Christine et Fritz : du Liebelei de Schnitzler au Liebe d’Ophuls

Liebelei, tourné par Max Ophuls en 1932, est l’adaptation cinématographique de la pièce théâtrale homonyme d’Arthur Schnitzler (1885). L’humble Christine, avec son amour sans conditions et sans espoir pour le noble Fritz, est la protagoniste incontestée du drame de Schnitzler. D’emblée il se forme entre eux deux une opposition socio-économique, qui va durer jusqu’à la fin et ne sera jamais dépassée. Christine ne peut affirmer la réalité de son sentiment, même lors de la mort de Fritz. En effe..

A rare case of solitary brain Langerhans cell histiocytosis with intratumoral hemorrhage in a patient affected by Turner syndrome

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease involving clonal proliferation of cells with characteristics similar to bone marrow-derived Langerhans cells. The case of a young woman, affected by Turner syndrome and a solitary intraparenchymal LCH associated with an osteolytic lesion of the overlying skull, is presented

Development and Techno-Economic Analysis of an Advanced Recycling Process for Photovoltaic Panels Enabling Polymer Separation and Recovery of Ag and Si

Photovoltaic panels were included in EU Directive as WEEE (Wastes of Electric and Electronic Equipment) requiring the implementation of dedicated collection schemes and end-of-life treatment ensuring targets in terms of recycling rate (80%) and recovery rate (85%). Photovoltaic panels are mainly made up of high-quality solar glass (70–90%), but also metals are present in the frames (Al), the cell (Si), and metallic contacts (Cu and Ag). According to the panel composition, about $72 per 100 kg of panels can be recovered by entirely recycling the panel metal content. The PhotoLife process for the treatment of end-of-life photovoltaic panels was demonstrated at pilot scale to recycle high value glass, Al and Cu scraps. A process upgrade is here reported allowing for polymer separation and Ag and Si recycling. By this advanced PhotoLife process, 82% recycling rate, 94% recovery rate, and 75% recoverable value were attained. Simulations demonstrated the economic feasibility of the process at processing capacity of 30,000 metric ton/y of end-of-life photovoltaic panels

A complex pheotype in a girl with a novel heterozygous missense variant (p.Ile56Phe) of the GNAS gene

Background: GNAS is a complex gene that encodes Gsα, a signaling protein that triggers a complex network of pathways. Heterozygous inactivating mutations in Gsα-coding GNAS exons cause hormonal resistance; on the contrary, activating mutations in Gsα result in constitutive cAMP stimulation. Recent research has described a clinical condition characterized by both gain and loss of Gsα function, due to a heterozygous de novo variant of the maternal GNAS allele. Patients and methods: We describe a girl with a complex combination of clinical signs and a new heterozygous GNAS variant. For the molecular analysis of GNAS gene, DNA samples of the proband and her parents were extracted from their peripheral blood samples. In silico analysis was performed to predict the possible in vivo effect of the detected novel genetic variant. The activity of Gsα protein was in vitro analyzed from samples of erythrocyte membranes, recovered from heparinized blood samples. Results: We found a new heterozygous missense c.166A > T-(p.Ile56Phe) GNAS variant in exon 2, inherited from the mother that determined a reduced activity of 50% of Gsα protein function. The analysis of her parents showed a 20-25% reduction in Gsα protein activity in the mother and a normal function in the father. Clinically our patient presented a multisystemic disorder characterized by hyponatremia compatible with a nephrogenic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis, subclinical hyperthyroidism, subclinical hypercortisolism, precocious thelarche and pubarche and congenital bone abnormalities. Conclusions: This is the first time that the new variant c.166A > T (p.Ile56Phe) on exon 2 of GNAS gene, originated on maternal allele, has been described as probable cause of a multisystemic disorder. Although the mutation is associated with a reduced activity of the function of Gsα protein, this unusual phenotype on the contrary suggests a mild functional gain

Predictive Response to Immunotherapy Score: A Useful Tool for Identifying Eligible Patients for Allergen Immunotherapy

A specific predictive tool of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) outcome has not been identified yet. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a disease score referred to as Predictive Response to Immunotherapy Score (PRIS) to predict the response to AIT and identify eligible patients. A total of 110 patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis with or without concomitant asthma were enrolled in this study. Before beginning sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), patients were evaluated by analyzing clinical and laboratory parameters. A specific rating was assigned to each parameter to be combined in a total score named PRIS. At baseline (T0) and follow-up [after 12 (T12) and 24 months (T24) of SLIT], a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to calculate a mean symptom score (MSS). Finally, the percentage variation between the MSS at T0 and at T12 [ΔMSS-12(%)] and T24 [ΔMSS-24 (%)] was measured. We observed a significant improvement of symptoms at T12 and T24 compared to T0 in all groups undergoing SLIT. PRIS was effective in predicting ΔMSS-24 (%) in patients treated with single-allergen SLIT. In addition, PRIS was effective in predicting ΔMSS-24 (%) in both patients with only rhinitis and with concomitant asthma. PRIS assessment can represent a useful tool to individuate potential responders before SLIT prescription

Post-Treatment Edema after Meningioma Radiosurgery is a Predictable Complication

Symptomatic post-treatment edema (PTE) causing seizures, focal deficits, and intracranial hypertension is a rather common complication of meningioma radiosurgery. Factors associated to the occurrence of PTE still needs to be clarified. We retrospectively analyzed our patients' data to identify factors associated with the development of symptomatic PTE. Supposed risk factors were systematically analyzed. Between July 2007 and March 2014, 245 meningiomas in 229 patients were treated by a single fraction or multisession radiosurgery (2-5 fractions) or hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (6-15 fractions) using the CyberKnife system (Accuray Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) at the University Hospital of Messina, Italy. Local tumor control was achieved in 200 of 212 patients with World Health Organization (WHO) Grade I meningiomas (94%) at a mean follow-up of 62 months. Symptomatic PTE on MRI was diagnosed in 19 patients (8.3%) causing seizure (n=17, 89%), aggravating headache (n=12, 63%), or focal deficits (n=13, 68%). Four variables were found to be associated with the likelihood of edema development, including tumor volume > 4.5 mL, non-basal tumor location, tight brain/tumor interface, and atypical histology. Nonetheless, when multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed, only tumor volume and brain-tumor interface turned out to be independent predictors of PTE development. Our results suggest that the factor associated with the risk of developing PTE is associated to characteristics of meningioma rather than to the treatment modality used. Accordingly, an appropriate patient selection is the way to achieve safe treatment and long-term disease control