Acellular Dermal Matrix Used in Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Clinical Outcomes Supported by Biochemical and Histological Analyses

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a diabetes complication which greatly impacts the patient’s quality of life, often leading to amputation of the affected limb unless there is a timely and adequate management of the patient. DFUs have a high economic impact for the national health system. Data have indeed shown that DFUs are a major cause of hospitalization for patients with diabetes. Based on that, DFUs represent a very important challenge for the national health system. Especially in developed countries diabetic patients are increasing at a very high rate and as expected, also the incidence of DFUs is increasing due to longevity of diabetic patients in the western population. Herein, the surgical approach focused on the targeted use of the acellular dermal matrix has been integrated with biochemical and morphological/histological analyses to obtain evidence-based information on the mechanisms underlying tissue regeneration. In this research report, the clinical results indicated decreased postoperative wound infection levels and a short healing time, with a sound regeneration of tissues. Here we demonstrate that the key biomarkers of wound healing process are activated at gene expression level and also synthesis of collagen I, collagen III and elastin is prompted and modulated within the 28-day period of observation. These analyses were run on five patients treated with Integra^® sheet and five treated with the injectable matrix Integra^® Flowable, for cavitary lesions. In fact, clinical evaluation of improved healing was, for the first time, supported by biochemical and histological analyses. For these reasons, the present work opens a new scenario in DFUs treatment and follow-up, laying the foundation for a tailored protocol towards complete healing in severe pathological conditions.     

Use of Staphylococcus xylosus as a starter culture in dried sausages: effect on the biogenic amine content

The main objective of this work was to investigate if the use of Staphylococcus xylosus S81 as a starter culture in sausage production can influence the amount of histamine during ripening, and the concentration of the other most important biogenic amines, by influencing the activity of the microbial amino oxidases as well as the aminoacid decarboxylases. The results confirm that the biogenic amines presence in foods is the consequence of a complex equilibrium between the composition of the medium and the enzymatic activities of the microbial population. In addition, the results suggest that the presence and relative activity of amino oxidases should be considered as an important characteristic in the selection of starter cultures used in the production of fermented foods.     

Application of a multidisciplinary approach for the evaluation of traceability of extra virgin olive oil

In this work, a multidisciplinary approach for the evaluation of extra virgin olive oil traceability (geographical provenience and botanical differentiation) is presented. Conventional techniques such as major chemical component determination (triacylglycerols, TAG and fatty acids) and other novel approaches as stable isotopic ratio (¹³C/¹²C in combination with ¹⁸O/¹⁶O) and thermal properties obtained from cooling curves and their deconvoluted peaks by means of differential scanning calorimetry were compared. Fifty‐three samples from different Italian regions, diverse cultivars, and two Mediterranean areas (Italy and Croatia) were analyzed with all the three techniques. The oils exhibited different values especially for δ¹⁸O and thermal properties of the deconvoluted peaks of crystallization according to Italian regions and/or cultivars. Data were treated by means of linear discriminant analysis inserting all parameters as predictors in models where the potentiality to discriminate oils was tested. All models revealed a good resolution among categories with selected TAG, δ¹⁸O values, and thermal properties of the deconvoluted peak set at the highest temperature exhibiting the highest weight for the discriminant functions. These findings could give strength to the utilization of new analytical techniques supporting those traditionally employed, also sustained by proper chemometric procedures, as suitable for the resolution of extra virgin olive traceability. Practical applications: Consumers' awareness of extra virgin olive oil traceability has recently increased the interest for new methods that can assess its geographical and botanical origins and new findings in this sector represent a key factor affecting the purchases in non‐producer countries. Multidisciplinary approaches supported by chemometric procedures enable the building of large databases and classification models for the determination of the provenience of extra virgin olive oil.     

A tomato stem cell extract, containing antioxidant compounds and metal chelating factors, protects skin cells from heavy metal-induced damages

Heavy metals can cause several genotoxic effects on cells, including oxidative stress, DNA sequence breakage and protein modification. Among the body organs, skin is certainly the most exposed to heavy metal stress and thus the most damaged by the toxic effects that these chemicals cause. Moreover, heavy metals, in particular nickel, can induce the over-expression of collagenases (enzymes responsible for collagen degradation), leading to weakening of the skin extracellular matrix. Plants have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to protect their cells from heavy metal toxicity, including the synthesis of metal chelating proteins and peptides, such as metallothioneins and phytochelatins (PC), which capture the metals and prevent the damages on the cellular structures. To protect human skin cells from heavy metal toxicity, we developed a new cosmetic active ingredient from Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) cultured stem cells. This product, besides its high content of antioxidant compounds, contained PC, effective in the protection of skin cells towards heavy metal toxicity. We have demonstrated that this new product preserves nuclear DNA integrity from heavy metal damages, by inducing genes responsible for DNA repair and protection, and neutralizes the effect of heavy metals on collagen degradation, by inhibiting collagenase expression and inducing the synthesis of new collagen.     

Electronic interactions between "pea" and "pod": the case of oligothiophenes encapsulated in carbon nanotubes

One of the most challenging strategies to achieve tunable nanophotonic devices is to build robust nanohybrids with variable emission in the visible spectral range, while keeping the merits of pristine single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). This goal is realized by filling SWNTs ("pods") with a series of oligothiophene molecules ("peas"). The physical properties of these peapods are depicted by using aberration-corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and other optical methods including steady-state and time-resolved measurements. Visible photoluminescence with quantum yields up to 30% is observed for all the hybrids. The underlying electronic structure is investigated by density functional theory calculations for a series of peapods with different molecular lengths and tube diameters, which demonstrate that van der Waals interactions are the bonding mechanism between the encapsulated molecule and the tube.     

Crack width prediction of FRC beams in short and long term bending condition

The use of short fibers inside concrete matrix is an effective method for reducing the vulnerability of concrete constructions subjected to harsh environment. The action of the short fibers in reducing the crack opening is the main issue that needs a research effort in order to optimize the expected results. At the moment the analytical prediction of the crack width and spacing in fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) structural elements under bending loads is still an open problem. A crack width relationship for FRC/RC elements similar to those developed for plain concrete structural members would be desirable for designers and engineers involved in the design of FRC structural elements. The recent development of important technical design codes, such as RILEM TC 162 TDF and the new Model Code (MC) 2010, embrace this idea. However further validation of these models by experimental results is still needed. On the other hand the study of the influence of a sustained load on crack width in presence of a short fibers reinforcement is a topic almost unexplored and important at the same time. In this research the cracking behaviour of full-scale concrete beams reinforced with both traditional steel bars and short fibers has been analyzed under short and long term bending condition. A theoretical prediction of crack width and crack spacing was carried out according to international design provisions based on different analytical models. The theoretical results are discussed and compared in order to highlight the differences between the available models and to check the reliability of the theoretical predictions on the basis of the experimental data. A modified relationship to take into account of the presence of stirrups has been proposed on the basis of experimental results; furthermore, some critical aspects, such as the influence of the type of fibers and the effect of loading-time, have been underlined that should be addressed in future research work.     

Enhancing the Charge Transport in Solution‐Processed Perylene Di‐imide Transistors via Thermal Annealing of Metastable Disordered Films

The introduction of side chains in π‐conjugated molecules is a design strategy widely exploited to increase molecular solubility thus improving the processability, while directly influencing the self‐assembly and consequently the electrical properties of thin films. Here, a multiscale structural analysis performed by X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray reflectivity, and atomic force microscopy on thin films of dicyanoperylene molecules decorated with either linear or branched side chains is reported. The substitution with asymmetric branched alkyl chains allows obtaining, upon thermal annealing, field‐effect transistors with enhanced transport properties with respect to linear alkyl chains. Branched chains induce molecular disorder during the film growth from solution, effectively favouring 2D morphology. Post‐deposition thermal annealing leads to a structural transition towards the bulk‐phase for molecules with branched chains, still preserving the 2D morphology and allowing efficient charge transport between crystalline domains. Conversely, molecules with linear chains self‐assemble into 3D islands exhibiting the bulk‐phase structure. Upon thermal annealing, these 3D islands keep their size constant and no major changes are observed in the organic field effect transistor characteristics. These findings demonstrate that the disorder generated by the asymmetric branched chains when the molecule is physisorbed in thin film can be instrumental for enhancing charge transport via thermal annealing.     

Smoked tuna, sliced and vacuum packed, a relatively new product

Summary The possibility of storing vacuum packed, smoked and sliced tuna fish was studied. The microbiological and chemical analyses demonstrated that hygienic conditions and organoleptic properties remain unaltered after storage at 5° C for 60 days.

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Geräucherter Thunfisch, in Scheiben geschnitten und vakuumverpackt, ein relativ neues Produkt

Zusammenfassung Es wurde die Möglichkeit studiert, den geräucherten Thunfisch vakuumverpackt aufzubewahren. Die anschließend durchgeführten mikrobiologischen, chemischen und sensorischen Analysen bestätigten, daß die hygienischen Bedingungen und die Eigenschaften des Produktes nach einer Aufbewahrungszeit von 60 Tagen bei 5°C unverändert erhalten bleiben.

     

Soil enzyme activities as affected by anthropogenic alterations: intensive agricultural practices and organic pollution

The activity of a range of enzymes related to the cycling of the main biologically important nutrients C, N, P and S was investigated in cultivated and non-cultivated soils from various parts of Europe. Two agricultural sites from North Italy under continuous corn (Zea mays L.) with and without organic fertilization were compared. Two other agricultural sites from South Italy under hazel (Corylus avellana L.) never flooded or repeatedly flooded over by uncontrolled urban and industrial wastes were investigated. The non-cultivated soils were from Middle and South Europe with different pollution history such as no-pollution and pollution with organic contaminants, which is phenanthrene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Agricultural soils showed significant differences in some of physical-chemical properties (i.e. organic C, total and labile phosphate contents, available Ca and Mg) between the two sites studied. Enzyme activities of hazel sites periodically flooded by wastes were mainly higher than in the hazel sites never flooded. Sites under many years of continuous corn showed dehydrogenase, invertase, arylsulphatase and beta-glucosidase activities generally lower than the soils under hazel either flooded or not by wastes. As compared to agricultural soils, non-cultivated soils heavily or moderately polluted by organic contaminants displayed much lower values or complete absence of enzymatic activities. Dissimilar, contradictory correlations between soil enzyme activities and the majority of soil properties were observed separately in the two groups of soils. When the whole set of enzyme activities and soil properties were considered, all significant correlations found separately for the groups of soils were lost. The overall results seem to confirm that no direct cause-effect relationships can be derived between the changes of a soil in response to a given factor and both the variations of the activity and the behaviour of the enzymes in soil.