Kinetic helicity and MHD turbulence

The issue of dynamical anisotropy in helical three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic turbulence with a mean magnetic field B₀ is investigated. Using high-resolution direct numerical simulations, we follow the evolution of various isotropic initial states characterized by their different values of the kinetic helicity. The cross helicity and magnetic helicity of the initial conditions are also varied. In agreement with earlier work, we find that such initial states become anisotropic in of order an eddy-turnover time, with correlation lengths parallel to B₀ remaining largely unchanged while finer scales are excited in the perpendicular directions. Moreover, it is found that the development of both the anisotropy and the energy are essentially independent of the initial level of kinetic helicity. The physics associated with this latter feature is discussed

Caregivers of Patients with Hematological Malignancies within Home Care: A Phenomenological Study

The role of caregivers in homecare settings is relevant to the patient\u2019s wellbeing and quality of life. This phenomenon is well described in the literature for the oncological setting but not specifically for that of hematological malignancies. The aim of this study was to explore the experience of primary caregivers of patients with hematological malignancies within home care. We conducted a phenomenological study based on interviews with 17 primary caregivers of hematological patients. Analysis of the contents led to the identification of five main themes. Perhaps, the innovative aspects of this study can be summarized in three points: This service was demonstrated to fulfil the ethical aspects of providing the patient with a dignified accompaniment to the end of life. Secondly, the efficiency of the service and the benefit are directly dependent on the caregivers\u2019 wellbeing, so knowledge of the dynamics and emotions involved can lead to the development and implementation of programs for hematological malignancies. Lastly, a collaborative caregivers\u2013professionals relationship can improve a sense of accomplishment for all parties involved, lessening the family\u2019s frustration related to not having done their best. Home care brings significant benefits for both the patient and the caregivers and fulfils the ethical obligation of providing the patient dignified end-of-life care

The Changing Landscape of Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus in Italy Between 2003 and 2022

Context In the last decade the Sanger method of DNA sequencing has been replaced by next-generation sequencing (NGS). NGS is valuable in conditions characterized by high genetic heterogeneity such as neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM).Objective To compare results of genetic analysis of patients with NDM and congenital severe insulin resistance (c.SIR) identified in Italy in 2003-2012 (Sanger) vs 2013-2022 (NGS).Methods We reviewed clinical and genetic records of 104 cases with diabetes onset before 6 months of age (NDM + c.SIR) of the Italian dataset.Results Fifty-five patients (50 NDM + 5 c.SIR) were identified during 2003-2012 and 49 (46 NDM + 3 c.SIR) in 2013-2022. Twenty-year incidence was 1:103 340 (NDM) and 1:1 240 082 (c.SIR) live births. Frequent NDM/c.SIR genetic defects (KCNJ11, INS, ABCC8, 6q24, INSR) were detected in 41 and 34 probands during 2003-2012 and 2013-2022, respectively. We identified a pathogenic variant in rare genes in a single proband (GATA4) (1/42 or 2.4%) during 2003-2012 and in 8 infants (RFX6, PDX1, GATA6, HNF1B, FOXP3, IL2RA, LRBA, BSCL2) during 2013-2022 (8/42 or 19%, P = .034 vs 2003-2012). Notably, among rare genes 5 were recessive. Swift and accurate genetic diagnosis led to appropriate treatment: patients with autoimmune NDM (FOXP3, IL2RA, LRBA) were subjected to bone marrow transplant; patients with pancreas agenesis/hypoplasia (RFX6, PDX1) were supplemented with pancreatic enzymes, and the individual with lipodystrophy caused by BSCL2 was started on metreleptin.Conclusion NGS substantially improved diagnosis and precision therapy of monogenic forms of neonatal diabetes and c.SIR in Italy

Progesterone and pregnancy status of buffaloes treated with a GnRH agonist.

The primary aim of the present study was to establish whether the treatment with a GnRH agonist on Day 5 after AI may result in the formation of an accessory corpus luteum, greater progesterone secretion, and the increased likelihood of pregnancy success in buffaloes. The study was conducted during a period of increasing daylight length when progesterone secretion is suppressed and embryonic mortality is relatively high in buffaloes. In Experiment 1, treatment with a GnRH agonist (buserelin, 12 μg) on Day 5 after AI induced acute increases in circulating concentrations of LH, FSH and oestradiol-17β. Pregnant buffaloes (n=14) at Day 40 following AI showed an increase (Pb0.01) in milk whey progesterone concentration between Day 5 (310±55 pg/ml) and Day 15 (424±50 pg/ml). The non-pregnant buffaloes (n=7) showed a decrease (Pb0.01) in progesterone level from Day 5 (410±87 pg/ml) to Day 15 (188±30 pg/ml) following AI. In Experiment 2, the treatment with buserelin (12 μg) on Day 5 after AI induced ovulation in 62% of the buffaloes (31/50) and these buffaloes showed a progressive increase in milk whey progesterone concentration on Day 10, 15 and 20 of pregnancy. Buffaloes that did not ovulate, recorded a relatively constant milk whey progesterone level from Day 10 to Day 20 following AI. Milk whey progesterone concentrations increased after the administration of the GnRH agonist in 97% of the pregnant buffaloes and 68% of the non-pregnant buffaloes. The diameter of the largest follicle in buffaloes that ovulated (ovulated n=31) (8.9±0.04 mm; range 4.2 – 13.0 mm) did not differ significantly from the diameter of the largest follicle in buffaloes that did not ovulate (not ovulate n=19) (8.7±0.04 mm; range: 4.0 – 12.0 mm). The latter observation suggested that notional ovulatory size follicles in buffaloes are heterogeneous with respect to stage of follicle maturation and capacity to respond to plasma LH. The present study showed that treatment with a GnRH agonist on Day 5 following AI provides a strategy to increase progesterone secretion and the likelihood of pregnancy in buffaloes mated during periods of increasing daylight length

Delayed treatment with GnRH agonist, hCG and progesterone and reduced embryonic mortality in buffaloes.

The present study examined the effect of delayed treatment with tropic hormones and progesterone (P4) on embryonic mortality in buffaloes. Buffaloes with a conceptus on Day 25 after AI were assigned to the following treatments: Control (n = 41), i.m. physiological saline; GnRH agonist (n = 36), i.m. 12 mg buserelin acetate; hCG (n = 33), i.m. 1500 IU hCG; P4 (n = 38), i.m. 341 mg P4 every 4 days on three occasions. Control buffaloes had an embryonic mortality of 41.4% (17/41) between Days 25 and 45, and this was reduced (P < 0.01) by treatment with GnRH agonist (11.1%, 4/36), hCG (9.0%, 3/33) and P4 (13.1%, 5/38). On Day 45, buffaloes treated with hCG and which ovulated had greater (P < 0.05) concentrations of P4 in whey (453 41 pg/ml) than buffaloes in the same treatment that did not ovulate (297 32 pg/ml). A similar but non-significant trend was observed for buffaloes treated with GnRH agonist. It was concluded from the findings that the treatment of buffaloes on Day 25 after AI with tropic hormones or P4 is beneficial to processes associated with embryonic implantation

Plasma leptin levels in Murrah buffalo heifers fed diet with two different energy levels.

RIASSUNTO – Livelli plasmatici di leptina in manze bufaline di razza Murrah alimentate con due differenti livelli energetici. Scopo del lavoro è stato valutare i livelli plasmatici di leptina ed i loro rapporti con le variazioni di peso, BCS, insulina, glucagone, IGF-1, glucosio, colesterolo, trigliceridi e NEFA in manze bufaline in accrescimento, alimentate con diete a differente contenuto energetico. 12 manze di razza Murrah (790 giorni di età e 400 kg di peso), allevate in S .Paolo (Brasile) sono state alimentate con diete differenti per contenuto in UFL: 5,8 UFL/giorno (Gruppo H; n=6) vs. 3,6 UFL/giorno (Gruppo L; n=6). Si sono registrate differenze significative tra i gruppi per il peso a fine prova e per i valori di BCS e di leptina. Sono emerse correlazioni significative tra leptina e incremento di peso corporeo, BCS nonché insulina, glucosio, colesterolo e glucagone ematici. La relazione tra leptina ed IGF-1 è risultata significativa solo dopo la 4a settimana. Relazioni differenti sono emerse analizzando i dati entro i singoli gruppi di alimentazione

I bisogni del paziente con patologia oncologica e le risposte negli statuti di servizi sanitari dedicati e associazioni

La ricerca indaga i bisogni espressi da persone malate di cancro nell’Area Vasta Nord dell’Emilia Romagna e quali, tra questi bisogni, sono anche obiettivi dei servizi sanitari e delle associazioni dedicati alla malattia oncologica. Metodo. Sono stati intervistati 22 pazienti oncologici (12 F e 10 M; età media = 55.3±10.7) e sono stati analizzati 25 statuti di associazioni e 17 Carte dei Servizi Sanitari. Risultati. I bisogni fondamentali dei malati oncologici sono raramente di natura economica, legale, materiale e molto più spesso concernono l’area medica e psicologica (es. bisogno di supporto/sostegno psicologico, di cure mediche e di uguaglianza al trattamento, di continuità di cure in ospedale e a domicilio e di formazione su diagnosi e trattamenti). I Servizi Sanitari pongono attenzione al soddisfacimento dei bisogni di autodeterminazione, di dignità e rispetto della persona, di informazione su diagnosi e trattamenti e di sostegno psicologico. Le associazioni offrono aiuto attraverso la promozione di attività socializzanti (bisogno di aggregazione e compagnia) e sostegno sia al malato che ai suoi familiari. Esse si pongono anche come collegamento nella continuità di cura fra ospedale e domicilio. Conclusioni. Se da un lato c’è attenzione da parte dei servizi sanitari e delle associazioni alla risposta a molti bisogni fondamentali, alcuni di essi rimangono insoddisfatti ed altri non sono adeguatamente considerati (es. bisogno di ritornare alla propria quotidianità). L’offerta orientata al soddisfacimento di questi bisogni potrebbe essere quindi potenziata anche attraverso una rete di sinergiche collaborazioni tra servizi sanitari, cittadinanza ed associazioni

Meeting the needs of cancer patients: Is there a need for an organizational change?

As stated in the literature the most important needs of cancer patients are not adequately meet. Improving information, communication and education provided have not led to incisive changes in the organizational model of the oncology departments. The study contributes to this direction, by planning an “Integrated Operating Point” (I.O.P.) dedicated to cancer patients and their relatives in Italy. 42 Some professionals, patients and relatives were involved and 42 of them participated in focus group/or interviews. Results of thematic content analysis allow us to sketch out some key elements that I.O.P. should have in order to support cancer patients and their families. Integration of services, continuity of care, and cooperation between professionals involved are key elements that might qualify such organizational development