Publications by authors named "A I Bravo"

Background: Prior research suggests that individuals reporting autistic traits are at heightened risk for alcohol dependence once they begin drinking; thus, examining factors that may lead to problematic drinking in this population is imperative. Neurotypical college students higher in autistic traits tend to have more social anxiety, more challenges with social skills and communication, and weaker social adjustment than those lower in autistic traits, which are risk factors for problematic alcohol use.

Objectives: The present study sought to assess whether university students with more autistic traits would report greater alcohol-related negative consequences, and whether this association would be indirectly influenced by social anxiety, emotion regulation, and drinking to cope.

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is a Gram-negative bacillus responsible for a wide variety of potentially fatal infections and, in turn, constitutes a critical agent of healthcare-associated infections. Moreover, is characterized by multi-drug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemase (KPC) producer strains, representing a significant health problem. Because resistances make it difficult to eradicate using antibiotics, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) promises to be a favorable approach to complementing conventional therapy against MDR bacteria.

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Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produces Cry toxins that are used to control insect pests worldwide. However, evolution of insect resistance threatens the sustainable application of these toxins. In some cases, Cry toxin resistance has been linked to mutations affecting toxin receptors expression.

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Methylmercury (MeHg), a neurotoxic pollutant, is formed mainly under anaerobiosis. The "Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico" (MOSE), built to temporarily close the Venice Lagoon and protect the city from flooding, induces changes in the hydrological regime, reducing water circulation and decreasing in the dissolved oxygen concentrations of the lagoon. Our study shows the potential changes in sediment and overlying water physico-chemistry in a simulated MOSE closing-event by incubating sediment cores for 48 h in the laboratory and deploying benthic chambers.

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Article Synopsis
  • Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteria produce insecticidal proteins Cry and Vip3, which kill certain insect larvae by disrupting their gut cells through pore formation.
  • The Vip3Aa protoxin requires proteolytic activation to change its structure and enhance binding to the brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) in insects, while the unactivated form shows little binding and no toxicity.
  • Research identified domain III of Vip3Aa as the main binding domain and highlighted critical amino acids (K385, K526, V529) that become exposed upon activation, which are essential for the protein's receptor binding and insecticidal effects.
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