Exploring the link among state of mind concerning childhood attachment, attachment in close relationships, parental bonding, and psychopathological symptoms in substance users

In the present study, we have explored the link among styles of attachment and psychopathology in drug users. We know that insecure attachment predisposes the individuals the development of drug-addiction and psychopathological symptoms. However, we do not know which attachment is more frequent in drug users and which is related to particular psychopathological symptoms. The aim of the present work is to explore the relationship between childhood attachment state of mind, attachment in close relationships, parental bonding and psychopathology in sample of Italian substance users

Application of self-mixing interferometry for depth monitoring in the ablation of TiN coatings

Among possible monitoring techniques, self-mixing interferometry stands out as an appealing option for online ablation depth measurements. The method uses a simple laser diode, interference is detected inside the diode cavity and measured as the optical power fluctuation by the photodiode encased in the laser diode itself. This way, self-mixing interferometry combines the advantages of a high resolution point displacement measurement technique, with high compactness and easiness of operation. For a proper adaptation of self-mixing interferometry use in laser micromachining to monitor ablation depth, certain optical, electronical, and mechanical limitations need to be overcome. In laser surface texturing of thin ceramic coatings, the ablation depth control is critically important to avoid damage by substrate contamination. In this work, self-mixing interferometry was applied in the laser percussion drilling of TiN coatings. The ∼4 μm thick TiN coatings were drilled with a 1 ns green fiber laser, while the self-mixing monitoring was applied with a 785 nm laser diode. The limitations regarding the presence of process plasma are discussed. The design criteria for the monitoring device are explained. Finally, the self-mixing measurements were compared to a conventional optical measurement device. The concept was validated as the measurements were statistically the same

A randomized comparison trial of two and four-step approaches to teaching Cardio-Pulmonary Reanimation

Background and aim of the work: The treatment of cardiac arrest in an extra-hospital environment improves with the increase in the number of people able to establish an early Cardio-Pulmonary Reanimation (CPR). The main aim of the study was to assess the validity of the two-step method in case of prolonged CPR. Methods: A randomized comparison study was conducted in the University Nursing School of a Northern Italian town, during the 2015/16 academic year, among 60 students, to teach them CPR techniques, through two different teaching methods (4-step and the 2-step of CPR training). The effectiveness of the maneuvers performed on mannequins equipped with skill-meter was verified. Results: Our study did not highlight any significant difference between the two methods of CPR training. The comparison between the two methods regarding their efficacy in practical teaching of CPR, highlighted by this study, proved the validity of both the 4-minute continuous method (1st method) and the 30:2 method (2nd method). Conclusions: The results of the study showed no differences between the 2-step and the 4-step methods, in the effectiveness of cardiac massage. The correct execution of chest compressions during a CPR is the key to increase the patient’s chances of rescue. Research has shown that any interruption in the execution of chest compressions, leads to a progressive reduction of the effectiveness of cardiac massage, with negative consequences on the prognosis of the patient undergoing at CPR

Development and in vitro characterization of a humanized scFv against fungal infections

: The resistance and the birth of new intrinsic and multidrug-resistant pathogenic species like C. auris is creating great concern in the antifungal world. Given the limited drug arsenal and the lack of effectiveness of the available compounds, there is an urgent need for innovative approaches. The murine mAb 2G8 was humanized and engineered in silico to develop a single-chain fragment variable (hscFv) antibody against β-1,3-glucans which was then expressed in E. coli. Among the recombinant proteins developed, a soluble candidate with high stability and affinity was obtained. This selected protein is VL-linker-VH oriented, and it is characterized by the presence of two ubiquitin monomers at the N-terminus and a His tag at the C-terminus. This construct, Ub2-hscFv-His, guaranteed stability, solubility, efficient purification and satisfactory recovery of the recombinant product. HscFv can bind β-1,3-glucans both as coated antigens and on C. auris and C. albicans cells similarly to its murine parental and showed long stability and retention of binding ability when stored at 4°, -20° and -80° C. Furthermore, it was efficient in enhancing the antifungal activity of drugs caspofungin and amphotericin B against C. auris. The use of biological drugs as antifungals is limited; here we present a promising hscFv which has the potential to be useful in combination with currently available antifungal drugs

Candidate HIV-1 Tat vaccine development: From basic science to clinical trials

No abstract available

Erythrocyte-mediated delivery of phenylalanine ammonia lyase for the treatment of phenylketonuria in BTBR-Pahenu2 mice

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A new humanized antibody is effective against pathogenic fungi in vitro

Invasive fungal infections mainly affect patients undergoing transplantation, surgery, neoplastic disease, immunocompromised subjects and premature infants, and cause over 1.5 million deaths every year. The most common fungi isolated in invasive diseases are Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp., and Aspergillus spp. and even if four classes of antifungals are available (Azoles, Echinocandins, Polyenes and Pyrimidine analogues), the side effects of drugs and fungal acquired and innate resistance represent the major hurdles to be overcome. Monoclonal antibodies are powerful tools currently used as diagnostic and therapeutic agents in different clinical contexts but not yet developed for the treatment of invasive fungal infections. In this paper we report the development of the first humanized monoclonal antibody specific for β-1,3 glucans, a vital component of several pathogenic fungi. H5K1 has been tested on C. auris, one of the most urgent threats and resulted efficient both alone and in combination with Caspofungin and Amphotericin B showing an enhancement effect. Our results support further preclinical and clinical developments for the use of H5K1 in the treatment of patients in need

Effects of reproductive period duration and number of pregnancies on midlife ECG indices: a secondary analysis from the Women\u27s Health Initiative Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVES: Pregnancy, menses and menopause are related to fluctuations in endogenous sex hormones in women, which cumulatively may alter cardiac electrical conduction. Therefore, we sought to study the association between number of pregnancies and reproductive period duration (RD, time from menarche to menopause) with ECG intervals in the Women\u27s Health Initiative Clinical Trials. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of multicentre clinical trial. SETTING: USA. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: ECGintervals: PR interval, P-wave duration, P-wave dispersion, QTc interval. PARTICIPANTS: n=40 687 women (mean age=62 years) participating in the Women\u27s Health Initiative Clinical Trials. 82.5% were white, 9.3% black, 4% Hispanic and 2.7% Asian. METHODS: In primary analysis, we employed multivariable linear regression models relating number of pregnancies and RD with millisecond changes in intervals from enrolment ECG. We studied effect modification by hormone therapy use. RESULTS: Among participants, 5+ live births versus 0 prior pregnancies was associated with a 1.32 ms increase in PR interval (95% CI 0.25 to 2.38), with a graded association with longer QTc interval (ms) (none (prior pregnancy, no live births)=0.66 (-0.56 to 1.88), 1=0.15 (-0.71 to 1.02), 2-4=0.25 (-0.43 to 0.94) and 5+ live births=1.15 (0.33 to 1.98), p=0.008). RD was associated with longer PR interval and maximum P-wave duration (but not P-wave dispersion) among never users of hormone therapy: (PR (ms) per additional RD year: 0.10 (0.04 to 0.16); higher P-wave duration (ms): 0.09 (0.06 to 0.12)). For every year increase in reproductive period, QTc decreased by 0.04 ms (-0.07 to -0.01). CONCLUSIONS: An increasing number of live births is related to increased and RD to decreased ventricular repolarisation time. Both grand multiparity and longer RD are related to increased atrial conduction time. Reproductive factors that alter midlife cardiac electrical conduction system remodelling in women may modestly influence cardiovascular disease risk in later life. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00000611