3,316 research outputs found
Direct replacement of antibodies with molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) nanoparticles in ELISA - development of a novel assay for vancomycin
No full textA simple and straightforward technique for coating microplate wells with molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (nanoMIPs) to develop ELISA type assays is presented here for the first time. NanoMIPs were synthesized by a solid phase approach with immobilized vancomycin (template) and characterized using Biacore 3000, dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. Immobilization, blocking and washing conditions were optimized in microplate format. The detection of vancomycin was achieved in competitive binding experiments with a HRP-vancomycin conjugate. The assay was capable of measuring vancomycin in buffer and in blood plasma within the range 0.001-70 nM with a detection limit of 0.0025 nM (2.5 pM). The sensitivity of the assay was three orders of magnitude better than a previously described ELISA based on antibodies. In these experiments nanoMIPs have shown high affinity and minimal interference from blood plasma components. Immobilized nanoMIPs were stored for 1 month at room temperature without any detrimental effects to their binding properties. The high affinity of nanoMIPs and the lack of a requirement for cold chain logistics make them an attractive alternative to traditional antibodies used in ELIS
Study of association between oncogenic polyomaviruses and ocular melanoma, and p53 gene analysis of the tumor in relation to the radio-therapy resistance.
No full textThe aim of this study is to verify the putative association between oncogenic polyomaviruses (1), and ocular melanoma (OM). To this purpose two cohorts composed of ocular melanoma affected patients and healthy blood donors, employed as a control group, are enrolled in this investigation. The two cohorts have the same median age. The association of polyomaviruses with OM is investigated by searching, in serum samples, specific antibodies against viral capsid proteins. Serum antibodies against polyomaviruses are analyzed by an indirect ELISA with synthetic peptides which mimic specific capsid polypeptide antigens (2). In the first step of our investigation indirect ELISAs employing synthetic peptides was set up and standardized for the detection of specific serum antibodies against polyomaviruses SV40, BKV and JCV. ELISA data showing the prevalence of anti-polyomavirus antibodies in serum samples from OM patients, compared to that detected in samples from healthy subjects will be presented.
It has been shown that p53 gene mutations affect more than 50% of human tumors. p53 gene mutations, in exons 5-8, are responsible of absence of apoptosis, and resistance to chemo- and radio-therapies. The aims of our study is to verify whether ocular melanomas, which are resistant to radio-therapy (20%), carry specific p53 mutations in comparison to the p53 profile of radio-therapy sensitive tumors.
1. Martini F, Corallini A, Balatti V, Sabbioni S, Pancaldi C, Tognon M. Simian virus 40 in humans. Infect. Agent and Cancer. 2007;2:1-13.
2. Corallini A, Mazzoni E, Taronna A, Manfrini M, Carandina G, Guerra G, Guaschino R, Vaniglia F, Magnani C, Casali F, Dolcetti R, Palmonari C, Rezza G, Martini F, Barbanti-Brodano G, Tognon MG. Specific antibodies reacting with simian virus 40 capsid protein mimotopes in serum samples from healthy blood donors. Hum. Immunol. 2012;73:502-510
Conservation tillage and N fertilization affect soil aggregate distribution, carbon storage and enzymatic activities
No full textConservation agriculture is globally recommended for increasing carbon (C) stock in soil and reducing greenhouse gases emissions by modifying soil physical, chemical and biological processes. In the present study, soil aggregate fractions, soil organic C (SOC) and soil enzymatic activities in bulk soil and microaggregates within macroaggregates (mM) were measured in a long-term field experiment comparing conventional tillage (CT) and minimum tillage (MT) and N fertilizer to the rotation bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) – soybean (Glicine max L. Merr.). Under MT, a higher proportion of free microaggregates and a lower proportion of silt and clay was recorded compared to conventional tillage, suggesting a greater potential to form macroaggregates, despite their proportion was not modified by tillage. However, when macroaggregates were further fractionated, MT resulted in higher proportion of microaggregates. In bulk soil and in mM, all soil enzymatic activities were higher under MT than CT. Conversely, SOC in bulk soil was not modified by tillage, but was higher under MT in mM. These results demonstrate the crucial role of mM for C sequestration under reduced tillage. Thus, this fraction is proposed as an effective diagnostic tool to assess variations in carbon storage induced by agricultural practices
Clinical anophthalmos in a family
No full textMonolateral or bilateral anophthalmos recurring in the absence of other associated defects in six members of a family is reported. The malformation appears to be inherited as a dominant (autosomal or X‐linked) trait with incomplete penetrance. Implications for genetic counselling are briefly discussed. Copyright © 1987, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserve
Is unicondylar osteoarticular allograft still a viable option for reconstructions around the knee?
No full textBackground: Unicondylar osteoarticular allografts (UOAs) represent a possible technique for reconstructing massive bone defects around the knee when only one condyle is affected. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the outcome of UOAs and describe the possible salvage procedures in case of graft failure. Methods: Twenty-five deep-frozen UOAs were implanted at Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute (Bologna, Italy). Twenty-two followed bone tumor resection, two cases were post-traumatic defects and one case followed UOA failure.Mean age at surgery was 33. years (range: 15 to 63). Eighteen UOAs were in distal femur, seven in proximal tibia. Results: Three patients died (only one because of the tumor). One UOA was removed for chondrosarcoma relapse and one for allograft fracture. Mean overall survival with UOA failure as a primary endpoint was 129. months (range 12 to 302), with differences in the femur (85%) and in the tibia (40%) at 150. months. Six UOAs had to be converted into knee prostheses due to osteoarthritis after a mean follow-up of 146. months. No complications were recorded in UOAs converted into knee prostheses after a mean three year follow-up. Fourteen patients with UOAs still in place at the last follow-up (mean 123. months) were radiologically and functionally evaluated: no correlation was found between function and the degree of osteoarthritis. Conclusions: In selected cases, UOAs offer good clinical results and postpone the need for knee prosthesis. Despite short-term encouraging results, longer-term follow-up is needed in order to evaluate the outcome of knee prosthesis after UOA
Coaching early career teachers in urban elementary schools: A mixed method study
No full textCoaching for urban early career teachers (ECTs) offers promise and aligns with features of effective professional development to support the implementation of evidence-based practices. However, the functional components and key elements of coaching and coach supervision are not well specified in the literature. The goal of the current study was to examine adherence and feasibility of a coaching intervention designed to provide urban ECTs with concentrated support in classroom management and engaging learners—two instructional domains that are robust predictors of attrition (Ingersoll and Strong in Rev Educ Res 81:201–233, 2011). Coaches (n = 6) worked with ECTs (n = 15) in three urban, high-poverty elementary schools during the 2-year intervention. A mixed-method design was employed, such that qualitative data (i.e., semi-structured interviews) and quantitative data (i.e., adherence measures) were collected concurrently, remained independent during analyses, and were integrated during interpretation (Creswell and Clark in Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Sage, Thousand Oaks, 2007). Findings revealed that ECTs generally received the intended frequency and duration of coaching but with fewer opportunities for post-conferences. Coach supervision, on average, was delivered with intended frequency, with variability across coaches. Thematic analyses highlighted coach provision of emotional and instrumental support, emphasized consistent coaching as critical, and that time was a significant barrier to ECT participation in coaching. Supervision promoted social support among coaches and provided opportunities to adapt the model to ECT needs.Peer reviewe
Communautés et écriture en ligne. Histoire, devenir, un dialogue
No full textIn this interview, Elisa Bricco talks to writer Benoît Vincent about
the transformations that have taken place over the last twenty years
as a result of the technological turn in literary production. We look
at the repercussions of technology’s hold over literary production, and
in particular at the development of the notion of author in the context
of collective writing. The example of the General Instin project will
be used to highlight some of the issues raised by digital technology in
relation to the production of literary texts.Dans cet entretien, Elisa Bricco discute avec l’écrivain Benoît Vincent
sur les transformations qui sont survenues dans les vingt dernières
années à cause du tournant technologique de la production littéraire. On
s’interroge sur les répercussions de l’emprise de la technologie sur le
faire littéraire et notamment sur le développement de la notion d’auteur
dans le contexte de l’écriture collective. L’exemple du projet Général
Instin servira pour mettre en lumières quelques enjeux du numérique
par rapport à la production de textes littéraires
Communautés et écriture en ligne. Histoire, devenir, un dialogue
No full textIn this interview, Elisa Bricco talks to writer Benoît Vincent about the transformations that have taken place over the last twenty years as a result of the technological turn in literary production. We look at the repercussions of technology’s hold over literary production, and in particular at the development of the notion of author in the context of collective writing. The example of the Général Instin project will be used to highlight some of the issues raised by digital technology in relation to the production of literary texts.Dans cet entretien, Elisa Bricco discute avec l’écrivain Benoît Vincent sur les transformations qui sont survenues dans les vingt dernières années à cause du tournant technologique de la production littéraire. On s’interroge sur les répercussions de l’emprise de la technologie sur le faire littéraire et notamment sur le développement de la notion d’auteur dans le contexte de l’écriture collective. L’exemple du projet Général Instin servira pour mettre en lumières quelques enjeux du numérique par rapport à la production de textes littéraires
Idiopathic central retinal vein occlusion in a thrombophilic patient with the heterozygous 20210 G/A prothrombin genotype
No full textPURPOSE: To report the occurrence of monolateral central retinal vein occlusion in a patient with heterozygous 20210 G/A prothrombin genotype, known to be associated with high thrombophilic risk.
METHODS: A monolateral central retinal vein occlusion was diagnosed in a 71-year-old woman, who had suffered from a deep vein thrombosis in her left leg at the age of 36 years. Mutations of the genes involved in the coagulation process were investigated by DNA polymerase chain reaction.
RESULT: DNA analysis showed the patient to be heterozygous for the prothrombin 20210 G/A genetic variation.
CONCLUSION: The 20210 G/A prothrombin gene mutation may be associated with central retinal vein occlusion
Comment on Bandelli and Porcelli/1 - Against Moral Panic, in Defence of Data
No full textElisa Giomi’s commentary is an answer to Bandelli and Porcelli’s essay “Femicide in Italy. ‘Femminicidio,’ Moral Panic and Progressivist Discourse” [2016]. Although Giomi assumes that Bandelli and Porcelli effectively illustrate the instrumentalization of lethal violence against women in Italian political discourse, yet she criticizes their reading of the “femminicidio narrative” as a phenomenon of moral panic that locates the threat in the typical Italian heterosexual family/couple: all the available empirical findings confirm that these are precisely the contexts where lethal aggressions against women most frequently occur. The author also disagrees with the authors’ conclusion that the femminicidio narrative authorized “the application of a gender paradigm to the official reading of domestic/partner violence” in 2012/13 Italian public discourse. Finally, she contends that in their essay the “feminist discourse” is represented in a stereotypical way, one that is instrumental in depicting it as a hegemonic discourse
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