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In many geotechnical problems, the stress state may be approximated by a simple shear stress state. Owing to that, simple shear tests, in which the principal axes of stresses and strains are free to rotate, should be preferred to investigate the soil mechanical behaviour. However, the most common simple shear devices (rigid boundaries) do not allow to completely know the stress state of the specimen. Therefore, the interpretation of this test type has always been developed only theoretically. In order to improve the basic understanding of simple shear stress paths, a more innovative simple shear device with flexible boundaries was used in this research. The specimen is enclosed with an unreinforced membrane and confined by cell pressure. The diameter is kept constant through a sophisticated control system, which well approximates a K0 condition. The undrained monotonic and cyclic simple shear tests on an Italian sand are presented and discussed. Based on some hypotheses, the stress state is reasonably determined and represented by Mohr's circles. The theoretical interpretations show that the soil failure—under monotonic and cyclic loading—is reached when the effective intermediate principal stress is midway between the major and minor principal effective stresses (b = 0.5; θ = 0), while the principal stress directions tend to reach a slope of 45°. Finally, the mechanical response of the tested sand is compared with the results of triaxial tests from a static and cyclic point of view. In agreement with several results reported in the literature, the friction angle in critical state conditions is higher in simple shear tests compared to that achieved in triaxial tests due to the rotation of principal stress directions. Moreover, the results of cyclic simple shear tests, in terms of liquefaction resistance (CRR15 ≈ 0.13), are consistent with those performed in cyclic triaxial conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large radio and mm–wave telescopes use very sensitive detectors requiring cryogenic cooling to reduce detector noise. Pulse Tubes (PT) cryocoolers are widely used to reach temperatures of a few K, defining the base temperature of further sub–K stages. This technology represents an effective solution for continuous operation, featuring high stability and reduced vibration levels on the detectors. However, the compressor used to operate the PT is a significant source of microphonics and electrical noise, making its use at the focus of large steerable telescopes not advisable. This calls for long flexible helium lines between the compressor, operated at the base of the radio telescope, and the cold–head, mounted in the receivers cabin with the receiver detectors. The distance between the receiver cabin and the base can be >100 m long for large radio telescopes. In the framework of our development of the MIllimetric Sardinia radio Telescope Receiver based on Array of Lumped elements kids (MISTRAL), a W–band camera working at the Gregorian focus of the 64 m aperture Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT) with an array of Lumped Elements Kinetic Inductance Detectors (LEKID), we have developed a cryogenic system based on a PT refrigerator as the first cooling stage. Here we describe the MISTRAL cryogenic system and focus on the validation of the use of a commercial PT Cryocooler with 100 m helium lines running from the cold head to the compressor unit. The configuration allows us to operate the 0.9 W PT reaching below 4.2 K with 0.5 W dissipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The simultaneous generation, dissipation and redistribution of excess pore pressures within the layers of a soil deposit, due to a seismic event, can significantly modify the seismic response of the whole deposit. The reliable estimate of the excess pore pressure induced by shaking within the soil is important to predict the behaviour of the soil at a large scale, and consequently, earthquake effects on built environment. Recently, pore pressure energy-based models are developing. Despite several advantages, their calibration is generally complex. The paper aims to provide a simple calibration procedure of the pore pressure energy-based prediction model developed by Berrill and Davis (1985), in order to make easier and more common the use to practitioners. The energy-based model of Berrill and Davis (1985) has been calibrated in this study by means of a dataset of 46 undrained cyclic triaxial and simple shear tests carried out on different sandy soils. The best fitting procedure with the envelope of the experimental curves has been adopted. The experimental evidences show that the two parameters (α and β) on which the model depends, are linked and can be related to the results of CPT or SPT in situ tests. The paper introduces two relationships to compute the calibration parameters from the well-known equivalent cone tip resistance (qc1Ncs) or the corrected SPT blow count ((N1)60cs). The applicability of the proposed procedure at a large scale has been discussed interpreting the results of cyclic simple shear tests on undisturbed sandy specimens from an energetic perspective. The validity of the calibration procedure has been finally verified performing 1D non-linear site response analyses by means of DEEPSOIL code, reproducing two centrifuge tests and three case histories. The close matching between the simulations of the excess pore pressure time histories with the experimental data of the centrifuge tests, together with the simulated excess pore pressure profiles of three case histories compared with the results achieved by using another 1D non-linear code demonstrates the effectiveness of the simplified procedure to calibrate the pore pressure energy-based prediction model of Berrill and Davis (1985). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COSMO is a ground-based instrument to measure the spectral distortions (SD) of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). In this paper, we present preliminary results of electromagnetic simulations of its reference blackbody calibrator. HFSS simulations provide a calibrator reflection coefficient of R ∼ 10 - 6 , corresponding to an emissivity ϵ = 1 - R = 0.999999 . We also provide a forecast for the instrument performance by using an ILC-based simulation. We show that COSMO can extract the isotropic Comptonization parameter (modeled as | y | = 1.77 · 10 - 6 ) as | y | = (1.79 ± 0.19) · 10 - 6 , in the presence of the main Galactic foreground (thermal dust) and of CMB anisotropies, and assuming perfect atmospheric emission removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MIllimetric Sardinia radio Telescope Receiver based on Array of Lumped elements KIDs, MISTRAL, is a cryogenic W-band (77–103 GH) LEKID camera which will be integrated at the Gregorian focus of the 64 m aperture Sardinia Radio Telescope, in Italy, in Autumn 2022. This instrument, thanks to its high angular resolution ( ∼ 13 arcsec ) and the wide instantaneous field of view ( ∼ 4 arcmin ), will allow continuum surveys of the mm-wave sky with a variety of scientific targets, spanning from extragalactic astrophysics to solar system science. In this contribution, we will describe the design of the MISTRAL camera, with a particular focus on the optimisation and test of a prototype of the focal plane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the setup for the broadband millimeter/submillimeter characterization of the quasi-optical elements and the dielectric materials commonly used in microwave receivers operated in microwave astronomy. The setup is made of a large aperture (100 mm) Fourier transform spectrometer coupled to a transition edge superconducting detector. The system has been assembled and characterized in different configurations and operation modes for the acquisition of interferograms from various kinds of samples. After the initial test runs, the configuration is now being updated to ensure a broader range of measurements, including reflectance and scattering. We plan to first use this testbed for the characterization of the dielectric materials used in the LSPE/SWIPE experiment, devoted to the study the polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postshaking soil volumetric strains of liquefiable soils are of technical interest because they cause a relevant part of the total settlements experienced by the site of interest. In the case of liquefiable intermediate soils, such as sandy silts or silty sands, reconsolidation volumetric strains are affected by the amount of fines. The technical note reports the results of laboratory cyclic undrained tests carried out to study liquefaction resistance and postliquefaction volumetric behavior of sand-silt mixtures reconstituted with increasing amount of nonplastic fines [ 0

Induced partial saturation (IPS) is considered to be one of the most promising technologies to tackle soil liquefaction risk. The mitigation of the liquefaction susceptibility of loose partially saturated sandy soils is linked to the high volumetric compressibility of the gas or air bubbles entrapped in the continuous water phase. Based on a large amount of experimental data, a new formulation of the potential volumetric strain (εv*) of nonsaturated soil is introduced to overcome some experimental inconsistencies linked to the possible dissolution of the air bubbles, that may not be neglected at the laboratory scale if cyclic loads are applied with low frequencies (<1 Hz). Gas dissolution increases the volumetric strains, and if neglected may lead to unconservative estimates of the beneficial effect of desaturation on liquefaction potential. The experimental results of this study also showed that the difference in liquefaction resistance between partially saturated and fully saturated soils depends only on the volumetric component (Ev,liq) of the specific energy spent to attain liquefaction. Such a synthetic state parameter satisfactorily allows predicting the liquefaction resistance curves of partially saturated sands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the European project LIQUEFACT some activities have been devoted to the experimental verification of the effectiveness of two techniques in the mitigation of soil liquefaction susceptibility: induced partial saturation (IPS) and horizontal drains. After a preliminary check of their efficiency via centrifuge tests, the two techniques have been studied by means of some large scale shaking tests carried out in a field trial located in the Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy). A preliminary extensive in situ and laboratory investigation was necessary to identify the shallow liquefiable soil layer in which the mitigation techniques and the monitoring instrumentations (pore pressure transducers and geophones) had to be installed. Both techniques required the installation of horizontal well screens via a directional controlled drilling technique: the pipes were used as drainage systems (linear HDL and rhomboidal configurations HDR) or for the air injection in the area treated with IPS technique. The in situ experimental evidences showed that both techniques are able to avoid liquefaction triggering, that on the contrary was attained during the tests in the untreated testing area. The processing of in situ data highlighted that the efficiency of the two techniques is strictly related to chosen arrangement of the horizontal drains and the induced degree of saturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present beam pattern tests performed on the SWIPE multi-mode bolometric detector pixel assembly. A 20-mm-aperture horn is coupled to a large detector absorber (10 mm diameter) with a TES sensor located on the side. The pixel assembly has been tested at the bolometer base temperature of 340 mK, inside a custom cryogenic test bed, looking at a Gunn oscillator (128 GHz) located in the far field. We developed a custom cryogenic neoprene absorber, in addition to the stack of standard metal meshes low-pass filters, to reduce the background on the detector at a level similar to the one expected in flight, allowing to measure the main beam of the pixel assembly. The measured FWHM is 21 ∘ , slightly narrower than the expected one (24 ∘ ), due to vignetting produced by the filters stack. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the development of a W-band lumped element kinetic inductance detector array for application in large ground-based telescopes, like the Sardinia radio telescope. Based on the previous studies, we use a Ti/Al bi-layer film (10 nm thick Ti + 25 nm thick Al) for the resonators, to cover frequencies greater than 65 GHz. Optical simulations have been performed using ANSYS HFSS software suite, to optimize the absorber geometry, the illumination configuration, and the thickness of the dielectric substrate. Simulations suggest that the best geometry of the absorber is a front-illuminated third-order Hilbert curve, with a Si substrate 235 μ m thick, coupled to a single-mode circular waveguide. Electrical simulations have been performed using SONNET, to complete the design of the detectors by choosing the size of the capacitor, the bias coupling, and the feedline. In addition, the electrical simulations allow us to verify the lumped condition, to tune the feedline impedance and resonant frequencies, to constrain the coupling quality factor, and to minimize the electrical cross-talk between different pixels of the same array. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a general methodology to calculate the individual sensitivity and the cross-sensitivities of potentiometric sensor devices (e.g., ion sensitive FETs (ISFETs), CHEMFETs) with an arbitrary number of non-interacting receptors binding to ionic species or analytes in the electrolyte. The surface charge generated at the (bare or functionalized) interface with the electrolyte is described by the Poisson equation coupled to a linear system of equations for each type of receptor, where the unknowns are the fractions of sites binding with a given ion/analyte. Our general model encompasses in a unique framework a few simple special cases so far separately reported in the literature and provides for them closed-form expressions of the average site occupation probability. Detailed procedural description of the usage and benefits of the model is shown for specific cases with concurring surface chemical reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of He ion bombardment on silicon based devices can be seen observing a change of their electric properties, that are relevant for their application, as well as through the modification of some local properties, in particular, resistivity and recombination lifetime, that in turn reflect the microscopic modification of their structure. The knowledge of the relation between these two aspects of the modifications induced by ion implantation would represent a powerful tool to design new devices and processes. This paper presents the results of an experimental analysis, where the modifications of the electrical properties of power devices, induced by helium implantation, were correlated to both the local recombination lifetime and the resistivity depth profile measured using a differential ac technique. Various measurements were performed for a wide range of temperatures to obtain information on the energy levels of the recombination centers which are responsible for the observed variations of the local properties of the device. The investigation was performed varying both the beam energy (from 3.5 to 5.8 MeV) and dose (1×108–5×1011 ions/cm2), providing a complete picture of the implantation effects. Finally, an application to the switching behavior of a fast recovery power diode is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The primordial B-mode signal in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) represents the smoking gun of cosmic inflation, and measuring it is the main goal of current experimental effort. The most accessible method for measuring polarization features of the CMB radiation is a Stokes polarimeter based on the rotation of a half-wave plate (HWP). Aims. Current observational cosmology is starting to be limited by systematic effects. A Stokes polarimeter with a rotating HWP has the advantage of mitigating a long list of potential systematics by modulating the linearly polarized component of the radiation, but the rotating HWP itself may introduce new systematic effects that must be under control. This represents one of the most critical parts in the design of a B-mode experiment. It is therefore mandatory to take all the systematic effects into account that the instrumentation can induce. We here present, simulate, and analyze the spurious signal arising from the precession of a rotating HWP. Methods. We first derived an analytical formula to describe the systematic effect that is induced by the HWP precession on the propagating radiation, using the 3D generalization of the Müller formalism. We then performed several numerical simulations that show the effect induced on the Stokes parameters by this systematic. We also derived and discuss the effect on B-modes as measured by a satellite experiment. Results. We derive the analytical formula for the Stokes parameters from a Stokes polarimeter where the HWP follows a precessional motion with an angle θ0. We show the result depending on the HWP inertia tensor, spinning speed, and on θ0. The result of numerical simulations is reported as a simple time-line of the electric fields. Finally, assuming that the entire sky is observed with a satellite mission, we analyze the effect on B-mode measurements. Conclusions. The effect is not negligible at the sensitivity of current B-mode experiments, therefore this systematic needs to be carefully considered for future experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclic undrained triaxial tests were carried out on saturated and unsaturated loose specimens of three fine-grained materials. The results confirm that, as the saturation degree decreases, liquefaction resistance sharply increases. In the interpretation of results, the first step was the assessment of the reliability of the use of the 5% strain amplitude criterion to define the attainment of liquefaction. With this aim, the tests were analysed assuming that the soil behaves as an equivalent viscous material. It is shown that the characteristic values of viscosity defining the start and completion of liquefaction depend on soil grading, increasing as the coefficient of uniformity increases. The equivalent viscosity corresponding to a condition of double strain axial amplitude of 5% is fairly constant for all soils. Then, starting from the observation of the relationship between the final volumetric strain and the initial degree of saturation, a theoretical interpretation of the tests is reported. It is shown that the behaviour of the tested sands can be interpreted quantifying the thermodynamic specific energy spent to reach liquefaction, considering the contribution of all phases (soil, water and air). The position of the liquefaction resistance curve depends on the volumetric component of such a specific energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays dredged materials are increasingly seen as a resource, and strategies and methodologies for their beneficial reuse are being developed throughout the world. When dealing with fine grained sediments, electro-osmotic treatment is very promising to this aim, being able to speed up dewatering and to remove contaminants. The paper presents the first results of an experimental activity started to get an insight on the ability of electric treatment to strengthen fine grained dredged soils. A special oedometer was adopted to this aim, capable of applying different combinations of mechanical and electric loads to the soil, and large enough to allow the final retrieval of specimens to be tested in a triaxial cell. Both the oedometric and the triaxial test results obtained on a soft dredged material at a very high water content indicate that the application of a low voltage produces a negligible volumetric reduction but a complete change in the mechanical behaviour of the treated soil. Upon electro-osmotic consolidation, the soil-still having a very high void ratio-behaves as being over-consolidated, with a brittle behaviour in the triaxial tests and a large increase of the yielding strength in the oedometric tests. It is argued that such a sharp change in the macro-mechanical response of the treated soil is not related to the amount of water removed but to the change in soil microstructure caused by the removal of part of the electrically bonded water during the electroosmotic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many catalytic reactions under fixed conditions exhibit oscillatory behaviour. The oscillations are often attributed to dynamic changes in the catalyst surface. So far, however, such relationships were difficult to determine for catalysts consisting of supported nanoparticles. Here, we employ a nanoreactor to study the oscillatory CO oxidation catalysed by Pt nanoparticles using time-resolved high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, mass spectrometry and calorimetry. The observations reveal that periodic changes in the CO oxidation are synchronous with a periodic refacetting of the Pt nanoparticles. The oscillatory reaction is modelled using density functional theory and mass transport calculations, considering the CO adsorption energy and the oxidation rate as site-dependent. We find that to successfully explain the oscillations, the model must contain the phenomenon of refacetting. The nanoreactor approach can thus provide atomic-scale information that is specific to surface sites. This will improve the understanding of dynamic properties in catalysis and related fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the use of 3.0 T MRI in the prognosis of inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) sensory disorders after mandibular third molar extraction, in the early post-operative period. Methods: 343 IANs were examined before and 3 days after surgery. Two radiologists evaluated the course of the nerve and the relative signal intensity (RSI). Cohen's kappa coefficient (k) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to evaluate the interobserver (A: = 0.891) and intra-observer variability (ICC = 0.927; 0.914, respectively). The IANs were divided into four groups on the basis of neurosensory disorders recovery time. ANOVA was used to evaluate the differences among the RSIs of the four groups, and multiple comparisons were performed with Tukey's range test. Results: No differences in the course of IANs were found before and after surgery. In 280 IANs, no iatrogenic paraesthesia was found (Group A). 63 IANs showed a neurosensory impairment. 38 IANs showed recovery of post-operative paraesthesia at 3-month follow-up (Group B). 16 IANs showed a full recovery of iatrogenic paraesthesia at 6-month follow-up (Group C). Seven IANs displayed a full recovery at 12-month follow-up and two IANs showed persistence of neurosensory disorders at 18-month follow-up (Group D). The one-way ANOVA results indicated statistically significant difference among all groups (p<0.05), except between Groups C and D (p = 0.504). Conclusions: The early evaluation of RSI values represents a valid tool to determine the prognosis of IAN sensory disorders after mandibular third molar extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor ( KIR)-human leukocyte antigen ( HLA) interaction represents an example of genetic epistasis, where the concomitant presence of specific genes or alleles encoding receptor-ligand units is necessary for the activity of natural killer ( NK) cells. Although KIR and HLA genes segregate independently, they co-evolved under environmental pressures to maintain particular KIR-HLA functional blocks for species survival. We investigated, in 270 Italian healthy individuals, the distribution of KIR and HLA polymorphisms in three climatic areas (from cold north to warm south), to verify their possible geographical stratification. We analyzed the presence of 13 KIR genes and genotyped KIR ligands belonging to HLA class I: HLA-C, HLA-B and HLA-A. We did not observe any genetic stratification for KIR genes and HLA-C ligands in Italy. By contrast, in a north-to-south direction, we found a decreasing trend for the HLA-A3 and HLA-A11 ligands ( P = 0.012) and an increasing trend for the HLA-B ligands carrying the Bw4 epitope ( P = 0.0003) and the Bw4 Ile80 epitope ( P = 0.0005). The HLA-A and HLA-B KIR ligands were in negative linkage disequilibrium (correlation coefficient −0.1211), possibly as a consequence of their similar function in inhibiting NK cells. The distribution of the KIR-HLA functional blocks was different along Italy, as we observed a north-to-south ascending trend for KIR3DL1, when coupled with HLA-B Bw4 ligands ( P = 0.0067) and with HLA-B Bw4 Ile80 ( P = 0.0027), and a descending trend for KIR3DL2 when coupled with HLA-A3 and HLA-A11 ligands ( P = 0.0044). Overall, people from South Italy preferentially use the KIR3DL1-HLA-B Bw4 functional unit, while those from the North Italy equally use both the KIR3DL2-HLA-A3/ A11 and the KIR3DL1-HLA-B Bw4 functional units to fight infections. Thus, only KIR3DL receptors, which exert the unique role of microbial sensors through the specific D0 domain, and their cognate HLA-A and HLA-B ligands are selectively pressured in Italy according to geographical north-to-south distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Ultrasound is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Erythropoietin (EPO) exerts a tissue-protective activity in several non-haematopoietic tissues such as heart, brain, spinal cord and muscle. We evaluated the relationship between pre-operative endogenous EPO blood levels and myocardial damage in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Furthermore, we investigated whether pre-operative administration of a single bolus of 40,000 IU epoetin alpha (EPOalpha) would reduce troponin I or creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) after on-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Sixty-seven patients (45 CABG, 22 valvular surgery) were enrolled. EPO was measured in the pre-surgical period and correlated to post-surgical troponin I and CK-MB peaks. Subsequently, forty patients scheduled for CABG were randomized into two groups, receiving, respectively, a) standard medical and surgical treatment (20 patients) and b) the same treatment plus 40,000 IU of EPOalpha in a single bolus injection in the immediate pre-surgical period (20 patients). In our population, we did not find any correlation between pre-surgical EPO and post-surgical troponin I or CK-MB peaks (p Pearson > 0.05). Furthermore, patients treated with EPOalpha did not show differences compared to the control group in either troponin I (1.7+/-1.8 vs 2.6+/-3.4, p>0.05) or CK-MB (19.6 +/-13.2 vs 17.1+/-12.6, p>0.05) peaks measured in the post-surgical period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erythropoietin (EPO) exerts a tissue-protective activity in several non-haematopoietic tissues such as heart, brain, spinal cord and muscle. We evaluated the relationship between pre-operative endogenous EPO blood levels and myocardial damage in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Furthermore, we investigated whether pre-operative administration of a single bolus of 40,000 IU epoetin alpha (EPOa) would reduce troponin I or creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) after on-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Sixty-seven patients (45 CABG, 22 valvular surgery) were enrolled. EPO was measured in the pre-surgical period and correlated to postsurgical troponin I and CK-MB peaks. Subsequently, forty patients scheduled for CABG were randomized into two groups, receiving, respectively, a) standard medical and surgical treatment (20 patients) and b) the same treatment plus 40,000 IU of EPOa in a single bolus injection in the immediate pre-surgical period (20 patients). In our population, we did not find any correlation between presurgical EPO and post-surgical troponin I or CK-MB peaks (p Pearson > 0.05). Furthermore, patients treated with EPOa did not show differences compared to the control group in either troponin I (1.7±1.8 vs 2.6±3.4, p>0.05) or CK-MB (19.6 ±13.2 vs 17.1±12.6, p>0.05) peaks measured in the post-surgical period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a clonal expansion of hematopoietic precursors blocked at the promyelocytic stage. Gene expression profiles of APL cells obtained from 16 patients were compared to eight samples of CD34+-derived normal promyelocytes. Malignant promyelocytes showed widespread changes in transcription in comparison to their normal counterpart and 1020 differentially expressed genes were identified. Discriminating genes include transcriptional regulators (FOS, JUN and HOX genes) and genes involved in cell cycle and DNA repair. The strong upregulation in APL of some transcripts (FLT3, CD33, CD44 and HGF) was also confirmed at protein level. Interestingly, a trend toward a transcriptional repression of genes involved in different DNA repair pathways was found in APL and confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reactor (PCR) in a new set of nine APLs. Our results suggest that both inefficient base excision repair and recombinational repair might play a role in APLs development. To investigate the expression pathways underlying the development of APL occurring as a second malignancy (sAPL), we included in our study eight cases of sAPL. Although both secondary and de novo APL were characterized by a strong homogeneity in expression profiling, we identified a small set of differentially expressed genes that discriminate sAPL from de novo cases.Leukemia (2006) 20, 1978–1988. doi:10.1038/sj.leu.2404376; published online 21 September 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are a family of inhibitory and activatory receptors that are expressed by most natural killer (NK) cells. The KIR gene family is polymorphic: genomic diversity is achieved through differences in gene content and allelic polymorphism. The number of KIR loci has been reported to vary among individuals, resulting in different KIR haplotypes. In this study we report the genotypic structure of KIRs in 217 unrelated healthy Italian individuals from 22 immunogenetics laboratories, located in the northern, central and southern regions of Italy. Methods: Two hundred and seventeen DNA samples were studied by a low resolution PCR-SSP kit designed to identify all KIR genes. Results: All 17 KIR genes were observed in the population with different frequencies than other Caucasian and non-Caucasian populations; framework genes KIR3DL3, KIR3DP1, KIR2DL4 and KIR3DL2 were present in all individuals. Sixtyfive different profiles were found in this Italian population study. Haplotype A remains the most prevalent and genotype 1, with a frequency of 28.5%, is the most commonly observed in the Italian population. Conclusion: The Italian Caucasian population shows polymorphism of the KIR gene family like other Caucasian and non-Caucasian populations. Although 64 genotypes have been observed, genotype 1 remains the most frequent as already observed in other populations. Such knowledge of the KIR gene distribution in populations is very useful in the study of associations with diseases and in selection of donors for haploidentical bone marrow transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Mycoses is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The objective of the study was to evaluate the incidence, characteristics, treatment and outcome of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMeL) in patients enrolled in GIMEMA trials. Between 1982 and 1999, 3603 new consecutive cases of AML aged over 15 years were admitted to GIMEMA trials. Of them, 24 were AMeL. The incidence of AMeL among AML patients enrolled in GIMEMA trials was 0.6% (24/3603). Diagnosis was based on morphological criteria. Out of 11 cytogenetic studies performed two presented chromosome 3 abnormalities. Twelve patients (50%) reached a CR, five (21%) died in induction and seven (27%) were unresponsive. The median duration of CR was 35 weeks (range 10-441). Seven patients underwent transplantation procedures (1 BMT, 4 aBMT, 2 aPBSCT). Four patients died in CR due to chemotherapy-related complications. Comparing the CR rate between AMeL and the other cases of AML enrolled in GIMEMA trials, no differences were observed. These results were mirrored for different age groups. The median survival was 40 weeks. At present, after a followup of a minimum of 2 years, only two patients are alive in CR, all the others having died. A 5-year Kaplan-Meier curve shows a disease-free survival of 17% and an actuarial overall survival of 10%. AMeL is a rare form of AML. The CR duration and the overall survival in this group of patients are very poor, even if similar to those observed in other AML. Furthermore, a high number of deaths in CR were observed. On the basis of these data, a specific therapeutic approach, possibly with innovative treatments, should be evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the incidence of secondary acute lymphoblastic leukemia (sALL) with L3 morphology in adult patients. Characteristics of sALL; Detection of chromosome rearrangements involving c-myc oncogene; Responses of patients to chemotherapy.

The present multicenter study analysed the relative impact of maternal and infant factors on serum bilirubin levels at 72 ± 12 h in exclusively breastfed vs formula-fed term infants. End-tidal carbon monoxide levels corrected for ambient air (ETCOc), an index of bilirubin production, were measured in exclusively breastfed (B = 66) or formula-fed (F = 210) term infants at 2-8 h of age. Inclusion criteria included cesarean section to ensure a 3 d hospitalization, birthweight ≥ 2500 g, gestational age ≥ 37 wk and absence of any illness. The ETCOc for B infants and F infants did not differ significantly (1.3 ± 0.7 ppm vs 1.3 ± 0.8 ppm). The serum bilirubin level at 72 ± 12 h was significantly higher in B infants than in F infants (8.5 ± 3.4 mg dl[sup -1] vs 6.7 ± 3.4 mg dl[sup -1], p < 0.001), as was the percentage weight loss from birthweight. Serum bilirubin levels were significantly higher in infants who were male, who did not have meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and in those whose mothers were insulin-dependent diabetics or hypertensive. There was no difference between groups in the need for phototherapy or exchange transfusion. Conclusion: Although higher bilirubin levels were observed in group B at 72 ± 12 h compared with group F, this finding was not of clinical or therapeutic consequence in this study. The lack of difference in ETCOc between the groups may be a factor of the timing of ETCOc measurement in this study, or may suggest that early increased bilirubin production is not a significant contributor to jaundice observed in exclusively breastfed infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate skin infections caused by Aspergillus in patients with haematological malignancies. Fifteen cases of cutaneous aspergillosis are reported, 12 of which occurred among 4448 consecutive patients with acute leukaemia. Cutaneous involvement occurred in 4% of patients with documented Aspergillus infection. Primary cutaneous aspergillosis was diagnosed in five cases. Infection was fatal in 11 of 15 cases; the absence of additional sites of infection other than cutis at presentation appeared to be the only factor related to a favourable outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Neonatal adrenal hemorrhage is a relatively uncommon condition (0.2–0.55%). Various risk factors have been reported in addition to birth asphyxia, such as sepsis, coagulation disorders, traumatic delivery, and perinatal injuries. Adrenal hemorrhage usually affects the right adrenal gland (about 70% of cases) while it involves the bilateral adrenal gland only in 10% of cases. In most cases, the event is asymptomatic but, in others, it may be so devastating to determine death by bleeding or adrenal insufficiency. Case presentation: A case of bilateral neonatal adrenal hemorrhage, with adrenal insufficiency, but with no important risk factors and favorable evolution in a male infant. Conclusions: This case emphasizes the importance of keeping a non-interventional attitude, avoiding early surgery but carrying out a serial sonographic follow-up. Serial ultrasound monitoring is the most reliable approach during conservative management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]