Hobernstein2136

Preservation of the peritoneal membrane is an essential determinant of the long-term outcome of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of PD-related peritoneal membrane injury. We hypothesized that mitochondria may be implicated in the mechanisms that initiate and sustain peritoneal membrane damage in this setting. Hence, we carried out ex vivo studies of effluent-derived human mesothelial cells, which disclosed a significant increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) production and a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in mesothelial cells with a fibroblast phenotype, compared to those preserving an epithelial morphology. In addition, in vitro studies of omentum-derived mesothelial cells identified mtROS as mediators of the EMT process as mitoTEMPO, a selective mtROS scavenger, reduced fibronectin protein expression induced by TGF-ß1. Moreover, we quantified mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels in the supernatant of effluent PD solutions, disclosing a direct correlation with small solute transport characteristics (as estimated from the ratio dialysate/plasma of creatinine at 240 min), and an inverse correlation with peritoneal ultrafiltration. These results suggest that mitochondria are involved in the EMT that human peritoneal mesothelial cells suffer in the course of PD therapy. The level of mtDNA in the effluent dialysate of PD patients could perform as a biomarker of PD-induced damage to the peritoneal membrane.Graphene coating on the cobalt-chromium alloy was optimized and successfully carried out by a cold-wall chemical vapor deposition (CW-CVD) method. A uniform layer of graphene for a large area of the Co-Cr alloy (discs of 10 mm diameter) was confirmed by Raman mapping coated area and analyzing specific G and 2D bands; in particular, the intensity ratio and the number of layers were calculated. The effect of the CW-CVD process on the microstructure and the morphology of the Co-Cr surface was investigated by scanning X-ray photoelectron microscope (SPEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Nanoindentation and scratch tests were performed to determine mechanical properties of Co-Cr disks. The results of microbiological tests indicate that the studied Co-Cr alloys covered with a graphene layer did not show a pro-coagulant effect. The obtained results confirm the possibility of using the developed coating method in medical applications, in particular in the field of cardiovascular diseases.As conventional microbiological documentation of invasive aspergillosis (IA) is difficult to obtain, serum fungal biomarkers are important adjunctive diagnostic tools. Positivity rates and the kinetic profiles of galactomannan (GM), 1,3-β-D-glucan (BDG) and Aspergillus DNA (PCR) were studied in high-risk patients with hematologic malignancies. GM, BDG and PCR data from serial serum specimens (n = 240) from 93 adult hematology patients with probable (n = 8), possible (n = 25) and no (n = 60) IA were retrospectively analyzed. Positivity rates and sensitivity/specificity/positive/negative predictive values (NPV) of each fungal biomarker alone and in combination were estimated. AZD4547 mw The three markers were compared head-to-head and correlated with various biochemical, demographic and patient characteristics. The positivity rates for patients with probable/possible/no IA were 88%/8%/0% for GM (X2 = 55, p less then 0.001), 62%/46%/35% for BDG (X2 = 2.5, p = 0.29), 62%/33%/27% for PCR (X2 = 3.9, p = 0.15), 50%/4%/0% for GM + BDG and GM + PCR (X2 = 31, p less then 0.001), 50%/8%/22% for BDG + PCR (X2 = 6.5, p = 0.038) and 38%/4%/0% for GM + BDG + PCR (X2 = 21, p less then 0.001). Higher agreement (76%) and negative correlation (rs = -0.47, p = 0.0017) was found between GM index and PCR Ct values. The sensitivity and NPV was 45-55% and 90-92% when biomarkers assessed alone and increased to 75-90% and 93-97%, respectively when combined. Weak significant correlations were found between GM, PCR and BDG results with renal/liver function markers (r = 0.11-0.57) with most GM+ and PCR+ samples found in the first and second week of clinical assessment, respectively and BDG later on. Different positivity rates, time profiles and performances were found for the three biomarkers advocating the combination of GM with PCR for the early diagnosis of IA, whereas the high NPV of combined biomarkerscould help excluding IA.Chestnuts (Castanea spp.) are plants of relevant economic interest in the agro-sylvicultural contexts of mountain regions throughout the temperate zone, particularly in the northern hemisphere. In recent years, several biological adversities have repeatedly endangered species belonging to this genus, calling for coordinated actions addressed to contrast their decline. These actions have mainly focused on the control of key pests/pathogens and the improvement of resistance/tolerance by the plant host, while the role of microorganisms as mediators of interactions between plants and the noxious agents has been less considered, essentially by reason of a limited knowledge on their ecological impact. In line with the increasing awareness of the basic importance of microbial symbionts in regulating plant fitness in both natural and crop contexts, this paper offers an overview on the occurrence and effects of endophytic fungi of chestnuts.Influenza virus has significant viral diversity, both through antigenic drift and shift, which makes development of a vaccine challenging. Current influenza vaccines are updated yearly to include strains predicted to circulate in the upcoming influenza season, however this can lead to a mismatch which reduces vaccine efficacy. Several strategies targeting the most abundant and immunogenic surface protein of influenza, the hemagglutinin (HA) protein, have been explored. These strategies include stalk-directed, consensus-based, and computationally derived HA immunogens. In this review, we explore vaccine strategies which utilize novel antigen design of the HA protein to improve cross-reactive immunity for development of a universal influenza vaccine.