Spontaneous formation and relaxation of spin domains in antiferromagnetic spin-1 quasi-condensates

Quantum systems of many interacting particles at low temperatures generally organize themselves into ordered phases of matter, whose nature and symmetries are captured by an order parameter. In the simplest cases, this order parameter is spatially uniform. For example, a system of localized spins with ferromagnetic interactions align themselves to a common direction and build up a macroscopic magnetization on large distances. However, non-uniform situations also exist in nature, for instance in antiferromagnetism where the magnetization alternates in space. The situation becomes even richer when the spin-carrying particles are mobile, for instance in the so-called stripe phases emerging for itinerant electrons in strongly-correlated materials. Understanding such inhomogeneously ordered states is of central importance in many-body physics. In this work, we study experimentally the magnetic ordering of itinerant spin-1 bosons in inhomegeneous spin domains at nano-Kelvin temperatures. We demonstrate that spin domains form spontaneously after a phase separation transition, \textit{i.e.} in the absence of external magnetic force, purely because of the antiferromagnetic interactions between the atoms. Furthermore, we explore how the equilibrium domain configuration emerges from an initial state prepared far-from-equilibrium.Comment: Supplementary material available as ancillary fil

Optimal detection of losses by thermal probes

We consider the discrimination of lossy bosonic channels and focus to the case when one of the values for the loss parameter is zero, i.e., we address the detection of a possible loss against the alternative hypothesis of an ideal lossless channel. This discrimination is performed by inputting one-mode or two-mode squeezed thermal states with fixed total energy. By optimizing over this class of states, we find that the optimal inputs are pure, thus corresponding to single- and two-mode squeezed vacuum states. In particular, we show that for any value of the damping rate smaller than a critical value there is a threshold on the energy that makes the two-mode squeezed vacuum state more convenient than the corresponding single-mode state, whereas for damping larger than this critical value two-mode squeezed vacua are always better. We then consider the discrimination in realistic conditions, where it is unlikely to have pure squeezing. Thus by fixing both input energy and squeezing, we show that two-mode squeezed thermal states are always better than their single- mode counterpart when all the thermal photons are directed into the dissipative channel. Besides, this result also holds approximately for unbalanced distribution of the thermal photons. Finally, we also investigate the role of correlations in the improvement of detection. For fixed input squeezing (single-mode or two-mode), we find that the reduction of the quantum Chernoff bound is a monotone function of the two-mode entanglement as well as the quantum mutual information and the quantum discord. We thus verify that employing squeezing in the form of correlations (quantum or classical) is always a resource for loss detection whenever squeezed thermal states are taken as input.Comment: 13 pages, 8 figures. Revised versio

Oxygen–ozone therapy in the rehabilitation field: state of the art on mechanisms of action, safety and effectiveness in patients with musculoskeletal disorders

In recent years, the interest in oxygen–ozone (O2O3) therapy application has considerably increased in the field of rehabilitation. Despite its widespread use in common clinical practice, the biochemical effects of O2O3 are still far from being understood, although its chemical properties seem to play a pivotal role in exerting its positive effects on different pathological conditions. Indeed, the effectiveness of O2O3 therapy might be partly due to the moderate oxidative stress produced by O3 interactions with biological components. O2O3 therapy is widely used as an adjuvant therapeutic option in several pathological conditions characterized by chronic inflammatory processes and immune over‐activation, and most musculoskeletal disorders share these pathophysiological processes. The present comprehensive review depicts the state‐of‐the‐art on the mechanisms of action, safety and effectiveness of O2O3 therapy in the complex scenario of the management of musculoskeletal disorders. Taken together, our findings suggest that O2O3 therapy seems to reduce pain and improve functioning in patients affected by low back pain and knee osteoarthritis, as reported by several studies in the literature. However, to date, further studies are warranted to clearly investigate the therapeutic effects of this promising therapy on other musculoskeletal disorders in the field of rehabilitation

Impact of Rehabilitation on Breast Cancer Related Fatigue: A Pilot Study

Breast cancer fatigue (BCF) is a complex and multidimensional condition characterized by a persistent sense of physical and/or mental stiffness, resulting in a substantial impairment of health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors. Aim of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate the feasibility and the effectiveness of a 4-week rehabilitation protocol on BCF, muscle mass, strength, physical performance, and quality of life in breast cancer (BC) survivors. We recruited adult BC women with a diagnosis of BCF, according to the International Classification of Diseases 10 criteria, referred to the Outpatient Service for Oncological Rehabilitation of a University Hospital. All participants performed a specific physical exercise rehabilitative protocol consisting of 60-min sessions repeated 2 times/week for 4 weeks. All outcomes were evaluated at the baseline (T0), at the end of the 4-week rehabilitation treatment (T1), and at 2 months follow up (T2). The primary outcome measure was the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI); secondary outcomes included: Fat-Free Mass and Fat Mass, assessed by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA); Hand Grip Strength Test (HGS); Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB); 10-meter walking test (10 MWT); 6-min walking test (6 MWT); European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ–C30). Thirty-six women (mean age: 55.17 ± 7.76 years) were enrolled in the study. Significant reduction of BCF was observed both after the 4-week rehabilitation treatment (T1) (BFI: 5.4 ± 1.6 vs. 4.2 ± 1.7; p = 0.004) and at the follow-up visit (T2) (BFI: 5.4 ± 1.6 vs. 4.4 ± 1.6; p = 0.004). Moreover, significant differences (p < 0.001) HGS, SPPB, 10 MWT, 6 MWT, and EORTC QLQ-C30 were found at T1, while at T2 all the outcome measures were significantly different (p < 0.05) from the baseline. The rehabilitation protocol seemed to be feasible, safe, and effective in reducing BCF, improving muscle mass and function, and improving HRQoL in a cohort of BC survivors. The results of this study could improve awareness of this underestimated disease, suggesting the definition of a specific therapeutic exercise protocol to reduce BCF

Multifaceted Aspects of Metabolic Plasticity in Human Cholangiocarcinoma : An Overview of Current Perspectives

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a deadly tumor without an effective therapy. Unique metabolic and bioenergetics features are important hallmarks of tumor cells. Metabolic plasticity allows cancer cells to survive in poor nutrient environments and maximize cell growth by sustaining survival, proliferation, and metastasis. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have shown that specific signaling networks contribute to malignant tumor onset by reprogramming metabolic traits. Several evidences demonstrate that numerous metabolic mediators represent key-players of CCA progression by regulating many signaling pathways. Besides the well-known Warburg effect, several other different pathways involving carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids metabolism are altered in CCA. The goal of this review is to highlight the main metabolic processes involved in the cholangio-carcinogeneis that might be considered as potential novel druggable candidates for this disease

The effects of superoxide dismutase-rich melon pulp concentrate on inflammation, antioxidant status and growth performance of challenged post-weaning piglets

Piglets can often suffer impaired antioxidant status and poor immune response during post-weaning, especially when chronic inflammation takes place, leading to lower growth rates than expected. Oral administration of dietary antioxidant compounds during this period could be a feasible way to balance oxidation processes and increase health and growth performance. The aim of the trial was to study the effects of an antioxidant feed supplement (melon pulp concentrate) that contains high concentration of the antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) on inflammation, antioxidant status and growth performance of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenged weaned piglets. In total, 48 weaned piglets were individually allocated to four experimental groups in a 2 72 factorial design for 29 days. Two different dietary treatments were adopted: (a) control (CTR), fed a basal diet, (b) treatment (MPC), fed the basal diet plus 30 g/ton of melon pulp concentrate. On days 19, 21, 23 and 25 half of the animals within CTR and MPC groups were subjected to a challenge with intramuscular injections of an increasing dosage of LPS from Escherichia coli (serotype 0.55:B5) (+) or were injected with an equal amount of PBS solution ( 12). Blood samples were collected at the beginning of the trial and under the challenge period for interleukin 1\u3b2, interleukin 6, tumour necrosis factor \u3b1, haptoglobin, plasma SOD activity, total antioxidant capacity, reactive oxygen species, red blood cells and plasma resistance to haemolysis, and 8-oxo-7, 8-dihydro-2\u2019-deoxyguanosine. Growth performance was evaluated weekly. A positive effect of melon pulp concentrate was evidenced on total antioxidant capacity, half-haemolysis time of red blood cells, average daily gain (ADG) and feed intake, while LPS challenge increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and haptoglobin serum concentrations, with a reduced feed intake and gain : feed (G : F). The obtained results show that oral SOD supplementation with melon pulp concentrate ameliorates the total antioxidant capacity and the half-haemolysis time in red blood cell of post-weaning piglets, with positive results on growing performance

Functional status and oral health in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons. The current practice of caring for patients affected by ALS involves a multidisciplinary team without any indication about oral health care. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the functional status and oral health in patients with ALS to define a specific multidisciplinary management. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we included patients affected by ALS, evaluating their functional status, using the Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) and their oral health status through specific parameters, including Brief Oral Health Status Examination (BOHSE), Winkel Tongue Coating Index (WTCI), and Oral Food Debris Index (OFDI). RESULTS: All 37 patients (mean age: 61.19±11.56 years) showed a poor oral status, independent from the functional status and strictly correlated to the severity of sialorrhea (p=0.01). OFDI index was negatively correlated with the ALSFRS-R upper limb (p=0.03). Patients with bulbar onset had significantly lower ability to perform adequate tongue movements in terms of protrusion (p=0.006) and lateralization (p<0.001). Significant negative correlations between survival rate and BOHSE (p=0.03) was found. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our findings showed that a poor oral health status might be correlated to a worse functional status and survival time. Thus, an adequate oral health care and rehabilitation should be considered as crucial in the multidisciplinary management of patients with ALS

Effects of EPA and DHA on lipid droplet accumulation and mRNA abundance of PAT proteins in caprine monocytes

The present study investigated the in vitro effects on caprine monocytes of two \u3c9-3 PUFAs, namely eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on lipid droplet formation, an emerging process of fundamental importance in innate immunity regulation. The mRNA abundance of PAT protein family (PLIN1, PLIN2 and PLIN3), involved in the formation and trafficking of the droplets, was also assessed. The effects of EPA and DHA on monocyte apoptosis were studied as well. The number of lipid droplets per cell was found to be dependent on both type and concentration of fatty acid. \u3c9-3 PUFAs upregulated PLIN3 and PLIN2 gene expression, as well as apoptosis rate. The present findings suggest that PUFA might modify innate immune functions of goat monocytes by interfering with the formation of lipid droplets and by upregulating proteins belonging to PAT protein family

Frequency and phenotypic spectrum of KMT2B dystonia in childhood: A single‐center cohort study

Background: Childhood-onset dystonia is often genetically determined. Recently, KMT2B variants have been recognized as an important cause of childhood-onset dystonia. Objective: To define the frequency of KMT2B mutations in a cohort of dystonic patients aged less than 18 years at onset, the associated clinical and radiological phenotype, and the natural history of disease. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing or customized gene panels were used to screen a cohort of sixty-five patients who had previously tested negative for all other known dystonia-associated genes. Results: We identified fourteen patients (21.5%) carrying KMT2B variants, of which one was classified as a Variant of Unknown Significance (VUS). We also identified two additional patients carrying pathogenic mutations in GNAO1 and ATM. Overall, we established a definitive genetic diagnosis in 23% of cases. We observed a spectrum of clinical manifestations in KMT2B variant carriers, ranging from generalized dystonia to short stature or intellectual disability alone, even within the same family. In 78.5% of cases, dystonia involved the lower limbs at onset, with later caudo-cranial generalization. Eight patients underwent pallidal Deep Brain Stimulation with a median decrease of BFMDRS-M score of 38.5% in the long term. We also report four asymptomatic carriers, suggesting that some KMT2B mutations may be associated with incomplete disease penetrance. Conclusions: KMT2B mutations are frequent in childhood-onset dystonia and cause a complex neurodevelopmental syndrome often featuring growth retardation and intellectual disability as additional phenotypic features. A dramatic and long-lasting response to Deep Brain Stimulation is characteristic of DYT-KMT2B dystonia