Search

LifeWatch ERIC, the e-Science European infrastructure for biodiversity and ecosystem research, launched an Internal Joint Initiative on Non-indigenous Species and Invasive Alien Species (NIS-IAS) as they are considered one of the major drivers of biodiversity and ecosystem change. Here, the case study focused on the trophic biogeography of invasive crustaceans is presented, describing the procedures, resources, and analytical web services implemented to investigate the trophic habits of these taxa by using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope data. The case study offers a number of analytical tools to determine the variability of the trophic position of invasive crustaceans in a spatially-explicit context and to model it as a function of relevant environmental predictors. Literature-based stable isotope data of the Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus and of the Louisiana crayfish Procambarus clarkii have been used to evaluate the functionalities and outcomes of the workflow. The Tesseract Virtual Research Environment integrates all the analytical services offered by LifeWatch ERIC, including the ones developed for this case study, by means of a user-friendly interface. The analytical functions implemented for the crustacean workflow provide a proof of concept for future open e-science platforms focusing on NIS-IAS. The workflow conceptual structure can be adapted to a wide range of species, and can be further improved to support researchers in monitoring and predicting trophic-related impacts of NIS-IAS. In addition, it can support policymakers and stakeholders in the implementation of effective management and control measures to limit the negative effects of bioinvaders in recipient environments.

SUMMARYThe problem of occupational stress in healthcare workers is hardly new, but effective interventions in this area are lacking despite being sorely needed – especially in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The results of a Cochrane review suggest that cognitive–behavioural therapy and mental and physical relaxation reduce stress more than no intervention but not more than alternative interventions, and that changing work schedules may lead to a reduction of stress. Other organisational interventions showed no effect on stress levels. However, the evidence is of low quality owing to risk of bias and lack of precision. This commentary critically appraises the review and attempts to put its findings into the current real-world context.

SUMMARYThe pharmacological treatment of depression is often hampered by side-effects and unsatisfactory response to treatment. Vortioxetine is one of the newest antidepressants on the market, purportedly with a different mechanism of action compared with other antidepressants. This month's Cochrane Corner review examines the evidence available for the use of vortioxetine as a first-line treatment for depression in adults. This commentary puts the Cochrane review's findings into their clinical context and revises them in view of earlier and later studies.DECLARATION OF INTERESTNone.

SUMMARYCurrently, network meta-analyses (NMAs) are the only technique that allow us to compare and rank numerous treatments across trials. Evidence produced by NMAs relies on pooled data from both direct and indirect comparisons within studies. Consequently, NMAs are invaluable tools for informing clinical guidelines.

This work applies side channel analysis on hardware implementations of two CAESAR candidates, Keyak and Ascon. Both algorithms are cryptographic sponges with an iterated permutation. The algorithms share an s-box so attacks on the non-linear step of the permutation are similar. This work presents the first results of a DPA attack on Keyak using traces generated by an FPGA. A new attack is crafted for a larger sensitive variable to reduce the number of traces. It also presents and applies the first CPA attack on Ascon. Using a toy-sized threshold implementation of Ascon we try to give insight in the order of the steps of a permutation.

Aims Define the impact of age at diagnosis on degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) prognosis. Methods and results The Mitral regurgitation International DAtabase (MIDA) is a multicentre registry of MR due to flail leaflets including 862 patients (65 ± 12 years) diagnosed by echocardiography. The 498 older patients (≥65 years at diagnosis) were compared with the 364 younger (

To evaluate the occurrence of hepatotoxicity in patients during antiretroviral therapy (ART) that contains protease inhibitors and the role of hepatitis viruses in its development, we performed a retrospective study including 1325 HIV-infected patients treated with ART for at least 6 months. Presence or absence of hepatitis viruses, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin, CD4 cell count, and plasma HIV RNA levels were evaluated. Hepatotoxicity developed in a few study subjects without coinfection, whereas it was significantly higher in coinfected patients. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that viral hepatitis coinfections are independent risk factors for hepatotoxicity. After 6 months of treatment, ritonavir was associated with higher rates of severe hepatotoxicity in the coinfected group; in fact, ritonavir seems to be the most strongly hepatotoxic agent among coinfected patients. After 12 months of therapy, hepatotoxicity occurred more frequently in patients with hepatitis C virus who did not respond to antiretroviral therapy (ART), whereas patients who did respond to ART showed decreased ALT levels. Hepatotoxicity is not exclusively an effect of drug toxicity, and the presence of hepatitis coinfection is an independent risk factor. Moreover, chronic hepatotoxicity mainly occurs in patients who did not respond to therapy. Conversely, patients who did respond to ART seemed to show improvement of chronic liver infection.

Chronic hepatitis C is frequent and aggressive in HIV-positive patients. Identification of early predictors of response to anti-HCV therapy is needed for a lower rate of response and higher discontinuations, compared to HCV mono-infected subjects. The aim of our study was to evaluate the predictive value of virological response (VR) at week 4-8-12 of Pegylated interferon alpha-2b (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) on sustained virological response (SVR) in HIV-HCV co-infected patients. 100 patients were treated with PEG-IFN (1.5 mcg/Kg/w) plus RBV (> or =10.6 mg/kg/d) and randomized for 24-48 or 48-72 weeks, respectively for genotype 2-3 and 1-4, in case of response (HCV-RNA PCR negativity) at the end of standard therapy (24 weeks for genotype 2-3, 48 weeks for genotype 1-4). Transcription-Mediated Amplification (TMA) assay for HCV-RNA was also applied. 27 patients reached end-of-treatment response (9 genotype 1-4, 18 genotype 2-3), 21 achieved SVR (8 genotype 1-4, 13 genotype 2-3). 35 patients dropped, 15 due to side-effects. SVR was statistically related to lower baseline HCV-RNA and to VR at week 4-8-12, with PPV 64%, 53% and 58%, and NPV 81%, 96% and 88%, respectively. In 27 patients, TMA was performed and confirmed standard PCR, except in two cases of relapse, who were PCR negative but TMA positive at week-12. In conclusion, VR at week 8 showed the highest NPV on SVR (96%). The study of viral kinetics requires further investigations in HIV-positive patients to guarantee a cost-effective therapy and to guide individually the duration of treatment. In this setting, TMA might be useful.

To compare the effect of classic Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) and JPEG2000 compression algorithms on detection of diabetic retinopathy (DR) lesions.In total, 45 colour fundus photographs obtained with a digital nonmydriatic fundus camera were saved in uncompressed Tagged Interchanged Files Format (TIFF) format (1.26 MB). They were graded jointly by two retinal specialists at a 1 month interval for soft exudates, hard exudates, macular oedema, newvessels, intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IRMA), and retinal haemorrhages and/or microaneurysms. They were compressed to 118, 58, 41, and 27 KB by both algorithms and 24 KB by classic JPEG, placed in random order and graded again jointly by the two retina specialists. Subjective image quality was graded, and sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and kappa statistic were calculated for all lesions at all compression ratios.Compression to 118 KB showed no effect on image quality and kappa values were high (0.94-1). Image degradation became important at 27 KB for both algorithms. At high compression levels, IRMA and HMA detection were most affected with JPEG2000 performing slightly better than classic JPEG.Performance of classic JPEG and JPEG2000 algorithms is equivalent when compressing digital images of DR lesions from 1.26 MB to 118 KB and 58 KB. Higher compression ratios show slightly better results with JPEG2000 compression, but may be insufficient for screening purposes.

2-3 antigens mismatched BMT were performed on 32 children without a matched sibling donor. In the light of previous in vitro studies, which suggested a role of Vincristine and Methilprednisolone ex vivo treatment in modulating alloreactivity of T cells, bone marrow was treated with such a pharmacological cocktail before being infused. Acute GVHD 2 degrees to 4 degrees degree occurred in 46% of cases, chronic GVHD in 28%, graft failure in 13%. There was no significant difference between 2- and 3-antigens mismatched BMT as far as GVHD and graft failure are concerned.

The synthesis and neuropsychopharmacological properties of new 1,3,4,14b-tetrahydro-2H,10H-pyrazino [2,1-d] pyrrolo [1,2-b] [1,2,5] benzotriazepine derivatives related to antidepressant agent aptazepine are reported. The new derivatives displayed sedative-miorelaxant activity in mice, but no significant antagonist effect on clonidine blockade of phenylquinone-induced abdominal constriction. Among test compounds 4a, 4l and 4n showed high antinociceptive effect on the hot-plate test and compound 4e protected from death and convulsion all the electroshocked animals.

The synthesis of 5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo [1,2-b] [1,2,5]benzotriazepine-11-acetic acid and its 10-aroyl derivatives is reported. Compounds were evaluated for antiinflammatory activity by the carrageenin-induced rat paw edema method. Antinociceptic activity was tested by the hot plate and Randall-Selitto tests. General neuropsychopharmacological effects were also screened. All test compounds showed antiinflammatory effect comparable to that of tolmetin.

The synthesis of 5H-pyrrolo[1,2-b][1,2,5]benzotriazepine derivatives related to imipramine and aptazepine antidepressant agents is reported. Pharmacological screening on new tricyclic derivatives showed that in some cases antidepressant effects at equimolecular dose with imipramine are associated with sedative-muscle relaxant activities and antinociception.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C is more aggressive during HIV infection. Available data about risk factors of liver fibrosis in HIV/HCV co-infected patients derive from studies based on a single liver biopsy. Objectives: To evaluate the risk factors of liver fibrosis progression (LFP) and to investigate the role of antiretroviral therapy (ARV) in HIV/HCV patients who underwent paired liver biopsy. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively studied 58 patients followed at two Infectious Diseases Departments in Northern Italy during the period 1988-2005. All specimens were double-blinded and centrally examined by two pathologists. LFP was defined when an increase of at least one stage occurred in the second biopsy, according to the Ishak-Knodell classification. Results: In a univariate analysis, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 150 IU/L at the first biopsy (P = 0.02), and a > 20% decrease in CD4+ cell count between the two biopsies (P = 0.007), were significantly associated with LFP. In multivariate analysis, a > 20% decrease in CD4+ cell count remained independently associated to LFP (odds ratio, 3.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-12.76; P < 0.02). Analysis of life survival curves confirmed the correlation between CD4+ cell count and LFP. Conclusions: Our findings highlight that in HIV/HCV coinfected patients, an effective antiretroviral therapy that assures a good immune-virological profile contributes to reducing the risk of LFP. (C) 2011 Kowsar M.P.Co. All rights reserved.

Objective: The tumors of the head of the pancreas are one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in Western countries. The current gold standard for these tumors is a Whipple procedure. This procedure did not change in its surgical steps since when it was initially introduced in 1935. More recently, a laparoscopic approach with similar outcomes has been described. The aim of this paper is to describe the laparoscopic surgical technique performed in our unit, reporting single center postoperative outcomes. Patients and methods: From the 1st January 2013 to the 31st December 2015 a database was created. Data about patients who underwent a laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) were collected prospectively. All patients were preoperatively assessed with blood samples, tumor markers, CT chest abdomen and pelvis and/or MRI pancreas. Only patients with specific characteristics were considered eligible for an LPD: performance status 0, body mass index (BMI) less than 30 kg/m2, a small neoplastic lesion (< 3.5 cm) confined to the pancreas, the absence of infiltrated organs and/or blood vessels (T1 or T2). Postoperative data and complications were recorded and described according to the Clavien-Dindo classification and the international study group of pancreatic surgery definitions. Results: In a time interval of 36 months, 31 patients with an initially considered resectable pancreatic cancer were referred. 11 patients were found to have metastasis during the preoperative workout. Only 10 patients were considered eligible for a LPD. Six of them were men (60%). The mean BMI was 25.01 kg/m2 (19.6-29.8). 5 patients, who underwent to LPD did not have any comorbidities. An overall 50% of all patients were jaundice at the time of diagnosis with a mean bilirubin level of 181.3 µmol/L (119.7-307.8). All patients with a direct bilirubin greater than 250 µmol/L underwent a preoperative percutaneous biliary drainage. In the majority of the LPD performed (50%), the histology reported a pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Other postoperative histology described were: IPMN (20%), ampullar neoplasia (20%) and neuroendocrine tumor (10%). Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy was never considered indicated. The reported postoperative complications were: 1 anastomotic bleeding, 2 pancreatic fistula, 1 infected intra-abdominal collection and 1 delay gastric emptying. The pancreatic fistulas were considered grade A and grade B. One fatality after LPD occurred because of an uncontrollable, diffuse severe hemorrhagic gastritis associated with a GJ anastomosis bleeding in the POD 25. The mean hospital stay was 12.3 days (8-25). The mean operative time was 224 min (170-310). There were no intraoperative complications. The main intraoperative blood loss was 220 ml (180-400) and intraoperative blood transfusions were not required. The resection margins were negative (R0) in 100% of cases and the mean lymph nodes harvested were 24 (18-40). The LPD is still a not common practice. Our results are comparable with those reported in literature about the open technique. These remarkable surgical outcomes are probably related to the extremely careful preoperative patient selection performed. The indication for a laparoscopic vs. an open pancreaticoduodenectomy was based on a CT scan pancreas performed less than 30 days before the planned date of surgery and a careful preoperative assessment. A low complication rate and a relative short stay in hospital were associated to a good quality of life in the early postoperative period and an early referral for postoperative chemotherapy. Good clinical outcomes were associated with outstanding oncological results. Conclusions: Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy is a feasible surgical procedure. Remarkable oncological and surgical outcomes can be achieved with a morbidity and mortality rate in line with the data reported by the large series of open procedures.

The synthesis of new antiinflammatory aroylthiopheneacetic acids bearing a pyrrole moiety is described. These compounds can be regarded as analogues of thiaprofen and related isosteres. The antiinflammatory activity of the new pyrryl derivatives has been evaluated in comparison with indomethacin, tolmetin and the unknown 5-(2-chlorobenzoyl)thiophene-2-acetic acid. Among tested derivatives the compounds containing the pyrrole ring were devoid of analgesic-antiinflammatory activities.

The synthesis of pyrrole analogues of the analgesic drug lefetamine is reported. These derivatives bear the 1-phenyl-2-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)ethylamino moiety. Compounds were evaluated for analgesic activities in mice by the hot plate and Randall-Selitto tests. Antiinflammatory activity was tested by the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema method. General neuropsychopharmacological effects were also screened. The most interesting compound, N,N-dimethyl-1-phenyl-2-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)ethylamine, showed an analgesic effect comparable to that of lefetamine, but devoid of the neurotoxicity of this drug.

The correct identification of all human genes, and their derived transcripts, has not yet been achieved, and it remains one of the major aims of the worldwide genomics community. Computational programs suggest the existence of 30,000 to 40,000 human genes. However, definitive gene identification can only be achieved by experimental approaches. We used two distinct methodologies, one based on the alignment of mouse orthologous sequences to the human genome, and another based on the construction of a high-quality human testis cDNA library, in an attempt to identify new human transcripts within the human genome sequence. We generated 47 complete human transcript sequences, comprising 27 unannotated and 20 annotated sequences. Eight of these transcripts are variants of previously known genes. These transcripts were characterized according to size, number of exons, and chromosomal localization, and a search for protein domains was undertaken based on their putative open reading frames. In silico expression analysis suggests that some of these transcripts are expressed at low levels and in a restricted set of tissues.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia spectrum disorders are commonly acknowledged as discrete entities. Previous research has revealed evidence of high comorbidity between these conditions, but their differential diagnosis proves difficult in routine clinical practice due to the similarities between core symptoms of each disorder. The prevalence of comorbid non-affective psychoses in individuals with ASD is uncertain, with studies reporting rates ranging from 0% to 61.5%. We therefore performed a systematic review and pooled analysis of the available studies reporting the prevalence of non-affective psychosis in ASD. Fourteen studies, including a total of 1,708 participants , were included, with a weighted pooled prevalence assessed at 9.5% (95%CI 2.6 to 16.0). In view of significant heterogeneity amongst the studies, subgroup analyses were conducted. We observed higher prevalence of non-affective psychoses among ASD inpatients versus outpatients, when operationalised criteria were used, and in studies with smaller sample sizes, whereas the figures were comparable between children and adults with ASD. Our results suggest that future studies involving larger samples should implement both operationalized criteria and specific scales for the assessment of psychotic symptoms in individuals with ASD. A deeper understanding of both differential and comorbid features of ASD and non-affective psychosis will be required for the development of optimized clinical management protocols.