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New Insights into Sprout Production from Melon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus) Seeds as By-Product of Fruit Processing
No full textMelon is a valuable crop that generates significant by-products during consumption and processing. Among these, seeds are rich in phenolic compounds and might be used to produce sprouts with increased content of these bioactive substances. This study evaluated phenolic compounds (PhCs) in sprouts of two melon cultivars, Thales and SV9424ML, obtained from seeds having different germination speeds, thus harvested at 6 and 14 days after sowing (DAS). A factorial combination of cultivar and harvest time was tested in a completely randomized design with four replicates. Thales produced more ready-to-eat sprouts at 6 DAS than SV9424ML (64.0% vs. 46.7%). Sprouting significantly increased total PhCs content, particularly flavonoids, with Thales showing higher values than SV9424ML (50.2 vs. 32.6 mg kg−1 DW). Phenolic profiles significantly varied among cultivars and harvests. Sprouts at 6 DAS had more total hydroxybenzoic acids and flavonoids, while 14 DAS sprouts were richer in hydroxycinnamic acids. Significant differences between harvest dates were observed in the concentrations of protocatechuic, vanillic (VanA), p-coumaric (p-CouA), ferulic (FerA) acids, and orientin (Ori) for Thales, and of VanA, p-CouA, FerA, and Ori for SV9424ML. Results are encouraging, but future investigations are essential to understand whether these sprouts can be suitable for fresh consumption, food supplements, or phytochemical extraction
Understanding long-term impacts of chemotherapy on sperm genome and epigenome in TGCT patients
No full textI controlli preventivi sulla cessione dei crediti d'imposta agevolativi
No full textLa stagione dei bonus e superbonus è stata caratterizzata da incentivi estremamente vantaggiosi, il che ha ampliato in maniera esponenziale la platea dei richiedenti; inoltre, le innovative modalità di fruizione di queste agevolazioni, con la possibilità di utilizzarle anche attraverso meccanismi di sconto in fattura e di cedibilità del credito, hanno inevitabilmente incrementato i comportamenti fraudolenti. L’effetto che ne è derivato è stato quello di una maggiore attenzione da parte del legislatore che con il Decreto anti-frodi è intervenuto sul Decreto rilancio per rafforzare i poteri di verifica dell’Amministrazione finanziaria con l’introduzione di un innovativo livello di controllo, addirittura antecedente alla fruizione vera e propria del beneficio; si tratta di controlli ad hoc che, avendo la finalità di intercettare e combattere sul nascere i possibili comportamenti fraudolenti, hanno assunto la forma di “controlli preventivi” che intervengono, cioè, prima che il beneficio sia effettivamente fruito e, quindi, con la capacità di impedirne l’effettivo godimento. Lo scritto ne ripercorre l’iter istitutivo, le modalità attuative ed i presupposti, illustrando, altresì, i rapporti con i controlli ordinari (quelli c.d. a consuntivo) che, comunque, permangono in testa agli uffici fiscali e soffermandosi, infine, sugli inevitabili risvolti giurisdizionali
Tailor-made 3D in vitro maturation of early antral follicles uncovers cumulus-cell transcriptomic driver signature to predict oocyte competence
No full textBackground: Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are constrained by the limited pool of medium antral follicles. Early antral follicles (EAfs) are an emerging additional source coming either from cryopreserved ovaries or from in vitro folliculogenesis protocols. The EAfs have the advantage of being gonadotropin sensitive follicles enclosing fully grown oocytes that can be enrolled in ART using advanced IVM techniques. The present research has been designed using the validated 3-D follicle-enclosed IVM protocol to insight into EAfs ART competence by profiling the transcriptome of the surrounding cumulus cells (CCs) to uncover non-invasive predictors of oocyte developmental competence. Results: Transcriptome analysis of 22–141 genes revealed 1–386 DEGs in CCs supporting metaphase-II (MII) oocytes and 1–420 in CCs enclosing germinal-vesicle (GV) oocytes. Network modelling pinpointed as signature of competent CCs three down-regulated outliers (EFHD1, HS6ST2, SLC35G1) and two hubs (CDC6, KIF11), while the unsuccessful ones revealed six outliers (HBA1, SLC39A8, ERO1A, TKDP5, CALCRL, ELOVL6) and the hub CASP3. The profile of EAfs enclosing competent oocyte converged towards cumulus expansion and controlled cell-cycle quiescence pathways whereas lipid dysregulation, oxidative stress and apoptosis characterized CC surrounding incompetent oocytes. The endpoint comparison yielded 11 markers, highlighted by SEMA3A up-regulation and IL1A, DDIT4 and VNN1 down-regulation. qPCR confirmed the transcriptome profile of the key genes (HS6ST2, CDC6, ERO1, CASP3 and SEMA3A) while immuno-assays corroborated the differential expression and localization of some related codified driver proteins (HAS2, CASP3 and SEMA3A). Conclusions: CC transcriptomics defines a concise 12-gene driver panel plus 11 endpoint markers that accurately predict the maturation fate of individual EAfs by providing actionable targets and a practical basis for rapid, non-invasive selection of high-quality follicles, with potential to enhance fertility preservation, livestock breeding and clinical ART outcomes. In addition, the analysis point on new gene/protein mediating CCs maturation mechanism is to be considered
Pharmacogenomic Biomarkers of Ovarian-Stimulation Hormone Treatment in Females undergoing In Vitro Fertilization: A Step Towards Personalized Medicine
No full textI differenti ‘registri linguistici’ dell’iconografia del potere nella Roma tardoantica. Dall’Arco di Costantino al pons Valentiniani
No full textIl saggio analizza le differenti letture che i committenti dell'arco dedicato a Costantino volevano indirizzare a soggetti diversi. La seconda parte analizza l'obiettivo di Aviano Simmaco nel restauro monumentale dell'antico pons Agrippa
The Role of Well-Being, Divergent Thinking, and Cognitive Reserve in Different Socio-Cultural Contexts
No full textBackground: Many protective factors promote psychological well-being (PWB) in the elderly and contribute to healthy aging, such as engagement, positive emotions, and cognitive reserve (CR), which includes education, leisure, and work activities. CR sustains cognitive functioning and positively correlates with creativity, particularly divergent thinking (DT), helping older adults cope with everyday challenges and enhancing their PWB. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the relationships between DT, CR, PWB, memory functions, depression, stress, and anxiety indexes even in the Blue Zone (BZ), an area known for extraordinary longevity and high PWB. Methods: A total of 165 Italian healthy older adults (Mage = 73.8, SD = 6.7) from Milan (MI), Bergamo (BG), Cagliari (CA), and BZ were enrolled and divided into four groups according to their origin. Generalized linear models (GLMs) with normal and gamma link functions were used. Results: BZ presented higher DT and PWB indices than the cities but lower CR, particularly in education. Conclusions: This study highlights the influence of DT in supporting cognitive functions and PWB, suggesting that PWB and DT are key protective factors in aging
Structural Dissection of Three Transition States Along the Folding Pathway of PDZ6 from PDZD2
No full textPS2.3: 3D biomimetic PLGA scaffolds engineered with amniotic epithelial stem cells promote in vitro and in vivo tendon regeneration via paracrine and immunomodulatory mechanisms
No full textIntroduction: Tendon injuries still represent a medical challenge due to their limited healing capacity and the risk of chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Tissue engineering represents a promising strategy to support tendon regeneration. Bioinspired scaffolds mimicking native tendon architecture may offer a functional solution by supporting tenogenic differentiation and modulating immune responses. This study investigated the regenerative potential of electrospun poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) 3D tendon biomimetic scaffolds engineered with amniotic epithelial stem cells (AECs), in vitro and in vivo.
Methods: PLGA scaffolds were fabricated via electrospinning to mimic tendon hierarchical architecture. AECs were engineered on 3D scaffolds and the resulting conditioned media (CM) were collected and characterised. In vitro, CM effects were tested on angiogenesis (HUVECs), immune modulation (PBMCs and Jurkat cells), and tenogenesis (co-cultured naïve AECs). Expression of tendon markers (SCX, COL1, TNMD, THBS4) was assessed at gene and protein levels. For in vivo validation, the AEC-engineered 3D scaffolds were allotransplanted into a validated sheep Achilles tendon defect model. Explanted tissues (n=10) at day 14 (d14) were evaluated for scaffold biocompatibility, engraftment, teno-differentiation, and local immune modulation.
Results: AECs cultured on 3D scaffolds exhibited enhanced secretion of VEGF-D, PDGF-BB, b-FGF, and RANTES compared to control groups (p < 0.0001). CM significantly reduced PBMC proliferation and Jurkat NF-κB activation (p < 0.001), indicating a strong immunosuppressive effect, without promoting HUVECs proliferation and tubule formation. Naïve AECs co-cultured with AEC-3D scaffolds exhibited robust teno-differentiation, with significant upregulation of COL1, TNMD, and THBS4 (p < 0.01) and TNMD protein expression (p < 0.01). In vivo, the scaffolds were well tolerated, successfully engrafted, and induced in situ teno-differentiation of the transplanted AECs. Histological and molecular analyses, differently from control tendons, revealed an organised COL1 deposition, modulation of local inflammation and preferential M2 macrophages recruitment, indicating a regenerative response.
Conclusion: AEC-engineered 3D PLGA scaffolds embody a next-generation approach to tendon regeneration, offering a smart, biomimetic platform that actively instructs stem cell fate and orchestrates immune modulation. By simultaneously guiding tenogenic differentiation and modulating the immune response, these constructs shift from passive supports into dynamic drivers of tissue regeneration. Their efficacy, demonstrated in vitro and in a large-animal tendon injury model, paves the way for their application in regenerative medicine. Beyond structural integration, they established a pro-regenerative niche that promoted organized extracellular matrix deposition and M2 macrophage recruitment. Future preclinical studies will focus on long-term functional recovery as a proof of concept for translational feasibility and clinical scalability in tendon therapies.
This research has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement ID 955685—Perspective for Future Innovation in Tendon Repair H2020MSCA-ITN-EJD-P4 FIT. European Union—NextGenerationEU—under the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) National Innovation Ecosystem grant no. ECS00000041 – VITALITY – CUP C43C22000380007. Progetti di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale (PRIN) – Smart Biomimetic Device for Tendon Tissue Engineering – CUP C53D23005440006
