Anomalie della risposta alla stimolazione ovarica in cicli PMA di II livello: ruolo di variabili ambientali, genetiche ed endocrino-metaboliche

A recent review conducted in 2014 (Direkvand-Moghadam et al), estimated that primary and secondary female infertility, affects about 15% of the world's female population. The main cause of female infertility is the woman's age. Maximum fertility peak is reached around 25 years; a slow but constant decline of reproductive potential is observed in women aged between 30 and 35 years, then the reduction of the reproductive potential increase in the women over 35 years. Therefore, age of the woman, is the main risk factor for infertility as well as the most important prognostic factor for the ART cycles. The outcome of the data recorded about the impact of different factors of infertility by the ART National Registry are: • Male infertility: 29.3%; • Female infertility: 37.1%; • Male and female infertility: 17.6%; • Idiopathic infertility: 15.1%; • Genetic factor: 0.9%. The main causes of female infertility are: uterine or cervical abnormalities, ovulation disorders, endometriosis, as well as factor tubal / peritoneal, immunological alterations and idiopathic causes. With regards to the causes of infertility and the ART outcomes, we have evaluated three different lines of research: 1. Environmental pollution related to fertility 2. Diagnostic Approach to anovulation in patients with Polycystic ovarian syndrome 3. The role of Genetic Polymorphisms of FSH Receptor in the ART prognosis Several lines of evidence suggest that exposure to environmental contaminants is involved in the pathobiology of adverse reproductive health effects. A lot of studies have shown that exposure to benzene is associated to menstrual disorders, miscarriages and other disorders of the reproductive system. We performed an observational prospective pilot study to evaluate if levels of benzene in follicular fluid were correlated with response to controlled ovarian stimulation. We divided the study population in two groups: Group A with a “low” intra-follicular benzene concentration (n=19, benzene <0.54 ng/mL) and Group B with a “high” intra-follicular benzene concentration (n=15, benzene≥0.54 ng/mL). The ovarian response to gonadotrophins and the outcome of IVF were analyzed in the two groups. It was found that ovarian response to endogenous and exogenous gonadotrophins appeared to be influenced by intra-follicular benzene levels. In particular, Group B, with high” intra-follicular benzene concentration, had significantly higher basal FSH levels, lower estradiol peak concentration, and fewer oocytes retrieved and embryos transferred. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOs) is an endocrine disease clinically characterized by anovulation, hyperandrogenism and oligomenorrhea. It affects from 5% to 10% of women in reproductive age. Ultrasound evaluation represents one of the major criteria in PCOs definition. Insulin resistance is found in a high percentage of PCOs although neither insulin resistance nor the metabolic syndrome are included in the diagnostic criteria of Rotterdam Consensus Workshop (ESHRE/ASRM, 2004). 5 Interestingly, there is evidence that the pathogenic mechanisms of insulin resistance-related PCOs differs from other mechanisms that cause hyperandrogenism-related PCOs. At present, there isn't correlation between PCOs pattern and insulin resistance. Our study was designed to assess the impact of hyperinsulinism on ovarian ultrasonographic parameters in patients with PCOs. Our results show that the presence of hyperinsulinism in PCOS patients, diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria, is associated to an ultrasound pattern that differs from the PCO pattern without hyperinsulinism. This observation, if confirmed by larger studies, supports the concept that the PCOS contains several entities that could be distinguishable by a complete metabolic evaluation and also by an accurate ultrasound definition. It has been reported that 10% to 15% of young, normogonadotrophic women show suboptimal response to standard gonadotropin-releasing hormone—a long protocol. These patients require higher doses of exogenous follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This phenomenon could be associated with genetic characteristics. In our study, FSH receptor polymorphism was retrospectively evaluated in 42 normoresponder young women undergoing an in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle; patients were stratified according to recombinant human FSH (r-hFSH) consumption. We retrospectively selected 17 normoresponder young patients undergoing a standard IVF/ICSI cycle, who required a cumulative dose of r-FSH >2500 UI (group A). A control group was selected randomly (ratio 1:2) among normoresponder young patients undergoing a standard IVF/ICSI cycle, who required a cumulative dose of r-FSH <2500 UI (group B). Our study confirms that the FSH-R genotype may interfere with physiological responsiveness of the target organ to FSH stimulation. The presence of the FSH-R Ser680 variant seems to result in a significant decrease in ovarian response to r-hFSH during ART cycles and, therefore, in a significant increase in drug consumption. More specifically, among patients requiring a higher cumulative dose of r-hFSH (group A), the expression of Ser/Ser genotype was significantly higher compared to the subgroups carryng variants Asn/Ser and Asn/Asn of FSH-R

The root towards more circularized animal production systems: From animal to territorial metabolism

This paper deals with a relevant topic in the literature on sustainable management of animal farms, concerning the transition towards circular methods of animal production. The paper aims to put forward an original analytical multilevel perspective overlapping different dimensions at either micro, meso, and macro level. Starting from the Malthusian analysis on depletion of natural resources, with risks of the fragility of the natural and economic systems, the paper points out the importance of moving away from intensive methods of production, by adopting more circularized approaches based on resources efficiency. The application of circular economy approaches to animal production is theorized through the concept of territorial metabolism involving not only internal resources (at the animal farm level) but also territorial resources. The paper underlines the critical points of the transition, which is labeled as a socio-technical transition in that it involves not only technical issues but also social aspects. Critical points are addressed through consumers\u2019 acceptance of products drawn on circular approaches and political support to transition, through political tools which are boosted in recent documents of the European Union, like the Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy

The root towards more circularized animal production systems: From animal to territorial metabolism

This paper deals with a relevant topic in the literature on sustainable management of animal farms, concerning the transition towards circular methods of animal production. The paper aims to put forward an original analytical multilevel perspective overlapping different dimensions at either micro, meso, and macro level. Starting from the Malthusian analysis on depletion of natural resources, with risks of the fragility of the natural and economic systems, the paper points out the importance of moving away from intensive methods of production, by adopting more circularized approaches based on resources efficiency. The application of circular economy approaches to animal production is theorized through the concept of territorial metabolism involving not only internal resources (at the animal farm level) but also territorial resources. The paper underlines the critical points of the transition, which is labeled as a socio-technical transition in that it involves not only technical issues but also social aspects. Critical points are addressed through consumers’ acceptance of products drawn on circular approaches and political support to transition, through political tools which are boosted in recent documents of the European Union, like the Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy

Service Recommendations with Deep Learning: A Study on Neural Collaborative Engines

Background: The present paper aims to investigate the adoption of Neural Networks for recommendation systems and to propose Deep Learning architectures as advanced frameworks for designing Collaborative Filtering engines. Recommendation systems are data-driven infrastructures which are widely adopted to create effective and cutting-edge smart services, allowing to personalize the value proposition and adapt it to changes and variations in customers’ preferences. Method: Our research represents an exploratory investigation on the adoption of Neural Networks for Recommendation Systems, inspired by the findings of a recent study on service science that highlighted the suitability of those models for designing cutting-edge recommenders capable of overcoming stable traditional benchmarks like the Singular Value Decomposition and the k-Nearest Neighbors algorithms. Following this study, we designed a more “complex” Feed-Forward Neural Network, trained on the “Movielens 100K” dataset using the Mean-Squared Error function to approximate the model loss generated and the Adaptive Moment Estimation algorithm (Adam) for the parameters optimization. Results: The results of this study demonstrate the primary role of Feed-Forward Neural Networks for designing advanced Collaborative recommenders, consolidating and even improving the outcomes of the work that inspired our research. Conclusion: Given these assumptions, we confirm the suitability of Feed-Forward Neural Networks as effective recommendation algorithms, laying the foundations for further studies in neural-based recommendation science

Sviluppo di un processo di "Lesson Learned" attiva applicato in ambito automotive tra stabilimenti meccanici worldwide

Conoscenza dell'azienda e della sua organizzazione; studio delle attività degli stabilimenti della divisione; studi dei temi critici affrontati dai vari stabilimenti; sviluppo di un modello e di un database su excel per la selezione e registrazione dei temi critici; sviluppo di un processo che permetta la condivisione dei temi critici dei vari stabilimenti con l'obiettivo di realizzare una lesson learned; implementazione e verifica dell'efficacia del modello, del database e del process

EXPANSION: A Webserver to Explore the Functional Consequences of Protein-Coding Alternative Splice Variants in Cancer Genomics

EXPANSION (https://expansion.bioinfolab.sns.it/) is an integrated web-server to explore the functional consequences of protein-coding alternative splice (AS) variants. We combined information from Differentially Expressed (DE) protein-coding transcripts from cancer genomics, together with domain architecture, protein interaction network, and gene enrichment analysis to provide an easy-to-interpret view of the effects of protein-coding splice variants. We retrieved all the protein-coding Ensembl transcripts and mapped Interpro domains and Post-translational modifications (PTMs) on canonical sequences to identify functionally relevant splicing events. We also retrieved isoform-specific protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and binding regions from IntAct to uncover isoform-specific functions via gene-sets over-representation analysis. Through EXPANSION, users can analyse pre-calculated or user-inputted DE transcript datasets, to easily gain functional insights on any protein spliceform of interest

ITO-free Anode with Plasmonic Silver Nanoparticles for High Efficient Polymer Solar Cells

Abstract In this work we improved the performance of ITO-free polymer solar cells (PSCs) by incorporating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the highly conductive (HC) PEDOT:PSS anode. The AgNPs were synthetized in-situ in the PEDOT:PSS water dispersion. This anode was used to realize PSCs with the following geometry: glass/HC-PEDOT:PSS/PEDOT:PSS/PBDTTT-C:[70]PCBM/Ca/Al. All the devices were characterized by UV-VIS spectroscopy, impedance spectroscopy, IV light, IV dark and quantum efficiency measurements. The presence of AgNPs in the HC-PEDOT:PSS anode contributes to improve the absorption of the photoactive layer and to lower the resistivity of the anode

Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in water and sediment from Volturno River, Southern Italy: occurrence, distribution and risk assessment

Abstract Background To assess the Volturno River pollution and its environmental impact on the Tyrrhenian Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea) caused by Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), 32 PCBs and aldrin, α-BHC, β-BHC, δ-BHC, γ-BHC (lindane), 4,4′- DDD, 4,4′-DDE, 4,4′-DDT, dieldrin, endosulfan I, endosulfan II, endosulfan sulphate, endrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide (isomer B) and methoxychlor have been selected and were analyzed in three different phases: dissolved phase (DP), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediments. PCBs and OCPs were extracted using an SPE column for the DP and glass fiber filter for SPM and sediment samples. Cleaned extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detector (ECD) and mass spectrometry (MS) detector for PCBs and OCPs, respectively. Results Pollutants discharges of PCBs and OCPs into the sea were calculated in about 106.9 kg year−1 (87.1 kg year−1 of PCBs and 19.7 kg year−1 of OCPs), showing that this river could be a major source of PCBs and OCPs pollution to the Central Mediterranean Sea. Total concentrations of PCBs ranged from 4.1 to 48.0 ng L−1 in water (sum of DP and SPM) and from 4.3 to 64.3 ng g−1 in sediment samples. The concentrations of total organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) obtained in water (sum of DP and SPM) ranged from 0.93 to 8.66 ng L−1 and from 0.52 to 9.89 ng g−1 in sediment samples. Principal component analysis shows that all PCB compounds are more likely to come from surface runoff than an atmospheric deposition. Conclusion The data show that higher levels of PCBs and OCPs were found in sediment samples than in DP and SPM samples, which are an indication of no fresh inputs of these compounds. Based on our results, unintentionally produced PCBs by industrial processes (and other processes) were considered to be the main sources of PCBs in Volturno River and Estuary sediments. Considering the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs), the Ecological Risk Index (ERI), the Risk Quotient (RQ) and the USEPA Environmental Quality Standards (EQS), the Volturno River and its Estuary would be considered an area in which the integrity is possibly at risk

Mandibular coronoid process tumor resembling a mandibular condyle: A case report

Abnormal elongation of mandibular coronoid process, often defined as coronoid hyperplasia, is a rare condition, which is frequently associated with limited mouth opening. In some cases, the enlarged coronoid pushes the zygoma forward causing facial asymmetry. This case report describes a 16-year-old boy whose chief complaint was a progressive difficulty and deviation in mouth opening, together with a deformity appearing at maximum opening at the zygomatic area. The diagnosis was Unilateral Accessory Mandibular Condyle at coronoid process, without reduction of the mouth opening capacity. A coronoidectomy was carried out by means of piezoelectric surgery, instead of a coronoidotomy which is usually performed in these cases, due to a suspect of ramus neoplasm. Keywords: Coronoid hyperplasia, Accessory condyle, Temporomandibular disorder, Piezoelectric surgery, Adolescen