Treatment of multiple sclerosis - relationship between vitamin d and interferon β-1b

There are many reports suggesting an association between vitamin D status and both the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) and its course. This relationship and the effects of vitamin D and interferon {beta}-1b (IFN{beta}-1b) in the treatment of patients are reviewed in the BEtaferon/ Betaseron in Newly Emerging multiple sclerosis For Initial Treatment (BENEFIT) and the Betaferon/Betaseron Efficacy Yielding Outcomes of a New Dose in multiple sclerosis (BEYOND) studies. In the BENEFIT study the average serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels strongly predicted MS disease activity and progression. The probability of clinically definite MS (CDMS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity was lower in these clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) patients with 25(OH)D levels >=50 nmol/L and in those starting with IFN{beta}-1b. Furthermore, there was a beneficial effect on relapse rate, occurrence of new active MRI lesions and disease progression for a 50 nmol/L increase in 25(OH)D levels. Similarly, in relapsing-remitting (RR) MS patients from the BEYOND study serum 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with MRI markers of MS activity. Genetic analysis of patients from these studies indicated that there may be a benefit in monitoring and managing vitamin D levels in early MS patients treated with IFN{beta}-1b and a cumulative number of risk alleles predict lower 25(OH)D levels in CIS and RRMS patients. Further studies have suggested that some of the IFN{beta}-1b therapeutic effects on relapse could be mediated through modulation of vitamin D metabolism. Thus, there seems to be a benefit on clinical and MRI measures if patients are treated with both vitamin D and IFN{beta}-1b. There is a need to further evaluate this effect in clinical trials. The relationship between vitamin D and MS disease activity along with the effects of vitamin D and IFN{beta}-1b in the treatment of MS patients is reviewed

Could specific EKG markers identify a pharmacologically induced type 1 Brugada pattern? Insights from a large, single-centre cohort

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background. Pharmacological (Ajmaline) induction of a type 1 Brugada pattern is currently considered mandatory for the diagnosis of Brugada syndrome. However, performing the test requires time and healthcare resources. Some EKG markers have been proposed as predictors of positive result at Ajmaline test. Aim. To evaluate in a large population the predictive value of multiple EKG markers for Ajmaline test results. Methods. We retrospectively analysed consecutive patients (pts) referred to our Centre to perform Ajmaline test. All pts had type 2 Brugada pattern detected at a conventional EKG or were relatives of pts with positive Ajmaline test, with or without type 2 Brugada pattern at EKG. All pts performed the Ajmaline pharmacological test (1 mg/Kg iv) with EKG "superior" right precordial unipolar derivations monitoring. To determine whether clinical parameters (age, gender, cardiomyopathy, history of arrhythmias, symptoms, familiarity) and EKG markers (heart rate (HR), PR duration, R1V1 and SV6 duration and amplitude, QRSV1/QRSV6 duration, V1 and V2 ST amplitude (coved or saddle back pattern) were independently associated to positivity at Ajmaline test, a logistic regression model was applied. Results. From January 2010 to December 2019 we evaluated 442 consecutive pts: mean age 40.1 ± 14.5 years; 273 (65%) male; 352 (80%) pts were included because of type 2 Brugada pattern at EKG and 90 (20%) for familial screening. The Ajmaline test was positive in 150 (34%) pts. At multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for baseline confounders, age > 45 years (OR= 1.64, 95%CI: 1.03 to 2.54; p = 0.0385), female gender (OR = 1.79, 95%CI: 1.12 to 2.85; p = 0.0141), HR > 60 bpm (OR = 2.44, 95%CI: 1.48 to 4.03; p = 0.0005), QRSV1/QRSV6 duration (msec) >1 (OR = 5.34, 95%CI: 3.28 to 8.69; p < 0.0001) and non isoelectric pattern (coved/saddle back) in V2 (OR = 1.93, 95%CI: 1.03 to 3.63, p = 0.0416) remained associated with a positive Ajmaline test. The percentage of pts with positive Ajmaline test increased according to the presence of significant EKG markers in their risk profile: 11.3% (8 out 71, absence of both QRSV1/QRSV6 duration (msec) >1 and V2 non isoelectric pattern), 24.3% (50 out 206, presence of only V2 non isoelectric pattern), 48.5% (16 out 33, presence of only QRSV1/QRSV6 duration (msec) >1), 57.6% (76 out 132, presence of both factors). Conclusions. In our large population: 1) we confirmed the positive predictive power of QRSV1/QRSV6 duration (msec) >1 and of a non isoelectric pattern (coved/saddle back) in V2 for a pharmacologically induced type 1 Brugada pattern; 2) we observed a non-negligible percentage of pts who would not be correctly diagnosed for type 1 Brugada pattern, if selected according to an EKG parameters-based prescreening

Virtualization of set-top-box devices in next generation SDN-NFV networks: the INPUT project perspective

Due to the emergence of Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) paradigms, coupled with a hyper-connectivity communication paradigm, the \u201csoftwarisation\u201d of the Internet infrastructure and of its network management framework is gaining increasing popularity. This is the target of the INPUT platform, a novel infrastructure and paradigm supporting Future Internet personal cloud services in a more scalable and sustainable way, and with innovative addedvalue capabilities. The INPUT technologies enable next-generation cloud applications to go beyond classical service models, and even replace physical Smart Devices, usually placed in users\u2019 homes (e.g., set-top boxes), with their virtual images, providing them to users \u201cas a Service\u201d. In this paper we present the Virtual set-top box from both architectural and functional points of view, demonstrating the feasibility of the softwarized SDN/NFV paradigm joined with the fog-computing approach to support personal cloud services

Factors Associated with Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet among Adolescents Living in Sicily, Southern Italy

The present study aimed to examine the factors associated with increased Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence among a sample of Italian adolescents. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1135 students (13–16 years) attending 13 secondary schools of Sicily, southern Italy. Validated instruments were used for dietary assessment and the KIDMED score to assess adolescents’ adherence to the MD. A higher adherence to the MD was associated with high socioeconomic status (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.53, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.03–2.26) and high physical activity (OR 1.19, 95% CI: 1.02–1.70), whereas lower adherence was associated with living in an urban environment (OR 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44–0.97) and being obese (OR 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37–0.94). The adolescents’ KIDMED scores were inversely associated with adolescents’ intake of sweets, fast foods, fried foods, and sugary drinks, and directly with fruit, vegetables, pasta, fish, and cheese intakes. Urban-living adolescents were less likely to eat fruit and more prone to consume meat, sugary drinks, and fast food than rural-living adolescents. The latter were more likely to eat sweets and snacks. A general poor quality of food consumption in Italian adolescents away from the MD was reported, especially among those living in urban areas

Social disparities, health risk behaviors, and cancer

Background: Overall cancer incidence rates decreased in the most recent time period in both men and women, largely due to improvements in surgical therapeutic approaches (tertiary prevention) and screening programs (secondary prevention), but differences in cancer incidence and survival according to socioeconomic status are documented worldwide. Health risk behaviors, defined as habits or practices that increase an individual’s likelihood of harmful health outcomes, are thought to mediate such inequalities. Discussion: Obesity has been related with increased cancer incidence and mortality due to imbalance of leptin and adiponectin which are connected to activation of PI3K, MAPK, and STAT3 pathways and decreasing insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and mTOR signaling via activation of 5 AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), respectively. Physical activity has been associated to prevent cancer by the aforementioned obesity-related mechanisms, but also increasing level of circulating vitamin D, which has been related to lower risk of several cancers, and increasing prostaglandin F2a and reducing prostaglandin E2, which are both related with cancer prevention and promotion, respectively. A large number of different substances may induce themselves a direct cytotoxicity and mutagenic action on cells by smoking, whereas alcohol promote immune suppression, the delay of DNA repair, inhibition of the detoxification of carcinogens, the production of acetaldehyde, and the contribution to abnormal DNA methylation. The combined smoking and alcohol drinking habits have been shown to increase cancer risk by smoke action of increasing the acetaldehyde burden following alcohol consumption and alcohol action of enhancing the activation of various procarcinogens contained in tobacco smoke. Conclusions: Interventions at the social level may be done to increase awareness about cancer risks and promote changing in unhealthy behaviors

Análisis de latencia de controladores de audio para aplicaciones de metrología acústica

La adquisición y reproducción en alta definición de señales acústicas implica cumplimentar diversos requisitos en función de las características de las señales y del sistema interviniente. La fidelidad del proceso de adquisición/reproducción de sonido, la latencia, la inmunidad al ruido y la diafonía son algunos de los factores que definen la calidad de un sistema de adquisición/reproducción de señales acústicas. Por lo general, en aplicaciones de metrología acústica, estos sistemas son de elevado costo y uso privativo. En este trabajo se presenta la comparación de la medición de latencia de dos controladores de audio que operan un sistema para aplicaciones de metrología acústica de bajo costo, evidenciando diferencias significativas entre ambos para dos condiciones de ensayo. Dicho sistema está conformado por computador personal, una tarjeta de adquisición/reproducción de sonido estándar y programas de cómputo numérico. El trabajo se presenta en el marco del proyecto de diseño y desarrollo de un sistema automático de medición de dispositivos acústicos, el cual permite caracterizar dispositivos acústicos activos y pasivos.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional vol. XXXV, no. 3Facultad de Ingenierí

Análisis de latencia de controladores de audio para aplicaciones de metrología acústica

La adquisición y reproducción en alta definición de señales acústicas implica cumplimentar diversos requisitos en función de las características de las señales y del sistema interviniente. La fidelidad del proceso de adquisición/reproducción de sonido, la latencia, la inmunidad al ruido y la diafonía son algunos de los factores que definen la calidad de un sistema de adquisición/reproducción de señales acústicas. Por lo general, en aplicaciones de metrología acústica, estos sistemas son de elevado costo y uso privativo. En este trabajo se presenta la comparación de la medición de latencia de dos controladores de audio que operan un sistema para aplicaciones de metrología acústica de bajo costo, evidenciando diferencias significativas entre ambos para dos condiciones de ensayo. Dicho sistema está conformado por computador personal, una tarjeta de adquisición/reproducción de sonido estándar y programas de cómputo numérico. El trabajo se presenta en el marco del proyecto de diseño y desarrollo de un sistema automático de medición de dispositivos acústicos, el cual permite caracterizar dispositivos acústicos activos y pasivos.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional vol. XXXV, no. 3Facultad de Ingenierí

Diseño de plataforma rotativa para medición de dispositivos acústicos

La medición de diversas características de un dispositivo acústico requiere la utilización de equipos, instrumentos, instalaciones y operadores que conforman el sistema de medición. Para medir la directividad de una fuente o receptor sonoro se necesita caracterizar la radiación o sensibilidad en el espacio respectivamente. Por lo cual, la precisión y exactitud del posicionamiento del dispositivo ensayado son factores significativos para obtener resultados plausibles y de calidad. Por lo general, los sistemas automáticos de medición de dispositivos acústicos son complejos y costosos. En este trabajo, se presenta el diseño de una plataforma rotativa de alta precisión angular y bajo costo, implementada con un motor paso a paso, un reductor mecánico y un circuito electrónico de control y excitación, la cual forma parte de un sistema automático de medición de dispositivos acústicos.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional, vol. XXXV, no. 2Facultad de Ingenierí

Diseño de plataforma rotativa para medición de dispositivos acústicos

La medición de diversas características de un dispositivo acústico requiere la utilización de equipos, instrumentos, instalaciones y operadores que conforman el sistema de medición. Para medir la directividad de una fuente o receptor sonoro se necesita caracterizar la radiación o sensibilidad en el espacio respectivamente. Por lo cual, la precisión y exactitud del posicionamiento del dispositivo ensayado son factores significativos para obtener resultados plausibles y de calidad. Por lo general, los sistemas automáticos de medición de dispositivos acústicos son complejos y costosos. En este trabajo, se presenta el diseño de una plataforma rotativa de alta precisión angular y bajo costo, implementada con un motor paso a paso, un reductor mecánico y un circuito electrónico de control y excitación, la cual forma parte de un sistema automático de medición de dispositivos acústicos.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional, vol. XXXV, no. 2Facultad de Ingenierí

Diseño de plataforma rotativa para medición de dispositivos acústicos

La medición de diversas características de un dispositivo acústico requiere la utilización de equipos, instrumentos, instalaciones y operadores que conforman el sistema de medición. Para medir la directividad de una fuente o receptor sonoro se necesita caracterizar la radiación o sensibilidad en el espacio respectivamente. Por lo cual, la precisión y exactitud del posicionamiento del dispositivo ensayado son factores significativos para obtener resultados plausibles y de calidad. Por lo general, los sistemas automáticos de medición de dispositivos acústicos son complejos y costosos. En este trabajo, se presenta el diseño de una plataforma rotativa de alta precisión angular y bajo costo, implementada con un motor paso a paso, un reductor mecánico y un circuito electrónico de control y excitación, la cual forma parte de un sistema automático de medición de dispositivos acústicos.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional, vol. XXXV, no. 2Facultad de Ingenierí