Influence of ultrasound on the instantaneous synthesis of tridimensional α-Ni(OH)2 nanostructures and derived NiO nanoparticles

Nickel hydroxides present an extraordinary importance in the development of electrochemical devices.

Pregnancy complications in acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: a case-control study

Background

Pregnant women with a history of acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) are considered at risk for disease recurrence and might be at risk for miscarriage, similar to other autoimmune disorders. However, the exact entity of these risks and their causes are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcome, in terms of both gravidic TTP and miscarriage, in women affected by previous acquired TTP.

Methods

We conducted a nested case–control study in women with a history of acquired TTP enrolled in the Milan TTP registry from 1994 to October 2012, with strict inclusion criteria to reduce referral and selection bias.

Results

Fifteen out of 254 women with acquired TTP were included, namely four cases with gravidic TTP, five with miscarriage, and six controls with uncomplicated pregnancy. In the cases, ADAMTS13 activity levels in the first trimester were moderately-to-severely reduced (median levels <3% in gravidic TTP and median levels 20% [range 14-40%] in the women with miscarriage) and anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies were invariably present, while in the control group ADAMTS13 activity levels were normal (median 90%, range 40-129%), with absence of detectable anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies. Reduced levels of ADAMTS13 activity (<25%) in the first trimester were associated with an over 2.9-fold increased risk for gravidic TTP and with an over 1.2-fold increased risk for miscarriage (lower boundary of the confidence interval of the odds ratio). In addition, the presence of anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies during pregnancy was associated with an over 6.6-fold increased risk for gravidic TTP and with an over 4.1-fold increased risk for miscarriage.

Conclusions

ADAMTS13 activity evaluation and detection of anti-ADAMTS13 antibody could help to predict the risk of complications in pregnant women with a history of acquired TTP.

Dermoscopic difficult lesions: an objective evaluation of reflectance confocal microscopy impact for accurate diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Early detection of melanoma is the main objective to ensure a high survival rate. In some cases melanoma diagnosis still remain difficult and this leads to unnecessary excisions.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to detect the most relevant Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) features for the detection of dermoscopic difficult melanomas.

METHOD

A total of 322 lesions were selected from database and were evaluated on dermoscopy according to the 7-point checklist score, in blind from histological diagnosis. We classified the lesions into three categories: (i) 'featureless' lesions with score ranging between 0 and 2; (ii) 'positive-borderline' moles with score between 3 and 4 and (iii) 'positive-clear cut' lesions with score from 5 to 10. We evaluated confocal features of the 'featureless' lesions and of the 'positive-borderline' lesions. Evaluated confocal features were as follows: presence of pagetoid cells, cell shape (roundish or dendritic) and number (< 5 or >5 cells per mm(2) ), overall architecture (ringed, meshwork, clods and non-specific pattern); architectural disorder, presence of cytological atypia (>5 cells per mm(2) ) and cells arranged in nests.

RESULTS

Among 322 lesions 70 were melanomas and 252 were nevi. According to the classification based on the 7-point checklist score, 130 'featureless lesions' (score 0-2) including six melanomas, and 102 'positive-borderline' moles (score 3-4) including 17 melanomas, were identified. Round pagetoid cells >5 cells per mm(2) and/or architectural disorder on RCM were found in all of six melanomas with featureless dermoscopy. Round pagetoid infiltration and five or more atypical cells at the DEJ were found in 16 positive 'borderline melanomas'.

CONCLUSIONS

RCM represents a rapid non-invasive technique that can aid early diagnosis of dermoscopic difficult melanomas. Use of RCM on lesions with clinical and/or dermoscopic suspect of malignancy may reduce the number of unnecessary excision increasing the rate of accurate diagnoses.

Prevalence and gender differences in late-life depression: a population-based study

OBJECTIVE

The worldwide phenomenon of an aging population combined with the increasing prevalence of depression in late life are issues that need to be addressed. This study aims to estimate the frequency of depression and subthreshold depression occurring in a sample of cognitively well-functioning, community-dwelling, older Italian adults and to investigate sociodemographic and clinical correlates of depression, exploring gender differences.

METHODS

We used a cross-sectional analyses of survivors in a population-based study (the Faenza Project) that included 359 subjects aged 74 years and older (49.3% women). A modified version of Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders of Elderly Persons-Revised was administered to all participants. Prevalence rates of depression and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated according to International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision criteria. Statistical analyses were implemented to describe sociodemographic and clinical features associated with depression. Odds ratios were estimated by multivariate logistic regression, and the dependant variable was any type of depression.

RESULTS

Overall prevalence of depression was 25.1% (95% CI: 20.6-29.6), with no evidence of gender difference. Prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe depression was 16.4% (95% CI: 12.6-20.2), 7.5% (95% CI: 4.8-10.2), and 1.1 (95% CI: -0.4-2.6), respectively. A rate of 5.6% of the population complained of subthreshold depressive symptoms. After age 81, depression occurrence decreased as age increased. The association between depression and functional measures, such as primary activity, mobility, and disability in performing household chores, were stronger in men than in women. Similarly, severely disabling conditions like stroke were more strongly associated with depression in men than in women.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest a disparity between men and women regarding the impact of depression on everyday life. Specific gender differences need to be taken into account for the evaluation of the depression-related burden in late life.

Personality disorders in addiction outpatients: prevalence and effects on psychosocial functioning

AIM

To evaluate the prevalence of personality disorders (PDs) in the outpatients attending an addiction service, with particular attention to the effects of PDs on social and occupational functioning and on the intensity of treatment required.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional epidemiological study with the assessment of 320 outpatients, through SCID-II (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II PDs), SOGS (South Oaks Gambling Screen), and questionnaire extracted from EuropASI.

RESULTS

The percentage prevalence of PDs was 62.2% (confidence interval at 95% (95% CI): 57–68). PDs were positively associated with placement in an addiction treatment community (odds ratio (OR) = 2.98, CI = 1.77–5.03), having received lifetime treatment at the mental health center (MHC) (OR = 3.67, CI = 1.67–8.07) or having attempted suicide (OR = 2.30, CI = 1.05–5.02). Furthermore, PDs were related to a reduced probability of keeping a job (OR = 0.54, CI = 0.31–0.95) or starting a family (OR = 0.51, CI = 0.30–0.87).

CONCLUSION

Axis II comorbidity occurs in 62% of addiction outpatients and has substantial effects on social and occupational functioning as well as on treatment programs.

Prevalence and characteristics of mild cognitive impairment in the general population. Data from an Italian population-based study: The Faenza Project

The aim of this cross-sectional study is to investigate mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using the Mini-Mental State Examination in an Italian cohort (N = 6921; mean age 71.6 ± 7.5; 59.2% women). First, we applied psychometrically derived criteria for MCI regardless of presence/absence of subjective cognitive complaints (SCC); second, we implemented the analyses only on the SCC subsample. The estimated MCI prevalence was 6.0%. Amnestic- and non-amnestic MCI single domains accounted for 4.3% and 13.5% of the cases, respectively. Amnestic- and non-amnestic MCI multiple domains occurred in 2.0% and 4.5% of the cases, respectively. The 33.8% of the SCC subsample (6.0% of the cohort) had MCI. Stroke, diabetes and depressive symptoms were commonly associated to MCI suggesting that this common condition is associated with many correlates in Italian older persons. It deserves attention since it is early detectable and potentially preventable.

Association of SORL1 alleles with late-onset Alzheimer's disease. findings from the GIGAS_LOAD study and mega-analysis

The pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is influenced by sorting-protein related receptor (sorLa) that is less expressed in AD patients. The gene encoding sorLa (SORL1) has been investigated as a susceptibility factor for late-onset AD (LOAD) with conflicting results. Our objectives were to confirm the association between SORL1 SNPs and LOAD in two independent South-European centers and to perform a mega-analysis of published samples. We analyzed three SORL1 SNPs (intron 6: rs668387; rs689021; rs641120) from the Greece-Italy Genetic Association Study on lateonset AD (GIGAS_LOAD). Greek sample included 96 patients with LOAD (DSM-IV) and 120 unrelated controls. In Italy, a community-based sample is ongoing. 47 LOAD patients and 165 controls were recruited until study endpoint. These samples and previously published ones (Alzgene) were pooled as in a single study. A test for trend was used to analyze genotype association. In the GIGAS_LOAD sample no association was detected between SORL1 genotypes and LOAD. Conversely all SNPs were associated with LOAD in mega-analysis based on ordinal classification of genotypes (Armitage's test: p < 0.001). Although our analysis of pooled samples has positive results for the association between SORL1 and AD, there is substantial heterogeneity across studies. Thus further examination into SORL1 SNPs and the population is necessary to determine the role of SORL1 in LOAD.

First Report of Races 11 and 12 of Cercospora sojina, the Causal Agent of Soybean Frogeye Leaf Spot, in Argentina

During the growing seasons of 2008 to 2009 and 2009 to 2010, severe outbreaks of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) frogeye leaf spot, a disease caused by Cercospora sojina Hara, occurred in several areas in Argentina (1). Two surveys were conducted in soybean fields, one in 2008 that included the provinces of Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Santa Fe, and another that was performed in 2009 in the same provinces plus three others: Entre Ríos, Santiago del Estero, and Tucumán. In both surveys, plants presented circular lesions with reddish brown-to-gray spots and bordered by typical, narrow, reddish purple margins (3). To promote sporulation and to enable identification of the causal agent, leaves of diseased plants were collected and placed in a moist chamber for 24 h with a 12-h light cycle at 25°C. Conidia were plated on potato dextrose agar medium amended with streptomycin and were incubated at 25°C and 12 h of fluorescent light. Isolated cultures sporulated in 10 days and, on the basis of their morphology, were identified as C. sojina. A total of 147 isolates were deposited at the Culture Collection of CEREMIC (Centro de Referencia de Micología). They produced one- to nine-septate hyaline, elongate to fusiform conidia that measured 54.9 ± 16.2 × 5.7 ± 1.0 μm. Six isolates of C. sojina, each representing a province, were inoculated on a set of 12 differential soybean cultivars: Lee, Davis, Hood, Richland, Lincoln, Kent, Tracy, S 100, Palmetto, Peking, CNS, and Blackhawk (2). Fifteen plants of each differential were sprayed at V3 growth stage with a suspension of 6 × 10⁴ conidia/ml. The test was conducted twice in a complete randomized design with three replicates. Control plants were sprayed with sterile distilled water. After inoculation, plants were placed in a greenhouse bench humidity chamber at 26 to 28°C for 72 h. Disease was rated 14 days after inoculation; plants with numerous lesions were considered susceptible and each of the 15 plants was given a score of 1. Plants with small or no lesions were classified as resistant and given a score of 0. Control plants remained healthy. The pathogen was reisolated from symptomatic plants and morphological characteristics were consistent with C. sojina. Based on the response of the differentials to each isolate and on the race designations, the isolates from Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Santa Fe, and Tucumán belong to race 11, while those from Santiago del Estero and Entre Ríos province to race 12. The finding of these two races threatening soybean cultivars in Argentina may be indicative of additional races. Thus, the incorporation of multiple resistance genes may reduce the impact of the disease on soybean. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the identification of races of C. sojina in Argentina. References: (1) M. A. Carmona et al. Plant Dis. 93:966, 2009. (2) M. A. R. Mian et al. Crop Sci. 48:14, 2008. (3) D.V. Phillips. Page 20 in: Compendium of Soybean Diseases. 4th ed. APS Press, St. Paul, MN, 1999.

Long-term effectiveness of autologous cultured limbal stem cell grafts in patients with limbal stem cell deficiency due to chemical burns

BACKGROUND

Chemical burns cause depletion of limbal stem cells and eventually lead to corneal opacity and visual loss. We investigated the long-term effectiveness of autologous cultured limbal stem cell grafts in patients with limbal stem cell deficiency.

DESIGN

Prospective, non-comparative interventional case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Sixteen eyes from 16 patients with severe, unilateral limbal stem cell deficiency caused by chemical burns.

METHODS

Autologous ex vivo cultured limbal stem cells were grafted onto the recipient eye after superficial keratectomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Clinical parameters of limbal stem cell deficiency (stability/transparency of the corneal epithelium, superficial corneal vascularization and pain/photophobia), visual acuity, cytokeratin expression on impression cytology specimens and histology on excised corneal buttons.

RESULTS

At 12 months post-surgery, evaluation of the 16 patients showed that 10 (62.6%) experienced complete restoration of a stable and clear epithelium and 3 (18.7%) had partially successful outcomes (re-appearance of conjunctiva in some sectors of the cornea and instable corneal surface). Graft failure (no change in corneal surface conditions) was seen in three (18.7%) patients. Penetrating keratoplasty was performed in seven patients, with visual acuity improving up to 0.8 (best result). For two patients, regeneration of the corneal epithelium was confirmed by molecular marker (p63, cytokeratin 3, 12 and 19, mucin 1) analysis. Follow-up times ranged from 12 to 50 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Grafts of autologous limbal stem cells cultured onto fibrin glue discs can successfully regenerate the corneal epithelium in patients with limbal stem cell deficiency, allowing to perform successful cornea transplantation and restore vision.

Effects of barley β-glucan-enriched flour fractions on the glycaemic index of bread

The aim of this research was to evaluate β-glucan-enriched flours, obtained from barleys with either normal or waxy starch, for their effects on the glycaemic index (GI) and the quality of bread. Rheological results confirmed that when barley flour was included in the dough the overall quality of bread slightly worsened. However, positive consequences on glycaemia were obtained with the normal starch barley: the GI of all-wheat bread (82.8 ± 7.2) was significantly reduced (57.2 ± 7.9) when 40% of wheat flour was substituted with β-glucan-enriched barley flour (6.0% ± 0.1 β-glucan in the final flour blend). In contrast, this positive effect was significantly reduced (GI: 70.1 ± 9.1) when 40% of wheat flour was substituted with the β-glucan-enriched flour of a waxy barley (CDC Alamo; 6.6 ± 0.2 β-glucan in the final flour blend), suggesting that the ability of β-glucans to lower the GI was affected by the barley starch-type.

Pet therapy in elderly patients with mental illness

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the effects of pet therapy on cognitive function, mood and perceived quality of life on elderly inpatients (mean age 84.7 years; 95.2% women) affected by dementia, depression and psychosis.

METHODS

Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and 15-items Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were administered to 10 patients (pet group) and 11 controls (control group) together with a self-perceived quality-of-life questionnaire, before and after a pet therapy intervention that lasted 6 weeks. MMSE and GDS mean scores were compared between and within groups by Student's t-test.

RESULTS

Both the pet group and control group improved on GDS and MMSE. Within the pet group, GDS symptoms decreased by 50% (from 5.9 to 2.7, P= 0.013), whereas mean MMSE score increased by 4.5 (P= 0.060). The between group comparison showed a positive effect of pet therapy intervention on GDS (P= 0.070). Most of the participants reported an improvement of their perceived quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Pet therapy is efficient in improving depressive symptoms and cognitive function in residents of long-term care facilities with mental illness.

Vision and hearing impairments are associated with depressive--anxiety syndrome in Italian elderly

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between vision and hearing impairment and depressive-anxiety syndrome in a large population participating in the Faenza Project, Northern Italy.

METHOD

The study population consisted of 7389 participants not affected by dementia, 4408 (59.7%), of whom were women, mean age ± standard deviation (±SD) 71.9 (±7.7) years. Information about previous or current psychiatric symptoms, including sleeping and eating habits, non-verbal language and ability in activity of daily living was used to investigate depressive and anxiety syndrome. A semi-structured interview was administered to survey the presence of sensory impairment. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between sensory impairment and depressive-anxiety syndrome estimating Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

RESULTS

The prevalence of vision and hearing impairment was 1.4% and 0.2%, respectively, with an increasing trend in people aged 75+ years (p < 0.001). The prevalence of depressive syndrome was higher among vision-impaired participants (20.2% vs. 9.3%, p < 0.001), especially women (22.9%) and persons aged 75+ years (22.1%). The prevalence of anxiety syndrome was higher in the hearing-impaired group (25.0% vs. 11.0%, p = 0.09). Vision-impaired participants, especially women and participants aged 75+ years had have a twofold higher probability to have depressive syndrome (OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.21-3.38), and hearing-impaired individuals showed an increased probability of presenting anxiety syndrome (OR = 2.71, 95% CI = 0.86-8.55), although these results were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

This study's findings suggest that sensory impairment in older adults can increase their probability of experiencing depressive and anxiety syndrome. Correction of these deficits could improve the quality of life in this population.

A novel biomarker harvesting nanotechnology identifies Bak as a candidate melanoma biomarker in serum

BACKGROUND

Melanoma represents only 4% of all skin cancers, but nearly 80% of skin cancer deaths. This manuscript applies several new measurement technologies with the purpose of elucidating molecular signatures of melanoma aggressiveness.

PURPOSE

We sought to determine whether low-abundant serum proteins related to apoptotic pathways could be measured and correlated with defined melanoma subtypes. Hydrogel core shell nanoparticles, a new technology capable of selectively entrapping low molecular weight proteins and protecting them from enzymatic degradation, were used to capture candidate serum biomarkers. Biomarker levels were correlated with confocal microscopy, thereby representing a combination of new technologies for in vivo histologic documentation.

RESULTS

Among a panel of analyzed serum proteins, Bak was differentially expressed between nevi and melanomas. Melanomas with higher Bak serum levels exhibited more pronounced junctional activity on confocal imaging, whereas lesions with 'sparse' dermal nests had weak Bak expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study links serum proteome analysis with confocal microscopic clinical in vivo histologic classification of melanomas. Bak has not been previously measured in serum. Bak differential expression among melanoma subtypes confirms the importance of the apoptotic pathway as a contributor to melanoma aggressiveness.

A novel biomarker harvesting nanotechnology identifies Bak as a candidate melanoma biomarker in serum

BACKGROUND

Melanoma represents only 4% of all skin cancers, but nearly 80% of skin cancer deaths. This manuscript applies several new measurement technologies with the purpose of elucidating molecular signatures of melanoma aggressiveness.

PURPOSE

We sought to determine whether low-abundant serum proteins related to apoptotic pathways could be measured and correlated with defined melanoma subtypes. Hydrogel core shell nanoparticles, a new technology capable of selectively entrapping low molecular weight proteins and protecting them from enzymatic degradation, were used to capture candidate serum biomarkers. Biomarker levels were correlated with confocal microscopy, thereby representing a combination of new technologies for in vivo histologic documentation.

RESULTS

Among a panel of analyzed serum proteins, Bak was differentially expressed between nevi and melanomas. Melanomas with higher Bak serum levels exhibited more pronounced junctional activity on confocal imaging, whereas lesions with 'sparse' dermal nests had weak Bak expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study links serum proteome analysis with confocal microscopic clinical in vivo histologic classification of melanomas. Bak has not been previously measured in serum. Bak differential expression among melanoma subtypes confirms the importance of the apoptotic pathway as a contributor to melanoma aggressiveness.