Degradation of DNA Extracts Stored Under Different Conditions: What We Know and What Is New

Preserving the integrity of forensic evidence through the stabilisation of the biological signature contained in DNA extracts is particularly important, specifically when re-analysis samples after a certain period of time. This translates into the needs for appropriate storage of DNA extracts to ensure the successful outcome of forensic genetic analyses, including human identification through STR typing and the application of phenotype and ancestry panels to infer the morphological characteristics and geographical origin of the contributor. Although guidelines shared by the international scientific community recommend freezing of the DNA extracts for long-term storage, it is possible that samples are preserved in sub-optimal conditions for a variety of reasons (e.g., faulty freezers, moving samples to court office at the case closure). In these circumstances, little is known about the survival of DNA and its suitability for future STR and SNP analyses. In this study, we evaluated the preservation of DNA extracts obtained from buccal swabs collected from two subjects of different sexes using the QIAamp DNA Investigator Kit (Qiagen). The extracts were quantified (QuantifilerTM Trio DNA Quantification Kit – Thermo Fisher Scientific) and aliquots containing 1 ng/μl of DNA were created. In addition, mixtures were set up from the female and male DNA extracts, in a ratio of 1:15 (male/female. All the aliquots were stored at three temperatures (+20°C, +4°C and -20°C) for a period of 90 days. As the results showed a surprising DNA survival rate also at room temperature, revealing similar completeness of the STR profile (GlobalFilerTM PCR Amplification Kit – Thermo Fisher Scientific) at both -20°C and +20°C conditions, the experiment was further extended to 400 days. In addition, after the initial 90 days experiment, a subset of samples was moved to uncontrolled temperature conditions. Surprisingly, DNA extracts did not degrade up to 400 days under any condition, and the ratio in the mixed samples remains unchanged. It was also noted that storing the extracts at +4°C and +20°C causes their evaporation and consequent concentration up to 20-fold. Overall, these results could open new avenues for the analysis of samples from cold cases not always preserved frozen

The influence of the gut-brain axis on anxiety and depression: A review of the literature on the use of probiotics

: This review aims to argue how using probiotics can improve anxiety and depressive behaviour without adverse effects, also exploring the impact of postbiotics on it. Specifically, probiotics have drawn more attention as effective alternative treatments, considering the rising cost of antidepressant and anti-anxiety drugs and the high risk of side effects. Depression and anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses in the world's population, characterised by low mood, poor general interest, and cognitive or motor dysfunction. Thus, this study analysed published literature on anxiety, depression, and probiotic supplementation from PubMed and Scopus, focusing on the last twenty years. This study focused on the effect of probiotics on mental health as they have drawn more attention because of their extensive clinical applications and positive impact on various diseases. Numerous studies have demonstrated how the gut microbiota might be critical for mood regulation and how probiotics can affect host health by regulating the gut-brain axis. By comparing the different works analysed, it was possible to identify a strategy by which they are selected and employed and, at the same time, to assess how the effect of probiotics can be optimised using postbiotics, an innovation to improve mental well-being in humans

Lo statuto costituzionale dei beni collettivi tra usi civici e circolazione della proprietà

Chiamata a decidere sull’art. 3, 3o comma, L. 20 novembre 2017, n. 168, la Corte costituzionale ne ha dichiarata l’incostituzionalità per contrasto con gli artt. 3 e 42, 2o comma, Cost., nella parte in cui la disposizione censurata non esclude l’inalienabilità di beni in proprietà privata gravati da usi civici non ancora liquidati. La sentenza è condivisibile nel merito e apprezzabile per il ricco iter argomentativo. Il commento si sofferma sui principali spunti di riflessione offerti dalla Corte. Oltre al coordinamento tra le principali leggi di settore, nella pronuncia si scorge una rilettura dell’art. 42 Cost. Una innovativa concezione della funzione sociale consente di interrogarsi sulla tensione latente tra le sistemazioni tradizionali della materia dei diritti reali e l’orizzonte di un più compiuto pluralismo delle forme di appartenenza

Real‐world candidacy to mavacamten in a contemporary hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy population

Aims In the EXPLORER-HCM trial, mavacamten reduced left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) and improved functional capacity of symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) patients. We sought to define the potential use of mavacamten by comparing real-world HOCM patients with those enrolled in EXPLORER-HCM and assessing their eligibility to treatment.Methods and results We collected information on HOCM patients followed up at 25 Italian HCM outpatient clinics and with significant LVOTO (i.e. gradient >= 30 mmHg at rest or >= 50 mmHg after Valsalva manoeuvre or exercise) despite pharmacological or non-pharmacological therapy. Pharmacological or non-pharmacological therapy resolved LVOTO in 1044 (61.2%) of the 1706 HOCM patients under active follow-up, whereas 662 patients (38.8%) had persistent LVOTO. Compared to the EXPLORER-HCM trial population, these real-world HOCM patients were older (62.1 +/- 14.3 vs. 58.5 +/- 12.2 years, p = 0.02), had a lower body mass index (26.8 +/- 5.3 vs. 29.7 +/- 4.9 kg/m(2), p < 0.0001) and a more frequent history of atrial fibrillation (21.5% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.027). At echocardiography, they had lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, 66 +/- 7% vs. 74 +/- 6%, p < 0.0001), higher left ventricular outflow tract gradients at rest (60 +/- 27 vs. 52 +/- 29 mmHg, p = 0.003), and larger left atrial volume index (49 +/- 16 vs. 40 +/- 12 ml/m(2), p < 0.0001). Overall, 324 (48.9%) would have been eligible for enrolment in the EXPLORER-HCM trial and 339 (51.2%) for treatment with mavacamten according to European guidelines.Conclusions Real-world HOCM patients differ from the EXPLORER-HCM population for their older age, lower LVEF and larger atrial volume, potentially reflecting a more advanced stage of the disease. About half of real-world HOCM patients were found eligible to mavacamten

Victims of drug facilitated sexual assault aged 13-24: a cross sectional study on the pool of users of a sexual violence relief centre in Northern Italy

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the association between drugs and alcohol intake and sexual abuse in adolescents, otherwise defined as Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA). We considered the survivors who accessed care at the Centre "Soccorso Violenza Sessuale" (SVS - Sexual Violence Relief Centre) in Turin (Italy), between May 2003 and May 2022. We found that 973 patients aged 13-24 among which 228 were victims of DFSA. Epidemiological and anamnestic aspects of the episode of sexual violence were examined, with a specific focus on investigating the alcohol and/or drug intake as reported by the victim, along with the results of the toxicological analysis. the study further accounts for the variations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on DFSA-related accesses. Our findings show that 23% of adolescents accessing care at SVS were subjected to DFSA. Six out ten adolescents knew their aggressor, at times a partner (10%) oran acquaintance (43%). In 12% of cases violence was perpetrated by a group of people (12%). Almost 90% of young victims described alcohol consumption, while 37% reported drug use at the time of the assault. Alcohol taken alone or in combination with other substances was the most detected drug in our sample throughout the period considered. Given the large use of psychoactive substances among adolescents, it is imperative to implement harm reduction strategies alongside educational activities aimed at fostering awareness about consent. Health personnel should be trained to manage the needs of victims of DFSA clinically and forensically