Effect of microwaves on the in situ hydrodistillation of four different Lamiaceae

The development of alternative techniques to classic hydrodistillation (HD) has been prompted because of the drawbacks of the more traditional technique. These drawbacks include: partial thermal degradation, high energy consumption and the fact that it is a time-consuming process. In situ microwave-generated hydrodistillation (MGH) and microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity (MHG) are suitable methods which may improve the preparation of essential oils. In this work, we report a comparison study of HD, MGH and MHG used in the extraction of four plant species cultivated in Piedmont (Italy): lavender, oregano, basil and sage. Both microwave-assisted procedures gave excellent results; in particular the essential oils obtained under MHG were very similar to those obtained with HD. In MGH, the polarity and the physico-chemical properties of the extracted compounds caused bigger differences in essential oil composition

A novel mutation in SACS gene in a family from southern Italy

A form of autosomal recessive spastic ataxia (ARSACS) has been described in the Charlevoix and Saguenay regions of Quebec. So far a frameshift and a nonsense mutation have been identified in the SACS gene. The authors report a new mutation (1859insC), leading to a frameshift with a premature termination of the gene product sacsin, in two sisters from consanguineous parents. The phenotype is similar to previously described patients with ARSACS

RELAP5 simulation of two-phase flow experiments in vertical helical tubes

In the framework of the studies concerning the thermalfluid dynamic phenomena in helicoidal pipes of the innovative nuclear reactor IRIS steam generators, the Department of Nuclear Engineering of the University of Palermo in collaboration with the Politecnico di Torino Department of Energetics has been engaged in a work aimed to adapt, by implementing new suitable models, RELAP5/mod3.2.2β code to simulate the thermalfluid-dynamics and geometries such as the ones involved in helicoidal pipes. In fact this code is based on one-dimensional thermal-hydraulic relationships and presents limitations to model complicated geometry such as helicoidal pipes. Therefore the code was improved with additional correlations that are valid for two-phase flow and allow to overcome the drawbacks. The validation work of the models that were added is based on the experimental data carried out at the Politecnico di Torino Department of Energetics. In this paper it will be shown that the so modified RELAP5 code allows to represent adequately the experimental data

Optical identification of the supersoft X-ray source 1E0035.4-7230 in the Small Magellanic Cloud

We report the identification of the optical counter-part of the SMC super-soft X-ray source 1E0035.4-7230 with a variable star of magnitude B=19.9-20.2 within the 40" Einstein error box. The star shows strong UV excess, a hot, blue continuum and weak lines of high ionization. The lines are redshifted by 3-4A, indicating SMC membership. This object appears similar to CAL 83 and CAL 87 and is probably a binary system hosting an accreting, hydrogen burning white dwarf

Different Effects of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors on Endothelin-1 and Nitric Oxide Balance in Human Vascular Endothelial Cells: Evidence of an Oxidant-Sensitive Pathway

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) are able to reduce the formation of the potent vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 and increase nitric oxide bioavailability in human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). We tested the effects of two sulfhydryl-containing ACE-I, zofenoprilat, and captopril, and two nonsulfhydryl containing ACE-I, enalaprilat and lisinopril, on endothelin-1/nitric oxide balance and oxidative stress in HUVECs. All the four tested ACE-I reduced endothelin-1 secretion and increased nitric oxide metabolite production by HUVECs. However, zofenoprilat (−42% after 8 hours of incubation) was more effective (P < .05) than enalaprilat (−25%), lisinopril (−21%), and captopril (−30%) in reducing endothelin-1 secretion. Similarly, zofenoprilat (+110% after 8 hours of incubation) was more effective (P < .05) than enalaprilat (+64%), lisinopril (+63%), and captopril (+65%) in increasing nitric oxide metabolite production. The effect of ACE-I on endothelin-1 and nitric oxide metabolite production is mediated by the activation of bradykinin B2 receptor being counteracted, at least in part, by a specific antagonist. Zofenoprilat and, to a lesser extent, captopril also reduced oxidative stress in HUVECs. In conclusion, among the four tested ACE-I, zofenoprilat was more effective in improving endothelin-1/nitric oxide balance in HUVECs likely because of its greater antioxidant properties

Variable Phenotype in a P102L Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker Italian Family

Background:Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease is an autosomal dominant prion disease. The clinical features include ataxia, dementia, spastic paraparesis and extrapyramidal signs.Methods:We report a new large Italian family affected by Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease.Results:The four generation pedigree includes 11 patients. The mean age at onset ± SD was 41.4 ± 16.2 years. Mean disease duration to death in four patients was 5.5 ± 1.7 years. Two clinical patterns were evident: cognitive impairment with scarce neurological features or ataxia followed by cognitive impairment. Molecular analysis showed P102L mutation in PRNP gene.Conclusion:Three Italian families have been reported to date. The variable phenotype has already been reported, and does not appear related to the codon 129 polymorphism

Beta-Blocker Use in Older Hospitalized Patients Affected by Heart Failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: An Italian Survey From the REPOSI Register

Beta (β)-blockers (BB) are useful in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF) and concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nevertheless, the use of BBs could induce bronchoconstriction due to β2-blockade. For this reason, both the ESC and GOLD guidelines strongly suggest the use of selective β1-BB in patients with HF and COPD. However, low adherence to guidelines was observed in multiple clinical settings. The aim of the study was to investigate the BBs use in older patients affected by HF and COPD, recorded in the REPOSI register. Of 942 patients affected by HF, 47.1% were treated with BBs. The use of BBs was significantly lower in patients with HF and COPD than in patients affected by HF alone, both at admission and at discharge (admission, 36.9% vs. 51.3%; discharge, 38.0% vs. 51.7%). In addition, no further BB users were found at discharge. The probability to being treated with a BB was significantly lower in patients with HF also affected by COPD (adj. OR, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.37-0.67), while the diagnosis of COPD was not associated with the choice of selective β1-BB (adj. OR, 95% CI: 1.33, 0.76-2.34). Despite clear recommendations by clinical guidelines, a significant underuse of BBs was also observed after hospital discharge. In COPD affected patients, physicians unreasonably reject BBs use, rather than choosing a β1-BB. The expected improvement of the BB prescriptions after hospitalization was not observed. A multidisciplinary approach among hospital physicians, general practitioners, and pharmacologists should be carried out for better drug management and adherence to guideline recommendations

The “Diabetes Comorbidome”: A Different Way for Health Professionals to Approach the Comorbidity Burden of Diabetes

(1) Background: The disease burden related to diabetes is increasing greatly, particularly in older subjects. A more comprehensive approach towards the assessment and management of diabetes’ comorbidities is necessary. The aim of this study was to implement our previous data identifying and representing the prevalence of the comorbidities, their association with mortality, and the strength of their relationship in hospitalized elderly patients with diabetes, developing, at the same time, a new graphic representation model of the comorbidome called “Diabetes Comorbidome”. (2) Methods: Data were collected from the RePoSi register. Comorbidities, socio-demographic data, severity and comorbidity indexes (Cumulative Illness rating Scale CIRS-SI and CIRS-CI), and functional status (Barthel Index), were recorded. Mortality rates were assessed in hospital and 3 and 12 months after discharge. (3) Results: Of the 4714 hospitalized elderly patients, 1378 had diabetes. The comorbidities distribution showed that arterial hypertension (57.1%), ischemic heart disease (31.4%), chronic renal failure (28.8%), atrial fibrillation (25.6%), and COPD (22.7%), were the more frequent in subjects with diabetes. The graphic comorbidome showed that the strongest predictors of death at in hospital and at the 3-month follow-up were dementia and cancer. At the 1-year follow-up, cancer was the first comorbidity independently associated with mortality. (4) Conclusions: The “Diabetes Comorbidome” represents the perfect instrument for determining the prevalence of comorbidities and the strength of their relationship with risk of death, as well as the need for an effective treatment for improving clinical outcomes