Cardiovascular alterations in adult GH deficiency

There is a growing body of evidence indicating that patients with adult GH deficiency (GHD) are characterized by a cluster of traditional and emerging cardiovascular risk factors and markers, which can significantly increase their cardiovascular morbidity and mortality possibly linked to aberrations in GH status. Patients with adult GHD present multiple different cardiovascular abnormalities. In addition, cardiovascular risk in adult GHD is increased due to altered body composition, abnormal lipid profile, insulin resistance and impaired glucose metabolism. Cardiovascular risk factors can be reversed, at least partially, after GH replacement. However, evidence on the effects of GH replacement on cardiovascular events and mortality is too limited in adult GHD patients. Aim of this review is to provide an at-a-glance overview of the role of the GH/IGF-I on the cardiovascular system and the state of art of the effects of GH replacement on cardiovascular system

Crystal structure of a Fanconi anemia-associated nuclease homolog bound to 5′ flap DNA: basis of interstrand cross-link repair by FAN1

Fanconi anemia (FA) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder caused by defects in any of 15 FA genes responsible for processing DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs). The ultimate outcome of the FA pathway is resolution of cross-links, which requires structure-selective nucleases. FA-associated nuclease 1 (FAN1) is believed to be recruited to lesions by a monoubiquitinated FANCI–FANCD2 (ID) complex and participates in ICL repair. Here, we determined the crystal structure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa FAN1 (PaFAN1) lacking the UBZ (ubiquitin-binding zinc) domain in complex with 5′ flap DNA. All four domains of the right-hand-shaped PaFAN1 are involved in DNA recognition, with each domain playing a specific role in bending DNA at the nick. The six-helix bundle that binds the junction connects to the catalytic viral replication and repair (VRR) nuclease (VRR nuc) domain, enabling FAN1 to incise the scissile phosphate a few bases distant from the junction. The six-helix bundle also inhibits the cleavage of intact Holliday junctions. PaFAN1 shares several conserved features with other flap structure-selective nucleases despite structural differences. A clamping motion of the domains around the wedge helix, which acts as a pivot, facilitates nucleolytic cleavage. The PaFAN1 structure provides insights into how archaeal Holliday junction resolvases evolved to incise 5′ flap substrates and how FAN1 integrates with the FA complex to participate in ICL repair

MT. ETNA FEBRUARY-APRIL 2013 ERUPTION

European FP7 MED-SUV (MEditerranean SUpersite Volcanoes). Grant Number: 308665 European Research Council European FP7 (FP/2007-2013)/ERC. Grant Number: 279802 SIGMA (Sistema Integrato di sensori in ambiente cloud per la Gestione Multirischio Avanzata

Sequential approach to joint flow-seismic inversion for improved characterization of fractured media

Seismic interpretation of subsurface structures is traditionally performed without any account of flow behavior. Here we present a methodology for characterizing fractured geologic reservoirs by integrating flow and seismic data. The key element of the proposed approach is the identification—within the inversion—of the intimate relation between fracture compliance and fracture transmissivity, which determine the acoustic and flow responses of a fractured reservoir, respectively. Owing to the strong (but highly uncertain) dependence of fracture transmissivity on fracture compliance, the modeled flow response in a fractured reservoir is highly sensitive to the geophysical interpretation. By means of synthetic models, we show that by incorporating flow data (well pressures and tracer breakthrough curves) into the inversion workflow, we can simultaneously reduce the error in the seismic interpretation and improve predictions of the reservoir flow dynamics. While the inversion results are robust with respect to noise in the data for this synthetic example, the applicability of the methodology remains to be tested for more complex synthetic models and field cases.Eni-MIT Energy Initiative Founding Member ProgramKorea (South). Ministry of Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs (15AWMP-B066761-03

Multiparametric study of the February-April 2013 paroxysmal phase of Mt. Etna New South-East crater

Between January 2011 and April 2013, Mt. Etna's eruptive activity consisted of episodic intracrater strombolian explosions and paroxysms from Bocca Nuova, Voragine, and the New South-East (NSEC) summit craters, respectively. Eruptions from NSEC consisted of initial increasing strombolian activity and lava flow output, passing to short-lasting lava fountaining. In this study we present seismic, infrasound, radiometric, plume SO2 and HCl fluxes and geodetic data collected by the INGV monitoring system between May 2012 and April 2013. The multiparametric approach enabled characterization of NSEC eruptive activity at both daily and monthly time scales and tracking of magma movement within Mt. Etna's plumbing system. While seismic, infrasound and radiometric signals give insight on the energy and features of the 13 paroxysms fed by NSEC, SO2 and halogen fluxes shed light on the likely mechanisms triggering the eruptive phenomena. GPS data provided clear evidence of pressurization of Mt. Etna's plumbing system from May 2012 to middle February 2013 and depressurization during the February-April 2013 eruptive activity. Taking into account geochemical data, we propose that the paroxysms' sequence represented the climax of a waxing-waning phase of degassing that had started as early as December 2012, and eventually ended in April 2013. Integration of the multidisciplinary observations suggests that the February-April 2013 eruptive activity reflects a phase of release of a volatile-rich batch of magma that had been stored in the shallow volcano plumbing system at least 4 months before, and with the majority of gas released between February and March 2013

Photodistributed telangiectasia following use of escitalopram.

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The relationships between regional Quaternary uplift, deformation across active normal faults and historical seismicity in the upper plate of subduction zones: The Capo D’Orlando Fault, NE Sicily

In order to investigate deformation within the upper plate of the Calabrian subduction zone we have mapped and modelled a sequence of Late Quaternary palaeoshorelines tectonically-deformed by the Capo D’Orlando normal fault, NE Sicily, which forms part of the actively deforming Calabrian Arc. In addition to the 1908 Messina Strait earthquake (Mw 7.1), this region has experienced damaging earthquakes, possibly on the Capo D’Orlando Fault, however, it is not considered by some to be a potential seismogenic source. Uplifted Quaternary palaeoshorelines are preserved on the hangingwall of the Capo D’Orlando Fault, indicating that hangingwall subsidence is counteracted by regional uplift, likely because of deformation associated with subduction/collision. We attempt to constrain the relationship between regional uplift, crustal extensional processes and historical seismicity, and we quantify both the normal and regional deformation signals. We report uplift variations along the strike of the fault and use a synchronous correlation technique to assign ages to palaeoshorelines, facilitating calculation of uplift rates and the fault throw-rate. Uplift rates in the hangingwall increase from 0.4 mm/yr in the centre of the fault to 0.89 mm/yr beyond its SW fault tip, suggesting 0.5 mm/yr of fault related subsidence, which implies a throw-rate of 0.63 ± 0.02 mm/yr, and significant seismic hazard. Overall, we emphasise that upper plate extension and related vertical motions complicate the process of deriving information on the subduction/collision process, such as coupling and slip distribution on the subduction interface, parameters that are commonly inferred for other subduction zones without considering upper plate deformation

Space-Time Evolution of Magma Storage and Transfer at Mt. Etna Volcano (Italy): the 2015-2016 Re-Awakening of Voragine Crater'

The eruptions of December 2015 and May 2016 at Voragine crater were among the most explosive recorded during the last two decades at Mt. Etna volcano. Here, we present data coming from geophysics (infrasound, LP, VLP, volcanic tremor, VT earthquakes, ground deformations) and petrology (textural and micro-analytical data on plagioclase and olivine crystals) to investigate the pre-eruptive magma storage and transfer dynamics leading to these exceptional explosive eruptions. Integration of all the available data has led us to constrain chemically, physically and kinetically the environments where magmas were stored before the eruption, and how they have interacted during the transfer en-route to the surface. Although the evolution and behavior of volcanic phenomena at the surface was rather similar, some differences in storage and transfer dynamics were observed for 2015 and 2016 eruptions. Specifically, the 2015 eruptions have been fed by magmas stored at shallow levels that were pushed upward as a response of magma injections from deeper environments, whereas evidence of chemical interaction between shallow and deep magmatic environments becomes more prominent during the 2016 eruptions. Main findings evidence the activation of magmatic environments deeper than those generally observed for other recent Etnean eruptions, with involvement of deep basic magmas that were brought to shallow crustal levels in very short timescales (∼1 month). The fast transfer from the deepest levels of the plumbing system of basic, undegassed magmas might be viewed as the crucial triggering factor leading to development of exceptionally violent volcanic phenomena even with only basic magma involved

A rare case of pituitary macroadenoma with synchronous suprasellar meningioma.: Case report, surgical strategy and review of literature

Synchronous tumours can be found all along the entire neuraxis, however, some lesions are far less likely to coexist. One of these extremely rare associations is between GH-pituitary adenomas and suprasellar meningiomas. A wide spectrum of transcranial and transsphenoidal approaches were described in the literature for either sellar, suprasellar and parasellar lesions, but no agreement has been reached for the cases of simultaneous occurring lesions. We present a rare case of a woman with GH-secreting pituitary adenoma and concomitant suprasellar meningioma. The strategy chosen was sequential transsphenoidal surgeries. However, after the first surgery, the remaining tumour mass did not mobilize as expected due to gravity, hence we decided to perform a transcranial subfrontal unilateral approach. Surprisingly, the second surgery revealed a different histopathological result. Association of a GH-pituitary adenoma and suprasellar meningioma is very rare, only 17 cases being reported in the relevant literature so far.  Different authors prefer different strategies, ranging from only transsphenoidal to simultaneous transsphenoidal and transcranial approaches, but no general consensus was established. In conclusion, the existence of synchronous tumours of the sellar region should be taken into account when imaging studies reveal an intracranial mass developing both sellar and suprasellar. The surgical strategy should be tailored to every specific patient and experience of the neurosurgeon