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Purpose Intranasal cocaine is known to potentially lead to midline destructive lesions. The present systematic review was undertaken to systematically define the localization of cocaine-induced midline destructive lesions and their prevalence and to propose a practical classification of these lesions. Methods A PRISMA-compliant systematic review was performed in multiple databases with criteria designed to include all studies published until March 2021 providing a precise definition of cocaine-induced midline lesions in humans. We selected all original studies except case reports. After duplicate removal, abstract and full-text selection, and quality assessment, we reviewed eligible articles for lesion localization, patients’ demographics, exposure to cocaine, and relationship with external nose destruction. Results Among 2593 unique citations, 17 studies were deemed eligible (127 patients). All studies were retrospective case series. The destructive process determined a septal perforation in 99.2% of patients. The distribution prevalence decreased from the inferior third of the sinonasal complex (nasal floor and inferolateral nasal wall, respectively, 59% and 29.9% of patients) to the middle third (middle turbinate and ethmoid, 22.8% of patients), and ultimately to neurocranial structures (7.9% of patients). Nasal deformities were inconsistently reported across reviewed studies. Cocaine use duration, frequency, and status were reported only occasionally. Conclusion Based on the distribution prevalence observed, we propose a four-grade destruction location-based classification. Future prospective studies following the evolution of cocaine-induced lesions are needed to validate our classification, its relationship with lesion evolution, and whether it represents a reliable tool for homogeneous research results reporting.

The homicide of the female partner followed by suicide of the perpetrator (Intimate Female Partner Homicide Suicide - IFPHS) has been a growing phenomenon over last years, but its psychosocial and psychopathological aspects have not been analyzed in-depth yet.The aim of this study was to investigate common psychopathological elements in different IFPHS and a specific risk profile for both the couple and the male partner, with the possibility to define a new serial mental condition not classified to date.A series of 50 cases of greater media coverage was reconstructed from the Italian newspapers in the period from 2009 to 2019 and information was collected through a predefined form. The characteristics of the perpetrators and the modalities through which the events occurred have been considered.No definite mental disorder is present in the history of almost all cases. A more common psychological profile is found for the homicide/suicide male partner, mainly characterized by jealousy, possessiveness, mood reactivity, rage, and impulsiveness.It can be hypothesized that such a severe act may express a form of mental disorder not yet classified, with main features of an acute state of mixed depressive mood, emotional discontrol and aggressive impulsiveness, on a personality basis of jealousy and possessiveness, possibly reinforced by previous dependent traits of the female partner. But the methodological limitations of gathering information from the press make it necessary the study in depth, based on more direct and objective methodologies, of such a highly dramatic and heterogeneous phenomenon.

Background: To compare the functional and anatomical results of two different types of grafts in type 1 tympanoplasty (TPL I). Methods: A retrospective comparative bicentric study was conducted on patients treated with TPL I using temporal fascia or tragal cartilage. We evaluated the functional and anatomical results with intergroup and intragroup analyses. Variables predicting long-term success were also evaluated. Results: A total of 142 patients (98 fascia graft vs. 44 cartilage) were initially assessed, with a mean follow-up of 67.1 ± 3.2 months. No significant differences were observed between the two groups on the intergroup analysis of age, gender, ear side, or pre-operative hearing data (all p > 0.05). At the intragroup analysis of auditory outcomes, both groups demonstrated a significant improvement in post-operative air conduction, with greater gain for the fascia group at 6 months follow-up (p < 0.001 for both); however, at long-term follow-up, cartilage demonstrated better stability results (p < 0.001). When comparing the pre-and post-operative air-bone-gap (ABG), both groups showed a significant gain (p < 0.001); the fascia group showed that at 6 months, a greater ABG increase was found, but the difference was not statistically significant (4.9 ± 0.9 dB vs. 5.3 ± 1.2 dB; p = 0.04). On the contrary, the cartilage group at long-term follow-up at 5 years maintained greater outcomes (10 ± 1.6 dB vs. 6.4 ± 2 dB; p < 0.001). Lower age (F = 4.591; p = 0.036) and higher size of perforation (F = 4.820; p = 0.030) were predictors of long-term functional success. Conclusions: The graft material selection should consider several factors influencing the surgical outcome. At long-term follow-up, the use of a cartilage graft could result in more stable audiological outcomes, especially in younger patients or in case of wider perforations.

Smalt is a blue cobalt-coloured glass pigment used in European wall paintings from the early Renaissance period that became a popular choice for artists due to its unique tone, availability, and ve...

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is an uncommon B-cell malignant disease. It usually presents with mediastinal and/or laterocervical lymph node localization, while primary extranodal HL is a rare entity giving rise to diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. It rarely presents as just extranodal localization, so its presence within the maxillary sinus without any lymphadenopathy is exceptional. Given the rarity of this localization, there is no standard treatment for maxillary sinus HL. We present a case of a patient with extranodal HL of the right maxillary sinus treated with primary surgery followed by adjuvant sequential chemoradiation therapy.

Background Odontogenic sinusitis affects a significant proportion of patients with paranasal sinus infections. Nevertheless, no shared diagnostic criteria for this condition have yet been implemented and published studies differ in their definition of the disease. Objective The present systematic review of the literature was undertaken to characterize and analyze the different diagnostic criteria currently employed for odontogenic sinusitis. Methods Systematic searches for studies published between 2009 and 2019 were performed in Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases. Search criteria were designed to identify all studies focusing, even partially, on odontogenic sinusitis. Human original studies except single case reports published in the English, French, German, Spanish, or Italian language were included. We removed duplicate abstracts and conducted full-text reads, data extraction, and quality assessment procedures (using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine levels of evidence and National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Study Quality Assessment Tools). We reviewed articles for diagnostic criteria, both in terms of definition and etiology identification. Results Among 1,000 unique citations, 63 studies were deemed eligible. Most articles (n = 45) were retrospective case series; a single randomized clinical trial was available. Only 49 studies reported diagnostic criteria, yet relied marginally on published guidelines (n = 10 articles) for identifying sinusitis, often choosing instead to develop their own clinical (n = 15 articles), endoscopic (n = 12 articles), and/or radiologic (n = 30 articles) criteria. For odontogenic focus identification, 14 papers required a multidisciplinary evaluation, 11 papers required a time relationship between dental procedures and sinusitis, 24 papers required oroscopy and/or dental evaluation, and 53 papers required computed tomography. Conclusions Current diagnostic criteria for odontogenic sinusitis are extremely heterogeneous. Establishing shared diagnostic criteria aimed at defining both sinusitis and related odontogenic foci would spur collaboration between investigators and support more comprehensive outcomes evaluations together with a better understanding of treatment options.

One of the most important European palaeokarstic complexes lies on the southern edge of the Lessini Veronesi Mountains and in particular in the locality of Torricelle di Verona (Veneto region, NE Italy). This 20 kilometre-long network of ancient karstic caves has only recently been made accessible thanks to the exploitation and use of the sediments sealing it, known as coloring earths (yellow and red). It is an intricate system of dendritic natural tunnels that were hydrologically active in the late Miocene and located near the coastline or in direct communication with the sea. Currently few cavities are accessible. The analysis and comparison of the topographic and geomorphic data of the palaeokarstic cavities of the Torricelle allowed the reconstruction of the coastline of the ancient sea of Tethys just before its disappearance.

Background Implantological procedures aimed at rehabilitating upper jaw edentulous patients (dental implant placement and/or maxillary sinus grafting) can sporadically result in sinusitis. In these patients, endoscopic sinus surgery is the most commonly employed treatment, but clinical scenarios and comprehensive management strategies are extremely heterogeneous across studies. Objective We sought to systematically define treatment strategies and related success rates for sinusitis following dental implantation, detailing different current treatment choices and concepts. Methods Adopting a PRISMA–compliant review framework, systematic searches were performed in multiple databases using criteria designed to include all studies published until November 2020 focusing on the treatment of human sinusitis following dental implantation. We selected all original studies, excluding case reports, specifying treatment modalities with objective treatment success definitions. Following duplicate removal, abstract and full-text selection, and quality assessment, we reviewed eligible articles for treatment modalities and success rates, which were pooled in a random-effects meta-analysis. Results Among 581 unique citations, eight studies (181 patients) were selected. Seven studies were retrospective case series. All studies relied on endoscopic sinus surgery, often coupled with intraoral accesses, and assessed therapeutic success endoscopically. The pooled treatment success rate was 94.7% (95% confidence interval, 91.5%–98%). Failures were treated in seven of 15 cases with further antibiotic therapies and in another seven cases with surgical revision. A single patient was lost to follow-up. Conclusions Endoscopic sinus surgery appears to be the most frequent treatment of choice for sinusitis following dental implantation, with excellent success rates. The protean clinical picture drawn from the selected studies calls for the standardization of diagnostics and definitions in this field to enable direct comparisons between the results of different studies. The role of postoperative antibiotic therapies, which have been employed unevenly across studies, should also be prospectively investigated.

Glass-based pigments have an important role in the panorama of artistic production due to the fact that their manufacturing processes involve a combination of different skills and understanding, and they have a role in disciplines ranging from glass technology to metallurgy, from glazed ceramic to stone imitation and from vitreous mosaic tesserae to painting materials. The main goal of this manuscript is to present a critical review of the literature relating to blue smalt and “yellow glass” (lead–tin yellow type II) pigments: presenting their historical background, the analytical protocol, the processes of alteration and decay and finally tracing issues. Several case studies analyzed by the authors will be presented. Particular attention was devoted to the correlation between micro-textural features and decay processes affecting the studied pigments, though the widespread heterogeneity of the analyzed materials and the variability of the artistic techniques in which the pigments were used as well as the effect of the relevant (micro-)environmental conditions dictate a cautious approach. These studies are presented in the context of information about the chain of production, the selection of the raw materials and relevant provenance studies.

This paper focuses on the use of gypsum as a binder in stucco artworks made between the 16th and 17th centuries in canton Ticino (Switzerland). As far as the artistic technique is concerned, a stucco statue is made of composite materials: metal, brick or wood for the supporting structure, lime and/or gypsum mortar with aggregate for the ground and finishing layers. The gypsum addition to the lime binder, found mainly in the ground layer, helps accelerate the setting of the three-dimensional stucco elements and prevents cracks from shrinkage, but a real understanding of the technology of its preparation, as well as the proportion of the mix for the stucco production, has yet to be established. The samples of stucco (167) taken from artworks in the region were analysed in stratigraphy, identifying their chemical and mineralogical composition. The results from these investigations were compared with the information provided by the historical sources and archival documents recording the artistic technique. Results showed that the quantity of gypsum varies greatly depending on the requirements of the stucco masters and that it was a fundamental addition to attain the effects desired by the different artists.

Objectives: Paranasal sinus fungus ball is a common non-invasive mycosis with excellent long-term surgical treatment results. The present systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken to define current treatment concepts and success rates in paranasal sinus fungus ball treatment. Methods: Systematic searches were performed in multiple databases with criteria designed to include all studies published until May 2020 focusing on paranasal sinuses fungus ball treatment in humans. We selected studies including at least 10 patients, specifying treatment modalities, providing a minimum 6-month follow-up, and objectivating treatment success. After duplicate removal, abstract and full-text selection, and quality assessment, we reviewed eligible articles for treatment modalities and success rates. Success rates were pooled in a random effect meta-analysis and compared according to the use of intraoperative sinus lavages and postoperative antibiotics. Results: Among 740 unique citations, 14 studies were deemed eligible. Most (n = 11) were retrospective case series. All studies relied on endoscopic sinus surgery. Intraoperative lavages were proposed in 10 studies and postoperative antibiotics in 7 (for all patients in 5 studies and for selected patients in 2). No significant heterogeneity was observed between results (Cochran’s Q P = .639, I2 test = 0). Treatment success rate was 98.4% (95% confidence interval 97.4%-99.3%). Intraoperative sinus toilette and postoperative antibiotics didn’t significantly improve the success rate. Conclusion: Endoscopic sinus surgery shows excellent results in fungus ball treatment. Further prospective studies might help further reducing antibiotics prescriptions in these patients and improve their management.

Chronic rhinosinusitis has a multifactorial etiology resulting from a dysfunctional interaction between various environmental factors and the host immune system. The patient of case report is affected by chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and a type 2 molecular pattern, has comorbid asthma and symptoms resistant to adequate medical and surgical therapy. The patient was treated with benralizumab, a mAb that binds IL-5Rα. The therapy resulted in a reduction in blood and tissue eosinophilia, but this was not associated with an improvement in the clinical and objective rhinological picture. Instead, at the lung level, there was a marked improvement in the control of severe asthma. Therefore, the patient was undergoing revision Full FESS in association with biological drug therapy. The patient showed an immediately improvement in the clinical and objective rhinological picture and this association allowed for control of the disease almost one year after surgery.

The purpose of this study was to correlate acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFRS) and chronic invasive fungal rhinosinusitis with underlying diseases, aetiological microorganisms, clinical symptoms, radiological findings, and surgical and medical treatment to determine the subset of patients who require more accurate diagnostic investigation and to prevent irreversible complications.This retrospective monocentric study included 17 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery evaluated by paranasal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Age, sex and symptoms, and location of the invasive fungal infection and the causative fungus were analysed.In total, 4 patients were affected by the AIFRS form, and 13 by the chronic form. Diabetes mellitus was reported in 41.17% of cases, and haematological diseases in 23.52%. The maxillary sinuses were involved in 47.05% of cases and sphenoidal sinuses in 52.94%; Aspergillus fumigatus was the fungus in 76.47% of cases, and Zygomycetes in 23.53%.An understanding of the different types of fungal sinusitis and knowledge of their features play a crucial role in reaching prompt diagnosis and initiation of appropriate therapy, which is essential to avoid a protracted or fatal outcome.Definizione e gestione della rinosinusite fungina invasiva: uno studio retrospettivo monocentrico.Nonostante i progressi in termini di trattamento, la mortalità nei casi di rinosinusite fungina invasiva rimane elevata, pertanto, scopo dello studio è stato correlare le forme acute invasive e quelle croniche con patologie concomitanti, agenti eziologici, i sintomi clinici, radiologia e trattamento, al fine di identificare e trattare i pazienti con prognosi peggiore.Il seguente studio retrospettivo monocentrico ha incluso 17 pazienti sottoposti a chirurgia endoscopica sinusale, valutati mediante TC e RM e analizzati per età, sesso, sintomi, sede dell’infezione fungina invasiva e microrganismi eziologici.4 pazienti sono risultati affetti dalla forma invasiva acuta,13 pazienti dalla forma cronica. Il diabete mellito è stato riscontrato nel 41,17% dei casi, malattie ematologiche nel 23,52%. I seni mascellari sono risultati coinvolti nel 47,05% dei pazienti e seni sfenoidali nel 52,94%; Aspergillus ha provocato il 76,47% dei casi, Zigomiceti il 23,53%.Un’adeguata comprensione dei diversi tipi di sinusite fungina e la conoscenza delle loro caratteristiche svolgono un ruolo cruciale ai fini di una diagnosi precoce e l’avvio di una terapia appropriata con lo scopo di ridurne la mortalità.

The monastery church of Mustair (Val Mustair, Switzerland) and the church of St. Benedict in Malles (Obervinschgau, Italy) contain painting cycles dating to the late eighth/early ninth century which are considered among the best preserved in Europe. Located inside a region of strategic importance at least since Roman times, during the medieval era both areas formed part of the diocese of Chur and were politically and culturally closely linked; the present border, in fact, developed in the course of the early modern period. The two painting cycles have been studied with a non-invasive approach using spectral multiband imaging, UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry with fiber optics (FORS) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). The combined application of these techniques gave important insights into the painting techniques used in the two cycles. Clear similarities in the palette of pigments appeared; the colour palette included mainly materials typically used in medieval mural paintings, such as red and yellow ochres, carbon black, Bianco di San Giovanni and green earth, but lead pigments, such as red lead and massicot, which are less suited for use on plaster surfaces, were used as well. Of particular interest is the use of Egyptian blue and ultramarine blue that makes these paintings among the first in which the precious lapis lazuli pigment had been used in Europe. The occurrence of Egyptian blue and ultramarine blue puts the paintings closer to the ancient Roman than to the Romanesque tradition. A surprising result was the identification of As, which might indicate the use of orpiment for the creation of the wall paintings.

Introduction: Previous studies have reported a diverse range of threshold values for blood eosinophilia. In addition, a single predictive biomarker for eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyps (ECRSwNP) has not yet been identified. Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare the clinical characteristics of ECRSwNP and non-ECRSwNP to evaluate the preoperative risk of tissue eosinophilia of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) through a multiparametric statistical analysis. Methods: One hundred ten patients with evidence of chronic polypoid rhinosinusitis were included in this study and clinical records were retrospectively reviewed. Eosinophilic CRSwNP was diagnosed based on the presence of at least 10 eosinophils per high-power field. The demographic and clinical features of ECRSwNP and non-ECRSwNP are described. The values of blood eosinophilia as predictors of tissue eosinophilia have been identified using receiver operating characteristic curves. As the predictive value of the identified cutoff through regression analysis was low, we evaluated whether other risk factors could be statistically associated with ECRSwNP, and from this, a new predictive model was proposed for the identification of eosinophilic nasal polyps before surgery. Results: We found that the best method for predicting ECRSwNP is based on a model having asthma, blood eosinophil percentage, posterior ethmoid value in Lund-Mackay score, and modified Lund-Kennedy score as explanatory variables. Conclusions: This study provides new data for a better understanding of the polypoid CRS endotypes, and the proposed model allows the endotype to be identified preoperatively.

The pharmacy (spezieria) Santa Maria della Scala was founded in Rome by the Discalced Carmelites Order in the 17th century, and during the 18th and 19th centuries it became the official supplier of medicines for Vatican Popes. The laboratory and the cases of this spezieria still preserve glass jars with organic and inorganic materials, which were presumably used for medicine and artistic material preparation, whose composition is unknown to date. A research project was initiated with the aim to study the stored materials and the role that the pharmacy played in regional, national and international contexts. In this manuscript, the compounds were analysed through X-ray powder diffraction with the scope to derive the quantitative mineralogical composition of the inorganic fraction, their possible use in pharmacopoeias and as mineral pigments. Most of the analysed samples are salts (sulphates, chlorides, carbonates, phosphates, borates, sulphides), sulphates being the predominant class; oxides were also detected.

The paper deals with the experimental performance assessment of Compressive Sampling (CS) based Terahertz (THz) Imaging systems, an emerging approach for carrying out non-destructive tests of materials with the aim of detecting defects and flaws. Differently from traditional methods based on raster scan, CS approach allows to reconstruct the image of interest through a reduced number of measurements, with a notable reduction of the time of investigation. Although both simulated and experimental results concerning the performance assessment of THz Imaging technique are available in literature, the additional uncertainty due to the application of CS approach has never been in-depth taken into account, since the step of CS processing has been considered as ideal. Due to the success of CS-based Imaging THz technique and the promising performance of its exploitation also in industrial applications, the considered assumption is no more acceptable. Therefore, the authors focused their attention on the uncertainty sources associated with the experimental application of CS to THz Imaging systems and on their impact on the overall quality of the reconstructed image. Several numerical tests, conducted by means of an optimized design of experiments, allow to (i) assess the sensitivity to relevant uncertainty sources of the reconstructed image quality and (ii) define a suitable performance factor capable of driving experimenters towards a proper configuration of the measurement station. In particular, misalignment of the CS masks turns out to be the most impacting uncertainty source, as confirmed by experimental tests carried out through an actual THz Imaging system. Nevertheless, the performance factor estimated on the reconstructed image of a reference target is capable of highlighting the presence of an incorrect configured Imaging system, thus making it possible to remedy and provide accurate and reliable THz images.

The identification of painting techniques is an important aspect of any research related to historical, artistic, and conservation issues in the field of wall paintings conservation. There are a va...

Provenance research of archaeological ocher contributes to understanding the capabilities of prehistoric humans to select, process, and treat suitable raw materials for symbolic and utilitarian purposes. The western part of the Lessini Mountains in the Veneto region of northeast Italy is an ideal location for this type of study as it features several different Fe-rich deposits, and many examples of archaeological ocher have been found in the nearby Fumane Cave and Tagliente Rockshelter Upper Paleolithic sites. Sourcing areas are often identified through the use of geochemical studies; however, microscopic techniques can also be used with the benefit of providing more detailed information about accessory minerals and textural characteristics of the material. One of the goals of our study was to demonstrate the potential in using polarizing light microscopy supported by scanning electron microscopy coupled with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer in research of this type. We studied geological source samples and archaeological materials from the sites, the results of which are very promising in terms of shedding light on the sourcing of prehistoric ocher in this region.

Isolated sphenoid sinus diseases are generally asymptomatic and relatively uncommon with the potential for serious complications. Patients with this condition should be monitored closely and treated aggressively and either diagnostic or therapeutic intent is often indicated. In the management of a complex, life-threatening condition that involves many different fields of expertise, the otolaryngologist plays a key role in orchestrating different specialists and gaining direct access to the affected area, thus taking the first and essential step towards diagnosis and therapy. Because of the superiority of computed tomography in defining the bony margins and the superior soft tissue resolution of magnetic resonance imaging, these two techniques should be used in a complementary manner in the evaluation of isolated sphenoid sinus disease in addition to mapping the lesion better and identifying intracranial and intraorbital extent. We report an unusual case of isolated rhinosinusitis of the sphenoid sinus involving the cavernous sinus, pterygoid fossae and masticatory space in an immunocompetent patient.

The use of fire technology for transforming yellow goethite into red hematite was common, intentional and consolidated practice in Prehistoric settlements. Mineralogical structural analyses using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been successfully employed for studying artificial hematite and for the estimation of the relevant transformation temperatures. Thermal treatments, over a temperature range of 250 up to 1000 °C, have been carried out on natural goethite (associated with quartz) collected from the palaeokarst caves at Ponte di Veja in North-Eastern Italy (Western sector of the Lessini Mountains) with the scope to compare the effects of heat treatment on natural goethite with synthetic goethite. This site provided extensively Fe-rich raw materials to the Upper Palaeolithic site Tagliente rockshelter. The mineralogical analysis demonstrated that selective broadening of some diffraction peaks occurs during the transformation for temperatures between 250 and 800 °C, confirmed by TEM analyses, in accordance with experiments executed on synthetic goethite samples.

A first attempt to differentiate goethite- and hematite-based natural materials, used for several purposes during the Late Palaeolithic in the Lessini Mountains (Italy), is here proposed. All raw materials were collected from known geological sites within a distance of about 20 km from archaeological excavations (Tagliente and Fumane caves) where ochre fragments were found. X-ray powder diffraction allowed the mineralogical composition of samples collected from carbonate and volcanic geological host and parent rocks to be inferred; in addition, a preliminary distinction based on the different mineral assemblages, on the presence of distinctive mineral phases and on the degree of crystallinity of some compounds such as hematite, became possible. The acquired data thus represent a sort of preliminary inventory for provenance studies on archaeological samples originating in the same region, for which ancillary micro-analytical and geochemical techniques are planned.

The paper aims at experimentally assessing the metrological performance of a compressive sampling (CS)-based terahertz (THz) imaging system, an emerging technology for carrying out non-destructive tests of materials in order to detect defects and flaws. Differently from systems based on traditional raster scan, the exploitation of CS allows, in fact, obtaining images of interest in a reduced observation interval to the detriment of accuracy. In literature, several studies have faced the topic at hand showing results obtained in simulated and real conditions. On the same way, the authors have decided to focus their attention on the experimental investigation of the impact of some uncertainty sources on the final image reconstruction realizing a metrological characterization that could be used in different fields as for example aerospace. It is so possible to provide a preliminary roadmap capable of driving experimenters in the definition of the main features of the measurement setup to achieve a defined goal in term of reconstruction quality.

Background Because nasal function and shape are so closely intertwined, quantitative assessments can better define their relationship and how they are affected by septorhinoplasty. Objective The aim of this prospective study was to perform an analysis of the nasal airflow resistances and a three-dimensional (3D) evaluation of the soft-tissue changes after closed septorhinoplasty. Methods Before surgery (TO) and 6 months after closed septorhinoplasty (Tl), 30 patients underwent symptoms evaluation by means of the Italian version of the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation scale, endoscopic fiberoptic nasal examination, and visual analog scale for subjective assessment of nasal obstruction. Nasal airflow resistances were investigated with active anterior active rhinomanometry. A 3D laser scanner was used to evaluate facial soft-tissues, with specific nasal points and angles. Results Subjective nasal obstruction decreased. Anterior active rhinomanometry demonstrated a reduction in total inspiratory and expiratory resistances between T0 and T1 but without statistical significance. The significance was still absent after decongestion, excluding turbinate hypertrophy as a cause of failed objective amelioration of nasal resistance. Facial laser scanning showed statistically significant reduction of the superior nasal width and superior alar angle, and a weak negative correlation between the superior alar angle and nasal resistances. Conclusion The absence of objective reduction of nasal airflow resistances could be the result of concurrent surgery on nasal septum and nasal valve. In particular, the ameliorating effect on nasal airflow resistances is counterbalanced by the worsening effect of the narrowing of nasal valve.

Upper Palaeolithic yellow and red ochre samples recovered in the last 40 years at Tagliente rock-shelter in the Lessini Mountains (Verona, NE Italy) were analysed by means of conventional X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) and compared with goethite- and hematite-based natural geomaterials coming from geological deposits within a distance of approximately 20 km from the archaeological site. XRPD allowed the yellow ochre sourcing area to be focused on the basis of characteristic and distinctive mineral assemblages. In addition, several samples clearly demonstrated that archaeological red ochre was obtained by thermal treatment of yellow ochre as shown by characteristic peak intensities, shape and the presence of maghemite (γ-Fe2O3). XRPD was a very powerful tool for a preliminary discrimination and grouping of a large quantity of archaeological ochre, in order to outline a preliminary hypothesis on the provenance area and to narrow down the number of samples to be studied in the next future through geochemical and structural analysis in order to confirm the proposed interpretation.

Background: Sudden Sensori-neural Hearing Loss (SSHL) is an abrupt failure of the cochlear function of unknown etiology. Possible causes include chronic infections leading to increased systemic levels of cytokines, which could damage the cochlear pumps H+, K+- and Na+, K+- ATPases. Helicobacter pylori infection stimulates systemic cytokine production. Proton pumps in cochlea and stomach are almost identical. Methods: We examined 18 consecutive SSHL patients, 18 matched controls for serum antibodies to Helicobacter pylori, and to the H+, K+-ATPase, and “blasted” the human proton pump against Helicobacter epitopes in the protein database at NCBI. Results: Seventeen SSHL patients (94.4%) and ten controls (55.5%) were Helicobacter pylori positive (P=0.008, OR=13.6). Anti-H+, K+-ATPase autoantibodies were present in six SSHL patients (33.3%) and one control (5.5%) (P=0.043, OR=8.5). Significant homologies were found between human proton pump and various bacterial ionic pumps. Notably, up to one fourth of Helicobacter pylori infected patients produce autoantibodies to the gastric proton pump, i.e., H+, K+- ATPase. Conclusion: Helicobacter pylori infection may be related to an increased risk of SSHL.

Contributo accettato dal Direttore., Stato, Chiese e pluralismo confessionale, 2016: 24 ottobre

From the perspective of Precision Agriculture, the delineation of management zones in agricultural fields to optimise the use of soil and water resources and increase farmer's profitability requires knowledge of fine-scale variability. The objective of this paper is to delineate management zones in terms of yield performance verifying the suitability of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to assess spatial variation of soil properties. In a durum wheat field in southern Italy, yield data were recorded and a GPR survey carried out after harvesting. On the basis of spatial distribution of the yield, the field was split into four management zones (MZs) and the expected values and standard deviations of GPR signal amplitude data were estimated using polygon kriging for each MZ. In order to interpret the results and assess the resistivity of the soil, the total sand content and bulk electrical conductivity from an electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensor were estimated by polygon kriging. The acquisition of very fine-scale soil information with GPR allowed 3D variability in the field to be imaged. Further, the study has shown the existence of a physically-based relationship between the yield of the wheat and the structural properties of the soil detected by GPR.

Over the past few years, the scientific community, both in academia and industry, witnessed a continuous and persistent effort in order to close the unexplored portion of the electromagnetic spectrum called THz gap, ranging from 100 GHz to 10 THz. Thanks to its properties, the THz technology finds application in diverse dual-use areas, spanning from chemical to pharmaceutical, biology and environmental sciences, and everyday applications within a broad range of industries including security, cultural heritage, manufacturing, and aerospace sectors. After a brief description of the common architecture of THz system, we focus here on Time Domain Spectroscopy (TDS-THz) THz system, we provide here some examples of dual-use THz applications, such as spectroscopic measurements of unknown objects or contactless and non-destructive analysis of different materials by spatial imaging operations.

The terahertz (THz) frequency region is often defined as the last unexplored area of the electromagnetic spectrum. Over the past few years, the full access has been the objective of intense research efforts. Progress in this area has played an important role in opening up the possibility of using THz electromagnetic radiation (T-waves) in science and in real-world applications. T-waves are not perceptible by the human eye, are not ionizing, and have the ability to cross many non-conducting materials such as paper, fabrics, wood, plastic, and organic tissues. Moreover, the use of THz radiation allows non-destructive analysis of the materials under investigation both by study of their "fingerprint" via spectroscopic measurements and by high-resolution spatial imaging operations, exploiting the see-through capability of T-waves. Such technology can be applied in diverse areas, spanning from biology to chemical, pharmaceutical, environmental sciences, etc. In this chapter, we will present the typical architecture of measurement systems based on the THz technology, detailing what are the parameters that define their performance, the measurement methods, and the related errors and uncertainty, and focusing at the end on the use of time-domain spectroscopy for the evaluation of different material properties in this specific frequency region.