No confirmed cases of Taenia solium taeniasis in a group of recently arrived Sub-Saharan migrants to Italy

One-hundred and sixty-four migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa to Italy were screened with the Taenia solium specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay coproantigen (ELISA CoAg) and four (2.4%) were recorded as positive, but with optical density values near to the cut-off. No ELISA CoAg positive samples were confirmed by parasitological methods. Low positivity could be attributed to false positive result or cross-reaction with other Taenia species. Further studies are needed to assess the role of migration on sporadic autochthonous transmission of T. solium taeniasis/cysticercosis in Europe

The polar and lateral flagella from Plesiomonas shigelloides are glycosylated with legionaminic acid

Plesiomonas shigelloides is the unique member of the Enterobacteriaceae family able to produce polar flagella when grow in liquid medium and lateral flagella when grown in solid or semisolid media. In this study on P. shigelloides 302-73 strain, we found two different gene clusters, one exclusively for the lateral flagella biosynthesis and the other one containing the biosynthetic polar flagella genes with additional putative glycosylation genes. P. shigelloides is the first Enterobacteriaceae were a complete lateral flagella cluster leading to a lateral flagella production is described. We also show that both flagella in P. shigelloides 302-73 strain are glycosylated by a derivative of legionaminic acid (Leg), which explains the presence of Leg pathway genes between the two polar flagella regions in their biosynthetic gene cluster. It is the first bacterium reported with O-glycosylated Leg in both polar and lateral flagella. The flagella O-glycosylation is essential for bacterial flagella formation, either polar or lateral, because gene mutants on the biosynthesis of Leg are non-flagellated. Furthermore, the presence of the lateral flagella cluster and Leg O-flagella glycosylation genes are widely spread features among the P. shigelloides strains tested

The Plesiomonas shigelloides wbO1 gene cluster and the role of O1-antigen LPS in pathogenicity

The Plesiomonas shigelloides 302-73 strain (serotype O1) wb gene cluster encodes 15 proteins which are consistent with the chemical structure of the O1-antigen lypopolysaccharide (LPS) previously described for this strain. The P. shigelloides O1-antigen LPS export uses the Wzy-dependent pathway as correspond to heteropolysaccharides structures. By the isolation of two mutants lacking this O1-antigen LPS, we could establish that the presence of the O1-antigen LPS is crucial for to survive in serum mainly to become resistant to complement. Also, it is an important factor in the bacterial adhesion and invasion to some eukaryotic cells, and in the ability to form biofilms. This is the first report on the genetics from a P. shigelloides O-antigen LPS cluster (wb) not shared by Shigella like P. shigelloides O17, the only one reported until now

Overview of the FTU results

Since the 2018 IAEA FEC Conference, FTU operations have been devoted to several experiments covering a large range of topics, from the investigation of the behaviour of a liquid tin limiter to the runaway electrons mitigation and control and to the stabilization of tearing modes by electron cyclotron heating and by pellet injection. Other experiments have involved the spectroscopy of heavy metal ions, the electron density peaking in helium doped plasmas, the electron cyclotron assisted start-up and the electron temperature measurements in high temperature plasmas. The effectiveness of the laser induced breakdown spectroscopy system has been demonstrated and the new capabilities of the runaway electron imaging spectrometry system for in-flight runaways studies have been explored. Finally, a high resolution saddle coil array for MHD analysis and UV and SXR diamond detectors have been successfully tested on different plasma scenarios

Overview of the FTU results

Since the 2016 IAEA Fusion Energy Conference, FTU operations have been mainly devoted to experiments on runaway electrons and investigations into a tin liquid limiter; other experiments have involved studies of elongated plasmas and dust. The tearing mode onset in the high density regime has been studied by means of the linear resistive code MARS, and the highly collisional regimes have been investigated. New diagnostics, such as a runaway electron imaging spectroscopy system for in-flight runaway studies and a triple Cherenkov probe for the measurement of escaping electrons, have been successfully installed and tested, and new capabilities of the collective Thomson scattering and the laser induced breakdown spectroscopy diagnostics have been explored

Mechanism of the inhibitory effect of melatonin on tumor necrosis factor production in vivo and in vitro

: Melatonin is an antioxidant. Since other antioxidants inhibit the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) induced by lipopolysaccharide, we investigated its effect on TNF production in vivo and in vitro and on lethality associated with endotoxic shock. Administration of melatonin to mice (5 mg/kg, s.c., 30 min before or simultaneously with lipopolysaccharide) inhibited serum TNF levels by 50-80% and improved survival of mice treated with a lethal dose of lipopolysaccharide. By studying other, structurally related, indolamines (N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-methoxytryptamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine) we found a good correlation between antioxidant activity (for which the 5-methoxy group is essential) and the inhibition of TNF production in vivo and in vitro in mononuclear cells. Melatonin did not increase serum corticosterone and did not modify the elevation of serum corticosterone levels by lipopolysaccharide or by interleukin-1. Furthermore, it exerted its inhibitory effect in adrenalectomized or hypophysectomized mice also, indicating that its effect is independent of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis

Reactivity of Cationic Molybdenum(II) Complexes. Part 1. Hydride Reduction of the 18 Electron Complexes [Mo(CO)3(eta-C5Me5)] + [L=PPh3 or P(OMe)3] and Isolation of the Thermally Stable Formil Complex cis-[Mo(CO)2(eta-C5Me5){P(OMe)3}(CHO)] Crystal Structure of [Mo(CO)(eta-C5Me5)(PPh3)]BF4.0.5MeOH

The compound [Mo(CO)3(η-C5Me5)]BF4 reacts with π acids, L [L = PPh3, P(OMe)3, CO, or p-MeC6H4NC], giving the 18 electron cations [Mo(CO)3(η-C5Me5)L]+. The complex [Mo(CO)3(η-C5Me5)(PPh3)]BF4 (1) has been characterized by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. The reaction of (1) with one equivalent of Na[BH4] gives the neutral metal formyl complex [Mo(CO)2(η-C5Me5)(PPh3)(CHO)], (2), which, in solution, converts to [MoH(CO)3(η-C5Me5)] above –40 °C. If [Mo(CO)3(η-C5Me5){P(OMe)3}]BF4, (3), is used instead of (1), the reduction in methanol solution with Na[BH4] allows isolation of the thermally stable cis-[Mo(CO)2(η-C5Me5){P(OMe)3}(CHO)], (4). Thermal decomposition of (4) in methanol solution at room temperature is slow and gives cis-[MoH(CO)2(η-C5Me5){P(OMe)3}]. This result emphasizes that the great difference observed in the thermal stability of complexes (2) and (4) is attributable to different decomposition pathways

Effect of OSAS on cerebral vasoreactivity and cIMT before and after CPAP treatment

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has been shown to be an important risk factor for ischaemic cerebral disease. Specific Doppler parameters may be used to measure cerebral vascular dynamics opening the door to new markers/predictors of risk. The objective of our study was to shed light on how the treatment of OSA with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may have an impact on these parameters and, consequently, lower the risk of cerebral ischemic events in these patients. Methods: A total of 40 untreated patients diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea were submitted to a comprehensive ultrasonographic transcranial Doppler evaluation. The parameters measured were: Breath holding index (BHI), mean blood flow velocity (MBFV) and pulsatility index in middle cerebral artery. Colour Doppler ultrasound was also used to measure carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT). These parameters were compared before and after CPAP treatment. Results: After CPAP treatment, MBFV and BHI were shown to be increased (without statistical significance), while cIMT and polysomnographic parameters were significantly decreased. Conclusion: The improvement of cerebral vasoreactivity parameters and cIMT after long-term CPAP treatment suggest that treatment of OSA may influence the cerebral vascular regulation and consequently reduce the risk of stroke