Short-Term Association Between Ambient Air Pollution and Risk of Hospitalization for Acute Myocardial Infarction: Results of the Cardiovascular Risk and Air Pollution in Tuscany (RISCAT) Study

n/

Evaluation of Tumor Response after Short-Course Radiotherapy and Delayed Surgery for Rectal Cancer.

PURPOSE: Neoadjuvant therapy is able to reduce local recurrence in rectal cancer. Immediate surgery after short course radiotherapy allows only for minimal downstaging. We investigated the effect of delayed surgery after short-course radiotherapy at different time intervals before surgery, in patients affected by rectal cancer. METHODS: From January 2003 to December 2013 sixty-seven patients with the following characteristics have been selected: clinical (c) stage T3N0 ≤ 12 cm from the anal verge and with circumferential resection margin > 5 mm (by magnetic resonance imaging); cT2, any N, < 5 cm from anal verge; and patients facing tumors with enlarged nodes and/or CRM+ve who resulted unfit for chemo-radiation, were also included. Patients underwent preoperative short-course radiotherapy with different interval to surgery were divided in three groups: A (within 6 weeks), B (between 6 and 8 weeks) and C (after more than 8 weeks). Hystopatolgical response to radiotherapy was measured by Mandard's modified tumor regression grade (TRG). RESULTS: All patients completed the scheduled treatment. Sixty-six patients underwent surgery. Fifty-three of which (80.3%) received a sphincter saving procedure. Downstaging occurred in 41 cases (62.1%). The analysis of subgroups showed an increasing prevalence of TRG 1-2 prolonging the interval to surgery (group A-16.7%, group B-36.8% and 54.3% in group C; p value 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative short-course radiotherapy is able to downstage rectal cancer if surgery is delayed. A higher rate of TRG 1-2 can be obtained if interval to surgery is prolonged to more than 8 weeks

Studies on the recovery of the decorated surfaces of the architecture of the facades of the Cavallerizza and the Castle of San Giorgio in the Ducal Palace of Mantua

[EN] The contribution aims to present the path of knowledge on the external surfaces of the Courtyard of the Cavallerizza and the Castle of San Giorgio in Palazzo Ducale in Mantua, the subject of an upcoming conservation project. In particular, the results emerged through the autopsy and stratigraphic survey of areas selected by sample, relating to the technique of execution and the constituent materials of the finishes. From this survey, the characteristics of the original structure have been defined so as to have a clear relationship with respect to integration or degradation. At the same time, following specific evidence and to support the cognitive operations carried out in situ, in-depth diagnostic investigations were carried out in order to support and clarify the contents detected previously by interpreting the scientific data on the nature of the materials and the degradation present. The re-elaboration and critical analysis of the data acquired through various in-depth techniques, as well as providing indications for intervening on the causes of degradation, has supported the designers in the development of intervention methods and in the choice of the most suitable materials for conservation, based on the state of conservation of the nearby areas and the interfaces with the substrate. The scientific data have been compared with the historiographic information in order to have an objective comparison.Appolonia, L.; Ceriotti, M.; Lattanzi, D.; Mazzeri, A.; Scala, B. (2020). Studi sul recupero delle superfici decorate dell’architettura delle facciate della Cavallerizza e del Castello di San Giorgio in Palazzo Ducale di Mantova. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1475-1484. https://doi.org/10.4995/FORTMED2020.2020.11496OCS1475148

Italian translation and cultural adaptation of the communication assessment tool in an outpatient surgical clinic

The aim of the study is to translate and cross-culturally adapt, for use in the Italian context, the Communication Assessment Tool (CAT) developed by Makoul and colleagues

Keratinocytes regulate the threshold of inflammation by inhibiting T cell effector functions

Whilst the importance of keratinocytes as a first-line defense has been widely investigated, little is known about their interactions with non-resident immune cells. In this study, the impact of human keratinocytes on T cell effector functions was analyzed in an antigen-specific in vitro model of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to nickel sulfate. Keratinocytes partially inhibited T cell proliferation and cytokine production. This effect was dependent on the keratinocyte/T cell ratio and was partially reversible by increasing the number of autologous dendritic cells. The inhibition of T cell proliferation by keratinocytes was independent of the T cell subtype and antigen presentation by different professional antigen-presenting cells. Autologous and heterologous keratinocytes showed comparable effects, while the fixation of keratinocytes with paraformaldehyde abrogated the immunosuppressive effect. The separation of keratinocytes and T cells by a transwell chamber, as well as a cell-free keratinocyte supernatant, inhibited T cell effector functions to the same amount as directly co-cultured keratinocytes, thus proving that soluble factor/s account for the observed suppressive effects. In conclusion, keratinocytes critically control the threshold of inflammatory processes in the skin by inhibiting T cell proliferation and cytokine production

Epstein–Barr virus latent membrane protein 1 trans-activates miR-155 transcription through the NF-κB pathway

The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1), a functional homologue of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family, substantially contributes to EBV's oncogenic potential by activating nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). miR-155 is an oncogenic miRNA critical for B-cell maturation and immunoglobulin production in response to antigen. We report that miR-155 expression is much higher in EBV-immortalized B cells than in EBV-negative B cells. LMP1, but not LMP2, up-regulated the expression of miR-155, when transfected in EBV-negative B cells. We analyzed two putative NF-κB binding sites in the miR-155 promoter; both sites recruited NF-κB complex, in nuclear extract from EBV-immortalized cells. The exogenous expression of LMP1, in EBV-negative background, is temporally correlated to induction of p65 with binding on both NF-κB sites and with miR-155 overexpression. The induction of p65 binding together with increased RNA polymerase II binding, confirms that LMP1-mediated activation of miR-155 occurs transcriptionally. In reporter assays, miR-155 promoter lacking NF-κB binding sites was no longer activated by LMP1 expression and an intact AP1 site is needed to attain maximum activation. Finally, we demonstrate that LMP1-mediated activation of miR-155 in an EBV-negative background correlates with reduction of protein PU.1, which is a possible miR target

Los márgenes de los centros: transformaciones en los bordes urbanorurales (BUR) en localidades agrarias pampeanas

En el territorio pampeano constituido bajo el paradigma de la agricultura industrial, uno de los aspectos sociales conflictivos es el manejo técnico-productivo de áreas circundantes a poblaciones. Varios municipios han sancionado ordenanzas que restringen el uso de agroquímicos en los bordes urbano-rurales. La experiencia que presentamos se está desarrollando en una localidad del centro de la provincia de Santa Fe en la cual estas normativas han abierto debates y acciones en torno a la factibilidad de producir sin agroquímicos desde alternativas al modelo agropecuario hegemónico de la región pampeana. A partir del análisis de los procesos de innovación que ocurren en estos “márgenes” con los productores familiares y otros actores que van conectándose desde singulares convergencias, se intenta dar cuenta de su dinámica como modo de encuentro en la diversidad y posibilidad de emergencia de nuevos sentidos compartidos hacia la transformación del territorio.Eje B2 Paisajes, Territorios y Agroecología (Relatos de experiencias)Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

Los márgenes de los centros: transformaciones en los bordes urbanorurales (BUR) en localidades agrarias pampeanas

En el territorio pampeano constituido bajo el paradigma de la agricultura industrial, uno de los aspectos sociales conflictivos es el manejo técnico-productivo de áreas circundantes a poblaciones. Varios municipios han sancionado ordenanzas que restringen el uso de agroquímicos en los bordes urbano-rurales. La experiencia que presentamos se está desarrollando en una localidad del centro de la provincia de Santa Fe en la cual estas normativas han abierto debates y acciones en torno a la factibilidad de producir sin agroquímicos desde alternativas al modelo agropecuario hegemónico de la región pampeana. A partir del análisis de los procesos de innovación que ocurren en estos “márgenes” con los productores familiares y otros actores que van conectándose desde singulares convergencias, se intenta dar cuenta de su dinámica como modo de encuentro en la diversidad y posibilidad de emergencia de nuevos sentidos compartidos hacia la transformación del territorio.Eje B2 Paisajes, Territorios y Agroecología (Relatos de experiencias)Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale