Search

We describe a case of collodion baby diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound. Classic signs (ectropion, flattened nose, and eclabion) were detected on routine ultrasound at 21 weeks of gestation. At birth, the presence of collodion membrane was confirmed and subsequently, the diagnosis of an autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis due to compound heterozygosity of the TGM1 gene was made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of gender differences in the financial domain is gaining increasing attention as evidenced by the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Previous research has highlighted the existence of a gender divide in many economic issues; however, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding of the psychological aspects of money management. This systematic scoping review aims to fill this gap by outlining gender differences in money attitudes and money management practices, adopting the Scientific Procedures and Rationales for Systematic Literature Reviews protocol as methodological guideline. An extensive analytical strategy was employed on Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and EconLit to identify 100 empirical papers on the topic, published between 1972 and 2021. The analysis revealed clear differences in how men and women approach to money from a symbolic and attitudinal perspective, whereas evidence of money management practices is more complex and sometimes conflicting. Men and women hold different conceptions of money, with men often looking at it as a symbol of success and power and women holding more ambivalent attitudes toward money as both a source of anxiety and a means to ensure security and prove their love. As far as for financial behaviors studies indicate that both genders have similar approaches to savings and expenses monitoring, while financial investments are primarily pursued by men. Future directions and suggestions for private and public institutions are discussed, highlighting research advancements and implications for gender empowerment programs and customized communications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Hereditary transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis (ATTRv) is a dominantly inherited, adult‐onset, progressive, and fatal disease caused by mutations in the transthyretin gene. Therapeutic agents approved for this disease include the TTR stabilizer tafamidis and the gene‐silencing drugs patisiran and inotersen. Inotersen is an antisense oligonucleotide that suppresses the hepatic production of transthyretin. After European Medical Agency approval in 2018, an early‐access program was opened in Italy, and in this article, we present the long‐term outcome of a cohort of Italian ATTRv patients who received inotersen within this program. Methods: This is a multicenter, observational, retrospective study of patients affected by ATTRv that started inotersen during the early‐access program. The primary end point was safety. Secondary end points included change from baseline in familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) stage, Polyneuropathy Disability, Neuropathy Impairment Scale, Compound Autonomic Dysfunction Test, Norfolk Quality of Life–Diabetic Neuropathy, troponin, N‐terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide, interventricular septum thickness, and body mass index. Results: In total, 23 patients were enrolled. No patient permanently discontinued the treatment because of thrombocytopenia, and no cases of severe thrombocytopenia were observed. Five patients discontinued the treatment permanently because of voluntary withdrawal (two patients), renal failure after infective pyelonephritis, not related to inotersen, drug‐related hypotension, and amyloid‐negative crescentic glomerulonephritis. In seven patients, dosing frequency was reduced to every 2 weeks due to recurrent thrombocytopenia. Considering the FAP stage, only two patients worsened, whereas the other 21 patients remained stable until the last follow‐up available. Conclusions: The long‐term safety profile of inotersen is favorable. Neurologic disease severity at baseline is the main factor associated with progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidentally diagnosed, asymptomatic, paranasal fungus ball might occasionally undergo spontaneous healing. Accurate preoperative workup may avoid unnecessary surgical or anesthesiological procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early diagnosis of congenital heart defect (CHD) increased in the last two decades, following technological evolution. A recent meta‐analysis (Yu, 2020), on diagnostic accuracy in ultrasound detection of major CHD in the first trimester of pregnancy, reported an overall sensitivity of 75%. Ultrasound imaging of this case refers to a tricuspid valve dysplasia with right atriomegaly and pulmonary valve atresia diagnosed in a 13‐week gestational‐age fetus with low risk for chromosomal abnormalities. To our knowledge, this is the first case describing such features in the first trimester. We believe the precocity and severity of onset make this a case of diagnostic interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the efficacy, and the acute and late toxicity of hypofractionated radiotherapy (Hypo‐RT), and the impact of age and comorbidities on disease progression and death in elderly breast cancer (BC) patients. Women aged ≥65 years who received Hypo‐RT (42.4 Gy in 16 fractions, plus a boost for high‐risk patients) were considered for the present analysis. Competing risk analysis was used to estimate the 5‐year cumulative incidence of BC progression and BC‐related death, calculating the adjusted subhazard ratios (SHR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) in relation to age, hypertension‐augmented Charlson Comorbidity Index (hCCI), tumor characteristics, and chemotherapy. The sample included 794 patients with a median age of 74 years (range 65‐91 years). At the baseline, 70% of these patients had at least one comorbidity. With a median follow‐up of 48.3 months, the 5‐year cumulative incidence of BC progression and BC‐related death was 6.7% (95%CI 4.8%‐9.2%) and 2.3% (95%CI 1.2%‐3.9%), respectively. Old age (≥80 years) and a high burden of comorbidity (hCCI ≥ 2) were independently associated with BC progression. Hypo‐RT is safe in elderly BC patients, but age and comorbidities influence BC progression. Further studies are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient ‐ centred care has been advocated as a key component of high ‐ quality patient care, yet its meanings and related actions have been difficult to ascertain. Objective: To map the use of different terms related to the process of giving patients a starring role in their own care and clarify the possible boundaries between terms that are often mixed. Methods: A literature search was conducted using different electronic databases. All records containing the search terms ‘patient engagement’, ‘patient activation’, ‘patient empowerment’, ‘patient involvement’, ‘patient adherence’, ‘patient compliance’ and ‘patient participation’ were collected. Identified literature was then analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The number of yearly publications, most productive countries, cross ‐ concepts articles and various scientific fields dealing with the multidisciplinary concepts were identified. Results: Overall, 58 987 papers were analysed. Correspondence analysis revealed three temporal trends. The first period (2002–2004) focused on compliance and adherence, the second period (2006–2009) focused on the relationship between participation and involvement, and the third one (2010–2013) emphasized empowerment. Patient activation and patient engagement followed the temporal development trend connected to the ‘immediate future’. Discussion and conclusions: The bibliometric trend suggests that the role of patient in the health ‐ care system is changing. In the last years, the patient was viewed as a passive receptor of medical prescription. To date, the need to consider patients as active partners of health ‐ care planning and delivery is growing. In particular, the term patient engagement appears promising, not only for its increasing growth of interest in the scholarly debate, but also because it offers a broader and better systemic conceptualization of the patients’ role in the fruition of health care. To build a shared vocabulary of terms and concepts related to the active role of patients in the health ‐ care process may be envisaged as the first operative step towards a concrete innovation of health ‐ care organizations and systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detailed analyses based on mass and energy balances of lignite-fired air-blown gasification-based combined cycles with CO2 pre-combustion capture are presented and discussed in this work. The thermodynamic assessment is carried out with a proprietary code integrated with Aspen Plus® to carefully simulate the selective removal of both H2S and CO2 in the acid gas removal station. The work focuses on power plants with two combustion turbines, with lower and higher turbine inlet temperatures, respectively, as topping cycle. A high-moisture lignite, partially dried before feeding the air-blown gasification system, is used as fuel input. Because the raw lignite presents a very low amount of sulfur, a particular technique consisting of an acid gas recycle to the absorber, is adopted to fulfill the requirements related to the presence of H2S in the stream to the Claus plant and in the CO2-rich stream to storage. Despite the operation of the H2S removal section representing a significant issue, the impact on the performance of the power plant is limited. The calculations show that a significant lignite pre-drying is necessary to achieve higher efficiency in case of CO2 capture. In particular, considering a wide range (10-30 wt.%) of residual moisture in the dried lignite, higher heating value (HHV) efficiency presents a decreasing trend, with maximum values of 35.15% and 37.12% depending on the type of the combustion turbine, even though the higher the residual moisture in the dried coal, the lower the extraction of steam from the heat recovery steam cycle. On the other hand, introducing the specific primary energy consumption for CO2 avoided (SPECCA) as a measure of the energy cost related to CO2 capture, lower values were predicted when gasifying dried lignite with higher residual moisture content. In particular, a SPECCA value as low as 2.69 MJ/kgCO2 was calculated when gasifying lignite with the highest (30 wt.%) residual moisture content in a power plant with the advanced combustion turbine. Ultimately, focusing on the power plants with the advanced combustion turbine, air-blown gasification of lignite brings about a reduction in HHV efficiency equal to almost 1.5 to 2.8 percentage points, depending on the residual moisture in the dried lignite, if compared with similar cases where bituminous coal is used as fuel input. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores an original data set identifying French agri-food firms certified with two European private standards: the International Food Standard and/or the British Retail Consortium standard ( BRC). Certified firms complying with such requirements are able to supply some European retailers with products sold under their retailers' own private label. Our analysis revealed that certified firms were among the biggest and most productive firms in the sample. Then, based on recent developments in international economics, we propose a modification of Chaney's model and estimations to test for the hypothesis that entering retailer networks reduces export costs faced by certified firms to access European union ( EU) markets. After controlling for size and productivity effects, model estimations show that French firms who adopt BRC and enter the corresponding network benefit from better access through a significant decrease in their entry costs to certain EU markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the method of repairing fractures in the orbital medial wall with the help of the endoscopic endonasal repair technique by using polyethylene implants. A detailed description of the process and patient considerations is presented, which include head and neck examination, conduction of standard radical anteroposterior ethmoidectomy and removal of the fractured lamina papyracea. A detailed discussion on the matter is also presented.

To date, little is known about the unique contributions of specialized human DC subsets to protection against tuberculosis ( TB). Here, we focus on the role of human plasmacytoid (p) DCs and myeloid (m) DCs in the immune response to the TB vaccine bacille Calmette- Guérin ( BCG). Ex vivo DC subsets from human peripheral blood were purified and infected with BCG expressing GFP to distinguish between infected and noninfected cells. BDCA-1+ myeloid DCs were more susceptible than BDCA-3+ m DCs to BCG infection. Plasmacytoid DCs have poor phagocytic activity but are equipped with endocytic receptors and can be activated by bystander stimulation. Consequently, the mutual interaction of the two DC subsets in response to BCG was analyzed. We found that p DCs were activated by BCG-infected BDCA-1+ m DCs to upregulate maturation markers and to produce granzyme B, but not IFN-α. Reciprocally, the presence of activated p DCs enhanced mycobacterial growth control by infected m DCs and increased IL-1β availability. The synergy between the two DC subsets promoted BCG-specific CD8+ T-cell stimulation and the role of BCG-infected BDCA-1+ m DCs could not be efficiently replaced by infected BDCA-3+ m DCs in the crosstalk with p DCs. We conclude that m DC-p DC crosstalk should be exploited for rational design of next-generation TB vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the study To present the results of a prospective study on the management of infectious complications following maxillary sinus floor elevation procedures with a combined endoscopic ( FESS) and intra-oral approach. Materials and methods From 2005 to 2009, twenty consecutive patients were diagnosed for sinusal chronic infectious complications refractory to medical treatment following maxillary sinus floor elevation and grafting procedures. All patients were treated with a combination of functional endoscopic sinus surgery ( FESS) through a transnasal approach and an intra-oral approach, performed by an ear, nose, and throat team and an oral and maxillofacial team, respectively, in the same surgical session under general anesthesia. Results In 16 of 20 patients, the 4-week endoscopic control demonstrated a complete clinical healing and recovery of the normal sinus ventilation and drainage. In two patients, the persisting sinusitis at the 4-week control was successfully treated (8th week) with an antibiotic therapy based on the antibiogram carried out on the bacterial culture obtained by the aspiration of the sinusal content. In one patient, the persisting sinusitis (3 months after surgery) was successfully treated with the aspiration of the infectious material from the maxillary sinus. In one patient, finally, it was necessary to perform a second combined surgical treatment to treat the persisting sinusitis. Discussion and conclusions In this study, a relevant number of cases of chronic infectious complications following sinus floor elevation procedures are presented. To the authors' knowledge, it is the first time that well-defined treatment protocols based on a combined endoscopic ( FESS) and intra-oral surgical approach are proposed. The positive, albeit preliminary, results obtained in this study seem to validate this treatment modality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss structural models based on Merton's framework. First, we observe that the classical assumptions of the Merton model are generally rejected. Secondly, we implement a structural credit risk model based on stable non-Gaussian processes as a representative of subordinated models in order to overcome some drawbacks of the Merton one. Finally, following the KMV-Merton estimation methodology, we propose an empirical comparison between the results obtained from the classical KMV-Merton model and the stable Paretian one. In particular, we suggest alternative parameter estimation for subordinated processes, and we optimize the performance for the stable Paretian model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormal postures of the trunk are a typical feature of Parkinson's disease (PD). These include Pisa syndrome (PS), a tonic lateral flexion of the trunk associated with slight rotation along the sagittal plane. In this study we describe clinical, electromyographic (EMG), and radiological features of PS in a group of 20 PD patients. All patients with trunk deviation underwent EMG and radiological (RX and CT scan) investigation. Clinical characteristics of patients with PS were compared with a control group of PD patients without trunk deviation. PD patients with PS showed a significantly higher score of disease asymmetry compared with the control group. In the majority of patients with PS, trunk bending was contralateral to the side of symptom onset. EMG showed abnormal tonic hyperactivity on the side of the deviation in the paravertebral thoracic muscles and in the abdominal oblique muscles. CT of the lumbar paraspinal muscles showed muscular atrophy more marked on the side of the deviation, with a craniocaudal gradient. PS may represent a complication of advanced PD in a subgroup of patients who show more marked asymmetry of disease and who have detectable hyperactivity of the dorsal paravertebral muscles on the less affected side. This postural abnormality deserves attention and proper early treatment to prevent comorbidities and pain. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates the impact of increasing imports on the reallocation of agrifood production across regions within countries. From French data for the period 1995–2002, we show that regional agrifood production adjusts differently to increasing imports according to the region where the agrifood firms are located. Even though proximity to consumers is important, an increase in agrifood imports does not increase agrifood production with a high demand but makes low-wage regions more attractive. In addition, an increase in imports of agricultural products processed by agrifood firms leads to the reallocation of agrifood production away from regions with good agricultural access and toward those with limited access to agricultural products. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aging is a process where histochemical changes occur. Some of these may consist of age-dependent loss of expression of some cell markers. Conversely, cell markers not expressed in young animals may be detectable in their older counterparts. Histochemical age changes in carbohydrate profiles in the spinal cord have not been documented. In order to fill this information gap lectin histochemistry and image analysis were used to characterize the histochemical age changes occurring in the cervical segments of the rat spinal cord. From a battery of 11 lectins, the more important age changes were detected with Glicine maximus (SBA)-lectin. Thus, SBA-lectin neuronal staining which was moderately positive in the cervical segments of young animals was negative in old rats. In contrast the same lectin which did not react with the ependyma of young animals strongly bound to the ependyma of senescent rats. None of the tested lectins bound to glial cells, either in young or old animals. In no case the senile animals evidenced anatomopathological changes. We conclude that although in the aged spinal cord changes in lectin histochemical binding patterns occur, they do not reflect a pathologic situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article identifies the factors that lead multinational firms to internalize their international exchanges and aims to determine the impact of the implementation of the Single European Market on firms' strategies. We analyze the interaction between the microeconomic characteristics of firms and those of their environment because this interaction determines a multinational firm's decision to internalize trade. The empirical work is based on the ‘industrial globalization’ survey conducted by the French statistics institutes in 1993 and 1999. With regard to the French agri-food trade, there has been an increase in intra-firm (IFT) trade within the EU-15 borders and the European multinational networks. The main determinants of intra-firm trade are the firms' need to generate economies of scale and to protect and exploit their ‘firm-specific advantages’ related to the technology and nature of the product. The model sheds light on the role and the development of intra-regional networks of subsidiaries. [JEL classifications: F10, F14, F23]. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mouse memory T cell precursors express IL-7 receptor-α (IL-7R), proliferate with homeostatic cytokines and undergo secondary expansions with antigen. Here, we analyzed how the strength of antigenic stimulation regulates IL-7R expression, cytokine responsiveness and expansion potential of DC-primed human CD4 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Migration of oral implants displaced in the maxillary sinus toward the sphenoid sinus is an extremely rare event. This case report is focused on the possibility of treating such a rare complication by means of endoscopic treatment through the nasal cavity. Material and methods: A 45-year-old female patient received one oral implant for the substitution of the left first upper molar, but during the surgical procedure the implant was displaced in the maxillary sinus. Owing to a delay in treatment, a spontaneous migration of the implant in the sphenoid sinus occurred. Results: The implant was removed endoscopically through the nasal cavity: postoperative recovery was uneventful. Conclusion: To the authors' knowledge, this case represents the first report concerning migration of an oral implant into the sphenoid sinus and demonstrates the reliability and safety of an endoscopically driven surgical removal of the foreign body, thus preventing potential complications with extremely low postoperative morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Over and above typical motor alterations, executive and working memory (WM) impairment can also occur in early idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to investigate the compensatory neural processes involved in WM performance, as well as the networks involved in the long-term memory transfer from short-term stores in PD. Methods: Relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was mapped with H2O(15)-PET in eight treated nondemented PD patients while performing a WM verbal double-task (Brown-Peterson paradigm) using both short (6-second) and long (18-second) delays. Results: As compared to nine age-matched healthy subjects, performance of the PD group was only slightly reduced on the short-delay but markedly impaired on the long-delay task. Underlying the relatively preserved short-delay performance, the PD group exhibited overactivation of prefrontal and parietal areas involved in attention-demanding processes, suggestive of efficient compensatory processes. Further supporting this, significant positive correlations were found between short-delay performance and rCBF in the bilateral inferior parietal cortex. In contrast, the lack of overactivation with the long-delay task together with posterior cingulate hypoactivation would support the idea of functional disconnection impairing transfer of information from prefrontal onto (para)limbic areas. These findings suggest novel areas of investigation into early cognitive impairments in PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article deals with a study that investigated prognostic factors and clinical outcome of myxoid/round cell and pleomorphic liposarcoma. The subjects were patients with localized myxoid/round cell or pleomorphic liposarcoma who underwent surgery at the Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori in Milan, Italy. The results indicate that pathologic grade and histologic subtype influenced distant metastases.

Immature dendritic cells (DC) infected with an endotheliotropic (Huv) and leukotropic (Leuk) human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) strain were used as a stimulus to determine functional HCMV-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells. Infected DC were co-cultured with autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells and both arms of T cell activation were determined by intracellular flow cytometry analysis of IFN-γ production. Efficient stimulation of HCMV-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell responses was achieved using DC productively infected with Huv Leuk VR1814 strain. On the contrary, a negligible CD8 T cell response was obtained when HCMV strains unable to infect DC, or DC pulsed with inactivated viral antigen, were used. HCMV specificity of the T cell response was confirmed in 46 HCMV-seropositive and 8 HCMV-seronegative healthy subjects. A cut-off was established to discriminate between immune and nonimmune subjects. The novel ex vivo assay enables the simultaneous evaluation of HCMV-specific CD4 and CD8 T cell responses and may be a useful tool for monitoring HCMV-specific T cell activity in immunocompromised transplanted patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is assumed widely that the clinical expression of Parkinson's Disease (PD), both motor and cognitive, is subtended by topographically distributed brain networks. However, little is known about the functional neuroanatomy of executive dysfunction in PD. Our objective was to validate further in a PD group the use of network analysis to assess the relationship between executive processes and pathological disorganization of frontostriatal networks. We studied 15 patients with idiopathic PD, and 7 age-matched normal controls, using resting [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and high-resolution positron emission tomography (PET). We carried out network analysis on regional metabolic data to identify specific covariation patterns associated with motor and executive dysfunction. We detected two independent patterns relating respectively to the two clinical abnormalities. The first pattern (principal component 1) was topographically similar to that described previously in other PD populations. Subject scores for this pattern discriminated patients from controls and correlated significantly with bradykinesia ratings ( P = 0.013, r = 0.655) in PD patients. The second pattern (principal component 2) was characterized by relative ventromedial frontal, hippocampal, and striatal hypometabolism, associated with mediodorsal thalamic hypermetabolism. In the PD group, scores from this pattern correlated with scores on the conditional associative learning (CAL; P = 0.01, r = 0.690) and the Brown Peterson paradigm (BPP; P = 0.017, r = −0.651) tests, respectively assessing strategy and planning, and working memory. According to these findings, the networks subserving bradykinesia and executive dysfunction in PD seems to be topographically distinct and to involve different aspects of subcortico-cortical processing. Hum. Brain Mapping 22:236-245, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Agri-Food Exports to the CEECs: Winners and Losers from EU Enlargement The accession of the CEEC-4 to the EU will enlarge its customs union and thus influence trade flows. The article examines likely changes in agri-food trade flows and identifies the sensitive areas for future WTO negotiations on market access issues, including the potential for compensation claims by trading partners. We estimate that total CEEC-4 agri-food imports will increase by about 9.3 per cent. Processed food imports will rise by over 14 per cent but raw commodities by only about 3.5 per cent. There are contrasting effects among the CEEC-4. Poland and Hungary can expect significant increases in imports while the Czech and Slovak Republics will experience slight decreases. Thus, depending on the success of their support programs for structural adjustment, Poland and Hungary may wish to negotiate transitional arrangements for the adoption of tariffs in order to protect the most sensitive sectors. The EU, the major trading partner of the CEEC-4, will gain the most, especially Germany, while third countries will suffer comparatively small losses. We estimate that, except for limited impacts on banana and rice imports from Latin America and Asia, the forthcoming enlargement should not raise problems for third countries in the framework of the WTO negotiations on market access issues. It is likely that the EU will be able relatively easily to compensate developing country losers. Les exportations agroalimentaires vers les pays de la Communauté Européenne: les gagnants et les perdants de l'élargissement de L'Union Européenne L'accession de quatre pays d'Europe Centrale et Orientale (PECO) à l'Union Européenne élargira son union douanière et aura ainsi un impact sur les flux commerciaux. L'article examine les changements que cela peut entraîner dans les flux du commerce agroalimentaire et identifie les thèmes sensibles cies négociations futures de l'OMC sur les problèmes d'accès au marchè, y compris les possibilités de demandes d'indemnisations par les partenaires commerciaux. On estime que les importations agroalimentaires totales des quatre PECO augmenteront d'environ 9,3 pour cent. Les importations d'aliments transformés augmenteront de plus de 14 pour cent, mais les produits de base de seulement 3,5 pour cent environ. Les effets diffèrent entre ces quatre pays. La Pologne et la Hongrie peuvent espérer des augmentations significatives de leurs importations, tandis que les Républiques tchèque et slovaque connaîtront de légères diminutions. Ainsi, en function de la réussite de leurs programmes de soutien à l'ajustement structurel, la Pologne et la Hongrie peuvent espérer négocier des mesures transitoires pour l'adoption de droits de douane afin de protéger les secteurs les plus sensibles. L'Union Européenne, partenaire commercial le plus important des quatre PECO, et en son sein l'Allemagne, gagnera le plus, tandis que les pays tiers subiront, par comparaison, des pertes faibles. L'on estime que, mis à part un impact limité sur les importations de bananes et de riz en provenance d'Amérique Latine et d'Asie, l'élargissement futur ne devrait pas poser de problèmes pour les pays tiers dans le cadre des négociations de l'OMC sur les problèmes d'accès au marché. Il est probable que l'Union Européenne arrivera assez aisément à indemniser les pays en voie de développement qui seront perdants. Agrar-und Lebensmittelexporte Ernährungswirtschaft in die MOEL: Gewinner und Verlierer der EU-Erweiterung Mit dem Beitritt der mittel- und osteuropäischen Länder (MOEL) zur EU erweitert sich die Zollunion, und somit beeinflusst dies ebenfalls die Handelsströme. In diesem Artikel werden die zu erwartenden Veränderungen hinsichtlich der Handelsströme bei Produkten der Agrar-und Ernährungswirtschaft untersucht und die für die zukünftigen WTO-Verhandlungen heiklen Fragen zum Marktzugang herausgestellt, wie zum Beispiel potenzielle Ausgleichsforderungen der Handelspartner. Unseren Schätzungen zu Folge werden die Importe der Agrar- und Ernährungswirtschaft aus den MOEL um ca, 9,3 Prozent zunehmen. Die Importe von weiterverarbeiteten Nahrungsmitteln werden um über 14 Prozent zunehmen, die Importe von Roherzeugnissen jedoch nur um ca. 3,5 Prozent. Innerhalb der MOEL kommt es zu gegenläufigen Effekten. Polen und Ungarn können von signifikanten Importzuwächsen ausgehen, während für die Tschechische und die Slowakische Republik cine rückläufige Entwicklung zu erwarten ist. Daher könnten Polen und Ungarn - je nachdem, welchen Erfolg ihre Subventionsprogramme zur strukturellen Anpassung aufweisen - den Wunsch äußern, Übergangsregelungen für die Zollübernahme auszuhandeln, um die anfälligsten Sektoren zu schützen. Die EU als der bedeutendste Handelspartner der MOEL wird dabei am meisten profitieren, vor allem Deutschland, während Drittländer vergleichsweise geringe Verluste erleiden werden. Wenn von begrenzten Auswirkungen auf die Bananen- und Reisimporte aus Lateinamerika und Asien einmal abgesehen wird, sollte die bevorstehende Erweiterung für Drittländer keine Probleme im Rahmen der WTO-Verhandlungen hinsichtlich des Marktzugangs aufwerfen. Wahrscheinlich wird es für die EU vergleichsweise einfach sein, die voraussichtlich Verluste erleidenden Länder zu entschädigen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Recovery of total T cell numbers after in vivo T-cell depletion in humans is accompanied by complex perturbation within the CD8+ subset. We aimed to elucidate the reconstitution of CD8+ T cells by separate analysis of putative naïve CD95- CD28+ , memory CD95+ CD28+ and CD28- T cell compartments after acute maximal depletion by high-dose chemotherapy (HD-ChT) in women with high-risk breast cancer. We found that recovery of putative naïve CD8+ CD95- CD28+ and CD4+ CD95- CD28+ T cells, was compatible with a thymus-dependent regenerative pathway since their recovery was slow and time-dependent, their values were tightly related to each other, and their reconstitution patterns were inversely related to age. By analysing non-naïve T cells, a striking diversion between putative memory T cells and CD28- T cells was found. These latter increased early well beyond normal values, thus playing a pivotal role in total T-cell homeostasis, and contributed to reduce the CD4 : CD8 ratio. In contrast, putative memory T cells returned to values not significantly different from those seen in patients at diagnosis, indicating that this compartment may recover after HD-ChT. At 3–5 years after treatment, naïve T cells persisted at low levels, with expansion of CD28- T cells, suggesting that such alterations may extend further. These findings indicate that CD28- T cells were responsible for ‘blind’ T-cell homeostasis, but support the notion that memory and naïve T cells are regulated separately. Given their distinct dynamics, quantitative evaluation of T-cell pools in patients undergoing chemotherapy should take into account separate analysis of naïve, memory and CD28- T cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-transferrin-bound iron, a low-molecular-weight iron complex capable of initiating free radical formation and lipid peroxidation, has been detected in the serum of animals experimentally fed with alcohol, but no data have been reported in alcohol abusers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether non-transferrin-bound iron is present in chronic alcohol abusers with liver involvement and whether alcohol plays any part in its appearance. Methods: We measured non-transferrin-bound iron in a cohort of chronic alcohol abusers with and without liver cirrhosis at presentation, when 43 were active abusers and 33 were abstainers, and in a smaller group during a follow-up period. Results: At presentation, non-transferrin-bound iron was detectable in 83.7% of active abusers but only in 21.2% of abstainers, and within the group of abusers, patients with cirrhosis had significantly higher non-transferrin-bound iron than patients without. Non-transferrin-bound iron was present not only in patients with transferrin saturation >45% but also in those with transferrin saturation ≤45%. Multiple regression analyses revealed that only alcohol intake and total bilirubin were associated independently with non-transferrin-bound iron values. Longitudinal study confirmed the data of the cross-sectional study. Conclusions: Non-transferrin-bound iron could have a role in initiating or promoting alcohol-induced liver damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractInterleukin-10 (IL-10) is a powerful suppressor of cellular immune responses, with a postulated role in brain inflammation. First, we have evaluated the role of this cytokine in ischaemic brain damage using IL-10 knockout (IL-10–/–) mice. The middle cerebral artery (MCA) was occluded in either IL-10–/– or wild-type animals of corresponding strain (C57Bl/6) and age. Infarct volume was assessed 24 h later in serial brain sections. Brain infarct produced by MCA occlusion was 30% larger in the IL-10–/– than in wild-type mice (21.8 ± 1.2 vs. 16.9 ± 1.0 mm3, respectively; P < 0.01; Student's t-test). To further characterize these findings, studies were extended to in vitro models. Primary neuronal cortical cultures derived from IL-10–/– animals were more susceptible to both excitotoxicity and combined oxygen–glucose deprivation compared with cell cultures from wild-type mice. Moreover, when added to the culture medium, recombinant murine IL-10 (0.1–100 ng/mL) exerted a concentration-dependent prevention of neuronal damage induced by excitotoxicity in both cortical and cerebellar granule cell cultures taken from either strain. The accordance of in vivo and in vitro data allows us to suggest a potential neuroprotective role of IL-10 against cerebral ischaemia when administered exogenously or made available from endogenous sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented regarding the role of bortezomib in peripheral neuropathy (PN).