A de Finetti Representation Theorem for Quantum Process Tomography

In quantum process tomography, it is possible to express the experimenter's prior information as a sequence of quantum operations, i.e., trace-preserving completely positive maps. In analogy to de Finetti's concept of exchangeability for probability distributions, we give a definition of exchangeability for sequences of quantum operations. We then state and prove a representation theorem for such exchangeable sequences. The theorem leads to a simple characterization of admissible priors for quantum process tomography and solves to a Bayesian's satisfaction the problem of an unknown quantum operation.Comment: 10 page

Boundary driven zero-range processes in random media

The stationary states of boundary driven zero-range processes in random media with quenched disorder are examined, and the motion of a tagged particle is analyzed. For symmetric transition rates, also known as the random barrier model, the stationary state is found to be trivial in absence of boundary drive. Out of equilibrium, two further cases are distinguished according to the tail of the disorder distribution. For strong disorder, the fugacity profiles are found to be governed by the paths of normalized $\alpha$-stable subordinators. The expectations of integrated functions of the tagged particle position are calculated for three types of routes.Comment: 23 page

When IL-17 inhibitors fail : real-life evidence to switch from secukinumab to adalimumab or ustekinumab

Psoriasis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease that in the moderate to severe forms may benefit of biologics, namely TNF and IL-12/23 and IL-17 inhibitors. Loss of response, lack of response or discontinuation due to adverse events represent a concrete therapeutic challenge for dermatologists that have to switch patients to other treatments. Although some evidences already exist toward the switch from IL-12/23 and TNF inhibitors to IL-17 inhibitors, conversely nothing is present toward the switch from IL-17 inhibitors to IL-12/23 and TNF inhibitors. We performed a real-life study enrolling 50 patients randomly switched to adalimuamb, a TNF inhibitor, or ustekinumab, an IL-12/23 inhibitor. Our observational study suggests that switching from IL-17i to TNFi and IL-12/23i is a safe and effective therapeutic strategy

Merkel Cells as Putative Regulatory Cells in Skin Disorders: An In Vitro Study

Merkel cells (MCs) are involved in mechanoreception, but several lines of evidence suggest that they may also participate in skin disorders through the release of neuropeptides and hormones. In addition, MC hyperplasias have been reported in inflammatory skin diseases. However, neither proliferation nor reactions to the epidermal environment have been demonstrated. We established a culture model enriched in swine MCs to analyze their proliferative capability and to discover MC survival factors and modulators of MC neuroendocrine properties. In culture, MCs reacted to bFGF by extending outgrowths. Conversely, neurotrophins failed to induce cell spreading, suggesting that they do not act as a growth factor for MCs. For the first time, we provide evidence of proliferation in culture through Ki-67 immunoreactivity. We also found that MCs reacted to histamine or activation of the proton gated/osmoreceptor TRPV4 by releasing vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Since VIP is involved in many pathophysiological processes, its release suggests a putative regulatory role for MCs in skin disorders. Moreover, in contrast to mechanotransduction, neuropeptide exocytosis was Ca2+-independent, as inhibition of Ca2+ channels or culture in the absence of Ca2+ failed to decrease the amount of VIP released. We conclude that neuropeptide release and neurotransmitter exocytosis may be two distinct pathways that are differentially regulated

Polyandry Is a Common Event in Wild Populations of the Tsetse Fly Glossina fuscipes fuscipes and May Impact Population Reduction Measures

Glossina fuscipes fuscipes is the most common tsetse species in Uganda where it is responsible for transmitting Trypanosoma brucei rhodensiense and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense parasites causing sleeping sickness in humans in addition to related trypanosomes that cause Nagana in cattle. An understanding of the reproductive biology of this vector is essential for the application of sustainable control/eradication methods such as Sterile Insect Technique (SIT). We have analysed the number of times a female mates in the wild as this aspect of the reproductive behaviour may affect the stability and size of populations. We provide evidence that remating is a common event in the wild and females store sperm from multiple males, which may potentially be used for insemination. In vector eradication programmes, re-infestation of cleared areas and/or in cases of residual populations, the occurrence of remating may unfortunately enhance the reproductive potential of the re-invading propagules. We suggest that population age structure may influence remating frequency. Considering the seasonal demographic changes that this fly undergoes during the dry and wet seasons, control programmes based on SIT should release large numbers of sterile males, even in residual surviving target populations, in the dry season

Uretroplastica con lembo di mucosa buccale per la correzione di una stenosi uretrale in un cane riproduttore

Un cane di 3 anni, maschio intero, barbone gigante è stato presentato alla visita per problemi di disuria. Un’urografia ascendente ha permesso di diagnosticare una stenosi uretrale a livello d’uretra peniena, complicanza di un’uretrotomia subita precedentemente. Per conservare le sue potenzialità riproduttive, la stenosi è stata risolta mediante uretroplastica utilizzando un lembo di mucosa buccale. Nel follow-up chirurgico non si sono presentate complicazioni e il problema iniziale di disuria è stato risolto. La valutazione morfologica del materiale seminale, eseguita quattro mesi dopo l’intervento, ha mostrato come la pratica chirurgica non abbia influenzato negativamente i parametri quantitativi e qualitativi dell’eiaculato

Symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia in dogs: a retrospective study (2001-2007)

The database of clinical cases records at the Clinical Veterinary Department of Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna was searched for sexually intact male dogs at least 1 year old, observed between January 2001 and January 2007. From these, animals presenting the most common symptoms referable to BPH have been selected. The BPH clinical signs have been divided into lower urinary tract or gastrointestinal symptoms. On a total of 5065 intact male dogs observed, 173/5065 (3.60%) showed the lower urinary tract symptomatology mentioned above and 125 of them (72%) were diagnosed as affected by BPH. In 165/5065 (3.12%) dogs, gastrointestinal clinical signs above described were identified and 38 (23%) of these animals resulted affected by BPH. In conclusion, BPH unassociated to other pathologies was diagnosed in a total of 170/5065 (3.36%) dogs. The remainder of the animals (n = 168) resulted affected by different diseases that caused the symptoms reported.This paper, besides the occurrence of symptomatic BPH, analyzes the relationship between BPH referable symptoms and the real presence of this pathology. This provides useful data about the possibility to detect BPH in sexually intact male dogs showing the lower urinary tract or gastrointestinal symptoms mentioned above

Ovarioisterectomia e vulvovaginectomia per il trattamento di recidive di neoplasie vaginali in una cagna

Un’ovarioisterectomia associata ad una vulvovaginectomia radicale, per il trattamento di recidive di neoplasie vaginali, è stata eseguita in una Labrador di 14 anni, già sottoposta in tre occasioni ad interventi chirurgici d’asportazione di neoformazioni. L’intervento ha avuto esito positivo e la cagna non ha evidenziato alcun problema nel postoperatorio