University of Siena

About: University of Siena is a education organization based out in Siena, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 12179 authors who have published 33334 publications receiving 1008287 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli studi di Siena & Universita degli studi di Siena.

A Second Pilus Type in Streptococcus pneumoniae Is Prevalent in Emerging Serotypes and Mediates Adhesion to Host Cells

Abstract: Analysis of publicly available genomes of Streptococcus pneumoniae has led to the identification of a new genomic element containing genes typical of gram-positive pilus islets (PIs). Here, we demonstrate that this genomic region, herein referred to as PI-2 (consisting of pitA, sipA, pitB, srtG1, and srtG2) codes for a second functional pilus in pneumococcus. Polymerization of the PI-2 pilus requires the backbone protein PitB as well as the sortase SrtG1 and the signal peptidase-like protein SipA. Presence of PI-2 correlates with the genotype as defined by multilocus sequence typing and clonal complex (CC). The PI-2-positive CCs are associated with serotypes 1, 2, 7F, 19A, and 19F, considered to be emerging serotypes in both industrialized and developing countries. Interestingly, strains belonging to CC271 (where sequence type 271 is the predicted founder of the CC) contain both PI-1 and PI-2, as revealed by genome analyses. In these strains both pili are surface exposed and independently assembled. Furthermore, in vitro experiments provide evidence that the pilus encoded by PI-2 of S. pneumoniae is involved in adherence. Thus, pneumococci encode at least two types of pili that play a role in the initial host cell contact to the respiratory tract and are potential antigens for inclusion in a new generation of pneumococcal vaccines.

Ethylmalonic Encephalopathy Is Caused by Mutations in ETHE1, a Gene Encoding a Mitochondrial Matrix Protein

Abstract: Ethylmalonic encephalopathy (EE) is a devastating infantile metabolic disorder affecting the brain, gastrointestinal tract, and peripheral vessels. High levels of ethylmalonic acid are detected in the body fluids, and cytochrome c oxidase activity is decreased in skeletal muscle. By use of a combination of homozygosity mapping, integration of physical and functional genomic data sets, and mutational screening, we identified GenBank D83198 as the gene responsible for EE. We also demonstrated that the D83198 protein product is targeted to mitochondria and internalized into the matrix after energy-dependent cleavage of a short leader peptide. The gene had previously been known as "HSCO" (for hepatoma subtracted clone one). However, given its role in EE, the name of the gene has been changed to "ETHE1." The severe consequences of its malfunctioning indicate an important role of the ETHE1 gene product in mitochondrial homeostasis and energy metabolism.

Stability measurements of osseointegrated implants using Osstell in partially edentulous jaws after 1 year of loading: a pilot study.

Abstract: Background: The introduction of resonance frequency analysis (RFA) as a commercially available technique has made it possible to measure implant stability in implant stability quotient (ISQ) units at any time during the course of implant treatment and loading. However, no information on normal ISQ levels can be found in the literature. Purpose: The aim of this pilot study was to measure the stability of clinically successful implants in partially edentulous patients after 1 year of loading and to study the influence of jaw, anterior/posterior position, implant length, and marginal bone level on implant stability. Materials and Methods: Fourteen partially edentulous patients previously treated with 45 implants were subjected to clinical and radiographie evaluations and RFA measurements using Osstell (Integration Diagnostics, Savedalen, Sweden) after 1 year of loading. Results: All 45 implants were stable, and implant stability levels were in the range of 57 to 82 ISQ units with a mean of 69 ± 6.5 ISQ after 1 year of loading. Mandibular implants were more stable than were maxillary ones. There were no differences between anterior and posterior implants. No correlation could be found between implant length and stability. Only minor marginal bone resorption was observed. Conclusions: The results from this limited material showed that successfully integrated implants have ISQ levels from 57 to 82 ISQ with a mean of 69 ISQ after 1 year of loading. Mandibular implants are more stable than are maxillary ones. High implant stability can be achieved with short implants and placement in posterior regions.

Sequential approximation of feasible parameter sets for identification with set membership uncertainty

Abstract: In this paper the problem of approximating the feasible parameter set for identification of a system in a set membership setting is considered. The system model is linear in the unknown parameters. A recursive procedure providing an approximation of the parameter set of interest through parallelotopes is presented, and an efficient algorithm is proposed. Its computational complexity is similar to that of the commonly used ellipsoidal approximation schemes. Numerical results are also reported on some simulation experiments conducted to assess the performance of the proposed algorithm.