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In this preliminary study, a multidisciplinary method based on high-resolution analytical techniques (such as microcomputed tomography, Raman Microspectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Vickers microhardness test) was exploited to evaluate the alterations that occur in human teeth at the initial stage of the carious lesion. To this purpose, six extracted molars displaying a natural white spot lesion (WSL) were investigated. Specific morphological, structural, and chemical parameters, such as the mineral density, indentation hardness, molecular and elemental composition, and surface micromorphology were obtained on the WSL, and the results were statistically compared (t-test, p < 0.05) to those of the sound enamel on the same tooth. In the WSL, with respect to the sound area, a decrease in the mineral density and crystallinity was detected together with differences in the molecular composition and surface microstructure, such as the occurrence of micropores and irregularities. Moreover, the elemental analysis highlighted in WSL showed a statistically significant decrease in Ca and P percentages. In conclusion, this multidisciplinary approach allows us to fully characterize the area of interest, providing a deeper knowledge of these enamel lesions, which could have important clinical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform InfraRed) spectroscopy, combined with chemometric, represents a rapid and reliable approach to obtain information about the macromolecular composition of food and plant materials. With a single measurement, the chemical fingerprint of the analyzed sample is rapidly obtained. Hence, this technique was used for investigating 13 differently processed tea leaves (green, black and white) all grown and processed in European tea gardens, and their vacuum-dried tea brews, prepared using both hot and cold water, to observe how the components differ from tea leaf to the in-cup infusion. Spectra were collected in the 1800–600 cm−1 region and were submitted to Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The comparison of the spectral profiles of leaves and hot and cold infusions of tea from the same country, emphasizes how they differ in relation to the different spectral regions. Differences were also noted among the different countries. Furthermore, the changes observed (e.g., at ~1340 cm−1) due to catechin content, confirm the antioxidant properties of these teas. Overall, this experimental approach could be relevant for rapid analysis of various tea types and could pave the way for the industrial discrimination of teas and of their health properties without the need of time-consuming, lab chemical assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Microplastic accumulation in aquatic environments could represent a potential risk to wildlife health and survival. Their transfer along the trophic web could threaten ecosystem stability. Over the years, the common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) has represented an important resource for the fishery of the Adriatic Sea. In this study, for the first time, we assessed the presence of microplastics within cuttlefish eggs, more precisely in embryos and yolk. The presence of microplastics has already been described in common cuttlefish adult specimens. Our findings highlighted how this species is subjected to microplastic exposure starting from early-life stages. The possible effects of microplastic accumulation on embryo health and development should be investigated considering that the reproductive strategy of this species consists of adults laying eggs in separate batches during the single spawning season at the end of which both males and females die. Therefore, population stability primarily depends on the survival and correct development of embryos. Once they reach the aquatic environment, microplastics (MPs) are accidentally ingested by aquatic biota, thus entering the food chain with possible negative effects. The present study investigated, for the first time, MP presence in cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) eggs and their association with embryonic development. Cuttlefish eggs were sampled from four different sites along the Marche region (Senigallia, Ancona, Numana, and San Benedetto del Tronto). Embryo and hatchling biometric parameters were evaluated and the internal structural integrity was examined through histological analysis. MPs were detected and characterized in embryos and yolk samples. MPs were identified in all sites (size < 5 µm), however, their presence has not been associated with an impairment of either embryo or hatchling internal structures. Noteworthy, the highest number of MPs (in both yolk and embryo samples) were found in Numana (37% of the total amount), where the lowest hatchling size was observed. On the other hand, the highest embryo mantle length was associated with the lowest number of MPs detected (9%) in Ancona. Overall, only MP fragments and sphere types (74 and 26%, respectively) were observed, and the most frequent polymers were Polyvinyl chloride (52%), Polypropylene, and Cellulose acetate (15% both). Further studies are needed to assess the possible MP effects on the yolk quality and assimilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral squamous cell carcinoma represents the most aggressive and frequent form of head and neck cancer. Due to drug resistance, the 5-year survival rate of patients with advanced disease is less than 50%. In order to identify molecular targets for effective oral cancer treatment, we focused on paraoxonase-2 enzyme. Indeed, based on data previously obtained from preliminary immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses performed on tissue specimens, the enzyme was found to be upregulated in tumor compared with normal oral mucosa. Therefore, paraoxonase-2 gene silencing was achieved in HSC-3 and HOC621 oral cancer cell lines, and the effect on cell proliferation, viability, apoptosis induction and sensitivity to cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil treatment was evaluated. Fourier Transform InfraRed Microspectroscopy analyzed alterations of cellular macromolecules upon treatment. Enzyme level and cell proliferation were also determined in cisplatin-resistant clones obtained from HOC621 cell line, as well as in parental cells. Reported data showed that paraoxonase-2 knockdown led to a reduction of cell proliferation and viability, as well as to an enhancement of sensitivity to cisplatin, together with the activation of apoptosis pathway. Spectroscopical data demonstrated that, under treatment with cisplatin, oxidative damage exerted on lipids and proteins was markedly more evident in cells down-regulating paraoxonase-2 compared to controls. Interestingly, enzyme expression, as well as cell proliferation were significantly higher in cisplatin-resistant compared with control HOC621 cells. Taken together these results seem to candidate the enzyme as a promising target for molecular treatment of this neoplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) and their health effects is a recent scientific topic. However, the investigation of MPs in human/biological matrices has several limitations due to analytical methods and sample treatment protocols. In this study, the presence of MPs in the urine samples of six volunteers from different cities in the south of Italy (three men and three women) was investigated by Raman microspectroscopy. The analysis pinpointed four pigmented microplastic fragments (4–15 μm size), with irregular shapes, which were characterized in terms of morphology and chemical composition. Polyethylene vinyl acetate (PVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE) MPs were found in four samples (PVA and PVC in one female sample and PP and PE in three male samples). This preliminary study suggests that MPs could pass through the gastrointestinal tract and are eliminated through biological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]