NMR and biochemical studies

RNA‐containing vesicles, recovered from the supernatant of high‐density cell samples of human colon carcinoma, produce a high‐resolution 1H NMR spectrum of lipids characterized by isotropic tumbling; these vesicles contain large amounts of triglycerides and cholesterol esters. Both findings have strict analogies to what is displayed by the proteolipid complexes isolated from the sera of tumor‐bearing patients [(1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 82, 3455–3459; (1986) FEBS Lett. 203, 164–168]. Lipid analysis and enzymatic tests indicate that these vesicles are selected micromaps of plasma membranes, analogous to those that can be recovered from culture media in which tumor cells are grown [(1985) Dev. Biol. 3, 33–57]. Peculiar lipids, an acylated oligopeptide and a modified phospholipid, are also present in the vesicles

Socioeconomic Predictors of the Employment of Migrant Care Workers by Italian Families Assisting Older Alzheimer's Disease Patients: Evidence from the Up-Tech Study

Background: The availability of family caregivers of older people is decreasing in Italy as the number of migrant care workers (MCWs) hired by families increases. There is little evidence on the influence of socioeconomic factors in the employment of MCWs. Method: We analyzed baseline data from 438 older people with moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD), and their family caregivers enrolled in the Up-Tech trial. We used bivariate analysis and multilevel regressions to investigate the association between independent variables - education, social class, and the availability of a care allowance - and three outcomes - employment of a MCW, hours of care provided by the primary family caregiver, and by the family network (primary and other family caregivers). Results: The availability of a care allowance and the educational level were independently associated with employing MCWs. A significant interaction between education and care allowance was found, suggesting that more educated families are more likely to spend the care allowance to hire a MCW. Discussion: Socioeconomic inequalities negatively influenced access both to private care and to care allowance, leading disadvantaged families to directly provide more assistance to AD patients. Care allowance entitlement needs to be reformed in Italy and in countries with similar long-term care and migration systems. � 2015 The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved

Immunotherapy treatment: An issue for metabolic response

Since the beginning of second decade of last century, when it was introduced in many oncologic scenarios, immunotherapy has become an important tool in the management of a growing number of cancers. Immunotherapy for cancer appears to be useful, improving not only progression free survival but also overall survival, thus achieving the goal that many advanced cancers, previously considered without effective treatment options, have now become successfully treatable. However, considering the relatively recent introduction of these drugs in clinical scenarios and the continuous release of new drugs, there is a lack of large validated clinical experiences and many issues are today debated amongst which the evaluation of the response to immune-therapy. Engaging the host immune system in fighting against cancer is an energy-consuming process, requiring T-cell recruiting; this process, named "pseudo-progression, " sometimes produces an increase of both dimensional and metabolic ratio of the lesions, as well as the appearance of "new lesions." This behavior, always considered as undisputed progressive disease when traditional chemotherapy is employed, should be carefully considered in the field of immunotherapy, where the phenomenon of "flare" followed by regression of the disease can occur. In this paper, Authors analyzed the best available evidence in this field, reviewed the most important issues concerning the development of immunotherapy, and addressed evidence and concerns about the evaluation of response when using immunotherapy drugs, in terms of both radiological and nuclear medicine criteria

The Ross-Yacoub procedure for aneurysmal autograft roots: A strategy to preserve autologous pulmonary valves

Objectives: Autograft dilatation is leading to an increase in root reoperations late after the Ross procedure. A 14-year clinical experience was reviewed to define the feasibility and outcome of the autograft valve-sparing root reoperation. Methods: One hundred twenty-six patients surviving an average of 7.4 \ub1 9.9 years after the Ross procedure underwent cross-sectional clinical and echocardiographic examination. Study end points were freedom from autograft dilatation (diameter >4 cm or 2.1 cm/m2), root reoperation, root replacement, and functional outcome after the valve-sparing reoperation. Results: Thirty-one (25%) patients had dilatation, with 45% \ub1 9% freedom at 14 years. In 14 (11%) patients an autograft aneurysm (>5.0 cm) was found: 12 had reoperations at 8.9 \ub1 2.6 years after the Ross procedure. Risk factors for root reoperation at multivariate analysis were root technique (P = .01), root dilatation (P = .001), and follow-up duration (P = .06). Two patients had root replacement, and 10 (83%) had remodeling with valve preservation (8 Yacoub procedures and 2 sinotubular junction/ascending aorta procedures); all survived reoperation. Absence of severe autograft insufficiency (P = .04) and convergent-type aneurysm (P = .05) were associated with successful valve preservation. Fourteen-year freedom from root reoperation was 80% \ub1 7%, and freedom from full root replacement was 97% \ub1 4%. At 3.2 \ub1 1.5 years (range, 0.2-4.8 years) after root reoperation, all patients are in New York Heart Association class I and are medication free: 9 of 10 patients have mild autograft valve insufficiency or less, and 1 required valve replacement 51 months after remodeling. One patient carried out 2 uncomplicated pregnancies 3 and 4 years after the Ross-Yacoub procedure. Conclusions: Root reoperation with pulmonary valve preservation is feasible in the majority of patients with autograft aneurysms, allowing for maintenance of normal quality of life. Referral of patients with a dilated root before the appearance of severe valve insufficiency increases the likelihood of pulmonary valve sparing. Functional behavior of remodeled autograft roots is rewarding; however, continued observation is warranted

Nuovo procedimento per la preparazione di un precursore di un catalizzatore VPO

La presente invenzione si riferisce ad un procedimento per la produzione di un precursore di catalizzatore di ossido misto vanadio/fosforo (cd. catalizzatore "VPO"), alla sua trasformazione nel rispettivo catalizzatore attivo, e ad un procedimento pr la produzione in fase gassosa di anidride maleica da idrocarburi con l'impiego di questo catalizzator