on health care costs. Hitherto, strategies aimed at protecting motor neurons have missed or modestly delayed ALS due to a failure in countering the irreversible muscular atrophy. We recently provided direct evidence underlying the pivotal role of macrophages in preserving skeletal muscle mass. Based on these results, we explored whether the modulation of macrophage muscle response and the enhancement of satellite cell differentiation could effectively promote the generation of new myofibers and counteract muscle dysfunction in ALS mice. For this purpose, disease progression and the survival of SOD1G93A mice were evaluated following IL-10 injections in the hindlimb skeletal muscles. Thereafter, we used ex vivo methodologies and in vitro approaches on primary cells to assess the effect of the treatment on the main pathological signatures. We found that IL-10 improved the motor performance of ALS mice by enhancing satellite cells and the muscle pro-regenerative activity of macrophages. This resulted in delayed muscle atrophy and motor neuron loss. Our findings provide the basis for a suitable adjunct multisystem therapeutic approach that pinpoints a primary role of muscle pathology in ALS

Neuroprotective effects of niclosamide on disease progression via inflammatory pathways modulation in SOD1-G93A and FUS-associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis models

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a complex neurodegenerative disease influenced by genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, resulting in dysfunction in cellular and molecular pathways. The limited efficacy of current treatments highlights the need for combination therapies targeting multiple aspects of the disease. Niclosamide, an anthelminthic drug listed as an essential medicine, has been repurposed in clinical trials for different diseases due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties. Niclosamide can inhibit various molecular pathways (e.g., STAT3, mTOR) that are dysregulated in ALS, suggesting its potential to disrupt these altered mechanisms associated with the pathology. We administered niclosamide intraperitoneally to two transgenic murine models, SOD1-G93A and FUS mice, mimicking key pathological processes of ALS. The treatment was initiated at the onset of symptoms, and we assessed disease progression by neurological scores, rotarod and wire tests, and monitored survival. Furthermore, we investigated cellular and molecular mechanisms affected by niclosamide in the spinal cord and muscle of ALS mice. In both models, the administration of niclosamide resulted in a slowdown of disease progression, an increase in survival rates, and an improvement in tissue pathology. This was characterised by reduced gliosis, motor neuron loss, muscle atrophy, and inflammatory pathways. Based on these results, our findings demonstrate that niclosamide can impact multiple pathways involved in ALS. This multi-targeted approach leads to a slowdown in the progression of the disease, positioning niclosamide as a promising candidate for repurposing in the treatment of ALS

FISH WASTE, NOT A PROBLEM BUT A POSSIBLE SOLUTION: CHITOSAN EXTRACTS AND NEW PACKAGING POSSIBILITIES.

The fishing industry is one of the oldest industries in Europe and also one of the most important economic resources in the Mediterranean area. However, to date, in addition to creating considerable economic wealth, the various sectors (markets, restaurants, shops, etc.) also create significant levels of fish waste. If not processed or recycled adequately, these waste streams can lead to environmental degradation and severe pollution (Gao et al., 2018). Although today fish waste is considered a potential resource to generate high-added value, current practices in the fishing industry do not fully exploit its biological potential. Amongst the various possibilities for reuse, the production of biodegradable polymers emerges as a point of considerable interest for the food industry in the development of packaging materials and in order to improve the quality and appearance of food products (Elsabee and Abdou, 2013). In this context, chitosan, a polysaccharide of natural origin, has been experimentally used to produce edible packaging films due to its antimicrobial activity and physical-mechanical properties (Peng and Li, 2014). It is obtained from chitin, one of the most abundant natural polysaccharides and a typical component of the exoskeleton of crustaceans, molluscs and insects, and fungal cell walls (Sivaramakrishna et al., 2020). Although good progress has been made in the production of chitosan biofilms, the type of packaging that can be obtained still needs to be perfected. This study, supported by the EU Interreg Italia-Malta V-A project Bythos – Biotechnologies for Human Health and Blue Growth (C1-1.1-9), shows the preliminary results from the production of chitosan biofilms and the potential for improvement. For the first time, chitosan biofilms were produced from the head part of the exoskeleton of Aristaeomorpha foliacea, a species of considerable economic interest in the Sicilian fishing sector. Methods of extraction and purification of chitosan were developed, and the biological activities of the biofilms were evaluated. The biofilms demonstrated an antibacterial potential against Gram-positive and Gram-negative indicator strains, thus constituting a possible resource against microbial and chemical contamination in the food industries. Although further research is needed to identify new packaging methods and natural compounds that could improve the physical properties and antibacterial/antioxidant activities of the films, the possibility to reuse waste from this leading species in the Sicilian economy plays a significant role from the perspective of sustainable development and green economy