Effect of homocysteine and nitric oxide levels on specific Computed Axial Tomography measurements in Alzheimer disease

Abstract The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of Homocysteine (Hcy) and nitric oxide (NO) levels on specific Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) measurements, as global brain atrophy and brain vascular lesion in Alzheimer Disease (AD) and in Vascular Dementia (VD) patients. We have analysed serum Hcy and NO levels in AD patients and compared the findings with those in VD patients and control subjects. Moreover we have studied the correlation of Hcy and NO levels with cognitive impairment and brain atrophy determined by Computed Axial Tomography. Hcy serum levels significantly increased in all demented patients compared to control group, independently from the dementia type. On the contrary, no differences were observed in NO serum levels between groups. Moreover, we found significant correlation between Hcy and brain atrophy in both demented groups; whereas NO levels correlated only in AD, but not in VD patients. The pathogenic effect of Hcy either in AD and VD patients appears to confirm a definitive vascular component in AD. As regards NO, our results highlight the role of NO as a beneficial molecule in AD and support the use of NO mimetics as an antineurodegenerative therapy for AD patients

Use of Nanoparticles as Nanoelectrodes in Contact-Less Cell Membrane Permeabilization by Time-Varying Magnetic Field: A Computational Study

This paper describes a computational approach for the assessment of electric field enhancement by using highly conductive gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in time-varying electromagnetic fields cell membrane permeabilization, estimating the influence of the presence of Au NPs on transmembrane potential and on the pore opening dynamics. To account for variability and uncertainty about geometries and relative placement and aggregations of the Au NPs, three different NP configurations were considered: spherical Au NPs equally spaced around the cell; cubic Au NPs, for accounting for the possible edge effect, equally spaced around the cell; and spherical Au NPs grouped in clusters. The results show that the combined use of Au NPs and a time-varying magnetic field can significantly improve the permeabilization of cell membranes. The variability of NPs' geometries and configurations in proximity of the cell membrane showed to have a strong influence on the pore opening mechanism. The study offers a better comprehension of the mechanisms, still not completely understood, underlying cell membrane permeabilization by time-varying magnetic fields

Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging to identify pseudocapsule invasion in renal tumors

Purpose: To evaluate accuracy of MRI in detecting renal tumor pseudocapsule (PC) invasion and to propose a classification based on imaging of PC status in patients with renal cell carcinoma. Methods: From January 2017 to June 2018, 58 consecutive patients with localized renal cell carcinoma were prospectively enrolled. MRI was performed preoperatively and PC was classified, according to its features, as follows: MRI-Cap 0 (absence of PC), MRI-Cap 1 (presence of a clearly identifiable PC), MRI-Cap 2 (focally interrupted PC), and MRI-Cap 3 (clearly interrupted and infiltrated PC). A 3D image reconstruction showing MRI-Cap score was provided to both surgeon and pathologist to obtain complete preoperative evaluation and to compare imaging and pathology reports. All patients underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. In surgical specimens, PC was classified according to the renal tumor capsule invasion scoring system (i-Cap). Results: A concordance between MRI-Cap and i-Cap was found in 50/58 (86%) cases. ρ coefficient for each MRI-cap and iCap categories was: MRI-Cap 0: 0.89 (p < 0.0001), MRI-Cap1: 0.75 (p < 0.0001), MRI-Cap 2: 0.76 (p < 0.0001), and MRI-Cap3: 0.87 (p < 0.0001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and AUC were: MRI-Cap 0: Se 97.87% Spec 83.3%, PPV 95.8%, NPV 90.9%, and AUC 90.9; MRI-Cap 1: Se 77% Spec 95.5%, PPV 83.3%, NPV 93.5%, and AUC 0.86; MRI-Cap 2- iCap 2: Se 88% Spec 90%, PPV 79%, NPV 95%, and AUC 0.89; MRI-Cap 3: Se 94% Spec 95%, PPV 88%, NPV 97%, and AUC 0.94. Conclusions: MRI-Cap classification is accurate in evaluating renal tumor PC features. PC features can provide an imaging-guided landmark to figure out where a minimal margin could be preferable during nephron-sparing surgery

Antifungal activities of the essential oil of five species of Juniperus from Argentina

The chemical composition of the leaf oils of five Juniperus species (Juniperus sabina L., Juniperus communis Lam., Juniperus scopulorum Sarg., Juniperus virginiana L., Juniperus chinensis L., Cupressaceae) was determined by co-chromatography with authentic samples, GC-MS and Kováts retention indices. Sabinene was the most abundant component in the oils of Juniperus from western Patagonia Argentina. However, limonene and germacrene B constituted 25.1% and 11.5% of the oil of J. sabina. J. virginiana showed high concentration of alpha-humulene and limonene (31.4 and 15.9% respectively), while isobornyl acetate and germacrene B were also the main compounds of J. chinensis. Essential oils extracted of Juniperus were evaluated in vitro for their efficacy against Fusarium verticillioides, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Candida albicans and Rhodotorula infection. Candida albicans was not inhibited for the essential oils of Juniperus. However, F. verticillioides, A. flavus, A. parasiticus and Rhodotorula were inhibited for these oils.Juniperus species (Juniperus sabina L., Juniperus communis Lam., Juniperus scopulorum Sarg., Juniperus virginiana L., Juniperus chinensis L., Cupressaceae) was determined by co-chromatography with authentic samples, GC-MS and Kováts retention indices. Sabinene was the most abundant component in the oils of Juniperus from western Patagonia Argentina. However, limonene and germacrene B constituted 25.1% and 11.5% of the oil of J. sabina. J. virginiana showed high concentration of alpha-humulene and limonene (31.4 and 15.9% respectively), while isobornyl acetate and germacrene B were also the main compounds of J. chinensis. Essential oils extracted of Juniperus were evaluated in vitro for their efficacy against Fusarium verticillioides, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Candida albicans and Rhodotorula infection. Candida albicans was not inhibited for the essential oils of Juniperus. However, F. verticillioides, A. flavus, A. parasiticus and Rhodotorula were inhibited for these oils.Fil: Dambolena, José Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Meriles, Jose Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: López, Abel Gerardo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencias y Tecnología de los Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Gallucci, Mauro Nicolas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Santiago del Estero. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Santiago del Estero; ArgentinaFil: González, Silvia Beatriz. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Comodoro; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencias y Tecnología de los Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Guerra, Pedro E.. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "san Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ingeniería - Sede Esquel. Departamento de Ingeniería Forestal. Cátedra de Suelos Forestales; ArgentinaFil: Bruno, Antonella. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencias y Tecnología de los Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Zunino, María Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentin

Actividad antifúngica del aceite esencial de cinco especies de Juniperus de Argentina

The chemical composition of the leaf oils of five Juniperus species (Juniperus sabina L., Juniperus communis Lam., Juniperus scopulorum Sarg., Juniperus virginiana L., Juniperus chinensis L., Cupressaceae) was determined by co-chromatography with authentic samples, GC-MS and Kováts retention indices. Sabinene was the most abundant component in the oils of Juniperus from western Patagonia Argentina. However, limonene and germacrene B constituted 25.1% and 11.5% of the oil of J. sabina. J. virginiana showed high concentration of alpha-humulene and limonene (31.4 and 15.9% respectively), while isobornyl acetate and germacrene B were also the main compounds of J. chinensis. Essential oils extracted of Juniperus were evaluated in vitro for their efficacy against Fusarium verticillioides, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Candida albicans and Rhodotorula infection. Candida albicans was not inhibited for the essential oils of Juniperus. However, F. verticillioides, A. flavus, A. parasiticus and Rhodotorula were inhibited for these oils.La composición de los aceites esenciales de la hoja de cinco especies de Juniperus (Juniperus sabina L., Juniperus communis Lam., Juniperus scopulorum Sarg., Juniperus virginiana L., Juniperus chinensis L., Cupressaceae), se determinó mediante una co-cromatografía con muestras auténticas de dos columnas de diferente polaridad, CG-EM y los índices de retención de Kovats. El sabineno fue el componente más abundante en los aceites de Juniperus del oeste de la Patagonia Argentina. Sin embargo, el limoneno y el germacreno B son otros componentes importantes del aceite esencial de J. sabina con el 25,1% y 11,5% respectivamente. En J. virginiana el alfa-humuleno y el limoneno (con el 31,4% y 15.9% respectivamente) mostraron ser también importantes, mientras que el acetato de isobornilo y el germacreno B fueron también los principales componentes de la J. chinensis. Los aceites esenciales extraídos de Juniperus se evaluaron in vitro para determinar su eficacia contra Fusarium verticillioides, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Candida albicans y Rhodotorula. Candida albicans no se inhibió por la acción de los aceites esenciales de Juniperus. Sin embargo, F. verticillioides, A. flavus, A. parasiticus y Rhodotorula fueron inhibidos

Providing a nurse-led complex nursing INtervention FOcused on quality of life assessment on advanced cancer patients: The INFO-QoL pilot trial.

PURPOSE Unmet needs for advanced-disease cancer patients are fatigue, pain, and emotional support. Little information is available about the feasibility of interventions focused on patient-reported outcome measurement developed according to the Medical Research Council (MRC) Framework in advanced-disease cancer patients. We aimed to pilot a nurse-led complex intervention focused on QoL assessment in advanced-disease cancer patients. METHODS The INFO-QoL study was based on an exploratory, nonequivalent comparison group, pre-test-post-test design. Study sites received either the INFO-QoL intervention or usual care. Adult advanced-disease cancer patients admitted to hospice inpatient units that gave their informed consent were included in the study. Subjects were 187 patients and their families and 19 healthcare professionals. We evaluated feasibility, acceptability, and patients' outcomes using the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale. RESULTS Nineteen healthcare professionals were included. The mean competence score increased significantly over time (p < 0.001) and the mean usefulness score was high 8.63 (±1.36). In the post-test phase, 54 patients were allocated to the experimental unit and 36 in the comparison unit. Compared to the comparison unit, in the experimental unit anxiety (R2 = 0.07; 95% CI = -0.06; 0.19), family anxiety (R2 = 0.22; 95% CI = -0.03; 0.41), depression (R2 = 0.31; 95% CI = -0.05; 0.56) and sharing feelings (R2 = 0.09; 95% CI = -0.05; 0.23), were improved between pre-test and post-test phase. CONCLUSIONS The INFO-QoL was feasible and potentially improved psychological outcomes. Despite the high attrition rate, the INFO-QoL improved the quality and safety culture for patients in palliative care settings

Protocol of the Italian Radical Cystectomy Registry (RIC): a non-randomized, 24-month, multicenter study comparing robotic-assisted, laparoscopic, and open surgery for radical cystectomy in bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is the ninth most common type of cancer worldwide. In the past, radical cystectomy via open surgery has been considered the gold-standard treatment for muscle invasive bladder cancer. However, in recent years there has been a progressive increase in the use of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy. The aim of the current project is to investigate the surgical, oncological, and functional outcomes of patients with bladder cancer who undergo radical cystectomy comparing three different surgical techniques (robotic-assisted, laparoscopic, and open surgery). Pre-, peri- and post-operative factors will be examined, and participants will be followed for a period of up to 24\u2009months to identify risks of mortality, oncological outcomes, hospital readmission, sexual performance, and continence

Protocol of the Italian Radical Cystectomy Registry (RIC): a non-randomized, 24-month, multicenter study comparing robotic-assisted, laparoscopic, and open surgery for radical cystectomy in bladder cancer

Background: Bladder cancer is the ninth most common type of cancer worldwide. In the past, radical cystectomy via open surgery has been considered the gold-standard treatment for muscle invasive bladder cancer. However, in recent years there has been a progressive increase in the use of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy. The aim of the current project is to investigate the surgical, oncological, and functional outcomes of patients with bladder cancer who undergo radical cystectomy comparing three different surgical techniques (robotic-assisted, laparoscopic, and open surgery). Pre-, peri- and post-operative factors will be examined, and participants will be followed for a period of up to 24 months to identify risks of mortality, oncological outcomes, hospital readmission, sexual performance, and continence. Methods: We describe a protocol for an observational, prospective, multicenter, cohort study to assess patients affected by bladder neoplasms undergoing radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. The Italian Radical Cystectomy Registry is an electronic registry to prospectively collect the data of patients undergoing radical cystectomy conducted with any technique (open, laparoscopic, robotic-assisted). Twenty-eight urology departments across Italy will provide data for the study, with the recruitment phase between 1st January 2017-31st October 2020. Information is collected from the patients at the moment of surgical intervention and during follow-up (3, 6, 12, and 24 months after radical cystectomy). Peri-operative variables include surgery time, type of urinary diversion, conversion to open surgery, bleeding, nerve sparing and lymphadenectomy. Follow-up data collection includes histological information (e.g., post-op staging, grading, and tumor histology), short- and long-term outcomes (e.g., mortality, post-op complications, hospital readmission, sexual potency, continence etc). Discussion: The current protocol aims to contribute additional data to the field concerning the short- and long-term outcomes of three different radical cystectomy surgical techniques for patients with bladder cancer, including open, laparoscopic, and robot-assisted. This is a comparative-effectiveness trial that takes into account a complex range of factors and decision making by both physicians and patients that affect their choice of surgical technique. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT04228198 . Registered 14th January 2020- Retrospectively registered

Impaired Innate Immunity in Tlr4−/− Mice but Preserved CD8+ T Cell Responses against Trypanosoma cruzi in Tlr4-, Tlr2-, Tlr9- or Myd88-Deficient Mice

The murine model of T. cruzi infection has provided compelling evidence that development of host resistance against intracellular protozoans critically depends on the activation of members of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family via the MyD88 adaptor molecule. However, the possibility that TLR/MyD88 signaling pathways also control the induction of immunoprotective CD8+ T cell-mediated effector functions has not been investigated to date. We addressed this question by measuring the frequencies of IFN-γ secreting CD8+ T cells specific for H-2Kb-restricted immunodominant peptides as well as the in vivo Ag-specific cytotoxic response in infected animals that are deficient either in TLR2, TLR4, TLR9 or MyD88 signaling pathways. Strikingly, we found that T. cruzi-infected Tlr2−/−, Tlr4−/−, Tlr9−/− or Myd88−/− mice generated both specific cytotoxic responses and IFN-γ secreting CD8+ T cells at levels comparable to WT mice, although the frequency of IFN-γ+CD4+ cells was diminished in infected Myd88−/− mice. We also analyzed the efficiency of TLR4-driven immune responses against T. cruzi using TLR4-deficient mice on the C57BL genetic background (B6 and B10). Our studies demonstrated that TLR4 signaling is required for optimal production of IFN-γ, TNF-α and nitric oxide (NO) in the spleen of infected animals and, as a consequence, Tlr4−/− mice display higher parasitemia levels. Collectively, our results indicate that TLR4, as well as previously shown for TLR2, TLR9 and MyD88, contributes to the innate immune response and, consequently, resistance in the acute phase of infection, although each of these pathways is not individually essential for the generation of class I-restricted responses against T. cruzi

Analisi numerica dell'esposizione a campi elettromagnetici emessi da antenne 5G per telefonia mobile

Il presente lavoro di tesi si è occupato di uno studio della tecnologia 5G, in che modo questa si inserirà nello scenario tecnologico mondiale e in che misura; la tecnologia 5G si inserisce all'interno del progetto di Internet of Things (IoT). Le antenne 5G emettono ad una banda frequenziale molto alta (10-100 GHz). Lo studio si è svolto attraverso il supporto di un software di simulazione elettromagnetica, XFdtd di proprietà della REMCOM, che implementa il metodo FDTD. Nel software sono state simulate due antenne, entrambe montate su un case in policarbonato, la prima alla frequenza f=10 GHz, e la seconda a f=28 GHz. La prima è stata testata in due configurazioni differenti per i quattro membri della Virtual Family. La seconda antenna è in tre configurazioni testate solo sul modello del bimbo. Sono stati calcolati SAR, densità di potenza incidente, gradiente termico e CEM43. E' stato scelto di eseguire la misura di alcuni parametri e la stima di altri in aggiunta a quelli che vengono canonicamente considerati. I risultati ottenuti hanno mostrato un leggero superamento delle soglie ICNIRP, solo nei casi della popolazione giovane e solo in alcuni pattern espositivi