Processing and properties of polypropylene‐based composites containing inertized fly ash from municipal solid waste incineration

This article reports for the first time the results about the use of inertized fly ash from municipal solid waste incineration as a filler for polypropylene (PP). An innovative process based on the stabilization with colloidal silica has been used for fly ash inertization. Polymer–filler composites containing different filler amounts up to 30 wt % have then been formulated and prepared by means of melt compounding process. Structural, morphological, mechanical, and thermal characterization of their properties has been performed and discussed in detail. Remarkable enhancements of tensile (+ 93%) and flexural (+ 107%) elastic moduli if compared to pristine PP, together with enhancements of flexural resistance (+ 36%) and deflection temperature under load (+ 50%), have been observed when adding filler 30 wt % in suitable processing conditions. Moreover the filler has been shown to interact with polymer crystalline structure and positively influence the thermal‐oxidative stability. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 4157–4164, 2013     

Mode-locking optimization with a real-time feedback system in a Nd:yttrium lithium fluoride laser cavity

We present a control system, which allows an automatic optimization of the pulse train stability in a mode-locked laser cavity. In order to obtain real-time corrections, we chose a closed loop approach. The control variable is the cavity length, mechanically adjusted by gear system acting on the rear cavity mirror, and the controlled variable is the envelope modulation of the mode-locked pulse train. Such automatic control system maintains the amplitude of the mode-locking pulse train stable within a few percent rms during the working time of the laser. Full implementation of the system on an Nd:yttrium lithium fluoride actively mode-locked laser is presented.     

Extracellular Vesicle-Derived microRNAs of Human Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stromal Cells May Activate Endogenous VEGF-A to Promote Angiogenesis

Despite low levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, the secretome of human Wharton’s jelly (WJ) mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) effectively promoted proangiogenic responses in vitro, which were impaired upon the depletion of small (~140 nm) extracellular vesicles (EVs). The isolated EVs shared the low VEGF-A profile of the secretome and expressed five microRNAs, which were upregulated compared to fetal dermal MSC-derived EVs. These upregulated microRNAs exclusively targeted the VEGF-A gene within 54 Gene Ontology (GO) biological processes, 18 of which are associated with angiogenesis. Moreover, 15 microRNAs of WJ-MSC-derived EVs were highly expressed (Ct value ≤ 26) and exclusively targeted the thrombospondin 1 (THBS1) gene within 75 GO biological processes, 30 of which are associated with the regulation of tissue repair. The relationship between predicted microRNA target genes and WJ-MSC-derived EVs was shown by treating human umbilical-vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with appropriate doses of EVs. The exposure of HUVECs to EVs for 72 h significantly enhanced the release of VEGF-A and THBS1 protein expression compared to untreated control cells. Finally, WJ-MSC-derived EVs stimulated in vitro tube formation along with the migration and proliferation of HUVECs. Our findings can contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the proangiogenic responses induced by human umbilical cord-derived MSCs, suggesting a key regulatory role for microRNAs delivered by EVs.     

Proteome Characterization of BALF Extracellular Vesicles in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Unveiling Undercover Molecular Pathways

In the longtime challenge of identifying specific, easily detectable and reliable biomarkers of IPF, BALF proteomics is providing interesting new insights into its pathogenesis. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first shotgun proteomic investigation of EVs isolated from BALF of IPF patients. Our main aim was to characterize the proteome of the vesicular component of BALF and to explore its individual impact on the pathogenesis of IPF. To this purpose, ultracentrifugation was chosen as the EVs isolation technique, and their purification was assessed by TEM, 2DE and LC-MS/MS. Our 2DE data and scatter plots showed considerable differences between the proteome of EVs and that of whole BALF and of its fluid component. Analysis of protein content and protein functions evidenced that EV proteins are predominantly involved in cytoskeleton remodeling, adenosine signaling, adrenergic signaling, C-peptide signaling and lipid metabolism. Our findings may suggest a wider system involvement in the disease pathogenesis and support the importance of pre-fractioning of complex samples, such as BALF, in order to let low-abundant proteins-mediated pathways emerge.     

Focus on Pivotal Role of Dietary Intake (Diet and Supplement) and Blood Levels of Tocopherols and Tocotrienols in Obtaining Successful Aging

Numerous specific age-related morbidities have been correlated with low intake and serum levels of tocopherols and tocotrienols. We performed a review in order to evaluate the extant evidence regarding: (1) the association between intake and serum levels of tocopherols and tocotrienols and age-related pathologies (osteoporosis, sarcopenia and cognitive impairment); and (2) the optimum diet therapy or supplementation with tocopherols and tocotrienols for the treatment of these abnormalities. This review included 51 eligible studies. The recent literature underlines that, given the detrimental effect of low intake and serum levels of tocopherols and tocotrienols on bone, muscle mass, and cognitive function, a change in the lifestyle must be the cornerstone in the prevention of these specific age-related pathologies related to vitamin E-deficient status. The optimum diet therapy in the elderly for avoiding vitamin E deficiency and its negative correlates, such as high inflammation and oxidation, must aim at achieving specific nutritional goals. These goals must be reached through: accession of the elderly subjects to specific personalized dietary programs aimed at achieving and/or maintaining body weight (avoid malnutrition); increase their intake of food rich in vitamin E, such as derivatives of oily seeds (in particular wheat germ oil), olive oil, hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, and cereals rich in vitamin E (such as specific rice cultivar rich in tocotrienols) or take vitamin E supplements. In this case, vitamin E can be correctly used in a personalized way either for the outcome from the pathology or to achieve healthy aging and longevity without any adverse effects.     

Quantitative developments in the cognitive reliability and error analysis method (CREAM) for the assessment of human performance

The current ‘second generation’ approaches in human reliability analysis focus their attention on the contextual conditions under which a given action is performed rather than on the notion of inherent human error probabilities, as was done in the earlier ‘first generation’ techniques. Among the ‘second generation’ methods, this paper considers the Cognitive Reliability and Error Analysis Method (CREAM) and proposes some developments with respect to a systematic procedure for computing probabilities of action failure. The starting point for the quantification is a previously introduced fuzzy version of the CREAM paradigm which is here further extended to include uncertainty on the qualification of the conditions under which the action is performed and to account for the fact that the effects of the common performance conditions (CPCs) on performance reliability may not all be equal. By the proposed approach, the probability of action failure is estimated by rating the performance conditions in terms of their effect on the action.     

Effects of ventilation rate and of dietary protein level in an intensive dairy sheep system on the features of Canestrato Pugliese cheese

Effects of ventilation rate and of dietary protein level in an intensive dairy sheep system on the features of Canestrato Pugliese cheese were studied. Cheeses were manufactured from the bulk milk obtained from ewes subjected to four different experimental treatments: (1) low dietary crude protein (CP) of 13% in dry matter (DM) at a low ventilation rate (23.5 m3/h per ewe) (LPLV); (2) low dietary CP at a moderate ventilation rate (47 m3/h per ewe) (LPMV), (3) moderate dietary CP of 16% DM at a low ventilation rate (MPLV); and (4) moderate dietary CP dietary at a moderate ventilation rate (MPMV). Bulk milk and cheeses (at 1, 15, 45 and 90 d of ripening) were analysed for chemical composition, N fractions and plasmin-plasminogen activities. The pH 4.6-soluble and insoluble N fractions were analysed by urea-PAGE. Bulk milk from ewes receiving the low CP diet displayed higher casein and lower urea contents. Ewes subjected to the low ventilation rate displayed a higher plasminogen activity in milk, whereas no differences emerged among treatments in the conversion of zymogen to plasmin. During ripening the plasmin-plasminogen system in cheese did not display significant changes across treatments. At 90 d of ripening, the cheese produced with milk from ewes receiving the low CP diet and exposed to the low ventilation rate displayed more markedly stained bands in the area of gamma-caseins in pH 4.6-insoluble N fraction. As from 15 d of ripening, the pH 4.6-soluble fraction showed a greater number of bands in the LPMV and MPMV than in the LPLV and MPLV cheeses. The results showed that Canestrato Pugliese cheese manufactured with milk from ewes fed the low CP diet and exposed to the moderate ventilation rate was characterized by higher protein and casein content in the fresh cheese and by a greater proteolysis after 90 d of ripening.     

Key points for maximum effectiveness and safety for cholesterol‐lowering properties of plant sterols and use in the treatment of metabolic syndrome

According to the American Diabetes Association and the Adult Treatment Panel III, the starting point for treating metabolic syndrome (MS) is a change of lifestyle. In addition, action on the main symptoms of MS by means of dietary supplements, can be helpful in view of the chronic course of the disease. The term ‘phytosterols’ refers to sterols and stanols composed of lipophilic triterpenes, a family that is widely distributed in the plant kingdom and whose cholesterol‐lowering properties have been amply demonstrated. In the light of the recent literature, the key points for maximum effectiveness and safety of sterols are the following. (A) Plant sterols should be taken with meals: clinical trials have shown that when plant sterols are consumed close to mealtimes, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol may decrease by 9.4%, while when they are taken between meals, the reduction is about 6%. (B) The optimal dosage is 2–2.5 g day^?1 in a single dose. More than 3 g day^?1 has not been found to have any additional beneficial effect and increases the risk of side effects. (C) The food matrix used to dissolve the phytosterols should contain a certain amount of fat. A milk‐based matrix appears optimal from this point of view. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

Formulation optimisation of vegetable flour‐loaded functional bread Part I: screening of vegetable flours and structuring agents

The aim of this work was to optimise durum wheat‐based functional bread loaded with vegetable flours. In particular, the screening of vegetable flours and structuring agents was performed. The per cent sensorial attributes change with respect to the durum wheat bread was calculated. Taste and appearance were the parameters that have most influenced the overall quality of the final product. In the Step 1, yellow pepper flour was chosen because of its taste highly pleasant. In fact, the per cent sensorial attributes change for this sample was about 6%. In the Step 2, different structuring agents were tested to improve the organoleptic properties of the investigated functional bread enriched with 25% of yellow pepper flour. The highest amount of vegetable flour added to the bread results in a low loaf volume, stickiness and compact crumb. A slight improvement compared with the bread sample without structuring agents was observed with 2% of guar seed flour from the appearance and crumb firmness point of view. Therefore, a further optimisation of the functional bread investigated in this work is necessary.     

Assessing allergenicity of different tomato ecotypes by using pooled sera of allergic subjects: identification of the main allergens

An evaluation of the potential allergenicity of different tomato ecotypes is reported. Twelve tomato ecotypes were assessed through a proteomic approach, using pools of sera of allergic patients from two different regions (Emilia Romagna in Northern Italy and Campania in Southern Italy), in order to identify the major allergens and evaluate differences in IgE binding properties of the tomato cultivars. Pooled sera of allergic people from Emilia Romagna showed as the main allergen a suberization-associated anionic peroxidase, whereas pooled sera of allergic patients from Campania were mostly reactive to profilin. The two proteins were identified through a proteomic approach based on the use of high-resolution mass spectrometric techniques. Quite interestingly, in some cases, several ecotypes showed a less reactivity toward patients?? sera than other, potentially indicating the possibility to identify ipoallergenic varieties. Anyway, the allergenic pattern response to tomatoes was serum-specific, indicating that the allergenic properties of different tomato ecotypes are defined by the specific proteins to which the patient is sensitized, a strong indication that ipoallergenicity of the different ecotypes is possible, but mostly related to the individual susceptibility.