Methodologies for self-organising systems:a SPEM approach

We define ’SPEM fragments’ of five methods for developing self-organising multi-agent systems. Self-organising traffic lights controllers provide an application scenario

Regarding “Understanding the ‘Scope’ of the Problem: Why Laparoscopy Is Considered Safe during the COVID-19 Pandemic”

SARS-CoV-2 range in size from 0.06 to 0.125 μm, falling squarely within the particle-size range that HEPA filters capture with extraordinary efficiency: 0.01 micron and above. It is incorrect to state that HEPA filters are not able to catch particles below 0.3 micron, like SARS-CoV-2 virus. This belief is based on a misunderstanding of how HEPA filters work. The particles size of 0.3 micron is used as a standard to measure the effectiveness of HEPA filters, but this does not mean they are not able to catch smaller particles. A paper from the NASA1 well explains that HEPA filters are highly effective in capturing a very high proportion, up to 100%, of nanoparticulate contaminants, ranging in size from 0.1 to 0.001 micron (diffusion regime) because they don’t fly straight, collide with other fast-moving molecules, move around in random pathways and hit the filter fibers remaining stuck in them. This is known as the Brownian movement. The intersecting regime has just a small drop in efficiency that affects the particles of around 0.3 μm, defined as most penetrating particle size (MPPS). This value for a typical HEPA filter varies from 0.2 to 0.3 micron, depending on flow rate, and lowering the flow speed, a simple HEPA will perform as an ULPA filter

La timpanoplastica aperta: indicazioni e nostri risultati a distanza

OBIETTIVI Le indicazioni per una tecnica aperta sono in primo luogo le otomastoiditi colesteatomatose, le neoplasie, alcune complicanze ed alcune forme di otomastoidite granulomatosa diffusa con totale coinvolgimento della catena ossiculare, specialmente quando esiste una mastoide eburmnea. MATERIALI Nel periodo 1975‐2006 sono state eseguite 4875 timpanoplastiche, di cui 3343 con tecnica aperta. In considerazione dell'esperienza maturata è utile distinguere un periodo compreso tra il 1975 e 1990, nel quale, indipendentemente dalla diagnosi, si eseguiva la tecnica chiusa nel 95% dei casi, mentre la tecnica aperta era riservata al 5% dei casi. Nell'85% delle tecniche chiuse veniva eseguito un secondo tempo a distanza di 8 mesi: nel 30% dei casi si trovava una recidiva del colesteatoma, per cui si passava ad una tecnica aperta. Per questi risultati si è deciso di invertire il nostro modo di operare ed abbiamo eseguito la tecnica aperta nel 90% delle otomastoiditi colesteatomatose. RIASSUNTO Abbiamo valutato i risultati a distanza di 4 anni trovando: ‐ recidiva del colesteatoma 5% ‐ risultati anatomici: buona conservazione del neotimpano 40%, perforazione del neotimpano 45%, totale riassorbimento del neotimpano 15%. ‐ risultati funzionali: abbiamo preso in considerazione l'indice GAP (la somma della perdita di udito preoperatoria per le frequenze 250,500,1000,2000 fratto la somma della perdita di udito postoperatoria per le stesse frequenze), nel quale l'indice > di 3 indica risultato ottimo, l'indice > di 2 indica risultato buono, l'indice < di 2 indica risultato insoddisfacente, l'indice < di 1 indica risultato peggiorativo. Nella nostra casistica abbiamo ottenuto GAP > di 3 nel 15% dei casi, GAP > di 2 nel 40%, GAP < di 2 nel 20%,GAP < di 1 nel 5%. CONCLUSIONI In conclusione la migliore visualizzazione della cavità mastoidea consente di prevenire la recidiva di colesteatoma; il paziente può fare il bagno al mare se la guarigione è ben consolidata. Dal punto di vista funzionale non esistono notevoli differenze tra tecnica chiusa e tecnica aperta ed oggi è possibile una corretta protesizzazione anche nei soggetti operati con tecnica aperta. Noi non eseguiamo una ricostruzione della cavità mastoidea prima dei 2 anni dal primo intervento

Emangiopericitoma Vs Tumore glomico

OBIETTIVI I tumori che originano dalle cellule di supporto dei vasi, i periciti, appartengono alla vasta categoria dei tumori dei tessuti molli che sono lesioni generalmente frequenti nel distretto testa-collo. La trasformazione in senso neoplastico dei periciti è comunque poco frequente e può dare origine a due gruppi neoplastici: i tumori glomici e l’emangiopericitoma. Gli autori presentano in seno alla stessa famiglia due casi clinici rispettivamente di tumori glomico timpanico e di emangiopericitoma del condotto uditivo esterno. MATERIALI I tumori glomici timpanici e giugulari sono rare neoformazioni ipervascolarizzate, a lenta crescita, che si sviluppano nell’ambito dell’orecchio medio e dell’osso temporale; fanno parte di un gruppo di tumori, definiti paragangliomi, che prendono origine da un sistema di cellule derivanti dalla cresta neurale. Esistono delle forme familiari in cui si possono osservare delle lesioni multicentriche, con comparsa sincrona delle lesioni o metacrona, rientrando così in quel gruppo di tumori definito MEN II (neoplasie endocrine multiple tipo II). Ad oggi i loci genici chiamati in causa come responsabili dell’ereditarietà sono definiti: PGL1 codificante per la Succinato Deidrogenasi sub-unità D (SDHD), PGL3 (codificante per SDHC) e PGL4 (codificante per SDHB) localizzati tutti sul cromosoma 11 (11q23-11q13.1). Il locus genico PGL2 non è stato ancora ben identificato. Anche il locus 1q21-q23 può essere responsabile di una forma familiare. L’emangiopericitoma (HPC) è un tumore vascolare maligno che insorge dalle cellule mesenchimali con differenziazione pericitica (periciti di Zimmerman). Il profilo immunoistochimico dell'HPC è incerto e la diagnosi è di solito controversa. La diagnosi differenziale con il sarcoma sinoviale, il condrosarcoma mesenchimale, l'istiocitoma fibroso e il tumore fibroso solitario è problematica. Sono state identificate anomalie cromosomiche (traslocazioni) in alcuni emangiopericitomi in particolare t(x;18)(p11.2;q11.2) ma ad oggi non sono state riscontrate delle forme familiari. RIASSUNTO Gli autori presentano due casi clinici rispettivamente di tumori glomico timpanico e di emangiopericitoma del condotto uditivo esterno di due soggetti appartenenti alla stessa famiglia analizzando le differenti caratteristiche cliniche, audiologiche ed istologiche delle forme neopastiche. CONCLUSIONI Gli autori ipotizzano una origine genetica analoga per le neoplasia sopradescritte che potrebbe essere ricondotta alla inattivazione del gene di Von Hippel-Lindau

Cannabinoid Receptor Stimulation Impairs Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Mouse White Adipose Tissue, Muscle, and Liver: The Role of eNOS, p38 MAPK, and AMPK Pathways

OBJECTIVE - Cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor is involved in whole-body and cellular energy metabolism. We asked whether CB1 receptor stimulation was able to decrease mitochondrial biogenesis in different metabolically active tissues of obese high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - The effects of selective CB1 agonist arachidonyl-2-chloroethanolamide (ACEA) and endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression were examined, as were mitochondrial DNA amount and mitochondrial biogenesis parameters in cultured mouse and human white adipocytes. These parameters were also investigated in white adipose tissue (WAT), muscle, and liver of mice chronically treated with ACEA. Moreover, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation was investigated in WAT and isolated mature adipocytes from eNOS-/- and wild-type mice. eNOS, p38 MAPK, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and mitochondrial biogenesis were investigated in WAT, muscle, and liver of HFD mice chronically treated with ACEA. RESULTS - ACEA decreased mitochondrial biogenesis and eNOS expression, activated p38 MAPK, and reduced AMPK phosphorylation in white adipocytes. The ACEA effects on mitochondria were antagonized by nitric oxide donors and by p38 MAPK silencing. White adipocytes from eNOS-/- mice displayed higher p38 MAPK phosphorylation than wild-type animals under basal conditions, and ACEA was ineffective in cells lacking eNOS. Moreover, mitochondrial biogenesis was downregulated, while p38 MAPK phosphorylation was increased and AMPK phosphorylation was decreased in WAT, muscle, and liver of ACEA-treated mice on a HFD. CONCLUSIONS - CB1 receptor stimulation decreases mitochondrial biogenesis in white adipocytes, through eNOS downregulation and p38 MAPK activation, and impairs mitochondrial function in metabolically active tissues of dietary obese mic

Gynoecium size and ovule number are interconnected traits that impact seed yield

Angiosperms form the biggest group of land plants and display an astonishing diversity of floral structures. The development of the flowers greatly contributed to the evolutionary success of the angiosperms as they guarantee efficient reproduction with the help of either biotic or abiotic vectors. The female reproductive part of the flower is the gynoecium (also called pistil). Ovules arise from meristematic tissue within the gynoecium. Upon fertilization, these ovules develop into seeds while the gynoecium turns into a fruit. Gene regulatory networks involving transcription factors and hormonal communication regulate ovule primordium initiation, their spacing on the placenta, and ovule development. Ovule number and gynoecium size are usually correlated and several genetic factors that impact these traits have been identified. Understanding and fine-tuning the gene regulatory networks influencing ovule number and pistil length opens up strategies for crop yield improvement, which is pivotal in light of a rapidly growing world population. In this review, we present an overview of the current knowledge of the genes and hormones involved in determining ovule number and gynoecium size. We propose a model for the gene regulatory network that guides the developmental processes that determine seed yield

Will the COVID-19 pandemic transform infection prevention and control in surgery? Seeking leverage points for organizational learning

Abstract Background In response to the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare systems worldwide have stepped up their infection prevention and control efforts in order to reduce the spread of the infection. Behaviours, such as hand hygiene, screening and cohorting of patients, and the appropriate use of antibiotics have long been recommended in surgery, but their implementation has often been patchy. Methods The current crisis presents an opportunity to learn about how to improve infection prevention and control and surveillance (IPCS) behaviours. The improvements made were mainly informal, quick and stemming from the frontline rather than originating from formal organizational structures. The adaptations made and the expertise acquired have the potential for triggering deeper learning and to create enduring improvements in the routine identification and management of infections relating to surgery. Results This paper aims to illustrate how adopting a human factors and ergonomics perspective can provide insights into how clinical work systems have been adapted and reconfigured in order to keep patients and staff safe. Conclusion For achieving sustainable change in IPCS practices in surgery during COVID-19 and beyond we need to enhance organizational learning potentials

A multistage combined approach to promote diabetic wound healing in COVID-19 era

When diabetes mellitus is not properly controlled with drugs and a healthy lifestyle, it exposes patients with advanced peripheral arterial disease or critical limb ischaemia (CLI) to the most serious complications, in particular lower limb ulcers. Surgical or endovascular treatments represent the first line of intervention; in addition, the adequate management of ulcers can guarantee not only a faster wound healing but also the improvement of the patient's prognosis. To speed up this process, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and other advanced moist wound dress- ing have been proposed. During Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pan- demic, many patients with CLI and diabetes mellitus had difficult access to advanced treatments with a significant reduction in life expectancy. We report the cases of patients with non-healing ulcers and CLI treated with an empiric multistage approach after successful endovascular revascularisation; the post- operative course was eventful in all patients, and foot ulcers are currently in an advanced state of healing. The association between adequate revascularisation, systemic anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic therapy with the multistage advanced medications ensures healing of ulcers, limb salvage, and improvement of patient prognosis

Effect of intramuscular injections of DL-α-tocopheryl acetate on growth performance and extracellular matrix of growing lambs.

The effect of intramuscular injections of vitamin E on growth, carcass traits, intramuscular collagen (IMC) characteristics and decorin of growing lambs was studied. A total of 24 15-day-old Ile de France suckling male lambs were divided into two groups and weekly intramuscular injections of DL-α-tocopheryl acetate (control group, 0 IU; Vitamin E treatment, 150 IU) were given until the lambs were 64 days old. Lambs were individually weighted at 15, 29, 43, 57 days of age and at slaughter (71 days old). Dry matter intake and average daily weight gain were recorded. Hot and cold carcass weights were recorded and dressing percentages were calculated after dressing and chilling (2°C to 4°C for 24 h). Carcass shrink losses were calculated as well. Longissimus muscle (LM) pH and area were measured. The pelvic limb was removed and its percentage was calculated based on cold carcass weight. IMC and decorin analyses were assessed on LM and semimembranosus muscle (SM). DL-α-tocopheryl acetate treatment reduced (P<0.05) collagen maturity and increased (P<0.05) decorin in both LM and SM muscles of growing lambs, while it did not affect IMC content. In addition, vitamin E did not influence growth, carcass weight, dressing percentage, carcass shrink losses and area of LM but decreased (P<0.05) the pelvic limb percentage. The LM pH values were higher (P<0.05) in vitamin group than in control group. Furthermore, different IMC characteristics between the muscles (P<0.01) were apparent. Multiple intramuscular injections of DL-α-tocopheryl acetate influence extracellular matrix in lambs, which could affect meat tenderness