Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-basedx-acidic amino acids as glutamate receptors ligands

A novel series of bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-based x-acidic amino acids, including (2S)- and (2R)-3-(30-carboxybicyclo[ 1.1.1]pentyl)alanines (8 and 9), (2S)- and (2R)-2-(30-carboxymethylbicyclo[1.1.1]pentyl)glycines (10 and 11), and (2S)- and (2R)-3-(30-phosphonomethylbicyclo[1.1.1]pentyl)glycines (12 and 13), were synthesized and evaluated as glutamate receptor ligands. Among them, (2R)-3-(30-phosphonomethylbicyclo[ 1.1.1]pentyl)glycine (13) showed relatively high affinity and selectivity at the NMDA receptor. The results are also discussed in light of pharmacophoric modelling studies of NMDA agonists and antagonists

Adherence issues related to sublingual immunotherapy as perceived by allergists

Objectives: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a viable alternative to subcutaneous immunotherapy to treat allergic rhinitis and asthma, and is widely used in clinical practice in many European countries. The clinical efficacy of SLIT has been established in a number of clinical trials and meta-analyses. However, because SLIT is self-administered by patients without medical supervision, the degree of patient adherence with treatment is still a concern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception by allergists of issues related to SLIT adherence. Methods: We performed a questionnaire-based survey of 296 Italian allergists, based on the adherence issues known from previous studies. The perception of importance of each item was assessed by a VAS scale ranging from 0 to 10. Results: Patient perception of clinical efficacy was considered the most important factor (ranked 1 by 54% of allergists), followed by the possibility of reimbursement (ranked 1 by 34%), and by the absence of side effects (ranked 1 by 21%). Patient education, regular follow-up, and ease of use of SLIT were ranked first by less than 20% of allergists. Conclusion: These findings indicate that clinical efficacy, cost, and side effects are perceived as the major issues influencing patient adherence to SLIT, and that further improvement of adherence is likely to be achieved by improving the patient information provided by prescribers. © 2010 Scurati et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd

Understanding immune cells in tertiary lymphoid organ development:it is all starting to come together

Tertiary lymphoid organs (TLOs) are frequently observed in tissues affected by non-resolving inflammation as a result of infection, autoimmunity, cancer and allograft rejection. These highly ordered structures resemble the cellular composition of lymphoid follicles typically associated with the spleen and lymph node compartments. Although TLOs within tissues show varying degrees of organisation, they frequently display evidence of segregated T and B cell zones, follicular dendritic cell networks, a supporting stromal reticulum and high endothelial venules. In this respect, they mimic the activities of germinal centres and contribute to the local control of adaptive immune responses. Studies in various disease settings have described how these structures contribute to either beneficial or deleterious outcomes. While the development and architectural organisation of TLOs within inflamed tissues requires homeostatic chemokines, lymphoid and inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules, our understanding of the cells responsible for triggering these events is still evolving. Over the past 10-15 years novel immune cell subsets have been discovered that have more recently been implicated in the control of TLO development and function. In this review we will discuss the contribution of these cell types and consider the potential to develop new therapeutic strategies that target TLOs

La monnaie normande à Salerne de Roger Borsa à Tancrède (1085-1194)

Quand j’ai commencé à réfléchir à ce sujet, je croyais qu’il aurait été utile de présenter une synthèse sur la production et la circulation monétaires dans le royaume normand de Sicile et d’Italie méridionale ; mais deux raisons m’ont conduit à reconsidérer mon idée initiale et à concentrer plus particulièrement mes efforts sur la production de l’atelier monétaire normand de Salerne. Une synthèse sera en fait possible quand on réunira des preuves définitives d’attribution de certains types mo..

Metodologie sostenibili per la produzione di idrolizzati cheratinici da scarti industriali

The production of poultry feathers as industrial waste or by-product still finds no appropriate revalorization in the market. Poultry industries are strongly seeking solutions for the revalorization of feathers which could give them enough added value for the target markets. In this thesis, we first checked the European normative limits regarding poultry feather treatment. We then found keratin hydrolysate as a valuable cosmetic ingredient. Feathers are water insoluble but could be solubilized by hydrolysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis was considered as the method of first choice based on Green Chemistry’s principles. Acid or Alkali hydrolysis methods were found to be too drastic and build up too much neutralization salt. In addition, they also modify keratin amino acid composition. Simultaneously to the reaction studies, a protocol for keratin hydrolysates molecular weight analysis was developed, based on Tricine-SDS-PAGE technique. La produzione di piume avicole come scarto o sottoprodotto industriale non trova ancora una collocazione ad elevato valore aggiunto. Le industrie di pollame cercano avidamente una via di rivalorizzazione delle piume per poterle rivendere sul mercato. In questa tesi, come prima cosa, sono stati analizzati i limiti imposti dalla normativa Europea per il trattamento delle piume avicole. Quindi sono stati considerati gli idrolizzati cheratinici come una possibile materia prima del mercato cosmetico. La metodologia idrolitica enzimatica è stata considerata la migliore per il rispetto dei principi della Green Chemistry. Le idrolisi acide o alcaline sono state considerate troppo drastiche e producono troppi sali di neutralizzazione, oltre a modificare la composizione amminoacidica della cheratina. Contemporaneamente allo studio di reazione, è stata sviluppata un’analisi per lo studio dei pesi molecolari di idrolizzati cheratinici, basata sulla tecnica Tricina-SDS-PAGE

Il castello di Mercato San Severino nell'ambito delle fortificazioni dalla fine dell'alto Medioevo ai prodromi dell'età moderna

Con la Divisio ducatus il gastaldato di Rota fu assegnato al principato longobardio di Salerno. Oggi dell'antica Rota rimane il toponimo nel luogo in cui sopravvivono i resti dell'antica chiesa di S. maria. Dopo la distruzione della città ad opera dei Longobardi probabilmente fu edificato il primo nucleo del castello, sulla vicina collina del Palco, ad opera della famiglia normanna dei Sanseverino, che in seguito divenne una delle famiglie più potenti del Meridione d'Italia. Le indagini archeologiche compiute agli inizi del 2000 hanno messo in evidenza le trasformazioni dell'insediamento fortificato e le varie fasi costruttive

Il castello di Mercato San Severino nell'ambito delle fortificazioni dalla fine dell'alto Medioevo ai prodomi dell'età moderna

Con la Divisio ducatus il gastaldato di Rota fu assegnato al principato longobardio di Salerno. Oggi dell'antica Rota rimane il toponimo nel luogo in cui sopravvivono i resti dell'antica chiesa di S. maria. Dopo la distruzione della città ad opera dei Longobardi probabilmente fu edificato il primo nucleo del castello, sulla vicina collina del Palco, ad opera della famiglia normanna dei Sanseverino, che in seguito divenne una delle famiglie più potenti del Meridione d'Italia. Le indagini archeologiche compiute agli inizi del 2000 hanno messo in evidenza le trasformazioni dell'insediamento fortificato e le varie fasi costruttive

Salerno in età romana e medievale

Salerno, accogliente e dinamica, perno delle antiche rotte commerciali del Mediterraneo, riflette nella sua forma urbana la complessità e l'alternrsi delle vicende storiche: a partire dalla sua origine come colonia marittima romana, toccando la fase della lunga dominazione longobarda, riforme tridfentine, la dominazione napoleonica e per concludersi con l'unificazione del Paes