Quantitative determination of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids from Galanthus reginae-olgae subsp. vernalis and in vitro activities relevant for neurodegenerative diseases.

In the present work the qualitative and quantitative analysis of Amaryllidaceae-type alkaloids in the aerial parts and bulbs of Galanthus reginae-olgae Orph. subsp. vernalis Kamari is presented for the first time using GC-MS analysis. The alkaloids galanthamine, lycorine, and tazettine were identified in both extracts while crinine and neronine were found only in the bulbs. The yield of alkaloid fraction from bulbs (36.8%) is very high compared to the yield from aerial parts (9.34%). Lycorine was the major component in both fractions. The antioxidant potential was determined by three complementary methods. The preparations to reduce the stable free radical DPPH to the yellow-colored 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl with IC(50) values of 39 and 29 mug/mL for MeOH extracts from aerial parts and bulbs, respectively. The higher activity was given by EtOAc fraction of aerial parts with IC(50) of 10 mug/mL. This activity is probably due to the presence in EtOAc fraction of polar compounds such as polyphenols. The fraction exhibited a significant antioxidant capacity also in the beta-carotene-linoleic acid test system. A higher level of antioxidant activity was observed for EtOAc fraction from bulbs with IC(50) of 10 mug/mL after 30 min and 9 mug/mL after 60 min of incubation. In contrast, the fraction from bulbs performed poorly in the lipid peroxidation liposomes assay. Significant activity was obtained for dichloromethane fraction from aerial parts (IC(50) of 74 mug/mL). The major abundance of alkaloid in dichloromethane fraction may be responsible of the bulbs anti-cholinesterase highest activity (38.5%) at 0.5 mg/mL

Mechanical properties of materials for 3D printed orthodontic retainers

Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the mechanical properties of materials used for orthodontic retainers made by direct 3D printing and thermoforming. Materials and methods: Twenty-one specimens (n=7) from 3 different materials (Formlabs Dental LT Clear V2 - Formlabs Inc., Somerville, Massachusetts, USA; NextDent Ortho Flex - Vertex-Dental B.V., Soesterberg, The Netherlands, and Erkodent Erkodur - ERKODENT, Germany) were manufactured and their mechanical properties were evaluated. Two of the specimen groups were 3D printed and the other one was fabricated using a material for thermoforming. The statistical methods we applied were descriptive statistics, the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s post-hoc tests. Results: With respect to Young’s modulus (E), the Kruskal-Wallis test (df=2, χ2=17.121, p=0.0002) showed a significant difference between the materials for direct 3D printing of orthodontic retainers (E=2762.4 MPa±115.16 MPa for group 1 and 2393.05 MPa±158.13 MPa for group 2) and thermoforming foils (group 3, E=1939.4 MPa±74.18 MPa). Statistically significant differences were also found between the flexural strength (FS) (Kruskal-Wallis test, df=2, χ2=17.818, p=0.0001) and F(max) (Kruskal-Wallis test, df=2, χ2=17.818, p=0.0001). Conclusions: The materials tested in the current study showed statistically significant differences in their Young’s modulus, flexural strength, and F(max)

Global and Regional IUCN Red List Assessments: 2

In this contribution the conservation status assessment of six plant species according to IUCN categories and criteria are presented. It includes the assessment at global level of Charybdis glaucophylla Bacch., Brullo, D’Emerico, Pontec. & Salmeri, Euphorbia nicaeensis All. subsp. japygica (Ten.) Arcang., Hieracium australe Fr. subsp. australe, Limonium multiforme Pignatti, Onosma helvetica Boiss. em. Teppner subsp. lucana (Lacaita) Peruzzi, Aquaro & Cesca and the assessment at national level (Italy) of Lathyrus laxiflorus (Desf.) Kuntze subsp. laxiflorus

INDCOR White Paper 2: Interactive Narrative Design for Representing Complexity

This white paper was written by the members of the Work Group focusing on design practices of the COST Action 18230 - Interactive Narrative Design for Complexity Representation (INDCOR, WG1). It presents an overview of Interactive Digital Narratives (IDNs) design for complexity representations through IDN workflows and methodologies, IDN authoring tools and applications. It provides definitions of the central elements of the IDN alongside its best practices, designs and methods. Finally, it describes complexity as a feature of IDN, with related examples. In summary, this white paper serves as an orienting map for the field of IDN design, understanding where we are in the contemporary panorama while charting the grounds of their promising futures.Comment: 11 pages, This whitepaper was produced by members of the COST Action 18230 - Interactive Narrative Design for Complexity Representation (INDCOR - https://indcor.eu

INDCOR white paper on the Design of Complexity IDNs

This white paper was written by the members of the Work Group focusing on design practices of the COST Action 18230 - Interactive Narrative Design for Complexity Representation (INDCOR, WG1). It presents an overview of Interactive Digital Narratives (IDNs) design for complexity representations through IDN workflows and methodologies, IDN authoring tools and applications. It provides definitions of the central elements of the IDN alongside its best practices, designs and methods. Finally, it describes complexity as a feature of IDN, with related examples. In summary, this white paper serves as an orienting map for the field of IDN design, understanding where we are in the contemporary panorama while charting the grounds of their promising futures

APPLICATION OF PHOTOGRAPHY IN DENTAL PRACTICE

Purpose: The aim of the study is to determine the extent of the use of photography by dentists for the needs of everyday practice. Material and methods: The survey was conducted among 254 dentists practicing in Sofia, 64 (25.2%) - men and 190 (74.8%) - women. The average age of respondents is 43.21 years. Questionnaire was developed, consisting of 9 questions, divided into two parts. The first part covers questions about the nature of the dental practice of respondent doctor. The second part includes questions about the use of photography for the purpose of daily practice. Results: A statistical data processing is made. The average values of the responses received by groups of questions are analyzed. The factors that affect the use of dental photography were defined. The results show that from all of the surveyed persons, 82 (32.28%) people use photography for dental practice and 172 (67.72%) dentists do not to apply this method in their daily work. It was found that the reasons for not using the photography by dentists are: fear of cross-infection - 4 persons (1.57%); lack of need to use photography - 14 persons (5.51%); lack of interest - 18 persons (7.09%); cost of clinical time - 24 persons (9.45%); additional training - 58 (22.83%); expensive investment - 98 persons (38.58%). Conclusion: The extent and reasons for use of photography for the dental practice were found. The factors that are relevant to the use of dental photography by dentists were investigated

Functional landscape of Sila Grande (Calabria, Italy): Vegetation dynamism and synphytosociology

The aim of this presentation is to present practical problems related to the land management and biodiversity conservation, using methods of landscape analysis through approaches of synphytosociology. The study area was Sila Grande (Calabria, S Italy), for which an exhaustive bibliographic analysis was carried out and cartographic materials were collected. Spatial data and different themes were organized in a Geographic Information System (GIS), proceeding with a first segmentation (environmental patches identification) based on geomorphologic, geological land use, bioclimatic, etc. In addition, an analysis of mountainous plant communities was carried out, based on 1047 phytosociological relevés (554 original) in order to investigate paleo-geographic, ecological and anthropic factors that influence floral and vegetation diversity. Data from literature and field studies (1998–2013) have been critically analyzed in order to clarify the syntaxonomic position of the main vegetation types. Twenty-six new syntaxa (associations and subassociations) are proposed and an updated sintaxonomic scheme is presented. Querco-Fagetea and Molinio-Arrhenetheretea are the most represented classes in the area due to the bioclimatic factors. Wet communities (Isoeto-Nanojuncetea, Nardetea strictae, ScheuchzerioCaricetea fuscae, Montio-Cardaminetea and Littorelletea uniflorae) have a significant biogeographical importance due to a rich group of boreal species. This “Nordic imprint” of the flora, vegetation and landscape is of special interest and its peculiarities are analyzed from ecological and biogeographycal point of view. Mediterranean and sub-Mediterranean elements prevail in the dry grasslands and shrublands. Some problems about the dynamics of vegetation are discussed such as the role of black pine communities and their relations with beech forests, trying also to provide clues for conservation strategies and management

REGISTRATION OF INTERNAL MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE TOOTH USING DENTAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Purpose: Dental photography plays important role in the transfer of information between dentists as well as in communication between them and the dental technicians. It is very important to take precise photos of external and internal morphological characteristics of the teeth. There are different methods for that. The aim is to establish a protocol for registration of internal morphological characteristics of teeth by digital dental photography. Material and methods: For the accomplishment of the aim60intact frontal teeth of 30 patients aged between 18 and 20 years were photographed. The following basic and additional devices for dental photography were used: 1. Digital SLR (DSLR): • Body - Nikon D90 • Lens - Nikon AF-S Micro Nikkor 105 f / 2.8G VR • Flash - Nikon SB-R-200 Speedlight remote kit R1 2. Lingual contraster 3. Reflective disk with silver surface Lingual contraster was placed behind the respective tooth when taking photos. Light reflector was placed sideways near patient’s head. The head of the flash that is near to the reflector was oriented towards it. The other flash on the opposite side, activated at a minimum power, was directed to the tooth row. Results: Internal characteristics of the tooth - enamel cracks, translucency, transparency, opacity and opalescence were easily and predictably recorded by the described methodology. Conclusions: The method suggested by us can be successfully used for recording the internal morphological characteristics of the tooth

Comparative Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activities of Wild and Cultivated Laurus nobilis L. Leaves and Foeniculum vulgare subsp. piperitum (Ucria) Coutinho Seeds

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Correction of the typification of Corydalis solida var. bracteosa and lectotypification of C. densiflora (Papaveraceae)

The genus Corydalis DC. in Lamarck & Candolle (1805: 637) (Papaveraceae) consists of about 440 species distributed in Eurasia, North America and Africa (Lidén & Zetterlund 1997). Corydalis densiflora C.Presl in Presl & Presl (1822: 10) was first described from Sicily based on material collected by C.B. Presl “in nemorosis Nebrodum” during a trip in Sicily in 1817 (Sutorý 2006). According to Lidén & Zetterlund (1997), C. densiflora occurs in peninsular Italy, Sicily and Algeria. The plants coming from Algeria have also been described as C. solida (Linnaeus 1753: 699) Clairville (1811: 371) var. bracteosa Battandier & Trabut (1905: 498), a taxon regarded by Lidén & Zetterlund (1997) as a synonym of C. densiflora. The aim of this paper is to identify and study the type material of both names and to clarify their distribution. This study was carried out within the initiative “Italian Loci Classici Census” (Domina et al. 2012, Peruzzi et al. 2015), aimed at providing data on the original material of the plants described from Italy (e.g. Di Pietro et al. 2012, Gallo et al. 2012, Peruzzi et al. 2012, 2013a, 2013b, Bartolucci & Conti 2013, Bartolucci et al. 2013, Bartolucci & Peruzzi 2014, Bartolucci & Domina 2014, Conti et al. 2014)