TMS for staging and predicting functional decline in frontotemporal dementia.

Abstract Objective To evaluate if transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) measures correlate with disease severity and predict functional decline in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) phenotypes. Methods Paired-pulse TMS was used to investigate the activity of different intracortical circuits in 171 FTD patients (122 bvFTD, 31 avPPA, 18 svPPA) and 74 healthy controls. Pearson's correlations were used to analyze the association between TMS measures and disease severity, while multiple regression analysis was used to identify the best clinical or neurophysiological measure to predict functional decline at 12 months. Results We observed significant strong correlations between TMS measures [short interval intracortical inhibition-facilitation (SICI-ICF) and long interval intracortical inhibition (LICI)], and disease severity (evaluated with the FTLD-CDR) (all r > 0.5, p SICI-ICF, short interval intracortical facilitation (SICF) and LICI were also significant predictors of functional decline, evaluated as the change in FTLD-CDR scores at 12 months (all p Conclusions The present study has shown that the dysfunction of inhibitory and facilitatory intracortical circuits, evaluated with TMS, correlates with disease severity and progression, accurately predicting functional decline at 12 months, better than any other investigated marker

Influence of Autochthonous Putative Probiotic Cultures on Microbiota, Lipid Components and Metabolome of Caciotta Cheese

The present study was undertaken to produce probiotic Caciotta cheeses from pasteurized ewes' milk by using different combinations of autochthonous microbial cultures, containing putative probiotic strains, and evaluate their influence on gross composition, lipid components, sensory properties and microbiological and metabolite profiles of the cheeses throughout ripening process. A control cheese was produced using commercial starter cultures. The hydrophilic molecular pools (mainly composed by amino acids, organic acids, and carbohydrates) were characterized by means of H-1 NMR spectroscopy, while the cholesterol, alpha-tocopherol and fatty acid composition by HPLC-DAD/ELSD techniques. Conventional culturing and a PCR-DGGE approach using total cheese DNA extracts were used to analyze cheese microbiota and monitor the presence and viability of starters and probiotic strains. Our findings showed no marked differences for gross composition, total lipids, total cholesterol, and fatty acid levels among all cheeses during ripening. Differently, the multivariate statistical analysis of NMR data highlighted significant variations in the cheese' profiles both in terms of maturation time and strains combination. The use of autochthonous cultures and adjunct probiotic strains did not adversely affect acceptability of the cheeses. Higher levels of lactobacilli (viability of 10(8)-10(9) cfu/g of cheese) were detected in cheeses made with the addition of probiotic autochthonous strains with respect to control cheese during the whole ripening period, suggesting the adequacy of Caciotta cheese as a carrier for probiotic bacteria delivery

The Root Mycobiota of Betula aetnensis Raf., an Endemic Tree Species Colonizing the Lavas of Mt. Etna (Italy)

Betula aetnensis is an endemic tree of high conservation value, which thrives on the nutrientpoor volcanic soils of Mount Etna. Since plant–microbe interactions could play a crucial role in plant growth, resource uptake, and resistance to abiotic stresses, we aimed to characterize the root and rhizosphere microbial communities. Individuals from natural habitat (NAT) and forest nursery (NURS) were surveyed through microscopy observations and molecular tools: bacterial and fungal automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA), fungal denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). B. aetnensis was found to be simultaneously colonized by arbuscular (AM), ectomycorrhizal (ECM), ericoid (ERM) fungi, and dark septate endophytes (DSE). A high diversity of the bacterial community was observed whilst the root fungal assemblage of NAT plants was richer than that of NURS. Root and rhizosphere fungal communities from NAT plants were characterized by Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Most of the identified sequences were affiliated to Helotiales, Pezizales, and Malasseziales. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota dominated roots and rhizosphere but differed in community structure and composition. ECM in the roots mainly belonged to Tylospora and Leccinum, while Rhizopogon was abundant in the rhizosphere. The Helotiales, including ERM (mostly Oidiodendron) and DSE (mostly Phialocephala), appeared the dominant component of the fungal community. B. aetnensis harbors an extraordinarily wide array of root-associated soil microorganisms, which are likely to be involved in the adaptation and resistance mechanisms to the extreme environmental conditions in volcano Etna. We argue that nursery-produced seedlings could lack the necessary microbiota for growth and development in natural conditions

Caracteristica tuberculozei rezistente în mun. Chişinău

Au fost analizate datele privind tuberculoza rezistentă în mun. Chişinău în anii 2001 – 2005 la 149 de bolnavi cu cazuri noi de tuberculoză şi la 79 cu cazuri de recidivă. În cazurile noi monorezistenţa micobacteriilor la preparatele antituberuloase s-a stabilit la 14,8%, multirezistenţa la 68,4%, polirezistenţa la 16,8% pacienţi. În cazurile de recidivă indicii au fost, respectiv, 5,0%; 72,2% şi 22,8%

Inbreeding and pedigree analysis of the European red dairy cattle

Background Red dairy cattle breeds have an important role in the European dairy sector because of their functional characteristics and good health. Extensive pedigree information is available for these breeds and provides a unique opportunity to examine their population structure, such as effective population size, depth of the pedigree, and effective number of founders and ancestors, and inbreeding levels. Animals with the highest genetic contributions were identified. Pedigree data included 9,073,403 animals that were born between 1900 and 2019 from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and Sweden, and covered 32 breeds. The numerically largest breeds were Red Dairy Cattle and Meuse-Rhine-Yssel. Results The deepest average complete generation equivalent (9.39) was found for Red Dairy Cattle in 2017. Mean pedigree completeness ranged from 0.6 for Finncattle to 7.51 for Red Dairy Cattle. An effective population size of 166 animals was estimated for the total pedigree and ranged from 35 (Rotes Hohenvieh) to 226 (Red Dairy Cattle). Average generation intervals were between 5 and 7 years. The mean inbreeding coefficient for animals born between 1960 and 2018 was 1.5%, with the highest inbreeding coefficients observed for Traditional Angler (4.2%) and Rotes Hohenvieh (4.1%). The most influential animal was a Dutch Meuse-Rhine-Yssel bull born in 1960. The mean inbreeding level for animals born between 2016 and 2018 was 2% and highest for the Meuse-Rhine-Yssel (4.64%) and Rotes Hohenvieh breeds (3.80%). Conclusions We provide the first detailed analysis of the genetic diversity and inbreeding levels of the European red dairy cattle breeds. Rotes Hohenvieh and Traditional Angler have high inbreeding levels and are either close to or below the minimal recommended effective population size, thus it is necessary to implement tools to monitor the selection process in order to control inbreeding in these breeds. Red Dairy Cattle, Vorderwalder, Swedish Polled and Hinterwalder hold more genetic diversity. Regarding the Meuse-Rhine-Yssel breed, given its decreased population size, increased inbreeding and low effective population size, we recommend implementation of a breeding program to prevent further loss in its genetic diversity

Application of Unsupervised Multivariate Analysis Methods to Raman Spectroscopic Assessment of Human Dental Enamel

Funding Information: Acknowledgments: This work has been financially supported by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnolo-gia through the LIBPhys funding UID/FIS/ 04559/2021 and I. Otel PhD grant PD/BDE/143107/2018. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.This work explores the suitability of data treatment methodologies for Raman spectra of teeth using multivariate analysis methods. Raman spectra were measured in our laboratory and obtained from control enamel samples and samples with a protective treatment before and after an erosive attack. Three different approaches for data treatment were undertaken in order to evaluate the aptitude of distinguishing between groups: A—Principal Component Analysis of the numerical parameters derived from deconvoluted spectra; B—PCA of average Raman spectra after baseline correction; and C—PCA of average raw Raman spectra. Additionally, Hierarchical Cluster Analysis were applied to Raman spectra of enamel measured with different laser wavelengths (638 nm or 785 nm) to evaluate the most suitable choice of illumination. According to the different approaches, PC1 scores obtained between control and treatment group were A—50.5%, B—97.1% and C—83.0% before the erosive attack and A—55.2%, B—93.2% and C—87.8% after an erosive attack. The obtained results showed that performing PCA analysis of raw or baseline corrected Raman spectra of enamel was not as efficient in the evaluation of samples with different treatments. Moreover, acquiring Raman spectra with a 785 nm laser increases precision in the data treatment methodologies.publishersversionpublishe

DNA methylation analysis by bisulfite next-generation sequencing for early detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion from oral brushing

open9siOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is commonly preceded by oral potentially malignant lesions (OPML). The aim of the present study was to assess, by bisulfite next-generation sequencing (NGS), the methylation status of a list of candidate genes obtained from oral brushings to early detect OPML and OSCC.This study was supported by an academic grant (FARB FFBO124539) from the University of Bologna.openMorandi, Luca; Gissi, Davide; Tarsitano, Achille; Asioli, Sofia; Monti, Valentina; Del Corso, Giacomo; Marchetti, Claudio; Montebugnoli, Lucio; Foschini, Maria PiaMorandi, Luca; Gissi, Davide; Tarsitano, Achille; Asioli, Sofia; Monti, Valentina; Del Corso, Giacomo; Marchetti, Claudio; Montebugnoli, Lucio; Foschini, Maria Pi

The frequency and efficacy of treatment to rezistence tuberculosis at antituberculosis drugs in Chishinau in 2006-2007 years

Catedra Pneumoftiziologie USMF „N. Testemiţanu”, R. Moldova IMSP Spitalul clinic municipal de ftiziopulmonologie, ChişinăuThe resistance of the first line of the antituberculosis drugs, has been analyzed to 109 pacients in 2006 year and 108 (in 2007) in Chishinau. The monoresistence decreased from 43,1% till 15,7% and increase the MDR from 38,5% till 64,8%, the polyresistence rest at the same level (18.3%, 19.4%). Conversion of sputum in the new cases of tuberculosis in the abandon treatment DOTS+ was 87,5%. A fost analizată rezistenţa la preparatele antituberculoase de linia I-a la 109 bolnavi (a. 2006) şi 108 bolnavi (a. 2007) în mun. Chişinău. Se atestă o scădere a monorezistenţei de la 43,1 la 15,7%, o creştere a multirezistenţei (MDR) de la 38,5 la 64,8%, polirezistenţa rămănând la acelaşi nivel (18,3 şi 19,4%). Abacilarea în cazurile noi de tuberculoză în tratamentul standardizat DOTS+ a fost de 87,5%

Compassionate communities: How to assess their benefit? A protocol of a collaborative study between different countries.

BACKGROUND Communities and local governments invest in compassionate communities (CCs) a great deal of time, money, effort, and work. However, it is not known whether the CCs are having the effect they are expected to have, so the value of continuing with these initiatives is unknown, and there is a need for a model for evaluating CCs to solve the question. OBJECTIVES To identify a set of core outcomes or benefits that should be measured to assess the impact of the CCs. DESIGN Multiple-methods study involving three communities, each in a different country (Argentina, Colombia, and Switzerland). METHODS AND ANALYSIS To identifying the set of core outcomes, which is the first step in developing the CC evaluation model, five phases will follow: online meetings, literature review, fieldwork, Delphi survey, and social transfer. We will involve members of the local communities of Bern, Buenos Aires, and Medellin at three different levels: (1) citizens (e.g. patients, caregivers, and family members), (2) organizations and institutions involved in the program implementation (e.g. health care organizations, churches, non-governmental organizations, and schools), and (3) political and governmental sectors. ETHICS The study will be conducted following existing international regulations and guidance such as the Declaration of Helsinki. The ethics committee of Pallium Latin America and the ethics committee of the canton of Bern considered our application exempt from the need for approval. Ethics approval in Bern and Buenos Aires is in the process of being obtained. The ethics committee of the Pontifical Bolivarian University approved this protocol. DISCUSSION We expect that this project will help bridge the gap in knowledge regarding the measurable impact of the CCs and enhance more CC development

Cardiovascular phenotype of mice lacking 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase

Rationale: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a physiological mediator that regulates cardiovascular homeostasis. Three major enzymes contribute to the generation of endogenously produced H2S, namely cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST). Although the biological roles of CSE and CBS have been extensively investigated in the cardiovascular system, very little is known about that of 3-MST. In the present study we determined the importance of 3-MST in the heart and blood vessels, using a genetic model with a global 3-MST deletion. Results: 3-MST is the most abundant transcript in the mouse heart, compared to CSE and CBS. 3-MST was mainly localized in smooth muscle cells and cardiomyocytes, where it was present in both the mitochondria and the cytosol. Levels of serum and cardiac H2S species were not altered in adult young (2–3 months old) 3-MST−/− mice compared to WT animals. No significant changes in the expression of CSE and CBS were observed. Additionally, 3-MST−/− mice had normal left ventricular structure and function, blood pressure and vascular reactivity. Interestingly, genetic ablation of 3-MST protected mice against myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury, and abolished the protection offered by ischemic pre- and post-conditioning. 3-MST−/− mice showed lower expression levels of thiosulfate sulfurtransferase, lower levels of cellular antioxidants and elevated basal levels of cardiac reactive oxygen species. In parallel, 3-MST−/− mice showed no significant alterations in endothelial NO synthase or downstream targets. Finally, in a separate cohort of older 3-MST−/− mice (18 months old), a hypertensive phenotype associated with cardiac hypertrophy and NO insufficiency was observed. Conclusions: Overall, genetic ablation of 3-MST impacts on the mouse cardiovascular system in an age-dependent manner. Loss of 3-MST exerts a cardioprotective role in young adult mice, while with aging it predisposes them to hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy