Bioerosion on a Terebratula scillae population from the Lower Pleistocene of Lecce area (Southern Italy)

This paper deals with shell bioerosion in a population of Terebratula scillae SEGUENZA from the Lower Pleistocene in Lecce area, Southern Italy. The most important traces belong to shell breakage attributed to predatory activity; borings (Entobia isp., Maeandropolydora isp.); drill holes (Oichnus simplex BROMLEY; Oichnus isp.); and etching scars (Centrichnus eccentricus BROMLEY and MARTINELL; Podichnus centrifugalis BROMLEY and SURLYK). The distribution analysis of the traces of epibiosis on the shells of T. scillae induces us to think that we are dealing with a pedicle-anchored form, living with completely raised valves. Besides, both percentage and nature of predation marks (probably due to gastropods or decapod crustaceans) do not depose for a very intense predation pressure.El presente artículo trata sobre la bioerosión en las conchas de una población de Terebratula scillae SEGUENZA del Pleistoceno inferior del área de Lecce, Sur de Italia. Las principales trazas pertenecen a roturas de la concha atribuidas a la actividad de depredadores; perforaciones (Entobia isp., Maeandropolydora isp.); agujeros (Oichnus simplex BROMLEY; Oichnus isp.); e impresiones (Centrichnus eccentricus BROMLEY and MARTINELL; Podichnus centrifugalis BROMLEY and SURLYK). El análisis de la distribución de las trazas de epibiosis sobre las conchas de T. scillae induce a pensar que se trata de una forma anclada mediante el pedículo, que vivía con las valvas completamente levantadas. Por otra parte, ni los porcentajes ni la naturaleza de las señales de depredación (probablemente debidas a gasterópodos o a crustáceos decápodos) indican una presión de depredación demasiado intensa

Bioerosion on a Terebratula scillae population from the Lower Pleistocene of Lecce area (Southern Italy)

This paper deals with shell bioerosion in a population of Terebratula scillae SEGUENZA from the Lower Pleistocene in Lecce area, Southern Italy. The most important traces belong to shell breakage attributed to predatory activity; borings (Entobia isp., Maeandropolydora isp.); drill holes (Oichnus simplex BROMLEY; Oichnus isp.); and etching scars (Centrichnus eccentricus BROMLEY and MARTINELL; Podichnus centrifugalis BROMLEY and SURLYK).The distribution analysis of the traces of epibiosis on the shells of T. scillae induces us to think that we are dealing with a pedicleanchored form, living with completely raised valves. Besides, both percentage and nature of predation marks (probably due to gastropods or decapod crustaceans) do not depose for a very intense predation pressure

Impact of hypoglycemia on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and their quality of life, work productivity, and medication adherence.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that correlate with greater risk of hypoglycemia and determine the impact of hypoglycemia on health-related quality of life, work productivity, and medication adherence from a patient perspective.MethodsData from a large web-based survey were retrospectively analyzed. Adults with a diagnosis of T2DM taking antihyperglycemic agents were included in the analysis. Participants with knowledge of their hypoglycemic history were divided into three groups: those experiencing recent hypoglycemia (previous 3 months), those experiencing nonrecent hypoglycemia, and those never experiencing hypoglycemia.ResultsOf the participants with T2DM taking antihyperglycemic agents who were knowledgeable of their hypoglycemia history, 55.7% had ever experienced hypoglycemia. Of those, 52.7% had recent hypoglycemia. Compared with those who never experienced hypoglycemia, those who experienced hypoglycemia tended to: be younger; be more aware of their glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels; have higher HbA1c levels; have a higher body mass index; have higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores; be on insulin, sulfonylureas, and/or glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists; and be less adherent to their antihyperglycemic agents. Hypoglycemia interfered with social activities, caused more missed work (absenteeism), more impairment while at work (presenteeism), and decreased overall work productivity compared with patients who had never experienced hypoglycemia. Overall health-related quality of life, as determined by the Short Form-36 health questionnaire, was negatively impacted by hypoglycemia. Both Physical and Mental Summary scores were significantly lower for the recent hypoglycemia and nonrecent hypoglycemia groups compared with the never hypoglycemia group.ConclusionHypoglycemia can negatively impact many aspects of life. Greater awareness of those who are at risk for developing hypoglycemia can lead to the development of measures (eg, patient and physician education) to prevent future hypoglycemia episodes

PARP inhibitors in BRCA1/BRCA2 germline mutation carriers with ovarian and breast cancer

BRCA and poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) regulate pathways of DNA repair. Due to the accumulation of mutations introduced by error-prone DNA repair, breast and ovarian cancers develop in the setting of BRCA deficiency. A series of recent clinical trials has tested the use of PARP inhibition as a therapeutic strategy to target BRCA-deficient tumors

Niobium superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors

We investigate the performance of superconducting nanowire photon detectors fabricated from ultra-thin Nb. A direct comparison is made between these detectors and similar nanowire detectors fabricated from NbN. We find that Nb detectors are significantly more susceptible than NbN to thermal instability (latching) at high bias. We show that the devices can be stabilized by reducing the input resistance of the readout. Nb detectors optimized in this way are shown to have approximately 2/3 the reset time of similar large-active-area NbN detectors of the same geometry, with approximately 6% detection efficiency for single photons at 470 nm

Multistep, sequential control of the trafficking and function of the multiple sulfatase deficiency gene product, SUMF1 by PDI, ERGIC-53 and ERp44.

Sulfatase modifying factor 1 (SUMF1) encodes for the formylglicine generating enzyme, which activates sulfatases by modifying a key cysteine residue within their catalytic domains. SUMF1 is mutated in patients affected by multiple sulfatase deficiency, a rare recessive disorder in which all sulfatase activities are impaired. Despite the absence of canonical retention/retrieval signals, SUMF1 is largely retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where it exerts its enzymatic activity on nascent sulfatases. Part of SUMF1 is secreted and paracrinally taken up by distant cells. Here we show that SUMF1 interacts with protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and ERp44, two thioredoxin family members residing in the early secretory pathway, and with ERGIC-53, a lectin that shuttles between the ER and the Golgi. Functional assays reveal that these interactions are crucial for controlling SUMF1 traffic and function. PDI couples SUMF1 retention and activation in the ER. ERGIC-53 and ERp44 act downstream, favoring SUMF1 export from and retrieval to the ER, respectively. Silencing ERGIC-53 causes proteasomal degradation of SUMF1, while down-regulating ERp44 promotes its secretion. When over-expressed, each of three interactors favors intracellular accumulation. Our results reveal a multistep control of SUMF1 trafficking, with sequential interactions dynamically determining ER localization, activity and secretion

Why consumers drink natural wine? Consumer perception and information about natural wine

Similar to other foods, the concept of natural wine is much debated due to the lack of a clear and regulated definition, leading to a proliferation of heterogeneous norms and standards proposed from different natural wine associations at national levels. The current study explored the aspects which mediate individuals’ information and perception of natural wine, and the rationale behind natural wine consumption behavior among Italian (n = 501) and Spanish (n = 527) regular wine consumers. The results reveal a quite low self-reported degree of perceived information by Italian respondents and slightly higher levels among Spanish ones. The key drivers of natural wine consumption in both countries are wine consumption frequency, information, and natural product interest. In contrast, higher wine involvement levels decrease natural wine consumption frequency in both Italy and Spain. The findings also show that different perceptions lead to diverse motivations, suggesting the need for more homogeneous standards to mitigate the level of information asymmetry currently on the market

Reset dynamics and latching in niobium superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors

We study the reset dynamics of niobium (Nb) superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) using experimental measurements and numerical simulations. The numerical simulations of the detection dynamics agree well with experimental measurements, using independently determined parameters in the simulations. We find that if the photon-induced hotspot cools too slowly, the device will latch into a dc resistive state. To avoid latching, the time for the hotspot to cool must be short compared to the inductive time constant that governs the resetting of the current in the device after hotspot formation. From simulations of the energy relaxation process, we find that the hotspot cooling time is determined primarily by the temperature-dependent electron-phonon inelastic time. Latching prevents reset and precludes subsequent photon detection. Fast resetting to the superconducting state is therefore essential, and we demonstrate experimentally how this is achieved

Consumers’ reactions to nutrition and ingredient labelling for wine – A cross-country discrete choice experiment

The purpose of this study is to examine consumers' reactions to the introduction of nutrition and ingredient labelling for wine, a product that is so far still exempt from mandatory nutrition and ingredient labelling. It also analyses the effect of positive and negative information about the use of ingredients in wine on consumers' choice. Representative samples for wine consumers from three distinctly different countries representing old and new wine markets (Australia, n = 745; Germany, n = 716; Italy, n = 715) completed a discrete choice experiment (DCE) with graphically simulated wine back labels. For each country, respondents were randomly allocated to a reference group and two different treatment conditions where they received newspaper-like information (positive, negative) before making choices. Results for the reference condition show that consumers across all three countries have a significant positive utility for detailed nutrition information. Instead, ingredient information only receives a positive utility in Italy, whereas German and Australian respondents do not receive utility from ingredient labelling. When consumers in the treatment group are confronted with negative media information the attribute importance of ingredients significantly increases across all three countries, clean labelled products without ingredients are preferred, and a significantly higher share of consumers in Germany and Italy prefer not to buy any wine. The treatment effect of positive media information on consumers’ wine choice is lower than that of negative information. The results of the study have implications for the pending new regulation of wine labelling and for communication strategies of the wine industry that should actively inform consumers about the necessity of ingredients in wine production

Square-planar vs. Trigonal bipyramidal geometry in Pt(II) complexes containing triazole-based glucose ligands as potential anticancer agents

This article describes the synthesis, characterization, and biological activity of novel square-planar cationic platinum(II) complexes containing glucoconjugated triazole ligands and a comparison with the results obtained from the corresponding five-coordinate complexes bearing the same triazole ligands. Stability in solution, reactivity with DNA and small molecules of the new compounds were evaluated by NMR, fluorescence, and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, together with their cytotoxic action against pairs of immortalized and tumorigenic cell lines. The results show that the square-planar species exhibit greater stability than the corresponding five-coordinate ones. Furthermore, although the square-planar complexes are less cytotoxic than the latter ones, they exhibit a certain selectivity. These results simultaneously demonstrate that overall stability is a fundamental prerequisite for preserving the performance of the agents and that coordinative saturation constitutes a point in favor of their biological action