Vitamin D receptor genotypes and intestinal calcium absorption in postmenopausal women

Several studies have shown that bone mass and bone turnover are genetically determined. This genetic component is thought to be mediated in part by polymorphisms at the vitamin D receptor (VDR) locus, even though the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unknown. To evaluate a possible site of differential action of the VDR gene alleles we examined their correlation with intestinal calcium absorption in 120 Caucasian postmenopausal women (aged 61 +/- 0.6 years). VDR gene polymorphisms for Apa I, Bsm I, and Taq I restriction endonucleases were assessed by Southern blotting analysis. The most common genotypes observed in our population were AaBbTt (37%), AABBtt (20%), aabbTT (15%), AabbTT (15%), and AABbTt (9%). Although there was some evidence of 13% higher lumbar BMD values in aabbTT genotype with respect to AABBtt genotype, this difference of approximately 0.1 g/cm2 did not reach statistical significance, possibly because of the limited number of observations. On the contrary, no relationship was found between genotypes and femoral neck BMD values. Intestinal calcium absorption was significantly lower in BB and tt genotypes than, in bb and TT genotypes, respectively, and in AABBtt genotype than in either aabbTT or AaBbTt genotypes (P = 0.0015 ANOVA). No significant differences in intact PTH, alkaline phosphatase, 25OHD3, and 1, 25(OH)2D3 were found among subjects with different VDR genotypes. These results are consistent with a possible role of VDR alleles on intestinal calcium absorption

Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (ctDCS) Ameliorates Phantom Limb Pain and Non-painful Phantom Limb Sensations

Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a disabling and intractable sensation arising in about 80% of patients after amputation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility to modulate nociceptive processing and pain perception with cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) in patients suffering from painful and non-painful phantom limb sensations. Fourteen upper limb amputees underwent ctDCS (anodal or sham, 2.0\ua0mA, 20\ua0min per day, 5\ua0days a week). Clinical scores and electrophysiological parameters were assessed before tDCS, at the end of the 5-day treatment, 2 and 4\ua0weeks later. Laser-evoked potentials (LEPs) were obtained from the stump using a Nd:YAP laser by pulses with short duration (5\ua0ms) and small diameter spots (5\ua0mm). Changes in visual analogue scores (VAS) were evaluated (chronic pain, paroxysmal pain, stump pain, phantom movements, phantom sensations). Anodal polarization significantly dampened LEP amplitudes (N1, p\u2009=\u20090.021 and N2/P2, p\u2009=\u20090.0034), whereas sham intervention left them unchanged. Anodal ctDCS significantly reduced paroxysmal pain (p\u2009<\u20090.0001), non-painful phantom limb sensations (p\u2009<\u20090.0001) and phantom limb movements (p\u2009=\u20090.0003), whereas phantom limb and stump pain did not change compared to the sham condition. Anodal ctDCS significantly improves both paroxysmal pain and non-painful phantom limb sensations, which are likely induced by maladaptive changes in the sensorimotor network and posterior parietal cortex respectively

Design and Supporting R&D of the XT-ADS Spallation Target

International audienceThe XT-ADS is an experimental accelerator-driven system (ADS) that is being developed within the framework of the European FP6 EUROTRANS project that runs from 2005 to 2009. In this paper the current level of the design of the XT-ADS spallation target and the status of corresponding R&D topics with respect to LBE handling, thermal-hydraulics and spallation product confinement are discussed

Clinical, histomorphological, and therapeutic prognostic factors in patients with triple-negative invasive breast cancer Fatores prognósticos clínicos, histomorfológicos e terapêuticos em pacientes com câncer de mama invasivo triplo negativo

aBStRaCt Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common visceral malignancy in women, the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide. The triple negative subgroup has poor prognosis and aggressive biological behavior. Objectives: To outline the clinical and histopathological aspects, the treatment profile, and to suggest which factors may predict poor prognosis in patients with triple-negative invasive breast cancer in the Campos Gerais region of Paraná. Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study, longitudinal, comparative, performed in a clinic of anatomic pathology in the Instituto Sul Paranaense de Oncologia, in Ponta Grossa, Paraná. The inclusion criteria were female patients with pathology report of invasive breast carcinoma, whose immunohistochemistry showed negative for hormone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2), diagnosed in the period between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2012. The patients were divided into two groups, living women and patients who have died. Results: The recurrence rate, chemotherapy type, angiolymphatic invasion, tumor size, lymph node invasion, and type of surgery performed were significant variables in the univariate analysis between the groups. After Cox regression for multivariate analysis, only the angiolymphatic invasion (p = 0.012, relative risk [RR] 5.0518, confidence interval [CI] 95% 1.4261-17.8952), and tumor size (p = 0.0385, RR 1.2605, CI 95% 1.0123-1.5695) remained significant. Conclusion: The angiolymphatic invasion and tumor size proved to be risk factors for death, from all causes, in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Differences between groups can indicate different molecular subtypes within the triple-negative phenotype

SARGEN-IV: Consideration on the possible content of the safety analysis report for innovative ESNII reactors

In view of the potential deployment of demonstrators and prototypes associated with the European Sustainable Nuclear Industrial Initiative (ESNII) the present licensing framework, based on the current Light Water Reactor (LWR) technology, needs to be revised according to the new safety issues introduced by these innovative technologies. Within the SARGEN_IV project under the Euratom Framework Programme FP7, an extensive work has been done to review the critical safety features of the reactor concepts developed under ESNII. This review has also been be used as a reference to provide guidelines on the structure and content of the Safety Analysis Report (SAR) for the innovative ESNII reactors. Provided that structure and content of a SAR generally differ among States, the approach followed to provide recommendations and guidance was to remain as much as possible consistent in the format with the current practices for LWR while identifying those chapters whose subjects need to be adapted to the specific design. Due to the innovative nature of the design, it is recommended that parts of the SAR should be submitted to the regulatory body at an early stage and in accordance with an agreed timetable; this approach will permit a smoother review process and help prevent unnecessary delays.JRC.F.5-Nuclear Reactor Safety Assessmen