A novel method to titrate Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) using laser-based scanning of near-infrared fluorophores conjugated antibodies

Among several strategies used for Herpes simplex virus (HSV) detection in biological specimens, standard plaque assay (SPA) remains the most reliable method to evaluate virus infectivity and quantify viral replication. However, it is a manual procedure, thereby affected by operator subjectivity, and it may be particularly laborious for multiple sample analysis. Here we describe an innovative method to perform the titration of HSV type 1 (HSV-1) in different samples, using the “In-Cell WesternTM” Assay (ICW) from LI-COR, a quantitative immunofluorescence assay that exploits laser-based scanning of near infrared (NIR). In particular, we employed NIR-immunodetection of viral proteins to monitor foci of HSV-1 infection in cell monolayers, and exploited an automated detection of their fluorescence intensity to evaluate virus titre. This innovative method produced similar and superimposable values compared to SPA, but it is faster and can be performed in 96 well plate, thus allowing to easily and quickly analyze and quantify many samples in parallel. These features make our method particularly suitable for the screening and characterization of antiviral compounds, as we demonstrated by testing acyclovir (ACV), the main anti-HSV-1 drug. Moreover, we developed a new data analysis system that allowed to overcome potential bias due to unspecific florescence signals, thus improving data reproducibility. Overall, our method may represents a useful tool for both clinical and research purposes

Multifunctional smart concretes with novel phase change materials: Mechanical and thermo-energy investigation

Energy performance in buildings and integrated systems represents a key aspect influencing anthropogenic emissions worldwide. Therefore, novel multifunctional materials for improving envelope thermo-energy efficiency through passive techniques are presently attracting notable researchers' effort. In this view, the integration of phase change materials (PCMs) into structural concrete showed interesting effects in enhancing the material thermal capacity while keeping proper structural strength. This work presents a multiphysics thermomechanical investigation concerning innovative concretes incorporating paraffin-based PCM suitable for structural-thermal multifunctional applications in high-energy efficiency building envelopes. Both classic microPCM-capsules and the novel more pioneering macroPCM-capsules with 18 °C phase transition temperature are used for the new composite preparation. Results confirm the thermal benefits of PCM and demonstrate that the addition of PCM reduces the mass density of concrete by almost twice PCMs weight. Average compressive strength decreases with increasing the amount of PCM, but its coefficient of variation is not as negatively affected, which is promising in terms of structural reliability. Indeed, a 1% weight content of microPCM and macroPCM results in reduced coefficients of variation of the compressive strength, determining an increase in characteristic compressive strength. This benefit might be associated to both a filler effect of the PCM and to a positive thermal interaction between inclusions and cement hydration products. The multifunctional analysis showed promising performance of PCM-based macro-capsules as aggregates, even if their concentration is relatively minor than the classic micro-capsules already acknowledged as effective additives for high energy efficient cement-based materials.Acknowledgments are due to the “CIRIAF program for UNESCO” in the framework of the UNESCO Chair “Water Resources Management and Culture”. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement No. 657466 (INPATH-TES). The authors also thank the Microtek Laboratories, Inc. for providing the capsulated materials. The work is also partially funded by the Spanish Government (ENE2015-64117-C5-1-R). Prof. Luisa F. Cabeza would like to thank the Catalan Government for the quality accreditation given to her research group (2014 SGR 123)

Effect of PCM on the Hydration Process of Cement-Based Mixtures: A Novel Thermo-Mechanical Investigation

The use of Phase Change Material (PCM) for improving building indoor thermal comfort and energy saving has been largely investigated in the literature in recent years, thus confirming PCM's capability to reduce indoor thermal fluctuation in both summer and winter conditions, according to their melting temperature and operation boundaries. Further to that, the present paper aims at investigating an innovative use of PCM for absorbing heat released by cement during its curing process, which typically contributes to micro-cracking of massive concrete elements, therefore compromising their mechanical performance during their service life. The experiments carried out in this work showed how PCM, even in small quantities (i.e., up to 1% in weight of cement) plays a non-negligible benefit in reducing differential thermal increases between core and surface and therefore mechanical stresses originating from differential thermal expansion, as demonstrated by thermal monitoring of cement-based cubes. Both PCM types analyzed in the study (with melting temperatures at 18 and 25 ºC) were properly dispersed in the mix and were shown to be able to reduce the internal temperature of the cement paste by several degrees, i.e., around 5 ºC. Additionally, such small amount of PCM produced a reduction of the final density of the composite and an increase of the characteristic compressive strength with respect to the plain recipe.Funding: The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant agreement No. 657466 (INPATH-TES) and No. 765057 (SaferUp!). The authors also thank the Microtek Laboratories, Inc. for providing the capsulated materials. The work is also partially funded by the Spanish government (ENE2015-64117-C5-1-R). Acknowledgments: Acknowledgments are due to the “CIRIAF program for UNESCO” in the framework of the UNESCO Chair “Water Resources Management and Culture”. Luisa F. Cabeza would like to thank the Catalan Government for the quality accreditation given to her research group (2017 SGR 1537)

Molecular ecology of southern elephant seals (mirounga leonina): mating system and population genetics

The general aim of this research was the analysis of the mating system and the genetic structure of the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina). The specific objectives were to: 1) estimate the distribution of paternity and the relationship between behavioural and genetic indices of male reproductive success; 2) quantify the level of kinship among seals and investigate the presence of any genetic pattern that might be a consequence of the social structure of the population; 3) assess the genetic variation among and within the stocks of the Southern Ocean and analyse the pattern of individual dispersal. The research was conducted at Sea Lion Island (SLI, Falklands), from 1996 to 1998. All breeding males of the colony, and females and pups belonging to seven harems (n = 455) were tissue sampled. The samples were analysed at nine microsatellite loci and likelihood based paternity analyses were conducted. Samples (n = 46) from Elephant Island (EI, South Shetlands) were also characterised at the same microsatellite loci, and the mtDNA control region (299bp) was sequenced in 57 seals from SLI and 30 from EI. The success of the paternity inference was very high, as a father was found for 95.3% of the pups. Out of 183 assigned paternities, 151 (82.5%) were secure at the 95% confidence level and 32 (17.5%) at the 80% level. The distribution of paternities indicated an extremely polygynous system, with the majority of males achieving zero paternities and the harem holders siring up to 96% of the offspring in each harem (mean 78). Paternity was highly correlated with behavioural indices of mating success (R(^2) 0.80-0.99), and predicted individual paternities 60%-100% of the time in each harem. Elevated relatedness values (R) within colony suggested some level of philopatry, though the low F(_ST), indicated female dispersal between SLI and EI. Females from SLI showed a general higher level of relatedness among each other than did males. However, the harem structuring did not lead to any detectable genetic substructure within the population. Genetic differentiation was found both within and among putative colonies of the Southern Ocean. The differentiation at mitochondrial markers was higher than at nuclear markers, pointing to a difference in the pattern of breeding dispersal between sexes. Despite the extensive mitochondrial variation (ɸ(_ST)= 0.5), genetic evidence of male mediated gene flow was also found between SLI and Macquarie Island (MQ), as an adult male on SLI showed the same haplotype as a seal belonging to the very well-defined MQ lineage. Given the pattern of genetic diversity and patterns of fidelity and dispersal in elephant seals, the most parsimonious interpretation is that the male travelled from MQ to SLI. He successfully reproduced in 1996 on SLI, fathering at least 18 offspring. His exceptional migration demonstrates that even populations separated by wide genetic and geographic distances can remain linked, and it is an example of the potential homogenising effect that dispersal and mating system can have on the genetic patterns of a population

Well-Being and Perceived Quality of Life in Elderly People Displaced After the Earthquake in L’Aquila, Italy

On 6 April 2009, the city of L’Aquila was hit by a violent earthquake that destroyed almost all of its medieval centre, and the surviving inhabitants were evacuated and relocated in temporary quarters or undamaged homes. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceived quality of life of the elderly population 3 years after the earthquake in relation to the social and logistic issues of new housing. The study was carried out between October 2011 and March 2012, and involved 571 subjects aged over 65 years living in the municipality of L’Aquila. The interviews took place in the surgeries of general practitioners and the city’s Department of Prevention and Vaccination in the anti-influenza immunisation period. The instrument used was a 36-item questionnaire with closed, multiple choice answers divided into the following sections: demographics, everyday activities, health and perceived health, and the quality of life in the city. The results show that, 3 years after the earthquake, the elderly population living in the new towns and temporary housing of L’Aquila have a worse perception of their quality of life than the others. They feel a certain social isolation and wish to live elsewhere. Governments faced with the problems arising from a natural calamity should take into account all of the elements making up a good quality of life and, before making choices whose impact cannot be changed, consider both their immediate and long-term social consequences

Sustainable New Brick and Thermo-Acoustic Insulation Panel from Mineralization of Stranded Driftwood Residues

There is considerable interest recently in by-products for application in green buildings. These materials are widely used as building envelope insulators or blocks. In this study, an experimental study was conducted to test stranded driftwood residues as raw material for possible thermo-acoustic insulation panel and environmentally sustainable brick. The thermal and acoustic characteristics of such a natural by-product were examined. Part of samples were mineralized by means of cement-based additive to reinforce the material and enhance its durability as well as fire resistance. Several mixtures with different sizes of ground wood chips and different quantities of cement were investigated. The thermo-acoustic in-lab characterization was aimed at investigating the thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, volumetric specific heat, and acoustic transmission loss. All samples were tested before and after mineralization. Results from this study indicate that it is possible to use stranded driftwood residues as building materials with competitive thermo-acoustic properties. In fact, the thermal conductivity was shown to be always around 0.07 W/mK in the unbound samples, and around double that value for the mineralized samples, which present a much higher volumetric specific heat (1.6 MJ/m3K) and transmission loss capability. The lignin powder showed a sort of intermediate behavior between the unbound and the mineralized samples.The authors would like to thank Gabriele Franceschetti and CVR s.r.l. for assisting the mineralization procedure of the samples. Anna Laura Pisello’s acknowledgments are due to the “CIRIAF program for UNESCO” in the framework of the UNESCO Chair “Water Resources Management and Culture”, for supporting her research. The research was founded by the Italian Environmental Ministry with an agreement entitled “Recovery and energy valorization of stranded driftwood residues” in 2014–2016. The research team leading to these results has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 657466 (INPATH–TES) and No. 678407 (ZERO-PLUS)

Post-graduate medical education in public health: The case of Italy and a call for action

Public health technical expertise is of crucial importance to inform decision makers\u2019 action in the field of health and its broader determinants. Improving education and training of public health professionals for both practice and research is the starting point to strengthen the role of public health so that current health challenges can be efficiently tackled. At the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER) Deans\u2019 & Directors\u2019 2017 Annual Retreat, we presented the structure and management of public health training system in Italy, and we reported recent data on Italian public health specialists\u2019 educational experience, employment opportunities and job satisfaction. Public health training in Italy is implemented in the context of the post-graduate medical education residency programme in Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, delivered by 34 University-based Schools of Public Health. We report relatively high employment rates across the county and wide spectrum of career opportunities for young public health specialists. However, job security is low and training expectations only partially met. We call upon other Schools of Public Health to scale up the survey within the broad ASPHER community in a shared and coordinated action of systematically collecting useful data that can inform the development of public health education and training models, their implementation and fruitful interaction with population health, health systems and services