Lipidomics reveals the reshaping of the mitochondrial phospholipid profile in cells lacking OPA1 and mitofusins.

Depletion or mutations of key proteins for mitochondrial fusion, like optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) and mitofusins 1 and 2 (Mfn 1 and 2), are known to significantly impact the mitochondrial ultrastructure, suggesting alterations of their membranes' lipid profiles. In order to make an insight into this issue, we used hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization-high resolution MS to investigate the mitochondrial phospholipid (PL) profile of mouse embryonic fibroblasts knocked out for OPA1 and Mfn1/2 genes. One hundred sixty-seven different sum compositions were recognized for the four major PL classes of mitochondria, namely phosphatidylcholines (PCs, 63), phosphatidylethanolamines (55), phosphatidylinositols (21), and cardiolipins (28).

HILIC-ESI-MS analysis of phosphatidic acid methyl esters artificially generated during lipid extraction from microgreen crops.

The uncontrolled activation of endogenous enzymes may introduce both qualitative and quantitative artefacts when lipids are extracted from vegetal matrices. In the present study, a method based on hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled either to high-resolution/accuracy Fourier-transform mass spectrometry (HILIC-ESI-FTMS) or to linear ion trap multiple stage mass spectrometry (HILIC-ESI-MS , with n = 2 and 3) with electrospray ionization was developed to unveil one of those artefacts. Specifically, the artificial generation of methyl esters of phosphatidic acids (MPA), catalysed by endogenous phospholipase D (PLD) during lipid extraction from five oleaginous microgreen crops (chia, soy, flax, sunflower and rapeseed), was studied.

Pain management policies and practices in pediatric emergency care: a nationwide survey of Italian hospitals.

Background: Pain experienced by children in emergency departments (EDs) is often poorly assessed and treated. Although local protocols and strategies are important to ensure appropriate staff behaviours, few studies have focussed on pain management policies at hospital or department level. This study aimed at describing the policies and reported practices of pain assessment and treatment in a national sample of Italian pediatric EDs, and identifying the assocoated structural and organisational factors.

Parental involvement and kangaroo care in European neonatal intensive care units: a policy survey in eight countries.

Objective: To compare, in a large representative sample of European neonatal intensive care units, the policies and practices regarding parental involvement and holding babies in the kangaroo care position as well as differences in the tasks mothers and fathers are allowed to carry out.

Design: Prospective multicenter survey.

Setting: Neonatal intensive care units in eight European countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom).

Multiple forms of hypogonadism of central, peripheral or combined origin in males with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Background: Hypogonadism in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is generally attributed to hypothalamic dysfunction or to primary gonadal defect, but pathophysiology is still unclear.

Objectives: To investigate the aetiology of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis dysfunction in PWS males.

Methods: Clinical examination and blood sampling for luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, inhibin B and sexhormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were performed in 34 PWS patients, age 5·1-42·7 years, and in 125 healthy males of same age range.

Heel blood sampling in European neonatal intensive care units: compliance with pain management guidelines.

Objective: To describe the use of heel blood sampling and non-pharmacological analgesia in a large representative sample of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in eight European countries, and compare their self-reported practices with evidence-based recommendations.

Methods: Information on use of heel blood sampling and associated procedures (oral sweet solutions, non-nutritive sucking, swaddling or positioning, topical anaesthetics and heel warming) were collected through a structured mail questionnaire. 284 NICUs (78% response rate) participated, but only 175 with ≥50 very low birth weight admissions per year were included in this analysis.

Antifungal activity of essential oils from leaves and flowers of Inula viscosa (Asteraceae) by Apulian region.

Some essential oils from several plants (Artemisia verlotorum, Lavandula augustifolia, Ocimum gratissimum) have proved to have acaricidal, antifungal and antibacterial activity. Inula viscosa Ait. (Asteraceae), a plant growing spontaneously in the Mediterranean area, is currently used by popular medicine for its therapeutic effects.

[Fungistatic activity of a sesquiterpene lactone (tomentosin) isolated from fresh Inula viscosa (Asteraceae) flowers from the Puglia region].

A sesquiterpene lactone, tomentosin, has been isolated and identified form Inula viscosá Ait (Asteraceae) flowers. The molecule, at 1 mg/ml concentration, showed to be active in vitro against Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

Spectrophotometric determination of manidipine dihydrochloride based on formation of charge-transfer complex with iodine.

A new spectrophotometric method for determining manidipine dihydrochloride has been developed. The method was based on the formation of charge transfer complex between this drug as n-donor and iodine the s-acceptor. The iodine was found to form charge-transfer complex in a 1:1 stoichiometry with absorption bands at 290 and 353 nm.

Antifungal activity of Apulia region propolis.

A study was carried out to assess the in vitro antifungal activity of some natural Apulian propolis extracts of different origin. Their antifungal activity was compared to the antifungal activity of conifers and commercial propolis extracts. All extracts revealed antifungal activity against dermatophytes and Candida species.

[Research on antifungal activity of flowers and leaves of Inula viscosa (Asteraceae)].

The authors carried out a preliminary screening about the in vitro antifungal activity of some extracts of flowers and leaves of Inula viscosa obtained with different solvents. All extracts showed antifungal activity against dermatophytes and Candida species. The best results were obtained with Inula viscosa flowers extracts.

[Synthesis and in vitro antimicrobial activity of N-substituted derivatives of phenylpiperidine and phenylpiperazine].

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some N-substituted aza- and diaza-phenylcycloalkanes are reported. All the compounds screened in vitro show significant antibacterial and antimycotic activities. Particularly, compounds of the N-(ethoxymethyl)phenylpiperidine series, show activity towards S.