Analysis of Changes in Pollutant Concentrations Levels Using a Meteorological Normalisation Technique Based on a Machine Learning Algorithm

In this study, a methodological procedure combining a technique of meteorological normalisation, based on a random forest algorithm, with trend analysis and the change points detections in air quality time series is developed to analyse changes in pollutant concentrations levels. Data of air pollutants and meteorological parameters, collected over the period 2013–2019 in a rural area affected by anthropic sources of air pollutants, are used to test the procedure. The results appear to be promising in revealing, in a robust way, changes in pollutant levels not clearly observable in the original data

Eubiosis and dysbiosis: the two sides of the microbiota

The microbial ecosystem of the gastrointestinal tract is characterized by a great number of microbial species living in balance by adopting mutualistic strategies. The eubiosis/dysbiosis condition of the gut microbiota strongly influences our healthy and disease status. This review briefly describes microbiota composition and functions, to then focus on eubiosis and dysbiosis status: the two sides of the microbiot

PM10 and PM2.5 Qualitative Source Apportionment Using Selective Wind Direction Sampling in a Port-Industrial Area in Civitavecchia, Italy

The possibility to discriminate between different emission sources and between natural and anthropogenic contributions is a key issue for planning efficient air pollution reduction and mitigation strategies. Moreover, the knowledge of the particulate matter (PM) chemical composition for the different size fractions is recognized as increasingly important, in particular with respect to health effects of exposed population. This study is focused on the characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 main sources located in the Civitavecchia harbor-industrial area (Central Italy), namely a large coal-fired power plant, a natural gas power plant, the harbor area, the vehicular traffic (due to both the local traffic and the highway crossing the area) and small industrial activities. The approach was based on PM10/PM2.5 samples monthly collected for one year and a further relative chemical characterization of organic and inorganic fractions. Wind-select sensors, allowing a selective PM10 and PM2.5 sampling downwind to specific emission sources, were used for the overall sampling. This methodology manages to explain specific emission patterns and to assess the concentration levels of the micro pollutants emitted by local sources and particularly toxic for health. A descriptive statistical analysis of data was performed, also verifying the occurrence of legislative threshold exceedances. Moreover, in order to highlight the contribution of specific sources, the differences in the measured micro pollutants concentrations between wind directions, PM size fractions and sampling sites have been investigated, as well as the seasonal trends of pollutants concentrations. These results allow to highlight that the applied methodology represents a valid support in source apportionment studies

Migraine equivalents and related symptoms, psychological profile and headache features:which relationship?

BACKGROUND: Migraine equivalents are common clinical conditions in children suffering from headache. Very few studies dealt with the psychological profile of children/adolescents with migraine equivalents. Our main aim was to compare the psychological profile between migraine children with and without migraine equivalents. Moreover, as secondary aim, exclusively in children with migraine equivalents, we investigated the possible relationship between migraine attack frequency and intensity and psychological factors. METHODS: We enrolled 136 young migraineurs. They were divided in two groups (patients with and without migraine equivalents). The psychological profile was assessed by means of SAFA Anxiety and Somatization questionnaires. RESULTS: Migraine equivalents were present in 101 patients (74.3 %). Anxiety (p = 0.024) and somatization (p = 0.001) levels, but not hypochondria (p = 0.26), were higher in patients with migraine equivalents. In children with migraine equivalents, a low frequency of attacks was related to separation anxiety (p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Migraine equivalents patients tend to feel more fearful and to experience more shyness. This, together with the tendency to somatization, may lead them to become vigilant in attachment relationships with their caregivers

El rastrojo de colza como recurso para bioenergía y biorrefinerías : efecto del genotipo y las condiciones de cultivo sobre la biomasa y calidad de vainas y tallos

Wassner, Diego Fernán. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Cultivos Industriales. Buenos Aires, Argentina.Gagliardi Reolon, María Belén. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Cultivos Industriales. Buenos Aires, Argentina.Gómez, Nora Valentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Cultivos Industriales. Buenos Aires, Argentina.López, César G. Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Investigación sobre Producción Agropecuaria Ambiente y Salud (IIPAAS). Buenos Aires, Argentina.Rondanini, Déborah Paola. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Producción Vegetal. Buenos Aires, Argentina.88-99La abundancia y bajo precio de la biomasa residual de cultivos extensivos (rastrojo) determina que sea una materia prima atractiva para bioenergía y biorrefinerías. Los rastrojos están conformados por biomasa proveniente de diferentes órganos y pueden diferir en su composición química. En colza, el rastrojo está conformado por tallos y el pericarpio de las silicuas (vainas), cuyas características no se han analizado de manera separada hasta el presente, lo que impide determinar las posibilidades de optimizar su aprovechamiento en función de su composición. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo evaluar la cantidad y la composición de la biomasa de tallos yvainas de 13 genotipos de colza en una variedad de condiciones de cultivo, para probar las siguientes hipótesis: 1) la cantidad de biomasa de rastrojo es altamente variable y no puede ser estimada a partir de los valores de rendimiento de grano, 2) la proporción entre rastrojo y grano y entre vaina a tallo cambian con el genotipo y las condiciones de crecimiento del cultivo, 3) la composición química de la vaina y el tallo es diferente lo que justifica un aprovechamiento separado. La biomasa seca total de rastrojo fue de entre 2-6 t ha-1 según genotipo y condiciones de cultivo. La relación vaina-tallo no estable y osciló entre 0.8-2.2. La biomasa del tallo es adecuada para producir energía, debido a su alto poder calórico (17-18 MJ kg-1) y bajo contenido de cenizas (6%).Las vainas tienen menos celulosa (menor a 38%) y lignina (mayor a 13%) y un contenido mayor de cenizas (5-14%), siendo más adecuadas para aprovechamientos de biorrefinería. Se concluye que la cantidad de rastrojo de colza es elevada lo que permite considerar su aprovechamiento económico, pero se recomienda considerar los tallos y las vainas por separado. Las diferencias encontradas entre genotipos aportan elementos para elegir materiales considerando el uso de la biomasa de rastrojo para bioenergía o biorrefinería

El rastrojo de colza como recurso para bioenergía y biorrefinerías : efecto del genotipo y las condiciones de cultivo sobre la biomasa y calidad de vainas y tallos

Wassner, Diego Fernán. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Cultivos Industriales. Buenos Aires, Argentina.Gagliardi Reolon, María Belén. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Cultivos Industriales. Buenos Aires, Argentina.Gómez, Nora Valentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Cultivos Industriales. Buenos Aires, Argentina.López, César G. Universidad Nacional de Lomas de Zamora. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Investigación sobre Producción Agropecuaria Ambiente y Salud (IIPAAS). Buenos Aires, Argentina.Rondanini, Déborah Paola. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Departamento de Producción Producción Vegetal. Cátedra de Producción Vegetal. Buenos Aires, Argentina.88-99La abundancia y bajo precio de la biomasa residual de cultivos extensivos (rastrojo) determina que sea una materia prima atractiva para bioenergía y biorrefinerías. Los rastrojos están conformados por biomasa proveniente de diferentes órganos y pueden diferir en su composición química. En colza, el rastrojo está conformado por tallos y el pericarpio de las silicuas (vainas), cuyas características no se han analizado de manera separada hasta el presente, lo que impide determinar las posibilidades de optimizar su aprovechamiento en función de su composición. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo evaluar la cantidad y la composición de la biomasa de tallos yvainas de 13 genotipos de colza en una variedad de condiciones de cultivo, para probar las siguientes hipótesis: 1) la cantidad de biomasa de rastrojo es altamente variable y no puede ser estimada a partir de los valores de rendimiento de grano, 2) la proporción entre rastrojo y grano y entre vaina a tallo cambian con el genotipo y las condiciones de crecimiento del cultivo, 3) la composición química de la vaina y el tallo es diferente lo que justifica un aprovechamiento separado. La biomasa seca total de rastrojo fue de entre 2-6 t ha-1 según genotipo y condiciones de cultivo. La relación vaina-tallo no estable y osciló entre 0.8-2.2. La biomasa del tallo es adecuada para producir energía, debido a su alto poder calórico (17-18 MJ kg-1) y bajo contenido de cenizas (6%).Las vainas tienen menos celulosa (menor a 38%) y lignina (mayor a 13%) y un contenido mayor de cenizas (5-14%), siendo más adecuadas para aprovechamientos de biorrefinería. Se concluye que la cantidad de rastrojo de colza es elevada lo que permite considerar su aprovechamiento económico, pero se recomienda considerar los tallos y las vainas por separado. Las diferencias encontradas entre genotipos aportan elementos para elegir materiales considerando el uso de la biomasa de rastrojo para bioenergía o biorrefinería

PI3K/mTOR inhibition promotes the regression of experimental vascular malformations driven by PIK3CA-activating mutations

Abstract Somatic activating mutations within the PIK3CA gene have been recently detected in sporadic lymphatic and venous malformations, and in vascular malformations (VM) associated to overgrowth syndromes, such as CLOVES and Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome. Although VM are often limited to specific tissue areas and can be well treated, in extended or recurrent lesions novel therapeutic approaches are needed. We generated a mouse model of VM by local expression of PIK3CA-activating mutation in endothelial cells. PIK3CA-driven lesions are characterized by large areas of hemorrhage, hyperplastic vessels, infiltrates of inflammatory cells, and elevated endothelial cell density. Such vascular lesions are ameliorated by administration of dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, BEZ235, and mTOR inhibitor, Everolimus. Unexpectedly, the expression of PIK3CA-activating mutations in human endothelial cells results in both increased proliferation rates and senescence. Moreover, active forms of PIK3CA strongly promote the angiogenic sprouting. Treatment with PI3K/mTOR inhibitors restores normal endothelial cell proliferation rate and reduces the amount of senescent cells, whereas treatment with Akt inhibitor is less effective. Our findings reveal that PIK3CA mutations have a key role in the pathogenesis of VM and PIK3CA-driven experimental lesions can be effectively treated by PI3K/mTOR inhibitors

A Gut-Ex-Vivo System to Study Gut Inflammation Associated to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex, chronic, and dysregulated inflammatory condition which etiology is still largely unknown. Its prognosis and disease progression are highly variable and unpredictable. IBD comprises several heterogeneous inflammatory conditions ranging from Ulcerative Colitis (UC) to Crohn's Disease (CD). Importantly, a definite, well-established, and effective clinical treatment for these pathologies is still lacking. The urgent need for treatment is further supported by the notion that patients affected by UC or CD are also at risk of developing cancer. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms at the basis of IBD development and progression is strictly required to design new and efficient therapeutic regimens. Although the development of animal models has undoubtedly facilitated the study of IBD, such in vivo approaches are often expensive and time-consuming. Here we propose an organ ex vivo culture (Gut-Ex-Vivo system, GEVS) based on colon from Balb/c mice cultivated in a dynamic condition, able to model the biochemical and morphological features of the mouse models exposed to DNBS (5-12 days), in 5 h. Indeed, upon DNBS exposure, we observed a dose-dependent: (i) up-regulation of the stress-related protein transglutaminase 2 (TG2); (ii) increased intestinal permeability associated with deregulated tight junction protein expression; (iii) increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNFα, IFNγ, IL1β, IL6, IL17A, and IL15; (iv) down-regulation of the anti-inflammatory IL10; and (v) induction of Endoplasmic Reticulum stress (ER stress), all markers of IBD. Altogether, these data indicate that the proposed model can be efficiently used to study the pathogenesis of IBD, in a time- and cost-effective manner

Identification of Exosomal microRNAs and Their Targets in Papillary Thyroid Cancer Cells

The release of molecules in exosomal cargoes is involved in tumor development and progression. We compared the profiles of exosomal microRNAs released by two thyroid cancer cell lines (TPC-1 and K1) with that of non-tumorigenic thyroid cells (Nthy-ori-3-1), and we explored the network of miRNA–target interaction. After extraction and characterization of exosomes, expression levels of microRNAs were investigated using custom TaqMan Advanced array cards, and compared with those expressed in the total cell extracts. The functional enrichment and network-based analysis of the miRNAs’ targets was also performed. Five microRNAs (miR-21-5p, miR-31-5p, miR-221-3p, miR-222-3p, and let-7i-3p) were significantly deregulated in the exosomes of tumor cells vs. non-tumorigenic cells, and three of them (miR-31-5p, miR-222-3p, and let-7i-3p) in the more aggressive K1 compared to TPC-1 cells. The network analysis of the five miRNAs identified some genes as targets of more than one miRNAs. These findings permitted the identification of exosomal microRNAs secreted by aggressive PTC cells, and indicated that their main targets are regulators of the tumor microenvironment. A deeper analysis of the functional role of the targets of exosomal miRNAs will provide further information on novel targets of molecular treatments for these neoplasms

Mo1927 Mucosa-Associated Microbiota and Promoter Methylation Status of Genes Involved in Immune Response in Crohn's Disease Patients

N/