206 research outputs found
Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. and Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. Mucilage-Based Painting Binders for Conservation of Cultural Heritage
The possibility of using materials from the waste of agricultural products for the conserva- tion of cultural and artistic heritage has led to important technological developments on mortars, plasters, colors, and other applications. In this experimental work, we investigated the binding properties of mucilage obtained from two different species of the genus Opuntia, both collected in Sicily, Italy: Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. and Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. Through chemical acid hydrolysis, and subsequent spectroscopic analysis conducted at 13C-NMR, the main monosaccharide composition of both mucilage was studied, identifying considerable compositional differences. In fact, the mucilage of O. ficus indica had similar total amounts of arabinose (23.65%), galactose (20.87%), and glucose isomers (23.89%), while that of O. stricta was characterized by significant amounts of arabinose (36.48%) and galactose (32.31%) units. The samples were obtained by dispersing pigments on the mucilage and applying the obtained tempera by a brush onto both paper and chalk supports, in order to observe if the colors changed with different substrates. Colorimetric analysis, measuring âE, showed how the same pigment modifies its aspect depending on the binder used. After a two-week UV ageing process, pigments that had dispersed in O. stricta changed their aspect more than those dispersed in O. ficus-indica. Overall, it is also evident how âE data for organic pigments are higher than those for inorganic ones
Augmented Visual Models of Scientific Zoological Collections. A User Experience at the MUSA University Museum
The present work wants to configure itself as a paradigmatic contribution proposing a methodological approach for an augmentedfruition of museums and their exhibits. Currently heritage, museums and the way of experiencing them are undergoing a paradigmshift, due to all the digitalization era, where it has to overcome this transition and take advantage of it, capitalizing on what thesenew technologies have to offer.An augmented fruition experience of a study case is proposed, where the augmented component is configured by combining state-of-the-art techniques with traditional ones. Where rapid prototyping, different survey techniques and augmented reality in fusionwith the standard ways of showcasing objects are used, in the museum center of agricultural sciences (MUSA) of the University ofNaples Federico II in Portici. The augmented fruition for all heritage of the museum is the outcome of a three-way relation madebetween the new technologies and the two key concepts: preservation and divulgation.Where the technologies offer ways to developstrategies, more efficiently, for divulgation and preservation; and the second two facilitate a field of application for pushing the limitof these technologies further and further
Un approccio GIS-BIM per il governo delle trasformazioni urbane. Il caso del comune di Aversa
Lo studio ha lâobiettivo di definire e sperimentare un metodo semiautomatizzato basato sullâintegrazione GIS-BIM che rappresenti uno strumento di supporto per le pubbliche amministrazioni nel processo di rilascio dei titoli abilitativi per interventi sul patrimonio edilizio. Se lâapporto innovativo dello studio Ăš il tentativo di integrare ambienti di conoscenza; il limite Ăš la necessitĂ di una forte interazione tra la lungimiranza della ricerca scientifica e la lentezza dellâapparato burocratic
Liver metastases and SBRT: A new paradigm?
BackgroundThe outstanding innovations made by early diagnosis, novel surgical techniques, effective chemotherapy regimens and conformal radiotherapy, have significantly improved patients overall survival and quality of life. Multidisciplinary approach to cancer has also led to an increased prevalence of patients with few, organ-confined metastases, who can experience long-term survival even if their disease is no longer localized. Liver is one of the most common site for metastatic disease from several cancers, and when metastatic disease is confined to liver, given the ability of this organ to regenerate almost to its optimal volume, surgical resection represents the standard of care because is associated with a better prognosis. Approximately 70â90% of liver metastases, however, are unresectable and a safe, effective alternative therapeutic option is necessary for these patients.Materials and methodsA review of the current literature was performed to analyze the role of SBRT in treating liver metastases from different cancers. A literature search using the terms âSBRTâ and âliver metastasesâ was carried out in PUBMED.ResultsStereotactic body radiation therapy has shown to provide promising results in the treatment of liver metastases, thanks to the ability of this procedure to deliver a conformal high dose of radiation to the target lesion and a minimal dose to surrounding critical tissues.ConclusionStereotactic body radiation therapy is a non-invasive, well-tolerated and effective treatment for patients with liver metastases not suitable for surgical resection
Identification of a BAZ2A Bromodomain Hit Compound by Fragment Joining
The bromodomains of BAZ2A and BAZ2B (bromodomain adjacent to zinc finger domain proteins 2) are among the most hard to drug of the 61 human bromodomains. While little is known about the role of BAZ2B, there is strong evidence for the opportunity of targeting BAZ2A in various cancers. Here, a benzimidazoleâtriazole fragment that binds to the BAZ2A acetyl lysine pocket was identified by a molecular docking campaign and validated by competitive binding assays and X-ray crystallography. Another ligand was observed in close proximity by soaking experiments using the BAZ2A bromodomain preincubated with the benzimidazoleâtriazole fragment. The crystal structure of BAZ2A with the two ligands was employed to design a few benzimidazoleâtriazole derivatives with increased affinity. We also present the engineering of a BAZ2A bromodomain mutant for consistent, high-resolution crystallographic studies
An introduction to the early Holocene eolian deposits of Grotta Romanelli, Apulia, Southern Italy
Due to its geographic position and geomorphological configuration, Grotta Romanelli acted as a sediment trap since at least MIS 5. The so-called âterre bruneâ sequence is a deposit mainly of eolian origin bearing upper Palaeolithic artefacts and fossil remains of vertebrate fauna; it was deposited during the Glacial-Interglacial transition and the Holocene. Sedimentology and mineralogy of this deposit are investigated. The stratigraphic sequence provides a promising archive within which both human and climatic impacts can be studied
Role of Lipoprotein Ratios and Remnant Cholesterol in Patients with Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA)
Background: Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a
clinical situation characterized by evidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI)âaccording to the
Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarctionâwith normal or near-normal coronary arteries
on angiographic study (stenosis < 50%). This condition is extremely variable in etiology, pathogenic
mechanisms, clinical manifestations, prognosis and consequently therapeutic approach. Objective:
The objective of the study was the evaluation of remnant cholesterol (RC), monocyte/high-density
lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and various lipoprotein ratios
in patients with MINOCA in order to establish their validity as predictors of this event. Materials and
Methods: We included 114 patients hospitalized in the Intensive Coronary Care Unit (ICCU) and Hospital Wards of our Hospital Center from 2015 to 2019 who received a diagnosis of MINOCA compared
to a control group of 110 patients without previous cardiovascular events. RC was calculated with the
following formula: RC = total cholesterol (TC) â HDL-C â LDL-C. MHR was calculated by dividing
the monocyte count in peripheral blood by high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels; PLR
was obtained by dividing platelet count by lymphocyte count. We also calculated various lipoprotein ratios, like total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C), low-density
lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C/HDL-C), triglycerides/highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C), and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol/highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C/HDL-C) ratios. Results: The MINOCA group had
higher mean levels of RC (21.3 ± 10.6 vs. 13.2 ± 7.7 mg/dL), MHR (23 ± 0.009 vs. 18.5± 8.3) and PLR
(179.8 ± 246.1 vs. 135 ± 64.7) than the control group. Only the mean values of all calculated lipoprotein ratios were lower in MINOCA patients. Statistical significance was achieved only in the RC
evaluation. Conclusions: Higher levels of RC and MHR were found in patients with MINOCA. We
also observed higher levels of PLR than in the control group. Only various lipoprotein ratios were
lower, but this could reflect the extreme heterogeneity underlying the pathogenic mechanisms of
MINOCA. In patients who receive a diagnosis of MINOCA with a baseline alteration of the lipid
profile and higher levels of cholesterol at admission as well, the evaluation of these parameters could
play an important role, providing more detailed information about their cardiometabolic ris
Effects of sex hormones on bronchial reactivity during the menstrual cycle
Background: Many asthmatic women complain of symptom exacerbations in particular periods, i.e. during pregnancy and menstrual cycles (perimenstrual asthma: PMA)". The goal of this study was to study the effect of the luteal and follicular phases of the menstrual cycle on bronchial reactivity (BR) in a group of asthmatic women. Methods: For this purpose, 36 pre-menopausal women were enrolled and underwent testing for resting pulmonary function, measurement of the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and airway responsiveness to methacholine in the follicular and luteal phases of their menstrual cycles. We also measured plasma hormone levels and levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP; a mediator of bronchial smooth muscle contraction) and testosterone in induced sputum samples. Results: Our study showed that about 30% of the asthmatic women had decreased PC20FEV1.0 in the follicular phase of menstrual cycle with a significant correlation between PC20FEV1.0 and serum testosterone levels. Moreover, marked increases in sputum testosterone levels (mean = 2.6-fold increase) together with significant increases in sputum cAMP concentrations (mean = 3.6-fold increases) were observed during the luteal phase of asthmatic patients, suggesting that testosterone contributes to the pathophysiology of PMA. We excluded the possibility that testosterone directly inhibits phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity as incubating PDE with testosterone in vitro did not reduce PDE catalytic activity. Conclusions: In conclusion, our data show that PC20FEV1.0 was decreased in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle in about 30% of women and was associated with lower cAMP levels in sputum samples, which may contribute to bronchoconstriction. Our results also suggest a link between PMA and testosterone levels. However, whether these findings are of clinical significance in terms of the management of asthma or asthma worsening during the menstrual cycle needs further investigation
Laryngopharyngeal reflux diagnosis in obstructive sleep apnea patients using the pepsin salivary test
Background: To investigate the presence of laryngopharyngeal reflux in
patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) employing the salivary pepsin
concentration method. To compare the results of pepsin concentration with the
severity of the pathology. Methods: Seventy-five OSA patients (44 males, 31
females) were enrolled in the study. For each patient, the AHI (apneaâhypopnea
index) and the BMI (body mass index) were initially evaluated. All the patients
enrolled were assessed using the reflux symptom index (RSI) and the reflux finding
score (RFS) in order to perform a clinical diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux. In
all patients a salivary sample was taken to estimate the presence of pepsin and its
concentration. Results: The incidence of LPR (laryngopharyngeal reflux) in OSA
patients, evaluated using the salivary pepsin concentration test (PEP-test), was
found to be 32% of cases. Linear regression testing did not show any correlation
between AHI and pepsin concentration in salivary samples (p = 0.1). Conclusion: A
high number of patients with OSA seem to show positivity for salivary pepsin,
correlated to an LPR. There does not appear to be a correlation between the severity
of apnea and the grade of salivary pepsin reflux. On the other hand, direct correlation between BMI and the value of pepsin in salivary specimens was
observed
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