Optimized RNA Extraction and Northern Hybridization in Streptomycetes

Northern blot hybridization is a useful tool for analyzing transcript patterns. To get a picture of what really occurs in vivo, it is necessary to use a protocol allowing full protection of the RNA integrity and recovery and unbiased transfer of the entire transcripts population. Many protocols suffer from severe limitations including only partial protection of the RNA integrity and/or loss of small sized molecules. Moreover, some of them do not allow an efficient and even transfer in the entire sizes range. These difficulties become more prominent in streptomycetes, where an initial quick lysis step is difficult to obtain. We present here an optimized northern hybridization protocol to purify, fractionate, blot, and hybridize Streptomyces RNA. It is based on grinding by a high-performance laboratory ball mill, followed by prompt lysis with acid phenol-guanidinium, alkaline transfer, and hybridization to riboprobes. Use of this protocol resulted in sharp and intense hybridization signals relative to long mRNAs previously difficult to detect

Randomness Increases Order in Biological Evolution

n this text, we revisit part of the analysis of anti-entropy in Bailly and Longo (2009} and develop further theoretical reflections. In particular, we analyze how randomness, an essential component of biological variability, is associated to the growth of biological organization, both in ontogenesis and in evolution. This approach, in particular, focuses on the role of global entropy production and provides a tool for a mathematical understanding of some fundamental observations by Gould on the increasing phenotypic complexity along evolution. Lastly, we analyze the situation in terms of theoretical symmetries, in order to further specify the biological meaning of anti-entropy as well as its strong link with randomness

F.Marotta, “Artificial neurons in oncological pain: the potential of Scrambler Therapy to modify a biological information

Abstract Thirty-three terminal cancer patients suffering from extremely severe drug-resistant pain were treated with Scrambler Therapy, a new bioengineering-based method for treating oncological/ neuropathic pain. Preliminary tests of the method's effectiveness were performed by measuring pain intensity (visual analogue scale (VAS)) before and after each treatment session, and the duration of absence of pain in the hours following each single application, as well as by recording the variation in painkiller consumption. Each patient subsequently continued to receive treatment until the end point was reached, verifying whether the method retained the effectiveness displayed during the reference period. The VAS statistics before and after each treatment session, and of the baseline VAS prior to treatment and at the end of the reference cycle were subjected to a paired t-test (statistical significance). Both VAS references indicated a significant decrease in pain intensity, with p < 0.0001. The entire sample responded positively to the treatment throughout the statistical reference period and continued with unchanged effectiveness until the end point was reached. Seventy-two percent of the patients suspended treatment with painkillers during the first applications, while the remaining 28% considerably reduced the dose they were taking prior to Scrambler Therapy. No undesirable side effects emerged and compliance proved to be optimal.

Tendinopathy of the tendon of the long head of the biceps.

Pathologies of tendon of the long head of the biceps (LHB) are an important cause of shoulder pain. They include tendinopathy, rupture, superior labrum anterior and posterior lesions, pulley tears, and tendon instability. Conservative management of symptomatic LHB tendinopathy is commonly accepted as the first-line treatment. It consists of rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid injections, and physical therapy. Biceps tenotomy and tenodesis are the most common surgical procedures to manage both isolated LHB pathology and biceps-glenoid complex tears combined with rotator cuff tears. However, controversy persists about the superiority of one of them because there is no evidence of significant differences in functional scores or patient satisfaction between the 2 techniques. This article provides an overview on biomechanical function of the LHB and current strategies for treatment of LHB disorders