2D Coordination Polymers Based on Isoquinoline-5-Carboxylate and Cu(II)

By combining isoquinoline-5-carboxilic acid with Cu(II) ions under several different conditions, we were able to obtain novel metallorganic materials, among which two 2D coordination polymers, CP 1 and CP 2 which were also characterized by SC-XRD. Ratio of solvents (EtOH : DMF) in the mixture employed during their synthesis has a marked effect in selecting the formation of one species or the other, which basically differ in the coordination at the Cu(II) center due to k1/k2 denticity of the carboxylate ligands.Two 2D coordination polymers which exclusively form depending on DMF : EtOH solvent mixture, fully characterized by SC-XRD, are among the novel materials formed by the combination of Cu(II) with isoquinoline-5-carboxylate ligand described here.imag

Programmed cell death-1, PD-1, is dysregulated in T cells from children with new onset type 1 diabetes

Programmed death cell 1 (PD-1) is an inhibitor of T cell activation and is also functionally linked to glycolysis. We hypothesized that PD-1 expression is defective in activated T cells from children with type 1 diabetes (T1D), resulting in abnormal T cell glucose metabolism

Polypeptides from Hermetia illucens: a bio source for innovative materials in the framework of a circular economy model

Plastic waste reduction is one of the main challenges of the 21st century from an environmental and sustainability perspective. Still nowadays, relatively little plastic waste is collected for recycling (less than 10%) and a large fraction (approximately 20%) of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) goes to landfill. At the global level, the generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) is estimated to be 2.5 billion tonnes per year, of which 30-55% is represented by the so-called organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). While the use of alternative, plastic-like materials from natural sources could be one of the most appealing solutions, the massive occupation of agricultural soils for their supply is a big concern. In this scenario, waste valorization is gaining major relevance within the framework of circular economy models, with bio-conversion mediated from insects being one possible and effective answer. The project RICH (Turning Rubbish Into biobased materials: a sustainable CHain for the full valorization of organic waste) aims to develop an innovative and integrated circular economy chain, which, starting from the biotransformation of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW), allows the targeted production of biobased materials with high technological value, such as bioplastics and other advanced protein-based materials. In the present study, proteins and polypeptides were extracted from larvae of Hermetia illucens, also known as black soldier fly. Extracts were characterized by means of proteomics techniques such as BCA, SDSPAGE, and LC-MS analyses. Procedures were next defined to prepare materials such as films, tuning the mechanical properties, and investigating the correlation with the molecular structure. Elastic films were obtained and the elasticity was correlated with the chemical composition and the protocol for film preparation. The results so far obtained pave the way for the application of these materials in the biomedical and packaging fields, bringing us closer to the completion of a new circular economy model

Innovative bioplastics from polypeptides of Hermetia illucens

The environmentally sustainable waste management, together with waste valorization, is one of the actual challenges pursued by the European Commission. UE policies are thus contributing in the frameworks of circular economy by promoting the extraction of high quality materials from wastes. At the European level, the generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) is estimated to be 500 kg per capita, of which 70% (discarded food, yard trimmings, paper and wood) is represented by the so-called organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). In this scenario, organic waste valorization is gaining major relevance within circular economy models, with bioconversion mediated from insects being one possible and effective answer to the problem. The project RICH (Turning Rubbish Into biobased materials: a sustainable CHain for the full valorization of organic waste) aims to develop an innovative and integrated circular economy chain, which, starting from the biotransformation of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW), allows the targeted production of biobased materials with high technological value, such as bioplastics and other advanced protein-based materials. In the present study, proteins and polypeptides were extracted from larvae and pupae of Hermetia illucens, also known as Black Soldier Fly. The extraction efficiency from both stages was assessed. Crude extracts were characterized by means of proteomics techniques such as BCA, SDS-PAGE, and LC-MS analyses. State of art materials were prepared, investigating the correlation with the molecular structure through physical techniques (FTIR, Contact Angle, TGA). Results clearly points out a correlation between film-forming ability and the chosen larval stage, with extracts from Larvae at the 6th instar leading to the best results. A correlation with polypeptide chain length is proposed

The transmission of unconventional monetary policy to bank credit supply : evidence from the TLTRO

We assess the transmission of the Targeted Longer-Term Refinancing Operations (TLTRO) to the bank credit supply for the Euro area (2014:05-2018:01) and for Portugal (2011:01-2018:01), using a panel data setup. For the Euro area, we find a positive relationship between the TLTRO and the amount of credit granted to the real economy. For the vulnerable countries, the effects of the TLTRO on the stock of credit increased from 2016 to 2017. Among the group of small banks, the effects are stronger in less vulnerable countries. We also find that competition has no statistically significant impact on the transmission of the TLTRO to the bank credit supply for the Euro area. For Portugal, using a difference-in-differences model, we find no statistically significant impact of the TLTRO on credit granted by banks. Finally, bidding banks set lower interest rates than non-bidding banks and the difference seems to be larger in 2017. In Portugal, the effects of the TLTRO on loan interest rates also increased from 2016 to 2017 and are stronger for small banks.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The financing of Italian firms and the credit crunch: findings and exit strategies

The aim of the paper is to analyse how credit crunch has modified the traditional bank-firm relationship with a particular attention to the Italian situation. Our analysis reinforces the finding that in Italy, the credit available to the real economy is insufficient in terms not only of quantity but also of quality. The subsequent step is to identify and discuss possible exit strategies for eliminating the credit crunch and to overcome serious intrinsic shortcomings in terms of alternative instruments, markets and intermediaries. In fact, if on the one hand the crisis has revealed the underdevelopment of the Italian financial market, the insufficient role of institutional investors, the embryonic state of the corporate bond markets and the virtual non-existence of commercial paper markets; on the other hand, it could finally provide the opportunity for the development of these channels. The changing role of banks in the new scenario is also analysed as well as the characteristics firms will require to benefit from it

Report of mycobacteria isolated from domestic and wildlife species during 2004-2008

La identificación de la tuberculosis bovina y su diferenciación de las micobacteriosis es fundamental durante el diagnóstico. Es por eso que los laboratorios especializados en micobacterias son de suma importancia en los servicios de salud pública y salud animal. El objetivo de la presente investigación es diferenciar Mycobacterium bovis de micobacterias no tuberculosas en cepas cultivadas a partir de especies domésticas y silvestres de siete provincias de Argentina durante 2004-2008. La diferenciación se basó sobre las pruebas bioquímicas, las características fenotípicas y el “spolygotyping” de M. bovis. Con la identificación bioquímica y fenotípica se detectaron 20 cepas de M. bovis, 18 de las cuales fueron confirmadas mediante “spolygotyping”, y 34 cepas de micobacterias no tuberculosas. Trece especies fueron caracterizadas y todas ellas fueron agrupadas considerando el riesgo biológico y el potencial patógeno notificado en seres humanos y/o animales. En este trabajo se han logrado avances en el diagnóstico de tuberculosis y micobacteriosis en medicina veterinaria. En este área el diagnóstico habitualmente se basa sobre la observación micro y macroscópica de los tubérculos y los resultados de la intradermorreacción. Estos avances son importantes porque la tuberculosis zoonótica aún es un problema de salud pública en América Latina.Detection and identification of bovine tuberculosis and its differentiation from micobacteriosis is fundamental during diagnoses. That is why mycobacteria laboratories improvement becomes essential in public health and veterinary medicine services. The objective of the present research is to differentiate Mycobacterium bovis and nontuberculous mycobacterias in isolates cultured from domestic and wildlife species from seven Argentinean provinces during 2004-2008. Differentiation was based on biochemical tests, phenotypic characteristics and M. bovis spolygotyping. Biochemical and phenotypic identification resulted in 20 M. bovis strains, 18 of them were confirmed by spolygotyping, and 34 nontuberculous mycobacteria strains. Thirteen species were characterized and all of them were grouped considering biological risk and pathogenic potential reported in humans and/or animals. Here we have reached advances in tuberculosis and micobacteriosis diagnoses in veterinary medicine. In this area diagnoses are often based on micro and macroscopic observation of the tubercles and skin test results. These advances are not minor as zoonotic tuberculosis is still a public health problem in Latin America.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Rathke's cleft cyst associated with pituitary granulomatosis with polyangiitis : an unusual combination of hypothalamus-pituitary region pathologies

The authors present an unusual case of a patient suffering from visual deficit due to pituitary granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) associated with Rathke's cleft cyst (RCC). The patient was referred to our Neurosurgery Department presenting right eye amaurosis, third cranial nerve palsy, and left temporal hemianopsia. Magnetic resonance imaging documented a sellar or suprasellar lesion with solid and cystic components. The dura mater of the skull base was also strongly enhanced. The patient underwent surgery. Histologic examination revealed RCC associated with pituitary GPA. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of concomitant pituitary GPA and RCC. Pituitary involvement in GPA is rare, usually diagnosed in hormonal dysfunctions. The patient in case first presented optic chiasm compression, probably due to inflammation of both the pituitary gland and the previously asymptomatic RCC. We focus on the symptoms that led us to diagnose GPA pituitary involvement and on the peculiar and unusual Magnetic resonance imaging of the case presented