Pd/Ce0.6Zr0.4O2/Al2O3 as advanced materials for three-way catalysts: Part 1. Catalyst characterisation, thermal stability and catalytic activity in the reduction of NO by CO

Pd-loaded Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ solid solutions supported on Al₂O₃ are investigated as catalysts for the reduction of NO by CO. The attention is focused on the role of the Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ and of the Pd dispersion on the catalytic activity. The system shows a very high activity below 500 K, which is almost independent on the Pd dispersion. The high activity is attributed to a promoting effect of the Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ on the NO conversion. Investigation of the influence of high temperature treatments disclosed a thermal stabilisation of both Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂ and Al₂O₃ in the Ce_0.6Zr_0.4O₂/Al₂O₃ system.     

Modulatory Effects of Polyphenols on Apoptosis Induction: Relevance for Cancer Prevention

Polyphenols, occurring in fruit and vegetables, wine, tea, extra virgin olive oil, chocolate and other cocoa products, have been demonstrated to have clear antioxidant properties in vitro, and many of their biological actions have been attributed to their intrinsic reducing capabilities. However, it has become clear that, in complex biological systems, polyphenols exhibit several additional properties which are yet poorly understood. Apoptosis is a genetically controlled and evolutionarily conserved form of cell death of critical importance for the normal embryonic development and for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis in the adult organism. The malfunction of the death machinery may play a primary role in various pathological processes, since too little or too much apoptosis can lead to proliferative or degenerative diseases, respectively. Cancer cells are characterized by a deregulated proliferation, and/or an inability to undergo programmed cell death. A large body of evidence indicates that polyphenols can exert chemopreventive effects towards different organ specific cancers, affecting the overall process of carcinogenesis by several mechanisms: inhibition of DNA synthesis, modulation of ROS production, regulation of cell cycle arrest, modulation of survival/proliferation pathways. In addition, polyphenols can directly influence different points of the apoptotic process, and/or the expression of regulatory proteins. Although the bulk of data has been obtained in in vitro systems, a number of clinical studies suggesting a preventive and therapeutic effectiveness of polyphenols in vivo is available. However, a deeper knowledge of the underlying mechanisms responsible for the modulation of apoptosis by polyphenols, and their real effectiveness, is necessary in order to propose them as potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic candidates for cancer treatment.     

Fluorinated Polyphosphazenes: A Survey

A general survey of fluorinated phosphazene polymers starting from their synthesis in 1965 to recent times is presented. Various types of fluorinated phosphazenes are described depending on the way fluorine atoms are connected to the polyphosphazene skeleton. The characterization, properties and practical utilization of these compounds in different domains are critically discussed.     

A comparison of fitting algorithms for diffusion-weighted MRI data analysis using an intravoxel incoherent motion model

Object

The objective of this study is to propose a modified VARiable PROjection (VARPRO) algorithm specifically tailored for fitting the intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) model to diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) data from locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).

Materials and methods

The proposed algorithm is compared with classical non-linear least squares (NLLS) analysis using the Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm and with two recently proposed algorithms for ‘segmented’ analysis. These latter two comprise two consecutive steps: first, a subset of parameters is estimated using a portion of data; second, the remaining parameters are estimated using the whole data and the previous estimates. The comparison between the algorithms was based on the \(R^2\) goodness-of-fit measure: performance analysis was carried out on real data obtained by DW-MRI on 40 LARC patients.

Results

The performance of the proposed algorithm was higher than that of LM in 64 % of cases; ‘segmented’ methods were poorer than our algorithm in 100 % of cases.

Conclusion

The proposed modified VARPRO algorithm can lead to better fit of the IVIM model to LARC DW-MRI data compared to other techniques.

     

Silver electrodeposition from air and water-stable ionic liquid: An environmentally friendly alternative to cyanide baths

The influence of temperature on the kinetics and the morphology of silver deposits obtained from an air and water-stable ionic liquid (the 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate) was studied by means of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The nucleation and growth mechanisms have been investigated and the effect of temperature evaluated up to 200 °C. Dense, pure and very thin (about 0.3 μm) silver coatings, with decorative properties, have been obtained on commercial copper electrodes at different temperatures. The characterization of the deposits morphology has been performed by visual investigation and SEM microscopy. Data about thickness were acquired by Calotest® measurements. The deposits result constituted by pure silver as determined by combination of EDX microanalysis and Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). The deposition method promises to be a new, environmentally friendly, method for silver electrodeposition which is the reason for the absence of cyanide and volatile toxic solvents in the electroplating bath.     

Relationship between word difficulty and access of single-word meaning by skilled and less skilled readers.

Previous research, by R. M. Golinkoff and R. R. Rosinski (1976), used a picture-word interference task to show that skilled and less skilled comprehenders in the 3rd and 5th grades could retrieve the meaning of primer-level words equally well. With a similar task and comparable groups of children ( N = 64), the present study assessed the relationship between word difficulty and semantic access by using both the easy words and a new set of more difficult words. Retrieval of the meaning of these difficult words was least apparent for the less skilled 3rd graders, the group that had the most difficulty decoding these words. Results indicate that decoding ease and extraction of word meanings are related and also suggest that decoding ability must be considered a factor in reading comprehension. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Technological,nutritional and sensory properties of pasta fortified with agro-industrial by-products: a review

Reducing food waste is a priority to move towards more sustainable food systems. Since agro-food by-products are often rich in healthy compounds, such as fibre, phytochemicals, protein, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, the waste valorisation could move through their transformation into ingredients useful for the formulation of functional foods. Pasta is a staple food widely consumed all over the world representing an optimal carrier for nutrients delivery. The incorporation of ingredients of a high added value obtained by agro-industrial by-products in pasta can improve its nutritional value and provides several health benefits. At the same time, the inclusion of new ingredients could modify the physical, chemical and textural properties determining the change of the organoleptic characteristics of fortified pasta, affecting its acceptability. Thus, the preparation of new pasta formulations with high nutritional properties, good technological and sensory characteristics represents a challenge for the food industry.     

Validation of the performance of a GMO multiplex screening assay based on microarray detection

A new screening method for the detection and identification of GMO, based on the use of multiplex PCR followed by microarray, has been developed and is presented. The technology is based on the identification of quite ubiquitous GMO genetic target elements first amplified by PCR, followed by direct hybridisation of the amplicons on a predefined microarray (DualChip^® GMO, Eppendorf, Germany). The validation was performed within the framework of a European project (Co-Extra, contract no 007158) and in collaboration with 12 laboratories specialised in GMO detection. The present study reports the strategy and the results of an ISO complying validation of the method carried out through an inter-laboratory study. Sets of blind samples were provided consisting of DNA reference materials covering all the elements detectable by specific probes present on the array. The GMO concentrations varied from 1% down to 0.045%. In addition, a mixture of two GMO events (0.1% RRS diluted in 100% TOPAS19/2) was incorporated in the study to test the robustness of the assay in extreme conditions. Data were processed according to ISO 5725 standard. The method was evaluated with predefined performance criteria with respect to the EC CRL method acceptance criteria. The overall method performance met the acceptance criteria; in particular, the results showed that the method is suitable for the detection of the different target elements at 0.1% concentration of GMO with a 95% accuracy rate. This collaborative trial showed that the method can be considered as fit for the purpose of screening with respect to its intra- and inter-laboratory accuracy. The results demonstrated the validity of combining multiplex PCR with array detection as provided by the DualChip^® GMO (Eppendorf, Germany) for the screening of GMO. The results showed that the technology is robust, practical and suitable as a screening tool.     

Bone Marrow-Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Secretome as Conditioned Medium Relieves Experimental Skeletal Muscle Damage Induced by Ex Vivo Eccentric Contraction

Bone marrow-mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) may offer promise for skeletal muscle repair/regeneration. Growing evidence suggests that the mechanisms underpinning the beneficial effects of such cells in muscle tissue reside in their ability to secrete bioactive molecules (secretome) with multiple actions. Hence, we examined the effects of MSC secretome as conditioned medium (MSC-CM) on ex vivo murine extensor digitorum longus muscle injured by forced eccentric contraction (EC). By combining morphological (light and confocal laser scanning microscopies) and electrophysiological analyses we demonstrated the capability of MSC-CM to attenuate EC-induced tissue structural damages and sarcolemnic functional properties’ modifications. MSC-CM was effective in protecting myofibers from apoptosis, as suggested by a reduced expression of pro-apoptotic markers, cytochrome c and activated caspase-3, along with an increase in the expression of pro-survival AKT factor. Notably, MSC-CM also reduced the EC-induced tissue redistribution and extension of telocytes/CD34⁺ stromal cells, distinctive cells proposed to play a “nursing” role for the muscle resident myogenic satellite cells (SCs), regarded as the main players of regeneration. Moreover, it affected SC functionality likely contributing to replenishment of the SC reservoir. This study provides the necessary groundwork for further investigation of the effects of MSC secretome in the setting of skeletal muscle injury and regenerative medicine.