Deamidation at Asparagine and Glutamine As a Major Modification upon Deterioration/Aging of Proteinaceous Binders in MuralPaintings

Proteomic strategies are herein proved to be a complementary approach to the well established amino acid composition analysis for the characterization of the aging and deterioration phenomena occurring to proteinaceous materials in works-of-art. Amino acid analyses on several samples demonstrated that proteins in the frescoes from the Camposanto Monumentale in Pisa are deteriorated as revealed by the decrease in Met, Lys, and Tyr content and by the presence in all the samples of amino malonic acid as a result of Ser, Phe, and Cys oxidation. Proteomic analysis identified deamidation at Asn and Gln as a further major event occurred. This work paves the way to the exploitation of proteomic strategies for the investigation of the molecular effects of aging and deterioration in historical objects. Results show that proteomic searches for deamidation by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) could constitute a routine analysis for paintings or any artistic and historic objects where proteins are present. Peptides that can be used as molecular markers when casein is present were identified

Community Structure of Terrestrial Invertebrates Inhabiting a Tidal Marsh Islet in the Mediterranean Sea (Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia)

The composition of the terrestrial arthropod community of a tidal marsh islet in the Gulf of Gabes (Tunisia) was studied during two seasons (spring, autumn). The study was conducted on a small islet located in an area where the highest tidal excursions of the Mediterranean occur. Standard trapping methods (pitfall traps, mobile cages) were used to evaluate specie richness and abundance in different areas of the islet. Diversity indices were calculated for coleopterans and isopods alone. The structure of the arthropod community varied a great deal from one season to the other and differences were found when seaward areas were compared with landward ones. El Bessila presented a particularly rich beetle community whereas only few isopod species occurred. The moderately high diversity levels found for the beetle indicate the influence of the high tidal excursions in modelling the structure of the community

Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Assess Feeding Value and Antinutritional Compounds in Legume Species

There is an increasing demand for information on the quality characteristics and chemical composition of forages in order to meet the demands of dietary specifications for feeding animals. Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy provides a tool for rapid and non-destructive analysis in agronomic and breeding programs of a number of chemical components of forages and grains. NIR spectroscopy in particular has the advantage of being able to simultaneously evaluate the samples for a number of qualitative traits of whole plants and seeds. In two experiments here presented, NIR Spectroscopy was used to predict: i) qualitative characteristics of field pea seeds and, as regards secondary metabolites responsible of detrimental or beneficial effects on animal nutrition ii) condensed tannins in legume forages, based on calibration sets of samples previously chemically analysed

Nitrogen and energy partitioning in two genetic groups of pigs fed low-protein diets at 130 kg body weight

The aim was to evaluate the effect of low-protein (LP) or low-amino acid diets on digestibility, energy and nitrogen (N) utilisation in 2 genetic groups (GG) of pigs (129±11 kg BW). Duroc×Large White (A) pigs were chosen to represent a traditional GG for ham production, and Danbred Duroc (D) pigs to represent a GG with fast growing rate and high carcass lean yield. Dietary treatments: a conventional diet (CONV) containing 13.2% CP, and two LP diets, one with LP (10.4%) and low essential AA (LP1), the second with LP (9.7%) and high essential AA (LP2). Compared to CONV, LP2 had the same essential AA content per unit feed, while LP1 the same essential AA content per unit CP. Feed was restricted (DMI=6.8% BW0.75). Four consecutive digestibility/balances periods were conducted with 24 barrows, 12 A and 12 D. Metabolic cages and respiration chambers were used. No significant difference between diets was registered for digestibility. Nitrogen excreted: 41.3, 33.4 and 29.0 g/d (P=0.009), for CONV, LP1 and LP2 diets, respectively. Nitrogen retention was similar between the diets. Heat production (HP) was the lowest for LP diets. There was a tendency (P=0.079) for a lower energy digestibility in D group. The D pigs also had a higher HP and hence a lower retained energy in comparison with the A pigs. In conclusion: it is possible to reduce N excretion using very LP diets and LP-low AA diets; Danbred GG have a higher heat production and a lower energy retention than A pigs

A mass spectrometric study on tannin degradation within dyed woolen yarns

Natural tannins from various plants have been used throughout human history in textile dyeing, often as mordant dyes. The ageing behavior of these dyes is a challenge in conservation science, requiring a thorough knowledge of the textile–mordant-dye system. In this work, we analyzed reference wool yarns dyed with natural tannins from oak gallnuts, walnut (Juglans regia), and catechu (Acacia catechu), after artificial ageing. To gain insights on the composition of the dyestuffs and on how they aged, an analytical procedure based on extraction with Na2EDTA/DMF (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid/dimethylformamide) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis using high-resolution mass spectrometry detection was used. Since conventional reversed-phase (RP) columns usually show poor retention efficiency of highly polar compounds such as tannins, an RP-amide embedded polar group stationary phase was used to achieve optimal retention of the most polar compounds. Tannins from oak gallnuts showed little degradation after ageing, while a significant increase in the content of hydroxybenzoic acids was observed for tannins from walnut and catechu. Finally, the analytical procedure was applied to characterize the tannin dyes in historical tapestries from the 15th to 16th century, and the results were discussed in comparison with the reference yarns

Occupational Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit

In recent years, the number of inpatient cardiovascular surgeries has significantly increased in hospitals around America. Occupational therapists in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center (Burlingame, California) currently lack a standard protocol for addressing physical, cognitive, and psychosocial factors in patients post cardiac surgery. Furthermore, interventions are frequently guided by professional experience and clinical reasoning instead of current evidence. The American Occupational Therapy Association’s Centennial Vision encourages occupational therapists to pursue science-driven practices and provide evidence-based interventions. In response to this vision, an extensive review of current literature was conducted and applied to develop an evidence-based clinical pathway for the occupational therapists at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center. The proposed clinical pathway includes intervention guidelines for physical recovery, early detection of cognitive impairment, and psychosocial health for patients post cardiac surgery recovering in the ICU. The clinical pathway would establish a standard of care and facilitate patients’ return to their highest level of function during post-cardiac surgery rehabilitation.https://scholar.dominican.edu/ug-student-posters/1032/thumbnail.jp

Impact of a day hospital facility on type and length of hospital stay: a cost-effectiveness analysis

We evaluated whether participation in rehabilitation activities carried out at the Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) of Castelfranco Emilia (Modena, Italy) is associated with an improvement in relevant clinical outcomes measures. Also, we performed a cost-effectiveness analysis to estimate any reduction in admission costs related to the intervention.d female patients, aged ≥18, from the caseload ofthe CMHC of Castelfranco Emilia. The study was approved by the Local Ethical Committee of the Province of Modena and by the Local Health Agency of Modena. The sample was divided into two groups. The firstgroup was made up of patients attending the day hospital facility between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2017. This group was compared with a non-experimental control group, made up of patients that did not attend the day hospital facility in the same period. Statistical analysis was performed by means of linear and logistic regressions, both univariate and multivariate. Also, Student’s t-test and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney’s Test were used, when appropriate.The sample was made up of 126 users (women: 57%),61 attending and 65 not attending the day hospital facility. Mean age was 49±14 years. The most common diagnoses were schizophrenic spectrum disorders (57%) and mood disorders (20%). The statistical analysis showed a reduction in the number of admissions in patients who attended the day hospital facility (z=2.79, P<0.01). By comparing attending and not attending patients, increased odds of voluntary admissions were noticeable among the former at the 10% significance level (OR=2.49, P=0.07). Compulsory admissions were more common in the control group rather than among patients attending the day hospital facility (38% vs. 19%, P=0.05). Also, though not confirmed at the multiple regression analysis, a trend towards an increase of the use of non-scheduled interventions and a reduction in the number of days as inpatients were noticeable among patients attending the day hospital facility. As far as the cost-effectiveness analysis is concerned, the estimated reduction in hospitalization costs was € 56.135 over 10 year

Occupational Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit

In recent years, the number of inpatient cardiovascular surgeries has significantly increased in hospitals around America. Occupational therapists in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center (Burlingame, California) lack a standard protocol for addressing physical, cognitive, and psychosocial factors in patients post cardiac surgery. Furthermore, individuals’ experience and clinical reasoning frequently guides interventions rather than current evidence. The American Occupational Therapy Association’s Centennial Vision encourages occupational therapists to pursue science-driven practices and provide evidence-based interventions. In response to this Vision, an evidence-based clinical pathway was developed for the occupational therapists at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center. The clinical pathway facilitates patients’ return to their highest level of function during post cardiac surgery rehabilitation. The proposed clinical pathway includes physical recovery, early detection of cognitive impairment, and psychosocial health for patients post cardiac surgery. The final clinical pathway was compiled into a clinical manual, entitled Clinical Pathway for Post Cardiac Surgery – Progression of Occupational Therapy in Intensive Care Unit, and adapted into a pocket guide