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Roberti E, Turati C, Actis-Grosso R. Single point motion kinematics convey emotional signals in children and adults. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301896. [PMID: 38598520 PMCID: PMC11006184 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This study investigates whether humans recognize different emotions conveyed only by the kinematics of a single moving geometrical shape and how this competence unfolds during development, from childhood to adulthood. To this aim, animations in which a shape moved according to happy, fearful, or neutral cartoons were shown, in a forced-choice paradigm, to 7- and 10-year-old children and adults. Accuracy and response times were recorded, and the movement of the mouse while the participants selected a response was tracked. Results showed that 10-year-old children and adults recognize happiness and fear when conveyed solely by different kinematics, with an advantage for fearful stimuli. Fearful stimuli were also accurately identified at 7-year-olds, together with neutral stimuli, while, at this age, the accuracy for happiness was not significantly different than chance. Overall, results demonstrates that emotions can be identified by a single point motion alone during both childhood and adulthood. Moreover, motion contributes in various measures to the comprehension of emotions, with fear recognized earlier in development and more readily even later on, when all emotions are accurately labeled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Roberti
- Psychology Department, University of Milano–Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Neuromi, Milan Center for Neuroscience, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Turati
- Psychology Department, University of Milano–Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Neuromi, Milan Center for Neuroscience, Milan, Italy
| | - Rossana Actis-Grosso
- Psychology Department, University of Milano–Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Neuromi, Milan Center for Neuroscience, Milan, Italy
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Simonetti M, Butti P, Di Lorenzo RD, Mapelli V, Branduardi P. Valorisation of cotton post-industrial textile waste into lactic acid: chemo-mechanical pretreatment, separate hydrolysis and fermentation using engineered yeast. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:106. [PMID: 38600576 PMCID: PMC11007971 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02384-3] [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: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The textile industry has several negative impacts, mainly because it is based on a linear business model that depletes natural resources and produces excessive amounts of waste. Globally, about 75% of textile waste is disposed of in landfills and only 25% is reused or recycled, while less than 1% is recycled back into new garments. In this study, we explored the valorisation of cotton fabric waste from an apparel textile manufacturing company as valuable biomass to produce lactic acid, a versatile chemical building block. RESULTS Post-industrial cotton patches were pre-treated with the aim of developing a methodology applicable to the industrial site involved. First, a mechanical shredding machine reduced the fabric into individual fibres of maximum 35 mm in length. Afterwards, an alkaline treatment was performed, using NaOH at different concentrations, including a 16% (w/v) NaOH enriched waste stream from the mercerisation of cotton fabrics. The combination of chemo-mechanical pre-treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis led to the maximum recovery yield of 90.46 ± 3.46%, corresponding to 74.96 ± 2.76 g/L of glucose released, which represents a novel valorisation of two different side products (NaOH enriched wastewater and cotton textile waste) of the textile industry. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain CEN.PK m850, engineered for redirecting the natural alcoholic fermentation towards a homolactic fermentation, was then used to valorise the glucose-enriched hydrolysate into lactic acid. Overall, the process produced 53.04 g/L ± 0.34 of L-lactic acid, with a yield of 82.7%, being the first example of second-generation biomass valorised with this yeast strain, to the best of our knowledge. Remarkably, the fermentation performances were comparable with the ones obtained in the control medium. CONCLUSION This study validates the exploitation of cotton post-industrial waste as a possible feedstock for the production of commodity chemicals in microbial cell-based biorefineries. The presented strategy demonstrates the possibility of implementing a circular bioeconomy approach in manufacturing textile industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Simonetti
- Cotonificio Albini S.P.A., Albino, 24021, Bergamo, Italy
- IndBiotech Lab, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Butti
- IndBiotech Lab, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Raffaella Desiré Di Lorenzo
- IndBiotech Lab, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Mapelli
- IndBiotech Lab, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Branduardi
- IndBiotech Lab, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 2, 20126, Milan, Italy.
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Bucchieri D, Mangiagalli M, Martani F, Butti P, Lotti M, Serra I, Branduardi P. A novel laccase from Trametes polyzona with high performance in the decolorization of textile dyes. AMB Express 2024; 14:32. [PMID: 38506984 PMCID: PMC10954600 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-024-01687-3] [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: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Laccases are multicopper oxidases able to oxidize several phenolic compounds and find application in numerous industrial applications. Among laccase producers, white-rot fungi represent a valuable source of multiple isoforms and isoenzymes of these multicopper oxidases. Here we describe the identification, biochemical characterization, and application of laccase 2 from Trametes polyzona (TP-Lac2), a basidiomycete fungus emerged among others that have been screened by plate assay. This enzyme has an optimal temperature of 50 °C and in acidic conditions it is able to oxidize both phenolic and non-phenolic compounds. The ability of TP-Lac2 to decolorize textile dyes was tested in the presence of natural and synthetic mediators at 30 °C and 50 °C. Our results indicate that TP-Lac2 most efficiently decolorizes (decolorization rate > 75%) malachite green oxalate, orange G, amido black10B and bromocresol purple in the presence of acetosyringone and 2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate)-ABTS. Overall, the laccase mediator system consisting of TP-Lac2 and the natural mediator acetosyringone has potential as an environmentally friendly alternative for wastewater treatment in the textile industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Bucchieri
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
- Department of Material Science and Nanotechnology, CORIMAV Program, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via R. Cozzi 55, 20125, Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Mangiagalli
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Martani
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Pietro Butti
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Marina Lotti
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
| | - Immacolata Serra
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy.
| | - Paola Branduardi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 2, 20126, Milano, Italy
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Raimondi Cominesi D, Forcione M, Pozzi M, Giani M, Foti G, Rezoagli E, Cipulli F. Pulmonary shunt in critical care: a practical approach with clinical scenarios. J Anesth Analg Crit Care 2024; 4:18. [PMID: 38449055 PMCID: PMC10916277 DOI: 10.1186/s44158-024-00147-5] [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: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary shunt refers to the passage of venous blood into the arterial blood system bypassing the alveoli-blood gas exchange. Pulmonary shunt is defined by a drop in the physiologic coupling of lung ventilation and lung perfusion. This may consequently lead to respiratory failure. MAIN BODY The pulmonary shunt assessment is often neglected. From a mathematical point of view, pulmonary shunt can be assessed by estimating the degree of mixing between oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. To compute the shunt, three key components are analyzed: the oxygen (O2) content in the central venous blood before gas exchange, the calculated O2 content in the pulmonary capillaries after gas exchange, and the O2 content in the arterial system, after the mixing of shunted and non-shunted blood. Computing the pulmonary shunt becomes of further importance in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), as arterial oxygen levels may not directly reflect the gas exchange of the native lung. CONCLUSION In this review, the shunt analysis and its practical clinical applications in different scenarios are discussed by using an online shunt simulator.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mario Forcione
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Matteo Pozzi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Department of Emergency and Intensive Care, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Marco Giani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Department of Emergency and Intensive Care, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Foti
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Department of Emergency and Intensive Care, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
| | - Emanuele Rezoagli
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
- Department of Emergency and Intensive Care, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy.
| | - Francesco Cipulli
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Department of Emergency and Intensive Care, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy
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Crippa V, Fina E, Ramazzotti D, Piazza R. Control-FREEC viewer: a tool for the visualization and exploration of copy number variation data. BMC Bioinformatics 2024; 25:72. [PMID: 38355453 PMCID: PMC10868011 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-024-05694-w] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Copy number alterations (CNAs) are genetic changes commonly found in cancer that involve different regions of the genome and impact cancer progression by affecting gene expression and genomic stability. Computational techniques can analyze copy number data obtained from high-throughput sequencing platforms, and various tools visualize and analyze CNAs in cancer genomes, providing insights into genetic mechanisms driving cancer development and progression. However, tools for visualizing copy number data in cancer research have some limitations. In fact, they can be complex to use and require expertise in bioinformatics or computational biology. While copy number data analysis and visualization provide insights into cancer biology, interpreting results can be challenging, and there may be multiple explanations for observed patterns of copy number alterations. RESULTS We created Control-FREEC Viewer, a tool that facilitates effective visualization and exploration of copy number data. With Control-FREEC Viewer, experimental data can be easily loaded by the user. After choosing the reference genome, copy number data are displayed in whole genome or single chromosome view. Gain or loss on a specific gene can be found and visualized on each chromosome. Analysis parameters for subsequent sessions can be stored and images can be exported in raster and vector formats. CONCLUSIONS Control-FREEC Viewer enables users to import and visualize data analyzed by the Control-FREEC tool, as well as by other tools sharing a similar tabular output, providing a comprehensive and intuitive graphical user interface for data visualization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Crippa
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Fina
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Ramazzotti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Rocco Piazza
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
- Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo Dei Tintori, Monza, Italy.
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Guidali G, Picardi M, Franca M, Caronni A, Bolognini N. The social relevance and the temporal constraints of motor resonance in humans. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15933. [PMID: 37741884 PMCID: PMC10517949 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43227-2] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In humans, motor resonance effects can be tracked by measuring the enhancement of corticospinal excitability by action observation. Uncovering factors driving motor resonance is crucial for optimizing action observation paradigms in experimental and clinical settings. In the present study, we deepen motor resonance properties for grasping movements. Thirty-five healthy subjects underwent an action observation task presenting right-hand grasping movements differing from their action goal. Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied over the left primary motor cortex at 100, 200, or 300 ms from the onset of the visual stimulus depicting the action. Motor-evoked potentials were recorded from four muscles of the right hand and forearm. Results show a muscle-specific motor resonance effect at 200 ms after movement but selectively for observing a socially relevant grasp towards another human being. This effect correlates with observers' emotional empathy scores, and it was followed by inhibition of motor resonance at 300 ms post-stimulus onset. No motor resonance facilitation emerged while observing intransitive hand movement or object grasping. This evidence highlights the social side of motor resonance and its dependency on temporal factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Guidali
- Department of Psychology & NeuroMI-Milan Centre for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy.
| | - Michela Picardi
- Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa di cura Igea, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Franca
- Department of Psychology & NeuroMI-Milan Centre for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy
- Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Antonio Caronni
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Ospedale San Luca, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Bolognini
- Department of Psychology & NeuroMI-Milan Centre for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, 20126, Milan, Italy.
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
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Ricciardelli P, Pintori N. Effect of race on Gaze Cueing in adults with high and low autistic traits. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:275. [PMID: 37715241 PMCID: PMC10503147 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01307-y] [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: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Observing the direction of gaze of another person leads to shifting of attention in the same direction (gaze-cueing effect - GCE), a social-cognitive ability known as joint or social attention. Racial attitudes can influence the magnitude of GCE since it has been shown that White people showing a strong race ingroup preference follow the gaze only of White, and not Black, faces. Individuals with high autistic traits have difficulties in social-cognitive abilities that can disrupt the learning of socially shared racial attitudes. Our aim was to investigate in White Italian adults whether individuals with higher autistic traits (measured by the Autism Spectrum Quotient) show reduced implicit racial bias (measured by the Implicit Association Test) and if this bias would lead to differences in the gaze cueing effect (GCE) triggered by gaze direction of faces of different races (measured by the Gaze Cueing Task). METHODS In an online study, participants (N = 165; 132 females; Mean age = 22.9; SD = 4.76) filled in the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) questionnaire, then performed a Gaze Cueing Task, followed and by an Implicit Association Test. RESULTS Linear regression and linear mixed model analyses showed in the IAT task the presence of the same implicit ingroup bias for all participants, which was not predicted by the AQ score, while in the Gaze Cueing Task the GCE differed depending on the AQ score of the participants. Specifically, participants with low-medium, medium, and medium-high autistic traits (AQ = -1SD; AQ = mean; AQ = + 1SD respectively) presented the GCE for both ingroup and outgroup cueing faces, whereas participants with high autistic traits (AQ = + 2SD) only for ingroup faces. CONCLUSIONS In White Italian adults the presence of an implicit ingroup bias seems to influence the GCE, but it is not always true that the individuals showing an implicit ingroup bias do not orient their attention in the direction of gaze of the outgroup individuals. Instead, the GCE seems to be modulated by the level of autistic traits. That is, individuals with higher autistic traits seem to prioritize joint attention with only their ingroup members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Ricciardelli
- Department of Psychology, University of Milan - Bicocca, Piazza Dell'Ateneo Nuovo, 1, 20126, Milan, Italy.
- Milan Centre for Neuroscience, Milan, Italy.
| | - Noemi Pintori
- Department of Psychology, University of Milan - Bicocca, Piazza Dell'Ateneo Nuovo, 1, 20126, Milan, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa, 11, 25123, Brescia, Italy
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Proverbio AM, Pischedda F. Measuring brain potentials of imagination linked to physiological needs and motivational states. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1146789. [PMID: 37007683 PMCID: PMC10050745 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1146789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionWhile EEG signals reflecting motor and perceptual imagery are effectively used in brain computer interface (BCI) contexts, little is known about possible indices of motivational states. In the present study, electrophysiological markers of imagined motivational states, such as craves and desires were investigated.MethodsEvent-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded in 31 participants during perception and imagery elicited by the presentation of 360 pictograms. Twelve micro-categories of needs, subdivided into four macro-categories, were considered as most relevant for a possible BCI usage, namely: primary visceral needs (e.g., hunger, linked to desire of food); somatosensory thermal and pain sensations (e.g., cold, linked to desire of warm), affective states (e.g., fear: linked to desire of reassurance) and secondary needs (e.g., desire to exercise or listen to music). Anterior N400 and centroparietal late positive potential (LPP) were measured and statistically analyzed.ResultsN400 and LPP were differentially sensitive to the various volition stats, depending on their sensory, emotional and motivational poignancy. N400 was larger to imagined positive appetitive states (e.g., play, cheerfulness) than negative ones (sadness or fear). In addition, N400 was of greater amplitude during imagery of thermal and nociceptive sensations than other motivational or visceral states. Source reconstruction of electromagnetic dipoles showed the activation of sensorimotor areas and cerebellum for movement imagery, and of auditory and superior frontal areas for music imagery.DiscussionOverall, ERPs were smaller and more anteriorly distributed during imagery than perception, but showed some similarity in terms of lateralization, distribution, and category response, thus indicating some overlap in neural processing, as also demonstrated by correlation analyses. In general, anterior frontal N400 provided clear markers of subjects’ physiological needs and motivational states, especially cold, pain, and fear (but also sadness, the urgency to move, etc.), than can signal life-threatening conditions. It is concluded that ERP markers might potentially allow the reconstruction of mental representations related to various motivational states through BCI systems.
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Frigerio J, Gorini T, Palumbo C, De Mattia F, Labra M, Mezzasalma V. A Fast and Simple DNA Mini-barcoding and RPA Assay Coupled with Lateral Flow Assay for Fresh and Canned Mackerel Authentication. FOOD ANAL METHOD 2023; 16:426-435. [PMID: 36530851 PMCID: PMC9734502 DOI: 10.1007/s12161-022-02429-6] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, food authentication is more and more required given its relevance in terms of quality and safety. The seafood market is heavily affected by mislabelling and fraudulent substitutions/adulterations, especially for processed food products such as canned food items, due to the loss of morphological features. This study aims to develop new assays based on DNA to identify fresh mackerel (Scomber spp.) and commercial products. A new primer pair was de novo designed on the 5S rRNA gene and non-transcribed spacer (NTS), identifying a DNA mini-barcoding region suitable for species identification of processed commercial products. Moreover, to offer a fast and low-cost analysis, a new assay based on recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) was developed for the identification of fresh 'Sgombro' (Scomber scombrus) and 'Lanzardo o Occhione' (Scomber japonicus and Scomber colias), coupled with the lateral flow visualisation for the most expensive species (Scomber scombrus) identification. This innovative portable assay has great potential for supply chain traceability in the seafood market. Graphical Abstract Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12161-022-02429-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Frigerio
- FEM2-Ambiente, Piazza Della Scienza 2, I-20126 Milan, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, FEM2-Ambiente, Piazza Della Scienza 2, I-20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Tommaso Gorini
- FEM2-Ambiente, Piazza Della Scienza 2, I-20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Cassandra Palumbo
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, FEM2-Ambiente, Piazza Della Scienza 2, I-20126 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Labra
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, FEM2-Ambiente, Piazza Della Scienza 2, I-20126 Milan, Italy
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Donadoni E, Siani P, Frigerio G, Di Valentin C. Multi-scale modeling of folic acid-functionalized TiO 2 nanoparticles for active targeting of tumor cells. Nanoscale 2022; 14:12099-12116. [PMID: 35959762 PMCID: PMC9404434 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr02603a] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Strategies based on the active targeting of tumor cells are emerging as smart and efficient nanomedical procedures. Folic acid (FA) is a vitamin and a well-established tumor targeting agent because of its strong affinity for the folate receptor (FR), which is an overexpressed protein on the cell membranes of the tumor cells. FA can be successfully anchored to several nanocarriers, including inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) based on transition metal oxides. Among them, TiO2 is extremely interesting because of its excellent photoabsorption and photocatalytic properties, which can be exploited in photodynamic therapy. However, it is not yet clear in which respects direct anchoring of FA to the NP or the use of spacers, based on polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains, are different and whether one approach is better than the other. In this work, we combine Quantum Mechanics (QM) and classical Molecular Dynamics (MD) to design and optimize the FA functionalization on bare and PEGylated TiO2 models and to study the dynamical behavior of the resulting nanoconjugates in a pure water environment and in physiological conditions. We observe that they are chemically stable, even under the effect of increasing temperature (up to 500 K). Using the results from long MD simulations (100 ns) and from free energy calculations, we determine how the density of FA molecules on the TiO2 NP and the presence of PEG spacers impact on the actual exposure of the ligands, especially by affecting the extent of FA-FA intermolecular interactions, which are detrimental for the targeting ability of FA towards the folate receptor. This analysis provides a solid and rational basis for experimentalists to define the optimal FA density and the more appropriate mode of anchoring to the carrier, according to the final purpose of the nanoconjugate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Donadoni
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università di Milano-Bicocca, via R. Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy.
| | - Paulo Siani
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università di Milano-Bicocca, via R. Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy.
| | - Giulia Frigerio
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università di Milano-Bicocca, via R. Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy.
| | - Cristiana Di Valentin
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università di Milano-Bicocca, via R. Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy.
- BioNanoMedicine Center NANOMIB, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
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Bonaventura E, Dhungana DS, Martella C, Grazianetti C, Macis S, Lupi S, Bonera E, Molle A. Optical and thermal responses of silicene in Xene heterostructures. Nanoscale Horiz 2022; 7:924-930. [PMID: 35788614 PMCID: PMC9311265 DOI: 10.1039/d2nh00219a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Stabilization of silicene and preservation of its structural and electronic properties are essential for its processing and future integration into devices. The stacking of silicene on stanene, creating a Xene-based heterostructure, proves to be a viable new route in this respect. Here we demonstrate the effectiveness of a stanene layer in breaking the strong interaction between silicene and the Ag(111) substrate. The role of stanene as a 'buffer' layer is investigated by analyzing the optical response of epitaxial silicene through both power-dependent Raman spectroscopy and reflectivity measurements in the near infrared (NIR)-ultraviolet (UV) spectral range. Finally, we point out a Xene-induced shift of the silver plasma edge that paves the way for the development of a new approach to engineering the metal plasmonic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Bonaventura
- CNR-IMM Unit of Agrate Brianza, via C. Olivetti 2, Agrate Brianza, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, via Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy
| | - Daya S Dhungana
- CNR-IMM Unit of Agrate Brianza, via C. Olivetti 2, Agrate Brianza, Italy.
| | - Christian Martella
- CNR-IMM Unit of Agrate Brianza, via C. Olivetti 2, Agrate Brianza, Italy.
| | - Carlo Grazianetti
- CNR-IMM Unit of Agrate Brianza, via C. Olivetti 2, Agrate Brianza, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Macis
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Lupi
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Emiliano Bonera
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, via Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Molle
- CNR-IMM Unit of Agrate Brianza, via C. Olivetti 2, Agrate Brianza, Italy.
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12
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Ciccolella S, Denti L, Bonizzoni P, Della Vedova G, Pirola Y, Previtali M. MALVIRUS: an integrated application for viral variant analysis. BMC Bioinformatics 2022; 22:625. [PMID: 35439933 PMCID: PMC9017741 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-022-04668-0] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Being able to efficiently call variants from the increasing amount of sequencing data daily produced from multiple viral strains is of the utmost importance, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to track the spread of the viral strains across the globe. RESULTS We present MALVIRUS, an easy-to-install and easy-to-use application that assists users in multiple tasks required for the analysis of a viral population, such as the SARS-CoV-2. MALVIRUS allows to: (1) construct a variant catalog consisting in a set of variations (SNPs/indels) from the population sequences, (2) efficiently genotype and annotate variants of the catalog supported by a read sample, and (3) when the considered viral species is the SARS-CoV-2, assign the input sample to the most likely Pango lineages using the genotyped variations. CONCLUSIONS Tests on Illumina and Nanopore samples proved the efficiency and the effectiveness of MALVIRUS in analyzing SARS-CoV-2 strain samples with respect to publicly available data provided by NCBI and the more complete dataset provided by GISAID. A comparison with state-of-the-art tools showed that MALVIRUS is always more precise and often have a better recall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Ciccolella
- Department of Informatics, Systems and Communication, University of Milano-Bicocca, Viale Sarca 336, 20136 Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Denti
- Department of Informatics, Systems and Communication, University of Milano-Bicocca, Viale Sarca 336, 20136 Milan, Italy
- Department of Computational Biology, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Paola Bonizzoni
- Department of Informatics, Systems and Communication, University of Milano-Bicocca, Viale Sarca 336, 20136 Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Della Vedova
- Department of Informatics, Systems and Communication, University of Milano-Bicocca, Viale Sarca 336, 20136 Milan, Italy
| | - Yuri Pirola
- Department of Informatics, Systems and Communication, University of Milano-Bicocca, Viale Sarca 336, 20136 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Previtali
- Department of Informatics, Systems and Communication, University of Milano-Bicocca, Viale Sarca 336, 20136 Milan, Italy
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13
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Schubert J, Li Y, Mendes MA, Fei D, Dickinson H, Moore I, Baroux C. A procedure for Dex-induced gene transactivation in Arabidopsis ovules. Plant Methods 2022; 18:41. [PMID: 35351175 PMCID: PMC8962214 DOI: 10.1186/s13007-022-00879-x] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elucidating the genetic and molecular control of plant reproduction often requires the deployment of functional approaches based on reverse or forward genetic screens. The loss-of-function of essential genes, however, may lead to plant lethality prior to reproductive development or to the formation of sterile structures before the organ-of-interest can be analyzed. In these cases, inducible approaches that enable a spatial and temporal control of the genetic perturbation are extremely valuable. Genetic induction in reproductive organs, such as the ovule, deeply embedded in the flower, is a delicate procedure that requires both optimization and validation. RESULTS Here we report on a streamlined procedure enabling reliable induction of gene expression in Arabidopsis ovule and anther tissues using the popular pOP/LhGR Dex-inducible system. We demonstrate its efficiency and reliability using fluorescent reporter proteins and histochemical detection of the GUS reporter gene. CONCLUSION The pOP/LhGR system allows for a rapid, efficient, and reliable induction of transgenes in developing ovules without compromising developmental progression. This approach opens new possibilities for the functional analysis of candidate regulators in sporogenesis and gametogenesis, which is otherwise affected by early lethality in conventional, stable mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin Schubert
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology and Zürich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zürich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yanru Li
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology and Zürich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zürich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marta A Mendes
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Universitá degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Danli Fei
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology and Zürich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zürich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hugh Dickinson
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RB, UK
| | - Ian Moore
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3RB, UK
| | - Célia Baroux
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology and Zürich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zürich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008, Zurich, Switzerland.
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14
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Ornaghi S, Colciago E, Vaglio Tessitore I, Abbamondi A, Antolini L, Locatelli A, Inversetti A, Pintucci A, Cetin I, Bracco B, Fabbri E, Sala V, Meroni M, Volpe G, Benedetti S, Bulfoni C, Marconi A, Lagrasta F, Paolini CL, Mazza E, Candiani M, Valsecchi L, Smid M, Pasi F, Pozzoni M, Castoldi M, Vignali M, Dal Molin G, Guarano A, Pellegrino A, Callegari C, Betti M, Lazzarin S, Prefumo F, Zanardini C, Parolin V, Catalano A, Barbolini E, Antonazzo P, Pignatti L, Tintoni M, Spelzini F, Martinelli A, Facchinetti F, Chiossi G, Vergani P. Mode of birth in women with low-lying placenta: protocol for a prospective multicentre 1:3 matched case-control study in Italy (the MODEL-PLACENTA study). BMJ Open 2021; 11:e052510. [PMID: 34873004 PMCID: PMC8650481 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052510] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The term placenta praevia defines a placenta that lies over the internal os, whereas the term low-lying placenta identifies a placenta that is partially implanted in the lower uterine segment with the inferior placental edge located at 1-20 mm from the internal cervical os (internal-os-distance). The most appropriate mode of birth in women with low-lying placenta is still controversial, with the majority of them undergoing caesarean section. The current project aims to evaluate the rate of vaginal birth and caesarean section in labour due to bleeding by offering a trial of labour to all women with an internal-os-distance >5 mm as assessed by transvaginal sonography in the late third trimester. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The MODEL-PLACENTA is a prospective, multicentre, 1:3 matched case-control study involving 17 Maternity Units across Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions, Italy. The study includes women with a placenta located in the lower uterine segment at the second trimester scan. Women with a normally located placenta will be enrolled as controls. A sample size of 30 women with an internal-os-distance >5 mm at the late third trimester scan is needed at each participating Unit. Since the incidence of low-lying placenta decreases from 2% in the second trimester to 0.4% at the end of pregnancy, 150 women should be recruited at each centre at the second trimester scan. A vaginal birth rate ≥60% in women with an internal-os-distance >5 mm will be considered appropriate to start routinely admitting to labour these women. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval for the study was given by the Brianza Ethics Committee (No 3157, 2019). Written informed consent will be obtained from study participants. Results will be disseminated by publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentation in international conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04827433 (pre-results stage).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ornaghi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fondazione Monza e Brianza per il Bambino e la sua Mamma, Monza, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Laura Antolini
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Anna Locatelli
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ASST di Vimercate, Carate Brianza, Italy
| | - Annalisa Inversetti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ASST di Vimercate, Carate Brianza, Italy
| | - Armando Pintucci
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ASST di Monza, Desio, Italy
| | - I Cetin
- Department of BioMedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital V. Buzzi, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milano, Italy
| | - Benedetta Bracco
- Department of BioMedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital V. Buzzi, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milano, Italy
| | - Elisa Fabbri
- Department of BioMedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital V. Buzzi, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milano, Italy
| | - Valentina Sala
- Department of BioMedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital V. Buzzi, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milano, Italy
| | - Mario Meroni
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milano, Italy
| | - Grazia Volpe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ca' Grande Niguarda Hospital, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milano, Italy
| | - Sara Benedetti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milano, Italy
| | - Camilla Bulfoni
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milano, Italy
| | - Annamaria Marconi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milano, Italy
| | - Federica Lagrasta
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milano, Italy
| | - Cinzia Lucia Paolini
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milano, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Mazza
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Paolo Hospital, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Candiani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Valsecchi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Maddalena Smid
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Federica Pasi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Mirko Pozzoni
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Castoldi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, San Raffaele Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Michele Vignali
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Milano, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milano, Italy
| | - Giulia Dal Molin
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milano, Italy
| | - Alice Guarano
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fatebenefratelli Hospital, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milano, Italy
| | - Antonio Pellegrino
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alessandro Manzoni Hospital, ASST di Lecco, Lecco, Italy
| | - Clelia Callegari
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alessandro Manzoni Hospital, ASST di Lecco, Lecco, Italy
| | - Marta Betti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alessandro Manzoni Hospital, ASST di Lecco, Lecco, Italy
| | - Sara Lazzarin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alessandro Manzoni Hospital, ASST di Lecco, Lecco, Italy
| | - Federico Prefumo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Spedali Civili Hospital, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Brescia, Brescia, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Cristina Zanardini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Spedali Civili Hospital, ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Brescia, Brescia, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Valentina Parolin
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Anna Catalano
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Poliambulanza Foundation Hospitals, Brescia, Italy
| | - Edoardo Barbolini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Poliambulanza Foundation Hospitals, Brescia, Italy
| | - Patrizio Antonazzo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maurizio Bufalini Hospital, Cesena, Italy
| | - Lucrezia Pignatti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maurizio Bufalini Hospital, Cesena, Italy
| | - Mauro Tintoni
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maurizio Bufalini Hospital, Cesena, Italy
| | - Federico Spelzini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Infermi Hospital Rimini, Rimini, Italy
| | - Anna Martinelli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Infermi Hospital Rimini, Rimini, Italy
| | - Fabio Facchinetti
- Obstetric Unit, Mother Infant Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - G Chiossi
- Obstetric Unit, Mother Infant Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Patrizia Vergani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Fondazione Monza e Brianza per il Bambino e la sua Mamma, Monza, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
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Lal A, Liu K, Tibshirani R, Sidow A, Ramazzotti D. De novo mutational signature discovery in tumor genomes using SparseSignatures. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009119. [PMID: 34181655 PMCID: PMC8270462 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is the result of mutagenic processes that can be inferred from tumor genomes by analyzing rate spectra of point mutations, or "mutational signatures". Here we present SparseSignatures, a novel framework to extract signatures from somatic point mutation data. Our approach incorporates a user-specified background signature, employs regularization to reduce noise in non-background signatures, uses cross-validation to identify the number of signatures, and is scalable to large datasets. We show that SparseSignatures outperforms current state-of-the-art methods on simulated data using a variety of standard metrics. We then apply SparseSignatures to whole genome sequences of pancreatic and breast tumors, discovering well-differentiated signatures that are linked to known mutagenic mechanisms and are strongly associated with patient clinical features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avantika Lal
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Keli Liu
- Department of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Robert Tibshirani
- Department of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Arend Sidow
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Daniele Ramazzotti
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
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16
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Coppadoro A, Benini A, Fruscio R, Verga L, Mazzola P, Bellelli G, Carbone M, Mulinacci G, Soria A, Noè B, Beck E, Di Sciacca R, Ippolito D, Citerio G, Valsecchi MG, Biondi A, Pesci A, Bonfanti P, Gaudesi D, Bellani G, Foti G. Helmet CPAP to treat hypoxic pneumonia outside the ICU: an observational study during the COVID-19 outbreak. Crit Care 2021; 25:80. [PMID: 33627169 PMCID: PMC7903369 DOI: 10.1186/s13054-021-03502-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [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: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Respiratory failure due to COVID-19 pneumonia is associated with high mortality and may overwhelm health care systems, due to the surge of patients requiring advanced respiratory support. Shortage of intensive care unit (ICU) beds required many patients to be treated outside the ICU despite severe gas exchange impairment. Helmet is an effective interface to provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) noninvasively. We report data about the usefulness of helmet CPAP during pandemic, either as treatment, a bridge to intubation or a rescue therapy for patients with care limitations (DNI). METHODS In this observational study we collected data regarding patients failing standard oxygen therapy (i.e., non-rebreathing mask) due to COVID-19 pneumonia treated with a free flow helmet CPAP system. Patients' data were recorded before, at initiation of CPAP treatment and once a day, thereafter. CPAP failure was defined as a composite outcome of intubation or death. RESULTS A total of 306 patients were included; 42% were deemed as DNI. Helmet CPAP treatment was successful in 69% of the full treatment and 28% of the DNI patients (P < 0.001). With helmet CPAP, PaO2/FiO2 ratio doubled from about 100 to 200 mmHg (P < 0.001); respiratory rate decreased from 28 [22-32] to 24 [20-29] breaths per minute, P < 0.001). C-reactive protein, time to oxygen mask failure, age, PaO2/FiO2 during CPAP, number of comorbidities were independently associated with CPAP failure. Helmet CPAP was maintained for 6 [3-9] days, almost continuously during the first two days. None of the full treatment patients died before intubation in the wards. CONCLUSIONS Helmet CPAP treatment is feasible for several days outside the ICU, despite persistent impairment in gas exchange. It was used, without escalating to intubation, in the majority of full treatment patients after standard oxygen therapy failed. DNI patients could benefit from helmet CPAP as rescue therapy to improve survival. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT04424992.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Coppadoro
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Annalisa Benini
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Robert Fruscio
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, MB Italy
| | - Luisa Verga
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Paolo Mazzola
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, MB Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bellelli
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, MB Italy
| | - Marco Carbone
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, MB Italy
| | - Giacomo Mulinacci
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, MB Italy
| | - Alessandro Soria
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Beatrice Noè
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, MB Italy
| | - Eduardo Beck
- grid.413643.70000 0004 1760 8047ASST Monza, Desio Hospital, Desio, Italy
| | - Riccardo Di Sciacca
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Davide Ippolito
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Citerio
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, MB Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Valsecchi
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, MB Italy
| | - Andrea Biondi
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, MB Italy
| | - Alberto Pesci
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, MB Italy
| | - Paolo Bonfanti
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, MB Italy
| | - Davide Gaudesi
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, MB Italy
| | - Giacomo Bellani
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, MB Italy
| | - Giuseppe Foti
- grid.415025.70000 0004 1756 8604ASST Monza, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy
- grid.7563.70000 0001 2174 1754Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, Monza, MB Italy
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Roca-Pinilla R, Fortuna S, Natalello A, Sánchez-Chardi A, Ami D, Arís A, Garcia-Fruitós E. Exploring the use of leucine zippers for the generation of a new class of inclusion bodies for pharma and biotechnological applications. Microb Cell Fact 2020; 19:175. [PMID: 32887587 PMCID: PMC7650227 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-020-01425-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inclusion bodies (IBs) are biologically active protein aggregates forming natural nanoparticles with a high stability and a slow-release behavior. Because of their nature, IBs have been explored to be used as biocatalysts, in tissue engineering, and also for human and animal therapies. To improve the production and biological efficiency of this nanomaterial, a wide range of aggregation tags have been evaluated. However, so far, the presence in the IBs of bacterial impurities such as lipids and other proteins coexisting with the recombinant product has been poorly studied. These impurities could strongly limit the potential of IB applications, being necessary to control the composition of these bacterial nanoparticles. Thus, we have explored the use of leucine zippers as alternative tags to promote not only aggregation but also the generation of a new type of IB-like protein nanoparticles with improved physicochemical properties. RESULTS Three different protein constructs, named GFP, J-GFP-F and J/F-GFP were engineered. J-GFP-F corresponded to a GFP flanked by two leucine zippers (Jun and Fos); J/F-GFP was formed coexpressing a GFP fused to Jun leucine zipper (J-GFP) and a GFP fused to a Fos leucine zipper (F-GFP); and, finally, GFP was used as a control without any tag. All of them were expressed in Escherichia coli and formed IBs, where the aggregation tendency was especially high for J/F-GFP. Moreover, those IBs formed by J-GFP-F and J/F-GFP constructs were smaller, rougher, and more amorphous than GFP ones, increasing surface/mass ratio and, therefore, surface for protein release. Although the lipid and carbohydrate content were not reduced with the addition of leucine zippers, interesting differences were observed in the protein specific activity and conformation with the addition of Jun and Fos. Moreover, J-GFP-F and J/F-GFP nanoparticles were purer than GFP IBs in terms of protein content. CONCLUSIONS This study proved that the use of leucine zippers strategy allows the formation of IBs with an increased aggregation ratio and protein purity, as we observed with the J/F-GFP approach, and the formation of IBs with a higher specific activity, in the case of J-GFP-F IBs. Thus, overall, the use of leucine zippers seems to be a good system for the production of IBs with more promising characteristics useful for pharma or biotech applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramon Roca-Pinilla
- Department of Ruminant Production, Institute of Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (IRTA), 08140, Caldes de Montbui, Spain
| | - Sara Fortuna
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri 1, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Antonino Natalello
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Alejandro Sánchez-Chardi
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona (UB), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Microscopy Service, Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Diletta Ami
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Arís
- Department of Ruminant Production, Institute of Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (IRTA), 08140, Caldes de Montbui, Spain.
| | - Elena Garcia-Fruitós
- Department of Ruminant Production, Institute of Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (IRTA), 08140, Caldes de Montbui, Spain.
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Scheggi S, Guzzi F, Braccagni G, De Montis MG, Parenti M, Gambarana C. Targeting PPARα in the rat valproic acid model of autism: focus on social motivational impairment and sex-related differences. Mol Autism 2020; 11:62. [PMID: 32718349 PMCID: PMC7385875 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00358-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The social motivational theory of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) focuses on social anhedonia as key causal feature of the impaired peer relationships that characterize ASD patients. ASD prevalence is higher in boys, but increasing evidence suggests underdiagnosis and undertreatment in girls. We showed that stress-induced motivational anhedonia is relieved by repeated treatment with fenofibrate (FBR), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) agonist. Here, we used the valproic acid (VPA) model of ASD in rats to examine male and female phenotypes and assess whether FBR administration from weaning to young adulthood relieved social impairments. METHODS Male and female rats exposed to saline or VPA at gestational day 12.5 received standard or FBR-enriched diet from postnatal day 21 to 48-53, when behavioral tests and ex vivo neurochemical analyses were performed. Phosphorylation levels of DARPP-32 in response to social and nonsocial cues, as index of dopamine D1 receptor activation, levels of expression of PPARα, vesicular glutamatergic and GABAergic transporters, and postsynaptic density protein PSD-95 were analyzed by immunoblotting in selected brain regions. RESULTS FBR administration relieved social impairment and perseverative behavior in VPA-exposed male and female rats, but it was only effective on female stereotypies. Dopamine D1 receptor signaling triggered by social interaction in the nucleus accumbens shell was blunted in VPA-exposed rats, and it was rescued by FBR treatment only in males. VPA-exposed rats of both sexes exhibited an increased ratio of striatal excitatory over inhibitory synaptic markers that was normalized by FBR treatment. LIMITATIONS This study did not directly address the extent of motivational deficit in VPA-exposed rats and whether FBR administration restored the likely decreased motivation to operate for social reward. Future studies using operant behavior protocols will address this relevant issue. CONCLUSIONS The results support the involvement of impaired motivational mechanisms in ASD-like social deficits and suggest the rationale for a possible pharmacological treatment. Moreover, the study highlights sex-related differences in the expression of ASD-like symptoms and their differential responses to FBR treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Scheggi
- Department Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, Siena, Italy.
| | - Francesca Guzzi
- Department Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giulia Braccagni
- Department Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Graziella De Montis
- Department Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, Siena, Italy
| | - Marco Parenti
- Department Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Carla Gambarana
- Department Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 2, Siena, Italy
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Daneyko O. See What You Feel: A Crossmodal Tool for Measuring Haptic Size Illusions. Iperception 2020; 11:2041669520944425. [PMID: 32850110 PMCID: PMC7425280 DOI: 10.1177/2041669520944425] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to present the employment of a simple-to-use crossmodal method for measuring haptic size illusions. The method, that we call See what you feel, was tested by employing Uznadze's classic haptic aftereffect in which two spheres physically identical (test spheres) appear different in size after that the hands holding them underwent an adaptation session with other two spheres (adapting spheres), one bigger and the other smaller than the two test spheres. To measure the entity of the illusion, a three-dimensional visual scale was created and participants were asked to find on it the spheres that corresponded in size to the spheres they were holding in their hands out of sight. The method, tested on 160 right-handed participants, is robust and easily understood by participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Daneyko
- Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics, Sheffield Hallam University
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20
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Bertacchi S, Bettiga M, Porro D, Branduardi P. Camelina sativa meal hydrolysate as sustainable biomass for the production of carotenoids by Rhodosporidium toruloides. Biotechnol Biofuels 2020; 13:47. [PMID: 32190112 PMCID: PMC7066749 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-020-01682-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the circular economy advocates a near total waste reduction, the industry has shown an increased interest toward the exploitation of various residual biomasses. The origin and availability of biomass used as feedstock strongly affect the sustainability of biorefineries, where it is converted in energy and chemicals. Here, we explored the valorization of Camelina meal, the leftover residue from Camelina sativa oil extraction. In fact, in addition to Camelina meal use as animal feed, there is an increasing interest in further valorizing its macromolecular content or its nutritional value. RESULTS Camelina meal hydrolysates were used as nutrient and energy sources for the fermentation of the carotenoid-producing yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides in shake flasks. Total acid hydrolysis revealed that carbohydrates accounted for a maximum of 31 ± 1.0% of Camelina meal. However, because acid hydrolysis is not optimal for subsequent microbial fermentation, an enzymatic hydrolysis protocol was assessed, yielding a maximum sugar recovery of 53.3%. Separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF), simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF), and SSF preceded by presaccharification of Camelina meal hydrolysate produced 5 ± 0.7, 16 ± 1.9, and 13 ± 2.6 mg/L of carotenoids, respectively. Importantly, the presence of water-insoluble solids, which normally inhibit microbial growth, correlated with a higher titer of carotenoids, suggesting that the latter could act as scavengers. CONCLUSIONS This study paves the way for the exploitation of Camelina meal as feedstock in biorefinery processes. The process under development provides an example of how different final products can be obtained from this side stream, such as pure carotenoids and carotenoid-enriched Camelina meal, can potentially increase the initial value of the source material. The obtained data will help assess the feasibility of using Camelina meal to generate high value-added products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Bertacchi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Maurizio Bettiga
- Division of Industrial Biotechnology, Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 10, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
- EviKrets Biobased Processes Consultants, Lunnavägen 87, 42834 Landvetter, Sweden
| | - Danilo Porro
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Branduardi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy
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21
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Fontana F, Gelain F. Probing mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of fibrils of self-assembling peptides. Nanoscale Adv 2020; 2:190-198. [PMID: 36133966 PMCID: PMC9416940 DOI: 10.1039/c9na00621d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembling peptides (SAPs) are a promising class of biomaterials amenable to easy molecular design and functionalization. Despite their increasing usage in regenerative medicine, a detailed analysis of their biomechanics at the nanoscale level is still missing. In this work, we propose and validate, in all-atom dynamics, a coarse-grained model to elucidate strain distribution, failure mechanisms and biomechanical effects of functionalization of two SAPs when subjected to both axial stretching and bending forces. We highlight different failure mechanisms for fibril seeds and fibrils, as well as the negligible contribution of the chosen functional motif to the overall system rupture. This approach could lay the basis for the development of "more" coarse-grained models in the long pathway connecting SAP sequences and hydrogel mechanical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Fontana
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Unità Ingegneria Tissutale Viale Cappuccini 1, San Giovanni Rotondo 71013 Foggia Italy
| | - Fabrizio Gelain
- Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Unità Ingegneria Tissutale Viale Cappuccini 1, San Giovanni Rotondo 71013 Foggia Italy
- Center for Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering (CNTE), ASST Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda Piazza dell'Ospedale Maggiore 3 20162 Milan Italy
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22
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Franzetti A, Navarra F, Tagliaferri I, Gandolfi I, Bestetti G, Minora U, Azzoni RS, Diolaiuti G, Smiraglia C, Ambrosini R. Potential sources of bacteria colonizing the cryoconite of an Alpine glacier. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174786. [PMID: 28358872 PMCID: PMC5373619 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [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: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the potential contribution of ice-marginal environments to the microbial communities of cryoconite holes, small depressions filled with meltwater that form on the surface of Forni Glacier (Italian Alps). Cryoconite holes are considered the most biologically active environments on glaciers. Bacteria can colonize these environments by short-range transport from ice-marginal environments or by long-range transport from distant areas. We used high throughput DNA sequencing to identify Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) present in cryoconite holes and three ice-marginal environments, the moraines, the glacier forefield, and a large (> 3 m high) ice-cored dirt cone occurring on the glacier surface. Bacterial communities of cryoconite holes were different from those of ice-marginal environments and hosted fewer OTUs. However, a network analysis revealed that the cryoconite holes shared more OTUs with the moraines and the dirt cone than with the glacier forefield. Ice-marginal environments may therefore act as sources of bacteria for cryoconite holes, but differences in environmental conditions limit the number of bacterial strains that may survive in them. At the same time, cryoconite holes host a few OTUs that were not found in any ice-marginal environment we sampled, thus suggesting that some bacterial populations are positively selected by the specific environmental conditions of the cryoconite holes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Franzetti
- Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT) - University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Federico Navarra
- Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT) - University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Ilario Tagliaferri
- Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT) - University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Isabella Gandolfi
- Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT) - University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Bestetti
- Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT) - University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Umberto Minora
- “A. Desio” Dept. of Earth Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | | | | | - Claudio Smiraglia
- “A. Desio” Dept. of Earth Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto Ambrosini
- Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT) - University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
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23
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Cilibrasi C, Riva G, Romano G, Cadamuro M, Bazzoni R, Butta V, Paoletta L, Dalprà L, Strazzabosco M, Lavitrano M, Giovannoni R, Bentivegna A. Resveratrol Impairs Glioma Stem Cells Proliferation and Motility by Modulating the Wnt Signaling Pathway. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169854. [PMID: 28081224 PMCID: PMC5231344 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [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: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a grade IV astrocytoma and the most common form of malignant brain tumor in adults. GBM remains one of the most fatal and least successfully treated solid tumors: current therapies provide a median survival of 12–15 months after diagnosis, due to the high recurrence rate. Glioma Stem Cells (GSCs) are believed to be the real driving force of tumor initiation, progression and relapse. Therefore, better therapeutic strategies GSCs-targeted are needed. Resveratrol is a polyphenolic phytoalexin found in fruits and vegetables displaying pleiotropic health benefits. Many studies have highlighted its chemo-preventive and chemotherapeutic activities in a wide range of solid tumors. In this work, we analyzed the effects of Resveratrol exposure on cell viability, proliferation and motility in seven GSC lines isolated from GBM patients. For the first time in our knowledge, we investigated Resveratrol impact on Wnt signaling pathway in GSCs, evaluating the expression of seven Wnt signaling pathway-related genes and the protein levels of c-Myc and β-catenin. Finally, we analyzed Twist1 and Snail1 protein levels, two pivotal activators of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) program. Results showed that although response to Resveratrol exposure was highly heterogeneous among GSC lines, generally it was able to inhibit cell proliferation, increase cell mortality, and strongly decrease cell motility, modulating the Wnt signaling pathway and the EMT activators. Treatment with Resveratrol may represent a new interesting therapeutic approach, in order to affect GSCs proliferation and motility, even if further investigations are needed to deeply understand the GSCs heterogeneous response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Cilibrasi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore, Monza, Italy
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore, Monza, Italy
- NeuroMI, Milan center of Neuroscience, University of Milano Bicocca, Dept. of Neurology and Neuroscience, San Gerardo Hospital, via Pergolesi, Monza, Italy
| | - Gabriele Riva
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore, Monza, Italy
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore, Monza, Italy
- NeuroMI, Milan center of Neuroscience, University of Milano Bicocca, Dept. of Neurology and Neuroscience, San Gerardo Hospital, via Pergolesi, Monza, Italy
| | - Gabriele Romano
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore, Monza, Italy
- PhD Program in Translational and Molecular Medicine (DIMET), University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore, Monza, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Cadamuro
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore, Monza, Italy
| | - Riccardo Bazzoni
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore, Monza, Italy
| | - Valentina Butta
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore, Monza, Italy
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore, Monza, Italy
| | - Laura Paoletta
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore, Monza, Italy
| | - Leda Dalprà
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore, Monza, Italy
| | - Mario Strazzabosco
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore, Monza, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Lavitrano
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore, Monza, Italy
| | - Roberto Giovannoni
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore, Monza, Italy
| | - Angela Bentivegna
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, via Cadore, Monza, Italy
- NeuroMI, Milan center of Neuroscience, University of Milano Bicocca, Dept. of Neurology and Neuroscience, San Gerardo Hospital, via Pergolesi, Monza, Italy
- * E-mail:
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24
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Proverbio AM, La Mastra F, Zani A. How Negative Social Bias Affects Memory for Faces: An Electrical Neuroimaging Study. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162671. [PMID: 27655327 PMCID: PMC5031436 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
During social interactions, we make inferences about people’s personal characteristics based on their appearance. These inferences form a potential prejudice that can positively or negatively bias our interaction with them. Not much is known about the effects of negative bias on face perception and the ability to recognize people faces. This ability was investigated by recording event-related potentials (ERPs) from 128 sites in 16 volunteers. In the first session (encoding), they viewed 200 faces associated with a short fictional story that described anecdotal positive or negative characteristics about each person. In the second session (recognition), they underwent an old/new memory test, in which they had to distinguish 100 new faces from the previously shown faces. ERP data relative to the encoding phase showed a larger anterior negativity in response to negatively (vs. positively) biased faces, indicating an additional processing of faces with unpleasant social traits. In the recognition task, ERPs recorded in response to new faces elicited a larger FN400 than to old faces, and to positive than negative faces. Additionally, old faces elicited a larger Old-New parietal response than new faces, in the form of an enlarged late positive (LPC) component. An inverse solution SwLORETA (450–550 ms) indicated that remembering old faces was associated with the activation of right superior frontal gyrus (SFG), left medial temporal gyrus, and right fusiform gyrus. Only negatively connoted faces strongly activated the limbic and parahippocampal areas and the left SFG. A dissociation was found between familiarity (modulated by negative bias) and recollection (distinguishing old from new faces).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Mado Proverbio
- NeuroMi - Milan Center for Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Francesca La Mastra
- NeuroMi - Milan Center for Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Zani
- Institute of Bioimaging and Molecular Physiology, IBFM-CNR, Milan, Italy
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Crespi C, Cerami C, Dodich A, Canessa N, Iannaccone S, Corbo M, Lunetta C, Falini A, Cappa SF. Microstructural Correlates of Emotional Attribution Impairment in Non-Demented Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161034. [PMID: 27513746 PMCID: PMC4981464 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Impairments in the ability to recognize and attribute emotional states to others have been described in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and linked to the dysfunction of key nodes of the emotional empathy network. Microstructural correlates of such disorders are still unexplored. We investigated the white-matter substrates of emotional attribution deficits in a sample of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients without cognitive decline. Thirteen individuals with either probable or definite amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and 14 healthy controls were enrolled in a Diffusion Tensor Imaging study and administered the Story-based Empathy Task, assessing the ability to attribute mental states to others (i.e., Intention and Emotion attribution conditions). As already reported, a significant global reduction of empathic skills, mainly driven by a failure in Emotion Attribution condition, was found in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients compared to healthy subjects. The severity of this deficit was significantly correlated with fractional anisotropy along the forceps minor, genu of corpus callosum, right uncinate and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculi. The involvement of frontal commissural fiber tracts and right ventral associative fronto-limbic pathways is the microstructural hallmark of the impairment of high-order processing of socio-emotional stimuli in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. These results support the notion of the neurofunctional and neuroanatomical continuum between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Crespi
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Chiara Cerami
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Turro, Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandra Dodich
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Nicola Canessa
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
- NeTS Center, Scuola Universitaria Superiore IUSS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Sandro Iannaccone
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Turro, Milano, Italy
| | - Massimo Corbo
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa Cura Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Christian Lunetta
- NEuroMuscolar Omnicentre, Fondazione Serena Onlus, Niguarda Ca’ Granda Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Falini
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milano, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
- CERMAC – Neuroradiology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
| | - Stefano F. Cappa
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy
- NeTS Center, Scuola Universitaria Superiore IUSS, Pavia, Italy
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