Optimization of an in vitro transcription/translation system based on Sulfolobus solfataricus cell lysate.

A system is described which permits the efficient synthesis of proteins in vitro at high temperature. It is based on the use of an unfractionated cell lysate (S30) from Sulfolobus solfataricus previously well characterized in our laboratory for translation of pre-transcribed mRNAs, and now adapted to perform coupled transcription and translation. The essential element in this expression system is a strong promoter derived from the S. solfataricus 16S/23S rRNA-encoding gene, from which specific mRNAs may be transcribed with high efficiency. The synthesis of two different proteins is reported, including the S. solfataricus DNA-alkylguanine-DNA-alkyl-transferase protein (SsOGT), which is shown to be successfully labeled with appropriate fluorescent substrates and visualized in cell extracts. The simplicity of the experimental procedure and specific activity of the proteins offer a number of possibilities for the study of structure-function relationships of proteins

Robotic Surgery in Female-To-Male Transition: A Possible Way for Further Improvement.

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) represents the recommended approach to perform hysterectomy in case of benign gynecological pathologies [1]. The available evidence clearly shows the superiority of..

Level of HER2/neu gene amplification as a predictive factor of response to trastuzumab-based therapy in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer

To explore the clinical significance of the level of HER2/neu gene amplification in a homogenous cohort of 33 patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and available tumor samples treated with a trastuzumab-based regimen, we retrospectively performed dual-color fluorescence in-situ hybridization test and correlated them for each patient with time-to-progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS). We obtained values of HER2/chromosome 17 centromere (CEP17) ratio ranging from 2.5 to 21 (median 7.2). At the Cox model there is indication that patients whose tumors have high-level HER2/CEP17 ratio have shorter TTP and OS than those with lower ratio, when treated with a trastuzumab-based regimen. Correlations do not reach the limits of statistical significance but no formal sample size calculation was performed due to the explorative nature of the study. If confirmed in larger cohorts of patients, HER2/CEP17 ratio could represent a reliable and economical predictor of response to trastuzumab-based therapy in MBC

Selection of Wine Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains and Their Screening for the Adsorption Activity of Pigments, Phenolics and Ochratoxin A

Ochratoxin A is a dangerous mycotoxin present in wines and is considered the principal safety hazard in the winemaking process. Several authors have investigated the ochratoxin A adsorption ability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts, and specifically selected strains for this desired trait. In the present work, a huge selection of wine yeasts was done starting from Portuguese, Spanish and Italian fermenting musts of dierent cultivars. Firstly, 150 isolates were collected, and 99 non-redundant S. cerevisiae strains were identified. Then, the strains were screened following a multi-step approach in order to select those having primary oenological traits, mainly (a) good fermentation performance, (b) low production of H2S and (c) low production of acetic acid. The preselected strains were further investigated for their adsorption activity of pigments, phenolic compounds and ochratoxin A. Finally, 10 strains showed the desired features. The goal of this work was to select the strains capable of absorbing ochratoxin A but not pigments and phenolic compounds in order to improve and valorise both the quality and safety of red wines. The selected strains are considered good candidates for wine starters, moreover, they can be exploited to obtain a further enhancement of the specific adsorption/non-adsorption activity by applying a yeast breeding approach

Clinical biomarkers in brain injury: a lesson from cardiac arrest.

Cardiac arrest (CA) is the primary cause of death in industrialized countries. Successful resuscitation rate is estimated of about 40%, but a good neurological outcome remains difficult to achieve. The majority of resuscitated victims suffers of a pathophysiological entity termed as "post resuscitation disease". Today's efforts are mainly pointed to the chain of survival, often devoting less attention to post-resuscitation care. Resuscitated patients are often victims of nihilistic therapeutic approach, with clinicians failing to promptly institute strategies that mitigate the ischemia-reperfusion injury to vital organs. Only after 72 hours prognostication can be realistically attempted. Neurological evaluation relies on a combination of clinical, instrumental and laboratoristic parameters, since no one alone holds a specificity of 100%. Biochemical markers, such as neuron specific enolase and S-100b, may contribute to predict prognosis after CA. To the contrary, when used individually the necessary precision remains poorly characterized. Biochemical studies suffer from substantial methodological differences hampering attempts to summarize their findings. We review the information available on biochemical markers of brain damage for neurological prognostication after CA

Incidencia de la salud mental en la productividad laboral

Diversos estudios realizados actualmente en el mundo demuestran la relación existente entre los trastornos mentales no tratados con el ausentismo laboral, la baja productividad, el aumento de accidentes, los conflictos laborales y la mala relación con los compañeros de trabajo y con los jefes. Es por ello por lo que el propósito de esta investigación es analizar la incidencia de la salud mental en la productividad laboral. Para cumplir con este propósito, se asumió la metodología de un artículo de revisión, investigación documental de tipo monográfica. Obteniendo como resultado, que la salud mental es un componente básico de productividad personal y laboral. Trabajadores sanos son más productivos. La productividad y la calidad laboral van más allá de cumplir un horario, implica la intención y el propósito de lo que se hace, interviniendo directamente la motivación y el deseo. Al tener salud mental, existe un equilibrio entre lo que se espera, lo que se desea y lo que se tiene, aumentando la productividad no solo laboral sino en todos los ámbitos de la vida

Factors Associated with Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Acceptance among Pregnant Women: Data from Outpatient Women Experiencing High-Risk Pregnancy

Pregnant women are at higher risk of severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) complications than non-pregnant women. The initial exclusion of pregnant women from anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines clinical trials has caused a lack of conclusive data about safety and efficacy for this vulnerable population. This cross-sectional study aims to define the factors related to vaccination adherence in a sample of women experiencing high-risk pregnancies. The recruited women completed a questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model. Data were analyzed to evaluate the associations between socio-demographic variables and vaccination acceptance through descriptive, univariate and multivariate logistic analyses. Among the 233 women enrolled, 65.2% (n = 152) declared that they would accept the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Multivariate analysis showed that vaccination acceptance was associated with a high educational level (aOR = 4.52, p = 0.001), a low perception of barriers to vaccination (aOR = 1.58, p = 0.005) and the gynecologist's advice (aOR = 3.18, p = 0.01). About a third of pregnant women are still hesitant about the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, probably because of the conflicting information received from media, friends, acquaintances and health institutions. Determining factors linked to vaccine hesitancy among pregnant women is useful for creating vaccination strategies that increase vaccination uptake

Psychological variables in medically assisted reproduction: a systematic review

Introduction: The paths of medically assisted reproduction represent the most important scientific progress to cope with the inability to achieve spontaneous conception (SC) and to reach desired parenthood. Couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) and couples not facing ovulation induction and artificial fertilization show sufficient levels of well-being and psychological adjustment. However, in some cases couples undergoing ART show lower perceived quality of life than couples with SC. Our aim is to investigate the main psychological variables involved in the special risk condition of medically assisted reproduction and how they could direct specific guidelines to enhance mental wellbeing in dealing with infertility. Material and methods: In this regard, we performed a systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines. From all the studies included, the considered outcome measures were psychological, social, and relational vari- ables and are presented in a systematic approach. Results: A total of 14 studies were included in this article, according to our strict inclusion criteria. Conclusions: Conflicting results have been proven by this systematic review. Even though all underlined the importance of taking charge of the psychological variables in infertility, few studies monitored and evaluated the effectiveness of these interventions. Moreover, none of the selected studies monitored the evolutionary implications of parental competence on the development of children born from ART

Symptomatic COVID-19 in pregnancy: hospital cohort data between may 2020 and april 2021, risk factors and medicolegal implications

Pregnancy does not appear to increase susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, but some physiological changes, such as the reduction of residual functional volumes, elevation of the diaphragm, and impaired cellular immunity, may increase the risk of severe disease and result in a higher risk of complications. The article's primary objective is to evaluate the factors associated with symptomatic COVID-19 disease in pregnancy. The secondary objective is to describe maternal and neonatal outcomes and cases of vertical transmission of the infection. All pregnant women hospitalized with SARS-CoV2 infection were included in a prospective study in the UOC of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AOOR Villa Sofia-Cervello, Palermo, between May 2020 and April 2021. The patients who requested the termination of the pregnancy according to Law 194/78 were excluded. We included 165 pregnancies with a total number of 134 deliveries. Overall, 88.5% of the patients were asymptomatic at the time of admission and 11.5% were symptomatic. Of them, 1.8% of the patients required hospital admission in the intensive care unit. Symptoms occurrences were positively associated with the increase in maternal BMI (OR 1.17; p = 0.002), the prematurity (OR 4.71; p = 0.022), and at a lower birth weight (OR 0.99; p = 0.007). One infant tested positive for SARS-CoV2 nasopharyngeal swab; 11.4% of newborns had IgG anti SARS-CoV2 at birth; IgM was positive in 2.4% of newborns. There was no difference statistically significant difference in the vertical transmission of the infection among the group of symptomatic pregnant women and that of asymptomatic pregnant women

Circulating miRNAs as a Tool for Early Diagnosis of Endometrial Cancer—Implications for the Fertility-Sparing Process: Clinical, Biological, and Legal Aspects

This review article explores the possibility of developing an integrated approach to the management of the different needs of endometrial cancer (EC) patients seeking to become pregnant. Life preservation of the woman, health preservation of the baby, a precocious and—as much as possible—minimally invasive characterization of the health and fertility parameters of the patient, together with the concerns regarding the obstetric, neonatal, and adult health risks of the children conceived via assisted reproductive techniques (ART) are all essential aspects of the problem to be taken into consideration, yet the possibility to harmonize such needs through a concerted and integrated approach is still very challenging. This review aims to illustrate the main features of EC and how it affects the normal physiology of pre-menopausal women. We also focus on the prospect of a miR-based, molecular evaluation of patient health status, including both EC early diagnosis and staging and, similarly, the receptivity of the woman, discussing the possible evaluation of both aspects using a single specific panel of circulating miRs in the patient, thus allowing a relatively fast, non-invasive testing with a significantly reduced margin of error. Finally, the ethical and legal/regulatory aspects of such innovative techniques require not only a risk-benefit analysis; respect for patient autonomy and equitable health care access allocation are fundamental issues as well