2,866 research outputs found
Compton-thick AGN in the NuSTAR era II: A deep NuSTAR and XMM-Newton view of the candidate Compton thick AGN in NGC 1358
We present the combined NuSTATR and XMM-Newton 0.6-79 keV spectral analysis
of a Seyfert 2 galaxy, NGC 1358, which we selected as a candidate Compton thick
(CT-) active galactic nucleus (AGN) on the basis of previous Swift/BAT and
Chandra studies. According to our analysis, NGC 1358 is confirmed to be a
CT-AGN using physical motivated models, at >3 confidence level. Our
best-fit shows that the column density along the 'line-of-sight' of the
obscuring material surrounding the accreting super-massive black hole is N = [1.96--2.80] 10 cm. The high-quality data from
NuSTAR gives the best constraints on the spectral shape above 10 keV to
date on NGC 1358. Moreover, by combining NuSTAR and XMM-Newton data, we find
that the obscuring torus has a low covering factor ( <0.17), and the
obscuring material is distributed in clumps, rather than uniformly. We also
derive an estimate of NGC 1358's Eddington ratio, finding it to be
10, which is in
acceptable agreement with previous measurements. Finally, we find no evidence
of short-term variability, over a 100 ks time-span, in terms of both
'line-of-sight' column density and flux.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure
PRM102 Budget Impact Analysis of Delayed-Release Dimethylfumarate In The Treatment of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis In Italy
INTRODUCTION: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a condition with a significant economic and social burden that affects young adults, in their active working phase. The most recent evaluations show an annual average social cost of € 38-39 thousand per patient. Today the approval of the new oral therapies allows physicians to select further options that can meet patients’ clinical unmet needs.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the economic impact of a recently approved therapy, delayed-release dimethyl-fumarate (DMF; also known as gastro-resistant DMF), on the overall management costs of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in Italy.
METHODS: A budget impact model, adopting the perspective of the Italian National Healthcare Service (NHS), was used to compare healthcare costs of two different treatment scenarios: a) base-case, where DMF is not available for RRMS patients (Scenario A), vs. b) alternative-case, where DMF is available for RRMS patients (Scenario B). Healthcare costs sustained by the Italian NHS to manage the RRMS population (drug treatment, administration, therapy and disease monitoring, relapse management, treatment-related adverse events) have been calculated over 3 years and compared for the two scenarios. Impact of relapses for the disease modifying therapies (DMTs) included in the analysis was estimated using an elaboration of the results from published mixed treatment comparison. RRMS population treated with DMTs was estimated using Italian prevalence and incidence data. According to these estimates, the number of treated patients amounted to 36,078 at Year 1, 38,832 at Year 2, and 40,673 at Year 3.
RESULTS: According to the current price and to the assumptions reported in the methodology section, it was estimated that the introduction of DMF (Scenario B) determines a decrease of the budget impact, if compared with the base case (Scenario A) in the perspective of Italian NHS. Over three years, the budget impact would be € 1,376 mln in the Scenario A and € 1,354 mln in the Scenario B (-22.18 mln €; -1.61% relative budget variation). The main drivers for cost-saving were pharmacological treatment costs and reduced burden of relapses (corresponding to more than 1,800 avoided relapses).
CONCLUSIONS: At the current cost conditions applied in Italy and according to the described assumptions, the use of DMF is economically sustainable for the Italian NHS. Plausibly, the introduction and usage of this new therapy in RRMS patients will ensure clinical benefits for patients without resulting in additional costs for the Italian NHS.
[In Italian
Enhancement of the luminescence properties of Eu (III) containing paramagnetic saponite clays
In this study, 1,10-phenanthroline molecules were introduced in the interlayer space of a paramagnetic synthetic saponite clay containing both Eu3+ and Gd3+ ions in structural positions. Two samples with different loading of phenanthroline dye were prepared. The resulting hybrid materials possessed improved optical emission properties due to an efficient antenna effect from the phenanthroline to the Eu3+ centers; this effect was demonstrated to be higher than the metal-to-metal Gd3+-Eu3+ energy transfer previously studied. Insights on the relaxometric properties in aqueous solution of the solids after incorporation of the antenna groups were also obtained through NMR relaxometric analyses
DTPA-Functionalized silica-based monoliths for the removal of transition and lanthanide ions from aqueous phase
Transition and rare-earth metals are essential raw materials used in a wide range of technological applications; moreover, their consumption is often associated with high production of wastesÂ. Therefore, their recycling and recovery from end-of-life products or metal-contaminated aqueous environments is of considerable importance from a circular economy perspective. In our study, synthetic mesoporous silica monoliths, obtained by sol-gel synthesis[1] and functionalized with chelating groups are used for the recovery of metal ions from aqueous matrices (MONO-DTPA). The monoliths were characterized using a multi-technique approach and were tested in the recovery of paramagnetic Gd3+, Cu2+ and Co2+ ions from aqueous solutions, using 1H-NMR relaxometry to evaluate their uptake performance in real time and in simple conditions[2]. Detailed information on the kinetics of the capture process was also extrapolated. Finally, the possibility to regenerate the solid sorbents was evaluated. The modified silica monoliths were able to recover an appreciable amount of both di- and trivalent metal ions. The best results were obtained in the case of Cu2+ after 24 hours of contact, with a recovered amount of 0.29 mmol/g corresponding to 18.48 mg/g (Fig. 1, A).
The capture performance of MONO-DTPA has been shown to be superior to that of natural or synthetic materials commonly used for metal ion removal (Fig 1, B).
[1] V. Miglio, C. Zaccone, C. Vittoni, I. Braschi, E. Buscaroli, G. Golemme, L. Marchese and C. Bisio, Molecules 2021, 26, 1316
[2] S. Marchesi, S. Nascimbene, M. Guidotti, C. Bisio and F. Carniato, Dalton Trans. 2022, 51, 4502–4509
Availability of open data related to COVID-19 epidemic in Italy
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy, health authorities have released epidemiologic data about this disease. These data were the most important sources of information which were periodically updated and analyzed by researchers to predict the spread of the epidemic. However, comprehensive and timely data on the evolution of COVID-19 have not always been made available to researchers and physicians
Y. Semiónov. Siberia, conquista y exploración del venero económico de Oriente, Versión española de Francisco Payarols, Barcelona, Editorial Labor, 1958, 488 p.
Fil: Marchesi, Estela C..
Universidad Nacional de Cuy
Inferring Compton-thick AGN candidates at z>2 with Chandra using the >8 keV restframe spectral curvature
To fully understand cosmic black hole growth we need to constrain the
population of heavily obscured active galactic nuclei (AGN) at the peak of
cosmic black hole growth (1-3). Sources with obscuring column densities
higher than atoms , called Compton-thick
(CT) AGN, can be identified by excess X-ray emission at 20-30 keV, called
the "Compton hump". We apply the recently developed Spectral Curvature (SC)
method to high-redshift AGN (2<z<5) detected with Chandra. This method
parametrizes the characteristic "Compton hump" feature cosmologically
redshifted into the X-ray band at observed energies <10 keV. We find good
agreement in CT AGN found using the SC method and bright sources fit using
their full spectrum with X-ray spectroscopy. In the Chandra deep field south,
we measure a CT fraction of (3/17) for sources with
observed luminosity erg . In the
Cosmological evolution survey (COSMOS), we find an observed CT fraction of
(40/272) or when corrected for
the survey sensitivity. When comparing to low redshift AGN with similar X-ray
luminosities, our results imply the CT AGN fraction is consistent with having
no redshift evolution. Finally, we provide SC equations that can be used to
find high-redshift CT AGN (z>1) for current (XMM-Newton) and future (eROSITA
and ATHENA) X-ray missions.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figure
Bifunctional Paramagnetic and Luminescent Clays Obtained by Incorporation of Gd3+and Eu3+Ions in the Saponite Framework
A novel bifunctional saponite clay incorporating gadolinium (Gd3+) and europium (Eu3+) in the inorganic framework was prepared by one-pot hydrothermal synthesis. The material exhibited interesting luminescent and paramagnetic features derived from the co-presence of the lanthanide ions in equivalent structural positions. Relaxometry and photoluminescence spectroscopy shed light on the chemical environment surrounding the metal sites, the emission properties of Eu3+, and the dynamics of interactions between Gd3+ and the inner-sphere water placed in the saponite gallery. The optical and paramagnetic properties of this solid make it an attractive nanoplatform for bimodal diagnostic applications
Identifying patients at high risk for multidrug-resistant organisms after hospitalization abroad
Objectives: We quantified the percentage of multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) carriers among repatriated patients. We identified factors associated with MDRO carriage, and we evaluated the yield of MDRO detection per screened body site.
Design: Retrospective cohort study.
Setting: A tertiary-care center in Switzerland.
Patients: Adult patients after a stay in a healthcare institution abroad.
Methods: Patients were screened for MDRO carriage. Standard sites, including nose and throat, groins, and (since mid-2018) rectum, and risk-based sites (wounds, urine, tracheal secretion) were sampled. MDROs were defined as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)– and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE), multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacterales, and MDR nonfermenting gram-negative rods. Risk factors for MDRO carriage were assessed using multivariate logistic regression.
Results: Between May 2017 and April 2019, 438 patients were screened and 107 (24.4%) tested positive for an MDRO, predominantly ESBL-producing and MDR Enterobacterales. Risk factors for MDRO colonization were the length of stay in hospital abroad, antibiotic treatment with ‘Watch’ and ‘Reserve’ antibiotics, and region of hospitalization abroad. Rectal swabs had the highest yield for detecting patients with MDR intestinal bacteria, but nose/throat and groins, or wound samples were more sensitive for MRSA or nonfermenting gram-negative organisms, respectively.
Conclusions: We identified risk factors for MDRO carriage and body sites with the highest yield for a specific MDRO, which might help to target screening and isolation and reduce screening costs
Identifying patients at high risk for multidrug-resistant organisms after hospitalization abroad.
OBJECTIVES
We quantified the percentage of multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) carriers among repatriated patients. We identified factors associated with MDRO carriage, and we evaluated the yield of MDRO detection per screened body site.
DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study.
SETTING
A tertiary-care center in Switzerland.
PATIENTS
Adult patients after a stay in a healthcare institution abroad.
METHODS
Patients were screened for MDRO carriage. Standard sites, including nose and throat, groins, and (since mid-2018) rectum, and risk-based sites (wounds, urine, tracheal secretion) were sampled. MDROs were defined as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)- and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE), multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacterales, and MDR nonfermenting gram-negative rods. Risk factors for MDRO carriage were assessed using multivariate logistic regression.
RESULTS
Between May 2017 and April 2019, 438 patients were screened and 107 (24.4%) tested positive for an MDRO, predominantly ESBL-producing and MDR Enterobacterales. Risk factors for MDRO colonization were the length of stay in hospital abroad, antibiotic treatment with 'Watch' and 'Reserve' antibiotics, and region of hospitalization abroad. Rectal swabs had the highest yield for detecting patients with MDR intestinal bacteria, but nose/throat and groins, or wound samples were more sensitive for MRSA or nonfermenting gram-negative organisms, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
We identified risk factors for MDRO carriage and body sites with the highest yield for a specific MDRO, which might help to target screening and isolation and reduce screening costs
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