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Ovarian cancer (OC) has a high mortality rate. Although most patients respond to the conventional chemotherapy [e.g., paclitaxel (PTX)], some also develop drug resistance to make the treatment less effective. Since melatonin exhibits antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory functions in a variety of solid tumors, in this study the effects of a combination of PTX and melatonin on SKOV-3 human ovarian carcinoma cells were investigated and the focus was given to the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated inflammatory pathway and cell signaling-related molecules. Flow cytometry showed that this combination significantly boosted the apoptosis/necrosis responses of the cancer cells. Cell migration was attenuated by melatonin alone, and the combination led to a reduced number of migrating and invasive cells. Melatonin alone and its combination also reduced the levels of TLR4, MyD88, TRIF, and PD-L1, but not TLR2. In addition, the combination significantly lowered the levels of NF-kB p65, PI3K, p-AKT, p38, ERK 1/2, JNK, CREB, p70s6K, and STAT5. The results suggested that this combination was effective in reducing the viability and the invasive capacity of SKOV-3 cells while increasing their apoptosis and necrosis rates. The potential mechanism of this combination is to attenuate the downstream molecules of the TLR4-mediated inflammatory pathway and cell signaling-related proteins in the cancer cells. Thus, melatonin improved the chemosensitivity of the cancer cells to PTX, serving as an effective adjuvant therapy against OC.

We use a scanning superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) to image the magnetic flux produced by a superconducting device designed for quantum computing. The nanometer-scale SQUID-on-tip probe reveals the flow of superconducting current through the circuit as well as the locations of trapped magnetic flux. In particular, maps of current flowing out of a flux-control line in the vicinity of a qubit show how these elements are coupled, providing insight on how to optimize qubit control., 5 pages, 3 figures

The small and medium Italian historical centres are characterized, among other things, by reconstruction that have occurred over the centuries after earthquakes. While earthquakes determine structural damages, human losses and loss of the functionality of an urban system above all, they may create, at the same time, new opportunities if the urban and socio-economical structures are improved during the reconstruction processes as a whole. These processes and the optimal implementation of planning models within them is not straightforward [1], due to that several issues emerge as a challenge of the reconstruction programmes (decision-making processes, general vision for the entire urban system for instance). According to the literature, although a unique definition has not still been coined, resilience can be defined as the capacity of a system (a city) to withstand and restore after a shocking episode (an earthquake). Mainly in the context of cities [2], some approaches have been framed and experimented by other authors [3, 4, 5]. Starting from a short literature review, focuses on theories and methodological approaches to evaluate urban resilience, this work analyses – through an interdisciplinary approach – the case study of Nocera Umbra twenty years after two devastating earthquakes occurred in 1997. The research represents a first attempt that aims at analysing if the implemented reconstruction strategies have made the urban system more resilient with respect to both the built and the socio-economic environment.

Antecedentes y Objetivos: En Argentina, el género Anemia se encuentra representado por siete especies, una de ellas, A. phyllitidis, con dos variedades. Los antecedentes anatómicos para A. phyllitidis var. phyllitidis son escasos y están referidos a la ontogenia de estomas, estructura de epidermis y tipo de estela del pecíolo. Esta variedad, que habita en bosques riparios, es afectada por el incremento de presiones ecológicas estacionales. Debido a que la información que se registra acerca de la anatomía del esporofito es escasa, el objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizarlo.Métodos: Cinco especímenes fueron colectados en la ribera del arroyo El Parque (Tucumán-Argentina). Una parte fue herborizada y la otra se fijó en FAA. Posteriormente fueron utilizadas técnicas histológicas convencionales y se determinaron la densidad estomática y el tamaño de estomas y tricomas. Se realizaron pruebas histoquímicas para la detección de almidón (lugol) y compuestos fenólicos (cloruro férrico al 10%).Resultados clave: Anemia phyllitidis var. phyllitidis muestra raíces diarcas y rizoma dictiostélico cubierto por tricomas glandulares. El pecíolo posee tricomas glandulares, epidermis y subepidermis formada por fibras lignificadas, haz vascular con xilema rodeado por floema, periciclo bistrato rodeado por endodermis y en el tejido cortical almidón y compuestos fenólicos. Las pinnas estériles poseen estomas pericíticos, anomocíticos y desmocíticos (tamaño promedio 49.8 µm × 38.7 µm); tricomas glandulares; lámina dorsiventral, hipostomática y haces vasculares con periciclo y endodermis. Las pinnas fértiles son anatómicamente semejantes al raquis. Algunas células epidérmicas de los distintos órganos evidenciaron la presencia de sílice.Conclusiones: El esporofito de A. phyllitidis var. phyllitidis mostró rasgos anatómicos, morfológicos y fisiológicos que revelan su adaptación al hábitat ribereño donde crece. Al mismo tiempo, se profundiza la descripción de esta variedad y se aportan datos inéditos del género, como la presencia de estegmata en las pinnas fértiles.

We analyzed the dispersion of the co-seismic fracturing due to the December 26, 2018 event at Mt. Etna (Italy) along the deformation belt matching the seismogenic source at depth. Our study, based on measurement of 390 ground fractures, reconstructed the variability of the geometry and the changes in the rank (length and displacement) of the ground breaks, through different compound lava fields. The study evidenced that the narrow capable dextral fault zone emerges where ancient lavas crop out or are draped by a thin layer of younger lava flows. Conversely, within recent compound lava fields, consisting of multiple superimposed flow units, the main mechanical anisotropy within the near-surface layers inhibited the along-dip fault propagation. The vertical restriction of the fault propagation produced a spread ground deformation, responding to the motion along the blind main fault. Our results provide a significant example how the laterally changing near-surface stratigraphy of an active volcano edifice can influence the ground effects due to the co-seismic displacement along strike-slip active fault. This evidence could represent new insights to be considered in predicting the susceptibility zone around active transcurrent faults in volcanic settings, prone to instabilities for future seismic events.

One of the most important controlling parameters of the seismic site response in terms of earthquake ground motions modification is the shear wave velocity (Vs) profile of the subsoil, that generally increases with depth because of geological age, cementation and overburden stress. There exist, however, geological settings where the velocity profile is characterized by inversions, when a stiffer layer (exhibiting higher Vs) overlies a softer one (with a lower Vs). When referring to the Italian territory, these conditions are widespread and require specific seismic site response analyses, both for structures and infrastructures design and for land planning. The aim of the present work is to study the effect of Vs inversion on seismic site response in recurrent Italian geological domains for application in seismic microzonation studies, i.e., at the miunicipality scale. Firstly, the most common Italian geological domains characterized by inversion of Vs profiles are identified. Afterwards, one-dimensional subsoil columns representative of each identified geological domain are defined, based on Italian database of the seismic microzonation. In the end, based on the subsoil models defined at previous steps, numerical simulations of 1D site response are performed, in order to evaluate the influence of Vs inversion on ground shaking in terms of shear strain profiles and acceleration response spectra at the ground surface. To take into account the variability in the input parameters, stochastic 1D analyses are carried out via Monte Carlo method assuming assigned statistical distribution for Vs profiles and nonlinear variation curves of the normalized shear modulus and the damping ratio with the shear strain.

The Gigatracker is the NA62 beam tracker. It is made of three 63 . 1 m m × 29 . 3 m m stations of 300 μ m × 300 μ m hybrid silicon pixel detectors installed in vacuum ( ∼ 1 0 − 6 m b a r ). The beam particles, flowing at 750 M H z , are traced in 4-dimensions by mean of time-stamping pixels with a design resolution of 200 p s . This performance has to be maintained despite the beam irradiation amounting to a yearly fluence of 2 × 1 0 14 1 MeV n eq ∕ cm 2 . The detector material minimization is paramount, as the detector faces the full beam. The station material budget is reduced to 0 . 5 % X 0 by using (HEP world first) micro-channels cooling. We will describe the detector design and performances during the NA62 runs.

The GigaTracker is a hybrid silicon pixel detector built for the NA62 experiment aiming at measuring the branching fraction of the ultra-rare kaon decay K+→π+νν¯ at the CERN SPS. The detector has to track particles in a beam with a flux reaching 1.3 MHz/mm2 and provide single-hit timing with 200 ps RMS resolution for a total material budget of less than 0.5% X0 per station. The tracker comprises three 60.8 mm×27 mm stations installed in vacuum (∼10$^{−6}$mbar) and cooled with liquid C6F14 circulating through micro-channels etched inside a few hundred micron thick silicon plates. Each station is composed of a 200 μm thick silicon sensor read out by 2×5 custom 100 μm thick ASICs, called TDCPix. Each chip contains 40×45 asynchronous pixels, 300 μm×300 μm each and is instrumented with 100 ps bin time-to-digital converters. In order to cope with the high rate, the TDCPix is equipped with four 3.2 Gb/s serialisers sending out the data. We will describe the detector and the results from the 2014 and 2015 NA62 runs.

International audience; The GigaTracKer (GTK) is the beam spectrometer of the CERN NA62 experiment. The detector features challenging design specifications, in particular a peak particle flux reaching up to 2.0 MHz/mm$^2$, a single hit time resolution smaller than 200 ps and, a material budget of 0.5% X$_0$ per tracking plane. To fulfill these specifications, novel technologies were especially employed in the domain of silicon hybrid time-stamping pixel technology and micro-channel cooling. This article describes the detector design and reports on the achieved performance.

This systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aims at evaluating the efficacy of Occupational therapy (OT) interventions in Asperger's syndrome (AS) pediatric patients. We conducted a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines. The screening of the literature was carried out on PUBMED, SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE and OT SEEKER databases, TO December 2018. We selected three RCTs having the common objective to evaluate whether children with AS can improve their social skills thanks to OT treatments. The interventions targeted by the three selected studies were: LEGO therapy, Social Use of Language Programme, Let's Face It! software and Parent Training combined with the administration of risperidone. All the studies showed that the intervention groups improved their overall social ability.This review shows that OT interventions can help concretely AS children in overcoming their social issues. Nevertheless, more RCTs are needed to better understand the OT's benefits and limitations in AS patients.

The NA62 experiment at the CERN SPS is a fixed target experiment designed to measure the branching ratio of the ultra-rare Kaon decay K + → π + ν ν . The experiment uses an high-momentum K + decay in-flight technique to increase the rejection power of the main background: K + → π + π 0 . The Gigatracker is a hybrid silicon pixel detector, exposed to a 750 MHz high-energy charged hadron beam, built to give an accurate measurement of K + momentum and direction together with an high precision measurement of the beam particle arrival time (115 ps RMS resolution per plane). It comprises three stations placed right before the K + decay region and inserted around two achromats. The detector works in vacuum ( ∼ 1 0 − 6 mbar ) at about − 10 ° C . Each station is made of a 200 μ m thick silicon sensor readout by 10 TDCPix, custom 100 μ m thick ASICs, and cooled by an innovative double circuit silicon micro-channel cooling system. All these parts are designed to minimize the total material budget which, in the final detector, amounts to less than 1.5% X 0 for the three stations. In order to sustain the high rate of incoming particles, each TDCPix, operating in a self triggered mode, is equipped with four 3.2 Gb/s serializers sending data to the detector DAQ system based on a read-out card per TDCPix chip sending trigger-matched hits to 6 PC servers. I will describe the whole detector and present some of the results from data collected during the 2016 NA62 runs.

The thermal management of the on-detector electronics and the development of low mass integrated cooling systems have become a crucial task in the design of silicon tracking detectors for high energy physics applications. The use of microfabricated ultra-thin silicon cold plates has gained considerable interest in this sense. One of the most challenging open issues with micro-channel devices is the interconnection of several units into a single system, allowing for the thermal management of silicon detectors covering large surfaces. In this paper, we present a novel concept of low mass interconnected silicon microchannel devices for the future Inner Tracking System of the ALICE experiment at CERN. This design involves for the first time flow circulation and fluid evaporation in two hydraulically interconnected devices. The solution proposed satisfies the requirements of the detector while minimizing the mass involved. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Display Omitted Micro-channels cooling in silicon applied to particle detectors.Single phase cooling in micro-channels of pixel detector at CERN.Micro-fabrication technique and device pressure resistance.Kovar minimized fluidic connectors soldered on silicon.Mechanical precision jigs to assembly a micro-channels cooled detector at CERN. Silicon micro-channel cooling is being studied for efficient thermal management in application fields such as high power computing and 3D electronic integration. This concept has been introduced in 2010 for the thermal management of silicon pixel detectors in high energy physics experiments.Combining the versatility of standard micro-fabrication processes with the high thermal efficiency typical of micro-fluidics, it is possible to produce effective thermal management devices that are well adapted to different detector configurations. The production of very thin cooling devices in silicon enables a minimization of material of the tracking sensors and eliminates mechanical stresses due to the mismatch of the coefficient of thermal expansion between detectors and cooling systems.The NA62 experiment at CERN will be the first high particle physics experiment that will install a micro-cooling system to perform the thermal management of the three detection planes of its Gigatracker pixel detector.

International audience; The GigaTracker is a lightweight hybrid silicon pixel detector built for the NA62 experiment at CERN, which aims at measuring the branching fraction of the ultra-rare kaon decay $K^+\rightarrow \pi^+\nu\bar{\nu}$ at the CERN SPS. The detector tracks charged particles in a 75 GeV/$c$ hadron beam with a flux reaching 1.3 MHz/mm$^2$. It consists of three stations, 61$\times$27 mm$^2$ each, which provide single-hit timing with 130 ps resolution. Each station is composed of a 200 $\mu$m thick planar silicon sensor, segmented in 300$\times$300 $\mu$m$^2$ pixels, bump-bonded to 2$\times$5 custom 100 $\mu$m thick ASIC, called TDCPix. Each TDCPix contains 40$\times$45 asynchronous pixels, and is instrumented with 360 pairs of time-to-digital converter channels with 100 ps bin. The three stations are installed in vacuum (about 10$^{-6}$ mbar) and cooled with liquid $\mathrm{C_6F_{14}}$ circulating through micro-channels etched inside silicon plates a few hundred microns thick. The total material budget is less than 0.5% $X_0$ per station. Detector description, operational experience and performance from the NA62 experimental run in 2016, at about 30% the nominal beam intensity, will be presented.

The High Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) and the LIU (LHC-Injection Upgrade) projects at CERN are upgrading the whole CERN accelerators chain, increasing beam brightness and intensity. In this scenario, some critical machine components have to be redesigned and rebuilt. Due to the increase in beam intensity, minimizing the electromagnetic interaction between the beam and the device is a crucial design task. Indeed, these interactions could lead to beam instabilities and excessive thermo-mechanical loadings in the device. In this context, this paper presents an example of multi-physics study to investigate the impedance related thermal effects. The analysis is performed on the conceptual design of the new proton synchrotron (PS) internal dump., Proceedings of the 10th Int. Particle Accelerator Conf., IPAC2019, Melbourne, Australia

Purpose: Chondroblastoma (CB) is a rare benign tumor that occurs most commonly in the second decade of life. No studies on CB in adulthood have been reported. Our purposes were to report a single-institution experience on CB in adults and to discuss the clinical and imaging findings, type of treatment, oncologic and functional outcomes. Patients and methods: All patients diagnosed and treated for CB from 1981 to 2014 were reviewed. The main inclusion criterion was patients above their 30 years of age at diagnosis. Clinical presentation, imaging, surgical treatment, complications and functional outcome were evaluated. Local recurrences were recorded. Results: There were 15 males (65%) and 8 females (35%) with a mean age of 40 years (range 30–59 years). Tumor involved the small bones (talus, calcaneus, acromion, cuneiform, metatarsals) in 15 patients (65%) and the long bones in eight patients (35%). Treatment consisted of curettage only (6 cases), curettage plus phenol (13 cases), curettage plus radiotherapy (one patient with vertebral tumor), resection (two patients with CB of the acromion) and chopart amputation (one patient with a metatarsal tumor). At a mean follow-up of 8.4 years (range 3–30 years), twenty patients (87%) remained continuously disease-free, whereas three had local recurrences. None of the patients received chemotherapy. Conclusion: This study confirms that the occurrence and outcome of adult patients with CB are similar with those affecting younger patients. The main difference consists of the involved bones; flat bones and short tubular bones of the foot, especially the talus and calcaneus, are most commonly involved as opposed to long tubular bones. Level of evidence: Therapeutic study, level IV-1 (case series). © 2017, Springer-Verlag France SAS.

Local thermal management of detector electronics through ultra-thin micro-structured silicon cooling plates is a very promising technique for pixel detectors in high energy physics experiments, especially at the LHC where the heavily irradiated sensors must be operated at temperatures below -20 °C. It combines a very high thermal efficiency with a very low addition of mass and space, and suppresses all problems of CTE mismatch between the heat source and the heat sink. In addition, the use of CO as evaporative coolant liquid brings all the benefits of reliable and stable operation, but the high pressures involved impose additional challenges on the micro channel design and the fluidic connectivity. A series of designs have already been prototyped and tested for LHCb. The challenges, the current status of the measurements and the solutions under development will be described. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Whereas nerve growth factor has been extensively studied in human keratinocytes, little is known on the role of other members of the neurotrophin family. We investigated the expression and function of neurotrophins and neurotrophin receptors in cultured human keratinocytes. We demonstrated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction that keratinocytes synthesize neurotrophin-3, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin-4/5. These cells also express tyrosinase kinase A and C, the nerve growth factor and neuro-trophin-3 high-affinity receptors, respectively. On the other hand, only the truncated extracellular isoform of tyrosinase kinase B, the high-affinity brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-4/5 receptor, is detected in keratinocytes. Moreover, neurotrophin-3, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin-4/5 proteins are secreted by human keratinocytes at low levels. Keratinocyte stem cells synthesize the highest amounts of nerve growth factor, while they secrete higher levels of nerve growth factor as compared with transit amplifying cells. Neurotrophin-3 stimulates keratinocyte proliferation, where brain-derived neurotrophic factor or neurotrophin-4/5 does not exert any effect on keratinocyte proliferation. Addition of neurotrophin-3 slightly upregulates the secretion of nerve growth factor, whereas nerve growth factor strongly augments neurotrophin-3 release. Ultraviolet B irradiation downregulates nerve growth factor, whereas it augments neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin-4/5 protein levels. Ultraviolet A irradiation increases the level of neurotrophin-3, whereas it does not exert any effect on the other neurotrophins. Finally, neurotrophins other than nerve growth factor fail to protect human keratinocytes from ultraviolet B-induced apoptosis. This work delineates a functional neurotrophin network, which may contribute to epidermal homeostasis.

In the last years the Detector Technology group (PH-DT) [1] of the CERN Physics Department in Geneva, Switzerland, has started the study of novel micro-fluidic cooling systems obtained through standard micro-fabrication processes that outperform traditional cooling approaches for the thermal management of silicon particle detectors. The fabrication of the cooling devices starts with the etching of the microchannels in a silicon wafer; the channels are then closed with another silicon wafer through a direct bonding process. The devices are then interfaced to the front-end electronics of the detector via a thin adhesive layer. Silicon cooling devices with thickness of the order of few hundred microns guarantee the desired minimization of material in front of the tracking sensors and eliminate mechanical stresses due to the mismatch of Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) between the sensor and its related electronics. Combining the versatility of standard micro-fabrication processes with the high thermal efficiency typical of micro-fluidics, it is possible to produce effective thermal management devices that are well adapted to very different detector configurations.

Micro-channel cooling is gaining considerable attention as an alternative technique for cooling of high energy physics detectors. This is of particular interest for future trackers, where large silicon surfaces are involved and the amount of material crossed by particles must be drastically reduced. Combining the versatility of standard micro-fabrication processes with the high thermal efficiency typical of micro-fluidics, it is possible to produce effective thermal management devices well adapted to different detector-specific applications. Three application cases are presented, which take into account different detector constraints and different refrigerant types: the first one being optimized for low temperature single-phase liquid flow, and the other two for evaporative cooling: one for low pressure/room temperature two-phase flow, and one for high pressure/low temperature two-phase flow. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. Allrights reserved.

The extreme radiation dose received by vertex detectors at the Large Hadron Collider dictates stringent requirements on their cooling systems. To be robust against radiation damage, sensors should be maintained below -20 degree C and at the same time, the considerable heat load generated in the readout chips and the sensors must be removed. Evaporative CO2 cooling using microchannels etched in a silicon plane in thermal contact with the readout chips is an attractive option. In this paper, we present the first results of microchannel prototypes with circulating, two-phase CO2 and compare them to simulations. We also discuss a practical design of upgraded VELO detector for the LHCb experiment employing this approach., 12 pages

In order to characterize and quantify the superficial deformation occurred during Middle-Late Quaternary in the Southern Aegean, we have systematicaly analyzed the major tectonic structures affecting Crete Island. They typically consist of 10 to 30 km-long dip-slip normal faults, separating carbonate and/or metamorphic massifs, in the footwall block, from loose to poorly consolidated alluvial and colluvial materials within the hanging-wall. All these faults show clear evidence of recent re-activation and trend parallel to two principal directions: WNW-ESE and NNE-SSW. Based on all available data for both onland and offshore structures (morphological and structural mapping, satellite imagery and airphotographs remote sensing as well as the analysis of seismic profiles and the investigation of marine terraces and Holocene raised notches along the island coasts), for each fault we estimate and constrain some of the principal seismotectonic parameters and particularly the fault kinematics, the cumulative amount of slip and the slip-rate. Summing up the contribution to crustal extension provided by the two major fault sets (ca. E-W and ca. N-S) we calculate both radial and tangential (i.e. perpendicular and parallel to the Hellenic Arc, respectively) long-term strain-rates. A comparison of these geologically-based values with those obtained from GPS measurements show a good agreement, therefore suggesting that the present-day crustal deformation is probably active since Middle Quaternary and mainly associated with the seismic activity of upper crustal normal faults characterized by frequent shallow moderate-to strong (Mmax = 7.0) seismic events seldom alternating with stronger (Mmax = 7.5) earthquakes occurring along blind low-angle thrust planes affecting deeper and more external sectors of the Hellenic Arc.

HYPOSPADIAS is a congenital defect in which the urethra terminates on the ventral surface of the penis. In about 20 percent of cases, the urethral meatus is at the base of the penis, and the anterior urethra is absent. Treatment in these cases requires extensive reconstruction of the anterior urethra, usually with autografts of flaps of contiguous skin or preputial skin transferred with a vascular pedicle.1 Split-thickness skin grafts from other parts of the body have also been used.1 , 2 The presence of pilosebaceous units in skin grafts can lead to problems, however, because of hair growth and sebaceous secretion. More . . .

The LHCb Vertex Detector (VELO) will be upgraded in 2018 to a lightweight pixel detector capable of 40 MHz readout and operation in very close proximity to the LHC beams. The thermal management of the system will be provided by evaporative CO$_2$ circulating in microchannels embedded within thin silicon plates. This solution has been selected due to the excellent thermal efficiency, the absence of thermal expansion mismatch with silicon ASICs and sensors, the radiation hardness of CO$_2$, and very low contribution to the material budget. Although microchannel cooling is gaining considerable attention for applications related to microelectronics, it is still a novel technology for particle physics experiments, in particular when combined with evaporative CO$_2$ cooling. The R&D effort for LHCb is focused on the design and layout of the channels together with a fluidic connector and its attachment which must withstand pressures up to 170 bar. Even distribution of the coolant is ensured by means of the use of restrictions implemented before the entrance to a race track like layout of the main cooling channels. The coolant flow and pressure drop have been simulated as well as the thermal performance of the device. This proceeding describes the design and optimization of the cooling system for the VELO upgrade and the latest prototyping results.

Home hemodialysis (HD) for the treatment of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was first put into practice about 30 years ago. In this paper we describe the application of telematics monitoring services (TMS) for supporting patients who need home or satellite HD (SHD). For the clinical trials two modified HD machines were located in the renal unit and a central control station (UNIX workstation with multimedia PC-terminal) was located in another room of the hospital. Bi-directional communication between modified HD machines and central control station was managed via ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) links. Using these HD-machines 150 HD sessions were performed in nine patients over a period of five months. This system enabled on-line remote supervision of the HD machine-related functions (air in the blood, leak of blood, low conductivity etc.) and the clinical condition of patients through measurement of blood pressure (BP), pulse rate, PO2 (pulse oxymetry) and electrocardiogram (ECG) from the central control station (CCS). The user checked the type of alarm/warning, its appearance on HD machines and multimedia terminal units (MTU), the action of the protective system and the appearance of consultative messages from CCS on the remote terminal unit RTU. According to the data collected, the disturbances of HD machine function were visible and audible in the CCS and the user messages were always observed on the RTU. No unusual dialysis-associated complications were observed, all data and alarms/warnings were transmitted correctly and patients had adequate HD treatment.

A major form of multidrug resistance, which represents a serious obstacle to the success of chemotherapy, is caused by the over-expression of MDR-1 gene encoded P-glycoprotein. The present investigation was aimed to determine whether AZT, a cytostatic agent that interferes with the human immunodeficiency virus replication, is able to induce MDR-1 expression in tumor cells. After a short term exposure of human lymphoblastoid cells to AZT MDR-1 P-glycoprotein was found in the treated cells. This ATP-dependent drug-efflux pump interferred with cytotoxic efficacy of anticancer drugs such as vinblastine. This phenomenon should be carefully considered during anti-viral and anti-tumoral combined chemotherapies in AIDS patients.

We describe a newborn affected by OEIS complex (Omphalocele--Exstrophy of bladder--Imperforate anus--Spinal defect) associated with atrial septal defect. Terminal ileostomy, closure of the abdominal wall defect and suture of the cecal and vesical plates were performed. The patient died at 5 months and four days.

Some authors have reported that vitamin D treatment worsens renal function. We studied 10 patients with stable renal function, who were given calcitriol (0.5 micrograms/day) for a 4-month period. Creatinine and inulin clearance were performed at the beginning and at the end of the treatment. Although serum creatinine increased and creatinine clearance decreased, inulin clearance did not show significant variations. Furthermore, serum creatinine fell to the baseline value within 60 days after discontinuation of vitamin D therapy. The increased serum creatinine may be explained by an augmented release from muscular tissue, probably due to the improvement of uremic myopathy induced by calcitriol.

This experiment was carried out in order to investigate the effects of melatonin treatment on prolactin plasma levels and the onset of cyclicity in anestrous goats. Fifty lactating goats were treated daily with 2.5 mg melatonin (i.m.) from 6 June to 18 September and fifty goats served as a control. The progesterone and prolactin plasma concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassays on blood samples collected once a week until the end of September. The onset of ovarian activity (monitored by the plasma progesterone determination) was advanced in the melatonin-treated does by about one week compared with the controls. Prolactin plasma levels decreased in the control animals from the highest concentrations observed in June to the lowest near the end of the experiment. In the melatonin-treated goats, the prolactin plasma levels dropped after the beginning of the treatment and remained significantly lower than those of the untreated does for about two months; from then onwards, no differences were observed between the two groups until the end of the experiment.

We describe an immunocytochemical assay for cells forming antibody to glucose oxidase (GO). The method is specific in that only cells containing intracytoplasmic antibody capable of binding the immunogen (GO binding cells; GOBC) are stained. The method is sensitive because there is no GO activity in mammalian tissues. This lack of background readily permits detection of one GOBC among 10(6) nucleated lymphohemopoietic cells. The technique is reliable because purified chemicals are used. Although it is not possible to determine the Ig class of antibody formed by an individual cell, as can be done with the hemolytic plaque assay, the amount and class of secreted antibody to GO can be quantitated by an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which is also described. GO is immunogenic and stimulates the formation of large numbers of GOBC in the popliteal lymph nodes after injection with adjuvant into the footpads of mice, but 1-mg doses injected IV or IP are lethal because of its enzymatic activity, which causes hypoglycemia and methemoglobinemia.

The decline in infant mortality, which began in the 1970’s, was a result of the development of intensive therapy which, with always more sophisticated methods of biochemical, biophysical and clinical monitoring, permitted on the one hand a more attentive control of the patient, and on the other hand, a more complete knowledge of the events surrounding the patient, thereby reducing the work time. With this in mind, in the mid 1970’s, together with other pediatric centers, we decided to construct, on various work levels (pre-operative, operative and post-operative) a control system for surgical pediatric patients (1). This system would refer to a certain computer which could be continually re-programmed, based on the most up-to-date biomedical knowledge and on the work habits of the team. In addition to hardware problems, which were overcome according to the principles of biomedical engineering, we found the biggest problem to be the construction of the oriented software. Such software had to be efficient; it could not be subject to the tendency towards obsolescence which often affects a closed system. Our most important aim has been to transform the biomedical concepts into mathematical terms, which can then be evaluated so as to enable the construction of programs which, by controlling biological equilibrium (considering even individual variations), can therapeutically counter-regulate the events. The advantage of having a system like this is that it conforms to the characteristics a monitor for pediatric surgery demands.