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Askin tumor is an uncommon malignant neoplasm of the thoracopulmonary region mainly occurring in children and adolescents. In this case, Computed Tomography (CT1) imaging features of Askin tumor and differential diagnosis criteria with others possible chest neoplasms are presented.

A challenging request in the fabrication of microfluidics, biomedical microsystems and wearable technology would be a flexible ink-jet printing method for breaking the rigidity of classical lithography. Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) has reached in latest years exciting performances becoming the elite nano-tool for direct printing of lab-on-chip devices, from biomolecules to nano-electronics. However, it suffers of practical but severe limitations due to its intrinsic geometrical configuration. Recently, a pyroelectric-EHD system has been presented and has proved challenging spatial resolution down to nanoscale, printing of high ordered geometrical patterns, capability of dispensing composite polymers, biological ink as DNA and protein array for biosensing fabrication, single cells printing and direct printing of nanoparticles. The method proposed appears as one of the most interesting polymer fabrication process in term of flexibility and viscosity of the material processed. In fact, high viscous polymer could be easily printed at high resolution in 2D or, even more, in 3D configuration. The pyro-EHD process has been also proved for the fabrication of biodegradable microneedles for smart drug delivery while other 3D polymer microstructures have been fabricated for collecting or distributing light signals in lab-on-a-chip optofluidic devices as potential 3D optical waveguides, guiding light for generating or transporting optical/electronic signals from and to cells. The simplicity of the method proposed, associated with the flexibility of the process for fabricating 3D polymer microstructures, demonstrates its great potentiality exploitable in many fields of additive manufacturing, from optics to biomedical applications for improving the quality of life.

Objectives: Childhood functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common conditions associated with significant morbidity and high healthcare costs. This multicenter study aimed at assessing the clinical approach to infants (0-6 months) and children/adolescents (4-18 years) with suspected FGIDs by pediatricians from the Mediterranean Area. Methods: A survey evaluating the diagnostic approach, including the use of Rome II and III criteria, and the therapeutic management of some of the most prevalent FGIDs, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional constipation (FC), and functional regurgitation (FR), was distributed to a sample of pediatricians. Results: We collected 278 questionnaires from 9 countries (Croatia, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia, and Spain). Rome III criteria are used to diagnose FC by 28.8%. Treatment of FC is based on dietary modifications (97.5%) and osmotic laxatives (93.5%). Rome III criteria are used to diagnose FR by 22.3% of the responders, in contrast to 79.5% who rely on personal experience for diagnosis. Reported treatments mainly consist of reassurance (96.8%) and thickened feedings (77.3%). Nevertheless, 21.2% prescribe proton pump inhibitors or H2-blockers to infants with FR. Rome III criteria are used to diagnose IBS by only 25.9%. Moreover, 86% of the pediatricians base IBS therapy on the predominant symptom. The most prescribed treatments are analgesics (36.6%) for pain control, dietary advice (41.5%) for diarrhea-predominant IBS, and dietary advice (47.8%) for constipation-predominant IBS. Conclusions: Our data show that the use of Rome III diagnostic criteria is not sufficiently widespread among pediatricians, and that large variability remains in the management of FGIDs within the different Mediterranean countries surveyed. Copyright © 2017 by European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.

Burst abdomen, incisional hernias and stomal hernias : a Swedish population-based register study

Aims: The laparoscopic “Spaghetti Maneuver” consists in holding an organ by its extremity with a grasper and rolling it up around the tool to keep the organ stable and facilitate its traction within a small space. We describe our experience with the “Spaghetti Maneuver” in some minimally invasive procedures. Materials and Methods: We successfully adopted this technique in 13 patients (5F : 8M) aged between 6 and 14 years (average age, 10) on whom we performed 7 appendectomies, 2 ureteral reimplantation and 4 cholecystectomies. In all cases, after the first steps, the appendix, the gallbladder and the ureter were rolled around the grasper and easily isolated; hemostasis was thus induced and the organ was mobilized until removal during cholecystectomy and appendectomy, and before the reimplantation in case of ureteral reimplantation. Results: We found that this technique facilitated signifi cantly the acts of holding, isolating and removing, when necessary, the structures involved, which remained constantly within the visual field of the operator. This allowed a very ergonomic work setting, overcoming the problem of the “blind” zone, which represents a dangerous and invisible area out of the operator’s control during laparoscopy. Moreover the isolation maneuvers resulted easier and reduced operating time. Conclusion: We think that this technique is easy to perform and very useful, because it facilitates the dissection of these organs, by harmonizing and stabilizing the force of traction exercised.Key words: Appendectomy, children, cholecystectomy, laparoscopy, pneumovesicoscopy

Manipulation of micro-sized objects in lab-on-a-chip and microfluidic environments is essential for different experiments and procedures ranging from chemical to biological applications and for experimental biotechnologies. Several techniques for object micro-manipulation are being researched including mechanical manipulation by AFM tips, soft robots, dielectrophoresis, magnetic traps and optical tweezers. Another technique developed recently, the Optoelectronic Tweezers (OET), represents a combination of optical tweezers and dielectrophoresis trapping and results in a new way for manipulating microparticles, nanowires and even live cells. Computer-controlled nanorobotic systems represent a rapid growing sector in medicine and biology. Many techniques have been developed through the years to dispense liquids and manipulate microfluidic flows. Recently, an innovative and simple way for manipulating liquids from microlitre down to attolitre volumes through a non-contact mode was developed. This new technique is named pyro-electro-hydro-dynamics (PEHD) and uses the pyroelectric forces, which are activated over a lithium niobate (LN) substrate. The system does not require electrodes, nozzles or circuits and could have many applications in nanomedicine and various transport and mixing processes. This technology could be seen as a novel and electrode-less technique for gripping and transporting even micrometre-sized objects driven by a pyroelectric effect. This pyro-microrobot, activetaed by the pyroelectric effect could manage simultaneously or separately liquids as well as solid targets in an integrated platform. This method employs pyroelectric forces for the control of the micro-targets motion, developing a touchless technology and, at the same time, enables the liquid dispensing process on specific targets. Various full cycles of microrobot activities could be pursued and implemented in different experiments. The results obtained show the reliability of the proposed idea and its proof of principles. The method, if engineered properly, can be exploited in many fields such as biotechnology, chemistry and tissue engineering for several applications. Among these, we mention, as an example, the usage in personalized medicine in which hosted pills can be manipulated in touch-less mode and precise drops of liquid or nanoparticle medications can be delivered onto their surfaces. For example polymeric particles, useful as targets for encapsulating or for being covered by drug vaccines, can be manipulated and controlled with the aim of releasing them to specific sites. Here we present a novel ElectroHydroDynamic robot for novel handling technique able to control and manipulate micro-targets by a touch-less approach. This approach allows one to manipulate liquids and nano-particles simultaneously for specific delivery applications (i.e. decoration and coating). This pyro-robot offers a flexible tool and provides a new and powerful way to operate various tasks as demonstrated by the experiments described. It appear very similar to the soft robots, an engineered mobile machine but, overcomes the complexity of the fabrication of this soft machine still incapable of operating in warehousing, manufacturing, and food processing environments where the uncertainty and variety in the weight size and shape of products being handled has prevent automated solutions from working in the past.

The production of ordered structures of active organic materials could be applied for the fabrication of photonics waveguides while optically active scaffolds, where the fibers composing the scaffold, besides controlling the cells growth and fate, could deliver optical stimuli to the cells and could be utilized for monitoring the cells growth in real time, could be foreseen.

Il processo di assorbimento e diffusione del cicloesano in diversi copolimeri a blocchi a base stirenica è stato studiato e correlate alle proprietà viscoelastiche degli stessi. La solubilità e diffusività di tale penetrante in poli(stirene-b-butadiene-b-stirene [SBS], poli(stirene-b-isoprene-b-stirene [SIS] e poli(stirene-b-etilenebutilene-b-stirene) [SEBS] sono state misurate sperimentalmente alla temperatura di 60°C tramite prove di assorbimento differenziale condotte in un sistema a decadimento di pressione. I risultati hanno mostrato una sostanziale omogeneità di comportamento per ciò che concerne l’assorbimento di cicloesano mentre l’SBS è risultato in generale dotato di una maggiore diffusività rispetto a SIS e SEBS. La peculiarità strutturale di tali polimeri, che si presentano come sistemi eterogenei ove domini stirenici ( vetro) e dienici (gomma) risultano segregati a livello nanometrico, ha permesso di rielaborare i dati ottenuti in termini dei contributi dei diversi domini e di risalire ai parametri cinetici che regolano il processo diffusivo. In particolare il confronto tra i diversi dati di solubilità e diffusività ha permesso di analizzare il comportamento della mobilità del penetrante all’interno dei diversi polimeri, che in linea con quanto visto per il coefficiente di diffusione è risultato significativamente più alta per SBS rispetto agli altri copolimeri considerati. Una tale andamento è stato confermato anche dalle prove reologiche a cui sono stati sottoposti i materiali, condotte in un ampio intervallo di temperature compreso tra la Tg dei segmenti dienici e la temperatura ambiente. Tale analisi condotta tramite scansioni di frequenza in regime di viscoelasticità lineare small angle oscillatory shear experiments ha permesso di ottenere l’andamento dei moduli dei diversi materiali in funzione della frequenza e l’ottenimento delle relative “master curve” tramite la tecnica di sovrapposizione tempo-temperatura. L’analisi dello spettro di rilassamento ha permesso poi di stimare il fattore di frizione monomerico che è stato infine correlato con i dati di mobilità ottenendo un sostanziale accordo.

The authors report a case of intra-abdominal testicular torsion, where laparoscopy has been useful for diagnosis and surgical management. A boy was presented with a left impalpable testis. Laparoscopy revealed a twisted spermatic cord at the inlet pelvis, which ended in a testicular remnant located in the sub-umbilical area. After orchiectomy, the pathologist confirmed testicular atrophy. Diagnosis of intra-abdominal testicular torsion should be considered in patients with impalpable testis and abdominal pain, but could not be excluded in those with no symptoms.Key words: Cryptorchidism, laparoscopy, non palpable testis, testicular intraabdominal torsion

Objective : To investigate the response of HIV-associated severe thrombocytopenia (STP) to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) including protease-inhibitors. Methods : In this retrospective study, 15 patients with HIV-associated STP (platelet count 9 /l), mostly antiretroviral experienced (13/15), underwent HAART for at least 6 months (median 21; range 6–41 months) during which the platelet (PLT) count and plasmatic HIV-RNA were monitored. The PLT response was compared to that observed in 19 patients previously treated with zidovudine (AZT) monotherapy. Results : HAART induced a significant increase in the PLT count (χ 2 =10.53, P =0.01) within the third month which was sustained up to the sixth month of therapy. No STP relapse was observed among eight PLT responders followed for longer than 6 months (median 27; range 7–41 months). The PLT increase after HAART was similar to that observed with AZT monotherapy, but a greater number of HAART patients were antiretroviral-experienced. HAART determined a PLT response in 10/13 subjects whose thrombocytopenia had not improved after previous AZT monotherapy. After 6 months of HAART, a complete platelet response occurred more frequently in patients with undetectable plasma HIV-RNA levels ( P =0.01). Conclusions : HAART induces a sustained PLT response in HIV-associated STP, even in antiretroviral-experiencedsubjects and in those with AZT-resistant thrombocytopenia. An undetectable plasma HIV viraemia induced by HAART is necessary for STP recovery.

The correlation between linear viscoelasticity and mass transport properties in styrene block copolymers has been investigated and discussed in terms of segmental dynamics of the soft block. The samples were phase separated polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-polystyrene [SBS], polystyrene-block-polyisoprene-block-polystyrene [SIS] and polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene butylene)-block-polystyrene [SEBS]. All samples have a styrene content of approximately 30%. Linear viscoelastic characterization was carried out performing small angle oscillatory shear experiments in a wide range of temperatures between the soft block Tg and room temperature. The latter experimental data were analyzed by Time-Temperature Superposition. The relaxation spectrum has been determined and the monomeric friction factor has been extracted. This value has been correlated with results from diffusion of a small foreign molecule (cyclohexane) in the block copolymers. Solubility and diffusivity of cyclohexane in films samples of the investigated copolymers as function of concentration at 60ºC have been measured by means of sequences of differential vapour sorption experiments run in a pressure decay apparatus. The effects of both molecular architecture (linear and star-branched for SBS) and microstructure of the elastomer mid-segment (polybutadiene vs poly(ethylene butylene) and polyisoprene) were considered. Solubility results were interpreted in terms of contributions from rubbery and glassy phases and pertinent results were used to derive the mobility coefficient from measured data of fickian diffusivity. Comparison between mobility coefficients in the binary system as function of solute concentration revealed that friction factor for solute molecules in SEBS and SIS is significantly higher than in SBS.

Trends in landings from global shelf areas (excluding the Arctic/Antarctic) for 1950– 94 are expressed per shelf surface of FAO Statistical Areas in four categories: "shelfdependent" species (demersal fish plus commercial benthic invertebrates), "shelf-associated" species (small-medium sized pelagics and neritic squids), and "deep-water" and "oceanic" species; largely focusing on the first two categories. Geographical variation for shelf-dependent resources is explained by dividing FAO Statistical Areas into three categories: Arcto-boreal regions in the northern hemisphere, with five-year mean fishery production peaking at 2.1–2.7 tons per km2; from the Antarctic convergence to south-boreal latitudes, with production peaking at 0.5–2.2 tons per km2, and tropical/subtropical shelves, peaking at 0.4–0.9 tons per km (except for the Central East Atlantic). For zoogeographically similar areas, overall production levels for shelf-dependent resources have generally reached similar peak values and declined recently in areas with long histories of fishing. For several areas, especially in the tropics, production peaked in the last five-year period considered, 1990–94, but further potential for shelf-dependent species is considered limited. A low limit for shelf-dependent resources in the tropics of

Over a 16 month period we conducted a prospective study in a cohort of 45 HIV-positive patients to detect the development of resistance to fluconazole and to analyse the epidemiology of oropharyngeal candidosis (OPC). Each episode was treated with fluconazole 100 mg/day po for 10 days. All yeast isolates were tested for their in-vitro susceptibility to fluconazole. Multiple strains of Candida albicans simultaneously isolated from a given patient were typed by electrophoretic karyotyping. Overall, 106 episodes of OPC were diagnosed among the 45 patients: 18/45 patients (40%) had only one episode, 11/45 (24%) had two episodes, and the remaining 16/45 (36%) had three or more episodes (range 3-7). Cure (complete resolution of signs and symptoms and negative post-treatment cultures) and improvement (complete resolution of signs and symptoms but positive post-treatment cultures) were observed in 30/106 (28%) and 69/106 (65%) episodes of OPC, respectively. Failure (absence of improvement or exacerbation of signs and symptoms) was observed in seven episodes (7%) from four patients. In two of these four patients a significant and progressive increase in fluconazole MICs was observed: from 0.25 to 16 mg/L in one patient, and from < or = 0.125 to 32 mg/L in the second one. Tests on multiple colonies from individual isolation plates showed that it was not unusual to obtain different fluconazole MICs, indicating that, in order to avoid misleading results, one should perform in-vitro susceptibility testing by using a multiple colony inoculum rather than an inoculum made from a single colony. A total of 213 strains of C. albicans isolated from seven patients who suffered from four or more episodes of OPC through the course of the study were typed by electrophoretic karyotyping. Five individuals (71%) were infected with yeasts with only one DNA type, while the other two patients showed the presence of two or three different DNA types. The simultaneous presence of multiple types was found only in one of the seven subjects. Our data confirm the efficacy of fluconazole 100 mg/day for the treatment of OPC in HIV patients. Isolation of fluconazole-resistant strains of C. albicans with this regimen is rare. The vast majority of HIV patients are infected with a unique strain of C. albicans throughout each episode of infection. A minority of patients, however, can harbour strains of C. albicans with variable patterns of fluconazole susceptibility simultaneously.

Aims: To assess the feasibility and safety of a laparoscopic approach to UPJ obstruction (UPJO) in ectopic pelvic kidneys. Material and Methods: In a retrospective analysis we selected 14 children, aged 6months to 17 years, 12 males, 2 females, who had been treated in our Department between January 2004 and June 2011. 9 patients presented ureteropelvic junction obstruction (in 3 cases pelvic stones coexisted) with normal/moderately reduced (≥25%) relative function at radionuclide scan (MAG3), 3 nonfunctioning kidneys associated or not to hypertension, 2 congenital hypo-dysplastic kidneys. The evaluation of each patient involved the medical history, ultrasound examination, VCUG, MAG3 diuresis renogram and MRI in some cases. Of the patients presenting UPJO, 5 underwent dismembered pyeloplasty with pyelolithotomy, if required, and 4 pelvic derotation with straightening of the uretero-pelvic junction. A previous cystoscopic placement of a Double J stent was utilized. This facilitated the identification and dissection around the pelvis. With the patient in Trendelenburg position we utilized an umbilical trocar and two trocar in the right and left iliac fossae; an additional trocar, when required, was inserted more cephalad on the midclavear line contralaterally to the lesion. The derotation of ureteropelvic junction was obtained by freeing the kidney’s lower pole and by placing intraperitoneally the junction protected with a Double J stent. This was obtained by suturing the peritoneum behind the ureteropelvic junction resulting in a forward rotation of the major axis of the kidney and a straightening of the junction. The 5 patients presenting nonfunctioning ectopic kidneys underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy. While the removal of congenital hypoplasic kidneys resulted easy, the removal of nonfunctioning kidneys was more difficult due to their complex vascular situation and for the embryonic disposition. Results: The operating time varied between 40 to 200 minutes. No patient required conversion to open surgery. The hypertension resolved after nephrectomy in all cases. 2 cases of dismembered pyeloplasty required a placement of Double J stent due the recurrence of symptoms and ! patient is waiting for redo operation. The pelvic derotation showed an improvement of diuretic MAG3 renogram and the function remained stable and patiens are symptoms-free. Conclusion: The UPJO in ectopic pelvic kidneys present a large spectrum of presentation. The laparoscopic approach provides good surgical exposure, and operative times are acceptable compared to those of laparoscopic procedure in anatomically normal kidneys. It has also proved a very useful tool in the non-functioning kidney nephrectomy thank to the help of magnification in the identification of numerous aberrant vessels that are quite often found in the pelvic kidneys. The derotation of the pelvis seems a useful procedure in moderate obstruction even if a longer follow-up is needed. Key words: ectopic, kidney, UPJ Obstruction

Objective: Uremia represents a state where hyperhomocysteinemia is resistant to folate therapy, thus undermining intervention trials' efficacy. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, in addition to folates (5-methyltetrahydrofolate, MTHF), was tested in a population of hemodialysis patients. Design: The study is an open, parallel, intervention study. Setting: Ambulatory chronic hemodialysis patients. Subjects: Clinically stable chronic hemodialysis patients, on hemodialysis since more than 3 months, undergoing a folate washout. Control group on standard therapy (n = 50). Intervention: One group was treated with intravenous MTHF (MTHF group, n = 48). A second group was represented by patients treated with MTHF, and, during the course of 10 hemodialysis sessions, NAC was administered intravenous (MTHF + NAC group, n = 47). Main Outcome Measure: Plasma homocysteine measured before and after dialysis at the first and the last treatment. Results: At the end of the study, there was a significant decrease in predialysis plasma homocysteine levels in the MTHF group and MTHF + NAC group, compared with the control group, but no significant difference between the MTHF group and MTHF + NAC group. A significant decrease in postdialysis plasma homocysteine levels in MTHF + NAC group (10.27 ± 0.94 μmol/L, 95% confidence interval: 8.37-12.17) compared with the MTHF group (16.23 ± 0.83, 95% confidence interval: 14.55-17.90) was present. In the MTHF + NAC group, 64% of patients reached a postdialysis homocysteine level

In the first part of our study, we described the effect of picomolar concentrations of angiotensin II (AII) on cell membrane potential (Vb) and cell pH (pHi) of isolated perfused rabbit renal proximal tubules. In the present publication we summarize respective observations with micromolar concentrations of AII. With a few exceptions nearly all experiments showed mirror-image-like results. In the majority of the experiments 10(-6) mol/l AII, when applied from the bath (but not when applied from the lumen), slightly hyperpolarized the cells by -3.4 +/- 0.3 mV (mean +/- SEM, n = 20) and alkalinized them by up to 0.06 pH units, while the lower AII concentrations, which were applied in the previous study, depolarized and acidified. The present observations suggest that micromolar concentrations of AII inhibit basolateral Na-HCO3 cotransport. This conclusion was confirmed by a decreasing Vb response to step changes of basolateral HCO3 concentration. In addition, there was a tendency of the Vb response to K concentration steps to decrease, but measurements of the voltage divider ratio did not point to a significant inhibition of a basolateral K conductance. In spite of the almost perfect reciprocity of the results with 10(-6) and 10(-11) mol/l AII, some specific observations suggest that micromolar concentrations of AII do not simply cause mirror-image-like effects, but influence still further transport systems compared to picomolar concentrations.

Splenogonadal fusion is a rare congenital anomaly involving abnormal fusion between the spleen and the gonad. The fusion can be continuous or discontinuous, depending on the presence or absence of a structural connection between the regular spleen and ectopic splenic tissue attached to the gonad. Clinical presentation is usually as a testicular mass, and diagnosis is in most cases accidental; sometimes other congenital abnormalities are present ]. We report the case of a child with a continuous type splenogonadal fusion which manifested itself as a testicular mass. The diagnosis and surgical treatment were suggested by diagnostic laparoscopy.

The study was devised to assess the effects of a protein load (2 g/kg BW) on urinary prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and thromboxane A2 (TxA2) in patients with renal failure of glomerular origin. To this end, 8 women with a glomerular filtration rate of 55 +/- 12 ml/min x 1.73 m2 underwent the following studies: study 1: control; study 2: meat meal; study 3: meat meal+intravenous aspirin; study 4: pretreatment with oral aspirin for 2 days+protocol in study 3. Glomerular hyperfiltration was seen after the meat meal (study 2) and was not suppressed by aspirin (studies 3 and 4). Urinary PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TxA2 increased after the meat meal in study 2 and were suppressed by aspirin in studies 3 and 4. The ratio between vasodilative (PGE2 + 6-keto-PGF1 alpha) and vasoconstrictive (TxA2) autacoids increased during the meat meal (study 2) and was suppressed when aspirin was injected at the time of the oral protein load, thus, the effect of aspirin was much greater for PGE2 and PGF1 alpha than for TxA2. These data do not support that urinary prostaglandin and TxA2 have a direct role in renal hyperfiltration due to an acute protein load.

Il criptorchidismo e la mancata presenza di uno o di entrambi i testicoli nello scroto; l’incidenza e dell’ 1% a 1 anno di eta, del 3% nei nati a termine e del 33% nei prematuri. L’eziopatogenesi sembra essere multifattoriale per la possibile azione di diversi meccanismi: genetici, ormonali e meccanici. Circa il 20% dei pazienti criptorchidi ha un testicolo non palpabile; questo e tale perche agenesico, scomparso in utero (vanishing testis) o localizzato in addome a una distanza variabile dall’anello inguinale interno. La laparoscopia e la procedura piu efficace nella diagnostica del testicolo non palpabile e nella pianificazione chirurgica del testicolo intraddominale.

Ten patients with chronic renal failure (GFR 29–97 ml/min), on free diets providing 1 g/kg B.W. of proteins, ingested an oral protein load (meat meal, 2 g/kg B.W.). GFR and RPF increased significantly over baseline with no change in filtration fraction. Within 30 min of the meal and for the next 3 h a statistically significant increase was observed in the plasma concentrations of the following amino acid groups: essential, nonessential, total, branched-chain, ketogenic, glycogenic, glycogenic and ketogenic, basic, acid, polar and non-polar. At 30 min the smallest increase was seen in acid and polar amino acids (6.7% and 7.6%, respectively). At 180 min the largest increase (78.8%) was seen for glycogenic and ketogenic amino acids and total plasma amino acids were 1.58 times baseline. After the meat meal plasma glucagon and insulin rose significantly, while growth hormone, plasma renin activity and aldosterone did not vary.

It is well known that polydispersity and branching have important and, at the same time, hardly predictable effects on the rheological and processing properties of industrial polymers. In the literature, many studies have been undertaken in order to predict the rheology of polydisperse linear polymers and monodisperse, well‐defined, branched polymers. Industrial polymers are usually, simultaneously polydisperse and branched, exhibiting a much more complex viscoelastic behaviour. When polydispersity and branching are both present, many different relaxation processes are indeed active and sometimes coupled. In order to understand the viscoelastic behaviour of such a class of complex materials, we investigated the rheology of several blends of polydisperse linear and stars polymers with the help of a coarse grained—tube model. A series of polydisperse star/linear polybutadiene blends characterized by different composition and arm average molecular weight was prepared. Linear “parent” polymers were synthesized via anionic polymerization. A coupling agent was introduced in a second stage in order to obtain the blends. In order to characterize the composition of the blends, light scattering data were performed for determining their molar mass distributions (MMD). Then, using an adequate statistical approach, MMD were divided into different categories of architectures. We obtained a full set of linear and non‐linear rheological data. Then, we extended our tube‐based model to predict their linear viscoelasticity. This requires several modifications of the initial model in order to deal with a very large number of different particles and star molecules having arms of different lengths. The non‐linear rheological response was analyzed with special attention to the time‐strain separability at short and long times, whereas the response to uniaxial extension was also investigated.

Objectives: This study sought to investigate gender-related differences in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in Europe. Background: Gender-related differences may play a significant role in AF. Methods: We analyzed the data of 5,333 patients (42% female) enrolled in the Euro Heart Survey on Atrial Fibrillation. Results: Compared with men, the women were older, had a lower quality of life (QoL), had more comorbidities, more often had heart failure (HF) with preserved left ventricular systolic function (18% vs. 7%, p < 0.001), and less often had HF with systolic dysfunction (17% vs. 26%, p < 0.001). Among patients with typical AF symptoms (56% of women, 49% of men), there was no gender-related difference in the choice of rate or rhythm control. Among patients with atypical or no symptoms (44% of women, 51% of men), women less frequently underwent rhythm control (39% vs. 51%, p < 0.001) than did men. Women underwent less electrical cardioversion (22% vs. 28%, p < 0.001). Prescription of oral anticoagulants was identical (65%) in both genders. One-year outcome was similar except that women had a higher chance for stroke (odds ratio 1.83 in multivariable regression analysis, p = 0.019). Conclusions: Women with AF had more comorbidities, more HF with preserved systolic function, and a lower QoL than men. In the large group with atypical or no symptoms, women were treated appropriately more conservatively with less rhythm control than men. Women had a higher chance for stroke. Long-term QoL changes and other morbidities and mortality were similar. © 2007 American College of Cardiology Foundation.

A new architecture found in the KODAK KAC-3100 CMOS Image Sensor has been created to dramatically improve CMOS image performance in mobile applications. The method of operation and implementation is explained and the improvement of performance parameters on image quality is discussed. The benefits of the new architecture are discussed in relation to competitive CMOS technologies used in high-demanding mobile imaging applications today.

Seventy-eight strains of lactic acid bacteria belonging to five genera and showing six different phenotype combinations of Lac (lactose fermentation), Prt (proteolytic activity) and Cit (citrate degradation) characters were investigated for their main flavouring properties with the aim to detect variability among and within the groups.High resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of neutral volatile compounds produced in whey showed that, considering both neo-formation compounds and substances quantified in the whey cultures at different concentrations in comparison to the extract from sterile whey, the groups of lactococci, enterococci, thermophilic streptococci and mesophilic lactobacilli produced a higher number of volatiles than thermophilic lactobacilli and leuconostocs. Applying principal component analysis (PCA) to the results, enterococci, mesophilic lactobacilli and thermophilic streptococci showed a broad diversity, while lactococci included rather similar strains as well as strains with special flavouring properties. Applying PCA to thermophilic streptococci and enterococci, to lactococci and enterococci, to lactococci and thermophilic streptococci, or to mesophilic and thermophilic lactobacilli, the strains gathered consistently with their systematic position.The study evidenced strains producing some volatile compounds responsible for food flavouring. Flavouring properties were variable among the systematic groups and in some cases different within the same bacterial group.The potential of the findings is discussed with reference to the development of flavouring adjuncts for the dairy industry.

We report the case of a prostatic phyllodes tumor in a 47-year-old man. It measured 6 cm and was composed of a glandular component with leaf-like architecture, lined with two cellular layers, and a moderately cellular stromal component, with no atypia and no mitosis. Basal cells were marked with high-molecular-weight cytokeratin antibody (34BE12) and stromal cells were marked with anti-vimentin and for some of them with CD34 antibodies. Prostatic phyllodes tumor is a rare lesion with uncertain prognosis. Total surgical removal is necessary because malignant transformation to high-grade sarcoma has been reported. In our case the development of the tumor at the posterior side of the prostate, the lack of PSA immunoreactivity and the presence of mucinous glands, sometimes "endocervical-like", could suggest an origin from embryonic mullerian remnants in the prostatic utricle rather than urogenital sinus.

In the last years it has been observed a more and more increasing number of women submitted to therapies for induction of ovulation (disorders of the ovulation represent 33% of the causes of female infertility). In 1998, these therapies had been administrated to approximately two million of USA women. Various Authors have assumed a possible relationship between induction of ovulation and ovarian tumors. Between 1982 and 1997, at least 43 cases of ovarian tumors have been published (among these, there were also 25 cases of epithelial tumors) occurring in women previously treated with ovulation induction. The mean age of patient was 30.3 years, approximately 20 years younger than normal patient population for the same tumors. Among the possible causes of epithelial ovarian tumors, there is the trauma of the ovary surface caused by the continuous repeating of the ovulation phenomenon (incessant ovulation). Gynecologist should be aware of this potential risk for their patients. Multicentric studies should be evaluated in order to establish the risk of ovarian cancer in women treated for infertility problems. A survey of the international literature is made in order to analyse the epidemiological studies and to discuss the relationship between ovulation inducing agents and ovarian tumors.

Over a 16 month period we conducted a prospective study in a cohort of 45 HIV-positive patients to detect the development of resistance to fluconazole and to analyse the epidemiology of oropharyngeal candidosis (OPC). Each episode was treated with fluconazole 100 mg/day po for 10 days. All yeast isolates were tested for their in-vitro susceptibility to fluconazole. Multiple strains of Candida albicans simultaneously isolated from a given patient were typed by electrophoretic karyotyping. Overall, 106 episodes of OPC were diagnosed among the 45 patients: 18/45 patients (40%) had only one episode, 11/45 (24%) had two episodes, and the remaining 16/45 (36%) had three or more episodes (range 3-7). Cure (complete resolution of signs and symptoms and negative post-treatment cultures) and improvement (complete resolution of signs and symptoms but positive post-treatment cultures) were observed in 30/106 (28%) and 69/106 (65%) episodes of OPC, respectively. Failure (absence of improvement or exacerbation of signs and symptoms) was observed in seven episodes (7%) from four patients. In two of these four patients a significant and progressive increase in fluconazole MICs was observed: from 0.25 to 16 mg/L in one patient, and fromor = 0.125 to 32 mg/L in the second one. Tests on multiple colonies from individual isolation plates showed that it was not unusual to obtain different fluconazole MICs, indicating that, in order to avoid misleading results, one should perform in-vitro susceptibility testing by using a multiple colony inoculum rather than an inoculum made from a single colony. A total of 213 strains of C. albicans isolated from seven patients who suffered from four or more episodes of OPC through the course of the study were typed by electrophoretic karyotyping. Five individuals (71%) were infected with yeasts with only one DNA type, while the other two patients showed the presence of two or three different DNA types. The simultaneous presence of multiple types was found only in one of the seven subjects. Our data confirm the efficacy of fluconazole 100 mg/day for the treatment of OPC in HIV patients. Isolation of fluconazole-resistant strains of C. albicans with this regimen is rare. The vast majority of HIV patients are infected with a unique strain of C. albicans throughout each episode of infection. A minority of patients, however, can harbour strains of C. albicans with variable patterns of fluconazole susceptibility simultaneously.

Isolated microperfused rabbit renal proximal tubule S2 segments, if incubated in conventional substrate containing HCO3- Ringer solution, exhibit lower cell membrane potentials (Vb) and elevated intracellular Na+ concentrations ([Na]i) compared to rat tubules in vivo. Assuming that these and other differences reflect insufficient metabolic and/or hormonal stimulation of the cells, we have used microelectrode techniques to test whether improving substrate supply and applying norepinephrine (NE, to compensate for the missing nerve supply) reverts Vb and [Na]i to values observed in vivo. Application of D-glucose (5.5 mmol/l) and additional application of pyruvate, lactate, or L-alanine (each 10 mmol/l), or bathing the tubules in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's tissue culture medium (DMEM) significantly increased Vb and, whenever tested, reduced [Na]i as compared to substrate-free or D-glucose-containing control solution and these effects could be prevented - as tested in the case of pyruvate - by inhibition of the Na/K pump with ouabain. However, high concentrations of acetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, or L-glutamine had no significant effect. The largest effect was obtained with joint application of DMEM and NE (10 micromol/l) which increased Vb from -42.8 +/- 1.3 mV (SEM) to -55.3 +/- 2.5 mV (n = 11). Interestingly we noticed that under the latter conditions the Vb response to bath application of 1 mmol/l amiloride virtually disappeared, i.e. it changed from a depolarization of +14.6 +/- 1.4 mV (in D-glucose Ringer solution) to +0.6 +/- 0.7 mV (in DMEM plus NE) (n = 8), with some tubules showing even a small hyperpolarization. The latter implies partial restoration of the in vivo behaviour, since in experiments on rat proximal tubules in vivo amiloride regularly hyperpolarized the cells (by -3.4 +/- 0.76 mV, n = 5). Obviously under conventional in vitro conditions an amiloride-inhibitable K+ conductance is activated which is inactive in vivo and also inactivates under improved conditions in vitro. In agreement with observations reported in the subsequent publication our results demonstrate that isolated proximal tubules undergo functional alterations which may be largely prevented by improved metabolic and stimulatory incubation conditions.

Summary Five hundred and forty-four immigrant women, admitted from 1983 to 1993 to the 2nd Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Rome University, were enrolled in the study. Africa and East Europe were the most common places of birth. Seventy-five per cent of women gave birth spontaneously, and a caesarean section was performed in 22.2%. The frequency of spontaneous delivery and caesarean section was about the same among Italian and immigrant women.