Pulsed electron deposition (PED) of single buffer layer for \u27low-cost\u27 YBCO coated conductors

The challenge for the commercialization of YBCO Coated Conductors (CC) is the development of a low cost manufacturing process to allow for a cheap, fast and continuous deposition of superconducting coatings with high electrical performance. We are currently investigating 2 ways to reduce the CC production costs: i) reducing the complexity of the CC architecture, by growing a single buffer layer based on doped CeO2, and ii) utilizing a new reel-to-reel apparatus for long length CC processing, equipped with a cheap and reliable deposition system (PED, Pulsed Electron Deposition). In this work we report on the successful continuous deposition of very thick (up to 700 nm) doped-CeO2 single buffer layers on biaxially textured Ni-5at%W substrates by PED. XRD patterns display complete orientation and very good texture quality of our samples (FWHM out-of-plane values of approx 6?), over 20 cm length. Optical and electron microscopy show a dense and crack-free film surface and dielectric strength measurement confirms excellent insulating properties. Preliminary results indicate that the simplified single buffer layer structure could be a reliable solution for the reduction of HTS CC production costs

Possible pathogenetic relationship between Fabry disease and renal cell carcinoma

The occurrence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in Fabry disease (FD) is a rare event. We report a deep ultrastructural study of RCC in a patient with a previous histological diagnosis of FD. In order to highlight analogies and differences between the two histological samples, we used the nephrectomy specimen as a 'repeat biopsy', making a dynamic analysis of the evolution of the disease-related kidney damage. Secondly, a comparative ultrastructural analysis between non-neoplastic tissue and cancer demonstrated for the first time the presence of zebra bodies in the tumor cells. Finally, a hypothetical speculation about the relationship between the lysosomal accumulation, the oxidative damage and the genesis of the tumor was performed. The link connected the accumulation of glycosphingolipid globotriaosylceramide, characteristic of FD, with the expression of CD74 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor that may play an important role in tumorigenesis regulated by the Von Hippel-Lindau/hypoxia-inducible factor 1\u3b1 pathway

BNT162b2 Elicited an Efficient Cell-Mediated Response against SARS-CoV-2 in Kidney Transplant Recipients and Common Variable Immunodeficiency Patients

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is the standard of care for the prevention of COVID-19 disease. Although vaccination triggers both humoral and cellular immune response, COVID-19 vaccination efficacy is currently evaluated by measuring antibodies only, whereas adaptative cellular immunity is unexplored. Our aim is to test humoral and cell-mediated response after three doses of BNT162b vaccine in two cohorts of fragile patients: Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID) patients and Kidney Transplant Recipients (KTR) patients compared to healthy donors. We enrolled 10 healthy controls (HCs), 19 CVID patients and 17 KTR patients. HC BNT162b third dose had successfully mounted humoral immune response. A positive correlation between Anti-Spike Trimeric IgG concentration and neutralizing antibody titer was also observed. CVID and KTR groups showed a lower humoral immune response compared to HCs. IFN-γ release induced by epitopes of the Spike protein in stimulated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was similar among vaccinated HC, CVID and KTR. Patients vaccinated and infected showed a more efficient humoral and cell-mediated response compared to only vaccinated patients. In conclusion, CVID and KTR patients had an efficient cell-mediated but not humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, suggesting that the evaluation of T cell responses could be a more sensitive marker of immunization in these subjects

Mesenchymal Hamartoma of the Liver and DICER1 Syndrome

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver (MHL) is a benign tumor affecting children that is characterized by a primitive myxoid stroma with cystically dilated bile ducts. Alterations involving chromosome 19q13 are a recurrent underlying cause of MHL; these alterations activate the chromosome 19 microRNA cluster (C19MC). Other cases remain unexplained. We describe two children with MHLs that harbored germline DICER1 pathogenic variants. Analysis of tumor tissue from one of the children revealed two DICER1 "hits." Mutations in DICER1 dysregulate microRNAs, mimicking the effect of the activation of C19MC. Our data suggest that MHL is a new phenotype of DICER1 syndrome

The instruments used by the Italian centres for cognitive disorders and dementia to diagnose mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the tools used in Italy to diagnose mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: In collaboration with the Luigi Amaducci Research Consortium, the Italian Network of Alzheimer Evaluation Units prepared a questionnaire to describe how MCI is diagnosed in the Italian Centres for cognitive disorders and dementia (CCDD). Results: Most of the ninety-two CCDDs participating in the survey were located in hospitals (54.7%); large percentages were coordinated by neurologists (50.8%) and geriatricians (44.6%). Almost all (98.5%) used the Mini Mental State Examination to diagnose MCI; the Clock Drawing Test was also frequently used (83.9%). Other neuropsychological, imaging and biomarker tests were utilized less frequently and a wide diversity in the instruments used was noted. Conclusions: According to the results, diagnoses of MCI are based on a multitude of instruments, with major differences in the clinical assessment of geriatricians and neurologists. Standardized testing protocols, validated instruments and cut-off points need to be identified and adopted by the CCDDs for assessing MCI