Characteristics of the colorectal cancers diagnosed in the early 2000s in Italy. Figures from the IMPATTO study on colorectal cancer screening

The impact of organized screening programmes on colorectal cancer (CRC) can be observed at a population level only several years after the implementation of screening. We compared CRC characteristics by diagnostic modality (screen-detected, non-screen-detected) as an early outcome to monitor screening programme effectiveness. Data on CRCs diagnosed in Italy from 2000 to 2008 were collected by several cancer registries. Linkage with screening datasets made it possible to divide the cases by geographic area, implementation of screening, and modality of diagnosis (screen-detected, non-screen-detected).We compared the main characteristics of the different subgroups of CRCs through multivariate logistic regression models. The study included 23,668 CRCs diagnosed in subjects aged 50-69 years, of which 11.9%were screendetected (N=2,806), all from the North-Centre of Italy. Among screen-detected CRCs, we observed a higher proportion of males, of cases in the distal colon, and a higher mean age of the patients. Compared with pre-screening cases, screen-detected CRCs showed a better distribution by stage at diagnosis (OR for stage III or IV: 0.40, 95%CI: 0.36-0.44) and grading (OR for poorly differentiated CRCs was 0.86, 95%CI: 0.75-1.00). Screen-detected CRCs have more favourable prognostic characteristics than non-screen-detected cases. A renewed effort to implement screening programmes throughout the entire country is recommended

Incidence trends of colorectal cancer in the early 2000s in Italy. Figures from the IMPATTO study on colorectal cancer screening

We utilised the IMPATTO study's archives to describe the 2000-2008 colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence rate trends in Italy, once screening programmes based on the faecal immunochemical test were implemented in different areas. Data on CRCs diagnosed in Italy from 2000 to 2008 in subjects aged 40-79 years were collected by 23 cancer registries. Incidence rate trends were evaluated as a whole and by macro-area (North-Centre and South-Islands), presence of a screening programme, sex, ten-year age class, anatomic site, stage at diagnosis, and pattern of diagnosis (screen-detected, non-screen-detected). The annual percent change (APC) of incidence rate trends, with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI), were computed. The study included 46,857 CRCs diagnosed in subjects aged 40-79 years, of which 2,806 were screendetected. The incidence rates in the North-Centre were higher than in the South and on the Islands. During the study period, screening programmes had been implemented only in the North-Centre and had a significant effect on incidence rates, with an initial sharp increase in incidence, followed by a decrease that started in the 3rd-4th years of screening. These incidence rate trends were exclusively due to modifications in the rates of stage I cases. After screening programmes started, incidence increased in all anatomic sites, particularly in the distal colon. The differential figures introduced by the implementation of screening programmes warrant a continuous surveillance of CRC incidence and mortality trends to monitor the impact of screening at a national level

Cul­tura dell'informazione e gestione dell'ambiente

il volume costituisce uno dei risultati del Progetto Strategico del CNR su Mediterraneo, Ambiente e Sciluppo Economico (MEDASE)

Anelastic phenomena in human dentin below room temperature

The work describes the anelastic behaviour of human dentin below room temperature. Human molars, extracted from individuals as part of their dental treatment, were cut to obtain bar-shaped samples for mechanical spectroscopy (MS) experiments. Repeated cooling-heating cycles in the range 300-100 K have been carried out on the same samples. In the cooling stage of the first cycle Q-1 exhibits a very broad maximum due to a series of phase transformations involving water present in the pores, in the interstices between fibres, between fibrils and inside collagen triple helix. The formation of ice Ih produces permanent damages to the dentin structure (rupture of fibres and fibrils) leading to a decrease of maximum intensity in the following cycles. In the heating stage of all the cycles two maxima, M1 and M2, have been observed around 155 K and 178 K. M1 is due to the transformation of LDA ice into ice IC while M2 to that of ice IC to ice Ih. Above 200 K, Q-1 progressively increases with lower damping values in the cycles after the first one

Anelastic phenomena associated to water loss and collagen degradation in human dentin

This work describes the anelastic and dynamic Young modulus behaviour of human dentin from room temperature up to 673 K. Human molars, extracted from individuals (males 55–70 years old) as part of their dental treatment,were cut to obtain bar-shaped samples subsequently used formechanical spectroscopy experiments. In addition, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) has been performed to assess a possible weight loss occurring in the same temperature range of mechanical spectroscopy tests. A broad and asymmetric internal friction (Q−1)maximumat 500 K has been observed during the heating of the as-prepared samples. This maximum is absent during the following cooling down to room temperature. It is therefore due to the occurrence of an irreversible transformation in the sample. TGA shows a remarkableweight loss in the same temperature range. This effect has been related to loss of fluids and degradation of collagen. Another set of samples, previously kept for 36 h under a vacuum of 10−2 Pa, were submitted at room temperature to test at increasing strain from 6×10−6 to 7×10−4. The results show transient and fully recoverable Q−1 increase and dynamic modulus (E) decrease. The phenomenon has been ascribed to the breaking of weak H-bonds between polypeptide chains forming the triple-helix with consequent increase of the mean length of vibrating chain segments

Anelastic phenomena associated to water loss and collagen degradation in human dentin

This work describes the anelastic and dynamic Young modulus behaviour of human dentin from room temperature up to 673 K. Human molars, extracted from individuals (males 55-70 years old) as part of their dental treatment, were cut to obtain bar-shaped samples subsequently used for mechanical spectroscopy experiments. In addition, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) has been performed to assess a possible weight loss occurring in the same temperature range of mechanical spectroscopy tests. A broad and asymmetric internal friction (Q-1) maximum at 500 K has been observed during the heating of the as prepared samples. This maximum is absent during the following cooling down to room temperature. It is therefore due to the occurrence of an irreversible transformation in the sample. TGA shows a remarkable weight loss in the same temperature range. This effect has been related to loss of fluids and degradation of collagen. Another set of samples, previously kept for 36 hours under a vacuum of 10-2 Pa, were submitted at room temperature to tests at increasing strain from 6 x 10-6 to 7 x 10-4. The results show transient and fully recoverable Q-1 increase and dynamic modulus (E) decrease. The phenomenon has been ascribed to the breaking of weak H-bonds between polypeptide chains forming the triple-helix with consequent increase of the mean length of vibrating chain segments

Anelastic phenomena associated to water loss and collagen degradation in human dentin

This work describes the anelastic and dynamic Young modulus behaviour of human dentin from room temperature up to 673 K. Human molars, extracted from individuals (males 55–70 years old) as part of their dental treatment,were cut to obtain bar-shaped samples subsequently used formechanical spectroscopy experiments. In addition, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) has been performed to assess a possible weight loss occurring in the same temperature range of mechanical spectroscopy tests. A broad and asymmetric internal friction (Q−1)maximumat 500 K has been observed during the heating of the as-prepared samples. This maximum is absent during the following cooling down to room temperature. It is therefore due to the occurrence of an irreversible transformation in the sample. TGA shows a remarkableweight loss in the same temperature range. This effect has been related to loss of fluids and degradation of collagen. Another set of samples, previously kept for 36 h under a vacuum of 10−2 Pa, were submitted at room temperature to test at increasing strain from 6×10−6 to 7×10−4. The results show transient and fully recoverable Q−1 increase and dynamic modulus (E) decrease. The phenomenon has been ascribed to the breaking of weak H-bonds between polypeptide chains forming the triple-helix with consequent increase of the mean length of vibrating chain segments

Neighbourhoods and area statistics in the post 2001 Census era

This paper examines the current interest in neighbourhood-based policy in England and considers the extent to which the output geography developed for the 2001 census helps to meet the need for neighbourhood-based data. The characteristics of the new census output geography are presented, and the difficulties of creating meaningful neighbourhood geographies from statistical reporting units reviewed. The new geography will provide a much improved basis for the consolidation of data from official administrative sources, but additional challenges are also discussed in relation to the future of census data collection and publication