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This study evaluated the levels of 10 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and 3 hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) in liver and fat tissue of 45 Caretta caretta stranded along the Adriatic Sea. The analytical methodology was based on gas or liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. The mean values of PBDEs and α-HBCDD were 0.83 ± 0.39 and 0.069 ± 0.10 ng g−1 w.w. in liver, while 2.54 ± 0.80 and 0.56 ± 0.47 ng g−1 w.w. in fat tissue, respectively. The levels were higher in fat tissue than in liver. The PBDE profile was similar to that found in aquatic species while for HBCCDs, only the α-isomer was detected. No correlation between the contamination levels and sex and size was found. This study adds information about contamination levels of some brominated compounds in C. caretta , providing a background level in liver and fat tissue of loggerhead sea turtles from the Adriatic Sea. [Display omitted] • C. caretta could ingest and bioaccumulate BFRs from the environment. • Levels of brominated compounds were generally higher in fat tissue than in liver. • Differences emerged between liver and fat tissue in congeners patterns. • No correlation between contamination levels and sex and size was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment of vascular disease, from peripheral ischemia to coronary heart disease (CHD), is poised for transformation with the introduction of transient implants designed to "scaffold" regeneration of blood vessels and ultimately leave nothing behind. Improved materials could expand the use of these devices. Here, we examine one of the leading polymers for bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS), polylactide (PLA), as the matrix of nanocomposites with tungsten disulfide (WS 2) nanotubes (WSNT), which may provide mechanical reinforcement and enhance radio-opacity. We evaluate in vitro cytotoxicity using vascular cells, flow-induced crystallization and radio-opacity of PLA-WSNT nanocomposites at low WSNT concentration. A small amount of WSNT (0.1 wt%) can effectively promote oriented crystallization of PLA without compromising molecular weight. And radio-opacity improves significantly: as little as 0.5 to 1 wt% WSNT doubles the radio-opacity of PLA-WSNT relative to PLA at 17 keV. The results suggest that a single component, WSNT, has the potential to increase the strength of BRS to enable thinner devices and increase radio-opacity to improve intraoperative visualization. The in vitro toxicity results indicate that PLA-WSNT nanocomposites are worthy of investigation in vivo. Although substantial further preclinical studies are needed, PLA-WSNT nanocomposites may provide a complement of material properties that may improve BRS and expand the range of lesions that can be treated using transient implants. Bioresorbable Scaffolds (BRSs) support regeneration of arteries without permanent mechanical constraint. Poly-L-lactide (PLLA) is the structural material of the first approved BRS for coronary heart disease (ABSORB BVS), withdrawn due to adverse events in years 1-3. Here, we examine tungsten disulfide (WS 2) nanotubes (WSNT) in PLA to address two contributors to early complications: (1) reinforce PLLA (enable thinner BRS), and (2) increase radiopacity (provide intraoperative visibility). For BRS, it is significant that WSNT disperse, remain dispersed, reduce friction and improve mechanical properties without additional chemicals or surface modifications. Like WS 2 nanospheres, bare WSNT and PLA-WSNT nanocomposites show low cytotoxicity in vitro. PLA-WSNT show enhanced flow-induced crystallization relative to PLA, motivating future study of the processing behavior and strength of these materials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Students entered the lab from their home and remotely performed a foaming experiment. • All of the processing steps, from granule handling to foamed samples removal from the equipment, were remotized. • 100 Ms students actively took part in an experiment with a high-pressure, high temperature equipment at no risk. The 2019 pandemic locked lab doors to students and guest colleagues, with an impoverishment for all. Inspired by the 2015 work on "cloud chemistry" at the University of Nottingham, we designed an experimental facility to go beyond doors and boundaries (Skilton et al., 2015). On December 16th, 2020, an entire class of grad students virtually entered the foamlab of the University of Naples Federico II and remotely performed a plastic foaming experiment. The autoclave design, the plastic granules-handling robot, the process control and the vision acquisition system were all engineered to allow easy control by inexperienced operators and to guarantee safety to the local instructor. The digitalization of the foaming process is an exhaustive and modern pedagogical activity whereby chemical engineering and materials science and engineering students test their knowledge of transport phenomena, thermodynamics and process control. Students' response was enthusiastic: each of them felt at the centre of the active learning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background Rapid weight loss after bariatric surgery is associated with a high prevalence of gallstone formation. In laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP), the bypassed segment is not readily available for endoscopic or radiographic examination. We propose a laparoscopic Janeway gastrostomy for secondary access to excluded structures in bariatric centers with no mandatory technical equipment in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), double-balloon ERCP or spiral enteroscopy. Method This was a single-institution retrospective review of a prospectively collected database of patients with a history of laparoscopic RYGBP who underwent laparoscopic Janeway gastrostomy for duodenal and biliary access. The operative indications, technical aspects, endoscopic findings, outcomes, and complications were investigated. Results Five patients with a history of RYGBP underwent laparoscopic Janeway gastrostomy for exploration of the bypassed segment. All of them had biliary pathology, and all underwent successful ERCP and papillotomy. The gastrostomies were closed secondarily. The mean duration of hospitalization was 12 days. No complications developed. All procedures were performed laparoscopically. Conclusion If access to excluded structures and simultaneous ERCP was not possible, temporary laparoscopic Janeway gastrostomy could be the last option alternative for a staged ERCP to gain access to the bypassed structures. It is a feasible and safe solution for the exploration and treatment of patients with a history of RYGBP in bariatric centers that have no endoscopists with expertise in ERCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic degradation of atenolol in aqueous suspensions using specifically synthetized mesoporous based TiO 2 materials as photocatalysts under UVC (254 nm) irradiation was investigated. A batch reactor and a UV lamp 16 W power were used to test the ATL removal with several initial concentrations of ATL (4.5 − 30 mg/L) and four synthetized TiO 2 photocatalysts, characterized by different BET surface areas and average pore sizes. Moreover, the effect of solution pH (4.8 − 9.0) and of the oxygen presence were investigated. The performances of the synthetized photocatalysts were compared with commercial Degussa P25. The atenolol degradation was studied using different concentration of catalyst (50 and 1000 mg/L) showing a maximum removal efficiency of 65%. Although the new catalysts showed a lower efficiency when compared to commercial P25, they can be easily recovered from water being in the form of micro-aggregate, and then reused without remarkable changes. The experimental data were fitted using a pseudo first order kinetic model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, it is proposed the integration of fiber optic sensors with commercial medical instrumentation, for temperature monitoring during tumor radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFTA) treatments. The heat propagation over the area under treatment is measured by means of a specific configuration, consisting of several Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors properly bounded to the RFTA probe and being positioned close to the region reached by RF electrodes. Our ex-vivo experiments on ex vivo animal liver and kidney, confirm that we were able to monitor in real time the temperature increase during different and consecutive RF discharges performed with the laparoscopic bipolar device Habib 4x, with a temperature resolution of 0.1̊C and a spatial resolution of 5mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of bromide ions in waters treated with ozone can lead to bromate ions and brominated compounds formation, potentially carcinogenic. This poses a need to remove the bromates through other treatment, as UV. In this work the effects of the water composition, and the corresponding variation due to oxidation, on the UV efficiency for the reduction of bromate to bromide ions in groundwater (GW) were investigated. For this purpose an experimental apparatus was specifically designed and experimental tests with ozone and with a UV lamp 6 W were performed. The experimental results show that the reduction of the bromates to bromides by UV is max 41% in GW, depending on ozone dose and initial bromate concentration. The experimental data were fitted with a first order model and the kinetic constant determined. The effects of the ozone and UV treatment on others groundwater components, as TOC and inorganic nitrogen, were taken into account and the corresponding influence on the bromate removal efficiency was evaluated. To this aim, comparative tests with UV in purified water (PW) (reagent grade) and GW spiked with controlled amount of bromates were performed. It was verified that the removal efficiency of bromate by UV increases with increasing of ammonia concentration, but decreases with increasing of TOC and when intermediate bromide species, produced by ozonation, are presents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human adenoviruses are responsible for a wide range of clinical infections and are present in aquatic environments, including river, seawater, drinking-water and sewage. Free-living amoebae ( Acanthamoeba ) in the same environments may internalize them and other microorganisms can act as a reservoir for the internalized viruses. In this study, we studied the interaction between Acanthamoeba polyphaga and Human Adenovirus type 5 (HAdV 5) to determine whether the amoeba played a role in protecting the internalized viruses from chemical disinfection. The efficacy of sodium hypochlorite disinfection against A. polyphaga and HAdV 5 either singly or in combination was assessed at three different concentrations. Individually, the amoeba were more resistant to chemical disinfection than HAdV 5 and remained alive after exposure to 5 mg/l of sodium hypochlorite. In contrast, HAdV 5 lost infectivity following exposure to 2.5 mg/l of sodium hypochlorite. When the amoeba and HAdV 5 were co-cultured, infectious virus was found in the cytoplasm of the amoeba at 5 mg/l disinfectant concentration. These findings suggest that the A. polyphaga is providing protection for the HAdV 5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The harderian gland (HG) is an orbital gland of the vast majority of land vertebrates. In the Syrian hamster these glands display a marked sexual dimorphism. Here we present data on a male specific clone named MHG30. The MHG30 cDNA (1470 bp) has significant sequence homologies with human #15μ10#Δ6-desaturase enzymes. The expression of MHG30 has been found in male HG and in the liver of both sexes, no other tissue showing the presence of MHG30 mRNA. Castration brings the MHG30 levels below detectable level in about 7 days. In in vitro cultures of male hamster HG cells, androgens ( A ) determine an enhancement of MHG30 expression in a time-dependent manner. Conversely, a continuous decrement has been observed in control cells and in cells treated with A plus flutamide ( F ) or with A and cycloheximide (Cy). Incubation of cells in cultures supplemented with desamethason (Dex) or thyroid hormone ( T 3 ) also increases MHG30 expression while 17β-estradiol prevents the stimulatory effect exerted by A , Dex and T 3 . Findings strongly suggest that the MHG30 gene could be involved in supporting the sexual dimorphism and its expression is likely triggered by a series of hormonal interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Data Management is broadly understood as collecting, analyzing, publishing, reanalyzing, critiquing, and reusing data. The increase of digital content in the broad areas of Institutional and domain specific Repositories, Libraries, Archives and Museums and the increased interest in the sharing and preservation of “research data” have triggered the emergence of new roles such as Data Curator. The paper refers about the on-going investigation of current data curator education and training programs with regard to the role of information professionals and/or data scientists in the research lifecycle. The investigation has been based on a series of workshops and events discussing the concerns of researchers and teachers about digital library and digital curation. A first list of competencies and skills at technical and operational level that professionals should have, has been evidenced. The theoretical framework and structure of educational programmes should have sufficient flexibility to accommodate the needs of various groups of specialists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depuration methods usually adopted to treat the tanning industry wastewater are based on several technologies, physicochemical or biological, as activated sludge (AS), alone or combined. The AS method faces some difficulties when pollutants toxic are present in the wastewater. The water treatment known as the biological activated carbon (BAC) allows overcoming these limitations by taking advantage of the synergism between activated carbon (AC) and microbacteria. Nevertheless, further investigation about the performance of BAC on real wastewater is much required. For this purpose, an experimental test with BAC in continuous pilot plant with a real tannery wastewater was performed. The same test was performed with AS process and relevant differences from BAC method were observed. The experimental results indicate the good removal of total chromium for both BAC and AS (72–70%). But the main differences are for soluble chromium removal (67% for BAC and 46% for AS) and for COD removal (66% for BAC and 40% for AS). Very good results were also obtained for removal of other pollutants resulting from industrial additives, for BAC (91–100%) and to a lesser extent for AS (28–78%). In every case, the BAC shows faster kinetics removal. Finally, a pseudo-second order model fits the experimental data about soluble chromium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Pre-endoscopic triage of patients who require an early upper endoscopy can improve management of patients with non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Aims To validate a new simplified clinical score ( T -score) to assess the need of an early upper endoscopy in non variceal bleeding patients. Secondary outcomes were re-bleeding rate, 30-day bleeding-related mortality. Methods In this prospective, multicentre study patients with bleeding who underwent upper endoscopy were enrolled. The accuracy for high risk endoscopic stigmata of the T -score was compared with that of the Glasgow Blatchford risk score. Results Overall, 602 patients underwent early upper endoscopy, and 472 presented with non-variceal bleeding. High risk endoscopic stigmata were detected in 145 (30.7%) cases. T -score sensitivity and specificity for high risk endoscopic stigmata and bleeding-related mortality was 96% and 30%, and 80% and 71%, respectively. No statistically difference in predicting high risk endoscopic stigmata between T -score and Glasgow Blatchford risk score was observed (ROC curve: 0.72 vs. 0.69, p = 0.11). The two scores were also similar in predicting re-bleeding (ROC curve: 0.64 vs. 0.63, p = 0.4) and 30-day bleeding-related mortality (ROC curve: 0.78 vs. 0.76, p = 0.3). Conclusions The T -score appeared to predict high risk endoscopic stigmata, re-bleeding and mortality with similar accuracy to Glasgow Blatchford risk score. Such a score may be helpful for the prediction of high-risk patients who need a very early therapeutic endoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Many methods, that involve several oxidants combined specific catalyst, are commonly utilised for the abatement of organochlorine compounds in natural and waste waters. This study investigates the efficiency of removal of trichloroethylene (TCE) contained in groundwater through oxidation with ozone. The fundamental contribution of the stripping was experimentally measured through tests with nitrogen. For comparative purposes, the same experimental tests were performed on a model solution containing TCE. A dedicated experimental apparatus was specifically designed. The treatment under investigation showed a good efficiency dependent on the ozone dose and initial pollutant concentration. Experimental data, obtained from stripping and oxidation tests performed both with groundwater and model solution, were fitted by models. Finally, the effects of the ozone treatment on other groundwater components, as bromide and organic and inorganic nitrogen, together with the formation of undesired by-products were also taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5-aminolevulinic acid could be used to control the disease. • Topical photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid can guarantee the patients' skin integrity. • Better results are observed in patients undergoing PDT within a few days from the onset of the lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Little information is available on the clinical management of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Italy in relation to the current organization of the Italian Emergency Health Services into Level-I and Level-II Emergency Departments (ED), the latter being more complex structures with greater resources. Methods: A retrospective survey on clinical, endoscopic, and survival data was conducted by the regional sections of the 3 main Italian gastroenterological societies, AIGO, SIED and SIGE, recording all consecutive episodes of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding referred to 7 centres (4 of which were Level-II Emergency Departments) in Rome, Italy, during a one-year period. A total of 624 consecutive patients (64% males, mean age 67.6±16.2years) were included. Thirty-day mortality was 4.6%. Main factors associated with survival at both univariate and multivariate analysis were the presence of full Rockall score <5 and the admission to a Level-II Emergency Departments (p <0.001). Level-I Emergency Departments admitted patients with a full Rockall score ≥5 (p =0.02) more frequently than patients with negative endoscopic findings (p <0.001). Conclusions: Referral of non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding patients to Emergency Departments with more resources (Level-II) is associated with reduced mortality. Yet, unfortunately, high-risk patients were more often admitted to Level-I Emergency Departments, which suggests the need for a better organization of the emergency referral system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Several species belonging to the genus Rhamnus (Rhamnaceae), comprising ones among which are found the most typical plants of the Italian flora, are known to contain biologically active anthraquinone secondary metabolites. Although several Rhamnus species were so far investigated, no information is available concerning the content and relative abundances of anthraquinones in R. saxatilis. In this study we used a simple, reliable, and accurate analytical method to determine the anthraquinones in bark of R. saxatilis. This allowed us also to trace a comparative study on the efficacy of different extraction solvents in ultrasonication time dependent assays. Separation and quantification of anthraquinones were accomplished using a C18 column with the mobile phase of H2O:methanol (40:60, v/v, 1% formic acid) at a flow rate of 0.7mL/min and a detection wavelength of 254nm, while the qualitative analyses were also achieved at a wavelength of 435nm.Finally, the described HPLC method, was used to obtain a specific chemical fingerprint for this species in comparison with other species from the same family. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Choi H, Binder DS, Oropilla ML, Bernotus EE, Konya D, Nee MA, Tammaro EA, Sabharwal S. Evaluation of selected laboratory components of a comprehensive periodic health evaluation for veterans with spinal cord injury and disorders. Objective: To evaluate selected laboratory components of a comprehensive periodic health evaluation program for patients with spinal cord injury and disorders (SCI/D). Design: A retrospective study. Setting: A Department of Veterans Affairs spinal cord injury center. Participants: Community-dwelling male veterans with SCI/D (N=350). Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Proportion of laboratory tests that resulted in new diagnoses (diagnostic yield) and proportion of laboratory tests that resulted in changes in management (therapeutic yield). Results: Although abnormality rates for many routine laboratory tests were high (up to 31.5%), diagnostic and therapeutic yields were low (<1.5%), with the exception of glucose (therapeutic yield, 3.4%) and lipid tests (up to a 4.1% diagnostic and 15.2% therapeutic yield). Conclusions: Our data revealed that diagnostic and therapeutic yields for many laboratory components of the annual PHE program for veterans with SCI/D were low, consistent with findings in the general ambulatory population. Further data collection, particularly prospective longitudinal data, may help optimize the selection and frequency of laboratory tests performed as part of this program. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Oogenesis was examined in nine species of Antarctic fish to verify the existence of morphological peculiarities. The analyses were carried out on specimens belonging to three different families of Notothenioids (Nototheniidae, Channichthyidae and Bathydraconidae), all captured in the Ross Sea, in front of the Italian Station of Terra Nova Bay. Following dissection, the ovaries were processed and examined at the light and electron microscopes to determine the oocyte gross and fine morphology. The attention, in particular, was focused on the presence of cytoplasmic round bodies and on the organization of the cortical alveoli and the vitelline envelope. Results reveal significant specie-specific differences that could be partly correlated to the phylogenetic radiation but not to the peculiar environmental conditions being essentially comparable to those observed among temperate species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A circannual variability in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) frequency is reported. • Seasonal tourist flows could determine a variation of incidence and outcome of OHCA. • Despite seasonal doublings of population, no variation in occurrence of OHCA was found. • Seasonal enhancement of EMS may contribute to maintain the performance of care. The study aims to evaluate the seasonal variation of out-of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in a tourist-intensive area. Data of all OHCA treated by the Emergency Medical Service of Lecce (LE-EMS), Italy, between 2013 and 2017, were retrospectively analyzed and complemented with information about tourist flows, in order to determine the influence of the seasonal variation of population on incidence and outcome. Tourist arrivals were around 1,700,000 per year, mostly in summer, adding up to 803,161 residents. The occurrence of OHCA did not show a monthly variation when referring to the resident population (p = 0.90). When taking into account the tourist flows, a difference in occurrence of OHCA across months was found, with the highest rate of arrests in December and the lowest in August (10.3 vs 3.4 per 100,000 persons, p < 0.01). No difference was found in terms of EMS arrival time and event survival rate between summer and the rest of the year (13.6 vs 13.8 min, p = 0.55, and 4.4% vs 4.5%, p = 0.86, respectively). In summer tourism areas, the occurrence of OHCA is unchanged throughout the year, while the actual population presents seasonal increases. Summer enhancement of provincial EMS may contribute to maintain the performance of emergency care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Oral-Facial-Digital type I is due to mutations in the OFD1 gene that encodes a protein localized to centrosomes and basal body of primary cilium. • The loss of Ofd1 impairs cell cycle progression leading to G2/M arrest. • Ofd1-depleted cells show centrosome accumulation, nuclear abnormalities, aneuploidy and cytoskeleton defects. Oral-Facial-Digital type I (OFD1) is a rare inherited form of renal cystic disease associated with ciliary dysfunction. This disorder is due to mutations in the OFD1 gene that encodes a protein localized to centrosomes and basal bodies in different cell types. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that OFD1 displays a dynamic distribution during cell cycle. High-content microscopy analysis of Ofd1 -depleted fibroblasts revealed impaired cell cycle progression. Immunofluorescence analysis and cell proliferation assays also indicated the presence of a variety of defects such as centrosome accumulation, nuclear abnormalities and aneuploidy. In addition, Ofd1 -depleted cells displayed an abnormal microtubule network that may underlie these defects. All together our results suggest that OFD1 contributes to the function of the microtubule organizing center (MTOC) in the cell, controlling cell cycle progression both in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

So far, Streptococcus devriesei , which belongs to the mutans streptococci group, has been incriminated in the formation of caries in Equidae . We report the first human infection due to this species in a 54-year-old man with gangrenous cholecystitis. The patient was treated successfully by cholecystectomy and ceftriaxone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]