Eine termontographische Untersuchung der europäischen Terminologie am Beispiel von deutschen und italienischen Rechnungslegungsstandards.

In multilingual systems, such as the European Union, the phenomenon of the semantic variation of special languages is faced with terminological and juridical system bound problems. An innovative approach that tries to cross over this issue by developing a culture-indipendent system of terminology is the Termontography. This work by applying the termontographic method has examined the domain of the european, italian and german financial reporting standards and has developed a dictionary taking into account the definitional and functional differences along the interlinguistic and intralinguistic dimension of the terminology

HER2/neu expression and hormonal therapy in early breast cancer: can muddy waters become clear?

We have read with great interest the paper by Love et al [1] about the relationship between HER2/neu expression and response to adjuvant endocrine therapy in premenopausal women with breast cancer. Whereas HER2/neu and estrogen receptor (ER) are believed to be important cell survival and cell death factors in human breast cancer, if and how they interact to confer resistance to hormone therapy is still in debate. Several observations are consistent with a major role for c-erbB2 in the development of endocrine resistance, considering also the HER2/neu acquired expression durin

An integrated approach to the evaluation of patients with asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic hyperCKemia

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Currently, there are no straightforward guidelines for the clinical and diagnostic management of hyperCKemia, a frequent and nonspecific presentation in muscle diseases. Therefore, we aimed to describe our diagnostic workflow for evaluating patients with this condition. METHODS: We selected 83 asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patients with persistent hyperCKemia for participation in this Italian multicenter study. Patients with facial involvement and distal or congenital myopathies were excluded, as were patients with suspected inflammatory myopathies or predominant respiratory or cardiac involvement. All patients underwent a neurological examination and nerve conduction and electromyography studies. The first step of the investigation included a screening for Pompe disease. We then evaluated the patients for myotonic dystrophy type II–related CCTG expansion and excluded patients with copy number variations in the DMD gene. Subsequently, the undiagnosed patients were investigated using a target gene panel that included 20 genes associated with isolated hyperCKemia. RESULTS: Using this approach, we established a definitive diagnosis in one third of the patients. The detection rate was higher in patients with severe hyperCKemia and abnormal electromyographic findings. DISCUSSION: We have described our diagnostic workflow for isolated hyperCKemia, which is based on electrodiagnostic data, biochemical screening, and first‐line genetic investigations, followed by successive targeted sequencing panels. Both clinical signs and electromyographic abnormalities are associated with increased diagnostic yields

Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced colorectal cancers at diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all 17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period), in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was 30 days from surgery. EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery, palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery, and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster variable. RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years) underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142 (56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P < .001), and stenotic lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for these patients

ICP-AES and MicroRaman corrosion behaviour investigation on Zn4Sb3 and Al, Ag doped phases in sodium chloride solution

The high thermoelectric performance of the b-phase Zn4Sb3 has drawn much attention for its application in the intermediate temperature range. In this work we explore the corrosion behaviour properties of pure Zn4Sb3 compound and after partial substitution of Zn with Al and Ag. In particular, Zn4Sb3, (Zn1xAlx)4Sb3 and (Zn1xAgx)4Sb3 (x = 0.01) compounds were synthesized using a muffle furnace and characterized in terms of crystal structure, morphology and phases composition (SEM-EDXS, XRD). All samples were placed in 0.1 M NaCl aerated solution at room temperature for 48 days. A study of the amount of cations released in solution was carried out using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) analysis. Analytical data reveal a higher value of zinc amount for doped samples. The microRaman spectroscopy analysis carried out on surface corrosion products revealed the presence of anhydrous and hydrate zinc hydroxy chlorides. No worsening on corrosion behaviour of Zn4Sb3 intermetallic compounds was observed after Al or Ag doping

Landslides types controlled by tectonics-induced evolution of valley slopes (Northern Apennines, Italy)

This paper investigates the role played by geomorphological and tectonic processes affecting a portion of an active mountain belt in causing the occurrence of different types of landslides developed in flysch bedrock. The adopted multidisciplinary approach (geomorphology, geology and geophysics) allowed to recognize in a portion of the Northern Apennines of Italy different types of landslides that developed in response to slope dynamics, in turn dependent on broader regional-scale tectonic processes. Sedimentary bed attitude, local tectonic discontinuities and lithology only partially influenced the type of landslides, which have been deeply affected by the activity of regional-scale antiform that controlled the hillslope geomorphic evolution in different ways. The growth of this structure and the tilting of its forelimb produced gently dipping slopes that approached the threshold angle that can cause the occurrence of (mainly) translational rockslides. Conversely, high-angle normal faulting parallel to the antiform axis (related to a later stage of activity of the antiform itself) strongly controlled the stream network evolution and caused the watercourses to deeply incise portions of their valleys. This incision produced younger steep valley slopes and caused the development of complex landslides (roto-translational slides-earth/debris flow). The results of the integrated study presented in this paper allowed to distinguish two main types of landslides whose development reflects the events that led to the geomorphological and geological evolution of the area. In this perspective, within the study area, landslides can be regarded and used as indicators of broader-scale recent tectonic processes

Theoretical and unused potential for residual biomasses in the Emilia Romagna Region (Italy) through a revised and portable framework for their categorization

Global energy demand is lowering its growth, but it is still expected to increase by 30% between now and 2040. To decrease greenhouse gas emissions a shift to more sustainable renewable energy sources is fundamental. Among the renewable energy sources, biomasses already have the largest share in Europe and their future demand for biorefinery plants will increase at global level. This study provides a comprehensive and exportable categorization of the residual biomasses (RB) from different supply sectors. Thanks to the individual descriptive and quantitative parameters introduced in the paper, an estimate of the theoretical and techno-economic potential is presented for a well-industrialized, agricultural-oriented and environmentally advanced European Region. Results are presented as recoverable biogas or biomethane, considering also the seasonal availability. In a relatively small region like Emilia Romagna (Italy), 106 different types of residual biomasses belonging to 6 main groups have been characterized. Over half of the total residues come from the agro-industrial and food businesses (58) followed by the agricultural sector (33). The estimate reveals a theoretical potential of 3544\ub1291 Gg/year of total solids for thermochemical valorisation and 3460\ub1639 Gg/year of total solids suitable for biological treatment. In terms of unused potential, the quantities decrease respectively to 2120\ub1298 and 915\ub1167 Gg/year. The estimates indicate stable results over the years from 2014 to 2016. The seasonal availability shows two evident peaks from August to October, while a significant shortage is present from April to June for the residues suitable for thermochemical valorisation. The theoretical potential that can be obtained from the Region's residues corresponds to about 1.8-2.3 million TOE/year, corresponding to 13-17% of the total regional consumption. Unused residues contribute to 0.9-1.2 million TOE/year

Is there a benefit by the sequence anastrozole-formestane for postmenopausal metastatic breast cancer women?

To explore the different sequence interactions between reversible non-steroidal (anastrozole, ANZ and letrozole, LTZ) and non-reversible steroidal aromatase inhibitors (formestane, FOR and exemestane, EXE), we evaluated the clinical benefit (CB) in postmenopausal breast cancer patients, who had previously received anastrozole and subsequently formestane. In 19 out of 21 patients (90.5%), a clinical benefit response was achieved by anastrozole, with a median duration of 12 months. Out of the 21 women progressing on anastrozole, 12 achieved stable disease (SD)>/=6 months by formestane only. The overall clinical benefit was 66.5%. The median duration of clinical benefit was 11 months with a time to progression of 6.5 months. The median duration of clinical benefit in our series is similar to that reported in two phase II trials with the sequence aminogluthetimide-->formestane and aminogluthetimide-->exemestane as third-line hormonal therapy, suggesting a non-cross-resistance between the two classes of inhibitors