BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA AS INDICATORS OF PALEOECOLOGICAL BOTTOM CONDITIONS IN THE SERRAVALLIAN TREMITI SECTIONS (EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN, ITALY)

Quantitative analysis of  benthic foraminifera from the Serravallian S. Nicola composite section (Tremiti Islands, Adriatic Sea) and about 37 m thick, pointed out changes of bottom paleoecological conditions in this eastern Mediterranean area during the analyzed time interval. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages are typical of bathyal environment and indicate a constant paleobathymetry of about 1,000 m. Changes in benthic foraminiferal assemblages allowed us to identify five intervals,  which were calibrated on the astrochronological scale to reconstruct paleoecological evolution of bottom conditions. In particular starting from the base of the section the following different bottom conditions have been identified: 1) between about 12.62  to about 12.29 Ma high surface productivity, active bottom water circulation and, consequently, moderate bottom food supply; this paleoenvironment slightly changed  between about 12.49 and 12.29 Ma, where benthic assemblages testify unstable bottom conditions with periods of active circulation (relative abundance of Cibicidoides wuellerstorfi), alternated with periods of sluggish circulation  (peaks of Bulimina subulata group); 2) relatively oxygenated paleoenvironment together with low food supply between about  12.29 - 12.08 Ma; 3) increase of organic matter content (abundance of  U. peregrina-pygmaea), due to higher surface productivity and/or greater preservation of organic matter at bottom from 12.08 to 11.81 Ma; 4) relatively oxygenated conditions with low food supply from 11.81 to about 11.45 Ma; 5) similar conditions to those of the basal part (about 12.62  - 12.29 Ma) of the section from about 11.45 to 11.10 Ma, but with an increase of organic matter content. Finally, the comparison between the paleoecological reconstruction of the S. Nicola composite section and Ras il-Pellegrin (Malta) composite section (reported in this volume) in  the interval between about 12.6 and 12.2 Ma, pointed out very different extimated paleobatimetries, but similar paleoecological bottom conditions with evidence of relative high productivity.

BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA AS INDICATORS OF PALEOECOLOGICAL BOTTOM CONDITIONS IN THE SERRAVALLIAN TREMITI SECTIONS (EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN, ITALY)

Quantitative analysis of  benthic foraminifera from the Serravallian S. Nicola composite section (Tremiti Islands, Adriatic Sea) and about 37 m thick, pointed out changes of bottom paleoecological conditions in this eastern Mediterranean area during the analyzed time interval. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages are typical of bathyal environment and indicate a constant paleobathymetry of about 1,000 m. Changes in benthic foraminiferal assemblages allowed us to identify five intervals,  which were calibrated on the astrochronological scale to reconstruct paleoecological evolution of bottom conditions. In particular starting from the base of the section the following different bottom conditions have been identified: 1) between about 12.62  to about 12.29 Ma high surface productivity, active bottom water circulation and, consequently, moderate bottom food supply; this paleoenvironment slightly changed  between about 12.49 and 12.29 Ma, where benthic assemblages testify unstable bottom conditions with periods of active circulation (relative abundance of Cibicidoides wuellerstorfi), alternated with periods of sluggish circulation  (peaks of Bulimina subulata group); 2) relatively oxygenated paleoenvironment together with low food supply between about  12.29 - 12.08 Ma; 3) increase of organic matter content (abundance of  U. peregrina-pygmaea), due to higher surface productivity and/or greater preservation of organic matter at bottom from 12.08 to 11.81 Ma; 4) relatively oxygenated conditions with low food supply from 11.81 to about 11.45 Ma; 5) similar conditions to those of the basal part (about 12.62  - 12.29 Ma) of the section from about 11.45 to 11.10 Ma, but with an increase of organic matter content. Finally, the comparison between the paleoecological reconstruction of the S. Nicola composite section and Ras il-Pellegrin (Malta) composite section (reported in this volume) in  the interval between about 12.6 and 12.2 Ma, pointed out very different extimated paleobatimetries, but similar paleoecological bottom conditions with evidence of relative high productivity.

PG+: Redesign do Portal do Franqueado

PCC(graduação) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Centro de Comunicação e Expressão. Design.O Porter Group é uma empresa que oferece soluções para melhorar a vida em condomínio. O grupo é composto pelas empresas Kiper, Porter e Villaro. A Kiper oferece toda a sua expertise em tecnologia desenvolvendo as soluções de software e hardware. Já a Porter oferece o serviço de controle de acesso e portaria remota, utilizando os equipamentos e softwares Kiper. E a Villaro oferece serviços de garantia de crédito e segurança financeira para condomínios. Para atender os franqueados da Porter foi criado o Portal do Franqueado, um produto B2B (Bussiness to Bussiness). O seu principal objetivo é a comunicação da franqueadora com os franqueados. Nele é possível solicitar materiais de marketing, abrir e consultar ordem de serviços e ser atendido por todos os departamentos da franqueadora. O Portal fica alocado dentro de um sistema com base em um software ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning). Esse sistema denominado Porter Integra possui diversas funções financeiras, gerenciamento de estoque, recursos humanos, e ferramentas de gerenciamento de trabalho. O Portal havia sido desenvolvido há menos de 6 meses antes do início desse projeto. Logo após o lançamento do Portal do Franqueado houve uma fusão entre as empresas citadas anteriormente. O início desse projeto se deu devido a uma identificação de necessidades dos usuários por parte da autora deste PCC, que atua no time de Marketing do Porter Group. As primeiras necessidades identificadas foram uma melhor disposição dos materiais de marketing, melhora na usabilidade no geral e nos formulários de solicitações de marketing. Foi realizada também uma análise heurística através da plataforma MATcH, onde a nota obtida foi 37,3, considerada uma usabilidade baixa. Assim, constatou-se a necessidade de revisar o design do Portal para promover seu uso através da usabilidade e acessibilidade

Iconografia e Restauro. Letture, intrecci ed esperienze nel progetto per l’architettura storica e il paesaggio

Editoriale al n. 2, 201

Chapter II. Corrections <Corr.Lex.Mat.> 7 – 16

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Urothelium muscarinic activation phosphorylates CBS Ser227 via cGMP/PKG pathway causing human bladder relaxation through H 2 S production

The urothelium modulates detrusor activity through releasing factors whose nature has not been clearly defined. Here we have investigated the involvement of H2S as possible mediator released downstream following muscarinic (M) activation, by using human bladder and urothelial T24 cell line. Carbachol stimulation enhances H2S production and in turn cGMP in human urothelium or in T24 cells. This effect is reversed by cysthationine-β-synthase (CBS) inhibition. The blockade of M1 and M3 receptors reverses the increase in H2S production in human urothelium. In T24 cells, the blockade of M1 receptor significantly reduces carbachol-induced H2S production. In the functional studies, the urothelium removal from human bladder strips leads to an increase in carbachol-induced contraction that is mimicked by CBS inhibition. Instead, the CSE blockade does not significantly affect carbachol-induced contraction. The increase in H2S production and in turn of cGMP is driven by CBS-cGMP/PKG-dependent phosphorylation at Ser(227) following carbachol stimulation. The finding of the presence of this crosstalk between the cGMP/PKG and H2S pathway downstream to the M1/M3 receptor in the human urothelium further implies a key role for H2S in bladder physiopathology. Thus, the modulation of the H2S pathway can represent a feasible therapeutic target to develop drugs for bladder disorders

Delirium and Psychiatric Sequelae Associated to SARS-CoV-2 in Asymptomatic Patients With Psychiatric History and Mild Cognitive Impairment as Risk Factors: Three Case Reports

Human coronaviruses have neuroinvasive and neurotropic abilities that might explain psychiatric outcomes in affected patients. We hypothesized that delirium might be the sole clinical manifestation or even the prodrome of a psychiatric episode consistent with the mental history of a few infected patients with a preexisting diagnosed cognitive impairment. We examined three patients with preexisting mild cognitive impairment and delirium at admission for suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection. We diagnosed delirium using DSM-5 and Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) and measured consciousness level by the Glasgow Coma Scale. All the patients had no history of fever, respiratory complications, anosmia or ageusia, meningitis, and negative cerebrospinal fluid analysis for SARS-CoV-2. Our first patient had no psychiatric history, the second reported only a depressive episode, and the third had a history of bipolar disorder dated back to 40 years before. In the first patient, delirium resolved 2 days following the admission. The other two patients recovered in 4 and 14 days, and delirium appeared as the prodrome of a new psychiatric episode resembling past events. Clinicians should monitor the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 presence in the brain might clinically manifest in the form of delirium and acute psychiatric sequelae, even without other systemic symptoms. Psychiatric history and preexisting mild cognitive impairment are to be considered as predisposing factors for COVID-19 sequelae in delirium patients

Human Cystathionine-β-Synthase Phosphorylation on Serine227 Modulates Hydrogen Sulfide Production in Human Urothelium

Urothelium, the epithelial lining the inner surface of human bladder, plays a key role in bladder physiology and pathology. It responds to chemical, mechanical and thermal stimuli by releasing several factors and mediators. Recently it has been shown that hydrogen sulfide contributes to human bladder homeostasis. Hydrogen sulfide is mainly produced in human bladder by the action of cystathionine-β-synthase. Here, we demonstrate that human cystathionine-β-synthase activity is regulated in a cGMP/PKG-dependent manner through phosphorylation at serine 227. Incubation of human urothelium or T24 cell line with 8-Bromo-cyclic-guanosine monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP) but not dibutyryl-cyclic-adenosine monophosphate (d-cAMP) causes an increase in hydrogen sulfide production. This result is congruous with the finding that PKG is robustly expressed but PKA only weakly present in human urothelium as well as in T24 cells. The cGMP/PKG-dependent phosphorylation elicited by 8-Br-cGMP is selectively reverted by KT5823, a specific PKG inhibitor. Moreover, the silencing of cystathionine-β-synthase in T24 cells leads to a marked decrease in hydrogen sulfide production either in basal condition or following 8-Br-cGMP challenge. In order to identify the phosphorylation site, recombinant mutant proteins of cystathionine-β-synthase in which Ser32, Ser227 or Ser525 was mutated in Ala were generated. The Ser227Ala mutant cystathionine-β-synthase shows a notable reduction in basal biosynthesis of hydrogen sulfide becoming unresponsive to the 8-Br-cGMP challenge. A specific antibody that recognizes the phosphorylated form of cystathionine-β-synthase has been produced and validated by using T24 cells and human urothelium. In conclusion, human cystathionine-β-synthase can be phosphorylated in a PKG-dependent manner at Ser227 leading to an increased catalytic activity

Isolated auditory neuropathy at birth in congenital cytomegalovirus infection

BACKGROUND: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is the most frequent non-genetic cause of sensorineural hearing-loss (SNHL) (i.e., hearing loss due to a cochlear and/or auditory nerve damage). It is widely accepted that SNHL at birth, when associated to cCMV symptomatic infection involving the central nervous system, benefits from antiviral therapy started in the neonatal period. Conversely, there is no consensus for antiviral treatment in congenitally infected infants diagnosed with isolated SNHL (i.e., SNHL in an otherwise asymptomatic infant) at birth. Our aim was to assess the frequency and the auditory outcome of isolated SNHL at birth due to auditory neuropathy (AN) (i.e., SNHL in a patient with normal cochlear function and auditory nerve dysfunction) in infants with cCMV infection. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical history of 60 infants, born at term, with cCMV asymptomatic infection, without additional risk factors for SNHL, and exhibiting bilateral "pass" otoacustic emissions (OAE). None of them underwent antiviral therapy. Hearing thresholds were assessed by means of Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR). AN affected children were followed up until possible normalization of the hearing thresholds or definitive diagnosis of AN. Each infant diagnosed with monolateral or bilateral AN was classified according to the worst ear threshold. RESULTS: In our population, the first ABR was performed at a mean age of 5.00 ± 2.79 (SD) months and AN was diagnosed in 16/60 (26.67%) infants; in 4 infants the AN was defined as mild (4/4 monolateral), moderate in 11 (5/11 bilateral), and severe in 1 (bilateral). The mean age at first ABR was 3.69 ± 2.80 (SD) months in the 16 babies with AN and 5.48 ± 2.66 (SD) months in the 44 infants with normal hearing (p = 0.007). All AN cases spontaneously recovered a normal auditory threshold over time. The mean length of the audiological follow-up was 32.44 ± 17.58 (SD) months (range 5-60 months). CONCLUSION: A delayed maturation of the auditory pathways should be considered when a mild/moderate isolated AN at birth is detected in cCMV infected infants. Prospective studies conducted on larger populations, and with a longer audiological follow-up, are needed to confirm our findings

Characteristics of people living in Italy after a cancer diagnosis in 2010 and projections to 2020

BACKGROUND: Estimates of cancer prevalence are widely based on limited duration, often including patients living after a cancer diagnosis made in the previous 5 years and less frequently on complete prevalence (i.e., including all patients regardless of the time elapsed since diagnosis). This study aims to provide estimates of complete cancer prevalence in Italy by sex, age, and time since diagnosis for all cancers combined, and for selected cancer types. Projections were made up to 2020, overall and by time since diagnosis. METHODS: Data were from 27 Italian population-based cancer registries, covering 32% of the Italian population, able to provide at least 7 years of registration as of December 2009 and follow-up of vital status as of December 2013. The data were used to compute the limited-duration prevalence, in order to estimate the complete prevalence by means of the COMPREV software. RESULTS: In 2010, 2,637,975 persons were estimated to live in Italy after a cancer diagnosis, 1.2 million men and 1.4 million women, or 4.6% of the Italian population. A quarter of male prevalent cases had prostate cancer (n\u2009=\u2009305,044), while 42% of prevalent women had breast cancer (n\u2009=\u2009604,841). More than 1.5 million people (2.7% of Italians) were alive since 5 or more years after diagnosis and 20% since 6515 years. It is projected that, in 2020 in Italy, there will be 3.6 million prevalent cancer cases (+\u200937% vs 2010). The largest 10-year increases are foreseen for prostate (+\u200985%) and for thyroid cancers (+\u200979%), and for long-term survivors diagnosed since 20 or more years (+\u200945%). Among the population aged 6575 years, 22% will have had a previous cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The number of persons living after a cancer diagnosis is estimated to rise of approximately 3% per year in Italy. The availability of detailed estimates and projections of the complete prevalence are intended to help the implementation of guidelines aimed to enhance the long-term follow-up of cancer survivors and to contribute their rehabilitation need