Ultrasound tissue characterization detectspreclinical myocardial structural changes inchildren affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy

AbstractObjectivesOur goal was to identify early changes in myocardial physical properties in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMDch).BackgroundDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by the absence of dystrophin, which triggers complex molecular and biological events in skeletal and cardiac muscle tissues. Although about 30% of patients display overt signs of cardiomyopathy in the late stage of the disease, it is unknown whether changes in myocardial physical properties can be detected in the early (preclinical) stages of the disease.MethodsWe performed an ultrasonic tissue characterization (UTC) analysis of myocardium in DMDch with normal systolic myocardial function and no signs of cardiomyopathy. Both the cyclic variation of integrated backscatter (cvIBS) and the calibrated integrated backscatter (cIBS) were assessed in 8 myocardial regions of 20 DMDch, age 7 ± 2 years (range 4 to 10 years), and in 20 age-matched healthy controls.ResultsWe found large differences in the UTC data between DMDch and controls; the mean value of cvIBS was 4.4 ± 1.5 dB versus 8.8 ± 0.8 dB, whereas the mean value of cIBS was 36.4 ± 7.1 dB versus 26.9 ± 2.0 dB (p < 10−6for both). In DMDch, all eight sampled segments showed cIBS mean values to be significantly higher and cvIBS mean values to be significantly lower than those in the controls. Finally, interindividual differences were greater in DMDch than in controls for both parameters.ConclusionsThe myocardium in DMDch displays UTC features different from those in healthy controls. These results show that lack of dystrophin is commonly associated with changes in myocardial features well before the onset of changes of systolic function and overt cardiomyopathy

Solar analogues in open clusters: The case of M67

Solar analogues are fundamental targets for a better understanding of our Sun and our Solar System. Usually, this research is limited to field stars, which offer several advantages and limitations. In this work, we present the results of a research of solar twins performed for the first time in a open cluster, namely M67. Our analysis allowed us to find five solar twins and also to derive a solar colour of (B-V)0=0.649+/-0.016 and a cluster distance modulus of 9.63+/-0.08. This study encourages us to apply the same method to other open clusters, and to do further investigations for planet search in the solar twins we find.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures; Proceedings of the conference "Probing Stellar Populations out to the Distant Universe", Cefalu' (Italy), September 7 - 19, 2008. To be published in the AIP Conf. Proc. Serie

Randomized phase II study with two gemcitabine- and docetaxel-based combinations as first-line chemotherapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Docetaxel and gemcitabine combinations have proven active for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare two treatment schedules, one based on our own preclinical data and the other selected from the literature.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Patients with stage IV NSCLC and at least one bidimensionally-measurable lesion were eligible. Adequate bone marrow reserve, normal hepatic and renal function, and an ECOG performance status of 0 to 2 were required. No prior chemotherapy was permitted. Patients were randomized to arm A (docetaxel 70 mg/m²on day 1 and gemcitabine 900 mg/m²on days 3–8, every 3 weeks) or B (gemcitabine 900 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, and docetaxel 70 mg/m2 on day 8, every 3 weeks).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The objective response rate was 20% (95% CI:10.0–35.9) and 18% (95% CI:8.6–33.9) in arms A and B, respectively. Disease control rates were very similar (54% in arm A and 53% in arm B). No differences were noted in median survival (32 vs. 33 weeks) or 1-year survival (33% vs. 35%). Toxicity was mild in both treatment arms.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results highlighted acceptable activity and survival outcomes for both experimental and empirical schedules as first-line treatment of NSCLC, suggesting the potential usefulness of drug sequencing based on preclinical models.</p> <p>Trial registration number</p> <p>IOR 162 02</p

Pre-treatment and extraction techniques for recovery of added value compounds from wastes throughout the agri-food chain

The enormous quantity of food wastes discarded annually force to look for alternatives for this interesting feedstock. Thus, food bio-waste valorisation is one of the imperatives of the nowadays society. This review is the most comprehensive overview of currently existing technologies and processes in this field. It tackles classical and innovative physical, physico-chemical and chemical methods of food waste pre-treatment and extraction for recovery of added value compounds and detection by modern technologies and are an outcome of the COST Action EUBIS, TD1203 Food Waste Valorisation for Sustainable Chemicals, Materials and Fuels

Climatizzazione degli edifici con pompe di calore geotermiche in Emilia Romagna. Stato dell'arte e linee guida per uno sviluppo sostenibile del settore

A partire da una strategia generale definita a livello di progetto, il risultato principale del progetto GEO.POWER consiste nella definizione di piani d\u2019azione locali per lo sviluppo dell\u2019energia geotermica a bassa temperatura che tenga in considerazione un set di linee guida relative alle migliori tecnologie disponibili e alle migliori applicazioni in edilizia residenziale ed industriale, alle condizioni geologiche ottimali legate alla resa degli acquiferi e dei terreni, all\u2019analisi dei costi e dei benefici per sostenere e incentivare l\u2019utilizzo diretto del calore da fonti geotermiche. In questo progetto risulta fondamentale il coinvolgimento delle Autorit\ue0 di Gestione dei Programmi Operativi Regionali, ovvero le amministrazioni regionali, le quali condividono ed indirizzano lo sviluppo del progetto al fine di integrare i risultati tecnici di GEO. POWER all\u2019interno del quadro programmatico regionale e di promuovere \u2013 attraverso il ruolo di regia che tradizionalmente rivestono - effetti moltiplicatori su tutto il loro territorio

Small cell neuroendocrine tumor of the breast in a 40 year-old woman: a case report

Abstract Introduction Small cell neuroendocrine cancer of the breast is a rare tumor with less than 30 cases reported in the literature. The morphological and immunohistochemical patterns of this tumor are similar to small cell neuroendocrine cancer of the lung. For this reason, it is often difficult to distinguish a primary small cell neuroendocrine cancer of the breast from a metastatic lesion from other sites. Case presentation We report and characterize with immunohistochemical techniques a case of primary small cell neuroendocrine cancer of the breast occurring in a 40-year-old Caucasian woman. A palpable and mobile 3.0 cm tumor was located in the upper-outer quadrant of her right breast. Lumpectomy and subsequent radical mastectomy with axillary lymph node resection were performed. Microscopically, the tumor consisted predominantly of a diffuse proliferation of small oat cells. The tumor cells were positive for neuroendocrine markers chromogranin A and synaptophysin. One of 16 lymph nodes was metastatic. A correct treatment needs to be chosen. Conclusions It has recently been demonstrated that early small cell neuroendocrine cancer of the breast shows a good prognosis with adjuvant treatments with high disease free survival. Our patient is alive and well without disease eight years after treatment. We performed an adjuvant therapy with the classic scheme doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, followed by carboplatin and etoposide. A more extensive review is required to define a standard treatment protocol for this rare neoplasm.</p

Growing up with type 1 diabetes mellitus: Data from the Verona Diabetes Transition Project

Aim Transition from paediatric to adult care is a critical step in life of emerging adults with type 1 diabetes. We assessed, according to indicators established by panel of experts, clinical, socio-demographic and psychosocial factors in young adults with type 1 diabetes throughout structured transition to investigate the associations, if any, with HbA(1c) value at time of transition. Methods The "Verona Diabetes Transition Project" started in January 2009: a structured transition program, shared between paediatric and adult clinic, was organised with a multi-disciplinary team. All young adults underwent a semi-structured interview by a psychologist, before transition. Minimum age for transition was 18 years. Results 222 (M/F = 113/109) young adults moved to adult care from January 2009 to March 2020. The mean time between the last paediatric visit and the first adult visit ranged from 13.6 +/- 6.1 months at the beginning of the project to 3.6 +/- 11.5 months over the following years. At first adult clinic attendance, women showed higher HbA(1c) values (70 +/- 11 mmol/mol vs. 65 +/- 7 mmol/mol or 8.57% +/- 1.51% vs. 8.14% +/- 0.98%, p = 0.01), higher frequency of disorders of eating behaviours (15.6% vs. 0%, p &lt; 0.001) and poor diabetes acceptance (23.9% vs. 9.7%, p &lt; 0.001) than men. Mediation analyses showed a significant mediating role of glucose control 2 years before transition in the relationship between poor diabetes acceptance and glucose control at transition. Conclusions This study demonstrated a delay reduction in establishing care with an adult provider and suggested the potential role of low diabetes acceptance on glycemic control at transition. Further studies are needed to confirm and expand these data