A retrospective study on the association between urine metanephrines and cardiometabolic risk in patients with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentaloma

Several studies argued that cardiovascular evaluation of patients with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentaloma is of particular importance. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the possibility of stratifying the cardiometabolic risk using metanephrine levels in this setting of patients. A retrospective cross-sectional study was designed, collecting data of metanephrine values in 828 patients with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentaloma, referred to our Division within the University of Turin between 2007 and 2021. The univariate analysis showed associations between urine metanephrines and cardiometabolic variables/parameters, particularly considering the noradrenaline metabolite. At the univariate regression, normetanephrine was associated with metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.13, p = 0.002), hypertensive cardiomyopathy (OR = 1.09, p = 0.026), microalbuminuria (OR = 1.14, p = 0.024), and eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (OR = 1.11, p = 0.013), while metanephrine was associated with microalbuminuria (OR = 1.50, p = 0.008). At multivariate regression, considering all major cardiovascular risk factors as possible confounders, normetanephrine retained a significant association with metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.10, p = 0.037). Moreover, metanephrine retained a significant association with the presence of microalbuminuria (OR = 1.66, p = 0.003). The present study showed a further role for metanephrines in the cardiovascular risk stratification of patients with nonfunctioning adrenal incidentaloma. Individuals with high levels of these indirect markers of sympathetic activity should be carefully monitored and may benefit from an aggressive treatment to reduce their additional cardiometabolic burden

Doubly heterozygous LMNA and TTN mutations revealed by exome sequencing in a severe form of dilated cardiomyopathy

Familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a heterogeneous disease; although 30 disease genes have been discovered, they explain only no more than half of all cases; in addition, the causes of intra-familial variability in DCM have remained largely unknown. In this study, we exploited the use of whole-exome sequencing (WES) to investigate the causes of clinical variability in an extended family with 14 affected subjects, four of whom showed particular severe manifestations of cardiomyopathy requiring heart transplantation in early adulthood. This analysis, followed by confirmative conventional sequencing, identified the mutation p.K219T in the lamin A/C gene in all 14 affected patients. An additional variant in the gene for titin, p.L4855F, was identified in the severely affected patients. The age for heart transplantation was substantially less for LMNA:p.K219T/TTN:p.L4855F double heterozygotes than that for LMNA:p.K219T single heterozygotes. Myocardial specimens of doubly heterozygote individuals showed increased nuclear length, sarcomeric disorganization, and myonuclear clustering compared with samples from single heterozygotes. In conclusion, our results show that WES can be used for the identification of causal and modifier variants in families with variable manifestations of DCM. In addition, they not only indicate that LMNA and TTN mutational status may be useful in this family for risk stratification in individuals at risk for DCM but also suggest titin as a modifier for DCM

Materiality of two vessels in Southern Turkmenian style from Shahr-i Sokhta (Sistan, Iran,nc. 3100-2900 BC)

We present the results of an experimental conservation project on selected samples of Buff Ware ceramics from the early urban site of Shahr-i Sokhta (Sistan, Iran, 3rd millennium BC), kept in the Museo delle Civiltà (MUCIV) - former Museo Nazionale d’Arte Orientale in Rome (or MNAO). The conservation project included an in-depth investigation of the composition of the ceramics, through petrographic study of thin sections, XRD, SEM-EDX, TGA and FTIR, and X-ray radiography. The comparison between the raw materials of two vessels made in the style of the contemporary early Bronze age sites of Kopet Dag piedmont in southern Turkmenistan (Shahr-i Sokhta period I = Namazga III period in Turkmenistan) and the pots made according to the local styles confirms that the former are undoubtedly local products. The evidence thus suggests the abandonment of explanatory models based upon long-distance trade or transport of pots, and the search for different historical explanations

Materiality of two vessels in Southern Turkmenian style from Shahr-i Sokhta (Sistan, Iran, c. 3100-2900 BC)

We present the results of an experimental conservation project on selected samples of Buff Ware ceramics from the early urban site of Shahr-i Sokhta (Sistan, Iran, 3rd millennium BC), kept in the Museo delle Civilt\ue0 (MUCIV) - former Museo Nazionale d\u2019Arte Orientale in Rome (or MNAO). The conservation project included an in-depth investigation of the composition of the ceramics, through petrographic study of thin sections, XRD, SEM-EDX, TGA and FTIR, and X-ray radiography. The comparison between the raw materials of two vessels made in the style of the contemporary early Bronze age sites of Kopet Dag piedmont in southern Turkmenistan (Shahr-i Sokhta period I = Namazga III period in Turkmenistan) and the pots made according to the local styles confirms that the former are undoubtedly local products. The evidence thus requires the abandonment of explanatory models based upon long-distance trade or transport of pots, and the search for different historical explanations

On the first evidence of gum guaicum and its use as finishing pigment on Brasilian ceramics

This study reports a multi-analytical investigation on two ceramic bowls from the 19th-century Brazilian production, belonging to the Kadiweu culture (Rio Nabileque, Mato Grosso do Sul) and currently preserved at MUCIV (Museo della Cività, “Museo Etnografico L. Pigorini” section) in Rome [1]. X-ray radiography was used to define the execution technique. Optical microscopy on thin section and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the ceramic production in terms of raw materials, firing and production process. UV observation and micro-Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (µ-FTIR) were used to highlight the presence of restoration or protective products. Results showed that raw materials and technology are compatible with the local production [2]. The use of grog was documented for the ceramic paste, which was in part shaped by the coiling technique and then fired at moderately high temperatures and decorated with a white calcic pigment. The most striking finding was the identification of the so-called gum guaicum – or guaiac resin -, most likely used as a black pigment [3] during the last production steps, its spectrum being for the first time collected on ceramics. The use of a resin from “pau-santo” (Brazilian Blackheart or holy wood) as a pigment for blackish areas has been documented on the corresponding contemporary production, where it is extracted and eventually mixed with mastic for darker hues

Tradition unveiled. Pottery production in the Brazilian Kadiweu culture

The ceramic bowls production of the Brazilian Kadiweu culture (Rio Nabileque, Mato Grosso do Sul), currently belonging to Museo delle Civiltà (MUCIV) – Museo Nazionale Preistorico ed Etnografico “Luigi Pigorini” in Rome, were studied for the first time by a multi-analytical investigation at Istituto Centrale per il Restauro (ICR, Rome). Optical microscopy on thin section (OM) and X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) were used to characterize two Kadiweu bowls (raw materials, firing and production process). UV observation and micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (µ-FTIR) were used to characterize either original or former restoration products. Finally, X-ray images were taken to study the modelling technique. This minimally invasive approach showed that raw materials and technology are compatible with local production. The use of grog was documented for the paste, which was then fired at moderately high temperatures. This study also led to revise some ethnographic data on decorations, at least for the analysed bowls, such as the use of kaolin as white pigment, which was instead proven to be calcite, or the origin of the traditional black dye from pau santo, a local tree. Its spectrum was for the first time collected on ceramics and identified as guaiac resin, which possibly comes from Guaiacum sanctum or officinale. This research project also allowed the identification of two different restoration activities, with two types of adhesives: shellac and animal glue, the latter used with lithopone. Paraloid B72 was also identified as a protective layer. Finally, textile materials found on the artefact were also characterized