Differences between experimental and placebo arms in manual therapy trials: a methodological review

Background: To measure the specific effectiveness of a given treatment in a randomised controlled trial, the intervention and control groups have to be similar in all factors not distinctive to the experimental treatment. The similarity of these non-specific factors can be defined as an equality assumption. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the equality assumptions in manual therapy trials. Methods: Relevant studies were identified through the following databases: EMBASE, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE, Scholar Google, clinicaltrial.gov, the Cochrane Library, chiloras/MANTIS, PubMed Europe, Allied and Complementary Medicine (AMED), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and Sciencedirect. Studies investigating the effect of any manual intervention compared to at least one type of manual control were included. Data extraction and qualitative assessment were carried out independently by four reviewers, and the summary of results was reported following the PRISMA statement. Result: Out of 108,903 retrieved studies, 311, enrolling a total of 17,308 patients, were included and divided into eight manual therapy trials categories. Equality assumption elements were grouped in three macro areas: patient-related, context-related and practitioner-related items. Results showed good quality in the reporting of context-related equality assumption items, potentially because largely included in pre-existent guidelines. There was a general lack of attention to the patient- and practitioner-related equality assumption items. Conclusion: Our results showed that the similarity between experimental and sham interventions is limited, affecting, therefore, the strength of the evidence. Based on the results, methodological aspects for planning future trials were discussed and recommendations to control for equality assumption were provided

Post Quantum Cryptography from Mutant Prime Knots

By resorting to basic features of topological knot theory we propose a (classical) cryptographic protocol based on the `difficulty' of decomposing complex knots generated as connected sums of prime knots and their mutants. The scheme combines an asymmetric public key protocol with symmetric private ones and is intrinsecally secure against quantum eavesdropper attacks.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure

Methodologies synthesis

This deliverable deals with the modelling and analysis of interdependencies between critical infrastructures, focussing attention on two interdependent infrastructures studied in the context of CRUTIAL: the electric power infrastructure and the information infrastructures supporting management, control and maintenance functionality. The main objectives are: 1) investigate the main challenges to be addressed for the analysis and modelling of interdependencies, 2) review the modelling methodologies and tools that can be used to address these challenges and support the evaluation of the impact of interdependencies on the dependability and resilience of the service delivered to the users, and 3) present the preliminary directions investigated so far by the CRUTIAL consortium for describing and modelling interdependencies

Il terremoto del 21 giugno 2013 in Lunigiana. Le attività del coordinamento Sismiko

Il 21 giugno 2013 alle ore 10.33 UTC è stato registrato dalla Rete Sismica Nazionale (RSN) [Amato e Mele, 2008; Delladio, 2011] dell’Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) un terremoto di magnitudo (ML) 5.2 nel distretto sismico1 denominato “Alpi Apuane” tra i comuni di Minucciano in provincia di Lucca e Fivizzano e Casola in provincia di Massa e Carrara, zona conosciuta come “Lunigiana”. L’evento sismico, localizzato dai sismologi in turno presso la sala di sorveglianza sismica di Roma [Basili, 2011] con coordinate 44.153°N e 10.135° E e una profondità di circa 5 km è stato ben risentito in tutta la penisola centro-settentrionale ed è stato seguito in poche ore da numerosi eventi anche di ML ≥ 3.0 (16 nelle prime 72 ore). Storicamente l’area oggetto della sequenza sismica è stata interessata da numerosi terremoti di magnitudo superiore a 5.0 il più grande dei quali quello avvenuto nel 1920 nella zona della Garfagnana (fonte dati: Catalogo Parametrico dei Terremoti Italiani - CPTI11 [Rovida et al., 2011]), ad una distanza di circa 12 km dal mainshock odierno, interessata anch’essa da una piccola sequenza sismica a gennaio del 2013. In considerazione dell’entità dell’evento e seguendo le procedure definite per le situazioni di emergenza internamente all’INGV anche in accordo con l’Allegato A2 della Convenzione vigente 2012- 20203 fra l’ente e il Dipartimento di Protezione Civile (DPC), è stata attivata la Rete Sismica Mobile della sede INGV di Roma (Re.Mo. [Moretti et al., 2010]). Nell’arco di tempo di poco più un’ora dall’accadimento del mainshock è stata disposta l’installazione di una rete sismica temporanea costituita da sei stazioni a integrazione delle reti sismiche permanenti già presenti in area epicentrale (RSN e Regional Seismic network of North-Western Italy – RSNI [Ferretti et al., 2008; 2010; Eva et al., 2010; Pasta et al., 2011]). Nel contempo sono stati consultati tramite e-mail i referenti delle unità di rete sismica mobile delle altre sedi INGV che nell’ambito del coordinamento “Sismiko” [Moretti et al., 2012] negli ultimi due anni hanno dato la propria disponibilità, in termini di personale e strumentazione, ad intervenire in caso di emergenza sismica; sono stati inoltre contattati i colleghi del Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell’Ambiente e della Vita, dell’Università degli Studi di Genova (DISTAV) i più vicini all’area epicentrale e gestori della RSNI che hanno comunicato loro stessi l’intenzione di installare due stazioni temporanee, una in real-time e una in configurazione stand-alone. In questo lavoro viene descritta l’attività compiuta dalla Rete Sismica Mobile INGV, la tempistica dell’intervento effettuato in sinergia con i colleghi dell’Università di Genova, i dettagli circa l'installazione e la gestione delle stazioni sismiche temporanee nel primo mese di attività e una valutazione del dataset acquisito

Has VZV epidemiology changed in Italy? Results of a seroprevalence study

The aim of the study was to evaluate if and how varicella prevalence has changed in Italy. In particular a seroprevalence study was performed, comparing it to similar surveys conducted in pre-immunization era. During 2013–2014, sera obtained from blood samples taken for diagnostic purposes or routine investigations were collected in collaboration with at least one laboratory/center for each region, following the approval of the Ethics Committee. Data were stratified by sex and age. All samples were processed in a national reference laboratory by an immunoassay with high sensitivity and specificity. Statutory notifications, national hospital discharge database and mortality data related to VZV infection were analyzed as well. A total of 3707 sera were collected and tested. In the studied period both incidence and hospitalization rates decreased and about 5 deaths per year have been registered. The seroprevalence decreased in the first year of life in subjects passively protected by their mother, followed by an increase in the following age classes. The overall antibody prevalence was 84%. The comparison with surveys conducted with the same methodology in 1996–1997 and 2003–2004 showed significant differences in age groups 1–19 y. The study confirms that in Italy VZV infection typically occurs in children. The impact of varicella on Italian population is changing. The comparison between studies performed in different periods shows a significant increase of seropositivity in age class 1–4 years, expression of vaccine interventions already adopted in some regions

Giorgio Fiocco: a jolly good fellow and his research

In celebrating the 70th birthday of Giorgio Fiocco we recall that his scientifi c production includes some pioneering work in a number of fi elds where he set important milestones. In particular, several of his papers represent the fi rst published evidence in certain fi elds and triggered such a large fl ow of research, new developments and new paper production that the original source is almost forgotten. Here the topics where his contribution was of pioneering importance are briefl y recalled and his original works cited

Instances and connectors : issues for a second generation process language

This work is supported by UK EPSRC grants GR/L34433 and GR/L32699Over the past decade a variety of process languages have been defined, used and evaluated. It is now possible to consider second generation languages based on this experience. Rather than develop a second generation wish list this position paper explores two issues: instances and connectors. Instances relate to the relationship between a process model as a description and the, possibly multiple, enacting instances which are created from it. Connectors refers to the issue of concurrency control and achieving a higher level of abstraction in how parts of a model interact. We believe that these issues are key to developing systems which can effectively support business processes, and that they have not received sufficient attention within the process modelling community. Through exploring these issues we also illustrate our approach to designing a second generation process language.Postprin

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and breast cancer: Beyond the prognostic and predictive utility

The importance of the immune system as a potent anti-tumor defense has been consolidated in recent times, and novel immune-related therapies are today demonstrating a strong clinical benefit in the setting of several solid neoplasms. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes reflect the attempt of the host to eradicate malignancies, and during the last decades, they have been shown to possess an interesting prognostic utility for breast cancer, especially in case of HER2 positive and triple-negative molecular subtypes. In parallel, the clinical evaluation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes has been shown to effectively predict treatment outcomes in both neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. Currently, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are promising further predictive utility in view of novel immune-related therapeutic strategies which are coming into the clinical setting launching a solid rationale for the future next-generation treatment options. In this scenario, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes might represent an important resource for the selection of the most appropriate therapeutic strategy, as well as further evaluations of the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and the immunoediting process would eventually provide new insights to augment therapeutic success. Considering these perspectives, we review the potential utility of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in the definition of breast cancer prognosis and in the prediction of treatment outcomes, along with the new promising molecular-based therapeutic discoverie

Il terremoto del 21 giugno 2013 in Lunigiana. Le attività del coordinamento Sismiko

Il 21 giugno 2013 alle ore 10.33 UTC è stato registrato dalla Rete Sismica Nazionale (RSN) [Amato e Mele, 2008; Delladio, 2011] dell’Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) un terremoto di magnitudo (ML) 5.2 nel distretto sismico1 denominato “Alpi Apuane” tra i comuni di Minucciano in provincia di Lucca e Fivizzano e Casola in provincia di Massa e Carrara, zona conosciuta come “Lunigiana”. L’evento sismico, localizzato dai sismologi in turno presso la sala di sorveglianza sismica di Roma [Basili, 2011] con coordinate 44.153°N e 10.135° E e una profondità di circa 5 km è stato ben risentito in tutta la penisola centro-settentrionale ed è stato seguito in poche ore da numerosi eventi anche di ML ≥ 3.0 (16 nelle prime 72 ore). Storicamente l’area oggetto della sequenza sismica è stata interessata da numerosi terremoti di magnitudo superiore a 5.0 il più grande dei quali quello avvenuto nel 1920 nella zona della Garfagnana (fonte dati: Catalogo Parametrico dei Terremoti Italiani - CPTI11 [Rovida et al., 2011]), ad una distanza di circa 12 km dal mainshock odierno, interessata anch’essa da una piccola sequenza sismica a gennaio del 2013. In considerazione dell’entità dell’evento e seguendo le procedure definite per le situazioni di emergenza internamente all’INGV anche in accordo con l’Allegato A2 della Convenzione vigente 2012- 20203 fra l’ente e il Dipartimento di Protezione Civile (DPC), è stata attivata la Rete Sismica Mobile della sede INGV di Roma (Re.Mo. [Moretti et al., 2010]). Nell’arco di tempo di poco più un’ora dall’accadimento del mainshock è stata disposta l’installazione di una rete sismica temporanea costituita da sei stazioni a integrazione delle reti sismiche permanenti già presenti in area epicentrale (RSN e Regional Seismic network of North-Western Italy – RSNI [Ferretti et al., 2008; 2010; Eva et al., 2010; Pasta et al., 2011]). Nel contempo sono stati consultati tramite e-mail i referenti delle unità di rete sismica mobile delle altre sedi INGV che nell’ambito del coordinamento “Sismiko” [Moretti et al., 2012] negli ultimi due anni hanno dato la propria disponibilità, in termini di personale e strumentazione, ad intervenire in caso di emergenza sismica; sono stati inoltre contattati i colleghi del Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell’Ambiente e della Vita, dell’Università degli Studi di Genova (DISTAV) i più vicini all’area epicentrale e gestori della RSNI che hanno comunicato loro stessi l’intenzione di installare due stazioni temporanee, una in real-time e una in configurazione stand-alone. In questo lavoro viene descritta l’attività compiuta dalla Rete Sismica Mobile INGV, la tempistica dell’intervento effettuato in sinergia con i colleghi dell’Università di Genova, i dettagli circa l'installazione e la gestione delle stazioni sismiche temporanee nel primo mese di attività e una valutazione del dataset acquisito.Published1-345T. Sorveglianza sismica e operatività post-terremotoN/A or not JCRope