Search

The increasing population of resident space objects is currently fostering many Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) initiatives, which are based on the use of ground sensors. Italy contributes to the European SST Support Framework with the BIstatic RAdar for LEo Survey (BIRALES). Orbit determination from BIRALES observations relies on the estimation of the angular profiles of the object crossing the sensor field of view by processing the receiver raw data. Based on the receiver array configuration, its field of view is currently populated with many independent beams. However, the results of the currently adopted orbit determination process are negatively affected by the simultaneous presence of multiple grating lobes in the receiver gain pattern and by the signal quality. Within this context, this work proposes a paradigm shift in BIRALES data processing by introducing a multiple signal classification (MUSIC) approach. First, in the track estimation phase, multiple signal directions of arrival are determined, at any time instant, from the data correlation matrix. The multiplicity of the solutions is due to the array geometry and yields ambiguity in track reconstruction. For the catalogued objects, this ambiguity can be solved by exploiting the availability of their orbital estimates. For the uncatalogued ones, it is solved by clustering the candidate signal directions of arrival and identifying the correct track using slant range, Doppler shift and signal to noise ratio measurements. Although introduced for BIRALES, the applicability of the method extends to any SST survey radar with an array receiver and with the ability to correlate the signals detected by each receiver element. Finally, algorithm performances and robustness are assessed on a large set of synthetic passes as well as on real measurements.

The digitisation of urban cultural heritage (CH) is recognised within EU (European Union) policies as an opportunity to make CH a driver for urban transformation towards a sustainable and inclusive future. Various digital platforms are emerging as tools not only to store, retrieve, compare and process different kind of data related to CH for the use of urban planners and administrators, but also as participative tools for distributed decision-making. The increasing integration between the physical and digital realm through various digital instruments such as the Internet of things, virtual and augmented reality, machine learning and natural language processing, has led designers to conceptualise the necessity of merging different smart city dashboards and platforms into an integrated system known as the urban digital twin (DW). This task can be made possible only through the construction of a shared ontology of the city, which allows the interoperability of different data systems. The DWs, originally developed in mechanical and process engineering, allow to construct a digital model of a physical object or process, to monitor its real-time performance, to perform maintenance tasks and to test the effects of planned changes. However, when extending the notion of the DW to complex cultural and social entities such as cities, it is important to consider also issues of inclusivity and citizen participation. How can the DW be conceptualised not only as a tool of technological control or narrative, but as an instrument to empower not only institutions but also citizens? The experience gathered in the construction of the ROCK platform and its participatory ontology, developed within the Horizon 2020 (H2020) funded project ROCK (GA 730280), becomes an important precedent in this task.

6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is the most used toxin in experimental Parkinson's disease (PD) models. 6-OHDA shows high affinity for the dopamine transporter and once inside the neuron, it accumulates and undergoes non-enzymatic auto-oxidation, promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and selective damage of catecholaminergic neurons. In this way, our group has established a 6-OHDA in vitro protocol with rat striatal slices as a rapid and effective model for screening of new drugs with protective effects against PD. We have shown that co-incubation with guanosine (GUO, 100 μM) prevented the 6-OHDA-induced damage in striatal slices. As the exact GUO mechanism of action remains unknown, the aim of this study was to investigate if adenosine A1 (A1R) and/or A2A receptors (A2AR) are involved on GUO protective effects on striatal slices. Pre-incubation with DPCPX, an A1R antagonist prevented guanosine effects on 6-OHDA-induced ROS formation and mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, while CCPA, an A1R agonist, did not alter GUO effects. Regarding A2AR, the antagonist SCH58261 had similar protective effect as GUO in ROS formation and mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, SCH58261 did not affect GUO protective effects. The A2AR agonist CGS21680, although, completely blocked GUO effects. Finally, the A1R antagonist DPCPX, and the A2AR agonist CGS21680 also abolished the preventive guanosine effect on 6-OHDA-induced ATP levels decrease. These results reinforce previous evidence for a putative interaction of GUO with A1R-A2AR heteromer as its molecular target and clearly indicate a dependence on adenosine receptors modulation to GUO protective effect.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) signs and symptoms regularly include tremor. Interestingly, the nucleoside guanosine (GUO) has already proven to be effective in reducing reserpine-induced tremulous jaw movements (TJMs) in rodent models, thus becoming a promising antiparkinsonian drug. Here, we aimed at revealing the mechanism behind GUO antiparkinsonian efficacy by assessing the role of adenosine A1 and A2A receptors (A1R and A2AR) on GUO-mediated anti-tremor effects in the reserpinized mouse model of PD. Reserpinized mice showed elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cellular membrane damage in striatal slices assessed ex vivo and GUO treatment reversed ROS production. Interestingly, while the simultaneous administration of sub-effective doses of GUO (5 mg/kg) and SCH58261 (0.01 mg/kg), an A2AR antagonist, precluded reserpine-induced TJMs, these were ineffective on reverting ROS production in ex vivo experiments. Importantly, GUO was able to reduce TJM and ROS production in reserpinized mouse lacking the A2AR, thus suggesting an A2AR-independent mechanism of GUO-mediated effects. Conversely, the administration of DPCPX (0.75 mg/kg), an A1R antagonist, completely abolished both GUO-mediated anti-tremor effects and blockade of ROS production. Overall, these results indicated that GUO anti-tremor and antioxidant effects in reserpinized mice were A1R dependent but A2AR independent, thus suggesting a differential participation of adenosine receptors in GUO-mediated effects.

BACKGROUND The venous access for the insertion of permanent leads of cardiac implantable electronic devices is often achieved by venous cutdown of the cephalic vein, or by "blind" puncture of the subclavian vein using anatomical landmarks, or by fluoroscopy-assisted methods. METHODS We have retrospectively analyzed our clinical experience to verify the feasibility, the safety, and efficacy of the adoption of ultrasound-guided puncture/cannulation of the axillary vein for this purpose. RESULTS Nine hundred eighty-seven leads were placed during 548 consecutive procedures, accessing the axillary vein in the infraclavicular area using real-time ultrasound guidance. Venipuncture was successful in 99.8% of cases. The access time was 11 seconds (range 4-580). We recorded three cases of pneumothorax (0.5%), but no hemothorax and no hemo-mediastinum. The incidence of local hematoma was 2.1% (12 cases). No injury to the brachial plexus or to the phrenic nerve was recorded. In a follow-up of 33 months (range 16-39), we observed no cases of "subclavian crush syndrome" (damage of the leads at the level of the thoracic inlet), and the rate of pocket infection/infective endocarditis was 0.7%. CONCLUSION In our experience, ultrasound-guided puncture/cannulation of the axillary vein for implantation of permanent leads is feasible, effective, and safe. It might be considered as a first option for this procedure.

The Earth-Moon system is constantly bombarded by meteoroids of different size and impact speed. Observation of the impacts on the Moon can enable thorough characterization of the Lunar meteoroid flux, which is similar to that of the Earth. While Earth-based Lunar observations are restricted by weather, geometric and illumination conditions, a Lunar-based observation campaign can improve the detection rate and, when observing the Lunar far side, complement in both space and time the observations taken from Earth. The Lunar Meteoroid Impact Observer (LUMIO), one of the two winning concepts of the ESA SysNova Lunar CubeSats for Exploration challenge, is a mission designed to observe, quantify, and characterize the micro-meteoroid impacts on the Lunar far side. It is based on a 12U CubeSat that carries the LUMIO-Cam, a custom-designed optical instrument capable of detecting light flashes in the visible spectrum. The spacecraft is placed on a halo orbit about the Earth–Moon L2 point, where permanent full-disk observation of the Lunar far side can be performed with excellent quality, given the absence of Earth background noise. After passing Phase 0 and an independent feasibility study in the ESA Concurrent Design Facility, the mission has successfully completed its Phase A in March 2021. Although the Phase 0 design of the LUMIO spacecraft was assessed as feasible by the ESA CDF study, a number of critical issues were identified, which have been tackled by the Phase A design. The paper presents the outcome of this Phase A design effort for the LUMIO spacecraft. Particularly relevant changes or updates in the spacecraft design include: a consolidated design of the LUMIO-Cam, with longer baffle for straylight protection; a set of ADCS sensors and actuators with increased redundancy; a combination of Direct-to-Earth communication and inter-satellite link with a mothership in Lunar orbit; use of Earth ranging to complement and validate the current innovative autonomous navigation strategy based on optical observations of the Moon by means of the LUMIO-Cam; re-assessment of the COTS components selection for the power and propulsion systems.

Cultural Heritage (CH) is the result of continuously new mutating actions: physical aspect, social value and use of places are built and modified due to the presence and role of institutions, companies, associations and citizens. Historic centres, suffering of degradations, social conflicts and poor liveability, need concurred regeneration interventions able to improve their environmental conditions as well as their accessibility: these actions have to overcome tangible and intangible barriers. The H2020 ROCK research project (Regeneration and Optimisation of Cultural heritage in creative and Knowledge cities), coordinated by the Municipality of Bologna in close collaboration with the University of Bologna, aims to demonstrate how European historical centres can become permanent laboratories for testing new models of urban regeneration. Accessibility is one of the four macro-objectives pursued by the demo activities carried out in the Bologna case study: the paper describes the methodological approach and the results obtained.

Fourier transform infrared, pump-probe polarization anisotropy, and two-dimensional infrared spectroscopies were used to study the steady-state and time-dependent behavior of carbon dioxide dissolved in three different polymer systems. Gas reorientation dynamics in poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(methyl acrylate), and poly(dimethylsiloxane) were sensitive to the nature of chemical interactions between the gas and polymer, as well as whether the polymer was in a glassy or rubbery phase. The homogeneous dynamics experienced by the asymmetric stretching vibration were found to be fastest for rubbery polymers with weak, nonspecific gas-polymer interactions. Spectral diffusion was absent for the carbon dioxide vibrational mode in glassy poly(methyl methacrylate) but was activated for the chemically similar but rubbery poly(methyl acrylate). The vibrational dynamics are shown to have a direct correlation with the diffusivity of carbon dioxide through the polymer matrices.

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and two-dimensional IR (2D-IR) spectroscopies were applied to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) cross-linked elastomer films. The vibrational probe for the systems studied was a silicon hydride mode that was covalently bound to the polymer chains. The structure and dynamics reported by this mode were measured in response to a wide range of chemical and physical perturbations, including elevated curing temperature, increased curing agent concentration, mechanical compression, and cooling to near the glass transition temperature. The FTIR spectra were found to be relatively insensitive to all of these perturbations, and 2D-IR spectroscopy revealed that this was due to the overwhelming influence of heterogeneity on the spectral line shape. Surprisingly, the deconvoluted spectral line shapes showed that there were only slight differences in the heterogeneous and homogeneous dynamics even with the drastic macroscopic changes occurring in different systems. In the context of modeling polymer behavior, the results confirm that dynamics on the ultrafast time scale need not be included to properly model PDMS elasticity.

The essay has the aim of illustrating how the planning and protection of the historic center (or historic city) has developed in Bologna. It considers the legacy of the well known Plan of 1969. The authors recognize two different kind of legacy: from one side, the "material" one, which consists in the conservation of the city; from the other, the intangible one, which consists in "social conservation", and above all in the management and in the narration of the planning process.

6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is the most used toxin in experimental Parkinson’s disease (PD) models. 6-OHDA shows high affinity for the dopamine transporter and once inside the neuron, it accumulates and undergoes non-enzymatic auto-oxidation, promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and selective damage of catecholaminergic neurons. In this way, our group has established a 6-OHDA in vitro protocol with rat striatal slices as a rapid and effective model for screening of new drugs with protective effects against PD. We have shown that co-incubation with guanosine (GUO, 100 μM) prevented the 6-OHDA-induced damage in striatal slices. As the exact GUO mechanism of action remains unknown, the aim of this study was to investigate if adenosine A(1) (A(1)R) and/or A(2A) receptors (A(2A)R) are involved on GUO protective effects on striatal slices. Pre-incubation with DPCPX, an A(1)R antagonist prevented guanosine effects on 6-OHDA-induced ROS formation and mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, while CCPA, an A(1)R agonist, did not alter GUO effects. Regarding A(2A)R, the antagonist SCH58261 had similar protective effect as GUO in ROS formation and mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, SCH58261 did not affect GUO protective effects. The A(2A)R agonist CGS21680, although, completely blocked GUO effects. Finally, the A(1)R antagonist DPCPX, and the A(2A)R agonist CGS21680 also abolished the preventive guanosine effect on 6-OHDA-induced ATP levels decrease. These results reinforce previous evidence for a putative interaction of GUO with A(1)R-A(2A)R heteromer as its molecular target and clearly indicate a dependence on adenosine receptors modulation to GUO protective effect.

Triruthenium dodecacarbonyl exhibits increased catalytic activity toward hydrogenation reactions when encapsulated in alumina sol-gels. In this study, we demonstrate structural and electronic changes induced by the encapsulation process. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy reveals that the carbonyl vibrational modes dramatically red shift during aging in the sol-gel glass. These shifts are attributed to the formation of the metal hydride: [HRu3(CO)11]-. A comparison to the FTIR spectrum of synthesized [NEt4][HRu3(CO)11] confirms this assignment. XPS studies show that the Ru 3d5/2 peak of [HRu3(CO)11]- also shifts to lower binding energy, consistent with an increased electron density on the Ru nuclei compared to Ru3(CO)12 and confirmed by density functional calculations. This study should open the door to further investigations into the hydride's role in the previously observed catalytic activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to identify the presence of [HRu3(CO)11]- in the alumina sol-gel.

N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) administered at subtoxic dose plays a protective role against neuronal excitotoxicity, a mechanism described as preconditioning. Since the activation of adenosinergic receptors influences the achievement of NMDA preconditioning in the hippocampus, we evaluated the potential functional interplay between adenosine A

Parkinson’s disease (PD) signs and symptoms regularly include tremor. Interestingly, the nucleoside guanosine (GUO) has already proven to be effective in reducing reserpine-induced tremulous jaw movements (TJMs) in rodent models, thus becoming a promising antiparkinsonian drug. Here, we aimed at revealing the mechanism behind GUO antiparkinsonian efficacy by assessing the role of adenosine A(1) and A(2A) receptors (A(1)R and A(2A)R) on GUO-mediated anti-tremor effects in the reserpinized mouse model of PD. Reserpinized mice showed elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cellular membrane damage in striatal slices assessed ex vivo and GUO treatment reversed ROS production. Interestingly, while the simultaneous administration of sub-effective doses of GUO (5 mg/kg) and SCH58261 (0.01 mg/kg), an A(2A)R antagonist, precluded reserpine-induced TJMs, these were ineffective on reverting ROS production in ex vivo experiments. Importantly, GUO was able to reduce TJM and ROS production in reserpinized mouse lacking the A(2A)R, thus suggesting an A(2A)R-independent mechanism of GUO-mediated effects. Conversely, the administration of DPCPX (0.75 mg/kg), an A(1)R antagonist, completely abolished both GUO-mediated anti-tremor effects and blockade of ROS production. Overall, these results indicated that GUO anti-tremor and antioxidant effects in reserpinized mice were A(1)R dependent but A(2A)R independent, thus suggesting a differential participation of adenosine receptors in GUO-mediated effects.

A series of three triphenyl hydride compounds was investigated in a range of solvents by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), IR pump-probe, and two-dimensional IR (2D-IR) spectroscopies. The mass of the central atom of the three compounds was varied systematically down the group 14 elements of silicon, germanium, and tin. FTIR studies provided evidence that the solvent perturbs the three hydride modes in a similar manner, as indicated by identical solvatochromic and broadening trends. IR pump-probe measurements showed that the vibrational lifetime of the hydride stretch increased when the mass of the central atom increased. Density functional theory calculations asserted that the vibrational modes of the three compounds are nearly identical except for the hydride stretching and wagging modes. Interestingly, frequency-frequency correlation functions obtained from 2D-IR spectra indicated that an increasingly large central atom produces small, but measurable changes in the dynamics of the solvation shell surrounding each compound.

Vibrational dynamics were measured by IR pump–probe spectroscopy and two-dimensional IR spectroscopy for triruthenium dodecacarbonyl and the undecacarbonyl hydride that forms when it is encapsulated in an alumina sol–gel glass. For comparison, a triruthenium undecacarbonyl hydride salt was also synthesized and studied in neat solution to identify the potential influence of the confined solvent environment on the dynamics experienced by carbon monoxide ligands. The vibrational lifetime was found to be significantly decreased for both hydride species relative to the dodecacarbonyl compound. Conversely, spectral diffusion of the CO vibrations was measured to be faster for the parent compound. The most significant dynamic changes occurred upon transformation from the starting compound to the hydride, while only minor differences were observed between the dynamics of the freely dissolved and sol–gel encapsulated hydrides. The results suggest that the structural change to the hydride has the largest impact on the dynamics and that its improved catalytic properties likely do not originate from confined solvent effects.

Infrared refractive indices of organic materials are typically resolved through IR ellipsometry. This technique takes advantage of optical interference effects to solve the optical constants. These are the same effects that complicate the analysis of coherent spectroscopy experiments on thin films. Vibrational sum frequency generation is an interface-specific coherent spectroscopy that requires spectral modeling to account for optical interference effects to uncover interfacial molecular responses. Here, we explore the possibility of leveraging incident beam geometries and sample thicknesses to simultaneously obtain the molecular responses and refractive indices. Globally fitting a higher number of spectra with a single set of refractive indices increases the fidelity of the fitted parameters. Finally, we test our method on samples with a range of thicknesses and compare the results to those obtained by IR ellipsometry.

2D-IR spectroscopy was used to characterize the vibrational dynamics of surface hydride modes on silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs). Energy transfer was compared between undoped (intrinsic) SiNPs and particles that were doped with boron and phosphorus. FTIR spectra reported changes in the relative proportions of Si–H, Si–H2, and Si–H3 populations when boron and phosphorus atoms were incorporated, while 2D-IR spectroscopy revealed that there was vibrational energy transfer on the tens of ps time scale between all three mode types for intrinsic SiNPs. This energy transfer was severely diminished by including just 0.05 atomic % of boron and was completely extinguished for 2.5 atomic % of phosphorus. In addition, the vibrational lifetimes of mono and polyhydride modes on intrinsic silicon particles were uniformly fast, while doped nanoparticles showed frequency dependent relaxation times reminiscent of porous and amorphous silicon films.

Gia da diversi anni Paolo Jedlowski ci ha abituato, nei suoi scritti, a compiere dei viaggi affascinanti e inusitati tra teoria sociale, letteratura, cinema, memorie individuali e collettive, racconti, conversazioni, ricordi. Chi ha avuto occasione di frequentare le sue pagine avra modo di constatare, dunque, come proprio quello stile di pensiero e di scrittura che percorre con eleganza e leggerezza– come recita il sottotitolo – le strade della sociologia e degli studi culturali sia ben prese...

A corrigendum was published at https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.1075433, Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor control deficits, which is associated with the loss of striatal dopaminergic neurons from the substantia nigra. In parallel to dopaminergic denervation, there is an increase of acetylcholine within the striatum, resulting in a striatal dopaminergic-cholinergic neurotransmission imbalance. Currently, available PD pharmacotherapy (e.g., prodopaminergic drugs) does not reinstate the altered dopaminergic-cholinergic balance. In addition, it can eventually elicit cholinergic-related adverse effects. Here, we investigated the interplay between dopaminergic and cholinergic systems by assessing the physical and functional interaction of dopamine D2 and muscarinic acetylcholine M1 receptors (D2R and M1R, respectively), both expressed at striatopallidal medium spiny neurons. First, we provided evidence for the existence of D2R-M1R complexes via biochemical (i.e., co-immunoprecipitation) and biophysical (i.e., BRET1 and NanoBiT®) assays, performed in transiently transfected HEK293T cells. Subsequently, a D2R-M1R co-distribution in the mouse striatum was observed through double-immunofluorescence staining and AlphaLISA® immunoassay. Finally, we evaluated the functional interplay between both receptors via behavioral studies, by implementing the classical acute reserpine pharmacological animal model of experimental parkinsonism. Reserpinized mice were administered with a D2R-selective agonist (sumanirole) and/or an M1R-selective antagonist (VU0255035), and alterations in PD-related behavioral tasks (i.e., locomotor activity) were evaluated. Importantly, VU0255035 (10 mg/kg) potentiated the antiparkinsonian-like effects (i.e., increased locomotor activity and decreased catalepsy) of an ineffective sumanirole dose (3 mg/kg). Altogether, our data suggest the existence of putative striatal D2R/M1R heteromers, which might be a relevant target to manage PD motor impairments with fewer adverse effects.

N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) administered at subtoxic dose plays a protective role against neuronal excitotoxicity, a mechanism described as preconditioning. Since the activation of adenosinergic receptors influences the achievement of NMDA preconditioning in the hippocampus, we evaluated the potential functional interplay between adenosine A1 and A2A receptors (A1R and A2AR) activities and NMDA preconditioning. Adult male Swiss mice received saline (NaCl 0.9 g%, i.p.) or a nonconvulsant dose of NMDA (75 mg/kg, i.p.) and 24 h later they were treated with the one of the ligands: A1R agonist (CCPA, 0.2 mg/kg, i.p.) or antagonist (DPCPX, 3 mg/kg, i.p.), A2AR agonist (CGS21680, 0.05 mg/kg, i.p.) or antagonist (ZM241385, 0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) and subjected to contextual fear conditioning task. Binding properties and content of A2AR and glutamate uptake were assessed in the hippocampus of mice subjected to NMDA preconditioning. Treatment with CGS21680 increased the time of freezing during the exposure of animals to the new environment. NMDA preconditioning did not affect the freezing time of mice per se, but it prevented the response observed after the activation of A2AR. Furthermore, the activation of A2AR by CGS21680 after the preconditioning blocked the increase of glutamate uptake induced by NMDA preconditioning. The immunodetection of A2AR in total hippocampal homogenates showed no significant differences evoked by NMDA preconditioning and did not alter A2AR maximum binding for the selective ligand [3H]CGS21680. These results demonstrate changes in A2AR functionality in mice following NMDA preconditioning.

A longitudinal 1D- and 2D-IR spectroscopy study is presented in which the homogeneous and inhomogeneous contributions to the line shape of a surface-bound Si—H vibration are monitored in a silica sol–gel while it ages. The vibrational data are complemented by time-lapse 29Si NMR and rheological measurements leading up to the gel point. The silane stretching frequency evolves continuously over the equivalent of several days, tracking the increase in tertiary and quaternary functionalized silicon atoms. The 1D-IR peak shape of the mode is static up until gelation, but then broadens continuously as the gel ages. A frequency–frequency correlation function (FFCF) extracted from 2D-IR spectra reveals that the line shape changes stem from an increase in inhomogeneity while the homogeneous dynamics remain unaffected by changes in silica cross-linking.

Currently accepted hydrogenation mechanisms of Shvo’s catalyst include an activation step in which the inactive ruthenium dimer undergoes scission to form two different catalytic species. In this study, two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy (2D-IR) of the metal carbonyl vibrations of Shvo’s catalyst was used to monitor early reaction dynamics for the inactive and activated catalyst. Kinetic analysis of exchange peaks in the 2D-IR spectra demonstrate that thermally activated intramolecular proton exchange occurs on the ultrafast time scale. The results indicate an activation barrier for proton transfer of 2.1 kcal/mol and an upper limit for the dimer scission rate constant of 1.3 × 1011 s–1, which is well above the previously reported value. Deprotonation of the dimer leads to a pseudo stable species that remains dimeric at the ruthenium–hydride bridge for several hours. 2D-IR spectroscopy of this species shows that proton transfer is turned off, as expected. The data reveal new mechanistic details of the ...

Intracerebroventricular (icv) amyloid-beta (Aβ)1–40 infusion to mice has been demonstrated to cause neurotoxicty and depressive-like behavior and it can be used to evaluate antidepressant and neuroprotective effect of drugs. Atorvastatin is a widely used statin that has demonstrated antidepressant-like effect in predictable animal behavioral models and neuroprotective effect against Aβ1–40 infusion. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of in vivo atorvastatin treatment against Aβ1–40-induced changes in mood-related behaviors and biochemical parameters in ex vivo hippocampal slices from mice. Atorvastatin treatment (10 mg/kg, p.o., once a day for seven consecutive days) abolished depressive-like and anhedonic-like behaviors induced by Aβ1–40 (400 pmol/site, icv) infusion. Aβ1–40-induced hippocampal cell damage was reversed by atorvastatin treatment. Aβ1–40 infusion decreased glutamate uptake in hippocampal slices, and atorvastatin did not altered it. Glutamine synthetase activity was not altered by any treatment. Atorvastatin also increased hippocampal mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF)/precursor BDNF (proBDNF) ratio, suggesting an increase of proBDNF to mBDNF cleavage. Accordingly, increased tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and p11 genic expression were observed in hippocampus of atorvastatin-treated mice. Atorvastatin displays antidepressant-like and neuroprotective effects against Aβ1–40-induced toxicity, and these effects may involve tPA- and p11-mediated cleavage of proBDNF to mBDNF.

We report the implementation of a narrow free-spectral-range Fabry–Perot etalon for multiplex vibrational sum frequency generation (VSFG) spectroscopy. Moreover, we demonstrate the use of the etalon reflection to simultaneously generate a broadband infrared pulse, which enables a multiplex VSFG spectrometer using a total of 0.58 W. VSFG spectra with and without a nonresonant-suppressed background were simultaneously collected utilizing time asymmetry in the upconverting pulse. Two examples are demonstrated in which spectral perturbations can be induced by the time-asymmetric pulse even without nonresonant suppression.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta which induces severe motor symptoms. 6-OHDA is a neurotoxin widely used in PD animal models due to its high affinity by dopamine transporter, its rapid non-enzymatic auto-oxidation which generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress, and for induced mitochondrial dysfunction. We previously reported an in vitro protocol of 6-OHDA-induced toxicity in brain regions slices, as a simple and sensitive assay to screen for protective compounds related to PD. Guanosine (GUO), a guanine-based purine nucleoside, is a neuroprotective molecule that is showing promising effects as an antiparkinsonian agent. To investigate the mechanisms involved on GUO-induced neuroprotection, slices of cortex, striatum, and hippocampus were incubated with GUO in the presence of 6-OHDA (100 μM). 6-OHDA promoted a decrease in cellular viability and increased ROS generation in all brain regions. Disruption of mitochondrial potential, depletion in intracellular ATP levels, and increase in cell membrane permeabilization were evidenced in striatal slices. GUO prevented the increase in ROS generation, disruption in mitochondrial potential, and depletion of intracellular ATP induced by 6-OHDA in striatal slices. In conclusion, GUO was effective to prevent oxidative events before cell damage, such as mitochondrial disruption, intracellular ATP levels depletion, and ROS generation in striatal slices subjected to in vitro 6-OHDA-induced toxicity.

Vibrational sum frequency generation (VSFG) spectroscopy was used to measure the interfacial spectra of fullerene thin films on dielectric substrates that are commonly used in IR spectroscopy. The VSFG spectra on SiO2 and CaF2 exhibit notably different intensities for the F1u and Ag vibrational modes. This difference is attributed to different interfacial surface charges and C60/surface interactions. DFT calculations were performed to model the influence of a unidirectional electrostatic perturbation on the IR and Raman activities. The VSFG activities were then calculated for comparison to the interfacial second-order susceptibilities obtained from multilayer interference fitting of the experimental spectra. We find that the negative surface charge of CaF2 substrates causes a larger perturbation of fullerene than native silica surfaces, which leads to a stronger influence on the VSFG spectra.

Two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy (2D-IR) was used to investigate the sensitivity of a vibrational mode to spectral diffusion on the nanometer length scale. A confined volume within a porous silica nanoparticle was used as the model system. Utilizing a novel grafting technique, silane probes were covalently secured to the pore surface for a series of templated mesoporous silica nanoparticles with variable pore sizes. 2D-IR measurements determined that isopropanol exhibited two dominant time scales of ultrafast motions within the pores with time scales of a few picoseconds and tens of picoseconds. The unique perspective of the probe on a surface revealed that the vibrational dynamics of the reporting mode were perturbed by molecules up to ∼5 nm away. The data were modeled well by a 1/d2 distance dependence for the coupling of solvent dynamics to frequency fluctuations and a logistic radial distribution of fast and slow dynamic populations.

Nell’ambito delle attività promosse dal progetto STAR-Linea 1 The use of violence and organized crime. A socio-economic analysis of Camorra clans in Campania, «Meridiana» ha organizzato una tavola rotonda sul tema della violenza delle mafie che si è tenuta il 9 novembre 2017 presso il Dipartimento di Scienze Politiche dell’Università di Napoli Federico II durante i due giorni del Convegno finale di presentazione dei risultati del progetto. Alla tavola rotonda, coordinata da Monica Massari, hanno partecipato studiosi e studiose del fenomeno mafioso di diverse generazioni e ambiti disciplinari, presenti in quei giorni a Napoli per partecipare al Convegno. Nelle pagine che seguono si riportano gli interventi di Nando dalla Chiesa, Alessandra Dino, Gabriella Gribaudi, Marcella Marmo, Marco Santoro e Rocco Sciarrone che, nel corso degli ultimi due anni, hanno seguito in vario modo le attività promosse dal gruppo di ricerca e partecipato a occasioni di riflessione e confronto sul tema della violenza mafiosa che, dall’ambito campano originario, hanno riguardato anche altri contesti.