Novel microwave apparatus for breast lesions detection: Preliminary clinical results

This paper presents preliminary results of an innovative microwave imaging apparatus for breast lesions detection. Specially, a Huygens Principle based method is employed to process the microwave signals and to build the respective microwave images. The apparatus has been first tested on phantoms. Next, its performance has been verified through clinical examinations on 22 healthy breasts and on 29 breast having lesions, using as gold standard the output of the radiologist study review obtained using conventional techniques. Specifically, we introduce a metric, which is the ratio between maximum and average of the image intensity (MAX/AVG). We found that MAX/AVG of microwave images can be used for classifying breasts containing lesions. In addition, using MAX/AVG as classification parameter, receiver operating characteristic curves have been empirically determined. Furthermore, for one randomly selected breast having lesion, we have demonstrated that the localisation of the inclusion acquired through microwave imaging is compatible with mammography images

Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Studies for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Identifies Four New Disease-Specific Risk Loci

Rationale: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a complex disease with both genetic and environmental risk factors. Together, 6 previously identified risk loci only explain a small proportion of the heritability of AAA. Objective: To identify additional AAA risk loci using data from all available genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Methods and Results: Through a meta-analysis of 6 GWAS datasets and a validation study totalling 10,204 cases and 107,766 controls we identified 4 new AAA risk loci: 1q32.3 (SMYD2), 13q12.11 (LINC00540), 20q13.12 (near PCIF1/MMP9/ZNF335), and 21q22.2 (ERG). In various database searches we observed no new associations between the lead AAA SNPs and coronary artery disease, blood pressure, lipids or diabetes. Network analyses identified ERG, IL6R and LDLR as modifiers of MMP9, with a direct interaction between ERG and MMP9. Conclusions: The 4 new risk loci for AAA appear to be specific for AAA compared with other cardiovascular diseases and related traits suggesting that traditional cardiovascular risk factor management may only have limited value in preventing the progression of aneurysmal disease

Changes of leaf phenolic substances in two grapevine varieties (Vitis vinifera L.) grown in different water conditions

In 2004 growing season, at the experimental vineyard of the DCDSL of the Pisa University, located at Colignola (Pisa, Italy), two grapevine genotypes, 'Cabernet Sauvignon' and 'Sangiovese', were subjected to different water treatments (irrigated and non irrigated) under field conditions. Time-course measurements of pre-dawn leaf water potential, as well as of both leaf gas exchange performance and net carbon gain were conducted. Changes in the content and composition of leaf polyphenols were also evaluated. Identification and quantification of hydroxycinnamates and flavonoid glycosides were performed using both HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS analyses. We show that the share of newly assimilated carbon for the synthesis of phenylpropanoids increased because of moderate water deficit. The flavonoid to hydroxycinnamate ratio markedly increased passing from well-watered to drought-stressed plants, while the quercetin to kaempferol ratio slightly increased because of drought stress. We argue that the tested genotypes did not actually suffer from a severe oxidative damage under the attempt to impose a drought stress

Changes in leaf phenolic compounds in two grapevine varieties (Vitis vinifera L.) grown in different water conditions

In 2004 growing season, at the experimental vineyard of the DCDSL of the Pisa University, located at Colignola (Pisa, Italy), two grapevine genotypes, 'Cabernet Sauvignon' and 'Sangiovese', were subjected to different water treatments (irrigated and non irrigated) under field conditions. Time-course measurements of pre-dawn leaf water potential, as well as of both leaf gas exchange performance and net carbon gain were conducted. Changes in the content and composition of leaf polyphenols were also evaluated. Identification and quantification of hydroxycinnamates and flavonoid glycosides were performed using both HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS analyses. We show that the share of newly assimilated carbon for the synthesis of phenylpropanoids increased because of moderate water deficit. The flavonoid to hydroxycinnamate ratio markedly increased passing from well-watered to drought-stressed plants, while the quercetin to kaempferol ratio slightly increased because of drought stress. We argue that the tested genotypes did not actually suffer from a severe oxidative damage under the attempt to impose a drought stress