The habitability of the Milky Way during the active phase of its central supermassive black hole

During the peak of their accretion phase, supermassive black holes in galactic cores are known to emit very high levels of ionizing radiation, becoming visible over intergalactic distances as quasars or active galactic nuclei (AGN). Here, we quantify the extent to which the activity of the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, known as Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), may have affected the habitability of Earth-like planets in our Galaxy. We focus on the amount of atmospheric loss and on the possible biological damage suffered by planets exposed to X-ray and extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation produced during the peak of the active phase of Sgr A*. We find that terrestrial planets could lose a total atmospheric mass comparable to that of present day Earth even at large distances (~1 kiloparsec) from the galactic center. Furthermore, we find that the direct biological damage caused by Sgr A* to surface life on planets not properly screened by an atmosphere was probably significant during the AGN phase, possibly hindering the development of complex life within a few kiloparsecs from the galactic center.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures. Published in Scientific Reports: http://rdcu.be/zYD

Bacterial–viral load and the immune response in stable and exacerbated COPD: Significance and therapeutic prospects

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitation and an abnormal inflammatory response of the lung. Bacteria and viruses are a major cause of COPD exacerbations and may contribute to COPD progression by perpetuating the inflammatory response in the airways. Bacterial variety diminishes with increasing COPD severity. Respiratory viruses can colonize the lower respiratory tract in stable COPD, altering the respiratory microbiome and facilitating secondary bacterial infections. In this review, we present the most updated information about the role of bacteria and viruses in stable and exacerbated COPD. In our opinion, to optimize therapeutic strategies, the dynamic events involving bacterial–viral infections and related immune response in COPD phenotypes need to be better clarified. Our paper would address these points that we consider of great importance for the clinical management of COPD

Beneficial effects of long-term treatment with bosentan on the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with systemic sclerosis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of long-term treatment with bosentan on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with systemic sclerosis. METHODS: Patients with systemic sclerosis were followed between 2003 and 2014; those who developed digital ulcers were treated with standard regimens of bosentan. Patients were assessed at baseline and every 12\u2009months using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography, 6-min walking distance test, Borg dyspnoea index and monitoring of plasma levels of 76-amino-acid N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide. Patients who developed PAH underwent right heart catheterization to confirm the diagnosis. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients with systemic sclerosis were enrolled in the study. Of these, 25 developed digital ulcers and received treatment with bosentan; the remaining 44 comprised the control group. None of the patients treated with bosentan developed PAH during the follow-up period. Furthermore, in these patients the mean\u2009\ub1\u2009SD systolic pulmonary arterial pressure significantly decreased from 33.64\u2009\ub1\u20092.91\u2009mmHg at baseline to 26.20\u2009\ub1\u20091.78\u2009mmHg at the end of the follow-up period. In contrast, in the control group, seven patients developed PAH during the follow-up period, with the mean\u2009\ub1\u2009SD systolic pulmonary arterial pressure significantly increasing from 33.57\u2009\ub1\u20092.75\u2009mmHg at baseline to 39.41\u2009\ub1\u20094.11\u2009mmHg at the end of the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Long-term treatment with bosentan reduces the risk of developing PAH in patients with systemic sclerosis

Psychological aspects in asthma: Do psychological factors affect asthma management?

open5noDespite the regular treatment with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) or ICS plus long-acting beta2-agonists, permits to control de majority of asthmatics, a significant proportion of patients does not respond to this treatment. This review was aimed to explore the role of psychological factors associated to the unsuccessful fulfilment of optimal levels of asthma control, especially in patients suffering from severe asthma. The results of a Medline search were 5510 articles addressed to different psychological key concepts, constructs and variables. This review will highlight how some selected psychological factors may have a burden on asthma management. Evidences are now available about the link between asthma (in terms of severity and control), some psychological aspects (subjective perception, alexithymia, coping style) and mental health (anxiety, depression). Taking into account this most probably bidirectional influence, a screening of mental symptoms and psychological aspects related to asthma, could lead to plan appropriate interventions to better control asthma and to improve the patient's wellbeing.openBaiardini I.; Sicuro F.; Balbi F.; Canonica G.W.; Braido F.Baiardini, I.; Sicuro, F.; Balbi, F.; Canonica, G. W.; Braido, F

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Risk of latent tuberculosis infection among healthcare workers in Italy: a retrospective study with Quantiferon Test

OBJECTIVE. The latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a state of persistent immune response to stimulation by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis antigens without clinical manifestation: the healthcare workers (HCWs) have a higher exposure risk so prevention is an important challenge for occupational medicine. The aim of our study is to evaluate the prevalence of LTBI among HCWs of the Foundation Policlinic “Tor Vergata”. METHODS. This is a retrospective study conducted by analyzing the clinical records of 825 HCWs of the PTV, from January 1st to December 31th 2016. To evaluate the TB infection we used the Quantiferon TB Gold interferon-gamma release assay. RESULTS. Our study underline the low prevalence of LTBI in the Italian healthcare workers. CONCLUSION. Although the LTBI status is not contagious, the diagnosis and the safety strategies require specific clinical and preventive considerations

Heat shock proteins levels and expression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and vernal keratoconjunctivitis

Inflammatory response in different organs share many similarities, but site-specific signs. Symptoms can be related to mucosal structure changes. The aim of the study was to compare heat shock proteins (HSPs) levels and expression in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to other inflammatory status of mucosa, such as vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), a recurrent ocular inflammatory disease in which autoimune aggression may have a pathogenetic role. We examined bronchial mucosal biopsies from COPD patients (moderate to severe stage) and conjunctival biopsies from VKC patients; age-matched controls were selected for each group. We evaluated levels (by immunohistochemistry) and expression (by RT-PCR) of a panel of HSPs, among which Hsp10, Hsp27, Hsp40, Hsp60, Hsp70, Hsp90, and of the main heat shock transcription factor (both HSF-1 and pHSF-1). Hsp10 levels and expression increased in all pathological conditions, Hsp27 in VKC, Hsp40 in COPD and VKC, Hsp60 in COPD, Hsp70 and Hsp90 in VKC, as compared to their appropriate controls. Transcription factor pHSF-1 positive cells were significantly increased in COPD compared to controls, while was unaltered in VKC. Moreover, all pathological tissues showed increased levels of macrophages (CD68 positive) in lamina propria, COPD showed increased levels of neutrophils (elastase positive) and VKC increased levels of eosinophils (EG2 positive). Finally, Hsp60 colocalize with elastase positive cells in COPD. These results indicate that HSPs levels and expression change during development of different types of inflammation. Further studies will prove their active involvement and functions in triggering and/or maintaining the inflammatory status

Phospho-p38 MAPK expression in COPD bronchi and in oxidative and inflammatory challenged bronchial epithelium

The role of MAPK kinases in inducing the inflammatory response in the airways of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) patients is incompletely studied. Objectives: To investigate the expression of activated MAPK kinases in bronchial biopsies of COPD patients and the MAPK kinase bronchial epithelial response to oxidative and inflammatory stimuli related to COPD. Expression of phospho(p)-p38, p-JNK1 and p-ERK1/2 was measured in the bronchial mucosa using immunohistochemistry in patients with mild/moderate (n=17), severe/very severe (n=16) stable COPD, control smokers (n=16), control non smokers (n=9) and in a group with mild asthma (n=9). 16HBE cells, challenged with oxidative and inflammatory stimuli, were also studied for IL-8 and MAPK kinases mRNA production. P-p38 was the most expressed MAPK kinase in the bronchial mucosa of all subjects. No significant differences were observed for immune-expression of p-p38, p-JNK and p-ERK1/2 between COPD and control subjects. 16HBE cells treated with H2O2, cytomix (TNFα+IL- 1β+IFNγ) and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) up-regulated IL-8 mRNA production at 1h or 2h after treatments. P38α mRNA was significantly increased after H2O2 and LPS. JNK1 and ERK1 mRNA were not significantly increased after H2O2, cytomix or LPS treatments. Blocking p38α activity IL-8 mRNA production was not changed at 1h, 2h and 4h after H2O2 or LPS challenge. P-p38 immune-positivity is prevalent in the bronchial mucosa of COPD and asthmatic patients and p38 mRNA is increased after bronchial epithelial challenges suggesting a relevant role for this MAPK kinase in the induction of bronchial inflammation in COPD and asthma

Observing the Evolution of the Universe

How did the universe evolve? The fine angular scale (l>1000) temperature and polarization anisotropies in the CMB are a Rosetta stone for understanding the evolution of the universe. Through detailed measurements one may address everything from the physics of the birth of the universe to the history of star formation and the process by which galaxies formed. One may in addition track the evolution of the dark energy and discover the net neutrino mass. We are at the dawn of a new era in which hundreds of square degrees of sky can be mapped with arcminute resolution and sensitivities measured in microKelvin. Acquiring these data requires the use of special purpose telescopes such as the Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT), located in Chile, and the South Pole Telescope (SPT). These new telescopes are outfitted with a new generation of custom mm-wave kilo-pixel arrays. Additional instruments are in the planning stages.Comment: Science White Paper submitted to the US Astro2010 Decadal Survey. Full list of 177 author available at http://cmbpol.uchicago.ed