The Antimicrobial Activity of Origanum vulgare L. Correlated with the Gastrointestinal Perturbation in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

(1) The metabolic syndrome (MS) promotes acute and chronic infections, due to the pro-inflammatory condition given by TNFα and IL6 or by affecting the microbiota. MS is also correlated with insulin resistance, causing inflammation and infections throughout the organism. (2) The purpose of this study was to track the effect of using the essential oil of Origanum vulgare L. (EOO) as an antibacterial treatment, compared to allopathic treatment with antibiotics in MS patients. A group of 106 people with MS was divided into four subgroups: L1—staphylococcal infection group, L2—Escherichia coli infection group, L3—streptococcal infection group with EOO treatment, and CG—control group without infection or treatment. (3) EOO is responsible for the antibacterial effect, and reduced minor uncomplicated infections. After a 10-day treatment, intestinal side effects were absent, improving the phase angle. (4) The results suggest that EOO may exhibit an antibacterial effect, similar to the antibiotic treatment, without promoting MS-specific dysbiosis, and it also improves the phase angle in patients, which is used as an index of health and cellular function.     

Topical Dosage Formulation of Lyophilized Philadelphus coronarius L. Leaf and Flower: Antimicrobial,Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Assessment of the Plant

Philadelphus coronarius is a versatile plant and its use in folk medicine has a long tradition; however, scientifically, the medical utilization of the herb is a less explored research field. The aim of our study was to identify and determine the quantity of the bioactive compounds of both the leaf and the flower and prepare a lyophilized product of them, from which medical ointments were formulated, since the topical application of P. coronarius has also not been studied. In vitro drug release, texture analysis and biocompatibility experiments were carried out, as well as the investigation of microbiological, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. According to our results the composition and the selected excipients of the ointments have a great impact on the drug release, texture and bioavailability of the preparation. During the microbiological testing, the P. coronarius leaf was effective against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, but it did not significantly decrease IL-4 production when it was tested on HaCaT cells. P. coronarius is a promising herb, and its topical application in antimicrobial therapy can be a useful addition to modern medical therapy.     

A comparison of numerical integration rules for the meshless local Petrov–Galerkin method

The meshless local Petrov–Galerkin (MLPG) method is a mesh-free procedure for solving partial differential equations. However, the benefit in avoiding the mesh construction and refinement is counterbalanced by the use of complicated non polynomial shape functions with subsequent difficulties, and a potentially large cost, when implementing numerical integration schemes. In this paper we describe and compare some numerical quadrature rules with the aim at preserving the MLPG solution accuracy and at the same time reducing its computational cost.     

The crystal and molecular structure of PtCl(CF3)(cis-Ph2PCH=CHPPh2)

Summary The structure of PtCl(CF₃)(cis-Ph₂PCH=CHPPh₂), has been determined from three-dimensional x-ray data. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C _2h ⁵ -P2₁/n witha=19.781(6),b=15.024(5),c=8.547(3) Å,=93.2(1)° andZ=4. Least-squares refinement has led to a value of the conventional R index (on F) of 0.055 for the 3199 independent reflections having I2.5 (I). The complex is a typical square-planar Pt^II complex with structural parameters: Pt-P, 2.275(4) (a)trans to CF₃ and 2.236(4) (b)trans to Cl, Pt-Cl, 2.346(4), Pt-C(F), 2.188(8), C(A) = C(B), 1.38(2) Å; Cl-Pt-P(1), 91.1(1), P(1)-Pt-P(2), 86.2(1)°.     

Quality-based model for Life Sciences research guidelines

Nowadays, the requirement to define adequate standards and to identify and validate general guidelines for scientific activity is becoming increasingly apparent also in non-regulated scientific research. Guidelines are fundamental tools to provide valid indications for proper conduct in a research laboratory, the correct use of equipment and procedures, as well as for aligning and standardizing the procedures used in different scientific contexts. The identification, dissemination and application of common guidelines can improve significantly the reproducibility of the scientific results and the exchange of materials and data in the context of scientific consortia, comprising also industrial partners and meta-analysis projects. A Quality and Project Management OpenLab research network was formed in 2012 to develop and apply Total Quality Management models to Life Sciences research laboratories. One of the main tasks of the network has been the definition of a model for the drafting of guidelines, firmly based on quality principles and documentation management. The outcome is an operational flow describing all the phases of the process, which has been validated by four different drafting groups through the production of 13 guidelines ranging from research activity to equipment and facility management. Different institutes of the National Research Council are currently following these guidelines; some of them have also been used to define the procedures included in a certified Quality Management System for a research laboratory. Our experience shows that the model for guidelines we have developed makes drafting guidelines easier and more immediate, and significantly, it is applicable to different scientific contexts and disciplines, including both non-regulated research and technology transfer-oriented research, and also the Quality Management System of a scientific laboratory.     

Heteroditopic ligand accommodating a fused phenanthroline and a schiff base cavity as molecular spacer in the study of electron and energy transfer

The synthesis and characterisation of the heteroditopic ligand N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-5,6-(1,10-phenanthroline)diamine (DPSalH(2)) bearing a phenanthroline and a bis(salicylidene)diimine cavity are reported. This versatile ligand combines two of the most widely used ligands in coordination chemistry. Sequential metallation of the phenanthroline end with Ru(II) and the salophenic cavity with Cu(II) is described. Electrochemical behaviour of the supramolecular complexes [Ru(bpy)(2)(DPSalH(2))](2+) and [Ru(bpy)(2)(DPSalCu)](2+) are analysed in connection with UV/Vis and EPR spectroscopy. The data for the one-electron-reduced species and the singly oxidised species of the binuclear Ru(II)-Cu(II) complex confirmed the formation of metalloradical complexes. Density functional calculations on the free ligand and the copper-only complex indicate in both cases that the HOMOs and LUMOs are developed on the Schiff base cavity with minor contributions on the bipyridine end. These findings support a bichromophoric character for our ruthenium complexes in the ground state, a necessary condition in the design of supramolecular systems for the study of electron transfer. Photophysical studies indicate fast quenching of the triplet excited state in both complexes, which suggests strong intercomponent excited-state interactions. Evidence is presented that this quenching is due to intramolecular electron transfer, at least in the case of [Ru(bpy)(2)(DPSalH(2))](2+), for which a charge-separated state with a remarkable lifetime of about 30 mus was observed.     

LIC-KOR promoted formation of conjugated dienes as useful building blocks for palladium-catalyzed syntheses

It is demonstrated that α,β-unsaturated acetals can be considered a synthetic tool for transforming carbonyl derivatives into cheap and easily accessible starting materials for the construction of various and more complex structures. The lithium-potassium mixed superbase LIC-KOR induces a conjugate elimination reaction that converts α,β-unsaturated acetals into 1E-1-alkoxybuta-1,3-dienes. These derivatives can be readily metalated in situ and functionalized by reaction with electrophiles. The results can be grouped in two sections: (1) the palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction between alkoxydienylboronates and tetralone- or isochromanone-derived vinyl triflates; (2) the regio- and stereoselective cross coupling reaction with aryl derivatives in the presence of a palladium catalyst (Heck conditions).     

Model proficiency testing scheme for serological diagnosis of Brucellosis: interlaboratory study

A model interlaboratory testing scheme was developed by the Italian National Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis. This scheme was planned for both qualitative (Rose Bengal Plate Test; RBPT) and quantitative (Complement Fixation Test; CFT) serological tests and involved a total of 42 laboratories. In the preparation of this scheme, reference was made to general protocols and guidelines and to methods reported in the literature, which were applicable to analytical chemistry laboratories. Six field sera from naturally infected animals, one positive serum at a titer below the European Union (EU) positivity threshold, and 5 sera positive at titers between 20 and 851 International Units of Complement Fixation Test (IUCFT)/mL plus one negative serum were used to produce a panel of test sera. To evaluate laboratory performances in the quantitative test for each tested sample examined, z-scores based on robust summary statistics (the median and normalized interquartile range) were used. To evaluate overall laboratory performance, 2 types of combined z-scores were used: Rescaled Sum of Scores and Sum of Squared Scores. In the case of the qualitative test (RBPT), results were analyzed by a Bayesian approach. A Beta distribution, based on the result of each laboratory, was calculated and used to estimate the probability of each laboratory giving a correct result and its uncertainty.     

Rapid microwave assisted esterification method for the analysis of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate in Alcaligenes latus by gas chromatography

In the present study, we used microwave energy instead of conventional heating to transform poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) into methyl 3-hydroxybutyrate (Me-3HB) in acidified methanol (H2SO4, 10%, v/v) mixture in less than 4 min at 10% microwave power. The microwave assisted method was then applied to analyze PHB produced by Alcaligenes latus. The PHB content in the biomass determined using microwave heating was comparable to the amount found by conventional heating. Moreover, the new esterification method was at least 50 times faster than the conventional method, affording a significant saving of time and energy.     

Iron doping of lithium niobate by thermal diffusion from thin film: study of the treatment effect

Thermal diffusion from thin film is one of the most widespread approaches to prepare iron doped regions in lithium niobate with limited size for photorefractive applications. In this work, we investigate the doping process with the aim of determining the best process conditions giving a doped region with the characteristics required for photorefractive applications. Six samples were prepared by changing the atmosphere employed in the diffusion treatment in order to obtain different combination of diffusion profiles and reduction degrees and also to check the effect of employing a wet atmosphere. The compositional, optical, and structural properties are then extensively characterized by combining Secondary ion Mass Spectrometry, UV, visible and IR spectrophotometry, High Resolution X-Rays Diffraction, and Micro-Raman Spectroscopy. Moreover, the sample topography was checked by Atomic Force Microscopy. An analysis of all our data shows that the best results are obtained performing a double step process, i.e. diffusion in oxidizing atmosphere and subsequent reduction at lower temperature in an hydrogen-containing atmosphere.