Superoptimal Preconditioned Conjugate Gradient Iteration for Image Deblurring

We study the superoptimal Frobenius operators in the two-level circulant algebra. We consider two specific viewpoints: ( 1) the regularizing properties in imaging and ( 2) the computational effort in connection with the preconditioned conjugate gradient method. Some numerical experiments illustrating the effectiveness of the proposed technique are given and discussed

Promotion of proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by LncRNA00673 based on the targeted-regulation of notch signaling pathway

we read with great interest the paper by Dr. Chen et al1, recently published in European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences and titled ‘‘Promotion of proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by LncRNA00673 based on the targeted-regulation of notch signaling pathway’’. Authors concluded that lncRNA00673 is highly expressed and may be a potential target for the treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Moreover, according to authors, it can promote the proliferation and metastasis of HCC by the regulation of Notch signaling pathway. We congratulate the authors for their interesting work

Characterization of FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) Grades for Hip Dysplasia in Five Dog Breeds

Simple Summary Hip dysplasia is one of the most frequently occurring orthopedic diseases in medium to large purebred dogs. For this reason, much attention is paid to screening programs for breeding animals. The Federation Cynologique Internationale uses the same evaluation criteria regardless of breed. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether or not the evolution of a hip pathology in dogs with or without dysplasia was consistent with prior scientific knowledge in five breeds. In addition, whether there were significant radiographic differences between breeds which might require a breed-specific method for assessing the grade of hip dysplasia was investigated. Evaluations of 16 radiographic parameters analyzed using the Brass method were collected from 5 breeds: Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd dogs, Bernese Mountain dogs, and Rottweilers. No significant changes were found among the five breeds regarding the grade of hip dysplasia; however, some significant variations were found in the individual radiographic parameters suggesting that, although the criteria regarded all breeds, there were specific alterations which could be caused by the different morphologies, aptitudes and abilities of each breed. The aim of this retrospective study was to verify whether the radiographic morphologic differences detected within the first three grades of hip dysplasia (A, B, C) of each of the five selected breeds and within the same breeds were statistically significant enough to require a breed-specific evaluation. A total of 422 technical evaluation forms of hip dysplasia (HD) in Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Bernese Mountain dogs, and German Shepherd dogs were obtained from the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) archive. The data were evaluated using a descriptive statistical analysis. In Labrador Retrievers, the craniolateral acetabular rim and femoral head position were already altered in unaffected dogs; however, within the various FCI grades, the most severe changes involved the conformation of the femoral neck. All the radiographic parameters of the Golden Retriever hips changed progressively and evenly. Significant radiographic changes between FCI grades were found in the German Shepherd dogs, and the alterations involving the acetabulum were more severe and appeared earlier than in the femoral head and neck. In the Bernese Mountain dogs, the most severe alterations were in the position of the femoral head and joint space while the femoral head and neck showed no significant progression between grades. All the radiographic parameters of non-dysplastic Rottweilers were normal; however, the progression of the primary signs was similar to the other breeds, although with lower severity. In conclusion, no significant prevalence of the radiographic features was observed for any specific breed. However, significant individual breed variations in the primary radiographic parameters were found between dogs with and without dysplasia which could be useful for better understanding the consequences of biomechanical differences between breeds

Free boundary problems for Tumor Growth: a Viscosity solutions approach

The mathematical modeling of tumor growth leads to singular stiff pressure law limits for porous medium equations with a source term. Such asymptotic problems give rise to free boundaries, which, in the absence of active motion, are generalized Hele-Shaw flows. In this note we use viscosity solutions methods to study limits for porous medium-type equations with active motion. We prove the uniform convergence of the density under fairly general assumptions on the initial data, thus improving existing results. We also obtain some additional information/regularity about the propagating interfaces, which, in view of the discontinuities, can nucleate and, thus, change topological type. The main tool is the construction of local, smooth, radial solutions which serve as barriers for the existence and uniqueness results as well as to quantify the speed of propagation of the free boundary propagation

Nutritional and immunological factors in breast milk: A role in the intergenerational transmission from maternal psychopathology to child development

Perinatal psychopathologies affect more than 25% of women during and after their gestational period. These psychiatric disorders can potentially determine important biological variations in their organisms, affecting many different physiological and metabolic pathways. Of relevance, any of these changes occurring in the mother can alter the normal composition of breast milk, particularly the concentration of nutritional and inflammatory components, which play a role in child brain functioning and development. Indeed, there is evidence showing that changes in milk composition can contribute to cognitive impairments and alterations in mental abilities in children. This review aims to shed light on the unique intergenerational role played by breast milk composition, from maternal psychopathologies to child development

Subchondroplasty in the treatment of bone marrow lesions of the knee: Preliminary experience on first 15 patients

Purpose The aim of this prospective study was to assess the effectiveness in terms of pain relief and functional improvement of the Subchondroplasty procedure in the treatment of osteoarthritis-related bone marrow lesions (BMLs) of the knee. Methods The study included first 15 consecutive patients undergone to Subchon-droplasty procedure for the treatment of chronic degenerative BMLs in which previous conservative treatment have failed. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS), and visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores were obtained preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12 months of follow-up. Results WOMAC scores significantly improved from 39.7 \ub1 20.2 before surgery to 26.8 \ub1 16.1 at the 1-month follow-up (p = 0.045). A further significant improvement to 15.5 \ub1 12.7 (p = 0.02) and to 8.6 \ub1 3.1 (p <0.01) was obtained both at 6-month and at 1-year follow-up. KOOS scores improved significantly from 47.5 \ub1 16.6 before surgery to 65.4 \ub1 14.9 at 1 month (p = 0.013) and to 80.4 \ub1 15.1 at 6-month follow-up (p = 0.01). A further improvement to 85.6 \ub1 15.1 was recorded 1 year postoperatively, although nonsignificant. VAS score showed a significant improvement from 55.8 \ub1 20.5 preoperatively to 36.2 \ub1 16.9 at 1 month (p = 0.008) and to 18.2 \ub1 17.3 at 6-month follow-up (p = 0.005). This further improved to 12.8 \ub1 17.9 at 1-year follow-up, although not significantly. Conclusion Subchondroplasty procedure represents a safe and valid surgical option in the treatment of osteoarthritis-related BMLs of the knee, providing an improvement in terms of pain relief and functional recovery. Longer studies are required to evaluate how long these improvements may last. Level of Evidence Therapeutic case-series, Level IV study