PF24 and training for teachers: a workshop approach proposal

Universities have a key role in the initial training for teachers, therefore they can contribute to innovate school, e.g. by proposing students-centered teaching. This article presents the chemistry course activated by the University of Florence as part of the PF24 programme. The course presented contents that were inspired by the most advanced research in chemistry teaching through a problem-based and laboratory approach. The course has obtained good results both in terms of interest shown by attendants and objectives achieved. PF24 e formazione docenti: una proposta di approccio laboratorialeLe Università giocano un ruolo essenziale nella formazione iniziale dei docenti, potendo così contribuire al cambiamento della scuola dal suo interno e all’introduzione di didattiche incentrate sugli studenti. In questo articolo si presenta il corso di didattica della chimica attivato dall’Università di Firenze nell’ambito del PF24. Il corso ha presentato contenuti ispirati alla più aggiornata ricerca in didattica della chimica attraverso un approccio problem-based e laboratoriale. Il corso ha ottenuto buoni risultati sia in termini di interesse mostrato dagli studenti frequentanti sia in termini di obiettivi raggiunti

PF24 and training for teachers: a workshop approach proposal

Universities have a key role in the initial training for teachers, therefore they can contribute to innovate school, e.g. by proposing students-centered teaching. This article presents the chemistry course activated by the University of Florence as part of the PF24 programme. The course presented contents that were inspired by the most advanced research in chemistry teaching through a problem-based and laboratory approach. The course has obtained good results both in terms of interest shown by attendants and objectives achieved.   PF24 e formazione docenti: una proposta di approccio laboratoriale Le Università giocano un ruolo essenziale nella formazione iniziale dei docenti, potendo così contribuire al cambiamento della scuola dal suo interno e all’introduzione di didattiche incentrate sugli studenti. In questo articolo si presenta il corso di didattica della chimica attivato dall’Università di Firenze nell’ambito del PF24. Il corso ha presentato contenuti ispirati alla più aggiornata ricerca in didattica della chimica attraverso un approccio problem-based e laboratoriale. Il corso ha ottenuto buoni risultati sia in termini di interesse mostrato dagli studenti frequentanti sia in termini di obiettivi raggiunti

Methylene blue-containing liposomes as new photodynamic anti-bacterial agents

Novel cationic liposomes containing the photo-activatable drug methylene blue (MB) strongly enhance the antibacterial activity of MB towards Gram-negative bacteria and improve biofilm penetration.</p

Therapeutic Effects of the Superoxide Dismutase Mimetic Compound Mn(II)Me2DO2A on Experimental Articular Pain in Rats.

Superoxide anion () is overproduced in joint inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Increased production leads to tissue damage, articular degeneration, and pain. In these conditions, the physiological defense against , superoxide dismutases (SOD) are decreased. The complex MnL4 is a potent SOD mimetic, and in this study it was tested in inflammatory and osteoarticular rat pain models. In vivo protocols were approved by the animal Ethical Committee of the University of Florence. Pain was measured by paw pressure and hind limb weight bearing alterations tests. MnL4 (15 mg kg−1) acutely administered, significantly reduced pain induced by carrageenan, complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA), and sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA). In CFA and MIA protocols, it ameliorated the alteration of postural equilibrium. When administered by osmotic pump in the MIA osteoarthritis, MnL4 reduced pain, articular derangement, plasma TNF alpha levels, and protein carbonylation. The scaffold ring was ineffective. MnL4 (10−7 M) prevented the lipid peroxidation of isolated human chondrocytes when was produced by RAW 264.7. MnL4 behaves as a potent pain reliever in acute inflammatory and chronic articular pain, being its efficacy related to antioxidant property. Therefore MnL4 appears as a novel protective compound potentially suitable for the treatment of joint diseases

Different Antioxidant Efficacy of Two MnII-Containing Superoxide Anion Scavengers on Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Exposed Cardiac Muscle Cells

Oxidative stress due to excess superoxide anion ([Formula: see text]) produced by dysfunctional mitochondria is a key pathogenic event of aging and ischemia-reperfusion diseases. Here, a new [Formula: see text]-scavenging MnII complex with a new polyamino-polycarboxylate macrocycle (4,10-dimethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,7-diacetate) containing 2 quinoline units (MnQ2), designed to improve complex stability and cell permeability, was compared to parental MnII complex with methyls replacing quinolines (MnM2). MnQ2 was more stable than MnM2 (log K = 19.56(8) vs. 14.73(2) for the equilibrium Mn2+ + L2-, where L = Q2 and M2) due to the involvement of quinoline in metal binding and to the hydrophobic features of the ligand which improve metal desolvation upon complexation. As oxidative stress model, H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts were subjected to hypoxia-reoxygenation. MnQ2 and MnM2 (10 μmol L-1) were added at reoxygenation for 1 or 2 h. The more lipophilic MnQ2 showed more rapid cell and mitochondrial penetration than MnM2. Both MnQ2 and MnM2 abated endogenous ROS and mitochondrial [Formula: see text], decreased cell lipid peroxidation, reduced mitochondrial dysfunction, in terms of efficiency of the respiratory chain and preservation of membrane potential (Δψ) and permeability, decreased the activation of pro-apoptotic caspases 9 and 3, and increased cell viability. Of note, MnQ2 was more effective than MnM2 to exert cytoprotective anti-oxidant effects in the short term. Compounds with redox-inert ZnII replacing the functional MnII were ineffective. This study provides clues which further our understanding of the structure-activity relationships of MnII-chelates and suggests that MnII-polyamino-polycarboxylate macrocycles could be developed as new anti-oxidant drugs