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Abstract Background Surfactant is a well-established therapy for preterm neonates affected by respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The goals of different methods of surfactant administration are to reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation and the severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD); however, the optimal administration method remains unknown. This study compares the effectiveness of the INtubate-RECruit-SURfactant-Extubate (IN-REC-SUR-E) technique with the less-invasive surfactant administration (LISA) technique, in increasing BPD-free survival of preterm infants. This is an international unblinded multicenter randomized controlled study in which preterm infants will be randomized into two groups to receive IN-REC-SUR-E or LISA surfactant administration. Methods In this study, 382 infants born at 24+0–27+6 weeks’ gestation, not intubated in the delivery room and failing nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) or nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) during the first 24 h of life, will be randomized 1:1 to receive IN-REC-SUR-E or LISA surfactant administration. The primary outcome is a composite outcome of death or BPD at 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age. The secondary outcomes are BPD at 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age; death; pulse oximetry/fraction of inspired oxygen; severe intraventricular hemorrhage; pneumothorax; duration of respiratory support and oxygen therapy; pulmonary hemorrhage; patent ductus arteriosus undergoing treatment; percentage of infants receiving more doses of surfactant; periventricular leukomalacia, severe retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, sepsis; total in-hospital stay; systemic postnatal steroids; neurodevelopmental outcomes; and respiratory function testing at 24 months of age. Randomization will be centrally provided using both stratification and permuted blocks with random block sizes and block order. Stratification factors will include center and gestational age (24+0 to 25+6 weeks or 26+0 to 27+6 weeks). Analyses will be conducted in both intention-to-treat and per-protocol populations, utilizing a log-binomial regression model that corrects for stratification factors to estimate the adjusted relative risk (RR). Discussion This trial is designed to provide robust data on the best method of surfactant administration in spontaneously breathing preterm infants born at 24+0–27+6 weeks’ gestation affected by RDS and failing nCPAP or NIPPV during the first 24 h of life, comparing IN-REC-SUR-E to LISA technique, in increasing BPD-free survival at 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age of life. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05711966. Registered on February 3, 2023.

Abstract Background Long-chain acyl-carnitines (ACs) are potential arrhythmogenic metabolites. Their role in atrial fibrillation (AF) remains incompletely understood. Using a systems medicine approach, we assessed the contribution of C18:1AC to AF by analysing its in vitro effects on cardiac electrophysiology and metabolism, and translated our findings into the human setting. Methods and results Human iPSC-derived engineered heart tissue was exposed to C18:1AC. A biphasic effect on contractile force was observed: short exposure enhanced contractile force, but elicited spontaneous contractions and impaired Ca2+ handling. Continuous exposure provoked an impairment of contractile force. In human atrial mitochondria from AF individuals, C18:1AC inhibited respiration. In a population-based cohort as well as a cohort of patients, high C18:1AC serum concentrations were associated with the incidence and prevalence of AF. Conclusion Our data provide evidence for an arrhythmogenic potential of the metabolite C18:1AC. The metabolite interferes with mitochondrial metabolism, thereby contributing to contractile dysfunction and shows predictive potential as novel circulating biomarker for risk of AF.

Extreme political populism has been fiercely spreading climate disinformation for years, contributing to a social divide about climate change. In order to profile how both sides of the climate divide communicate climate change, we collected dissemination materials and analysed the mindset of key actors reaching global audiences. We apply network science to textual content in order to reconstruct and analyse the mindsets of key actors across the climate divide. Here, we show that the emerging mindsets support the identification of emotional patterns – such as hypercritical scepticism masking falsehoods under a trustful promotion of change – linked to a quick and pervasive spread of falsehoods, i.e. an infodemic. We find that, in climate change disinformation, the word “climate” represents a fearsome threat linked to inconsistent science. We show that the word “change” represents a reassuring pattern in climate disinformation, characterised by trust and by low anticipation without risk awareness, except for some fear about policy changes. For climate activism, the word “change” is linked to high levels of negative emotions like anger, disgust, and fear related to a perception of existential threats. Furthermore, the word “children” represents an angering concern in climate disinformation, while climate change activism perceives “children” with trust and joy but also sadness for their anticipated future. Mindset reconstruction has the potential to become a relevant tool for identifying and flagging communication materials linked to disinformation, which amplifies the climate divide and facilitates infodemics.

Introduction: With limited resources for rehabilitation, burn therapists throughout the world rely on local resources, professional creativity and community relationships to create solutions to help their patients recover. The demands of helping a burn survivor achieve an optimal outcome drive the burn therapist to create tools and strategies that effectively solve common problems after burn injury. Methods: The International Society for Burn Injury (ISBI) invited burn therapists from around the world to describe the innovations that they have created to solve burn rehabilitation problems. The submissions were provided through an online form and inclusion of photographs was encouraged. Each submission was reviewed in a blinded manner by an expert panel of three independent rehabilitation therapists from the ISBI Rehabilitation Committee. The submissions were reviewed for originality, utility, quality and safety, then edited and compiled to be shared and disseminated throughout the world. Results: A total of 77 innovations were submitted for review. 71 were accepted for publication (92%) and given the opportunity to publish in Burns Open. Clinicians from 15 countries submitted innovations. The innovations were categorized as: Orthosis, Scar Management, Techniques, Activities of Daily Living Devices, Educational Tools and Prosthesis. Nineteen submissions were translated from Spanish to English. Discussion: Creative and innovative ideas using local resources are turned into patient solutions by experienced burn therapists around the world. However, because such innovations don’t reach widespread investigation or production, the ideas remain in a silo in the local area when they could be of use to therapists in other cultures. This project resulted in a book of “Innovative Solutions in Burn Rehabilitation from Around the World,” that was printed and is now available as this Special Edition in Burns Open. Future work would include expanding on the book with more innovative solutions and translating it into multiple languages to improve access and usability throughout the world.

Introduction: With limited resources for rehabilitation, burn therapists throughout the world rely on local resources, professional creativity and community relationships to create solutions to help their patients recover. The demands of helping a burn survivor achieve an optimal outcome drive the burn therapist to create tools and strategies that effectively solve common problems after burn injury. Methods: The International Society for Burn Injury (ISBI) invited burn therapists from around the world to describe the innovations that they have created to solve burn rehabilitation problems. The submissions were provided through an online form and inclusion of photographs was encouraged. Each submission was reviewed in a blinded manner by an expert panel of three independent rehabilitation therapists from the ISBI Rehabilitation Committee. The submissions were reviewed for originality, utility, quality and safety, then edited and compiled to be shared and disseminated throughout the world. Results: A total of 77 innovations were submitted for review. 71 were accepted for publication (92%) and given the opportunity to publish in Burns Open. Clinicians from 15 countries submitted innovations. The innovations were categorized as: Orthosis, Scar Management, Techniques, Activities of Daily Living Devices, Educational Tools and Prosthesis. Nineteen submissions were translated from Spanish to English. Discussion: Creative and innovative ideas using local resources are turned into patient solutions by experienced burn therapists around the world. However, because such innovations don’t reach widespread investigation or production, the ideas remain in a silo in the local area when they could be of use to therapists in other cultures. This project resulted in a book of “Innovative Solutions in Burn Rehabilitation from Around the World,” that was printed and is now available as this Special Edition in Burns Open. Future work would include expanding on the book with more innovative solutions and translating it into multiple languages to improve access and usability throughout the world.

Abstract Background Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and aggressive malignancy that most commonly affects the pleural layers. MPM has a strong association with asbestos, mainly caused by exposure to its biopersistent fibers in at least 80% of cases. Individuals with a chronic exposure to asbestos might develop disease with a 20–40-year latency with few or no symptoms. Such has been the case in the Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy, where industrial production of materials laden with asbestos, mainly cements, has been responsible for the onset of a large epidemic. Since 2018, a multidisciplinary team at San Matteo hospital in Pavia has been collecting data on over 100 patients with MPM. The main goal of this project is to define and describe an integrated profile for each MPM case at diagnosis by using data mining and partition analysis. Methods Here we bring together exhaustive epidemiologic, histologic and radiologic data of 88 MPM patients that came to our observation and draw correlations with predictive and prognostic significance. Results The median overall survival (OS) was 15.6 months. Most patients presented with pleural effusion, irrespective of disease stage. Quite unexpectedly, no statistically significant association was demonstrated between OS and TNM disease stage at diagnosis. Although average OS is similar in male and female patients, partition analysis of data underlined a significant differential hierarchy of predictor categories based on patient gender. In females with no smoking history, full chemotherapeutic regimens are associated with better outcomes. Moreover, concerning second line treatments, vinorelbine emerged as the most advantageous choice for female patients, whereas in the male subgroup no statistically significant difference resulted between gemcitabine and vinorelbine. Conclusion A multidisciplinary approach to MPM is mandatory to define better therapeutic approaches, personalize the management and improve patient outcomes.

Abstract Purpose Accurate dosimetry is essential in radioembolization. To this purpose, an automatic protocol for healthy liver dosimetry based on dual isotope (DI) SPECT imaging, combining holmium-166 (166Ho)-microspheres, and technetium-99 m (99mTc)-colloid was developed: 166Ho-microspheres used as scout and therapeutic particles, and 99mTc-colloid to identify the healthy liver. DI SPECT allows for an automatic and accurate estimation of absorbed doses, introducing true personalized dosimetry. However, photon crosstalk between isotopes can compromise image quality. This study investigates the effect of 99mTc downscatter on 166Ho dosimetry, by comparing 166Ho-SPECT reconstructions of patient scans acquired before (166Ho-only) and after additional administration of 99mTc-colloid (166Ho-DI). Methods The 166Ho-only and 166Ho-DI scans were performed in short succession by injecting 99mTc-colloid on the scanner table. To compensate for 99mTc downscatter, its influence was accounted for in the DI image reconstruction using energy window-based scatter correction methods. The qualitative assessment was performed by independent blinded comparison by two nuclear medicine physicians assessing 65 pairs of SPECT/CT. Inter-observer agreement was tested by Cohen’s kappa coefficient. For the quantitative analysis, two volumes of interest within the liver, VOITUMOR, and VOIHEALTHY were manually delineated on the 166Ho-only reconstruction and transferred to the co-registered 166Ho-DI reconstruction. Absorbed dose within the resulting VOIs, and in the lungs (VOILUNGS), was calculated based on the administered therapeutic activity. Results The qualitative assessment showed no distinct clinical preference for either 166Ho-only or 166Ho-DI SPECT (kappa = 0.093). Quantitative analysis indicated that the mean absorbed dose difference between 166Ho-DI and 166Ho-only was − 2.00 ± 2.84 Gy (median 27 Gy; p value < 0.00001), − 5.27 ± 8.99 Gy (median 116 Gy; p value = 0.00035), and 0.80 ± 1.08 Gy (median 3 Gy; p value < 0.00001) for VOIHEALTHY, VOITUMOR, and VOILUNGS, respectively. The corresponding Pearson’s correlation coefficient between 166Ho-only and 166Ho-DI for absorbed dose was 0.97, 0.99, and 0.82, respectively. Conclusion The DI protocol enables automatic dosimetry with undiminished image quality and accuracy. Clinical trials The clinical study mentioned is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02067988) on 20 February 2014.

Abstract Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is an obscure disease characterized by multiple metastases in the absence of a primary tumor. No consensus has been reached whether CUPs are simply generated from cancers that cannot be detected or whether they are the manifestation of a still unknown nosological entity. Here, we report the complete expression and genetic analysis of multiple synchronous metastases harvested at warm autopsy of a patient with CUP. The expression profiles were remarkably similar and astonishingly singular. The whole exome analysis yielded a high number of mutations present in all metastases (fully shared), additional mutations (partially shared) accumulated one after another in a series, and few private mutations were unique to each metastasis. Surprisingly, the phylogenetic trajectory linking CUP metastases was atypical, depicting a common “stream”, sprouting a series of linear “brooks”, at variance from the extensive branched evolution observed in metastases from most cancers of known origin. The distinctive genetic and evolutionary features depicted suggest that CUP is a novel nosological entity.

Grapes: Wild and cultivated grapevines adapted to different stresses Wild and domesticated grapevine populations display genomic differences that likely arose as a result of evolutionary responses to different environmental pressures. Annarita Marrano of the Edmund Mach Foundation in San Michele All’adige, Italy, and colleagues characterized the genetic diversity found in 44 wild and 48 cultivated accessions of the Eurasian wine grape, Vitis vinifera. They analyzed 54,000 single DNA letters spread across the genome and found evidence that natural wild grapevine populations are on the decline. They also identified several genomic regions related to stress responses that evolved differently in grapes bred to live in vineyards and their wild relatives. The findings suggest the need to conserve wild grapevines, which may harbor genes encoding resilience factors that could aid in the development of hardier wine-producing crops in the future.

A key area of research in hydrologic modeling is the prediction of flood response in complex urban basins with hydraulic structures such as pump stations, canals, culverts, and spillways. The prediction of the basin’s response to heavy rainfall is needed in order to assess the impacts of potential watershed management decisions, especially during high flow periods. In this study, the HEC-HMS model was adopted to predict the accumulated discharges in a small urban basin located in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA. The model was calibrated based on seven flood events and validated using seven independent events spanning a 5-year period. The results show that the accumulated flow of water released from the basin was simulated with high accuracy, and that the model can be used for various management scenarios involving high flow conditions in the south Florida urban basin.

In this research, the physically-based WTS (Water Temperature Simulation) model was developed to predict water temperature changes in a river in eastern Connecticut during the summer. The model was applied and calibrated with a one-hour time step during the summer’s low-flow season on the Fenton River, which is tributary of the Mansfield Hollow Lake. Temperatures were recorded at one-hour intervals during the summer in 2004 and 2005, at various locations along the river to provide data for the model’s calibration. Model results were tested against observed stream temperatures and also compared to the SSTemp (Stream Segment Temperature model) created by Bartholow (2002). Results show that both models can be used to predict changes in stream temperature due to changes in groundwater inflow/outflow, and could be used to assess various water management scenarios.

Stella, J. M., & Warner, G. S. (January-February, 2018). Modelling a hydrologic Black-Box. Water Technology and Sciences (in Spanish), 9(1), 101-112, DOI: 10.24850/j-tyca-2018-01-07. Hydrologic simulation models have become an essential tool in the modern world of water management; they are used extensively and play an important auxiliary role in fulfilling the core tasks of water management, in policy preparation, operational water management and research. A physical based hydrologic Black-Box model was created to simulate the water inflows and outflows of the system that could be used for an educational purpose. Then a mathematical model using Stella® software was created to simulate the Black-Box model. The results of the simulations show that the combination of a physical hydrologic Black-Box model and the mathematical model using the Stella® software can helps students understand the basic hydrologic processes.

The molecular and cellular mechanisms which drive metastatic spread are the topic of constant debate and scientific research due to the potential implications for cancer patients' prognosis. In addition to genetics and environmental factors, mechanics of single cells and physical interaction with the surrounding environment play relevant role in defining invasive phenotype. Reconstructing the physical properties of metastatic clones may help to clarify still open issues in disease progression as well as to lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. In this perspective cancer of unknown primary origin (CUP) identify the ideal model to study physical interactions and forces involved in the metastatic process. We have previously demonstrated that MET oncogene is mutated with unexpected high frequency in CUPs. We here analyze and discuss how the MET activation by somatic mutation may affect physical properties in giving rise to such a highly malignant syndrome, as that defined by CUP.

Introducción y objetivos: Algunas especies de helechos cheilanthoideos son caracterizados por presentar adaptaciones a hábitats xéricos. Además, presentan la particularidad de enrollar sus láminas frente a condiciones de stress hídrico. Sin embargo, al retornar las condiciones ambientales óptimas las láminas se vuelven a expandir. El objetivo de este trabajo es proporcionar información morfo-anatómica de las frondes y asociar estructuras anatómicas a estos movimientos foliares. M&M: Se estudiaron mediante microscopía óptica y electrónica de barrido la morfo-anatomía de las frondes de cuatro especies: Adiantopsis radiata, Cheilanthes glauca, Doryopteris concolor, y D. pentagona. Además, se analizó la densidad de los estomas y se calculó el índice estomático. Resultados: Se observó mesófilo homogéneo en A. radiata y D. pentagona. Cheilanthes glauca y Doryopteris concolor presentaron mesófilo heterogéneo dorsiventral. Todas las especies mostraron hojas hipoestómaticas y estomas de tipo anomocítico. El índice estomático osciló entre 9,1% (A. radiata) y 14,1% (D. concolor) y el rango de densidad de los estomas fue de 39,7 (D. pentagona) y 57,8 (D. concolor). Conclusiones: El mesófilo observado en A. radiata y D. pentagona refleja la especialización para habitar ambientes mesófilos. El mesófilo heterogéneo dorsiventral de Doryopteris concolor podría ser una ventaja para su hábito epifítico facultativo. Cheilanthes glauca tiene características xeromorfas y mesomorfas, probablemente como resultado de la disponibilidad de agua en el ambiente durante las diferentes estaciones. Se propone como hipótesis que el engrosamiento de las paredes anticlinales de las células epidérmicas podría estar involucrados en los movimientos de las láminas.

Terpenoids, especially monoterpenes, are major aroma-impact compounds in grape and wine. Previous studies highlighted a key regulatory role for grapevine 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase 1 (VvDXS1), the first enzyme of the methylerythritol phosphate pathway for isoprenoid precursor biosynthesis. Here, the parallel analysis of VvDXS1 genotype and terpene concentration in a germplasm collection demonstrated that VvDXS1 sequence has a very high predictive value for the accumulation of monoterpenes and also has an influence on sesquiterpene levels. A metabolic engineering approach was applied by expressing distinct VvDXS1 alleles in the grapevine model system “microvine” and assessing the effects on downstream pathways at transcriptional and metabolic level in different organs and fruit developmental stages. The underlying goal was to investigate two potential perturbation mechanisms, the former based on a significant over-expression of the wild-type (neutral) VvDXS1 allele and the latter on the ex-novo expression of an enzyme with increased catalytic efficiency from the mutated (muscat) VvDXS1 allele. The integration of the two VvDXS1 alleles in distinct microvine lines was found to alter the expression of several terpenoid biosynthetic genes, as assayed through an ad hoc developed TaqMan array based on cDNA libraries of four aromatic cultivars. In particular, enhanced transcription of monoterpene, sesquiterpene and carotenoid pathway genes was observed. The accumulation of monoterpenes in ripe berries was higher in the transformed microvines compared to control plants. This effect is predominantly attributed to the improved activity of the VvDXS1 enzyme coded by the muscat allele, whereas the up-regulation of VvDXS1 plays a secondary role in the increase of monoterpenes.

MAURO (Frédéric) . — Nova História e Nôvo Mundo. Editôra da Universidade de São Paulo — Editôra Perspectiva São Paulo. Coleção Debates, volume 13, São Paulo, 1969.

RODRIGUES (José Honório) . — Teoria da Tlistória do Brasil (Introdução Me-todológica). 39 edição. Coleção Brasiliana. Série Grande Formato. Volume 11. Companhia Editôra Nacional. São Paulo, 1969.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is defined as a specific form of chronic, progressive fibrosing interstitial pneumonia of unknown cause. The most recent hypotheses on IPF pathogenesis suggest a central role of epithelial cell damage, followed by a dysregulated molecular cross talk between epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Thus, IPF progression has often been assimilated to that of cancer, and several signaling patterns appear to be disrupted in both diseases. Here, we analyze the expression in an IPF series of a panel of molecules, which are known to play a role in tumorigenic process. Our findings, although preliminary, reveal that IPF landscape is enriched in neoplastic potential expressed in a context of complex genomic polyclonality and cellular heterogeneity. These results provide a rationale for further investigations aimed to exploit—in a similar fashion to cancer—targeted therapies for a “precision medicine” approach to IPF.

In this paper indoor localization system based on the RF power measurements of the Received Signal Strength (RSS) in WLAN environment is presented. Today, the most viable solution for localization is the RSS fingerprinting based approach, where in order to establish a relationship between RSS values and location, different machine learning approaches are used. The advantage of this approach based on WLAN technology is that it does not need new infrastructure (it reuses already and widely deployed equipment), and the RSS measurement is part of the normal operating mode of wireless equipment. We derive the Cramer-Rao Lower Bound (CRLB) of localization accuracy for RSS measurements. In analysis of the bound we give insight in localization performance and deployment issues of a localization system, which could help designing an efficient localization system. To compare different machine learning approaches we developed a localization system based on an artificial neural network, k-nearest neighbors, probabilistic method based on the Gaussian kernel and the histogram method. We tested the developed system in real world WLAN indoor environment, where realistic RSS measurements were collected. Experimental comparison of the results has been investigated and average location estimation error of around 2 meters was obtained.

The presence of activating mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-gene identifies a distinct and clinically relevant molecular subset of non-small-cell lung cancer. It is now well demonstrated that EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) gefitinib and erlotinib are superior to standard chemotherapy in this subset of tumors. Nevertheless, in many cases, responses are not durable and last for 6–12 months due to the occurrence of secondary or acquired resistance. Here we present three cases of EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinomas (ADC), that showed an unexpected response to anti-EGFR small molecules. The first patient presented a continued 89 month-long response to erlotinib in a tumor recurred after surgery and conventional chemotherapy. In the other cases, subclinically persistent tumor in the lung tissue was documented histologically in lung resections performed after partial response to TKI treatment. The persistence of interstitial and endolymphatic tumor cells after TKI treatment might explain the common observation of tumor relapse after TKI discontinuation, and sustain the decision to continue treatment in responsive patients as in our first case.

For the first time, the durum wheat Graziella Ra was compared to four Italian durum wheat varieties (Cappelli,Grazia, Flaminio and Svevo) and to Kamut in order to preliminary characterize its genome and to investigategenetic diversity among and within the accessions by Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs),Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) and α-gliadin gene sequence analysis. The main aim of the study was anattempt to determine the relationship between the historic accession Graziella Ra and Kamut which isconsidered an ancient relative of the durum subspecies. In addition, nutritional factors of Graziella Ra werereported. Obtained results showed that (i) both AFLP and SSR molecular markers detected highly congruentpatterns of genetic diversity among the accessions showing nearly similar efficiency; (ii) for AFLPs,percentage of polymorphic loci within accession ranged from 6.57% to 19.71% (mean 12.77%) and, for SSRs,from 0% to 57.14% (mean 28.57%); (iii) principal component analysis (PCA) of genetic distance amongaccessions showed the first two axes accounting for 58.03% (for AFLPs) and 61.60% (for SSRs) of the totalvariability; (iv) for AFLPs, molecular variance was partitioned into 80% (variance among accessions) and 20%(within accession) and, for SSRs, into 73% (variance among accessions) and 27% (within accession); (v)cluster analysis of AFLP and SSR datasets displayed Graziella Ra and Kamut into the same cluster; and (vi)molecular comparison of α-gliadin gene sequences showed Graziella Ra and Kamut in separate clusters. Allthese findings indicate that Graziella Ra, although being very similar to Kamut, at least in the little part of thegenome herein investigated by molecular markers, may be considered a distinct accession showing appreciablelevels of genetic diversity and medium-high nutritional qualities.

We discuss the case of synchronous bilateral lung cancers which feature the same histological phenotype and a different EGFR mutational profile. Both histological and molecular characterizations were performed on specimens derived thorough CT-guided fine needle aspiration. A first-line chemotherapy was unsuccessful. Subsequent objective response to the EGFR inhibitor Erlotinib was clearly coherent with the sequencing data and the mutated nodule was effectively reduced (> 50%) after therapy, while the lesion assessed as EGFR wild type featured a slight response. This report has two relevant implications. It points out that in case of multiple malignant lesions at time of diagnosis, molecular profiling should be as extensive as possible and it might contribute to clarify the association between the lesions found. Besides the molecular analysis on cytology specimens could identify an accurate and safe diagnostic approach for clinical use.

The genus Muticaria Lindholm, 1925, is currently distributed either in Southeastern Sicily or in the Malteseislands and comprises the species M. syracusana (Philippi, 1836), M. neuteboomi Beckmann, 1990 and M.macrostoma (Cantraine, 1835). For the first time, we report a molecular study on the topotypicous populationsof M. syracusana and M. neuteboomi carried out on fragments of the ribosomal 16S rDNA subunit and thecytochrome oxydase I (COI) mitochondrial genes by Neighbour Joining, Maximum Likelihood, MaximumParsimony and Bayesian Inference algorithms. Our results revealed the existence of nucleotide-sequencedivergence (Dxy: 5% for 16S rDNA and 12% for COI sequences) between the two taxa.

Con el objeto de cargar con antioxidantes de Larrea divaricata una dermis acelular porcina para propósitos terapéuticos, se determinó el contenido de polifenoles y antocianinas de extractos puros, aislados y absorbidos en una dermis acelular porcina. Los valores para polifenoles totales y antocianinas fueron: a) Larrea divaricata: 58,77 + 1,55 mg ácido gálico / 100 g peso fresco, 400,00 + 9,55 mg cianidina 3-glucósido / 100 g peso fresco, repectivamente, b) dermis acelular porcina: 8,86 + 0,55 mg ac. gállico / 100 g peso fresco y 0,10+ 0,00 mg cianidina 3-glucósido / 100 g peso fresco; respectivamente, c) Larrea divaricata absorbida en dermis acelular porcina 45,92 + 0,90 mg ácido gálico / 100 g peso fresco y 155,92 + 5,90 mg cianidina 3-glucósido / 100 g peso fresco, respectivamente. Nosotros concluimos que es posible tener una dermis acelular porcina cargada con antioxidantes de Larrea divaricata para propósitos médicos.The aim of the study was to evaluate loading with antioxidants from Larrea divaricata a porcine acellular dermis for therapeutic purposes, poliphenols and anthocianins of pure extracts, isolated and absorbed in pig acellular dermis was evaluated. The following values (total polyphenols and anthocianins) were obtained: a) Larrea divaricata: 58,77 + 1,55 mg gallic acid / 100 g fresh weight; 400,95 + 9,55 mg cianydin 3- glucosyde / 100 g fresh weight; respectively; b) porcine acellular dermis: 8,86 + 0,55 mg gallic acid / 100 g fresh weight and 0,10+ 0,00 mg cianydin 3-glucosyde / 100 g fresh weight; respectively, c) L. divaricata absorbed in porcine acellular dermis: 45,92 + 0,90 mg gallic acid / 100 g fresh weight and 155,92 + 5,90 mg cianydin 3-glucosyde / 100 g fresh weight, respectively. We concluded that it is possible to get a porcine acellular dermis loaded with antioxidants from Larrea divaricata for medical purposes.

Estudios antropológicos, etnológicos y arqueológicos muestran la evolución del cuidado de la piel desde la prehistoria. La preocupación del hombre por su aspecto estético se inicia con la humanidad misma. A través del tiempo se buscaron fórmulas cada vez más efectivas, para prolongar las condiciones de juventud y belleza. El aspecto estético de la piel siempre se relacionó con la buena salud. En la actualidad el dermatólogo posee sobrados elementos para recuperar y resaltar la salud y el cuidado de la piel.Anthropologists and archeologists have traced the evolution of skin care since prehistory. The human concern for his aesthetic appearance dates since the beginning of humanity. Through time, more and more efficient formulations were looked for to extend youthfulness and beauty. An aesthetic skin has always been synonymous with health and at the present time the dermatologist has many resources to improve and acentuate the good quality of the skin.

Los polifenoles (flavonoides y antocianinas) están ampliamente distribuidos entre las diferentes especies vegetales. Estos poseen gran capacidad antioxidante; existiendo correlación positiva entre la actividad antioxidante y los polifenoles totales. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar: 1° El contenido de polifenoles y antocianas totales de semillas, glumelas y extracto acuoso de Avena sativa L. 2° El efecto de la aplicación tópica de extracto acuoso de avena en 45 casos (10 mujeres y 35 hombres, entre 1 y 56 años de edad) con dermatitis atópica, dermatitis de contacto irritativa y dermatitis de contacto alérgica; y 30 controles normales (15 mujeres y 15 hombres, entre 1 y 60 años de edad). Tratamiento: aplicación de compresas del extracto crudo de avena en la piel dañada durante 5 minutos, seguida de la colocación de la biomasa (T°= 33 + 2°C) cubierta por una tela de gasa durante 5 minutos. Dicha biomasa se retira con el extracto de avena líquido. Entre 1 y 36 meses de iniciado el tratamiento se observó remisión de los síntomas cutáneos. El extracto acuoso, la biomasa de Avena sativa L., glumelas y semillas enteras contenían 6.12+0,45, 46,11+0,36, 212,81+0,19 y 286,60+0,50 mg/100 g ác. Gálico, respectivamente, de polifenoles totales.Polyphenols (flavonoids and anthocyanins) are widely spread among the different vegetables species. They have a big antioxidant capacity. One important correlation exists between the antioxidant activity and the quantity of total polyphenols. The objective of this work was to evaluate: 1- the contents of polyphenols and anthocyanins of whole seeds, glumes and aqueous extract of Avena Sativa L., 2- the effects of topical application of aqueous extract of Avena sativa L. in 45 patients (10 females and 35 males, between 1 and 56 years olds) with Atopic Dermatitis, Contact Irritative Dermatitis and Contact Allergic Dermatitis, and 30 normal controls (15 females and 15 males, between 1 and 60 years olds). Treatment: were applications of compress of aqueous extract Avena Sativa L over the damaged skin for approximately five minutes, immediately after, one must cover with the biomass of oat (T° = 33 + 2 C°) and a clothe for five minutes. The biomass was removed using the Avena Sativa L. acqueous extract. Remissions of the cutaneous symptoms were noticed between 1 and 36 months after the beginning of the treatment. Aqueous extract, Avena Sativa L. biomass, glumes and whole seeds contents were: 6.12+0.45; 46.11+0.36, 212.81+0.19 y 286.60+0.50 mg/100 g gallic ac., respectively, of total polyphenols.

Abstract In the original version of this article [1], published on 2 September 2016, the name of author ‘Alice Balderacchi’ was wrongly displayed. In this Erratum the incorrect name and correct name are shown. The original publication of this article has been corrected.

In the present paper, the controversial hypothesis suggesting ancient grains might show lower immunogenic properties and therefore the possibility to introduce them in the diet of wheat-sensitive people, including celiac patients, was investigated. The immunogenic potential of the ancient durum wheats Graziella Ra and Kamut was studied by comparison to the durum accessions Cappelli, Flaminio, Grazia and Svevo. Experiments were carried out with two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against α-gliadin peptides p31–49 and p56–75 (the latter containing the overlapping DQ2-Glia-α1 and DQ2-Glia-α2 epitopes), toxic for celiac patients. For all accessions, a few α-gliadin alleles were also cloned, sequenced and translated into aminoacid sequences. Several aminoacid substitutions or deletions were detected in p31–49, DQ2-Glia-α1 and DQ2-Glia-α2 epitopes, nevertheless, ELISA constantly showed antibody-antigen positive reactions which led us to suggest that mAbs binding was not apparently affected by polymorphisms. Moreover, a few substitutions were also observed in DQ2-Glia-α3 and DQ8-Glia-α1 epitopes. Although some DQ2-Glia-α1 and DQ2-Glia-α2 variants evidenced herein were previously reported to have a diminished or abolished T cell stimulatory capacity, present results cannot confirm that ancient durum wheats would be less CD-toxic. In conclusion, we strongly advice celiac patients from consuming ancient wheats including Graziella Ra or Kamut.

Many subproblems in automated skin lesion diagnosis (ASLD) can be unified under a single generalization of assigning a label, from an predefined set, to each pixel in an image. We first formalize this generalization and then present two probabilistic models capable of solving it. The first model is based on independent pixel labeling using maximum a-posteriori (MAP) estimation. The second model is based on conditional random fields (CRFs), where dependencies between pixels are defined using a graph structure. Furthermore, we demonstrate how supervised learning and an appropriate training set can be used to automatically determine all model parameters. We evaluate both models' ability to segment a challenging dataset consisting of 116 images and compare our results to 5 previously published methods.

It is shown how the inertia law is frequently misunderstanding in some common problems.

O presente artigo constitui uma reflexão em torno de um trabalho com grupos de análise de práticas realizados com estudantes de educação especializada, e busca analisar os efeitos psíquicos e sociais desses grupos sobre os estudantes, bem como interrogar sobre o saber que daí pode emergir para cada sujeito. Constatou-se que, nesse trabalho, os es tudantes demonstravam, em inúmeras ocasiões, uma dificuldade de elaborar um saber profissional quanto à sua prática educativa a partir dessas sessões de trabalho. Concluiu-se que tais dificuldades podiam advir de processos relacionados com uma dimensão sadomasoquista da postura dos estudantes.

Geological researches carried out near che Castagnone hamlet in che Cerrina Valley (Northem Monferrato Hills, Piedmont, NW Italy), have brought to light a post-Messinian succession whose sedimentary record starts with a Lower Complex of pedogenized colluvial materials and with two superimposed Alluvial Units (I and II). The lower one of these units contains a Galerian macrofauna associated with microtine vole teeth (Mimomys savini, Mimomys pusillus, Ungaromys cf. U. nanus, Microtus (Allophaiomys) sp.), while che upper one yields only scarce faunal remains. Most of this sediments were deposited during a normal palaeomagnetic phase. The I Alluvial Unit, due to its biochronological correlation, must be referred to the Jaramillo Subchron, between 1,070,000 and 990,000 years ago. The II Alluvial Unit, being both unconformable with and younger than the first one, might be best referable to the Brunhes Chron. Overall, the bed dipping across the reported succession shows a progressive syn-sedimentary tilting, with accelerated deformation during the I Alluvial Unit deposition. This tectonic stress over the Castagnone area is seemingly related to the uplift of the north-easternmost ridge of che Monferrato Hills and appears to have been nearly exhausted before the II Alluvial Unit deposition.

Abstract Background All bacterial genomes contain repetitive sequences which are members of specific DNA families. Such repeats may occur as single units, or found clustered in multiple copies in a head-to-tail configuration at specific loci. The number of clustered units per locus is a strain-defining parameter. Assessing the length variability of clusters of repeats is a versatile typing methodology known as multilocus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). Results Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an environmental bacterium increasingly involved in nosocomial infections and resistant to most antibiotics. The availability of the whole DNA sequence of the S. maltophilia strain K279a allowed us to set up fast and accurate PCR-based diagnostic protocols based on the measurement of length variations of loci carrying a variable number of short palindromic repeats marking the S. maltophilia genome. On the basis of the amplimers size, it was possible to deduce the number of repeats present at 12 different loci in a collection of S. maltophilia isolates, and therefore label each of them with a digit. PCR-negative regions were labelled 0. Co-amplification of two pairs of loci provided a 4-digit code sufficient for immediate subtyping. By increasing the number of loci analyzed, it should be possible to assign a more specific digit profile to isolates. In general, MLVA data match genotyping data obtained by PFGE (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis). However, some isolates exhibiting the same PCR profiles at all loci display distinct PFGE patterns. Conclusion The utilization of the present protocol allows to type several S. maltophilia isolates in hours. The results are immediately interpretable without the need for sophisticated softwares. The data can be easily reproducible, and compared among different laboratories.

Este estudo descreve a análise experimental do desempenho verbal de uma criança em uma situação controlada, onde estímulos verbais de variada complexidade estrutural foram apresentados como conseqüência das verbalizações de criança a um baneco-falante (i.e., Experimentador). O sujeito do experimento foi um menino, com 22 meses de idade. As Sessões experimentais desenvolviam-se em uma sala de brinquedos, ligada a uma sala de observação por um espelho unidirecional. As verbalizações da criança eram seguidas por verbalizações do boneco-falante, durante períodos alternados, constituídos por sentenças curtas e simples (semelhantes à verbalização prévia da criança) ou longas e complexas (diferentes da verbalização prévia da criança). O desempenho da criança foi analisado de acordo com a freqüência, o tipo e a pausa entre verbalizações. Os resultados mostraram claramente que os estímulos verbais apresentados diferencialmente afetaram o desempenho da criança: respostas mais freqüentes, mais maduras e mais rápidas ocorreram quando as conseqüências verbais eram mais simples. Discutem-se os resultados em relação às funções de estímulos verbais encontrados no desenvolvimento da linguagem na criança.

Este estudo descreve a análise experimental do desempenho verbal de uma criança em uma situação controlada, onde estímulos verbais de variada complexidade estrutural foram apresentados como conseqüência das verbalizações de criança a um baneco-falante (i.e., Experimentador). O sujeito do experimento foi um menino, com 22 meses de idade. As Sessões experimentais desenvolviam-se em uma sala de brinquedos, ligada a uma sala de observação por um espelho unidirecional. As verbalizações da criança eram seguidas por verbalizações do boneco-falante, durante períodos alternados, constituídos por sentenças curtas e simples (semelhantes à verbalização prévia da criança) ou longas e complexas (diferentes da verbalização prévia da criança). O desempenho da criança foi analisado de acordo com a freqüência, o tipo e a pausa entre verbalizações. Os resultados mostraram claramente que os estímulos verbais apresentados diferencialmente afetaram o desempenho da criança: respostas mais freqüentes, mais maduras e mais rápidas ocorreram quando as conseqüências verbais eram mais simples. Discutem-se os resultados em relação às funções de estímulos verbais encontrados no desenvolvimento da linguagem na criança.

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