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Purpose: This pivotal study aimed to evaluate circulating levels of bone remodeling markers in children and adolescents at the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Additionally, we assessed their correlation with glucose control, residual β-cell function, and the severity of presentation. Methods: In this single-center cross-sectional study, we recruited children and adolescents newly diagnosed with T1D at our tertiary-care Diabetes Centre. Anamnestic, anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical data at T1D diagnosis were collected. Basal and stimulated C-peptide levels were assessed, along with the following bone remodeling biomarkers: osteocalcin (OC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathormone (PTH), 25-OH Vitamin D (25OH-D), and the C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX). Results: We enrolled 29 individuals newly diagnosed with T1D, with a slight male prevalence (51.7%). The mean age was 8.4 ± 3.7 years. A positive correlation between OC and stimulated C-peptide (R = 0.538; p= 0.026) and between PTH and serum HCO3- (R = 0.544; p= 0.025) was found. No other correlations between bone remodeling biomarkers and clinical variables were detected. Conclusion: Our data showed a positive correlation between OC levels and residual β-cell function in children and adolescents at T1D presentation. Further longitudinal studies evaluating OC levels in pediatric subjects with T1D are needed to better understand the complex interaction between bone and glucose metabolisms.

The merging process from an acceleration lane to the through lane of a motorway is an important aspect at interchanges, both in terms of safety and operating conditions. Several studies have demonstrated that the merging zones of interchanges are the main sources of interference between through and entering vehicles. In this context, incorrectly assessed gaps and headways can lead to severe crashes and traffic delays at interchanges. This study investigates the effectiveness of different countermeasures to improve the safety of merging zones and the ability of through drivers to adopt safe headways to vehicles entering from the motorway on-ramp. Four different countermeasures were tested in a driving simulator study: i) a gap metering signalization, consisting of a Variable Message Sign (VMS) and new pavement markings; ii) a static symbol projected on the vehicle's windshield by means of a Head-Up Display (HUD) that informed the driver to maintain safe headways to the entering vehicle; iii) a dynamic symbol based on Augmented Reality (AR) technology, built into connected vehicle technology, that provided additional visual information to the driver about his current headway to the entering vehicle; iv) the AR system was also tested with an additional audio warning. The driving behavior of forty-four drivers under the four different configurations based on the tested countermeasures was then compared to the driving behavior recorded under a configuration without any countermeasures (baseline condition). The results revealed significant positive effects of all the countermeasures, especially of the AR systems that helped through drivers to adjust their headway to the entering vehicle and thus the most effective solution for improving the safety of the merging zone. This study confirmed the great potential of AR and connected vehicle technologies to improve general safety conditions on the road network, especially in risky situations and difficult maneuvers.

Recently, a strong push towards the use of BIM-based procedures and practices in the field of linear transport infrastructures has been addressed. In Italy, a series of ministerial decrees have been approved to encourage the use of this methodology in the design and management operations of civil works. In such a framework, a novel approach to the management phases of civil works is required, based on different types of data and analyses within an integrated process, making use of digital models of the assets. This study aims at defining a procedure able to integrate non-destructive surveys data, such as those from Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Mobile Laser Scanner (MLS), into a BIM model of a road infrastructure. The different types of surveys allow to implement useful and multiple pieces of information regarding the assets of the infrastructure in the corresponding BIM model. The main goal of the research is to optimize the management phase of a road by combining different observations, made by separate operators, in a unified BIM environment, to define a methodology that can be applied to real infrastructures. In order to validate the proposed methodology, a digital model of a real highway has been generated by making use of non-destructive survey data obtained from inspections that have been carried out by means of GPR and MLS. The different datasets have been individually processed so that they could be unified in a single BIM model. As a result, the use of specifically designed parametric sections, along with the processed datasets, allowed to define a BIM model of the road that can also be analyzed in areas that usually cannot be reached by operators. This allows a more efficient management of the asset, showing that the proposed methodology could be a viable tool in the monitoring operations of linear transport infrastructures.

Uncontained morcellation of myoma during laparoscopic surgery has been discouraged because of unknown malignancy. Even the safety of contained morcellation has been questioned because muscle cells have been detected in washings obtained during laparoscopic procedures. The possibility of myoma cell dissemination has been observed in open abdominal surgery, even after hysterectomy. Thus myomectomy would be unsafe from an oncological point of view, regardless of surgical approach.

A 72–year–old hypertensive, dyslipidemic and smoker (20 cig/day) gentleman was admitted to the emergency department for pulmonary edema. Past medical history included COPD, anterior MI treated with PCI and stenting of proximal LAD 5 years back, recent TIA. He was admitted to cardiac intensive care unit and treated with CPAP, IV furosemide and norepinephrine. Echocardiogram showed severe ventricular dysfunction (LVEF 20%) and severe functional mitral regurgitation; lab tests pointed out mild troponin elevation (50 ng/L) and high levels of BNP (1300 pg/mL). After stabilization, he underwent coronary angiography: in–stent CTO of LAD, critical stenosis of distal LM and ostio–proximal LCX (last remaining patent vessel, LRPV); hypoplastic RCA. At the end of angiography, new episode of pulmonary edema that required treatment with inotropes, CPAP and diuretics. Considering hemodynamic instability and high surgical risk (combined STS 37%), the Heart Team decided to proceed to PCI with mechanical circulatory support with Impella CP. From left radial access we achieved advancement of JR4 guiding catheter with guide extension in right common iliac artery. We performed angiography and then put a coronary guidewire in superficial femoral artery to facilitate right femoral access (angio–guided). From this femoral access we implanted Impella CP device. From left radial access we performed PCI: cannulation with JL 3 guiding catheter, wiring with Sion Blue ES guidewire, pre–dilatation with NC balloons until 3.0 mm diameter, stenting of LM–LCX with 1 DES 4.0/32 mm, post–dilatation with NC balloons (4.5 and 5.0 mm diameter). Good angiographic result; IVUS examination revealed good expansion and apposition of stent. Femoral access was closed with 2 Perclose Proglide. Patient was then monitored in cardiac intensive care unit, with clinical improvement and without complications. 10 days after PCI the patient, asymptomatic, was discharged. The echocardiogram displayed betterment of contractile function (LVEF 28%) and of mitral regurgitation (now moderate). At 4–month follow–up visit, patient is paucisymptomatic (NYHA class II), without angina episodes, with good quality of life in guideline–directed optimal medical therapy. Critical disease of LRPV is a severe condition, with unpredictable evolution and poor prognosis. PCI of LRPV in HFrEF patients is an high–risk PCI scenario in which mechanical circulatory support with Impella can prove to be essential.

Finding robust brain substrates of mood disorders is an important target for research. The degree to which major depression (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) are associated with common and/or distinct patterns of volumetric changes is nevertheless unclear. Furthermore, the extant literature is heterogeneous with respect to the nature of these changes. We report a meta-analysis of voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies in MDD and BD. We identified studies published up to January 2015 that compared grey matter in MDD (50 data sets including 4101 individuals) and BD (36 data sets including 2407 individuals) using whole-brain VBM. We used statistical maps from the studies included where available and reported peak coordinates otherwise. Group comparisons and conjunction analyses identified regions in which the disorders showed common and distinct patterns of volumetric alteration. Both disorders were associated with lower grey-matter volume relative to healthy individuals in a number of areas. Conjunction analysis showed smaller volumes in both disorders in clusters in the dorsomedial and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, including the anterior cingulate cortex and bilateral insula. Group comparisons indicated that findings of smaller grey-matter volumes relative to controls in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left hippocampus, along with cerebellar, temporal and parietal regions were more substantial in major depression. These results suggest that MDD and BD are characterised by both common and distinct patterns of grey-matter volume changes. This combination of differences and similarities has the potential to inform the development of diagnostic biomarkers for these conditions.

Context. AGILE is an Italian Space Agency mission dedicated to observing the gamma-ray Universe. The AGILE's very innovative instrumentation for the first time combines a gamma-ray imager (sensitive in the energy range 30 MeV–50 GeV), a hard X-ray imager (sensitive in the range 18–60 keV), a calorimeter (sensitive in the range 350 keV–100 MeV), and an anticoincidence system. AGILE was successfully launched on 2007 April 23 from the Indian base of Sriharikota and was inserted in an equatorial orbit with very low particle background.

In this work we present the detection capability of the MIRAX (Monitor e Imageador de RAios-X) experiment for Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs). MIRAX is an X-ray astronomy mission designed to perform a wide band hard X-ray (10–200 keV) survey of the sky, especially in the Galactic plane. With a total detection area of 169 cm2, large field of view (FoV, 20°×20°), angular resolution of 1°45′ and good spectral and time resolution (∼8% at 60 keV, 10 μs), MIRAX will be optimized for the detection and study of transient sources, such as accreting neutron stars (NS), black holes (BH), Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs), and both short and long GRBs. This is especially important because MIRAX is expected to operate in an epoch when probably no other hard X-ray wide-field imager will be active. We have performed detailed simulations of MIRAX GRB observations using the GEANT4 package, including the background spectrum and images of GRB sources in order to provide accurate predictions of the sensitivity for the expected GRB rate to be observed. MIRAX will be capable of detecting ∼44 GRBs per year up to redshifts of ∼4.5. The MIRAX mission will be able to contribute significantly to GRB science by detecting a large number of GRBs per year with wide band spectral response. The observations will contribute mainly to the part of GRB spectra where a thermal emission is predicted by the Fireball model. We also discuss the possibility of detecting GRB afterglows in the X-ray band with MIRAX.

At the end of March 2015 the onboard software configuration of the Astrorivelatore Gamma a Immagini Leggero (AGILE) satellite was modified in order to disable the veto signal of the anticoincidence shield for the minicalorimeter instrument. The motivation for such a change was the understanding that the dead time induced by the anticoincidence prevented the detection of a large fraction of Terrestrial Gamma‐Ray Flashes (TGFs). The configuration change was highly successful resulting in an increase of one order of magnitude in TGF detection rate. As expected, the largest fraction of the new events has short duration (<100 μs), and part of them has simultaneous association with lightning sferics detected by the World Wide Lightning Location Network. The new configuration provides the largest TGF detection rate surface density (TGFs/km2/yr) to date, opening prospects for improved correlation studies with lightning and atmospheric parameters on short spatial and temporal scales along the equatorial region. Tenfold improvement in TGF detection rate by AGILE is obtained after a major configuration changeThe sample is dead time‐free, with TGF durations as short as 20 μsThe relationship between TGF duration and likelihood of association with lightning is confirmed

In this work we present the results of imaging simulations performed with the help of the GEANT4 package for the protoMIRAX hard X-ray balloon experiment. The instrumental background was simulated taking into account the various radiation components and their angular dependence, as well as a detailed mass model of the experiment. We modeled the meridian transits of the Crab Nebula and the Galactic Centre region during balloon flights in Brazil (∼−23°of latitude and an altitude of ∼40km) and introduced the correspondent spectra as inputs to the imaging simulations. We present images of the Crab and of three sources in the Galactic Centre region: 1E 1740.7–2942, GRS 1758–258 and GX 1+4. The results show that the protoMIRAX experiment is capable of making spectral and timing observations of bright hard X-ray sources as well as important imaging demonstrations that will contribute to the design of the MIRAX satellite mission.

Experimental studies support a neurotrophic hypothesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Val66Met brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) polymorphism on the white matter fiber tracts connecting hippocampus and amygdala with the prefrontal lobe in a sample of patients with MDD and healthy controls. Thirty‐seven patients with MDD and 42 healthy volunteers were recruited. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data with 61 diffusion directions were obtained with MRI 3 Tesla scanner. Deterministic tractography was applied with ExploreDTIand Val66Met BDNF SNP (rs6265) was genotyped. Fiber tracts connecting the hippocampus and amygdala with the prefrontal lobe, namely uncinate fasciculus (UF), fornix, and cingulum were analyzed. A significant interaction was found in the UF between BDNF alleles and diagnosis. Patients carrying the BDNF met‐allele had smaller fractional anisotropy (FA) in the UF compared to those patients homozygous for val‐allele and compared to healthy subjects carrying the met‐allele. A significant three‐way interaction was detected between region of the cingulum (dorsal, rostral, and parahippocampal regions), brain hemisphere and BDNF genotype. Larger FA was detectable in the left rostral cingulum for met‐allele carriers when compared to val/val alelle carriers. We provide evidence for the importance of the neurotrophic involvement in limbic and prefrontal connections. The met‐allele of the BDNF polymorphism seems to render subjects more vulnerable for dysfunctions associated with the UF, a tract known to be related to negative emotional–cognitive processing bias, declarative memory problems, and autonoetic self awareness. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Background: Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent disease and fractures are a major cause of disability and morbidity. Aim: The purpose of this study was to characterize post-menopausal women attending osteoporosis centers in Italy, to evaluate physician management, and to determine the incidence of first osteoporotic fracture. Subjects and methods: PROTEO-1 was an observational longitudinal study with a 12-month follow-up. Data were collected from women attending osteoporosis centers. Women without prevalent fracture were eligible to enter the 1-yr follow-up phase: the clinical approach to patients according to their fracture risk profile and the incidence of fracture were recorded. Results: 4269 patients were enrolled in 80 centers in the cross-sectional phase; 34.2% had an osteoporotic fracture at baseline. Patients with prevalent fractures were older and more likely to be treated compared with non-fractured patients. The incidence of vertebral or hip fracture after 1 yr was 3.84%, regardless of the calculated risk factor profile, and was significantly higher in patients with back pain at baseline (4.2%) compared with those without back pain (2.2%; p=0.023). Generally, physicians prescribed more blood exams and drugs to patients at higher risk of fracture. Among fractured patients only 24% were properly treated; the rate of non-responders to treatment was about 4%. Conclusions: In a large, unselected sample of post-menopausal women attending osteoporosis centers, those without previous fracture were at substantial risk of future fracture, regardless of their theoretical low 10-yr fracture risk. The presence of back pain in women without previous fracture warrants close attention.

Previous studies could report about different behavior of dried pellets at the 50°C due to the lack of constant rate period of drying. Now, one step further, the synchrotron (i.e. FT-IR, SWAXS) supported with laboratory sources (SWAXS, NMR) allowed deeper analytics reporting hidden partly molecular degradation invents from the frequently used drug ibuprofen in 4-isobutylacetophenone, and that molecule is no longer a drug but a toxic one. In the medication matrix CaSt was no degradation detected but the structural undulation seen with SAXS was also confirmed by FT-IR. However, we also show that a medical molecular degradation in their solid formulation could be detected and predicted not only by chemical analytics but also correlated and identified by a physical method based on X-Ray inner surface calculation. Such molecular degradation from active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) that occurs in the process of drug preparation in solid formulation can automatically be correlated with drug-dissolution. Thus, the Nano-analytical parameters based on the Small Angle X-Ray scattering (SAXS) signals of different electron densities in the material, identify the specific surface area, which could be seen even in closed pores and can be correlated with drug molecular degradation. As an example, is taken a very well-defined pellet solid ibuprofen calcium-stearate formulation. Using a synchrotron and a laboratory multi-technical package, we could reveal hidden nanostructures and molecular information, which have not been detected in previous studies. The Small and Wide X-Ray Scattering (SWAXS) spectra of pellets show that process variables do not affect the crystalline state of components but slight changes in the crystal lattice undulations (i.e., SAXS). Additionally, using the high-resolution NMR, Raman and Synchrotron-beam line FT-IR method, we can identify the molecular partial degradation of the Active Pharmaceutics Ingredient (API) in 4-isobutylacetophenone only at 50 °C in terms of the drying and preparation-condition. Such molecular degradation could not be detected in previous study due to the lack of high-resolution analytical laboratories and synchrotron tools that we were able to apply in this paper. For this sample also SAXS specific surface area display higher values and can be correlated as an indication and prediction for the molecular degradation but also dissolution due to increase of electron density contrasts.

This prospective study analyzed the dropout probability and intention-to-treat survival rates of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) selected and treated according to our policy before liver transplantation (LT), with particular attention to those exceeding the Milan criteria. Exclusion criteria for LT were macroscopic vascular invasion, metastases, and poorly differentiated disease at percutaneous biopsy. A specific multi-modal adjuvant algorithm was used to treat HCC before LT. A total of 100 HCC patients were listed for LT: 40 exceeded the Milan criteria in terms of nodule size and number (MILAN OUT) either at listing or in list, while 60 patients continued to meet the criteria (MILAN IN). The Milan criteria did not prove to be a significant predictor of dropout probability or survival rates using Cox's analysis. Cumulative dropout probability at 6 and 12 months was 0% and 4% for MILAN OUT, and 6% and 11% for MILAN IN. The intention-to-treat survival rates at 1 and 3 years were 95% and 85% in MILAN OUT, and 84% and 69% in MILAN IN. None of the 68 transplanted patients had recurrent HCC after a median 16-month follow-up (0–69 months). In conclusion, LT may be effective for selected, aggressively-treated HCC patients exceeding the Milan criteria.

This prospective study analyzed the dropout probability and intention-to-treat survival rates of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) selected and treated according to our policy before liver transplantation (LT), with particular attention to those exceeding the Milan criteria. Exclusion criteria for LT were macroscopic vascular invasion, metastases, and poorly differentiated disease at percutaneous biopsy. A specific multi-modal adjuvant algorithm was used to treat HCC before LT. A total of 100 HCC patients were listed for LT: 40 exceeded the Milan criteria in terms of nodule size and number (MILAN OUT) either at listing or in list, while 60 patients continued to meet the criteria (MILAN IN). The Milan criteria did not prove to be a significant predictor of dropout probability or survival rates using Cox's analysis. Cumulative dropout probability at 6 and 12 months was 0 and 4 for MILAN OUT, and 6 and 11 for MILAN IN. The intention-to-treat survival rates at 1 and 3 years were 95 and 85 in MILAN OUT, and 84 and 69 in MILAN IN. None of the 68 transplanted patients had recurrent HCC after a median 16-month follow-up (0-69 months). In conclusion, LT may be effective for selected, aggressively-treated HCC patients exceeding the Milan criteria.

We report the early results of urethroplasty with a buccal mucosa free graft as a dorsal onlay for treatment of anterior urethral strictures.Materials and Methods Since February 1997 to December 2003, 22 patients with recurrent anterior urethral strictures have been treated with buccal mucosa urethroplasty. Mean age of patients was 48.7 years (range 20 – 71). The etiology of strictures was inflammatory (7), iatrogenic (6), traumatic (3), idiopathic (6). Urethroplasty was performed with a free graft of buccal mucosa using dorsal onlay. The buccal mucosa onlay was sutured to the urethra and corpora cavernosa.Results At 37 month mean follow-up (range 5 to 83) the success rate was 95.5%.Conclusions Buccal mucosa free graft represents a simple surgical option and although longer follow up is needed preliminary results are excellent.

Despite their widespread utilization, little is known about the quality of pathologists' assistants' services. Pathologists' assistants' performance was compared with pathology residents' performance using the metrics of lymph node retrieval and tissue resubmission rates. Lymph node retrieval was calculated by retrospective review of surgical pathology reports from a sample of axillary dissection, mastectomy, and colorectal specimens. Tissue resubmission rates were calculated by retrospective review of a sample of general surgical pathology reports. Pathologists' assistants retrieved a significantly greater total number of lymph nodes compared with pathology residents; however, there was no difference in the total number of positive lymph nodes retrieved. Cases for which pathologists' assistants performed the gross examination had a significantly decreased resubmission rate compared with those performed by residents. In this setting, the gross examination performance of pathologists' assistants was equivalent to or superior to that of pathology residents. These results provide the first information available relating to pathologists' assistants' performance in surgical pathology.

Desmoids represent the most important cause of death, after colorectal cancer, in patients affected with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), an inherited disease due to mutations in the APC gene. The aims of our study were to estimate the risk of developing desmoids in FAP patients and to evaluate the association between desmoids and different risk factors. The occurrence of desmoids, colorectal cancer and other extra-colonic manifestations were assessed in 897 FAP patients, 653 of whom were also investigated for APC mutations. Odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed using an unconditional multiple logistic regression model. Desmoids developed in 107 patients (11.9%), with a cumulative risk of 20.6%. Females had a significantly higher risk than males (OR = 2.1; 95% CI 1.4–3.1). Family history of desmoids (OR = 8.75; 95% CI 5.66–13.51), osteomas (OR = 2.9; 95% CI 1.8–4.8) and epidermoid cysts (OR = 1.8; 95% CI 1.1–3.2) was also significantly associated with the occurrence of disease. Subjects with APC mutations beyond codon 1444 had a 12-fold increased risk, compared with patients with mutations located upstream. Mutations beyond codon 1309 conferred a 17-fold higher risk, compared with mutations upstream codon 452. Multivariate analysis identified as independent predictors mutation beyond codon 1444 (OR = 6.2; 95% CI 2.5–15.8), family history of desmoids (OR = 5.8; 95% CI 3.1–10.6), female gender (OR = 2.1; 95% CI 1.1–3.8) and the presence of osteomas (OR = 1.9; 95% CI 1.1–3.4). Our results indicate that integrating genetic and clinical data is helpful in defining subgroups of patients at higher risk for desmoids, who may benefit from specific prevention programs. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Using the HEXTE experiment on-board the RXTE satellite, we performed a search for hard X-ray tails in Sco X-1 spectra. We found strong evidence for the presence of such a non-thermal component on several occasions. Using the PCA/ RXTE we were able to track the position of the source along the Z diagram, and we observed that the presence of the hard X-ray tail is not confined to a particular region. However, we found a correlation between the power law index of the non-thermal component and the position of the source in the Z diagram, suggesting that the hard X-ray spectrum (i.e., E > 50 keV) becomes flatter as the mass accretion rate increases. We were also able to study the temporal variation of the appearance/absence of the hard X-ray component. With our derived luminosities, we were also able to test the idea that X-ray luminosities can be used to distinguish between X-ray binary systems containing neutron stars and black holes.

Study objective: Screening for intimate partner violence has been widely advocated in the health care setting, but efforts to assess effectiveness and ensure adequacy of universal screening are largely untested. We sought to identify barriers to screening of female emergency department patients for intimate partner violence during the first year of implementation of a screening protocol. Methods: A retrospective, structured medical chart review of 1,638 randomly identified visits included demographic factors of age, race, marital status, employment status, insurance status, arrival mode, mechanism of presenting complaint, severity of condition, presentation time, and nurse gender. The study was conducted an an inner-city Level I trauma center with 43,000 annual ED visits and universal procedures for screening for intimate partner violence in place since February 1994. The participants were a cohort of 1,509 female patients, 18 years of age or older, who were discharged from the ED between July 1994 and June 1995. The main outcome measure was the odds of being screened as a function of patient and provider variables. Statistical analyses involved univariate and multivariate logistic regression on screening rates (Yes/No) as derived from universal screening instrument variables. Results: Of 1,638 records reviewed, 483 patients (29.5%) were screened for intimate partner violence. Univariate analyses revealed that women presenting with nonpsychiatric, less acute complaints and those who presented during daylight hours were more likely to be screened than women who presented with psychiatric or more acute complaints, or during the night shift. Male and female nurse providers were equally likely to screen for intimate partner violence. Step-down multivariate analyses agreed with these findings. Conclusion: In this random sample of female patients, screening rates varied by severity of the patient's condition, type of presenting complaint, and presentation time.

Immunoperoxidase staining was performed for estrogen and progesterone receptors in 93 cases of primary breast carcinoma. Breast tumor samples were fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. Antigen retrieval was performed by microwave heating in citrate buffer, pH 6.0, using precisely defined and reproducible conditions. The cases studied included material from the current year and from paraffin blocks retrieved from archival storage dating back to 1981. In all cases, estrogen and progesterone receptor values determined by biochemical assay were available for comparison with the immunohistochemical results. We found 94% agreement of results between the two methods.

Little is known about low-level mildly progressive, strength training programs for frail elderly adults who live in extended attention housing. To study the effects of a low-level strength training program, a group of 12 frail elderly adults, aged 70 to 93 years, residing in an extended attention facility, participated in a strength training exercise program using ankle and wrist weights. Baseline measurements of elbow and knee flexor and extensor muscle strength were taken with a handheld dynamometer prior to initiation of the strength training program, and every three weeks during the 12-week period of exercise with weights. Muscle strength of elbow and knee flexors improved significantly by the end of the 12-week period (p<0.05). Elbow and knee extensors did not show significant increases in muscle strength, but were maintained. It is concluded that muscle strength can be maintained or improved in adults over 70 who live in an extended attention facility using a low-level, mildly progressive, resistive exercise program. The program is safe, inexpensive, practical and can be used in clinical as well as community settings. (Aging Clin. Exp. Res. 5: 363-369, 1993)

Flow cytometry (FCM) enables ploidy and proliferative tissue activity (PHASE S) to be quickly and objectively measured. This method is of predictive value regarding the biological behaviour of bladder tumours. The authors used FCM in a 5-year-follow-up study of 75 patients with papillary bladder carcinoma, who underwent therapeutic or staging transurethral resection in 1989. Results show a strict correlation between stage-ploidy-Progression as well as the significance of S-PHASE cells in relation to low-grade diploid tumours.

A new imaging balloon-borne telescope for hard X-rays in the energy range from 30 to 100 keV is described. The imaging capability is provided by the use of an extended URA-based coded-mask. With only one motor and suitable stop pins, we can rotate a carbon-fiber wheel with most of the mask elements attached to it by 180°, and a bar, which is also part of the mask pattern and is allowed to rotate freely over the wheel, by 90°; this combined rotation creates an antimask of the original mask, except for the central element. This is a novel and elegant manner of providing an antimask without additional weight and complex mechanical manipulations. We show that the use of antimasks is a very effective method of eliminating systematic variations in the background map over the position-sensitive detector area. The expected sensitivity of the instrument for the 30–100 keV range is of the order of 7 × 10-5 photons cm-2 s-1 keV-1, for an integration time of 104 seconds at a residual atmosphere of 3.5 g cm-2. This telescope will provide imaging observations of bright galactic hard X-ray sources with an angular resolution of ~2° in a 10° by 10° FOV, which is defined by a collimator placed in front of the detector system. We are particularly interested in the galactic center region, where recent imaging results in X-rays have shown the presence of an interesting source field. Results of computer simulations of the imaging system are reported.

Light and scanning electron microscopy investigations were carried out to identify and count the chemoreceptors on the legs of the tsetse, Glossina tachinoidesWestwood, and topographical maps, considered of value in electrophysiological and behavioural research are presented. The candidate chemoreceptors are located on the femorae, the tibiae and the tarsi and are more abundant on the ventral zone of each segment. The study demonstrates that the prothoracic, mesothoracic and metathoracic legs have a similar number of chemoreceptors and male flies possess more than female (1033 and 570, respectively). The variability of the number of chemoreceptors on the prothoracic legs has been estimated in both sexes. L’identification et le comptage des chimtorécepteurs ont été établis en microscopie classique et en microscopie électronique à balayage sur les pattes de Glossina tachinoidesWestwood, 1850. Les auteurs présentent une carte de répartition des chimiorécepteurs, utile pour les recherches d’électrophysiologie et de comportement. Ces chimiorécepteurs localisés sur le fémur, le tibia et le tarse sont plus abondants sur les zones ventrales. Cette étude montre que les 3 paires de pattes possèdent un nombre similaire de chimiorécepteurs et un important dimorphisme sexuel: 1033 chimiorécepteurs chez le mâle contre 570 chez la femelle. La variabilité du nombre de chimiorécepteurs pour les deux sexes a été estimée sur la patte prothoracique.

We describe an imaging telescope for observations of celestial sources in the energy range between 30 keV and 1.8 MeV onboard stratospheric balloons. The detector is a 41 cm diameter, 5 cm thick NaI(Tl) crystal coupled to 19 photomultipliers in an Anger camera configuration. It is surrounded by a plastic scintillator 15 cm thick on the sides, 0.2 cm thick at the top and 20 cm thick at the bottom. The imaging device is based upon a 19 × 19 element square MURA (Modified Uniformly Redundant Array) coded mask mounted in an one-piece mask-antimask configuration. The detector's spatial resolution is about 10 mm at 100 keV. This is the first experiment to use such a mask pattern and configuration for astrophysical purposes. The expected 3s sensitivity for an on-axis source observed for 104 s at a residual atmosphere of 3.5 g cm-2 is 1.44 × 10-5 photons cm-2 s-1 keV-1 at 100 keV and 1.00 × 10-6 photons cm-2 s-1 keV-1 at 1 MeV. The angular resolution is approximately 14 arcminutes over a 13°field of view. The instrument is mounted in an automatic platform with a capability for pointing and stabilization in both azimuth and elevation axis with 2 arcmin accuracy.

Chromosome numbers of the snail Helicella virgata from the fields of Castellammare del Golfo (Sicily) are n = 26 and 2n = 52. Silver-staining analyses of testicular cells suggest that both mitotic and meiotic chromosomes are involved in nucleolus organization. A within-individual variability in NOR-banding pattern is present in each of the 20 specimens analyzed.

Background: The goal of surveillance examinations (SVE) in patients at high risk for cutaneous melanoma (CM) is to diagnose premetastatic tumors. Objective: We attempted to determine whether SVE before CM diagnosis influences the histopathologic features of tumor progression. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of consecutive patients who presented with an intact primary CM during a 36 month period (1991 to 1994) in a university dermatology ambulatory setting. Results: Thirty-nine intact CMs were diagnosed in 34 patients. Compared with 23 CMs in as many patients presenting at the first encounter, 16 CMs diagnosed in 11 patients during SVE had a smaller mean tumor diameter (P = .007) and tumor thickness (P = .002) and were more likely anatomic level I or II (P = .003) with microscopic thickness less than 0.76 mm (P = .01) and less than 0.50 mm (P = .002). Conclusion: Primary CMs are more likely to be smaller and thinner when diagnosed during SVE than at first encounter, features that are likely to have a positive impact on CM mortality. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1998;39:571-7.)

Larval mites (Acari) parasitic on Opiliones from the French Pyrenees were studied. Three species of the genus Leptus (Erythraeidae) were collected two of which were already described: Leptus ignotus (Oudemans) collected from Phalangium opilio and Leptus beroni Fain (syn. Leptus holmiae Southcott) from Mitopus morio, Megabunus diadema and Oligolophus hansenii. The third species, Leptus gyas sp.n., was collected from Gyas titanus.. In addition, a second new species, Tetrathrombium gabasense sp.n. (Johnstonianidae), was collected from moss, covering a beech which also harboured Megabunus diadema, infested with Leptus beroni. These new species are described.

A highly refined quality assurance program relies on accurate outcome evaluations and the identification of patients who are truly worthy of peer review. In our hospital, the Glasgow Coma Score, the Trauma Score, and the Injury Severity Score are used to monitor patients with burns. A retrospective review of 511 admitted patients with burns was performed to determine whether the existing monitors (Trauma Score, Glasgow Coma Score, Injury Severity Score) or the use of the Baux Score, the Edlich Burn Score, and the Zawacki Score would provide a more precise monitoring system. Logistic regression techniques demonstrated that the Baux Score, the Edlich Burn Score, and the Zawacki Score were highly correlated with patient outcome (p< 0.001). Linear regression techniques demonstrated that only the Baux Score, the Edlich Burn Score, and the Zawacki Score were correlated with length of stay (p< 0.01). On the basis of this retrospective review, the Baux Score, the Edlich Burn Score, and the Zawacki Score more accurately predicted outcomes for patients with burns than did the Trauma Score, the Injury Severity Score, and the Glasgow Coma Score; these scores can thus provide the most valuable information for quality assurance activities.