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Wild cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L var. sylvestris (Lam.) is widespread in Sicily by several populations and immature inflorescences are usually collected and cooked during spring utilizing them as traditional starters or for home processing use. Sometimes, the capitula heads are sold in local market, both raw or already boiled in traditional big containers. Considering the high nutraceutical value of this product, similar to globe artichoke, and the lack of research activities related to this product of Sicilian tradition, the aim of this work, was to individuate the variation of the firmness and of browning indices in relation to the heating/cooking time/treatment and to the different accessions collected in Sicily and conserved ex situ at CNR ISAFOM. Four accessions of cardoon, one belonging to var. altilis and three to var. sylvestris collected at Syracuse (SR, Italy), S. Domenica Vittoria (ME, Italy) and Polverello (ME, Italy), before flowering stage were object of our attention. The harvested capitula were subjected to a dipping of the hearts at 0°C in a water solution of sodium hypochlorite 0.5% (v/v) for 30 min. In order to assess the optimal firmness along the time, a heating treatment from 2 min intervals until 28 min was performed, using distilled water in a ratio of 1 g capitula:10 mL water. On raw hearths and every four two minutes for a total of seven samplings; on 6 hearths (experimental unit), the weight (g), the colour of the external bracts (Minolta CR-400) and the firmness (kg cm-2) were determined. The firmness was acceptable until 8 min, after this time the softness determined the damage of the tissues, especially in genotypes with the lowest bud size. The lightness L* decreased from 52 (0 min) to 42 (28 min) and the C* increased, passing from 11.1 (0 min) to 18.1 (28 min). This paper gives useful information about the cooking process of cardoon to obtain new stored nutraceutical products.

In the early period, even though professional photographers worked with similar techniques and products, their artistic and commercial aims determined different choices and led them to follow different, often personal, recipes. For this reason, identification of the techniques through date and name of the photographer or through some visual features like colour, tonality and surface of the image layer, often needs further investigation to be proved. Chemical characterization, carried out in a non or micro destructive way, can be crucial to provide useful information about the original composition, degradation process, realization technique, in obtaining an indirect dating of the photograph and/or to choose the most correct conservation treatment. In our case, x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis was used to confirm the chemical composition of eleven historical photographs dated between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, shot in Palermo (Sicily) by a renowned photographer of the time, and pasted on their original cardboards. The elemental identification, obtained with a non destructive approach, provided important information to distinguish among different photographic techniques in terms of distribution and characterization of chemical elements markers in the photographic surface.

) Classificazione degli organismi Albero dello vita ) Cellula "alle origini" Organismi e cellule Sviluppo dello teoria cellulare Proprietà fondamentali delle cellule ) Cellula procariotica Procorioti più antichi: Archaea Batteria ) Virus Caratteristiche generali Origine e natura ) Cellula eucariotica Membrane biologiche Nucleo Reticolo endoplasmatico Ribosomi Mitocondri Complesso del Golgi Lisosomi Perossisomi Citoscheletro

Cynara cardunculus L. var. sylvestris populations widespread in Sicily shows high nutraceutical and health properties and can represent a new product in agri-food markets to suggest for diversifying productive chains. However, their exploitation requires adequate protocols for the evaluation of the shelf life of the produce. Previous studies permitted to individuate the best wild population suitable for this purpose and by it we have progressed evaluating the sensory properties that appeal to consumers of cooked globe artichoke hearts. Heads of the wild population of C. cardunculus var. sylvestris were collected at Polverello (ME, Italy) before flowering stage. After washing them whit tap water, the harvested capitula were subjected to a dipping at 0°C into a water solution of sodium hypochlorite 0.5% (v/v) for 30 min. A heating treatment until 8 min was performed, using distilled water in a ratio of 1 g heads:10 mL water. The capitula were packed after heating treatment in tinplate cans of 500 g containing a water solution of citric acid at 2% (w:w) and stored at 4±1°C. Each contained 3 capitula. At intervals of 4 days, for one month, 9 tinplates (experimental unit 3 tinplates) were analysed for colour of the external bracts (Minolta CR-400) and firmness (kg cm-2). The same number of crude capitula was stored in the same condition as control (CTRL). The cooked capitula presented good sensorial characteristics, in terms of colour and firmness until 16 days of storage. Microbiological analyses should be performed for the safety of the products.

Tunicates comprising a wide variety of different species synthesize antimicrobial peptides as important effector molecules of the innate immune system. Recently, two putative gene families coding for antimicrobial peptides were identified in the expressed sequence tag database of the tunicate Ciona intestinalis. Two synthetic peptides representing the cationic core region of one member of each of the families displayed potent antibacterial and antifungal activities. Moreover, the natural peptides were demonstrated to be synthesized and stored in distinct hemocyte types. Here, we investigated the presence of these natural peptides, namely Ci-MAM-A and Ci-PAP-A, in the tunic of C. intestinalis considering that the ascidian tunic is a body surface barrier exposed to constant microbial assault. Furthermore, as the tunic may represent a major route of entry for pathogen invasion after its damage we monitored the location of these peptides upon a local inflammatory-like reaction induced by injection of foreign cells. Using immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy both peptides were localized to the tunic and were massively present in granulocytes of inflamed tissue. Conclusively, antimicrobial peptides may constitute a chemical barrier within the tunic of urochordates.

Since glucocorticoids have a role in maintaining the homeostatic status in fish, in the present paper mRNA expression (in situ hybridization) and tissue immunohistochemical localization of a glucocorticoid receptor (DlGR1) in several Dicentrarchus labrax organs are reported. Riboprobe and specific antibodies were prepared by using the DlGR1 that has been previously cloned and sequenced from peritoneal cavity leukocytes. Both mRNA and receptor were identified in head kidney, spleen, gills, intestine, heart and liver tissues. The functional roles of DlGR1 localization are discussed.

Tissue engineering is an emerging multidisciplinary field that aims at reproducing in vitro and/or in vivo tissues with morphological and functional features similar to the biological tissue of the human body. In this communication we report setting of three-dimensional structures able to mimic the extracellular matrix of the nervous system: we prepared Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) porous scaffolds via thermally induced phase separation (TIPS), and investigated the parameters that influence porosity, average pore size and degree of interconnection, i.e. polymer concentration, temperature and time of process. Astrocytes and brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs) were cultured on these three-dimensional structures and tested for their ability to grow and survive on PLLA scaffolds. We analyzed in parallel the cell growth in 2D and 3D culture systems and observed the differences in cell morphology by fluorescence analysis: three-dimensional scaffolds have the ability to guide cell growth, provide support, encourage cell adhesion and proliferation. Astrocytes and BCECs adapted well to these porous matrices, not only remaining on the surface, but also penetrating inside the scaffolds. This 3D cell culture system could be further enriched to host two or three different brain cell types, in order to set an in vitro model of blood brain barrier, that may be useful for drug delivery studies, and for the formulation of new therapeutic strategies, to be used for the treatment of neurological diseases.

Adhesion molecules are intimately involved in the process of tumour progression. Among them, E-selectin is an inducible endothelial cell adhesion molecule that plays a role in the interactions of neoplastic cells with the endothelium. These interactions are required for the trans-endothelial migration of tumour cells that leads to the growth at the new sites. Since the detailed events in the early phase of metastasis still remain poorly defined, our study has undertaken an electron-microscopic analysis of the interactions of human colon carcinoma cells with endothelial cells as well as an analysis of the effect of recombinant purified E-selectin in the cell signalling involved in colon cancer cell malignant phenotype. Results revealed that SW480 and T84 colon cancer cell lines show different features, different adhesion kinetics, a different cytoskeletal organization, and a different tyrosine phosphorylation pattern when seeded on an endothelial cell monolayer or recombinant E-selectin. In particular T84 cancer cells adhere more efficiently to the E-selectin and this interaction is associated with pronounced morphological changes, actin redistribution and filopodial processes, and an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of different proteins. These data support the hypothesis that E-selectin ligand is not only a cell-cell adhesion molecule but also initiates a signalling transduction pathway inside the cells.

Glucocorticoid hormone receptors (GR), members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, are ligand-dependent transcription factors expressed in various tissues by binding to specific DNA sequences. Since glucocorticoids have a role in maintaining the homeostatic status in fish, we previously cloned and sequenced a GR (DlGR1) of adult Dicentrarchus labrax; we also showed mRNA expression (in situ hybridization) and tissue immunohistochemical localization of DlGR1 in several organs. This work has now been extended to the examination of the expression, tissue distribution, and cytolocalization of DlGR1 in larval developmental stages by similar methods to those used for the adult organs. The riboprobe included the DlGR1 cDNA transcriptional activation domain (1.0–1,300 nucleotide sequence) showing no significant similarity with a known second GR cDNA sequence of sea bass. The antibody was specific for an opportunely selected peptide sequence of the DlGR1 transcriptional domain. In histological sections of brain, head kidney, gills, liver, anterior intestine, and spleen cells, the riboprobe was mainly located in the cell nucleus. The antibody identified DlGR1 in the head kidney, gills, liver, and anterior intestine, mainly located in the cytosol. These results are in agreement with the receptor location in adult tissues. The greater presence of both the transcript and protein of DlGR1 in the late developmental stages suggests an increasing expression of this receptor. The cytolocalization (nuclear-cytosolic) and presumptive roles of DlGR1-containing tissues are discussed.

The extravasation of metastatic cells is regulated by molecular events involving the initial adhesion of tumor cells to the endothelium and subsequently the migration of cells in the host connective tissue. E-selectin on endothelial cells and sialyl Lewis X carbohydrate component on tumor cells are mainly involved in the adhesion of colon carcinoma cells to the endothelium of target organ. Interaction of T84 colon cancer cells to purified E-selectin in vitro caused an increase in the tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of proteins as well as the modulation of cellular properties correlated to the metastatic phenotype. Specifically, E-selectin-stimulated actin reorganization, increased collagenase secretion, and induced cell migration. Treatment of T84 cells with herbimycin A inhibited cell adhesion as well as selectin-induced increase of cell migration, and cytoskeleton assembly. Our data demonstrate that binding of cancer cells to E-selectin starts signal transduction pathways which may affect the tumor metastatic abilities.

Serum IgD and IgE levels were measured in children with atopic asthma and in control Group in order to determine their relationship with clinical status.Samples of venous blood (of 5 cc) were drawn from 25 asthmatic children (Group A) and 25 healthy children (Group B) at the moment of first diagnosis (T0), after 6 months (T180) and after 18 months (T540). To measure IgD, an ELISA assay based on the sandwich principle was used.At T0, IgD were significantly higher in Group A (182.7 5+/-88.18 IU/ml) in comparison with Group B (69.58+/-4.93 IU/ml, p0.0001); IgD levels decreased in Group A at T540.In conclusion, a significant increase of IgD levels observed in children at first signs of asthma and the following normalization of these same levels after 18 months, may represent a non specific response or an attempt of the organism to block asthma, favouring therefore immunologic tolerance.

A combination of thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, UV spectroscopy and NMR spectrometry techniques for analysis of flavonoid content of Guiera senegalensis J.F.Gmel. (Combretaceae) leaves is described. Four components, catechin, myricitrin, rutin and quercetin were evidenced and determined by HPLC.

Previous studies on the ascidian Ciona intestinalis have shown that an encapsulation response is experimentally induced by inserting vertebrate erythrocytes into the tunic, which initiates a massive inflammatory cell infiltration to isolate the injured area. Several hemocytes contribute to capsule formation, destruction of the foreign cells, tunic regeneration, and wound healing. The fine features of some inflammatory cell types are described although the complete capsular structure is not yet reported. Accordingly, the present investigation further examines various aspects of this cellular reaction against erythrocytes and, for the first time, presents the involvement of extratunical circulating hemocytes and mantle epithelium in capsule formation.

Studies aided by transmission electron microscopy were made in order to evaluate the occurrence and efficiency of the human follicular fluid in the activation of the processes leading to the acrosome reaction; quantitative, qualitative and morphological data and relative evaluations are here presented. The effects of the human follicular fluid were compared with those determined by other types of treatment, semen untreated, Pellet-Swim-up, and Centrifugation on Discontinuous Percoll Gradient. The transmission electron microscope observations permitted to evaluate the percentage of sperm with an activation of the acrosome reaction in the different groups. The analysis of the data showed a statistically relevant difference (P0.001) among the first group (Control group) and the SU group, the MP group and the hFF group, regarding the sperm with AR activation. The sperm treatment with 50% diluted hFF represents an important option to the preparation protocols of the semen samples useful for ART.

Potential roles of extracellular vesicles in brain cell-to-cell communication Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released into thè extracellular space from both cancer and normal brain cells, and are probably able to modify thè phenotypic properties of receiving cells1. EVs released from astrocytes and neurons contain FGF2 and VEGF2'3 and induce a 'blood-brain barrier' (BBB) phenotype in cultured brain capillary endothelial cells (BCECs, unpublished results), On thè other hand, EVs from G26/24 oligodendroglioma induce apoptosis in neurons and astrocytes4-5. These effects are probably due to Fas Ligand and TRAIL, present in G26/24 vesicles4-5. Moreover, G26/24 EVs contain extracellular matrix remodeling proteases (such as ADAMTS)6, H1.0 histone protein, and H1.0 mRNA7. In particular, we previously hypothesized that G26/24 cells, and tumor cells in generai, can escape differentiation cues, and continue to proliferate by eliminating proteins, such as thè H1° linker histone (and its mRNA)7, which could otherwise block proliferation. To study vesicle release in a System that can better resemble in vivo conditions, astrocytes and BCECs were cultured on poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) scaffolds and tested for their ability to grow and survive on this three-dimensional structures. We analyzed in parallel thè celi growth in 2D and 3D culture systems and observed thè differences in celi morphology by fluorescence analysis: threedimensional scaffolds have thè ability to guide celi growth, provide support, encourage celi adhesion and proliferation. Astrocytes8 and BCECs (unpublished results) adapted well to these porous matrices, not only remaining on thè surface, but also penetrating inside thè scaffolds. EVs released by astrocytes in these scaffolds are probably exosomes, as suggested by transmission electron microscopy pictures, and by thè presence of intracellular structures resembling multivesicular bodies. This 3D celi culture System could be further enriched to host different brain celi types, in order to set, for example, an in vitro model of BBB, that may be useful for drug delivery studies, and for thè formulation of new therapeutic strategies for thè treatment of neurological diseases. References [1] Schiera, G., Di Liegro, C.M., Di Liegro I. Int J Mol Sci. 2017, 18(12). pii: E2774. [2] Schiera, G., Proia, P., Alberti, C., Mineo, M., Savettieri, G., Di Liegro, I., 2007. J Celi Mol Med. 2007, 111(6), 1384-94. [3] Proia, P., Schiera, G., Mineo, M., Ingrassia, A.M. Santoro, G., Savettieri, G., Di Liegro, I. Int J Mol Med. 2008, 21(1), 63-7. [4] D'Agostino, S., Salamene, M., Di Liegro, I., Vittorelli, ML, Int J Oncol. 2006, 29(5), 1075-85. [5] Lo Cicero, A., Schiera, G., Proia, P., Saladino, P., Savettieri, G., Di Liegro, C.M., Di Liegro, I. Int J Oncol. 2011,39(6): 1353-7. [6] Lo Cicero, A., Majkowska, I., Nagase, H., Di Liegro, I., Troeberg, L., Matrix Biol. 2012, 31(4), 229-33. [7] Schiera, G., Di Liegro, C.M., Saladino, P., Pitti, R., Savettieri, G., Proia, P., Di Liegro, I. Int J Oncol. 2013, 43(6), 1771-6. [8] Carfì Pavia, F., Di Bella, M.A., Brucato, V., Blanda, V., Zummo, F., Vitrano, I., Di Liegro, C.M., Ghersi, G., Di Liegro, I., Schiera, G. Mol Med Rep. 2019 [Epub ahead of print]. [9] Di Bella MA, Zummo F., Carfì Pavia F., Brucato V., Di Liegro I., Schiera G. 2017, In: Microscopy and Imaging Science: practical approaches to applied research and education, pp 260-264. Ed: A. Méndez-Vilas Publisher, Formatex Research Center (Spain), ISBN-13, 978-84-942134-9-6.

In 2004, virus-like symptoms consisting of yellow rings in older leaves were observed in the foliage of Mandevilla sanderi grown from shoots in the province of Catania (Sicily, Italy). The plants were tested for virus presence using DAS-ELISA, mechanical inoculations to the host, RT-PCR and SSCP. Serological tests detected Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) in all symptomatic leaf samples. The virus was mechanically transmitted to 11 of the 15 host species tested, including some of the Chenopodiaceae and Solanaceae families; indicator plants showed symptoms typical of CMV subgroup I. RT-PCR, SSCP and cloning were employed to characterize this CMV isolate, and to make clear its genetic relationship with selected CMV-isolates from other countries. From this analysis, CMV-M. sanderi appeared closely related to AY153419 (CMV-PIM-SP-BR; subgroup IA) (nucleotide identities higher than 98%) from Brazil. The virus was transmitted by sap inoculation to healthy M. sanderi plants. As far as we know this is the first report of virus infection in M. sanderi and it then appears that this ornamental shrub is a new natural host of CMV.