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The assessment of the rate law of slurry photocatalytic reactions appears to be a hard task, mainly because in this type of reactions the average rate of reaction, which is experimentally observed in a real reactor, could be very different from the “true” (intrinsic) rate of reaction, which cannot be measured directly. In the present work, it is shown how a proper mathematical model allows the utilization of the differential and/or the integral methods of kinetic analysis. The mathematical model must take into account not only the momentum and the mass balances, but also the radiative transfer equation. However, the discrimination among different proposed kinetic laws remains difficult since these laws usually predict very similar behaviors. In the case of “photodifferential” reactors, kinetic analysis can be carried out considering just the measured average rates of reaction without utilizing the mathematical model. For instance, it is shown that, with a photodifferential reactor, the fitting of the average rate of reaction vs. the substrate concentration gives a satisfactory appraisal not only of the kinetic parameters but also of the average rate of photon absorption. A sufficiently low value of the optical thickness (less than 2.5) is the main requirement to approach the photodifferential condition. Anyway, a strategic choice of the experimentally investigated values of the independent variables (e.g. substrate concentration and irradiance to the reactor) is important for the comprehensiveness of the kinetic analysis.

The present study has been undertaken in order to test the real potential of photocatalytic ozonation in a bench-scale recirculating aquaculture system working on a 180 L reef coral aquarium. Notably, this choice may be considered representative. In fact, (i) the system is virtually closed so that fresh water turnover is practically negligible, (ii) the presence of living organisms is highly diversified (corals, fishes, molluscs, echinoderms and crustaceans) and some of them are particularly sensitive to water quality, (iii) high salinity strongly puts a strain on the purification system. The hereby presented purification method has been named REWAQUA, which stands for REcycling Water for AQUAculture and AQUAria. REWAQUA allows purification rates higher than the sum of the rates of the single technologies (photocatalysis and ozonation) operating in series. Furthermore the production of bromate ions, which are carcinogenic by-products of ozonation, is efficiently controlled. Two years observation of the reef coral aquarium reveals that photocatalytic ozonation is a good candidate for water purification in recirculating systems in view of a sustainable aquaculture.

The treatment by advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) of waters contaminated by organic pollutants and containing also innocuous bromide ions may generate bromate ions as a co-product. In the present work heterogeneous photocatalysis and ozonation have individually been applied and in combination (integrated process) to degrade the organic compounds in water containing also bromide anions. The results show that: i) the sole photocatalysis does not produce bromate ions and in the case of its presence, it is able to reduce bromate to innocuous bromide ions; ii) the integration of photocatalysis and ozonation synergistically enhances the oxidation capabilities; and iii) in the integrated process bromate ions are not produced as long as some oxidizable organics are present. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

The novel adamantane derivative APICA (N-(adamantan-1-yl)-1-pentyl-1H-indole-3-carboxamide) was recently identified as a cannabinomimetic indole of abuse. Despite its novel structure, APICA recalls cannabinomimetic indoles, such as representative member JWH-018.In present study, the effects of APICA (1-3 mg/kg, i.p.) were tested in C57BL/6J mice, in the Tetrad task which includes the assessment of: body temperature; locomotor activity and behavioural reactivity; nociception; motor coordination; declarative memory. Furthermore, pre-treatment with the CB1 antagonist AM251 (3 mg/kg, i.p.) or the CB2 antagonist AM630 (3 mg/kg, i.p.) was carried out to characterize APICA activity.Our results show that APICA was able to dose-dependently decrease locomotor activity and behavioural reactivity in the open field, whereas only the highest dose was able to induce hypothermia, analgesia, motor incoordination and recognition memory impairment, with respect to vehicle (p < 0.01; p < 0.001).The pretreatment with the CB1 antagonist AM251 elicited an increase in body temperature, total distance travelled in the open field, latency to fall down in the Rotarod, and a decrease in tail flick latency (p < 0.05; p < 0.01). On the other hand, pretreatment with AM630 did not induced significant differences on APICA effects.This study supports preliminary reports on APICA cannabinomimetic properties, extending its detrimental effects on cognitive function. Moreover, these properties can be attributed to the CB1 receptor activity, indicating APICA as a selective CB1 receptor agonist.

The photoproduction of vanillin is studied in aqueous medium starting from trans-ferulic acid, isoeugenol, eugenol or vanillyl alcohol by using both commercial and home prepared TiO2 samples as photocatalysts and batch Pyrex photoreactors. The photo-oxidation at room temperature of these compounds produces vanillin with a selectivity ranging from 1.4 to 21 mol% with respect to the converted substrate. An investigation on the intermediates was performed in the case of trans-ferulic acid; for this substrate the most important intermediates were homovanillic acid, vanillyl mandelic acid, trans-caffeic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, and oxalic acid. The carbon mass balance, including CO2 derived from the mineralization, was made for all of the substrates at irradiation times corresponding to the highest selectivity to vanillin. High closure of the carbon balance was obtained with vanillyl alcohol (ca. 90%) and trans-ferulic acid (ca. 80%).

There is an increasing interest in the discovery of new inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) biomarkers able to predict the future patterns of disease and to help in diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. A biomarker is a substance that can be measured biologically and is associated with an increased risk of the disease. Biomarkers can be a genetic testing factor or proteins in biological samples such as serum, plasma, and cellular subpopulations. All of them should be studied to find out their utility in the management of IBD. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are relapsing and remitting chronic IBDs characterized by a global immune defect. The gold standard of their diagnosis is histological evaluation performed during endoscopic procedures. Several studies have focused on the identification and combination of less invasive diagnostic serum biomarkers. Nowadays, diagnostic serum tests are not able either to determine whether and when the relapse will occur once the disease is in remission state or to select a patient phenotype more responsive to a specific therapy and more susceptible to different types of complication. In this review we analyze and report the current understanding in IBD biomarkers and discuss potential future biomarkers and new developments of proteomics, such as subproteomics, as an innovative approach for the classification of patients according to their pattern of protein expression. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2010)

The identification of serum biomarkers for the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases able to reduce the need for invasive tests represents a major goal in their therapy and follow-up. We report here a methodological approach for the evaluation of specific changes in the serum peptides abundance in healthy (H) and Crohn's disease (CD) subjects, based on a label-free LC ESI/Q-TOF differential mass spectrometry (MS) approach combined with targeted MS/MS analysis. The low molecular weight serum proteins were separated by RP nano-LC ESI/Q-TOF MS and the resulting datasets were aligned with msInspect software. The differently abundant peptides, evaluated using Proteios Software Environment, were identified by MS/MS analysis and database search. The identification of clusters of peptides resulting from proteins (such as fibrinogen-alpha) commonly involved in physiological processes lead to the evaluation of a possible role in CD of specific serum exoproteases. An assay based on synthetic peptides spiked into H, CD and ulcerative colitis (UC) serum samples as substrate, followed by MALDI MS and chemometric analysis of the metabolite patterns has been developed achieving a 100% discrimination between CD, UC and H subjects. The results are promising for the application of this approach as a simple tool for diagnostic aims and biomarker discovery in CD.

Bone marrow (BM)- and adipose tissue (AT)-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are currently under evaluation in phase III clinical trials for inflammatory bowel disease and other intestinal disease manifestations. The therapeutic efficacy of these treatments may derive from a combination of the differentiation, trophic and immunomodulatory abilities of the transplanted cells. We investigated intestinal tissues as sources of MSC: such cells may support tissue-specific functions and hold advantages for engraftment and contribution in the gastrointestinal environment.Intestinal specimens were collected, and the mucosa and submucosa mechanically separated and enzymatically digested. Mesenchymal stromal populations were isolated, expanded and characterized under conditions commonly used for MSC. The differentiation potential, trophic effect and immunomodulatory ability were investigated. Results We successfully isolated and extensively expanded populations showing the typical MSC profile: CD29+, CD44+, CD73+, CD105+ and CD166+, and CD14(-), CD34(-) and CD45(-). Intestinal mucosal (IM) MSC were also CD117+, while submucosal cultures (ISM MSC) showed CD34+ subsets. The cells differentiated toward osteogenic, adipogenic and angiogenic commitments. Intestinal-derived MSC were able to induce differentiation and organization of intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2) in three-dimensional collagen cultures. Immunomodulatory activity was evidenced in co-cultures with normal heterologous phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Conclusions Multipotent MSC can be isolated from intestinal mucosal and submucosal tissues. IM MSC and ISM MSC are able to perform trophic and immunomodulatory functions. These findings could open a pathway for novel approaches to intestinal disease treatment.

The present work deals with a short review of some applications of photocatalysis to green organic synthesis of valuable products in mild experimental conditions and in the presence of water as solvent.

Heterogeneous photocatalysis and photoelectrocatalysis have been considered as oxidation technologies to abate unselectively noxious species. This article focuses instead on the utilization of these methods for selective syntheses of organic molecules. Some promising reactions have been reported in the presence of various TiO2 samples and the important role played by the amorphous phase has been discussed. The low solubility of most of the organic compounds in water limits the utilization of photocatalysis. Dimethyl carbonate has been proposed as an alternative green organic solvent. The recovery of the products by coupling photocatalysis with pervaporation membrane technology seems to be a solution for future industrial applications. As far as photoelectrocatalysis is concerned, a decrease in recombination of the photogenerated pairs occurs, enhancing the rate of the oxidation reactions and the quantum yield. Another benefit is to avoid reaction(s) between the intermediates and the substrate, as anodic and cathodic reactions take place in different places., S. Yurdakal thanks to TÜ BITAK (Project no: 111T489) for economic support

A two-dimensional model describing the behavior of a batch cylindrical photoreactor has been validated through a series of photocatalytic reactivity runs. The light intensity radiation field produced by 1–6 external UV fluorescent lamps was modeled together with Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetics and 4-nitrophenol (NP) and Degussa P25 TiO 2 were used as the probe molecule and the catalyst, respectively. The experiments were carried out under different conditions of light intensity, photocatalyst amount and substrate concentration. The model parameters were the kinetic constant of substrate adsorption, desorption and degradation and the exponent of the power law expressing the kinetics dependence on the light intensity. A least-squares best fitting procedure was used to fit the experimental data to the model and find the four required parameters. A satisfactory agreement was obtained between experimental and calculated values of the observed pseudo-first order kinetic constant, with a coefficient of determination R 2 = 0.83. Notably, the present model is of general interest for cylindrical slurry photoreactors, where different molecules can be oxidized in the presence of several photocatalysts and it can be used, for instance, to accurately compare the performance of a set of catalysts.

In the so-called photocatalytic ozonation (PO) synergistic effects between photocatalysis and ozonation enhance the rate of oxidation of organic compounds, therefore this integrated process is very promising for use in water treatment. In the present work, it is demonstrated that the improvement that can be obtained by the integrated process in comparison with the uncoupled processes depends on the relative weight between photocatalysis and ozonation. In this respect, it has been found that a relatively low rate of photocatalysis (0.3 times the rate of ozonation) is sufficient to get the highest synergy and to maximize the performances in the oxidation of formate, the adopted model organic compound. The benefits of the coupling of photocatalysis to ozonation are not limited to the increase of the oxidation rate, but include also the control of the ozonation by-product of main concern (bromate). The effect of the pH, of the presence of oxidizable organic compounds, of the presence of nitrogen on the formation or on the reduction of bromate are experimentally studied and discussed. The obtained results have relevance for the practical applications of PO, since on these bases it is possible to identify proper operating conditions.

Postmortem samples from 14 cases of suspected heroin overdose were subjected to a preliminary systematic toxicological analysis in order to highlight the presence of unknown exogenous compounds (e.g., drugs of abuse, alcohol) that may have played a role in the mechanism of death. This analysis unveiled histories of poly-drug use in seven of the cases under investigation. Moreover, the concentrations of morphine and codeine in the brain were also investigated, and the results were compared with the data obtained from the blood specimens. The concentration of morphine in blood ranged from 33 to 688 ng/mL, while the concentration of codeine ranged from 0 to 193 ng/mL. However, in the brain, the concentration of morphine was found to be between 85 and 396 ng/g, while the levels of codeine ranged from 11 to 160 ng/g. The codeine/morphine ratio in the blood ranged from 0.043 to 0.619; however, in the brain, the same ratio was found to be between 0.129 and 0.552. In most cases, a significantly higher codeine/morphine ratio was found in the brain, suggesting the accumulation of codeine in brain tissue due its high lipophilicity as compared with morphine.

Normal intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) could act as non-professional antigen-presenting cells, selectively activating CD8(+)-suppressor T cells. An epithelial cell surface glycoprotein, gp180, recognized by monoclonal antibodies B9 and L12 was determined to be critical in this process. Purification and sequence analysis of mAb B9 reactive material revealed amino-acid sequence homology with CEACAM5. We demonstrate that CEACAM5 has properties attributed to gp180, such as CD8α binding and activation of CD8-associated Lck. CEACAM5 is the only CEACAM member interacting with CD1d through the B3 domain. Its N domain (recognized by B9) is required for CD8α binding. Removal of the N-domain glycosylated residues reduces B9 recognition, CD8α binding affinity, and activation of LcK. Therefore, conformational changes in CEACAM5 glycosylation site are critical for its interaction with CD8α. CEACAM5-activated CD8(+) T cells acquire the ability to suppress the proliferation of CD4(+) T cells in vitro in the presence of interleukin (IL)-15 or IL-7. We provide new insights into the role of CEACAM5 and define its specific immunoregulatory properties among the CEACAMs expressed on IECs. We suggest that unique set of interactions between CEACAM5, CD1d, and CD8 render CD1d more class I-like molecule, facilitating antigen presentation and activation of CD8(+)-suppressor regulatory T cells.

The Notch-1 signaling pathway is responsible for homeostatic tight junction expression in vitro, and promotes barrier function in vivo in the RAG1-adoptive transfer model of colitis. In this study, we sought to determine the role of colonic Notch-1 in the lymphoepithelial crosstalk in health and disease. We utilized in vivo and in vitro knockdown to target the expression of Notch-1. We identified that epithelial Notch-1 is required for appropriate activation of intestinal epithelial cells at steady state and upon inflammatory stimulus. Notch-1 expression modulates mucosal chemokine and cytokine secretion, and FoxP3 and effector T-cell responses. We showed that epithelial Notch-1 controls the immune function of the epithelium through crosstalk with the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways that, in turn, elicits T-cell responses. Overall, epithelial Notch-1 bridges innate and adaptive immunity in the gut. Our findings highlight an indispensable role for Notch-1-mediated signaling in the intricate epithelial-immune crosstalk, and validate that epithelial Notch-1 is necessary and sufficient to support protective epithelial proinflammatory responses.

Il contributo indaga modi e forme letterarie in cui trova espressione il grande trauma storico del Sacco di Roma

Studio della brillante interpretazione di Piero Chiara dei Promessi sposi di Alessandro Manzoni

Ricerca originale di tipo tematico e iconologico sul grande mito (antico e moderno) dell'automa in letteratura, con analisi di testi, da Cavalcanti a Dante Alighieri.

Tra Sette e Ottocento la «querelle des anciens et des modernes» vide quasi tutti i letterati italiani concordi nel rispondere agli attacchi dei francesi che accusavano la poesia italiana di essere artificiosa e falsa. La risposta fu come è noto raccolta nelle corpose «Considerazioni» di Giovanni Giuseppe Orsi. In questo saggio si ripercorre la lenta genesi di questa opera attraverso il carteggio intercorso tra Orsi e Muratori, e si mette in luce il ruolo rilevantissimo di quest'ultimo, che si scopre essere stato il vero ispiratore della replica antifrancese.

BackgroundCurcuma extract exerts a myorelaxant effect on the mouse intestine. In view of a possible use of curcuma extract in motor functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, a safety profile study has been carried out in the mouse.MethodsThirty mice were used to study the in vitro effect of curcuma on gallbladder, bladder, aorta and trachea smooth muscular layers and hearth inotropic and chronotropic activity. The myorelaxant effect on the intestine was also thoroughly investigated. Moreover, curcuma extract (200 mg/Kg/day) was orally administered to twenty mice over 28 days and serum liver and lipids parameters were evaluated. Serum, bile and liver bile acids qualitative and quantitative composition was were also studied.ResultsIn the intestine, curcuma extract appeared as a not competitive inhibitor through cholinergic, histaminergic and serotoninergic receptors and showed spasmolytic effect on K(+) induced contraction at the level of L type calcium channels. No side effect was observed on bladder, aorta, trachea and heart when we used a dose that is effective on the intestine. An increase in gallbladder tone and contraction was observed. Serum liver and lipids parameters were normal, while a slight increase in serum and liver bile acids concentration and a decrease in bile were observed.ConclusionsAlthough these data are consistent with the safety of curcuma extract as far as its effect on the smooth muscular layers of different organs and on the heart, the mild cholestatic effect observed in absence of alteration of liver function tests must be further evaluated and the effective dose with minimal side effects considered.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the rectum and colon. The conventional medical treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive drugs and antibiotics.1 Recently, considerable attention has been given to the identification of naturally occurring substances, particularly those present in dietary and medicinal plants as a useful tool in the prevention and treatment of many pathological conditions. Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is extensively used in Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for several inflammatory and functional conditions of the gastrointestinal tract such as diarrhea. Since intestinal motility has been reported to be impaired in IBD patients, our investigation was aimed at evaluating whether turmeric, besides its anti-inflammatory properties, exerts also a myorelaxant effect on the intestine. Acute and chronic colitis were induced in Balb/c mice by Dextran Sulphate Sodium (DSS) administration (5% and 2.5%,w/v, respectively) and either Curcuma extract (200 mg/kg/day) or placebo was thereafter administered for 7 and 21 days respectively. Similarly Curcuma extract was administered to healthy mice and in vitro evaluated in healthy intestine. The biological activity of Curcuma extract was evaluated towards Carbachol induced contraction in isolated ileum and colon in healthy animals, acute and chronic colitis animals and after administration of Curcuma.3 Curcuma extract reduced the spontaneous contractions in the ileum and colon both in the healthy intestine and in the pathological intestinal strips. In addition, it inhibited the maximal response to Carbachol in a non-competitive and reversible manner. Similar results were observed in ileum and colon from Curcuma fed mice. The administration of DSS reduced the motility, mainly in the colon; Curcuma almost restored both the spontaneous contractions and the response to Carbachol after 14 days assumption, compared to standard diet; however a prolonged administration of Curcuma, once the mucosal damage of the intestine was repaired, reduced the spontaneous and Carbachol-induced contractions.3 Curcuma extract has been shown to exert a direct and indirect myorelaxant effect on mouse ileum and colon, independent of the anti-inflammatory effect. The effect is reversible and non-competitive and it is present also in the normal intestine. These results suggest the use of curcuma extract as a spasmolytic agent 3 not only in IBD, but also as a useful tool in the management of functional disorders References 1. Bossa, F.; Colombo, E.; Andriulli, A.; Annese, V. Treatment of steroid-naive ulcerative colitis. Expert Opin Pharmacother, 2009, 10, 1449-1460. 2. Jurenka, J.S. Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, a major constituent of Curcuma longa: a review of preclinical and clinical research. Altern Med Rev, 2009, 14, 141-153. 3. Aldini, R.; Budriesi, R.; Roda, G.; Micucci, M.; Ioan, P.; D’Errico-Grigioni, A.; Sartini, A.; Guidetti, E.; Marocchi, M.; Cevenini, M.; Rosini, F.; Montagnani, M.; Chiarini, A.; Mazzella, G. Effect of Curcuma longa extract on the intestinal motility in acute and chronic DSS induced colitis in mice. Plose One, 2012, 7, e44650.

A non-invasive test for oro-ileal transit time (OITT) evaluation was developed, based on the measurement of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) oral fluid concentration profile after its oral administration. Exploiting the fact that TUDCA is actively absorbed only in the ileum, OITT is measured as the time corresponding to TUDCA maximum oral fluid concentration ( t max ). To measure oral fluid TUDCA concentration in a point-of-care setting, an ultrasensitive portable immunosensor was developed, based on a competitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CL-EIA), using immobilized anti-TUDCA antibody and an ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA)-peroxidase conjugate as tracer, detected by enhanced chemiluminescence employing a portable charge-coupled device (CCD)-based device. The test was validated in 24 healthy subjects before and after treatment with Loperamide, a drug that increases OITT. The developed CL-EIA was accurate and precise, with a LLOQ of 50 pmol L −1 . The measured OITT for healthy subjects (291 ± 50 min) was fairly well correlated with OITT values obtained by measuring TUDCA in serum ( r = 0.89). An increased OITT was observed in all the studied subjects after Loperamide treatment. The CL immunosensor can be employed directly in gastroenterology and paediatric units and it can thus represent a new non-invasive simple test for OITT evaluation in a point-of-care setting, with improved diagnostic utility.

A capillary electrophoretic method, which allowed the detection and separation of the active principles of Catha edulis, i.e. cathinone, cathine and phenylpropanolamine, was developed. A suitable internal standard (nicotinamide), which permitted the quantification of the analytes reducing the variability of the migration times due to EOF changes, was identified. The analytical method was validated, assessing linearity, sensitivity and repeatability, showing optimal features for the analysis of the vegetable material. Moreover extraction conditions were investigated to achieve the exhaustion of the plant material in the fastest and most efficient way to meet the requirements of the Court.

Brain distribution pattern of “street” heroin metabolites (morphine and codeine) was investigated in two fatalities due to “acute narcotism”. A suitable sample pretreatment prior to solid-phase-extraction was developed to achieve a good recovery of the analytes and to eliminate the interfering species. After derivatization with MSTFA, samples were analyzed by GC/MS. Specificity, accuracy, precision and linearity of the method were evaluated; LOD and LOQ were, respectively, 10 ng/25 ng for morphine and 5 ng/10 ng for codeine. This method was applied to the analysis of six brain areas (hippocampus, frontal lobe, occipital lobe, nuclei, bulb and pons) coming from two cases of heroin-related deaths. No evidence of accumulation of metabolites in a specific brain region was found.

BACKGROUND: Curcuma has long been used as an anti-inflammatory agent in inflammatory bowel disease. Since gastrointestinal motility is impaired in inflammatory states, the aim of this work was to evaluate if Curcuma Longa had any effect on intestinal motility. METHODS: The biological activity of Curcuma extract was evaluated against Carbachol induced contraction in isolated mice intestine. Acute and chronic colitis were induced in Balb/c mice by Dextran Sulphate Sodium administration (5% and 2.5% respectively) and either Curcuma extract (200 mg/kg/day) or placebo was thereafter administered for 7 and 21 days respectively. Spontaneous contractions and the response to Carbachol and Atropine of ileum and colon were studied after colitis induction and Curcuma administration. RESULTS: Curcuma extract reduced the spontaneous contractions in the ileum and colon; the maximal response to Carbachol was inhibited in a non-competitive and reversible manner. Similar results were obtained in ileum and colon from Curcuma fed mice. DSS administration decreased the motility, mainly in the colon and Curcuma almost restored both the spontaneous contractions and the response to Carbachol after 14 days assumption, compared to standard diet, but a prolonged assumption of Curcuma decreased the spontaneous and Carbachol-induced contractions. CONCLUSIONS: Curcuma extract has a direct and indirect myorelaxant effect on mouse ileum and colon, independent of the anti-inflammatory effect. The indirect effect is reversible and non-competitive with the cholinergic agent. These results suggest the use of curcuma extract as a spasmolytic agent.

The integration of photocatalysis with a membrane separation process, in particular pervaporation, permits the recovery of valuable intermediate compounds (aromatic aldehydes) while they are produced avoiding their further degradation in the reactive ambient. In this way the yield and the conversion are enhanced. The coupling of the two processes is straightforward and the integration is complete even maintaining pervaporation and photocatalysis in two separate apparatuses provided that the process stream is continuously recycled at a sufficiently high flow rate. Additional advantages are: higher degree of purification of the aldehyde in the powder-free product stream, semicontinuous production and possibility of operating in a continuous mode with high values of the yield. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Despite the increasing evidence of MAP/DNA isolation in Crohn's disease (CD), its potential pathogenetic role remains unclear. To further clarify the possible relationship between MAP and CD, we investigated the presence of IS900 DNA fragment in feces from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and from healthy controls (HC). METHODS: Stool samples were collected from 31 CD, 20 UC, and 23 HC and stored at -20°C in 200-mg aliquots. DNA was extracted. MAP presence was detected with a specific PCR amplifying a 409-bp fragment from IS900. The specificity of PCR for IS900 was confirmed sequencing three positive products. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: Twenty-one of 31 CD (68%), 13 of 20 UC (65%) and 11 of 23 HC (48%) were MAP-positive (CD vs. HC: p = ns; UC vs. HC: p = ns). With the limits of a small sample size, the IS900-positive percentage in CD and UC was higher than HC, although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The possibility to track the MAP presence in human feces represents a new approach to the "MAP hypothesis". Detection of MAP DNA in feces is very common, reaching very high prevalence both in CD and in UC and even in HC. Our findings seem consistent with a high prevalence of MAP asymptomatic infection among the general population and so the possible involvement of MAP in CD pathogenesis could be linked to a specific immune defective response.

We report a case of a prompt reactivation of a quiescent Crohn's disease with pain, fever and abdominal abscess which occurred after seasonal and pandemic flu vaccinations. Based on the clinical history and the timing of the events, we could relate the relapse of CD to the double vaccinations.

Summary Background Acute pouchitis, an idiopathic inflammatory condition of the ileal pouch anal anastomosis, is the most frequent complication after proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis. Aim To test the hypothesis that sulfasalazine (SASP) might have a synergistic beneficial effect in acute pouchitis, by combining the anti-inflammatory activity of 5-aminosalicylic Acid and the bacteriostatic effect of sulphapyridine. Methods Twenty two patients were investigated for acute pouchitis; the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI) was calculated and 11 patients with acute pouchitis (PDAI >7) were included in an open study, after obtaining their informed consent. Patients were treated with SASP 500 mg tablets, two tablets three times per day (3000 mg daily), for 2 months. Pouch endoscopy with biopsies was performed at the entry and at the end of the study. Results According to the PDAI score, 8/11 patients (73%) improved their clinical condition and 7/11 (63%) were in remission at the end of the treatment. At 8 weeks, the median PDAI index decreased from 11.2 ± 2.3 to 6.6 ± 4.7 P

The aim of this study was to implement the decontamination process of water effluents deriving from the soy lecithin-assisted washing of an aged PCB-contaminated soil through the integration of a photocatalytic approach with a biological treatment. Effluents have been subjected to the integrated treatment in a batch system consisting of a mechanically stirred bioreactor, connected to an annular photocatalytic reactor with dispersed titanium dioxide. A biological treatment and a photocatalytic one have been used as controls. The integrated approach was shown to have no advantages, if compared to the photocatalytic-alone treatment, both in terms of extent and rate of the process.

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) play a key role in Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease which requires invasive examinations to be diagnosed. The comparison of the cellular protein expression profiles of Crohn's disease patients and healthy subjects is fundamental for the identification of proteins clinically relevant as new biomarkers or as drug targets. For this purpose a differential label-free nano-LC ESI/QTOF mass spectrometry (MS) approach combined with targeted MS/MS analysis has been developed and applied to isolated IECs. We report here a study of the protein variations in IECs from healthy subjects (H) and Crohn's disease patients (CD). The method was previously validated using HT29 Cl.16E cell line, normal or treated with interferon-gamma as a model of inflammation. Subcellular fractions proteins were extracted from HT29 and IECs and for each fraction monodimensional gel-electrophoresis was performed and the proteins subjected to tryptic digestion. The resulting peptides were analysed by LC ESI/QTOF MS and the obtained chromatographic runs were aligned with msInspect software. The peptides differently expressed were statistically evaluated using the Proteios Software Environment (ProSE) and identified by LC ESI/QTOF MS/MS analysis and database search. The preliminary results obtained allowed the identification of many proteins involved in the inflammation processes.

A new HPLC method for the determination of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) and N -acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid ( N -Ac-5-ASA) in human plasma was developed and validated. Plasma samples were analyzed after protein precipitation with methanol and the two analytes were separated using a C18 column with a mobile phase composed of 17.5 mmol/L acetic acid (pH 3.3):acetonitrile = 85:15 (v/v) at 0.2 mL/min flow rate. 4-ASA and N -Ac-4-ASA were used as internal standards. Selective detection was performed by tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray source, operating in negative ionization mode and in multiple reaction monitoring acquisition ( m / z 152 → 108 for 5-ASA; m / z 194 → 150 and 194 → 107 for N -Ac-5-ASA). The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 50 ng/mL for both analytes (0.2 ng injected) and matrix-matched standard curves showed linearity up to 4000 ng/mL. In the entire analytical range the within- and between-batch precision (R.S.D.%) values were respectively ≤6.3% and ≤11% for 5-ASA and ≤8.0% and ≤10% for N -Ac-5-ASA. For both analytes the within- and between-batch accuracy (bias%) values ranged respectively from −8.4% to 7.9% and from −7.9% to 8.0%. The overall recoveries ( n = 6) at three tested concentration levels (i.e. 100, 1000 and 4000 ng/mL) were respectively >90% for 5-ASA and >95% for N -Ac-5-ASA (R.S.D.% ≤ 10%). The method was applied to evaluate the pharmacokinetic of 5-ASA after a single oral dose administration of this compound (1200 mg) to 24 healthy volunteers. The mean maximum concentration levels were 680 ng/mL for 5-ASA and 1240 ng/mL for N -Ac-5-ASA and the kinetic profiles were in agreement with previous studies.

L’attenzione ai risvolti ambientali delle attività edilizie prevede la possibilità di intraprendere scelte e soluzioni diverse nelle varie fasi del ciclo di vita per contenere al massimo i consumi energetici, anche attraverso l’utilizzo di materiali riciclabili e riciclati. Le più innovative ricerche nel settore e le recenti normative sono orientate a potenziare la reimmissione di materiali di scarto in una nuova fase di produzione nella direzione della circolarità dei processi di trasformazione delle risorse. L’obiettivo è mantenere i prodotti ottenuti dal riciclaggio, divenuti materie prime seconde, all'interno dello stesso ciclo di produzione. In tal modo il materiale a fine ciclo di vita acquista nuove potenzialità come MPS e diventa fonte di profitto e non costo sociale da gestire.

Nel saggio si esaminano i programmi di ricerca europei, i criteri progettuali e costruttivi, l'evoluzione normativa e le potenzialità di diffusione dei modelli di costruzione passiva. La crescente attenzione al tema dell’efficienza energetica degli edifici trae origine da ricerche condotte e sviluppate in ambiti climatici prevalentemente freddi. Gli edifici passivi, caratterizzati dalla quantità estremamente ridotta di fabbisogno energetico che ne rende possibile l’indipendenza dai combustibili fossili, sono oggetto di interessanti sperimentazioni relative all’evoluzione adattiva in diversi contesti climatici. In ambito mediterraneo assumono progressivamente importanza fattori relativi al comportamento estivo delle costruzioni, mirati a limitare gli eccessi stagionali di calore e le necessità di raffrescamento. Sviluppato nei climi dell’Europa centrale e settentrionale, lo standard passivhaus è in fase di revisione adattiva per l’applicazione in climi caldi di tipo mediterraneo, dove il condizionamento estivo è ormai prioritario sul riscaldamento invernale.

The incidence and prevalence of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), the two major forms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), are rising in western countries. The modern hygienic lifestyle is probably at the root of a disease where, in genetically susceptible hosts, the intestinal commensal flora triggers dysregulated immune and inflammatory responses. Current therapies ranging from anti-inflammatory drugs to immunosuppressive regimens, remain inadequate. Advances in our understanding of the cell populations involved in the pathogenetic processes and recent findings on the regenerative, trophic and immunoregulatory potential of stem cells open new paths in IBD therapy. Hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells are catalyzing the attention of IBD investigators. This review highlights the pivotal findings for stem cell-based approaches to IBD therapy and collects the encouraging results coming in from clinical trials.

Le tecnologie finalizzate al controllo ed alla produzione energetica risultano diffusamente impiegate proprio nell’ambito dei territori comunali di limitata estensione che costituiscono, al riguardo, laboratori ricchi di sperimentazioni ed iniziative: sono infatti proprio i “borghi minori” ad assumere un ruolo di primo piano rispetto all’utilizzo di fonti energetiche rinnovabili, come il solare fotovoltaico e termico, l’eolico, gli impianti idroelettrici, la geotermia, le biomasse. Tra i molti esempi virtuosi dove l’ente pubblico assume il ruolo di “guida” rispetto ad una capacità di “investimento” nelle fonti rinnovabili, il Comune di Varese Ligure occupa senza dubbio una posizione “speciale”; il Borgo spezzino si configura, infatti, come un vero “pioniere” relativamente all’insieme degli aspetti di una politica ambientale ad ampio raggio. Sotto il profilo energetico Varese Ligure è stato il primo paese in Europa a soddisfare ben oltre il 100% la sua richiesta elettrica da fonti rinnovabili. La città usa il vento, il solare ed il mini-idrico, un “mix energetico” che ben si adatta al suo terreno collinare coprendo un totale di 140 kmq, ed inoltre ha pianificato un’estensione del mini-idrico. L'esempio di questo Comune costituisce un valido insegnamento per molte realtà locali italiane le cui caratteristiche possono essere assimilate alla realtà economica, culturale e sociale del borgo spezzino.

To develop a new formulation with hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose and Shellac coating for extended and selective delivery of butyrate in the ileo-caecal region and colon.One-gram sodium butyrate coated tablets containing 13C-butyrate were orally administered to 12 healthy subjects and 12 Crohn's disease patients and the rate of 13C-butyrate absorption was evaluated by 13CO2 breath test analysis for eight hours. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (500 mg) was co-administered as a biomarker of oro-ileal transit time to determine also the site of release and absorption of butyrate by the time of its serum maximum concentration.The coated formulation delayed the 13C-butyrate release by 2-3 h with respect to the uncoated tablets. Sodium butyrate was delivered in the intestine of all subjects and a more variable transit time was found in Crohn's disease patients than in healthy subjects. The variability of the peak 13CO2 in the kinetic release of butyrate was explained by the inter-subject variability in transit time. However, the coating chosen ensured an efficient release of the active compound even in patients with a short transit time.Simultaneous evaluation of breath 13CO2 and tauroursodeoxycholic acid concentration-time curves has shown that the new oral formulation consistently releases sodium butyrate in the ileo-cecal region and colon both in healthy subjects and Crohn's disease patients with variable intestinal transit time. This formulation may be of therapeutic value in inflammatory bowel disease patients due to the appropriate release of the active compound.

Il presente lavoro è parte del progetto condotto nell’ambito dell’O.R. 6 del LITCAR ed ha l’obiettivo di valutare la possibilità di bonificare un suolo contaminato da PCB attraverso due diversi approcci di bonifica: uno biologico, composto da due stadi sequenziali rispettivamente anaerobico ed aerobico, l’altro di tipo chimico-fisico, costituito dal washing del terreno seguito dal trattamento fotocatalitico del refluo acquoso prodotto. Al termine del trattamento anaerobico non è stata osservata alcuna rimozione significativa dei congeneri alto-clorurati presenti nel suolo, mentre nel successivo stadio aerobico è stata riscontrata una rimozione significativa dei PCB, inversamente proporzionale al grado di clorurazione dei congeneri presenti. Il soil-washing ha mostrato un’ottima resa in termini di rimozione dei PCB dalla matrice solida ed il successivo trattamento fotocatalitico del refluo acquoso ha permesso una degradazione rapida ed efficace che ha interessato tutti i congeneri di PCB presenti.

The identification of new biomarkers or a disease-related protein fingerprint for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) represents a major task in the diagnosis, prognosis and pharmacological therapy. To address these issues, a simple and rapid analytical proteomic method for serum protein profiling based on selective beads-based solid-phase bulk extraction, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and chemometric data analysis was developed. Serum proteins from healthy subjects (22) and patients with Crohn's disease (15) and ulcerative colitis (26) were selectively extracted according to reversed-phase (C18), strong anion-exchange (SAX) and metal ion affinity (IDA-Cu(II)) principles. This approach allowed enrichment of serum proteins/peptides due to the high interaction surface between analytes and the solid phase and high recovery due to the elution step performed directly on the MALDI-target plate. The MALDI-TOF MS serum protein profiles were acquired and, after a data pre-processing step, analyzed by linear discriminant analysis (LDA), a chemometric classification technique, in order to classify serum samples among healthy subjects and patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Since the high number of variables in the MALDI spectra (more than 16000 m/z values) prevents the use of LDA, the variables were reduced to 10-20 by features selection, thus allowing the evaluation of a pattern of m/z values with high discriminant power. Serum protein profiles obtained by reversed-phase extraction and the selection of 20 m/z values gave the best overall prediction ability (96.9%). The recognition of these m/z values may allow the identification of protein biomarkers involved in IBDs.

While it is quite obvious that photons have an essential role in photochemical and photocatalytic processes, it is not simple to analyse the radiation process. A simple approach is presented on the assumption that photons can be treated as immaterial reactants. It is then possible to evaluate the radiation process in terms of parameters such as conversion, selectivity and yield, which are common in the conventional reaction engineering, and of an additional parameter, a volume efficiency factor, which accounts for the exploitation of the reaction volume as the result of the inevitable attenuation of the radiation in the transport through the participating medium. Attention has also been focused on the validation of kinetic data when, as it is usually done, they are interpreted in terms of volume averages. Finally, guidelines have been prepared to support preliminary phases of analysis and/or design of a photocatalytic reactor. Fil: Camera Roda, Giovanni. Università di Bologna; Italia Fil: Santarelli, Francesco. Università di Bologna; Italia Fil: Martin, Carlos Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Industria Química; Argentina

Quando Boccaccio scrive il Corbaccio, l'amico Petrarca è il maestro d'elezione, sostenitore degli studia humanitatis e della riscoperta dei classici. Nel Corbaccio si può rintracciare tuttavia la tradizione medievale (in particolare quella dei bestiari e delle arti predicatorie), nella quale si riconosce ancora un Boccaccio "medievale", indissolubilmente legato al grande modello dantesco.

Descrizione e illustrazione di una sezione del ms. Marciano it. IX.204, con pubblicazione di sei sonetti di Bindo Bonichi da Siena, qui muniti di coda quattrocentesca.

Il saggio si sofferma sui caratteri della corporeità del personaggio-poeta della "Commedia", individuandone alcuni aspetti e, di questi, lumeggiando gli antefatti culturali e le conseguenze nell'interpretazione complessiva del poema.

Nel campo dell'intertestualità letteraria, si colgono alcune fonti specifiche per due luoghi della poesia di Dante e di Leopardi.