Grape microsatellite markers: Sizing of DNA alleles and genotype analysis of some grapevine cultivars

Capillary electrophoresis fluorescence-based technology and fragment sizing software were applied in order to type grape cultivars at microsatellite loci described by THOMAS and SCOTT (1993) and BOWERs et al. (1996). Whereas the data set was closely consistent with already known genotypes for the same cultivars, estimates of allele length differed remarkably from those reported. The pedigree of the Riesling crosses Bacchus, Optima, Müller-Thurgau, Scheurebe, Ehrenfelser, Kerner, Rotberger, Rieslaner and Incrocio Manzoni 6.0.13 were investigated, and Mendelian inheritance of automatically sized alleles proved to be easily scorable. In addition, ancient cultivars of the vine-growing area of Trentino were characterized at microsatellite loci. Genotypes of Marzemino, Teroldego, Lagrein, Lambrusco a foglia frastagliata and Groppello gentile proved to share more than 50 % of alleles

Webserie e fansubbing: la nuova frontiera della traduzione audiovisiva

L'obiettivo di questo elaborato è quello di compiere una ricerca sul fenomeno webseriale, che da pochi anni ha preso piede su internet e che con il suo carattere sperimentale e innovativo sta riscuotendo sempre più successo, contribuendo a rivoluzionare il panorama televisivo internazionale. L'elaborato è strutturato in quattro capitoli. Nel primo, si introduce il genere della webserie, in particolare nel panorama italiano e spagnolo, e si descrivono le caratteristiche che accomunano questo tipo di produzioni, facendo un paragone con le serie televisive. Nel secondo capitolo viene messo a confronto il sottotitolaggio professionale con quello amatoriale: per quel che riguarda il primo, si accenna alla sua storia e si analizzano in modo approfondito le restrizioni a cui deve sottostare, così come le tecniche e le strategie che ne stanno alla base; rispetto al fansubbing, dopo averne presentato le origini e le principali caratteristiche, ci si concentra sul panorama italiano, descrivendo la metodologia di lavoro e l'approccio traduttivo delle due community più famose in Italia: ItaSA e Subsfactory. Il terzo capitolo è dedicato alla webserie Malviviendo, di cui si analizzano i sottotitoli forniti da ItaSA e i problemi di traduzione riscontrati, sia dal punto di vista linguistico-culturale che sul piano delle tecniche del sottotitolaggio. Nel quarto capitolo si presenta infine la webserie Qué vida más triste, e si introduce la mia proposta di sottotitolaggio del primo episodio andato in onda in televisione, descrivendo le strategie e le tecniche adottate per riuscire a preservare i tratti dell'oralità che lo contraddistinguono, e al tempo stesso i rimandi extralinguistici e intertestuali che lo radicano fortemente nella cultura spagnola, pur tuttavia rendendolo comprensibile al pubblico italiano

Leak Detection in a Real Transmission Main Through Transient Tests: Deeds and Misdeeds

AbstractThis paper concerns the use of Transient Test‐Based Techniques (TTBTs) for fault detection in a long transmission main. It reports the results of two series of transient tests executed in a real and operating pipe system. Because of the complexity of the investigated pipeline that includes several stubs, different pressure wave generators were used at both the end sections. Precisely, transients were caused by a pump shut‐down and the Portable Pressure Wave Maker device. The analysis of the results shows that, according to the characteristics of the transient tests and the investigated system, only a part of the system can be explored properly from a given generation point. The proposed test procedure allows overcoming the negative effect of a change in the initial and boundary conditions. In fact, contrary to laboratory, in a real system, it is quite impossible to repeat tests in the same flow conditions. The success of the survey—with two leaks detected with a good precision—confirms the potential of the TTBTs for fault detection in real systems

Iron deficiency from the standpoint of cardiac rehabilitation : Novel therapeutic opportunities

Anemia is one of the most frequent comorbidities found in patients with coronary artery disease and chronic heart failure (CHF) who are being followed in cardiac rehabilitation facilities. The more frequent type of anemia is that caused by iron deficiency (IDA, iron-deficiency anemia): this review summarizes the state of the art of this topic. First of all, the mechanisms of IDA will be analyzed. Subsequently, a description of the main conditions where IDA can unfavorably affect the clinical course, and of its more frequent complications, will be presented (percutaneous interventions, heart surgery, CHF). Special attention will be paid in the description of anemia in the setting of CHF. To this regard, in recent years a relevant amount of research has been carried out, to determine whether treating anemia (either by directly stimulating erythropoiesis or by correcting iron deficiency by oral or intravenous route) is of any clinical and prognostic relevance in patients with CHF. The results of this research will therefore be summarized and critically discussed. Finally, we will outline the n-commer promising role of cardiac rehabilitation facilities and of its network of experts in the diagnosis, prognostic stratification and treatment of anemia and iron deficiency. o

Secondary prevention advices after cardiovascular index event: From drug prescription to risk factors control in real world practice

The present study aims at evaluating the achievement of blood pressure, lipid and blood glucose targets, healthy lifestyle changes and appropriate drug prescription/adherence in patients attending secondary prevention/CR ambulatory visit after index cardiovascular event in a time period ranging 1 to 5 year. At ambulatory visit, a predetermined set of data collection was used, including demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle habits, type and time of index event, current symptoms, physical sign, biochemistry and current medical treatment (including type and dosage). Cardiovascular risk profile (smoking habits, physical activity and body weight), secondary prevention goals (LDL-cholesterol, blood pressure, resting heart rate, glycated haemoglobin level) and the use of recommended drugs were also evaluated and categorized. Study population consisted of 800 patients [644 men (84.5%), aged 69±10.9 years)]. Cardiovascular index events were coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) (20%) ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (28%), non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) (21%) and stable angina (13%) by unstable angina (13%) and stroke (5%). About 30% of patients was symptomatic (angina or dyspnoea) at the time of ambulatory visit. Major comorbidities were hypertension (73%), dyslipidaemia (64%) and diabetes (40%). More than 80% of patients achieved target levels for blood pressure. Patients that have participated to cardiac rehabilitation programmes after cardiovascular index event showed best achievement in blood pressure target (83.8% vs 76.8%, p=0.02). LDL-cholesterol target (<70 mg/dl) was achieved in about 2/3 of patients; HbA1c target (<7%) was achieved in 56.4% of diabetic population. About 75% of study cohort was treated with RAAS inhibitors, 85% with beta-blockers, 92% with statins and 87% with acetylsalicylic acid. All drugs were increasingly adopted from index event. Implementing secondary prevention guidelines into the 'real world' clinical practice in "late" interval from 1 to 5 years after a cardiovascular event improved risk factors control and appropriate drug prescription. Whether these improvements translated into prognostic advantages remains to be elucidated

Beneficial effects of combinatorial micronutrition on body fat and atherosclerosis in mice

AIMS: More than two billion people worldwide are deficient in key micronutrients. Single micronutrients have been used at high doses to prevent and treat dietary insufficiencies. Yet the impact of combinations of micronutrients in small doses aiming to improve lipid disorders and the corresponding metabolic pathways remains incompletely understood. Thus, we investigated whether a combination of micronutrients would reduce fat accumulation and atherosclerosis in mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Lipoprotein receptor-null mice fed with an original combination of micronutrients incorporated into the daily chow showed reduced weight gain, body fat, plasma triglycerides, and increased oxygen consumption. These effects were achieved through enhanced lipid utilization and reduced lipid accumulation in metabolic organs and were mediated, in part, by the nuclear receptor PPARα. Moreover, the micronutrients partially prevented atherogenesis when administered early in life to apolipoprotein E-null mice. When the micronutrient treatment was started before conception, the anti-atherosclerotic effect was stronger in the progeny. This finding correlated with decreased post-prandial triglyceridaemia and vascular inflammation, two major atherogenic factors. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate beneficial effects of a combination of micronutritients on body weight gain, hypertriglyceridaemia, liver steatosis, and atherosclerosis in mice, and thus our findings suggest a novel cost-effective combinatorial micronutrient-based strategy worthy of being tested in humans

Effect of sitagliptin on cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: Data are lacking on the long-term effect on cardiovascular events of adding sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, to usual care in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind study, we assigned 14,671 patients to add either sitagliptin or placebo to their existing therapy. Open-label use of antihyperglycemic therapy was encouraged as required, aimed at reaching individually appropriate glycemic targets in all patients. To determine whether sitagliptin was noninferior to placebo, we used a relative risk of 1.3 as the marginal upper boundary. The primary cardiovascular outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for unstable angina. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 3.0 years, there was a small difference in glycated hemoglobin levels (least-squares mean difference for sitagliptin vs. placebo, -0.29 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.32 to -0.27). Overall, the primary outcome occurred in 839 patients in the sitagliptin group (11.4%; 4.06 per 100 person-years) and 851 patients in the placebo group (11.6%; 4.17 per 100 person-years). Sitagliptin was noninferior to placebo for the primary composite cardiovascular outcome (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.09; P<0.001). Rates of hospitalization for heart failure did not differ between the two groups (hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.20; P = 0.98). There were no significant between-group differences in rates of acute pancreatitis (P = 0.07) or pancreatic cancer (P = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, adding sitagliptin to usual care did not appear to increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, hospitalization for heart failure, or other adverse events