MicroRNA-551b expression profile in low and high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the expression of microRNA (miR)-551b in patients with low and high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and to find an association with high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection-related prognostic biomarkers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression level of miR-551b was determined in 50 paraffin-embedded cervical specimens (10 normal squamous epithelium, 18 condylomas, 8 CIN1, and 14 CIN2-3) using quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). χ2-test compared miR-551b expression in different diagnosis groups. An Ordered Logistic Regression and a Probit correlation were made to correlate miR-551b expression levels with the cervical tissue histological findings. The immunohistochemical distribution of p16 and Ki-67 according to histopathological findings was also assessed. RESULTS: The distribution of the miR-551b expression profile was significantly lower in CIN1-3 samples compared to other histological diagnosis groups (condyloma and negative). The expression levels were inversely correlated to the cervical pathological grade, from negative to CIN2-3. A 1% increase in miR-551b expression level produced an increase of 19% to the probability of a minor histological grade diagnosis in a range from negative to CIN2-3 and an increase of 13% to the probability of a negative histological grade diagnosis. Among the cases with miR-551b expression < 0.02 (considered as cut-off value) a significant statistical correlation was found between p16 and Ki-67 expression and the diagnosis of CIN2-3. CONCLUSIONS: O ur d ata s howed a s ignificant inverse correlation between miR-551b expression and the histological grading of the lesions, suggesting a tumor suppressive function in the different stages of cervical dysplasia

Heterodyne near-field scattering: A technique for complex fluids

The heterodyne near-field scattering (HNFS) technique for studying complex fluids such as colloidal systems was discussed. A different data reduction scheme was adopted which allowed the improvement in performance of the technique, at levels of sensitivity and accuracy much higher than those achievable with classical low-angle light scattering instrumentation. It was observed that this method also relaxes the requirements on the optical/mechanical stability of the experimental setup and allows for a real time analysis. Nonstationary samples, such as aggregating colloidal solutions, were also investigated, and their kinetics quantitatively characterized

A method for determining the distribution of carbon nanotubes in nanocomposites by electric conductivity

Carbon nanotube (CNT) polymer nanocomposites are one of the most promising materials due to their remarkable mechanical properties as well as the electrical conductivity, which offers the capability of monitoring the deformation and damage of composite structures by measuring the related conductivity variations. However, quantifying the distribution of CNTs inside the material remains a challenge with respects to both experimental and numerical works. In the current study, the electrical conductivity was used to determine the microstructure of CNT-reinforced polymer. By introducing a modified parameter related to the polar angle of CNTs, the mechanical properties as well as the electrical conductivity change with respect to deformation of nanocomposites can be replicated. After validation by experimental data from the multi-walled CNT/polymer nanocompo sites under tensile loading, the capability of the current method was then studied for composites with various weight fractions of nanotubes. (C) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V

Satellite-based Assessment of Climate Controls on US Burned Area

Climate regulates fire activity through the buildup and drying of fuels and the conditions for fire ignition and spread. Understanding the dynamics of contemporary climate-fire relationships at national and sub-national scales is critical to assess the likelihood of changes in future fire activity and the potential options for mitigation and adaptation. Here, we conducted the first national assessment of climate controls on US fire activity using two satellite-based estimates of monthly burned area (BA), the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED, 1997 2010) and Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (MTBS, 1984 2009) BA products. For each US National Climate Assessment (NCA) region, we analyzed the relationships between monthly BA and potential evaporation (PE) derived from reanalysis climate data at 0.5 resolution. US fire activity increased over the past 25 yr, with statistically significant increases in MTBS BA for entire US and the Southeast and Southwest NCA regions. Monthly PE was strongly correlated with US fire activity, yet the climate driver of PE varied regionally. Fire season temperature and shortwave radiation were the primary controls on PE and fire activity in the Alaska, while water deficit (precipitation PE) was strongly correlated with fire activity in the Plains regions and Northwest US. BA and precipitation anomalies were negatively correlated in all regions, although fuel-limited ecosystems in the Southern Plains and Southwest exhibited positive correlations with longer lead times (6 12 months). Fire season PE in creased from the 1980s 2000s, enhancing climate-driven fire risk in the southern and western US where PE-BA correlations were strongest. Spatial and temporal patterns of increasing fire season PE and BA during the 1990s 2000s highlight the potential sensitivity of US fire activity to climate change in coming decades. However, climatefire relationships at the national scale are complex, based on the diversity of fire types, ecosystems, and ignition sources within each NCA region. Changes in the seasonality or magnitude of climate anomalies are therefore unlikely to result in uniform changes in US fire activity

Probing Transverse Coherence with the Heterodyne Speckle Approach: Overview and Perspectives☆

Abstract The properties of spatial coherence of radiation emitted by relativistic electrons is far from being trivial. Assessing the coherence of high-brilliance X-ray sources (3rd generation synchrotrons or free electron lasers) is of crucial importance for machine diagnostics, as well as in planning experiments exploiting coherent techniques. The Heterodyne Speckles method, firstly described by Alaimo et al. (2009), is a valuable alternative to standard methods (e.g. Young's interferometer) which 1) provides a direct measure of transverse coherence without any a-priori assumption, 2) provides a full 2D map of coherence, 3) is capable of one shot, time-resolved measures, 4) is scalable over a wide range of wavelengths. It relies upon the statistical analysis of radiation scattered by spherical particles randomly distributed and suspended in a fluid. Here we give an overview of this method, from the theoretical framework to the operating conditions to be adopted in order to obtain coherence measurements in several conditions

Natural Formulations Based on Olea europaea L. Fruit Extract for the Topical Treatment of HSV-1 Infections

In the present study, a hydroxytyrosol-rich Olea europaea L. fruit extract (OFE) was added to three thoroughly green formulations—hydrogel, oleogel, and cream—in order to evaluate their antiviral activity against HSV-1. The extract was characterized by different analytical techniques, i.e., FT-IR, XPS, and TGA. HPLC analyses were carried out to monitor the content and release of hydroxytyrosol in the prepared formulations. The total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity were investigated through Folin–Ciocâlteu’s reagent, DPPH, and ABTS assays. The ability of the three formulations to convey active principles to the skin was evaluated using a Franz cell, showing that the number of permeated polyphenols in the hydrogel (272.1 ± 1.8 GAE/g) was significantly higher than those in the oleogel and cream (174 ± 10 and 179.6 ± 2 GAE/g, respectively), even if a negligible amount of hydroxytyrosol crossed the membrane for all the formulations. The cell viability assay indicated that the OFE and the three formulations were not toxic to cultured Vero cells. The antiviral activity tests highlighted that the OFE had a strong inhibitory effect against HSV-1 with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) at 25 µg/mL, interfering directly with the viral particles. Among the three formulations, the hydrogel exhibited the highest antiviral activity also against the acyclovir-resistant strain

Microstructural investigation on an Al 6061 T6 alloy subjected to ballistic impact C

Ballistic impact generates significant modifications in the microstructural patterns. High strain rate and local high temperature conditions work together in opposite way: the first causes strain hardening, while the second factor produces softening. Moreover, after the impact, the cooling process is responsible of other local modifications on the arrangement of dislocations and precipitates. Therefore an experimental analysis on Al 6061 T6 cut from the edge of a component subjected to ballistic impact has been carried on in order to investigate on the microstructural modifications. Considerations about the influence on the mechanical behavior and on the fracture propagation are reported. The crystallographic textures and the misorientation featuring the grains play in fact a significant role in the fracture mechanism. The comparison between the texture situation before and after the impact can allow to evaluate the localized straining of the material and to point out its dissipation efficiency as a function of the distance from the damaged surfaces © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and peer-review under responsibility of ICM1

Are control of extracellular acid-base balance and regulation of skeleton genes linked to resistance to ocean acidification in adult sea urchins?

• Arbacia lixula and Paracentrotus lividus were differently affected at low seawater pH exposure. • P. lividus skeleton integrity was not affected by low seawater pH. • Arbacia lixula exposed to low seawater pH near CO2 vent showed decreased skeletal integrity. • pH exposure leads to changes in biomineralization-related genes expression. • Acid-base regulation capacity is linked with a better tolerance to low seawater pH

An overview on molecular characterization of thymic tumors: Old and new targets for clinical advances

Thymic tumors are a group of rare mediastinal malignancies that include three different histological subtypes with completely different clinical behavior: the thymic carcinomas, the thymomas, and the rarest thymic neuroendocrine tumors. Nowadays, few therapeutic options are available for relapsed and refractory thymic tumors after a first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. In the last years, the deepening of knowledge on thymus’ biological characterization has opened possibilities for new treatment options. Several clinical trials have been conducted, the majority with disappointing results mainly due to inaccurate patient selection, but recently some encouraging results have been presented. In this review, we summarize the molecular alterations observed in thymic tumors, underlying the great biological differences among the different histology, and the promising targeted therapies for the future