Hide and Seek. Roads, Lookouts and Directional Visibility Cones in Central Anatolia

In Cappadocia (central Turkey), routes that were only of a secondary importance during the Roman age acquired a new relevance starting from the end of the 7th century. In this framework, to what extent did the archaeological evidence match the picture recalled by the written sources? To address this question, the relationship between movement and visibility was considered and viewshed analyses were conducted from targeted and strategic spots set along the routes considered. This allowed to better understand the role and the different functions of those axes crossing Cappadocia, and to evaluate the Byzantine/Arab military strategies in central Anatolia

Cathodal Occipital tDCS is unable to modulate The Sound Induced Flash Illusion in migraine

Migraine is a highly disabling disease characterized by recurrent pain.Despite an intensive effort, mechanisms of migraine pathophysiology, still represent an unsolved issue. Evidences from both animals and humans studies suggest that migraine is characterized by hyperresponsivity or hyperexcitability of sensory cortices, especially the visual cortex. This phenomenon, in turn, may affect multisensory processing. Indeed, migraineurs present with an abnormal, reduced, perception of the Sound-induced Flash Illusion (SiFI), a crossmodal illusion that relies on optimal integration of visual and auditory stimuli by the occipital visual cortex. Decreasing visual cortical excitability with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can increase the SiFI in healthy subjects. Moving from these issues , we applied cathodal tDCS over the visual cortex of migraineurs, with and without aura, in order to decrease cortical excitability and thus physiologically restoring the perception of a reliable SiFI. Differently from our expectations tDCS was unable to reliably modulate SiFI in migraine. The chronic, relatively excessive, visual cortex hyperexcitability, , featuring the migraineur brain, may render tDCS ineffective for restoring multisensory processing in this disease

De-constructing terracotta female figurines: A chalcolithic case-study

We report the results of detailed imaging studies of the inner structure of a terracotta female figurine dated to the 6th millennium BC, most probably from the Lakes region of Turkey, now kept at the Nati- onal Museum of Oriental Art \u201cGiuseppe Tucci\u201d, Rome. The figurine was investigated with advanced CT scanning, recording 966 transversal sections. Each section was stratigraphically interpreted and digitized, reconstructing in three dimensions the form and mode of application of each lump or slab under the potter\u2019s fingers. A review of the available information on the techniques of construction of prehistoric terracotta figurines in Eurasia reveals at least two diverging technical templates, here named core and dual forming processes. The structure of the investigated figurine and its operational sequence reveals a version of the dual technical template, confirming the presence and influence, at a cognitive level, of organic analogies and a possible map of the female body in the modelling process

Analysis and validation of the 3D reconstructive process through the Extended Matrix Framework of the Temple of the Roman Forum of Nora (Sardinia, CA)

In this work, we will describe the application of the Extended Matrix Framework (EMF) to the 3D reconstruction of the temple on the Roman forum of Nora. EMF represents a specific section of the Extended Matrix (EM) method, developed by the VHLab of the CNR ISPC (Rome), dedicated to the development of software solutions for 3D data management in the field of virtual reconstruction. The combination of EM and EMF allows to: map the reconstructive process, validate the entire workflow (from data ingestion to 3D modelling), manage 3D data, and share outcomes online

Neuronal and BBB damage induced by sera from patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis

An important component of the pathogenic process of multiple sclerosis (MS) is the blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage. We recently set an in vitro model of BBB, based on a three-cell-type co-culture system, in which rat neurons and astrocytes synergistically induce brain capillary endothelial cells to form a monolayer with permeability properties resembling those of the physiological BBB. Herein we report that the serum from patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) has a damaging effect on isolated neurons. This finding suggests that neuronal damaging in MS could be a primary event and not only secondary to myelin damage, as generally assumed. SPMS serum affects the permeability of the BBB model, as indicated by the decrease of the transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Moreover, as shown by both immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses, BBB breaking is accompanied by a decrease of the synthesis as well as the peripheral localization of occludin, a structural protein of the tight junctions that are responsible for BBB properties

Klotho and vitamin D in multiple sclerosis: an Italian study

Introduction Low vitamin D levels have been recognised as an important risk factor for autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a multifactorial disease, the pathogenesis of which contributes both to genetic and environmental factors. Polymorphisms in genes codifying molecules involved in vitamin D homeostasis have been associated with hypovitaminosis D. However, the influence of polymorphisms of Klotho, which codify a protein with a pivotal role in vitamin D metabolism, have never been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association among genetic variants of Klotho, namely rs1207568 and rs9536314, serum 25(OH)D3 levels, and multiple sclerosis (both risk and disease progression). Material and methods 107 patients with MS and 133 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Serum 25(OH)D3 levels and genotyping of Klotho SNPs were evaluated in all participants by high-performance liquid chromatography and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results Allelic and genotypic frequencies did not differ between patients and controls. Concerning rs1207568, we found a trend toward lower serum 25(OH)D3 levels in MS patients with A allele (mutant), both in heterozygosis (AG) and in homozygosis (AA), in comparison to MS patients with G allele in homozygosis (GG) (AG + AA 20.5 ±6.3 µg/l; GG 22.5 ±7.5 µg/l, p = 0.07). Conclusions Our findings did not identify a role of Klotho in the genetic susceptibility to MS

Lactate Threshold Training Program on Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Physical activity could play a key role in improving the quality of life, particularly in patients with nervous system diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Through lactacid anaerobic training, this study aims to investigate the effects at a bio-psycho-physical level to counteract the chronic fatigue associated with the pathology, and to improve mental health at a psychological and neurotrophic level. Eight subjects (age: 34.88 ± 4.45 years) affected by multiple sclerosis were involved. A lactate threshold training program was administered biweekly for 12 weeks at the beginning of the study (T0), at the end of the study (T1) and at 9 months after the end of the study (T2), with physical, psychological and hematochemicals parameters, and dietary habits being tested. The results obtained confirmed that lactacid exercise can influence brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels as well as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels. In addition, levels of baseline lactate, which could be best used as an energy substrate, showed a decrease after the protocol training. Self-efficacy regarding worries and concerns management significantly increased from T0 to T1. The eating attitudes test (EAT-26) did not highlight any eating disease in the patients with a normal diet enrolled in our study. Physical exercise also greatly influenced the patients psychologically and emotionally, increasing their self-esteem. Lactate threshold training, together with dietary habits, appears to exert synergic positive effects on inflammation, neural plasticity and neuroprotection, producing preventive effects on MS symptoms and progressio

Off-Adherence Keeping (OAK) observational study: intentional off-adherence immunomodulatory multiple sclerosis treatment

Aims: To evaluate how improved treatment adherence with a lower-frequency regimen/treatment of intramuscular (IM) IFN beta-1a impacts therapeutic effectiveness in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients switching from a higher-frequency injectable regimen/treatment. Patients & methods: Italian patients with relapsing-remitting MS and prior poor adherence to high-frequency injectable treatments (n = 181) were followed for 24 months after starting IM IFN beta-1a. Results: During the study, 97.4% of patients were treatment adherent; 22.1% of patients reported a relapse. The estimated probability of remaining relapse-free after 2 years was 78%. A high dropout rate (52.5%) led to small sample size and reduced statistical power. Conclusion: Intramuscular IFN beta-1a treatment was associated with high adherence and a low relapse rate. Unfortunately, low patient retention limited the generalizability of these findings.Plain language summary: Prior research suggests that taking the drug IFN beta-1a through less frequent muscle injections enables more patients to adhere to their prescription than taking other medications. This study included 181 Italian patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) who historically did not take medication as often as prescribed. Relapses of MS were counted among patients treated with muscle injections of IFN beta-1a for 2 years; 97.4% of patients followed their prescription and 22.1% experienced a relapse. From these data, 78% of patients were estimated not to experience a relapse during 2 years of IFN beta-1a muscle injections. However, an unusually high number of patients (52.5%) left the study within 2 years, which makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions

Archaeology and virtual acoustics. A pan flute from ancient Egypt

This paper presents the early developments of a recently started research project, aimed at studying from a multidisciplinary perspective an exceptionally well preserved ancient pan flute. A brief discussion of the history and iconography of pan flutes is provided, with a focus on Classical Greece. Then a set of non-invasive analyses are presented, which are based on 3D scanning andmaterials chemistry, and are the starting point to inspect the geometry, construction, age and geographical origin of the instrument. Based on the available measurements, a preliminary analysis of the instrument tuning is provided, which is also informed with elements of theory of ancient Greek music. Finally, the paper presents current work aimed at realizing an interactive museum installation that recreates a virtual flute and allows intuitive access to all these research facets

Microchimerism in multiple sclerosis: The association between sex of offspring and MRI features in women with multiple sclerosis

Aims: During pregnancy, fetal cells can migrate to the mother via blood circulation. A percentage of these cells survive in maternal tissues for decades generating a population of fetal microchimeric cells (fMCs), whose biological role is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the sex of offspring, an indirect marker of fMCs, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features in women with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: We recruited 26 nulliparous MS patients (NPp), 20 patients with at least one male son (XYp), and 8 patients with only daughters (XXp). Each patient underwent brain MR scan to acquire 3D-T2w FLAIR FatSat and 3D-T1w FSPGR/TFE. Lesion Segmentation Tool (LST) and FreeSurfer were used to obtain quantitative data from MRI. Additional data were collected using medical records. Multiple regression models were applied to evaluate the association between sex of offspring and MS data. Results: Comparing NPp and XXp, we found that NPp had larger 4th ventricle volume (2.02 ± 0.59 vs. 1.70 ± 0.41; p = 0.022), smaller left entorhinal volume (0.55 ± 0.17 vs. 0.68 ± 0.25; p = 0.028), and lower thickness in the following cortical areas: left paracentral (2.34 ± 0.16 vs. 2.39 ± 0.17; p = 0.043), left precuneus (2.27 ± 0.11 vs. 2.34 ± 0.16; p = 0.046), right lateral occipital (2.14 ± 0.11 vs. 2.25 ± 0.08; p = 0.006). NPp also had lower thickness in left paracentral cortex (2.34 ± 0.16 vs. 2.46 ± 0.17; p = 0.004), left precalcarine cortex (1.64 ± 0.14 vs. 1.72 ± 0.12; p = 0.041), and right paracentral cortex (2.34 ± 0.17 vs. 2.42 ± 0.14; p = 0.015) when compared to XYp. Comparing XYp and XXp, we found that XYp had higher thickness in left cuneus (1.80 ± 0.14 vs. 1.93 ± 0.10; p = 0.042) and left pericalcarine areas (1.59 ± 0.19 vs. 1.72 ± 0.12; p = 0.032) and lower thickness in right lateral occipital cortex (2.25 ± 0.08 vs. 2.18 ± 0.13; p = 0.027). Discussion: Our findings suggested an association between the sex of offspring and brain atrophy. Considering the sex of offspring as an indirect marker of fMCs, we speculated that fMCs could accumulate in different brain areas modulating MS neuropathological processes