Il dialetto di Senigallia

Nell’ambito della situazione dialettale marchigiana, il dialetto di Senigallia svolge un ruolo “di frontiera”. E’ infatti il primo importante centro costiero che linguisticamente non partecipi di certe caratteristiche fonetiche e morfologiche proprie dell’area marchigiana settentrionale. Lo studio analizza i tratti più significativi del dialetto senigalliese

Increased levels of DNA methyltransferases are associated with the tumorigenic capacity of prostate cancer cells

DNA methylation might be the earliest somatic genome changes in prostate cancer that also play an important role in the process of tumor invasion, growth and metastasis. In recent years, several inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTis) have been developed and evaluated in pre-clinical models and in clinical trials. While these compounds are effective in the treatment of hematological conditions, clinical trials in solid tumors and in prostate cancer have shown limited or no efficacy. This may be attributed to inappropriate dose regimens leading to toxicity-related adverse events. As with other anti-target compounds, one of the obstacles encountered with DNMTis in prostate cancer could be the inability to select patients for the clinical studies as well as the inability to monitor the efficacy of the drug if not the conclusion of the study. Primary cultures derived from human prostatic tissues harvested from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) as well as neoplastic and non-neoplastic prostate cell lines were tested for DNMT expression/activity and to monitor azacitidine molecular efficacy. We observed that in primary cultures the levels of DNMT activity as well as the protein levels of DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b were higher in cultures derived from PCa compared to BPH tissue samples and significantly higher in cultures derived from PCa with Gleason scores ≥7 compared to those observed in cultures derived from Gleason scores <7. In addition, DNMT activity as well as DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b levels were higher in PCa cell lines compared to their non-neoplastic counterparts. Although DNMT activity was higher in high tumorigenic/aggressive PCa cell lines compared to low tumorigenic/aggressive cell lines, only the levels of DNMT3a and DNMT3b were significantly higher in the first group of cells, suggesting that DNMT1 activity is related to the transition to non-neoplastic versus neoplastic phenotype whereas the de novo methylation enzymes were mainly related to progression. Nevertheless, the comparison in the more aggressive PC3 cell derivatives (PC3-LN4 cells) also possessed higher levels of DNMT1 compared to PC3 and PC3M from which these cells were derived. Collectively, our results confirm previous data on the increased methylation in more aggressive tumors supporting the use of DNMTis in advanced prostate cancer. In addition, since glutathione S-transferase-π (GSTP1) was re-expressed or its protein levels were increased after treatment with non-toxic azacitidine doses and since GSTP1 can easily be measured in patient sera, the monitoring of this protein may aide in the evaluation of therapy in future clinical trials

Progress in the Development of CdTe and CdZnTe Semiconductor Radiation Detectors for Astrophysical and Medical Applications

Over the last decade, cadmium telluride (CdTe) and cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe) wide band gap semiconductors have attracted increasing interest as X-ray and gamma ray detectors. Among the traditional high performance spectrometers based on silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge), CdTe and CdZnTe detectors show high detection efficiency and good room temperature performance and are well suited for the development of compact and reliable detection systems. In this paper, we review the current status of research in the development of CdTe and CdZnTe detectors by a comprehensive survey on the material properties, the device characteristics, the different techniques for improving the overall detector performance and some major applications. Astrophysical and medical applications are discussed, pointing out the ongoing Italian research activities on the development of these detectors

Intermittent theta-burst stimulation rescues dopamine-dependent corticostriatal synaptic plasticity and motor behavior in experimental parkinsonism. Possible role of glial activity.

Background: Recent studies support the therapeutic utility of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in Parkinson's disease (PD), whose progression is correlated with loss of corticostriatal long-term potentiation and long-term depression. Glial cell activation is also a feature of PD that is gaining increasing attention in the field because astrocytes play a role in chronic neuroinflammatory responses but are also able to manage dopamine (DA) levels. Methods: Intermittent theta-burst stimulation protocol was applied to study the effect of therapeutic neuromodulation on striatal DA levels measured by means of in vivo microdialysis in 6-hydroxydopamine-hemilesioned rats. Effects on corticostriatal synaptic plasticity were studied through in vitro intracellular and whole-cell patch clamp recordings while stepping test and CatWalk were used to test motor behavior. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to analyze morphological changes in neurons and glial cells. Results: Acute theta-burst stimulation induced an increase in striatal DA levels in hemiparkinsonian rats, 80 minutes post-treatment, correlated with full recovery of plasticity and amelioration of motor performances. With the same timing, immediate early gene activation was restricted to striatal spiny neurons. Intense astrocytic and microglial responses were also significantly reduced 80 minutes following theta-burst stimulation. Conclusion: Taken together, these results provide a first glimpse on physiological adaptations that occur in the parkinsonian striatum following intermittent theta-burst stimulation and may help to disclose the real potential of this technique in treating PD and preventing DA replacement therapy-associated disturbances

Determination of surface lattice strain in ZnTe epilayers on {100}GaAs by ion channeling and reflectance spectroscopy

We report on the direct measurements of surface lattice strain in ZnTe epitaxial layers on {100}GaAs substrates by ion channeling Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and low‐temperature (10 K) reflectance spectroscopy measurements. The measured ZnTe strain is the superposition of the expected thermal (tensile) strain and a thickness‐dependent residual compressive strain. Our data indicate that the removal of this residual strain is slower than the rate predicted by the equilibrium theory, following an apparent h−1/2 power‐law dependence on the epilayer thickness h, above ∼100 nm

Ancient spring waters still emerging and accessible in the Roman Forum area. Chemical–physical and microbiological characterization

The presence of abundant surface and underground waters and, consequently, fertile and flat soils favored the birth and expansion of Rome. Before the construction of the first aqueduct, the “springs” were probably the only source of drinking water in Rome. At the same time, today, many of them are only scarce outcrops that, anyway, constitute an important heritage for their hydrogeological, archaeological, and monumental significance. In the present study, a multiparametric analytical approach is reported to highlight possible differences among the still emerging and accessible sources in the area of the Roman Forum and to exclude infiltrations from the water and/or sewage network. Temperature, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and redox potential were measured in situ, while the salt and bicarbonate content, the fixed residue, some UV-Vis indices, and the volatile organic compounds were determined in the laboratory. The microbiological water quality was evaluated by assaying Escherichia coli, intestinal Enterococci, and Salmonella, with the total bacterial count at 22 and 37°C. As expected, all samples are non-potable. Nevertheless, the comparison of data on standpipes close to the springs allowed us to exclude important infiltrations from the water network and the microbiological analysis of those from the sewer network

Prevalence and time course of post-stroke pain: A multicenter prospective hospital-based study

OBJECTIVE: Pain prevalence data for patients at various stages after stroke. DESIGN: Repeated cross-sectional, observational epidemiological study. SETTING: Hospital-based multicenter study. SUBJECTS: Four hundred forty-three prospectively enrolled stroke survivors. METHODS: All patients underwent bedside clinical examination. The different types of post-stroke pain (central post-stroke pain, musculoskeletal pains, shoulder pain, spasticity-related pain, and headache) were diagnosed with widely accepted criteria during the acute, subacute, and chronic stroke stages. Differences among the three stages were analyzed with χ(2)-tests. RESULTS: The mean overall prevalence of pain was 29.56% (14.06% in the acute, 42.73% in the subacute, and 31.90% in the chronic post-stroke stage). Time course differed significantly according to the various pain types (P < 0.001). The prevalence of musculoskeletal and shoulder pain was higher in the subacute and chronic than in the acute stages after stroke; the prevalence of spasticity-related pain peaked in the chronic stage. Conversely, headache manifested in the acute post-stroke stage. The prevalence of central post-stroke pain was higher in the subacute and chronic than in the acute post-stroke stage. Fewer than 25% of the patients with central post-stroke pain received drug treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Pain after stroke is more frequent in the subacute and chronic phase than in the acute phase, but it is still largely undertreated

Correctors of mutant CFTR enhance subcortical cAMP-PKA signaling through modulating ezrin phosphorylation and cytoskeleton organization

The most common mutation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene, F508del, produces a misfolded protein resulting in its defective trafficking to the cell surface and an impaired chloride secretion. Pharmacological treatments partially rescue F508del CFTR activity either directly by interacting with the mutant protein and/or indirectly by altering the cellular protein homeostasis. Here, we show that the phosphorylation of ezrin together with its binding to phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) tethers the F508del CFTR to the actin cytoskeleton, stabilizing it on the apical membrane and rescuing the sub-membrane compartmentalization of cAMP and activated PKA. Both the small molecules trimethylangelicin (TMA) and VX-809, which act as 'correctors' for F508del CFTR by rescuing F508del-CFTR-dependent chloride secretion, also restore the apical expression of phosphorylated ezrin and actin organization and increase cAMP and activated PKA submembrane compartmentalization in both primary and secondary cystic fibrosis airway cells. Latrunculin B treatment or expression of the inactive ezrin mutant T567A reverse the TMA and VX-809-induced effects highlighting the role of corrector-dependent ezrin activation and actin re-organization in creating the conditions to generate a sub-cortical cAMP pool of adequate amplitude to activate the F508del-CFTR-dependent chloride secretion

Da Baco a Farfalla: storia di una metamorfosi

Nel corso degli anni, di necessità in necessità, nella biblioteca dell’Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G.Caporale”(IZSAM) sono state create e gestite attività per soddisfare bisogni conoscitivi e formativi impellenti legati all’evoluzione del contesto (società digitale e della conoscenza) e dei compiti istituzionali. Dalla conservazione fisica di libri e riviste a quella virtuale, dalla catalogazione home made all’esperienza SBN e ACNP, dall’indicizzazione e spoglio dei periodici all’indicizzazione delle risorse; dalle cartoline postali per le richieste di articoli scientifici all’universo NILDE: una manciata di anni per copernicane rivoluzioni della galassia Biblioteca. Allo stesso tempo l’aumento e la differenziazione degli utenti, conseguenza della pervasività e diffusione della rete hanno determinato la comparsa di nuovi scenari e candidato la Biblioteca a protagonista di molteplici variegati fronti: formazione, produzione di ricerca scientifica, valutazione della ricerca scientifica, creazione di repository istituzionale, informazione normativa e giornalistica. La Biblioteca dell’IZSAM ha fatto scelte coraggiose, come l’accesso aperto:la rivista open access Veterinaria Italiana, corredata di impact factor; il repository istituzionale - vetrina e archivio (a breve auto implementato); la fornitura degli articoli direttamente ai ricercatori. I risultati conseguiti riguardano due aspetti essenziali: −− il rafforzamento del valore sociale in termini di diffusione della conoscenza, di formazione e informazione degli utenti, di raccolta e conservazione della documentazione scientifica, di interlocutore privilegiato aperto al territorio locale soprattutto per le tematiche sanitarie; −− l’incremento del valore economico, vale a dire l’utile realizzato sugli investimenti di funzionamento (abbonamenti alle banche dati, gold road, personale), in termini di produzione e pubblicazione di risultati della ricerca scientifica, valutazione della produzione scientifica, realizzazione di risparmi attraverso la partecipazione a consorzi, contributo dato alla presentazione o rendicontazione di progetti di ricerca, twinning, opportunità di incontro tra ricercatori, ritorno d’immagine e “fiducia” per l’intera organizzazione.During the past years, so to address the different needs of our users, the library of the dell’Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G.Caporale”(IZSAM) has fostered several activities to support the pressing scientific and educational necessities arising from both the emergence of the socalled information society – data-driven societies, which are dependant of the use of information and communication technologies, and the evolution of the institutional role of the library itself. The past decade has been characterised by radical changes in the library science and management. We went from the physical to the digital archiving of books and journals, from an artisanal archiving procedure to the with SBN and ACNP, from the use of indexing paper-based publications to online indexing and search engines, from postcards sent to request scientific articles to the NILDE universe At the same time, our users grew in number and became a heterogeneous group, assigning to the library a leading role in a all new set of scenarios prompted by the information-revolution: education; scientific research production; scientific research evaluation; creation of an institutional repository; circulation of news, both media-oriented and governance-related. The IZASAM library made brave decisions, like fostering an open access policy with respect to the scientific, peer-reviewed journal Veterinaria Italiana, which is indexed in some of the major scientific repositories and has an impact factor; as well as with the creation of an institutional repository – an (auto-implemented) archive, and the supporting of the IZASAM research staff by providing them directly with the research articles and books that they may need.The obtained results concerns two pivotal aspects: the strengthening of the social value of the library; re: the sharing of information and knowledge, the fostering users’ education, the collection and archiving of scientific publications, and the crucial role that the library acquired in its territory for the sharing of scientific information concerning health-related topics; the growing of the economic value; i.e. the profit made on the investments made to improve the library’s activities (subscription to repositories, gold road, and staff), along with the production and publication of scientific research, evaluation of the scientific output, the participation in consortia, the collaboration in research projects, i.e. focusing on the budgeting and circulation of news relevant to the considered research projects, twinning, as well as organisation of networking opportunities for the IZASAM researchers; and eventually the support to the reputation of the whole IZASAM and of the public trust in it