| 1. |
- Bernal, Ximena E., et al.
(author)
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Empowering Latina scientists
- 2019
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In: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 363:6429, s. 825-826
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)
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| 2. |
- Klionsky, Daniel J., et al.
(author)
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Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy
- 2012
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In: Autophagy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1554-8635 .- 1554-8627. ; 8:4, s. 445-544
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Hallan, Supandeep Singh, et al.
(author)
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Design of Nanosystems for the Delivery of Quorum Sensing Inhibitors : A Preliminary Study
- 2020
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In: Molecules. - : MDPI. - 1431-5157 .- 1420-3049. ; 25:23
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Biofilm production is regulated by the Quorum Sensing system. Nowadays, Quorum Sensing represents an appealing target to design new compounds to increase antibiotics effects and avoid development of antibiotics multiresistance. In this research the use of liposomes to target two novel synthetic biofilm inhibitors is presented, focusing on a preformulation study to select a liposome composition for in vitro test. Five different liposome (LP) formulations, composed of phosphatidyl choline, cholesterol and charged surfactant (2:1:1, molar ratio) have been prepared by direct hydration and extrusion. As charged surfactants dicetyl phosphate didecyldimethylammonium chloride, di isobutyl phenoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and stearylamine (SA) and have been used. Liposome charge, size and morphology were investigated by zeta potential, photon correlation spectroscopy, small angle x-ray spectroscopy and electron microscopy. LP-SA was selected for the loading of biofilm inhibitors and subjected to high performance liquid chromatography for entrapment capacity evaluation. LP-SA loaded inhibitors showed a higher diameter (223.6 nm) as compared to unloaded ones (205.7 nm) and a dose-dependent anti-biofilm effect mainly after 48 h of treatment, while free biofilm inhibitors loose activity. In conclusion, our data supported the use of liposomes as a strategy to enhance biofilm inhibitors effect.
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| 5. |
- Rizzo, Roberta, et al.
(author)
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Allergic women have reduced sHLA-G plasma levels at delivery.
- 2009
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In: American Journal of Reproductive Immunology and Microbiology. - : Wiley. - 8755-8920 .- 1046-7408 .- 1600-0897. ; 61:5, s. 368-76
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PROBLEM: HLA-G antigen maintains a tolerogenic condition at the foeto-maternal interface, counteracts inflammation in autoimmune diseases and soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) levels decrease in allergic-asthmatics. Taking into consideration these findings, we analyzed if sHLA-G and interleukin-10 (IL-10) could be influenced by pregnancy and labour in allergic and non-allergic women. METHOD OF STUDY: sHLA-G isoforms and IL-10 levels were determined in the plasma samples of 43 women (15 non-allergic, 28 allergic) during third trimester, at delivery and 2 years after pregnancy by immunoenzymatic assays. RESULTS: A significant increase in sHLA-G and IL-10 levels was documented at delivery in both allergic and non-allergic women. Allergic women showed lower sHLA-G concentrations. sHLA-G1 was evidenced as the predominant plasma isoform. CONCLUSION: The data showed increased sHLA-G and IL-10 concentrations at delivery, regardless of the allergic status. The sHLA-G1 isoform is mainly responsible for the increased sHLA-G levels at delivery.
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