New solid state laser system for SPES: Selective Production of Exotic Species project at Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro

The Selective Production of Exotic Species project is under construction at Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro-INFN. The aim of the collaboration is to produce highly pure Radioactive Ion Beams (RIBs) from fission fragments of a uranium carbide (UC_x) target activated by a cyclotron proton beam. In order to select a specific atomic species, the main tool to be applied is the resonant laser ionization technique. We have just completed the installation of a dedicated all solid state laser system whose elements are tunable to transitions of all the elements/isotopes of interest for the project. The new laser system is based on three Titanium:sapphire laser sources, independently pumped by three Nd:YLF pump lasers, and it can be coupled to two high harmonic generation (second harmonic generation, third harmonic generation, and fourth harmonic generation) setups. The power, wavelength, and position of the laser beams are continuously monitored and stabilized by using automated active systems to improve the beam production stability of RIBs. This paper presents the main features of the laser system and examples of application of a laser ion source, including a first demonstration of photoionization of stable silver, one of the most requested elements for RIB application.

A cross sectional survey to estimate prevalence and associated factors of asthma on Reunion Island, Indian Ocean

Background

Previous studies on asthma mortality and hospitalizations in Reunion Island indicate that this French territory is particularly affected by this pathology. Epidemiological studies conducted in schools also show higher prevalence rates in Reunion than in Mainland France. However, no estimates are provided on the prevalence of asthma among adults. In 2016, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of asthma and to identify its associated factors in the adult population of Reunion Island.

Methods

A random sample of 2419 individuals, aged 18–44 years, was interviewed by telephone using a standardized, nationally validated questionnaire. Information was collected on the respiratory symptoms, description of asthma attacks and triggering factors for declared asthmatics, as well as data on the indoor and outdoor home environment. “Current asthma” was defined as an individual declaring, at the time of the survey, having already suffered from asthma at some point during his/her life, whose asthma was confirmed by a doctor, and who had experienced an asthma attack in the last 12 months or had been treated for asthma in the last 12 months. “Current suspected asthma” was defined as an individual presenting, in the 12 months preceding the study, groups of symptoms suggestive of asthma consistent with the literature.

Results

The estimated prevalence of asthma was 5.4% [4.3–6.5]. After adjustment, women, obesity, a family member with asthma, tenure in current residence and presence of indoor home heating were associated with asthma. The prevalence of symptoms suggestive of asthma was 12.0% [10.2–13.8]. After adjustment, marital status, passive smoking, use of insecticide sprays, presence of mold in the home and external sources of atmospheric nuisance were associated with the prevalence of suspected asthma.

Conclusion

Preventive actions including asthma diagnosis, promotion of individual measures to reduce risk exposure as well as the development of study to improve knowledge on indoor air allergens are recommended.

Experimental setup for the growth of solid crystals of inert gases for particle detection

Low energy threshold detectors are necessary in many frontier fields of the experimental physics. In this work, we present a novel detection approach based on pure or doped matrices of inert gases solidified at cryogenic temperatures. The small energy release of the incident particle can be transferred directly (in pure crystals) or through a laser-driven ionization (in doped materials) to the electrons of the medium that are then converted into free electrons. The charge collection process of the electrons that consists in their drift within the crystal and their extraction through the solid-vacuum interface gives rise to an electric signal that we exploit for preliminary tests of charge collection and crystal quality. Such tests are carried out in different matrices of neon and methane using an UV-assisted apparatus for electron injection in crystals.

Observation of 7pP23/2→7dD2 optical transitions in 209 and 210 francium isotopes

We report on the direct experimental observation of the 7pP2_3/2→7dD2 optical transitions in 209 and 210 francium isotopes. By continuously monitoring the fluorescence emitted by the isotopes collected in a magneto-optical trap (MOT), the electric dipole transitions 7pP2_3/2→7dD2_5/2 of Fr209, not yet experimentally observed, and 7pP2_3/2→7dD2_5/2, 7pP2_3/2→7dD2_5/2 of Fr210 were detected as sub-Doppler depletion dips of the cold atom population. This approach allowed unambiguous identification of the excited state hyperfine structures, even in the absence of a large stable vapor. Our findings demonstrate the effectiveness and the flexibility of fluorescence monitoring of trap depletion upon laser excitation, and broaden the experimental knowledge of francium isotopes and their electronic and nuclear properties. These results will have a relevant impact on ongoing researches for low-energy testing of fundamental symmetries with francium, from atomic parity non-conservation to the electron dipole moment.

Modeling non-linear kinetics of hyperpolarized [1-(13)C] pyruvate in the crystalloid-perfused rat heart

Hyperpolarized (13)C MR measurements have the potential to display non-linear kinetics. We have developed an approach to describe possible non-first-order kinetics of hyperpolarized [1-(13)C] pyruvate employing a system of differential equations that agrees with the principle of conservation of mass of the hyperpolarized signal. Simultaneous fitting to a second-order model for conversion of [1-(13)C] pyruvate to bicarbonate, lactate and alanine was well described in the isolated rat heart perfused with Krebs buffer containing glucose as sole energy substrate, or glucose supplemented with pyruvate. Second-order modeling yielded significantly improved fits of pyruvate-bicarbonate kinetics compared with the more traditionally used first-order model and suggested time-dependent decreases in pyruvate-bicarbonate flux. Second-order modeling gave time-dependent changes in forward and reverse reaction kinetics of pyruvate-lactate exchange and pyruvate-alanine exchange in both groups of hearts during the infusion of pyruvate; however, the fits were not significantly improved with respect to a traditional first-order model. The mechanism giving rise to second-order pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) kinetics was explored experimentally using surface fluorescence measurements of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide reduced form (NADH) performed under the same conditions, demonstrating a significant increase of NADH during pyruvate infusion. This suggests a simultaneous depletion of available mitochondrial NAD(+) (the cofactor for PDH), consistent with the non-linear nature of the kinetics. NADH levels returned to baseline following cessation of the pyruvate infusion, suggesting this to be a transient effect.

Light desorption from an yttrium neutralizer for Rb and Fr magneto-optical trap loading

We present here the first evidence of photodesorption induced by low-intensity non-resonant light from an yttrium thin foil, which works as a neutralizer for Rb and Fr ions beam. Neutral atoms are suddenly ejected from the metal surface in a pulsed regime upon illumination with a broadband flash light and then released in the free volume of a pyrex cells. Here atoms are captured by a Magneto-Optical Trap (MOT), which is effectively loaded by the photodesorption. Loading times of the order of the flash rise time are measured. Desorption is also obtained in the continuous regime, by exploiting CW visible illumination of the metallic neutralizer surface. We demonstrate that at lower CW light intensities vacuum conditions are not perturbed by the photodesorption and hence the MOT dynamics remains unaffected, while the trap population increases thanks to the incoming desorbed atoms flux. Even with the Y foil at room temperature and hence with no trapped atoms, upon visible illumination, the number of trapped atoms reaches 10(5). The experimental data are then analyzed by means of an analytical rate equation model, which allows the analysis of this phenomenon and its dynamics and allows the determination of critical experimental parameters and the test of the procedure in the framework of radioactive Francium trapping. In this view, together with an extensive investigation of the phenomenon with (85)Rb, the first demonstration of the photodesorption-aided loading of a (210)Fr MOT is shown.

THE TREVISO DEMENTIA (TREDEM) STUDY: A BIOMEDICAL, NEURORADIOLOGICAL, NEUROPSYChOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL INVESTIGATION OF DEMENTIA IN NORTH-EASTERN ITALY

The incidence of dementia increases exponentially with age but knowledge of real disease-modifying interventions is still limited. Objectives: To describe the study design and methods of a large prospective cohort study aimed at exploring the complex underlying relationships existing among cognition, frailty, and health-related events in older persons with cognitive impairment. Design: Prospective cohort study of a representative population of outpatients attending the Treviso Cognitive Impairment Center between 2000 and 2010. Setting: The TREVISO DEMENTIA (TREDEM) Study conducted in Treviso, Italy. Participants: 490 men and 874 women, mean age 79.1 ± 7.8 years (range 40.2–100 years). Measurements: Physiological data, biochemical parameters, clinical conditions, neuroradiological parameters (e.g., brain atrophy and cerebral vascular lesions identified by computerized tomography scans), neuropsychological assessment, and physical function markers were measured at baseline. Patients were followed-up to 10 years. Results: The final sample included in the study was predominantly composed of women and characterized by an initial physical function impairment and increased vascular risk profile. Cognitive function of the sample population showed moderate cognitive impairment (Mini Mental State Examination 20.2 ± 6.3; Clinical Dementia Rating 1.2 ± 0.7), and a prevalence of vascular dementia of 26.9%. Cortical, subcortical and hippocampus atrophy were all significantly correlated with age and cognitive function. Conclusion: Results obtained from the preliminary analyses conducted in the TREDEM study suggest that the database will support the accomplishment of important goals in understanding the nature of cognitive frailty and neurodegenerative diseases.

284 FERTILIZING CAPACITY OF BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBALIS) SPERM CO-CULTURED WITH OVIDUCT EPITHELIAL CELLS

The overall in vitro embryo production efficiency in buffalo is hampered by the poor IVF efficiency. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether the fertilizing ability of buffalo sperm is improved by the presence of bovine oviductal cells (BOEC) during IVF. Because of limited availability of buffalo oocytes, this was assessed by heterologous IVF. Bovine oviducts were obtained at a local abattoir from cows that were in the preovulatory phase of a normal estrous cycle. BOEC recovered from 5 oviducts as previously described (Gualtieri and Talevi 2000 Biol. Reprod. 62, 1754-1762) were pooled and plated in 100 μL drops of TCM-199 + 10% FCS, 100 U mL-1 penicillin, 100 μg mL-1 streptomycin and 0.25 μg mL-1 amphotericin B under mineral oil. Medium was changed every 48 h up to Day 6, when cell confluence and cilia activity were optimal. On day of IVF the medium was removed from the drops and replaced with TALP supplemented with 0.2 mM penicillamine, 0.1 mM hypotaurine, and 0.01 mM heparin (IVF medium). Frozen-thawed sperm from an IVF-tested buffalo bull, treated by Percoll gradients, were used for all IVF groups (2 × 106 sperm mL-1). In vitro-matured bovine oocytes (n = 409), over 3 replicates, were distributed in 4 fertilization groups: (A) IVF medium alone (control); (B) BOEC monolayer + IVF medium; (C) sperm preincubated for 6 h in IVF medium; and (D) sperm preincubated for 6 h with BOEC + IVF medium. After 20 h of coincubation at 38.5°C and 5% CO2 in air, putative zygotes were denuded, washed, and cultured in SOF medium. Forty-eight hours after IVF, cleavage rate was evaluated, and cleaved and uncleaved oocytes were fixed in 60% methanol and stained with DAPI for nuclei examination under fluorescence microscope. Data were analyzed by chi-square test. Although cleavage rate was not different among groups (46.2, 55.8, 50.0, and 50.0% for A, B, C, and D, respectively), the monospermic penetration rate increased (P < 0.01) in group B (79.3%) compared with group A (69.6%), with intermediate values in groups C (75.2%) and D (76.0%). Interestingly, the percentage of advanced embryos (>4 cells) was higher (P < 0.01) in groups C and D (47.9 and 37.1%, respectively) than in group A (12.1%), whereas group B (21.0%) was only different from group C. We demonstrated that the fertilizing capacity of buffalo sperm, evaluated as oocyte penetration rate after heterologous IVF, is enhanced by the presence of BOEC. This suggests that IVF of buffalo oocytes on BOEC monolayer may improve the IVF efficiency in buffalo. The higher incidence of advanced embryos in both groups with preincubated sperm may be accounted for by an earlier accomplishment of capacitation, leading to anticipated oocyte penetration. However, because the penetration rate in these groups was not improved compared with the control, we hypothesize that sperm viability may have decreased and hence that shorter incubation times should be tested in further studies.

311 MELATONIN PROMOTES IN VITRO SPERM CAPACITATION IN BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBALIS)

Melatonin, the main hormone secreted by the pineal gland, plays many roles in reproduction. In ram spermatozoa, melatonin administration increases plasminogen activator activity (Tsantarliotou MP et al. 2007 Theriogenology 69, 458-465), known to be involved in sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction (Taitzoglou IA et al. 1996 Mol. Androl. 8, 187-197). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of melatonin to induce buffalo in vitro sperm capacitation, indirectly assessed by estimating the capability of spermatozoa to acrosome-react. Frozen-thawed semen from 4 different bulls was pooled and treated by swim-up in order to select only the motile population. Spermatozoa (n = 829) were assessed immediately after swim- up separation, to evaluate the incidence of acrosomal loss in non-treated cells (time 0). The remaining spermatozoa were incubated in the absence of capacitating agents (negative control; n = 513), in the presence of 0.01 mM heparin (positive control; n = 775), 10 μM melatonin (n = 684), 100 μM melatonin (n = 751), and 1 mM melatonin (n = 650), for 2 h. Sperm were then exposed for 15 min to 60 μg mL-1 of lysophosphatidylcholine, an agent known to induce acrosome reaction (AR) only on capacitated spermatozoa. Trypan blue was used first to differentiate live from dead spermatozoa and the dried smears were then fixed in 37% formaldehyde and stained with Giemsa for acrosome evaluation by microscopic examination. The percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa in each group was used to assess the efficiency of capacitation under different incubation conditions. The experiment was repeated 4 times. Differences among groups were analyzed by chi-square test. Acrosomal loss was observed only in 2.1% of the sperm population at time 0. Interestingly, sperm treatment with both heparin and the different concentrations of melatonin resulted in a significantly higher incidence of AR compared to the negative control (24.4, 20.5, 20.0, 23.6 v. 8.0% for the positive control, 10 μM melatonin, 100 μM melatonin, 1 mM melatonin, and the negative control, respectively; P < 0.01). These results demonstrated that melatonin determines capacitation of buffalo spermatozoa in vitro. Furthermore, the effect of melatonin was comparable to that of heparin, that is, the capacitating agent currently used in the IVF system. The capacitating effect was observed at all the tested concentrations, and viability was not affected. This suggests to extend the range of concentrations to test in future studies, in order to identify the optimal dose. Moreover, considering the seasonality of the species and the great differences in fertility attitude of buffalo bulls, it would be interesting to investigate the capacitation effect of melatonin in relation to both the season and the bull.

321 CO-CULTURE WITH OVIDUCT EPITHELIAL CELLS PROMOTES CAPACITATION OF BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBALIS) SPERM

The process of capacitation, necessary for spermatozoa to acquire fertilizing ability, normally takes place in the oviduct. It has been demonstrated that oviduct fluid improves capacitation in bovine spermatozoa (McNutt TL and Killian GJ 1991 J. Androl. 12, 244-252). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether co-culturing buffalo sperm with bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOEC) promotes in vitro capacitation of buffalo spermatozoa. Bovine oviducts were obtained at a local abattoir from cows that were in the preovulatory phase of a normal estrous cycle. BOEC recovered as previously described (Gualtieri R and Talevi R 2000 Biol. Reprod. 62, 1754-1762) from 5 oviducts were pooled and plated in dishes of TCM-199 + 10% FCS, 100 U mL-1 penicillin, 100 μg mL-1 streptomycin, and 0.25 μg mL-1 amphotericin B. Medium was changed every 48 h up to Day 6, when cell confluence and cilia activity were optimal. On day of trial, the medium was removed from the BOEC dishes and replaced with modified TALP containing 30 μM penicillamine, 15 μM hypotaurin, 0.15 μM epinephrine, and 1% bovine serum (mTALP). Buffalo frozen- thawed sperm from 4 bulls, pooled and treated by Percoll gradients, were incubated for 3 h (1 million sperm/mL): in mTALP with 30 μg mL-1 of heparin (Group A), on the BOEC monolayer (Group B), on the BOEC monolayer with 30 μg mL-1 of heparin (Group C), and in medium lacking capacitating agents, as negative control (Group D). After 3 h, sperm were recovered by centrifugation and capacitation was indirectly evaluated by assessing their ability to undergo acrosome reaction (AR) after 10 min of exposure to 10 μM calcium ionophore A23187. The AR was determined by the double-staining technique with trypan blue-Giemsa (Kovács A andFoote RH 1992 Biotec. Histochem. 67, 119-124). Spermatozoa (n = 294, 204, 225, and 222 for Groups A, B, C, and D, respectively) were then examined by microscopic evaluation. Differences in the percentages of AR among groups were analyzed by chi-square test. After Percoll separation, sperm viability was 95.8% and acrosomal loss was observed only in 5% of the sperm population. After 3 h of incubation, sperm viability decreased (P < 0.01) in all groups compared to the post-Percoll time, whereas no differences were found among groups (73, 80.4, 80.0, and 76.2%, respectively, for Groups A, B, C, and D). Sperm co-incubation with both BOEC and heparin for 3 h improved capacitation, as indicated by the significant increase (P < 0.01) of AR compared to the negative control (29.9, 30.5, 30.6, and 14%, respectively, for Groups A, B, C, and D). Furthermore, both BOEC groups gave percentages of AR similar to those observed after incubation with heparin, that is, the most widely used capacitating agent. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that co-culturing sperm with BOEC, both in the presence or absence of heparin, enhances buffalo sperm capacitation in vitro.

322 EFFECT OF PLASMIN ON ACROSOME REACTION OF BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBALIS) SPERMATOZOA IN VITRO

Fertilization is a critical step of the in vitro embryo production (IVEP) technology in buffalo. It is known that proteolytic enzymes are involved in different steps of the fertilization process; among these, a critical role may be played by the plasminogen activator-plasmin system. It has been demonstrated that plasmin, the active enzyme of this system, induces acrosome reaction (AR) in bull spermatozoa (Taitzoglou IA et al. 2003 Andrologia 35, 112-116). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of plasmin on the ability of buffalo sperm to undergo the AR. Frozen- thawed sperm from 4 buffalo bulls were treated by swim-up and incubated with 0.01 mM heparin for 4 h. At 0, 2, and 4 h, aliquots of spermatozoa were exposed for 10 min to 60 μg mL-1 of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), as positive control, and to 0.01 μg mL-1 of plasmin. This concentration was chosen after a preliminary dose-response trial. Another sample from each treatment was incubated with IVF medium (negative control). After 10 min, sperm motility was evaluated and sperm were fixed in 37% formaldehyde and stained with trypan blue-Giemsa for subsequent microscopic examination. The total number of sperm counted, over 3 replicates, was 1269 for the negative control, 1293 for LPC, and 1238 for plasmin, equally distributed among incubation times. Differences among groups were analyzed by chi-square test. After swim-up, acrosomal loss was observed only in 4% of the sperm. The addition of 0.01 μg mL-1 of plasmin for 10 min to buffalo spermatozoa at time 0 significantly (P < 0.01) enhanced (23%) AR compared with the control (7.8%), with the same efficiency of LPC (17.1%). After 2 h of incubation with heparin, both plasmin and LPC increased the AR compared to the control (24.4, 20.1, and 14.0%, respectively; P < 0.01). After 4 h, plasmin gave higher percentages of AR (27.2%) compared to both the control (21.0%; P < 0.05) and LPC (19.2%; P < 0.01). Another interesting result is the improved motility recorded with plasmin compared to both the control and LPC groups at 2 h of incubation (90, 75, and 75%, respectively; P < 0.05) and at 4 h of incubation (75, 60, and 60%, respectively; P < 0.05). Finally, no differences in sperm viability were observed between plasmin and the control, whereas a decreased viability was found when LPC was used at 0 h (96.2, 95.0, and 89.0%, respectively, for plasmin, control, and LPC; P < 0.05), at 2 h (85.0, 87.5, and 77.0%, respectively, for plasmin, control, and LPC; P < 0.01), and at 4 h (85.0, 93.3, and 81.1%, respectively, for plasmin, control, and LPC; P < 0.01). In conclusion, we found that addition of plasmin to capacitated sperm increases the percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa and improves motility. Our results suggest that plasmin may play a role in events surrounding fertilization and suggest to evaluate in further studies whether the addition of plasmin during IVF improves the IVEP efficiency in buffalo.

Full control of sodium vapor density in siloxane-coated cells using blue LED light-induced atomic desorption

We propose and experimentally implement a method, based on light-induced atomic desorption, for controlled generation of large sodium densities in siloxane-coated cells, kept at room temperature. An array of blue LEDs is used to desorb sodium atoms from the cell walls. The required atomic vapor density is achieved and stabilized by controlling the LED power through the feedback given by the sodium fluorescence. We show that sodium densities corresponding to about 400 K can be obtained and kept stable for a long time with less than 6 mW of LED light power. Moreover, this technique allows for precise vapor density modulation with a frequency of tenths of hertz, which is not possible using traditional heating methods.

Accurate measurements of transition frequencies and isotope shifts of laser-trapped francium

An interferometric method is used to improve the accuracy of the 7S-7P transition frequencies of three francium isotopes by 1 order of magnitude. The deduced isotope shifts for 209-211Fr confirm the ISOLDE data. The frequency of the D2 transition of 212Fr--the accepted reference for all Fr isotope shifts--is revised, and a significant difference with the ISOLDE value is found. Our results will be a benchmark for the accuracy of the theory of Fr energy levels, a necessary step to investigate fundamental symmetries.

205 EFFECT OF OSTEOPONTIN ON CLEAVAGE AND BLASTOCYST RATES IN BUFFALO SPECIES (BUBALUS BUBALIS)

It was previously reported that osteopontin (OPN), an acidic single-chain phosphorylated glycoprotein found in the oviductal fluid in cattle (Gabler C et al. 2003 Reproduction 126, 721–729), is able to facilitate fertilization in this species (Gasparrini B et al. 2008 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 20(Suppl. I), 180 abst). The present study aimed to investigate whether the addition of OPN to the fertilization medium would affect both cleavage and postfertilization embryo development in the buffalo. To assess the influence of OPN on cleavage and blastocyst rates, in vitro-matured oocytes were fertilized in modified Tyrode’s albumin lactate pyruvate medium (Lu KH et al. 1987 Vet. Rec. 121, 259–260) supplemented with penicillamine, hypotaurine, and heparin, in the presence of 0.0 (n = 258), 0.1 (n = 263), 1 (n = 261), and 10 μg mL–1 (n = 264) of OPN. In vitro fertilization was carried out with frozen–thawed spermatozoa from a bull already tested for IVF. After 20 to 22 h of co-incubation at 38.5°C and 5% CO2 in air, putative zygotes were gently pipetted to remove cumulus cells, washed, and transferred, 10 per droplet, into 20 μL of SOF medium including essential and nonessential amino acids and BSA (Tervit HR et al. 1972 J. Reprod. Fertil. 30(3), 493–497), in a controlled gas atmosphere consisting of 5% CO2, 7% O2, and 88% N2, in humidified air, at 38.5°C. The culture medium was changed on Day 5 (Day 0 = day of insemination), when cleavage rate was assessed and embryos were moved into fresh medium for an additional 2 days. On Day 7, development rates into blastocysts of superior quality were recorded. Differences in the percentages of both cleavage and blastocyst rates among groups were analyzed by chi-square test. Significantly higher cleavage rates (59.3, 70.3, 71.6, and 42.4%, respectively, in the control group and in the groups with 0.1, 1, and 10 μg mL–1 of OPN; P < 0.01) were observed in the groups with 0.1 and 1 μg mL–1 of OPN compared with the other groups. Likewise, higher blastocyst rate percentages (17.4, 27.4, 29.9, and 9.5%, respectively, in the control group and in the groups with 0.1, 1, and 10 μg mL–1 of OPN; P < 0.01) were observed in the groups with 0.1 and 1 μg mL–1 of OPN compared with the other groups. In conclusion, these results showed that addition of low concentrations of OPN in the fertilization medium improved both cleavage and postfertilization embryo development in the buffalo, whereas the higher concentration resulted in impaired late-stage embryo development.

62 EXPOSURE TO ETHYLENE GLYCOL AND DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE CAUSES ACTIVATION AND SPINDLE ANOMALIES IN BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBALIS) OOCYTES

Despite the increasing interest, buffalo oocyte cryopreservation is still inefficient, especially in terms of blastocyst development after IVF. The aim of this work was to evaluate chromatin and spindle organization of buffalo in vitro-matured oocytes after vitrification/warming by cryotop and after their simple exposure to cryoprotectants (CP). An overall amount of 251 COC was selected and matured in vitro. In the vitrification group, COC were first exposed to 10% ethylene glycol (EG) + 10% DMSO for 3 min, and then to 20% EG + 20% of DMSO and 0.5 m sucrose, loaded on cryotops, and plunged into liquid nitrogen within 25 s. Oocytes were warmed into a 1.25 m sucrose solution for 1 min and then to decreasing concentrations of sucrose (0.625 m, 0.42 m, and 0.31 m) for 30s each. In order to test CP toxicity, COC were simply exposed to the vitrification and warming solutions. Two hours after warming, oocytes were fixed and immunostained for microtubules using a method previously described (Messinger SM and Albertini DF 1991 J. Cell Sci. 100, 289–298), stained for nuclei with Hoechst, and examined by fluorescence microscopy. Fresh in vitro-matured oocytes were fixed and stained as controls. Data were analyzed by chi-square test; results are shown in Table 1. The percentages of MII oocytes in the control and vitrification groups were greater than in the toxicity group, in which a greater percentage of telophase II stage oocytes were found compared with both the control and vitrification groups, indicating occurrence of activation. Of the MII oocytes, both exposure to CP and vitrification procedures gave greater percentages of oocytes with abnormal spindle and abnormal chromatin configuration compared with the control. An unexpected datum was the evidence of a significant percentage of spontaneously activated oocytes in the toxicity group. We speculate that the lack of activation in the vitrification group may be related to the slowing down of metabolic activity subsequent to thermal shock, and hence, that activation after vitrification may occur later than 2 h post-warming. In conclusion, the simple exposure to CP causes activation of the COC and damage to the cytoskeleton similar to that induced by the whole vitrification protocol. The damages to the meiotic spindle and DNA fragmentation may lead to aneuploidy incompatible with subsequent embryo development and account for the poor embryo development currently recorded in buffalo. Table 1.Chromatin and spindle organization in oocytes vitrified and exposed to cryoprotectants

217 KINETICS OF SPERM PENETRATION IS CORRELATED WITH IN VITRO FERTILITY OF BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBALIS) BULLS

It was previously demonstrated that the kinetics of early cleavage could be used to discriminate between bovine bulls with high and low field fertility (Ward F et al. 2001 Mol. Reprod. Dev. 60, 47–55). Marked differences exist in the kinetics of sperm penetration between bulls, and this may be a useful predictor of field fertility in cattle (Ward F et al. 2002 Theriogenology 57, 2105–2117). It is well known that the ability to fertilize oocytes in vitro and to sustain embryo development varies significantly among buffalo bulls. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate whether the speed of oocyte penetration after IVF was correlated with the blastocyst rates obtainable with different bulls in buffalo species. In Experiment 1, in vitro-matured buffalo oocytes were co-incubated with MitoTracker-labeled spermatozoa (Ward F et al. 2002 Theriogenology 57, 2105–2117) from 6 different bulls, over 2 replicates. Oocytes were subsequently fixed every 3 h (up to 18 h) postinsemination (pi). At each time point, oocytes were denuded, dezoned, fixed in ethanol overnight, and stained with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole for nuclei examination under a fluorescence microscope. In Experiment 2, in vitro-matured oocytes were fertilized with sperm from the same 6 bulls and were cultured to the blastocyst stage, over 4 replicates. Bulls were tested, collectively, on each batch of ovaries in both experiments. Differences in the percentages of monospermic penetration among bulls were analyzed by chi-square test. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were also carried out between the speed of penetration and blastocyst yields. Marked differences in the kinetics of sperm penetration were found among buffalo bulls, as shown in Table 1. Interestingly, a correlation was found between the blastocyst rate and the percentage of oocytes penetrated at 6 h (r = 0.71; P < 0.01), at 9 h (r = 0.65; P < 0.05), at 12 h (r = 0.77; P < 0.01), and at 18 h pi (r = 0.59; P < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that the optimal time of penetration for predicting the blastocyst rate was 12 h pi (R2 = 0.6). In conclusion, the kinetics of sperm penetration may be a useful marker to predict the in vitro-fertilizing ability of buffalo bulls. The great variability in the speed of oocyte penetration suggests inserting this assessment in the preliminary screening of bulls before their utilization in IVF programs. This may be helpful in selecting high-fertility bulls and identifying the optimal gamete co-incubation times for each bull used. Table 1.Percentage of oocytes penetrated at each time point (hpi, h postinsemination) by different bulls1

Optical recording in Rb loaded-porous glass by reversible photoinduced phase transformations

We report reversible phase transformations in Rb loaded-porous glass irradiated with weak laser light which allow us to realize image storage on it. The effect is due to photo-induced changes of Rb distribution inside the glass pores, where atomic photodetachment and confinement produce either formation or evaporation of Rb nanoclusters. These processes depend on light frequency and intensity making controllable by light the porous glass transparency. We demonstrate that porous glass doped with Rb can be used as a support to record a light pulse for a long time as well as to remember the order of light colors in an illumination sequence.

Light induced atomic desorption from dry-film coatings

We report the first experimental evidence of nonthermal light induced atomic desorption (LIAD) from octadecyltrichlorosilane dry film. The experiment has been made with Rb confined in a coated cell kept at room temperature. A detailed study of the main features of LIAD effect has been made by varying intensity and wavelength of desorbing light. A discussion about the differences and similarities with other organic films that were studied first is reported. This result is important as it expands the list of materials showing such an effect and increases the possibilities to get suitable light controlled atomic sources for spectroscopy and applications. In particular, we plan to exploit this feature in a Fr magneto-optical trap apparatus.

Rapid detection of mycoplasma in continuous cell lines using a selective biochemical test

Mycoplasma contamination is a deleterious event for a cell culture laboratory due to the ability of this microorganism to contaminate cell culture leading up to the production of false data or, in the worst cases, to the loss of cell culture itself. Fortunately, mycoplasma can be eradicated by the use of antibiotics, but early detection of contamination is peremptory. Here, we propose the use of a sensitive and specific biochemical test named MycoAlert. In particular, as regards cell cultures not yet treated with antibiotics, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of MycoAlert assay gave excellent scores of 100%, 97%, 89% and 100%, respectively.

[New insights in atherosclerosis research: LOX-1, leading actor of cardiovascular diseases]

The OLR1 gene encodes a cell-surface endocytosis receptor (LOX-1) for oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL). LDL is oxidized in vascular endothelial cells to a highly injurious product that results in endothelial cell injury, which is implicated in the development of atherosclerosis. Vascular endothelial cells also internalize and degrade oxLDL though the OLR1 receptor. This receptor is upregulated by ox-LDL itself and by angiotensin II, endothelin, cytokines, and shear stress, important factors of atherosclerosis. This receptor is upregulated in the arteries of hypertensive, dyslipidemic, and diabetic animals. Two independent studies have demonstrated genetic association between polymorphisms in the OLR1 gene and myocardial infarction. Based on genetic and functional studies we propose LOX-1 as a novel biomarker and target in cardiovascular disease diagnosis and prevention.

Reversible light-controlled formation and evaporation of rubidium clusters in nanoporous silica

We observe reversible light assisted formation and evaporation of rubidium clusters embedded in nanoporous silica. Metallic nanoparticles are cyclically produced and evaporated by weak blue-green and near-infrared light, respectively. The atoms photodetached from the huge surface of the silica matrix build up clusters, whereas cluster evaporation is increased by induced surface plasmon excitation. Frequency tuning of light activates either one process or the other and the related changes of glass transparency become visible to the naked eye. We demonstrate that the porous silica, loaded with rubidium, shows memory of illumination sequences behaving as a rereadable and rewritable optical medium. These processes take place as a consequence of the strong confinement of atoms and particles at the nanoscale.

Acanthamoeba castellanii promotion of in vitro survival and transmission of coxsackie b3 viruses

This work was undertaken to determine whether Acanthamoeba could play a role in the survival and transmission of coxsackieviruses and focused on in vitro interactions between Acanthamoeba castellanii and coxsackie B3 viruses (CVB-3). Residual virus titer evaluations and immunofluorescence experiments revealed a remarkable CVB-3 adsorption on amoeba surfaces and accumulation inside cells. The survival of viruses was independent of the dynamics of amoeba replication and encystment. In addition, our results indicated that virus-infected amoebas can release infectious viruses during interaction with human macrophages. On the basis of these data, Acanthamoeba appears to be a potential promoter of the survival of coxsackieviruses and their transmission to human hosts.

Explosive vaporization of metallic sodium microparticles by CW resonant laser radiation

Explosive vaporization of metallic Na microparticles stimulated by resonant cw laser radiation has been observed in a glass cell. Vaporization occurs at low laser-power density. The effect consists in the generation of optically thick and sharply localized Na vapor clouds propagating in the cell against the laser beam. The effect is explained by laser excitation of Na atoms, which collide onto the surface of the microparticles and transfer their internal energy. This causes other atoms to be vaporized and to continue the avalanche process.

Biosensors as new analytical tool for detection of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Three different biosensors for detection of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are presented. The sensing principle is based on the affinity interaction between nucleic acids: the probe is immobilised on the sensor surface and the target analyte is free in solution. The immobilised probes are specific for most inserted sequences in GMOs: the promoter P35S and the terminator TNOS. Electrochemical methods with screen-printed electrodes, piezoelectric and optical (SPR) transduction principles were applied.

Prognostic value of pharmacologic stress echocardiography in patients with left bundle branch block

PURPOSE

Although coronary artery disease is a frequent cause of left bundle branch block, the prognostic value of myocardial ischemia in patients with this conduction abnormality has not been defined. We investigated the value of pharmacologic stress echocardiography in risk stratification of patients with left bundle branch block.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Three hundred eighty-seven patients [230 men and 157 women, mean (+/- SD) age, 64 +/- 9 years] with complete left bundle branch block on the resting electrocardiogram underwent dobutamine (n = 217) or dipyridamole (n = 170) stress echocardiography to evaluate suspected or known coronary artery disease. A summary wall motion score (on a one to four scale) was calculated. The primary end points were cardiac death and nonfatal myocardial infarction.

RESULTS

A positive echocardiographic result (evidence of ischemia) was detected in 109 (28%) patients. During a mean follow-up of 29 +/- 26 months, there were 21 cardiac deaths and 20 myocardial infarctions, 63 patients underwent coronary revascularization, and 1 patient received a heart transplant. In a multivariate analysis, four clinical and echocardiographic variables were associated with increased risk of cardiac death: resting wall motion score index [hazard ratio (HR) = 7.5 per unit; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.8 to 20; P = 0.001], previous myocardial infarction (HR = 2.9; 95% CI, 1.1 to 7.3; P = 0.02), diabetes (HR = 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1 to 6.6; P = 0.03), and the change in wall motion score index from rest to peak stress (HR = 3.0 per unit; 95% CI, 1.0 to 8.6; P = 0.04). The 5-year survival was 77% in the ischemic group and 92% in the nonischemic group (P = 0.02). Four variables were associated with increased risk of cardiac death or infarction: previous myocardial infarction (HR = 3.4; 95% CI, 1.7 to 6.8; P = 0.0005), diabetes (HR = 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2 to 4.6; P = 0.01), resting wall motion score index (HR = 2.2 per unit; 95% CI, 1.1 to 4.1; P = 0.02), and positive echocardiographic result (HR = 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1 to 4.5; P = 0.03). The 5-year infarction-free survival was 60% in the ischemic group and 87% in the nonischemic group (P < 0.0001). Stress echocardiography significantly improved risk stratification in patients without previous myocardial infarction (P = 0.0001), but not in those with previous myocardial infarction (P = 0.08). In particular, it provided additional value over clinical and resting echocardiographic findings in predicting cardiac events among patients without previous infarction.

CONCLUSIONS

Myocardial ischemia during pharmacologic stress echocardiography is a strong prognostic predictor in patients with left bundle branch block, particularly in those without previous myocardial infarction.

Evaluation of cardiac status in iron-loaded thalassaemia patients following bone marrow transplantation: improvement in cardiac function during reduction in body iron burden

Iron-induced cardiac disease is the primary cause of death in transfused patients with thalassaemia major. The beneficial effects of deferoxamine mesylate on clinical cardiac disease have been well described but the impact of therapy on subclinical cardiac dysfunction is unknown. To assess the reversibility of subclinical cardiac dysfunction we studied the cardiac status during iron depletion treatment (phlebotomy) in iron overloaded patients, cured of thalassaemia by marrow transplantation, without clinical manifestation of heart failure but with alteration in both left ventricular diastolic function and in contractility property. 32 patients were studied and demonstrated a slight but significant impairment in the morphology and function if compared with matched normal controls. 17 of these patients were submitted to sequential echocardiographic evaluations during the phlebotomy programme. Following completion of the programme, normalization of the indices of contractility and normalization of diastolic function were observed. This study indicates that transplanted thalassaemia patients with subclinical left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and impaired left ventricular contractility may reverse these processes with an effective regimen of iron reduction such as phlebotomy.

An unusual marrow transplant complication: cardiac myxoma

We report a right atrial myxoma which suddenly developed in a thalassemic patient after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. The tumor was first detected by echocardiography on day +47 after transplant and the patient underwent surgical removal of the myxoma on day +103. The post-operative course was uneventful, and at more than 3 years from the event, he is alive and well, cured from his congenital disease, with no detectable intra-cardiac tumor. The onset of the myxoma in the early post-transplant period and the extremely high velocity of growth suggest a possible relationship of this condition with the immunosuppressive status.

Bone marrow transplantation in a thalassemia patient with congenital heart disease

We report a thalassemia patient suffering from congenital transposition of the great arteries, surgically corrected according to Mustard technique at the age of 4 months, who underwent bone marrow transplantation. Despite a syncopal episode occurring during the first day after marrow infusion the transplant was successful. Thirty-two months later, normalization of hematologic parameters was observed together with a substantial improvement in cardiac function.

Cardiac tamponade in thalassemia

We report a case of acute cardiac tamponade without concurrent myocardial disease occurring in a thalassemia patient early after bone marrow transplantation. The pericardial effusion was preceded by an episode of junctional tachycardia. Repeated evaluation by echocardiography was done shortly after the patient developed the arrhythmia and permitted a detailed, timed observation of the event and description of the symptoms.

Sudden cardiac tamponade after chemotherapy for marrow transplantation in thalassaemia

Published work suggests that cardiac tamponade occurs only occasionally after bone-marrow transplantation (BMT) but the worrying number of cases encountered in the transplant programme in Pesaro, Italy, has led to an analysis of this complication. Cardiac tamponade occurred in 8 (2%) of 400 consecutive thalassaemic patients during conditioning for or within a month of BMT. 6 cases were fatal; these represented 9% of all causes of death and 29% of those occurring between start of conditioning regimen and 30 days post transplant. The syndrome was characterised by sudden onset of circulatory shock and cardiac arrest. The only effective treatment was immediate fluid removal. The absence of myocardial lesions and the complete resolution of the syndrome after pericardiocentesis suggest that the pericardial membranes played the main part in the pathogenesis of the syndrome. Since irradiation was not part of the conditioning regimen and since 3 of the affected patients had bacteraemia, the triggering factor for the syndrome could have been the drugs used for conditioning, acting alone or together with bacteraemia and trauma. The frequency with which we encountered the syndrome, and the similarity among our patients in clinical picture, and in characteristics of the effusion, indicate that cardiac tamponade occurring in thalassaemic patients after start of chemotherapy as conditioning for BMT is a specific syndrome requiring rapid treatment.

Inactivation of Placental Factor XIIIa by Acrylamide

Acrylamide rapidly and irreversibly inactivates thrombin activated Factor XIIIa, without affecting neither the intact zymogen nor its proteolytic activation. The inactivation is strictly dependent on the presence of calcium ions and is accompanied by a decrease in the number of free and total thiol residues, suggesting that cysteine residue(s), whose reactivity is modulated by calcium, is (are) probably responsible for the acrylamide-directed inactivation.

Inactivation of skeletal-muscle UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase by reaction with carboxylate-directed reagents

Skeletal-muscle UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase is inactivated by reaction with 2-ethoxy-N-(ethoxy-carbonyl)-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl-3-ethylcarbodi-imide (EDAC), two reagents specific for carboxylate groups. The former reagent is a more effective inactivator than EDAC. Although no evidence of reversible enzyme-reagent complexes of the affinity-labelling type was obtained by kinetic analysis of the inactivation, the selective protection of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase activity against inactivation by EEDQ in the presence of uridine substrates is indicative of an active-site-directed effect. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that EEDQ modifies a single carboxylate group located in a hydrophobic domain close to the substrate-binding site, leading to enzyme inactivation. In contrast, the reaction between UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and EDAC appears to involve a different region of the enzyme.

Inactivation of skeletal glycogen synthetase by diethylpyrocarbonate

Glycogen synthetase from skeletal muscle is rapidly inactivated by DEPC. In the presence of the substrate UDPG only 50% of the enzyme activity is lost. The concomitant addition of both UDPG and the allosteric activator glucose-6-phosphate almost completely prevents the inactivation by DEPC. Since glucose-6-phosphate alone does not prevent the inactivation by DEPC, it is concluded that it is effective through a potentiation of the effects of UDPG, possibly through a conformational change of the enzyme.

"True" cystic meningioma

Images

Personal experience with the surgery of spinal meningiomas

We present a series of 36 surgically treated spinal meningiomas, emphasising that the complaints of a patient with spinal meningioma are too often misinterpreted and ascribed to other, more common, affections of the spine such as spondyloarthrosis or disc prolapse. CT scanning and myelography should be used more routinely, in order to reduce the delay in diagnosing a spinal meningioma. Excision of the dural attachment is not always essential to avoid recurrences.

Spinal carcinomatous metastases. Retrospective study of 67 surgically treated cases

A series of 67 surgically treated spinal carcinomatous metastases is reviewed in order to establish the role played by surgery in the management of such a disease. The authors compare the results achieved in two groups of patients treated with a different therapeutic approach: either surgery alone or surgery associated with other therapies (mainly radiotherapy). On this basis, although no ideal treatment for spinal epidural metastases can be established, the authors suggest decompressive laminectomy as a first choice approach in the treatment of patients bearing a scarcely radiosensitive spinal metastasis with a rapidly deteriorating motor function.