Quality of life aspects of a low protein diet using GMP in patients with phenylketonuria

Objective: To assess some quality of life (QOL) aspects of a low protein diet, using glycomacropeptide (GMP) as a protein substitute in patients with phenylketonuria (PKU). Methods: This was a multicentre, prospective observational cohort, study. Metabolic control, nutritional parameters, and dietary adherence were assessed in patients with PKU before (T0), and six months after (T6) starting a low protein diet using GMP. Selected items from the PKUQOL questionnaire were used to assess patients’ acceptance of their modified diet. Results: 18 patients from three Italian Centres, completed the study. With the exception of LDL-cholesterol and vitamin 25OH-D concentrations, there were no differences between T0 and T6 in metabolic or nutritional parameters. Data suggested that patients have a good acceptance of protein substitutes containing GMP, probably because of their improved palatability. Conclusions: According to our patients’ responses to items related to dietary regimen, GMP based protein substitutes do not appear to significantly affect QOL

ZnAl-SO4 Layered Double Hydroxide and Allophane for Cr(VI), Cu(II) and Fe(III) Adsorption in Wastewater: Structure Comparison and Synergistic Effects

Owing to their structure, layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and allophane are nowadays considered as promising materials for application in different fields. The goal of this work is to compare the efficacy of allophane and ZnAl-SO4 LDH to remove, by adsorption, some cationic and anionic pollutants from industrial wastewater. Both compounds were synthesized via the coprecipitation route (direct method) followed by hydrothermal treatment, obtaining nanoscopic crystallites with a partially disordered turbostratic (ZnAl-SO4 LDH) or amorphous (allophane) structure. The characterization of the obtained compounds was performed by means of powder xray diffraction (PXRD), thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA), field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis (FESEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The sorbents were tested using wastewater produced by a real metalworking plant and containing ionic species such as Cu(II), Fe(III) and Cr(VI), whose concentration was measured by means of inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). This investigation represents an alternative procedure with respect to standard protocols based on customarily made and artificially lab-produced wastewaters. Both sorbents and their combination proved to be efficient in Cr(VI) removal, irrespective of the presence of cations like Cu(II) and Fe(III). A synergistic effect was detected for Cu(II) adsorption in a mixed allophane/LDH sorbent, leading to a Cu(II) removal rate of 89.5%

New mineralogical record of guano-associated phosphates in Colombo Cave (Toirano, Liguria, Italy)

Colombo Cave is part of Toirano karst system and opens at 247 m a.s.l. The wide entrance passage was used during prehistoric times, and a 4.5 m deep archaeological excavation pit is located 10 m from the entrance. The main room is dominated by a large central rock pillar and the floor is completely covered by important ancient bat guano deposits. Samples were taken in separate containers and were representative of old guano deposits and a hard-yellow crust covering the guano heap. All samples were identified by XRD and SEM-EDS analysis. The results indicate that old guano samples were composed mainly of calcite, quartz, spheniscidite and minor amounts of xenotime (Y), monazite, zircon, and rutile. In particular, spheniscidite (NH4,K)(Fe3+,Al)2(PO4)2(OH)·2H2O forms from the reaction of ammonium-rich fresh guano leachates with probably clay sediments containing Fe and muscovite (source of K and Al) (Sauro et al., 2014). The mineral associations present in soft yellow and whitish crusts that cover guano were represented by gypsum CaSO4·2H2O, brushite Ca(HPO4)·2H2O, ardealite Ca2(HPO4)(SO4)·4H2O and newberyite Mg(HPO4)·3H2O. Brushite and ardealite occur as cryptocrystalline aggregates varying in color from white-ivory to yellow-ivory and form by the reaction of sulfuric and phosphoric acid with limestone rock (Hill & Forti, 1997; Puşcaş et al., 2014). Newberyite was less common and likely comes from the interaction of phosphates with Mg provided by the disaggregation of the dolomitic host rock. The identification of these minerals is important because they were never reported from Liguria. Further investigations will be conducted in order to understand the minerogenetic processes involved in these guano-associated minerals, and their evolution through time in the damp cave environment (Audra et al., 2019)

Abrasion wear resistance of different artificial teeth opposed to metal and composite antagonists

One of the most important properties of artificial teeth is the abrasion wear resistance, which is determinant in the maintenance of the rehabilitation's occlusal pattern. OBJECTIVES: This in vitro study aims to evaluate the abrasion wear resistance of 7 brands of artificial teeth opposed to two types of antagonists. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven groups were prepared with 12 specimens each (BIOLUX & BL, TRILUX & TR, BLUE DENT & BD, BIOCLER & BC, POSTARIS & PO, ORTHOSIT & OR, GNATHOSTAR & GN), opposed to metallic (M & nickel-chromium alloy), and to composite antagonists (C & Solidex indirect composite). A mechanical loading device was used (240 cycles/min, 4 Hz speed, 10 mm antagonist course). Initial and final contours of each specimen were registered with aid of a profile projector (20x magnification). The linear difference between the two profiles was measured and the registered values were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey's test. RESULTS: Regarding the antagonists, only OR (M = 10.45 ± 1.42 µm and C = 2.77 ± 0.69 µm) and BC (M = 6.70 ± 1.37 µm and C = 4.48 ± 0.80 µm) presented statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Best results were obtained with PO (C = 2.33 ± 0.91 µm and M = 1.78 ± 0.42 µm), followed by BL (C = 3.70 ± 1.32 µm and M = 3.70 ± 0.61 µm), statistically similar for both antagonists (p>0.05). Greater result variance was obtained with OR, which presented the worse results opposed to Ni-Cr (10.45 ± 1.42 µm), and results similar to the best ones against composite (2.77 ± 0.69 µm). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, it may be concluded that the antagonist material is a factor of major importance to be considered in the choice of the artificial teeth to be used in the prosthesis

Prospective Multicenter Study of Community-Associated Skin and Skin Structure Infections due to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Background. Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(CAMRSA) is now the most common cause of skin and skin structure infections (SSSI) in several world regions. In Argentina prospective, multicenter clinical studies have only been conducted in pediatric populations. Objective. Primary: describe the prevalence, clinical and demographic characteristics of adult patients with community acquired SSSI due to MRSA; secondary: molecular evaluation of CA-MRSA strains. Patients with MRSA were compared to those without MRSA. Material and Methods. Prospective, observational, multicenter, epidemiologic study, with molecular analysis, conducted at 19 sites in Argentina (18 in Buenos Aires)between March 2010 and October 2011. Patients were included if they were ≥ 14 years, were diagnosed with SSSI, a culture was obtained, and there had no significant healthcare contact identified. A logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with CA-MRSA. Pulse field types, SCCmec, and PVL status were also determined. Results. A total of 311 patients were included. CA-MRSA was isolated in 70% (218/311) of patients. Clinical variables independently associated with CA-MRSA were: presence of purulent lesion (OR 3.29; 95%CI 1.67, 6.49) and age <50 years (OR 2.39; 95%CI 1.22, 4.70). The vast majority of CA-MRSA strains causing SSSI carried PVL genes (95%) and were SCCmec type IV. The sequence type CA-MRSA ST30 spa t019 was the predominant clone. Conclusions. CA-MRSA is now the most common cause of SSSI in our adult patients without healthcare contact. ST30, SCCmec IV, PVL+, spa t019 is the predominant clone in Buenos Aires, Argentina.Fil: Lopez Furst, Maria Jose. Sanatorio Municipal Dr. Julio Méndez, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires; Argentina;Fil: de Vedia, Lautaro. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Htal.de Infecciosas F.j. Muñiz; Argentina;Fil: Fernandez, Silvina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Quimica Biologica. Cat.de Microbiologia; Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina;Fil: Gardella, Noella Mariel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Quimica Biologica. Cat.de Microbiologia; Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina;Fil: Ganaha, Cristina. Pcia. de Buenos Aires. Hospital Vicente López y Planes, Gral. Rodríguez; Argentina;Fil: Prieto, Sergio. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Hospital Nuestra Señora de Luján; Argentina;Fil: Carbone, Edith. Hospital Aeronautico Central; Argentina;Fil: Lista, Nicolás. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Htal.de Infecciosas F.j. Muñiz; Argentina;Fil: Rotryng, Flavio. Universidad Abierta Interamericana; Argentina;Fil: Morera, Graciana I.. Hospital Dr. Jose Cullen; Argentina;Fil: Mollerach, Marta Eugenia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Cs.exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Quimica Biologica. Cat.de Microbiologia; Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina;Fil: Stryjewski, Martin E.. Centro de Educaciones Medicas E Investig.Clinica "Norberto Quirno"; Argentina

Dose/dense metronomic chemotherapy with fractioned cisplatin and oral daily etoposide enhances the anti-angiogenic effects of bevacizumab and has strong antitumor activity in advanced non-small-cell-lung cancer patients.

Background: We designed a translational clinical trial to investigate whether a dose/dense chemotherapy regimen is able to enhance in patients with non-small-cell-lung-cancer, the anti-angiogenic, and anti-tumor activity of bevacizumab, a murine/human monoclonal antibody to the vasculo-endothelial-growth-factor (VEGF) Patients and Methods: Forty-eight patients (42 males and 6 females) with stage IIIB/IV non-small-cell-lung-cancer, a mean age of 68 years, and ECOG ≤ 2 were enrolled in the study. They received every three weeks fractioned cisplatinum (30 mg/sqm, days 1-3) and oral etoposide (50 mg, days 1-15) and were divided in 5 cohorts receiving different bevacizumab dosages [0; 2.5; 5; 7.5; and 10 mg/kg] on the day 3. Results: The combined treatment was able of inducing a significant decline in the blood-perfusion of primary tumor (NMR-study); in serum levels of VEGF, angiopoietin-1, thrombospondin-1; and in the number of VEGF-transporting cells. In the group of 40 patients who received bevacizumab ther..

Insight into immune profile associated with vitiligo onset and anti-tumoral response in melanoma patients receiving anti-PD-1 immunotherapy

IntroductionImmunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors is an efficient treatment for metastatic melanoma. Development of vitiligo upon immunotherapy represents a specific immune-related adverse event (irAE) diagnosed in 15% of patients and associated with a positive clinical response. Therefore, a detailed characterization of immune cells during vitiligo onset in melanoma patients would give insight into the immune mechanisms mediating both the irAE and the anti-tumor response. MethodsTo better understand these aspects, we analyzed T cell subsets from peripheral blood of metastatic melanoma patients undergoing treatment with anti-programmed cell death protein (PD)-1 antibodies. To deeply characterize the antitumoral T cell response concomitant to vitiligo onset, we analyzed T cell content in skin biopsies collected from melanoma patients who developed vitiligo. Moreover, to further characterize T cells in vitiligo skin lesion of melanoma patients, we sequenced T cell receptor (TCR) of cells derived from biopsies of vitiligo and primary melanoma of the same patient.Results and discussionStratification of patients for developing or not developing vitiligo during anti-PD-1 therapy revealed an association between blood reduction of CD8-mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT), T helper (h) 17, natural killer (NK) CD56bright, and T regulatory (T-reg) cells and vitiligo onset. Consistently with the observed blood reduction of Th17 cells in melanoma patients developing vitiligo during immunotherapy, we found high amount of IL-17A expressing cells in the vitiligo skin biopsy, suggesting a possible migration of Th17 cells from the blood into the autoimmune lesion. Interestingly, except for a few cases, we found different TCR sequences between vitiligo and primary melanoma lesions. In contrast, shared TCR sequences were identified between vitiligo and metastatic tissues of the same patient. These data indicate that T cell response against normal melanocytes, which is involved in vitiligo onset, is not typically mediated by reactivation of specific T cell clones infiltrating primary melanoma but may be elicited by T cell clones targeting metastatic tissues. Altogether, our data indicate that anti-PD-1 therapy induces a de novo immune response, stimulated by the presence of metastatic cells, and composed of different T cell subtypes, which may trigger the development of vitiligo and the response against metastatic tumor

Impact of Environmental Sciences on the United Nations 2030 Agenda: challenges and advances from the experience of forming thematic clusters

Os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) que compõem a Agenda 2030 da Organização das Nações Unidas (ONU) constituem-se como ferramenta significativa para avançar na agenda da sustentabilidade em diferentes níveis, desde o local até o global. A área das Ciências Ambientais da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) tem propiciado diálogos sobre o tema e vem construindo iniciativas que buscam mensurar a contribuição da pós-graduação brasileira quanto à sua contribuição no alcance dos ODS. Este reporte técnico teve o objetivo de apresentar os resultados do II Encontro Acadêmico “Impacto das Ciências Ambientais na Agenda 2030”, realizado nos dias 8 e 9 de junho de 2022, no Instituto de Estudos Avançados da Universidade de São Paulo (IEA/USP), e refletir sobre as ações para a implementação da Agenda 2030 nas Ciências Ambientais no Brasil. O evento teve como objetivo discutir a incorporação dos ODS nas atividades de ensino, pesquisa e extensão e dar início à iniciativa de formação de clusters temáticos (CTs), espaços coletivos que estimulam conexões interinstitucionais e interdisciplinares. De acordo com a avaliação conduzida entre os participantes, o evento foi considerado bem-sucedido, com ampla participação e exposição dos avanços de todos os CTs, possibilitando apontar estratégias para ampliar as oportunidades de trabalhos em rede e colaborações. Os diálogos indicam que há desafios, como a efetiva participação dos programas, a compilação e divulgação de informações sobre impacto e o trabalho com discentes e egressos. As sugestões incluem a realização anual e itinerante do evento, a indicação e o engajamento de coordenadores adjuntos nos CTs e a inclusão de momento para elaboração de propostas que fundamentem políticas públicas.The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that make up the United Nations’ (UN) 2030 Agenda serve as a significant tool for advancing the sustainability cause at different levels, from local to global. The Environmental Sciences Area of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) has facilitated dialogues on the subject and has been building initiatives to measure the contribution of Brazilian graduate education to the achievement of the SDGs. This technical report aimed to present the results of the 2nd Academic Meeting “Impact of Environmental Sciences on the 2030 Agenda”, held on June 8 and 9, 2022, at the Institute of Advanced Studies of the University of São Paulo, and to reflect on actions for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Environmental Sciences in Brazil. The event aimed to discuss the incorporation of the SDGs into teaching, research, and extension activities, and to initiate the formation of thematic clusters (TCs), collective spaces that stimulate interinstitutional and interdisciplinary connections. According to the evaluation conducted among the participants, the event was considered successful, with broad participation and presentation of the advancements made by all TCs, enabling the identification of strategies to expand networking opportunities and collaborations. The discussions indicate that there are challenges, such as the effective participation of programs, the compilation and dissemination of information on impact, and working with students and alumni. Suggestions include holding the event annually and in different locations, appointing and engaging assistant coordinators in the TCs, and including a moment for the development of proposals that underpin public policies