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• Parkinson's disease is one of the most described neurodegenerative pathologies. • In PS more recently huger importance is given to the mesolimbic, the tuberoinfundibular and the mesocortical networks. • There is a relationship between AR and TD -PD and cognitive and behavioral changes. Parkinson's disease is one of the most described neurodegenerative pathologies; though it is one of the most complex pathologies, is not fully understood, correctly identified, with its different types of presentation, its clinical course and the neural networks involved. We report on a series consisting of 432 de novo PD diagnosed patients, and 457 control cases. We identify a possible independent relationship between two clinical PD presentation, akinetic-rigid and tremor-dominant, and cognitive and behavioral changes. A 24-months follow-up allows to identify new information still not fully explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the identification of the connector of a semi-deformable object (SDLO) (i.e. a deformable element as a cable featuring rigid parts as connectors) to perform insertion and disconnection tasks. We propose a cable tracing skill that allows a robotic arm to follow the unknown contour of a cable held for a small portion by a fixture, and to identify its connector that can be grasped and inserted or disconnected. No prior knowledge of the SDLO's length and shape is required. To slide along the cable, the last joint of the manipulator is made compliant to adapt to the SDLO shape and a recursive least squares algorithm with forgetting factor is exploited to estimate the future local shape of the cable and to speed up the contour following procedure. The detection of the connector is based on the estimated contact force acting on the robot's end-effector while sliding along the SDLO. Remarkably, the method does not require vision, tactile and/or force sensors, it makes use just of a parallel gripper equipped with simple fingertips, and it can be implemented directly in a generic robot programming language. The effectiveness of our strategy is assessed via experimental tests on two different SDLOs in several configurations with connected and unconnected ends. Finally, the skill is also exploited in the robotized assembly of a motorbike braking system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Gliadins are involved in gluten-related disorders and are responsible for the alteration of the cellular redox balance. It is not clear if the gliadin-related oxidative stress can induce DNA damage in enterocytes. Aim To investigate any possible genotoxicity caused by gliadin and to assess its relationship with oxidative stress in vitro and ex vivo. Methods Caco-2 cells were exposed for 6–12–24 h to increasing concentrations (250 μg/mL–1000 μg/mL) of digested gliadin. We investigated: cytotoxicity, oxidative balance (reactive oxygen species, ROS), DNA damage (comet assay and γ-H2AX detection), transglutaminase type 2 (TG2) activity and annexin V expression. H2AX and 8-OHG immunohistochemistry has been evaluated on duodenal biopsies of celiac subjects and controls. Results Gliadin induced a significant increase (+50%) of ROS after 12 h of exposition starting with a 500 μg/mL dose of gliadin. Comet assay and γ-H2AX demonstrated DNA damage, evident at the gliadin concentration of 500 μg/mL after 24 h. TG2 activity increased in chromatin and cytoskeleton cellular compartments at different gliadin doses (250/500/1000 μg/mL). The γ-H2AX and 8-OHG immunohistochemistry was altered in the duodenal biopsies of celiac patients. Conclusions Gliadin induces cellular oxidative stress, DNA damage and pro-apoptotic stimulation in Caco-2 cells and in the duodenal mucosa of celiac patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of quantitative apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements, in the assessment of the therapeutic response to chemo-radiation therapy (CRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, by analyzing post CRT values of ADC, in relation to tumor regression grade (TRG) obtained by histopathologic evaluation of the rectal specimen. Methods: This prospective study was approved by an Institutional Review Board, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. Thirty-one patients with locally advanced rectal cancer underwent pre and post CRT MR imaging at 1.5T. ADC values were measured in regions of interest (ROIs) drawn independently by two radiologists, blinded to the pathology results, on three slices of the pre and post CRT DW-MR image sets with the corresponding T2 weighted images (T2WI) available for anatomic reference. The two readers’ measurements were compared for differences in ADC values, inter-observer variability (measured as the intraclass correlation coefficient; ICC) and the ADC distributions of responders vs non-responders. The diagnostic performance of ADC in the prediction of the response to CRT was evaluated by calculating the area under the ROC curve (AUC) and the optimal cut-off values. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were assessed. Results: The two readers showed an overall strong agreement in measuring ADC values. For both readers, no differences in ADC pre-treatment measurements were observed between responders and non-responders. For reader 1, the post-CRT ADC and the ΔADC presented the higher AUC (0.823 and 0.803, respectively), while Δ%ADC provided the lower AUC value (0.682). The optimal cutoff point was 1.294s/mm2 for post-CRT measures (sensitivity=86.4%, specificity=66.7%, PPV=86.4%, NPV=66.7%), 0.500 for ΔADC (sensitivity=81.8%, specificity=66.7%, PPV=85.7%, NPV=60.0%) and 59.3% for Δ%ADC (sensitivity=63.4%, specificity=66.7, PPV=82.4%, NPV=42.9%). Similar results were observed for reader 2, with better performance obtained with the ADC post-CRT (AUC of 0.833) and an optimal cut off of 1.277×10−3 s/mm2. Conclusion: Post-CRT ADC measurements are reliable and reproducible and may be used as a non-invasive tool to evaluate response to therapy as post-CRT ADC values and ΔADC presented good diagnostic performance to select responder patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Organic complexes of lanthanides trivalent ions such as Nd3+ and Er3+ are receiving increasing attention in view of their use as dopants in polymeric telecommunication devices. Their employment is however currently limited by their small emission quantum yield (QY) due to non-radiative deactivation of near infrared (NIR) transitions through electronic-vibrational energy transfer (ET). A complete modeling of this quenching effect is presented here and successfully tested on a purpose-made Er3+ complex. This method provides “a priori” information/predictions regarding the emission properties of new complexes thus establishing useful guidelines for the design and synthesis of new molecules and for the engineering of materials suitable in technological applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The results of an assessment study of both industrial and non-industrial dioxin and furan (PCDD/Fs) emissions in the Lombardy Region (Italy) are outlined below.The main data source refer to 1997, and are compiled from the Lombardy Emissions Inventory (developed under the framework of the Regional Air Quality Plan) together with documented emissions factors available. Due to the uncertain nature of the emissions assessment, results are provided as a most probable value within a given range.Total PCDD/Fs emissions in Lombardy average 33 g I-TEQ y−1, ranging from minimum 13 g I-TEQ y−1 to maximum 88 g I-TEQ y−1. The main PCDD/Fs sources are waste incineration, electric arc furnace for steel production, vehicle diesel combustion and residential wood combustion.Incineration emission factors are expected to decrease over the period 2005–2010, in compliance with legal requirements. This will prioritize control over the remaining main PCDD/Fs contributors. Due to limited information available concerning this data, the accuracy of which is uncertain, further research is needed to evaluate the future role of these sources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The organic complexes of the erbium ion Er3+ emitting in the near-infrared at 1.5μm are widely investigated as potential active materials for a new generation of low-cost optical amplifiers for telecommunications. The limiting factor in these systems is the very low quantum yield of the lanthanide ion, generally ascribed to the presence of nearby high-energy vibrational centers as OH and CH bonds which are present as residual coordination water and as functional groups of the organic ligands. To make a quantitative prediction of the extent of the non-radiative decay originating from Förster transfer, the transition moments of the vibrational overtones in resonance with the ion emission have been evaluated from first principle calculations to compute the intensity of the fundamental normal modes; the overtone transitions intensities with energy falling in the 1.5μm region have been evaluated by recursive analytical expressions obtained by using the Morse oscillator approximation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effective incorporation of photovoltaic (PV) elements into the urban environment, specifically in buildings, is a challenging process. Apart from the aesthetic limitations of having black and opaque PV cells when installed in building façades, they are not optimally positioned for high-efficiency electric energy generation because of shadowing effects due to neighboring trees and buildings. Emphasis is given to luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) that have emerged as an appealing solution for concentrating a large area of sunlight into a small beam of high field intensity. The coupling of PV cells to the edges of LSCs also presents an exciting strategy to PV urban integration. Here, we outline the mechanistic framework for LSCs, review the current experimental state of the art involving optically active centers in various geometrical device configurations, and discuss the performance quantification of LSCs currently in development. For the sake of completeness, a brief discussion of the other spectral converters suitable for PV applications is also reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• FET- HS-GC/MS-TOF method was developed to characterize Cannabis terpenes. • Complete quantification of the volatile components. • Simple sample preparation, specific qualitative detection, high sensitivity, precise and accurate quantification. • Differentiation between Cannabis chemotypes. • Characterization of the cannabis phyto-complex. A headspace method called full evaporation technique (FET) coupled to capillary gas chromatography with a mass detector operating in time-of-flight mode (HS-GC/MS-TOF) was developed to characterize the volatile components, especially the terpene fraction, in Cannabis sativa L. inflorescences. This analytical approach allows to reach a high equilibration temperature, that was able to obtain a complete quantification of the volatile components, providing simple sample preparation, specific qualitative detection, high sensitivity, a precise and accurate quantitative determination. The method was applied to 20 cannabis THC-dominant (I) and 13 CBD-dominant (III) chemotypes. The obtained results were then compared with a series of standard solutions consisting of 35 terpenoids and the mass spectra present in a computer library (NIST). The method has an accuracy of more than 90 % and a limit of detection of 5 ppm for all analytes. The main terpenoids in cannabis are namely (% Chemotypes III vs. I of the total terpene content): β-Caryophyllene (25 vs. 19.3), β-Mircene (18.2 vs. 20.0), Terpinolene (12.1 vs. 7.0), α-Humulene (6.5 vs. 8.5), D-Limonene (6.2 vs. 7.2), α-Pinene (5.8 vs. 4.9), β-Pinene (5.0 vs. 5.8) and cis-β-Ocimene (4.3 vs. 5.2), whose presence is confirmed in both plant chemotypes and account for more than 80 % of the total terpenoids amount. The terpenoids which can clearly distinguish the chemotype are α-Terpineol, Linalool, DL-Menthol, α-Cedrene, and Borneol. This application provides important data on the secondary volatile components of the plant, which may be useful for a better understanding of the therapeutic properties of the cannabis phyto-complex. It gives the possibility of establishing the aroma profile of different Cannabis batches, allowing possible similarities between samples and identifying any artificial adulteration such as hexyl butyrate ester and it provides the opportunity to highlight some target compounds characteristic of the different chemotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive motor neuron disease caused by mutations in the survival motor neuron gene (SMN1) and the leading genetic cause of infant mortality. Currently, there is no effective treatment other than supportive care. Objective: This article provides a general overview of the main aspects that need to be taken into account to design a more efficient clinical trial and to summarize the most promising molecular trials that are currently in development or are being planned for the treatment of SMA. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed, identifying key clinical trials involving novel molecular therapies in SMA. In addition, abstracts presented at the meetings of the Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy were searched and the Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Web site was carefully analyzed. Finally, a selection of SMA clinical trials registered at clinical- trials.gov has been included in the article. Results: The past decade has seen a marked advancement in the understanding of both SMA genetics and molecular mechanisms. New molecules targeting SMN have shown promise in preclinical studies, and various clinical trials have started to test the drugs that were discovered through basic research. Conclusions: Both preclinical and early clinical trial results involving novel molecular therapies suggest that the clinical care paradigm in SMA will soon change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]