Archivio istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi di Parma
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Highly Dynamic Cytoskeletal Networks Support Productive Viral Infection and Host Innate Immune Response Activation
No full textPurpose of ReviewIncreasing evidence shows that the onset of the host cytoskeleton changes during the viral infection process. The attainment of in-depth knowledge about the molecular pathways coopted by viruses to induce cytoskeleton remodeling represents a useful premise for designing broad-spectrum antivirals.Recent FindingsCurrent investigations suggest that viruses coopt specific host factors to induce cell type-related cytoskeleton modifications for successful cell invasion and viral progeny spread to neighboring cells. On the other hand, it has been argued that cytoskeletal dynamics represent the first line of innate antiviral response activation.SummaryHere, we highlight the role of the main cytoskeletal regulatory mechanisms responsible for modulating the structure/function of specific cytoskeletal proteins at the global and local levels, which may affect the outcome of virus infection
A NEW TURBIDITE FACIES TRACT SCHEME INCLUDING SUPERCRITICAL AND TRANSITIONAL SAND/MUD FLOWS: AN OUTCROP PERSPECTIVE FROM MEDITERRANEAN-TYPE FORELAND BASINS
No full textMultiGraphMatch: a subgraph matching algorithm for multigraphs
No full textSubgraph matching is the problem of finding all the occurrences of a small graph, called the query, in a larger graph, called the
target. Although the problem has been widely studied in simple graphs, few solutions have been proposed for multigraphs,
in which two nodes can be connected by multiple edges, each denoting a possibly different type of relationship. In our
new algorithm MultiGraphMatch, nodes and edges can be associated with labels and multiple properties. MultiGraphMatch
introduces a novel data structure called bit matrix to efficiently index both the query and the target and filter the set of target
edges that are matchable with each query edge. In addition, the algorithm proposes a new technique for ordering the processing
of query edges based on the cardinalities of the sets of matchable edges. Using the CYPHER query definition language,
MultiGraphMatch can perform queries with logical conditions on node and edge labels. We compare MultiGraphMatch with
SuMGra and graph database systems Memgraph and Neo4J, showing comparable or better performance in all queries on a
wide variety of synthetic and real-world graphs
Single, double, and triple-hit strategies to establish a long-term premature rabbit model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia
No full textBackgroundBronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung condition of premature neonates, yet without an established pharmacological treatment. The BPD rabbit model exposed to 95% oxygen has been used in recent years for drug testing. However, the toxicity of the strong hyperoxic hit precludes a longer-term follow-up due to high mortality after the first week of life. This study aimed to extend the preterm rabbit model to postnatal day (PND) 14 to mimic the evolving phase of BPD and enable the investigation of therapeutic interventions at later and more relevant time points.MethodsPreterm rabbit pups delivered on the 28th day of gestation were either exposed to room air or different degrees of hyperoxia (50% and 70% O2) for 14 days. Single (immediately after birth) or double (at birth and at PND5) intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administrations were also tested in combination with 50% O2. Age-matched rabbits delivered vaginally at term were used as controls. Survival, weight gain, lung function, pulmonary artery micro-ultrasound Doppler analysis, lung histology (alveolarization, lung injury score, and design-based stereology), and longitudinal micro-CT imaging were used to compare the outcomes at PND14.ResultsPremature birth itself, without any other BPD hit, was associated with lung function deficits, delayed lung development, and cardiovascular abnormalities. The BPD-like lung phenotype was enhanced by 70% O2 but not by 50% O2 hyperoxia. Intratracheal LPS delivered immediately after birth was associated with significantly higher lung injury scores at PND14 and increased tissue damping, a marker of parenchymal air resistance.ConclusionSeveral strategies are feasible to extend the preterm rabbit model of BPD to PND14. Preterm birth at the saccular phase itself, even in the absence of other postnatal BPD hits, was associated with lung function deficits, delayed lung development, and cardiovascular abnormalities compared with age-matched term rabbit pups. Enhanced BPD-like phenotypes can be further achieved by continued exposure to moderate hyperoxia (70% O2) and the intratracheal administration of LPS
Breastfeeding and Non-Communicable Diseases: A Narrative Review
No full textIntroduction: Breastfeeding plays a fundamental role in newborns' and infants' health. Breast milk's protective power against malnutrition and its positive effect on neurological and physical development are well established and are reflected in the policy statements of all major pediatric health entities. However, breastfeeding also plays an important role in the prevention of so-called non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and autoimmune diseases. Methods: This narrative review aims to analyze the effect of breastfeeding and breast milk on the development of non-communicable diseases, with a special focus on weight excess, dyslipidemia, allergy, and gastrointestinal diseases. This narrative review was carried out through three steps: executing the search, examining abstracts and full texts, and analyzing results. To achieve this, the databases PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were explored to collect and select publications from 1990 to 2024 to find pertinent studies in line with this review's development. The search included randomized placebo-controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, double-blind, randomized controlled studies, and systematic reviews. A total of 104 manuscripts were ultimately included in the analysis. Results: Breastfeeding is associated with a decreased vulnerability to early viral infections or chronic inflammatory conditions during preschool years, a reduced incidence of weight excess, and likely lower cholesterol concentration, besides having a small protective effect against systolic blood hypertension. Conclusions: Pediatricians must promote breastfeeding, support the mother-infant dyad, and consider breast milk as a real "health voucher" that can last lifelong. However, further studies are needed to better define the extent and duration of breastfeeding's protective power in this context
Development of chitosan/hydrolyzed collagen interaction product-based microparticles for the treatment of respiratory tract infections
No full textRespiratory tract infections (RTIs) represent a significant global health issue, particularly for vulnerable population, such as children, the elderly, or patients with immunosuppression. In this context, the aim of the present work was the development of Chitosan/Hydrolyzed Collagen-based microparticles (Mps) as a pulmonary drug delivery system (PDDS) for the treatment of RTIs. Mps were produced via spray-drying and composed of chitosan (Cs), one of the most widely used polysaccharides in PDDS, and hydrolyzed collagen (HC), another promising material for the development of PDDS that has not yet been fully explored. The formation of an interaction product between Cs and HC occurred during the spray-drying process and was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Mps were characterized in terms of morphology, particle size, zeta potential, aerodynamic performance, swelling behavior and biodegradation profile in simulated lung fluid. Mps biocompatibility was also assessed on adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial (A549) cells. Finally, Mps were characterized in vitro for antibacterial properties and their ability to inhibit bacterial adhesion to S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. An enhanced antibacterial effect was observed for Mps with respect to the pristine materials (Cs and HC) and their physical mixture. Moreover, Mps were also able to inhibit bacteria adhesion to epithelial cells
Synthesis and Chiroptical Activity of π‐Expanded Electron‐rich Heterohelicenes Based on the 1,4‐Dihydropyrrolo[3,2‐b]pyrrole core
Get PDFHerein, we report the synthesis and chiroptical characteristics of the first (double) helicenes possessing the 1,4-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole (DHPP) moiety as their central core. We have developed a three-step synthesis with 6π-electrocyclization accompanied by HBr elimination as its key step. We found that, whereas for smaller peripheral arms double 6π-electrocyclization occurs smoothly forming a double helicene, in the case of longer polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons the reaction becomes less efficient and mono-helicenes are the only products. The electron density distribution analysis of LUMO explains the different regioselectivity of 6π-electrocyclization. The synthesized heterohelicenes are characterized by greenish-blue emission, distinct solvatofluorochromism and good fluorescence quantum yields (up to 42 %). Moreover, the chiroptical measurements reveal that unsymmetrical double heterohelicene exhibits excellent circularly polarized luminescence brightness (BCPL) reaching 30 M−1 cm−1. The combined experimental and computational study has revealed that a charge-transfer state is responsible for the observed emission (hence the solvatochromism), while low-energy absorption derives from multiple transitions
