Ku & C Band solid state switch matrix for satellite payloads using LTCC multilayer substrate

This paper describes the design and development of Ku and C band solid state switch matrix for multimedia satellite payloads. The design, through the use of advanced packaging techniques, allows significant savings on mass and volume with respect to traditional electromechanical switches while guaranteeing a comparable reliability

Frozen elephant trunk: Assets and liabilities of a challenging technique

The development of the frozen elephant trunk (FET) technique for a simplified treatment of complex lesions of the thoracic aorta originated as an evolution of the classic elephant trunk technique, described for the first time by Borst et al .[1] in 1983. Novel technologies and standardization of the surgical approach produced a progressive improvement of early and late outcomes. Most of the time and for specific indications, FET procedure allows physicians to treat lesions involving extensive portions of the thoracic aorta in one single step. Spinal cord injury remains one of the main complications of this procedure, even though spinal protection strategies have led to better results. We hereby report our opinions and recommendations based on our experience started in 2007

Transcatheter Mitral Valve-in-Valve Dislocation: A Rescue Strategy

In the transcatheter aortic valve replacement era, transapical valve-in-valve mitral valve implantation is considered an alternative treatment for high-risk patients with degenerated mitral bioprosthesis. We report an unusual strategy to remedy the potentially fatal complication of the mitral prosthesis migration into the aortic arch. The dislocated prosthesis was successfully stabilized in the aortic arch with a bare aortic stent, ensuring adequate perfusion of epiaortic vessels. \ua9 2018 The Society of Thoracic Surgeon

Biomass valorization: Sustainable methods for the production of hemicellulolytic catalysts from thermoanaerobacterium thermostercoris strain buff

Processing and selection of fruits and vegetables generate high quantities of wastes that represent an economic and environmental issue for the agroindustry sector. According to the so-called “biorefinery” approach, this biomass can be exploited for the recovery of value-added molecules. In this study, the residues of industrial processing of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum variety “Hybrid Rome”), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), potato (Solanum tuberosum) and carrot (Daucus carota) were used as sole carbon sources to support cheap and sustainable microbial growth as well as the production of secondary metabolites (hydrogen and ethanol) by Thermoanaerobacterium thermostercoris strain BUFF, a thermophilic anaerobic microorganism isolated from buffalo-dung compost. Moreover, the use of hemicellulolytic enzymes of T. thermostercoris was assayed in the bioconversion reaction of the polymer fraction extracted from the rhizome of giant reed (Arundo donax) and of the leaves and stems of cardoon (Cynara cardunculus), dedicated non-food crops employed in energy supply

Bugs for atopy: the Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG strategy for food allergy prevention and treatment in children

Food allergy (FA) is a major health issue for children living in Western countries. At this time the only proven treatment for FA is elimination of offender antigen from the diet. It is becoming clear that the development of gut microbiota exerts a profound influence on immune system maturation and tolerance acquisition. Increasing evidence suggests that perturbations in gut microbiota composition of infants are implicated in the pathogenesis of FA. These findings have unveiled new strategies to prevent and treat FA using probiotics bacteria or bacterial substance to limit T-helper (Th)/Th2 bias, which changes during the disease course. Selected probiotics administered during infancy may have a role in the prevention and treatment of FA. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is the most studied probiotic in this field. Administration of LGG in early life have a role in FA prevention. Preliminary evidence shows that LGG accelerates oral tolerance acquisition in cow's milk allergic infants. We are understanding the mechanisms elicited by LGG and metabolites in influencing food allergen sensitization. A deeper definition of these mechanisms is opening the way to new immunotherapeutics for children affected by FA that can efficiently limit the disease burden

Redefining the histopathologic profile of acute aortic syndromes: Clinical and prognostic implications

Objectives: The study objectives were to describe the aortic histopathologic substrates in patients with type A surgically treated acute aortic syndromes, to provide clinico-pathological correlations, and to identify the possible prognostic role of histology. Methods: We assessed the aortic wall degenerative or inflammatory alterations of 158 patients according to the histopathologic consensus documents. Moreover, we correlated these histologic patterns with the patients' clinical data and long-term follow-up for mortality, major aorta-related events, and nonaorta-related events (including cardiovascular ones). Results: We identified 2 histopathologic patterns: 122 patients (77%) with degenerative alterations and 36 patients (23%) with mixed degenerative-atherosclerotic lesions. Patients with mixed alterations were older (mean 69.6 \ub1 8.7 years vs 62.2 \ub1 12.4 years, P = .001) and more hypercholesterolemic (33.3% vs 13.9%, P = .017). The degenerative subgroup showed more intralamellar-mucoid extracellular matrix accumulation (86% vs 66.7%, P = .017) and a lower prevalence of translamellar collagen increase (9.8% vs 50%, P < .001). Patients with mixed degenerative-atherosclerotic abnormalities more frequently had long-term nonaorta-related events compared with those with degenerative abnormalities alone (P = .046); no differences were found between the groups with respect to mortality, major aorta-related events, and cardiovascular nonaorta-related events. Conclusions: Although degenerative lesions of the medial layer were present in all specimens, substantial atherosclerosis coexisted in approximately one quarter of cases. Patients with mixed degenerative-atherosclerotic abnormalities had a coherent clinical risk profile, a clinical presentation frequently mimicking acute coronary syndrome, and a higher incidence of nonaorta-related events during follow-up. Histopathologic characterization may improve the long-term prognostic stratification of patients after surgical treatment. \ua9 2018 The American Association for Thoracic Surger

Parageobacillus thermantarcticus, an Antarctic Cell Factory: From Crop Residue Valorization by Green Chemistry to Astrobiology Studies

Knowledge of Antarctic habitat biodiversity, both marine and terrestrial, has increased considerably in recent years, causing considerable development in the studies of life science related to Antarctica. In the Austral summer 1986–1987, a new thermophilic bacterium, Parageobacillus thermantarcticus strain M1 was isolated from geothermal soil of the crater of Mount Melbourne (74°22′ S, 164°40′ E) during the Italian Antarctic Expedition. In addition to the biotechnological potential due to the production of exopolysaccharides and thermostable enzymes, successful studies have demonstrated its use in the green chemistry for the transformation and valorization of residual biomass and its employment as a suitable microbial model for astrobiology studies. The recent acquisition of its genome sequence opens up new opportunities for the use of this versatile bacterium in still unexplored biotechnology sectors