Targeting high grade gliomas in murine preclinical models

Targeting di gliomi di alto grado in modelli preclinici murin

Dynamical friction in multi-component evolving globular clusters

We use the Chandrasekhar formalism and direct N-body simulations to study the effect of dynamical friction on a test object only slightly more massive than the field stars, orbiting a spherically symmetric background of particles with a mass spectrum. The main goal is to verify whether the dynamical friction time (t_DF) develops a non-monotonic radial-dependence that could explain the bimodality of the Blue Straggler radial distributions observed in globular clusters. In these systems, in fact, relaxation effects lead to a mass and velocity radial segregation of the different mass components, so that mass-spectrum effects on t_DF are expected to be dependent on radius. We find that, in spite of the presence of different masses, t_DF is always a monotonic function of radius, at all evolutionary times and independently of the initial concentration of the simulated cluster. This because the radial dependence of t_DF is largely dominated by the total mass density profile of the background stars (which is monotonically decreasing with radius). Hence, a progressive temporal erosion of the BSS population at larger and larger distances from the cluster center remains the simplest and the most likely explanation of the shape of the observed BSS radial distributions, as suggested in previous works. We also confirm the theoretical expectation that approximating a multi-mass globular cluster as made of (averaged) equal-mass stars can lead to significant overestimates of t_DF within the half-mass radius.Comment: In press on Ap

Investigating mass segregation process in globular clusters with Blue Straggler Stars: the impact of dark remnants

We present the results of a set of N-body simulations aimed at exploring how the process of mass segregation (as traced by the spatial distribution of blue straggler stars, BSSs) is affected by the presence of a population of heavy dark remnants (as neutron stars and black holes). To this end, clusters characterized by different initial concentrations and different fractions of dark remnants have been modeled. We find that an increasing fraction of stellar-mass black holes significantly delays the mass segregation of BSSs and the visible stellar component. In order to trace the evolution of BSS segregation, we introduce a new parameter ($A^+$) that can be easily measured when the cumulative radial distribution of these stars and a reference population are available. Our simulations show that $A^+$ might also be used as an approximate indicator of the time remaining to the core collapse of the visible component.Comment: ApJ accepte

High resolution map of migrants in the EU

This report describes a data set generated from the harmonization and spatial processing of official census statistics collected from National Statistical Institutes in 8 EU Member States (France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and UK). The dataset provides a map at high spatial resolution of the population with migrant background in these Member States. The uniqueness of the data set resides both the high level of spatial resolution (cells of 100 by 100 m) and the large geographical coverage which is including almost 45 thousand local administrative units. From this data set it is possible to calculate indicators of concentration of migrants, diversity and spatial residential segregation which can support comparative research and policies on the local aspect of the integration of migrants in the EU.JRC.E.6-Demography, Migration and Governanc

Using rail to make urban freight distribution more sustainable

Rail is today a minimally used modality in urban freight distribution. To reap the benefits of this more sustainable transport mode a few experiences in Europe have attempted to introduce innovative freight distribution schemes where rail is used. One of such schemes uses rail for the urban penetration leg. After having been consolidated in a centre located outside the urban area, goods are transported by shuttle trains to a centre located inside the central area (the multi-modal urban distribution centre – MUDC) and there are transferred to low-pollution road vehicles to reach their final destination. Other schemes use tramways. The paper provides a review of rail-based schemes which have been introduced in European cities. An in-depth assessment is provided of the scheme based on the use of a MUDC. The case study relates to the distribution of fish food in Rome. The environmental and energy benefits obtainable from the shift from the current road-only scheme to the MUDC scheme are estimated in physical and monetary units. An estimate is provided of the maximum public contribution that would still make the scheme beneficial for society as a whole, obtained as the difference between the social costs of the road-only scheme and those of the MUDC scheme. Also, an assessment is provided of the profitability of the scheme from the operators‟ viewpoint

Automated vehicles and the rethinking of mobility and cities

The project CityMobil2 has carried out a forward-looking exercise to investigate a lternative cybermobility scenarios, including both niche and large-market innovations, and their impacts on European cities and their transport systems. The paper describes the current status of and main trends in automated vehicles, a preliminary vision of the future city with mobility supported mainly by automated vehicles, and freight distribution. The expected positive impacts derive from the development of car sharing, the reduction of space required for parking vehicles, the possibilities for older people or those with disabilities to use cars, the enhancement of safety, and the improvement of efficiency of the transport system

Composite Y internal thoracic artery–saphenous vein grafts: short-term angiographic results and vasoreactive profile

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glioblastoma models driven by different mutations converge to the proneural subtype

Abstract The need of reliable syngeneic animal models for gliomas has been addressed in the last decades by reproducing genetic alterations typical of human glioblastoma in the mouse. Since different alterations underlie different molecular glioblastoma subtypes it is commonly expected that tumors induced by specific alterations represent models of the corresponding subtypes. We tested this assumption by a multilevel analysis ranging from a detailed histopathological analysis to a genome-wide expression profiling by microarray and RNA-seq on gliomas induced by two distinct molecular alterations: the overstimulation of the PDGF- and the EGF- pathways. These alterations are landmarks of proneural and classical glioblastoma subtypes respectively. However, our results consistently showed a strong similarity between the two glioma models. The expression profiles of both models converged toward a signature typical of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, regardless the wide differentiative potential of the cell of origin. A classification based on similarity with human gliomas profiles revealed that both models belong to the proneural subtype. Our results highlight that reproducing a molecular alteration specific of a glioblastoma subtype not necessarily generates a tumor model recapitulating such subtype

T-wave axis deviation, metabolic syndrome and estimated cardiovascular risk in men and women of the MOLI-SANI Study

Aim: We aimed at investigating the association between T-wave axis deviation, metabolic syndrome (MetS), its components and estimated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) at 10 years in a adult Italian population. Methods: 11,143 women (54±11 years) and 9,742 men (55±11 years) were analysed from the Molisani cohort, randomly recruited from the general population. MetS was defined using the ATPIII criteria. T-wave axis deviation was measured from the standard 12-lead resting electrocardiogram. CVD risk in ten years was estimated by the CUORE score. Results: 29% of men and 27% of women with MetS showed borderline or abnormal T-wave as compared to 24% and 17% without MetS (p<0.0001 for both genders). Among components of MetS, elevated waist and blood pressure were strongly associated with Twave axis deviation, whereas glucose, HDL and triglycerides were only marginally. The odds of having borderline or abnormal T-wave axis deviation in multivariable regression analysis, was 1.38 (95% CI:1.25-1.53) in MetS men and 1.68 (95% CI:1.51-1.87) in MetS women compared to those without. Further adjustment for MetS components completely abolished the associations. Abnormal T-wave axis deviation was associated with an increased risk of CVD in 10 years in men (OR=4.4; 95% CI:1.10-17.9). Conclusion: T-wave axis deviation is strongly associated with components of the MetS, in particular high waist circumference and blood pressure and with an increased CVD risk, particularly in men. ECG monitoring to identify T-wave axis deviation in obese, hypertensive or MetS subjects can be an early indicator of vascular disease and help in reducing cardiac events