Search results for "ants"
showing 10 items of 7011 documents
Gene expression specificity of the mussel antifungal mytimycin (MytM)
2011
Abstract We previously reported the nucleotide sequences and diversity of mytimycin (MytM) from the Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis. Using real-time PCR (q-PCR), we observed that the MytM gene was mainly expressed in circulating hemocytes and to a less extent in the mantle. In vivo challenge with bacteria or with the yeast, Candida albicans, did not increase the expression as measured by q-PCR in hemocytes. By contrast, injection of the filamentous fungus, Fusarium oxysporum, induced a sudden and strong increase of expression at 9h p.i. (stimulation index of 25.7 ± 2.1). Optimum stimulating dose was 104 spores of F. oxysporum per mussel. In the same samples, AMP mytilin and …
Mechanical Tests on Innovative BIPV Façade Components for Energy, Seismic, and Aesthetic Renovation of High-Rise Buildings
2018
The paper shows the results of mechanical tests carried out on prototypes of a new Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) component developed by the author and SBskin Smart Building Skin s.r.l. This patented innovative component is able to merge structural function, insulation proprieties, and production of clean energy for retrofit actions and/or the construction of translucent faç
A Randomized Trial of a Schlemm's Canal Microstent with Phacoemulsification for Reducing Intraocular Pressure in Open-Angle Glaucoma
2014
Purpose To assess the safety and effectiveness of the Hydrus Microstent (Ivantis, Inc, Irvine, CA) with concurrent cataract surgery (CS) for reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in open-angle glaucoma (OAG). Design Prospective, multicenter, randomized, single-masked, controlled clinical trial. Participants One hundred eyes from 100 patients 21 to 80 years of age with OAG and cataract with IOP of 24 mmHg or less with 4 or fewer hypotensive medications and a washed-out diurnal IOP (DIOP) of 21 to 36 mmHg. Methods On the day of surgery, patients were randomized 1:1 to undergo CS with the microstent or CS alone. Postoperative follow-up was at 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Wa…
Effect of indoor nitrogen dioxide on lung function in urban environment
2015
BACKGROUND: High levels of indoor NO2 are associated with increased asthma symptoms and decreased expiratory peak flows in children. We investigated the association of exposure to domestic indoor NO2, objectively measured in winter and spring, with respiratory symptoms and lung function in a sample of adolescents from a southern Mediterranean area. METHODS: From a large school population sample (n=2150) participating in an epidemiological survey in the urban area of the City of Palermo (southern Italy), a sub-sample of 303 adolescents was selected which furnished an enriched sample for cases of current asthma. All subjects were evaluated by a health questionnaire, skin prick tests and spiro…
Giants and elephants of Sicily
2007
Acceptability of the e-authentication in higher education studies: views of students with special educational needs and disabilities
2021
AbstractTrust-based e-assessment systems are increasingly important in the digital age for both academic institutions and students, including students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Recent literature indicates a growing number of studies about e-authentication and authorship verification for quality assurance with more flexible modes of assessment. Yet understanding the acceptability of e-authentication systems among SEND students is underexplored. This study examines SEND students’ views about the use of e-authentication systems, including perceived advantages and disadvantages of new technology-enhanced assessment. This study aims to shed light on this area by exa…
Outcome of urgent and elective percutaneous coronary interventions after pharmacologic reperfusion with tenecteplase combined with unfractionated hep…
2003
Item does not contain fulltext OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the Assessment of the Safety and Efficacy of New Thrombolytic Regimens (ASSENT-3) trial. BACKGROUND: In the ASSENT-3 trial, co-therapy with abciximab (ABC) or enoxaparin (ENOX) reduced ischemic complications after ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction treated with tenecteplase when compared with unfractionated heparin (UFH). The effect of these new co-therapies on the results of PCI is unknown. METHODS: Clinical outcomes in patients who received co-therapy with ABC, ENOX, or UFH and subsequently underwent an elective (n = 1,064) or urgent (n = 716) PCI in the ASSEN…
Influence of the prosthetic arm length (palatal position) of zygomatic implants upon patient satisfaction
2016
Background: To assess the influence of the prosthetic arm length (palatal position) of zygomatic implants upon patient comfort and stability, speech, functionality and overall satisfaction. Material and Methods: A retrospective clinical study was made of patients subjected to rehabilitation of atrophic maxilla with complete maxillary implant-supported fixed prostheses involving a minimum of two zygomatic implants (one on each side) in conjunction with premaxillary implants, and with 12 months of follow-up after implant loading. Subjects used a VAS to score general satisfaction, comfort and stability, speech and functionality, and the results were analyzed in relation to the prosthetic arm l…
Metallothionein in the freshwater gastropod Melanopsis dufouri chronically exposed to cadmium: A methodological approach
2010
Previous studies have demonstrated that the use of differential pulse polarography (DPP) for metallothionein (MT) determination in marine gastropod tissues, particularly the digestive gland, requires taking into account the presence of heat-stable high molecular weight compounds that exhibit polarographic signal. In the present paper, similar compounds were identified in tissues from the freshwater snail Melanopsis dufouri which also interfere with MT determination by DPP and, due to their silver binding capacity, also interfere in the silver assay for MT quantification. Ultrafiltration seems to be effective in removing these high molecular weight compounds from heat-denatured homogenate su…