Photochemical Chemoselective Alkylation of Tryptophan-Containing Peptides

We report a photochemical method for the chemoselective radical functionalization of tryptophan (Trp)-containing peptides. The method exploits the photoactivity of an electron donor-acceptor complex generated between the tryptophan unit and pyridinium salts. Irradiation with weak light (390 nm) generates radical intermediates right next to the targeted Trp amino acid, facilitating a proximity-driven radical functionalization. This protocol exhibits high chemoselectivity for Trp residues over other amino acids and tolerates biocompatible conditions

The economic impact of moderate stage Alzheimer's disease in Italy: Evidence from the UP-TECH randomized trial

Background: There is consensus that dementia is the most burdensome disease for modern societies. Few cost-of-illness studies examined the complexity of Alzheimer's disease (AD) burden, considering at the same time health and social care, cash allowances, informal care, and out-of-pocket expenditure by families. Methods: This is a comprehensive cost-of-illness study based on the baseline data from a randomized controlled trial (UP-TECH) enrolling 438 patients with moderate AD and their primary caregiver living in the community. Results: The societal burden of AD, composed of public, patient, and informal care costs, was about �20,000/yr. Out of this, the cost borne by the public sector was �4,534/yr. The main driver of public cost was the national cash-for-care allowance (�2,324/yr), followed by drug prescriptions (�1,402/yr). Out-of-pocket expenditure predominantly concerned the cost of private care workers. The value of informal care peaked at �13,590/yr. Socioeconomic factors do not influence AD public cost, but do affect the level of out-of-pocket expenditure. Conclusion: The burden of AD reflects the structure of Italian welfare. The families predominantly manage AD patients. The public expenditure is mostly for drugs and cash-for-care benefits. From a State perspective in the short term, the advantage of these care arrangements is clear, compared to the cost of residential care. However, if caregivers are not adequately supported, savings may be soon offset by higher risk of caregiver morbidity and mortality produced by high burden and stress. The study has been registered on the website www.clinicaltrials.org (Trial Registration number: NCT01700556). Copyright � International Psychogeriatric Association 2015

Socioeconomic Predictors of the Employment of Migrant Care Workers by Italian Families Assisting Older Alzheimer's Disease Patients: Evidence from the Up-Tech Study

Background: The availability of family caregivers of older people is decreasing in Italy as the number of migrant care workers (MCWs) hired by families increases. There is little evidence on the influence of socioeconomic factors in the employment of MCWs. Method: We analyzed baseline data from 438 older people with moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD), and their family caregivers enrolled in the Up-Tech trial. We used bivariate analysis and multilevel regressions to investigate the association between independent variables - education, social class, and the availability of a care allowance - and three outcomes - employment of a MCW, hours of care provided by the primary family caregiver, and by the family network (primary and other family caregivers). Results: The availability of a care allowance and the educational level were independently associated with employing MCWs. A significant interaction between education and care allowance was found, suggesting that more educated families are more likely to spend the care allowance to hire a MCW. Discussion: Socioeconomic inequalities negatively influenced access both to private care and to care allowance, leading disadvantaged families to directly provide more assistance to AD patients. Care allowance entitlement needs to be reformed in Italy and in countries with similar long-term care and migration systems. � 2015 The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved

A survey of clinical features of allergic rhinitis in adults

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) has high prevalence and substantial socio-economic burden. Material/Methods: The study included 35 Italian Centers recruiting an overall number of 3383 adult patients with rhinitis (48% males, 52% females, mean age 29.1, range 18\u201345 years). For each patient, the attending physician had to fill in a standardized questionnaire, covering, in particular, some issues such as the ARIA classification of allergic rhinitis (AR), the results of skin prick test (SPT), the kind of treatment, the response to treatment, and the satisfaction with treatment. Results: Out of the 3383 patients with rhinitis, 2788 (82.4%) had AR: 311 (11.5%) had a mild intermittent, 229 (8.8%) a mild persistent, 636 (23.5%) a moderate-severe intermittent, and 1518 (56.1%) a moderate-severe persistent form. The most frequently used drugs were oral antihistamines (77.1%) and topical corticosteroids (60.8%). The response to treatment was judged as excellent in 12.2%, good in 41.3%, fair in 31.2%, poor in 14.5%, and very bad in 0.8% of subjects. The rate of treatment dissatisfaction was significantly higher in patients with moderate-to-severe AR than in patients with mild AR (p<0.0001). Indication to allergen immunotherapy (AIT) was significantly more frequent (p<0.01) in patients with severe AR than with mild AR. . Conclusions: These fndings confirm the appropriateness of ARIA guidelines in classifying the AR patients and the association of severe symptoms with unsuccessful drug treatment. The optimal targeting of patients to be treated with AIT needs to be reassessed

Effects of middle-term land reclamation on nickel soil-water interaction: a case study from reclaimed salt marshes of Po River Delta, Italy

Reclaimed salt marshes are fragile environments where water salinization and accumulation of heavy metals can easily occur. This type of environment constitutes a large part of the Po River Delta (Italy), where intensive agricultural activities take place. Given the higher Ni background of Po River Delta soils and its water-soluble nature, the main aim of this contribution is to understand if reclamation can influence the Ni behavior over time. In this study, we investigated the geochemical features of 40 soils sampled in two different localities from the Po River Delta with different reclamation ages. Samples of salt marsh soils reclaimed in 1964 were taken from Valle del Mezzano while soils reclaimed in 1872 were taken nearby Codigoro town. Batch solubility tests and consecutive determination of Ni in pore-water were compared to bulk physicochemical compositions of soils. Bulk Ni content of the studied soils is naturally high, since these soils originated from Po River sediments derived from the erosion of ultramafic rocks. Moreover, it seems that Ni concentration increases during soil evolution, being probably related to the degradation of serpentine. Instead, the water-soluble Ni measured in the leaching tests is greater in soils recently reclaimed compared to the oldest soils. Soil properties of two soil profiles from a reclaimed wetland area were examined to determine soil evolution over one century. Following reclamation, pedogenic processes of the superficial horizons resulted in organic matter mineralization, pH buffer, and a decrease of Ni water solubility from recently to evolved reclaimed soil. © 2017, Springer International Publishing AG.This work has been supported by EC LIFE+ funding to ZeoLIFE project (LIFE+10 ENV/IT/000321) and by the project ALPIMED (PIE-CSIC-201530E082).Peer reviewe

Antixenosis evaluation in bean germoplasm (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) against Bemisia tabaci Gennadius

Abstracts del XXIV Annual Scientific Meeting, celebrado del 8-10 de noviembre 2007, en Tafí del Valle, Tucumán, Argentina.One of the main limitations to bean yields is the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. It is an important worldwide pest that causes direct and indirect damages leading to yield decrease in crops. The objective was to evaluate antixenosis by the analysis of attraction and oviposition preference of Bemisia tabaci, biotype A, in seven bean cultivars, using free choice tests. The following parameters were measured: number of adults on the abaxial leaf surface; number of eggs/ leaf; number of eggs/ cm2; the attraction index (AI) and the oviposition preference index (OPI) were calculated. Genotypes Light Red Kidney and Gateado had the highest number of eggs/leaf. Both cultivars and Alubia, the susceptible control, showed the greatest values for number of eggs/ cm2 and OPI. On the other hand, AI was highest for Light Red Kidney, Gateado and Alubia. This last genotype showed the highest values for both AI and OPI indexes. We may conclude that Borlotti Bush, Borlotti Clio, Borlotti Lengua de Fuego and Cannellini were the most resistant cultivars to B. tabaci while Alubia, Light Red Kidney and Gateado expressed greatest susceptibility to the insect.Peer reviewe

Evaluación de antixenosis en germoplasma de poroto (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) frente a Bemisia tabaci

Trabajo presentado al citado congreso, celebrado del 8-11 de noviembre 2007, en Tafí del Valle, Tucumán, Argentina.Peer reviewe

Migrant care workers as protective factor against caregiver burden: results from a longitudinal analysis of the EUROFAMCARE study in Italy

Objective. The aim of the analysis is to assess the impact of privately employed Migrant Care Workers (MCWs) on the burden of Italian family members who are caring for a disabled older person. Methods. EUROFAMCARE is a one-year prospective survey carried out to provide evidence on the availability and use of support services by family carers of older people in Europe. In Italy, 990 family caregivers were enrolled and successful follow-ups were completed for 863 subjects. The survey assessed also the level of caregiver burden using the COPE index, which has three sub-sections: “Positive Value”(-PV), “Quality of Support”(-QS) and “Negative Impact”(-NI). We used the one-year change of the COPE-NI as dependent variable and we realised multilevel regression models to estimate the longitudinal predictors of caregivers’ burden increase. Results. At cross-sectional level, the most burdened caregivers are those caring for a demented relative (COPE-NI=13.6), with no educational title (14.5) and looking after their own spouses (15.1). Longitudinally those employing a MCW are significantly protected against burden increase (regression coefficient:-1.52;p<0.01) while those who cannot rely on the support of other family members are exposed to the risk of burden increase (0.991;p<0.05).Other formal services do not have any protective effect. Conclusion. Our study suggests that employing a MCW, rather than using formal services, is associated with a reduction of caregiving burden. Further research should assess whether the shift in care responsibilities to MCWs implies also a transfer of care burden, and understand how these workers can be better supported by existing formal services

Relative preliminary study to the caracterization of the resistance to Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in bean

Trabajo presentado al XL Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Phytopathological Society - XL Congresso Brasileiro de Fitopatologia, celebrado del 13-17 de agosto 2007, en Maringá, Brasil.La mosca blanca B. tabaci es una limitante en la producción de poroto, principal cultivo extensivo del noroeste argentino. Dentro del manejo integrado de plagas se destaca la resistencia de la planta hospedante, que brinda una solución práctica y de menor costo. Se intentó detectar y caracterizar preliminarmente los mecanismos de resistencia a B. tabaci en siete cultivares de poroto (Borlotti Bush, Borlotti Clio, Borlotti Lengua de Fuego, Cannellini, Light Red Kidney, Gateado y Alubia (control susceptible). Se empleó una población de moscas de la provincia de Corrientes-Argentina, caracterizadas molecularmente (RAPD) como biotipo B. Se determinaron variables indicadoras de antibiosis (tasa de mortalidad, número de huevos, ninfas y adultos) y de antixenosis (área total e intensidad de las manchas de las excreciones del insecto) bajo condiciones de no escogencia. La cuantifi cación de huevos, ninfas y adultos teniendo en cuenta la tasa de mortalidad, indican que el cultivar más susceptible para B. tabaci es Alubia y los más resistentes son B. Bush, B. Clio, L. R. K. En cuanto a la antixenosis, Cannellini y L. R. K. fueron los genotipos más susceptibles y B. Lengua de Fuego, el más resistente.Peer reviewe