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The structural impact of ionic liquids was systematically investigated by assessing their behaviour as lubricant additives in two different biodegradable esters (refined rapeseed oil and synthetic ester). Cations were mainly based on derivatives of the tetraalkyl ammonium structure; the anions were alkyl sulfate, methyl sulfonate or bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. Miscibility experiments showed that ultrasound treatment yielded the most stable emulsions. X-ray fluorescence was employed to determine maximum concentrations, at which ionic liquids formed stable mixtures in the base oil, either dissolved or as self-stabilized emulsions. Steel/steel contacts lubricated with such saturated rapeseed oil blends were investigated in a reciprocating sliding tester at room temperature and at 100°C. For most anions, a significant reduction of friction and wear was found at ionic liquid concentrations of less than 0.1 weight%. At substantially higher concentrations, a destabilisation of the ionic liquid–ester mixtures was observed, which was accompanied by a loss of wear-preventive properties. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

We have developed a fast ultra HPLC with ion-trap TOF-MS method for the analysis of flavonoids in Citrus bergamia juice. With respect to the typical methods for the analysis of these matrices based on conventional HPLC techniques, a tenfold faster separation was attained. The use of a core-shell particle column ensured high resolution within the fast analysis time of only 5 min. Unambiguous determination of flavonoid identity was obtained by the employment of a hybrid ion-trap TOF mass spectrometer with high mass accuracy (average error 1.69 ppm). The system showed good retention time and peak area repeatability, with maximum RSD% values of 0.36 and 3.86, respectively, as well as good linearity (R(2) ≥ 0.99). Our results show that ultra HPLC can be a useful tool for ultra fast qualitative/quantitative analysis of flavonoid compounds in citrus fruit juices.

A tribological investigation of two ionic liquids (ILs) that could be used as potential lubricants for vacuum or space applications is presented. Their tribological behaviour was evaluated using a ball-on-flat oscillating reciprocating motion CaTri ultra-high vacuum (UHV) tribometer and the results were compared against those of a conventional perfluoropolyether (PFPE) vacuum lubricant. The thermal stability of the lubricants was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis before exposing them to UHV environment. The worn steel surfaces were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, optical and confocal microscope as well as scanning electron microscope. The tribological evaluations showed that ILs exhibited better friction reduction and anti-wear properties than the PFPE lubricant. The excellent tribological properties were attributed to the formation of a surface protective film composed of iron fluoride and iron phosphate, respectively, on the lubricated metal surfaces by a tribochemical reaction with the ILs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

BACKGROUND There is presently no effective therapy for relapsing, metastatic, androgen-independent prostate cancer. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibody–vehicled toxins (Immunotoxins, ITs) may be a promising novel treatment option for the management of prostate cancer in these cases. METHODS Three anti–prostate specific membrane antigen (anti-PSMA) monoclonals (J591, PEQ226.5, and PM2P079.1) were cross-linked to ricin A-chain (RTA; native or recombinant), and their cytotoxic effects were investigated in monolayer and three-dimensional (3-D) cell cultures of prostate carcinoma cells (LNCaP). RESULTS The various Immunotoxins showed effects in the nanomolar range (IC50s of 1.6–99 ng/ml) against PSMA+ cells (IC50 being the concentration inhibiting 50% cell proliferation or protein synthesis). PSMA− cell lines were 62- to 277-fold less sensitive to anti-PSMA ITs, evidencing an appreciable therapeutic window. Treatment with J591-smpt-nRTA (0.35–31.7ng/ml) resulted in complete eradication of 3-D tumor micromasses or in 1.46- to 0.35-log reduction of target cells number, depending on the dose. CONCLUSION Anti-PSMA ITs appear to be promising for use in the eradication of small prostate tumor cell aggregates present in tissues and in the bone marrow. Prostate 53: 9–23, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

ObjectiveTo investigate possible differences between Italian and Swedish men in health-related quality of life (HRQL) after cystectomy and orthotopic bladder substitution for bladder cancer. Patients and methodsThirty-three men in Padua, Italy and 33 in Lund, Sweden were assessed after respective mean postoperative periods of 42 and 52 months. Three questionnaires were used: (i) dealing with view-of-life issues; (ii) the core questionnaire QLQ-C30(+3) from the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cacncer, with added questions on urinary symptoms and sexuality; and (iii) one focusing on postoperative psychosocial and sexual adjustment. ResultsWhile Italian and Swedish men did not differ in their central values, they differed significantly in belief-related values, such as religion. Urinary prob-lems and erectile dysfunction were common in both groups, the former possibly commoner in the Swedish men and the latter in the Italians. Changes in mood and self-esteem were common in both groups. On a visual analogue scale, the Italian men reported a worse present mood than the Swedish men, but expressed a more favourable outlook on their future. ConclusionDespite differences in philosophical attitudes between Italian and Swedish men, there were no major differences in HRQL. Caution is required in interpreting these findings because there were few participants and the possible inadequacy of the methods used to evaluate the complex concept of quality of life.

To determine if body mass index (BMI = weight/height2), predictive of mortality in seriously ill hospitalized and institutionalized patients, is also predictive of mortality in a longitudinal epidemiologic study.A prospective cohort study.Rovereto, a town in northern Italy.A consecutive sample of 214 patients aged 81.2 +/- 7.3 years receiving community care services.Malnutrition and mortality.According to logistic regression analysis, malnutrition status, expressed by a BMI22 Kg/m2, was correlated with dependency in Activity of Daily Living (odds ratio 1.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.45). Only a low BMI was associated with 1-year survival in Cox regression analysis, after adjusting for potential confounders (relative risk 0.85; 95%CI, 0.74-0.97). A high BMI (27 Kg/m2) was not significantly related to risk of mortality.Nutrition variables are a cardinal component of comprehensive geriatric assessment. Our results suggest that BMI, a simple anthropometric measure of nutritional status, is an important predictor of mortality among older people living in the community. Even when controlling for clinical and functional variables, a low BMI remained a significant and independent predictor of shortened survival.

Monoclonal antibodies specific for protein markers of smooth muscle and nonmuscle cell differentiation were applied to cryosections of normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic human prostate specimens in order to determine whether differences in the distribution of target antigens could be detected among the various tissues. Immunofluorescence assays showed that vimentin, desmin, smooth-muscle-type alpha-actin, and both smooth muscle and nonmuscle myosin heavy chains do not change their patterns of labeling in the stromas of normal, BPH, and carcinomatous prostates. By contrast, cytokeratin 18, a differentiation marker of simple epithelia, and to a lesser extent cytokeratin 8, was consistently found in stromal tissue of the "transition zone", but only scarcely in the stroma of the "peripheral zone" from normal prostate, and was completely unexpressed in benign hyperplasia. Prostatic carcinoma from the "peripheral zone" expressed this cytoskeletal component only in trace amounts. Moreover, in prostate showing coexistence of hyperplasia and neoplasia (in the "peripheral zone"), the stroma of BPH closely resembled the stroma surrounding the carcinoma; that is, it was completely unreactive with the anti-cytokeratin 18 antibody. Expression of cytokeratins in extraepithelial tissues has been previously correlated with the achievement of a proliferative state, notably in embryogenesis, in tissue regeneration, and in various pathological forms of proliferation and growth, including some tumors of mesenchymal origin. Our results indicate the following: (1) cells in the stromal tissue of normal prostate are of smooth muscle type and are heterogeneous as concerns cytokeratin distribution; (2) we show, for the first time, the existence of a marker that is differentially distributed in the "transition" versus "peripheral" zone; (3) the expression of cytokeratins in the stroma is lost with the development of hyperplasia and only partially recovers with neoplasia; (4) the pattern of stromal tissue, concerning cytokeratin 18 expression, does not change with different BPH locations ("transition" versus "peripheral" zone); and (5) contrary to expectations, cytokeratin 18 expression disappears in conditions presumably involving stromal cell proliferation.

Objectives: Endometrial polyps in asymptomatic postmenopausal women are present in 15–20% of patients. The prevalence of preand malignant endometrial lesion on atrophic endometrium in this group has been recently estimated to be 1.6% and 0.2%, respectively (Ferrazzi et al., AJOG 2009). The objective of this 10 year study was to observe the natural history of endometrial polyps on atrophic endometrium (thickness ≤4 mm) in asymptomatic postmenopausal women. Methods: 396 asymptomatic postmenopausal women with sonographic diagnosis of endometrial polyp were prospectively recruited. Patients on HRT and/or TMX treatment were excluded. All patients underwent transvaginal sonography (TVS) with color power Doppler (CD) evaluation, and sonohysterography (SHG). Sonographic follow-up at 3, 6, 12 and every 12 months was proposed as an option to standard hysteroscopic polypectomy. Surgery was considered in case of a high blood flow score (color score 3–4 according to IETA definitions), or in case of bleeding and/or volume growth >50% at follow-up. Demographic, sonographic and surgical data were recorded. Results: Sonographic follow-up was chosen by 292 patients (group A). 32 patients were lost at follow-up. 40 patients underwent surgery because of drop-out, uterine bleeding or increased volume at follow up, or for other gynaecological indications. Two endometrial cancers were diagnosed after uterine bleeding at 16 and 69 months of followup, respectively. In group B, surgical removal was performed in 104 patients by hysteroscopic polipectomy. One pre-malignant lesion was found in surgically treated patients (simple hyperplasia with focal atypia confirmed at hysterectomy). Conclusions: This observational study adds evidence to the feasibility of a conservative management of asymptomatic polyps. Monitoring criteria by using TVS, CD and SHG assessment need to be established.

sonohysterography & invited to enter the SISES study. Ninetyeight patients were prospectively recruited. SISES was performed at the end of sonohysterography using a Uterine Explora II Curette at the sight of the endometrial abnormality or at a representative site in the uterine cavity if the endometrial cavity was normal. The histopathologic diagnoses of EMB & SISES were compared to a gold-standard pathological diagnosis obtained on hysteroscopyD&C or hysterectomy specimen. Kappa values for the two different sampling techniques were compared. Results: Eighty-eight SISES samples were obtained. The Kappa between SISES & final pathology was 0.37 (0.20, 0.53). When comparing EMB to final pathology diagnoses, the Kappa was only 0.13 (−0.03, 0.29). EMB underestimated the incidence of pathology, especially when focal lesions & malignancy were present. This difference was statistically significant, with a P-value of 0.0448. Sonohysterography outperformed both sampling techniques, with a Kappa of 0.74 (0.63, 0.86).

Histological and chemical studies were carried out on the elastin and collagen content of the normal and the obstructed urinary bladder wall. The observations were made on 3 different age groups: (1) 3-month-old children with vesical outlet obstruction, (2) children aged between 4 and 8 years with partial vesical obstruction, and (3) adults with a chronically obstructed bladder. An increase in elastic tissue was shown only in the newborn and in the adults. The collagen did not vary in any of the cases studied. The elastin showed an increase in polar amino acids in the pathological organs compared with the normal. A similar increase in elastin was observed in normal individuals as a result of the ageing process.

Using chemical and histochemical techniques, it has been possible to calculate the exact amount and distribution of the elastin in normal and abnormal ureters in children. From the quantitative analyses, it has been calculated that in the dilated ureters the elastin content represents the 3% to 5% of the organic material, while in the normal ureters it is less than 1%.

Several articles describing the natural history of Peyronie's Disease have shown that untreated patients seem to have spontaneous improvement. We have reviewed our past experience, trying to clarify this issue. We report on 41 selected patients, with a mean follow-up of eight years. Our findings indicate that we cannot accept the optimism of the recent literature. We analyzed those factors that we have found to be important when making a judgment about this disease and that have not been taken into account by others: deficit of erections, mechanical difficulty during coitus, altered quality of intercourse, etc. We conclude that Peyronie's Disease is a sexually disabling disease.

The surgical technique described by Nesbit was used to correct congenital curvature of the penis in 29 men. In 27 subjects the operation was successful, while in two patients a recurrence of the condition required a second surgical treatment. The present report also includes a discussion of some aspects of differntial diagnosis between asymmetry of the corpora cavernosa, chordee without hypospadia, and congenital short urethra.