Atmospheric Corrosion of Different Steel Types in Urban and Marine Exposure.

The aim of the present work is to study the atmospheric corrosion behavior of metals exposed to both urban (Milan, IT-Lombardia) and marine (Bonassola, IT-Liguria) atmospheres in Italy. A number of coupons (100 × 150 mm) of carbon steel (CS), hot-dip galvanized steel (GS) and different grades of stainless steel (SS) were exposed. At fixed periods of time, samples were characterized by means of Linear Polarization Resistance (LPR), mass loss tests and corrosion product analysis.

Arginase-II gene deficiency reduces skeletal muscle aging in mice.

Age-associated sarcopenia decreases mobility and is promoted by cell senescence, inflammation, and fibrosis. The mitochondrial enzyme arginase-II (Arg-II) plays a causal role in aging and age-associated diseases. Therefore, we aim to explore the role of Arg-II in age-associated decline of physical activity and skeletal muscle aging in a mouse model.

Aging Increases Hypoxia-Induced Endothelial Permeability and Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction by Upregulating Arginase-II.

Increased endothelial permeability plays an important role in blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction and is implicated in neuronal injury in many diseased conditions. BBB disruption is primarily determined by dysfunction of endothelial cell-cell junctions. Deprivation of oxygen supply or hypoxia, a common feature of a variety of human diseases, is a major risk factor for BBB disruption.

Recent Advances in the Use of Green Corrosion Inhibitors to Prevent Chloride-Induced Corrosion in Reinforced Concrete.

Inhibitors for the prevention of corrosion in reinforced concrete are chemical substances able to reduce carbon steel reinforcements corrosion without altering the overall properties of concrete. Today, many commercially available substances have a negative impact on human safety during either the inhibitor synthesis, their handling or application in field. Green corrosion inhibitors are nontoxic, biodegradable and environmentally biocompatible substances.

Creatine kinase and its isoenzymes in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of healthy canines.

Background: Creatine kinase (CK) exists as three isoenzymes (CK-MM, CK-MB, and CK-BB) that are predominantly expressed in specific tissues and can be detected in both the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF CK has been relatively unstudied in veterinary medicine, although studies in human medicine have demonstrated that changes in total CSF CK activity can indicate neurologic abnormalities.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to establish reference intervals for CK and its three major isoenzymes in the serum and CSF of clinically healthy dogs.

Elevation of Arginase-II in Podocytes Contributes to Age-Associated Albuminuria in Male Mice.

One of the manifestations of renal aging is podocyte dysfunction and loss, which are associated with proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis. Studies show a male bias in glomerular dysfunction and chronic kidney diseases, and the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Recent studies demonstrate the role of an age-associated increase in arginase-II (Arg-II) in proximal tubules of both male and female mice.

Transoral removal of submandibular hilar lithiasis: results on the salivary duct system, glandular parenchyma, and quality-of-life recovery.

Objective(s): To confirm that hilar transoral submandibular sialolitectomy (TOSL) is the first treatment option for submandibular hilar lithiasis (SHL) in terms of glandular parenchyma recovery, salivary system restoration, and patient quality of life (QoL) improvement.

Methods: Depending on whether the stone was easily palpable, TOSL was carried out with or without sialendoscopy. For the first time in the literature, Magnetic Resonance Sialography (MR-Si) was performed before and after TOSL, to evaluate stone characteristics, glandular parenchyma status, hilum dilation and main duct recanalization.

Paracrine Effects of Renal Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells on Podocyte Injury under Hypoxic Conditions Are Mediated by Arginase-II and TGF-β1.

Hypoxia is an important risk for renal disease. The mitochondrial enzyme arginase-II (Arg-II) is expressed and/or induced by hypoxia in proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) and in podocytes, leading to cellular damage. Because PTECs are vulnerable to hypoxia and located in proximity to podocytes, we examined the role of Arg-II in the crosstalk of PTECs under hypoxic conditions with podocytes.

The Improvement of Durability of Reinforced Concretes for Sustainable Structures: A Review on Different Approaches.

The topic of sustainability of reinforced concrete structures is strictly related with their durability in aggressive environments. In particular, at equal environmental impact, the higher the durability of construction materials, the higher the sustainability. The present review deals with the possible strategies aimed at producing sustainable and durable reinforced concrete structures in different environments.

Physical Interaction between Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 (CDK5) and Clock Factors Affects the Circadian Rhythmicity in Peripheral Oscillators.

Circadian rhythms are self-sustained oscillators with a period of 24 h that is based on the output of transcriptional and post-translational feedback loops. Phosphorylation is considered one of the most important post-translational modifications affecting rhythmicity from cyanobacteria to mammals. For example, the lack of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) shortened the period length of the circadian oscillator in the Suprachiasmatic Nuclei (SCN) of mice via the destabilization of the PERIOD 2 (PER2) protein.

Hypoxia Induces Renal Epithelial Injury and Activates Fibrotic Signaling Through Up-Regulation of Arginase-II.

The ureohydrolase, type-II arginase (Arg-II), is a mitochondrial enzyme metabolizing L-arginine into urea and L-ornithine and is highly expressed in renal proximal tubular cells (PTC) and upregulated by renal ischemia. Recent studies reported contradictory results on the role of Arg-II in renal injury. The aim of our study is to investigate the function of Arg-II in renal epithelial cell damage under hypoxic conditions.

PER2 mediates CREB-dependent light induction of the clock gene Per1.

Light affects many physiological processes in mammals such as entrainment of the circadian clock, regulation of mood, and relaxation of blood vessels. At the molecular level, a stimulus such as light initiates a cascade of kinases that phosphorylate CREB at various sites, including serine 133 (S133). This modification leads CREB to recruit the co-factor CRCT1 and the histone acetyltransferase CBP to stimulate the transcription of genes containing a CRE element in their promoters, such as Period 1 (Per1).

HPV 16 and 18 contribute to development of anal dysplasia in HIV infection irrespective of gender and sexual orientation.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was too investigate prevalence and persistence of human papilloma virus (HPV) and cytological abnormalities (CAs) in the anal swabs of people living with HIV (PLWH): men who have sex with men (MSM), men who have sex with women (MSW) and women (W).

Methods: Between March 2010 and January 2019, an anal swab for cytological and HPV genotyping tests was offered to all PLWH attending our clinic. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of infection.

Light affects behavioral despair involving the clock gene Period 1.

Light at night has strong effects on physiology and behavior of mammals. It affects mood in humans, which is exploited as light therapy, and has been shown to reset the circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN). This resetting is paramount to align physiological and biochemical timing to the environmental light-dark cycle.

Phosphorylation and Circadian Molecular Timing.

Endogenous circadian rhythms are biological processes generated by an internal body clock. They are self-sustaining, and they govern biochemical and physiological processes. However, circadian rhythms are influenced by many external stimuli to reprogram the phase in response to environmental change.

Survey of the vaia storm deposits in the tegnas catchment (Dolomites, Italy): Field data and evidence of sediment-water flow types.

Brenna et al. [1] developed a survey protocol to collect evidence aimed at classifying flood deposits on the basis of the flow type that mobilized and deposited sediment. Such a survey protocol was adopted to characterize the flood deposits in a mountain catchment of the Dolomites (the Tegnas Torrent and its tributaries; drainage area of 51 km) after a high-magnitude hydrological event that occurred in October 2018 (the so-called "Vaia Storm").

AC Corrosion of Carbon Steel under Cathodic Protection Condition: Assessment, Criteria and Mechanism. A Review.

Cathodic protection (CP), in combination with an insulating coating, is a preventative system to control corrosion of buried carbon steel pipes. The corrosion protection of coating defects is achieved by means of a cathodic polarization below the protection potential, namely -0.85 V vs.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) regulates the circadian clock.

Circadian oscillations emerge from transcriptional and post-translational feedback loops. An important step in generating rhythmicity is the translocation of clock components into the nucleus, which is regulated in many cases by kinases. In mammals, the kinase promoting the nuclear import of the key clock component Period 2 (PER2) is unknown.

WC-1 and the Proximal GATA Sequence Mediate a Cis-/Trans-Acting Repressive Regulation of Light-Dependent Gene Transcription in the Dark.

Light influences a wide range of physiological processes from prokaryotes to mammals. represents an important model system used for studying this signal pathway. At molecular levels, the WHITE COLLAR Complex (WCC), a heterodimer formed by WC-1 (the blue light photo-sensor) and WC-2 (the transcriptional activator), is the critical positive regulator of light-dependent gene expression.

Binders alternative to Portland cement and waste management for sustainable construction-part 1.

This review presents "a state of the art" report on sustainability in construction materials. The authors propose different solutions to make the concrete industry more environmentally friendly in order to reduce greenhouse gases emissions and consumption of non-renewable resources. Part 1-the present paper-focuses on the use of binders alternative to Portland cement, including sulfoaluminate cements, alkali-activated materials, and geopolymers.

Binders alternative to Portland cement and waste management for sustainable construction - Part 2.

The paper represents the "state of the art" on sustainability in construction materials. In Part 1 of the paper, issues related to production, microstructures, chemical nature, engineering properties, and durability of mixtures based on binders alternative to Portland cement were presented. This second part of the paper concerns the use of traditional and innovative Portland-free lime-based mortars in the conservation of cultural heritage, and the recycling and management of wastes to reduce consumption of natural resources in the production of construction materials.

Reference intervals for the activity of lactate dehydrogenase and its isoenzymes in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of healthy canines.

Background: Lactate dehydrogenase (LD) exists as 5 isoenzymes (LD-1 through LD-5) that are expressed throughout the body and can be detected in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). LD and its isoenzymes have been relatively unstudied in veterinary medicine, although studies in human medicine have demonstrated that changes in total LD activity and atypical isoenzyme patterns can indicate disease processes, including neurologic abnormalities.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to establish RIs for LD and its isoenzymes in the serum and CSF of clinically healthy dogs.

Corrosion of titanium: Part 2: Effects of surface treatments.

Titanium is well known as one of the most corrosion-resistant metals. However, it can suffer corrosion attacks in some specific aggressive conditions. To further increase its corrosion resistance, it is possible either to modify its surface, tuning either thickness, composition, morphology or structure of the oxide that spontaneously forms on the metal, or to modify its bulk composition.

Corrosion of titanium: Part 1: aggressive environments and main forms of degradation.

Titanium has outstanding corrosion resistance due to the external natural oxide protective layer formed when it is exposed to an aerated environment. Despite this, titanium may suffer different forms of corrosion in severe environments: uniform corrosion, pitting and crevice corrosion, hydrogen embrittlement, stress-corrosion cracking, fretting corrosion and erosion. In this first review, forms of corrosion affecting titanium are analyzed based on a wide literature review.

Photoreceptors in the dark: A functional white collar-like complex and other putative light-sensing components encoded by the genome of the subterranean fungus Tuber melanosporum.

Light is perceived and transduced by fungi, where it modulates processes as diverse as growth and morphogenesis, sexual development and secondary metabolism. A special case in point is that of fungi with a subterranean, light-shielded habitat such as Tuber spp. Using as reference the genome sequence of the black truffle Tuber melanosporum, we used bioinformatic prediction tools and expression data to gain insight on the photoreceptor systems of this hypogeous ectomycorrhizal fungus.