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Oxygen and nitrogen radicals are frequently produced during viral infections. These radicals are not only a physiological mechanism for pathogen clearance but also result in many pathological consequences. Low concentrations of radicals can promote viral replication; however, high concentrations of radicals can also inhibit viral replication and are detrimental to the cell due to their mitogenic activity. We reviewed the detailed mechanisms behind oxygen and nitrogen radical production and focused on how viruses induce radical production. In addition, we examined the eff ects of oxygen and nitrogen radicals on both the virus and host. We also reviewed enzymatic and chemical detoxifi cation mechanisms and recent advances in therapeutic antioxidant applications. Many molecules that modulate the redox balance have yielded promising results in cell and animal models of infection. This encourages their use in clinical practice either alone or with existing therapies. However, since the redox balance also plays an important role in host defence against pathogens, carefully designed clinical trials are needed to assess the therapeutic benefi ts and secondary eff ects of these molecules and whether these eff ects diff er between diff erent types of viral infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a functional clustering procedure applied to meteorological time series. Our proposal combines time series interpolation with smoothing penalized B-spline and the partitioning around medoids clustering algorithm. Our final goal is to obtain homogeneous climate zones of Italy. We compare this approach to standard methods based on a combination of principal component analysis and Cluster Analysis (CA) and we discuss it in relation to other functional clustering approaches based on Fourier analysis and CA. We show that a functional approach is simpler than the standard methods from a methodological and interpretability point of view. Indeed, it becomes natural to find a clear connection between mathematical results and physical variability mechanisms. We discuss how the choice of the basis expansion (splines, Fourier) affects the analysis and propose some comments on their use. The basis for classification is formed by monthly values of temperature and precipitation recorded during the period 1971-2000 over 95 and 94 Italian monitoring stations, respectively. An assessment based on climatic patterns is presented to prove the consistency of the clustering and a comparison of results obtained with different methods is used to judge the functional data approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new testing apparatus is proposed to measure the thermal properties of fabrics made from polymeric materials. The calibration of the apparatus and the data acquisition procedure are considered in detail in order to measure thermal conductivity, resistance, absorption and diffusivity constants of the tested fabric samples. Differences between dry and wet fabrics have been carefully detected and analyzed. We have developed a new measurement protocol, the ThermoTex protocol, which agrees with the UNI EN 31092 standard and entails accurate quantification of the experimental errors according to a standard statistical analysis, thus allowing a rigorous investigation of the physical behavior of the phenomena involved. As a consequence, our equipment exhibits great potential for optimizing the thermal comfort of fabrics, according to the market demand, thanks to the possible development of a predictive phenomenological theory of the effects involved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a frequent cause of human lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) for which macrolides are the treatment of choice. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of macrolide resistance and to subtype M. pneumoniae strains in Italy. Patients and methods During an outbreak of M. pneumoniae infections in southern Italy in 2010, 48 clinical specimens from 43 paediatric patients hospitalized for LRTIs were analysed for macrolide resistance. The mutations associated with resistance (A2063G and A2064G) and M. pneumoniae subtypes were detected by sequencing the targeted domain V region of the 23S rRNA gene and a region in the MPN528a gene, respectively. Results Macrolide resistance genotypes were detected in 11 (26%) of the 43 M. pneumoniae-positive children. The A2063G mutation was identified in seven patients and the A2064G mutation was identified in the remaining four. Upon admission, the isolates from three patients showed a susceptible genotype but subsequently acquired the A2063G mutation. Genotyping revealed M. pneumoniae subtype 1 in 33 of 40 sequenced strains and subtype 2 in the remaining 7. There was no association between macrolide resistance or susceptibility and the M. pneumoniae subtypes. Conclusions This is the first report of macrolide resistance among M. pneumoniae strains in Italy. Our findings indicate an unexpected high prevalence of macrolide resistance genotypes in children, and so macrolide resistance should be carefully considered in patients who do not respond appropriately to antibiotic treatment. The epidemiological monitoring of macrolide resistance has become necessary in Italy and in the rest of Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Objective: We have previously compared the capacity of the nasal obstruction index (NOI) and nasal fiberoptic endoscopy (NFE) to detect adenoid hypertrophy (AH) in children and found no agreement between them. However, the prevalence of false positive results was significantly higher in children with allergic rhinitis (AR), thus suggesting that AR may be a possible causative factor. The aim of this study was to verify the diagnostic accuracy of the NOI in detecting AH by comparing NOI scores with NFE findings in a selected series of non-allergic children affected by nasal obstruction. Methods: This prospective study was carried out at the Outpatient Clinics of the Departments of Specialist Surgical Sciences and Maternal and Pediatric Sciences of the University of Milan, Italy, and involved 154 non-allergic children aged 3–12 years in whom otological diseases and/or perceived nasal obstruction led to the suspicion of adenoid obstruction. The diagnostic accuracy of NOI was tested at all of the thresholds obtained by combining all of the cut-off points of NFE and NOI. Results: Sixty-two percent of the children had otological diseases. The choanal opening was completely blocked by the adenoids in 40% of the children, whereas NOI indicated severe clinical obstruction in only 16%. The analysis of diagnostic accuracy showed that sensitivity and specificity were respectively 17–96% and 15–91% depending on the threshold, with no simultaneously acceptable sensitivity and specificity values at any threshold and AUC values of ≤0.7 at all thresholds. Conclusions: In comparison with NFE, the NOI seems to be inaccurate in detecting AH in non-allergic children with nasal obstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Near InfraRed Spectroscopy (NIRS) is a potentially powerful tool for assessing the homogeneity of industrial powder blends. In the particular context of hospital manufacturing, we considered the introduction of the technique at a small pharmaceutical process scale, with the objective of following blend homogeneity in mixtures of seven components. This article investigates the performance of various NIRS-based methodologies to assess powder blending. The formulation studied is prescribed in haematology unit, as part of the treatment for digestive decontamination in children receiving stem-cell transplantation. It is composed of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) colimycin and tobramycin and five excipients. We evaluated 39 different blends composing 14 different formulations, with uncorrelated proportions of constituents between these 14 formulations. The reference methods used to establish the NIRS models were gravimetry and a High Performance Liquid Chromatography method coupled to an Evaporative Light Scattering Detection. Unsupervised and supervised qualitative and quantitative chemometric methods were performed to assess powder blend homogeneity using a bench top instrument equipped with an optical fibre. For qualitative evaluations, unsupervised Moving Block Standard Deviation, autocorrelation functions and Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) were used. For quantitative evaluations, Partial Least Square Cross-Validated models were chosen. Results are expressed as API, and major excipient percentages of theoretical values as a function of blending time. The 14 different formulations were only satisfactorily discriminated by supervised algorithms, such as an optimised PLS-DA model. The homogeneity state was demonstrated after 16min of blending, quantifying three components with a precision between 1.2% and 1.4% w/w. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the effective implementation of NIRS for blend homogeneity evaluation, as early as the preformulation step in a small hospital manufacturing unit. It shows how NIRS involving sampling with an optic fibre can be useful to characterise, optimise and control a small-scale mixing processes on the basis of the distribution of APIs and excipients during blending. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide, but the aetiology of many ARTIs is still unknown. In 2001, researchers in The Netherlands reported the discovery of a previously unidentified pathogen called human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Since its initial description, hMPV has been associated with ARTI in Europe (Italy, France, Spain, the UK, Germany, Denmark, Finland and Norway), America (the USA, Canada, Argentina and Brazil), Asia (India, Japan, China and Singapore), Australia and South Africa in individuals of all ages. The incidence of infection varies from 1.5% to 25%, indicating that hMPV is a ubiquitous virus with a worldwide distribution. hMPV seems to play an important role as a cause of paediatric upper and lower respiratory tract infection, with similar, but not identical, epidemiological and clinical features to those of respiratory syncytial virus and influenza virus. Moreover, the socio-economic impact of hMPV-infected children on their families seems to be considerable, which suggests that, like influenza virus, hMPV infection may be a substantial public health problem for the community. It may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality in pre-term infants and children with underlying clinical conditions, although more adequately controlled studies are needed to confirm its importance in such patients. Many fundamental questions concerning the pathogenesis of hMPV disease and the host's specific immune response remain to be answered. Further studies are also required to properly define hMPV diagnosis, treatment and prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Solid state 29Si, 31P and 1H MAS-NMR were used to investigate structural aspects of gel-derived glasses of molar composition 10P2O5·90SiO2 (10P) and 30P2O5·70SiO2 (30P). 31P MAS-NMR spectra of the 10P and 30P gels dried at 100°C show resonances characteristic of orthophosphoric and pyrophosphoric acid. No evidence for cross-linking with silicate matrix was found by 29Si NMR at this temperature while 1H MAS-NMR experiments suggest that the chemical environment of OH groups is very similar in these samples. In spite of this initial similarity further heating causes markedly different structural rearrangements of the 10P and 30P gel matrix. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To investigate whether and how the severity of medial degeneration (MD) lesions varies along the circumference of the dilated intrapericardial aorta. Methods: Two groups of aortic wall specimens, respectively harvested 1 cm distal to the non-coronary (NC) sinus (right postero-lateral wall) and to the right coronary sinus (anterior wall) in 22 patients undergoing surgery for dilatation of the intrapericardial aorta associated with aortic valve disease, were separately sent for pathology, morphometry and ultrastructural examination. MD lesions found at histology were classified into three degrees of severity. MD mean degree and morphometric findings in postero-lateral (‘NC’) and anterior (‘coronary’) specimens were compared by paired t-test. Correlation between degree of aortic dilatation at echocardiography and severity of MD was assessed separately for each of the two groups of specimens. After the preliminary results of the morphological study, we decided to send the specimens for biochemical investigation of protein electrophoretic patterns. This was performed in the last seven patients of this series. Results: At histology, MD was found in all cases. A higher mean MD degree was found in the NC group (2.59±0.50 versus 1.59±0.67 in the coronary group; P<0.001). At morphometry, normal smooth muscle cells in the NC specimens were significantly reduced (P=0.012) and the length (P=0.011) and number (P=0.015) of elastic fibres reduced and increased, respectively. Correlation between aortic ratio and MD degree was significant in the NC specimens (P<0.001), not in the coronary ones (P=0.227). Quantitative differences between coronary and NC proteins from the same patient and between coronary proteins from different patients were found at electrophoresis. However, at this stage of the study, the sample was too small to allow for the identification of proteins involved in those differences. Conclusions: MD lesions in dilated intrapericardial aorta are more severe in the right postero-lateral wall area, likely due to haemodynamic stress asymmetry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Children infected with the type-1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at risk of nutritional deficiencies leading to an impaired polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) status. The aim of the present study was to compare the PUFA composition of plasma lipid classes (total lipids, phospholipids (PL), cholesteryl esters (CE) and triglycerides) in well-growing HIV-infected children with an age-matched group of HIV-seroreverter children born to infected mothers. Eighteen HIV children, of both sexes, mean age 4.6 y, most of whom under combined antiretroviral regimen, were compared with 18 seroreverters, mean age 5.4 y, comparable for demographic, anthropometric and dietary characteristics. All children had adequate growth parameters (weight and height > 3rd percentile). The plasma fatty acid content was similar in the two groups. HIV seropositive subjects showed lower linoleic acid (LA) levels in all the plasma lipid fractions, with higher 20:3n-9 and 20:5n-3 levels in PL and CE. The plasma PL triene/tetraene ratio (marker of relative LA deficiency) related positively to the viral load and negatively to the blood CD4+ lymphocyte count. Compared to age-matched seroreverter subjects, HIV-seropositive children show a lipid fatty acid status suggestive of relative LA deficiency and increased turnover of the PUFA series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hubble Space Telescope WFC3 multicolor‐image of Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 2273, highlighting its various spiral arms, bars, and rings. Observations through five filters have been used to create this image. FOV is 2.59'×2.01', north is 6.8° left of vertical. The innermost bluish ring inside the yel‐low square, measuring a few arcsec in diameter, is the target of the study by Schey et al., this issue, e220094, to explore how active nuclei are fed. Image credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, J.Greene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• MoOx-CeO 2 -ZrO 2 catalysts successfully prepared by coprecipitation and impregnation. • The precipitating agent affect the attainment of a CeO 2 -ZrO 2 solid solution. • MoOx species introduce Lewis acid sites of medium strength. • Ce 0.75 Zr 0.25 supported molybdenum oxide is stable and real heterogeneous catalyst. • MoOx-CeO 2 -ZrO 2 gives excellent catalytic response in the cyclooctene epoxidation. Ce 0.75 Zr 0.25 O 2 supports were prepared by precipitation in the presence of either ammonia or urea as precipitating agents. Mo(VI) oxide was dispersed onto the supports by either co-precipitation or wet impregnation, using ammonium eptamolybdate tetrahydrate as the Mo precursor. In all the cases, the nominal Mo content was 6.6 wt.%, selected to be under the value of the reported monolayer capacity of molybdenum oxide. The catalysts prepared by using ammonia as precipitating agent showed a superior catalytic activity in the cyclooctene epoxidation, with cumene hydroperoxide as oxidizing agent. The stability of the catalysts was confirmed by multiple runs and the absence of leaching was verified according to the Sheldon method. Physico-chemical characterization of the catalysts revealed that urea promotes the formation of hydrated cerium(III) oxycarbonate, which likely hampers a homogeneous distribution of active MoO x species that, conversely, are fairly stabilized on the support when ammonia is used as precipitating agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Having completed its commissioning phase, the Advanced Rayleigh guided Ground-layer adaptive Optics System (ARGOS) facility is coming online for scientific observations at the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). With six Rayleigh laser guide stars in two constellations and the corresponding wavefront sensing, ARGOS corrects the ground-layer distortions for both LBT 8.4 m eyes with their adaptive secondary mirrors. Under regular observing conditions, this set-up delivers a point spread function (PSF) size reduction by a factor of 2–3 compared to a seeing-limited operation. With the two LUCI infrared imaging and multi-object spectroscopy instruments receiving the corrected images, observations in the near-infrared can be performed at high spatial and spectral resolution. We discuss the final ARGOS technical set-up and the adaptive optics performance. We show that imaging cases with ground-layer adaptive optics (GLAO) are enhancing several scientific programmes, from cluster colour magnitude diagrams and Milky Way embedded star formation, to nuclei of nearby galaxies or extragalactic lensing fields. In the unique combination of ARGOS with the multi-object near-infrared spectroscopy available in LUCI over a 4 × 4 arcmin field of view, the first scientific observations have been performed on local and high-z objects. Those high spatial and spectral resolution observations demonstrate the capabilities now at hand with ARGOS at the LBT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pain is a common and heterogeneous complication of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this multicenter, cross sectional study, we aimed at investigating the prevalence of pain in MS using highly specific criteria for distinguishing the different types of pain.Materials and methods: After a structured interview, in patients with pain, clinical examination and DN4 questionnaire were used for distinguishing neuropathic and nociceptive pain. In subjects with neuropathic pain, the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory was used for differentiating neuropathic pain symptoms.Results: We enrolled 1249 participants (832 F, 417 M, mean age 33.9 years, mean disease duration 8 years, mean EDSS 3.2); based on clinical evaluation and DN4 score 429 patients (34.34%) were classified with pain (470 pain syndromes): 286 nociceptive pain syndromes and 184 neuropathic pain syndromes. Multivariate analysis showed that pain was associated with age, gender and disease severity and that neuropathic pain was distinctly associated with EDSS.Conclusions: Our study, providing definite information on the prevalence, characteristics and variables associated with neuropathic pain due to MS, shows that a more severe disease course is associated with a higher risk of neuropathic pain. Our findings might, therefore, provide a basis for improving the clinical management of this common MS complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrition has a coadjuvant role in the management of children with acute diseases. We aimed to examine nutritional status, macronutrient requirements and actual macronutrient delivery in bronchiolitis. The nutritional status was classified according to WHO criteria and resting energy expenditure (MREE) was measured using an indirect calorimeter. Bland–Altman analysis was used to examine the agreement between MREE and estimated energy expenditure (EEE) with standard equations. Based on the ratio MREE/EEE in relation to Schofield equation on admission, we defined the subjects’ metabolic status. A total of 35 patients were enrolled and 46% were malnourished on admission, and 25.8% were hypermetabolic, 37.1% hypometabolic and 37.1% normometabolic. We performed a 24-h recall in 10 children and 80% were overfed (AEI: MREE >120%). Mean bias (limits of agreement) with MREE was 8.9 (−73.9 to 91.8%) for Schofield; 61.0 (−41 to 163%) for Harris–Benedict; and 9.9 (−74.4 to 94.2%) for FAO-WHO equation. Metabolism of infants with bronchiolitis is not accurately estimated by equations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Summary: Bone status impairment represents a complication of generalized forms of epidermolysis bullosa (EB); however, the prevalence and the main determinants of this event in localized forms remain poorly defined. Birmingham epidermolysis bullosa severity (BEBS) score and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are strongly associated with low bone mass, suggesting that vitamin D may play a potential beneficial role in bone health. Further longitudinal studies are needed in order to confirm this hypothesis. Introduction: Bone status impairment represents a complication of generalized forms of EB; thus, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of low bone mass, to examine mineralization differences in various EB subtypes and to identify the most important determinants of bone impairment in children with either generalized or localized EB. Methods: An observational study of 20 children (11 males; mean age ± standard deviation, 11.7 ± 3.9 years) with EB was performed. Clinical history, physical examination, laboratory studies, X-ray of the left hand and wrist for bone age, and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scans of the lumbar spine were obtained. Areal bone mineral density (aBMD Z-scores) and bone mineral apparent density were related to the BEBS score. Results: Areal BMD Z-score (mean −1.82 ± 2.33, range, −7.6-1.7) was reduced (<−2 SD) in 8 patients (40%), whereas aBMD Z-score adjusted for bone age was low in 7 patients (35%). BEBS score and 25-hydroxyvitamin D serum levels were the most important elements associated with aBMD ( P = 0.0001 and P = 0.016, respectively). A significant correlation between the aBMD Z-score and area of skin damage, insulin-like growth factor-1, C-reactive protein, and sodium serum levels was also found. Conclusions: Low aBMD can be considered a systemic complication of EB, primarily associated with BEBS score and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Therefore, longitudinal evaluation of bone status is ongoing in these patients to define whether vitamin D supplementation would prevent, or at least reduce, bone status impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing use of titanium alloys in a wider range of applications requires the development of new techniques and processes capable to decrease production costs and manufacturing times. In this regard welding and other joining techniques play an important role. Today, solid state friction joining processes, such as friction stir welding, friction spot welding, inertia friction welding, continuous-drive friction welding and linear friction welding (LFW), represent promising methods for part manufacturing. They allow for joining at temperature essentially below the melting point of the base materials being joined, without the addition of filler metal. However, the knowledge of temperature is essential to understand and model the phenomena involved in metal welding. A global measured value represents only a clue of the heat generation during the process; while, a deep understanding of welding thermal aspects requires temperature field measurement. This paper is focused on the use of infrared thermography applied to the linear friction welding process of Ti6Al4V alloy. The attention is concentrated on thermal field that develops on the outer wall of the two parts to be joined (i.e. heat generated in the friction zone), and on the maximum temperature that characterizes the process before and after the flash formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We derive new empirical calibrations for strong-line diagnostics of gas-phase metallicity in local star-forming galaxies by uniformly applying the Te method over the full metallicity range probed by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). To measure electron temperatures at high metallicity, where the auroral lines needed are not detected in single galaxies, we stacked spectra of more than 110 000 galaxies from the SDSS in bins of log[O II]/Hß and log[O III]/Hß. This stacking scheme does not assume any dependence of metallicity on mass or star formation rate, but only that galaxies with the same line ratios have the same oxygen abundance. We provide calibrations which span more than 1 dex in metallicity and are entirely defined on a consistent absolute Te metallicity scale for galaxies. We apply our calibrations to the SDSS sample and find that they provide consistent metallicity estimates to within 0.05 dex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The principal aim of this review is to present the current knowledge regarding acute otitis media (AOM) with spontaneous tympanic membrane perforation (STMP) and to address the question of whether AOM with STMP is a disease with specific characteristics or a severe case of AOM. PubMed was used to search for all studies published over the past 15 years using the key words 'acute otitis media' and 'othorrea' or 'spontaneous tympanic membrane perforation'. More than 250 articles were found, but only those published in English and providing data on aspects related to perforation of infectious origin were considered. Early Streptococcus pneumoniae infection due to invasive pneumococcal strains, in addition to coinfections and biofilm production due mainly to non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae, seem to be precursors of STMP. However, it is unclear why some children have several STMP episodes during the first years of life that resolve without complications in adulthood, whereas other children develop chronic suppurative otitis media. Although specific aetiological agents appear to be associated with an increased risk of AOM with STMP, further studies are needed to determine whether AOM with STMP is a distinct disease with specific aetiological, clinical and prognostic characteristics or a more severe case of AOM than the cases that occur without STMP. Finally, it is important to identify preventive methods that are useful not only in otitis-prone children with uncomplicated AOM, but also in children with recurrent AOM and those who experience several episodes with STMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is increasingly found in children worldwide, but limited data are available from children living in southern Europe. A 6-year retrospective study was performed to investigate the epidemiology, clinical features, treatment, and risk of recurrence in Italy. Data of children with community- and hospital-acquired CDI (CA-CDI and HA-CDI, respectively) seen at seven pediatric referral centers in Italy were recorded retrospectively. Annual infection rates/10,000 hospital admissions were calculated. Logistic regression was used to investigate risk factors for recurrence. A total of 177 CDI episodes was reported in 148 children (83 males, median age 55.3 months), with a cumulative infection rate of 2.25/10,000 admissions, with no significant variability over time. The majority of children (60.8 %) had CA-CDI. Children with HA-CDI (39.2 %) had a longer duration of symptoms and hospitalization ( p = 0.003) and a more common previous use of antibiotics ( p = 0.0001). Metronidazole was used in 70.7 % of cases (87/123) and vancomycin in 29.3 % (36/123), with similar success rates. Recurrence occurred in 16 children (10.8 %), and 3 (2 %) of them presented a further treatment failure. The use of metronidazole was associated with a 5-fold increase in the risk of recurrence [odds ratio (OR) 5.18, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.1-23.8, p = 0.03]. Short bowel syndrome was the only underlying condition associated with treatment failure (OR 5.29, 95 % CI 1.17-23.8, p = 0.03). The incidence of pediatric CDI in Italy is low and substantially stable. In this setting, there is a limited risk of recurrence, which mainly concerns children treated with oral metronidazole and those with short bowel syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrophages are cells of high plasticity and can act in different ways to ensure that the appropriate immune response remains controlled. This study shows the effects of the C-type Bothrops jararacussu venom lectin (BJcuL) on the activation of human macrophages derived from the U937 cell line. BJcuL binds on the cell surface, and this event is inhibited by its specific carbohydrate. It induced phagocytosis and production of H 2 O 2 , and expression of antigen presentation molecules. It also enhanced the production of TNF-α, GM-CSF and IL-6 by macrophages and indirectly induced T cells to an increased production of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-6 in the presence of LPS. Our results suggest that BJcuL can modulate macrophage functional activation towards an M1 state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a common condition that has rapidly increased in both the industrialised and developing world in recent decades. Obese individuals show increased risk factors for severe infections and significant immune system dysregulation that may impair the immune response to vaccines. The main aim of this paper was to review the current knowledge regarding the association between obesity and the risk and outcome of infections as well as immune response to vaccines. The results showed that obesity is a highly complex clinical condition in which the functions of several organ and body systems, including the immune system, are modified. However, only a small minority of the biological mechanisms that lead to reduced host defences have been elucidated. Relevant efforts for future research should focus on obese children, as the available data on this population are scarce compared with the adult population. Even if most vaccines are given in the first months of life when obesity is rare, some vaccines require booster doses at preschool age, and other vaccines, such as the influenza vaccine, are recommended yearly in the obese population, but it is not known whether response to vaccines of obese patients is impaired. The reduced immune response of obese patients to vaccination can be deleterious not only for the patient but also for the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Durum wheat is an important staple food crop in Tunisia and other Mediterranean countries and is grown in various climatic conditions. Production and yield are however severely limited not only by drought events but also by reduced levels of nitrogen fertilisation. A study was carried out at two locations in the sub-humid area of Tunisia: Mateur in 2009-10 and 2010-11 and Beja in 2011-12 and 2012-13 under rainfed conditions. Four durum wheat genotypes (landraces: Bidi, Azizi; improved: Om Rabia, Khiar) were evaluated for nitrogen agronomic efficiency and related agronomic traits under various nitrogen rates: 0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg N ha−1, with three replications. There was a significant interaction effect ( P ≤ 0.001) environments × genotypes × N treatments for grain yield ( GY), biomass yield ( BY), harvest index ( HI), partial factor productivity of applied nitrogen ( PFPN) and nitrogen agronomic use efficiencies ( NAE). GY was the most affected trait by nitrogen applied showing an increase of 94% under high N treatment (250 kg N ha−1) compared to control plots without N treatments. A significant linear regression exists between GY (0 N) and GY for the different N rates ( r = 0.70; P < 0.001). This effect was more pronounced for improved genotypes than landraces for all parameters excepting BY and NAEBY. BY showed +11% increase in landraces than improved genotypes. PFPN showed an average decrease of 65% under high-N fertilisation with 10% prevalence for improved genotypes. Landraces tend to promote vegetative growth while grain filling efficiency was higher for improved genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB) is still the world's second most frequent cause of death due to infectious diseases after HIV infection, and this has aroused greater interest in identifying and managing exposed subjects, whether they are simply infected or have developed one of the clinical variants of the disease. Unfortunately, not even the latest laboratory techniques are always successful in identifying affected children because they are more likely to have negative cultures and tuberculin skin test results, equivocal chest X-ray findings, and atypical clinical manifestations than adults. Furthermore, they are at greater risk of progressing from infection to active disease, particularly if they are very young. Consequently, pediatricians have to use different diagnostic strategies that specifically address the needs of children. This document describes the recommendations of a group of scientific societies concerning the signs and symptoms suggesting pediatric TB, and the diagnostic approach towards children with suspected disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the results of the first study in which Streptococcus salivarius 24SMB, a safe α-haemolytic strain capable of producing bacteriocin-like substances with significant activity against acute otitis media (AOM) pathogens, was intranasally administered in an attempt to reduce the risk of new episodes of AOM in otitis-prone children. In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 100 children aged 1-5 years with histories of recurrent AOM were randomized 1:1 to receive an intranasal S. salivarius 24SMB or placebo twice daily for 5 days each month for 3 consecutive months. Fifty treated children and 47 who received placebo who were compliant with study protocol were followed monthly for 6 months. The number of children who did not experience any AOM was higher among the children treated with the S. salivarius 24SMB preparation than among those in the placebo group (30.0 vs 14.9 %; p = 0.076). Moreover, the number of children who received antibiotics during the study period was lower among the children treated with S. salivarius 24 SMB than among those who received placebo (70 vs 83.0 %; p = 0.13). Compared with the children who were not colonized by S. salivarius 24SMB after treatment, the number of colonized children who experienced any AOM was significantly lower (42.8 vs 13.6 %; p = 0.03). Similar results were observed when the children treated with antibiotics for AOM were analysed (67.8 vs 95.5 %; p = 0.029). This study revealed the ability of intranasally administered S. salivarius 24SMB to reduce the risk of AOM in otitis-prone children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data on milk and other dairy products intake with health outcomes are inconsistent. We investigated the association of milk and total dairy consumption with the risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a Mediterranean population. Methods: We performed a longitudinal analysis on 22,889 men and women (mean age 55.4[11.7 y; 52.3% women), from the Moli-sani Study cohort (enrollment 2005-2010) followed-up for a median of 11 years. Dietary data were collected through a 188-item food frequency questionnaire. Total dairy consumption (g/d) was calculated as the sum of milk (whole and partially-skimmed, g/d), yogurt (whole and partially skimmed, g/d) and cheese (fresh and hard, g/d). Hazard ratio (HRs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by multivariable Cox regression, modelled by spline curves. Results: In multivariable-adjusted analysis controlled for sociodemographic, clinical and dietary factors, cheese, yogurt or whole milk intake were not associated with either all-cause or causespecific mortality (p for overall association >0.38), as well as was total diary intake (p > 0.18). On the contrary, non-linear Jshaped curves were observed for the association of partially skimmed milk intake with all-cause and cancer mortality (p value for total and non-linear association=0.0072 and 0.035, and 0.097 and 0.049, respectively; magnitude of the relative reduction =16% and 18% at nadir of 128 and 114 g/d, respectively). A linear association between partially skimmed milk intake and CVD mortality was observed (p for association =0.047; p for non-linearity= 0.41), with HR= 0.82 (95%CI: 0.68-0.98) at 125 g/d and a window of statistically significant protection ranging from 100 to 250 g/d. Conclusions: In a large Mediterranean population of adults, consumption of 1 standard cup of partially skimmed milk was associated with lower all-cause, cancer and CVD mortality. Other dairy sources were not associated with mortality. Key messages: • In a large Mediterranean population, total dairy intake did not predict mortality. • Daily consumption of 1 standard cup of partially skimmed milk lowers the risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Nutri-Score front-of-pack label rates foods according to their nutritional quality while the NOVA classification is focused on degree of processing; both systems separately predicted mortality in epidemiological contexts. We evaluated whether ultra-processed food (UPF) modifies the association of the Nutri-Score with mortality. Methods: Longitudinal analysis on 22,549 Italian men and women (mean age 54±12 y) from the Moli-sani Study (2005-2010) followed for 11.2 y. Food intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. The Food Standards Agency nutrient profiling system (FSAm-NPS) score, used to derive the Nutri-Score, was calculated for each food based on its amount of energy, saturated fat, sugar, sodium, fibre, protein, fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts per 100 g of product. The FSAm-NPS dietary index was calculated for each participant as an energy weighted mean of the FSAm-NPS score of all foods consumed, and increased values indicate lower nutritional quality. UPF intake was the proportion (%) of UPF in the total weight of food consumed (g/d) and categorized as low/high (below/above the population median, respectively). Results: In a multivariable analysis, 1-SD increase in the FSAm-NPS index led to increased risk of all-cause (HR = 1.07; 95%CI 1.02-1.13) and CVD mortality (HR = 1.08; 1.00-1.18). UPF intake was an effect modifier since the association of FSAm-NPS index with mortality was confined to individuals with high UPF intake (HR = 1.14; 1.05-1.25) but not in those with low UPF (HR = 1.00; 0.93-1.07; p for interaction=0.034). Similar findings were reported for CVD mortality (HR = 1.14;0.99-1.31 and HR = 1.01;0.90-1.13 for high and low UPF consumers, respectively; p for interaction=0.18). Conclusions: Higher mortality risk associated with a NutriScore revealing nutrient-poor food intake is limited to individuals also reporting high UPF intake. Food labelling systems should account for food processing in addition to nutritional content. Key messages: • Ultra-processed food modifies the association between the 5-color Nutri-Score front-of-pack label with all-cause mortality in an Italian general population. • Food labelling systems, that are conceived to help consumers make healthier food choices, should also account for food processing in addition to nutritional content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognitive disorders occur in up to 65 % of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients; they have been correlated with different MRI measures of brain tissue damage, whole and regional brain atrophy. The hippocampal involvement has been poorly investigated in cognitively impaired (CI) MS patients. The objective of this study is to analyze and compare brain tissue abnormalities, including hippocampal atrophy, in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients with and without cognitive deficits, and to investigate their role in determining cognitive impairment in MS. Forty-six RRMS patients [20 CI and 26 cognitively preserved (CP)] and 25 age, sex and education-matched healthy controls (HCs) underwent neuropsychological evaluation and 3-Tesla anatomical MRI. T2 lesion load (T2-LL) was computed with a semiautomatic method, gray matter volume and white matter volume were estimated using SIENAX. Hippocampal volume (HV) was obtained by manual segmentation. Brain tissues volumes were compared among groups and correlated with cognitive performances. Compared to HCs, RRMS patients had significant atrophy of WM, GM, left and right Hippocampus ( p < 0.001). Compared to CP, CI RRMS patients showed higher T2-LL ( p = 0.02) and WM atrophy ( p = 0.01). In the whole RRMS group, several cognitive tests correlated with brain tissue abnormalities (T2-LL, WM and GM atrophy); only verbal memory performances correlated with left hippocampal atrophy. Our results emphasize the role of T2-LL and WM atrophy in determining clinically evident cognitive impairment in MS patients and provide evidence that GM and hippocampal atrophy occur in MS patients regardless of cognitive status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) are very common in children and a major challenge for pediatricians. In the last few years, bacterial biofilms have been linked to RRTIs and antibiotic resistance, and have raised serious concerns regarding the therapeutic management of recurrent middle ear diseases, chronic rhinosinusitis, and recurrent pharyngotonsillitis. This paper aims to review the new insights into biofilm-related upper respiratory tract infections in children and possible therapeutic strategies. It focuses on the clinical implications for recurrent disease and on studies in pediatric patients. Analysis of the literature showed that the involvement of bacterial biofilm in recurrent upper airway tract infections is an emerging problem that may lead to serious concerns about infection control. Despite the large amount of research within this field, detailed insight into the complex structure of bacterial biofilms and the ultrastructural and biochemical mechanisms responsible for its evasion of the immune system and resistance to treatments is currently lacking. In the future, additional emphasis should be placed on biofilm management as a component of therapeutic strategies. This goal can be attained by finding feasible methods for detecting biofilms in vivo and identifying effective methods for administering treatments that eradicate preexisting bacterial biofilms or hinder bacterial adhesion to respiratory cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand the effects of short-term computer-based cognitive rehabilitation (cCR) on cognitive performances and default mode network (DMN) intrinsic functional connectivity (FC) in cognitively impaired relapsing remitting (RR) multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Eighteen cognitively impaired RRMS patients underwent neuropsychological evaluation by the Rao's brief repeatable battery and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate FC of the DMN before and after a short-term (8 weeks, twice a week) cCR. A control group of 14 cognitively impaired RRMS patients was assigned to an aspecific cognitive training (aCT), and underwent the same study protocol. Correlations between DMN and cognitive performances were also tested. After cCR, there was a significant improvement of the following tests: SDMT ( p < 0.01), PASAT 3″ ( p < 0.00), PASAT 2″ ( p < 0.03), SRT-D ( p < 0.02), and 10/36 SPART-D ( p < 0.04); as well as a significant increase of the FC of the DMN in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and bilateral inferior parietal cortex (IPC). After cCR, a significant negative correlation between Stroop Color-Word Interference Test and FC in the PCC emerged. After aCT, the control group did not show any significant effect either on FC or neuropsychological tests. No significant differences were found in brain volumes and lesion load in both groups when comparing data acquired at baseline and after cCR or aCT. In cognitively impaired RRMS patients, cCR improves cognitive performances (i.e., processing speed and visual and verbal sustained memory), and increases FC in the PCC and IPC of the DMN. This exploratory study suggests that cCR may induce adaptive cortical reorganization favoring better cognitive performances, thus strengthening the value of cognitive exercise in the general perspective of building either cognitive or brain reserve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial infections are common in children with cancer and can lead to life-threatening complications. Infections in these patients mainly occur during neutropenic periods, and may be caused by Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. The patients at highest risk of serious infections include those with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and those undergoing myeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). This is a review with the main aim of making a critical appraisal of the literature, and summarising what is currently known and can be recommended. The most significant studies support the use of floroquinolones (mainly ciprofloxacin) as the most rational approach to treat pediatric patients with probably long-lasting neutropenia, although trimetoprim-sulphametoxazole and amoxicillin/clavulanate may theoretically be valid alternatives. No prophylaxis seems to be needed for children with cancer without severe neutropenia. However, a global evaluation of the studies of antibiotic prophylaxis in children with cancer indicates that there are not enough data to prepare definite guidelines for its use or avoidance in pediatric oncology, and so further studies are needed. It is not only important to define the best antibiotic regimens for the children in whom such prophylaxis is useful, but also to identify precisely those who do not need it. This would avoid the antibiotic misuse that probably occurs at the moment because many low-risk children with cancer are treated. As prophylaxis against infections requires long-term adherence to an antibiotic regimen, the attitudes and beliefs of stakeholders need to be fully considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We utilized the new high-order (250-378 mode) Magellan Adaptive Optics system (MagAO) to obtain very high spatial resolution observations in "visible light" with MagAO's VisAO CCD camera. In the good-median seeing conditions of Magellan (0. ''5-0. ''7), we find MagAO delivers individual short exposure images as good as 19 mas optical resolution. Due to telescope vibrations, long exposure (60 s) r ' (0.63μm) images are slightly coarser at FWHM = 23-29 mas (Strehl -28%) with bright (R < 9 mag) guide stars. These are the highest resolution filled-aperture images published to date. Images of the young (-1Myr) Orion Trapezium θ1 Ori A, B, and C cluster members were obtained with VisAO. In particular, the 32 mas binary θ1 Ori C1C2 was easily resolved in noninterferometric images for the first time. The relative positions of the bright trapezium binary stars were measured with -0.6-5 mas accuracy. We are now sensitive to relative proper motions of just -0.2 mas yr-1 (-0.4 km s-1 at 414 pc)-this is a -2-10× improvement in orbital velocity accuracy compared to previous efforts. For the first time, we see clear motion of the barycenter of θ1 Ori B2B3 about θ1 Ori B1. All five members of the θ1 Ori B system appear likely to be a gravitationally bound "mini cluster," but we find that not all the orbits can be both circular and co-planar. The lowest mass member of the θ1 Ori B system (B4; mass -0.2M☉) has a very clearly detected motion (at 4.1 ± 1.3 km s-1; correlation = 99.9%) w.r.t. B1. Previous work has suggested that B4 and B3 are on long-term unstable orbits and will be ejected from this "mini cluster." However, our new "baseline" model of the θ1 Ori B system suggests a more hierarchical system than previously thought, and so the ejection of B4 may not occur for many orbits, and B3 may be stable against ejection in the long-term. This "ejection" process of the lowest mass member of a "mini cluster" could play a major role in the formation of low-mass stars and brown dwarfs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We utilize the new Magellan adaptive optics system (MagAO) to image the binary proplyd LV 1 in the Orion Trapezium at Hα. This is among the first AO results in visible wavelengths. The Hα image clearly shows the ionization fronts, the interproplyd shell, and the cometary tails. Our astrometric measurements find no significant relative motion between components over ~18 yr, implying that LV 1 is a low-mass system.We also analyze Large Binocular Telescope AO observations, and find a point source which may be the embedded protostar's photosphere in the continuum. Converting the H magnitudes to mass, we show that the LV 1 binary may consist of one very-lowmass star with a likely brown dwarf secondary, or even plausibly a double brown dwarf. Finally, the magnetopause of the minor proplyd is estimated to have a radius of 110 AU, consistent with the location of the bow shock seen in Hα. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corticosteroids have been used to treat infectious diseases for more than 50 years but, although it has been shown that they are highly effective in improving the clinical course of some diseases, their effects have not been clearly defined in others. Nevertheless, they are still used by a considerable number of physicians. This review analyses the role of systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of acute pharyngitis (AP), community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and acute otitis media (AOM). A number of trials involving patients with AP have been carried out, but most are marred by methodological flaws that do not allow any firm conclusions to be drawn. The number of trials involving CAP patients is even higher, and the data suggest that corticosteroids may reduce the risk of death only in patients with severe disease. There are very few data concerning AOM, and there is currently no reason for prescribing corticosteroids to treat it. Overall, the data showed that there is, currently, no indication for the universal use of systemic corticosteroids in any of the reviewed diseases and, further, high-quality studies of all of these respiratory tract infections are needed in order to identify the patients for whom the prescription of corticosteroids is rationally acceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are essential in the management of pediatric patients receiving antineoplastic therapy or bone marrow transplants, and have significantly improved their quality of life, but CVC-related infectious complications are a major source of morbidity. It has been estimated that 14-51 % of the CVCs implanted in children with malignancies may be complicated by bacteremia, and that the incidence of infections is 1.4-1.9 episodes per 1,000 CVC days. However, there are few recent data concerning the epidemiology of CVC-related infections, the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in their etiology, or the main factors associated with an increased risk of infection by type of catheter, patient age, the type of cancer, or the presence of neutropenia. Moreover, although various new strategies have been proposed in an attempt to reduce the risk of CVC-related infections, such as catheters impregnated with antiseptics/antibiotics, lock antibiotic prophylaxis, the use of ointments at the exit site, and antithrombotic prophylaxis, their real efficacy in children has not yet been demonstrated. The management of CVC-related infections remains difficult, mainly because of the number of still open questions (including the choice of optimal antimicrobial therapy because of the increasing isolation of multiresistant bacterial strains, treatment duration, whether catheters should be removed or not, the feasibility of guidewire exchange, and the usefulness of antibiotic lock therapy) and the lack of studies of children with cancer. Only well-designed, prospective clinical trials involving pediatric cancer patients can clarify optimal prevention and treatment strategies for CVC-related infections in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary embolism is rare in children aged less than 15 years in whom its estimated annual incidence is 0.2 cases per 100,000, against the approximately 700 cases per 100,000 in patients aged more than 85 years. We describe the case of a 15-year-old girl who had a history of thrombocytopenia with anti-platelet and anti-nuclear antibodies. Misdiagnosed chest pain and dyspnea were treated for 6 weeks as community-acquired pneumonia, but proved to be the onset of pulmonary thromboembolism. Although this life-threatening event is rare in paediatrics, the presence of lupus anticoagulant combined with previously asymptomatic thrombocytopenia allowed a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The combination of a history of thrombocytopenia and the presence of antinuclear antibodies, even in the absence of any other diagnostic criteria, should always suggest considering SLE as a differential diagnosis, particularly when the course of a clinical manifestation is atypical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new 8.4 m LBT adaptive secondary AO system, with its novel pyramid wavefront sensor, was used to produce very high Strehl (≿75% at 2.16 µm) near-infrared narrowband (Brγ: 2.16 µm and [Fe II]: 1.64µm) images of 47 young (~1 Myr) Orion Trapezium θ¹ Ori cluster members. The inner ~41 x 53" of the cluster was imaged at spatial resolutions of ~0".050 (at 1.64 µm). A combination of high spatial resolution and high S/N yielded relative binary positions to ~0.5 mas accuracies. Including previous speckle data, we analyze a 15 year baseline of high-resolution observations of this cluster. We are now sensitive to relative proper motions of just ~0.3 mas yr-1 (0.6 km s-1 at 450 pc); this is a ~7x improvement in orbital velocity accuracy compared to previous efforts. We now detect clear orbital motions in the θ¹ Ori B2B3 system of 4.9 ± 0.3 km s-1 and 7.2 ± 0.8 km s-1 in the θ¹ Ori A1A2 system (with correlations of P.A. versus time at >99% confidence). All five members of the θ¹ Ori B system appear likely a gravitationally bound "mini-cluster." The very lowest mass member of the θ¹ Ori B system (B4; mass ~0.2 M⊙) has, for the first time, a clearly detected motion (at 4.3 ± 2.0 km s-1; correlation = 99.7%) w.r.t. B1. However, B4 is most likely in a long-term unstable (non-hierarchical) orbit and may "soon" be ejected from this "mini-cluster." This "ejection" process could play a major role in the formation of low-mass stars and brown dwarfs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clin Microbiol Infect 2012; 18 (Suppl. 1): 1-27 Abstract The European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases established the Sore Throat Guideline Group to write an updated guideline to diagnose and treat patients with acute sore throat. In diagnosis, Centor clinical scoring system or rapid antigen test can be helpful in targeting antibiotic use. The Centor scoring system can help to identify those patients who have higher likelihood of group A streptococcal infection. In patients with high likelihood of streptococcal infections (e.g. 3-4 Centor criteria) physicians can consider the use of rapid antigen test (RAT). If RAT is performed, throat culture is not necessary after a negative RAT for the diagnosis of group A streptococci. To treat sore throat, either ibuprofen or paracetamol are recommended for relief of acute sore throat symptoms. Zinc gluconate is not recommended to be used in sore throat. There is inconsistent evidence of herbal treatments and acupuncture as treatments for sore throat. Antibiotics should not be used in patients with less severe presentation of sore throat, e.g. 0-2 Centor criteria to relieve symptoms. Modest benefits of antibiotics, which have been observed in patients with 3-4 Centor criteria, have to be weighed against side effects, the effect of antibiotics on microbiota, increased antibacterial resistance, medicalisation and costs. The prevention of suppurative complications is not a specific indication for antibiotic therapy in sore throat. If antibiotics are indicated, penicillin V, twice or three times daily for 10 days is recommended. At the present, there is no evidence enough that indicates shorter treatment length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: In the absence of an effective vaccine, serogroup B Neisseria meningitidis (MenB) remains a major cause of invasive disease in early childhood in developed countries.Objective: To determine the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a multicomponent MenB vaccine (4CMenB) and routine infant vaccines when given either concomitantly or separately.Design, Setting, and Participants: Phase 2b, multicenter, open-label, parallel-group, randomized controlled study of 1885 infants enrolled at age 2 months from August 2008 to July 2010 in Europe.Intervention: Participants were randomized 2:2:1:1 to receive (1) 4CMenB at 2, 4, and 6 months with routine vaccines (7-valent pneumococcal and combined diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, inactivated polio, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccines); (2) 4CMenB at 2, 4, and 6 months and routine vaccines at 3, 5, and 7 months; (3) 4CMenB with routine vaccines at 2, 3, and 4 months; or (4) routine vaccines alone at 2, 3, and 4 months.Main Outcome Measures: Percentage of participants with human complement serum bactericidal activity (hSBA) titer of 1:5 or greater against 3 MenB strains specific for vaccine antigens (NZ98/254, 44/76-SL, and 5/99).Results: After three 4CMenB vaccinations, 99% or more of infants developed hSBA titers of 1:5 or greater against strains 44/76-SL and 5/99. For NZ98/254, this proportion was 79% (95% CI, 75.2%-82.4%) for vaccination at 2, 4, and 6 months with routine vaccines, 86.1% (95% CI, 82.9%-89.0%) for vaccination at 2, 4, and 6 months without routine vaccines, and 81.7% (95% CI, 76.6%-86.2%) for vaccination at 2, 3, and 4 months with routine vaccines. Responses to routine vaccines given with 4CMenB were noninferior to routine vaccines alone for all antigens, except for the responses to pertactin and serotype 6B pneumococcal polysaccharide. Fever was seen following 26% (158/602) to 41% (247/607) of 4CMenB doses when administered alone, compared with 23% (69/304) to 36% (109/306) after routine vaccines given alone and 51% (306/605) to 61% (380/624) after 4CMenB and routine vaccines administered together.Conclusion: A 4CMenB vaccine is immunogenic against reference strains when administered with routine vaccines at 2, 4, and 6 or at 2, 3, and 4 months of age, producing minimal interference with the response to routine infant vaccinations.Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00721396. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory infection is a common cause of acute respiratory infection in children and adults. We evaluated the efficacy of increasing dosages of clarithromycin for the optimized therapy of M. pneumoniae respiratory infection in a mouse model. Methods BALB/c mice were intranasally inoculated once with M. pneumoniae or SP4 broth (control). Groups of mice were treated with increasing dosages of clarithromycin (10, 25 or 75 mg/kg/day) or placebo subcutaneously daily. Groups of mice were evaluated after 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 days of therapy. Outcome variables included quantitative M. pneumoniae culture, histopathological score of the lungs, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytokine/chemokine/growth factor concentrations and plethysmography after aerosolized methacholine to assess airway hyperresponsiveness. Results Elevated dosages of clarithromycin resulted in greater antimicrobial efficacy with significantly reduced M. pneumoniae quantitative cultures (P < 0.05), as well as greater improvement in markers of disease severity with significantly reduced lung histopathology scores, BAL cytokine concentrations and airway hyperresponsiveness (P < 0.05). Conclusions Escalated dosing of clarithromycin resulted in significantly greater therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of experimental M. pneumoniae respiratory infection. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We studied the antioxidant activity of the moss Leptodictyum riparium stressed with lead, cadmium, heat shock, and salinity. The acetonic extracts of the moss were tested for antioxidant activity on human whole blood leukocytes by a chemiluminescence (CL) assay. Stresses induced a significant increase of CL inhibition. Among the different stresses, heavy metals were the strongest enhancers of antioxidant activity. The different stresses induced antioxidant activity according the following scale: Cd > Pb > salinity > heat shock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An optimized solar multilayer coating based on W-Al2O3 graded cermet layer was fabricated in our laboratories by magnetron sputtering technique. To use this coating for the receiver tube of solar parabolic trough plants it is necessary for it to have very high structural, physical and chemical stability at high temperature (580°C) under vacuum, maintaining good performances in terms of high solar absorption and low thermal emissivity. An investigation on the stability of our coating was carried out by means of several material characterizations before and after annealing processes at high temperature. The salient characteristics emerging in this study were the partial oxidation of the tungsten nano-particles inside the cermet forming shells of WO x , the nucleation of a nano-crystalline porous alumina γ phase in the matrix of the prevailing amorphous one and the phase transition from β to α of the tungsten back-reflector. All these phenomena were responsible for the coating reflectance modification promoted by the increased temperature. However we verified that such light optical modification was not progressive but at an annealing time of 2 days a definitive adjustment of the coating optical properties was reached, attesting to a remarkable thermal stability of this solar coating under vacuum and making it very suitable to be used at high temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]