305 research outputs found
Cancer rate of the indeterminate lesions at low or high risk according to italian system for reporting of thyroid FNA
Background: Italian consensus for the classification and reporting of thyroid cytology
(ICCRTC) has been used in almost all Italian institutions since 2014. High reliability
of ICCRTC in classifying low and high risk indeterminate nodules (Tir 3A and Tir 3B,
respectively) was demonstrated. Here we reviewed our casuistry of thyroid indeterminate
lesions to analyze the histologic outcome.
Methods: All lesions undergone FNA and final histology at S. Andrea Hospital of Rome
after a cytologic assessment of Tir 3A and Tir 3B, according to ICCRTC, were included
in the study.
Results: A number of 157 indeterminate FNA was found after the introduction of
ICCRTC. Of these, 75 undergone surgery and were finally included for the study. At
histology we found a 33.3% of cancers and a 67.7% of benign lesions. Out of the overall
series, 25 were classified as Tir 3A and 50 as Tir 3B. Cancer rate observed in Tir 3A (1/25,
4%) was significantly (p = 0.0002) lower than that of Tir 3B (24/50, 48%). No significant
difference was found in age and size between the two subcategories.
Conclusions: We confirm in our series that Italian consensus for the classification and
reporting of thyroid cytology allows to discriminate indeterminate lesions at low and high
risk of malignancy
Unraveling the Mechanism of Tip-Enhanced Molecular Energy Transfer
Electronic Energy Transfer (EET) between chromophores is fundamental in many
natural light-harvesting complexes, serving as a critical step for solar energy
funneling in photosynthetic plants and bacteria. The complicated role of the
environment in mediating this process in natural architectures has been
addressed by recent scanning tunneling microscope (STM) experiments involving
EET between two molecules supported on a solid substrate [Cao, S. et al., Nat.
Chem. 2021, 13, 766-770]. These measurements demonstrated that EET in such
conditions has peculiar features, such as a steep dependence on the
donor-acceptor distance, reminiscent of a short-range mechanism more than of a
Forster-like process. By using state of the art hybrid ab initio
electromagnetic modeling, here we provide a comprehensive theoretical analysis
of tip-enhanced EET. In particular, we show that this process can be understood
as a complex interplay of electromagnetic-based molecular plasmonic processes,
whose result may effectively mimic short range effects. Therefore, the
established identification of an exponential decay with Dexter-like effects
does not hold for tip-enhanced EET, and accurate electromagnetic modeling is
needed to identify the EET mechanism
Analysis of tissue surrounding thyroid nodules by ultrasound digital images
Since US is not easily reproducible, the digital image analysis (IA) has been proposed so that the image evaluation is not subjective. In fact, IA meets the criteria of objectivity, accurateness, and reproducibility by a matrix of pixels whose value is displayed in a gray level. This study aims at evaluating via IA the tissue surrounding a thyroid nodule (backyard tissue, BT) from goitres with benign (b-BT) and malignant (m-BT) lesions. Sixty-nine US images of thyroid nodules surrounded by adequate thyroid tissue was classified as normoechoic and homogeneous were enrolled as study group. Forty-three US images from normal thyroid (NT) glands were included as controls. Digital images of 800 × 652 pixels were acquired at a resolution of eight bits with a 256 gray levels depth. By one-way ANOVA, the 43 NT glands were not statistically different (P = 0.91). Mean gray level of normal glands was significantly higher than b-BT (P = 0.026), and m-BT (P = 0.0001), while no difference was found between b-BT and m-BT (P = 0.321). NT tissue boundary external to the nodule was found at 6.0 ± 0.5 mm in cancers and 4.0 ± 0.5 mm in benignancies (P = 0.001). These data should indicate that the tissue surrounding a thyroid nodule may be damaged even when assessed as normal by US. This is of interest to investigate the extranodular effects of thyroid tumors
Detection rate of FNA cytology in medullary thyroid carcinoma. a meta-analysis
Background: The early detection of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) can improve patient prognosis, because histological stage and patient age at diagnosis are highly relevant prognostic factors. As a consequence, delay in the diagnosis and/or incomplete surgical treatment should correlate with a poorer prognosis for patients. Few papers have evaluated the specific capability of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) to detect MTC, and small series have been reported. This study conducts a meta-analysis of published data on the diagnostic performance of FNAC in MTC to provide more robust estimates. Research Design and Methods: A comprehensive computer literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus databases was conducted by searching for the terms 'medullary thyroid' AND 'cytology', 'FNA', 'FNAB', 'FNAC', 'fine needle' or 'fine-needle'. The search was updated until 21 March 2014, and no language restrictions were used. Results: Fifteen relevant studies and 641 MTC lesions that had undergone FNAC were included. The detection rate (DR) of FNAC in patients with MTC (diagnosed as 'MTC' or 'suspicious for MTC') on a per lesion-based analysis ranged from 12·5% to 88·2%, with a pooled estimate of 56·4% (95% CI: 52·6-60·1%). The included studies were statistically heterogeneous in their estimates of DR (I-square >50%). Egger's regression intercept for DR pooling was 0·03 (95% CI: -3·1 to 3·2, P = 0·9). The study that reported the largest MTC series had a DR of 45%. Data on immunohistochemistry for calcitonin in diagnosing MTC were inconsistent for the meta-analysis. Conclusions: The presented meta-analysis demonstrates that FNAC is able to detect approximately one-half of MTC lesions. These findings suggest that other techniques may be needed in combination with FNAC to diagnose MTC and avoid false negative results. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Effective single mode methodology for strongly coupled multimode molecular-plasmon nanosystems
Strong coupling between molecules and quantized fields has emerged as an
effective methodology to engineer molecular properties. New hybrid states are
formed when molecules interact with quantized fields. Since the properties of
these states can be modulated by fine-tuning the field features, an exciting
and new side of chemistry can be explored. In particular, significant
modifications of the molecular properties can be achieved in plasmonic
nanocavities, where the field quantization volume is reduced to sub-nanometric
volumes. Intriguing applications of nanoplasmonics include the possibility of
coupling the plasmons with a single molecule, instrumental for sensing,
high-resolution spectroscopy, and single-molecule imaging. In this work, we
focus on phenomena where the simultaneous effects of multiple plasmonic modes
are critical. We propose a theoretical methodology to account for many
plasmonic modes simultaneously while retaining computational feasibility. Our
approach is conceptually simple and allows us to accurately account for the
multimode effects and rationalize the nature of the interaction between
multiple plasmonic excitations and molecules.Comment: 27 pages, 6 figure
On the Implementation of a regional X-bandweather radar network
In the last few years, the number of worldwide operational X-band weather radars has rapidly been growing, thanks to an established technology that offers reliability, high performance, and reduced efforts and costs for installation and maintenance, with respect to the more widespread C- and S-band systems. X-band radars are particularly suitable for nowcasting activities, as those operated by the LaMMA (Laboratory of Monitoring and Environmental Modelling for the sustainable development) Consortium in the framework of its institutional duties of operational meteorological surveillance. In fact, they have the capability to monitor precipitation, resolving very local scales, with good spatial and temporal details, although with a reduced scanning range. The Consortium has recently installed a small network of X-band weather radars that partially overlaps and completes the existing national radar network over the north Tyrrhenian area. This paper describes the implementation of this regional network, detailing the aspects related with the radar signal processing chain that provides the final reflectivity composite, starting from the acquisition of the signal power data. The network performances are then qualitatively assessed for three case studies characterised by different precipitation regimes and different seasons. Results are satisfactory especially during intense precipitations, particularly regarding what concerns their spatial and temporal characterisation
A Wireless Neuroprosthesis for Patients with Drug-refractory Epilepsy:A Proof-of-Concept Study
Objective Acute or protracted cortical recording may be necessary for patients with drug-refractory epilepsy to identify the ictogenic regions before undergoing resection. Currently, these invasive recording techniques present certain limitations, one of which is the need for cables connecting the recording electrodes placed in the intracranial space with external devices displaying the recorded electrocorticographic signals. This equates to a direct connection between the sterile intracranial space with the non-sterile environment. Due to the increasing likelihood of infections with time, subdural grids are typically removed a few days after implantation, a limiting factor in localizing the epileptogenic zone if seizures are not frequent enough to be captured within this time-frame. Furthermore, patients are bound to stay in the hospital, connected by the wires to the recording device, thus increasing substantially the treatment costs. To address some of the current shortcomings of invasive monitoring, we developed a neuroprosthesis made of a subdural silicone grid connected to a wireless transmitter allowing prolonged electrocorticografic recording and direct cortical stimulation. This device consists of a silicone grid with 128-platinum/iridium contacts, connected to an implantable case providing wireless recording and stimulation. The case also houses a wirelessly rechargeable battery for chronic long-term implants. We report the results of the first human proof-of-concept trial for wireless transmission of electrocorticographic recordings using a device suited for long-term implantation in three patients with drug-refractory epilepsy. Methods Three patients with medically refractory epilepsy underwent the temporary intraoperative placement of the subdural grid connected to the wireless device for recording and transmission of electrocorticographic signals for a duration of five minutes before the conventional recording electrodes were placed or the ictal foci were resected. Results Wireless transmission of brain signals was successfully achieved. The wireless electrocorticographic signal was judged of excellent quality by a blinded neurophysiologist. Conclusions This preliminary experience reports the first successful placement of a wireless electrocorticographic recording device in humans. Long-term placement for prolonged wireless electrocorticographic recording in epilepsy patients will be the next step
Regulation of microRNAs in satellite cell renewal, muscle function, sarcopenia and the role of exercise
Sarcopenia refers to a condition of progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function associated with a higher risk of falls and fractures in older adults. Musculoskeletal aging leads to reduced muscle mass and strength, affecting the quality of life in elderly people. In recent years, several studies contributed to improve the knowledge of the pathophysiological alterations that lead to skeletal muscle dysfunction; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying sarcopenia are still not fully understood. Muscle development and homeostasis require a fine gene expression modulation by mechanisms in which microRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role. miRNAs modulate key steps of skeletal myogenesis including satellite cells renewal, skeletal muscle plasticity, and regeneration. Here, we provide an overview of the general aspects of muscle regeneration and miRNAs role in skeletal mass homeostasis and plasticity with a special interest in their expression in sarcopenia and skeletal muscle adaptation to exercise in the elderly
Everything you Always Wanted to Know about Inventors (but Never Asked): Evidence from the PatVal-EU Survey
By drawing information from a survey of inventors of 9,017 European patents (PatVal-EU), this paper provides novel and detailed data about the characteristics of the European inventors, the sources of their knowledge, the importance of formal and informal collaborations among researchers and institutions, the motivations to invent, and the actual use and economic value of the patents. This is important information as the unavailability of direct indicators has limited the scope and depth of the empirical studies on innovation.
- …