Direct Neutrino Mass measurements

Neutrino oscillation experiments have shown that neutrino are massive particles, but they are not able to determine the absolute neutrino mass scale. The experiments dedicated to effective electron-neutrino mass determination are the ones based on kinematic analyses of electrons emitted in single β-decay as 3H and 187Re. Nowadays the electrostatic spectrometers and microcalorimeters, two complementary techniques, are the most sensitive detection principles. Two experiments, KATRIN and MARE, are currently being prepared to explore neutrino masses down to 0.2 eV. The KATRIN experiment, which combines an ultra-luminous windowless gaseous tritium source with a high resolution electrostatic spectrometer, will provide high precision in β-studies never achieved before. The MARE project aims at the direct and calorimetric measurement of the electron neutrino mass with sub-eV sensitivity. Although the baseline of the MARE project consists in a large array of rhenium based thermal detectors, a different option for the isotope is also being considered. This contribution gives an outlook for both experiments. © 2011 Elsevier B.V

NECROTIZING FASCIITIS OF THE POSTERIOR CERVICAL COMPARTMENT: AN ATYPICAL CASE DUE TO STREPTOCOCCUS AGALACTIAE

Necrotizing fasciitis is a fulminant infection that affects the deep and superficial fascia while initially sparing the overlying skin and underlying muscle. The involvement of the cervicalcompartment is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate. Immunocompromised patients are prone to this infection. We present a case of a 80 year-old diabetic womansuffering from streptococcal cervical NF (probably secondary to a arm injury) with an uncommon involvement of the posterior cervical compartment, highlighting the atypical responsible microorganism (Streptococcus Agalactiae), the role of imaging for early diagnosis and the timely surgical and medical treatment for a successful outcome.

Focus Harmonic Scalpel Compared to Conventional Haemostasis in Open Total Thyroidectomy: A Prospective Randomized Trial

The aim of this prospective randomized trial was to compare operative factors, postoperative outcomes and surgical complications of open total thyroidectomy when using the Harmonic Scalpel (HS) versus Conventional Haemostasis (CH). Methods. 100 consecutive patients underwent open total thyroidectomy were randomized into two groups: group CH (Conventional Haemostasis) and group HS (Harmonic Scalpel). We recorded the following: age, sex, pathology, thyroid volume, haemostatic technique, operative time, drainage volume, thyroid weight, postoperative pain, postoperative complications, and hospital stay. The results were analyzed using the Student's t test and χ2 test. Results. No significant difference was found between the two groups concerning mean thyroid weight and mean hospital stay. The mean operative time was significantly shorter in the HS group. The total drainage fluid volume was lower in HS group. Two (4%) transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies were observed in CH group and no one (0%) in the HS group. Postoperative transient hypocalcemia occurred more frequently in the CH group. HS group experienced significantly less postoperative pain at 24 and 48 hours. Conclusions. In patients undergoing thyroidectomy, HS is a reliable and safe tool. Comparing with CH techniques, its use reduces operative times, postoperative pain, drainage volume and transient hypocalcemia

Integrated taxonomy: traditional approach and DNA barcoding for the identification of filarioid worms and related parasites (Nematoda)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We compared here the suitability and efficacy of traditional morphological approach and DNA barcoding to distinguish filarioid nematodes species (Nematoda, Spirurida). A reliable and rapid taxonomic identification of these parasites is the basis for a correct diagnosis of important and widespread parasitic diseases. The performance of DNA barcoding with different parameters was compared measuring the strength of correlation between morphological and molecular identification approaches. Molecular distance estimation was performed with two different mitochondrial markers (<it>coxI </it>and 12S rDNA) and different combinations of data handling were compared in order to provide a stronger tool for easy identification of filarioid worms.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>DNA barcoding and morphology based identification of filarioid nematodes revealed high coherence. Despite both <it>coxI </it>and 12S rDNA allow to reach high-quality performances, only <it>coxI </it>revealed to be manageable. Both alignment algorithm, gaps treatment, and the criteria used to define the threshold value were found to affect the performance of DNA barcoding with 12S rDNA marker. Using <it>coxI </it>and a defined level of nucleotide divergence to delimit species boundaries, DNA barcoding can also be used to infer potential new species.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>An integrated approach allows to reach a higher discrimination power. The results clearly show where DNA-based and morphological identifications are consistent, and where they are not. The coherence between DNA-based and morphological identification for almost all the species examined in our work is very strong. We propose DNA barcoding as a reliable, consistent, and democratic tool for species discrimination in routine identification of parasitic nematodes.</p

Aortic arch rupture after multiple multilayer stent treatment of a thoracoabdominal aneurysm

Despite the improvement in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, the treatment of thoracoabdominal aneurysms is still burdened with a high incidence of peri/postoperative morbidity and mortality. The multilayer flow modulator is a new and promising technique for the treatment of such disease; however, some limits are still evident. We report the case of a 76-year-old woman affected by a symptomatic thoracoabdominal aneurysm treated with multiple Cardiatis multilayer flow modulators complicated by aortic arch rupture on the fifth postoperative day, with subsequent patient death

DNA barcoding: theoretical aspects and practical applications

DNA barcoding is a molecular-based identification system, recently introduced in the scientific community. The method is not completely new to science, but the real innovation is not in the discrimination system itself: DNA barcoding can be considered as the core of an integrated taxonomic system, where bioinformatics plays a key role. Time is now ripe for a real collaboration of all the different forces working in taxonomy, towards a “next generation systematics”

From Localized Scleroderma to Systemic Sclerosis: Coexistence or Possible Evolution

Background. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) and localized scleroderma (LoS) are two different diseases that may share some features. We evaluated the relationship between SSc and LoS in our case series of SSc patients. Methods. We analysed the clinical records of 330 SSc patients, in order to find the eventual occurrence of both the two diseases. Results. Eight (2.4%) female patients presented both the two diagnoses in their clinical histories. Six developed LoS prior to SSc; in 4/6 cases, the presence of autoantibodies was observed before SSc diagnosis. Overall, the median time interval between LoS and SSc diagnosis was 18 (range 0–156) months. Conclusions. LoS and SSc are two distinct clinical entities that may coexist. Moreover, as anecdotally reported in pediatric populations, we suggested the possible development of SSc in adult patients with LoS, particularly in presence of Raynaud’s phenomenon or antinuclear antibodies before the SSc onset

The diversity and evolution of cell cycle regulation in alpha-proteobacteria: a comparative genomic analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the bacterium <it>Caulobacter crescentus</it>, CtrA coordinates DNA replication, cell division, and polar morphogenesis and is considered the cell cycle master regulator. CtrA activity varies during cell cycle progression and is modulated by phosphorylation, proteolysis and transcriptional control. In a phosphorylated state, CtrA binds specific DNA sequences, regulates the expression of genes involved in cell cycle progression and silences the origin of replication. Although the circuitry regulating CtrA is known in molecular detail in <it>Caulobacter</it>, its conservation and functionality in the other alpha-proteobacteria are still poorly understood.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Orthologs of <it>Caulobacter </it>factors involved in the regulation of CtrA were systematically scanned in genomes of alpha-proteobacteria. In particular, orthologous genes of the <it>divL-cckA-chpT-ctrA </it>phosphorelay, the <it>divJ</it>-<it>pleC</it>-<it>divK </it>two-component system, the <it>cpdR</it>-<it>rcdA</it>-<it>clpPX </it>proteolysis system, the methyltransferase <it>ccrM </it>and transcriptional regulators <it>dnaA </it>and <it>gcrA </it>were identified in representative genomes of alpha-proteobacteria. CtrA, DnaA and GcrA binding sites and CcrM putative methylation sites were predicted in promoter regions of all these factors and functions controlled by CtrA in all alphas were predicted.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The regulatory cell cycle architecture was identified in all representative alpha-proteobacteria, revealing a high diversification of circuits but also a conservation of logical features. An evolutionary model was proposed where ancient alphas already possessed all modules found in <it>Caulobacter </it>arranged in a variety of connections. Two schemes appeared to evolve: a complex circuit in <it>Caulobacterales </it>and <it>Rhizobiales </it>and a simpler one found in <it>Rhodobacterales</it>.</p