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A correction to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

In environmental surveys a large sampling effort is required to produce accurate geostatistical maps representing the distribution of environmental variables, and the analysis of each sample is often expensive. Typically, the sample locations are completely specified in the survey design phase, prior to data-collection. Usually, the sampling points are located on a regular grid, or along directions that are selected with respect to any a-priori knowledge of the expert. No feedback is available during the survey. In this paper, we present a different sampling strategy, namely adaptive sampling. Our approach exploits geostatistics constructs in order to determine on-the fly the next best sample location. After initializing the system with few sampling points, an iterative routine predicts the variable distribution from the data sampled so far, and suggests the next sample to be acquired in order to optimize the uncertainty of the estimates. At every iteration a new sample is acquired, and the variable distribution map is refined, along with the uncertainty map related to that distribution. Our method allows to build a representation of the survey area as precise as the one provided by the traditional methods, but with less samples, thus reducing both time and costs of the survey. We show a preliminary evaluation of the adaptive strategy in the bi-dimensional case based on a synthetic scenario, and describe the generalization of these encouraging results to the full 3D domain in the concrete setting of water quality monitoring. A proper geometric representation of the three dimensional survey area, coupled with a proper visualization of distribution and related uncertainty, will provide real-time feedback during the survey., Smart Tools and Apps for Graphics - Eurographics Italian Chapter Conference, Computer Graphics and its Applications, 133, 140, S. Berretta, D. Cabiddu, S. Pittaluga, M. Mortara, M. Spagnuolo, and M. Vetuschi Zuccolini

Background: Data on colorectal cancer (CRC) in HIV-positive patients are limited. The study objective was to investigate and compare clinical presentation and outcome between HIV-positive and HIV-negative CRC patients. Patients and Methods: Between September 1985 and November 2003 we identified 27 cases of HIV-positive CRC patients from the cancer registry database-Italian Cooperative Group AIDS and Tumours (GICAT); the clinical presentation/outcome information was retrieved. Each HIV-positive patient from our institution was randomly matched (ratio 1: 2) with HIV-negative patients (54 controls) based on age, sex, and year of diagnosis in the same time period. Differences in clinical presentation, treatment, and overall survival were assessed. Results: Of 1130 HIV-negative CRC patients, 54 were identified and matched with 27 HIV-positive patients. Compared with the HIV-negative patients, the HIV-positive patients had a higher risk of lower performance status (PS: >= 2) (odds ratio (OR) = 14.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.6-57.7), a higher risk of unfavorable Dukes' stage (D) (OR = 4.9; 95% CI: 1.8-13.5), and a higher risk of poor grading (G3-G4) (OR = 5.0; 95% CI: 1.9-13.4). Median overall follow-up was 27 months (range: 2-212). At multivariate analysis, the only characteristics that significantly reduced the survival of the CRC patients were: HIV-positive status (hazard ratio (HR): 2.4; 95% CI: 1.1-5.2) and Dukes' stage D (HR: 3.7; 95% CI: 1.9-7.1). Conclusion: Our data show that HIV-positive CRC patients compared to HIV-negative patients have a poorer PS, an unfavorable Dukes' stage, higher grading and shorter survival.

The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has reduced mortality and improved life expectancy of HIV-positive patients. However, increased survival is associated with increased prevalence of comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, hepatic and renal disease. Kidney disease, including HIV-associated nephropathy, acute renal failure and chronic kidney disease, represents one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality, especially if associated to other risk factors, i.e. hypertension, diabetes, older age, black race and hepatitis C coinfection. Careful evaluation of renal function may help identifying kidney disease in its early stages. In addition, proper management of hypertension and diabetes is recommended. Even if HAART has changed the natural course of HIV-associated nephropathy, reducing the risk of End-stage Renal Disease (ERDS), some antiretroviral regimens have been related with the development of acute or chronic kidney disease. Further studies are needed to optimize the management of renal disease among HIV-infected patients.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has dramatically changed the natural history of HIV-1-infected patients leading to increased survival and a better quality of life. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are common among HIV-1-infected subjects and represent the most important risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Whether HIV plays a direct role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathogenesis remains to be established.HCC clinical course depends on stage of cancer disease, performance status and comorbidities. Therapeutic options include liver transplantation, local antiblastic chemotherapy and biological drugs. In the HIV setting few data are available about treatment options. The increased longevity of patients with HIV imposes new strategies for prevention and therapeutic management of patients. The aim of this article is to provide an up-to-date review of HIV-related HCC in the HAART era.