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In this article, we discuss the methods of detecting and improving negative movement asymmetries in sportsmen during the processes of training and rehabilitation. Movement asymmetries may be measured and assessed using special exercises, measurements and gait analysis. We claim, that movement asymmetries should be treated individually, when each athlete will know his/her normal range of movement asymmetries. If movement asymmetries are out of this range, appropriate actions must be taken. We also claim, that during the process of assessment and improvement of movement asymmetries we should take into account genetic, physiological and psychological factors regarding the health of the athlete.

The COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 19) pandemic, caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is causing enormous difficulties in the world’s economies and there is uncertainty as to whether the current prophylactic measures will offer adequate protection globally after the appearance of virus variants that like that indicated as Omicron emerged in the presence of global vaccine-based immunization. While several studies are available describing the main differences in the spike protein of Omicron compared to the other variants previously emerged, there was no structural insights into the 3CL-protease (3CLpro) associated to the new variant. Herein, we performed a computational study based on genomic data and amino acid sequences available in the most updated COVID-19-related databases that allowed us to build upin silicothe 3D structure of Omicron 3CLpro. Moreover, by molecular dynamics simulation we demonstrated that currently available drugs acting as inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease could be less effective in the case of Omicron variant due to the different chemical interactions in the binding site occurred after the recent amino acid mutations. Ultimately, our study highlights the need of exploitingin silicoand in vitro methods to discover novel 3CLproinhibitors starting from the computationally based structure we presented herein, and more in general to direct the major efforts to targeting the most conserved 3CLproregions that appeared unchanged in the context of the Omicron variant.

Humanity may benefit greatly from intact riverine ecosystems not only because they supply water to be used in the most common human activities, but also for the effects that clean rivers can have on human health. Herein, we used a computational approach to show that some phytochemicals produced by riparian plants as secondary metabolites, which are naturally released into river waters, can have therapeutic properties. These include antipsoriatic activities which we demonstrated in silico by modelling the interaction of apiin, guanosine and hyperoside, a few main river plant metabolites, with NF-kB, IL-17 and IL-36, which are recognized targets involved in psoriasis disease. In particular, we found that apiin and hyperoside are endowed with docking energies and binding affinities which are more favorable than the known reference inhibitors of the three protein targets whilst, in silico, guanosine shows comparable activity with respect to the inhibitors of IL-36 and NF-kB. The low skin permeation (logKp < −8) we predicted for apiin and hyperoside led us to hypothesize their possible utilization as topic antipsoriatic therapeutics, and in particular after PAINS (pan-assay interference compounds) score evaluation, we reached the conclusion that apiin, with no predicted tendency to react nonspecifically with the numerous targets involved in the biological cellular pathways, is particularly interesting for the desired therapeutic application.

Strengthening the immune system in order to better withstand the threat of COVID-19 is an important way to ensure the protection of our health against the current pandemic associated with SARS-CoV-2. There are many ways to achieve this, but with current circumstances, certain modalities stand out as being the most valid and are certainly worth greater consideration. Here we review the effects that particular immuno-strengthening activities can have on limiting the severity of COVID-19 disease as well as preventing virus infection. Physical activity, in particular, should not be discounted as an important method of prevention of viral diseases as it triggers many biological processes within the human body which in turn lead to heightened natural defences against viral infections. When exercise is performed in forested areas, these protective health benefits may be increased since many plant species emit biogenic volatile compounds (VOCs) which, when inhaled, have many protective properties. These VOCs have been shown in particular to have immunostimulatory effects on the human body and, thus, they could be of use in the prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19. Being amongst trees may also help to alleviate stress and anxiety, lowering cortisol levels and consequently helping the proper functioning of the immune system. In the following work, we have performed an analysis of the available scientific literature which looks at the effects of physical exercise as well as ‘forest-bathing’ on the immune system’s ability to fight disease, especially of course as it relates to COVID-19. Our review aims at shedding light on the benefits of exercising outdoors in green areas and suggests reforestation as a protective measure against future outbreaks.

Boosting immune system against COVID-19 is one of the weapons that can be used by people to protect their health in the worrying scenario due to the current pandemic associated to SARS-CoV-2. In this context, physical activity can be beneficial because triggers a number of biological processes in the human body that lead to increased levels of natural defenses against viral infections. If sport activities are performed in a green area the protective effects could be also higher as several plant species are natural emitters of biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may in turn lead to immunostimulatory effects of potential utility to prevent or combat COVID-19. Herein, we analysed the scientific literature on both physical activity and ‘forest-bathing’ activity in relationship to COVID-19 aiming to bring new awareness about importance of practicing sport outdoors in a green area and of forest protection., The Conference is organized by the Faculty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Georgian State Teaching University of Physical Education and Sport

Here we describe the synthesis, chromatographic purification, MS and NMR characterization of a new lactosyl-derivative, i.e. a lactosyl thiophenyl-substituted triazolyl-thione l-alanine (Lac-L-TTA). This amino acid–sugar conjugate was prepared by solution synthesis in analogy to the natural fructosyl-amino acids. Furthermore, we investigated the inhibition of PC-3 prostate cancer cell colony formation by this lactose derivative in comparison with the less polar fructose-based derivative, Fru-L-TTA. This let us to compare the properties of the artificial derivative, object of the present work, with the monosaccharide-based counterpart and to obtain a preliminary information on the influence of polarity on such biological activity. A significantly higher anticancer effect of Lac-L-TTA with respect to the fructose analogue emerged from our study suggesting that the anti-metastatic potential of fructosyl-amino acids can be enhanced by increasing the polarity of the compounds, for example by introducing disaccharide moieties in place of fructose.

Purpose The clinical presentation of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) may overlap with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). The Magnetic Resonance Parkinsonism Index (MRPI), MRPI 2.0, and the interpeduncular angle (IPA) have been investigated to differentiate PSP from healthy controls (HC) and other parkinsonisms. We aimed to assess equivalences and differences in MRPI, MRPI 2.0, and IPA in iNPH, PSP, and HC groups. Methods We retrospectively recruited 99 subjects (30 iNPH, 32 PSP, 37 HC) from two institutions. MRI exams, acquired on either 1.5 T or 3 T scanners, included 3D T1-weighted images to measure MRPI, MRPI 2.0, and IPA. Inter- and intra-rater reliability was investigated with the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), and the two one-sided t tests (TOST) procedure was used to assess these markers in iNPH, PSP, and HC. Results For all the three measures, intra-rater and inter-rater ICC were excellent (range = 0.91–0.93). In the comparison of iNPH and PSP with HC, differences for MRPI and MRPI 2.0 (p p = 1.00 in all cases) were found at TOST. iNPH and PSP MRPI showed no difference (p = 0.06) and no equivalence (p = 0.08). MRPI 2.0 was not equivalent (p = 0.06) and not different (p = 0.09) in the same two populations. PSP and HC IPA proved equivalent (p p p = 0.96 and 0.82) from both PSP and HC. Conclusion MRPI and MRPI 2.0 significantly overlap in iNPH and PSP, with risk of misdiagnosis, and for this reason may not be helpful in the differential diagnosis.

Aim: Our goal is to evaluate benzodifuran-based scaffolds for biomedical applications. Methodology: We here explored the anticancer and anti-amyloid activities of a novel compound (BZ4) in comparison with other known benzodifuran analogs, previously studied in our group, and we have explored its ability to interact with different DNA model systems. Results: BZ4 shows antiproliferative activity on different cancer cells; does not affect noncancerous control cells and alters the aggregation properties of β-amyloid, as ascertained by circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analysis. An overall, qualitative picture on the mechanistic aspects related to the biological activities is discussed in light of the dynamic light scattering, UV, circular dichroism and fluorescence data, as well as of the metal ion-binding properties of BZ4.

Opuntia ficus-indica is a cactaceous plant native to America but, nowadays, widely found worldwide, having been the most common domesticated species of cactus grown as a crop plant in semiarid and arid parts of the globe, including several Mediterranean basin countries. Opuntia ficus-indica can be regarded as a medicinal plant, being source of numerous bioactive phytochemicals such as vitamins, polyphenols, and amino acids. The urgent need for therapeutic treatments for the COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-Coronavirus (CoV)-2, justifies the great attention currently being paid not only to repurposed antiviral drugs, but also to natural products and herbal medications. In this context, the anti-COVID-19 utility of Opuntia ficus-indica as source of potential antiviral drugs was investigated in this work on the basis of the activity of some of its phytochemical constituents. The antiviral potential was evaluated in silico in docking experiments with Mpro, i.e., the main protease of SARS-CoV-2, that is one of the most investigated protein targets of therapeutic strategies for COVID-19. By using two web-based molecular docking programs (1-Click Mcule and COVID-19 Docking Server), we found, for several flavonols and flavonol glucosides isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica, good binding affinities for Mpro, and in particular, binding energies lower than −7.0 kcal/mol were predicted for astragalin, isorhamnetin, isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside, 3-O-caffeoyl quinic acid, and quercetin 5,4′-dimethyl ether. Among these compounds, the chiral compound astragalin showed in our in silico studies the highest affinity for Mpro (−8.7 kcal/mol) and also a low toxicity profile, emerging, thus, as an interesting protease inhibitor candidate for anti-COVID-19 strategies.

Herein we present a comparative study of the effects of isoquinoline alkaloids belonging to benzo [c]phenanthridine and berberine families on β-amyloid aggregation. Results obtained using a Thioflavine T (ThT) fluorescence assay and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy suggested that the benzo [c]phenanthridine nucleus, present in both sanguinarine and chelerythrine molecules, was directly involved in an inhibitory effect of Aβ1–42 aggregation. Conversely, coralyne, that contains the isomeric berberine nucleus, significantly increased propensity for Aβ1–42 to aggregate. Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) experiments provided quantitative estimation of these interactions: coralyne bound to Aβ1–42 with an affinity (KD = 11.6 μM) higher than benzo [c]phenanthridines. Molecular docking studies confirmed that all three compounds are able to recognize Aβ1–42 in different aggregation forms suggesting their effective capacity to modulate self-recognition mechanism. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated that coralyne increased the β-content of Aβ1–42, in early stages of aggregation, consistently with fluorescence-based promotion of self-recognition mechanism by this alkaloid. At the same time, sanguinarine seemed to determine an increase of helical conformation corroborating its ability to delay aggregation as experimentally proved in vitro. Investigated compounds demonstrated to interfere with aggregation of Aβ1–42 applying as starting leads in neurodegenerative diseases., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights •We compared the effects of three isoquinoline alkaloids on β-amyloid aggregation. • Sanguinarine and chelerythrine showed inhibitory effects on Aβ1–42 aggregation . • Coralyne significantly increased propensity for Aβ1–42 to aggregate. • Molecular dynamics suggested the alkaloid ability to affect β-content of Aβ1–42.

Background The shuffling steps pattern is a typical feature of gait in patients affected by Parkinson's disease (PD), which progressively reduces their quality of life, being related to the risk of falls in this population. Recently, Automated Mechanical Peripheral Stimulation (AMPS) was presented as an integrative rehabilitative treatment based on peripheral stimulation able to improve the gait spatiotemporal parameters in PD patients. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of AMPS on shuffling steps pattern by analyzing the kinematic and spatio-temporal gait parameters. Design Double blind randomized longitudinal study. Setting Outpatients. Population PD patients. Methods In this double blind randomized longitudinal study, 14 patients with PD were treated with effective-AMPS (AMPS group), while 14 PD patients were treated with placebo-AMPS (SHAM group); 32 healthy subjects were deemed the control group (CG). A dedicated medical device (Gondola™ Medical Technologies, Stabio, Switzerland) was used to deliver both stimulations. Each treatment session lasted about 15 minutes, including preparation (approx. 10 to 13 minutes) and stimulation (approx. 2 minutes). All PD patients were given six AMPS/SHAM treatments sessions, twice a week, delivered during the off-levodopa phase, having withdrawn from dopaminergic medication overnight. We evaluated spatio-temporal and kinematic variables of gait with quantitative 3D-gait analysis as follows: before and after the first intervention (acute phase), then after the sixth session (long term phase). Results We detected differences in all gait variables immediately after the first session of AMPS treatment and again after the sixth stimulation session. Conclusions AMPS treatment changes the shuffling steps pattern that is typical of PD subjects, increasing the ROM of hip, knee and ankle joints during the gait cycle. Clinical rehabilitation impact This data presents further evidence that a rehabilitative approach based on the AMPS treatment can induce improvements in the gait pattern of patients affected by PD.

INTRODUCTION:The translocator protein 18kDa (TSPO), a biochemical marker of neuroinflammation, is highly expressed in the brain activated microglia and it is also expressed by peripheral inflammatory cells and normal peripheral tissues. Thus, development of radioligands for the TSPO may contribute to further understanding the in vivo TSPO function in central and peripheral inflammatory processes and other pathologies. Here, we report the biodistribution, the specific binding and the radiometabolites of [(18)F]DPA-714, a promising fluorinated PET radiotracer, in normal mice using a microPET/CT scanner. METHODS:The in vivo biodistribution and kinetics of [(18)F]DPA-714 were measured in mice brain and peripheral tissues. Specific binding to TSPO sites was assessed using pharmacological competitive studies by means of saturation experiments performed by i.v. injection of 1mg/kg of unlabeled DPA-714 or 3mg/kg of unlabeled PK11195. A region of interest analysis was performed to generate time-activity curves in the brain, heart, lung, kidney, spleen and liver. Metabolites assay was performed in the plasma and peripheral organs by radio-HPLC. RESULTS:[(18)F]DPA-714 reached high concentration in lung, heart, kidney and spleen, tissues well known to be rich in TSPO sites. [(18)F]DPA-714 kinetics were faster in the lung and slower in the kidney. Pre-injection of unlabeled DPA-714 or PK11195 inhibited about 80% of [(18)F]DPA-714 uptake in the lung and heart (p CONCLUSION:These results suggest that [(18)F]DPA-714 is a suitable PET ligand for imaging in mice brain and peripheral tissues since it binds with high specificity TSPO binding sites and it is almost unchanged at 60minutes after radiotracer injection in the brain and TSPO-rich regions.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is an autosomal-dominant degenerative disorder that is neuropathologically characterized primarily by infratentorial damage, although less severe supratentorial involvement may contribute to the clinical manifestation. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) studies of SCA2 have enabled in vivo quantification of neurodegeneration in infratentorial regions, whereas supratentorial regions have been explored less thoroughly. We measured microstructural changes in both infratentorial and supratentorial regions in 13 SCA2 patients (9 men, 4 women; mean age, 50 +/- 12 years) and 15 controls (10 men, 5 women; mean age, 49 +/- 14 years) using DWI-MRI and correlated the DWI changes with disease severity and duration. Disease severity was evaluated using the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale and the Inherited Ataxia Clinical Rating Scale. Cerebral diffusion trace ((D) over bar values were generated, and regions of interest (ROIs) and voxel-based analysis with Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) were used for data analysis. In SCA2 patients, ROI analysis and SPM confirmed significant increases in (D) over bar values in the pons, cerebellar white matter (CWM) and middle cerebellar peduncles. Moreover, SPM analysis revealed increased (D) over bar values in the right thalamus, bilateral temporal cortex/white matter, and motor cortex/pyramidal tract regions. Increased diffusivity in the frontal white matter (FWM) and the CWM was significantly correlated with ataxia severity. DWI-MRI revealed that both infratentorial and supratentorial microstructural changes may characterize SCA2 patients in the course of the disease and might contribute to the severity of the symptoms. (c) 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

Introduction Apathy is a neuropsychiatric symptom in Parkinson's Disease (PD) which has a negative impact on quality of life and might be related in part to damage of presynaptic dopaminergic system. Little is known about relationship between striatal dopamine levels and apathy in PD patients without dementia and/or depression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between “pure apathy” and striatal dopamine uptake in untreated, drug-naive PD patients without clinically significant dementia and/or depression. Methods Fourteen PD patients with pure apathy and 14 PD patients without apathy, matched for age, side of motor symptoms at onset, motor disability and disease duration, underwent both neuropsychological and behavioral examination including self-rated version of the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES-S). All patients underwent 123 I-FP-CIT (DaT-SCAN) SPECT to assess dopamine transporter (DAT) striatal uptake. Results PD patients with apathy showed lower DAT levels in the striatum than non-apathetic patients. After Bonferroni correction the difference between groups was significant in the right caudate. Conclusions Apathy is associated with reduced striatal dopamine transporter levels, independent of motor disability and depression in non-demented PD patients. These findings suggest that dysfunction of dopaminergic innervation in the striatum and particularly in the right caudate may contribute to development of apathy in early PD.

Here, we report the synthesis, purification, ESI MS and NMR characterization, as well as the SEM analysis of a fructosyl thiophenyl-substituted triazolyl-thione l-alanine (denominated Fru-l-TTA). This novel fructosyl derivative was obtained by solution synthesis using the Amadori reaction, in analogy to other natural fructosyl-amino acids, and fully characterized. In particular, we report an accurate NMR/MS/SEM characterization of Fru-l-TTA alongside some biological properties, and investigated to compare the properties of the artificial derivative of this work with the natural counterparts. In particular, Fru-l-TTA shares with natural fructosyl-amino acids the possibility to inhibit the colony formation of prostate cancer cells and additionally decreases their migration.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize brain metabolic changes associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in drug-naive patients with Parkinson disease (PD) using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and PET (FDG-PET). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included newly diagnosed patients with PD with MCI in single or multiple domain (PD-MCI; n =12) and without MCI (PD-nMCI; n =12), and healthy controls (n =12). The groups were matched for age. Moreover, the patient groups were matched for motor disability. All subjects underwent a FDG-PET study. Cerebral regional relative metabolic maps were compared in PD-MCI, PD-nMCI, and controls using regions of interest analysis (ROIs) and voxel-based analysis with statistical parametric mapping. RESULTS: ROIs and voxel-based analyses revealed significant relative hypometabolism in the prefrontal, superior/inferior parietal, and associative occipital cortices as well as in the striatum in patients with PD-MCI relative to controls (p < 0.05) and to a lesser extent in patients with PD-nMCI. In contrast, patients with PD-nMCI did not show significant metabolic changes as compared to controls. CONCLUSION: MCI in patients with PD is associated with cortical hypometabolism since the earliest stage, independent of therapy or motor disability. The early involvement of posterior cortical region, a pattern shared by advanced stages of PD-MCI and PD with dementia, could represent an early marker of dementia. The relevance of this pattern in predicting prodromal dementia has to be evaluated in longitudinal studies.

Diffusion-weighted imaging has been largely used to detect and quantify early degenerative changes in patients with multiple system atrophy, but progression of neurodegeneration has been poorly investigated. We performed a serial diffusion-weighted imaging study in a population of multiple system atrophy patients and analyzed the evolution of diffusion properties in striatal and extrastriatal brain regions. Diffusion-weighted imaging was obtained in 11 multiple system atrophy patients at baseline and after a follow-up of 11.7 ± 1.2 months, and Trace (D) changes in different brain regions were correlated with disease duration and severity. A significant increase in Trace (D) was observed at follow-up in the putamen (P < .001), pons (P = .003), cerebellar white matter (P = .03), thalamus (P = .013), and frontal white matter (P = .021). Both Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale Part II and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III scores significantly increased at follow-up (P = .003), but percent changes of Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III and Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale Part II did not correlate with percent changes of Trace (D) values in any brain region. This longitudinal study provides new insights into the progression of neurodegeneration in different brain regions in multiple system atrophy. Our results confirm that abnormal diffusivity in the putamen is sensitive to change over time in multiple system atrophy patients and show for the first time a progression of Trace (D) alterations in specific extrastriatal regions. Diffusivity changes in these regions may be useful for monitoring disease progression even after a short follow-up period. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society.

We describe the ictal [ 18 F]FDG-PET study of a case of absence status showing bilateral thalamic hypermetabolism and frontal cortex hypometabolism. This is the first ictal assessment of absence status by [ 18 F]FDG-PET reporting this particular cortical and subcortical involvement. Our findings support the theory of corticothalamic circuitry involvement in the pathophysiology of absence seizures and stress the similarities of the clinical and metabolic pattern observed during absences with the pattern of task-induced interruption of the default state of brain function.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and sensitivity of 18F-DPA-714 for the study of microglial activation in the brain and spinal cord of transgenic SOD1G93A mice using high-resolution PET/CT and to evaluate the Iba1 and TSPO expression with immunohistochemistry. METHODS: Nine symptomatic SOD1G93A mice (aged 117 ± 12.7days, clinical score range 1-4) and five WT SOD1 control mice (aged 108 ± 28.5days) underwent 18F-DPA-714 PET/CT. SUV ratios were calculated by normalizing the cerebellar (rCRB), brainstem (rBS), motor cortex (rMCX) and cervical spinal cord (rCSC) activities to that of the frontal association cortex. Two WT SOD1 and six symptomatic SOD1G93A mice were studied by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In the symptomatic SOD1G93A mice, rCRB, rBS and rCSC were increased as compared to the values in WT SOD1 mice, with a statistically significantly difference in rBS (2.340 ± 0.784 vs 1.576 ± 0.287, p = 0.014). Immunofluorescence studies showed that TSPO expression was increased in the trigeminal, facial, ambiguus and hypoglossal nuclei, as well as in the spinal cord, of symptomatic SOD1G93A mice and was colocalized with increased Iba1 staining. CONCLUSION: Increased 18F-DPA-714 uptake can be detected with high-resolution PET/CT in the brainstem of transgenic SOD1G93A mice, a region known to be a site of degeneration and increased microglial activation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in agreement with increased TSPO expression in the brainstem nuclei shown by immunostaining. Therefore, 18F-DPA-714 PET/CT might be a suitable tool to evaluate microglial activation in the SOD1G93A mouse model.

Here we report the solid phase synthesis and characterization (LC-ESIMS, CD) of a cationic nucleobase-containing α-peptide, composed of both L-arginine residues and L-lysine-based nucleoamino acids sequentially present in the structure. The binding properties of this novel basic nucleopeptide towards nucleic acids were investigated by CD spectroscopy which revealed the ability of the thymine-containing oligomer to bind both adenine-containing DNA (dA12) and RNA (poly rA) molecules inducing high conformational variations in the nucleic acid structures. Moreover, the artificial oligonucleotide inhibited the enzymatic activity of HIV reverse transcriptase, opening the door to the exploitation of novel antiviral strategies inspired to this molecular tool.

Giovanni N Roviello,1 Caterina Vicidomini,1 Vincenzo Costanzo,1 Valentina Roviello2 1CNR Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Via Mezzocannone site and Headquarters, 2Centro Regionale di Competenza (CRdC) Tecnologie, Via Nuova Agnano, Napoli, Italy Abstract: In the present study, we report the interaction of an artificial oligolysine (referred to as AOL) realized in our laboratory with targets of biomedical importance. These included polyinosinic acid (poly rI) and its complex with polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), RNAs with well-known interferon-inducing ability, and double-stranded (ds) DNA. The ability of the peptide to bind both single-stranded poly rI and ds poly I:C RNAs emerged from our circular dichroism (CD) and ultraviolet (UV) studies. In addition, we found that AOL forms complexes with dsDNA, as shown by spectroscopic binding assays and UV thermal denaturation experiments. These findings are encouraging for the possible use of AOL in biomedicine for nucleic acid targeting and oligonucleotide condensation, with the latter being a key step preceding their clinical application. Moreover, we tested the ability of AOL to bind to proteins, using serum albumin as a model protein. We demonstrated the oligolysine–protein binding by CD experiments which suggested that AOL, positively charged under physiological conditions, binds to the protein regions rich in anionic residues. Finally, the morphology characterization of the solid oligolysine, performed by scanning electron microscopy, showed different crystal forms including cubic-shaped crystals confirming the high purity of AOL. Keywords: nucleic acid binding, polyinosinic acid, double-stranded nucleic acids, oligolysine, circular dichroism

Background Anxiety is a common non-motor symptom among patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Although the etiology of anxiety in PD is likely to be multifactorial, a dysfunction in the dopaminergic system might be implicated in its pathogenesis. The aim of our study was to investigate a possible dopaminergic mechanism involved in anxiety in newly diagnosed never-medicated PD patients using SPECT and 123I-FP-CIT as the dopamine transporter ligand. Methods Thirty-four newly diagnosed, untreated PD patients with asymmetric motor symptoms were included in the study: 17 patients with right- and 17 with left-motor onset, matched for age, disease duration and motor disability constituted the group. They were all evaluated for anxiety and depression and underwent an SPECT with 123I-FP-CIT. Dopamine transporter (DAT) availability values for right and left caudate and putamen were calculated and compared between patients with and without anxiety. Regression analyses were also performed in order to correlate DAT availability with the severity of the anxiety symptoms. Results Comparison between PD patients with and those without anxiety revealed significant differences of DAT availability in all the examined regions except the right putamen. In the group of patients considered as a whole, a significant correlation was found between increased anxiety severity and decreased DAT availability in right caudate. Conclusions We reported an association between nigrostriatal DAT availability deficits and anxiety symptoms in newly diagnosed, untreated PD patients. Our results suggest that hypofunction of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system may represent one of the functional anomalies involved in anxiety in PD from the earliest stages of disease and irrespective of any therapy.

Objectives Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a common feature in Parkinson's disease (PD). We performed an exploratory study to investigate dopaminergic nigrostriatal innervation and its cognitive correlates in early untreated PD patients with MCI as compared to cognitively intact patients. Patients and methods A consecutive series of 34-de-novo, drug-naive patients with PD were enrolled. They underwent [123-I] FP-CIT SPECT and comprehensive neuropsychological battery. MCI was identified in 15 of 34 patients with PD. Results The two groups did not show any statistically significant difference in age, sex, disease duration, education, lateralization, and H&Y and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores. Logistic regression analysis showed that UPDRS-III was weakly associated with MCI (P = 0.034). Partial correlation analysis controlling for UPDRS-III and age suggested that in PD patients with MCI reduced V3″ values in the more affected caudate were correlated with reduced performances in frontal assessment battery, Trail Making Test: part B minus Part A and copy task of the Rey–Osterrieth complex figure test. Reduced V3″ values in the more and less affected putamen were significantly related with reduced performance in frontal assessment battery and in copy task of Rey–Osterrieth complex figure test, respectively. No correlation was found between neuropsychological scores and DAT availability in PD patients without MCI. Conclusions Although preliminary, our results suggest that striatal dopamine depletion may contribute to some cognitive deficit in early never treated PD patients with MCI.

Starting from a yeast phenotypic screening performed on 21 compounds, we described the identification of two small molecules (9 and 18) able to significantly reduce the S. cerevisiae cell growth, thus miming the effect of GCN5 deletion mutant. Tested on a GCN5-dependent gene transcription assay, compounds 9 and 18 gave a high reduction of the reporter activity. In S. cerevisiae histone H3 terminal tails assay, the H3 acetylation levels were highly reduced by treatment with 0.6-1 mM 9, while 18 was effective only at 1.5 mM. In human leukemia U937 cell line, at 1 mM 9 and 18 showed effects on cell cycle (arrest in G1 phase, 9), apoptosis (9), and granulocytic differentiation (18). When tested on U937 cell nuclear extracts to evaluate their histone acetyltransferase (HAT) inhibitory action, both compounds were able to reduce the enzyme activity when used at 500 microM. Another quinoline, compound 22, was synthesized with the aim to improve the activity observed with 9 and 18. Tested in the HAT assay, 22 was able to reduce the HAT catalytic action at 50 and 25 microM, thereby being comparable to anacardic acid, curcumin, and MB-3 used as references. Finally, in U937 cells, compounds 9 and 18 used at 2.5 mM were able to reduce the extent of the acetylation levels of histone H3 (9) and alpha-tubulin (9 and 18). In the same assay, 22 at lower concentration (100 microM) showed the same hypoacetylating effects with both histone and non-histone substrates.

A novel class of KAT modulators (long chain alkylidenemalonates, LoCAMs) has been identified. Variations of the alkyl chain length can change the activity profile from inhibition of both KAT3A/KAT2B (as derivative 2a) to the peculiar profile of pentadecylidenemalonate 1b, the first activator/inhibitor of histone acetyltransferases. Together with the powerful apoptotic effect (particularly notable if considering that anacardic acid and other KAT inhibitors are not cell permeable) appoint them as valuable biological tools to understand the mechanisms of lysine acetyltransferases. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Multiple system atrophy call be classified into two main types, a Parkinsonian (MSA-P) and a cerebellar (MSA-C) variant based on clinical presentation. We obtained diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in 9 MSA-P and 12 MSA-C patients and 11 controls, and correlated DWI changes with disease duration and severity. We found that Trace (D) values in the entire and anterior putamen were significantly higher in MSA-P than in MSA-C patients and controls, whereas Trace (D) values in the cerebellum and middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) were significantly higher in MSA-C than in MSA-P patients and controls. Increased disease duration was significantly correlated with increased Trace (D) values in pons of MSA-P patients, and in cerebellum and MCP of MSA-C patients. Both UMSARS and UPDRS motor scores positively correlated with entire and posterior putaminal Trace (D) values in MSA-P patients. The diffusivity changes parallel phenotypical and pathologic differences between MSA-P and MSA-C patients, suggesting that DWI is a feasible tool for in vivo evaluation of neurodegeneration in MSA. Based on our findings, Trace (D) measurements in the putamen and pons in MSA-P patients and in the cerebellum and MCP in MSA-C patients could serve as quantitative markers for microstructural damage in the course of disease.

Pentadecylidenemalonate 1b, a simplified analogue of anacardic acid, was identified as the first mixed activator/inhibitor of histone acetyltransferases (HATs). It potentiates PCAF HAT activity while inhibiting those of p300/CBP and recombinant CBP. The remarkable apoptotic effect together with the ability to selectively acetylate histone versus non-histone substrates appoint 1b as a lead for the development of anticancer drugs.

Correction for ‘Solid phase synthesis and RNA-binding activity of an arginine-containing nucleopeptide’ by G. N. Roviello et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 14140–14148.

The screening of the inhibition capabilities of dye-like small molecules from a focused library against both human PRMT1 and Aspergillus nidulans RmtA is reported as well as molecular modeling studies (homology modeling, molecular docking, and 3-D QSAR) of the catalytic domain of the PRMT1 fungal homologue RmtA. The good correlation between computational and biological results makes RmtA a reliable tool for screening arginine methyltransferase inhibitors. In addition, the binding mode analyses of tested derivatives reveal the crucial role of two regions, the pocket formed by Ile12, His13, Met16, and Thr49 and the SAM cisteinic binding site subsite. These regions should be taken into account in the design of novel PRMT inhibitors.

Novel benzyl- and phenyl-isothioureidic derivatives have been synthesised and evaluated as inhibitors of nitric oxide synthesis, induced in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated J774.A1 macrophage cell line. The most potent iNOS inhibitor resulting was 1-methyl-3-phenyl-S-methyl isothiourea 5l.