Pagine d'Africa: il primo colonialismo italiano nelle biblioteche dell'universita' da Assab a Massaua 1869-1885

Sono qui raccolti i contributi scritti ed alcune immagini della mostra dello SBA dedicata alla riscoperta e valorizzazione del posseduto delle biblioteche dell’Università di Bologna sul colonialismo italiano in Africa. In esposizione testi di fine ‘800, fotografie e materiale iconografico raro, medaglie, monete, divise delle prime campagne coloniali e dei protagonisti del tempo

Automatic Abdominal Organ Segmentation from CT images

In the recent years a great deal of research work has been devoted to the development of semi-automatic and automatic techniques for the analysis of abdominal CT images. Some of the current interests are the automatic diagnosis of liver, spleen, and kidney pathologies and the 3D volume rendering of the abdominal organs. The first and fundamental step in all these studies is the automatic organs segmentation, that is still an open problem. In this paper we propose our fully automatic system that employs a hierarchical gray level based framework to segment heart, bones (i.e. ribs and spine), liver and its blood vessels, kidneys, and spleen. The overall system has been evaluated on the data of 100 patients, obtaining a good assessment both by visual inspection by three experts, and by comparing the computed results to the boundaries manually traced by experts

Resíduos de aflatoxina B1 em fígado de codornas japonesas (Coturnix japonica) expostas a alimentos contaminados e à corticosterona exógena

The combined effect of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1 ) exposition and stress induced by corticosterone (CORT) upon the residual aflatoxin levels in livers of Japanese quail was examined. A total of 144 Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) were divided into 6 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment, each containing 2 males and 2 females. The different treatments resulted from the combination of the presence or absence of CORT in drinking water (5 mg/L) with the presence or absence of AFB1 supplementation (100 or 500 ng/g). Dietary treatments were offered from 5 to 11 weeks of age. The different diets were: Treatment (T) 1: basal diet (B) AFB1 (15 ng/g); T2: B plus AFB1 (100 ng/g); T3: B plus AFB1 (500 ng/g); T4: B plus CORT (5 mg/L); T5: B plus AFB1 (100 ng/g) and CORT (5 mg/L); and T6: B plus AFB1 (500 ng/g) and CORT (5 mg/L). The residual levels of AFB1 were remarkably higher in livers of birds fed with AFB1 in comparison with those belonging to the group that received a combination of AFB1 and CORT (P< 0.05). A plausible explanation about the facts that could be responsible for observed reduction in the toxin carryover in liver was suggested. These results are very striking and may constitute the start point for a series of studies that aim to elucidate the precise influence of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) response to stress in birds exposed to AFB.Estudou-se o efeito combinado da exposição à aflatoxina B1 (AFB1 ) e o estresse induzido por corticosterona (CORT) sobre os níveis de residuais de AFB1 em fígados de codornas japonesas. Um total de 144 codornas japonesas (Coturnix japonica) foram divididas em 6 tratamentos com 6 repetições por tratamento, cada uma contendo 2 machos e 2 fêmeas. As dietas dos tratamentos foram oferecidas da 5ª até a 11ª semana de idade. Os diferentes tratamentos resultaram da combinação da presença ou ausência de CORT na água de beber (5 mg / L), com a presença ou ausência de suplementação AFB1 (100 ou 500 ng /g) As dietas diferentes foram: Tratamento (T) 1: dieta basal (B) AFB1 (15 ng/g); T2: B mais AFB1 (100 ng / g); T3: B mais AFB1 (500 ng / g); T4: B mais CORT (5 mg / L); T5: B mais AFB1 (100 ng / g) e CORT (5 mg / L), e T6: B mais AFB1 (500 ng / g) e CORT (5 mg / L). Os níveis residuais de AFB1 foram significativamente mais elevados em fígados de aves alimentadas com AFB1 em comparação com os que pertencem ao grupo que recebeu uma combinação de AFB1 e CORT (P< 0,05). Sugere-se uma possível explicação para a redução dos níveis da toxina observada naqueles animais submetidos a dieta com CORT. Estes resultados constituem-se de um ponto de início para uma série de estudos que visam a elucidar a influência da resposta do eixo hipotalâmico-hipofisário-adrenais (HPA) ao stress em aves expostas a AFB.Fil: Magnoli, Alejandra Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Chiacchiera, Stella Maris. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Departamento de Química; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Rosa, Carlos Alberto da Rocha. Universidade Federal Rural de Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Dalcero, Ana Maria. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Marin, Raul Hector. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Negligible effects of tryptophan on the aflatoxin adsorption of sodium bentonite

The main objective of this study was to determine if the competitive adsorption of tryptophan (Trp) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) could potentially affect the ability of a sodium bentonite (NaB) to prevent aflatoxicosis in monogastric animals. The adsorption of Trp and AFB1 on this adsorbent is fast and could be operating on the same time-scale making competition feasible. In vitro competitive adsorption experiments under simulated gastrointestinal conditions were performed. A high affinity of the clay for Trp and NaB was observed. The effect of an excess of KCl to mimic the ionic strength of the physiological conditions were also investigated. A six-times decrease in the Trp surface excess at saturation was observed. A similar behaviour was previously found for AFB1 adsorption. Taking into account the amount of Trp adsorbed by the clay and the usual adsorbent supplementation level in diets, a decrease in Trp bioavailability is not expected to occur. Tryptophan adsorption isotherms on NaB were ‘S’-shaped and were adjusted by the Frumkin–Fowler–Guggenheim model. The reversibility of the adsorption processes was investigated in order to check a potential decrease in the ability of NaB to protect birds against chronic aflatoxicoses. Adsorption processes were completely reversible for Trp, while almost irreversible for AFB1. In spite of the high affinity of the NaB for Trp, probably due to the reversible character of Trp adsorption, no changes in the AFB1 adsorption isotherm were observed when an excess of the amino acid was added to the adsorption medium. As a consequence of the preferential and irreversible AFB1 adsorption and the reversible weak binding of Trp to the NaB, no changes in the aflatoxin sorption ability of the clay are expected to occur in the gastrointestinal tract of birds.Fil: Magnoli, Alejandra Paola. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Copia, P.. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Monge, Maria del Pilar. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Magnoli, Carina Elizabeth. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Dalcero, Ana Maria. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Chiacchiera, Stella Maris. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Cell-Based Therapies for Diabetic Complications

In recent years, accumulating experimental evidence supports the notion that diabetic patients may greatly benefit from cell-based therapies, which include the use of adult stem and/or progenitor cells. In particular, mesenchymal stem cells and the circulating pool of endothelial progenitor cells have so far been the most studied populations of cells proposed for the treatment of vascular complications affecting diabetic patients. We review the evidence supporting their use in this setting, the therapeutic benefits that these cells have shown so far as well as the challenges that cell-based therapies in diabetic complications put out

Hyaluronic Acid Conjugates as Vectors for the Active Targeting of Drugs, Genes and Nanocomposites in Cancer Treatment

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally-occurring glycosaminoglycan and a major component of the extracellular matrix. Low levels of the hyaluronic acid receptor CD44 are found on the surface of epithelial, hematopoietic, and neuronal cells; it is overexpressed in many cancer cells, and in particular in tumor-initiating cells. HA has recently attracted considerable interest in the field of developing drug delivery systems, having been used, as such or encapsulated in different types of nanoassembly, as ligand to prepare nano-platforms for actively targeting drugs, genes, and diagnostic agents. This review describes recent progress made with the several chemical strategies adopted to synthesize conjugates and prepare novel delivery systems with improved behaviors

Very High-Resolution Ultrasound of the Distal Median Nerve

Objective: A very high-resolution (70 MHz) ultrasound device (VHRUS) has recently been approved for use in humans. The aim of this study was to use VHRUS to collect data on healthy subjects to propose some reference values for the digital branches of the median nerves of the hand. Methods: A VHRUS with 70 MHz linear array transducer was used to measure the cross sectional area of the median nerve at the wrist (CSAw) and digital branches (CSAf), largest and smallest fascicles, the fascicles number (Nfasc), the fascicle density (FD), the flattening ratio (FR) and CSAw/CSAf. Results: Data from 20 healthy subjects were obtained for both hands. The median nerve at the wrist and digital branches were properly identified without anatomical alterations. No differences were found between the right and the left hand. In the dominant hand, CSAw was 9.35 mm2 (4.57-12.35) and Nfasc was 24 (18-38). FD and FR were respectively 2.94 (2.47-4.91) and 2.74 (1.70-4.90). Conclusion: VHRUS technology can visualize the median nerves at the wrist, their internal structure and their small branches at the fingers, providing both a qualitative and quantitative assessment. Results from this study provide preliminary reference values in a young healthy sample. Significance: Most conventional ultrasound devices are not able to properly visualize the distal branches of the median nerve. In contrast, VHRUS allows to detect and measure smaller structures of the nerve, assisting in clinical practice

Emotional management and biological markers of dietetic regimen in chronic kidney disease patients

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between psychological characteristics and biological markers of adherence in chronic kidney disease patients receiving conservative therapy, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis (PD), or kidney transplantation. Seventy-nine adult patients were asked to complete the following questionnaires: Toronto Alexithymia scale, Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale, and Short Form Health Survey. Biological markers of adherence to treatment were measured. Peritoneal dialysis patients showed a lower capacity to feel pleasure from sensorial experience (p = .011) and a higher values of phosphorus compared to the other patients’ groups (p = .0001). The inability to communicate emotions was negatively correlated with hemoglobin levels (r = −(0).69; p = .001) and positively correlated with phosphorus values in the PD patients (r = .45; p = .050). Findings showed higher psychological impairments and a lower adherence to the treatment in PD patients and suggest the implication of emotional competence in adherence to treatment.The aim of the study was to investigate the association between psychological characteristics and biological markers of adherence in chronic kidney disease patients receiving conservative therapy, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis (PD), or kidney transplantation. Seventy-nine adult patients were asked to complete the following questionnaires: Toronto Alexithymia scale, Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale, and Short Form Health Survey. Biological markers of adherence to treatment were measured. Peritoneal dialysis patients showed a lower capacity to feel pleasure from sensorial experience (p = .011) and a higher values of phosphorus compared to the other patients' groups (p = .0001). The inability to communicate emotions was negatively correlated with hemoglobin levels (r = -(0).69; p = .001) and positively correlated with phosphorus values in the PD patients (r = .45; p = .050). Findings showed higher psychological impairments and a lower adherence to the treatment in PD patients and suggest the implication of emotional competence in adherence to treatment

La maladie de Lyme au Québec : une analyse des interventions selon une perspective de développement durable

Depuis 2011, les cas de la maladie de Lyme au Québec ont augmenté dramatiquement et la maladie a atteint une grande expansion dans le territoire québécois. Ce qui précède est dû aux modifications de l’écosystème et aux changements climatiques. Ces phénomènes ont favorisé les interactions entre l’humain et les trois espèces qui font partie du cycle de transmission de la maladie de Lyme : la tique à pattes noires, le cerf de Virginie et la souris à pattes blanches. Pour combattre la maladie dans le territoire de l’Estrie, des interventions ciblant les personnes ont été divulguées et promues par la Direction de santé de l’Estrie. Cependant, jusqu’à aujourd’hui les interventions ciblant l’environnement n’ont pas été introduites dans la région. L’objectif principal de cet essai est d’analyser de manière systémique les mesures qui n’ont pas été mises en place dans la région de l’Estrie, et qui ont été appliquées ailleurs en obtenant des résultats positifs pour le contrôle et la prévention de la maladie de Lyme. Cette analyse a été basée sur les trois piliers du développement durable, s’agissant des piliers écologique, économique et social. D’abord, une recherche dans la littérature scientifique a été faite afin d’identifier les interventions appliquées ailleurs dans la province. Par la suite, ces interventions ont été classifiées dans quatre groupes selon l’objectif ciblé par la mesure, ces groupes sont : les interventions ciblant la tique, les interventions ciblant les cerfs, les interventions ciblant la souris et les modifications du paysage. Pour chaque groupe une description qui comprend l’efficacité et le fonctionnement a été faite. Ensuite, compte tenu l’objectif de ce travail, une analyse dans une perspective de développement durable a été faite pour chaque intervention. De plus, un bref portrait réglementaire a été donné pour chaque groupe de mesures et une courte analyse des mesures appliquées actuellement au Québec sera présentée. Avec ce travail, il est possible de conclure qu’afin d’atteindre une réduction de l’expansion de la maladie et des cas dans la région, il est nécessaire de mettre en place différents types d’interventions. Finalement, pour la sélection des mesures les plus appropriées, il est essentiel d’avoir une étude de la région.Abstract: Since 2011, the number of cases of Lyme disease in Québec has increased drastically and the disease has achieved a vast expansion over the territory. The foregoing, as a result of the modifications in the ecosystem and climate change. These phenomena have favoured the interactions between humans and the three-main species of the Lyme disease transmission cycle which are: the black-legged tick, the white-tailed deer and the white-footed mice. To fight the disease in the Estrie Region, multiple interventions which focus on the people have been disclosed and promoted by the Direction de santé de l’Estrie. Nevertheless, until today, the interventions that target the environment, have not been introduced. The main objective of this essay is to analyze, in a systematic way, the measures which have yet not been applied to the Estrie Region, and that had obtained positive results for controlling and preventing the Lyme disease outside the province. The analysis has been done taking into account the three cornerstones of the sustainable development which are: the ecology, the economy and the social pillars. First, a research in the scientific literature has been made in order to identify the interventions that have been applied outside the province. Thereafter, the interventions were classified in four groups according to the target, these groups are: the interventions that target the tick, the interventions that target the deer, the interventions that target the mouse and the landscape modifications. For each group, a description that includes the effectiveness and the functioning has been made. Afterwards, taking into account the main objective of this paper, the sustainable development based analysis was built for each intervention. Additionally, a brief legal framework is given for each interventional group and a short analysis about the interventions that are presently applied in Québec is presented. With this paper, it is possible to conclude that in order to decrease the expansion and the number of cases of Lyme disease in the region, it is necessary to set up and establish different types of interventions. Finally, for choosing the most appropriate interventions for the region, a previous study of the area is essential