Acetaldehyde effects in the brain

The effects of alcohol have been widely studied during the past century as alcohol abuse is a major health problem in Western society. In the last years, a growing body of evidence indicates that acetaldehyde, the first oxidation product of ethanol, is one of the mediators of peripheral and central effects of ethanol. Indeed, acetaldehyde has been recently taken into account as the mediator of the rewarding properties of alcohol. The role of acetaldehyde in ethanol-related properties has been proved by enzymatic manipulation studies in which the inactivation of acetaldehyde potentially synthesized in the brain produces the same results as blocking the formation of acetaldehyde by inhibiting…

A Cap-Model for Masonry-Like Material Constitutive Laws

An accurate description of the constitutive behaviour of masonry-like materials is an essential target for obtaining an effective analysis-tool of masonry structures. In this paper an idealized constitutive model of such materials is proposed taking into account some peculiar features of masonry: -i) a limited strength in compression; -ii) a very limited ability to withstand tensile stresses; -iii) a softening behaviour due to a progressive reduction of the tensile strength during a monotonically increasing loading.

Pegylated interferon α plus ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C: A multicentre independent study supported by the Italian Drug Agency

a b s t r a c t Background: Data on the efficacy of Peg-interferon/ribavirin therapy for chronic hepatitis C are mostly derived from treatment of selected patients enrolled in clinical trials. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Peg-interferon/ribavirin therapy in “real world” chronic hepatitis C patients in Italy. Methods: Independent observational multicentre study including consecutive patients receiving Peginterferon/ribavirin in the 18 months before (retrospective phase) and after (prospective phase) the start of the study. Results: 4176 patients were eligible. The final study population consisted of 2051 patients in the retrospective and 2073 in the prospective phase. Sust…

Neglect-like effects induced by tDCS modulation of posterior parietal cortices in healthy subjects

Background Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over right posterior parietal cortex was shown to induce interference on visuospatial perception in healthy subjects. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is another noninvasive brain stimulation technique that works modulating cortical activity. It is applied through easy to use, noncostly, and portable devices. Objective/Hypothesis The aim of the current study was to investigate if the novel approach of “dual” stimulation over parietal cortices compared with the unilateral (right) cathodal one is able to induce greater and/or longer-lasting neglect-like effects in normal subjects performing a computerized visuospatia…

Foraminiferi bentonici, metalli pesanti e radioattività - ARPAVIEW

Management of infants with neural tube defects (NTDs) in NICU

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are a group of congenital malformations of the central nervous system, which derive from an altered embryological development during neurulation. The different types of NTDs are closely related to their onset in the embryonic period; precocity is an index of greater severity of clinical manifestation. The myelomeningocele is one of the most common pathological conditions which is included into the spectrum of NTDs. It is characterized by the lack of fusion of the vertebral arches, resulting in eversion of the meninges and medullary content; it is the condition which clearly needs more assistance in the neonatal intensive care unit. The management of patients with …

Safety and efficacy of two different schedules of capecitabine combined with oxaliplatin in the treatment of colon cancer in the elderly

The influence of sounds in postural control

Postural control is a polisensory system based on the synergism of visual, proprioceptive (kinaesthetic), auditory and labyrinthic (both otolithic and canalar) inputs. Each individual, according to age, organizes different somatosensorial strategies in order to manage postural control. Therefore the prevalence of visual, auditory, proprioceptive and labyrinthic input management varies from subject to subject during growth. It is known that during the first year of age, before the achievement of an erect posture, this latter is mainly managed according to auditory and labyrinthic stimuli, whereas once the bipodalic stance is achieved, afferent proprioceptive information from the foot and fro…

Hearing loss in neonatal intensive care units (NICUS): Follow-up surveillance

Infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), who represent the 4-8% of all births, present problems such as prematurity, low Apgar scores, infections, hyperbilirubinemia and hearing impairment. In particular significant hearing loss is the most common disorder at birth, occurring in 1 to 2 newborns per 1000 in the general population and 24% to 46% of newborns who are admitted to a NICU. This leads more difficulty to develope verbal skills (learning vocabulary, grammar, word order and idiomatic expressions), language, learning and speech. Hearing impairment influences also cognitive and affective development of infants making consequences in their interpersonal relationships.…

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the tonsil: A new management

Introduction: Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a rare tumor of all plasma cell neoplasms. The tumor is mainly localized in the head and neck region, but rarely involving the tonsil. Case presentation: The authors report the 5th case of EMP of the tonsil in the literature occurred in a 57-year-old Caucasian male. Conclusions: Through a review of the relevant literature, we consider adjuvant radiotherapy not necessary for EMP of tonsil because of an adequate resection achieved by surgery.

Interface model for the nonlinear analysis of blocky structures of ancient Greek temples

The presence of singularity surfaces with reference to the displacement field is a characteristic of a number of structural systems. Strong discontinuities are present in old masonry structures where dry joints connect the blocks or the mortar ageing suggests to neglect the adhesion properties. These structures cannot be considered a continuum but rather an assembly of blocks. These discontinuous structures could be modelled as an assembly of blocks interacting trough frictional joints whose mechanical behaviour is described by appropriate interface laws. In the present work an interface model present in literature is adopted, the double asperity model, which has been implemented in a stand…

VESTIBULAR AND PROPRIOCEPTIVE REHABILITATION STRATEGY IN ACOUSTIC NEURINOMA

Rehabilitation therapy can be used to treat balance disorders via exercises organized into anatomo-pathological protocols. In general, there is an indication for rehabilitation whenever compensation of a patient’s vestibular system fails to adequately resolve spontaneously. Although the therapeutical indications have expanded over time, it is especially useful to treat balance disorders in neurological patients and those with acute damage to the vestibular system. Specifically, it favors and accelerates spontaneous central compensation in a variety of neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, cerebellar pathologies or in brain tumors like Vestibular Schwannoma …

Could starvation minimize chemotherapy-induced toxicities?

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), is an important otological disorder that affects up to 5-20 in 100,000 people. It is characterized by a rapid loss of the hearing, usually unilateral, with a sensorineural hearing loss greater than 30 dB over three consecutive frequencies, in less than 72 hours and can be associated with tinnitus and vertigo. It is a real sensorineural emergency that can become a permanent handicap if not adequately treated. Because of patients recovering rapidly or seeking no medical attention, the true figure might be higher, even if delaying SHL diagnosis and treatment may decrease the effectiveness of treatment. Sudden Hearing Loss can occur at any age but usua…

Rituximab for managing relapsing or refractory patients with idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura – haemolytic uraemic syndrome

Impact of the new 5-HT3 receptor antagonist palonosetron (P) in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) control in elderly advanced breast cancer (EABC) patients: Comparison with the classic antiemetic agent ondansetron (O).

Body balance and postural control in patients with dizziness

The ability to maintain body balance and postural control is regulated by a central integration process of afferent inputs received from peripheral sensory components such as the somatosensory, visual, and vestibular apparatus, which control the tonic postural system by modulating efferent information. It is widely recognized that stimuli from the visual and the vestibular systems provide information on the position of the head relative to the trunk and contribute to the orientation and the movement of the body in the environment. For these reasons, the vestibular system plays a key role in controlling body balance. Indeed, several studies have shown the presence of imbalance, postural inst…

Association between sleep-disordered breathing and hearing disorders: Clinical observation in Sicilian patients

Introduction: To examine the putative association between Sleep-Disordered breathing and hearing disorders Material and methods: 120 Sicilian subjects ranging from 14 to 85 years of age who were divided in 46 cases suffering from tinnitus (G1 group) and 74 controls (G2 group) were evaluated through STOP BANG screening questionnaire and Four-Variable Screening Tool; after Data collecting each subject underwent Audiological assessment by multi-frequency audiometry (PTA) and Transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE-diagnostic) for each ear. Results: Cases showed: PTA significantly severe than the control group (58.70% vs. 16.89% hearing loss; P<0.001), such as a lower signal-to-noise r…

Capecitabine (XEL) + Oxaliplatin (OX) in elderly people (EP) with Colorectal Cancer (CRC): Comparison of safety (S) and feasibility (F) of two different schedules. Preliminary findings

Presbyastasis: from diagnosis to management

Currently, the elderly population (>65 years old) is in very growth. In fact, in Italy old age index (number of elderly per 100 persons under the age of 14 years) is estimated to be 157,7 and is projected to increase to 257,9 in the year 20651,2. The increase of the elderly population determines the increase of the age-dependent diseases including also impairment of the vestibular function, this problem is defined "presbiastasia". Patient suffering from this condition exhibit disturbances of static and dynamic postural control with far less frequent cases of relapsing objective rotatory vertigo. Occasionally, they also report a feeling of insecurity in new or unknown environments, increa…

Calcolo dei livelli di dose gamma e dei livelli di radon dovuta ai materiali da costruzione

La radioattività delle famiglie di radionuclidi naturali contenuti nei materiali da costruzione è responsabile in una certa misura dell'equivalente di dose riferibile al fondo naturale delle radiazioni. Tale radioattività contribuisce a due fattori di dose: la dose gamma esterna e la dose alfa interna legata all'introduzione e all'accumulo del radon nonché ad un contributo dovuto all’inalazione di polveri nelle quali le concentrazioni dei capostipiti naturali sono alte. I materiali da costruzione sono la sorgente principale del rateo di dose gamma nelle abitazioni. Tutti gli edifici in pietra contengono nuclei radioattivi come 226Ra, 232Th e 40K. É noto che i livelli di radon sono legati al…

The motor development of preterm infants after the neonatal intensive care unit

The extra uterine environment is a hostile environment, due to noises, lights and different biological activities compared to intra uterine environment for infants born preterm or underweight. Stress and painful experiences may also impact developmental outcomes. In addition, developmental delay risks increase with the decrease in gestational age. Thus, those born with immature developed systems may need neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in order to allow a correct growth and body maturation. In general, infants that need NICUs suffer from a slower development compared to their full-term peers. This may translate in a delay in oral, tactile, kinesthetic, vestibular, auditory, olfactory, …

MCNP5 modelling of HPGe detectors for efficiency evaluation in gamma-ray spectrometry

A modelling of HPGe detectors was performed through simulation with the MCNP5 Monte Carlo code. The simulation results concerning the values of the main physical parameters of the detector are in most cases different from those provided by the manufacturer. The use of “single-line” sources allows us to suitably modify the parameter values used in the detector model. For a detector model, the simulation assesses the distribution of photopeak and total efficiency for point sources, whereas for extended sources a control volume approach allows us to determine elementary efficiency behaviours. An integration of elementary efficiencies over the entire sample volume allows us to evaluate global e…

A non common BRAF mutation c1799-1801 delTGA identified in sporadic colon rectal cancer of sicilian patients

Anthracycline has been shown to induce heart failure. To monitor this toxic damage, echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular (LV) systolic function are usually used. Aim of this study was to evaluate in lymphoma’s patients the reliability of echocardiographic data in comparison with a LV systo-diastolic parameter function: the Tei index.

Carcinoma ereditario dell'ovaio (Ereditary Ovarian Cancer)

Testing a spatially distributed sediment delivery model (SEDD) in a forested basin by cesium-137 technique

The aim of the paper is to validate the sediment delivery distributed (SEDD) model for estimating hillslope sediment yield estimates using net soil erosion values obtained by the cesium-137 technique. The cesium-137 technique provides spatially-distributed measurements useful to verify the predictive capability of a distributed sediment yield model. The application of the cesium-137 technique requires a calibration procedure to convert measurements of 137Cs inventories to estimates of net soil erosion rates. Rainfall and sediment yield data from 1978 to 1994 in a small Calabrian basin forested with eucalyptus trees, were initially used to calibrate, at mean annual temporal scale, the SEDD m…

Effects of tinnitus on postural control and stabilization: A pilot study

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the tinnitus's impacts on postural control. Material and methods: Sixty-six subjects (age: 46,71 ± 15,12 years, height 166,32 ± 8,88 cm, weight 64,85 ± 12,57 kg) with idiopathic tinnitus were recruited for the study and were tested. Each subject underwent to ‘Romberg test’, ‘Static balance’ and ‘posture analysis’. Static balance and posture analysis were performed two times, with open and close eyes, and were measured through the FreeMed posturography system. Results: showed that subjects had worse Baropodometric performances respect to benchmarks; moreover according to literature the results show that these patients had significant differ…

Role of cannabinoids in the treatment of tinnitus

Tinnitus is a frequent symptom in audiological clinical practice characterized by an abnormal noise perceived in one or both ears or in the head, in which a patient has a conscious hearing percept in absence of external sound. Tinnitus might be caused by a homeostatic response of central dorsal cochlear nucleus auditory neurons that makes them hyperactive in compensation to auditory input loss. One hypothesis suggests that tinnitus is a sensory form of epilepsy that involves the cochlear nucleus and the inferior colliculus, which display impairment in the electrical activity in the auditory system. This alteration determines a synaptic plasticity in the dorsal cochlear nucleus that becomes …

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss, an invisible male: State of the art

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), identified by Dekleyn in 1944, is a important otological disorder. It is characterized by a hearing loss greater than 30 dB over three consecutive frequencies, in less than 72 hours, with no identifiable etiology. It is a real sensorineural emergency that can become a permanent handicap if not adequately treated. SSNHL has a prevalence of 5-20 in 100,000 inhabitants. Because of patients recovering rapidly or seeking no medical attention, the true figure might be higher. Sudden hearing loss occurs typically between 50 and 60 years of age and the lowest among 20-30. The prevalence of SSNHL is not significantly different between men and women. There a…

Utility of laser microdissection and pressure catapulting in the diagnosis of non small cell lung cancer: Preliminary data

Background: There are controversies about the adequacy of tumor tissue sample on which the sequencing of molecular diagnosis could be performed to achieve the targeted-therapy on lung cancer. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the role of the Laser Microdissection Pressure Catapulting (LMPC) technique to obtain adequate tumor tissue sample for the molecular analysis of gene mutations in the target therapy of lung cancer. Findings: From a consecutive series of 24 patients with a diagnosis of locally-advanced or metastatic Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), we performed 29 diagnostic procedures using the system of LMPC, to obtain an homogeneous samples where it was possible to run the s…

Multi-objective discrete optimization of laminated structures

Abstract The paper is dedicated to the multi-objective optimal design of laminated composite structures. In order to provide sound-engineering designs, a few alternative and/or conflicting objectives must be taken into account. It is reasonable to consider the multi-objective optimization as a sensible enrichment with respect to single objective optimization, since the solutions are enforced to result optimal at the same time with respect to different objectives. Multi-objective optimization methods gained in the last years a growing interest in engineering, due to the possibility to determine a design possessing at the same time optimality with respect to different conflicting requirements…

Recovery and genotyping ancient Sicilian monumental olive trees

The long-lived and evergreen olive tree dominates the Mediterranean landscape, representing an agroecological and cultural symbol and a genetic heritage of inestimable value. Sicily, for historical, geographical, and cultural reasons, has a very rich and distinctive olive germplasm. In this work, a large survey was conducted to discover, collect, and characterize the genetic diversity of centennial monumental olive trees from historical sites, such as the Greek Temple Valley (Agrigento), ancient gardens, or farmland present in the western part of the island. Trees were chosen based on their height, trunk, stump size, and presumed age; particularly, only olive trees with an age estimated at …

Cardiovascular risk in patients without known cardiovascular disease.

Understanding the risks of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) allows for better patient education and management. Multiple risk models have been validated in large patient populations and provide insights into the risks associated with CVD. When assessing such risks, we suggest using a model that predicts myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death, and/or cerebrovascular events. In this review, we analyze several risk models and stratify the risks associated with CVD. We suggest that appropriate profiling of patients at-risk of CVD will lead to better physician recognition and treatment of modifiable risk factors, appropriate application of ATP III treatment for hyperlipidemia, a…

Relapsing or refractory idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome: the role of rituximab.

Results of the measurements carried out in order to verify the validity of the poisson-exponential distribution in radioactive decay events

Abstract Berkson, examining a series of 250,000 disintegration time intervals, found a significant departure of the distribution from the Poisson-exponential law. Therefore he proposed to repeat the experiment using a large number of intervals and to check the interval recordings by using more than one recording instrument simultaneously. Accepting these suggestions we developed two systems of data collecting provided with different controls. In several experiments we collected data for more than one million decay intervals. The results elaborated using the Pearson ξ 2 test reflect a Poisson process of the radioactive decay events.

Nonsurgical treatments for primary liver carcinoma in elderly patients: a 12-year retrospective study

Introduction: Cancer is a leading cause of death. 70 percent of cases develop over the age of 65. Although a few patients with metastatic cancer are potentially resectable for cure (particularly those with isolated metastases), treatment for most patients is palliative and generally consists of systemic chemotherapy asoociated to target therapy. Objectives: To evaluate efficacy, safety and outcome of the addition of bevacizumab to chemotherapy in advanced cancer in elderly patients, a prospective study was carried on the last four years at Gonesse Hospital Group. Methods: Patients older than 65year with advanced metastatic (Stage IV) cancer (fourteen colorectal carcinoma, five breast carcin…

Pharmacological therapy of newborn babies admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit

Newborn babies who need intensive medical care are often sheltered into a special area of the hospital called Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In this structure, babies are regularly subject to conditions that would be considered harmful by older children and adults. In the last years, many clinical researches have paid particular attention to effectiveness of various pharmacological therapies, regularly used in neonatal intensive care that have sharply reduced mortality of newborn and preterm infants. Although there are many classes of drugs used for the treatment of different diseases (sepsis, pain, seizures, pulmonary hypertension and infection), the fledgling population is more diff…

Postural disorders in patients with dizziness: From postural analysis to vestibular rehabilitation programs

Postural control is regulated by a feedback and feedforward mechanism in which the central nervous system integrates several afferent information and constantly modulates the tone of the tonic postural system through efferent inputs. However, in pathological conditions, this mechanism is altered due to the non-physiological afferent inputs coming from the aberrant sensory organ. In particular, because of the vestibular system provides information regards sense of position and perception of movement of the head in the space, it represents a fundamental postural receptor in order to maintain static and dynamic body balance. Therefore, in vestibular disorders such as in patients suffering from…

Upper respiratory tract infections in children: From case history to management

Respiratory tract infections are the most common diseases in childhood. The respiratory tract, widely branched system of ducts, is particularly exposed to the action of microorganisms transmitted by air from here the high frequency of infections they face especially in the first years of life. It is usual distinguish: upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). In particular, in infections of the upper airways, the inflammatory process, result of the interaction between microbes and the immune response, can be localized to the mucosa of the nose or sinuses (common cold and sinusitis), or the pharynx or larynx (pharyngotonsillitis and laryngitis) …

Bounding Techniques and Their Application to Simplified Plastic Analysis of Structures

In the framework of the simplified analysis methods for elastoplastic analysis problems, the bounding techniques possess an important role. A class of these techniques, based on the so-called perturbation method, are here presented with reference to finite element discretized structures. A general bounding principle is presented and its applications are illustrated by means of numerical examples.

Famous face recognition and naming test: a normative study.

Tests of famous face recognition and naming, and tasks assessing semantic knowledge about famous people after presentation either of their faces or their names are often used in the neuropsychological examination of aphasic, amnesic and demented patients. A total of 187 normal subjects took part in this study. The aim was to collect normative data for a newly devised test including five subtests: famous face naming, fame judgement after face presentation and after name presentation, semantic knowledge about famous people after face presentation and after name presentation. Norms were calculated taking into account demographic variables such as age, sex and education and adjusted scores were…