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Abstract The detection of neuroinflammatory processes using innovative and non-invasive imaging techniques is of great help to deeply investigate the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Since Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule (VCAM-1) is over expressed at the blood brain barrier in the event of neuroinflammation, the goal of this work was the testing of MRI detectable micelles targeted towards VCAM-1 to visualize inflamed regions in a mouse model of acute neuroinflammation. The developed probe allowed for the early detection of the disease, with higher T 1 signal enhancement and more precise localization in comparison to untargeted micelles or to the clinically approved contrast agent MultiHance. Moreover, the relatively long blood half-life of the nanosystem (ca. 6.3 h) guaranteed a good accumulation in the inflamed regions, paving the way to future diagnostic/theranostic applications, implying the loading of neuroprotective or even anti-cancer drugs inside the core of the micelles. Graphical Abstract In this work, a highly efficient micellar system able to target VCAM-1 was successfully tested in a mouse model of LPS-induced neuroinflammation. A sensible increase of the MRI signal was achieved in T1 weighted images post micelle injection, allowing a precise localization of the inflamed regions. The promising results obtained were compared with the clinically approved contrast agent Multihance® and pave the way to a novel form of specific MRI-based localization of neuroinflammation as well as to original theranostics applications in the neuroimaging field. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel MRI blood-pool contrast agent (Gd-AAZTA-MADEC) has been compared with established blood pool agents for tumor contrast enhanced images and angiography. Synthesis, relaxometric properties, albumin binding affinity and pharmacokinetic profiles are reported. For in vivo studies, angiographic images and tumor contrast enhanced images were acquired on mice with benchtop 1T-MRI scanners and compared with MS-325, B22956/1 and B25716/1. The design of this contrast agent involved the elongation of the spacer between the targeting deoxycholic acid moiety and the Gd-AAZTA imaging reporting unit that drastically changed either the binding affinity to albumin (K A (HSA) = 8.3 × 10 5 M −1 ) and the hydration state of the Gd ion (q = 2) in comparison to the recently reported B25716/1. The very markedly high binding affinity towards mouse and human serum albumins resulted in peculiar pharmacokinetics and relaxometric properties. The NMRD profiles clearly indicated that maximum efficiency is attainable at magnetic field strength of 1 T. In vivo studies showed high enhancement of the vasculature and a prolonged accumulation inside tumor. The herein reported pre-clinical imaging studies show that a great benefit arises from the combination of a benchtop MRI scanner operating at 1 T and the albumin-binding Gd-AAZTA-MADEC complex, for pursuing enhanced angiography and improved characterization of tumor vascular microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This article describes the strategies and the instruments applied in the development and implementation of a system aimed at assuring the production of food which is neither made of nor derived from genetically modified raw material in a confectionery firm. It was chosen to develop a specific planning method partially taken from HACCP and FMEA techniques, mainly as far as the systematic and rigorous analysis of risks is concerned (in this case, the contamination of raw material and/or their genetically modified derivatives along the food chain). The result is a management system model that food organizations can use to assure the traceability of all ingredients incorporated into their food products and, in the same time, to guarantee that these ingredients do not contain or consist or derive from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The investigation of new Mn(II)-based MRI/Molecular Imaging probes responsive to the enzyme tyrosinase for potential diagnostic applications is herein described. The expression of the enzyme tyrosinase, an oxidoreductase, is up-regulated in melanoma cancer cells. Three novel ligands (L1 , L2 and L3 ) were designed as modified acyclic polyaminocarboxylate chelates by introducing an l-tyrosine residue in place of an aminoacetate unit. The corresponding Mn(II) complexes were fully characterised by 1H NMR relaxometric techniques in aqueous media. The responsive activity towards the expression of tyrosinase was then assessed by monitoring the 1H 1/T 1 relaxivity changes during incubation experiments in buffered solutions containing tyrosinase at different concentrations and in B16F10 melanoma cell homogenate. New insight on the mechanism of action of these systems was gained by measuring the magnetic field dependence of the relaxivity and ESR spectra of the incubated solutions. The systems developed showed responsive activity to tyrosinase with a relaxation enhancement spanning from 50% (MnL1 ) to 350% (MnL3 ) which augurs well for the development of diagnostic probes to detect melanoma cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper reports the description of FMEA methodology design and implementation in a food company, where, integrated with HACCP system, it is used as a tool to assure products quality, and as a mean to improve operational performance of the production cycle. The work was developed in an Italian confectionery industry, Elledı` SpA, in co-operation with part of the internal staff, chosen as FMEA team members, and was focused on the study of wafer biscuit production lines.All the work done permits to increase company knowledge and control capacity on processes and products. The generated data can be used as a useful technical database for future update of FMEA in Elledı` and as a model of FMEA design for similar company. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]