232 research outputs found
Nucleic acid binding and other biomedical properties of artificial oligolysines
No full textGiovanni N Roviello,1 Caterina Vicidomini,1 Vincenzo Costanzo,1 Valentina Roviello2 1CNR Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, Via Mezzocannone site and Headquarters, 2Centro Regionale di Competenza (CRdC) Tecnologie, Via Nuova Agnano, Napoli, Italy Abstract: In the present study, we report the interaction of an artificial oligolysine (referred to as AOL) realized in our laboratory with targets of biomedical importance. These included polyinosinic acid (poly rI) and its complex with polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), RNAs with well-known interferon-inducing ability, and double-stranded (ds) DNA. The ability of the peptide to bind both single-stranded poly rI and ds poly I:C RNAs emerged from our circular dichroism (CD) and ultraviolet (UV) studies. In addition, we found that AOL forms complexes with dsDNA, as shown by spectroscopic binding assays and UV thermal denaturation experiments. These findings are encouraging for the possible use of AOL in biomedicine for nucleic acid targeting and oligonucleotide condensation, with the latter being a key step preceding their clinical application. Moreover, we tested the ability of AOL to bind to proteins, using serum albumin as a model protein. We demonstrated the oligolysine–protein binding by CD experiments which suggested that AOL, positively charged under physiological conditions, binds to the protein regions rich in anionic residues. Finally, the morphology characterization of the solid oligolysine, performed by scanning electron microscopy, showed different crystal forms including cubic-shaped crystals confirming the high purity of AOL. Keywords: nucleic acid binding, polyinosinic acid, double-stranded nucleic acids, oligolysine, circular dichrois
PRIMA SEGNALAZIONE EUROPEA DI PARASSITIZZAZIONE DI CACYREUS MARSHALLI (BUTLER) DA PARTE DI UN TACHINIDE INDIGENO
No full textCacyreus marshalli (Lep.: Lycaenidae) specie originaria del Sudafrica, si sviluppa principalmente a spese di piante appartenenti ai generi Pelargonium e Geranium. A partire dalle Isole Baleari, dove è stato accidentalmente introdotto negli anni '80, il licenide ha colonizzato diversi paesi dell'Europa mediterranea, Italia inclusa, divenendo il fitofago più dannoso ai gerani coltivati. In Europa la prima segnalazione di un insetto antagonista di C. marshalli ha riguardato Trichogramma evanescens Westwood (Hym.: Trichogrammatidae), sfarfallato da uova raccolte a Cabrils e Lleida in Spagna (Sarto & Gabarra, Catalunya Rur. Agr., 1998, 46: 24-26); nel 2005 a Nocera Inferiore (Campania) sono state reperite invece larve di imenotteri parassitoidi endolarvali, nessuna delle quali ha completato lo sviluppo e pertanto rimaste indeterminate [Pignataro & Vicidomini, Natur. Campano (Mus. Nat. C. Monforte), 2005, n.2. 2006]. Viene quì segnalato il primo caso in Europa di parassitizzazione di C. marshalli ad opera del dittero tachinidae indigeno Aplomya confinis (Fallen), parassitoide solitario endolarvale a uova macrotipiche, noto soprattutto come antagonista di Lycaenidae (Baumgarten & Fiedler, Zool. Anz., 1997, 236: 167-180). Un singolo esemplare è stato ottenuto nell'ottobre 2006 da una larva di C. marshalli, raccolta nel settembre dello stesso anno su una pianta di Pelargonium sp. in un terreno incolto a Scafati, e allevata a 25°C, 75% (+ 10%) UR e fotoperiodo 14 : 10 luce/buio. A. confinis, unica specie del genere Aplomya in Italia, è distribuita su tutto il territorio nazionale (http://www.faunaitalia.it/). La parassitizzazione di un licenide esotico da parte del tachinide può dipendere sia dalla sua elevata polifagia che dal pattern morfo-cromatico di alcuni suoi ospiti abituali, quali Lycaena phlaeas (L.) e Eumedonia eumenodon (Esper) (quest'ultima si sviluppa su piante di Geranium: http://www.leps.it/), che hanno larve simili a quella di C. mashalli. Gli stimoli visivi infatti sono importanti per il riconoscimento dell'ospite nei Tachinidae che ovidepongono sul o nel corpo della vittima (Mellini, Boll. Ist. Ent. Grandi Univ. Bologna, 1990, 45: 1-38). Qualora a questa prima segnalazione ne seguissero altre, potrebbero aprirsi interessanti prospettive ai fini del controllo di C. marshalli
Trimming the resolution gap in the study of molecular and cellular events by means of High Data Output and automated three-dimensional Correlative Light-Electron Microscopy approach
No full textCorrelative light/electron microscopy (CLEM) allows the simultaneous observation of a given subcellular structure by fluorescence light microscopy (FLM) and electron microscopy. The use of this approach is becoming increasingly frequent in molecular and cellular biophysics. Here we report on a new high data output three-dimensional (3D) CLEM method based on the use of cryosections (Vicidomini et al.,Traffic, 2008). We successfully applied the method to analyze the structure of rough and smooth Russell bodies used as model systems. The major advantages of this approach are the following: (i) the ability to correlate several hundreds of events at the same time, (ii) the possibility to perform 3D correlation, (iii) the potential to immunolabel both endogenous and recombinantly expressed proteins at the same time and (iv) the effective combination of the high data analysis capability of FLM with the high precision-accuracy of transmission electron microscopy in a CLEM hybrid morphometry analysis. We have identified and optimized critical steps in sample preparation, defined routines for sample analysis and retracing of regions of interest, developed software for semi/fully automatic 3D reconstruction and defined preliminary conditions for an hybrid light/electron microscopy morphometry approach. The relevance of the presented approach is further enhanced by two important key elements, namely: the development of optical nanoscopy methods and the potentiality for exploring different correlative frameworks like optical nanoscopy vs. optical microscopy adding scanning force microscopy techniques
POSITIVE MODULATION OF MGLU5 REVERSES ASD-LIKE BEHAVIORS FOUND IN SHANK3 KNOCK-OUT MICE
No full textShank proteins are the major scaffold proteins that organize the postsynaptic density at the excitatory synapses. Shank1-3 proteins are associated with type I mGluRs via an interaction with Homer in the proline-rich domain. Phelan-McDermid (PMS) syndrome is characterized by intellectual impairment, absent or delayed speech, and autistic-like behaviors. Loss of Shank3 is now considered to cause the neurobehavioral symptoms of PMS.
Furthermore, a significant number of SHANK3 mutations have been identified in patients with Autism Spectrum disorders ASD, and SHANK3 truncating mutations are associated with moderate to profound ID.
In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms associated with the ASD-like behaviors observed in Shank3Δ11-/- mice in which exon 11 has been deleted. Our results indicate that Shank3 is essential to mediating mGlu5 receptor signaling by recruiting Homer1b/c to the PSD, specifically in the striatum and cortex.
Moreover, augmenting mGlu5 receptor activity by administering 3-Cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide (CDPPB) ameliorated the functional and behavioral defects that were observed in Shank3Δ11-/- mice, suggesting that pharmaceutical treatments that increase mGlu5 activity may represent a new approach for treating patients that are affected by PMS and SHANK3 mutations
Il parlato monologico narrativo e l’interazione parlato-gesto: un’indagine preliminare su adulti e bambini in L1 e LS
No full textThis paper offers a preliminary investigation of
gestures in monological narrative speech performed
by children and one adult in Italian L1 and English
LS. The two groups are considered here as the two
poles of a scale of ability and attitude towards multimodal communication and public speech. The analy-
sis highlighted a similarity in the amount of gestures
produced in L1 and LS by both groups of speakers.
However, the size and function of those gestures point
towards a progressive acquisition of the multimodal
characteristics of monological narrative speech.Questo articolo propone una indagine preliminare dei gesti nel parlato monologico narrativo realizzato da bambini e da un adulto in italiano L1 e inglese LS. I due gruppi sono qui considerati come i due poli di una scala di abilità e propensione alla comunicazione multimodale e al discorso pubblico. L’analisi evidenzia delle somiglianze nel numero dei gesti prodotti in L1 e LS da entrambi i gruppi di parlanti. Tuttavia, l’ampiezza e la funzione di questi gesti indica che vi è una progressive acquisizione delle caratteristiche multimodali del parlato monologico narrativo
Molecular basis of the therapeutical potential of clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) and clues to its anti-COVID-19 utility
No full textThe current COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection is enormously affecting the worldwide health and economy. In the wait for an effective global immunization, the development of a specific therapeutic protocol to treat COVID-19 patients is clearly necessary as a short-term solution of the problem. Drug repurposing and herbal medicine represent two of the most explored strategies for an anti-COVID-19 drug discovery. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.) is a well-known culinary spice that has been used for centuries in folk medicine in many disorders. Interestingly, traditional medicines have used clove since ancient times to treat respiratory ailments, whilst clove ingredients show antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. Other interesting features are the clove antithrombotic, immunostimulatory, and antibacterial effects. Thus, in this review, we discuss the potential role of clove in the frame of anti-COVID-19 therapy, focusing on the antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic effects of clove and its molecular constituents described in the scientific literature
PRIMA SEGNALAZIONE EUROPEA DI PARASSITIZZAZIONE DI CACYREUS MARSHALLI (BUTLER) (LEPIDOPTERA: LYCAENIDAE) DA PARTE DI UN DITTERO TACHINIDE INDIGENO
No full textCacyreus marshalli (Lep.: Lycaenidae), originario del Sudafrica, si sviluppa principalmente a spese di piante appartenenti ai generi Pelargonium e Geranium. A partire dalle Isole Baleari, dove è stato introdotto negli anni ’80, e il lepidottero ha colonizzato alcuni Paesi dell' Europa mediterranea (compresa l’Italia) dove è divenuto il fitofago più dannoso ai gerani coltivati. In Europa, la prima segnalazione di un insetto antagonista di C. marshalli riguarda Trichogramma evanescens Westwood (Hym.: Trichogrammatidae), sfarfallato da uova raccolte a Cabrils e Lleida in Spagna; nel 2005, a Nocera Inferiore (Campania), sono state inoltre reperite larve di imenotteri parassitoidi endolarvali, nessuno dei quali ha completato lo sviluppo e la cui specie è rimasta, pertanto, indeterminata. Viene qui segnalato il primo caso in Europa di parassitizzazione di C. marshalli ad opera del dittero tachinide indigeno Aplomya confinis (Fallen), parassitoide solitario endolarvale a uova macrotipiche, noto soprattutto come antagonista di Lycaenidae. Un singolo esemplare è stato ottenuto nell’ottobre 2006 da una larva di C. marshalli posta in allevamento. La larva era stata raccolta nel settembre dello stesso anno su una piantina di Pelargonium sp. in un terreno incolto a Scafati. A. confinis, unica specie del genere Aplomya in Italia, è distribuita su tutto il territorio nazionale. La parassitizzazione di un licenide esotico da parte di questo parassitoide può dipendere sia dalla sua elevata polifagia, che dal pattern morfo-cromatico di alcuni suoi ospiti abituali, quali Lycaena phlaeas (L.) e Eumedonia eumenodon (Esper) le cui larve sono simili a quella di C. marshalli: gli stimoli visivi sono infatti importanti, ai fini dell’ovideposizione, per i tachinidi che ovidepongono sul o nel corpo della vittima. Qualora a questa prima segnalazione ne seguissero altre, potrebbero aprirsi interessanti prospettive ai fini del controllo di C. marshalli
Exploiting D-Mason on parallel platforms: A novel communication strategy
No full textAgent-based simulation models are a powerful experimental tool for research and management in many scientific and technological fields.D-Mason is a parallel version of Mason, a library for writing and running Agent-based simulations.In this paper, we present a novel development of D-Mason, a decentralized communication strategy which realizes a Publish/Subscribe paradigm through a layer based on the MPI standard. We show that our communication mechanism is much more scalable and efficient than the previous centralized one
The effect of temperature distribution on parabolic triangular-based CPVT system performances: Electrical and thermal perspectives
No full textThe performance of photovoltaic (PV) and photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) systems is affected by environmental parameters and working conditions such as, partial shading, refrigerant and operating temperature. This study focuses on the investigation of the operating conditions and performance of a low concentrated parabolic-trough PVT (CPVT) system. Electro-thermal (electrical and thermal) analysis of the CPVT system was investigated. In the electrical analysis, the effect of series, serial-parallel (SP), total cross-tied (TCT) and grouped connection forms were investigated using a single diode model. In thermal analyses, temperature distribution of the CPVT system was investigated using finite volume methods considering different fluid inlet temperatures. Firstly, thermal analysis was carried out under certain conditions of the CPVT system. Then the obtained temperature distribution was applied to the electrical model. Thus, the electrical and thermal performance of the CPVT system under certain conditions was estimated. Obtained results show that series connection is negligibly better than TCT connections. According to identical mass and pressure and under operating conditions, fluid inlet and outlet temperature differences is 8.77 °C for water. PV module temperature increases up to 110 °C, when fluid inlet temperature is 50 °C for R134a. So, the PV module output power significantly decreases. When the electrical and thermal efficiencies of the CPVT system were evaluated, water obtains better results than the other fluids due to its high specific heat. Therefore, fluid, fluid mass and pressure have to be carefully selected and designed before system's experimental design. Finally, fluid mass should be selected at more and more rates in high temperature applications
Comparison of PV Power Production Estimation Methods Under Non-homogeneous Temperature Distribution for CPVT Systems
No full textThe way to increase energy generation in a standard photovoltaic (PV) or photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system is the tracking of the sun and/or concentrating to increase the solar energy coming into the field. As the radiation is increased in both concentrated PV and PV/T systems, both PV power output and PV module temperature increase. The fact that the PV module temperature increases and exceeds the reasonable level reduces the life of solar cells and permanently damages the cells. The way to prevent this is to cool the PV modules. In other words, thermal energy is absorbed by integrating the thermal system. Thus, both electrical and thermal energy needs will be met easily, and a concentrating photovoltaic thermal (CPVT) system produces both electricity and thermal energy from the sun. Electrical and thermal behavior analyzes of CPVT systems are important issues in order to robust and accurate deciding for electrical and thermal power production. In a previous study, finite volume methods were applied for thermal analysis of the CPVT system. Temperature distribution of the PV modules and CPVT surfaces was done. In the numerical analysis; power/temperature coefficient-based method was used for electrical power estimation. In this chapter, power/temperature coefficient-based and five parameter models of PV modules were presented and discussed for forecasting of electrical power production. Decided to PV module temperature in power/temperature coefficient model and temperature distribution applications on diode model were discussed. Power/temperature-based power estimation methods are depending on first, medium, and end PV module temperature. However, different case studies for CPVT electrical power production forecasting methods were investigated. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd
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