Nutraceutical properties and polyphenolic profile of berry skin and wine of Vitis vinifera L. (cv. Aglianico)

Red grapes are rich in phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins and resveratrol, all substances which have been suggested as having nutraceutical and health benefits. The berry skin and wine of grape cultivar Vitis vinifera L. (cv. Aglianico), grown in Basilicata (Southern Italy) were examined to determinate the presence of the above mentioned compounds as well as to establish the inorganic cation profile. HPLC analysis coupled with LC–ESI/MS/MS detected high contents of total flavonols and anthocyanins in berry skin and wine. The wine made with the same grape used for berry skin assays showed a notable presence of quercetin-3-O-glucoside (39.4% of total flavonols), and malvidin and petunidin derivatives (63.9% and 10.8% of total anthocyanins, respectively). The strong antioxidant ROS-scavenging activity, determined by both DPPH and FRAP assays, and the high resveratrol content confer high sensory characteristics resulted to be associated with positive nutraceutical properties of these grapes and wine. The level of cis-resveratrol was lower than trans-resveratrol in both berry skin and wine reaching 44.1 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/l, respectively. The cation profile presents low levels of Ca, Cu, K, Fe, Zn and Cd compared to numerous, important red wines, such as Monastrell and Tempranillo.     

Analysis of degradation products in thermally treated TATB

Delineating the chemical composition of TATB (1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene) residues produced from the exposure to abnormal thermal environments should lead to a better understanding of the decomposition paths. Identifying and quantifying each compound in thermally produced residues, monitors which compounds are degrading or forming along the decomposition route, as well as providing input for the kinetic models of those pathways. Here we report the methodology of isolating, identifying, and where possible, quantifying soluble compounds present in solid residues of thermally treated TATB (330 °C for tens of minutes). Samples were extracted with DMSO, separated using chromatography, and quantified using their absorption at 354 nm. Identification of unknown compounds was accomplished using high resolution mass spectrometry. TATB, F1 (diamino-dinitro-benzofurazan), HO-TATB (2,4,6-triamino-1-hydroxyl-3,5-dinitrobenzene), and T4A (1-chloro-3,5-dinitro-2,4,6-triaminobenzene) were trace compounds detected in the unreacted TATB. Ten more compounds that formed in the residues were structurally identified including F2 (amino-nitro-difurazan). Several more compounds were observed but not completely identified. We propose possible structures for the unknowns. Of the compounds formed, F1 was the most abundant compound reaching 4.5 % by weight of the degraded solid sample. Other degradation compounds were estimated to sum to trace levels, well below 1 %. Most compounds were new, having not been detected and identified in previous studies of production grade and thermally aged TATB. Many compounds only reached detectable concentrations after several min of thermal exposure.     

Notch Signaling in Breast Tumor Microenvironment as Mediator of Drug Resistance

Notch signaling dysregulation encourages breast cancer progression through different mechanisms such as stem cell maintenance, cell proliferation and migration/invasion. Furthermore, Notch is a crucial driver regulating juxtracrine and paracrine communications between tumor and stroma. The complex interplay between the abnormal Notch pathway orchestrating the activation of other signals and cellular heterogeneity contribute towards remodeling of the tumor microenvironment. These changes, together with tumor evolution and treatment pressure, drive breast cancer drug resistance. Preclinical studies have shown that targeting the Notch pathway can prevent or reverse resistance, reducing or eliminating breast cancer stem cells. In the present review, we will summarize the current scientific evidence that highlights the involvement of Notch activation within the breast tumor microenvironment, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and tumor/stroma/immune system interplay and its involvement in mechanisms of therapy resistance.     

siRNA Modified with 2′‐Deoxy‐2′‐C‐methylpyrimidine Nucleosides

(2′S)‐2′‐Deoxy‐2′‐C‐methyluridine and (2′R)‐2′‐deoxy‐2′‐C‐methyluridine were incorporated in the 3′‐overhang region of the sense and antisense strands and in positions 2 and 5 of the seed region of siRNA duplexes directed against Renilla luciferase, whereas (2′S)‐2′‐deoxy‐2′‐C‐methylcytidine was incorporated in the 6‐position of the seed region of the same constructions. A dual luciferase reporter assay in transfected HeLa cells was used as a model system to measure the IC₅₀ values of 24 different modified duplexes. The best results were obtained by the substitution of one thymidine unit in the antisense 3′‐overhang region by (2′S)‐ or (2′R)‐2′‐deoxy‐2′‐C‐methyluridine, reducing IC₅₀ to half of the value observed for the natural control. The selectivity of the modified siRNA was measured, it being found that modifications in positions 5 and 6 of the seed region had a positive effect on the ON/OFF activity.     

Neuronal Phenotype of col4a1 and col25a1: An Intriguing Hypothesis in Vertebrates Brain Aging

Collagens are the most abundant proteins in vertebrates and constitute the major components of the extracellular matrix. Collagens play an important and multifaceted role in the development and functioning of the nervous system and undergo structural remodeling and quantitative modifications during aging. Here, we investigated the age-dependent regulation of col4a1 and col25a1 in the brain of the short-lived vertebrate Nothobranchius furzeri, a powerful model organism for aging research due to its natural fast-aging process and further characterized typical hallmarks of brain aging in this species. We showed that col4a1 and col25a1 are relatively well conserved during vertebrate evolution, and their expression significantly increases in the brain of N. furzeri upon aging. Noteworthy, we report that both col4a1 and col25a1 are expressed in cells with a neuronal phenotype, unlike what has already been documented in mammalian brain, in which only col25a1 is considered a neuronal marker, whereas col4a1 seems to be expressed only in endothelial cells. Overall, our findings encourage further investigation on the role of col4a1 and col25a1 in the biology of the vertebrate brain as well as the onset of aging and neurodegenerative diseases.     

Application of fluid inclusions to the study of Bagnore geothermal field (Tuscany, Italy)

A fluid inclusion study of the hydrothermal minerals in two breccias from two wells in the Bagnore geothermal field (Italy) has provided information on the evolution of the fluids, and has also demonstrated that fluid inclusions can be utilized as geothermometers in this geothermal field. Both breccias come from reservoir zones: one (Bagnore 3bis (Bg 3bis)) was cored at a depth of 3111 m below ground level (b.g.l.), whereas the other (Bagnore 22 (Bg 22)) was ejected during a blow-out, probably from a fractured zone present between 2200 and 2300 m b.g.l. The hydrothermal cement of the breccias is mostly made up of quartz, K-feldspar, Na-rich plagioclase, calcite, chlorite and illite. Fluid inclusion studies were carried out on quartz (Bg 3bis and Bg 22 breccias) and adularia (Bg 22 breccia). Three types of fluid inclusions were recognized in the Bg 3bis breccia. Type I (liquid-rich) inclusions trapped an aqueous fluid with a CO₂ concentration (1.7–2.7 mol/kg) that is significantly higher than present-day fluids (0.5 mol/kg). Type II (liquid-rich) inclusions formed after type I, and trapped a fluid with less CO₂ (0.6–1.0 mol/kg). Type III (vapor-rich) coexist with type I inclusions, and record an early fluid circulation under boiling conditions. The decrease of the CO₂ (and total gas) concentrations from type I inclusions to type II inclusions, and on to present-day conditions can be related to boiling with gas loss and/or mixing. Only one type of fluid inclusion (type II), with moderate CO₂ concentration (0.7–0.3 mol/kg), was found in the Bg 22 breccia. Boiling and/or mixing explain the variation of the CO₂ content in the Bg 22 reservoir fluid from inclusion formation to modern CO₂ concentration (0.3 mol/kg). The absence of any type I inclusions in Bg 22 breccia may be related to non-uniform CO₂ concentrations in different parts of the field. Present-day temperatures (295±10 °C for Bg 3bis and 320±10 °C for Bg 22) are close or equal to fluid inclusion average total homogenization temperatures (around 290 °C for Bg 3bis and 320 °C for Bg 22), suggesting that fluid inclusions can be useful for estimating local temperatures when direct measurements are not available or dubious.     

在自然与城市的边界:基于簇群模式的当代中国城郊居住探讨

针对中国当代城市化进程中自然和城市间新的边界条件,基于"簇群"模式及其结构与形态特征,展开对城郊居住模式的探讨,以此联结用地与建筑两个层面,发挥自然景观和公共服务的双重优势。通过案例研究,提出结合用地的中低层高密度簇群式居住、景观优先的用地策略与簇群模式等,以期重新回应自然居住的传统,为中国当代城乡居住前景展现更多的方法和可能。     

Converting Cyclohexanone to Liquid Fuel-Grade Products: A Characterization and Comparison Study of Hydrotreating Molybdenum Catalysts

Catalysis Letters - Developing biomass-based strategies for liquid bio-fuels production is promising for the reduction of the aftereffects of fossil fuels. The conversion of lignin-derived...     

Structural and mechanical investigations of magnetron sputtering TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Ti/TiN multilayer films on Si(100) substrate

TiO₂/Ti/TiN multicompositional coating was prepared by DC reactive magnetron sputtering (MS) at a temperature of 150°C using a combination of a Ti metal target and a pure Ar, an Ar–O₂ mixture, or an Ar–N₂ mixture discharge gas, onto a Silicon(100) substrate. This system represents nano-structured multilayer substrate model for biomedical application as well as substrate models to reproduce the bulk titanium surface. This substrate model (Ti/TiN/Si(100)) makes possible and easy mechanical and microscopic characterization in particular for transmission electron microscopy after biocompatible test. The model multilayer TiO₂/Ti/TiN/(100) was obtained after preparation of two intermediate samples: TiN/Si(100) and Ti/TiN/Si(100). Structural (X-ray diffraction), morphological (scanning electron and atomic force microscopy) as well as mechanical (hardness and elastic modulus) studies of the MS films were performed.