Validating a novel web-based method to capture disease progression outcomes in multiple sclerosis

The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is the current ‘gold standard’ for monitoring disease severity in multiple sclerosis (MS). The EDSS is a physician-based assessment. A patient-related surrogate for the EDSS may be useful in remotely capturing information. Eighty-one patients (EDSS range 0–8) having EDSS as part of clinical trials were recruited. All patients carried out the web-based survey with minimal assistance. Full EDSS scores were available for 78 patients. The EDSS scores were compared to those generated by the online survey using analysis of variance, matched pair test, Pearson’s coefficient, weighted kappa coefficient, and the intra-class correlation coefficient. The internet-based EDSS scores showed good correlation with the physician-measured assessment (Pearson’s coefficient = 0.85). Weighted kappa for full agreement was 0.647. Full agreement was observed in 20 patient

BRAFV600E mutation positive metastatic melanoma in a young woman treated with anti-BRAF/anti MEK combination: a case report

The recent Combi-v [1] and Combi-d [2,3], phase III randomized trials, showed, respectively, an OS benefit with Dabrafenib/Trametinib combination versus Vemurafenib and an improvement in PFS and ORR with the same combination versus Dabrafenib alone, in BRAF V600E/K mutation positive metastatic or unresectable cutaneous melanoma. We report the case of a young patient with metastatic melanoma treated with anti- BRAF/antiMEK combination

Genomes of diverse isolates of the marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus

The marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus is the numerically dominant photosynthetic organism in the oligotrophic oceans, and a model system in marine microbial ecology. Here we report 27 new whole genome sequences (2 complete and closed; 25 of draft quality) of cultured isolates, representing five major phylogenetic clades of Prochlorococcus. The sequenced strains were isolated from diverse regions of the oceans, facilitating studies of the drivers of microbial diversity—both in the lab and in the field. To improve the utility of these genomes for comparative genomics, we also define pre-computed clusters of orthologous groups of proteins (COGs), indicating how genes are distributed among these and other publicly available Prochlorococcus genomes. These data represent a significant expansion of Prochlorococcus reference genomes that are useful for numerous applications in microbial ecology, evolution and oceanography.Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (Grant GBMR #495.01)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant OCE-1153588)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant OCE-0425602)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant DBI-0424599)Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Educatio

The transcription factor VviNAC60 regulates senescence- and ripening-related processes in grapevine

: Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is one of the most widely cultivated fruit crops because the winemaking industry has huge economic relevance worldwide. Uncovering the molecular mechanisms controlling the developmental progression of plant organs will prove essential for maintaining high-quality grapes, expressly in the context of climate change, which impairs the ripening process. Through a deep inspection of transcriptomic data, we identified VviNAC60, a member of the NAC transcription factor family, as a putative regulator of grapevine organ maturation. We explored VviNAC60 binding landscapes through DNA affinity purification followed by sequencing and compared bound genes with transcriptomics datasets from grapevine plants stably and transiently overexpressing VviNAC60 to define a set of high-confidence targets. Among these, we identified key molecular markers associated with organ senescence and fruit ripening. Physiological, metabolic, and promoter activation analyses showed that VviNAC60 induces chlorophyll degradation and anthocyanin accumulation through the up-regulation of STAY-GREEN PROTEIN 1 (VviSGR1) and VviMYBA1, respectively, with the latter being up-regulated through a VviNAC60-VviNAC03 regulatory complex. Despite sharing a closer phylogenetic relationship with senescence-related homologues to the NAC transcription factor AtNAP, VviNAC60 complemented the non-ripening(nor) mutant phenotype in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), suggesting a dual role as an orchestrator of both ripening- and senescence-related processes. Our data support VviNAC60 as a regulator of processes initiated in the grapevine vegetative- to mature-phase organ transition and therefore as a potential target for enhancing the environmental resilience of grapevine by fine-tuning the duration of the vegetative phase

Global distribution and diversity of marine Verrucomicrobia

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2011. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Nature Publishing Group for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in The ISME Journal 6 (2012): 1499-1505, doi:10.1038/ismej.2012.3.Verrucomicrobia is a bacterial phylum that is commonly detected in soil but little is known about the distribution and diversity of this phylum in the marine environment. To address this, we analyzed the marine microbial community composition in 506 samples from the International Census of Marine Microbes as well as eleven coastal samples taken from the California Current. These samples from both the water column and sediments covered a wide range of environmental conditions. Verrucomicrobia were present in 98% of the analyzed samples and thus appeared nearly ubiquitous in the ocean. Based on the occurrence of amplified 16S rRNA sequences, Verrucomicrobia constituted on average 2% of the water column and 1.4% of the sediment bacterial communities. The diversity of Verrucomicrobia displayed a biogeography at multiple taxonomic levels and thus, specific lineages appeared to have clear habitat preference. We found that Subdivision 1 and 4 generally dominated marine bacterial communities, whereas Subdivision 2 was confined to low salinity waters. Within the subdivisions, Verrucomicrobia community composition were significantly different in the water column compared to sediment as well as within the water column along gradients of salinity, temperature, nitrate, depth, and overall water column depth. Although we still know little about the ecophysiology of Verrucomicrobia lineages, the ubiquity of this phylum suggests that it may be important for the biogeochemical cycle of carbon in the ocean.We would like to thank the UCI Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (S.F.), the National Science Foundation (OCE-0928544 and OCE-1046297, A.C.M.) and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (S.H., D.M.W., M.S.) for supporting the work

Hereditary ovarian cancer

Based on the ESMO clinical practice guidelines for cancer prevention and screening in BRCA mutation carriers and other hereditary cancer syndromes, published on September 2016: the use of the oral contraceptive pill has been demonstrated to have a significant risk-reducing effect on the development of ovarian cancer by 40–60%; however, there are conflicts concerning breast cancer risk in these patients. There are no data proving that screening for ovarian cancer is able to reduce mortality, and several trials are still on going. Nowadays, the most effective measure for preventing ovarian cancer is the risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO), which has consistently been shown to reduce the risk by 80–90%, reducing mortality as well. Based on ESMO guidelines, the RRSO should be carried out at age 35–40. In patients with RAD51 or BRIP1 mutations, RRSO may be considered, but after 45 years of age. Finally, based on several pieces of evidence suggesting that ovarian cancer originates in the fimbria or fallopian tubes, there is a growing interest in risk-reducing salpingectomy. However, this procedure alone cannot yet be recommended, outside the setting of a clinical trial [1]

Interventi di ritrovamento e di restauro conservativo delle pitture murali di palazzo Caiselli a Udine

Prima del restauro di palazzo Caiselli, uno degli edifici più importanti di Udine, non si conosceva la quantità e la varietà delle decorazioni all'interno delle sue mura. La sfida era quella di svelare la sua complessa ricchezza decorativa, fino a quel momento celata da numerosi strati di imbiancatura e intonaco. L'accurato lavoro di riscoperta e restauro è durato quasi due anni. Il restauro si è quindi concentrato sul recupero delle pitture murali mediante asportazione di vari tipi di sovrammissioni, avvalendosi di tecniche sia meccaniche che chimiche, sempre con cura e rispetto dei materiali originali. Gli interventi eseguiti hanno inoltre permesso di studiare da vicino le varie forme dei supporti murali e lignei, valutarne lo stato conservativo e determinarne la interazioni con vari strati di intonaco aggiunti nel tempo. Data la varietà della natura dei beni custoditi nel palazzo, il recupero del vasto e complesso sistema decorativo ha comportato l'utilizzo di molteplici procedure di intervento e consentito lo studio approfondito di un'ampia gamma di tecniche decorative