Loss of Pediatric Kidney Grafts During the “High–Risk Age Window”: Insights From Pediatric Liver and Simultaneous Liver–Kidney Recipients

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/110551/1/ajt12985.pd

Protective role of vitamin B6 (PLP) against DNA damage in Drosophila models of type 2 diabetes

Growing evidence shows that improper intake of vitamin B6 increases cancer risk and several studies indicate that diabetic patients have a higher risk of developing tumors. We previously demonstrated that in Drosophila the deficiency of Pyridoxal 5' phosphate (PLP), the active form of vitamin B6, causes chromosome aberrations (CABs), one of cancer prerequisites, and increases hemolymph glucose content. Starting from these data we asked if it was possible to provide a link between the aforementioned studies. Thus, we tested the effect of low PLP levels on DNA integrity in diabetic cells. To this aim we generated two Drosophila models of type 2 diabetes, the first by impairing insulin signaling and the second by rearing flies in high sugar diet. We showed that glucose treatment induced CABs in diabetic individuals but not in controls. More interestingly, PLP deficiency caused high frequencies of CABs in both diabetic models demonstrating that hyperglycemia, combined to reduced PLP level, impairs DNA integrity. PLP-depleted diabetic cells accumulated Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs) that largely contribute to CABs as α-lipoic acid, an AGE inhibitor, rescued not only AGEs but also CABs. These data, extrapolated to humans, indicate that low PLP levels, impacting on DNA integrity, may be considered one of the possible links between diabetes and cancer

Supramolecular thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomer materials with self-healing ability based on oligomeric charged triblock copolymers

Supramolecular polymeric materials constitute a unique class of materials held together by non-covalent interactions. These dynamic supramolecular interactions can provide unique properties such as a strong decrease in viscosity upon relatively mild heating, as well as self-healing ability. In this study we demonstrate the unique mechanical properties of phase-separated electrostatic supramolecular materials based on mixing of low molar mass, oligomeric, ABA-triblock copolyacrylates with oppositely charged outer blocks. In case of well-chosen mixtures and block lengths, the charged blocks are phase separated from the uncharged matrix in a hexagonally packed nanomorphology as observed by transmission electron microscopy. Thermal and mechanical analysis of the material shows that the charged sections have a T-g closely beyond room temperature, whereas the material shows an elastic response at temperatures far above this T-g ascribed to the electrostatic supramolecular interactions. A broad set of materials having systematic variations in triblock copolymer structures was used to provide insights in the mechanical properties and and self-healing ability in correlation with the nanomorphology of the materials

Actual and forecasted vulnerability assessment to seawater intrusion via galdit-susi in the volturno river mouth (Italy)

Coastal areas have become increasingly vulnerable to groundwater salinization, especially in the last century, due to the combined effects of climate change and growing anthropization. In this study, a novel methodology named GALDIT-SUSI was applied in the floodplain of the Volturno River mouth for the current (2018) and future (2050) evaluation of seawater intrusion accounting for the expected subsidence and groundwater salinization rates. Several input variables such as digital surface model, land use classification, subsidence rate and drainage system have been mapped via remote sensing resources. The current assessment highlights how areas affected by salinization coincide with the semiperennial lagoons and inland depressed areas where paleosaline groundwaters are present. The future assessment (2050) shows a marked increase of salinization vulnerability in the coastal strip and in the most depressed areas. The results highlight that the main vulnerability driver is the Revelle index, while predicted subsidence and recharge rates will only slightly affect groundwater salinization. This case study indicates that GALDIT-SUSI is a reliable and easy-to-use tool for the assessment of groundwater salinization in many coastal regions of the world

Ottimizzazione della conservazione post-raccolta di fiori recisi di peonia

La qualità dei fiori recisi è definita principalmente dall’aspetto estetico e dalla durata post-raccolta che dipende da diversi fattori (genotipo della specie, fattori preraccolta, condizioni di conservazione ecc.). Nell’ambito del progetto PSR finanziato dalla Regione Liguria «Ottiprogram» sono state studiate possibili strategie per migliorare la conservazione di diversi fiori rilevanti per il settore economico, tra cui la peonia (Paeonia lactiflora L.), la cui maturità delle gemme, con le loro riserve di zuccheri alla raccolta, condiziona notevolmente la sua durata e qualità post-raccolta. Sono state effettuate prove di conservazione di lunga durata in cui, oltre alle basse temperature, sono stati testati diversi trattamenti post-raccolta con il fine soprattutto di aumentare il periodo di disponibilità di questo fiore sul mercato. In particolare, dopo aver valutato le caratteristiche quanti-qualitative iniziali con analisi in vivo (fluorescenza della clorofilla a, livelli di clorofilla e azoto fogliare) e distruttive (dosaggio di clorofilla a + b, carotenoidi, zuccheri totali, nitrati, fenoli e antociani a livello fogliare), dodici fiori per tesi sono trattati per 24 ore a 4 °C con acqua (controllo), tidiazuron 10 μM (TDZ 10 μM), 1-metilcicloproene 500 ppb (1-MCP), glicerolo 10 mM (Gly 10 mM) e TDZ 10 μM + Gly 10 mM + 1-MCP. Alla fine del trattamento gli steli sono stati conservati a 4 °C in acqua. Dopo quindici giorni, un primo gruppo di fiori è stato conservato in acqua a 20 °C e valutato per le caratteristiche quanti-qualitative a diversi tempi (0, 4, 12 e 14 giorni). Lo stesso procedimento è stato svolto per un secondo gruppo di fiori ad un mese dai trattamenti. Per quanto riguarda la conservazione a 15 giorni, tutti i fiori mostravano leggeri segni di senescenza a partire dal decimo giorno dall’uscita dalla cella refrigerata. I trattamenti con Gly 10 mM e la combinazione dei tre diversi trattamenti hanno permesso di notare potenziali benefici in fase di post-raccolta, mantenendo una migliore qualità del fiore: il 66% e 33% dei fiori, rispettivamente, erano ancora vitali dopo 12 e 14 giorni e negli stessi trattamenti si è registrata anche una minore perdita di peso fresco. Le analisi in vivo e i livelli di clorofilla su peonie conservate per 30 giorni, hanno mostrato che tutti i fiori mostravano segni di senescenza a partire dal settimo giorno, solo nei fiori trattati con Gly 10 mM si è riusciti ad ottenere una maggiore conservazione del fiore fino al dodicesimo giorno, in cui il 50% dei fiori trattati aveva ancora una qualità apprezzabile. Tuttavia, un’importante differenza tra la conservazione a 15 giorni e quella a 30 è rappresentata dalla misurazione del diametro dell’infiorescenza: infatti, sebbene i diversi trattamenti non abbiano influito su questo parametro, l’apertura del fiore, e quindi il suo completo sviluppo, era fortemente inibita dopo 30 giorni di conservazione a 4 °C. Questo potrebbe rappresentare un ulteriore importante risultato nella scelta dei tempi di conservazione della peonia

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Laparoscopy in management of appendicitis in high-, middle-, and low-income countries: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency worldwide. Differences between high- and low-income settings in the availability of laparoscopic appendectomy, alternative management choices, and outcomes are poorly described. The aim was to identify variation in surgical management and outcomes of appendicitis within low-, middle-, and high-Human Development Index (HDI) countries worldwide. METHODS: This is a multicenter, international prospective cohort study. Consecutive sampling of patients undergoing emergency appendectomy over 6 months was conducted. Follow-up lasted 30 days. RESULTS: 4546 patients from 52 countries underwent appendectomy (2499 high-, 1540 middle-, and 507 low-HDI groups). Surgical site infection (SSI) rates were higher in low-HDI (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.33-4.99, p = 0.005) but not middle-HDI countries (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.76-2.52, p = 0.291), compared with high-HDI countries after adjustment. A laparoscopic approach was common in high-HDI countries (1693/2499, 67.7%), but infrequent in low-HDI (41/507, 8.1%) and middle-HDI (132/1540, 8.6%) groups. After accounting for case-mix, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.71, p < 0.001) and SSIs (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.33, p < 0.001). In propensity-score matched groups within low-/middle-HDI countries, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.11-0.44) and SSI (OR 0.21 95% CI 0.09-0.45). CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic approach is associated with better outcomes and availability appears to differ by country HDI. Despite the profound clinical, operational, and financial barriers to its widespread introduction, laparoscopy could significantly improve outcomes for patients in low-resource environments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02179112

Guías para aplicación de Normas de Calidad para los procesos de Ingeniería de Software en productos desarrollados con Lenguajes de Programación Open Source: relevamiento y aplicación en PYMES de la zona de influencia de la UNER Concordia

El Software Libre u Open Source es una forma de licenciamiento que da a los usuarios la libertad de compartir, estudiar y modificar el software. Este paradigma ha tenido impedimentos para su adopción en ambientes empresariales y comerciales debido a concepciones en muchos casos erróneas. En la actualidad, varias de estas ideas se han desmitificado, brindando una dosis de realidad a las oportunidades y obstáculos de esta filosofía. Esto se manifiesta en una evolución y aceptación paulatina de la adopción de software libre como temática central en la Ingeniería de Software. Este contexto plantea la necesidad de contar con estándares de medición y certificación de calidad específicos para productos de Software Libre y de las competencias y desempeño de empresas y profesionales que utilicen, generen y promocionen el Software Libre. Este proyecto de investigación propuso la formulación de marcos metodológicos y modelos de certificación relacionados con software libre y lenguajes de programación open source, tanto para empresas usuarias como desarrolladoras. De esta manera, se pretendió dar valor agregado y ventaja competitiva a las empresas y profesionales que utilicen, desarrollen y/o promuevan el Software Libre y las tecnologías abiertas

SNP Discovery and Linkage Map Construction in Cultivated Tomato

Few intraspecific genetic linkage maps have been reported for cultivated tomato, mainly because genetic diversity within Solanum lycopersicum is much less than that between tomato species. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the most abundant source of genomic variation, are the most promising source of polymorphisms for the construction of linkage maps for closely related intraspecific lines. In this study, we developed SNP markers based on expressed sequence tags for the construction of intraspecific linkage maps in tomato. Out of the 5607 SNP positions detected through in silico analysis, 1536 were selected for high-throughput genotyping of two mapping populations derived from crosses between ‘Micro-Tom’ and either ‘Ailsa Craig’ or ‘M82’. A total of 1137 markers, including 793 out of the 1338 successfully genotyped SNPs, along with 344 simple sequence repeat and intronic polymorphism markers, were mapped onto two linkage maps, which covered 1467.8 and 1422.7 cM, respectively. The SNP markers developed were then screened against cultivated tomato lines in order to estimate the transferability of these SNPs to other breeding materials. The molecular markers and linkage maps represent a milestone in the genomics and genetics, and are the first step toward molecular breeding of cultivated tomato. Information on the DNA markers, linkage maps, and SNP genotypes for these tomato lines is available at http://www.kazusa.or.jp/tomato/