Search

We present a new quantum chemical method for the calculation of the equilibrium geometry and the harmonic vibrational frequencies of molecular systems in dense medium at high pressures (of the order of GPa). The new computational method, named PCM-XP, is based on the polarizable continuum model (PCM), amply used for the study of the solvent effects at standard condition of pressure, and it is accompanied by a new method of analysis for the interpretation of the mechanisms underpinning the effects of pressure on the molecular geometries and the harmonic vibrational frequencies. The PCM-XP has been applied at the density functional theory level to diborane as a molecular system under high pressure. The computed harmonic vibrational frequencies as a function of the pressure have shown a satisfactory agreement with the corresponding experimental results, and the parallel application of the method of analysis has reveled that the effects of the pressure on the equilibrium geometry can be interpreted in terms of direct effects on the electronic charge distribution of the molecular solutes, and that the effects on the harmonic vibrational frequencies can be described in terms of two physically distinct effects of the pressure (curvature and relaxation) on the potential energy for the motion of the nuclei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Novel technique for growing model-based trees for ordinal responses proposed. • Mixture models estimated at nodes accounting for uncertainty in ordinal scores. • Splitting criteria featuring both inferential and fitting issues introduced. • Effective graphical visualization of the results and flexibility. • Application to survey data and benchmark study to assess the proposal. Abstract The paper introduces a new technique for growing trees for ordinal responses in the model-based framework. We consider the class of cub mixtures which is particularly appropriate to model perceptions and evaluations, as it designs the response process as the combination of a personal feeling and an inherent uncertainty. In our proposal, the partitioning process is based on the local estimation of cub regression models to profile responses according to feeling and uncertainty conditional to the splitting variables. In this regard, two alternative splitting criteria are introduced featuring both inferential and fitting issues. Moreover, the chosen modelling framework allows for advantageous visualization of the classification results. The proposal is illustrated using real data from a survey conducted by the Italian National Statistical Office, with focus on perceived trust towards the European Parliament. A benchmark study is conducted to settle the proposal among the available tree methods for ordinal responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to many guidelines, scintigraphy remains the first suggested diagnostic procedure in hyperthyroid patients in spite of the widespread availability of ultrasounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of sonography versus scintigraphy in the management of Graves's disease, and to assess ultrasound features suggesting cancer in detecting thyroid nodules. Among 1470 hyperthyroid patients evaluated in our department from 2002 to 2005, 426 (29%) had Graves' disease: echographic and scintigraphic features were not suggestive of GD in 20/426 (4.8%) and 11/426 (2.6%) patients, respectively (p=0.763), even if one of the two procedures was almost always diagnostic. Ultrasound identified 68/426 (16%) patients with a concomitant solid lesion, while scintigraphy detected only 9/426 (2.1%) "cold" nodules (p<0.001). Thyroid cancer was diagnosed in 30/68 (47.7%) patients. Malignancy presented at ultrasound investigation blurred margins (26.7% versus 15.8%), microcalcifications (33.3% versus 28.9%) and an anteroposterior and transverse diameter ratio>or=1 (73.3% versus 71.1%); more frequently than benign nodules, but this was not statistically significant. The total cost to obtain a diagnosis by ultrasound was euro14645.34 (euro13312.5 for echography+euro1332.84 for scintigraphy in the 29 patients "negative" at echographic evaluation for GD) versus euro19922.71 by scintigraphy (euro19578.96 for scan+euro343.75 for ultrasounds in the 11 patients "negative" at scintigraphy). Our data show no difference in terms of diagnosis between sonography and scintigraphy. Indeed, scintigraphy was less sensitive in detecting nodules (often of malignant nature) than ultrasound, and, moreover, with a consequent increase of the direct cost of nodule management when scintigraphy is the first line procedure. In conclusion, according to our results, we suggest that ultrasounds with color-Doppler evaluation should be performed as first step in all hyperthyroid patients, and that scintigraphic examination should be limited only to the uncommon cases, where physician's observation, laboratory assays and/or ultrasounds are not diagnostic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High resolution ultrasonography features have also been described as having a useful supporting role in the diagnosis of subacute granulomatous thyroiditis (ST), and images are generally characterized by heterogeneous hypoechoic areas of the affected tissue with lack of flow on color Doppler US. Purpose: To determine the sonographic features of subacute granulomatous thyroiditis. Material and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients referred at the Endocrine and Metabolic Unit of our Institution between January 2010 and December 2011. Results: A total of 7520 patients were evaluated in our department between January 2010 and December 2011. Among them, 22 (0.3%) patients had a diagnosis of ST (19 women and 3 men, 45.4 ± 9.7 year; range, 33-62 years). Ultrasound examination showed bilateral ST in 64% of patients. Thyroid volume was 13.2 ± 7.7 mL, without difference if ST was unilateral (13.2 ± 7.1 mL) or bilateral (13.9 ± 8.3 mL). On grayscale US, heterogeneous diffusely or focally marked hypoechoic areas, like "lava flow", were found in all the lesions. Conclusion: Our data confirm the high sensitivity of US in the diagnosis of ST: diffuse hypoechoic and confluent areas with the characteristic features like "lava flow". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: According to many guidelines, scintigraphy remains the first suggested diagnostic procedure in hyperthyroid patients in spite of the widespread availability of ultrasounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of sonography versus scintigraphy in the management of Graves''s disease, and to assess ultrasound features suggesting cancer in detecting thyroid nodules. Among 1470 hyperthyroid patients evaluated in our department from 2002 to 2005, 426 (29%) had Graves’ disease: echographic and scintigraphic features were not suggestive of GD in 20/426 (4.8%) and 11/426 (2.6%) patients, respectively (p =0.763), even if one of the two procedures was almost always diagnostic. Ultrasound identified 68/426 (16%) patients with a concomitant solid lesion, while scintigraphy detected only 9/426 (2.1%) “cold” nodules (p <0.001). Thyroid cancer was diagnosed in 30/68 (47.7%) patients. Malignancy presented at ultrasound investigation blurred margins (26.7% versus 15.8%), microcalcifications (33.3% versus 28.9%) and an anteroposterior and transverse diameter ratio ≥1 (73.3% versus 71.1%); more frequently than benign nodules, but this was not statistically significant. The total cost to obtain a diagnosis by ultrasound was €14645.34 (€13312.5 for echography+€1332.84 for scintigraphy in the 29 patients “negative” at echographic evaluation for GD) versus €19922.71 by scintigraphy (€19578.96 for scan+€343.75 for ultrasounds in the 11 patients “negative” at scintigraphy). Our data show no difference in terms of diagnosis between sonography and scintigraphy. Indeed, scintigraphy was less sensitive in detecting nodules (often of malignant nature) than ultrasound, and, moreover, with a consequent increase of the direct cost of nodule management when scintigraphy is the first line procedure. In conclusion, according to our results, we suggest that ultrasounds with color-Doppler evaluation should be performed as first step in all hyperthyroid patients, and that scintigraphic examination should be limited only to the uncommon cases, where physician''s observation, laboratory assays and/or ultrasounds are not diagnostic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

: PurposeIsolated pancreas or combined kidney-pancreas transplantation represents the only therapeutic weapon for complete resolution of type I diabetes mellitus. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of multirow CT in the follow-up of these patients.: Materials and methodsThirty patients who underwent isolated (n = 13) or combined kidney-pancreas (n = 17) transplantation, using systemic-bladder (n = 7) or enteric-portal (n = 23) drainage, were evaluated with multirow CT (Light Speed Plus, GE Medical System). The CT study included unenhanced, arterial, and portal phases of the isolated pancreas, and a urographic phase for combined kidney-pancreas transplants. The acquisition was done with 1.25-mm collimation, 0.6-mm reconstruction interval, and a pitch of 6. A CT scan of the thorax was included if patients were suspected to have pulmonary complications.: ResultsIn all cases it was possible to recognize the surgical technique performed for endocrine and exocrine pancreatic drainage, to evaluate the transplanted pancreas, and to identify possible complications. For example, CT identified thrombosis or stenosis of the arterial graft, partial thrombosis of the venous graft, ectasia of the common iliac artery and arterial graft, dehiscence of the duodenal-bladder anastomosis, infected abdominal collections, thrombosis of the internal iliac vein, and pulmonary infections.: ConclusionsBecause multirow CT detects complications it is useful to follow isolated pancreas or combined kidney-pancreas transplants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The results of a four-year investigation carried out in Central Italy on the occurrence of perennial ryegrass rusts from 1989-92 are reported. The crown rust (Puccinia coronata) was the most frequently recorded in the surveyed are while P. graminis was only occasionally detected. The causal agents were identified by the morphological criteria proposed by CUMMINS (1971). A single-pustule isolate of P. coronata was used to test the resistance of seven ryegrass cultivars under greenhouse conditions. Two cultivars, 'Artal' and 'Score', proved resistant to the fungus isolate while the remaining ('Elka', 'Patora', 'Pleno', 'Sisu' and 'Vejo') were high susceptible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes wild Solanum accessions at the seedling stage for resistance to the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum melongenae in glasshouse conditions. Causal agent of fusarium wilt of Aubergine; Sources of resistance; Benefits of use of resistant cultivars.

Objective: To assess the interplay between metformin treatment and thyroid function in type 2 diabetic patients.Research Design and Methods: The acute and long-term effects of metformin on thyroid axis hormones were assessed in diabetic patients with primary hypothyroidism who were either untreated or treated with levothyroxine (L-T4), as well as in diabetic patients with normal thyroid function.Results: No acute changes were found in 11 patients with treated hypothyroidism. After 1 year of metformin administration, a significant thyrotropin (TSH) decrease (P < 0.001) was observed in diabetic subjects with hypothyroidism who were either treated (n = 29; from 2.37 +/- 1.17 to 1.41 +/- 1.21 mIU/l) or untreated (n = 18; 4.5 +/- 0.37 vs. 2.93 +/- 1.48) with L-T4, but not in 54 euthyroid subjects. No significant change in free T4 (FT4) was observed in any group.Conclusions: Metformin administration influences TSH without change of FT4 in patients with type 2 diabetes and concomitant hypothyroidism. The need for reevaluation of thyroid function in these patients within 6-12 months after starting metformin is indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Thyroid FNAC Cytology: Can We Do It Better?," by Poller in the previous issue of the journal is presented.

Context. Hypothyroidism and iron deficiency are among the most common pathologies in population. Therefore, there are a lot of patients assuming both iron salt supplements and levothyroxine therapy. Objective. To evaluate the effect of iron salt intake on L-T4 absorption among different L-T4 formulations. Materials and methods. A PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus research was performed. Original studies and reviews written in English and published online up to 21 December 2022 were selected and reviewed. The final reference list was defined based on the relevance of each paper to the scope of this review. Results. The data show an impaired absorption of L-T4 in tablets formulation when taken concomitantly with iron salt supplements. These phenomena seem to be circumvented by new L-T4 formulations. Conclusion. Liquid L-T4 formulations can be ingested with iron salts, with no impairment of absorption. More studies are necessary to confirm these data for soft-gel capsules L-T4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Hypothyroidism and iron deficiency are among the most common pathologies in population. Therefore, there are a lot of patients assuming both iron salt supplements and levothyroxine therapy. Objective. To evaluate the effect of iron salt intake on L-T4 absorption among different L-T4 formulations. Materials and methods. A PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus research was performed. Original studies and reviews written in English and published online up to 21 December 2022 were selected and reviewed. The final reference list was defined based on the relevance of each paper to the scope of this review. Results. The data show an impaired absorption of L-T4 in tablets formulation when taken concomitantly with iron salt supplements. These phenomena seem to be circumvented by new L-T4 formulations. Conclusion. Liquid L-T4 formulations can be ingested with iron salts, with no impairment of absorption. More studies are necessary to confirm these data for soft-gel capsules L-T4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to conduct a review of the current literature evaluating the available evidence to date in terms of epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical presentation of COVID-19 in relation to cardiovascular involvement, with a special focus on the myocarditis model, in the population of athletes (professional and recreational) who are preparing to return to competitions, with the ultimate aim of guaranteeing maximum safety for resuming sports activities. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the inevitable cancellation of most sports activities, practiced at both a professional and amateur level, in order to minimize the risk of spreading the infection. Since the number of athletes who tested positive was rather high, the potential cardiac involvement in this peculiar population of subjects contracting the disease in a mild (asymptomatic, slightly symptomatic) or moderate form, has recently raised concerns following the observation of cases of recorded myocardial damage, myocarditis, arrhythmias and a first reported case of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) in a 27-year-old professional basketball player. Several studies even seem to confirm the possibility of permanent impairment of the cardiorespiratory system following the infection. Medical history, biomarkers, electrocardiographical and cardiac imaging features appear to be crucial in distinguishing cardiovascular alterations related to COVID-19 infection from typical adaptations to exercise related to athletes' heart. Clarifications and prospective data based on long-term follow-ups on larger populations of athletes are still needed to exclude the development of myocardial damage capable of negatively affecting prognosis and increasing cardiovascular risk in athletes recovered from COVID-19 in asymptomatic (simple positivity to SARS-COV-2) or in a mild form. From a clinical point of view extreme caution is necessary when planning the return to sport (Return To Play–RTP) of athletes recovered from a mild or asymptomatic form of COVID-19: a careful preliminary medical-sports evaluation should be carried out in order to assess the potential development of myocardial damage that would increase their cardiovascular risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown fruit spot symptoms were observed on yellow Spanish melons (Cucumis melo var. inodorus) grown in greenhouses at Almeria in Spain. Nonsporing, motile, rod-shaped bacteria were isolated from diseased fruits, which on nutrient agar produced small yellow colonies. Two bacterial isolates, used for further investigations, were pathogenic on fruits but not on cotyledons of Spanish melon plants. They provoked disease symptoms similar to those observed in the greenhouse. Both isolates were Gram-negative, catalase-positive, weakly oxidase-positive and phenylalanine deaminase-negative. They hydrolysed esculin but not gelatin and they utilized glucose oxidatively. Fatty acid analysis revealed that both isolates belong to the genus Sphingomonas. In addition, 16S rDNA sequence analysis, performed on one isolate, demonstrated that it had a significant sequence similarity (more than 98%) with Sphingomonas pruni and Sphingomonas mali, nonphytopathogenic bacteria isolated from plants. Although enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR and repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR seem to indicate that the Sphingomonas isolates from Spanish melon fruits may belong to a new species, DNA–DNA hydridization analysis is necessary to verify this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial speck symptoms on leaves of the tomato cultivar Erminia F1 (Petoseed), heterozygous for the Pto resistant gene, were observed in June 1995 in Northern Italy. Using individual-lesion isolation, 8 bacterial isolates were obtained from the affected leaves, which were identified as Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato by biochemical, physiological, nutritional and pathogenicity tests. When the differential cultivar Ontario 7710, homozygous for the Pto gene, was inoculated with the bacterial isolates, 4 of them provoked the typical bacterial speck symptoms and therefore belonged to race 1. This is the first occurrence of P. syringae pv. tomato race 1 in Italy and the first time this race has been isolated on a Pto gene-bearing tomato cultivar grown in open field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biocides are multi-component products used to control undesired and harmful organisms able to affect human or animal health or to damage natural and manufactured products. Because of their widespread use, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems could be contaminated by biocides. The environmental impact of biocides is evaluated through eco-toxicological studies with model organisms of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. We focused on the development of in silico models for the evaluation of the acute toxicity (EC50) of a set of biocides collected from different sources on the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna, one of the most widely used model organisms in aquatic toxicology. Toxicological data specific for biocides are limited, so we developed three models for daphnid toxicity using different strategies (linear regression, random forest, Monte Carlo (CORAL)) to overcome this limitation. All models gave satisfactory results in our datasets: the random forest model showed the best results with a determination coefficient r2 = 0.97 and 0.89, respectively, for the training (TS) and the validation sets (VS) while linear regression model and the CORAL model had similar but lower performance (r2 = 0.83 and 0.75, respectively, for TS and VS in the linear regression model and r2 = 0.74 and 0.75 for the CORAL model). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy is feasible, but requires adaptations to established surgical techniques. The improved dexterity offered by robotic assistance provides the opportunity to see whether laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy can be performed safely when faithfully reproducing the open operation. Methods Patients were selected for robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy when generally suitable for laparoscopy. Obese patients were excluded, and those with pancreatic cancer were highly selected. A prospectively designed database was used for data collection and analysis. Results Of 238 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy, 34 (14·3 per cent) were operated on robotically. No procedure was converted to conventional laparoscopy or open surgery, despite three patients requiring segmental resection of the superior mesenteric/portal vein and reconstruction. The mean duration of operation was 597 (range 420-960) min. The mean number of lymph nodes retrieved and analysed from patients with neoplasia was 32 (range 15-76). Four patients required blood transfusions and five developed postoperative complications exceeding Clavien-Dindo grade II. There were four grade B pancreatic fistulas. One patient died on postoperative day 40. Excess mean operative cost compared with open resection was €6193. Conclusion Selected patients can safely undergo robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy. The main downsides are high costs and prolonged operating times compared with open resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article evaluates the HemosIL D-Dimer HS automated immunoassay system developed by the Instrumentation Laboratory.

To assess the prevalence of genetic mutations in nonsyndromic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PHEO/PGL) patients we have performed a systematic search for mutations in the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) B, C, and D subunits, von Hippel–Lindau (VHL), and RET genes by direct bidirectional sequencing. Patients were selected from the medical records of hypertension centers. After exclusion of syndromic patients, 45 patients with familial (F+, n= 3) and sporadic (F−, n= 42) cases of isolated PHEO/PGL were considered. They included 35 patients with PHEO, 7 with PGL, and 3 with head/neck PGL (hnPGL). Three patients with PHEO (2F−, 1F+) presented VHL mutations (P86A, G93C, and R167W), six with PGL (4F−, 2F+) were positive for SDH or VHL mutations (SDHB R230G in two patients, SDHB S8F, R46Q, R90Q, and VHL P81L in one subject each), and one with hnPGL carried the SDHD 348–351delGACT mutation. We have also detected missense (SDHB S163P, SDHD H50R and G12S), synonymous (SDHB A6A, SDHD S68S), and intronic mutations that have been considered nonpathological polymorphic variants. No mutation was found in SDHC or RET genes. Our data indicate that germline mutations of VHL and SDH subunits are not infrequent in familial as well as in sporadic cases of nonsyndromic PHEO/PGL (overall, 12 of 45 probands, 22%). Accordingly, screening for such mutations seems to be justified. However, a more precise characterization of the functional relevance of any observed sequence variant and of other genetic and environmental determinants of neoplastic transformation is essential in order to plan appropriate protocols for family screening and follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple defects in apoptotic pathways have been described in peripheral neuroblastic tumours (NTs). Mitosis–karyorrhexis index (MKI) is a reliable morphological marker identifying favourable and unfavourable NTs. The extent to which apoptotic processes contribute to determine the clinical significance of MKI is still undefined. Apoptosis was investigated in a series of 110 peripheral NTs by comparing MKI to immunohistochemical and molecular apoptotic features. High MKI was found in 55 out of 110 NTs (50%) and was associated with advanced stage (P=0.007), neuroblastoma (NB) histological category (P=0.024), MYCN amplification (P<0.001), and poor outcome (P=0.011). Overall survival probability was 45% in patients with high MKI compared to 73% in patients with low MKI. In the same 110 NTs, the expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Bax and Mcl-1 was studied by immunohistochemistry, but no significant associations were found with clinicohistological features. Microarray analysis of apoptotic genes was performed in 40 out of 110 representative tumours. No significant association was found between the expression of apoptotic genes and MKI or clinicohistological features. Proliferative activity was assessed in 60 out of 110 representative tumours using Ki67 immunostaining, but no significant correlations with MKI or clinicobiological features were found. In NTs, the combination of apoptosis and proliferation as expressed by MKI is a significant prognostic parameter, although neither of them is per se indicative of the clinicobiological behaviour and outcome.British Journal of Cancer (2006) 95, 49–55. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6603212 www.bjcancer.com Published online 6 June 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this prospective study, we assessed the diagnostic capabilities of multidetector computed tomography (CT) in various esophageal pathologic conditions. Thirty-three patients underwent a multidetector CT study after esophageal distention by means of effervescent powder administered after induction of pharmacologic esophageal hypotonia. All acquired images were post-processed with two- and three-dimensional software tools. The CT data were compared with the results of conventional radiology (33). endoscopy (28), endoscopy ultrasonography (14), or surgery (14). Follow-up ranged between 4 and 15 months. Esophageal distention in the upper and middle thirds was classified as "good" in 32 of 33 cases (97%); in the lower third, esophageal distention was "good" in 21 of 33 cases (64%). Final diagnoses were leiomyoma (six cases), squamous cell carcinoma (six), adenocarcinoma (four), esophageal infiltration by thyroid cancer (two), benign polyposis (two), chronic esophagitis (five), post-sclerotherapy stenosis (one), no abnormalities (seven). When good distention was achieved, the thickness of unaffected esophageal wall was less than 3 mm (range, 1.5-2.4 mm; mean, 1.9 mm). Pathologic wall thickening was observed in 25 of 33 cases (76%), with values ranging between 3.6 and 36 mm (mean, 9.6 mm). Spiral CT demonstrated 21 true positive cases, and seven true negative cases. There were four false negative cases and one false positive case. Sensitivity was 84%, specificity was 87%, diagnostic accuracy was 85%, positive predictive value was 95%, and negative predictive value was 64%. Evaluation of the esophagus with multidetector CT is a promising technique and easy to use, allowing panoramic exploration, virtual endoluminal visualization, accurate longitudinal and axial evaluations, and simultaneous evaluation of T and N parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Screening for asymptomatic coronary artery disease with treatment by means of revascularization seems to be an appealing option for prevention. The utility of such a strategy has never been challenged in a randomized trial.Methods/design: In the present study a cohort of diabetic patients without any symptoms and without known coronary artery disease will be screened at two diabetes outpatients services. Those with intermediate or high risk (equal or greater than 10% according to the Italian risk chart) will be asked to participate and enrolled. They will be seen and followed in order to provide the best adherence to medical therapy. Half of the patients will be randomized to undergo an exercise tolerance testing while the other group will continue to be regularly seen at diabetes outpatients services. Best medical/behavioral therapy will be offered to both groups. Those patients with a positive exercise tolerance testing will be studied by coronary angiography and treated according to the severity of coronary lesions by percutaneous stenting or surgery.The objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of the screening strategy aimed at revascularization. A cost-effectiveness analysis will be performed at the end of the follow up.Discussion: The study will provide useful information about prevention and treatment of diabetic patients at high risk of coronary events. It will be made clearer if detection of silent coronary artery disease has to be recommended and followed by treatment. Given the simplicity of the study protocol, it will be easily transferable to the real world.Trial Registration: (ClinicalTrials.gov): NCT00547872. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]