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Computational modeling of infectious diseases: insights from network-based simulations on measles
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Cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins: a long history of studies in Sardinia (Italy)
No full textThe aim of this review is to reconstruct the scientific research on cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins carried out in the artificial lakes of Sardinia (Italy), the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, over a period of about 50 years, from the 1970s to the present. The information contained in scientific articles in Web of Science and Scopus databases was analysed using specific keywords. In addition, scientific articles not included in the above-mentioned databases were considered if they were published after a peer review process or if they were available on the website of public institutions. The analysis resulted in the identification of 60 scientific papers containing information on cyanobacteria and/or cyanotoxins, leading to a list of 77 taxa signalled and four groups of cyanotoxins ascertained (microcystins, anatoxin, cylindrospermopsin; β-N-Methylamino-L-Alanine, BMAA). In addition to these results, we point out the research we are carrying out and would like to continue in the future, a future in which it will be extremely important to be able to juggle the expected progressive affirmation of cyanobacteria and related issues. We highlight the difficulty of finding scientific articles published before the 2000s in the most widely used databases (Web of Science and Scopus), despite the fact that the production is rich and cutting-edge compared to the period in which the research was carried out. Finally, we signal the importance of close collaboration between institutions to obtain the results reported, the overcoming of disciplinary boundaries and the development of a collaborative rather than competitive environment between different research groups in dealing with such complex topics
Ag- and Zn-clinoptilolite: a comparison of their in-vitro antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori
No full textHelicobacter pylori is a bacterium recognized as the most frequent cause of chronic gastritis and is classified as carcinogen by the World Health Organization. For the eradication of H. pylori, the use of silver and zinc was studied due to their antibacterial properties. The use of clinoptilolite was also considered, since ammonium is essential for the survival of the bacterium in the stomach and clinoptilolite is acid resistant and selective toward NH4+. This research compared the antibacterial activity against H. pylori of Ag- and Zn-clinoptilolite through in-vitro tests, aiming to exploit the zeolite simultaneously as a metal supplier and as an ammonium sequestrant. A powder containing approximately 90% of clinoptilolite was used to prepare, by cation exchange, two materials based on Zn-clinoptilolite (FA-Zn) and Ag-clinoptilolite (FA-Ag), containing 2.12 meq/g of Zn2+ and 2.28 meq/g of Ag+, respectively. In the agar cup test, both materials evinced a direct and linear relationship between their concentration and the width of the inhibition zones, but FA-Ag allowed the onset of the development of an inhibition halo already at a concentration of 12.5 mg/mL, whereas FA-Zn required 25 mg/mL to get the same result. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of FA-Ag resulted eight time lower than that of FA-Zn (0.5 and 4.0 mg/mL, respectively). Tests showed superior antimicrobial activity of FA-Ag, but it should be considered that Ag-clinoptilolite has some disadvantages compared to Zn-clinoptilolite, such as higher toxicity, higher cost, and instability to light
The emerging role of the oocyte cortical domain in maturation, fertilization, and development
No full textThe cell cortex, a cytoskeletal network with regulatory signalling pathways, is localized beneath the cell membrane: it is especially prominent in mammalian oocytes. As in other cells, the cortex ensures appropriate shape and robustness of oocytes. It is also involved in other key and more specific functions. The cortex is part of the interface between the germinal and somatic cell compartments; as such, it participates in the delicate bi-directional interaction by which oocytes regulate cumulus cell function and in return, oocytes receive nutrients and regulative factors from cumulus cells. During oocyte maturation, fertilization, and early development, the cortex undergoes major structural and functional modifications. Such changes are needed to support crucial processes, including meiotic spindle localization, polar body extrusion, chromosome segregation, and pronuclear formation. Cortex dysregulation may be also implicated in blastomere fragmentation during early embryo development. Mechanical properties of the cortex are associated with oocyte quality and developmental competence; with appropriate technology, such properties could be harnessed to develop new approaches to non-invasive oocyte assessment in human IVF
Mura (1892-1940), straniera dappertutto. Spostamenti trasgressivi fra letteratura, cinema e industria culturale
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Recurrence-free time after pterygium surgery with sutureless conjunctival-limbal vs. conjunctival graft: is there still a role for conjunctival graft alone?
No full textPurpose: To compare the risk of recurrence and disease-free time after conjunctival-limbal autograft (CLAG) or conjunctival autograft (CAG) with sutureless (fibrin glue) fixation for pterygium excision. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. We reviewed the charts of 312 patients who underwent CLAG and CAG sutureless techniques between 2010 and 2019. Follow-up visits were scheduled on day 1, at weeks 1 and 4, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-surgery, with subsequent visits every two years thereafter. The primary outcomes were the overall recurrence rate and average time to recurrence. The secondary outcomes were the rates of postoperative complications and the operation duration. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to verify the potential independent predictors of the study outcomes. Results: 265 patients were included, with a mean follow-up time of 31.5 months (maximum 8 years). The pterygium recurrence rate was significantly lower in the CLAG group at 12 months (3.9 vs. 17.4%, p < 0.001) and at the end of the follow-up (4.6 vs. 18.2%, p < 0.001). Patients with CLAG also had a longer time to recurrence (8.8 vs. 4.8 months, p = 0.012). The complications rate was lower for CLAG (0.8 vs. 10.9%, p < 0.001), while no clinically relevant differences were found in the surgery duration (23.4 min for CLAG vs. 25.2 min for CAG). Multivariate analysis confirmed these bivariate results. Conclusions: Compared with CAG, CLAG reduced the risk and time to pterygium recurrence. Owing to the comparable surgical time and better safety profile, the CLAG technique can be considered a clinically and potentially cost-effective approach for pterygium management