On the stability of solutions of semilinear elliptic equations with Robin boundary conditions on Riemannian manifolds

We investigate existence and nonexistence of stationary stable nonconstant solutions, i.e. patterns, of semilinear parabolic problems in bounded domains of Riemannian manifolds satisfying Robin boundary conditions. These problems arise in several models in applications, in particular in Mathematical Biology. We point out the role both of the nonlinearity and of geometric objects such as the Ricci curvature of the manifold, the second fundamental form of the boundary of the domain and its mean curvature. Special attention is devoted to surfaces of revolution and to spherically symmetric manifolds, where we prove refined results

Rodoretto talc mine (To, Italy): studies for the optimizationof the cemented backfilling

The underground talc mine of Fontane (Prali, near Torino, North West of Italy) has been exploited for decades by conventional cut and fill method using loose fill and, in the last 30 years, using cemented backfill and exploiting the orebody downwards. With this exploitation approach, the orebody recovery and the safety of the mining operations have been greatly improved. In the new mine section, located in Rodoretto, a detailed numerical modelling has been carried out to simulate the various geometrical and mining conditions and the fill properties. In the meantime an experimental research carried out to check the possibility of using the waste rock for the fill mix have been carried out in order to establish a procedure able to reduce the filling costs

Sedative effects of intramuscular alfaxalone in pet guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of alfaxalone administered intramuscularly (IM) as a sedative agent in guinea pigs undergoing survey radiographs

Towards a magnetoresistive platform for neural signal recording

A promising strategy to get deeper insight on brain functionalities relies on the investigation of neural activities at the cellular and sub-cellular level. In this framework, methods for recording neuron electrical activity have gained interest over the years. Main technological challenges are associated to finding highly sensitive detection schemes, providing considerable spatial and temporal resolution. Moreover, the possibility to perform non-invasive assays would constitute a noteworthy benefit. In this work, we present a magnetoresistive platform for the detection of the action potential propagation in neural cells. Such platform allows, in perspective, the in vitro recording of neural signals arising from single neurons, neural networks and brain slices

Let me see: Correlation between 5-ala fluorescence and molecular pathways in glioblastoma: A single center experience

Background: Despite the aggressiveness of multimodal treatment, glioblastoma (GBM) is still a challenge for neurosurgeons, neurooncologists, and radiotherapists. A surgical approach is still a cornerstone in GBM therapeutic management, as the extent of resection is strongly related both to overall survival and progression-free survival. From this perspective, the use of photodynamic molecules could represent an interesting tool to achieve maximal and safe resection. Being able to trace the lesion’s edges, indeed, could allow to improve the extent of resection and to minimize residual tumor while sparing normal tissue. The use of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) as a photodynamic tracer is well established due to its strict correlation both with cellularity and metabolic activity of the GBM cell clones. Objective: Our study aims to define whether a different molecular asset of GBM (especially investigating IDH 1/2 mutation, proliferation index, and MGMT promoter methylation) results in different fluorescence expression, possibly because of differences in metabolic pathways due to different genotypes. Methods: Patients undergoing surgery for GBM removal at our Institute (Dep. Of Neurosurgery, Ospedale Città della Salute e della Scienza, University of Turin, Italy) were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with histological diagnosis confirmation and to whom 5-ALA was given before surgery were included. The whole surgical procedure was recorded and then analyzed by three different people (a medical student, a resident, and a senior surgeon with an interest in neurooncology and experience in using 5-ALA) and a score was assigned to the different degrees of intraoperative fluorescence. The degree of fluorescence was then matched with the genotype. Results: A trend of grade 2 fluorescence (i.e., ”strong”) was observed in the IDH 1/2 wild-type (WT) genotype, suggesting a more intense metabolic activity in this particular subgroup, while, no or weak fluorescence was observed more often in the IDH 1/2 mutated tumors, suggesting a lower metabolic activity. No relations were found between fluorescence grade and MGMT promoter methylation or, interestingly, cellularity. As a secondary analysis, more epileptogenicity of the IDH 1/2 mutated GBM was noticed, similarly to other recent literature. Conclusion: Our results do not support the use of 5-ALA as a diagnostic tool, or a way to substitute the molecular profiling, but confirm 5-ALA as a powerful metabolic tracer, able to easily detect the pathological cells, especially in the IDH WT genotype, and in this perspective, further studies will be necessary to better describe the metabolic activity of GBM cells

In vivo and in vitro permeability of one-step self-etch adhesives

Adhesive dentistry should effectively restore the peripheral seal of dentin after enamel removal. We hypothesize that non-rinsing, simplified, one-step self-etch adhesives are effective for minimizing dentin permeability after tooth preparation procedures. Crown preparations in vital human teeth were sealed with Adper Prompt, Xeno III, iBond, or One-Up Bond F. Epoxy resin replicas were produced from polyvinyl siloxane impressions for SEM examination. Dentin surfaces from extracted human teeth were bonded with these adhesives and connected to a fluid-transport model for permeability measurements and TEM examination. Dentinal fluid droplets were observed from adhesive surfaces in resin replicas of in vivo specimens. In vitro fluid conductance of dentin bonded with one-step self-etch adhesives was either similar to or greater than that of smear-layer-covered dentin. TEM revealed water trees within the adhesives that facilitate water movement across the polymerized, highly permeable adhesives. Both in vitro and in vivo results did not support the proposed hypothesis.published_or_final_versio