The application of Geant4 simulation code for brachytherapy treatment

Brachytherapy is a radiotherapeutic modality that makes use of radionuclides to deliver a high radiation dose to a well-defined volume while sparing surrounding healthy structures. At the National Institute for Cancer Research of Genova a High Dose Rate remote afterloading system provides Ir(192) endocavitary brachytherapy treatments. We studied the possibility to use the Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation toolkit in brachytherapy for calculation of complex physical parameters, not directly available by experiment al measurements, used in treatment planning dose deposition models

Current Insights in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Immunopathogenesis

Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE) is a clinically diverse group of autoimmune skin diseases with shared histological features of interface dermatitis and autoantibodies deposited at the dermal-epidermal junction. Various genetic and environmental triggers of CLE promote infiltration of T cells, B cells, neutrophils, antigen presenting cells, and NK cells into lesional skin. In this mini-review, we will discuss the clinical features of CLE, insights into CLE immunopathogenesis, and novel treatment approaches

High frequency of ribosomal protein gene deletions in Italian Diamond-Blackfan anemia patients detected by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay

Diamond-Blackfan anemia is an autosomal dominant disease due to mutations in nine ribosomal protein encoding genes. Because most mutations are loss of function and detected by direct sequencing of coding exons, we reasoned that part of the approximately 50% mutation negative patients may have carried a copy number variant of ribosomal protein genes. As a proof of concept, we designed a multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay targeted to screen the six genes that are most frequently mutated in Diamond-Blackfan anemia patients: RPS17, RPS19, RPS26, RPL5, RPL11, and RPL35A. Using this assay we showed that deletions represent approximately 20% of all mutations. The combination of sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analysis of these six genes allows the genetic characterization of approximately 65% of patients, showing that Diamond-Blackfan anemia is indisputably a ribosomopathy

Thoracic myopericytoma in an older adult, rare but possible: A case report

Myopericytoma is a rare tumor generally arising from skin and soft tissues of extremities, trunk, head, and neck regions, rarely from visceral sites. An intrathoracic visceral localization may carry a broad differential diagnosis including primary lung, pleura and chest wall lesions, or metastatic lesions. To date, any radiological features have been recognized and diagnosis of myopericytoma with intrathoracic localization remains still challenging. Here, we describe the case of a subpleural lesion incidentally diagnosed in an older adult affected by gastric cancer. Radiological features did not allow a differential diagnosis between a benign lesion, a primary tumor, or a metastasis. After resection, the histological examination showed histopathological features congruent with the diagnosis of myopericytoma. This unusual presentation reflects the need to share clinical, radiological, and histopathological data about this uncommon but frequently misdiagnosed disease

Thermo-magnetic-fluid dynamics analysis of an OsNAN distribution transformer cooled with mineral oil and biodegradable esters

This work introduces a coupled electromagnetic, thermal and fluid flow analysis of an oil-natural air-natural distribution transformer in order to study the changes in the heat dissipation performance when a biodegradable ester is used to cool the device instead of mineral oil. The transformer has a rated power of 315kVA and a voltage ratio of 13.2kV / 0.4kV. The heat losses in the magnetic core and the windings are computed with the ANSYS® Maxwell software and they are transferred as volume heat source terms to compute the heat conduction. The natural convection of the fluid flow is taken into account using a temperature-dependent density. The heat conduction through the solid walls and radiators panels are also considered. The thermo–hydraulic problem is solved with the software Code_Saturne. Data from experimental tests carried out with mineral oil are used to validate the numerical simulations. Equivalent and anisotropic thermal conductivities in the core and the windings are calculated both with a semi-analytic procedure and finite element simulations to simplify the heat conduction model in the active parts. It is found that, after reaching a steady state, the transformer cooled with the ester shows a temperature difference between specific locations at the top and the bottom higher than that cooled with mineral oil. The magnetic core and the windings also work hotter when ester is used. Finally, the analysis of the flow through the cooling ducts of the windings confirms that the oil velocity is, on average, 25% higher than the ester one.Fil: Garelli, Luciano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Centro de Investigaciones en Métodos Computacionales. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Centro de Investigaciones en Métodos Computacionales; ArgentinaFil: Rios Rodriguez, Gustavo Adolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Centro de Investigaciones en Métodos Computacionales. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Centro de Investigaciones en Métodos Computacionales; ArgentinaFil: Kubiczek, K.. Silesian University Of Technology; PoloniaFil: Lasek, P.. Silesian University Of Technology; PoloniaFil: Stepien, M.. Silesian University Of Technology; PoloniaFil: Smolka, J.. Silesian University Of Technology; PoloniaFil: Storti, Mario Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Centro de Investigaciones en Métodos Computacionales. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Centro de Investigaciones en Métodos Computacionales; ArgentinaFil: Pessolani, F.. No especifíca;Fil: Amadei, M.. No especifíca

The impact of psychological distress on weight regain in post-bariatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A latent profile analysis

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global health crisis disrupting healthcare delivery for people with severe obesity who have undergone bariatric surgery. This study examined the role of psychological distress during the first Italian COVID-19 lockdown in predicting post-operative outcomes in post-bariatric patients reaching the end of the 12-18 months follow-up during the lockdown. By using a person-centered approach, groups of patients with different psychological distress profiles were identified. We hypothesized that compared to post-bariatric patients with low psychological distress, post-bariatric patients with high psychological distress will be more at risk of weight regain. Methods: A total of 67 patients (71.6% female, Mage = 45.9) participated in this observational retrospective cohort study. Patients' anthropometric data were gathered from medical records while the weight at the end of the lockdown through phone interviews. Psychological distress, operationalized with anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and sleep disturbances, was assessed by an online self-report questionnaire. Results: Significant differences were highlighted in the high and low psychological distressed group in weight changes, F(1,58) = 5.2, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.3. Specifically, compared to post-bariatric patients in the low psychological distress group, those in the high psychological distressed group reported weight regained (95% CI = 1.0, 2.6). Conclusion: Results highlight the need to target post-bariatric patients with high psychological distress who are at risk for weight regain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions mitigating psychological distress and obesogenic behaviors during future pandemics or in post-COVID times are needed in vulnerable post-bariatric patients reporting high psychological distress