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Indirect-immunofluorescence studies were performed on cultured dermal fibroblasts from patients with Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum (PXE), an inherited connective-tissue disorder the pathogenesis of which is still unknown. Apparent abnormalities of cytoskeletal structures were revealed by using phalloidin and specific antibodies to alfa-smooth muscle actin and to vimentin. Altered expression of integrin receptors for different extracellular matrix components seems to be present in the pathological cells as preliminary data suggest by using antibodies against alfa subunits of integrins. This study was designed to test the presence of abnormal cell-matrix interactions responsible for the clinical features and involved in the pathogenesis of the PXE disease.

Bioplastics receive constantly increasing attention as interesting alternatives to fossil-derived plastics, due to their renewability and degradability. Among them, edible coatings and films have been focused by a growing amount of research. Starch-based films are promising candidates for future plastics because of starch convenient price and large availability, combined with suitable properties. Chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of such films could be enhanced by mixing starch with other additives and copolymers, which affect the characteristics of the film-forming dispersions. This work investigates how the behavior of different starch/pectin-based dispersions-in terms of stability and gelification-influences the quality of the resulting films.Characterization of dispersions by Turbiscan analysis, based on multiple light scattering-detects any destabilization phenomenon and its extent. The produced films are investigated from morphological and mechanical point of view by standard tests. Film quality improves as phase separation decreases and degree of gelification increases in film-forming dispersions.

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