Protein Crystallization in a Microfluidic Contactor with Nafion®117 Membranes.

Protein crystallization still remains mostly an empirical science, as the production of crystals with the required quality for X-ray analysis is dependent on the intensive screening of the best protein crystallization and crystal's derivatization conditions. Herein, this demanding step was addressed by the development of a high-throughput and low-budget microfluidic platform consisting of an ion exchange membrane (117 Nafion® membrane) sandwiched between a channel layer (stripping phase compartment) and a wells layer (feed phase compartment) forming 75 independent micro-contactors. This microfluidic device allows for a simultaneous and independent screening of multiple protein crystallization and crystal derivatization conditions, using Hen Egg White Lysozyme (HEWL) as the model protein and Hg2+ as the derivatizing agent. This microdevice offers well-regulated crystallization and subsequent crystal derivatization processes based on the controlled transport of water and ions provided by the 117 Nafion® membrane. Diffusion coefficients of water and the derivatizing agent (Hg2+) were evaluated, showing the positive influence of the protein drop volume on the number of crystals and crystal size. This microfluidic system allowed for crystals with good structural stability and high X-ray diffraction quality and, thus, it is regarded as an efficient tool that may contribute to the enhancement of the proteins' crystals structural resolution.

[Therapeutic and prophylactic role of mesalazine (5-ASA) in symptomatic diverticular disease of the large intestine. 4 year follow-up results]. / Ruolo terapeutico e profilattico della mesalazina (5-ASA) nella malattia diverticolare sintomatica del crasso. Risultati a 4 anni di follow-up.

In order to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of mesalazine (5-ASA) in the prophylaxis of symptomatic relapses, of major complications and of microhemorrhagic phenomena in diverticular disease of the large intestine (MDC), prospective clinical study was conducted on patients with light-moderate symptomatic MDC under treatment with sulbactam-ampicillin 1.5 g/12 h i.m. and rifaximine 400 mg/12 h per os for 7 days. Follow-up period of 5 years with seriated checkups and laboratory and instrumentation controls. End points are represented by the relapse on inflammation and/or by the occurrence of major complications. On enrollment, 166 patients were randomized to receive mesalazine (Pentacol tablets--SOFAR S.p.A.) 400 mg b.i.d. per os for 8 weeks (81 patients; group M) or no supplementary treatment (85 patients; group C). After 4 years of follow-up, 44 patients dropped out of the study (9 because of major complications, 3 for massive hemorrhage, and 32 drop outs). Symptomatic relapses occurred in 51 patients (12 M; 39 C), while minor diverticular hemorrhages occurred in 43 patients (12 M; 31 C), with an estimated probability of remaining free respectively from symptomatic relapse (p=0.00005) and from microhemorrhagic phenomena (p=0.001) decisively in favor of the group treated with mesalazine. The duration of abdominal pain due to diverticolitis was also shorter in patients of group M (p=0.0002), while the incidence of major complications and side effects was comparable in the two groups. In conclusion, supplementary treatment with mesalazine in patients affected with MDC--at a follow-up limited to 48 months--proved to be well tolerated and effective in reducing the frequency of symptomatic relapses and microhemorrhagic phenomena and in reducing the duration of abdominal pain.

Self-complexity, self-evaluation, and depression: an examination of form and content within the self-schema.

Six studies examined the relationship between self-complexity and variables related to self-evaluation. Self-complexity was found to comprise two components: positive self-complexity and negative self-complexity. Positive self-complexity was sensitive to methodological factors, namely, variations in stimulus materials used for self-ratings. Negative self-complexity was relatively stable in the face of different rating stimuli and tasks and was related to trait measures of self-evaluation, psychic distress, and psychopathology. These findings were observed and replicated. Higher negative self-complexity was associated with increases in depression symptoms over time. Higher negative self-complexity also predicted a poorer prognosis and less complete recovery from depression in a clinical sample. Results are discussed in light of related research and possible social-cognitive mechanisms.