LRRK2 affects vesicle trafficking, neurotransmitter extracellular level and membrane receptor localization

The leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene was found to play a role in the pathogenesis of both familial and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD). LRRK2 encodes a large multi-domain protein that is expressed in different tissues. To date, the physiological and pathological functions of LRRK2 are not clearly defined. In this study we have explored the role of LRRK2 in controlling vesicle trafficking in different cellular or animal models and using various readouts. In neuronal cells, the presence of LRRK2(G2019S) pathological mutant determines increased extracellular dopamine levels either under basal conditions or upon nicotine stimulation. Moreover, mutant LRRK2 affects the levels of dopamine receptor D1 on the membrane surface in neuronal cells or animal models. Ultrastructural analysis of PC12-derived cells expressing mutant LRRK2(G2019S) shows an altered intracellular vesicle distribution. Taken together, our results point to the key role of LRRK2 to control vesicle trafficking in neuronal cells

Simultaneous amperometric detection of ascorbic acid and antioxidant capacity in orange, blueberry and kiwi juice, by a telemetric system coupled with a fullerene- or nanotubes-modified ascorbate subtractive biosensor

Four fullerenes- or nanotubes-modified graphite sensor-biosensor systems (SBs), coupled with a dual-channel telemetric device, based on an ascorbate oxidase (AOx) biosensor, were developed for on line simultaneous amperometric detection of ascorbic acid (AA) and antioxidant capacity in blueberry, kiwi and orange juice. Fullerene C60 (FC60), fullerene C70 (FC70), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCN) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCN) increased the sensitivity of graphite toward AA and phenols 1.2, 1.5, 5.1 and 5.1 times respectively. Fullerenes combined with AOx improved the selectivity toward AA more than nanotubes, being able to hold a higher number of AOx molecules on the biosensor surface. The SBs work at an applied potential of +500 mV, in a concentration range between the LOD and 20 μM, with a response time of two minutes. The LOD is 0.10, 0.13, 0.20 and 0.22 μM for SBs modified with FC60, FC70, SWCN and MWCN respectively. Biosensors register lower AA currents than the sensors due to the enzyme capability to oxidize AA before it reaches the transductor surface. Phenols currents registered by sensors and biosensors did not differ. Based on the difference between sensor and biosensor recorded currents a AA selectivity index was developed as an indicator of specificity toward AA and of the capacity to distinguish between AA and phenols contribution to the antioxidant capacity. This value is almost zero for fullerene-modified SBs, 0.13 and 0.22 for SWCN- and MWCN-modified SBs respectively. The results of juices analysis performed with SBs were in accordance with reference methods. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Four fullerenes- or nanotubes-modified graphite sensor-biosensor systems (SBs), coupled with a dual-channel telemetric device, based on an ascorbate oxidase (AOx) biosensor, were developed for on line simultaneous amperometric detection of ascorbic acid (AA) and antioxidant capacity in blueberry, kiwi and orange juice. Fullerene C60 (FC60), fullerene C70 (FC70), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCN) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCN) increased the sensitivity of graphite toward AA and phenols 1.2, 1.5, 5.1 and 5.1 times respectively. Fullerenes combined with AOx improved the selectivity toward AA more than nanotubes, being able to hold a higher number of AOx molecules on the biosensor surface.The SBs work at an applied potential of +500. mV, in a concentration range between the LOD and 20. μM, with a response time of two minutes. The LOD is 0.10, 0.13, 0.20 and 0.22. μM for SBs modified with FC60, FC70, SWCN and MWCN respectively.Biosensors register lower AA currents than the sensors due to the enzyme capability to oxidize AA before it reaches the transductor surface. Phenols currents registered by sensors and biosensors did not differ. Based on the difference between sensor and biosensor recorded currents a AA selectivity index was developed as an indicator of specificity toward AA and of the capacity to distinguish between AA and phenols contribution to the antioxidant capacity. This value is almost zero for fullerene-modified SBs, 0.13 and 0.22 for SWCN- and MWCN-modified SBs respectively.The results of juices analysis performed with SBs were in accordance with reference method

Ceftriaxone blocks the polymerization of \u3b1-synuclein and exerts neuroprotective effects in vitro.

The beta-lactam antibiotic ceftriaxone was suggested as a therapeutic agent in several neurodegenerative disorders, either for its ability to counteract glutamate-mediated toxicity, as in cerebral ischemia, or for its ability to enhance the degradation of misfolded proteins, as in Alexander's disease. Recently, the efficacy of ceftriaxone in neuroprotection of dopaminergic neurons in a rat model of Parkinson's disease was documented. However, which characteristics of ceftriaxone mediate its therapeutic effects remains unclear. Since, at the molecular level, neuronal a-synuclein inclusions and pathological alpha-synuclein transmission play a leading role in initiation of Parkinson-like neurodegeneration, we thought of investigating, by circular dichroism spectroscopy, the capability of ceftriaxone to interact with alpha-synuclein. We found that ceftriaxone binds with good affinity to alpha-synuclein and blocks its in vitro polymerization. Considering this finding, we also documented that ceftriaxone exerts neuroprotective action in an in vitro model of Parkinson's disease. Our data, in addition to the findings on neuroprotective activity of ceftriaxone on Parkinson-like neurodegeneration in vivo, indicates ceftriaxone as a potential agent in treatment of Parkinson's disease

The pharmaceutical ability of Pistacia lentiscus L. Leaves essential oil against periodontal bacteria and Candida sp. and its anti-inflammatory potential

BACKGROUND Given the increasing request for natural pharmacological molecules, this study assessed the antimicrobial capacity of Pistacia lentiscus L. essential oil (PLL-EO) obtained from the leaves of wild plants growing in North Sardinia (Italy) toward a wide range of periodontal bacteria and Candida, including laboratory and clinical isolates sp., together with its anti-inflammatory activity and safety. METHODS PLL-EO was screened by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined. The anti-inflammatory activity was measured by cyclooxygenase (COX-1/2) and lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition, while the antioxidant capacity was determined electro-chemically and by the MTT assay. The WST-1 assay was used to ascertain cytotoxicity toward four lines of oral cells. RESULTS According to the concentrations of terpens, PLL-EO is a pharmacologically-active phytocomplex. MICs against periodontal bacteria ranged between 3.13 and 12.5 µg/ml, while against Candida sp. they were between 6.25 and 12.5 µg/mL. Oxidation by COX-1/2 and LOX was inhibited by 80% and 20% µg/mL of the oil, respectively. Antioxidant activity seemed negligible, and no cytotoxicity arose. CONCLUSIONS PLL-EO exhibits a broad-spectrum activity against periodontal bacteria and Candida, with an interesting dual inhibitory capacity toward COX-2 and LOX inflammatory enzymes, and without side effects against oral cells

Notte della Ricerca, La via del sapere. Fotoracconti delle forme. Conoscenza , tutela e valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale

L'immagine entra nella parola per creare conoscenza. La mostra, grazie all'alleanza tra parola e immagine, offre spunti di riflessione sul linguaggio e sulla cultura dell’arte e della storia dell’arte insegnata in Università a Bologna e sulla fotografia. Le foto conservate presso la Fototeca Igino Benvenuto Supino del Dipartimento delle Arti Visive sono testimonianze di cultura senza confini. Le immagini esposte sono legate alla storia della città di Bologna e sono state collezionate dal primo docente di Storia dell'arte all'Università, Igino Benvenuto Supino, storico e critico di fama internazionale. Evidenziano il ruolo avuto dai suoi studi nella conoscenza e valorizzazione di Bologna e della sua scuola artistica e sono interpretate dai dottorandi del Dipartimento secondo la più aggiornata metodologia critica. Le fotografie sono state scelte per la loro rilevanza documentaria e artistica e ordinate secondo un significativo percorso che riunisce alcuni dei luoghi più importanti per l’identità storica di Bologna e per il legame della città con l’attività di ricerca e alta formazione della sua Università, l’Alma Mater Studiorum

Mostra: "Fotoracconti delle forme. Conoscenza, tutela e valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale"

La mostra, inserita tra le manifestazioni della "Notte dei ricercatori" 2011, si \ue8 tenuta presso il portico di San Giacomo Maggiore, in via Zamboni a Bologna. Le foto esposte, conservate presso la Fototeca Igino Benvenuto Supin o del Dipartimento delle Arti Visive, sono legate alla storia della citt\ue0 di Bologna. Sono state scelte per la loro rilevanza documentaria e artistica e ordinate secondo un significativo percorso che riunisce alcuni dei luoghi pi\uf9 importanti per l\u2019identit\ue0 storica della Citt\ue0 e dell'Universit\ue0. Il percorso inizia da Via Zamboni, l\u2019antica Strada di San Donato, arteria principale dell\u2019area universitaria, dove si trova la Pinacoteca Nazionale; prosegue poi verso la Basilica di San Petronio, incontrando la chiesa di Santa Maria della Vita, con il suo celebre Compianto in terracotta. [...] Termina poi all'Archiginnasio, storica sede unica dello Studium, al cui interno si trova il seicentesco Teatro Anatomico, ricostruito dopo il bombardamento del 1944, luogo simbolo per eccellenza dell\u2019illustre passato dell\u2019Alma Mater. Alla sua cattedra si avvicendarono alcuni tra i pi\uf9 importanti nomi delle scienze naturali in et\ue0 moderna, l\u2019ultimo dei quali fu Luigi Galvani (di cui si \ue8 occupata nello specifico Chiara Tartarini

A joint flexible econometric model system of household residential location and vehicle fleet composition/usage choices

Land use and travel behavior, Residential location choice, Vehicle type choice, Vehicle usage, Vehicle miles of travel, Joint model, Copula-based approach, Simultaneous equations model,