Scientific-technological analysis and biological aspects of entomopathogenic fungus Aschersonia

Entomopathogenic fungus belonging to the genus Aschersonia [Sordariomycetes: Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae] is known for its high virulence against Aleyrodidae and Coccoidea. Its first use as a biological control agent date back to 1921 in Florida, when it was reported to be active against citrus whiteflies. Despite its recognized effectiveness, after a century no formulations based on Aschersonia are available for use as a biopesticide. The main aim of this study was to analyze the available patents and scientific articles involving this genus to understand the current scenario with respect to the scientific and technological development. To accomplish this objective, scientific and patent databases were surveyed, firstly using the terms ‘Entomopathogenic fungi, ‘Aschersonia’, ‘Beauveria’ and ‘Metarhizium’ to understand the overall scenario of scientific and technological production for entomopathogenic fungi. This was followed by a more detailed analysis for the genus Aschersonia. Our study demonstrates that there is little advancement with respect to research and technological development with this fungus. A total of 83 articles and 110 patents were found with the term “Aschersonia” in titles or abstracts. After the exclusion of articles and patents in duplicates, and without Aschersonia as the focus, 18 articles and 21 patents remained. Most of the scientific and technological production obtained described the production of enzymes and mycotoxins, focusing on other biotechnological applications rather than its use as an insecticidal agent. We elucidate possible difficulties for the use of this fungus as a biological control agent and provide a future perspective on its use in biotechnological products.     

Hepatitis E Virus: A Cross‐Sectional Serological and Virological Study in Pigs and Humans at Zoonotic Risk within a High‐Density Pig Farming Area

An increase in autochthonous hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections has been recorded in Italy suspected to be zoonotically transmitted from pigs; this study was carried out to determinate the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with hepatitis HEV exposition, both in swine and humans working in pig farms, located within a high‐density pig farming area in Piedmont region, north‐western Italy. The presence of viral RNA in human and swine samples was also evaluated, and phylogenetic analysis was performed on HEV‐positive samples. Forty‐two swine farms were sampled; 142 workers were enrolled in the study and classified into two groups: (i) 69 workers with occupational contact with swine (including veterinarians and farmers) recruited in the 42 sampled farms; (ii) 73 without occupational contact with swine. Forty‐one of 42 (97%) swine farms resulted positive to enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay test for HEV antibodies (Abs). Overall seroprevalence in swine was 50% (441/879), with seropositivity rate higher in sows (333/469, 71%). HEV RNA in stool samples was detected in animals from 13 of 42 tested farms (31%), and a higher positivity resulted in weaners (40/246, 16.3%). Phylogenetic analysis classified all HEV isolates within genotype 3 (subtypes 3f, 3e, 3c). All humans were negative for HEV viral genome in blood. Five of 142 sera were positive for IgG anti‐HEV with an overall prevalence of 3.52% with no statistically significant differences in prevalence rates between workers at zoonotic risk and the control group (5.7% versus 1.3%). In contrast, a significant difference (OR 10.1) was observed within the subgroup including subjects exposed for short periods (veterinarians) compared with those who worked for long periods (farmers) suggesting a correlation between the time of exposure and the likelihood of HEV infection. Reporting HEV infection is not mandatory in Italy, but a constant epidemiological surveillance should be ensured to clarify the epidemiology of this disease.     

Role of self-compassion in psychological well-being among perinatal women

Self-compassion is associated with depression and anxiety in general samples. Although recent research indicates that dysfunctional maternal attitudes predict the development of perinatal depression and anxiety symptoms, no research to date has examined the construct of self-compassion and its relationship with psychological well-being in perinatal women. Pregnant and postpartum women (N?=?189) completed self-report measures of depression and anxiety history, current depression and anxiety symptom severity, and self-compassion. Women with higher depression and anxiety symptom severity had significantly lower self-compassion. Additionally, women with self-reported prior history of depression or anxiety had significantly lower self-compassion even while controlling for current depression or anxiety symptom severity, respectively. Our results suggest that self-compassion warrants further attention in the study of the development, maintenance, and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.     

Comparison of Plantar Pressure Distribution During Walking After Two Different Surgical Treatments for Calcaneal Fracture

The aim of our study was to compare gait in terms of foot loading and temporal variables after 2 different operative approaches (the extended lateral approach [ELA] and sinus tarsi approach). Twenty-two patients who sustained an intra-articular calcaneal fracture underwent plantar pressure distribution measurements 6 months after surgery. Measurements were performed while patients walked on the pedobarography platform. The values of dynamic variables were significantly lower on the operated limb in the ELA. In the sinus tarsi approach, no differences were observed between the operated and uninjured limbs (UIN) at peak pressure and at maximal vertical force. The values of temporal variables (contact time of the foot and of the heel) between the operated and UIN differed in the ELA. The hypothesis that differences in foot load between operated and UIN will be more significant in the ELA was confirmed. Our results showed that the differences in loading and temporal variables between the operated and the UIN persisted 6 months after surgery in both methods. The operated limb was less loaded, with the tendency to shift the load toward the midfoot and forefoot. After the less invasive sinus tarsi approach, the dynamic and temporal variables on the operated limb were nearly the same as those on the healthy one. The sinus tarsi surgical approach can be recommended for treatment of displaced calcaneal fractures.     

On the origin and diffusion of BRCA1 c.5266dupC (5382insC) in European populations

The BRCA1 mutation c.5266dupC was originally described as a founder mutation in the Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) population. However, this mutation is also present at appreciable frequency in several European countries, which raises intriguing questions about the origins of the mutation. We genotyped 245 carrier families from 14 different population groups (Russian, Latvian, Ukrainian, Czech, Slovak, Polish, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Greek, Brazilian and AJ) for seven microsatellite markers and confirmed that all mutation carriers share a common haplotype from a single founder individual. Using a maximum likelihood method that allows for both recombination and mutational events of marker loci, we estimated that the mutation arose some 1800 years ago in either Scandinavia or what is now northern Russia and subsequently spread to the various populations we genotyped during the following centuries, including the AJ population. Age estimates and the molecular evolution profile of the most common linked haplotype in the carrier populations studied further suggest that c.5266dupC likely entered the AJ gene pool in Poland approximately 400-500 years ago. Our results illustrate that (1) BRCA1 c.5266dupC originated from a single common ancestor and was a common European mutation long before becoming an AJ founder mutation and (2) the mutation is likely present in many additional European countries where genetic screening of BRCA1 may not yet be common practice.     

Effects of multiple factorial intervention on ambulatory BP profile and renal function in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients with overt nephropathy - a pilot study

Accumulating evidence has shown that diabetic patients are increasing in number, and renal and cardiovascular complications are the most common cause of death in diabetic patients. Thus, it would be of considerable value to identify the mechanisms involved in the progression of renal impairment and cardiovascular injury associated with diabetes. Recent evidence also indicated that multifactorial intervention is able to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and death among patients with diabetes and microalbuninuria. In this pilot study, we examined the effects of intensified multifactorial intervention, with tight glucose regulation and the use of valsartan and fluvastatin on ambulatory blood pressure (BP) profile, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR), in 20 hypertensive patients (16 male and 4 female) with type 2 diabetes mellitus and overt nephropathy. After 12 months of intensified treatment, office BP, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) were significantly decreased compared to baseline (systolic blood pressure (SBP), 130 ± 2 vs. 150 ± 1 mmHg; diastolic blood pressure (DBP), 76 ± 1 vs. 86 ± 1 mmHg; FPG, 117 ± 5 vs. 153 ± 7 mg/dl; LDLC, 116 ± 8 vs. 162 ± 5 mg/dl, P < 0.0001). Also, compared to the baseline values, the daytime and nighttime ambulatory BP and short-term BP variability were significantly decreased after 12 months. Furthermore, while eGFR was not altered (44.3 ± 5.1 vs. 44.3 ± 6.5 ml/min/1.73 m(2), not significant (NS)), UACR showed a significant reduction after 12 months of intensified treatment (1228 ± 355 vs. 2340 ± 381 mg/g-cr, P < 0.05). These results suggest that the intensified multifactorial intervention is able to improve ambulatory BP profile, preserve renal function, and reduce urinary albumin excretion in type 2 diabetic hypertensive patients with overt nephropathy.     

Long‐term follow‐up of Wilson Disease: natural history,treatment, mutations analysis and phenotypic correlation

Background and aims: Wilson disease (WD) is an inherited disorder of copper metabolism. When treated, the outcome can be excellent, although the long‐term survival has yet to be well documented. The aim of this study was to describe the long‐term outcome of a cohort of patients with WD and to assess those factors affecting the phenotypic manifestation of WD. Methods: The presence of mutations to the ATP7B gene, the clinical manifestations, treatments and the long‐term outcomes were analysed retrospectively in 117 patients with WD (59 men and 58 women, aged at evaluation 38.5 ± 11, range 16–63 years). Results: Fifty‐five patients with a neurological presentation, 51 patients with a hepatic presentation and 11 asymptomatic patients were followed up for an average of 15.1 ± 10 years (median 12 years, range 1–41 years). The H1069Q ATP7B gene mutation was the most frequent genetic variant (54.3%); the frequency of this mutation did not differ between patients with either the hepatic or the neurological presentation (P=0.099). d ‐penicillamine or zinc salts (81 and 17% respectively) were used for treatment, and three patients underwent liver transplantation. The majority of symptomatic patients became asymptomatic, or improved, during the follow‐up (82% patients with hepatic presentation, 69% with neurological presentation). The long‐term survival of patients with WD did not differ from that of the general Czech population (P=0.95). Conclusions: Long‐term follow‐up shows a satisfactory response in the great majority of adequately treated patients with WD and survival coincides with that of the general population.     

Randomized trial of behavioral activation, cognitive therapy, and antidepressant medication in the acute treatment of adults with major depression

Antidepressant medication is considered the current standard for severe depression, and cognitive therapy is the most widely investigated psychosocial treatment for depression. However, not all patients want to take medication, and cognitive therapy has not demonstrated consistent efficacy across trials. Moreover, dismantling designs have suggested that behavioral components may account for the efficacy of cognitive therapy. The present study tested the efficacy of behavioral activation by comparing it with cognitive therapy and antidepressant medication in a randomized placebo-controlled design in adults with major depressive disorder (N = 241). In addition, it examined the importance of initial severity as a moderator of treatment outcome. Among more severely depressed patients, behavioral activation was comparable to antidepressant medication, and both significantly outperformed cognitive therapy. The implications of these findings for the evaluation of current treatment guidelines and dissemination are discussed.