A computational multiscale approach to couple hygro-mechanical responses of large-scale masonry walls

We present a computational multiscale approach to the nonlinear problems of humidity diffusion and mechanical damage of large-scale masonry walls, and their coupling in terms of the effects of the humidity diffusion on the mechanical response and the effects of the mechanical degradation on the diffusion process. Such an approach allows us to recover, both efficiently and accurately, the complex nonlinear response of large-scale walls, which are in general hard to be solved by means of standard numerical tools. Two representative tests of two- and three-storey walls are here analyzed, and the corresponding results reported and commented, aiming to show how samples like these can potentially serve as reference solutions for more applicative purposes

Percutaneous combined therapy for painful sternal metastases: a radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFTA) and cementoplasty protocol

Radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFTA) has recently been introduced for the treatment of painful bone metastases. We report the outcome of one combined protocol session of percutaneous RFTA and cementoplasty on a painful sternal breast cancer metastasis of a 66-year-old patient

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in cancer prevention and therapy

Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be regarded as an effective approach for cancer chemoprevention, as demonstrated by a bulk of clinical and experimental evidence. However, the clinical use of these drugs as chemopreventive agents is limited by many open questions about the optimal drug, dose, duration of therapy and knowledge about the mechanism(s) by which these drugs act. In particular, the recent data on cardiovascular toxicity of coxibs has posed some limitations on the use of NSAIDs for cancer chemoprevention in the general population. The situation is different in certain genetically susceptible subgroups, such as in individuals with genetic mutations associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) or familiar adenomatous polyps (FAP) in whom lifetime risk increases up to 70-90% and in whom the benefit of a chemopreventive drug might justify its use even in the presence of adverse effects

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in cancer prevention and therapy

Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be regarded as an effective approach for cancer chemoprevention, as demonstrated by a bulk of clinical and experimental evidence. However, the clinical use of these drugs as chemopreventive agents is limited by many open questions about the optimal drug, dose, duration of therapy and knowledge about the mechanism(s) by which these drugs act. In particular, the recent data on cardiovascular toxicity of coxibs has posed some limitations on the use of NSAIDs for cancer chemoprevention in the general population. The situation is different in certain genetically susceptible subgroups, such as in individuals with genetic mutations associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) or familiar adenomatous polyps (FAP) in whom lifetime risk increases up to 70-90% and in whom the benefit of a chemopreventive drug might justify its use even in the presence of adverse effects

Caregiver distress in the early phases of cancer

Principal caregivers (PCs) of cancer patients experience high levels of stress that may significantly impact their quality of life (QoL). PCs' QoL during early phases of the disease (when patients were still on chemotherapy) were assessed

Caregiver distress in the early phases of cancer

Principal caregivers (PCs) of cancer patients experience high levels of stress that may significantly impact their quality of life (QoL). PCs' QoL during early phases of the disease (when patients were still on chemotherapy) were assessed

Polynuclear Complexes: Two Amino-Phenol Macrocycles Spaced by Several Linear Polyamines; Synthesis, Binding Properties, and Crystal Structure

The synthesis and characterization of the new polytopic ligands 1,14-bis(3,6,9-triaza-15-hydroxybicyclo[9.3.1]pentadeca-11,13,115-trien-6-yl)-3,6,9,12-tetraazatetradecane L1, 1,15-bis(3,6,9-triaza-15-hydroxybicyclo[9.3.1]pentadeca-11,13,115-trien-6-yl)-3,6,10,13-tetraazapentadecane L2, and 1,16-bis(3,6,9-triaza-15-hydroxybicyclo[9.3.1]pentadeca-11,13,115-trien-6-yl)-3,7,10,14-tetraazahexadecane L3, containing two equal amino-phenol macrocycles spaced by several linear tetraamines, are reported. The basicity and coordination behavior toward the Cu(II) ion were potentiometrically determined in aqueous solution at 298.1 K. All the ligands show similar acid-base properties behaving as octaprotic bases in the examined pH range (pH = 2-12). The acid protons of L1-L3 cannot be removed under the experimental conditions used; thus, the main deprotonated species obtainable in aqueous solution are the neutral ligands, having amphionic character as demonstrated by UV-vis experiments. These species are able to form mono-, di-, and trinuclear Cu(II) complexes having stoichiometry [CuL]2+, [Cu2L]4+, and [Cu3L]6+, respectively, that can lose one or two protons giving rise to [CuH-1L]+, [Cu2H-2L]2+, and [Cu3H-2L]4+. Depending on the used ligand to metal molar ratio, the mono-, di-, or trinuclear species prevail over the others in solution. Both di- and trinuclear complexes are able to add secondary ligands (such as OH-), and in some cases two Cu(II) can cooperate to stabilize themby coordinating the guest in a bridged conformation. The structure of the [Cu2L3]4+ cation was resolved by X-ray analysis of the {[Cu2L3](ClO4)4 3 3H2O}2 3 H2O crystalline complex. It shows that each Cu(II) is penta-coordinated by one phenolate oxygen, two amine functions, belonging to one macrocyclic unit, and two amine functions of the spacer; in this species the distance between the two Cu(II) is about 5.3 Å

Predictive value of VEGF gene polymorphisms for metastatic colorectal cancer patients receiving first-line treatment including fluorouracil, irinotecan, and bevacizumab

The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of germline vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms (VGPs) on the efficacy of the anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab (Bev) in metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) patients

Endoscopic Ultrasound Plus Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Based Tissue Sampling for Diagnosis of Proximal and Distal Biliary Stenosis Due to Cholangiocarcinoma: Results from a Retrospective Single-Center Study

Differentiating between benign and malignant biliary stenosis (BS) is challenging, where tissue diagnosis plays a crucial role. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-based tissue sampling and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with fine-needle aspiration (FNA) or biopsy (FNB) are used to obtain tissue specimens from BS. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA/B plus ERCP with brushing or forceps biopsy in BS. All endoscopic procedures performed in patients with BS at our gastroenterology unit were reviewed. The gold standard for diagnosis was histopathology of surgical specimens or the progression of the malignancy at radiological or clinical follow-up. A total of 70 endoscopic procedures were performed in 51 patients with BS. Final endoscopic diagnosis was reached in 96% of the patients and was malignant in 61.7% and benign in 38.3% of cases. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were 73.9%, 100%, and 80%, respectively, for EUS-FNA/B; 66.7%, 100%, and 82.5% for ERCP; and 83.3%, 100%, and 87.5% for both procedures carried out in the same session. The combination of EUS and ERCP tissue sampling seems to increase diagnostic accuracy in defining the etiology of BS. Performing both procedures in a single session reduces the time required for diagnostic work-up and optimizes resources

The Medical Care Continuity (MCC) project. A pilot study of video-assisted home care within the eTEN European Community program. The Italian experience

This study aimed to use an integrated system (Medical Care Continuity (MCC) system) consisting of computer, video telephone, and a high-definition camera to monitor at home chemotherapy side effects in cancer outpatients