Sensitivity to the role of an animated agent from observed interactions in newborn chicks (Gallus gallus)

Few month old human infants are able to detect the social roles of artificial agents and consistently choose the object behaving as 'approacher' rather than 'repulser'. This preference has been considered evidence of a pre-linguistic and pre-cultural origin of the social mind. Similar preferences have not been described in other species, though comparative data could help clarify the nature of this phenomenon and its evolutionary origin. In this study, we investigated sensitivity to the social role of an artificial agent in domestic chicks. Birds offer an excellent model to study the evolutionary roots of cognitive abilities, since they separated from mammals over 300 Ma. Moreover, the investigation of newly hatched chicks allows control for previous experience. After being exposed to computer-presented animations depicting an interaction among two agents, chicks underwent a free choice test among those same objects. While no initial evidence of a clear preference emerged from the planned analysis, chicks in the experimental condition showed a preference for the 'approacher' when controlling for side bias, mirroring human infants behaviour. This suggests the existence of an early ability to discriminate agents from their interactions, independent from any social experience.

Axonal-Variant Guillian-Barre Syndrome Temporally Associated With mRNA-Based Moderna SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine

We present a case of an 86-year-old woman who presented with a progressive quadriparesis two days after her second dose of Moderna SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) evidence of cytoalbuminocytological dissociation and electromyogram/nerve conduction studies (EMG/NCS) findings suggestive of acute axonal motor neuropathy. Her clinical symptoms did not improve with plasmapheresis.

There appears to be a potential temporal association between the inoculation of mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and the development of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). Despite this possible association, infection prevention using highly effective mRNA-based vaccines remains highly recommended. Large epidemiological studies of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-related adverse events are needed. Physicians should be aware of this possible temporal association since the prompt diagnosis and treatment of GBS can drastically improve outcomes.

The aim is to report a case of axonal-variant GBS that was temporally associated with an mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

Burden of an educational program on end of life management in a Internal Medicine ward: a real life report

Background and aim

Appropriate end of life (EOL) management in Internal Medicine wards is challanging. The aim of this study was to analyze the burden of an educational program on EOL management in a Internal Medicine ward. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analysed characteristics and management of patients consecutively died in an italian Internal Medicine ward along one year. We compared demographic, co-morbidity, pharmacological treatment in the last 48-hours of life and procedures during hospital stay in patients died six months before and after an educational program on palliative cares and EOL management addressed to a team of physicians and nurses.

Results

Study population was composed by 354 patients (190 females), with mean age ± DS 83.5 ± 10.6 years, one half admitted after the educational program. Eighty-four percent of deaths was exepected in the last 48 hours before exitus. Demographic characteristics and causes of hospitalization were not different before and after educational program. After the educational program the sharing of palliative care program with patient, relatives and/or caregivers (97.7% vs 85.8%, p=0.0001) and written order to withdrawal vital parameters relevation (39.5% vs 22%, p=0.0005) significantly increased, while difference in pharmacological classes prescribed in the last 48 hours of life was not find. Blood (54.8% vs 67.2%, p=0.0219) and arterial gas analysis (28.8% vs 39.5%, p=0.0435) samples in the last 48 hours of life were significantly reduced. Radiological and/or endoscopic examinations, red cells or platelets transfusion were reduced and palliative therapy was increased, despite difference between the two periods was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Educational program in Internal Medicine wards aimed to improve skills could contribute to make EOL management more appropriate and patient-oriented and it should be strongly encour-aged.

Ethnobotany of dye plants in Southern Italy, Mediterranean Basin: floristic catalog and two centuries of analysis of traditional botanical knowledge heritage

BACKGROUND

Since ancient times, man has learned to use plants to obtain natural dyes, but this traditional botanical knowledge (TBK) is eroding. In the late, during, and the early 1800s, there was an increase in research related to dye species, and this allowed the development of industry and economy in rural contexts of Southern Italy. Today, dyes are mainly obtained from synthetic products, and this leads to risks for human health related to pollution.

METHODS

Starting from the literature, three catalogs of the dyeing species (plants, algae, fungi, and lichens) used in the Mediterranean Basin and mainly in Southern Italy have been created. Percentages of parts used and colors extracted from species have been recorded and analyzed. The plant species present in the catalogs have been verified in the territories of Southern Italy, and the data have been registered. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted, in the region of Southern Italy, to verify the erosion level of traditional botanical knowledge, linked to the ethnobotanical dyeing, over time.

RESULTS

A total of 524 species were recorded among plants, algae, fungi, and lichens, and related parts used and extracted pigments. Most uses concern the stems and leaves, and the most frequent color is yellow. From the on-field survey operations, 283 plant species have been verified. These represent 64.31% of the species reported in the flora of the dye plants produced. The results, from the ethnobotanical survey, show that only 8.6% of TBK remained in the collective memory.

CONCLUSIONS

This catalog is among the largest in this sector and is the basis for studies related to the restoration of an eco-sustainable economy which would allow the development of marginal areas present throughout Southern Italy.

Spontaneous rupture of the digital extensor tendons of the hand in unrecognized carpal lunatefracture

Spontaneous rupture of the digital extensor tendons of the hand has been reported after Kienbocks disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Vaughan-Jackson syndrome, distal radial fracture. Rupture may also occur as a consequence of unrecognized carpal lunate fracture. We present a case report of a man affected with spontaneous rupture of the digital extensor tendons secondary to unrecognized carpal lunate fracture with partial dorsal dislocation. The edges of the tendon were debrided and sutured using a locked modified Kessler suture. A dynamic splinting cast was applied in moderate extension of the wrist. The aim of this case report is to highlight that in absence of a clear etiology for rupture of the extensor tendons of the hand, carpal lunate fracture, though rare, is an important cause of spontaneous extensor tendons rupture.

Photon counting with photon number resolution through superconducting nanowires coupled to a multi-channel TDC in FPGA

The paper presents a system for measuring photon statistics and photon timing in the few-photon regime down to the single-photon level. The measurement system is based on superconducting nanowire single photon detectors and a time-to-digital converter implemented into a programmable device. The combination of these devices gives high performance to the system in terms of resolution and adaptability to the actual experimental conditions. As a case of application, we present the measurement of photon statistics for coherent light states. In this measurement, we make use of 8th order single photon correlations to reconstruct with high fidelity the statistics of a coherent state with average photon number up to 4. The processing is performed by means of a tapped-delay-line time-to-digital converter architecture that also hosts an asynchronous-correlated-digital-counter implemented in a field programmable gate array device and specifically designed for performance optimization in multi-channel usage.

The therapeutic activity of sulphate-bicarbonate-calcium-magnesiac mineral water in the functional disorders of the biliary tract

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Functional disorders of the biliary tract involve gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi and cause pain and/or digestive troubles. In this context, in addition to pharmacological treatments, an important role is played by the use of sodium-sulphate and sulphate-bicarbonate mineral waters that, because of their composition into ions macro and trace elements, can stimulate the release or modulate the activity of some neurohumoral regulators of the digestive process. We want to do a study on the effects of hydropinotherapy with a sulphate-bicarbonate-calcium-magnesium mineral water in patients suffering from pain and other symptoms caused by biliary dyskinesias, biliary sand (without gallstones), or following a cholecystectomy (post-cholecystectomy syndromes).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We enrolled 43 patients suffering from those affections; all the patients did two cycles in one year of hydropinotherapy with Acqua Santa at Italy's Chianciano Spa; 20 of these patients did a third cycle of hydropinotherapy in the second year of the study. At the end of the second and of the third cycle we compared the frequency of eleven main symptoms in both groups and we also performed an longitudinal-observational study on the frequency of those symptoms before the beginning of the first cycle of the therapy and at the end of the second and of the third cycle. Statistical analyses were based on the use of Pearson's χ2 test.

RESULTS

The frequency of the symptoms observed at the end of second and third cicle of hydropinotherapy was significantly lower than that considered before starting therapy. The differences were statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our research regarding the hydropinotherapy by sulphate-bicarbonate-calcium-magnesium mineral water show a significant improvement of symptoms in patients suffering from disturbances of biliary tract.

Search for long-lived heavy charged particles using a ring imaging Cherenkov technique at LHCb

A search is performed for heavy long-lived charged particles using 3.0 [Formula: see text] of proton-proton collisions collected at [Formula: see text][Formula: see text] 7 and 8  TeV with the LHCb detector. The search is mainly based on the response of the ring imaging Cherenkov detectors to distinguish the heavy, slow-moving particles from muons. No evidence is found for the production of such long-lived states. The results are expressed as limits on the Drell-Yan production of pairs of long-lived particles, with both particles in the LHCb pseudorapidity acceptance, [Formula: see text]. The mass-dependent cross-section upper limits are in the range 2-4 fb (at 95 % CL) for masses between 14 and 309 [Formula: see text].

First observation of top quark production in the forward region

Top quark production in the forward region in proton-proton collisions is observed for the first time. The W+b final state with W→μν is reconstructed using muons with a transverse momentum, p_{T}, larger than 25 GeV in the pseudorapidity range 2.0<η<4.5. The b jets are required to have 50<p_{T}<100  GeV and 2.2<η<4.2, while the transverse component of the sum of the muon and b-jet momenta must satisfy p_{T}>20  GeV. The results are based on data corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1.0 and 2.0  fb^{-1} collected at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV by LHCb. The inclusive top quark production cross sections in the fiducial region are σ(top)[7  TeV]=239±53(stat)±33(syst)±24(theory)  fb,σ(top)[8  TeV]=289±43(stat)±40(syst)±29(theory)  fb.These results, along with the observed differential yields and charge asymmetries, are in agreement with next-to-leading order standard model predictions.

Measurement of the ratio of branching fractions B(B[over ¯]^{0}→D^{*+}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(B[over ¯]^{0}→D^{*+}μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ})

The branching fraction ratio R(D^{*})≡B(B[over ¯]^{0}→D^{*+}τ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{τ})/B(B[over ¯]^{0}→D^{*+}μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}) is measured using a sample of proton-proton collision data corresponding to 3.0  fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity recorded by the LHCb experiment during 2011 and 2012. The tau lepton is identified in the decay mode τ^{-}→μ^{-}ν[over ¯]_{μ}ν_{τ}. The semitauonic decay is sensitive to contributions from non-standard-model particles that preferentially couple to the third generation of fermions, in particular, Higgs-like charged scalars. A multidimensional fit to kinematic distributions of the candidate B[over ¯]^{0} decays gives R(D^{*})=0.336±0.027(stat)±0.030(syst). This result, which is the first measurement of this quantity at a hadron collider, is 2.1 standard deviations larger than the value expected from lepton universality in the standard model.

Observation of J/ψp Resonances Consistent with Pentaquark States in Λ_{b}^{0}→J/ψK^{-}p Decays

Observations of exotic structures in the J/ψp channel, which we refer to as charmonium-pentaquark states, in Λ_{b}^{0}→J/ψK^{-}p decays are presented. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb^{-1} acquired with the LHCb detector from 7 and 8 TeV pp collisions. An amplitude analysis of the three-body final state reproduces the two-body mass and angular distributions. To obtain a satisfactory fit of the structures seen in the J/ψp mass spectrum, it is necessary to include two Breit-Wigner amplitudes that each describe a resonant state. The significance of each of these resonances is more than 9 standard deviations. One has a mass of 4380±8±29 MeV and a width of 205±18±86 MeV, while the second is narrower, with a mass of 4449.8±1.7±2.5 MeV and a width of 39±5±19 MeV. The preferred J^{P} assignments are of opposite parity, with one state having spin 3/2 and the other 5/2.

Observation of the B(s)(0)→η'η' Decay

The first observation of the B(s)(0)→η'η' decay is reported. The study is based on a sample of proton-proton collisions corresponding to 3.0  fb(-1) of integrated luminosity collected with the LHCb detector. The significance of the signal is 6.4 standard deviations. The branching fraction is measured to be [3.31±0.64(stat)±0.28(syst)±0.12(norm)]×10(-5), where the third uncertainty comes from the B(±)→η'K(±) branching fraction that is used as a normalization. In addition, the charge asymmetries of B(±)→η'K(±) and B(±)→ϕK(±), which are control channels, are measured to be (-0.2±1.3)% and (+1.7±1.3)%, respectively. All results are consistent with theoretical expectations.

Measurement of CP Violation in B0→J/ψK{S}^{0} Decays

Measurements are presented of the CP violation observables S and C in the decays of B(0) and Bover ¯]0 mesons to the J/ψK(S)(0) final state. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 3.0  fb(-1) collected with the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, and contains a total of 41 560 selected B^{0} and B[over ¯]^{0} decays. The analysis of the time evolution of these decays yields S=0.731±0.035(stat)±0.020(syst) and C=-0.038±0.032(stat)±0.005(syst). In the standard model, S equals sin(2β) to a good level of precision. The values are consistent with the current world averages and with the standard model expectations.

Measurement of the [Formula: see text] production cross-section in proton-proton collisions via the decay [Formula: see text]

The production of the [Formula: see text] state in proton-proton collisions is probed via its decay to the [Formula: see text] final state with the LHCb detector, in the rapidity range [Formula: see text] and in the meson transverse-momentum range [Formula: see text]. The cross-section for prompt production of [Formula: see text] mesons relative to the prompt [Formula: see text] cross-section is measured, for the first time, to be [Formula: see text] at a centre-of-mass energy [Formula: see text] using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.7 fb[Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text] using 2.0 fb[Formula: see text]. The uncertainties quoted are, in order, statistical, systematic, and that on the ratio of branching fractions of the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] decays to the [Formula: see text] final state. In addition, the inclusive branching fraction of [Formula: see text]-hadron decays into [Formula: see text] mesons is measured, for the first time, to be [Formula: see text], where the third uncertainty includes also the uncertainty on the [Formula: see text] inclusive branching fraction from [Formula: see text]-hadron decays. The difference between the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] meson masses is determined to be [Formula: see text].

Search for long-lived particles decaying to jet pairs

A search is presented for long-lived particles with a mass between 25 and 50 [Formula: see text] and a lifetime between 1 and 200[Formula: see text] in a sample of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of [Formula: see text] TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.62 [Formula: see text], collected by the LHCb detector. The particles are assumed to be pair-produced by the decay of a standard model-like Higgs boson. The experimental signature of the long-lived particle is a displaced vertex with two associated jets. No excess above the background is observed and limits are set on the production cross-section as a function of the long-lived particle mass and lifetime.

Measurement of Bc+ Production in Proton-Proton Collisions at √[s]=8 TeV

Production of Bc+ mesons in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV is studied with data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.0  fb-1 recorded by the LHCb experiment. The ratio of production cross sections times branching fractions between the Bc+→J/ψπ+ and B+→J/ψK+ decays is measured as a function of transverse momentum and rapidity in the regions 0<pT<20  GeV/c and 2.0<y<4.5. The ratio in this kinematic range is measured to be (0.683±0.018±0.009)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.

Observation of two new Ξ(b)(-) baryon resonances

Two structures are observed close to the kinematic threshold in the Ξ(b)(0)π(-) mass spectrum in a sample of proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0  fb(-1), recorded by the LHCb experiment. In the quark model, two baryonic resonances with quark content bds are expected in this mass region: the spin-parity J(P)=(1/2)(+) and J(P)=(3/2)(+) states, denoted Ξ(b)('-) and Ξ(b)(*-). Interpreting the structures as these resonances, we measure the mass differences and the width of the heavier state to be m(Ξ(b)('-))-m(Ξ(b)(0))-m(π(-))=3.653±0.018±0.006  MeV/c(2), m(Ξ(b)(*-))-m(Ξ(b)(0))-m(π(-))=23.96±0.12±0.06  MeV/c(2), Γ(Ξ(b)(*-))=1.65±0.31±0.10  MeV, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The width of the lighter state is consistent with zero, and we place an upper limit of Γ(Ξ(b)('-))<0.08  MeV at 95% confidence level. Relative production rates of these states are also reported.

Precision measurement of CP violation in B(S)(0)→J/ΨK+K- decays

The time-dependent CP asymmetry in B(s)(0)→J/ψK+K- decays is measured using pp collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0  fb-1, collected with the LHCb detector at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. In a sample of 96,000 B(s)(0)→J/ψK+K- decays, the CP-violating phase ϕs is measured, as well as the decay widths ΓL and ΓH of the light and heavy mass eigenstates of the B(s)(0)-B[over ¯]s0 system. The values obtained are ϕs=-0.058±0.049±0.006  rad, Γs≡(ΓL+ΓH)/2=0.6603±0.0027±0.0015  ps-1, and ΔΓs≡ΓL-ΓH=0.0805±0.0091±0.0032  ps-1, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second, systematic. These are the most precise single measurements of those quantities to date. A combined analysis with Bs0→J/ψπ+π- decays gives ϕs=-0.010±0.039  rad. All measurements are in agreement with the standard model predictions. For the first time, the phase ϕs is measured independently for each polarization state of the K+K- system and shows no evidence for polarization dependence.

Measurement of the semileptonic CP asymmetry in B0-B[over ¯]0 mixing

The semileptonic CP asymmetry in B0-B[over ¯]0 mixing, a(sl)(d), is measured in proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0  fb-1, recorded by the LHCb experiment. Semileptonic B0 decays are reconstructed in the inclusive final states D-μ+ and D*-μ+, where the D- meson decays into the K+π-π- final state and the D*- meson into the D[over ¯]0(→K+π-)π- final state. The asymmetry between the numbers of D(*)-μ+ and D(*)+μ- decays is measured as a function of the decay time of the B0 mesons. The CP asymmetry is measured to be a(sl)(d)=(-0.02±0.19±0.30)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. This is the most precise measurement of a(sl)(d) to date and is consistent with the prediction from the standard model.

Precision measurement of the mass and lifetime of the Ξb⁻ baryon

We report on measurements of the mass and lifetime of the Ξ(b)⁻ baryon using about 1800 Ξ(b)⁻ decays reconstructed in a proton-proton collision data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0  fb⁻¹ collected by the LHCb experiment. The decays are reconstructed in the Ξ(b)⁻→Ξ(c)⁰π⁻, Ξ(c)⁰→pK⁻K⁻π⁺ channel and the mass and lifetime are measured using the Λ(b)⁰→Λ(c)⁺π⁻ mode as a reference. We measure M(Ξ(b)⁻)-M(Λ(b)⁰)=178.36±0.46±0.16  MeV/c², (τ(Ξ(b)⁻)/τ(Λ(b)⁰)=1.089±0.026±0.011, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. These results lead to a factor of 2 better precision on the Ξ(b)⁻ mass and lifetime compared to previous best measurements, and are consistent with theoretical expectations.

Measurement of the CP-violating phase ϕs in Bs(0)→Ds(+)Ds(-) decays

We present a measurement of the CP-violating weak mixing phase ϕs using the decay Bs(0)→Ds(+)Ds(-) in a data sample corresponding to 3.0 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity collected with the LHCb detector in pp collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. An analysis of the time evolution of the system, which does not use the constraint |λ|=1 to allow for the presence of CP violation in decay, yields ϕs=0.02±0.17(stat)±0.02(syst)  rad, |λ|=0.91(-0.15)(+0.18)(stat)±0.02(syst). This result is consistent with the standard model expectation.

Observation of overlapping spin-1 and spin-3 D0K- resonances at mass 2.86 GeV/c2

The resonant substructure of B(s)(0) → D(0)K(-)π(+) decays is studied using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb(-1) of pp collision data recorded by the LHCb detector. An excess at m(D(0)K(-))≈ 2.86 GeV/c(2) is found to be an admixture of spin-1 and spin-3 resonances. Therefore, the D(sJ)*(2860)(-) state previously observed in inclusive e(+)e(-) → D(0)K(-)X and pp → D(0)K(-)X processes consists of at least two particles. This is the first observation of a heavy flavored spin-3 resonance, and the first time that any spin-3 particle has been seen to be produced in B decays. The masses and widths of the new states and of the D(s2)*(2573)(-) meson are measured, giving the most precise determinations to date.

First observation of a baryonic Bc+ decay

A baryonic decay of the B(c)(+) meson, B(c)(+) → J/ψppπ(+), is observed for the first time, with a significance of 7.3 standard deviations, in pp collision data collected with the LHCb detector and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb(-1) taken at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. With the B(c)(+) → J/ψπ(+) decay as the normalization channel, the ratio of branching fractions is measured to be B(B(c)(+) → J/ψppπ(+))/B(B(c)(+) → J/ψπ(+)) = 0.143(-0.034)(+0.039)(stat) ± 0.013(syst). The mass of the B(c)(+) meson is determined as M(B(c)(+) = 6274.0 ± 1.8(stat) ± 0.4(syst) MeV/c(2), using the B(c)(+) → J/ψppπ(+) channel.

Digital configurable instrument for emulation of signals from radiation detectors

The paper presents a digital instrument characterized by a specially designed architecture that is able to emulate in real time signals from a generic radiation detection system. The instrument is not a pulse generator of recorded shapes but a synthesizer of random pulses compliant to programmable statistics for height and starting time of events. Completely programmable procedures for emulation of noise, disturbances, and reference level variation are implemented.

Towards An Improvement of Hospital Services and Streamlining of Health Care Costs: The DRG Analysis in Italy

The term Diagnosis-related Group (DRG) refers to a classification system used to assess hospital services with the aim of a better management of health care costs and improving performance. The DRG system focuses on the utilization of resources, and is not concerned with the specific type of care provided to the patient. This system highlights any diseconomies and eventual critical aspects of the hospital system. This article, starting from the history of heath care financing in Italy and pointing out the difficulty to define the "quality" of health care services, describes the variables used to evaluate correctly hospital performance based on the DRG system. These include Average Length of Stay, Average Daily Patient Load, Comparative Performance Index, and Case Mix Index.

P01-248-Theory of mind, moral judgments and neuropsychological functioning in patients with bipolar disorders

Introduction

Several studies revealed that cognitive functioning in BPD are impaired not only in the acute phase but over time (Mur et al., 2008). On Theory of Mind (ToM) recent studies found a impairment of this ability in remitted patients, supporting the theory that ToM deficits are trait-dependent (Bora et al., 2009) in contrast with another study that suggest a partially dependence(Wolf et al. 2010).

Objectives

We explored: a) ToM in BPD investigating two cognitive processes: emotional recognition, second order beliefs attribution; b) Moral judgments in BPD; c) possible effects of neuropsychological functioning on ToM task and moral dilemmas.

Aims

The principal aim is to investigate the domain specificity of ToM and Moral sense, studying selective impairments.

Method

A total of 20 patients with bipolar I disorder were tested and 20 healthy controls. We use a complete neuropsychological assessment, two ToM tasks (Eyes test, Sullivan's stories) and we added two moral dilemmas to asses moral judgment Results: We found ToM deficits in BDP, with a multiple correlation between ToM and neuropsychological functioning. Also we found for the first time a impairment on personal moral dilemma, with a correlation between emotional recognition and moral judgments.

Conclusion

Patients with BPD are impaired in ToM partially independent of other cognitive dysfunctions and in moral reasoning.

High-linearity analog-to-digital acquisition board for photon-timing applications

Nowadays a wide range of scientific applications require the detection of very weak and fast luminescence signals in the time domain. Single molecule spectroscopy, diffuse optical tomography, time-resolved emission spectra are only a few examples among them. Advanced time-correlated single photon counting, that relies on multidetector and multidimensional acquisition, reveals itself as a powerful technique to gather deeper insight into various photochemical and biological processes. In this paper we present a high-speed, high-linearity A/D acquisition board that is designed as a building block for a compact, low-cost, multidetector acquisition system for photon-timing experiments. The prototype has been experimentally tested and the results fully comply the goal design specifications.

Antibiotic effects on SO4(2-) uptake in human erythrocytes

The erythrocyte is a cell highly exposed to oxygen pressure that, in turn, provokes oxidative stress involving loss of SH-groups, cell shrinkage by activation of K(+)-Cl(-) cotransport (KCC) and membrane destabilization which plays an important role in the premature haemolysis of red blood cells (RBCs). Oxidative stress provoked by chemicals frequently occurs in human erythrocytes. The aim of this study was to test whether the antibiotics alter the redox state and investigate their influences on band 3 protein that is involved in the facilitated electro neutral exchange of Cl(-) for HCO(3)(-) across the membrane of mammalian erythrocytes. Normal erythrocytes were treated with some antibiotics and thiol oxidizing agent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and tested for sulphate uptake, K(+) efflux and for glutathione (GSH) concentration as an index of oxidative stress. The rate constant of SO(4)(=) uptake measured in erythrocytes treated with antibiotics as well as NEM was decreased with respect to control cells as a result of band 3 SH-groups oxidation or the stress-induced K(+)-Cl(-) symport-mediated cell shrinkage. In fact, this hypothesis was verified by increased K(+) efflux and decreased GSH values measured in treated erythrocytes compared to controls.

Activation of the ER stress gene gadd153 by hepatitis C virus sensitizes cells to oxidant injury

HCV induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress which correlates with transcriptional induction of ER stress genes. Previously, we reported that expression of HCV structural proteins activates the ER stress and pro-apoptotic gene gadd153 which plays a relevant role in cell death induced by oxidative stress. In the present study, using human hepatic cell lines Huh7 carrying a full-length HCV replicon, we demonstrated that replication and expression of the complete set of HCV proteins were associated with elevated expression of gadd153. Analysis of gadd153 promoter activity revealed that both the ATF4 and the ATF6 pathways, which are typically induced during ER stress response, contribute to the induction of gadd153 in HCV replicon cells. Activation of the ATF4 pathway was confirmed by identification of increased levels of ATF4 protein in replicon cells. Importantly, we showed that, following H2O2 treatment, gadd153 gene reached higher levels of expression in replicon cells. Consistent with the marked induction of the pro-apoptotic gene gadd153, HCV replicon cells showed an increased vulnerability to oxidant injury. Treatment of replicon cells with a specific small interfering RNA, targeted to gadd153 gene, reduced basal expression of gadd153 and decreased cell death following H2O2. These findings suggest that gadd153 may play a major role in sensitivity of HCV replicon cell to oxidative stress.

HIV-Associated Distal Sensory Polyneuropathy in the Era of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

OBJECTIVES

To examine distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP) in a highly active antiretroviral therapy era, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected cohort, to determine whether clinical manifestations are affected by demographic or other clinical variables.

PATIENTS

One hundred eighty-seven patients with HIV infection enrolled in the Manhattan HIV Brain Bank underwent baseline neurologic evaluations between January 29, 1999, and June 17, 2002. Distal sensory polyneuropathy was diagnosed if patients displayed abnormalities in 2 or more of the following: ankle reflexes or vibratory or pinprick perception. Patients were classified as symptomatic if they described pain, paresthesia, or numbness. Nonneurologic information was obtained by interview, laboratory testing, and medical chart review. Psychiatric and substance use disorders were elucidated by semistructured interview. In 36 patients, morphometric analysis was performed on autopsy-derived sural nerves.

RESULTS

Of 187 patients, 99 (53%) had DSP. Patients with neuropathy were older than those without (mean +/- SD age, 45.3 +/- 0.7 vs 41.2 +/- 0.8 years, P <.001), and DSP was significantly more common in men (58% [83/99]) than in women (37% [16/99]) (P =.02). The presence of neuropathy was not correlated with plasma viral load, decreased CD4 cell counts, or neurotoxic antiretroviral therapy. Twenty-six of 99 patients with DSP were asymptomatic. Asymptomatic neuropathy was correlated with histories of opiate and sedative abuse and dependence. Symptomatic DSP correlated with ethanol and hallucinogen syndromes, but not neurotoxic therapy. Sural nerve morphometric findings did not distinguish between patients with substance use syndromes and those without.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to populations before the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy, DSP in the Manhattan HIV Brain Bank cohort is not associated with increased viral load or decreased CD4 cell counts in this cross-sectional analysis. Symptoms in DSP are associated with substance use disorders, but no difference in morphologic structure is seen in nerves of patients with HIV infection with and without substance use histories. Previously reported virologic and immunologic underpinnings of DSP may be affected by highly active antiretroviral therapy. Furthermore, symptoms of DSP in substance users may be altered by central mechanisms of increased or decreased tolerance to sensory disturbance.

AIDS and AIDS-treatment neuropathies

AIDS and AIDS-treatment neuropathies are common in individuals infected with HIV. As patients live longer due to improved antiretroviral therapies, the impact of painful neuropathy on patients' lives may increase. Several antiretroviral medications are known to cause toxic neuropathy in patients with AIDS, but this may be outweighed by the beneficial effects of viral suppression. Current theories on the pathogenesis of AIDS neuropathies include mitochondrial toxicity secondary to gamma-DNA polymerase inhibition and subsequent abnormal mitochondrial DNA synthesis. Treatment of AIDS neuropathies is directed toward relief of symptoms; however, new evidence suggests that aggressive antiretroviral therapy may also be effective.

Abnormal cobalamin-dependent transmethylation in AIDS-associated myelopathy

BACKGROUND

White matter vacuolization of the spinal cord is common in patients with AIDS and may lead to clinical manifestations of myelopathy. The pathogenesis of AIDS-associated myelopathy (AM) is unknown and may be related to metabolic abnormalities rather than to direct HIV infection. The striking pathologic similarity between AM and the vacuolar myelopathy associated with vitamin B(12) deficiency suggests that abnormal metabolism of the B(12)-dependent transmethylation pathway may be important in the pathogenesis of AM.

METHODS

The authors compared S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM), methionine, homocysteine, and glutathione in serum and CSF of 15 patients with AM vs. 13 HIV-infected controls without myelopathy (HWM). They also compared the results with a non-HIV--infected reference population (NC). All patients had normal B(12), folate, and methylmalonic acid levels.

RESULTS

There was a decrease in CSF SAM in the AM group compared with the HWM group (p < 0.0001) and the NC group (p < 0.0001). CSF SAM in the HWM group was also lower than that in the NC group (p = 0.015). Serum methionine was also reduced in serum of the myelopathic group compared with the NC group (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

AM is associated with an abnormality of the vitamin B(12)-dependent transmethylation pathway.

AIDS and AIDS-treatment neuropathies

AIDS and AIDS-treatment neuropathies are common in individuals infected with HIV. As patients live longer due to improved antiretroviral therapies, the impact of painful neuropathy on patients' lives may increase. Several antiretroviral medications are known to cause toxic neuropathy in AIDS patients; but this may be outweighed by the beneficial effects of viral suppression. Current theories on the pathogenesis of AIDS neuropathies include mitochondrial toxicity secondary to gamma-DNA polymerase inhibition and subsequent abnormal mitochondrial DNA synthesis. Treatment of AIDS neuropathies is directed toward relief of symptoms, however, new evidence suggests that aggressive antiretroviral therapy may also be effective.

Mutagenesis of hepatitis C virus E1 protein affects its membrane-permeabilizing activity

The E1 glycoprotein of hepatitis C virus is a transmembrane glycoprotein with a C-terminal anchor domain. When expressed in Escherichia coli, E1 induces a change in membrane permeability that is toxic to the bacterial cell. The C-terminal hydrophobic region (aa 331-383) of E1 is mainly responsible for membrane association and for inducing changes in membrane permeability. These observed changes are similar to those produced in E. coli by influenza virus M2, human immunodeficiency virus gp41 and poliovirus 3AB proteins, whose hydrophobic domains are thought to cause pore formation in biological membranes. To further characterize the activity of E1 at a molecular level, the membrane-permeabilizing ability of a second internal hydrophobic region (aa 262-291) was examined by expressing different deletion mutants of E1 in an E. coli system that is widely used for analysing membrane-active proteins from other animal viruses. Moreover, highly conserved amino acids in the C-terminal hydrophobic region were mutated to identify residues that are critical for inducing changes in membrane permeability. Analysis of cell growth curves of recombinant cultures and membrane-permeability assays revealed that synthesis of this fragment increased the flux of small compounds through the membrane and caused progressive cell lysis, suggesting that this domain has membrane-active properties. Furthermore, analysis of C-terminal mutants indicated that the conserved amino acids Arg(339), Trp(368) and Lys(370) play a critical role in protein function, as both cell lysis and changes in membrane permeability induced by the wild-type clone could be blocked by substitutions in these positions.

[Experience at a branch center of the National HIV Protease Inhibitor Registry]

In the present study we show our experience as one of the Centers (center 006) of the Italian Index of Protease Inhibitors (PI). In this multicentric, observational study we studied HIV-positive naive patients for antiretroviral therapy with protease inhibitors. From 8/1/97 to 31/1/98 in our department 64 patients were enrolled and followed up through an electronic medical sheet in order to evaluate efficacy, tolerability, toxicity and compliance of treatment with PI. Our results show a reduction in AIDS-related mortality and a decrease in AIDS defining diseases: in particular data show an increase in CNS pathologies in comparison with other opportunistic events. Moreover, in patients non complaints to therapy, the progression of the disease was more frequent. The side effects more frequently observed during PI treatment were hypertrigliceridaemia and lipodystrophy; gynaecomastia and hyperprolactinaemia were even present, perhaps as expression of direct metabolic action of HAART therapy.

Expression and membrane association of hepatitis C virus envelope 1 protein

The expression of hepatitis C virus (HCV) E1 protein is toxic for Escherichia coli cells. For this reason, we have cloned the E1 gene in the pET3a vector and analyzed the inducible expression of the protein in two strains of E. coli characterised by a different level of reduction of basal synthesis. The results indicated that synthesis of E1 was supported only by the BL21(DE3)pLysS strain which provides a tightest control of protein expression before the induction. The BL21(DE3)pLysS cells were then used for the expression of E1 gene, varying at its carboxy terminus in order to retain (E1, aa 192-383) or delete (Elt, aa 192-340) a C-terminal hydrophobic region that may be involved in membrane association. Following cell fractionation, E1 protein was found associated with the membrane fraction. By contrast, the truncated mutant E1t, was identified in the soluble phase suggesting a direct role for the C-terminal domain in E1 membrane association.

AIDS myelopathy is not associated with elevated HIV viral load in cerebrospinal fluid

The pathogenesis of AIDS-associated myelopathy is unknown. Elevated HIV-1 viral load in CSF has been associated with cognitive impairment. The authors investigated if a similar association exists in patients with myelopathy. The authors evaluated levels of HIV-1 RNA in the CSF of 16 individuals with AIDS myelopathy and in 16 nonmyelopathic HIV-infected control subjects. There was no correlation between levels of HIV-1 RNA and the presence or severity of myelopathy.

CD4-independent infection of two CD4(-)/CCR5(-)/CXCR4(+) pre-T-cell lines by human and simian immunodeficiency viruses

The infection of CD4-negative cells by variants of tissue culture-adapted human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) or HIV-2 strains has been shown to be mediated by the CXCR4 coreceptor. Here we show that two in vitro-established CD4(-)/CCR5(-)/CXCR4(+) human pre-T-cell lines (A3 and A5) can be productively infected by wild-type laboratory-adapted T-cell-tropic HIV-1 and HIV-2 strains in a CD4-independent, CXCR4-dependent fashion. Despite the absence of CCR5 expression, A3 and A5 cells were susceptible to infection by the simian immunodeficiency viruses SIVmac239 and SIVmac316. Thus, at least in A3 and A5 cells, one or more of the chemokine receptors can efficiently support the entry of HIV and SIV isolates in the absence of CD4. These findings suggest that to infect cells of different compartments, HIV and SIV could have evolved in vivo to bypass CD4 and to interact directly with an alternative receptor.

Natural history of aortic arch atherosclerotic plaque

To define the natural history of aortic arch plaque, we used B-mode ultrasonography to perform sequential study of the aortic arch. Eighty-nine patients were studied for up to 18 months. There was no change in 67% of total plaques; 77% of simple plaque (<4 mm) and 48% of complex plaque (> or =4 mm) did not progress. Atherosclerosis of the aortic arch can be sequentially studied with B-mode ultrasonography, and most of these lesions remain unchanged after up to 18 months of observation.

Study of immunological and virological parameters during thalidomide treatment of SIV-infected cynomolgus monkeys

The potential therapeutic utility of thalidomide (Thd), an effective inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in vitro, was investigated in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) at 10 months after infection with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). Thd-treated macaques (n = 8) received an oral dose (10 mg) daily for 7 days, followed by a wash-out period of 5 weeks. A 2nd cycle of treatment was performed on the same animals at higher doses (20 mg Thd/day) for 14 days. The control monkeys (n = 7) received a placebo for the same period of time. In the present study, we show that Thd, in addition to inhibiting TNF-alpha production after in vitro mitogen stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), was able to restore the proliferative responses to SIV peptides in monkeys that were infected with SIV. Interestingly, we found that such effects are associated with an increased expression of CD28 cell surface receptors on CD4+ T-cells paralleled by a decrease on CD8+ T-cells. At the same time, significant reduction in either cell-associated viral load or plasma viral RNA was not observed among the SIV-infected monkeys during the two treatment cycles, when compared with the placebo group.

Idiopathic progressive hyalinizing and calcifying CNS vasculopathy

We present a female adolescent with intermittently progressive neurologic deficits over a period of 7 years. Serial imaging studies showed a calcifying lesion with increasing enhancement, signal abnormalities from the subcortex to the medulla, and hemispheric volume loss. Stereotactic biopsies disclosed a hyalinizing and calcifying vasculopathy involving the penetrating vessels. The vasculopathy may result in ischemic lesions responsible for the severe deficits.

Hepatitis C virus E1 protein induces modification of membrane permeability in E. coli cells

The E1 gene of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been cloned and expressed in BL21(DE3)pLys Escherichia coli strain by pET3a vector to analyze changes in membrane permeability produced by this protein. We showed that the expression of E1 (aa 192-383), as well as of two C-terminal fragments (aa 331-383 and aa 341-383) corresponding to the transmembrane (TM) region of this protein, induced a rapid lysis of cells. On the contrary, the expression of a mutant of E1 (aa 192-340), lacking the last 40 amino acids, did not cause cell lysis. The analysis of permeability changes revealed that modification of membrane permeability to several compounds were observed only in clones expressing E1 and C-terminal fragments, while the synthesis of the C-terminal-deleted mutant had little or no effect on permeability. These findings demonstrate that the TM domain of E1 protein has membrane-active properties that may be involved in some aspects of virus-cell interaction.

Longitudinal characterization of CD4, CD8 T-cell subsets and of haematological parameters in healthy newborns of cynomolgus monkeys

A longitudinal characterization of immune cell subpopulations (lymphocytes, CD4+ and CD8+ cells), of routine haematological parameters and of immunoglobulin serum levels was carried out in newborn Macaca fascicularis starting from 1 week up to 1 year of life. In neonates, the percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes is almost double, while the percentage of CD8+ cells is lower than that found in adult monkeys (> 5-years old). An inverted trend in the percentage of the two T-lymphocyte subpopulations was observed during the weeks following birth, with a progressive increase of circulating CD8+, paralleled by a decrease of CD4+ cell number. Consequently, the CD4/CD8 ratio slowly decreases, even if, at 12 months of life, it is still higher than that found in adult animals. Several differences were also noted between young and adult monkeys with regard to the total number of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ cells. Haematological parameters did not show consistent differences with respect to adult values. The plasma IgG level is high at birth, then decreases until 6 months of life, while the IgM and IgA values are very low during the first weeks of life but increase in the following period. Our data showed that variations of immunological (CD4+, CD8+ cells) patterns and of some haematological parameters in M. fascicularis are dependent on age. These variations should be therefore considered whenever young animals are used in experimental protocols.

Live attenuated simian immunodeficiency virus prevents super-infection by cloned SIVmac251 in cynomolgus monkeys

The ability of a live attenuated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) to protect against challenge with cloned SIVmac251/BK28 was evaluated in four cynomolgus macaques. The intravenous infection of the C8 variant of the SIVmac251/32H virus, carrying an in-frame 12 bp deletion in the nef gene, did not affect the CD4+ and CD8+ cell counts, and a persistent infection associated with an extremely low virus burden in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was established. After 40 weeks, these monkeys were challenged intravenously with a 50 MID50 dose of SIVmac251/BK28 virus grown on macaque cells. Four naive monkeys were infected as controls. Monkeys were monitored for 62 weeks following challenge. Attempts to rescue virus from either PBMCs or bone marrow from the C8-vaccinated monkeys were unsuccessful, but in two cases virus was re-isolated from lymph node cells. The presence of the SIV provirus with the C8 variant genotype maintaining its original nef deletion was shown by differential PCR in PBMCs, lymph nodes and bone marrow. Furthermore, in contrast to the control monkeys, the vaccinated monkeys showed normal levels for CD4+ and CD8+ cells, minimal lymphoid hyperplasia and no clinical signs of infection. Our results confirm that vaccination with live attenuated virus can confer protection. This appears to be dependent on the ability of the C8 variant to establish a persistent but attenuated infection which is necessary for inducing an immune response, as suggested by the persistence of a strong immune B cell memory and by the over-expression of interleukin (IL)-2, interferon-gamma and IL-15 mRNAs in PBMCs of C8-vaccinated monkeys but not in those of control monkeys.