Chemical and biochemical parameters of cultured diatoms and bacteria from the Adriatic Sea as possible biomarkers of mucilage production.

Bacteria and diatom strains from the Adriatic Sea were investigated, under standard and altered environmental conditions, for carbohydrate production and for the presence of specific biomarkers. Algae from P-depleted cultures showed an increase in extracellular carbohydrate production, a significantly lower chlorophyll a content and unchanged total lipid levels. However, the fatty acid composition of algal cultures was severely affected by low P levels, in that, total saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids increased and total polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased. Marine heterotrophic bacteria resulted enriched by 4 to 6 orders of magnitude in mucilage samples respect to surrounding seawater, unlike other groups of bacteria such as the non-halophylic heterotrophs. The major fatty acids detected in bacteria were 16:0 and 18:1n-7; the uneven fatty acids 17:0i, 17:0 and 17:1 also constituted an important component of various strains and, as a result, the total monounsaturated fraction represented the main component of total fatty acids. All the mucilage samples analysed shared the same general fatty acid composition features with a high amount of saturated components, especially 16:0; typical marine polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3, were found at very low levels. With regard to the sterol composition, the analysed algal species and bacteria showed that different compounds prevailed in the different species, and under P-deprivation sterol distribution resulted differently affected in the various algal species. In mucilage samples an overall prevalence of cholesterol was observed and, among 4alpha-methylsterols, constantly present, dinosterol prevailed in all samples. Vibrational IR spectroscopic analyses confirmed the main results obtained with the GC analysis: a higher unsaturation degree in nutrient replete diatom cultures than in P-depleted ones, a lower amount of P-containing compounds in the latter, bacterial lipid profiles with a high amount of free carboxylic acids and/or ketones and a low unsaturation degree and, finally, mucilage samples with a very low unsaturation degree. All these results allowed some speculations on the involvement of the various microbial and phytoplankton components in mucilage genesis.

1H-NMR and 13C-NMR lipid profiles of human renal tissues.

Lipids from human renal tissues are studied by means of (1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectroscopy. The total lipid fractions obtained from healthy kidneys, malignant renal cell carcinomas, and benign oncocytomas are characterized and analyzed to elucidate the main differences between the functional and neoplastic tissues. In all cases the lipid components are well identified. The healthy kidney is characterized by high amounts of triglycerides and the presence of cholesterol in its free form. On the contrary, renal cell carcinomas contain high amounts of cholesterol that are almost completely esterified as oleate, suggesting an intracellular localization of the cholesteryl esters synthesis. Cholesteryl esters are considered markers of renal cell carcinomas, thus supporting recent theories that these compounds play a leading role in cell proliferation. Oncocytomas are particularly rich in phosphatidylcholine and, analogous to the healthy kidney, are completely lacking in cholesteryl esters. Healthy kidneys and oncocytomas appear to have other similarities if compared with renal cell carcinomas: a very high fatty acyl/cholesterol ratio, the presence of dolichols, and a higher grade of unsaturation. The (13)C data suggest a new method for the direct evaluation of the saturated/unsaturated fatty acyl ratio.

Cholesteryl esters in human malignant neoplasms.

Cholesteryl esters (CholE) were detected in human malignant neoplasms by means of in vitro nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Spectroscopic analysis of the total lipid extracts obtained from cerebral tumors revealed appreciable amount of esterified cholesterol in high grade gliomas such as glioblastomas and anaplastic oligodendrogliomas, characterized by prominent neovascularity. The finding that no CholE were detected in the healthy brain and in low grade and benign tumors supports a possible correlation between this class of lipids and histological vascular proliferation. Compared with high grade gliomas, renal cell carcinomas show higher levels of CholE, absent in the healthy renal parenchyma and in benign oncocytomas. In nefro-carcinomas, cytoplasmic lipid inclusions and prominent vascularization contribute to the increased levels of CholE present mainly as oleate. CholE are discussed as potential biochemical markers of cancer and as a target for new therapeutic strategies.

Vibrational, 1H-NMR spectroscopic, and thermal characterization of gladiolus root exudates in relation to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. gladioli resistance.

Fourier transform Raman (FT Raman) and IR (FTIR) and (1)H-NMR spectroscopies coupled with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were applied to the characterization of root exudates from two cultivars of gladiolus (Spic Span and White Prosperity) with different degrees of resistance and susceptibility to Fusarium oxysporum gladioli, the main pathogen of gladiolus. This work was aimed at correlating the composition of root exudates with the varietal resistance to the pathogen. Spectroscopic analysis showed that White Prosperity root exudate differs from Spic Span root exudate by a higher relative amount of the aromatic-phenolic and sugarlike components and a lower relative amount of carbonylic and aliphatic compounds. DSC analysis confirmed the spectroscopic results and showed that White Prosperity root exudate is characterized by an aromatic component that is present in a higher amount than in the Spic Span root exudate. The results are discussed in relation to the spore germination tests showing that White Prosperity, which is characterized by a remarkable resistance toward F. oxysporum gladioli, exudes substances having a negative influence on microconidial germination of the pathogen; root exudates from Spic Span, one of the most susceptible cultivars to F. oxysporum gladioli, proved to have no effect. White Prosperity's ability to inhibit conidial germination of F. oxysporum gladioli can be mainly related to the presence of a higher relative amount of aromatic-phenolic compounds.

In vivo and in vitro nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy investigation of an intracranial mass.

This study shows how 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) can help to elucidate a clinical case when MR images suggest a diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) neoplasm. The in vivo MRS metabolic profile in our cases did not correspond to literature reports of brain tumors, but reflected the histopathological response of hematoma and the in vitro 1H MR spectra of the biopsy obtained at surgery. The in vitro spectrum of the aqueous extracts of the examined lesion were compared with those of two common CNS tumors. The lipid fraction spectrum of the lesion agreed with both the spectrum of the aqueous extracts and the histological diagnosis.

Composting of solid and sludge residues from agricultural and food industries. Bioindicators of monitoring and compost maturity.

A study to monitor the composting process, to evaluate the effectiveness of bioindicators for the quality and maturity of cured compost obtained by a mixture of winery residues, sludges from dairies and solid residues from food processing (grape-stalks, grape-dregs, rice husks), was conducted. Composting process lasting five months was monitored by chemico-physical, spectroscopic (FTIR, DTG and DSC), microbiological and enzymatic analyses. Biological activities (ATP, DHA contents and several enzymatic activities), impedance variations (DT) of mixed cultures during growth and potential pathogens (E. coli and Salmonella sp.), were determined. The phytotoxicity tests gave a germination index higher than 90% and no significant genotoxic differences between controls and the compost samples were evidenced. Pathogens were not found on the cured compost that can therefore be satisfactorily used as amendment for agricultural crops. However, no single measurement of a composting process factor, biological, chemical or physical, gave a comprehensive view of the quality of a specific composting. We proposed a tool of bioindicators of potential activity and markers in combination for integrated evaluation of monitoring of composting process and compost quality. The responses of several enzymatic activities were positive and indicative of their favorable use capable to reveal even very small changes within microbial population and activity in test and monitoring of compost programmes.

Characterization of lipids from human brain tissues by multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Multinuclear ((1)H, (13)C, and (31)P) magnetic resonance spectroscopy are applied to the biochemical characterization of the total lipid fraction of healthy and neoplastic human brain tissues. Lipid extracts from normal brains, glioblastomas, anaplastic oligodendrogliomas, oligodendrogliomas, and meningiomas are examined. Moreover, the unknown liquid content of a cyst adjacent to a meningioma is analyzed. Two biopsies from glioblastomas are directly studied by (1)H-NMR without any treatment (ex vivo NMR). The (1)H- and (13)C-NMR analysis allows full characterization of the lipid component of the cerebral tissues. In particular, the presence of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides in the extracts of high grade tumors is correlated to the vascular proliferation degree, which is different from normal brain tissue and low grade neoplasms. The (31)P spectra show that phosphatidylcholine is the prominent phospholipid and its relative amount, which is higher in gliomas, is correlated to the low grade of differentiation of tumor cells and an altered membrane turnover. The ex vivo (1)H-NMR data on the glioblastoma samples show the presence of mobile lipids that are correlated to cell necrotic phenomena. Our data allow a direct correlation between biochemical results obtained by NMR and the histopathological factors (vascular and cell proliferations, differentiation, and necrosis) that are prominent in determining brain tumor grading.

In vitro MRS and HPLC studies on human renal cell carcinomas.

Samples from ten patients with renal cell carcinomas (RCC) were examined by 1H MRS and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) measurements. Twenty samples, ten from the tumor and ten from the surrounding healthy renal region were obtained. MRS yielded information on renal osmolytes which can be considered markers of physiological kidney function. The marked decrease of these osmolytes is a hallmark of cancer. Moreover, HPLC measurements disclosed the amino acid pattern of both healthy and neoplastic tissues. The Glu and Ea content had statistical significance. GSH was present in tumor tissues only.

Vibrational spectroscopic characterization of new calcium phosphate bioactive coatings.

In this work calcium phosphate (CaP) compounds with different PO(3-)(4)/HPO(2-)(4) R molar ratios in the 0.65-149 range were synthesized. In fact, all these CaPs contain different amounts of HPO(2-)(4) and PO(3-)(4) ions as well as the amorphous precursors (tricalcium phosphate and octacalcium phosphate) of hydroxyapatite deposition, which was shown by in vitro and in vivo measurements. Spectroscopical IR and Raman results showed the presence of bands whose intensity ratio can be related to the molar ratio R; in particular, the Raman I(962)/I(987) and the IR I(1035)/I(1125) intensity ratios were characterized as markers of the molar ratio. For these CaP compounds a nucleation model, which was based on the ability of HPO(2-)(4) ions to form strong H bonds with PO(3-)(4) ions, was proposed.

[The characterization by Fourier-transform infrared vibration spectroscopy of mineral-based biomaterials commonly used in dentistry. 4]. / Caratterizzazione mediante spettroscopia vibrazionale infrarossa a trasformata di Fourier (FTIR) di alcuni biomateriali a base minerale di uso comune in odontostomatologia. Nota 4.

In this study the following biomaterials were analysed by means of Fourier transform infrared vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR); they are: reabsorbable Dac Blu, non reabsorbable Dac Blu, non reabsorbable atomized Dac Blu, non reabsorbable fine Dac Blu, reabsorbable Biocoral 450, Calcitite 2040-12, Orthogel, Apagen, BTF 65, Calcitite 4060-2 Osprogel, Bio-Oss, Biostite, Osprovit, Merck Hydroxyapatite. The analysis was performed with a Jasco 5300-FTIR. At 64 readings for spectrum with a 2 cm-1 resolution. By means of this method it has been possible to perform a structural study at a molecular level of the commercial products mentioned before. The analysis showed which of the samples examined had lost the apatite OH- group during production. It also allowed the identification of some of the hydroxyapatites examined as carbonate apatites. Finally, it allowed the identification and quantification of the organic substances in the examined products.

[The specific characteristics determined by nonbiological tests of mineral-based biomaterials used in dentistry. 7]. / Considerazioni sulle specifiche ottenute da test non biologici relative a biomateriali a base minerale utilizzati in odontostomatologia. Nota 7.

In this work we relate about the results coming from crystallographic, physical and mineral tests taken on following biomaterials used in odontostomatology: reabsorbable Dac Blu, non reabsorbable Dac Blu, not reabsorbable atomized Dac Blu, not reabsorbable thin Dac Blu, reabsorbable Biocoral 450, Calcitite 2040-12, Orthogel, Apagen, BTF 65, Calcitite 4060-2, Osprogel, Bio-Oss, Biostite, Osprovit, Merck Hydroxiapatite. The data were obtained using the following tests: XRF, XRD, FTIR, TG, DTG, DTA, SEM. The results, although taken on few samples, showed that these biomaterials present a variability in some features, which can define the structural functionality.

[Epidemics of lung tumors in a Biella tannery]. / Epidemia di tumori polmonari in una conceria del biellese (VC).

A cluster of 7 lung cancer deaths among workers of a small tannery in Biella is reported. The major process in the plant, until the end of World War II, was chromium and vegetable tanning. A historical cohort study was carried out on a total of 353 male workers. The expected number of death was estimated on the basis of local mortality rates. An SMR for lung cancer of 449 (95% C.L. 180-925) was found for the entire cohort. Excluding workers non specifically employed in tanning operations, the SMR for lung cancer increased to 1087 (95% C.L. 352-2533). In order to control for potential confounders a nested case-control study was planned. The next-of-kin of 8 cases deceased for lung cancer and 32 controls matched by age were interviewed on smoking habits and previous jobs. Logistic regression analysis showed an O.R. of 6.94 (95% C.L. 1.18-40.73), adjusted for smoking habits and occupational history, for subjects involved in tanning operations. A registry of incident cases of cancer was established in order to avoid biased findings based on cluster cases.

[Study of the fatty acid components of the triglyceride fraction of the blood in normal and thalassemic subjects, using gas chromatography]. / Studio degli acidi grassi componenti la frazione trigliceridica del plasma, in soggetti normali e talassemici, mediante gas cromatografia.

Thin layer chromatography was used to separate the triglyceridic fraction of plasma lipides in normal (19) and thalassaemic (15) subjects. Gas chromatographic analysis of the fraction was then carried out and the fatty acids represented were identified qualitatively and quantitatively. Statistically significant variations, specifically increase in arachidonic acid and reduction in palmitic and linoleic acids, were observed in the thalassaemic patients.