IgM-producing tumors in the BALB/c mouse: a model for B-cell maturation

Five adjuvant induced BALB/c tumors producing IgM—McPc 1748, W 3469, TEPC 183, McPc 774, and Y 5781—were characterized morphologically by electron microscopy, analysis of the distribution of surface-bound and intracytoplasmic IgM using immunofluorescence, and by biochemical study of IgM synthesis, turnover, and secretion. The cells of different tumors appear to represent different stages in B-cell maturation when compared to normal, lipopolysaccharide-stimulated B cells. Thus, McPc 1748 tumor cells resemble 10–25-h stimulated normal B cells, 3469 cells resemble 20–35-h stimulated B cells, TEPC 183 cells resemble 45–65-h stimulated B cells, Y 5781 cells resemble 80–110-h stimulated B cells, and McPc 774 cells resemble 100–130-h stimulated B cells

EPR enlightening some aspects of propane ODH over VOx\u2013SiO2 and VOx\u2013Al2O3

In the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of propane to propylene VOx-based catalysts prepared by name pyrolysis (FP) showed more selective than those prepared by impregnation. Furthermore, samples prepared by the same method were less active, but more selective when VOx was supported on SiO2 than on Al2O3. In order to assess V local structure, V4+ ions showed useful labels to characterise these catalysts by EPR spectroscopy. Indeed, the spectrum of a (10 wt%V2O5) FP-prepared VOx/SiO2 catalyst was typical of isolated, tetragonally distorted, paramagnetic complexes of V4+ forming a monolayer on the sample surface with a strong out-of-plane V4+-O bond. In a sample with identical composition, but prepared by impregnation, this bond showed a bit weaker. Furthermore, ferromagnetic domains of clustered V ions formed in the latter sample, hindering at least in part the accessibility to the catalytically active V-based centres. This gives evidence of the higher dispersion of V in the sample bulk provided by the FP preparation method with respect to conventional ones. A by far weaker V4+-O bond was revealed by the EPR spectrum of a (10%V2O5) VOx/Al2O3 sample, accounting for its higher oxygen availability, leading to higher activity, but lower selectivity. However, the same catalyst, when prepared by impregnation, showed a ferromagnetic resonance pattern so intense that no EPR spectrum was detectable at all and no information on the V4+-O bond strength was available in that case. Such semi-quantitative index of the V-O bond strength can be used as an index of oxygen availability, as a tool to assess catalytic activity and selectivity to the desired olefin

Invasive pneumococcal disease in tuscany region, Italy, 2016–2017: Integrating multiple data sources to investigate underreporting

Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) is a vaccine-preventable disease characterized by the presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae in normally sterile sites. Since 2007, Italy has implemented an IPD national surveillance system (IPD-NSS). This system suffers from high rates of underreporting. To estimate the level of underreporting of IPD in 2016–2017 in Tuscany (Italy), we integrated data from IPD-NSS and two other regional data sources, i.e., Tuscany regional microbiological surveillance (Microbiological Surveillance and Antibiotic Resistance in Tuscany, SMART) and hospitalization discharge records (HDRs). We collected (1) notifications to IPD-NSS, (2) SMART records positive for S. pneumoniae from normally sterile sites, and (3) hospitalization records with IPD-related International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD9) codes in discharge diagnoses. We performed data linkage of the three sources to obtain a combined surveillance system (CSS). Using the CSS, we calculated the completeness of the three sources and performed a three-source log-linear capture–recapture analysis to estimate total IPD underreporting. In total, 127 IPD cases were identified from IPD-NSS, 320 were identified from SMART, and 658 were identified from HDRs. After data linkage, a total of 904 unique cases were detected. The average yearly CSS notification rate was 12.1/100,000 inhabitants. Completeness was 14.0% for IPD-NSS, 35.4% for SMART, and 72.8% for HDRs. The capture–recapture analysis suggested a total estimate of 3419 cases of IPD (95% confidence interval (CI): 1364–5474), corresponding to an underreporting rate of 73.7% (95% CI: 34.0–83.6) for CSS. This study shows substantial underreporting in the Tuscany IPD surveillance system. Integration of available data sources may be a useful approach to complement notification-based surveillance and provide decision-makers with better information to plan effective control strategies against IPD

Visualization through magnetic resonance imaging of DNA internalized following "in vivo" electroporation.

The ability to visualize plasmid DNA entrapment in muscle cells undergoing an "in vivo" electroporation treatment was investigated on BALB/c mice using a 7-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner using the paramagnetic Gd–DOTA–spd complex as imaging reporter. Gd–DOTA–spd bears a tripositively charged spermidine residue that yields a strong binding affinity toward the negatively charged DNA chain (6.4 kb, K a = 2.2 × 10 3 M −1 for approximately 2500 ± 500 binding sites). Cellular colocalization of Gd-DOTA-spd and plasmid DNA has been validated by histological analysis of excised treated muscle. In vivo MRI visualization of Gd-DOTA-spd distribution provides an excellent route to access the cellular entrapment of plasmid DNA upon applying an electroporation pulse

Arthrobacter sp. Inoculation Improves Cactus Pear Growth, Quality of Fruits, and Nutraceutical Properties of Cladodes

A study was undertaken to determine the effects of a strain of Arthrobacter sp., a Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB), on plant phenology and qualitative composition of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. fruits and cladodes. The strain was inoculated in soil, and its effects on cactus pear plants were detected and compared to nontreated plants. Compared to the latter, the treatment with bacteria promoted an earlier plant sprouting (2 months before the control) and fruitification, ameliorating fruit quality (i.e., improved fresh and dry weight: + 24% and + 26%, respectively, increased total solid content by 30% and polyphenols concentrations by 22%). The quality and quantity of monosaccharides of cladodes were also increased by Arthrobacter sp. with a positive effect on their nutraceutical value. In summer, the mean values of xylose, arabinose, and mannose were significantly higher in treated compared to not treated plants (+ 3.54; + 7.04; + 4.76 mg/kg d.w. respectively). A similar trend was observed in autumn, when the cladodes of inoculated plants had higher contents, i.e., 33% xylose, 65% arabinose, and 40% mannose, respect to the controls. In conclusion, Arthrobacter sp. plays a role in the improvement of nutritional and nutraceutical properties of cactus pear plants due to its capabilities to promote plant growth. Therefore, these results open new perspectives in PGPB application in the agro-farming system as alternative strategy to improve cactus pear growth, yield, and cladodes quality, being the latter the main by-product to be utilized for additional industrial uses

Erupted cumulate fragments in rhyolites from Lipari (Aeolian Islands)

Over the last similar to 267 ky, the island of Lipari has erupted magmas ranging in compositions from basaltic andesites to rhyolites, with a notable compositional gap in the dacite field. Bulk geochemical and isotopic compositions of the volcanic succession, in conjunction with major and trace elemental compositions of minerals, indicate that the rhyolites were dominantly generated via crystal fractionation processes, with subordinate assimilation. Radiogenic (Sr, Nd, and Pb) and stable (O) isotopes independently suggest <= 30 % of crustal contamination with the majority of it occurring in mafic compositions, likely relatively deep in the system. Within the rhyolites, crystal-rich, K2O-rich enclaves are common. In contrast to previous interpretations, we suggest that these enclaves represent partial melting, remobilization and eruption of cumulate fragments left-over from rhyolite melt extraction. Cumulate melting and remobilization is supported by the presence of (1) resorbed, low-temperature minerals (biotite and sanidine), providing the potassic signature to these clasts, (2) reacted Fo-rich olivine, marking the presence of mafic recharge, (3) An(38-21) plagioclase, filling the gap in feldspar composition between the andesites and the rhyolites and (4) strong enrichment in Sr and Ba in plagioclase and sanidine, suggesting crystallization from a locally enriched melt. Based on Sr-melt partitioning, the high-Sr plagioclase would require similar to 2300 ppm Sr in the melt, a value far in excess of Sr contents in Lipari and Vulcano magmas (50-1532 ppm) but consistent with melting of a feldspar-rich cumulate. Due to the presence of similar crystal-rich enclaves within the rhyolites from Vulcano, we propose that the eruption of remobilized cumulates associated with high-SiO2 rhyolites may be a common process at the Aeolian volcanoes, as already attested for a variety of volcanic systems around the world

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on elective surgical volume in Tuscany: effects on local planning and resource prioritization

No abstract availabl