Characterization of Ancient Cereals Cultivated by Intensive and Organic Procedures for Element Content.

According to their nutritional value, their ability to adapt to the various environmental conditions, and their versatility, cereals are among the most cultivated plants in the world. However, the ongoing climate changes subject crops to important environmental stress that for some varieties leads to high production losses. Therefore, the selection of species and varieties that are more versatile and adaptable to different environmental conditions can be important. However, the characteristics of some cereals are not completely known; this is a priority before aiming to improve their cultivation. The aim of this study is to characterize select species that are potentially suitable for local environmental conditions and that possess nutritional value. The elemental composition was assessed in different cereal species grown following intensive and organic agriculture practices. Six species were grown for this study with techniques of intensive agriculture: Triticum monococcum L., Triticum dicoccum L., Triticum aestivum L., variety Verna, Triticum durum Desf., variety Senatore Cappelli, Triticum durum Desf., variety Claudio, and Avena strigosa Schreb.; four of these were also grown following organic procedures: Triticum monococcum L., Triticum dicoccum L., Triticum aestivum L., variety Verna, and Triticum durum Desf., variety Senatore Cappelli. The study considered twenty elements, including major nutrients (Ca, K, Mg, P, and S), seven micronutrients (B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Se, and Zn), and trace elements with toxic properties (Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Na, Rb, Sc, and Sr) that can be accumulated at the seed level. The results highlight the differences in the element concentrations in the cereal seeds in relation to the genus and species; the highest concentrations of the major nutrients appeared in T. monococcum; the concentrations were 6.9, 2.09, 7.2, and 2.9 mg/g for K, Mg, P, and S, respectively. The highest concentrations of certain micronutrients, B, Ca, Mo, and Se (16, 785, 3.69, and 0.34 µg/g), were in A. strigosa. There is also evidence that the element content can be affected by the adopted cultivation procedure; however, the effects of the growing procedure can be significantly different when different species are considered. T. monococcum, grown by an organic procedure, presented lower concentrations of the major nutrients, while it demonstrated a modest increase in the micronutrients in the T. durum variety organic S. Cappelli, and the production procedure did not affect the elemental composition of the T. aestivum variety Verna. The survey also highlights that the studied species and the growing procedure affected the capacity to accumulate and translocate trace hazardous elements for human health at the seed level.

Correction: Spatiotemporal distribution and speciation of silver nanoparticles in the healing wound.

Correction for 'Spatiotemporal distribution and speciation of silver nanoparticles in the healing wound' by Marco Roman et al., Analyst, 2020, 145, 6456-6469, DOI: 10.1039/D0AN00607F.

Spatiotemporal distribution and speciation of silver nanoparticles in the healing wound.

The medical application of nanomaterials is growing fast. Amongst the most widely used, silver nanoparticles are antimicrobial agents whose key application is the care of burns and chronic wounds. Still, their absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion behaviour in vivo has not yet been systematically investigated. We collected full-profile specimens of skin from four hospital patients with mid-to-deep thickness burns or equivalent skin wounds, treated with dressings containing silver nanoparticles or silver sulfadiazine. Synchrotron radiation µXRF/µXANES and laser ablation-ICP-MS were used to provide the first semi-quantitative/high resolution direct information on the spatiotemporal distribution and speciation of silver in vivo. The metal was rapidly released onto the wound surface, followed by a significant structure-dependent penetration into the damaged tissues. This was accompanied by sequential processes of metallic silver dissolution, chloride complexation, change to metal-thiol protein complexes, and final mobilization into deeper skin layers towards the vascular networks. Complete local clearance of silver was observed after 12 days of treatment in the case of full healing. The results provide a complete insight into the dynamics of silver in real human wounds, and a new basis for the design of innovative silver nanomaterials with optimal antibacterial efficacy and minimized risk for the patient.

Hydrodynamic chromatography coupled to single-particle ICP-MS for the simultaneous characterization of AgNPs and determination of dissolved Ag in plasma and blood of burn patients.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are increasingly used in medical devices as innovative antibacterial agents, but no data are currently available on their chemical transformations and fate in vivo in the human body, particularly on their potential to reach the circulatory system. To study the processes involving AgNPs in human plasma and blood, we developed an analytical method based on hydrodynamic chromatography (HDC) coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in single-particle detection mode. An innovative algorithm was implemented to deconvolute the signals of dissolved Ag and AgNPs and to extrapolate a multiparametric characterization of the particles in the same chromatogram. From a single injection, the method provides the concentration of dissolved Ag and the distribution of AgNPs in terms of hydrodynamic diameter, mass-derived diameter, number and mass concentration. This analytical approach is robust and suitable to study quantitatively the dynamics and kinetics of AgNPs in complex biological fluids, including processes such as agglomeration, dissolution and formation of protein coronas. The method was applied to study the transformations of AgNP standards and an AgNP-coated dressing in human plasma, supported by micro X-ray fluorescence (µXRF) and micro X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (µXANES) speciation analysis and imaging, and to investigate, for the first time, the possible presence of AgNPs in the blood of three burn patients treated with the same dressing. Together with our previous studies, the results strongly support the hypothesis that the systemic mobilization of the metal after topical administration of AgNPs is driven by their dissolution in situ. Graphical Abstract Simplified scheme of the combined analytical approach adopted for studying the chemical dynamics of AgNPs in human plasma/blood.

Photodegradation of bisphenol A in water and ice: identification of products using three photosensitizers.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread organic micro-pollutant, found in most environments, including alpine and Arctic regions, and several matrices such as waters and aerosols. Polar regions are characterized by periods of intense irradiation with no sunset due to the continuous sunlight, while alpine areas, despite following the day-night cycle of mid-latitudes, also undergo strong irradiation. For such conditions, it is possible that a fraction of the BPA present in snow may degrade through direct photolysis, producing other unknown species with different environmental mobility and possible ecotoxic effects. Furthermore, the snowpack is rich in species (known as photosensitizers) that facilitate indirect photodegradation processes through reactions involving hydroxyl radicals  · OH , singlet oxygen (1O2), excited triplet states of the organic fraction (3CDOM*), and nitrite/nitrate. In this study, we investigated both direct and indirect photodegradation of BPA in the presence of specific photosensitizers producing  · OH , 1O2, 3CDOM*, and NO2- to specifically explore the products of the reaction. The study was conducted in both liquid water and ice, under light and dark conditions. Results, obtained by HPLC-HRMS, revealed that the matrix in which the reaction takes place, in addition to the photosensitizer used, may influence the degradation by-products. This allows for the possibility of distinguishing the reaction environment based on the identified product.

Nanostructured surfaces of dental implants.

The structural and functional fusion of the surface of the dental implant with the surrounding bone (osseointegration) is crucial for the short and long term outcome of the device. In recent years, the enhancement of bone formation at the bone-implant interface has been achieved through the modulation of osteoblasts adhesion and spreading, induced by structural modifications of the implant surface, particularly at the nanoscale level. In this context, traditional chemical and physical processes find new applications to achieve the best dental implant technology. This review provides an overview of the most common manufacture techniques and the related cells-surface interactions and modulation. A Medline and a hand search were conducted to identify studies concerning nanostructuration of implant surface and their related biological interaction. In this paper, we stressed the importance of the modifications on dental implant surfaces at the nanometric level. Nowadays, there is still little evidence of the long-term benefits of nanofeatures, as the promising results achieved in vitro and in animals have still to be confirmed in humans. However, the increasing interest in nanotechnology is undoubted and more research is going to be published in the coming years.

Active silver nanoparticles for wound healing.

In this preliminary study, the silver nanoparticle (Ag NP)-based dressing, Acticoat™ Flex 3, has been applied to a 3D fibroblast cell culture in vitro and to a real partial thickness burn patient. The in vitro results show that Ag NPs greatly reduce mitochondrial activity, while cellular staining techniques show that nuclear integrity is maintained, with no signs of cell death. For the first time, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses were carried out on skin biopsies taken from a single patient during treatment. The results show that Ag NPs are released as aggregates and are localized in the cytoplasm of fibroblasts. No signs of cell death were observed, and the nanoparticles had different distributions within the cells of the upper and lower dermis. Depth profiles of the Ag concentrations were determined along the skin biopsies. In the healed sample, most of the silver remained in the surface layers, whereas in the unhealed sample, the silver penetrated more deeply. The Ag concentrations in the cell cultures were also determined. Clinical observations and experimental data collected here are consistent with previously published articles and support the safety of Ag NP-based dressing in wound treatment.

Intracanal Microbiological Contamination Reduction Using Low-intensity Laser Associated with a Photosensitizer - In Vivo Study in Teeth of Dogs.

This study evaluated the efficacy of photodynamic therapy using the photosensitizer azulene and low-intensity laser associated with standard root chemical-surgical preparation (performed with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite) in dogs. Twenty animals from the Veterinary Hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (HOVET-FMVZ/USP) and treated at the Compared Dentistry Laboratory (Laboratório de Odontologia Veterinária [LOC]-FMVZ/USP) were included. Each subject possessed one single rooted tooth with complete root formation, pulp necrosis, complicated crown fracture and periapical bone rarefaction at the time of the radiographic examination. The endodontic treatment was performed in all dogs, which were divided into two equal groups. For group one, the standard chemical-surgical preparation was followed by the photodynamic therapy to evaluate the role of azulene after instrumentation. For group two, the photodynamic therapy was followed by the standard chemical-surgical preparation to evaluate the antimicrobial action of azulene before instrumentation. The results show that intracanal photodynamic therapy is efficient in eliminating unspecified bacterial and Enterococcus organism loads. In addition, this therapeutic modality reduces yeast contamination. The photodynamic therapy showed similar efficacy compared to standard chemical-surgical preparation. The application order of therapeutic modalities does not influence intracanal disinfection in both cases. This study shows that photodynamic therapy with low-intensity laser and azulene as a photosensitizer is a feasible alternative for improving treatment outcomes in routine practice of veterinary dentistry.

Detection and Characterization of TiO2 Nanomaterials in Sludge from Wastewater Treatment Plants of Chihuahua State, Mexico.

TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) have a wide range of industrial applications (paintings, sunscreens, food and cosmetics) and is one of the most intensively used nanomaterials worldwide. Leaching from commercial products TiO2-NPs are predicted to significantly accumulate in wastewater sludges, which are then often used as soil amendment. In this work, sludge samples from four wastewater treatment plants of the Chihuahua State in Mexico were obtained during spring and summer (2017). A comprehensive characterization study was performed by X-ray based (laboratory and synchrotron) techniques and electron microscopy. Ti was detected in all sludge samples (1810-2760 mg/kg) mainly as TiO2 particles ranging from 40 nm up to hundreds of nm. Micro-XANES data was analyzed by principal component analysis and linear combination fitting enabling the identification of three predominant Ti species: anatase, rutile and ilmenite. Micro-XANES from the smaller Ti particles was predominantly anatase (68% + 32% rutile), suggesting these TiO2-NPs originate from paintings and cosmetics. TEM imaging confirmed the presence of nanoscale Ti with smooth surface morphologies resembling engineered TiO2-NPs. The size and crystalline phase of TiO2-NPs in the sludge from this region suggest increased reactivity and potential toxicity to agro-systems. Further studies should be dedicated to evaluating this.

Epidemiological study in a small rural area of Veneto (Italian region) during Sars-Cov-2 Pandemia.

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome type 2 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and its complications have demonstrated the devastating impact of a new infectious pathogen. The organisational change promulgated by the isolation of affected communities is of extreme importance to achieve effective containment of the contagion and good patient care. The epidemiological study of the population of a small rural community in the North East of Italy revealed how much the virus had circulated during Spring, 2020, and how contagion has evolved after a prolonged lockdown. In the 1st phase, NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing) was performed in cases with more or less severe symptoms and a study was performed to trace the infection of family members. Only 0.2% of the population tested positive on NAAT, via nasopharyngeal swab during this 1st phase. In the 2nd phase a random sample of the general population were tested for circulating anti-Sars-Cov-2 immunoglobulins. This showed that approximately 97.9% of the population were negative, while 2.1% (with positive IgG at a distance) of the population had contracted the virus in a mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic form. The main symptom in subjects who developed immunity was fever. Antibodies were found in subjects with forced coexistence with quarantined or infected subjects. The mutual spatial distance by categories has shown higher relative prevalence of IgG positive and IgM negative cases in close proximity but also far from the infected, with respect to an intermediate distance. This suggests that subjects living in thinly populated areas could come in contact with the virus more likely due to intentional/relational proximity, while those living nearby could also be infected through random proximity.

Comparison of the effects of tramadol, codeine, and ketoprofen alone or in combination on postoperative pain and on concentrations of blood glucose, serum cortisol, and serum interleukin-6 in dogs undergoing maxillectomy or mandibulectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare analgesic effects of tramadol, codeine, and ketoprofen administered alone and in combination and their effects on concentrations of blood glucose, serum cortisol, and serum interleukin (IL)-6 in dogs undergoing maxillectomy or mandibulectomy. ANIMALS: 42 dogs with oral neoplasms. PROCEDURES: 30 minutes before the end of surgery, dogs received SC injections of tramadol (2 mg/kg), codeine (2 mg/kg), ketoprofen (2 mg/kg), tramadol+ketoprofen, or codeine+ketoprofen (at the aforementioned dosages). Physiologic variables, analgesia, and sedation were measured before (baseline) and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 24 hours after surgery. Blood glucose, serum cortisol, and serum IL-6 concentrations were measured 1, 3, 5, and 24 hours after administration of analgesics. RESULTS: All treatments provided adequate postoperative analgesia. Significant increases in mean+/-SD blood glucose concentrations were detected in dogs receiving tramadol (96+/-14 mg/dL), codeine (120+/-66 mg/dL and 96+/-21 mg/dL), ketoprofen (105+/-22 mg/dL), and codeine+ketoprofen (104+/-16 mg/dL) at 5, 1 and 3, 5, and 3 hours after analgesic administration, respectively, compared with preoperative (baseline) values. There were no significant changes in physiologic variables, serum IL-6 concentrations, or serum cortisol concentrations. Dogs administered codeine+ketoprofen had light but significant sedation at 4, 5, and 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Opioids alone or in combination with an NSAID promoted analgesia without adverse effects during the 24-hour postoperative period in dogs undergoing maxillectomy or mandibulectomy for removal of oral neoplasms.

Cultivable Bacterial Communities in Brines from Perennially Ice-Covered and Pristine Antarctic Lakes: Ecological and Biotechnological Implications.

The diversity and biotechnological potentialities of bacterial isolates from brines of three Antarctic lakes of the Northern Victoria Land (namely Boulder Clay and Tarn Flat areas) were first explored. Cultivable bacterial communities were analysed mainly in terms of bacterial response to contaminants (i.e., antibiotics and heavy metals) and oxidation of contaminants (i.e., aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorobiphenyls). Moreover, the biosynthesis of biomolecules (antibiotics, extracellular polymeric substances and enzymes) with applications for human health and environmental protection was assayed. A total of 74 and 141 isolates were retrieved from Boulder Clay and Tarn Flat brines, respectively. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, bacterial isolates represented three phyla, namely Proteobacteria (i.e., Gamma- and Alphaproteobacteria), Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria, with differences encountered among brines. At genus level, Rhodobacter, Pseudomonas, Psychrobacter and Leifsonia members were dominant. Results obtained from this study on the physiological and enzymatic features of cold-adapted isolates from Antarctic lake brines provide interesting prospects for possible applications in the biotechnological field through future targeted surveys. Finally, findings on contaminant occurrence and bacterial response suggest that bacteria might be used as bioindicators for tracking human footprints in these remote polar areas.

Confined-Melting-Assisted Synthesis of Bismuth Silicate Glass-Ceramic Nanoparticles: Formation and Optical Thermometry Investigation.

Bismuth-based (nano)materials have been attracting increasing interest due to appealing properties such as high refractive indexes, intrinsic opacity, and structural distortions due to the stereochemistry of 6s2 lone pair electrons of Bi3+. However, the control over specific phases and strategies able to stabilize uniform bismuth-based (nano)materials is still a challenge. In this study, we employed the ability of bismuth to lower the melting point of silica to introduce a new synthetic approach able to confine the growth of bismuth-oxide-based materials into nanostructures. Combining in situ temperature-dependent synchrotron radiation X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) analyses, we demonstrate the evolution of a confined Bi2O3-SiO2 nanosystem from Bi2SiO5 to Bi4Si3O12 through a melting process. The silica shell acts as both a nanoreactor and a silicon source for the stabilization of bismuth silicate glass-ceramic nanocrystals keeping the original spherical shape. The exciton peak of Bi2SiO5 is measured for the first time allowing the estimation of its real energy gap. Moreover, based on a detailed spectroscopic investigation, we discuss the potential and the limitations of Nd3+-activated bismuth silicate systems as ratiometric thermometers. The synthetic strategy introduced here could be further explored to stabilize other bismuth-oxide-based materials, opening the way toward the growth of well-defined glass-ceramic nanoparticles.

Increased Retention of Gadolinium in the Inflamed Brain After Repeated Administration of Gadopentetate Dimeglumine: A Proof-of-Concept Study in Mice Combining ICP-MS and Micro- and Nano-SR-XRF.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine in vivo if brain inflammation leads to increased gadolinium (Gd) retention in brain tissue after repeated applications of Gd-based contrast agents (GBCAs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in female SJL/J mice (n = 6). Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and healthy control mice (n = 4) received 2.5 mmol/kg Gd-DTPA over 10 days (8 injections, cumulated dose of 20 mmol/kg), starting at day 14 post immunization when EAE mice reached the maximal clinical disability. In a group of mice, T1-weighted 2-dimensional RARE images were acquired before the first GBCA injection and 1 day after the last injection. Mice were killed either 1 day or 10 days after the last Gd application. From each single animal, a brain hemisphere was used for Gd detection using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, whereas the other hemisphere was processed for histology and synchrotron x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (SR-XRF) analysis. RESULTS: Gadolinium deposition in inflamed brains was mapped by SR-XRF 1 day after the last Gd-DTPA injections, although only mild signal hyperintensity was found on unenhanced T1-weighted images. In addition, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, we detected and quantified Gd in both healthy and EAE brains up to 10 days after the last injections. However, EAE mouse brains showed higher levels of Gd (mean ± SD, 5.3 ± 1.8 µg/g; range, 4.45-8.03 µg/g) with respect to healthy controls (mean ± SD, 2.4 ± 0.6 µg/g; range, 1.8-3.2 µg/g). By means of micro-SR-XRF, we identified submicrometric Gd hotspots in all investigated samples containing up to 5893 µg Gd/g tissue. Nano-SR-XRF further indicated that Gd small hotspots had an average size of ~160 nm diameter and were located in areas of high inflammatory activity. CONCLUSIONS: After repeated administrations of Gd-DTPA, ongoing inflammation may facilitate the retention of Gd in the brain tissue. Thus, neuroinflammation should be considered as a risk factor in the recommendation on use of linear GBCA-enhanced MRI.

Feedback mechanisms between snow and atmospheric mercury: Results and observations from field campaigns on the Antarctic plateau.

The Antarctic Plateau snowpack is an important environment for the mercury geochemical cycle. We have extensively characterized and compared the changes in surface snow and atmospheric mercury concentrations that occur at Dome C. Three summer sampling campaigns were conducted between 2013 and 2016. The three campaigns had different meteorological conditions that significantly affected mercury deposition processes and its abundance in surface snow. In the absence of snow deposition events, the surface mercury concentration remained stable with narrow oscillations, while an increase in precipitation results in a higher mercury variability. The Hg concentrations detected confirm that snowfall can act as a mercury atmospheric scavenger. A high temporal resolution sampling experiment showed that surface concentration changes are connected with the diurnal solar radiation cycle. Mercury in surface snow is highly dynamic and it could decrease by up to 90% within 4/6 h. A negative relationship between surface snow mercury and atmospheric concentrations has been detected suggesting a mutual dynamic exchange between these two environments. Mercury concentrations were also compared with the Br concentrations in surface and deeper snow, results suggest that Br could have an active role in Hg deposition, particularly when air masses are from coastal areas. This research presents new information on the presence of Hg in surface and deeper snow layers, improving our understanding of atmospheric Hg deposition to the snow surface and the possible role of re-emission on the atmospheric Hg concentration.

Electrochemical preparation of standard solutions of Pb(II) ions in ionic liquid for analysis of hydrophobic samples: The olive oil case.

In this paper we present an electrochemical approach to prepare standard solutions of metal ions in a room temperature ionic liquid (IL), which can find useful application for analysis in hydrophobic matrices. The method, developed here for the case of lead ions, is based on the galvanostatic dissolution of a lead anode dipped directly in a suitable IL, namely tri-hexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide ([P14,6,6,6]+[NTf2]-). After each oxidation step, the metal dissolution process in the IL solutions was monitored by cyclic voltammetric measurements at a glassy carbon disk electrode. The results indicated that the peak current relevant to the reduction of the electro-generated Pb(II) increased linearly while increasing the oxidation time. By varying the oxidation time from 200 to 6000s, a set of Pb(II)/[P14,6,6,6]+[NTf2]- solutions at concentrations ranging between 10 and 300µgg-1 was prepared. To validate the efficiency of the electrochemical procedure to produce metal ion standard solutions, the Pb content was quantified by developing a microwave digestion procedure specifically suitable for the IL medium, followed by ICP-QMS analysis in the digested standards. The results indicated a satisfactory agreement between concentrations found by ICP-QMS and calculated from electrochemical data, with a coulometric efficiency of Pb(II) generation in ionic liquid ≥95.6%. Finally, the applicability of the Pb(II)/IL solutions as standards for analyses in hydrophobic media was tested by determining, by ICP-QMS, the Pb content in an extra-virgin olive oil spiked with known amounts of a Pb(II)/IL standard. Satisfactory Pb recoveries, ≥96%, were measured.

Oral fractures in dogs of Brazil--a retrospective study.

A retrospective study was performed in 100 dogs with 121 mandibular and 21 maxillary fractures. Dog fight (43.0%) and automobile (12.0%) trauma were the most common etiologies for fracture. The cause of fracture was unknown in 23.0% of the cases, while pathologic fractures occurred in 13.0% of cases. Young dogs (< 1-year-old) and dogs > 8-years of age were most affected. Mandibular fractures occurred in 90 dogs (90.0%), with two dogs (2.2%) having concurrent maxillary fractures. Maxillary fractures only were diagnosed in 10 dogs (10.0%). The molar region (47.1%) was the most commonly affected location for mandibular fracture, followed by fractures of the symphysis and parasymphysis (30.6%), premolar region (17.4%), angular process (4.1%) and vertical ramus (0.8%). In fractures of the mandibular region, the mandibular first molar tooth was often (85.9%) involved while the canine teeth were involved in 67.5% of symphyseal and parasymphyseal fractures. The most common fracture of the maxilla was the maxillary bone (52.4%), followed by the incisive (33.3%), palatine (9.5%), and nasal (4.8%) bones.

Selenium biochemistry and its role for human health.

Despite its very low level in humans, selenium plays an important and unique role among the (semi)metal trace essential elements because it is the only one for which incorporation into proteins is genetically encoded, as the constitutive part of the 21st amino acid, selenocysteine. Twenty-five selenoproteins have been identified so far in the human proteome. The biological functions of some of them are still unknown, whereas for others there is evidence for a role in antioxidant defence, redox state regulation and a wide variety of specific metabolic pathways. In relation to these functions, the selenoproteins emerged in recent years as possible biomarkers of several diseases such as diabetes and several forms of cancer. Comprehension of the selenium biochemical pathways under normal physiological conditions is therefore an important requisite to elucidate its preventing/therapeutic effect for human diseases. This review summarizes the most recent findings on the biochemistry of active selenium species in humans, and addresses the latest evidence on the link between selenium intake, selenoproteins functionality and beneficial health effects. Primary emphasis is given to the interpretation of biochemical mechanisms rather than epidemiological/observational data. In this context, the review includes the following sections: (1) brief introduction; (2) general nutritional aspects of selenium; (3) global view of selenium metabolic routes; (4) detailed characterization of all human selenoproteins; (5) detailed discussion of the relation between selenoproteins and a variety of human diseases.

Cell proliferation and expression of connexins differ in melanotic and amelanotic canine oral melanomas.

Melanoma is a malignant neoplasm occurring in several animal species, and is the most frequently found tumor in the oral cavity in dogs. Melanomas are classified into two types: melanotic and amelanotic. Prior research suggests that human amelanotic melanomas are more aggressive than their melanotic counterparts. This study evaluates the behavior of canine melanotic and amelanotic oral cavity melanomas and quantifies cell proliferation and the expression of connexins. Twenty-five melanomas (16 melanotic and 9 amelanotic) were collected from dogs during clinical procedures at the Veterinary Hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the University of São Paulo, Brazil. After diagnosis, dogs were followed until death or euthanasia. Histopathology confirmed the gross melanotic or amelanotic characteristics and tumors were classified according to the WHO. HMB45 or Melan A immunostainings were performed to confirm the diagnosis of amelanotic melanomas. Cell proliferation was quantified both by counting mitotic figures and PCNA positive nuclei. Expressions of connexins 26 and 43 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR and Western blot. Dogs bearing amelanotic melanomas presented a shorter lifespan in comparison to those with melanotic melanomas. Cell proliferation was significantly higher in amelanotic melanomas. Expressions of Connexins 26 and 43 were significantly reduced in amelanotic melanomas. The results presented here suggest that oral cavity melanotic and amelanotic melanomas differ regarding their behavior, cell proliferation and connexin expression in dogs, indicating a higher aggressiveness of amelanotic variants.

Nanotechnology to drive stem cell commitment.

Stem cells (SCs) are undifferentiated cells responsible for the growth, homeostasis and repair of many tissues. The maintenance and survival of SCs is strongly influenced by several stimuli from the local microenvironment. The majority of signaling molecules interact with SCs at the nanoscale level. Therefore, scaffolds with surface nanostructures have potential applications for SCs and in the field of regenerative medicine. Although some strategies have already reached the field of cell biology, strategies based on modification at nanoscale level are new players in the fields of SCs and tissue regeneration. The introduction of the possibility to perform such modifications to these fields is probably due to increasing improvements in nanomaterials for biomedical applications, as well as new insights into SC biology. The aim of the present review is to exhibit the most recent applications of nanostructured materials that drive the commitment of adult SCs for potential clinical applications.