<i>De novo</i> synthesis of budding yeast DNA polymerase alpha and <i>POL1</i> transcription at the G₁/S boundary are not required for entrance into S phase

The POL1 gene, encoding DNA polymerase α(pol α) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is transiently transcribed during the cell cycle at the G1/S phase boundary. Here we show that yeast pol α is present at every stage of the cell cycle, and its level only slightly increases following the peak of POL1 transcription. POL1 mRNA synthesis driven by a GAL1 promoter can be completely abolished without affecting the growth rate of logarithmically growing yeast cultures for several cell divisions, although the amount of the pol α polypeptide drops below the physiological level. Moreover, α-factor-arrested cells can enter S phase and divide synchronously even if POL1 transcription is abolished. These results indicate that the level of yeast pol α is not rate limiting and de novo synthesis of the enzyme is not required for entrance into S phase

Sulfate Reducing Bacteria as Bio-cleaning Agents: Development of New Methodologies and Study Cases

In the last decades, the contribution of different scientific disciplines in the field of restoration and conservation of cultural heritage to finding alternative methods of investigation that are even more effective and fully respect artworks, operators and environment, has greatly increased. An example is the University of Milan patent that provides for the use of some specialized bacteria as cleaning agents. This method, known as biocleaning, is based on the use of Desulfovibrio vulgaris, a sulfate reducing bacterium, for the removal of sulfate alterations from stone surfaces. Recently, the university spin-off Micro4yoU purchased the patent by initiating a series of investments aimed at enhancing the commercial product from prototype. The present work describes: the desulfation mechanism operated by Desulfovibrio vulgaris and the technological shift necessary to obtain a biological formulation usable in situ, with two practical case studies

Sulfate Reducing Bacteria as Bio-cleaning Agents: Development of New Methodologies and Study Cases

In the last decades, the contribution of different scientific disciplines in the field of restoration and conservation of cultural heritage to finding alternative methods of investigation that are even more effective and fully respect artworks, operators and environment, has greatly increased.An example is the University of Milan patent that provides for the use of some specialized bacteria as cleaning agents. This method, known as biocleaning, is based on the use of Desulfovibrio vulgaris, a sulfate reducing bacterium, for the removal of sulfate alterations from stone surfaces.Recently, the university spin-off Micro4yoU purchased the patent by initiating a series of investments aimed at enhancing the commercial product from prototype. The present work describes: the desulfation mechanism operated by Desulfovibrio vulgaris and the technological shift necessary to obtain a biological formulation usable in situ, with two practical case studies.Negli ultimi decenni è cresciuto il contributo che le diverse discipline scientifiche hanno dato al recupero e alla conservazione del patrimonio artistico per trovare soluzioni sempre più efficaci e rispettose del bene, dell’operatore e dell’ambiente.Un esempio è un brevetto sviluppato dall’Università degli studi di Milano che prevede l’utilizzo di alcuni specifici batteri come agenti di pulitura. Tale metodo, indicato col termine di bio-pulitura propone, tra gli altri, l’impiego del batterio solfato riduttore Desulfovibrio vulgaris per la rimozione di alterazioni solfatiche da superfici litoidi. Recentemente, il brevetto è stato acquisito dallo spin-off universitario Micro4yoU che ha avviato una serie di investimenti per sviluppare, a partire dal prototipo di laboratorio, un prodotto commerciale.Nel presente lavoro verranno illustrati: il meccanismo di desolfatazione ad opera di Desulfovibrio vulgaris, il processo di trasferimento tecnologico affrontato per ottenere un formulato microbico utilizzabile in cantiere e due casi studio applicativi

The Gastrointestinal Microbiome and the Enteropathogenetic Syndromes

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Radiation hardness of Ce-doped sol-gel silica fibers for High Energy Physics applications

The results of irradiation tests on Ce-doped sol-gel silica using X- and g-rays up to 10 kGy are reported, in order to investigate the radiation hardness of this material for high energy physics applications. Sol-gel silica fibers with Ce concentrations of 0.0125 mol% and 0.05 mol% are characterized by means of optical absorption and attenuation length measurements before and after irradiation. The two different techniques give comparable results, evidencing the formation of a main broad radiation-induced absorption band, peaking at about 2.2 eV, related to radiation-induced color centers. The results are compared with those obtained on bulk silica. This study reveals that an improvement of the radiation hardness of Ce-doped silica fibers can be achieved by reducing Ce content inside the fiber core, paving the way for further material development

The effects of the exposure to neurotoxic elements on Italian schoolchildren behavior

Neurodevelopmental disorders are constantly increasing on a global scale. Some elements like heavy metals are known to be neurotoxic. In this cross-sectional study we assessed the neurobehavioral effect of the exposure to trace elements including lead, mercury, cadmium, manganese, arsenic and selenium and their interactions among 299 schoolchildren residing in the heavily polluted Taranto area in Italy. Whole blood, urine and hair were collected for metal analyses, while the Child Behavior Checklist and the Social Responsiveness Scale, administered to the main teacher and the mothers were considered to identify behavioral problems in children. Blood lead mainly influenced social problems, aggressive behavior, externalizing and total problems. Urinary arsenic showed an impact on anxiety and depression, somatic problems, attention problems and rule breaking behavior. A significant interaction between lead and arsenic was observed, with a synergistic effect of the two metals increasing the risk of attention problems, aggressive behavior, externalizing problems and total problems. Overall, we were able to test that higher blood lead, urinary arsenic concentrations and their interaction increase the risk of neurobehavioral problems. This is in line with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s priority list of hazardous substances where arsenic and lead are ranked as first and second respectively

Electron and ion spectroscopy of Azobenzene in the valence and core shells

Azobenzene is a prototype and building block of a class of molecules of extreme technological interest as molecularphoto-switches. We present a joint experimental and theoretical study of its response to irradiation with light across theUV to X-ray spectrum. The study of valence and inner shell photo-ionization and excitation processes, combined withmeasurement of valence photoelectron-photoion coincidence (PEPICO) and of mass spectra across the core thresholdsprovides a detailed insight onto the site- and state-selected photo-induced processes. Photo-ionization and excita-tion measurements are interpreted via the multi-configurational restricted active space self-consistent field (RASSCF)method corrected by second order perturbation theory (RASPT2). Using static modelling, we demonstrate that thecarbon and nitrogen K edges of Azobenzene are suitable candidates for exploring its photoinduced dynamics thanks tothe transient signals appearing in background-free regions of the NEXAFS and XP

Venetoclax in combination with hypomethylating agents in previously untreated patients with acute myeloid leukemia ineligible for intensive treatment: a real-life multicenter experience

The addition of venetoclax to hypomethylating agents (HMA-V) improved the outcome of patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) ineligible for intensive treatment. The aim of our study was to confirm data reported in literature, in a real-life multicenter experience. We retrospectively evaluated 56 naive AML patients who received HMA-V at 8 different collaborating Hematology Units in the North-East of Italy, from September 2018 to October 2020. Patients received azacitidine or decitabine at standard dose, adding venetoclax starting from cycle 1-3. The median time-to-response was 2 cycles and composite complete remission rate (CCR) was 67.9%. Thirteen out of 38 responders (34.2%) relapsed, with a median response duration of 13.7 months. Transfusion independence (TI) was obtained in 27 (87.0%) and 28 (90.3%) out of 31 patients for red blood cells and platelets, respectively. Median OS was 12.3 months (95% CI, 8.1-16.5), and median PFS was 11.3 months (95% CI, 4.6-17.9). Cytogenetic risk was the only variable impacting on survival, while no differences were observed stratifying patients by age, bone marrow blasts, WHO classification or type of HMA. In conclusion, our real-life multicenter experience indicates that HMA-V treatment allows achieving good response rates in naive AML patients, ineligible for intensive chemotherapy