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Abstract We consider a non-local free energy functional, modelling a competition between entropy and pairwise interactions reminiscent of the second order virial expansion, with applications to nematic liquid crystals as a particular case. We build on previous work on understanding the behaviour of such models within the large-domain limit, where minimisers converge to minimisers of a quadratic elastic energy with manifold-valued constraint, analogous to harmonic maps. We extend this work to establish Holder bounds for (almost-)minimisers on bounded domains, and demonstrate stronger convergence of (almost)-minimisers away from the singular set of the limit solution. The proof techniques bear analogy with recent work of singularly perturbed energy functionals, in particular in the context of the Ginzburg–Landau and Landau–de Gennes models.

Under many inflammatory contexts, such as tumor progression, systemic and peripheral immune response is tailored by reactive nitrogen species (RNS)-dependent post-translational modifications, suggesting a biological function for these chemical alterations. RNS modify both soluble factors and receptors essential to induce and maintain a tumor-specific immune response, creating a "chemical barrier" that impairs effector T cell infiltration and functionality in tumor microenvironment and supports the escape phase of cancer. RNS generation during tumor growth mainly depends on nitric oxide production by both tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells that constitutively activate essential metabolic pathways of l-arginine catabolism. This review provides an overview of the potential immunological and biological role of RNS-induced modifications and addresses new approaches targeting RNS either in search of novel biomarkers or to improve anti-cancer treatment.

Species interactions in mixed plantations can influence tree growth, resources capture and soil fertility of the stands. A combined approach of tree-ring analyses and carbon stable isotope was used to check tree growth and water use efficiency of two species, Populus alba L. and Juglans regia L., intercropped with each other and with N-fixing or competitive production species. Furthermore, soil analyses were performed to understand how the different intercropping systems can influence soil characteristics, in particular soil carbon stock. Dendrochronological data showed that during the first years, the growth of principal species was favored by intercropping. This positive effect decreased in the following years in most of intercropped stands, due to light competition with the crown of companion species. Carbon isotope data showed that P. alba and J. regia had the highest intrinsic water use efficiency when growing with Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb, a shrubby species with a shallow root system that favors a non-competitive exploitation of soil water resources. Finally, the intercropping of the principal species with Corylus  avellana L. promoted the highest soil C stock. Our findings confirmed the importance to consider the plantation dynamics and wood formation in the long-run and to apply appropriate thinning and pruning interventions to counteract interspecific competition.

Among the family of regulatory B cells, the subset able to produce interleukin-10 (IL-10) is the most studied, yet its biology is still a matter of investigation. The DNA methylation profiling of the il-10 gene locus revealed a novel epigenetic signature characterizing murine B cells ready to respond through IL-10 synthesis: a demethylated region located 4.5 kb from the transcription starting site (TSS), that we named early IL10 regulatory region (eIL10rr). This feature allows to distinguish B cells that are immediately prone and developmentally committed to IL-10 production from those that require a persistent stimulation to exert an IL-10-mediated regulatory function. These late IL-10 producers are instead characterized by a delayed IL10 regulatory region (dIL10rr), a partially demethylated DNA portion located 9 kb upstream from the TSS. A demethylated region was also found in human IL-10-producing B cells and, very interestingly, in some B-cell malignancies, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma, characterized by an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Our findings define murine and human regulatory B cells as an epigenetically controlled functional state of mature B cell subsets and open a new perspective on IL-10 regulation in B cells in homeostasis and disease.

Abstract Background The aim of our study was to describe seasonal trends of acute kidney injury (AKI) and its relationship with weather conditions in a hospitalized population. Methods We retrospectively collected demographic (age, sex), clinical (ICD-9-CM codes of diagnosis discharge) and laboratory data (creatinine values) from the inpatient population admitted to Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS between January 2010 and December 2014 with inclusion of all patients ≥18 years with at least two values available for creatinine. The outcome of interest was AKI development, defined according to creatinine kinetics criteria. The exposures of interest were the months and seasons of the year; air temperature and humidity level were also evaluated. Log-binomial regression models adjusted for age, sex, eGFR, comorbidities, Charlson/Deyo index score, year of hospitalization were used to estimate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidential intervals (CI). Results A total of 64,610 patients met the inclusion criteria. AKI occurred in 2864 (4.4%) hospital admissions. After full adjustment, winter period was associated with increased risk of AKI (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05, 1.29, p=0.003). Lower air temperature and higher humidity level were associated with risk of AKI, however in multivariable-adjusted models only higher humidity level showed a significant and independent association. Conclusions AKI is one of the most common complications of hospitalized populations with a defined seasonal pattern and a significant increase in incidence during wintertime; weather conditions, particularly higher humidity level, are independent predictors of AKI and could partially justify the observed seasonal variations.