Magnetic ripple domain structure in FeGa/MgO thin films

The magnetic domain structure is studied in epitaxial Fe$_{100-x}$Ga$_x$/MgO(001) films with 0 $<$ x $<$ 30 and thicknesses below 60 nm by magnetic force microscopy. For low gallium content, domains with the magnetization lying in the film plane and domain walls separating micrometric areas are observed. Above x $\approx$ 20, the magnetic contrast shows a fine corrugation, ranging from 300 to 900 nm, suggesting a ripple substructure with a periodic oscillation of the magnetization. We discuss the presence of a random magnetic anisotropy contribution, that superimposed to the cubic coherent anisotropy, is able to break the uniform orientation of the magnetization. The origin of that random anisotropy is attributed to several factors: coexistence of crystal phases in the films, inhomogeneous distribution of both internal strain and Ga-Ga next nearest neighbor pairs and interface magnetic anisotropy due to the Fe-O bond.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure

Simulated microgravity triggers epithelial mesenchymal transition in human keratinocytes

The microgravitational environment is known to affect the cellular behaviour inducing modulation of gene expression and enzymatic activities, epigenetic modifications and alterations of the structural organization. Simulated microgravity, obtained in the laboratory setting through the use of a Random Positioning Machine (RPM), represents a well recognized and useful tool for the experimental studies of the cellular adaptations and molecular changes in response to weightlessness. Short exposure of cultured human keratinocytes to the RPM microgravity influences the cellular circadian clock oscillation. Therefore, here we searched for changes on the regenerative ability and response to tissue damage of human epidermal cells through the analysis of the effects of the simulated microgravity on the re-epithelialization phase of the repair and wound healing process. Combining morphological, biochemical and molecular approaches, we found that the simulated microgravity exposure of human keratinocytes promotes a migratory behavior and triggers the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through expression of the typical EMT transcription factors and markers, such as Snail1, Snail2 and ZEB2, metalloproteases, mesenchymal adhesion molecules and cytoskeletal components

Admission to the Long-Term Care Facilities and Institutionalization Rate in Community-Dwelling Frail Adults: An Observational Longitudinal Cohort Study

The worldwide aging and the increase of chronic disease impacted the Health System by generating an increased risk of admission to Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities for older adults. The study aimed to evaluate the admission rate to LTC facilities for community-dwelling older adults and investigate factors associated with these admissions. A secondary data analysis stemming from an observational longitudinal cohort study (from 2014 to 2017) was performed. The sample was made up by 1246 older adults (664 females and 582 males, mean age 76.3, SD ± 7.1). The LTC facilities access rate was 12.5 per 1000 observations/ year. Multivariable Linear Regression identified frailty, cardiovascular disease, and incapacity to take medicine and manage money as predictors of the LTC facilities' access rate. The Multiple Correspondence Analysis identified three clusters: those living at home with comorbidities; those living in LTC facilities who are pre-frail or frail; those very frail but not linked to residential LTC. The results indicate that access to LTC facilities is not determined by severe disability, severe comorbidity, and higher frailty levels. Instead, it is related to moderate disability associated with a lack of social support. Therefore, the care policies need to enhance social interventions to integrate medical, nursing, and rehabilitative care

Crystal structure and local ordering in epitaxial Fe100−x_{100-x}Gax_x/MgO(001) films

In this work we present a study of the structural properties of Fe$_{100-x}$ Ga$_x$ grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy on Mg0(100). We combine long range and local/chemically selective X-ray probes (X-ray Diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy) together with real space imaging by means of Transmission Electron Microscopy and surface sensitive $in situ$ Reflected High Energy Electron Diffraction. For substrate temperature $T_s$ below 400 $^o$C we obtain $bcc$ films while, for $x \approx$ 24 and $T_s \geq$ 400$^o$C the nucleation of the $fcc$ phase is observed. For both systems a Ga anticlustering or local range ordering phenomenon appears. The Ga/Fe composition in the first and second coordination shells of the $bcc$ films is different from that expected for a random Ga distribution and is close to a D0$_3$-like ordered phase, leading to a minimization of the number of Ga-Ga pairs. On the other side, a true long-range D0$_3$ phase is not observed indicating that atomic ordering only occurs at a local scale. Overall, the epitaxial growth procedure presented in this work, first, avoids the formation of a long range ordered D0$_3$ phase, which is known to be detrimental magnetostrictive properties, and second, demonstrates the possibility of growing $fcc$ films at temperatures much smaller than those required to obtain bulk $fcc$ samples.Comment: 21 pages, 7 figure

Inositol induces mesenchymal-epithelial reversion in breast cancer cells through cytoskeleton rearrangement

Inositol displays multi-targeted effects on many biochemical pathways involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). As Akt activation is inhibited by inositol, we investigated if such effect could hamper EMT in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. In cancer cells treated with pharmacological doses of inositol E-cadherin was increased, β-catenin was redistributed behind cell membrane, and metalloproteinase-9 was significantly reduced, while motility and invading capacity were severely inhibited. Those changes were associated with a significant down-regulation of PI3K/Akt activity, leading to a decrease in downstream signaling effectors: NF-kB, COX-2, and SNAI1. Inositol-mediated inhibition of PS1 leads to lowered Notch 1 release, thus contributing in decreasing SNAI1 levels. Overall, these data indicated that inositol inhibits the principal molecular pathway supporting EMT. Similar results were obtained in ZR-75, a highly metastatic breast cancer line. These findings are coupled with significant changes on cytoskeleton. Inositol slowed-down vimentin expression in cells placed behind the wound-healing edge and stabilized cortical F-actin. Moreover, lamellipodia and filopodia, two specific membrane extensions enabling cell migration and invasiveness, were no longer detectable after inositol addiction. Additionally, fascin and cofilin, two mandatory required components for F-actin assembling within cell protrusions, were highly reduced. These data suggest that inositol may induce an EMT reversion in breast cancer cells, suppressing motility and invasiveness through cytoskeleton modifications

Il ruolo degli stili di coping e dei fattori di stress sulla qualita di vita professionale tra gli operatori di una centrale operativa delle emergenze sanitarie: uno studio preliminare cross-sectional

INTRODUCTION: The professional quality of life (ProQOL) is a fundamental aspect of the care providers’ working life and plays an important role in monitoring their mental health status and wellbeing. The objective of this study is to explore the level of ProQOL among the Emergency Operating Center workers in the Italian context and to examine the role of both stressors and coping strategies. Health workers from an Italian 118 Emergency Operating Center participated into the research. METHODS: A preliminar y cross-sectional study has been performed RESULTS:. The survey’s response rate was 72.04% (n = 67). Results found that Stressors arepositively correlated with Burnout and Compassion Fatigue whereas Compassion Satisfaction has a positive correlation with the Task-oriented coping strategy and with the Emotion-oriented strategy. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, it is pivotal to implement strategies and solutions that can enhance the levels of satisfaction of Emergency Operating Center workers in order to improve patients care and organizational outcomes. Key words: Quality of life, Coping, Stressor, Emergency, Nurse.INTRODUZIONE: La qualità della vita professionale (ProQOL) è un aspetto fondamentale della vita lavorativa del personale che eroga assistenza sanitaria e gioca un ruolo importante nel monitorare il loro stato di salute mentale e fisico. L’obiettivo di questo studio è esplorare il livello di ProQOL tra gli operatori della salute di una Centrale operativa delle emergenze sanitarie nel contesto italiano ed esaminare il ruolo dei fattori di stress e delle strategie di Coping. I partecipanti alla ricerca sono operatori sanitari appartenenti alla Centrale Operativa delle emergenze sanitarie del 118. METODO: E’ stato effettuato uno studio preliminare di prevalenza. RISULTATI: Il tasso di risposta ai questionari è stato del 72,04% (n = 67). I risultati indicano che il Burnout e la Compassion Fatigue hanno un correlazione positiva con i fattori di stress mentre la Compassion Satisfaction ha mostrato un’associazione positiva con gli stili di coping Task-oriented ed Emotion-oriented. CONCLUSIONI: In conclusione è importante implementare strategie e soluzioni che possono innalzare i livelli di soddisfazione lavorativa degli operatori delle Centrali Operative di Emergenza per migliorare l’assistenza ai pazienti e i risultati manageriali. Parole chiave: Qualità della vita, Coping, Stressor, Emergenza, Infermiere. &nbsp; © 202

Role of endogenous interferon and LPS in the immunomodulatory effects of bovine lactoferrin in murine peritoneal macrophages

Lactoferrin (Lf) plays an important role in host defense against infection and excessive inflammation. Although the mechanisms underlying its immunomodulatory properties have not been fully elucidated yet, recent evidence suggests that some of these effects may be related to its capacity to form complexes with LPS. We report that the culture of resting mouse peritoneal macrophages (PM) with bovine Lf (bLf), prior to infection with the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), resulted in a significant reduction of virus yield with respect to control cultures. The antiviral activity of bLF was related to its capacity of inducing IFN-α/β expression, which in turn inhibited VSV replication. Indeed, the accumulation of IFN-β but not of IFNα 1-2 transcripts was up-modulated markedly early after bLf addition. Furthermore, bLf did not exert any antiviral activity in the presence of neutralizing antibodies to IFN-α/β in PM from wildtype mice, as well as in PM from mice genetically defective for the response to IFN. The antiviral activity of bLf relied on its intrinsic capacity to bind LPS, as this protein did not induce IFN expression in PM from LPS-hyporesponsive mice. It is interesting that this LPS-binding property was dispensable for the production of TNF-α, which also occurred in LPS-hyporesponsive mice. Overall, these results indicate that some of the immunomodulatory effects ascribed to Lf may be related to its capacity to favor Type I IFN expression and argue in favor of an important role of the LPS-binding feature and TLR4 in some of the effects ascribed to this molecule. © Society for Leukocyte Biology

Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991–2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). Independent predictors of HDV were assessed by logistic-regression analysis. The incidence of acute HDV per 1-million population declined from 3.2 cases in 1987 to 0.04 in 2019, parallel to that of acute HBV per 100,000 from 10.0 to 0.39 cases during the same period. The median age of cases increased from 27 years in the decade 1991-1999 to 44 years in the decade 2010-2019 (p &lt; .001). Over the same period, the male/female ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.1, the proportion of coinfections increased from 55% to 75% (p = .003) and that of HBsAg positive acute hepatitis tested for by IgM anti-HDV linearly decreased from 50.1% to 34.1% (p &lt; .001). People born abroad accounted for 24.6% of cases in 2004-2010 and 32.1% in 2011-2019. In the period 2010-2019, risky sexual behaviour (O.R. 4.2; 95%CI: 1.4-12.8) was the sole independent predictor of acute HDV; conversely intravenous drug use was no longer associated (O.R. 1.25; 95%CI: 0.15-10.22) with this. In conclusion, HBV vaccination was an effective measure to control acute HDV. Intravenous drug use is no longer an efficient mode of HDV spread. Testing for IgM-anti HDV is a grey area requiring alert. Acute HDV in foreigners should be monitored in the years to come