Showing papers by "University of Naples Federico II published in 2018"
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TL;DR: Given the important role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of many clinical conditions and aging, antioxidant therapy could positively affect the natural history of several diseases, but further investigation is needed to evaluate the real efficacy of these therapeutic interventions.
Abstract: Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) are produced by several endogenous and exogenous processes, and their negative effects are neutralized by antioxidant defenses. Oxidative stress occurs from the imbalance between RONS production and these antioxidant defenses. Aging is a process characterized by the progressive loss of tissue and organ function. The oxidative stress theory of aging is based on the hypothesis that age-associated functional losses are due to the accumulation of RONS-induced damages. At the same time, oxidative stress is involved in several age-related conditions (ie, cardiovascular diseases [CVDs], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer), including sarcopenia and frailty. Different types of oxidative stress biomarkers have been identified and may provide important information about the efficacy of the treatment, guiding the selection of the most effective drugs/dose regimens for patients and, if particularly relevant from a pathophysiological point of view, acting on a specific therapeutic target. Given the important role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of many clinical conditions and aging, antioxidant therapy could positively affect the natural history of several diseases, but further investigation is needed to evaluate the real efficacy of these therapeutic interventions. The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of literature on this complex topic of ever increasing interest.
2,101 citations
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TL;DR: This analysis expands upon previous analyses by working under the hypothesis that both bodies were neutron stars that are described by the same equation of state and have spins within the range observed in Galactic binary neutron stars.
Abstract: On 17 August 2017, the LIGO and Virgo observatories made the first direct detection of gravitational waves from the coalescence of a neutron star binary system. The detection of this gravitational-wave signal, GW170817, offers a novel opportunity to directly probe the properties of matter at the extreme conditions found in the interior of these stars. The initial, minimal-assumption analysis of the LIGO and Virgo data placed constraints on the tidal effects of the coalescing bodies, which were then translated to constraints on neutron star radii. Here, we expand upon previous analyses by working under the hypothesis that both bodies were neutron stars that are described by the same equation of state and have spins within the range observed in Galactic binary neutron stars. Our analysis employs two methods: the use of equation-of-state-insensitive relations between various macroscopic properties of the neutron stars and the use of an efficient parametrization of the defining function pðρÞ of the equation of state itself. From the LIGO and Virgo data alone and the first method, we measure the two neutron star radii as R1 ¼ 10.8 þ2.0 −1.7 km for the heavier star and R2 ¼ 10.7 þ2.1 −1.5 km for the lighter star at the 90% credible level. If we additionally require that the equation of state supports neutron stars with masses larger than 1.97 M⊙ as required from electromagnetic observations and employ the equation-of-state parametrization, we further constrain R1 ¼ 11.9 þ1.4 −1.4 km and R2 ¼ 11.9 þ1.4 −1.4 km at the 90% credible level. Finally, we obtain constraints on pðρÞ at supranuclear densities, with pressure at twice nuclear saturation density measured at 3.5 þ2.7 −1.7 × 1034 dyn cm−2 at the 90% level.
1,595 citations
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24 Sep 20181,282 citations
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King's College London1, University of Nottingham2, University of Naples Federico II3, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland4, Swansea University5, University of Calgary6, Scripps Research Institute7, University of Melbourne8, University of California, San Diego9, Nanjing Medical University10, University of Liverpool11, La Trobe University12, University College London13, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais14, University of Bath15, Queen Mary University of London16
TL;DR: The guidelines have been simplified for ease of understanding by authors, to make it more straightforward for peer reviewers to check compliance and to facilitate the curation of the journal's efforts to improve standards.
Abstract: This article updates the guidance published in 2015 for authors submitting papers to British Journal of Pharmacology (Curtis et al., 2015) and is intended to provide the rubric for peer review. Thus, it is directed towards authors, reviewers and editors. Explanations for many of the requirements were outlined previously and are not restated here. The new guidelines are intended to replace those published previously. The guidelines have been simplified for ease of understanding by authors, to make it more straightforward for peer reviewers to check compliance and to facilitate the curation of the journal's efforts to improve standards.
1,070 citations
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Princess Margaret Cancer Centre1, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute2, University of Cambridge3, University of Toronto4, Weizmann Institute of Science5, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research6, International Agency for Research on Cancer7, European Bioinformatics Institute8, University Health Network9, University of East Anglia10, Norwich University11, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens12, University of Milan13, University of Granada14, Cancer Epidemiology Unit15, Prevention Institute16, University of Naples Federico II17, German Cancer Research Center18, Imperial College London19, Utrecht University20, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center21
TL;DR: Deep sequencing is used to analyse genes that are recurrently mutated in AML to distinguish between individuals who have a high risk of developing AML and those with benign ARCH, providing proof-of-concept that it is possible to discriminate ARCH from pre-AML many years before malignant transformation.
Abstract: The incidence of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) increases with age and mortality exceeds 90% when diagnosed after age 65. Most cases arise without any detectable early symptoms and patients usually present with the acute complications of bone marrow failure1. The onset of such de novo AML cases is typically preceded by the accumulation of somatic mutations in preleukaemic haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) that undergo clonal expansion2,3. However, recurrent AML mutations also accumulate in HSPCs during ageing of healthy individuals who do not develop AML, a phenomenon referred to as age-related clonal haematopoiesis (ARCH)4–8. Here we use deep sequencing to analyse genes that are recurrently mutated in AML to distinguish between individuals who have a high risk of developing AML and those with benign ARCH. We analysed peripheral blood cells from 95 individuals that were obtained on average 6.3 years before AML diagnosis (pre-AML group), together with 414 unselected age- and gender-matched individuals (control group). Pre-AML cases were distinct from controls and had more mutations per sample, higher variant allele frequencies, indicating greater clonal expansion, and showed enrichment of mutations in specific genes. Genetic parameters were used to derive a model that accurately predicted AML-free survival; this model was validated in an independent cohort of 29 pre-AML cases and 262 controls. Because AML is rare, we also developed an AML predictive model using a large electronic health record database that identified individuals at greater risk. Collectively our findings provide proof-of-concept that it is possible to discriminate ARCH from pre-AML many years before malignant transformation. This could in future enable earlier detection and monitoring, and may help to inform intervention.
567 citations
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University of Camerino1, University of Pisa2, University of Pavia3, University of Cagliari4, University of Genoa5, University of Calabria6, University of Turin7, University of Florence8, Sapienza University of Rome9, University of Palermo10, National Museum of Natural History11, University of Trieste12, University of Naples Federico II13, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli14, University of Perugia15
TL;DR: An updated inventory of the vascular flora alien to Italy, providing details on the occurrence at regional level, is presented in this paper, which includes 1597 species, subspecies, and hybrids, distributed in 725 genera and 152 families; 2 taxa are lycophytes, 11 ferns and fern allies, 33 gymnosperms and 1551 angiosperms.
Abstract: An updated inventory of the vascular flora alien to Italy, providing details on the occurrence at regional level, is presented. The checklist includes 1597 species, subspecies, and hybrids, distributed in 725 genera and 152 families; 2 taxa are lycophytes, 11 ferns and fern allies, 33 gymnosperms, and 1551 angiosperms. 157 taxa are archaeophytes and 1440 neophytes. The alien taxa currently established in Italy are 791 (570 naturalized and 221 invasive), while 705 taxa are casual aliens, 4 are not assessed, 7 are of unknown regional distribution, 47 have not been confirmed in recent times, 3 are considered extinct or possibly extinct in the country, and 40 are doubtfully occurring in Italy. This checklist allows to establish an up-to-date number (9792) of taxa constituting the whole (native and alien) Italian flora.
492 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the discriminating variables and the algorithms used for heavy-flavour jet identification during the first years of operation of the CMS experiment in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, are presented.
Abstract: Many measurements and searches for physics beyond the standard model at the LHC rely on the efficient identification of heavy-flavour jets, i.e. jets originating from bottom or charm quarks. In this paper, the discriminating variables and the algorithms used for heavy-flavour jet identification during the first years of operation of the CMS experiment in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, are presented. Heavy-flavour jet identification algorithms have been improved compared to those used previously at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. For jets with transverse momenta in the range expected in simulated events, these new developments result in an efficiency of 68% for the correct identification of a b jet for a probability of 1% of misidentifying a light-flavour jet. The improvement in relative efficiency at this misidentification probability is about 15%, compared to previous CMS algorithms. In addition, for the first time algorithms have been developed to identify jets containing two b hadrons in Lorentz-boosted event topologies, as well as to tag c jets. The large data sample recorded in 2016 at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV has also allowed the development of new methods to measure the efficiency and misidentification probability of heavy-flavour jet identification algorithms. The b jet identification efficiency is measured with a precision of a few per cent at moderate jet transverse momenta (between 30 and 300 GeV) and about 5% at the highest jet transverse momenta (between 500 and 1000 GeV).
454 citations
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21 Feb 2018TL;DR: This letter tries to collect the results reached by the research community so far within the field of aerial manipulation, especially from the technological and control point of view.
Abstract: Aerial manipulation aims at combining the versatility and the agility of some aerial platforms with the manipulation capabilities of robotic arms. This letter tries to collect the results reached by the research community so far within the field of aerial manipulation, especially from the technological and control point of view. A brief literature review of general aerial robotics and space manipulation is carried out as well.
339 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, the observed significance is 5.8 standard deviations, compared to an expectation of 4.9 standard deviations and the observed (expected) significance is 6.3 (5.1) standard deviations.
306 citations
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TL;DR: In this article, an epoxy matrix composite reinforced with woven hemp was studied and mechanical test results showed that silane treatment of hemp fibers improved both tensile and flexural properties of the composites, although no high values were obtained.
Abstract: Natural Fibers Reinforced Composites (NFRC) are finding much interest as a substitute for glass or carbon reinforced polymer composites, like for instance automobile interior linings (roof, rear wall, side panel lining), shipping pallets, construction products (i.e. composite roof tiles), furniture and household products (i.e. storage containers, window and picture frames as well as food service trays, toys and flower pots) as well as fan houses and blades. However, a notable disadvantage of lignocellulosic fibers as reinforcements is their polarity which makes it incompatible with hydrophobic thermoplastic matrix. This incompatibility results in poor interfacial bonding between the fibers and the matrix. This in turn leads to impaired mechanical properties of the composites. This defect can be remedied by chemical modification of fibers so as to make it less hydrophilic. In this paper experiments have been performed to further the development of natural fiber reinforced composites. Untreated and treated surfaces of hemp fibers were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Fiber-matrix adhesion was promoted by fiber surface modifications using an alkaline treatment and (3-Glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane coupling agent. The mechanical behaviour of epoxy matrix composite reinforced with woven hemp was studied and mechanical test results show that silane treatment of hemp fibers improves, both tensile and flexural properties of the composites, although no high values are obtained.
297 citations
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University of Bologna1, Sapienza University of Rome2, University of Padua3, University of Turin4, University of Catania5, Academy for Urban School Leadership6, University of Florence7, University of Palermo8, University of Naples Federico II9, University of Udine10, The Catholic University of America11, University of Rome Tor Vergata12, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli13, University of Bari14, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart15, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico16
TL;DR: Long-term HA administration prolongs overall survival and might act as a disease modifying treatment in patients with decompensated cirrhosis in this trial.
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TL;DR: How GPBAR1 and FXR modulate the intestinal and liver innate immune system and contribute to the maintenance of a tolerogenic phenotype in entero-hepatic tissues is reviewed and how regulation of innate immunity might help to explain beneficial effects exerted by GPB BAR1 andFXR ligands in immune and metabolic disorders is reviewed.
Abstract: Once known exclusively for their role in nutrients absorption, primary bile acids, chenodeoxycholic and cholic acid, and secondary bile acids, deoxycholic and lithocholic acid, are signaling molecules, generated from cholesterol breakdown by the interaction of the host and intestinal microbiota, acting on several receptors including the G protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1 or Takeda G-protein receptor 5) and the Farnesoid-X-Receptor (FXR). Both receptors are placed at the interface of the host immune system with the intestinal microbiota and are highly represented in cells of innate immunity such as intestinal and liver macrophages, dendritic cells and natural killer T cells. Here, we review how GPBAR1 and FXR modulate the intestinal and liver innate immune system and contribute to the maintenance of a tolerogenic phenotype in entero-hepatic tissues, and how regulation of innate immunity might help to explain beneficial effects exerted by GPBAR1 and FXR ligands in immune and metabolic disorders.
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10 Apr 2018TL;DR: In this paper, the performance of several image forgery detectors against image-to-image translation, both in ideal conditions, and in the presence of compression, was studied. But only the latter keep providing a high accuracy, up to 89%, on compressed data.
Abstract: The diffusion of fake images and videos on social networks is a fast growing problem. Commercial media editing tools allow anyone to remove, add, or clone people and objects, to generate fake images. Many techniques have been proposed to detect such conventional fakes, but new attacks emerge by the day. Image-to-image translation, based on generative adversarial networks (GANs), appears as one of the most dangerous, as it allows one to modify context and semantics of images in a very realistic way. In this paper, we study the performance of several image forgery detectors against image-to-image translation, both in ideal conditions, and in the presence of compression, routinely performed upon uploading on social networks. The study, carried out on a dataset of 36302 images, shows that detection accuracies up to 95% can be achieved by both conventional and deep learning detectors, but only the latter keep providing a high accuracy, up to 89%, on compressed data.
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TL;DR: A bioinformatic analysis based on interaction network and miRNA predictions is performed to identify a panel of genes/proteins/miRNAs that can be used as targets in further studies for evaluating the effects of the damages induced by AFB1 and AFM1 and their capacity to induce cancer initiation.
Abstract: Aflatoxins are fungal metabolites found in feeds and foods. When the ruminants eat feedstuffs containing Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), this toxin is metabolized and Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is excreted in milk. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified AFB1 and AFM1 as human carcinogens belonging to Group 1 and Group 2B, respectively, with the formation of DNA adducts. In the last years, some epidemiological studies were conducted on cancer patients aimed to evaluate the effects of AFB1 and AFM1 exposure on cancer cells in order to verify the correlation between toxin exposure and cancer cell proliferation and invasion. In this review, we summarize the activation pathways of AFB1 and AFM1 and the data already reported in literature about their correlation with cancer development and progression. Moreover, considering that few data are still reported about what genes/proteins/miRNAs can be used as damage markers due to AFB1 and AFM1 exposure, we performed a bioinformatic analysis based on interaction network and miRNA predictions to identify a panel of genes/proteins/miRNAs that can be used as targets in further studies for evaluating the effects of the damages induced by AFB1 and AFM1 and their capacity to induce cancer initiation.
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Imperial College London1, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland2, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven3, University of Padua4, University of Chicago5, Northwestern University6, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill7, University of São Paulo8, Temple University9, Oregon Health & Science University10, Stanford University11, State University of Campinas12, The Catholic University of America13, Brigham and Women's Hospital14, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul15, Washington University in St. Louis16, Federal University of São Paulo17, University of Adelaide18, Allegheny Health Network19, Mayo Clinic20, Medical College of Wisconsin21, Central South University22, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine23, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico24, University of Naples Federico II25, University of Buenos Aires26, Queen Mary University of London27, University of Washington28, Utrecht University29, Flinders University30, University of Bordeaux31, Virginia Mason Medical Center32
TL;DR: These guidelines deal specifically with the following achalasia issues: Diagnostic workup, Definition of the disease, Severity of presentation, Medical treatment, Botulinum Toxin injection, Pneumatic dilatation, POEM, Other endoscopic treatments, Laparoscopic myotomy, definition of recurrence, Follow up and risk of cancer.
Abstract: Achalasia is a relatively rare primary motor esophageal disorder, characterized by absence of relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter and of peristalsis along the esophageal body As a result, patients typically present with dysphagia, regurgitation and occasionally chest pain, pulmonary complication and malnutrition New diagnostic methodologies and therapeutic techniques have been recently added to the armamentarium for treating achalasia With the aim to offer clinicians and patients an up-to-date framework for making informed decisions on the management of this disease, the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus Guidelines proposed and endorsed the Esophageal Achalasia Guidelines (I-GOAL) The guidelines were prepared according the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE-REX) tool, accredited for guideline production by NICE UK A systematic literature search was performed and the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations were graded according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Given the relative rarity of this disease and the paucity of high-level evidence in the literature, this process was integrated with a three-step process of anonymous voting on each statement (DELPHI) Only statements with an approval rate >80% were accepted in the guidelines Fifty-one experts from 11 countries and 3 representatives from patient support associations participated to the preparations of the guidelines These guidelines deal specifically with the following achalasia issues: Diagnostic workup, Definition of the disease, Severity of presentation, Medical treatment, Botulinum Toxin injection, Pneumatic dilatation, POEM, Other endoscopic treatments, Laparoscopic myotomy, Definition of recurrence, Follow up and risk of cancer, Management of end stage achalasia, Treatment options for failure, Achalasia in children, Achalasia secondary to Chagas' disease
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present an ambitious review that describes all the main advances that have taken place since the beginning of the 21st century in the field of progressive collapse and robustness of buildings.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the properties of the Higgs boson were measured in the two-photon final state using 36.1 fb-1 of proton? proton collision data recorded at ffiffi √s = 13 TeV by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider.
Abstract: Properties of the Higgs boson are measured in the two-photon final state using 36.1 fb-1 of proton? proton collision data recorded at ffiffi √s = 13 TeV by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. Cross-section measurements for the production of a Higgs boson through gluon-gluon fusion, vectorboson fusion, and in association with a vector boson or a top-quark pair are reported. The signal strength, defined as the ratio of the observed to the expected signal yield, is measured for each of these production processes as well as inclusively. The global signal strength measurement of 0.99 ± 0.14 improves on the precision of the ATLAS measurement at √s = 7 and 8 TeV by a factor of two. Measurements of gluon-gluon fusion and vector-boson fusion productions yield signal strengths compatible with the Standard Model prediction. Measurements of simplified template cross sections, designed to quantify the different Higgs boson production processes in specific regions of phase space, are reported. The cross section for the production of the Higgs boson decaying to two isolated photons in a fiducial region closely matching the experimental selection of the photons is measured to be 55 ± 10 fb, which is in good agreement with the Standard Model prediction of 64 ± 2 fb. Furthermore, cross sections in fiducial regions enriched in Higgs boson production in vector-boson fusion or in association with large missing transverse momentum, leptons or top-quark pairs are reported. Differential and double-differential measurements are performed for several variables related to the diphoton kinematics as well as the kinematics and multiplicity of the jets produced in association with a Higgs boson. These differential cross sections are sensitive to higher order QCD corrections and properties of the Higgs boson, such as its spin and CP quantum numbers. No significant deviations from a wide array of Standard Model predictions are observed. Finally, the strength and tensor structure of the Higgs boson interactions are investigated using an effective Lagrangian, which introduces additional CP-even and CP-odd interactions. No significant new physics contributions are observed.
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TL;DR: In this paper, a new analysis of the data set from the Pierre Auger Observatory provides evidence for anisotropy in the arrival directions of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays on an intermediate angular scale, which is indicative of excess arrivals from strong, nearby sources.
Abstract: A new analysis of the data set from the Pierre Auger Observatory provides evidence for anisotropy in the arrival directions of ultra-high-energy cosmic rays on an intermediate angular scale, which is indicative of excess arrivals from strong, nearby sources. The data consist of 5514 events above 20 EeV with zenith angles up to 80 recorded before 2017 April 30. Sky models have been created for two distinct populations of extragalactic gamma-ray emitters: active galactic nuclei from the second catalog of hard Fermi-LAT sources (2FHL) and starburst galaxies from a sample that was examined with Fermi-LAT. Flux-limited samples, which include all types of galaxies from the Swift-BAT and 2MASS surveys, have been investigated for comparison. The sky model of cosmic-ray density constructed using each catalog has two free parameters, the fraction of events correlating with astrophysical objects, and an angular scale characterizing the clustering of cosmic rays around extragalactic sources. A maximum-likelihood ratio test is used to evaluate the best values of these parameters and to quantify the strength of each model by contrast with isotropy. It is found that the starburst model fits the data better than the hypothesis of isotropy with a statistical significance of 4.0σ, the highest value of the test statistic being for energies above 39 EeV. The three alternative models are favored against isotropy with 2.7σ-3.2σ significance. The origin of the indicated deviation from isotropy is examined and prospects for more sensitive future studies are discussed.
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TL;DR: Overall, literature data suggest that, despite encouraging preclinical data, further well‐designed randomized clinical trials are needed to fully substantiate the real value of MT preparations in liver diseases.
Abstract: Milk thistle (MT; Silybum marianum), a member of the Asteraceae family, is a therapeutic herb with a 2,000-year history of use. MT fruits contain a mixture of flavonolignans collectively known as silymarin, being silybin (also named silibinin) the main component. This article reviews the chemistry of MT, the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability, the pharmacologically relevant actions for liver diseases (e.g., anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, antifibrotic, antioxidant, and liver-regenerating properties) as well as the clinical potential in patients with alcoholic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury, and mushroom poisoning. Overall, literature data suggest that, despite encouraging preclinical data, further well-designed randomized clinical trials are needed to fully substantiate the real value of MT preparations in liver diseases.
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TL;DR: It is found that VLL-28 binds to the surface of planktonic cells, which suggests that it could exert its antifungal activity by damaging the cell wall, and points to archaeal microorganisms as a possible reservoir of novel antIFungal agents.
Abstract: Candida species cause cutaneous and systemic infections with a high mortality rate, especially in immunocompromised patients. The emergence of resistance to the most common antifungal drugs, also due to biofilm formation, requires the development of alternative antifungal agents. The antimicrobial peptide VLL-28, isolated from an archaeal transcription factor, shows comparable antifungal activity against 10 clinical isolates of Candida spp. Using a fluoresceinated derivative of this peptide, we found that VLL-28 binds to the surface of planktonic cells. This observation suggested that it could exert its antifungal activity by damaging the cell wall. In addition, analyses performed on biofilms via confocal microscopy revealed that VLL-28 is differentially active on all the strains tested, with C. albicans and C. parapsilosis being the most sensitive ones. Notably, VLL-28 is the first example of an archaeal antimicrobial peptide that is active towards Candida spp. Thus, this points to archaeal microorganisms as a possible reservoir of novel antifungal agents.
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TL;DR: This paper provides a systematic overview of a number of digital fabrication techniques using reinforced concrete that have been developed so far, proposing a possible organization by structural principle, or place in the manufacturing process.
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TL;DR: There is a lack of clear information and, often, the claimed health benefits may not be properly substantiated by safety and efficacy information or in vitro and in vivo data, which can induce false expectations and miss the target for a product to be effective, as claimed.
Abstract: Currently, nutraceuticals do not have a specific definition distinct from those of other food-derived categories, such as food supplements, herbal products, pre- and probiotics, functional foods, and fortified foods. Many studies have led to an understanding of the potential mechanisms of action of pharmaceutically active components contained in food that may improve health and reduce the risk of pathological conditions while enhancing overall well-being. Nevertheless, there is a lack of clear information and, often, the claimed health benefits may not be properly substantiated by safety and efficacy information or in vitro and in vivo data, which can induce false expectations and miss the target for a product to be effective, as claimed. An officially shared and accepted definition of nutraceuticals is still missing, as nutraceuticals are mostly referred to as pharma-foods, a powerful toolbox to be used beyond the diet but before the drugs to prevent and treat pathological conditions, such as in subjects who may not yet be eligible for conventional pharmaceutical therapy. Hence, it is of utmost importance to have a proper and unequivocal definition of nutraceuticals and shared regulations. It also seems wise to assess the safety, mechanism of action and efficacy of nutraceuticals with clinical data. A growing demand exists for nutraceuticals, which seem to reside in the grey area between pharmaceuticals and food. Nonetheless, given specific legislation from different countries, nutraceuticals are experiencing challenges with safety and health claim substantiation.
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TL;DR: The review identifies several perspectives for future research between the scientific community and private industry to design and develop a second generation of PBs products (biostimulant 2.0) with specific biostimulatory action to render agriculture more sustainable and resilient.
Abstract: Over the past ten years, interest in plant biostimulants (PBs) has been on the rise compelled by the growing interest of scientists, extension specialists, private industry and growers in integrating these products in the array of environmentally-friendly tools that secure improved crop performance and yield stability. Based on the new EU regulation PBs are defined through claimed agronomic effects, such as improvement of nutrient use efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stressors and crop quality. This definition entails diverse organic and inorganic substances and/or microorganisms such as humic acids, protein hydrolysates, seaweed extracts, mycorrhizal fungi and N-fixing bacteria. The current mini-review provides an overview of the direct (stimulatory on C and N metabolism) and indirect (enhancing nutrient uptake and modulating root morphology) mechanisms by which microbial and non-microbial PBs improve nutrient efficiency, plant performance and physiological status, resilience to environmental stressors and stimulate plant microbiomes. The scientific advances underlying synergistic and additive effects of microbial and non-microbial PBs are compiled and discussed for the first time. The review identifies several perspectives for future research between the scientific community and private industry to design and develop a second generation of PBs products (biostimulant 2.0) with specific biostimulatory action to render agriculture more sustainable and resilient.
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TL;DR: This paper reports on the material characterization and fabrication steps of a straight 3.00 m long RC beam together with the results of a full-scale three-point bending test performed on it and a demonstration of the potentialities of this approach.
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TL;DR: The most common applications in the food industry include cell destruction and extraction of intracellular material and ultrasound is used for the activation or deactivation of enzymes, mixing and homogenization, emulsification, dispersion, preservation, stabilization, dissolution and crystallization, hydrogenation, tenderization of meat, ripening, ageing and oxidation.
Abstract: Ultrasound is composed of mechanical sound waves that originate from molecular movements that oscillate in a propagation medium. The waves have a very high frequency, equal to approximately 20 kHz, are divided into two categories (i.e., low-intensity and high-intensity waves) and cannot be perceived by the human ear. Nature has created the first ultrasound applications. Bats use ultrasound to navigate in the dark, and many cetaceans use echolocation to detect prey or obstacles using ultrasound produced by their vocal system. Ultrasound is commonly associated with the biomedical field. Today, ultrasound-based methods and equipment are available to detect organs, motion, tumour masses, and pre/post-natal handicaps, and for kidney stone removal, physiotherapy, and aesthetic cures. However, ultrasound has found multiple applications in many other fields as well. In particular, ultrasound has recently been used in the food industry to develop various effective and reliable food processing applications. Therefore, this review summarizes the major applications of ultrasound in the food industry. The most common applications in the food industry include cell destruction and extraction of intracellular material. Depending on its intensity, ultrasound is used for the activation or deactivation of enzymes, mixing and homogenization, emulsification, dispersion, preservation, stabilization, dissolution and crystallization, hydrogenation, tenderization of meat, ripening, ageing and oxidation, and as an adjuvant for solid-liquid extraction for maceration to accelerate and to improve the extraction of active ingredients from different matrices, as well as the degassing and atomization of food preparations.
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TL;DR: Clinicians dealing with CV conditions with an overview of the current knowledge of TH perturbations in CV disease are provided.
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TL;DR: Online computation of QFR in the catheterization laboratory is clinically feasible and is superior to angiographic assessment for evaluation of intermediary coronary artery stenosis using FFR as a reference standard.
Abstract: Background Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is a novel modality for physiological lesion assessment based on 3‐dimensional vessel reconstructions and contrast flow velocity estimates. We evaluated the...
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TL;DR: A search for the decay of the Standard Model Higgs boson into a bb¯ pair when produced in association with a W or Z boson is performed with the ATLAS detector as mentioned in this paper.
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St George's, University of London1, University of Padua2, Leiden University Medical Center3, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli4, University of Siena5, Oslo University Hospital6, St Thomas' Hospital7, University of Naples Federico II8, University of Hasselt9, Erasmus University Rotterdam10, Utrecht University11, University of Liège12
TL;DR: This is a list of winners and nominees for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Abstract: Antonio Pelliccia (Chairperson), Stefano Caselli (Co-chairperson)*, Sanjay Sharma, Cristina Basso, Jeroen J. Bax, Domenico Corrado, Antonello D’Andrea, Flavio D’Ascenzi, Fernando M. Di Paolo, Thor Edvardsen, Sabiha Gati, Maurizio Galderisi, Hein Heidbuchel, Alain Nchimi, Koen Nieman, Michael Papadakis, Cataldo Pisicchio, Christian Schmied, Bogdan A. Popescu, Gilbert Habib, Diederick Grobbee, and Patrizio Lancellotti (Chairperson)
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TL;DR: The prespecified final 1-year outcomes of the MATRIX programme, designed to assess the comparative safety and effectiveness of radial versus femoral access and of bivalirudin versus unfractionated heparin with optional glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in patients with the whole spectrum of acute coronary syndrome undergoing invasive management, are described.