The birth and rise of a craniopharyngioma: the radiological evolution of an incidental craniopharyngioma detected on serial MRI during medical treatment of a macroprolactinoma

This case demonstrates the rare coexistence of a prolactinoma with craniopharyngioma and documents its radiological growth. This case suggests that patients with pituitary neoplasms should be followed closely and although prolactinomas can often be managed medically, a coexistent other lesion may require surgery for histological assessment and to reduce mass effect

Culture of human cell lines by a pathogen-inactivated human platelet lysate

Alternatives to the use of fetal bovine serum (FBS) have been investigated to ensure xeno-free growth condition. In this study we evaluated the efficacy of human platelet lysate (PL) as a substitute of FBS for the in vitro culture of some human cell lines. PL was obtained by pools of pathogen inactivated human donor platelet (PLT) concentrates. Human leukemia cell lines (KG-1, K562, JURKAT, HL-60) and epithelial tumor cell lines (HeLa and MCF-7) were cultured with either FBS or PL. Changes in cell proliferation, viability, morphology, surface markers and cell cycle were evaluated for each cell line. Functional characteristics were analysed by drug sensitivity test and cytotoxicity assay. Our results demonstrated that PL can support growth and expansion of all cell lines, although the cells cultured in presence of PL experienced a less massive proliferation compared to those grown with FBS. We found a comparable percentage of viable specific marker-expressing cells in both conditions, confirming lineage fidelity in all cultures. Functionality assays showed that cells in both FBS- and PL-supported cultures maintained their normal responsiveness to adriamycin and NK cell-mediated lysis. Our findings indicate that PL is a feasible serum substitute for supporting growth and propagation of haematopoietic and epithelial cell lines with many advantages from a perspective of process standardization, ethicality and product safety

Detection of unobserved heterogeneity with growth mixture models

Latent growth curve models as structural equation models are extensively discussedin various research fields (Duncan et al., 2006). Recent methodological and statisticalextension are focused on the consideration of unobserved heterogeneity in empiricaldata. Muth´en extended the classical structural equation approach by mixture components,i. e. categorical latent classes (Muth´en 2002, 2004, 2007).The paper will discuss applications of growth mixture models with data from oneof the first panel studies in Germany which explore deviant and delinquent behavior ofadolescents (Reinecke, 2006a, 2006b). Observed as well as unobserved heterogeneitywill be considered with growth mixture models using the program Mplus (Muth´en& Muth´en, 2006). Special attention is given to the distribution of the substantivedependent variables as a count measures (Poisson distribution, zero-inflated Poissondistribution, cf. Nagin, 1999). Different model specifications with respect to substantivequestions will also be emphasized.Keywords: Panel data, growth mixture models, heterogeneity, Poisson distribution.Los modelos latentes de curvas de crecimiento, como modelos de escuaciones estructurales,son ampliamente discutidos en varios campos de investigaci´on (Duncanet al., (2006)). Extensiones metodol´ogicas y estad´?sticas recientes se enfocan en laconsideraci´on de heterogeneidad no observada en datos emp´?ricos. Muth´en extendi´oel enfoque cl´asico de ecuaciones estructurales por componentes de mezcla, es decirclases latentes categ´oricas (Muth´en 2002, 2004, 2007).El art´?culo discute aplicaciones de modelos de crecimiento de mezcla con datosde uno de los primeros estudios de panel en Alemania, que explora comportamiento desviado y delinquivo de adolescentes (Reinecke, 2006a, 2006b). La heterogeneidadobservada y no observada ser´a considerada con modelos de crecimiento de mezclausando el programa Mplus (Muth´en & Muth´en, 2006). Se dar´a especial atenci´ona la distribuci´on de las variables sustantivas dependientes como medidas de conteo(distribuci´on de Poisson, distribuci´on cero-inflada de Poisson, cf. Nagin, 1999). Sedar´a ´enfasis tambi´en a diferentes especificaciones de modelos con respecto a cuestionesimportantes.Palabras clave: Datos de panel, modelos de mezclas de crecimiento, heterogeneidad,distribuci´on de Poisson

Removal of micro-pollutants from urban wastewater by constructed wetlands with Phragmites australis and Salix matsudana

This study assessed the ability to remove micro-pollutants from wastewater using herbaceous species (Phragmites australis L.) and trees (Salix matsudana Koidz.) in constructed wetland (CW) systems. The targets of the study were as follows: (i) pharmaceuticals like diclofenac, ketoprofen, and atenolol; (ii) 4-n-NP (4-n-nonylphenol) and the ethoxylated derivatives monoethoxylated nonylphenol (NP1EO) and diethoxylated nonylphenol (NP2EO); (iii) triclosan, a bactericide used in personal care products. The 12 CW systems, filled with clay and gravel, were irrigated with wastewater from municipal area of Pagnana (Tuscany, Italy) and influent and effluent water samples analyzed periodically by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The removal efficiency of CWs planted with willow and common red ranged from 8.4 up to 100%, with the higher removal efficiency for triclosan. On the contrary, the removal efficiency of NPs and NPEOs appears lower than pharmaceuticals. Data demonstrated that P. australis efficiently removed NP, diclofenac, and atenolol, while S. matsudana preferentially removed NP1EO, NP2EO, ketoprofene, and triclosan. A specific selection of plants used in CWs could be exploited for the removal of specific xenobiotics from wastewater

Track structure, radiation quality and initial radiobiological events: Considerations based on the PARTRAC code experience

Purpose: The role of track structures for understanding the biological effects of radiation has been the subject of research activities for decades. The physics that describes such processes is the core Monte Carlo codes, such as the biophysical PARTRAC (PARticle TRACks) code described in this review, which follow the mechanisms of radiation-matter interaction from the early stage. In this paper a review of the track structure theory (and of its possible extension concerning non-DNA targets) is presented. Materials and methods: The role of radiation quality and track structure is analyzed starting from the heavy ions results obtained with the biophysical Monte Carlo code PARTRAC (PARticles TRACks). PARTRAC calculates DNA damage in human cells based on the superposition of simulated track structures in liquid water to an ‘atom-by-atom’ model of human DNA. Results: Calculations for DNA fragmentation compared with experimental data for different radiation qualities are illustrated. As an example, the strong dependence of the complexity of DNA damage on radiation track structure, and the very large production of very small DNA fragments (lower than 1 kbp (kilo base pairs) usually not detected experimentally) after high LET (high-Linear Energy Transfer) irradiation is shown. Furthermore the possible importance of non-nuclear/non-DNA targets is discussed in the particular case of cellular membrane and mitochondria. Conclusions: The importance of the track structure is underlined, in particular the dependence of a given late cellular effect on the spatial distribution of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) along the radiation track. These results show that the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for DSB production can be significantly larger than 1. Moreover the cluster properties of high LET radiation may determine specific initial targets and damage evolution

Flow Characterization of a Pulsating Heat Pipe through the Wavelet Analysis of Pressure Signals

Pulsating Heat Pipes are two phase passive heat transfer devices characterized by a thermally induced two phase oscillating flow. The correct detection of the dominant frequencies of such oscillations is fundamental to fully characterize the device thermofluidic operation but the studies available in the literature are very heterogenous and results are often discordant. In this work, the concept of dominant frequency in Pulsating Heat Pipes is thoroughly discussed and defined analytically. The wavelet transform is used to characterize the fluid pressure signal in the frequency domain varying the heat power input at the evaporator and in the condenser zone of a full-scale Pulsating Heat Pipe tested in microgravity conditions. During the slug-plug flow regime, the dominant frequencies falls in the range 0.6–0.9 Hz, showing an increasing trend with the heat load input. The Cross-Correlation reveals that the two signals at the evaporator and at the condenser are very similar. Finally, the instantaneous angle of phase is calculated and lies between 310 and 360 deg. This value can be physically interpreted as a repeatable time shift between the two signals that can be used to evaluate the flow local mean velocity (0.09–0.13 m/s) constituting a valuable alternative to the visualization techniques

Artificial intelligence in diabetic retinopathy screening: clinical assessment using handheld fundus camera in a real-life setting

Aim: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) represents the main cause of vision loss among working age people. A prompt screening of this condition may prevent its worst complications. This study aims to validate the in-built artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm Selena+ of a handheld fundus camera (Optomed Aurora, Optomed, Oulu, Finland) in a first line screening of a real-world clinical setting. Methods: It was an observational cross-sectional study including 256 eyes of 256 consecutive patients. The sample included both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Each patient received a 50°, macula centered, non-mydriatic fundus photography and, after pupil dilation, a complete fundus examination by an experienced retina specialist. All images were after analyzed by a skilled operator and by the AI algorithm. The results of the three procedures were then compared. Results: The agreement between the operator-based fundus analysis in bio-microscopy and the fundus photographs was of 100%. Among the DR patients the AI algorithm revealed signs of DR in 121 out of 125 subjects (96.8%) and no signs of DR 122 of the 126 non-diabetic patients (96.8%). The sensitivity of the AI algorithm was 96.8% and the specificity 96.8%. The overall concordance coefficient k (95% CI) between AI-based assessment and fundus biomicroscopy was 0.935 (0.891-0.979). Conclusions: The Aurora fundus camera is effective in a first line screening of DR. Its in-built AI software can be considered a reliable tool to automatically identify the presence of signs of DR and therefore employed as a promising resource in large screening campaigns

Interleukin-21 induces the differentiation of human umbilical cord blood CD34-lineage- cells into pseudomature lytic NK cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is enriched with transplantable CD34⁺cells. In addition to CD34-expressing haematopoietic stem cells (HSC), human UCB contains a rare population of CD34^-lineage^-cells endowed with the ability to differentiate along the T/NK pathway in response to interleukin (IL)-15 and a stromal cell support. IL-21 is a crucial regulator of NK cell function, whose influence on IL-15-induced differentiation of CD34^-lineage^-cells has not been investigated previously. The present study was designed and conducted to address whether IL-21 might replace the stromal cell requirements and foster the IL-15-induced NK differentiation of human UCB CD34^-lineage^-cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>CD34^-lineage^-cells were maintained in liquid culture with Flt3-L and SCF, with the addition of IL-15 and IL-21, either alone or in combination. Cultures were established in the absence of feeder cells or serum supplementation. Cytokine-treated cells were used to evaluate cell surface phenotype, expression of molecular determinants of lymphoid/NK cell differentiation, secretion of IFN-γ, GM-CSF, TNF-α and CCL3/MIP-1α, and cytolytic activity against NK-sensitive tumour cell targets. CD34^-lineage^-cells proliferated vigorously in response to IL-15 and IL-21 but not to IL-21 alone, and up-regulated phosphorylated Stat1 and Stat3 proteins. CD34^-lineage^-cells expanded by IL-21 in combination with IL-15 acquired lymphoid morphology and killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR)^-CD56⁺CD16^-/+phenotype, consistent with pseudo-mature NK cells. IL-21/IL-15-differentiated cells expressed high levels of mRNA for Bcl-2, GATA-3 and Id2, a master switch required for NK-cell development, and harboured un-rearranged TCRγ genes. From a functional standpoint, IL-21/IL-15-treated cells secreted copious amounts of IFN-γ, GM-CSF and CCL3/MIP-1α, and expressed cell surface CD107a upon contact with NK-sensitive tumour targets, a measure of exocytosis of NK secretory granules.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study underpins a novel role for IL-21 in the differentiation of pseudo-mature lytic NK cells in a synergistic context with IL-15, and identifies a potential strategy to expand functional NK cells for immunotherapy.</p

In Vivo Confocal Imaging of the Conjunctiva as a Predictive Tool for the Glaucoma Filtration Surgery Outcome

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Neurological, psychological, and cognitive disorders in patients with chronic kidney disease on conservative and replacement therapy

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a highly prevalent condition in the world. Neurological, psychological, and cognitive disorders, related to CKD, could contribute to the morbidity, mortality, and poor quality of life of these patients. The aim of this study was to assess the neurological, psychological, and cognitive imbalance in patients with CKD on conservative and replacement therapy. Seventy-four clinically stable patients affected by CKD on conservative therapy, replacement therapy (hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD)), or with kidney transplantation (KT) and 25 healthy controls (HC), matched for age and sex were enrolled. Clinical, laboratory, and instrumental examinations, as renal function, inflammation and mineral metabolism indexes, electroencephalogram (EEG), psychological (MMPI-2, Sat P), and cognitive tests (neuropsychological tests, NPZ5) were carried out. The results showed a significant differences in the absolute and relative power of delta band and relative power of theta band of EEG (P=0.008, P<0.001, P=0.051), a positive correlation between relative power of delta band and C-reactive protein (CRP) (P< 0.001) and a negative correlation between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (P<0.001) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) (P<0.001), in all the samples. Qualitative analysis of EEG showed alterations of Grade 2 (according to Parsons-Smith classification) in patients on conservative therapy, and Grade 2-3 in KT patients. The scales of MMPI-2 hysteria and paranoia, are significantly correlated with creatinine, eGFR, serum nitrogen, CRP, 1,25-(OH)2D3, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), phosphorus, and cynical and hysterical personality, are correlated with higher relative power of delta (P=0.016) and theta band (P= 0.016). Moreover, all NPZ5 scores showed a significant difference between the means of nephropathic patients and the means of the HC, and a positive correlation with eGFR, serum nitrogen, CRP, iPTH, and vitamin D. In CKD patients, simple and noninvasive instruments, as EEG, and cognitive-psychological tests, should be performed and careful and constant monitoring of renal risk factors, probably involved in neuropsychological complications (inflammation, disorders of mineral metabolism, electrolyte disorders, etc.), should be carried out. Early identification and adequate therapy of neuropsychological, and cognitive disorders, might enable a better quality of life and a major compliance with a probable reduction in the healthcare costs