The radio-loud AGN population at z 73 1 in the COSMOS field. I. selection and spectral energy distributions

We select a sample of radio galaxies at high redshifts (z 73 1) in the COSMOS field by cross-matching optical and infrared (IR) images with the FIRST radio data. The aim of this study is to explore the high-z radio-loud (RL) active galactic nuclei (AGN) population at much lower luminosities than the classical samples of distant radio sources, which are similar to those of the local population of radio galaxies. Precisely, we extended a previous analysis focused on low-luminosity radio galaxies. The wide multiwavelength coverage provided by the COSMOS survey allows us to derive their spectral energy distributions (SEDs). We model them with our own developed technique 2SPD that includes old and young stellar populations and dust emission. When added to those previously selected, we obtain a sample of 74 RL AGN. The SED modeling returns several important quantities associated with the AGN and host properties. The resulting photometric redshifts range from z ~ 0.7 to 3. The sample mostly includes compact radio sources but also 21 FR IIs sources; the radio power distribution of the sample covers ~1031.5 - 1034.3 erg s-1 Hz-1, thus straddling the local FR I/FR II break. The inferred range of stellar mass of the hosts is ~1010 - 1011.5M 99. The SEDs are dominated by the contribution from an old stellar population with an age of ~1 - 3 Gyr for most of the sources. However, UV and mid-IR (MIR) excesses are observed for half of the sample. The dust luminosities inferred from the MIR excesses are in the range, Ldust ~ 1043 - 1045.5 erg s-1, which are associated with temperatures approximately of 350-1200 K. Estimates of the UV component yield values of ~1041.5 - 1045.5 erg s-1 at 2000 \uc5. The UV emission is significantly correlated with both IR and radio luminosities; the former being the stronger link. However, the origin of UV and dust emission, whether it is produced by the AGN of by star formation, is still unclear. Our results show that this RL AGN population at high redshifts displays a wide variety of properties. Low-power radio galaxies, which are associated with UV- and IR-faint hosts are generally similar to red massive galaxies of the local FR Is. At the opposite side of the radio luminosity distribution, large MIR and UV excesses are observed in objects consistent with quasar-like AGN, as also proved by their high dust temperatures, which are more similar to local FR IIs

Increased levels of DNA methyltransferases are associated with the tumorigenic capacity of prostate cancer cells

DNA methylation might be the earliest somatic genome changes in prostate cancer that also play an important role in the process of tumor invasion, growth and metastasis. In recent years, several inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTis) have been developed and evaluated in pre-clinical models and in clinical trials. While these compounds are effective in the treatment of hematological conditions, clinical trials in solid tumors and in prostate cancer have shown limited or no efficacy. This may be attributed to inappropriate dose regimens leading to toxicity-related adverse events. As with other anti-target compounds, one of the obstacles encountered with DNMTis in prostate cancer could be the inability to select patients for the clinical studies as well as the inability to monitor the efficacy of the drug if not the conclusion of the study. Primary cultures derived from human prostatic tissues harvested from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) as well as neoplastic and non-neoplastic prostate cell lines were tested for DNMT expression/activity and to monitor azacitidine molecular efficacy. We observed that in primary cultures the levels of DNMT activity as well as the protein levels of DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b were higher in cultures derived from PCa compared to BPH tissue samples and significantly higher in cultures derived from PCa with Gleason scores ≥7 compared to those observed in cultures derived from Gleason scores <7. In addition, DNMT activity as well as DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b levels were higher in PCa cell lines compared to their non-neoplastic counterparts. Although DNMT activity was higher in high tumorigenic/aggressive PCa cell lines compared to low tumorigenic/aggressive cell lines, only the levels of DNMT3a and DNMT3b were significantly higher in the first group of cells, suggesting that DNMT1 activity is related to the transition to non-neoplastic versus neoplastic phenotype whereas the de novo methylation enzymes were mainly related to progression. Nevertheless, the comparison in the more aggressive PC3 cell derivatives (PC3-LN4 cells) also possessed higher levels of DNMT1 compared to PC3 and PC3M from which these cells were derived. Collectively, our results confirm previous data on the increased methylation in more aggressive tumors supporting the use of DNMTis in advanced prostate cancer. In addition, since glutathione S-transferase-π (GSTP1) was re-expressed or its protein levels were increased after treatment with non-toxic azacitidine doses and since GSTP1 can easily be measured in patient sera, the monitoring of this protein may aide in the evaluation of therapy in future clinical trials

Struktura dna, veličina čestica sedimenta i makrobentoska zajednica u eksploatiranim i ne-eksploatiranim područjima srednjeg Jadrana (Italija)

Studies performed in Italy for assessing the effects of fishing activities have been largely confined to the Adriatic Sea. They mostly investigated effects of experimentally induced impacts. The objective of this study was to compare a commercial fishing ground with an area in which no fishing was conducted. The two areas were less than 2 km apart and close to a gas platform in the central Adriatic. Seabed morphology, sediment grain size, and macrobenthic community composition were investigated. There were clear physical effects on the seabed morphology, mostly as a consequence of the trawling passage. Strong and unequivocal signs of disturbance were not detected from the grain size analysis but there was a major spatial variability of sediment distribution. There were signs of stress in the macrobenthic community, i.e., reduction of complexity and diversity, increased variability of distributional patterns, and fewer large longlived species in the fished area.Talijanske studije za utvrđivanje utjecaja ribolovnih aktivnosti bile su uglavnom usmjerene na Jadransko more istražujući učinke pretežito tijekom eksperimentalnih potega. Cilj ove studije je usporedba područja izložena gospodarskom ribolovu i područja koja se gospodarski ne iskorištavaju. Dva istraživana područja su smještena 2 km od plinske platforme u srednjem Jadranu. Istraživani su: struktura morskog dna, veličina i struktura sedimenta, te makrobentoske zajednice. Jasno je uočljiv fizički učinak na strukturu morskog dna, uglavnom kao posljedica prolaska koća. Nisu utvrđeni jaki i jasni znakovi poremećaja u veličini čestica sedimenta, ali je utvrđena značajna prostorna varijabilnost u distribuciji sedimenta. U eksploatiranom području nađeni su znakovi stresa u makrobentoskoj zajednici tj. poremećaj u kompleksnosti i raznolikosti, povećane varijabilnosti u raspostranjenosti i manji broj velikih i dugoživućih vrsta

Male and female meiotic behaviour of an intrachromosomal insertion determined by preimplantation genetic diagnosis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Two related family members, a female and a male balanced carrier of an intrachromosomal insertion on chromosome 7 were referred to our centre for preimplantation genetic diagnosis. This presented a rare opportunity to investigate the behaviour of the insertion chromosome during meiosis in two related carriers. The aim of this study was to carry out a detailed genetic analysis of the preimplantation embryos that were generated from the three treatment cycles for the male and two for the female carrier.</p> <p>Patients underwent <it>in vitro </it>fertilization and on day 3, 22 embryos from the female carrier and 19 embryos from the male carrier were biopsied and cells analysed by fluorescent in situ hybridization. Follow up analysis of 29 untransferred embryos was also performed for confirmation of the diagnosis and to obtain information on meiotic and mitotic outcome.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study, the female carrier produced more than twice as many chromosomally balanced embryos as the male (76.5% vs. 36%), and two pregnancies were achieved for her. Follow up analysis showed that the male carrier had produced more highly abnormal embryos than the female (25% and 15% respectively) and no pregnancies occurred for the male carrier and his partner.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study compares how an intrachromosomal insertion has behaved in the meiotic and preimplantation stages of development in sibling male and female carriers. It confirms that PGD is an appropriate treatment in such cases. Reasons for the differing outcome for the two carriers are discussed.</p

Infant immunization coverage in Italy (2000-2016)

BackgroundIn Italy, national-level immunization polices are included in the National Immunization Prevention Plan (PNPV), whose latest edition - 2017-2019 PNPV- was approved in February 2017. Immunization coverage is a key measure of immunization system performance; it can inform and support national and regional immunization polices’ implementation monitoring, as well as measure the impact of interventions aimed at increase vaccine uptake. MethodsWe collected, analysed and critically interpreted 2000-2015 Italian national infant immunization coverage trends, by different vaccine, target population, and by Region. Data were provided by the Directorate General for Prevention of the Italian Ministry of Health.ResultsIn 2015, none of mandatory or recommended vaccines reached the 95% national coverage target set in the PNPV. Weighted average national coverage for mandatory vaccines (against polio, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B) and other antigens included in the hexavalent vaccine (pertussis, and Haemophilus influenzae type b) in 2015 was 93.3%; it was lower for measles, mumps and rubella vaccines (85.2%), pneumococcal (88.7%) and meningococcal C conjugate vaccines (76.6%), with a high degree of heterogeneity by Region. Both hexavalent and MMR vaccines coverage rates have been decreasing since 2012, with an annual decrease of, respectively 1% and 1.5%.DiscussionFurther efforts are needed to increase vaccine uptake in Italy, to improve data collection and reporting, as well as to fight the growing phenomenon of the vaccine hesitancy so that PNPV objectives and target can be met in the near future.Ep

Cutaneous angiomatosis-like presentation in koi carp (Cyprinus carpio koi): Clinical–pathological investigations

The skin represents an indicator of an animal's health status. Causes of cutaneous diseases in fish most often trace back to biological agents. However, fish skin diseases can also arise from a complex interaction of infectious and non-infectious causes, making it more difficult to identify a specific aetiology. In the period between April and September of the years 2019–2022, four koi carp (Cyprinus carpio koi) from two European countries presented with multifocal, irregularly round, few mm to 1 cm, variably raised cutaneous reddened areas. The fish displayed good general condition. Cutaneous samples, investigated by microbiological and molecular methods and microscopy, did not indicate a primary pathogenic agent. Gross and histological findings of the cutaneous biopsies were consistent with a multifocal/reactive process centred on dermal vessels. The histological features were reminiscent of angiomatosis, a benign proliferative condition affecting the dermal vessels of mammals, including human patients. The clinical–pathological presentation and the dermatologic condition that affected the koi carp are discussed and compared with the veterinary and human literature

Presumptive myocarditis with ST-Elevation myocardial infarction presentation in young males as a new syndrome. Clinical significance and long term follow up

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Acute myocarditis may mimic myocardial infarction, since affected patients complain of "typical" chest pain, the ECG changes are identical to those observed in acute coronary syndromes, and serum markers are increased. We describe a case series of presumptive myocarditis with ST segment elevation on admission ECG.</p> <p>Methods and Results</p> <p>From 1998 to 2009, 21 patients (20 males; age 17-42 years) were admitted with chest pain, persistent ST segment elevation, serum enzyme and troponine release. All but one patients had fever and flu-like symptoms prior to admission. No abnormal Q wave appeared in any ECG tracing, and angiography did not show significant coronary artery disease. Patients remained asymptomatic at long term follow-up, except 2 who experienced a late relapse, with the same clinical, electrocardiographic and serum findings as in the first clinical presentation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Presumptive myocarditis of possible viral origin characterized by ST elevation mimicking myocardial infarction, good short term prognosis and some risk for recurrence is relatively frequent in young males and appears as a distinct clinical condition.</p