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Microwave induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES) was evaluated as a strategy for the analysis of simulated gastrointestinal solutions to estimate the in vitro bioaccessibility of essential elements in cooked pink shrimp. Operational conditions such as pump speed, nitrogen flow, and viewing position were thoroughly optimized for each element. Afterwards the validation of the analytical method was performed. Limits of quantification ranged from 0.005 mg kg−1 (Mn) to 0.106 mg kg−1 (Zn). Accuracy was evaluated by using a certified reference material and performing a mass-balance study. Suitable mass balances within the range 95–105% were obtained. In vitro bioaccessibility in cooked shrimp samples ranged from 14.7% (Fe) to 48.1% (Zn), in agreement with previous data from other shrimp species. The proposed procedure proved to be an outstanding sequential analytical strategy for elemental bioaccessibility studies, providing simplicity and high sample throughput compared to conventional approaches. Furthermore, this work constitutes the first work regarding the optimization of an elemental bioaccessibility study on animal protein employing MP-AES. [Display omitted] • The new method for elemental bioaccessibility studies was very efficient and robust. • The thorough optimization of operational conditions for MP-AES determinations was key. • Accuracy was evaluated using a certified reference material and a mass-balance study. • Suitable mass balances within the range 95–105% were obtained after validation. • In vitro bioaccessibility of shrimp samples ranged from 14.7% (iron) to 48.1% (zinc). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Polyomavirus (PyV) infections have been associated with different diseases. BK (BKPyV), JC (JCPyV) and simian virus 40 (SV40) are the three main PyVs whose primary infection occurs early in life. Their vertical transmission was investigated in this study.Methods: PyV sequences were analyzed by the digital droplet PCR in blood, serum, placenta, amniotic fluid, vaginal smear from two independent cohorts of pregnant females and umbilical cord blood (UCB) samples. IgG antibodies against the three PyVs were investigated by indirect E.L.I.S.As with viral mimotopes.Results: DNAs from blood, vaginal smear and placenta tested BKPyV-, JCPyV- and SV40-positive with a distinct prevalence, while amniotic fluids were all PyVs-negative. A prevalence of 3%, 7%, and 3% for BKPyV, JCPyV and SV40 DNA sequences, respectively, was obtained in UCBs. Serum IgG antibodies from pregnant females reached an overall prevalence of 62%, 42% and 17% for BKPyV, JCPyV and SV40, respectively. Sera from newborns (UCB) tested IgG-positive with a prevalence of 10% for BKPyV/JCPyV and 3% for SV40.Conclusions: In this investigation, PyV vertical transmission was revealed by detecting PyV DNA sequences and IgG antibodies in samples from females and their offspring suggesting a potential risk of diseases in newborns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Primary prostate cancer almost always has a luminal phenotype. However, little is known about the stem/progenitor properties of transformed cells within tumors. Using the aggressive Pten/Tp53-null mouse model of prostate cancer, we show that two classes of luminal progenitors exist within a tumor. Not only did tumors contain previously described multipotent progenitors, but also a major population of committed luminal progenitors. Luminal cells, sorted directly from tumors or grown as organoids, initiated tumors of adenocarcinoma or multilineage histological phenotypes, which is consistent with luminal and multipotent differentiation potentials, respectively. Moreover, using organoids we show that the ability of luminal-committed progenitors to self-renew is a tumor-specific property, absent in benign luminal cells. Finally, a significant fraction of luminal progenitors survived in vivo castration. In all, these data reveal two luminal tumor populations with different stem/progenitor cell capacities, providing insight into prostate cancer cells that initiate tumors and can influence treatment response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression creates an additional burden for adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), negatively affecting disease outcomes and quality of life. An integrative literature review of twenty-three quantitative studies was conducted on correlates and factors predictive of depression in adults with RA. Methodological assessment tools were used to independently evaluate the data quality by two reviewers. Prevalence rates ranged from 6.6 to 66.25%. Correlates included pain, functional status, disease duration, and RA treatment. Predictors, including sociodemographics, pain, coping ability, support, functional status, and clinical factors, varied depending upon the sample, standardized measure, and geographic location. Understanding correlates/predictors could guide the development of comprehensive care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is an uncommon benign bony lesion that occurs in the mandible and maxilla. The clinical behaviour of CGCG ranges from a slow-growing asymptomatic swelling to an aggressive lesion that presents pain, local bone destruction, root resorption and tooth displacement. Therapeutic options have varied greatly over the years. Non-surgical treatments with alpha interferon (α-IFN), calcitonin and corticosteroids have been described and their benefits may be worthy of consideration. Surgery is considered the traditional treatment and it is still the most accepted one, however in the literature not all authors agree on the type of surgery which should be performed. Although en bloc resection provides the lowest recurrence rate, only a few single case reports describe the use of this technique followed by reconstruction with autogenous bone grafts. The authors report their experience with en bloc resection of 18 wide CGCGs which had not been previously treated medically. Immediate reconstruction was carried out for all cases and in one, a fibula free flap was used to reconstruct the mandible. No recurrence was observed. After complete healing of the graft, prosthetic rehabilitation via implants was performed. This allowed the best functional and aesthetic results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two non-destructive techniques, namely ground penetrating radar (GPR) and a more original approach based on capacitive measurement, have been considered in this research project that focuses on the evaluation of cover concrete moisture content. Following a numerical modeling step for the capacitive technique, the two methods were successfully compared during an experimental campaign conducted in the laboratory against several control test slabs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The E2F transcription factors are critical regulators of genes required for appropriate progression through the cell cycle, and in special circumstances they can also promote the expression of another class of genes that function in the apoptotic program. Since E2Fs can initiate both cell proliferation and cell death, it is not surprising that the pro-apoptotic capacity of these proteins is subject to complex regulation. Recent study has expanded our knowledge of the factors influencing E2F-induced apoptosis as well as downstream targets of E2F in this process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A physical interpretation of reflectance data, for applications related to lighting, or pavements monitoring systems, relies on the development of models describing the interactions between light and the media under study. Beyond ray-tracing approaches, the general radiation transport theory allows a neat solution to the problem of rough surfaces, provided distinctive features originating in the back-scattering behavior and opposition effect, are accurately accounted for. The present model takes advantage of analytical expressions for the once-scattered part of the reflectance, and computes multiply scattered contribution via a successive order scattering approach. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to assess the influence of parameters controlling the scattering processes and opposition effect. Finally, model outputs are confronted with actual laboratory measurements, and basis to evaluate surface roughness from reflectance data are suggested. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mucormycosis is a rare opportunistic infection caused by fungi belonging to Mucorales order. The infection usually starts in the middle or inferior nasal meatus and then spreads to the paranasal sinuses and the orbit. Then it reaches the brain through the ethmoid and the orbit apex and can lead to lethargy, paralysis, and death. The majority of cases of rhinocerebral mucormycosis are diagnosed in patients with immunologic and metabolic disorders. Early diagnosis is fundamental, and so is medical therapy with amphotericin B along with surgical toilet of the compromised tissues. This article presents and discusses the management of 3 cases of rhinocerebral mucormycosis with different onsets, progressions, and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Genetic variants in the IgH locus are related to gender-specific COVID19 responses. • Women with *2 allelic hs1.2 variant are more protected than men to COVID19 disease. • The hs1.2 allele *2 comprises DNA binding sites for the Estrogen receptor alpha. The pandemic diffusion of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has highlighted significant gender-related differences in disease severity. Despite several hypotheses being proposed, how the genetic background of COVID-19 patients might impact clinical outcomes remains largely unknown. We collected blood samples from 192 COVID-19 patients (115 men, 77 women, mean age 67 ± 19 years) admitted between March and June 2020 at two different hospital centers in Italy, and determined the allelic distribution of nine Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs), located at the 3′Regulatory Region (3′RR)-1 in the immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain locus, including *1 and *2 alleles of polymorphic hs1.2 enhancer region. In COVID-19 patients, the genotyped SNPs exhibited strong Linkage Disequilibrium and produced 7 specific haplotypes, associated to different degrees of disease severity, including the occurrence of pneumonia. Additionally, the allele *2, which comprises a DNA binding site for the Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in the polymorphic enhancer hs1.2 of 3′RR-1, was significantly enriched in women with a less severe disease. These findings document genetic variants associated to individual clinical severity of COVID-19 disease. Most specifically, a novel genetic protective factor was identified that might explain the sex-related differences in immune response to Sars-COV-2 infection in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The analysis of global soil erodibility data by Salvador Sanchis et al. (2008) showed that there is a significant climate effect on soil erodibility which allows for a split of the data into two subsets, one for prevailing cool conditions and another for prevailing warm conditions (defined using the Köppen climate classification). Despite the recognition of this new dichotomous variable, prediction of soil erodibility values remained very poor. This paper presents a new technique for dealing with such a variability by calculating probability density functions of soil erodibility K values when the user knows a set of textural parameters and the climatic classification of the site. Finally the user has the possibility to decide, on the basis of local knowledge, which K value to use. The procedure has been implemented in a freeware software named KUERY available for the scientific community. Finally, as an illustration, the methodology is applied to a catchment in south Italy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]