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In the work presented here, we have studied the role exerted by the addition of exogenous Ca100-nHAp or Sr100-nHAp as countermeasure to MG induced osteoporosis, by using a model of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) differentiated in simulated MG (Random Positioning Machine, RPM). Further, to deeper investigate the mechanism on bone formation, we studied the spatiotemporal dynamics of mineral deposition by hBMSCs differentiating toward osteoblasts promoted by the presence of exogenous hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, using scanning micro X-ray diffraction and scanning micro X-ray fluorescence

We prepared a small collection of phenols and its C2-symmetry hydroxylated biphenyls to be applied for a novel nanotechnology-based approach in biosensor building and seed dressing. Biosensor technology provides easy-to-use and effective devices for medical, environmental and agro-food analyses. Amperometric biosensors are often coated with a polymeric permselective film, usually poly-Phenylendiamines (PD), to avoid electroactive interference by reducing agents, present in the target medium. We evaluated the permselectivity, stability and lifetime of polymers electrosynthesized from naturally occurring phenylpropanoids in monomeric and dimeric forms1. Among tested compounds, poly-magnolol and poly-isoeugenol can be regarded as effective and a healthier alternatives to poly-PD film in biosensor applications2.

Exposure to microgravity has been associated with several physiological changes in astronauts, including an osteoporosis-like loss in bone mass. Osteoporosis is a disease of bones which leads to a high risk of fracture and other problems, mainly due to the reduction of the bone mineral density. The lack of weight-bearing forces makes microgravity an ideal physical stimulus to assess bone cell responses [1]. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of nanoparticles as a countermesasure to microgravity-induced osteoporosis on osteoblasts cells. Materials and Methods Materials: powders of hydroxyapatite (HAP) and HAP enriched with Sr (HAP-Sr) were synthetized by sol-gel method. Hydroxyapatites powders were firstly characterized by ICP, XRD, N2 sorption, SEM and TEM analysis. Nanoparticles: HAPs and HAP-Sr were dispersed in Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and treated by ultrasound sonication. Nanoparticles characterization: nanoparticles were characterized by using FT-IR to investigate the interaction between materials and BSA, by dynamic light scattering (DLS) to study hydrodynamic radius, by Z-potential for the surface charges and by TEM to measure size and visualize the shape. Cells: Human osteosarcoma cell line SAOS-2 was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection. Cells were cultured in completed McCoy's 5A modified medium and treated with nanoparticles suspensions for 1, 3 and 7 days changing medium two times per week. Untreated cells were used as control. Cell viability: Using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test (Sigma-Aldrich), viability of treated and untreated cells was evaluated after 1, 3 and 7 days of culture and results were expressed as percentage related to control. Cell morphology: To investigate cell morphology, after 1 and 7 days cells were fixed with glutaraldehyde, dehydrated with alcohol and observed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Results The size of the nanoparticles measured by DLS is around 100 nm. Higher values were observed for the nHAPs enriched with Sr ( nHAP-SR) due to the greater atomic radius of Strontium if compared to Calcium. The FT-IR spectra shows the modifications of the amino-groups bands of the protein and phosphate groups of HAP, suggesting an interaction at the molecular level of these groups. After 1, 3 and 7 days of nanoparticles treatment,cell viability results reveal an effect of nHAP-Sr on cell proliferation that was 35% higher than control (p

Exposure to microgravity has been associated with several physiological changes in astronauts, including an osteoporosis-like loss in bone mass. Osteoporosis is a disease of bones which leads to high risk of fractures and other problems, mainly due to the reduction of the bone mineral density. The lack of weight-bearing forces makes microgravity an ideal physical stimulus to assess bone cell responses. In this study we aimed to determine the effects of nanoparticles as contromeasure to micro-gravity induced osteoporosis on osteoblast cells. Nanoparticles of hydroxyapatite (nHaps) and strontium-enriched hydroxyapatite (Sr-nHaps) were obtained by power dispersion in bovine serum albumin. Physical-chemical characterization of nHAP and Sr-nHAP measuring hydrodynamic radius, z-potential and taking images a transmission electron microscope observation (TEM). Biological studies were performed in vitro by evaluating osteoblast viability and calcium deposition in the presence/absence of simulated microgravity with or without both type of nanoparticles. The results show that osteoblast viability like as calcium deposition were increased by treatment with Sr-nHAPs in simulated microgravity if compared to the untreated or untreated cells with nHAPs. Whole these preliminary data seems to suggest that these nanoparticles could be a useful system for the delivery of strontium for the treatment of osteoporosis in simulated microgravity.

Microgravity (MG) significantly modifies the metabolism of bone leading to site-specific alterations in remodeling of the bone tissue. A decrement in bone formation and an increase in bone resorption determine a significant loss of bone mass causing bone fragility and therefore a greater risk of fractures [1]. The proposed study, is focused on the development of the countermeasures to be taken in order to reduce the process of bone demineralization, while promoting a greater deposition of bone matrix. Strontium (Sr) is present in the mineral phase of bone, in particular in regions with high metabolic activity turn-over [2]. Recently, main in vitro and in vivo effects of Sr showed the reduction of bone resorption and the promotion of bone formation. Therefore, powders of hydroxyapatite (HAP) and HAP enriched with Sr were synthetized by sol-gel method. Hydroxyapatites powder were firstly characterized by ICP, XRD, N2 sorption, SEM and TEM analysis. Ultrasound sonication treatment was used to produce HAP nanoparticles (nHAPs) and nHAPs enriched with Sr (nHAP-S 5% and nHAP-Sr 10%). The nHAPs were dispersed in Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and characterized by using FT-IR to investigate the interaction between materials and BSA, by dynamic light scattering (DLS) to study hydrodynamic radius, by Z-potential for the surface charges, and by TEM to measure size and visualize the shape. In vitro studies were performed by using cell line precursor of osteoblasts (SAOS-2) and human mesenchymal stem cells isolated from bone marrow (hBM-MSCs) to evaluate nanoparticles biocompatibility at different time of incubation (1, 3 and 7 days of culture, respectively). The size of the nanostructures measured by DLS is around 100 nm. Higher values were observed for the nHAPs enriched with Sr due to the greater atomic radius of Strontium if compared to Calcium. The FT-IR spectra shows the modifications of the amino-groups bands of the protein and phosphate groups of HAP, suggesting an interaction at the molecular level of these groups. Regarding in vitro studies, a live count with Trypan Blue solution was performed; a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide test (MTT test) was performed to evaluate the cells' mitochondrial activity; and the release of the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme in the culture medium was measured to evaluate membrane damages.

Urinary tract schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by S. haematobium with a wide range of clinical manifestations related to the mucosal and submucosal granulomatous lesions of the bladder. It affects about 80 million people in Africa, Middle-East and India, while in Italy it is rarely seen among immigrants from endemic areas and returning travellers. The authors describe a case occurred in a 26 year old man, recently emigrated from a rural area of Ghana. He had the symptoms of a haemorrhagic cystitis. Cystoscopy and biopsy showed granulomatous lesions of bladder with calcified eggs. Microscopic examination of urine was positive for Schistosoma haematobium eggs. The therapy with Praziquantel (40 mg/Kg una tantum) was effective. The authors emphatized the risk of introduction of schistosomiasis in some regions of our country, in consideration of the presence of the intermediate host as well as of an appropriate climate.

To gain knowledge on the influence of postharvest treatments with ultraviolet-C light upon the keeping quality of table grapes, a trail was performed employing commercially mature 'Corina', 'Dawn Seedless', 'Centennial Seedless' and 'Gran Perlon' grape cultivars (cvs). After grading, bunches were subjected to 0.0, 0.5, 1.5 or 3 kJm(-2) and then stored at 5 degrees C and 90% relative humidity (RH) for 6 weeks followed by a 2 day shelf-life at 25 degrees C and 70% RH. A weekly inspection was performed and a visual evaluation of the appearance, treatment damage, stems browning and berry shrivelling was performed. Weight loss, decay and shatter were quantified at the end of storage and shelf-life. Regardless the cv and UV-C dose, fruit appearance was acceptable until the end of storage and shelf-life. Among the cvs, the highest score was held by 'G. Perlon'. After the fourth week of storage, the berries of 'Centennial S.' turned light brown and darkened over time when treated with 3.0 kJm(-2). Stem browning was not induced by the light treatment, but resulted cv depended and was pronounced for 'Centennial S.' and 'Dawn S.'. Berry shrivelling was insignificant, while shatter was very high in 'Corina' and did not depend upon UV-C treatment. Regarding weight loss, differences could not be attributed to the light treatment and after storage it ranged from 3 up to 5%. Decay was significantly reduced by light treatment and the efficacy increased by raising the dose. Botrytis cinerea was the main cause of decay with 'Corina' being the most jeopardized, followed by 'Dawn S.' and 'Centennial S.', whereas 'G. Perlon' resulted the less affected. In conclusion, hormetic effects of postharvest light treatment on table grapes were observed in almost all cvs with 'G. Perlon' having the best performance.

The international trade has to ensure food security on the potential risk of consumer health, but also to preserve the diffusion of animal and plant deseases between different countries. While organic horticultural production and trade are under overgovernment no specific restrictions relay to conventional commodities and almost free import-export occurs among UE countries. So that to highlight the safety characteristics of imported fresh crops is become an important issue. On the basis of these considerations, the aim of present study was to monitor the epiphytic microflora (particularly yeasts and fungi) carried by fresh fruit imported from Spain to Italy. Particular attention was given to pathogenic microrganisms and to natural antagonists. In addition the resistance gainst a few postharvest fungicides was determined for the isolated strains and compared to local ones. Apples, citrus fruits, stone fruits, and persimmons were sampled at arrival of the container from Spain at the wholesale market in Sassari (Italy), this to prevent fruit contamination by local strains of microrganisms. The microorganisms were isolated by rinsing and shacking (30 min at 100 rpm) the fruit in a beaker with 500 mL of sterile water, then after concentration (7.5 mL), 100 µl of the rinse water was plated on potate dextrose agar (PDA). Isolation of pure colonies was done by streaking several times on plates, until unicellular cultures were obtained. Fiftythree microrganisms, mainly fungi and yeasts, have been isolated and assayed in vitro and in vivo. Pathogenic behaviour of isolated fungi was tested on fruits artificially wounded and only 5 strains out of 21 isolates caused decay. Then, the resistance to different concentrations of imazalil, 1-[2-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(2-propenyloxy)-ethyl]-1H-imidazole, was tested in vitro for the 5 pathogenic isolates. All isolates were completly inhibitted with 1000 ppm IMZ evidencing that no resistant strains had been isolated from the imported fruit. Since the baseline resistance found for all isolates was similar to the indigenous strains we may conclude from this risk analysis that the import of those fruits do not increase the local line resistance. Key words: imported fresh fruits, epiphytic microflora, pathogenic microrganisms

In the latest years, investigation on postharvest treatments has been increasingly addressed to preserve human health and environment safeguard. Several preservative compounds, physical treatments and biological control agents to restrain postharvest pathogens on horticultural products have been widely studied. Among them potassium sorbate (KS) has been generally recognized as safe for use in foods and personal care products. It acts as microbial growth inhibitor and fungistatic agent in foods, including vegetable and fruit products. The efficacy of KS, used alone or combined with heat treatments or biocontrol agents, has been demonstrated in Citrus and stone fruits. Here we report the results of 3 experiments aimed at controlling Penicillium expansum Link decay with the use of KS on a yellow ('Shiro') and a red ('Sanguigna di Bosa II', from the Sardinian germplasm) plum cultivar. An integrated approach, combining ultrasounds (US) as a physical mean and KS solutions at different concentrations, has been employed. In the first experiment, 360 fruits were wounded twice and divided into 6 sets (6 x 60), three of which were inoculated with an isolate of P. expansum (20 microl of a 10(5) cfu x mL(-1)). Then, 180 fruit (half inoculated) were treated by pipetting into each wound 20 microl of a KS solution containing 0, 1.5 or 3% (w/v), respectively. In exp. 2, all fruit (number) was wounded and inoculated, and after 24 h treated by immersion (1 min) into solutions containing 0, 1.5 or 3% (w/v) of SK, with or without the use of US. In exp. 3, wounded fruits were treated by immersion or sonication like in exp. 2, while inoculation took place after 24 h. Then, plums were kept at 25 degrees C and 75-80% RH and the infection degree was monitored after 3 and 6 days. In both cultivars, the 1.5% KS solution significantly reduced the natural infection, while the 3% KS solution resulted effective only on the red one. Moreover, the 1.5% solution was effective in controlling decay of artificially inoculated fruit, achieving a 56% reduction compared to control. Similar results were attained in exp. 2 and 3, where the combination of salt and sonication improved the efficacy, likely by increasing the salt diffusion into the wounds.