Unifying static analysis of gravitational structures with a scale-dependent scalar field gravity as an alternative to dark matter

Aims. We investigated the gravitational effects of a scalar field within scalar-tensor gravity as an alternative to dark matter. Motivated by chameleon, symmetron and f(R)-gravity models, we studied a phenomenological scenario where the scalar field has both a mass (i.e. interaction length) and a coupling constant to the ordinary matter which scale with the local properties of the considered astrophysical system. Methods. We analysed the feasibility of this scenario using the modified gravitational potential obtained in its context and applied it to the galactic and hot gas/stellar dynamics in galaxy clusters and elliptical/spiral galaxies respectively. This is intended to be a first step in assessing the viability of this new approach in the context of "alternative gravity" models. Results. The main results are: 1. the velocity dispersion of elliptical galaxies can be fitted remarkably well by the suggested scalar field, with model significance similar to a classical Navarro-Frenk-White dark halo profile; 2. the analysis of the stellar dynamics and the gas equilibrium in elliptical galaxies has shown that the scalar field can couple with ordinary matter with different strengths (different coupling constants) producing and/or depending on the different clustering state of matter components; 3. elliptical and spiral galaxies, combined with clusters of galaxies, show evident correlations among theory parameters which suggest the general validity of our results at all scales and a way toward a possible unification of the theory for all types of gravitational systems we considered. All these results demonstrate that the proposed scalar field scenario can work fairly well as an alternative to dark matter.Comment: 23 pages, 15 figures, 5 tables, accepted for publication on Astronomy & Astrophysic

How to Increase the Value of the Project Management Maturity Model as a Business-oriented Framework

An organization’s effectiveness partly depends on the success of its projects. With this in mind, many efforts have been spent in recent decades to enhance the project management culture, but results are still highly unsatisfactory. Project Management Maturity Models (PMMMs) are seen by both the academic and the industrial communities as a solid instrument to achieve this goal. The point at issue is that surveys and researches show PMMMs must be better linked to business and financial performance. The aim of this paper is to explore the scope for improvement to evolve PMMMs as business-oriented frameworks

Il ruolo dell’endoscopia nei tumori neuroendocrini gastroenteropancreatici

Gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumors (NET) are rare neoplasia arisen from neuroendocrine cells present in the gut mucosa and pancreas. Digestive endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography play a relevant role in NET diagnosis, stadiation and surveillance. Moreover, in selected patients, surgical endoscopy allows the tratment of these cancers at an early stage

Cecum cancer underlying appendicular abscess. Case report and review of literature

Peri-appendicular abscess is usually due to primary appendicitis or it may be caused by various pathological conditions: inflammatory, infective, neoplastic, immunological, ischemic, occlusive (table 1). We present a case of right iliac fossa abscess, initially diagnosed as a complication of acute appendicitis that, at surgical exploration, was proven to be produced by a cecal tumour causing appendicitis for an obstructive mechanism

Small cell lung cancer associated with solitary fibrous tumors of the pleura: A case study and literature review

AbstractIntroductionSmall cell lung cancer (SCLC) is the most aggressive type of lung cancer. The surgical treatment is possible only in a few and defined occasions. The association between SCLC and a solitary fibrous tumor of pleura (SFTP) is extremely rare.Case presentationA 56 year-old man had a lung lesion (size 16 mm) FDG-avid (SUV 7.9) within upper lobe of right lung. No lymph adenopathy or other distant lesion were found. The pathological results of FNAB showed the presence of malignant cells inconclusive for a definitive diagnosis. Following thoracotomy, the exploration of pleural cavity showed an unexpected lesion (size. 3 cm) originating from parietal pleura and not radiologically seen. The intraoperative diagnosis was solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura. Then, an upper right lobectomy was achieved. The histological findings of the lung tumor diagnosed to be a SCLC (p-stage: T1N0M0). An adjuvant treatment was started. At 20 months after the procedure, no recurrence was found.ConclusionSurgery as part of multimodality treatment may be indicated in the treatment of SCLC in the early stage (T1N0M0). However, before proceeding to attend tumor resection an exploration of pleural cavity is mandatory in order to exclude any pleural involvement

Triple blockade of EGFR, MEK and PD-L1 has antitumor activity in colorectal cancer models with constitutive activation of MAPK signaling and PD-L1 overexpression

Càncer colorectal; Resistència a inhibidors de MEK; Inhibidors de PD-L1Cáncer colorrectal; Resistencia a inhibidores de MEK; Inhibidores de PD-L1Colorectal cancer; MEK inhibitor resistance; PD-L1 inhibitorsBackground Molecular mechanisms driving acquired resistance to anti-EGFR therapies in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) are complex but generally involve the activation of the downstream RAS-RAF-MEK-MAPK pathway. Nevertheless, even if inhibition of EGFR and MEK could be a strategy for overcoming anti-EGFR resistance, its use is limited by the development of MEK inhibitor (MEKi) resistance. Methods We have generated in vitro and in vivo different CRC models in order to underline the mechanisms of MEKi resistance. Results The three different in vitro MEKi resistant models, two generated by human CRC cells quadruple wild type for KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, PI3KCA genes (SW48-MR and LIM1215-MR) and one by human CRC cells harboring KRAS mutation (HCT116-MR) showed features related to the gene signature of colorectal cancer CMS4 with up-regulation of immune pathway as confirmed by microarray and western blot analysis. In particular, the MEKi phenotype was associated with the loss of epithelial features and acquisition of mesenchymal markers and morphology. The change in morphology was accompanied by up-regulation of PD-L1 expression and activation of EGFR and its downstream pathway, independently to RAS mutation status. To extend these in vitro findings, we have obtained mouse colon cancer MC38- and CT26-MEKi resistant syngeneic models (MC38-MR and CT26-MR). Combined treatment with MEKi, EGFR inhibitor (EGFRi) and PD-L1 inhibitor (PD-L1i) resulted in a marked inhibition of tumor growth in both models. Conclusions These results suggest a strategy to potentially improve the efficacy of MEK inhibition by co-treatment with EGFR and PD-L1 inhibitors via modulation of host immune responses.This research has been supported by a grant from Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC) to FC (AIRC IG 18972) and and Regione Campania Cancer Research Campaign I-CURE grant to FC

Retrospective analysis of dog bites in Southern Italy

ABSTRACT: Dog bite is one of the major public health problems involving people worldwide. Although, several studies have investigated this phenomenon in different countries, little information about the incidence of dog bite episodes in Italy is available. We analysed data about dog biting events between 2010 and 2019 provided by the CRIUV, the Regional Reference Centre for Veterinary Urban Hygiene in the largest city of Southern Italy, namely. Naples. We observed severe and profound inconsistencies in the data collection that reveal structural and significant weaknesses of the current data collection system. Given the multifactorial nature of dog bite, we highlight the need to improve the gathering of all the information related to the factors affecting the occurrence of biting episodes for an accurate assessment of the biting phenomenon

Estimation of Vehicle Longitudinal Velocity with Artificial Neural Network

Vehicle dynamics control systems have a fundamental role in smart and autonomous mobility, where one of the most crucial aspects is the vehicle body velocity estimation. In this paper, the problem of a correct evaluation of the vehicle longitudinal velocity for dynamic control applications is approached using a neural networks technique employing a set of measured samples referring to signals usually available on-board, such as longitudinal and lateral acceleration, steering angle, yaw rate and linear wheel speed. Experiments were run on four professional driving circuits with very different characteristics, and the vehicle longitudinal velocity was estimated with different neural network training policies and validated through comparison with the measurements of the one acquired at the vehicle’s center of gravity, provided by an optical Correvit sensor, which serves as the reference (and, therefore, exact) velocity values. The results obtained with the proposed methodology are in good agreement with the reference values in almost all tested conditions, covering both the linear and the nonlinear behavior of the car, proving that artificial neural networks can be efficiently employed onboard, thereby enriching the standard set of control and safety-related electronics

Biomarker-Guided Anti-Egfr Rechallenge Therapy in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Anticossos monoclonals anti-EGFR; Càncer colorectal metastàticAnticuerpos monoclonales anti-EGFR; Cáncer colorrectal metastásicoAnti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies; Metastatic colorectal cancerThe prognosis of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who progressed to the first and the second lines of treatment is poor. Thus, new therapeutic strategies are needed. During the last years, emerging evidence suggests that retreatment with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) in the third line of mCRC patients, that have previously obtained clinical benefit by first-line therapy with anti-EGFR MAbs plus chemotherapy, could lead to prolonged survival. The rationale beyond this “rechallenge” strategy is that, after disease progression to first line EGFR-based therapy, a treatment break from anti-EGFR drugs results in RAS mutant cancer cell decay, restoring the sensitivity of cancer cells to cetuximab and panitumumab. In fact, rechallenge treatment with anti-EGFR drugs has shown promising clinical activity, particularly in patients with plasma RAS and BRAF wild type circulating tumor DNA, as defined by liquid biopsy analysis at baseline treatment. The aim of this review is to analyze the current knowledge on rechallenge and to investigate the role of novel biomarkers that can guide the appropriate selection of patients that could benefit from this therapeutic strategy. Finally, we discuss on-going trials and future perspectives.Regione Campania (I-Cure Research Project, Grant number: Cup 21C17000030007), Gruppo Oncologico dell’Italia Meridionale (GOIM)