Modelling the radiation action for the estimation of biological effects in humans

It is well known that ionizing radiation can induce biological effects at different levels, from DNA, chromosomes and cells up to tissues, organs and entire organisms. Theoretical models and Monte Carlo codes, especially those based on radiation track structure, can be of great help to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to perform reliable predictions where data are lacking. In this work we will present and discuss a mechanistic ab initio model and a Monte Carlo code able to simulate the induction of chromosome aberrations (CAs) in human cells. This endpoint is particularly relevant, since some aberration types can lead to cell death, while others can lead to cell conversion to malignancy. The model is based on the hypothesis that only clustered lesions (CLs) of the DNA double-helix can evolve into aberrations. Simulated dose-response curves for CAs induced by different radiation types (including heavy ions) will be shown, together with applications to cancer risk estimation and biodosimetry. In this framework, we will also discuss examples of medical applications - including astronauts' exposure to space radiation - obtained with the FLUKA code, also taking into account the role of nuclear interactions

Effect of Lactoferrin on Clinical Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: The LAC Randomized Clinical Trial

As lactoferrin is a nutritional supplement with proven antiviral and immunomodulatory abilities, it may be used to improve the clinical course of COVID-19. The clinical efficacy and safety of bovine lactoferrin were evaluated in the LAC randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. A total of 218 hospitalized adult patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 were randomized to receive 800 mg/die oral bovine lactoferrin (n = 113) or placebo (n = 105), both given in combination with standard COVID-19 therapy. No differences in lactoferrin vs. placebo were observed in the primary outcomes: the proportion of death or intensive care unit admission (risk ratio of 1.06 (95% CI 0.63–1.79)) or proportion of discharge or National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) ≤ 2 within 14 days from enrollment (RR of 0.85 (95% CI 0.70–1.04)). Lactoferrin showed an excellent safety and tolerability profile. Even though bovine lactoferrin is safe and tolerable, our results do not support its use in hospitalized patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19

Il nulla e la libert\ue0. Intervista a Sergio Givone

Intervista a Sergio Givone sul rapporto tra nulla e libert\ue0

Estetica

Organo dell'A.I.S.E. (Associazione Italiana degli Studiosi di Estetica). Comitato scientifico internazionale che vaglia gli articoli proposti, composto da: C. Angelino, O. Breidbach, M. Cacciari, M. Donà, F. Duque, G. Figal, M. Frank, A. Giannatiempo Quinzio, D. Harth, G. Marchianò, R. Milani, J.-L. Nancy, A, Pagnini, M. Pezzella, F. Rella, M. Saison, G. Vattimo, F. Volpi, M. Vozza, S. Zecchi

Barbarie. La nostra civilt\ue0 \ue8 al tramonto?

Raccolta di saggi e traduzioni da testi antichi sul tema del rapporto tra barbarie e civilt\ue0

Hegel & H\uf6lderlin: eine Freundschaft

Two hundred and fifty years after their birth, this volume collects a series of essays on the genesis of Hegel's and H\uf6lderlin's thought, putting together philosophical, literary and theological perspective

Salvage heart transplantation for Mycoplasma hominis prosthetic valve endocarditis: A case report and review of the literature

Heart transplantation (HT) has been rarely performed in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) and is considered a \u201clast resort\u201d procedure. Orthotropic HT with bicaval technique was performed in a man with culture-negative endocarditis. Mycoplasma hominis was later detected using 16S ribosomal DNA PCR from surgically removed valve tissue. Literature review and previous results are summarized. HT may be considered as salvage treatment in selected patients with intractable IE. In cases when there is no growth in culture, 16S ribosomal DNA PCR sequencing can be used to identify the pathogen in excised valvular tissue. Mycoplasma spp. is extremely uncommon and difficult to diagnose cause of infective endocarditis (IE). There are no proposed or defined criteria for heart transplantation (HT) in patients with refractory IE, and HT has been rarely performed in this setting. We report a case of M\ua0hominis prosthetic valve endocarditis diagnosed by 16S ribosomal DNA PCR in a patient who underwent a salvage HT. We reviewed in the literature other cases of IE caused by Mycoplasma spp

Modelling the radiation action for the estimation of biological effects in humans

It is well known that ionizing radiation can induce biological effects at different levels, from DNA, chromosomes and cells up to tissues, organs and entire organisms. Theoretical models and Monte Carlo codes, especially those based on radiation track structure, can be of great help to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to perform reliable predictions where data are lacking. In this work we will present and discuss a mechanistic ab initio model and a Monte Carlo code able to simulate the induction of chromosome aberrations (CAs) in human cells. This endpoint is particularly relevant, since some aberration types can lead to cell death, while others can lead to cell conversion to malignancy. The model is based on the hypothesis that only clustered lesions (CLs) of the DNA double-helix can evolve into aberrations. Simulated dose-response curves for CAs induced by different radiation types (including heavy ions) will be shown, together with applications to cancer risk estimation and biodosimetry. In this framework, we will also discuss examples of medical applications - including astronauts' exposure to space radiation - obtained with the FLUKA code, also taking into account the role of nuclear interactions