Polystyrene nanoplastics affect the human ubiquitin structure and ubiquitination in cells: a high-resolution study.

Humans are estimated to consume several grams per week of nanoplastics (NPs) through exposure to a variety of contamination sources. Nonetheless, the effects of these polymeric particles on living systems are still mostly unknown. Here, by means of CD, NMR and TEM analyses, we describe at an atomic resolution the interaction of ubiquitin with polystyrene NPs (PS-NPs), showing how a hard protein corona is formed. Moreover, we report that in human HeLa cells exposure to PS-NPs leads to a sensible reduction of ubiquitination. Our study overall indicates that PS-NPs cause significant structural effects on ubiquitin, thereby influencing one of the key metabolic processes at the base of cell viability.

Retrospective data analysis of animal poisoning events in Liguria.

Intentional poisoning represents a serious risk to domestic and wild animals, and it can be an environmental and human health issue as well . This paper is a retrospective study, which covers a decade, based on animal poisoning cases and poisoned baits that were submitted for diagnostic examinations to the Veterinary Medical Research Institute for Piedmont, Liguria and the Aosta Valley (IZS-PLVA) in Liguria region. All data were collected through a passive surveillance system introduced in Italy by a decree of the Ministry of Health in January 2009. 43.2% of the animal poisoning cases were confirmed by toxicological analysis, whereas toxic agents were detected in 31.1% of the baits. The most affected animal species were dogs and cats, followed by synanthropic birds,. Only 4% of the total poisoning events analysed involved wild animals and cases of livestock poisoning were minimal. An increased number of cases in January, March, April and August was noticed, but no seasonal trend was detected. The most affected areas were the ones with the highest level of urbanization and population density. The major cause of the poisonings and the most common substances detected in the examined baits were anticoagulants whereas cholinesterase inhibitors, organochlorine pesticides and carbamates were detected in a minor number of cases. This study raises concerns about deliberate animal poisoning in ligurian region and highlights the necessity to fight this phenomenon as it endangers animals, humans and environment.

Oxidative metabolism drives inflammation-induced platinum resistance in human ovarian cancer.

Tumour cells have long been considered defective in mitochondrial respiration and mostly dependent on glycolytic metabolism. However, this assumption is currently challenged by several lines of evidence in a growing number of tumours. Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide, but it continues to be a poorly understood disease and its metabolic features are far to be elucidated. In this context, we investigated the role of tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1), which is found upregulated in several cancer types and is a key modulator of tumour cell metabolism. Surprisingly, we found that TRAP1 expression inversely correlated with grade, stage and lower survival in a large cohort of OC patients. Accordingly, TRAP1 silencing induced resistance to cisplatin, resistant cells showed increased oxidative metabolism compared with their sensitive counterpart, and the bioenergetics cellular index of higher grade tumours indicated increased mitochondrial respiration. Strikingly, cisplatin resistance was reversible upon pharmacological inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation by metformin/oligomycin. At molecular level, increased oxidative metabolism in low TRAP1-expressing OC cells and tissues enhanced production of inflammatory mediators such as interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8. Mechanistically, we identified members of the multidrug resistance complex (MDR) as key mediators of such metabolism-driven, inflammation-induced process. Indeed, treatment of OC cell lines with TNFα and IL6 induced a selective increase in the expression of TAP1 and multidrug resistance protein 1, whereas TAP1 silencing sensitized cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Our results unveil a novel role for TRAP1 and oxidative metabolism in cancer progression and suggest the targeting of mitochondrial bioenergetics to increase cisplatin efficacy in human OC.

Effect of cellulose structure and morphology on the properties of poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) biocomposites.

Composites based on poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA) containing amorphized and crystalline cellulose reinforcements have been prepared and characterized. In order to improve the polymer/filler interfacial adhesion, an efficient compatibilizing agent has been synthesized by chemical modification of PBSA and characterized by FT-IR, FT-NIR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Uncompatibilized and compatibilized composites have been tested through morphological, mechanical, calorimetric and thermogravimetric analysis. Moreover, water vapor permeability and biodegradation kinetics of composites have been investigated. The addition to PBSA of cellulose fillers differing from each other by crystallinity degree and morphology, and the use of a compatibilizing agent have allowed modulating tensile and thermal properties, water vapor transmission rate and biodegradation kinetic of the composites.

Amorphized cellulose as filler in biocomposites based on poly(ɛ-caprolactone).

Amorphous cellulose particles, obtained through a solvent-free mechano-chemical process, have been tested for the first time as a potential filler for biodegradable composites based on poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL). Commercial cellulose fibers have been also tested for comparison. An effective interfacial strategy based on a compatibilizing agent, a modified PCL, has been used to improve the polymer/filler interfacial adhesion. Composites have been tested through physico-mechanical characterizations and soil burial degradation tests, in order to evaluate the influence of cellulose structure and morphology and polymer/filler interfacial adhesion on the final properties of the realized materials. The use of the amorphous cellulose particles combined with the presence of a suitable interfacial agent has allowed to modulate relevant technological properties of the realized composites, such as tensile and thermal properties, water absorption, water vapor transmission rate and biodegradation kinetic.

Abyssal undular vortices in the Eastern Mediterranean basin.

Abyssal temperature and velocity observations performed within the framework of the Neutrino Mediterranean Observatory, a project devoted to constructing a km(3)-scale underwater telescope for the detection of high-energy cosmic neutrinos, demonstrate cross-fertilization between subnuclear physics and experimental oceanography. Here we use data collected south of Sicily in the Ionian abyssal plain of the Eastern Mediterranean (EM) basin to show for the first time that abyssal vortices exist in the EM, at depths exceeding 2,500 m. The eddies consist of chains of near-inertially pulsating mesoscale cyclones/anticyclones. They are embedded in an abyssal current flowing towards North-Northwest. The paucity of existing data does not allow for an unambiguous determination of the vortex origin. A local generation mechanism seems probable, but a remote genesis cannot be excluded a priori. The presence of such eddies adds further complexity to the discussion of structure and evolution of water masses in the EM.

A multitechnique approach to assess the effect of ball milling on cellulose.

This paper presents a detailed analysis of effect induced by a dry ball milling process on cellulose structure, morphology and properties. The partial amorphization of cellulose was qualitatively estimated by ATR-FTIR analysis. Through WAXD analysis the crystallinity index and the mean size of the cellulose crystallite domains were calculated, both these parameters showing a progressive decrease as a function of the milling time. In particular, crystallinity index decreased from 0.53 to 0.15 after 60min ball milling, whereas the mean size of the cellulose crystallite domains showed a reduction from the original value of about 4.0nm up to about 3.4nm after 30min. These quantitative results were confirmed by 13C CP-MAS NMR analysis and measurements of the proton spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame (T1ρ1H). Moreover, the increasing of the amount of water absorbed by cellulose samples (from 7.3wt% for untreated cellulose up to 11.6wt% for the cellulose sample ball milled for 60min) and the reduction of the thermal stability were evaluated by TGA. Finally, SEM analysis revealed that the original fibrous structure almost disappeared and was modified to a quasi-circular shape.

Occult fractures of the carpals and metacarpals: demonstration by CT.

Occult fractures of the carpals and metacarpals occur frequently and are associated with major disability. The cross-sectional display and superior resolution of CT are well suited to the demonstration of these fractures. Sixteen patients with pain and negative conventional radiographs were chosen for further evaluation by CT. Imaging was performed in two planes and showed 21 fractures. The transaxial plane was the most revealing imaging plane. Coronal imaging was equal or superior to the transaxial plane in most fractures of the scaphoid, lunate, capitate, and pisiform bones and of the bases of the metacarpal bones. The direct sagittal plane was the best imaging plane in one patient with fractures of the scaphoid and lunate bones. After discovery of the fracture on CT, surgical removal of the avulsed fracture fragment was recommended in seven patients and fusion was recommended in three. Eight patients had a marked decrease in pain after the surgical procedure. The accuracy of CT for the demonstration of occult fractures may result in earlier recognition of these fractures and a reduction in the associated disability.

Percutaneous (nonsurgical) supported angioplasty in unprotected left main disease and severe left ventricular dysfunction.

A 69-year-old patient with the equivalent of severe, unprotected left main coronary artery disease associated with marked left ventricular dysfunction with ventricular aneurysm who had Class IV angina, underwent supported angioplasty utilizing a total percutaneous approach. The patient tolerated occlusion of his main left coronary artery for a total of 7 minutes without difficulty, during dilatation of left anterior descending and two circumflex lesions. He was discharged the following day, symptom free.

Intravenous streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction at the community hospital: a six-year experience.

The efficacy of intravenous streptokinase in the initial management of acute myocardial infarction was evaluated over a 6-year period in 130 patients admitted to 3 community hospitals. Most patients were admitted within 2 hours of onset of symptoms and received 1.5 million units of streptokinase over a 30- to 60-minute period. Clinical observations and serial creatine phosphokinase-MB were indicative of vessel patency in 115 (88%) of the patients after initiation of thrombolysis. Of this group, 105 underwent catheterization, and recanalization was demonstrated in 97 (92%). Fifty percent of the patients who underwent reperfusion were subsequently maintained with medical therapy; 50% underwent either percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery. Major morbidity was confined to hematomas; no cerebral bleeding was encountered. There was 1 early death from cerebral thrombosis and 2 late deaths, 1 to cancer and 1 to myocardial infarction. These findings suggest the benefit of intravenous streptokinase thrombolysis in patients with acute myocardial infarction presenting within 3 hours of onset of pain, unless specific potential bleeding problems exist or in the case of certain very elderly persons. In addition, the trial demonstrated the feasibility of triaging patients who have undergone lytic therapy to a central facility for catheterization and management.

Supracondylar fractures of the humerus: prediction of the cubitus varus deformity with CT.

Rotation of the distal fracture fragment in the supracondylar fracture is a contributing factor in the development of the cubitus varus deformity. Computed tomography (CT) is superior to conventional radiography in the assessment of the position of fracture fragments and was used to study 20 patients with supracondylar fractures after reduction. These fractures were followed up with radiography until healed. As determined from CT scans, rotation of the distal fracture fragment of greater than 10 degrees resulted in an abnormal Baumann angle and a cubitus varus deformity in all patients. Use of CT should facilitate the identification of this complication and thus treatment of these fractures and prevention of subsequent deformity.