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Aim The high incidence of virus-related infections and the large diffusion of drug-resistant pathogens stimulate the search and identification of new antiviral agents with a broad spectrum of action. Antivirals can be designed to act on a single target by interfering with a specific step in the viral lifecycle. On the contrary, antiviral peptides (AVPs) are known for acting on a wide range of viruses, with a diversified mechanism of action targeting virus and/or host cell. In the present study, we evaluated the antiviral potential of the peptide Hylin-a1 secreted by the frog Hypsiobas albopunctatus against members of the Herpesviridae family. Methods and Results The inhibitory capacity of the peptide was evaluated in vitro by plaque assays in order to understand the possible mechanism of action. The results were also confirmed by real-time PCR and Western blot evaluating the expression of viral genes. Hylin-a1 acts to block the herpetic infection interfering at the early stages of both herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 infection. Its mechanism is mainly directed on the membrane, probably by damaging the viral envelope. The same effect was also observed against HSV-1 strains resistant to acyclovir. Conclusions The data presented in this study, such as the increased activity of the peptide when combined to acyclovir, a weak hemolytic profile, an anti-inflammatory effect, and a tolerable half-life in serum, indicates Hylin-a1 as a novel antiherpetic molecule with promising potential in the clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) represents an important pathogen of clinical relevance, causing a wide variety of symptoms. The broad distribution of multidrug-resistant strains necessarily demands new antibacterial agents for the treatment of S. aureus infections. The aim of this study was to assess the antibacterial activity of plant-derived compounds, pure 4,5″-dihydroxy-anthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid (Rhein), against standard and clinical isolated S. aureus strains. The hemolysis and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were used to determine the cytotoxicity on human erythrocytes and bronchial epithelial cells after treatment with Rhein. The antibacterial effect was assessed via disk diffusion test, broth microdilution methods, time-killing assays and live–dead evaluation (50–0.39 µg/mL). Rhein effect on the hemolytic activity of α-toxin and catalase were estimated. Moreover, crystal violet (CV) assay evaluated its impact on biofilm biomass. The compound exhibited 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) and 50% hemolysis concentration (EC50) of 43.6 and >50 µg/mL, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Rhein was 12.5 µg/mL for all tested strains, exerting bacteriostatic action. MIC and sub-MIC concentrations of Rhein significantly reduced hemolytic and catalase activities, impairing the major virulence factors of S. aureus strains. Rhein also reduced biofilm biomass in a dose-dependent manner, reaching rates of about 50% eradication at a dose of 50 µg/mL. These findings suggest that Rhein could represent a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of S. aureus infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the educational research, most of studies considered the quality of students life, focusing on several variables (Soresi et al., 2012; Tomyn and Cummins, 2011). Despite of it, there isn't evidence about the adaptability to future career as a mediator between integration at school and students satisfaction. This paper contributes to literature in two ways: first it explores the role of career adaptability as a mediator, and this represents an innovative topic because the concept and the operationalization of the career adaptability are recently developed, secondly, it can enhance the knowledge about educational research on career adaptability. This knowledge can be used by teachers and practitioners to improve promotion and prevention focus as useful strategies in scholar retention. The aim of the study is to explore the mediating role of Career adaptability on the relationship between scholar and social integration and students satisfaction, which is considered a positive outcome related to learning achievement, scholar performance and educational progress. Participants were 407 students from public high schools in the South of Italy. Findings evidenced that Career Adaptability mediated the relationship between the social integration but not scholar integration, and students overall satisfaction. Implications for educational practice and limitations of the study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fidgety movements (FMs) are an early accurate marker for normal development.Aim: The study assessed the ontogeny of normal FMs from 4 to 20weeks post-term age (PTA).Study Design: Longitudinal prospective study of healthy full-term infants video recorded every second week from birth to 20weeks PTA.Subjects: 21 full-term newborns were enrolled.Outcome Measures: Temporal organization, amplitude, character, predominance in proximal and/or distal parts of the body and the presence of FMs in fingers and wrists were independently scored by three observers.Results: From 4 to 10weeks PTA, FMs were sporadic, becoming intermittent in 1-2weeks; they occurred in the proximal parts, with larger and jerkier movements in the following period. From 11 to 16weeks PTA FMs became smaller in amplitude and slower in speed, they were present in all body parts and were more continual than before. Rotational movements in wrists and ankles and finger movements with open hands appeared. From 17 to 20weeks PTA, FMs became more discontinuous and disappeared at 18-20weeks PTA.Conclusions: Developmental course of FMs was seen between 4 and 20weeks PTA with changes in temporal organization, amplitude, speed and body parts involved. The best time for scoring FMs is between 12 and 16weeks PTA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2010, the Cartolab Laboratory research team (Department of Human Studies, University of L'Aquila) has been investigating the social geography in the post-earthquake period through the analysis of the territorial changes and new sociospatial configurations occurred in the everyday life of the L'Aquila inhabitants. Accordingly, this paper aims to describe the principal results of researches concentrating on the use of leisure time and leisure places in the post-disaster period in L'Aquila. The paper uses an action-research/participating- participatory (RAPP) methodology. The paper presents the monitored changes occurred in leisure time and places, and compares them with the conditions before the earthquake. Primary data have been retrieved by surveys and interviews. Results indicate that acceleration of fragmentation and dispersion of inhabitants are the main characteristics of the new sociospatial configuration in the post-disaster period in L'Aquila.