Subjects increasing sperm DNA fragmentation (sDF) during Density Gradient Centrifugation (DGC), a common sperm selection procedure in Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ARTs), experience a 50% lower probability of pregnancy. Hence, identification of these subjects is of clinical importance. Here, we investigated whether such subjects are identified with higher accuracy detecting DNA fragmentation in viable (viable sDF) instead of total spermatozoa (total sDF) and whether swim up, an alternative procedure to DGC, does not increase sDF. With DGC, we identified 10/20 subjects increasing total sDF, and 2 more subjects using viable sDF. With swim up, we identified 8/40 subjects increasing total sDF, and 8 more subjects using viable sDF. In addition, viable sDF reveals more accurately the increase of the damage when it occurs. Finally, a multivariate analysis demonstrated that the proportional increase of sDF was higher after DGC respect to swim up. In conclusion, viable sDF is a more accurate parameter to reveal the increase of the damage by selection both with swim up and DGC. Swim up increases sDF in some samples, although at a lesser extent than DGC, suggesting that it should be used to select spermatozoa for ARTs when possible.

Cultural heritage assets constitute a fundamental socioeconomic resource, but the actual works of art need to be maintained, counteracting degradation processes, to transfer these benefits to future generations. In particular, the removal of soil, aged coatings, and vandalism/overpaints is one of the most needed interventions in art restoration. Traditional cleaning methodologies, based on classical solution and polymer chemistry, only grant limited control of the cleaning interventions, with the risk of affecting the original components of the artifacts, and often involving the use of toxic or non-environmentally friendly compounds. Alternatively, materials science, colloids, and soft matter have provided valuable and safe solutions in the last decades. This review provides a selection of the most recent and advanced methodologies for the wet cleaning of works of art, spanning from nanostructured cleaning fluids (microemulsions, surfactants swollen micelles) to physical and chemical gels. The new methodologies work on different physico-chemical mechanisms, such as processes for detaching/dewetting, to selectively remove the unwanted layers in sustainable and cost-effective interventions. The best performing systems, like microemulsions confined in “twin-chain” polyvinyl alcohol gels, have been assessed in the cleaning of masterpieces such as works by Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock and Roy Lichtenstein. Particular attention is dedicated to “green” chemistry systems, using low-toxicity solvents or bio-based/waste materials to build gel networks. Finally, current trends and future perspectives are given, showing that advanced systems for art cleaning link with transversal fields of crucial importance even beyond Cultural heritage conservation, e.g., detergency, tissue engineering, drug-delivery, food industry and cosmetics.

An efficient chemoenzymatic synthesis of both enantiomers of fagomine, as well as of cis and trans‐4‐hydroxypipecolic acid is reported. The synthesis starts from commercial δ‐valerolactam which, after a Pd‐catalyzed methoxycarbonylation of the corresponding vinyl phosphate, is subjected to allylic oxidation to give a racemic 4‐hydroxytetrahydropyridine derivative in 57 % overall yield. This product is resolved by an enzyme‐catalyzed esterification using immobilized lipases from Candida antarctica (Novozym 435) and Burkholderia cepacia (lipase PS Amano IM). The latter provides the corresponding R esters and the S alcohol in 95 and 94 % ee, respectively. The S alcohol is then converted into L‐fagomine by a stereoselective hydroboration/oxidation as key steps and the cis‐(2R,4S)‐4‐hydroxypipecolic acid by stereoselective hydrogenation. The corresponding D‐fagomine and cis‐(2S,4R)‐4‐hydroxypipecolic acid, as well as trans‐(2R,4R)‐4‐hydroxypipecolic acid can be prepared by the same strategy after hydrolysis of the R ester obtained by kinetic resolution.

Background: Several approaches to find a better adjuvant, focus immunomodulation, and reduce allergenicity are under investigation to improve the efficacy and safety of specific immunotherapy. Objective: We performed an investigation of the in vitro and in vivo effects of a purified allergen chemically conjugated to a novel 8-OH modified adenine as an adjuvant. Methods: Purified group 2 major allergen from house dust mite chemically conjugated to 4-(6-amino-9-benzyl-8-hydroxy-9H-purin-2-ylsulfanyl)-butyric acid succinimidyl ester was analyzed by using mass spectrometry. The adduct (nDer p 2-Conj) was assayed for Toll-like receptor activation on transfected HEK293 cells, stimulation of innate cells, and effects on the functional phenotype of specific T-cell lines and clones by means of flow cytometry, real-time PCR, and expression of T H -related transcription factors. Lung cells and sera of nDer p 2-Conjsensitized C57Bl/6 mice were studied by means of cytology, histology, real-time PCR, and ELISA. Results: nDer p 2-Conj stimulated IL-12 and IFN-a production from monocytes and plasmacytoid dendritic cells, respectively, retaining the ability to trigger Toll-like receptor 7 exclusively, and expanded human allergen-specific lymphocytes with reduced ability to produce T H 2-related cytokines and increased IFN-g levels, as based on GATA-3/T-bet expression. In vivo adduct-sensitized mice exhibited reduced eosinophil infiltration and IL-13 expression in the airways, IFN-g upregulation together with IgE downregulation, and an increase in allergenspecific IgG 2a levels in sera. The conjugate exhibited reduced ability to activate human FcεRI 1 cells without inducing T H 17 cells or autoantibodies.