Comparison between a direct-flow SPR immunosensor for ampicillin and a competitive conventional amperometric device: analytical features and possible applications to real samples

In this research, we developed a direct-flow surface plasmon resonance (SPR) immunosensor for ampicillin to perform direct, simple, and fast measurements of this important antibiotic. In order to better evaluate the performance, it was compared with a conventional amperometric immunosensor, working with a competitive format with the aim of finding out experimental real advantages and disadvantages of two respective methods. Results showed that certain analytical features of the new SPR immunodevice, such as the lower limit of detection (LOD) value and the width of the linear range, are poorer than those of a conventional amperometric immunosensor, which adversely affects the application to samples such as natural waters. On the other hand, the SPR immunosensor was more selective to ampicillin, and measurements were more easily and quickly attained compared to those performed with the conventional competitive immunosensor

Sanitary problems related to the presence of Ostreopsis spp. in the Mediterranean Sea: a multidisciplinary scientific approach

The increased presence of potentially toxic microalgae in the Mediterranean area is a matter of great concern. Since the end of the last century, microalgae of the genus Ostreopsis have been detected more and more frequently in the Italian coastal waters. The presence of Ostreopsis spp. has been accompanied by the presence of previously undetected marine biotoxins (palytoxins) into the ecosystem with the increased possibility of human exposure. In response to the urgent need for toxicity characterization of palytoxin and its congeners, an integrated study encompassing both in vitro and in vivo methods was performed

Ultrastructural modifications of human meniscus under different conditions

Human meniscus presents two cell populations [1]. The main cell type present in its inner and middle part is the fibrochondrocyte, a round or oval shaped cell, while in outer zone fibroblast-like cells within a dense connective tissue [2] are mostly observable. The aim of this work is to study a variety of pathological conditions. We have analized samples of meniscus obtained from 3 multiorgan donors (63 median age, years), 5 patients with traumatic meniscal tear (40 median age, years) and from 3 patients undergoing total knee replacement for osteoartritis (OA) (73 median age, years). In elderly menisci we observed a progression of chromatin margination, and a partial cytoplasmic organelle conservation, but for the presence of occasional autophagic vacuoles. Both after trauma and in OA, an increasing chromatin condensation, organelle degeneration and cytoplasmic vacuolization appear. In OA, similarly to elderly, autophagic vacuoles, which probably represent a cellular self-protection mechanism, appeared in the cytoplasm. The most evident ultrastructural changes have been observed when intervention takes place long time after trauma. In this case a high chromatin condensation, a large cytoplasmic vacuolization with degeneration of organelles and several necrotic cells appear. Calcification areas occur in all conditions. In particular, specimens from traumatic menisci have a structure similar to OA ones, especially if trauma has not been surgically repaired at appropriate times. In all there is disorganization of collagen fibers, and their replacement with proteoglycans. We can conclude that trauma and OA induce an increasing meniscal degeneration, comparable to physiological aging. When surgery takes place long time after trauma we observed most evident menisci degeneration. In all pathological conditions apoptotic like features appeared [3]

Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens: 5

In this contribution, new data concerning bryophytes, fungi, and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the bryophyte genera Diplophyllum and Ptychostomum, the fungal genera Arrhenia, Gymnosporangium, and Sporidesmium and the lichen genera Arthonia, Coenogonium, Flavoplaca, Gyalolechia, Parmotrema, Peltigera, Pterygiopsis, Squamarina, Tornabea, and Waynea

Adherence issues related to sublingual immunotherapy as perceived by allergists

Objectives: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a viable alternative to subcutaneous immunotherapy to treat allergic rhinitis and asthma, and is widely used in clinical practice in many European countries. The clinical efficacy of SLIT has been established in a number of clinical trials and meta-analyses. However, because SLIT is self-administered by patients without medical supervision, the degree of patient adherence with treatment is still a concern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception by allergists of issues related to SLIT adherence. Methods: We performed a questionnaire-based survey of 296 Italian allergists, based on the adherence issues known from previous studies. The perception of importance of each item was assessed by a VAS scale ranging from 0 to 10. Results: Patient perception of clinical efficacy was considered the most important factor (ranked 1 by 54% of allergists), followed by the possibility of reimbursement (ranked 1 by 34%), and by the absence of side effects (ranked 1 by 21%). Patient education, regular follow-up, and ease of use of SLIT were ranked first by less than 20% of allergists. Conclusion: These findings indicate that clinical efficacy, cost, and side effects are perceived as the major issues influencing patient adherence to SLIT, and that further improvement of adherence is likely to be achieved by improving the patient information provided by prescribers. © 2010 Scurati et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd

Genetic correlation between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and schizophrenia

A. Palotie on työryhmän Schizophrenia Working Grp Psychiat jäsen.We have previously shown higher-than-expected rates of schizophrenia in relatives of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), suggesting an aetiological relationship between the diseases. Here, we investigate the genetic relationship between ALS and schizophrenia using genome-wide association study data from over 100,000 unique individuals. Using linkage disequilibrium score regression, we estimate the genetic correlation between ALS and schizophrenia to be 14.3% (7.05-21.6; P = 1 x 10(-4)) with schizophrenia polygenic risk scores explaining up to 0.12% of the variance in ALS (P = 8.4 x 10(-7)). A modest increase in comorbidity of ALS and schizophrenia is expected given these findings (odds ratio 1.08-1.26) but this would require very large studies to observe epidemiologically. We identify five potential novel ALS-associated loci using conditional false discovery rate analysis. It is likely that shared neurobiological mechanisms between these two disorders will engender novel hypotheses in future preclinical and clinical studies.Peer reviewe

Retrospective evaluation of whole exome and genome mutation calls in 746 cancer samples

Funder: NCI U24CA211006Abstract: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) curated consensus somatic mutation calls using whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS), respectively. Here, as part of the ICGC/TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium, which aggregated whole genome sequencing data from 2,658 cancers across 38 tumour types, we compare WES and WGS side-by-side from 746 TCGA samples, finding that ~80% of mutations overlap in covered exonic regions. We estimate that low variant allele fraction (VAF < 15%) and clonal heterogeneity contribute up to 68% of private WGS mutations and 71% of private WES mutations. We observe that ~30% of private WGS mutations trace to mutations identified by a single variant caller in WES consensus efforts. WGS captures both ~50% more variation in exonic regions and un-observed mutations in loci with variable GC-content. Together, our analysis highlights technological divergences between two reproducible somatic variant detection efforts

Ruolo riabilitativo dell'infermiere nell'assistenza al paziente portatore di stomia

INTRODUZIONE E OBIETTIVI La realizzazione dell'elaborato di tesi arriva alla fine del percorso di studi, che ha fornito le conoscenze necessarie per prestare assistenza preventiva e curativa in ambito intra ed extraospedaliero. L'argomento trattato è suggerito dall'esperienza di tirocinio del secondo anno nell'Ulss 8 presso il reparto di Chirurgia generale dell'Ospedale San Giacomo di Castelfranco Veneto (Tv). La tesi in particolare fa riferimento ai pazienti portatori di stomia in seguito ad intervento chirurgico, i quali subiscono una modificazione anatomica, funzionale e psicologica che altera la loro immagine corporea. Lo scopo di questo studio è quello di comparare il ruolo e i compiti dell'infermiere e dell'enterostomista nell'assistenza al paziente stomizzato con la percezione del paziente stesso del profilo delle due figure professionali durante il percorso assistenziale. In breve l'indagine cerca di descrivere la percezione che i pazienti portatori di stomìa hanno nei confronti del ruolo dei professionisti che li accompagnano nell'iter assistenziale ed evidenziare la percezione che i pazienti stomizzati hanno riguardo l'adattamento alla nuova condizione. MATERIALE E METODI Per questo ad un campione non rappresentativo composto da pazienti stomizzati dell'Ulss 8 seguiti dall'enterostomista della medesima Ulss è stato sottoposto un questionario con la finalità di esaminare le emozioni, le difficoltà incontrate nella quotidianità della vita a seguito del confezionamento della stomìa ed individuare gli strumenti utili per tornare alla vita di sempre. RISULTATI E CONCLUSIONI Sulla base dei questionari raccolti e dall'analisi dei dati emerge che le problematiche riscontrate nell'affrontare la vita dopo il confezionamento della stomìa sono di natura sociale, relazionale e psicologica. Lo stomizzato percepisce il suo corpo come deturpato dalla malattia e dal trattamento chirurgico e perde il controllo sull'eliminazione intestinale; ne conseguono vissuti di estraneità dal proprio corpo e la stomìa viene percepita come un "intruso" nella propria vita 1 ed "alienata" l'immagine corporea. Il tempo trascorso dal trattamento chirurgico sembra essere un fattore favorente l'adattamento alla stomia. Le risorse utilizzate nell'affrontare le problematiche correlate al confezionamento della stomìa sono principalmente le figure professionali, la famiglia e la forza interiore. Tra le figure professionali è importante rilevare il ruolo che svolge l'enterostomista e l'infermiere non specialista nell'assistenza e nel sostegno psicosociale, grazie all'ascolto e alle competenze tecnico-scientifiche