0000000000924585
AUTHOR
V. Di Stefano
Antimicrobial and antistaphylococcal biofilm activity from the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus
Aims: Staphylococcal biofilm-associated infections are resistant to conventional antibiotics. Consequently, new agents are needed to treat them. With this aim, we focused on the effector cells (coelomocytes) of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus immune system. Methods and Results: We tested the activity of the 5-kDa peptide fraction of the cytosol from coelomocytes (5-CC) against a group of Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. We determined minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 253·7 to 15·8 mg ml−1. We observed an inhibitory activity and antibiofilm properties of 5-CC against staphylococcal biofilms of reference strains Staphylococcus epidermidis DSM 3269 an…
A practical and transferable methodology for dose estimation in irradiated spices, based on thermoluminescence dosimetry
Abstract The thermoluminescence technique is recommended by the European Committee for Standardization for the detection of irradiated food containing silicates as contaminants. In this work, the applicability of the thermoluminescence technique as a quantitative method to assess the original dose in irradiated oregano was studied; the additive-dose method was used, with reirradiation doses up to 600 Gy. The proposed new procedure allows to clearly discriminate irradiated from unirradiated samples, even after one year storage, and it gives an acceptable estimation of the original dose; the overall modified procedure requires only one day to be completed.
The additive dose method for dose estimation in irradiated oregano by thermoluminescence technique
The ionizing radiation treatment of food is nowadays a worldwide recognized tool for food preservation, provided that proper and validated identification methods are available and used. The thermoluminescence (TL) technique is one of the physical methods recommended by the European Committee for Standardization to distinguish irradiated from not irradiated samples, for food containing silicate minerals as contaminants, such as spices and aromatic herbs, which are among the most frequently irradiated foods. The experimental results presented in this work show that, at least up to the highest tested doses (2 kGy), it is possible to set up a procedure to estimate the actual dose in the irradia…
Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and antiproliferative activity of two platinum(II) complexes containing N-donor heterocycles
Abstract Novel mononuclear complexes of Pt(II), cis -[PtCl 2 (DMSO)HL]·2DMSO ( 1 ), where HL = 7-amino-2-(methylthio)[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5- a ]pyrimidine-6-carboxylic acid and Pt(bdt)Cl 2 ( 2 ), where bdt = [2,4-bis(5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazin-3yl)-pyridine] have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and 1 H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography diffraction analyses. The molecular structure of ( 1 ) shows that Pt(II) ion has a square planar geometry with N(3) bonded heterocycle ligand, two cis chloride anions and S-bonded dimethylsulfoxide. The antiproliferative activity of complexes ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) has been tested in vitro against HepG2 human hepatoma cells and non…
Electron Ionization Induced Fragmentation of some 3-Aroylamino-5-Methyl-1,2,4- Oxadiazoles and 3-Acetylamino-5-Aryl-1,2,4-Oxadiazoles
: Background and objectives. 1,2,4-Oxadiazoles show a high reactivity and represent starting compounds for the synthesis of several other heterocycles. Some their derivatives can give the so called Boulton-Katritzky Reactions (BKR) which opens the way to the synthesis of several azoles. For this reason we have registered the mass spectra of several 3-aroylamino-5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles and 3-acetylamino-5-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles. Methods and results. Thus, studying the mass spectra of the isomeric couple 3-benzoylamino-5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole (1A) and 3-acetylamino-5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles (1B) we have observed that MIKE and CID MIKE spectra of their molecular ions and of the [M – CH2C…
Traditional medicine as a source of new therapeutic agents against psoriasis.
In the frame of traditional medicine, the use in the treatment of psoriasis of some plants typical of the flora of Sicily is reported. A preliminary search on some plants used for the treatment of psoriasis in Asia, South America and Africa is also reported.
Chemical constituents and antiproliferative activity of Euphorbia bivonae
Euphorbia is a genus of plants belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, consisting of about 2160 species. This family occurs mainly in the Indo-Malayan region and tropical America. Euphorbia also has many species in non-tropical areas such as the Mediterranean area, the Middle East, South Africa, and southern USA. Phytochemical studies of species from the genus Euphorbia report the presence of skin-irritating and tumor-promoting diterpenoids, several macrocyclic diterpenoids with antibacterial, anticancer, PGE2-inhibitory, antifeedant, anti-HIV, and analgesic activities. Some of the Euphorbiaceae species are used in folk medicine for the treatment of skin diseases, gonorrhea, migraines, intes…
Deficit irrigation and maturation stage influence quality and flavonoid composition of ‘Valencia’ orange fruit
BACKGROUND:Effects of continuous deficit irrigation (DI) and partial rootzone drying (PRD) treatments (50%ETc) in comparison with full irrigation (CI, 100% ETc) were investigated during ‘Valencia’ orange fruit maturation. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/high-resolutionmass spectrometry was used to quantify hesperidin, narirutin, tangeritin, nobiletin, didymin and neoeriocitrin in the fruit juice and peel. RESULTS: No significant effect of irrigation was found on yield, juice soluble solids or acidity. Juice color was not influenced by irrigation or harvest date, whereas peel color increased during maturation and was more pronounced in CI and PRD fruits. Juice acidity reached a …
Phytochemical and anti-staphylococcal biofilm assessment of Dracaena draco L. Spp. draco resin
Background: Dracaena draco L. ssp. draco is known as the “dragon's blood tree” and it is endemic from the Canary Islands and Morocco. Objective: Carry out phytochemical investigation of acetonic extracts of red resin obtained from the trunk of D. draco, to obtain to the isolation of the most abundant resin constituents, belonging to the class of flavonoids: flavans, along with homoisoflavans and homoisoflavanones. Materials and Methods: The structures of the isolated compounds were established by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry data and comparison with literature data. The acetonic extract was evaluated for its anti-staphylococcal properties against two reference stra…
Germplasm evaluation to obtain inulin with high degree of polymerization in Mediterranean environment
Long-chain length (DP) inulin-type fructans show pronounced beneficial effects to colon microbiota. In the past, cardoon roots for inulin production to fortify spaghetti gave very good results, but their harvest requires high costs. The aim of the work was to evaluate different types of inulin, extracted from cardoon roots and buds, topinambur tubers and chicory roots local populations in order to identify crops more suitable for high DP inulin production in Mediterranean environment. The inulin amount resulted in 115 (chicory), 390 (cardoon) and 550 g kg−1 of d.m. (topinambur). Both in cardoon roots and in topinambur tubers the DP was very high. With the aim to produce a functional food, s…
ComparativeIn Vitroevaluation of cumulative release of the urinary antiseptics Nalidixic acid, Pipemidic acid, Cinoxacin, and norfloxacin from white beeswax Microspheres
AbstractThe in vitro diffusion of nalidixic acid (1), pipemidic acid (2), cinoxacin (3), and norfloxacin (4) was studied. The transfer rate constants (kd) from simulated gastro-intestinal juices to simulated plasma, throughout artificial wall lipid membranes, were defined. The kd values suggested that the four drugs are absorbed both in gastric and intestinal environments in similar amounts. To obtain lack of gastric unwanted effects white beeswax microspheres containing 1, 2, 3, and 4 were investigated as a vehicle for the drug intestinal release; they were prepared by the meltable dispersion process using wetting agents. Discrete, reproducible free flowing microspheres were obtained. The …
Mortality rate and risk factors for gastrointestinal bleeding in elderly patients
Abstract Background Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is burdened by high mortality rate that increases with aging. Elderly patients may be exposed to multiple risk factors for GIB. We aimed at defining the impact of GIB in elderly patients. Methods Since 2008, samples of elderly patients (age ≥ 65 years) with multimorbidity admitted to 101 internal medicine wards across Italy have been prospectively enrolled and followed-up (REPOSI registry). Diagnoses of GIB, length of stay (LOS), mortality rate, and possible risk factors, including drugs, index of comorbidity (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale [CIRS]), polypharmacy, and chronic diseases were assessed. Adjusted multivariate logistic regressio…
In vitro anti-biofilm activity of Boswellia spp. oleogum resin essential oils
Aims: To evaluate the anti-biofilm activity of the commercially available essential oils from two Boswellia species. Methods and Results: The susceptibility of staphylococcal and Candida albicans biofilms was determined by methyltiazotetrazolium (MTT) staining. At concentrations ranging from 217·3 μg ml−1 (25% v/v) to 6·8 μg ml−1 (0·75% v/v), the essential oil of Boswellia papyrifera showed considerable activity against both Staphylococcus epidermidis DSM 3269 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 biofilms. The anti-microbial efficacy of this oil against S. epidermidis RP62A biofilms was also tested using live/dead staining in combination with fluorescence microscopy, and we observed that …
The sea–air exchange of mercury (Hg) in the marine boundary layer of the Augusta basin (southern Italy): Concentrations and evasion flux
Abstract The first attempt to systematically investigate the atmospheric mercury (Hg) in the MBL of the Augusta basin (SE Sicily, Italy) has been undertaken. In the past the basin was the receptor for Hg from an intense industrial activity which contaminated the bottom sediments of the Bay, making this area a potential source of pollution for the surrounding Mediterranean. Three oceanographic cruises have been thus performed in the basin during the winter and summer 2011/2012, where we estimated averaged Hg atm concentrations of about 1.5 ± 0.4 (range 0.9–3.1) and 2.1 ± 0.98 (range 1.1–3.1) ng m −3 for the two seasons, respectively. These data are somewhat higher than the background Hg atm …
Antioxidant activity and enzymes inhibitory properties of several extracts from two Moroccan Asteraceae species
Abstract The present work reports investigation on phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibitory activities (acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, tyrosinase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase) of different extracts from two Moroccan Asteraceae species; Bubonium imbricatum Cav. and Cladanthus arabicus (L.) Cass. B. imbricatum extracts contained the highest amounts of phenolics and flavonoids, and also exhibited higher antioxidant activity. In this species, the highest total phenolic (1611.13 ± 14.23 μmolGAE/gextract) and flavonoid (376.11 ± 8.22 μmolQE/gextract) contents were observed in aqueous-methanol extract obtained by maceration. Further, UHPLC–MS analysis of C. arab…
Need for Deprescribing in Hospital Elderly Patients Discharged with a Limited Life Expectancy: The REPOSI Study
<b><i>Objective:</i></b> Older people approaching the end of life are at a high risk for adverse drug reactions. Approaching the end of life should change the therapeutic aims, triggering a reduction in the number of drugs.<b><i></i></b>The main aim of this study is to describe the preventive and symptomatic drug treatments prescribed to patients discharged with a limited life expectancy from internal medicine and geriatric wards. The secondary aim was to describe the potentially severe drug-drug interactions (DDI). <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> We analyzed Registry of Polytherapies Societa Italiana di Medicina I…
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Post-Stroke Aphasia Rehabilitation: Bilateral vs Unilateral Online Stimulation
Here we aim to evaluate the efficacy of repeated sessions of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) as additional treatment to standard behavioural rehabilitation in post-stroke aphasic patients comparing bilateral with unilateral left-sided and sham-tDCS. Background: Aphasia is the most common post-stroke cognitive disorder and it severely impacts activities of daily living and social interactions. tDCS recently showed good results in post-stroke aphasia rehabilitiation, even if no agreement at now exists about the stimulation parameters to employ to achieve the best rehabilitative outcome. Design/Methods: We enrolled twenty-two patients with single left-brain lesion at CT or MRI s…
The metabolic profile of lemon juice by proton HR-MAS NMR: the case of the PGI Interdonato Lemon of Messina
We have studied by means of High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (HR-MAS NMR) the metabolic profile of the famous Sicilian lemon known as 'Interdonato Lemon of Messina PGI'. The PGI Interdonato Lemon of Messina possesses high organoleptic and healthy properties and is recognised as one of the most nutrient fruits. In particular, some of its constituents are actively studied for their chemo-preventive and therapeutic properties. In this paper, we have determined by means of HR-MAS NMR spectroscopy the molar concentration of the main metabolites constituent the juice of PGI Interdonato Lemon of Messina in comparison with that of the not-PGI Interdonato Lemon of Turk…
Opuntia cladodes as functional ingredient in durum wheat bread: rheological, sensory, and chemical characterization
Cladodes are considered by-products of Opuntia ficus-indica cultivation. Their addition as source of antioxidants to durum wheat breads could have effects on preventing cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and inflammation. The inclusion of 0-5-10-15% cladodes, harvested in three different locations, on quality and antioxidant properties of fortified durum wheat breads has been evaluated. The enrichment with 10% of cladodes resulted in an increase in the content of total phenolics (14.8 vs 2.7 mg GAE/100 g of control bread), a decrease of IC50 (3.28 vs 49.7 mg/ml of control bread), good rheological characteristics of loaves and largely positive evaluation by panel test. Fortification with 15% …
An original experimental approach to study the alteration and/or contamination of archaeological ceramics originated by seawater burial
This paper deals with the proposal of an original experimental methodological approach specifically designed for appraising any compositional alteration and/or contamination of archaeological ceramics after the protracted contact with seawater. A series of ceramic test-pieces (briquettes and cylinders) were purposely manufactured by mixing selected calcareous or non-calcareous clays with different varieties of sieved sand temper. The aim was to reasonably simulate the ceramic pastes most frequently found in the shipwrecks recovered in the coastal areas of western Mediterranean. The used raw materials were previously characterized in terms of mineralogical and chemical composition (XRPD, XRF…
Alemtuzumab treatment of multiple sclerosis in real-world clinical practice: A report from a single Italian center
Abstract Background Alemtuzumab, is a compound approved for highly active MS, and, in Europe, employed after the use of other disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) with an escalation approach or used as a first therapeutic option. The occurrence of secondary autoimmune adverse events and or infections can differ depending on the employed approach. Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of alemtuzumab in real-world MS population that encompassed patients previously treated with other DMTs. Methods 35 patients, treated with alemtuzumab in a single MS Center, were followed for at least 36 months. The study investigated the prevalence of patients reaching the phase of the non-active diseas…
Chemical stability of tramadol hydrochloride injection admixed with selected pain drugs
Background: Tramadol hydrochloride (HCl) and ketorolac tromethamine are analgesic drugs, which are commonly used in combination in postoperative pain management. According to some studies, metoclopramide and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4 ) as adjuvant agents can improve analgesia and decrease the need for other pain drugs. Materials and Methods: The chemical stability of tramadol HCl combined with ketorolac tromethamine and metoclopramide HCl has been studied using a stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic assay method. Calibration curves were produced using linear regression of the peak area against concentration of each drug, with an r 2 value ≥ 0.96. Our aim was to invest…
CCDC 941509: Experimental Crystal Structure Determination
Related Article: S. Rubino, V. Di Stefano, A. Attanzio, L. Tesoriere, M.A. Girasolo, F. Nicolò, G. Bruno, S. Orecchio, G.C. Stocco|2014|Inorg.Chim.Acta|418|112|doi:10.1016/j.ica.2014.03.028