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Capozzi F, Sorrentino MC, Granata A, Vergara A, Alberico M, Rossi M, Spagnuolo V, Giordano S. Optimizing Moss and Lichen Transplants as Biomonitors of Airborne Anthropogenic Microfibers. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12:1278. [PMID: 37886988 PMCID: PMC10604676 DOI: 10.3390/biology12101278] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic microfibers (mfs) are synthetic particles composed of cellulose (cotton, rayon, acetate, etc.) or petrochemical-based polymers (i.e., microplastics-MPs) that are less than 5 mm in length. The accumulation of mfs, including MPs, in the moss Hypnum cupressiforme and the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea was compared in a transplant experiment lasting 6 weeks. We also tested the effects of the bag used for transplants on the accumulation of mfs. Anthropogenic particles trapped by both biomonitors were mostly filamentous (99% mfs), and their number was overall higher in the moss (mean ± s.d. 102 ± 24) than in the lichen (mean ± s.d. 87 ± 17), at parity of sample weight. On average, mfs found in lichen were significantly longer than those found in moss bags, suggesting that lichens are less efficient at retaining smaller mfs. Exposure without the net yielded a higher mfs number accumulation in both species, indicating that "naked" transplants provide greater sensitivity. The calculation of daily fluxes evidenced a loss of mfs in the lichen, suggesting the presence of more stable bonds between moss and mfs. Raman microspectroscopy carried out on about 100 debris confirms the anthropogenic nature of mfs, of which 20% were MPs. Overall results indicate that moss is preferable to lichen in the biomonitoring of airborne mfs especially when exposed naked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiore Capozzi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (F.C.); (M.C.S.); (A.G.); (S.G.)
| | - Maria Cristina Sorrentino
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (F.C.); (M.C.S.); (A.G.); (S.G.)
| | - Angelo Granata
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (F.C.); (M.C.S.); (A.G.); (S.G.)
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoles, Italy; (A.V.); (M.A.)
| | - Miriam Alberico
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoles, Italy; (A.V.); (M.A.)
- Department of Classics, University La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Rossi
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy;
| | - Valeria Spagnuolo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (F.C.); (M.C.S.); (A.G.); (S.G.)
| | - Simonetta Giordano
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (F.C.); (M.C.S.); (A.G.); (S.G.)
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Pernice P, Sirleto L, Rossi M, Iodice M, Vergara A, Di Girolamo R, Luciani G, Imparato C, Aronne A. Tunable Raman Gain in Transparent Nanostructured Glass-Ceramic Based on Ba 2NaNb 5O 15 †. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2023; 13:1168. [PMID: 37049262 PMCID: PMC10097038 DOI: 10.3390/nano13071168] [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] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Stimulated Raman scattering in transparent glass-ceramics (TGCs) based on bulk nucleating phase Ba2NaNb5O15 were investigated with the aim to explore the influence of micro- and nanoscale structural transformations on Raman gain. Nanostructured TGCs were synthesized, starting with 8BaO·15Na2O·27Nb2O5·50SiO2 (BaNaNS) glass, by proper nucleation and crystallization heat treatments. TGCs are composed of nanocrystals that are 10-15 nm in size, uniformly distributed in the residual glass matrix, with a crystallinity degree ranging from 30 up to 50% for samples subjected to different heat treatments. A significant Raman gain improvement for both BaNaNS glass and TGCs with respect to SiO2 glass is demonstrated, which can be clearly related to the nanostructuring process. These findings show that the nonlinear optical functionalities of TGC materials can be modulated by controlling the structural transformations at the nanoscale rather than microscale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Pernice
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, P.le Tecchio, 80, I-80125 Napoli, Italy
| | - Luigi Sirleto
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems, Via Pietro Castellino 111, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Manuela Rossi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra dell’Ambiente e delle Risorse, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario di M. S. Angelo, Via Cinthia 21, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Crystallography, Via Amendola 122/o, I-70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Mario Iodice
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems, Via Pietro Castellino 111, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Rocco Di Girolamo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, P.le Tecchio, 80, I-80125 Napoli, Italy
| | - Claudio Imparato
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, P.le Tecchio, 80, I-80125 Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonio Aronne
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, dei Materiali e della Produzione Industriale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, P.le Tecchio, 80, I-80125 Napoli, Italy
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Carvajal M, Jeldres P, Vergara A, Lobaina E, Olivares M, Meza D, Velásquez A, Dorta F, Jorquera F, Seeger M, Cereceda-Balic F, Fadic X. Bioremoval of copper by filamentous fungi isolated from contaminated soils of Puchuncaví-Ventanas Central Chile. Environ Geochem Health 2023:10.1007/s10653-023-01493-z. [PMID: 36729229 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01493-z] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Pollution represents a high risk to plants, animals, and human beings, causing an imbalance and affecting the environment. Soil is considered a universal sink, containing the highest load of environmental pollution. Puchuncaví-Ventanas sector, decreed as a saturated contamination zone in 1993, is considered one of the most affected areas by industrial pollution and belongs to one of the 5 sacrifice zones of Chile. The localities of Puchuncaví and Ventanas have heavy metal pollution levels that exceed up to 99% of the limits allowed by Canadian standards. The objective of this study was to characterize heavy metal tolerance and removal potential of filamentous fungi isolated from polluted soils for their use in decontamination systems and in situ soil improvement. Six fungal strains were selected based on their tolerance and a high capability to accumulate heavy metals, achieving copper bioaccumulation of 84% (Mortierella sp. strain LG01), 49% (Clonostachys sp. strain CQ23) and 48-77.5% (Trichoderma sp. strain LM01A). Trichoderma sp. strain LM01A was able to remove 41% of copper from contaminated soil under ex situ conditions. Some fungal strains belong to beneficial fungal genera, which are used as bioproducts in agriculture. The results of this study highlighted the use of Trichoderma sp. in soils contaminated, which may be of special interest in agriculture due to the large amounts of copper sulfate still applied as a pesticide in Chile and the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Carvajal
- Center of Biotechnology "Dr. Daniel Alkalay Lowitt", Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, General Bari 699, Valparaíso, Chile
- Molecular Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - P Jeldres
- Center of Biotechnology "Dr. Daniel Alkalay Lowitt", Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, General Bari 699, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - A Vergara
- Center of Biotechnology "Dr. Daniel Alkalay Lowitt", Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, General Bari 699, Valparaíso, Chile
- Molecular Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - E Lobaina
- Center of Biotechnology "Dr. Daniel Alkalay Lowitt", Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, General Bari 699, Valparaíso, Chile
- Molecular Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - M Olivares
- Center of Biotechnology "Dr. Daniel Alkalay Lowitt", Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, General Bari 699, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - D Meza
- Center of Biotechnology "Dr. Daniel Alkalay Lowitt", Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, General Bari 699, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - A Velásquez
- Molecular Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile
- Department of Ecology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Alameda 340, Santiago, Chile
| | - F Dorta
- Center of Biotechnology "Dr. Daniel Alkalay Lowitt", Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, General Bari 699, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - F Jorquera
- Center of Biotechnology "Dr. Daniel Alkalay Lowitt", Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, General Bari 699, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - M Seeger
- Center of Biotechnology "Dr. Daniel Alkalay Lowitt", Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, General Bari 699, Valparaíso, Chile
- Molecular Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - F Cereceda-Balic
- Centre for Environmental Technologies CETAM, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile
- Department of Chemistry, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - X Fadic
- Centre for Environmental Technologies CETAM, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile.
- Department of Chemistry, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Avenida España 1680, Valparaíso, Chile.
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D'Alto M, Di Maio M, Romeo E, Argiento P, Di Vilio A, Blasi E, Vergara A, Rea G, D'Andrea A, Golino P, Naeije R. Echocardiographic probability of pulmonary hypertension according to the old and the new definition: a validation study. Eur Heart J 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac544.1876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
According to current guidelines, the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) relies on echocardiographic probability followed by right heart catheterization. How echocardiography predicts PH recently re-defined by a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) >20 mmHg instead of ≥25 mmHg and pulmonary vascular disease defined by a pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) >3 or >2 Wood units has not been established.
Methods
A total of 278 patients referred for PH underwent a comprehensive echocardiography followed by a right heart catheterization. Fifteen patients (5.4%) were excluded because of insufficient quality echocardiography.
Results
With PH defined by a mPAP >20 mmHg, 23 patients had no PH, 146 had pre-capillary and 94 post-capillary PH. At univariate analysis, maximum velocity of tricuspid regurgitation (TRV) ≥2.9 and ≤3.4 m/s, left ventricle (LV) eccentricity index >1.1, right ventricle (RV) outflow tract (OT) notching or acceleration time <105 ms, RV-LV basal diameter >1 and PA diameter predicted PH, whereas inferior vena cava diameter and right atrial area did not. At multivariable analysis, only TRV ≥2.9 m/s independently predicted PH. Additional independent prediction of PVR >3 Wood units was offered by LV eccentricity index >1.1 and RVOT acceleration time <105 ms and/or notching, but with no improvement of optimal combination of specificity and sensibility or positive prediction. The areas under the ROC curves for different cut-off values of TRV for the prediction of mPAP >20 mmHg, mPAP ≥25 mmHg, mPAP >20 mmHg + PVR >2 Wood units and mPAP ≥25 mmHg + PVR >3 Wood units are illustrated in Figure 1A–D.
Conclusions
Echocardiography as recommended in current guidelines can be used to assess the probability of re-defined PH in a referral center. However, the added value of indirect signs is modest and sufficient quality echocardiographic signals may not be recovered in some patients.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D'Alto
- AORN Ospedali dei Colli - Monaldi Hospital , Naples , Italy
| | - M Di Maio
- Umberto I Nocera Inferiore Hospital, Cardiology , Nocera Inferiore , Italy
| | - E Romeo
- AORN Ospedali dei Colli - Monaldi Hospital , Naples , Italy
| | - P Argiento
- AORN Ospedali dei Colli - Monaldi Hospital , Naples , Italy
| | - A Di Vilio
- AORN Ospedali dei Colli - Monaldi Hospital , Naples , Italy
| | - E Blasi
- AORN Ospedali dei Colli - Monaldi Hospital , Naples , Italy
| | - A Vergara
- AORN Ospedali dei Colli - Monaldi Hospital , Naples , Italy
| | - G Rea
- AORN Ospedali dei Colli - Monaldi Hospital , Naples , Italy
| | - A D'Andrea
- Umberto I Nocera Inferiore Hospital, Cardiology , Nocera Inferiore , Italy
| | - P Golino
- AORN Ospedali dei Colli - Monaldi Hospital , Naples , Italy
| | - R Naeije
- Erasme Hospital, Department of Pathophysiology , Bruxelles , Belgium
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5
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Fimiani F, Gragnano F, Cesaro A, Vergara A, De Pasquale A, Blasi E, Calabro' P. Biochemical role of lipoprotein screening in patients with premature miocardial infarction and elite athletes. Atherosclerosis 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.06.398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Vergara A, Mergudich T, Rojas N, Pesse D, Soto M, Avila J, Ledezma C, Ortiz R, Ortiz A, Barrientos S. P-080 Intrauterine insemination (IUI) success rates in patients with suboptimal total processed motile sperm count (TPMSC) using a second consecutive semen sample. Hum Reprod 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac107.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Study question
Is it effective to request a second consecutive semen sample in patients with less than 1 million TPMSC in a first semen sample for IUI?
Summary answer
In men with TPMSC under one million, the issuing of a second consecutive sample reached pregnancy rates similar to those published for IUI.
What is known already
IUI offers a comparable cumulative live birth rate in 3-4 cycles compared to IVF and can be preferred as a cost-effective first-line treatment in mild male factor or unexplained infertility. The quality of the processed semen sample is an important factor for the IUI success.
The WHO recommends an abstinence period to ensure best quality of semen samples. However, it has been observed that when men with moderate male factor who are unable to meet the minimum requirements for IUI are asked to produce a second sample better counts are obtained; questioning the time correlation between abstinence and semen quality.
Study design, size, duration
This was a retrospective study conducted in the reproductive medicine unit of a private hospital in Chile between July 2015 and March 2021. All patients who underwent IUI in the study period that had an TPMSC less than 1 million in the eyaculate and to whom a second consecutive sample was requested were included.
Participants/materials, setting, methods
118 patients who underwent 140 IUI cycles were included in the study. All the patients with an PMSC under 1 million at the time of the IUI were requested a second consecutive semen sample within an hour or two from the previous eyaculate. The second samples were processed and used for insemination. The primary outcome was pregnancy rate. The secondary outcomes were semen quality (TPMSC of first and second semen samples).
Main results and the role of chance
Between 2015 and 2021 there were 140 IUI cycles in which a second consecutive semen sample was requested, including 118 patients. Overall 17 pregnancies were achieved. The pregnancy rate per cycle was 12,14% and the pregnancy rate per patient was 14,4%. The live birth rate per patient was 10,2%.
Regarding the sperm sample analysis, the median TPMSC of the first semen sample was 261.437. The median PMSC of the second consecutive sample was 7.315.000. 126 patients had an TPMSC of 0 in the first semen sample while only 9 patients had an IMSC of 0 in the second sample. In five cases a third consecutive sample was requested of which 4 patients had their cycles canceled because they did not meet the target PMSC. One patient had an TPMSC of 1.687.000 in the third sample.
Finally, of the 118 patients who did not meet the requirements for IUI with the first sample, only 19 cycles were canceled.
Limitations, reasons for caution
The study has the limitation of being a retrospective and descriptive study with no contol group. Also the group is heterogeneous because it includes patients with different female factors for infertility.
Wider implications of the findings
In developing countries and low-income settings the IUI remains a more accessible alternative in patients with infertility. Routinely recollecting a second semen sample in men with TPMSC <1 million would reduce cycle cancellation rates due to not achieving an optimal TPMSC, reaching pregnancy rates similar to those published for IUI.
Trial registration number
Not applicable
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vergara
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Ginecología y Obstetricia , Santiago, Chile
| | - T Mergudich
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Ginecología y Obstetricia , Santiago, Chile
| | - N Rojas
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Ginecología y Obstetricia , Santiago, Chile
| | - D Pesse
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Ginecología y Obstetricia , Santiago, Chile
| | - M.J Soto
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Ginecología y Obstetricia , Santiago, Chile
| | - J Avila
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Ginecología y Obstetricia , Santiago, Chile
| | - C Ledezma
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Ginecología y Obstetricia , Santiago, Chile
| | - R Ortiz
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Ginecología y Obstetricia , Santiago, Chile
| | - A Ortiz
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Ginecología y Obstetricia , Santiago, Chile
| | - S Barrientos
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Ginecología y Obstetricia , Santiago, Chile
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Bury R, Leon Roman J, Casteras A, Vergara A, Biagetti B, García-Carro C, Cordero-Vazquez E, Hernández Hernández I, Agraz I, Soler MJ. [Malignant hypertension and pheochromocytoma: a case report]. Hipertens Riesgo Vasc 2021; 38:201-205. [PMID: 34238673 DOI: 10.1016/j.hipert.2021.05.003] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Malignant arterial hypertension is defined by extremely high levels of pressure associated with organ damage. It is a cause of hypertensive emergency and is defined by the coexistence of high blood pressure and bilateral retinal haemorrhage or exudates (grade III hypertensive retinopathy), with or without papilloedema (grade IV hypertensive retinopathy) currently associated with organ damage such as renal or cardiac failure. Around 1% of malignant arterial hypertension is secondary to endocrinological causes, including the most common: pheochromocytoma, which is classically characterized by the triad: headache, sweating and palpitations. However, there is no single clinical finding that is of significant value in its diagnosis. We now present the case of a 23-year-old patient with a hypertensive emergency, an adrenal mass associated with grade IV hypertensive retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Bury
- Servicio de Nefrología, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - J Leon Roman
- Servicio de Nefrología, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - A Casteras
- Servicio de Endocrinología, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - A Vergara
- Servicio de Nefrología, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - B Biagetti
- Servicio de Endocrinología, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - C García-Carro
- Servicio de Nefrología, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - E Cordero-Vazquez
- Servicio de Endocrinología, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | | | - I Agraz
- Servicio de Nefrología, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España
| | - M J Soler
- Servicio de Nefrología, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España.
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Vergara A, Moreno-Morales J, Roca I, Pitart C, Kostyanev T, Rodriguez-Baño J, Goossens H, Marco F, Vila J. A comparative study between real-time PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification to detect carbapenemase and/or ESBL genes in Enterobacteriaceae directly from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 75:1453-1457. [PMID: 32073602 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate and compare the efficacy of real-time PCR (Xpert Carba-R) and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (Eazyplex® SuperBug CRE) for detecting carbapenemase carriage in Enterobacteriaceae directly from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). METHODS Negative BAL samples were spiked with 21 well-characterized carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae strains to a final concentration of 102-104 cfu/mL. Xpert Carba-R (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA), which detects five targets (blaKPC, blaNDM, blaVIM, blaOXA-48 and blaIMP-1), and the Eazyplex® SuperBug CRE system (Amplex-Diagnostics GmbH, Germany), which detects seven genes (blaKPC, blaNDM, blaVIM, blaOXA-48, blaOXA-181, blaCTXM-1 and blaCTXM-9), were evaluated for the detection of these genes directly from BAL samples. RESULTS Xpert Carba-R showed 100% agreement with carbapenemase characterization by PCR and sequencing for all final bacteria concentrations. Eazyplex® SuperBug CRE showed 100%, 80% and 27% agreement with PCR and sequencing when testing 104, 103 and 102 cfu/mL, respectively. False negative results for Eazyplex® SuperBug CRE matched the highest cycle threshold values for Xpert Carba-R. Hands-on time for both assays was about 15 min, but Eazyplex® SuperBug CRE results were available within 30 min, whereas Xpert Carba-R took around 50 min. CONCLUSIONS We here describe the successful use of two commercial diagnostic tests, Xpert Carba-R and Eazyplex® SuperBug CRE, to detect bacterial carbapenem resistance genes directly in lower respiratory tract samples. Our results could be used as proof-of-concept data for validation of these tests for this indication.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vergara
- Department of Clinical Microbiology - CDB, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Moreno-Morales
- Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Roca
- Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Pitart
- Department of Clinical Microbiology - CDB, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - T Kostyanev
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - J Rodriguez-Baño
- Unidad Clínica de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Microbiología y Medicina Preventiva, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena/Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Sevilla/Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Sevilla, Spain
| | - H Goossens
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Vaccine & Infectious Disease Institute, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - F Marco
- Department of Clinical Microbiology - CDB, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Vila
- Department of Clinical Microbiology - CDB, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Gallucci N, Vitiello G, Di Girolamo R, Imbimbo P, Monti DM, Tarallo O, Vergara A, Russo Krauss I, Paduano L. Towards the Development of Antioxidant Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications: Controlling the Properties by Tuning Synthesis Conditions. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2021; 11:nano11020542. [PMID: 33672757 PMCID: PMC7924622 DOI: 10.3390/nano11020542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In this work CeO2 nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) were synthesized through the thermal decomposition of Ce(NO3)3·6H2O, using as capping agents either octylamine or oleylamine, to evaluate the effect of alkyl chain length, an issue at 150 °C, in the case of octylamine and at 150 and 250 °C, in the case of oleylamine, to evaluate the effect of the temperature on NPs properties. All the nanoparticles were extensively characterized by a multidisciplinary approach, such as wide-angle X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, UV-Vis, fluorescence, Raman and FTIR spectroscopies. The analysis of the experimental data shows that the capping agent nature and the synthesis temperature affect nanoparticle properties including size, morphology, aggregation and Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio. Such issues have not been discussed yet, at the best of our knowledge, in the literature. Notably, CeO2-NPs synthesized in the presence of oleylamine at 250 °C showed no tendency to aggregation and we made them water-soluble through a further coating with sodium oleate. The obtained nanoparticles show a less tendency to clustering forming stable aggregates (ranging between 14 and 22 nm) of few NPs. These were tested for biocompatibility and ROS inhibiting activity, demonstrating a remarkable antioxidant activity, against oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi Gallucci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (N.G.); (R.D.G.); (P.I.); (D.M.M.); (O.T.); (A.V.); (I.R.K.)
- CSGI, Center for Colloid and Surface Science, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vitiello
- CSGI, Center for Colloid and Surface Science, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.V.); (L.P.)
| | - Rocco Di Girolamo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (N.G.); (R.D.G.); (P.I.); (D.M.M.); (O.T.); (A.V.); (I.R.K.)
| | - Paola Imbimbo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (N.G.); (R.D.G.); (P.I.); (D.M.M.); (O.T.); (A.V.); (I.R.K.)
| | - Daria Maria Monti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (N.G.); (R.D.G.); (P.I.); (D.M.M.); (O.T.); (A.V.); (I.R.K.)
| | - Oreste Tarallo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (N.G.); (R.D.G.); (P.I.); (D.M.M.); (O.T.); (A.V.); (I.R.K.)
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (N.G.); (R.D.G.); (P.I.); (D.M.M.); (O.T.); (A.V.); (I.R.K.)
| | - Irene Russo Krauss
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (N.G.); (R.D.G.); (P.I.); (D.M.M.); (O.T.); (A.V.); (I.R.K.)
- CSGI, Center for Colloid and Surface Science, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Luigi Paduano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy; (N.G.); (R.D.G.); (P.I.); (D.M.M.); (O.T.); (A.V.); (I.R.K.)
- CSGI, Center for Colloid and Surface Science, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.V.); (L.P.)
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10
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Molina-Van den Bosch M, Jacobs-Cachá C, Vergara A, Serón D, Soler MJ. [The renin-angiotensin system and the brain]. Hipertens Riesgo Vasc 2021; 38:125-132. [PMID: 33526381 DOI: 10.1016/j.hipert.2020.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAAS) system and its effects on blood pressure and the regulation of water and electrolyte balance have been studied focusing on the cardiovascular and renal system. The activation of RAAS in other organs has local and systemic repercussions by modeling the macro- and microvasculture of peripheral organs. The brain RAAS influence on systemic blood pressure through the sympathetic nervous system. The angiotensin converting enzyme/angiotensin II/angiotensin 1 receptor axis (ACE/AngII/AT1), classical pathway, and angiotensin converting enzyme type 2/angiotensin (1-7)/Mas receptor (ACE2/Ang (1-7)/MasR), non-classical pathway, are involved in the modulation of the sympathetic response. The imbalance of these two axes with subsequently Ang II accumulation promote neurogenic hypertension and other vascular pathologies. The aminopeptidase/angiotensin IV/angiotensin 4 receptor (AMN/Ang IV/AT4) axis, which is exclusive of the brain, acts on cerebral microvasculature and participates in cognition, memory, and learning. The aim of this review is to decipher the major central RAAS mechanisms involved in blood pressure regulation. In addition, paracrine functions of brain RAAS and its role in neuroprotection and cognition are also described in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Molina-Van den Bosch
- Grup de Nefrología, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Servei de Nefrología, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital, Barcelona, España
| | - C Jacobs-Cachá
- Grup de Nefrología, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Servei de Nefrología, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital, Barcelona, España
| | - A Vergara
- Grup de Nefrología, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Servei de Nefrología, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital, Barcelona, España
| | - D Serón
- Grup de Nefrología, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Servei de Nefrología, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital, Barcelona, España
| | - M J Soler
- Grup de Nefrología, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Servei de Nefrología, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital, Barcelona, España.
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11
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Singh M, Zannella C, Folliero V, Di Girolamo R, Bajardi F, Chianese A, Altucci L, Damasco A, Del Sorbo MR, Imperatore C, Rossi M, Valadan M, Varra M, Vergara A, Franci G, Galdiero M, Altucci C. Combating Actions of Green 2D-Materials on Gram Positive and Negative Bacteria and Enveloped Viruses. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:569967. [PMID: 33117781 PMCID: PMC7549698 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.569967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Interactions of novel bi-dimensional nanomaterials and live matter such as bacteria and viruses represent an extremely hot topic due to the unique properties of the innovative nanomaterials, capable in some cases to exhibit bactericide and antiviral actions. The interactions between bacteria and viruses and two dimensional nanosheets are here investigated. We extensively studied the interaction between a gram-negative bacterium, Escherichia coli, and a gram-positive bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, with two different types of 2D nanoflakes such as MoS2, belonging to the Transition Metal Dichalcogenides family, and Graphene Oxide. The same two types of nanomaterials were employed to study their antiviral action toward the Herpes simplex virus type-1, (HSV-1). The experimental results showed different bactericide impacts as well as different antiviral power between the two nanomaterials. The experimental findings were interpreted in bacteria on the base of the Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek theory. A simple kinetic model of bacterial growth in the presence of the interacting nanosheets is also elaborated, to explain the observed results. The experimental results in viruses are really novel and somewhat surprising, evidencing a stronger antiviral action of Graphene Oxide as compared to MoS2. Results in viruses are complicated to quantitatively interpret due to the complexity of the system under study, constituted by virus/host cell and nanoflake, and due to the lack of a well assessed theoretical context to refer to. Thus, these results are interpreted in terms of qualitative arguments based on the chemical properties of the interactors in the given solvent medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manjot Singh
- Laboratory of Bio-Nano-Photonics, Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Carla Zannella
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Veronica Folliero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Rocco Di Girolamo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Bajardi
- Laboratory of Bio-Nano-Photonics, Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Naples, Italy
| | - Annalisa Chianese
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Achille Damasco
- Laboratory of Bio-Nano-Photonics, Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Manuela Rossi
- Department of Earth Science, Environment and Resources, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Mohammadhassan Valadan
- Laboratory of Bio-Nano-Photonics, Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Michela Varra
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Guanluigi Franci
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry "Scuola Medica Salernitana", University of Salerno, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Galdiero
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Altucci
- Laboratory of Bio-Nano-Photonics, Department of Physics "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.,Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Naples, Italy
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12
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Balasco N, Vitagliano L, Merlino A, Verde C, Mazzarella L, Vergara A. The unique structural features of carbonmonoxy hemoglobin from the sub-Antarctic fish Eleginops maclovinus. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18987. [PMID: 31831781 PMCID: PMC6908587 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55331-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Tetrameric hemoglobins (Hbs) are prototypical systems for the investigations of fundamental properties of proteins. Although the structure of these proteins has been known for nearly sixty years, there are many aspects related to their function/structure that are still obscure. Here, we report the crystal structure of a carbonmonoxy form of the Hb isolated from the sub-Antarctic notothenioid fish Eleginops maclovinus characterised by either rare or unique features. In particular, the distal site of the α chain results to be very unusual since the distal His is displaced from its canonical position. This displacement is coupled with a shortening of the highly conserved E helix and the formation of novel interactions at tertiary structure level. Interestingly, the quaternary structure is closer to the T-deoxy state of Hbs than to the R-state despite the full coordination of all chains. Notably, these peculiar structural features provide a rationale for some spectroscopic properties exhibited by the protein in solution. Finally, this unexpected structural plasticity of the heme distal side has been associated with specific sequence signatures of various Hbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Balasco
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, Naples, Italy.
| | - Antonello Merlino
- Dept. Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli "Federico II", Via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Cinzia Verde
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, CNR, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Lelio Mazzarella
- Dept. Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli "Federico II", Via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Dept. Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli "Federico II", Via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy.
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13
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Perello R, Vergara A, Monclus E, Jimenez S, Montero M, Saubi N, Moreno A, Eto Y, Inciarte A, Mallolas J, Martínez E, Marcos MA. Cytomegalovirus infection in HIV-infected patients in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy. BMC Infect Dis 2019; 19:1030. [PMID: 31801482 PMCID: PMC6894188 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4643-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cytomegalovirus infection dramatically decreased with the introduction of antiretroviral therapy. Whether incidence, clinical characteristics and prognosis of cytomegalovirus in HIV infected patients, has changed over time is. scarcely known. Methods Retrospective single-center study. Patients included in this study were all HIV infected patients that went to our center for any disease, and were diagnosed with cytomegalovirus, during the period 2004–2015. epidemiological, clinical and laboratory patients variables were collected in a clinical database. Clinical characteristics, incidence of cytomegalovirus and predictors of mortality during the study were assessed. Results were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. All statistical analyses were calculated by SPSS version 20.0 (Chicago, IL,USA). Results Fifty-six cases of cytomegalovirus infection, in HIV infected patients were identified during the study period (incidence rate-1.7 cases per 1000 persons/year). The most frequent presentation was systemic illness in 43% of cases. Of note,no patients presented with ophthalmic manifestations. The 30-days mortality was 18%. Predictors of mortality were, in the univariate analysis, admission to the intensive care unit OR 32.4 (3.65–287.06) p = 0.0001, and mechanic ventilation 84 OR (8.27–853.12) p = 0.0001, and ART OR 4.1 (0.97–17.31) p = 0.044. These variables were assessed by multivariate analysis, and only mechanical ventilation was statistically significant (p < 0.05) Conclusion Incidence of cytomegalovirus infection was higher than described in the antiretroviral therapy era. Clinical presentation has changed. Mechanic ventilation predicted mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Perello
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - A Vergara
- Servicio de Microbiología, CDB, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Monclus
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - S Jimenez
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Montero
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - N Saubi
- Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Moreno
- Servicio de Microbiología, CDB, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Y Eto
- Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Inciarte
- Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Mallolas
- Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Martínez
- Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M A Marcos
- Servicio de Microbiología, CDB, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
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14
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Caterino M, Herrmann M, Merlino A, Riccardi C, Montesarchio D, Mroginski MA, Musumeci D, Ruffo F, Paduano L, Hildebrandt P, Kozuch J, Vergara A. On the pH-Modulated Ru-Based Prodrug Activation Mechanism. Inorg Chem 2019; 58:1216-1223. [PMID: 30614697 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.8b02667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The RuIII-based prodrug AziRu efficiently binds to proteins, but the mechanism of its release is still disputed. Herein, in order to test the hypothesis of a reduction-mediated Ru release from proteins, a Raman-assisted crystallographic study on AziRu binding to a model protein (hen egg white lysozyme), in two different oxidation states, RuII and RuIII, was carried out. Our results indicate Ru reduction, but the Ru release upon reduction is dependent on the reducing agent. To better understand this process, a pH-dependent, spectroelectrochemical surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) study was performed also on AziRu-functionalized Au electrodes as a surrogate and simplest model system of RuII- and RuIII-based drugs. This SERS study provided a p Ka of 6.0 ± 0.4 for aquated AziRu in the RuIII state, which falls in the watershed range of pH values separating most cancer environments from their physiological counterparts. These experiments also indicate a dramatic shift of the redox potential E0 by >600 mV of aquated AziRu toward more positive potentials upon acidification, suggesting a selective AziRu reduction in cancer lumen but not in healthy ones. It is expected that the nature of the ligands (e.g., pyridine vs imidazole, present in well-known RuIII complex NAMI-A) will modulate the p Ka and E0, without affecting the underlying reaction mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Caterino
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples Federico II , via Cinthia , Naples I-80126 , Italy
| | - Mona Herrmann
- Institut für Chemie , Technische Universität Berlin , Straße des 17 Juni 135 , Berlin 10623 , Germany
| | - Antonello Merlino
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples Federico II , via Cinthia , Naples I-80126 , Italy
| | - Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples Federico II , via Cinthia , Naples I-80126 , Italy
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples Federico II , via Cinthia , Naples I-80126 , Italy
| | - Maria A Mroginski
- Institut für Chemie , Technische Universität Berlin , Straße des 17 Juni 135 , Berlin 10623 , Germany
| | - Domenica Musumeci
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples Federico II , via Cinthia , Naples I-80126 , Italy
| | - Francesco Ruffo
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples Federico II , via Cinthia , Naples I-80126 , Italy
| | - Luigi Paduano
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples Federico II , via Cinthia , Naples I-80126 , Italy
| | - Peter Hildebrandt
- Institut für Chemie , Technische Universität Berlin , Straße des 17 Juni 135 , Berlin 10623 , Germany
| | - Jacek Kozuch
- Institut für Chemie , Technische Universität Berlin , Straße des 17 Juni 135 , Berlin 10623 , Germany
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences , University of Naples Federico II , via Cinthia , Naples I-80126 , Italy.,CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate s.c.a.r.l.m. , via G Salvatore , Naples I-80131 , Italy
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15
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Del Sorbo GR, Truda G, Bifulco A, Passaro J, Petrone G, Vitolo B, Ausanio G, Vergara A, Marulo F, Branda F. Non Monotonous Effects of Noncovalently Functionalized Graphene Addition on the Structure and Sound Absorption Properties of Polyvinylpyrrolidone (1300 kDa) Electrospun Mats. Materials (Basel) 2018; 12:E108. [PMID: 30598027 PMCID: PMC6337353 DOI: 10.3390/ma12010108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Graphene is an attractive component for high-performance stimuli-responsive or 'smart' materials, shape memory materials, photomechanical actuators, piezoelectric materials and flexible strain sensors. Nanocomposite fibres were produced by electrospinning high molecular weight Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-1300 kDa) in the presence of noncovalently functionalised graphene obtained through tip sonication of graphite alcoholic suspensions in the presence of PVP (10 kDa). Bending instability of electrospun jet appears to progressively increase at low graphene concentrations with the result of greater fibre stretching that leads to lower fibre diameter and possibly conformational changes of PVP. Further increase of graphene content seams having the opposite effect leading to greater fibre diameter and Raman spectra similar to the pure PVP electrospun mats. All this has been interpreted on the basis of currently accepted model for bending instability of electrospun jets. The graphene addition does not lower the very high sound absorption coefficient, α, close to unity, of the electrospun PVP mats in the frequency range 200⁻800 Hz. The graphene addition affects, in a non-monotonous manner, the bell shaped curves of α versus frequency curves becoming sharper and moving to higher frequency at the lower graphene addition. The opposite is observed when the graphene content is further increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Rosario Del Sorbo
- Department of Chemical Materials and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
| | - Greta Truda
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Aerospace Division, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Naples, Italy.
| | - Aurelio Bifulco
- Department of Chemical Materials and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
| | - Jessica Passaro
- Department of Chemical Materials and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Petrone
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Aerospace Division, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Naples, Italy.
| | | | - Giovanni Ausanio
- Department of Physical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Francesco Marulo
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Aerospace Division, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio 21, 80125 Naples, Italy.
| | - Francesco Branda
- Department of Chemical Materials and Industrial Production Engineering (DICMaPI), University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy.
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Kaur J, Singh M, Dell'Aversana C, Benedetti R, Giardina P, Rossi M, Valadan M, Vergara A, Cutarelli A, Montone AMI, Altucci L, Corrado F, Nebbioso A, Altucci C. Biological interactions of biocompatible and water-dispersed MoS 2 nanosheets with bacteria and human cells. Sci Rep 2018; 8:16386. [PMID: 30401943 PMCID: PMC6219585 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34679-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Two dimensional materials beyond graphene such as MoS2 and WS2 are novel and interesting class of materials whose unique physico-chemical properties can be exploited in applications ranging from leading edge nanoelectronics to the frontiers between biomedicine and biotechnology. To unravel the potential of TMD crystals in biomedicine, control over their production through green and scalable routes in biocompatible solvents is critically important. Furthermore, considering multiple applications of eco-friendly 2D dispersions and their potential impact onto live matter, their toxicity and antimicrobial activity still remain an open issue. Herein, we focus on the current demands of 2D TMDs and produce high-quality, few-layered and defect-free MoS2 nanosheets, exfoliated and dispersed in pure water, stabilized up to three weeks. Hence, we studied the impact of this material on human cells by investigating its interactions with three cell lines: two tumoral, MCF7 (breast cancer) and U937 (leukemia), and one normal, HaCaT (epithelium). We observed novel and intriguing results, exhibiting evident cytotoxic effect induced in the tumor cell lines, absent in the normal cells in the tested conditions. The antibacterial action of MoS2 nanosheets is then investigated against a very dangerous gram negative bacterium, such as two types of Salmonellas: ATCC 14028 and wild-type Salmonella typhimurium. Additionally, concentration and layer-dependent modulation of cytotoxic effect is found both on human cells and Salmonellas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasneet Kaur
- Department of Physics, "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Manjot Singh
- Department of Physics, "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Carmela Dell'Aversana
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L Vanvitelli, Vico L. De Crecchio" 7, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosaria Benedetti
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L Vanvitelli, Vico L. De Crecchio" 7, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Giardina
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Manuela Rossi
- Department of Earth, Environment and Resources Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Mohammadhassan Valadan
- Department of Physics, "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Cutarelli
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Altucci
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L Vanvitelli, Vico L. De Crecchio" 7, 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Corrado
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Southern Italy, Portici, Italy.
| | - Angela Nebbioso
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L Vanvitelli, Vico L. De Crecchio" 7, 80138, Naples, Italy.
| | - Carlo Altucci
- Department of Physics, "Ettore Pancini", University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
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Petrone P, Pucci P, Vergara A, Amoresano A, Birolo L, Pane F, Sirano F, Niola M, Buccelli C, Graziano V. A hypothesis of sudden body fluid vaporization in the 79 AD victims of Vesuvius. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203210. [PMID: 30256793 PMCID: PMC6157861 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In AD 79 the town of Herculaneum was suddenly hit and overwhelmed by volcanic ash-avalanches that killed all its remaining residents, as also occurred in Pompeii and other settlements as far as 20 kilometers from Vesuvius. New investigations on the victims' skeletons unearthed from the ash deposit filling 12 waterfront chambers have now revealed widespread preservation of atypical red and black mineral residues encrusting the bones, which also impregnate the ash filling the intracranial cavity and the ash-bed encasing the skeletons. Here we show the unique detection of large amounts of iron and iron oxides from such residues, as revealed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and Raman microspectroscopy, thought to be the final products of heme iron upon thermal decomposition. The extraordinarily rare preservation of significant putative evidence of hemoprotein thermal degradation from the eruption victims strongly suggests the rapid vaporization of body fluids and soft tissues of people at death due to exposure to extreme heat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Petrone
- Laboratory of Human Osteobiology and Forensic Anthropology, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria “Federico II” 5, Naples, Italy
| | - Piero Pucci
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Complesso Monte Sant'Angelo, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Complesso Monte Sant'Angelo, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate S.C a R.L., Naples, Italy
- Task Force di Ateneo "Metodologie Analitiche per la Salvaguardia dei Beni Culturali", Universita' di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Amoresano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Complesso Monte Sant'Angelo, Naples, Italy
| | - Leila Birolo
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Complesso Monte Sant'Angelo, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Pane
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Complesso Monte Sant'Angelo, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Sirano
- Parco Archeologico di Ercolano, Corso Resina Herculaneum, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Niola
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Buccelli
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Graziano
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
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Porzio L, Buia MC, Ferretti V, Lorenti M, Rossi M, Trifuoggi M, Vergara A, Arena C. Photosynthesis and mineralogy of Jania rubens at low pH/high pCO 2: A future perspective. Sci Total Environ 2018; 628-629:375-383. [PMID: 29448022 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Corallinales (Rhodophyta) are high Mg-calcite macroalgae and are considered among the most vulnerable organisms to ocean acidification (OA). These sensitive species play fundamental roles in coastal systems as food source and settlement promoters as well as being involved in reef stabilization, and water carbonate balance. At present only a few studies are focused on erect calcifying macroalgae under low pH/high pCO2 and the contrasting results make difficult to predict the ecological consequences of the OA on the coralline algae. In this paper the physiological reasons behind the resistance of Jania rubens, one of the most common calcareous species, to changing ocean pH are analysed. In particular, we studied the photosynthetic and mineralogical response of J. rubens after a three-week transplant in a natural CO2 vent system. The overall results showed that J. rubens could be able to survive under predicted pH conditions even though with a reduced fitness; nevertheless physiological limits prevent the growth and survival of the species at pH6.7. At low pH (i.e. pH7.5), the maximum and effective PSII efficiency decreased even if the increase of Rubisco expression suggests a compensation effort of the species to cope with the decreased light-driven products. In these circumstances, a pH-driven bleaching phenomenon was also observed. Even though the photosynthesis decreased at low pH, J. rubens maintained unchanged the mineralogical composition and the carbonate content in the cell wall, suggesting that the calcification process may also have a physiological relevance in addition to a structural and/or a protective role. Further studies will confirm the hypotheses on the functional and evolutionary role of the calcification process in coralline algae and on the ecological consequences of the community composition changes under high pCO2 oceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Porzio
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Center of Benthic Ecology-Villa Dohrn, Punta S. Pietro, 80077 Ischia, Naples, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy.
| | - Maria Cristina Buia
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Center of Benthic Ecology-Villa Dohrn, Punta S. Pietro, 80077 Ischia, Naples, Italy
| | - Viviana Ferretti
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Maurizio Lorenti
- Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Center of Benthic Ecology-Villa Dohrn, Punta S. Pietro, 80077 Ischia, Naples, Italy
| | - Manuela Rossi
- Department of Earth, Environment and Resources Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; Royal Mineralogical Museum, Centro Musei delle Scienze Naturali e Fisiche, University of Naples Federico II, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Trifuoggi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate scarl, Naples, Italy
| | - Carmen Arena
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy
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19
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Vergara A, Caterino M, Merlino A. Raman-markers of X-ray radiation damage of proteins. Int J Biol Macromol 2018; 111:1194-1205. [PMID: 29374529 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.01.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Despite their high relevance, the mechanisms of X-ray radiation damage on protein structure yet have to be completely established. Here, we used Raman microspectrophotometry to follow X-ray-induced chemical modifications on the structure of the model protein bovine pancreatic ribonuclease (RNase A). The combination of dose-dependent Raman spectra and ultrahigh resolution (eight structures solved using data collected between 0.85 and 1.17 Å resolution on the same single crystal) allowed direct observation of several radiation damage events, including covalent bond breakages and formation of radicals. Our results are relevant for analytical photodamage detection and provide implications for a detailed understanding of the mechanisms of photoproduct formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cinthia, Naples I-80126, Italy; CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate Scarl, Via G. Salvatore, Napoli, Italy
| | - Marco Caterino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cinthia, Naples I-80126, Italy
| | - Antonello Merlino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Cinthia, Naples I-80126, Italy.
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20
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Fernández-Hernando J, Carrillo D, Ciusa G, Liu Y, Prieto-Díaz I, Pedica R, Sayas S, Soni J, Vergara A. The ITER interlock system. Fusion Engineering and Design 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2018.02.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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21
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Mercurio M, Rossi M, Izzo F, Cappelletti P, Germinario C, Grifa C, Petrelli M, Vergara A, Langella A. The characterization of natural gemstones using non-invasive FT-IR spectroscopy: New data on tourmalines. Talanta 2018; 178:147-159. [PMID: 29136805 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2017.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Fourteen samples of tourmaline from the Real Museo Mineralogico of Federico II University (Naples) have been characterized through multi-methodological investigations (EMPA-WDS, SEM-EDS, LA-ICP-MS, and FT-IR spectroscopy). The samples show different size, morphology and color, and are often associated with other minerals. Data on major and minor elements allowed to identify and classify tourmalines as follows: elbaites, tsilaisite, schorl, dravites, uvites and rossmanite. Non-invasive, non-destructive FT-IR and in-situ analyses were carried out on the same samples to validate this chemically-based identification and classification. The results of this research show that a complete characterization of this mineral species, usually time-consuming and expensive, can be successfully achieved through non-destructive FT-IR technique, thus representing a reliable tool for a fast classification extremely useful to plan further analytical strategies, as well as to support gemological appraisals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariano Mercurio
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via dei Mulini 59/A, 82100 Benevento, Italy.
| | - Manuela Rossi
- Department of Earth Sciences, Environment and Resources, Federico II University, via Cinthia, 80126 Napoli, Italy; Real Museo Mineralogico, Cnetro Musei delle Scienze Naturali e Fisiche, Federico II University, via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Francesco Izzo
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via dei Mulini 59/A, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Piergiulio Cappelletti
- Department of Earth Sciences, Environment and Resources, Federico II University, via Cinthia, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Chiara Germinario
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via dei Mulini 59/A, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Celestino Grifa
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via dei Mulini 59/A, 82100 Benevento, Italy
| | - Maurizio Petrelli
- Department of Physics and Geology, University of Perugia, Piazza dell'Università 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Federico II University, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Alessio Langella
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via dei Mulini 59/A, 82100 Benevento, Italy
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22
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Colarusso A, Caterino M, Fabbri A, Fiorentini C, Vergara A, Sica F, Parrilli E, Tutino ML. High yield purification and first structural characterization of the full-length bacterial toxin CNF1. Biotechnol Prog 2017; 34:150-159. [PMID: 29063721 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.2574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factor 1 (CNF1) is a bacterial toxin secreted by certain Escherichia coli strains causing severe pathologies, making it a protein of pivotal interest in toxicology. In parallel, the CNF1 capability to influence important neuronal processes, like neuronal arborization, astrocytic support, and efficient ATP production, has been efficiently used in the treatment of neurological diseases, making it a promising candidate for therapy. Nonetheless, there are still some unsolved issues about the CNF1 mechanism of action and structuration probably caused by the difficulty to achieve sufficient amounts of the full-length protein for further studies. Here, we propose an efficient strategy for the production and purification of this toxin as a his-tagged recombinant protein from E. coli extracts (CNF1-H8). CNF1-H8 was expressed at the low temperature of 15°C to diminish its characteristic degradation. Then, its purification was achieved using an immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) and a size exclusion chromatography so as to collect up to 8 mg of protein per liter of culture in a highly pure form. Routine dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiments showed that the recombinant protein preparations were homogeneous and preserved this state for a long time. Furthermore, CNF1-H8 functionality was confirmed by testing its activity on purified RhoA and on HEp-2 cultured cells. Finally, a first structural characterization of the full-length toxin in terms of secondary structure and thermal stability was performed by circular dichroism (CD). These studies demonstrate that our system can be used to produce high quantities of pure recombinant protein for a detailed structural analysis. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:150-159, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Colarusso
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia, Napoli, 80126, Italy
| | - Marco Caterino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia, Napoli, 80126, Italy
| | - Alessia Fabbri
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, Roma, 00161, Italy
| | - Carla Fiorentini
- Italian Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, Roma, 00161, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia, Napoli, 80126, Italy.,CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate scarl, Via G. Salvatore, Napoli, 80100, Italy.,Institute of Biostructures and Biomaging, CNR, Napoli, Italia Via Mezzocannone 16, Napoli, 80134, Italy
| | - Filomena Sica
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia, Napoli, 80126, Italy.,Institute of Biostructures and Biomaging, CNR, Napoli, Italia Via Mezzocannone 16, Napoli, 80134, Italy
| | - Ermenegilda Parrilli
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia, Napoli, 80126, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Tutino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Sant'Angelo, Via Cinthia, Napoli, 80126, Italy
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Carrasco P, Carrillo M, Bazley K, Vergara A, Contreras A. Foros virtuales y construcción de conocimiento en profesionales de la salud. Enfermería Universitaria 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reu.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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24
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de Vries PC, Pautasso G, Humphreys D, Lehnen M, Maruyama S, Snipes JA, Vergara A, Zabeo L. Requirements for Triggering the ITER Disruption Mitigation System. Fusion Science and Technology 2017. [DOI: 10.13182/fst15-176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P. C. de Vries
- ITER Organization, Route de Vinon-sur-Verdon, CS 90 046, 13067 St Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - G. Pautasso
- Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - D. Humphreys
- General Atomics, P.O. Box 85608, San Diego, California 92186-5608
| | - M. Lehnen
- ITER Organization, Route de Vinon-sur-Verdon, CS 90 046, 13067 St Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - S. Maruyama
- ITER Organization, Route de Vinon-sur-Verdon, CS 90 046, 13067 St Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - J. A. Snipes
- ITER Organization, Route de Vinon-sur-Verdon, CS 90 046, 13067 St Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - A. Vergara
- ITER Organization, Route de Vinon-sur-Verdon, CS 90 046, 13067 St Paul-lez-Durance, France
| | - L. Zabeo
- ITER Organization, Route de Vinon-sur-Verdon, CS 90 046, 13067 St Paul-lez-Durance, France
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25
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Santolaya ME, Alvarez AM, Acuña M, Avilés CL, Salgado C, Tordecilla J, Varas M, Venegas M, Villarroel M, Zubieta M, Toso A, Bataszew A, Farfán MJ, de la Maza V, Vergara A, Valenzuela R, Torres JP. Efficacy and safety of withholding antimicrobial treatment in children with cancer, fever and neutropenia, with a demonstrated viral respiratory infection: a randomized clinical trial. Clin Microbiol Infect 2017; 23:173-178. [PMID: 27856269 PMCID: PMC7129180 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Revised: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine efficacy and safety of withholding antimicrobials in children with cancer, fever and neutropenia (FN) with a demonstrated respiratory viral infection. METHODS Prospective, multicentre, randomized study in children presenting with FN at five hospitals in Santiago, Chile, evaluated at admission for diagnosis of bacterial and viral pathogens including PCR-microarray for 17 respiratory viruses. Children positive for a respiratory virus, negative for a bacterial pathogen and with a favourable evolution after 48 h of antimicrobial therapy were randomized to either maintain or withhold antimicrobials. Primary endpoint was percentage of episodes with uneventful resolution. Secondary endpoints were days of fever/hospitalization, bacterial infection, sepsis, admission to paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and death. RESULTS A total of 319 of 951 children with FN episodes recruited between July 2012 and December 2015 had a respiratory virus as a unique identified microorganism, of which 176 were randomized, 92 to maintain antimicrobials and 84 to withdraw. Median duration of antimicrobial use was 7 days (range 7-9 days) versus 3 days (range 3-4 days), with similar frequency of uneventful resolution (89/92 (97%) and 80/84 (95%), respectively, not significant; OR 1.48; 95% CI 0.32-6.83, p 0.61), and similar number of days of fever (2 versus 1), days of hospitalization (6 versus 6) and bacterial infections throughout the episode (2%-1%), with one case of sepsis requiring admission to PICU in the group that maintained antimicrobials, without any deaths. CONCLUSIONS The reduction of antimicrobials in children with FN and respiratory viral infections, based on clinical and microbiological/molecular diagnostic criteria, should favour the adoption of evidence-based management strategies in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Santolaya
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Dr Luis Calvo Mackenna, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Committee of Infectious Diseases, National Child Programme of Antineoplastic Drugs Network, Santiago, Chile
| | - A M Alvarez
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital San Juan de Dios, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Committee of Infectious Diseases, National Child Programme of Antineoplastic Drugs Network, Santiago, Chile
| | - M Acuña
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Dr Roberto del Río, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Committee of Infectious Diseases, National Child Programme of Antineoplastic Drugs Network, Santiago, Chile
| | - C L Avilés
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital San Borja Arriarán, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Committee of Infectious Diseases, National Child Programme of Antineoplastic Drugs Network, Santiago, Chile
| | - C Salgado
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Dr Exequiel González Cortés, Santiago, Chile; Committee of Infectious Diseases, National Child Programme of Antineoplastic Drugs Network, Santiago, Chile
| | - J Tordecilla
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Dr Roberto del Río, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Committee of Infectious Diseases, National Child Programme of Antineoplastic Drugs Network, Santiago, Chile
| | - M Varas
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital San Juan de Dios, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Committee of Infectious Diseases, National Child Programme of Antineoplastic Drugs Network, Santiago, Chile
| | - M Venegas
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital San Juan de Dios, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - M Villarroel
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Dr Luis Calvo Mackenna, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Committee of Infectious Diseases, National Child Programme of Antineoplastic Drugs Network, Santiago, Chile
| | - M Zubieta
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Dr Exequiel González Cortés, Santiago, Chile; Committee of Infectious Diseases, National Child Programme of Antineoplastic Drugs Network, Santiago, Chile
| | - A Toso
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Dr Luis Calvo Mackenna, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - A Bataszew
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Dr Luis Calvo Mackenna, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - M J Farfán
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Dr Luis Calvo Mackenna, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - V de la Maza
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Dr Luis Calvo Mackenna, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - A Vergara
- Centre for Molecular Studies, Hospital Dr Luis Calvo Mackenna, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - R Valenzuela
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Dr Luis Calvo Mackenna, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - J P Torres
- Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Dr Luis Calvo Mackenna, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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26
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Cobos-Triguero N, Zboromyrska Y, Morata L, Alejo I, De La Calle C, Vergara A, Cardozo C, Arcas MP, Soriano A, Marco F, Mensa J, Almela M, Martínez JA. Time-to-positivity, type of culture media and oxidase test performed on positive blood culture vials to predict Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with Gram-negative bacilli bacteraemia. Rev Esp Quimioter 2017; 30:9-13. [PMID: 27897434] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of oxidase test and time-to-positivity (TTP) in aerobic and anaerobic blood culture vials to detect the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) bacteraemia. METHODS TTP was recorded for each aerobic and anaerobic blood culture vial of monomicrobial bacteraemia due to GNB. Oxidase test was performed in a pellet of the centrifuged content of the positive blood culture. An algorithm was developed in order to perform the oxidase test efficiently taking into account TTP and type of vial. RESULTS A total of 341 episodes of GNB bacteraemia were analysed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the oxidase test performed on positive vials with GNB to predict P. aeruginosa were 95%, 99%, 91%, and 99%, respectively. When growth was first or exclusively detected in anaerobic vials, P. aeruginosa was never identified hence the performance of the oxidase test could be avoided. When growth was only or first detected in aerobic vials, a TTP≥8h predicted P. aeruginosa in 37% or cases (63 of 169), therefore oxidase test is highly recommended. CONCLUSIONS Oxidase test performed onto positive blood culture vials previously selected by TTP and type of vials is an easy and inexpensive way to predict P. aeruginosa. In most cases, this can lead to optimization of treatment in less than 24 hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Cobos-Triguero
- Nazaret Cobos-Trigueros. Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clínic. Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
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27
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Kaur J, Vergara A, Rossi M, Gravagnuolo AM, Valadan M, Corrado F, Conte M, Gesuele F, Giardina P, Altucci C. Electrostatically driven scalable synthesis of MoS2–graphene hybrid films assisted by hydrophobins. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra09878b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Green synthesis of MoS2/biofunctionalized graphene hybrid films assisted by Vmh2 hydrophobin for applications in biosensing and photodetection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasneet Kaur
- Department of Physics “Ettore Pancini”
- University of Naples Federico II
- Naples
- Italy
- Akal College of Basic Sciences
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- University of Naples Federico II
- Naples
- Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate scarl
| | - Manuela Rossi
- Department of Earth, Environment and Resources Sciences
- University of Naples Federico II
- Naples
- Italy
| | - Alfredo Maria Gravagnuolo
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- University of Naples Federico II
- Naples
- Italy
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry
| | | | - Federica Corrado
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno
- Portici
- Italy
| | | | - Felice Gesuele
- Department of Physics “Ettore Pancini”
- University of Naples Federico II
- Naples
- Italy
| | - Paola Giardina
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- University of Naples Federico II
- Naples
- Italy
| | - Carlo Altucci
- Department of Physics “Ettore Pancini”
- University of Naples Federico II
- Naples
- Italy
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28
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Vitagliano L, Mazzarella L, Merlino A, Vergara A. Fine Sampling of the R→T Quaternary-Structure Transition of a Tetrameric Hemoglobin. Chemistry 2016; 23:605-613. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201603421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Biomaging; CNR; Via Mezzocannone 16 80134 Napoli Italy
| | - Lelio Mazzarella
- Dept. Chemical Sciences; University of Napoli “Federico II”; Via Cinthia 80126 Napoli Italy
| | - Antonello Merlino
- Institute of Biostructures and Biomaging; CNR; Via Mezzocannone 16 80134 Napoli Italy
- Dept. Chemical Sciences; University of Napoli “Federico II”; Via Cinthia 80126 Napoli Italy
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Institute of Biostructures and Biomaging; CNR; Via Mezzocannone 16 80134 Napoli Italy
- Dept. Chemical Sciences; University of Napoli “Federico II”; Via Cinthia 80126 Napoli Italy
- CEINGE Biotecnologie Avanzate scarlm; Via G. Salvatore Napoli Italy
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Vergara A. Use of Kirkwood-Buff Integrals for Extracting Distinct Diffusion Coefficients in Macromolecule-Solvent Mixtures. MACROMOL THEOR SIMUL 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/mats.201600040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences; University of Napoli “Federico II,”; Via Cinthia; Complesso di Monte S. Angelo; 80126 Napoli Italy
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Zboromyrska Y, Rubio E, Alejo I, Vergara A, Mons A, Campo I, Bosch J, Marco F, Vila J. Development of a new protocol for rapid bacterial identification and susceptibility testing directly from urine samples. Clin Microbiol Infect 2016; 22:561.e1-6. [PMID: 26899829 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2016.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The current gold standard method for the diagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTI) is urine culture that requires 18-48 h for the identification of the causative microorganisms and an additional 24 h until the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) are available. The aim of this study was to shorten the time of urine sample processing by a combination of flow cytometry for screening and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) for bacterial identification followed by AST directly from urine. The study was divided into two parts. During the first part, 675 urine samples were processed by a flow cytometry device and a cut-off value of bacterial count was determined to select samples for direct identification by MALDI-TOF-MS at ≥5 × 10(6) bacteria/mL. During the second part, 163 of 1029 processed samples reached the cut-off value. The sample preparation protocol for direct identification included two centrifugation and two washing steps. Direct AST was performed by the disc diffusion method if a reliable direct identification was obtained. Direct MALDI-TOF-MS identification was performed in 140 urine samples; 125 of the samples were positive by urine culture, 12 were contaminated and 3 were negative. Reliable direct identification was obtained in 108 (86.4%) of the 125 positive samples. AST was performed in 102 identified samples, and the results were fully concordant with the routine method among 83 monomicrobial infections. In conclusion, the turnaround time of the protocol described to diagnose UTI was about 1 h for microbial identification and 18-24 h for AST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Zboromyrska
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clínic, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Rubio
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clínic, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Alejo
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clínic, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Vergara
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clínic, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Mons
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clínic, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Campo
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clínic, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Bosch
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clínic, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F Marco
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clínic, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Vila
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clínic, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; ISGlobal, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
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31
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Caterino M, Petruk AA, Vergara A, Ferraro G, Marasco D, Doctorovich F, Estrin DA, Merlino A. Mapping the protein-binding sites for iridium(iii)-based CO-releasing molecules. Dalton Trans 2016; 45:12206-14. [DOI: 10.1039/c6dt01685e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry, Raman microspectroscopy, circular dichroism and X-ray crystallography have been used to investigate the reaction of CO-releasing molecule Cs2IrCl5CO with the model protein RNase A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Caterino
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- University of Naples Federico II
- Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant'Angelo
- Napoli
- Italy
| | - Ariel A. Petruk
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica
- Analítica y Química Física/INQUIMAE-CONICET
- University of Buenos Aires
- Ciudad Universitaria
- C1428EHA Buenos Aires
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- University of Naples Federico II
- Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant'Angelo
- Napoli
- Italy
| | - Giarita Ferraro
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- University of Naples Federico II
- Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant'Angelo
- Napoli
- Italy
| | - Daniela Marasco
- CNR Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages
- Napoli
- Italy
- Department of Pharmacy
- University of Naples Federico II
| | - Fabio Doctorovich
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica
- Analítica y Química Física/INQUIMAE-CONICET
- University of Buenos Aires
- Ciudad Universitaria
- C1428EHA Buenos Aires
| | - Dario A. Estrin
- Departamento de Química Inorgánica
- Analítica y Química Física/INQUIMAE-CONICET
- University of Buenos Aires
- Ciudad Universitaria
- C1428EHA Buenos Aires
| | - Antonello Merlino
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- University of Naples Federico II
- Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant'Angelo
- Napoli
- Italy
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Neto A, Arshad S, Sartori F, Vayakis G, Ambrosino G, Batista A, Bas I, Campagnolo R, Carvalho B, De Magneval G, De Tommasi G, Dominguez O, Fernandez-Hernando J, Pironti A, Simrock S, Sousa J, Sterle C, Vergara A, Winter A, Zabeo L. Conceptual architecture of the plant system controller for the magnetics diagnostic of the ITER tokamak. Fusion Engineering and Design 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2015.06.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Vinciguerra R, Galano E, Vallone F, Greco G, Vergara A, Bonaduce I, Marino G, Pucci P, Amoresano A, Birolo L. Deglycosylation Step to Improve the Identification of Egg Proteins in Art Samples. Anal Chem 2015; 87:10178-82. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b02423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Vinciguerra
- Dipartimento
di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Eugenio Galano
- Dipartimento
di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Fabiana Vallone
- Dipartimento
di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Giovanna Greco
- Dipartimento
di Studi Umanistici, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80133 Napoli, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Dipartimento
di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
- Distretto ad Alta Tecnologia dei Beni Culturali (DATABENC) Scarl, Napoli, Italy
| | - Ilaria Bonaduce
- Dipartimento
di Chimica e Chimica Industriale, Università di Pisa, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Gennaro Marino
- Dipartimento
di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Pietro Pucci
- Dipartimento
di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
- Distretto ad Alta Tecnologia dei Beni Culturali (DATABENC) Scarl, Napoli, Italy
| | - Angela Amoresano
- Dipartimento
di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Leila Birolo
- Dipartimento
di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy
- Distretto ad Alta Tecnologia dei Beni Culturali (DATABENC) Scarl, Napoli, Italy
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Alejo-Cancho I, Bosch J, Vergara A, Mascaro JM, Marco F, Vila J. Dermatitis by Dermatophilus congolensis. Clin Microbiol Infect 2015; 21:e73-4. [PMID: 26100375 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2015.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- I Alejo-Cancho
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clinic-ISGlobal-University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - J Bosch
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clinic-ISGlobal-University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A Vergara
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clinic-ISGlobal-University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J M Mascaro
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital Clinic-ISGlobal-University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F Marco
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clinic-ISGlobal-University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Vila
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hospital Clinic-ISGlobal-University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Tesser R, Vitiello R, Carotenuto G, Garcia Sancho C, Vergara A, Maireles Torres P, Li C, Di Serio M. Niobia supported on silica as a catalyst for Biodiesel production from waste oil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1515/cse-2015-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe activity and stability of niobia supported
on silica catalyst have been tested in continuous
micro-pilot reactors, for biodiesel production starting
from acid vegetable oils. A catalyst was prepared
by the impregnation of silica pellets with a loading
of 12% of Nb and was extensively characterized.
The activity of this catalyst in both esterification and
transesterification was tested in a continuous micro-pilot
laboratory plant in which acid oil was fed (FFA 10% w/w)
at a temperature of 220°C and at a pressure of 60 bar.
The niobia based catalyst resulted in a very active
catalyst in both esterification (FFA conversion =
95-90%) and transesterification reactions (FAME
yield = 80-90%), and the activity remained
quite constant for more than 100 h on stream.
Notwithstanding this stability, a non-negligible leaching
phenomena has been detected, in the case of long-time
continuous runs, as the Nb concentration on the spent
catalyst resulted lower than that on the fresh one. The
obtained result confirms that the leaching of the active
specie is one of the most strong problem in heterogeneous
catalysis for biodiesel production.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Tesser
- 1University of Naples ‘’Federico II’, Faculty of Science MM.FF.NN., Department of Chemical Science
- 2CIRCC, Italy
| | - R. Vitiello
- 1University of Naples ‘’Federico II’, Faculty of Science MM.FF.NN., Department of Chemical Science
- 2CIRCC, Italy
| | - G. Carotenuto
- 1University of Naples ‘’Federico II’, Faculty of Science MM.FF.NN., Department of Chemical Science
| | - C. Garcia Sancho
- 3University of Málaga, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Crystallography and Mineralogy
| | - A. Vergara
- 1University of Naples ‘’Federico II’, Faculty of Science MM.FF.NN., Department of Chemical Science
| | - P.J. Maireles Torres
- 1University of Naples ‘’Federico II’, Faculty of Science MM.FF.NN., Department of Chemical Science
- 3University of Málaga, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Crystallography and Mineralogy
| | | | - M. Di Serio
- 1University of Naples ‘’Federico II’, Faculty of Science MM.FF.NN., Department of Chemical Science
- 2CIRCC, Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonello Merlino
- 1] Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Naples, Italy [2] Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Caterino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Irene Russo Krauss
- 1] Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Naples, Italy [2] Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- 1] Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Naples, Italy [2] Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Naples, Italy
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Di Ciccio P, Vergara A, Festino A, Paludi D, Zanardi E, Ghidini S, Ianieri A. Biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus on food contact surfaces: Relationship with temperature and cell surface hydrophobicity. Food Control 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2014.10.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Di Fiore A, Vergara A, Caterino M, Alterio V, Monti SM, Ombouma J, Dumy P, Vullo D, Supuran CT, Winum JY, De Simone G. Hydroxylamine-O-sulfonamide is a versatile lead compound for the development of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Chem Commun (Camb) 2015; 51:11519-22. [DOI: 10.1039/c5cc03711e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Hydroxylamine-O-sulfonamide has been investigated as CA inhibitor by means of kinetic and structural studies clarifying its mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Di Fiore
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR
- 80134 Napoli
- Italy
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini-CNR
- 80134 Napoli
- Italy
- Department of Chemical Sciences
- Napoli
| | | | | | | | - Joanna Ombouma
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM) UMR 5247 CNRS
- ENSCM
- Université de Montpellier
- Bâtiment de Recherche Max Mousseron
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier
| | - Pascal Dumy
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM) UMR 5247 CNRS
- ENSCM
- Université de Montpellier
- Bâtiment de Recherche Max Mousseron
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier
| | - Daniela Vullo
- Università degli Studi di Firenze
- Polo Scientifico
- Laboratorio di Chimica Bioinorganica
- Florence
- Italy
| | - Claudiu T. Supuran
- Università degli Studi di Firenze
- Polo Scientifico
- Laboratorio di Chimica Bioinorganica
- Florence
- Italy
| | - Jean-Yves Winum
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM) UMR 5247 CNRS
- ENSCM
- Université de Montpellier
- Bâtiment de Recherche Max Mousseron
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier
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Garcia-Fernandez S, Morosini MI, Marco F, Gijon D, Vergara A, Vila J, Ruiz-Garbajosa P, Canton R. Evaluation of the eazyplex(R) SuperBug CRE system for rapid detection of carbapenemases and ESBLs in clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates recovered at two Spanish hospitals. J Antimicrob Chemother 2014; 70:1047-50. [DOI: 10.1093/jac/dku476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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40
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Gelzo M, Grimaldi M, Vergara A, Severino V, Chambery A, Dello Russo A, Piccioli C, Corso G, Arcari P. Comparison of binder compositions in Pompeian wall painting styles from Insula Occidentalis. Chem Cent J 2014; 8:65. [PMID: 25419232 PMCID: PMC4240868 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-014-0065-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although the pigment composition of Pompeian wall paintings has been the object of several studies, a comprehensive characterization of paint binder components is still lacking. This work aimed investigated at a molecular level the binder composition differences among wall paintings belonging to different periods of Pompeii’s history. Analytical investigations were performed on representative samples of the first, second, third, and fourth painting styles excavated from the house of Marcus Fabius Rufus (Insula Occidentalis). The application of sensitive experimental methodologies was complemented by historical knowledge to gain insight in painting techniques and materials used by Pompeian artists. Results Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to investigate the organic components and pigments present in powders obtained from samples of the four painting styles. No proteinaceous components were detected in the samples with liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-hybrid quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Liquid chromatography, gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry of polar and non-polar components extracted from powders were used to evaluate and compare the free amino acids, sugars, and fatty acids profiles. Conclusions Pigments and natural products (lipids, gums and wheat flours) were the main components of all samples. This supports the hypothesis that artists likely used water tempera for Pompeian wall paintings. Scheme of the multi-analytical approach followed to compare Pompeian paint binders composition.Scheme of the multi-analytical approach followed to compare Pompeian paint binders composition. ![]()
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13065-014-0065-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Gelzo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Grimaldi
- Centro Internazionale per gli Studi Pompeiani, Università Suor Orsola Benincasa, Via Suor Orsola 10, I-80135 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy ; Distretto ad Alta Tecnologia dei Beni Culturali (DATABENC) Scarl, Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Severino
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Vivaldi 43, I-81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Angela Chambery
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Seconda Università di Napoli, Via Vivaldi 43, I-81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Antonio Dello Russo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy
| | | | - Gaetano Corso
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Foggia, Via Pinto 1, I-71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Paolo Arcari
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via Pansini 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy ; CEINGE, Biotecnologie Avanzate Scarl, Via Comunale Margherita, 482 I-80145 Naples, Italy
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41
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Petruk AA, Vergara A, Marasco D, Bikiel D, Doctorovich F, Estrin DA, Merlino A. Interaction between Proteins and Ir Based CO Releasing Molecules: Mechanism of Adduct Formation and CO Release. Inorg Chem 2014; 53:10456-62. [DOI: 10.1021/ic501498g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ariel A. Petruk
- Departamento de
Química Inorgánica, Analítica y Química
Física/INQUIMAE-CONICET, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad
Universitaria, Pab. 2, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia I-80126, Napoli, Italy
- CNR Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, Via Mezzocannone 16 I-80100, Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniela Marasco
- CNR Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, Via Mezzocannone 16 I-80100, Napoli, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, CIRPEB: Centro Interuniversitario
di Ricerca sui Peptidi Bioattivi- University of Naples Federico II, DFM-Scarl, Via Mezzocannone, 16 80134, Napoli, Italy
| | - Damian Bikiel
- Departamento de
Química Inorgánica, Analítica y Química
Física/INQUIMAE-CONICET, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad
Universitaria, Pab. 2, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fabio Doctorovich
- Departamento de
Química Inorgánica, Analítica y Química
Física/INQUIMAE-CONICET, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad
Universitaria, Pab. 2, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Dario A. Estrin
- Departamento de
Química Inorgánica, Analítica y Química
Física/INQUIMAE-CONICET, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad
Universitaria, Pab. 2, C1428EHA Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Antonello Merlino
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Cintia I-80126, Napoli, Italy
- CNR Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, Via Mezzocannone 16 I-80100, Napoli, Italy
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Merlino A, Vergara A, Vitagliano L. Comments on structural studies of haemoglobin from pisces species shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) at 1.9 Å resolution by P. Ramesh et al. (2013). J. Synchrotron Rad.20, 843-847. J Synchrotron Radiat 2014; 21:832-833. [PMID: 24971983 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577514010170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/05/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonello Merlino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples `Federico II', Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples `Federico II', Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Vitagliano
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Naples, Italy
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Messori L, Scaletti F, Massai L, Cinellu MA, Gabbiani C, Vergara A, Merlino A. The mode of action of anticancer gold-based drugs: a structural perspective. Chem Commun (Camb) 2014; 49:10100-2. [PMID: 24045294 DOI: 10.1039/c3cc46400h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The interactions between a few representative gold-based drugs and hen egg white lysozyme were studied by X-ray crystallography. High resolution crystal structures solved for three metallodrug-protein adducts provide valuable insight into the molecular mechanism of these promising metal compounds and the inherent protein metalation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Messori
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
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Mazzarella L, Merlino A, Vitagliano L, Verde C, di Prisco G, Peisach J, Vergara A. Structural modifications induced by the switch from an endogenous bis-histidyl to an exogenous cyanomet hexa-coordination in a tetrameric haemoglobin. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra03317e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Two EPR- and structurally-distinct bis-histidyl conformers of the ferric haemoglobin from Trematomus bernacchii react differently with CN−
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Affiliation(s)
- Lelio Mazzarella
- Dept of Chemical Sciences
- University of Naples “Federico II”
- Naples, Italy
| | - Antonello Merlino
- Dept of Chemical Sciences
- University of Naples “Federico II”
- Naples, Italy
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging
- CNR
| | | | - Cinzia Verde
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources
- CNR
- Naples, Italy
- Roma 3 University
- Dept of Biology
| | | | - Jack Peisach
- Dept of Biophysics and Physiology
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- New York, USA
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Dept of Chemical Sciences
- University of Naples “Federico II”
- Naples, Italy
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging
- CNR
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Messori L, Scaletti F, Massai L, Cinellu MA, Russo Krauss I, di Martino G, Vergara A, Paduano L, Merlino A. Interactions of gold-based drugs with proteins: crystal structure of the adduct formed between ribonuclease A and a cytotoxic gold(iii) compound. Metallomics 2014; 6:233-6. [DOI: 10.1039/c3mt00265a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Vergara A, Russo Krauss I, Montesarchio D, Paduano L, Merlino A. Investigating the Ruthenium Metalation of Proteins: X-ray Structure and Raman Microspectroscopy of the Complex between RNase A and AziRu. Inorg Chem 2013; 52:10714-6. [DOI: 10.1021/ic401494v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
- CNR Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, Napoli, Italy
| | - Irene Russo Krauss
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
| | - Luigi Paduano
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
- CSGI (Consorzio per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase), Florence, Italy
| | - Antonello Merlino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Napoli, Italy
- CNR Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, Napoli, Italy
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Petruk AA, Vergara A, Estrin D, Merlino A. Molecular basis of the NO trans influence in quaternary T-state human hemoglobin: A computational study. FEBS Lett 2013; 587:2393-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2013.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Revised: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Krauss IR, Merlino A, Vergara A, Sica F. An overview of biological macromolecule crystallization. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:11643-91. [PMID: 23727935 PMCID: PMC3709751 DOI: 10.3390/ijms140611643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Revised: 05/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The elucidation of the three dimensional structure of biological macromolecules has provided an important contribution to our current understanding of many basic mechanisms involved in life processes. This enormous impact largely results from the ability of X-ray crystallography to provide accurate structural details at atomic resolution that are a prerequisite for a deeper insight on the way in which bio-macromolecules interact with each other to build up supramolecular nano-machines capable of performing specialized biological functions. With the advent of high-energy synchrotron sources and the development of sophisticated software to solve X-ray and neutron crystal structures of large molecules, the crystallization step has become even more the bottleneck of a successful structure determination. This review introduces the general aspects of protein crystallization, summarizes conventional and innovative crystallization methods and focuses on the new strategies utilized to improve the success rate of experiments and increase crystal diffraction quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Russo Krauss
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cintia, Napoli I-80126, Italy; E-Mails: (I.R.K.); (A.M.); (A.V.)
| | - Antonello Merlino
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cintia, Napoli I-80126, Italy; E-Mails: (I.R.K.); (A.M.); (A.V.)
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, C.N.R, Via Mezzocannone 16, Napoli I-80134, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cintia, Napoli I-80126, Italy; E-Mails: (I.R.K.); (A.M.); (A.V.)
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, C.N.R, Via Mezzocannone 16, Napoli I-80134, Italy
| | - Filomena Sica
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cintia, Napoli I-80126, Italy; E-Mails: (I.R.K.); (A.M.); (A.V.)
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, C.N.R, Via Mezzocannone 16, Napoli I-80134, Italy
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +39-81-674-479; Fax: +39-81-674-090
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Coppola D, Abbruzzetti S, Nicoletti F, Merlino A, Gambacurta A, Giordano D, Howes BD, De Sanctis G, Vitagliano L, Bruno S, di Prisco G, Mazzarella L, Smulevich G, Coletta M, Viappiani C, Vergara A, Verde C. ATP regulation of the ligand-binding properties in temperate and cold-adapted haemoglobins. X-ray structure and ligand-binding kinetics in the sub-Antarctic fish Eleginops maclovinus. Mol Biosyst 2013; 8:3295-304. [PMID: 23086282 DOI: 10.1039/c2mb25210d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The major haemoglobin of the sub-Antarctic fish Eleginops maclovinus was structurally and functionally characterised with the aim to compare molecular environmental adaptations in the O(2)-transport system of sub-Antarctic fishes of the suborder Notothenioidei with those of their high-latitude relatives. Ligand-binding kinetics of the major haemoglobin of E. maclovinus indicated strong stabilisation of the liganded quaternary T state, enhanced in the presence of the physiological allosteric effector ATP, compared to that of high-Antarctic Trematomus bernacchii. The activation enthalpy for O(2) dissociation was dramatically lower than that in T. bernacchii haemoglobin, suggesting remarkable differences in temperature sensitivity and structural changes associated with O(2) release and exit from the protein. The haemoglobin functional properties, together with the X-ray structure of the CO form at 1.49 Å resolution, the first of a temperate notothenioid, strongly support the hypothesis that in E. maclovinus, whose life-style varies according to changes in habitat, the mechanisms that regulate O(2) affinity and the ATP-induced Root effect differ from those of high-Antarctic Notothenioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Coppola
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, CNR, Via Pietro Castellino 111, I-80131 Naples, Italy
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Vergara A, Grassi M, Sica F, Pizzo E, D'Alessio G, Mazzarella L, Merlino A. A novel interdomain interface in crystallins: structural characterization of the βγ-crystallin from Geodia cydonium at 0.99 Å resolution. Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr 2013; 69:960-7. [PMID: 23695240 DOI: 10.1107/s0907444913003569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The βγ-crystallin superfamily includes highly diverse proteins belonging to all of the kingdoms of life. Based on structural topology, these proteins are considered to be evolutionarily related to the long-lived βγ-crystallins that constitute the vertebrate eye lens. This study reports the crystallographic structure at 0.99 Å resolution of the two-domain βγ-crystallin (geodin) from the sponge Geodia cydonium. This is the most ancient member of the βγ-crystallin superfamily in metazoans. The X-ray structure shows that the geodin domains adopt the typical βγ-crystallin fold with a paired Greek-key motif, thus confirming the hypothesis that the crystallin-type scaffold used in the evolution of bacteria and moulds was recruited very early in metazoans. As a significant new structural feature, the sponge protein possesses a unique interdomain interface made up by pairing between the second motif of the first domain and the first motif of the second domain. The atomic resolution also allowed a detailed analysis of the calcium-binding site of the protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Vergara
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Cintia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
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