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Recent studies have shown that a superficial fungal infection such as onychomycosis may form complex biofilms. Although most individuals susceptible to documented fungal biofilm infections are immunocompromised, physical damage to the nail or concurrent infection with other organisms is also a common risk factor in developing nail biofilm. The complex nature of the biofilm, which includes efflux pumps and the formation of a virulent extracellular matrix, helps it evade the immune system. Although there is no standardized treatment for fungal biofilms in onychomycosis, various studies using antimicrobials and lasers have shown some efficacy in treating human fingernails.

Measurements were made of the heat capacity of crystalline and liquid bromobenzene from 11 to 300 K, of the triple point and heat of fusion at the triple point and of the heat of vaporization at one temperature. The adiabatic calorimeter used was precise over most of its range to ±0.l percent; the purity of the sample was 99.998 mol percent. The triple point of pure bromobenzene is 242.401 K (—30.749 °C) ±0.0l0°; the enthalpy and entropy of fusion are, respectively, 10702 ± 5 J mol(−1) and 44.150 ± 0.022 J K(−1) mol(−1). The heat and entropy of vaporization at 293.00 K are, respectively, 43 963 ±60 J mol(−1) and 150.0 ± 0.2 J K(−1) mol(−1). Tables are given for the thermodynamic functions of the condensed phases from 0 to 300 K; the functions for the ideal gas from 100 to 1500 K, calculated from spectroscopic and molecular data using statistical mechanical methods, are also tabulated. The entropy of the ideal gas at 293.00 K and one atmosphere, from statistical mechanics, is 323.63 J K(−1) mol(−1); the same quantity from the experimental measurements (third law) is 323.73 J K(−1) mol(−1). No anomalies or additional transitions were observed.

The recent trend to fully utilize neutrons from pulsed spallation sources for broadband neutron spectrometers with indirect-geometry seeks to improve their performance by using large-area curved analyzers that focus neutrons in time, energy and space. Here we describe the ongoing collaborative efforts of CNR (IT) and ISIS (UK) towards future upgrades of TOSCA at ISIS, which are also essential for the design and subsequent construction of VESPA at the ESS. This performance improvement is due to both a larger detector coverage using a curved geometry and a corresponding tuning of analyzer crystal characteristics. To achieve high resolution in the entire spectral range 0–500 meV, the time-focusing of neutrons from the sample to the detector should be carried out within tight tolerances. The effect of graphite mosaicity and its variation from crystal-to-crystal across the whole analyzer, as well as the impact of manufacturing tolerances on instrument performance, and of the detector pixelation are here investigated to inform about the design in order to balance the efficiency of neutron collection with the resolution requirements., We are grateful for the financial support of the VESPA Project, STFC, 2014–2020 CNR-STFC agreement for collaborative scientific research at ISIS.

In recent years, studies reported poor vitamin D status in morbidly obese patients, with a graded relationship between vitamin level, BMI and adiposity. Aim of our work was to evaluate vitamin D status in a group of obese adults and any correlation with body composition and lifestyle. This observational study collected baseline data of 71 obese patients (20M/51F, age 52±12,1yrs, BMI 41,7±7,3kg/m²), recruited in spring 2019. BMI, fat mass (kg) (BIA Sensors Medics), animal lipid dietary intakes, physical activity (IPAQ) and sun exposure (H.E.C.) were analysed in relation to serum vitamin (25OH)D concentration. Serum vitamin D status was also evaluated in a group of 53 non-obese patients (12M/41F, age 42,1±17,1yrs, BMI 24,7±3,2kg/m²). Statistical Analysis: Anova-Pearson Correlation (SPSS-Statistics25). Serum vitamin (25OH)D concentration was significantly lower in obese patients in comparison to the non-obese group (14,05±7,34ng/ml versus 23,00±8,59ng/ml, p Among obese patients, a very strong positive correlation was found between vitamin D and sun exposure (R=0,81; p BMI (R=-0,51; p Vitamin D monitoring represents a clinical requirement among obese patients, due to a widespread condition of insufficiency. Hypotheses include sequestration in adipose tissue and volumetric diluition. A healthy lifestyle, together with vitamin D supplementation when required, is suggested to prevent/treat hypovitaminosis in both obeses and non-obeses.

We report recent developments regarding the TOSCA (ISIS, UK) and VESPA (ESS, Sweden) neutron broadband chemical spectrometers, both joint ventures between CNR (IT) and ISIS (UK). TOSCA has seen the first major upgrade since it first became operational over fifteen years ago. The new design of the primary spectrometer, which exploits a state-of-the-art, high-m neutron guide and associated chopper system, is boosting the useful neutron flux by over an order of magnitude. Feasibility studies for an upgrade of the secondary spectrometer have been performed, outlining an additional order-of-magnitude gain in performance. In the case of VESPA, the novel characteristics and challenges arising from a long-pulse spallation source such as ESS are part of the drivers of the instrument design. For both the primary and secondary spectrometers, a detailed analysis of expected performance, supported by both simulations and analytical models, is being carried out, also capitalizing from experience on TOSCA. Indeed, for instrument design and optimization, extensive neutron-transport simulations and baseline studies of neutronic response have become a must, along with extensive benchmarking against much-needed experimental data. All these combined efforts represent the first opportunity to benchmark a broadband, high-resolution chemical spectrometer in terms of measured vs. simulated response.

Journal of physics / Conference Series 1021, 012054 - (2018). doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1021/1/012054, The neutron Irradiation Module at the European Spallation Source will make use of the high intensity fast neutron spectrum to study the behaviour of the materials used in the facility, set within the ESS research and development program for the target station. By studying how these materials are affected by radiation, estimates of the material degradation in irrradiated bespoke samples will allow to optimise of the design and lifetime of regularly replaced target components. The general design and a set of results from the neutronics calculations, aimed at estimating proton and neutron flux distributions, displacement damage, heat deposition and activation for the radiological hazard analysis of the Irradiation Module, set within the Italian contributions to the ESS construction phase, are reported., Published by IOP Publ., Bristol

The shelf life of fresh Italian pork sausages packed in modified atmosphere was studied. Samples were packed using different levels of oxygen (high and low) with different levels of carbon dioxide (high-low) in the atmospheres headspace and were stored at 4 °C for 9 days. Microbial, physiochemical and sensory parameters were analyzed during storage. A consumer test was performed to determine the critical acceptability levels. Sensory data were mathematically modelled to estimate product shelf life. A first-order kinetic model and a Weibull-type model aptly described, respectively, the changes in fresh pork sausage odor and color over storage time. These models may be used to predict the sensory shelf life of fresh pork sausage. Results showed that 20% O2 and 70% CO2 extend fresh pork sausage shelf life to 9 days at 4 °C. The microbial quality of the samples at the critical sensory level of acceptability was within the range of microbial acceptability.

After a short comparative analysis of different macromolecular ligands reported in the relevant literature, the presentation will be centered on the results obtained in the authors' laboratory using structurally defined inorganic supports in terms also of their macromolecular structure. Zeolites and mesomorphous silica can link, after proper chemical modification of their surface with MAO, unmodified metallocene complexes through cage entrapment and weak interactions, thus allowing the transfer from the solution to the solid phase. The metallocene complexes in their new phase are characterized by the catalytic behavior in olefin polymerization after activation with MAO. A decrease of productivity is generally observed depending on the type of support. The steric hindrance provided by the support is evidenced by the depression of chain transfer rate with formation of higher molecular weight polymers. Also shape selectivity is observed during copolymerization of ethylene with a-olefins having variable size. These steric effects are released when going from HY zeolite to MCM silica.

Background It is possible to consider microcirculation as a kind of “witness” of the complex biological reactions triggered by the dialytic treatment. The reactivity of microcirculation to the dialytic stress may represent a measure of the overall biocompatibility of the membrane. In this study we tested the hypothesis that different synthetic membranes may have different biological effects, particularly related to microcirculation. Subjects and Methods In this crossover study, we observed 16 chronically hemodialyzed patients. All patients were treated with the EVAL membrane; we recorded the TcPO2 during the second treatment of the week. All patients were then switched to the hf-PS membrane. During the study observation we did not change the dialytic prescription or the pharmacologic treatment. Results From the beginning of the session until 90', the behavior of TcPO2 is similar for both the membranes. From 120' to the end of the treatment in sessions with the EVAL membrane, the TcPO2 values come back to the starting level, whereas in the treatments with hf-PS the TcPO2, the values remain at a lower level; there was a significant difference between EVAL and hf-PS in the values recorded. Arterial blood gas values of paO2 and paCO2 are quite similar in the treatments with both the membranes, without any significant difference. Conclusions The analysis of microcirculation by means of TcPO2 measurement is a useful tool to obtain a “clinical” measure of biocompatibility of the dialytic treatment and different membranes may have different impacts on TcPO2.

The performance of 4 constructed wetlands designed by IRIDRA Srl and operating in Tuscany (central Italy) has been monitored during the last three years. The 4 treatment systems have different sizes and characteristics: one single stage secondary treatment (150 p.e.); two secondary treatment plants with effluent reuse: one small (60 p.e) and the other big (350 p.e.); a tertiary treatment of effluents from an activated sludge plant with high hydraulic load fluctuation (5-500 p.e.). Due to geographical and economic constraints the four systems have high hydraulic and organic loading rates, neverthless the systems show very good removal performance of COD (62-95%), especially the ones with higher inflow COD concentrations (87-95%). Interesting results concerning also removal percentage of MBAS (42-88%) and ammonium (42-85%) were obtained, even though NH4+ concentration in the outflows of some of the plants, doesn't always comply with Italian quality standards.

Peritoneal dialysis can worsen disllpemia, which is frequent in chronically uremic patients. In order to verify the therapeutic possibilities, we retrospectively studied 20 chronically uremic patients who had been previously treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPO) and who had developed an IV-type dislipemia. Twelve have continued CAPO treatment and have been simultaneously treated with simvastatin; 8 have withdrawn from CAPO and have begun HO, without any antidislipemic pharmacological support. The results, after 3, 6, 12, and 18 months of treatment, showed the following: In patients treated with CAPO and simvastatin, highly significant decreases were noted in total cholesterol (T-cho) and triglycerides (TG) (p

Rats exposed to acute unavoidable stress develop a deficit in escaping avoidable aversive stimuli that lasts as long as unavoidable stress exposure is repeated. A 3-week exposure to unavoidable stress also reduces dopamine (DA) output in the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcS). This study showed that a 7-day exposure to unavoidable stress induced in rats an escape deficit and a decrease in extraneuronal DA basal concentration in the NAcS. Moreover, animals had reduced DA and serotonin (5-HT) accumulation after cocaine administration in the medial pre-frontal cortex (mPFC) and NAcS, compared with control animals. After a 3-week exposure to unavoidable stress, escape deficit and reduced DA output in the NAcS were still significant at day 14 after the last stress administration. In the mPFC we observed: (i) a short-term reduction in DA basal levels that was back to control values at day 14; (ii) a decrease in DA accumulation at day 3 followed by a significant increase beyond control values at day 14; (iii) a significant reduction in 5-HT extraneuronal basal levels at day 3, but not at day 14. Finally, a significant decrease in 5-HT accumulation following cocaine administration was present in the NAcS and mPFC at day 3, but not at day 14. In conclusion, a long-term stress exposure induced long-lasting behavioral sequelae associated with reproducible neurochemical modifications.

Peritoneal dialysis can worsen dislipemia, which is frequent in chronically uremic patients. In order to verify the therapeutic possibilities, we retrospectively studied 20 chronically uremic patients who had been previously treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and who had developed an IV-type dislipemia. Twelve have continued CAPD treatment and have been simultaneously treated with simvastatin; 8 have withdrawn from CAPD and have begun HD, without any antidislipemic pharmacological support. The results, after 3, 6, 12, and 18 months of treatment, showed the following: in patients treated with CAPD and simvastatin, highly significant decreases were noted in total cholesterol (T-cho) and triglycerides (TG) (p0.001), and highly significant increases were noted in HDL-cholesterol (HDL-cho) (p0.005) and apolipoprotein-A1 (Apo-A1) (p0.01). In patients treated with HD, only slightly significant decreases were noted in T-cho (p0.01) and TG (p0.02), a slightly significant increase in Apo-A1 (p0.05), and no significant change in HDL-cho. Apolipoprotein-B showed no change in the two groups. Therefore, patients undergoing CAPD, with dislipemia only, can continue the treatment, because simvastatin is capable of correcting dislipemia, while those patients who have displemia as well as other complications strictly due to CAPD must abandon treatment and must be transferred to extracorporeal methods.

The blood purification method, called PFD, in which convection (Hemofiltration:HF) and diffusion (Hemodialysis:HD) happen separately, in series, allows treatments shorter and also with the same efficacy of those of the standard HD through its higher tolerability and efficiency per unit of time ([1]–[2]). Since in the original PFD method the hemofilter surface in rather small (0.4 m2) and consequently the ultrafiltration rate (UFR) values and the substitution fluid amount ([4]–[5] 1) are low ([1], [2]) we believed it was interesting to carry out some modifications aiming at improving the method efficiency ([3]).

Publisher Summary Industrial bimetallic catalysts based on titanium and hafnium (Hf) supported on MgCl2 show high activity for the polymerization of ethylene, and an appreciable activity in the polymerization of 4-methyl-1-pentene. The increasing interest acquired by MgCl2 supported catalytic systems containing Hf in the production of polyolefins has recently stimulated the research on the behavior of this metal in polymerization processes. Studies concerning both heterogeneous and homogeneous systems demonstrated the capability of Hf-catalyst to produce high molecular weight polyethylene even if activity is generally lower than with titanium. Thus, the polymer produced by abimetallic catalyst based on MgCl2 supported Hf and Ti should consist of a large amount of moderate molecular weight polyethylene produced on Ti-active sites, and of a small amount of very high molecular weight polyethylene produced on Hf-active sites. The chapter describes the main features of these industrial bimetallic catalysts to use them for producing polyethylenes with different and broad molecular weight distributions. For this purpose, two industrial bimetallic catalysts have been tested in laboratory under industrial conditions; analogous tests are performed with similar catalytic systems containing Titanium or Hf to clarify the relative importance of the two metals on the characteristics of the polyethylene. Finally, experiments with 4-methyl-1-pentene have been performed for a better characterization of the active sites.

Aiming to improve the efficiency of the blood purification convective methods either with spontaneous (CAVH) or with pump-assisted (HF) extracorporeal circulation we inserted after the hemofilter a cartridge containing 70 g of collodion-coated activated charcoal (CAC) microencapsulated, obtaining so hemofiltration and hemoperfusion in series (HF+HP). The obtained results show that in both methods HP addition gives a negligible increase of urea clearance and a practically null increase of phosphate clearance, whereas creatinine and uric acid clearances increase is remarkable especially, in percentage, with low blood flows (CAVH). In the HF+HP system we have also been studying B2-microglobulin (B2-M) clearance aiming at examining the possibility of increasing the removal of substances with higher molecular weight. We have been finding HP addition increases further on B2-M clearance already high in HF. Therefore we think HP addition to convective methods is an interesting step in the attempt to carry out highly efficient blood purification methods.

Hemofilters with different membranes and surface areas which utilize the spontaneous circulation of the blood were used to resolve fluid overload in uremic and nonuremic patients and to correct uremia

Poly(styrene)s bearing carbazole substituents at various positions were synthesised by homopolymerisation of 3-(9-carbazolylmethyl)styrene and 4-(9-carbazolylmethyl)styrene and by chemical modification of preformed poly(styrene)s prepared in the presence of different initiators. Main chain stereochemistry of the polymer samples was investigated by 13 C-NMR and related to the initiation process. The fluorescence emission spectra were independent of the stereochemistry of polymer backbone and exhibited only monomer emission. In no case was there any evidence of excimer fluorescence. In contrast, energy migration appeared to be very efficient, as evaluated by measurements of the degree of fluorescence polarisation relative to that of a structurally related model compound

This research was carried out to define the effects on man during head-out water immersion in a bath at 38.41 +/- 0.04 degrees C (mean +/- S.E.) with a method similar to that used for therapeutical rehabilitation and time of immersion of 30 minutes. Hemorheological, hematic and hemodynamic parameters were analysed. Seventeen healthy subjects (fourteen males and three females), between the ages of 21-65 years and mean age of 29.8 +/- 2.6 years were studied. Head-out water immersion resulted in: 1) decrease in blood viscosity, red blood cells count, C-Hct and M-Hct, without significant changes in leukocytes and platelets count, MCV, plasma viscosity, erythrocyte filtration time and RCDI; 2) an increase in heart rate and a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Thirty minutes after the end of immersion, heart rate, diastolic blood pressure and blood viscosity, measured at 0.512 sec-1 shear rate, returned to pre-immersion values; systolic blood pressure showed a slight increase but was still significantly below the basal levels; erythrocytes count, C-Hct, M-Cct and blood viscosity, measured at 94.5 sec-1 shear rate, significantly exceeded pre-immersion values. The probable pathogenesis of these observations is suggested. A matter of great interest is the study of the same parameters in elderly subjects, with or without cardiovascular diseases, or in patients using drugs affecting blood pressure, blood viscosity or hemocoagulation process.

With the objective to develop most efficient method for Beta-2-microglobulin elimination, the authors, using extracorporeal circulation placed behind the haemofilter a capsule containing 70 g of collodion coated with activated medicinal charcoal. This combination was used in 3 haemofilters made from different membranes. The results showed polysulphon to be the highest efficiency membrane out of those tested for Beta-2 microglobulin elimination. In combination with haemoperfusion, its efficiency increases significantly. Even if haemoperfusion increases efficiency by considerable percentage, the Beta-2 microglobulin elimination using other types of membranes lasts long and the total clearance remains low.

Objective Although the relationship between hyperuricemia and cardiovascular events has been extensively examined, data on the role of diuretic-related hyperuricemia are still scanty. The present study was designed to collect information on the relationship between diuretic-related hyperuricemia and cardiovascular events. Methods The URic acid Right for heArt Health (URRAH) study is a nationwide, multicentre, observational cohort study involving data on individuals recruited from all the Italy territory under the patronage of the Italian Society of Hypertension with an average follow-up period of 122.3 ± 66.9 months. Patients were classified into four groups according to the diuretic use (yes vs. no) and serum uric acid (SUA) levels (higher vs. lower than the median value of 4.8 mg/dl). All-cause death, cardiovascular deaths and first cardiovascular event were considered as outcomes. Results Seventeen thousand, seven hundred and forty-seven individuals were included in the analysis. Mean age was 57.1 ± 15.2 years, men were 45.3% and SBP and DBP amounted to 144.1 ± 24.6 and 85.2 ± 13.2 mmHg. 17.2% of individuals take diuretics of whom 58% had SUA higher than median value. Patients with hyperuricemia without diuretic use served as reference group. In multivariate adjusted analysis (sex, age, SBP, BMI, glucose, total cholesterol, and glomerular filtration rate) individuals with hyperuricemia and diuretic use exhibit a similar risk for the three outcomes as compared with the reference group. Conclusion Our study showed that diuretic-related hyperuricemia carry a similar risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality when compared with individuals that present hyperuricemia in absence of diuretic therapy.

L'autrice espone le caratteristiche fisiologiche delle immagini in Epicuro quali emergono soprattutto dalla lettura del II libro Sulla natura nei PHerc. 1149/993 e 1783/1691/1010, evidenziando le principali novità rispetto ai testi epicurei di tradizione indiretta.

Objective: In the frame of the Uric Acid Right for Heart Health (URRAH) study, a nationwide multicenter study involving adult participants recruited on a regional community basis from all the territory of Italy under the patronage of the Working Group on Uric Acid and Cardiovascular Risk of the Italian Society of Hypertension, we searched for the cut-off values of the ratio between serum uric acid (SUA) and serum creatinine (sCr) able to predict cardiovascular (CV) events. Methods: Among 20 724 participants followed-up for 126 ± 64 months, after detecting cut-off by the receiver operating characteristic curves, we calculated by Cox models adjusted for confounders having CV events as dependent variable the hazard ratio (HR) of SUA/sCr > cut-off. We also verified if the role of cut-off varied with increasing SUA/sCr. Results: A plausible prognostic cut-off of SUA/sCr was found and was the same in the whole database, in men and in women (>5.35). The HR of SUA/sCr > cut-off was 1.159 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.092-1.131, P < 0.03) in all, 1.161 (95% CI 1.021-1.335, P < 0.02) in men, and 1.444 (95% CI 1.012-1.113, P < 0.03) in women. In increasing quintiles of SUA/sCr the cut-offs were >3.08, >4.87, >5.35, >6.22 and >7.58, respectively. The HRs significantly increased from the 3rd to the 5th quintile (1.21, 95% CI 1.032-1.467, P = 0.018; 1.294, 95% CI 1.101-1.521, P = 0.002; and 1.642, 95% CI 1.405-1.919, P < 0.0001; respectively), that is, over 5.35, whereas the 2nd quintile was not significantly different from the 1st (reference). Conclusion: Having SUA/sCr >5.35 is an independent CV risk indicator both in men and women. The cut-off is dynamic and significantly increases with increasing SUA/sCr.