Vitamin and mineral supplementation for maintaining cognitive function in cognitively healthy people in mid and late life

Vitamins and minerals play multiple functions within the central nervous system which may help to maintain brain health and optimal cognitive functioning. Supplementation of the diet with various vitamins and minerals has been suggested as a means of maintaining cognitive function, or even of preventing dementia, in later life

Endocannabinoid System Components of the Female Mouse Reproductive Tract Are Modulated during Reproductive Aging

The endocannabinoid (eCB) system has gained ground as a key modulator of several female fertility-related processes, under physiological/pathological conditions. Nevertheless, its modulation during reproductive aging remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the expression levels of the main receptors (cannabinoid receptor 1,CB1; cannabinoid receptor 2, CB2; G-protein coupled receptor, GPR55; and transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 channel, TRPV1) and metabolic enzymes (N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D, NAPE-PLD; fatty acid amide hydrolase, FAAH; monoacylglycerol lipase, MAGL; and diacylglycerol lipase, DAGL-α and -β) of this system in the ovaries, oviducts, and uteri of mice at prepubertal, adult, late reproductive, and post-reproductive stages through quantitative ELISA and immunohistochemistry. The ELISA showed that among the receptors, TRPV1 had the highest expression and significantly increased during aging. Among the enzymes, NAPE-PLD, FAAH, and DAGL-β were the most expressed in these organs at all ages, and increased age-dependently. Immunohistochemistry revealed that, regardless of age, NAPE-PLD and FAAH were mainly found in the epithelial cells facing the lumen of the oviduct and uteri. Moreover, in ovaries, NAPE-PLD was predominant in the granulosa cells, while FAAH was sparse in the stromal compartment. Of note, the age-dependent increase in TRPV1 and DAGL-β could be indicative of increased inflammation, while that of NAPE-PLD and FAAH could suggest the need to tightly control the levels of the eCB anandamide at late reproductive age. These findings offer new insights into the role of the eCB system in female reproduction, with potential for therapeutic exploitation

Design of a Microwave Sensor for Measurement of Water in Fuel Contamination

In this paper the modeling and the design of a microwave sensor is proposed for real-time fuel quality monitoring, with particular regard to water-in-fuel measurement. A mechanical and fluid-dynamic design has been performed, evaluating the stiffness, the robustness of the sensor structure and the pressure field acting on it. Furthermore, an electromagnetic study has been carried out to verify the validity of the physical measurement principle. The adopted procedure involves the modeling of the sensor in CAD and the simulation of its behavior. The sensor, based on microwave transmittance, is attractive because of its simplicity and foreseeable low cost

Development of an automotive data acquisition platform for analysis of driving behavior

The main purpose of this work is to develop a low-cost data acquisition platform prototype for automotive telemetry applications such as driving style analysis, fleet management and fault detection. Measurement data, gathered from On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) sensors and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), are logged on the onboard device for remote backup. An accurate analysis of the collected data has been performed to identify the main parameters able to monitor driver behavior and to define suitable indexes to evaluate the driving performance. Particular attention has been paid to the analysis of vehicle parameters during braking and gear shifting in order to classify different attitudes and generate driver profiles and trends. Understanding drivers’ characteristic behavior can contribute significantly to road safety, to define insurance premium, to engage user in saving fuel and money and to correlate faults of the car with the driving style

Comparing Haemophilus influenzae type b Conjugate Vaccine Schedules: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Vaccine Trials

Background: The optimal schedule and the need for a booster dose are unclear for Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines. We systematically reviewed relative effects of Hib vaccine schedules. Methods: We searched 21 databases to May 2010 or June 2012 and selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs that compared different Hib schedules (three primary doses with no booster dose [3p+0], 3p+1 and 2p+1) or different intervals in primary schedules and between primary and booster schedules. Outcomes were clinical efficacy, nasopharyngeal carriage and immunological response. Results were combined in random-effects meta-analysis. Results: Twenty trials from 15 countries were included; 16 used vaccines conjugated to tetanus toxoid (PRP-T). No trials assessed clinical or carriage outcomes. Twenty trials examined immunological outcomes and found few relevant differences. Comparing PRP-T 3p+0 with 2p+0 there was no difference in seropositivity at the 1.0μg/ml threshold by six months after the last primary dose (combined risk difference -0.02, 95%CI -0.10, 0.06). Only small differences were seen between schedules starting at different ages, with different intervals between primary doses, or with different intervals between primary and booster doses. Individuals receiving a booster were more likely to be seropositive than those at the same age who did not. Conclusions: There is no clear evidence from trials that any 2p+1, 3p+0 or 3p+1 schedule of Hib conjugate vaccine is likely to provide better protection against Hib disease than other schedules. Until more data become available, scheduling is likely to be determined by epidemiological and programmatic considerations in individual settings

Designing and prototyping a sensors head for test and certification of UAV components

The project proposed in this paper deals with the design and the development of an embedded test system able to characterize both electrical and mechanical performances of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) propulsion subsystems (motor and propeller). The measurement data that can be collected are of great interest for professional applications, as well as for amateur makers. Starting from the measures acquired by the presented system, it will be possible to deliver certificates that guarantee the customer that the performances obtained by the drone are compliant to what declared by the seller

Venous thromboembolism in patients with COVID-19: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) may complicate the course of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of VTE in patients with COVID-19. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed were searched up to 24th June 2020 for studies that evaluated the incidence of VTE, including pulmonary embolism (PE) and/or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), in patients with COVID-19. Pooled proportions with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) and prediction intervals (PI) were calculated by random-effect meta-analysis. Results: 3487 patients from 30 studies were included. Based on very low-quality evidence due to heterogeneity and risk of bias, the incidence of VTE was 26% (95% PI, 6%–66%). PE with or without DVT occurred in 12% of patients (95% PI, 2%–46%) and DVT alone in 14% (95% PI, 1%–75%). Studies using standard algorithms for clinically suspected VTE reported PE in 13% of patients (95% PI, 2%–57%) and DVT in 6% (95% PI, 0%–60%), compared to 11% (95% PI, 2%–46%) and 24% (95% PI, 2%–85%) in studies using other diagnostic strategies or patient sampling. In patients admitted to intensive care units, VTE occurred in 24% (95% PI, 5%–66%), PE in 19% (95% PI, 6%–47%), and DVT alone in 7% (95% PI, 0%–69%). Corresponding values in general wards were respectively 9% (95% PI, 0%–94%), 4% (95% PI, 0%–100%), and 7% (95% CI, 1%–49%). Conclusions: VTE represents a frequent complication in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and often occurs as PE. The threshold for clinical suspicion should be low to trigger prompt diagnostic testing

Computerised cognitive training for 12 or more weeks for maintaining cognitive function in cognitively healthy people in late life

Background: Increasing age is associated with a natural decline in cognitive function and is the greatest risk factor for dementia. Cognitive decline and dementia are significant threats to independence and quality of life in older adults. Therefore, identifying interventions that help to maintain cognitive function in older adults or that reduce the risk of dementia is a research priority. Cognitive training uses repeated practice on standardised exercises targeting one or more cognitive domains and may be intended to improve or maintain optimal cognitive function. This review examines the effects of computerised cognitive training interventions lasting at least 12 weeks on the cognitive function of healthy adults aged 65 or older and has formed part of a wider project about modifying lifestyle to maintain cognitive function. We chose a minimum 12 weeks duration as a trade-off between adequate exposure to a sustainable intervention and feasibility in a trial setting. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of computerised cognitive training interventions lasting at least 12 weeks on cognitive function in cognitively healthy people in late life. Search methods: We searched to 31 March 2018 in ALOIS (www.medicine.ox.ac.uk/alois), and we performed additional searches of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the WHO Portal/ICTRP (www.apps.who.int/trialsearch), to ensure that the search was as comprehensive and as up-to-date as possible to identify published, unpublished, and ongoing trials. Selection criteria: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs, published or unpublished, reported in any language. Participants were cognitively healthy people, and at least 80% of the study population had to be aged 65 or older. Experimental interventions adhered to the following criteria: intervention was any form of interactive computerised cognitive intervention - including computer exercises, computer games, mobile devices, gaming console, and virtual reality - that involved repeated practice on standardised exercises of specified cognitive domain(s) for the purpose of enhancing cognitive function; the duration of the intervention was at least 12 weeks; cognitive outcomes were measured; and cognitive training interventions were compared with active or inactive control interventions. Data collection and analysis: We performed preliminary screening of search results using a 'crowdsourcing' method to identify RCTs. At least two review authors working independently screened the remaining citations against inclusion criteria. At least two review authors also independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included RCTs. Where appropriate, we synthesised data in random-effects meta-analyses, comparing computerised cognitive training (CCT) separately with active and inactive controls. We expressed treatment effects as standardised mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We used GRADE methods to describe the overall quality of the evidence for each outcome. Main results: We identified eight RCTs with a total of 1183 participants. The duration of the interventions ranged from 12 to 26 weeks; in five trials, the duration of intervention was 12 or 13 weeks. The included studies had moderate risk of bias, and the overall quality of evidence was low or very low for all outcomes. We compared CCT first against active control interventions, such as watching educational videos. Negative SMDs favour CCT over control. Trial results suggest slight improvement in global cognitive function at the end of the intervention period (12 weeks) (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.57 to -0.05; 232 participants; 2 studies; low-quality evidence). One of these trials also assessed global cognitive function 12 months after the end of the intervention; this trial provided no clear evidence of a persistent effect (SMD -0.21, 95% CI -0.66 to 0.24; 77 participants; 1 study; low-quality evidence). CCT may result in little or no difference at the end of the intervention period in episodic memory (12 to 17 weeks) (SMD 0.06, 95% CI -0.14 to 0.26; 439 participants; 4 studies; low-quality evidence) or working memory (12 to 16 weeks) (SMD -0.17, 95% CI -0.36 to 0.02; 392 participants; 3 studies; low-quality evidence). Because of the very low quality of the evidence, we are very uncertain about the effects of CCT on speed of processing and executive function. We also compared CCT to inactive control (no interventions). We found no data on our primary outcome of global cognitive function. At the end of the intervention, CCT may lead to slight improvement in episodic memory (6 months) (mean difference (MD) in Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (RBMT) -0.90 points, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.73 to -0.07; 150 participants; 1 study; low-quality evidence) but can have little or no effect on executive function (12 weeks to 6 months) (SMD -0.08, 95% CI -0.31 to 0.15; 292 participants; 2 studies; low-quality evidence), working memory (16 weeks) (MD -0.08, 95% CI -0.43 to 0.27; 60 participants; 1 study; low-quality evidence), or verbal fluency (6 months) (MD -0.11, 95% CI -1.58 to 1.36; 150 participants; 1 study; low-quality evidence). We could not determine any effects on speed of processing because the evidence was of very low quality. We found no evidence on quality of life, activities of daily living, or adverse effects in either comparison. Authors' conclusions: We found low-quality evidence suggesting that immediately after completion of the intervention, small benefits of CCT may be seen for global cognitive function when compared with active controls, and for episodic memory when compared with an inactive control. These benefits are of uncertain clinical importance. We found no evidence that the effect on global cognitive function persisted 12 months later. Our confidence in the results was low, reflecting the overall quality of the evidence. In five of the eight trials, the duration of the intervention was just three months. The possibility that more extensive training could yield larger benefit remains to be more fully explored. We found substantial literature on cognitive training, and collating all available scientific information posed problems. Duration of treatment may not be the best way to categorise interventions for inclusion. As the primary interest of older people and of guideline writers and policymakers involves sustained cognitive benefit, an alternative would be to categorise by length of follow-up after selecting studies that assess longer-term effects

Perfluorooctanoic acid alters progesterone activity in human endometrial cells and induces reproductive alterations in young women

Female fecundity is finely regulated by hormonal signaling, representing a potential target for endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Among the chemicals of most concern are the perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), widely used in consumer goods, that are associated with adverse effects on reproductive health. In this context, the endometrium clearly represents an important fertility determining factor. The aim of this study was to investigate PFAS interference on hormonal endometrial regulation. This study was performed within a screening protocol to evaluate reproductive health in high schools. We studied a cohort of 146 exposed females aged 18\u201321 from the Veneto region in Italy, one of the four areas worldwide heavily polluted with PFAS, and 1080 non-exposed controls. In experiments on Ishikawa cells included UV\u2013Vis spectroscopy, microarray analysis and qPCR. We report a significant dysregulation of the genetic cascade leading to embryo implantation and endometrial receptivity. The most differentially-expressed genes upon PFOA coincubation were ITGB8, KLF5, WNT11, SULT1E1, ALPPL2 and G0S2 (all p < 0.01). By qPCR, we confirmed an antagonistic effect of PFOA on all these genes, which was reversed at higher progesterone levels. Molecular interference of PFOA on progesterone was confirmed by an increase in the intensity of absorption spectra at 250 nm in a dose-dependent manner, but not in the presence of \u3b2-estradiol. Age at menarche (+164 days, p = 0.006) and the frequency of girls with irregular periods (29.5% vs 21.5%, p = 0.022) were significantly higher in the exposed group. Our results are indicative of endocrine-disrupting activity of PFAS on progesterone-mediated endometrial function

Discovery and characterization of noncanonical E2-conjugating enzymes

E2-conjugating enzymes (E2s) play a central role in the enzymatic cascade that leads to the attachment of ubiquitin to a substrate. This process, termed ubiquitylation, is required to maintain cellular homeostasis and affects almost all cellular process. By interacting with multiple E3 ligases, E2s dictate the ubiquitylation landscape within the cell. Since its discovery, ubiquitylation has been regarded as a posttranslational modification that specifically targets lysine side chains (canonical ubiquitylation). We used Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry to identify and characterize a family of E2s that are instead able to conjugate ubiquitin to serine and/or threonine. We used structural modeling and prediction tools to identify the key activity determinants that these E2s use to interact with ubiquitin as well as their substrates. Our results unveil the missing E2s necessary for noncanonical ubiquitylation, underscoring the adaptability and versatility of ubiquitin modifications