Efficacy of prenatal ultrasonography in diagnosing urogenital developmental anomalies in newborns.

BACKGROUND: Showing a prevalence rate of 0.5-0.8%, urogenital malformations discovered in newborns is regarded relatively common. The aim of this study is to examine the efficacy of ultrasound diagnostics in detecting developmental disorders in the urogenital system. METHODS: We have processed the prenatal sonographic and postnatal clinical details of 175 urogenital abnormalities in 140 newborns delivered with urogenital malformation according to EUROCAT recommendations over a 5-year period between 2006 and 2010. The patients were divided into three groups; Group 1: prenatal sonography and postnatal examinations yielded fully identical results. Group 2: postnatally detected urogenital changes were partially discovered in prenatal investigations. Group 3: prenatal sonography failed to detect the urogenital malformation identified in postnatal examinations. Urogenital changes representing part of certain multiple disorders associated with chromosomal aberration were investigated separately. RESULTS: Prenatal sonographic diagnosis and postnatal results completely coincided in 45%, i.e. 63/140 of cases in newborns delivered with urogenital developmental disorders. In 34/140 cases (24%), discovery was partial, while in 43/140 patients (31%), no urogenital malformation was detected prenatally. No associated malformations were observed in 108 cases, in 57 of which (53%), the results of prenatal ultrasonography and postnatal examinations showed complete coincidence. Prenatally, urogenital changes were found in 11 patients (10%), whereas no urogenital disorders were diagnosed in 40 cases (37%) by investigations prior to birth. Urogenital disorders were found to represent part of multiple malformations in a total of 28 cases as follows: prenatal diagnosis of urogenital malformation and the findings of postnatal examinations completely coincided in three patients (11%), partial coincidence was found in 22 newborns (79%) and in another three patients (11%), the disorder was not detected prenatally. In four newborns, chromosomal aberration was associated with the urogenital disorder; 45,X karyotype was detected in two patients, trisomy 9 and trisomy 18 were found in one case each. CONCLUSION: In approximately half of the cases, postnatally diagnosed abnormalities coincided with the prenatally discovered fetal urogenital developmental disorders. The results have confirmed that ultrasonography plays an important role in diagnosing urogenital malformations but it fails to detect all of the urogenital developmental abnormalities

The Italian arm of the PREPARE study: an international project to evaluate and license a maternal vaccine against group B streptococcus.

BACKGROUND: Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis in infants, with long term neurodevelopmental sequelae. GBS may be associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, including spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and preterm birth. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) is currently the only way to prevent early-onset disease (presenting at 0 to 6 days of life), although it has no impact on the disease presenting over 6 days of life and its implementation is challenging in resource poor countries. A maternal vaccine against GBS could reduce all GBS manifestations as well as improve pregnancy outcomes, even in low-income countries. MAIN BODY: The term "PREPARE" designates an international project aimed at developing a maternal vaccination platform to test vaccines against neonatal GBS infections by maternal immunization. It is a non-profit, multi-center, interventional and experimental study (promoted by the St George University of London. [UK]) with the aim of developing a maternal vaccination platform, determining pregnancy outcomes, and defining the extent of GBS infections in children and mothers in Africa. PREPARE also aims to estimate the protective serocorrelates against the main GBS serotypes that cause diseases in Europe and Africa and to conduct two trials on candidate GBS vaccines. PREPARE consists of 6 work packages. In four European countries (Italy, UK, Netherlands, France) the recruitment of cases and controls will start in 2020 and will end in 2022. The Italian PREPARE network includes 41 centers. The Italian network aims to collect: GBS isolates from infants with invasive disease, maternal and neonatal sera (cases); cord sera and GBS strains from colonized mothers whose infants do not develop GBS infection (controls). SHORT CONCLUSION: PREPARE will contribute information on protective serocorrelates against the main GBS serotypes that cause diseases in Europe and Africa. The vaccine that will be tested by the PREPARE study could be an effective strategy to prevent GBS disease

Organelle-targeted Ca2+ probes help to visualize store Ca2+ handling by wild-type and mutant presenilin-2.

Background. Our previously data suggest that FAD-linked PS2 mutants (M239I, T122R and N141I) cause a different type of Ca2+ dysregulation compared to the majority of FAD-linked PS1 mutants. In fact, at the store level, “Ca2+ reduction” instead of “Ca2+ overload” was invariably reported with these mutants, when studied in different experimental systems ranging from endogenous expression in fibroblasts from FAD patients to both stable and transient expression in cell lines and primary rat neuronal cultures (1-3). Methods. By employing recombinant aequorins or cameleons, specifically targeted to the ER and the Golgi apparatus, we here monitor the Ca2+ concentration inside their lumen in different cell types including SH-SY5Y, MEFs - either wt or devoid of endogenous PSs (DKO MEFs) – and primary neurons and investigate the mechanisms by which PS2 variants alter store calcium handling. Results. We provide evidence that: i) not only over-expression of wt and mutant PS2 but also the endogenous level of PS2 reduces the store calcium content mainly by reducing the ER calcium uptake due to SERCA pumps (4); ii) the full-length (FL) form of the protein is required to interfere with store calcium handling (4); iii) at variance with the ER, the trans-Golgi compartment is not as much as affected by PS2, indicating that the secretory pathway Ca2+/Mn2+ ATPase type (SPCA) is likely not a target of PS2; iv) mitochondria Ca2+ uptake is also affected by mutant PS2; whether this is a direct effect or it is mediated by the ER-mitochondria cross-talk is now under investigation. Conclusions. At variance with the majority of PS1 mutants that leave unchanged or even overloaded the intracellular calcium stores, making the cells more susceptible to toxic stimuli, PS2 mutants, by depressing the store Ca2+ content and altering the ER-mitochondria cross-talk might play a completely different role on cellular Ca2+ homeostasis that needs a careful reconsideration. 1. Zatti et al., Neurobiology of Disease 15, 269-278, 2004. 2.Giacomello et al., Neurobiology of Disease 18, 638-648, 2005. 3. Zatti et al., Cell Calcium 39, 539-550, 2006 4. Brunello et al., 2009 (submitted

IL CONSUMATORE UTILIZZA DAVVERO LA DICHIARAZIONE NUTRIZIONALE? UNO STUDIO ESPLORATIVO

Scopo dell\u2019etichettatura degli alimenti \ue8 consentire ai consumatori di effettuare scelte adat-te alle proprie esigenze dietetiche. Le ricerche sui format della dichiarazione nutrizionale evi-denziano come siano comunque pochi i consumatori che la utilizzano (1). La studio ha valuta-to conoscenze, comprensione e utilizzo della dichiarazione nutrizionale da parte di un gruppo di consumatori (n. 35) utilizzando un questionario strutturato abbinato alla tecnica del focus group. I dati sono stati analizzati secondo il modello ASE (attitude, social influence, self-efficacy, barriers, and abilities) utilizzato per studi di comportamento alimentare (2). Il 67% e il 65% dei partecipanti reputano burro e saccarosio pi\uf9 calorici rispettivamente di olio d\u2019oliva e zucchero di canna; il 17% ritiene che l\u2019olio sia fonte di colesterolo e il 50% riporta che in una dieta bilanciata le proteine devono costituire la quota maggiore dei nutrienti. Modello ASE - Attitude: i consumatori tendono a non leggere la dichiarazione nutrizionale concentrandosi su altri elementi tra cui data di scadenza, elenco degli ingredienti, costo e metodo di produzione. I soggetti affermano di comprendere molti dei termini riportati sulla confezione ma evidenziano difficolt\ue0 nel determinare quale ruolo svolga ogni macronutriente nella dieta quotidiana. Bar-riers: le principali sono dovute alla mancanza di conoscenze per interpretare le informazioni riportate e alla scarsa disponibilit\ue0 di tempo, soprattutto sul luogo di acquisto. I partecipanti hanno indicato una preferenza seppur non significativa per l\u2019espressione delle informazioni per porzione di consumo mentre non erano informati sul significato dell\u2019assunzione di riferi-mento. Social influence, self-efficacy and abilities: molti partecipanti ritengono tali informazioni un semplice adempimento a un obbligo di legge che non fornisce loro uno strumento concreto da utilizzare per accrescere la propria salute. Considerano infatti di potersi servire delle infor-mazioni nutrizionali solo dopo aver maturato adeguate conoscenze che giudicano dover esse-re fornite dalle istituzioni attraverso diversi canali

High-Pressure Behavior of ?-Phase of Formamidinium Lead Iodide by Optical Spectroscopies

The exceptional photovoltaic properties of hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites have attracted increasing interest in the past decades. Among these materials, FAPbI3 shows two structural phases: the high temperature perovskite a-phase, with direct bandgap close to the Shockley-Queisser limit, and the much less photoactive nonperovskite 6-phase, stable at ambient conditions. Although the presence of the 6-phase has been usually regarded as a limitation for FAPbI3 optoelectronic applications, recent studies have found that devices with increased stability and efficiency can be designed by mixing a- and 6-phases. This has brought out the need for a deeper understanding of the physical properties of 6-FAPbI3. In this paper, we present an original high-pressure Raman and photoluminescence study to address the effects of compression on the lattice and optoelectronic response of the sample. Also, based on the previous findings on different hybrid perovskites, our results for 6-FAPbI3 show that the cation configuration goes from a dynamically disordered regime at ambient conditions to a statically ordered phase at similar to 1.5 GPa. On further increasing pressure, above 7 GPa, a statically disordered regime takes place, where the cations are locked at random orientations in the inorganic framework, giving rise to an amorphous-like state. Compared with a- FAPbI3, we found that the hexagonal 6-phase is less affected by external compression, as both the first detectable structural transition and the amorphous-like behavior occur at higher pressures

High-Pressure Behavior of δ-Phase of Formamidinium Lead Iodide by Optical Spectroscopies

The exceptional photovoltaic properties of hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites have attracted increasing interest in the past decades. Among these materials, FAPbI3 shows two structural phases: the high temperature perovskite α-phase, with direct bandgap close to the Shockley-Queisser limit, and the much less photoactive non-perovskite δ-phase, stable at ambient conditions. Although the presence of the δ-phase has been usually regarded as a limitation for FAPbI3 optoelectronic applications, recent studies have found that devices with increased stability and efficiency can be designed by mixing α- and δ-phases. This has brought out the need for a deeper understanding of the physical properties of δ-FAPbI3. In this paper, we present an original high-pressure Raman and photoluminescence study to address the effects of compression on the lattice and optoelectronic response of the sample. Also, based on the previous findings on different hybrid perovskites, our results for δ-FAPbI3 show that the cation configuration goes from a dynamically disordered regime at ambient conditions to a statically ordered phase at ∼1.5 GPa. On further increasing pressure, above 7 GPa, a statically disordered regime takes place, where the cations are locked at random orientations in the inorganic framework, giving rise to an amorphous-like state. Compared with α- FAPbI3, we found that the hexagonal δ-phase is less affected by external compression, as both the first detectable structural transition and the amorphous-like behavior occur at higher pressures

The role of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of systemic and splanchnic vasodilation in cirrhotic rats before and after the onset of ascites

BACKGROUND: The role of nitric oxide (NO) in the pathogenesis of splanchnic arterial vasodilation in cirrhosis has been recently debated by some experimental studies. AIMS: We investigated the role of NO in the pathogenesis of the splanchnic arterial vasodilation along the course of CCl(4)-induced experimental cirrhosis. METHODS: We analyzed the effect on mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), total peripheral resistance (TPR), and resistance in the superior mesenteric artery (RSMA), before and after the administration of a unspecific NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor (Nomega-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester, L-NAME) and a specific NOS2 inhibitor (L-N-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine, L-NIL) to cirrhotic rats with and without ascites, and to control rats. NOS2 and NOS3 protein expression was also assessed in systemic and splanchnic arteries of these animals. RESULTS: L-NAME in cirrhotic rats markedly improved MAP, and TPR and decreased CO regardless of whether they had ascites or not. L-NIL did not produce any significant effect on systemic haemodynamics in control and cirrhotic rats. NOS3 overexpression in the aorta of cirrhotic animals paralleled the progression of the liver disease. L-NAME increased RSMA in cirrhotic rats, but this effect was much less intense in rats with ascites. L-NIL had an effect only on RSMA in rats with ascites, which was of a similar extent to that produced by L-NAME. Western blot experiment showed a faint overexpression of NOS3 in the mesenteric artery of cirrhotic rats with and without ascites and a clear induction of NOS2 only in the mesenteric artery of rats with ascites. Conclusions: These results indicate that NO contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of arterial splanchnic circulation in the early stages of experimental cirrhosis but has only a minor role in its maintenance after the development of ascites. Furthermore, the expression of the different NOS isoforms varies along the course of the liver disease

Impiego di una sonda Vis/NIR in riflessione e di uno strumento monocromatore per la discriminazione tra prodotto ittico fresco e decongelato.

La mancanza di informazione al consumatore sullo stato fisico del prodotto ittico deve essere intesa come carenza delle procedure di autocontrollo oltre che una frode commerciale (Ministero della Salute 10026/P-02/08/2007). La presente sperimentazione ha verificato l\u2019applicabilit\ue0 della tecnica NIRs nella discriminazione tra prodotto ittico fresco e decongelato mediante l\u2019utilizzo di un monocromatore NIRs e di una sonda VIS/NIR a confronto. Sono stati analizzati tranci provenienti da 30 esemplari di pesce spada (Xiphias gladius) catturati nello stretto di Messina. I dati utili alla tracciabilit\ue0 degli esemplari sono stati registrati; ciascun trancio \ue8 stato suddiviso in due aliquote, la prima \ue8 stata analizzata fresca (F), la seconda dopo un mese di congelamento (D) a -18 o a -8 \ub0C. La lettura dei campioni di muscolo bianco, sia intero che macinato, \ue8 stata effettuata in riflettanza in doppio utilizzando uno strumento monocromatore 5000 (FOSS NIRSystem) in small ring cup. L\u2019acquisizione degli spettri VIS/NIR \ue8 stata ottenuta tramite sonda in riflessione R600-7-VIS/NIR (Ocean Optics) impiegando le medesime cuvette preparate con muscolo intero; l\u2019angolo di incidenza \ue8 stato mantenuto costante (45\ub0). La calibrazione utilizzata \ue8 stata del tipo MPLS con validazione incrociata. L\u2019analisi discriminante ha rilevato differenze spettrali tra le due popolazioni di campioni allo studio (F vs D). Attraverso l\u2019analisi degli spettri medi ottenuti mediante monocromatore \ue8 stato possibile classificare correttamente 85 campioni F e 51 D (prodotto intero). La macinazione migliora le performance di attribuzione al di sopra del 90% per le classi studiate. Mediante sonda VIS/NIR sono stati acquisiti 89 spettri F e 126 D. L\u2019analisi ha attribuito correttamente 86 spettri F (96,6%) e 125 D (99,2%). L\u2019utilizzo dei dati spettrali medi ha migliorato le performance predittive riducendo il livello di incertezza. La sonda VIS/NIR grazie alla minima preparazione del campione potrebbe essere impiegata per rapidi screening di lotti commercializzati