Dynamic features of the selective pressure on the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 CD4-binding site in a group of long term non progressor (LTNP) subjects.

Abstract The characteristics of intra-host human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) env evolution were evaluated in untreated HIV-1-infected subjects with different patterns of disease progression, including 2 normal progressor [NP], and 5 Long term non-progressor [LTNP] patients. High-resolution phylogenetic analysis of the C2-C5 env gene sequences of the replicating HIV-1 was performed in sequential samples collected over a 3–5 year period; overall, 301 HIV-1 genomic RNA sequences were amplified from plasma samples, cloned, sequenced and analyzed. Firstly, the evolutionary rate was calculated separately in the 3 codon positions. In all LTNPs, the 3rd codon mutation rate was equal or even lower than that observed at the 1st and 2nd positions (p = 0.016), thus suggesting strong ongoing positive selection. A Bayesian approach and a maximum-likelihood (ML) method were used to estimate the rate of virus evolution within each subject and to detect positively selected sites respectively. A great number of N-linked glycosylation sites under positive selection were identified in both NP and LTNP subjects. Viral sequences from 4 of the 5 LTNPs showed extensive positive selective pressure on the CD4-binding site (CD4bs). In addition, localized pressure in the area of the IgG-b12 epitope, a broad neutralizing human monoclonal antibody targeting the CD4bs, was documented in one LTNP subject, using a graphic colour grade 3-dimensional visualization. Overall, the data shown here documenting high selective pressure on the HIV-1 CD4bs of a group of LTNP subjects offers important insights for planning novel strategies for the immune control of HIV-1 infection.</p

Quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy exploiting low-frequency tuning forks as a tool to measure the vibrational relaxation rate in gas species

We demonstrated that quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) is an efficient tool to measure the vibrational relaxation rate of gas species, employing quartz tuning forks (QTFs) as sound detectors. Based on the dependence of the QTF resonance frequency on the resonator geometry, a wide range of acoustic frequencies with narrow detection bandwidth was probed. By measuring the QEPAS signal of the target analyte as well as the resonance properties of different QTFs as a function of the gas pressure, the relaxation time can be retrieved. This approach has been tested in the near infrared range by measuring the CH4 (nν4) vibrational relaxation rate in a mixture of 1% CH4, 0.15 % H2O in N2, and the H2O (ν1) relaxation rate in a mixture of 0.5 % H2O in N2. Relaxation times of 3.2 ms Torr and 0.25 ms Torr were estimated for CH4 and H2O, respectively, in excellent agreement with values reported in literature

Broadband detection of methane and nitrous oxide using a distributed-feedback quantum cascade laser array and quartz-enhanced photoacoustic sensing

Here we report on the broadband detection of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) mixtures in dry nitrogen by using a quartz-enhanced photoacoustic (QEPAS) sensor exploiting an array of 32 distributed-feedback quantum cascade lasers, within a spectral emission range of 1190−1340 cm−1 as the excitation source. Methane detection down to a minimum detection limit of 200 ppb at 10 s lock-in integration time was achieved. The sensor demonstrated a linear response in the range of 200−1000 ppm. Three different mixtures of N2O and CH4 in nitrogen at atmospheric pressure have been analyzed. The capability of the developed QEPAS sensor to selectively determine the N2O and CH4 concentrations was demonstrated, in spite of significant overlap in their respective absorption spectra in the investigated spectral range

H2S quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy sensor employing a liquid-nitrogen-cooled THz quantum cascade laser operating in pulsed mode

In this work, we report on a quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) sensor for hydrogen sulfide (H2S) detection, exploiting a liquid-nitrogen-cooled THz quantum cascade laser (QCL) operating in pulsed mode. The spectrophone was designed to accommodate a THz QCL beam and consisted of a custom quartz tuning fork with a large prong spacing, coupled with acoustic resonator tubes. The targeted rotational transition falls at 2.87 THz (95.626 cm−1), with a line-strength of 5.53 ∙ 10-20 cm/mol. A THz QCL peak power of 150 mW was measured at a heat sink temperature of 81 K, pulse width of 1 μs and repetition rate of 15.8 kHz. A QEPAS record sensitivity for H2S detection in the THz range of 360 part-per-billion in volume was achieved at a gas pressure of 60 Torr and 10 s integration time

Genotype-Phenotype Correlations in Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Identification of Novel and Recurrent NF1 Gene Variants and Correlations with Neurocognitive Phenotype

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common genetic tumor predisposition syndrome, caused by mutations in the NF1. To date, few genotype-phenotype correlations have been discerned in NF1, due to a highly variable clinical presentation. We aimed to study the molecular spectrum of NF1 and genotype-phenotype correlations in a monocentric study cohort of 85 NF1 patients (20 relatives, 65 sporadic cases). Clinical data were collected at the time of the mutation analysis and reviewed for accuracy in this investigation. An internal phenotypic categorization was applied. The 94% of the patients enrolled showed a severe phenotype with at least one systemic complication and a wide range of associated malignancies. Spine deformities were the most common complications in this cohort. We also reported 66 different NF1 mutations, of which 7 are novel mutations. Correlation analysis identified a slight significant inverse correlation between age at diagnosis and delayed acquisition of psychomotor skills with residual multi-domain cognitive impairment. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval showed a higher prevalence of learning disabilities in patients carrying frameshift mutations. Overall, our results aim to offer an interesting contribution to studies on the genotype-phenotype of NF1 and in genetic management and counselling

The detection of malingering amnesia: an approach involving multiple strategies in a mock crime

The nature of amnesia in the context of crime has been the subject of a prolonged debate. It is not uncommon that after committing a violent crime, the offender either does not have any memory of the event or recalls it with some gaps in its recollection. A number of studies have been conducted in order to differentiate between simulated and genuine amnesia. The recognition of probable malingering requires several inferential methods. For instance, it typically involves the defendant\u2019s medical records, self-reports, the observed behavior, and the results of a comprehensive neuropsychological examination. In addition, a variety of procedures that may detect very specific malingered amnesia in crime have been developed. In this paper, we investigated the efficacy of three techniques, facial thermography, kinematic analysis, and symptom validity testing in detecting malingering of amnesia in crime. Participants were randomly assigned to two different experimental conditions: a group was instructed to simulate amnesia after a mock homicide, and a second group was simply asked to behave honestly after committing the mock homicide. The outcomes show that kinematic analysis and symptom validity testing achieve significant accuracy in detecting feigned amnesia, while thermal imaging does not provide converging evidence. Results are encouraging and may provide a first step towards the application of these procedures in a multimethod approach on crime-specific cases of amnesia

I fattori comportamentali tra i lavoratori in Emilia-Romagna secondo la sorveglianza PASSI

INTRODUZIONE: In Italia, la promozione della salute sui luoghi di lavoro sta evolvendo, orientata dal D.lgs. 81/2008 e in linea con iniziative internazionali come il Workplace Health Promotion (WHP). Accanto a scuole e luoghi di cura, anche il posto di lavoro è ormai identificato come setting opportunistico per svolgere attività di prevenzione, non solo mirata a fattori di rischio occupazionali o alla cultura della sicurezza, ma anche come educazione a stili di vita salutari. L’obiettivo è descrivere i differenziali dei principali fattori di rischio comportamentali in relazione alla condizione lavorativa, alla mansione e al settore d’impiego per indirizzare la promozione della salute nei luoghi di lavoro. MATERIALI E METODI: Sono state analizzate 9977 interviste PASSI di persone di 18-69 anni, raccolte nel triennio 2010-12 in Emilia-Romagna, regione aderente al modulo opzionale sulla sicurezza sul lavoro. PASSI è una sorveglianza nazionale sui fattori comportamentali di salute realizzata mediante interviste telefoniche effettuate da operatori dei Dipartimenti di prevenzione delle ASL italiane. L’analisi mette in relazione alcuni comportamenti con le principali variabili socio-demografiche (classe d’età, sesso, livello d’istruzione, difficoltà economiche, cittadinanza) e quelle riguardanti mansione svolta e settore d’impiego. I fattori indagati sono: abitudine tabagica, consumo di alcol, indice di massa corporea e attività fisica svolta. RISULTATI: Il 29.3% degli intervistati ha dichiarato di essere fumatore. L’abitudine tabagica è maggiore negli uomini (32.9%), nella fascia d’età 18-34 anni (34.0%), nelle persone con bassa scolarità (32.9%) e con molte difficoltà economiche percepite (42.2%). Emergono differenze per condizione lavorativa: fuma il 31.3% (IC95% 30.1-32.5) di chi lavora in modo continuativo, il 37.2% (IC95% 32.7-42.0) di chi lavora in modo non continuativo e il 23.6% (IC95% 22.0-25.3) di chi non lavora. Il dato è disomogeneo anche per settori d’impiego, dal 18.5% del settore scolastico al 39.5% dell’industria del legno e della carta, e per mansione svolta, dal 14.6% nelle forze dell’ordine al 39.8% negli operai. Il fumo è più frequente tra chi svolge una mansione manuale (38.4% IC95% 36.2-40.7). Secondo i criteri PASSI, il 21.4% degli intervistati è definito consumatore di alcol a maggior rischio per la salute. Tale dato è maggiore negli uomini (27.9%), tra 18-34 anni (34.2%) e in persone con alto grado d’istruzione (23.1%). La prevalenza per condizione lavorativa è del 21,3% (IC95% 20.3-22.4) tra chi lavora in modo continuativo, 27.3% (IC95% 23.3-31.8) tra chi in modo discontinuo e del 20.7% (IC95% 19.1-22.3) in chi non lavora. Tra i lavoratori è più diffuso il consumo definito binge drinking (12.0% IC95% 11.2-12.8). I settori meno interessati sono la pubblica amministrazione e la sanità (14.8%), mentre nei trasporti si raggiunge il 28%. Il 42.9% degli intervistati risulta in eccesso ponderale: il 31.7% in sovrappeso e l’11.2% obeso. Gli uomini (53.1%), la fascia d’età 50-69 anni (58.1%), le persone a bassa scolarità (53.1%) e coloro che percepiscono difficoltà economiche (46.5%) sono le categorie più coinvolte. Tra chi lavora in modo continuativo la prevalenza è del 41.4% (IC95% 40.1-42.7), tra chi lavora saltuariamente è del 39.0% (IC95% 34.5-43.7) e 46.7% (IC95% 44.8-48.6) tra chi non lavora. Tra settori, l’eccesso ponderale è meno rappresentato in quello scolastico (30.2%) e molto diffuso nell’agricolo (55.1%). Tra le mansioni, è più frequente in chi lavora manualmente (47.4%) e le percentuali vanno dal 28.0% degli insegnanti al 55.9% delle forze dell’ordine. Secondo i criteri PASSI, il 21.5% degli intervistati è sedentario, il 41,7% parzialmente attivo e il 36,8% attivo. La sedentarietà è più diffusa tra le donne (22.4%), nella fascia d’età 50-69 anni (25.5%), in persone con basso livello d’istruzione (26.6%), con molte difficoltà economiche percepite (27.4%) e di nazionalità straniera (27.8%). Chi lavora in modo continuativo ha una prevalenza del 21.1% (IC95% 19.9-22.2), del 27.1% (IC95% 22.9-31.8) chi lo fa in modo discontinuo e del 21.5% (IC95% 19.9-23.2) chi non lavora. Si evidenziano, inoltre, differenze per settore (dal 15.1% della sanità al 25.9% dei trasporti) e per mansione (dall’8.9% tra i medici al 27.6% nei commercianti). In tab.1 sono riportate le classi a maggiore rischio e i relativi OR emersi all’analisi multivariata. CONCLUSIONI: La sorveglianza PASSI ha evidenziato una disomogenea prevalenza di fattori di rischio comportamentali sia per categorie socio-demografiche, sia per diversi settori e mansioni lavorative. Pur essendo effettuate su dati riferiti, con limiti e possibili bias, le analisi mostrano una realtà che avvalora l’importanza di un’estesa e mirata attività di promozione della salute in ambito lavorativo e, in questo contesto, PASSI può fornire importanti informazioni per programmare e valutare gli interventi di WHP

Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy during the Omicron wave: the prospective cohort study of the Italian obstetric surveillance system

Objectives: Evidence on the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant on vaccinated and unvaccinated pregnant women is sparse. This study aimed to compare maternal and perinatal outcomes of women infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the Omicron wave in Italy, according to their vaccine protection.Methods: This national prospective cohort study enrolled pregnant women with a positive SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab within 7 days of hospital admission between 1 January and 31 May, 2022. Women who received at least one dose of vaccine during pregnancy and those who completed the vaccine cycle with the first booster were considered protected against moderate or severe COVID-19 (MSCD). A multivariable logistic regression model evaluated the association between vaccine protection and disease severity. Maternal age, educational level, citizenship, area of birth, previous comorbidities, and obesity were analysed as potential risk factors. Results: MSCD was rare (41/2147, 1.9%; 95% CI, 1.4-2.6), and the odds of developing it were significantly higher among unprotected women (OR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.39-5.57). Compared with protected women (n = 1069), the unprotected (n = 1078) were more often younger, with lower educational degrees, and foreigners. A higher probability of MSCD was found among women with previous comorbidities (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.34-6.12) and those born in Asian countries (OR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.23-7.56). The percentage of preterm birth was higher among women with MSCD compared with milder cases (32.0% [8/25] versus 8.4% [161/1917], p < 0.001) as well as the percentage of caesarean section (52.0% [13/25] versus 31.6% [606/1919], p 0.029). Discussion: Although severe maternal and perinatal outcomes were rare, their prevalence was significantly higher among women without vaccine protection. Vaccination during pregnancy has the potential to protect both the mother and the baby, and it is therefore strongly recommended. Edoardo Corsi Decenti, Clin Microbiol Infect 2023;29:772 (c) 2023 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Common variants in the regulative regions of GRIA1 and GRIA3 receptor genes are associated with migraine susceptibility

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system which acts by the activation of either ionotropic (AMPA, NMDA and kainate receptors) or G-protein coupled metabotropic receptors. Glutamate is widely accepted to play a major role in the path physiology of migraine as implicated by data from animal and human studies. Genes involved in synthesis, metabolism and regulation of both glutamate and its receptors could be, therefore, considered as potential candidates for causing/predisposing to migraine when mutated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The association of polymorphic variants of <it>GRIA1</it>-<it>GRIA4 </it>genes which encode for the four subunits (GluR1-GluR4) of the alpha-amino-3- hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor for glutamate was tested in migraineurs with and without aura (MA and MO) and healthy controls.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Two variants in the regulative regions of <it>GRIA1 </it>(rs2195450) and <it>GRIA3 </it>(rs3761555) genes resulted strongly associated with MA (P = 0.00002 and P = 0.0001, respectively), but not associated with MO, suggesting their role in cortical spreading depression. Whereas the rs548294 variant in <it>GRIA1 </it>gene showed association primarily with MO phenotype, supporting the hypothesis that MA and MO phenotypes could be genetically related. These variants modify binding sites for transcription factors altering the expression of <it>GRIA1 </it>and <it>GRIA3 </it>genes in different conditions.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study represents the first genetic evidence of a link between glutamate receptors and migraine.</p

Perinatal care in SARS-CoV-2 infected women: the lesson learnt from a national prospective cohort study during the pandemic in Italy

Background: Despite the growing importance given to ensuring high-quality childbirth, perinatal good practices have been rapidly disrupted by SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This study aimed at describing the childbirth care provided to infected women during two years of COVID-19 emergency in Italy. Methods: A prospective cohort study enrolling all women who gave birth with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection within 7 days from hospital admission in the 218 maternity units active in Italy during the periods February 25, 2020-June 30, 2021, and January 1-May 31, 2022. Perinatal care was assessed by evaluating the prevalence of the following indicators during the pandemic: presence of a labour companion; skin-to-skin; no mother-child separation at birth; rooming-in; breastfeeding. Logistic regression models including women' socio-demographic, obstetric and medical characteristics, were used to assess the association between the adherence to perinatal practices and different pandemic phases. Results: During the study period, 5,360 SARS-CoV-2 positive women were enrolled. Overall, among those who had a vaginal delivery (n = 3,574; 66.8%), 37.5% had a labour companion, 70.5% of newborns were not separated from their mothers at birth, 88.1% were roomed-in, and 88.0% breastfed. These four indicators showed similar variations in the study period with a negative peak between September 2020 and January 2021 and a gradual increase during the Alpha and Omicron waves. Skin-to-skin (mean value 66.2%) had its lowest level at the beginning of the pandemic and gradually increased throughout the study period. Among women who had a caesarean section (n = 1,777; 33.2%), all the indicators showed notably worse outcomes with similar variations in the study period. Multiple logistic regression analyses confirm the observed variations during the pandemic and show a lower adherence to good practices in southern regions and in maternity units with a higher annual number of births. Conclusions: Despite the rising trend in the studied indicators, we observed concerning substandard childbirth care during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Continued efforts are necessary to underscore the significance of the experience of care as a vital component in enhancing the quality of family-centred care policies