Il caso di Poggio Meta. Indagini sul versante orientale del colle

Il lavoro illustra i risultati delle indagini archeologiche e di topografia urbana effettuate nell'estate del 2014 sul versante orientale della collina di Poggio Meta, all'interno dell'abitato di Akragas. E' stato messo in luce parte di un isolato, la cui cronologia va dall'età arcaica alla tarda età ellenistica, e, anche in seguito alle indagini da telerilevamento (ripresa a bassa quota da drone e indagini georadar) è stato possibile avanzare delle ipotesi sul piano urbanistico della città, che in questa area presenta due orientamenti sovrapposti e leggermente divergenti, verificando in tal modo alcune ipotesi avanzate nella carta archeologica del Parco di Agrigento

ka band phase locked loop oscillator dielectric resonator oscillator for satellite ehf band receiver

This paper describes the design and fabrication of a Ka Band PLL DRO having a fundamental oscillation frequency of 19.250 GHz, used as local oscillator in the low-noise block of a down converter (LNB) for an EHF band receiver. Apposite circuital models have been created to describe the behaviour of the dielectric resonator and of the active component used in the oscillator core. The DRO characterization and measurements have shown very good agreement with simulation results. A good phase noise performance is obtained by using a very highQdielectric resonator

Temporary Kerato-Prosthesis to Resolve Traumatic Loss of a Healed Corneal Button

The aim of this study is to report a rare case of traumatic complete loss of a donor corneal button successfully resolved by a 24-h implantation of a temporary kerato-prosthesis. A healthy 30-year-old man with a history of prior penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) presented with an open globe following accidental contusive trauma with a ball, while he was playing football. At slit-lamp evaluation, complete dehiscence of the wound at the graft-host junction and complete corneal button loss was evident. The patient was immediately taken to the operating room, but a donor cornea was not available; therefore, a vitreo-retinal temporary kerato-prosthesis was implanted to close the eyeball until a new donor cornea was available. In case of complete dehiscence of the donor-host junction after PKP with corneal button loss, it is possible to use a temporary kerato-prosthesis to stabilize the eye and contain the intraocular structures. We recommend the availability of temporary vitreo-retinal kerato-prosthesis in the operating theatres of Corneal Surgical Units

Evaluation of the efficacy of animal-assisted therapy based on the reality orientation therapy protocol in Alzheimer's disease patients: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in elderly patients affected by Alzheimer's disease based on the formal reality orientation therapy (ROT) protocol. METHODS: Our study was carried out at an Alzheimer's centre for 6 months. A homogeneous sample (age, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)) of 50 patients was selected at random and successively. Patients were divided into three groups: (i) 20 patients received a course of AAT (AAT group) based on the ROT protocol; (ii) 20 patients were engaged exclusively in activities based on the ROT group; and (iii) 10 patients (control group) participated in no stimulations. MMSE and GDS were administered at time 0 (T0 ) and time 1 (T1 ) to all three groups. Differences within groups between T0 and T1 for GDS and MMSE scores were analyzed by Student's t-test. Differences between group means were analyzed using an anova test with the Bonferroni-Dunn test for post-hoc comparisons. RESULTS: Both the AAT group and ROT group had improved GDS scores and showed a slight improvement in terms of mood. On the GDS, the AAT group improved from 11.5 (T0 ) to 9.5 (T1 ), and the ROT group improved from 11.6 (T0 ) to 10.5 (T1 ). At the same time, a slight improvement in cognitive function, as measured by the MMSE, was observed. In the AAT group, mean MMSE was 20.2 at T0 and 21.5 at T1 , and in the ROT group, it was 19.9 at T0 and 20.0 at T1 . In the control group, the average values of both the GDS and MMSE remained unchanged. The Bonferroni-Dunn results showed statistically significant differences between groups, particularly between the AAT group and the other two (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pet therapy interventions based on the formal ROT protocol were effective and, compared to the ROT, provided encouraging and statistically significant results

AB0217 NON MEDICAL SWITCH FROM ETANERCEPT ORIGINATOR TO BIOSIMILAR GP2015 IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY ARTHROPATHIES

Background:In the last decades, new biologic drugs were introduced for the treatment of chronic inflammatory arthropathies, progressively leading to a relevant increase of medical costs. However, the introduction of biosimilars (biologic molecules similar to branded drugs with expired patent) permitted to optimize the financial resources. The non-medical switch (NMS) is the switch from a biologic originator to a biosimilar agent for economic reasons only, on the basis of the substantial equivalence as regards efficacy and safety between originator and biosimilar drugs.In literature, several evidences from clinical trials and registry studies showed that the switch from etanercept originator to biosimilar SB4 was safe [1]. Instead no sufficient data may be found regarding the biosimilar GP2015.Objectives:We aimed to evaluate efficacy, safety, and retention rate in a series of patients with chronic arthritis treated with etanercept originator who underwent to NMS towards the ETN biosimilar GP2015.Methods:From March to June 2020, all patient referred in our Centre affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) treated with etanercept originator and in remission/low disease activity for at least 6 months underwent to NMS. Data on disease activity (DAS28-PCR/CDAI/SDAI; DAPSA; BASDAI), eventual adverse events and causes of withdrawal of therapy were collected at 2, 4 and 6 months after the switch.Results:We recruited 71 consecutive patients (M/F: 24/47; mean age 55,8± 11,1 years; 39 RA; 15 PA; 17 axSpA; mean duration therapy 7.3±3.8 years). Disease activity was unchanged for almost all patients after 6 months from the switch (median ΔDAS28-PCR/CDAI/SDAI: 0,1/0/0,5; median ΔDAPSA: 0; median ΔBASDAI: 0) Moreover, the 6-month retention rate was 97.2%. Only 2 patients (2.8%) switched back to the originator due to loss of efficacy in one case and adverse events in the second case (paraesthesia, headache, dizziness and worsening of arthralgia).Conclusion:Our study confirmed that the NMS from ETN originator to GP2015 represents a safe practice that maintains the efficacy of the current treatment.References:[1]Glintborg B, AG, Omerovic E, et Al. To switch or not to switch: results of a nationwide guideline of mandatory switching from originator to biosimilar etanercept. One-year treatment outcomes in 2061 patients with inflammatory arthritis from the DANBIO registry. Ann Rheum Dis 2019; 78:192–200.Disclosure of Interests:None declare

Aerosol-assisted CVD synthesis, characterisation and gas-sensing application of gold-functionalised tungsten oxide

Tungsten oxide nanoneedles (NNs) functionalised with gold nanoparticles (NPs) have been integrated with alumina gas-sensor platforms using a simple and effective co-deposition method via aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD) utilising a novel gold precursor, (NH4)AuCl4. The gas-sensing results show that gold NP functionalisation of tungsten oxide NNs improves the sensitivity of response to ethanol, with sensitivity increasing and response time decreasing with increasing amount of gold

Functional characterization of the sea urchin sns chromatin insulator in erythroid cells

Chromatin insulators are regulatory elements that determine domains of genetic functions. We have previously described the characterization of a 265 bp insulator element, termed sns, localized at the 3' end of the early historic H2A gene of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. This sequence contains three cis-acting elements (Box A, Box B, and Box C+T) all needed for the enhancer-blocking activity in both sea urchin and human cells. The goal of this Study was to further characterize the sea urchin sns insulator in the erythroid environment. We employed colony assays in human (K562) and mouse (MEL) erythroid cell lines. We tested the capability of sns to interfere with the communication between the 5HS2 enhancer of the human beta-globin LCR and the gamma-globin promoter. We found that the sns sequence displays directional enhancer-blocking activity. By the use of antibodies against known DNA binding proteins, in electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we demonstrated the binding of the erythroid-specific GATA-1 and the ubiquitous Oct-1 and Sp1 transcription factors. These factors bind to Box A, Box B, and Box C+T, respectively, in both K562 and MEL nuclear extracts. These results may have significant implications for the conservation of insulator function ill evolutionary distant organisms and may prove to be of practical benefit in gene transfer applications for erythroid disorders such as hemoglobinopathies and thalassemias

Quaternary marine and continental unconformity-bounded stratigraphic units of the NW Sicily coastal belt

In the coastal sector of NW Sicily, the regional correlation of relevant unconformities recognised within the Quaternary sedimentary successions allowed the mapping of seven unconformitybounded stratigraphic units (UBSUs). The regional unconformities are marine or subaerial erosional surfaces, as well as non-depositional surfaces, locally marked by paleosoils. The erosional surfaces were produced from marine abrasion, surface water overland/ concentrated flow, river erosion, karst solution, mass movement, or wind erosion. The main lithofacies of the Quaternary UBSUs consist of: (a) marine and coastal bioclastic calcarenites, (b) aeolian sandstones, (c) river deposits, (d) colluvial deposits, (e) talus slope deposits, (f) landslide deposits, and (g) chemical carbonates (travertines and speleothems). Quaternary environmental changes, due to tectonics, climate, and sea-level oscillations, are the causes that favoured the development of erosion/deposition processes responsible for the genesis of unconformities and deposits. As a result, through the UBSU map of the NW Sicilian coastal belt, it is possible to: (i) recognise stratigraphic units controlled by tectonic, climatic, and environmental processes (and their interplay) and (ii) detect Quaternary sedimentary evolution

Participatory analysis of sustainable land and water management practices for integrated rural development in Myanmar

Besides providing reliable water resources for agricultural production, rural development efforts in Myanmar should target rural water security in terms of safe water supply and sanitation, and by mitigating water-related hazards. However, very few studies are available over the status of water-related development in rural areas of the country, and consequently on suitable practical solutions. The present paper describes a participatory workshop undertaken involving 45 rural development officers of the Department of Rural Development (DRD) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MOALI), aimed at identifying suitable sustainable land and water management (SLWM) practices to be developed in rural areas of the country. Adoption of water safety plans (WSP), water harvesting, and soil and water bioengineering were strongly supported, while the need for improving water sanitation, especially in the poorest areas, was made evident. Insights of the participatory process confirmed that the poorest regions of Myanmar have also the worst water management structures. The results of the present work can represent baseline information and a needs assessment for future development projects in the country. However, there is a strong need for more studies and reports targeting marginalized rural contexts of Myanmar, to support equitable development

The predictive role of pelvic magnetic resonance in the follow up of spontaneous or induced puberty in turner syndrome

Puberty is a critical age for patients with Turner syndrome (TS): infertility is reported to be linked to karyotype and spontaneous puberty and menarche occur in approximately 30% of patients, especially in mosaicism. However, it is not always predictable considering hormonal pattern and pelvic transabdominal ultrasound scan (US). The aim of the study is to compare the accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and US to evaluate uterine and gonads volume, to visualize the presence of follicles and to predict spontaneous puberty and menarche in girls with TS. In a retrospective study, we evaluated 19 TS patients (age: 9-16 years), who underwent transabdominal pelvic US and pelvic MRI as required by parents. We correlated pelvic imaging with karyotype, hormonal data and pubertal outcome, and we compared US resolution to MRI. MRI revealed a higher accuracy in the study of uterus and ovaries, and permitted to measure ovaries not visualized by US. Ovarian volume, the presence of follicles and the occurrence of spontaneous puberty were not related to the karyotype; spontaneous puberty started in one patient with a karyotype 45,X and in two patients with mosaicism (45,X/46,XX; 47,XXX/45, X). Ovarian follicles were relieved by MRI in patients with a spontaneous menarche and the persistence of menstrual cycles correlated with an ovarian volume corresponding to Tanner stage 3-4. We stress the role of MRI in the follow-up of TS adolescents, guide in the choice of the timing of treatment