Hybrid inorganic-organic adsorbents Part 1: Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous zirconium titanate frameworks containing coordinating organic functionalities

A series of functional hybrid inorganic-organic adsorbent materials have been prepared through postsynthetic grafting of mesoporous zirconium titanate xerogel powders using a range of synthesized and commercial mono-, bis-, and tris-phosphonic acids, many of which have never before been investigated for the preparation of hybrid phases. The hybrid materials have been characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, diffuse reflectance infrared (DRIFT) and 31P MAS NMR spectroscopic techniques and their adsorption properties studied using a 153Gd radiotracer. The highest level of surface functionalization (molecules/nm2) was observed for methylphosphonic acid (～3 molecules/nm2). The level of functionalization decreased with an increase in the number of potential surface coordinating groups of the phosphonic acids. Spectral decomposition of the DRIFT and 31P MAS NMR spectra showed that each of the phosphonic acid molecules coordinated strongly to the metal oxide surface but that for the 1,1-bis-phosphonic acids and tris-phosphonic acids the coordination was highly variable resulting in a proportion of free or loosely coordinated phosphonic acid groups. Functionalization of a porous mixed metal oxide framework with the tris-methylenephosphonic acid (ATMP-ZrTi-0.33) resulted in a hybrid with the highest affinity for 153Gd3+ in nitric acid solutions across a wide range of acid concentrations. The ATMP-ZrTi-0.33 hybrid material extracted 153Gd3+ with a Kd value of 1×10(4) in 0.01 M HNO3 far exceeding that of the other hybrid phases. The unfunctionalized mesoporous mixed metal oxide had negligible affinity for Gd3+ (Kd<100) under identical experimental conditions. It has been shown that the presence of free or loosely coordinated phosphonic acid groups does not necessarily translate to affinity for 153Gd3+. The theoretical cation exchange capacity of the ATMP-ZrTi-0.33 hybrid phase for Gd3+ has been determined to be about 0.005 mmol/g in 0.01 M HNO3. This behavior and that of the other hybrid phases suggests that the surface-bound ATMP ligand functions as a chelating ligand toward 153Gd3+ under these acidic conditions.     

A Novel Intermediary Framework for Dynamic Edge Service Composition

Multimedia content,user mobility and heterogeneous client devices require novel systems that are able to support ubiquitous access to the Web resources.In this scenario,solutions that combine flexibility,efficiency and scalability in offering edge services for ubiquitous access are needed.We propose an original intermediary framework,namely Scalable Intermediary Software Infrastructure (SISI),which is able to dynamically compose edge services on the basis of user preferences and device characteristics.The SISI framework exploits a per-user profiling mechanism,where each user can initially set his/her personal preferences through a simple Web interface,and the system is then able to compose at run-time the necessary components.The basic framework can be enriched through new edge services that can be easily implemented through a programming model based on APIs and internal functions.Our experiments demonstrate that flexibility and edge service composition do not affect the system performance.We show that this framework is able to chain multiple edge services and to guarantee stable performance.     

Diffuse Axonal Injury: Clinical Prognostic Factors,Molecular Experimental Models and the Impact of the Trauma Related Oxidative Stress. An Extensive Review Concerning Milestones and Advances

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a condition burdened by an extremely high rate of morbidity and mortality and can result in an overall disability rate as high as 50% in affected individuals. Therefore, the importance of identifying clinical prognostic factors for diffuse axonal injury (DAI) in (TBI) is commonly recognized as critical. The aim of the present review paper is to evaluate the most recent contributions from the relevant literature in order to understand how each single prognostic factor determinates the severity of the clinical syndrome associated with DAI. The main clinical factors with an important impact on prognosis in case of DAI are glycemia, early GCS, the peripheral oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and time to recover consciousness. In addition, the severity of the lesion, classified on the ground of the cerebral anatomical structures involved after the trauma, has a strong correlation with survival after DAI. In conclusion, modern findings concerning the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress in DAI suggest that biomarkers such as GFAP, pNF-H, NF-L, microtubule associated protein tau, Aβ42, S-100β, NSE, AQP4, Drp-1, and NCX represent a possible critical target for future pharmaceutical treatments to prevent the damages caused by DAI.     

Bioprospecting Antimicrobials from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum: Key Factors Underlying Its Probiotic Action

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) is a well-studied and versatile species of lactobacilli. It is found in several niches, including human mucosal surfaces, and it is largely employed in the food industry and boasts a millenary tradition of safe use, sharing a long-lasting relationship with humans. L. plantarum is generally recognised as safe and exhibits a strong probiotic character, so that several strains are commercialised as health-promoting supplements and functional food products. For these reasons, L. plantarum represents a valuable model to gain insight into the nature and mechanisms of antimicrobials as key factors underlying the probiotic action of health-promoting microbes. Probiotic antimicrobials can inhibit the growth of pathogens in the gut ensuring the intestinal homeostasis and contributing to the host health. Furthermore, they may be attractive alternatives to conventional antibiotics, holding potential in several biomedical applications. The aim of this review is to investigate the most relevant papers published in the last ten years, bioprospecting the antimicrobial activity of characterised probiotic L. plantarum strains. Specifically, it focuses on the different chemical nature, the action spectra and the mechanisms underlying the bioactivity of their antibacterial and antiviral agents. Emerging trends in postbiotics, some in vivo applications of L. plantarum antimicrobials, including strengths and limitations of their therapeutic potential, are addressed and discussed.     

Mast Cell Cytokines in Acute and Chronic Gingival Tissue Inflammation: Role of IL-33 and IL-37

Much evidence suggests autoimmunity in the etiopathogenesis of periodontal disease. In fact, in periodontitis, there is antibody production against collagen, DNA, and IgG, as well as increased IgA expression, T cell dysfunction, high expression of class II MHC molecules on the surface of gingival epithelial cells in inflamed tissues, activation of NK cells, and the generation of antibodies against the azurophil granules of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. In general, direct activation of autoreactive immune cells and production of TNF can activate neutrophils to release pro-inflammatory enzymes with tissue damage in the gingiva. Gingival inflammation and, in the most serious cases, periodontitis, are mainly due to the dysbiosis of the commensal oral microbiota that triggers the immune system. This inflammatory pathological state can affect the periodontal ligament, bone, and the entire gingival tissue. Oral tolerance can be abrogated by some cytokines produced by epithelial cells and activated immune cells, including mast cells (MCs). Periodontal cells and inflammatory–immune cells, including mast cells (MCs), produce cytokines and chemokines, mediating local inflammation of the gingival, along with destruction of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Immune-cell activation and recruitment can be induced by inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1, TNF, IL-33, and bacterial products, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS). IL-1 and IL-33 are pleiotropic cytokines from members of the IL-1 family, which mediate inflammation of MCs and contribute to many key features of periodontitis and other inflammatory disorders. IL-33 activates several immune cells, including lymphocytes, Th2 cells, and MCs in both innate and acquired immunological diseases. The classic therapies for periodontitis include non-surgical periodontal treatment, surgery, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and surgery, which have been only partially effective. Recently, a natural cytokine, IL-37, a member of the IL-1 family and a suppressor of IL-1b, has received considerable attention for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In this article, we report that IL-37 may be an important and effective therapeutic cytokine that may inhibit periodontal inflammation. The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between MCs, IL-1, IL-33, and IL-37 inhibition in acute and chronic inflamed gingival tissue.     

Ligand-Based Discovery of a Small Molecule as Inhibitor of α-Synuclein Amyloid Formation

α-Synuclein (α-Syn) aggregates are implicated in Parkinson’s disease (PD), so inhibitors of α-Syn aggregation have been intensively explored. It has been demonstrated that small molecules might be able to reduce α-Syn aggregation in fibrils, thus exerting neuroprotective effects in models of PD. To expand our knowledge about the structural requirements for blocking the recognition process into the oligomeric assembly of α-Syn aggregates, we performed a ligand-based virtual screening procedure using two well-known α-Syn aggregation inhibitors, SynuClean-D and ZPD-2, as query compounds. A collection of thirty-four compounds bearing distinct chemical functionalities and mutual chemical features were studied in a Th-T fluorescence test, thus identifying 5-(2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)-1-methyl-1H-tetrazole (named MeSC-04) as a potent α-Syn amyloid formation inhibitor that demonstrated similar behavior when compared to SynuClean-D in the thioflavin-T-monitored kinetic assays, with both molecules reducing the number and size of amyloid fibrils, as evidenced by electron microscopy. Molecular modeling studies suggested the binding mode of MeSC-04 through the identification of putative druggable pockets on α-syn fibrils and a subsequent consensus docking methodology. Overall, this work could furnish new insights in the development of α-Syn amyloid inhibitors from synthetic sources.     

Amniotic Fluid Embolism Pathophysiology Suggests the New Diagnostic Armamentarium: β-Tryptase and Complement Fractions C3-C4 Are the Indispensable Working Tools

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is an uncommon obstetric condition involving pregnant women during labor or in the initial stages after delivery. Its incidence is estimated to be around 5.5 cases per 100,000 deliveries. Therefore, this paper investigated the pathophysiological mechanism, which underlies AFE, in order to evaluate the role of immune response in the development of this still enigmatic clinical entity. The following databases (from 1956 to September 2014) Medline, Cochrane Central, Scopus, Web of Science and Science Direct were used, searching the following key words: AFE, pathophysiology, immune/inflammatory response, complement and anaphylaxis. The main key word “AFE” was searched singularly and associated individually to each of the other keywords. Of the 146 sources found, only 19 were considered appropriate for the purpose of this paper. The clinical course is characterized by a rapid onset of symptoms, which include: acute hypotension and/or cardiac arrest, acute hypoxia (with dyspnoea, cyanosis and/or respiratory arrest), coagulopathies (disseminated intravascular coagulation and/or severe hemorrhage), coma and seizures. The pathology still determines a significant morbidity and mortality and potential permanent neurological sequelae for surviving patients. At this moment, numerous aspects involving the pathophysiology and clinical development are still not understood and several hypotheses have been formulated, in particular the possible role of anaphylaxis and complement. Moreover, the detection of serum tryptase and complement components and the evaluation of fetal antigens can explain several aspects of immune response.     

Personalizing Politics: A Congruency Model of Political Preference.

Modern politics become personalized as individual characteristics of voters and candidates assume greater importance in political discourse. Although personalities of candidates capture center stage and become the focus of voters' preferences, individual characteristics of voters, such as their traits and values, become decisive for political choice. The authors' findings reveal that people vote for candidates whose personality traits are in accordance with the ideology of their preferred political party. They also select politicians whose traits match their own traits. Moreover, voters' traits match their own values. The authors outline a congruency model of political preference that highlights the interacting congruencies among voters' self-reported traits and values, voters' perceptions of leaders' personalities, politicians' self-reported traits, and programs of favored political coalitions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An ANTS heuristic for the frequency assignment problem

The problem considered in this paper consists in assigning frequencies to radio links between base stations and mobile transmitters in order to minimize the global interference over a given region. This problem is NP-hard and few results have been reported on techniques for solving it to optimality. We have applied to this problem an ANTS metaheuristic, that is, an approach following the ant colony optimization paradigm. Computational results, obtained on a number of standard problem instances, testify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.     

Effectiveness of keyword-based display and selection of retrieval results for interactive searches

We present an approach to increasing the effectiveness of ranked-output retrieval systems that relies on graphical display and user manipulation of “views” of retrieval results, where a view is the subset of retrieved documents that contain a specified subset of query terms. This approach has been implemented in a system named VIEWER (VIEwing WEb Results), acting as an interface to available search engines. An experimental evaluation of the performance of VIEWER in contrast to AltaVista is the major focus of the paper. We first report the results of an experiment on single, short query searches where VIEWER, used as an interactive ranking system, markedly outperformed AltaVista. We then concentrate on a more realistic searching scenario, involving free query formulation, unconstrained selection of retrieval results, and possibility of query reformulation. We report the results of an experiment where the use of VIEWER, compared to AltaVista, seemed to shift the user effort from inspection to evaluation of results, increasing retrieval effectiveness, and user satisfaction. In particular, we found that the VIEWER users retrieved half as many nonrelevant documents as the AltaVista users while retrieving a comparable number of relevant documents. Published online: 22 September 2000