Search

During AD pathology, Tau protein levels progressively increase from early pathological stages. Tau altered expression causes an unbalance of Tau subcellular localization in the cytosol and in the nuclear compartment leading to synaptic dysfunction, neuronal cell death and neurodegeneration as a consequence. Due to the relevant role of epigenetic remodellers in synaptic activity in physiology and in neurodegeneration, in particular of TRIM28 and HDAC1, we investigated the relationship between Tau and these epigenetic factors. By molecular, imaging and biochemical approaches, here we demonstrate that Tau altered expression in the neuronal cell line SH-SY5y does not alter TRIM28 and HDAC1 expression but it induces a subcellular reduction of HDAC1 in the nuclear compartment. Remarkably, HDAC1 reduced activity modulates the expression of synaptic genes in a way comparable to that observed by Tau increased levels. These results support a competitive relationship between Tau levels and HDAC1 subcellular localization and nuclear activity, indicating a possible mechanism mediating the alternative role of Tau in the pathological alteration of synaptic genes expression., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Siano, Madaro, Caiazza, Allouch, Varisco, Mignanelli, Cattaneo and Di Primio.)

The crystal structure of [Co 2 Cl 4 (C 17 H 18 N 2 ) 2 ][CoCl 2 (C 17 H 18 N 2 )(H 2 O)] or [Co( L )Cl(μ-Cl)] 2 [Co( L )(Cl) 2 (OH 2 )], where L is the enanti-opure bidentate ligand (-)-5,6-pinenebi-pyridine (C 17 H 18 N 2 ), has been determined. Crystals suitable for X-ray structure analysis were obtained by slow evaporation of an ethano-lic solution containing equimolar amounts of L and CoCl 2 ·6H 2 O. The Co II cations all have a coordination number of five, and in each case the coordination polyhedron is a trigonal bipyramid. The Co-N bonds lengths range from 2.037 (7) to 2.195 (7) Å, and Co-Cl bonds lengths range from 2.284 (2) to 2.509 (2) Å. The asymmetric unit contains two discrete complexes, one dinuclear and the other mononuclear. Between the two mol-ecules, two types of inter-molecular inter-actions have been evidenced: π-π stackings involving the bi-pyridine units, and O-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds between the hydrogen atoms of the aqua ligand coordinating to the mononuclear complex and the non-bridging chlorido ligand coordinating to the dinuclear mol-ecule. These inter-actions lead to a two-dimensional supra-molecular arrangement parallel to the ab plane., (© Varisco et al. 2022.)

Two experimental methods, the Nile Red dye extraction and the Williamson ether synthesis in biphasic conditions, were used to characterize the mixing performance of a new cheap impinging jet colliding mixer from Gjosa and to compare it to other commercial micromixers (Caterpillar CPMM-R300, T-mixer, LTF MR-MX and LTF MR-MS). The Nile Red method shows that the Caterpillar mixer is the best one. Excellent results are also achieved with two Gjosa mixers in series. These results are not reflected in the Williamson ether synthesis, where the best mixer is the Gjosa one.

Aim and Objective: The purpose of this work is to investigate by electromyographic (EMG) surface analysis whether and how the variations in the occlusion due to the correction of the posterior crossbite using a rapid palatal expander (RPE) is accompanied by changes in the activity of the elevator muscles in the pediatric patients., Background: Posterior crossbite is a disgnathic jaw relationship common in patients undergoing growth. In the last 10 years, several studies demonstrated the effectiveness and reproducibility of surface EMG in the objective evaluation of temporal muscle and masseter activity and how this evidence can be an interesting aid in dental clinical practice., Case Description: The case subject BF is an 11-year-old boy with a right I class relationship and a left II class relationship treated with a rapid palatal expansion protocol with a turn of the transversal screw twice a day (0.25 mm each turn) for a week. In this case report, EMG was used to evaluate the temporal muscle and masseter activity immediately before, immediately after, and 4 months after the RPE protocol., Conclusion: Four months after the treatment, a condition of well-being and neuromuscular equilibrium such as that of starting was preserved., Clinical Significance: Electromyography is a noninvasive exam which evaluates the masticatory muscle activity by facial application of electrodes on masseter and temporal muscles. It can be an interesting aid in orthodontic clinical practice to evaluate preservation of a good muscular balance following orthodontic and orthognathic movements.

Formation of Tau aggregates is a common pathological feature of tauopathies and their accumulation directly correlates with cytotoxicity and neuronal degeneration. Great efforts have been made to understand Tau aggregation and to find therapeutics halting or reversing the process, however, progress has been slowed due to the lack of a suitable method for monitoring Tau aggregation. We developed a cell-based assay allowing to detect and quantify Tau aggregation in living cells. The system is based on the FRET biosensor CST able to monitor the molecular dynamic of Tau aggregation in different cellular conditions. We probed candidate compounds that could block Tau hyperphosphorylation. In particular, to foster the drug discovery process, we tested kinase inhibitors approved for the treatment of other diseases. We identified the ERK inhibitor PD-901 as a promising therapeutic molecule since it reduces and prevents Tau aggregation. This evidence establishes the CST cell-based aggregation assay as a reliable tool for drug discovery and suggests that PD-901 might be a promising compound to be tested for further preclinical studies on AD.

Wine lees are one of the main residues formed in vast quantities during the fermentation of wine. While toxic when applied to plants and wetlands, it is a biodegradable material, and several alternatives have been proposed for its valorization as: dietary supplement in animal feed, source for various yeast extracts and bioconversion feedstock. The implementation of stricter environment protection regulations resulted in increasing costs for wineries as their treatment process constitutes an unavoidable and expensive step in wine production. We propose here an alternative method to reduce waste and add value to wine production by exploiting this rich carbon source and use it as a raw material for producing carbon quantum dots (CQDs). A complete synthetic pathway is discussed, comprising the carbonization of the starting material, the screening of the most suitable solvent for the extraction of CQDs from the carbonized mass and their hydrophobic or hydrophilic functionalization. CQDs synthesized with the reported procedure show a bright blue emission ( λ max  = 433 ± 13 nm) when irradiated at 366 nm, which is strongly shifted when the wavelength is increased (e.g. emission at around 515 nm when excited at 460 nm). Yields and luminescent properties of CQDs, obtained with two different methods, namely microwave and ultrasound-based extraction, are discussed and compared. This study shows how easy a residue can be converted into an added-value material, thus not only reducing waste and saving costs for the wine-manufacturing industry but also providing a reliable, affordable and sustainable source for valuable materials., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Implant-associated infections (IAIs) are a dreaded complication mainly caused by biofilm-forming staphylococci. Implant surfaces preventing microbial colonization would be desirable. We examined the preventive effect of a silver-coated titanium-aluminum-niobium (TiAlNb) alloy. The surface elicited a strong, inoculum-dependent activity againstStaphylococcus epidermidisandStaphylococcus aureusin an agar inhibition assay. Gamma sterilization and alcohol disinfection did not alter the effect. In a tissue cage mouse model, silver coating of TiAlNb cages prevented perioperative infections in an inoculum-dependent manner and led to a 100% prevention rate after challenge with 2 × 10(6)CFU ofS. epidermidisper cage. InS. aureusinfections, silver coating had only limited effect. Similarly, daptomycin or vancomycin prophylaxis alone did not preventS. aureusinfections. However, silver coating combined with daptomycin or vancomycin prophylaxis thwarted methicillin-resistantS. aureusinfections at a prevention rate of 100% or 33%, respectively. Moreover, silver release from the surface was independent of infection and occurred rapidly after implantation. On day 2, a peak of 82 μg Ag/ml was reached in the cage fluid, corresponding to almost 6× the MIC of the staphylococci. Cytotoxicity toward leukocytes in the cage was low and temporary. Surrounding tissue did not reveal histological signs of silver toxicity.In vitro, no emergence of silver resistance was observed in several clinical strains of staphylococci upon serial subinhibitory silver exposures. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that silver-coated TiAlNb is potent for prevention of IAIs and thus can be considered for clinical application., (Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.)