Politiche non sostenibili per lo sviluppo sostenibile. Il caso del Parco del Gennargentu

International experience in environmental protection planning suggests that conservation projects can be successfully realized only if associated to socio-economic promotion, while taking account of possible distortions in the distribution of benefits. Furthermore, participation of local people both in management and in planning is often indicated as crucial. In this paper we consider an unsuccessful case, the Gennargentu National Park in Sardinia. We set up and test an econometric model to explain the decision of the local communities to accept or refuse their inclusion in the Park area. Results suggest that while different perceptions of new economic opportunities can possibly influence the decision, also political and cultural motivations are significant. A strong interaction between policy makers and local people is then recommended both at policy design and implementation stages

Histological Characteristics, Fatty Acid Composition of Lipid Fractions, and Cholesterol Content of Semimembranosus and Triceps Brachii Muscles in Maremmana and Limousine Bovine Breeds

This study examined the histological properties of Semimembranosus and Triceps brachii muscle in two different bovine breeds, Maremmana (an autochthonous breed from Tuscany, Italy) and Limousine. The animals were grazed in two adjoining pastures, received the same feed supplementation and were weighed monthly. The experimental period lasted from weaning (six months old) to slaughter (19 months old). Muscle samples were collected immediately after slaughter, before carcass cooling. Regarding the histological properties, the number of fibres (TNF), mean sarcolemma perimeter (MSP), cross section area (CSA), and total sarcolemma perimeter (TSP) were determined. Samples were also analysed for proximate composition, fatty acid profile of total lipids, phospholipids and neutral lipids and for total cholesterol content. Breed was a significant variation factor for the performance parameter and histological muscle fibre properties. Interestingly, despite that Maremmana being a less extensively genetically improved breed than Limousine, it showed higher weight at slaughter (+18%) and daily weight gain (+19%). Maremmana also showed smaller muscle fibres than Limousine and, consequently, the TSP was higher. This difference affected the lipid fraction distribution (Limousine was higher in phospholipids and lower in neutral lipids than Maremmana) and, consequently, the fatty acid composition of total lipids (Limousine was high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, while Maremmana was high in monounsaturated fatty acids). The results of this experiment highlight the importance of environmental and management conditions on the full expression of genotypic potentia

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Beta-Caryophyllene Mediated by the Involvement of TRPV1, BDNF and trkB in the Rat Cerebral Cortex after Hypoperfusion/Reperfusion

We have previously shown that bilateral common carotid artery occlusion followed by reperfusion (BCCAO/R) is a model to study early hypoperfusion/reperfusion-induced changes in biomarkers of the tissue physiological response to oxidative stress and inflammation. Thus in this study, we investigate with immunochemical assays if a single dose of beta-caryophyllene (BCP), administered before the BCCAO/R, can modulate the TRPV1, BDNF, and trkB receptor in the brain cortex; the glial markers GFAP and Iba1 were also examined. Frontal and temporal-occipital cortical regions were analyzed in two groups of male rats, sham-operated and submitted to BCCAO/R. Six hours before surgery, one group was gavage fed a dose of BCP (40 mg/per rat in 300 mu L of sunflower oil), the other was pre-treated with the vehicle alone. Western blot analysis showed that, in the frontal cortex of vehicle-treated rats, the BCCAO/R caused a TRPV1 decrease, an increment of trkB and GFAP, no change in BDNF and Iba1. The BCP treatment caused a decrease of BDNF and an increase of trkB levels in both sham and BCCAO/R conditions while inducing opposite changes in the case of TRPV1, whose levels became higher in BCCAO/R and lower in sham conditions. Present results highlight the role of BCP in modulating early events of the cerebral inflammation triggered by the BCCAO/R through the regulation of TRPV1 and the BDNF-trkB system

High ordered biomineralization induced by carbon nanoparticles in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

A surprising and unexpected biomineralization process was observed during toxicological assessment of carbon nanoparticles on Paracentrotus lividus (sea urchin) pluteus larvae. The larvae activate a process of defense against external material, by incorporating the nanoparticles into microstructures of aragonite similarly to pearl oysters. Aiming at a better understanding of this phenomenon, the larvae were exposed to increasing concentrations of carbon nanoparticles and the biomineralization products were analyzed by electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. In order to evaluate the possible influence of Sp-CyP-1 expression on this biomineralization process by larvae, analyses of gene expression (Sp-CyP-1) and calcein labeling were performed. Overall, we report experimental evidence about the capability of carbon nanoparticles to induce an increment of Sp-CyP-1 expression with the consequent activation of a biomineralization process leading to the production of a new pearl-like biomaterial never previously observed in sea urchins

shear modulus of masonry walls a critical review

Abstract In the assessment of seismic performance of masonry buildings, the proper definition of mechanical parameters of masonry, the shear modulus in particular, is a critical issue. Moreover, considering that existing buildings are characterized by several masonry types, depending on the material as well as on the texture, mechanical parameters can vary in a very wide range, also because they depend on many other parameters and in particular on the integrity of the walls and on the stress level. Although the in situ or laboratory experimental evaluation of the G modulus has been the subject of a wide literature concerning flat jacks, diagonal and single compression and shear-compression test results, its outcomes are often contradictory. In effect, values given by different studies often differ significantly, even for the same class of masonry. Since the intrinsic scattering of the parameter is not sufficient by itself to justify the huge variability of the results, a critical discussion of the results as well as of the individual test arrangements is necessary to make the background more reliable, also in view of better addressing further studies- A huge database has been setup combining masonry test results available in the relevant scientific literature with the test results obtained in the framework of the in situ experimental campaign carried out by the authors for the assessment of seismic vulnerability of masonry school buildings in the Municipality of Florence. The analysis of the database underlines that values of the shear modulus G, which is a fundamental parameter for the definition of capacity curve for walls commonly used in non-linear static analysis, are extremely scattered. Testing methodology and arrangement are discussed and a possible procedure is proposed to arrive to sounder estimations of relevant mechanical parameter of existing building masonry

Chronic treatment with hormonal contraceptives alters hippocampal BDNF and histone H3 post-translational modifications but not learning and memory in female rats

Hormonal contraceptives prevent ovulation with subsequent reduction in endogenous levels of estradiol, progesterone and its neuroactive metabolite allopregnanolone. These neurosteroids modulate several brain functions, including neuronal plasticity, cognition and memory. We hypothesized that hormonal contraceptives might affect synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, as a consequence of suppressed endogenous hormones levels. Female rats were orally treated with a combination of ethinyl estradiol (EE, 0.020 mg) and levonorgestrel (LNG, 0.060 mg) once daily for four weeks. Decreased hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and altered histone H3 post-translational modifications (PTMs) were observed 14 days after discontinuation from chronic EE-LNG treatment. These effects were not accompanied by alterations in long-term plasticity at glutamatergic synapses, recognition memory in the novel object and novel place location tests, or spatial learning, memory, and behavioral flexibility in the Morris water maze test. Thus, decreased BDNF content does not affect synaptic plasticity and cognitive performance; rather it might be relevant for the occurrence of certain psychiatric symptoms, reported by some women using hormonal contraceptives. These results provide the first evidence of hippocampal epigenetic changes induced by hormonal contraceptives and complement previous studies on the neurobiological actions of hormonal contraceptives; the finding that effects of chronic EE-LNG treatment on BDNF content and histone PTMs are observed 14 days after drug discontinuation warrants further investigation to better understand the implications of such long-term consequences for women's health

A novel assay to detect calreticulin mutations in myeloproliferative neoplasms

The myeloproliferative neoplasms are chronic myeloid cancers divided in Philadelphia positive (Ph+), chronic myeloid leukemia, or negative: polycythemia vera (PV) essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). Most Ph negative cases have an activating JAK2 or MPL mutation. Recently, somatic mutations in the calreticulin gene (CALR) were detected in 56–88% of JAK2/MPL-negative patients affected by ET or PMF. The most frequent mutations in CARL gene are type-1 and 2. Currently, CALR mutations are evaluated by sanger sequencing. The evaluation of CARL mutations increases the diagnostic accuracy in patients without other molecular markers and could represent a new therapeutic target for molecular drugs. We developed a novel detection assay in order to identify type-1 and 2 CALR mutations by PNA directed PCR clamping. Seventy-five patients affected by myeloproliferative neoplasms and seven controls were examined by direct DNA sequencing and by PNA directed PCR clamping. The assay resulted to be more sensitive, specific and cheaper than sanger sequencing and it could be applied even in laboratory not equipped for more sophisticated analysis. Interestingly, we report here a case carrying both type 1 and type2 mutations in CALR gene

Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) and Risk of a Second Breast Event After a Ductal Carcinoma in situ

Women with a diagnosis of ductal carcinomain situ(DCIS) have a high risk of developing a second breast event (SBE). The immune system might play a role in trying to prevent a SBE. Patients diagnosed with DCIS were identified in the population-based cancer registry of Area Vasta Romagna from 1997 to 2010. Median follow-up is 8.5 years. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were evaluated both in index DCIS and in SBE. The main endpoint was to assess the association between TILs' levels in index DCIS and risk of a SBE. Out of 496 DCIS patients, 100 SBEs (20.2%) were identified: 55 ipsilateral (11.1%) and 43 contralateral (8.7%). The distribution of TILs was heterogeneous, but significantly associated with grade, necrosis, screen detection and type of surgery. Patients stratified according to TILs percentage (5%) did not show a statistically significant difference in the 5-year cumulative incidence of SBEs: 14.9% (95% CI 11.3-19.1) and 11.0% (95% CI, 6.9-16.2), respectively (p= 0.147). In the subgroup of patients who did not receive radiotherapy, TILs >5% were associated with a reduced risk of SBE (HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.14-0.82,p= 0.016). Although we did not find any significant association between TILs and SBE, further studies evaluating their role according to radiotherapy are warranted

Radioresistance of mesenchymal glioblastoma initiating cells correlates with patient outcome and is associated with activation of inflammatory program

Glioblastoma (GBM) still remains an incurable disease being radiotherapy (RT) the mainstay treatment. Glioblastoma intra-tumoral heterogeneity and GlioblastomaInitiating Cells (GICs) challenge the design of effective therapies. We investigated GICs and non-GICs response to RT in a paired in-vitro model and addressed molecular programs activated in GICs after RT. Established GICs heterogeneously expressed several GICs markers and displayed a mesenchymal signature. Upon fractionated RT, GICs reported higher radioresistance compared to non-GICs and showed lower α- and β-values, according to the Linear Quadratic Model interpretation of the survival curves. Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between GICs radiosensitivity and patient disease-free survival. Transcriptome analysis of GICs after acquisition of a radioresistant phenotype reported significant activation of Proneural-to-Mesenchymal transition (PMT) and pro-inflammatory pathways, being STAT3 and IL6 the major players. Our findings support a leading role of mesenchymal GICs in defining patient response to RT and provide the grounds for targeted therapies based on the blockade of inflammatory pathways to overcome GBM radioresistance

Effect of acute administration of Pistacia lentiscus L. essential oil on rat cerebral cortex following transient bilateral common carotid artery occlusion

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ischemia/reperfusion leads to inflammation and oxidative stress which damages membrane highly polyunsaturated fatty acids (HPUFAs) and eventually induces neuronal death. This study evaluates the effect of the administration of <it>Pistacia lentiscus </it>L. essential oil (E.O.), a mixture of terpenes and sesquiterpenes, on modifications of fatty acid profile and endocannabinoid (eCB) congener concentrations induced by transient bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) in the rat frontal cortex and plasma.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Adult Wistar rats underwent BCCAO for 20 min followed by 30 min reperfusion (BCCAO/R). 6 hours before surgery, rats, randomly assigned to four groups, were gavaged either with E.O. (200 mg/0.45 ml of sunflower oil as vehicle) or with the vehicle alone.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>BCCAO/R triggered in frontal cortex a decrease of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the membrane highly polyunsaturated fatty acid most susceptible to oxidation. Pre-treatment with E.O. prevented this change and led further to decreased levels of the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), as assessed by Western Blot. In plasma, only after BCCAO/R, E.O. administration increased both the ratio of DHA-to-its precursor, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and levels of palmytoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleoylethanolamide (OEA).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Acute treatment with E.O. before BCCAO/R elicits changes both in the frontal cortex, where the BCCAO/R-induced decrease of DHA is apparently prevented and COX-2 expression decreases, and in plasma, where PEA and OEA levels and DHA biosynthesis increase. It is suggested that the increase of PEA and OEA plasma levels may induce DHA biosynthesis via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha activation, protecting brain tissue from ischemia/reperfusion injury.</p