Cyclooxygenase Inhibition Alters Proliferative,Migratory, and Invasive Properties of Human Glioblastoma Cells In Vitro

Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) is known to increase glioblastoma (GBM) cell proliferation and migration while cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition decreases proliferation and migration. The present study investigated the effects of COX inhibitors and PGE₂ receptor antagonists on GBM cell biology. Cells were grown with inhibitors and dose response, viable cell counting, flow cytometry, cell migration, gene expression, Western blotting, and gelatin zymography studies were performed. The stimulatory effects of PGE₂ and the inhibitory effects of ibuprofen (IBP) were confirmed in GBM cells. The EP2 and EP4 receptors were identified as important mediators of the actions of PGE₂ in GBM cells. The concomitant inhibition of EP2 and EP4 caused a significant decrease in cell migration which was not reverted by exogenous PGE₂. In T98G cells exogenous PGE₂ increased latent MMP2 gelatinolytic activity. The inhibition of COX1 or COX2 caused significant alterations in MMP2 expression and gelatinolytic activity in GBM cells. These findings provide further evidence for the importance of PGE₂ signalling through the EP2 and the EP4 receptor in the control of GBM cell biology. They also support the hypothesis that a relationship exists between COX1 and MMP2 in GBM cells which merits further investigation as a novel therapeutic target for drug development.     

Development and application starch films: PBAT with additives for evaluating the shelf life of Tommy Atkins mango in the fresh-cut state

In this study, formulations of cassava starch and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) flexible films were developed, with glycerol, coconut nanocellulose, annatto, and citric acid in different concentrations, as well as the effectiveness of the selected materials in fresh-cut mangoes storage was evaluated. The tensile strength of the different formulations varied from 1.90 (E4) to 6.65 MPa (E3c), and the strain varied from 206.31 (E1c) to 278.41% (E8); this variation was dependent on the percentage of the polymer matrix incorporated. The a_w values of the formulations ranged from 0.396 (E2) to 0.569 (E3c). The Formulations E4 and E7 (with additives) presented good properties and were selected to condition mangoes. The micrographs of these films showed regions of micropores that can facilitate the diffusion of water from the packaged product to the surface, allowing decreases in moisture and a_w, which is associated with higher color maintenance during fruit storage. E7 presented better barrier properties than E4 (lower values of WVP and water solubility) which may have influenced in a positive way to maintain the stability of the package in the studied period. E7 can be considered as a viable alternative for minimally processed mango storage. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 48150.     

Comparative B‐mode and Doppler renal ultrasonography with histopathological findings in dogs positive for canine visceral leishmaniasis

Morphological parameters and renal flow were assessed and measured in six clinically healthy dogs with negative serological and parasitological examinations for canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) and six dogs with CVL‐positive serological and parasitological tests and asymptomatic condition of the disease. Kidney length and diameter were measured and compared with the aorta/kidney ratio. Alterations in flow were measured using the flow velocity (cm/s) and resistance index (RI). Renal function was assessed by serum biochemical examination (urea, creatine, total proteins, albumin, and globulin) and urinalysis. CVL‐positive animals presented heterogeneous kidney echotexture, reduced vascular flow, hypoperfusion, lesser visualization of the arcuate arteries, high RI values (1.06 ± 0.28 for the right kidney and 1.10 ± 0.30 for the left kidney), reduced diastolic flow, and high systolic peak. They also presented positive creatine/RI correlation and between the renal artery vascular flow and kidney diameter. Histopathological analysis of CVL‐positive animals was compatible and confirmed hemodynamic changes observed by Doppler ultrasound. The findings in the present study showed that Doppler ultrasonography is a valid method to assess and detect alterations in flow in renal pathological processes with kidney vascular damage, as in the case of leishmaniasis, and can help in the diagnosis of animals with this infection. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:637–645, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Retreatment of silicon slurry by membrane processes

The purpose of the present study is to develop a process to regenerate the polish liquid used in Chemical and Mechanical Polishing (CMP), called “slurry”, and more specifically Silicon CMP slurry. Physico-chemical analyses show a considerable dilution of slurry through washing waters used in polishing. Thus, this effluent has been characterised for a better identification of the deviations from the slurry of reference (Point Of Use). Hence, the principle is to regenerate this effluent by membrane processes. The ultrafiltration results obtained at laboratory scale have led to the development of an industrial prototype. An optimal utilisation of this treatment allows completing a two-step process: the reconcentration by ultrafiltration and a chemical adjustment by addition of concentrated slurry. A stable behaviour of the slurry at the different steps of the process has been observed. Polishing results are similar with retreated and POU slurries. Furthermore, the functioning at industrial scale permits to maintain the performances obtained on the laboratory pilot.     

Influence of Indigenous Microflora on Some Chemical Properties of Cowpea Paste

Cowpea (vigna unguiculuta) paste, the principal ingredient in akara, was evaluated to determine the influence of indigenous microflora on chemical characteristics associated with akara quality. Six formulas (with and without onion, salt and pepper), consisting of inoculated (indigenous microflora) and uninoculated pastes, were incubated for 24 hr at 30°C. A strong relationship between time of incubation and increase in titratable acidity was evident for all treatments. Nitrogen solubility and protein degradation increased during incubation. Monosaccharide content increased with incubation for all pastes, while diand oligosaccharides decreased. No significant changes in thiamin content were observed; however, riboflavin increased for all formulations as incubation progressed.     

Pharmacological Evaluation and Preliminary Pharmacokinetics Studies of a New Diclofenac Prodrug without Gastric Ulceration Effect

Long-term nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) therapy has been associated with several adverse effects such as gastric ulceration and cardiovascular events. Among the molecular modifications strategies, the prodrug approach is a useful tool to discover new safe NSAIDs. The 1-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)indolin-2-one is a diclofenac prodrug which demonstrated relevant anti-inflammatory properties without gastro ulceration effect. In addition, the prodrug decreases PGE₂ levels, COX-2 expression and cellular influx into peritoneal cavity induced by carrageenan treatment. Preliminary pharmacokinetic studies have shown in vivo bioconversion of prodrug to diclofenac. This prodrug is a new nonulcerogenic NSAID useful to treat inflammatory events by long-term therapy.     

Ocean colour validation activities at the Acqua Alta Oceanographic Tower in the northern Adriatic Sea

The development and validation of ocean colour products require the availability of in situ atmospheric and marine data. Since 1995, the Coastal Atmosphere and Sea Time Series (CoASTS) Program ensures the collection of an in situ comprehensive set of measurements taken from an oceanographic tower in the northern Adriatic Sea. An example of a validation exercise is presented through the comparison of in situ and satellite-derived aerosol optical thickness at various wavelengths in the 443–865?nm spectral interval.     

Measured and modeled radiometric quantities in coastal waters: toward a closure

Accurate radiative transfer modeling in the coupled atmosphere-sea system is increasing in importance for the development of advanced remote-sensing applications. Aiming to quantify the uncertainties in the modeling of coastal water radiometric quantities, we performed a closure experiment to intercompare theoretical and experimental data as a function of wavelength lambda and water depth z. Specifically, the study focused on above-water downward irradiance E(d)(lambda, 0+) and in-water spectral profiles of upward nadir radiance L(u)(lambda, z), upward irradiance E(u)(lambda, z), downward irradiance E(d)(lambda, z), the E(u)(lambda, z)/L(u)(lambda, z) ratio (the nadir Q factor), and the E(u)(lambda, z)/E(d)(lambda, z) ratio (the irradiance reflectance). The theoretical data were produced with the finite-element method radiative transfer code ingesting in situ atmospheric and marine inherent optical properties. The experimental data were taken from a comprehensive coastal shallow-water data set collected in the northern Adriatic Sea. Under various measurement conditions, differences between theoretical and experimental data for the above-water E(d)(lambda, 0+) and subsurface E(d)(lambda, 0-) as well as for the in-water profiles of the nadir Q factor were generally less than 15%. In contrast, the in-water profiles of L(u)(lambda, z), E(d)(lambda, z), E(u)(lambda, z) and of the irradiance reflectance exhibited larger differences [to approximately 60% for L(u)(lambda, z) and E(u)(lambda, z), 30% for E(d)(lambda, z), and 50% for the irradiance reflectance]. These differences showed a high sensitivity to experimental uncertainties in a few input quantities used for the simulations: the seawater absorption coefficient; the hydrosol phase function backscattering probability; and, mainly for clear water, the bottom reflectance.     

Effects of cosine error in irradiance measurements from field ocean color radiometers

The cosine error of in situ seven-channel radiometers designed to measure the in-air downward irradiance for ocean color applications was investigated in the 412-683 nm spectral range with a sample of three instruments. The interchannel variability of cosine errors showed values generally lower than +/-3% below 50 degrees incidence angle with extreme values of approximately 4-20% (absolute) at 50-80 degrees for the channels at 412 and 443 nm. The intrachannel variability, estimated from the standard deviation of the cosine errors of different sensors for each center wavelength, displayed values generally lower than 2% for incidence angles up to 50 degrees and occasionally increasing up to 6% at 80 degrees. Simulations of total downward irradiance measurements, accounting for average angular responses of the investigated radiometers, were made with an accurate radiative transfer code. The estimated errors showed a significant dependence on wavelength, sun zenith, and aerosol optical thickness. For a clear sky maritime atmosphere, these errors displayed values spectrally varying and generally within +/-3%, with extreme values of approximately 4-10% (absolute) at 40-80 degrees sun zenith for the channels at 412 and 443 nm. Schemes for minimizing the cosine errors have also been proposed and discussed.     

Analysis numerica di modelli di simulazione per le acque basse

In this paper we study a bidimensional model which describes the rising of the sea water caused by wind and atmospheric pressure. In the first paragraph we present the physical conditions which justify the construction of the model based on the shallow water theory. In the second paragraph it is demonstrated why the problem related to the mathematical model, using natural boundary conditions, is well posed. Finally in the third paragraph we show some finite difference schemes for the numerical solution figuring out some stability aspects.

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Questo lavoro è stato svolto nell’ambito di una collaborazione esistente tra l’Istituto per le Applicazioni del Calcolo del C.N.R. e l’Istituto di Matematica del Politecnico diMilano, in un programma di ricerca la cui direzione scientifica è tenuta dal prof. G. Prouse.