Preface: Multiscale and multiphysics modeling of “complex” materials and engineering applications

none3noN.A.mixedTrovalusci P.; Fantuzzi N.; De Bellis M.L.Trovalusci P.; Fantuzzi N.; De Bellis M.L

Panarchy. Towards voluntary communities

An anthology on Panarchy edited by Gian Piero de Bellis for World Wide Wisdom, Saint-Imier, 2023

Neuropsychological Findings in Pediatric Maltreatment: Relationship of PTSD, Dissociative Symptoms, and Abuse/Neglect Indices to Neurocognitive Outcomes

Maltreated (n=38), maltreated+posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)(N=60), and control youth (N=104) underwent comprehensive neuropsychological testing. The two maltreated groups performed significantly lower on IQ, Academic Achievement, and nearly all of the neurocognitive Domains than controls. Maltreated+PTSD performed significantly worse than maltreated youth without PTSD on a task in the Visuospatial Domain that assessed higher-order visuoconstructive abilities. No group differences were evident on the Fine-Motor Domain. PTSD diagnosis duration negatively correlated with the Visuospatial, and dissociation negatively correlated with the Attention Domain. Cumulative lifetime maltreatment types experienced negatively correlated with Academic Achievement. Sexual abuse negatively correlated with Language and Memory functions after controlling for other maltreatment types. These data support the adverse effects of maltreatment on neuropsychological functions in youth, and suggest that all child protective services identified youth should be comprehensively examined for the integrity of their neuropsychological functioning and academic skills, regardless of the presence or absence of mental health symptoms

Interplay between non-coding rna transcription, stringent/relaxed phenotype and antibiotic production in streptomyces ambofaciens

While in recent years the key role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the regulation of gene expression has become increasingly evident, their interaction with the global regulatory circuits is still obscure. Here we analyzed the structure and organization of the transcriptome of Streptomyces ambofaciens, the producer of spiramycin. We identified ncRNAs including 45 small-RNAs (sRNAs) and 119 antisense-RNAs (asRNAs I) that appear transcribed from dedicated promoters. Some sRNAs and asRNAs are unprecedented in Streptomyces and were predicted to target mRNAs encoding proteins involved in transcription, translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis, and regulation of morphological and biochemical differentiation. We then compared ncRNA expression in three strains: (i) the wild-type strain; (ii) an isogenic pirA-defective mutant with central carbon metabolism imbalance, “relaxed” phenotype, and repression of antibiotic production; and (iii) a pirA-derivative strain harboring a “stringent” RNA polymerase that suppresses pirA-associated phenotypes. Data indicated that the expression of most ncRNAs was correlated to the stringent/relaxed phenotype suggesting novel effector mechanisms of the stringent response

Signaling Cross-Talk between Salicylic and Gentisic Acid in the ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma Solani’ Interaction with Sangiovese Vines

“Bois noir” disease associated with ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’ seriously compromises the production and survival of grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) in Europe. Understanding the plant response to phytoplasmas should help to improve disease control strategies. Using a combined metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis, this work, therefore, investigated the phytoplasma–grapevine interaction in red cultivar Sangiovese in a vineyard over four seasonal growth stages (from late spring to late summer), comparing leaves from healthy and infected grapevines (symptomatic and symptomless). We found an accumulation of both conjugate and free salicylic acids (SAs) in the leaves of ‘Ca. P. solani’-positive plants from early stages of infection, when plants are still asymptomatic. A strong accumulation of gentisic acid (GA) associated with symptoms progression was found for the first time. A detailed analysis of phenylpropanoids revealed a significant accumulation of hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols, flavan 3-ols, and anthocyanin cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, which are extensively studied due to their involvement in the plant response to various pathogens. Metabolomic data corroborated by gene expression analysis indicated that phenylpropanoid biosynthetic and salicylic acid-responsive genes were upregulated in ‘Ca. P. solani-positive plants compared to -negative ones during the observed period

Ergogenic effect of bcaas and l-alanine supplementation: Proof-of-concept study in a murine model of physiological exercise

Background: Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs: leucine, isoleucine, valine) account for 35% of skeletal muscle essential amino acids (AAs). As such, they must be provided in the diet to support peptide synthesis and inhibit protein breakdown. Although substantial evidence has been collected about the potential usefulness of BCAAs in supporting muscle function and structure, dietary supplements containing BCAAs alone may not be effective in controlling muscle protein turnover, due to the rate-limiting bioavailability of other AAs involved in BCAAs metabolism. Methods: We aimed to evaluate the in vivo/ex vivo effects of a 4-week treatment with an oral formulation containing BCAAs alone (2:1:1) on muscle function, structure, and metabolism in a murine model of physiological exercise, which was compared to three modified formulations combining BCAAs with increasing concentrations of L-Alanine (ALA), an AA controlling BCAAs catabolism. Results: A preliminary pharmacokinetic study confirmed the ability of ALA to boost up BCAAs bioavailability. After 4 weeks, mix 2 (BCAAs + 2ALA) had the best protective effect on mice force and fatigability, as well as on muscle morphology and metabolic indices. Conclusion: Our study corroborates the use of BCAAs + ALA to support muscle health during physiological exercise, underlining how the relative BCAAs/ALA ratio is important to control BCAAs distribution

Neuropsychological findings in childhood neglect and their relationships to pediatric PTSD

Although child neglect is the most prevalent form of child maltreatment, the neurocognitive effects of neglect is understudied

Treatment of iatrogenic and traumatic tracheal disruptions

Background and aim. The optimal management of tracheal disruptions is still controversial. It is usually postulated that lesions wider than 1 or 2 centimetres and/or lesions of full-thickness should be treated by surgery at an early stage. Such a statement is not supported by any proven evidence. On the contrary, the conservative management of such injuries has also produced very good results according to recent reports. The aim of this study is to investigate whether conservative treatment can be safely used for wide tracheal lacerations and to assess any possible association between clinical features and modality of treatment. Methods. Records of all patients with iatrogenic and traumatic tracheal disruptions observed between January 1992 and December 2006 were collected and retrospectively reviewed. Data regarding mechanism of injury, clinical and morphological features and modalities of treatment were registered. All possible associations between clinical features and modalities of treatment were investigated. Results. 23 patients were observed overall. There were 6 males and 17 females with a median age of 58 years (range 20-84 yrs). 15 patients had undergone single tube intubation. One patient had his trachea injured during an esophagectomy. Ruptures were secondary to blunt (n=5) and open (n=2) trauma in 7 patients. Lesions varied in length between 1 and 7 centimetres (median length 3 centimetres) and all were full-thickness. The time interval until diagnosis varied between 0 and 72 hours (median 6 hours). Respiratory failure was evident in 7 patients. 16 patients (69.5%) with lacerations ranging in length between 1 and 5.5 centimetres (median length 2.75 cm) underwent conservative treatment. Seven patients (30.5%) underwent surgery. The follow up was completed for 16 patients and varied between 15 and 105 months (median 22.5). One patient died after surgical treatment. No mortality or late major sequelae were registered after conservative treatment. Female sex, absence of respiratory failure and delayed diagnosis was associated with the conservative treatment. Conclusions. Conservative treatment can play a major role even in cases of wide tracheal lacerations. Clinical rather than morphological features should be regarded as main criteria for treatment. The conservative treatment is particularly indicated in the case of stable respiratory parameters independent of the size and the depth of the lesion