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This paper presents a new design for a three-dimensional cell for the TLM method, and its application in the resonator analysis. The new proposed cell is based on ‘π-type’ transmission line, and it uses incident and reflected currents. A condensed scattering matrix is developed. The computational results are compared with the analytical results and with TLM-SCN (symmetrical condensed node) computational results. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burnout Syndrome is a complex, multifaceted phenomenon, with a lot of factors involved: From personal to organizational factors. Medical students are exposed to similar stress conditions as they were already professionals. International studies have established prevalence rates of up to 50% in students, while in our country there are no multicentric studies that reveal our situation in this area. Characterization of students suffering from Burnout Syndrome, show a series of deleterious conditions that are exposed in many ways, such as suicide, depression and personal problems in students who are not working, just making their practice. Policy implementation and prevention is the key in the medical students training, to decrease negative consequences, which carries this Syndrome on pre-grade medical students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used high-resolution optical Hubble Space Telescope/WFC3 and multiconjugate adaptive optics assisted GEMINI GeMS/Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager observations in the near-infrared (NIR) to investigate the physical properties of the globular cluster (GC) NGC 6569 in the Galactic bulge. We have obtained the deepest purely NIR color–magnitude diagram published so far for this cluster using ground-based observations, reaching Ks ≈ 21.0 mag (two magnitudes below the main-sequence turn-off point). By combining the two data sets secured at two different epochs, we determined relative proper motions for a large sample of individual stars in the center of NGC 6569, allowing a robust selection of cluster member stars. Our proper motion analysis solidly demonstrates that, despite its relatively high metal content, NGC 6569 hosts some blue horizontal branch stars. A differential reddening map has been derived in the direction of the system, revealing a maximum color excess variation of about mag in the available field of view. The absolute age of NGC 6569 has been determined for the first time. In agreement with the other few bulge GCs with available age estimates, NGC 6569 turns out to be old, with an age of about 12.8 Gyr, and a typical uncertainty of 0.8–1.0 Gyr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we review the operational definition of the so-called main-sequence knee (MS-knee), a feature in the color-magnitude diagram (CMD) occurring at the low-mass end of the MS. The magnitude of this feature is predicted to be independent of age at fixed chemical composition. For this reason, its difference in magnitude with respect to the MS turn-off (MS-TO) point has been suggested as a possible diagnostic to estimate absolute globular cluster (GC) ages. We first demonstrate that the operational definition of the MS-knee currently adopted in the literature refers to the inflection point of the MS (which we here more appropriately named MS-saddle), a feature that is well distinct from the knee and which cannot be used as its proxy. The MS-knee is only visible in near-infrared CMDs, while the MS-saddle can be also detected in optical–NIR CMDs. By using different sets of isochrones, we then demonstrate that the absolute magnitude of the MS-knee varies by a few tenths of a dex from one model to another, thus showing that at the moment stellar models may not capture the full systematic error in the method. We also demonstrate that while the absolute magnitude of the MS-saddle is almost coincident in different models, it has a systematic dependence on the adopted color combinations which is not predicted by stellar models. Hence, it cannot be used as a reliable reference for absolute age determination. Moreover, when statistical and systematic uncertainties are properly taken into account, the difference in magnitude between the MS-TO and the MS-saddle does not provide absolute ages with better accuracy than other methods like the MS-fitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground-based imagers at 8 m class telescopes assisted by multi-conjugate adaptive optics are primary facilities with which to obtain accurate photometry and proper motions in dense stellar fields. We observed the central region of the globular clusters Liller 1 and NGC 6624 with the Gemini Multi-conjugate Adaptive Optics System (GeMS) feeding the Gemini South Adaptive Optics Imager (GSAOI) currently available at the Gemini South telescope, under different observing conditions. We characterized the stellar point-spread function (PSF) in terms of FWHM, Strehl ratio (SR), and encircled energy (EE), over the field of view (FOV). We found that, for sub-arcsecond seeing at the observed airmass, we can obtain the diffraction-limited PSF (FWHM mas), SR ∼ 40%, and EE ≥ 50% with a dispersion around 10% over the FOV of 85″ × 85″, in the Ks band. In the J band the best images provide FWHMs between 60 and 80 mas, SR , and . For seeing at the observed airmass exceeding 1″, the performance worsens but it is still possible to perform PSF fitting photometry with 25% EE in J and 40% in Ks. We also computed the geometric distortions of GeMS/GSAOI and we obtained corrected images with an astrometric accuracy of ∼1 mas in a stellar field with high crowding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used ultra-deep J and Ks images secured with the near-infrared (NIR) GSAOI camera assisted by the multi-conjugate adaptive optics system GeMS at the GEMINI South Telescope in Chile, to obtain a (Ks, J − Ks) color–magnitude diagram (CMD) for the bulge globular cluster NGC 6624. We obtained the deepest and most accurate NIR CMD from the ground for this cluster, by reaching Ks ∼ 21.5, approximately 8 mag below the horizontal branch level. The entire extension of the Main Sequence (MS) is nicely sampled and at Ks ∼ 20 we detected the so-called MS “knee” in a purely NIR CMD. By taking advantage of the exquisite quality of the data, we estimated the absolute age of NGC 6624 (tage = 12.0 ± 0.5 Gyr), which turns out to be in good agreement with previous studies in the literature. We also analyzed the luminosity and mass functions of MS stars down to M ∼ 0.45 M⊙, finding evidence of a significant increase of low-mass stars at increasing distances from the cluster center. This is a clear signature of mass segregation, confirming that NGC 6624 is in an advanced stage of dynamical evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By exploiting the exceptional high-resolution capabilities of the near-IR camera GSAOI combined with the Gemini Multi-Conjugate Adaptive System at the GEMINI South Telescope, we investigated the structural and physical properties of the heavily obscured globular cluster Liller 1 in the Galactic bulge. We have obtained the deepest and most accurate color–magnitude diagram published so far for this cluster, reaching (below the main-sequence turnoff level). We used these data to redetermine the center of gravity of the system, finding that it is located about 2.″2 southeast from the literature value. We also built new star density and surface brightness profiles for the cluster and rederived its main structural and physical parameters (scale radii, concentration parameter, central mass density, total mass). We find that Liller 1 is significantly less concentrated (concentration parameter ) and less extended (tidal radius and core radius ) than previously thought. By using these newly determined structural parameters, we estimated the mass of Liller 1 to be ( for a Kroupa initial mass function), which is comparable to that of the most massive clusters in the Galaxy (ω Centari and Terzan 5). Also, Liller 1 has the second-highest collision rate (after Terzan 5) among all star clusters in the Galaxy, thus confirming that it is an ideal environment for the formation of collisional objects (such as millisecond pulsars). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rectal cancer (RC) commonly affects older patients. Total Neoadjuvant Therapy (TNT) has been introduced to improve local and systemic control of RC. The aim was to present real-world data of older patients receiving TNT followed by surgery after a frailty assessment and verify feasibility and safety of this approach., Methods: This was a single-center retrospective study which enrolled all patients ≥70 years of age with RC who underwent TNT followed by surgery between November 2017 and April 2022. Data regarding cancer characteristics, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT), and toxicity were recorded. All patients underwent surgery 12-16 weeks after the end of therapy. Intra- and postoperative outcomes were recorded. Pre- and postoperative functional evaluation was carried out., Results: Fifteen patients were enrolled. Mean age was 74 (70-81) years. Mean distance of the tumor from the anal verge was 5.2 cm. Fourteen patients had positive nodes (93.3%), 11 (73.3%) showed involvement of the circumferential margin (CRM+) and 10 (66.6%) had extramural vascular invasion (EMVI+). Ten patients (66.6%) received mFOLFOX-6 and 5 CAPOX (33.3%) followed by CRT. After CRT, positive nodes were reported in 4 cases (26.6%), CRM+ in 4 (26.6%), and EMVI+ in 1 (6.6%). Transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) was performed in all cases. Median operative time was 280 min (110-420). Median length of stay was 4 days (3-29). One Clavien-Dindo grade 4 complication, no readmissions, and no variations in pre- and postoperative functional status within 30 days from surgery were reported. No positive distal or CRMs were detected. Three pathologic complete responses were reported (20%)., Conclusions: TNT followed by TME is feasible and safe in older patients, with good clinical and oncologic outcomes. Patient evaluation is crucial for maximizing cancer care in fit older patients., Competing Interests: IM is faculty and invited speaker at Olympus SE Rectal cancer and minimally invasive surgery courses. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (© 2024 Montroni, Di Candido, Taffurelli, Tamberi, Grassi, Corbelli, Mauro, Raggi, Garutti and Ugolini.)

Azopolymers are light-responsive materials that hold promise to transform in vitro cell culture systems. Through precise light illumination, they facilitate substrate pattern formation and erasure, allowing for the dynamic control and creation of active interfaces between cells and materials. However, these materials exhibit a tendency to locally detach from the supporting glass in the presence of aqueous solutions, such as cell culture media, due to the formation of blisters, which are liquid-filled cavities generated at the azopolymer film-glass interface. These blisters impede precise structurization of the surface of the azomaterial, limiting their usage for surface photoactivation in the presence of cells. In this study, we present a cost-effective and easily implementable method to improve the azopolymer-glass interface stability through silane functionalization of the glass substrate. This method proved to be efficient in preventing blister formation, thereby enabling the dynamic modulation of the azopolymer surface in situ for live-cell experiments. Furthermore, we proved that the light-illumination conditions used to induce azopolymer surface variations do not induce phototoxic effects. Consequently, this approach facilitates the development of a photoswitchable azopolymer cell culture platform for studying the impact of multiple in situ inscription and erasure cycles on cell functions while maintaining a physiological wet microenvironment.

Natural polymers have found increased use in a wider range of applications due to their less harmful effects. Notably, bacterial cellulose has gained significant consideration due to its exceptional physical and chemical properties and its substantial biocompatibility, which makes it an attractive candidate for several biomedical applications. This study attempts to thoroughly unravel the microstructure of bacterial cellulose precursors, known as bioflocculants, which to date have been poorly characterised, by employing both electron and optical microscopy techniques. Here, starting from bioflocculants from Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast (SCOBY), we proved that their microstructural features, such as porosity percentage, cellulose assembly degree, fibres' density and fraction, change in a spatio-temporal manner during their rising toward the liquid-air interface. Furthermore, our research identified a correlation between electron and optical microscopy parameters, enabling the assessment of bioflocculants' microstructure without necessitating offline sample preparation procedures. The ultimate goal was to determine their potential suitability as a novel cellulose-based building block material with tuneable structural properties. Our investigations substantiate the capability of SCOBY bioflocculants, characterized by distinct microstructures, to successfully assemble within a microfluidic device, thereby generating a cellulose sheet endowed with specific and purposefully designed structural features., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction: The discovery of the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor and carrier protein in the testicles, along with the mandatory preventive social isolation during 2020 and subsequent immunization, prompted us to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on seminal variables in males seeking consultation at the laboratory., Materials and Methods: An analytical and observational experimental design was employed. Seminal variables from semen analyses and kinetic values were analyzed using a computer-assisted sperm analysis system in 409 semen samples collected from patients attending the laboratory between April and December 2019, and April and December 2021. COVID-positive patients were stratified based on the time elapsed since the illness into three groups: less than 3 months (acute phase), 4-12 months, and more than 1 year., Results: A significant difference (p=0.013) was found in the total sperm count per ejaculate in the COVID-positive group compared to the prepandemic and COVID-negative groups (Median (Q1-Q3): 67.49 (26.42-139.44) vs. 102.48 (43.86-197.05) and 96.72 (38.22-189.27)). When stratifying the COVID-positive group based on the time since the illness, the significant decrease (p=0.038) occurred during the acute phase, with recovery over time to values similar to the prepandemic and COVID-negative groups. Social isolation and vaccination did not have significant effects on seminal variables., Discussion: The study revealed reversible changes in testicular function reflected by a decrease in sperm count in the total ejaculate of patients who had experienced COVID-19. These changes appear to be related to fever and inflammation rather than the virus infection itself.

Although cancer treatment during single pregnancy has been standardized, how to manage cancer diagnosed during a multiple gestation is still unclear. Chemotherapy during pregnancy has shown to be safe, however, there are reports of increased risks of fetal complications such as intrauterine growth restriction and preterm birth. Also, how to best adjust this to the pharmacokinetic characteristics of a twin gestation has yet to be fully investigated. We report the case of an IVF twin pregnancy with a diagnosis of breast cancer recurrence shortly after conception, and how the pregnancy was managed to obtain optimal obstetric, maternal/oncological, and fetal outcomes.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a highly pure form of cellulose produced by bacteria, which possesses numerous advantages such as good mechanical properties, high chemical flexibility, and the ability to assemble in nanostructures. Thanks to these features, it achieved a key role in the biomedical field and in drug delivery applications. BC showed its ability to modulate the release of several drugs and biomolecules to the skin, thus improving their clinical outcomes. This work displays the loading of a 3D BC nanonetwork with an innovative drug delivery nanoemulsion system. BC was optimized by static culture of SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast) and characterized by morphological and ultrastructural analyses, which indicate a cellulose fiber diameter range of 30-50 nm. BC layers were then incubated at different time points with a nanocarrier based on a secondary nanoemulsion (SNE) previously loaded with a well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, namely, coenzyme-Q10 (Co-Q10). Incubation of Co-Q10-SNE in the BC nanonetwork and its release were analyzed by fluorescence spectroscopy., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Di Natale, De Gregorio, Lagreca, Mauro, Corrado, Vecchione and Netti.)

Meditation practice is suggested to engage training of cognitive control systems in the brain. To evaluate the functional involvement of attentional and cognitive monitoring processes during meditation, the present study analysed the electroencephalographic synchronization of fronto-parietal (FP) and medial-frontal (MF) brain networks in highly experienced meditators during different meditation states (focused attention, open monitoring and loving kindness meditation). The aim was to assess whether and how the connectivity patterns of FP and MF networks are modulated by meditation style and expertise. Compared to novice meditators, (1) highly experienced meditators exhibited a strong theta synchronization of both FP and MF networks in left parietal regions in all mediation styles, and (2) only the connectivity of lateralized beta MF networks differentiated meditation styles. The connectivity of intra-hemispheric theta FP networks depended non-linearly on meditation expertise, with opposite expertise-dependent patterns found in the left and the right hemisphere. In contrast, inter-hemispheric FP connectivity in faster frequency bands (fast alpha and beta) increased linearly as a function of expertise. The results confirm that executive control systems play a major role in maintaining states of meditation. The distinctive lateralized involvement of FP and MF networks appears to represent a major functional mechanism that supports both generic and style-specific meditation states. The observed expertise-dependent effects suggest that functional plasticity within executive control networks may underpin the emergence of unique meditation states in expert meditators.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is a pleiotropic cytokine known to have contradictory roles in oncoimmunology. Indeed, TNFα has a central role in the onset of the immune response, inducing both activation and the effector function of macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and B and T lymphocytes. Within the tumor microenvironment, however, TNFα is one of the main mediators of cancer-related inflammation. It is involved in the recruitment and differentiation of immune suppressor cells, leading to evasion of tumor immune surveillance. These characteristics turn TNFα into an attractive target to overcome therapy resistance and tackle cancer. This review focuses on the diverse molecular mechanisms that place TNFα as a source of resistance to immunotherapy such as monoclonal antibodies against cancer cells or immune checkpoints and adoptive cell therapy. We also expose the benefits of TNFα blocking strategies in combination with immunotherapy to improve the antitumor effect and prevent or treat adverse immune-related effects.

This review examines the factors that affect the decision-making process of parental couples evaluating prenatal screening and diagnostic tests. A systematic search was performed using PubMed and PsycInfo databases. The 46 included studies had to: investigate the decision-making process about prenatal testing; focus on tests detecting trisomy 21, 18, 13, and abnormalities of sex chromosomes; be published in English peer-reviewed journals. The decision-making process seems composed of different levels: an individual level with demographic, clinical, and psychological aspects; a contextual level related to the technical features of the test and the information received; a relational level involving family and society., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2021.)

Meditation has been integrated into different therapeutic interventions. To inform the evidence-based selection of specific meditation types it is crucial to understand the neural processes associated with different meditation practices. Here we explore commonalities and differences in electroencephalographic oscillatory spatial synchronisation patterns across three important meditation types. Highly experienced meditators engaged in focused attention, open monitoring, and loving kindness meditation. Improving on previous research, our approach avoids comparisons between groups that limited previous findings, while ensuring that the meditation states are reliably established. Employing a novel measure of neural coupling - the imaginary part of EEG coherence - the study revealed that all meditation conditions displayed a common connectivity pattern that is characterised by increased connectivity of (a) broadly distributed delta networks, (b) left-hemispheric theta networks with a local integrating posterior focus, and (c) right-hemispheric alpha networks, with a local integrating parieto-occipital focus. Furthermore, each meditation state also expressed specific synchronisation patterns differentially recruiting left- or right-lateralised beta networks. These observations provide evidence that in addition to global patterns, frequency-specific inter-hemispheric asymmetry is one major feature of meditation, and that mental processes specific to each meditation type are also supported by lateralised networks from fast-frequency bands.

Advances in the area of sample preparation are significant and have been growing significantly in recent years. This initial step of the analysis is essential and must be carried out properly, consisting of a complicated procedure with multiple stages. Consequently, it corresponds to a potential source of errors and will determine, at the end of the process, either a satisfactory result or a fail. One of the advances in this field includes the miniaturization of extraction techniques based on the conventional sample preparation procedures such as liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction. These modern techniques have gained prominence in the face of traditional methods since they minimize the consumption of organic solvents and the sample volume. As another feature, it is possible to reuse the sorbents, and its coupling to chromatographic systems might be automated. The review will emphasize the main techniques based on liquid-phase microextraction, as well as those based upon the use of sorbents. The first group includes currently popular techniques such as single drop microextraction, hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction, and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction. In the second group, solid-phase microextraction techniques such as in-tube solid-phase microextraction, stir bar sorptive extraction, dispersive solid-phase extraction, dispersive micro solid-phase microextraction, and microextraction by packed sorbent are highlighted. These approaches, in common, aim the determination of analytes at low concentrations in complex matrices. This article describes some characteristics, recent advances, and trends on miniaturized sample preparation techniques, as well as their current applications in food, environmental, and bioanalysis fields., (© 2019 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

We use a unique environment of Whole Body Perceptual Deprivation (WBPD) to induce an altered state of consciousness (ASC) in our participants, and employ online EEG recording. We present individual EEG alpha profiles, and show how these data can be analyzed at the individual level. Our goal is to investigate to what degree subjective experience matches EEG alpha profile, and in particular, the various alpha hemispheric asymmetries observed in the frontal, parietal, and occipital lobes. Specifically, we consider positive (frontal L < R) or negative (frontal L > R) affect; a more verbal (L > R) or a more imagistic (R > L) mode of thinking; and a more trancelike (frontal > parietal) or more reflective (frontal < parietal) state of consciousness. Our results indicate that the individual alpha profiles are reflected in individual differences in subjective experience. However, the alpha profiles are confounded with the gender of the participant. Specifically, there is a predominant R > L asymmetry found for male participants, and a predominant L > R asymmetry found for female participants., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Over the last few years, several studies have investigated the possible effects of mindfulness meditation on time perception. Mindfulness meditation has been linked to both longer time production (TP) and increased bodily perception, and bodily processes are in turn thought to lie at the core of human time perception. Nevertheless, the connection between mindful movements (MMs; i.e., specific types of mind-body coordination-demanding physical activity) and time perception has been ignored. Consequently, in the current study we examined the effect of MMs on TP. A mixed observational study design was adopted to investigate whether (1) the extensive practice of MMs is associated with longer TP and interlimb coordination efficiency, and (2) there is a relationship between these two variables. Thirty-four healthy adults volunteered, including 11 Aikido and nine advanced Quadrato Motor Training (aQMT) practitioners, and 14 physically non-active controls. Practitioners of aQMT had significantly longer produced durations in contrast to the Aikido and control groups. In addition, longer produced duration was associated with increased coordination efficiency. In conclusion, the current results are in line with previous studies linking embodied time and mindful meditation, and suggest the importance of incorporating movement meditation, especially in the context of time estimation and the self., (© 2019 The Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Absorption, the ability to highly focus attention, as well as openness to self-altering experiences, is an important psychological construct, closely related to deep-meditation states and other altered states of consciousness. Yet, little is known about the electrophysiological profile of states of absorption, possibly due to the difficulty to induce this state in the lab. While most studies have used a visual Ganzfeld (homogeneous perceptual field), here we use a novel technique of full immersion-the OVO Whole-Body Perceptual Deprivation (OVO-WBPD) chamber, which is an altered sensory environment in the form of a human-sized egg. Consequently, the aims of the current study were to investigate whether the OVO-WBPD chamber induces state absorption, using first-person reports, as well as to examine electrophysiological change following immersion in this altered sensory environment. Fourteen participants volunteered to participate in the study. Trait absorption was measured using the Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS). State absorption was assessed by analyzing the content of the subjective reports, using sub-categories of the absorption construct (e.g., synesthesia). EEG was measured before and during a 20-min OVO-WBPD experience. Using exact low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (eLORETA), we analyzed change in oscillatory EEG activity and localized the generators of the scalp EEG power spectra following the OVO-WBPD. Our results show that OVO-WBPD immersion leads to a state of absorption in all participants. We also report significant increased oscillatory activity in the delta and beta bands, in the left inferior frontal cortex, with a peak in the sub-lobar of the left insula. In addition, a positive correlation was found between change in delta activity and trait absorption. The results are discussed in light of other meditative practices and altered states of consciousness., (© 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In the study of the electrophysiological correlates of attention, a phasic change in alertness has been classically related to a negative frontal-central shift called Contingent Negative Variation (CNV). Studies investigating the effects of meditation on the CNV in participants reporting frequent transcendental experiences (TE) reported reduced CNV in choice reaction time task (CRT), and increased CNV in simple reaction time task (SRT), suggesting that meditation can induce a more balanced attentional state. In the current study, we tested whether a similar effect could be obtained in healthy non-meditators using a single session of a specifically structured sensorimotor training (Quadrato Motor Training-QMT). In addition, in contrast to previous studies, we further examined the P3 component, reflecting cognitive load and novelty detection. We found that similar to previous studies, following a QMT session, CNV amplitude reduced in CRT and increased in SRT. Conversely, the P3 amplitude increased in CRT and decreased in SRT. Taken together, these results support the idea that QMT has attentional benefits in normal healthy participants, similar to those observed in experienced meditators., (© 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Sulfonamides are antibiotics widely used in the treatment of diseases in dairy cattle. However, their indiscriminate use for disease control may lead to their presence in tissues and milk and their determination requires a sample preparation step as part of an analytical approach. Among the several sample preparation techniques available, those based upon the use of sorptive materials have been widely employed. Recently, the application of ionic liquids immobilized on silica surfaces or polymeric materials has been evaluated for such an application. This manuscript addresses the evaluation of silica-based ionic liquid obtained by a sol-gel synthesis process by basic catalysis as sorbent for online solid-phase extraction with liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for sulfonamides determination. Infrared vibrational spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the ionic liquid on the silica surface, suggesting that the ionic liquid was anchored on to the silica surface. Other sorbents varying the ionic liquid alkyl chain were also synthesized and evaluated by off-line solid-phase extraction in the sulfonamide extraction. As the length of the alkyl chain increased, the amount of extracted sulfonamides decreased, possibly due to a decrease in the electrostatic interaction caused by the reduction in the polarity, as well as the presence of a hexafluorophosphate anion that increases the hydrophobic character of the material. The use of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate as a selective ionic liquid sorbent enabled the isolation and sulfonamide preconcentration in bovine milk by online solid-phase extraction with liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The limit of quantification for the method developed was 5-7, 5 μg/mL, with extraction recoveries ranging between 74 and 93% and intra- and interassay between 1.5-12.5 and 2.3-13.1, respectively., (© 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

This paper describes the use of graphene-based sorbents for determination of four tetracyclines in milk. The synthesized materials were combined with microextraction by packed sorbent (MEPS) to act as the sample preparation step. The extraction performance of these sorbents was compared to commercial phases, and graphene supported on silica provided the best results. The analytical method optimization was carried out by employing experimental design. Firstly, an evaluation of the experimental variables (elution solvent, use of EDTA, ionic force, and pH of the washing solution) was made by a 2 4-1 factorial experimental design. The variables sampling, washing and elution cycles of MEPS were further optimized under a full 2 3 experimental design. The validation parameters were determined under optimized conditions resulting in a linearity ranging from 15 to 110 μg/L with R 2 values above 0.98, and LOQs ranging from 0.05 to 0.9 μg/L. The accuracy ranged from 87.9 to 118.4% and intra/inter-day precision reported by the RSDs were lower than 19%. The proposed and validated method was successfully applied to the analysis of 11 milk samples from different animals, revealing traces of tetracyclines in only two of them. This study focused on the evaluation of graphene-based sorbents combined with MEPS for tetracycline analysis provided equivalent or even better results than other proposed methods, suggesting being a sensitive, fast and reliable alternative method for the determination of tetracyclines in milk samples., (© 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Forest inventories require estimates and measures of uncertainty for subpopulations such as management units. These units often times hold a small sample size, so they should be regarded as small areas. When auxiliary information is available, different small area estimation methods have been proposed to obtain reliable estimates for small areas. Unit level empirical best linear unbiased predictors (EBLUP) based on plot or grid unit level models have been studied more thoroughly than area level EBLUPs, where the modelling occurs at the management unit scale. Area level EBLUPs do not require a precise plot positioning and allow the use of variable radius plots, thus reducing fieldwork costs. However, their performance has not been examined thoroughly. We compared unit level and area level EBLUPs, using LiDAR auxiliary information collected for inventorying 98,104 ha coastal coniferous forest. Unit level models were consistently more accurate than area level EBLUPs, and area level EBLUPs were consistently more accurate than field estimates except for large management units that held a large sample. For stand density, volume, basal area, quadratic mean diameter, mean height and Lorey's height, root mean squared errors (rmses) of estimates obtained using area level EBLUPs were, on average, 1.43, 2.83, 2.09, 1.40, 1.32 and 1.64 times larger than those based on unit level estimates, respectively. Similarly, direct field estimates had rmses that were, on average, 1.37, 1.45, 1.17, 1.17, 1.26, and 1.38 times larger than rmses of area level EBLUPs. Therefore, area level models can lead to substantial gains in accuracy compared to direct estimates, and unit level models lead to very important gains in accuracy compared to area level models, potentially justifying the additional costs of obtaining accurate field plot coordinates.

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is an important way to characterize white matter (WM) microstructural changes. While several cross-sectional DTI studies investigated possible links between mindfulness practices and WM, only few longitudinal investigations focused on the effects of these practices on WM architecture, behavioral change, and the relationship between them. To this aim, in the current study, we chose to conduct an unbiased tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analysis ( n = 35 healthy participants) to identify longitudinal changes in WM diffusion parameters following 6 and 12 weeks of daily Quadrato Motor Training (QMT), a whole-body mindful movement practice aimed at improving well-being by enhancing attention, coordination, and creativity. We also investigated the possible relationship between training-induced WM changes and concomitant changes in creativity, self-efficacy, and motivation. Our results indicate that following 6 weeks of daily QMT, there was a bilateral increase of fractional anisotropy (FA) in tracts related to sensorimotor and cognitive functions, including the corticospinal tracts, anterior thalamic radiations, and uncinate fasciculi, as well as in the left inferior fronto-occipital, superior and inferior longitudinal fasciculi. Interestingly, significant FA increments were still present after 12 weeks of QMT in most of the above WM tracts, but only in the left hemisphere. FA increase was accompanied by a significant decrease of radial diffusivity (RD), supporting the leading role of myelination processes in training-related FA changes. Finally, significant correlations were found between training-induced diffusion changes and increased self-efficacy as well as creativity. Together, these findings suggest that QMT can improve WM integrity and support the existence of possible relationships between training-related WM microstructural changes and behavioral change.

The notion that exposure to a monotonous sensory environment could elicit reports indicating aberrant subjective experience and altered time perception is the impetus for the present report. Research has looked at the influence of exposure to such environments on time perception, reporting that the greater the environmental variation, the shorter is the time estimation obtained by the method of production. Most conditions for creating an altered sensory environment, however, have not facilitated an immersive experience, one that directly impacts both time perception and subjective experience. In this study, we invited our participants to enter a whole-body altered sensory environment for a 20-min session, wherein they were asked to relax without falling asleep. The session included white-colored illumination of the chamber with eyes closed (5 min), followed by 10 min of illuminating the room with color, after which a short report of subjective experience was collected using a brief questionnaire; this was followed by an additional 5 min of immersion in white light with closed eyes. The participants were then interviewed regarding their subjective experience, including their experience of time within the chamber. Prior to entering the chamber, the participants completed a time-production (TP) task. One group of participants then repeated the task within the chamber, at the end of the session; a second group of participants repeated the task after exiting the chamber. We shall report on changes in TP, and present data indicating that when produced time is plotted as a function of target duration, using a log-log plot, the major influence of sensory environment is on the intercept of the psychophysical function. We shall further present data indicating that for those participants reporting a marked change in time experience, such as "the sensation of time disappeared," their TP data could not be linearized using a log-log plot, hence indicating that for these individuals there might be a "break" in the psychophysical function.

Quadrato Motor Training (QMT) is a new training paradigm, which was found to increase cognitive flexibility, creativity and spatial cognition. In addition, QMT was reported to enhance inter- and intra-hemispheric alpha coherence as well as Fractional Anisotropy (FA) in a number of white matter pathways including corpus callosum. Taken together, these results seem to suggest that electrophysiological and structural changes induced by QMT may be due to an enhanced interplay and communication of the different brain areas within and between the right and the left hemisphere. In order to test this hypothesis using the exact low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (eLORETA), we estimated the current neural density and lagged linear connectivity (LLC) of the alpha band in the resting state electroencephalography (rsEEG) recorded with open (OE) and closed eyes (CE) at three different time points, following 6 and 12 weeks of daily QMT. Significant changes were observed for the functional connectivity. In particular, we found that limbic and fronto-temporal alpha connectivity in the OE condition increased after 6 weeks, while it enhanced at the CE condition in occipital network following 12-weeks of daily training. These findings seem to show that the QMT may have dissociable long-term effects on the functional connectivity depending on the different ways of recording rsEEG. OE recording pointed out a faster onset of Linear Lag Connectivity modulations that tend to decay as quickly, while CE recording showed sensible effect only after the complete 3-months training.

Like hallucinogenic drugs, full-field flickering visual stimulation produces regular, geometric hallucinations such as radial or spiral patterns. Computational and theoretical models have revealed that the geometry of these hallucinations can be related to functional neuro-anatomy. However, while experimental evidence links both visual flicker and hallucinogenic drugs to upward and downward modulations of brain oscillatory activity, the exact relation between brain oscillations and geometric hallucinations remains a mystery. Here we demonstrate that, in human observers, this link is bidirectional. The same flicker frequencies that preferentially induced radial (<10 Hz) or spiral (10-20 Hz) hallucinations in a behavioral experiment involving full-field uniform flicker without any actual shape displayed, also showed selective oscillatory EEG enhancement when observers viewed a genuine static image of a radial or spiral pattern without any flicker. This bidirectional property constrains the possible neuronal events at the origin of visual hallucinations, and further suggests that brain oscillations, which are strictly temporal in nature, could nonetheless act as preferential channels for spatial information., (Copyright © 2015 the authors 0270-6474/15/357921-06$15.00/0.)

Purpose: To evaluate and discuss the role of specific types of abdominal surgery (SURG) before radical radiation therapy as a risk factor for late rectal toxicity in prostate cancer patients., Methods: Results concerning questionnaire-based scored late bleeding and faecal incontinence in 718 patients with a complete follow-up of 36 months were analysed, focusing on the impact of specific pre-radiotherapy abdominal/pelvic surgery procedures. Patients were accrued in the prospective study AIROPROS 0102. Different types of surgery (rectum-sigma resection, kidney resection, cholecystectomy or appendectomy) were considered as covariates together with a number of different parameters previously found to be predictive of late toxicity and including clinical as well as dosimetric parameters. Univariate (UVA) and multivariate (MVA) logistic analyses were carried out., Results: In total 69/718 patients were previously submitted to one or more surgical procedures, mostly cholecystectomy (n=21) and appendectomy (n=27). Actuarial incidences of G2-G3 and G3 bleeding were 52 (7.2%) and 24 (3.3%) respectively; 19 (2.6%) chronic incontinence events were registered. Cholecystectomy was found to be highly correlated with late rectal bleeding at UVA: OR=4.3 and p=0.006 for G2-G3 and OR=5.4 and p=0.01 for G3. Considering MVA (including dosimetric and clinical factors), G2-G3 bleeding was significantly correlated to cholecystectomy (OR=6.5, p=0.002), V75 Gy (OR=1.074, p=0.003) and secondarily with appendectomy (OR=2.7, p=0.10), presence of acute radioinduced rectal bleeding (OR=1.70, p=0.21) and androgen deprivation (OR=0.67, p=0.25). Appendectomy (OR=5.9, p=0.004) and cholecystectomy (OR=5.5, p=0.016) were very strong predictors of G3 bleeding with V75 Gy playing a less significant role (OR=1.037, p=0.26). Conversely, no specific surgery was correlated with actuarial or chronic incontinence., Conclusions: This analysis highlights previous SURG as the best predictor of late rectal bleeding. Among the different types of abdominal surgery, cholecystectomy and appendectomy play the major role, especially for severe late bleeding., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Under the assumption that dream recall is a peculiar form of declarative memory, we have hypothesized that (1) the encoding of dream contents during sleep should share some electrophysiological mechanisms with the encoding of episodic memories of the awake brain and (2) recalling a dream(s) after awakening from non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep should be associated with different brain oscillations. Here, we report that cortical brain oscillations of human sleep are predictive of successful dream recall. In particular, after morning awakening from REM sleep, a higher frontal 5-7 Hz (theta) activity was associated with successful dream recall. This finding mirrors the increase in frontal theta activity during successful encoding of episodic memories in wakefulness. Moreover, in keeping with the different EEG background, a different predictive relationship was found after awakening from stage 2 NREM sleep. Specifically, a lower 8-12 Hz (alpha) oscillatory activity of the right temporal area was associated with a successful dream recall. These findings provide the first evidence of univocal cortical electroencephalographic correlates of dream recall, suggesting that the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the encoding and recall of episodic memories may remain the same across different states of consciousness.

A new definition of environmental security gives equal importance to the objective and subjective assessments of environmental risk. In this framework, the management of tourist harbors has to take into account managers' perceptions. The subject of the present study is a tourist harbor in southern Italy where six different managers are present. This paper aims to assess subjectively and objectively the environmental risks associated with the harbor, and to compare the results to provide estimates of environmental security. Hereby managers have been interviewed and a simple model is used for making preliminary assessment of environmental risks. The comparison of the results highlighted a common mismatch between risk perception and risk assessment. We demonstrated that the old part of the harbor is less secure than the new part. In addition, one specific manager representing a public authority showed a leading role in ensuring the environmental security of the whole harbor., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The chemokine receptor CXCR4 was described as an independent predictor of poor prognosis in primary human melanoma. To investigate on a possible role of CXCR4 expression on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) subsets, 195 patients with melanoma were evaluated for correlations between PBL subsets CXCR4 expressing and clinicopathological and prognostic features. One hundred ninety-five patients with stages I-III melanoma were enrolled in this study. Lymphocytes subsets were assayed by the direct fluorescence method for whole blood and staining with fluorochrome-conjugated monoclonal antibodies. Correlations between PBL subsets, baseline patient, and tumor features were studied by contingency tables and the chi(2) test. The Kaplan-Meier product limit method was applied to plot disease-free- and overall-survival curves. Univariate analysis was performed with the log-rank test. Cox proportional-hazards regression was used to analyze the effect of multiple risk factors on disease-free survival (DFS). Melanoma patients characterized by CD4(+)CD45RA(+)CXCR4(+) higher than 25% of PBL showed a longer DFS. Conversely, CD4(+)CD45RA(+)CXCR4(+) <25% increased the risk of relapse. The 5-year DFS rate was 76% for patients with CD4(+)CD45RA(+)CXCR4(+) lymphocytes <25% of PBL, and 94% for patients with CD4(+)CD45RA(+)CXCR4(+) >25% (p = 0.030 at log-rank test). Univariate and multivariate analysis for DFS confirmed the prognostic value of the CD4(+)CD45RA(+)CXCR4(+) lymphocytes. Although further studies are needed to better define the involved subpopulation, the detection of cellular subset CD4(+)CD45RA(+)CXCR4(+) is an easy and feasible evaluation of melanoma patients in concomitance with the established melanoma prognostic markers.

Purpose: Assessing the predictors of late rectal toxicity after high-dose conformal radiotherapy for prostate cancer., Methods: One thousand one hundred thirty-two patients entered a prospective observational multicentric study; late rectal toxicity was evaluated by a self-reported questionnaire. Results concerning bleeding and faecal incontinence of 718/1132 patients with a complete follow-up at 36 months were analysed. The correlation between a number of clinical-dosimetric parameters and moderate/severe toxicity was investigated by univariate and multivariate logistic analyses., Results: Fifty-two (7.2%) and 57/718 (7.9%) patients were scored as moderate/severe bleeders and faecal incontinents, respectively; 19/57 incontinent patients showed persistent incontinence at 36 months. Bleeding was mainly correlated with V75 Gy while severe bleeding was mainly correlated with the previous abdominal/pelvic surgery; a different rectal dose-volume relationship in the two groups of patients (with/without surgery) was found. Moderate/severe acute toxicity was weakly correlated to late bleeding. The best predictor of faecal incontinence was acute toxicity (OR=4 and 7 for chronic and actuarial incontinence, respectively)., Conclusion: The application of rectal dose-volume constraints limited the incidence of rectal bleeding. The risk of bleeding may be further reduced by limiting V75 Gy<5% and, in the case of patients previously submitted to abdominal/pelvic surgery, V70 Gy<15-20%. Faecal incontinence seems to be mainly a consequential effect after acute toxicity.

Objective: to identify lethality and mortality rates and, mortality risk factors in ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) on 114 patients treated between 2000 and 2007., Method: Twenty five risk factors were analyzed, emphasizing age, gender, APACHE score, associated diseases, hypotension at intake, coma, hospitalization time, length of time of ventilation, emergency intubation, reintubation, previous antibiotics, and resistant microrganisms., Results: Lethality was 25.4 %, and mortality was 2.4 %. Association between lethality, and APACHE score was found (p: 0.04). Critical APACHE value was 22. Also, in early pneumonia, association between lethality and nasogastric tube (p: 0.01, I.C. 95 % 1.39 - 6.35) was found. No association with late pneumonia was found among mortality and clinical practices. Death's RR (relative risk) increase in following values with: previous neurological disease 2.7 (p: 0.15, IC 95 % 1.15 - 6.5), neurological comaRR 2 (p: 0.2, IC 95 % 0.54 - 7.53). Nevertheless, at multivariate analysis no mortality risk factors were identified. Fair association with time in ICU (p: 0.051 IC 95 % 0.99 - 1.17) and, male sex (p: 0.051, IC 95 % 0.99 - 6.72) was found., Conclusions: We observed multiple factors associated to mortality in VAP: use of nasogastric catheter, longer stay in ICU and male sex.

In a series of 84 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients we sought to establish whether BAFF (B-cell activating factor of the TNF family) circulating levels correlated with clinical characteristics of disease. BAFF serum levels were significantly higher in 20 healthy controls (i.e., median 695 ng/mL, range 389-1040) in comparison to the whole population of CLL patients (median 376, range 93-8914; P<0.0001). After setting a cut-off at the median value observed in healthy controls (i.e., 695 ng/mL) we found that 6 out of 15 (40%) patients with familial CLL had increased BAFF levels while the same occurred only in 5 out of 64 (7.2%) patients with sporadic CLL (P=0.0007). No significant difference in age (P=0.82), sex (P=0.97), Binet clinical stage (P=0.20), incidence of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) or immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) (P=0.47), mutational status of IgVH (P=1.00), CD38 (P=0.34) and ZAP-70 expression (P=0.16) could be detected between patients with sporadic and familial CLL, respectively. The only feature characterizing familial CLL patients was a higher serum BAFF level (sporadic CLL 336 ng/mL, range 93-925; familial CLL 601 ng/mL, range 138-8914; P=0.002). Our data suggest that BAFF levels are elevated in patients with familial CLL. The small cohort of patients used implies that a larger study is needed to reinforce the observation.

Background: Cognitive impairment has been observed in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). We analyzed in-hospital CHF patients with neuropsychological tests attempting to correlate the results with prognostic parameters., Methods: All subjects underwent a mini-mental state examination (MMSE), memory and learning tests (Corsi Block-tapping test, Verbal Span test, Prose Memory test, Visual Search), anxiety and depression scale test. New York Hospital Association (NYHA) class, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were evaluated., Results: Sixty patients (mean age 65.5 years) were analyzed. NYHA class was 2.9 +/- 0.9, LVEF was 32.9 +/- 13.7%, BNP plasma level 683.3 +/- 864.3 pg/mL. In 23.3% of cases a pathological MMSE score emerged; memory and learning test results were abnormal in 3.4-37%. A positive correlation between MMSE and age (r = 0.18, p = 0.01), BNP (r = 0.25, p = 0.02) was observed but not between MMSE and years of education, NYHA class and LVEF. The Corsi Block-tapping test was related to educational duration (r = 0.12, p = 0.02) with a positive trend for BNP (r = 0.2, p = 0.07). The Prose Memory test and Visual Search were influenced by the patients' educational level (r = 0.36, p = 0.0001; r = 0.27, p = 0.0001)., Conclusions: CHF patients manifest an impairment of MMSE and memory and learning test performance. In our population MMSE correlates to plasma BNP and advanced age.

Purpose: The chemokine receptor CXCR4 was identified as an independent predictor of poor prognosis in primary melanoma. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of CXCR4 in human melanoma metastases., Experimental Design: CXCR4 expression was evaluated in melanoma metastases and in metastatic cell lines through immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and reverse transcription-PCR. The function of CXCR4 was tested in the presence of the ligand, CXCL12, through induction of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 (Erk-1 and -2) phosphorylation, proliferation, apoptosis, and migration capabilities., Results: CXCR4 expression was detected in 33 out of 63 (52.4%) metastases from cutaneous melanomas. Metastatic melanoma cell lines expressed cell surface CXCR4; PES 43, Alo 40, and COPA cell lines showed the highest levels of CXCR4 (>90% of positive cells); PES 41, Alo 39, PES 47, POAG, and CIMA cell lines showed low to moderate degrees of expression (5-65% of positive cells). Other chemokine receptors, CCR7 and CCR10, were detected on the melanoma cell lines; CXCL12 activated Erk-1 and Erk-2, the whose induction was specifically inhibited by AMD3100 treatment. CXCL12 increased the growth in PES 41, PES 43, and PES 47 cells under suboptimal (1% serum) and serum-free culture conditions; AMD3100 (1 mumol/L) inhibited the spontaneous and CXCL12-induced proliferation. No rescue from apoptosis was shown but PES 41, PES 43, and PES 47 cells migrate toward CXCL12., Conclusions: These findings indicate that CXCR4 is expressed and active in human melanoma metastases, suggesting that active inhibitors such as AMD3100 may be experienced in human melanoma.

Aims and Background: The National Working Group on Prostate Radiotherapy of AIRO (Associazione Italiana Radioterapia Oncologica, Italian Association of Radiotherapeutic Oncology) was established in March 2001. A retrospective multi-center survey was performed to analyze the patterns of care for prostate cancer patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy following radical prostatectomy in Italy with regard to the year 2000., Materials and Methods: A structured questionnaire was mailed to 47 Italian radiotherapy centers to assess patient accrual in the postoperative setting in the interval comprised between period January-December 2000. Numbers of patients treated for different stages, specific prognostic factors indicating the need for adjuvant radiotherapy, fractionation schedules and prescription doses were acquired as well as other clinically important factors such as radiotherapy timing and the use of hormone therapy. More technical features of the treatment, such as patient positioning, mode of simulation, typical field setup and dose prescription criteria were also included in the questionnaire., Results: The questionnaire was returned by 24 radiotherapy Institutions (51%) with a total number of 470 patients treated postoperatively in the year 2000. An average of about 20 patients were enrolled by each radiotherapy center. The age range was 45-81 years. Radiotherapy was delivered within 6 months of radical prostatectomy in 297 patients (65.4%) (mean, 3.4 months). In 157 (34.6%), the treatment was delivered as a salvage approach for biochemical or micro-macroscopic recurrence. Most of patients had locally advanced stage disease (pT3-pT4) (76%). Unfavorable prognostic factors, such as positive margins, capsular invasion, Gleason pattern score > 7 were present in about 50% of patients., Conclusions: The study confirmed that important risk factors for recurrences are present in a significant percentage of patients treated by radical prostatectomy. The number of patients that would benefit from adjuvant radiotherapy is therefore potentially very large. Future prospective studies should be conducted to assess and to clarify the respective roles of adjuvant and salvage radiotherapy in prostate cancer patients.

Purpose: Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the bone (PLB) are very rare diseases accounting for 3%-5% of primary bone tumors. The best treatment for PLB has not been found yet. We report on the experience of the Radiation Oncology Department of Bologna University, Italy, relative to the diagnosis and treatment of this disease., Methods and Material: Seventy-seven patients with newly diagnosed PLB were treated from June 1983 to October 2001. Fifty-six were male (72.7%) and 21 were female (27.3%); the median age was 41.8 years, with a range of 16-84 years. The majority of patients had B-cell high-grade histology. The median follow-up was 149 months. Forty-four patients had a solitary bone lesion (Stage I); and in 33 patients, the tumor was spread to locoregional lymphatic area (Stage II). All patients were treated with radiotherapy (RT) with a median dose of 40 Gy (range, 36-54 Gy), and 67 received an additional anthracycline-based regimen of chemotherapy (combined modality therapy [CMT])., Results: After therapy 73 of 77 patients (94.8%) reached a complete remission. At a median time of 23 months, 14 of 77 patients (18.2%) had a disease relapse. Four of them were treated with RT alone (in these cases tumor lesions were <3 cm and located at sites different from mandible); 10 patients were treated with combined RT and CMT. Actuarial disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) at 15 years were, respectively, 76.6% and 88.3%. No local failures were seen. Prognostic factors such as age, sex, stage, and bulky lesions were analyzed. Age (<40 vs. >40 years) was the only significant factor for DFS (85.3% vs. 66.6%, p = 0.03). Bulky lesions apparently did not affect OS (90.9% vs. 72.7%). However, the difference has no statistical significance (p = 0.05). Acute and late toxicity related to the treatment was moderate., Conclusions: In PLB the CMT seems to produce a better outcome than RT alone; that still remains the best treatment for local disease control. Radiation therapy alone should be reserved for mandibular tumors, which are usually very small and earlier diagnosed.

61 eggs of night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) were collected in 2000 in Yuantouzhu of Tai lake, China. The breeding birds were divided into three groups by age, namely two, three, four years. The residues of 15 polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in eggs were studied. 15 congeners were found in all egg samples, and PCB118 at the highest level, PCB87, PCB101 and PCB153 at second levels. Total residues of the 4 congeners occupied about 75%-85% of sum 15 congeners residues found in eggs. It was obviously that residues of congeners containing 5-6 chlorine atoms were more than others in eggs. Residues of PCBs in eggs increased with age of breeding birds. The total PCBs concentration in eggs of four years group were higher than that of three years group, two years group by 47.5% and 60.9% respectively. Different from the result of the similar studies in European countries, USA and Japan: the residue of PCB153 is the highest, it was found that in this study the residue of PCB118 is the highest in eggs, which is about 30% of the total PCBs residues, while the PCB153 17% only.

There were four species of Ardeidae in Tai Lake. The dominant vegetations in the habitat were Pinus massoniana, Cinnamomum hupehanum, Quercus acutissema, Ulmus prmila and Myrica rubra, which were suitable for Egretta garzetta to make nests. The area of the habitat was about 7 hm2, where there were totally 4200 Egretta garzetta nests with the density of 0.38 nest per tree in average. Studies on Egretta garzetta breeding ecology showed that the incubating time was 19-21 days, the average egg weight was 23.9 +/- 4.0 g(n = 41), and the average egg size was 44.5 +/- 4.1 mm x 32.6 +/- 4.9 mm(n = 41). The mean clutch size and brood size were 5.02(2-8) and 3.86(2-7), respectively, and the hatching rate was 84.25%. The measurements of Egretta garzetta nestling tarsus did not show any asymmetry (P > 0.05). Egretta garzetta fed mainly on small fish and shrimps in Tai Lake. The analysis results of Tai Lake samples showed that the pollutants including HCH, HCB, cyclodience, DDTs (DDT, DDE and DDD), PCBs, Cr, Hg and Pb in Egretta garzetta eggs were detected except Cd, and these pollutants accumulated through prey chain from sediments and preys to nestlings. Comparing samples from Tai Lake and those from Poyang Lake as relatively unpolluted area, only the concentration of DDTs residues was higher than 2 micrograms.g-1 in both lakes, and the other residues from Tai Lake like organochlorine insecticides, PCBs and heavy metals were all lower than those from Poyang Lake, and did not affect the development and breeding success of Egretta garzetta at present.