Evaluating water quality of rock glacier outflows in the Western Alps, Italy: a regional perspective.

Intact rock glaciers (RG) are considered valuable water storage because containing permafrost ice volumes. The hydrological relevance of RG is forecasted to increase with respect to glaciers under climate change scenarios, as well as RG's role as water resources in alpine basins for multiple uses. Besides the assessment of water amount stored in intact rock glaciers, the evaluation of water quality is of primary importance.

Management of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis and adherence to current guidelines-a multicentre SNAPSHOT study.

Purpose: To explore whether previous participation in clinical studies increases adherence to management guidelines in acute uncomplicated diverticulitis (AUD).

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was designed to give a SNAPSHOT of the management of AUD at six hospitals, three of which had participated in the AVOD trial comparing antibiotic versus non-antibiotic treatment of AUD. Patients with AUD were included from March 2019 through June 2020 and followed for 90 days.

Behaviour of synthetic musk fragrances in freshwaters: occurrence, relations with environmental parameters, and preliminary risk assessment.

The aims of this study were to investigate the presence, possible sources, and potential ecological risks of synthetic musk fragrances in freshwaters and sediments of the main tributaries of a deep subalpine lake in Northern Italy. The total musk concentrations ranged from few ng L up to values > 500 ng L, depending on river characteristics: water flow and the presence of wastewater effluents proved to be the main factors affecting fragrance concentrations. The water flow may indeed dilute fragrance input mainly deriving from treated wastewaters.

Paper microzone assay embedded on a 3D printed support for colorimetric quantification of proteins in different biological and food samples.

This study describes the development of a paper microzone colorimetric assay embedded on a 3D printed support for quantifying total protein content in different biological matrices and foods. The aim was to develop an accurate and reliable method, ensuring at the same time the possibility of customizability, facility of use, wide applicability, and reduced analysis for both time and costs. The device consists of a 3D printed thermoplastic polyurethane support housing the detection substrate (GF/F glass microfiber).

Alkaloids in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal Root Extract Contribute to Its Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

The anti-inflammatory properties of the medicinal plant Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (WS) are generally related to withanolides; consistently, several strategies are under investigation to increase the concentration of these compounds in WS extracts. However, a potential toxicity of withanolides has been highlighted, thus questioning the safety of such preparations.

Biofilm and Rivers: The Natural Association to Reduce Metals in Waters.

This article focuses on a very peculiar habitat, the thin biofilm that covers the surface of rocks, cobbles, sediment grains, leaf litter, and vegetation on a riverbed. Species composition changes over time and depends on environmental conditions and perturbation of water quality. It provides several ecosystem services, contributing to the biogeochemical fluxes and reducing contamination by absorbing the pollutants.

Response of atmospheric deposition and surface water chemistry to the COVID-19 lockdown in an alpine area.

The effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on deposition and surface water chemistry were investigated in an area south of the Alps. Long-term data provided by the monitoring networks revealed that the deposition of sulfur and nitrogen compounds in this area has stabilized since around 2010; in 2020, however, both concentrations and deposition were significantly below the average values of the previous decade for SO and NO. Less evident changes were observed for NH and base cation.

An Integrated Investigation of Atmospheric Gaseous Elemental Mercury Transport and Dispersion Around a Chlor-Alkali Plant in the Ossola Valley (Italian Central Alps).

We present the first assessment of atmospheric pollution by mercury (Hg) in an industrialized area located in the Ossola Valley (Italian Central Alps), in close proximity to the Toce River. The study area suffers from a level of Hg contamination due to a Hg cell chlor-alkali plant operating from 1915 to the end of 2017. We measured gaseous elemental Hg (GEM) levels by means of a portable Hg analyzer during car surveys between autumn 2018 and summer 2020.

Hemodynamic abnormalities during muscle metaboreflex activation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Metaboreflex is a reflex triggered during exercise or postexercise muscle ischemia (PEMI) by metaboreceptor stimulation. Typical features of metaboreflex are increased cardiac output (CO) and blood pressure. Patients suffering from metabolic syndrome display hemodynamic abnormalities, with an exaggerated systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and reduced CO response during PEMI-induced metaboreflex.

Spatial diffusion of surnames by long transhumance routes between highland and lowland: A study in Sardinia.

RIASSUNTO.

Application of a new targeted low density microarray and conventional biomarkers to evaluate the health status of marine mussels: A field study in Sardinian coast, Italy.

In the present study, we investigated the health status of marine mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) caged and deployed at three different sites on the Sardinian coastline characterized by different levels of contamination: Fornelli (F, the reference site), Cala Real (CR), and Porto Torres (PT). A new low density oligonucleotide microarray was used to investigate global gene expression in the digestive gland of mussels. Target genes were selected to cover most of the biological processes involved in the stress response in bivalve mollusks (e.

mGluR2/3 mediates short-term control of nicotine-seeking by acute systemic N-acetylcysteine.

Chronic self-administration of nicotine induces maladaptive changes in the cortico-accumbal glutamate (Glu) network. Consequently, re-exposure to nicotine-associated cues raises extracellular Glu in the nucleus accumbens reinstating drug-seeking. Restoring basal concentrations of extracellular Glu, thereby increasing tonic activation of the presynaptic group II metabotropic Glu receptors (mGluR2/3) with N-acetylcysteine (N-AC), might offer a valid therapeutic approach for maintaining smoking abstinence.

Contingent and non-contingent recreational-like exposure to ethanol alters BDNF expression and signaling in the cortico-accumbal network differently.

Rationale: Although brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is part of a homeostatic pathway involved in the development of alcohol dependence, it is not clear whether this is also true after recreational ethanol consumption.

Objectives: We examined BDNF expression and signaling in the cortico-striatal network immediately and 24 h after either a single intravenous (i.v.

Ischemic preconditioning reduces hemodynamic response during metaboreflex activation.

Ischemic preconditioning (IP) has been shown to improve exercise performance and to delay fatigue. However, the precise mechanisms through which IP operates remain elusive. It has been hypothesized that IP lowers the sensation of fatigue by reducing the discharge of group III and IV nerve endings, which also regulate hemodynamics during the metaboreflex.

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal root extract alleviates formalin-induced nociception in mice: involvement of the opioidergic system.

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal extracts (WSEs) may possess therapeutic perspectives in the treatment of inflammation and pain. We aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive property of a WSE in the formalin test and to investigate the involvement of several neurotransmitter systems in this effect.

Methoxyflavones from Stachys glutinosa with binding affinity to opioid receptors: in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies.

Fractionation of the bioactive dichloromethane extract from the aerial parts of Stachys glutinosa led to the isolation of four flavones, xanthomicrol (1), sideritoflavone (2), 8-methoxycirsilineol (3), and eupatilin (4), along with two neo-clerodane diterpenes, roseostachenone (8) and a new compound, 3α,4α-epoxyroseostachenol (7). In order to study structure-activity relationships, two methoxyflavones [5-demethyltangeretin (5) and tangeretin (6)] were synthesized by the methoxylation of xanthomicrol. The isolated compounds (1-4, 7, and 8) as well as the xanthomicrol semisynthetic derivatives (5 and 6) were evaluated for their binding affinity to the μ and δ opioid receptors.

Prediction and prevention of the first psychotic episode: new directions and opportunities.

In the last few decades, substantial research has focused on the possibility of early detection and prevention of the first psychotic episode in young individuals at risk of developing this mental disturbance; however, unresolved clinical and ethical issues still call for further investigations. New perspectives and opportunities may come from the identification of selective psychopathological and instrumental markers linking the appearance of subtle psychotic symptoms with the clinical outcome of specific mental pathologies. Furthermore, empirically derived algorithms and risk staging models should facilitate the identification of targeted prevention therapies, possibly improving the efficacy of well-tolerated therapeutic approaches, such as psychological interventions and natural compound supplementations.

Differential modulation of GABA(A) receptor function by aryl pyrazoles.

Several aryl pyrazoles characterized by a different molecular structure (flexible vs constrained), but chemically related to rimonabant and AM251, were tested for their ability to modulate the function of recombinant α1β2γ2L GABAA receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The effects of 6Bio-R, 14Bio-R, NESS 0327, GP1a and GP2a (0.3-30 μM) were evaluated using a two-electrode voltage-clamp technique.

Withania somnifera root extract prolongs analgesia and suppresses hyperalgesia in mice treated with morphine.

Previous studies demonstrated that Withania somnifera Dunal (WS), a safe medicinal plant, prevents the development of tolerance to the analgesic effect of morphine. In the present study, we investigated whether WS extract (WSE) (100 mg/kg, i.p.

N-Alkyl dien- and trienamides from the roots of Otanthus maritimus with binding affinity for opioid and cannabinoid receptors.

Two new thienylheptatrienamides (1, 5) and one new neo-lignan (12), together with thirteen known compounds (2, 3, 4, 6-11, 13-16) were isolated from the roots of Otanthus maritimus. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR experiments as well as high resolution mass spectrometry. All the isolated amides (1-10), the known pontica epoxide (11) and the new neo-lignan (12) were evaluated for their binding affinity to the CB1 and CB2 as well as to the μ and δ opioid receptors.

Short-term abstinence from cocaine self-administration, but not passive cocaine infusion, elevates αCaMKII autophosphorylation in the rat nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex.

Increases in alpha calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II (αCaMKII) activity in the nucleus accumbens shell has been proposed as a core component in the motivation to self-administer cocaine and in priming-induced drug-seeking. Since cocaine withdrawal promotes drug-seeking, we hypothesized that abstinence from cocaine self-administration should enhance αCaMKII as well. We found that short-term abstinence from contingent, but not non-contingent, cocaine i.

Six-month ischemic mice show sensorimotor and cognitive deficits associated with brain atrophy and axonal disorganization.

Aims: To identify long-term sensorimotor and cognitive deficits and to evaluate structural alterations in brain ischemic mice.

Methods: C57Bl/6J male mice were subjected to 30 min transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAo) or sham surgery. Sensorimotor deficits, exploratory behavior, and cognitive functions were evaluated up to 6 months.

Inhibition of glycine transporter-1 reduces cue-induced nicotine-seeking, but does not promote extinction of conditioned nicotine cue responding in the rat.

Pharmacological stimulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAr) could enhance the outcome of cue-exposure therapy for smoking cessation. NMDAr stimulation can be achieved by increasing pharmacologically the synaptic levels of glycine, a necessary co-agonist. Here, we evaluate the effects of SSR504734, a selective inhibitor of glycine type I transporter (GlyT1) in an extinction-reinstatement procedure inducing robust and lasting nicotine-seeking behavior in rats.