Natural deep eutectic solvents protect RNA from thermal-induced degradation

RNA is a fundamental nucleic acid for life and it plays important roles in the regulation of gene transcription, post-transcriptional regulation, and epigenetic regulation. Recently, the focus on this nucleic acid has significantly increased due to the development of mRNA vaccines and RNA-based gene therapy protocols. Unfortunately, RNA based products show constrains mainly owing to instability and easy degradability of the RNA molecules. Indeed, unlike the DNA molecule which has a great intrinsic stability, RNA is more prone to degradation and this process is accelerated under thermal treatment. Here we describe a method that involves the use of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NaDES) capable of slowing down RNA degradation process. Our results show that this technology seems suitable for improving the stability of specific RNA molecules particularly susceptible to thermal-induced degradation. Therefore, this technique represents a valuable tool to stabilize RNA molecules used in gene therapy and mRNA vaccines.

Role of a corrugated Dion-Jacobson 2D perovskite as an additive in 3D MAPbBr3 perovskite-based light emitting diodes

Metal halide perovskites represent an intriguing class of materials, and a very promising approach to tune the properties of optoelectronic devices and improve their performance involves the implementation of architectures based on mixed 3D and 2D perovskites. In this work, we investigated the use of a corrugated 2D Dion-Jacobson perovskite as an additive to a classical 3D MAPbBr3 perovskite for applications in light-emitting diodes. Taking advantage of the properties of this emerging class of materials, we studied the effect of a 2D 2-(dimethylamino)ethylamine (DMEN)-based perovskite on the morphological, photophysical, and optoelectronic properties of 3D perovskite thin films. We used α-DMEN perovskite both in a mixture with MAPbBr3 creating mixed 2D/3D phases and as a passivating thin layer deposited on the top of a 3D perovskite polycrystalline film. We observed a beneficial modulation of the thin film surface, a blue shift in the emission spectrum, and enhanced device performance.

Hyperexpression of CDRs and HWP1 genes negatively impacts on Candida albicans virulence

C. albicans is a commensal organism present in the human microbiome of more than 60% of the healthy population. Transition from commensalism to invasive candidiasis may occur after a local or a general failure of host’s immune system. This transition to a more virulent phenotype may reside either on the capacity to form hyphae or on an acquired resistance to antifungal drugs. Indeed, overexpression of genes coding drug efflux pumps or adhesins, cell wall proteins facilitating the contact between the fungus and the host, usually marks the virulence profile of invasive Candida spp. In this paper, we compare virulence of two clinical isolates of C. albicans with that of laboratory-induced resistant strains by challenging G. mellonella larvae with these pathogens along with monitoring transcriptional profiles of drug efflux pumps genes CDR1, CDR2, MDR1 and the adhesin genes ALS1 and HWP1. Although both clinical isolates were found resistant to both fluconazole and micafungin they were found less virulent than laboratory-induced resistant strains. An unexpected behavior emerged for the former clinical isolate in which three genes, CDR1, CDR2 and HWP1, usually correlated with virulence, although hyperexpressed, conferred a less aggressive phenotype. On the contrary, in the other isolate, we observed a decreased expression of CDR1, CDR2 and HWP1as well as of MDR1 and ALS1 that may be consistent with the less aggressive performance observed in this strain. These altered gene expressions might directly influence Candida virulence or they might be an epiphenomenon of a vaster rearrangement occurred in these strains during the challenge with the host’s environment. An in-deepth comprehension of this scenario could be crucial for developing interventions able to counteract C. albicans invasiveness and lethality.

Green Route for the Isolation and Purification of Hyrdoxytyrosol, Tyrosol, Oleacein and Oleocanthal from Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) phenols represent a significant part of the intake of antioxidants and bioactive compounds in the Mediterranean diet. In particular, hydroxytyrosol (HTyr), tyrosol (Tyr), and the secoiridoids oleacein and oleocanthal play central roles as anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective and anti-cancer agents. These compounds cannot be easily obtained via chemical synthesis, and their isolation and purification from EVOO is cumbersome. Indeed, both processes involve the use of large volumes of organic solvents, hazardous reagents and several chromatographic steps. In this work we propose a novel optimized procedure for the green extraction, isolation and purification of HTyr, Tyr, oleacein and oleocanthal directly from EVOO, by using a Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (NaDES) as an extracting phase, coupled with preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. This purification method allows the total recovery of the four components as single pure compounds directly from EVOO, in a rapid, economic and ecologically sustainable way, which utilizes biocompatible reagents and strongly limits the use or generation of hazardous substances.

Design and synthesis of fluorenone-based dyes: two-photon excited fluorescent probes for imaging of lysosomes and mitochondria in living cells

Three fluorenone-based two-photon fluorescent probes for specific targeting of lysosomes and mitochondria in cancer cells.

[Anti-rubella vaccine coverage in women 11-28 years of age: data on 5 local socio-health units of Veneto]

Selective rubella vaccination in the 11 years old girls, has been carried out in the Regione Veneto (Venetian Land) since 1974. The rubella immunization rate in teh women born between 1962 and 1978, in five sanitary districts, is 68.25%; the trend of increasing vaccination is continuing. Important differences in the organization of vaccination campaign were found among the five districts.

[Sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of body mass index for the screening of juvenile arterial hypertension]

On the basis of various epidemiological studies, the specificity, sensitivity and predictive value of different indicators of obesity and overweight in relation to risk factor of juvenile hypertension are discussed. These screening tests, although highly specific, lack in sensitivity. The Authors suggest that such tests could be considered as useful tools in school preventive medicine for the identification of subjects not at risk.

[The use of weight and height data reported in surveys for screening for obesity and juvenile arterial hypertension]

The surveying of weight and height allows to measure for every subject the body mass index which is a risk indicator both for obesity and for juvenile blood hypertension. The A. have verified and demonstrated that the surveying of weight and height orally told by teen-agers can be a rapid and economic instrument to execute a first screening for such pathologies.

[Surveillance of health status in an agrarian environment: proposal for a method. 2. Environmental data]

In this second note, the Authors consider the environment surrounding the farms to identify the agricultural practices affecting both the ecological bicycle and the health of the farm-hands. The risk factors in the farm are principally the use of agricultural chemicals (pesticides, fertilizers, nitroso-compounds, etc.) and quality of the irrigation and drinkable water. In the first phase of the survey a complete analysis of environment was carried out to: a. identify all sources of pollution such as industries, roads, etc. b. consider drinkable water supplies, wastewater disposal and hygienic conditions in houses. At the same time data were collected about the use of pesticides, fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals, the characteristics of irrigation water, the presence of animals, storehouses, garages, etc. In the second phase of the survey a quality analysis of drinkable and irrigation water was carried out; the presence of dangerous chemicals (amines, nitrosoamines, nitrites, nitrates) in the vegetable caused by agricultural practices was also verified. The results demonstrated a substantial good hygienic situation of the farms but a bad state of drinkable and irrigation waters. We have difficulty in finding out how much and how the pesticides were used; therefore it will be necessary to control these practices more carefully. The amount of nitrites and nitrates in vegetables was normal, while no amines and nitrosoamines were found. The results suggest that it will be necessary in the future both to estimate the pesticide residues on the vegetables and the amount of fertilizers in the soil, and to analyse the soil composition.

[Surveillance of health status in an agrarian environment: proposal for a method. 1. Epidemiological data]

In order to evaluate the risk of the exposure of the pesticides and N-nitroso compounds in the agricultural environment not only farm-hands have to be considered but also their families. So it is necessary to prepare survey methodologies to examine the state of health of all individuals who are exposed to same kind of risk (pesticides and nitroso compounds), even if in different ways and intensity. We have therefore chosen four farms situated on the same territory which cultivate vegetables. Three, of these farms, made wide use of pesticides and fertilizers, the fourth one was used as a "control farm" because it did not employ any chemicals. For every farm data about the neighbouring territory, the climate, the kind of cultivation, the pesticides and other employed chemicals were collected. Every subject (in all 25) residing in the farm was interviewed with a standard questionnaire about personal data, the duties performed on the farm, the way in which chemicals were used, their medical history as well as the life style. Samples of blood were drawn periodically in different seasons, over a two year period, to determine both nitrosoamine (NA) and the enzymes which reveal hepatic damage: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Leucinoaminopeptidase (LAP), Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and Acetylcholinesterase (Ach). We have observed that: a. the most frequent pathologies concern skin (16% of the people) and liver (12% of the people), which are favourite targets for agricultural chemicals though the serum enzymes did not show any important change; b. 8% of the subjects had acute pesticide poisoning; we therefore observed neither particular precautionary safety measures, nor a particular knowledge of acute and chronic toxic effects depending on the use of pesticides. So we suggest: 1) that the Sanitary Authorities control the state of health not only of the farm-hands but also of their families, if exposed to risk; this can be realized through the strict collaboration of the Occupational Physician and the Family doctor; 2) capillary action of health education regarding agricultural risks; 3) to increase research to find more sensitive and efficient biological indicators in order to evaluate the hazards of agricultural chemicals.

[Effects of dithiocarbamate: "in vitro" and "in vivo" changes in gamma-glutamyltransferase induced by sodium diethyldithiocarbamate]

Experiments of NaDDTC effect on kidney and 10,000 X g liver supernatant fraction have shown no modification of normal GGT activity, also after dialysis. A decrease of about 75% of the GGT activity was observed in rabbit 10,000 X g liver supernatant fraction after i.p. treatment with 100 mg/kg of NaDDTC for three days. It is suggested that liver MFO produces SH groups derived from NaDDTC metabolism able to interact with GGT and consequential inactivation of the enzyme.

[The biological action of dithiocarbamates. Changes in serum leucine aminopeptidase induced in vitro by sodium diethyldithiocarbamate]

The Authors demonstrate that serum LAP activity in vitro is inhibited by NaDDTC. This may be related to the NaDDTC chelating-like action on the metallo-enzyme. The trend of the phenomenon follows an exponential pattern. The enzyme activity was completely restored after removal of NaDDTC from the medium by dialysis. The NaDDTC concentration able to inhibit the enzymatic activity in vitro was much higher than in vivo, in experimental animals. The Authors conclude pointing out the problem of a probable effect caused by repeated doses of dithiocarbamates more on enzyme synthesis than on metallic apoenzyme.

[Biological effects of dithiocarbamates: changes in serum alkaline phosphatase activity "in vitro" by sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (NADDTC) (author's transl)]

The Authors demonstrate that serum alkaline phosphatase (s-ALP) activity in vitro is inhibited by NaDDTC. This may be related to the NaDDTC chelating action on zinc enzyme. The trend of the phenomenon follows an exponential pattern. The activity of the isozyme pool was restored after removal from medium of NaDDTC by dialysis. The NaDDTC concentration able to inhibit in vitro enzymatic activity was nearly one thousand times higher than that found in vivo, in experimental animals (rabbit). The Authors conclude that the in vivo activity of NaDDTC in different enzymatic systems, such as ALP and other metallo-dependent enzymes, cannot be explained by its chelating action alone, but also by its influence on other systems. At present investigations in this field are in progress in our laboratory.