Evaluation of sensor-based health monitoring in dairy cows: Exploiting rumination times for health alerts around parturition

The use of sensor-based measures of rumination time as a parameter for early disease detection has received significant attention in scientific research. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of health alerts triggered by a sensor-based accelerometer system within 2 different management strategies on a commercial dairy farm. Multiparous Holstein cows were enrolled during the dry-off period and randomly allocated to conventional (CON) or sensor-based (SEN) management groups at calving. All cows were monitored for disorders for a minimum of 10 DIM following standardized operating procedures (SOPs). The CON group (n = 199) followed an established monitoring protocol on the farm. The health alerts of this group were not available during the study but were later included in the analysis. The SEN group (n = 197) was only investigated when the sensor system triggered a health alert, and a more intensive monitoring approach according to the SOPs was implemented. To analyze the efficiency of the health alerts in detecting disorders, the sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP) of health alerts were determined for the CON group. In addition, all cows were divided into 3 subgroups based on the status of the health alerts and their health status, to retrospectively compare the course of rumination time. Most health alerts (87%, n = 217) occurred on DIM 1. For the confirmation of diagnoses, health alerts showed SE and SP levels of 71% and 47% for CON cows. In SEN cows, a SE of 71% and 75% and SP of 48% and 43% were found for the detection of ketosis and hypocalcemia, respectively. The rumination time of the subgroups was affected by DIM and the interaction between DIM and the status of health alert and health condition.

Anti-CRISPR Anopheles mosquitoes inhibit gene drive spread under challenging behavioural conditions in large cages

CRISPR-based gene drives have the potential to spread within populations and are considered as promising vector control tools. A doublesex-targeting gene drive was able to suppress laboratory Anopheles mosquito populations in small and large cages, and it is considered for field application. Challenges related to the field-use of gene drives and the evolving regulatory framework suggest that systems able to modulate or revert the action of gene drives, could be part of post-release risk-mitigation plans. In this study, we challenge an AcrIIA4-based anti-drive to inhibit gene drive spread in age-structured Anopheles gambiae population under complex feeding and behavioural conditions. A stochastic model predicts the experimentally-observed genotype dynamics in age-structured populations in medium-sized cages and highlights the necessity of large-sized cage trials. These experiments and experimental-modelling framework demonstrate the effectiveness of the anti-drive in different scenarios, providing further corroboration for its use in controlling the spread of gene drive in Anopheles.

Introgression of a synthetic sex ratio distortion transgene into different genetic backgrounds of Anopheles coluzzii

The development of genetically modified mosquitoes (GMM) and their subsequent field release offers innovative approaches for vector control of malaria. A non-gene drive self-limiting male-bias Ag(PMB)1 strain has been developed in a 47-year-old laboratory G3 strain of Anopheles gambiae s.l. When Ag(PMB)1 males are crossed to wild-type females, expression of the endonuclease I-PpoI during spermatogenesis causes the meiotic cleavage of the X chromosome in sperm cells, leading to fertile offspring with a 95% male bias. However, World Health Organization states that the functionality of the transgene could differ when inserted in different genetic backgrounds of Anopheles coluzzii which is currently a predominant species in several West-African countries and thus a likely recipient for a potential release of self-limiting GMMs. In this study, we introgressed the transgene from the donor Ag(PMB)1 by six serial backcrosses into two recipient colonies of An. coluzzii that had been isolated in Mali and Burkina Faso. Scans of informative Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers and whole-genome sequencing analysis revealed a nearly complete introgression of chromosomes 3 and X, but a remarkable genomic divergence in a large region of chromosome 2 between the later backcrossed (BC6) transgenic offspring and the recipient paternal strains. These findings suggested to extend the backcrossing breeding strategy beyond BC6 generation and increasing the introgression efficiency of critical regions that have ecological and epidemiological implications through the targeted selection of specific markers. Disregarding differential introgression efficiency, we concluded that the phenotype of the sex ratio distorter is stable in the BC6 introgressed An. coluzzii strains.

Exploring Ultracold Collisions in ^{6}Li-^{53}Cr Fermi Mixtures: Feshbach Resonances and Scattering Properties of a Novel Alkali-Transition Metal System

We investigate ultracold collisions in a novel mixture of ^{6}Li and ^{53}Cr fermionic atoms, discovering more than 50 interspecies Feshbach resonances via loss spectroscopy. Building a full coupled-channel model, we unambiguously characterize the ^{6}Li-^{53}Cr scattering properties and yield predictions for other isotopic pairs. In particular, we identify various Feshbach resonances that enable the controlled tuning of elastic s- and p-wave ^{6}Li-^{53}Cr interactions. Our studies thus make lithium-chromium mixtures emerge as optimally suited platforms for the experimental search of elusive few- and many-body regimes of highly correlated fermionic matter, and for the realization of a new class of ultracold polar molecules possessing both electric and magnetic dipole moments.

Movement of genetically modified insects for research purposes

Insects play a crucial role in research. Many laboratories are developing technologies to control insect vectors or agricultural pests by using genetic modifications that either reduce insect reproduction or increase refractoriness to disease transmission. Those tools include gene-drive elements that may spread such genetic traits in a selfsustaining and cost-effective manner. Since international research collaborations are nowadays routine, movement of genetically modified insects between laboratories under different regulatory jurisdictions is very common. This article describes the requirements and guidelines for transportation of genetically modified insects for research. The author draws upon the experience gained by an Italian laboratory, in its role as a research centre involved in shipments of wild and modified mosquitoes, within an international research consortium developing sustainable tools for malaria control.

Analysis of off-target effects in CRISPR-based gene drives in the human malaria mosquito

CRISPR-Cas9 nuclease-based gene drives have been developed toward the aim of control of the human malaria vector Anopheles gambiae Gene drives are based on an active source of Cas9 nuclease in the germline that promotes super-Mendelian inheritance of the transgene by homology-directed repair ("homing"). Understanding whether CRISPR-induced off-target mutations are generated in Anopheles mosquitoes is an important aspect of risk assessment before any potential field release of this technology. We compared the frequencies and the propensity of off-target events to occur in four different gene-drive strains, including a deliberately promiscuous set-up, using a nongermline restricted promoter for SpCas9 and a guide RNA with many closely related sites (two or more mismatches) across the mosquito genome. Under this scenario we observed off-target mutations at frequencies no greater than 1.42%. We witnessed no evidence that CRISPR-induced off-target mutations were able to accumulate (or drive) in a mosquito population, despite multiple generations' exposure to the CRISPR-Cas9 nuclease construct. Furthermore, judicious design of the guide RNA used for homing of the CRISPR construct, combined with tight temporal constriction of Cas9 expression to the germline, rendered off-target mutations undetectable. The findings of this study represent an important milestone for the understanding and managing of CRISPR-Cas9 specificity in mosquitoes, and demonstrates that CRISPR off-target editing in the context of a mosquito gene drive can be reduced to minimal levels.

A Code of Ethics for Gene Drive Research

Gene drives hold promise for use in controlling insect vectors of diseases, agricultural pests, and for conservation of ecosystems against invasive species. At the same time, this technology comes with potential risks that include unknown downstream effects on entire ecosystems as well as the accidental or nefarious spread of organisms that carry the gene drive machinery. A code of ethics can be a useful tool for all parties involved in the development and regulation of gene drives and can be used to help ensure that a balanced analysis of risks, benefits, and values is taken into consideration in the interest of society and humanity. We have developed a code of ethics for gene drive research with the hope that this code will encourage the development of an international framework that includes ethical guidance of gene drive research and is incorporated into scientific practice by gaining broad agreement and adherence.

A male-biased sex-distorter gene drive for the human malaria vector Anopheles gambiae

Only female insects transmit diseases such as malaria, dengue and Zika; therefore, control methods that bias the sex ratio of insect offspring have long been sought. Genetic elements such as sex-chromosome drives can distort sex ratios to produce unisex populations that eventually collapse, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. We report a male-biased sex-distorter gene drive (SDGD) in the human malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. We induced super-Mendelian inheritance of the X-chromosome-shredding I-PpoI nuclease by coupling this to a CRISPR-based gene drive inserted into a conserved sequence of the doublesex (dsx) gene. In modeling of invasion dynamics, SDGD was predicted to have a quicker impact on female mosquito populations than previously developed gene drives targeting female fertility. The SDGD at the dsx locus led to a male-only population from a 2.5% starting allelic frequency in 10–14 generations, with population collapse and no selection for resistance. Our results support the use of SDGD for malaria vector control.

A sex-distorter gene drive causes population collapse in the malaria mosquito.

A CRISPR-Cas9 gene drive system targeting female reproduction in the malaria mosquito vector Anopheles gambiae

Gene drive systems that enable super-Mendelian inheritance of a transgene have the potential to modify insect populations over a timeframe of a few years. We describe CRISPR-Cas9 endonuclease constructs that function as gene drive systems in Anopheles gambiae, the main vector for malaria. We identified three genes (AGAP005958, AGAP011377 and AGAP007280) that confer a recessive female-sterility phenotype upon disruption, and inserted into each locus CRISPR-Cas9 gene drive constructs designed to target and edit each gene. For each targeted locus we observed a strong gene drive at the molecular level, with transmission rates to progeny of 91.4 to 99.6%. Population modeling and cage experiments indicate that a CRISPR-Cas9 construct targeting one of these loci, AGAP007280, meets the minimum requirement for a gene drive targeting female reproduction in an insect population. These findings could expedite the development of gene drives to suppress mosquito populations to levels that do not support malaria transmission.

A draft genome sequence of an invasive mosquito: an Italian Aedes albopictus

The draft genome sequence of Italian specimens of the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) was determined using a standard NGS (next generation sequencing) approach. The size of the assembled genome is comparable to that of Aedes aegypti; the two mosquitoes are also similar as far as the high content of repetitive DNA is concerned, most of which is made up of transposable elements. Although, based on BUSCO (Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologues) analysis, the genome assembly reported here contains more than 99% of protein-coding genes, several of those are expected to be represented in the assembly in a fragmented state. We also present here the annotation of several families of genes (tRNA genes, miRNA genes, the sialome, genes involved in chromatin condensation, sex determination genes, odorant binding proteins and odorant receptors). These analyses confirm that the assembly can be used for the study of the biology of this invasive vector of disease.

Accuracy and Reproducibility of HER2 Status in Breast Cancer Using Immunohistochemistry: A Quality Control Study in Tuscany Evaluating the Impact of Updated 2013 ASCO/CAP Recommendations

The correct identification of HER2-positive cases is a key point to provide the most appropriate therapy to breast cancer (BC) patients. We aimed at investigating the reproducibility and accuracy of HER2 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a selected series of 35 invasive BC cases across the pathological anatomy laboratories in Tuscany, Italy. Unstained sections of each BC case were sent to 12 participating laboratories. Pathologists were required to score according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) four-tier scoring system (0, 1+, 2+, 3+). Sixteen and nineteen cases were HER2 non-amplified and amplified respectively on fluorescence in situ hybridization. Among 192 readings of the 16 HER2 non-amplified samples, 153 (79.7%) were coded as 0 or 1+, 39 (20.3%) were 2+, and none was 3+ (false positive rate 0%). Among 228 readings of the 19 HER2 amplified samples, 56 (24.6%) were scored 0 or 1+, 79 (34.6%) were 2+, and 93 (40.8%) were 3+. The average sensitivity was 75.4%, ranging between 47% and 100%, and the overall false negative rate was 24.6%. Participation of pathological anatomy laboratories performing HER2 testing by IHC in external quality assurance programs should be made mandatory, as the system is able to identify laboratories with suboptimal performance that may need technical advice. Updated 2013 ASCO/CAP recommendations should be adopted as the widening of IHC 2+ "equivocal" category would improve overall accuracy of HER2 testing, as more cases would be classified in this category and, consequently, tested with an in situ hybridisation method.

Development of synthetic selfish elements based on modular nucleases in Drosophila melanogaster

Selfish genes are DNA elements that increase their rate of genetic transmission at the expense of other genes in the genome and can therefore quickly spread within a population. It has been suggested that selfish elements could be exploited to modify the genome of entire populations for medical and ecological applications. Here we report that transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) and zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) can be engineered into site-specific synthetic selfish elements (SSEs) and demonstrate their transmission of up to 70% in the Drosophila germline. We show here that SSEs can spread via DNA break-induced homologous recombination, a process known as 'homing' similar to that observed for homing endonuclease genes (HEGs), despite their fundamentally different modes of DNA binding and cleavage. We observed that TALEN and ZFN have a reduced capability of secondary homing compared to HEG as their repetitive structure had a negative effect on their genetic stability. The modular architecture of ZFNs and TALENs allows for the rapid design of novel SSEs against specific genomic sequences making them potentially suitable for the genetic engineering of wild-type populations of animals and plants, in applications such as gene replacement or population suppression of pest species.

A mechanosensory pathway to the Drosophila circadian clock

Circadian clocks attune the physiology of virtually all living organisms to the diurnal cycles of their environments. In metazoan animals, multiple sensory input pathways have been linked to clock synchronization with the environmental cycle (entrainment). Extrinsic entrainment cues include light and temperature. We show that (12-hour:12-hour) cycles of vibration and silence (VS) are sufficient to synchronize the daily locomotor activity of wild-type Drosophila melanogaster. Behavioral synchronization to VS cycles required a functional clock and functional chordotonal organs and was accompanied by phase-shifts of the daily oscillations of PERIOD protein concentrations in brain clock neurons. The feedback from mechanosensory-and particularly, proprioceptive-organs may help an animal to keep its circadian clock in sync with its own, stimulus-induced activities.

Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors Expression in Uterine Malignant Smooth Muscle Tumors: Correlation with Clinical Outcome

Uterine leiomyosarcomas are associated with a poor prognosis, although a considerable diversity in behavior may be found, and prolonged survival may occur. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptors in tumor specimens from uterine leiomyosarcomas, and to test their correlation with disease-free interval and cause-specific survival. This additional information may help the clinician differentiate between patients who have minimal risk of recurrence and those at greater risk of developing progressive disease. We examined specimens from 31 uterine leiomyosarcoma patients with clinical history and known follow-up. Disease-free interval and cause-specific survival rates were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. According to univariate analysis, with Cox proportional hazards models, the ER expression (P=0.006 and P=0.016, respectively), PR expression (P=0.005 and P=0.016, respectively), and FIGO stage disease (P=0.011 and P=0.007, respectively) were independent predictors of the risk of recurrence and death from disease.

The Pyrexia transient receptor potential channel mediates circadian clock synchronization to low temperature cycles in Drosophila melanogaster

Circadian clocks are endogenous approximately 24 h oscillators that temporally regulate many physiological and behavioural processes. In order to be beneficial for the organism, these clocks must be synchronized with the environmental cycles on a daily basis. Both light : dark and the concomitant daily temperature cycles (TCs) function as Zeitgeber ('time giver') and efficiently entrain circadian clocks. The temperature receptors mediating this synchronization have not been identified. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels function as thermo-receptors in animals, and here we show that the Pyrexia (Pyx) TRP channel mediates temperature synchronization in Drosophila melanogaster. Pyx is expressed in peripheral sensory organs (chordotonal organs), which previously have been implicated in temperature synchronization. Flies deficient for Pyx function fail to synchronize their behaviour to TCs in the lower range (16-20°C), and this deficit can be partially rescued by introducing a wild-type copy of the pyx gene. Synchronization to higher TCs is not affected, demonstrating a specific role for Pyx at lower temperatures. In addition, pyx mutants speed up their clock after being exposed to TCs. Our results identify the first TRP channel involved in temperature synchronization of circadian clocks.

Oestrogen receptor beta and melanoma: a comparative study

BACKGROUND

Oncological research has focused on evaluating oestrogen receptors (ERs) in oestrogen-related tumours, and understanding the potential role of ERs in the pathophysiology of cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the significance of oestrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in melanoma.

METHODS

We prospectively evaluated ERβ expression in malignant melanoma (MM) tissue and adjacent healthy skin by quantitative immunohistochemistry at the Department of Dermatology of the University of Florence, from 1998 to 2010.

RESULTS

ERβ was detected with varying staining intensity in the 66 malignant melanocytic lesions. After adjusting for age and sex, we found that ERβ expression was significantly lower in melanoma tissue compared with adjacent healthy skin (P < 0·0001). We also found significantly lower ERβ levels in thick melanoma tissue compared with thin melanoma tissue. In addition, there was a positive association between Breslow thickness and the difference of ERβ expression between healthy tissue and melanoma tissue (P = 0·0004). Consistent with sex differences in melanoma survival, men showed significantly lower levels of ERβ than women in both melanoma (P = 0·05) and healthy tissues (P = 0·02).

CONCLUSIONS

ERβ expression is inversely associated with Breslow thickness and is significantly influenced by sex in MM.

Cryptochrome antagonizes synchronization of Drosophila's circadian clock to temperature cycles

BACKGROUND

In nature, both daily light:dark cycles and temperature fluctuations are used by organisms to synchronize their endogenous time with the daily cycles of light and temperature. Proper synchronization is important for the overall fitness and wellbeing of animals and humans, and although we know a lot about light synchronization, this is not the case for temperature inputs to the circadian clock. In Drosophila, light and temperature cues can act as synchronization signals (Zeitgeber), but it is not known how they are integrated.

RESULTS

We investigated whether different groups of the Drosophila clock neurons that regulate behavioral rhythmicity contribute to temperature synchronization at different absolute temperatures. Using spatially restricted expression of the clock gene period, we show that dorsally located clock neurons mainly mediate synchronization to higher (20°C:29°C) and ventral clock neurons to lower (16°C:25°C) temperature cycles. Molecularly, the blue-light photoreceptor CRYPTOCHROME (CRY) dampens temperature-induced PERIOD (PER)-LUCIFERASE oscillations in dorsal clock neurons. Consistent with this finding, we show that in the absence of CRY very limited expression of PER in a few dorsal clock neurons is able to mediate behavioral temperature synchronization to high and low temperature cycles independent of light.

CONCLUSIONS

We show that different subsets of clock neurons operate at high and low temperatures to mediate clock synchronization to temperature cycles, suggesting that temperature entrainment is not restricted to measuring the amplitude of such cycles. CRY dampens temperature input to the clock and thereby contributes to the integration of different Zeitgebers.

Genome flux in tomato auto- and auxo-trophic cell clones cultured in different auxin/cytokinin equilibria. I. DNA multiplicity and methylation levels

An analysis of the effect of changing physiological conditions on genetic stability, in terms of epigenetic changes, such as DNA, methylation patterns, and multiplicity of repetitive DNA, was carried out on tomato cell clones grown on media supplemented with different auxin/cytokinin ratios. The effect of endogenous variation in phytohormone equilibria was also indirectly analysed through a comparison of auxotrophic or habituated (autotrophic) cell clones and the differentiated leaf tissue. The data obtained showed significant variation in methylation and multiplicity levels both between clones and between treatments, clearly suggesting a contemporary influence of exogenous hormonal treatments and of the initial/endogenous physiological state of the treated tissue on both phenomena studied.

Temperature entrainment of Drosophila's circadian clock involves the gene nocte and signaling from peripheral sensory tissues to the brain

Circadian clocks are synchronized by the natural day/night and temperature cycles. Our previous work demonstrated that synchronization by temperature is a tissue autonomous process, similar to synchronization by light. We show here that this is indeed the case, with the important exception of the brain. Using luciferase imaging we demonstrate that brain clock neurons depend on signals from peripheral tissues in order to be synchronized by temperature. Reducing the function of the gene nocte in chordotonal organs changes their structure and function and dramatically interferes with temperature synchronization of behavioral activity. Other mutants known to affect the function of these sensory organs also interfere with temperature synchronization, demonstrating the importance of nocte in this process and identifying the chordotonal organs as relevant sensory structures. Our work reveals surprising and important mechanistic differences between light- and temperature-synchronization and advances our understanding of how clock resetting is accomplished in nature.

Expression of protease-activated receptor-1 and -2 in orofacial granulomatosis

OBJECTIVE

Orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) is a rare condition characterized by non-caseating granulomas in the orofacial region. Protease-Activated Receptors (PARs) play a role in inflammatory diseases in diverse human tissues. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of PAR-1, PAR-2, MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-1, and COX-2 in tissues taken from OFG patients.

METHODS

PAR-1, PAR-2, MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-1, and COX-2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in biopsies taken from oral Crohn's disease (five cases), Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) (six cases), cheilitis granulomatosa (five cases) and normal oral mucosa (five cases).

RESULTS

PAR-1 was observed in mononuclear inflammatory cells in edematous/lichenoid lesions, whereas a strong PAR-2 immunostaining was detected in epithelioid histiocytes and giant cells in granulomatous lesions, irrespective of the clinical features (Crohn vs MRS). MMPs and COX-2 were expressed in the inflammatory component of edematous/lichenoid lesions and markedly overexpressed in granulomatous lesions. COX-1 was weakly and variably expressed in both edematous/lichenoid and granulomatous lesions.

CONCLUSION

Thus, PAR-1 and PAR-2 expressions were related to the intensity and type of inflammatory response but not to the type of clinical lesion. Simultaneous overexpression of PARs, MMPs and COXs suggests synergism among these proinflammatory receptors and enzymes.

Megalencephaly and perisylvian polymicrogyria with postaxial polydactyly and hydrocephalus (MPPH): report of a new case

Megalencephaly (MEG), or enlargement of the brain, can either represent a familial variant with normal cerebral structure, or a rare brain malformation associated with developmental delay and neurological problems. MEG has been split into two subtypes: anatomical and metabolic. The latter features a build-up inside the cells owing to metabolic causes. Anatomical MEG has been detected in many different conditions, including many overgrowth syndromes. In 2004 Mirzaa et al. reported five non-consanguineous patients with a new MCA/MR syndrome characterized by severe congenital MEG with polymicrogyria (PMG), postaxial polydactyly (POLY) and hydrocephalus (HYD). The authors argued that these findings identified a new and distinct malformation syndrome, which they named MPPH. We report on a new case of MPPH, the first to be described after the original series (Mirzaa et al., 2004).

39K Bose-Einstein condensate with tunable interactions

We produce a Bose-Einstein condensate of 39K atoms. Condensation of this species with a naturally small and negative scattering length is achieved by a combination of sympathetic cooling with 87Rb and direct evaporation, exploiting the magnetic tuning of both inter- and intraspecies interactions at Feshbach resonances. We explore the tunability of the self-interactions by studying the expansion and the stability of the condensate. We find that a 39K condensate is interesting for future experiments requiring a weakly-interacting Bose gas.

Observation of Feshbach resonances in an ultracold gas of 52Cr

We have observed Feshbach resonances in collisions between ultracold 52Cr atoms. This is the first observation of collisional Feshbach resonances in an atomic species with more than one valence electron. The zero nuclear spin of 52Cr and thus the absence of a Fermi-contact interaction leads to regularly spaced resonance sequences. By comparing resonance positions with multichannel scattering calculations we determine the s-wave scattering length of the lowest (2S+1)Sigma(+)(g) potentials to be 112(14) a(0), 58(6) a(0), and -7(20) a(0) for S=6, 4, and 2, respectively, where a(0)=0.0529 nm.

Precise determination of 6Li cold collision parameters by radio-frequency spectroscopy on weakly bound molecules

We employ radio-frequency spectroscopy on weakly bound (6)Li(2) molecules to precisely determine the molecular binding energies and the energy splittings between molecular states for different magnetic fields. These measurements allow us to extract the interaction parameters of ultracold (6)Li atoms based on a multichannel quantum scattering model. We determine the singlet and triplet scattering lengths to be a(s) = 45.167(8)a(0) and a(t) = -2140(18)a(0) (1a(0) = 0.052 917 7 nm), and the positions of the broad Feshbach resonances in the energetically lowest three s-wave scattering channels to be 83.41(15), 69.04(5), and 81.12(10) mT.

Relaxation as a cognitive task

In the present experiment the instruction to relax was given to awake highly (Highs) and non hypnotizable subjects (Lows), while their heart rate, respirogram and skin resistance were recorded together with electroencephalogram, electroculogram and corrugator electromiogram. At the beginning of the experiment, Highs exhibited no significant difference in heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (RF) and heart rate variability (HRV) with respect to Lows, but showed a higher EEG alpha and theta1 power. During the session, both groups decreased their heart rate, but changes were significant only in Lows, which increased significantly also the parasympathetic component of their HRV (high frequency, HF). In both groups, EEG showed alpha, beta2 and theta2 power decrements; theta1 activity decreased only in Lows, while gamma power increased in Highs and decreased in Lows. Results suggest that Highs and Lows used different cognitive strategies in the elaboration of the relaxation request and that Highs performed the task through a higher integrative activity.

Determination of the s-wave scattering length of chromium

We have measured the deca-triplet s-wave scattering length of the bosonic chromium isotopes 52Cr and 50Cr. From the time constants for cross-dimensional thermalization in ultracold atomic samples, we have determined the magnitudes |a(52Cr)|=(170+/-39)a(0) and |a(50Cr)|=(40+/-15)a(0), where a(0)=0.053 nm. By measuring the rethermalization rate of 52Cr over a wide temperature range and comparing the temperature dependence with the effective-range theory and numerical single-channel calculations, we have obtained strong evidence that the sign of a(52Cr) is positive. Rescaling our 52Cr model potential to 50Cr strongly suggests that a(50Cr) is positive also.

Similar Ca(2+)-signaling properties in keratinocytes and in COS-1 cells overexpressing the secretory-pathway Ca(2+)-ATPase SPCA1

Mutations in the ubiquitously expressed secretory-pathway Ca(2+)-ATPase (SPCA1) Ca(2+) pump result in Hailey-Hailey disease, which almost exclusively affects the epidermal part of the skin. We have studied Ca(2+) signaling in human keratinocytes by measuring the free Ca(2+) concentration in the cytoplasm and in the lumen of both the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum. These signals were compared with those recorded in SPCA1-overexpressing and control COS-1 cells. Both the sarco(endo)plasmic-reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) and SPCA1 can mediate Ca(2+) uptake into the Golgi stacks. Our results indicate that keratinocytes mainly used the SPCA1 Ca(2+) pump to load the Golgi complex with Ca(2+) whereas the SERCA Ca(2+) pump was mainly used in control COS-1 cells. Cytosolic Ca(2+) signals in keratinocytes induced by extracellular ATP or capacitative Ca(2+) entry were characterized by an unusually long latency reflecting extra Ca(2+) buffering by an SPCA1-containing Ca(2+) store, similarly as in SPCA1-overexpressing COS-1 cells. Removal of extracellular Ca(2+) elicited spontaneous cytosolic Ca(2+) transients in keratinocytes, similarly as in SPCA1-overexpressing COS-1 cells. With respect to Ca(2+) signaling keratinocytes and SPCA1-overexpressing COS-1 cells therefore behaved similarly but differed from control COS-1 cells. The relatively large contribution of the SPCA1 pumps for loading the Golgi stores with Ca(2+) in keratinocytes may, at least partially, explain why mutations in the SPCA1 gene preferentially affect the skin in Hailey-Hailey patients.

Magnetic control of the interaction in ultracold K-Rb mixtures

We predict the presence of several magnetic Feshbach resonances in selected Zeeman sublevels of the isotopic pairs 40K-87Rb and 41K-87Rb at magnetic fields up to 10(3) G. Positions and widths are determined combining a new measurement of the 40K-87Rb inelastic cross section with recent experimental results on both isotopes. The possibility of driving a K-Rb mixture from the weak to the strong interacting regime tuning the applied field should allow one to achieve the optimal conditions for boson-induced Cooper pairing in a multicomponent 40K-87Rb atomic gas and for the production of ultracold polar molecules.

Autonomic and EEG correlates of emotional imagery in subjects with different hypnotic susceptibility

The autonomic and EEG correlates of the response to a cognitive unpleasant stimulation (US) verbally administered to awake hypnotizable and non hypnotizable subjects were studied. They were compared with the values obtained during a resting condition immediately preceding the stimulus and with those produced by a cognitive neutral stimulation (NS), also administered after a basal resting period. Results showed hypnotic trait effects on skin resistance, heart and respiratory rate as well as on EEG theta, alpha, beta and gamma relative power changes. The autonomic and EEG patterns observed indicated different strategies in the task execution for hypnotizable and non hypnotizable subjects and a discrepancy between the autonomic and EEG changes associated to the US in susceptible subjects. Results support dissociation theories of hypnosis and suggest for hypnotizable persons an active mechanism of protection against cardiac hazard.

Human hypnosis: autonomic and electroencephalographic correlates of a guided multimodal cognitive-emotional imagery

The effects of a guided neutral and unpleasant imagery involving several sensory modalities were studied in hypnotized subjects. Heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (RF), tonic skin resistance and different electroencephalographic rhythms were evaluated during a long-lasting hypnotic session including the guided suggestion of a neutral (NS) and an unpleasant (US) imagery, each preceded by a hypnotic relaxation rest period. During NS, the absence of autonomic changes, associated with electroencephalographic gamma power decrement and theta1 power increment, indicated the prevalence of relaxation on the expected task-related modifications. In contrast, US elicited HR and RF increments together with higher electroencephalographic gamma, beta3 and beta2 activities. Thus, hypnotic state appears to prevent the autonomic responses expected during the neutral stimulation, while the emotional valence of the unpleasant imagery overwhelms the hypnosis-related relaxation.

Collisional properties of ultracold K-Rb mixtures

We determine the interspecies s-wave triplet scattering length a(3) for all K-Rb isotopic mixtures by measuring the elastic cross section for collisions between 41K and 87Rb in different temperature regimes. The positive value a(3)=+163(+57)(-12)a(0) ensures the stability against collapse of binary (41)K- (87)Rb Bose-Einstein condensates. For the fermion-boson mixture (40)K- (87)Rb, we obtain a large and negative scattering length which implies an efficient sympathetic cooling of the fermionic species down to the degenerate regime.

[Clinical case: post-traumatic thoracic aorta rupture. Considerations on emergency room treatment]

A clinical case of post-traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta at isthmus and descending aorta levels with favourable outcome is reported. Early suspicion of a possible aortic lesion related to the trauma modality which was characterized by sudden deceleration, immediate performance of a CT scan of the thorax with and without contrast medium and careful monitoring of arterial pressure which showed hypotension at controls during the stay in the emergency and radiological rooms, permitted us to opt for conservative treatment of the lesion with satisfactory outcome.

Photoassociation of sodium in a Bose-Einstein condensate

We form ultracold Na2 molecules by single-photon photoassociation of a Bose-Einstein condensate, measuring the photoassociation rate, linewidth, and light shift of the J = 1, v = 135 vibrational level of the A1 Sigma (+)(u) molecular state. The photoassociation rate constant increases linearly with intensity, even where it is predicted that many-body effects might limit the rate. Our observations are in good agreement with a two-body theory having no free parameters.

Bose-Einstein condensation of potassium atoms by sympathetic cooling

We report on the Bose-Einstein condensation of potassium atoms, whereby quantum degeneracy is achieved by sympathetic cooling with evaporatively cooled rubidium. Because of the rapid thermalization of the two different atoms, the efficiency of the cooling process is high. The ability to achieve condensation by sympathetic cooling with a different species may provide a route to the production of degenerate systems with a larger choice of components.

Molecular variation in plant cell populations evolving in vitro in different physiological contexts

Previous work has shown the fixation of context-specific random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) patterns in tomato cell cultures grown for 2 years in different hormonal contexts. In this work, RAPD sequences were characterised and RAPD-derived molecular markers used for a further study of variation between and within auto- and auxo-trophic tomato cultures grown in different hormonal equilibria. Results were then compared with those obtained using microsatellite markers located in noncoding regions of differentiation- and hormone-related genes and with those obtained with the external transcribed spacer (ETS) from tomato rDNA. Hybridisation of RAPDs on a tomato genomic DNA bank, or on total DNA after enzymatic digestion, suggested that the markers were repetitive in nature. Sequence analysis. however, showed that the homology between different fragments was due mainly to the presence of homo-AT nucleotide stretches. Moreover, a series of computational methods, such as an information-theory algorithm coupled with AG estimates, suggested that the RAPD fragments isolated in our experiments are noncoding. The amplification of SSR-containing RAPD-derived markers, and of other SSRs located in noncoding regions of tomato functional genes, consistently showed polymorphism between auxo- and auto-trophic somaclones (the latter being either habituated or transgenic for Agrobacterium tumefaciens oncogenes) but not within these same clones. Differences were also found between auxotrophic clones and the differentiated tissue. These findings were confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis with the REII repetitive element of the ETS from tomato rDNA, which was isolated during this study. The results obtained suggest a possible role for physiological context in the selection of RAPD patterns during the evolution of tomato cells with different endogenous hormonal equilibria. The results are discussed in terms of a possible role for variation in noncoding regions of hormone-related genes in the adaptation to different physiological contexts.

Changes in autonomic and EEG patterns induced by hypnotic imagination of aversive stimuli in man

Autonomic and electroencephalographic (EEG) responses to aversive stimuli presented by means of hypnotic suggestion have been studied in man.Healthy volunteers with simple phobia were screened for susceptibility to hypnosis. The experimental paradigm included periods of rest during which the hypnotized subjects were asked to produce an emotionally neutral mental image and periods of emotional activation in which they were asked to image a phobic object. Heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (RF) and EEG were processed to obtain the HR-related indexes of sympatho-vagal balance and the EEG spectral components. The results showed a significant increase in HR and RF with a shift of the sympatho-vagal indexes towards a sympathetic predominance during the hypnotic emotional activation. EEG activity showed a significant increase in the gamma band with a left fronto-central prevalence. There was also a less pronounced increase in the beta band. In conclusion, by means of hypnosis, autonomic and behavioral responses to fear-like stimuli can be induced in man in a reproducible and controlled manner. Such a paradigm could be applied in human neuroimaging studies to identify central nervous structures that modulate stress and fear-related reactions.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of torasemide and furosemide in patients with diuretic resistant ascites

BACKGROUND/AIM

To evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of furosemide and torasemide in patients with cirrhosis and diuretic resistant ascites.

METHODS

Eighteen patients were randomly allocated to receive intravenous torasemide (40 mg) or furosemide (80 mg). The renal response to these drugs was assessed in baseline conditions and in the 24 h following drug administration together with plasma and urinary concentrations of furosemide, torasemide and its metabolites.

RESULTS

Torasemide induced significantly greater diuretic and natriuretic effects than furosemide in the first hour after drug administration. No other significant differences between the two drugs were observed with respect to the renal response to these drugs. Torasemide reached a lower maximum plasma concentration than furosemide, but the former drug had a longer apparent terminal half-life and lower renal and non-renal clearances. Comparing these results with those previously reported in healthy subjects, both drugs showed a reduced elimination rate through renal and non-renal routes, and a larger distribution to body fluids. As a consequence, the half-life of both drugs was longer than in healthy subjects. Urinary excretion of pharmacologically active species, however, was quantitatively unchanged after torasemide administration, whereas it was reduced after furosemide. Finally, the natriuretic potency of both drugs was markedly reduced in these patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of torasemide and furosemide are markedly altered in patients with diuretic resistant ascites.

Effects of early cerebellar removal on the classically conditioned bradycardia of adult rabbits

The magnitude of classically conditioned bradycardia was studied in 18-day-old and adult rabbits in which the cerebellar vermis had been surgically removed on either the 5th or 18th postnatal day. In the conditioning procedure, an auditory stimulus (5 s, 1000 Hz) served as conditioned stimulus (CS) and a train of electric impulses applied to the ear (100 Hz, 500 ms, 1.5 mA) was employed as the unconditioned stimulus (US). Heart rate (HR) responses developed in the operated animals during the CS-alone (orientation), and CS-US paired presentations (conditioning) were analyzed and compared with those developed in control animals. In all the experimental groups, lesions were localized to the cortex of lobules IV-VII and the underlying white matter, sparing the deep cerebellar nuclei. None of the lesioned animals showed any behavioral or somatomotor deficit. All the operated animals exhibited a normal baseline HR and a marked orienting response, both comparable with those of controls. In contrast, while the animals tested at 18 days showed a normal pattern of conditioned bradycardia, at the age of 3 months the HR conditioned response differed significantly from that observed in control rabbits: the animals that received the earliest cerebellar lesion showed a conditioned bradycardia greater than that of controls, the rabbits lesioned on the 18th postnatal day exhibited a reduced bradycardic response. These results suggest that the timing of cerebellar vermis removal, at early stages of development, represents a crucial factor in the organization of the bradycardic response in the adult.

Increased production of nitric oxide by neutrophils and monocytes from cirrhotic patients with ascites and hyperdynamic circulation

An increased release of nitric oxide (NO), a powerful vasodilating agent, has been proposed to play a role in the pathogenesis of vasodilation and hyperdynamic circulation associated with advanced cirrhosis. We evaluated NO synthase (NOS) activity in peripheral leukocytes of 12 cirrhotic patients and 9 healthy subjects together with plasma endotoxin levels and systemic hemodynamic (by a noninvasive echocardiographic method). NOS activity was evaluated by (1) measuring the capacity of isolated polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and monocytes to convert [3H]arginine to [3H]citrulline; (2) measuring the ability of neutrophils and monocytes to inhibit thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and to increase guanosine 3'-5'-cyclic monophosphate content in coincubated platelets, an expression of NO release from these cells. Both neutrophils and monocytes from cirrhotic patients produced significantly higher amounts of [3H]citrulline than cells obtained from healthy subjects (P < .001 and P < .02 for neutrophils and monocytes, respectively) and were more effective than control cells in inhibiting platelet aggregation (P < .05 and P < .001, respectively for 2 x 10(6) cells) and in increasing guanosine 3'-5'-cyclic monophosphate content in coincubated platelets (P < .05 and P < .001, respectively). The anti-aggregating activity expressed by leukocytes has a pharmacological profile similar to that described for NO, because it increased after addition of superoxide dismutase, a superoxide anion scavenger, and markedly decreased after inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) and NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME). Cirrhotic patients had significantly higher plasma endotoxin levels (P < .001) and cardiac index (P < .01) when compared with controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Development of fear-related heart rate responses in neonatal rabbits

Classical simple conditioning of heart rate (HR) was studied in rabbits between the 1st and 18th neonatal day. An auditory stimulus (1000 Hz, 5 s) served as the conditioned stimulus (CS), and a train of electric impulses (100 Hz, 500 ms, 1-1.5 mA) was used as the unconditioned stimulus (US). HR responses developed during orientation session (CS-alone) as well during acquisition (CS-US paired) were analyzed and compared to those developed by young adult rabbits (3-month-old). In all neonatal animals tested, baseline HR measured during an adaptation session preceding conditioning, was similar though significantly higher than that measured in adult rabbits (Newman-Keuls P < 0.05). Before the 10th neonatal day, the animals did not show either somatomotor or HR orienting responses to the CS-alone presentations. Consequently, since orienting reactions play a necessary role in the formation and manifestation of conditioned reflexes, 1 to 10-day-old infant rabbits were not submitted to the acquisition session. All the other neonatal groups, while showing orienting behaviours similar to those exhibited by adults (head and pinna movement), presented different patterns of HR orienting responses (no response, bradycardia, tachycardia, bradycardia/tachycardia etc.). As for the acquisition session, the first bradycardic response, similar to that developed by adult rabbits, was found in 18-day-old rabbits. However, also in this neonatal group the amplitude of the conditioned response was significantly smaller when compared to that exhibited by young adults (Newman-Keuls P < 0.01). In addition, in some of the 10-day-old neonates, HR appeared very unstable and dropped to very low values (as low as 146 beats/min) early during conditioning, apparently as a consequence of CS-US association. As for the unconditioned response, no differences were found between adult rabbits and the neonatal animals older than 12 days. In contrast, most of the 10-day-old rabbits showed either bradycardia or no response to the unconditioned stimulus. Considering the ability of mammalian infants to learn somatomotor conditioned responses at early stages of maturation, conditioning of HR responses occurs late during ontogeny. Since this incapacity to show HR conditioned responses before the 18th postnatal day cannot be ascribed to their inability to show phasic HR changes nor to a failure in detecting the auditory stimulus, these results suggest the possibility that HR conditioned responses may be mediated by neural structures developing later during maturation.

Evidence for a storage pool defect in platelets from cirrhotic patients with defective aggregation

The mechanisms underlying the defective platelet function in cirrhotic patients were investigated. Eleven cirrhotic patients with mild disease (group 1), 20 patients with severe cirrhosis (group 2), and 31 controls were studied. Platelet aggregation was significantly reduced in cirrhotics compared with controls. Compared with controls, cirrhotic patients in group 2 showed a significant reduction in the total content of adenosine triphosphate (57.8 +/- 7.8 vs. 26.1 +/- 6.3 mumol/10(11) platelets; P less than 0.05), 5-hydroxytryptamine (285 +/- 26 vs. 104 +/- 38 nmol/10(11) platelets; P less than 0.05), beta-thromboglobulin (2129 +/- 120 vs. 1223 +/- 161 ng/10(8) platelets; P less than 0.01), and platelet factor 4 (1389 +/- 108 vs. 805 +/- 176 ng/10(8) platelets; P less than 0.05). In patients with severe disease, an increase in plasma beta-thromboglobulin-platelet factor 4 ratio, an index of in vivo platelet activation, was observed (controls, 3.50 +/- 0.50; group 1, 4.02 +/- 0.80; and group 2, 6.59 +/- 1.15). Our data indicate the existence of a platelet storage pool defect, which may favor the bleeding tendency of cirrhotic patients.