Tobramycin Nanoantibiotics and Their Advantages: A Minireview

Nowadays, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a challenge for antibiotic therapy, mostly involving Gram-negative bacteria. Among the strategies activated to overcome AMR, the repurposing of already available antimicrobial molecules by encapsulating them in drug delivery systems, such as nanoparticles (NPs) and also engineered NPs, seems to be promising. Tobramycin is a powerful and effective aminoglycoside, approved for complicated infections and reinfections and indicated mainly against Gram-negative bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia, Providencia, and Citrobacter species. However, the drug presents several side effects, mostly due to dose frequency, and for this reason, it is a good candidate for nanomedicine formulation. This review paper is focused on what has been conducted in the last 20 years for the development of Tobramycin nanosized delivery systems (nanoantibiotics), with critical discussion and comparison. Tobramycin was selected as the antimicrobial drug because it is a wide-spectrum antibiotic that is effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic bacteria, and it is characterized by a fast bactericidal effect, even against multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDR).     

High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of pulmonary infections in AIDS patients

The Escherichia coli RuvA and RuvB proteins mediate ATP-dependent branch migration of Holliday junctions during homologous genetic recombination. RuvA is a DNA-binding protein with high affinity for Holliday junctions, to which it directs RuvB (a DNA-dependent ATPase). Electron microscopic studies have shown that RuvB forms double hexameric rings on duplex DNA. To determine whether the rings are biologically active, the conditions required for their formation and activity have been analysed. The quaternary structure of RuvB appears to be dependent upon the binding of ATP, magnesium ions, and the presence of RuvA. In the presence of Mg2+ and ATP, RuvB forms hexamers; however, in the presence of Mg2+ alone, dodecamers were observed. Both forms of the protein are stable and have been isolated by gel filtration. Performed dodecamers and, to a lesser extent, hexamers assembled in the absence of DNA lack ATPase activity. Maximal ATPase activity was observed when RuvB assembled directly on DNA in the presence of Mg2+ and ATP. Moreover, under these conditions, a direct interaction between RuvB hexamers and tetramers of RuvA was observed.     

Design and performance of a diffusion-suppressed streamer chamber

We have designed, built, and tested a high-resolution streamer chamber that employs a novel diffusion suppression scheme. The chamber operates at 60 atm, uses a few-nanoseconds-wide 250 kV high-voltage pulse, has a maximum repetition rate of 10 Hz, and has an active volume of 13.5 × 4.5 × 0.7 cm³. Under these conditions we measure the rms deviation of streamer centers from fitted track trajectories to be about 12 ωm in space, and a two-track resolution of approximately 50 ωm.     

State estimation and decoupling of unknown inputs in uncertain LPV systems using interval observers

This paper proposes a linear parameter varying (LPV) interval observer for state estimation and unknown inputs decoupling in uncertain continuous-time LPV systems. Two different problems are considered and solved: (1) the evaluation of the set of admissible values for the state at each instant of time; and (2) the unknown input observation, i.e. the design of the observer in such a way that some information about the nature of the unknown inputs affecting the system can be obtained. In both cases, analysis and design conditions, which rely on solving linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), are provided. The effectiveness and appeal of the proposed method is demonstrated using an illustrative application to a two-joint planar robotic manipulator.     

Use of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Reinforcing Fillers in UV‐Curable Epoxy Systems

CNT were dispersed in an epoxy matrix and cured by means of UV light. An increase on elastic modulus and T_g values was measured by DMTA analysis and attributed to the constraint effect of CNT on polymer chain mobility. Excellent scratch resistant coatings characterized by high critical load, small cracks and high recovery were obtained in the presence of a very low CNT content (0.025 wt.‐%). TEM analysis showed some isolated CNT and some cluster agglomerations of size of about 250 nm. It was shown that it was possible to decrease the surface resistivity of the cured samples by three orders of magnitude in the presence of 0.1 wt.‐% of SWCNT content.

     

MicroRNAs Modulate Signaling Pathways in Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been identified in many adult tissues and they have been closely studied in recent years, especially in view of their potential use for treating diseases and damaged tissues and organs. MSCs are capable of self-replication and differentiation into osteoblasts and are considered an important source of cells in tissue engineering for bone regeneration. Several epigenetic factors are believed to play a role in the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, including microRNAs (miRNAs). MiRNAs are small, single-stranded, non-coding RNAs of approximately 22 nucleotides that are able to regulate cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis by binding the 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR) of target mRNAs, which can be subsequently degraded or translationally silenced. MiRNAs control gene expression in osteogenic differentiation by regulating two crucial signaling cascades in osteogenesis: the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)/bone morphogenic protein (BMP) and the Wingless/Int-1(Wnt)/β-catenin signaling pathways. This review provides an overview of the miRNAs involved in osteogenic differentiation and how these miRNAs could regulate the expression of target genes.     

Further Development of Testing Procedures for High Temperature Surface Tension Measurements

A new testing procedure combining in one test two methods for surface tension measurements of liquid metals [the pendant drop (PD) and the sessile drop] and carried out in the same device is discussed. The attention is focused on methodological aspects of the PD method due to the novelty of its application for high temperature metallic systems. It has been claimed that under the conditions applied in the present study, this method can be considered as a quasi-containerless one. Surface tension measurements of pure Cu, Ni, Al, and Fe performed using the new procedure are described. To confirm the validity of this procedure, the experimental results are discussed in the framework of the available literature data, particularly those obtained by the containerless methods.     

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.     

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.