High mobilization of CD133+/CD34+ cells expressing HIF-1α and SDF-1α in septic abdominal surgical patients

Background: The control of endothelial progenitor cells (CD133+/CD34+ EPCs) migrating from bone marrow to peripheral blood is not completely understood. Emerging evidence suggests that stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) mediates egression of EPCs from bone marrow, while the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) transcriptional system regulates SDF-1α expression. Our study aimed to investigate the time course of circulating CD133+/CD34+ EPCs and its correlation with the expression of HIF-1α protein and SDF-1α in postoperative laparoscopic abdominal septic patients. Methods: Postoperative patients were divided in control (C group) and septic group (S group) operated immediately after the diagnosis of sepsis/septic shock. Blood samples were collected at baseline (0), 1, 3 and 7 postoperative days for CD133+/CD34+ EPCs count expressing or not the HIF-1α and SDF-1α analysis. Results: Thirty-two patients in S group and 39 in C group were analyzed. In C group CD133+/CD34+ EPCs count remained stable throughout the study period, increasing on day 7 (173 [0-421] /μl vs baseline: P = 0.04; vs day 1: P = 0.002). In S group CD133+/CD34+ EPCs count levels were higher on day 3 (vs day 1: P = 0.006 and day 7: P = 0.026). HIF-1α expressing CD133+/CD34+ EPCs count decreased on day 1 as compared with the other days in C group (day 0 vs 1: P = 0.003, days 3 and 7 vs 1: P = 0.008), while it was 321 [0-1418] /μl on day 3 (vs day 1; P = 0.004), and 400 [0-587] /μl on day 7 in S group. SDF-1α levels were higher not only on baseline but also on postoperative day 1 in S vs C group (219 [124-337] pg/ml vs 35 [27-325] pg/ml, respectively; P = 0.01). Conclusion: Our results indicate that sepsis in abdominal laparoscopic patients might constitute an additional trigger of the EPCs mobilization as compared with non-septic surgical patients. A larger mobilization of CD133+/CD34+ EPCs, preceded by enhanced plasmatic SDF-1α, occurs in septic surgical patients regardless of HIF-1α expression therein. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov no. NCT02589535. Registered 28 October 2015

Genetic characterization of Erve virus, a European Nairovirus distantly related to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus

Erve virus (ERVEV) is a European Nairovirus that is suspected to cause severe headache (thunderclap headache) and intracerebral hemorrhage. The mode of transmission to humans (ticks or mosquitoes) is still unknown. Currently, no standardized testing method for ERVEV exists and only a small partial sequence of the polymerase gene is available. Here, we present the first complete genome sequence of ERVEV S, M, and L segments. Phylogenetic comparison of the amino acid sequence of the L-protein (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase) revealed only 48 % homology to available L-protein sequences of other Nairoviruses like Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, Nairobi sheep disease virus, Hazara virus, Kupe virus, and Dugbe virus. Among themselves, these Nairoviruses show 62-89 % homology in the L-protein sequences. Therefore, ERVEV seems to be only distantly related to other Nairoviruses. The new sequence data can be used for the development of diagnostic methods and the identification of the natural vector

The HELLP syndrome: Clinical issues and management. A Review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The HELLP syndrome is a serious complication in pregnancy characterized by haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count occurring in 0.5 to 0.9% of all pregnancies and in 10–20% of cases with severe preeclampsia. The present review highlights occurrence, diagnosis, complications, surveillance, corticosteroid treatment, mode of delivery and risk of recurrence.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Clinical reports and reviews published between 2000 and 2008 were screened using Pub Med and Cochrane databases.</p> <p>Results and conclusion</p> <p>About 70% of the cases develop before delivery, the majority between the 27th and 37th gestational weeks; the remainder within 48 hours after delivery. The HELLP syndrome may be complete or incomplete. In the Tennessee Classification System diagnostic criteria for HELLP are haemolysis with increased LDH (> 600 U/L), AST (≥ 70 U/L), and platelets < 100·10⁹/L. The Mississippi Triple-class HELLP System further classifies the disorder by the nadir platelet counts. The syndrome is a progressive condition and serious complications are frequent. Conservative treatment (≥ 48 hours) is controversial but may be considered in selected cases < 34 weeks' gestation. Delivery is indicated if the HELLP syndrome occurs after the 34th gestational week or the foetal and/or maternal conditions deteriorate. Vaginal delivery is preferable. If the cervix is unfavourable, it is reasonable to induce cervical ripening and then labour. In gestational ages between 24 and 34 weeks most authors prefer a single course of corticosteroid therapy for foetal lung maturation, either 2 doses of 12 mg betamethasone 24 hours apart or 6 mg or dexamethasone 12 hours apart before delivery. Standard corticosteroid treatment is, however, of uncertain clinical value in the maternal HELLP syndrome. High-dose treatment and repeated doses should be avoided for fear of long-term adverse effects on the foetal brain. Before 34 weeks' gestation, delivery should be performed if the maternal condition worsens or signs of intrauterine foetal distress occur. Blood pressure should be kept below 155/105 mmHg. Close surveillance of the mother should be continued for at least 48 hours after delivery.</p

Valorizzare gli scarti metallici prodotti dalle micro e piccole imprese del settore degli impiantisti. Uno studio sulle potenzialità nella Città Metropolitana di Roma

La Commissione Europea nel marzo 2020 ha adottato il nuovo Piano d’azione per l’economia circolare: il Parlamento Europeo ha infatti richiesto obiettivi vincolanti per il 2030 per rendere più sostenibile i prodotti di largo consumo a partire dalla loro progettazione. Il piano include regole per progettare i prodotti con un maggiore impiego di materie prime riciclate, prodotti più duraturi, di più facile utilizzo, riparazione e riciclo. Analizzare i flussi della filiera delle materie prime seconde è da considerarsi uno dei principali step per intraprendere un percorso verso questa direzione. Proprio per rispondere a questa esigenza, lo studio condotto in collaborazione tra ENEA e CNA Roma, ha come obiettivo principale quello di realizzare un’analisi e una valutazione dei flussi di materiali secondari ottenuti dal recupero dei rifiuti delle micro e piccole imprese (MPI) per una specifica area, la Città Metropolitana di Roma. Lo studio si è concentrato successivamente su un settore di attività dell’artigianato e delle micro e piccole imprese di particolare interesse per il CNA Roma, quello degli impiantisti; e su una categoria specifica di materie prime seconde particolarmente significativa, per quantità e qualità, recuperabile dai rifiuti prodotti da questo settore: i metalli ferrosi, metalli non ferrosi e metalli misti. In particolare, questo paper ipotizza per il settore degli impiantisti, per il recupero, come materie prime seconde, di metalli ferrosi, metalli non ferrosi e metalli misti, un modello di economia circolare (EC), con proposte, interventi ed obiettivi da raggiungere.In March 2020, the European Commission adopted the new Circular Economy Action Plan. In fact, the European Parliament had requested binding targets for 2030, in order to make consumer goods more sustainable starting from their design. The Plan includes rules for designing products with greater use of recycled raw materials and for making them more durable, easier to use, repair and recycle. Analyzing the flows of the secondary raw materials supply chains is to be considered as one of the main steps to undertake a path in this direction. In order to meet this need, the present study - carried out by ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development) and CNA Rome (Italian Confederation of Craft Trades and of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises – Rome section) – mainly aimed at carrying out an analysis and evaluation of the flows of secondary materials obtained from the recovery of waste produced by micro and small businesses (MSBs) in the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital. The study subsequently focused on a sector of particular interest for CNA Rome, namely that of electrical, plumbing and other installation activities for construction, and in particular on a specific category of secondary raw materials, relevant both in quantity and quality terms, which can be recovered from the waste produced by this sector: ferrous, non-ferrous and mixed metals. Finally, the present contribution offers a series of proposals, recommendations and objectives to be achieved in order to favor the implementation of a circular economy model for this type of waste materials at the territorial level

Il recupero di materiali attraverso la demolizione selettiva: un'analisi costi-benefici / The recovery of materials through selective demolition: a cost-benefit analysis.

From the point of view of Circular Economy and Urban Mining, cities represent real “mines of anthropogenic resources”: increasing the recovery of construction materials at the end of their useful life makes it possible to reduce the exploitation of primary resources and the production of waste. This contribution reports the results of a study that evaluates the possibility of reclaiming/recycling Construction and Demolition waste (C&D) by investigating the applicability of the selective demolition process through a cost-benefit analysis. The selective demolition of a housing unit, contextualized in the Piedmont region, is examined and evaluated in two different scenarios: only demolition and demolition plus rehabilitation of the site, with the use of natural or recycled aggregates. For the reclaimed components and materials, two scenarios - sale for the reuse market or economic enhancement for recycling purposes – is assessed. The methodology used involves a temporal analysis of the demolition process, using a GANTT diagram, an economic evaluation, using Break Even Analysis and finally a sensitivity analysis, to assess the impact of the main items considered on the analysis model adopted. The results show that the optimal context in which to operate is one in which it is possible to subject to demolition materials equal to and / or greater in quantities of 380,658 kg, and that in which it is possible to use recycled aggregates for site remediation (presenting a BEP of 723,679 kg compared to that with natural aggregates equal to 1,181,879 kg). The present contribute also demonstrates how the large-scale adoption of Design for Disassembly, together with monetary incentive policies for the use of recycled aggregates, would allow to optimize the cost-benefit ratio in the selective demolition process

Incorporating a molecular antenna in diatom microalgae cells enhances photosynthesis

Diatom microalgae have great industrial potential as next-generation sources of biomaterials and biofuels. Effective scale-up of their production can be pursued by enhancing the efficiency of their photosynthetic process in a way that increases the solar-to-biomass conversion yield. A proof-of-concept demonstration is given of the possibility of enhancing the light absorption of algae and of increasing their efficiency in photosynthesis by in vivo incorporation of an organic dye which acts as an antenna and enhances cells’ growth and biomass production without resorting to genetic modification. A molecular dye (Cy5) is incorporated in Thalassiosira weissflogii diatom cells by simply adding it to the culture medium and thus filling the orange gap that limits their absorption of sunlight. Cy5 enhances diatoms’ photosynthetic oxygen production and cell density by 49% and 40%, respectively. Cy5 incorporation also increases by 12% the algal lipid free fatty acid (FFA) production versus the pristine cell culture, thus representing a suitable way to enhance biofuel generation from algal species. Time-resolved spectroscopy reveals Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) from Cy5 to algal chlorophyll. The present approach lays the basis for non-genetic tailoring of diatoms’ spectral response to light harvesting, opening up new ways for their industrial valorization