ISIDe, an Italian Seismic Data Base with minimum magnitude of completeness ML 1.8

ISIDe, the Italian Seismic Instrumental and parametric DatabasE, includes today more than 17000 earthquakes occurred in Italy and surrounding seas since April 16th 2005, ranging from magnitude ML 0.2 to ML 5.7. All the ML are computed from synthetic Wood-Anderson records obtained from horizontal broad band and very-broad band registrations. The minimum magnitude of completeness is ML 1.9, as computed from the cumulated Gutenberg-Richter distribution. The ML 4.8 event occurred in the Gargano peninsula (southern Italy) on May 29th 2006 is the crustal earthquake of maximum magnitude included in the catalog; it was followed on December 10th 2006 by an ML 4.5 earthquake, about 40 km northeast of the previous event. The largest earthquake of the catalog (ML 5.7) occurred on October 26th 2006 in the southern Tyrrhenian sea at a depth of 220 km. Although ISIDe is spanning only the last three years and half of Italian seismicity, it is unprecedented in Italy for completeness and homogeneity and represents an optimum test data set for small and moderate seismicity pattern model verification. ISIDe is now available at http://iside.rm.ingv.it/

Normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism: a survey in a small village of Southern Italy

We investigated the prevalence of normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism (NPHPT) in the adult population living in a village in Southern Italy. All residents in 2010 (n=2045) were invited by calls and 1046 individuals accepted to participate. Medical history, calcium intake, calcium, albumin, creatinine, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 25OHD were evaluated. NPHPT was defined by normal albumin-adjusted serum calcium, elevated plasma PTH, and exclusion of common causes of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) (serum 25OHD <30 ng/ml, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) and thiazide diuretics use), overt gastrointestinal and metabolic bone diseases. Complete data were available for 685 of 1046 subjects. Twenty subjects did not meet the inclusion criteria and 341 could not be evaluated because of thawing of plasma samples. Classical PHPT was diagnosed in four women (0.58%). For diagnosing NPHPT the upper normal limit of PTH was established in the sample of the population (n=100) who had 25OHD ≥30 ng/ml and eGFR ≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) and was set at the mean+3s.d. Three males (0.44%) met the diagnostic criteria of NPHPT. These subjects were younger and with lower BMI than those with classical PHPT. Our data suggest, in line with previous studies, that NPHPT might be a distinct clinical entity, being either an early phenotype of asymptomatic PHPT or a distinct variant of it. However, we cannot exclude that NPHPT might also represent an early phase of non-classical SHPT, since other variables, in addition to those currently taken into account for the diagnosis of NPHPT, might cumulate in a normocalcemic subject to increase PTH secretion

Tuning an Earthworm phase picker: some considerations on the pick_ew parameters

Although the Earthworm project started with the initial mission of replacing the old real time picker by Rex Allen, as developed by Jim Ellis [Allen, 1978; Allen, 1982; USGS et al., 2010], that picker is still in use in many networks. The name of the procedure that implements the Allen’s algorithm is pick_ew. Despite its long-lived use, configuring this picker still seems not so immediate and easy. We discuss here a few simple rules to define some of the numerous (18) parameters of pick_ew, interpreting their physical meaning

Different somatic alterations of the HRPT2 gene in a patient with recurrent sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism carrying an HRPT2 germline mutation

Early onset of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and multiglandular involvement suggest a familial form in which germline mutation of a PHPT-related gene(s) and a somatic event at the same locus can be often demonstrated. We investigated the involvement of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) and HRPT2 genes in a 39-year-old man with recurrent PHPT. PHPT was firstly diagnosed at the age of 21 and the patient had two recurrences separated by extended periods of normocalcemia. This unusual history prompted us to investigate other family members and study the MEN1 and HRPT2 genes. An HRPT2 germline missense mutation in exon 3 (R91P) was found in the index case, which was associated with different HRPT2 somatic alterations in each of the three examined parathyroid tumors. These findings are consistent with Knudson's 'two hit' concept of biallelic inactivation of classical tumor suppressor genes. Screening of 15 asymptomatic relatives was negative for the R91P germline mutation. All the three abnormal parathyroid specimens showed cystic features at histology and were negative for parafibromin immunostaining. In one specimen, diffuse parafibromin staining was evident in a rim of normal parathyroid tissue surrounding the adenomatous lesion. Our study shows that different somatic genetic events at the HRPT2 locus are responsible for the asynchronous occurrence of multiple adenomas in a patient carrying an HRPT2 germline mutation. The finding of diffuse parafibromin staining in a rim of normal parathyroid tissue, but not in the contiguous adenomatous lesion, reinforces the concept that loss of parafibromin expression is responsible for the development of parathyroid tumors in this setting

Task 1 - Deliverable 1: Database structure

The Italian strong motion data base (Italian Strong Motion Data Base) is a joint product of the agreement between the Dipartimento della Protezione Civile – Ufficio Valutazione Prevenzione e Mitigazione del Rischio Sismico ed Attività ed Opere Post-Emergenza (Department of Civil Protection – Evaluation, Prevention and Mitigation of Seismic Risck and Post-Emergency Works) and the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology). The data base is handled through two different relational data base management system: Ms Access® 2003, of major use among research institutions and public administrations, for CD-ROM release, and MySQL for the web distribution. The selection of the former product is driven by the simplicity of the software, the worldwide diffusion and the possibility of being linked to software’s for the management of spatial data, such as ESRI ArcGis® and Arcview®, and software for the scientific calculation such as Matlab ®. The data base will store the information regarding the seismic events, the recording stations, the installed instruments, the main features of the recordings and the engineering parameters. The structure is based on a previous version of the Italian strong-motion data base created by ENEA in collaboration with Department of Civil Protection, which stores the information regarding the accelerometric recordings in the time span 1972-1993. This manuscript will explain the structure of the tables containing the information, the data base architecture, the relationships existing among tables and the technical features for data input.Progetto DPC-INGV S6 “Data base dei dati accelerometrici Italiani relativi al periodo 1972-2004"Published5.2. TTC - Banche dati di sismologia strumentaleope

Integrated SEED data archive for temporary seismic experiments

One of the most valuable results achieved during the work on S5 project is the implementation of a new temporary network data management that allows the integration in the National Data Center together with all other seismological data produced by INGV. This makes all data gathered during temporary experiments immediately available from the same source and in the same data format (SEED) increasing the availability for processing and analysis. Moreover the data are distributed to the scientific community using the EIDA (European Integrated Data Archive http://eida.rm.ingv.it/). The first application has been carried out for the Messina 1908-2008 experiment (WP2.2) http://dpc-s5.rm.ingv.it/en/Database-MessinaFault.html where has been achieved the complete integration of permanent networks (National Seismic Network, MedNet and Peloritani Local Network), temporary deployments (INGV-CNT and INGVCT mobile networks) and OBS data. All the procedures were used and further improved during the L'Aquila sequence (Task 4) where data was available for processing together with permanent network data as soon as it was gathered from the field giving to the scientific community the opportunity to study the evolution of the seismic sequence with higher density of stations (WP4.2) ( h t t p : / / d p c - s 5 . r m . i n g v . i t / e n / D a t a b a s e - AquilaFaultSystem.html).UnpublishedSede Ispra | Via Curtatone 7, Roma1.1. TTC - Monitoraggio sismico del territorio nazionaleope

Task 1 - Deliverable 1: Database structure

The Italian strong motion data base (Italian Strong Motion Data Base) is a joint product of the agreement between the Dipartimento della Protezione Civile – Ufficio Valutazione Prevenzione e Mitigazione del Rischio Sismico ed Attività ed Opere Post-Emergenza (Department of Civil Protection – Evaluation, Prevention and Mitigation of Seismic Risck and Post-Emergency Works) and the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology). The data base is handled through two different relational data base management system: Ms Access® 2003, of major use among research institutions and public administrations, for CD-ROM release, and MySQL for the web distribution. The selection of the former product is driven by the simplicity of the software, the worldwide diffusion and the possibility of being linked to software’s for the management of spatial data, such as ESRI ArcGis® and Arcview®, and software for the scientific calculation such as Matlab ®. The data base will store the information regarding the seismic events, the recording stations, the installed instruments, the main features of the recordings and the engineering parameters. The structure is based on a previous version of the Italian strong-motion data base created by ENEA in collaboration with Department of Civil Protection, which stores the information regarding the accelerometric recordings in the time span 1972-1993. This manuscript will explain the structure of the tables containing the information, the data base architecture, the relationships existing among tables and the technical features for data input

Video-assisted parathyroidectomy: a series of 85 cases

Abstract AIM OF THE STUDY: To verify the feasibility of video-assisted parathyroidectomy, set up the indications and report the results in a series of 85 patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1997 to 1999, 85 patients affected by primary hyperparathyroidism due to single gland disease, with an adenoma smaller than 35 mm as demonstrated by preoperative imaging, were referred for video-assisted parathyroidectomy. There were 62 females and 23 males. Mean age was 53 years, (range 23-82). Video-assisted parathyroidectomy was associated with intra-operative PTH quick-assay. Calcium testing was controlled before leaving the hospital, 1 month and 3 months later, and postoperative laryngoscopy was performed in all patients. RESULTS: There were five conversions to open cervicotomy: three due to a contra-lateral second adenoma, two because of an intrathyroidal adenoma. The mean operative time for video-assisted procedure was 59 minutes (range: 25-180). Circulating PTH levels 10 minutes after the removal of the affected gland(s) always dropped significantly, and pathological report confirmed the parathyroid nature of the specimens (mean diameter 13 mm, range 7-35). Morbidity consisted of five cases of transient hypocalcemia and one permanent laryngeal nerve paralysis. We registered no persistent or recurrent disease (mean follow-up 12.8 months, range 1-28). CONCLUSIONS: Video-assisted parathyroidectomy is feasible, and its results are similar to those of traditional procedure, while it seems superior as regards postoperative course and aesthetic results. It also allows different strategical decisions even during operation (i.e. bilateral exploration or thyroid lobectomy) by the same approach