Propargyl carbamate-functionalized Cu(II)-metal organic framework after reaction with chloroauric acid: An x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data record

A copper-containing metal organic framework was prepared using the new organic linker 5-(2-{[(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)carbonyl]-amino} ethoxy)isophthalic acid [1,3-H2YBDC (where Y = alkYne and BDC = Benzene DiCarboxylate)] and functionalized with gold particles by reaction with HAuCl4 under thermal treatment in methanol. The resulting system was investigated by complementary techniques to obtain information on its structure and morphology. In the present work, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was employed to analyze the chemical composition of a representative specimen. Besides wide scan spectra, data obtained by the analysis of the C 1s, O 1s, N 1s, Cu 2p, and Au 4f signals are presented and critically discussed. The results highlight the reduction of Au(III) to mostly Au(I) species. Overall, the data presented herein may act as useful guidelines for the eventual tailoring of material properties and their possible implementation toward functional applications in heterogeneous catalysis

Does the site of origin of the microcarcinoma with respect to the thyroid surface matter? A multicenter pathologic and clinical study for risk stratification

It is unclear whether the site of origin of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (mPTC) with respect to the thyroid surface has an influence on clinicopathologic parameters. The objectives of the study were to: (i) Accurately measure the mPTC distance from the thyroid surface; (ii) analyze whether this distance correlates with relevant clinicopathologic parameters; and (iii) investigate the impact of the site of origin of the mPTC on risk stratification. Clinicopathologic features and BRAF mutational status were analyzed and correlated with the site of origin of the mPTC in a multicenter cohort of 298 mPTCs from six Italian medical institutions. Tumors arise at a median distance of 3.5 mm below the surface of the thyroid gland. Statistical analysis identified four distinct clusters. Group A, mPTC: size 65 5 mm and distance of the edge of the tumor from the thyroid capsule = 0 mm; group B, mPTC: size 65 5 mm and distance of the edge of the tumor from the thyroid capsule > 0 mm; group C, mPTC: size < 5 mm and distance of the edge of the tumor from the thyroid capsule = 0 mm; and group D, mPTC: size < 5 mm and distance of the edge of the tumor from the thyroid capsule > 0 mm. Univariate analysis demonstrates significant differences between the groups: Group A shows the most aggressive features, and group D the most indolent ones. By multivariate analysis, group A tumors are characterized by tall cell histotype, BRAF V600E mutation, tumor fibrosis, aggressive growth with invasive features, vascular invasion, lymph node metastases, and intermediate ATA risk. The mPTC clinicopathologic features vary according to the tumor size and distance from the thyroid surface. A four-group model may be useful for risk stratification and to refine the selection of nodules to be targeted for fine needle aspiration

Assessment of Body Composition and Physical Performance of Young Soccer Players: Differences According to the Competitive Level

Simple Summary In recent years, soccer teams require greater physical and technical-tactical capabilities from not to younger players, especially in elite team. Although dribble and kicking skills, strength, endurance, speed, and agility abilities are the most relevant features, it is not clear whether anthropometric and body composition aspects could be considered appropriate talent characteristics in soccer players. In addition, it rests unclear which are the principal differences, when they appear, and what metrics discriminate between elite and non-elite teams. The main aim of this study is to compare anthropometric, body composition and physical performance between and within four juvenile categories of two (elite and non-elite) soccer teams and investigates factors that better discriminate among two teams. Despite the physical performance results as the most relevant factor in discriminating among the two soccer societies, the elite players report better anthropometric and body characteristics, especially in the youngest categories. Soccer is a multifactorial sport, in which players are expected to possess well developed physical, psychological, technical, and tactical skills. Thus, the anthropometric and fitness measures play a determinant role and could vary according to the competitive level. Therefore, the present study aimed to verify differences in body composition and physical performance between two soccer team. 162 young soccer players (from the Under 12 to Under 15 age categories; age: 13.01 +/- 1.15 years) of different competitive levels (elite-n = 98 and non-elite-n = 64) were recruited. Anthropometric characteristics (height, weight, lengths, widths, circumferences, and skinfold thicknesses (SK)), bioelectrical impedance, physical performance test as countermovement jump (CMJ), 15 m straight-line sprints, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo), and 20 + 20 m repeated-sprint ability (RSA)) were carried out. In addition, Body mass index (BMI), body composition parameters (percentage of fat mass (%F), Fat mass (FM, kg), and Fat-free mass (FFM, kg)) and the areas of the upper arm, calf and thigh were calculated, and the Bioelectric Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA) procedures were applied. In addition, a linear discriminant analysis was assessed to determine which factors better discriminate between an elite and non-elite football team. Many differences were observed in body composition between and within each football team's category, especially in triceps SK (p < 0.05), %F (p < 0.05), and all performance tests (p < 0.01). The canonical correlation was 0.717 (F-(7,F-128) = 19.37, p < 0.0001), and the coefficients that better discriminated between two teams were 15 m sprint (-2.39), RSA (1-26), suprailiac SK (-0.5) and CMJ (-0.45). Elite soccer team players present a better body composition and greater physical efficiency. In addition, BIVA outcome could be a relevant selection criterion to scout among younger soccer players

Computerized tomography texture analysis of pheochromocytoma: relationship with hormonal and histopathological data

Objectives Pheochromocytomas are rare tumors which can present with heterogeneous secretion profiles, clinical manifestations, and radiologic appearance. Under a histopathological point of view, they can be characterized as more or less aggressive with the Pheochromocytoma of the Adrenal gland Scaled Score (PASS) and the Grading system for Adrenal Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma (GAPP) score. The aim of this study is to analyze the texture analysis characteristics of pheochromocytoma and identify whether the texture analysis can yield information aiding in the diagnosis and the characterization of those tumors. Methods Radiological, biochemical, and histopathological data regarding 30 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed pheochromocytoma were analyzed. Images obtained in the unenhanced, late arterial, venous, and delayed phases were used for the texture analysis. Results Urinary epinephrine and metanephrine levels showed a significant correlation (R-2 = 0.946; R-2 = 699) in the multivariate linear model with texture features, as well as Ki-67 (R-2 = 0.397), PASS score (R-2 = 0.182), GAPP score (R-2 = 0.705), and cellularity showed a significant correlation (R-2 = 0.389). The cluster analysis based on radiomic features resulted in 2 clusters, with significative differences in terms of systolic and diastolic blood pressure values at the time of diagnosis (p = 0.025), GAPP score (4 vs 6, p = 0.05), histological pattern (1-2, p = 0.039), and comedonecrosis (0% vs 50%, p = 0.013). Conclusion In conclusion, our study provides the proof of concept for the use of texture analysis on contrast-enhanced CT images as a noninvasive, quantitative tool for helping in the characterization of the clinical, biochemical, and histopathological features of pheochromocytoma

Retrospective screening of solid organ donors in Italy, 2009, reveals unpredicted circulation of West Nile virus

Since the occurrence of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in humans in 2008 in Italy, concerns have been raised about the potential risks associated with solid organ transplantation (SOT). A nationwide retrospective survey showed that 1.2% of SOT donors in 2009 were WNV-seropositive and demonstrated that human WNV infection is distributed throughout several Italian regions. Transmission of WNV or other arboviruses through SOT is a possibility and risk assessment should be carried out before SOT to avoid infection through transplantatation

C-Met/miR-130b axis as novel mechanism and biomarker for castration resistance state acquisition

Although a significant subset of prostate tumors remain indolent during the entire life, the advanced forms are still one of the leading cause of cancer-related death. There are not reliable markers distinguishing indolent from aggressive forms. Here we highlighted a new molecular circuitry involving microRNA and coding genes promoting cancer progression and castration resistance. Our preclinical and clinical data demonstrated that c-Met activation increases miR-130b levels, inhibits androgen receptor expression, promotes cancer spreading and resistance to hormone ablation therapy. The relevance of these findings was confirmed on patients' samples and by in silico analysis on an independent patient cohort from Taylor's platform. Data suggest c-Met/miR-130b axis as a new prognostic marker for patients' risk assessment and as an indicator of therapy resistance. Our results propose new biomarkers for therapy decision-making in all phases of the pathology. Data may help identify high-risk patients to be treated with adjuvant therapy together with alternative cure for castration-resistant forms while facilitating the identification of possible patients candidates for anti-Met therapy. In addition, we demonstrated that it is possible to evaluate Met/miR-130b axis expression in exosomes isolated from peripheral blood of surgery candidates and advanced patients offering a new non-invasive tool for active surveillance and therapy monitoring

High depression symptomatology and mental pain characterize suicidal psychiatric patients

Background: Symptoms of depression are transdiagnostic heterogenous features frequently assessed in psychiatric disorders, that impact the response to first-line treatment and are associated with higher suicide risk. This study assessed whether severe mental pain could characterize a specific phenotype of severely depressed high-risk psychiatric patients. We also aimed to analyze differences in treatments administered. Methods: 2,297 adult patients (1,404 females and 893 males; mean age = 43.25 years, SD = 15.15) treated in several Italian psychiatric departments. Patients were assessed for psychiatric diagnoses, mental pain, symptoms of depression, hopelessness, and suicide risk. Results: More than 23% of the patients reported high depression symptomatology and high mental pain (HI DEP/HI PAIN). Compared to patients with lower symptoms of depression, HI DEP/HI PAIN is more frequent among females admitted to an inpatient department and is associated with higher hopelessness and suicide risk. In addition, HI DEP/HI PAIN (compared to both patients with lower symptoms of depression and patients with higher symptoms of depression but lower mental pain) were more frequently diagnosed in patients with personality disorders and had different treatments. Conclusions: Patients reporting severe symptoms of depression and high mental pain presented a mixture of particular dangerousness (high trait hopelessness and the presence of suicide ideation with more frequency and less controllability and previous suicide behaviors). The presence of severe mental pain may act synergically in expressing a clinical phenotype that is likewise treated with a more complex therapeutic regime than that administered to those experiencing symptoms of depression without mental pain

Diagnostic and prognostic potential of the proteomic profiling of serum-derived extracellular vesicles in prostate cancer

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their cargo represent an intriguing source of cancer biomarkers for developing robust and sensitive molecular tests by liquid biopsy. Prostate cancer (PCa) is still one of the most frequent and deadly tumor in men and analysis of EVs from biological fluids of PCa patients has proven the feasibility and the unprecedented potential of such an approach. Here, we exploited an antibody-based proteomic technology, i.e. the Reverse-Phase Protein microArrays (RPPA), to measure key antigens and activated signaling in EVs isolated from sera of PCa patients. Notably, we found tumor-specific protein profiles associated with clinical settings as well as candidate markers for EV-based tumor diagnosis. Among others, PD-L1, ERG, Integrin-β5, Survivin, TGF-β, phosphorylated-TSC2 as well as partners of the MAP-kinase and mTOR pathways emerged as differentially expressed endpoints in tumor-derived EVs. In addition, the retrospective analysis of EVs from a 15-year follow-up cohort generated a protein signature with prognostic significance. Our results confirm that serum-derived EV cargo may be exploited to improve the current diagnostic procedures while providing potential prognostic and predictive information. The approach proposed here has been already applied to tumor entities other than PCa, thus proving its value in translational medicine and paving the way to innovative, clinically meaningful tools

Shower development of particles with momenta from 15 GeV to 150 GeV in the CALICE scintillator-tungsten hadronic calorimeter

We present a study of showers initiated by electrons, pions, kaons, and protons with momenta from 15 GeV to 150 GeV in the highly granular CALICE scintillator-tungsten analogue hadronic calorimeter. The data were recorded at the CERN Super Proton Synchrotron in 2011. The analysis includes measurements of the calorimeter response to each particle type as well as measurements of the energy resolution and studies of the longitudinal and radial shower development for selected particles. The results are compared to Geant4 simulations (version 9.6.p02). In the study of the energy resolution we include previously published data with beam momenta from 1 GeV to 10 GeV recorded at the CERN Proton Synchrotron in 2010.Comment: 35 pages, 21 figures, 8 table