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Background Coronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory distress syndrome (COVID‐19 ARDS) is a disease that often requires invasive ventilation. Little is known about COVID‐19 ARDS sequelae. We assessed the mid‐term lung status of COVID‐19 survivors and investigated factors associated with pulmonary sequelae. Methods All adult COVID‐19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit from 25th February to 27th April 2020 were included. Lung function was evaluated through chest CT scan and pulmonary function tests (PFT). Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of persisting lung alterations. Results Forty‐nine patients (75%) completed lung assessment. Chest CT scan was performed after a median (interquartile range) time of 97 (89–105) days, whilst PFT after 142 (133–160) days. The median age was 58 (52–65) years and most patients were male (90%). The median duration of mechanical ventilation was 11 (6–16) days. Median tidal volume/ideal body weight (TV/IBW) was 6.8 (5.71–7.67) ml/Kg. 59% and 63% of patients showed radiological and functional lung sequelae, respectively. The diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) was reduced by 59%, with a median per cent of predicted DLCO of 72.1 (57.9–93.9) %. Mean TV/IBW during invasive ventilation emerged as an independent predictor of persistent CT scan abnormalities, whilst the duration of mechanical ventilation was an independent predictor of both CT and PFT abnormalities. The extension of lung involvement at hospital admission (evaluated through Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema, RALE score) independently predicted the risk of persistent alterations in PFTs. Conclusions Both the extent of lung parenchymal involvement and mechanical ventilation protocols predict morphological and functional lung abnormalities months after COVID‐19.

Parallel Spindle1 of Arabidopsis thaliana (AtPS1) is implicated in the formation of 2n pollen generated by parallel orientation of the spindles at 2nd meiotic division. Since decades, 2n pollen is known in potato, its wild relatives and interspecific hybrids, as a noteworthy reproductive anomaly with important breeding applications. For this reason, we investigated AtPS1 orthologs in potato. In our previous work, sequence-homology-based strategy combined with a bioinformatic approach revealed three Parallel Spindle Like loci (PSL1-3) in potato genome thus showing a greater PSL complexity respect to Arabidopsis. PSL1 and PSL3 encode predicted proteins characterized by both FHA and PINc domains such as found in Arabidopsis. FHA domain is implicated in protein-protein interactions while PINc domain has RNA-binding properties often associated with RNAse activity. In this work, to establish the function of PSLs, their silencing was performed in Solanum tuberosum and S. commersonii through short interfering RNA target sequence common to PSLs. Down-regulated expression of PSL1 and PSL3 was found in several independent transformants. Interestingly, a strong reduction of pollen viability, estimated by Alexander staining, was observed in lines with the lowest PSL expression, whereas the expected 2n pollen formation was lacking. Microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis analysis pointed out irregularities during pollen development at the first mitotic division after meiosis. These results, together with the evidence that PSL3 failed to functionally complement Atps1 mutation, suggest that a functional diversification of PSLs occur in potato respect to Arabidopsis.

Histone post-translational modifications (HPTMs) are recognized as playing crucial roles in the regulation of plant reproduction. In particular, a RPD3/HDA1-class histone deacetylase Athda19 mutant was reported to induce several defects in Arabidopsis such as reduced fertility, shorter siliques, and aborted seeds. The main goal of our work is to functionally characterize SlHDA19 in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), an important crop and model species for fruit biology. Artificial miRNA approach was used to down-regulate SlHDA19 (Solyc09g091440) in tomato cv. Ailsa Craig. Remarkably, two independent transgenic lines, Slhda19-2 and Slhda19-6, show an early ripening phenotype associated with an increase in the ethylene production. Moreover, these lines display smaller fruits and an early accumulation of the principal carotenoids. Fruit from both lines display a predominance of undeveloped seeds, as has been shown in Arabidopsis siliques, indicated that seed set is also compromised. Currently, cyto-histological analysis of ovules/seeds at different stages postanthesis to characterize embryo development in Slhda19 is ongoing

Background: Traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts (TPPs) are rare sequelae of blunt chest trauma. We present a retrospective review of TPPs observed in our hospital and discuss the diagnosis, treatment, and complications of these unusual lesions. Methods: Between 1991 and 1999, 11 TPPs were diagnosed in 10 patients. None of the lesions was detectable on the chest radiograph obtained on the day of injury. In contrast, computed tomographic scan of the chest always demonstrated the TPPs. Results: in nine cases, spontaneous healing of the lesions was observed. One patient with a large lesion of the left lower lobe developed significant endobronchial bleeding and underwent successful emergency lobectomy. Conclusion: TPPs are often missed by chest radiography, particularly when it is obtained in the supine position, whereas computed tomographic scan allows the identification of these lesions in all cases. TPPs are self-limiting, benign lesions that usually require no specific therapy. Surgical treatment is indicated in rare instances and only when complications occur. RI ciriaco, paola/H-5716-2012

This study shows the spatial distribution of As, Cd, Ni and Pb concentrations simulated with atmospheric modelling system of the MINNI project (AMS-MINNI). The simulations have been performed for the year 2005 with spatial resolutions of 20 km over Italy and 4 km over Northern Italy. Both anthropogenic and natural emissions have been taken into account. The simulated concentrations generally agree with available observations. The influence on heavy metal concentrations of boundary conditions, emissions from surrounding countries and horizontal resolution have been evaluated, evidencing a significant relevance of both boundary conditions and horizontal resolution.. © Crown Copyright 2014 Dstl.

Modelling air quality requires the description of a large number of processes interacting each other. In order to properly model concentrations of atmospheric pollutants it is crucial to have a realistic reproduction of meteorological parameters, which can be critical in areas presenting a complex orography like the Italian peninsula. This work shows an analysis of the results obtained with the national model MINNI at two different horizontal resolutions (20 and 4 km), for a whole year over Italy. Comparisons between modelled and observed temperature and pollutants concentrations are carried out. The prediction of temperature is improved with the increase of model spatial resolution, as it is for pollutants like NO2 and CO, while the improvement is not always evident for O3 concentrations. Results are discussed providing an interpretation of the observed features. © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014.

In plants, whole-genome doubling largely contributed to plant evolution and diversification. Gametes with somatic chromosome number (2n) are widely recognized as the major route of plant polyploidization. The parallel arrangement of the spindles (ps) in the 2nd division of male meiosis is the most common mechanism generating 2n pollen through the formation of dyads and triads. In Arabidopsis, Parallel Spindle1 (AtPS1) was reported as implicated in the control of the ps meiotic defect. We identified three Parallel Spindle Like loci (PSL1-3) in the potato genome. To establish their putative role in the formation of 2n male gametes, two functional strategies were undertaken. Firstly, the Arabidopsis mutant Atps1, kindly given by Dr. R. Mercier (INRA, Versailles), was transformed with a construct containing the PSL3 gene. The PSL3 gene expression was detected by qRT-PCR in the Atps1 transgenic lines. However, these lines still showed the mutant phenotype, i.e. dyads and triads, thereby indicating that the transgene, PSL3, failed to functionally complement the Atps1 mutation. In the other strategy, RNAi silencing of PSLs was performed in a wild diploid species (Solanum commersonii) and in a tetraploid potato (S. tuberosum cv Desirée). Hairpin-RNAi expression vector containing a 400 bp sequence common to all PSLs was utilized for transformation experiments by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Several transgenic plants from both species have been obtained. The silencing of PSL1 was confirmed in leaf by qRT-PCR. PSLs silencing in floral buds and pollen ploidy are under evaluation.

In plants, whole-genome doubling largely contributed to plant evolution and diversification. Gametes with somatic chromosome number (2n) are now considered the major route of plant polyploidization. The parallel arrangement of the spindles (ps) in the 2nd division of male meiosis is the most common mechanism generating 2n pollen through the formation of dyads and triads. Arabidopsis thaliana Parallel Spindles1 (AtPS1) was recently reported as a major gene implicated in the control of the ps meiotic defect. In potato, we identified three Parallel Spindles Like loci (PSL1-3). To establish their role, two strategies were undertaken. Firstly, Arabidopsis mutant Atps1, kindly given by Dr. R. Mercier (INRA, Versailles), was transformed with the clone containing the genomic sequence corresponding to PSL3 from potato. Although PSL3 expression was detected in Atps1 transgenic line, the formation of dyads and triads persisted thereby indicating the absence of complementation. In the other strategy, PSLs RNAi silencing is being performed in diploid and tetraploid potato genotypes. Hairpin-RNAi expression vector containing a 400 bp sequence common to all PSLs was utilized for potato transformation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. So far, twelve transgenic potato plants have been obtained. PSLs silencing is under evaluation and 2n pollen formation will be verified at the flowering stage.

Sensitivity of MINNI's Atmospheric Modeling System has been tested over year 2005 using two different emission datasets, the National Emission Inventory (top-down approach) and the GAINS-Italy emission estimates (bottom-up approach). Detailed analysis has been carried over the Po Valley region for NOx and PM10 concentrations, since their EU limit values are often exceeded. NOx and PM10 results have been compared to available measurements showing that emission input variation has a detectable influence on simulated concentrations. The variations in model performance in relation to the variation of emission inventory have been analyzed at background Urban, subUrban and rural monitoring stations.

SUMMARY In this study, the meiotic role of MEIOTIC CONTROL OF CROSSOVERS1 (MCC1), a GCN5-related histone N-acetyltransferase, is described in Arabidopsis. Analysis of the over-expression mutant obtained by enhancer activation tagging revealed that acetylation of histone H3 increased in male prophase I. MCC1 appeared to be required in meiosis for normal chiasma number and distribution and for chromosome segregation. Overall, elevated MCC1 did not affect crossover number per cell, but has a differential effect on individual chromosomes elevating COs for chromosome 4, in which there is also a shift in chiasma distribution, and reducing COs for chromosome 1 and 2. For the latter there is a loss of the obligate CO/chiasma in 8% of the male meiocytes. The meiotic defects led to abortion in about half of the male and female gametes in the mutant. In wild type, the treatment with trichostatin A, an inhibitor of histone deacetylases, phenocopies MCC1 over-expression in meiosis. Our results provide evidence that histone hyperacetylation has a significant impact on the plant meiosis.

BACKGROUND Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by formation and proliferation of fibroblast foci. Endothelin-1 induces lung fibroblast proliferation and contractile activity via the endothelin A (ETA) receptor. OBJECTIVE To determine whether ambrisentan, an ETA receptor-selective antagonist, reduces the rate of IPF progression. DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, event-driven trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00768300). SETTING Academic and private hospitals. PARTICIPANTS Patients with IPF aged 40 to 80 years with minimal or no honeycombing on high-resolution computed tomography scans. INTERVENTION Ambrisentan, 10 mg/d, or placebo. MEASUREMENTS Time to disease progression, defined as death, respiratory hospitalization, or a categorical decrease in lung function. RESULTS The study was terminated after enrollment of 492 patients (75% of intended enrollment; mean duration of exposure to study medication, 34.7 weeks) because an interim analysis indicated a low likelihood of showing efficacy for the end point by the scheduled end of the study. Ambrisentan-treated patients were more likely to meet the prespecified criteria for disease progression (90 [27.4%] vs. 28 [17.2%] patients; P = 0.010; hazard ratio, 1.74 [95% CI, 1.14 to 2.66]). Lung function decline was seen in 55 (16.7%) ambrisentan-treated patients and 19 (11.7%) placebo-treated patients (P = 0.109). Respiratory hospitalizations were seen in 44 (13.4%) and 9 (5.5%) patients in the ambrisentan and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.007). Twenty-six (7.9%) patients who received ambrisentan and 6 (3.7%) who received placebo died (P = 0.100). Thirty-two (10%) ambrisentan-treated patients and 16 (10%) placebo-treated patients had pulmonary hypertension at baseline, and analysis stratified by the presence of pulmonary hypertension revealed similar results for the primary end point. LIMITATION The study was terminated early. CONCLUSION Ambrisentan was not effective in treating IPF and may be associated with an increased risk for disease progression and respiratory hospitalizations. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE Gilead Sciences.

In this work, pollen mother cells (PMCs) isolated in Arabidopsis thaliana by laser-capture microdissection (LCM) were subjected to transcription profiling by microarray (LMM). PMCs covering all meiotic stages, from leptotene to tetrad, were collected in an Atmcc1 characterized by overexpression of a GCN5-like histone acetylase (AtMCC1). A total of 150 genes showed differential expression in Atmcc1 PMCs as compared to the wild type. Histone hyperacetylation affected the transcription of genes belonging to categories such as the meiotic and mitotic cycle, the ubiquitinproteasome- system, and the chromatin structure. We also discuss the putative role of ASK1 and RAD51C upregulation in the meiotic defects observed in Atmcc1. PMCLMM experiments allowed identification of candidate AtMCC1 targets with known and potential function in meiosis, providing data for further investigation on plant meiosis.