Synthesis of Oligonucleotide Conjugates and Phosphorylated Nucleotide Analogues: An Improvement to a Solid Phase Synthetic Approach

An improvement to our solid phase strategy to generate pharmacologically interesting molecule libraries is proposed here. The synthesis of newo-chlorophenol-functionalised solid supports with very high loading (0.18–0.22 meq/g for control pore glass (CPG) and 0.25–0.50 meq/g for TG) is reported. To test the efficiency of these supports, we prepared nucleotide and oligonucleotide models, and their coupling yields and the purity of the crude detached materials were comparable to previously available results. These supports allow the facile and high-yield preparation of highly pure phosphodiester and phosphoramidate monoester nucleosides, conjugated oligonucleotides, and other yet unexplored classes of phosphodiester and phosphoramidate molecules

A Targeted Proteomics Approach for Screening Serum Biomarkers Observed in the Early Stage of Type I Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy, and it arises in the inner part of the uterus. Identification of serum biomarkers is essential for diagnosing the disease at an early stage. In this study, we selected 44 healthy controls and 44 type I EC at tumor stage 1, and we used the Immuno-oncology panel and the Target 96 Oncology III panel to simultaneously detect the levels of 92 cancer-related proteins in serum, using a proximity extension assay. By applying this methodology, we identified 20 proteins, associated with the outcome at binary logistic regression, with a p-value below 0.01 for the first panel and 24 proteins with a p-value below 0.02 for the second one. The final multivariate logistic regression model, combining proteins from the two panels, generated a model with a sensitivity of 97.67% and a specificity of 83.72%. These results support the use of the proposed algorithm after a validation phase

Profit participation annuities: a business profitability analysis within a demographic risk sensitive approach

The aim of the paper is to analyze the performance of a portfolio of participating life annuities, focusing on the minimum acceptable income level throughout the quantiles of the return distribution. The model, in addition to the necessary consideration of the volatility of financial markets, gives a central role to the impact of the longevity phenomenon. The sensitivity of the portfolio performance to the survival projection, the presence of a break-even point and the time of optimum performance are pointed out, under different hypotheses for the participating quota and with stochastic assumption for the accumulation and the discounting financial processes and for the survival description

Malocclusion and rhinitis in children: an easy-going relationship or a yet to be resolved paradox? A systematic literature revision

Objective: The relation between nasal flow and malocclusion represents a practical concern to pediatricians, otorhinolaryngologists, orthodontists, allergists and speech therapists. If naso-respiratory function may influence craniofacial growth is still debated. Chronic mouth-breathing is reported to be associated also with a characteristic pattern of dental occlusion. On the other hand, also malocclusion may reduce nasal air flows promoting nasal obstruction. Hereby, the aim of this review was to describe the relationship between rhinitis and malocclusion in children. Methods: An electronic search was conducted using online database including Pubmed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Embase. All studies published through to January 30, 2017 investigating the prevalence of malocclusion in children and adolescents (aged 0-20 years) affected by rhinitis and the prevalence of rhinitis in children with malocclusion were included. The protocol was registered at PROSPERO - International prospective register of systematic reviews under CRD42016053619. Results: Ten studies with 2733 patients were included in the analysis. The prevalence of malocclusion in children with rhinitis was specified in four of the studies ranging from as high as 78.2% to as low as 3%. Two out of the studies reported the prevalence of rhinitis in children with malocclusion with a rate ranging from 59.2 to 76.4%. Conclusion: The results of this review underline the importance of the diagnosis and treatment of the nasal obstruction at an early age to prevent an altered facial growth, but the data currently available on this topic do not allow to establish a possible causal relationship between rhinitis and malocclusion

Estrategias publicitarias aplicadas en las cuentas de Facebook e Instagram de HBO Max y Netflix Latinoamérica. Caso Cuenca - Ecuador

Actualmente, las redes sociales son los principales medios de comunicación que utilizan las empresas como estrategias publicitarias, en este sentido, Netflix y HBO Max, no son la excepción y emplean Facebook e Instagram para publicar los contenidos con los que cuentan como series, películas, novelas, entre otras, originando suscriptores e interés por estas plataformas de streaming, que cada día generan tendencia en la sociedad. Por lo tanto, el objetivo fue realizar un análisis comparativo entre las estrategias publicitarias aplicadas en las redes sociales de Facebook e Instagram por las plataformas streaming Netflix y HBO Max en Latinoamérica. Se empleó una investigación correlacional con un diseño no experimental y con un enfoque cuantitativo. Los principales hallazgos encontrados fueron que las plataformas Netflix y HBO Max utilizan las redes sociales de Facebook e Instagram como estrategias publicitarias para llegar a más suscriptores entre las cuales se detallan contenido promocional, interacción con seguidores, publicidad segmentada, influencers y colaboraciones, promociones y ofertas especiales, generando un engagement positivo. Se concluye que, Netflix es la plataforma con mayor presencia y suscriptores esto se debe al proceso de fidelización que ha logrado crear mediante la interacción con la audiencia y con el uso del mismo contenido generado por los usuarios, sin embargo, HBO Max al ser nueva en el mercado streaming y ser de propiedad de Warner Bros, está ocasionando impactos positivos dentro de la audiencia y esto se debe a los estrenos. Con este antecedente, es importante que estas plataformas continúen aplicando estrategias exitosas para continuar en el mundo del streaming.Currently, social networks are the main means of communication used by companies as advertising strategies, in this sense, Netflix and HBO Max, are no exception and use Facebook and Instagram to publish the content they have as series, movies, novels among others, originating subscribers and interest in these streaming platforms, which every day generate trend in society. Therefore, the objective was to perform a comparative analysis between the advertising strategies applied in Facebook and Instagram social networks by Netflix and HBO Max streaming platforms in Latin America. A correlational research with a non-experimental design and a quantitative approach was employed. The main findings were that Netflix and HBO Max platforms use Facebook and Instagram social networks as advertising strategies to reach more subscribers, including promotional content, interaction with followers, segmented advertising, influencers and collaborations, promotions and special offers, generating positive engagement. It is concluded that Netflix is the platform with greater presence and subscribers, this is due to the loyalty process that has been created through interaction with the audience and the use of the same content generated by users, however, HBO Max, being new in the streaming market and owned by Warner Bros, is causing positive impacts within the audience and this is due to the premieres, with this background, it is important that these platforms continue to implement successful strategies to continue in the world of streaming.0000-0003-2703-141

Evaluation of fatigue in patients with pancreatic cancer receiving chemotherapy treatment: a cross-sectional observational study

Background and aim of the work: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common symptoms experienced by cancer patients (CPs) and negatively affects quality of life. Although CRF is frequently experienced, it is often underreported, underdiagnosed and undertreated. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the level of fatigue in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing chemotherapy and to analyse its correlation with patients\u2019 demographic and clinical variables. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was implemented in the Oncology Day Hospital of a Northern Italian hospital. A sample of 48 patients receiving chemotherapy were evaluated through the Brief Fatigue Inventory Italian version (BFI-I) between 1 May and 12 October 2016. Data were statistically analysed. Results: Most of our patients (94%) experienced fatigue. Women as well as patients with an age 6565 years reported more fatigue. Anemia, pain and a weight loss of over 16 kg in the last 6 months were significantly related to the perception of fatigue. Regarding life habits, smoking was related to high global score of BFI-I. Conclusions: In accordance with literature, our study suggests that fatigue is a frequent symptom influenced by many constitutional, clinical and environmental factors. Our results highlight the need for an early and regular evaluation of fatigue among cancer patients, in order to implement all those pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions with proven efficacy in attenuating this symptom

A randomized comparison trial of two and four-step approaches to teaching Cardio-Pulmonary Reanimation

Background and aim of the work: The treatment of cardiac arrest in an extra-hospital environment improves with the increase in the number of people able to establish an early Cardio-Pulmonary Reanimation (CPR). The main aim of the study was to assess the validity of the two-step method in case of prolonged CPR. Methods: A randomized comparison study was conducted in the University Nursing School of a Northern Italian town, during the 2015/16 academic year, among 60 students, to teach them CPR techniques, through two different teaching methods (4-step and the 2-step of CPR training). The effectiveness of the maneuvers performed on mannequins equipped with skill-meter was verified. Results: Our study did not highlight any significant difference between the two methods of CPR training. The comparison between the two methods regarding their efficacy in practical teaching of CPR, highlighted by this study, proved the validity of both the 4-minute continuous method (1st method) and the 30:2 method (2nd method). Conclusions: The results of the study showed no differences between the 2-step and the 4-step methods, in the effectiveness of cardiac massage. The correct execution of chest compressions during a CPR is the key to increase the patient’s chances of rescue. Research has shown that any interruption in the execution of chest compressions, leads to a progressive reduction of the effectiveness of cardiac massage, with negative consequences on the prognosis of the patient undergoing at CPR