Efficacia e tossicita acuta di vernici antifouling commerciali in ambiente marino

Il settore navale (mercantile, militare e nautica da diporto) è da diversi anni alla ricerca di prodotti vernicianti antivegetativi (antifouling) ed anti-attrito in grado di rispondere ad una nuova e assai critica combinazione di requisiti di efficacia, durabilità, eco-compatibilità e costo in sostituzione dei ben noti prodotti tradizionali e di grande efficacia, basati su potenti biocidi o combinazioni sinergiche di biocidi, alcuni già banditi dall'uso per la loro tossicità sull'ambiente marino [contenenti organostannici, es tributil stagno (TBT)] o di futura e/o prevedibile limitazione o esclusione (contenenti diversi organo-composti dello stagno, ossido rameoso e altri composti rameosi, rame metallico o sue leghe micro-granulari o in polvere, svariati biocidi organici sintetici, ecc.), e in tutti i casi di efficacia temporale limitata dalla progressiva perdita in acqua di biocida. Lo scopo di questa tesi di laurea è quello di valutare l’efficacia (macrofouling) e la tossicità attraverso test di campo e laboratorio di due vernici antivegetative (comunemente impiegate nella cantieristica da diporto) a base di rame e zinco, in modo da avere un riferimento per futuri esperimenti su prodotti innovativi, più promettenti dal punto di vista dell’impatto ambientale. Gli esperimenti sono stati condotti nelle seguenti condizioni: - valutazione dell’efficacia: nel periodo giugno-agosto pannelli di vetroresina sono stati verniciati con i prodotti oggetto dello studio ed immersi in una area portuale, assieme ad altri pannelli non verniciati (controlli). Ciclicamente, i pannelli sono stati prelevati, fotografati, e posti nuovamente in sede. In situ e attraverso le foto, è stata fatta l’identificazione delle specie colonizzanti e valutata la percentuale di copertura. - valutazione della tossicità: su provini di vetroresina di ridotte dimensioni (10x5 cm) verniciati e non verniciati (controlli) è stata condotta in laboratorio una prova di rilascio dei biocici, in acqua di mare sintetica (priva di biocidi e contaminanti), a diversi tempi. Sull’acqua di rilascio è stata valutata la tossicità acuta (concentrazione effettiva mediana, EC50) attraverso saggi biologici su organismi non-target quali Vibrio fischeri (endpoint: riduzione della bioluminescenza) e Artemia salina (endpoint: immobilità/mortalità)

Optical Properties and Growth Dynamics of Oxides on Single Crystal AIN

Aluminum nitride (AIN) is a novel wide bandgap semiconductor. This research focused on optical properties of AIN as well as native oxide properties of single crystal AIN. Refractive index, absorption coefficient, and oxide film thickness were measured using absorption spectrophotometer and ellipsometer. Additionally, we were also interested in characterizing the oxide and studying its growth dynamics. To achieve this, we used successive ellipsometric measurements. Transmission measurements from the spectrophotometer were analyzed, and absorption spectra between 200 and 2500 nm was numerically extracted. To analyze ellipsometric data, a two parameter analytical algorithm was used. This calculated the best fit parameters for the oxide thickness and refractive index using a theoretical model

Checklist della flora vascolare psammofila della Toscana

Checklist of the psammophilous vascular flora of Tuscany. An updated list of the psammophilous vascular flora occurring in coastal areas of Tuscany is presented. The list is based on bibliographic analysis and field studies effected ad hoc in the year 2012-2013. 704 specific and infraspecific taxa are reported (641 native). They belong to 383 genera and 90 families. Most represented families are Poaceae (13%), Asteraceae (12%), Fabaceae (10%), Caryophyllaceae (5%), Apiaceae (4%). 63 units are naturalized exotic species (about 9% of the flora). Aloe arborescens is a casual exotic newly recorded for Tuscany. The Italian endemics are 6, of which three are exclusive of sandy Tuscan coasts (Centaurea aplolepa Moretti subsp. subciliata (DC.) Arcang., Limonium etruscum Arrigoni & Rizzotto, Solidago litoralis Savi). Only 11 taxa were recorded in all or almost all the study areas: Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link subsp. arundinacea H.Lindb, Cakile maritima Scop. subsp. maritima, Calystegia soldanella (L.) Roem. & Schult., Echinophora spinosa L., Eryngium maritimum L., Kali tragus (L.) Scop. s.l., Lagurus ovatus L. subsp. ovatus, Medicago marina L., Pancratium maritimum L., Sporobolus virginicus Kunth

CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β expression is increased in the brain during HIV-1-infection and contributes to regulation of astrocyte tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) associated with infection and activation of mononuclear phagocytes (MP) in the brain, occur late in disease. Infected/activated MP initiate neuroinflammation activating glial cells and ultimately disrupting neuronal function. Astrocytes secrete tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in response to neural injury. Altered TIMP-1 levels are implicated in several CNS diseases. CCAAT enhancer-binding protein ß (C/EBPß), a transcription factor, is expressed in rodent brains in response to neuroinflammation, implicating it in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and HAND. Here, we report that C/EBPß mRNA levels are elevated and its isoforms differentially expressed in total brain tissue lysates of HIV-1-infected and HIV-1 encephalitis patients. In vitro, HAND-relevant stimuli additively induce C/EBPß nuclear expression in human astrocytes through 7 days of treatment. Over-expression of C/EBPß increases TIMP-1 promoter activity, mRNA, and protein levels in human astrocytes activated with interleukin-1ß. Knockdown of C/EBPß with siRNA decreases TIMP-1 mRNA and protein levels. These data suggest that C/EBPß isoforms are involved in complex regulation of astrocyte TIMP-1 production during HIV-1 infection; however, further studies are required to completely understand their role during disease progression

NFE2L Regulation BY Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

Cell survival requires adaptive responses to transient increases of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during stress. The nuclear factor-erythroid 2-like factors (Nrf1 and Nrf2) and Maf cofactors transactivate genes with antioxidant response elements (ARE) to coordinate distinct metabolic pathways following ROS. Nrf2 predominantly responds to oxidative stress and electrophiles to regulate glutathione biosynthesis, while Nrf1 regulates proteasome induction. This thesis shows nuclear accumulation of the longer forms of Nrf1 (p120- and p95-Nrf1) in response to ER stress mediated by tunicamycin (TUN), thapsigargin (THP), and dithiothreitol (DTT) in HEK293T cells. Nrf2, as opposed to Nrf1, was induced by the oxidative stressor antimycin A (AA) in the absence of BiP induction while both Nrfs accumulated in the nuclei from DTT-mediated redox stress. Cell stress was monitored using the H2DCFDA, MTT and PI assays. These results are the first to indicate Nrf1 responds to ER stress distinctly from Nrf2 that responds to mitochondrial ROS

Informal Trade of Psychoactive Herbal Products in the City of Diadema, SP, Brazil: Quality and Potential Risks

The present study aimed to assess the quality and risks involved in the consumption of psychoactive herbal products (PHs) that are available through informal commerce in the city of Diadema, SP, Brazil. Methods of ethnography were used to conduct the fieldwork during which four dealers were selected to record the collection, handling, packaging, types of PHs marketed, and their therapeutic purposes. in addition, lots of the PHs selected were purchased from the dealers and analyzed using microbiology and pharmacognosy techniques. 217 PHs were recorded and categorized into two main groups: stimulants (67%) and depressants (27%) of the central nervous system; sixteen of them were selected, and their 52 lots were acquired. the deficiencies observed in handling and packaging these lots by dealers were confirmed by microbiological analysis; 80.8% of them presented risk according to the indicators defined by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. the pharmacognostic analysis confirmed the authenticity of only 9 to 16 PHs analyzed. in addition, descriptions of contraindications, adverse reactions, and drug interactions were found in the literature for the PHs. the results of this study allow the observation of the priorities for the sanitary adequacy of the popular trade of herbs.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)AFIP-Associacao Fundo de Incentivo a PesquisaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med Prevent, BR-04038034 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Ciencias Biol, Ctr Estudos Etnobot & Etnofarmacol, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Dept Farm, BR-05508000 São Paulo, BrazilAdolfo Lutz Inst, Ctr Medicamentos Cosmet & Saneantes, BR-01246902 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psicobiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Bandeirante Anhanguera, BR-02071013 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Ciencias Biol, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med Prevent, BR-04038034 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Ciencias Biol, Ctr Estudos Etnobot & Etnofarmacol, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psicobiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Ciencias Biol, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Application of primed in situ DNA synthesis (PRINS) with telomere human commercial kit in molecular cytogenetics of Equus caballus and Sus scrofa scrofa.

Recently, molecular techniques have become an indispensable tools for cytogenetic research. Especially, development of in situ techniques made possible detection at the chromosomal level, genes as well as repetitive sequences like telomeres or the DNA component of telomeres. One of these methods is primed in situ DNA synthesis (PRINS) using an oligonucleotide primer complementary to the specific DNA sequence. In this report we described application of PRINS technique with telomere human commercial kit to telomere sequences identification. This commercial kit may be use to visualization of interstitial telomeric signal in pig genome. PRINS is attractive complement to FISH for detection of DNA repetitive sequences and displays lower level of non-specific hybridization than conventional FISH

Optimalization of fluorescence in situ hybridization conditions in mare oocytes and mouse embryos

The aim of the study was to optimize hybridization conditions of molecular probes specific for X sex chromosomes of the domestic horse in mare oocyte chromosomes. Mare oocytes, recovered from slaughterhouse ovaries by scraping the granulosa layer, were cultured in vitro. Metaphase II mature oocytes were treated with hypotonic solution and fixed, followed by hybridization of the molecular probe specific for the X chromosome of the domestic horse. Hybridization of probes specific for mouse heterosomes on mouse oocytes and early embryos was performed to verify the FISH technique. Of 438 oocytes analysed, 29% reached metaphase II. Despite many changes in the composition of hypotonic solutions and modification of the FISH protocol, the fluorescence signal was observed in mouse oocytes and embryos but not in mare oocytes

Modification of equine sperm chromatin decondensation method to use fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is widely used in the study of chromosome structure and organization. Cytogenetic evaluation of chromosomes using FISH technique plays an increasingly important role in diagnosing karyotype changes in both somatic and reproductive cells. The aim of the study was to optimize the conditions of stallion sperm decondensation, which have a significant effect on the results of fluorescence in situ hybridization. Appropriate type and time of decondensation was chosen for the sperm of every stallion. It was found that decondensation performed using a preparation incubated in DTT solution for 1.5 minutes and in SDS solution for 10 seconds proved effective for stallions no. 1 and 2. An alternative decondensation method performed in an Eppendorf tube, with incubation in DTT solution for 1 minute and in SDS solution for 5 seconds proved effective for stallions no. 3 and 4. Decondensation using DTT and papain solution, a method successfully used for bull spermatozoa, proved inadequate for horse spermatozoa