The Rise of the Nested Multicompartment Model in Synthetic Cell Research

The Rise of the Nested Multicompartment Model in Synthetic Cell Researc

Charge Recombination Kinetics of Bacterial Photosynthetic Reaction Centres Reconstituted in Liposomes: Deterministic Versus Stochastic Approach

In this theoretical work, we analyse the kinetics of charge recombination reaction after a light excitation of the Reaction Centres extracted from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides and reconstituted in small unilamellar phospholipid vesicles. Due to the compartmentalized nature of liposomes, vesicles may exhibit a random distribution of both ubiquinone molecules and the Reaction Centre protein complexes that can produce significant differences on the local concentrations from the average expected values. Moreover, since the amount of reacting species is very low in compartmentalized lipid systems the stochastic approach is more suitable to unveil deviations of the average time behaviour of vesicles from the deterministic time evolution

Trigeminal trophic syndrome

Trigeminal trophic syndrome (TTS) is a rare facial/cranial affection that arises in ulcerations, itch and paresthesia. Etiology is debated, however trigeminal nerve damage seems to be frequent in pathogenetic patterns. The disease may affect any region innervated by the trigeminal nerve, especially the maxillary branch. A case of TTS, trigged by allergic reaction to osteosynthetic materials and involving infraorbital nerve, was presented. The feature that makes this case one-off in the literature is the association with osteolytic lesion surrounding infraorbital nerve. Diagnosis and treatment were difficult and multidisciplinary approach was required. Treatments administered were satisfying and signs and symptoms remitted, however patient quitted follow-up. TTS is a rare disease, diagnosis is difficult to be performed and it is often a diagnosis of exclusion. Treatment is challenging and it requires a multidisciplinary approach and a great compliance of patients

Conservative non-surgical management in medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw: A retrospective study

Objectives: To date, the best treatment for Medication Related Osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is controversial. Recent studies suggest different therapies, considering the stage of MRONJ; however, sometimes patients, although with remarkable extension of disease, cannot undergo surgery. The purpose of present preliminary study was to evaluate the efficacy of conservative non-surgical treatment of MRONJ lesions in a cohort of patients ineligible for surgery or refusing any surgical treatment for stage II and III of MRONJ. Materials and methods: Patients with MRONJ (staging II or III) ineligible for surgical treatment were selected for a retrospective study. A conservative non-surgical therapy (antibiotics and antiseptic) was administered for 1 year. Five scheduled checks were performed to assess changes in signs and symptoms during the observational period. Results: Our observation was carried out on 12 patients. Improvement of signs and symptoms of disease were observed in population. Conclusion: This study suggests that non-surgical treatment may be a valid therapeutic option in patients ineligible for surgery. The sample size is small, further studies should be carried out to satisfy the aim of a conservative non-surgical treatment protocol establishmen

Relationship between gastric pouch and GERD after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

open9noAims and objectives Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) is considered safe and effective even as conversion procedure after primary bariatric operations. The correlation between gastric pouch volumes and gastro-esophageal reflux disease's (GERD) symptoms (heartburn, reflux, regurgitation) remains unclear (1, 2). With this study we want to assess a correlation between the gastric remnant size and GERD.openPomerri, F.; Romanucci, G.; Barbiero, G.; Zuliani, M.; Ortu, V.; Miotto, D.; Albanese, A.; Prevedello, L.; Foletto, M.Pomerri, Fabio; Romanucci, G.; Barbiero, G.; Zuliani, M.; Ortu, V.; Miotto, Diego; Albanese, A.; Prevedello, L.; Foletto, M

CD28null pro-atherogenic CD4 T-cells explain the link between CMV infection and an increased risk of Cardiovascular death

An increased risk of cardiovascular death in Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-infected individuals remains unexplained, although it might partly result from the fact that CMV infection is closely associated with the accumulation of CD28null T-cells, in particular CD28null CD4 T-cells. These cells can directly damage endothelium and precipitate cardiovascular events. However, the current paradigm holds that the accumulation of CD28null T-cells is a normal consequence of aging, whereas the link between these T-cell populations and CMV infection is explained by the increased prevalence of this infection in older people. Resolving whether CMV infection or aging triggers CD28null T-cell expansions is of critical importance because, unlike aging, CMV infection can be treated. Methods: We used multi-color flow-cytometry, antigen-specific activation assays, and HLA-typing to dissect the contributions of CMV infection and aging to the accumulation of CD28null CD4 and CD8 T-cells in CMV+ and CMV− individuals aged 19 to 94 years. Linear/logistic regression was used to test the effect of sex, age, CMV infection, and HLA-type on CD28null T-cell frequencies. Results: The median frequencies of CD28null CD4 T-cells and CD28null CD8 T-cells were >12-fold (p=0.000) but only approximately 2-fold higher (p=0.000), respectively, in CMV+ (n=136) compared with CMV− individuals (n=106). The effect of CMV infection on these T-cell subsets was confirmed by linear regression. Unexpectedly, aging contributed only marginally to an increase in CD28null T-cell frequencies, and only in CMV+ individuals. Interestingly, the presence of HLA-DRB1*0301 led to an approximately 9-fold reduction of the risk of having CD28null CD4 T-cell expansions (OR=0.108, p=0.003). Over 75% of CMV-reactive CD4 T-cells were CD28null. Conclusion: CMV infection and HLA type are major risk factors for CD28null CD4 T-cell-associated cardiovascular pathology. Increased numbers of CD28null CD8 T-cells are also associated with CMV infection, but to a lesser extent. Aging, however, makes only a negligible contribution to the expansion of these T-cell subsets, and only in the presence of CMV infection. Our results open up new avenues for risk assessment, prevention, and treatment

Comparison between intrasylvian and intracerebral hematoma associated with ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysms: clinical implications, technical considerations, and outcome evaluation

Background: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to a middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysms rupture is often associated with intracerebral (ICH) or intrasylvian hematomas (ISH). Materials and methods: We reviewed 163 patients with ruptured MCA aneurysms associated with pure SAH or SAH+ICH/ISH. Patients were first dichotomized according to the presence of a hematoma (ICH/ISH). Then, we performed a subgroup analysis comparing ICH versus ISH in order to explore their relationship with the most relevant demographic, clinical, and angioarchitectural features. Results: Overall, 85 patients (52%) had a pure SAH, whereas 78 (48%) presented an associated ICH/ISH. No significant differences were observed in demographics and angioarchitectural features between the two groups, but Fisher grading and Hunt-Hess score were higher in patients with hematomas. A good outcome was observed in a higher percentage of patients with pure SAH compared with the others (76% Vs 44%), although mortality rates were comparable. Age, Hunt-Hess and treatment-related complications were the main outcome predictors at multivariate analysis. Patients with ICH appeared clinically worse than those with ISH. We also found that older age, higher Hunt-Hess, larger aneurysms, decompressive craniectomy and treatment-related complications were associated with poor outcome among patients with ISH, but not with ICH, which appeared per se as a more severe clinical condition. Conclusions: Our study confirm that age, Hunt-Hess and treatment-related complications influence the outcome of patients with ruptured MCA aneurysms. However, in the subgroup analysis of patients with SAH associated with ICH or ISH, only the Hunt-Hess at onset appeared as an independent predictor of outcome

Isolation of novel PSII-LHCII megacomplexes from pea plants characterized by a combination of proteomics and electron microscopy

This work was supported by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research, “Futuro in Ricerca 2013” program RBFR1334SB to CP