Synthesis of 1,2-dioleoyl-3-(alpha-14C-1-adamantoyl)-sn-glycerol and 1-14C-adamantanecarboxylic acid

The pancreatic lipase inhibitor 1,2-dioleoyl-3-(alpha-14C-1-adamantoyl)-sn-glycerol, with a specific activity of 8 mCi/mmole, was prepared by consecutive acylation of 1,2-isopropylidene-sn-glycerol with 1-14C-adamantanecarboxylic acid chloride and oleoyl chloride. The 14C-labeled acid was conveniently prepared by carboxylation of 1-adamantanol using 14C-sodium formate in concentrated sulfuric acid.     

Study of the microstructure of inkjet-printed P3HT:PCBM blend for photovoltaic applications

Recently, great interest has been devoted to cost-effective alternative energy sources such as organic solar cells because of the mechanical flexibility and the versatility of chemical structure, the low cost of fabrication, and ease of processing. As regards this last point, the possibility to deposit organic materials from solutions at low temperatures makes them employable for fabricating printed solar cells by direct printing methods. In this study, we used the inkjet-printing technology to deposit P3HT blends with various fullerene acceptors ([60]PCBM, [70]PCBM and bis[60]PCBM) dissolved in single solvents, 1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB) and chlorobenzene (CB), and their mixtures. After optimizing the printing parameters (printhead speed, drop emission frequency, and substrate temperature), the effect of the solvents on the morphology of the photoactive layers was analyzed through Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Polymer solar cells with the structure glass/ITO/PEDOT:PSS/blend/Ca/Al were fabricated and characterized by current–voltage (I–V) measurements under 100 mW/cm² AM 1.5G illumination. A comparative study of the performances of the devices was performed based on three different fullerene derivatives, correlating them to the microstructure of the printed blend films. The optimal devices were obtained when the blend films were deposited from a mixture of DCB:CB 4:1 by volume: this was in agreement with the most favorable morphology of these films.     

A combination of modified atmosphere and antimicrobial packaging to extend the shelf-life of beefsteaks stored at chill temperature

An antimicrobial polyethylene (PE) film was obtained by coating a nisin-based antimicrobial solution. PE sheets were coated on both sides and were used for the packaging of beefsteaks to be stored in air or modified atmosphere packaging (MAP, 60% O(2)-40% CO(2)). Microbial populations, species diversity, headspace volatile organic compounds, colour and sensory properties were monitored after 0, 1, 7 and 12days of storage at 4°C. The viable counts showed that there was an effect of MAP and antimicrobial film on the development of all the spoilage associated microbial populations. Carnobacterium spp., Brochothrix thermosphacta, Pseudomonas fragi and Rhanella aquatilis were found in most of the samples. C. maltaromaticum was identified in MRS bulk cells from samples stored in air as well as MAP. Quantitative data of headspace-SPME-GC/MS analysis showed that during storage the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was affected by the use of the treated film and the MAP storage. Compounds such as phenylethylalcohol, nonanal, decanal and ethylbutanoate were produced only from 7 to 12day of storage and only in the samples stored in air. In agreement with the microbiological and VOCs data, the meat stored in active packaging scored the best rankings in the sensory evaluation. Principal component analysis of microbial, sensory and instrumental data showed that beefsteaks stored with the combination of MAP and active packaging for 12days at 4°C differed from the other samples that were more associated to high microbial loads, VOCs concentration and meat off odour perception. In conclusion, the antimicrobial sheets in combination with MAP storage at 4°C were effective for the storage of beefsteaks by retarding the growth of spoilage bacteria, determining lower concentration of VOCs and keeping acceptable levels of colour and other sensory parameters for more than 10days.     

Ultra-short pulse laser ablation of Al70Cu20Fe10 alloy: Nanoparticles generation and thin films deposition

In this paper the deposition of thin films obtained from femtosecond laser ablation of an Al₇₀Cu₂₀Fe₁₀ alloy is presented. In the plasma produced by ablation, a characteristic feature is the presence of hot nanoparticles that become evident several microseconds after the laser shot. The cooling mechanisms of these particles have been analysed together with the evolution of their composition. The results, compared with those previously obtained for Al₆₅Cu₂₃Fe₁₂ quasicrystal, reveal a clear relation between the final composition of the particles and the high-temperature equilibrium vapor pressures of the different elements, suggesting a direct emission from the target rather than a gas phase formation. Analysis of the elemental composition through the cross-section of the as-deposited films helps to illustrate the role of nanoparticles in the film growth.     

Contribution of Metabolomics to Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis,Prognosis and Treatment

Metabolomics-based technologies map in vivo biochemical changes that may be used as early indicators of pathological abnormalities prior to the development of clinical symptoms in neurological conditions. Metabolomics may also reveal biochemical pathways implicated in tissue dysfunction and damage and thus assist in the development of novel targeted therapeutics for neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Metabolomics holds promise as a non-invasive, high-throughput and cost-effective tool for early diagnosis, follow-up and monitoring of treatment response in multiple sclerosis (MS), in combination with clinical and imaging measures. In this review, we offer evidence in support of the potential of metabolomics as a biomarker and drug discovery tool in MS. We also use pathway analysis of metabolites that are described as potential biomarkers in the literature of MS biofluids to identify the most promising molecules and upstream regulators, and show novel, still unexplored metabolic pathways, whose investigation may open novel avenues of research.     

The Treatment of Advanced Melanoma: Therapeutic Update

Cutaneous melanoma is the main cause of death for skin cancer. The majority of patients with a diagnosis of melanoma have localized disease, which can be successfully treated with surgical treatment. However, the surgical approach is not curative for advanced melanoma (AM). Indeed, the management of AM is still challenging, since melanoma is the solid tumor with the highest number of mutations and cancer cells have the capacity to evade the immune system. In the past, the treatment of AM relied on chemotherapeutic agents, without showing efficacy data. Recent knowledge on melanoma pathogenesis as well as the introduction of immunotherapies, targeted therapies vaccines, small molecules, and combination therapies has revolutionized AM management, showing promising results in terms of effectiveness and safety. The aim of this review is to assess and to discuss the role of emerging therapies for AM management in order to obtain a complete overview of the currently available treatment options and future perspectives.     

A stochastic model of catalytic reaction networks in protocells

Protocells are supposed to have played a key role in the self-organizing processes leading to the emergence of life. Existing models either (i) describe protocell architecture and dynamics, given the existence of sets of collectively self-replicating molecules for granted, or (ii) describe the emergence of the aforementioned sets from an ensemble of random molecules in a simple experimental setting (e.g. a closed system or a steady-state flow reactor) that does not properly describe a protocell. In this paper we present a model that goes beyond these limitations by describing the dynamics of sets of replicating molecules within a lipid vesicle. We adopt the simplest possible protocell architecture, by considering a semi-permeable membrane that selects the molecular types that are allowed to enter or exit the protocell and by assuming that the reactions take place in the aqueous phase in the internal compartment. As a first approximation, we ignore the protocell growth and division dynamics. The behavior of catalytic reaction networks is then simulated by means of a stochastic model that accounts for the creation and the extinction of species and reactions. While this is not yet an exhaustive protocell model, it already provides clues regarding some processes that are relevant for understanding the conditions that can enable a population of protocells to undergo evolution and selection.     

Neuroendocrine, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study of pineal region tumors

A new bacteriocin, produced by Streptococcus thermophilus 81 has been isolated, purified and characterized. By its heat sensitivity and broad inhibitory spectrum it does not resemble any other S. thermophilus bacteriocin. The mode of action is bacteriostatic. This peptide of 32 amino acids is efficient against several Bacillus species, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Yersinia enterocolitica. This bacteriocin is heat labile but its activity was not altered by pH variation from 3 to 10. Six months of storage at 40 degrees C did not influence the activity. The inactivation by detergents and the inability to resolve the protein in SDS-PAGE supposes a more complex structure or a possible stabilizing effect of other molecules. The low sensitivity of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus to the isolated bacteriocin suggests that S. thermophilus 81 may be used in yoghurt starters.     

May I experience more presence in doing the same thing in virtual reality than in reality? An answer from a simulated job interview

Is it possible to experience more presence in doing the same thing in virtual reality than in reality? According to the well known definition of presence as “disappearance of mediation”, the answer is no: technology is a barrier, a mediating tool that can only reduce the level of presence experienced in an interaction. However, the increasing diffusion of a technology like augmented reality that adds a technological layer of information to the real world suggests the opposite: the experience of “being there” may be influenced by the ability of “making sense there”.To explore this issue we used a sample of 20 university students to evaluate the level of presence experienced in two different settings: an immersive virtual reality job simulation and a real world simulation that was identical to its VR counterpart (same interviewer, same questions) but without technological mediation and without any social and cultural cues in the environment that may give a better meaning to both the task and its social context.Self-report data, and in particular the scores in the Spatial Presence and the Ecological Validity ITC-SOPI scales, suggest that experienced presence was higher during the virtual interview than in the real world simulation. This interpretation was confirmed by subjective (higher in VR) but not by objective (Skin Conductance) anxiety scores. These data suggest a vision of presence as a social construction, in which reality is co-constructed in the relationship between actors and their environments through the mediation of physical and cultural artifacts.     

Essential Amino Acid Methyl Esters: Major Sex Pheromone Components of the Cranberry White Grub, Phyllophaga anxia (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae)

Chiral capillary gas chromatographic–electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) analysis indicates that L-valine and L-isoleucine methyl esters are the major sex pheromone components released by females of the cranberry white grub, Phyllophaga anxia (LeConte). The GC retention times and GC-mass spectrometry of the two natural compounds were identical to those of authentic standards. Of five reproducible GC-EAD active components revealed with female volatiles, the L-valine and L-isoleucine methyl esters elicited the strongest male antennal responses. The ratio of L-valine and L-isoleucine methyl esters was determined to be 3:1 by analysis of pheromone gland extracts. Chirality was shown to be critical by GC-EAD, since only the L-form of these amino acid methyl esters elicited an EAD response. In field experiments conducted in Massachusetts, a synthetic 3:1 blend of L-valine and L-isoleucine methyl esters on a rubber septum was attractive to P. anxia males.