Recurring retrieval needs in diverse and dynamic dataspaces: Issues and reference framework

Processing information requests over heterogeneous data spaces is very challenging because aimed at guaranteeing user satisfaction with respect to conflicting requirements on result quality and response time. In [3], it has been argued that, in dynamic contexts pre-venting substantial user involvement in interpreting requests, information on similar requests recurring overtime can be exploited during query processing. In this paper, referring to a graph-based modeling of dataspaces and requests, we propose a preliminary approach in this direction centered on the enabling concept of Profiled Graph Query Pattern (PGQP) as an aggregation of information on past evaluations of a set of previously executed queries. The information maintained in PGQP is not query results, as in materialized queries, but can include different kinds of data and metadata

Villous Adenocarcinoma of the Duodenum Invading the Ampulla of Vater: Case Report and Review of Literature

We report a case of villous adenocarcinoma of duodenum arising from the ampulla of Vater with a review of the literature. Although preoperative endoscopic biopsies were performed, no malignancy was identified. Because of the pathological uncertainty we decided to perform a pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy. Microscopic examination demonstrated glandular dysplasia with aspects of villous adenoma and well differentiated adenocarcinoma. We conclude that both in malignant cases and in cases with uncertain diagnosis a pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy is the best surgical treatment because it results in better 5 year survival

Innovative, ecofriendly biosorbent-biodegrading biofilms for bioremediation of oil- contaminated water

Immobilization of microorganisms capable of degrading specific contaminants significantly promotes bioremediation processes. In this study, innovative and ecofriendly biosorbent-biodegrading biofilms have been developed in order to remediate oil-contaminated water. This was achieved by immobilizing hydrocarbon-degrading gammaproteobacteria and actinobacteria on biodegradable oil-adsorbing carriers, based on polylactic acid and polycaprolactone electrospun membranes. High capacities for adhesion and proliferation of bacterial cells were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The bioremediation efficiency of the systems, tested on crude oil and quantified by gas chromatography, showed that immobilization increased hydrocarbon biodegradation by up to 23 % compared with free living bacteria. The resulting biosorbent biodegrading biofilms simultaneously adsorbed 100 % of spilled oil and biodegraded more than 66 % over 10 days, with limited environmental dispersion of cells. Biofilm-mediated bioremediation, using eco-friendly supports, is a low-cost, low-impact, versatile tool for bioremediation of aquatic systems

Innovative ready to use carrier-bacteria devices for bioremediation of oil contaminated water

Bioremediation, that uses microorganisms to remove environmental pollutants, is the best way of restoring the environment due to its low cost and sustainability. Immobilization of microorganisms capable of degrading specific contaminants significantly promotes bioremediation processes. An innovative ready to use bioremediation system to clean up oil-contaminated water was developed immobilizing highly performant marine and soil HC degrading bacteria, on biodegradable oil-absorbing carriers. Two soil Actinobacteria (Gordonia sp. SoCg, Nocardia sp. SoB) and two marine Gammaproteobacteria (Alcanivorax sp. SK2, Oleibacter sp.5), were immobilized on biopolymeric membranes prepared by electrospinning (polylactic acid, PLA and polycaprolactone, PCL). These carriers are characterized by high uptake capacity, oil retention, buoyancy, durability, reusability and recoverability of the oil absorbed. The morphology of the carriers and microbial adhesion and proliferation were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A high capacity of adhesion and proliferation of bacterial cells was observed on membranes after 5 days. The bioremediation efficiency of the carrier-bacteria systems was tested on crude oil by GC-FID analysis and compared whit planktonic cells. The bacterial immobilization on PLA and PCL membranes was a promoting factor for biodegradation, increasing hydrocarbon removal up to 20%, in respect to planktonic cells. Biofilm-mediated bioremediation is a versatile tool to be developed for in situ and ex situ bioremediation of aquatic systems. Several applications can be designed to exploit both the high oil uptake capacity of the carriers, and the biodegradation potential of autochtonous microrganisms and/or of selected microorganisms that are immobilized on the carriers before exposure to the contaminated site

Vitiligo and autoimmune thyroid disorders

Vitiligo represents the most common cause of acquired skin, hair and oral depigmentation, affecting 0.5-1% of the population worldwide. It is clinically characterized by the appearance of disfiguring circumscribed skin macules following melanocyte destruction by autoreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Patients affected by vitiligo usually show a poorer quality of life and are more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms, particularly evident in dark-skinned individuals. Although vitiligo is a non-fatal disease, exposure of affected skin to UV light increases the chance of skin irritation and predisposes to skin cancer. In addition, vitiligo has been associated to other rare systemic disorders due to presence of melanocytes in other body districts, such as in the eyes, auditory, nervous and cardiac tissues, where melanocytes are thought to have roles different from that played in the skin. Several pathogenetic models have been proposed to explain vitiligo onset and progression, but clinical and experimental findings point mainly to the autoimmune hypothesis as the most qualified one. In this context, it is of relevance the strong association of vitiligo with other autoimmune diseases, in particular with autoimmune thyroid disorders, such as Hashimoto thyroiditis and Graves’ disease. In this review, after a brief overview of vitiligo and its pathogenesis, we will describe the clinical association between vitiligo and autoimmune thyroid disorders and discuss the possible underlying molecular mechanism(s)

Spliced DNA sequences in the Paramecium germline: their properties and evolutionary potential

Despite playing a crucial role in germline-soma differentiation, the evolutionary significance of developmentally regulated genome rearrangements (DRGRs) has received scant attention. An example of DRGR is DNA splicing, a process that removes segments of DNA interrupting genic and/or intergenic sequences. Perhaps, best known for shaping immune-system genes in vertebrates, DNA splicing plays a central role in the life of ciliated protozoa, where thousands of germline DNA segments are eliminated after sexual reproduction to regenerate a functional somatic genome. Here, we identify and chronicle the properties of 5,286 sequences that putatively undergo DNA splicing (i.e., internal eliminated sequences [IESs]) across the genomes of three closely related species of the ciliate Paramecium (P. tetraurelia, P. biaurelia, and P. sexaurelia). The study reveals that these putative IESs share several physical characteristics. Although our results are consistent with excision events being largely conserved between species, episodes of differential IES retention/excision occur, may have a recent origin, and frequently involve coding regions. Our findings indicate interconversion between somatic—often coding—DNA sequences and noncoding IESs, and provide insights into the role of DNA splicing in creating potentially functional genetic innovation

Spectrophotometric Detection of Nickel in Water by Lab-on-a-chip Technology: Application to Electroplating

Nickel is a metal member of the transition series in the periodic table, and as such shows outstanding properties interesting to the world of industry, namely corrosion resistance to air, water and alkali and electrical conductivity. In fact, nickel is widely employed in electroplating, where high analyte concentrations, up to 100g/L, are required to achieve excellent final results. The process monitoring is required not only to ensure constant and adequate metal-finishing concentration but also to guarantee the safety of wastewater products. To detect nickel, either in high and low metal concentration, a colorimetric method was selected. The spectrophotometric study reveals a well-defined absorption peak at 396nm, giving a calibration curve with remarkable linearity toward metal concentrations, ranging from 1 to 22g/L. By proper optimization process, the detection field can be simply enlarged at least from 100 g/L (100000ppm) to 3*10-3 g/L (3ppm). Due to the presence of an acid part in the electroplating bath, the behaviour of the metal in an acid solution has also been investigated, and the calibration curve still depicts a good linearity of the system. Achieved results pointed out the suggested colorimetric method as a promising candidate for addressing the requirement for capillary and regular monitoring of nickel in water, throughout a wide range of concentrations.The laboratory method may be readily improved and adapted for microfluidic technology by lowering sample and reagent amounts, miniaturizing sensors, and automating the entire process, from sampling to data recover