From trauma to aggression: an empirical study on the relationship between interpersonal trauma, attachment styles and aggressive tendencies among adults

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between traumatic experiences, insecure attachment styles and psychiatric symptoms in adulthood. Self-report measures concerning trauma, attachment styles and psychopathology were administered to 59 adults (33.9% males, 66.1% females) ranging in age from 18 to 61 years old. Results showed that traumatic experiences were associated with insecure attachment styles and psychopathology, in particular concerning aggressive tendencies. Findings of the study suggest that the exploration of past experiences and current attachment relationships, in terms of interpersonal functioning, may be crucial for understanding aggressiveness

Impact of the Donor KIR Genotype on the Clinical Outcome of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Unrelated Transplants: A Single Center Experience

In recent years, the anti-leukemic potential of Natural Killer (NK) cells and their role in hematologic malignancies and in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplants (HSCT) has attracted greater interest and a recent study by Cooley S. et al. showed a better clinical outcome when patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia received a transplant from unrelated Group B KIR haplotypes donors. As a consequence of these results, an algorithm called “KIR B-content score” was formulated. The aim of our research is a retrospective analysis of HSC unrelated transplants performed in our center to analyze the effect of the donor KIR B status on the clinical-outcome. Our results showed a better overall survival-rate in the AML recipients, HLA mismatched with the donor, when the donor KIR B content status is Best/Better (37% vs 18% at three years P=0,028). Moreover, we observed that AML recipients, whose Donors KIR B status was Best/Better, had more incidence of aGvHD grade I and II than patients whose Donors KIR B status was Neutral (70% vs 26%) and also a lower rate of relapse (36% vs 58%) and a better Disease Free Survival-rate (58% vs 38% at three years P=0,1) because of a better GvL effect

High-performance of PbO2 nanowire electrodes for lead-acid battery

PbO2 nanowires were obtained by template electrodeposition in polycarbonate membranes and tested as positive electrode for lead-acid battery. Nanowires were grown on the same material acting as current collector that was electrodeposited too. The nanostructured electrodes were assembled in a zero-gap configuration using commercial negative plate and separator. Cell performance was tested by galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles in a 5 M H2SO4 aqueous electrolyte. PbO2 nanostructured electrodes were able to deliver at 1C rate an almost constant capacity of about 190 mAh/g (85% of active material utilization), close to the theoretical value (224 mAh/g). The nanowire array provides a very large surface area (about 70 times higher than the geometrical one) that enhances the specific capacity of the battery. SEM images of the as-prepared and cycled electrodes showed that nanowires morphology changes significantly after the initial cycles. Change of morphology led to the formation of very spongy structure, characterized by the presence of macro-voids, which ensured penetration of the electrolyte in the inner areas of the electrode. Besides, PbO2 nanowires showed a very good cycling stability, maintained for more than 1000 cycles. These findings indicate that this new type of electrode might be a promising substitute of positive plates in lead-acid battery

Automodified Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Analysis to Monitor DNA Damage in Peripheral Lymphocytes of Floricoltorists Occupationally Exposed to Pesticides

Background:Increased DNA damage and the propension to cancer development, depend on the modulation of the mechanisms to control and maintain genomic integrity. Poly(ADP-Ribose)Polymerase activation and automodification are early responses to genotoxic stress. Upon binding to DNA strand breaks, the enzyme, a molecular DNA nick sensor,is hyperactivated: this is the first step in a series of events leading to either DNA repair or apoptosis. Enzyme hyperactivation and automodification can be easily measured and are widely used to look at DNA damage extent in the cell. We investigated whetherthese two markers (increasedcatalytic activity and auto modification), could help to monitor DNA damage in lymphocytes of flower growers from Southern Italy, occupationally exposed to pesticides. Methods: Peripheral lymphocyte lysates were analysed for Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase activity, and by SDS-PAGE and anti-Poly(ADP-Ribose)Polymerase 1-antibody to measure automodified Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase levels by densitometry. Results:Poly(ADP-Ribose)Polymerase activity levels were consistent with those of enzyme auto-modification. Growers daily exposed to pesticides, showed both biomarkers very high, either in the presence or in the absence of pathologies. Conclusions:PARP activity and auto-modification in peripheral blood lymphocytes are possible, non-invasive, and routinar tools to monitor the healthy conditions of floricoltorists

Sviluppo di un database italiano di Life Cycle Inventory dei prodotti agroalimentari: la metodologia.

Il Progetto di Ricerca di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale - PRIN 2017, finanziato dal Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca, nasce dall’esigenza di disporre di dati nazionali al fine di sviluppare un database italiano di Life Cycle Inventory dei prodotti agroalimentari. Nel presente contributo sono delineati gli aspetti metodologici che saranno alla base di questo database. Le filiere produttive incluse nel database, ritenute le più significative per il comparto agroalimentare italiano, sono: prodotti derivanti dal grano, quali pane e pasta; vino; olio di oliva; agrumi. Il database sarà costruito secondo una metodologia comune e coerente, applicabile trasversalmente a tutte le filiere oggetto di studio e diversificata per ciascuna fase del ciclo di vita del prodotto, adottando un approccio che tenga conto, nella definizione dei confini del sistema, anche delle fasi di distribuzione, di uso e di smaltimento dei rifiuti