Lost Toy? Monsters Under the Bed? Contributions of Temperament and Family Factors to Early Internalizing Problems in Boys and Girls

This study was designed to examine the contribution of multiple risk factors to early internalizing problems and to investigate whether family and ecological context moderated the association between child temperament and internalizing outcomes. A sample of 1,202 mothers of 2- and 3-year-old children completed a survey of child social-emotional functioning, family environment, and violence exposure. Child temperament, maternal affective symptoms, and family expressiveness were associated with child anxiety and depression problems. Violence exposure was related only to child anxiety. When maternal affective symptoms were elevated, inhibited girls but not boys were rated as more anxious and youngsters with heightened negative emotionality were rated as more depressed. Family expressiveness moderated the association between inhibited temperament and anxiety symptoms

Small molecule-mediated tribbles homolog 3 promotes bone formation induced by bone morphogenetic protein-2.

Although bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) has demonstrated extraordinary potential in bone formation, its clinical applications require supraphysiological milligram-level doses that increase postoperative inflammation and inappropriate adipogenesis, resulting in well-documented life-threatening cervical swelling and cyst-like bone formation. Recent promising alternative biomolecular strategies are toward promoting pro-osteogenic activity of BMP2 while simultaneously suppressing its adverse effects. Here, we demonstrated that small molecular phenamil synergized osteogenesis and bone formation with BMP2 in a rat critical size mandibular defect model. Moreover, we successfully elicited the BMP2 adverse outcomes (i.e. adipogenesis and inflammation) in the mandibular defect by applying high dose BMP2. Phenamil treatment significantly improves the quality of newly formed bone by inhibiting BMP2 induced fatty cyst-like structure and inflammatory soft-tissue swelling. The observed positive phenamil effects were associated with upregulation of tribbles homolog 3 (Trib3) that suppressed adipogenic differentiation and inflammatory responses by negatively regulating PPARγ and NF-κB transcriptional activities. Thus, use of BMP2 along with phenamil stimulation or Trib3 augmentation may be a promising strategy to improve clinical efficacy and safety of current BMP therapeutics

Study to optimize the effectiveness of Copper treatments for a low impact viticulture

Among all pathologies that afflict grapevine, Downy Mildew (DM) is the most important. Generally controlled by using Copper (Cu), recently European Commission confirmed its usage but limiting the maximum amount to 28 Kg per hectare in 7 years (Reg. EU 2018/1981). Anyway, in the grape growing context it is difficult to reduce the use of Cu and generally chemicals, due to climate conditions, as well as climate changing. For this instance, Cu treatments have to be improved. Hence, the aims of this work were to determine the possibility to reduce Cu using and evaluating the variation of Cu cladding on grapevine leaves and grapes, in relation to the phytoiatric status. The efficacy level of the Cu protection given to DM and the correlation among them was also assessed. Five organic vineyards located in north-eastern of Italy were selected as experimental sites. Leaves and grapes were sampled during vegetative season and analysed for determining the quantity of elemental Cu by the use of ICP AES. Spreading of DM in vineyards was evaluated as well and the correlation between DM and Cu quantity on leaves and grapes was determined. First results indicate that the mean level of Cu applied by farmers (range: 3.77 to 8.88 µg/cm 2 of Cu on leaves) during vegetative season is not enough to have an optimal protection against DM (diffusion on grapes and leaves: 40 to 50%), although at the maximum amount of Cu, the plant protection effect was quite good. Thus, Cu treatments have to be pondered on the basis of meteorological data and previous infection of DM, so that it will be possible to determine the right quantity of Cu to be applied in correlation to DM presence and weather. As future goals, data will be correlated with image analysis, in order to quickly study the best conditions for Cu application directly on field and having back a real time information of Cu cladding and risk classes of DM infection. In this way, it is possible to reduce inputs in plant defence and then guarantee a quality and sustainable production of grapes, wines and must

Amyloglucosidase enzymatic reactivity inside lipid vesicles

Efficient functioning of enzymes inside liposomes would open new avenues for applications in biocatalysis and bioanalytical tools. In this study, the entrapment of amyloglucosidase (AMG) (EC 3.2.1.3) from Aspergillus niger into dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) and large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) was investigated. Negative-stain, freeze-fracture, and cryo-transmission electron microscopy images verified vesicle formation in the presence of AMG. Vesicles with entrapped AMG were isolated from the solution by centrifugation, and vesicle lamellarity was identified using fluorescence laser confocal microscopy. The kinetics of starch hydrolysis by AMG was modeled for two different systems, free enzyme in aqueous solution and entrapped enzyme within vesicles in aqueous suspension. For the free enzyme system, intrinsic kinetics were described by a Michaelis-Menten kinetic model with product inhibition. The kinetic constants, Vmax and Km, were determined by initial velocity measurements, and Ki was obtained by fitting the model to experimental data of glucose concentration-time curves. Predicted concentration-time curves using these kinetic constants were in good agreement with experimental measurements. In the case of the vesicles, the time-dependence of product (glucose) formation was experimentally determined and simulated by considering the kinetic behavior of the enzyme and the permeation of substrate into the vesicle. Experimental results demonstrated that entrapped enzymes were much more stable than free enyzme. The entrapped enzyme could be recycled with retention of 60% activity after 3 cycles. These methodologies can be useful in evaluating other liposomal catalysis operations

Seprafilm® adhesion barrier: (1) a review of preclinical, animal, and human investigational studies

The aim of this study was to provide a single site resource for investigators, clinicians, and others seeking preclinical, animal, and human investigational studies concerning the postsurgical, anti-adhesion barrier Seprafilm™ (Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, MA). All published preclinical, animal, human extra-abdominal research as of July 2011 have been summarized and included in this document. Searches of Medline and EMBASE Drugs and Pharmaceuticals databases were conducted for original preclinical, animal, and human extra-abdominal studies involving Seprafilm. Preclinical, animal, and extra-abdominal human investigational studies are the study selection for this manuscript. Intraabdominal use is discussed in the accompanying manuscript. Data extraction includes systematic manuscript review. Summary of preclinical, animal, and extra-abdominal human investigational use of Seprafilm by surgical discipline were gathered for data synthesis. The clinical use of Seprafilm, which was approved by the FDA for intra-abdominal procedures, is supported by preclinical and animal studies relating to general surgical and obstetrical/gynecological applications. Findings from preclinical, animal, and human investigational studies at other sites throughout the body raises the potential for additional human clinical trials to assess efficacy and safety following surgical procedures at non-abdominal locations

Enhanced Osteogenesis of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells by Regulating Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling Antagonists and Agonists.

UnlabelledAlthough adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are an attractive cell source for bone tissue engineering, direct use of ASCs alone has had limited success in the treatment of large bone defects. Although bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are believed to be the most potent osteoinductive factors to promote osteogenic differentiation of ASCs, their clinical applications require supraphysiological dosage, leading to high medical burden and adverse side effects. In the present study, we demonstrated an alternative approach that can effectively complement the BMP activity to maximize the osteogenesis of ASCs without exogenous application of BMPs by regulating levels of antagonists and agonists to BMP signaling. Treatment of ASCs with the amiloride derivative phenamil, a positive regulator of BMP signaling, combined with gene manipulation to suppress the BMP antagonist noggin, significantly enhanced osteogenic differentiation of ASCs through increased BMP-Smad signaling in vitro. Furthermore, the combination approach of noggin suppression and phenamil stimulation enhanced the BMP signaling and bone repair in a mouse calvarial defect model by adding noggin knockdown ASCs to apatite-coated poly(lactic-coglycolic acid) scaffolds loaded with phenamil. These results suggest novel complementary osteoinductive strategies that could maximize activity of the BMP pathway in ASC bone repair while reducing potential adverse effects of current BMP-based therapeutics.SignificanceAlthough stem cell-based tissue engineering strategy offers a promising alternative to repair damaged bone, direct use of stem cells alone is not adequate for challenging healing environments such as in large bone defects. This study demonstrates a novel strategy to maximize bone formation pathways in osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and functional bone formation by combining gene manipulation with a small molecule activator toward osteogenesis. The findings indicate promising stem cell-based therapy for treating bone defects that can effectively complement or replace current osteoinductive therapeutics

Effect of manure application timing on roots, canopy and must quality in Vitis vinifera 'Merlot': a case study in Italy, North-East

The maintenance and improvement of soil fertility are among the most important management practices in viticulture. The system efficiency fertilization (SEF) which is a new concept based on a maximum utilization of organic fertilizers (i.e., manure) has become very important, especially within the organic viticulture sector, since other fertilizers are not allowed. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different manure application timing on the root, shoot, and the grapevine yield, accumulation, and quality of biochemical compounds in the grape must since the timing effect was not previously investigated. The study was carried out on 'Merlot' variety organically cultivated, whose production aims at obtaining high-quality red wines. Three treatments were applied: NT (Non-Treated), T1 (Treated1- manure applied in late October) and T2 (Treated2 - manure applied in late February). After two study-years, the undertaken research has shown positive influences of soil manure application on the canopy features (T1), yield, and yield components (T2), along with a major accumulation of the primary metabolites (T2) (soluble solid, carbohydrates, chlorophyll). Yet, the secondary metabolites (polyphenols and anthocyanins) were promoted in the grape must at harvest time, especially when the manure was applied in late October (T2). Considering the benefits of manure application in the T2, after two study years, this timing is recommended in order to improve 'Merlot' grapes for high-quality red wine production

NT‐pro BNP—A marker for worsening respiratory status and mortality in infants and young children with pulmonary hypertension

AimTo evaluate predictors of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), laboratory and echocardiographic measures of PH were analyzed.MethodsA retrospective review of all infants and children < 2 years of age with PH from January 2011 to August 2016 was conducted. Correlations were determined using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients. Differences in characteristics between survivors and nonsurvivors were analyzed and Kaplan‐Meier survival curves were generated.ResultsOf 56 patients, the majority were extremely premature; of African American ethnicity; and had bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Patients who died were more likely to have underlying congenital heart disease; have a higher increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood (pCO2) with a corresponding greater mean percentage decrease in pH and percentage rise in NT‐pro BNP during PH exacerbations; more likely to have been on medications for pulmonary hypertension; and have a higher RVSP/SBP (%) ratio and S/D ratio. There were positive correlations between percentage rise in NT‐pro BNP and pCO2; NT‐pro BNP and RVSP/SBP (%) ratio; and RVSP/SBP (%) ratio and S/D ratio.ConclusionsInfants and young children with pulmonary hypertension have increased morbidity and mortality. NT‐pro BNP is a useful biomarker for both respiratory exacerbations and mortality, and RVSP/SBP (%) ratio and S/D ratio are echocardiographic identifiers for increased mortality.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145495/1/chd12601.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145495/2/chd12601_am.pd