Spontaneous regression of human acute myeloid leukaemia xenografts and phenotypic evidence for maturation.

A population of human AML cells which have a characteristic karyotypic marker was cryopreserved and then grown in short-term liquid culture for 2 weeks, during which time the cells increased about 7-fold in number and progressively acquired characteristics of macrophages. 10(7) cells obtained after 1 day in culture, when they were almost devoid of Fc receptors (Fc-), on inoculation into immune-deprived mice gave rise to tumours in more than 90% of the animals. However, after 13 days of culture, when almost all the cells had Fc receptors (Fc+), a similar inoculum did not grow as tumours. After 7 days in culture the cells were heterogeneous, and divided about equally into Fc+ and Fc- cells, both of which were replicating. The Fc- population was capable of producing tumours, whereas the Fc+ was not. Of 23 assessable xenograft tumours produced by the AML cells, 14 regressed completely, 4 grew progressively and 5 grew progressively after initial regression. Progressive tumours could be further transplanted. The regression may arise as a result of maturation in vivo similar to that seen in vitro

Adsorption of γ-Valerolactone: An Alternative for Solvent Recovery after Conversion of Lignocellulosic Biomass to Fermentable Sugars

The γ-valerolactone is an effective solvent in solubilizing lignocellulosic biomass fractions, although it inhibits microbial activity. To avoid the negative effects on the metabolism of microorganisms, even small quantities of γ-valerolactone need to be removed. This study examined the adsorption of γ-valerolactone on the commercial resin. The removal efficiency, adsorption equilibrium, pH effects, and fixed-bed column conditions were investigated. The highest removal efficiency of γ-valerolactone from sugar solution was 39.92 %, with 413.78 mg g−1 γ-valerolactone adsorption capacity, observed with commercial resin Dowex Optipore L-493 and pH 4.00. Dual-site Langmuir adsorption isotherm was found to be the best-fitting model for describing the adsorption mechanisms of γ-valerolactone on commercial resin. Thus, this study shows that γ-valerolactone could be removed from sugar solution by adsorption on commercial resin. In addition, the process is a viable alternative for the recovery of solvent and keeping the microbial activity in lignocellulosic biomass fractions

West Nile virus transmission. results from the integrated surveillance system in Italy, 2008 to 2015

IIn Italy a national Plan for the surveillance of imported and autochthonous human vector-borne diseases (chikungunya, dengue, Zika virus disease and West Nile virus (WNV) disease) that integrates human and veterinary (animals and vectors) surveillance, is issued and revised annually according with the observed epidemiological changes. Here we describe results of the WNV integrated veterinary and human surveillance systems in Italy from 2008 to 2015. A real time data exchange protocol is in place between the surveillance systems to rapidly identify occurrence of human and animal cases and to define and update the map of affected areas i.e. provinces during the vector activity period from June to October. WNV continues to cause severe illnesses in Italy during every transmission season, albeit cases are sporadic and the epidemiology varies by virus lineage and geographic area. The integration of surveillance activities and a multidisciplinary approach made it possible and have been fundamental in supporting implementation of and/or strengthening preventive measures aimed at reducing the risk of transmission of WNV trough blood, tissues and organ donation and to implementing further measures for vector control

COMPUTER ANALYSIS OF THE OXFORD CONTINUOUS BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING: DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 22-25, 1984 / Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas, NevadaBlood pressure signals recorded continuously in ambulatory patients using the Oxford system were analyzed by an IBM 370 computer in order to obtain beat by beat systolic and diastolic blood pressure along 24 hour blood pressure recordings. The method of digitizing the signal and the analysis of the sphygmogram are presented and discussed. Synthesis of the several thousands data obtained in 24 hour recordings and plotting of the data for clinical purposes and pharmacological studies are also reported.International Foundation for TelemeteringProceedings from the International Telemetering Conference are made available by the International Foundation for Telemetering and the University of Arizona Libraries. Visit http://www.telemetry.org/index.php/contact-us if you have questions about items in this collection

Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection among attendees of a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Italy. Italian Herpes Forum

Objective: The objective of this study was to improve the knowledge on the epidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in Italy. Goal: The goal of this study was to study the seroincidence and seroprevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections among Italian adolescents. Study: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study among 345 Italian adolescents tested for anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2 on samples collected at 11 and 17 years of age. Results: At 11 years of age, the HSV-1 prevalence was 51.6% and the HSV-2 prevalence was 2.6%; when 17 years old, these rates increased to 61.4% and 4.9%, respectively. The HSV-1 incidence was 1.6 per 100 person-years and was higher among females. The HSV-2 incidence was 0.4 per 100 person-years with no gender differences. Conclusion: HSV-1 is apparently widespread among Italian adolescents, whereas HSV-2 is limited. These data are of paramount importance when considering that HSV-1 can cause genital herpes and that HSV-2 plays a role in HIV transmission