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Introduction: During aging, sarcopenia and decline in physiological processes lead to partial loss of muscle strength, atrophy, and increased fatigability. Muscle changes may be related to a reduced intake of essential amino acids playing a role in proteostasis. We have recently shown that branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplements improve atrophy and weakness in models of muscle disuse and aging. Considering the key roles that the alteration of Ca2+-related homeostasis and store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) play in several muscle dysfunctions, this study has been aimed at gaining insight into the potential ability of BCAA-based dietary formulations in aged mice on various players of Ca2+ dyshomeostasis.Methods: Seventeen-month-old male C57BL/6J mice received a 12-week supplementation with BCAAs alone or boosted with two equivalents of L-alanine (2-Ala) or with dipeptide L-alanyl-L-alanine (Di-Ala) in drinking water. Outcomes were evaluated on ex vivo skeletal muscles indices vs. adult 3-month-old male C57BL/6J mice.Results: Ca2+ imaging confirmed a decrease in SOCE and an increase of resting Ca2+ concentration in aged vs. adult mice without alteration in the canonical components of SOCE. Aged muscles vs. adult muscles were characterized by a decrease in the expression of ryanodine receptor 1 (RyR1), the Sarco-Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase (SERCA) pump, and sarcalumenin together with an alteration of the expression of mitsugumin 29 and mitsugumin 53, two recently recognized players in the SOCE mechanism. BCAAs, particularly the formulation BCAAs+2-Ala, were able to ameliorate all these alterations.Discussion: These results provide evidence that Ca2+ homeostasis dysfunction plays a role in the functional deficit observed in aged muscle and supports the interest of dietary BCAA supplementation in counteracting sarcopenia-related SOCE dysregulation.

Chronic pain is an enormous public health concern, and its treatment is still an unmet medical need. Starting from data highlighting the promising effects of some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in combination with gabapentin in pain treatment, we sought to combine ketoprofen lysine salt (KLS) and gabapentin to obtain an effective multimodal therapeutic approach for chronic pain. Using relevant in vitro models, we first demonstrated that KLS and gabapentin have supra-additive effects in modulating key pathways in neuropathic pain and gastric mucosal damage. To leverage these supra-additive effects, we then chemically combined the two drugs via co-crystallization to yield a new compound, a ternary drug-drug co-crystal of ketoprofen, lysine and gabapentin (KLS-GABA co-crystal). Physicochemical, biodistribution and pharmacokinetic studies showed that within the co-crystal, ketoprofen reaches an increased gastrointestinal solubility and permeability, as well as a higher systemic exposure in vivo compared to KLS alone or in combination with gabapentin, while both the constituent drugs have increased central nervous system permeation. These unique characteristics led to striking, synergistic anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of KLS-GABA co-crystal, as well as significantly reduced spinal neuroinflammation, in translational inflammatory and neuropathic pain rat models, suggesting that the synergistic therapeutic effects of the constituent drugs are further boosted by the co-crystallization. Notably, while strengthening the therapeutic effects of ketoprofen, KLS-GABA co-crystal showed remarkable gastrointestinal tolerability in both inflammatory and chronic neuropathic pain rat models. In conclusion, these results allow us to propose KLS-GABA co-crystal as a new drug candidate with high potential clinical benefit–to–risk ratio for chronic pain treatment.

The paper reports the occurrence of quartz-bearing rhyolitic melt inclusions and interstitial glasses within peridotite xenoliths. Their O-isotope composition proves crustal derivation and cycling into the mantle at convergent plate margins.

This study investigated whether surface soil organic carbon (SOC) content could be estimated using hyperspectral data provided by the Italian Space Agency PRISMA satellite. We collected 100 representative topsoil samples in an area of 30 × 30 Km2 in the province of Ferrara (Northern Italy), estimated their SOC content and other soil properties through thermo-gravimetric analysis, and matched these to the spectra of the sampled areas that were measured by PRISMA on 7 April 2020. A tentative model was created for SOC estimation using ordinary least-squares (OLS) regression and an artificial neural network (ANN). Repeated k-fold cross-validation of the OLS and ANN models yielded R2 values of 0.64 and 0.49, respectively. The performance of the models was inferior to that obtained from the literature using similar modeling techniques in relatively small areas (up to 3 × 3 Km2) and characterized by restricted SOC variability (0.2–2.1 wt%). However, our data were collected over a wider area with high SOC content variability (0.7–9.3 wt%); consequently, significant variations were observed over a spatial scale of just a few meters. Therefore, this work shows the importance of testing remote sensing techniques for SOC measurements in more complex areas than those reported in the existing literature. Furthermore, our study sheds light on the geolocation errors and missing data of PRISMA.

Forest soils contain a large amount of organic carbon (OC); therefore, small changes in these ecosystems have effects on climate. In this study, variation in the quantity of C pools that occurred in one year in the soil of temperate forests managed by two farms in the Apennine chain (Emilia-Romagna Region) was investigated using elemental and isotopic C analyses of soil samples collected in 2020 and 2021. In one year, soil from the Branchicciolo (BRA) farm lost organic matter as shown by the decrease in C contents and the less negative C isotopic signatures (13C/12C), whereas the C contents and C isotopic signatures remained almost stable during time in the soil from the Beghelli (BEG) farm. This cannot be related to thinning interventions, as much more forest material was removed from the BEG forest than from the BRA forest (60% and 25%, respectively). Therefore, other causes should be considered. The BRA forest was at a lower altitude than the BEG forest; thus, it was more affected by C depletion due to the warmer temperature. Moreover, the sandy soil in the BRA forest was less prone to sequestering organic matter than the soil in the BEG forest, which was characterized by phyllosilicates (including vermiculite) and zeolites (clinoptinolite) having high C sequestration capacity. This work showed the different impacts of the pedo-climatic conditions in two nearby farms, which should be considered in planning appropriate silvicultural management for OC sequestration.

Isotope ratio mass spectrometry is a well-known technique used to trace the origin of agri-food products from different countries. Here this method was tested to trace the exact orchard of provenance of Italian apples harvested at sites close to each other. We measured the δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S values of apple subfractions (peel, petiole, pulp, seed) from two orchards in Ferrara and one orchard in Trento. Sulfur represents the best marker for tracing the regions of provenance of samples because it is linked to the presence of sulfate (Ferrara1: +9.0 ‰; Ferrara 2: +7.3 ‰) and sulfide (Trento: −1.3 ‰) minerals in soils. However, the δ13C of apple subfractions combined with the δ34S of seed in a linear discrimination analysis better discriminated the three orchards. The isotopic fingerprint of apples is thus significantly affected by the relative terroir, and it can be used as “isotopic identity card” to certify “protected designations of origin”.

Interstitial cystitis (IC)/bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is a chronic bladder disease of unknown etiology characterized by urinary frequency and episodic and chronic pain. Analgesic treatments for IC/BPS are limited, especially for patients with non-Hunner (non-ulcerative) type IC who usually have poor overall outcomes. Here, we demonstrate that oral treatment with DF2755A, a potent and selective inhibitor of chemokine receptors CXCR1/2, can prevent and reverse peripheral neuropathy associated to non-Hunner IC/BPS by directly inhibiting chemokine-induced excitation of sensory neurons. We tested DF2755A antinociceptive effects in a cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced non-ulcerative IC rat model characterized by severe peripheral neuropathy in the absence of bladder inflammatory infiltrate, urothelial hyperplasia, and hemorrhage. Treatment with DF2755A prevented the onset of peripheral neuropathy and reversed its development in CYP-induced IC rats, showing a strong and long-lasting anti-hyperalgesic effect. Ex vivo and in vitro studies showed that DF2755A treatment strongly inhibited the expression of CXCR2 agonists, CXCL1/KC, and CXCL5 and of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) compared to vehicle, suggesting that its effects can be due to the inhibition of the nociceptive signaling passing through the CXCL1/CXCR1-2 axis and TRPV1. In conclusion, our results highlight the key pathophysiological role played by the CXCL1/CXCR1-2 axis and TRPV1 in the onset and development of peripheral neuropathy in non-Hunner IC and propose DF2755A as a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of not only inflammatory painful conditions but also neuropathic ones and in particular non-Hunner IC/BPS.

In age-related sarcopenia, the gradual loss of skeletal muscle mass, function and strength is underpinned by an imbalanced rate of protein synthesis/breakdown. Hence, an adequate protein intake is considered a valuable strategy to mitigate sarcopenia. Here, we investigated the effects of a 12-week oral supplementation with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs: leucine, isoleucine, and valine) with recognized anabolic properties, in 17-month-old (AGED) C57BL/6J male mice. BCAAs (2:1:1) were formulated in drinking water, alone or plus two L-Alanine equivalents (2ALA) or dipeptide L-Alanyl-L-Alanine (Di-ALA) to boost BCAAs bioavailability. Outcomes were evaluated on in/ex vivo readouts vs. 6-month-old (ADULT) mice. In vivo hind limb plantar flexor torque was improved in AGED mice treated with BCAAs + Di-ALA or 2ALA (recovery score, R.S., towards ADULT: ≥20%), and all mixtures significantly increased hind limb volume. Ex vivo, myofiber cross-sectional areas were higher in gastrocnemius (GC) and soleus (SOL) muscles from treated mice (R.S. ≥ 69%). Contractile indices of isolated muscles were improved by the mixtures, especially in SOL muscle (R.S. ≥ 20%). The latter displayed higher mTOR protein levels in mice supplemented with 2ALA/Di-ALA-enriched mixtures (R.S. ≥ 65%). Overall, these findings support the usefulness of BCAAs-based supplements in sarcopenia, particularly as innovative formulations potentiating BCAAs bioavailability and effects.

In Italy, the production of manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum, Adams and Reeve, 1850) is mainly localized in northern Adriatic lagoons in the Po River delta, where shellfish farming provides important socio-economic revenue. However, in our globalized world, the seafood market is threated by fraudulent activities, in which agri-food products whose provenance is not certified are sold, posing a risk to consumer health. Multi-isotope ratio analysis is commonly used to trace the provenance of goods produced in different countries with different climatic and environmental conditions. Here, we investigated the reliability of this approach in terms of tracing the exact provenance of manila clams harvested in three Adriatic northern lagoons that are close to each other. We also verified the origin of samples bought at a local supermarket with a certificate of provenance. We carried out elemental analyses of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) and the respective isotopic ratios (13C/12C; 15N/14N; 34S/32S) on manila clam tissues, plus isotopic analyses of carbon (13C/12C), oxygen (18O/16O), and strontium (87Sr/86Sr) on manila clam shells. Each isotopic parameter can be used to identify the marine and continental contributions of water and/or nutrient supplies occurring in the lagoons. Therefore, the combination of isotopic parameters in a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) allowed for the identification of the lagoons in which the manila clams were produced.

Abstract The effects of peat burning on organic‐rich agricultural soils of the Mezzano Lowland (NE Italy) were evaluated on soil profiles variously affected by smoldering. Profiles were investigated for pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, elemental and isotopic composition of distinct carbon (and nitrogen) fractions. The results suggest that the horizons affected by carbon loss lie at depths 10–70 cm, where the highest temperatures are developed. We suggest that the exothermal oxidation of methane (mediated by biological activity) plays a significant role in the triggering mechanism. In the interested soils we estimated a potential loss of Soil Organic Carbon of approximately 110 kg m−2 within the first meter, corresponding to 580 kg CO2 m−3. The released greenhouse gas is coupled with a loss of soil structure and nutrients. Moreover, the process plausibly triggers mobility of metals bound in organometallic complexes. All these consequences negatively affect the environment, the agricultural activities and possibly also health of the local people.

G-protein coupled receptors 40 and 120 (GPR40 and GPR120) are increasingly emerging as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of altered glucose homeostasis, and their agonists are under evaluation for their glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-mediated therapeutic effects on insulin production and sensitivity. Here, we characterized a new dual GPR40 and GPR120 agonist (DFL23916) and demonstrated that it can induce GLP-1 secretion and improve glucose homeostasis.Resulting from a rational drug design approach aimed at identifying new dual GPR120/40 agonists able to delay receptor internalization, DFL23916 had a good activity and a very high selectivity towards human GPR120 (long and short isoforms) and GPR40, as well as towards their mouse orthologous, by which it induced both Gαq/11-initiated signal transduction pathways with subsequent Ca2+ intracellular spikes and G protein-independent signaling via β-arrestin with the same activity. Compared to the endogenous ligand alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a selective GPR120 agonist (TUG-891) and a well-known dual GPR40 and GPR120 agonist (GW9508), DFL23916 was the most effective in inducing GLP-1 secretion in human and murine enteroendocrine cells, and this could be due to the delayed internalization of the receptor (up to 3 h) that we observed after treatment with DFL23916. With a good pharmacokinetic/ADME profile, DFL23916 significantly increased GLP-1 portal vein levels in healthy mice, demonstrating that it can efficiently induce GLP-1 secretion in vivo. Contrary to the selective GPR120 agonist (TUG-891), DFL23916 significantly improved also glucose homeostasis in mice undergoing an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

This dataset article contains petrographic and mineral-glass chemical data of igneous rock clasts from Early Oligocene Aveto-Petrignacola Formation (APF; Northern Italy). Methods for obtaining the dataset include optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis. The APF volcanic rocks are basalts, basaltic andesites, andesites, dacites and rhyolites. Rare gabbroic cumulate nodules complete the dataset. Basalts are porphyritic, with calcic plagioclase (An72–92Ab7–27Or0–1), ferroan enstatite (En59–68Fs29–37Wo3–4) and augite (En38–39Fs18–20Wo41–44) phenocrysts, in a hypocrystalline groundmass made up of bytownite (An71–85Ab14–28Or1), augite (En37–38Fs19Wo43–44), ferroan enstatite (En62–68Fs30–35Wo1–4) and rare pigeonite (En46–50Fs37–42Wo7–17). The basaltic andesites are porphyritic to glomeroporphyritic with phenocrysts of zoned plagioclase (An44–67Ab32–55Or1), orthopyroxene, Mg-rich augite (En38–42Fs15–17Wo43–45), rare pargasite to edenite amphibole (Mg# 69–59) and very rare biotite in a hypocrystalline to holohyaline groundmass. Andesites are highly porphyritic with phenocrysts of plagioclase (An47–79Ab20–52Or0–1), pargasite to magnesio-hornblende (Mg# 72–67), Mg-rich augite (En43–46Fs12–17Wo41–43), subordinate ferroan enstatite (En68–74Fs23–29Wo3–4), biotite (Mg# 53) and Ti-magnetite (Usp29–41). Dacites (massive lavas and ignimbrites) are porphyritic, with phenocrysts and phenoclasts of plagioclase (An33–79Ab20–62Or0–4), calcic amphibole (Ti-pargasite, Mg-hornblende and edenite; Mg# 81–46), biotite (Mg# 67–56), very rare Mg-rich augite (En41–42Fs16–18Wo40–43) and resorbed quartz in hypohyaline to holohyaline groundmass with a dense mat of anhedral quartz, labradorite-andesine (An36–66Ab33–61Or1–4) and rare anorthoclase (An22Ab66Or12). Rhyolitic compositions have been found both as volcanic clasts (massive lava and ignimbrites) with andesine to oligoclase phenoclasts (An25–38Ab61–71Or1–4), quartz, biotite (Mg# 55–53) and Ti-magnetite (Usp18–77), and as interstitial glasses (residual melt drops) in other APF volcanic rocks. The cumulate nodules are olivine-gabbro and amphibole-gabbro/gabbronorite with a mineral paragenesis dominated by plagioclase (An41–73Ab26–57Or1–3), olivine (Fo68–72), Mg-rich augite to ferroan diopside (En41–45Fs12–15Wo42–45; Mg# 79–74), ferroan enstatite (En65–74Fs24–33Wo2–3; Mg# 76–68), magnetite (Usp15–28) and titanian pargasite (Mg# 67–65). The main cumulus phases are plagioclase, olivine and pyroxene, while intercumulus/postcumulus phases are titanian pargasite and magnetite. The dataset can be used to compare petrographic features and chemical compositions of calc-alkaline rocks emplaced in other subduction-related settings. Above all, it can represent a useful contribution in solving the problem linked to the identification of a hidden Early-Oligocene source of the thick volcaniclastic APF succession in the Alpine-Apennine belt geodynamic evolution.

Temperate soils are threatened by degradation and soil organic matter (SOM) loss due to a combination of geomorphology, soil types, and anthropic pressure. In 54 sites in Northern Italy, characterized by different land uses, climates, geological substrates, and soils, we assessed (i) the soil quality, (ii) the SOM accumulation/degradation patterns, and (iii) whether land use and related soil management practices are sustainable based on changes in soil quality. Soil samples from the 0–15 and 15–30 cm deep layers were collected and analyzed for the soil parameters recommended by the FAO (bulk density, pH, organic and microbial C, total N, and soil respiration rate) and for the chemical SOM pools. Parameters related to the efficient use of soil microbial C were also calculated. The findings showed that agricultural lands where organic material was added had good soil quality and used microbial C efficiently. Reclaimed peaty soils degraded because the conditions were too stressful for the soil microbial biomass as supported by high metabolic quotient and the low values of mineralization quotient, microbial quotient, and soil biofertility index. Conservative management practices carried out in chestnuts were found to have a decreased soil degradation risk. An investigation of the soil parameters recommended by the FAO can be used to evaluate sustainable practices and soil quality on microbial activity and SOM dynamics.

Ketoprofen–l-lysine salt (KLS) is a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Here, we studied deeply the solid-state characteristics of KLS to possibly identify new polymorphic drugs. Conducting a polymorph screening study and combining conventional techniques with solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, we identified, for the first time, a salt/cocrystal polymorphism of the ketoprofen (KET)–lysine (LYS) system, with the cocrystal, KET–LYS polymorph 1 (P1), being representative of commercial KLS, and the salt, KET–LYS polymorph 2 (P2), being a new polymorphic form of KLS. Interestingly, in vivo pharmacokinetics showed that the salt polymorph has significantly higher absorption and, thus, different pharmacokinetics compared to commercial KLS (cocrystal), laying the basis for the development of faster-release/acting KLS formulations. Moreover, intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) and electronic tongue analyses showed that the salt has a higher IDR, a more bitter taste, and a different sensorial kinetics compared to the cocrystal, suggesting that different coating/flavoring processes should be envisioned for the new compound. Thus, the new KLS polymorphic form with its different physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characteristics can open the way to the development of a new KET–LYS polymorph drug that can emphasize the properties of commercial KLS for the treatment of acute inflammatory and painful conditions.

This research is aimed at characterizing the geochemical composition of the alluvial soils in the province of Rovigo in order to identify the provenance of the sediments from which they originated. To carry out this characterization soils were sampled in 5 distinct areas of the province next to the towns of Stienta, Fratta Polesine-Bosaro, Boara Polesine, Concadirame, Lusia. The samples were preliminarily characterized by grain size investigation and then investigated by wavelength dispersion x-ray fluorescence analysis (WDXRF). The data show a considerable compositional variation of the major elements that are strongly influenced by grain size; sandy soils are enriched in SiO2 in relation to the prevalent presence of quartz, while fine soils are comparatively enriched in Al2O3 and K2O that indicate the prevailing presence of clay minerals. Samples from Stienta are similar to soils of the Ferrara province developed by Po river sediments, whereas gradual differences are observed on soils sampled in the middle part of the province in the neighbors of Fratta Polesine-Bosaro. More marked differences are observed in the northernmost areas close to the towns of Boara Polesine, Concadirame and Lusia. This compositional heterogeneity is due to a different contribution from the two river systems feeding the sedimentary basin, i.e. the Po River and the Adige river. Although not systematically, high values in Cr and Ni that characterize the floods of the river Po (Amorosi et al. 2002, Amorosi, 2012; Bianchini et al. 2012; 2013) are also recognized in the northern areas of the province. In the northern soils we also observed comparative enrichment in Pb and Zn. Our preliminary hypothesis proposes that this enrichment in chalcophile elements is a proxy of the sedimentary contribution of Adige river, which is characterized by a drainage basin including mining zones in which sphalerite and galena were extracted in the past centuries.

In the Adriatic lagoons of northern Italy, manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) farming provides important socio-economic returns and local clams should be registered with the Protected Designations of Origin scheme. Therefore, there is a need for the development of rapid, cost-effective tests to guarantee the origin of the product and to prevent potential fraud. In this work, an elemental analysis (EA) coupled with isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) was employed to identify the isotopic fingerprints of clams directly collected onsite in three Adriatic lagoons and bought at a local supermarket, where they exhibited certification. In particular, a multivariate analysis of C/N, δ13C and δ15N in manila clam tissues as well as δ13C in shells and Δ13C (calculated as δ13Cshell–δ13Ctissues) seems a promising approach for tracking the geographical origin of manila clams at the regional scale.

Industrial farming without considering soil biological features could lead to soil degradation. We aimed to evaluate the biochemical properties (BPs) and biological fertility (BF) of different soils under processing tomato cultivation; estimate the BF through the calculation of a simplified BF index (BFIs); determine if the crop was affected by BP and BF. Three farms were individuated in Modena (MO), Ferrara (MEZ) and Ravenna (RA) provinces, Italy. Soil analysis included total and labile organic C, microbial biomass-C (Cmic) and microbial respiration measurements. The metabolic (qCO2), mineralization (qM) and microbial (qMIC) quotients, and BFIs were calculated. Furthermore, plant nutrient contents were determined. The low Cmic content and qMIC, and high qCO2 found in MEZ soils indicate the occurrence of stressful conditions. The high qMIC and qM, and the low qCO2 demonstrated an efficient organic carbon incorporation as Cmic in MO soils. In RA soils, the low total and labile organic C contents limited the Cmic and microbial respiration. Therefore, as confirmed by the BFIs, while MO showed the healthiest soils, RA soils had an inefficient ecophysiological energy state. However, no effects on plant nutrient contents were observed, likely because of masked by fertigation. Finally, BP monitoring is needed in order to avoid soil degradation and, in turn, crop production decline.

A textural and geochemical characterization of sediments from the Sacca di Goro lagoon floor has been performed in order to evaluate the present day granulometric distribution and the geochemical budget with respect to literature values. 10 samples have been collected along a WE transect crosscutting the whole Sacca di Goro lagoon in order to explore the maximum lithological variability and to identify geochemical trends. Results show that the present day superficial sediment are coarser in grain size with respect to those studied in the past, in turn implying lower concentrations of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE). PTE enrichments miming those observed 20 years ago are recorded only locally, in connection with parallel increase of fine fraction and organic matter. Traces of Cu, V and Pb have been also found in the shells of farmed Manila clam (Ruditapes Philippinarum) collected within the sediment samples, suggesting PTE bioavailability and accumulation. The comparison of the results with literature data highlights that PTE contents of the Sacca di Goro lagoon deserve more frequent and systematic monitoring both for the high hydrodynamicity of this environment and for the high anthropogenic impact. The analysis of metals in Manila clam shells has a twofold purpose because it represents a further biomarker of the ecosystem, and also provide a geochemical fingerprint of the local shellfish production that could help the traceability in the market, and discrimination from shellfish produced in other area that are not properly controlled from the sanitary point of view.

A very hot debate is currently focused on submerged substrates that can be classified either as sediments or subaqueous soils. In this paper, the controversy is contextualized on a specific case study, i.e. the Sacca di Goro coastal lagoon facing the North Adriatic Sea. The submerged substrate has been sampled along a a E-W transect and subsequently analyzed to investigate the C-N elemental and isotopic compositions. The recorded concentration of organic carbon (OC) and nitrogen is 0.26-0.50 and 0.02-0.06 wt%, respectively, and the spatial distribution of these parameters highlights a general decrease of concentration from W to E. The carbon isotopic composition of the organic matter (δ13COC) indicates the incorporation within the substrate of significant amount of seaweed and seagrass. Seaweed prevails in the west (δ13COC down to -19‰) due to a nutrient-rich freshwater inflow (Po di Volano), whereas seagrass is preponderant eastward (δ13COC up to -10‰) in a sector of the lagoon fed by riverine waters characterized by lower nutrient load (Po di Goro). The existence of these biological components plausibly implies a lush benthic vegetation, properly rooted on the submerged floor. For this reason, in our view the substrate of the investigated lagoon can be regarded as a subaqueous soil.

Background: Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs: leucine, isoleucine, valine) account for 35% of skeletal muscle essential amino acids (AAs). As such, they must be provided in the diet to support peptide synthesis and inhibit protein breakdown. Although substantial evidence has been collected about the potential usefulness of BCAAs in supporting muscle function and structure, dietary supplements containing BCAAs alone may not be effective in controlling muscle protein turnover, due to the rate-limiting bioavailability of other AAs involved in BCAAs metabolism. Methods: We aimed to evaluate the in vivo/ex vivo effects of a 4-week treatment with an oral formulation containing BCAAs alone (2:1:1) on muscle function, structure, and metabolism in a murine model of physiological exercise, which was compared to three modified formulations combining BCAAs with increasing concentrations of L-Alanine (ALA), an AA controlling BCAAs catabolism. Results: A preliminary pharmacokinetic study confirmed the ability of ALA to boost up BCAAs bioavailability. After 4 weeks, mix 2 (BCAAs + 2ALA) had the best protective effect on mice force and fatigability, as well as on muscle morphology and metabolic indices. Conclusion: Our study corroborates the use of BCAAs + ALA to support muscle health during physiological exercise, underlining how the relative BCAAs/ALA ratio is important to control BCAAs distribution.

In the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER) area, rural populations often use water that exceeds the World Health Organization thresholds for fluoride (F–) and arsenic (As), two elements that are hazardous for human health. In this study, twenty-nine water samples were collected from lakes and hot and cold springs in southern MER to investigate source(s) and health-risk of the F– and As contamination. According to major ion and trace element analyses, only cold spring water is safe for consumption, whereas hot spring water is the most contaminated. Leaching tests performed with the MER rhyolitic volcanic rocks and their weathered products (fluvio-lacustrine sediments) demonstrate that the main cause of the F– and As release is geogenic, i.e., not related to anthropogenic activities. The weathering of volcanic glass and minerals (apatites, clays, hydro-oxides) by CO2-bearing alkaline water induces the mobilisation of F– and As from solid to liquid phase. This process is particularly fast, when fluvio-lacustrine sediments are involved, and can be further enhanced by hot groundwater leaching. This study, investigating the distribution, sources, and mechanisms of F– and As release in MER water, could be of interest also for other sectors of the East African Rift and other similar volcano-tectonic settings.

The water composition of the river Adige displays a Ca–HCO3 hydrochemical facies, mainly due to rock weathering. Nitrate is the only component that has increased in relation to growing anthropogenic inputs. The aim of this paper was to identify the origin of the dissolved components in this river and to establish the relationship between these components and critical zone processes within an evolving framework where climatic and human impacts are influencing the riverine system. In particular, emphasis is given to a wide spectrum of isotope data (δ18O, δ2H, δ13C, δ15N, δ34S, 87Sr/86Sr, δ11B), which is considered useful for determining water origin as well as natural and anthropogenic impacts on riverine geochemistry. Together with oxygen and hydrogen isotopes, which are strictly related to the climatic conditions (precipitation, temperature, humidity), the carbon, sulphur, strontium and boron signatures can describe the magnitude of rock weathering, which is in turn linked to the climatic parameters. δ13CDIC varies regularly along the riverine profile between −4.5‰ and −9.5‰, and δ34SSO4 varies regularly between +4.4‰ and +11.4‰. On the other hand, δ15NNO3 shows a more scattered distribution between +3.9‰ and +10.5‰, with sharp variations along the riverine profile. 87Sr/86Sr varies between 0.72797 in the upper part of the catchment and 0.71068 in the lower part. δ11B also shows a rough trend, with values approaching 7.6‰ in the upper part and 8.5‰ in the lower part. In our view, the comparatively low δ34S, δ11B, and high 87Sr/86Sr values, could be a proxy for increasing silicate weathering, which is a process that is sensitive to increases in temperature.

A catalyst-free heterocyclization reaction of α-chloroglycinates with thiobenzamides or thioureas leading to 2,4-disubstituted-5-acylamino-1,3-thiazoles has been developed. The methodology provides straightforward access to valuable building blocks for pharmaceutically relevant compounds.

Elemental and isotopic analyses of carbon in environmental matrices usually integrate multiple sources having distinct concentration (wt%) and 13C/12C isotopic ratio. Interpretation necessarily needs the characterization of the diverse end-members that usually are constituted by carbonate, organic and elemental components. In this view, we developed a routine protocol based on the analytical coupling of elementary and isotopic compositions that is able to discriminate the inorganic (TIC) and organic (TOC) contributions to the total carbon (TC) content. The procedure is only based on thermal destabilization of the different carbon species and has been successfully applied on different environmental matrices (rocks, soils, biological samples) with a mean C elemental and isotopic recovery of 99% (SD = 3%) and -0.3‰ (SD = 0.3‰), respectively. The thermal speciation lead us to define precise isotopic end-members whose are unaffected by any chemical treatment of the samples. The approach allows accurate mass balance calculation that represents a powerful tool to quantify the distinct carbon species.

Soils are complex matrices and their geochemical investigation necessarily needs reliable Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), i.e. standards, to support analytical precision and accuracy. In particular, the definition of soil multi-element CRMs is particularly complex and involves an inter-laboratory program that employs numerous analytical techniques. In this study, we present the results of the inter-calibration experiment focused on the certification of two new soil standards named AMS-ML1 and AMS-MO1. The two soils developed on sandstone and serpentinite parent materials, respectively. The experiment involved numerous laboratories and focused on the evaluation of soil physicochemical parameters and geochemical analyses of major and trace elements by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Inductive Coupled Plasma techniques (ICP-OES and ICP-MS). The data was statistically elaborated. Three levels of repeatability and accuracy in function of the different analytical methods and instrumentation equipment was observed. The statistical evaluation of the results obtained by ICP-OES on Aqua Regia extracts (i.e., Lilliefors test for normally, Grubbs test for outliers, Cochran test for outliers in variances and ANOVA) allowed to computed some certified values for the two proposed soil standards. This preliminary study will represent the first step of a more thorough intercalibration ring-test involving a higher number of laboratories, in order to propose the investigated matrices as CRMs.

In this contribution we present ICP-MS analyses carried out on agricultural soils from the eastern-most part of the Padanian plain (Ferrara Province) and on the related crop products. The aim is to provide, for the first time, backgrounds for some trace elements such as rare earth elements (REE), thorium (Th), uranium (U) and to understand the related phytoavailability. In particular, detailed analyses have been done on Sorghum Vulgare plants, analyzing distinct plant parts in different vegetative periods. Results indicate that a) REE concentration in plant tissues is always lower than in the related soils, precluding the occurrence of bioaccumulation and b) no preferential elemental uptake and REE fractionation. In this light, the observed soil/plant relationships could be used in the definition of markers of territoriality (provenance fingerprint) for agricultural products.

The year 2017 was anomalously warm and dry across the whole Italian Peninsula, and the paucity of precipitation was emphasized during the extreme summer drought of the main Italian river, i.e., the Po river, which was characterized by a discharge persistently below 600 m3/s (in spite of the average discharge of 1500 m3/s). During these extreme conditions, the Po river oxygen and hydrogen stable isotopes (δD, δ18O) displayed a relation (δD = 6.1*δ18O − 6.6) significantly different from that recorded in the previous investigation of the years 2012–2014 (δD = 7.5*δ18O + 6.5). The lowering of the slope and the negative intercept clearly reflect the transition toward arid conditions that characterized the investigated period. The difference is expressed by the derivative parameter Line-Conditioned excess (LC-exc), which better describes the compositional difference of Po river water in the year 2017 with respect to that of the period 2012–2014, when the system was less affected by warm or dry conditions and the river discharge was more similar to the historical trends. The isotopic anomaly observed in 2017 throughout the river is even greater in the terminal part of the river, where in the meanders of the deltaic branches, the river flow progressively slows down, suffering significant evaporation. The isotopic signature of the water appears, therefore, an appropriate tool to monitor the watershed response to evolving environmental conditions. These sensitive isotopic parameters could be interpreted as “essential climate variables” (ECV) that are physical, chemical, or biological geo-referenced parameters that critically contribute to the characterization of Earth’s climate. Future research needs to find relationships between ECV (including the water stable isotopes) and the evolution of ecosystems, which especially in the Mediterranean area, appear to be fragile and severely affected by natural and anthropogenic processes.

We present the geochemical composition and the stable isotope signature (18O/16O and 2H/1H) of waters sampled from six lakes (Caldonazzo, Levico, Lases, Santa Colomba, Lamar and Santo) located in the Province of Trento. The chemical compositions invariably revealed a HCO3-Ca hydrochemical facies; however slight differences were observed among the lakes, in relation to the lithologies distinguishing each lakes’drainage basin. Elemental ratios and in particular the Rb/Sr provide a discriminative tool to recognize the rocks that have been weathered; for example this ratio is high in water that interacted with volcanic ignimbrites (rhyolites), and low in rocks that interacted with carbonate rocks. Many other trace elements were analyzed, thus providing baseline data, and only arsenic displayed concentrations higher than the legislative threshold defined for drinking water (10mg/l), especially in Lake Levico (10-19 mg/l). As concerns the stable isotopes δD and δ18O, the obtained results approach the meteoric signature for waters sampled during the 2012 winter season. The waters sampled during two summers (2011 and 2012) displayed distinctive trends, reflecting the significant influence of evaporative processes. We emphasize that the annual differences recorded in the isotopic composition of distinct years are plausibly related to temperature changes and type of precipitation that recharged the lakes. In this light, the peculiar isotopic signature recorded in the year 2011 is possibly related to a significant snowy period, which greatly contributed to the lakes’ water budget. Interestingly, waters from Lake Santa Colomba were systematically different from all the other samples, possibly due to more effective evaporative processes, or to the involvement of deep underground recharge including fossil waters.

New geochemical data integrated in a petrogenetic model indicate that the ∼30 Ma Northern Ethiopian continental flood basalts (CFBs) preserve a record of magmas generated from the centre to the flanks of a plume head, currently corresponding to the ‘Afar hotspot’. Basaltic lavas appear zonally arranged with Low-Ti tholeiites (LT) in the west, High-Ti tholeiites (HT1) to the east and very High-Ti transitional basalts and picrites (HT2, TiO2 4–6 wt %) closer to the Afar triple junction. Modelling provides estimates of the P–T–X conditions of magma generation showing that the Ethiopian CFBs could be generated in the pressure range 1·3–3·0 GPa at an approximate depth of 40–100 km from mantle sources that were increasingly metasomatized and hotter (1200–1500°C) from west to east; that is, from the outer zones (LT) to the core of the plume head (HT2 ultra-titaniferous basalts and picrites). Metasomatizing agents can be envisaged as alkali–silicate melts that integrate various geochemical components (e.g. Ti and related high field strength elements, low field strength elements, light rare earth elements, H2O, noble gases, etc.) scavenged and pooled along the plume axis, and derived from heterogeneous mantle materials mixed during the plume rise. This has significant implications for the current debate about mantle plumes, as the modelled compositionally and thermally zoned plume head (T excess ≥ 300°C with respect to ambient mantle) is in accordance with seismic tomography and buoyancy flux, as well as geochemical characteristics, thus supporting a deep provenance of the Afar plume, which possibly originated in the transition zone or lower mantle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]