A novel strigolactone-miR156 module controls stomatal behaviour during drought recovery

miR156 is a conserved microRNA whose role and induction mechanisms under stress are poorly known. Strigolactones are phytohormones needed in shoots for drought acclimation. They promote stomatal closure ABA-dependently and independently; however, downstream effectors for the former have not been identified. Linkage between miR156 and strigolactones under stress has not been reported. We compared ABA accumulation and sensitivity as well as performances of wt and miR156-overexpressing (miR156-oe) tomato plants during drought. We also quantified miR156 levels in wt, strigolactone-depleted and strigolactone-treated plants, exposed to drought stress. Under irrigated conditions, miR156 overexpression and strigolactone treatment led to lower stomatal conductance and higher ABA sensitivity. Exogenous strigolactones were sufficient for miR156 accumulation in leaves, while endogenous strigolactones were required for miR156 induction by drought. The “after-effect” of drought, by which stomata do not completely re-open after rewatering, was enhanced by both strigolactones and miR156. The transcript profiles of several miR156 targets were altered in strigolactone-depleted plants. Our results show that strigolactones act as a molecular link between drought and miR156 in tomato, and identify miR156 as a mediator of ABA-dependent effect of strigolactones on the after effect of drought on stomata. Thus, we provide insights into both strigolactone and miR156 action on stomata

The Mediating Role of Silent Synapses in the Incubation of Cocaine Craving

Cocaine addiction induces a plethora of physiological changes in the reward circuitry of the brain, making treatment a uniquely challenging problem (Koob et al,. 2016). The generation of silent synapses has emerged one of those key physiological changes (Huang et al,. 2013). Silent synapses have been studied in the context of learning and experienced-based plasticity for years, but their relevance to drug addiction has only recently been uncovered (Dong et al,. 2014; Kerchner et al, 2010). Because they lack AMPA receptors, silent synapses are unable to transmit excitatory postsynaptic currents at resting membrane potential (-70 mV) (Figure 1) (Kerchner et al,. 2010). They are abundant in the juvenile brain but sparser in adult brains, suggesting that they serve a kind of intermediate synapse that is eventually “unsilenced” by the recruitment of AMPA receptors as a result of learning during development (Dong et al,. 2014; Huang et al,. 2015; Namba et al,. 2018)

Synergies in Design and Health. The role of architects and urban health planners in tackling key contemporary public health challenges

Important public health improvements have been achieved over the past decades, but new challenges are emerging and progress cannot be taken for granted. Urban settlements host most of the global population, but they are also sources of several threats. The aim of the paper is to investigate the role of architects and planners in contributing to overcome these critical health challenges and propose strategic actions for collaboration with the public health workforce

Impact of Communicative and Informative Strategies on Influenza Vaccination Adherence and Absenteeism from Work of Health Care Professionals Working at the University Hospital of Palermo, Italy: A Quasi-Experimental Field Trial on Twelve Influenza Seasons

Every year, about 20% of health care workers (HCWs) acquire influenza, continuing to work and encouraging virus spreading. Influenza vaccination coverage rates and absenteeism from work among HCWs of the University Hospital (UH) of Palermo were analyzed before and after the implementation of several initiatives in order to increase HCWs’ awareness about influenza vaccination. Vaccines administration within hospital units, dedicated web pages on social media and on the UH of Palermo institutional web site, and mandatory compilation of a dissent form for those HCWs who refused vaccination were carried out during the last four influenza seasons. After the introduction of these strategies, influenza vaccination coverage went up from 5.2% (2014/2015 season) to 37.2% (2018/2019 season) (p < 0.001), and mean age of vaccinated HCWs significantly decreased from 48.1 years (95% CI: 45.7–50.5) to 35.9 years (95% CI: 35.0–36.8). A reduction of working days lost due to acute sickness among HCWs of the UH of Palermo was observed. Fear of adverse reactions and not considering themselves as a high-risk group for contracting influenza were the main reasons reported by HCWs that refused vaccination. Strategies undertaken at the UH of Palermo allowed a significant increase in vaccination adherence and a significant reduction of absenteeism from work

EFFICACIA DI UN INTERVENTO FORMATIVO RIVOLTO AGLI OPERATORI SANITARI DELL'AZIENDA OSPEDALIERA UNIVERSITARIA (AOU) POLICLINICO "P. GIACCONE" DI PALERMO, PRELIMINARE ALL'INIZIO DELLA CAMPAGNA DI VACCINAZIONE ANTINFLUENZALE STAGIONALE 2016/2017

INTRODUZIONE: La vaccinazione antin uenzale rappresenta la misura preventiva più ef cace nel limitare la diffusione del virus in uenzale ed il Ministero della Salute raccomanda fortemente tale misura precauzionale a tutti gli operatori sanitari (OS). Gli OS sono ripetutamente esposti al virus, rappresentando una delle principali fonti di contagio per i pazienti e anticipando la malattia in uenzale rispetto alla popolazione generale. In numerosi studi, gli OS hanno riportato che la strategia preferita per implementare le coperture antin uenzali tra gli stessi, era l’organizzazione di corsi di formazione multidisciplinare sulla tematica. In questa ottica è stato svolto un intervento formativo sulla vaccinazione antin uenzale tra gli OS di alcuni reparti della AOU Policlinico di Palermo, veri candone l’ef cacia nel modi care le coperture e le scelte vaccinali degli OS MATERIALI E METODI: Gli interventi formativi sono stati condotti presso le U.O. con pazienti a maggiore rischio di contrarre la patologia in uenzale (oncologia, UTIN, etc..). E’ stato somministrato preliminarmente all’intervento un questionario ai partecipanti e per ciascuno di essi sono stati selezionati due controlli, tra gli OS afferenti allo stesso reparto che non avevano aderito all’incontro formativo. RISULTATI: Hanno partecipato 38 OS (30,4%) su 125 soggetti arruolati. La copertura vaccinale nella seguente stagione vaccinale antin uenzale è stata del 37,2% tra i casi e del 26,2% tra i controlli. Tra coloro che hanno partecipato all’intervento formativo è risultato signi cativamente superiore (p<0,05) la percezione del rischio di poter trasmettere l’in uenza ai propri pazienti (94% vs 78%). CONCLUSIONI: Il lavoro svolto ha evidenziato una maggiore aderenza alla vaccinazione tra i partecipanti all’intervento formativo e, nonostante fosse solo un intervento pilota, la proposta di un corso di formazione multidisciplinare ha consentito di modi care in parte le conoscenze e competenze degli OS coinvolti favorendo l’adesione vaccinale. Tuttavia, la copertura raggiunta rimane ben al di sotto di quanto necessario per ridurre la diffusione del virus in uenzale nel contesto ospedaliero, rendendo fondamentale integrare una politica di vaccinazione obbligatoria per tutti gli OS in contatto con pazienti fragili o a rischio di contrarre l’in uenza

Determinants of vaccine hesitancy and effectiveness of vaccination counseling interventions among a sample of the general population in Palermo, Italy

Counteract vaccine hesitancy is a public health priority. Main objectives of the cross-sectional study conducted were to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding vaccination issues, to estimate the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy and to estimate the effectiveness of vaccination counseling on community advocacy in a sample of general population. An anonymous validated questionnaire was administered in April 2017 at the main shopping center of Palermo and was followed by tailored vaccination counseling interventions. To estimate the effectiveness of the interventions four main connection parameters to the vaccinarsi.org website were evaluated, in the two months before and after the intervention and in the two months before the intervention compared with the same period of previous and following years. Among the 299 subject enrolled 12.7% were hesitant about vaccinations, and 4.7% declared being against vaccinations. General practitioners (GPs) and pediatricians were the most affordable source of information about vaccinations. A higher probability of vaccination hesitancy/refusal was reported among subjects who considered “alternative strategies” the best way for the prevention of infectious diseases (adj-OR = 7.01, IC95% 2.88–17.09, p-value < 0.001). A considerable increase of all the vaccinarsi.org website indicators analyzed was observed, from the area in which survey participants lived. Prevalence of vaccine hesitancy among population surveyed is consistent with the literature data. HCWs, such as GPs and pediatricians, should play a key role in modifying personal convictions and choices about vaccinations. A proper vaccination counseling could improve attitudes regarding vaccination issues, such as quality of web-based research

Human Papilloma Virus Infection and Vaccination: Pre-Post Intervention Analysis on Knowledge, Attitudes and Willingness to Vaccinate Among Preadolescents Attending Secondary Schools of Palermo, Sicily

In recent years, vaccination coverage rates against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in Europe have shown a decreasing trend and remain below the required standard. The present study aims to assess knowledge and attitudes regarding HPV infection and vaccination among a representative sample of preadolescents of Palermo, Italy. A survey was carried out throughout two questionnaires, before and after carrying out an educational intervention scheduled during school hours. A total of 1702 students attending first-grade secondary schools of the province of Palermo were enrolled (response rate 68.9%). Students attending third classes (adj OR = 1.18; CI 95% 1.03-1.36), being of higher socioeconomic status (adj OR = 1.35; CI 95% 1.05-1.73), who had previously received information about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) at home (adj OR = 1.62; CI 95% 1.27-2.07) or at school (adj OR = 2.15; CI 95% 1.70-2.71) and who had ever heard in the past about HPV (adj OR = 1.80; CI 95% 1.42-2.29) showed a significantly higher baseline level of knowledge regarding HPV. Willingness to receive HPV vaccination, in a 10-point Likert scale, significantly increased between the pre- (8.51; SD \ub1 1.79) and post- (9.01 SD \ub1 1.52) intervention questionnaires (p &lt; 0.001). A total of 188 out of 272 (69.1%) preadolescents attending five out eighteen schools involved in the project, who had not previously received the HPV vaccine, were vaccinated. During past years, education campaigns on HPV were mainly dedicated to adult women, excluding teenagers and omitting young males. It should therefore be of primary importance that school-based education and vaccination programmes be standardized