The impact of uterine re-curettage, pre-evacuation and week-one level of hCG on the number of chemotherapy courses in treatment of post molar GTN

__Background:__ Post molar GTN was reported to occur in 7.5-20% of patients following evacuation of complete hydatidiform moles and in 2.5-7.5% following evacuation of partial moles. The role of uterine re-curettage in post molar GTN is not clear. __Objectives:__ Study of the correlation of pre-evacuation and week- one level of hCG, and uterine re-curettage to the number of chemotherapy courses in treatment of post molar GTN. __Patients and methods:__ This retrospective study included 29 cases of post molar GTN through reviewing their medical records. Results: There were 25 cases (86.21) of low risk, and 4 cases of high risk score (13.79%). The 3 year survival was 96.6%. There were non-significant correlation of age, parity, pre-evacuation level and hCG in week-1 to number of chemotherapy courses, while uterine recurettage was significantly correlated to number of chemotherapy courses (p=0.04). __Conclusion:__ Uterine re-curettage was significantly correlated to less number of chemotherapy courses in patients with post molar GTN (p=0.04). Pre-evacuation and week-1 hCG were not correlated to number of chemotherapy cycles. A large prospective randomized trial to clarify the beneficial effect of uterine re-curettage is recommended

Peter Behrens educatore e Gestalter del 20. secolo

Giacomo Calandra di Roccolino, Christian Toson, Editoriale. Hartmut Frank, Behrens als Erzieher. Einführung zum Colloquium im Warburg-Haus Hamburg am 13. April 2018. Pierre-Alain Croset, Sull’attualità di Peter Behrens | On the Continued Relevance of Peter Behrens. Marco De Michelis, Theater des Lebens. Giacomo Calandra di Roccolino, Collaboratori, studenti ed epigoni di Peter Behrens. Monika Isler Binz, Un incontro incisivo. Karl Schneider nell’atelier di Peter Behrens (1915-1916). Silvia Malcovati, Peter Behrens alla V Triennale di Milano, 1933. Herman van Bergeijk, Der „Geist des Archimedes“. Die Bedeutung von Peter Behrens für die Holländische Architektur

From seaweeds to cosmeceutics: A multidisciplinar approach

Macroalgae are widespread on the coasts of all the globe and lead to a negative ecological impact, requiring expensive remediations. Therefore, the valorization of invasive seaweed as a renewable source of bioactive products could represent a valid solution. In this context, three algal biomasses, belonging to brown, green, and red families (Sargassum muticum, Ulva lactuca, Solieria filiformis), collected in the venetian Laguna, were investigated as a source of active compounds for the formulation of cosmeceutics. Microwave (MW) and ultrasound (US) were applied to enhance the algae extraction by means of a hydroalcoholic solution. According to total phenolic content (TPC) evaluation, MW demonstrated the best performing outcomes, resulting in 19.77, 22.02, and 16.94 mgGAE/gExtr (30 min at 90◦C) for brown, green, and red algae, respectively. Antioxidant activity was tested as well, showing comparable trends (49.19, 26.24, and 3.02 mmolTrolox eq./gExtr for brown, green, and red algae, respectively). Due to natural algae predisposition to absorb contaminants, the metal content analysis helped to screen the applicability of these extracts, identifying Ulva lactuca as the most suitable source of antioxidants for cosmetic formulations. This MW extract was then adopted to formulate two different preparations, namely a gel and an emulsion. Thermal and mechanical tests confirmed the stability of each formulation, together with neutral organoleptic characteristics. Finally, the actives release was investigated by means of a tape stripping essay, showing an efficient controlled release for gel formulation, even after 7 h of test. The produced cosmeceutics merged non-conventional extraction technologies with formulation expertise, offering a valuable alternative to solve the macroalgae disposal issue

Use of infrared thermography (IRT) in equine assisted interventions: physiological aspects

Infrared imaging thermography (IRT) is a technique widely used in wildlife studies and the assessment of animal welfare is among its fields of application. The heat emitted from superficial capillaries changes as blood flow is under control of the autonomic nervous system. For this reason, cutaneous temperature on selected areas can be considered as a good indicator of the health status and welfare of a particular individual. These changes in heat emitted can be quantified using IRT. The system consists of an infrared camera FLIR A65 (640 512 pixel, uncooled microbolometer detector, thermal sensitivity 0.05 \ub0C) with a 7\ub0 and 13\ub0 angle of view germanium tele lenses and a dedicated laptop. In the case of chimpanzees\u2019 studies, most of the available data derive from subjects kept in small enclosures, with little ecological validity. The aim of this research was to develop an infrared method allowing the acquisition of thermographic videos and images of animals at long distance. The system was tested on a group of eleven chimpanzees, in semi-natural conditions, housed at Parco Natura Viva in Bussolengo (Verona). The study ran between April and December 2016. Images and videos were shot at distance greater than 10 meters, during the everyday chimpanzees\u2019 life. The accuracy and repeatability of measurements was that typically reserved to the image acquisition with closer subjects at indoor conditions. Through this system it was possible to detect temperature variations in face layers by distinguishing the facial features of the subject. Thus, despite the distance from the animals, thanks to the good resolution of the system, the cutaneous temperatures were detected. In conclusion, IRT could be able to non-invasively detect different autonomic responses of the chimpanzees to different situations, suggesting that this system could be a valuable tool to study the chimpanzee\u2019s behavior and welfare at long distance

Toward Rare-Earth-Free Permanent Magnets: A Combinatorial Approach Exploiting the Possibilities of Modeling, Shape Anisotropy in Elongated Nanoparticles, and Combinatorial Thin-Film Approach

The objective of the rare-earth free permanent magnets (REFREEPM) project is to develop a new generation of high-performance permanent magnets (PMs) without rare earths. Our approach is based on modeling using a combinatorial approach together with micromagnetic modeling and the realization of the modeled systems (I) by using a novel production of high-aspect-ratio (>5) nanostructrures (nanowires, nanorods, and nanoflakes) by exploiting the magnetic shape anisotropy of the constituents that can be produced via chemical nanosynthesis polyol process or electrodeposition, which can be consolidated with novel processes for a new generation of rare-earth free PMs with energy product in the range of 60 kJ/m3 < (BH)max < 160 kJ/m3 at room temperature, and (II) by using a high-throughput thin-film synthesis and high-throughput characterization approach to identify promising candidate materials that can be stabilized in a tetragonal or hexagonal structure by epitaxial growth on selected substrates, under various conditions of pressure, stoichiometry, and temperature. In this article, we report the progress so far in selected phases.This work is supported by European Commission (REFREEPERMAG project) grant number GA-NMP3-SL-2012-280670

Equine Assisted Interventions (EAIs) : Methodological Considerations for Stress Assessment in Horses

Equine assisted interventions (EAIs) are recently facing an increasing popularity, and are characterized by a wide diversity of practices. However, information on the welfare of animals involved in this kind of activity is often lacking. Horses are highly susceptible to work stressors related to physical constraints and/or to the need to control emotions while interacting with humans. Considerations of the emotional state of horses involved in EAIs have multiple valences: for the safety of humans and animals involved, for the quality and efficacy of interventions, as well as for ethical reasons. The aim of this unsystematic narrative review is to summarize the different approaches used for the evaluation of horses\u2019 stress responses, investigate their application in the context of EAIs, and discuss some methodological considerations for researchers and practitioners involved in EAI. The sources of information are mostly based on electronic databases (i.e., Medline, Scopus and Google scholar), as well as on hand searches of the references of retrieved literature, and discussions with experts in the field. At present, a few studies have investigated horses\u2019 stress responses during EAIs, and further studies are recommended, with the final aim to derive a reliable multidimensional method for assessing a horse\u2019s reaction during therapeutic programs, ultimately helping professionals to better develop interventions by taking into consideration the animal\u2019s perspective

Sex, age, deprivation and patterns in life expectancy in Quebec, Canada: a population-based study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Little research has evaluated disparities in life expectancy according to material deprivation taking into account differences across the lifespan between men and women. This study investigated age- and sex-specific life expectancy differentials related to area-level material deprivation for the province of Québec, Canada from 1989-2004.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Age- and sex-specific life expectancy across the lifespan was calculated for three periods (1989-1992, 1995-1998, and 2001-2004) for the entire Québec population residing in 162 community groupings ranked according to decile of material deprivation. Absolute and relative measures were calculated to summarize differences between the most and least deprived deciles.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Life expectancy differentials between the most and least deprived deciles were greatest for men. Over time, male differentials increased for age 20 or more, with little change occurring at younger ages. For women, differentials increased across the lifespan and were comparable to men at advanced ages. Despite gains in life expectancy among men relative to women, differentials between men and women were greater for most deprived relative to least deprived deciles.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Similar to the US, differentials in life expectancy associated with area-level material deprivation increased steadily in Québec from 1989-2004 for males and females of all ages. Differentials were comparable between men and women at advanced ages. Previous research indicating that life expectancy differentials between most and least deprived areas are greater in men may be due to a focus on younger age groups.</p