Cellulose Acetate and Cardanol Based Seed Coating for Intraspecific Weeding Coupled with Natural Herbicide Spraying

AbstractAgricultural pesticides can become persistent environmental pollutants and their use is destined to be reduced. Consequently, weed control is shifting to green products and strategies. A combined approach, made of pelargonic acid based herbicide spraying and interspecific competition (i.e. seeding of plants species competing for growth against weeds) could boost the weeding effect. In case of the contemporary seeding and spraying, needed to reduce costs, seed coating is necessary as barrier to herbicide toxic effects but, at the same time, the coating has to be endowed with the right features to allow germination. This work aims to verify the feasibility of using cellulose acetate/cardanol (CA/Card) as seed coating polymer–plasticizer blend and to identify possible relationship between material features and germination rate. For these purposes, untreated and pelargonic acid herbicide treated coated seeds coated through solvent evaporation methods (CA/Card ratios from 0/0 to 100/0) were subjected to germination test. Coatings were characterized through SEM, EDX, media uptake, DSC and mechanical analysis with and without conditioning in seeding conditions. Germination test showed that 70/30 seeds, treated and untreated with herbicide, presented the best germination rate. Germination assays showed that coating presence reduced and slowed (without stopping) seeds germination equally with and without herbicide treatment. Consequently, was possible to conclude that CA/Card coatings allowed germination and presented a barrier effect against herbicide. Thus coating resulted suitable for seed coating in herbicide spraying/interspecific combined applications. No strong correlations were found between material features and germination, but it is plausible to hypothesize that both water absorption and mechanical properties of the coating play an important role and have to be optimized to improve germination rate avoiding difficulty in sprouting. Finally, the study opened a new perspective in the use of cellulose acetate for seed coating from waste sources such as cigarette filters.Graphic Abstrac

Hydroxyapatite–Silicon Scaffold Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation of CGF Primary Cells s

Simple Summary: The aim of this study was to identify new and innovative strategies to improve the tissue-regeneration process. Concentrated growth factor (CGF) is an autologous biomaterial rich in growth factors and multipotent stem cells. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation of CGF primary cells in the presence of a hydroxyapatite–silicon scaffold, which represents a very interesting material in the field of bone reconstructive surgery. Our findings showed that the hydroxyapatite–silicon scaffold provided support to primary CGF cells by enhancing osteogenic differentiation. These data suggest interesting perspectives in the use of CGF together with scaffolds in the field of regenerative medicine. Abstract: The application of scaffolding materials together with stem cell technologies plays a key role in tissue regeneration. Therefore, in this study, CGF (concentrated growth factor), which represents an autologous and biocompatible blood-derived product rich in growth factors and multipotent stem cells, was used together with a hydroxyapatite and silicon (HA-Si) scaffold, which represents a very interesting material in the field of bone reconstructive surgery. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential osteogenic differentiation of CGF primary cells induced by HASi scaffolds. The cellular viability of CGF primary cells cultured on HA-Si scaffolds and their structural characterization were performed by MTT assay and SEM analysis, respectively. Moreover, the matrix mineralization of CGF primary cells on the HA-Si scaffold was evaluated through Alizarin red staining. The expression of osteogenic differentiation markers was investigated through mRNA quantification by real-time PCR. We found that the HA-Si scaffold was not cytotoxic for CGF primary cells, allowing their growth and proliferation. Furthermore, the HASi scaffold was able to induce increased levels of osteogenic markers, decreased levels of stemness markers in these cells, and the formation of a mineralized matrix. In conclusion, our results suggest that HA-Si scaffolds can be used as a biomaterial support for CGF application in the field of tissue regeneration

Apprendenti di seconda generazione e lingua italiana. I dati, l’impatto e le proposte del progetto di ricerca-azione “Inclusione, identità, sviluppo del linguaggio nei bambini plurilingui di seconda generazione”

La presenza degli apprendenti non nativi o di quelli di seconda e di terza generazione all’interno delle scuole italiane è significativa, soprattutto in considerazione di territori attrattivi rispetto ai percorsi migratori, come avviene per i grandi centri urbani. Capita sempre meno di rado, dunque, che i contesti di insegnamento siano caratterizzati da un’utenza diversificata sul piano linguistico, sociale e culturale. All’interno della letteratura scientifica, si è soliti distinguere il plurilinguismo dal multilinguismo; mentre il primo riguarda la dimensione dell’individuo, che ha la facoltà di utilizzare diversi sistemi linguistici, il secondo termine si riferisce alla coesistenza di comunità alloglotte all’interno dello stesso territorio, tuttavia «la distinzione tra plurilinguismo e multilinguismo è raramente utilizzata in ambito italiano dove prevale plurilinguismo nelle diverse accezioni» (Marcato 2012: 13). Nel presente contributo ci si sofferma sulla prima fase della ricerca che vede coinvolti i genitori e, in particolare, i genitori ‘non nativi’. Per raccogliere rappresentazioni e vissuti dei genitori, sono state elaborate due diverse matrici. La prima, pensata per genitori nativi, composta di 11 item a scelta multipla, è stata progettata per esplorare comportamenti e percezioni in relazione a: carattere multiculturale della società italiana, esistenza (o meno) di rapporti con i genitori immigrati; relazioni/ interazioni dei loro figli con altri alunni, nativi e immigrati; ruolo della scuola nel promuovere una società inclusiva

INTRECCIANDO LINGUAGGI, TESSENDO CAMMINI - IL PLURILINGUISMO PER LA SCUOLA INCLUSI

Riconoscimento, appartenenza, inclusione: sono queste le sfide che le società complesse, caratterizzate da frammentazione e creatività culturale, pongono ai nostri bambini e adolescenti. All'interno di questo quadro va rivolta un'attenzione particolare agli studenti con background migratorio, unica presenza in crescita nel sistema scolastico italiano. Per accogliere queste bambine e questi bambini è cruciale che il sistema educativo si attrezzi su diversi piani: dalla socializzazione secondaria alle pratiche educative e didattiche, fino al rapporto con il territorio. Il testo introduce i bisogni educativi di studenti della scuola primaria, per poi inoltrarsi nei territori dello sviluppo e dell'insegnamento delle lingue. Grazie anche al successivo percorso di ricerca e formazione, condotto insieme a docenti della scuola dell'infanzia e primaria, sono state individuate alcune problematiche connesse con l'insegnamento in classi eterogenee e plurilingui. Ai docenti, ai dirigenti e ai professionisti dell'educazione che intendono affrontare le sfide educative contemporanee andando oltre il deficit thinking, sono qui proposti alcuni approcci educativi e didattici (soprattutto glottodidattici) trasferibili in base alla disciplina, al profilo di apprendimento, all'ordine di istruzione, per muoversi insieme verso una scuola decoloniale e inclusiva

An integrative framework identifies alternative splicing events in colorectal cancer development.

Alternative splicing (AS) is a common mechanism which creates diverse RNA isoforms from a single gene, potentially increasing protein variety. Growing evidence suggests that this mechanism is closely related to cancer progression. In this study, whole transcriptome analysis was performed with GeneChip Human exon 1.0 ST Array from 80 samples comprising 23 normal colon mucosa, 30 primary colorectal cancer and 27 liver metastatic specimens from 46 patients, to identify AS events in colorectal cancer progression. Differentially expressed genes and exons were estimated and AS events were reconstructed by combining exon-level analyses with AltAnalyze algorithms and transcript-level estimations (MMBGX probabilistic method). The number of AS genes in the transition from normal colon mucosa to primary tumor was the most abundant, but fell considerably in the next transition to liver metastasis. 206 genes with probable AS events in colon cancer development and progression were identified, that are involved in processes and pathways relevant to tumor biology, as cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Several AS events in VCL, CALD1, B3GNT6 and CTHRC1 genes, differentially expressed during tumor development were validated, at RNA and at protein level. Taken together, these results demonstrate that cancer-specific AS is common in early phases of colorectal cancer natural history. (C) 2013 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Cell-Tissue Interaction: The Biomimetic Approach to Design Tissue Engineered Biomaterials

The advancement achieved in Tissue Engineering is based on a careful and in-depth study of cell-tissue interactions. The choice of a specific biomaterial in Tissue Engineering is fundamental, as it represents an interface for adherent cells in the creation of a microenvironment suitable for cell growth and differentiation. The knowledge of the biochemical and biophysical properties of the extracellular matrix is a useful tool for the optimization of polymeric scaffolds. This review aims to analyse the chemical, physical, and biological parameters on which are possible to act in Tissue Engineering for the optimization of polymeric scaffolds and the most recent progress presented in this field, including the novelty in the modification of the scaffolds' bulk and surface from a chemical and physical point of view to improve cell-biomaterial interaction. Moreover, we underline how understanding the impact of scaffolds on cell fate is of paramount importance for the successful advancement of Tissue Engineering. Finally, we conclude by reporting the future perspectives in this field in continuous development

Materials Engineering to Help Pest Control: A Narrative Overview of Biopolymer-Based Entomopathogenic Fungi Formulations

Biopolymer-based formulations show great promise in enhancing the effectiveness of entomopathogenic fungi as bioinsecticides. Chitosan and starch, among other biopolymers, have been utilized to improve spore delivery, persistence, and adherence to target insects. These formulations offer advantages such as target specificity, eco-friendliness, and sustainability. However, challenges related to production costs, stability, and shelf life need to be addressed. Recently, biomimetic lure and kill approaches based on biopolymers offer cost-effective solutions by leveraging natural attractants. Further research is needed to optimize these formulations and overcome challenges. Biopolymer-based formulations have the potential to revolutionize pest control practices, providing environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions for agriculture