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This report documents the implementation of drug discovery pipeline in the D4Science platform realised in the context of the EOSC-Pillar project. In particular, it documents the pipeline and its constituents. Moreover, it describes how this pipeline has been integrated into the D4Science platform and exploited to create a dedicated Virtual Research Environment facilitating its exploitation and promoting a collaborative oriented approach for screening activities.

This Editorial presents a new Special Issue dedicated to some old and new interdisciplinary areas of cooperation between engineering and surgery. The first two sections offer some food for thought, in terms of a brief introductory and general review of the past, present, future and visionary perspectives of the synergy between engineering and surgery. The last section presents a very short and reasoned review of the contributions that have been included in the present Special Issue. Given the vastness of the topic that this Special Issue deals with, we hope that our effort may have offered a stimulus, albeit small, to the development of cooperation between engineering and surgery.

Minimally invasive adrenalectomy is the treatment of choice for benign adrenal lesions including pheocromocytoma (PHE) and in selected patients with malignant lesions. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the authors' results after laparoscopic left anterior transperitoneal submesocolic adrenalectomy (LLATSA) for unilateral PHE.This study is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. From 1994 to 2018, 552 patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA). Of these, 34 patients (14 men, 20 women, mean age 52.8 years) underwent LLATSA for PHE.Mean operative time was 93.1 ± 44.9 minutes. Conversion to open surgery occurred in two patients due to difficult identification of the anatomy. Intraoperative blood pressure and heart rate instability were observed in four cases, but with no need for conversion. Postoperative morbidity was nil. One American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) III patient died on postoperative day 4 from acute myocardial infarction. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.8 ± 1.8 days (range 2 - 8).The main advantage of this approach is the early ligation of the main adrenal vein prior to any gland manipulation. This reduces the risk of catecholamines' spread and consequently the risk of hemodynamic instability. Intraperitoneal dissection is limited and there is no need to mobilize the colon or pancreas, with a lower risk of complications from organ manipulation.LLATSA is feasible and safe for the treatment of PHE. A randomized trial design and a larger cohort of patients would be required to confirm these conclusions.Adrenal tumors, Adrenal lesions, Laparoscopic adrenalectomy, Pheochromocytoma, Transperitoneal anterior approach, Laparoscopic left anterior transperitoneal submesocolic adrenalectomy (LLATSA).L'adrenalectomia mini-invasiva è il trattamento di scelta per le lesioni surrenaliche benigne incluso il feocromocitoma (PHE) e in pazienti selezionati con lesioni maligne. Lo scopo del presente studio è quello di valutare i risultati degli autori dopo la surrenalectomia sottomesocolica transperitoneale anteriore sinistra (SSTAS) per il PHE unilaterale.Questo studio è un’analisi retrospettiva di dati raccolti in modo prospettico. Dal 1994 al 2018, 552 pazienti sono stati sottoposti a surrenalectomia laparoscopica (SL). Di questi, 34 pazienti (14 uomini, 20 donne, età media 52.8 anni) sono stati sottoposti a SSTAS per PHE.Il tempo operativo medio è stato di 93.1 ± 44.9 minuti. La conversione a chirurgia aperta si è verificata in due pazienti a causa della difficile identificazione dell’anatomia. La pressione sanguigna intraoperatoria e l’instabilità della frequenza cardiaca sono state osservate in quattro pazienti, ma senza necessità di conversione. Non sono state osservate complicanze postoperatorie. Un paziente American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) III è deceduto in quarta giornata postoperatoria per infarto acuto del miocardico. La degenza postoperatoria media è stata di 3.8 ± 1.8 giorni (range 2 - 8).Il principale vantaggio di questo approccio è la legatura precoce della vena surrenalica principale prima di qualsiasi manipolazione della ghiandola. Ciò riduce il rischio di diffusione delle catecolamine e di conseguenza il rischio di instabilità emodinamica. La dissezione intraperitoneale è limitata e non è necessario mobilizzare il colon o il pancreas, con un minor rischio di complicazioni dovute alla manipolazione di organi.SSTAS è fattibile e sicuro per il trattamento del PHE. Per confermare queste conclusioni è necessario uno studio randomizzato controllato e una coorte di pazienti più ampia.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is mainly caused by the mutation F508del of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) that is thus retained in the endoplasmic reticulum and degraded. New drugs able to rescue F508del-CFTR trafficking and activity are eagerly awaited, a goal that requires the availability of computational and experimental models closely resembling the F508del-CFTR structure and environment in vivo. Here we describe the development of a biosensor based on F508del-CFTR in a lipid environment that proved to be endowed with a wider analytical potential in respect to the previous CFTR-based biosensors. Integrated with an appropriate computational model of the whole human F508del-CFTR in lipid environment and CFTR stability and functional assays, the new biosensor allowed the identification and characterization at the molecular level of the binding modes of some known F508del-CFTR-rescuing drugs and of a new aminoarylthiazole-Lumacaftor/Tezacaftor hybrid derivative endowed with promising F508del-CFTR-binding and rescuing activity.

Low Rectal Anterior Resection (LAR) is challenging when anal canal mucosa and/or internal sphincter are involved by very low tumors. In these cases, Intersphincteric resection (ISR) with the removal of the internal sphincter is designed to increase the distal margin of resection, thus preserving the external sphincter and pubo-rectalis muscle complex. Aim is to compare results after ISR with those of LAR, including subgroup analysis of open, laparoscopic and robotic ISR.Studies published from January 1991 to January 2017 describing ISR and comparing results with LAR in adults were included irrespective of the technique. Tumor and surgical characteristics, clinical, functional and oncological results were collected.25 non-randomized studies were included. Postoperative mortality ranged between 0% and 2.3%. The hospital stay ranged from 5 days to 40 days, lower in robotic ISR group if compared with laparoscopic ISR. Patients avoiding permanent stoma with ISR accept a lower continence level as satisfactory. Furthermore, anorectal function after ISR often tends to improve. ISR and LAR presented not statistically significant differences. Oncological outcomes were not statistically different Morbidity, blood loss and need for blood transfusions were lower in the laparoscopic ISR if compared with open approach.Morbidity could more frequently affect open ISR if compared with laparoscopic ISR. Functional outcomes were influenced by neoadjuvant CRT, but not by the surgical approach of reconstruction, while were positively influenced by partial ISR with respect to total ISR.

Background: HIV-1 p17 binds heparin and heparan sulfate proteoglycans of the cell surface. Results: Heparin/p17interactionoccursthroughheparinsulfategroupsandalinearbasicmotifofp17Nterminus,alsoinvolved in p17/CXCR1 interaction. Conclusion: Targeting the basic motif inhibits p17-receptors interaction and consequent biological activities. Significance: Heparin-like molecules represent template for the development of new treatments of p17-dependent/AIDS- associated pathologies.

Phosphodiesterase 11 (PDE11) is the latest isoform of the PDEs family to be identified, acting on both cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate. The initial reports of PDE11 found evidence for PDE11 expression in skeletal muscle, prostate, testis, and salivary glands; however, the tissue distribution of PDE11 still remains a topic of active study and some controversy. Given the sequence similarity between PDE11 and PDE5, several PDE5 inhibitors have been shown to cross-react with PDE11. Accordingly, many non-selective inhibitors, such as IBMX, zaprinast, sildenafil, and dipyridamole, have been documented to inhibit PDE11. Only recently, a series of dihydrothieno[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one derivatives proved to be selective toward the PDE11 isoform. In the absence of experimental data about PDE11 X-ray structures, we found interesting to gain a better understanding of the enzyme-inhibitor interactions using in silico simulations. In this work, we describe a computational approach based on homology modeling, docking, and molecular dynamics simulation to derive a predictive 3D model of PDE11. Using a Graphical Processing Unit architecture, it is possible to perform long simulations in reasonable time, find stable interactions involved in the complex, and finally to suggest guideline for the identification and synthesis of potent and selective inhibitors.

Colon cancer is one of the most common neoplastic diseases, with onset in old age; the benefits of the ERAS protocol were evaluated in the peri-operative treatment of patients affected by this neoplasm.We studied 90 cases of colorectal neoplasia observed at the General Surgery UOC of the San Camillo de Lellis Hospital between September 2014 and April 2016, undergoing laparoscopic surgery and to which the ERAS protocol was applied; key points were the preoperative oral feeding, the epidural anesthesia, the reduced or failed hydro-electrolytic overload, the early mobilization and recovery of the feeding, the non-use of drainage. The most important parameers considered were the reduced duration of the operating hospital stay, the lower occurrence of early and distant complications.85 surgical procedures were performed with laparoscopic technique (94.4%) and 5 with traditional open technique (5.6%). The conversion rate was 5.8% (5/85). 29 surgical procedures of right hemicolectomy (32.2%) and 26 of anterior resection of the rectum (28.9%) were performed; in another 29 patients (32.2%) an intervention with an open traditional technique was performed. A balanced anesthesia was performed in 41 patients (45.6%); epidural anesthesia in 32 cases (35.6%); the Tap Block in 17 subjects (18.9%). The average volume of liquid infusion was 1664cc ± 714; the average post-operative hospital stay of 4.3 ± 0.9 days.The ERAS protocol reduces the duration of the post-operative hospitalization, involves a lower incidence of precocious and remote complications, in particular if associated with a minimally invasive surgical method; it is easily applicable and reproducible in a hospital environment, with a marked reduction in healthcare management costs.

In this paper we present SysBio-Gateway, a framework of standard solution for data integration in bioinformatics and Systems Biology. In the context of several research projects, we developed a set of databases and related web interfaces to cover many levels of the biological system complexity. Furthermore several analysis tools have been developed and integrated in the web resources in order to cope with problems of data integration and mining in a systems perspective. The SysBio-Gateway, freely accessible at the URL http://www.itb.cnr.it/sysbio-gateway, offers access to all the presented resources, which concerns different levels of organization of biological living systems, from genes to organs, passing through proteins, protein families, cellular processes, tissues, and pathologies.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours (GIST) are the most frequent mesenchymal tumour of the alimentary tract. Their prognosis is largely variable as are their size, mitotic rate and site, the stomach being mostly affected. Several risk classifications have been proposed: two developed by the NIH, one proposed by the AFIP and one presented by the AJCC in 2010. The objective of this study is to compare the accuracy of the three prognostic models (AJCC, NIH and AFIP) with regard to survival after surgery, also based on the different surgical approaches.A retrospective review of all cases of gastric GIST's performed at the General and Breast Surgery Unit of the Department of General Surgery the University of Catania and at the "Gemelli" General Surgery Unit of Taormina Hospital, Italy between 2001 and 2016 was conducted. The cases were reviewed and re- classified according to the three prognostic models. Analysis of data, including Kaplan-Meyer survival curves, was performed using SPSS version 21.0.Among a total of 1,625 gastrectomies and gastric resections were found 25 primary GIST's patients, 13 females, and 12 males, with a mean age 63 years. Cancer size varied between 1.5 cm and 37 cm and number of mitosis between 2 and 50/50 HPF. A total of 12 (48%) underwent sub-total gastrectomy (STG), seven (28%) underwent a wedge resection (WR), and 6 (12%) total Gastrectomy (TG). Twenty-three patients (92%) are currently alive at a follow up of 18 months to 17 years, and only two patients died during the long term follow-up. Both patients were AFIP high risk (6b), AJCC stage IV, already metastatic at the time of surgery. Both patients underwent total extended gastrectomy and therapy with imatinib, but died 8 and 9 years after surgery. Recurrences have been observed in 2 patients (8%), with high risk according to AFIP (6a) with AJCC stage IIIa disease.In localized GISTs R0 surgical resection is the standard therapy as it leads to excellent outcomes. Our findings suggest that all the three classifications considered are adequate to achieve a correct prognostic evaluation.GIST, Prognostic factors, Prognostic models.I tumori stromali gastrointestinali (GIST) sono i tumori mesenchimali più frequenti del tubo digerente. La loro prognosi è estremamente variabile così come le loro dimensioni, il tasso mitotico e la sede anche se lo stomaco è l’organo interessato più frequentemente. Sono state proposte diverse classificazioni del rischio: due sviluppate dal National Institute of Health (NIH), una proposta dall’ Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), ed una classificazione aggiuntiva presentata dall’AJCC nel 2010. L’obiettivo di questo studio è confrontare l’accuratezza dei tre modelli prognostici (AJCC, NIH e AFIP) per quanto riguarda la sopravvivenza dopo l’intervento chirurgico, anche in base ai diversi approcci chirurgici.È stata eseguita una revisione retrospettiva di tutti i casi di GIST gastrico trattati presso l’Unità Operativa di Chirurgia generale e Senologia del Dipartimento di Chirurgia Generale dell’Ospedale dell’Università di Catania e presso l’Unità di Chirurgia Generale “Gemelli” dell’Ospedale di Taormina, Italia, tra il 2001 e il 2016. I casi sono stati rivisti e ri-classificati in base ai tre modelli prognostici. L’analisi dei dati, incluse le curve di sopravvivenza di Kaplan-Meyer, è stata eseguita utilizzando la versione 21.0 di SPSS (Pacchetto statistico per le scienze sociali).Tra il 2001 e il 2016 sono state eseguite in totale 1.625 gastrectomie e resezioni gastriche. Fra questi sono stati identificati 25 pazienti portatori di GIST, 13 femmine e 12 maschi, con un’età media di 63 anni. Sono stati esclusi i pazienti portatori di altre neoplasie che potevano condizionarne la prognosi o già operati per GIST e venuti a all’osservazione per metastasi da GIST. Le dimensioni del tumore variavano tra 1,5 cm e 37 cm e il numero di mitosi tra 2 e 50/50 HPF. In totale 12 (48%) pazienti sono stati sottoposti a gastrectomia sub-totale (STG), uno dei quali con splenectomia e pancreatectomia distale. Sette pazienti (28%) sono stati sottoposti a resezione a cuneo (WR) e 6 (12%) a Gastrectomia totale (TG). Ventitre pazienti (92%) sono attualmente vivi ad un follow up da 18 mesi a 17 anni e solo due pazienti sono morti durante il follow-up a lungo termine. Entrambi i pazienti erano AFIP alto rischio (6b), stadio IV AJCC, già metastatico al momento dell’intervento. Entrambi questi pazienti hanno subito una gastrectomia totale estesa e terapia con imatinib, ma sono deceduti rispettivamente 8 e 9 anni dopo la chirurgia. Le recidive sono state osservate in 2 pazienti (8%), ad alto rischio secondo AFIP (6a) con malattia in stadio IIIa AJCC.Nei GIST localizzati la resezione chirurgica è la terapia standard in quanto conduce ai migliori risultati in termini di sopravvivenza totale e libera da malattia. I nostri risultati suggeriscono che tutte e tre le classificazioni considerate sono adeguate per raggiungere una corretta valutazione prognostica.

Aim of this study was to report the authors' experience with the anterior transperitoneal approach, and with an anterior submesocolic approach in case of left sided lesions.From January 1994 to January 2011, 122 males and 170 females with a mean age of 50.7 years (range: 19-84) underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) at 2 centers in Ancona and Rome (Italy) (that follow the same protocol). Fifteen patients underwent bilateral LA, the anterior transperitoneal approach was used in 233 cases (79.8%) and the anterior submesocolic in 59 (20.2%). One hundred and two patients had Conn's syndrome, 51 miscellaneous lesions, 55 Cushing's syndrome, 47 incidentalomas, 46 pheochromocytoma, 2 metastatic masses, 2 myelolipomas and 2 adrenogenital syndromes. The lesions had a mean diameter of 3.24 cm (range: 0.5-10).Mean operating time was 120 minutes (range: 30-390). Conversion to open surgery was required in 13 cases (4,45%). Blood pressure and heart rate were stable during the operation. There were 5 major complications. Mobilization and resumption of diet occurred on the first postoperative day. Mean hospital stay was 4.32 days (range: 2-30).Early identification and ligature of the adrenal vein, with minimal gland manipulation, are the major advantages, especially in case of pheochromocytoma.Adrenal masses can be successfully treated using a laparoscopic transperitoneal anterior approach, in presence of a suitable anesthesiological and surgical team's experience.Adrenal tumors, Laparoscopic adrenalectomy, Pheochromocytoma.

In this paper comparative genome and phenotype microarray analyses of Rhodococcus sp. BCP1 and Rhodococcus opacus R7 were performed. Rhodococcus sp. BCP1 was selected for its ability to grow on short-chain n-alkanes and R. opacus R7 was isolated for its ability to grow on naphthalene and on o-xylene. Results of genome comparison, includ- ing BCP1, R7, along with other Rhodococcus reference strains, showed that at least 30% of the genome of each strain presented unique sequences and only 50% of the predicted proteome was shared. To associate genomic features with metabolic capabilities of BCP1 and R7 strains, hundreds of different growth conditions were tested through Phenotype Microarray, by using Biolog plates and plates manually prepared with additional xenobiotic compounds. Around one-third of the surveyed carbon sources was utilized by both strains although R7 generally showed higher metabolic activity values compared to BCP1. More- over, R7 showed broader range of nitrogen and sulphur sources. Phenotype Microarray data were combined with genomic analysis to genetically support the metabolic features of the two strains. The genome analysis allowed to identify some gene clusters involved in the metabolism of the main tested xenobiotic compounds. Results show that R7 contains multi- ple genes for the degradation of a large set of aromatic and PAHs compounds, while a lower variability in terms of genes predicted to be involved in aromatic degradation was found in BCP1. This genetic feature can be related to the strong genetic pressure exerted by the two different environment from which the two strains were isolated. According to this, in the BCP1 genome the smo gene cluster involved in the short-chain n-alkanes degradation, is included in one of the unique regions and it is not conserved in the Rhodo- coccus strains compared in this work. Data obtained underline the great potential of these two Rhodococcus spp. strains for biodegradation and environmental decontamination processes.

A feasibility study on micromanipulation performed by a novel, multihinge microgripper with high mechanical dexterity and complex in-plane motion is herein presented. Thanks to design concepts based on selective flexibility, the device is highly compact and easy to be manufactured by means of MEMS technologies. In the presented experimental test case, the microgripper was immersed in a complex mixture, made of saline solution with floating agarosebasedmicrobeads as target objects; direct contact tests were carried out viamicroscope observation of the jaw-tips operational window. The results highlight the function capability of clamping objects of tens of microns in size, encouraging further developments toward the manipulation of actual cells.

Rhodococcus sp. strain BCP1 (DSM 44980) co-metabolizes chlorinated compounds and mineralizes a broad range of alkanes being highly tolerant to these toxic chemicals. Here, we present the high-quality draft genome sequence of strain BCP1 consisting of 6,231,823 bp, with a G+C content of 70.4%, 5,902 protein-coding genes, and 58 RNAs genes. Rhodococcus genus comprises Gram-positive, non-sporulating, aerobic bacteria that are widely distributed in the environment (1). Rhodococcus sp. strain BCP1 (formerly: Rhodococcus aetherovorans strain BCP1, DSM 44980) was selected from an aerobic butane-utilizing consortium as the prevailing isolate able to co-metabolize chloroform, vinyl chloride and trichloroethylene (2, 3). As BCP1 also catabolizes a wide range of aliphatic, alicyclic and carboxylated alkanes, it represents a strain of considerable environmental and industrial interest (4). The genome sequencing of Rhodococcus sp. BCP1 was performed using 454 sequencing technology (Roche GS FLX Titanium). The total number of sequence reads were 668,686 from one shotgun library and 353,744 from one paired-end library (8-kb inserts). All the reads were assembled using Newbler 2.6 into 123 contigs with an N50 length of 237,787 bp and an average genome coverage of 65x. Based on paired-end directional information, the contigs were further ordered into 3 scaffolds, giving a total genome size of 6.2 Mb with a G+C content of 70.4%.

Background A difficulty score for laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) is lacking in the literature. A retrospective cohort study was designed to develop a preoperative “difficulty score” for LA. Methods A multicenter study was conducted involving four Italian tertiary centers for adrenal disease. The population was randomly divided into two subsets: training group and validation one. A multicenter study was undertaken, including 964 patients. Patient, adrenal lesion, surgeon’s characteristics, and the type of procedure were studied as potential predictors of target events. The operative time (pOT), conversion rate (cLA), or both were used as indicators of the difficulty in three multivariate models. All models were developed in a training cohort (70% of the sample) and validated using 30% of patients. For all models, the ability to predict complicated postoperative course was reported describing the area under the curve (AUCs). Logistic regression, reporting odds ratio (OR) with p-value, was used. Results In model A, gender (OR 2.04, p = 0.001), BMI (OR 1.07, p = 0.002), previous surgery (OR 1.29, p = 0.048), site (OR 21.8, p p = 0.002), cumulative sum of procedures (OR 0.99, p p p = 0.015) increased the pOT. In model B, ASA (OR 2.86, p = 0.001), lesion size (OR 1.20, p = 0.005), and extended resection (OR 8.85, p = 0.007) increased the cLA risk. Model C had similar results to model A. All scores obtained predicted the target events in validation cohort (OR 1.99, p p = 0.007; OR 1.70, p Conclusion A difficulty score based on both pOT and cLA (Model C) was developed using 70% of the sample. The score was validated using a second cohort. Finally, the score was tested, and its results are able to predict a complicated postoperative course.

This work offers a new alternative tool for atherectomy operations, with the purpose of minimizing the risks for the patients and maximizing the number of clinical cases for which the system can be used, thanks to the possibility of scaling its size down to lumen reduced to a few tenths of mm. The development of this microsystem has presented a certain theoretical work during the kinematic synthesis and the design stages. In the first stage a new multi-loop mechanism with a Stephenson’s kinematic chain (KC) was found and then adopted as the so-called pseudo-rigid body mechanism (PRBM). Analytical modeling was necessary to verify the synthesis requirements. In the second stage, the joint replacement method was applied to the PRBM to obtain a corresponding and equivalent compliant mechanism with lumped compliance. The latter presents two loops and six elastic joints and so the evaluation of the microsystem mechanical advantage (MA) had to be calculated by taking into account the accumulation of elastic energy in the elastic joints. Hence, a new closed form expression of the microsystem MA was found with a method that presents some new aspects in the approach. The results obtained with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) were compared to those obtained with the analytical model. Finally, it is worth noting that a microsystem prototype can be fabricated by using MEMS Technology classical methods, while the microsystem packaging could be a further development for the present investigation.

Background Bacteria belonging to the Rhodococcus genus play an important role in the degradation of many contaminants, including methylbenzenes. These bacteria, widely distributed in the environment, are known to be a powerhouse of numerous degradation functions, due to their ability to metabolize a wide range of organic molecules including aliphatic, aromatic, polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs), phenols, and nitriles. In accordance with their immense catabolic diversity, Rhodococcus spp. possess large and complex genomes, which contain a multiplicity of catabolic genes, a high genetic redundancy of biosynthetic pathways and a sophisticated regulatory network. The present study aimed to identify genes involved in the o-xylene degradation in R. opacus strain R7 through a genome-based approach. Results Using genome-based analysis we identified all the sequences in the R7 genome annotated as dioxygenases or monooxygenases/hydroxylases and clustered them into two different trees. The akb, phe and prm sequences were selected as genes encoding respectively for dioxygenases, phenol hydroxylases and monooxygenases and their putative involvement in o-xylene oxidation was evaluated. The involvement of the akb genes in o-xylene oxidation was demonstrated by RT-PCR/qPCR experiments after growth on o-xylene and by the selection of the R7–50 leaky mutant. Although the akb genes are specifically activated for o-xylene degradation, metabolic intermediates of the pathway suggested potential alternative oxidation steps, possibly through monooxygenation. This led us to further investigate the role of the prm and the phe genes. Results showed that these genes were transcribed in a constitutive manner, and that the activity of the Prm monooxygenase was able to transform o-xylene slowly in intermediates as 3,4-dimethylphenol and 2-methylbenzylalcohol. Moreover, the expression level of phe genes, homologous to the phe genes of Rhodococcus spp. 1CP and UPV-1 with a 90% identity, could explain their role in the further oxidation of o-xylene and R7 growth on dimethylphenols. Conclusions These results suggest that R7 strain is able to degrade o-xylene by the Akb dioxygenase system leading to the production of the corresponding dihydrodiol. Likewise, the redundancy of sequences encoding for several monooxygenases/phenol hydroxylases, supports the involvement of other oxygenases converging in the o-xylene degradation pathway in R7 strain. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-4965-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background: To analyze long-term results and risk of relapse in the clinical TNM stages II and III, mid-low rectal cancer patients (RC pts), treated with transanal local excision (LE) after major response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation (n-CRT). Methods: Thirty-two out of 345 extraperitoneal cT3–4 or N+ RC pts (9.3%) underwent LE. Inclusion criteria: extraperitoneal RC, adenocarcinoma, ECOG Performance Status ≤2. Pts with distant metastases were excluded. Results: All pts showed histologically clear margins of resection and 81.2% were restaged ypT0/mic/1. Nine out of 32 (28.1%) pts relapsed: 7 (21.8%) showed a local recurrence, of which 5 (15.6%) at the endorectal suture, 1 (3.1%) pelvic and 1 (3.1%) mesorectal. Two pts (6.2%) relapsed distantly. Among the pT0/1, 11.5% relapsed vs 100% of the pT2 and pT4 ones. The six pts relapsing locally or in the mesorectal fat underwent a salvage total mesorectal excision surgery. The old patient with pelvic recurrence relapsed after 108 months and underwent a re-irradiation; the two pts with distant metastases were treated with chemotherapy followed by radical surgery. Conclusions: Presently combined approach seems a valid option in major responders, confirming its potential curative impact in the ypT0/mic/1 pts. A strict selection of pts is basic to obtain favourable results.

The micromanipulation of micro objects is nowadays the focus of several investigations, specially in biomedical applications. Therefore, some manipulation tasks are required to be in aqueous environment and become more challenging because they depend upon observation and actuation methods that are compatible with MEMS Technology based micromanipulators. This paper describes how three grasping-releasing based tasks have been successfully applied to agarose micro beads whose average size is about 60 &mu, m: (i) the extraction of a single micro bead from a water drop, (ii) the insertion of a single micro bead into the drop, (iii) the grasping of a single micro bead inside the drop. The success of the performed tasks rely on the use of a microgripper previously designed, fabricated, and tested.

Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS)-Technology based micro mechanisms usually operate within a protected or encapsulated space and, before that, they are fabricated and analyzed within one Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) vacuum specimen chamber. However, a surgical scenario is much more aggressive and requires several higher abilities in the microsystem, such as the capability of operating within a liquid or wet environment, accuracy, reliability and sophisticated packaging. Unfortunately, testing and characterizing MEMS experimentally without fundamental support of a SEM is rather challenging. This paper shows that in spite of large difficulties due to well-known physical limits, the optical microscope is still able to play an important role in MEMS characterization at room conditions. This outcome is supported by the statistical analysis of two series of measurements, obtained by a light trinocular microscope and a profilometer, respectively.

In the present study, the response of Rhodococcus aetherivorans BCP1 and Rhodococcus opacus R7 to various stress conditions and several antimicrobials was examined by PM in relation with genetic determinants, as revealed by annotation analysis of the two genomes. Comparison between metabolic activities and genetic features of BCP1 and R7 provided new insight into the environmental persistence of these two members of the genus Rhodococcus. (C) 2016 Institut Pasteur. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Rhodococcus opacus strain R7 (CIP107348) degrades several mono- and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Here, we present the high-quality draft genome sequence of strain R7, consisting of 10,118,052 bp, with a G+C content of 67.0%, 9,602 protein-coding genes, and 62 RNAs genes.