Promotion of proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by LncRNA00673 based on the targeted-regulation of notch signaling pathway

we read with great interest the paper by Dr. Chen et al1, recently published in European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences and titled ‘‘Promotion of proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by LncRNA00673 based on the targeted-regulation of notch signaling pathway’’. Authors concluded that lncRNA00673 is highly expressed and may be a potential target for the treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Moreover, according to authors, it can promote the proliferation and metastasis of HCC by the regulation of Notch signaling pathway. We congratulate the authors for their interesting work

single grain grinding an experimental and fem assessment

Abstract Peripheral grinding is inherently complex due to peculiar factors such as: the non deterministic microgeometry of the grinding wheel, the composition of the grinding wheel, essentially non homogeneous, the cutting process dynamics, where the grains' cutting edges operate on a surface whose microgeometry is the result of the cutting actions of the preceding abrasive grains. This paper compares the results of the experimental analysis of the effect of single cutting grains on the actual microgeometry of worked surfaces, and the results obtained by a FEM cutting model where the measured microgeometry of the cutting grains is considered

Metagenomic analysis through the extended Burrows-Wheeler transform

Background: The development of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) has had a major impact on the study of genetic sequences. Among problems that researchers in the field have to face, one of the most challenging is the taxonomic classification of metagenomic reads, i.e., identifying the microorganisms that are present in a sample collected directly from the environment. The analysis of environmental samples (metagenomes) are particularly important to figure out the microbial composition of different ecosystems and it is used in a wide variety of fields: for instance, metagenomic studies in agriculture can help understanding the interactions between plants and microbes, or in ecology, they can provide valuable insights into the functions of environmental communities. Results: In this paper, we describe a new lightweight alignment-free and assembly-free framework for metagenomic classification that compares each unknown sequence in the sample to a collection of known genomes. We take advantage of the combinatorial properties of an extension of the Burrows-Wheeler transform, and we sequentially scan the required data structures, so that we can analyze unknown sequences of large collections using little internal memory. The tool LiME (Lightweight Metagenomics via eBWT) is available at https://github.com/veronicaguerrini/LiME. Conclusions: In order to assess the reliability of our approach, we run several experiments on NGS data from two simulated metagenomes among those provided in benchmarking analysis and on a real metagenome from the Human Microbiome Project. The experiment results on the simulated data show that LiME is competitive with the widely used taxonomic classifiers. It achieves high levels of precision and specificity - e.g. 99.9% of the positive control reads are correctly assigned and the percentage of classified reads of the negative control is less than 0.01% - while keeping a high sensitivity. On the real metagenome, we show that LiME is able to deliver classification results comparable to that of MagicBlast. Overall, the experiments confirm the effectiveness of our method and its high accuracy even in negative control samples

Abrasive Grains Micro Geometry: A Comparison between Two Acquisition Methods

Abstract One of the aspects that makes difficult grinding processes modelling is the non-deterministic nature of the cutting tool, in particular the abrasive grains of the grinding wheel have a random distribution and an undefined geometry that influences the grinding forces. In order to develop a reliable 3D model of the grinding process the actual microgeometry of abrasive grains must be acquired. This paper compares the results of two different acquisition methods: the geometry acquired via a laser non-contact instrument is confronted with the one acquired using a computer tomography; the accuracy of the grain micro geometry provided by the two approaches is discussed

Cyclic response of masonry piers retrofitted with timber frames and boards

The quasi-static in-plane cyclic response of two single-leaf calcium silicate unreinforced masonry piers was investigated to show the effectiveness of an innovative timber retrofit solution. The aim of the intervention is to increase the pier in-plane and out-of-plane strength and displacement capacity, thus reducing the seismic vulnerability of this typology of unreinforced masonry construction with a light, cost-effective, sustainable and reversible approach. The retrofit technique consists of a timber frame mechanically connected by means of steel fasteners to the masonry pier and building floors. Oriented strand timber boards are then nailed to the frame. In-plane quasi-static shear-compression cyclic tests were performed on two single-leaf calcium silicate brick piers with identical geometry and masonry mechanical properties: one was tested unstrengthened while the other was tested in the retrofitted configuration. The experimental results showed evident improvements in the lateral force-displacement response of the retrofitted specimen. More specifically, compared with the bare masonry pier, the retrofitted pier exhibited slightly higher stiffness, larger strength and significantly greater displacement capacity

Improving Outcomes Defending Patient Safety: The Learning Journey in Robotic Liver Resections

Background. While laparoscopy is currently adopted for hepatic resections, robotic approaches to the liver have not gained wide acceptance. We decided to analyze the learning curve in the field of robotic liver surgery comparing short-term outcomes between the first and the second half of our series. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed demographics and clinical data of patients who underwent robotic liver resection at our institution from July 2014 through September 2017. 60 patients diagnosed with primary or secondary liver neoplasms or hydatid disease were included in this study. ASA PS >3, heart failure, respiratory insufficiency, and general contraindication to pneumoperitoneum were exclusion criteria. Results. 60 patients were included. We observed a statistically significant decrease in operative time (p<0.001), intraoperative blood loss (p=0.01), and postoperative complications (p<0.001) after 30 cases. From the interpretation of the CUSUM curve, the time of operation appears to be significantly reduced after the first 30 operations. Discussion. This is the first European analysis of the learning curve for robotic liver resection in an HPB and liver transplant referral center. However, more studies are needed to confirm such results outside a HPB referral center. This is crucial to develop formal credentialing protocols for both junior and senior surgeons

EFFECT OF AN INNOVATIVE ISOLATION SYSTEM ON THE SEISMIC RESPONSE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE BUILDING CONTENTS

An experimental study was conducted at the University of Pavia and at the EUCENTRE Foundation (Pavia, Italy) to assess the effectiveness of an innovative seismic isolation device at protecting cultural heritage building contents. The recently patented isolator, named “Kinematic Steel Joint (KSJ)”, is based on a multiple articulated quadrilateral mechanism and is entirely made of steel components obtained by simply cutting, folding, and pinning metal sheets, eventually employing stainless steel to limit corrosion issues. The trajectory imposed by the KSJ isolator to the supported mass combines horizontal with increasing vertical displacements, resulting in a pendulum-type motion with self-centering behavior. The friction developing within the pinned joints can be exploited to grant energy dissipation capacity to the device. The KSJ isolator can be manufactured with different sizes, payloads, and displacement ranges. In fact, seismic isolation can be applied at a global building level as an integrated system or as a retrofit solution in new or existing construction, respectively, or at a local scale as a passive protection technique for non-structural components. Despite their undeniable effectiveness in reducing the seismic accelerations transmitted to the isolated structure and to its content, currently available isolation devices may add significantly to the construction cost of buildings, and may require particular maintenance to preserve a stable performance over time. The proposed KSJ solution will allow for a reduction in manufacturing and maintenance burdens compared to established technologies. This paper discusses the main results of a shake-table test conducted at the EUCENTRE Foundation laboratories on an assembly with four prototypes of the KSJ device. The experimental setup included a 19-t rigid mass supported by the isolators, simulating the building superstructure, and four marble blocks installed above the rigid mass, representing non-structural rocking components such as parapets, pinnacles, statues, or other architectural ornaments. Moreover, a museum showcase with a small-scale replica of Michelangelo’s David was mounted above the rigid block, while two clay vases completed the setup, to encompass additional cultural heritage features. Accelerometers and potentiometers were deployed at several locations to monitor the kinematic response of the individual isolators, as well as their effect on the dynamic response of the rigid mass and of the different non-structural elements. The experiment was conducted first with the KSJ devices allowed to displace freely, then after fastening the rigid mass to the shake-table through post-tensioning rods, following the same incremental dynamic test sequence. This allowed comparing the response of the non-structural components with and without seismic isolation, to better understand the effect of the proposed isolation devices on the overall test assembly and on each sub-component

Displacement demand for nonlinear static analyses of masonry structures: Critical review and improved formulations

This paper discusses different formulations for calculating earthquake‐induced displacement demands to be associated with nonlinear static analysis procedures for the assessment of masonry structures. Focus is placed on systems with fundamental periods between 0.1 and 0.5 s, for which the inelastic displacement amplification is usually more pronounced. The accuracy of the predictive equations is assessed based on the results from nonlinear time‐history analyses, carried out on single‐degree‐of‐freedom oscillators with hysteretic force–displacement relationships representative of masonry structures. First, the study demonstrates some limitations of two established approaches based on the equivalent linearization concept: the capacity spectrum method of the Dutch guidelines NPR 9998‐18, and its version outlined in FEMA 440, both of which overpredict maximum displacements. Two codified formulations relying on inelastic displacement spectra are also evaluated, namely the N2 method of Eurocode 8 and the displacement coefficient method of ASCE 41‐17: the former proves to be significantly unconservative, while the latter is affected by excessive dispersion. A non‐iterative procedure, using an equivalent linear system with calibrated optimal stiffness and equivalent viscous damping, is then proposed to overcome some of the problems identified earlier. A recently developed modified N2 formulation is shown to improve accuracy while limiting the dispersion of the predictions