GIORGINI ELISABETTA

@univpm.it

Department of Life and Environmental Sciences
Università Politecnica delle Marche



           

https://researchid.co/e.giorgini

RESEARCH INTERESTS

IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Medical spectroscopy,

138

Scopus Publications

Scopus Publications

  • Deepening Cisplatin sensitivity on Oral Squamous cell Carcinoma cell lines after PON2 knockdown: A FTIRM investigation
    Alessia Belloni, Roberto Campagna, Valentina Notarstefano, Valentina Pozzi, Giulia Orilisi, Veronica Pompei, Lucrezia Togni, Marco Mascitti, Davide Sartini, Elisabetta Giorgini,et al.
    Elsevier BV

  • A new approach to assess post-mortem interval: A machine learning-assisted label-free ATR-FTIR analysis of human vitreous humor
    Valentina Notarstefano, Chiara Santoni, Eva Montanari, Francesco Paolo Busardò, Angelo Montana, Giulia Orilisi, Paolo Mariani, and Elisabetta Giorgini
    Elsevier BV

  • Physiological Root Resorption of Deciduous Teeth: An ATR-FTIR Approach
    Giulia Orilisi, Alessia Cosi, Flavia Vitiello, Chiara Santoni, Valentina Notarstefano, Elisabetta Giorgini, Giovanna Orsini, and Domenico Tripodi
    MDPI AG
    Background: The study exploited, for the first time, Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform-InfraRed (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy on human dental pulps at different timings of root resorption (RR) to deepen the biological mechanisms occurring in deciduous teeth (De) during their replacement with permanent ones. Methods: N:36 dental pulps from sound De were divided into the following: G0 (no RR); G1 (RR less than 1/3 of root length); G2 (RR not exceeding 2/3 of root length); and G3 (RR more than 2/3 of root length). Samples were analyzed by ATR-FTIR, and the spectral data were submitted to univariate (One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison tests; statistical significance set at p < 0.05) and multivariate (Principal Component Analysis, PCA) analyses. Results: PCA displayed good discrimination among groups, ascribable to: (i) the intensity of the peaks of nucleic acids (~1715 cm−1, ~1237 cm−1, ~964 cm−1, and ~815 cm−1) and carbohydrates (~1159 cm−1) which increased from G0 to G3 (p < 0.05); (ii) the relative amount of lipids which decreased from G0 to G3 (p < 0.05); and (iii) the intensity of the peaks at ~1014 cm−1, and ~875 cm−1 (phosphates and carbonates in hydroxyapatite), which decreased from G0 to G3 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study confirmed ATR-FTIR as a reliable and quick technique for the characterization of the dental pulp and highlighted a correlation between specific molecular changes in the dental pulp of deciduous teeth and different RR stages, shedding new light on this process and paving the way for future research, which could improve the clinical management of the primary dentition.

  • Exposure to environmental pharmaceuticals affects the macromolecular composition of mussels digestive glands
    Marica Mezzelani, Valentina Notarstefano, Michela Panni, Elisabetta Giorgini, Stefania Gorbi, and Francesco Regoli
    Springer Science and Business Media LLC
    AbstractHuman pharmaceuticals represent a major challenge in natural environment. A better knowledge on their mechanisms of action and adverse effects on cellular pathways is fundamental to predict long-term consequences for marine wildlife. The FTIRI Imaging (FTIRI) spectroscopy represents a vibrational technique allowing to map specific areas of non-homogeneous biological samples, providing a unique biochemical and ultrastructural fingerprint of the tissue. In this study, FTIRI technique has been applied, for the first time, to characterize (i) the chemical building blocks of digestive glands of Mytilus galloprovincialis, (ii) alterations and (iii) resilience of macromolecular composition, after a 14-days exposure to 0.5 µg/L of carbamazepine (CBZ), valsartan (VAL) and their mixture, followed by a 14-days recovery period. Spectral features of mussels digestive glands provided insights on composition and topographical distribution of main groups of biological macromolecules, such as proteins, lipids, and glycosylated compounds. Pharmaceuticals caused an increase in the total amount of protein and a significant decrease of lipids levels. Changes in macromolecular features reflected the modulation of specific molecular and biochemical pathways thus supporting our knowledge on mechanisms of action of such emerging pollutants. Overall, the applied approach could represent an added value within integrated strategies for the effects-based evaluation of environmental contaminants.

  • New insights on collagen structural organization and spatial distribution around dental implants: a comparison between machined and laser-treated surfaces
    Alessia Belloni, Giulio Argentieri, Giulia Orilisi, Valentina Notarstefano, Elisabetta Giorgini, Gianmaria D’Addazio, Giovanna Orsini, Sergio Caputi, and Bruna Sinjari
    Springer Science and Business Media LLC
    Abstract Background One of the main factors for the osseointegration of dental implants is the development of an adequate soft tissue barrier, mainly composed by collagen, which protects the implant from bacterial development. The structural features of the peri-implant collagen are influenced by the implant components and, in particular, by the type of the surface. In the clinical practice, healing abutments are characterized by smooth surfaces, named machined. Recently, a new laser technique, Synthegra, has been developed to obtain a topography-controlled surface with micrometric regular pores that seems reducing the risk of peri-implantitis. Based on this background, this study aims investigating the structural organization and spatial distribution of collagen surrounding healing abutments characterized by laser-treated and machined surfaces. Methods Gingiva portions surrounding custom-made healing abutments (HA), characterized by alternated laser-treated and machined surfaces, were collected and analyzed by combining Fourier Transform InfraRed Imaging (FTIRI) spectroscopy, a non-invasive and high-resolution bidimensional analytical technique, with histological and multivariate analyses. Results Masson’s trichrome staining, specific for collagen, highlighted a massive presence of collagen in all the analyzed samples, evidencing a surface-related spatial distribution. The nature of collagen, investigated by the FTIRI spectroscopy, appeared more abundant close to the laser-treated surface, with a perpendicular disposition of the bundles respect to the HA; conversely, a parallel distribution was observed around the machined surface. A different secondary structure was also found, with a higher amount of triple helices and a lower quantity of random coils in collagen close to the laser treated surfaces. Conclusions FTIRI spectroscopy demonstrates that the use of a laser treated transmucosal surface can improve the morphological organization of the peri-implant collagen, which presents a distribution more similar to that of natural teeth. Trial registration: This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: (Registration Number: NCT05754970). Registered 06/03/2023, retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT05754970.

  • Dimolybdenum (II,II) paddlewheel complexes bearing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ligands: Insights into the chemico-physical profile and first biological assessment
    Lorenzo Chiaverini, Valentina Notarstefano, Iogann Tolbatov, Paolo Umari, Elisabetta Giorgini, Lidia Ciccone, Riccardo Di Leo, Letizia Trincavelli, Chiara Giacomelli, Laura Marchetti,et al.
    Elsevier BV


  • Biomolecular alterations temporally anticipate microarchitectural modifications of collagen in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma
    Lucrezia Togni, Michele Furlani, Alessia Belloni, Nicole Riberti, Alessandra Giuliani, Valentina Notarstefano, Chiara Santoni, Elisabetta Giorgini, Corrado Rubini, Andrea Santarelli,et al.
    Elsevier BV

  • Revealing Spermatogenesis in Smooth-Hound Sharks Mustelus mustelus: Insights into the Morphological and Macromolecular Composition of Spermatogenic Cells
    Giulia Chemello, Lorenzo Jacopo De Santis, Erica Trotta, Matteo Zarantoniello, Chiara Santoni, Francesca Maradonna, Ike Olivotto, Elisabetta Giorgini, and Giorgia Gioacchini
    MDPI AG
    Elasmobranchs have an ancestral reproductive system, which offers insights into vertebrate reproductive evolution. Despite their unchanged design over 400 million years, they evolved complex mechanisms ensuring reproductive success. However, human activities induced a significant decline in elasmobranch populations worldwide. In the Mediterranean basin, the smooth-hound shark (Mustelus mustelus) is one of the species that are considered vulnerable to human activities. Conservation efforts necessitate a thorough understanding of its reproductive strategy. This study focused on mature male specimens of smooth-hound sharks that were captured in the Adriatic area and successively analyzed to provide, for the first time, a histologically detailed description of testicular development in the species. Seven phases of the spermatogenesis process were identified, along with the macromolecular characterization of cells obtained using Fourier-transform infrared imaging. Histological analysis showed structural and cellular features similar to those documented in the spermatocysts of other elasmobranchs. The examination of the evolution and migration of both germinative and Sertoli cells at each phase revealed their close connection. Furthermore, different expression levels of lipids, proteins, and phosphates (DNA) at each spermatogenesis stage were observed. This research provided new information on spermatogenesis in the common smooth-hound shark, which is crucial for conservation efforts against population decline and anthropogenic pressures.

  • First ATR-FTIR Characterization of Black, Green and White Teas (Camellia sinensis) from European Tea Gardens: A PCA Analysis to Differentiate Leaves from the In-Cup Infusion
    Elisabetta Giorgini, Valentina Notarstefano, Roberta Foligni, Patricia Carloni, and Elisabetta Damiani
    MDPI AG
    ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform InfraRed) spectroscopy, combined with chemometric, represents a rapid and reliable approach to obtain information about the macromolecular composition of food and plant materials. With a single measurement, the chemical fingerprint of the analyzed sample is rapidly obtained. Hence, this technique was used for investigating 13 differently processed tea leaves (green, black and white) all grown and processed in European tea gardens, and their vacuum-dried tea brews, prepared using both hot and cold water, to observe how the components differ from tea leaf to the in-cup infusion. Spectra were collected in the 1800–600 cm−1 region and were submitted to Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The comparison of the spectral profiles of leaves and hot and cold infusions of tea from the same country, emphasizes how they differ in relation to the different spectral regions. Differences were also noted among the different countries. Furthermore, the changes observed (e.g., at ~1340 cm−1) due to catechin content, confirm the antioxidant properties of these teas. Overall, this experimental approach could be relevant for rapid analysis of various tea types and could pave the way for the industrial discrimination of teas and of their health properties without the need of time-consuming, lab chemical assays.

  • FTIR Microspectroscopy as a new probe to study human uterine lesions: Characterization of tumor cell lines from uterine smooth muscle cells and evaluation of EPA and DHA in vitro treatments
    Alessia Belloni, Valentina Notarstefano, Stefania Greco, Pamela Pellegrino, Elisabetta Giorgini, and Pasquapina Ciarmela
    Elsevier BV

  • The influence of mannose-based esters on the mesophase behaviour of lyotropic liquid crystalline nanosystems as drug delivery vectors
    Mattia Tiboni, Paola Astolfi, Michele Verboni, Serena Benedetti, Elisabetta Giorgini, Valentina Notarstefano, Francesco Vita, Simone Ranieri, Andrea Duranti, Simone Lucarini,et al.
    Elsevier BV

  • Raman Microspectroscopy evidence of microplastics in human semen
    Luigi Montano, Elisabetta Giorgini, Valentina Notarstefano, Tiziana Notari, Maria Ricciardi, Marina Piscopo, and Oriana Motta
    Elsevier BV

  • Insights on the Nutraceutical Properties of Different Specialty Teas Grown and Processed in a German Tea Garden
    Patricia Carloni, Federico Girolametti, Elisabetta Giorgini, Tiziana Bacchetti, Cristina Truzzi, Silvia Illuminati, and Elisabetta Damiani
    MDPI AG
    European countries have recently started experimenting with growing and producing their own teas in small quantities, mainly for the specialty tea sector. To characterize European teas, this study investigated a set of five tea types obtained from different Camellia sinensis varieties/cultivars, representing various oxidation grades (green, white, yellow, oolong, black), all grown and processed in the only tea garden in Europe (in Germany) that focuses on all five types. Hot and cold brews were studied by measuring the total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC), the antioxidant capacity and UV-Vis spectra, also with the objective of discriminating between the different tea types and the different plant varieties. The dried leaves were analyzed to measure the content of essential and toxic elements and by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to determine a chemical fingerprint for identifying the tea varieties and types. The average levels of TPC (hot brew = 5.82 ± 2.06; cold brew = 5.4 ± 2.46 mM GAEq), TFC (hot brew = 0.87 ± 0.309; cold brew = 0.87 ± 0.413 mM CAEq), and antioxidant capacity (ORAC assay-hot brew = 20.9 ± 605; cold brew = 21.8 ± 8.0 mM TXEq, ABTS assay-hot brew = 15.2 ± 5.09; cold brew = 15.1 ± 5.8 mM TXEq, FRAP assay-hot brew = 9.2 ± 3.84; cold brew = 10.4 ± 5.23 mM AAEq) observed compared well with those from other parts of the world such as China, Africa, and Taiwan. The hazard quotient <1 and the hazard index of 0.14 indicate that there is no non-carcinogenic risk from consumption of these teas. The obtained information is essential for elucidating the characteristics and the impact of tea processing and tea variety on the health benefits of these tea products coming from a single European tea garden. This multifaceted approach would help tea growers in Europe increase their knowledge on the health attributes of the teas they grow, ultimately leading to optimization of the nutraceutical properties of these teas.

  • Multivariate curve Resolution-Alternating least squares coupled with Raman microspectroscopy: new insights into the kinetic response of primary oral squamous carcinoma cells to cisplatin
    Valentina Notarstefano, Alessia Belloni, Paolo Mariani, Giulia Orilisi, Giovanna Orsini, Elisabetta Giorgini, and Hugh J. Byrne
    Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
    Raman MicroSpectroscopy (RMS) is a powerful label-free tool to probe the effects of drugs at a cellular/subcellular level.

  • Detection of microplastics, polymers and additives in edible muscle of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) caught in the Mediterranean Sea
    Federica Di Giacinto, Ludovica Di Renzo, Giuseppina Mascilongo, Valentina Notarstefano, Giorgia Gioacchini, Elisabetta Giorgini, Tanja Bogdanović, Sandra Petričević, Eddy Listeš, Mia Brkljača,et al.
    Elsevier BV

  • Novel Insights from Fourier-Transform InfraRed Imaging on the Morpho-Chemical Profile of Human Corpus Callosum
    Alessia Belloni, Eva Montanari, Andrea Sagrati, Teresa Lorenzi, Aurora Balloni, Francesco Paolo Busardò, Valentina Notarstefano, Mara Fabri, and Elisabetta Giorgini
    MDPI AG
    The corpus callosum (CC) is the largest interhemispheric commissure of the mammalian brain, and it includes axons, cortical neurons, and glial cells. It is mainly composed of myelin, a lipidic sheath which is produced by glial cell membranes; myelin is wrapped up around axons and plays a fundamental role in the fast conduction of neuronal electrical signals. The human CC is divided into various anatomical regions, with different axonal composition, including, from front to back, genu, body or trunk, isthmus, and splenium. Corpus callosum undergoes some alterations not only in the presence of specific physiological and pathological conditions, but also because of aging. For the first time, in the present study a hyperspectral imaging analysis of human corpus callosum was performed. The study, carried out on CC autopsy samples collected from human adult males of different ages, was focused mainly on the genu and splenium regions. By combining Fourier-transform infrared imaging and histological analyses with multivariate and univariate ones, the macromolecular composition of these regions was defined, and age-related alterations in the lipid and protein components were identified.

  • Pd-Based Hybrid Nanoparticles As Multimodal Theranostic Nanomedicine
    Alberto Bellissima, Lorena M. Cucci, Vanessa Sanfilippo, Angela De Bonis, Roberto Fiorenza, Salvatore Scirè, Tiziano Marzo, Mirko Severi, Diego La Mendola, Valentina Notarstefano,et al.
    American Chemical Society (ACS)
    A nanodelivery system based on palladium nanoparticles (PdNP) and cisplatin (CisPt) was developed by physisorption of the drug onto the PdNP synthesized via a green redox process, using d-glucose and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as reducing and stabilizing/capping agents, respectively. UV–vis analysis and H2-evolution measurements were carried out to prove the nanoparticles’ capability to act as bimodal theranostic nanomedicine, i.e., having both plasmonic and photocatalytic properties. XPS, XRD, and TEM allowed light to be shed on the chemical composition and morphology of the PdNP. The analysis of the UV–visible spectra evidenced plasmonic peak changes for the hybrid nanoparticle-drug assembly (Pd@CisPt), which pointed to a significant interaction of CisPt with the NP surface. The drug loading was quantitatively estimated by ICP-OES measurements, while DLS and AFM confirmed the strong association of the drug with the nanoparticle surface. The test of SOD-like activity in a cell-free environment proved the maintenance of the antioxidant capability of PdNP also in the Pd@CisPt systems. Finally, Pd@CisPt tested in prostate cancer cells (PC-3 line) unveiled the antitumoral action of the developed nanomedicine, related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, with a condition of protein misfolding/unfolding and DNA damage, as evidenced by cytotoxicity and MitoSOX assays, as well as Raman microspectroscopy, respectively. Cell imaging by confocal microscopy evidenced cellular uptake of the nanoparticles, as well as dynamic processes of copper ion accumulation at the level of subcellular compartments. Finally, cell migration studies upon treatment with Pd@CisPt evidenced a tunable response between the inhibitory effect of CisPt and the enhanced rate of cell migration for the metal NP alone, which pointed out the promising potential of the developed theranostic nanomedicine in tissue regeneration.

  • Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Small-for-Gestational-Age: An Insight into the Placental Molecular Biomarkers
    Christian Giommi, Marta Lombό, Nina Montik, Michela Paolucci, Valentina Notarstefano, Giovanni Delli Carpini, Andrea Ciavattini, Antonio Ragusa, Francesca Maradonna, Elisabetta Giorgini,et al.
    MDPI AG
    Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) are two metabolic-related diseases that could affect women during pregnancy. Considering that the chorionic villi (CVs) are crucial structures for the feto-maternal exchange, the alterations in their conformation have been linked to an imbalanced metabolic environment of placenta. In this study, a multidisciplinary approach has been carried out to describe the changes occurring in the placental CVs of GDM and SGA patients. The results revealed higher levels of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1) and catalase (CAT), especially in the GDM placentae, which could be correlated with the hyperglycemic environment characteristic of this pathology. Furthermore, spectroscopy and histologic analyses revealed that both pathologies modify the placental lipid composition altering its structure. However, SGA induces lipid peroxidation and reduces collagen deposition within the CVs. Since the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is involved in placentation and different metabolic activities, the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV-1) were analyzed. No changes have been observed either at general or specific levels in the CVs comparing control and pathological samples, suggesting the non-involvement of the cannabinoid system in these two pathologies.

  • First Evidence of Microplastics in Human Urine, a Preliminary Study of Intake in the Human Body
    Concetta Pironti, Valentina Notarstefano, Maria Ricciardi, Oriana Motta, Elisabetta Giorgini, and Luigi Montano
    MDPI AG
    The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) and their health effects is a recent scientific topic. However, the investigation of MPs in human/biological matrices has several limitations due to analytical methods and sample treatment protocols. In this study, the presence of MPs in the urine samples of six volunteers from different cities in the south of Italy (three men and three women) was investigated by Raman microspectroscopy. The analysis pinpointed four pigmented microplastic fragments (4–15 μm size), with irregular shapes, which were characterized in terms of morphology and chemical composition. Polyethylene vinyl acetate (PVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE) MPs were found in four samples (PVA and PVC in one female sample and PP and PE in three male samples). This preliminary study suggests that MPs could pass through the gastrointestinal tract and are eliminated through biological processes.

  • Evidence for Mild Diagenesis in Archaeological Human Bones from the Fewet Necropolis (SW Libya): New Insights and Implications from ATR–FTIR Spectroscopy
    Francesca Castorina, Umberto Masi, Elisabetta Giorgini, Lucia Mori, Mary Anne Tafuri, and Valentina Notarstefano
    MDPI AG
    Bones offer a great amount of information on ancient populations regarding both their lifestyle habits and the influence of the living area. Bones are composed by an inorganic component, i.e., carbonated hydroxyapatite (Ca10[(PO4)6−x(CO3)x](OH)2), and an organic matrix (mainly proteins and collagen). After death, bones are subjected to diagenetic processes, with changes in structure, morphology, and chemical composition. All these modifications strictly depend on several factors, including the nearby environment, the climate, and the burial modality. Hence, a precise knowledge of the diagenetic processes affecting bones after death is mandatory. In this study, archeological human bones from the Garamantian necropolis of Fewet (Libyan Sahara) were analyzed by ATR–FTIR spectroscopy to elucidate the role of the burial location and modality, as well as the highly arid environment in the diagenesis rate. Several spectral parameters related to structural and chemical features of the organic and mineral components (i.e., AmideI/PO4, C/P, MM, FWHM603, and IRSF indexes) were statistically analyzed. Spectral data were compared with those from modern ruminants from the same site to evaluate a possible time-dependent correlation between the chemical composition and the diagenetic processes. A mild diagenesis was found in all human bones, even though it had a variable degree depending on the burial location.

  • Role Played by Paraoxonase-2 Enzyme in Cell Viability, Proliferation and Sensitivity to Chemotherapy of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines
    Roberto Campagna, Alessia Belloni, Valentina Pozzi, Alessia Salvucci, Valentina Notarstefano, Lucrezia Togni, Marco Mascitti, Davide Sartini, Elisabetta Giorgini, Eleonora Salvolini,et al.
    MDPI AG
    Oral squamous cell carcinoma represents the most aggressive and frequent form of head and neck cancer. Due to drug resistance, the 5-year survival rate of patients with advanced disease is less than 50%. In order to identify molecular targets for effective oral cancer treatment, we focused on paraoxonase-2 enzyme. Indeed, based on data previously obtained from preliminary immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses performed on tissue specimens, the enzyme was found to be upregulated in tumor compared with normal oral mucosa. Therefore, paraoxonase-2 gene silencing was achieved in HSC-3 and HOC621 oral cancer cell lines, and the effect on cell proliferation, viability, apoptosis induction and sensitivity to cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil treatment was evaluated. Fourier Transform InfraRed Microspectroscopy analyzed alterations of cellular macromolecules upon treatment. Enzyme level and cell proliferation were also determined in cisplatin-resistant clones obtained from HOC621 cell line, as well as in parental cells. Reported data showed that paraoxonase-2 knockdown led to a reduction of cell proliferation and viability, as well as to an enhancement of sensitivity to cisplatin, together with the activation of apoptosis pathway. Spectroscopical data demonstrated that, under treatment with cisplatin, oxidative damage exerted on lipids and proteins was markedly more evident in cells down-regulating paraoxonase-2 compared to controls. Interestingly, enzyme expression, as well as cell proliferation were significantly higher in cisplatin-resistant compared with control HOC621 cells. Taken together these results seem to candidate the enzyme as a promising target for molecular treatment of this neoplasm.

  • Uterine leiomyoma as useful model to unveil morphometric and macromolecular collagen state and impairment in fibrotic diseases: An ex-vivo human study
    Alessia Belloni, Michele Furlani, Stefania Greco, Valentina Notarstefano, Chiara Pro, Basilio Randazzo, Pamela Pellegrino, Alessandro Zannotti, Giovanni Delli Carpini, Andrea Ciavattini,et al.
    Elsevier BV

  • Zebrafish caudal fin as a model to investigate the role of probiotics in bone regeneration
    Jerry Maria Sojan, Giorgia Gioacchini, Elisabetta Giorgini, Patrick Orlando, Luca Tiano, Francesca Maradonna, and Oliana Carnevali
    Springer Science and Business Media LLC
    AbstractProbiotics are live microorganisms that confer several beneficial effects to the host, including enhancement of bone mineralization. However, probiotic action on bone regeneration is not well studied and therefore we analysed various effects of probiotic treatment on the caudal fin regeneration of zebrafish. Morphological analysis revealed an increased regenerated area with shorter and thicker lepidotrichia segments after probiotic treatment. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy imaging analysis highlighted the distribution of phosphate groups in the regenerated fins and probiotic group showed higher amounts of well-crystallized hydroxyapatite. At the midpoint (5 days post amputation) of regeneration, probiotics were able to modulate various stages of osteoblast differentiation as confirmed by the upregulation of some key marker genes such as runx2b, sp7, col10a1a, spp1 and bglap, besides suppressing osteoclast activity as evidenced from the downregulation of ctsk. Probiotics also caused an enhanced cell cycle by regulating the expression of genes involved in Retinoic acid (rarga, cyp26b1) and Wnt/β-catenin (ctnnb1, ccnd1, axin2, sost) signaling pathways, and also modulated phosphate homeostasis by increasing the entpd5a levels. These findings provide new outlooks for the use of probiotics as a prophylactic treatment in accelerating bone regeneration and improving skeletal health in both aquaculture and biomedical fields.

  • Preeclampsia Correlates with an Increase in Cannabinoid Receptor 1 Levels Leading to Macromolecular Alterations in Chorionic Villi of Term Placenta
    Marta Lombó, Christian Giommi, Michela Paolucci, Valentina Notarstefano, Nina Montik, Giovanni Delli Carpini, Andrea Ciavattini, Antonio Ragusa, Francesca Maradonna, Elisabetta Giorgini,et al.
    MDPI AG
    Preeclampsia is a human pregnancy-specific disease characterized by abnormal placentation that usually presents with maternal hypertension and proteinuria. The main hallmark of preeclampsia, impaired trophoblast migration, and the subsequent disruption of uterine arteries remodeling lead to several molecular alterations in the placental compartments with those occurring in the chorionic villi being of the utmost importance. Given the essential role of the endocannabinoid system during preimplantation and trophoblast migration, we have combined the histological and hyperspectral imaging analyses to shed light on the involvement of two cannabinoid receptors in the macromolecular alterations related to preeclampsia. The results obtained by immunohistochemistry showed a significant increase in the protein levels of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) in the preeclamptic chorionic villi. However, no changes were reported regarding transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV-1) levels either in the bulk placental samples or chorionic villi when comparing control and preeclamptic patients. Histological analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRI) showed an increase in collagen deposition together with higher levels of lipid peroxidation and phosphorylated compounds in the pathological villi. Since CB1 enhancement has been described as promoting fibrosis and oxidative stress in several tissues, we proposed that the higher receptor abundance in preeclampsia could be triggering similar molecular effects in preeclamptic term placentas.