Effects of olive and pomegranate by-products on human microbiota : a study using the SHIME (R) in vitro simulator

Two by-products containing phenols and polysaccharides, a "pate" (OP) from the extra virgin olive oil milling process and a decoction of pomegranate mesocarp (PM), were investigated for their effects on human microbiota using the SHIME (R) system. The ability of these products to modulate the microbial community was studied simulating a daily intake for nine days. Microbial functionality, investigated in terms of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and NH4+, was stable during the treatment. A significant increase in Lactobacillaceae and Bifidobacteriaceae at nine days was induced by OP mainly in the proximal tract. Polyphenol metabolism indicated the formation of tyrosol from OP mainly in the distal tract, while urolithins C and A were produced from PM, identifying the human donor as a metabotype A. The results confirm the SHIME (R) system as a suitable in vitro tool to preliminarily investigate interactions between complex botanicals and human microbiota before undertaking more challenging human studies

A new polystyrene-based ionomer/MWCNT nanocomposite for wearable skin temperature sensors

The present work outlines the fabrication and testing of a novel skin temperature sensor based on exfoliated and undamaged multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) dispersed in a poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) derivative with triethylamine (PVBC_Et3N). The dispersions were prepared by sonicating MWCNT/ PVBC_Et3N mixtures in dimethylformamide for 5 min and the quantification of the MWCNTs dispersed was evaluated by UV–vis spectroscopy investigations and thermogravimetric analyses. The investigations demonstrated the realization of MWCNT/PVBC_Et3N sensors with a resistance sensitivity to temperature close to 0.004 K1, an absolute value that is comparable to the highest values found in metals. The temperature dependence of the resistance was also found very reproducible in the range 20–40 C, thus suggesting the possibility of using the MWCNT/PVBC_Et3N system for the fabrication of small wearable temperature sensors for the monitoring of chronic wounds

Recent transmission clustering of HIV-1 C and CRF17_BF strains characterized by NNRTI-related mutations among newly diagnosed men in central Italy

Increased evidence of relevant HIV-1 epidemic transmission in European countries is being reported, with an increased circulation of non-B-subtypes. Here, we present two recent HIV-1 non-B transmission clusters characterized by NNRTI-related amino-acidic mutations among newly diagnosed HIV-1 infected men, living in Rome (Central-Italy)

Anal cytological abnormalities and epidemiological correlates among men who have sex with men at risk for HIV-1 infection

BACKGROUND: The incidence of anal cancer, a Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-related neoplasia, has been increasing in recent decades, mainly in men who have sex with men (MSM). Cytological changes of the anal epithelium induced by HPV can be detected through an anal pap smear. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and epidemiological correlates of anal cytological abnormalities among relatively young MSM at risk for HIV-1 infection, to help clarify whether or not this population deserves further investigation to assess the presence of anal cancer precursor lesions. METHODS: MSM were recruited among attendees of a large STI clinic for a HIV-1 screening program. Anal samples, collected with a Dracon swab in PreservCyt, were used both for liquid-based cytology and HPV testing by the Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test. Data regarding socio-demographic characteristics and sexual behavior were collected in face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: A total of 346 MSM were recruited (median age 32 years). Overall, 72.5% of the individuals had an anal HPV infection, with 56.1% of them being infected by oncogenic HPV genotypes. Anal cytological abnormalities were found in 29.8% of the cases (16.7% ASC-US and 13.1% L-SIL). Presence of ASC-US+ was strongly associated with infection by any HPV type (OR=4.21, 95% CI: 1.97-9.23), and particularly by HPV 16 and/or 18 (OR=5.62, 95% CI: 2.33-13.81). A higher proportion of ASC-US+ was found in older MSM, in those with a higher number of lifetime partners and in those with a history of ano-genital warts. However, none of these variables or the others analyzed showed any significant association with abnormal cytological findings. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of anal cytological abnormalities in about one third of the recruited MSM and their strong association with HPV infection, in particular that caused by HPV 16 and/or 18, might provide a further complement to the data that now support the introduction of HPV vaccination among MSM to protect them from the development of HPV-associated diseases. Additional studies are needed to determine whether and how screening for anal cancer precursor lesions should be performed in younger MSM

I precetti noachidi secondo Maimonide tra Torà e legge naturale nella rivisitazione di alcuni maestri contemporanei

Il saggio presenta la definizione e l’interpretazione di Maimonide delle sette leggi noahidi come si trovano nel codice halakhico Mishnè Torà, Hilkhot melakhim, e come discusse ed elaborate dal pensatore ebreo contemporaneo (tedesco-americano) Steven S. Schwarzschild. Rispetto ad altre versioni rabbiniche, l’interpretazione di Maimonide aggiunge la condizione che l’osservanza di quelle leggi è valida solo se sono accettate e rispettate come leggi rivelate, non solo come lex naturalis. Su tale condizione esiste un disaccordo tra gli studiosi e i rabbini ebrei, per esempio tra Marvin Fox e Aaron Lichtenstein (la loro posizione è un caso di studio presentato qui). Più specificamente, Schwarzschild argomenta a favore dell’interpretazione del Rambam e cerca di dimostrare che è coerente con la visione globale che Maimonide aveva dell’ebraismo in quanto tale. The essay presents Maimonides’ definition and interpretation of the seven Noahide laws as they are found in the halakhic code Mishnè Torà, Hilkhot melakhim, and as discussed and elaborated by the contemporary Jewish (German-American) thinker Steven S. Schwarzschild. In comparison with other rabbinical versions, Maimonides’ interpretation adds the condition that the observance of those laws is valid only if they are accepted and obeyed as revealed laws, not only as lex naturalis. About such a condition a disagreement exists among the Jewish scholars and rabbis, for example between Marvin Fox and Aaron Lichtenstein (their position is a case-study presented here). More deeply, Schwarzschild argues in favor of the Rambam’s interpretation and tries to demonstrate that it is consistent with the comprehensive vision Maimonides had on Judaism as such.The essay presents Maimonides’ definition and interpretation of the seven Noahide laws as they are found in the halakhic code Mishnè Torà, Hilkhot melakhim, and as discussed and elaborated by the contemporary Jewish (German-American) thinker Steven S. Schwarzschild. In comparison with other rabbinical versions, Maimonides’ interpretation adds the condition that the observance of those laws is valid only if they are accepted and obeyed as revealed laws, not only as lex naturalis. About such a condition a disagreement exists among the Jewish scholars and rabbis, for example between Marvin Fox and Aaron Lichtenstein (their position is a case-study presented here). More deeply, Schwarzschild argues in favor of the Rambam’s interpretation and tries to demonstrate that it is consistent with the comprehensive vision Maimonides had on Judaism as such

On line ma in studio: lavorare con l’équipe “diffusa”

This article explores a new modality of co-conducting family and couple sessions, involving a therapist in the room and one connected remotely. As with initial experimentations with online therapy, the idea of this unusual setting arose from the pragmatic need to ensure the continuation of ongoing therapies in a difficult circumstance. The authors illustrate their considerations, deriving from an initial experimentation of this organization of the therapeutic setting. They describe its characteristics, point out opportunities and limits, and compare them with those of a similar setup —the room with the one-way mirror. They proceed to highlight similarities between the two setups, as well as the peculiarities that set the new one apart. The new setting is described in its technical aspects, and the choice of tools and the motivations for its development are also discussed. Through brief accounts of clinical cases, the authors show how this mixed modality, with a team member occupying an "in-out" position, illuminates issues of therapy itself. These are the "rhythmic" aspects of the conversation and the conduction of the team with a female therapist and a male therapist.Questo articolo esplora una nuova modalità di co-conduzione della seduta familiare e di coppia che prevede la presenza di un terapeuta nella stanza e di uno collegato da remoto. Come per le iniziali sperimentazioni della terapia in remoto, anche l’idea di questo setting inedito nasce dall’esigenza pragmatica di garantire la prosecuzione di terapie già iniziate in una circostanza che lo rendeva difficile. Gli autori illustrano le proprie considerazioni derivanti da una prima sperimentazione di questa organizzazione del setting terapeutico evidenziandone peculiari caratteristiche, opportunità e limiti, e confrontandolo con l’assetto che appare immediatamente più simile: la stanza con lo specchio unidirezionale, evidenziando somiglianze e peculiarità di questo assetto che lo differenziano da quello più noto. Viene illustrato il nuovo setting nei suoi aspetti tecnici, insieme alla scelta degli strumenti e alle motivazioni che l’hanno guidata. Attraverso alcuni brevi riferimenti a casi clinici viene illustrato il modo in cui questa modalità mista, con un membro dell’équipe in posizione “dentro-fuori”, illumina aspetti della terapia tout-court, relativi agli aspetti “ritmici” della conversazione e alla conduzione dell’équipe costituita da una terapeuta donna e un terapeuta uomo

Telecommand Rejection Probability in CCSDS-Compliant LDPC-Coded Space Transmissions with Tail Sequence

According to the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) recommendation for TeleCommand (TC) synchronization and coding, the Communications Link Transmission Unit (CLTU) consists of a start sequence, followed by coded data, and a tail sequence, which might be optional depending on the employed coding scheme. With regard to the latter, these transmissions traditionally use a modified Bose–Chaudhuri–Hocquenghem (BCH) code, to which two state-of-the-art Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) codes were later added. A low-complexity approach classically used to detect CLTU termination is to choose a non-correctable string as the tail sequence, and then exploit the decoder failure on that sequence as termination detection. This works very well with the BCH code, for which bounded-distance decoders are employed. Instead, when the same approach is employed with LDPC codes and probabilistic belief propagation iterative decoders, the scenario becomes more challenging. In this paper, we study CCSDS-compliant space communications in which LDPC codes are employed, and analyze the TC rejection probability both theoretically and through intensive numerical simulations. Such a performance figure, being the rate at which CLTUs are discarded, should clearly be minimized. Our numerical analysis considers many different choices of the system parameters (e.g., length of the CLTU, decoding algorithm, maximum number of decoding iterations). Particular attention is devoted to the probability of not-acknowledged termination, i.e., the probability that the tail sequence is not recognized

Lymphocyte Cell-Cycle Inhibition by HLA-G Is Mediated by Phosphatase SHP-2 and Acts on the mTOR Pathway

Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) is involved in regulating T-cell responses through its interaction with inhibitory receptors belonging to the immunoglobulin-like transcript family (ILT). In this context, we investigated the pathways involved in the control of cell-cycle entry of T cells following HLA-G interaction with its inhibitory receptor. We show that HLA-G acts through its interaction with the LILRB1 receptor expressed on T lymphocytes. Both HLA-G and LILRB1 antibodies block the inhibitory effect of HLA-G and restore T-cell proliferation. The interaction of HLA-G with T lymphocytes is associated with phosphorylation of SHP-2 phosphatase, but not SHP-1. In addition, in activated T cells, their incubation with HLA-G is not associated with a decrease in the TCR or CD28 downstream pathways, but is associated with dephosphorylation of the mTOR molecule and p70S6K. In contrast, Akt, which acts upstream of mTOR, is not affected by HLA-G. The inhibition of SHP-2 by NSC-87877(5 µM), a chemical inhibitor of SHP-2, or the use of siRNA, abrogates dephosphorylation of mTOR and impairs the overexpression of p27kip in the presence of HLA-G. Together, these results indicate that HLA-G is associated with activation of phosphatase SHP-2, which inhibits the mTOR pathway and favors the inhibition of the cell-cycle entry of human-activated T cells

Single-boson exchange decomposition of the vertex function

We present a decomposition of the two-particle vertex function of the single-band Anderson impurity model which imparts a physical interpretation of the vertex in terms of the exchange of bosons of three flavors. We evaluate the various components of the vertex for an impurity model corresponding to the half-filled Hubbard model within dynamical mean-field theory. For small values of the interaction almost the entire information encoded in the vertex function corresponds to single-boson exchange processes, which can be represented in terms of the Hedin three-leg vertex and the screened interaction. Also for larger interaction, the single-boson exchange still captures scatterings between electrons and the dominant low-energy fluctuations and provides a unified description of the vertex asymptotics. The proposed decomposition of the vertex does not require the matrix inversion of the Bethe-Salpeter equation. Therefore, it represents a computationally lighter and hence more practical alternative to the parquet decomposition