Modification of Amorphous Mesoporous Zirconia Nanoparticles with Bisphosphonic Acids: A Straightforward Approach for Tailoring the Surface Properties of the Nanoparticles

The use of readily prepared bisphosphonic acids obtained in few steps through a thio-Michael addition of commercially available thiols on tetraethyl vinylidenebisphosphonate enables the straightforward surface modification of amorphous mesoporous zirconia nanoparticles. Simple stirring of the zirconia nanoparticles in a buffered aqueous solution of the proper bisphosphonic acid leads to the surface functionalization of the nanoparticles with different kinds of functional groups, charge and hydrophobic properties. Formation of both chemisorbed and physisorbed layers of the bisphosphonic acid take place, observing after extensive washing a grafting density of 1.1 molecules/nm2 with negligible release in neutral or acidic pH conditions, demonstrating stronger loading compared to monophosphonate derivatives. The modified nanoparticles were characterized by IR, XPS, ζ-potential analysis to investigate the loading of the bisphosphonic acid, FE-SEM to investigate the size and morphologies of the nanoparticles and 31P and 1H MAS NMR to investigate the coordination motif of the phosphonate units on the surface. All these analytical techniques demonstrated the strong affinity of the bisphosphonic moiety for the Zr(IV) metal centers. The functionalization with bisphosphonic acids represents a straightforward covalent approach for tailoring the superficial properties of zirconia nanoparticles, much straightforward compared the classic use of trisalkoxysilane or trichlorosilane reagents typically employed for the functionalization of silica and metal oxide nanoparticles. Extension of the use of bisphosphonates to other metal oxide nanoparticles is advisable

Epigenetics Offer New Horizons for Colorectal Cancer Prevention

In recent years, colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence has been increasing to become a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide from cancers, with high rates in westernized societies and increasing rates in developing countries. Epigenetic modifications including changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs play a critical role in carcinogenesis. Epidemiological data suggest that, in comparison to other cancers, these alterations are particularly common within the gastrointestinal tract. To explain these observations, environmental factors and especially diet were suggested to both prevent and induce CRC. Epigenetic alterations are, in contrast to genetic modifications, potentially reversible, making the use of dietary agents a promising approach in CRC for the development of chemopreventive strategies targeting epigenetic mechanisms. This review focuses on CRC-related epigenetic alterations as a rationale for various levels of prevention strategies and their potential modulation by natural dietary compounds

In vitro undetectable PT and Fibrinogen (and in vivo?)

A 81 aged woman came to E.R. of Trieste University Hospital with a traumatic head injury. Blood cells count, liver enzymes and other parameters were normal, but with a photometric clot detection method PT and PT-derived Fibrinogen were undetectable, Fibrinogen-Clauss gave different results (157 to 357 mg/dL) and aPTT-Ratio was normal (0.96). When the instrument detection performance was improved, PT was normal and PT-derived Fibrinogen detectable, but Fibrinogen-Clauss was still very unsteady (352/294/558 mg/dL). When a mixing test was performed with normal pool plasma, PT was corrected, PT-derived Fibrinogen was very low (80 mg/dL) and Fibrinogen-Clauss resulted 360 mg/dL. Fibrinogen-Antigen was 368 mg/dL by a nephelometric immunoassay. In another Lab with a different optical analyzer, PT and aPTT yielded the same results, Fibrinogen-Clauss was 557 mg/dL with 35 IU/ml Thrombin reagent (and a very steep clot formation curve), but 113 mg/dL with 15 IU/ml Thrombin reagent (and a normal curve). With an electromechanical clot detection method, PT-INR and aPTT-Ratio were normal (0.88 and 0.96 respectively), Fibrinogen-Clauss was normal (400 mg/dL) but unsteady. However in a few days our patient healed up perfectly; she declared that her sister had the same performance when she was referred to another Hospital for a check-up, nonetheless they never had any severe bleeding in their life. Samples from our patient\u2019s son and daughter were taken and resulted completely normal for coagulation tests. We hypothetized: 1) a too fast Thrombin formation and/or Fibrinogen consumption, as shown by steep coagulation curves without a stable plateau; 2) an excessive thrombin formation, (in preliminary studies, however, G20210A mutation was absent and F1+2 were normal); 3) a dysfibrinogenemia, (to be studied). Further studies for Endogenous Thrombin Potential about thrombin ipothesis and for genetical pattern about fibrinogen molecule are needed to clarify this case

Intravenous immunoglobulin in immune neutropenia.

6nonenoneVENTURA A.; FLOREAN P; PASCONE R; PERINI R; POCECCO M; LEPORE L.Ventura, Alessandro; Florean, P; Pascone, R; Perini, R; Pocecco, M; Lepore, L

Anti-alpha-gliadin antibodies. Sensitivity, specificity and correlation with blood xylose test in the 3 diagnostic stages of celiac disease in children

8nonenoneVENTURA A; FLOREAN P; TREVISAN M; NOT T; PERTICARARI S; QUADRIFOGLIO F; TORRE G; CAUCI SVentura, A; Florean, P; Trevisan, M; Not, T; Perticarari, S; Quadrifoglio, F; Torre, G; Cauci, Sabin