IMP-3 expression in keratoacanthomas and squamous cell carcinomas of the skin: an immunohistochemical study

<p>The protein insulin-like growth factor II mRNA binding protein 3 (IMP3) is an important factor for cell migration and adhesion in malignancies. Recent studies have shown a remarkable overexpression of IMP3 in different human malignant neoplasms and also revealed it as an important prognostic marker in some tumor entities. The purpose of this study is to compare IMP3 immunostaining in squamous cellular skin tumor and determine whether IMP3 can aid in the differential diagnosis of these lesions. To our knowledge, IMP3 expression has not been investigated in skin squamous cell proliferations thus far. Immunohistochemical staining for IMP3 was performed on slides organized by samples from 67 patients, 34 with keratoacanthoma and 33 with primary squamous cell carcinoma (16 invasive and 17 <em>in</em><em> situ</em>). The majority of our KAs (25/34) were negative for IMP-3 staining. The majority of SCCs (19/33) are positive for IMP3 staining. The percentage of IMP3 positive cells increases significantly in group SCC (p=0.0111), and in particular in the SCC <em>in situ</em> group (p=0.0021) with respect to the KA group.  IMP3 intensity staining increases significantly in SCCs (p=0.0213), and particularly in SCCs (p=0.008) with respect to KA. Our data show that IMP3 expression is different in keratoacanthomas with respect to squamous cell carcinoma. IMP3 assessment and staining pattern, together with a careful histological study, can be useful in the differential diagnosis between KA e SCC.</p

Early and Late-time Cosmic Acceleration in Non-minimal Yang-Mills-f(G)f(G) Gravity

In this paper we show that power-law inflation can be realized in non-minimal gravitational coupling of Yang-Mills field with a general function of the Gauss-Bonnet invariant in the framework of Einstein gravity. Such a non-minimal coupling may appear due to quantum corrections. We also discuss the non-minimal Yang-Mills-$f(G)$ gravity in the framework of modified Gauss-Bonnet action which is widely studied recently. It is shown that both inflation and late-time cosmic acceleration are possible in such a theory.Comment: 13 pages, no figures, v2 references added, Minor typos correcte

The economic impact of moderate stage Alzheimer's disease in Italy: Evidence from the UP-TECH randomized trial

Background: There is consensus that dementia is the most burdensome disease for modern societies. Few cost-of-illness studies examined the complexity of Alzheimer's disease (AD) burden, considering at the same time health and social care, cash allowances, informal care, and out-of-pocket expenditure by families. Methods: This is a comprehensive cost-of-illness study based on the baseline data from a randomized controlled trial (UP-TECH) enrolling 438 patients with moderate AD and their primary caregiver living in the community. Results: The societal burden of AD, composed of public, patient, and informal care costs, was about �20,000/yr. Out of this, the cost borne by the public sector was �4,534/yr. The main driver of public cost was the national cash-for-care allowance (�2,324/yr), followed by drug prescriptions (�1,402/yr). Out-of-pocket expenditure predominantly concerned the cost of private care workers. The value of informal care peaked at �13,590/yr. Socioeconomic factors do not influence AD public cost, but do affect the level of out-of-pocket expenditure. Conclusion: The burden of AD reflects the structure of Italian welfare. The families predominantly manage AD patients. The public expenditure is mostly for drugs and cash-for-care benefits. From a State perspective in the short term, the advantage of these care arrangements is clear, compared to the cost of residential care. However, if caregivers are not adequately supported, savings may be soon offset by higher risk of caregiver morbidity and mortality produced by high burden and stress. The study has been registered on the website www.clinicaltrials.org (Trial Registration number: NCT01700556). Copyright � International Psychogeriatric Association 2015

The Brescia Internationally Validated European Guidelines on Minimally Invasive Pancreatic Surgery (EGUMIPS)

Objective: To develop and update evidence-based and consensus-based guidelines on laparoscopic and robotic pancreatic surgery. Summary Background Data: Minimally invasive pancreatic surgery (MIPS), including laparoscopic and robotic surgery, is complex and technically demanding. Minimizing the risk for patients requires stringent, evidence-based guidelines. Since the International Miami Guidelines on MIPS in 2019, new developments and key publications have been reported, necessitating an update. Methods: Evidence-based guidelines on 22 topics in 8 domains were proposed: terminology, indications, patients, procedures, surgical techniques and instrumentation, assessment tools, implementation and training, and artificial intelligence. The Brescia Internationally Validated European Guidelines on Minimally Invasive Pancreatic Surgery (EGUMIPS, September 2022) used the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) methodology to assess the evidence and develop guideline recommendations, the Delphi method to establish consensus on the recommendations among the Expert Committee, and the AGREE II-GRS tool for guideline quality assessment and external validation by a Validation Committee. Results: Overall, 27 European experts, 6 international experts, 22 international Validation Committee members, 11 Jury Committee members, 18 Research Committee members, and 121 registered attendees of the 2-day meeting were involved in the development and validation of the guidelines. In total, 98 recommendations were developed, including 33 on laparoscopic, 34 on robotic, and 31 on general MIPS, covering 22 topics in 8 domains. Out of 98 recommendations, 97 reached at least 80% consensus among the experts and congress attendees, and all recommendations were externally validated by the Validation Committee. Conclusions: The EGUMIPS evidence-based guidelines on laparoscopic and robotic MIPS can be applied in current clinical practice to provide guidance to patients, surgeons, policy-makers, and medical societies.</p

Socioeconomic Predictors of the Employment of Migrant Care Workers by Italian Families Assisting Older Alzheimer's Disease Patients: Evidence from the Up-Tech Study

Background: The availability of family caregivers of older people is decreasing in Italy as the number of migrant care workers (MCWs) hired by families increases. There is little evidence on the influence of socioeconomic factors in the employment of MCWs. Method: We analyzed baseline data from 438 older people with moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD), and their family caregivers enrolled in the Up-Tech trial. We used bivariate analysis and multilevel regressions to investigate the association between independent variables - education, social class, and the availability of a care allowance - and three outcomes - employment of a MCW, hours of care provided by the primary family caregiver, and by the family network (primary and other family caregivers). Results: The availability of a care allowance and the educational level were independently associated with employing MCWs. A significant interaction between education and care allowance was found, suggesting that more educated families are more likely to spend the care allowance to hire a MCW. Discussion: Socioeconomic inequalities negatively influenced access both to private care and to care allowance, leading disadvantaged families to directly provide more assistance to AD patients. Care allowance entitlement needs to be reformed in Italy and in countries with similar long-term care and migration systems. � 2015 The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved

Device-supported spread of experimental results in a rose trial garden

The Rose Garden of the University of Bologna, where more than 1000 old and new rose species and cultivars are collected, includes an experimental field for the evaluation of landscape roses under low maintenance conditions, i.e., without irrigation, fertilization, phytosanitary treatments and pruning for the first 5 years after planting, and a mechanical pruning in the 6th year, just before dormancy breaking. Since 2002, about 160 new cultivars have been tested and characterized. Data concerning morpho-phenological parameters and disease incidence, the flower-cover index (FCI), the ornamental index (OI) and the graphs of flowering trend from April to October were elaborated each year and on average over the first five years after planting for every cultivar. The availability of these data could be very useful for The Rose Garden visitors, hobbyists, breeders, landscapers and nurserymen interested in a deeper information on the cultivars in field. The use of RFID techniques can be an easy means of spreading the experimental results and a way to broadcast changes in the garden, communicating up to date information in the same way as a public museum. The creation of datasheets started with the selection of the most suitable information for two types of users, professional and amateur. Data, recorded in a RFID microchip/cv can be viewed by visitors on personal mobile devices after downloading the app; amateurs have a direct and open access to information concerning commercial names, breeder, horticultural company, genealogy, curiosities and awards for each cultivar. Professionals can access the processed experimental data, too, by using a password sent after the online registration. The label with the cultivar name, used as microchip support, is practical and compatible with the distance for reading the microchip

The University of Bologna Botanical Gardens: proposal for a tech-savvy walk throughout history

Botanical gardens in Italy are facing a severe crisis and many of them are under risk to disappear. The Botanical Gardens of the University of Bologna (UBBGs) contains one of the eldest germplasm collections in the world. Currently, the ageing of the living arboreal collection poses typical problems associated with senescence, with some specimens already being lost. Furthermore, social recognition and emotional attachment from the local citizens are weak. In the present paper, a proposal for the recovery and regeneration of the UBBGs is structured in three subsequent phases. Primarily, the detection of physiological and mechanical issues in arboreal collection occurs by visual and instrumental analyses. A GIS-based system links the data to each tree and allows to upload them in digital databases. In the second phase, iconic \u201ctotem\u201d trees are selected to host GPS-triggered interpretive features available to users via digital application on mobile devices. To make use of them, people are asked to log in and supply basic information, including (I) age class, (II) provenance, (III) time for visiting, and (IV) reasons for visiting. Extemporary quizzes, digital puzzles, and themed treasure hunts are also delivered during the tour basing on visitors' information and played features. At the end of the tour, personal satisfaction is assessed by a star-rating system, besides the selection of the most and least enjoyed features. In the last phase, satellite gardens are newly established, in neglected or abandoned urban sites, and users are also involved in data collection; therefore, fostering participatory citizen science. Hence, a long-term management plan for the arboreal collections is defined. Technological features improve the accessibility and intelligibility of UBBGs to visiting people, reviving their educational and recreational roles