Chromatin packaging and morphology in ejaculated human spermatozoa: evidence of hidden anomalies in normal spermatozoa

This study aimed to investigate the association between anomalies in sperm chromatin packaging, morphology and fertilization in patients undergoing routine in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or subzonal insemination (SUZI). Sperm chromatin packaging was assessed using chromomycin A3 (CMA3), a fluorochrome specific for guanine-cytosine rich sequences of DNA. One hundred to 150 sperm cells were assessed in 55 patients to compare sperm chromatin packaging and morphology to fertilization after IVF or SUZI. When the morphology and CMA3 fluorescence of individual spermatozoa was assessed, >75% of the macrocephalic sperm fluoresced in all patients. In contrast a mean of 37% of the spermatozoa with normal morphology fluoresced in IVF patients compared with 58% of the normal spermatozoa in male factor patients treated by SUZI. SUZI patients displaying a high fluorescence (>70%) in their spermatozoa also had a significantly lower fertilization rate. Lower packaging quality in morphologically normal spermatozoa may represent a major limiting factor in the fertilizing ability of male factor patients. This study confirms that a high percentage of CMA3 positivity is present in certain forms of male factor infertility and that such a test may be used to distinguish separate populations in morphologically normal spermatozo

Annurca apple (M. pumila Miller cv Annurca) extracts act against stress and ageing in S. cerevisiae yeast cells

During the past years, a number of studies have demonstrated the positive effect of apple on ageing and different diseases such as cancer, degenerative and cardiovascular diseases. The unicellular yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae represents a simple eukaryotic model to study the effects of different compounds on lifespan. We previously demonstrated that apple extracts have anti-ageing effects in this organism because of their antioxidant properties. In particular, the effect is related to the presence in this fruit of polyphenols, which give a large contribution to the antioxidant activity of apples

External osteotomy in rhinoplasty: Piezosurgery vs osteotome

Purpose: To achieve the desired outcome in rhinoplasty depends on many factors. Osteotomy and surgical reshaping of nasal bones are important steps that require careful planning and execution. The availability of different tools raises the question of which one provides significant advantages for both technique and surgical outcome. Our prospective randomized pilot study compared the outcome of post-traumatic rhinoplasty performed with two different external techniques: ultrasound osteotomic cut using the Piezosurgery Medical Device (Mectron, Carasco, Italy) and traditional external osteotomy. Material and methods: Forty-four lateral osteotomies of the nasal wall were performed in twenty-two patients. In twelve patients the osteotomies were conducted with a 2-mm traditional osteotome (control group), while in the remaining ten patients these were done with the Piezosurgery Medical Device (experimental group). Results: At the postoperative evaluation, significantly lower pain, edema and ecchymosis were noticed in the experimental group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the endoscopic evaluation showed fewer mucosal injuries in the experimental group (p < 0.05), whereas bleeding, symmetry of the pyramid and presence of external scars, were similar in the two groups. Conclusions: In the present study, Piezosurgery Medical Device allowed for safe lateral osteotomies in rhinoplasty preliminarily demonstrating the potential to reduce some of the most frequent complications of rhinoplasty

Hyaluronan mixed esters of butyric and retinoic acid drive cardiac and endothelial fate in term placenta human mesenchymal stem cells and enhance cardiac repair in infarcted rat hearts.

We have developed a mixed ester of hyaluronan with butyric and retinoic acid (HBR) that acted as a novel cardiogenic/vasculogenic agent in human mesenchymal stem cells isolated from bone marrow, dental pulp, and fetal membranes of term placenta (FMhMSCs). HBR remarkably enhanced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), KDR, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) gene expression and the secretion of the angiogenic, mitogenic, and antiapoptotic factors VEGF and HGF, priming stem cell differentiation into endothelial cells. HBR also increased the transcription of the cardiac lineage-promoting genes GATA-4 and Nkx-2.5 and the yield of cardiac markerexpressing cells. These responses were notably more pronounced in FMhMSCs. FMhMSC transplantation into infarcted rat hearts was associated with increased capillary density, normalization of left ventricular function, and significant decrease in scar tissue. Transplantation of HBR-preconditioned FMhM-SCs further enhanced capillary density and the yield of human vWF-expressing cells, additionally decreasing the infarct size. Some engrafted, HBR-pretreated FMhMSCs were also positive for connexin 43 and cardiac troponin I. Thus, the beneficial effects of HBR-exposed FMhMSCs may be mediated by a large supply of angiogenic and antiapoptotic factors, and FMhMSC differentiation into vascular cells. These findings may contribute to further development in cell therapy of heart failure

Effects of rearing density on rainbow trout welfare, determined by plasmatic and tissue parameters

The work aimed to determine the welfare status of rainbow trout (50±15 g), intensively reared to commercial size in twoconcrete raceways (V1, V2) at different stocking densities, to reach final load of 40 kg/m3 and 20 kg/m3, respectively.Throughout the out-phase, plasma parameters and hepatic glycogen content were determined every three months andcompared with those of rainbow trout of the same age and mean weight, reared extensively (VE). At the end of the trialsignificant differences of the monitored parameters were found between rainbow trout reared in raceways (V1, V2) andthose held in the reservoir (VE). Plasma triglycerids, total cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase in fish reared intensivelywere significantly different from fish reared in extensive conditions. The highest levels of these parameters in V1 andV2 could be justified mostly by the administration of balanced feeding and consequent modifications of energeticmetabolism and in small part to the high density of the intensive rearing conditions. Transaminases (AST, ALT) increasedin V1 and V2 only at the first sampling. Afterwards, the activity of these two enzymes returned to the normal range atthe subsequent assays, suggesting a capacity of the rainbow trout to adapt to the severe conditions of confinement, typicalof out-basins. No significant differences among groups were observed for total protein, glucose, CK and LDH. A similarsituation was also shown for liver glycogen content

Electrophysiological profile remodeling via selective suppression of voltage-gated currents by CLN1/PPT1 overexpression in human neuronal-like cells.

CLN1 disease (OMIM #256730) is an inherited neurological disorder of early childhood with epileptic seizures and premature death. It is associated with mutations in CLN1 coding for Palmitoyl-Protein Thioesterase 1 (PPT1), a lysosomal enzyme which affects the recycling and degradation of lipid-modified (S-acylated) proteins by removing palmitate residues. Transcriptomic evidence from a neuronal-like cellular model derived from differentiated SH-SY5Y cells disclosed the potential negative roles of CLN1 overexpression, affecting the elongation of neuronal processes and the expression of selected proteins of the synaptic region. Bioinformatic inquiries of transcriptomic data pinpointed a dysregulated expression of several genes coding for proteins related to voltage-gated ion channels, including subunits of calcium and potassium channels (VGCC and VGKC). In SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing CLN1 (SH-CLN1 cells), the resting potential and the membrane conductance in the range of voltages close to the resting potential were not affected. However, patch-clamp recordings indicated a reduction of Ba2+ currents through VGCC of SH-CLN1 cells; Ca2+ imaging revealed reduced Ca2+ influx in the same cellular setting. The results of the biochemical and morphological investigations of CACNA2D2/α2δ-2, an accessory subunit of VGCC, were in accordance with the downregulation of the corresponding gene and consistent with the hypothesis that a lower number of functional channels may reach the plasma membrane. The combined use of 4-AP and NS-1643, two drugs with opposing effects on Kv11 and Kv12 subfamilies of VGKC coded by the KCNH gene family, provides evidence for reduced functional Kv12 channels in SH-CLN1 cells, consistent with transcriptomic data indicating the downregulation of KCNH4. The lack of compelling evidence supporting the palmitoylation of many ion channels subunits investigated in this study stimulates inquiries about the role of PPT1 in the trafficking of channels to the plasma membrane. Altogether, these results indicate a reduction of functional voltage-gated ion channels in response to CLN1/PPT1 overexpression in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells and provide new insights into the altered neuronal excitability which may underlie the severe epileptic phenotype of CLN1 disease. It remains to be shown if remodeling of such functional channels on plasma membrane can occur as a downstream effect of CLN1 disease.Peer reviewe

Analisi e simulazione stocastica di un modello aggregato dell'economia italiana 1952-1971

Experiments of stochastic simulation on a macro model of the Italian economy; this paper describes the first results produced by the research team

Analysis and stochastic simulation of a macro model of the Italian economy 1952-1971

Experiments of stochastic simulation on a macro model of the Italian economy; this paper describes the first results produced by the research team.Stochastic simulation; macroeconometric model

Long-term Monitoring of Irrelevant Speech Noise in Open-plan Offices with and without Lighting Feedback to the Occupants

Irrelevant speech noise is one of the main sources of noise that negatively affect health, well-being, comfort and performance in densely occupied environments. The use of devices that provide lighting feedback based on noise levels generated by occupants could promote occupants change in their behaviour and therefore an improvement of acoustic conditions. In the present work, a long-term monitoring campaign was performed with the S3EM (Speech and Sound SEMaphore) device, that monitors noise levels and visualises their variation through an integrated coloured lighting feedback (i.e., red, yellow and green) based on the results of an advanced algorithm. Six S3EM devices were used in two Intesa Sanpaolo headquarters offices in Milan (Italy) for a total of 4 weeks. In the first and fourth weeks the lighting feedback was off, in the second and third weeks it was on. This procedure allows to evaluate the lighting feedback effect on occupants. Before the in-field campaign, the S3EM devices were calibrated and the correct settings involved in the algorithm were defined for their optimization to the sonic environment profile. The S3EM monitoring was integrated with the ethnographic observation method to describe interactions of occupants with the task, the work environment and with the S3EM