Antennal chemosensilla and glands, and their possible meaning in the reproductive behaviour of Trissolcus basalis (Woll.) (Hym. : Scelionidae)

The antennae of Trissolcus basalis, a solitary endoparasitoid of Nezara viridula (Heteroptera: Pen- tatomidae) eggs, have been investigated by SEM and TEM to map and describe the different types of chemosensilla and glands, some of which are reported for the first time in Parasitic Hymenoptera. A non chemoreceptor, sensillum campaniforme, has also been included since it is associateci with glands. A functional interpretation has been attempted correlating the antennal structures with mating and host recognition behaviours previously reported. SENSILLI CHEMIORECETTORI E GHIANDOLE ANTENNALI E LORO POSSIBILE SIGNIFICATO NEL COMPORTAMENTO RIPRODUTTIVO DI TRISSOLCUS BASALIS (WOLL.) (HYMENOPTERA, SCELIONIDAE)  Il Trissolcus basalis è un parassitoide solitario delle uova di Nezara viridula L. Dalle ovature parassitizzate sfarfallano per primi i Trissolcus maschi, i quali, essendo capaci di individuare la presenza delle proprie femmine (per via di un feromone sessuale volatile) all'interno delle uova dell'ospite, si fermano singolarmente davanti all'uovo parassitizzato, in attesa che sfarfalli l'individuata compagna. Alla fuoriuscita di questa seguono speditamente un rapido corteggiamento da parte del maschio, il riconoscimento e la reciproca accettazione del partner e quindi la copula: il tutto in poche decine di secondi. La femmina fecondata va subito in cerca di un'ovatura idonea di Nezara per ovideporre lasciando infine un feromone di marcatura sulle singole uova da essa parassitizzate. Detto comportamento riproduttivo risulta chiaramente e necessariamente mediato dalle antenne di ambo i sessi nella prima parte, e della femmina, ovviamente, nella seconda parte. Attraverso uno studio in stretta collaborazione tra etologi (Bin, Colazza, Vinson) e morfologi (Isidoro, Solinas) vengono identificati sensilli chemiorecettori e ghiandole antennali implicati nei meccanismi comportamentali sopra menzionati. In particolare, sono stati individuati, descritti e più o meno ampiamente interpretati: a) un solo tipo di sensilli olfattivi («sickle-shaped sensilla), presente in ambo i sessi, ma assai più rappresentato e potente nei maschi (recettori del feromone sessuale?) e più versatile nelle femmine (recettore di kairomone e sinomoni?); b) quattro tipi di sensilli gustativi, due dei quali sono presenti in ambo i sessi (sensilla chaetica, chiaramente implicati nel reciproco riconoscimento tra i sessi; e grooved peg sensilla, di difficile interpretazione), mentre un terzo tipo, del tutto particolare, è presente solo nelle femmine, (papillary sensilla» chiaramente implicati nel riconoscimento- accettazione dell'ospite), ed un quarto, pure particolare, ma meno facilmente interpretabile, è presente solo nei maschi (sensilla conica»); c) tre tipi di ghiandole di cui uno è presente in ambo i sessi (dorsal glands», chiaramente implicato nel reciproco - ma soprattutto da parte del maschio - riconoscimento tra i sessi), mentre degli altri due tipi, uno è associato ai papillary sensilla della femmina e dunque strettamente legato al funzionamento dei medesimi e l'altro, tipico del maschio, era già noto e qui se ne conferma la funzione di ghiandola a feromone sessuale maschile

MBOAT7 is anchored to endomembranes by six transmembrane domains.

Abstract Membrane bound O-acyltransferase domain- containing 7 (MBOAT7, also known as LPIAT1) is a protein involved in the acyl chain remodeling of phospholipids via the Lands' cycle. The MBOAT7 is a susceptibility risk genetic locus for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and mental retardation. Although it has been shown that MBOAT7 is associated to membranes, the MBOAT7 topology remains unknown. To solve the topological organization of MBOAT7, we performed: A) solubilization of the total membrane fraction of cells overexpressing the recombinant MBOAT7-V5, which revealed MBOAT7 is an integral protein strongly attached to endomembranes; B) in silico analysis by using 22 computational methods, which predicted the number and localization of transmembrane domains of MBOAT7 with a range between 5 and 12; C) in vitro analysis of living cells transfected with GFP-tagged MBOAT7 full length and truncated forms, using a combination of Western Blotting, co-immunofluorescence and Fluorescence Protease Protection (FPP) assay; D) in vitro analysis of living cells transfected with FLAG-tagged MBOAT7 full length forms, using a combination of Western Blotting, selective membrane permeabilization followed by indirect immunofluorescence. All together, these data revealed that MBOAT7 is a multispanning transmembrane protein with six transmembrane domains. Based on our model, the predicted catalytic dyad of the protein, composed of the conserved asparagine in position 321 (Asn-321) and the preserved histidine in position 356 (His-356), has a lumenal localization. These data are compatible with the role of MBOAT7 in remodeling the acyl chain composition of endomembranes

The archaeological evidence of sea level change in the Mediterranean: guidelines and reappraisals

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Evaluation of Distensibility and Stiffness of Ascending Aortic Aneurysm using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Introduction: Magnetic resonance imaging emerging as a new tool for the diagnosis and evaluation of ascending aortic aneurysm. The aim of our study is to evaluate in vivo distensibility and pulse wave velocity of the aortic wall using functional magnetic resonance imaging technique.Methods: We enrolled 25 patients undergoing surgery for ascending aortic aneurysm and or aortic valve replacement for a period of 8 months. Preoperatively, all the patients underwent functional MRI study of the aorta. Aortic wall distensibility and pulse wave velocity of ascending aorta was evaluated. Results: Mean age of the patient was 66 years (66.68 ± 5.62 years) with 60% (15) male patients. More than fifty percentages of patients were smoker (52%), hypertensive (64%) and diabetic (56%). We have observed significant decrease of distensibilty in the patients with aortic diameter above 50 mm (p-0.0002). Furthermore, we have found a significant inverse correlation between aortic distensibility and pulse wave velocity (R= -0.650, R2= 0.42, p-0.0004). Similarly, we have found a significant inverse correlation between ascending aortic diameter and distensibility of the aorta (R= -0.785, R2= 0.61, p-0.00001). Statistically significant positive correlation was observed between aortic diameter and pulse wave velocity (R= 0.865, R2= 0.74, p-0.00001).Conclusions: MRI measurement of aortic diameters, distensibility, and flow wave velocity is an easy, reliable and reproducible technique. Distensibility and pulse wave velocity define the elasticity of the aorta. We have observed that elasticity of aortic wall is decreased in ascending aorta aneurysm patients. Keywords: ascending aorta aneurysm; distensibility; pulse wave velocity; MRI. | PubMe

Late plasma exosome microRNA-21-5p depicts magnitude of reverse ventricular remodeling after early surgical repair of primary mitral valve regurgitation

Introduction: Primary mitral valve regurgitation (MR) results from degeneration of mitral valve apparatus. Mechanisms leading to incomplete postoperative left ventricular (LV) reverse remodeling (Rev–Rem) despite timely and successful surgical mitral valve repair (MVR) remain unknown. Plasma exosomes (pEXOs) are smallest nanovesicles exerting early postoperative cardioprotection. We hypothesized that late plasma exosomal microRNAs (miRs) contribute to Rev–Rem during the late postoperative period. Methods: Primary MR patients (n = 19; age, 45–71 years) underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and blood sampling before (T0) and 6 months after (T1) MVR. The postoperative LV Rev–Rem was assessed in terms of a decrease in LV end-diastolic volume and patients were stratified into high (HiR-REM) and low (LoR-REM) LV Rev–Rem subgroups. Isolated pEXOs were quantified by nanoparticle tracking analysis. Exosomal microRNA (miR)-1, –21–5p, –133a, and –208a levels were measured by RT-qPCR. Anti-hypertrophic effects of pEXOs were tested in HL-1 cardiomyocytes cultured with angiotensin II (AngII, 1 μM for 48 h). Results: Surgery zeroed out volume regurgitation in all patients. Although preoperative pEXOs were similar in both groups, pEXO levels increased after MVR in HiR-REM patients (+0.75-fold, p = 0.016), who showed lower cardiac mass index (–11%, p = 0.032). Postoperative exosomal miR-21-5p values of HiR-REM patients were higher than other groups (p < 0.05). In vitro, T1-pEXOs isolated from LoR-REM patients boosted the AngII-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, but not postoperative exosomes of HiR-REM. This adaptive effect was counteracted by miR-21-5p inhibition. Summary/Conclusion: High levels of miR-21-5p-enriched pEXOs during the late postoperative period depict higher LV Rev–Rem after MVR. miR-21-5p-enriched pEXOs may be helpful to predict and to treat incomplete LV Rev–Rem after successful early surgical MVR

The Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of \u3c9-3, \u3c9-6 lipids and \u3b2-sitosterol from Italian walnuts: A central composite design approach

A central composite design approach was used to optimize the supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) extraction of Italian Walnut oil, considering the effect of pressure (from 82.3 to 317.6 bar), temperature (from 309.7 to 326.5 K) and process time (from 1.5 to 6.5 h) on extraction yield, fatty acid composition and sitosterol content. A multiple regression analysis indicated pressure and time as major parameters influencing the extraction yield. Those parameters also induced changes in the extract compositions giving the opportunity to obtain enriched fractions of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). Increased PUFA yields were obtained with higher pressure values but, for longer process times, extracts stated augmented amounts of saturated fatty acids. The different solubility behavior of PUFA and other lipids in SCCO2 could be exploited for the production of walnut oil fractions with high PUFA contents that can be considered as starting materials for the development of food supplements or functional foods

Machine learning in clinical and epidemiological research: isn't it time for biostatisticians to work on it?

In recent years, there has been a widespread cross-fertilization between Medical Statistics and Machine Learning (ML) techniques

Micro-photoluminescence of GaAs/AlGaAs triple concentric quantum rings

A systematic optical study, including micro, ensemble and time resolved photoluminescence of GaAs/AlGaAs triple concentric quantum rings, self-assembled via droplet epitaxy, is presented. Clear emission from localized states belonging to the ring structures is reported. The triple rings show a fast decay dynamics, around 40 ps, which is expected to be useful for ultrafast optical switching applications

Efficacy of a new technique - INtubate-RECruit-SURfactant-Extubate - "IN-REC-SUR-E" - in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Although beneficial in clinical practice, the INtubate-SURfactant-Extubate (IN-SUR-E) method is not successful in all preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome, with a reported failure rate ranging from 19 to 69 %. One of the possible mechanisms responsible for the unsuccessful IN-SUR-E method, requiring subsequent re-intubation and mechanical ventilation, is the inability of the preterm lung to achieve and maintain an "optimal" functional residual capacity. The importance of lung recruitment before surfactant administration has been demonstrated in animal studies showing that recruitment leads to a more homogeneous surfactant distribution within the lungs. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare the application of a recruitment maneuver using the high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) modality just before the surfactant administration followed by rapid extubation (INtubate-RECruit-SURfactant-Extubate: IN-REC-SUR-E) with IN-SUR-E alone in spontaneously breathing preterm infants requiring nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) as initial respiratory support and reaching pre-defined CPAP failure criteria. Methods/design: In this study, 206 spontaneously breathing infants born at 24+0-27+6 weeks' gestation and failing nCPAP during the first 24 h of life, will be randomized to receive an HFOV recruitment maneuver (IN-REC-SUR-E) or no recruitment maneuver (IN-SUR-E) just prior to surfactant administration followed by prompt extubation. The primary outcome is the need for mechanical ventilation within the first 3 days of life. Infants in both groups will be considered to have reached the primary outcome when they are not extubated within 30 min after surfactant administration or when they meet the nCPAP failure criteria after extubation. Discussion: From all available data no definitive evidence exists about a positive effect of recruitment before surfactant instillation, but a rationale exists for testing the following hypothesis: a lung recruitment maneuver performed with a step-by-step Continuous Distending Pressure increase during High-Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (and not with a sustained inflation) could have a positive effects in terms of improved surfactant distribution and consequent its major efficacy in preterm newborns with respiratory distress syndrome. This represents our challenge. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02482766. Registered on 1 June 2015