Histochemical characterization of the sialic acid residues in mouse colon mucins

The mucins of colonic murine mucus are highly O‐glycosilated sulfosialoglycoproteins. We have characterized the sialylation pattern of oligosaccharide chains of colonic murine mucins by conventional histochemical methods and by lectin histochemistry combined with chemical pretreatments and sialidase digestion. Oligosaccharide chains are strongly sulphated, with an increase of sulfation from the proximal toward the distal colon and a decrease of sialic acid expression and acetylation toward the distal colon. In the goblet cells of proximal colon, sialic acid bound α2,3 to Galβ1,3GalNAc subterminal dimers is diacetylated at C7,C8;C7,C9;C8,C9 or triacetylated at C7,8,9. In the distal colon, sialic acid‐linked α2,3 to Galβ1,3GalNAc subterminal dimers shows reduced O‐acetylation at C7 and/or C8, while acetyl substituents at C9 and at C4 are almost absent. Sialic acid is involved in different essential physiological functions; thus, alterations of its expression and acetylation in oligosaccharide chains of intestinal mucins are generally associated with diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and cancer. Mice may represent a suitable animal model to study alterations of oligosaccharidic chains in colonic mucins and lectin histochemistry combined with chemical pretreatments, and enzyme digestion may be a valuable tool for this study. Our present work may represent a landmark for further lectin histochemical studies to evaluate alterations of mouse colon mucins under different physiological, pathological, or experimental conditions, with possible translational value in humans. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A Framework for Using Web Services to Enhance QoS for Content Delivery

An integrated approach to quality of service for content delivery using Web services includes quality definitions, user contracts, and fault monitoring.     

Genotyping of fig (Ficus carica L) via RAPD markers

The genetic diversity among 15 fig accessions (Ficus carica L), belonging to 9 renowned cultivars of the Calabrian fig collection, and 24 unidentified genotypes of figs also located in the Calabrian region of Southern Italy, was investigated by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. The genetic similarity values were calculated for the 39 samples, and a dendrogram was elaborated by cluster analysis according to the UPGMA algorithm. The generated DNA fragments grouped the samples into two main clusters of RAPD profiles. Most of the 24 unknown samples, coming from the Luzzi area, formed a unique cluster with high degree of genetic similarity. This indicates that it is possible to distinguish, at DNA level, the fig trees with an already well‐known potential to produce figs suitable for the drying process and possibly to specify cultivars with suitable features for industrial transformation. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Radioactive Marker Measurements in Heterogeneous Reservoirs: Numerical Study

A numerical study is performed to simulate the vertical deformation of a depth interval representing a marker spacing (10.5 m) located in a deep heterogeneous sedimentary reservoir. Realistic lithostratigraphic sequences typical of the Northern Adriatic basin are used. A number of scenarios are addressed consistent with the available data. In particular two basic geologic scenarios at the marker scale are simulated, one where sands prevail within the marker spacing (SD), and another where thin sandy and clayey layers alternate (CL). The sensitivity of the marker response is investigated in relation to clay and sand permeability and compressibility contrast, Biot’s coefficient, and respective position of monitoring and fluid pumping wells. The modeling results show that rock may indeed expand above and below depleted layers. Depending on the marker position the expansion may partially offset the compaction, especially in the CL scenario with a very low permeable clay. To obtain a representative field compaction the markers should span a depth interval made mostly by sand and entirely depleted, and should be installed in a test hole far from producing wells. Compressibility contrast and the Biot coefficient play a secondary role. Very critical measurements are provided by two markers which incorporate a thin (≈1 m) depleted level overlain and underlain by almost impermeable clay layers.     

An agent‐based approach for managing e‐commerce activities

In this article, we propose an agent‐based approach for managing e‐commerce activities. In our approach, an agent is present in each e‐commerce site, managing the information stored there. In addition, another agent is associated with each customer, handling his/her profile. The proposed approach is based on the use of a particular conceptual model called the Behaviour‐Semantic Distance and Relevance (B‐SDR) network, which is capable of uniformly representing and handling information stored in e‐commerce sites and customer profiles. The capabilities of the B‐SDR network model are exploited to let customer and site agents cooperate in such a way in order to support a customer in identifying, whenever he/she accesses an e‐commerce site, those products and services present in the site itself and for better matching his/her interests. The approach has been implemented in a prototype in which its functionalities are discussed here also. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Nanostructured Guidance for Peripheral Nerve Injuries: A Review with a Perspective in the Oral and Maxillofacial Area

Injury to peripheral nerves can occur as a result of various surgical procedures, including oral and maxillofacial surgery. In the case of nerve transaction, the gold standard treatment is the end-to-end reconnection of the two nerve stumps. When it cannot be performed, the actual strategies consist of the positioning of a nerve graft between the two stumps. Guided nerve regeneration using nano-structured scaffolds is a promising strategy to promote axon regeneration. Biodegradable electrospun conduits composed of aligned nanofibers is a new class of devices used to improve neurite extension and axon outgrowth. Self assembled peptide nanofibrous scaffolds (SAPNSs) demonstrated promising results in animal models for central nervous system injuries, and, more recently, for peripheral nerve injury. Aims of this work are (1) to review electrospun and self-assembled nanofibrous scaffolds use in vitro and in vivo for peripheral nerve regeneration; and (2) its application in peripheral nerve injuries treatment. The review focused on nanofibrous scaffolds with a diameter of less than approximately 250 nm. The conjugation in a nano scale of a natural bioactive factor with a resorbable synthetic or natural material may represent the best compromise providing both biological and mechanical cues for guided nerve regeneration. Injured peripheral nerves, such as trigeminal and facial, may benefit from these treatments.     

Simulation modelling for groundwater safety in an overexploitation situation: the Maggiore Valley context (Piedmont,Italy)

The Maggiore Valley well field plays a fundamental role in supplying drinking water to a large territory of the Piedmont (north-western Italy). However, an increasing demand for water has led to the overexploitation of the groundwater resources. This situation has caused a progressive drawdown of the piezometric level (locally, up to 0.8 m/year), a spatial reduction in the artesian zone, localised land subsidence and damage to wells. The main purpose of this study was the development of a groundwater flow model of the area for analysing the aquifer response to various pumping strategies. Initially, the groundwater flow simulation (achieved by the application of the MODFLOW code) was calibrated satisfactorily. Then, the groundwater response to four scenarios was simulated to explore the best option to mitigate the problem. In three of the scenarios, a withdrawal reduction of 110 l/s was simulated, whilst considering various relocation options for extraction within the well field. The fourth scenario simulated a withdrawal reduction of 150 l/s; this option also assumed a supplementary water supply from the Monferrato Aqueduct, located north of the study area. All the simulations provided an increase in the piezometric level; in some instances, up to 30 m. Based on these simulations, the most promising management strategy for the Maggiore Valley well field would seem to be the option using a supplementary feed from the Monferrato Aqueduct. In this instance, the predicted piezometric level rise would be up to 25 m; this option also precludes the need for drilling additional wells.     

Bioaccumulation of dioxin-like substances and selected brominated flame retardant congeners in the fat and livers of black pigs farmed within the Nebrodi Regional Park of Sicily

An observational study was designed to assess the bioaccumulation of polychlorodibenzodioxins (PCDD) and polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDF), dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (DL-PCB), and 13 selected polybromodiphenylethers (PBDE) in autochthonous pigs reared in the Nebrodi Park of Sicily (Italy). Perirenal fat and liver samples were drawn from animals representative of three different outdoor farming systems and from wild pigs and then analyzed for the chemicals mentioned previously. The highest concentrations of PCDD + PCDF and DL-PCB were detected in the fat (0.45 and 0.35 pg World Health Organization toxicity equivalents [WHO-TE] per g of fat base [FB], respectively) and livers (12.7 and 3.28 pg WHO-TE per g FB) of the wild group, whereas the free-ranging group showed the lowest levels (0.05 and 0.03 pg WHO-TE per g FB in fat and 0.78 and 0.27 pg WHO-TE per g FB in livers). The sum of PBDE congeners was highest in wild pigs (0.52 ng/g FB in fat and 5.64 ng/g FB in livers) and lowest in the farmed group (0.14 ng/g FB in fat and 0.28 ng/g FB in livers). The contamination levels in fat and livers of outdoor pigs had mean concentration values lower than those levels reported for intensively indoor-farmed animals. In wild pigs, bioaccumulation was associated with their free grazing in areas characterized by bush fires. The results of this study aid to emphasize the quality of the environment as a factor to guarantee food safety in typical processed pig meat products, specifically from outdoor and extensive Nebrodi farming systems.