insar decorrelation to assess and prevent volcanic risk

SAR� can� be� invaluable� describing� pre�eruption� surface� deformation� and� improving� the� understanding� of� volcanic� processes.� This� work� studies� correlation� of� pairs� of� SAR� images� focusing� on� the� inༀ䃻uence� of� surface,� climate� conditions� and� acquisition� band.� Chosen� L�band� and� C�band� images� (ENVISAT,� ERS� and� ALOS)� cover� most� of� the� Yellowstone� caldera� (USA)� over� a� span� of� 4� years,� sampling� all� the� seasons.� Interferograms� and� correlation� maps� are� generated� and� studied� in� relation� to� snow� depth� and� temperature.� To� isolate� temporal� decorrelation� pairs� of� images� with� the� shortest� baseline� are� chosen.� Results� show� good� performance� during� winter,� bad� attitude� towards� wet� snow� and� good� coherence� during� summer� with� L�band� performing� better� over� vegetation

Plasmatic microRNA levels by ddPCR as peripheral biomarkers for IDH-wild type glioblastomas: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent malignant brain tumour in adults with a dismal prognosis and peripheral biomarkers may be useful and effective in managing patients with GBM. The main aim of our study was the use of ddPCR to assess the absolute quantification of the plasmatic levels of three miRNAs as possible GBM-specific biomarkers. We focused on: miR-21-5p, an onco-miR overexpressed in blood, tumour tissue and cell cultures derived from patients affected by GBM, miR-23b-3p and miR-34a-5p, tumour suppressor miRs dysregulated in GMB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients presenting with firstly-diagnosed IDH-wild type GBM and 10 age- and gender-matched healthy control donors (hC) have been enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood samples were collected at diagnosis and one month after surgery. Total RNA was isolated from plasma by means of miRNeasy Serum/Plasma Kit (Qiagen), according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) was performed to assess the absolute quantification of each miRNA level according to the QX200 ddPCR protocol. RESULTS: The expression analysis revealed: i) different levels of each miRNA in hC: 98.74 copies/L (±123.60), 2.56 copies/L (±5.57), 0.73 copies/L (±0.85) for miR-21-5p, miR-23b-3p and miR-34a-5p, respectively; ii) a trend of downregulation of miR-21-5p and miR-23b-3p in GMB patients at diagnosis compared to hC; iii) a trend of upregulation of each miRNA in GMB patients one month after surgery compared with the levels measured at diagnosis, in particular 3.02, 6.2 and 1.7 fold increase for miR-21-5p, miR-23b-3p and miR-34a-5p, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study we reported higher amounts of circulating miR-21-5p, miR-23b-3p and miR-34a-5p in plasma of patients affected by IDH-wild type GBM one month after surgery compared to the levels at diagnosis

Determination of plasmatic microRNA levels by ddPCR as peripheral biomarkers for IDH-wild type glioblastomas: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent malignant brain tumour in adults with a dismal prognosis. Peripheral biomarkers may be useful and effective in managing patients affected by GBM. The aim of our study was to analyse the plasmatic levels of three miRNAs as possible GBM-specific biomarkers. We focused on miR-21-5p – an onco-miR overexpressed in blood, tumour tissue and cell cultures derived from patients affected by GBM – miR-23b-3p – overexpressed in GBM, especially under hypoxic conditions – and miR-34a-5p – a tumour suppressor miR downregulated in tumour tissue and serum of patients with GBM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients presenting with firstly-diagnosed IDH-wild type GBM and 10 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers (hV) have been enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood samples were collected at diagnosis and one month after surgery. Total RNA was isolated from plasma by means of miRNeasy Serum/Plasma Kit (Qiagen), according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) was performed for each miRNA according to the QX200 EvaGreen ddPCR protocol. RESULTS: The circulating concentrations of miR-21-5p were in mean 24.00 (28.44) and 72.40 (147.88) copies/L in patients with GBM at diagnosis and one month after surgery (p=0.38), respectively, compared with 98.74 copies/L ( 123.60) quantified in hV (p=0.09; p=0.69). The mean peripheral levels of miR-23b-3p were 0.49 copies/L (0.49) at diagnosis and 3.02 copies/L (6.88) one month after surgery (p=0.32) in patients with GBM, and 2.56 copies/L (5.57) in hV (p=0.31; p=0.88). Analysing plasmatic expression of miR-34a-5p, 1.11 (1.55) and 1.85 copies/L (1.87) were measured on average at diagnosis and one month after surgery in patients with GBM (p=0.41), while 0.73 copies/L (0.85) in hV (p=0.52; p=0.11). CONCLUSIONS: We preliminarily reported higher concentrations of circulating miR-21-5p, miR-23b-3p and miR-34a-5p in plasma of patients affected by IDH-wild type GBM one month after surgery compared to the levels at diagnosis

Early immune modulation by single-agent trastuzumab as a marker of trastuzumab benefit

BACKGROUND: Optimising the selection of HER2-targeted regimens by identifying subsets of HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) patients who need more or less therapy remains challenging. We analysed BC samples before and after treatment with 1 cycle of trastuzumab according to the response to trastuzumab. METHODS: Gene expression profiles of pre- and post-treatment tumour samples from 17 HER2-positive BC patients were analysed on the Illumina platform. Tumour-associated immune pathways and blood counts were analysed with regard to the response to trastuzumab. HER2-positive murine models with differential responses to trastuzumab were used to reproduce and better characterise these data. RESULTS: Patients who responded to single-agent trastuzumab had basal tumour biopsies that were enriched in immune pathways, particularly the MHC-II metagene. One cycle of trastuzumab modulated the expression levels of MHC-II genes, which increased in patients who had a complete response on treatment with trastuzumab and chemotherapy. Trastuzumab increased the MHC-II-positive cell population, primarily macrophages, only in the tumour microenvironment of responsive mice. In patients who benefited from complete trastuzumab therapy and in mice that harboured responsive tumours circulating neutrophil levels declined, but this cell subset rose in nonresponsive tumours. CONCLUSIONS: Short treatment with trastuzumab induces local and systemic immunomodulation that is associated with clinical outcomes

Ionized jet deposition of silver nanostructured coatings: Assessment of chemico-physical and biological behavior for application in orthopedics

Infection is one of the main issues connected to implantation of biomedical devices and represents a very difficult issue to tackle, for clinicians and for patients. This study aimed at tackling infection through antibacterial nanostructured silver coatings manufactured by Ionized Jet Deposition (IJD) for application as new and advanced coating systems for medical devices. Films composition and morphology depending on deposition parameters were investigated and their performances evaluated by correlating these properties with the antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy of the coatings, against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains and with their cytotoxicity towards human cell line fibroblasts. The biocompatibility of the coatings, the nanotoxicity, and the safety of the proposed approach were evaluated, for the first time, in vitro and in vivo by rat subcutaneous implant models. Different deposition times, corresponding to different thicknesses, were selected and compared. All silver coatings exhibited a highly homogeneous surface composed of nanosized spherical aggregates. All coatings having a thickness of 50 nm and above showed high antibacterial efficacy, while none of the tested options caused cytotoxicity when tested in vitro. Indeed, silver films impacted on bacterial strains viability and capability to adhere to the substrate, in a thickness-dependent manner. The nanostructure obtained by IJD permitted to mitigate the toxicity of silver, conferring strong antibacterial and anti-adhesive features, without affecting the coatings biocompatibility. At the explant, the coatings were still present although they showed signs of progressive dissolution, compatible with the release of silver, but no cracking, delamination or in vivo toxicity was observed

Elevated TGF \u3b22 serum levels in Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy: Implications for myocyte and tenocyte differentiation and fibrogenic processes

Among rare diseases caused by mutations in LMNA gene, Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy type 2 and Limb-Girdle muscular Dystrophy 1B are characterized by muscle weakness and wasting, joint contractures, cardiomyopathy with conduction system disorders. Circulating biomarkers for these pathologies have not been identified. Here, we analyzed the secretome of a cohort of patients affected by these muscular laminopathies in the attempt to identify a common signature. Multiplex cytokine assay showed that transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF \u3b22) and interleukin 17 serum levels are consistently elevated in the vast majority of examined patients, while interleukin 6 and basic fibroblast growth factor are altered in subgroups of patients. Levels of TGF \u3b22 are also increased in fibroblast and myoblast cultures established from patient biopsies as well as in serum from mice bearing the H222P Lmna mutation causing Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy in humans. Both patient serum and fibroblast conditioned media activated a TGF \u3b22-dependent fibrogenic program in normal human myoblasts and tenocytes and inhibited myoblast differentiation. Consistent with these results, a TGF \u3b22 neutralizing antibody avoided fibrogenic marker activation and myogenesis impairment. Cell intrinsic TGF \u3b22-dependent mechanisms were also determined in laminopathic cells, where TGF \u3b22 activated AKT/mTOR phosphorylation. These data show that TGF \u3b22 contributes to the pathogenesis of Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy type 2 and Limb-Girdle muscular Dystrophy 1B and can be considered a potential biomarker of those diseases. Further, the evidence of TGF \u3b22 pathogenetic effects in tenocytes provides the first mechanistic insight into occurrence of joint contractures in muscular laminopathies

gene expression profiling in breast cancer a clinical perspective

Gene expression profiling tests are used in an attempt to determine the right treatment for the right person with early-stage breast cancer that may have spread to nearby lymph nodes but not to distant parts of the body. These new diagnostic approaches are designed to spare people who do not need additional treatment (adjuvant therapy) the side effects of unnecessary treatment, and allow people who may benefit from adjuvant therapy to receive it. In the present review we discuss in detail the major diagnostic tests available such as MammaPrint dx, Oncotype dx, PAM50, Mammostrat, IHC4, MapQuant DX, Theros-Breast Cancer Gene Expression Ratio Assay, and their potential clinical applications

Visualización y análisis de la humedad del suelo en superficie medida in situ y estimada por satelites en un sitio de la Llanura Pampeana

PosterEl agua almacenada en el suelo es una variable que controla múltiples procesos y circuitos de retroalimentación dentro del sistema climático, mediando los ciclos del agua y la energía (Seneviratne et al., 2010). En los últimos años se han logrado avances significativos en la caracterización de la humedad de suelo (HS) a escala regional, a través de estimaciones mediante teledetección y la puesta en funcionamiento de nuevas redes de medición in situ. Cada una de estas fuentes de información presenta características intrínsecas, como el rango dinámico de HS, los periodos de disponibilidad de datos y la frecuencia temporal de adquisición de los mismos. Por lo expuesto, resulta de suma importancia elaborar metodologías de visualización de la HS que nos permitan evaluar las cualidades de cada fuente de información previniendo la aplicación de supuestos y filtros adicionales sobre la dinámica natural de la HS que cada una de estas fuentes brinda. En el presente trabajo se proponen estrategias para explorar la HS de estaciones in situ y de los sistemas satelitales SMOS y SMAP. El estudio se enfoca en un sector de la llanura Pampeana de Argentina que ofrece como ventajas, además de contar con mediciones de HS in situ, paisajes relativamente homogéneos en cuanto a tipos y usos del suelos y un relieve extremadamente plano, que junto con un clima subhúmedo ofrecen un laboratorio natural de condiciones de HS.Fil: Cappelletti, L.M. Universidad de Buenos Aires - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera (CIMA/UBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institut Franco-Argentin d'Études sur le Climat et ses Impacts, Unité Mixte Internationale (UMI-IFAECI/CNRS-IRD-CONICET-UBA), Argentina.Fil: Sorensson, A. Universidad de Buenos Aires - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera (CIMA/UBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institut Franco-Argentin d'Études sur le Climat et ses Impacts, Unité Mixte Internationale (UMI-IFAECI/CNRS-IRD-CONICET-UBA), ArgentinaFil: Jobbágy, Esteban G. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada San Luis. Grupo de Estudios Ambientales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaRuscica, R. Universidad de Buenos Aires - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Centro de Investigaciones del Mar y la Atmósfera (CIMA/UBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Institut Franco-Argentin d'Études sur le Climat et ses Impacts, Unité Mixte Internationale (UMI-IFAECI/CNRS-IRD-CONICET-UBA), Argentina.Fil: Salvia, Maria Mercedes. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio. - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio; ArgentinaFil: Fernández Long, M. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía; Argentina.Fil: Gattinoni, Natalia N. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Clima y Agua; ArgentinaFil: Spennemann, P.C. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Servicio Meteorológico Nacional; Argentina Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero; Argentin