Clinical, laboratory and immunohistochemical characterization of in situ pulmonary arterial thrombosis in fatal COVID-19

Background: COVID-19 patients carry an increased rate of thrombosis. It is controversial to which extent thrombi in the pulmonary arterial tree really contribute to disease severity with hypoxemia secondary to microvascular/lung parenchymal damage with viral alveolitis considered to play the main role in critical disease. Objectives: The primary objective was to compare post-mortem lung disease from fatal COVID-19 pneumonia in patients with macroscopically evident pulmonary arterial tree thrombosis and patients without, by characterizing the immunohistochemical nature of thrombi, and by comparing clinical and laboratory features of these patients with other COVID-19 patients who died but without evidence of pulmonary arterial thrombosis (controls). Patients and methods: 13 COVID-19 pneumonia cases (mean age ± standard deviation: 74 ± 6.5 years) with macroscopically visible pulmonary arterial thrombosis were compared to 14 controls. Hematoxylin and Eosin stained slides were reviewed choosing those with visible pulmonary thrombi which were further characterized by immunohistochemistry, in particular for the inflammatory infiltrates. Ante mortem serum markers relevant to pulmonary embolism were evaluated in both groups. Results: Twenty arterial thrombi (5 cases with multiple thrombi) were selected for study and were composed by white blood cells (WBC) [median, IQR range: 10 % (5–12.25)], mainly neutrophils [58 % (35.2–64.5)]. Cases with thrombosis showed significantly higher levels of platelet count [median, IQR range: 195000/mmc (157750–274,500) vs 143,500 (113000–175,250), p = 0.011], LDH [854 U/L (731–1315) vs 539 (391.5–660), p = 0.003] at admission, and D-dimer at ICU transfer [25,072 FEU (6951–50,531) vs 1024 (620–5501), p = 0.003]. Conclusions: Immunothrombotically driven arterial thrombi in COVID-19 patients are associated with D-Dimer and LDH elevations, thus linking inflammation, coagulopathy and organ damage in fatal COVID-19

Exploring the boundaries in an interdisciplinary context through the Family Resemblance Approach: The Dialogue Between Physics and Mathematics

Among the relevant aspects of the family resemblance approach (FRA), our study focuses on the potential of the approach to elaborate on disciplinary identities in an interdisciplinary context, specifically regarding the interplay between physics and mathematics. We present and discuss how the FRA wheel can be used and intertwined with the framework of boundary objects and boundary crossing mechanisms (Akkerman & Bakker, Review of Educational Research, 81, 132–169, 2011), which is well-known in STEM education for dealing with interdisciplinarity. The role of the FRA discussed in the article is dual: both practical and theoretical. It is practical in that we show how its use, in combination with the Akkerman and Bakker framework, appears effective in fostering productive discussions among prospective teachers on disciplinary identities and interdisciplinarity in historical cases. It is theoretical in that the combination of the two frameworks provides the vocabulary to characterise the ‘ambiguous nature’ of interdisciplinarity: like boundaries, interdisciplinarity both separates disciplines, making their identities emerge, and connects them, fostering mechanisms of crossing and transgressing the boundaries. This empirical study reveals how the theoretical elaboration took advantage of the prospective teachers’ contributions. We initially presented the FRA to characterise disciplinary identities, but the prospective teachers highlighted its potential to characterise also the boundary zone and the dialogue between physics and mathematics. The data analysis showed that the combination of the two frameworks shaped a complex learning space where there was room for very different epistemic demands of the prospective teachers: from those who feel better within the identity cores of the disciplines, to those who like to inhabit the boundary zone and others who like to re-shape boundary spaces and move dynamically across them

Nitric Oxide Synthase inhibition counteracts the stress-induced DNA methyltransferase 3b expression in the hippocampus of rats

It has been postulated that the activation of NMDA receptors (NMDAr) and nitric oxide (NO) production in the hippocampus is involved in the behavioral consequences of stress. Stress triggers NMDAr-induced calcium influx in limbic areas, such as the hippocampus, which in turn activates neuronal NO synthase (nNOS). Inhibition of nNOS or NMDAr activity can prevent stress-induced effects in animal models, but the molecular mechanisms behind this effect are still unclear. In this study, cultured hippocampal neurons treated with NMDA or dexamethasone showed an increased of DNA methyltransferase 3b (DNMT3b) mRNA expression, which was blocked by pre-treatment with nNOS inhibitor n(omega)-propyl-l-arginine (NPA). In rats submitted to the Learned Helplessness paradigm (LH), we observed that inescapable stress increased DNMT3b mRNA expression at 1h and 24h in the hippocampus. The NOS inhibitors 7-NI and aminoguanidine (AMG) decreased the number of escape failures in LH and counteracted the changes in hippocampal DNMT3b mRNA induced in this behavioral paradigm. Altogether, our data suggest that NO produced in response to NMDAr activation following stress upregulates DNMT3b in the hippocampus.Peer reviewe

Studio di saldabilità (LBW,FSW, EBW) di leghe da pressocolata a base alluminio

Le leghe da pressocolata sono generalmente difficilmente saldabili con i processi ad arco tradizionali acausa dei cicli termici di saldatura blandi che possono provocare la precipitazione di fasi fragili in ZTA e altempo stesso la complicata geometria dei pezzi può di fatto rendere inapplicabili certe tecnologie(saldature in interstizi non raggiungibili con torce di saldatura tradizionali). Di qui l’esigenza di uno studiodi saldabilità con processi alternativi come quelli ad energia concentrata (fascio laser e fascio elettronico) oil caratteristico processo Friction Stir che permette di saldare facilmente materiali basso fondenti come leleghe di alluminio senza portarle a fusione (fattore che in questo caso può rivelarsi molto positivo). Lo studio inquestione ha previsto l’utilizzo delle tre tecnologie di saldatura sopracitate tramite la tecnica conosciuta come“beads on plate” che consiste nella realizzazione di cordoni di saldatura direttamente su materiale base senzaunire fisicamente due pezzi ma che di fatto permette ugualmente di stabilire l’applicabilità o meno di undeterminato processo. Come materiali per la sperimentazione è stato previsto l’utilizzo di lastrinepressofuse da 2 e 4 mm di spessore, di due differenti leghe Al/Si modificate allo Stronzio riconducibili ai gruppiAlSi9Mn ed AlSi9MgMn. La prima caratterizzata dall’assenza di Magnesio, la seconda con tenori dello stessocompresi fra lo 0.1 e lo 0.5% (quindi inquadrabile come lega indurente per precipitazione)

Studio di saldabilit\ue0 (LBW,FSW, EBW)di leghe da pressocolata a base alluminio

Le leghe da pressocolata sono generalmente difficilmente saldabili con i processi ad arco tradizionali a causa dei cicli termici di saldatura blandi che possono provocare la precipitazione di fasi fragili in ZTA e al tempo stesso la complicata geometria dei pezzi pu\uf2 di fatto rendere inapplicabili certe tecnologie (saldature in interstizi non raggiungibili con torce di saldatura tradizionali). Di qui l\u2019esigenza di uno studio di saldabilit\ue0 con processi alternativi come quelli ad energia concentrata (fascio laser e fascio elettronico) o il caratteristico processo Friction Stir che permette di saldare facilmente materiali basso fondenti come le leghe di alluminio senza portarle a fusione (fattore che in questo caso pu\uf2 rivelarsi molto positivo). Lo studio in questione ha previsto l\u2019utilizzo delle tre tecnologie di saldatura sopracitate tramite la tecnica conosciuta come \u201cbeads on plate\u201d che consiste nella realizzazione di cordoni di saldatura direttamente su materiale base senza unire fisicamente due pezzi ma che di fatto permette ugualmente di stabilire l\u2019applicabilit\ue0 o meno di un determinato processo. Come materiali per la sperimentazione \ue8 stato previsto l\u2019utilizzo di lastrine pressofuse da 2 e 4 mm di spessore, di due differenti leghe Al/Si modificate allo Stronzio riconducibili ai gruppi AlSi9Mn ed AlSi9MgMn. La prima caratterizzata dall\u2019assenza di Magnesio, la seconda con tenori dello stesso compresi fra lo 0.1 e lo 0.5% (quindi inquadrabile come lega indurente per precipitazione

Archeologia delle alte quote sulla montagna veneta: la campagna di ricognizione di superficie 2019 a Recoaro Terme (Vicenza)

In this paper we present the preliminary results of the 2019 field survey conducted in the framework of the project “Beyond the border. Study and enhancement of the highlands between Veneto and Trentino”. The aim of this overarching project, which applies a multidisciplinary approach, is threefold: to detect in this mountain landscape the main activity areas and reconstruct possible connections between them; to analyse the long-term relationships between Trentino and Prealpine Veneto from prehistory to the present day; and to study the evolving function of this frontier area during periods of conflict/interaction. Several methods were employed to shed light on the above-mentioned research aims: field-walking survey, analysis of aerial photos, ethnographic and archival research, GIS-based landscape analysis and predictive modelling, and LiDAR data for feature detection in wooded areas. The combined use of all these approaches allowed us to identify long-term exploitation activities, which are documented also by both the ethnographic and archaeological data. The major periods of conflict in these areas are also highlighted in the archaeological record. The 2019-survey campaign opens up new research directions such as the future excavation of Bronze Age occupation zones; network and connectivity analysis between Prealpine Veneto and Trentino; hillforts and their interaction with the highlands. Digital ArchaeologyClassical & Mediterranean ArchaeologyEuropean Prehistor

Dual mechanism of TRKB activation by anandamide through CB1 and TRPV1 receptors

Background. Administration of anandamide (AEA) or 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2AG) induces CB1 coupling and activation of TRKB receptors, regulating the neuronal migration and maturation in the developing cortex. However, at higher concentrations AEA also engages vanilloid receptor TRPV1, usually with opposed consequences on behavior. Methods and Results. Using primary cell cultures from the cortex of rat embryos (E18) we determined the effects of AEA on phosphorylated TRKB (pTRK). We observed that AEA (at 100 and 200 nM) induced a significant increase in pTRK levels. Such effect of AEA at 100 nM was blocked by pretreatment with the CBI antagonist AM251 (200 nM) and, at the higher concentration of 200 nM by the TRPV1 antagonist capsazepine (200 nM), but mildly attenuated by AM251. Interestingly, the effect of AEA or capsaicin (a TRPV1 agonist, also at 200 nM) on pTRK was blocked by TRKB.Fc (a soluble form of TRKB able to bind BDNF) or capsazepine, suggesting a mechanism dependent on BDNF release. Using the marble-burying test (MBT) in mice, we observed that the local administration of ACEA (a CBI agonist) into the prelimbic region of prefrontal cortex (PL-PFC) was sufficient to reduce the burying behavior, while capsaicin or BDNF exerted the opposite effect, increasing the number of buried marbles. In addition, both ACEA and capsaicin effects were blocked by previous administration of k252a (an antagonist of TRK receptors) into PL-PFC. The effect of systemically injected CB1 agonist WIN55,212-2 was blocked by previous administration of k252a. We also observed a partial colocalization of CBI /TRPV1 /TRKB in the PL-PFC, and the localization of TRPV1 in CaMK2+ cells. Conclusion. Taken together, our data indicate that anandamide engages a coordinated activation of TRKB, via CB1 and TRPV1. Thus, acting upon CBI. and TRPV1, AEA could regulate the TRKB-dependent plasticity in both pre- and postsynaptic compartments.Peer reviewe

Diversidade de minhocas e atributos químicos em sistemas de plantio direto e integração lavoura-pecuária do oeste catarinense.

Resumo também apresentado no CONGRESSO DE INICIAÇÃO CIENTÍFICA E PÓS-GRADUAÇÃO, 2., 2012, São Leopoldo. Mostra de iniciação científica da UNISINOS. São Leopoldo: Casa Leiria, 2012. e-book. II CICPG. Disposição dos autores: ORSO, R.; BARTZ, M. L. C.; BROWN, G. G.; KLAUBER FILHO, O.; ROSA, M. G. da; LOCATELLI, M.; ZORTÉA, T.; CASAROTTO, K.; DECÄENS, T.; BARETTA, D