In Silico and In Vitro Study of Antioxidant Potential of Urolithins

In this work, quantum chemical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) were performed to predict the antioxidant potential of four bioactive gut microbiota metabolites of the natural polyphenols ellagitannins (ETs) and ellagic acid (EA), also known as urolithins (UROs). In order to evaluate their ability to counter the effect of oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as the hydroperoxyl radical (•OOH), different reaction mechanisms were investigated, considering water and lipid-like environments. Through our in silico results, it emerged that at physiological pH, the scavenging activity of all urolithins, except urolithin B, are higher than that of trolox and other potent antioxidants existing in nature, such as EA, α-mangostin, allicin, caffeine and melatonin. These findings were confirmed by experimental assays

Estrogen administration modulates Parvalbumin expression in the hippocampus of trimethyltin-treated rats

Trimethyltin (TMT)-induced hippocampal injury represents a suitable instrument not only to study neuronal and glial responses during neurogeneration and intracellular signaling pathways associated with neuronal damage, but also to validate new strategies to clarify brain repair mechanisms [1-3]. Rats exposed to TMT show severe loss of pyramidal neurons in the CA1 and CA3 hippocampal subfields, showing a subacute pattern developing over three weeks, associated with astroglial and microglial activation, enhanced neurogenesis, seizures and cognitive impairment [1-3]. Since it is known that 17 beta-estradiol (E2) plays a role in neuroprotection and influences GABAergic transmission, also by modulating parvalbumin (PV) expression [4, 5], in the present study we explored, in the hippocampus of TMT-treated ovariectomised rats, the effects of E2 administration. After TMT or saline treatment, animals (n=6/group) received two i.p. E2 doses (100microg/rat) or vehicle, and were sacrificed on post-treatment day 7. Unbiased stereological analysis of Fluoro Jade-, GAD67- and PV-stained hippocampal sections evidenced that, while E2 administration does not significantly influence the extent of neuronal death, as well as the increase in the number of GAD67 expressing interneurons caused by the toxicant, it induces a significant increase in the number of PV positive hippocampal neurons (p<0.05). No significant changes in the expression of Aggrecan, marker of the perineuronal net, were detectable among the experimental groups. qPCR analysis of hippocampal samples confirmed the upregulation of PV mRNA starting 48h after treatment. It is well known that PV interneurons give a crucial contribute to cognitive processes and their dysfunction severely impairs brain functions. They are also responsible for a peculiar form of experience-related plasticity, which modulates memory and learning, thus representing a potential target for neuroprotective strategies [6]. Our results add information concerning the role of in vivo E2 administration on mechanisms involved in cellular plasticity in the adult brain

QUATERNARY BUILD-UPS AND RHODALGAL CARBONATES ALONG THE ADRIATIC AND IONIAN COASTS OF THE ITALIAN PENINSULA: A REVIEW

In the Mediterranean, build-ups (created by coralline algae, Cladocora caespitosa, deep-water corals, vermetids, polychaetes and bacteria) and rhodolith beds are important hot-spots of biodiversity. Being severely threatened by anthropogenic impact and climate change, they have been included in international directives on environmental protection. This work wants to support the ongoing research on modern bioconstructions by providing further data on the long-term effects of environmental factors on these habitats. Our results are based on the analysis of the existing literature on the outcropping Quaternary successions of the Adriatic and Ionian coasts of peninsular Italy. The existing reports of build-ups and rhodalgal carbonates have been summarized in an homogeneous data-set and then studied to highlight distribution patterns in space and time. The analyses consistently outlined the importance of sedimentation rate in controlling the general distribution of build-ups and rhodalgal carbonates. The majority of the reports is concentrated south of the Gargano, where the sediment-load of the rivers is small. The majority of the reports is related to coralline algae, suggesting that they were the main carbonate producers during the period. C. caespitosa general distribution is mainly controlled by temperature, with most of the occurrences dating back to the warm periods of the late Ionian and of the Tarantian. Large build-ups of Cladocora are restricted to embayments and gulfs well-protected against storm waves. The distribution of the outcrops of deep-water corals is biased by the geological setting. A remarkable uplift is necessary to bring these corals from their original deep-water setting to elevated areas onshore. Consequently, most of the outcrops are in Southern Calabria which is characterized by a strong Quaternary uplift. Chemosynthetic build-ups, intertidal bioconstructions (made by vermetids, polychaetes or coralline algae), as well as stromatolites, are rare in the study area

Social Preference Tests in Zebrafish: A Systematic Review

The use of animal models in biology research continues to be necessary for the development of new technologies and medicines, and therefore crucial for enhancing human and animal health. In this context, the need to ensure the compliance of research with the principles Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (the 3 Rs), which underpin the ethical and human approach to husbandry and experimental design, has become a central issue. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is becoming a widely used model in the field of behavioral neuroscience. In particular, studying zebrafish social preference, by observing how an individual fish interacts with conspecifics, may offer insights into several neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. The main aim of this review is to summarize principal factors affecting zebrafish behavior during social preference tests. We identified three categories of social research using zebrafish: studies carried out in untreated wild-type zebrafish, in pharmacologically treated wild-type zebrafish, and in genetically engineered fish. We suggest guidelines for standardizing social preference testing in the zebrafish model. The main advances gleaned from zebrafish social behavior testing are discussed, together with the relevance of this method to scientific research, including the study of behavioral disorders in humans. The authors stress the importance of adopting an ethical approach that considers the welfare of animals involved in experimental procedures. Ensuring a high standard of animal welfare is not only good for the animals, but also enhances the quality of our science

Il social media marketing per le aziende di trasporto pubblico: uno studio esplorativo sulla strategia di AMTS

Il presente studio ha come oggetto lo studio della pagina Facebook aziendale diun’azienda di trasporto pubblico al fine di analizzare la strategia di pubblicazione deipost e le reazioni ad essi, utilizzando categorie di codifica esistenti in letteratura.L’analisi del contenuto svolta, mostra come nella pagina predominino i contenuti dinatura funzionale, mentre mancano quasi del tutto i contenuti volti a creare interazionecon l’utenza. Le categorie che suscitano più reazioni, sono quelle relative ai post di naturapromozionale, mentre i post di tipo educativo, sono quelli che suscitano più commenti.Il numero di condivisioni per tutte le categorie è molto basso. I risultati ottenuti potrebbero essere utilizzati al fine di ottimizzare la strategia di pubblicazione dei post da parte dell’azienda. The present exploratory research deals with the study of a public transport company’sFacebook page: the main objective is to analyze the publication strategy of thepost monitoring the reactions to them, using existing coding categories in the literature. The analysis of the content carried out shows that the page is dominated by content ofa functional nature, while content aimed at creating interaction with users is almostcompletely missing. Promotional post category elicited more reactions (likes), while educational post aroused more comments. The number of shares for all categories is very low. The results obtained could be used to optimize the company’s publication strategy

Extended screening for infectious diseases among newly-arrived asylum seekers from Africa and Asia, Verona province, Italy, April 2014 to June 2015

Background and aimManagement of health issues presented by newly-arrived migrants is often limited to communicable diseases even though other health issues may be more prevalent. We report the results of infectious disease screening proposed to 462 recently-arrived asylum seekers over 14 years of age in Verona province between April 2014 and June 2015. Methods: Screening for latent tuberculosis (TB) was performed via tuberculin skin test (TST) and/or QuantiFERON-TB Gold in-tube assay and/or chest X-ray. An ELISA was used to screen for syphilis. Stool microscopy was used to screen for helminthic infections, and serology was also used for strongyloidiasis and schistosomiasis. Screening for the latter also included urine filtration and microscopy. Results: Most individuals came from sub-Saharan Africa (77.5%), with others coming from Asia (21.0%) and North Africa (1.5%). The prevalence of viral diseases/markers of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was 1.3%, HCV infection was 0.85% and hepatitis B virus surface antigen was 11.6%. Serological tests for syphilis were positive in 3.7% of individuals. Of 125 individuals screened for TB via the TST, 44.8% were positive and of 118 screened via the assay, 44.0% were positive. Of 458 individuals tested for strongyloidiasis, 91 (19.9%) were positive, and 76 of 358 (21.2%) individuals from sub-Saharan Africa were positive for schistosomiasis. Conclusions: The screening of viral diseases is questionable because of low prevalence and/or long-term, expensive treatments. For opposing reasons, helminthic infections are probably worth to be targeted by screening strategies in asylum seekers of selected countries of origin

Modulation of hippocampal gabaergic subpopulations induced by estrogen administration in the Trimethyltin model of hippocampal neurodegeneration

Estrogens exert neuroprotection through multiple mechanisms, including increased neuronal plasticity [1]. Due to their involvement in the modulation of hippocampal functions, the present study investigates the effects of exogenous 17-beta estradiol (E2) in the rat model of Trimethyltin (TMT)-induced hippocampal neurodegeneration (8mg/kg), characterized by pyramidal cell death selectively localized in CA1,CA3/hilus hippocampal subfields accompanied by glial activation, seizures and cognitive impairment [2,3,4]. After TMT or saline treatment, ovariectomized animals received two E2 (0.2 mg/kg i.p.) or vehicle (oil) doses and were sacrificed 48h or 7 days after TMT- treatment. Our data indicate that E2, although not influencing the extent of neuronal loss in TMT-treated animals, induces the early upregulation of the antiapoptotic gene Bcl2l and of BDNF and TrkB, , essentially involved in neuroprotection and cell survival. In addition, in the TMT+E2-treated group a significant upregulation of glutamic acid decarboxylase (Gad) 67, neuropeptide Y (npy)- and parvalbumin (pva) genes, as well as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator-1α pathway, involved in both parvalbumin (PV) synthesis and neuroprotection, was detected. Unbiased stereology performed on rats sacrificed 7 days after TMT-treatment pointed out that E2 significantly affects the size of specific hippocampal GABAergic subpopulations in selected hippocampal subfields of TMT-treated animals. In particular, a significant increase of GAD67-expressing interneurons in CA1 stratum oriens, CA3 pyramidal layer, hilus and dentate gyrus, accompanied by a parallel increase of NPYexpressing cells and of PV-positive basket cells in CA1pyramidal layer was detectable. Due the relevance of interneuron role in restoring the inhibitory drive in circuit reorganization, our results add Information on the role of in vivo E2 administration on mechanisms involved in cellular plasticity in the adult brain

Short-Term Effects of Human versus Bovine Sialylated Milk Oligosaccharide Microinjection on Zebrafish Larvae Survival, Locomotor Behavior and Gene Expression

Milk oligosaccharides are a complex class of carbohydrates that act as bioactive factors in numerous defensive and physiological functions, including brain development. Early nutrition can modulate nervous system development and can lead to epigenetic imprinting. We attempted to increase the sialylated oligosaccharide content of zebrafish yolk reserves, with the aim of evaluating any short-term effects of the treatment on mortality, locomotor behavior, and gene expression. Wild-type embryos were microinjected with saline solution or solutions containing sialylated milk oligosaccharides extracted from human and bovine milk. The results suggest that burst activity and larval survival rates were unaffected by the treatments. Locomotion parameters were found to be similar during the light phase between control and treated larvae; in the dark, however, milk oligosaccharide-treated larvae showed increased test plate exploration. Thigmotaxis results did not reveal significant differences in either the light or the dark conditions. The RNA-seq analysis indicated that both treatments exert an antioxidant effect in developing fish. Moreover, sialylated human milk oligosaccharides seemed to increase the expression of genes related to cell cycle control and chromosomal replication, while bovine-derived oligosaccharides caused an increase in the expression of genes involved in synaptogenesis and neuronal signaling. These data shed some light on this poorly explored research field, showing that both human and bovine oligosaccharides support brain proliferation and maturation

seafloor integrity of the mar piccolo basin southern italy quantifying anthropogenic impact

ABSTRACTThe Mar Piccolo Basin is a coastal brackish marine ecosystem located along the northern coast of the Gulf of Taranto (Southern Italy). Despite the ecological relevance of the area (Site of Community Importance IT9130004, Regional Reserve 'Palude La Vela' EUAP1189), the entire basin is subjected to intensive human usage. The main activities include extensive mussel farming, important industrial activities, a military harbor and densely populated shores. The goal of our study was to spatially quantify human pressure within the basin and its relationship with biocoenoses. A broad set of data was integrated including acoustic remote data (obtained using a multibeam echosounder and side scan sonar devices), direct observations obtained by SCUBA diving and from a trawled camera, an orthophoto and ESRI® Imagery Basemap. At least eight categories of anthropogenic infrastructure and marks of past and present-day human activities were identified within the Mar Piccolo Basin water column and on the seafloor...