Evaluation of the relationships between computed tomography features, pathological findings, and rrognostic risk assessment in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Objectives The aim of this study was to correlate computed tomography (CT) findings with pathology in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Methods A retrospective evaluation of CT images of 44 patients with GISTs was performed. Computed tomography findings analyzed were location, size, margins, degree and pattern of contrast enhancement, angiogenesis, necrosis, signs of invasion, peritoneal effusion, peritoneal implants, surface ulceration, and calcifications. Associations between CT features and mitotic rate, Miettinen classes of risk, lesions size, and among CT features were investigated. χ 2 Test and Fisher test were performed. Results Mitotic rate was associated with margins (P = 0.016) and with adjacent organ invasion (P = 0.043). Pattern of contrast enhancement (P = 0.002), angiogenesis (P = 0.006), necrosis (P = 0.006), invasion of adjacent organs (P = 0.011), and margins (P = 0.006) were associated with classes of risk. Several associations (P < 0.05) between lesion size and CT features and among all the investigated CT features were found. Conclusions Computed tomography features could reflect GIST biology being associated with the mitotic rate and with classes of risk

Genetic algorithms for hyperparameter optimization in predictive business process monitoring

Predictive business process monitoring exploits event logs to predict how ongoing (uncompleted) traces will unfold up to their completion. A predictive process monitoring framework collects a range of techniques that allow users to get accurate predictions about the achievement of a goal for a given ongoing trace. These techniques can be combined and their parameters configured in different framework instances. Unfortunately, a unique framework instance that is general enough to outperform others for every dataset, goal or type of prediction is elusive. Thus, the selection and configuration of a framework instance needs to be done for a given dataset. This paper presents a predictive process monitoring framework armed with a hyperparameter optimization method to select a suitable framework instance for a given dataset

Biblioteche, infrastrutture culturali e polifunzionalità: una mappatura data driven

Il contributo affronta un tema ancora poco discusso e che sembra invece centrale per immaginare quali trasformazioni interesseranno le biblioteche nel prossimo futuro. Si tratta del concetto di polifunzionalità. A partire dall’analisi dei dati delle prime tre edizioni del Censimento dell’Istat, questo concetto è stato approfondito in relazione alle caratteristiche delle biblioteche italiane e grazie a un approccio data driven ne viene offerta una dettagliata geografia che rispecchia le variazioni avvenute tra il 2020 e il 2022. È stata quindi ricostruita la fisionomia della polifunzionalità delle biblioteche prima e dopo la pandemia da Covid-19. Presentando i risultati di un’indagine in corso, è stato anche possibile affiancare a questo approfondimento una mappatura dei cosiddetti ‘nuovi centri culturali multidisciplinari e indipendenti’ che sono ampiamente diffusi a livello nazionale e che sembrano contraddistinguersi proprio per la loro polifunzionalità. Mettendo a confronto visioni e analisi diverse, si è voluto dare avvio a una riflessione anche di tipo comparativo tra le biblioteche polifunzionali e i nuovi centri culturali per rintracciare le caratteristiche che li rendono dei luoghi della contemporaneità

Biblioteche, infrastrutture culturali e polifunzionalità. Una mappatura data driven

Il contributo affronta un tema ancora poco discusso e che sembra invece centrale per immaginare quali trasformazioni interesseranno le biblioteche nel prossimo futuro. Si tratta del concetto di polifunzionalità. A partire dall’analisi dei dati delle prime tre edizioni del Censimento dell’Istat, questo concetto è stato approfondito in relazione alle caratteristiche delle biblioteche italiane e grazie a un approccio data driven ne viene offerta una dettagliata geografia che rispecchia le variazioni avvenute tra il 2020 e il 2022. È stata quindi ricostruita la fisionomia della polifunzionalità delle biblioteche prima e dopo la pandemia da Covid-19. Presentando i risultati di un’indagine in corso, è stato anche possibile affiancare a questo approfondimento una mappatura dei cosiddetti ‘nuovi centri culturali multidisciplinari e indipendenti’ che sono ampiamente diffusi a livello nazionale e che sembrano contraddistinguersi proprio per la loro polifunzionalità. Mettendo a confronto visioni e analisi diverse, si è voluto dare avvio a una riflessione anche di tipo comparativo tra le biblioteche polifunzionali e i nuovi centri culturali per rintracciare le caratteristiche che li rendono dei luoghi della contemporaneità

The Body Speaks Society, School and Culture

How can we help all children, since birth, become effective communicators and interpreters? Why should nonverbal behaviour be of interest? The aim of this research is to reflect on the importance of every element of the analogical language, related to a target audience of preschool and school children aged between 0 and 8 years that is always little studied. The ability to communicate is an essential skill that has roots in early childhood; preschool children especially prefer the body as means of communication, from birth. Children learn to know the analogical language by observing the one of the parents and by imitating him. It is worth to underline the essential role of school that, beyond the family context, is the privileged environment for the development and learning of communication, both verbal and non-verbal. However, non-verbal languages are determined by cultures, that is, they are not equal for all regardless of cultures, but they change depending on cultures themselves; understand cultural foundations of the communication, in today’s multicultural and pluralistic world, is an essential help to handle an appropriate conversation

C-peptide: a predictor of cardiovascular mortality in subjects with established atherosclerotic disease

Aim: Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are independent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Levels of C-peptide are increased in these patients and its role in the atherosclerosis progression was studied in vitro and in vivo over the past years. To evaluate the possible use of C-peptide as cardiovascular biomarkers, we designed an observational study in which we enrolled patients with mono- or poly-vascular atherosclerotic disease. Methods: We recruited 431 patients with stable atherosclerosis and performed a yearly follow-up to estimate the cardiovascular and total mortality and cardiovascular events. Results: We performed a mean follow-up of 56months on 268 patients. A multivariate Cox analysis showed that C-peptide significantly increased the risk of cardiovascular mortality [Hazard Ratio: 1.29 (95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.65, p<0.03513)] after adjustment for age, sex, diabetes treatment, estimated glomerular filtration rate and known diabetes status. Furthermore, levels of C-peptide were significantly correlated with metabolic parameters and atherogenic factors. Conclusion: C-peptide was associated with cardiovascular mortality independently of known diabetes status in a cohort of patients with chronic atherosclerotic disease. Future studies using C-peptide into a reclassification approach might be undertaken to consider its potential as a cardiovascular disease biomarker

Biological effects of Cannabidiol on normal human healthy cell populations: Systematic review of the literature.

A systematic review was performed to evaluate the biological effects of Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the major components of Cannabis Sativa, on normal human healthy cell populations in terms of cell viability, proliferation, migration, apoptosis and inflammation. Inclusion criteria were: studies on cell lines and primary cell culture from healthy donors, CBD exposure as variable, no CBD exposure as control and published in English language. Quality assessment was based on ToxR tool, with a score of reliability ranging from 15 to 18.Following the PRISMA statement, three independent reviewers performed both a manual and an electronic search using MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane. From a total of 9437eligible articles, 29 studies have been selected. The average quality assessment score was 16.48.Theresults showed heterogeneous CBD concentration exposure (0.01-50 μM or 0.1 nmol/mL-15 mg/mL). The definition of a threshold limit would allow the identification of specific effects on expected outcomes. From the data obtained CBD resulted to inhibit cell viability in a dose-dependent manner above 2 μM, while in oral cell populations the inhibitory concentration is higher than 10 μM. Moreover, it was observed a significantly inhibition of cell migration and proliferation. On the contrary, it was highlighted a stimulation of apoptosis only at high doses (from 10 μM).Finally, CBD produced an anti-inflammatory effect, with a reduction of the pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression and secretion. CBD down-regulated ROS production, although at high concentrations (16 μM) increased ROS-related genes expression. The diffusion of CBD for therapeutic and recreational uses require a precise definition of its potential biological effects. A thorough knowledge of these aspects would allow a safe use of this substance without any possible side effects

TIMP3 overexpression in myeloid lineage alleviates pancreatic damage and confers resistance to the development of type 1 diabetes in the MLDS -induced model

IntroductionType 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) development involves a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. By modulating the activity of proteases and receptors, the protein tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) plays a role in limiting the expression and function of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which have been implicated in the advancement of T1DM. This study was aimed at examining the effect of TIMP3 overexpression in myeloid cells on the development of T1DM.Methods and resultsTwelve weeks after multiple low doses of streptozotocin (MLDS) treatment, diabetic mice overexpressing TIMP3 specifically in myeloid cells under the CD68 promoter (MacT3 mice) showed improved insulin secretion, islet morphology and vascularization, antioxidant defense system, and regulatory factors of mitochondrial biosynthesis and function. To get mechanistic insights into the origin of this protection, the severity of insulitis and inflammatory parameters were evaluated in pancreatic tissues 11 days after MLSD treatment, showing significantly reduced insulitis and levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin -1β, and interferon -γ in MacT3 mice.DiscussionThe results indicate that TIMP3 is involved in maintaining islet architecture and functions, at least in part, through modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine production associated with insulitis and may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for T1DM

Optical modulation of excitation-contraction coupling in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes

Non-genetic photostimulation is a novel and rapidly growing multidisciplinary field that aims to induce light-sensitivity in living systems by exploiting exogeneous phototransducers. Here, we propose an intramembrane photoswitch, based on an azobenzene derivative (Ziapin2), for optical pacing of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). The light-mediated stimulation process has been studied by applying several techniques to detect the effect on the cell properties. In particular, we recorded changes in membrane capacitance, in membrane potential (V-m), andmodulation of intracellular Ca2+ dynamics. Finally, cell contractility was analyzed using a custom MATLAB algorithm. Photostimulation of intramembrane Ziapin2 causes a transient V-m hyperpolarization followed by a delayed depolarization and action potential firing. The observed initial electrical modulation nicely correlates with changes in Ca2+ dynamics and contraction rate. This work represents the proof of principle that Ziapin2 can modulate electrical activity and contractility in hiPSC-CMs, opening up a future development in cardiac physiology

Decentralizing Cell-Free RNA Sensing With the Use of Low-Cost Cell Extracts.

Cell-free gene expression systems have emerged as a promising platform for field-deployed biosensing and diagnostics. When combined with programmable toehold switch-based RNA sensors, these systems can be used to detect arbitrary RNAs and freeze-dried for room temperature transport to the point-of-need. These sensors, however, have been mainly implemented using reconstituted PURE cell-free protein expression systems that are difficult to source in the Global South due to their high commercial cost and cold-chain shipping requirements. Based on preliminary demonstrations of toehold sensors working on lysates, we describe the fast prototyping of RNA toehold switch-based sensors that can be produced locally and reduce the cost of sensors by two orders of magnitude. We demonstrate that these in-house cell lysates provide sensor performance comparable to commercial PURE cell-free systems. We further optimize these lysates with a CRISPRi strategy to enhance the stability of linear DNAs by knocking-down genes responsible for linear DNA degradation. This enables the direct use of PCR products for fast screening of new designs. As a proof-of-concept, we develop novel toehold sensors for the plant pathogen Potato Virus Y (PVY), which dramatically reduces the yield of this important staple crop. The local implementation of low-cost cell-free toehold sensors could enable biosensing capacity at the regional level and lead to more decentralized models for global surveillance of infectious disease