825 research outputs found

    Seed germination of Thymus richardii subsp. nitidus (Lamiaceae)

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    The germination ability of the punctual endemic Thymus richardii subsp. nitidus (Lamiaceae) from the Island of Marettimo in W Sicily was studied. Mature seeds were collected in the field. Different experimental conditions were tested and the best methods with optimal germination results were provided. This is the first germination record for this taxon

    Sviluppo di Sistemi Microparticellari Biodegradabili nella Veicolazione di Farmaci

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    Lo sviluppo di Drug Delivery Systems sempre più sofisticati rappresenta oggi la ricerca di frontiera nel settore tecnologico-farmaceutico. In tale ambito, il lavoro di ricerca oggetto della tesi di dottorato ha avuto come obiettivo la progettazione, la realizzazione e l’applicazione di sistemi microparticellari per il rilascio modificato di biofarmaci al polmone. Tali sistemi sono stati progettati per essere somministrati per via inalatoria direttamente in forma di polvere secca. A tal fine, sono state sviluppate particelle porose di grandi dimensioni o Large porous particles (LPP) che rappresentano una valida strategia formulativa per l’ottenimento di polveri respirabili. L’impiego, poi, di materiali a base di polimeri d’uso consolidato, quali l’acido poli(lattico-co-glicolico), può essere di grande aiuto nella produzione di polveri che combinino l’abilità di raggiungere il sito bersaglio ad una attività terapeutica a lungo termine. In particolare, tali sistemi possono migliorare la stabilità in vivo del farmaco veicolato, diminuirne la tossicità, prolungarne il tempo di permanenza in situ e permettere la combinazione con altri principi attivi o eccipienti di supporto (e.g., promotori d’assorbimento). Il lavoro di tesi si è articolato in due fasi successive. Entrambe le fasi di ricerca hanno previsto uno studio approfondito di tipo tecnologico-formulativo confortato, poi, da studi farmacologici condotti in collaborazione con il Dipartimento di Farmacologia Sperimentale di questa Università. Nel corso della prima fase sono state studiate le potenzialità applicative di LPP a base di PLGA per il rilascio al polmone di insulina. Sulla base dell’esperienza maturata, nell’ambito di un progetto finanziato dalla Fondazione Italiana per la Fibrosi Cistica (FFC#5/2007), sono state sviluppate LPP a base di PLGA per il rilascio controllato al polmone di un decoy ODN diretto contro NF-B per il trattamento della fibrosi cistica. I dati raccolti dimostrano che le LPP di PLGA progettate rappresentano un carrier sicuro ed efficace per il rilascio controllato di proteine ed oligonucleotidi al polmone. Le polveri contenenti insulina raggiungono gli alveoli, rilasciano la proteina che, assorbita in forma attiva, mostra un’efficacia terapeutica dose-dipendente. Modificando il progetto formulativo, è stato possibile ottenere LPP in grado di rilasciare lentamente un dec-ODN a livello locale, inibire l’attivazione di NF-B e ridurre i livelli di IL-6 ed IL-8. Pertanto, le LPP sviluppate rappresentano anche un ottimo carrier per ridurre l’infiammazione cronica polmonare nei pazienti affetti da fibrosi cistica

    Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs): Biochemistry, Signaling, Analytical Methods, and Epigenetic Effects

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    The advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are organic molecules formed in any living organisms with a great variety of structural and functional properties. They are considered organic markers of the glycation process. Due to their great heterogeneity, there is no specific test for their operational measurement. In this review, we have updated the most common chromatographic, colorimetric, spectroscopic, mass spectrometric, and serological methods, typically used for the determination of AGEs in biological samples. We have described their signaling and signal transduction mechanisms and cell epigenetic effects. Although mass spectrometric analysis is not widespread in the detection of AGEs at the clinical level, this technique is highly promising for the early diagnosis and therapeutics of diseases caused by AGEs. Protocols are available for high-resolution mass spectrometry of glycated proteins although they are characterized by complex machine management. Simpler procedures are available although much less precise than mass spectrometry. Among them, immunochemical tests are very common since they are able to detect AGEs in a simple and immediate way. In these years, new methodologies have been developed using an in vivo novel and noninvasive spectroscopic methods. These methods are based on the measurement of autofluorescence of AGEs. Another method consists of detecting AGEs in the human skin to detect chronic exposure, without the inconvenience of invasive methods. The aim of this review is to compare the different approaches of measuring AGEs at a clinical perspective due to their strict association with oxidative stress and inflammation

    Ragusan Nobility in Southern Italy (1681-1905): The Zamagna Barons in Prata di Principato Ultra

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    Dubrovački plemić Sebastijan (Sabo) Serafinov Zamagna (1615- 1690) otkupio je 1681. godine na aukciji barunat Prata (provincija Avellino u Campaniji) za 45.000 dukata. Posjed je uključivao i feude Castelmozzo i Bottacio. Do 1854. godine feud su posjedovali Sebastijanovi nasljednici iz roda Zamagna, a poslije smrti Frana Serafinovog Zamagne (1781-1854) naslijedio ga je Franov nećak Nikola Sebastijanov Gradi (1827-1885). Puna dva stoljeća dubrovački su plemići neoštećeni prolazili kroz najrazličitije nemirne političke i ekonomske prilike u Napuljskom Kraljevstvu i tek je ekonomska kriza potkraj 19. stoljeća odvela u propast golemi posjed starog feudalnog plemstva u južnoj Italiji. U radu se razlažu okolnosti u kojima je feud 1681. godine došao u ruke dubrovačkog plemića i prati povijest feuda do početka 20. stoljeća, kada je konačno otišao na bubanj. Analiziraju se i odnosi između Napuljskog Kraljevstva i Dubrovačke Republike jer baruni Zamagne ni u jednom trenutku nisu izgubili vezu s domovinom nego su do pada Dubrovačke Republike zastupali njezine interese u Napuljskom Kraljevstvu.At an auction in 1681, Ragusan nobleman Sebastian (Sabo) Zamagna (1615- 1690), son of Serafin, purchased Prata di Principato Ultra (province of Avellino in Campania region) for 45,000 ducats. The estate also included the feuds Castelmozzo and Bottacio. Until 1854 the feud was owned by Sebastian’s heirs of the Zamagna family, when by matrilineal descent it came into possession of Nikola Gradi (1827- 1885). For two hundred years the Ragusan nobles managed their way through the unsettled political and economic circumstances in the Kingdom of Naples, and it was not until the economic crisis at the end of the nineteenth century that the huge estate of the old feudal nobility in southern Italy met its ruin. The article traces the circumstances in which the estate came into the hands of the Ragusan nobleman in 1681 and the history of the estate to the dawn of the twentieth century when it was finally partitioned. Equal attention has been given to the relations between the Kingdom of Naples and the Republic of Dubrovnik, as the Zamagna barons never lost touch with their homeland whose interests they represented in the Kingdom of Naples until the Republic’s fall in 1808

    Transcriptomic Analysis of the Pistacia vera (L.) Fruits Enable the Identification of Genes and Hormone-Related Gene Linked to Inflorescence Bud Abscission

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    Pistacia vera (L.) is an alternate bearing species. The tree produces axillary inflorescence buds every year. Still, they abscise in “ON” overloaded shoots, causing a limited production in the following “OFF” year, causing a significant and unfavorable production fluctuation. In this work, we carried out de novo discovery and transcriptomic analysis in fruits of “ON” and “OFF” shoots of the cultivar Bianca. We also investigated whether the fruit signaling pathway and hormone biosynthesis directly or indirectly linked to the premature fall of the inflorescence buds causing alternate bearing. We identified 1536 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in fruits of “ON” vs. “OFF” shoots, which are involved primarily in sugar metabolism, plant hormone pathways and transcription factors. The premature bud abscission linked to the phenomenon is attributable to a lack of nutrients (primarily sugar) and the possible competition between the same branches’ sinks (fruits vs. inflorescence buds). Hormone pathways are involved as a response to signals degradation and remobilization of carbon and nutrients due to the strengthening of the developing embryos. Genes of the secondary metabolism and transcription factors are also involved in tailoring the individual branches response to the nutritional stress and sink competition. Crosstalk among sugar and various hormone-related genes, e.g., ethylene, auxin, ABA and cytokinin, were determined. The discovery of putative biomarkers like callose synthase 5, trehalose-6-phosphate synthase, NAD(P)-linked oxidoreductase and MIOX2, Jasmonate, and salicylic acid-related genes can help to design precision farming practices to mitigate the alternate bearing phenomenon to increase farming profitability. The aim of the analysis is to provide insight into the gene expression profiling of the fate of “ON” and “OFF” fruits associated with the alternate bearing in the pistachio

    Desempeño térmico de una vivienda de arquitectura de tierra en la montaña andina

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    This study analyzes the thermal behavior of a house built with quincha in a bioclimatic zone IVa, in the Andean foothills where the climate is dry cold temperate. Hygrothermal sensors were used to measure the temperature and humidity inside and outside the house for 10 days representative of the cold, warm and intermediate seasons. The results show that the house has a good thermal performance, managing to dampen the large daily temperature amplitudes up to 17°C in winter and 6.8°C in summer (with T°ext min.     = -4.1°C winter and T° ext.max.= 40.1°C in summer). Indoor thermal oscillation is also reduced, keeping the temperature stable and with a 2:10 hour delay on the coldest day. The mass effect of the quincha earth wall presents greater advantages in winter. However, indoor comfort levels are not achieved in summer (only 23%) and in winter (only 12%) through passive thermal conditioning. In the autumn season, comfort levels are achieved by 82%. These results can contribute to the reduction of energy consumption in houses built with natural resources such as earth in similar areas.Este estudio analiza el comportamiento térmico de una vivienda construida con quincha en una zona bioclimática IVa, en la precordillera andina donde el clima es templado frío seco. Se utilizaron sensores higrotérmicos para medir la temperatura y la humedad en el interior y el exterior de la vivienda durante 10 días representativos de las estaciones frías, cálidas e intermedias. Los resultados muestran que la vivienda tiene un buen desempeño térmico, logrando amortiguar las grandes amplitudes diarias de temperatura hasta 17°C en invierno y 6,8°C en verano (con T°ext. min.= -4.1°C en invierno y T° ext. máx.= 40.1°C en verano). También se reduce la oscilación térmica interior, manteniendo la temperatura estable y con un retardo de 2:10 horas en el día más frío. El efecto másico del muro de tierra de quincha presenta mayores ventajas en invierno. Sin embargo, no se alcanzan los niveles de confort interior en verano (solo en un 23%) y en invierno (solo en un 12%) a través del acondicionamiento térmico pasivo. En la estación intermedia (otoño) se logran los niveles de confort en un 82%. Estos resultados pueden contribuir a la reducción del consumo energético en viviendas construidas con recursos naturales como la tierra en zonas similares

    Ecologia e distribuzione di Chamaerops humilis L. (Arecaceae) nella Sicilia nord-orientale

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    I settori costieri e collinari della Sicilia nord-orientale e delle Eolie sono stati esplorati ai fini della raccolta di informazioni aggiornate sulla distribuzione dei popolamenti di palma nana e sulle caratteristiche ecologiche delle stazioni che li ospitano. I risultati delle indagini di campo sono stati integrati dalla verifica dei toponimi locali legati ai nomi dialettali della specie. Si con- ferma la totale assenza della palma nana lungo l’intero settore costiero dei Nebrodi. Dei nove popolamenti accertati, quattro si trovano alle Eolie, due sul versante ionico e tre sul versante tir- renico dei Peloritani; uno di questi ultimi, localizzato su Capo Calavà, risulta inedito. La conco- mitanza di diversi fattori di stress e l’impatto plurisecolare dell’uomo è probabilmente responsa- bile del carattere relittuale di gran parte dei popolamenti considerati, che danno vita a consorzi molto discontinui, e sono rappresentati da piccoli nuclei che formano aggruppamenti semplifi- cati sotto un profilo fisionomico e poveri in termini floristici, perlopiù confinati in contesti roc- ciosi costieri. Di contro, la recente espansione della palma nana registrata a Lipari sembra dipen- dere dalla cessazione delle attività agricole. Infine, i casi di naturalizzazione registrati a Milazzo, Tindari, Panarea, Scaletta Zanclea e Taormina derivano dal suo uso come pianta ornamentale e pongono in risalto l’urgente necessità di regolamentare la sua introduzione per evitare l’inquina- mento genetico dei nuclei autoctoni.The coastal and hilly sectors of NE Sicily and the Aeolian Archipelago have been explored, in order to obtain up-to-date information on the distribution of the populations of Chamaerops humilis and on their site conditions. In addition to the field surveys, any local toponym possibly related to the Sicilian vernacular names of the dwarf palm was checked and verified throughout the investigat- ed area. The total absence of the species along the coasts of Nebrodi Massif is confirmed. Of the 9 extant populations, 4 are located on the Aeolian Islands, 2 along the Ionian coast and 3 along the Tyrrhenian coast of Peloritani Mountains: among them, the one of Capo Calavà represents a new record. The co-occurrence of centuries-long human disturbance and several forms of envi- ronmental stresses could be the reason for the relict connotation of most of the considered popu- lations, which also are very discontinuous and consisting of small patches formed by a few indi- viduals, in simplified and species-poor assemblages, mostly found on sea-facing rocky cliffs. On the other hand, the recent spread of Chamaerops humilis in Lipari could be related to the aban- donment of agricultural practices. Finally, the naturalisation cases recorded in Milazzo, Tindari, Panarea, Scaletta Zanclea and Taormina, where the dwarf palm escaped from public and private gardens, point out the urgent need of regulating its introduction, in order to avoid the genetic pol- lution of the autochthonous populations

    NGS transcriptomic analysis uncovers the possible resistance mechanisms of olive to Spilocea oleagina leaf spot infection

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    Spilocea oleagina is a dangerous obligate fungal pathogen of olive, feared in the Mediterranean countries, causing Peacock's eye or leaf spot infection, which can lead to a serious yield loss of approximately 20% or higher depending on climatic conditions. Coping with this disease is much more problematic for organic farms. To date, knowledge on the genetic control of possible mechanisms of resistance/low susceptibility is quite limited. In this work, comparative transcriptomic analysis (RNA-seq) was conducted in leaf tissues of a low susceptible cultivar Koroneiki and a high susceptible cultivar Nocellara del Belice, both tested in the field using the NaOH test, considering two stages-"zero sign of disease" and "evident sign of infection". Cultivars showed a very large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in both stages. 'Koroneiki' showed an extensive hormonal crosstalk, involving Abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene synergistically acting with Jasmonate, with early signaling of the disease and remarkable defense responses against Spilocea through the over-expression of many resistance gene analogs or pathogenesis-related (PR) genes: non-specific lipid-transfer genes (nsLTPs), LRR receptor-like serine/threonine-protein kinase genes, GDSL esterase lipase, defensin Ec-AMP-D2-like, pathogenesis-related leaf protein 6-like, Thaumatin-like gene, Mildew resistance Locus O (MLO) gene, glycine-rich protein (GRP), MADS-box genes, STH-21-like, endochitinases, glucan endo-1,3-beta-glucosidases, and finally, many proteinases. Numerous genes involved in cell wall biogenesis, remodeling, and cell wall-based defense, including lignin synthesis, were also upregulated in the resistant cultivar, indicating the possible role of wall composition in disease resistance. It was remarkable that many transcription factors (TS), some of which involved in Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR), as well as some also involved in abiotic stress response, were found to be uniquely expressed in 'Koroneiki', while 'Nocellara del Belice' was lacking an effective system of defense, expressing genes that overlap with wounding responses, and, to a minor extent, genes related to phenylpropanoid and terpenoid pathways. Only a Thaumatin-like gene was found in both cultivars showing a similar expression. In this work, the genetic factors and mechanism underlying the putative resistance trait against this fungal pathogen were unraveled for the first time and possible target genes for breeding resistant olive genotypes were found
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