Finite-Element Analysis of Temperature Increase in Vascularized Biological Tissues Exposed to RF Sources

A new model of numerical dosimetry is proposed for RF exposure. First, the specific absorption rate (SAR) is computed. Then, the heat transfer governed by the bio-heat equation with convection term is numerically solved by a finite-element method (FEM) procedure considering the discrete vascular model of the perfused tissue. By some manipulations of the FEM equations and by generating an adequate FEM mesh, it is possible to solve the thermal convection in the blood vessels considering a one-dimensional domain embedded in the fully three-dimensional domain where only the thermal diffusion is analyzed

Cognitive performance in elderly patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting: A twelve-month follow-up study

Background: It is still a matter of debate if and to what extent carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) impair cognitive functioning in the elderly. Methods: We conducted a nonrandomized clinical trial on subjects with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis comparing CEA (n = 28; 24 males and 4 females; 72.6 ± 5.8 years old) with CAS (n = 29; 17 males and 12 females; 75.1 ± 5.7 years old). Cognition, mood and functional status were evaluated by a broad spectrum of tests performed on the day prior to carotid reopening as well as 3 and 12 months after. Results: No significant differences in scores on cognitive tests including the Babcock story recall test and Rey's auditory verbal learning test (memory), category naming test (verbal fluency), trail-making test parts A and B (attention and executive function) and controlled oral word association test (executive functioning) were observed 3 and 12 months after carotid reopening independent of the technique used. Only scores on the copy drawing test (visuospatial and constructional abilities) slightly but significantly (p < 0.05) worsened in the CAS group 12 months after the intervention. No significant differences between the CEA and CAS groups were detected regarding mood and functional status after 3 and 12 months. Conclusions: CEA and CAS seem to be safe procedures in elderly patients in terms of cognitive, mood and functional status in the short and long term. CAS might be preferred for the shorter hospital stay, but further studies with a larger number of old and oldest old subjects with a longer follow-up are needed to better understand the cost-effectiveness of both treatments

Calcifilassi peniena: una rara complicanza in corso di emodialisi

La calcifilassi rappresenta una condizione clinica severa ed assai grave che si manifesta prevalentemente - ma non esclusivamente - in pazienti affetti da malattia renale cronica (CKD) sottoposti a terapia sostitutiva. Colpisce circa 1′1– 4% della popolazione dialitica (1, 2) e presenta una mortalità assai elevata (60–80%) (3). È caratterizzata clinicamente dalla presenza di ulcerazioni ischemiche a carico della cute e da necrosi conseguente allo sviluppo di calcificazioni distrofiche delle arteriole sottocutanee. L'interessamento penieno è assai raro ed in letteratura ne sono riportate - fino ad oggi - circa 40 segnalazioni. A tale proposito viene descritto il caso di un paziente di 50 anni, seguito presso la nostra UOC che sviluppò tale grave e, purtroppo fatale, complicanza clinica

Comparative studies on the pathogenicity and tissue distribution of three virulence variants of classical swine fever virus, two field isolates and one vaccine strain, with special regard to immunohistochemical investigations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study was to compare the tissue distribution and pathogenicity of three virulence variants of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and to investigate the applicability of various conventional diagnostic procedures.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>64 pigs were divided into three groups and infected with the highly virulent isolate ISS/60, the moderately virulent isolate Wingene'93 and the live attenuated vaccine strain Riems, respectively. Clinical signs, gross and histopathological changes were compared in relation to time elapsed post infection. Virus spread in various organs was followed by virus isolation, by immunohistochemistry, applying monoclonal antibodies in a two-step method and by <it>in situ </it>hybridisation using a digoxigenin-labelled riboprobe.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The tissue distribution data are discussed in details, analyzing the results of the various diagnostic approaches. The comparative studies revealed remarkable differences in the onset of clinical signs as well as in the development of the macro- and microscopical changes, and in the tissue distribution of CSFV in the three experimental groups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The present study demonstrates that in the case of highly and moderately virulent virus variants the virulence does not affect the pattern of the viral spread, however, it influences the outcome, the duration and the intensity of the disease. Immunohistochemistry has the advantage to allow the rapid detection and localisation of the virus, especially in cases of early infection, when clinical signs are still absent. Compared to virus isolation, the advantage of this method is that no cell culture facilities are required. Thus, immunohistochemistry provides simple and sensitive tools for the prompt detection of newly emerging variants of CSFV, including the viruses of very mild virulence.</p

Mucoidy, Quorum Sensing, Mismatch Repair and Antibiotic Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Cystic Fibrosis Chronic Airways Infections

Survival of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis (CF) chronic infections is based on a genetic adaptation process consisting of mutations in specific genes, which can produce advantageous phenotypic switches and ensure its persistence in the lung. Among these, mutations inactivating the regulators MucA (alginate biosynthesis), LasR (quorum sensing) and MexZ (multidrug-efflux pump MexXY) are the most frequently observed, with those inactivating the DNA mismatch repair system (MRS) being also highly prevalent in P. aeruginosa CF isolates, leading to hypermutator phenotypes that could contribute to this adaptive mutagenesis by virtue of an increased mutation rate. Here, we characterized the mutations found in the mucA, lasR, mexZ and MRS genes in P. aeruginosa isolates obtained from Argentinean CF patients, and analyzed the potential association of mucA, lasR and mexZ mutagenesis with MRS-deficiency and antibiotic resistance. Thus, 38 isolates from 26 chronically infected CF patients were characterized for their phenotypic traits, PFGE genotypic patterns, mutations in the mucA, lasR, mexZ, mutS and mutL gene coding sequences and antibiotic resistance profiles. The most frequently mutated gene was mexZ (79%), followed by mucA (63%) and lasR (39%) as well as a high prevalence (42%) of hypermutators being observed due to loss-of-function mutations in mutL (60%) followed by mutS (40%). Interestingly, mutational spectra were particular to each gene, suggesting that several mechanisms are responsible for mutations during chronic infection. However, no link could be established between hypermutability and mutagenesis in mucA, lasR and mexZ, indicating that MRS-deficiency was not involved in the acquisition of these mutations. Finally, although inactivation of mucA, lasR and mexZ has been previously shown to confer resistance/tolerance to antibiotics, only mutations in MRS genes could be related to an antibiotic resistance increase. These results help to unravel the mutational dynamics that lead to the adaptation of P. aeruginosa to the CF lung

Gli effetti della Cedu nel diritto amministrativo

Il saggio illustre le ricadute della Convenzione europea dei diritti dell'uomo e delle libert\ue0 fondamentali sul diritto amministrativo nazionale, sia sotto il profilo sostanziale sia sotto il profilo processual

Towards New Tourism Policies: The Role of Fiscal Policy in Increasing Competitiveness

The aim of this article is to analyze the role of fiscal policies in the tourist sector. In this regard, an analysis of competitiveness in the Italian tourist sector has been carried out to prove that governance is one of the major causes of weakness. A study, at regional level, has shown that territorial imbalance on supply, demand, and public spending weakens the overall system. Medium/long-term policies are needed to bring about a recovery. This article discusses the specific role that fiscal policy plays and the tools that could be used to improve competitiveness