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To assess whether HbA1c and plasma glucose predicts abnormal fetal growth, 758 pregnant women attending 5 Diabetic Centers were screened for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). On glucose challenge (GCT) at 24–27 weeks of gestation (g.w.), negative cases formed the normal control group (N1). Positive cases took an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): those found negative were classed as false positives screening test (N2); if they had an OGTT result at least as high as their normal glucose levels, they were classed as having one abnormal glucose value (OAV) at OGTT; two values as GDM. HbA1c was assayed on the day of GCT. We considered fetal macrosomia, large for gestational age (LGA), ponderal index and mean growth percentile. Mean age, pre-pregnancy BMI, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and HbA1c were progressively higher from N1 to GDM patients. The newborn of N2 mothers were heavier than those with N1 or GDM. The mean growth percentile was significantly higher in N2 than in N1. More LGA babies were born to OAV than to N1 or N2 women. Macrosomia and ponderal index did not differ significantly in the four groups. At logistic regression only plasma glucose at GCT could predict LGA babies and a ponderal index above 2.85. At risk analysis, GDM and OAV significantly predicted LGA babies, and GDM a ponderal index >2.85. In conclusion, FPG at GCT could predict fetal overgrowth and plasma glucose >85 mg/dl doubles the risk of LGA infants. HbA1c at 24–27 g.w. does not predict fetal overgrowth. Mild alterations in glucose tolerance correlate with fetal overgrowth and needs monitoring and treatment.

Returnable container networks have caught the eye of those companies that aim to reduce waste generation and environmental impact. The literature already includes studies on the environmental impact (i.e. Life Cycle Assessment, LCA) of these networks. However, the major part is based on secondary data since the collection of primary data is complex and time-intensive. This paper proposes an object-relational database dedicated to the storage of data from a closed-loop reusable plastic crates (RPC) networks for fruits and vegetables. The goal is supporting scholars and managers during the LCA through a user-friendly data architecture, while suggesting structured guidelines for the primary data collection. Each node of the RPC network is characterized by a similar set of entity types, such as machines, which allows to process the RPCs with respect to specific cycles. Each entity, process and cycle are therefore reflected in the database by objects that are connected with relations.

Precise gene editing in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) holds promise for treating genetic diseases. However, responses triggered by programmable nucleases in HSPCs are poorly characterized and may negatively impact HSPC engraftment and long-term repopulation capacity. Here, we induced either one or several DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) with optimized zinc-finger and CRISPR/Cas9 nucleases and monitored DNA damage response (DDR) foci induction, cell-cycle progression, and transcriptional responses in HSPC subpopulations, with up to single-cell resolution. p53-mediated DDR pathway activation was the predominant response to even single-nuclease-induced DSBs across all HSPC subtypes analyzed. Excess DSB load and/or adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated delivery of DNA repair templates induced cumulative p53 pathway activation, constraining proliferation, yield, and engraftment of edited HSPCs. However, functional impairment was reversible when DDR burden was low and could be overcome by transient p53 inhibition. These findings provide molecular and functional evidence for feasible and seamless gene editing in HSPCs. Precise gene editing has the potential to treat immune and hematological diseases. Genovese, Naldini, Di Micco, and colleagues now show that gene-editing procedures are well tolerated by hematopoietic stem cells and provide molecular evidence of the feasibility of seamless gene editing, strengthening translation of such approaches to humans.

The northern part of Yemen during the last 30 Ma has been the site of an intense magmatic activity which can be divided into three main episodes. The first episode lasted from 30 to 18 Ma and was characterized by two climaxes. Huge flood basalt eruptions between 30 to 26 Ma were succeeded by massive ignimbrite sheet deposits and intrusion of silicic subvolcanic masses 22 to 20 Ma ago. Contemporaneously, along the present-day western margin of the Yemen Plateau a basaltic dike swarm was emplaced. Additionally, alkaline and peralkaline granites were intruded at the end of the first climax and throughout the second. After a long quiescence, magmatic activity occurred again in Late Miocene time (about 10 Ma) with extrusion of lava flows in scattered areas (e.g. Al Harf, Wadi As Sirr, Maswar Al Hada, Jabal An Nar). The third magmatic episode has been concentrated in three well defined areas. It began about 6.5 Ma ago in the Dhamar Rada area and later in the San'a Amram and Sirwah Marib areas. New chemical and isotopic data on the magmatic products of North Yemen indicate that extensive crustal contamination, together with simple crystal fractionation processes, have been operating during the magmatic evolution. The most primitive products of each of the three episodes share isotopic and petrological features suggesting a similar mantle source. Isotope geochemistry indicates an important asthenospheric component in the mantle source for the magmas of all three episodes. Finally, a comparison between the coeval igneous rocks of the Yemen and Ethiopia plateaus is attempted.

The activity of Monte Vulture started in the Middle Pleistocene; stratigraphic evidence suggests that the volcanic events may have occurred in the following succession: (1) formation of widespread pyroclastic pumice deposits; (2) sporadic and localized explosive and minor extrusive eruptions; (3) highly explosive eruptions with the formation of some tuff cones and of the oldest part of the Monte Vulture central volcano; and (4) activity at the central volcano, initially mainly explosive and successively increasingly effusive. The western part of the composite volcano, and probably also its summit part were affected by caldera collapses. The volcanic activity ended with hydromagmatic explosion, which formed two explosion craters. Monte Vulture was built up on the external units of the Southern Apennines at the western border of the foretrough. The upper part of the sedimentary substratum consists mainly of clayey formations of the Lagonegro and Sannitic units. Beneath these terrains radiolarites and cherty-limestones of the Lagonegro units outcrop west of Monte Vulture. Rocks of the Apulia carbonate platform were drilled east of the volcano. Deep dipole electrical soundings showed a resistant basement at a depth ranging from 0.2 km down to 4.3 km beneath Monte Vulture. Volcanological, geological and geoelectrical data allow us to hypothesize that: (a) the magma chamber could be located at the boundary between the rigid resistant basement and the overlying conductive plastic terrains; (b) the Apulia carbonate platform forms a structural high beneath the Monte Vulture; and (c) the overthrusting of the Lagonegro units on the Apulia platform may be located beneath the floors of the calderas of Monte Vulture.

The Yemen basaltic plateau (Trap Series) was built up by fissure eruptions related to tensional tectonics in the Afro-Arabian plate. Two main phases of activity have been identified and dated between 30 and 26, and 23 and 19 Ma, respectively. The first phase was dominated by eruptions of alkaline to transitional basalts with a few rhyolitic ignimbrites. During the second phase, rhyolites with minor transitional basalts were erupted in the southern and southwestern part of the area. Geochemical and isotopic data indicate that the basalts are the result of combined processes of crystal fractionation and crustal contamination on mantle derived parental liquids. The degree of crustal contamination generally decreases from south to north.