On the existence of 0/1 polytopes with high semidefinite extension complexity

In Rothvo\ss{} it was shown that there exists a 0/1 polytope (a polytope whose vertices are in \{0,1\}^{n}) such that any higher-dimensional polytope projecting to it must have 2^{\Omega(n)} facets, i.e., its linear extension complexity is exponential. The question whether there exists a 0/1 polytope with high PSD extension complexity was left open. We answer this question in the affirmative by showing that there is a 0/1 polytope such that any spectrahedron projecting to it must be the intersection of a semidefinite cone of dimension~2^{\Omega(n)} and an affine space. Our proof relies on a new technique to rescale semidefinite factorizations

Statistical analysis of the Central-Europe Seismicity

The aim of this paper is to characterize the spatio-temporal distribution of Central-Europe seismicity. Specifically, by using a non-parametric statistical approach, the proportional hazard model, leading to an empirical estimation of the hazard function, we provide some constrains on the time behavior of earthquake generation mechanisms. The results indicate that the most conspic- uous characteristics of MW 4.0+ earthquakes is a temporal clustering lasting a couple of years. This suggests that the probability of occurrence increases immediately after a previous event. After a few years, the process becomes almost time independent. Furthermore, we investigate the cluster properties of the seismicity of Central-Europe, by comparing the obtained result with the one of synthetic catalogs generated by the epidemic type aftershock sequences (ETAS) model, which previously have been successfully applied for short term clustering. Our results indicate that the ETAS is not well suited to describe the seismicity as a whole, while it is able to capture the features of the short- term behaviour. Remarkably, similar results have been previously found for Italy using a higher magnitude threshold

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Irrigation of Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinopathy (US-PICT): Patient Experience

Purpose. To assess patients\u2019experience of ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation of rotator cuffcalcific tendinopathy(US-PICT).Methods. Ninety-one patients (58 females; mean age:50:5\ub18:3years) treated by US-PICT (local anesthesia,single-needle lavage, and intrabursal steroid injection) answered to a list of questions regarding their experience of theprocedure before treatment, immediately after treatment, and three months later. The Borg CR10 scale was used toevaluate perceived pain, discomfort during anesthetic injection, and anxiety. The Wilcoxon, Spearman\u2019s rho, linearregression, and chi-square statistics were used.Results. 81/91 patients complained mild discomfort during the injection ofanesthetics (2, 1-2). Pain scores during US-PICT were very low (0, 0-1), with 70% patients having not experienced pain. Aftertreatment, we found a significant reduction of pain (before: 8, 7-8; 3-month: 3, 1-6;p<:001) and anxiety (before: 5, 2-7; duringtreatment: 2, 1-7;p=0:010), with high overall satisfaction (immediately after: 10, 9-10; 3-month: 9, 7-10) and confidence in thepossibility of recovery (immediately after: 9, 8-10; 3-month: 10, 8-10), respectively. Treatments performed before US-PICT werenot statistically associated with pain relief (p=0:389) and clinical improvement (p=0:937). We found a correlation betweensatisfaction immediately postprocedure and confidence in the possibility of recovery (p=0:002) and between satisfaction threemonths after treatment and clinical improvement (p<0:001) and patients\u2019reminds about the description of the procedure(p=0:005) and of the potential complications (p=0:035).Conclusions. US-PICT is a mildly painful, comfortable, andwell-tolerated procedure, regardless of any previous treatments. Patients\u2019satisfaction is correlated with clinical benefit andfull explanation of the procedure and its complications

Three-dimensional virtual anatomy as a new approach for medical student’s learning

Most medical and health science schools adopt innovative tools to implement the teaching of anatomy to their undergraduate students. The increase in technological resources for educational purposes allows the use of virtual systems in the field of medicine, which can be considered decisive for improving anatomical knowledge, a requisite for safe and competent medical practice. Among these virtual tools, the Anatomage Table 7.0 represents, to date, a pivotal anatomical device for student education and training medical professionals. This review focuses attention on the potential of the Anatomage Table in the anatomical learning process and clinical practice by discussing these topics based on recent publication findings and describing their trends during the COVID-19 pandemic period. The reports documented a great interest in and a positive impact of the use of this technological table by medical students for teaching gross anatomy. Anatomage allows to describe, with accuracy and at high resolution, organ structure, vascularization, and innervation, as well as enables to familiarize with radiological images of real patients by improving knowledge in the radiological and surgical fields. Furthermore, its use can be considered strategic in a pandemic period, since it ensures, through an online platform, the continuation of anatomical and surgical training on dissecting cadavers

Modulating Phosphoinositide Profiles as a Roadmap for Treatment in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Polyphosphoinositides (PPIns) and their modulating enzymes are involved in regulating many important cellular functions including proliferation, differentiation or gene expression, and their deregulation is involved in human diseases such as metabolic syndromes, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer, including Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Given that PPIns regulating enzymes are highly druggable targets, several studies have recently highlighted the potential of targeting them in AML. For instance many inhibitors targeting the PI3K pathway are in various stages of clinical development and more recently other novel enzymes such as PIP4K2A have been implicated as AML targets. PPIns have distinct subcellular organelle profiles, in part driven by the specific localisation of enzymes that metabolise them. In particular, in the nucleus, PPIns are regulated in response to various extracellular and intracellular pathways and interact with specific nuclear proteins to control epigenetic cell state. While AML does not normally manifest with as many mutations as other cancers, it does appear in large part to be a disease of dysregulation of epigenetic signalling and many novel therapeutics are aimed at reprogramming AML cells toward a differentiated cell state or to one that is responsive to alternative successful but limited AML therapies such as ATRA. Here, we propose that by combining bioinformatic analysis with inhibition of PPIns pathways, especially within the nucleus, we might discover new combination therapies aimed at reprogramming transcriptional output to attenuate uncontrolled AML cell growth. Furthermore, we outline how different part of a PPIns signalling unit might be targeted to control selective outputs that might engender more specific and therefore less toxic inhibitory outcomes

Paradigm Shift in Gastric Cancer Prevention: Harnessing the Potential of Aristolochia olivieri Extract

Gastric cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma, is a significant global health concern. Environmental risk factors, such as Helicobacter pylori infection and diet, play a role in its development. This study aimed to characterize the chemical composition and evaluate the in vitro antibacterial and antitumor activities of an Aristolochia olivieri Colleg. ex Boiss. Leaves’ methanolic extract (AOME). Additionally, morphological changes in gastric cancer cell lines were analyzed. AOME was analyzed using HPLC-MS/MS, and its antibacterial activity against H. pylori was assessed using the broth microdilution method. MIC and MBC values were determined, and positive and negative controls were included in the evaluation. Anticancer effects were assessed through in vitro experiments using AGS, KATO-III, and SNU-1 cancer cell lines. The morphological changes were examined through SEM and TEM analyses. AOME contained several compounds, including caffeic acid, rutin, and hyperoside. The extract displayed significant antimicrobial effects against H. pylori, with consistent MIC and MBC values of 3.70 ± 0.09 mg/mL. AOME reduced cell viability in all gastric cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Morphological analyses revealed significant ultrastructural changes in all tumor cell lines, suggesting the occurrence of cellular apoptosis. This study demonstrated that AOME possesses antimicrobial activity against H. pylori and potent antineoplastic properties in gastric cancer cell lines. AOME holds promise as a natural resource for innovative nutraceutical approaches in gastric cancer management. Further research and in vivo studies are warranted to validate its potential clinical applications

Differential DNA Methylation Encodes Proliferation and Senescence Programs in Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Adult adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) constitute a vital population of multipotent cells capable of differentiating into numerous end-organ phenotypes. However, scientific and translational endeavors to harness the regenerative potential of ASCs are currently limited by an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms that determine cell-lineage commitment and stemness. In the current study, we used reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) analysis to identify epigenetic gene targets and cellular processes that are responsive to 5′-azacitidine (5′-AZA). We describe specific changes to DNA methylation of ASCs, uncovering pathways likely associated with the enhancement of their proliferative capacity. We identified 4,797 differentially methylated regions (FDR < 0.05) associated with 3,625 genes, of which 1,584 DMRs annotated to the promoter region. Gene set enrichment of differentially methylated promoters identified “phagocytosis,” “type 2 diabetes,” and “metabolic pathways” as disproportionately hypomethylated, whereas “adipocyte differentiation” was the most-enriched pathway among hyper-methylated gene promoters. Weighted coexpression network analysis of DMRs identified clusters associated with cellular proliferation and other developmental programs. Furthermore, the ELK4 binding site was disproportionately hyper-methylated within the promoters of genes associated with AKT signaling. Overall, this study offers numerous preliminary insights into the epigenetic landscape that influences the regenerative capacity of human ASCs

L’esercitazione nazionale di protezione civile sul rischio sismico “Nord-Est 2013” (13-15 settembre 2013) e la partecipazione dell’INGV. Report finale

Nell’ambito delle commemorazioni per i 50 anni dalla frana del Vajont, il Dipartimento della Protezione Civile (DPC), la Regione Veneto e la Regione Autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia con il coinvolgimento delle Province Autonome di Trento e Bolzano, hanno organizzato un’esercitazione sul rischio sismico denominata “Nord-Est 2013” svoltasi dal 13 al 15 settembre 2013. Obiettivo primario dell’iniziativa era verificare la capacità di risposta in situazioni di emergenza di tutte le componenti e le strutture operative della Protezione Civile, a livello centrale e periferico, e della rete di collaborazioni ad essa collegate. L’esercitazione prevedeva la simulazione di un terremoto di magnitudo Richter (ML) 5.8 alle ore 7.30 locali con epicentro nel Comune di Tambre, in Provincia di Belluno, i cui effetti, in termini di popolazione coinvolta in crolli, avrebbero interessato anche le Province di Treviso e Pordenone. Come terremoto di riferimento per l’iniziativa, è stato scelto l’evento sismico di Bosco Cansiglio avvenuto il 18 ottobre 1936 alle 3:10 UTC (MW 5.8) (Figura 1 [Barbano et al., 1986]). L’emergenza simulata era, ai fini dell’attività di protezione civile1, di tipo C ovvero di rilievo nazionale (il tipo A si riferisce alle emergenze locali, gestibili su scala comunale; quelle di tipo B alle emergenze che richiedono una risposta e risorse su scala provinciale o regionale). L’Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) ha partecipato attivamente all’esercitazione “Nord-Est 2013” nella giornata di sabato 14 settembre (dalle 7.30 alle 17.30, ora locale), attivando le procedure che sono disposte in caso di evento sismico come previsto dall’Allegato A2 dell’Accordo Quadro 2012-2021 della Convenzione esistente fra l’INGV e il Dipartimento della Protezione Civile (DPC). Nel presente report sono descritte brevemente le azioni approntate dall’INGV sia nella fase di pianificazione che durante l’esercitazione stessa; sebbene il risultato conseguito si possa ritenere più che positivo, in questo lavoro si vogliono mettere in evidenza alcune criticità osservate per le quali sarà opportuno trovare delle soluzioni da adottare nella prossima emergenza.Published1-881.1. TTC - Monitoraggio sismico del territorio nazionaleN/A or not JCRope

Rapid response to the earthquake emergency of May 2012 in the Po Plain, northern Italy

No abstrac