Allogamy in quinua : rate in Mendoza (Argentina)

Se ha estimado la tasa de alogamia (a) de la variedad Sajama de Quinua (Chenopodium quinoa W), en Chacras de Coria (Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina). Su determinación se efectuó en función de los cruzamientos naturales detectados en la progenie de la variedad Sajama, reconocidos por la manifestación en plántula del marcador dominante proveniente de la variedad Paca. La alogamia determinada fue de 17,36 ± 0,82 %, lo que permite considerar a esta población como parcialmente autógama. Este valor prácticamente duplica el valor máximo sugerido para esta especie en ensayos similares. La distribución de la tasa de alogamia entre individuos origina una curva asimétrica (A = 0,33) Y leptocúrtica (k = 0,34), que no se ajusta a la normal. El valor logrado de a máximo fue de 36 % Y el mínimo, de %, mientras que el C.v. dio 53,80 %. Esta distribución concuerda con la citada bibliográficamente para otras poblaciones, realizadas a partir de observaciones de la estructura floral.It is informed that the estimated alogamia rate (a) of the Sajama of Quinua variety (Chenopoduim quinoa W), in Chacras de Coria (Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina). The allogamy rate was estimated in function of the natural outcrossings found in the progeny of the Sajama variety, recognized by the revelation in plantule of the dominant marker coming from the Paca variety. The determined allogamy was 17,36 ± 0,82 %, that allows us to consider this population as partly autogamous. This value practically double the maximun value suggested for this species, in similar rehearsals. The distribution of allogamy rate among progeny creates an asymmetric (skewness = 0,33) Y leptokurtic (kurtosis = 0,34) curve, not adjusted to the normal distribution. The a maximun value achieved was 36 % and the minimun was %, while the C.V. value was 53,80 %. This distribution conciliates with the prediction done by others populations bibliography, from observations of the floral structure.Fil: Silvestri, Víctor. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Ciencias BiológicasFil: Gil, Flavia. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Producción Agropecuari

A randomized controlled trial comparing behavioral, educational, and pharmacological treatments in youths with chronic tic disorder or Tourette syndrome

Context: The existing literature on the treatment of pediatric chronic tic disorder (CTD) and Tourette syndrome (TS) indicates that both behavioral therapy (BT) and pharmacotherapy (PT) are effective for reducing symptoms. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of BT compared to psychoeducation (PE) or PT for reducing tics and co-occurring symptoms and for improving quality of life (QoL) in a sample of youths with CTD and TS. Design: A 10 weeks, 2 sites (Catania, Rome) randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomized to receive one of the following treatments: BT, PE, or PT. Participants: 110 outpatients aged between 8 and 17 years affected by CTD or TS. Results: Patients in the BT and PT groups showed a significant reduction in the severity of tic symptoms, while the PE group did not show any improvement. PT was more effective for reducing obsessive compulsive symptoms than BT, while PE group did not show any improvement. Both BT and PT groups showed an improvement in most QoL domains, whereas no differences were found in the PE group. Conclusions: BT is as effective as pharmacological therapy in the treatment of tic disorders in children and adolescents, thus offering an alternative to medications for CTD and TS

Health-related quality of life in patients with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome at the transition between adolescence and adulthood

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by tics and comorbid behavioural problems, affecting predominantly male patients. Tic severity typically fluctuates over time, with a consistent pattern showing improvement after adolescence in a considerable proportion of patients. Both tics and behavioural co-morbidities have been shown to have the potential to affect patients’ health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in children and adults with persisting symptoms. In this study, we present the results of the first investigation of HR-QoL in patients with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome at the transition between adolescence and adulthood using a disease-specific HR-QoL measure, the Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome-Quality of Life-Children and Adolescents scale. Our results showed that patients with GTS and more severe co-morbid anxiety symptoms reported lower HR-QoL across all domains, highlighting the impact of anxiety on patient’s well-being at a critical stage of development. Routine screening for anxiety symptoms is recommended in all patients with GTS seen at transition clinics from paediatric to adult care, to implement effective behavioural and pharmacological interventions as appropriate

Folate-based single cell screening using surface enhanced Raman microimaging

Recent progress in nanotechnology and its application to biomedical settings have generated great advantages in dealing with early cancer diagnosis. The identification of the specific properties of cancer cells, such as the expression of particular plasma membrane molecular receptors, has become crucial in revealing the presence and in assessing the stage of development of the disease. Here we report a single cell screening approach based on Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) microimaging. We fabricated a SERS-labelled nanovector based on the biofunctionalization of gold nanoparticles with folic acid. After treating the cells with the nanovector, we were able to distinguish three different cell populations from different cell lines (cancer HeLa and PC-3, and normal HaCaT lines), suitably chosen for their different expressions of folate binding proteins. The nanovector, indeed, binds much more efficiently on cancer cell lines than on normal ones, resulting in a higher SERS signal measured on cancer cells. These results pave the way for applications in single cell diagnostics and, potentially, in theranostic

Biomimetic toothpastes: remineralization potential of deciduous teeth

Aim: Primary teeth are subjected to a continuous process of de- and re-mineralization. To prevent loss of dental tissues, fluoride-containing toothpastes have been successfully applied as a global solution to mainly prevent dental caries and promote tooth re-mineralization. However, the swallowing of a high amount of fluoride in younger children would lead to potential risk of fluorosis. Newly developed biomimetic toothpastes have provided promising results in preventive den tistry, therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyse the ability of commercial toothpastes to diffuse into deciduous enamel layer to remineralize the crystal habitat. Materials and Methods: Previously extracted primary teeth (n=8) were manually brushed for 15 days (3 times/day), using 3 different pediatric toothbrushes: (a) commercial toothpaste containing fluorine 500 ppm; (b) commercial toothpaste containing fluorine 1400 ppm; (c) toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite nanocrystal. Elements used as control (n = 2) were subjected to the manual brushing with water. Then, specimens were assessed by means of variable pressure scanning electron microscopy (VP-SEM). Results: Toothpaste containing nanocrystals of hydroxyapatite seemed to better diffuse through the enamel layer of deciduous teeth. This biomimetic toothpaste might contribute to remineralize the loss of the mineral component and play a central role in the prevention of dental caries. Conclusion: Biomimetic toothpastes would be considered a reliable alternative to fluoride-containing toothpaste. These preliminary results not only would improve the synthesis of novel biomaterials for deciduous teeth, but also would represent a positive global economic impact since the wide prevalence of dental caries affecting primary teeth

Terapia dell'epatite C: identificazione di nuove molecole attive su diversi bersagli

Il virus dell'epatite C (HCV) è l'agente eziologico di una grave forma di epatite trasmessa per via parenterale. Le proteine codificate dal genoma virale rappresentano un appetibile target per lo sviluppo di farmaci antivirali. Le classi di molecole che abbiamo saggiato per la loro attività  inibente sui diversi enzimi sono numerose. Esse possono essere raggruppate in due famiglie, gli analoghi di struttura nucleosidi e i composti non-nucleosidici

Eyelid skin metastasis as first sign of breast cancer recurrence.

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A novel TMPRSS6 mutation that prevents protease auto-activation causes IRIDA

IRIDA (iron-refractory iron-deficiency anaemia) is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder hallmarked by hypochromic microcytic anaemia, low transferrin saturation and high levels of the iron-regulated hormone hepcidin. The disease is caused by mutations in the transmembrane serine protease TMPRSS6 (transmembrane protease serine 6) that prevent inactivation of HJV (haemojuvelin), an activator of hepcidin transcription. In the present paper, we describe a patient with IRIDA who carries a novel mutation (Y141C) in the SEA domain of the TMPRSS6 gene. Functional characterization of the TMPRSS6(Y141C) mutant protein in cultured cells showed that it localizes to similar subcellular compartments as wild-type TMPRSS6 and binds HJV, but fails to auto-catalytically activate itself. As a consequence, hepcidin mRNA expression is increased, causing the clinical symptoms observed in this IRIDA patient. The present study provides important mechanistic insight into how TMPRSS6 is activated

A new point-of-care test for the rapid antimicrobial susceptibility assessment of uropathogens.

Bacterial resistance to antimicrobials is considered a major issue worldwide. This condition may account for treatment failure of urinary tract infections, which are among the most common infections both in community and healthcare settings. Therapy against uropathogens is generally administered empirically, possibly leading to unsuccessful therapy, recurrence and development of antibiotic resistance. The reduction in analytical time to obtain antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) results could play a key role in reducing the cost of healthcare, providing information about antibiotic efficacy and thus preventing from either exploiting new and expensive antibiotics unnecessarily or using obsolete and ineffective ones. A more rational choice among treatment options would hence lead to more effective treatment and faster resolution. In this paper we evaluated the performance of a new Point Of Care Test (POCT) for the rapid prediction of antimicrobial susceptibility in urine samples performed without the need of a laboratory or specialized technicians. 349 patients were enrolled in two open-label, monocentric, non-interventional clinical trials in partnership with an Emergency Medicine ward and the Day Hospital of two large healthcare facilities in Rome. Antibiogram was carried out on 97 patients. Results from analysis of urine samples with the POCT were compared with those from routine AST performed on culture-positive samples, displaying high accuracy (>90%) for all tested antimicrobial drugs and yielding reliable results in less than 12 hours from urine collection thus reducing analytical and management costs