Phenols content and 2-D electrophoresis protein pattern: a promising tool to monitor Posidonia meadows health state

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The endemic seagrass <it>Posidonia oceanica </it>(L.) Delile colonizes soft bottoms producing highly productive meadows that play a crucial role in coastal ecosystems dynamics. Human activities and natural events are responsible for a widespread meadows regression; to date the identification of "diagnostic" tools to monitor conservation status is a critical issue. In this study the feasibility of a novel tool to evaluate ecological impacts on <it>Posidonia </it>meadows has been tested. Quantification of a putative stress indicator, <it>i.e</it>. phenols content, has been coupled to 2-D electrophoretic protein analysis of rhizome samples.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall expression pattern from <it>Posidonia </it>rhizome was determined using a preliminary proteomic approach, 437 protein spots were characterized by p<it>I </it>and molecular weight. We found that protein expression differs in samples belonging to sites with high or low phenols: 22 unique protein spots are peculiar of "low phenols" and 27 other spots characterize "high phenols" samples.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>Posidonia </it>showed phenols variations within the meadow, that probably reflect the heterogeneity of environmental pressures. In addition, comparison of the 2-D electrophoresis patterns allowed to highlight qualitative protein expression differences in response to these pressures. These differences may account for changes in metabolic/physiological pathways as adaptation to stress. A combined approach, based on phenols content determination and 2-D electrophoresis protein pattern, seems a promising tool to monitor <it>Posidonia </it>meadows health state.</p

The Ionosphere Prediction Service

The aim of the Ionosphere Prediction Service (IPS) project is to design and develop a prototype platform to translate the prediction and forecast of the ionosphere effects into a service customized for specific GNSS user communities. The project team is composed by Telespazio (coordinator), Nottingham Scientific Ltd, Telespazio Vega Deutschland, the University of Nottingham, the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” and the Italian Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV). The IPS development is conceived of two concurrent activities: prototype service design and development & research activity that will run along the whole project. Service design and development is conceived into four phases: user requirements collection, architecture specification, implementation and validation of the prototype. A sub-activity analyses also the integration feasibility in the Galileo Service center, located in Madrid. The research activity is the scientific backbone of IPS that will provide the models and algorithms for the forecasting products.PublishedUniversity of Exeter United Kingdom2A. Fisica dell'alta atmosfera7SR AMBIENTE – Servizi e ricerca per la societ

The polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibitor NMS-P937 is effective in a new model of disseminated primary CD56+ acute monoblastic leukaemia

CD56 is expressed in 15–20% of acute myeloid leukaemias (AML) and is associated with extramedullary diffusion, multidrug resistance and poor prognosis. We describe the establishment and characterisation of a novel disseminated model of AML (AML-NS8), generated by injection into mice of leukaemic blasts freshly isolated from a patient with an aggressive CD56+ monoblastic AML (M5a). The model reproduced typical manifestations of this leukaemia, including presence of extramedullary masses and central nervous system involvement, and the original phenotype, karyotype and genotype of leukaemic cells were retained in vivo. Recently Polo-Like Kinase 1 (PLK1) has emerged as a new candidate drug target in AML. We therefore tested our PLK1 inhibitor NMS-P937 in this model either in the engraftment or in the established disease settings. Both schedules showed good efficacy compared to standard therapies, with a significant increase in median survival time (MST) expecially in the established disease setting (MST = 28, 36, 62 days for vehicle, cytarabine and NMS-P937, respectively). Importantly, we could also demonstrate that NMS-P937 induced specific biomarker modulation in extramedullary tissues. This new in vivo model of CD56+ AML that recapitulates the human tumour lends support for the therapeutic use of PLK1 inhibitors in AML

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Third mandibular molar and inferior alveolar nerve: a clinical case of a software elaboration

In few cases third molar in so close to the inferior alveolar nerve that during the extraction is possible to damage the nerve. The damage can expose the patient to the risk of post-operative neuro sensitive alterations of the skin and the mucosa of the homolateral lower lip and chin. The anatomical relationship between the tooth and the nerve can be investigated pre-operatively by mean of the radiographic techniques currently available. In this article is described the case of a third mandibular molar that a first investigation with a orthopantogram show positive radiographic signs of a close relationship between the IAN and the third molar. To evaluated better the relatonship, a Dental CT Scan is prescribed, DICOM image acquisition and a 3D reconstruction and analysis with a software is made: Nobel Clinician. The results: when there are positive radiograph signs of close relationship between IAN and third molar there is the indication to prescibe a CT scan, and the support of a software is not indispensable but it can be a very significant help

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Pre-operative Very Low Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD) vs. Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD): Surgical Impact

Pre-operative diet may play an important role as far as patients' fitness for surgery, post-operative outcomes, and successful weight loss. Our aim was\ua0to compare surgical outcome and weight loss in two groups of patients who were offered two different pre-operative kinds of diet: very low calorie diet (VLCD) and very low calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD)