Campus by the Sea: Adapting the Landscape to Evolving Salinity

A lush green campus has been the American University of Beirut (AUB) flagship for the last five decades. The present decade however, saw the water well bear the brunt of growing population, decreased rainfall, and unsustainable consumption[1]. The bliss of the neighboring sea turned into a curse, as the aquifers fell short, and the extraction overload left the water table brackish and polluted. To mitigate the recently increased salinity, we combined the responsible consumption goal with the experiential education, and the innovative use of infrastructure. Water use awareness drove this effort. Luckily, the water network availed (regarding the plan to segregate the brackish network from the main waterlines). Same for the health system (streamlined vaccination program[2]) and the educational facility (greenhouse/nursery labs) both of which were intrinsic to this collaboration. Returning the greenery without spending too much green!Keyword: Innovation in adaptation, SDGs in education, Salinity tolerance, Greenery in brackish settings, Green Metrics Campu

Exploring the genetics of asthma:from gene variants to targeted treatments

My PhD thesis aimed to improve our understanding and treatment of asthma. I focused on studying the genetic factors that contribute to asthma and how they affect the disease in different individuals. By investigating these genetic differences, I aimed to uncover new insights into the underlying mechanisms of asthma and identify potential targets for personalized treatment approaches. Through my research, I discovered specific genetic markers associated with asthma and explored their implications for different aspects of the disease, such as allergies and airway blockage. I also examined how genes are expressed in asthma-related tissues to gain a better understanding of the biological processes involved. One significant finding was related to a specific signalling pathway in the airways, which could have important implications for the development of targeted therapies. Overall, my thesis contributes to advancing our knowledge of asthma and lays the foundation for more personalized and effective strategies to diagnose and treat this complex condition

L’impianto di termovalorizzazione di Sesto San Giovanni: efficienza energetica ed economia circolare

Lo scopo primario di questa tesi è la valutazione dell’efficienza energetica tramite il calcolo dell’indice R1 discriminante la termovalorizzazione e lo smaltimento. Per il calcolo del R1 sono state seguite le indicazioni europee , che si basano sul metodo indiretto per il calcolo del rendimento termico della caldaia. Inoltre, questa tesi, si pone anche l’obbiettivo di introdurre il concetto dell’economia circolare per giustificare uno dei motivi principali per il revamping previsto dell’impianto attuale. . A tale scopo, sarà fornita la descrizione preliminare del nuovo impianto dedicato al trattamento dei fanghi, con particolare attenzione all’analisi delle sezioni interessate al processo nonché della metodologia del recupero del fosforo che concludono lo schema previsto per l’applicazione dell’economia circolare

Vitamin D and Female Reproduction

Vitamin D deficiency has an impact on the reproduction of more than 40% of reproductive age women globally. Fibroids are more common among African-American females owing to their decreased milk consumption and reduced absorption of ultraviolet rays, supporting the relation between vitamin D deficiency and fibroid development. Vitamin D has an inhibitory effect on leiomyoma cells by suppression of proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), BCL-2, BCL-w, CDK1, and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) protein levels. A growing evidence support the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and endometriosis through overexpression of vitamin D recseptor (VDR) and α-hydroxylase enzyme, however, it is still unclear if the endometriosis patients could benefit from vitamin D supplementation. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on the metabolic outcomes of polycystic ovary (PCO) has been studied and reveled that it is negatively correlated with fasting glucose, fasting insulin, triglycerides, C-reactive protein, free androgen index, and Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS) and positively associated with quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and sexual hormone binding globulin (SHBG), whereas its impact on the ovarian function is still unclear. Vitamin D deficiency may worse the obstetrical outcomes, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, low birth weight, increased cesarean section rate, neonatal asthma, seizures, and preterm labor. The relationship between serum levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25(OH) D) and pregnancy rates in ART is still debatable, with the need to conduct more clinical trials toward it. The in vitro antiproliferative and prodifferentiative effect of vitamin D might find a role in control of hyperplastic overactive bladder. Several studies support that vitamin D deficiency constitutes a risk factor for development of many types of cancer such as breast, ovarian, and colorectal

Neither a novel tau proteinopathy nor an expansion of a phenotype: Reappraising clinicopathology-based nosology

The gold standard for classification of neurodegenerative diseases is postmortem histopathol-ogy; however, the diagnostic odyssey of this case challenges such a clinicopathologic model. We evaluated a 60-year-old woman with a 7-year history of a progressive dystonia–ataxia syndrome with supranuclear gaze palsy, suspected to represent Niemann–Pick disease Type C. Postmortem evaluation unexpectedly demonstrated neurodegeneration with 4-repeat tau deposition in a distribution diagnostic of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Whole-exome sequencing revealed a new het-erozygous variant in TGM6, associated with spinocerebellar ataxia type 35 (SCA35). This novel TGM6 variant reduced transglutaminase activity in vitro, suggesting it was pathogenic. This case could be interpreted as expanding: (1) the PSP phenotype to include a spinocerebellar variant; (2) SCA35 as a tau proteinopathy; or (3) TGM6 as a novel genetic variant underlying a SCA35 phenotype with PSP pathology. None of these interpretations seem adequate. We instead hypothesize that impairment in the crosslinking of tau by the TGM6-encoded transglutaminase enzyme may compromise tau functionally and structurally, leading to its aggregation in a pattern currently classified as PSP. The lessons from this case study encourage a reassessment of our clinicopathology-based nosology.Fil: Marsili, Luca. University of Cincinnati; Estados UnidosFil: Sharma, Jennifer. University of Cincinnati; Estados UnidosFil: Espay, Alberto J.. University of Cincinnati; Estados UnidosFil: Migazzi, Alice. Universita degli Studi di Trento; ItaliaFil: Abdelghany, Elhusseini. University of Cincinnati; Estados UnidosFil: Hill, Emily J.. University of Cincinnati; Estados UnidosFil: Duque, Kevin R.. University of Cincinnati; Estados UnidosFil: Hagen, Matthew C.. University of Cincinnati; Estados UnidosFil: Stephen, Christopher D.. Harvard Medical School; Estados UnidosFil: Kovacs, Gabor G.. University of Toronto; CanadáFil: Lang, Anthony E.. University of Toronto; CanadáFil: Hadjivassiliou, Marios. University Of Sheffield (university Of Sheffield);Fil: Basso, Manuela. Universita degli Studi di Trento; ItaliaFil: Kauffman, Marcelo Andres. Universidad Austral. Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional; ArgentinaFil: Sturchio, Andrea. University of Cincinnati; Estados Unido

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

The design and sythesis of small molecule modulators of the arylhydrocarbon receptor and NRF2 transcription factors

Carcinogenesis is a complex process which requires a number of modifications to the genome in order to progress to tumor formation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been identified as one of the causes of these mutations. The cellular response to ROS is to upregulate the production of an array of detoxifying enzymes. The transcription factors Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-p45 related factor 2) and the AhR (arylhydrocarbon receptor) are modulators of antioxidant response element and xenobiotic response element regulated genes respectively. These proteins control biological responses to a range of redox, electrophilic and non-endogenous compounds by controlling the expression of overlapping groups of proteins involved in phase I and II metabolism, redox control and anti-inflammatory activity. In the context of cancer cells, activation of these pathways has been associated with cytoprotective activity in the case of Nrf2 and various activities including cytotoxic activity in the case of the AhR. The ligands that activate or inhibit these transcription factors partially overlap and there is cross-talk between the two signalling pathways. A chemical biology approach was explored to elaborate series of heterocyclic inducers of Nrf2 and the AhR with a focus on flavone-like compounds (flavones, flavanols, flavanones, chalcones) and flavone isosteres (2-phenylbenzothiazole, 2-phenylbenzothiophenes and 3,5-diphenylisoxazolines). The aims were to characterise the behaviour of these isosteric compounds in relation to their Nrf2 inducing activity and/or AhR-dependent cytotoxicity. Structural modifications that develop structure-activity relationships and modify drug-like or drug delivery properties were invistigated. The synthesis of selected compounds and the initial biological studies are presented in this thesis

Phosphorus supplementation raised the heart rate of male water polo players during a randomised graded dryland exercise test

Objective The impact of phosphorus supplementation on athletic performance is unclear. Ingestion of phosphorus for several days has been reported to increase cardiac capacity, improve oxygen muscle kinetics and enhance lactate buffering capacity. Recent studies have shown that phosphorus ingestion with a meal increases postprandial glucose uptake and thermogenesis. The present study aimed to assess the effect of acute phosphorus ingestion with a meal on specific workload parameters.Methods A double-blind, crossover trial of 12 male water polo players between 18 and 22 years old was conducted. Overnight fasted subjects were asked to cycle for 20 min before ingesting 100 g of glucose with phosphorus or placebo (400 mg). Three hours later, they were asked to perform a graded cycling exercise for 25 min.Results Expenditure, respiratory quotient, perception of fatigue and exercise efficiency were similar between treatments. However, heart rate was significantly higher in the phosphorus group (142±10 beats/min) compared with placebo (135±10 beats/min).Conclusion Exercise performance 3 hours after the coingestion of glucose with phosphorus did not affect substrate use, while heart rate was increased. The heart rate increase could be attributed to a rise in core body temperature.Trial registration number NCT03101215