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We prove C 1 , ν -regularity for local minimizers of the multi-phase energy: w ↦ ∫ Ω | D w | p + a ( x ) | D w | q + b ( x ) | D w | s d x , under sharp assumptions relating the couples ( p , q ) and ( p , s ) to the Holder exponents of the modulating coefficients a ( ⋅ ) and b ( ⋅ ) , respectively. more...

We study some regularity issues for solutions of non-autonomous obstacle problems with $(p,q)$-growth. Under suitable assumptions, our analysis covers the main models available in the literature., 35 pages more...

This thesis is devoted to the proof of fine regularity properties of solutions to a broad class of variational problems including models from geometry, material science, continuum mechanics and particle physics. Our starting point is the analysis of the behavior of manifold-constrained minima to certain non-homogeneous functionals: under sharp assumptions, we prove that they are regular everywhere, except on a negligible, "singular" set of points. The presence of the singular set is in general unavoidable. Looking at minima as solutions to the associated Euler-Lagrange system does not help: it presents an additional component generated by the curvature of the manifold having critical growth in the gradient variable. For instance, sphere-valued harmonic maps satisfy in a suitably weak sense −∆u = |Du|2u. This turns out to be an insurmountable obstruction to regularity. It is then natural to consider general systems of type − div a(x, Du) = f (0.0.1) and study how the features of f and of the partial map x 7→ a(x, z) influence the regularity of solutions. In this respect, we are able to cover non-linear tensors with exponential type growth conditions as well as with unbalanced polynomial growth: we prove everywhere Lipschitz regularity for vector-valued solutions to (0.0.1) under optimal assumptions on forcing term and space-depending coefficients, [76]. When the system in (0.0.1) has the Double Phase structure: − div (|Du|p−2Du + a(x)|Du|q−2Du)= − div (|F|p−2F + a(x)|F| q−2F) 0 ≤ a(·) ∈ C0,α, 1 ≤ q/p ≤ 1 + α/n, we complete the Calderón-Zygmund theory started in [62] by dealing with the delicate borderline case q/p = 1 + α/n, which has been left open so far. Finally, we propose a new approach to the analysis of variational integrals with (p, q)-growth based on convex duality. more...

We focus on some regularity properties of -minima of variational integrals with -growth and provide an upper bound on the Hausdorff dimension of their singular set.

We prove higher summability for the gradient of minimizers of strongly convex integral functionals of the Calculus of Variations with (p,q)-Growth conditions in low dimension. Our procedure is set in the framework of Fractional Sobolev Spaces and renders the desired regularity as the result of an approximation technique relying on estimates obtained through a careful use of difference quotients., Comment: 22 pages, 0 figures more...

MASPIN, a tumour suppressing serpin, is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. CD105 is a proliferation-associated protein acting in endothelial cells of angiogenic tissues. For the first time the relation between nuclear MASPIN expression and CD105-assessed micro-vessel density (MVD) in laryngeal carcinoma was investigated.The sub-cellular distribution of MASPIN and nuclear MASPIN expression were immunohistochemically determined in 35 cases of laryngeal carcinoma. The percentage of the fields occupied by CDl05-assessed micro-vessels was also calculated.MVD was significantly lower in laryngeal carcinomas with MASPIN nuclear staining than in carcinomas with cytoplasmic staining (p=0.02). The mean nuclear MASPIN expression was higher in patients without carcinoma recurrence than in those with recurrence (p=0.06). The mean MVD was significantly higher in patients with recurrence of carcinoma (p=0.024).The crucial role of MASPIN nuclear localization in reducing the MVD has been demonstrated. Nuclear MASPIN re-expression should be investigated as a potential therapeutic option in the treatment of laryngeal carcinoma. more...

Although several reports in the literature have documented the surgical technique, and the oncological outcome achieved with parotidectomy, only a few articles have described the complications of parotid gland surgery and their management. Several complications have been reported in parotid surgery. We re-classified the complications of parotidectomy in intra-operative and post-operative (early and late). The commonest complications after parotidectomy are temporary or permanent facial palsy and Frey's syndrome. more...

People affected by the Long COVID-19 (LC) syndrome often show clinical manifestations that are similar to those observed in patients with mild cognitive impairments (MCI), such as olfactory dysfunction (OD), brain fog, and cognitive and attentional diseases. This study aimed to investigate the chemosensory-evoked related potentials (CSERP) in LC and MCI to understand if there is a common pathway for the similarity of symptoms associated with these disorders. Eighteen LC patients (mean age 53; s.d. = 7), 12 patients diagnosed with MCI (mean age 67; s.d. = 6), and 10 healthy control subjects (mean age 66; s.d. = 5, 7) were recruited for this exploratory study. All of them performed a chemosensory event-related potentials (CSERP) task with the administration of trigeminal stimulations (e.g., the odorants cinnamaldehyde and eucalyptus). Study results highlighted that MCI and LC showed reduced N1 amplitude, particularly in the left frontoparietal network, involved in working memory and attentional deficits, and a reduction of P3 latency in LC. This study lays the foundations for evaluating aspects of LC as a process that could trigger long-term functional alterations, and CSERPs could be considered valid biomarkers for assessing the progress of OD and an indicator of other impairments (e.g., attentional and cognitive impairments), as they occur in MCI. more...

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mainly colonizes nasopharynx. In upper airways acute infections, e.g., the common cold, saline nasal irrigations have a significant efficacy in reducing symptoms. The present study aimed to test the efficacy of nasal lavages in upper airways symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods: A series of consecutive adult subjects who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 from December 2020 to February 2021 performed daily nasal lavages with saline solution (Lavonase®—Purling, Lugo di Romagna, Italy) for 12 days, starting on the day after the SARS-CoV-2 positive swab. A control group included a historical series of patients who were infected in February-March 2020 and who did not perform lavages. An ad hoc questionnaire regarding symptoms was administered to each subjects at base-line and 10 days after diagnosis (i.e., on the same day of the control swab) in both cases and controls.Results: A total of 140 subjects were enrolled. 68 participants in the treatment group and 72 in the control group were included. 90% of respondents declared the lavages were simple to use and 70% declared they were satisfied. Symptoms of blocked nose, runny nose, or sneezing decreased by an average of 24.7% after the treatment. Blocked nose and sneezing increased in the same period of time in the control group. Ears and eyes symptoms, anosmia/ageusia symptoms, and infection duration (10.53 days in the treatment group and 10.48 days in the control group) didn't vary significantly among the two groups.Conclusion: Nasal lavages resulted to significantly decrease nasal symptoms in newly diagnosed SARS-CoV-2 patients. These devices proved to be well-tolerated and easy to be used. Further studies on a larger number of subjects are needed in order to possibly confirm these preliminary results. more...

Highlights • Age and fibrocalcific carotid plaques are associated with lower total brain volume. • Fibrocalcific carotid plaques are associated with lower gray matter volumes. • White matter volumes are associated with the extent of carotid atherosclerosis. • Grey and white matter likely have differential susceptibility to processes., Background and aims Extent of subclinical atherosclerosis has been associated with brain parenchymal loss in community-dwelling aged subjects. Identification of patient-related and plaque-related markers could identify subjects at higher risk of brain atrophy, independent of cerebrovascular accidents. Aim of the study was to investigate the relation between extent and characteristics of carotid plaques and brain atrophy in asymptomatic patients with no indication for revascularization. Methods and results Sixty-four patients (aged 69 ± 8 years, 45% females) with carotid stenosis more...

International audience; Objective: To investigate the occurrence of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions in patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection. Methods: Patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection were recruited from 12 European hospitals. The following epidemiological and clinical outcomes have been studied: age, sex, ethnicity, comorbidities, and general and otolaryngological symptoms. Patients completed olfactory and gustatory questionnaires based on the smell and taste component of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and the short version of the Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders-Negative Statements (sQOD-NS). Results: A total of 417 mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients completed the study (263 females). The most prevalent general symptoms consisted of cough, myalgia, and loss of appetite. Face pain and nasal obstruction were the most disease-related otolaryngological symptoms. 85.6% and 88.0% of patients reported olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions, respectively. There was a significant association between both disorders (p < 0.001). Olfactory dysfunction (OD) appeared before the other symptoms in 11.8% of cases. The sQO-NS scores were significantly lower in patients with anosmia compared with normosmic or hyposmic individuals (p = 0.001). Among the 18.2% of patients without nasal obstruction or rhinorrhea, 79.7% were hyposmic or anosmic. The early olfactory recovery rate was 44.0%. Females were significantly more affected by olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions than males (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Olfactory and gustatory disorders are prevalent symptoms in European COVID-19 patients, who may not have nasal symptoms. The sudden anosmia or ageusia need to be recognized by the international scientific community as important symptoms of the COVID-19 infection. more...