Glass and wine: a good example of the deep relationship between drinkware and beverage

As the choice of the drinkware could deeply affect consumer perception during beverage consumption, an experimental research was carried out by expert testers to investigate the evolution of chemical–physical and sensory profiles of a typical rosé wine maintained in different types of glasses. The aim of this research was to select some parameters to well correlate beverage sensory properties with glass characteristics which can be used for drinkware design. The different sensorial profiles, obtained as a function of the geometric characteristics of glasses, were compared with one another. In order to find any significant parameter useful to represent the time evolution of the wine inside each vessel, the wine poured in all glasses was also characterized at different times from a chemical and physical point of view. As the design parameters are now guided more by aesthetic reasons rather than by functional ones, this new ‘integrated approach’, deriving from the merging of chemical, physical and sensorial data, can be used to design the optimum vessel for the enjoyment of the consumer during assessing sessions. This innovative procedure could be easily adapted for every beverage such as fruit juices, sparkling wines or beer.     

A novel class of potential prion drugs: preliminary in vitro and in vivo data for multilayer coated gold nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles coated with oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, such as polyallylamine hydrochloride and polystyrenesulfonate, were examined for potential inhibition of prion protein aggregation and prion (PrPSc) conversion and replication. Different coatings, finishing with a positive or negative layer, were tested, and different numbers of layers were investigated for their ability to interact and reduce the accumulation of PrPSc in scrapie prion infected ScGT1 and ScN2a cells. The particles efficiently hampered the accumulation of PrPSc in ScN2a cells and showed curing effects on ScGT1 cells with a nanoparticle concentration in the picomolar range. Finally, incubation periods of prion-infected mice treated with nanomolar concentrations of gold nanoparticles were significantly longer compared to untreated controls.     

Calcium alginate/dextran methacrylate IPN beads as protecting carriers for protein delivery

In the present study, mechanical and protein delivery properties of a system based on the interpenetration of calcium-alginate (Ca-Alg) and dextran-methacrylate (Dex-MA) networks are shown. Interpenetrated hydrogels beads were prepared by means of the alginate chains crosslinking with calcium ions, followed by the exposure to UV light that allows the Dex-MA network formation. Optical microscope analysis showed an average diameter of the IPN beads (Ca-Alg/Dex-MA) of 2?mm. This dimension was smaller than that of Ca-Alg beads because of the Dex-MA presence. Moreover, the strength of the IPN beads, and of their corresponding hydrogels, was influenced by the Dex-MA concentration and the crosslinking time. Model proteins (BSA and HRP) were successfully entrapped into the beads and released at a controlled rate, modulated by changing the Dex-MA concentration. The enzymatic activity of HRP released from the beads was maintained. These novel IPN beads have great potential as protein delivery system.     

Ceramic waste as aggregate and supplementary cementing material: A combined action to contrast alkali silica reaction (ASR)

Recently, many efforts have been made to recycle waste of different nature as constituents of sustainable concrete. This practice produces large environmental benefits that can be further extended if deleterious chemical side-reactions, deriving from the use of some types of waste and/or raw materials, could be prevented and suppressed. This paper presents the combined action of different ceramic wastes partially replacing natural sand and cement, respectively. Alkali silica reaction (ASR) promoted by boron–silicate and lead–silicate glass used as fine aggregates (?4 mm) is limited and controlled by using a new type of blended cement based on a siliceous residue coming from sludge produced by the polishing of porcelain stoneware tiles. The results of expansion tests carried out in accelerated conditions together with mechanical and microstructure characterisations of mortar samples highlight the combined action of the investigated wastes. Indeed, the blended cement containing porcelain stoneware polishing residue can be effectively exploited as valid alternative to pozzolan cement.     

Competitiveness of stationary planar low concentration photovoltaic modules using silicon cells: A focus on concentrating optics

The economical competitiveness of stationary Low Concentration Photovoltaic (LCPV) modules is evaluated, starting from detailed expressions of the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE). For trackless LCPV to be competitive with standard modules, the key approach is to maximize the performance of concentrating optics in terms of yearly averaged effective optical power ratio. To express this a novel parameter named P_ro,eff is introduced and its contribution to the expression of LCoE for LCPV modules is discussed. By comparing the LCoEs of standard and LCPV modules, threshold conditions for P_ro,eff and for the relative unitary cost of concentrating optics C_r are found, in dependence on the geometrical concentration gain G and as a function of other sensitive design parameters.Aiming at the maximization of P_ro,eff, the novel design of a modified prism-coupled compound parabolic stationary concentrator is introduced, as a trackless LCPV solution compatible with standard flat panel size, weight and installation infrastructures. It provides geometrical concentration gain G = 5, an acceptance angle of 24° and P_ro,eff = 81%, using a reflective primary concentrator and high refractive index dielectric for the secondary optics. A first experimental validation of the approach is given by a proof-of-concept prototype, implemented in commercially available polymethylmethacrylate, suitable for quasi-stationary installations requiring seasonal adjustment.     

Apheresis Platelet Rich-Plasma for Regenerative Medicine: An In Vitro Study on Osteogenic Potential

Background: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) induces bone regeneration; however, there is low evidence supporting its efficacy in bone healing. The lack of a standardized protocol of administration represents the main obstacle to its use in the clinical routine for bone defects’ treatment. The purpose of this study was to characterize PRP and elucidate its osteogenic potential. Methods: Platelet count, fibrinogen levels, and growth factors concentration were measured in PRP obtained by four apheresis procedures. HOB-01-C1, a pre-osteocytic cell line, was used to examine the effects of different PRP dilutions (from 1% to 50%) on cell viability, growth, and differentiation. Gene expression of RUNX2, PHEX, COL1A1, and OCN was also assayed. Results: PRP showed a mean 4.6-fold increase of platelets amount compared to whole blood. Among the 36 proteins evaluated, we found the highest concentrations for PDGF isoforms, EGF, TGF-β and VEGF-D. PDGF-AA positively correlated with platelet counts. In three of the four tested units, 25% PRP induced a growth rate comparable to the positive control (10% FBS); whereas, for all the tested units, 10% PRP treatment sustained differentiation. Conclusions: This study showed that PRP from apheresis stimulates proliferation and differentiation of pre-osteocyte cells through the release of growth factors from platelets.     

Blue Cone Monochromatism with Foveal Hypoplasia Caused by the Concomitant Effect of Variants in OPN1LW/OPN1MW and GPR143 Genes

Blue cone monochromatism (BCM) is an X-linked recessive cone dysfunction disorder caused by mutations in the OPN1LW/OPN1MW gene cluster, encoding long (L)- and middle (M)-wavelength-sensitive cone opsins. Here, we report on the unusual clinical presentation of BCM caused by a novel mutation in the OPN1LW gene in a young man. We describe in detail the phenotype of the proband, and the subclinical morpho-functional anomalies shown by his carrier mother. At a clinical level, the extensive functional evaluation demonstrated in the proband the M/L cone affection and the sparing of S-cone function, distinctive findings of BCM. Interestingly, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography showed the presence of foveal hypoplasia with focal irregularities of the ellipsoid layer in the foveal area, reported to be associated with some cases of cone-rod dystrophy and achromatopsia. At a molecular level, we identified the novel mutation c.427T > C p.(Ser143Pro) in the OPN1LW gene and the common missense mutation c.607T > C (p.Cys203Arg) in the OPN1MW gene. In addition, we discovered the c.768-2_769delAGTT splicing variant in the GPR143 gene. To our knowledge, this is the first case of foveal hypoplasia in a BCM patient and of mild clinical affection in a female carrier caused by the concomitant effect of variants in OPN1LW/OPN1MW and GPR143 genes, thus as the result of the simultaneous action of two independent genetic defects.     

Synergism on antioxidant activity between natural compounds optimized by response surface methodology

Despite the increase in the use of natural compounds in place of synthetic derivatives as antioxidants in food products, the extent of this substitution is limited by cost constraints. Thus, the objective of this study was to explore the synergism on the antioxidant activity of natural compounds, for further application in food products. Three hydrosoluble compounds (x₁ = caffeic acid, x₂ = carnosic acid, and x₃ = glutathione) and three liposoluble compounds (x₁ = quercetin, x₂ = rutin, and x₃ = genistein) were mixed according to a “centroid simplex design”. The antioxidant activity of the mixtures was analyzed by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) methodologies, and activity was also evaluated in an oxidized mixed micelle prepared with linoleic acid (LAOX). Cubic polynomial models with predictive capacity were obtained when the mixtures were submitted to the LAOX methodology (? = 0.56 x₁ + 0.59 x₂ + 0.04 x₃ + 0.41 x₁x₂ – 0.41 x₁x₃ – 1.12 x₂x₃ – 4.01 x₁x₂x₃) for the hydrosoluble compounds, and to FRAP methodology (? = 3.26 x₁ + 2.39 x₂ + 0.04 x₃ + 1.51 x₁x₂ + 1.03 x₁x₃ + 0.29 x₂x₃ + 3.20 x₁x₂x₃) for the liposoluble compounds. Optimization of the models suggested that a mixture containing 47% caffeic acid + 53% carnosic acid and a mixture containing 67% quercetin + 33% rutin were potential synergistic combinations for further evaluation using a food matrix.     

Processed vs. Non-Processed Biowastes for Agriculture: Effects of Post-Harvest Tomato Plants and Biochar on Radish Growth,Chlorophyll Content and Protein Production

The aim of this work was to address the issue of processed vs. non-processed biowastes for agriculture, by comparing materials widely differing for the amount of process energy consumption. Thus, residual post harvest tomato plants (TP), the TP hydrolysates obtained at pH 13 and 60 °C, and two known biochar products obtained by 650 °C pyrolysis were prepared. All products were characterized and used in a cultivation of radish plants. The chemical composition and molecular nature of the materials was investigated by solid state ¹³C NMR spectrometry, elemental analysis and potentiometric titration. The plants were analysed for growth and content of chlorophyll, carotenoids and soluble proteins. The results show that the TP and the alkaline hydrolysates contain lignin, hemicellulose, protein, peptide and/or amino acids moieties, and several mineral elements. The biochar samples contain also similar mineral elements, but the organic fraction is characterized mainly by fused aromatic rings. All materials had a positive effect on radish growth, mainly on the diameter of roots. The best performances in terms of plant growth were given by miscanthus originated biochar and TP. The most significant effect was the enhancement of soluble protein content in the plants treated with the lowest energy consumption non processed TP. The significance of these findings for agriculture and the environment is discussed.     

Admittance measurements to assess the total solids and fat contents in liquid whole egg products

In the present research, a method based on admittance measurements able to assess total solids and fat contents (%) in nine different liquid whole egg products was set up. By means of a tetrapolar platinum cell connected to a signal conditioning circuit, an alternating current generator and a data acquisition system, the effect of 15 different combinations of frequencies of the oscillating field (10, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 Hz) and input voltage levels (1, 1.5 and 2 V) on the estimation of the total solids and fat contents were analyzed. The influence of the temperature solution on the electrical measurements was also assessed. The best estimations were obtained at 1000 Hz and 1 V (R² = 0.998; SE = 0.14%) for the total solids content and at 5000 Hz and 1 V (R² = 0.995; SE = 0.19%) for the fat content. For both parameters, the measurements conducted at 10 Hz appeared affected by the polarization occurring at the electrodes-solution interface. The admittance of the liquid whole egg products linearly increased with the temperature, and a temperature coefficient θ at 20 °C of about 2.1 was calculated. These excellent results encourage an industrial application of the technique for a rapid and economic assessment of the total solids and fat contents in the liquid egg products.