Marche Polytechnic University

About: Marche Polytechnic University is a education organization based out in Ancona, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Prostate cancer. The organization has 5905 authors who have published 15769 publications receiving 382286 citations. The organization is also known as: Universitá Politecnica delle Marche & Universita Politecnica delle Marche.

Quantity and bioavailability of sediment organic matter as signatures of benthic trophic status

Abstract: Tools used for assessing marine trophic status are generally based on water column characteristics, which, however, may provide unreliable classification of the benthic trophic status. Here, we provide evidence from the literature that quantity and bioavailability of sediment organic matter are reliable proxies to assess benthic marine trophic status. We compiled data on the protein, carbohydrate and lipid concentration of sediments from different oceanic and coastal regions and varying water depths. The concentration of these 3 components as a whole (biopolymeric carbon) was found to be significantly correlated (r = 0.84) with the total organic carbon concentration, suggesting that the biopolymeric fraction is representative of the total organic carbon pool. However, the system- atic variation of the biopolymeric fraction was higher than that of total organic carbon concentrations, suggesting that biopolymeric carbon is a more sensitive proxy of benthic trophic status than is the total carbon pool. Furthermore, biopolymeric carbon was significantly correlated to the amount of phytopigments, indicating that biopolymeric carbon accumulation in the sediment is related to inputs of algal carbon. Biopolymeric carbon concentrations were also positively correlated to the sediment community oxygen consumption, suggesting that the progressive accumulation of biopolymeric car- bon could be an additional co-factor potentially responsible for hypoxic or anoxic events. The enzy- matically digestible and algal fractions of biopolymeric carbon decreased in sediments with increas- ing biopolymeric carbon content (i.e. eutrophic systems), suggesting that organic carbon in eutrophic sediments is mostly refractory in nature. We propose that a biopolymeric carbon concentration in the sediment of >2.5 mg C g -1 , being associated with a bioavailable fraction of <10%, can be considered as a threshold level at which benthic consumers may experience mostly refractory organic carbon.

A Common Polymorphism in the Mineralocorticoid Receptor Modulates Stress Responsiveness

Abstract: Context: Mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) mediate the action of aldosterone on sodium resorption in kidney tubular cells, but in brain they respond to the glucocorticoid cortisol in stress regulation and cognitive processes. Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the role of the MR gene variant I180V in the neuroendocrine response to a psychosocial stressor and in electrolyte regulation. Design: Associations between the MRI180V and outcome variables in a healthy cohort subjected to psychosocial challenge (Trier Social Stress Test) and in a mild hypertensive cohort exposed to acute salt loading (Weinberger’s test) were investigated. In vitro transactivational assays were applied to compare the effects of cortisol and aldosterone on the MRI180V. Results: Carriers of the MR180V allele showed higher saliva (P < 0.01), plasma cortisol (P < 0.01), and heart rate responses (P < 0.05) to the Trier Social Stress Test than noncarriers (MR180I). After 3 d of a normal salt diet and the Weinberger’s ...

Effect of Performance Improvement Programs on Compliance with Sepsis Bundles and Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Abstract: Background Several reports suggest that implementation of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) guidelines is associated with mortality reduction in sepsis. However, adherence to the guideline-based resuscitation and management sepsis bundles is still poor. Objective To perform a systematic review of studies evaluating the impact of performance improvement programs on compliance with Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) guideline-based bundles and/or mortality. Data Sources Medline (PubMed), Scopus and Intercollegiate Studies Institute Web of Knowledge databases from 2004 (first publication of the SSC guidelines) to October 2014. Study Selection Studies on adult patients with sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock that evaluated changes in compliance to individual/combined bundle targets and/or mortality following the implementation of performance improvement programs. Interventions may consist of educational programs, process changes or both. Data Extraction Data from the included studies were extracted independently by two authors. Unadjusted binary data were collected in order to calculate odds ratios (OR) for compliance to individual/combined bundle targets. Adjusted (if available) or unadjusted data of mortality were collected. Random-effects models were used for the data synthesis. Results Fifty observational studies were selected. Despite high inconsistency across studies, performance improvement programs were associated with increased compliance with the complete 6-hour bundle (OR = 4.12 [95% confidence interval 2.95-5.76], I2 = 87.72%, k = 25, N = 50,081) and the complete 24-hour bundle (OR = 2.57 [1.74-3.77], I2 = 85.22%, k = 11, N = 45,846) and with a reduction in mortality (OR = 0.66 [0.61-0.72], I2 = 87.93%, k = 48, N = 434,447). Funnel plots showed asymmetry. Conclusions Performance improvement programs are associated with increased adherence to resuscitation and management sepsis bundles and with reduced mortality in patients with sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock.