A WebGIS tool for the dissemination of earthquake data

In 2004 a new seismic hazard map of Italy (MPS Working Group, 2004) has been released by a task force that produced an amount of new or updated data, such as a new version of the earthquake catalogue (CPTI04; CPTI Working Group, 2004) and an updated seismogenic zonation. A set of WebGIS tools has been designed for the data dissemination to the scientific community and the general public. The design of the WebGIS tools focused first on the consultation of the DBM04 macroseismic database (DBM Working Group, 2005), which contains the macroseismic intensity data-points (IDP) of the earthquakes listed in the CPTI04 catalogue. The WebGIS tool design and development process had to fulfill: 1) simplicity, 2) responsiveness and 3) readiness for future extensions. The specific requirements for the macroseismic database consultation interface were: - data access by place and by earthquake; - IDP maps with queryable points; - data download in both tabular and map format; - easily upgradable content; - quick and user friendly interface

Reciprocal interference between the NRF2 and LPS signaling pathways on the immune-metabolic phenotype of peritoneal macrophages

The metabolic and immune adaptation to extracellular signals allows macrophages to carry out specialized functions involved in immune protection and tissue homeostasis. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that coordinates cell redox and metabolic responses to stressors. However, the individual and concomitant activation of NRF2 and inflammatory pathways have been poorly investigated in isolated macrophages. We here took advantage of reporter mice for the transcriptional activities of NRF2 and nuclear factor-kB (NF\u3baB), a key transcription factor in inflammation, and observe a persisting reciprocal interference in the response of peritoneal macrophages to the respective activators, tert-Butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). When analyzed separately by gene expression studies, these pathways trigger macrophage-specific metabolic and proliferative target genes that are associated with tBHQ-induced pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) with no proliferative response, and with opposite effects observed with LPS. Importantly, the simultaneous administration of tBHQ + LPS alters the effects of each individual pathway in a target gene-specific manner. In fact, this co-treatment potentiates the effects of tBHQ on the antioxidant enzyme, HMOX1, and the antibacterial enzyme, IRG1, respectively; moreover, the combined treatment reduces tBHQ activity on the glycolytic enzymes, TALDO1 and TKT, and decreases LPS effects on the metabolic enzyme IDH1, the proliferation-related proteins KI67 and PPAT, and the inflammatory cytokines IL-1\u3b2, IL-6, and TNF\u3b1. Altogether, our results show that the activation of NRF2 redirects the metabolic, immune, and proliferative response of peritoneal macrophages to inflammatory signals, with relevant consequences for the pharmacological treatment of diseases that are associated with unopposed inflammatory responses

A WebGIS tool for the dissemination of earthquake data

In 2004 a new seismic hazard map of Italy (MPS Working Group, 2004) has been released by a task force that produced an amount of new or updated data, such as a new version of the earthquake catalogue (CPTI04; CPTI Working Group, 2004) and an updated seismogenic zonation. A set of WebGIS tools has been designed for the data dissemination to the scientific community and the general public. The design of the WebGIS tools focused first on the consultation of the DBM04 macroseismic database (DBM Working Group, 2005), which contains the macroseismic intensity data-points (IDP) of the earthquakes listed in the CPTI04 catalogue. The WebGIS tool design and development process had to fulfill: 1) simplicity, 2) responsiveness and 3) readiness for future extensions. The specific requirements for the macroseismic database consultation interface were: - data access by place and by earthquake; - IDP maps with queryable points; - data download in both tabular and map format; - easily upgradable content; - quick and user friendly interface

ER alpha-independent NRF2-mediated immunoregulatory activity of tamoxifen

Sex differences in immune-mediated diseases are linked to the activity of estrogens on innate immunity cells, including macrophages. Tamoxifen (TAM) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used in estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα)-dependent breast cancers and off-target indications such as infections, although the immune activity of TAM and its active metabolite, 4-OH tamoxifen (4HT), is poorly characterized. Here, we aimed at investigating the endocrine and immune activity of these SERMs in macrophages. Using primary cultures of female mouse macrophages, we analyzed the expression of immune mediators and activation of effector functions in competition experiments with SERMs and 17β-estradiol (E2) or the bacterial endotoxin LPS. We observed that 4HT and TAM induce estrogen antagonist effects when used at nanomolar concentrations, while pharmacological concentrations that are reached by TAM in clinical settings regulate the expression of VEGFα and other immune activation genes by ERα- and G protein-coupled receptor 1 (GPER1)-independent mechanisms that involve NRF2 through PI3K/Akt-dependent mechanisms. Importantly, we observed that SERMs potentiate cell phagocytosis and modify the effects of LPS on the expression of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNFα and IL1β, with an overall increase in cell inflammatory phenotype, further sustained by potentiation of IL1β secretion through caspase-1 activation

Thyroid cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up

Thyroid cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up F. Pacini, M. G. Castagna, L. Brilli & G. Pentheroudakis On behalf of the ESMO Guidelines Working Group* Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism and Biochemistry, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Department of Medical Oncology, Ioannina University Hospital, Ioannina, Greec

Determinación del grado de fisuración en prismas de hormigón utilizando microscopía UV

En este trabajo se evalúa la relación existente entre la expansión de prismas de hormigón confeccionados según norma IRAM 1700-97, luego de cumplido cinco años de ensayo, y su grado de microfisuramiento. Los prismas fueron realizados con agregados basálticos provenientes de las principales canteras de la región mesopotámica. Los estudios se realizaron sobre secciones delgadas impregnadas con resina epoxi fluorescente y se determinó el valor de densidad de fisuras y área fisurada para el total de la superficie de cada sección mediante procesamiento informático. La expansión se relaciona mejor con los valores de área fisurada que con los valores de densidad de fisuras. Además, el incremento del número de imágenes analizadas disminuyó el desvío estándar de los valores de área fisurada.In this work relationship between expansion in concrete prisms (IRAM 1700-97), after five years of testing, and their degree of cracking is evaluated. Prisms were made with basaltic aggregates from the main quarries in the Mesopotamia region. Studies were performed on thin sections impregnated with fluorescent epoxy resin and cracks density and area of microcracks values were determined in the total surface of each section though computational processing. Expansion is better related with the cracked area than cracks density values. In addition, the increment in the number of images analyzed decreased the standard deviation of the cracked area values.Facultad de Ingeniería (FI

Determinación del grado de fisuración en prismas de hormigón utilizando microscopía UV

En este trabajo se evalúa la relación existente entre la expansión de prismas de hormigón confeccionados según norma IRAM 1700-97, luego de cumplido cinco años de ensayo, y su grado de microfisuramiento. Los prismas fueron realizados con agregados basálticos provenientes de las principales canteras de la región mesopotámica. Los estudios se realizaron sobre secciones delgadas impregnadas con resina epoxi fluorescente y se determinó el valor de densidad de fisuras y área fisurada para el total de la superficie de cada sección mediante procesamiento informático. La expansión se relaciona mejor con los valores de área fisurada que con los valores de densidad de fisuras. Además, el incremento del número de imágenes analizadas disminuyó el desvío estándar de los valores de área fisurada.In this work relationship between expansion in concrete prisms (IRAM 1700-97), after five years of testing, and their degree of cracking is evaluated. Prisms were made with basaltic aggregates from the main quarries in the Mesopotamia region. Studies were performed on thin sections impregnated with fluorescent epoxy resin and cracks density and area of microcracks values were determined in the total surface of each section though computational processing. Expansion is better related with the cracked area than cracks density values. In addition, the increment in the number of images analyzed decreased the standard deviation of the cracked area values.Facultad de Ingeniería (FI

Permanencia de compuestos bioactivos de frutos del caqui procesados por dos métodos de conservación, para la formulación de alimentos funcionales

Objetivos: El elevado consumo de alimentos ricos en nutrientes críticos, favorece el incremento de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles como la diabetes mellitus (DM). La actividad antioxidante compuestos bioactivos presentes en el caqui (Diospyros kaki L), mejoran el control metabólico de la glucosa. Los objetivos del trabajo fueron: Analizar la presencia de determinados compuestos del caqui, vinculados con efectos antiinflamatorios y su permanencia en el tiempo en caquis frescos y procesados por dos métodos: APH (altas presiones hidrostáticas) y liofilización. Formular productos alimenticios utilizando el caqui que preservó mayor cantidad de compuestos bioactivos

Genotype-Phenotype Correlation in a Family with Brugada Syndrome Harboring the Novel p.Gln371* Nonsense Variant in the SCN5A Gene

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is marked by coved ST-segment elevation and increased risk of sudden cardiac death. The genetics of this syndrome are elusive in over half of the cases. Variants in the SCN5A gene are the single most common known genetic unifier, accounting for about a third of cases. Research models, such as animal models and cell lines, are limited. In the present study, we report the novel NM_198056.2:c.1111C>T (p.Gln371*) heterozygous variant in the SCN5A gene, as well as its segregation with BrS in a large family. The results herein suggest a pathogenic effect of this variant. Functional studies are certainly warranted to characterize the molecular effects of this variant