The geothermal potential of Campanian volcanoes: evaluation and opportunities.

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Evaluation of a thrice weekly administration of teicoplanin in the outpatient setting; retrospective observational multi-centre study

Introduction: The glycopeptide teicoplanin is commonly utilised to facilitate Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT). Licensed for once daily maintenance dosing, teicoplanin’s long half-life allows for less frequent dosing (e.g. thrice weekly) following successful loading. This service evaluation reviews the safety and effectiveness of a novel thrice weekly teicoplanin dosing regimen. Methods A retrospective, observational study was conducted at Chelsea & Westminster hospital (March 2018 – July 2020), evaluating trough serum teicoplanin concentrations for patients receiving >5 days of teicoplanin in the OPAT setting. Teicoplanin dosing and administration (once daily versus thrice weekly), clinical outcomes, and therapeutic levels were analysed for all patients. The project was registered with clinical governance locally. Results A total of 82 patients treated with teicoplanin in the OPAT service where included; 53/82 receiving thrice weekly and 29/82 receiving once daily dosing. Mean teicoplanin trough levels were similar in both groups (26.2mg/L and 25.8mg/L in once daily and thrice weekly groups, p=0.8895). High clinical success rates were recorded in both groups (25/29 [86.2%] versus 50/53 [94.3%]). No correlation with clinical outcomes and initial teicoplanin serum levels was identified. Normal renal function (>90mL/min) was associated with lower teicoplanin serum concentrations (21.4mg/L[±10.1] versus 29.7mg/L[SD±14], p = 0.0178) in the thrice weekly dosed group but not with the once daily dosed group (mean 28.2mg/L[±9.4] versus 23.7mg/L[±9.9], p = 0.2201). Conclusions This study supports thrice weekly teicoplanin as a convenient and effective OPAT for administration in the OPAT setting. Therapeutic drug monitoring is advised to adjust for intra-patient variability

Tectonic stress and renewed uplift at Campi Flegrei caldera, southern Italy: New insights from caldera drilling

Deep drilling is a key tool for the investigation of active volcanoes in the modern Earth Sciences, as this provides the only means to obtain direct information on processes that occur at depth. Data acquired from drilling projects are fundamental to our understanding of volcano dynamics, and for mitigation of the hazards they pose for millions of people who live close to active volcanoes. We present here the first borehole measurement of the stress field in the crust of Campi Flegrei (southern Italy), a large active caldera, and one of the highest risk volcanoes worldwide. Measurements were performed to depths of ∼500 m during a pilot study for the Campi Flegrei Deep Drilling Project. These data indicate an extensional stress field, with a minimum horizontal stress of ca. 75% to 80% of the maximum horizontal stress, which is approximately equal to the vertical stress. The deviation from lithostatic conditions is consistent with a progressive increase in applied horizontal stress during episodes of unrest, since at least 1969. As the stress field is evolving with time, the outcome of renewed unrest cannot be assessed by analogy with previous episodes. Interpretations of future unrest must therefore accommodate the possibility that Campi Flegrei is approaching conditions that are more favourable to a volcanic eruption than has previously been the case. Such long-term accumulation of stress is not expected to be unique to Campi Flegrei, and so might provide a basis for improved forecasts of eruptions at large calderas elsewhere

Volcanic hazard assessment at the Campi Flegrei caldera

Previous and new results from probabilistic approaches based on available volcanological data from real eruptions of Campi Flegrei, are assembled in a comprehensive assessment of volcanic hazards at the Campi Flegrei caldera, in order to compare the volcanic hazards related to the different types of events. Hazard maps based on a very wide set of numerical simulations, produced using field and laboratory data as input parameters relative to the whole range of fallout and pyroclastic-flow events and their relative occurrence, are presented. The results allow us to quantitatively evaluate and compare the hazard related to pyroclastic fallout and density currents (PDCs) in the Campi Flegrei area and its surroundings, including the city of Naples. Due to the dominant wind directions, the hazard from fallout mostly affects the area east of the caldera, and the caldera itself, with the level of probability and expected thickness decreasing with distance from the caldera and outside the eastern sectors. The hazard from PDCs decrease roughly radially with distance from the caldera centre and is strongly controlled by the topographic relief, which produces an effective barrier to propagation of PDCs to the east and northeast, areas which include metropolitan Naples. The main result is that the metropolitan area of Naples would be directly exposed to both fallout and PDCs. Moreover, the level of probability for critical tephra accumulation by fallout is relatively high, even for moderate-scale events, while, due to the presence of topographic barriers, the hazard from PDCs is only moderate and mostly associated with the largest events

Effectiveness of high dose sublingual immunotherapy to induce a stepdown of seasonal asthma: a pilot study

There is ample evidence to support the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) on allergic rhinitis, while there is less solid data regarding asthma. We evaluated the effects of a high dose birch SLIT on birch-induced rhinitis and asthma in a controlled study

A systematic review of the literature on the role of tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients

– The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which emerged in East Asia and spread around the world from December 2019. The most severe stage of COVID-19 pathology is characterized by respiratory distress requiring intubation. In specific cases, tracheostomy is indicated to ensure the safety of the procedure. The aim of our study was to analyze the scientific literature identifying the indications for tracheostomy and safety precautions to reduce contamination. We analyzed the literature from February 2003 to April 2020, including papers on pandemics of other coronaviruses, such As Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 1 and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus, to obtain a variety of relevant information. We focused on indications for tracheostomy in patients affected by COVID-19 or related viruses and the measures adopted to perform a safe procedure. We included 35 papers, of which 24 (68.57%) discussed guidelines for tracheostomy indications. All 35 studies discussed the procedures for performing tracheostomy safely. Data obtained indicated that the authors generally agreed on safety measures but expressed different opinions about indications. Therefore, we provided guidelines addressing safety recommendations. After the pandemic has been resolved, we plan to conduct an international retrospective study to identify the criteria for tracheostomy indications

Longitudinal transcriptomic and genetic landscape of radiotherapy response in canine melanoma

Canine malignant melanoma (MM) is a highly aggressive tumour with a low survival rate and represents an ideal spontaneous model for the human counterpart. Considerable progress has been recently obtained, but the therapeutic success for canine melanoma is still challenging. Little is known about the mechanisms beyond pathogenesis and melanoma development, and the molecular response to radiotherapy has never been explored before. A faster and deeper understanding of cancer mutational processes and developing mechanisms are now possible through next generation sequencing technologies. In this study, we matched whole exome and transcriptome sequencing in four dogs affected by MM at diagnosis and at disease progression to identify possible genetic mechanisms associated with therapy failure. According to previous studies, a genetic similarity between canine MM and its human counterpart was observed. Several somatic mutations were functionally related to MAPK, PI3K/AKT and p53 signalling pathways, but located in genes other than BRAF, RAS and KIT. At disease progression, several mutations were related to therapy effects. Natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity and several immune-system-related pathways resulted activated opening a new scenario on the microenvironment in this tumour. In conclusion, this study suggests a potential role of the immune system associated to radiotherapy in canine melanoma, but a larger sample size associated with functional studies are needed

Cutting-edge R&D activities of CIRTEN in support of the Technology Park annexed to the Italian National Repository of radioactive waste

R&D activities taking place at the institutions belonging to Consorzio Interuniversitario per la Ricerca TEcnologica Nucleare are here presented and discussed. A special focus is on Technology Park annexed to the Italian National Repository of radioactive waste