Phenotypic Definition of the Progenitor Cells with Erythroid Differentiation Potential Present in Human Adult Blood

In Human Erythroid Massive Amplification (HEMA) cultures, AB mononuclear cells (MNC) generate 1-log more erythroid cells (EBs) than the corresponding CD34pos cells, suggesting that MNC may also contain CD34neg HPC. To clarify the phenotype of AB HPC which generate EBs in these cultures, flow cytometric profiling for CD34/CD36 expression, followed by isolation and functional characterization (colony-forming-ability in semisolid-media and fold-increase in HEMA) were performed. Four populations with erythroid differentiation potential were identified: CD34posCD36neg (0.1%); CD34posCD36pos (barely detectable-0.1%); CD34negCD36low (2%) and CD34negCD36neg (75%). In semisolid-media, CD34posCD36neg cells generated BFU-E and CFU-GM (in a 1 : 1 ratio), CD34negCD36neg cells mostly BFU-E (87%) and CD34posCD36pos and CD34negCD36low cells were not tested due to low numbers. Under HEMA conditions, CD34posCD36neg, CD34posCD36pos, CD34negCD36low and CD34negCD36neg cells generated EBs with fold-increases of ≈9,000, 100, 60 and 1, respectively, and maturation times (day with >10% CD36highCD235ahigh cells) of 10–7 days. Pyrenocytes were generated only by CD34neg/CD36neg cells by day 15. These results confirm that the majority of HPC in AB express CD34 but identify additional CD34neg populations with erythroid differentiation potential which, based on differences in fold-increase and maturation times, may represent a hierarchy of HPC present in AB

A Distributed Modular Data Processing Chain Applied to Simulated Satellite Ozone Observations

Remote sensing of the atmospheric composition from current and future satellites, such as the Sentinel missions of the Copernicus programme, yields an unprecedented amount of data to monitor air quality, ozone, UV radiation and other climate variables. Hence, full exploitation of the growing wealth of information delivered by spaceborne observing systems requires addressing the technological challenges for developing new strategies and tools that are capable to deal with these huge data volumes. The H2020 AURORA (Advanced Ultraviolet Radiation and Ozone Retrieval for Applications) project investigated a novel approach for synergistic use of ozone profile measurements acquired at different frequencies (ultraviolet, visible, thermal infrared) by sensors onboard Geostationary Equatorial Orbit (GEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites in the framework of the Copernicus Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 missions. This paper outlines the main features of the technological infrastructure, designed and developed to support the AURORA data processing chain as a distributed data processing and describes in detail the key components of the infrastructure and the software prototype. The latter demonstrates the technical feasibility of the automatic execution of the full processing chain with simulated data. The Data Processing Chain (DPC) presented in this work thus replicates a processing system that, starting from the operational satellite retrievals, carries out their fusion and results in the assimilation of the fused products. These consist in ozone vertical profiles from which further modules of the chain deliver tropospheric ozone and UV radiation at the Earth's surface. The conclusions highlight the relevance of this novel approach to the synergistic use of operational satellite data and underline that the infrastructure uses general-purpose technologies and is open for applications in different contexts

Ifosfamide, gemcitabine, and vinorelbine: a new induction regimen for refractory and relapsed Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Background and Objectives Response to pre-transplant salvage chemotherapy remains the most important prognostic factor for outcome in refractory or relapsed Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Results of a new induction regimen are reported in terms of response rates, toxicity, and stem cell mobilization.Design and Methods Ninety-one patients with refractory or relapsed Hodgkin’s lymphoma were treated prospectively with a salvage regimen consisting of ifosfamide 2000 mg/m2 on days 1 to 4, gemcitabine 800 mg/m2 on days 1 and 4, vinorelbine 20 mg/m2 on day 1, and prednisolone 100 mg on days 1 to 4 (IGEV).Results Forty-nine patients (53.8%) achieved a complete remission and 25 (27.5%) a partial response for an overall response rate of 81.3%. In the multivariate analysis response to the last chemotherapy (

Clinical Features, Cardiovascular Risk Profile, and Therapeutic Trajectories of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Candidate for Oral Semaglutide Therapy in the Italian Specialist Care

Introduction: This study aimed to address therapeutic inertia in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) by investigating the potential of early treatment with oral semaglutide. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between October 2021 and April 2022 among specialists treating individuals with T2D. A scientific committee designed a data collection form covering demographics, cardiovascular risk, glucose control metrics, ongoing therapies, and physician judgments on treatment appropriateness. Participants completed anonymous patient questionnaires reflecting routine clinical encounters. The preferred therapeutic regimen for each patient was also identified. Results: The analysis was conducted on 4449 patients initiating oral semaglutide. The population had a relatively short disease duration (42%  60% of patients, and more often than sitagliptin or empagliflozin. Conclusion: The study supports the potential of early implementation of oral semaglutide as a strategy to overcome therapeutic inertia and enhance T2D management

Nonlinear Optical Properties of Some Side Chain Copolymers Based on Benzoxazole Containing Chromophores

Acrylate-methylmethacrylate copolymers have been synthesized for non- linear optical applications. Acrylate monomer units are characterized by the presence in the side chain of phenylbenzoxazole groups containing electron donor-electron acceptor substituents. The phase behavior of all polymers has been investigated by DSC, X-ray diffraction and polarizing microscopy: two of them exhibit liquid crystalline behavior of smectic type. For four polymers, nonlinear optical properties have been examined by second harmonic generation measurements on thin films (ca 1 micron thickness) electrically poled by corona discharge. Second order susceptibility coefficients d33 and average relaxation times ͗, relative to the time stability of the chromophore poling, have been measured

Famiglia, scuola e biblioteca insieme nella prevenzione del tabagismo: un progetto pilota per l'infanzia

Il rapporto del Ministero della Salute del 2018, sulla prevenzione e sul controllo del tabagismo, dichiara che l’abitudine a fumare sigarette inizia a 11 anni quando già fumano il 3,7% dei ragazzi e il 2,5Þlle ragazze. Le percentuali aumentano in modo considerevole tra i 13 e i 15 e sempre più in voga è l’utilizzo delle sigarette elettroniche, soprattutto tra i ragazzi. Il fumo attivo rappresenta la principale causa evitabile e prevenibile di malattia e di morte, dunque la prevenzione del tabagismo è un obiettivo prioritario da perseguire attraverso attività di educazione alla salute. Più gli interventi sono precoci, più hanno un impatto maggiore, e la fascia di età minima che consente elaborazioni cognitive ed emotive adeguate rispetto agli stimoli sul tabagismo è quella dai 4 ai 6 anni. Gli elementi fulcro dell’educazione sono la famiglia, la scuola e la comunità (individuata per questa fascia d’età nell’istituzione bibliotecaria) che condividono il compito di far sì che i bambini acquisiscano comportamenti e stili di vita individuali e sociali improntati al rispetto della qualità della vita. Il progetto, rivolto a bambini dai 4 ai 6 anni, si articola su tre livelli paralleli: famiglia, scuola, biblioteca, le principali comunità educanti per questa fascia d’età. Il progetto prevede incontri di sensibilizzazione e formazione sul tema del tabagismo - usufruendo della metodologia della Medicina Narrativa - per insegnanti, genitori e bibliotecari, focus group, attività e laboratori per tutti i partecipanti. In particolare, nei percorsi didattici pensati per i bambini verranno utilizzati materiali di recupero, sia a scuola che in biblioteca. Per gli adulti si pensa di creare una piattaforma online dove interagire anche al termine del progetto. Trattandosi di un progetto pilota da avviare, i risultati attesi riguardano, nel breve perido, gli esiti del monitoraggio del progetto rivolto agli adulti. Sono previsti questionari pre e post formazione/attività in merito all’utilità del progetto, alla sua efficacia educativa e al supporto previsto per i fumatori che richiedono un aiuto per smettere. Per quanto riguarda i risultati nel lungo periodo, sarebbe interessante ed opportuno seguire i bambini fino al compimento dei 25-30 anni di età per valutare l’effettiva ricaduta del progetto, prevedendo un confronto con un gruppo di controllo. Il progetto si presenta come un sistema di rete in cui famiglia, scuola e comunità (biblioteca) collaborano insieme in un percorso di educazione alla salute. L’OCSE (Organizzazione per la Cooperazione e per lo Sviluppo Economico) sostiene che i bambini hanno bisogno di sviluppare un set di competenze cognitive, emotive e sociali per vivere al meglio la vita nella società mutevole in cui ci troviamo. Noi ci proponiamo di farlo iniziando a piccoli passi. Gli interventi precoci sono fondamentali: i genitori svolgono un ruolo importante, così come le interazioni tra pari a scuola e in ambienti extra-scolastici. Promuovere stili di vita sani, individuali e collettivi, è ciò che si prefigge il progetto pilota

L'induzione della crescita follicolare nelle donne con anovulazione [Ovulation induction in anovulatory women]

Ovulation induction therapy is administered to stimulate follicular growth and induce ovulation in anovulatory infertile women. In anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome, the treatment of choice is clomiphene citrate, whereas in clomiphene nonresponders, gonadotrophins are given as secondary therapy. Currently, insulin-sensitizing agents are used in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome to restore menstrual cyclicity. In selected patients, laparoscopic drilling has also been suggested. In anovulatory patients affected with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, treatment is based on gonadotrophin replacement therapy or pulsatile gonadotrophin-releasing hormone infusion. In ovulation induction therapy the clinician's attention should be directed at restoring normal ovary function. When pharmacotherapy is required, monofollicular growth should be induced to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancy