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While healthcare is becoming more patient-centred, evidence-based nutrition interventions are still not accessible to all patients with cancer. As nutrition interventions directly improve clinical and socioeconomic outcomes, patient-centred care is not complete without nutrition care. While awareness of the negative impact of malnutrition on clinical outcomes, quality of life, and functional and emotional wellbeing in cancer is growing, there is relatively poor awareness amongst patients, clinicians, policymakers, and payers that nutrition interventions -particularly those begun in the early stages of the disease course- are an effective method for improving such outcomes. The European Beating Cancer Plan recognises the need for a holistic approach to cancer but lacks actionable recommendations to implement integrated nutrition cancer care at member state level. When considering nutrition care as a human right, the impact on quality of life and functional status must be prioritized, as these may be equally as important to patients, especially in advanced cancer where improvements in clinical outcomes such as survival or tumour burden may not be attainable. We formulate actions needed at the regional and the European level to ensure integrated nutrition care for all patients with cancer. The 4 main Take Home Messages are as follows: 1. The goals of Europe's Beating Cancer Plan cannot be achieved without integrating nutrition across the cancer care continuum. 2. Malnutrition negatively impacts clinical outcomes and has socioeconomic consequences for patients and healthcare systems. 3. Championing integrating nutrition care into cancer care is therefore the duty and ethical responsibility of clinicians (Hippocratic Oath—primum non nocere) and 4. Nutrition care is a cost effective, evidence-based therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malnutrition is a common clinical and public health problem that can frequently affect patients in hospital and community settings. In particular, cancer-related malnutrition results from a combination of metabolic dysregulation and anorexia, caused both by the tumor itself and by its treatment. Patients with head-neck cancer, or with gastroesophageal, pancreatic, lung, and colorectal cancer, are particularly at risk of developing malnutrition, with a prevalence varying between 30 and 50% depending on tumor location and anti-cancer treatment complications. Prevention and adequate management of malnutrition is now considered an essential key point of therapeutic pathways of patients with cancer, with the aim to enhance their quality of life, reduce complications, and improve clinical outcomes. Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are part of the nutritional therapy and represent an effective tool to address cancer-related malnutrition, as supported by growing literature data. However, patients' access to ONS — which is regulated by different national and regional policies in terms of reimbursement — is quite heterogeneous. This narrative review aims to summarize the current knowledge about the role of ONS in terms of cost-effectiveness in the management of actively treated patients with cancer, following surgery and/or radiotherapy/chemotherapy treatment and to present the position on this issue of the Alliance Against Cancer, the Italian National Oncology Network, coming up from a focused virtual roundtable of the Survivorship Care and Nutritional Support Working Group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malnutrition, muscle loss, and cachexia are prevalent in cancer and remain key challenges in oncology today. These conditions are frequently underrecognized and undertreated and have devastating consequences for patients. Early nutrition screening/assessment and intervention are associated with improved patient outcomes. As a multifaceted disease, cancer requires multimodal care that integrates supportive interventions, specifically nutrition and exercise, to improve nutrient intake, muscle mass, physical functioning, quality of life, and treatment outcomes. An integrated team of healthcare providers that incorporates societies' recommendations into clinical practice can help achieve the best possible outcomes. A multidisciplinary panel of experts in oncology, nutrition, exercise, and medicine participated in a 2-day virtual roundtable in October 2020 to discuss gaps and opportunities in oncology nutrition, alone and in combination with exercise, relative to current evidence and international societies' recommendations. The panel recommended five principles to optimize clinical oncology practice: (1) position oncology nutrition at the center of multidisciplinary care; (2) partner with colleagues and administrators to integrate a nutrition care process into the multidisciplinary cancer care approach; (3) screen all patients for malnutrition risk at diagnosis and regularly throughout treatment; (4) combine exercise and nutrition interventions before (e.g., prehabilitation), during, and after treatment as oncology standard of care to optimize nutrition status and muscle mass; and (5) incorporate a patient-centered approach into multidisciplinary care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The archaeometric investigation of 46 potsherds of "Torre Alemanna type" pottery aimed to define a compositional reference group and to understand the technological characteristics of its production. Principal component analysis applied to bulk chemical data (XRF) of the ceramic body showed a strong compositional homogeneity. Their comparison with local clays and 6 fragments of bricks sampled from the ceramic kiln, on the one hand, revealed the use of alluvial clays as raw material and, on the other hand, proved their fractionation for the production of pottery. The mineralogical assemblages detected by X-ray powder diffraction analysis inferred maximum firing temperatures between 750 and 1000 °C for the ceramic body. Polarising optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) investigations on coating revealed the presence of quartz-rich white engobe covered with a high lead transparent glaze. The polychromatic decoration was analysed by colorimetry and EDS to compare the colour characteristics through all the potsherds. A temperature range between 780 and 950 °C of liquidus temperatures was inferred from the ternary phase diagram of PbO-Al2O3-SiO2 system. Overlap of temperature ranges for sintering of the ceramic body and maturing glaze points to a single firing of the Torre Alemanna type ware. The results obtained define the reference compositional group and technology of the Torre Alemanna type ware, already attested in several archaeological contexts of southern Italy, and showed a technological continuity with the past about the use of local carbonate-rich clays to produce fine pottery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer and its treatments often lead to sarcopenia and fatigue. However, whether these factors are associated remains unproven.Objective: To evaluate whether the risk of sarcopenia predicts the presence of fatigue.Methods: A cross-sectional study was completed and included 198 cancer patients of both sexes, undergoing in- and outpatient treatment. The Strength, Assistance for walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, and Falls (SARC-F) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Fatigue (FACT-F) were used to assess the risk of sarcopenia and the presence of fatigue, respectively. The cut-off values used to identify the risk of sarcopenia and the severity of fatigue scale were SARC-F ≥ 4 and Fatigue <34, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between SARC-F and the FACT-F.Results: Out of 198 patients, 35% were at risk of sarcopenia and of these 87% had fatigue. Patients at risk of sarcopenia had lower scores in the FACT-F subscales, lower handgrip strength, lower performance status, were mostly hospitalized and were sedentary. Logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with SARC-F < 4 had a lower risk of fatigue in both models, crude (OR: 0.83; CI 95% [0.79-0.88], p < 0.0001) as well as adjusted for age, gender, BMI, physical activity, current use of alcoholic beverages, smoking, performance status, cancer type, clinical setting and use of supplements (OR: 0.87; CI 95% [0.81-0.92], p < 0.0001).Conclusion: In patients with cancer, 35% presented risk of sarcopenia and of these 87% had fatigue. In addition, the absence of sarcopenia was considered protective against fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic health records (EHRs) present extensive patient information and may be used as a tool to improve health care. However, the oncology context presents a complex content that increases the difficulties of EHR application. This study aimed at developing openEHR-archetypes representing clinical concepts in cancer nutrition-care, as well as to develop an openEHR-template including the aforementioned archetypes. The study involved the following stages: 1) a thorough literature review, followed by an expert's (nutrition guideline authors) survey, aiming to identify the main statements of published clinical guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients that were not included on the Clinical Knowledge Manager (CKM) repository; 2) modelling of the archetypes using the Ocean Archetype Software and submission to the CKM repository; 3) creating an example template with Template Designer; and 4) automatic conversion of the openEHR-template into a readily usable EHR using VCIntegrator. The clinical concepts (among 17 clinical concepts not yet available in the CKM repository) chosen for further development were: body composition, diet plan, dietary nutrients, dietary supplements, dietary intake assessment, and Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST). So far, four archetypes were accepted for review in the CKM repository and a template was created and converted into an EHR. This study designed new openEHR-archetypes for nutrition management in cancer patients. These archetypes can be included in EHR. Future studies are needed to assess their applicability in other areas and their practical impact on data quality, system interoperability and, ultimately, on clinical practice and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) often experience malnutrition and weight loss, largely resulting from reduced dietary intake. The aim of this study was to identify determinants of reduced dietary intake in order to facilitate early recognition of malnutrition and optimise nutritional treatment.Methods: Data from nutritionDay, an international 1-day survey investigating patient, disease and food profiles, were used. To identify determinants of dietary intake, defined as normal vs. reduced in the last week, univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed.Results: Of 1131 hospitalised CRC patients, 54% reported reduced dietary intake. Patient- and disease-related characteristics significantly associated with reduced dietary intake were female gender (odds ratio (OR) 1.38), cancer stage III (OR 1.52) or IV (OR 1.70) vs. I, performance status 2 (OR 1.56), 3 (OR 2.37) or 4 (OR 4.15) vs. 0, duration since hospital admission of ≥ 4 days (OR 4-7 days, 1.91; 8-21 days, 1.97; > 21 days, 1.92) vs. < 4 days, and unintentional weight loss (OR 2.56). Additionally, higher symptom scores of pain, weakness, depression, tiredness and lack of appetite were associated with reduced intake.Conclusions: Patient- and disease-related determinants for reduced dietary intake were being female, higher cancer stage, worse performance status, duration since hospital admission ≥ 4 days and unintentional weight loss. Furthermore, multiple symptoms were associated with a reduced dietary intake. Future trials should assess whether early recognition of patients at risk of malnutrition and the combination of treating symptoms and dietary advice result in improved intake and treatment-related outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cancer patients, delivery of palliative care during anticancer treatment (i.e., concurrent care) leads to enhanced clinical outcome. Nutrition therapy is part of palliative care and, therefore, should be prescribed to prevent or treat cachexia. Effective nutrition therapy is based on a thorough assessment of weight loss history, eating behaviour, changes in appetite, and the presence of nutrition impact symptoms. By identifying a patient's needs, the delivery of nutritional care (i.e., counselling, supplements, enteral or parenteral nutrition according to the "maximal use of supportive therapy" approach) has greater likelihood to be highly effective. However, a careful monitoring programme, which includes periodical check of body weight, energy and protein intake, quality of life, ensures constant adaptation of nutritional care to the changing needs of cancer patients. Nutrition therapy is becoming a key component of cancer patients management. In this new role, nutrition therapy is key in allowing cancer patients to receive and complete treatments and in improving quality of life. Whether these effects also translate into longer survival remains to be demonstrated but preliminary results are encouraging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large sampling of Apulian red-figured pottery fragments (fifth to fourth century BC) coming from Taranto (Italy) was analyzed by a multi-technique approach. The ceramic bodies' elemental composition has been obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), the mineralogical composition of pastes by polarized-light optical and electron microscopies (OM and SEM-EDS), and X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD). The results obtained from the statistical treatment of compositional data, combined with those driven from mineralogical composition of pastes, allow to formulate hypotheses about the provenance of the objects and the manufacturing tradition of the workshops, starting to make it possible to understand the relationships among ceramic technology, artistic expression, and workshop practice in the samples analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three classes of medieval lead-tin-glazed ceramics (protomajolica, transition enamel pottery and white enamel pottery), from the archaeological site of Castello del Monte in Montella (Avellino, southern Italy), were investigated. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), optical and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (OM and SEM-EDS) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) were carried out on ceramic bodies, coatings and decorations in order to outline the technological features and define the nature of glazes and pigments. The aim of this work, in addition to delineating the features of production, is to confirm the archaeological hypothesis that transition enamel pottery produced between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, although having much in common with the protomajolica, is in fact a version of white enamel pottery, characterised by morphological and ornamental diversity. Our results show that both ceramic bodies and coatings feature different structural and compositional characteristics, linking the three ceramic classes and making it possible to confirm the archaeological hypothesis that transition enamel pottery can be defined as a ceramic class with transitional features between protomajolica and white enamel pottery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver-containing ferrimagnetic glass-ceramic (Ag-SC45) was synthesized by means of melt and quenching technique. Samples were subjected to morphological, compositional, structural analyses, ability to generate heat, magnetic measurements at high and low magnetic field and antibacterial test using S. aureus strain. The influence of silver introduction and the effect of annealing process were investigated. Morphological, compositional and structural analyses evidenced the formation of metallic silver particles embedded in the glass-ceramic. The hysteresis cycles showed slight differences in the hysteresis cycle area ratio and coercive field values as a function of the annealing treatment and of silver presence, while no difference was evidenced in the specific power loss. All samples demonstrated the ability to produce heat when exposed to an alternating magnetic field. Finally, preliminary antibacterial test showed that Ag-SC45 samples not subjected to annealing possessed an antibacterial effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares the shielding properties of superconducting (SC) and superimposed superconducting/ferromagnetic (SC/FM) systems, consisting of cylindrical cups with an aspect ratio of height/radius close to unity. Both bilayer structures, with the SC cup placed inside the FM one, and multilayer structures, made up of two SC and two FM alternating cups, have been considered. Induction magnetic field values have been calculated by means of a finite element model based on the vector potential formulation, simultaneously taking into account the non-linear properties of both the SC and FM materials. The analysis highlights that at low applied fields, the presence of a height difference between the edges of the SC/FM cups, as well as a suitable choice of the lateral gap between the cups, is a key factor in obtaining hybrid structures with a shielding potential comparable to, or even higher than, that of the single SC cup. In contrast, at high applied fields, all the hybrid arrangements investigated always provide much greater shielding factors than the SC cup alone. The computation results show that at both low and high applied fields, the multilayer solutions are the hybrid shields with the highest efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proposed geological itinerary connects a series of impressive outcrops distributed between the front and the inner portion of the Southern Apennine thrust belt. It offers the opportunity to visit some of the most interesting and best-exposed Southern Apennine geosites, inserted within landscapes typical of the different sectors of the thrust belt, in order to illustrate its geological evolution. The itinerary has been designed in such a way as to intersect different stacked tectonic units and a great variety of sedimentary successions whose age ranges from Triassic to Pleistocene. Each of the chosen geosite contains multidisciplinary geological information that may be of interest for researchers, but may be also appreciated by a general public interested in geology. In particular, the stratigraphy, the structural geology and the geomorphology are the most recurrently treated topics. Most of these outcrops extend for many hundreds or thousands of metres and include villages or mountain reliefs. Therefore, every single site can be considered as an areal geosite containing particular geological features. However, the largest geosite can also be observed in a panoramic view from suitable locations. Thus, each of these sites provides different evidence and when combined together provides an opportunity to understand the complex geological history of the Southern Apennines. The motivation for establishing this itinerary mostly resides in the great scientific interest of the chosen outcrops; this will hopefully facilitate their conservation and the development of geotourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer-associated malnutrition results from a deadly combination of anorexia, which leads to reduced food intake, and derangements of host metabolism inducing body weight loss, and hindering its reversal with nutrient supplementation. Cancer patients often experience both anorexia and weight loss, contributing to the onset of the clinical feature named as anorexia-cachexia syndrome. This condition has a negative impact upon patients' nutritional status. The pathogenesis of the anorexia-cachexia syndrome is multifactorial, and is related to: tumour-derived factors, host-derived factors inducing metabolic derangements, and side effects of anticancer therapies. In addition, the lack of awareness of cancer patients' nutritional issues and status by many oncologists, frequently results in progressive weight loss going undiagnosed until it becomes severe. The critical involvement of host inflammatory response in the development of weight loss, and, in particular, lean body mass depletion, limits the response to the provision of standard nutrition support. A novel nutritional and metabolic approach, named "parallel pathway", has been devised that may help maintain or improve nutritional status, and prevent or delay the onset of cancer cachexia. Such an approach may improve tolerance to aggressive anticancer therapies, and ameliorate the functional capacity and quality of life even in advanced disease stages. The "parallel pathway" implies a multiprofessional and multimodal approach aimed at ensuring early, appropriate and continuous nutritional and metabolic support to cancer patients in any phase of their cancer journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We perform electric double-layer gating experiments on thin films of niobium nitride. Thanks to a cross-linked polymer electrolyte system of improved efficiency, we induce surface charge densities as high as ≈ 2.8 × 10cm−2 in the active channel of the devices. We report a reversible modulation of the superconducting transition temperature (either positive or negative depending on the sign of the gate voltage) whose magnitude and sign are incompatible with the confinement of the perturbed superconducting state to a thin surface layer, as would be expected within a na¨ıve screening model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apulian red figured pottery is part of the most recognizable and appreciated artworks of Italian cultural heritage. The initial objective of the research was checking the non-authenticity of some parts of two important Apulian red figured vases, stored in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples and subjected, through the ages, to several unrecorded restorations. The results obtained, in addition to achieve the set goal, revealed the non-authenticity of the whole upper part of one of the two vases, supplied further knowledge on nineteenth century restoration techniques, for these vases never adequately described, but mostly underlined how the answers to the archeological questions can only arise from a detailed characterization of the materials, succeeded by a scientific multi-technique strategy. Specifically, the complete chemical-physical characterization of the samples was accomplished by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multi-analytical approach was used to investigate Roman lead-glazed ceramic artefacts from archaeological excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum (Italy) aiming at defining the production technology of both glaze and ceramic body, by way of integrated investigations. The chemical, structural, and micro-morphological characterisations were performed using a combination of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Fragments of artefacts (skyphoi, oil lamps, bowls, askoi, amphorae, krateres) of great historical and archaeological interest were sampled. LA-ICP-MS was used to determine the elemental composition by virtue of its effective lateral resolution, its ability to detect most elements and also to analyse comparably small samples. All the archaeological objects were coated with a lead-based glaze produced using a lead oxide-plus-quartz mixture, with sodium/potassium feldspars added as a flux and two different metals used: copper and iron. Two types of ceramic pastes have been identified, but chemometric techniques support the hypothesis of a Campanian provenance for the raw materials. Degradation phenomena such as the partial devitrification of the glaze, i.e. the slow structural reorganisation towards stable crystalline phases, and the leaching by mineral dissolution in the soil, were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glazed pottery with 'negative decoration' samples, dating back to the twelfth to thirteenth century ad and coming from three sites along the Adriatic coast, Siponto, Egnatia and Trani (Southern Italy) were characterized from physical-chemical, mineralogical and morphological points of view. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy investigations were carried out on ceramic bodies, pigments and glazes of the fragments. We aimed to outline the technological features, define the nature of decorations and coatings-glazes and engobes-and look for clues to hypothesize provenance. Results obtained show clear differences in raw materials and production technology between the impressed ceramic of Islamic tradition and the incised one of Byzantine tradition. Regarding the latter, evidences of a non-local origin can be found in the compositional diversity of raw materials used for the ceramic bodies of fragments decorated with spiral and pseudo-kufic motifs, which stressed the use of clays so far not recorded in Apulia. At the same time, at least in the case of Siponto, the compositional similarity of both ceramic bodies and materials used under the glaze for impressed ceramic and painted polychrome ceramics (RMR and protomaiolica), more likely local production, could suggest that both were produced in the same workshops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial distributions of magnetic field and of current density in superconductors are obtained, in real-time, by the magneto-optical imaging technique with an indicator film. Quantitative values of the local magnetic field and then of the local current density were achieved by a careful optical calibration and custom algorithms for the inversion of Biot-Savart law. An iterative procedure was developed for the correction of artifacts due to the coupling of the indicator film magnetization with the in-plane magnetic field generated by the superconducting sample. This technique is highly valuable when the sample under study has nonuniform properties. Several cases of such systems are shown. Particular attention is devoted to the local variation of structural and chemical properties by means of heavy-ion irradiation. A comparative study of swift-ion irradiation effects between cuprate and pnictide superconductors is addressed. For the case of cuprate materials, some successful applications of the heavy ion irradiation engineering are presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the magnetic shielding properties of a MgB/Fe hybrid structure consisting of two coaxial cups subjected to a magnetic field applied parallel to their axis. This study was performed to analyze the magnetic shield properties of a system contemporary exploiting the opposite magnetic properties of superconducting/ferromagnetic materials. The MgB cup was grown by a microwave-assisted Mg-infiltration technique that allows obtaining samples with different shapes and easily scalable sizes, meeting the requirements of different shielding applications. Measurements of mitigation of the magnetic induction were performed in applied magnetic field up to 1.5 T and in different positions along the cup axis at temperature T=20 K. A decrease of the shielding factor (SF) of the hybrid system with respect to the MgB cup alone turns out at low magnetic field. On the contrary, at higher magnetic field the superposition of the two cups increases the SF of the hybrid system up to 3 times over that one of the single MgB cup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer cachexia causes metabolic alterations with a marked effect on hepatic lipid metabolism. l-Carnitine modulates lipid metabolism and its supplementation has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy in many diseases. In the present study, the effects of l-carnitine supplementation on gene expression and on liver lipid metabolism-related proteins was investigated in cachectic tumour-bearing rats. Wistar rats were assigned to receive 1 g/kg of l-carnitine or saline. After 14 days, supplemented and control animals were assigned to a control (N), control supplemented with l-carnitine (CN), tumour-bearing Walker 256 carcinosarcoma (TB) and tumour-bearing supplemented with l-carnitine (CTB) group. The mRNA expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I and II (CPT I and II), microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP), fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha) and organic cation transporter 2 (OCTN2) was assessed, and the maximal activity of CPT I and II in the liver measured, along with plasma and liver triacylglycerol content. The gene expression of MTP, and CPT I catalytic activity were reduced in TB, who also showed increased liver (150%) and plasma (3.3-fold) triacylglycerol content. l-Carnitine supplementation was able to restore these parameters back to control values ( p < 0.05). These data show that l-carnitine preserves hepatic lipid metabolism in tumour-bearing animals, suggesting its supplementation to be of potential interest in cachexia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In elderly subjects, past researches have already underlined the role of nutritional status as a basic factor able to influence the prognosis either in acute wards or in rehabilitation and long-term care settings. Aim of the study is that of retrospectively verify, through a multivariate analysis, the factors able to condition mortality in long-term care, paying particular attention to the nutritional status. Methods: The survey included 513 patients aged more than 65 years admitted to a long-term care unit during a three years period Exitus within the first three months of hospitalization was considered the outcome variable, while baseline functional, cognitive, clinical and nutritional status were considered the independent variables eventually related to mortality. Results: The univariate analysis found that some variables were significantly correlated with the outcome: comorbidity, ADL, cognitive status, pressure sores, albumin, transferrin, CRP, mucoprotein, cholesterol, Cholinesterase, MAMC and MNA. The predictive value of the block model of the logistic regression analysis was 77.9% (specificity = 85.3%, sensitivity = 63.9%). With the forward stepwise analysis only MNA, Cholinesterase, CRP and mucoprotein were considered in the final model. In this case the predictive value of the model was 79.3% (specificity = 84.6%, sensitivity = 69.46%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral supplementation of a specific mixture of essential and non-essential amino acids has been shown to modulate hypercatabolism in patients with chronic heart failure, leading to improved clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to test whether such effects could be replicated in an acute clinical model of hypercatabolism. Methods: After approval by the Ethics Committee, patients with acute brain hemorrhage admitted to the Neurosurgical ICU were randomly assigned to receive enterally for 14 days 20% of their estimated nitrogen requirements as a standard protein supplement (control group; n = 9) or as a functional amino acid mixture (Aminotrofic, Errekappa Euroterapici; study group; n = 10). Metabolic and clinical outcome measures were monitored. Results: In the study group, insulin sensitivity and total lymphocyte count appeared to improve when compared with control patients. Less positive blood cultures were found in the study group against control patients (4 vs. 7, respectively; P = 0.05). Also, mortality in the study group was reduced than in control patients (60 vs. 77%; P = n.s.). Conclusions: Supplementation with specific amino acids in critically ill patients may modulate metabolic response and improve clinical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative imaging of the local magnetic field and of current density distribution in superconductors (with microscopic resolution over macroscopic length scales) is achieved by means of the Magneto-Optical Imaging technique with an indicator film. We exploit this technique to study the vortex arrangement and the corresponding supercurrent distribution in high temperature superconducting YBaCuO films. Several patterned superconducting films were studied, either non-simply connected structures, which imply macroscopic flux quantization, and superconductors whose local properties were tailored by means of confined heavy-ion irradiation. Moreover, by means of electrical transport measurements coupled with the real-time imaging of the magnetic pattern, it is directly shown how the local current distribution in patterned superconductors is affected by the electrical transport both in the Meissner and in the vortex regimes. The relevance of a controlled and localized dissipation induced by the confined vortex motion in tailored superconducting films is demonstrated for direct applications of this phenomenology to superconducting devices, such as magnetic field and photon detectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic shielding properties of MgB bulk samples synthesized by the SPS (Spark-Plasma-Sintering) technique were characterized in low applied magnetic fields at temperatures ranging from 20 to 37 K. The used growth technique allows one to produce this compound in different shapes and sizes required for shielding applications. In this framework, shielding magnetic-induction field profiles generated by MgB-based shield components, shaped as planar thick disks, were measured by means of a suitable Hall probe in-plane array. The magnetic field distribution at different vertical distances above the sample was also obtained by a micrometric motion of the probe ensemble. Magnetic field profiles were then analyzed in the framework of the critical state model and the critical current density, J, was evaluated. The J magnitude indicates that the material under test is a good candidate for passive magnetic shield manufacturing up to temperatures close to the transition one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer cachexia is characterised by metabolic alterations leading to loss of adipose tissue and lean body mass and directly compromises physical performance and the quality of life of cancer patients. In a murine cancer cachectic model, the effects of dietary supplementation with a specific combination of high protein, leucine and fish oil on weight loss, muscle function and physical activity were investigated. Male CD2F1 mice, 6-7 weeks old, were divided into body weight-matched groups: (1) control, (2) tumour-bearing, and (3) tumour-bearing receiving experimental diets. Tumours were induced by s.c. inoculation with murine colon adenocarcinoma (C26) cells. Food intake, body mass, tumour size and 24 h-activity were monitored. Then, 20 days after tumour/vehicle inoculation, the animals were killed and muscle function was tested ex vivo. Tumour-bearing mice showed reduced carcass, muscle and fat mass compared with controls. EDL muscle performance and total daily activity were impaired in the tumour-bearing mice. Addition of single nutrients resulted in no or modest effects. However, supplementation of the diet with the all-in combination of high protein, leucine and fish oil significantly reduced loss of carcass, muscle and fat mass (loss in mass 45, 52 and 65% of TB-con, respectively (P<0.02)) and improved muscle performance (loss of max force reduced to 55-64% of TB-con (P<0.05)). Moreover, total daily activity normalised after intervention with the specific nutritional combination (50% of the reduction in activity of TB-con (P<0.05)). In conclusion, a nutritional combination of high protein, leucine and fish oil reduced cachectic symptoms and improved functional performance in cancer cachectic mice. Comparison of the nutritional combination with its individual modules revealed additive effects of the single components provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotherapy-induced fatigue is a multidimensional symptom. Oxidative stress has been proposed as a working mechanism for anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. In this study, doxorubicin (DOX) was tested on skeletal muscle function. Doxorubicin induced impaired ex vivo skeletal muscle relaxation followed in time by contraction impediment, which could be explained by DOX-induced changes in Ca(2+) responses of myotubes in vitro. The Ca(2+) responses in skeletal muscle, however, could not be explained by oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of patients with advanced cancer are recognised by impaired immune competence influenced by several factors, including the type and stage of the tumour and the presence of cachexia. Recently, a specific nutritional combination containing fish oil, specific oligosaccharide mixture, high protein content and leucine has been developed aimed to support the immune system of cancer patients in order to reduce the frequency and severity of (infectious) complications. In a recently modified animal model cachexia is induced by inoculation of C26 tumour cells in mice. In a pre-cachectic state, no effect was observed on contact hypersensitivity, a validated in vivo method to measure Th1-mediated immune function, after adding the individual nutritional ingredients to the diet of tumour-bearing mice. However, the complete mixture resulted in significantly improved Th1 immunity. Moreover, in a cachectic state, the complete mixture reduced plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and beneficially affected ex vivo immune function. Accordingly, the combination of the nutritional ingredients is required to obtain a synergistic effect, leading to a reduced inflammatory state and improved immune competence. From this, it can be concluded that the specific nutritional combination has potential as immune-supporting nutritional intervention to reduce the risk of (infectious) complications in cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two kilns, one of which collapsed during firing cycle together with its entire pottery load, have been excavated at the Egnazia site in Southern Italy. To understand the reason for the collapse, ‘Broad Line’ typology pottery finds were analysed by complementary analytical techniques. Analytical results not only suggest as cause of collapse sudden overheating in kiln due to uncontrolled increases in temperature, but also indicate a good technological cycle from the recovery of raw materials to the manufacturing and firing process, which tends to disprove the common assumption of non-professional production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of superconducting electronics integrated with traditional silicon-based electronics we grew Si/YSZ/CeO2/YBa2Cu3O7-x architectures by means of the scalable magnetron sputtering growth technique. In this paper we report on structural, surface and electrical transport characterization of typical multilayers. We focus on the electrical transport characterization in the temperature range 18–30 K of c-axis YBa2Cu3O7-x films grown on top of several (001) oriented buffered substrates. The electric field vs. current density (E-J) curves exhibit step-like behaviour in correspondence to the transition between the non-dissipative and the flux-flow regimes. This trend is accompanied by the signature of linearly correlated pinning. On the other hand, in the flux-flow regime clear signatures of weak-link behaviour and current percolation are exhibited. In this complex framework possible future applications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present a magneto-optical analysis of local current densities in YBCO films, before and after 3.5 MeV proton irradiation. The main issue consists into measuring and interpreting the temperature dependence of the critical current density (Jc) in samples with different, increasing defect density. Proton irradiation adds more point defects into the as-grown films. The new defect density as well as the related strain-induced modifications of the order parameter are pushed in our experiment up to temperature-modulated damage thresholds. First of all model-independent Jc data were analysed in the framework of different pinning models, all of them based on mechanisms related to the temperature induced change of the effective pinning centre distribution as well as to the shape of single pinning wells. It turns out that in such a framework the fit parameters are, generally speaking, not suitable to interpret the changes of the pinning landscape across the whole investigated temperature range. Then a model based on a vortex distribution across the whole sample, resulting in a current density that mirrors the current through a defect-modulated average short Josephson junction (JJ) row, is successfully tried. The Jc dependence in the whole temperature range and for all the considered defect densities is accounted for by means of a coherent set of fit parameters. It turns out that the chief quantity that allows applying the JJ formalism to a vortex distribution across the defected matrix is a suitably defined temperature-dependent magnetic thickness of the junctions, which substitutes the usual magnetic penetration in JJs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present results from an extended magneto-optical (MO) analysis of two samples cut from high-density pellets of MgB2. The first sample was studied in order to show that no matter how large the sample is and despite the bulk granularity, the material enters into a critical state in a crystal-like fashion. The second sample was chosen for the quantitative analysis. A numerical approach based on an inverted 2D Biot-Savart model was used to calculate the current paths across the homogeneous polycrystalline bulk, as well as in the vicinity and across some morphological defects. Local current densities in the homogeneous part were estimated as a function of the applied magnetic field at different temperatures, in three regimes: below full penetration, at full penetration and above full penetration, respectively. A hypothesis of interpretation of the apparent absence of magnetic granularity inside the polycrystalline microstructure is presented. It is related to a critical state likely reached by a network of strongly coupled Josephson junctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: In obese patients, brain serotonergic stimulation via orally administered 5-hydroxy-tryptophan (5-HTP), the precursor of serotonin, causes decreased carbohydrate intake and weight loss. Since diabetes mellitus is associated with depressed brain serotonin, hyperphagia and carbohydrate craving, we hypothesized that in diabetic patients, orally administered 5-HTP stimulates brain serotonergic activity and thus normalizes eating behaviour. To test this hypothesis, we investigated whether in diabetic patients: 1) predicted brain serotonin concentrations are depressed as a result of decreased availability of the precursor, tryptophan; and 2) oral 5-HTP is effective in reducing energy and carbohydrate intake. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 25 overweight non-insulin dependent diabetic outpatients were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, and randomized to receive either 5-HTP (750 mg/d) or placebo for two consecutive weeks, during which no dietary restriction was prescribed. Energy intake and eating behaviour, as expressed by macronutrient selection, were evaluated using a daily diet diary. Plasma amino acid concentrations and body weight, as well as serum glucose, insulin and glycosylated haemoglobin were assessed. RESULTS: 20 patients (nine from the 5-HTP group and 11 from the Placebo group) completed the study. Brain tryptophan availability in diabetic patients was significantly reduced when compared to a group of healthy controls. Patients receiving 5-HTP significantly decreased their daily energy intake, by reducing carbohydrate and fat intake, and reduced their body weight. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm the role of the serotonergic system in reducing energy intake, by predominantly inhibiting carbohydrate intake, and suggest that 5-HTP may be safely utilized to improve the compliance to dietary prescriptions in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eighteen untreated cancer patients and ten sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers were studied. In all patients eating behavior was investigated by means of a specific questionnaire from which the presence of anorexia and anorexia-related symptoms was assessed. To investigate the role of tryptophan in cancer anorexia, fasting plasma and CSF levels of tryptophan and other neutral amino acids were assayed in patients and controls. Cancer patients showed abnormally high plasma free tryptophan levels. In case of patients with cancer anorexia a significant rise of the ratio in plasma between free and tryptophan/large neutral amino acids, competing with tryptophan for its brain entry, was observed. This increase was correlated to a consistent rise of CSF tryptophan levels suggesting a specific role of the serotoninergic system in the pathogenesis of cancer anorexia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutamine supplementation improves insulin sensitivity in critically ill patients, and prevents obesity in animals fed a high-fat diet. We hypothesized that glutamine supplementation favors weight loss in humans. Obese and overweight female patients (n=6) were enrolled in a pilot, cross-over study. After recording anthropometric (that is, body weight, waist circumference) and metabolic (that is, glycemia, insulinemia, homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)) characteristics, patients were randomly assigned to 4-week supplementation with glutamine or isonitrogenous protein supplement (0.5 g/KgBW/day). During supplementation, patients did not change their dietary habits nor lifestyle. At the end, anthropometric and metabolic features were assessed, and after 2 weeks of washout, patients were switched to the other supplement for 4 weeks. Body weight and waist circumference significantly declined only after glutamine supplementation (85.0±10.4 Kg vs 82.2±10.1 Kg, and 102.7±2.0 cm vs 98.9±2.9 cm, respectively; P=0.01). Insulinemia and HOMA-IR declined by 20% after glutamine, but not significantly so. This pilot study shows that glutamine is safe and effective in favoring weight loss and possibly enhancing glucose metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomic nervous system activity is involved in body weight regulation. We assessed whether the body mass index (BMI) is related to the autonomic nervous system activity as assessed by heart rate variability (HRV). Twenty-five adult normotensive, euglycemic healthy males (M) and females (F) were studied (M/F=13/12). BMI was assessed in each individual. HRV was assessed and the domains of low frequencies (LF, index of the sympathetic modulation) and high frequencies (HF, index of the parasympathetic modulation) were measured. Data were statistically analyzed and are presented as mean±s.d. Mean BMI did not correlate with either HF or LF. It inversely related to HF (r=−0.50, P<0.01), whereas its relationship with LF was marginally significant (r=−0.39, P=0.05). The HF in individuals with BMI <20 kg/m2 was significantly higher from those measured in the remaining subjects (P<0.05). The results support the role of parasympathetic activity in influencing BMI through likely modulation of body weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypogenic caves, developed by sulphuric acid speleogenesis, are known all over the world among which the Santa Cesarea Terme caves have been included. They are four submerged caves, located along a coastal carbonate sector in Southern Italy and hosting the outflow of coastal springs of thermal mixed waters (from 21 to 33 °C). These waters derive from the mixing of three water end members: the fresh pure groundwater of a wide karstic aquifer, the deep sulphur thermal water and the seawater. This cave system represents an almost unique case of hypogenic sea caves in carbonate environment. The thermal mixed waters have a different effect on the surrounding rocks of the caves, influencing the sulphuric acid speleogenetic process within the whole cave system. To understand the complex and overlapping natural processes acting on the development of these coastal caves, a multidisciplinary study has been carried out. This study has integrated all the data resulting from different methods and technologies, merging morphology, structural geology, hydrogeology, hydrogeochemistry and mineralogy. This multidisciplinary study has allowed to define the main geochemical processes acting within these caves, including the cave development and the formation of the mineral concretions. After the introduction of H2S in the thermal waters, formed by the reduction of sulphates in the sedimentary deposits crossed at depth in the offshore, the oxidation occurs within the caves, producing sulphuric acid. Favoured by upwelling deep-seated thermal flows, this acid dissolves the limestone, with condensation corrosion process that involve replacement of limestone rock with gypsum. This process has resulted to be more active and remarkable within the Gattulla Cave, one of the Santa Cesarea Terme sea caves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]