Investigation of TiCr Hydrogen Storage Alloy

A new reversible hydrogen storage material, based on TiCr metal alloy, is proposed. Cr and Ti were mixed and melted in a final atomic ratio of 1,78. Chemical-physical characterisations, in terms of XRD and SEM-EDX, were performed. The quantification of Laves phases was performed through Rietveld refinements. The atomic Cr/Ti ratio was determined by EDX analysis and 1,71 was obtained. The H2 sorption/desorption measurements by Sievert apparatus were carried out. After different tests varying temperature and pressure, a protocol measurement was established; and a H2 sorption value of 0,4 wt% at 200 °C/10 bar with a fast kinetic at 5 bar (Dwt% of about 0,3 wt%) were obtained. Hydrogen desorption measurements performed in the same conditions of T confirmed a totally reversible trend. A confirm of metal hydride formation was recorded by XRD, in fact, comparing X-Ray patterns before and after volumetric tests a notable difference was recorded

Risk Management in Magnetic Resonance: Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis

The aim of the study was to perform a risk management procedure in "Magnetic Resonance Examination" process in order to identify the critical phases and sources of radiological errors and to identify potential improvement projects including procedures, tests, and checks to reduce the error occurrence risk. In this study we used the proactive analysis "Failure Mode Effects Criticality Analysis," a qualitative and quantitative risk management procedure; has calculated Priority Risk Index (PRI) for each activity of the process; have identified, on the PRI basis, the most critical activities and, for them, have defined improvement projects; and have recalculated the PRI after implementation of improvement projects for each activity. Time stop and audits are performed in order to control the new procedures. The results showed that the most critical tasks of "Magnetic Resonance Examination" process were the reception of the patient, the patient schedule drafting, the closing examination, and the organization of activities. Four improvement projects have been defined and executed. PRI evaluation after improvement projects implementation has shown that the risk decreased significantly following the implementation of procedures and controls defined in improvement projects, resulting in a reduction of the PRI between 43% and 100%

Affinity-based proteomics reveals novel binding partners for Rab46 in endothelial cells

Rab46 is a novel Ca2+-sensing Rab GTPase shown to have important functions in endothelial and immune cells. The presence of functional Ca2+-binding, coiled-coil and Rab domains suggest that Rab46 will be important for coupling rapid responses to signalling in many cell types. The molecular mechanisms underlying Rab46 function are currently unknown. Here we provide the first resource for studying Rab46 interacting proteins. Using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) to identify affinity purified proteins that bind to constitutively active GFP-Rab46 or inactive GFP-Rab46 expressed in endothelial cells, we have revealed 922 peptides that interact with either the GTP-bound Rab46 or GDP-bound Rab46. To identify proteins that could be potential Rab46 effectors we performed further comparative analyses between nucleotide-locked Rab46 proteins and identified 29 candidate effector proteins. Importantly, through biochemical and imaging approaches we have validated two potential effector proteins; dynein and the Na2+/ K+ ATPase subunit alpha 1 (ATP1α1). Hence, our use of affinity purification and LC–MS/MS to identify Rab46 neighbouring proteins provides a valuable resource for detecting Rab46 effector proteins and analysing Rab46 functions

Comparative Study on Composite Electrodes for Medium Temperature PEFC

The purpose of the present study consists in the development of a MEA (Membrane-Electrode-Assembly) for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (PEFCs) applications at intermediate temperatures (T>100°C) through the introduction of inorganic compounds within the catalytic layer of the electrodes. For this aim, composite electrodes containing three inorganic compounds, with different chemical and physical properties, were developed with percentages ranging between 0-14 wt% of zeolite H-BETA, titania (TiO2) and yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) maintaining the same Platinum loading of 0.5 mg/cm2 and assembling the electrodes to a commercial N115 membrane. Electrochemical studies in terms of V-I curves were carried out in a temperature range of 80-130°C in order to select the optimal content of filler.A comparison between the standard electrode and the best composite electrode containing the optimal amount for each investigated inorganic material was carried out. The role of inorganic materials is to limit the ionomer swelling by maintaining the mechanical characteristics of the polymer quite unaltered and to enhance the durability of the electrocatalyst to degradation phenomena during the fuel cell operation at a temperature over the critical one. For each inorganic material, a different optimal amount was found to be dependent on their chemical-physical properties, in particular the particle size, acidity and intrinsic proton conductivity. At high temperature (130°C), the beneficial effect of oxides introduction is more evident: a reduced cell resistance, a reduced Tafel slope, increased OCV values and improved fuel cell performance for composite electrodes than the standard one. It was supposed that a limit in the oxide introduction exists and it depends on physical properties of the inorganic filler, in particular the grain size, the acidity, the intrinsic proton conductivity and the physical properties of the polymeric matrix used as an ionomer

Evaluation of the Performance of ACR TI-RADS Also Considering Those Nodules with No Indication of FNAC: A Single-Center Experience

Background: Several US risk stratification score systems (RSSs) have been developed to standardize a thyroid nodule risk of malignancy. It is still a matter of debate which RSS is the most reliable. The purpose of this study is to evaluate: (1) the concordance between the American College of Radiology TI-RADS (ACR TI-RADS) and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), (2) the cancer rate in the ACR TI-RADS categories, (3) the characteristics of nodules evaluated by FNAC even if not formally indicated according to ACR TI-RADS ('not indicated FNACs"). Methods: From January 2021 to September 2022, patients attending the Endocrinology Unit of the CTO Hospital of Rome for evaluation of thyroid nodules were included. Results: 830 nodules had negative cytology, belonging to TIR2 and TIR1C. One hundred and thirteen nodules were determined to be suspicious for or consistent with malignancy belonging to TIR3B/TIR4/TIR5. Of this last group, 94% were classified as TR4/TR5 nodules. In total, 87/113 underwent surgery. Among these, 73 had histologically proven cancer, 14 turned out to be benign. "Not indicated FNACs" was 623. Among these, 42 cancers were present. Conclusions: This study confirmed the diagnostic power of ACR TI-RADS. In addition, these data suggest revising the ACR TI-RADS indication to FNAC, especially for TR4

Allergy in adolescent population (14-18 years) living in campania region (southern Italy). a multicenter study

Adolescents (Ad) constitute a difficult to manage population among individuals suffering from asthma. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence, clinical characteristics and age of onset of allergic sensitization and clinical symptoms in a sample of atopic Ad living in the Campania region (Southern Italy). Sixteen Allergy units or Centers belonging to the Italian Association of Hospital and Territorial Allergologists (AAIITO, Campania region) participated in this cross-sectional study. A case report form (CRF) was specifically designed for this study and commercial allergen extracts used for screening SPTs were provided by ALK-Abelló Group (Milan, Italy). A total of 443 patients were examined (females, f 220, 49.6 %; males, m 223, 50.3%). Dust mites represent the most common sensitizing agents in allergic Ad living in Campania region (Dermatoph. pteronyssinus 67.4% and Dermatoph. farinae 66.5%), followed by Parietaria (58.9%), grasses (45.8%), Artemisia vulgaris (16.7%), Olea Europaea (32.2%), dog dander (17.1%), cat dander (20.0%), Alternaria alternata (8.1%), Cupressus sempervirens (4.9%), Betula pendula (4.7%), other allergens (19.4%). An interesting comparison has been made between clinical data of our Ad with data of elderly patients (E). The role of allergic sensitization is significantly higher in Ad compared to E. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is the first sensitizing allergen in Ad and the last in E. Parietaria constitutes the first sensitizing pollen both in Ad and E, the percentage of sensitization is higher in Ad. Another important difference is the higher prevalence of As, as only symptom, in E compared to Ad (19.7% versus 7.6%). In conclusion, our findings confirm the high prevalence and clinical significance of airway allergic sensitization in the adolescents living in Campania region

Phase II study of sequential hormonal therapy with anastrozole/exemestane in advanced and metastatic breast cancer

Hormonal therapy is the preferred systemic treatment for recurrent or metastatic, post-menopausal hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Previous studies have shown that there is no cross-resistance between exemestane and reversible aromatase inhibitors. Exposure to hormonal therapy does not hamper later response to chemotherapy. Patients with locally advanced or metastatic, hormonal receptor positive or unknown, breast cancer were treated with oral anastrozole, until disease progression, followed by oral exemestane until new evidence of disease progression. The primary end point of the study was clinical benefit, defined as the sum of complete responses (CR), partial responses (PR) and > 24 weeks stable disease (SD). In all, 100 patients were enrolled in the study. Anastrozole produced eight CR and 19 PR for an overall response rate of 27% (95% CI: 18.6-36.8%). An additional 46 patients had long-term (> 24 weeks) SD for an overall clinical benefit of 73% (95% CI: 63.2-81.4). Median time to progression (TTP) was 11 months (95% CI: 10-12). A total of 50 patients were evaluated for the second-line treatment: exemestane produced one CR and three PR; 25 patients had SD which lasted ≥ 6 months in 18 patients. Median TTP was 5 months. Toxicity of treatment was low. Our study confirms that treatment with sequential hormonal agents can extend the period of time during which endocrine therapy can be used, thereby deferring the decision to use chemotherapy. © 2005 Cancer Research UK

Combining Network Modeling and Gene Expression Microarray Analysis to Explore the Dynamics of Th1 and Th2 Cell Regulation

Two T helper (Th) cell subsets, namely Th1 and Th2 cells, play an important role in inflammatory diseases. The two subsets are thought to counter-regulate each other, and alterations in their balance result in different diseases. This paradigm has been challenged by recent clinical and experimental data. Because of the large number of genes involved in regulating Th1 and Th2 cells, assessment of this paradigm by modeling or experiments is difficult. Novel algorithms based on formal methods now permit the analysis of large gene regulatory networks. By combining these algorithms with in silico knockouts and gene expression microarray data from human T cells, we examined if the results were compatible with a counter-regulatory role of Th1 and Th2 cells. We constructed a directed network model of genes regulating Th1 and Th2 cells through text mining and manual curation. We identified four attractors in the network, three of which included genes that corresponded to Th0, Th1 and Th2 cells. The fourth attractor contained a mixture of Th1 and Th2 genes. We found that neither in silico knockouts of the Th1 and Th2 attractor genes nor gene expression microarray data from patients with immunological disorders and healthy subjects supported a counter-regulatory role of Th1 and Th2 cells. By combining network modeling with transcriptomic data analysis and in silico knockouts, we have devised a practical way to help unravel complex regulatory network topology and to increase our understanding of how network actions may differ in health and disease