Isolation and characterization of tyramine-producing Enterococcus faecium strains from red wine

Enterococcus faecium strains were isolated from red wines undergoing malolactic fermentation and identified by comparison of their 16S rDNA gene sequences with those included in the GenEMBL Databases. The tyrosine decarboxylase gene was identified in all the strains analysed by PCR using gene-specific primers and the ability to produce tyramine in a synthetic media was analysed by RP-HPLC. Survival of an E. faecium strain was also evaluated in microvinification assays using two different musts with different ethanol concentrations (10% and 12% (v/v)). Tyramine production was monitored during the vinification trials. Our results suggest that E. faecium strains isolated from wine are able to produce tyramine and tolerate wine conditions following a pre-acidic stress.     

The Enigmatic Role of TP53 in Germ Cell Tumours: Are We Missing Something?

The cure rate of germ cell tumours (GCTs) has significantly increased from the late 1970s since the introduction of cisplatin-based therapy, which to date remains the milestone for GCTs treatment. The exquisite cisplatin sensitivity has been mainly explained by the over-expression in GCTs of wild-type TP53 protein and the lack of TP53 somatic mutations; however, several other mechanisms seem to be involved, many of which remain still elusive. The findings about the role of TP53 in platinum-sensitivity and resistance, as well as the reported evidence of second cancers (SCs) in GCT patients treated only with surgery, suggesting a spectrum of cancer predisposing syndromes, highlight the need for a deepened understanding of the role of TP53 in GCTs. In the following report we explore the complex role of TP53 in GCTs cisplatin-sensitivity and resistance mechanisms, passing through several recent genomic studies, as well as its role in GCT patients with SCs, going through our experience of Center of reference for both GCTs and cancer predisposing syndromes.     

Evaluating the Efficiency of Chitosan-Graphene Oxide Hybrid Hydrogels as Drug Delivery Systems

With the objective of creating an electro-responsive and antimicrobial device suitable as delivery system for Rose Bengal (RB) to the skin, a hybrid hydrogel combining Chitosan (CS) and Graphene Oxide (GO) are designed, serving as functional polymer support and active filling element, respectively. The hybrid system, synthesized using tripolyphosphate as a crosslinker via ionic gelation, shows a uniform and homogeneous surface, as verified by SEM investigations, high biocompatibility when tested on human fibroblast lung cells MRC-5 cells, and biodegradability in phosphate buffered medium at physiological pH. Drug loading and release experiments, extensively analyzed using suitable mathematical modeling, shows the enhancement of the binding efficiency conferred by GO (534 and 979 mg g⁻¹ for blank and hybrid hydrogels, respectively) and an electro-responsive behavior (maximum BR release of 36 and 23% at 0 and 12 V, respectively). Additionally, hybrid hydrogel is found to prevent the adhesion of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and to kill the bacterial cells by taking advantage of the sustained release of the antimicrobial RB.     

Road geometrical design out of standards: a preliminary study in a simulated context

Cognition, Technology & Work - When a road design solution is quite out of standards for the presence of insurmountable constraints, there is the need for an objective procedure aimed at...