Maturation Factor Research Articles

A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF EGO-DEFENCE MECHANISMS AMONG THE MEDICAL STUDENTS.

Background: Ego defence mechanisms (or factors), dened by Freud as the unconscious mental process used by the ego to reduce conict between the id and superego, are a reection of how an individual deals with conict and stress in other words anxiety. This study assesses the prevalence of various ego defence mechanisms used by medical students of Mumbai, which has higher stress and anxiety levels than the general population of India. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 700 students from four major medical colleges of Mumbai over 4 weeks. Ego defence mechanisms were assessed using the Defence Style Questionnaire (DSQ-40) individually and as grouped under Mature, Immature, and Neurotic factors. Results: Lower mean scores of Immature defence mechanisms (4.78) were identied than those for Neurotic (5.62) and Mature (5.60) mechanisms. Immature mechanisms were more commonly used by males whereas females used more Neurotic mechanisms than males. Neurotic and Immature defences were signicantly more prevalent in rst and second-year students. Mature mechanisms were signicantly higher in students enrolled in Government colleges than other private institutions (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Immature defence mechanisms were less commonly used than Neurotic and Mature mechanisms. The greater use of Neurotic defences may reect greater stress levels than the general population. The use of these mechanisms was associated with the female gender.

Severe hypertriglyceridemia secondary to splice-site and missense variants in LMF1 in three patients from Ecuador

Rare pathogenic variants in the LMF1 gene, which encodes lipase maturation factor 1, are a minor cause of familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) and severe hypertriglyceridemia. In this report we present three adult patients, all of them born and raised in Quito, Ecuador, with severe hypertriglyceridemia secondary to biallelic LMF1 variants. In two of the three cases (patients 1 and 3), the presentation was acute pancreatitis secondary to plasma triglycerides well above 10 mmol/L. The other case (patient 2) was a sibling of one of the initial patients, who was asymptomatic but markedly hypertriglyceridemic. Next-generation sequencing revealed a homozygous splice-site variant in exon 6 of LMF1 in patients 1 and 2 (c.897G>A, p.Gln299=), and a homozygous missense variant in exon 2 of LMF1 in patient 3 (c.233T>C, p.Leu78Pro). The finding of two disease-causing variants in three patients from the same location raises the question of whether LMF1 may be a more prevalent cause of severe hypertriglyceridemia among Latin-American patients.

Interrelations entre l’âge et les conduites délinquantes : la question de la maturité psychosociale et ses implications

Background and objectiveThis study aims to determine whether differences in psychosocial maturity within a male sample aged 14 to 30years are more related to a developmental variable (age) or to the behaviors expressed by the study participants. PopulationA sample of 180 French Belgian males (mean=21.78 years, s.d.=5.26) was interviewed and divided into two subsamples: an offending and incarcerated subgroup (from detention centers and prisons) and a non-offending subgroup (from schools, leisure and social networks). MethodStandardized measures were used (self-reported delinquency and the 6 identified factors of psychosocial maturity) via an individual questionnaire survey. Univariate and inferential analyses were conducted to test whether differences between the two subsamples on the psychosocial maturity factors were related to age and/or offending status. The main results from the Ancova show that 3 factors of psychosocial maturity (impulse control, suppression of aggression, and personal responsibility) are explained exclusively by the participants’ behaviors, with significantly higher means in the non-offending subgroup, whereas one factor (future orientation) seems to be explained more by the participants’ age, independently of the behaviors presented. Conclusion and implicationsPsychosocial maturity appears to be a relevant dimension to be integrated into juvenile justice, particularly in terms of interventions. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.

Circular RNA circLMF1 regulates PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and migration of human aortic smooth muscle cells by regulating the miR-125a-3p/VEGFA or FGF1 axis.

Atherosclerosis is a major cause of cardiovascular disease, in which vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and migration play a vital role. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to be correlated with the VSMCs function. Therefore, this study is designed to explore the role and mechanism of circRNA lipase maturation factor 1 (circLMF1) in Human aortic VSMCs (HASMCs). The microarray was used for detecting the expression of circLMF1 in proliferative and quiescent HASMCs. Levels of circLMF1, microRNA-125a-3p (miR-125a-3p), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Cell viability, cell cycle progression, and migration were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, wound healing, and transwell assays, respectively. Western blot assay determined proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Cyclin D1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP2), osteopontin (OPN), VEGFA, and FGF1 protein levels. The possible interactions between miR-125a-3p and circLMF1, and miR-125a-3p and VEGFA or FGF1 were predicted by circbank or targetscan, and then verified by a dual-luciferase reporter, RNA Immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pull-down assays. CircLMF1, VEGFA, and FGF1 were increased, and miR-125a-3p was decreased in platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-inducted HASMCs. Functionally, circLMF1 knockdown hindered cell viability, cell cycle progression, and migration in PDGF-BB-treated HASMCs. Mechanically, circLMF1 could regulate VEGFA or FGF1 expression through sponging miR-125a-3p. Our findings revealed that circLMF1 deficiency could inhibit cell viability, cell cycle progression, and migration of PDGF-BB stimulated atherosclerosis model partly through the miR-125a-3p/VEGFA or FGF1 axis, suggesting that targeting circLMF1 can be a feasible therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis.

Career Adaptability of Jubail University College Students

This study aimed to profile the career adaptability of selected college students to be able to assess their employability potentials. Quantitative and qualitative methods and descriptive research design were utilized. 100 respondents from different specialization and year-levels participated in the study. The study provided insights on the career adaptability of selected Saudi students. Demographic variables contributed to adaptability level of respondents. Student taking-up technology-related specializations are adaptable than liberal arts-related. Results shows that career adaptability correlated to maturity and human capital factors, therefore it can be enhanced or developed through proper intervention. Career adaptability is the most sought-after skill of employers for job candidates who can cope with necessary diverse situations. Therefore, adaptability is as important as technical skills for job-seekers. It can be recommended that educational institutions should design programs that will enhance their students’ soft skills.

The adenosine A2A receptor antagonist protects against retinal mitochondrial injury in association with an altered network of competing endogenous RNAs

Blockade of adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs) protects against neuronal damage caused by various brain insults including mitochondrial toxicity, but the precise neuroprotective mechanisms are unclear. Here, we studied the effects of the A2AR antagonist KW6002 on retinal injury induced by the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation uncoupler, carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazine (CCCP) and alterations in competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. We found that KW6002 treatment partially reversed CCCP-induced reduction in retinal thickness and retinal ganglia cell number by increasing mitochondrial content and reducing retinal ganglia cells apoptosis. Furthermore, we employed whole-transcriptome sequencing to explore ceRNA network changes associated with CCCP-induced retinal injury and its reversal by KW6002. This analysis revealed that A2AR blockade reduced the number of CCCP-induced microRNAs by ∼60%, but increased the number of CCCP-induced circular RNAs by ∼50%. Among CeRNA network changes, CCCP-induced retinal injury was associated with a possible enrichment of the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway and its related 126 microRNAs, 237 long non-coding RNAs, 58 circular RNAs competing. Moreover, the A2AR antagonist-mediated protection against CCCP-induced retinal injury was possibly associated with the up-regulation of mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its related 4 microRNAs competed by 43 long non-coding RNAs and 9 circular RNAs competing. These ceRNA network alterations by CCCP treatment and its reversal by A2AR antagonist may contribute to understanding the transcriptome mechanism for protection against CCCP-induced retinal injury by A2AR antagonists.

Fyn and argonaute 2 participate in maternal-mRNA degradation during mouse oocyte maturation

ABSTRACT Fertilization triggers physiological degradation of maternal-mRNAs, which are then replaced by embryonic transcripts. Ample evidence suggests that Argonaut 2 (AGO2) is a possible post-fertilization regulator of maternal-mRNAs degradation; but its role in degradation of maternal-mRNAs during oocyte maturation remains obscure. Fyn, a member of the Src family kinases (SFKs), and an essential factor in oocyte maturation, was reported to inhibit AGO2 activity in oligodendrocytes. Our aim was to examine the role of Fyn and AGO2 in degradation of maternal-mRNAs during oocyte maturation by either suppressing their activity with SU6656 – an SFKs inhibitor; or by microinjecting DN-Fyn RNA for suppression of Fyn and BCl-137 for suppression of AGO2. Batches of fifteen mouse oocytes or embryos were analyzed by qPCR to measure the expression level of nine maternal-mRNAs that were selected for their known role in oocyte growth, maturation and early embryogenesis. We found that Fyn/SFKs are involved in maintaining the stability of at least four pre-transcribed mRNAs in oocytes at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage, whereas AGO2 had no role at this stage. During in-vivo oocyte maturation, eight maternal-mRNAs were significantly degraded. Inhibition of AGO2 prevented the degreadation of at least five maternal-mRNAs, whereas inhibition of Fyn/SFK prevented degradation of at least five Fyn maternal-mRNAs and two SFKs maternal-mRNAs; pointing at their role in promoting the physiological degradation which occurs during in-vivo oocyte maturation. Our findings imply the involvement of Fyn/SFKs in stabilization of maternal-mRNA at the GV stage and the involvement of Fyn, SFKs and AGO2 in degradation of maternal mRNAs during oocyte maturation.

HOW MANY SPECIES OF RATTLESNAKES ARE THERE IN THE Crotalus durissus SPECIES GROUP (SERPENTES: CROTALIDAE)?

Members of the Crotalus durissus species group are amongst the largest species of rattlesnakes and are of strong medical importance. The taxonomy of the group is convoluted, and the line of what is considered a species, subspecies or populations is hard to define. A recent study split one of the members of the group (C. culminatus) into three species, the nominal species, as well as C. ehecatl and C. mictlantecuhtli, based on genetic and morphological data. Here we reanalyze previously published mitochondrial and nuclear data, as well as additional sequences for two mitochondrial genes from members of the Crotalus durissus group, to test if isolation by distance (and not speciation) could be responsible for the genetic variation observed in previous studies. Our results show that the genetic differences between some of the species in the group (Crotalus simus – C. durissus and C. culminatus – C. ehecatl) are lower than intra-specific genetic distances. The only nuclear gene at hand for the C. durissus group (oocyte maturation factor Mos, c-mos) is not phylogenetically informative and cannot distinguish between many of the species in the genus, thus it is of little support when it comes to taxonomic decisions. We find low divergence at the mitochondrial level between these two species pairs, and at least in one of the species pairs we find a pattern of isolation-by-distance (IBD). Additionally, we performed a newly developed species delimitation analysis, DELINEATE, which supports the validity of C. mictlantecuhtli, but not C. ehecatl. These results suggest that the molecular differences at the mitochondrial level in members of the Crotalus durissus species group could be the result of IBD and not necessarily due to speciation events. We believe that additional sampling as well as additional molecular data is necessary to clarify species limits in the Crotalus durissus species group.

RNF144A exerts tumor suppressor function in breast cancer through targeting YY1 for proteasomal degradation to downregulate GMFG expression

Ring finger protein 144A (RNF144A), a poorly characterized member of the RING-in-between-RING family of E3 ubiquitin ligases, is an emerging tumor suppressor, but its underlying mechanism remains largely elusive. To address this issue, we used Affymetrix GeneChip Human Transcriptome Array 2.0 to profile gene expression in MDA-MB-231 cells stably expressing empty vector pCDH and Flag-RNF144A, and found that 128 genes were differentially expressed between pCDH- and RNF144A-expressing cells with fold change over 1.5. We further demonstrated that RNF144A negatively regulated the protein and mRNA levels of glial maturation factor γ (GMFG). Mechanistical investigations revealed that transcription factor YY1 transcriptionally activated GMFG expression, and RNF144A interacted with YY1 and promoted its ubiquitination-dependent degradation, thus blocking YY1-induced GMFG expression. Functional rescue assays showed that ectopic expression of RNF144A suppressed the proliferative, migratory, and invasive potential of breast cancer cells, and the noted effects were partially restored by re-expression of GMFG in RNF144A-overexpressing breast cancer cells. Collectively, these findings reveal that RNF144A negatively regulates GMFG expression by targeting YY1 for proteasomal degradation, thus inhibiting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer cells.

Analysis of mRNA-derived siRNAs in mutants of mRNA maturation and surveillance pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana

Defects in RNA maturation and RNA decay factors may generate substrates for the RNA interference machinery. This phenomenon was observed in plants where mutations in some RNA-related factors lead to the production of RNA-quality control small interfering RNAs and several mutants show enhanced silencing of reporter transgenes. To assess the potential of RNAi activation on endogenous transcripts, we sequenced small RNAs from a set of Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with defects in various RNA metabolism pathways. We observed a global production of siRNAs caused by inefficient pre-mRNA cleavage and polyadenylation leading to read-through transcription into downstream antisense genes. In addition, in the lsm1a lsm1b double mutant, we identified NIA1, SMXL5, and several miRNA-targeted mRNAs as producing siRNAs, a group of transcripts suggested being especially sensitive to deficiencies in RNA metabolism. However, in most cases, RNA metabolism perturbations do not lead to the widespread production of siRNA derived from mRNA molecules. This observation is contrary to multiple studies based on reporter transgenes and suggests that only a very high accumulation of defective mRNA species caused by specific mutations or substantial RNA processing defects trigger RNAi pathways.

Essential (Cu, Zn) and nonessential (Pb, Cd) metals in the muscle of leopard groupers (Mycteroperca rosacea) from a mining port in the Gulf of California, Mexico: human health risk assessment.

Mining activities are a current environmental issue due to heavy metal release and subsequent metal uptake by organisms. In this study, we quantified the concentrations of essential (Cu, Zn) and toxic (Cd, Pb) elements in the muscle of 248 leopard groupers, Mycteroperca rosacea, captured by spearfishing and free diving close to a mining district in the Gulf of California during 2014-2015. We analysed metals using high-resolution inductively coupled plasma source mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS). We analysed metal concentrations by fish size, sex, maturity, season, year and risk factor for human consumption. The results indicated common levels of essential elements (Cu: 11 ± 34.3μg/g, Zn: 377 ± 1390μg/g) in comparison with toxic elements (Cd: 0.06 ± 0.1μg/g, Pb: 0.98 ± 1.5μg/g). Cadmium was within the permissible limit of Mexican standards (0.5μg/g), but lead content bordered its limit (1.0μg/g). Heavy metal concentrations were comparable between males and females. Metal variations were not significantly correlated with sex, maturity, season or year (p > 0.05). The evaluation of benefits (daily mineral intake) and risks (target hazard quotients) to health indicated that these fish did not represent a risk of adverse effects to consumers within worldwide limits, while the nutritional benefits were high.

Abstract- Poster

Background-Defense mechanisms are important psychological phenomena in individuals with alcohol dependence as well as with depression. The presence of maladaptive defences increases the propensity of depression in individuals with alcohol dependence. Also, the individuals with alcohol dependence have increased propensity of using maladaptive defenses to cope with depression.Aims-To assess the various defense mechanisms in individuals with alcohol dependence and the severity of depression in individuals with alcohol dependence. Additionally, to explore the relationship between defense mechanism types and depression severity sub-groups in individuals with alcohol dependence.Methods-It was a hospital-based study, using purposive sampling technique, where individuals who were diagnosed with alcohol dependence during their in-patient admission were assessed for depression and alcohol severity using HAMD and SADQ respectively. DSQ-40 (Defense Style Questionnaire) was used to assess defense mechanisms.Results & Conclusion-In total 50 cases the mean age was 40(±6.5). A total of 60% had depression with 22% being very severe depressed, and 28% & 10% having severe & moderate depression respectively. A total of 68% qualified for severe dependence on SADQ and the rest had moderate dependence. On statistical analysis using ANOVA, neurotic & mature factor scores differed significantly between the sub-groups of depression. Similarly, neurotic factor scores differed significantly between the sub-groups of alcohol dependence severity. Also, statistically significant correlation between severity of alcohol use and severity of depression.

Seepage Mitigation in Hydropower Dams by Optimization in Roller Compacted Concrete Interlayer (Monoliths) Joint Bonding Technology

Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) has gained favorable recognition in hydropower and water resource dam construction. With optimization in construction technology and materials used for RCC Dams, cost is no longer a major disadvantage as compared to environmental impact, that is, wildlife habitat disruption. In as much as it has become optimal for investment in hydropower dam construction, the scourge for dam failure is still eminent, which is as a result of excessive seepage compromising the integrity of the mechanical properties of the dam. The aim of the paper is to highlight successful application methods in joint bonding to avoid excessive seepage and reduce the autogenous healing to a few years of operation. In view of optimization, this paper presents a comprehensive study on the influences of interlayer joints bonding quality from RCC mix performances and how it consolidates the RCC layers to withstand the shear strength along the interface, especially on the high dams. The case study is the RCC dam at the 750 MW Kafue Gorge Lower Hydropower Station. The scope of the study reviews the joint type judged by Modified Maturity Factor (MMF) with joint surface long time exposed in regions with dry and high temperature, technical measures of layer bonding quality control under condition of long time joint surface exposure, effects of joints shear strength and impermeability of the RCC layers when under the conditions of plastic and elasticity. The subtle observations made during the dam construction phases were with respect to the optimal use of materials in relation to RCC mix designs and the basis for equipment calibration for monitoring important data that can be referenced during analysis of shear forces acting on the RCC dam over time.

The Effect of Educational Service Quality on Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy and Career Attitude Maturity as PUBLIC VALUES of Airline Service Major

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the relationship between self-efficacy and career attitude maturity in career decision-making of educational service quality developed to improve the quality of education in the Department of Aviation Service and strengthen competitiveness in the department. It is insufficient research to apply educational service quality considering the characteristics of the Department of Airline Service, and it is expected that this study will be used as basic data to help efficient department operation and establish strategies for fierce entrance exams. Method: For empirical analysis, a total of 231 responses were collected from students enrolled in the Department of Aviation Services at two-year and four-year universities located in Korea from September 6 to September 14, 2021, of which 221 were used for empirical analysis, excluding 10 unfaithful responses. In the empirical analysis, frequency analysis, factor analysis of measurement variables, reliability, and validity were investigated through SPSS 21.0. Results: It was confirmed that the reputation factor, a sub-factor of educational service quality, is an important factor in all sub-factors of career decision-making self-efficacy. In addition, It was confirmed that self-evaluation, a sub-factor of career decision-making self-efficacy, is an important factor in career attitude maturity. It was shown that the employment support factors of education service quality were all important factors in the determination, purpose, certainty, and independence of career attitude maturity. Conclusion: Through the results of this study, it was confirmed that aviation service department education service quality had a significant influence on career decision-making self-efficacy and career attitude maturity. To increase college students self-efficacy and career attitude maturity in career decision-making, it is necessary to accurately grasp the importance perceived by college students, increase the leading performance of aviation service majors, and actively engage in career preparation behavior. The result of this study suggests how the educational service quality in the airline service department currently recognized by students is related to career decision-making self-efficacy and career attitude maturity and suggests improvement measures for the development of the department.

Deletion of gmfA induces keratocyte-like migration in Dictyostelium.

Glia maturation factor (GMF) has been established as an inactivating factor of the actin‐related protein 2/3 (Arp2/3) complex, which regulates actin assembly. Regulation of actin assembly and reorganization is crucial for various cellular events, such as cell migration, cell division, and development. Here, to examine the roles of ADF‐H domain‐containing protein (also known as glia maturation factor; GmfA), the product of a single GMF homologous gene in Dictyostelium, gmfA‐null cells were generated. They had moderate defects in cell growth and cytokinesis. Interestingly, they showed a keratocyte‐like fan shape with a broader pseudopod, where Arp3 accumulated at higher levels than in wild‐type cells. They migrated with higher persistence, but their velocities were comparable to those of wild‐type cells. The polar pseudopods during cell division were also broader than those in wild‐type cells. However, GmfA did not localize at the pseudopods in migrating cells or the polar pseudopods in dividing cells. Adhesions of mutant cells to the substratum were much stronger than that of wild‐type cells. Although the mutant cells showed chemotaxis comparable to that of wild‐type cells, they formed disconnected streams during the aggregation stage; however, they finally formed normal fruiting bodies. These results suggest that GmfA plays a crucial role in cell migration.

Plasma biomarkers of hemoglobin loss in Plasmodium falciparum–infected children identified by quantitative proteomics

AbstractAnemia is common among young children infected with Plasmodium falciparum and severe malarial anemia (SMA) is a major cause of their mortality. Two major mechanisms cause malarial anemia: hemolysis of uninfected as well as infected erythrocytes and insufficient erythropoiesis. In a longitudinal birth cohort in Mali, we commonly observed marked hemoglobin reductions during P falciparum infections with a small proportion that progressed to SMA. We sought biomarkers of these processes using quantitative proteomic analysis on plasma samples from 9 P falciparum-infected children, comparing those with reduced hemoglobin (with or without SMA) vs those with stable hemoglobin. We identified higher plasma levels of circulating 20S proteasome and lower insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels in children with reduced hemoglobin. We confirmed these findings in independent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based validation studies of subsets of children from the same cohort (20S proteasome, N = 71; IGF-1, N = 78). We speculate that circulating 20S proteasome plays a role in digesting erythrocyte membrane proteins modified by oxidative stress, resulting in hemolysis, whereas decreased IGF-1, a critical factor for erythroid maturation, might contribute to insufficient erythropoiesis. Quantitative plasma proteomics identified soluble mediators that may contribute to the major mechanisms underlying malarial anemia. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01168271.

Exploiting mesothelin in thymic carcinoma as a drug delivery target for anetumab ravtansine.

Thymic epithelial tumours (TETs) are rare tumours comprised of thymomas and thymic carcinoma. Novel therapies are needed, especially in thymic carcinoma where the 5-year survival rate hovers at 30%. Mesothelin (MSLN), a surface glycoprotein that is cleaved to produce mature MSLN (mMSLN) and megakaryocyte potentiating factor (MPF), is expressed in limited tissues. However, its expression is present in various cancers, including thymic carcinoma, where it is expressed in 79% of cases. We utilised flow cytometry, in vitro cytotoxicity assays, and an in vivo xenograft model in order to demonstrate the ability of the MSLN targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) anetumab ravtansine (ARav) in inhibiting the growth of thymic carcinoma. Thymoma and thymic carcinoma cell lines express MSLN, and anetumab, the antibody moiety of ARav, was capable of binding MSLN expressing thymic carcinoma cells and internalising. ARav was effective at inhibiting the growth of thymic carcinoma cells stably transfected with mMSLN in vitro. In vivo, 15 mg/kg ARav inhibited T1889 xenograft tumour growth, while combining 7.5 mg/kg ARav with 4 mg/kg cisplatin yielded an additive effect on inhibiting tumour growth. These data demonstrate that anetumab ravtansine inhibits the growth of MSLN positive thymic carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo.

NMR signal assignments afnd secondary structure determination of the N-terminal domain of the ribosome maturation factor M from Staphylococcus aureus

NMR signal assignments afnd secondary structure determination of the N-terminal domain of the ribosome maturation factor M from Staphylococcus aureus

Changes in secoiridoids content and chemical characteristics of cultivated and wild Algerian olive oil, in term of fruit maturation.

Wild varieties in nature are known to be better adapted to climate change and more resistant to arid conditions common in some regions of the world. Oil samples of two cultivated varieties, Chemlal and Lemli, and one sylvestris variety were collected at four different harvesting periods in the semi-arid region of Bouira, Algeria. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the genetic and maturity factors on the quality indices (acidity, peroxides value, and the parameters K232, K270), fatty acids profile, phenolic composition, and antioxidant activity of monovarietal olive oils. The study showed that early harvest dates of the fruits produced oils richer in pigments and phenolic compounds, with high antioxidant activity registered in both wild and cultivated varieties. Moreover, all oil samples showed high values of secoiridoids exceeding 60–90% of total biophenols, with higher values found in oleaster oils, which are correlated with high resistance to oxidation attacks. UHPLC-DAD and UHPLC-HRMS analyses showed that the secoiridoids composition is dominated by a profile rich in several isomers of oleuropein and ligstroside aglycons, which in turn represent more than 60% of the total secoiridoids in olive and Oleaster oils. Furthermore, chemometric analysis on the data allowed a better appreciation of the sensitivity of the virgin olive oil composition to the changes in genetic and ripening factors. According to the principal component analysis, phenolic and fatty acid profiles were the most important components contributing to the discrimination between olive oil samples.

Maturation and survival of arteriovenous fistula: The challenge starts from the preoperative assessment stage.

It is necessary to assess the association between the preoperative indicators and the maturation and survival of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). We retrospectively identified 236 patients with a new AVF created between 2016 and 2018 in our Dialysis Center. Multivariate Logistic regression showed that preoperative arterial diameter (odds ratio [OR] = 1.452, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.233, 1.710], p < 0.001), preoperative venous diameter (OR = 1.296, 95% CI [1.166, 1.477], p < 0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (OR = 1.187, 95% CI [1.103, 1.277], p < 0.001), and diabetes mellitus (OR = 0.245, 95% CI [0.107, 0.560], p = 0.01) were independent influential factors for AVF maturation. Two years after the AVF surgery follow-up, multivariate Cox proportional-hazards model showed that the preoperative arterial diameter (OR = 0.510, 95% CI [0.320, 0.813], p = 0.005), preoperative venous diameter (OR = 0.940, 95% CI [0.897, 0.985], p = 0.010) and diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.785, 95% CI [1.117, 2.855], p = 0.016) was prognostic factors of AVF survival. The Kaplan-Meier method showed that the primary survival of AVF in patients with different preoperative arterial diameter was statistically significant (log-rank χ2 = 15.415, p < 0.001), while the secondary survival was not statistically significant (log-rank χ2 = 0.131, p = 0.717). In our cohort, the preoperative arterial and venous diameter and diabetes mellitus were independent influential factors for AVF maturation and prognostic factors of AVF survival. However, the preoperative LVEF only associated with the maturation of AVF. Meanwhile, smaller arterial diameter (≤2.15 mm) was associated with AVF maturation failure, but did not impact secondary survival of AVF.