Single-Molecule Studies of Unlabeled Full-Length p53 Protein Binding to DNA

Nuttall, Philippa,Lee, Kidan,Ciccarella, Pietro,Carminati, Marco,Ferrari, Giorgio,Kim, Ki-Bum,Albrecht, Tim American Chemical Society 2016 The Journal of physical chemistry B Vol.120 No.9

<P>p53 is an antitumor protein that plays an important role in apoptosis, preserving genomic stability and preventing angiogenesis, and it has been implicated in a large number of human cancers. For this reason it is an interesting target for both fundamental studies, such as the mechanism of interaction with DNA, and applications in biosensing. Here, we report a comprehensive study of label-free, full length p53 (flp53) and its interaction with engineered double-stranded DNA in vitro, at the single-molecule level, using atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging and solid-state nanopore sensing. AFM data show that dimeric and tetrameric p53 bind to the DNA in a sequence-specific manner, confirming previously reported relative binding affinities. The statistical significance is tested using both the Grubbs test and stochastic simulations. For the first time, ultralow noise solid-state nanopore sensors are employed for the successful differentiation between bare DNA and p53/DNA complexes. Furthermore, translocation statistics reflect the binding affinities of different DNA sequences, in accordance with AFM data. Our results thus highlight the potential of solid-state nanopore sensors for single-molecule biosensing, especially when labeling is either not possible or at least not a viable option.</P>

Effervescent Glutamine Formulation Improves the Beneficial Effects of Antiretroviral Therapies on Immune Function in HIV/AIDS Carrier Patients

Tuane Krupek,Bruna Juliana Wanczinski Ferrari,Maria Angelica Raffaini Covas Pereira da Silva,Christiano Rodrigues Schamber,Dennis Armando Bertolini,Marcos Luciano Bruschi,Isolde Terezinha Santos Previ 한국식품영양과학회 2020 Journal of medicinal food Vol.23 No.5

The impact of oral supplementation with an effervescent glutamine formulation on the beneficial effects of antiretroviral therapies was evaluated in people living with HIV/AIDS. For this purpose, 12 HIV/AIDS carrier patients with CD4+ T cell counts <500, and who had received the same antiretroviral therapy for at least 1 year before starting this investigation were selected. The patients were required to dissolve the effervescent glutamine formulation (supplied in sachets) in water immediately before oral ingestion (12.4 g), once a day, after lunch or after dinner during 30 days. CD4+ T cell counts, complete blood cell counts, serum cytokines, and amino acids levels were quantified; biochemical and toxicological measurements were performed. The numbers of CD4+ T cells were increased (P < .05), and the serum C-reactive protein levels decreased (P < .01) after the administration of effervescent glutamine formulation. Serum levels of interferon-gamma inducible protein-10, RANTES, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1β were decreased after the treatment with effervescent glutamine formulation. No changes were observed in the serum levels of amino acids, hematological, toxicological, and biochemical parameters. In conclusion, the treatment during 30 days with effervescent glutamine formulation was well tolerated, promoted reduction of inflammation, and improved the beneficial effects of antiretroviral therapies in HIV/AIDS carrier patients.

Comparison of traditional and simplified methods for repairing CAD/CAM feldspathic ceramics

Carrabba, Michele,Vichi, Alessandro,Louca, Chris,Ferrari, Marco The Korean Academy of Prosthodonitics 2017 The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics Vol.9 No.4

PURPOSE. To evaluate the adhesion to CAD/CAM feldspathic blocks by failure analysis and shear bond strength test (SBSt) of different restorative systems and different surface treatments, for purpose of moderate chipping repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A self-adhering flowable composite (Vertise Flow, Kerr) containing bi-functional phosphate monomers and a conventional flowable resin composite (Premise Flow, Kerr) applied with and without adhesive system (Optibond Solo Plus, Kerr) were combined with three different surface treatments (Hydrofluoric Acid Etching, Sandblasting, combination of both) for repairing feldspathic ceramics. Two commercial systems for ceramic repairing were tested as controls (Porcelain Repair Kit, Ultradent, and CoJet System, 3M). SBSt was performed and failure mode was evaluated using a digital microscope. A One-Way ANOVA (Tukey test for post hoc) was applied to the SBSt data and the Fisher's Exact Test was applied to the failure analysis data. RESULTS. The use of resin systems containing bi-functional phosphate monomers combined with hydrofluoric acid etching of the ceramic surface gave the highest values in terms of bond strength and of more favorable failure modalities. CONCLUSION. The simplified repairing method based on self-adhering flowable resin combined with the use of hydrofluoric acid etching showed high bond strength values and a favorable failure mode. Repairing of ceramic chipping with a self-adhering flowable resin associated with hydrofluoric acid etching showed high bond strength with a less time consuming and technique-sensitive procedure compared to standard procedure.

Effect of Body Position on High-resolution Esophageal Manometry Variables and Final Manometric Diagnosis

( Carlo G Riva ),( Stefano Siboni ),( Davide Ferrari ),( Marco Sozzi ),( Matteo Capuzzo ),( Emanuele Asti ),( Cristina Ogliari ),( Luigi Bonavina ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회(구 대한소화관운동학회) 2020 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.26 No.3

Background/Aims According to the Chicago classification version 3.0, high-resolution manometry (HRM) should be performed in the supine position. However, with the patient in the upright/sitting position, the test could more closely simulate real-life behavior and may be better tolerated. We performed a systematic review of the literature to search whether the manometric variables and the final diagnosis are affected by positional changes. Methods A literature search was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. Studies published in English that compared HRM results in different body positions were included. Moreover, the change in diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders according to the shift of body position was investigated. Results Seventeen studies including 1714 patients and healthy volunteers met the inclusion criteria. Six studies showed a significant increase in lower esophageal sphincter basal pressure in the supine position. Integrated relaxation pressure was significantly higher in the supine position in 10 of 13 studies. Distal contractile index was higher in the supine position in 9 out of 10 studies. One hundred and fifty-one patients (16.4%) out of 922 with normal HRM in the supine position were diagnosed with ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) when the test was performed in the upright position (P < 0.001). Conclusions Performing HRM in the upright position affects some variables and may change the final manometric diagnosis. Further studies to determine the normal values in the sitting position are needed. (J Neurogastroenterol Motil 2020;26:335-343)

Comparison of traditional and simplified methods for repairing CAD/CAM feldspathic ceramics

Michele Carrabba,Alessandro Vichi,Chris Louca,Marco Ferrari 대한치과보철학회 2017 The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics Vol.9 No.4

PURPOSE. To evaluate the adhesion to CAD/CAM feldspathic blocks by failure analysis and shear bond strength test (SBSt) of different restorative systems and different surface treatments, for purpose of moderate chipping repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A self-adhering flowable composite (Vertise Flow, Kerr) containing bi-functional phosphate monomers and a conventional flowable resin composite (Premise Flow, Kerr) applied with and without adhesive system (Optibond Solo Plus, Kerr) were combined with three different surface treatments (Hydrofluoric Acid Etching, Sandblasting, combination of both) for repairing feldspathic ceramics. Two commercial systems for ceramic repairing were tested as controls (Porcelain Repair Kit, Ultradent, and CoJet System, 3M). SBSt was performed and failure mode was evaluated using a digital microscope. A One-Way ANOVA (Tukey test for post hoc) was applied to the SBSt data and the Fisher’s Exact Test was applied to the failure analysis data. RESULTS. The use of resin systems containing bi-functional phosphate monomers combined with hydrofluoric acid etching of the ceramic surface gave the highest values in terms of bond strength and of more favorable failure modalities. CONCLUSION. The simplified repairing method based on self-adhering flowable resin combined with the use of hydrofluoric acid etching showed high bond strength values and a favorable failure mode. Repairing of ceramic chipping with a self-adhering flowable resin associated with hydrofluoric acid etching showed high bond strength with a less time consuming and technique-sensitive procedure compared to standard procedure.