Factors related to delayed treatment: A case report of a huge cutaneous horn and review of the literature

We present a case of a man with a giant cutaneous horn over his frontal region. This case has been presented for the size of the lesion, due to delayed treatment, and to illustrate the reasons why the growth of this lesion has been possible in a western country, in the 21st century. It was a solitary, not painful lesion which caused significant aesthetic problems. The diagnosis was based on an ultrasonographic study and the treatment of choice was a surgical excision. This case is an opportunity to review the literature about the cutaneous horns, to talk about the main causes of delayed diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous lesions and, to define the role of the specialist in the assessment of emotions and patient support

Quantum and classical characterization of single/few photon detectors

This paper's purpose is to review the results recently obtained in the Quantum Optics labs of the National Institute of Metrological Research (INRIM) in the field of single- and few-photon detectors calibration, from both the classical and quantum viewpoint. In the first part of the paper is presented the calibration of a single-photon detector with absolute methods, while in the second part we focus on photon-number-resolving detectors, discussing both the classical and quantum characterization of such devices.Comment: Quantum Matter in pres

Towards joint reconstruction of noise and losses in quantum channels

The calibration of a quantum channel, i.e. the determination of the transmission losses affecting it, is definitely one of the principal objectives in both the quantum communication and quantum metrology frameworks. Another task of the utmost relevance is the identification, e.g. by extracting its photon number distribution, of the noise potentially present in the channel. Here we present a protocol, based on the response of a photon-number-resolving detector at different quantum efficiencies, able to accomplish both of these tasks at once, providing with a single measurement an estimate of the transmission losses as well as the photon statistics of the noise present in the exploited quantum channel. We show and discuss the experimental results obtained in the practical implementation of such protocol, with different kinds and levels of noise.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Self consistent, absolute calibration technique for photon number resolving detectors

Well characterized photon number resolving detectors are a requirement for many applications ranging from quantum information and quantum metrology to the foundations of quantum mechanics. This prompts the necessity for reliable calibration techniques at the single photon level. In this paper we propose an innovative absolute calibration technique for photon number resolving detectors, using a pulsed heralded photon source based on parametric down conversion. The technique, being absolute, does not require reference standards and is independent upon the performances of the heralding detector. The method provides the results of quantum efficiency for the heralded detector as a function of detected photon numbers. Furthermore, we prove its validity by performing the calibration of a Transition Edge Sensor based detector, a real photon number resolving detector that has recently demonstrated its effectiveness in various quantum information protocols.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figure

Application of an early warning to detect enteropathies in intensive broiler farming

Remote and wearable sensors can be combined with smart algorithms to continuously monitor a wide range of animal responses linked with stress, health status and welfare. The idea of real time monitoring assumes a simple way to measure variable that can give an early warning for the farmer providing clear and suitable alerts to help them in their routine. The prompt reaction to any change in health, welfare and productive status is the key for the reduction in drugs usage and for the improvement of animal wellbeing. In intensive poultry farms, enteric disorders represent a major health issue; these pathologies could be multifactorial and are a major cause of performances reduction. Monitoring poultry health status takes a key role for management to reduce chemicals/drugs and their costs. Nowadays, the preventive use of antibiotics in intensive farming system is common and this practice could lead to the spreading of drugs in the environment, contributing to the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance. Due to the high priority of this issue, it is of great importance the early detection of any health problem in intensive farming. Precision Livestock Farming, through the combination of cheap technologies and specific algorithms, can provide valuable information for farmers starting from the huge amount of data collected in real time at farm level. This study was aimed to the application of a PLF diagnostic tool, sensible to the variation of volatile organic compounds, to promptly recognize enteric problems in intensive farming, supporting veterinarians and enabling specific treatments in case of disease

Androgenetic alopecia: a review

Androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male pattern baldness, is the most common type of progressive hair loss disorder in men. The aim of this paper is to review recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology and molecular mechanism of androgenetic alopecia.Using the PubMed database, we conducted a systematic review of the literature, selecting studies published from 1916 to 2016.The occurrence and development of androgenetic alopecia depends on the interaction of endocrine factors and genetic predisposition. Androgenetic alopecia is characterized by progressive hair follicular miniaturization, caused by the actions of androgens on the epithelial cells of genetically susceptible hair follicles in androgen-dependent areas. Although the exact pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia remains to be clarified, research has shown that it is a polygenetic condition. Numerous studies have unequivocally identified two major genetic risk loci for androgenetic alopecia, on the X-chromosome ARa"EDA2R locus and the chromosome 20p11 locus.Candidate gene and genome-wide association studies have reported that single-nucleotide polymorphisms at different genomic loci are associated with androgenetic alopecia development. A number of genes determine the predisposition for androgenetic alopecia in a polygenic fashion. However, further studies are needed before the specific genetic factors of this polygenic condition can be fully explained

Effect of Different Percentage of Camelina sativa Cake in Laying Hens Diet: Performance, Welfare, and Eggshell Quality

Although camelina [Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz] is a good source of protein, antioxidants, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, its antinutritional compounds limit its use in animal feeding. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of feeding laying hens with up to 20% of camelina cake from a breeding line containing a low level of glucosinolates on performance, welfare, and eggshell quality. Two hundred and forty Hy-Line\uae hens from 18 to 51 weeks of age were divided into three treatments: control (C), camelina cake 10% (CAM10), and camelina cake 20% (CAM20). Egg number was recorded daily, while egg weight, feed consumption, and mortality were recorded weekly. At 24 and 43 weeks of hen age, shell resistance to fracture was measured. Our results demonstrate no detrimental effects for CAM10 and CAM20 diets on feed intake, growth performance, and welfare. No difference in egg production was detected among the diets. The significant (p < 0.05) interaction of diet and age factors suggest that the addition of camelina cake, up to 20%, likely protects the eggshell of older hens. Our findings confirm that camelina cake might be an alternative and sustainable protein source for hens

Colonic phenotype of the ileum in Crohn's disease: A prospective study before and after ileocolonic resection

Background: Colonic metaplasia has been described in pouchitis. In a prospective study, we investigated whether colonic phenotype may develop in Crohn's disease (CD) ileum. The expression of sulfomucins (colonic mucin), sialomucins, and CD10 (small intestine mucin and phenotype) was evaluated before and after ileocolonic resection for CD. Methods: From February 2007 to March 2010, 22 patients with CD undergoing surgery were enrolled. Clinical (Crohn's Disease Activity Index >150) and endoscopic recurrence (Rutgeerts score ≥1) rates were assessed at 6 and 12 months. Ileal samples were taken at surgery (T0), at 6 (T1), and 12 months (T2) for histology, histochemistry (High Iron Diamine-Alcian Blue), and immunohistochemistry (anti-CD10). Results: In 22 patients, recurrence was assessed at 6 and 12 months (clinical recurrence 9% and 18%; endoscopic recurrence 73% and 77%). In all 22 patients, ileal samples were taken at 6 and 12 months (involved area in patients with recurrence). In 19 of 22 (86.3%) patients, the involved ileum was also studied at surgery. At T0, T1, and T2, the expression of sialomucins and CD10 (small intestine mucin and phenotype) was comparable and higher (P < 0.0001) than the expression of sulfomucins (colonic mucin) (mean [range], T0:82 [35-100] versus 75 [0-100] versus 16 [0-50]; T1:96 [60-100] versus 94.7 [50-100] versus 3.89 [0-40]; T2:93.3 [60-100] versus 88.1 [25-100] versus 6.6 [0-40]). The expression of small-intestine mucin and phenotype was higher at T1 (P = 0.025) versus T0 (P = 0.026). Differently, the expression of colonic mucin was lower at T1 versus T0 (P = 0.027). Conclusions: In CD, the ileum involved by severe/established lesions develops a "metaplastic" colonic mucosa phenotype. Differently, CD ileum with no lesions or with early recurrence maintains the "native" small intestine type mucin secretion and phenotype

Effetti della somministrazione di Rhodiola Rosea L. sul comportamento di bovini di razza Chianina

Stimoli stressanti di varia natura possono incidere negativamente sul benessere animale, che diventa quindi un fattore di primaria importanza per tutelare anche l\u2019interesse economico dell\u2019allevatore. Scopo di questa ricerca \ue8 stato quello di verificare l\u2019effetto sul comportamento di fitoderivati nella riduzione dello stress su un gruppo di vitelloni di razza Chianina. La fitoterapia si basa sull\u2019azione biologica dei principi attivi naturali presenti nelle piante medicinali; il vantaggio di questi preparati risiede negli scarsi o nulli effetti secondari indesiderat