The Neglected Remains of the Royal Citadel of Messina, Sicily: A Proposal for a Suitable Conservation and Re-Use Project

Neglected and abandoned heritage sites are a complex research topic, which always requires a thorough understanding of the site’s past and current condition. This article examines how research on history, architecture, and participation can contribute to creating a suitable re-use project for such heritage sites, focusing on a single case study: the Royal Citadel of Messina, Italy. Within the field of history, the city and fortification’s past underscores the importance of the site’s architectural and historical value. An urban analysis and documentation campaign were carried out during the field architecture. The urban analysis focused on the site as a remarkable natural landscape with industrial surroundings. The digital documentation, concentrating on the so-called cistern, emphasized the site’s values. Within a revalorization process, community participation is vital and is, therefore, one of the suggestions to consider in further developments. The last applied method is a comparative case study, namely, the submarine base at Saint-Nazaire, France. Considering the complexity and fragilities of the site, a framework is designed that provides suggestions for the conservation, revalorization, and re-use of the site of the Royal Citadel

Enhancement of tumorigenicity of human breast adenocarcinoma cells in nude mice by matrigel and fibroblasts.

The failure of MCF7 cells to induce the formation of tumours after sub-cutaneous inoculation into athymic nude mice can be obviated by the simultaneous injection of an extract of basement membrane proteins (matrigel). Tumour growth is promoted and the latency period is low (2 to 4 weeks). In the absence of matrigel, the simultaneous inoculation of fibroblasts and MCF7 cells also resulted in the development of tumours, but with a longer latency period (about 2 months). The tumorigenic synergy between matrigel and fibroblasts was evidenced by co-inoculating MCF7 cells MDA-MB 231 cells with fibroblasts and matrigel. This co-inoculation decreased the delay of appearance of the tumours and/or accelerated the tumour growth, depending upon the number of fibroblasts injected. Repeated injections of fibroblasts conditioned medium, at the site of inoculum of tumour cells also enhanced tumour growth, suggesting the involvement of soluble factors secreted by fibroblasts. Histologically, tumours induced by co-inoculation of tumour cells and fibroblasts contained more stromal structures including vimentin-positive cells, fibronectin and interstitial collagens. These data suggest that human tumours may be reconstituted and grown in athymic nude mice using basement membrane components and fibroblasts as inductors

The in vitro remineralizing effect of CPP-ACP and CPP-ACPF after 6 and 12 weeks on initial caries lesion

Objective: The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the effects of remineralization promoting agents containing casein phosphopeptidestabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), or CPP-ACP in combination with fluoride (CPP-ACPF) on artificial white spot lesions (WSLs) after 6 and 12 weeks. Methodology: White spot lesions were created on 123 sectioned premolars (246 specimens) with a demineralization solution during a 96 hours pH-cycling regime. Two experimental groups were created: a CPP-ACP group (Tooth MousseTM), and a CPP-ACPF group (Mi Paste PlusTM). Additionally, two control groups were created, one using only a conventional toothpaste (1450 ppm fluoride) and another one without any working agents. All teeth were also daily brushed with the conventional toothpaste except the second control group. Tooth MousseTM and Mi Paste PlusTM were applied for 180 seconds every day. The volume of demineralization was measured with transverse microradiography. Six lesion characteristics regarding the lesion depth and mineral content of WSLs were also determined. Results: The application of CPP-ACP and CPP-ACPF had a significant regenerative effect on the WSLs. Compared to Control group 1 and 2 the volume of demineralization after 6 weeks decreased significantly for CPP-ACP (respectively p<0.001 and p<0.001) and CPP-ACPF (respectively p=0.001 and p=0.003). The same trend was observed after 12 weeks. For the CPP-ACPF group, WSL dimensions decreased significantly between 6 and 12 weeks follow-up (p=0.012). The lesion depth reduced significantly after application of CPP-ACP and CPP-ACPF but increased significantly in the Control groups. Mineral content increased for CPP-ACP and CPP-ACPF after an application period of 12 weeks, but this was only significant for CPP-ACP. Conclusions: Long-term use of CPP-ACP and CPP-ACPF in combination with a conventional tooth paste shows beneficial effects in the recovery of in vitro subsurface caries lesions

Candida dubliniensis candidemia in patients with chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and bone marrow transplantation.

The recently described species Candida dubliniensis has been recovered primarily from superficial oral candidiasis in HIV-infected patients. No clinically documented invasive infections were reported until now in this patient group or in other immunocompromised patients. We report three cases of candidemia due to this newly emerging Candida species in HIV-negative patients with chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression and bone marrow transplantation

Hypertension and its treatment in primary health care and social security in San Luis, Argentina

Nuestro objetivo fue realizar un estudio comparativo de la distribución de pacientes hipertensos por edad y sexo y analizar las prescripciones realizadas para los mismos en dos hospitales y en una Obra Social de San Luis, Argentina. Se realizó un estudio observacional, transversal, retrospectivo de indicación- prescripción. Se registraron edad, sexo, diagnósticos y prescripciones durante un mes. La hipertensión arterial fue prevalente en la obra social, y en mujeres en los dos hospitales. El grupo farmacológico más prescripto fue el de los inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina y los fármacos más prescriptos en los hospitales fueron enalapril y furosemida como monoterapia; mientras que en la obra social enalapril solo y combinado, además de numerosos medicamentos "yo también" y combinaciones a dosis fijas. Los diuréticos tiacídicos no fueron prescriptos en los hospitales, siendo fármacos de primera elección. Se prescribió un alto porcentaje de medicamentos no relacionados con la hipertensión.Our objective was to carry out a comparative study of the distribution of the hypertensive patients by age and sex and to analyze the prescriptions realized in two hospitals and a Social Security of San Luis, Argentina. An observational, cross-sectional, retrospective and indication-prescription study was carried out. Age, sex, diagnoses and prescriptions were registered for a month. The hypertension was prevalent in the social security and in women in both hospitals. The pharmacologic group most prescribed was the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Enalapril and furosemide as monotherapy were the drugs most prescribed in the hospitals, meanwhile in the social security, single and combined enalapril, moreover many drugs "me too" and fixed dose combinations were used. The thiazidic diuretics are the first election, but they were not prescribed in the hospitals. A high percentage of no related drugs to the hypertension were prescribed.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Hypertension and its treatment in primary health care and social security in San Luis, Argentina

Nuestro objetivo fue realizar un estudio comparativo de la distribución de pacientes hipertensos por edad y sexo y analizar las prescripciones realizadas para los mismos en dos hospitales y en una Obra Social de San Luis, Argentina. Se realizó un estudio observacional, transversal, retrospectivo de indicación- prescripción. Se registraron edad, sexo, diagnósticos y prescripciones durante un mes. La hipertensión arterial fue prevalente en la obra social, y en mujeres en los dos hospitales. El grupo farmacológico más prescripto fue el de los inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina y los fármacos más prescriptos en los hospitales fueron enalapril y furosemida como monoterapia; mientras que en la obra social enalapril solo y combinado, además de numerosos medicamentos "yo también" y combinaciones a dosis fijas. Los diuréticos tiacídicos no fueron prescriptos en los hospitales, siendo fármacos de primera elección. Se prescribió un alto porcentaje de medicamentos no relacionados con la hipertensión.Our objective was to carry out a comparative study of the distribution of the hypertensive patients by age and sex and to analyze the prescriptions realized in two hospitals and a Social Security of San Luis, Argentina. An observational, cross-sectional, retrospective and indication-prescription study was carried out. Age, sex, diagnoses and prescriptions were registered for a month. The hypertension was prevalent in the social security and in women in both hospitals. The pharmacologic group most prescribed was the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Enalapril and furosemide as monotherapy were the drugs most prescribed in the hospitals, meanwhile in the social security, single and combined enalapril, moreover many drugs "me too" and fixed dose combinations were used. The thiazidic diuretics are the first election, but they were not prescribed in the hospitals. A high percentage of no related drugs to the hypertension were prescribed.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

A MIQE-Compliant Real-Time PCR Assay for Aspergillus Detection

PMCID: PMC3393739This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited

Hypertension and its treatment in primary health care and social security in San Luis, Argentina

Nuestro objetivo fue realizar un estudio comparativo de la distribución de pacientes hipertensos por edad y sexo y analizar las prescripciones realizadas para los mismos en dos hospitales y en una Obra Social de San Luis, Argentina. Se realizó un estudio observacional, transversal, retrospectivo de indicación- prescripción. Se registraron edad, sexo, diagnósticos y prescripciones durante un mes. La hipertensión arterial fue prevalente en la obra social, y en mujeres en los dos hospitales. El grupo farmacológico más prescripto fue el de los inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina y los fármacos más prescriptos en los hospitales fueron enalapril y furosemida como monoterapia; mientras que en la obra social enalapril solo y combinado, además de numerosos medicamentos "yo también" y combinaciones a dosis fijas. Los diuréticos tiacídicos no fueron prescriptos en los hospitales, siendo fármacos de primera elección. Se prescribió un alto porcentaje de medicamentos no relacionados con la hipertensión.Our objective was to carry out a comparative study of the distribution of the hypertensive patients by age and sex and to analyze the prescriptions realized in two hospitals and a Social Security of San Luis, Argentina. An observational, cross-sectional, retrospective and indication-prescription study was carried out. Age, sex, diagnoses and prescriptions were registered for a month. The hypertension was prevalent in the social security and in women in both hospitals. The pharmacologic group most prescribed was the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Enalapril and furosemide as monotherapy were the drugs most prescribed in the hospitals, meanwhile in the social security, single and combined enalapril, moreover many drugs "me too" and fixed dose combinations were used. The thiazidic diuretics are the first election, but they were not prescribed in the hospitals. A high percentage of no related drugs to the hypertension were prescribed.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Pharyngoamygdalitis treatment in San Luis City, Argentina

The aim of this research was to determine and compare the distribution by sex and age of pharyngoamygdalitis cases and analyze quantitatively and qualitatively the applied treatments in Hospitals A (HA) and B (HB) of San Luis city, Argentina. An observational, descriptive, transversal and indication-prescription’s study was carried out. Diagnoses and drugs were classified and the prescriptions were analyzed. Amoxicillin in HA and penicillin G benzathine in HB were mainly prescribed. Antihistamines, mucolytics and antitussives of non-elevated therapeutic value were used. There was widespread use of dipyrone, two NSAIDs were administered simultaneously and non-specific drugs were prescribed. The use of antibiotics in a self-limiting and predominantly viral disease, the high use of injectable drugs, with an inadequate cost/benefit ratio, and of non-elevated therapeutic value are behaviors that lead to the emergence of resistance, adverse reactions and unnecessary expenses. This fact brings to the conclusion that there was a misuse of drugs for pharyngoamygdalitis in San Luis.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis 10 years post bone marrow transplantation: a case report

Abstract Introduction Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in bone marrow transplant recipients. Establishing the diagnosis remains a challenge for clinicians working in acute care setting. However, prompt diagnosis and treatment can lead to favourable outcomes Case presentation We report a case of invasive aspergillosis occurring in a 39-year-old Caucasian female 10 years after an allogeneic haematopoietic bone marrow transplant, and 5 years after stopping all immunosuppression. Possible risk factors include bronchiolitis obliterans and exposure to building dust (for example, handling her husband's dusty overalls). There are no similar case reports in the literature at this time. Conclusion High clinical suspicion, especially in the setting of failure to respond to broad-spectrum antibiotics, should alert clinicians to the possibility of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, which, in this case, responded to antifungal therapy.</p