Energy loss in calorimeters using muon spectrometer information at the 2004 ATLAS Combined Test Beam.

In 2004 an ATLAS Combined Test Beam (CTB) was performed in the CERN North area. A complete slice of the barrel detector and of the muon end-cap was tested, with the following goals: pre-commission the final elements and study the combined detector performance. In this note a combined analysis using calorimeter and muon spectrometer information, based on data samples collected during this test, is presented

Experimental determination of the frequency and field dependence of Specific Loss Power in Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia

Magnetic nanoparticles are promising systems for biomedical applications and in particular for Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia, a promising therapy that utilizes the heat released by such systems to damage tumor cells. We present an experimental study of the physical properties that influences the capability of heat release, i.e. the Specific Loss Power, SLP, of three biocompatible ferrofluid samples having a magnetic core of maghemite with different core diameter d= 10.2, 14.6 and 19.7 nm. The SLP was measured as a function of frequency f and intensity of the applied alternating magnetic field H, and it turned out to depend on the core diameter, as expected. The results allowed us to highlight experimentally that the physical mechanism responsible for the heating is size-dependent and to establish, at applied constant frequency, the phenomenological functional relationship SLP=cH^x, with 2<x<3 for all samples. The x-value depends on sample size and field frequency/ intensity, here chosen in the typical range of operating magnetic hyperthermia devices. For the smallest sample, the effective relaxation time Teff=19.5 ns obtained from SLP data is in agreement with the value estimated from magnetization data, thus confirming the validity of the Linear Response Theory model for this system at properly chosen field intensity and frequency

Cellular-Automata model for dense-snow avalanches

This paper introduces a three-dimensional model for simulating dense-snow avalanches, based on the numerical method of cellular automata. This method allows one to study the complex behavior of the avalanche by dividing it into small elements, whose interaction is described by simple laws, obtaining a reduction of the computational power needed to perform a three-dimensional simulation. Similar models by several authors have been used to model rock avalanches, mud and lava flows, and debris avalanches. A peculiar aspect of avalanche dynamics, i.e., the mechanisms of erosion of the snowpack and deposition of material from the avalanche is taken into account in the model. The capability of the proposed approach has been illustrated by modeling three documented avalanches that occurred in Susa Valley (Western Italian Alps). Despite the qualitative observations used for calibration, the proposed method is able to reproduce the correct three-dimensional avalanche path, using a digital terrain model, and the order of magnitude of the avalanche deposit volume

Targeting Mitochondrial Protein Expression as a Future Approach for Cancer Therapy

Extensive metabolic remodeling is a fundamental feature of cancer cells. Although early reports attributed such remodeling to a loss of mitochondrial functions, it is now clear that mitochondria play central roles in cancer development and progression, from energy production to synthesis of macromolecules, from redox modulation to regulation of cell death. Biosynthetic pathways are also heavily affected by the metabolic rewiring, with protein synthesis dysregulation at the hearth of cellular transformation. Accumulating evidence in multiple organisms shows that the metabolic functions of mitochondria are tightly connected to protein synthesis, being assembly and activity of respiratory complexes highly dependent on de novo synthesis of their components. In turn, protein synthesis within the organelle is tightly connected with the cytosolic process. This implies an entire network of interactions and fine-tuned regulations that build up a completely under-estimated level of complexity. We are now only preliminarily beginning to reconstitute such regulatory level in human cells, and to perceive its role in diseases. Indeed, disruption or alterations of these connections trigger conditions of proteotoxic and energetic stress that could be potentially exploited for therapeutic purposes. In this review, we summarize the available literature on the coordinated regulation of mitochondrial and cytosolic mRNA translation, and their effects on the integrity of the mitochondrial proteome and functions. Finally, we highlight the potential held by this topic for future research directions and for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches

Development of a continuous-flow anaerobic co-digestion process of olive mill wastewater and municipal sewage sludge

BACKGROUND: Olive mill wastewater (OMW) represents an environmental problem due to its high organic load and relevant concentration of phenolic compounds (PCs). OMW treatment and disposal represents a relevant challenge and cost for olive mills and multi-utilities in charge of waste management in Mediterranean countries. The goal of this study was to develop an anaerobic co-digestion (co-AD) process of OMW and sewage sludge (SwS) from municipal wastewater treatment. RESULTS: Different volumetric OMW:SwS ratios up to 100% OMW were fed in continuous 1.7-L bioreactors. The reactors fed with raw OMW (rOMW) performed better than those fed with OMW dephenolized by adsorption (dOMW). At a 23-day hydraulic retention time, the best performances were obtained in the reactor fed with 25% rOMW, with a 105% increase in methane yield in comparison to the 100% SwS test. At a 40-day hydraulic retention time, the reactor fed with 40% rOMW attained a 268 NLCH4/kgvolatile solids methane yield. The conversion of phenolic compoundsreached 70% when the hydraulic retention time was increased from 23 to 40 days. A cost\u2013benefit analysis indicated that both rOMW co-AD in existing digesters and phenolic compounds recovery from OMW followed by co-AD of dOMW can lead to relevant additional revenues for the multi-utilities in charge of wastewater management. CONCLUSION: This work proves that, using the existing network of SwS anaerobic digesters, it is feasible to co-digest the entire OMW production in regions characterized by intense olive oil production, thus attaining a relevant increase in methane production yield (a 144% increase in comparison to 100% SwS)

Relative influence of the adeno-associated virus (AAV) type 2 p5 element for recombinant AAV vector site-specific integration.

The p5 promoter region of the adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV-2) rep gene has been described as essential for Rep-mediated site-specific integration (RMSSI) of plasmid sequences in human chromosome 19. We report here that insertion of a full-length or minimal p5 element between the viral inverted terminal repeats does not significantly increase RMSSI of a recombinant AAV (rAAV) vector after infection of growth-arrested or proliferating human cells. This result suggests that the p5 element may not improve RMSSI of rAAV vectors in vivo

The effect of quarantine due to Covid-19 pandemic on seizure frequency in 102 adult people with epilepsy from Apulia and Basilicata regions, Southern Italy

Objective: following the COVID-19 pandemic, a quarantine was imposed to all of regions Italy by 9th March until 3rd May 2020. We investigated the effect of COVID-19 infection and quarantine on seizure frequency in adult people with epilepsy (PwE) of Apulia and Basilicata regions, Southern Italy. Methods: This is an observational, retrospective study based on prospective data collection of 102 successive PWE. The frequency of seizures was evaluated during pre-quarantine (January- February), quarantine (March-April), and post-quarantine period (May-June), while PwE were divided into A) cases responding to treatment with ≤ 1 seizure per year; B) cases responding to treatment with 2-5 seizure per year; C) cases with drug-resistant epilepsy with ≤ 4 seizures per month; D) cases with drug-resistant epilepsy with 5-10 seizures per month. PwE underwent several self-report questionnaires regarding therapeutic compliance, mood, stress and sleep during quarantine period. Results: Approximately 50 % of PwE showed seizure frequency changes (22.55 % an increase and 27.45 % a reduction) during quarantine. Seizure frequency significantly (p &lt; 0.05) increased in PwE responding to treatment with ≤ 1 seizure per year, while significantly (p &lt; 0.05) reduced in PwE with drug-resistant epilepsy with 5-10 seizures per month. The data was not influenced by therapeutic adherence, sleep and depression. The analysis of anxiety showed a moderate level of anxiety in PwE responding to treatment with &lt; 1 seizure per year, while moderate stress was perceived by all PwE. Seizure frequency changes were related to quarantine, but not to COVID-19 infection. In fact, unlike other regions of Italy, particularly Northern Italy, Apulia and Basilicata regions were less affected by COVID-19 infection, and almost all PwE recognized the quarantine as a stressful event. Emotional distress and anxiety due to social isolation, but also the relative reduction of triggers for epileptic seizures were the most important factors for changes in seizure frequency. Conclusions: Our study adds to the growing concern that the indirect effects of COVID-19 pandemic will far outstrip the direct consequences of the infection

Principles of cerebral hemodynamics when intracranial pressure is raised: lessons from the peripheral circulation.

BACKGROUND: The brain is highly vascular and richly perfused, and dependent on continuous flow for normal function. Although confined within the skull, pressure within the brain is usually less than 15 mmHg, and shows small pulsations related to arterial pulse under normal circumstances. Pulsatile arterial hemodynamics in the brain have been studied before, but are still inadequately understood, especially during changes of intracranial pressure (ICP) after head injury. METHOD: In seeking cohesive explanations, we measured ICP and radial artery pressure (RAP) invasively with high-fidelity manometer systems, together with middle cerebral artery flow velocity (MCAFV) (transcranial Doppler) and central aortic pressure (CAP) generated from RAP, using a generalized transfer function technique, in eight young unconscious, ventilated adults following closed head trauma. We focused on vascular effects of spontaneous rises of ICP ('plateau waves'). RESULTS: A rise in mean ICP from 29 to 53 mmHg caused no consistent change in pressure outside the cranium, or in heart rate, but ICP pulsations increased in amplitude from 8 to 20 mmHg, and ICP waveform came to resemble that in the aorta. Cerebral perfusion pressure (=central aortic pressure - ICP), which equates with transmural pressure, fell from 61 to 36 mmHg. Mean MCAFV fell from 53 to 40 cm/s, whereas pulsatile MCAFV increased from 77 to 98 cm/s. These significant changes (all P < 0.01) may be explained using the Monro-Kellie doctrine, because of compression of the brain, as occurs in a limb when external pressure is applied. CONCLUSION: The findings emphasize importance of reducing ICP, when raised, and on the additional benefits of reducing wave reflection from the lower body.This study was supported by the National Institute of Health Research, the Biomedical Research Centre (Neuroscience Theme), and the Medical Research Council (Grants G0600986 and G9439390). J.D.P. has received the NIHR Investigator Awards. M.O.K. is sponsored by an Australian Postgraduate Awards Industrial Linkage Grant from the Australian Research Council (LP0884094), with AtCor Medical Australia as the collaborating organization.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Wolters Kluwer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/HJH.000000000000053

Identification of RNA-binding proteins that partner with Lin28a to regulate Dnmt3a expression

Lin28 is an evolutionary conserved RNA-binding protein that plays important roles during embryonic development and tumorigenesis. It regulates gene expression through two different post-transcriptional mechanisms. The first one is based on the regulation of miRNA biogenesis, in particular that of the let-7 family, whose expression is suppressed by Lin28. Thus, loss of Lin28 leads to the upregulation of mRNAs that are targets of let-7 species. The second mechanism is based on the direct interaction of Lin28 with a large number of mRNAs, which results in the regulation of their translation. This second mechanism remains poorly understood. To address this issue, we purified high molecular weight complexes containing Lin28a in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Numerous proteins, co-purified with Lin28a, were identified by proteomic procedures and tested for their possible role in Lin28a-dependent regulation of the mRNA encoding DNA methyltransferase 3a (Dnmt3a). The results show that Lin28a activity is dependent on many proteins, including three helicases and four RNA-binding proteins. The suppression of four of these proteins, namely Ddx3x, Hnrnph1, Hnrnpu or Syncrip, interferes with the binding of Lin28a to the Dnmt3a mRNA, thus suggesting that they are part of an oligomeric ribonucleoprotein complex that is necessary for Lin28a activity