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Pattavina F, Barbara A, Cruciani I, Calabrese AC, Mazzetta E, Sezzatini R, Tuti F, Laurenti P. Evaluation of a food safety training intervention in an asylum-seeking population in Rome. Eur J Public Health 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The integration of asylum seekers is a public health issue in various contexts, including food, where they often work. According to European legislation, every food operator is obliged to follow training courses on food safety knowledge in order to prevent food-borne diseases. This study aims to evaluate a food safety training intervention in a population of asylum seekers in Rome through the use of a specific tool validated by the WHO, to introduce them in of catering.
The 'Five Key Points for Safer Food' manual was used to deliver the course. An evaluation test for participants to assess the impact of the food safety training is included, divided into 4 categories: General Information, Knowledge (11 items), Attitudes (10) and Behavior (10). The involved food handlers received the same test before and after training. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the training intervention, the difference in the average of correct pre and post-test answers, overall and by category, was analyzed.
Overall, the 69 food handlers comprised 34 (49.3%) females and 35 (50.7%) males, from different continents (36.2% from Africa, 30.5% Central-South America and 33.3% Asia). The 57.3% has previously worked as cook or waiter. The average age was 36.6 (±12.5) with 11.4 (±3.9) years of education. Overall, the average of correct answers increases of 11.6% (from 76.4% to 88.0% correct answers pre and post-test; p < 0.0001). Knowledge pre test was 7.7 (±1.4), while post test was 8.9 (±1.7) (p < 0.0001). Attitude pre test was 8.3 (±2.2), post test was 9.6 (±0.9) (p < 0.0001). Behavior pre test was 7.7 (±2.2), post test 8.8 (±1.9) (p < 0.0001).
Despite cultural and linguistic differences, our training intervention has been effective in improving knowledge, attitudes and behaviors on food safety in the target population. The food safety in these contexts cannot be understood only as the fulfilment of a regulatory obligation, but also as an opportunity for aggregation and social integration.
Key messages
Food cooking represents a social integration tool: asylum seekers from the most disadvantaged countries could prepare safe multi-ethnic dinners based on the typical courses of their country of origin. WHO training intervention on food safety was effective in improving knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in the target population.
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Di Pilla A, Bruno S, Carini E, Beccia V, Quaranta G, La Milia D, Masini L, Carducci B, Lanzone A, Laurenti P. Vaccination attitude assessment among attendees the birthing preparation course: a pre-post study. Eur J Public Health 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.1416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Vaccinations are among the most effective and safe ways to prevent the spreading and the complications of infectious diseases. In order to reduce risks and to protect children from the early beginning of their life, most vaccinations are recommended within the 15th month of life. In Italy, the law provides 10 compulsory vaccinations to the 0-16 age group. A training program was carried on by a Public Health specialist during the birthing preparation course, aimed at increasing the attitude to vaccination in maternal-child age.
Methods
A training session in the birthing preparation course was specifically carried out to raise awareness about vaccination during both pregnancy and puerperium and in early childhood; a questionnaire on vaccination awareness was administered before and after the training session.
Results
Out of 119 pregnant women attended the birthing preparation course from October 2019 to January 2020. As a result of the interventions, the percentage of the participants who consider the preparatory course a useful tool to obtain information about vaccines increases significantly from 30.34% pre-intervention to 64.56% post-intervention (p < 0.001). There is a significant increase in the mean number of vaccinations that the participants want their children to get, out of the 12 vaccinations proposed in the questionnaire: 9.68/12 pre-intervention versus 10.57/12 post-intervention (p = 0.021). Participants supporting the mandatory vaccinations are 96.04% pre-intervention and rise to 98.73% post-intervention.
Conclusions
Attitude and knowledge related to vaccination are crucial values for maternal-child health: they significantly increased after a training session dedicated to vaccination as a part of the pregnant pre-birth course, whose aim can be therefore extended to the management of the health of the child, well beyond the period of pregnancy, labor and childbirth, according the life-course approach to health, from the Public Health perspective.
Key messages
The childbirth preparation courses for pregnant should be valuable as a precious opportunity to raise parents’ awareness and their attitude to vaccinations, if dedicated sessions are included in them. The mandatory nature of vaccines is very well received by pregnant women.
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Tognetto A, Abbondanzieri A, Cerone G, Di Pumpo M, Nardi A, Paglione L, Franco E, La Torre G, Orsi GB, Laurenti P. Influenza vaccination campaigns targeted at healthcare workers:results of four hospitals in Rome. Eur J Public Health 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) of health care workers (HCWs) is well recognized as a public health measure that can protect both HCWs from infection and patients from the risk of influenza complications. Nevertheless, vaccination coverage rates among this specific population result generally lower than the recommended target. With our study, we aimed to describe the activities and the outcomes of four different SIV campaigns targeted at HCWs and organized during the season 2018/2019 in four hospitals in Rome.
Methods
A cross-sectional study involving four teaching hospitals was performed. The collected data were synthetized into a set of descriptors and indicators, validated through a previous study that had involved the same Centers.
Results
The Medical Directorates, in collaboration with the University Hygiene and Public Health Units of the four hospitals organized different strategies: Hospital 1, 3 and 4 realized educational courses for HCWs and actively promoted the campaigns through e-mail invitations to all HCWs. As for the access to vaccination, all the hospitals provided a dedicated unit for SIV; Hospital 1 and Hospital 4 organized also on-site vaccination sessions in the hospital wards, that required a large number of staff. The vaccination coverage rates resulted: 22.37% in Hospital 1, 18.10% in Hospital 4, 9.28% in Hospital 2 and 8,51% in Hospital 3.
Conclusions
Our results demonstrate that multi-activity campaigns, involving education, promotion and easy access to vaccination constitute an effective approach to reinforce the value of SIV. Our findings suggest that on-site vaccination may play a key role in determining a higher vaccination coverage.
Key messages
Multi-activity vaccination campaigns, involving education, promotion and easy access to vaccination constitute an effective approach to reinforce the value of seasonal influenza vaccination for HCWs. On-site vaccination may play a key role in determining a higher vaccination coverage.
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Pumpo MD, Barbara A, La Milia DI, Tamburrano A, Vallone D, Gentili A, Cavalieri S, Viora C, Berloco F, Laurenti P. Flu vaccination coverage in a large Italian teaching hospital: the example of the leaders. Eur J Public Health 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Annual flu vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) is recommended to prevent influenza and to avoid its transmission especially to frail patients. In our teaching hospital, flu vaccination rate among HCWs has been growing during last 3 years. The aim of this study was therefore to describe the flu vaccination coverage across the past 3 years and to analyze which factors lead to such increase. We performed a cross-sectional study on all HCWs of Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” (FPG) hospital of Rome (Italy) to determine the flu vaccination coverage. Socio-demographic and occupational data were collected from hospital personnel records and included age, gender, previous flu vaccination, profession and workplace unit. On site vaccination plus academic detailing involving leaders have been the main strategies adopted in this last 3 years that have already proved to be effective in increasing vaccination coverage among HCWs. During the 2018-2019 season, we analyzed how the flu vaccination coverage among leaders (nurse coordinators and head physicians) could affect all HCWs coverage rate. Flu vaccination rate increased from 9.57% in the 2016-17 to 14.24% in the 2017-18 and to 22.38% in 2018-2019. A total of 4035 HCWs employed in the FPG were included in 2018-19. Concerning the role played by vaccination of leaders in increasing general vaccination coverage during the 2018-2019, the group of HCWs with a vaccinated leader showed a higher coverage rate (28.65%) than the group with a non-vaccinated leader (16.22%) (p < 0.0001). The results are preliminary. Flu vaccination coverage of HCWs in our hospital during the last 3 years has been increasingly higher. Vaccination of the leaders, in addition to previously implemented effective strategies, resulted to be a key factor in increasing flu vaccination coverage among all HCWs. Socio-demographic and occupational variables can significantly influence the coverage rate as well.
Key messages
Annual flu vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) is recommended to prevent influenza and to avoid its transmission especially to frail patients. This study shows the growing flu vaccination coverage rate in our teaching hospital and the effectiveness of the example given by the vaccinated leaders in increasing the coverage among all HCWs.
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Gentili A, La Milia DI, Vallone D, Di Pumpo M, Vangi G, Berloco F, Cambieri A, Damiani G, Laurenti P, Ricciardi W. A six-years point prevalence survey of healthcare-associated infections in an Italian hospital. Eur J Public Health 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) are among the most serious public health problems in Europe representing the most frequent adverse event during care delivery. Despite their limitations, point prevalence surveys of HAIs are often preferred to prospective surveillance, since they provide a feasible estimate when resources are limited.
The aim of this study was to analyze the results of a six-years point prevalence survey of HAIs in a teaching acute care hospital in Italy and to investigate the main risk factors of HAIs in the acute-care hospital. A point prevalence survey to detect HAIs was carried out in Gemelli Hospital during the last 6 years, from 2013 to 2018. Inpatients of any age in Gemelli Hospital were eligible for inclusion. Patients in outpatient areas were excluded. HAIs were identified according to diagnosis guideline from ECDC in 2011. Statistically significant differences were tested through t-test and Chi-square test. Multi-variate analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of regressor factors for predict HAI’s prevalence. The statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05. The point prevalence ranged from 3,16% in 2017 to 6,64% in 2013. Pneumonia and surgical site infections (SSI) were the most frequent HAIs during the 6 years, with a rate of 27,31% and 26,20% respectively of all HAIs. The multiple logistic regression showed that length of stay at the moment of detection, urinary catheter, CVC and antibiotic therapy are useful to meaningfully predict HAI prevalence, with a regression coefficient (adjusted R2) of 0.2780.
Thanks to proper hospital policies, the point prevalence of HAIs does not seem to increase through the years, even though it is still too early to draw any conclusions. Pneumonia and SSI represented each one more than a quarter of all the HAIs, as reported also in literature. There is a strong association between length of stay at the moment of detection and HAIs but it is hard to understand which one is the cause of the other.
Key messages
Point prevalence from 2013 to 2018 seems to be stable. An accurate incidence survey is needed in order to identify the main risk factors of HAI and to realize more specific hospital programmes. Length of stay at the moment of detection is useful to meaningfully predict HAIs prevalence although the cause-and-effect relationship is still not clear.
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Vallone D, Di Pumpo M, Gentili A, Tamburrano A, Berloco F, Corbo MI, Cambieri A, Damiani G, Ricciardi W, Laurenti P. Incidence study of surgical site infections in a large University Hospital in Rome, first results. Eur J Public Health 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Surgical Site Infections (SSI) represent about a quarter of healthcare associated infections (HAI), increase the risk of mortality and hospital stay and extend healthcare costs. The aim of this work is to evaluate the incidence of SSI in patients undergoing surgical procedures of Hospital Units in the Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS (FPG).
Methods
This descriptive observational monocentric study has a 30-months duration: the first phase was conducted between July 2018 and March 2019. Patients undergoing abdominal surgery procedures were enrolled. Active infection surveillance was performed, according to the ECDC, during the hospital stay and the surgical outpatient visits. We also performed a post-discharge surveillance (PDS) at 30 days (or 90 days if an implant has been inserted), through a telephone interview, made by a medical doctor resident in Public Health.
Results
During the first phase were enrolled 431 procedures in 2 Hospital Units, about emergency and hepatobiliary surgery. There were 53 cases of surgical site infection (SSI) highlighted in these procedures. Therefore, SSI’s were reported in 12.09% of the procedures. In particular, in 6.28% of cases, SSIs were diagnosed during the hospital stay. The results of this study showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.005) in incidence rate of emergency (10,70%) and hepatobiliary tract (13,17%) procedures. The average hospital stay was significant higher (p < 0.001) in patients who developed an SSI (17.27 days) than in patients without SSI (4.89 days).
Conclusions
These preliminary results show that the incidence rate of SSI for gastrointestinal procedures is similar to other European Countries (9.6%). The Hospital Health Management of FPG take care to the surveillance of hospital infections and monitor the correct application of the procedures, in line with the standards defined by Joint Commission International for guarantee high level in patients’ care.
Key messages
Performing a survey to measure the incidence of surgical site infections for surgery procedures is very important to define it and to improve surveillance systems of hospital infections in FPG. Active surveillance of surgical site infections may allow to enhance appropriate preventive measures.
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Agodi A, Barchitta M, Auxilia F, Brusaferro S, D'Errico MM, Montagna MT, Pasquarella C, Tardivo S, Arrigoni C, Fabiani L, Laurenti P, Mattaliano AR, Orsi GB, Squeri R, Torregrossa MV, Mura I. Epidemiology of intensive care unit-acquired sepsis in Italy: results of the SPIN-UTI network. ANNALI DI IGIENE : MEDICINA PREVENTIVA E DI COMUNITA 2019; 30:470-481. [PMID: 30374508 DOI: 10.7416/ai.2018.2247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sepsis is the major cause of mortality from any infectious disease worldwide. Sepsis may be the result of a healthcare associated infection (HAI): the most frequent adverse events during care delivery especially in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The main aim of the present study was to describe the epidemiology of ICU-acquired sepsis and related outcomes among patients enrolled in the framework of the Italian Nosocomial Infections Surveillance in ICUs - SPIN-UTI project. STUDY DESIGN Prospective multicenter study. METHODS The SPIN-UTI network adopted the European protocols for patient-based HAI surveillance. RESULTS During the five editions of the SPIN-UTI project, from 2008 to 2017, 47.0% of HAIs has led to sepsis in 832 patients. Overall, 57.0% episodes were classified as sepsis, 20.5% as severe sepsis and 22.5% as septic shock. The most common isolated microorganisms from sepsis episodes were Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The case fatality rate increased with the severity of sepsis and the mean length of ICU-stay was significantly higher in patients with ICU-acquired sepsis than in patients without. CONCLUSION Our study provides evidence that ICU-acquired sepsis occurs frequently in Italian ICU patients and is associated with a high case fatality rate and increased length of stay. However, in order to explain these findings further analyses are needed in this population of ICU patients.
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Casane D, Policarpo M, Laurenti P. Pourquoi le taux de mutation n’est-il jamais égal à zéro ? Med Sci (Paris) 2019; 35:245-251. [DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2019030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alfred H. Sturtevant fut le premier à s’en étonner : le taux de mutation est faible mais n’atteint jamais zéro. Pourtant, la plupart des mutations qui modifient le phénotype ont un effet délétère, les individus qui produisent le moins de mutants génèrent donc plus de descendants viables et fertiles. La sélection naturelle devrait ainsi progressivement faire tendre le taux de mutation vers zéro au cours des générations. Des analyses récentes suggèrent que ce taux dépend principalement de la taille efficace des génomes et de l’effectif efficace des populations. Le maintien de taux de mutation plus élevés que nécessaire illustrerait les limites de la sélection naturelle dans un monde vivant constitué de populations de taille finie.
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Gentili A, Barbara A, Tamburrano A, Berloco F, La Milia D, Zega M, Sguera A, Damiani G, Ricciardi W, Laurenti P. The use of Academic Detailing to promote influenza vaccination among healthcare workers in hospital. Eur J Public Health 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cky218.262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Tamburrano A, Nicolotti N, D'Alfonso ME, Cambieri A, Turriziani A, Barillaro C, Sganga F, Bernabei R, Laurenti P. Continuity of Care Unit (CCU): an organizational model based on Lean Management principles. Eur J Public Health 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cky214.261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Barbara A, Gentili A, Tognetto A, Tamburrano A, La Milia DI, de Waure C, Zega M, Berloco F, Piccoli B, Damiani G, Ricciardi W, Laurenti P. Factors influencing flu vaccination in a large Italian teaching hospital. Eur J Public Health 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cky214.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Giubbini G, de Belvis AG, Barbara A, Traglia S, Cammarota G, Ricciardi W, Laurenti P. Does a Clinical Pathway on Clostridium difficile infection improve quality in hospital care? Eur J Public Health 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cky212.689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Arbelet-Bonnin D, Ben Hamed-Laouti I, Laurenti P, Abdelly C, Ben Hamed K, Bouteau F. Cellular mechanisms to survive salt in the halophyte Cakile maritima. PLANT SCIENCE : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PLANT BIOLOGY 2018; 272:173-178. [PMID: 29807589 DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2018.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We recently identified two behaviours in cultured cells of the salt accumulating halophyte Cakile maritima: one related to a sustained depolarization due to Na+ influx through the non-selective cation channels leading to programmed cell death of these cells, a second one related to a transient depolarization allowing cells to survive (Ben Hamed-Laouti, 2016). In this study, we considered at the cellular level mechanisms that could participate to the exclusion of Na+ out of the cell and thus participate in the regulation of the internal contents of Na+ and cell survival. Upon addition of NaCl in the culture medium of suspension cells of C. maritima, we observed a rapid influx of Na+ followed by an efflux dependent of the activity of plasma membrane H+-ATPases, in accordance with the functioning of a Na+/H+ antiporter and the ability of some cells to repolarize. The Na+ efflux was shown to be dependent on Na+-dependent on Ca2+ influx like the SOS1 Na+/H+ antiporter. We further could observe in response to salt addition, an early production of singlet oxygen (1O2) probably due to peroxidase activities. This early 1O2 production seemed to be a prerequisite to the Na+ efflux. Our findings suggest that in addition to the pathway leading to PCD (Ben Hamed-Laouti, 2016), a second pathway comprising an SOS-like system could participate to the survival of a part of the C. maritima cultured cells challenged by salt stress.
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Barbara A, Giubbini G, De Waure C, Poscia A, De Meo C, Berloco F, Damiani G, Ricciardi W, Laurenti P. Is the on site flu vaccination among health care workers effective? A Italian teaching hospital case. Eur J Public Health 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckx187.380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Corsaro A, de Waure C, Poscia A, Raponi M, Michelazzo MB, Frisicale EM, Berloco F, Staiti D, Damiani G, Laurenti P. Fostering flu vaccination among health workers; Forum Theatre and On Site Vaccination in Hospital. Eur J Public Health 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckw166.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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De Meo C, Poscia A, de Waure C, Corsaro A, Anzelmo V, Maruccia A, Santoro PE, Berloco F, Damiani G, Laurenti P. A health promotion campaign to improve flu vaccination adherence among Italian medical residents. Eur J Public Health 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckw174.228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Casane D, Laurenti P. [The CRISPR case, « ready-made » mutations and Lamarckian evolution of an adaptive immunity system]. Med Sci (Paris) 2016; 32:640-5. [PMID: 27406776 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/20163206029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Since genetics has shown that mutation predates selection, biology has developed within the Darwinian paradigm framework. However, a mechanism that produces favorable mutations preferentially in response to adaptive constraints has been recently identified. This mechanism, the CRISPR-Cas adaptive immunity system, is considered as a bona fide example of Lamarckian evolution, even if it only reflects loosely Lamarck's ideas. This unusual evolutionary process is made possible by two prokaryotic properties: i) somatic and germinal cells are not distinct sets of cells; ii) Archae and Bacteria very frequently integrate DNA fragments from the environment, and they therefore have access to a source of "ready-made" useful genetic information. The CRISPR-Cas is a defense system against viruses and plasmids that is based on the integration of genomic fragments of these infectious agents into the host genome, and that protects the host against subsequent infections. Therefore, this mechanism does produce advantageous mutations by integrating DNA from the environment and allowing its transmission to descendants. In conclusion, most of the time evolution relies on purely Darwinian processes, i.e. mutations occurring at random, but in a small minority of cases the occurrence of mutations is more or less biased, and is therefore more or less Lamarckian. Although they are rare, such processes are nevertheless important to our understanding of the plurality of modes of evolution.
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Shone V, Oulion S, Casane D, Laurenti P, Graham A. Mode of reduction in the number of pharyngeal segments within the sarcopterygians. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2016; 2:6. [PMID: 27006783 PMCID: PMC4802614 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-016-0043-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharyngeal segmentation is a defining feature of vertebrate embryos and is apparent as a series of bulges found on the lateral surface of the embryonic head, the pharyngeal arches. The ancestral condition for gnathostomes is to have seven pharyngeal segments: jaw, hyoid, and five posterior branchial arches. However, within the sarcopterygians, the pharyngeal region has undergone extensive remodelling that resulted in a reduction in the number of pharyngeal segments, such that amniotes have only five pharyngeal arches. The aim of this study is to probe the developmental basis of this loss of pharyngeal segments. RESULTS We have therefore compared the development of the pharyngeal arches in an amniote, the chick, which has five segments, with those of a chondrichthyan, the catshark, which has seven segments. We have analysed the early phase of pharyngeal segmentation and we find that in both the most anterior segments form first with the posterior segments being added sequentially. We also documented the patterns of innervation of the pharynx in several vertebrates and note that the three most anterior segments receive distinct innervation: the first arch being innervated by the Vth nerve, the second by the VIIth and the third by the IXth. Finally, we have analysed Hox gene expression, and show that the anterior limit of Hoxa2 aligns with the second pouch and arch in both chick and catshark, while Hoxa3 is transiently associated with the third arch and pouch. Surprisingly, we have found that Hoxb1 expression is spatially and temporally dynamic and that it is always associated with the last most recently formed pouch and that this domains moves caudally as additional pouches are generated. CONCLUSION We propose that the first three pharyngeal segments are homologous, as is the posterior limit of the pharynx, and that the loss of segments occurred between these two points. We suggest that this loss results from a curtailment of the posterior expansion of the pharyngeal endoderm in amniotes at relatively earlier time point, and thus the generation of fewer segments.
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La Milia DI, Laurenti P, Damiani G, Moscato U, Bruno S, Boccia S, Quaranta G, Posteraro B, Ficarra MG, Vincenti S, Milovanovic M, Avolio M, Raponi M, Ricciardi W. A three-steps integrated program of hospital environmental surveillance: costs and potential savings. Eur J Public Health 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckv175.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Laurenti P, de Waure C, De Meo C, Raponi M, Corsaro A, Del Prete J, Spagnolo AG, Sacchini D, Bernabei R, Manes Gravina E, Landi F, Sgadari A, Grassi C, Ricciardi W. Food safety and nutritional habits in elderly: knowledge to promoting active ageing. Eur J Public Health 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckv175.260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Laurenti P, Raponi M, De Meo C, Corsaro A, Sezzatini R, Vincenti S, Popovic D, Ricciardi W. Antimicrobial resistant bacteria in ready-to-eat foods from hospital and community in Rome, Italy. Eur J Public Health 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckv172.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Laurenti P, Corsaro A, De Meo C, Raponi M, Staiti D, Berloco F, Celani F, Corbo M, Ricciardi W. New strategies to implement flu vaccination in health workers: forum theatre in a university hospital. Eur J Public Health 2015. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckv176.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Casane D, Fumey J, Laurenti P. [ENCODE apophenia or a panglossian analysis of the human genome]. Med Sci (Paris) 2015; 31:680-6. [PMID: 26152174 DOI: 10.1051/medsci/20153106023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In September 2012, a batch of more than 30 articles presenting the results of the ENCODE (Encyclopaedia of DNA Elements) project was released. Many of these articles appeared in Nature and Science, the two most prestigious interdisciplinary scientific journals. Since that time, hundreds of other articles dedicated to the further analyses of the Encode data have been published. The time of hundreds of scientists and hundreds of millions of dollars were not invested in vain since this project had led to an apparent paradigm shift: contrary to the classical view, 80% of the human genome is not junk DNA, but is functional. This hypothesis has been criticized by evolutionary biologists, sometimes eagerly, and detailed refutations have been published in specialized journals with impact factors far below those that published the main contribution of the Encode project to our understanding of genome architecture. In 2014, the Encode consortium released a new batch of articles that neither suggested that 80% of the genome is functional nor commented on the disappearance of their 2012 scientific breakthrough. Unfortunately, by that time many biologists had accepted the idea that 80% of the genome is functional, or at least, that this idea is a valid alternative to the long held evolutionary genetic view that it is not. In order to understand the dynamics of the genome, it is necessary to re-examine the basics of evolutionary genetics because, not only are they well established, they also will allow us to avoid the pitfall of a panglossian interpretation of Encode. Actually, the architecture of the genome and its dynamics are the product of trade-offs between various evolutionary forces, and many structural features are not related to functional properties. In other words, evolution does not produce the best of all worlds, not even the best of all possible worlds, but only one possible world.
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Naville M, Chalopin D, Casane D, Laurenti P, Volff JN. The coelacanth: Can a "living fossil" have active transposable elements in its genome? Mob Genet Elements 2015; 5:55-59. [PMID: 26442185 DOI: 10.1080/2159256x.2015.1052184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The coelacanth has long been regarded as a "living fossil," with extant specimens looking very similar to fossils dating back to the Cretaceous period. The hypothesis of a slowly or even not evolving genome has been proposed to account for this apparent morphological stasis. While this assumption seems to be sustained by different evolutionary analyses on protein-coding genes, recent studies on transposable elements have provided more conflicting results. Indeed, the coelacanth genome contains many transposable elements and has been shaped by several major bursts of transposition during evolution. In addition, comparison of orthologous genomic regions from the genomes of the 2 extant coelacanth species L. chalumnae and L. menadoensis revealed multiple species-specific insertions, indicating transposable element recent activity and contribution to post-speciation genome divergence. These observations, which do not support the genome stasis hypothesis, challenge either the impact of transposable elements on organismal evolution or the status of the coelacanth as a "living fossil." Closer inspection of fossil and molecular data indicate that, even if coelacanths might evolve more slowly than some other lineages due to demographic and/or ecological factors, this variation is still in the range of a "non-fossil" vertebrate species.
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Casane D, Laurenti P. Syllogomanie moléculaire : l’ADN non codant enrichit le jeu des possibles. Med Sci (Paris) 2014; 30:1177-83. [DOI: 10.1051/medsci/20143012022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
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