Septate uterus: nosographic overview and endoscopic treatment

To comment on the prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of the septate uterus, with special reference to hysteroscopic metroplasty and its effect on reproductive outcome, we searched publications in PubMed and Embase. Original articles, meta-analysis, reviews, and opinion articles were selected. The studies suggest that the prevalence of the septate uterus is increased in women with repeated pregnancy loss and infertility. Reliable diagnosis depends on accurate assessment of the uterine fundal contour and uterine cavity by means of magnetic resonance and three-dimensional ultrasound. Pertinent published data comparing pregnancy outcome before and after hysteroscopic metroplasty indicated a marked improvement after surgery. Magnetic resonance and three-dimensional ultrasound represent the gold standard for diagnosis of septate uterus. Hysteroscopic metroplasty with its simplicity, minimal postoperative sequelae, and improved reproductive outcome is the gold standard for treatment, not only in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss and premature labor but also in patients with infertility, especially if in vitro fertilization is being contemplated

A simple and reliable methodology to detect egg white in art samples

A protocol for a simple and reliable dot-blot immunoassay was developed and optimized to test work of art samples for the presence of specific proteinaceus material (i.e. ovalbumin-based). The analytical protocol has been extensively set up with respect, among the other, to protein extraction conditions, to densitometric analysis and to the colorimetric reaction conditions. Feasibility evaluation demonstrated that a commercial scanner and a free image analysis software can be used for the data acquisition and elaboration, thus facilitating the application of the proposed protocol to commonly equipped laboratories and to laboratories of museums and conservation centres. The introduction of method of standard additions in the analysis of fresh and artificially aged laboratory-prepared samples, containing egg white and various pigments, allowed us to evaluate the matrix effect and the effect of sample aging and to generate threshold density values useful for the detection of ovalbumin in samples from ancient works of art. The efficacy of the developed dot-blot immunoassay was proved testing microsamples from 13th–16th century mural paintings of Saint Francesco Church in Lodi (Italy). Despite the aging, the altered conditions of conservation, the complex matrix, and the micro-size of samples, the presence of ovalbumin was detected in all those mural painting samples where mass-spectrometry-based proteomic analysis unambiguously detected ovalbumin peptides

The 'Moon Mapping' project to promote cooperation between students of Italy and China

The research project 'Moon Mapping' has been established in 2014 between the Italian and Chinese Governments to promote cooperation and exchange between undergraduate students from both countries. The operational phase of the project started in early 2015, and will end in 2017, for a total length of three years. The main aim is to train new scholars to be able to work on different kinds of remotely-sensed data collected over the Moon surface by the Chinese space missions Chang'E-1/2. The project coordination has been assigned to the Italian Space Agency for the Italian side and to the Center of Space Exploration, China Ministry of Education, for the Chinese side. Several Chinese universities and Italian national research institutes and universities have been officially involved in this project. Six main research topics have been identified: (1) map of the solar wind ion; (2) geomorphological map of the Moon; (3) data preprocessing of Chang'E-1 mission; (4) map of element distribution; (5) establishment of 3D digital visualization system; and (6) compilation and publication of a tutorial on joint lunar mapping

Evaluation of cytological diagnostic accuracy for canine splenic neoplasms : an investigation in 78 cases using STARD guidelines

Cytology represents a useful diagnostic tool in the preliminary clinical approach to canine splenic lesions, and may prevent unnecessary splenectomy. However, few studies have evaluated diagnostic accuracy of cytology in the diagnosis of canine splenic neoplasms. The aim of this study was to determine overall accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (i.e. diagnostic accuracy indexes) of cytology for canine splenic neoplasms following Standards for the Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (STARD) guidelines. A consecutive series of canine splenic cytological samples was retrospectively retrieved from the database of the Diagnostic Pathology Service of the Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET\u2014University of Milan). Histopathology was set as the diagnostic reference standard. Cytological cases were enrolled when slides were available for review and when the same lesion was submitted for histopathology. Seventy-eight (78) lesions were included in the study. By histopathology, 56 were neoplastic and 22 were non-neoplastic. Cytology had an overall accuracy of 73.08% (95% C.I. 61.84%-82.50%), sensitivity of 64.29% (95% C.I. 50.36%-76.64%), specificity of 95.45% (95% C.I. 77.16%-99.88%), and positive and negative predictive values of 97.3% (95% C.I. 84.01%-99.60%) and 51.22% (95% C.I. 42.21%-60.15%), respectively. Low sensitivity and negative predictive value were balanced by very high specificity and positive predictive value. When positive for neoplasia, cytology represents a useful diagnostic tool to rule in splenic neoplasia, prompting surgery independently from other diagnostic tests. Conversely, a negative cytological result requires additional investigations to confirm the dog to be disease free

Genetic relationships among local Vitis vinifera cultivars from Campania (Italy)

A total of 114 accessions putatively corresponding to 69 local grape cultivars from Campania (Southern Italy) were analysed with 8 microsatellite markers (VVS2, VVMD5, VVMD7, VVMD25, VVMD27, VVMD31, VrZAG62 and VrZAG79) in order to evaluate their genetic diversity and relationships. According to their unique genotype at SSR loci finally 56 varieties were found. Interesting cases of synonymy, i.e. Greco di Tufo and Asprinio, Palummina and Piedirosso, and homonymy were disclosed. Pairwise genetic distances were calculated between all cultivars. Clustering of cultivars did not reflect their current distribution and this suggests that grape cultivars of Campania might have been introduced from various and distinct geographic areas

New insights into structural and functional roles of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) : Changes in DNA topology and gene expression in bacteria

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is a major plant hormone that affects many cellular processes in plants, bacteria, yeast, and human cells through still unknown mechanisms. In this study, we demonstrated that the IAA-treatment of two unrelated bacteria, the Ensifer meliloti 1021 and Escherichia coli, harboring two different host range plasmids, influences the supercoiled state of the two plasmid DNAs in vivo. Results obtained from in vitro assays show that IAA interacts with DNA, leading to DNA conformational changes commonly induced by intercalating agents. We provide evidence that IAA inhibits the activity of the type IA topoisomerase, which regulates the DNA topological state in bacteria, through the relaxation of the negative supercoiled DNA. In addition, we demonstrate that the treatment of E. meliloti cells with IAA induces the expression of some genes, including the ones related to nitrogen fixation. In contrast, these genes were significantly repressed by the treatment with novobiocin, which reduces the DNA supercoiling in bacterial cells. Taking into account the overall results reported, we hypothesize that the IAA action and the DNA structure/function might be correlated and involved in the regulation of gene expression. This work points out that checking whether IAA influences the DNA topology under physiological conditions could be a useful strategy to clarify the mechanism of action of this hormone, not only in plants but also in other unrelated organisms

Behavioural drivers of ecotone exploitation: activity of groundwater animals in spring

Abstract: Border habitats such as interfaces and ecotones are promising research targets being likely areas of high species richness and genetic and phenotypic diversity. Springs are intriguing habitats exploited by both subterranean and surface species. For subterranean species, springs can provide higher trophic resources but can be risky in terms of predation and UV radiation, while for surface species, springs can be safer but less productive environments. We coupled field surveys and laboratory experiments to understand how predation risk and physical constraints, like light occurrence, affect spring exploitation by both a subterranean (Niphargus thuringius) and a surface crustacean amphipod species (Echinogammarus stammeri). From March to May 2021, we surveyed multiple springs and evaluated the activity (both during day and night) of the amphipods and of their predators. Furthermore, in a subterranean laboratory, we reared 80 N. thuringius and 80 E. stammeri under safe and risky conditions with both constant darkness and diel light variation assessing their activity and survival. Risky conditions were represented by the occurrence of meso-predators alone or coupled with the presence of a top predator. In the field, N. thuringius activity was negatively related to the density of predators, while laboratory experiments revealed a main role played by light treatments and night period. E. stammeri activity in the field was higher close to surface while in laboratory conditions decreased during time. In laboratory conditions, predation risk negatively affected survival of both amphipods. Our findings reveal that physical constraints play a key role in affecting the exploitation of ecotones and can mediate antipredator responses, thus providing selective pressures for the exploitation of border environments. Significance statement: Understanding environmental pressures acting on ecotones is a key point to verify if new adaptations may occur at the border between two distinct habitats. Using both field and laboratory approaches, we show that, in springs, the behaviour of subterranean invertebrates is affected by surface physical constraints which can mediate the effects of predation risk. Behavioural strategies to avoid predation, such as nocturnal activity, may promote spring ecotone exploitation by groundwater animals, such as amphipod crustaceans

Landscape of fear in freshwater ecotones: How predation risk and light conditions affect mesopredator activity and foraging in springs

Springs are environments that can provide general insights into factors favouring diversity in ecotones, but they are often neglected in freshwater studies. One of the challenging processes acting in ecotones is the landscape of fear (LOF), the space–time variation of perceived predation risk. Spring exploitation often involves species that are mesopredators in surface fresh water and that can become apex predators in ground water, as in the case of the fire salamander larvae (Salamandra salamandra). Here, we aim to determine whether the activity and foraging patterns of the fire salamander in springs are affected by LOF. We surveyed the night- and daytime abundance of fire salamander larvae in 15 springs to assess predator occurrence. We also reared 48 salamander larvae with and without non-lethal exposure to predators within tanks simulating groundwater or surface freshwater light features. Before and after a month of rearing, we tested larva efficiency in catching prey when exposed to predator chemical cues, both in light and dark conditions. In the field, the number of active fire salamander larvae was significantly higher during the night. At night, the number of active larvae across the transition area between ground water and surface water was higher in plots closer to the surface. Testing and rearing conditions significantly affected larva behaviour, and prey capture was significantly more effective in light conditions. It was less successful in larvae reared with predator chemical cues and in the presence of predators. Moreover, larvae reared with predators under light conditions were slower than those raised with predators in dark conditions. Our results show that LOF can interact with extant environmental features and constitute a significant behavioural pressure for mesopredator species living in freshwater ecotones

Machine Learning models to forecast defects occurrence on foundry products

Manufacturing defects negatively affect production cost and environmental impact. This impact is even heavier for production processes that are particularly energy intensive, such as in the metallurgical industry. In the cast iron foundry sector, components manufacturing can be affected by various defects that depend on quality of raw materials fed to the melting process, process parameters, cast iron final temperature, ferroalloys additions and final composition. Defects formation is a multifactorial phenomenon, for which relevant factors are not easy to identify, as it is also a rare event. This paper presents a set of models based on machine learning methodologies for predicting and classifying defects on foundry production lines to assist process operators in managing the process and, eventually, stop production when it is not possible to adjust process parameters. The modelling phase exploits decision trees methodologies enhanced with algorithms for augmenting unbalanced datasets related to defects occurrences. The combination of these methodologies produces efficient models showing very encouraging results