| 1. |
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| 2. |
- Gandaglia, G., et al.
(author)
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The fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor oleoyl ethyl amide counteracts bladder overactivity in female rats
- 2014
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In: Neurourology and Urodynamics. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0733-2467 .- 1520-6777. ; 33:8, s. 1251-1258
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIMS:To study micturition and bladder overactivity in female rats after chronic treatment with the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor oleoyl ethyl amide (OEtA).METHODS:Sprague-Dawley rats received daily subcutaneous injections of OEtA (0.3 mg/kg), or vehicle for 2 weeks. Cystometries, organ bath studies, Western blot, and immunofluorescence were then used. Expressions of FAAH, cannabinoid 1 and 2 receptors (CB1 and CB2), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), vesicular acetyl choline-transporter protein (VAChT), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were evaluated.RESULTS:At baseline, OEtA-treated rats had higher values (P < 0.05) of micturition intervals (MI) and volumes (MV), bladder capacity (BC), threshold pressure, and flow pressure than vehicle controls. Intravesical PGE2 reduced MI, MV, and BC, and increased basal pressure and the area under the curve in all rats. However, these urodynamic parameters were altered less by intravesical PGE2 in OEtA-treated rats (P < 0.05 vs. vehicle controls). Compared to vehicle controls, detrusor from OEtA-treated rats had larger contractions to carbachol at 10-0.1 µM, but no difference in Emax was recorded. FAAH, CB1, CB2, VAChT, or CGRP was similarly expressed in bladders from all rats. In separate experiments, intravesical OEtA increased mucosal expression of phosphorylated MAPK.CONCLUSIONS:Chronic FAAH inhibition altered sensory urodynamic parameters and reduced bladder overactivity. Even if it cannot be excluded that OEtA may act on central nervous sensory pathways to contribute to these effects, the presence of FAAH and CB receptors in the bladder and activation of intracellular signals for CB receptors by intravesical OEtA suggest a local role for FAAH in micturition control. Neurourol. Urodynam
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Maroni, F., et al.
(author)
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Highly Stable Fe3O4/C Composite: A Candidate Material for All Solid-State Lithium-Ion Batteries
- 2020
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In: Journal of the Electrochemical Society. - : The Electrochemical Society. - 1945-7111 .- 0013-4651. ; 167:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fe3O4 nanoparticles synthesized by a base catalyzed method are tested in an All-Solid-State (ASLB) battery using a sulfide electrolyte. The pristine nanoparticles were morphologically characterized showing an average size of 12 nm. The evaluation of the electrochemical properties shows high specific capacity values of 506 mAhg(-1) after 350 cycles at a specific current of 250 mAg(-1), with very high stability and coulombic efficiency. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published on behalf of The Electrochemical Society by IOP Publishing Limited.
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| 5. |
- Angelucci, F, et al.
(author)
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The effect of neuropeptide Y on cell survival and neurotrophin expression in in-vitro models of Alzheimer's disease
- 2014
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In: Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology. - : Canadian Science Publishing. - 1205-7541 .- 0008-4212. ; 92:8, s. 621-630
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a disorder characterized by the accumulation of abnormally folded protein fragments in neurons, i.e., β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau protein, leading to cell death. Several neuropeptides present in the central nervous system (CNS) are believed to be involved in the pathophysiology of AD. Among them, neuropeptide Y (NPY), a small peptide widely distributed throughout the brain, has generated interest because of its role in neuroprotection against excitotoxicity in animal models of AD. In addition, it has been shown that NPY modulates neurogenesis. Interestingly, these latter effects are similar to those elicited by neurotrophins, which are critical molecules for the function and survival of neurons that degenerate during the course of AD. In this review we summarize the evidence for the involvement of NPY and neurotrophins in AD pathogenesis, and the similarity between them in CNS neurons. Finally, we recapitulate our recent in-vitro evidence for the involvement of neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the neuroprotective effect elicited by NPY in AD neuron-like models (neuroblastoma cells or primary cultures exposed to toxic concentrations of Aβ’s pathogenic fragment 25–35), and propose a putative mechanism based on NPY-induced inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx in pre- and post-synaptic neurons.
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| 6. |
- Croce, N, et al.
(author)
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Effects of lithium and valproic acid on BDNF protein and gene expression in an in vitro human neuron-like model of degeneration
- 2014
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In: Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England). - : SAGE Publications. - 1461-7285 .- 0269-8811. ; 28:10, s. 964-972
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- One of the common effects of lithium (Li) and valproic acid (VPA) is their ability to protect against excitotoxic insults. Neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases may be also associated with altered trophic support of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the most widely distributed neurotrophin in the central nervous system. However, despite these evidences, the effect of Li–VPA combination on BDNF after excitoxic insult has been inadequately investigated. We address this issue by exposing a human neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y) to neurotoxic concentration of L-glutamate and exploring whether the neuroprotective action of Li–VPA on these cells is associated with changes in BDNF protein and mRNA levels. The results showed that pre-incubation of Li–VPA abolished the toxic effect of glutamate on SH-SY5Y cell survival and this neuroprotective effect was associated with increased synthesis and mRNA expression of BDNF after 24 and 48 h of incubation. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the neuroprotective effects of Li-VPA against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells is associated with increased synthesis and mRNA expression of BDNF. These data further support the idea that these two drugs can be used for prevention and/or treatment of glutamate-related neurodegenerative disorders.
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| 7. |
- Maroni, Fabio, et al.
(author)
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V2O5 Cryogel: A Versatile Electrode for All Solid State Lithium Batteries
- 2019
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In: Journal of the Electrochemical Society. - : The Electrochemical Society. - 1945-7111 .- 0013-4651. ; 166:16, s. A3927-A3931
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- All solid-state lithium batteries (ASLB) are paving the attention of the battery community due to the possibility of improving safety at good energy level. Their future development requires the investigation of new electrodes chemistries both based on intercalation or conversion mechanism. In this work we report on the synthesis and characterization of a V2O5 cryogel electrode and its application in ASLB. The combination of V2O5 cryogel and a solid-state electrolyte shows appealing properties of high capacity and enhanced safety.
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| 8. |
- Agostini, Marco, 1987, et al.
(author)
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A mixed mechanochemical-ceramic solid-state synthesis as simple and cost effective route to high-performance LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 spinels
- 2017
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In: Electrochimica Acta. - : Elsevier BV. - 0013-4686. ; 235, s. 262-269
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The implementation of high potential materials as positive electrodes in high energy Li-ion batteries requires to develop scalable and smart synthetic routes. In the case of the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) spinel material, a successful preparation strategy must drive the phase formation in order to obtain structural, morphological and surface properties capable to boost performances in lithium cells and minimize the electrolyte degradation. Here we discuss a novel simple and easily scalable mechanochemical synthetic route, followed by a high temperature annealing in air, to prepare LMNO materials starting from oxides. A synergic doping with chromium and iron has been incorporated, resulting in the spontaneous segregation of a CrOx-rich surface layer. The effect of the annealing temperature on the physico-chemical properties of the LMNO material has been investigated as well as the effect on the performances in Licells.
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| 9. |
- Agostini, Marco, 1987, et al.
(author)
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Minimizing the Electrolyte Volume in Li–S Batteries: A Step Forward to High Gravimetric Energy Density
- 2018
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In: Advanced Energy Materials. - : Wiley. - 1614-6840 .- 1614-6832. ; 8:26
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sulfur electrodes confined in an inert carbon matrix show practical limitations and concerns related to low cathode density. As a result, these electrodes require a large amount of electrolyte, normally three times more than the volume used in commercial Li-ion batteries. Herein, a high-energy and high-performance lithium–sulfur battery concept, designed to achieve high practical capacity with minimum volume of electrolyte is proposed. It is based on deposition of polysulfide species on a self-standing and highly conductive carbon nanofiber network, thus eliminating the need for a binder and current collector, resulting in high active material loading. The fiber network has a functionalized surface with the presence of polar oxygen groups, with the aim to prevent polysulfide migration to the lithium anode during the electrochemical process, by the formation of S–O species. Owing to the high sulfur loading (6 mg cm−2) and a reduced free volume of the sulfide/fiber electrode, the Li–S cell is designed to work with as little as 10 µL cm−2of electrolyte. With this design the cell has a high energy density of 450 Wh kg−1, a lifetime of more than 400 cycles, and the possibility of low cost, by use of abundant and eco-friendly materials.
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| 10. |
- Kim, Jae-Kwang, 1978, et al.
(author)
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gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles encapsulated in polypyrrole for quasi-solid-state lithium batteries
- 2014
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In: Journal of Materials Chemistry A. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 2050-7488 .- 2050-7496. ; 2:10, s. 3551-3556
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Nano-sized gamma-Fe2O3 was prepared by a minor modification method in combination with high energy ball milling, and a core-shell structure was designed using polypyrrole (PPy) by chemical polymerization. The structure and morphology of core-shell gamma-Fe2O3-PPy were investigated by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, and TEM. For solid-state batteries, PPy-Fe2O3 cells were fabricated with a gel polymer electrolyte prepared by an electrospinning process. The charge and discharge gravimetric capacities of all-solid-state batteries at the first cycle are 400 and 421 mA h g(-1) and 220 and 221 mA h g(-1) for 0.1 and 1 C-rates, respectively, which correspond to 760 and 800 mA h cm(-3) and 418 and 420 mA h cm(-3) of volumetric capacity.
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| 11. |
- Pigliautile, M, et al.
(author)
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Validation study of the Italian Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination Revised in a young-old and old-old population
- 2011
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In: Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders. - : S. Karger AG. - 1421-9824 .- 1420-8008. ; 32:5, s. 301-307
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- <i>Aims:</i> The main aims of the study were the translation and the subsequent validation in Italian of the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R), and the evaluation of its usefulness in discriminating cognitively normal subjects from patients with mild dementia in an elderly population. <i>Methods:</i> The ACE-R was translated and adapted into Italian. The Italian ACE-R was administered to a group of 179 elderly subjects (72 cognitively healthy and 107 subjects with mild dementia, mean age 75.4 ± 6.4 years). The group was stratified into two subsamples according to age, i.e. a young-old (<75 years) and an old-old (≧75 years) group, in order to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the test in detecting dementia in different age strata of elderly subjects. <i>Results:</i> The reliability of the Italian ACE-R was extremely good (α-coefficient = 0.85). Two different cutoffs were identified for young-old (cutoff 79; sensitivity 90% and specificity 80%) and old-old subjects (cutoff 60; sensitivity 82% and specificity 100%). <i>Conclusions:</i> The Italian ACE-R is a valid screening tool to detect dementia, especially in the old-old population, which represents not only the fastest growing age group but also the group at the highest risk of dementia in Western countries.
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| 12. |
- Pitawala, Jagath, 1976, et al.
(author)
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Phase behaviour, transport properties, and interactions in Li-salt doped ionic liquids
- 2012
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In: Faraday Discussions. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1359-6640 .- 1364-5498. ; 154, s. 71-80
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report on the influence of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI) doping on the glass transition temperature (T(g)), the ionic conductivity, and Li-ion coordination of two dicationic ionic liquids (DILs) based on the TFSI anion. The results are compared to the behaviour of traditional mono-cationic ionic liquids. The cations of the DILs contain two imidazolium rings, connected by a decane hydrocarbon chain. Homogeneous mixtures of these ILs and LiTFSI can be obtained in a large concentration range. With increasing Li-salt concentration the ionic conductivity decreases whereas the glass transition temperature increases in both systems. However, the influence of the salt doping on the ionic conductivity and the glass transition temperature is low compared to typical mono-cationic ionic liquids, based on for example the pyrrolidinium cation and the TFSI anion. This behaviour is mirrored in the average coordination number of TFSI anions around Li-ions, determined by Raman spectroscopy. The coordination number is systematically lower in the DILs, suggesting a connection between the difference in the Li-ion environment and the behaviour of the glass transition and the ionic conductivity. A T(g)-scaled Arrhenius plot of the ionic conductivity shows that the ionic conductivity for all LiTFSI concentrations has the same temperature dependence, i.e. the fragility of the liquid is the same. This implies that the conduction process is dominated by the viscous properties of the liquids over the entire concentration range. This provides further support for linking the local environment of the Li-ions to the glass transition and conduction process in the ionic liquid/salt mixtures.
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
- Polidori, M. C., et al.
(author)
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Association of increased carotid intima-media thickness and lower plasma levels of vitamin C and vitamin E in old age subjects : implications for Alzheimer's disease
- 2015
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In: Journal of neural transmission. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0300-9564 .- 1435-1463. ; 122:4, s. 523-530
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In light of the recent advances regarding the role of vascularity in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology, the relationship between plasma levels and activities of the major antioxidant molecules and the carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) of older persons with no or very mild cognitive impairment was evaluated. The underlying hypothesis is that the IMT may be an indirect index of vascular damage in persons with low levels of plasma antioxidants. Plasma levels of vitamins A, C, E, of uric acid as well as activities of the plasma antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured. Plasma levels of vitamins C and E significantly decreased among participants from the first to the fourth IMT quartile, with a linear slope only for vitamin C. Compared to participants in the lowest vitamin C quartile, the probability to have IMT > 1.2 mm significantly decreased among persons from the second to the fourth quartile independent of confounders. In conclusion, only vitamin C plasma levels appear to be selectively associated with the risk of increasing C-IMT. An adequate vitamin C status might be particularly important for protection against AD and other clinical manifestations of vascular and cognitive ageing.
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| 15. |
- Sodergren, Erica, et al.
(author)
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The genome of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus.
- 2006
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In: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 1095-9203 .- 0036-8075. ; 314:5801, s. 941-52
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report the sequence and analysis of the 814-megabase genome of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, a model for developmental and systems biology. The sequencing strategy combined whole-genome shotgun and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) sequences. This use of BAC clones, aided by a pooling strategy, overcame difficulties associated with high heterozygosity of the genome. The genome encodes about 23,300 genes, including many previously thought to be vertebrate innovations or known only outside the deuterostomes. This echinoderm genome provides an evolutionary outgroup for the chordates and yields insights into the evolution of deuterostomes.
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| 16. |
- Tripputi, P, et al.
(author)
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Tissue-type plasminogen activator gene is on chromosome 8.
- 1986
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In: Cytogenetics and Cell Genetics. - 0301-0171 .- 1421-9816. ; 42:1-2, s. 24-8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Tissue plasminogen activator is one of the two plasminogen activators, both serine proteases, that catalyze the conversion of inactive plasminogen to plasmin, which then degrades the fibrin network of blood clots. By combining somatic cell genetics, in situ hybridization, and Southern blot hybridization, we localized the human tissue plasminogen activator gene to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 8.
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| 17. |
- Ückert, S., et al.
(author)
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Expression and distribution of key proteins of the endocannabinoid system in the human seminal vesicles
- 2018
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In: Andrologia. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0303-4569. ; 50:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The endocannabinoid system (ECS), comprising the cannabinoid receptors (CBR), their ligands, and enzymes controlling the turnover of endocannabinoids, has been suggested to be involved in male reproductive function. As information is scarce on the expression of the ECS in human male reproductive tissues, this study aimed to investigate by means of molecular biology (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence the expression and distribution of CB1 and CB2, GPR55 (an orphan G protein-coupled receptor that recognises cannabinoid ligands) and FAAH (isoforms 1 and 2) in the human seminal vesicles (SV). The specimens expressed PCR products corresponding to CB1 (66 bp), CB2 (141 bp), GPR55 (112 bp), FAAH1 (260 bp) and FAAH2 (387 bp). Immumohistochemistry revealed dense expression of CB1, CB2 and GPR55 located to the pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium and varicose nerves (also characterised by the expression of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and calcitonin gene-related peptide). Cytosolic staining for FAAH1 and FAAH2 was seen in cuboidal cells of all layers of the epithelium. No immunoreactivity was detected in the smooth musculature or nerve fibres. CB1, CB2, GPR55, FAAH1 and FAAH2 are highly expressed in the human SV. Considering their localisation, the ECS may be involved in epithelial homeostasis, secretory function or autonomic mechano-afferent signalling.
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