Experimental investigation on cyclic response of RC elements repaired by CFRP external reinforcing systems

This paper deals with the experimental results of an investigation aimed at studying cyclic response of half scaled RC specimens previously damaged and then repaired with externally bonded carbon fiber reinforced polymer sheets. The research involved the test of ten specimens. Two of them were tested without any external strengthening material in order to provide a reference for the response of repaired specimens. These latter were tested after a previous damaging procedure and a subsequent repair intervention with fiber reinforced polymer composites. The parameters under investigation were the level of initial damage, the strengthening configuration, and the level of axial load. Test results have pointed out effectiveness of the adopted strengthening systems, since repaired specimens exhibited better mechanical responses than the unstrengthened ones

Identificación de especies de Chattonella (Raphidophyceae) presentes en muestras de fitoplancton recogidas durante un monitoreo de larga duración en la Laguna de Santa Giusta (Cerdeña, Italia)

Chattonella species in a Mediterranean lagoon (Santa Giusta Lagoon, Sardinia, Italy) were identified by applying a molecular approach to fixed natural phytoplankton samples collected over the last two decades. Like the other raphidophytes, Chattonella cells are naked and lose their shape when fixed, making species identification difficult on the basis of their morphological characteristics. Employing species-specific primers (oBTG-005-F, oBTG-027-R, oBTG-028-R) for the amplification of the ITS-5.8S rDNA region, we established the occurrence of C. subsalsa in fixed natural phytoplankton samples collected in coincidence with fish death events. Additionally, we established the presence of the recently discovered C. cf. subsalsa Adriatic genotype by analysing cellular cultures obtained from the same lagoon in 2013. This is the second worldwide record of C. cf. subsalsa Adriatic genotype. Our results revealed that the species-specific primers oBTG-005-F and oBTG-028-R distinguished this new genotype only when present singularly. This study provides valuable data that increase knowledge of C. subsalsa genotypes and of the long-term occurrence of Chattonella blooms in a transitional ecosystem through the use of samples up to 20 years old.Se identificaron especies de Chattonella mediante la aplicación de técnicas moleculares en muestras naturales de fitoplancton. Las muestras fueron recogidas y fijadas durante las últimas dos décadas en una laguna litoral mediterránea (Laguna de Santa Giusta, Cerdeña, Italia). Al igual que otras rafidoficeas, las células de Chattonella no poseen teca y, por lo tanto, pierden su forma cuando se fijan lo que dificulta la identificación basada en características morfológicas. Con el uso de cebadores específicos a nivel de especie (OBTG-005-F, OBTG-027-R, OBTG-028-R) diseñados para la amplificación de la región ITS- 5.8S rDNA, se detectó la presencia de C. subsalsa en las muestras recogidas en periodos coincidentes con eventos de muerte de peces. A través del análisis de los cultivos celulares obtenidos de la misma laguna en el año 2013, se identificó la presencia, por segunda vez a nivel mundial, del recientemente descubierto genotipo Adriático de C. cf. subsalsa. Los resultados revelaron que los cebadores oBTG-005-F y oBTG-028-R amplifican este nuevo genotipo sólo cuando está presente individualmente. En este estudio se presentan datos relevantes para el conocimiento de los genotipos de C. subsalsa y sobre la presencia recurrente de proliferaciones de especies de Chatonella en un ecosistema de transición a través de la utilización de muestras recogidas durante los últimos veinte años y analizadas hoy en día

Identification of Chattonella (Raphidophyceae) species in long-term phytoplankton samples from Santa Giusta Lagoon, Italy

none7noChattonella species in a Mediterranean lagoon (Santa Giusta Lagoon, Sardinia, Italy) were identified by applying a molecular approach to fixed natural phytoplankton samples collected over the last two decades. Like the other raphidophytes, Chattonella cells are naked and lose their shape when fixed, making species identification difficult on the basis of their morphological characteristics. Employing species-specific primers (oBTG-005-F, oBTG-027-R, oBTG-028-R) for the amplification of the ITS-5.8S rDNA region, we established the occurrence of C. subsalsa in fixed natural phytoplankton samples collected in coincidence with fish death events. Additionally, we established the presence of the recently discovered C. cf. subsalsa Adriatic genotype by analysing cellular cultures obtained from the same lagoon in 2013. This is the second worldwide record of C. cf. subsalsa Adriatic genotype. Our results revealed that the species-specific primers oBTG-005-F and oBTG-028-R distinguished this new genotype only when present singularly. This study provides valuable data that increase knowledge of C. subsalsa genotypes and of the long-term occurrence of Chattonella blooms in a transitional ecosystem through the use of samples up to 20 years oldopenStacca D.; Satta C.T.; Casabianca S.; Penna A.; Padedda B.M.; Sechi N.; Lugliè A.Stacca, D.; Satta, C. T.; Casabianca, Silvia; Penna, Antonella; Padedda, B. M.; Sechi, N.; Lugliè, A

Treatment of Essential Hypertension does not Normalize Capillary Rarefaction

OBJECTIVES: To determine if capillary rarefaction persists when hypertension is treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, thiazidic diuretic and/or beta-blocker, and to identify which microcirculatory alterations (structural and functional) persist after anti-hypertensive treatment. METHODS: We evaluated 28 well-controlled essential hypertensive patients and 19 normotensive subjects. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy examination of the fourth finger of the left hand was used to determine the functional capillary densities at baseline, during post-occlusive hyperemia, and after venous congestion. Capillary loop diameters (afferent, apical and efferent) and red blood cell velocity were also quantified. RESULTS: Compared with normotensive subjects, hypertensive patients showed lower mean functional capillary density at baseline (25.1±1.4 vs. 33.9±1.9 cap/mm², p<0.01), during post-occlusive reactive hyperemia (29.3±1.9 vs. 38.2±2.2 cap/mm², p<0.01) and during venous congestion responses (31.4±1.9 vs. 41.1±2.3 cap/mm², p<0.01). Based on the density during venous congestion, the estimated structural capillary deficit was 25.1%. Mean capillary diameters were not different at the three local points, but red blood cell velocity at baseline was significantly lower in the hypertensive group (0.98±0.05 vs. 1.17±0.04 mm/s, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated for essential hypertension showed microvascular rarefaction, regardless of the type of therapy used. In addition, the reduced red blood cell velocity associated with capillary rarefaction might reflect the increased systemic vascular resistance, which is a hallmark of hypertension

The inhibition of 45A ncRNA expression reduces tumor formation, affecting tumor nodules compactness and metastatic potential in neuroblastoma cells

open16noWe recently reported the in vitro over-expression of 45A, a RNA polymerase IIItranscribed non-coding (nc)RNA, that perturbs the intracellular content of FE65L1 affecting cell proliferation rate, short-term response to genotoxic stress, substrate adhesion capacity and, ultimately, increasing the tumorigenic potential of human neuroblastoma cells. In this work, to deeply explore the mechanism by which 45A ncRNA contributes to cancer development, we targeted in vitro and in vivo 45A levels by the stable overexpression of antisense 45A RNA. 45A downregulation leads to deep modifications of cytoskeleton organization, adhesion and migration of neuroblastoma cells. These effects are correlated with alterations in the expression of several genes including GTSE1 (G2 and S phaseexpressed- 1), a crucial regulator of tumor cell migration and metastatic potential. Interestingly, the downregulation of 45A ncRNA strongly affects the in vivo tumorigenic potential of SKNBE2 neuroblastoma cells, increasing tumor nodule compactness and reducing GTSE1 protein expression in a subcutaneous neuroblastoma mouse model. Moreover, intracardiac injection of neuroblastoma cells showed that downregulation of 45A ncRNA also influences tumor metastatic ability. In conclusion, our data highlight a key role of 45A ncRNA in cancer development and suggest that its modulation might represent a possible novel anticancer therapeutic approach.openPenna, Ilaria; Gigoni, Arianna; Costa, Delfina; Vella, Serena; Russo, Debora; Poggi, Alessandro; Villa, Federico; Brizzolara, Antonella; Canale, Claudio; Mescola, Andrea; Daga, Antonio; Russo, Claudio; Nizzari, Mario; Florio, Tullio; Menichini, Paola; Pagano, AldoPenna, Ilaria; Gigoni, Arianna; Costa, Delfina; Vella, SERENA LUISA; Russo, Debora; Poggi, Alessandro; Villa, Federico; Brizzolara, Antonella; Canale, Claudio; Mescola, Andrea; Daga, Antonio; Russo, Claudio; Nizzari, Mario; Florio, Tullio; Menichini, Paola; Pagano, Ald

Identification of <i>Chattonella</i> (Raphidophyceae) species in long-term phytoplankton samples from Santa Giusta Lagoon, Italy.

Chattonella species in a Mediterranean lagoon (Santa Giusta Lagoon, Sardinia, Italy) were identified by applying a molecular approach to fixed natural phytoplankton samples collected over the last two decades. Like the other raphidophytes, Chattonella cells are naked and lose their shape when fixed, making species identification difficult on the basis of their morphological characteristics. Employing species-specific primers (oBTG-005-F, oBTG-027-R, oBTG-028-R) for the amplification of the ITS-5.8S rDNA region, we established the occurrence of C. subsalsa in fixed natural phytoplankton samples collected in coincidence with fish death events. Additionally, we established the presence of the recently discovered C. cf. subsalsa Adriatic genotype by analysing cellular cultures obtained from the same lagoon in 2013. This is the second worldwide record of C. cf. subsalsa Adriatic genotype. Our results revealed that the species-specific primers oBTG-005-F and oBTG-028-R distinguished this new genotype only when present singularly. This study provides valuable data that increase knowledge of C. subsalsa genotypes and of the long-term occurrence of Chattonella blooms in a transitional ecosystem through the use of samples up to 20 years old

Phonons in the quantum Hall effect: A nonlinear-dynamics picture

A model describing a system in which Landau electronic modes are coupled with phonons is proposed and discussed. A simplified version of the model is further analyzed, with special attention to the dynamical symmetries that characterize it. In particular, the corresponding equations of motion are thoroughly examined: they provide a variety of behaviors, ranging from completely integrable (in both the classical and quantum case) to chaotic (in the semiclassical approximation). The chaotic regime is believed to be suitable to eventually represent the stochastic behavior of the longitudinal voltage versus time, recently observed in several quantum Hall effect experiments

Exercise Improves the Impact of Chronic Pain in Older Adults: Results of an RCT

Background: Chronic Pain (CP) is a crucial determinant for disability in older adults. CP amplifies the impact of other common age-related diseases and increases cardiovascular risk. Physical exercise can improve CP. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) with high-intensity exercise in older adults excluded people with Moderate Chronic Illness (MCI) and CP. Objective: This study aimed at evaluating in an RCT whether moderate exercise training can improve chronic pain in a sample of older adults, including people with MCI, and if any modification persists over time. Methods: A sample of 120 older adults was randomly selected for a moderate-intensity exercise program or cultural activities (control group). Chronic pain was assessed at t0, at t12 (end of the trial), and t48 weeks, by means of the Italian version of the SIP-Roland Scale. Results: Seventy-nine participants completed the follow-up (age 72.3±4.7, women 55.3%). At the end of RCT, an improvement in the SIP scale score was found in the exercise group (p=0.035), showing a lower score than the control group; this difference was not maintained at 48 weeks (p=0.235). Conclusion: Our study highlighted that a moderate-intensity exercise intervention reduced chronic pain in older adults, but this effect disappeared at follow-up after 36 weeks from the end of the training program. These findings suggested that such kinds of programs, easily accessible to old people even with MCI, should be implemented and supported over time, thus promoting active aging and preventing CP of age-related diseases. Clinical Trial Registration: Clinical.Trials.gov.NCT03858114

The Amphibian Research in Sierra Norte Natural Park, sw. Spain

A nivel mundial, los anfibios están desapareciendo por causas muy diversas, algunas poco conocidas, como los efectos del cambio climático. Son, en general, especies muy sensibles a los cambios en el medio y, por tanto, resultan especialmente interesantes tanto para los investigadores como para todo aquel interesado en la conservación de la biodiversidad. Desde hace años, investigadores del CSIC y otros centros españoles (Universidad de Sevilla y Granada) y extranjeros (Universidad de Lisboa, Portugal, Universidad de Chile y la Universidad de Western Kentucky, USA) están realizando estudios sobre bioacústica, biología de la reproducción, variación geográfi ca y adaptaciones locales, morfología y dinámica poblacional de algunas especies presentes en el Parque Natural de la Sierra Norte. Los resultados más relevantes de tales estudios se resumen en estas páginas, incluyendo resultados preliminares de un proyecto nacional I+D+i, actualmente en marcha. Además, sus observaciones han permitido detectar y sugerir acciones que están permitiendo mejorar la conservación de algunas de estas poblaciones. Con ello esperamos contribuir a un mejor conocimiento y conservación de estas especies y su medio.Currently, there is a global decline of amphibians due to an array of different factors, including global warming. Amphibians are among the more sensitive vertebrate species to changes in the environment, what target them both for research and for anyone interested in biodiversity conservation. During the last decade, researchers from diff erent institutions, including CSIC, the University of Seville, the University of Granada, the University of Lisbon, the University of Chile, and Western Kentucky University, have conducted studies on population divergence and local adaptations, bioacoustics, reproductive biology, morphology, and population dynamics of some of the anuran species occurring in the Natural Park of Sierra Norte. In this paper, we summarize relevant results from these studies, including preliminary results from an ongoing I+D+i national project. These studies have already help us to detect and suggest some conservation actions for amphibians, which once implemented, will improve the conservation status of some of these amphibian populations. Our hope is to contribute to increase the knowledge and conservation of these species and their habitats