167 results on '"Aprile, F"'
Search Results
52. Il Museo della Strumentazione ed Informazione Cristallografica e la diffusione delle conoscenze scientifiche
- Author
-
D'Aprile F.
- Published
- 2003
53. Il Museo della Strumentazione e Informazione Cristallografica
- Author
-
D'Aprile F.
- Published
- 2003
54. Il Museo della Strumentazione Cristallografica del CNR
- Author
-
D'Aprile F.
- Published
- 2002
55. Proposta di restauro geoambientale del fiume Sarno (Campania)
- Author
-
Aprile F., Auriemma G., Esposito S., Ortolani F., and Pagliuca S.
- Published
- 1997
56. Regime térmico e a dinâmica do oxigênio em um lago meromítico de águas pretas da região amazônica
- Author
-
Aprile, F. M., primary and Darwich, A. J., additional
- Published
- 2009
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
57. EP33.12: Umbilical and middle cerebral artery Doppler in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: looking beyond a normally grown fetus.
- Author
-
Fruci, S., Aprile, F. Totaro, Stollagli, F., Fortuna, E., Moresi, S., Rullo, R., Salvi, S., and Lanzone, A.
- Abstract
Thus, we examined the umbilical artery (UA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) Doppler in appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fetuses of healthy and HDP pregnancies at 32 weeks. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) include gestational hypertension (GH), chronic hypertension (CH) and pre-eclampsia (PE). [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
58. EP01.47: Potential implications of using fetal DNA in the evaluation of adverse obstetrics outcomes.
- Author
-
Stollagli, F., Fortuna, E., Aprile, F. Totaro, Fruci, S., Buongiorno, S., Antonielli, T., Salvi, S., and Lanzone, A.
- Abstract
Cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) testing represents the best screening method for common aneuploidies. Conclusions In conclusion, our results highlighted the importance of an adequate counselling to pregnant women with high BMI regarding the test reliability and its clinical implications. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
59. EP01.42: First trimester screening: the increasing value of adding serum PAPP‐A levels in predicting pregnancy outcomes.
- Author
-
Stollagli, F., Fortuna, E., Fruci, S., Aprile, F. Totaro, Buongiorno, S., Antonielli, T., Salvi, S., and Lanzone, A.
- Abstract
Conclusions In conclusion, our study shows that low serum PAPP-A levels in the first trimester were strongly associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications. EP01.42: First trimester screening: the increasing value of adding serum PAPP-A levels in predicting pregnancy outcomes The aim of this study is to investigate the ability of first trimester maternal serum pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) in the prediction of pregnancy complications. [Extracted from the article]
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
60. Distribution and enrichment of heavy metals at the Tapacurá River basin, northeastern Brazil
- Author
-
Aprile, F. M., primary and Bouvy, M., additional
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
61. Tettonica e vulcanismo negli ultimi 35.000 anni nella Piana Campana
- Author
-
Aprile F., Castaldo V., Ortolani F., Pagliuca S., and Rolandi G.
- Published
- 1992
62. Fitoplâncton e fitoperifiton de um rio de águas pretas da Amazônia periférica do norte, Brasil
- Author
-
Aprile, F. M., primary and Mera, P. A. S., additional
- Published
- 2007
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
63. Evaluation of vehicle composite structures
- Author
-
D'Aprile, F. and Icardi, Ugo
- Published
- 1990
64. Aspectos cinéticos da degradação de laminados de madeiras em ambientes aquático e terrestre
- Author
-
APRILE, F. M., primary, DELITTI, W. B. C., additional, and BIANCHINI JR., I., additional
- Published
- 1999
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
65. Proposta de modelo cinético da degradação de laminados de madeiras em ambientes aquático e terrestre
- Author
-
APRILE, F. M., primary, DELITTI, W. B. C., additional, and BIANCHINI JR., I., additional
- Published
- 1999
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
66. Metabolism of human femoral head cartilage in osteoarthrosis and subcapital fracture.
- Author
-
Mitrovic, D, Gruson, M, Demignon, J, Mercier, P, Aprile, F, and De Seze, S
- Abstract
The cell density and incorporation of 35SO4 and 3H-glycine into human articular cartilage from 8 osteoarthrotic and 7 normal (subcapital fracture) femoral heads were studied. It was found that osteoarthrotic cartilage incorporates on a per cell basis about twice as much 35SO4 and 2--5 times as much 3H-glycine as normal cartilage. There was no relationship between the intensity of incorporation and either the location of the cartilage (weight-bearing versus non weight-bearing areas) in normal cartilage or the degree of damage (normal-like, fibrillated, and ulcerated) in osteoarthrotic articular cartilage. In the latter tissue the increased synthetic capacity of the cells seems to be a diffuse rather than a localised process, for it was also found in cartilage from peripheral osteophytes. Histo-autoradiographic studies showed that the osteoarthrotic chondrocytes are metabolically hyperactive all over the femoral head, including wedge-shaped margins of the zone of exposed bone. These results support the hypothesis that much of the articular cartilage from osteoarthrotic femoral heads is of an immature chondroblastic type. It is suggested that de-novo synthesis of articular cartilage occurs during the process of regional remodelling of the femoral head, which would account for the observed hyperactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 1981
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
67. Degradation of Hyaluronic Acid by Photosensitized Riboflavin In Vitro. Modulation of the Effect by Transition Metals, Radical Quenchers, and Metal Chelators
- Author
-
Frati, E., Khatih, A.-M., Front, P., Panasyuk, A., Aprile, F., and Mitrovic, D. R.
- Published
- 1997
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
68. La variabilità del clima nella pianificazione della gestione forestale: il progetto LIFE AforClimate
- Author
-
Ciancio O, Bovio G., Chiavetta, U., D Aprile, F., Monteverdi, C., Mazza, G., Plutino, M., Proietti, R., Miozzo, M., Bracciotti, S., Vittorio Garfì, Marco Marchetti, Antonucci, S., Giovanni Santopuoli, La Mela Veca, D. S., Sferlazza, S., Maetzke, F., La Mantia, T., Mori, P., Torreggiani, L., Manni, S., Ronconi, M., Del Bianco, N., Campo, O., and Antinoro, G.
69. Anti-inflammatory drugs, prostanoid and proteoglycan production by cultured bovine articular chondrocytes
- Author
-
Mitrovic, D., primary, McCall, E., additional, Front, Ph., additional, Aprile, F., additional, Darmon, N., additional, and Dray, F., additional
- Published
- 1984
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
70. Relative rates of alkaline hydrolysis of some cis and trans ring-substituted dibenzoato bis(ethylenediamine) cobalt(III) ions
- Author
-
Aprile, F., primary, Caglioti, V., additional, and Illuminati, G., additional
- Published
- 1961
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
71. The preparation and properties of some cis and trans ring substituted dibenzoato bis(ethylenediamine) cobalt(III) ions
- Author
-
Aprile, F., primary, Caglioti, V., additional, and Illuminati, G., additional
- Published
- 1961
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
72. Approaches to the Teaching of Indonesian Literacy in the Primary Classroom.
- Author
-
Denise, Aprile F., Sugati, Ni Ketut Ayu, and Utami, Sri
- Subjects
LITERACY ,PRIMARY education ,TEXTBOOKS ,CHILDREN'S literature ,INTERACTIVE books ,LIFE skills ,EDUCATION - Abstract
support Indonesian Literacy. The project provides a model for teaching and supporting literacy as a catalyst for change within the Indonesian education system, by introducing internationally recognized pedagogy on best teaching practices. This successful model of teaching literacy uses interactive children's literature and guided reading resources in Bahasa Indonesian to promote literacy development in Indonesian kindergarten and primary schools. Current methods of teaching literacy in government schools generally focus on more formalized practices which tend to use whole class approaches and text book learning. Our proposed workshop will focus on teaching methodology to support the development in children of the important life skills of critical thinking and problem solving through the use of quality literature. We will model some of the approaches to the teaching of literacy through interactive read-alouds, guided reading, and shared reading, where there will be opportunities to reflect on the value of literature that connects to children's lives and supports the development of life skills. This approach is already operating successfully in the teaching of the Indonesian Literacy within the Dyatmika bilingual Primary School in Bali, where this project Literasi Anak Indonesia is based. We believe this project has enormous potential for the teaching of early literacy in kindergarten and primary schools in Indonesia, so we look forward to sharing the programme with interested schools, teachers, and librarians who are seeking to enrich their Indonesian literacy curriculum. The greatest need in introducing an enriched approach to the teaching of literacy through quality literature is to first produce the resources required for this approach. Presently, there are very limited resources in national schools, apart from textbooks, available in Bahasa Indonesian, the instructional language in schools. As a result there is little evidence of literacy development being taught using "real" books that connect to children's lives. Therefore, an important aim of this project is to support the development of class and school libraries by producing a context-based reading series and relevant literature. As a result, local illustrators, photographers, and writers have been working on this project to produce high quality books. To date we have produced 45 titles across 5 levels of reading at the early literacy stage, and are adding a further 3 levels of 24 titles to the series. Additionally, Big Books for interactive reading, teaching guides, student activity books, and assessments have been produced. All these resources will be shared during the workshop. We believe literacy is the foundation of education, and Indonesian children deserve the best literature and reading opportunities that can be provided in their own language through the classrooms and school libraries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
73. Exegesis of a Renunciation – Esegesi di una rinuncia
- Author
-
Aprile, Francesco, Ferrando, Bartolomé, and Cristiano, Caggiula
- Subjects
poetry ,visual poetry ,experimental ,bic Book Industry Communication::D Literature & literary studies::DC Poetry::DCF Poetry by individual poets - Abstract
“The brutality of symbol is visual war. The maze confuses the poetic solitude of the verbal impressed in the pragmatic obol. Manifesto, nervous reflex of language out of control but not without focus, unexpectedly touches the reaction converting the suit interpret-action roar of consciousness. Phonemes-hoplites, the galvanized armor prepares the final siege, it is time to choose which side to fight on. Aprile throws up a challenge: self-centeredness of the word or the reversal of the semantic front against a historic tool devoted to a company withered away and foraging in the cliché, this ultimate foundation of the order-archetype. Prepare for defeat, not to succumb to conceal language accessory and inflamed from of poiesis, and semantic approach exhalation and pray for his death.” ~ Cristiano Caggiula “Aprile’s writing breathes, survives and is manifested, among dashes, curves, losses, cruises, overlays, erasures, and smudges, smears. A writing dotted with isolated words, they resist to a great catastrophe, arranged in imbalance, moving, equipped with its own breath, your own voice. Aprile’s writing is a calligram in which the words are scattered all but disappeared, replaced by stretches of life that run, they run themselves. April drags, hits, dodges, phagocyte and flees, sometimes quickly, sometimes with a certain laziness, out of an area where it shows the drive and exposes the unfinished pulsion of the body. Rhythm writing.” ~ Bartolomé Ferrando
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
74. Small-molecule sequestration of amyloid-β as a drug discovery strategy for Alzheimer's disease
- Author
-
Benedetta Mannini, Roberta Pierattelli, Thomas Löhr, Massimiliano Bonomi, Carlo Camilloni, Thomas C. T. Michaels, Francesco Simone Ruggeri, Gabriella T. Heller, Alfonso De Simone, Michele Vendruscolo, Francesco A. Aprile, Christopher M. Dobson, Ryan Limbocker, Michele Perni, Isabella C. Felli, Tuomas P. J. Knowles, Heller, Gabriella T [0000-0002-5672-0467], Aprile, Francesco A [0000-0002-5040-4420], Perni, Michele [0000-0001-7593-8376], Ruggeri, Francesco Simone [0000-0002-1232-1907], Mannini, Benedetta [0000-0001-6812-7348], Löhr, Thomas [0000-0003-2969-810X], Bonomi, Massimiliano [0000-0002-7321-0004], Camilloni, Carlo [0000-0002-9923-8590], De Simone, Alfonso [0000-0001-8789-9546], Felli, Isabella C [0000-0002-6018-9090], Pierattelli, Roberta [0000-0001-7755-0885], Knowles, Tuomas PJ [0000-0002-7879-0140], Dobson, Christopher M [0000-0002-5445-680X], Vendruscolo, Michele [0000-0002-3616-1610], Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository, Heller, G. T., Aprile, F. A., Michaels, T. C. T., Limbocker, R., Perni, M., Ruggeri, F. S., Mannini, B., Lohr, T., Bonomi, M., Camilloni, C., de Simone, A., Felli, I. C., Pierattelli, R., Knowles, T. P. J., Dobson, C. M., Vendruscolo, M., University of Cambridge [UK] (CAM), Imperial College London, Harvard University, Bioinformatique structurale - Structural Bioinformatics, Institut Pasteur [Paris] (IP)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Università degli Studi di Milano = University of Milan (UNIMI), University of Naples Federico II = Università degli studi di Napoli Federico II, Università degli Studi di Firenze = University of Florence (UniFI), Funding: G.T.H. is supported by the Gates Cambridge Trust and the Rosalind Franklin Research Fellowship at Newnham College, Cambridge, F.A.A. is supported by UK Research and Innovation (Future Leaders Fellowship MR/S033947/1) and the Alzheimer’s Society, UK (317, 511), R.L. is supported by the Gates Cambridge Trust, TCTM by Peterhouse, Cambridge and the Swiss National Science Foundation, and F.S.R. is supported by Darwin College and the Swiss National Foundation (grant numbers P300P2_171219 and P2ELP2_162116, respectively). We acknowledge ARCHER UK National Supercomputing Service under ARCHER Leadership project (grant number e510) and PRACE for awarding us access to MareNostrum at Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), Spain for metadynamic metainference simulations. Parameterization of 10074-G5 was performed using resources provided by the Cambridge Service for Data Driven Discovery (CSD3) operated by the University of Cambridge Research Computing Service (www.csd3.cam.ac.uk), provided by Dell EMC and Intel using Tier-2 funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (capital grant EP/P020259/1), and DiRAC funding from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (www.dirac.ac.uk). MALDI mass spectrometry measurements were performed by L. Packman at the Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry Facility (PNAC) at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge. The NMR measurements were supported by the iNEXT H2020 Programme (EC contract no. 653706). OW450 C. elegans were donated by E. Nollen. BLI measurements were performed in the Biophysics facility at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge. The work was also supported by the Centre for Misfolding Diseases and the INCEPTION project ANR-16-CONV-0005., ANR-16-CONV-0005,INCEPTION,Institut Convergences pour l'étude de l'Emergence des Pathologies au Travers des Individus et des populatiONs(2016), Harvard University [Cambridge], Institut Pasteur [Paris]-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Università degli Studi di Milano [Milano] (UNIMI), University of Naples Federico II, and Università degli Studi di Firenze = University of Florence [Firenze] (UNIFI)
- Subjects
Amyloid beta ,In silico ,Biophysics ,Intrinsically disordered proteins ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Alzheimer Disease ,Drug Discovery ,medicine ,Humans ,Life Science ,[SDV.BBM.BC]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biochemistry, Molecular Biology/Biochemistry [q-bio.BM] ,Molecular Biology ,Research Articles ,030304 developmental biology ,0303 health sciences ,Multidisciplinary ,Amyloid beta-Peptides ,biology ,Drug discovery ,Chemistry ,SciAdv r-articles ,Conformational entropy ,Small molecule ,Peptide Fragments ,3. Good health ,Mechanism of action ,biology.protein ,Small molecule binding ,medicine.symptom ,Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,Research Article - Abstract
A small molecule binds to a disordered protein in its monomeric form, preventing its aggregation linked to Alzheimer’s disease., Disordered proteins are challenging therapeutic targets, and no drug is currently in clinical use that modifies the properties of their monomeric states. Here, we identify a small molecule (10074-G5) capable of binding and sequestering the intrinsically disordered amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide in its monomeric, soluble state. Our analysis reveals that this compound interacts with Aβ and inhibits both the primary and secondary nucleation pathways in its aggregation process. We characterize this interaction using biophysical experiments and integrative structural ensemble determination methods. We observe that this molecule increases the conformational entropy of monomeric Aβ while decreasing its hydrophobic surface area. We also show that it rescues a Caenorhabditis elegans model of Aβ-associated toxicity, consistent with the mechanism of action identified from the in silico and in vitro studies. These results illustrate the strategy of stabilizing the monomeric states of disordered proteins with small molecules to alter their behavior for therapeutic purposes.
- Published
- 2020
75. Flipping the head of T[SU(N)]: mirror symmetry, spectral duality and monopoles
- Author
-
Sara Pasquetti, Yegor Zenkevich, Francesco Aprile, Aprile, F, Pasquetti, S, and Zenkevich, Y
- Subjects
High Energy Physics - Theory ,Nuclear and High Energy Physics ,Brane Dynamics in Gauge Theories ,Holomorphic function ,Magnetic monopole ,FOS: Physical sciences ,Duality (optimization) ,01 natural sciences ,String (physics) ,Supersymmetric Gauge Theory ,Theoretical physics ,Field Theories in Lower Dimension ,Dualities, Supersymmetric gauge theories ,0103 physical sciences ,lcsh:Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity ,010306 general physics ,Moment map ,Brane Dynamics in Gauge Theorie ,Physics ,010308 nuclear & particles physics ,Field Theories in Lower Dimensions ,S-duality ,Base (topology) ,FIS/02 - FISICA TEORICA, MODELLI E METODI MATEMATICI ,High Energy Physics - Theory (hep-th) ,lcsh:QC770-798 ,Mirror symmetry ,Duality in Gauge Field Theorie ,Duality in Gauge Field Theories - Abstract
We consider T[SU(N)] and its mirror, and we argue that there are two more dual frames, which are obtained by adding flipping fields for the moment maps on the Higgs and Coulomb branch. Turning on a monopole deformation in T[SU(N)], and following its effect on each dual frame, we obtain four new daughter theories dual to each other. We are then able to construct pairs of 3d spectral dual theories by performing simple operations on the four dual frames of T[SU(N)]. Engineering these 3d spectral pairs as codimension-two defect theories coupled to a trivial 5d theory, via Higgsing, we show that our 3d spectral dual theories descends from the 5d spectral duality, or fiber base duality in topological string. We provide further consistency checks about the web of dualities we constructed by matching partition functions on the three sphere, and in the case of spectral duality, matching exactly topological string computations with holomorphic blocks., 74 pages, 15 pictures
- Published
- 2018
76. Sequence Specificity in the Entropy-Driven Binding of a Small Molecule and a Disordered Peptide
- Author
-
Gabriella T. Heller, Carlo Camilloni, Alfonso De Simone, Massimiliano Bonomi, Francesco A. Aprile, Michele Vendruscolo, University of Cambridge [UK] (CAM), Università degli Studi di Milano [Milano] (UNIMI), Imperial College London, Heller, Gabrielle [0000-0002-5672-0467], Aprile, Francesco [0000-0002-5040-4420], Bonomi, Massimilano [0000-0002-7321-0004], Vendruscolo, Michele [0000-0002-3616-1610], Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository, Heller, G. T., Aprile, F. A., Bonomi, M., Camilloni, C., De Simone, A., and Vendruscolo, M.
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ,Entropy ,Statistics as Topic ,small molecule ,specificity ,Peptide ,Plasma protein binding ,010402 general chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,Molecular Docking Simulation ,Biophysical Phenomena ,Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc ,03 medical and health sciences ,drug binding ,Structural Biology ,disordered protein ,Human proteome project ,Humans ,[SDV.BBM]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biochemistry, Molecular Biology ,Molecular Biology ,ComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUS ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,Intermolecular force ,Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ,Small molecule ,3. Good health ,0104 chemical sciences ,small molecules ,Thiazoles ,030104 developmental biology ,Biochemistry ,chemistry ,Biophysics ,Thiazole ,disordered proteins ,Human ,Protein Binding - Abstract
Approximately one-third of the human proteome is made up of proteins that are entirely disordered or that contain extended disordered regions. Although these disordered proteins are closely linked with many major diseases, their binding mechanisms with small molecules remain poorly understood, and a major concern is whether their specificity can be sufficient for drug development. Here, by studying the interaction of a small molecule and a disordered peptide from the oncogene protein c-Myc, we describe a “specific-diffuse” binding mechanism that exhibits sequence specificity despite being of entropic nature. By combining NMR spectroscopy, biophysical measurements, statistical inference, and molecular simulations, we provide a quantitative measure of such sequence specificity and compare it to the case of the interaction of urea, which is diffuse but not specific. To investigate whether this type of binding can generally modify intermolecular interactions, we show that it leads to an inhibition of the aggregation of the peptide. These results suggest that the binding mechanism that we report may create novel opportunities to discover drugs that target disordered proteins in their monomeric states in a specific manner.
- Published
- 2017
77. Inhibition of α-Synuclein Fibril Elongation by Hsp70 Is Governed by a Kinetic Binding Competition between α-Synuclein Species
- Author
-
Tuomas P. J. Knowles, Janet R. Kumita, Anne Dhulesia, Christopher M. Dobson, Giuliana Fusco, Paolo Arosio, Paolo Tortora, Francesco A. Aprile, Serene W. Chen, Nunilo Cremades, Michele Vendruscolo, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Aprile, Francesco [0000-0002-5040-4420], Kumita, Janet [0000-0002-3887-4964], Knowles, Tuomas [0000-0002-7879-0140], Vendruscolo, Michele [0000-0002-3616-1610], Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository, Aprile, F, Arosio, P, Fusco, G, Chen, S, Kumita, J, Dhulesia, A, Tortora, P, Knowles, T, Vendruscolo, M, Dobson, C, and Cremades, N
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,Kinetics ,Cell ,Biology ,Protein aggregation ,Fibril ,Biochemistry ,Binding, Competitive ,Protein Structure, Secondary ,Substrate Specificity ,03 medical and health sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,0302 clinical medicine ,medicine ,Humans ,HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ,Kinetic ,Alpha-synuclein ,HSP70 Heat-Shock Protein ,Binding protein ,Neurodegeneration ,medicine.disease ,Hsp70 ,030104 developmental biology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,chemistry ,Biophysics ,alpha-Synuclein ,Protein Multimerization ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,Human - Abstract
The Hsp70 family of chaperones plays an essential role in suppressing protein aggregation in the cell. Here we investigate the factors controlling the intrinsic ability of human Hsp70 to inhibit the elongation of amyloid fibrils formed by the Parkinson's disease-related protein α-synuclein. Using kinetic analysis, we show that Hsp70 binds preferentially to α-synuclein fibrils as a consequence of variations in the association and dissociation rate constants of binding to the different aggregated states of the protein. Our findings illustrate the importance of the kinetics of binding of molecular chaperones, and also of potential therapeutic molecules, in the efficient suppression of specific pathogenic events linked to neurodegeneration.
- Published
- 2017
78. The polyglutamine protein ataxin-3 enables normal growth under heat shock conditions in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris
- Author
-
Pierluigi Mauri, Francesco A. Aprile, Antonella De Palma, Valentina Roffia, Marcella Bonanomi, Cristina Visentin, Alessio Lombardi, Paolo Tortora, Maria Elena Regonesi, Bonanomi, M, Roffia, V, De Palma, A, Lombardi, A, Aprile, F, Visentin, C, Tortora, P, Mauri, P, and Regonesi, M
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,lcsh:Medicine ,Biophysical chemistry ,Metabolic pathways ,Proteomics ,Article ,Pichia ,Pichia pastoris ,Fungal Proteins ,03 medical and health sciences ,Adenosine Triphosphate ,Downregulation and upregulation ,Ubiquitin ,Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal ,Transcriptional regulation ,Protein biosynthesis ,Heat shock ,lcsh:Science ,Ataxin-3 ,Regulation of gene expression ,Multidisciplinary ,biology ,Chemistry ,lcsh:R ,biology.organism_classification ,Publisher Correction ,030104 developmental biology ,Biochemistry ,Ataxin ,biology.protein ,lcsh:Q ,Energy Metabolism ,Heat-Shock Response - Abstract
The protein ataxin-3 carries a polyglutamine stretch close to the C-terminus that triggers a neurodegenerative disease in humans when its length exceeds a critical threshold. A role as a transcriptional regulator but also as a ubiquitin hydrolase has been proposed for this protein. Here, we report that, when expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris, full-length ataxin-3 enabled almost normal growth at 37 °C, well above the physiological optimum of 30 °C. The N-terminal Josephin domain (JD) was also effective but significantly less, whereas catalytically inactive JD was completely ineffective. Based on MudPIT proteomic analysis, we observed that the strain expressing full-length, functional ataxin-3 displayed persistent upregulation of enzymes involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism during growth at 37 °C compared with the strain transformed with the empty vector. Concurrently, in the transformed strain intracellular ATP levels at 37 °C were even higher than normal ones at 30 °C. Elevated ATP was also paralleled by upregulation of enzymes involved in both protein biosynthesis and biosynthetic pathways, as well as of several stress-induced proteins. A similar pattern was observed when comparing a strain expressing JD with another expressing its catalytically inactive counterpart. We suggest that such effects mostly result from mechanisms of transcriptional regulation.
- Published
- 2016
79. Hsp70 oligomerization is mediated by an interaction between the interdomain linker and the substrate-binding domain
- Author
-
Paolo Tortora, Carol V. Robinson, Francesco A. Aprile, Christopher M. Dobson, Anne Dhulesia, Florian Stengel, Cintia Roodveldt, Nunilo Cremades, Xavier Salvatella, Justin L. P. Benesch, Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca, University of Cambridge, Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad (España), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, European Commission, Royal Society (UK), Human Frontier Science Program, Aprile, F, Dhulesia, A, Stengel, F, Roodveldt, C, Benesch, J, Tortora, P, Robinson, C, Salvatella, X, Dobson, C, and Cremades, N
- Subjects
Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ,lcsh:Medicine ,Plasma protein binding ,Polymerization ,Hsp70 ,oligomerization ,Protein–protein interaction ,03 medical and health sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Protein structure ,Heat shock protein ,Humans ,HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ,Binding site ,lcsh:Science ,mass spectrometry ,030304 developmental biology ,0303 health sciences ,Binding Sites ,Multidisciplinary ,biology ,Chemistry ,lcsh:R ,030302 biochemistry & molecular biology ,BIO/10 - BIOCHIMICA ,Protein Structure, Tertiary ,Monomer ,Biochemistry ,Chaperone (protein) ,biology.protein ,Biophysics ,lcsh:Q ,fluorescence ,Linker ,Molecular Chaperones ,Protein Binding ,Research Article - Abstract
Oligomerization in the heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 family has been extensively documented both in vitro and in vivo, although the mechanism, the identity of the specific protein regions involved and the physiological relevance of this process are still unclear. We have studied the oligomeric properties of a series of human Hsp70 variants by means of nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry, optical spectroscopy and quantitative size exclusion chromatography. Our results show that Hsp70 oligomerization takes place through a specific interaction between the interdomain linker of one molecule and the substrate-binding domain of a different molecule, generating dimers and higher-order oligomers. We have found that substrate binding shifts the oligomerization equilibrium towards the accumulation of functional monomeric protein, probably by sequestering the helical lid sub-domain needed to stabilize the chaperone: substrate complex. Taken together, these findings suggest a possible role of chaperone oligomerization as a mechanism for regulating the availability of the active monomeric form of the chaperone and for the control of substrate binding and release. © 2013 Aprile et al., FAA was recipient of a graduate fellowship from the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research. AD is grateful for support from Murray Edwards College, Cambridge, through a Junior Research Fellowship. FS is a Sir Henry Wellcome Fellow. CR acknowledges financial support by the Spanish Ministry of Health according to the 'Plan Nacional de I+D+I 2008-2011', through ISCIII with cofunding by FEDER (CP10/00527). JLPB is a Royal Society University Research Fellow. FAA and PT are grateful for support from Regione Lombardia (NEDD and >Network Tecnologico integrato per lo studio proteomico e trascrittomico di malattie neurodegenerative correlate a deposizioni di amiloidi>). CMD acknowledges support from BBSRC (BB/E019927/1), the Wellcome Trust (094425/Z/10/Z), the European Commission (project LSHM-CT-2006-037525). NC acknowledges support from Human Frontiers Science Program (HFSP) through a Long-term Fellowship (LT000795/2009).
- Published
- 2016
80. Targeting Amyloid Aggregation: An Overview of Strategies and Mechanisms
- Author
-
Sofia Giorgetti, Francesco A. Aprile, Paolo Tortora, Claudio Greco, Giorgetti, S, Greco, C, Tortora, P, and Aprile, F
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,pathology_pathobiology ,Review ,Protein aggregation ,Catalysi ,lcsh:Chemistry ,Amyloid disease ,0302 clinical medicine ,Molecular Targeted Therapy ,lcsh:QH301-705.5 ,Spectroscopy ,media_common ,biology ,Chemistry ,Amyloidosis ,General Medicine ,Computer Science Applications ,Drug development ,Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition ,Drug ,Amyloid ,drug design ,media_common.quotation_subject ,amyloid diseases ,natural antiamyloids ,macromolecular substances ,Computational biology ,Protein Aggregation, Pathological ,Catalysis ,Inorganic Chemistry ,Protein Aggregates ,03 medical and health sciences ,Natural antiamyloid ,Drug Development ,medicine ,Animals ,Humans ,Physical and Theoretical Chemistry ,Molecular Biology ,Organic Chemistry ,Computer Science Application ,biocomputing ,Lipid Metabolism ,medicine.disease ,Transthyretin ,030104 developmental biology ,lcsh:Biology (General) ,lcsh:QD1-999 ,Amyloid aggregation ,biology.protein ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
Amyloids result from the aggregation of several unrelated proteins, due to either specific mutations or promoting intra- or extra-cellular conditions. Structurally, they are rich in intermolecular β-sheets and are the causative agents of several diseases, both neurodegenerative and systemic. It is believed that the most toxic species are small aggregates, referred to as oligomers, rather than the final fibrillar assemblies. Their mechanisms of toxicity are mostly mediated by aberrant interactions with the cell membranes, with resulting derangement of membrane-related functions. Much effort is being put in the search for natural antiamyloid agents, and/or in the development of synthetic molecules. Actually, it is well documented that the prevention of amyloid aggregation results in several cytoprotective effects. Here, we portray the state of the art in the field. Several natural compounds are effective antiamyloid agents, notably tetracyclines and polyphenols. They are generally non-specific, as documented by their partially overlapping mechanisms, and the capability to interfere with the aggregation of several unrelated proteins. Among rationally designed molecules, we mention the prominent examples of β-breakers peptides, whole antibodies and fragments thereof, and the special case of drugs contrasting transthyretin aggregation. In this framework, we stress the pivotal role of the computational approaches. When combined with biophysical methods, in several cases they have helped clarify in detail the protein/drug modes of interaction, which make it plausible that more effective drugs will be developed in the future.
- Published
- 2018
81. Structure of a low-population intermediate state in the release of an enzyme product
- Author
-
Christopher M. Dobson, Alfonso De Simone, Francesco A. Aprile, Michele Vendruscolo, Anne Dhulesia, De Simone, A., Aprile, F. A., Dhulesia, A., Dobson, C. M., and Vendruscolo, M.
- Subjects
Models, Molecular ,QH301-705.5 ,Science ,Population ,Short Report ,Biology ,010402 general chemistry ,01 natural sciences ,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology ,03 medical and health sciences ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,NMR spectroscopy ,biophysics ,structural biology ,Humans ,human ,Biology (General) ,education ,Muramidase ,residual dipolar coupling ,030304 developmental biology ,chemistry.chemical_classification ,0303 health sciences ,education.field_of_study ,General Immunology and Microbiology ,General Neuroscience ,Substrate (chemistry) ,General Medicine ,molecular dynamics simulations ,Biophysics and Structural Biology ,0104 chemical sciences ,Enzyme binding ,molecular dynamics simulation ,Enzyme ,Biochemistry ,chemistry ,Structural biology ,Biophysics ,Medicine ,Thermodynamics ,Peptidoglycan ,Lysozyme ,residual dipolar couplings ,Trisaccharides - Abstract
Enzymes can increase the rate of biomolecular reactions by several orders of magnitude. Although the steps of substrate capture and product release are essential in the enzymatic process, complete atomic-level descriptions of these steps are difficult to obtain because of the transient nature of the intermediate conformations, which makes them largely inaccessible to standard structure determination methods. We describe here the determination of the structure of a low-population intermediate in the product release process by human lysozyme through a combination of NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. We validate this structure by rationally designing two mutations, the first engineered to destabilise the intermediate and the second to stabilise it, thus slowing down or speeding up, respectively, product release. These results illustrate how product release by an enzyme can be facilitated by the presence of a metastable intermediate with transient weak interactions between the enzyme and product. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02777.001, eLife digest Enzymes are proteins that catalyse biochemical reactions. They bind to their target molecules—known as substrates—and help to change them to make ‘products’. Afterwards, the products are released and the enzymes are free to bind to the next molecules. To perform this activity, an enzyme can change its structure several times, but it has been challenging to characterise the intermediate shapes because of their transient nature. De Simone et al. took advantage of a technique called nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to get a better look at the structures adopted by the human enzyme lysozyme. This enzyme helps to protect us from bacterial infections because it breaks the links between peptidoglycan molecules, which make up the wall that surrounds bacterial cells. The experiments show that two ‘arms’ in the lysozyme structure move to create an intermediate shape during the final step—the release of the product—in the chemical reaction. This type of flexibility gives the enzyme the ability to tightly bind the peptidoglycan at the start and to let go of the product when the chemical reaction is complete. Next, to confirm their findings, De Simone et al. examined what happened when they introduced particular mutations in the gene that makes lysozyme. The first mutation was meant to destabilise the intermediate shape of the enzyme, which resulted in the enzyme binding more tightly to the peptidoglycan in the final step and releasing it more slowly. A second mutation was made to stabilize the structure of the intermediate shape, which, as expected, allowed lysozyme to release the peptidoglycan more quickly. De Simone et al.'s findings explain how intermediate shapes can be involved in the release of the product from lysozyme and other enzymes. The next challenges will be to characterise the structure of the intermediate shape that binds to the substrate and, more generally, to extend this type of approach to other enzymes. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02777.002
- Published
- 2014
82. Extrinsic factors affecting amyloid aggregation
- Author
-
APRILE, FRANCESCO ANTONIO, Aprile, F, and REGONESI, MARIA ELENA
- Subjects
BIO/10 - BIOCHIMICA ,amyloid, aggregation, α-synuclein, chaperone, Hsp70, polyglutamine, ataxin-3, E. coli - Abstract
Protein conformational diseases (PCD) include a range of degenerative disorders in which specific peptides or proteins misfold and aberrantly self-assemble, eventually forming amyloid-like fibrils, which constitute the hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. Plenty of works demonstrated that amyloid aggregation is strongly influenced by several extrinsic factors, such as high concentrations of macromolecules or the presence of proteases and chaperons. Molecular chaperones have been recognised as key players in the avoidance of amyloid fibril formation and, in particular, recent evidences demonstrate that low levels of chaperone heat-shock protein 70 kDa (Hsp70) are strictly related to the formation of intra-neuronal inclusions associated with Parkinson‘s (PD) and polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases. Human Hsp70 is composed of two major functional domains connected by a conserved interdomain linker: the 44-kDa N-terminal nucleotide-binding domain (NBD), with ATPase activity, followed by the 30-kDa substrate-binding domain (SBD) that contains a C-terminal lid subdomain (LS). Using a battery of Hsp70 variants, including full-length Hsp70 and SBD truncated variants, we have been able to discover an interaction between the LS of SBD and the interdomain linker, which we propose could play an important role in the allosteric communication between NBD and SBD. Therefore, we analyzed the anti-amyloidogenic activity of Hsp70, using two model proteins: alpha-synuclein (AS), whose deposition in the brain is associated with PD and the polyQ protein ataxin-3 (AT3), the causative agent of the Machado-Joseph disease (MCD). We demonstrated Hsp70 is able to interact and stabilize pre-fibrillar species formed during amyloid aggregation and that the binding mechanism of these species is different from that of the monomeric protein. Plenty of evidence supports the idea that protein aggregation observed in in vitro experimental conditions is different from that naturally occurring in in vivo systems. This is also related with the fact that the high concentration of macromolecules present in the intra- and extra-cellular compartments, a condition known as molecular crowding (MC), strongly affects protein folding and aggregation. Here, we successfully employed Escherichia coli as in vivo model for studying the aggregation mechanism of the polyQ protein ataxin-3 (AT3) in the presence of MC. In particular we investigated the relationship between the aggregation pathway and cytotoxicity and we were able to characterize the kinetic of formation of aggregated toxic and non-toxic species of AT3. Our future efforts will be aimed to investigate in vivo Hsp70 action by analyzing structural and physiological features of AT3 aggregated species formed in the intracellular environment of E. coli that co-express Hsp70 under different conditions.
- Published
- 2012
83. The Relationship between Aggregation and Toxicity of Polyglutamine-Containing Ataxin-3 in the Intracellular Environment of Escherichia coli
- Author
-
Francesco A. Aprile, Amanda Penco, Antonino Natalello, Paolo Tortora, Gaetano Invernizzi, Maria Elena Regonesi, Annalisa Relini, Silvia Maria Doglia, Andrea Ghisleni, Invernizzi, G, Aprile, F, Natalello, A, Ghisleni, A, Penco, A, Relini, A, Doglia, S, Tortora, P, and Regonesi, M
- Subjects
Macromolecular Assemblies ,Science ,Toxic Agents ,Biophysics ,FIS/07 - FISICA APPLICATA (A BENI CULTURALI, AMBIENTALI, BIOLOGIA E MEDICINA) ,Nerve Tissue Proteins ,Biology ,medicine.disease_cause ,Toxicology ,Biochemistry ,Inclusion bodies ,Protein Structure, Secondary ,Protein structure ,Model Organisms ,medicine ,Nuclear protein ,Protein Interactions ,Ataxin-3 ,Bacterial Inclusion-Bodie ,Escherichia coli ,Spectroscopy ,Inclusion Bodies ,Escherichia Coli ,Multidisciplinary ,Nuclear Proteins ,Proteins ,Hydrogen Bonding ,Neurodegenerative Diseases ,medicine.disease ,BIO/10 - BIOCHIMICA ,Recombinant Proteins ,Neurology ,Protein toxicity ,Ataxin ,Toxicity ,Spinocerebellar ataxia ,Prokaryotic Models ,Medicine ,Amyloid Fibril ,Peptides ,Research Article - Abstract
Several neurodegenerative diseases are triggered by proteins containing a polyglutamine (polyQ) stretch expanded beyond a critical threshold. Among these, ataxin-3 (AT3) is the causative agent of spinocerebellar ataxia type-3. We expressed three authentic AT3 variants in Escherichia coli: one normal (AT3-Q24), one expanded (AT3-Q55) and one truncated immediately upstream of the polyQ (AT3-291Δ). Then, based on growth rate reduction, we quantified protein toxicity. We show that AT3-Q55 and -291Δ strongly reduced the growth rate in the early stages (2-4 h), unlike AT3-Q24. This correlated well with the appearance of soluble cytosolic oligomers, but not with the amount of insoluble protein in inclusion bodies (IBs). The impact of AT3-291Δ on cell growth suggests an intrinsic toxicity of the AT3 fragment. Besides the typical Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) signal for intermolecular β-sheets, the expanded form displayed an additional infrared signature, which was assigned to glutamine side-chain hydrogen bonding and associated with SDS-insoluble fibrils. The elongation of the latter was monitored by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). This mirrors the well-known in vitro two-step aggregation pattern of expanded AT3. We also demonstrated that final aggregates of strains expressing expanded or truncated AT3 play a protective role against toxicity. Furthermore, our findings suggest that the mechanisms of toxicity are evolutionarily conserved.
- Published
- 2012
84. Effect of Pravastatin on Placental Expression of Epidermal Growth Factor-like Domain 7 in Early-Onset Pre-Eclampsia: A New Potential Mechanism of Action.
- Author
-
Salvi S, Fruci S, Lacconi V, Totaro Aprile F, Rullo R, Stuhlmann H, Lanzone A, Campagnolo L, and Massimiani M
- Abstract
The primary intervention for pre-eclampsia (PE) remains iatrogenic delivery, which can be very preterm and not optimal for the fetus. Although many efforts have been made to prevent and manage PE, there is still a dearth of drugs to treat its pathophysiological progression. Pravastatin (PRA), a hydrophilic statin, has gained interest for the prevention and treatment of PE. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of PRA to modulate factors involved in placentation, such as Epidermal Growth Factor-Like Domain 7 (EGFL7), in human chorionic villous culture from healthy controls and women with PE. A total of 18 women were enrolled: 10 controls and 8 cases. Chorionic villous explants were maintained in culture for 24 h with or without 10 μM Pravastatin, and the expression of EGFL7 and NOTCH1 pathway members was evaluated by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The rationale of the present study was to establish an ex vivo model to identify potential different responses to PRA treatment of chorionic villous explants in order to clarify the molecular mechanism of PRA in the prevention and treatment of PE and to predict whether there are specific clinical conditions that modulate the response to the drug treatment. Within PE patients, two different groups were identified: the high responders, whose villous cultures exhibit significantly increased expressions of the EGFL7 and Notch pathways after PRA incubation; and the low responders, who are high-risk PE patients in which prophylaxis failed to prevent PE and PRA was not able to modulate EGFL7 expression. In conclusion, we identified EGFL7 as a new factor regulated by PRA, placing interest in early discrimination between low- and high- risk women, in which the well-known pharmacological prophylaxis seems to be ineffective, and to explore new potential prevention strategies.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
85. Retroperitoneal schwannoma during pregnancy: A case report and practice-based overview.
- Author
-
Fruci S, Fagotti A, Salvi S, Mattogno P, D'Alessandris QG, Totaro Aprile F, Testa AC, Lanzone A, and Lauretti L
- Abstract
The retroperitoneum is the rarest site for Schwannomas, tumors that originate from Schwann cells and usually present as benign, slowly growing masses. During pregnancy, the routine application of ultrasound for fetal assessment has led to an increased rate of detection of maternal asymptomatic masses, notably including the retroperitoneal ones. While most of these masses prove to be benign, it is imperative to consider the potential for malignancy. This report presents a rare case involving a woman diagnosed with bilateral adnexal cysts and a pre-sacral retroperitoneal mass during the first trimester of pregnancy. Surgical intervention was employed to remove ovarian tumors, and a biopsy was performed on the non-adnexal tumor to determine its nature. The histological examination revealed a bilateral borderline seromucinous tumor in the ovaries and identified a Schwannoma in the sacral mass. Despite the considerable size of the pre-sacral mass, which significantly impacted the patient's quality of life, successful measures were taken to achieve a near-term pregnancy, culminating in the delivery of a healthy baby. Subsequently the patient underwent neurosurgical treatment of the substantial pre-sacral Schwannoma. The discovery of a Schwannoma during pregnancy can evoke concerns among healthcare practitioners, touching upon potential malignancy risks, accelerated tumor growth, and impacts on fetal well-being. This paper provides a comprehensive, practice-based overview of these critical aspects., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.)
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
86. Endoscopic "stenting bridge" to treat combined gastric perforation, jejunal stump dehiscence, and biliodigestive anastomosis leak after duodenopancreatectomy followed by pancreatic totalization.
- Author
-
Renga A, Dioscoridi L, Massad M, Cintolo M, Bonato G, Aprile F, and Mutignani M
- Subjects
- Anastomosis, Surgical adverse effects, Humans, Jejunum surgery, Pancreas surgery, Anastomotic Leak etiology, Anastomotic Leak surgery, Pancreaticoduodenectomy adverse effects
- Abstract
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
87. The role of cochlear implant positioning on MR imaging quality: a preclinical in vivo study with a novel implant magnet system.
- Author
-
Canzi P, Magnetto M, Simoncelli A, Manfrin M, Aprile F, Lafe E, Carlotto E, Avato I, Scribante A, Preda L, and Benazzo M
- Subjects
- Artifacts, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging methods, Magnets, Cochlear Implantation methods, Cochlear Implants
- Abstract
Purposes: To investigate the effects for Ultra 3D cochlear implant (CI) positioning on MR imaging quality, looking at a comprehensive description of intracranial structures in cases of unilateral and bilateral CI placement., Methods: Four CI angular positions (90°, 120°, 135° and 160°) at 9 cm distance from the outer-ear canal were explored. The 1.5 T MRI assessment included our institutional protocol for the investigation of brain pathologies without gadolinium application. Three investigators (two experienced neuroradiologists and one experienced otoneurosurgeon) independently evaluated the MR findings. A 4-point scale was adopted to describe 14 intracranial structures and to determine which CI positioning allowed the best image quality score and how bilateral CI placement modified MRI scan visibility., Results: A high positive correlation was found between the three blinded observers. Structures situated contralateral from the CI showed high-quality values in all four placements. Structures situated ipsilaterally provided results suitable for diagnostic purposes for at least one position. At 90°, artifacts mainly involved brain structures located cranially and anteriorly (e.g., temporal lobe); on the contrary, at 160°, artifacts mostly influenced the posterior fossa structures (e.g., occipital lobe). For the bilateral CI condition, MR imaging examination revealed additional artifacts involving all structures located close to either CI, where there was a signal void/distortion area., Conclusions: Suitable unilateral CI positioning can allow the visualization of intracranial structures with sufficient visibility for diagnostic purposes. Bilateral CI positioning significantly deteriorates the anatomical visibility. CI positioning might play a crucial role for patients who need post-operative MRI surveillance., (© 2021. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
88. Endoscopic intraductal lithotripsy of biliary stones using thulium laser: preliminary results of a single-center experience.
- Author
-
Dioscoridi L, Forti E, Pugliese F, Cintolo M, Bonato G, Aprile F, Renga A, and Mutignani M
- Subjects
- Humans, Lasers, Thulium, Calculi, Lithotripsy methods, Lithotripsy, Laser methods
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
89. Surgical tracheotomy in COVID-19 patients: an Italian single centre experience.
- Author
-
Briatore R, Aprile F, Roasio A, Bianchi A, Bosso S, Carmino L, Lorenzelli L, Scanu M, Zanin M, Bosso G, Torchia V, and Pisani P
- Subjects
- Humans, Intensive Care Units, Italy epidemiology, Male, Middle Aged, RNA, Viral, Respiration, Artificial, SARS-CoV-2, Tracheotomy adverse effects, COVID-19, Pandemics
- Abstract
Purpose: Coronavirus infection disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes in 10% of patients a severe respiratory distress syndrome managed with invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), sometimes difficult to wean. The role of tracheotomy is debated for the possible risks for patients and staff. We are going to describe here our experience with surgical tracheotomy in COVID-19 positive patients., Methods: We enrolled all intensive care unit (ICU) patients requiring longer than 10 days of IMV. Demographic, clinical, respiratory, complications, and outcomes data were collected, in a particular length of weaning from sedation and IMV, in-ICU and in-hospital mortality rate. All healthcare operators involved were tested for SARS-CoV2 by pharyngeal swab and blood test (antibody test)., Results: 13 out of 68 ICU patients (19.1%) underwent surgical tracheotomy after a median intubation period of 14 days. The mean age was 60 (56-65) years. 85% were male patients. Postoperative mild bleeding was seen in 30.7%, pneumothorax in 7.7%. Mean weaning from sedation required 3 days, 19 days from IMV. In-ICU and in-hospital COVID-infection-related mortality was 23.1% and 30.7%, respectively. None of the healthcare operators was found SARS-CoV2 positive during the period of the study., Conclusions: In COVID-19 pandemic surgical tracheotomy enables to wean from sedation and subsequently from IMV in a safe way for both patients and personnel., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH, DE part of Springer Nature.)
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
90. MRI-induced artifact by a cochlear implant with a novel magnet system: an experimental cadaver study.
- Author
-
Canzi P, Aprile F, Simoncelli A, Manfrin M, Magnetto M, Lafe E, Minervini D, Avato I, Terrani S, Scribante A, Gazibegovic D, and Benazzo M
- Subjects
- Artifacts, Cadaver, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Magnets, Cochlear Implantation, Cochlear Implants
- Abstract
Purposes: To primarily evaluate MRI-induced effects for Ultra 3D cochlear implantation in human cadavers in terms of artifact generation and MR image quality., Methods: Three human cadaveric heads were submitted to imaging after unilateral and bilateral cochlear implantation. The 1.5 T MR examination protocol was chosen in accordance with our institutional protocol for the assessment of brain pathology. The maximal signal void size was measured according to each sequence and plane. Two experienced neuro-radiologists and one experienced otoneurosurgeon independently evaluated the MR image quality findings. A 4-point scale was used to describe the diagnostic usefulness of 14 brain structures., Results: Shape and size of the artifacts were found to be highly related to MRI sequences and acquisition planes. MRI sequences and processing algorithms affected the ability to assess anatomical visibility. Image quality appeared either high or assessable for diagnostic purposes in 9 out of 14 of the ipsilateral structures, in at least one plane. Anatomical structures contralateral to the cochlear implant were highly visible in all conditions. Artifact intrusion clearly improved after application of metal artifact-reduction techniques. In the case of bilateral cochlear implant, a mutual interaction between the two implant magnets produced an additional artifact., Conclusions: We performed the first cadaver study aimed at systematically evaluating the MRI-induced artifacts produced by a cochlear implant with a novel four bar magnet system. Specific brain structures can be assessable for diagnostic purposes under 1.5 T MRI, with the cochlear implant magnet in place., (© 2020. The Author(s).)
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
91. Ustekinumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in a solid organ transplanted recipient: A case report.
- Author
-
Richetta A, Marraffa F, Grassi S, Aquila E, Dybala A, Aprile F, and Merli M
- Subjects
- Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Severity of Illness Index, Treatment Outcome, Dermatologic Agents therapeutic use, Psoriasis drug therapy, Ustekinumab therapeutic use
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
92. Microbiota Alterations in Precancerous Colon Lesions: A Systematic Review.
- Author
-
Aprile F, Bruno G, Palma R, Mascellino MT, Panetta C, Scalese G, Oliva A, Severi C, and Pontone S
- Abstract
Gut microbiota plays an important role in human health. It may promote carcinogenesis and is related to several diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. This study of microbial dysbiosis in the etiology of colorectal adenoma aimed to investigate the possible causative role of microbiota in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence and its possible preventive role. A systematic, PRISMA-guided review was performed. The PubMed database was searched using "adenoma microbiota" and selecting original articles between January 2010 and May 2020 independently screened. A higher prevalence of Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, and Bacteroidetes phyla was observed in the fecal luminal and mucosa-associated microbiota of patients with adenoma. However, other studies provided evidence of depletion of Clostridium , Faecalibacterium , Bacteroides and Romboutsia . Results on the relationship between adenoma endoscopic resection and microbiota were inconsistent. In conclusion, none of the analyzed studies developed a predictive model that could differentiate adenoma from non-adenoma patients, and therefore, to prevent cancer progression. The impact of adenoma's endoscopic resection on microbiota was investigated, but the results were inconclusive. Further research in the field is required.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
93. Relevance of Spontaneous Portosystemic Shunts Detected with CT in Patients with Cirrhosis.
- Author
-
Nardelli S, Riggio O, Turco L, Gioia S, Puzzono M, Bianchini M, Ridola L, Aprile F, Gitto S, Pelle G, Di Martino M, Marzocchi G, Caporali C, Spagnoli A, Di Rocco A, and Schepis F
- Subjects
- Female, Humans, Italy, Male, Middle Aged, Retrospective Studies, Venous Thrombosis complications, Hypertension, Portal etiology, Hypertension, Portal therapy, Liver Cirrhosis complications, Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical adverse effects, Tomography, X-Ray Computed
- Abstract
Background Cirrhosis leads to portal hypertension and to the consequent formation of spontaneous portosystemic shunts (SPSSs), leading to complications related to the diversion of portal blood into the systemic circulation, which is called portosystemic shunt syndrome. Purpose To investigate the characteristics of patients with cirrhosis and an SPSS and secondarily to assess the prognostic impact of SPSSs on portal hypertension-related complications and transplant-free survival. Materials and Methods A retrospective database review of patients with cirrhosis (observed from March 2015 to July 2019) was performed to identify patients with CT imaging and outcomes data. For each patient, clinical and biochemical data were collected, and the presence, types, and sizes of SPSSs were investigated with CT. Patients were followed for a mean of 27.5 months ± 22.8. Multivariable logistic analysis was used to identify the clinical characteristics associated with the presence of SPSSs (any size) and presence of SPSSs 1 cm or larger. Competitive risk analysis (Fine and Gray model) was used to identify the association between SPSSs and complications and mortality. Results Two hundred twenty-two patients with cirrhosis (157 male, 65 female; mean age, 62 years ± 12 [standard deviation]) were evaluated. An SPSS was found in 141 of 222 patients (63.5%), and 40 of 222 (18%) had a shunt diameter of at least 1 cm. At presentation, variables independently associated with the presence of SPSSs (any size) were portal vein thrombosis (odds ratio, 5.5; P = .008) and Child-Pugh class C (odds ratio, 3.0; P = .03). Previous hepatic encephalopathy (odds ratio, 4.4; P = .001) and portal vein thrombosis (odds ratio, 5.3; P = .001) were the only variables associated with SPSSs larger than 1 cm. Patients with SPSSs of any size had higher mortality (subdistribution hazard ratio, 1.9; P < .001) and higher frequency of hepatic encephalopathy (subdistribution hazard ratio, 2.3; P = .023), gastrointestinal bleeding (subdistribution hazard ratio, 2.9; P = .039), and portal vein thrombosis (subdistribution hazard ratio, 7.6; P = .005). Conclusion The presence of spontaneous portosystemic shunts on CT images in patients with cirrhosis was associated with higher mortality and complications, including portal vein thrombosis, hepatic encephalopathy, and gastrointestinal bleeding. © RSNA, 2021 See also the editorial by Reeder in this issue.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
94. A Large Tn7-like Transposon Confers Hyper-Resistance to Copper in Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae.
- Author
-
Aprile F, Heredia-Ponce Z, Cazorla FM, de Vicente A, and Gutiérrez-Barranquero JA
- Abstract
Copper resistance mechanisms provide an important adaptive advantage to plant pathogenic bacteria under exposure to copper treatments. Copper resistance determinants have been described in Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss) strains isolated from mango intimately associated with 62 kb plasmids belonging to the pPT23A family (PFP). It has been previously described that the indiscriminate use of copper-based compounds promotes the selection of copper resistant bacterial strains and constitutes a selective pressure in the evolution of copper resistance determinants. Hence, we have explored in this study the copper resistance evolution and the distribution of specific genetic determinants in two different Pss mango populations isolated from the same geographical regions, mainly from southern Spain with an average of 20 years of difference. The total content of plasmids, in particular the 62 kb plasmids, and the number of copper resistant Pss strains were maintained at similar levels over the time. Interestingly, the phylogenetic analysis indicated the presence of a phylogenetic subgroup (PSG) in the Pss mango phylotype, mostly composed of the recent Pss population analyzed in this study that was strongly associated with a hyper-resistant phenotype to copper. Genome sequencing of two selected Pss strains from this PSG revealed the presence of a large Tn7-like transposon of chromosomal location, which harbored putative copper and arsenic resistance genes (COARS Tn7-like). Transformation of the copper sensitive Pss UMAF0158 strain with some putative copper resistance genes and RT-qPCR experiments brought into light the role of COARS Tn7-like transposon in the hyper-resistant phenotype to copper in Pss. IMPORTANCE Copper compounds have traditionally been used as standard bactericides in agriculture in the past few decades. However, the extensive use of copper has fostered the evolution of bacterial copper resistance mechanisms. Pseudomonas syringae is a plant pathogenic bacterium used worldwide as a model to study plant-pathogen interactions. The adaption of P. syringae to plant surface environment is the most important step prior to an infection. In this scenario, copper resistance mechanisms could play a key role in improving its epiphytic survival. In this work, a novel Tn7-like transposon of chromosomal location was detected in P. syringae pv. syringae strains isolated from mango. This transposon conferred the highest resistance to copper sulfate described to date for this bacterial phytopathogen. Understanding in depth the copper resistance mechanisms and their evolution are important steps to the agricultural industry to get a better improvement of disease management strategies., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Microbiology.)
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
95. Retrosigmoidal placement of an active transcutaneous bone conduction implant: surgical and audiological perspectives in a multicentre study.
- Author
-
Canzi P, Avato I, Beltrame M, Bianchin G, Perotti M, Tribi L, Gioia B, Aprile F, Malpede S, Scribante A, Manfrin M, and Benazzo M
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Audiometry, Pure-Tone, Female, Hearing Loss, Conductive, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Retrospective Studies, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult, Bone Conduction, Hearing Aids, Speech Perception
- Abstract
Introduction: The retrosigmoidal (RS) placement of the Bonebridge system (BB) has been advocated for cases of unfavourable anatomical or clinical conditions which contraindicate transmastoid-presigmoidal positioning. However, these disadvantageous conditions, combined with the considerable dimensions of the implant, may represent a challenge, especially for surgeons with no skull base experience. Moreover, the literature reports only limited experience concerning RS implantation of the BB system., Methods: A multicentre, retrospective study was conducted to analyse the surgical and functional outcomes of a wide population of patients undergoing RS placement of the BB system by means of a surgical technique specifically developed to overcome the intraoperative issues related to this surgery. Twenty patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss and single sided deafness were submitted to RS implantation of the BB system., Results: Audiological assessment concerning the measurement of the functional and effective gain by pure-tone audiometry (28 dB HL and -12.25 dB HL, respectively) and speech audiometry (24.7 dB HL and -21 dB HL, respectively) was conducted. A high overall subjective improvement of quality of life was recorded with the Glasgow Benefit Inventory questionnaire. No major complications, such as device extrusions or other conditions requiring revision surgery, were reported during the follow-up period (median: 42 months)., Conclusions: In our study, which has one of the largest cohort of patients reported in the literature, RS placement of the BB system was safe and effective. Our functional results showed comparable hearing outcomes with presigmoidal placement. The effective gain, rarely investigated in this field, may be the object of further research to improve our understanding of bone conduction mechanisms exploited by bone conduction hearing implants., (Copyright © 2021 Società Italiana di Otorinolaringoiatria e Chirurgia Cervico-Facciale, Rome, Italy.)
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
96. [The European Association for the Study of Liver (EASL) nutrition guidelines.]
- Author
-
Merli M and Aprile F
- Subjects
- Humans, Liver Cirrhosis complications, Nutrition Policy, Liver Diseases complications, Malnutrition complications, Sarcopenia epidemiology, Sarcopenia etiology, Sarcopenia therapy
- Abstract
This review explores the latest guidelines on nutrition in patients with chronic liver diseases of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) and recent studies on physiopathology, clinical outcomes and possible treatments of malnutrition and sarcopenia in liver cirrhosis. Chronic liver diseases are frequently associated with malnutrition, changes in skeletal muscle and bone quality and quantity. About 20% of patients with compensated liver cirrhosis and 50% of those with decompensated cirrhosis are sarcopenic. Malnutrition and sarcopenia are associated with a higher complication rate (ascites, bacterial infections and hepatic encephalopathy) and are independent predictors of lower survival in cirrhotic patients. In recent years, concomitant with the decline of post-viral cirrhosis, patients affected by post-metabolic cirrhosis are increasing. These patients are more frequently overweight or obese, but sarcopenia may also coexist. Sarcopenic obesity has been shown to worsen the prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis. There is a general consensus about the need of improving the nutritional status and implementing skeletal muscle mass in cirrhotic patients, but this is not always achievable. Osteoporosis is present in about 30% of cirrhotic patients, with a higher prevalence in patients with cholestasis. Treatment with phosphonates, calcium and vitamin D are recommended in association with a periodic follow-up.
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
97. Outcomes of long-term anticoagulant treatment for the secondary prophylaxis of splanchnic venous thrombosis.
- Author
-
Serrao A, Merli M, Lucani B, Aprile F, Fiori L, Gioia S, Breccia M, Riggio O, and Chistolini A
- Subjects
- Acenocoumarol therapeutic use, Adult, Anticoagulants therapeutic use, Budd-Chiari Syndrome drug therapy, Duration of Therapy, Female, Hemorrhage epidemiology, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Pyrazoles therapeutic use, Pyridines therapeutic use, Pyridones therapeutic use, Rivaroxaban therapeutic use, Secondary Prevention, Thiazoles therapeutic use, Warfarin therapeutic use, Factor Xa Inhibitors therapeutic use, Hemorrhage chemically induced, Mesenteric Ischemia drug therapy, Portal Vein, Venous Thrombosis drug therapy
- Abstract
Background: Splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening disease usually related to different underlying clinical conditions. The risk of SVT recurrences is high over time in patients with an underlying permanent prothrombotic condition. Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) represent the mainstay of treatment for SVT. Data about the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are reported in the literature for the treatment of acute SVT, but less is known about their application for the secondary prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of long-term DOACs therapy in patients at high-risk of thrombosis, compared to VKA., Methods: This is a retrospective single-centre study including 70 patients with SVT on long-term anticoagulant treatment with VKA followed-up at our Units between January 2017 and December 2019. All the patients were at high thrombotic risk defined as the presence of a permanent prothrombotic condition requiring long-term anticoagulation. During follow-up, 28 patients were shifted to DOACs and their clinical outcomes were compared to those of the patients who continued VKA therapy. All the arterial and venous thrombotic events of the splanchnic and extra-splanchnic districts as well as the haemorrhagic adverse events occurring during follow-up were recorded., Results: Of the seventy patients enrolled in the study, 36 patients (51.4%) had a single-segment involvement thrombosis (28.5% of portal vein, 7.1% of superior mesenteric vein, 4.3% of splenic vein, 11.5% of hepatic veins) and 34 patients (48.6%) had multi-segment involvement at the time of diagnosis. 42 patients (60%) continued VKA therapy and 28 (40%) were switched to DOACs. Median follow-up was 6 years (range 2-8) during VKA and 1.9 years (range 1-5.2) during DOACs. The incidence of thrombotic events was similar between patients on VKA and those on DOACs. Patients on VKA developed deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and of the patients on DOACs 1 developed NSTEMI and 1 DVT. No major haemorrhagic events occurred. Minor bleedings occurred in 26% of patients on VKA and in none of the DOACs patients (P: 0.09)., Conclusions: Our results highlight that DOACs could represent an effective and safe alternative to the VKA for secondary prophylaxis in SVT patients at high risk of thrombosis., (© 2020 Stichting European Society for Clinical Investigation Journal Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
98. Electromechanical delay by speckle-tracking echocardiography: A novel tool to distinguish between Brugada syndrome and isolated right bundle branch block.
- Author
-
D'Ascenzi F, Sanz-De La Garza M, Anselmi F, Nunno L, Arbelo E, Jordà P, Marzotti T, Aprile F, Piu P, Natali BM, Brugada J, Sitges M, and Mondillo S
- Subjects
- Echocardiography, Electrocardiography, Heart Ventricles diagnostic imaging, Humans, Brugada Syndrome diagnostic imaging, Bundle-Branch Block diagnostic imaging
- Abstract
Background: The electrocardiographic (ECG) definition of Brugada syndrome (BS) can be challenging because benign ECG abnormalities, such as right bundle branch block (RBBB), may mimic pathological ECG characteristics of BrS. However, although myocardial delay and deformation can be quantified by advanced imaging, it has not yet been used to differentiate between BrS and RBBB. The aim of this study was to characterize the electro-mechanical behavior of the heart of patients with type-1 BrS and isolated complete RBBB in order to differentiate these conditions., Methods: In this two-center study, 66 subjects were analyzed by standard and speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE): 22 type-1 BrS, 24 isolated complete RBBB, and 20 healthy subjects. The participants were not treated by any drug potentially influencing myocardial conduction., Results: Standard echocardiographic parameters did not differ among the groups. The greatest right ventricular (RV) mechanical dispersion was found in RBBB. Mean absolute deviations (MADs) of time-to-peak longitudinal strain calculated for each left ventricular (LV) region were greater in patients with RBBB as compared to BrS (p < .01). No differences were found between BrS and controls (p = .36). MADs in the basal segments in RBBB group were greater than MADs found in BrS group and controls (37.3 ms vs. 26.7 ms and 29.0 ms, respectively, p < .05). The greatest differences were found in the antero-septal, anterior, lateral, and infero-septal basal segments., Conclusions: Advanced echocardiographic techniques may help to differentiate between BrS and RBBB. Indeed, STE allows to identify an electro-mechanical conduction delay in RBBB patients that is not found in patients affected by type-1 BrS., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors report no relationships that could be construed as a conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
99. Feasibility of 3D printed salivary duct models for sialendoscopic skills training: preliminary report.
- Author
-
Canzi P, Capaccio P, Marconi S, Conte G, Preda L, Avato I, Aprile F, Gaffuri M, Occhini A, Pignataro L, Auricchio F, and Benazzo M
- Subjects
- Endoscopy, Feasibility Studies, Humans, Printing, Three-Dimensional, Sialography, Salivary Ducts diagnostic imaging, Salivary Ducts surgery, Salivary Gland Diseases diagnostic imaging, Salivary Gland Diseases surgery
- Abstract
Purposes: To explore the feasibility of 3D printed salivary duct models for the sialendoscopic skills training., Methods: Healthy volunteers and patients affected by obstructive salivary gland disorders were submitted to 3 Tesla MR sialography. The MR data underwent an image segmentation process to produce the 3D printed salivary duct prototypes. Sialendoscopies were carried out by three groups of investigators with different levels of endoscopic experience. Realism, usefulness of the training process and potential advantages of the 3D printed models in the preoperative surgical planning were evaluated by means of a specific survey., Results: Four cases were included in our study: one healthy parotid, one submandibular gland, one case of lithiasis and one of stenosis involving the parotid gland. In all cases, the three groups of investigators successfully explored the salivary ducts up to the tertiary branches, detected the cause of obstruction and correctly treated it. Seven untoward events occurred during the operative sialendoscopies. Overall, the questionnaire score was about 79.3%, reflecting a positive impression regarding the models on behalf of all the investigators., Conclusions: 3D printed salivary duct models resulted feasible for the sialendoscopic skills training. The opportunity to reproduce the patient-specific anatomy may add further information useful in the preoperative decision making. These positive results should be verified by further researches and experiences.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
100. The acute impact of an ultramarathon on right heart: A 12-lead ECG study.
- Author
-
D'Ascenzi F, Anselmi F, Ceccon C, Baccani B, Sisti N, Gismondi A, Sciaccaluga C, Aprile F, Fiorentini C, Graziano F, Franchini A, Berti B, Mandoli GE, Cameli M, Zorzi A, Bonifazi M, and Mondillo S
- Subjects
- Adult, Athletes, Competitive Behavior, Electrocardiography, Female, Humans, Italy, Male, Middle Aged, Physical Endurance, Arrhythmias, Cardiac diagnosis, Heart physiopathology, Running physiology
- Abstract
Background: Some concerns exist about possible detrimental effects on cardiac function of ultra-endurance competitions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of an ultramarathon by comparing pre- and post-race 12-lead ECG features., Methods: A total of 301 competitive athletes (mean age: 48 ± 9 years) running a 50-km ultramarathon were analyzed. Twelve-lead ECG was collected the day before the race and immediately at the finish line. According to the Italian law, athletes could have participated only after undergoing pre-participation screening that ruled out the presence of an underlying heart disease., Results: After the race a significant increase in P-wave voltage (P < .001) and P-wave duration (P < .001) was found as compared to pre-race data with a higher percentage of athletes fulfilling the ECG criteria for right atrial enlargement (RAE; from 3% to 17%, P < .001). The presence of RAE post-race significantly correlated with age, hours of training/week, and years of training and inversely with time at the finish line and the final position in the ranking. T-wave and R-wave amplitude (P < .001) and QTc-interval duration (P < .001) significantly increased after the race. No significant differences in terms of supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias were found., Conclusions: A sizeable proportion of athletes running a 50-km ultramarathon demonstrated post-race ECG signs of right heart overload but no arrhythmias. This finding supports the hypothesis that ultra-endurance races may induce transient right heart overload., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
Catalog
Discovery Service for Jio Institute Digital Library
For full access to our library's resources, please sign in.