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Encapsulation is a valuable strategy to protect and deliver anthocyanins (ACNs), phenolic compounds with outstanding antioxidant capacity but limited stability. In this study, coacervation was used to encapsulate an ACN-rich red cabbage extract (RCE). Two agri-food by-product polymers, whey protein isolate (WPI) and apple high-methoxyl pectin (HMP), were blended at pH 4.0 in a specific ratio to induce the formation of nanoparticles (NPs). The process optimisation yielded a monodispersed population (PDI < 0.200) of negatively charged (−17 mV) NPs with an average diameter of 380 nm. RCE concentration influenced size, charge, and antioxidant capacity in a dose-dependent manner. NPs were also sensitive to pH increases from 4 to 7, showing a progressive breakdown. The encapsulation efficiency was 30%, with the retention of ACNs within the polymeric matrix being influenced by their chemical structure: diacylated and/or C3-triglucoside forms were more efficiently encapsulated than monoacylated C3-diglucosides. In conclusion, we report a promising, simple, and sustainable method to produce monodispersed NPs for ACN encapsulation and delivery. Evidence of differential binding of ACNs to NPs, dependent on specific acylation/glycosylation patterns, indicates that care must be taken in the choice of the appropriate NP formulation for the encapsulation of phenolic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Description of transplacental passage of specific SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG from mothers who contracted natural infection to their newborns. Retrospective cohort analysis including pregnant women diagnosed with SARS‐CoV‐2 and their newborns both tested for SARS‐CoV‐2 specific IgG and IgM with antibody titration at delivery. Nasopharyngeal swab were taken from both mothers and neonates, and tested for SARS‐CoV‐2 using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). IgM and IgG were analyzed in maternal and neonatal serum of 143 mother−infant dyads. 86% of women with a positive SARS‐CoV‐2 PCR >14 days before delivery developed specific IgG and 84% of their infants showed transplacental passage of IgG. Pregnant women infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 achieve antibody seroconversion following the kinetics described in the general population, and transplacental transfer of IgG specific antibodies occurs. No conclusion can be drawn on passive immunity efficacy or duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is an autosomal codominant genetic condition that affects Caucasians of the European population due to the presence of a deficient allele of the SERPINA1 gene. A frequency of about 1/5,000 individuals has been estimated in Italy. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the distribution of the clinical manifestations of severe and intermediate genetic AATD in the geographic area around Parma in Northern Italy. Method: 238 subjects were submitted to molecular analysis of the SERPINA1 gene, and data on anthropometric variables, smoking habits, number of packs per year, AAT serum concentration, and clinical manifestations were recorded and presented as mean ± SD or median values (1st quartile; 3rd quartile). Results: The results show a distribution of genetic AATD of 4.1% of the screened population in the area encompassing the city of Parma. PI*MS and PI*MZ were the most common genotypes at 40.9% and 28.2% of the population with genetic AATD, and asthma and emphysema were the most represented clinical manifestations. Conclusion: Our study allowed to increase the knowledge of the distribution of genetic AATD in Northern Italy providing information regarding frequencies of genotypes and clinical manifestations of the disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity represents one of the wellness diseases concurring to increase the incidence of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. One of the main perpetuating factors of obesity is food craving, which is characterized by an urgent desire to eat a large and various amount of food, regardless of calories requirement or satiety signals, and it might be addressed to the alteration of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activity. Despite most of the gold-standard therapies focus on symptom treatment only, non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) could help treat overeating by modulating specific neural pathways. The current systematic review was conducted to identify whether convergent evidence supporting the usefulness of tDCS to deal with food craving are present in the literature. The review was conducted by searching articles published up to January 1st 2022 on MEDLINE, Scopus and PsycInfo databases. We included studies investigating the effects of tDCS on food craving in subjects affected by overweight and obesity. According to eligibility criteria, 5 articles were included. Results showed that tDCS targeting left DLPFC with unipolar montage induced ameliorating effects on food craving. Controversial results were shown for the other studies, that might be ascribable to the use of bipolar montage, and the choice of other target areas. Further investigations including expectancy effect control, larger sample sizes and follow-up are needed to support more robust conclusions. To conclude, tDCS combined with the use of psychoeducative intervention, diet and physical activity, might represents a potential to manage food craving in individuals with overweight and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sex differences have been demonstrated in the acute phase of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Women (F) were found to be less prone to develop a severe disease than men (M), but few studies have assessed sex-differences in Long-COVID-19 syndrome. Methods: The aim of this prospective/retrospective study was to characterize the long-term consequences of this infection based on sex. For this purpose, we enrolled 223 patients (89 F and 134 M) who were infected by SARS-CoV-2. In the acute phase of the illness, F reported the following symptoms more frequently than M: weakness, dysgeusia, anosmia, thoracic pain, palpitations, diarrhea, and myalgia—all without significant differences in breathlessness, cough, and sleep disturbance. Results: After a mean follow-up time of 5 months after the acute phase, F were significantly more likely than M to report dyspnea, weakness, thoracic pain, palpitations, and sleep disturbance but not myalgia and cough. At the multivariate logistic regression, women were statistically significantly likely to experience persistent symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, chest pain, and palpitations. On the contrary, myalgia, cough, and sleep disturbance were not influenced by sex. Conclusion: We demonstrated that F were more symptomatic than M not only in the acute phase but also at follow-up. Sex was found to be an important determinant of Long-COVID-19 syndrome because it is a significant predictor of persistent symptoms in F, such as dyspnea, fatigue, chest pain, and palpitations. Our results suggest the need for long-term follow-up of these patients from a sex perspective to implement early preventive and personalized therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alpha‐1 antitrypsin deficiency is an autosomal, codominant disorder caused by mutations of the SERPINA1 gene. Several mutations of SERPINA1 have been described associated with the development of pulmonary emphysema and/or chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Here, we report a very rare PI*Q0parma variant identified for the first time in an Italian family originally from the city of Parma in Northern Italy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumption of raw seafood, generally considered to be a healthy food, has greatly increased worldwide. Pathogens of fish can cause foodborne illnesses in humans, especially following the consumption of raw seafood from contaminated water. Foodborne illness in pregnant women is seldom the cause of neonatal infection, but, as in the reported cases, it has been associated with a high degree of morbidity and mortality. We present the case of a newborn with septicemia and meningitis caused by Plesiomonas shigelloides acquired via the transplacental route. There was a maternal history of ingestion of raw seafood 1 week prior to delivery. A few similar cases are described in the existing literature, which reports 7 neonatal deaths. Therefore, the primary objective of this paper is to highlight the fact that the popularity of raw seafood such as sushi, sashimi, and oysters, requires an improvement in dietary advice regarding unsafe choices in pregnancy in order to avoid preventable foodborne diseases, sometimes fatal for the newborn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The presence of interstitial pneumonia in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, as diagnosed through laboratory, functional, and radiological data, provides potential predicting factors of pulmonary sequelae. Objectives: The objectives were the creation of a risk assessment score for pulmonary sequelae at high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) through the assessment of laboratory data, lung function, and radiological changes in patients after the onset of COVID-19 interstitial pneumonia and the identification of predictive factors. Methods: We enrolled 121 subjects hospitalized due to COVID-19 pneumonia in our study. Clinical features, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score, HRCT score, and blood chemistry data at hospital admission, as well as HRCT score, pulmonary function testing values, exercise capacity by means of a 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and dyspnea perception by the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) at 4-month follow-up, were all recorded. The variables were elaborated in order to create a predictive model to identify patients at high risk of pulmonary sequelae at HRCT. Results: At the time of follow-up visit, 63% of patients had functional abnormality (diffusion lung capacity and/or total lung capacity <80% of predicted). Age, BMI, CCI, D-dimer, 6MWT, and mMRC were included in the COVID-19 Sequelae Score (COSeSco, ranging 0–15), which was able to individuate COVID-19 patients with radiologic sequelae (HRCT score >10%) at follow-up. The most revelatory COSeSco value that was found to intercept the highest sensitivity (100%) and specificity (77%) was 2. Conclusion: The COSeSco – comprising age, BMI, comorbidities, D-dimer, walking distance, and dyspnea perception – makes it possible to identify particularly at-risk COVID-19 patients who are likely to develop pulmonary sequelae assessed by HRCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pâté is a by‐product of virgin olive oil production presenting a high phenolic content and beneficial health effects. This research aims to evaluate the storage stability of phenolic compounds of pâté and a coated formulation, and to verify the bioaccessibility of the phenolic compounds. An accelerated shelf‐life test at 40 °C/75% relative humidity was carried out for 75 days. Different combinations of degradative and hydrolytic reactions impacted the results. Indeed, at the end of the storage period, 84% of phenols was recovered in pâté with free tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol showing an increase due to secoiridoids hydrolysis. The total phenolic content of coated pâté did not significantly decrease, showing a higher increment of free tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol. Simulated digestion led to the liberation of 15% of phenols by both samples. In conclusion, the coating process improved the stability of pâté phenolic compounds without affecting their bioaccessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Red cabbage (RC) anthocyanins (ACNs) degradation followed 1st order kinetics. • Acylation is not always correlated with higher stability of ACNs. • The presence of sinapic acid in acylation pattern negatively affects ACNs stability. • The glycosylation of HCA increases the stability of ACNs. • The radical-scavenging capacity of HCAs negatively influences ACNs stability. Red cabbage (RC) represents a source of anthocyanins acylated with hydroxycinnamic acids (HCA) that are described to enhance their stability. Nevertheless, data about their thermal degradation are still controversial. Our aim was to comprehensively analyse the degradation kinetics of individual RC anthocyanins in a model aqueous extract treated at 40 °C × 30 days to simulate severe but realistic storage conditions. Free anthocyanins and radical-scavenging capacity showed different kinetics. The results confirm the high stability of RC anthocyanins (t 1/2 : 16.4–18.4 days), although HPLC analyses of each molecule displayed distinct kinetics with t 1/2 from 12.6 to 35.1 days. In particular, the sinapoyl acylation negatively affected the stability of the anthocyanins, while the forms monoacylated with glycosyl p -coumaric and ferulic acids exhibited higher stability. In conclusion, our results indicate that acylation is not a prerogative of stability, as this is instead more dependent on specific acylation patterns and the glycosylation of HCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: The recent introduction of edible insects in Western countries has raised concerns about their safety in terms of allergenic reactions. The characterization of insect allergens, the sensitization and cross-reactivity mechanisms, and the effects of food processing represent crucial information for risk assessment. Recent Findings: Allergic reactions to different insects and cross-reactivity with crustacean and inhalant allergens have been described, with the identification of new IgE-binding proteins besides well-known pan-allergens. Depending on the route of sensitization, different potential allergens seem to be involved. Food processing may affect the solubility and the immunoreactivity of insect allergens, with results depending on species and type of proteins. Chemical/enzymatic hydrolysis, in some cases, abolishes immunoreactivity. Summary: More studies based on subjects with a confirmed insect allergy are necessary to identify major and minor allergens and the role of the route of sensitization. The effects of processing need to be further investigated to assess the risk associated with the ingestion of insect-containing food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a hereditary disorder involving lungs, characterized by low serum concentration of the protein alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) also called proteinase inhibitor (PI). Asthma is common in AATD patients, but there are only few data on respiratory function in asthmatic patients with AATD. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate lung function in asthmatic outpatients with mutation in the SERPINA1 gene coding for AAT versus asthmatic subjects without mutation. Methods: We performed the quantitative analysis of the serum concentration of AAT in 600 outpatients affected by mild to moderate asthma from the University Hospital of Parma, Italy. Fifty-seven of them underwent the genetic analysis subsequently; they were subdivided into mutated and non-mutated subjects. All the mutated patients had a heterozygous genotype, except 1 (PI*SS). We assessed the lung function through a flow-sensing spirometer and the small airway parameters through an impulse oscillometry system. Results: The values of forced vital capacity (% predicted) and those of the residual volume to total lung capacity ratio (%) were, respectively, lower and higher in patients mutated versus patients without mutation, showing a significantly greater air trapping (p = 0.014 and p = 0.017, respectively). Moreover, patients with mutation in comparison to patients without mutation showed lower forced expiratory volume in 3 s (% predicted) and forced expiratory volume in 6 s (L) spirometric values, reflecting a smaller airways contribution. Conclusions: In asthmatic patients, heterozygosity for AAT with PI*MZ and PI*MS genotypes was associated with small airway dysfunction and with lung air trapping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) vertical transmission is an open issue. Recent reports call into question in utero or peripartum viral transmission to the offspring. Few data are available on immunoglobulin G (IgG) and/or IgM in newborns. Insufficient evidence is available regarding passive immunity in neonates born from SARS‐CoV‐2 infected women. We report a case of a neonate showing the presence of blood specific IgG and the absence of IgM and negative nasopharyngeal swab. He was born from an asymptomatic SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected mother with positive IgG and IgM. The transplacental passage of specific IgG antibodies from the affected mother to the unaffected fetus highlights neonatal passive immunity. Highlights: The risk of vertical transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 is still an open question.In affected SARS‐CoV‐2 pregnant women, investigation of vertical transmission and passive immunity requires the detection of the virus in the placenta, amniotic fluid and newborn and both the maternal and neonatal IgG and IgM.Passive immunity may offer temporary protection to the newborn. Studies are needed to determine the duration of this protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of the first-trimester Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) screening algorithm, including maternal characteristics and medical history, blood pressure, pregnancy-associated plasma protein A and placenta growth factor, crown rump length, and uterine artery pulsatility index, for the prediction of preeclampsia in a high-risk population in the Netherlands. Methods: This is a prospective cohort including nulliparous women and women with preeclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction in previous pregnancy. We screened patients at 11–14 weeks of gestation to calculate the risk for preeclampsia. The primary outcome was preeclampsia and gestational age at delivery. Performance of the model was evaluated by area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUCs) and calibration graphs; based on the ROC curves, optimal predicted risk cutoff values for our study population were defined. Results: We analyzed 362 women, of whom 22 (6%) developed preeclampsia. The algorithm showed fair discriminative performance for preeclampsia <34 weeks (AUC 0.81; 95% CI 0.65–0.96) and moderate discriminative performance for both preeclampsia <37 weeks (AUC 0.71; 95% CI 0.51–0.90) and <42 weeks (AUC 0.71; 95% CI 0.61–0.81). Optimal cutoffs based on our study population for preeclampsia <34, <37, and <42 weeks were 1:250, 1:64, and 1:22, respectively. Calibration was poor. Conclusions: Performance of the FMF preeclampsia algorithm was satisfactory to predict early and preterm preeclampsia and less satisfactory for term preeclampsia in a high-risk population. However, by addressing some of the limitations of the present study, the performance can potentially improve. This is essential before implementation is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility index (PI) Doppler in the third trimester of pregnancy is increasingly used.Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate intra- and interobserver reproducibility of MCA PI in the third trimester.Method: Singleton pregnancies between 30+0 and 40+0 weeks were recruited. MCA Doppler velocimetry measurements were performed prospectively, independently, and blindly. Intra- and interobserver reproducibility was assessed by concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC); Bland-Altman plots were built, and limits of agreement (LoA) were calculated. Results were interpreted according to the cutoff set by the True Reproducibility of Ultrasound Techniques Review.Results: We enrolled 101 patients. ICCs for intraobserver reproducibility were 0.84 and 0.78 for raw values and percentiles, respectively; CCCs were 0.72 and 0.64. For interobserver reproducibility ICCs were 0.84 and 0.78, CCCs 0.72 and 0.63. According to the chosen criteria, these values show a poor-moderate reproducibility of third trimester MCA PI. Cohen's Kappa coefficients were 0.59 and 0.42, indicating a moderate agreement in discriminating normal and abnormal values.Conclusions: Intra- and interobserver reproducibility of third trimester MCA PI, as assessed by ICC, CCC, and LoA, is far from satisfactory. This should be taken into account before taking clinical decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the distribution of risks for fetal trisomies after first-trimester combined screening in twins and to investigate different strategies for clinical implementation of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all twin pregnancies undergoing first-trimester combined screening over a 10 years' period. The population was stratified according to various risk cut-offs, and we examined different screening strategies for implementation of cfDNA testing in terms of impact on invasive testing rate, cfDNA test failure rate, and economic costs.Results: We included 572 twin pregnancies: 480 (83.92%) dichorionic and 92 (16.08%) monochorionic. Performing a first-line combined screening and offering cfDNA testing to the group with a risk between 1 in 10 and 1 in 1,000, would lead to an invasive testing rate of 2.45%, and cfDNA testing would be performed in 22.20% of the population. This strategy would be cost-neutral compared to universal combined screening alone.Conclusions: First-trimester combined screening results can be used to stratify twin pregnancies into different risk categories and select those that could be offered cfDNA testing. A contingent screening strategy would substantially decrease the need for invasive testing in twins and it would be cost-neutral compared to combined testing alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic rheumatologic disease characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and other psychopathological symptoms which have a negative impact on patients' quality of life. FMS is frequently associated with alexithymia, a multidimensional construct characterized by difficulty in identifying feelings (DIF) and verbally communicating them difficulty describing feelings (DDF) and an externally oriented cognitive thinking style (EOT). The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between alexithymia, anxious and depressive symptoms and pain perception, in patients with FMS and other rheumatic diseases (RD). Methods: The sample consisted of 127 participants (M = 25, F = 102; mean age: 51.97; SD: 11.14), of which 48 with FMS, 41 with RD and 38 healthy control group (HC). All groups underwent to a test battery investigating anxiety and depressive symptoms (HADS), pain (VAS; QUID-S/-A) and alexithymia (TAS-20). Results: A high prevalence of alexithymia (TAS ≥ 61) was found in FMS (47.9%) and RD (41.5%) patients, compared to the HC group (2.6%). FMS patients showed significant higher scores than HC on DIF, DDF, EOT, anxiety and depression. The clinical sample, FMS and RD groups combined (n = 89), alexithymic patients (AL, n = 40) exhibited higher scores in pain and psychological distress compared to non-alexithymic patients (N-AL, n = 34). Regression analysis found no relationship between alexithymia and pain in AL, meanwhile pain intensity was predicted by anxiety in N-AL. Conclusion: While increasing clinical symptoms (pain intensity and experience, alexithymia, anxiety, and depression) in patients with fibromyalgia or rheumatic diseases, correlations were found on the one side, between alexithymia and psychological distress, on the other side, between pain experience and intensity. Meanwhile, when symptoms of psychological distress and alexithymia were subthreshold, correlations with pain experience and intensity became stronger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to outline some considerations about the psychological distress in healthcare professional during the Covid-19 pandemic. We summarize available literature both on 'protective' and 'predisposing' factors potentially involved in the occurrence of psychological distress, including PTSD, in frontline healthcare operators. Valid social support, self-efficacy, internal locus of control (LOC) and sense of coherence (SOC) have been considered as resilience factors, in previous studies. Likewise, several observations pointed on the relevance of individual and environmental vulnerabilities. no real evidence is available about strategies to face the emotional burden for healthcare operators due to present COVID-19 scenario. However, we strongly believe that the containment of isolation anxiety with an appropriate emotional support should be the first instrument to minimise the psychological effect of pandemic on the more exposed healthcare professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the requests of authorisation to the use of health claims pursuant to Regulation EC 1924/2006 related to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract have received a negative opinion by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), mainly because of an insufficient substantiation of the claimed effect (CE). The present manuscript refers to the collection, collation and critical analysis of outcome variables (OVs) and methods of measurement (MMs) related to the GI tract compliant with Regulation 1924/2006. The critical evaluation of OVs and MMs was based on the literature review, with the final aim of defining their appropriateness in the context of a specific CE. The results obtained are relevant for the choice of the best OVs and MMs to be used in randomised controlled trials aimed to substantiate the claims on the GI tract. Moreover, the results can be used by EFSA for updating the guidance for the scientific requirements of such health claims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ni hyperaccumulator Noccaea caerulescens has adapted to live in a naturally stressed environment, evolving a complex pattern of traits to cope with adverse conditions. Evidence is accumulating regarding the important role of epigenetic modifications in regulating plant responses to stress. In this study, we present data from the natural “open‐field” adaptation of the Ni hyperaccumulator N. caerulescens to serpentine soil and provide the first evidence of the involvement of epigenetic changes in response to the high Ni content present in plant leaves. The alkaline comet assay revealed the integrity of the nuclei of leaf cells of N. caerulescens grown in a Ni‐rich environment, while in the non‐tolerant Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to Ni, the nuclei were severely damaged. DNA of N. caerulescens plants grown in situ were considerably hyper‐methylated compared to A. thaliana plants exposed to Ni. In addition, qRT‐PCR revealed that N. caerulescens MET1, DRM2, and HDA8 genes involved in epigenetic DNA and histone modification were up‐regulated in the presence of high Ni content in leaves. Such epigenetic modifications may constitute a defense strategy that prevents genome instability and direct damage to the DNA structure by Ni ion, enabling plants to survive in an extreme environment. Further studies will be necessary to analyze in detail the involvement of DNA methylation and other epigenetic mechanisms in the complex process of metal hyperaccumulation and plants’ adaptive response. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:464–475, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The primary aim of the study was to investigate intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility index (PI) in the third trimester of pregnancy. The secondary aim of the study was to examine whether high maternal body mass index (BMI) or gestational age (GA) influence the reliability of this measurement.Methods: Singleton pregnancies in women with known BMI were recruited between 30+0 and 40+0  weeks. UtA PI Doppler measurements were performed prospectively, independently, and blindly by 2 Fetal Medicine Foundation-accredited operators. Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility was assessed by concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC); Bland-Altman plots were built and limits of agreement (LoA) were calculated. The analysis was performed for both raw numbers and percentiles. To estimate the intraoperator and interoperator agreement in defining normal and pathological measurements, the assessments were divided in 2 categories-UtA PI <95th percentile/ ≥95th percentile-and Cohen's kappa coefficients were calculated. Results were interpreted according to the cutoffs reported by the True Reproducibility of Ultrasound Techniques review. Correlation between maternal BMI and GA and accuracy of UtA measurements was studied with Spearman's correlation coefficient.Results: Measurements were available in 101 women. For intraobserver reproducibility, ICCs and CCCs were calculated for raw values and percentiles and were 0.912 and 0.835, and 0.837 and 0.716, respectively. For interobserver reproducibility, ICCs and CCCs were 0.809 and 0.732, and 0.677 and 0.576, respectively. This indicates a poor-moderate reproducibility of third trimester UtA PI. LoA were also wide (from a minimum of -0.30-0.35 to a maximum of -0.53-0.62). Cohen's kappa coefficients were 0.478 and 0.418, showing a moderate intraoperator and interoperator agreement in distinguishing between normal and pathological values. No correlation was found between maternal BMI and GA and reproducibility of the measurements.Conclusions: Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of third trimester UtA PI as assessed by ICC, CCC, and LoA is only moderate-poor. The agreement between operators in defining pathological and normal measurements is moderate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Late onset intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) represents one of the main causes of perinatal morbidity/mortality. No guidelines are available on labor induction in IUGRs, even if delivery at 37/38 weeks is suggested. This study aims to assess maternal-fetal variables related to adverse outcome in labor induction for late IUGR.Methods: One hundred cases of induction for late IUGR were retrospectively revised on fetal weight, MCA, UA, CPR and uterine artery (utA) Doppler, oligohydramnios, Bishop score, start of induction, augmentation. The variables were matched with the following adverse outcomes: CS or vacuum extractor delivery (IVD); NICU admission; low Apgar score; UA pH < 7.10.Results: Regular vaginal delivery occurred in 65% of cases; the rate of CS and IVD was 32% and 5%. UA, MCA and CPR abnormalities were all significantly related to a higher risk of CS. Bishop score < 3 and start of induction by oxitocin resulted statistically associated to CS, while prostaglandins were related to vaginal delivery. No augmentation and oxitocin in labor were positively related to vaginal delivery. Maternal morbidity and Bishop score < 3 showed a significant association with NICU admission.Discussion: Doppler velocimetry of UA, MCA and CPR are useful tools for the identification and management of the late term IUGRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The primary aim of the study was to assess intra-observer and inter-observer reproducibility and generalizability (general reliability) of first trimester Doppler measurements of uterine arteries (UtA) performed both transabdominally (TA) and transvaginally (TV). Secondary aims were to investigate whether maternal BMI and acquisition modality (transabdominal or transvaginal) affect feasibility and reliability of UtA Doppler evaluation.Methods: Singleton pregnancies between 11+0 and 13+6 weeks underwent TA and TV Doppler measurements of UtA prospectively, blindly and independently by Fetal Medicine Foundation-accredited operators. The more experienced operator performed all the scans to assess intra-observer reproducibility. Inter-observer reproducibility and generalizability was evaluated among different operators and different ultrasound equipment. Intra- and inter-rater reliability was assessed by Concordance Correlation Coefficient and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient; agreement was estimated with Limits of Agreement and reported graphically with Bland-Altman plots. Correlation between BMI and feasibility and accuracy of UtA measurements were studied with Spearman's correlation coefficient. Differences between TA and TV measurements were evaluated by Wilcoxon test.Results: A total of 101 women were enrolled. The intra-observer reproducibility for TA and TV measurements ranged from 0.87 to 0.94, respectively. The inter-observer reproducibility varied from 0.57 (for TA measurements by the less experienced operator) to 0.95 (for TV measurements by the more experienced operator), and it was independent of the ultrasound equipment used. Spearman's correlation coefficient failed to demonstrate a correlation between BMI and time to get the first set of TA-TV measurements, or between BMI and TA-TV reproducibility. In four patients, the operators could not obtain the TA measurements due to high BMI. In our population the UtA pulsatility index (PI) values did not differ significantly between the TA or TV approach.Conclusions: UtA PI measurements obtained by experienced operators show a moderate intra- and inter-observer reproducibility. The TV approach might be used when TA measurements fail in obese women, especially since specific reference ranges for TV measurements may not be necessary. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of amyloid aggregates is the hallmark of systemic and neurodegenerative disorders, also known as amyloidoses. Many proteins have been found to aggregate into amyloid-like fibrils and this process is recognized as a general tendency of polypeptides. Lysozyme, an antibacterial protein, is a well-studied model since it is associated in human with systemic amyloidosis and that is widely available from chicken eggs (HEWL, hen egg white lysozyme). In the present study we investigated the mechanism of interaction of aggregating HEWL with rosmarinic acid and resveratrol, that we verified to be effective and ineffective, respectively, in inhibiting aggregate formation. We used a multidisciplinary strategy to characterize such effects, combining biochemical and biophysical methods with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on the HEWL peptide 49–64 to gain insights into the mechanisms and energy variations associated to amyloid formation and inhibition. MD revealed that neither resveratrol nor rosmarinic acid were able to compete with the initial formation of the β-sheet structure. We then tested the association of two β-sheets, representing the model of an amyloid core structure. MD showed that rosmarinic acid displayed an interaction energy and a contact map comparable to that of sheet pairings. On the contrary, resveratrol association energy was found to be much lower and its contact map largely different than that of sheet pairings. The overall characterization elucidated a possible mechanism explaining why, in this model, resveratrol is inactive in blocking fibril formation, whereas rosmarinic acid is instead a powerful inhibitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is an usually reversible neuro-radiological clinical entity characterized by headache, confusion, visual disturbances or blindness and seizures. It rarely occurs without seizures.Methods: We conducted a literature review in MEDLINE about PRES during post partum and pregnancy, focusing on differential diagnosis and therapy. We reviewed 28 articles (case reports, original articles and reviews) describing PRES as well as a case of a severe, immediate postpartum HELLP syndrome (haemolysis, elevated liver enzyme levels, low platelet count) with PRES without generalized seizure.Results: The development of PRES after delivery is unusual. Magnetic resonance imaging represents the gold standard for the diagnosis of this condition. White matter oedema in the posterior cerebral hemispheres is typical on neuroimaging. PRES is reversible when early diagnosis is established and appropriate treatment is started without delay. The pathogenesis of PRES is discussed and the importance of a prompt diagnosis is emphasized, as the crucial role of rapid blood press reduction.Conclusion: MRI is the diagnostic gold standard and it may be useful in the differential diagnosis. The goal of the therapy is to control elevated blood pressure and to prevent seizures or promptly manage it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NAD-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase (NAD-GDH) of higher plants has a central position at the interface between carbon and nitrogen metabolism due to its ability to carry out the deamination of glutamate. In order to obtain a better understanding of the physiological function of NAD-GDH under salt stress conditions, transgenic tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) plants that overexpress two genes from Nicotiana plumbaginifolia individually (GDHA and GDHB) or simultaneously (GDHA/B) were grown in the presence of 50 mM NaCl. In the different GDH overexpressors, the NaCl treatment induced an additional increase in GDH enzyme activity, indicating that a post-transcriptional mechanism regulates the final enzyme activity under salt stress conditions. A greater shoot and root biomass production was observed in the three types of GDH overexpressors following growth in 50 mM NaCl, when compared with the untransformed plants subjected to the same salinity stress. Changes in metabolites representative of the plant carbon and nitrogen status were also observed. They were mainly characterized by an increased amount of starch present in the leaves of the GDH overexpressors as compared with the wild type when plants were grown in 50mM NaCl. Metabolomic analysis revealed that overexpressing the two genes GDHA and GDHB, individually or simultaneously, induced a differential accumulation of several carbon- and nitrogen-containing molecules involved in a variety of metabolic, developmental and stress-responsive processes. An accumulation of digalactosylglycerol, erythronate and porphyrin was found in the GDHA, GDHB and GDHA/B overexpressors, suggesting that these molecules could contribute to the improved performance of the transgenic plants under salinity stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare glycemic control, maternal-neonatal outcomes and fetal fat body mass growth of type 1 diabetic pregnant women treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) or multiple daily injections (MDI) with the long-acting insulin analogue detemir as basal insulin. Methods: Retrospective study of 53 women, attending the Unit of Prenatal Medicine of Careggi University Hospital, Florence, from 2009 to 2012: 35 treated with CSII, 18 with MDI-detemir. Each woman performed daily blood glucose self-monitoring, had an individualized nutritional therapy, weekly prenatal visits and ultrasound scans (US) according to the Tuscan guidelines. US were also performed every two weeks from 28 to 38 weeks of gestation to assess fetal fat body mass growth. Student's t-test and Chi-square test were performed to compare the groups' results. Results: No significant differences were observed in metabolic control, in any maternal and neonatal outcome nor fetal fat body mass growth for either group. The MDI group needed higher daily doses of insulin (MDI: 1.00 ± 0.32 UI/kg versus CSII: 0.75 ± 0.29 UI/kg, p = 0.007) to reach results comparable to the CSII group. Conclusions: MDI therapy with detemir is a safe and effective alternative, with a good benefit-cost ratio compared to insulin pumps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Shrimp sensitized patients' IgE recognized several cricket proteins. • High IgE-cross-reactivity was found among shrimp and cricket tropomyosins. • Cricket tropomyosin was more stable to digestion than the shrimp homologue. • Baking enhances stability of IgE-binding proteins to gastric digestion. • Stability of cricket tropomyosin represents a risk of primary sensitization. The allergenic potency of the cricket Acheta domesticus , a promising edible insect, has never been assessed. This work aims to study the immunoreactivity of Acheta domesticus , and its cross-reactivity with the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei , assessing the effect of cooking and gastrointestinal digestion on their allergenic properties. Different cricket proteins were detected by immunoblotting with shrimp-allergic patients' sera. Tropomyosin was identified as the most relevant IgE-binding protein, and its cross-reactivity with shrimp tropomyosin was demonstrated by ELISA. While shrimp tropomyosin showed scarce stability to gastric digestion, cricket tropomyosin withstood the whole digestion process. The sarcoplasmic calcium-binding protein, specifically detected in shrimp, showed exceptional stability to gastrointestinal digestion. IgE-binding proteins in a model of enriched baked products were partially protected from proteolysis. In conclusion, the ingestion of A. domesticus proteins poses serious concerns to the Crustacean-allergic population. The high stability of tropomyosin may represent a risk of primary sensitization and clinical cross-reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tdap and flu immunization in pregnancy has been proven to be both effective and safe. Despite this, the vaccination rate in pregnant women is low in Italy. The COVID-19 pandemic has focused the attention of public opinion on communicable diseases, underlining the importance of primary prevention measures such as vaccination. We conducted a survey to investigate the behavior of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding maternal immunization to identify the reasons for vaccine hesitancy in order to overcome them. The new challenge is COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy, and preliminary data show hesitancy towards it. Our analysis may be useful to improve immunization in the pregnant population, including through the COVID-19 vaccine. Methods: A targeted survey was performed in Italy including 520 women who experienced in the first trimester of pregnancy, prior to the novel coronavirus spread, the 2019–2020 influenza vaccination campaign and the Tdap vaccine recommendation in the third trimester during the COVID pandemic. They represent a unique model to investigate if the new coronavirus outbreak might have changed attitudes towards vaccination in pregnancy in the same patients. Data were collected from a self-completed paper questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated and percentages were compared using the chi-2 test or Fisher's exact test. Results: We obtained data from 195 of the 520 women who gave birth during the inclusion period; 325 cases declined to participate in the survey. A total of 8.7% (17 cases) performed flu vaccination in the first trimester of pregnancy (pre-COVID era), 50.8% (99 cases) accepted Tdap immunization during their third trimester of gestation (COVID-19 pandemic) and 6.7% (13 cases) received both vaccines during pregnancy. For both the flu and Tdap shots, pregnant patients were more likely to accept the vaccines if they were recommended by a healthcare provider, whereas the main reason not to be vaccinated was the lack of such a recommendation. Conclusions: Our survey shows that the COVID-19 experience, which has raised awareness as to the role of vaccines in preventable diseases, may positively change attitudes toward immunization in pregnancy. Vaccination must be recommended to all pregnant women and organized during routine prenatal care as an important element for the prevention of communicable diseases. Vaccination hesitancy can be minimized through consistent recommendation to all pregnant women offered by obstetric staff during routine prenatal care. This approach is likely to be effective in terms of building trust in flu and Tdpa immunization among pregnant women, as well as to avoid unjustified hesitancy towards the more recent COVID-19 vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The control of the fungal contamination on crops is considered a priority by the sanitary authorities of an increasing number of countries, and this is also due to the fact that the geographic areas interested in mycotoxin outbreaks are widening. Among the different pre- and post-harvest strategies that may be applied to prevent fungal and/or aflatoxin contamination, fungicides still play a prominent role; however, despite of countless efforts, to date the problem of food and feed contamination remains unsolved, since the essential factors that affect aflatoxins production are various and hardly to handle as a whole. In this scenario, the exploitation of bioactive natural sources to obtain new agents presenting novel mechanisms of action may represent a successful strategy to minimize, at the same time, aflatoxin contamination and the use of toxic pesticides. The Aflatox® Project was aimed at the development of new-generation inhibitors of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus spp. proliferation and toxin production, through the modification of naturally occurring molecules: a panel of 177 compounds, belonging to the thiosemicarbazones class, have been synthesized and screened for their antifungal and anti-aflatoxigenic potential. The most effective compounds, selected as the best candidates as aflatoxin containment agents, were also evaluated in terms of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and epi-genotoxicity to exclude potential harmful effect on the human health, the plants on which fungi grow and the whole ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is reported in premature infants and rarely, in prenatal life. Fetal ICH can be accurately identified in utero and categorized by antenatal sonography and/or MRI. Infectious disease, maternal drug exposure, alloimmune thrombocytopenia, maternal trauma, coagulation disorders and twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome can cause fetal ICH. However, in many cases, the cause is not identified and a genetic disorder should be taken into consideration. We conducted a review of the literature to investigate what we know about genetic origins of fetal ICH. We conducted targeted research on the databases PubMed and EMBASE, ranging from 1980 to 2020. We found 311 studies and 290 articles were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria, and finally, 21 articles were considered relevant for this review. Hemostatic, protrombotic, collagen and X-linked GATA 1 genes were reported in the literature as causes of fetal ICH. In cases of ICH classified as idiopathic, possible underlying genetic causes should be accounted for and investigated. The identification of ICH genetic causes can guide the counselling process with respect to the recurrence risk, in addition to producing relevant clinical data to the neonatologist for the optimal management and prompt treatment of the newborn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Usually regarded as less evolved than their more recently diverged vascular sisters, which currently dominate vegetation landscape, bryophytes seem having nothing to envy to the defensive arsenal of other plants, since they had acquired a suite of chemical traits that allowed them to adapt and persist on land. In fact, these closest modern relatives of the ancestors to the earliest terrestrial plants proved to be marvelous chemists, as they traditionally were a popular remedy among tribal people all over the world, that exploit their pharmacological properties to cure the most different diseases. The phytochemistry of bryophytes exhibits a stunning assortment of biologically active compounds such as lipids, proteins, steroids, organic acids, alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic compounds, polyphenols, terpenoids, acetogenins and phenylquinones, thus it is not surprising that substances obtained from various species belonging to such ancestral plants are widely employed as antitumor, antipyretic, insecticidal and antimicrobial. This review explores in particular the antifungal potential of the three Bryophyta divisions—mosses (Musci), hornworts (Anthocerotae) and liverworts (Hepaticae)—to be used as a sources of interesting bioactive constituents for both pharmaceutical and agricultural areas, providing an updated overview of the latest relevant insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are no reports of saccharolytic enzymes being used in the preparation of formulations for animal semen extenders. In the present study, the use of an innovative semen extender (Formula12 ® ) in the long-term liquid storage of boar semen at 17 °C was evaluated. The formulation included use of a disaccharide (sucrose) as the energy source precursor coupled to an enzymatic agent (invertase). The innovative extender was evaluated and compared in vitro to a commercial extender (Vitasem LD ® ) for the following variables: Total Motility (TM), Forward Progressive Motility (FPM), sperm morphology, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, and chromatin instability. Boar sperm diluted in Formula12 ® and stored for 12 days at 17 °C maintained a commercially acceptable FPM (>70%). Using the results from the in vitro study, an AI field trial was performed. A total of 170 females were inseminated (135 with Formula12 ® and 35 with Vitasem LD ® ). The pregnancy rates were 97.8% compared with 91.4%, and the farrowing rates were 96.3% compared with 88.6% when Formula12 ® and Vitasem LD ® were used, respectively. The mean number of piglets born/sow were 14.92 ± 0.46 compared with 13.83 ± 0.70, and the number of piglets born alive/sow were 14.07 ± 0.46 compared with 12.12 ± 0.70 ( P < 0.05). The results obtained in this study demonstrated that use of the innovative concept to provide a precursor of glucose and fructose as energy sources for an enzymatic agent in an extender allowed for meeting the metabolic requirements of boar sperm during storage at 17 °C. It is suggested that there was a beneficial effect on fertilizing capacity of boar sperm in the female reproductive tract with use of these technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]