A Spectroscopic Study of Group IV Transition-Metal-Incorporated Direct Templated Mesoporous Catalysts. Part 2. A Comparison of Ti-, Zr- and Hf-Containing Materials

Ti, Zr and Hf ions have been incorporated into mesoporous silica using a novel one-pot procedure based on the true liquid crystal templating (TLCT) synthesis method. The nature of the metallic sites was assessed using diffuse reflectance UV-visible, photoluminescence and FT-IR spectroscopy. In situ adsorption of oxygen and ammonia probe molecules provided information on the accessibility of optically active species.     

Curcumin-Loaded Nanoparticles Based on Amphiphilic Hyaluronan-Conjugate Explored as Targeting Delivery System for Neurodegenerative Disorders

Identification of molecules able to promote neuroprotective mechanisms can represent a promising therapeutic approach to neurodegenerative disorders including Huntington’s disease. Curcumin is an antioxidant and neuroprotective agent, even though its efficacy is limited by its poor absorption, rapid metabolism, systemic elimination, and limited blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Herein, we report on novel biodegradable curcumin-containing nanoparticles to favor the compound delivery and potentially enhance its brain bioavailability. The prepared hyaluronan-based materials able to self-assemble in stable spherical nanoparticles, consist of natural fatty acids chemically conjugated to the natural polysaccharide. The aim of this study is to provide a possible effective delivery system for curcumin with the expectation that, after having released the drug at the specific site, the biopolymer can degrade to nontoxic fragments before renal excretion, since all the starting materials are provided by natural resource. Our findings demonstrate that curcumin-encapsulated nanoparticles enter the cells and reduce their susceptibility to apoptosis in an in vitro model of Huntington’s disease.     

Novel Insight into the Serum Sphingolipid Fingerprint Characterizing Longevity

Sphingolipids (SLs) are structural components of the lipid bilayer regulating cell functions. In biological fluids, their distribution is sex-specific and is at variance in aging and many disorders. The aim of this study is to identify SL species associated with the decelerated aging of centenarians. SLs, extracted from serum of adults (Ad, 35–37 years old), aged (Ag, 75–77 years old) and centenarian (C, 105–107 years old) women were analyzed by LC-MS/MS in combination with mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SL biosynthetic enzymes. Results indicated in Ag and C vs. Ad a comparable ceramides (Cers) increase, whereas dihydroceramide (dhCer) decreased in C vs. Ad. Hexosylceramides (HexCer) species, specifically HexCer 16:0, 22:0 and 24:1 acyl chains, increased in C vs. Ag representing a specific trait of C. Sphingosine (Sph), dihydrosphingosine (dhSph), sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and dihydrosphingosine-1-phosphate (dhS1P), increased both in Ag and C vs. Ad, with higher levels in Ag, indicating a SL fine-tuning associated with a reduced physiological decline in C. mRNA levels of enzymes involved in ceramide de novo biosynthesis increased in Ag whereas enzymes involved in sphingomyelin (SM) degradation increased in C. Collectively, results suggest that Ag produce Cers by de novo synthesis whereas C activate a protective mechanism degrading SMs to Cers converting it into glycosphingolipids.     

Biogas production in low-cost household digesters at the Peruvian Andes

Low-cost tubular digesters originally developed in tropical regions have been adapted to the extreme weather conditions of the Andean Plateau (3000-4000 m.a.s.l.). The aim of this study was to characterise biogas production in household digesters located at high altitude, operating under psychrophilic conditions. To this end, two pilot digesters were monitored and field campaigns were carried out in two representative digesters of rural communities. Digesters’ useful volume ranged between 2.4 and 7.5 m³, and hydraulic residence time (HRT) between 60 and 90 days. The temperature inside the digester’s greenhouse ranged between 20 and 25 °C. Treating cow manure, a specific biogas production around 0.35 m³ kg_VS⁻¹ was obtained, with some 65% CH₄ in biogas. In order to fulfil daily requirements for cooking and lighting, biogas production should be enhanced without increasing implementation costs as not to impede the expansion of this technology at household scale. In this sense, HRT below 60 days and OLR above 1 kg_VS m⁻³ day⁻¹ should be investigated to decrease digesters’ volume (i.e. costs) and increase biogas production rate. The adaptation of conventional gas burners to biogas characteristics can also contribute in improving the efficiency of the system.     

Plant Food Supplements with Anti-Inflammatory Properties: A Systematic Review (I)

Plant food supplements (PFS) receive great acceptance by European consumers. However, quality and efficacy of these products remain a question of concern. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize and critically evaluate the evidence for or against the efficacy of PFS for coping inflammatory conditions by considering epidemiological and human intervention studies. The review, which consists of two parts, considers Olea europea L., Camellia sinensis L., Vitis vinifera L., and Matricaria recutita L., which are herbal material frequently used also as food. The search retrieved 1251 publications. By applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, the final number of papers was 91. Vitis vinifera L. showed promising results, but other trials should be performed in order to assessing the efficacy. Surprisingly, it was impossible to draw conclusions for the anti-inflammatory effect of Camellia sinensis L. as green tea. No studies were found on the leaves of Olea europea L. whereas more human trials are needed to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of olive oil. Only one study for Matricaria recutita L. was selected. In conclusion, it is advisable to conduct further studies with more homogeneous population and larger number of subjects by avoiding the heterogeneity of the herbal preparations considered.     

Intercellular carbon nanotube translocation assessed by flow cytometry imaging

The fate of carbon nanotubes in the organism is still controversial. Here, we propose a statistical high-throughput imaging method to localize and quantify functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes in cells. We give the first experimental evidence of an intercellular translocation of carbon nanotubes. This stress-induced longitudinal transfer of nanomaterials is mediated by cell-released microvesicles known as vectors for intercellular communication. This finding raises new critical issues for nanotoxicology, since carbon nanotubes could be disseminated by circulating extracellular cell-released vesicles and visiting several cells in the course of their passage into the organism.     

Systems Biology Approach to the Dissection of the Complexity of Regulatory Networks in the S. scrofa Cardiocirculatory System

Genome-wide experiments are routinely used to increase the understanding of the biological processes involved in the development and maintenance of a variety of pathologies. Although the technical feasibility of this type of experiment has improved in recent years, data analysis remains challenging. In this context, gene set analysis has emerged as a fundamental tool for the interpretation of the results. Here, we review strategies used in the gene set approach, and using datasets for the pig cardiocirculatory system as a case study, we demonstrate how the use of a combination of these strategies can enhance the interpretation of results. Gene set analyses are able to distinguish vessels from the heart and arteries from veins in a manner that is consistent with the different cellular composition of smooth muscle cells. By integrating microRNA elements in the regulatory circuits identified, we find that vessel specificity is maintained through specific miRNAs, such as miR-133a and miR-143, which show anti-correlated expression with their mRNA targets.     

Bioactive glass-derived trabecular coating: a smart solution for enhancing osteointegration of prosthetic elements

In this work, the use of foam-like glass–ceramic scaffolds as trabecular coatings on ceramic prosthetic devices to enhance implant osteointegration is proposed. The feasibility of this innovative device was explored in a simplified, flat geometry: glass–ceramic scaffolds, prepared by polymeric sponge replication and mimicking the trabecular architecture of cancellous bone, were joined to alumina square substrates by a dense glass coating (interlayer). The role played by different formulations of starting glasses was examined, with particular care to the effect on the mechanical properties and bioactivity of the final coating. Microindentations at the coating/substrate interface and tensile tests were performed to evaluate the bonding strength between the sample’s components. In vitro bioactive behaviour was assessed by soaking in simulated body fluid and evaluating the apatite formation on the surface and inside the pores of the trabecular coating. The concepts disclosed in the present study can have a significant impact in the field of implantable devices, suggesting a valuable alternative to traditional, often invasive bone-prosthesis fixation.     

The urban nature of agriculture: Bidirectional trends between city and countryside

The paper presents a wide range of images, contexts and issues related to contemporary forms of urban–rural interface. The urban and rural environments come in contact in various ways, generating patterns with hybrid identities which can be read both on a regional scale (in those cases where cities merge to form megapolitan conurbations), on an urban scale (suburbs of the cities), on a settlement scale (city quarters, farmyards and farmsteads), and even with regards to single buildings. This creates manifold diversified configurations of interface spaces, showing seemingly opposite trends. This work focuses on these bidirectional trends, which are discussed by means of a selection of different concepts, images, projects and experiences, within the international context. On the one hand, an increasing number of projects insert what is commonly associated with the idea of countryside into the cities: urban agriculture, mainly located in periurban open spaces, but in some cases even within the built system through various forms of integration with the building envelope, in line with a growing sensitivity about the need to conceive ways of virtuous relationship between food production, consumption and environment. On the other hand, town planning in many cases “ejects” the spaces for business and leisure, locating shopping malls, entertainment and (agri)tourism centres within the countryside. Moreover, typical rural spaces and activities (farms, farm holidays, wine farms, etc.) often refer to urban styles, due to poor design attention, or rather to marketing strategies aimed at enhancing the farm image. Thus, settlements located in rural areas show markedly increasing urban characteristics, with regards to their built environment, open spaces, and outdoor furniture. Whilst many scholars and designers have focused on reinterpreting the agricultural functions when these are inserted in urban architecture and built areas, further interdisciplinary work is needed to analyse how urban functions can be brought into the countryside and improve the quality of rural settlements.     

Dewatering model for optimal operation of sludge treatment wetlands

Sludge treatment wetlands (STW) are used as a dewatering technology in some European countries since the 80’s. Although the efficiency of this technology in terms of sludge dewatering and mineralisation is well known, design and operation parameters are yet to be standardised. The aim of this study is to develop a mathematical model capable of predicting the water loss with time, in order to optimise the feeding frequency enhancing sludge dewatering and expanding the lifespan of the system. The proposed model is validated with experimental data from one pilot and two full-scale STW. The scenarios considered indicate that the optimum feeding frequency decreases with the sludge layer height. In this way, systems with a sludge layer of 20 cm, 40 cm and 80 cm (corresponding to 2, 4 and 8 years of operation), should be fed every 2.5, 10 and 30-40 days, respectively. On the other hand, evapotranspiration (ET) has no effect on the feeding frequency, although it does increase the sludge dryness from 25% to 45% (for ET of 2.5 and 14.5 mm/d in the case of 20 cm of sludge height). According to the model output, the sludge loading rate is determined as a function of evapotranspiration, feeding frequency and sludge height.