Effects of boundary conditions on irreversible dynamics

We present a simple one-dimensional Ising-type spin system on which we define a completely asymmetric Markovian single spin-flip dynamics. We study the system at a very low, yet non-zero, temperature and we show that for empty boundary conditions the Gibbs measure is stationary for such dynamics, while introducing in a single site a $+$ condition the stationary measure changes drastically, with macroscopical effects. We achieve this result defining an absolutely convergent series expansion of the stationary measure around the zero temperature system. Interesting combinatorial identities are involved in the proofs

Trans-nasal endoscopic and intra-oral combined approach for odontogenic cysts

Maxillary cysts are a common finding in maxillofacial surgery, dentistry and otolaryngology. Treatment is surgical; a traditional approach includes Caldwell-Luc and other intra-oral approaches. In this article, we analyse the outcomes of 9 patients operated on using a combined intra-oral and trans-nasal approach to the aforementioned disease. Although the number of patients is small, the good results of this study suggest that the combined approach might be a reliable treatment option

Gravitational wave background from vacuum and thermal fluctuations during axion-like inflation

We revisit the framework of axion-like inflation in view of the possibility that the coupling of the inflaton to a non-Abelian topological charge density could lead to the generation of a rapidly thermalizing heat bath. Both dispersive (mass) and absorptive (friction) effects are included. For phenomenologically viable parameters, the system remains in a weak regime of warm inflation (thermal friction $\ll$ Hubble rate). For tensor perturbations we derive an interpolating formula that incorporates both vacuum and thermal production. The latter yields a model-independent frequency shape $\sim f_0^3$ in the LISA window, whose coefficient allows to measure the maximal shear viscosity of the thermal epoch. It is a challenge, however, to find models where the coefficient is large enough to be observable.Comment: 32 pages. v2: clarifications adde

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists reduce the migratory and the invasive behavior of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells by interfering with the activity of IGF-I

Androgen-independent prostate carcinoma is characterized by a high proliferation rate and by a strong metastatic behavior. We have previously shown that GnRH agonists exert a direct and specific inhibitory action on the proliferation of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells (DU 145). These compounds mainly act by interfering with the mitogenic activity of growth factors, such as the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). The present experiments were performed to clarify whether GnRH agonists might also affect the migratory and the invasive behavior of androgen-independent prostate cancer cells and to define their mechanism of action. First we showed that the GnRH agonist Leuprolide reduces the migration of DU 145 cells towards a chemoattractant and their ability to invade a reconstituted basement membrane. Experiments were then performed to clarify whether the GnRH agonist might act by interfering with the pro-metastatic activity of IGF-I. We found that, in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells, Leuprolide: a) interferes with the IGF-I system (receptor protein expression and tyrosine-phosphorylation); b) abrogates the IGF-I-induced phosphorylation of Akt (a kinase previously shown by us to mediate the pro-metastatic activity of IGF-I in prostate cancer cells); c) counteracts the migration and the invasive activity of the cells stimulated by IGF-I; d) abolishes the effects of IGF-I on cell morphology, on actin cytoskeleton organization and on alpha v beta 3 integrin expression/cellular localization. These data indicate that GnRH agonists, in addition to their well known antiproliferative effect, can also exert a significant inhibitory activity on the migratory and invasive behavior of androgen- independent prostate cancer cells, expressing the GnRH receptor. GnRH agonists act by interfering with the pro-metastatic activity of the growth factor IGF-I

The antagonism of the prokineticin system counteracts bortezomib induced side effects: Focus on mood alterations

The development of neuropathy and of mood alterations is frequent after chemotherapy. These complications, independent from the antitumoral mechanism, are interconnected due to an overlapping in their processing pathways and a common neuroinflammatory condition. This study aims to verify whether in mice the treatment with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (BTZ), at a protocol capable of inducing painful neuropathy, is associated with anxiety, depression and supraspinal neuroinflammation. We also verify if the therapeutic treatment with the antagonist of the prokineticin (PK) system PC1, which is known to contrast pain and neuroinflammation, can prevent mood alterations. Mice were treated with BTZ (0.4 mg/kg three times/week for 4 weeks); mechanical allodynia and locomotor activity were evaluated over time while anxiety (dark light and marble burying test), depression (sucrose preference and swimming test) and supraspinal neuroinflammation were checked at the end of the protocol. BTZ treated neuropathic mice develop anxiety and depression. The presence of mood alterations is related to the presence of neuroinflammation and PK system activation in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus with high levels of PK2 and PKR2 receptor, IL‐6 and TNF‐α, TLR4 and an upregulation of glial markers. PC1 treatment, counteracting pain, prevented the development of supraspinal inflammation and depression‐like behavior in BTZ mice

New approaches in the management of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system chronic inflammatory disease that is characterized by an extensive and complex immune response. Scientific advances have occurred in immunology, pathophysiology, and diagnostic and clinical assessment tools, and recent discovery of unique therapeutic targets has spurred numerous Phase II and Phase III clinical trials. Reductions in MS relapse rates and improvements in T2 or gadolinium-enhancing lesion burdens have been reported from Phase III trials that include fingolimod, alemtuzumab, cladribine, and rituximab. Promising Phase II trial data exist for teriflunomide, daclizumab, laquinimod, and fumarate. The optimism created by these favorable findings must be tempered with evaluation of the adverse effect profile produced by these new agents. Given the discovery of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy with the use of natalizumab, ongoing vigilance for rare and life-threatening reactions due to new agents should be paramount. Patients with MS often experience difficulty with ambulation, spasticity, and cognition. Recent clinical trial data from two Phase III dalfampridine-SR trials indicate certain patients receive benefits in ambulation. This article provides an overview of data from clinical trials of newer agents of potential benefit in MS

Is post orthognathic maxillary sinusitis related to sino-nasal anatomical alterations?

Le Fort I osteotomies have been used for more than five decades, but their impact on nasal and paranasal cavities physiology, has not been studied deeply. In this paper we want to analyse the possible correlation between post-orthognathic findings and prevalence of sinusitis which require surgical treatment. A retrospective cohort study was designed in 2017; the study was designed and carried out in the Verona University maxillo-facial department, a referral centre for orthognathic surgery. The study population is made of 64 patients that underwent orthognathic surgery (To treat class II or III malocclusion) between 2010 and 2015. Inclusion criteria were the availability of a Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) before surgery and one between 12 and 24 months after orthognathic surgery. Exclusion criteria were smoking habit and previous orthognathic procedures. During follow-up time prevalence of sinusitis was 18.5% and some patients required a secondary surgery to treat sinusitis. Surgery induced anatomic alterations were frequent in patients with sinusitis, sings and symptoms of sinusitis show positive correlation with anatomic alterations

Trans-nasal endoscopic and intra-oral combined approach for odontogenic cysts

Maxillary cysts are a common finding in maxillofacial surgery, dentistry and otolaryngology. Treatment is surgical; a traditional approach includes Caldwell-Luc and other intra-oral approaches. In this article, we analyse the outcomes of 9 patients operated on using a combined intra-oral and trans-nasal approach to the aforementioned disease. Although the number of patients is small, the good results of this study suggest that the combined approach might be a reliable treatment option

Analyticity of the SRB measure of a lattice of coupled Anosov diffeomorphisms of the torus

We consider the "thermodynamic limit"of a d-dimensional lattice of hyperbolic dynamical systems on the 2-torus, interacting via weak and nearest neighbor coupling. We prove that the SRB measure is analytic in the strength of the coupling. The proof is based on symbolic dynamics techniques that allow us to map the SRB measure into a Gibbs measure for a spin system on a (d+1)-dimensional lattice. This Gibbs measure can be studied by an extension (decimation) of the usual "cluster expansion" techniques.Comment: 28 pages, 2 figure