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De Vitis E, Stanzione A, Romano A, Quattrini A, Gigli G, Moroni L, Gervaso F, Polini A. The Evolution of Technology-Driven In Vitro Models for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2024; 11:e2304989. [PMID: 38366798 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
The alteration in the neural circuits of both central and peripheral nervous systems is closely related to the onset of neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs). Despite significant research efforts, the knowledge regarding NDD pathological processes, and the development of efficacious drugs are still limited due to the inability to access and reproduce the components of the nervous system and its intricate microenvironment. 2D culture systems are too simplistic to accurately represent the more complex and dynamic situation of cells in vivo and have therefore been surpassed by 3D systems. However, both models suffer from various limitations that can be overcome by employing two innovative technologies: organ-on-chip and 3D printing. In this review, an overview of the advantages and shortcomings of both microfluidic platforms and extracellular matrix-like biomaterials will be given. Then, the combination of microfluidics and hydrogels as a new synergistic approach to study neural disorders by analyzing the latest advances in 3D brain-on-chip for neurodegenerative research will be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora De Vitis
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Antonella Stanzione
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Alessandro Romano
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - Angelo Quattrini
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gigli
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università Del Salento, Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moroni
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
- Complex Tissue Regeneration, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229 ER, Netherlands
| | - Francesca Gervaso
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Alessandro Polini
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
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2
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Fais G, Casula M, Sidorowicz A, Manca A, Margarita V, Fiori PL, Pantaleo A, Caboni P, Cao G, Concas A. Cultivation of Chroococcidiopsis thermalis Using Available In Situ Resources to Sustain Life on Mars. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:251. [PMID: 38398760 PMCID: PMC10889959 DOI: 10.3390/life14020251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The cultivation of cyanobacteria by exploiting available in situ resources represents a possible way to supply food and oxygen to astronauts during long-term crewed missions on Mars. Here, we evaluated the possibility of cultivating the extremophile cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis thermalis CCALA 050 under operating conditions that should occur within a dome hosting a recently patented process to produce nutrients and oxygen on Mars. The medium adopted to cultivate this cyanobacterium, named Martian medium, was obtained using a mixture of regolith leachate and astronauts' urine simulants that would be available in situ resources whose exploitation could reduce the mission payload. The results demonstrated that C. thermalis can grow in such a medium. For producing high biomass, the best medium consisted of specific percentages (40%vol) of Martian medium and a standard medium (60%vol). Biomass produced in such a medium exhibits excellent antioxidant properties and contains significant amounts of pigments. Lipidomic analysis demonstrated that biomass contains strategic lipid classes able to help the astronauts facing the oxidative stress and inflammatory phenomena taking place on Mars. These characteristics suggest that this strain could serve as a valuable nutritional resource for astronauts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Fais
- Interdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Via San Giorgio 12, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.F.); (M.C.); (A.S.); (G.C.)
- Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Mattia Casula
- Interdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Via San Giorgio 12, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.F.); (M.C.); (A.S.); (G.C.)
- Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Agnieszka Sidorowicz
- Interdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Via San Giorgio 12, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.F.); (M.C.); (A.S.); (G.C.)
- Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alessia Manca
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (V.M.); (P.L.F.); (A.P.)
| | - Valentina Margarita
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (V.M.); (P.L.F.); (A.P.)
| | - Pier Luigi Fiori
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (V.M.); (P.L.F.); (A.P.)
| | - Antonella Pantaleo
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (V.M.); (P.L.F.); (A.P.)
| | - Pierluigi Caboni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09042 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Giacomo Cao
- Interdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Via San Giorgio 12, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.F.); (M.C.); (A.S.); (G.C.)
- Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies, Research and Development in Sardinia (CRS4), Loc. Piscina Manna, Building 1, 09050 Pula, Italy
| | - Alessandro Concas
- Interdepartmental Centre of Environmental Science and Engineering (CINSA), University of Cagliari, Via San Giorgio 12, 09124 Cagliari, Italy; (G.F.); (M.C.); (A.S.); (G.C.)
- Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
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3
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Cantone AF, Burgaletto C, Di Benedetto G, Pannaccione A, Secondo A, Bellanca CM, Augello E, Munafò A, Tarro P, Bernardini R, Cantarella G. Taming Microglia in Alzheimer's Disease: Exploring Potential Implications of Choline Alphoscerate via α7 nAChR Modulation. Cells 2024; 13:309. [PMID: 38391922 PMCID: PMC10886565 DOI: 10.3390/cells13040309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), marked by cognitive impairment, predominantly affects the brain regions regulated by cholinergic innervation, such as the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Cholinergic dysfunction, a key contributor to age-related cognitive decline, has spurred investigations into potential therapeutic interventions. We have previously shown that choline alphoscerate (α-GPC), a cholinergic neurotransmission-enhancing agent, protects from Aβ-mediated neurotoxicity. Herein, we investigated the effects of α-GPC on the microglial phenotype in response to Aβ via modulation of the nicotinic alpha-7 acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR). BV2 microglial cells were pre-treated for 1 h with α-GPC and were treated for 24, 48, and 72 h with Aβ1-42 and/or α-BTX, a selective α7nAchR antagonist. Fluorescent immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis showed that α-GPC was able to antagonize Aβ-induced inflammatory effects. Of note, α-GPC exerted its anti-inflammatory effect by directly activating the α7nAChR receptor, as suggested by the induction of an increase in [Ca2+]i and Ach-like currents. Considering that cholinergic transmission appears crucial in regulating the inflammatory profiles of glial cells, its modulation emerges as a potential pharmaco-therapeutic target to improve outcomes in inflammatory neurodegenerative disorders, such as AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Flavia Cantone
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.F.C.); (C.B.); (C.M.B.); (E.A.); (A.M.); (P.T.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
| | - Chiara Burgaletto
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.F.C.); (C.B.); (C.M.B.); (E.A.); (A.M.); (P.T.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
| | - Giulia Di Benedetto
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.F.C.); (C.B.); (C.M.B.); (E.A.); (A.M.); (P.T.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
- Clinical Toxicology Unit, University Hospital of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Anna Pannaccione
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Agnese Secondo
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; (A.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Carlo Maria Bellanca
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.F.C.); (C.B.); (C.M.B.); (E.A.); (A.M.); (P.T.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
- Clinical Toxicology Unit, University Hospital of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Egle Augello
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.F.C.); (C.B.); (C.M.B.); (E.A.); (A.M.); (P.T.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
| | - Antonio Munafò
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.F.C.); (C.B.); (C.M.B.); (E.A.); (A.M.); (P.T.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
| | - Paola Tarro
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.F.C.); (C.B.); (C.M.B.); (E.A.); (A.M.); (P.T.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
| | - Renato Bernardini
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.F.C.); (C.B.); (C.M.B.); (E.A.); (A.M.); (P.T.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
- Clinical Toxicology Unit, University Hospital of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Cantarella
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.F.C.); (C.B.); (C.M.B.); (E.A.); (A.M.); (P.T.); (R.B.); (G.C.)
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Manakkakudy A, De Iacovo A, Maiorana E, Mitri F, Colace L. Waste Material Classification: A Short-Wave Infrared Discrete-Light-Source Approach Based on Light-Emitting Diodes. Sensors (Basel) 2024; 24:809. [PMID: 38339526 PMCID: PMC10857375 DOI: 10.3390/s24030809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Waste material classification is a challenging yet important task in waste management. The realization of low-cost waste classification systems and methods is critical to meet the ever-increasing demand for efficient waste management and recycling. In this paper, we demonstrate a simple, compact and low-cost classification system based on optical reflectance measurements in the short-wave infrared for the segregation of waste materials such as plastics, paper, glass, and aluminium. The system comprises a small set of LEDs and one single broadband photodetector. All devices are controlled through low-cost and low-power electronics, and data are gathered and managed via a computer interface. The proposed system reaches accuracy levels as high as 94.3% when considering seven distinct materials and 97.0% when excluding the most difficult to classify, thus representing a valuable proof-of-concept for future system developments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea De Iacovo
- Department of Industrial, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (E.M.); (F.M.); (L.C.)
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5
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Cosoli G, Calcagni MT, Salerno G, Mancini A, Narang G, Galdelli A, Mobili A, Tittarelli F, Revel GM. In the Direction of an Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Monitoring Platform for Concrete Structures. Sensors (Basel) 2024; 24:572. [PMID: 38257663 PMCID: PMC10820885 DOI: 10.3390/s24020572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
In a seismic context, it is fundamental to deploy distributed sensor networks for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). Indeed, regularly gathering data from a structure/infrastructure gives insight on the structural health status, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies can help in exploiting this information to generate early warnings useful for decision-making purposes. With a perspective of developing a remote monitoring platform for the built environment in a seismic context, the authors tested self-sensing concrete beams in loading tests, focusing on the measured electrical impedance. The formed cracks were objectively assessed through a vision-based system. Also, a comparative analysis of AI-based and statistical prediction methods, including Prophet, ARIMA, and SARIMAX, was conducted for predicting electrical impedance. Results show that the real part of electrical impedance is highly correlated with the applied load (Pearson's correlation coefficient > 0.9); hence, the piezoresistive ability of the manufactured specimens has been confirmed. Concerning prediction methods, the superiority of the Prophet model over statistical techniques was demonstrated (Mean Absolute Percentage Error, MAPE < 1.00%). Thus, the exploitation of electrical impedance sensors, vision-based systems, and AI technologies can be significant to enhance SHM and maintenance needs prediction in the built environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Cosoli
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (M.T.C.); (G.S.); (G.M.R.)
| | - Maria Teresa Calcagni
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (M.T.C.); (G.S.); (G.M.R.)
| | - Giovanni Salerno
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (M.T.C.); (G.S.); (G.M.R.)
| | - Adriano Mancini
- Department of Information Engineering, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (A.M.); (G.N.); (A.G.)
| | - Gagan Narang
- Department of Information Engineering, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (A.M.); (G.N.); (A.G.)
| | - Alessandro Galdelli
- Department of Information Engineering, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (A.M.); (G.N.); (A.G.)
| | - Alessandra Mobili
- Department of Science and Engineering of Matter, Environment and Urban Planning, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Francesca Tittarelli
- Department of Science and Engineering of Matter, Environment and Urban Planning, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy;
- Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council (ISAC-CNR), 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Revel
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (M.T.C.); (G.S.); (G.M.R.)
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Cinquino M, Prontera CT, Giuri A, Pugliese M, Giannuzzi R, Maggiore A, Altamura D, Mariano F, Gigli G, Esposito Corcione C, Giannini C, Rizzo A, De Marco L, Maiorano V. Thermochromic Printable and Multicolor Polymeric Composite Based on Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Perovskite. Adv Mater 2024; 36:e2307564. [PMID: 37708463 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202307564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (PVKs) are among the most promising materials for optoelectronic applications thanks to their outstanding photophysical properties and easy synthesis. Herein, a new PVK-based thermochromic composite is demonstrated. It can reversibly switch from a transparent state (transmittance > 80%) at room temperature to a colored state (transmittance < 10%) at high temperature, with very fast kinetics, taking only a few seconds to go from the bleached to the colored state (and vice versa). X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calometry, rheological, and optical measurements carried out during heating/cooling cycles reveal that thermochromism in the material is based on a reversible process of PVK disassembly/assembly mediated by intercalating polymeric chains, through the formation and breaking of hydrogen bonds between polymer and perovskite. Therefore, differently from other thermochromic perovskites, that generally work with the adsorption/desorption of volatile molecules, the system is able to perform several heating/cooling cycles regardless of environmental conditions. The color and transition temperature (from 70 to 120 °C) can be tuned depending on the type of perovskite. Moreover, this thermochromic material is printable and can be deposited by cheap techniques, paving the way for a new class of smart coatings with an unprecedented range of colors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Cinquino
- CNR NANOTEC - Institute of Nanotechnology, Nationa Research Council, c/o Campus Ecotekne, Via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica E. De Giorgi, Università Del Salento, Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Carmela Tania Prontera
- CNR NANOTEC - Institute of Nanotechnology, Nationa Research Council, c/o Campus Ecotekne, Via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Antonella Giuri
- CNR NANOTEC - Institute of Nanotechnology, Nationa Research Council, c/o Campus Ecotekne, Via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Marco Pugliese
- CNR NANOTEC - Institute of Nanotechnology, Nationa Research Council, c/o Campus Ecotekne, Via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Roberto Giannuzzi
- CNR NANOTEC - Institute of Nanotechnology, Nationa Research Council, c/o Campus Ecotekne, Via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica E. De Giorgi, Università Del Salento, Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Antonio Maggiore
- CNR NANOTEC - Institute of Nanotechnology, Nationa Research Council, c/o Campus Ecotekne, Via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Davide Altamura
- Institute of Crystallography, CNR-IC, Via Amendola 122/O, Bari, 70126, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Mariano
- CNR NANOTEC - Institute of Nanotechnology, Nationa Research Council, c/o Campus Ecotekne, Via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gigli
- CNR NANOTEC - Institute of Nanotechnology, Nationa Research Council, c/o Campus Ecotekne, Via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica E. De Giorgi, Università Del Salento, Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Carola Esposito Corcione
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Innovazione, Università Del Salento, Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Cinzia Giannini
- Institute of Crystallography, CNR-IC, Via Amendola 122/O, Bari, 70126, Italy
| | - Aurora Rizzo
- CNR NANOTEC - Institute of Nanotechnology, Nationa Research Council, c/o Campus Ecotekne, Via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Luisa De Marco
- CNR NANOTEC - Institute of Nanotechnology, Nationa Research Council, c/o Campus Ecotekne, Via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Maiorano
- CNR NANOTEC - Institute of Nanotechnology, Nationa Research Council, c/o Campus Ecotekne, Via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
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Cosoli G, Martarelli M, Mobili A, Tittarelli F, Revel GM. Damage Identification in Cement-Based Structures: A Method Based on Modal Curvatures and Continuous Wavelet Transform. Sensors (Basel) 2023; 23:9292. [PMID: 38005678 PMCID: PMC10674468 DOI: 10.3390/s23229292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Modal analysis is an effective tool in the context of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) since the dynamic characteristics of cement-based structures reflect the structural health status of the material itself. The authors consider increasing level load tests on concrete beams and propose a methodology for damage identification relying on the computation of modal curvatures combined with continuous wavelet transform (CWT) to highlight damage-related changes. Unlike most literature studies, in the present work, no numerical models of the undamaged structure were exploited. Moreover, the authors defined synthetic damage indices depicting the status of a structure. The results show that the I mode shape is the most sensitive to damages; indeed, considering this mode, damages cause a decrease of natural vibration frequency (up to approximately -67%), an increase of loss factor (up to approximately fivefold), and changes in the mode shapes morphology (a cuspid appears). The proposed damage indices are promising, even if the level of damage is not clearly distinguishable, probably because tests were performed after the load removal. Further investigations are needed to scale the methodology to in-field applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Cosoli
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (M.M.); (G.M.R.)
| | - Milena Martarelli
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (M.M.); (G.M.R.)
| | - Alessandra Mobili
- Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (A.M.); (F.T.)
| | - Francesca Tittarelli
- Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (A.M.); (F.T.)
- Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council (ISAC-CNR), 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Revel
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, 60131 Ancona, Italy; (M.M.); (G.M.R.)
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8
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Gaballo A, Ragusa A, Nobile C, Gallo N, Salvatore L, Piccirillo C, Nito A, Caputo A, Guida G, Zito A, Filotico R, Quarta A. Enhanced Delivery of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid by Lecithin Invasomes in 3D Melanoma Cancer Model. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:5593-5606. [PMID: 37755323 PMCID: PMC10630953 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a noninvasive therapeutic approach for the treatment of skin cancer and diseases. 5-Aminolevulinic acid is a prodrug clinically approved for PDT. Once internalized by cancer cells, it is rapidly metabolized to the photosensitizer protoporphyrin IX, which under the proper light irradiation, stimulates the deleterious reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and leads to cell death. The high hydrophilicity of 5-aminolevulinic acid limits its capability to cross the epidermis. Lipophilic derivatives of 5-aminolevulinic acid only partly improved skin penetration, thus making its incorporation into nanocarriers necessary. Here we have developed and characterized 5-aminolevulinic acid loaded invasomes made of egg lecithin, either 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine or 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, and the terpene limonene. The obtained invasomes are highly thermostable and display a spherical morphology with an average size of 150 nm and an encapsulation efficiency of 80%; moreover, the ex vivo epidermis diffusion tests established that nanovesicles containing the terpene led to a much higher skin penetration (up to 80% in 3 h) compared to those without limonene and to the free fluorescent tracer (less than 50%). Finally, in vitro studies with 2D and 3D human cell models of melanoma proved the biocompatibility of invasomes, the enhanced intracellular transport of 5-aminolevulinic acid, its ability to generate ROS upon irradiation, and consequently, its antiproliferative effect. A simplified scaffold-based 3D skin model containing melanoma spheroids was also prepared. Considering the results obtained, we conclude that the lecithin invasomes loaded with 5-aminolevulinic acid have a good therapeutic potential and may represent an efficient tool that can be considered a valid alternative in the topical treatment of melanoma and other skin diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Gaballo
- Consiglio
Nazionale delle Ricerche, Institute of Nanotechnology, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Andrea Ragusa
- Department
of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Concetta Nobile
- Consiglio
Nazionale delle Ricerche, Institute of Nanotechnology, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Nunzia Gallo
- Department
of Engineering for Innovation, University
of Salento, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Luca Salvatore
- Typeone
Biomaterials Srl, Muro Leccese, Lecce, 73036, Italy
| | - Clara Piccirillo
- Consiglio
Nazionale delle Ricerche, Institute of Nanotechnology, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Alessia Nito
- Consiglio
Nazionale delle Ricerche, Institute of Nanotechnology, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Annalisa Caputo
- Consiglio
Nazionale delle Ricerche, Institute of Nanotechnology, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Gabriella Guida
- Department
of Basic Medical Sciences Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, 70124, Italy
| | - Alfredo Zito
- Pathology
Department, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni
Paolo II”, Bari, 70124, Italy
| | - Raffaele Filotico
- Dermato-Oncology
Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni
Paolo II”, Bari, 70124, Italy
- Section
of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Precision and Regenerative
Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), University
of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari, 70124, Italy
| | - Alessandra Quarta
- Consiglio
Nazionale delle Ricerche, Institute of Nanotechnology, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
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9
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Piro MC, Gasperi V, De Stefano A, Anemona L, Cenciarelli CR, Montanaro M, Mauriello A, Catani MV, Terrinoni A, Gambacurta A. In Vivo Identification of H3K9me2/H3K79me3 as an Epigenetic Barrier to Carcinogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12158. [PMID: 37569534 PMCID: PMC10419041 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The highly dynamic nature of chromatin's structure, due to the epigenetic alterations of histones and DNA, controls cellular plasticity and allows the rewiring of the epigenetic landscape required for either cell differentiation or cell (re)programming. To dissect the epigenetic switch enabling the programming of a cancer cell, we carried out wide genome analysis of Histone 3 (H3) modifications during osteogenic differentiation of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. The most significant modifications concerned H3K27me2/3, H3K9me2, H3K79me1/2, and H3K4me1 that specify the process of healthy adult stem cell differentiation. Next, we translated these findings in vivo, assessing H3K27, H3K9, and H3K79 methylation states in biopsies derived from patients affected by basalioma, head and neck carcinoma, and bladder tumors. Interestingly, we found a drastic decrease in H3K9me2 and H3K79me3 in cancer specimens with respect to their healthy counterparts and also a positive correlation between these two epigenetic flags in all three tumors. Therefore, we suggest that elevated global levels of H3K9me2 and H3K79me3, present in normal differentiated cells but lost in malignancy, may reflect an important epigenetic barrier to tumorigenesis. This suggestion is further corroborated, at least in part, by the deranged expression of the most relevant H3 modifier enzymes, as revealed by bioinformatic analysis. Overall, our study indicates that the simultaneous occurrence of H3K9me2 and H3K79me3 is fundamental to ensure the integrity of differentiated tissues and, thus, their combined evaluation may represent a novel diagnostic marker and potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Piro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Valeria Gasperi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Alessandro De Stefano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Lucia Anemona
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Claudio Raffaele Cenciarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Manuela Montanaro
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Mauriello
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Maria Valeria Catani
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Alessandro Terrinoni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Alessandra Gambacurta
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.C.P.); (V.G.); (A.D.S.); (L.A.); (C.R.C.); (A.M.); (A.T.)
- NAST Centre (Nanoscience & Nanotechnology & Innovative Instrumentation), Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
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10
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Ferrauto G, Terreno E. Compartmentalized agents: A powerful strategy for enhancing the detection sensitivity of chemical exchange saturation transfer contrast. NMR Biomed 2023; 36:e4791. [PMID: 35731545 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Since the very beginnings of the chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) technique, poor overall sensitivity has appeared to be one of its strongest limitations for future applications. Research has therefore focused on designing systems, such as supramolecular and nanosized agents, that contain a high number of magnetically equivalent mobile spins. However, the number of mobile spins offered by these systems is still limited by their composition and surface/volume ratio. The design of compartmentalized agents, that is, systems where an aqueous inner core is separated from the MRI-detected bulk pool via a semipermeable barrier/membrane, is very much a step forward for the technique. These vesicular systems can (i) act as biocompatible and versatile carriers for dia-, para-, and hetero-nuclear CEST probes, thus offering new application options; and (ii) act as CEST probes themselves via the encapsulation of a suitable agent (e.g., a paramagnetic shift reagent) that can change the resonance frequency of the spin pool in the inner compartment only. LipoCEST agents were the pioneers in the latter category, as they are able to grant picomolar sensitivity (in terms of nanoparticle concentration), and paved the way for new applications for CEST agents, especially in the theranostic research area. The use of larger, natural vesicular systems, such as yeasts and cells, in which the huge number of intravesicular spins lowers the detection threshold to a femtomolar limit, is a further step forward in the development of compartmentalized CEST agents. Finally, interesting combinations of nanovesicular and cellular compartmentalized systems have been proposed, thus highlighting how the approach has the potential to drive CEST agents towards completing their journey to mature clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Ferrauto
- Center for Molecular and Preclinical Imaging, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Enzo Terreno
- Center for Molecular and Preclinical Imaging, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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11
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Barzaghini B, Carelli S, Messa L, Rey F, Avanzini MA, Jacchetti E, Maghraby E, Berardo C, Zuccotti G, Raimondi MT, Cereda C, Calcaterra V, Pelizzo G. Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expanded Inside the Nichoid Micro-Scaffold: a Focus on Anti-Inflammatory Response. Regen Eng Transl Med 2023:1-12. [PMID: 37363698 PMCID: PMC10027280 DOI: 10.1007/s40883-023-00296-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising source for stem cell therapies in numerous diseases, including pediatric respiratory system diseases. Characterized by low immunogenicity, high anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory features, MSCs demonstrated an excellent therapeutic profile in numerous in vitro and preclinical models. MSCs reside in a specialized physiologic microenvironment, characterized by a unique combination of biophysical, biochemical, and cellular properties. The exploitation of the 3D micro-scaffold Nichoid, which simulates the native niche, enhanced the anti-inflammatory potential of stem cells through mechanical stimulation only, overcoming the limitation of biochemical and xenogenic growth factors application. Materials and Methods In this work, we expanded pediatric bone marrow MSCs (BM-MSCs) inside the Nichoid and performed a complete cellular characterization with different approaches including viability assays, immunofluorescence analyses, RNA sequencing, and gene expression analysis. Results We demonstrated that BM-MSCs inside the scaffold remain in a stem cell quiescent state mimicking the condition of the in vivo environment. Moreover, the gene expression profile of these cells shows a significant up-regulation of genes involved in immune response when compared with the flat control. Conclusion The significant changes in the expression profile of anti-inflammatory genes could potentiate the therapeutic effect of BM-MSCs, encouraging the possible clinical translation for the treatment of pediatric congenital and acquired pulmonary disorders, including post-COVID lung manifestations. Lay Summary Regenerative medicine is the research field integrating medicine, biology, and biomedical engineering. In this context, stem cells, which are a fundamental cell source able to regenerate tissues and restore damage in the body, are the key component for a regenerative therapeutic approach. When expanded outside the body, stem cells tend to differentiate spontaneously and lose regenerative potential due to external stimuli. For this reason, we exploit the scaffold named Nichoid, which mimics the in vivo cell niche architecture. In this scaffold, mesenchymal stem cells "feel at home" due to the three-dimensional mechanical stimuli, and our findings could be considered as an innovative culture system for the in vitro expansion of stem cells for clinical translation. Future Perspective The increasing demand of safe and effective cell therapies projects our findings toward the possibility of improving cell therapies based on the use of BM-MSCs, particularly for their clinical translation in lung diseases. Graphical Abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Barzaghini
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta,” Politecnico Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Stephana Carelli
- Pediatric Research Center “Romeo Ed Enrica Invernizzi,” Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Center of Functional Genomics and Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Letizia Messa
- Center of Functional Genomics and Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Electronic, Information and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Rey
- Pediatric Research Center “Romeo Ed Enrica Invernizzi,” Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Center of Functional Genomics and Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Avanzini
- Immunology and Transplantation Laboratory, Cell Factory, Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Emanuela Jacchetti
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta,” Politecnico Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Erika Maghraby
- Pediatric Research Center “Romeo Ed Enrica Invernizzi,” Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L. Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Clarissa Berardo
- Pediatric Research Center “Romeo Ed Enrica Invernizzi,” Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Center of Functional Genomics and Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianvincenzo Zuccotti
- Pediatric Research Center “Romeo Ed Enrica Invernizzi,” Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Teresa Raimondi
- Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta,” Politecnico Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Cereda
- Center of Functional Genomics and Rare Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Calcaterra
- Department of Pediatrics, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gloria Pelizzo
- Pediatric Surgery Unit, Buzzi Children’s Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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12
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Alkhatib M, Carioti L, D’Anna S, Ceccherini-Silberstein F, Svicher V, Salpini R. SARS-CoV-2 Mutations and Variants May Muddle the Sensitivity of COVID-19 Diagnostic Assays. Microorganisms 2022; 10:1559. [PMID: 36013977 PMCID: PMC9414863 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The performance of diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays can be impacted by SARS-CoV-2 variability as this is dependent on the full complementarity between PCR primers/probes and viral target templates. Here, we investigate the genetic variability of SARS-CoV-2 regions recognized by primers/probes utilized by PCR diagnostic assays based on nucleotide mismatching analysis. We evaluated the genetic variation in the binding regions of 73 primers/probes targeting the Nucleocapsid (N, N = 36), Spike (S, N = 22), and RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase/Helicase (RdRp/Hel, N = 15) of the publicly available PCR-based assays. Over 4.9 million high-quality SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences were retrieved from GISAID and were divided into group-A (all except Omicron, >4.2 million) and group-B (only Omicron, >558 thousand). In group-A sequences, a large range of variability in primers/probes binding regions in most PCR assays was observed. Particularly, 87.7% (64/73) of primers/probes displayed ≥1 mismatch with their viral targets, while 8.2% (6/73) contained ≥2 mismatches and 2.7% (2/73) contained ≥3 mismatches. In group-B sequences, 32.9% (24/73) of primers/probes were characterized by ≥1 mismatch, 13.7% (10/73) by ≥2 mismatches, and 5.5% (4/73) by ≥3 mismatches. The high rate of single and multiple mismatches- found in the target regions of molecular assays used worldwide for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis reinforces the need to optimize and constantly update these assays according to SARS-CoV-2 genetic evolution and the future emergence of novel variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Alkhatib
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; mohammad-- (M.A.); (L.C.); (S.D.); (F.C.-S.); (V.S.)
| | - Luca Carioti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; mohammad-- (M.A.); (L.C.); (S.D.); (F.C.-S.); (V.S.)
| | - Stefano D’Anna
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; mohammad-- (M.A.); (L.C.); (S.D.); (F.C.-S.); (V.S.)
| | - Francesca Ceccherini-Silberstein
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; mohammad-- (M.A.); (L.C.); (S.D.); (F.C.-S.); (V.S.)
| | - Valentina Svicher
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; mohammad-- (M.A.); (L.C.); (S.D.); (F.C.-S.); (V.S.)
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Romina Salpini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy; mohammad-- (M.A.); (L.C.); (S.D.); (F.C.-S.); (V.S.)
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13
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Biondi B, Syryamina VN, Rocchio G, Barbon A, Formaggio F, Toniolo C, Raap J, Dzuba SA. Is Cys(MTSL) the Best α-Amino Acid Residue to Electron Spin Labeling of Synthetically Accessible Peptide Molecules with Nitroxides? ACS Omega 2022; 7:5154-5165. [PMID: 35187331 PMCID: PMC8851612 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c06227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, particularly its pulse technique double electron-electron resonance (DEER) (also termed PELDOR), is rapidly becoming an extremely useful tool for the experimental determination of side chain-to-side chain distances between free radicals in molecules fundamental for life, such as polypeptides. Among appropriate probes, the most popular are undoubtedly nitroxide electron spin labels. In this context, suitable biosynthetically derived, helical regions of proteins, along with synthetic peptides with amphiphilic properties and antibacterial activities, are the most extensively investigated compounds. A strict requirement for a precise distance measurement has been identified in a minimal dynamic flexibility of the two nitroxide-bearing α-amino acid side chains. To this end, in this study, we have experimentally compared in detail the side-chain mobility properties of the two currently most widely utilized residues, namely, Cys(MTSL) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl-4-amino-4-carboxylic acid (TOAC). In particular, two double-labeled, chemically synthesized 20-mer peptide molecules have been adopted as appropriate templates for our investigation on the determination of the model intramolecular separations. These double-Cys(MTSL) and double-TOAC compounds are both analogues of the almost completely rigid backbone peptide ruler which we have envisaged and 3D structurally analyzed as our original, unlabeled compound. Here, we have clearly found that the TOAC side-chain labels are largely more 3D structurally restricted than the MTSL labels. From this result, we conclude that the TOAC residue offers more precise information than the Cys(MTSL) residue on the side chain-to-side chain distance distribution in synthetically accessible peptide molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Biondi
- Institute
of Biomolecular Chemistry, Padova Unit, CNR, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Victoria N. Syryamina
- Institute
of Chemical Kinetics and Combustion, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
| | - Gabriele Rocchio
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Antonio Barbon
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Fernando Formaggio
- Institute
of Biomolecular Chemistry, Padova Unit, CNR, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Claudio Toniolo
- Institute
of Biomolecular Chemistry, Padova Unit, CNR, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Jan Raap
- Leiden
Institute of Chemistry, Gorlaeus Laboratories,
Leiden University, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sergei A. Dzuba
- Institute
of Chemical Kinetics and Combustion, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
- Department
of Physics, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russian Federation
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14
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De Vito L, Picariello E, Picariello F, Rapuano S, Tudosa I. A Dictionary Optimization Method for Reconstruction of ECG Signals after Compressed Sensing. Sensors (Basel) 2021; 21:5282. [PMID: 34450724 PMCID: PMC8398887 DOI: 10.3390/s21165282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents a new approach for the optimization of a dictionary used in ECG signal compression and reconstruction systems, based on Compressed Sensing (CS). Alternatively to fully data driven methods, which learn the dictionary from the training data, the proposed approach uses an over complete wavelet dictionary, which is then reduced by means of a training phase. Moreover, the alignment of the frames according to the position of the R-peak is proposed, such that the dictionary optimization can exploit the different scaling features of the ECG waves. Therefore, at first, a training phase is performed in order to optimize the overcomplete dictionary matrix by reducing its number of columns. Then, the optimized matrix is used in combination with a dynamic sensing matrix to compress and reconstruct the ECG waveform. In this paper, the mathematical formulation of the patient-specific optimization is presented and three optimization algorithms have been evaluated. For each of them, an experimental tuning of the convergence parameter is carried out, in order to ensure that the algorithm can work in its most suitable conditions. The performance of each considered algorithm is evaluated by assessing the Percentage of Root-mean-squared Difference (PRD) and compared with the state of the art techniques. The obtained experimental results demonstrate that: (i) the utilization of an optimized dictionary matrix allows a better performance to be reached in the reconstruction quality of the ECG signals when compared with other methods, (ii) the regularization parameters of the optimization algorithms should be properly tuned to achieve the best reconstruction results, and (iii) the Multiple Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (M-OMP) algorithm is the better suited algorithm among those examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca De Vito
- Department of Engineering, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy; (E.P.); (F.P.); (S.R.); (I.T.)
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15
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Bernardeschi M, Guidi P, Palumbo M, Genovese M, Alfè M, Gargiulo V, Lucchesi P, Scarcelli V, Falleni A, Bergami E, Freyria FS, Bonelli B, Corsi I, Frenzilli G. Suitability of Nanoparticles to Face Benzo(a)pyrene-Induced Genetic and Chromosomal Damage in M. galloprovincialis. An In Vitro Approach. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2021; 11:1309. [PMID: 34063431 PMCID: PMC8155950 DOI: 10.3390/nano11051309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) is a well-known genotoxic agent, the removal of which from environmental matrices is mandatory, necessitating the application of cleaning strategies that are harmless to human and environmental health. The potential application of nanoparticles (NPs) in the remediation of polluted environments is of increasing interest. Here, specifically designed NPs were selected as being non-genotoxic and able to interact with B(a)P, in order to address the genetic and chromosomal damage it produces. A newly formulated pure anatase nano-titanium (nano-TiO2), a commercial mixture of rutile and anatase, and carbon black-derived hydrophilic NPs (HNP) were applied. Once it had been ascertained that the NPs selected for the work did not induce genotoxicity, marine mussel gill biopsies were exposed in vitro to B(a)P (2 μg/mL), alone and in combination with the selected NPs (50 µg/mL nano-TiO2, 10 µg/mL HNP). DNA primary reversible damage was evaluated by means of the Comet assay. Chromosomal persistent damage was assessed on the basis of micronuclei frequency and nuclear abnormalities by means of the Micronucleus-Cytome assay. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was performed to investigate the mechanism of action exerted by NPs. Pure Anatase n-TiO2 was found to be the most suitable for our purpose, as it is cyto- and genotoxicity free and able to reduce the genetic and chromosomal damage associated with exposure to B(a)P.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Bernardeschi
- Section of Applied Biology and Genetics and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (P.G.); (M.P.); (P.L.); (V.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Patrizia Guidi
- Section of Applied Biology and Genetics and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (P.G.); (M.P.); (P.L.); (V.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Mara Palumbo
- Section of Applied Biology and Genetics and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (P.G.); (M.P.); (P.L.); (V.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Massimo Genovese
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, 50121 Florence, Italy;
| | - Michela Alfè
- Institute of Science and Technology for Sustainable Energy and Mobility STEMS-CNR, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.A.); (V.G.)
| | - Valentina Gargiulo
- Institute of Science and Technology for Sustainable Energy and Mobility STEMS-CNR, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.A.); (V.G.)
| | - Paolo Lucchesi
- Section of Applied Biology and Genetics and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (P.G.); (M.P.); (P.L.); (V.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Vittoria Scarcelli
- Section of Applied Biology and Genetics and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (P.G.); (M.P.); (P.L.); (V.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Alessandra Falleni
- Section of Applied Biology and Genetics and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (P.G.); (M.P.); (P.L.); (V.S.); (A.F.)
| | - Elisa Bergami
- Earth and Environmental Sciences and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Physical, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.B.); (I.C.)
| | - Francesca S. Freyria
- INSTM Unit of Torino-Politecnico, Department of Applied Science and Technology, 10129 Politecnico di Torino, Italy; (F.S.F.); (B.B.)
| | - Barbara Bonelli
- INSTM Unit of Torino-Politecnico, Department of Applied Science and Technology, 10129 Politecnico di Torino, Italy; (F.S.F.); (B.B.)
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Earth and Environmental Sciences and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Physical, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.B.); (I.C.)
| | - Giada Frenzilli
- Section of Applied Biology and Genetics and INSTM Local Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (M.B.); (P.G.); (M.P.); (P.L.); (V.S.); (A.F.)
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Caruso FP, Scala G, Cerulo L, Ceccarelli M. A review of COVID-19 biomarkers and drug targets: resources and tools. Brief Bioinform 2021; 22:701-713. [PMID: 33279954 PMCID: PMC7799271 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbaa328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The stratification of patients at risk of progression of COVID-19 and their molecular characterization is of extreme importance to optimize treatment and to identify therapeutic options. The bioinformatics community has responded to the outbreak emergency with a set of tools and resource to identify biomarkers and drug targets that we review here. Starting from a consolidated corpus of 27 570 papers, we adopt latent Dirichlet analysis to extract relevant topics and select those associated with computational methods for biomarker identification and drug repurposing. The selected topics span from machine learning and artificial intelligence for disease characterization to vaccine development and to therapeutic target identification. Although the way to go for the ultimate defeat of the pandemic is still long, the amount of knowledge, data and tools generated so far constitutes an unprecedented example of global cooperation to this threat.
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Bravi F, Lee YCA, Hashibe M, Boffetta P, Conway DI, Ferraroni M, La Vecchia C, Edefonti V. Lessons learned from the INHANCE consortium: An overview of recent results on head and neck cancer. Oral Dis 2021; 27:73-93. [PMID: 32569410 PMCID: PMC7752834 DOI: 10.1111/odi.13502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To summarize the latest evidence on head and neck cancer epidemiology from the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology (INHANCE) consortium. SUBJECTS AND METHODS INHANCE was established in 2004 to elucidate the etiology of head and neck cancer through pooled analyses of individual-level data on a large scale. We summarize results from recent INHANCE-based publications updating our 2015 overview. RESULTS Seventeen papers were published between 2015 and May 2020. These studies further define the nature of risks associated with tobacco and alcohol, and occupational exposures on head and neck cancer. The beneficial effects on incidence of head and neck cancer were identified for good oral health, endogenous and exogenous hormonal factors, and selected aspects of diet related to fruit and vegetables. INHANCE has begun to develop risk prediction models and to pool follow-up data on their studies, finding that ~30% of cases had cancer recurrence and 9% second primary cancers, with overall- and disease-specific 5-year-survival of 51% and 57%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The number and importance of INHANCE scientific findings provides further evidence of the advantages of large-scale internationally collaborative projects and will support the development of prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Bravi
- Branch of Medical Statistics, Biometry, and Epidemiology “G. A. Maccacaro”, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Yuan-Chin Amy Lee
- Division of Public Health, Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, and Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Mia Hashibe
- Division of Public Health, Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, and Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Paolo Boffetta
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - David I. Conway
- School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Monica Ferraroni
- Branch of Medical Statistics, Biometry, and Epidemiology “G. A. Maccacaro”, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Carlo La Vecchia
- Branch of Medical Statistics, Biometry, and Epidemiology “G. A. Maccacaro”, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Valeria Edefonti
- Branch of Medical Statistics, Biometry, and Epidemiology “G. A. Maccacaro”, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Cavalera S, Di Nardo F, Forte L, Marinoni F, Chiarello M, Baggiani C, Anfossi L. Switching from Multiplex to Multimodal Colorimetric Lateral Flow Immunosensor. Sensors (Basel) 2020; 20:E6609. [PMID: 33218125 PMCID: PMC7698945 DOI: 10.3390/s20226609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Multiplex lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) is largely used for point-of-care testing to detect different pathogens or biomarkers in a single device. The increasing demand for multitargeting diagnostics requires multi-informative single tests. In this study, we demonstrated three strategies to upgrade standard multiplex LFIA to multimodal capacity. As a proof-of-concept, we applied the strategies to the differential diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, a widespread pathogen, for which conventional multiplex LFIA testing is well-established. In the new two-parameter LFIA (x2LFIA), we exploited color encoding, in which the binding of multiple targets occurs in one reactive band and the color of the probe reveals which one is present in the sample. By combining the sequential alignment of several reactive zones along the membrane of the LFIA strip and gold nanoparticles and gold nanostars for the differential visualization, in this demonstration, the x2LFIA can furnish information on HIV serotype and stage of infection in a single device. Three immunosensors were designed. The use of bioreagents as the capturing ligand anchored onto the membrane or as the detection ligand labelled with gold nanomaterials affected the performance of the x2LFIA. Higher detectability was achieved by the format involving the HIV-specific antigens as capturing agent and labelled secondary bioligands (anti-human immunoglobulins M and protein G) as the probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Cavalera
- Department of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Torino, 10124 Turin, Italy; (S.C.); (F.D.N.); (M.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Fabio Di Nardo
- Department of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Torino, 10124 Turin, Italy; (S.C.); (F.D.N.); (M.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Luca Forte
- PRIMA Lab SA, 6828 Balerna, Switzerland; (L.F.); (F.M.)
| | | | - Matteo Chiarello
- Department of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Torino, 10124 Turin, Italy; (S.C.); (F.D.N.); (M.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Claudio Baggiani
- Department of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Torino, 10124 Turin, Italy; (S.C.); (F.D.N.); (M.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Laura Anfossi
- Department of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Torino, 10124 Turin, Italy; (S.C.); (F.D.N.); (M.C.); (C.B.)
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Caruso FP, Garofano L, D'Angelo F, Yu K, Tang F, Yuan J, Zhang J, Cerulo L, Pagnotta SM, Bedognetti D, Sims PA, Suvà M, Su XD, Lasorella A, Iavarone A, Ceccarelli M. A map of tumor-host interactions in glioma at single-cell resolution. Gigascience 2020; 9:giaa109. [PMID: 33155039 PMCID: PMC7645027 DOI: 10.1093/gigascience/giaa109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Single-cell RNA sequencing is the reference technique for characterizing the heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment. The composition of the various cell types making up the microenvironment can significantly affect the way in which the immune system activates cancer rejection mechanisms. Understanding the cross-talk signals between immune cells and cancer cells is of fundamental importance for the identification of immuno-oncology therapeutic targets. RESULTS We present a novel method, single-cell Tumor-Host Interaction tool (scTHI), to identify significantly activated ligand-receptor interactions across clusters of cells from single-cell RNA sequencing data. We apply our approach to uncover the ligand-receptor interactions in glioma using 6 publicly available human glioma datasets encompassing 57,060 gene expression profiles from 71 patients. By leveraging this large-scale collection we show that unexpected cross-talk partners are highly conserved across different datasets in the majority of the tumor samples. This suggests that shared cross-talk mechanisms exist in glioma. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide a complete map of the active tumor-host interaction pairs in glioma that can be therapeutically exploited to reduce the immunosuppressive action of the microenvironment in brain tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Pia Caruso
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (DIETI), University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Claudio 21, 80128 Naples, Italy
- Bioinformatics Lab, BIOGEM, Via Camporeale, 83031 Ariano Irpino, Italy
| | - Luciano Garofano
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (DIETI), University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Claudio 21, 80128 Naples, Italy
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, 1130 St Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Fulvio D'Angelo
- Bioinformatics Lab, BIOGEM, Via Camporeale, 83031 Ariano Irpino, Italy
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, 1130 St Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Kai Yu
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 5 Yiheyuan Rd, Haidian District, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Fuchou Tang
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 5 Yiheyuan Rd, Haidian District, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Jinzhou Yuan
- Department of Science and Technologies, Università degli Studi del Sannio, Via de Sanctis, 82100 Benevento, Italy
- Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Al Luqta Street, Zone 52, Education City, 26999, Doha Qatar
| | - Jing Zhang
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, 1130 St Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Luigi Cerulo
- Bioinformatics Lab, BIOGEM, Via Camporeale, 83031 Ariano Irpino, Italy
- Department of Science and Technologies, Università degli Studi del Sannio, Via de Sanctis, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Stefano M Pagnotta
- Department of Science and Technologies, Università degli Studi del Sannio, Via de Sanctis, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Davide Bedognetti
- Cancer Program, Sidra Medicine, Al Luqta Street, Zone 52, Education City, 26999, Doha Qatar
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (Di.M.I.), University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Peter A Sims
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 St Nicholas Ave, New York , NY 10032, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 1130 St Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Mario Suvà
- Department of Pathology and Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, 415 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Xiao-Dong Su
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), School of Life Sciences, Peking University, 5 Yiheyuan Rd, Haidian District, 100871 Beijing, China
| | - Anna Lasorella
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, 1130 St Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, 1130 St Nicholas Ave, New York , NY 10032 USA
| | - Antonio Iavarone
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, 1130 St Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, 1130 St Nicholas Ave, New York , NY 10032 USA
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, 1130 St Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Michele Ceccarelli
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (DIETI), University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Claudio 21, 80128 Naples, Italy
- Bioinformatics Lab, BIOGEM, Via Camporeale, 83031 Ariano Irpino, Italy
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Fantini A, Demurtas A, Nicoli S, Padula C, Pescina S, Santi P. In Vitro Skin Retention of Crisaborole after Topical Application. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E491. [PMID: 32481663 PMCID: PMC7355453 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12060491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Crisaborole, a nonsteroidal phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, represents the first nonsteroidal medication approved for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in over a decade. In this work, crisaborole skin permeation and retention was studied in vitro from a 2% ointment using porcine skin as barrier. Crisaborole was also characterized in terms of thermal behavior, solubility, and logP. Control experiments were performed also on tape stripped skin to clarify the role of stratum corneum in drug partitioning and permeation across the skin. The results obtained indicate that crisaborole accumulates into the skin in considerable amounts after application of a topical lipophilic ointment. Crisaborole shows more affinity for the dermis compared to the epidermis despite its relatively high value of partition coefficient; stratum corneum analysis revealed a low affinity of the drug for this skin layer. Skin penetration across hair follicles or sebaceous glands can be a reason for the high dermis retention and is worth further investigation. The comparison with data obtained from a solution in acetonitrile suggests that the formulation plays a certain role in determining the relative distribution of crisaborole in the skin layers and in the receptor compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Patrizia Santi
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27/a, 43124 Parma, Italy; (A.F.); (A.D.); (S.N.); (C.P.); (S.P.)
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Dal Ben D, Lambertucci C, Buccioni M, Martí Navia A, Marucci G, Spinaci A, Volpini R. Non-Nucleoside Agonists of the Adenosine Receptors: An Overview. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2019; 12:E150. [PMID: 31597388 PMCID: PMC6958362 DOI: 10.3390/ph12040150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Potent and selective adenosine receptor (AR) agonists are of pharmacological interest for the treatment of a wide range of diseases and conditions. Among these derivatives, nucleoside-based agonists represent the great majority of molecules developed and reported to date. However, the limited availability of compounds selective for a specific AR subtype (i.e., A2BAR) and a generally long and complex synthetic route for largely substituted nucleosides are the main drawbacks of this category of molecules. Non-nucleoside agonists represent an alternative set of compounds able to stimulate the AR function and based on simplified structures. This review provides an updated overview on the structural classes of non-nucleoside AR agonists and their biological activities, with emphasis on the main derivatives reported in the literature. A focus is also given to the synthetic routes employed to develop these derivatives and on molecular modeling studies simulating their interaction with ARs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Dal Ben
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino (MC), Italy.
| | - Catia Lambertucci
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino (MC), Italy.
| | - Michela Buccioni
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino (MC), Italy.
| | - Aleix Martí Navia
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino (MC), Italy.
| | - Gabriella Marucci
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino (MC), Italy.
| | - Andrea Spinaci
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino (MC), Italy.
| | - Rosaria Volpini
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino (MC), Italy.
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Castiglia D, Sannino L, Marcolongo L, Ionata E, Tamburino R, De Stradis A, Cobucci-Ponzano B, Moracci M, La Cara F, Scotti N. High-level expression of thermostable cellulolytic enzymes in tobacco transplastomic plants and their use in hydrolysis of an industrially pretreated Arundo donax L. biomass. Biotechnol Biofuels 2016; 9:154. [PMID: 27453729 PMCID: PMC4957871 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-016-0569-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biofuels production from plant biomasses is a complex multi-step process with important economic burdens. Several biotechnological approaches have been pursued to reduce biofuels production costs. The aim of the present study was to explore the production in tobacco plastome of three genes encoding (hemi)cellulolytic enzymes from thermophilic and hyperthermophilic bacterium and Archaea, respectively, and test their application in the bioconversion of an important industrially pretreated biomass feedstock (A. donax) for production of second-generation biofuels. RESULTS The selected enzymes, endoglucanase, endo-β-1,4-xylanase and β-glucosidase, were expressed in tobacco plastome with a protein yield range from 2 % to more than 75 % of total soluble proteins (TSP). The accumulation of endoglucanase (up to 2 % TSP) gave altered plant phenotypes whose severity was directly linked to the enzyme yield. The most severe seedling-lethal phenotype was due to the impairment of plastid development associated to the binding of endoglucanase protein to thylakoids. Endo-β-1,4-xylanase and β-glucosidase, produced at very high level without detrimental effects on plant development, were enriched (fourfold) by heat treatment (105.4 and 255.4 U/mg, respectively). Both plastid-derived biocatalysts retained the main features of the native or recombinantly expressed enzymes with interesting differences. Plastid-derived xylanase and β-glucosidase resulted more thermophilic than the E. coli recombinant and native counterpart, respectively. Bioconversion experiments, carried out at 50 and 60 °C, demonstrated that plastid-derived enzymes were able to hydrolyse an industrially pretreated giant reed biomass. In particular, the replacement of commercial enzyme with plastid-derived xylanase, at 60 °C, produced an increase of both xylose recovery and hydrolysis rate; whereas the replacement of both xylanase and β-glucosidase produced glucose levels similar to those observed with the commercial cocktails, and xylose yields always higher in the whole 24-72 h range. CONCLUSIONS The very high production level of thermophilic and hyperthermophilic enzymes, their stability and bioconversion efficiencies described in this study demonstrate that plastid transformation represents a real cost-effective production platform for cellulolytic enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Castiglia
- />CNR-IBBR UOS Portici, National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, Research Division Portici, Via Università 133, 80055 Portici, NA Italy
| | - Lorenza Sannino
- />CNR-IBBR UOS Portici, National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, Research Division Portici, Via Università 133, 80055 Portici, NA Italy
| | - Loredana Marcolongo
- />CNR-IBBR UOS Naples, National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, Research Division Naples, Via P. Castellino 111, Naples, Italy
- />CNR-IBAF UOS Napoli, National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Agro-environmental and Forest Biology, Research Division Naples, Via P. Castellino 111, Naples, Italy
| | - Elena Ionata
- />CNR-IBBR UOS Naples, National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, Research Division Naples, Via P. Castellino 111, Naples, Italy
- />CNR-IBAF UOS Napoli, National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Agro-environmental and Forest Biology, Research Division Naples, Via P. Castellino 111, Naples, Italy
| | - Rachele Tamburino
- />CNR-IBBR UOS Portici, National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, Research Division Portici, Via Università 133, 80055 Portici, NA Italy
| | - Angelo De Stradis
- />CNR-IPSP UOS Bari, National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, Research Division Bari, Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Beatrice Cobucci-Ponzano
- />CNR-IBBR UOS Naples, National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, Research Division Naples, Via P. Castellino 111, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Moracci
- />CNR-IBBR UOS Naples, National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, Research Division Naples, Via P. Castellino 111, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco La Cara
- />CNR-IBBR UOS Naples, National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, Research Division Naples, Via P. Castellino 111, Naples, Italy
- />CNR-IBAF UOS Napoli, National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Agro-environmental and Forest Biology, Research Division Naples, Via P. Castellino 111, Naples, Italy
| | - Nunzia Scotti
- />CNR-IBBR UOS Portici, National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, Research Division Portici, Via Università 133, 80055 Portici, NA Italy
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