Impact of acute changes of left ventricular contractility on the transvalvular impedance: validation study by pressure-volume loop analysis in healthy pigs

BACKGROUND: The real-time and continuous assessment of left ventricular (LV) myocardial contractility through an implanted device is a clinically relevant goal. Transvalvular impedance (TVI) is an impedentiometric signal detected in the right cardiac chambers that changes during stroke volume fluctuations in patients. However, the relationship between TVI signals and LV contractility has not been proven. We investigated whether TVI signals predict changes of LV inotropic state during clinically relevant loading and inotropic conditions in swine normal heart. METHODS: The assessment of RVTVI signals was performed in anesthetized adult healthy anesthetized pigs (n = 6) instrumented for measurement of aortic and LV pressure, dP/dtmax and LV volumes. Myocardial contractility was assessed with the slope (Ees) of the LV end systolic pressure-volume relationship. Effective arterial elastance (Ea) and stroke work (SW) were determined from the LV pressure-volume loops. Pigs were studied at rest (baseline), after transient mechanical preload reduction and afterload increase, after 10-min of low dose dobutamine infusion (LDDS, 10 ug/kg/min, i.v), and esmolol administration (ESMO, bolus of 500 µg and continuous infusion of 100 µg·kg-1·min-1). RESULTS: We detected a significant relationship between ESTVI and dP/dtmax during LDDS and ESMO administration. In addition, the fluctuations of ESTVI were significantly related to changes of the Ees during afterload increase, LDDS and ESMO infusion. CONCLUSIONS: ESTVI signal detected in right cardiac chamber is significantly affected by acute changes in cardiac mechanical activity and is able to predict acute changes of LV inotropic state in normal heart

From Drosophila to Humans: MYC-Mediated Clone Competition as an Evolutionary Trait of Tumor Progression

Cell competition describes the result of a mechanism of fitness comparison undertaken by cells inhabiting the same tissue, that leads to the elimination of the weakest cells and, in the physiology, to the formation of a homogeneous organ. Over the years, many molecules have been identified that are involved in cell competition and among them MYC oncoprotein: from Drosophila to mammals, cell populations characterised by higher expression of MYC induce apoptotic death of the neighbours, allowing the fittest to acquire an advantage in space occupancy. My work defined the presence of markers of MYC-mediated cell competition in primary and secondary human carcinomas and demonstrated through experiments in human cancer cell lines that MYC modulation is per se sufficient to induce competitive behaviours in both genetically distant and identical cells. Noteworthy, MYC under-regulation in the fittest cell line is sufficient to undermine its competitive status, suggesting a role for MYC-mediated cell competition in the selective growth of tumour clones and, as a consequence, in cancer evolution. In addition, I was able to demonstrate a functional cooperation between MYC and p53 in this phenomenon. The data obtained in the Drosophila model, where MYC over-expressing and MYC knock-down clones have been induced within a growing tumour, suggest that MYC-mediated cell competition is normally at work in these malignant cells, and it shapes cancer evolution through the elimination of the less fit cells (with lower levels of MYC) and the expansion of the most performant ones (with higher levels of MYC), demonstrating an evolutionary role played in defining the composition and the size of the final mass

Ascomycetes versus Spent Mushroom Substrate in Mycoremediation of Dredged Sediments Contaminated by Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons: The Involvement of the Bacterial Metabolism

Two mycoremediation approaches for the depletion of the total petroleum hydrocarbons in dredged sediments were compared: co-composting with spent mushroom substrate (SMS) from Pleurotus ostreatus and bioaugmentation with Lambertella sp. MUT 5852, an ascomycetes autochthonous to the sediment, capable of utilizing diesel oil its sole carbon source. After 28 days of incubation, 99% depletion was observed in presence of Lambertella sp. MUT 5852. No total petroleum hydrocarbon depletion was observed in sediment co-composting with the SMS after 60 days of incubation. 16S rDNA metabarcoding of the bacterial community was performed to evaluate the potential synergism between fungi and bacteria in the bioremediation process. The functional metagenomic prediction approach indicated that the biodiversity of the bacterial genera potentially involved in the degradation of TPH was higher in sediment bioaugmented with Lambertella sp. MUT 5852, which resulted in being mandatory for TPH depletion. Mechanisms of co-substrate inhibition of the hydrocarburoclastic bacterial species, due to the bioavailable organic matter of the SMS, are suggested to be involved in the observed kinetics of TPH depletion, failing in the case of SMS and successful in the case of Lambertella sp. MUT 5852

Digital affinitiy and cognitive reserve: Salience for resilient aging in pandemic

Objective: The study aimed to analyze the impact of technology in the older adults after acute pandemic regarding to the development of digital confidence. Method: A sample of n. 56 healthy older adults (N = 22 female, N = 34 male) aged 64 to 86 years (M = 73.7, SD = 6.40) participated in observational study. The sample was distributed in two groups: (a) pre-COVID and (b) post-COVID. Psychological battery was applied: Mini-Mental State Examination, Cognitive Reserve Index Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Affinity for Technology Interaction Scale, and then Digital Mastery Questionnaire. Descriptive and (M)ANOVA statistical analyses have been applied. Results: Our results confirmed the increase in technology usage among elders, the higher use of smart devices and then more confident digital daily living; then, the improving of digital affinity for technology and higher adherence in seniors than older. In sex effect, men seemed developing higher digital confidence for digital experience, for access and use of financial online services than women. In the process of improvement by massive digital experience in daily living the cognitive reserve had relevant influence: elders with high level of cognitive reserve appeared to enhance own competence in digital mastery and affinity for technology. Conclusions: Our study highlighted the higher cognitive reserve being protective in older adults favoring the efficacy to the changing in daily living as well the develop of adaptive behaviors in order to achieve high Quality of Life

L’Astrotombola. Come scoprire l’Universo giocando

Nel 2013, in occasione della Notte Europea dei Ricercatori, gli astronomi dell’INAF - Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova hanno reinterpretato il classico gioco della tombola in chiave astronomica. Infatti, ai classici 90 numeri, ridotti a 50 in questa versione, sono state associate bellissime immagini astronomiche di stelle, pianeti, galassie oltre ai più importanti telescopi del globo. Il tutto è stato possibile grazie alla realizzazione di un software ad hoc, che ha permesso non solo di produrre diversi modelli sia del tabellone che delle cartella da gioco ma anche di personalizzarli a seconda delle esigenze e delle tematiche affrontate (astronomia, astrobiologia ecc..). Questo, semplice e divertente gioco tradizionale, rivolto principalmente a bambini e bambine dai 6 ai 12 anni, si pone come obiettivo quello di far crescere nei ragazzi una maggiore consapevolezza dell'importanza dello sviluppo scientifico per la società, facendo leva principalmente sul fascino dell’astronomia. Dalla sua realizzazione l’astrotombola, è stata utilizzata in diverse manifestazioni sia a livello locale (Notte dei Ricercatori, sperimentando, Asiago da Fabia, ecc) che a livello internazionale (BEACON Conference) riscuotendo sempre grandissimo successo

A nonlinear complementary filter for underwater navigation using inertial measurements

This paper describes a nonlinear complementary filter capable of estimating the course motion variables namely the position, velocity, heading and accelerometers bias of an agile, over-actuated AUV during underwater operations, using the inertial sensors (IMU), the DVL, the depth sensor and the compass. The proposed work is within the framework of the V-Fides project, co-funded by Tuscany Region (Italy) and developed by a team lead by WASS S.p.A. (Whitehead Sistemi Subacquei, Livorno). The aim of the project was to develop and evaluate an high-depth, over-actuated, long endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). The paper proposes the mathematical development of the observer, together with some experimental results, able to demonstrate the capabilities of the estimation scheme, compared with the estimations obtained via a standard Kalman Filter

Commercial hemp seed oils: a multimethodological characterization

Nine commercial hemp seed oils from different countries were studied using a multimethodological approach to obtain information about their quality and chemical composition. Due to the lack of a specific regulation for hemp seed oils, quality parameters used in the case of olive oils (free acidity, peroxides number, spectrophotometer parameters) and anisidine number were measured and compared with those reported for extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Free acidity and peroxides number showed a great variability, ranging from 0.4 to 17.24% and from 4.32 to 22.14 meqO2/kg, respectively, whereas the anisidine number ranged from 0.11 to 3.58. K232 value turned out to be generally below the limit reported for EVOO, whereas K270 and ΔK values were higher, with respect to EVOO limits, due to the high amount of tri-unsaturated fatty chains. Colorimetric analysis showed a peculiar curve trend that could represent the fingerprint of this product. Untargeted nuclear magnetic resonance methodology allowed to measure the amount of fatty chains, ω-6:ω-3 ratio, β-sitosterol, and aldehydes. The ω-6:ω-3 ratio turned out to be, in some cases, different from that reported on the bottle labels. Finally, lipoperoxidation assays were also carried out under different storage (light and temperature) and time exposure conditions, confirming that the exposure to direct light is the condition that interferes more with the product quality

Feeding Enrichment in a Captive Pack of European Wolves (Canis Lupus Lupus): Assessing the Effects on Welfare and on a Zoo's Recreational, Educational and Conservational Role

This study investigated the effects of two feeding enrichment programs on the behaviour of a captive pack of European wolves (Canis lupus lupus) and their correlation with both zoo visitors' interest towards the exhibit and their overall perception of the species. Behavioural data (exploration, stereotypies, social interactions, activity/inactivity rates) were collected on four male wolves during four two-week long phases: initial control, hidden food, novel object, final control. Three observation sessions were performed daily: before, during and after feeding. Number of visitors and their permanence in front of the exhibit were recorded. After watching the wolves, visitors were asked to fill out a brief questionnaire in order to investigate their perception of captive wolf welfare, as well as their attitude towards wolf conservation issues. Despite the high inter-individual variability in their behavioural response, all wolves seemed to benefit from feeding enrichment. With regard to visitors, interest in the exhibit increased when enrichment was provided. Visitors' perception of the level of welfare of wolves improved if they attended a feeding session, especially during the novel object phase. Visitors' attitude towards wolf conservation issues also improved during feeding sessions, regardless of enrichment provision

Protective Effects of Wild Sulla coronaria (Fabaceae) Flowers Phytocomplex in Human Dermal Fibroblasts Stimulated with Interleukin-1β

Sulla coronaria is indigenous to the Mediterranean region. It is grown as fodder in southern Italy because it contains various secondary metabolites with beneficial activities on animals. Recently, its potential use in cosmeceutical treatments for skin problems was reported. In this scenario, to contribute to a possible cosmeceutical application, we characterized the phytochemical profile of Sulla coronaria flowers’ hydroalcoholic extract by HPLC-DAD, Folin-Ciocalteu, Aluminum Chloride methods, DPPH assay, and, for the first time, we evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities on dermal fibroblasts. The phytochemical analysis confirmed the significant content of phenolic compounds (TPC 69.8 ± 0.6 mg GAE/g extract, TFC 15.07 mg CE/g extract) and the remarkable presence of rutin, quercetin, and isorhamnetin derivatives that give to the phytocomplex a good antioxidant activity as highlighted by the DPPH assay (IC50 of 8.04 ± 0.5 μg/mL). Through the reduction in NO• and ROS levels in human dermal fibroblasts, the biological tests demonstrated both the safety of the extract and its ability to counteract the inflammatory state generated by Interleukin- 1β exposure. Our findings indicate that the antioxidant activities of the phytocomplex are strictly related to the anti-inflammatory action of the Sulla coronaria flowers extract, confirming that this plant could be a valuable source of bioactive molecules for cosmeceutical and nutraceutical applications