A Western single-center experience with endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastrointestinal cancers

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has gained worldwide acceptance as a treatment for early gastrointestinal cancers (EGICs). However, the management of these tumors in the Western world is still mainly surgical. Our aim was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of ESD at a European center. Based on the knowledge transferred by one of the most experienced Japanese institutions, we conducted a pilot study on 25 consecutive patients with EGICs located in the esophagus (n = 3), stomach (n = 7), duodenum (n = 1), and colon (n = 14) at our tertiary center over a 2-year-period. The main outcome measurements were complete (R0) resection, as well as en-bloc resection and the management of complications. The R0 and en-bloc resection rates were 100% and 84%, respectively. There were three cases of bleeding and five cases of perforation. With a median follow up of 18 months, two recurrences were observed. We conclude that ESD for early esophageal and gastric cancers is feasible and effective, while colonic ESD requires more expertise

SMYD1 and G6PD modulation are critical events for miR-206-mediated differentiation of rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhadomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood. RMS cells resemble fetal myoblasts but are unable to complete myogenic differentiation. In previous work we showed that miR-206, which is low in RMS, when induced in RMS cells promotes the resumption of differentiation by modulating more than 700 genes. To better define the pathways involved in the conversion of RMS cells into their differentiated counterpart, we focused on 2 miR-206 effectors emerged from the microarray analysis, SMYD1 and G6PD. SMYD1, one of the most highly upregulated genes, is a H3K4 histone methyltransferase. Here we show that SMYD1 silencing does not interfere with the proliferative block or with the loss anchorage independence imposed by miR-206, but severely impairs differentiation of ERMS, ARMS, and myogenic cells. Thus SMYD1 is essential for the activation of muscle genes. Conversely, among the downregulated genes, we found G6PD, the enzyme catalyzing the rate-limiting step of the pentose phosphate shunt. In this work, we confirmed that G6PD is a direct target of miR-206. Moreover, we showed that G6PD silencing in ERMS cells impairs proliferation and soft agar growth. However, G6PD overexpression does not interfere with the pro-differentiating effect of miR-206, suggesting that G6PD downmodulation contributes to - but is not an absolute requirement for - the tumor suppressive potential of miR-206. Targeting cancer metabolism may enhance differentiation. However, therapeutic inhibition of G6PD is encumbered by side effects. As an alternative, we used DCA in combination with miR-206 to increase the flux of pyruvate into the mitochondrion by reactivating PDH. DCA enhanced the inhibition of RMS cell growth induced by miR-206, and sustained it upon miR-206 de-induction. Altogether these results link miR-206 to epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming, and suggest that it may be worth combining differentiation-inducing with metabolism-directed approaches

Potential of native and bioprocessed brewers' spent grains as organic soil amendments

IntroductionThe use of novel soil amendments and the exploitation of plant growth-promoting microorganisms are considered promising tools for developing a more sustainable agriculture in times when ensuring high-yield productions with limited resources is essential. MethodsIn this study, the potential of brewers' spent grain (BSG), the major by-product of the brewing industry, as organic soil amendment, was investigated. Bioprocessed BSG, obtained by an enzymatic treatment coupled with fermentation, together with native BSG, were used as amendments in a pot-trial. An integrated analytical approach aimed at assessing the modification of the physicochemical properties of a typical Mediterranean alkaline agricultural soil, and the plant growth-promoting effect on escarole (Cichorium endivia var. Cuartana), was carried out. ResultsThe use of biomasses led to soil organic content and total nitrogen content up to 72 and 42% higher, compared to the unamended soils. Moreover, the lower pH and the higher organic acids content doubled phosphorus availability. Although the number of leaves per plant in escaroles from pots amended with native and bioprocessed BSG did not show any difference compared to plants cultivated on unamended pots, the average fresh weight per escarole head, was higher in pots amended with bioprocessed BSG. DiscussionHence, the results collected so far encourage BSG application for agricultural purpose, while solving the problem of disposing of such abundant side stream.Peer reviewe

Adoption of online customer reviews : the influence of central and peripheral route factors

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the central route factor of argument quality and the peripheral route factor of perceived source credibility on adoption of online customer reviews of guesthouses. The study made use of a descriptive research design. Data was collected from 306 respondents in Gauteng using a structured questionnaire. The study uncovered that both argument quality and source credibility have a significant influence on perceived information usefulness which in turn exerts positive influence on adoption of online reviews. The findings showed that source credibility had a stronger influence on perceived information usefulness than argument quality. The implications for management of guesthouse establishments include the need for them to understand the importance of high quality online reviews in persuading consumers to choose a guesthouse. Managers can encourage their customers to post their guesthouse experiences online and to do so in a comprehensive manner by covering varied aspects of the service

The missing link: international migration in global clusters of innovation

This is an extended version of the book chapter forthcoming in: Castellani D., A. Perri, V. Scalera, A. Zanfei (eds), Cross-border Innovation in a Changing World. Players, Places and Policies, Oxford University Press, due for publication in 2021In this chapter we look at the global network of innovative agglomerations, with a focus on their degree of internationalization and on the actors behind it – particularly high-skilled migrants. Using worldwide patent and publication geo-localized data, we identify all Global Hotspots of Innovation (GIHs) and Niche Clusters (NCs) worldwide, and study their success as a function of their international connections. In particular, we compare organizational ones, such as international collaborations orchestrated by multinational firms’ collaborations, to personal ones, which may derive from migration to/from the GIHs and NCs. We find a strong role of the latter, always comparable and sometimes larger than the former

Demonstration of Electron-Bernstein-Wave Heating in a Tokamak via O-X-B Double-Mode Conversion

The first demonstration of electron-Bernstein-wave heating by double-mode conversion from the O to the X mode in an overdense H-mode tokamak plasma has been achieved in the Tokamak a` Configuration Variable device. This technique overcomes the upper density limit experienced by conventional microwave heating. The sensitive dependence of the O-X mode conversion on the microwave launching direction has been verified experimentally, and localized power deposition consistent with theoretical predictions has been observed at densities well above the conventional cutoff

Degradation of vicine, convicine and their aglycones during fermentation of faba bean flour

Peer reviewe

Electron Bernstein wave heating of over-dense H-mode plasmas in the TCV tokamak via O-X-B double mode conversion

This paper reports on the first demonstration of electron Bernsteinwave heating (EBWH) by double mode conversion from ordinary (O-) to Bernstein (B-) via the extraordinary (X-) mode in an over-dense tokamak plasma, using low field side launch, achieved in the TCV tokamak H-mode, making use of its naturally generated steep density gradient. This technique offers the possibility of overcoming the upper density limit of conventional EC microwave heating. The sensitive dependence of the O-X mode conversion on the microwave launching direction has been verified experimentally. Localized power deposition, consistent with theoretical predictions, has been observed at densities well above the conventional cut-off. Central heating has been achieved, at powers up to two megawatts. This demonstrates the potential of EBW in tokamak H-modes, the intended mode of operation for a reactor such as ITER