Indication of recent warming process at the intermediate level in the Tyrrhenian Sea from SOOP XBT measurements

The Tyrrhenian Sea is a sub-basin of the western Mediterranean crossed by intermediate and deep waters from the eastern basin. Across this sub-basin, temperature profiles of the water column from expendable bathythermographs (XBT) have been acquired for sixteen years along transects realized thanks to the use of commercial vessels. Since 1999 an increase of temperature has been observed at intermediate depths even if interspersed with periods of decrease. This increase involves deeper and deeper depths along the years then involving the whole sub-basin in the range 200-800 m in September 2014 when largest anomalies over the whole period are found. The paper shows evidences of this rapid heating, giving insights into the origin and the diffusion of the warmer intermediate waters then showing its evolution in years and its relationship with the Eastern Mediterranean Transient

Randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of 308-nm excimer laser alone or in combination with topical hydrocortisone 17-butyrate cream in the treatment of vitiligo of the face and neck.

Background Vitiligo is a pigmentary disorder which may have disfiguring consequences. Its treatment remains a challenge. Objectives We designed a parallel-group randomized controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of 308-nm excimer laser alone or in combination with topical hydrocortisone 17-butyrate cream in patients with vitiligo unresponsive to previous treatment with topical steroids or narrow-band ultraviolet (UV) B phototherapy. Methods Consecutive patients aged 18\u201375 years with nonsegmental vitiligo localized on the face and \u2044or neck lacking response to previous conventional treatment were eligible. In total, 84 patients (44 women and 40 men, mean age 44 years) were randomized to 308-nm excimer laser phototherapy twice weekly alone or in combination with topical hydrocortisone 17-butyrate cream twice daily for three periods of 3 weeks followed by a 1-week steroid-free interval. The primary outcome was a reduction of at least 75% of the overall lesional areas as judged by automatic image analysis on reflected UV photographs, conducted blind to treatment assignment, at 12 weeks compared with baseline. Secondary outcomes were clearance, and improvements on Physician\u2019s Global Assessment (PGA) and Skindex-29 scores. Results A total of 76 (90%) patients completed the study. In an intention-to-treat analysis, seven [16\uc66%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 5\uc63\u201327\uc68%] patients in the excimer monotherapy arm and 18 (42\uc68%; 95% CI 27\uc68\u201357\uc68%) in the combination arm showed \u2021 75% reduction of vitiligo lesions at 12 weeks (v2 test 6\uc689, P = 0\uc60087). Clearance was observed in two (4\uc67%; 95% CI 1\uc66\u201311\uc62%) and nine (21\uc64%; 95% CI 9\uc60\u201333\uc68%) patients, respectively (Fisher\u2019s exact test P = 0\uc604). A significant difference also emerged for PGA scores, while no difference was documented for Skindex-29. Conclusions Recalcitrant vitiligo of the face and neck may benefit from the combination of excimer laser phototherapy with topical hydrocortisone 17-butyrate cream

Recent advances in neutrinoless double beta decay search

Even after the discovery of neutrino flavour oscillations, based on data from atmospheric, solar, reactor, and accelerator experiments, many characteristics of the neutrino remain unknown. Only the neutrino square-mass differences and the mixing angle values have been estimated, while the value of each mass eigenstate still hasn't. Its nature (massive Majorana or Dirac particle) is still escaping. Neutrinoless double beta decay ($0\nu$-DBD) experimental discovery could be the ultimate answer to some delicate questions of elementary particle and nuclear physics. The Majorana description of neutrinos allows the $0\nu$-DBD process, and consequently either a mass value could be measured or the existence of physics beyond the standard should be confirmed without any doubt. As expected, the $0\nu$-DBD measurement is a very difficult field of application for experimentalists. In this paper, after a short summary of the latest results in neutrino physics, the experimental status, the R&D projects, and perspectives in $0\nu$-DBD sector are reviewed.Comment: 36 pages, 7 figures, To be publish in Czech Journal of Physic

A review of global ocean temperature observations: Implications for ocean heat content estimates and climate change

The evolution of ocean temperature measurement systems is presented with a focus on the development and accuracy of two critical devices in use today (expendable bathythermographs and conductivity‐temperature‐depth instruments used on Argo floats). A detailed discussion of the accuracy of these devices and a projection of the future of ocean temperature measurements are provided. The accuracy of ocean temperature measurements is discussed in detail in the context of ocean heat content, Earth's energy imbalance, and thermosteric sea level rise. Up‐to‐date estimates are provided for these three important quantities. The total energy imbalance at the top of atmosphere is best assessed by taking an inventory of changes in energy storage. The main storage is in the ocean, the latest values of which are presented. Furthermore, despite differences in measurement methods and analysis techniques, multiple studies show that there has been a multidecadal increase in the heat content of both the upper and deep ocean regions, which reflects the impact of anthropogenic warming. With respect to sea level rise, mutually reinforcing information from tide gauges and radar altimetry shows that presently, sea level is rising at approximately 3 mm yr−1 with contributions from both thermal expansion and mass accumulation from ice melt. The latest data for thermal expansion sea level rise are included here and analyzed

Secukinumab shows high efficacy irrespective of HLA-Cw6 status in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque-type psoriasis: SUPREME study

Background: Understanding genetic variations is important in predicting treatment response and forms the basis for identifying new pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic targets for psoriasis treatment. There are limited data on the efficacy of secukinumab in relation to genetic markers. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of secukinumab 300 mg in HLA-Cw6-positive (Cw6-POS) and HLA-Cw6-negative (Cw6-NEG) patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque-type psoriasis. Methods: SUPREME was a 24-week, phase IIIb study with an extension period up to 72 weeks. Primary end point was Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) 90 response rate after 16 weeks. Results: In total, 434 patients were recruited: 185 (42\ub76%) were Cw6-POS and 246 (56\ub77%) were Cw6-NEG (three not assessed). Mean \ub1 SD age was 45\ub72 \ub1 13\ub72 years (Cw6-POS 42\ub77 \ub1 13\ub71; Cw6-NEG 47\ub72 \ub1 12\ub79). The baseline PASI score was comparable between the cohorts [Cw6-POS 20\ub77 \ub1 8\ub799; Cw6-NEG 21\ub75 \ub1 9\ub799 (P = 0\ub7777)]. At week 16, PASI 90 was achieved in 80\ub74% of Cw6-POS and 79\ub77% of Cw6-NEG patients (difference 0\ub776; 95% confidence interval 127\ub704 to 8\ub723). No differences in absolute PASI at week 16 (Cw6-POS 1\ub736 \ub1 3\ub758; Cw6-NEG 1\ub718 \ub1 2\ub729) were observed. The overall safety profile of secukinumab was consistent with that previously reported. No statistically significant difference was detected in the rate of treatment-emergent adverse events [Cw6-POS 42\ub77%; Cw6-NEG 49\ub76% (P = 0\ub7295)]. A high PASI 90 response was achieved with secukinumab with a fast reduction in absolute PASI. Conclusions: Determination of HLA-Cw6 status for secukinumab therapy is unnecessary, as it is highly effective regardless of HLA-Cw6 status

Lichen Nitidus Generalizzato

Il lichen nitidus \ue8 una malattia cronica a risoluzione spontanea caratterizzata dalla presenza di piccole papule del colore della cute pi\uf9 spesso localizzate alle estremit\ue0, all'addome e ai genitali. Istologicamente sono evidenti raccolte di linfociti e istiociti e talvolta cellule giganti multinucleate nelle papille termiche dilatate. Presentiamo un caso di lichen nitidus in una donna adulta con lesioni generalizzate, istologicamente tipiche

Alopecia Neoplastica

L'alopecia neoplastica \ue8 definita come una perdita di capelli secondaria a una neoplasia maligna viscerale che abbia metastatizzato al cuoio capelluto. Il termine fu coniato da Cohen nel 1961. I casi descritti in letteratura sono pochi: quasi tutti riguardano soggetti di sesso femminile con carcinoma mammario e comparsa della alopecia neoplastica nella fase avanzata della neoplasia. Presentiamo in caso di alopecia neoplastica in uomo di 67 anni, in buona salute come primo segno di un adenocarcinoma di origine sconosciuta e plurimetastatico

An algorithm for classifying unknown expendable bathythermograph (XBT) instruments based on existing metadata

AbstractTime-varying biases in expendable bathythermograph (XBT) instruments have emerged as a key uncertainty in estimates of historical ocean heat content variability and change. One of the challenges in the development of XBT bias corrections is the lack of metadata in ocean profile databases. Approximately 50% of XBT profiles in the World Ocean database (WOD) have no information about manufacturer or probe type. Building on previous research efforts, this paper presents a deterministic algorithm for assigning missing XBT manufacturer and probe type for individual temperature profiles based on 1) the reporting country, 2) the maximum reported depth, and 3) the record date. The criteria used are based on bulk analysis of known XBT profiles in the WOD for the period 1966–2015. A basic skill assessment demonstrates a 77% success rate at correctly assigning manufacturer and probe type for profiles where this information is available. The skill rate is lowest during the early 1990s, which is also a period when metadata information is particularly poor. The results suggest that substantive improvements could be made through further data analysis and that future algorithms may benefit from including a larger number of predictor variables.</jats:p