Prospective For Nuclear Thermal Hydraulic Created By Ongoing And New Networks

International audienceThis paper introduces the FONESYS, SILENCE and CONUSAF projects run by some of the leading organizations working in the nuclear sector.The FONESYS members are developers of some of the major System Thermal-Hydraulic (SYS-TH) codes adopted worldwide, whereas the SILENCE members own and operate important thermal-hydraulic experimental facilities. The two networks work in a cooperative manner and have at least one meeting per year where top-level experts in the areas of thermal-hydraulic code development and experimentation are gathered.The FONESYS members address various topics such as hyperbolicity and numerics in SYS-TH codes, 3-field modeling, transport of interfacial area, 3D modeling, scaling of thermal-hydraulic phenomena, two-phase critical flow (TPCF), critical heat flux (CHF), and others. As part of the working modalities, some numerical benchmarks were proposed and successfully conducted by the network, addressing some of the most relevant topics selected by the FONESYS members.On the other hand, SILENCE addresses topics such as identification of current measurement needs and main gaps for further SYS-TH and CFD codes development and validation, definition of similar tests and counterpart tests in Integral Tests Facilities (including containment thermal-hydraulics) to be possibly conducted on Members' test facilities, scaling issue, and other subjects. Furthermore, SILENCE organized a Specialists Workshop on Advanced Instrumentation and Measurement Techniques for Nuclear Reactor Thermal-Hydraulics (SWINTH) which was held in Italy on June 2016. A second edition of the Workshop, namely SWINTH-2019, will be held in Italy in 2019 under the umbrella of the OECD/NEA/CSNI/WGAMA.Recently a new initiative is being taken by launching an international consortium of nuclear thermal-hydraulics code users, the CONUSAF. The main idea is to enhance the interactions between the users of computational tools in nuclear TH, noticeably including SYS-TH and CFD codes, the code developers and the experimentalists. The proposed initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the entire ecosystem by pursuing the assessment of the current code limitations and capabilities, analyzing and addressing issues raised by the users and promoting common RandD efforts on topics of high relevance

Viral load, tissue distribution and histopathological lesions in goats naturally and experimentally infected with the Small Ruminant Lentivirus Genotype E (subtype E1 Roccaverano strain)

Small Ruminant Lentivirus (SRLV) subtype E1, also known as Roccaverano strain, is considered a low pathogenic virus on the basis of natural genetic deletions, in vitro properties and on-farm observations. In order to gain more knowledge on this atypical lentivirus we investigated the in vivo tropism of Roccaverano strain in both, experimentally and naturally infected goats. Antibody responses were monitored as well as tissue distribution and viral load, evaluated by real time PCR on single spliced (gag/env) and multiple spliced (rev) RNA targets respectively, that were compared to histopathological lesions. Lymph nodes, spleen, alveolar macrophages and mammary gland turned out to be the main tissue reservoirs of genotype E1-provirus. Moreover, mammary gland and/or mammary lymph nodes acted as active replication sites in dairy goats, supporting the lactogenic transmission of this virus. Notably, a direct association between viral load and concomitant infection or inflammatory processes was evident within organs such as spleen, lung and testis. Our results validate the low pathogenicity designation of SRLV genotype E1 in vivo, and confirm the monocyte-macrophage cell lineage as the main virus reservoir of this genotype. Accordingly, SRLV genotype E displays a tropism towards all tissues characterized by an abundant presence of these cells, either for their own anatomical structure or for an occasional infectious/inflammatory status.This work was co-funded by the Italian Ministry of Instruction, University and Research PRIN 2008 (no. 20084CSFLT), by Piedmont Region, “Ricerca Sanitaria Finalizzata” 2008 and 2009, and by University of Turin, “Fondi ricerca locale (ex-60%)” 2009. The Authors acknowledge Mr. R. Maritano, CISRA for his valuable contribution in animal management, and Mr. D. Arnulfo and R. Vanni for their competent work and assistance during animal autopsies. R. Reina was supported by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation ‘Ramón y Cajal’ contract (AGL2013-49137-C3-1R).Peer reviewe

Human basal cell carcinoma: the induction of anagen hair follicle differentiation

Background Consistent with cancer stem cell driven pattern of growth, human basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) demonstrate differentiation along hair follicle (HF) lineages. Aim To define the pattern of differentiation and therapeutic targets that promote BCC differentiation and therefore BCC cancer stem cell exhaustion. Methods An alkaline phosphatase substrate kit was used to determine dermal papilla cells within the BCC stroma. Autonomous HF cycle‐dependent gene expression was identified by analysis of the human homologues of a murine gene set (total 2289 genes) that is differentially expressed in hair cycle phases. The findings were validated by quantitative real‐time PCR and immunofluorescence, as well as in vitro transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β2 stimulation of BCC cancer stem cell colonies. Results As in the HF, keratin expression in the inner root sheath and matrix in BCC correlated with proliferative index and was tightly regulated, despite the absence of dermal papilla cells. Cross‐species microarray analysis comparing human BCC and murine synchronous HF growth cycle datasets revealed 74% concordance with telogen differentiation compared with anagen (23%, P < 0.01) and catagen (49%; P < 0.01). Incomplete anagen differentiation within BCC was characterized by reduced expression of the anagen master regulator DLX3 (−5.5‐fold), and increased expression of telogen‐associated genes: AEBP1 (2.2‐fold), DEFB8 (35.3‐fold), MMP3 (106.0‐fold) and MMP12 (12.9‐fold). Restoration of dermal papilla signals by in vitro addition of TGF‐β2 enhanced anagen differentiation. Conclusion Our findings show that BCC cells differentiate along HF lineages and may be susceptible to exogenous HF cycle modulators

Hyperhomocysteinemia is independently associated with albuminuria in the population-based CoLaus study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Increased serum levels of homocysteine and uric acid have each been associated with cardiovascular risk. We analyzed whether homocysteine and uric acid were associated with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and albuminuria independently of each other. We also investigated the association of <it>MTHFR </it>polymorphisms related to homocysteine with albuminuria to get further insight into causality.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a cross-sectional population-based study in Caucasians (<it>n </it>= 5913). Hyperhomocysteinemia was defined as total serum homocysteine ≥ 15 μmol/L. Albuminuria was defined as urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio > 30 mg/g.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Uric acid was associated positively with homocysteine (r = 0.246 in men and r = 0.287 in women, <it>P </it>< 0.001). The prevalence of albuminuria increased across increasing homocysteine categories (from 6.4% to 17.3% in subjects with normal GFR and from 3.5% to 14.5% in those with reduced GFR, <it>P </it>for trend < 0.005). Hyperhomocysteinemia (OR = 2.22, 95% confidence interval: 1.60-3.08, <it>P </it>< 0.001) and elevated serum uric acid (OR = 1.27, 1.08-1.50, per 100 μmol/L, <it>P </it>= 0.004) were significantly associated with albuminuria, independently of hypertension and type 2 diabetes. The 2-fold higher risk of albuminuria associated with hyperhomocysteinemia was similar to the risk associated with hypertension or diabetes. <it>MTHFR </it>alleles related to higher homocysteine were associated with increased risk of albuminuria.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In the general adult population, elevated serum homocysteine and uric acid were associated with albuminuria independently of each other and of renal function.</p

Notulae to the Italian alien vascular flora: 12

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of vascular flora alien to Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions, and status changes for Italy or for Italian administrative regions. Nomenclatural and distribution updates published elsewhere are provided as Suppl. material 1

Sansepolcro (AR). Gorgo del Ciliegio

Si espongono i risultati della campagna effettuata nel sito del Bronzo medio di Gorgo del Ciliegio (Sansepolcro -AR) nell'agosto 200

Sansepolcro (AR). Gorgo del Ciliegio

Si riferiscono i risultati della campagna di scavo effettuata a Gorgo del Ciliegio nell'agosto 200