4,557 research outputs found
Mitochondrial plasmids of the pCp family are spread worldwide in Cryphonectria parasitica populations
No full textVitamin D in neurological diseases
No full textVitamin D may have multiple effects on the nervous system and its deficiency can represent a possible risk factor for the development of many neurological diseases. Recent studies are also trying to clarify the different effects of vitamin D supplementation over the course of progressive neurological diseases. In this narrative review, we summarise vitamin D chemistry, metabolism, mechanisms of action, and the recommended daily intake. The role of vitamin D on gene transcription and the immune response is also reviewed. Finally, we discuss the scientific evidence that links low 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations to the onset and progression of severe neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, migraine, diabetic neuropathy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Completed and ongoing clinical trials on vitamin D supplementation in neurological diseases are listed
Concorso nazionale per la progettazione di piazza del Popolo a Lauria, Potenza. Progetto terzo classificato
No full textImproving digital twin experience through big data, IoT and social analysis: An architecture and a case study
No full textIndustries such as construction and business companies are becoming increasingly digitized. The amount of data to be monitored and processed has increased significantly since the advent of the Internet of Things and the massive use of sensors. In addition to the data from these sensors, large amounts of data that require specific handling and processing are received. Much of this data is eventually represented in digital twins as a monitoring or decision-support tool. In this paper, we present an architecture to improve digital twin-based experiences that need to represent information from multiple sources. This architecture is demonstrated using the specific use case of a digital twin for an office of an Italian company. The implementation leverages the Matterport 3D media platform and integrates different technologies and sensors. An evaluation of the solution has also been carried out. The results show high user acceptance and the opening of multiple possibilities to enrich the virtual model with further data from different sources
Relationships between 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Severity in Children: An Observational Study
No full textThe prevalence of hypovitaminosis D is increasing worldwide. Vitamin D deficiency is supposed to play a role in sleep disturbances, but the complex relationships between hypovitaminosis D and pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are still incompletely understood. This study was aimed to retrospectively investigate the vitamin D status and significant clinical, laboratory, and instrumental variables in a cohort of pediatric patients with OSAS and to assess the possible relationship between serum vitamin D levels and OSAS severity. We consecutively enrolled all children aged 2–14 years admitted to our Pediatric Clinic from 1 July 2018 to 30 November 2020 for sleep-disordered breathing. Each patient underwent standard overnight in-hospital polygraphic evaluation, measurement of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels, and clinical and laboratory investigation. A total of 127 children with OSAS were included. The 25(OH)D levels and BMI of OSAS patients were compared with those of an age-matched control group: the serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in OSAS patients than in controls (22.4 vs. 25.5 ng/mL; p-value = 0.009), whereas no differences in the BMI percentile were found between the two groups. The mean value of 25(OH)D was not significantly lower (20.9 ng/mL) in the severe OSAS group compared with the mild (23.0 ng/mL) and moderate (23.3 ng/mL) OSAS groups (p-value = 0.28). Our findings indicate a relationship between vitamin D status and OSAS in children and suggest that severe cases of OSAS have lower vitamin D levels. Future, more extensive prospective studies are needed to confirm such preliminary findings
Taste receptor polymorphisms and male infertility
No full textSTUDY QUESTION: Are polymorphisms of taste receptor genes associated with male infertility?
SUMMARY ANSWER: This study has showed the associations between three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in taste receptors genes (TASR) and male infertility.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Recent studies showed the expression of taste receptors in the testis and in spermatozoa, suggesting their possible role in infertility. The vast genetic variability in taste genes results in a large degree of diversity in various human phenotypes.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: In this study, we genotyped 19 SNPs in 12 taste related genes in a total of 494 Caucasian male patients undergoing semen evaluation at the Centre of Couple Sterility of the Siena University Hospital. Consecutive patients were enrolled during infertility investigations from October 2014 to February 2016.
PARTICIPANTS/ MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Median age of the patients was 36 years (18-58) and 141 were smokers. Genotyping was performed using the allele-specific PCR. The statistical analysis was carried out using generalized linear model (GLM) to explore the association between age, smoking, the genetic polymorphisms and sperm parameters.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: We observed that the homozygous carriers of the (G) allele of the TAS2R14rs3741843 polymorphism showed a decreased sperm progressive motility compared to heterozygotes and (A) homozygotes (P = 0.003). Moreover, the homozygous carriers of the (T) allele of the TAS2R3-rs11763979 SNP showed fewer normal acrosome compared with the heterozygous and the homozygous carriers of the (G) allele (P = 0.002). Multiple comparisons correction was applied and the Bonferronicorrected critical P-value was = 0.003.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The analysis is restricted to SNPs within genes and to men of Caucasian ancestry.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: In silico analyses strongly point towards a functional effect of the two SNPs: TAS2R14rs3741843 regulates TAS2R43 expression, a gene that is involved in cilia motility and therefore could influences sperm mobility; the (T) allele of TAS2R3-rs11763979 increases the expression of the WEE2 antisense RNA one gene (WEE2-AS1). According to Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project the WEE2 gene is expressed in the testes where presumably it has the role of down regulating meiotic cell division. It is plausible to hypothesize that the WEE2-AS1 increased expression may down regulate WEE2 which in turn can alter the natural timing of sperm maturation increasing the number of abnormal sperm cells
Comportamento di Enterobacteriaceae in substrati sintetici acidificati ed in prove di caseificazione a formaggio molle.
No full text
Hemolytic activity, production of thermonuclease and biogenic amines from dairy enterococci.
No full textAn unusual case of exomphalos with sirenomelia, imperforated anus and other multiple malformations, detected by means of real-time ultrasonography in a twin pregnancy with another sympodic papyraceus fetus.
No full text- …
