Assessing the interdependencies between scientific disciplinary profiles

The investigation of the dynamics of national disciplinary profiles is at the forefront in quantitative investigations of science. We propose a new approach to investigate the complex interactions among scientific disciplinary profiles. The approach is based on recent pseudo-likelihood techniques introduced in the framework of machine learning and complex systems. We infer, in a Bayesian framework, the network topology and the related interdependencies among national disciplinary profiles. We analyse data extracted from the Incites database which relate to the national scientific production of most productive world countries at disciplinary level over the period 1992–2016.     

Exposure to Endocrine Disruptors (Di(2-Ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and Bisphenol A (BPA)) in Women from Different Residing Areas in Italy: Data from the LIFE PERSUADED Project

Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are plasticizers used in many industrial products that can act as endocrine disruptors and lead to metabolic diseases. During the LIFE PERSUADED project, we measured the urinary concentrations of BPA and Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) metabolites in 900 Italian women representative of the Italian female adult population (living in the north, centre, and south of Italy in both rural and urban areas). The whole cohort was exposed to DEHP and BPA with measurable levels above limit of detection in more than 99% and 95% of the samples, respectively. The exposure patterns differed for the two chemicals in the three macro-areas with the highest urinary levels for DEHP in south compared to central and northern Italy and for BPA in northern compared to central and southern Italy. BPA levels were higher in women living in urban areas, whereas no difference between areas was observed for DEHP. The estimated daily intake of BPA was 0.11 μg/kg per day, about 36-fold below the current temporary tolerable daily intake of 4 μg/kg per day established by the EFSA in 2015. The analysis of cumulative exposure showed a positive correlation between DEHP and BPA. Further, the reduction of exposure to DEHP and BPA, through specific legislative measures, is necessary to limit the harmfulness of these substances.     

Radiosensitizing Effect of Trabectedin on Human Soft Tissue Sarcoma Cells

Trabectedin is used for the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STSs). In this study, we evaluated if trabectedin could enhance the efficacy of irradiation (IR) by increasing the intrinsic cell radiosensitivity and modulating tumor micro-environment in fibrosarcoma (HS 93.T), leiomyosarcoma (HS5.T), liposarcoma (SW872), and rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cell lines. A significant reduction in cell surviving fraction (SF) following trabectedin + IR compared to IR alone was observed in liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma (enhancement ratio at 50%, ER50: 1.45 and 2.35, respectively), whereas an additive effect was shown in rhabdomyosarcoma and fibrosarcoma. Invasive cells’ fraction significantly decreased following trabectedin ± IR compared to IR alone. Differences in cell cycle distribution were observed in leiomyosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma treated with trabectedin + IR. In all STS lines, trabectedin + IR resulted in a significantly higher number of γ-H2AX (histone H2AX) foci 30 min compared to the control, trabectedin, or IR alone. Expression of ATM, RAD50, Ang-2, VEGF, and PD-L1 was not significantly altered following trabectedin + IR. In conclusion, trabectedin radiosensitizes STS cells by affecting SF (particularly in leiomyosarcoma and liposarcoma), invasiveness, cell cycle distribution, and γ-H2AX foci formation. Conversely, no synergistic effect was observed on DNA damage repair, neoangiogenesis, and immune system.     

Ag/ZnO nanomaterials as high performance sensors for flammable and toxic gases

Ag/ZnO nanocomposites supported on polycrystalline Al2O3 were synthesized by an unprecedented approach combining plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PE-CVD) of ZnO matrices and the subsequent deposition of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) by radio frequency (RF) sputtering. The system structure, composition and morphology were investigated by glancing incidence x-ray diffraction (GIXRD), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDXS). A tailored dispersion and distribution of silver particles could be obtained under mild conditions by the sole variation of the sputtering time. Gas sensing properties toward flammable and toxic gases, both reducing (CH3CH2OH, CH3COCH3) and oxidizing (O3), were investigated in the temperature range 100-400?°C. Beside the high sensitivity, the developed sensors exhibited a response proportional to Ag content, thanks to catalytic and electronic effects promoted by silver NPs. In addition, discrimination between oxidizing and reducing analytes was enabled by a suitable choice of the adopted working temperature.     

Effects of Rare Phytocannabinoids on the Endocannabinoid System of Human Keratinocytes

The decriminalization and legalization of cannabis has paved the way for investigations into the potential of the use of phytocannabinoids (pCBs) as natural therapeutics for the treatment of human diseases. This growing interest has recently focused on rare (less abundant) pCBs that are non-psychotropic compounds, such as cannabigerol (CBG), cannabichromene (CBC), Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). Notably, pCBs can act via the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is involved in the regulation of key pathophysiological processes, and also in the skin. In this study, we used human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) as an in vitro model that expresses all major ECS elements in order to systematically investigate the effects of CBG, CBC, THCV and CBGA. To this end, we analyzed the gene and protein expression of ECS components (receptors: CB₁, CB₂, GPR55, TRPV1 and PPARα/γ/δ; enzymes: NAPE-PLD, FAAH, DAGLα/β and MAGL) using qRT-PCR and Western blotting, along with assessments of their functionality using radioligand binding and activity assays. In addition, we quantified the content of endocannabinoid(-like) compounds (AEA, 2-AG, PEA, etc.) using UHPLC-MS/MS. Our results demonstrated that rare pCBs modulate the gene and protein expression of distinct ECS elements differently, as well as the content of endocannabinoid(-like) compounds. Notably, they all increased CB_1/2 binding, TRPV1 channel stimulation and FAAH and MAGL catalytic activity. These unprecedented observations should be considered when exploring the therapeutic potential of cannabis extracts for the treatment of human skin diseases.     

Antidepressant Effect of Intermittent Long-Term Systemic Administration of Irisin in Mice

Depression is a psychiatric disorder increasingly diffused worldwide. Evidence suggests that irisin, a myokine secreted by contracting muscle, mediates beneficial effects on several targets, including the brain. Here, the potential antidepressant properties of long-term intermittent systemic irisin administration (100 µg/kg/weekly for 1 month) were evaluated in mice by the Tail Suspension Test (TST), Forced Swim Test (FST), and Open Field Test (OFT). Furthermore, to deepen the molecular pathways underlying irisin treatment, the expression of irisin precursor, neurotrophic/growth factors, and cytokines was analyzed. Irisin treatment significantly decreased the immobility time in the TST and FST, suggesting an antidepressant effect. Additionally, irisin seemed to display an anxiolytic-like effect increasing the time spent in the OFT arena center. These findings were probably due to the modulation of endogenous brain factors as the gene expression of some neurotrophins, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), was upregulated only in irisin-treated mouse brain. Moreover, irisin modulated the expression of some cytokines (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating that the irisin antidepressant effect may be observed even with a systemic administration in mice. This could pave the way toward intriguing preclinical research in humans.     

Metabolomic Approaches for Detection and Identification of Biomarkers and Altered Pathways in Bladder Cancer

Metabolomic analysis has proven to be a useful tool in biomarker discovery and the molecular classification of cancers. In order to find new biomarkers, and to better understand its pathological behavior, bladder cancer also has been studied using a metabolomics approach. In this article, we review the literature on metabolomic studies of bladder cancer, focusing on the different available samples (urine, blood, tissue samples) used to perform the studies and their relative findings. Moreover, the multi-omic approach in bladder cancer research has found novel insights into its metabolic behavior, providing excellent start-points for new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Metabolomics data analysis can lead to the discovery of a “signature pathway” associated with the progression of bladder cancer; this aspect could be potentially valuable in predictions of clinical outcomes and the introduction of new treatments. However, further studies are needed to give stronger evidence and to make these tools feasible for use in clinical practice.     

Folate targeted coated SPIONs as efficient tool for MRI

Nano Research - The development of more sensitive diagnostic tools allowing an early-stage and highly efficient medical imaging of tumors remains a challenge. Magnetic nanoparticles seem to be the...