Towards the fabrication of sintered IDEAL-Cells by tape casting, wet powders spraying and screen printing

The realization of complete anode supported cells reproducing the IDEAL-Cell concept was approached by standard and inexpensive ceramic processes like tape casting, screen printing and wet powder spraying. Both commercial and custom powders were employed to build-up layers for button cells (1 inch footprint) and larger (5?5 cm2) substrates. This paper reports the details of the slurries formulation as well as the deposition parameters and sintering conditions. Resulting microstructural features are also presented together with an outlook on future steps of the activit

What Is the Optimal Duration of Adjuvant Mitotane Therapy in Adrenocortical Carcinoma? An Unanswered Question

A relevant issue on the treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) concerns the optimal duration of adjuvant mitotane treatment. We tried to address this question, assessing whether a correlation exists between the duration of adjuvant mitotane treatment and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients with ACC. We conducted a multicenter retrospective analysis on 154 ACC patients treated for ≥12 months with adjuvant mitotane after radical surgery and who were free of disease at the mitotane stop. During a median follow-up of 38 months, 19 patients (12.3%) experienced recurrence. We calculated the RFS after mitotane (RFSAM), from the landmark time-point of mitotane discontinuation, to overcome immortal time bias. We found a wide variability in the duration of adjuvant mitotane treatment among different centers and also among patients cared for at the same center, reflecting heterogeneous practice. We did not find any survival advantage in patients treated for longer than 24 months. Moreover, the relationship between treatment duration and the frequency of ACC recurrence was not linear after stratifying our patients in tertiles of length of adjuvant treatment. In conclusion, the present findings do not support the concept that extending adjuvant mitotane treatment over two years is beneficial for ACC patients with low to moderate risk of recurrence

Dual cells with mixed protonic-anionic conductivity for reversible SOFC/SOEC operation

International audienceThe dual cell concept is a novel design for solid oxide fuel cells operating at intermediate temperature. The cell comprises a series of five layers with different compositions, alternating two dense electrolytes and three porous layers, i.e. the outer electrodes and a central membrane. The dual cell concept makes it possible to separate the compartment for water formation from both fuel and oxidant chambers. Such a three-chamber configuration gives many advantages related to fuel dilution, materials corrosion, and reversibility between fuel cell and electrolyser operational modes (SOFC/SOEC) at high temperature. Dual conductivity (protonic/anionic) can be achieved by joining two dense BaCe0.85Y0.15O3-δ (BCY) and Ce0.85Y0.15O2-δ (YDC) electrolytes through a porous ceramic central membrane made up of both materials. Complete anode-supported dual cells have been fabricated by a combination of pressing, casting, printing, wet spraying, and plasma spraying techniques. Electrochemical tests carried out by impedance spectroscopy showed the feasibility of the concept and successful reversible operation of the dual cell. The fabrication route, the microstructural and electrochemical testing results are reported in this work, and partially compared to simulated results from an electrochemical model developed describing the dual cell concept

A New Biometric Tool for Three-Dimensional Subcutaneous Tumor Scanning in Mice

To propose an innovative methodology for the monitoring of the evolution of induced subcutaneous tumors in mice. Materials and Methods: A new 3D scannerable to measure the tumor mass volume is presented. The scanner is based on the projection of a fringe pattern onto the sample surface (structured light). The lines are diffused by the sample and then collected by a digital camera. The obtained 2D-image is treated by the scanner’s software thatextracts the 3D information and evaluates the samplevolume. Results: The 3D scanner has been successfully used in the measurement of subcutaneous HT-29 colorectal cancer xenografts treated with 5-fluorouracil, bevacizumab and their combination. Comparison with simple caliper measurements revealed important and significant differences between the two measurement techniques. Conclusion: The proposedmethodology is more effective than the usual approach basedon caliper measurements.The efficacy of a new anticancer drug should be alwaysverified by means of the so-called experimental model of the disease, where the characteristics of the disease are recreated in cell cultures, grown in the laboratory (in vitromodels) orin laboratory animals (in vivo models) (1). Considering the latter case, tumors may be induced in mice by subcutaneous injection of human tumor cells. Subcutaneous human tumor xenograft models are widely used because they recapitulate many aspects of the biology of human tumors, including sensitivity to anticancer agents (2). Once cancer cells areinoculated, the researchers carry out treatment with the anticancer drug and follow the daily evolutions in the shape and in volume of the tumor. The tumor mass volume of treated and non-treated mice must be statistically compared in order to assess the reliability of the treatment. The testin gof human tumors in subcutaneous sites have provided relevant and predictive information to the clinic. In fact,every clinically-approved anticancer drug was tested usingthis model, and showed significant antitumor effects beforeentering early-phase clinical trials (2).Although some experimental devices are available for the measurement of tumor volume from 3-dimensional images(computed axial tomography, positron-emission tomography,and magnetic resonance imaging), these systems are primarily designed for biological, chemical, and functionalstudies of animal models (3). As well-stated by Girit and colleagues, these devices usually require many preparative efforts and expensive materials (radioactive sources, contrastagents, and fluorescent chemicals), thus their use is notpractical for animal testing facilities (4).On the basis of these considerations, in partnership withPOEMA (Progettazioni Opto-Elettroniche MetrologiaAvanzata; Cagliari, Italy; www.poemaonline.eu), we developed an innovative small non-contact device (3Dscanner) capable of rapid, highly reproducible measurements of subcutaneous tumor volumes in mice. We outline the prototype characteristics, describing hardware and software features, and give some practical examples of its use

Socio-Economic Analysis, Ecological Impacts and Sustainability of Long Line Mussel-Farming in the Gulf of Trieste

Mussels aquaculture is a relevant activity for the fishery sector of the North Adriatic. Around 15 km of coastal water of the Gulf of Trieste, Italy, are used for the mussel long line farming, for a production of about 5000 tonn/year. The aim of this work is to assess sustainability of this activity in a Ecological-Socio-Economical (ESE) perspective by evaluating the role of mussels farming in the socio economic system and in the ecological system. A socio economic analysis has been conducted involving local stakeholders in meetings, and also by contacting them with bilateral interviews and questionnaires. Results of questionners, together with mussels production data declared at the Sanitary authority, and official economic data, have been used to quantify the economic relevance of the activity, and problems perceived by local farmers. For the ecological analysis, we monitored -on monthly basis- mussels growth and water quality parameters in 6 sites along the gulf. Feeding preference and faeces/pseudofaeces production, impact on surface sediment ad its reversibility have been investigated, too. Results have been used to calibrate a bioenergetic model representing the mussel physiology and growth in relation to environmental conditions, and the impact of mussel aquaculture on water column. The integration of the whole set of models and information will be used to give an evaluation of the ecological footprint of the activity and as a tool for coastal management.Keywords: Fisheries Economics, Modeling and Economic Theory, Integrated Modeling Approach of Social and Environmental Interactions in Support of Marine Resource ManagementKeywords: Fisheries Economics, Modeling and Economic Theory, Integrated Modeling Approach of Social and Environmental Interactions in Support of Marine Resource Managemen

Chest tuberculosis with mediastinal asymptomatic lymphadenitis without lung involvement in an immunocompetent patient

Tuberculosis remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality by a single infectious agent, particularly in developing countries. In recent years, we have witnessed the emergence of uncommon radiographic patterns of chest tuberculosis. Lymphadenitis is the most common extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) manifestation which, in developed countries, occurs more frequently in childhood, but also among adult immigrants from endemic countries and in HIV-infected people. Isolated and asymptomatic mediastinal lymphadenitis is uncommon in immunocompetent adults. We report a case of a young adult man from Senegal affected by sovraclavear and mediastinal TB lymphadenitis, which contains some uncommon elements: no compromised immunity, especially no HIV-infection, no lung lesions, no symptoms of infection or of mediastinum involvement, and rapid response to therapy in terms of mass size reduction. Examination of extra-thoracic lymph nodes and the patient's characteristics guided our diagnostic process to suspect TB. Surgical biopsy and subsequent histopathological and microbiological examinations of lymph material, first by Lowestein-Jensen and BACTEC cultures that remain the gold standard of diagnosis, confirmed the diagnosis. Chest X-ray was inconclusive; however, CT played an important role in the diagnostic course and in the management of the patient, particularly in determining disease activity, offering mediastinum and parenchymal details, as well as in identifying typical features of tuberculous lymph nodes and also of active/non active disease. Six months of antimycobacterial regimen is the recommended treatment in TB lymphadenitis of HIV-negative adults

Clinical, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluations of metronomic UFT and cyclophosphamide plus celecoxib in patients with advanced refractory gastrointestinal cancers

Aims. To evaluate UFT and cyclophosphamide (CTX) based metronomic chemotherapy plus celecoxib (CXB) for the treatment of patients with heavily pre-treated advanced gastrointestinal malignancies. Methods. Thirty-eight patients received 500 mg/mq2 CTX i.v bolus on day 1 and, from day 2, 50 mg/day CTX p.o. plus 100 mg/twice a day UFT p.o. and 200 mg/twice a day CXB p.o. Tegafur, 5-FU, 5-FUH2, GHB and uracil pharmacokinetics were assessed. Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble VE-cadherin (sVE-C) and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) levels were detected by ELISA and real-time PCR of CD133 gene expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cell was also performed. Results Seventeen patients (45%) obtained stable disease (SD) with a median duration of 5.8 ms (range, 4.2–7.4). Median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 2.7 ms (95% CI, 1.6–3.9 ms) and 7.1 ms (95% CI, 4.3–9.9 ms), respectively. No toxicities of grade >1 were observed. Pharmacokinetics of 27 patients (13/14, SD/progressive disease, PD) after the first treatment of UFT revealed that 5-FU AUC and Cmax values greater than 1.313 h x microg/ml and 0.501 microg/ml, respectively, were statistically correlated with stabilization of disease and prolonged PFS/OS. VEGF and sVE-C plasma levels were greater in the PD group when compared to SD group. CD133 expression increased only in the PD patients. Conclusion. Metronomic UFT and CTX with CXB in heavily pre-treated gastrointestinal patients were well tolerated and associated with interesting activity. Potential predictive pharmacokinetic parameters and pharmacodynamic biomarkers have been found