Cooperation in bioluminescence: understanding the role of autoinducers by a stochastic random resistor model

Quorum sensing is a communication mechanism adopted by different bacterial strains for the regulation of gene transcription. It takes place through the exchange of molecules called autoinducers. Bioluminescence is an emergent threshold phenomenon shown by some bacteria strains. Its precise relationship to quorum sensing is a debated topic, particularly regarding the role of the different autoinducers used by bacteria. In this paper, assuming a direct relationship between bioluminescence and quorum sensing, we investigate the role of multiple autoinducers in the bioluminescence response of Vibrio harveyi, considered as a model bioluminescent strain, due to its quorum sensing circuitry involving an array of three different autoinducers. Experiments on mutants of this bacterium, obtained by suppression of one or more autoinducers, reveal their relative non-trivial relevance and cooperative interaction patterns. The proposed analysis is implemented on a regular lattice, whose nodes represent microbial entities equipped with charges, which represent the ability to up/down regulate the gene expression. Quorum sensing results from a Coulomb-type field, produced by the charges. In analogy with random resistor network models, the lattice is permeated by an effective current which accounts for the amount and distribution of the charges. We propose that the presence of different autoinducers correspond to a different up/down regulation of gene expression, i.e., to a different way to account for the charges. Then, by introducing a modulation of the charge dependence into the current flowing within the network, we show that it is able to describe the bioluminescence exhibited by V. harveyi mutants. Furthermore, modulation of the charge dependence allows the interactions between the different autoinducers to be taken into account, providing a prediction regarding the data obtainable under specific growth conditions.

Breast Cancer Prevention: The Key Role of Population Screening, Breast Self-Examination (BSE) and Technological Tools. Survey of Italian Women

Breast cancer is the most common tumor among women worldwide and still remains the leading cause of death in women in Italy. Although survival from this pathology has increased, this disease and its treatment can have lasting or delayed effects that can greatly affect a woman's quality of life. Primary and secondary prevention are currently the best strategies to combat this cancer: improved lifestyle, early adherence to screening, Breast Self-Examination (BSE), and even now the use of technology, have become among the most important tools to ensure increasingly early diagnosis of this disease, which is a major cause of suffering and premature mortality in women. Indeed, early diagnosis of the disease can lead to a good prognosis and a high survival rate. This study investigates the attitude of Italian women to perform clinical checkups aimed at cancer prevention, particularly adherence to free screening programs offered by the National Health Service (NHS) for women in the 50-69 age group. The knowledge, use and emotional approach toward BSE as a screening tool and the use of dedicated apps for this purpose are also investigated. Low adherence to screening programs, lack of BSE practice, and nonuse of dedicated apps are just some of the results observed in this study. Therefore, it becomes essential to spread the culture of prevention, cancer awareness and the importance of screening throughout life.

Nanozymes based on octahedral platinum nanocrystals with {111} surface facets: glucose oxidase mimicking activity in electrochemical sensors

The ability of shape-controlled octahedral Pt nanoparticles to act as nanozyme mimicking glucose oxidase enzyme is reported. Extended {111} particle surface facets coupled with a size comparable to natural enzymes and easy-to-remove citrate coating give high affinity for glucose, comparable to the enzyme as proven by the steady-state kinetics of glucose electrooxidation. The easy and thorough removal of the citrate coating, demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, allows a highly stable deposition of the nanozymes on the electrode. The glucose electrochemical detection (at -0.2 V vs SCE) shows a linear response between 0.36 and 17 mM with a limit of detection of 110 μM. A good reproducibility has been achieved, with an average relative standard deviation (RSD) value of 9.1% (n = 3). Similarly, a low intra-sensor variability has been observed, with a RSD of 6.6% (n = 3). Moreover, the sensor shows a long-term stability with reproducible performances for at least 2 months (RSD: 7.8%). Tests in saliva samples show the applicability of Pt nanozymes to commercial systems for non-invasive monitoring of hyperglycemia in saliva, with recoveries ranging from 92 to 98%.

Clinical Features of Takotsubo Syndrome and Its Differential Diagnostic Criteria in Clinical Nursing Practice: A Review of the Literature

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a heart disease that mimics the symptoms of a myocardial infarction (MI). The exact cause of TCM is unknown, but the main theory is that the syndrome is triggered by an excessive release of catecholamines, a consequence of factors related to stress or severe emotional distress. The aim of this review is to summarize the various scientific journal articles on the nursing differential diagnosis of TCM, on the specific nurse training (particularly the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse, APN), and on the nursing educational support for the patient after hospital discharge.

RECENT FINDINGS

A literature review was conducted on Medline (via PubMed), Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Relevant indexed articles that investigated the elements characterizing TCM in nursing differential diagnosis and the role of the APN were identified.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies were included in the review; they highlighted the role of the nurse in identifying and educating patients with TCM. Nurses must have a thorough understanding of the syndrome, the onset symptoms, the unusual characteristics, and the probable etiology of TCM in order to recognize and promptly treat patients affected by this syndrome and have the opportunity to educate them after hospital discharge to reduce the possibility of recurrence.

Ecosystem Vulnerability. New Semantics for International Law

The effects of climate change and increasing environmental pollution have clearly shown the vulnerability of individuals, local communities, and the natural environment, even in the Western context. However, despite such unquestionable data, International Law is still struggling to find adequate, unambiguous, effective solutions to the issue. Even the 'human right to a healthy environment', recognised by the UN General Assembly in 2022, is permeated by an anthropocentric idea of the world, which prevents it from fully dealing with ecosystem issues so as to protect any living and non-living being. The paper starts by exploring the historical relevance of the concept of limit and the lack of boundaries in contemporary society, aiming to show that new semantics are needed, in order to overcome contemporary extractivism. An analysis of international legislation and jurisprudence will investigate the role that the concept of ecosystem vulnerability might play in the implementation of both human rights and the rights of nature.

Simultaneous monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 and bacterial profiles from the air of hospital environments with COVID-19-affected patients

The SARS-CoV-2 presence and the bacterial community profile in air samples collected at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Operational Unit of Infectious Diseases of Santa Caterina Novella Hospital in Galatina (Lecce, Italy) have been evaluated in this study. Air samplings were performed in different rooms of the ICU ward with and without COVID-19 patients. No sample was found positive to SARS-CoV-2, according to Allplex 2019-nCoV Assay. The airborne bacterial community profiles determined by the 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding approach up to the species level were characterized by richness and biodiversity indices, Spearman correlation coefficients, and Principal Coordinate Analysis. Pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacterial species, also detected in outdoor air samples, were found in all collected indoor samples. Staphylococcus pettenkoferi, Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum, and others coagulase-negative staphylococci, detected at high relative abundances in all the patients' rooms, were the most abundant pathogenic species. The highest mean relative abundance of S. pettenkoferi and C. tuberculostearicum suggested that they were likely the main pathogens of COVID-19 patients at the ICU ward of this study. The identification of nosocomial pathogens representing potential patients' risks in ICU COVID-19 rooms and the still controversial airborne transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 are the main contributions of this study.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10453-022-09754-7.

Multiple roles played by the mitochondrial citrate carrier in cellular metabolism and physiology

The citrate carrier (CIC) is an integral protein of the inner mitochondrial membrane which catalyzes the efflux of mitochondrial citrate (or other tricarboxylates) in exchange with a cytosolic anion represented by a tricarboxylate or a dicarboxylate or phosphoenolpyruvate. In this way, the CIC provides the cytosol with citrate which is involved in many metabolic reactions. Several studies have been carried out over the years on the structure, function and regulation of this metabolite carrier protein both in mammals and in many other organisms. A lot of data on the characteristics of this protein have therefore accumulated over time thereby leading to a complex framework of metabolic and physiological implications connected to the CIC function. In this review, we critically analyze these data starting from the multiple roles played by the mitochondrial CIC in many cellular processes and then examining the regulation of its activity in different nutritional and hormonal states. Finally, the metabolic significance of the citrate flux, mediated by the CIC, across distinct subcellular compartments is also discussed.

An insight into polyscopoletin electrosynthesis by a quality-by-design approach

Scopoletin (SP) as a functional monomer for electropolymerization has recently been investigated in the context of molecularly imprinted polymers for biosensing applications. Herein we describe an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms involved in the electropolymerization of SP toward the optimization of the experimental conditions for applications in sensor studies. PolySP films have been in situ synthesized on a standard glassy carbon electrodes by varying three independent experimental parameters, and the output of the analysis has been evaluated in terms of the resulting electroactive area and surface coverage. A quality-by-design approach including design-of-experiments principles and response surface methodology produced unbiased observations on the most relevant parameters to be controlled during the electropolymerization of SP. By combining the output of electroactive area and surface overage, we highlighted a strong dependence on the monomer concentration and scan rate. Thus, an appropriate selection of these two parameters should be sought to have an optimal electropolymerization process, leading to uniform films and homogeneous surface behavior. This study shows that the application of multi-factorial analysis in a comprehensive design of experiments allows the systematic study of polymer electrosynthesis. Therefore, this research is expected to guide further efforts in the electropolymerization of several functional monomers.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10853-022-07349-8.

A statistical inference approach to reconstruct intercellular interactions in cell migration experiments

Migration of cells can be characterized by two prototypical types of motion: individual and collective migration. We propose a statistical inference approach designed to detect the presence of cell-cell interactions that give rise to collective behaviors in cell motility experiments. This inference method has been first successfully tested on synthetic motional data and then applied to two experiments. In the first experiment, cells migrate in a wound-healing model: When applied to this experiment, the inference method predicts the existence of cell-cell interactions, correctly mirroring the strong intercellular contacts that are present in the experiment. In the second experiment, dendritic cells migrate in a chemokine gradient. Our inference analysis does not provide evidence for interactions, indicating that cells migrate by sensing independently the chemokine source. According to this prediction, we speculate that mature dendritic cells disregard intercellular signals that could otherwise delay their arrival to lymph vessels.

Olfactory Event-Related Potentials and Exhaled Organic Volatile Compounds: The Slow Link Between Olfactory Perception and Breath Metabolic Response. A Pilot Study on Phenylethyl Alcohol and Vaseline Oil

Olfactory processing starts with the breath and elicits neuronal, metabolic and cortical responses. This process can be investigated centrally via the Olfactory Event-Related Potentials (OERPs) and peripherally via exhaled Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Despite this, the relationship between OERPs (i.e., N1 and Late Positive Component LPC) and exhaled VOCs has not been investigated enough. The aim of this research is to study OERPs and VOCs connection to two different stimuli: phenylethyl alcohol (PEA) and Vaseline Oil (VO). Fifteen healthy subjects performed a perceptual olfactory task with PEA as a smell target stimulus and VO as a neutral stimulus. The results suggest that OERPs and VOCs distributions follow the same amplitude trend and that PEA is highly arousing in both psychophysiological measures. PEA shows ampler and faster N1, a component related to the sensorial aspect of the stimulus. The N1 topographic localization is different between PEA and VO: PEA stimulus evokes greater N1 in the left centroparietal site. LPC, a component elicited by the perceptual characteristic of the stimulus, shows faster latency in the Frontal lobe and decreased amplitude in the Central and Parietal lobe elicited by the PEA smell. Moreover, the delayed time between the onset of N1-LPC and the onset of VOCs seems to be about 3 s. This delay could be identified as the internal metabolic time in which the odorous stimulus, once perceived at the cortical level, is metabolized and subsequently exhaled. Furthermore, the VO stimulus does not allocate the attentive, perceptive and metabolic resource as with PEA.