Modellizzazione matematica e analisi statistica dei tassi di interesse

Dopo aver introdotto le definizioni relative ai tassi di interesse e ai piu' semplici derivati, si affronta il problema della modellizzazione matematica dei tassi di interesse, sia di quello a breve (short rate) sia di quello futuro (forward rate). Nell'ultimo capitolo, dedicato all'analisi statistica, viene spiegato come utilizzare la tecnica dell'analisi in componenti principali (PCA) per ridurre la dimensione dei modelli per il tasso di interesse

Urinary proteomic profiles of prostate cancer with different risk of progression and correlation with histopathological features

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common tumor in men with extremely variable outcome, varying from latent or indolent form to very aggressive behavior. High grade tumors, expansions exceeding the prostatic capsule into the surrounding soft tissues and spreading through lymph vascular channels, represent the most consistent unfavorable prognostic factors. However, accuracy in the prediction of the disease progression is sometimes difficult. Along with new molecular diagnostic techniques and more accurate histopathological approaches, proteomic studies challenge to identify potential biomarkers predictive of PCa progression. In our study we analyzed the urinary proteomes of 42 patients affected by PCa through two-dimensional electrophoresis associated with mass spectrometry. Proteomic profiles were correlated to histopathological features including pTNM stage and tumor differentiation in order to provide new promising markers able to define more accurately the PCa aggressiveness and driving new therapeutic approaches

Poorly differentiated clusters (PDC) in colorectal cancer: Does their localization in tumor matter?

Poorly differentiated clusters (PDC) are aggregates of at least five neoplastic cells lacking evidence of glandular differentiation. By definition, they can be present at the invasive front (peripheral PDC or pPDC) and within the tumor stroma (central PDC or cPDC). In colorectal cancer (CRC), PDC are considered adverse prognosticators and seem to reflect epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this study, we have investigated the immuno-expression of two EMT-related proteins, E-cadherin and \u3b2-catenin, in PDC of primary CRCs and matched liver metastases. pPDC always showed nuclear \u3b2-catenin staining and diffusely reduced/absence of E-cadherin expression as opposed cPDC which showed nuclear \u3b2-catenin immunoreactivity and E-cadherin expression in about 50% of cases. In addition, the pattern of \u3b2-catenin and E-cadherin expression differed between PDC and the main tumor, and between primary CRC and liver metastasis (LM), in a percentage of cases. A discordant pattern of \u3b2-catenin and E-cadherin expression between pPDC and cPDC, between main tumor and cPDC, and between primary CRC and LM, confirms that EMT is a dynamic and reversible process in CRC. On the overall, this suggests that pPDC and cPDC are biologically different. We may advocate that PDC develop at the tumor center (cPDC) and then some of them migrate towards the tumor periphery while progressively completing EMT process (pPDC). Based on these results, PDC presence and counting may have different prognostic relevance if the assessment is done at the invasive front of the tumor or in the intratumor stroma

Effects of Energy Drink Acute Assumption in Gastrointestinal Tract of Rats

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Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in colonic wall: metastatic disease or cancerized pancreatic ectopic tissue?

We describe two unusual cases of cancerized ectopic pancreatic parenchyma within the wall of the left colon. Although the morphology of the neoplastic cells and their immunoprofile were consistent with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the detection of small foci of regular ectopic pancreatic tissue close to dysplastic glands at the periphery of the cancerized mass represented the key diagnostic features. A careful histological examination of surgical samples represents the correct approach to the diagnosis of this rare disease, mostly when total-body CT scan evaluation confirms the lack of bilio-pancreatic masses

Laparoscopic treatment of Meckel's diverticulum perforation caused by a chicken bone. A case report

We describe an uncommon case of a Meckel's diverticulum perforation by a chicken bone in a patient with symptoms of acute appendicitis. Meckel's diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract. The incidence is approximately 2% of the population. Most patients are asymptomatic, only 4-16% presenting complications, including bleeding, obstruction, and diverticulitis. The perforation due to a foreign body is a very infrequent complication and may have a bad prognosis in case of a delayed diagnosis. Only in a few cases, a careful evaluation of the CT scan leads to correct preoperative diagnosis. Definitive treatment is surgical intervention and should not be delayed in patients with peritonitis. Laparoscopy is a safe diagnostic and therapeutic tool to treat complicated Meckel's diverticulum. In our case, a stapled laparoscopic diverticulectomy has been performed with an excellent outcome. KEY WORDS: Laparoscopy, Meckel's diverticulum, Perforation.We describe an uncommon case of a Meckel\u2019s diverticulum perforation by a chicken bone in a patient with symptoms of acute appendicitis. Meckel\u2019s diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract. The incidence is approximately 2% of the population. Most patients are asymptomatic, only 4-16% presenting complications, including bleeding, obstruction, and diverticulitis. The perforation due to a foreign body is a very infrequent complication and may have a bad prognosis in case of a delayed diagnosis. Only in a few cases, a careful evaluation of the CT scan leads to correct preoperative diagnosis. Definitive treatment is surgical intervention and should not be delayed in patients with peritonitis. Laparoscopy is a safe diagnostic and therapeutic tool to treat complicated Meckel\u2019s diverticulum. In our case, a stapled laparoscopic diverticulectomy has been performed with an excellent outcome

Research of Prostate Cancer Urinary Diagnostic Biomarkers by Proteomics: The Noteworthy Influence of Inflammation

Nowadays, in the case of suspected prostate cancer (PCa), tissue needle biopsy remains the benchmark for diagnosis despite its invasiveness and poor tolerability, as serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is limited by low specificity. The aim of this proteomic study was to identify new diagnostic biomarkers in urine, an easily and non-invasively available sample, able to selectively discriminate cancer from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), evaluating whether the presence of inflammation may be a confounding parameter. The analysis was performed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) on urine samples from PCa and BPH patients, divided into subgroups based on the presence or absence of inflammation. Significant quantitative and qualitative differences were found in the urinary proteomic profile of PCa and BPH groups. Of the nine differentially expressed proteins, only five can properly be considered potential biomarkers of PCa able to discriminate the two diseases, as they were not affected by the inflammatory process. Therefore, the proteomic research of novel and reliable urinary biomarkers of PCa should be conducted considering the presence of inflammation as a realistic interfering element, as it could hinder the detection of important protein targets

Cytoproliferative activity in colorectal poorly differentiated clusters: Biological significance in tumor setting

Poorly differentiated clusters (PDCs) have gained a significant prognostic role in colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) being associated to high risk of lymph node metastasis, shorter survival time and poor prognosis. The knowledge in PDC biology is not completely clear