Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Proteomic Approach

Our study moves from the previous research conducted by Ciregia which, however, was limited to only a couple of monozygotic twins discordant for CFS. The study of 2013 pointed out some proteins which are useful both to define a panel of potential diagnostic biomarkers and to shed new light on the comprehension of the pathogenetic pathways of CFS [136]. Our research was born, then, from the need to extend the results obtained from the twin study on a larger number of subjects with similar medical history and continue the search for biomarkers useful for both diagnosis and therapy of this syndrome. Using different techniques (2-DE; western blot and ELISA – kit ), with a proteomic approach, we tried to confirm the biomarkers found in past studies and to seek new ones

A family of droids -- Android malware detection via behavioral modeling: static vs dynamic analysis

Following the increasing popularity of mobile ecosystems, cybercriminals have increasingly targeted them, designing and distributing malicious apps that steal information or cause harm to the device's owner. Aiming to counter them, detection techniques based on either static or dynamic analysis that model Android malware, have been proposed. While the pros and cons of these analysis techniques are known, they are usually compared in the context of their limitations e.g., static analysis is not able to capture runtime behaviors, full code coverage is usually not achieved during dynamic analysis, etc. Whereas, in this paper, we analyze the performance of static and dynamic analysis methods in the detection of Android malware and attempt to compare them in terms of their detection performance, using the same modeling approach. To this end, we build on MaMaDroid, a state-of-the-art detection system that relies on static analysis to create a behavioral model from the sequences of abstracted API calls. Then, aiming to apply the same technique in a dynamic analysis setting, we modify CHIMP, a platform recently proposed to crowdsource human inputs for app testing, in order to extract API calls' sequences from the traces produced while executing the app on a CHIMP virtual device. We call this system AuntieDroid and instantiate it by using both automated (Monkey) and user-generated inputs. We find that combining both static and dynamic analysis yields the best performance, with F-measure reaching 0.92. We also show that static analysis is at least as effective as dynamic analysis, depending on how apps are stimulated during execution, and, finally, investigate the reasons for inconsistent misclassifications across methods.Accepted manuscrip

Impulsive supply of volatile-rich magmas in the shallow plumbing system of Mt. Etna volcano

Magma dynamics at Mt. Etna volcano are frequently recognized as the result of complex crystallization regimes that, at shallow crustal levels, unexpectedly change from H2O -undersaturated to H2O-saturated conditions, due to the impulsive and irregular arrival of volatile-rich magmas from mantle depths. On this basis, we have performed hydrous crystallization experiments for a quantitative understanding of the role of H2O in the differentiation of deep-seated trachybasaltic magmas at the key pressure of the Moho transition zone. For H2O = 2.1–3.2 wt %, the original trachybasaltic composition shifts towards phonotephritic magmas never erupted during the entire volcanic activity of Mt. Etna. Conversely, for H2O = 3.8–8.2 wt %, the obtained trachybasalts and basaltic trachyandesites reproduce most of the pre-historic and historic eruptions. The comparison with previous low pressure experimental data and natural compositions from Mt. Etna provides explanation for (1) the abundant release of H2O throughout the plumbing system of the volcano during impulsive ascent of deep-seated magmas; (2) the upward acceleration of magmas feeding gas-dominated, sustained explosive eruptions; (3) the physicochemical changes of gas-fluxed magmas ponding at shallow crustal levels; and (4) the huge gas emissions measured at the summit craters and flank vents which result in a persistent volcanic gas plume

A Family of Droids -- Android Malware Detection via Behavioral Modeling: Static vs Dynamic Analysis

Following the increasing popularity of mobile ecosystems, cybercriminals have increasingly targeted them, designing and distributing malicious apps that steal information or cause harm to the device's owner. Aiming to counter them, detection techniques based on either static or dynamic analysis that model Android malware, have been proposed. While the pros and cons of these analysis techniques are known, they are usually compared in the context of their limitations e.g., static analysis is not able to capture runtime behaviors, full code coverage is usually not achieved during dynamic analysis, etc. Whereas, in this paper, we analyze the performance of static and dynamic analysis methods in the detection of Android malware and attempt to compare them in terms of their detection performance, using the same modeling approach. To this end, we build on MaMaDroid, a state-of-the-art detection system that relies on static analysis to create a behavioral model from the sequences of abstracted API calls. Then, aiming to apply the same technique in a dynamic analysis setting, we modify CHIMP, a platform recently proposed to crowdsource human inputs for app testing, in order to extract API calls' sequences from the traces produced while executing the app on a CHIMP virtual device. We call this system AuntieDroid and instantiate it by using both automated (Monkey) and user-generated inputs. We find that combining both static and dynamic analysis yields the best performance, with F-measure reaching 0.92. We also show that static analysis is at least as effective as dynamic analysis, depending on how apps are stimulated during execution, and, finally, investigate the reasons for inconsistent misclassifications across methods.Comment: A preliminary version of this paper appears in the Proceedings of 16th Annual Conference on Privacy, Security and Trust (PST 2018). This is the full versio

Functional morphology of Bactrocera oleae Gmel. (Diptera: Tephritidae) tarsal chemosensilla involved in interactions with the host-plant

The Olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Gmel.), is the principal insect pest insect on olives in the Mediterranean Region. Observations through scanning and transmission electron microscopy evidence contact-chemosensilla trichodea on the ventral side of each 2nd to 5th prothoracic tarsomeri. These sensilla look very similar to one another, although rather varied in size, and show uniporous, bluntly tipped hair-shaft. Also the sensillum cellular components display almost the same features in all sensilla: 5 sensory neurons per sensillum, one of which ending with a tubular body at the hair-shaft base (hence representing a mechanosensory element), whereas the other 4 neurons send each an undivided dendrite into the dendritic channel of the biluminal hair- shaft. On the 5th tarsomere the mentioned sensilla are 8-10 distributed as follows: a pair medial at the tarsomere distal margin, and the rest in two subdistal, sublateral groups of 3-4 elements each. Detailed observations and relative illustrations of cuticular and cellular components of the 2 medial sensilla (“C”) are herein reported. Direct contacts between sensory neuron somata have been observed, which might be indicative of possible peripheral interactions between sensory neurons. Behavioural bioassays confirm oogenesis and oviposition stimulation in B. oleae female through tarsal contact with host-plant substances such as Oleuropein and its demolition products (e.g., Pyrocatechin). Electrophysiological bioassays on “C” sensilla evidence a response to Oleuropein and Pyrocatechin, and confirm the above mentioned possibility of interactions between the sensory neurons. Key words: behaviour, contact chemoreceptor, electrophysiology, Oleuropein, olive fruit fly, oogenesis stimulants, oviposition, Pyrocatechin, sensory neurons, sheath cells, somata contacts, ultrastructure. MORFOLOGIA FUNZIONALE DEI CHEMIOSENSILLI TARSALI DI bacTrocera oleae GMEL. (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE) IMPEGNATI IN INTERAZIONI CON LA PIANTA OSPITE. La Mosca delle olive (Bactrocera oleae Gmel.) è notoriamente il principale insetto dannoso alle olive nella regione mediterranea. Prove comportamentali hanno dimostrato che sostanze contenute nelle drupe, come il glucoside Oleuropeina, provocano per contatto nella Mosca un aumento della oogenesi. È presumibile che in natura detta interazione insetto-pianta possa avvenire mediante i chemiorecettori tarsali della Mosca durante l’azione esplorativa della medesima sulle olive. Osservazioni al microscopio elettronico a scansione e a trasmissione mettono in luce la presenza di sensilli tricoidei gustativi sulla faccia ventrale di ciascuno dei tarsomeri protoracici dal 2° al 5°. Detti sensilli appaiono esteriormente molto simili tra loro, benché di varie dimensioni, nel senso che presentano tutti un pelo sensoriale con apice arrotondato e provvisto di un poro. Anche le componenti cellulari risultano molto simili, presentando, ciascuno dei sensilli, 5 neuroni sensoriali, dei quali uno terminante alla base del pelo con un corpo tubulare (elemento meccanorecettore), mentre gli altri 4 invadono indivisi il canale dendritico del pelo medesimo. Nel 5° tarsomero i sensilli in questione sono in numero di 8-10, un paio mediali al margine distale del tarsomero, e gli altri in due gruppi subdistali e sublaterali di 3-4 elementi ciascuno. Si riportano in dettaglio i risultati di osservazioni morfologiche fini e relativa documentazione elettronmicrografica dei due sensilli apicali menzionati (i sensilli “C”). In questi ultimi sono stati messi in luce anche contatti diretti tra somata dei neuroni sensoriali, i quali potrebbero rappresentare la base morfologica di interazioni periferiche tra neuroni dello stesso sensillo. Biosaggi comportamentali hanno confermato l’azione stimolante l’oogenesi e l’ovideposizione sulla Mosca, per contatto tarsale, da parte di sostanze contenute nelle olive, quali Oleuropeina e relativi prodotti di demolizione (es. Pirocatechina). Mentre parallelamente, biosaggi elettrofisiologici hanno evidenziato che i sensilli “C” rispondono al contatto con Oleuropeina e Pirocatechina, confermando inoltre la possibilità di interazioni periferiche tra i neuroni sensoriali del medesimo sensillo. Parole chiave: cellule avvolgenti, comportamento, contatti tra somata, elettrofisiologia, Mosca delle olive, neuroni sensoriali, Oleuropeina, Pirocatechina, sensilli gustativi, stimolazione oogenesi, ultrastruttura

Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Parotid: Extracapsular Dissection Compared with Superficial Parotidectomy—A 10-Year Retrospective Cohort Study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the complication rates and effectiveness of extracapsular dissection compared with superficial parotidectomy for pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland from 2002 to 2012. The authors carried out a retrospective cohort study of 198 patients with pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland. Extracapsular dissection (ED) or superficial parotidectomy (SP) was performed. The recurrence rate and complications of the two surgical techniques were measured with a univariate analysis of each variable using the appropriate statistical analysis (chi-squared test or t-test). A total of 198 patients were enrolled between January 2003 and December 2012. The study included 97 females (48.99%) and 101 males (51.01%) whose mean age was 50.97 years (range 14–75). The type of surgery performed was ED in 153 patients (77.27%, 80 males and 73 females) and SP in 45 patients (22.73%, 21 males and 24 females). The mean follow-up time was 61.02 +/− 4.9 months for the patients treated with ED and 66.4 +/− 4.5 months for the patients treated with SP. Transient facial nerve injury and facial paralysis were significantly more frequent after SP than after ED (P=0.001 and P=0.065, resp.). No significant differences in capsular rupture, recurrence, and salivary fistula were observed after SP or ED: 2.2% versus 3.9%, 2.2% versus 3.3%, and 2.2% versus 0.65%, respectively. Extracapsular dissection may be considered the treatment of choice for pleomorphic adenomas located in the superficial portion of the parotid gland because this technique showed similar effectiveness and fewer side effects than superficial parotidectomy

Acupuncture in shoulder pain and functional impairment after neck dissection: A prospective randomized pilot study

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The efficacy of conventional physiotherapy and antiinflammatory/analgesic drugs in the management of shoulder pain and functional disability following neck dissection is often disappointing. Acupuncture is a safe and well-tolerated method. We report the results regarding our pilot trial of acupuncture versus conventional care in the management of postoperative shoulder pain and dysfunction after neck dissection. STUDY DESIGN: Pilot study. METHODS: Patients at a tertiary university center with chronic pain or dysfunction attributed to neck dissection were randomly assigned to either weekly acupuncture or usual care (eg., physical therapy, analgesia, and/or antiinflammatory drugs) for 5 consecutive weeks. The Constant-Murley score, a composite measure of pain, function, and activities of daily living, was the primary outcome measure. As secondary end point, The Neck Dissection Impairment Index (NDII) was used to quantify site-specific, self-reported quality of life (QOL). RESULTS: After randomization, 48 patients completed the study (23 and 25 patients on acupuncture and control arms, respectively). Constant-Murley scores improved more in the acupuncture group (gain difference between groups 13.6, P < 0.01), a statistically significant improvement in site-specific QOL was also recorded at NDII (gain difference between groups 11.5, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is safe and effective; it should be introduced and offered to patients suffering from neck pain and dysfunction related to neck dissection

Comparative genomics reveals a functional thyroid-specific element in the far upstream region of the PAX8 gene

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The molecular mechanisms leading to a fully differentiated thyrocite are still object of intense study even if it is well known that thyroglobulin, thyroperoxidase, NIS and TSHr are the marker genes of thyroid differentiation. It is also well known that Pax8, TTF-1, Foxe1 and Hhex are the thyroid-enriched transcription factors responsible for the expression of the above genes, thus are responsible for the differentiated thyroid phenotype. In particular, the role of Pax8 in the fully developed thyroid gland was studied in depth and it was established that it plays a key role in thyroid development and differentiation. However, to date the bases for the thyroid-enriched expression of this transcription factor have not been unraveled yet. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a functional thyroid-specific enhancer element located far upstream of the <it>Pax8 </it>gene.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We hypothesized that regulatory cis-acting elements are conserved among mammalian genes. Comparison of a genomic region extending for about 100 kb at the 5'-flanking region of the mouse and human <it>Pax8 </it>gene revealed several conserved regions that were tested for enhancer activity in thyroid and non-thyroid cells. Using this approach we identified one putative thyroid-specific regulatory element located 84.6 kb upstream of the <it>Pax8 </it>transcription start site. The <it>in silico </it>data were verified by promoter-reporter assays in thyroid and non-thyroid cells. Interestingly, the identified far upstream element manifested a very high transcriptional activity in the thyroid cell line PC Cl3, but showed no activity in HeLa cells. In addition, the data here reported indicate that the thyroid-enriched transcription factor TTF-1 is able to bind <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo </it>the Pax8 far upstream element, and is capable to activate transcription from it.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Results of this study reveal the presence of a thyroid-specific regulatory element in the 5' upstream region of the <it>Pax8 </it>gene. The identification of this regulatory element represents the first step in the investigation of upstream regulatory mechanisms that control <it>Pax8 </it>transcription during thyroid differentiation and are relevant to further studies on <it>Pax8 </it>as a candidate gene for thyroid dysgenesis.</p

Dataset of pahs determined in home-made honey samples collected in central Italy by means of dllme-gc-ms and cluster analysis for studying the source apportionment

This paper would like to show all the data related to an intensive field campaign focused on the characterization of the Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) composition profile in almost 60 honey samples collected in Central Italy. The analytical data here reported are the base for a study aimed to identify the pollution sources in a region. 22 PAHs were analyzed by means of ultrasound-vortex-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid micro-extraction (DLLME) procedure followed by a triple quadrupole gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC-MS). A chemometrics approach has been carried out for evaluating all the data: in particular, principal component analysis and cluster analysis has been used both for the identification of the main natural/anthropogenic pollutants affecting a site and for evaluating the air quality