Importance of the biogenic organic matter in photo-formation of dissolved gaseous mercury in a culture of the marine diatom Chaetoceros sp

Laboratory experiments on DGM production under light/dark cycles in a culture of the marine diatom Chaetoceros sp. spiked with 200 ng l(-1) of mercury have been performed. DGM formation has been investigated also in the cell exudates, obtained by filtration of the cell culture. Results show that the cell culture and the filtrate give the same value of DGM production (2.24+/-0.88 pg min(-1) l(-1) and 2.23+/-0.02 pg min(-1) l(-1), respectively) in the light (40 W m(-2)), values much higher than to those obtained in the medium culture alone. A significant DGM production has been measured in dark conditions both in the cell culture (0.48+/-0.11 pg min(-1) l(-1)) and in the filtrate (0.85+/-0.10 pg min(-1) l(-1)). The results highlight that the organic compounds released by the cell in the culture medium play a fundamental role in the DGM photo-formation processes.     

Hypercholesterolemia in Cancer and in Anorexia Nervosa: A Hypothesis for a Crosstalk

The relationship between cholesterol and cancer has been widely demonstrated. Clinical studies have shown changes in blood cholesterol levels in cancer patients. In parallel, basic research studies have shown that cholesterol is involved in the mechanisms of onset and progression of the disease. On the other hand, anorexic patients have high cholesterol levels and a high susceptibility to cancer. In this review, we first present a brief background on the relations among nutrition, eating disorders and cancer. Using several notable examples, we then illustrate the changes in cholesterol in cancer and in anorexia nervosa, providing evidence for their important relationship. Finally, we show a new possible link between cholesterol disorder in cancer and in anorexia nervosa.     

Polychlorobiphenyls in Antarctica

The presence and the distribution of polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in Antarctic environmental components and the effect of the seasonal formation/melting process of pack ice on the pollution level of seawater were investigated. Seawater, marine, and lake sediment and soil samples were collected in a large area of the Ross Sea and Victoria Land during the 1988-1989, 1989-1990, 1990-1991, and 1991-1992 Italian expeditions. The results obtained highlighted a low and quite homogeneous PCB contamination of the studied area. Surface seawater samples from Gerlache Inlet and Wood Bay showed a typical PCB concentration of 130 pg/liter, and an increase after pack ice melting of about 30-40%. Marine sediment, lake sediment, and soil samples showed normalized mean PCB contents of 150, 240, and 130 (pg/g)/(m2/cm3), respectively.     

The Effect of Vitamin D3 and Silver Nanoparticles on HaCaT Cell Viability

Vitamin D3, known to regulate bone homeostasis, has recently been shown to have many pleiotropic effects in different tissues and organs due to the presence of its receptor in a wide range of cells. Our previous study demonstrated that vitamin D3 was able to increase the wound healing respect to the control sample, 24 h after cutting, without however leading to a complete repair. The aim of the study was to combine vitamin D3 with silver nanoparticles to possibly enable a faster reparative effect. The results showed that this association was capable of inducing a complete wound healing only after 18 h. Moreover, a treatment of vitamin D3 + silver nanoparticles yielded a small percentage of keratinocytes vimentin-positive, suggesting the possibility that the treatment was responsible for epithelial to mesenchymal transition of the cells, facilitating wound healing repair. Since vitamin D3 acts via sphingolipid metabolism, we studied the expression of gene encoding for the metabolic enzymes and protein level. We found an increase in neutral sphingomyelinase without involvement of neutral ceramidase or sphingosine kinase2. In support, an increase in ceramide level was identified by Ultrafast Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry, suggesting a possible involvement of ceramides in wound healing process.     

Analysis of volatile fraction, fixed oil and tegumental waxes of the seeds of two different cultivars of Helianthus annuus

The chemical composition of volatile fraction, fixed oil and tegumental waxes of the seeds of two Helianthus annuus L. cultivars (Carlos and Florom 350) were examined by GC and GC–MS. Many qualitative and/or quantitative differences were observed. -Pinene, cis-verbenol and β-gurjunene were in both the main volatiles but with significant quantitative differences; moreover, Florom oil was characterized by a greater variety of constituents. The fixed oil and the waxes composition showed a general qualitative homogeneity, for both cultivars, even though marked quantitative differences were observable. The data obtained could be useful for the correct identification of the cultivars.     

Evaluation of the antioxidant properties and oxidative stability of Pecorino cheese made from the raw milk of ewes fed Rosmarinus officinalis L. leaves

The aim of this work was to study the effect of rosemary leaf dietary supplementation on the antioxidant activities and total phenolic content of Pecorino cheese. Three hundred and twenty‐four sheep were randomly assigned to two dietary groups, which received a standard diet based on lucerne hay and concentrate (400 g per day). The concentrate of the rosemary supplemented group contained 2.50% dried rosemary leaves. The trial lasted 7 weeks. Cheesemaking was performed 3, 5 and 7 weeks from the start of the trial. The Pecorino cheese antioxidant activity was modified by the diet. Rosemary supplementation increased the total phenolic content, enhanced the antioxidant properties and decreased the lipid oxidation of cheese. A slight decrease in flavour was detected in cheeses after 7 weeks of rosemary administration.     

Designing interactive infographics to stimulate environmental awareness: an exploration with a University community

Multimedia Tools and Applications - The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action addressed not only to governments but also to businesses and civil society. In this...     

Activating thyrotropin receptor mutations in histologically heterogeneous hyperfunctioning nodules of multinodular goiter

Even for routine purposes, standard staining of Pneumocystis- or Leishmania-containing materials, e.g., with Giemsa or Diff-Quik, is often unsatisfactory due to poor contrast and to staining of irrelevant structures. In comparison, the bisbenzimide dye Hoechst 33258, a DNA-binding fluorochrome, allows a more precise analysis of such materials. Bisbenzimide stained all stages of these fungal or protozoal organisms with brilliant contrast against a uniformly dark background. The level of background luminescence and staining of detritus or non-DNA structures was very low. Organisms were stained both outside of and within phagocytic cells with equal intensity. Counting of individual microorganisms, e.g., in macrophages heavily parasitized with Leishmania or in Pneumocystis-infected bronchoalveolar lavage, was simplified and more precise. Air-dried cell suspensions, cytocentrifuge preparations, impression smears, or cryocut micrographs showed the advantages of bisbenzimide staining over Diff-Quik. Staining with bisbenzimide could be a valuable auxiliary technique for the analysis of material infected with a variety of microorganisms.