The bahuvrīhi Compound Between Zeroing and Contrastive Accentuation: Vedic Sanskrit Model and Pāṇini’s Model

L’articolo mira a sondare come il modello di composto bahuvrīhi presentato nella grammatica descrittiva di Pāṇini possa rapportarsi diacronicamente al composto bahuvrīhi attestato nel Sanscrito Vedico, tenendo in particolare considerazione quelli che sono i due requisiti secondo Pāṇini: stato tematico per tutti i costituenti e accento sul primo membro, contrativamente assegnato rispetto ai composti determinativi. Poiché l’opera di Pāṇini si basa sulla tradizione scolastica brahmanica, anche le fonti del suo modello di bahuvrīhi devono rintracciarsi in quel contesto culturale. Il locus classicus è índraśatru, che segna così l’inizio di un processo di regolarizzazione linguistica applicata al composto bahuvrīhi. Il medesimo composto índraśatru, discusso nell’ambito scolastico brahmanico, è citato in un inno rigvedico tardo (R̥V 1.32.6; 1.32.10), impiegato con una significativa valenza poetica. Perciò, i due tratti caratteristici pāṇiniani del composto bahuvrīhi risultano derivare da una particolare commistione di linguaggio poetico ed esegesi linguistica.This article aims to explore how Pāṇini’s model of the bahuvrīhi compound may be diachronically correlated to the bahuvrīhi compound as attested in the Vedic Sanskrit language, thus accounting for the two Pāṇinian requisites: zero-ending for all the constituents and accentuation on the first constituent, contrastively employed in relation to the determinative compounds. Since Pāṇini’s work is based on the Brahmanical scholarly tradition, the sources of his bahuvrīhi model are also to be found in the Brahmanical scholarly milieux. The locus classicus is the case of índraśatru, which starts off the process of uniformation and regulation of bahuvrīhi compound stressed on the first constituent. The same scholarly-discussed índraśatru compound is mentioned in the late Rigvedic textual layer (R̥V 1.32.6; 1.32.10), as an expressive poetic device. Therefore, the two Pāṇinian characteristic traits of the bahuvrīhi compound are inherited from a peculiar blend of poetic language and linguistic exegesis

Impact of monotherapy on HIV-1 reservoir, immune activation, and co-infection with Epstein-Barr virus

Abstract Objectives Although monotherapy (mART) effectiveness in maintaining viral suppression and CD4 cell count has been extensively examined in HIV-1-infected patients, its impact on HIV-1 reservoir, immune activation, microbial translocation and co-infection with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is unclear. Methods This retrospective study involved 32 patients who switched to mART; patients were studied at baseline, 48 and 96 weeks after mART initiation. Thirty-two patients who continued combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) over the same period of time were included in the study. Markers of HIV-1 reservoir (HIV-1 DNA and intracellular HIV-1 RNA) were quantified by real-time PCR. Markers of T-(CD3(+)CD8(+)CD38(+)) and B-(CD19(+)CD80/86(+) and CD19(+)CD10-CD21(low)CD27(+)) cell activation were evaluated by flow cytometry. Plasma levels of microbial translocation markers were quantified by real-time PCR (16S ribosomal DNA and mitochondrial [mt] DNA) or by ELISA (LPS and sCD14). EBV was typed and quantified by multiplex real-time PCR. Results At baseline, no differences were found between mART and cART groups. Three (10%) mART-treated patients had a virological failure vs none in the cART group. Levels of HIV-1 DNA, intracellular HIV-1 RNA and EBV-DNA remained stable in the mART group, while decreased significantly in the cART group. Percentages of T-and B-activated cells significantly increased in the mART-treated patients, while remained at low levels in the cART-treated ones (p = 0.014 and p<0.001, respectively). Notably, levels of mtDNA remained stable in the cART group, but significantly rose in the mART one (p<0.001). Conclusions Long-term mART is associated with higher levels of T-and B-cell activation and, conversely to cART, does not reduce the size of HIV-1 reservoir and EBV co-infection

La mobilità urbana: quali politiche ?

Sintesi del Gruppo di Valutazione e Monitoraggio dei progetti finanziati e/o cofinanziati dal Ministero dell'Ambiente per la contrazione delle emissioni inquinanti e lo sviluppo di forme di mobilità sostenibile, progetti relativi ai seguenti Decreti - Programma Triennale di Tutela Ambientale 94/96 "Programma Aree Urbane" (Risanamento Atmosferico-Acustico, Piani Regionali Risanamento e Rilevamento qualità dell'aria, Piani di Disinquinamento acustico, Controllo Riduzione del Traffico - Incentivazione Mezzi di Trasporto a basso impatto ambientale) D. M. 14/09/1994 Area Programmata “Aree Urbane” Delib.CIPE 21-12-1993) Euro 231.527.627,86 - Programma Stralcio di Tutela Ambientale (Azioni di Mobility Management, Car Sharing, Incentivi rinnovo flotte pubbliche, Taxi Collettivo, Veicoli Elettrici) D.D. 495/SIAR/99; D.D. 603/SIAR/99 Euro 52.501.200,00 - Decreto Domeniche Ecologiche (Promozione di carburanti a basso impatto ambientale, Sistemi automatizzati controllo accesso ZTL, Sistemi di trasporto pubblico a basso impatto ambientale, Sistemi di Monitoraggio Inquinanti Atmosferici) D.D. 815/SIAR/00 Euro 30.987.410,00 - Programma Nazionale Car Sharing D.D. 495/SIAR/00; D.D.85/SIAR/00 Euro 9.296.224,18 - Decreto Incentivi ai Mobility Manager D.D. 84/SIAR/00 Euro 15.493.707,00 - Decreto Programmi Radicali per la mobilità sostenibile (servizi di taxi collettivo, sistemi telematici per la limitazione del traffico, acquisto di flotte di veicoli elettrici e a gas, attivazione di centraline di monitoraggio per la qualità dell’aria) D.D. 95/SIAR/00 Euro 35.119.069,00 - Interventi Strutturali (veicoli elettrici, a metano, sistemi di trasporto pubblico) D.D. 1275/IAR/02 Euro 11.500.000,0

Up-regulation of prostaglandin biosynthesis by leukotriene C4 in elicited mice peritoneal macrophages activated with lipopolysaccharide/interferon-gamma

Leukotrienes (LT) and prostaglandins (PG) are proinflammatory mediators generated by the conversion of arachidonic acid via 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and cyclooxygenase (COX) pathways. It has long been proposed that the inhibition of the 5-LO could enhance the COX pathway leading to an increased PG generation. We have found that in in vitro models of inflammation, such as mice-elicited peritoneal macrophages activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon- γ (IFN-γ), the deletion of the gene encoding for 5-LO or the enzyme activity inhibition corresponded to a negative modulation of the COX pathway. Moreover, exogenously added LTC4, but not LTD4, LTE 4, and LTB4, was able to increase PG production in stimulated cells from 5-LO wild-type and knockout mice. LTC4 was not able to induce COX-2 expression by itself but rather potentiated the action of LPS/IFN-γ through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 activation, as demonstrated by the use of a specific mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase inhibitor. The LT-induced increase in PG generation, as well as MAPK activation, was dependent by a specific ligand-receptor interaction, as demonstrated by the use of a cys-LT1 receptor antagonist, although also a direct action of the antagonist used, on PG generation, cannot be excluded. Thus, the balance between COX and 5-LO metabolites could be of great importance in controlling macrophage functions and consequently, inflammation and tumor promotion

Raccontare il diritto: letteratura, cinema, giornalismo, pubblicità, comunicazione istituzionale

Secondo la ricostruzione positivista - normativa, comunicare il diritto significa portare a conoscenza dei consociati regole od attività già definite, vale a dire il compito proprio della "Gazzetta Ufficiale". Il rapporto tra diritto e comunicazione risulta, invece, più complesso ove si tengano in considerazione tutte le forme di racconto del giuridico, istituzionali e non (giornalismo, letteratura, cinema e televisione), che modellano la percezione sociale del diritto e, per questa via, incidono sulla formazione e sull'applicazione delle regole giuridiche, concorrendo a determinarne il contenuto. Ponendo a confronto studiosi di diritto e letteratura con esponenti del giornalismo, dell'audiovisivo e della comunicazione istituzionale, il workshop intende investigare i diversi modi in cui il diritto viene narrato, e le trasformazioni che queste narrazioni comportano nel diritto stesso. L'incontro è organizzato in collaborazione con dell'Ufficio d’informazione del Parlamento europeo a Milano e dell'AIDEL – Associazione italiana di diritto e letteratura

Hallmarks of testicular aging: the challenge of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant therapies using natural and/or pharmacological compounds to improve the physiopathological status of the aged male gonad

The evolutionary theory of aging supports a trade-off relationship between reproduction and aging. Aging of the male reproductive system primarily affects the testes, leading to a decrease in the levels of sexual hormones, alterations in sperm quality and production, and a decline in fertility that does not necessarily involve a complete cessation of spermatogenesis. Inflammation, oxidation, and apoptosis are events considered as predictors of pathogenesis and the development of age-related diseases that are frequently observed in aged testes. Although the molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood, accumulating evidence points toward pro-inflammatory molecules and reactive oxygen species as primary contributing factors for testicular aging. However, the real impact of aging-related testicular alterations on fertility, reproductive health, and life span is far from being fully revealed. This work discusses the current knowledge on the impact of aging in the testis, particularly of aging-related dysregulated inflammation and oxidative damage on the functioning of its different cell populations. More interestingly, this review covers the potential benefits of anti-aging interventions and therapies using either pharmacological compounds (such as non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication) or more natural alternatives (such as various nutraceuticals or even probiotics) that exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties. Some of these are currently being investigated or are already in clinical use to delay or prevent testicular aging.Fil: Matzkin, Maria Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Bioquímica Humana; ArgentinaFil: Calandra, Ricardo Saul. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Rossi, Soledad Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Bioquímica Humana; ArgentinaFil: Bartke, Andrzej. Southern Illinois University; Estados UnidosFil: Frungieri, Monica Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Ciclo Básico Común; Argentin

Polyamine receptors containing anthracene as fluorescent probes for ketoprofen in H2O/EtOH solution

Triamine receptors containing anthracene units are able to bind and sense ketoprofen via fluorescence enhancement in a H2O/EtOH 50 : 50 (Vol : Vol) mixture exploiting their protonation features, which are tuned by the interaction with the analyte

In vitro Interactions between Streptococcus intermedius and Streptococcus salivarius K12 on a Titanium Cylindrical Surface

Peri-implantitis is a steadily rising disease and is caused by oral bacterial pathogens able to form biofilm on implant surfaces and peri-implant tissues, making antibiotics treatment less effective. The use of commercial probiotics against oral pathogens could serve as an alternative to prevent biofilm formation. Streptococcus intermedius is one of the early colonizers of biofilm formation in dental implants. The aim of this study was to model the interaction between S. intermedius and Streptococcus salivarius strain K12, a probiotic bacterium producing bacteriocins. S. intermedius was co-cultured with S. salivarius K12 in an in vitro model simulating the biofilm formation in a dental implant composed by a titanium cylinder system. Biofilm formation rate was assessed by Real-Time PCR quantification of bacterial count and expression levels of luxS gene, used in response to cell density in the biofilm. Biofilm formation, bacteriocin production, luxS expression patterns were found to be already expressed within the first 12 h. More importantly, S. salivarius K12 was able to counter the biofilm formation in a titanium cylinder under the tested condition. In conclusion, our dental implant model may be useful for exploring probiotic-pathogen interaction to find an alternative to antibiotics for peri-implantitis treatment

Changes in inflammatory biomarkers in HCV-infected patients undergoing direct acting antiviral-containing regimens with or without interferon

Background and aims Increased levels of chemokine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-inducible protein-10 (CXCL10), soluble CD163 (sCD163) and soluble CD14 (sCD14) have been reported in HCV infection. The aim of this study was to compare, sCD163 and sCD14 levels in HCV-infected patients undergoing direct acting antiviral (DAA)-containing regimens with or without interferon (IFN). Methods sCD163, sCD14 and CXCL10 were longitudinally measured by ELISA in 159 plasma samples from 25 HCV-infected patients undergoing IFN-based treatment plus telaprevir or boceprevir and 28 HCV infected subjects treated with DAA IFN-free regimens. Twenty-five healthy donors (HD) were included as controls. Results At baseline CXCL10, sCD163 and sCD14 levels were higher in HCV-infected patients than in HD. CXCL10 and sCD163 levels were significantly decreased in responder (R) patients who achieved sustained virological response (SVR), with both IFN-based and IFN-free regimens, while they were persistently elevated in non-responders (NR) patients who stopped IFN-based treatments because of failure or adverse events. Conversely, sCD14 levels were apparently unchanged during therapy, but at the end of treatment the levels reached normal ranges. Comparing the two regimens, the extent of CXCL10 reduction was more pronounced in patients undergoing DAA IFN-free therapies, whereas sCD163 and sCD14 reduction was similar in the two groups. Interestingly, only in IFN-based regimens baseline sCD163 levels were significantly higher in NR than in R patients, while in the IFN-free treatment group also patients with highsCD163 plasma levels obtained SVR. At the end of therapy, even if the biomarkers were largely decreased, their levels remained significantly higher compared to HD. Only in the early fibrosis stages, sCD163 values tended to normalize. Conclusions These results indicate that IFN-free regimens including newer DAA induce an early and marked decrease in circulating inflammatory biomarkers. However, the full normalization of biomarkers was not obtained, especially in patients with advanced fibrosis, thus underlying the need for a treatment in the early stages of HCV infection

Very Early Onset-IBD: evidence for the need of a multidisciplinary approach

Very early onset inflammatory bowel disease (VEO-IBD) represents approximately 25% of cases of IBD-like colitis occurring during childhood and, by definition, it is characterized by an onset prior to 6 years of age. This subgroup of patients presents significant differences from IBD occurring in older children and in adults, including a more severe clinical course, a reduced responsiveness to conventional IBD therapy, and a greater proportion of cases featuring an underlying monogenic disorder. Histological findings from gastro-intestinal (GI) biopsies are characterized by an IBD-like, apoptotic or enterocolitis-like pattern, complicating the differential diagnosis with other pediatric diseases involving GI tract. Moreover, individuals with monogenic disorders may develop significant comorbidities, such as primary immunodeficiency (PID), impacting treatment options. Without an appropriate diagnosis, the clinical course of VEO-IBD has greater potential for escalated treatment regimens involving extensive surgery, more intensive medical therapies and, even more important, inadequate recognition of underlying monogenic defect that may lead to inappropriate (sometimes fatal) therapy. For these reasons, an adequate context leading to an appropriate diagnosis is imperative, calling for a close collaboration between pediatricians, pathologists, geneticists, and immunologists