Effect of sustained released metformin therapy on phenotypic and biochemical markers of insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome in South Indian women

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in young women. Insulin resistance (IR) may play a substantial part in the pathogenesis of PCOS, which leads to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disorders and ovarian cancer. Metformin is an insulin sensitizing agent, however its role in PCOS is still controversial.Methods: Sixty women newly diagnosed with PCOS and healthy age matched controls between 18 to 45 years were enrolled after obtaining informed consent. Women in the PCOS group were started on metformin-SR 1gram orally, which was then increased to 1.5 grams after two weeks and continued for 6 months. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), fasting insulin (FI), SHBG, TT, free androgen index (FAI), homeostatic model assessment of Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), homeostatic model assessment of β- cell function (HOMA-B), homeostatic model assessment of Insulin sensitivity (HOMA-S) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were measured in the control group as well as PCOS group before and after metformin therapy.Results: After six months of metformin-SR therapy, PCOS group showed significant reduction in FI, HOMA-IR, HOMA- β, HOMA-S QUICKI, TT and FAI and significant increase in SHBG levels.Conclusions: Six months of metformin-SR therapy favorably altered markers of IR, TT, SHBG, anovulation and hyperandrogenism in normoglycemic women with PCOS

NEMO-SN1 (Western Ionian Sea, off Eastern Sicily): A Cabled Abyssal Observatory with Tsunami Early Warning Capability

The NEMO-SN1 (NEutrino Mediterranean Observatory - Submarine Network 1) seafloor observatory is located in the central Mediterranean, Western Ionian Sea, off Eastern Sicily Island (Southern Italy) at 2100 m water depth, 25 km from the harbour of the city of Catania. It is a prototype of cabled deep-sea multiparameter observatory, and the first operating with real-time data transmission in Europe since 2005. NEMO-SN1 is also the first-established node of EMSO (European Multidisciplinary Seafloor Observatory, http://emso-eu.org), one of the European large-scale research infrastructures. EMSO will address long-term monitoring of environmental processes related to marine ecosystems, climate change and geo-hazards. NEMO-SN1 will perform geophysical and environmental long-term monitoring by acquiring seismological, geomagnetic, gravimetric, accelerometric, physico-oceanographic, hydro-acoustic, bio-acoustic measurements to study earthquake and tsunami generation, and to characterize ambient noise which includes marine mammal sounds, and environmental and anthropogenic sources. NEMO-SN1 is also equipped with a prototype tsunami detector, based on the simultaneous measurement of the seismic and bottom pressure signals and a new high performance tsunami detection algorithm. NEMO-SN1 will be a permanent tsunami early warning node in Western Ionian Sea, an area where very destructive earthquakes have occurred in the past, some of them tsunamigenic (e.g., 1693, M=7.5; 1908, M=7.4). Another important feature of NEMO-SN1 is the installation of a low frequency-high sensibility hydrophone and two (scalar and vector, respectively) magnetometers. The objective is to improve the tsunami detection capability of SN1 through the recognition of tsunami-induced hydro-acoustic and electro-magnetic precursors.SubmittedRhodes, Greece3A. Ambiente Marinorestricte

Seismicity and seismogenic structures of Central Apennines (Italy): constraints on the present-day stress field from focal mechanisms – The SLAM (Seismicity of Lazio-Abruzzo and Molise) project

The aim of the SLAM (Seismicity of Lazio, Abruzzo and Molise region) project is to provide new insight on the seismotectonic and seismogenesis of a wide portion of central Italy situated between areas affected by recent destructive events such as the 2009, Mw = 6.3, L’Aquila earthquake to the north and the 2002, Mw = 5.8, Molise earthquake to the east. We present new results for the microseismic activity in the Central Apennines, occurred in the period 2009 – 2013, by analyzing seismogram recordings from two temporary networks of up to 17 stations in combination with data from three networks of permanent stations

Observing Volcanoes from the Seafloor in the Central Mediterranean Area

The three volcanoes that are the object of this paper show different types of activity that are representative of the large variety of volcanism present in the Central Mediterranean area. Etna and Stromboli are sub-aerial volcanoes, with significant part of their structure under the sea, while the Marsili Seamount is submerged, and its activity is still open to debate. The study of these volcanoes can benefit from multi-parametric observations from the seafloor. Each volcano was studied with a different kind of observation system. Stromboli seismic recordings are acquired by means of a single Ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS). From these data, it was possible to identify two different magma chambers at different depths. At Marsili Seamount, gravimetric and seismic signals are recorded by a battery-powered multi-disciplinary observatory (GEOSTAR). Gravimetric variations and seismic Short Duration Events (SDE) confirm the presence of hydrothermal activity. At the Etna observation site, seismic signals, water pressure, magnetic field and acoustic echo intensity are acquired in real-time thanks to a cabled multi-disciplinary observatory (NEMO-SN1 ). This observatory is one of the operative nodes of the European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and water-column Observatory (EMSO; www.emso-eu.org) research infrastructure. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we speculate about deep Etna sources and follow some significant events, such as volcanic ash diffusion in the seawater

Observing Volcanoes from the Seafloor in the Central Mediterranean Area

The three volcanoes that are the object of this paper show different types of activity that are representative of the large variety of volcanism present in the Central Mediterranean area. Etna and Stromboli are sub-aerial volcanoes, with significant part of their structure under the sea, while the Marsili Seamount is submerged, and its activity is still open to debate. The study of these volcanoes can benefit from multi-parametric observations from the seafloor. Each volcano was studied with a different kind of observation system. Stromboli seismic recordings are acquired by means of a single Ocean Bottom Seismometer (OBS). From these data, it was possible to identify two different magma chambers at different depths. At Marsili Seamount, gravimetric and seismic signals are recorded by a battery-powered multi-disciplinary observatory (GEOSTAR). Gravimetric variations and seismic Short Duration Events (SDE) confirm the presence of hydrothermal activity. At the Etna observation site, seismic signals, water pressure, magnetic field and acoustic echo intensity are acquired in real-time thanks to a cabled multi-disciplinary observatory (NEMO-SN1 ). This observatory is one of the operative nodes of the European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and water-column Observatory (EMSO; www.emso-eu.org) research infrastructure. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we speculate about deep Etna sources and follow some significant events, such as volcanic ash diffusion in the seawater.Published2983A. Ambiente MarinoJCR Journalrestricte

Tsunami Warning prototype in the frame of the EC NEAREST project.

Nell' ambito del progetto NEAREST finanziato dalla EC sono stati sviluppati alcuni elementi di un sistema di allerta per tsunami, fra i quali un prototipo di detector di onde anomale istallato a bordo dell' osservatorio abissale GEOSTAR: l' osservatorio con il detector di onde anomale ha operato per un anno nel Golfo di Cadice, a 3200m di profonditàPublishedSassari1.8. Osservazioni di geofisica ambientaleope

Towards a permanent deep sea observatory,: the GEOSTAR European Experiment.

GEOSTAR is the prototype of the first European long-term, multidisciplinary deep sea observatory for continuous monitoring of geophysical, geochemical and oceanographic parameters. Geostar is the example of a strong synergy between science and tecnology addressed to the development of new technological solutions for the observatory realisation and management. The GEOSTAR system is described outlining the enhancements introduced during five years of project activity. An example of data retrieved from the observatory being the deep sea mission running is also given.Published111-1202.5. Laboratorio per lo sviluppo di sistemi di rilevamento sottomarinireserve

Underwater geophysical monitoring for European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and water column Observatories

We present a review of our work on data acquired by GEOSTAR-class (GEophysical and Oceanographic STation for Abyssal Research) observatories deployed at three EMSO (European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and water-column Observatory; http://www.emso-eu.org) sites in southern European waters where strong geo-hazards are present: the Western Iberian Margin, the Western Ionian Sea, the Marmara Sea, and the Marsili basin in the Tyrrhenian Sea. A procedure for multiparameter data quality control is described. Then we explain why the seafloor is an interesting observation point for geophysical parameters and how it differs from land sites. We consider four interesting geophysical phenomena found at the EMSO sites that are related to geo-hazard. In the first case, we show how unknown seismicity and landslides in the Western Ionian Sea were identified and roughly localised through a single-sensor analysis based on the seismometer. In the second case, we concentrate on the problem of near-coast tsunami generation and describe a Tsunami Early Warning Detection (TEWD) system, tested in the Western Iberian Margin and currently operating in real time at the Western Ionian site. In the third case, we consider two large volcanoes in the central Mediterranean area, Mt. Etna and the Marsili seamount. Signals from the seismometer and gravimeter recorded at the seafloor at 2100 m b.s.l. show various phases of Mt. Etna's 2002–2003 eruption. For the less-known Marsili we illustrate how several indicators coming from different sensors point to hydrothermal activity. A vector magnetometer at the two volcanic sites helps identify the magnetic lithospheric depth. In the fourth and final case, we present a multiparameter analysis which was focused on finding possible correlations between methane seepage and seismic energy release in the Gulf of Izmit (Marmara Sea).Published12–301A. Geomagnetismo e Paleomagnetismo6A. Monitoraggio ambientale, sicurezza e territorioJCR Journalrestricte

An innovative tsunami detector operating in tsunami generation environment

On August 25th 2007 a tsunami detector installed onboard the multi-parameter observatory GEOSTAR was successfully deployed at 3200 b. s. l. in the Gulf of Cadiz, Portugal. This activity is within the NEAREST EC Project (http://nearest.bo.ismar.cnr.it/ ). Among other deliverables, the NEAREST project will produce and test the basic parts of an operational prototype of a near field tsunami warning system. This system includes an onshore warning centre, based on the geophysical monitoring networks which are already operating, and a tsunami detector deployed on board GEOSTAR at the sea bottom. On land the warning centre is in charge of collecting, integrating, and evaluating data recorded at sea. At the sea bottom data is recorded and processed by an advanced type of tsunami detector which includes: a pressure sensor, a seismometer and two accelerometers. The detector communicates acoustically with a surface buoy in two-way mode. The buoy is equipped with meteo station, GPS and tiltmeter and is connected to a shore station via satellite link. The prototype is designed to operate in tsunami generation areas for detection-warning purpose as well as for scientific measurements. The tsunami detector sends a near real time automatic alert message when a seismic or pressure threshold are exceeded. Pressure signals are processed by the tsunami detection algorithm and the water pressure perturbation caused by the seafloor motion is taken into account. The algorithm is designed to detect small tsunami waves, less than one centimetre, in a very noisy environment. Our objective is to combine a novel approach to the tsunami warning problem, with a study of the coupling between the water column perturbations and sea floor motion, together with the long term monitoring of geophysical, geochemical and oceanographic parameters

CLASH-VLT: Dissecting the Frontier Fields Galaxy Cluster MACS J0416.1-2403 with ∼800\sim800 Spectra of Member Galaxies

We present VIMOS-VLT spectroscopy of the Frontier Fields cluster MACS~J0416.1-2403 (z=0.397). Taken as part of the CLASH-VLT survey, the large spectroscopic campaign provided more than 4000 reliable redshifts, including ~800 cluster member galaxies. The unprecedented sample of cluster members at this redshift allows us to perform a highly detailed dynamical and structural analysis of the cluster out to ~2.2$r_{200}$ (~4Mpc). Our analysis of substructures reveals a complex system composed of a main massive cluster ($M_{200}$~0.9$\times 10^{15} M_{\odot}$) presenting two major features: i) a bimodal velocity distribution, showing two central peaks separated by $\Delta V_{rf}$~1100 km s$^{-1}$ with comparable galaxy content and velocity dispersion, ii) a projected elongation of the main substructures along the NE-SW direction, with a prominent subclump ~600 kpc SW of the center and an isolated BCG approximately halfway between the center and the SW clump. We also detect a low mass structure at z~0.390, ~10' S of the cluster center, projected at ~3Mpc, with a relative line-of-sight velocity of $\Delta V_{rf}$~-1700 km s$^{-1}$. The cluster mass profile that we obtain through our dynamical analysis deviates significantly from the "universal" NFW, being best fit by a Softened Isothermal Sphere model instead. The mass profile measured from the galaxy dynamics is found to be in relatively good agreement with those obtained from strong and weak lensing, as well as with that from the X-rays, despite the clearly unrelaxed nature of the cluster. Our results reveal overall a complex dynamical state of this massive cluster and support the hypothesis that the two main subclusters are being observed in a pre-collisional phase, in line with recent findings from radio and deep X-ray data. With this article we also release the entire redshift catalog of 4386 sources in the field of this cluster.Comment: Accepted for publication on ApJS. Revised to match the accepted version; 21 pages, 18 figures, 9 tables. The CLASH-VLT spectroscopic catalogs are publicly available at: http://sites.google.com/site/vltclashpublic