Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) in the context of Immunosuppression. Genetic analysis of noncoding control region (NCCR) variability among a HIV-1-positive population

Background: Since limited data are available about the prevalence of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and the genetic variability of its noncoding control region (NCCR) in the context of immunosuppression, this study aimed to investigate the distribution of MCPyV in anatomical sites other than the skin and the behavior of NCCR among an HIV-1-positive population. Methods: Urine, plasma, and rectal swabs specimens from a cohort of 66 HIV-1-positive patients were collected and subjected to quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for MCPyV DNA detection. MCPyV-positive samples were amplified by nested PCR targeting the NCCR, and NCCRs alignment was carried out to evaluate the occurrence of mutations and to identify putative binding sites for cellular factors. Results: MCPyV DNA was detected in 10/66 urine, in 7/66 plasma, and in 23/66 rectal samples, with a median value of 5 × 102 copies/mL, 1.5 × 102 copies/mL, and 2.3 × 103 copies/mL, respectively. NCCR sequence analysis revealed a high degree of homology with the MCC350 reference strain in urine, whereas transitions, transversions, and single or double deletions were observed in plasma and rectal swabs. In these latter samples, representative GTT and GTTGA insertions were also observed. Search for putative binding sites of cellular transcription factors showed that in several strains, deletions, insertions, or single base substitutions altered the NCCR canonical configuration. Conclusions: Sequencing analysis revealed the presence of numerous mutations in the NCCR, including insertions and deletions. Whether these mutations may have an impact on the pathogenic features of the virus remains to be determined. qPCR measured on average a low viral load in the specimens analyzed, with the exception of those with the GTTGA insertion

Overlooking Volterra's landscape.

We have worked for a requalification project of a garden in the Tuscan landscape. The garden has a charming overview of the surrounding landscape characterized by spectacular formations of badlands, a view of Volterra’s town, woodlands and cultivated fields that change aspect every month. The garden, whose extension is about two hectares, is close to an ancient rural building, now undergone to restructuring in order to obtain a holiday housing complex. Since all the trees have been abandoned the first phase of the project requires the safety implementation by applying modern arboriculture techniques. The difficult agronomic characteristics that affect the area, (clayey soil, orography characterized by high slopes and summer drought) combined with the impossibility of reaching groundwater due to excessive depth, have bound the project phase to a preliminary identification of the most suitable plant species and have determined the need to install a phytopurification system of sewage waters to recycle them for the garden’s irrigation. The need to reduce the visual impact of the built complex and the infrastructures attached to it, safeguarding at the same time the exciting views that open from this stage on Volterra’s landscape, has been solved with the insertion of autochthonous arboreal and shrubby species. In conclusion the project of the garden requalification has been developed with the intent to preserve the spectacular views, to valorise the historical traces of the place, to favour the social cohesion among the different user typologies and to minimize maintenance costs

Bone marrow transplantation in children using 'HLA-partially-matched' family donors

..

Modulatory Properties of Food and Nutraceutical Components Targeting NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation

Inflammasomes are key intracellular multimeric proteins able to initiate the cellular inflammatory signaling pathway. NLRP3 inflammasome represents one of the main protein complexes involved in the development of inflammatory events, and its activity has been largely demonstrated to be connected with inflammatory or autoinflammatory disorders, including diabetes, gouty arthritis, liver fibrosis, Alzheimer’s disease, respiratory syndromes, atherosclerosis, and cancer initiation. In recent years, it has been demonstrated how dietary intake and nutritional status represent important environmental elements that can modulate metabolic inflammation, since food matrices are an important source of several bioactive compounds. In this review, an updated status of knowledge regarding food bioactive compounds as NLRP3 inflammasome modulators is discussed. Several chemical classes, namely polyphenols, organosulfurs, terpenes, fatty acids, proteins, amino acids, saponins, sterols, polysaccharides, carotenoids, vitamins, and probiotics, have been shown to possess NLRP3 inflammasome-modulating activity through in vitro and in vivo assays, mainly demonstrating an anti-NLRP3 inflammasome activity. Plant foods are particularly rich in important bioactive compounds, each of them can have different effects on the pathway of inflammatory response, confirming the importance of the nutritional pattern (food model) as a whole rather than any single nutrient or functional compound

Wild bees in agroecosystems and semi-natural landscapes. 1997-2000 collection period in Italy

The diversity of the Italian bee fauna was investigated over a four-year period at 52 sites in 8 Italian regions of Italy (Piedmont, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, Molise, Sicily, and Sardinia). A previously agreed sampling methodology was used, and the bee collection protocol was based upon the transept method. The sampling sites were chosen within an agricultural landscape. An account on data processing concerning 8,674 captured specimens is presented. Over one third of the known Italian fauna, i. e. 355 species, were recorded. Three species, Hylaeus kahri F\uf6rster, 1871, Lasioglossum subaenescens (P\ue9rez, 1896) and Osmia niveibarbis P\ue9rez, 1902, are new records, and 45 species showed an enlarged distribution area. Seventyone percent of the bee species collected in the Italian agroecosystems and semi-natural landscapes are distributed in the Palearctic ecozone. The remaining 29% of the bee species are present in Europe: some species mostly occur in Central Europe, whereas others occur also in the Mediterranean countries. The 74.6% (total No. 265) of the 355 censused species was present in agroecosystems, and 81.4% (total No. 289) in semi-natural landscapes. The bee fauna composition varies along the North-South direction of the peninsula, with Halictidae being more abundant in Northern Italy and Anthophoridae more abundant in the South