«Imitando i prischi atleti». Antico e moderno nei “Giuochi Olimpici” in Arcadia

A partire dagli studi di Bilinski sui Giuochi olimpici in Arcadia, l’articolo si propone di approfondire le prime edizioni della competizione, fondamentali al fine di comprendere la costruzione dell’ideale arcadico di miglioramento del passato, calato nella contemporanea querelle des anciens et des modernes. Attraverso lo studio del materiale manoscritto conservato presso la Biblioteca Angelica, tutt’ora in gran parte inedito, viene ricostruita la prima edizione dei Giuochi, celebrata nel 1697, e poi stampata con significative variazioni all’interno dell’Arcadia crescimbeniana (1708). Successivamente, tramite il confronto con le stampe successive, vengono sottolineati i punti di continuità e di cambiamento, con lo scopo di evidenziare come la competizione costituisca un punto di vista privilegiato al fine dello studio dei rapporti del consesso con il contesto della Roma curiale.Starting with Bilinski’s studies on the Giuochi olimpici in Arcadia, this essay aims to delve into the first editions of the competition, which are fundamental for understanding the construction of the Arcadian ideal of improving the past, set in the contemporary querelle des anciens et des modernes. Through the study of the manuscript material preserved in the Biblioteca Angelica, still largely unpublished, was reconstructed the first edition of the Giuochi celebrated in 1697, and then printed with significant variations within the Arcadia crescimbeniana (1708). Subsequently, through comparison with later printings, the points of continuity and change are emphasised, with the aim of highlighting how the competition constitutes a privileged point of view for the study of the relations of the assembly with the context of papal Rome

Detection rate of FNA cytology in medullary thyroid carcinoma. a meta-analysis

Background: The early detection of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) can improve patient prognosis, because histological stage and patient age at diagnosis are highly relevant prognostic factors. As a consequence, delay in the diagnosis and/or incomplete surgical treatment should correlate with a poorer prognosis for patients. Few papers have evaluated the specific capability of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) to detect MTC, and small series have been reported. This study conducts a meta-analysis of published data on the diagnostic performance of FNAC in MTC to provide more robust estimates. Research Design and Methods: A comprehensive computer literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus databases was conducted by searching for the terms 'medullary thyroid' AND 'cytology', 'FNA', 'FNAB', 'FNAC', 'fine needle' or 'fine-needle'. The search was updated until 21 March 2014, and no language restrictions were used. Results: Fifteen relevant studies and 641 MTC lesions that had undergone FNAC were included. The detection rate (DR) of FNAC in patients with MTC (diagnosed as 'MTC' or 'suspicious for MTC') on a per lesion-based analysis ranged from 12·5% to 88·2%, with a pooled estimate of 56·4% (95% CI: 52·6-60·1%). The included studies were statistically heterogeneous in their estimates of DR (I-square >50%). Egger's regression intercept for DR pooling was 0·03 (95% CI: -3·1 to 3·2, P = 0·9). The study that reported the largest MTC series had a DR of 45%. Data on immunohistochemistry for calcitonin in diagnosing MTC were inconsistent for the meta-analysis. Conclusions: The presented meta-analysis demonstrates that FNAC is able to detect approximately one-half of MTC lesions. These findings suggest that other techniques may be needed in combination with FNAC to diagnose MTC and avoid false negative results. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Gastric cancer is the leading cause of death in Italian adult patients with common variable immunodeficiency

An increased prevalence of malignant lymphoma and of gastric cancer has been observed in large cohorts of patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), the most frequently symptomatic primary immunodeficiency. Surveillance strategies for cancers in CVID should be defined based on epidemiological data. Risks and mortality for cancers among 455 Italian patients with CVID were compared to cancer incidence data from the Italian Cancer Registry database. CVID patients showed an increased cancer incidence for all sites combined (Obs = 133, SIR = 2.4; 95%CI = 1.7\u20133.5), due to an excess of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Obs = 33, SIR = 14.3; 95%CI = 8.4\u201322.6) and of gastric cancer (Obs = 25; SIR = 6.4; 95%CI = 3.2\u201312.5). CVID patients with gastric cancer and lymphoma had a worse survival in comparison to cancer-free CVID (HR: 4.8, 95%CI: 4.2\u201344.4 and HR: 4.2, 95%CI: 2.8\u201344.4). Similar to what observed in other series, CVID-associated lymphomas were more likely to be of B cell origin and often occurred at extra-nodal sites. We collected the largest case-series of gastric cancers in CVID subjects. In contrast to other reports, gastric cancer was the leading cause of death in CVID. Standardized mortality ratio indicated a 10.1-fold excess mortality among CVID patients with gastric cancer. CVID developed gastric cancer 15 years earlier than the normative population, but they had a similar overall survival. Only CVID diagnosed at early stage gastric cancer survived >24 months. Stomach histology from upper endoscopy performed before cancer onset showed areas of atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia or dysplasia. CVID patients might progress rapidly to an advanced cancer stage as shown by patients developing a III-IV stage gastric cancer within 1 year from an endoscopy without signs of dysplasia. Based on high rate of mortality due to gastric cancer in Italian CVID patients, we hereby suggest a strategy aimed at early diagnosis, based on regular upper endoscopy and on Helicobacter pylori infection treatment, recommending an implementation of national guidelines

Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with CVID Under Different Schedules of Immunoglobulin Administration: Prospective Multicenter Study

We assessed the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in CVID adults receiving different schedules of immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IgRT) by intravenous (IVIG), subcutaneous (SCIG), and facilitated (fSCIG) preparations. For these patients, IgRT schedule was chosen after a period focused on identifying the most suitable individual option

Modelos multivariantes para clasificar aceites de oliva vírgenes Toscanos por zona

In order to study and classify Tuscan virgin olive oils, 179 samples were collected. They were obtained from drupes harvested during the first half of November, from three different zones of the Region. The sampling was repeated for 5 years. Fatty acids, phytol, aliphatic and triterpenic alcohols, triterpenic dialcohols, sterols, squalene and tocopherols were analyzed. A subset of variables was considered. They were selected in a preceding work as the most effective and reliable, from the univariate point of view. The analytical data were transformed (except for the cycloartenol) to compensate annual variations, the mean related to the East zone was subtracted from each value, within each year. Univariate three-class models were calculated and further variables discarded. Then multivariate three-zone models were evaluated, including phytol (that was always selected) and all the combinations of palmitic, palmitoleic and oleic acid, tetracosanol, cycloartenol and squalene. Models including from two to seven variables were studied. The best model shows by-zone classification errors less than 40%, by-zone within-year classification errors that are less than 45% and a global classification error equal to 30%. This model includes phytol, palmitic acid, tetracosanol and cycloartenol.Para estudiar y clasificar aceites de oliva vírgenes Toscanos, se utilizaron 179 muestras, que fueron obtenidas de frutos recolectados durante la primera mitad de Noviembre, de tres zonas diferentes de la Región. El muestreo fue repetido durante 5 años. Se analizaron ácidos grasos, fitol, alcoholes alifáticos y triterpénicos, dialcoholes triterpénicos, esteroles, escualeno y tocoferoles. Se consideró un subconjunto de variables que fueron seleccionadas en un trabajo anterior como el más efectivo y fiable, desde el punto de vista univariado. Los datos analíticos se transformaron (excepto para el cicloartenol) para compensar las variaciones anuales, restándose la media de la zona Este de los demás valores, dentro de cada año. Se calcularon los modelos de tres clases univariados y además se desecharon variables. Posteriormente, se evaluaron modelos de tres zonas incluyendo fitol (que siempre fue seleccionado) y todas las combinaciones de ácidos palmítico, palmitoleico y oleico, tetracosanol, cicloartenol y escualeno. Se estudiaron modelos incluyendo desde dos a siete variables. El modelo mejor mostró errores de clasificación por zona inferiores al 40%, errores de clasificación por zona dentro del año menores del 45% y errores de clasificación global igual al 30%. Este modelo incluye fitol, ácido palmítico, tetracosanol y cicloartenol

A validated LC–MS/MS method for quantitative determination of L-dopa in Fagioli di Sarconi beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

An analytical method based on ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) and liquid chromatography 36 coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI/MS/MS) was validated and applied for 37 determining L-dopa in four ecotypes of Fagioli di Sarconi beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), marked 38 with the European label PGI (Protected Geographical Indication). The selectivity of the proposed 39 method was ensured by the specific fragmentation of the analyte. Simple isocratic chromatographic 40 conditions and mass spectrometric detection in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) acquisition 41 mode were used for sensitive quantification. The LC–ESI/MS/MS method was validated within a 42 linear range of 0.001–5.000 μg/mL. Values of 0.4 and 1.1 ng/mL were obtained for limit of detection 43 and limit of quantification, respectively. The repeatability, inter-day precision and recovery values 44 ranges were 0.6-4.5%, 5.4-9.9%, 83-93 %, respectively. Fresh and dried beans cultivated exclusively 45 with organic methods avoiding any synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, as well as pods, were analyzed 46 showing a L-dopa content ranging from 0.020±0.005 μg/g to 2.34±0.05 μg/g dry weight

Minimally-invasive treatments for benign thyroid nodules: a Delphi-based consensus statement from the Italian minimally-invasive treatments of the thyroid (MITT) group

Benign thyroid nodules are a common clinical occurrence and usually do not require treatment unless symptomatic. During the last years, ultrasound-guided minimally invasive treatments (MIT) gained an increasing role in the management of nodules causing local symptoms. In February 2018, the Italian MIT Thyroid Group was founded to create a permanent cooperation between Italian and international physicians dedicated to clinical research and assistance on MIT for thyroid nodules. The group drafted this list of statements based on literature review and consensus opinion of interdisciplinary experts to facilitate the diffusion and the appropriate use of MIT of thyroid nodules in clinical practice. (#1) Predominantly cystic/cystic symptomatic nodules should first undergo US-guided aspiration; ethanol injection should be performed if relapsing (level of evidence [LoE]: ethanol is superior to simple aspiration = 2); (#2) In symptomatic cystic nodules, thermal ablation is an option when symptoms persist after ethanol ablation (LoE = 4); (#3) Double cytological benignity confirmation is needed before thermal ablation (LoE = 2); (#4) Single cytological sample is adequate in ultrasound low risk (EU-TIRADS 643) and in autonomously functioning nodules (LoE = 2); (#5) Thermal ablation may be proposed as first-line treatment for solid, symptomatic, nonfunctioning, benign nodules (LoE = 2); (#6) Thermal ablation may be used for dominant lesions in nonfunctioning multinodular goiter in patients refusing/not eligible for surgery (LoE = 5); (#7) Clinical and ultrasound follow-up is appropriate after thermal ablation (LoE = 2); (#8) Nodule re-treatment can be considered when symptoms relapse or partially resolve (LoE = 2); (#9) In case of nodule regrowth, a new cytological assessment is suggested before second ablation (LoE = 5); (#10) Thermal ablation is an option for autonomously functioning nodules in patients refusing/not eligible for radioiodine or surgery (LoE = 2); (#11) Small autonomously functioning nodules can be treated with thermal ablation when thyroid tissue sparing is a priority and 6580% nodule volume ablation is expected (LoE = 3)