Implementação do algoritmo em Matlab® do método de diagonalização filtrada para análises de sinais de ressonância magnética nuclear.

No título, em Matlab® o símbolo é sobrescrito

Not only editing: a cas-cade of CRISPR/cas-based tools for functional genomics in plants and animals

The advent of CRISPR/Cas9 technology has revolutionized genome editing, enabling the attainment of once-unimaginable goals. CRISPR/Cas’s groundbreaking attributes lie in its simplicity, versatility, universality, and independence from customized DNA-protein systems, erasing the need for specialized expertise and broadening its scope of applications. It is therefore more and more used for genome modification including the generation of mutants. Beyond such editing scopes, the recent development of novel or modified Cas-based systems has spawned an array of additional biotechnological tools, empowering both fundamental and applied research. Precisely targeting DNA or RNA sequences, the CRISPR/Cas system has been harnessed in fields as diverse as gene regulation, deepening insights into gene expression, epigenetic changes, genome spatial organization, and chromatin dynamics. Furthermore, it aids in genome imaging and sequencing, as well as effective identification and countering of viral pathogens in plants and animals. All in all, the non-editing aspect of CRISPR/Cas exhibits tremendous potential across diverse domains, including diagnostics, biotechnology, and fundamental research. This article reviews and critically evaluates the primary CRISPR/Cas-based tools developed for plants and animals, underlining their transformative impac

Cell wall remodeling mediated by specific PME genes plays a role in grapevine response to Botrytis cinerea

Botrytis cinerea (Bc) is one of the main pathogens affecting the cultivated grapevine. A key role in grapevine tissue colonization is played by cell wall (CW) remodeling driven by CW Modifying Enzymes (CWMEs), expressed both by the host and the pathogen. Their action can impact CW integrity and trigger specific immune signaling, thus influencing Bc infection outcome. To further characterize the role of the CW in the grapevine response to Bc, two contrasting genotypes in their resistance to the fungus were artificially inoculated at full bloom. RNA-seq analysis and biochemical characterization of the CW and its modification in samples collected at 24 hours post-inoculation highlighted significant differences between genotypes. A gene set enrichment analysis indicated several over-represented categories upon infection, with a general down-regulation of those genes related to CW organization and pectin modification, mostly in the resistant genotype. Within the down-regulated CWMEs, Pectin Methyl-Esterase (PME) genes were found highly represented. Unlike, VviPME10 was significantly induced upon infection and was further characterized since its putative ortholog in Arabidopsis was associated with resistance to Bc. VviPME10 promoter hosts several predicted binding sites for VviWRKY3, a defense-associated transcription factor, as highlighted by DAP-seq analysis. This evidence is under confirmation by luciferase assays. In addition, the artificial inoculation with Bc of leaves from six VviPME10 knock-out (KO) edited lines showed significantly larger lesion areas when compared to control plants at 5 dpi. Together, these results suggest that pectin modification, mediated by VviPME10, plays an important role in the grapevine response to Bc

Developmental Strategy and Validation of the Midwifery Interventions Classification (MIC): A Delphi Study Protocol and Results from the Developmental Phase

This study protocol aims to describe the rationale and developmental strategy of the first study in the Italian context which aimed to define a Midwifery Interventions Classification, an evidence-based, standardized taxonomy and classification of midwifery interventions. Midwifery interventions require a specific definition, developed through a consensus-building process by stakeholders to develop the Italian taxonomy of the Midwifery Interventions Classification with the potential for international transferability, implementation, and scaling up. A multi-round Delphi study was designed between June and September 2022, and data collection is planned between February 2023 and February 2024. The developmental phase of the study is based on a literature review to select meaningful midwifery interventions from the international literature, aiming to identify an evidence-based list of midwifery interventions. This phase led to including 16 articles derived from a systematic search performed on PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus; 164 midwifery interventions were selected from the data extraction performed on the 16 included articles. Healthcare professionals, researchers, and service users will be eligible panelists for the Delphi surveys. The protocol designed a dynamic number of consultation rounds based on the ratings and interim analysis. A nine-point Likert scoring system is designed to evaluate midwifery interventions. Attrition and attrition bias will be evaluated. The results from the study designed in this protocol will inform the development of the Italian taxonomy of the Midwifery Interventions Classification. A shared classification of midwifery interventions will support audit and quality improvement, education, and comparable data collections for research, sustaining public recognition of midwifery interventions to promote optimal maternal and newborn health

Health determinants in italian type 2 diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients : a critical gender differences analysis

Different studies described the important role of wellbeing, self-care and self-efficacy (i.e. health determinants) to achieve best health outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients. However, literature has paid little attention to highlight the possible gender differences related to the T2DM perception of those health determinants. For these reason, the aim of this study was to describe T2DM patients' gender differences related to their wellbeing, self-care and self-efficacy. This study was performed by a secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional research, conducted in an outpatient setting in Northern Italy. Data was collected from March 2014 and July 2016 in a cohort of 115 T2DM outpatients, aged from 60 to 91 years (mean = 69.78 \ub1 7.11). Our results showed that men perceived more general wellbeing than women, and more diabetes specific self-efficacy. No differences seemed to be related to self-care. Indeed, the stratification by gender of the bivariate analysis allowed to identify many peculiarities related to wellbeing domains and self-efficacy. This study had a pioneering nuance in Italian assessment of T2DM health determinants, and it could have a number of future implications. Further empirical researches should provide more information to deeply understand the T2DM patients' peculiarities, which could help nurses to improve a personalized care delivery

The Italian midwifery core outcome set (M-COS) for healthy childbearing women and newborns: Development and initial validation study

Objective This study aimed to develop and validate a midwifery core outcome set (M-COS) for Italian settings based on a salutogenic framework of maternity care. Design A multi-phase and multi-method study was performed. In phase one, we conducted a literature review to identify a preliminary set of outcomes sensitive to midwifery care. In phase two, the qualitative and quantitative content validity of the M-COS was tested. Finally, in the third phase, construct validity was explored through a cross-sectional study to assess the psychometric properties of the M-COS through exploratory and confirmative factor analysis. This study was conducted from December 2019 to April 2020 in Italy. Participants Three main groups of experts/midwives were involved. Group One (n = 10) was involved in the content validity phase, while the other two groups (Group Two and Group Three) were involved in the construct validity phase (n = 300). Results The M-COS includes six outcome domains and thirty-one core outcomes perceived as sensitive to midwifery care, namely: mortality and morbidity (n = 6 outcomes), childbirth (n = 3), postnatal period (n = 6), maternal health (n = 11), maternal-infant bonding (n = 3), and maternal self-care (n = 2). All domains showed good evidence of internal consistency. Conclusion The Italian M-COS is a novel tool that will facilitate the consistent measurement of core outcomes sensitive to midwifery care from the antenatal to the postnatal period in Italian settings. This initial work will be followed by further studies, including validation by service users. Implications for practice The use of the M-COS in clinical practice would facilitate evidence-based data collection and thus contribute to promoting high-quality maternity care

Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy: A Systematic Review of Psychometric Properties Using COSMIN

Background: Breastfeeding self-efficacy has been proven to play a predictive role in enhancing breastfeeding initiation and continuation. Breastfeeding self-efficacy measurement tools have facilitated healthcare professionals’ early identification and support of women at higher risk of early discontinuation of breastfeeding. Research Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of breastfeeding self-efficacy measurement tools. Method: A systematic review was carried out in three phases. Phase One comprised a systematic literature review performed in PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from February 2021 to January 2023, including 36 studies for final analysis. Phase Two provided a quality appraisal of the psychometric properties of each of the seven breastfeeding self-efficacy measurement tools, according to COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instrument checklist (COSMIN) guidelines. Phase Three summarized and graded the overall quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) modified approach. Result: The included articles comprised 9,225 participants and seven breastfeeding self-efficacy measurement tools. The Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale – Short Form (BSES-SF), and Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale were supported by Grade A evidence sustaining their validity and reliability to assess breastfeeding self-efficacy in the continuum of maternity care. The BSES-SF is the most feasible tool in clinical practice and the most utilized internationally, available in 15 languages. Conclusion: This systematic review provided a Grade A recommendation on breastfeeding measurement tools that will be helpful both for clinical and research purposes