Helically Twisted Chiral Arrays of Gold Nanoparticles Coated with a Cholesterol Mesogen

Gold nanoparticles have been prepared and surface-functionalized with a 1:1 molar mixture of a hexylthiol ligand and a chiral mesogenic ligand consisting of a cholesterylbenzoate attached via an undecylthiol spacer. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction showed that upon annealing a columnar liquid crystal (LC) structure develops with the nanoparticles forming strings on a regular oblique 2d lattice. Synchrotron radiation circular dichroism is substantially enhanced upon the isotropic− LC transition. In the proposed structural model, layers of Au columns rotate by a small angle relative to their neighbors, with the columns winding around a helical axis. The work demonstrates that it is possible to obtain chiral LC superstructures from nanoparticles coated with chiral mesogen without the addition of a separate LC or chiral dopants. The results provide direction in the development of plasmonic metamaterials interacting selectively with circularly polarized light

Composite material comprising pectin and calcium phosphate and method for its realisation

A method for obtaining a composite material including an aqueous solution of pectin and a suspension/solution of calcium phosphate mixed together, wherein said solution of pectin cross-links with a portion of the calcium obtained from the solution of calcium phosphate and wherein a portion of the calcium phosphate in suspension remains as inorganic phase and composite materials obtained by this method

Modifications of residual viraemia in human immunodeficiency virus-1-infected subjects undergoing repeated highly active antiretroviral therapy interruptions

Residual viraemia is detectable in the majority of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected subjects with plasma HIV-1 RNA <50 copies ml−1. In the present study, the impact of repeated treatment interruptions on residual HIV-1 viraemia was investigated in 58 subjects enrolled in the ISS-PART, a multicentre, randomized clinical trial comparing 24 months of continuous (arm A) and intermittent (arm B) highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Residual viraemia was measured by a modified Roche Amplicor HIV-1 RNA assay (limit of detection 2.5 copies ml−1). At baseline, the median value of residual viraemia was 2.5 copies ml−1in both arms; after 24 months, the median value was 2.5 in arm A and 8.3 in arm B. The median change from baseline to month 24 was significantly different between patients under continuous or intermittent HAART: 0 copies ml−1(range −125.2 to +82.7) of HIV-1 RNA in arm A versus 2.1 copies ml−1(range −80 to +46.8) in arm B (P=0.024). These results suggest that intermittent HAART tends to modify HIV-1 viraemia set point even if a virological response is achieved after HAART reinstitution

Maternal HIV status and infant feeding practices among Ugandan women

practices, a questionnaire was administered to women attending the follow-up clinics for child vaccination. Among the mothers who were still breastfeeding at the time of interview (N=838), 61.4% of the HIV-infected women had planned to breastfeed for a maximum of 6 months, compared with 12.1% of the HIV-uninfected women (p<0.001). Among the women who were not breastfeeding at the time of interview (N=108), 82.5% of the HIV-infected women had stopped breastfeeding within 3 months, compared with 23.5% of the HIV-uninfected women (p<0.001). Only 2.1% of HIV-infected women seen up to 14 weeks postnatally practised mixed feeding, compared with 23.6% of HIV-uninfected women (p<0.001). After 6 months, however, 30% of the HIV-infected women and 55% of the HIV-uninfected mothers were using mixed feeding, with no significant differences. Programmes for the prevention of motherto-child transmission of HIV should re-enforce counselling activities to address the issue of early weaning by HIV-infected women, and to support safe breastfeeding up to 6 months

Clinical expression of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy in carriers of 1-3 D4Z4 reduced alleles: Experience of the FSHD Italian National Registry

OBJECTIVES: Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 (FSHD1) has been genetically linked to reduced numbers ( 64 8) of D4Z4 repeats at 4q35. Particularly severe FSHD cases, characterised by an infantile onset and presence of additional extra-muscular features, have been associated with the shortest D4Z4 reduced alleles with 1-3 repeats (1-3 DRA). We searched for signs of perinatal onset and evaluated disease outcome through the systematic collection of clinical and anamnestic records of de novo and familial index cases and their relatives, carrying 1-3 DRA. SETTING: Italy. PARTICIPANTS: 66 index cases and 33 relatives carrying 1-3 DRA. OUTCOMES: The clinical examination was performed using the standardised FSHD evaluation form with validated inter-rater reliability. To investigate the earliest signs of disease, we designed the Infantile Anamnestic Questionnaire (IAQ). Comparison of age at onset was performed using the non-parametric Wilcoxon rank-sum or Kruskal-Wallis test. Comparison of the FSHD score was performed using a general linear model and Wald test. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the age-specific cumulative motor impairment risk. RESULTS: No patients had perinatal onset. Among index cases, 36 (54.5%) showed the first signs by 10 years of age. The large majority of patients with early disease onset (26 out of 36, 72.2%) were de novo; whereas the majority of patients with disease onset after 10 years of age were familial (16, 53.3%). Comparison of the disease severity outcome between index cases with age at onset before and over 10 years of age, failed to detect statistical significance (Wald test p value=0.064). Of 61 index cases, only 17 (27.9%) presented extra-muscular conditions. Relatives carrying 1-3 DRA showed a large clinical variability ranging from healthy subjects, to patients with severe motor impairment. CONCLUSIONS: The size of the D4Z4 allele is not always predictive of severe clinical outcome. The high degree of clinical variability suggests that additional factors contribute to the phenotype complexity

Detection of HIV-1 dual infections in highly exposed treated patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Genetic characterization of HIV-1 in Argentina has shown that BF recombinants predominate among heterosexuals and injecting drug users, while in men who have sex with men the most prevalent form is subtype B.</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>The aim of this work was to investigate the presence of HIV dual infections in HIV-infected individuals with high probability of reinfection</p> <p>Study design</p> <p>Blood samples were collected from 23 HIV positive patients with the risk of reinfection from Buenos Aires. A fragment of the HIV gene <it>pol </it>was amplified and phylogenetic analyses were performed. Antiretroviral drug resistance patterns of all the sequences were analyzed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Five dual infections were detected with four patients coinfected with subtype B and BF recombinants and one patient was coinfected with two BF recombinants presenting different recombination patterns. Prolonged infection with a stable clinical condition was observed in the five individuals. Resistance mutation patterns were different between the predominant and the minority strains.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results show that HIV dual infection can occur with closely related subtypes, and even with different variants of the same recombinant form in certain populations. Clinical observations showed neither aggressive disease progression nor impact on the resistance patterns in the dually-infected patients.</p

Plant biodiversity inventory of Misiones Province: Asteraceae

This is the first complete, floristic analysis of the Asteraceae family from an extense, endangered, subtropical area of Argentina, covered by the Misiones Province. This study reports 88 genera, 345 species and 16 infraspecific taxa of Asteraceae from the two phytogeographic units of Misiones Province: "Selvas Mixtas" District, and "de los Campos" District. Nine species are recorded for first time, and 23 are included as probable records for this area. This paper includes keys for tribes, genera, species and infraspecific taxa, as well as a short discussion about distribution of tribes, genera and habits in relation to political departments or phytogeographic districts. Habit, status, distribution, habitat, vernacular names, uses, and vouchers are given for every taxon. Thirty two taxa are illustrated for the first time.Este es el primer análisis florístico completo de la familia Asteraceae para un área subtropical de Argentina, extensa y en peligro de conservación, delimitada por la provincia de Misiones. Este estudio registra 88 géneros, 345 especies y 16 taxones infraespecíficos de la familia Asteraceae para las dos unidades fitogeográficas de esta provincia: los distritos de las Selvas Mixtas y el de Los Campos. Nueve especies son mencionadas por primera vez para el área y 23 son consideradas como probables. Se incluyen claves para la identificación de las tribus, los géneros, las especies y los taxones infraespecíficos, como así también una discusión breve sobre la distribución de las tribus, los géneros y los hábitos en relación a los departamentos políticos o los distritos fitogeográficos. Para cada taxón se cita el hábito, el status, la distribución, el hábitat, los nombres vernáculos, usos y un ejemplar de referencia. Se ilustran por primera vez 32 taxones.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y MuseoFacultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Catálogo ilustrado de las compuestas (=Asteraceae) de la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina: Sistemática, Ecología y Usos.

La familia de la Compuestas (=Asteraceae) es la más numerosa de todas las fanerógamas con aproximadamente 23000 especies y más de 1500 géneros ampliamente distribuidos en todos los continentes excepto en la Antártida. En la República Argentina es la familia más abundante con 222 géneros nativos y 1490 especies, en tanto que en la provincia de Buenos Aires, las compuestas representan la sexta parte de la flora de plantas vasculares con 113 géneros y 356 especies, de las cuales 55 son adventicias y el resto indígenas. Muchas de las especies de esta familia son utilizadas por el hombre como plantas alimenticias o medicinales. Algunas especies son tóxicas para el ganado. Otras son utilizadas como repelentes de insectos o son perjudiciales por ser malezas invasoras en los campos y competir con las plantas cultivadas

Plant biodiversity inventory of Misiones Province: Asteraceae

This is the first complete, floristic analysis of the Asteraceae family from an extense, endangered, subtropical area of Argentina, covered by the Misiones Province. This study reports 88 genera, 345 species and 16 infraspecific taxa of Asteraceae from the two phytogeographic units of Misiones Province: "Selvas Mixtas" District, and "de los Campos" District. Nine species are recorded for first time, and 23 are included as probable records for this area. This paper includes keys for tribes, genera, species and infraspecific taxa, as well as a short discussion about distribution of tribes, genera and habits in relation to political departments or phytogeographic districts. Habit, status, distribution, habitat, vernacular names, uses, and vouchers are given for every taxon. Thirty two taxa are illustrated for the first time.Este es el primer análisis florístico completo de la familia Asteraceae para un área subtropical de Argentina, extensa y en peligro de conservación, delimitada por la provincia de Misiones. Este estudio registra 88 géneros, 345 especies y 16 taxones infraespecíficos de la familia Asteraceae para las dos unidades fitogeográficas de esta provincia: los distritos de las Selvas Mixtas y el de Los Campos. Nueve especies son mencionadas por primera vez para el área y 23 son consideradas como probables. Se incluyen claves para la identificación de las tribus, los géneros, las especies y los taxones infraespecíficos, como así también una discusión breve sobre la distribución de las tribus, los géneros y los hábitos en relación a los departamentos políticos o los distritos fitogeográficos. Para cada taxón se cita el hábito, el status, la distribución, el hábitat, los nombres vernáculos, usos y un ejemplar de referencia. Se ilustran por primera vez 32 taxones.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y MuseoFacultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Study of the Tissue Distribution of TLQP-21 in Mice Using [18F]JMV5763, a Radiolabeled Analog Prepared via [18F]Aluminum Fluoride Chelation Chemistry

TLQP-21 is a neuropeptide that is involved in the control of several physiological functions, including energy homeostasis. Since TLQP-21 could oppose the early phase of diet-induced obesity, it has raised a huge interest, but very little is known about its mechanisms of action on peripheral tissues. Our aim was to investigate TLQP-21 distribution in brain and peripheral tissues after systemic administration using positron emission tomography. We report here the radiolabeling of NODA-methyl phenylacetic acid (MPAA) functionalized JMV5763, a short analog of TLQP-21, with [18F]aluminum fluoride. Labeling of JMV5763 was initially performed manually, on a small scale, and then optimized and implemented on a fully automated radiosynthesis system. In the first experiment, mice were injected in the tail vein with [18F]JMV5763, and central and peripheral tissues were collected 13, 30, and 60 min after injection. Significant uptake of [18F]JMV5763 was found in stomach, intestine, kidney, liver, and adrenal gland. In the CNS, very low uptake values were measured in all tested areas, suggesting that the tracer does not efficiently cross the blood–brain barrier. Pretreatment with non-radioactive JMV5763 caused a significant reduction of tracer uptake only in stomach and intestine. In the second experiment, PET analysis was performed in vivo 10–120 min after i.v. [18F]JMV5763 administration. Results were consistent with those of the ex vivo determinations. PET images showed a progressive increase of [18F]JMV5763 uptake in intestine and stomach reaching a peak at 30 min, and decreasing at 120 min. Our results demonstrate that 18F-labeling of TLQP-21 analogs is a suitable method to study its distribution in the body