¿Estudiar los castillos sin excavarlos? propuestas y métodos de investigación aplicados a los montes occidentales de Granada

Jornadas de Jóvenes en Investigación Arqueológica, JIA (3as : 5-7 de mayo 2010 : Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona). Sesión 9. La explicación de la Edad Media a través de la Arqueología.Frente a la dramática y creciente ausencia de excavaciones sistemáticas en los castillos de Al-Andalus, este artículo tiene como objetivo presentar las problemáticas que se encuentran al intentar comprender las funciones y papel de los castillos en la organización territorial. De aquí, las necesidades que surgen de abrir nuevas vías de investigación que permitan acceder a informaciones no frecuentemente utilizadas, posibilitando de esta manera la mejor comprensión de estas fortalezas.Before the dramatic absence of systematic excavations inside al-Andalus fortresses, the aim of this paper is to present the issues found when trying to understand the role and function of the castles within the territorial organization. Therefore, it is necessary to open new ways of approaching this kind of research, in order to achieve information which is not normally used; thus making a better understanding of these fortresses possible.Davant la dramàtica i creixent absència d'excavacions sistemàtiques en els castells d'Al-Andalus, aquest article té com a objectiu presentar les problemàtiques que es troben a l'hora d'intentar comprendre les funcions i papers dels castells en l'organització territorial. D'aquí, les necessitats que sorgeixen d'obrir noves vies d'investigació que permetin accedir a informacions no freqüentment usades, possibilitant d'aquesta manera la millor comprensió d'aquestes fortaleses

Role of Prion protein-EGFR multimolecular complex during neuronal differentiation of human dental pulp-derived stem cells

Cellular prion protein (PrPC) is expressed in a wide variety of stem cells in which regulates their self-renewal as well as differentiation potential. In this study we investigated the presence of PrPCin human dental pulp-derived stem cells (hDPSCs) and its role in neuronal differentiation process. We show that hDPSCs expresses early PrPCat low concentration and its expression increases after two weeks of treatment with EGF/bFGF. Then, we analyzed the association of PrPCwith gangliosides and EGF receptor (EGF-R) during neuronal differentiation process. PrPCassociates constitutively with GM2 in control hDPSCs and with GD3 only after neuronal differentiation. Otherwise, EGF-R associates weakly in control hDPSCs and more markedly after neuronal differentiation. To analyze the functional role of PrPCin the signal pathway mediated by EGF/EGF-R, a siRNA PrP was applied to ablate PrPCand its function. The treatment with siRNA PrP significantly prevented Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation induced by EGF. Moreover, siRNA PrP treatment significantly prevented neuronal-specific antigens expression induced by EGF/bFGF, indicating that cellular prion protein is essential for EGF/bFGF-induced hDPSCs differentiation. These results suggest that PrPCinteract with EGF-R within lipid rafts, playing a role in the multimolecular signaling complexes involved in hDPSCs neuronal differentiation

Enhancement of radiosensitivity by the novel anticancer quinolone derivative vosaroxin in preclinical glioblastoma models

Purpose: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive brain tumor. The activity of vosaroxin, a first-in-class anticancer quinolone derivative that intercalates DNA and inhibits topoisomerase II, was investigated in GBM preclinical models as a single agent and combined with radiotherapy (RT). Results: Vosaroxin showed antitumor activity in clonogenic survival assays, with IC50 of 10-100 nM, and demonstrated radiosensitization. Combined treatments exhibited significantly higher γH2Ax levels compared with controls. In xenograft models, vosaroxin reduced tumor growth and showed enhanced activity with RT; vosaroxin/RT combined was more effective than temozolomide/RT. Vosaroxin/ RT triggered rapid and massive cell death with characteristics of necrosis. A minor proportion of treated cells underwent caspase-dependent apoptosis, in agreement with in vitro results. Vosaroxin/RT inhibited RT-induced autophagy, increasing necrosis. This was associated with increased recruitment of granulocytes, monocytes, and undifferentiated bone marrow-derived lymphoid cells. Pharmacokinetic analyses revealed adequate blood-brain penetration of vosaroxin. Vosaroxin/RT increased disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) significantly compared with RT, vosaroxin alone, temozolomide, and temozolomide/RT in the U251-luciferase orthotopic model. Materials and Methods: Cellular, molecular, and antiproliferative effects of vosaroxin alone or combined with RT were evaluated in 13 GBM cell lines. Tumor growth delay was determined in U87MG, U251, and T98G xenograft mouse models. (DFS) and (OS) were assessed in orthotopic intrabrain models using luciferasetransfected U251 cells by bioluminescence and magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusions: Vosaroxin demonstrated significant activity in vitro and in vivo in GBM models, and showed additive/synergistic activity when combined with RT in O6- methylguanine methyltransferase-negative and -positive cell lines

Internet as a tool to estimate psychiatrists’ opinions on consultation activity in the Emergency Room: a mix-method survey

OBJECTIVES This study aims at exploring the attitudes of psychiatrists towards their work as consultants in the Emergency Room (ER). Considerations and suggestions concerning the use of Internet-based surveys for research purposes are also offered. METHODS A quali-quantitative Internet survey was sent to 288 psychiatrists. The 11-item questionnaire was made up of 8 half-structured questions, 2 multiple-choice questions and 1 open question. Surveymonkey was used to collect responses. Data collection went on for two weeks, from June 1st until June 15th 2011. Psychiatric consultation activity in the ER deals with assessing and managing patients with mental health problems in the specific context of urgency/emergency. RESULTS Out of the 288 invitations sent by e-mail, 132 questionnaires were returned (response rate: 45.8%); of these, 58 provided useful data for the research since they were answered by psychiatrists who usually practice as consultants in the ER. Fifty-three percent of the responders were women. Mean age was 43.6 years ± 7.4. Forty percent of the consultants said they are called in the ER “more than once a week”, mainly due to “acute clinical failures” (31%), “behavioural emergencies” (22%), “acute clinical onsets” (17%) and “self-harm behaviours” (13.8%). Social emergencies were indicated as a rare cause of consultation (1.7%), yet they were considered particularly challenging by the 36.2% of psychiatrists. A large amount of psychiatric assessments in the ER (69%) led “to prescribe a therapy and send the patient to the mental health community centre”. Some critical aspects were pointed out, such as: “lack of suitable setting” (50.9%) for meeting the patient, a “trend to delegate to the psychiatrist” (45.5%) by the ER personnel, “poor autonomy of the personnel working in the ER” (38.2%), and “poor perceived safety” (30.9%) by the consultant. Yet, it is noticeable that the vast majority of psychiatrists (75.9%) reported that they enjoy their activity as consultants in the ER. CONCLUSIONS The study points out that the majority (75.9%) of psychiatrists like their job as consultants in the ER, even if referrals are not always appropriate and settings sometimes fail to be suitable. Some relevant critical aspects were also addressed that should provide suggestions for improvement of effectiveness, organization and integration within the general hospital, to reduce waste of resources. Internet is useful and feasible as a research tool, due to low costs and easy logistics, particularly when studying younger subjects, though limited external validity might be a problem only partially addressed by adopting mixed-method strategies of research

Is hyperglycemia associated with anxious-depressive symptoms? An Italian study in primary care setting

Background: Recent researches exploring the relationship between impaired glucidic tolerance, hyperglycemia or frank type II diabetes mellitus and symptoms of anxiety and depression, mostly conducted on in-patients or highly selected samples and on foreign populations, have reported conflicting results. Nevertheless, these medical and mental conditions are often comorbid in clinical practice. Chronic and systemic inflammation could represent the trait d\'union between these conditions. Primary care represents an interesting setting for exploring this comorbidity, given the high prevalence of psychiatric symptoms displayed by patients. The aims of this research was to measure the association between hyperglycemia and symptoms of anxiety and/or depression in out-patients, and to fill the lack of studies on comorbidity between depression and anxiety disorders and medical conditions in Primary Care services. Method: The present was a cross-sectional study. We evaluated all consecutive patients undergoing a GP consultation in a Northern Italy practice. Exclusion criteria: age b40 or N80; use of antidepressants or antipsychotics medication; psychosis (schizophrenia, schizoaffective, bipolar, organic, or tall as psychotic disorder by DSM IV-TR) or major depression; pregnancy; previous stroke or heart attack; type I diabetes mellitus. The psychometric assessment was done by HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Blood Glucose measurements (BM) in the last 6 months were considered in our analysis. Hyperglycemia cutoff: blood glucose N100 mg/dl. The statistical analysis was performed using STATA with multiple linear regressions. Results: 209 subjects were recruited in our study (84 men and 125 women). Of those, 48 (22.9%) were affected by hyperglycemia: 22 were men and 26 women. Hyperglycemia was related to HADS-D score in the men sample (β = .44, p = .01). No association was found between hyperglycemia and HADS-A, either in men or in women. Conclusion: The presence of hyperglycemia, well-known cardiovascular risk factor, may have a clinical value in predicting the presence of depressive symptoms, especially in men. Further studies should examine whether our results are generalizable to other populations and whether they are applicable to clinical depression. Molecular researches could focus on clarifying the pathophysiological reasons for such association, also exploring reasons for sex differences

Association between symptoms of anxiety and depression and BMI in Primary Care patients: a cross sectional study

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a heterogeneous entity represented by the coexistence of multiple alterations: abdominaladiposity, impaired glucose tolerance, hypertriglyceridemia, HDL hypocolesterolemia and hypertension. Symptoms of anxiety and depression are frequently comorbid with MetS. Aim of the present study was to measure the association between symptoms of anxiety and depression with the five criteria of MetS in outpatients attending GPs' practices. Method: This is a cross-sectional study, involving male and female patients aged 40–80 attending five GPs' practices within one month in Modena, Northern Italy approved by the local Ethical Committee. All patients were screened for the presence of MetS and depressive/ anxiety symptoms, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Exclusion criteria: age b40 or N80; use of antidepressants or antipsychotics; previous stroke, heart attack or cardiovascular disease; diagnosed psychotic or mood disorder (according to the DSM-IV-TR); diabetes; pregnancy; hereditary disease linked to obesity. All data were adjusted for socio-demographic confounders. Multiple logistic analysis performed with STATA 13.0. Results: 128 subjects were enrolled in the study (55 men and 73 women), 48 presented with MetS (ATP-III-Revised criteria). MetS was associated with depression only in the female group (OR =6.33, p= 0.01), also when adjusting for age (OR =5.13, p= 0.02). MetS was not associated with anxiety in both males and females, and with depression in men. Among the individual components of MetS, only waist circumference was associated with anxiety in the female group (OR=4.40, p=0.04) also when adjusting for age (OR=4.34, p=0.04). Conclusion: Women aged between 40 and 60, presenting with MetS and attending the primary care services should been regularly screened for the presence of depression. Chronic systemic inflammation could represent the biological link between MetS and psychological symptoms. Further researches are needed to better clarify this possible relation

Thermal-induced phase transitions in self-assembled mesostructured films studied by small-angle X-ray scattering

Two examples of phase transition in self-assembled mesostructured hybrid thin films are reported. The materials have been synthesized using tetraethoxysilane as the silica source hydrolyzed with or without the addition of methyltriethoxysilane. The combined use of transmission electron microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering and computer simulation has been introduced to achieve a clear identification of the organized phases. A structural study of the self-assembled mesophases as a function of thermal treatment has allowed the overall phase transition to be followed. The initial symmetries of mesophases in as-deposited films have been linked to those observed in samples after thermal treatment. The monodimensional shrinkage of silica films during calcination has induced a phase transition from face-centered orthorhombic to body-centered cubic. In hybrid films, instead, the phase transition has not involved a change in the unit cell but a contraction of the cell parameter normal to the substrate

Apple or pear? A cross sectional study on the association between body shape and symptoms of anxiety and depression in primary care female patients

INTRODUCTION - "Apple" body shape (Waist-to-Hip Ratio, WHR>1) is a documented risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, the first cause of morbility and mortality in Western societies. Mental disorders, especially anxiety and depression, are also related to cardiovascular diseases with accumulating evidence that these conditions have in common a dysregulation of inflammatory pathways. Nevertheless, joint assessment of WHR and symptoms of anxiety and depression has not been reported commonly so far. AIM - To explore the association between WHR and symptoms of anxiety and depression in a female primary care sample. METHODS - Cross-sectional design. Evaluation of all consecutive women undergoing a GP consultation in a Northern Italy Practice. Exclusion criteria: age 80; use of antidepressants or antipsychotics; previous stroke or heart attack; obesity due to hereditary. Psychometric assessment was done by HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Statistical analysis was performed using STATA. RESULTS - 125 women were assessed. WHR was inversely associated to HADS-Anxiety subscale score (β=-5.28, p=.02) e HADS-Depression subscale score(β=-4.02, p=.04) in the 40-60 years’ subgroup. In particular, WC was positively related to HADS-A (β=13.39, p=.02) e HADS-D (β=10.38, p=.03) while HC was inversely associated to HADS-A (β=-11.3, p=.01) and HADS-D (β=-8.6, p=.03). No associations were found in older groups. CONCLUSION - 'Pear” body shape (WHR<1), with a peripheral distribution of fat, is inversely associated to symptoms of anxiety and depression in women aged 40 to 60. The post-menopausal transition to the 'apple” model, with a central fat distribution, could explain the lack of correlations in women >60 years

Monitoring of hadrontherapy treatments by means of charged particle detection

The interaction of the incoming beam radiation with the patient body in hadrontherapy treatments produces secondary charged and neutral particles, whose detection can be used for monitoring purposes and to perform an on-line check of beam particle range. In the context of ion-therapy with active scanning, charged particles are potentially attractive since they can be easily tracked with a high efficiency, in presence of a relatively low background contamination. In order to verify the possibility of exploiting this approach for in-beam monitoring in ion-therapy, and to guide the design of specific detectors, both simulations and experimental tests are being performed with ion beams impinging on simple homogeneous tissue-like targets (PMMA). From these studies, a resolution of the order of few millimeters on the single track has been proven to be sufficient to exploit charged particle tracking for monitoring purposes, preserving the precision achievable on longitudinal shape. The results obtained so far show that the measurement of charged particles can be successfully implemented in a technology capable of monitoring both the dose profile and the position of the Bragg peak inside the target and finally lead to the design of a novel profile detector. Crucial aspects to be considered are the detector positioning, to be optimized in order to maximize the available statistics, and the capability of accounting for the multiple scattering interactions undergone by the charged fragments along their exit path from the patient body. The experimental results collected up to now are also valuable for the validation of Monte Carlo simulation software tools and their implementation in Treatment Planning Software packages

On the stable homotopy of a Z₂-Moore space

Silica-germania thin films are important materials for photonic applications, but synthesis of these films is quite difficult to achieve especially with the task of obtaining a homogeneous structure. We have prepared mesoporous silica-germania films via evaporation-induced self-assembly from ethanolic solutions of Si and Ge chlorides, using a triblock copolymer as the templating agent. The mesostructure has been found to have tetragonal symmetry, and the degree of order decreased with increasing Ge content. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has shown that the chemical composition of the films is close to the nominal composition. Infrared analysis has revealed that the pore walls are highly condensed and residual hydroxyls are present as isolated. or hydrogen bonded silanols in short chains. UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence spectra have been correlated with the presence of photoactive oxygen-deficient Ge2+ centers which can give rise to a variation in the refractive index upon high-power density UV irradiation