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Abstract It is our great pleasure to present you with this IET Radar, Sonar and Navigation special issue on “Electronic Attack and Protection for Modern Radar Systems and Radar Networks”. The recent development of fast digital to analogue converters (DACs) and analogue to digital converters (ADCs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and parallel computing has contributed to the development of modern radars that, at the same time, can also be more easily attacked using digital radio frequency memories (DRFMs). The development of passive and netted multiband, multistatic, multichannel radars has also changed the EW scenario significantly. Classical EA can be less effective against passive, multistatic and multichannel radars and, as a result, new methods and new technologies have to be developed for effective countermeasures. Multichannel and multistatic jammers have also started to play a role in the EW scene. The aim of this special issue was to gather some of the most recent work in this area. The result is a collection of 12 interesting and timely papers aiming to address current technical challenges in electronic warfare. The papers included in this collection covers areas around the more general electronic warfare context as well as address specific challenges of electronic attack and electronic protection as summarised below.

Abstract Background The C-terminal-binding protein 1/brefeldin A ADP-ribosylation substrate (CtBP1/BARS) acts both as an oncogenic transcriptional co-repressor and as a fission inducing protein required for membrane trafficking and Golgi complex partitioning during mitosis, hence for mitotic entry. CtBP1/BARS overexpression, in multiple cancers, has pro-tumorigenic functions regulating gene networks associated with “cancer hallmarks” and malignant behavior including: increased cell survival, proliferation, migration/invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Structurally, CtBP1/BARS belongs to the hydroxyacid-dehydrogenase family and possesses a NAD(H)-binding Rossmann fold, which, depending on ligands bound, controls the oligomerization of CtBP1/BARS and, in turn, its cellular functions. Here, we proposed to target the CtBP1/BARS Rossmann fold with small molecules as selective inhibitors of mitotic entry and pro-tumoral transcriptional activities. Methods Structured-based screening of drug databases at different development stages was applied to discover novel ligands targeting the Rossmann fold. Among these identified ligands, N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-{[(4-nitrophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}benzenesulfonamide, called Comp.11, was selected for further analysis. Fluorescence spectroscopy, isothermal calorimetry, computational modelling and site-directed mutagenesis were employed to define the binding of Comp.11 to the Rossmann fold. Effects of Comp.11 on the oligomerization state, protein partners binding and pro-tumoral activities were evaluated by size-exclusion chromatography, pull-down, membrane transport and mitotic entry assays, Flow cytometry, quantitative real-time PCR, motility/invasion, and colony assays in A375MM and B16F10 melanoma cell lines. Effects of Comp.11 on tumor growth in vivo were analyzed in mouse tumor model. Results We identify Comp.11 as a new, potent and selective inhibitor of CtBP1/BARS (but not CtBP2). Comp.11 directly binds to the CtBP1/BARS Rossmann fold affecting the oligomerization state of the protein (unlike other known CtBPs inhibitors), which, in turn, hinders interactions with relevant partners, resulting in the inhibition of both CtBP1/BARS cellular functions: i) membrane fission, with block of mitotic entry and cellular secretion; and ii) transcriptional pro-tumoral effects with significantly hampered proliferation, EMT, migration/invasion, and colony-forming capabilities. The combination of these effects impairs melanoma tumor growth in mouse models. Conclusions This study identifies a potent and selective inhibitor of CtBP1/BARS active in cellular and melanoma animal models revealing new opportunities to study the role of CtBP1/BARS in tumor biology and to develop novel melanoma treatments.

Abstract Background Endometrial scratching (ES) or injury is intentional damage to the endometrium performed to improve reproductive outcomes for infertile women desiring pregnancy. Moreover, recent systematic reviews with meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials demonstrated that ES is not effective, data on the safety are limited, and it should not be recommended in clinical practice. The aim of the current study was to assess the view and behavior towards ES among fertility specialists throughout infertility centers in Italy, and the relationship between these views and the attitudes towards the use of ES as an add-on in their commercial setting. Methods Online survey among infertility centers, affiliated to Italian Society of Human Reproduction (SIRU), was performed using a detailed questionnaire including 45 questions with the possibility to give “closed” multi-choice answers for 41 items and “open” answers for 4 items. Online data from the websites of the infertility centers resulting in affiliation with the specialists were also recorded and analyzed. The quality of information about ES given on infertility centers websites was assessed using a scoring matrix including 10 specific questions (scored from 0 to 2 points), and the possible scores ranged from 0 to 13 points (‘excellent’ if the score was 9 points or more, ‘moderate’ if the score was between 5 and 8, and ‘poor’ if it was 4 points or less). Results The response rate was of 60.6% (43 questionnaires / 71 infertility SIRU-affiliated centers). All included questionnaires were completed in their entirety. Most physicians (~ 70%) reported to offer ES to less than 10% of their patients. The procedure is mainly performed in the secretory phase (69.2%) using pipelle (61.5%), and usually in medical ambulatory (56.4%) before IVF cycles to improve implantation (71.8%) without drugs administration (e.g., pain drugs, antibiotics, anti-hemorrhagics, or others) before (76.8%) or after (64.1%) the procedure. Only a little proportion of infertility centers included in the analysis proposes formally the ES as an add-on procedure (9.3%), even if, when proposed, the full description of the indications, efficacy, safety, and costs is never addressed. However, the overall information quality of the websites was generally “poor” ranging from 3 to 8 and having a low total score (4.7 ± 1.6; mean ± standard deviation). Conclusions In Italy, ES is a procedure still performed among fertility specialists for improving the implantation rate in IVF patients. Moreover, they have a poor attitude in proposing ES as an add-on in the commercial setting.

With continuously improving resolution of today’s (super-resolution) microscopes, a major technical limitation of light microscopy based image analysis is linkage error – a visualization error that is measured by the distance between the cellular target to be detected and the fluorescence emitter used for detection. The linkage error of standard labelled antibodies is caused by the size of the antibody and the random distribution of fluorescent emitters on the antibody surface. In this study, we describe a class of staining reagents that effectively reduce the linkage error by more than five-fold when compared to conventional staining techniques. We believe this class of reagents realize an unmet need in cell biological super resolution imaging studies where the precise localization of the target of interest is crucial for the understanding of complex biological phenomena

It is our great pleasure to present you with this IET Radar, Sonar and Navigation special issue on "Electronic Attack and Protection for Modern Radar Systems and Radar Networks". The recent development of fast digital to analogue converters (DACs) and analogue to digital converters (ADCs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and parallel computing has contributed to the development of modern radars that, at the same time, can also be more easily attacked using digital radio frequency memories (DRFMs). The development of passive and netted multiband, multistatic, multichannel radars has also changed the EW scenario significantly. Classical EA can be less effective against passive, multistatic and multichannel radars and, as a result, new methods and new technologies have to be developed for effective countermeasures. Multichannel and multistatic jammers have also started to play a role in the EW scene. The aim of this special issue was to gather some of the most recent work in this area. The result is a collection of 12 interesting and timely papers aiming to address current technical challenges in electronic warfare. The papers included in this collection covers areas around the more general electronic warfare context as well as address specific challenges of electronic attack and electronic protection as summarised below. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling bond behavior in either ordinary or high‐temperature conditions requires the knowledge of bond shear modulus—called also slip modulus or simply bond stiffness—that has received so far scanty attention because of the greater interest for bond as a guarantee of equilibrium at the Ultimate Limit State (and in fire conditions) than as a means to guarantee both equilibrium and compatibility at the Serviceability Limit State (and in fire/post‐fire conditions). The limited knowledge of bond shear modulus makes it difficult to numerically model such phenomena as tension stiffening, that controls the structural behavior in both ordinary and fire conditions. The general trends identified by examining eleven experimental campaigns with anchored bars covering 27 different cases and temperatures ranging between 20 and 800°C are the starting point of the design‐oriented laws proposed in this study about bond shear modulus as a function of concrete residual strength and temperature. A simple shear‐lag model is introduced for bond shear modulus at room temperature, as its evaluation from test data is no simple matter due to initial chemical adhesion and different test procedures. Bond shear modulus is shown to be a decreasing function of concrete residual compressive strength and of the maximum temperature reached by the bar‐concrete system. Design charts are proposed to allow the designer to identify the value of the bond stiffness on the basis of the max. temperature, of concrete residual strength and of bar diameter, making it possible to realistically model tension stiffening in fire‐damaged RC structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) proved to be very durable in harsh environments, primarily because of the extremely low porosity of the matrix (uncracked). However, the limited availability of design standards is still a barrier to widespread applications of UHPC, together with still limited knowledge of its durability in the real (cracked) service conditions. In this paper, the use of tailored UHPC is introduced, whose composition has been specifically designed to achieve enhanced durability in the cracked state combined with extremely aggressive environments. Validation of the material and structural design concept on a full scale structure is presented, with reference to a tank intended to contain geothermal water from the cooling tower at a geothermal power plant. This pilot structure was designed and constructed using both ordinary reinforced concrete and durability enhanced UHPC, which is called hereafter Ultra High Durability Concrete (UHDC), for comparative assessment purposes. Upon the completion of the pilot construction and entering its service life, periodic assessment and validation tests have been carried out to validate the structural design assumptions and to check the serviceability requirements. Results of these tests, performed over the span of two years are reported in detail in this paper to validate the material and structural concepts. The study highlights the most important parameters that could affect the performance of UHPC structures during casting and service life. The overall project framework presented in this paper has to be intended as a pioneer study in moving towards a performance based durability-design approach for UHPC structures.

Abstract Background Wound healing is a complex and dynamic process. Healing of acute and chronic wounds can be impaired by patient factors (that is, comorbidities) and/or wound factors (that is, infection). Regenerative medicine products, such as autologous/homologous platelet-rich plasma gel, may speed up the healing process. Autologous/homologous platelet-rich plasma is an advanced wound therapy used for hard-to-heal acute and chronic wounds. The cytokines and growth factors contained in platelet-rich plasma play a crucial role in the healing process. Case presentation A 61-year-old Caucasian male patient, suffering from mental retardation following meningitis, with a transplanted kidney due to prior renal impairment, and under immunosuppressant therapy, was submitted to aneurysmectomy of his proximal left forearm arteriovenous fistula. A few days later, the patient came to our attention with substantial blood loss from the surgical site. The wound presented no signs of healing, and after fistula reparation and considering persistent infection of the surgical site (by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), surgeons decided for second-intention healing. To favor healing, 10 mL homologous platelet concentrate gel was sequentially applied. After each application, wound was covered with nonadherent antiseptic dressing. After only seven applications of homologous platelet concentrate gel, wound completely recovered and no amputation was necessary. Conclusions Topical application of homologous platelet-rich plasma gel in healing wound shows beneficial results in wound size reduction and induces granulation tissue formation. Platelet-rich plasma could be a safe and cost-effective treatment for managing the cutaneous wound healing process to shorten the recovery period and thereby improve patient quality of life.

Abstract Background Anastomotic recurrences of the colon are postulated to arise due to inadequate margins, tumor implantation by exfoliated cells, altered biological properties of bowel anastomosis, and missed synchronous lesions. In this paper, a case of unexpected early local recurrence after surgery for colon cancer is presented. Case presentation A 68-year-old Caucasian man underwent right hemicolectomy for invasive G2 adenocarcinoma. Two months later, endoscopy revealed a wide and well-functioning anastomosis with a hyperemic, hard, and thickened mucosal area of about 2 cm in diameter. Biopsies showed the presence of an adenocarcinoma with the same grading of the previous lesion. Ten days later, the patient underwent a new intervention; the last 10 cm of the ileum and half of the remaining transverse colon were resected, and the patient started adjuvant therapy. Specimen examination confirmed the presence of an adenocarcinoma (G2) penetrating the muscular layer of the wall; also, in this case, resection edges were free from tumoral invasion, and the removed lymph nodes were exempt from neoplastic colonization. The patient was seen in follow-up for about 5 years, and he did not show local or systemic manifestations. Conclusions Whenever a neoplastic recurrence on the anastomotic line occurs, in the presence of negative intestinal margins, as usual in right colectomies, the implantation of neoplastic cells could be the possible cause.

Some countries in South Asia has very limited availability of natural stones due to geological features, therefore, most of the concrete buildings of the past are made with burnt clay brick aggregates whose strength is rather low those are more vulnerable to collapse due to any extreme loads. However, ferrocement strengthening has several advantages such as good mechanical performance, cost-effectiveness, locally availability of the materials, and simplicity, this latter making available workmanship able to implement such technique (aspect which is very important in developing countries such as Bangladesh). Hence, the paper deals with the efficacy of ferrocement technique in improving the performance of reinforced concrete beams made in low-strength concrete (beam width 230 mm, height 230 mm, and length 2135 mm). The beams are made with unconventional concrete whose strength is about 12.5–13.0 MPa. The flexural tests are performed experimentally and numerically via the finite element software ABAQUS by considering the following loading configurations: (i) 2 point loads placed at L/3, (ii) 2 point loads are to the support, (iii) 2 point loads close to the mid-span, and (iv) 1 load next to the support and 1 load on the mid-span. The experimental results have shown that unsymmetrical loading decreases the overall load carrying capacity and increases the deformability due to the localization of the damage. The ferrocement beams reinforced by steel wire mesh exhibits high ultimate load carrying capacity and more ductile behavior. The outcome of this research can be used for future modeling and for the development of appropriate design guidelines on the strengthening of concrete structures dealing with different loading conditions.

Abstract Background laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become the standard treatment for adrenal lesions. The better clinical outcoms of laparoscopic technique are valid for treatment of small benign masses ( 6 cm) or in case of potentially malignant adrenal tumors. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in a referral surgical department for endocrine surgery. Methods at the University Hospital Policlinico “P. Giaccone” of Palermo between January 2010 and December 2017 we performed a total of 81 laparoscopic adrenalectomy. We created a retrospective database with analysis of patients data, morphologic and hormonal characteristics of adrenal lesions, surgical procedures and postoperative results with histological diagnosis and complications. Results Mean size of adrenal neoplasm was 7,5 cm (range 1.5 to 18 cm). The mean operative time was 145 min (range 75–240). In statistical analysis lenght of surgery was correlated to the lesion diameter (p

Abstract Papillary thyroid carcinoma is a slow-growing cancer with a generally good prognosis that sometimes have an aggressive behaviour. Metastases to neck lymph nodes is the first step of the diffusion. The central neck compartment is involved most commonly. The ipsilateral lateral neck compartments are usually involved afterwards, and the involvement of the contralateral one is considered a quite rare occurrence. In more rare cases, metastases to lateral neck compartment without central lymph node metastasis (so called “skip metastases”) could be observed. Aim of this literature review study is to analyse the average incidence, pattern and risk factors of this occurrence. This study was performed according to PRISMA criteria. A final selection of 13 articles published in English language from 1997 to 2017 was performed. Any research article, review or meta-analysis was taken into consideration. Research was expanded considering the related references of articles. The incidence of skip metastases ranged from 1.6 to 21.8%. Risk factors such as age > 45 years, size

Abstract Background Shp1, a tyrosine-phosphatase-1 containing the Src-homology 2 (SH2) domain, is involved in inflammatory and immune reactions, where it regulates diverse signalling pathways, usually by limiting cell responses through dephosphorylation of target molecules. Moreover, Shp1 regulates actin dynamics. One Shp1 target is Src, which controls many cellular functions including actin dynamics. Src has been previously shown to be activated by a signalling cascade initiated by the cytosolic-phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) metabolite glycerophosphoinositol 4-phosphate (GroPIns4P), which enhances actin polymerisation and motility. While the signalling cascade downstream Src has been fully defined, the mechanism by which GroPIns4P activates Src remains unknown. Methods Affinity chromatography, mass spectrometry and co-immunoprecipitation studies were employed to identify the GroPIns4P-interactors; among these Shp1 was selected for further analysis. The specific Shp1 residues interacting with GroPIns4P were revealed by NMR and validated by site-directed mutagenesis and biophysical methods such as circular dichroism, isothermal calorimetry, fluorescence spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance and computational modelling. Morphological and motility assays were performed in NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Results We find that Shp1 is the direct cellular target of GroPIns4P. GroPIns4P directly binds to the Shp1-SH2 domain region (with the crucial residues being Ser 118, Arg 138 and Ser 140) and thereby promotes the association between Shp1 and Src, and the dephosphorylation of the Src-inhibitory phosphotyrosine in position 530, resulting in Src activation. As a consequence, fibroblast cells exposed to GroPIns4P show significantly enhanced wound healing capability, indicating that GroPIns4P has a stimulatory role to activate fibroblast migration. GroPIns4P is produced by cPLA2 upon stimulation by diverse receptors, including the EGF receptor. Indeed, endogenously-produced GroPIns4P was shown to mediate the EGF-induced cell motility. Conclusions This study identifies a so-far undescribed mechanism of Shp1/Src modulation that promotes cell motility and that is dependent on the cPLA2 metabolite GroPIns4P. We show that GroPIns4P is required for EGF-induced fibroblast migration and that it is part of a cPLA2/GroPIns4P/Shp1/Src cascade that might have broad implications for studies of immune-inflammatory response and cancer.

Abstract Introduction Hepatic abscess can be defined as an encapsulated collection of suppurative material within the liver parenchyma. Hepatic abscess can be distinguished as pyogenic, amebic, or fungal. Biliary tract disease remains the most common cause of hepatic abscess today, and the most common complications range from pleural effusion, empyema, and bronchohepatic fistula to subphrenic abscess and rupture into the peritoneal cavity, stomach, colon, vena cava, or kidney. A large abscess compressing the inferior vena cava and the hepatic veins may result in Budd-Chiari syndrome. In this report, we present a rare case of hepatic abscess with an unusual evolution that was treated with a noninvasive approach. Case presentation A 79-year-old Caucasian woman underwent endoscopic bile stone extraction and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Six months later, a hepatic abscess in association with bilateral effusion was diagnosed. The prompt imaging-guided drainage solved the case. Three years later, she came to our attention complaining of dull, diffuse abdominal pain and high body temperature (38 °C). A retroperitoneal abscess was diagnosed that was spreading to the right lateral wall of the abdomen and extending across the muscular wall to the subcutaneous layer. The fluid collection also involved the right pleural cavity, forming an empyema. Also in this case, an imaging-guided drainage was performed, and the patient’s clinical picture resolved in a few days. The retroperitoneal abscess recurred 14 months later, and it was dealt with using the same treatment. Three months from the last follow-up, the patient came back to our attention with an evident swelling of her right lumbar region. Computed tomography revealed a right inferior lumbar hernia comprising adipose tissue and the right kidney. A surgical intervention was recommended to the patient, but, owing to her poor general health, she refused any invasive approach. Conclusions Retroperitoneal abscess is an uncommon complication of biliary tract surgery and represents a potential cause of death, especially in those patients with multiple diseases. Prompt drainage is crucial to the treatment. Failure in eliminating the primary infective focus could bring complications and, in general, a weakness of lumbar muscular wall, even resulting in a rare case of lumbar hernia.

Airway cancers have been increasing in recent years. Tracheal resection is commonly performed during surgery and is burdened from post-operative complications severely affecting quality of life. Tracheal resection is usually carried out in primary tracheal tumors or other neoplasms of the neck region. Regenerative medicine for tracheal replacement using bio-prosthesis is under current research. In recent years, attempts were made to replace and transplant human cadaver trachea. An effective vascular supply is fundamental for a successful tracheal transplantation. The use of biological scaffolds derived from decellularized tissues has the advantage of a three-dimensional structure based on the native extracellular matrix promoting the perfusion, vascularization, and differentiation of the seeded cell typologies. By appropriately modulating some experimental parameters, it is possible to change the characteristics of the surface. The obtained membranes could theoretically be affixed to a decellularized tissue, but, in practice, it needs to ensure adhesion to the biological substrate and/or glue adhesion with biocompatible glues. It is also known that many of the biocompatible glues can be toxic or poorly tolerated and induce inflammatory phenomena or rejection. In tissue and organ transplants, decellularized tissues must not produce adverse immunological reactions and lead to rejection phenomena; at the same time, the transplant tissue must retain the mechanical properties of the original tissue. This review describes the attempts so far developed and the current lines of research in the field of tracheal replacement.