University of Palermo

About: University of Palermo is a education organization based out in Palermo, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 15621 authors who have published 40250 publications receiving 964384 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli Studi di Palermo & Universita degli Studi di Palermo.

Ultrafast myoglobin structural dynamics observed with an X-ray free-electron laser

Abstract: Light absorption can trigger biologically relevant protein conformational changes The light-induced structural rearrangement at the level of a photoexcited chromophore is known to occur in the femtosecond timescale and is expected to propagate through the protein as a quake-like intramolecular motion Here we report direct experimental evidence of such 'proteinquake' observed in myoglobin through femtosecond X-ray solution scattering measurements performed at the Linac Coherent Light Source X-ray free-electron laser An ultrafast increase of myoglobin radius of gyration occurs within 1 picosecond and is followed by a delayed protein expansion As the system approaches equilibrium it undergoes damped oscillations with a ~36-picosecond time period Our results unambiguously show how initially localized chemical changes can propagate at the level of the global protein conformation in the picosecond timescale

Dispersions of Nanoclays of Different Shapes into Aqueous and Solid Biopolymeric Matrices. Extended Physicochemical Study

Abstract: Dispersions of nanofillers into aqueous and solid biopolymeric matrices were studied from the physicochemical viewpoint. This work was carried out based on the idea that the combination of biopolymers, derived from renewable resources, and nanofiller, environmentally friendly, may form a new generation of nanomaterials with excellent and unique properties at low cost. To this purpose, two pectins with different degrees of methyl esterification and nanoclays like halloysite and laponite RD were selected. The thermodynamic and structural studies on the aqueous mixtures of pectin and nanoclay were able to discriminate the interactions, which control the adsorption of pectin onto the filler and the aggregation of both pectin and clay particles. The gained insights were useful to interpret the mesoscopic structure of the nanocomposites (prepared from the aqueous mixtures by means of the casting method) evidenced by SEM, thermal stability, tensile properties, and transparency investigations. The attained knowledge represents a basic point for designing new hybrid nanostructures in both the aqueous and the solid phase for specific purposes.

Infliximab in severe ulcerative colitis: short-term results of different infusion regimens and long-term follow-up

Abstract: Background Severe ulcerative colitis is a life-threatening disorder, despite i.v. glucocorticoids treatment. Infliximab has been proposed as a safe rescue therapy. Aim To evaluate short- and long-term effectiveness and safety of infliximab in severe refractory ulcerative colitis. Methods Eighty-three patients with severe ulcerative colitis (i.v. glucocorticoids treatment-refractory) were treated with infliximab in 10 Italian Gastroenterology Units. Patients underwent one or more infusions according to the choice of treating physicians. Short-term outcome was colectomy/death 2 months after the first infusion. Long-term outcome was survival free from colectomy. Safety data were recorded. Results Twelve patients (15%) underwent colectomy within 2 months. One died of Legionella pneumophila infection 12 days after infliximab. Early colectomy rates were higher in patients receiving one infusion (9/26), compared with those receiving two/more infusions (3/57, P = 0.001, OR = 9.53). Seventy patients who survived colectomy and did not experience any fatal complications were followed-up for a median time of 23 months; 58 patients avoided colectomy during the follow-up. Forty-two patients were maintained on immunosuppressive drugs. No clinical features were associated with outcomes. Conclusions Infliximab is an effective and relatively safe therapy to avoid colectomy and maintain long-term remission for patients with severe refractory ulcerative colitis. In the short term, two or more infusions seem to be more effective than one single infusion.