A method to rescale experimental data with dependence on Q2Q^2 for DVCS process

We investigate the procedure for rescaling the DVCS cross section data collected with different invariant mass, $W$, of the virtual photon - proton system. We suggest a method which makes the rescaling more functional to conduct statistical analysis on overall data. The study can be applied to rescale data collected with different photon virtuality $Q^2$. Also we show a dependence on $Q^2$ for the $\delta$ parameter, that is used to describe the cross section as a function of $W$

Il percorso di continuita ospedale - territorio nel paziente con stroke: esperienza preliminare dell'integrazione fra AOUP e ASL5 Pisa

Scopo dello studio è quello di confrontare i dati epidemiologici riguardanti la patologia ictus nella provincia di Pisa con quelli riguardanti i pazienti giunti alle strutture riabilitative della stessa provincia nel 2013, anno precedente l'istituzione del percorso di continuità assistenziale nei pazienti con ictus e nel 2014, al fine di capire l'influenza del percorso strutturato su tempi, modi e risultati della riabilitazione nel paziente con ictus

Emergency surgery in a severe penetrating skull base injury by a screwdriver: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Very few cases of severe penetrating injuries to the skull base with a seemingly innocuous object have been described in the literature. Of the cases reported, only ten involve a penetrating screwdriver. However, the choice of therapeutic management, whether it be emergency surgical or non-surgical removal of the penetrating object as well as the selected surgical approach remain quite controversial. CASE PRESENTATION: The authors describe the case of a severe penetrating skull base injury caused by a screwdriver, following an accidental fall from a ladder. The patient was admitted in Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 11 with a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak in the right maxillary area. The tri-dimensional computerized tomography (3-D CT) scan revealed an oblique trajectory of the screwdriver shank through the skull base. The authors opted for an emergency surgical extraction of the object. A contra-lateral pterional approach was successfully performed and a two-year follow-up showed no neurological deficits. CONCLUSION: The reported case supports the choice of emergency surgical removal of the object in penetrating skull base injuries involving the anterior skull base with neurovascular lesions. Surgical aspects of the pterional approach, and in particular the left pterional approach as well as other cranio-facial approaches in severe penetrating skull base injuries are discussed

The Ipsilateral Interhemispheric Transprecuneal Approach to the Atrium: Technical Considerations and Clinical Outcome on a Series of 7 Patients

Surgical removal of tumors of the atrium is challenging due to their deep location, vascularization, and to their complex three-dimensional relationships with the highly functional white matter fibers of the region. To assess the feasibility and the effectiveness of the ipsilateral interhemispheric transprecuneus approach (IITA) for tumors involving the atrium and the posterior third of the temporal horn, a retrospective chart review of all patients who had undergone a surgical treatment for intraventricular tumors between January 2008 and January 2017 was performed, and the step-by-step approach is described. Ten patients affected by lesions of the atrium of the lateral ventricle underwent surgical treatment, seven of which were approached through the IITA. The mean age was 42.8 years (range 6-63 years). The symptoms presented included severe, drug-resistant headache (90%), lateral homonymous hemianopsia (50%), seizures (30%), and speech disturbances (30%). Histological examinations revealed seven patients with meningioma (70%), one with a metastasis (10%), one with a choroid plexus papilloma (10%) and one with a cavernoma (10%). In all cases, a gross total removal was obtained. All patients had a significant improvement in their headache. Two patients experienced a worsening of the pre-operative visual disturbances, while two patients had a significant improvement. No patients without pre-operative visual disturbances described a post-operative worsening of visual symptoms. The IITA represents a feasible approach for tumors of the atrium. The three-quarter prone position facilitates the enlargement of the interhemispheric fissure by increasing the working angle and facilitating the exposure of the lateral wall of the atrium

Primary spinal epidural non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: a clinical study

IF 1.26

Defoliation of common ragweed by Ophraella communa beetle does not affect pollen allergenicity in controlled conditions

Ragweed allergy is one of the primary causes of seasonal allergies in Europe and its prevalence is expected to rise. The leaf beetle Ophraella communa, recently and accidentally established in N-Italy and S-Switzerland, represents a promising approach to control ragweed, but negative side effects should be excluded before its use. Since biotic and abiotic stresses are known to influence the allergenicity of pollen, we set out to assess the effect of sub-lethal defoliation by O. communa on the quantity and quality of ragweed pollen. Seventeen sister pairs (including six clones) of ragweed plants were grown in controlled conditions. One of each pair was exposed to O. communa as soon as the plant started to produce reproductive structures. After 10 weeks of exposure, plant traits were measured as a proxy for pollen quantity. Pollen quality was assessed by measuring its viability and allergenicity. Generally, plants produced very few male flowers and little amount of pollen. Damage by the beetle was severe with most of the leaf tissue removed, but no treatment effect was found on any of the quantitative and qualitative traits assessed. In conclusion, O. communa did not increase the amount or allergenicity of ragweed pollen grains in our experimental conditions

Gliomatosis cerebri type II: two case reports

Two types of gliomatosis cerebri exist: Type I and Type II. We report the results of a histological and genetic study of two cases of gliomatosis cerebri Type II, correlating these results with therapy and prognosis. Case presentation Two patients, a 52-year-old man (Patient 1) and a 76-year-old man (Patient 2) with gliomatosis cerebri II were admitted to our institution; they underwent surgical treatment and received radiotherapy and chemotherapy. At the 24-month follow-up, Patient 1 was still alive, while Patient 2 had died. The poor prognosis of Patient 2 was underlined by molecular analysis which showed that the angiogenesis related genes VCAM1 and VEGF were overexpressed, reflecting the high degree of neovascularization. Conclusion Genes involved in drug resistance and metallothioneins were highly expressed in Patient 2 and this, associated with unmethylated O6-methylguanine methyltransferase, can explain the lack of response to chemotherapy

Petroclival clinoidal folds and arachnoidal membranes of the anteromedial incisural space: clinical anatomy for neuro critical care

A systematic and narrative literature review was performed, focusing attention on the anatomy of the area located at the junction of the sphenoid and the basal portion of the temporal bone (petrous bone, petrous apex, upper petro-clival region) encircled by the free edge of the tentorium, the insertion of the tentorium itself to the petrous apex and the anterior and posterior clinoid processes that give rise to three distinct dural folds or ligaments: the anterior petroclinoid ligament, the posterior petroclinoid ligament and the interclinoid ligament. These dural folds constitute the posterior portion of the roof of the cavernous sinus denominated "the oculomotor triangle". The main purpose of this review study was to describe this anatomical region, particularly in the light of the relationships between the anterior margin of the free edge of the tentorium and the above-mentioned components of the sphenoid and petrous bone

Giant intradiploic epidermoid cyst with large osteolytic lesions of the skull: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>We report a case of tumor growth over a period of four decades, presenting with large multicentric lytic lesions of the skull and a profound mass effect, without neurological deficits. Clinical and radiological features of a patient with a giant intradiploic epidermoid and its impact on the choice of treatments are discussed.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>An 81-year-old Caucasian man, who had first noticed a painless subcutaneous swelling over the left frontal scalp about 40 years ago, presented after a short episode of dizziness, which he experienced after treatment of focal retinal detachment. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations revealed an exceptionally large tumor involving major parts of the skull with extensive destruction of the bone and distinct deformation of the brain. Considering his age and the absence of neurological deficits or pain, the patient refused the option of tumor removal and cranioplasty, yet agreed to a biopsy, which confirmed the suspected diagnosis.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The course of the disease demonstrates that even patients with large tumors, inducing distinct pathomorphological changes, do not necessarily experience significant impairment of their quality of life without surgery. This is an impressive example of the chance to lead a long and satisfying life without specific medical treatment, avoiding the inherent risks of these procedures. Yet, there is a clear indication for surgery of intradiploic epidermoids in most cases described in the literature.</p