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In large-scale industry, the WGS reaction is the most widely used method for the purification of hydrogen obtained from natural gas. This is a process that hinges on factors such as temperature, pressure, type of catalyst, etc. In this work, copper-based solids were obtained from hydrotalcites, which were characterized through various techniques and evaluated within the WGS reaction at different temperatures. Hydrotalcite-type precursors displayed thermal behaviors that depend on their composition, whereby higher temperatures become necessary for the collapse of the HTLc structure in the solids with higher zinc and aluminum content. The calcination of precursors led to the formation of CuO particles in all the materials, which were more resistant to the reduction processes as the aluminum content augmented. The catalysts were active in the reaction under study with C0.50Z0.25A0.25 being the most active material due to the higher content of metallic copper on the surface. The most effective material in terms of metallic copper content present on the surface was C0.33Z0.33A0.33, in which the occurrence of CuO was not evinced after its use, in addition to displaying the smallest particle size of Cu0 as well as, possibly, the existence of Cu–Zn interactions on the surface.

Antonio Alessio Leonardi,1– 3 Rosalia Battaglia,4 Dario Morganti,1,2 Maria Josè Lo Faro,1,3 Barbara Fazio,2 Chiara De Pascali,5 Luca Francioso,5 Gerardo Palazzo,6,7 Antonia Mallardi,8 Michele Purrello,4 Francesco Priolo,1 Paolo Musumeci,1,* Cinzia Di Pietro,4,* Alessia Irrera2,* 1Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Università di Catania, Catania, 95123, Italy; 2CNR-IPCF, Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici, Messina, 98158, Italy; 3CNR-IMM UoS Catania, Istituto per la Microelettronica e Microsistemi, Catania, 95123, Italy; 4Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; 5CNR-IMM, Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems, Via Monteroni, University Campus, Lecce, 73100, Italy; 6Chemistry Department, University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’, Bari, 70125, Italy; 7CSGI, Center for Colloid and Surface Science c/o Chemistry Department, Bari, 70125, Italy; 8CNR-IPCF, Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes, c/o Chemistry Department, Bari, 70125, Italy*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Paolo Musumeci; Cinzia Di Pietro Email paolo.musumeci@ct.infn.it; dipietro@unict.itIntroduction: Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), thanks to their cargo, are involved in cellular communication and play important roles in cell proliferation, growth, differentiation, apoptosis, stemness and embryo development. Their contribution to human pathology has been widely demonstrated and they are emerging as strategic biomarkers of cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, and as potential targets for therapeutic intervention. However, the use of sEVs for medical applications is still limited due to the selectivity and sensitivity limits of the commonly applied approaches.Methods: Novel sensing solutions based on nanomaterials are arising as strategic tools able to surpass traditional sensor limits. Among these, Si nanowires (Si NWs), realized with cost-effective industrially compatible metal-assisted chemical etching, are perfect candidates for sEV detection.Results: In this paper, the realization of a selective sensor able to isolate, concentrate and quantify specific vesicle populations, from minimal volumes of biofluid, is presented. In particular, this Si NW platform has a detection limit of about 2× 105 sEVs/mL and was tested with follicular fluid and blastocoel samples. Moreover, the possibility to detach the selectively isolated sEVs allowing further analyses with other approaches was demonstrated by SEM analysis and several PCRs performed on the RNA content of the detached sEVs.Discussion: This platform overcomes the limit of detection of traditional methods and, most importantly, preserves the biological content of sEVs, opening the route toward a reliable liquid biopsy analysis.Keywords: silicon nanowires, biosensor, small extracellular vesicles, label-free, luminescence

A new, rapid, sensitive, and comprehensive ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) method for quantifying diuretics (acetazolamide, brinzolamide, dorzolamide, and their metabolites) in human urine and hair was developed and fully validated. Twenty‐five milligrams of hair were incubated with 500‐μl M3® buffer reagent at 100°C for 1 h for complete digestion. After cooling, 1‐μl supernatant was injected onto chromatography system. Urine samples were simply diluted before injection. The chromatographic run time was short (8 min) through a column with a mobile phase gradient. The method was linear (determination coefficients always higher than 0.99) from limit of quantification (LOQ) to 500 ng/ml in urine and from LOQ to 10 ng/mg in hair. LOQs ranged from 0.07 to 1.16 ng/ml in urine and from 0.02 to 0.15 ng/mg in hair. No significant ion suppression due to matrix effect was observed, and process efficiency was always higher than 80%. Intra‐ and inter‐assay precision was lower than 15%. The suitability of the methods was tested with six urine and hair specimens from patients treated with acetazolamide, dorzolamide, or brinzolamide for ocular diseases or systemic hypertension. Average urine concentrations were 266.32 ng/ml for dorzolamide and 47.61 ng/ml for N‐deethyl‐dorzolamide (n = 3), 109.27 ng/ml for brinzolamide and 1.02 ng/ml for O‐desmethyl‐brinzolamide (n = 2), and finally, 12.63 ng/ml for acetazolamide. Average hair concentrations were 5.94 ng/mg for dorzolamide and 0.048 ng/mg for N‐deethyl‐dorzolamide (n = 3), 3.26 ng/mg for brinzolamide (n = 2), and 2.3 ng/mg for acetazolamide (n = 1). The developed method was simple and fast both in the extraction procedures making it eligible in high‐throughput analysis for clinical forensic and doping purposes., A new, rapid, sensitive, and comprehensive UHPLC–MS/MS method for determining acetazolamide, brinzolamide, dorzolamide, and their metabolites in human urine and hair was developed and fully validated.

Norepinephrine (NE) controls many vital body functions by activating adrenergic receptors (AR). Average core body temperature (CBT) in mice is 37 {degree sign}C. Of note, CBT fluctuates between 36 and 38 {degree sign}C within 24 h, but little is known about the effects of CBT changes on the pharmacodynamics of NE. Here we used Peltier-element-controlled incubators and challenged murine hypothalamic mHypoA-2/10 cells with temperature changes of {plus minus} 1.0 {degree sign}C. We observed enhanced NE-induced activation of a cAMP-dependent luciferase reporter at 36 compared to 38 {degree sign}C. mRNA analysis and subtype specific antagonists, revealed that NE activates β2- and β3-AR in mHypoA-2/10 cells. Agonist binding to the β2-AR was temperature-insensitive, but measurements of cytosolic cAMP accumulation revealed an increase in efficacy of 45 {plus minus} 27 % for NE and of 62 {plus minus} 33 % for the β2-AR-selective agonist salmeterol (Sal) at 36 {degree sign}C. When monitoring NE-promoted cAMP efflux, we observed an increase in the absolute efflux at 36 {degree sign}C. However, the ratio of exported to cytosolic accumulated cAMP is higher at 38 {degree sign}C. We also stimulated cells with NE at 37 {degree sign}C and measured cAMP degradation at 36 and 38 {degree sign}C afterwards. We observed increased cAMP degradation at 38 {degree sign}C, indicating enhanced PDE activity at higher temperatures. In line with these data, NE-induced activation of the thyreoliberin promoter was found to be enhanced at 36 {degree sign}C. Overall, we show that physiological temperature changes fine-tune NE-induced cAMP signaling in hypothalamic cells via β2-AR by modulating cAMP degradation and the ratio of intra- and extracellular cAMP. Significance Statement Increasing cytosolic cAMP levels by activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) such as the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) is essential for many body functions. Changes in core body temperature are fundamental and universal factors of mammalian life. Here, we provide first data linking physiologically relevant temperature fluctuations to β2-AR-induced cAMP signaling, highlighting a so far unappreciated role of body temperature as a modulator of the prototypic class A GPCR.

Proteoglycans are involved in tumor development and may regulate the Hedgehog (HH) pathway. This study aimed to investigate the gene and protein expression of glypican-1 (GPC1), -3 (GPC3), and -5 (GPC5) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and tumor-free lateral margins (TM) and their association with the HH pathway. Quantitative PCR was performed for GPC1, GPC3, GPC5, SHH, PTCH1, SMO, and GLI1 genes in samples of OSCC (n=31), TM (n=12), and non-neoplastic oral mucosa (NNM) of healthy patients (n=6), alongside an immunohistochemical evaluation of GPC1, GPC3, and GPC5 proteins and HH proteins SHH and glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (GLI1). Double staining for GPC3/SHH, GPC5/SHH, GPC3/tubulin [ac Lys40], GPC5/Tubulin [ac Lys40], and GPC5/GLI1 was also performed. Overexpression of GPC1 and GPC5 in tumor samples and underexpressed levels of GPC3 gene transcripts were observed when compared with TM (standard sample). HH pathway mRNA aberrant expression in OSCC samples and a negative correlation between GPC1 and GPC5 at transcription levels were detected. GPC1 staining was rare in OSCC, but positive cells were found in NNM and TM. Otherwise positive immunostaining for GPC3 and GPC5 was observed in OSCCs, but not in NNM and TM. Blood vessels adjacent to tumor islands were positive for GPC1 and GPC5. Co-localization of GPC3-positive and GPC5-positive cells with SHH and Tubulin [ac Lys40] proteins was noted, as well as of GPC5 and GLI1. The absence of the GPC1 protein in neoplastic cells, underexpression of the GPC3 gene, and co-localization of GPCs and HH proteins may indicate the maintenance of aberrant HH pathway activation in OSCC.

HZSM5 zeolites with a hierarchical pore structure were prepared from a microporous one using the top-down methodology by treatment with a sodium hydroxide solution in optimal conditions of time, alkali concentration and temperature. These materials were used as supports for platinum to produce bifunctional hydroconversion catalysts. The activity in n-hexadecane hydroconversion was one order of magnitude larger on Pt supported on the mesoporous than on the untreated zeolite and one order of magnitude larger than that of the supports. All Pt catalysts and supports were more selective to hydrocracking than to hydroisomerization, but the initial selectivity for hydroisomerization of the Pt catalysts supported on the mesoporous supports was considerably smaller than that of all other materials, including the supports. This was attributed to a smaller mass transfer limitation with the Pt catalysts supported on the mesoporous zeolites. All supports and catalysts were extensively characterized by techniques such as X-ray diffraction, hydrogen chemisorption, TPD of ammonia, IR spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine, MAS 29Si and 27Al solid state NMR and transmission electron microscopy.

Collisions of N+ and N2+ with C3 hydrocarbons, represented by a self assembled monolayer of propanethiol on a polcrystalline gold surface, were investigated by experiments over the incident energy range between 5 eV and 100 eV. For N+, formation of HCN+ is observed at incident energies of projectile ions as low as 20 eV. In the case of N2+ projectile ions, the yield of HCN+ increased above zero only at incident energies of about 50 eV. This collision energy in the laboratory frame corresponds to an activation energy of about 3 eV to 3.5 eV. In the case of N+ projectile ions, the yield of HCN+ was large for most of the incident energy range, but decreased to zero at incident energies below 20 eV. This may indicate a very small energy threshold for the surface reaction between N+ and C3 hydrocarbons of a few tenths of an eV. Such a threshold for the formation of HCN+ may exist also for collisions of N+ with an adsorbed mixture of hydrocarbon molecules.

In oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), involvement and activation of the Hedgehog pathway (HH) may be related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cell proliferation. The present study aimed to evaluate epithelial-mesenchymal transition and proliferative potential in OSCC cases demonstrating activation of the HH pathway. Twenty-three GLi-1-positive OSCC cases were submitted to immunohistochemical detection of Snail, Slug, N-cadherin, E-cadherin, β-catenin, and MCM3 proteins. Clinical-pathologic immunoexpression data were obtained from the invasion front and tumor islets, and then compared. At the invasion front, OSCC cases presented positive Snail, Slug, and MCM3 expression in the nuclei of tumor cells. Loss of membrane and cytoplasmic expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin was also observed. Positive N-cadherin expression was observed in 31.78% of the cases. GLi-1 immunoexpression was associated with loss of membrane E-cadherin (P

Disordered materials with new optical properties are capturing the interest of the scientific community due to the observation of innovative phenomena. We present the realization of novel optical materials obtained by fractal arrays of silicon nanowires (NWs) synthesized at low cost, without mask or lithography processes and decorated with Er:Y2O3, one of the most promising material for the integration of erbium in photonics. The investigated structural properties of the fractal Er:Y2O3/NWs demonstrate that the fractal morphology can be tuned as a function of the sputtering deposition angle (from 5° to 15°) of the Er:Y2O3 layer. We demonstrate that by this novel approach, it is possible to simply change the Er emission intensity by controlling the fractal morphology. Indeed, we achieved the increment of Er emission at 560 nm, opening new perspectives on the control and enhancement of the optical response of novel disordered materials.

RNA modifications play a fundamental role in cellular function. Pseudouridylation, the most abundant RNA modification, is catalyzed by the H/ACA small ribonucleoprotein (snoRNP) complex that shares four core proteins, dyskerin (DKC1), NOP10, NHP2, and GAR1. Mutations in DKC1 , NOP10 , or NHP2 cause dyskeratosis congenita (DC), a disorder characterized by telomere attrition. Here, we report a phenotype comprising nephrotic syndrome, cataracts, sensorineural deafness, enterocolitis, and early lethality in two pedigrees: males with DKC1 p.Glu206Lys and two children with homozygous NOP10 p.Thr16Met. Females with heterozygous DKC1 p.Glu206Lys developed cataracts and sensorineural deafness, but nephrotic syndrome in only one case of skewed X-inactivation. We found telomere attrition in both pedigrees, but no mucocutaneous abnormalities suggestive of DC. Both mutations fall at the dyskerin–NOP10 binding interface in a region distinct from those implicated in DC, impair the dyskerin–NOP10 interaction, and disrupt the catalytic pseudouridylation site. Accordingly, we found reduced pseudouridine levels in the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) of the patients. Zebrafish dkc1 mutants recapitulate the human phenotype and show reduced 18S pseudouridylation, ribosomal dysregulation, and a cell-cycle defect in the absence of telomere attrition. We therefore propose that this human disorder is the consequence of defective snoRNP pseudouridylation and ribosomal dysfunction.

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a central nervous system depressant primarily used as a recreational drug of abuse, but also for the treatment of narcolepsy with cataplexy in adult patients and as an adjuvant for control of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. The main aim of this review is to summarise updated knowledge about GHB pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, acute poisoning, and clinical features of GHB withdrawal syndrome, its diagnosis and medical treatment. The most common clinical signs and symptoms of acute poisoning include sleepiness to deep coma, bradycardia, hypotension, and respiratory failure. Therapy is essentially supportive and based on continuous monitoring of vital signs. GHB withdrawal syndrome shares patterns with other withdrawal syndromes such as alcohol withdrawal and is sometimes difficult to distinguish, especially if toxicological tests are GHB-negative or cannot be performed. There are no official detoxification protocols for GHB withdrawal syndrome, but its therapy is based on benzodiazepine. When benzodiazepine alone is not effective, it can be combined with barbiturates or antipsychotics. Information about abuse and distribution of GHB and its precursors/analogues among the general population is still limited. Their prompt identification is therefore crucial in conventional and non-conventional biological matrices, the latter in particular, to clarify all the issues around this complex molecule., Gama-hidroksibutirat (GHB) depresiv je središnjega živčanog sustava koji se ponajviše zlorabi kao rekreativna droga, ali se primjenjuje i za liječenje narkolepsije s katapleksijom u odraslih bolesnika te kao pomoćni lijek u kontroli sindroma odvikavanja od alkohola. Ljudi i endogeno proizvode GHB, budući da je on prekursor gama-aminomaslačne kiseline (GABA), jednoga od glavnih neurotransmitera s inhibicijskim učinkom na živčani sustav. GHB ima ulogu neuromodulatora u GABA sustavu i uglavnom djeluje preko GABAB receptora. Za zloporabu se čestu kupuju GBH prekursori/analozi gama-butirolakton (GBL) i 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD) u obliku otapala namijenjenih legalnoj industrijskoj uporabi. Oni, međutim, nisu endogeni. Glavni je cilj ovoga preglednog rada bio sažeti najnovije spoznaje o farmakokinetici i farmakodinamici GHB-a, akutnom trovanju i o kliničkim značajkama sindroma odvikavanja od GHB-a, njegovoj dijagnozi i liječenju. Akutno je trovanje GHB-om donekle i dijagnostički izazov jer su znakovi i simptomi uobičajeni i za depresive središnjega živčanog sustava. Najčešći su klinički znakovi akutnoga trovanja pospanost (sve do duboke kome), bradikardija i hipotenzija te respiratorno zatajenje. Liječenje je u osnovi potporno, uz stalno praćenje vitalnih znakova. Sindrom odvikavanja od GHB-a dijeli značajke s drugim sindromima odvikavanja (npr. od alkohola ili benzodiazepina). Ponekad ih je vrlo teško razlikovati, ponajviše kada su testovi na GHB negativni ili nije moguće napraviti toksikološku analizu. Ne postoje službeni protokoli za detoksikaciju od GHB-a ili njegovih prekursora/analoga. Liječenje se temelji na primjeni benzodiazepina te, ovisno o težini simptoma, sekundarno barbituratima ili antipsihoticima.

A composite cermet consisting in a Ni–Fe alloy and Ce0.9Gd0.1O2-x (CGO) was prepared and used as an electrocatalytic pre-layer in a conventional solid oxide electrolyser (SOEC) for the co-electrolysis of H2O and CO2. The electrocatalyst showed two main phases ascribed to trevorite (NiFe2O4, 78 wt %) and metallic Ni (22 wt %) and an average crystallite size of 27 nm. The role of the Ni–Fe electrocatalyst in promoting CH4 formation was analysed by comparing gas-chromatographic and electrochemical results obtained for coated and bare cells. A slight increase of series resistance was observed for the coated cell (0.85 vs 0.53 Ω cm2) at 525 °C. However, the coated cell demonstrated an enhanced CH4 production in the entire temperature range investigated (525–800 °C). Contrarily to what observed for the bare cell which mainly produced syngas, the coated cell allowed to achieve a high yield of methane (between 67% at 525 °C and 35% at 800 °C) with selectivity to CH4 between 94% at 525 °C and 51% at 800 °C. The selectivity to CO for the coated cell was relatively low (between 6% at 525 °C and 48% at 800 °C). Whereas, the bare cell showed 98–100% selectivity to CO along the entire temperature range). Durability studies showed the possible occurrence of delamination issues as consequence of carbon formation at the interface between the supporting cathode and the electrolyte as observed from the morphological analysis of SOEC cells after operation.

Pesticides of different chemical classes exert their toxic effects on the nervous system by acting on the different regulatory mechanisms of calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis. Pesticides have been shown to alter Ca2+ homeostasis, mainly by increasing its intracellular concentration above physiological levels. The pesticide-induced Ca2+ overload occurs through two main mechanisms: the entry of Ca2+ from the extracellular medium through the different types of Ca2+ channels present in the plasma membrane or its release into the cytoplasm from intracellular stocks, mainly from the endoplasmic reticulum. It has also been observed that intracellular increases in the Ca2+ concentrations are maintained over time, because pesticides inhibit the enzymes involved in reducing its levels. Thus, the alteration of Ca2+ levels can lead to the activation of various signaling pathways that generate oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and, finally, neuronal death. In this review, we also discuss some proposed strategies to counteract the detrimental effects of pesticides on Ca2+ homeostasis.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are anthropogenic chemicals present in the environment and defined as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The interest in these forms of contaminants is related to the toxic consequences for health derived from exposures and bioaccumulation processes. The present research aims at assessing differences in the exposure of PFAS in the Italian population by hair analyses. To this aim, 20 compounds of the PFAS family were investigated in hair of 86 Italian subjects distributed across the regions of Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy and Marche. The applied method was ad hoc developed in a previous research and included SPE extraction and LC-QTOF analysis. In the analyzed population, 66.4 % had quantifiable amounts of one or more PFAS molecules (up to 4 compounds); mean PFAS content, expressed as sum of PFAS, was 0.1457 ng/g, ranging from “not detected” to 0.85 ng/g (SD 0.1867). PFOA and PFOS were the chemicals most frequently detected, with mean concentrations of 0.1402 ng/g and 0.1155 ng/g, respectively. PFBA was detected in 9.3 % of subjects with a mean concentration of 0.3760 ng/g; PFNA in 3.5 % of subjects with mean concentration 0.12 ng/g; PFDA was found in one subject at the concentration of 0.541 ng/g. PFUnA and PFHxS were detected below the limit of quantification. The overall results displayed differences in the presence and prevalence of PFAS in hair of the Italian population on a geographical base. On the contrary, no significatively differences in the amount of PFAS were observed when considering gender or age classes. On this base, hair can be considered a good diagnostic tool to assess PFAS exposure on a regional-scaled base. Of course, more studies are required to infer PFAS internal dose from hair results due to its peculiar detection window and to interpretative issues derived from external contamination.

The ever-stronger attention paid to enhancing safety in the workplace has led to novel sensor development and improvement. Despite the technological progress, nanostructured sensors are not being commercially transferred due to expensive and non-microelectronic compatible materials and processing approaches. In this paper, the realization of a cost-effective sensor based on ultrathin silicon nanowires (Si NWs) for the detection of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is reported. A modification of the metal-assisted chemical etching method allows light-emitting silicon nanowires to be obtained through a fast, low-cost, and industrially compatible approach. NO2 is a well-known dangerous gas that, even with a small concentration of 3 ppm, represents a serious hazard for human health. We exploit the particular optical and electrical properties of these Si NWs to reveal low NO2 concentrations through their photoluminescence (PL) and resistance variations reaching 2 ppm of NO2. Indeed, these Si NWs offer a fast response and reversibility with both electrical and optical transductions. Despite the macro contacts affecting the electrical transduction, the sensing performances are of high interest for further developments. These promising performances coupled with the scalable Si NW synthesis could unfold opportunities for smaller sized and better performing sensors reaching the market for environmental monitoring.

O período de transição em vacas leiteiras aumenta o suprimento de oxigênio aos tecidos e a produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio. Junto com o comprometimento do sistema antioxidante, gera estresse oxidativo, que pode estar ligado ao desenvolvimento de diversas doenças. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o estresse oxidativo em 35 novilhas leiteiras Gir, durante o período periparto. Foram analisados ácido úrico, cobre, ferro, zinco, albumina, bilirrubina total, superóxido dismutase (SOD) e glutationa peroxidase (GSH-Px). Um modelo linear com distribuição de Poisson foi aplicado usando o procedimento GENMOD. A primeira medida (30d antes do parto) foi considerada como referência (T0), e as amostras foram coletadas 16 dias antes do parto (T1) e sete (T2), 14 (T3), 28 (T4) e 42 dias pós-parto (T5). Cobre, zinco e albumina variaram dentro da faixa de referência, apesar de ter havido aumento no cobre de 45,92% no T3. Os níveis de ácido úrico aumentaram durante o período de transição, sem diferença significativa até 16 dias pré-parto, quando foi observado aumento de 67,57%, sendo sua maior concentração observada em T4. A SOD teve um aumento maior (300%) do que a GSH-Px (36%) no final do período experimental, acompanhada por adaptações bioquímicas para garantir uma resposta antioxidante eficaz. Dessa forma, pode-se concluir que o período periparto causa estresse oxidativo em novilhas leiteiras Gir. RESUMO O período de transição em vacas leiteiras aumenta o suprimento de oxigênio aos tecidos e a produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio. Junto com o comprometimento do sistema antioxidante, gera estresse oxidativo que pode estar ligado ao desenvolvimento de diversas doenças. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o estresse oxidativo em 35 novilhas leiteiras Gir durante o período periparto. Foram analisados ácido úrico, cobre, ferro, zinco, albumina, bilirrubina total, superóxido dismutase (SOD) e glutationa peroxidase (GSH-Px). Um modelo linear com distribuição de Poisson foi aplicado usando o procedimento GENMOD. A primeira medida (30d antes do parto) foi considerada como referência (T0) e as amostras foram coletadas 16 dias antes do parto (T1) e 7 (T2), 14 (T3), 28 (T4) e 42 dias pós-parto (T5). Cobre, zinco e albumina variaram dentro da faixa de referência, apesar de um aumento no cobre de 45,92% no T3. Os níveis de ácido úrico aumentaram durante o período de transição, sem diferença significativa até 16 dias pré-parto, quando foi observado um aumento de 67,57%, sendo sua maior concentração observada em T4. A SOD teve um aumento maior (300%) do que GSH-Px (36%) no final do período experimental, acompanhada por adaptações bioquímicas para garantir uma resposta antioxidante eficaz. Dessa forma, pode-se concluir que o período periparto causa estresse oxidativo em novilhas leiteiras Gir.

Introduction Little evidence appears to exist for the use of anakinra, a recombinant interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, after non-response to treatment with corticosteroids alone or combined with tocilizumab in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia and moderate hyperinflammatory state. Patients and Methods A retrospective observational cohort study was carried out involving 143 patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia and moderate hyperinflammation. They received standard therapy along with pulses of methylprednisolone (group 1) or methylprednisolone plus tocilizumab (group 2), with the possibility of receiving anakinra (group 3) according to protocol. The aim of this study was to assess the role of anakinra in the clinical course (death, admission to the intensive care ward) during the first 60 days after the first corticosteroid pulse. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging characteristics as well as infectious complications were also analyzed. Results 74 patients (51.7%) in group 1, 59 (41.3%) patients in group 2, and 10 patients (7%) in group 3 were included. 8 patients (10.8%) in group 1 died, 6 (10.2%) in group 2, and 0 (0%) in group 3. After adjustment for age and clinical severity indices, treatment with anakinra was associated with a reduced risk of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 0.518, 95% CI 0.265–0.910; p = 0.0437). Patients in group 3 had a lower mean CD4 count after 3 days of treatment. No patients in this group presented infectious complications. Conclusions In patients with moderate hyperinflammatory state associated with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, treatment with anakinra after non-response to corticosteroids or corticosteroids plus tocilizumab therapy may be an option for the management of these patients and may improve their prognosis.

Purpose: To analyse the postoperative foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, superficial vessel density (SVD) and deep vessel density (DVD) and their correlation with functional (best-corrected visual acuity, BCVA) and anatomical outcomes (foveal macular thickness, FMT) after surgery for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) repair. Method: Patients with RRD eyes, successfully treated with a single pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with gas tamponade and a minimum 12months follow-up, were re-examined. Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, SVD, DVD and FMT were evaluated by using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and compared to fellow eye. Results: Fifty-six patients with macula-on and 37 with macula-off RRD were included in the study. In both groups, no difference in FMT and FAZ area was found compared to fellow eyes. In macula-on RRD eyes, a lower parafoveal DVD (p=0.001) was detected; FAZ area was related to FMT (p=0.025), and the postoperative BCVA was correlated with parafoveal DVD (p=0.010) and FAZ area (p=0.003). In macula-off RRD eyes, lower parafoveal SDV (p=0.012), and foveal and parafoveal DVD (p=0.012 and p&nbsp

In this paper, the potentialities of pumice-based geopolymers have been explored with the aim to evaluate their use as restoration materials. In particular, the behaviour of Aeolian pumice during alkali activation process, either alone or in binary mixtures with metakaolin, has been assessed using sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate activators. Hardened products were characterized by: X-ray diffraction; infrared spectroscopy; thermo gravimetry and electron microscopy. Furthermore, Hg-intrusion porosimetry, water absorption, compressive strength and colorimetric measurements were carried out in order to define the technical features of the produced geopolymers. The results reveal that Aeolian pumice mixed with small quantities (20–30 wt%) of metakaolin is suitable for the formation of lightweight geopolymers which exhibit an accessible porosity up to 30%, water absorption of about 18.0%, and satisfactory 28-day compressive strength up to 12 MPa. These values indicate good breathability and adaptability to the substrates of the proposed formulations. Final products display a homogeneous and compact amorphous matrix, and their colour mimic the original stones, highlighting their potential role in Cultural Heritage preservation.

Artículo con numerosos autores, sólo se mencionan el primero, los de la UAM y grupo colectivo, A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4% (62.3 (55.1–70.8) million) to 6.4% (58.3 (47.6–70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target of, This work was primarily supported by grant OPP1132415 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded to S.I.H.

A fractal array of room-temperature (RT) luminescent Si nanowires (NWs) is realized by thin-film metal-assisted chemical etching, a cost-effective, fast, and maskless Si technology compatible approach. This process permits obtaining Si NWs with interesting structural and optical features for a wide range of applications, from photonics to sensing. For what concern photonics, the possibility to fabricate artificial fractals based on Si NWs that integrate other interesting elements is reported. In particular, an artificial fractal based on the Er:Y2O3 decoration of Si NWs where the Er emission can be tuned as a function of the decoration angle is shown. In the sensor field, the use of Si NW luminescence can represent an interesting and innovative sensing mechanism for the realization of a novel class of sensing platform. In this work, a light-emitting Si NWs-based label-free sensor for both selective isolation and ultrasensitive quantification of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) is reported opening the route toward liquid biopsy applications.

Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides that exert their effect through a specific action on neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The success of these insecticides is due to this mechanism of action, since they act as potent agonists of insect nAChRs, presenting low affinity for vertebrate nAChRs, which reduces potential toxic risk and increases safety for non-target species. However, although neonicotinoids are considered safe, their presence in the environment could increase the risk of exposure and toxicity. On the other hand, although neonicotinoids have low affinity for mammalian nAChRs, the large quantity, variety, and ubiquity of these receptors, combined with its diversity of functions, raises the question of what effects these insecticides can produce in non-target species. In the present systematic review, we investigate the available evidence on the biochemical and behavioral effects of neonicotinoids on the mammalian nervous system. In general, exposure to neonicotinoids at an early age alters the correct neuronal development, with decreases in neurogenesis and alterations in migration, and induces neuroinflammation. In adulthood, neonicotinoids induce neurobehavioral toxicity, these effects being associated with their modulating action on nAChRs, with consequent neurochemical alterations. These alterations include decreased expression of nAChRs, modifications in acetylcholinesterase activity, and significant changes in the function of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. All these effects can lead to the activation of a series of intracellular signaling pathways that generate oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and, finally, neuronal death. Neonicotinoid-induced changes in nAChR function could be responsible for most of the effects observed in the different studies.

Conventional high throughput methods assaying the chemical state of water and the risk of heavy metal accumulation share common constraints of long and expensive analytical procedures and dedicated laboratories due to the typical bulky instrumentation. To overcome these limitations, a miniaturized optical system for the detection and quantification of inorganic mercury (Hg2+) in water was developed. Combining the bioactivity of a light-emitting mercury-specific engineered Escherichia coli—used as sensing element—with the optical performance of small size and inexpensive Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM)—used as detector—the system is able to detect mercury in low volumes of water down to the concentration of 1 µg L−1, which is the tolerance value indicated by the World Health Organization (WHO), providing a highly sensitive and miniaturized tool for in situ water quality analysis.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most lethal form of leukemia. Standard anti-AML treatment remains almost unchanged for decades. Tingenone (TG) and 22-hydroxytingenone (22-HTG) are quinonemethide triterpenes found in the Amazonian plant Salacia impressifolia (Celastraceae), with cytotoxic properties in different histological types of cancer cells. In the present work, we investigated the anti-AML action mechanism of TG and 22-HTG in the AML HL-60 cell line. Both compounds exhibited potent cytotoxicity in a panel of cancer cell lines. Mechanistic studies found that TG and 22-HTG reduced cell growth and caused the externalization of phosphatidylserine, the fragmentation of internucleosomal DNA and the loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential in HL-60 cells. In addition, pre-incubation with Z-VAD(OMe)-FMK, a pan-caspase inhibitor, prevented TG- and 22-HTG-induced apoptosis, indicating cell death by apoptosis via a caspase-dependent pathway. The analysis of the RNA transcripts of several genes indicated the interruption of the cellular antioxidant system, including the downregulation of thioredoxin, as a target for TG and 22-HTG. The application of N-acetyl-cysteine, an antioxidant, completely prevented apoptosis induced by TG and 22-HTG, indicating activation of the apoptosis pathway mediated by oxidative stress. Moreover, TG and 22-HTG induced DNA double-strand break and phosphorylation of JNK2 (T183/Y185) and p38α (T180/Y182), and co-incubation with SP 600125 (JNK/SAPK inhibitor) and PD 169316 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) partially prevented apoptosis induced by TG and 22-HTG. Together, these data indicate that TG and 22-HTG are new candidate for anti-AML therapy targeting thioredoxin.

Hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolites were prepared by alkali treatment (desilication) at two temperatures, two reaction times, and two NaOH concentrations. A 23 factorial design was used to study the effect of these variables on the crystallinity, microporosity, and mesoporosity of the zeolite due to the desilication treatment. The factorial design analysis showed that the temperature, reaction time and NaOH concentration and the second order interaction between temperature and time have statistically significant effect on the micropore volume. On mesopore volumes (Vmeso) and areas (Smeso), the reaction time and NaOH concentration factors have statistically significant effects. In the case of mesopore volumes, the second order reaction time and NaOH concentration interaction factor are also significant. On the other hand, only the alkali concentration affected, negatively, the relative crystallinity. Two hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolites with the highest relative crystallinity and mesoporosity were selected and further characterized by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis, 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 27Al NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in the OH stretch region and pyridine adsorbed FTIR spectroscopy. NMR and FTIR results showed that the alkali treatment selectively removed silica from the zeolite framework, decreasing the SAR (silica-to-alumina ratio) values, while decreasing Brønsted acid site concentrations and increasing Lewis acid sites concentrations.

The objective of this study was to describe the variation in bovine lactoferrin (LF) content in milk from dairy Gyr heifers during lactation and to evaluate its relationship with milk components. Milk samples were collected between August to October 2013 for performance test 1 (25 first lactation cows) and August to October 2014 for performance test 2 (20 first lactation cows), coordinated by the Brazilian Association of dairy Gyr Breeders (ABCGIL), in Uberaba, MG, Brazil. Milk yield (MY) of 45 primiparous cows was measured daily. The milk samples for analysis of LF concentration and of the other milk components such as somatic cell count and percentage of fat (F%), protein (P%), lactose (L%) and total solids (TS) were collected monthly. The somatic cell count (SCC) was transformed to a somatic cell score (SCS). Pearson correlation coefficients between LF and the other milk components were calculated. Analyses of variance were performed by mixed models including the fixed effects of test (1 = calving 2013 and 2 = calving 2014) year-season of sampling, lactation month and age of cow at calving as classificatory effects, and the effects of SCS and MY as covariates (linear effect). The effect of cow was analyzed as a random effect considering repeated measures over time. The mean LF concentration was 16.80 ± 12.41 μg/mL milk and the values showed variation across lactation indicating that the lactation month influences milk LF concentration. Lactoferrin content was correlated with SCS (0.64, P

Layered double hydroxides (LDH) of general formula Ni1-x Alx(OH)2(A)x/2. mH2O were obtained by a co-precipitation method at constant pH, using succinate (C4H4O42−), adipate (C6H8O42−) and sebacate (C10H16O42−) as compensation anions and two x values, 0.3 and 0.5. The formation of NiAl LDH was evidenced, although in the Al-richer samples carbon analysis and solid-state 27Al NMR spectroscopy indicated the segregation of a small amount of an aluminum-containing phase. To prepare NiAlMo LDH, the original compensation anions were replaced by heptamolybdate ion using an anion exchange method. The results showed almost complete anion exchange in most samples, with small amounts of residual organic material, evidencing easy removal of the aliphatic dibasic anions as compared with terephthalate. The samples were characterized by FTIR, XRD, ICP-OES, CHN and Raman and 27Al MAS solid-state NMR spectroscopies.

This paper reports on the most recent achievements obtained at CNR-ITAE on the co-electrolysis of H2O and CO2 with solid oxide electrolysers. The experiments carried out are addressed to the use of a coating layer on the cathode and to find proper operating conditions in order to affect positively the outlet gas value and the yield of methane. Therefore, in this manuscript are reported experimental results concerning the development of materials, electrochemical characterization of cells and analysis of effluent gas.

Layered-double hydroxides (LDHs) based on copper, manganese, and aluminum were successfully prepared from sodium-free reactants, with x (Al3+/[Al3++Cu2++Mn2+]) values between 0.24 and 0.35, and y (Cu2+/Mn2+) values between 2.2 and 10.3. Catalysts obtained by calcination of the LDHs were characterized by EXAFS, XANES, XPS, ICP, XRD, TPR, N2O decomposition and BET, and were evaluated in the liquid-phase methanol synthesis reaction from synthesis gas. Characterization revealed that, in a commercial CuZnAl catalyst, the environment of copper is very similar to that prevailing in CuO. In the CuMnAl catalyst that presented the largest methanol synthesis activity, copper is more electron-deficient than in CuO and there is structural disorder beyond the first coordination sphere. TPR characterization suggests that manganese is in the 4+ oxidation state in the oxide precursor of this catalyst. The catalyst with the highest manganese content, y = 2.2, and prepared at higher pH, presented the highest methanol productivity and selectivity of all materials tested, including a commercial conventional CuZnAl catalyst, under our testing conditions. This was credited to the larger surface area of its oxide precursor, which resulted in smaller Cu crystallites and larger copper surface area than in the case of the remaining ones.

Cardosin A is an aspartic protease present in large amount in the pistils of cardoon flowers. This protease is known to contain an -Arg-Gly-Asp- (RGD) motif located on the molecular surface. In this study, we found that isolated recombinant cardosin A attached to human epithelial cells A549, mediated by the binding of its RGD motif to cell surface integrins. The cell bound cardosin A was internalized to endosomes and lysosomes and triggered the permeability of lysosomal membrane leading to apoptosis of the epithelial cells. These events are identical to those observed for three RGD-containing aspartic proteases, Saps 4-6, secreted by Candida albicans. Such a process, which has been called the Trojan Horse mechanism, is believed to benefit the invasion of C. albican into the epithelium of the host. The location of the RGD motifs of cardosin A and Saps 4-6 are on the opposite ends of the homologous three-dimensional structures, suggesting that the Trojan Horse mechanism is insensitive to the RGD position. Current finding also suggests that cardosin A may have a defensive function against the ingestion of cardoon flowers by human, insects, and other herbivores.

Paraoxon is the active metabolite of parathion, an organophosphorus pesticide which can cause neurotoxic effects in animals and humans. In the present work, we investigated the effects of 5 mM paraoxon on striatal dopamine, DOPAC and HVA levels in conscious and freely moving rats, after treatment with TTX, reserpine, nomifensine, KCl, Ca++-free/EDTA medium, AP-5 or L-NAME. The intrastriatal administration of paraoxon for 60 min, through the microdialysis probe, significantly produced an increase of the dopamine to 1066 ± 120%, relative to basal levels. Administration of paraoxon to 20 μM TTX, 10 mg/kg reserpine or Ca++-free/EDTA medium-pretreated animals decreased the dopamine levels to 73%, 81%, and 70%, respectively, when compared with the effect of 5 mM paraoxon. Infusion of 50 μM nomifensine induced a maximal increase in extracellular dopamine levels to 1435 ± 387%, and when nomifensine was coadministered with paraoxon, striatal dopamine levels increased to 2429 ± 417%, an increase that was ∼230% higher that observed with the administration of the pesticide alone. Coinfusion of KCl and paraoxon produced an increase in extracellular dopamine to 1957 ± 445%, that was significantly higher than that observed with POX or KCl (1104 ± 220%) administered individually. Pretreatment with 650 μM AP-5 or 100 L-NAME reduced the effect of paraoxon on extracellular dopamine levels by 49.1% and 53.7%, respectively. Our results suggest that paraoxon induces dopamine release by a vesicular-, Ca++-, and deporalization-dependent mechanism, being independent of dopamine transporter. In addition, the paraoxon-induced dopamine release is mediated by glutamatergic and nitrergic neurotransmitter systems.