Plasticizer Effect on Dielectric and Relaxation Parameters of Xanthan

The dielectric and relaxation properties of pure and plasticized (with water, glycerol and PPG-200) xanthan were studied by  broadband dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. Within frequency range 10–107 Hz, a solid xanthan and its gels demonstrated two relaxation processes: the β-relaxation and relaxation of gel fragments formed due to xanthan/plasticizer interaction. The relaxation time decreased in the raw of plasticizers: PPG-200 > water > glycerol; the segmental dynamics of xanthan respectively grow. The ionic conductivity of gel samples increased in the following sequence:  water < PPG-200 < glycerol

Monthly intravenous methylprednisolone in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis - reduction of enhancing lesions, T2 lesion volume and plasma prolactin concentrations

BACKGROUND: Intravenous methylprednisolone (IV-MP) is an established treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses, accompanied by rapid, though transient reduction of gadolinium enhancing (Gd+) lesions on brain MRI. Intermittent IV-MP, alone or with immunomodulators, has been suggested but insufficiently studied as a strategy to prevent relapses. METHODS: In an open, single-cross-over study, nine patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS) underwent cranial Gd-MRI once monthly for twelve months. From month six on, they received a single i.v.-infusion of 500 mg methylprednisolone (and oral tapering for three days) after the MRI. Primary outcome measure was the mean number of Gd+ lesions during treatment vs. baseline periods; T2 lesion volume and monthly plasma concentrations of cortisol, ACTH and prolactin were secondary outcome measures. Safety was assessed clinically, by routine laboratory and bone mineral density measurements. Soluble immune parameters (sTNF-RI, sTNF-RII, IL1-ra and sVCAM-1) and neuroendocrine tests (ACTH test, combined dexamethasone/CRH test) were additionally analyzed. RESULTS: Comparing treatment to baseline periods, the number of Gd+ lesions/scan was reduced in eight of the nine patients, by a median of 43.8% (p = 0.013, Wilcoxon). In comparison, a pooled dataset of 83 untreated RR-MS patients from several studies, selected by the same clinical and MRI criteria, showed a non-significant decrease by a median of 14% (p = 0.32). T2 lesion volume decreased by 21% during treatment (p = 0.001). Monthly plasma prolactin showed a parallel decline (p = 0.027), with significant cross-correlation with the number of Gd+ lesions. Other hormones and immune system variables were unchanged, as were ACTH test and dexamethasone-CRH test. Treatment was well tolerated; routine laboratory and bone mineral density were unchanged. CONCLUSION: Monthly IV-MP reduces inflammatory activity and T2 lesion volume in RR-MS

Signaling pathway networks mined from human pituitary adenoma proteomics data

Abstract Background We obtained a series of pituitary adenoma proteomic expression data, including protein-mapping data (111 proteins), comparative proteomic data (56 differentially expressed proteins), and nitroproteomic data (17 nitroproteins). There is a pressing need to clarify the significant signaling pathway networks that derive from those proteins in order to clarify and to better understand the molecular basis of pituitary adenoma pathogenesis and to discover biomarkers. Here, we describe the significant signaling pathway networks that were mined from human pituitary adenoma proteomic data with the Ingenuity pathway analysis system. Methods The Ingenuity pathway analysis system was used to analyze signal pathway networks and canonical pathways from protein-mapping data, comparative proteomic data, adenoma nitroproteomic data, and control nitroproteomic data. A Fisher's exact test was used to test the statistical significance with a significance level of 0.05. Statistical significant results were rationalized within the pituitary adenoma biological system with literature-based bioinformatics analyses. Results For the protein-mapping data, the top pathway networks were related to cancer, cell death, and lipid metabolism; the top canonical toxicity pathways included acute-phase response, oxidative-stress response, oxidative stress, and cell-cycle G2/M transition regulation. For the comparative proteomic data, top pathway networks were related to cancer, endocrine system development and function, and lipid metabolism; the top canonical toxicity pathways included mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative phosphorylation, oxidative-stress response, and ERK/MAPK signaling. The nitroproteomic data from a pituitary adenoma were related to cancer, cell death, lipid metabolism, and reproductive system disease, and the top canonical toxicity pathways mainly related to p38 MAPK signaling and cell-cycle G2/M transition regulation. Nitroproteins from a pituitary control related to gene expression and cellular development, and no canonical toxicity pathways were identified. Conclusions This pathway network analysis demonstrated that mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, cell-cycle dysregulation, and the MAPK-signaling abnormality are significantly associated with a pituitary adenoma. These pathway-network data provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of human pituitary adenoma pathogenesis, and new clues for an in-depth investigation of pituitary adenoma and biomarker discovery.</p

Application of photovoltaic technologies on the roofs of buildings with GIS software = L’applicazione delle tecnologie fotovoltaiche integrate sulle coperture degli edifici con software GIS

Per pianificare l’utilizzo di tecnologie che sfruttano energia rinnovabile su un territorio, in particolare quelle che riguarda il solare, si possono utilizzare i software GIS (Sistemi Informativi Geografici) che consentono di analizzare e rappresentare un dato geo-riferito. In questo studio è stato approfondito il tema dell’utilizzo delle tecnologie fotovoltaiche negli ambienti urbani considerando le ombre portate dall’orografia del territorio e anche quelle del contesto costruito; in particolare sono state valutate le potenzialità delle applicazioni integrate sulle coperture degli edifici. L’analisi si è basata su: l’utilizzo di sistemi informativi geografici e dati LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), l’impiego di software per la ricostruzione tridimensionale degli edifici e per la valutazione dell’irradiazione solare incidente (Ecotect versione 5.5). Dopo una breve descrizione di alcune applicazioni GIS sul fotovoltaico effettuate in Italia e nel mondo, in questo lavoro viene presentata una metodologia di calcolo che consente la valutazione del potenziale fotovoltaico sulle coperture degli edifici con la definizione di un metodo semplificato che è stato verificato sulla base di un monitoraggio effettuato dalla Provincia di Torino. Questo lavoro è scaturito da uno stage che ha visto la collaborazione tra il Politecnico di Torino e il CSI Piemonte