Search

The Q&U Bolometric Interferometer for Cosmology (QL’BIC) is the first bolometric interferometer designed to measure the primordial B-mode polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). Bolometric interferometry is a novel technique that combines the sensitivity of bolometric detectors with the control of systematic effects that is typical of interferometry, both key features in the quest for the faint signal of the primordial B-modes. A unique feature is the so-called “spectral imaging”, i.e., the ability to recover the sky signal in several sub-bands within the physical band during data analysis. This feature provides an in-band spectral resolution of ∆v/v ~ 0.04 that is unattainable by a traditional imager. This is a key tool for controlling the Galactic foregrounds contamination. In this paper, we describe the principles of bolometric interferometry, the current status of the QU BIC experiment and future prospects.

Introduction: Prevention of obesity and overweight is an important target for health promotion. Early prevention requires an intervention during childhood and adolescence. At these stages, the game could be an appropriate means to teach nutrition knowledge and to influence dietary behaviour. To this end, the authors developed Kalèdo, a new board-game., Objective: The aim of the present study was to test the efficacy of Kalèdo on changes in nutrition knowledge and dietary behaviour in a pilot study conducted in three middle schools in Naples, Italy., Materials and Methods: A simple two-group design (treatment and control) with pre- and post-assessment was employed. The classroom was the unit of recruitment and random assignment to groups. All students (307) in the participating schools were invited to participate. Data analysis was performed on 241 subjects. During 24 weeks, a group of 153 children from 8 classrooms (11-14 year old Caucasian subjects; 78 male, 75 female) was involved in 15-30 minute-long play sessions once a week. A questionnaire was given to the participants at the beginning and at the end of the study to evaluate nutrition knowledge (31 questions), physical activity (8 questions) and food intake (34 questions). Anthropometric measurements were also carried out. A second group of 88 children from 5 classrooms (same age and ethnicity; 55 male, 33 female) was investigated at the same times with the same questionnaire and anthropometric measures but they did not receive any play sessions with Kalèdo., Observation: Children playing Kalèdo showed a significant increase in nutrition knowledge (p<0.05) and in weekly vegetable intake (p<0.01) with respect to the control., Conclusion: The results suggest that Kalèdo could be an effective instrument to teach children about healthy diet. More research is needed to study the long term effect of this intervention.

Background: Electrical stimulation (ES) may induce vascular permeability and physiological angiogenesis. ES of rat muscles significantly increases the microvessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein levels. Thus, a pilot study was designed to analyze the effects of low-voltage electric impulses on VEGF levels in patients with dystrophic ulcers., Materials and Methods: Circulating VEGF levels were analyzed in 9 patients undergoing an ES session with low voltage software-controlled impulses applied through topical transducers (1-9 micros width, 1-420-Hz frequency and 30-120 V strength-100 microA max)., Results: The session was accompanied by a peak of circulating VEGF (3-10 min from start) in all 9 patients, which was preceded by a rise of TNF-alpha (2-min) and was independently associated with soluble E-selectin levels. Nitric oxide generation was significantly improved on the day after treatment. No hemostatic activation or sustained inflammatory reaction were observed., Conclusion: ES may represent a safe method for augmenting VEGF-mediated vascular protection, either directly or by induction of NO.

Background and Objectives: The G20210A polymorphism in the prothrombin gene is a common cause of inherited thrombophilia. Scarce information is available about the circumstances of the heralding thrombotic manifestation at different ages. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of spontaneous or secondary venous thromboembolism (VTE) among younger and older carriers of the G20210A prothrombin polymorphism., Design and Methods: We performed a case-control study, investigating 650 patients with a first objectively documented deep venous thrombosis of the legs or pulmonary embolism and 703 individuals with no history of vascular disease. In all of them we carried out laboratory screening for antithrombin III, protein C and protein S deficiencies, and for the presence of the factor V Leiden and the G20210A prothrombin polymorphisms., Results: After adjustment for other inherited causes of thrombophilia (deficiency of antithrombin III, protein C or S, factor V Leiden) the overall risk for VTE associated with the prothrombin polymorphism was 3.4 times higher than in the controls (95% CI, 2.0 to 5.8). Stratification according to the age and to the circumstances of the first event revealed an increased risk of spontaneous VTE only among the patients older than 45 years in comparison with age-matched controls (odds ratio 4.4, 95% CI 1.8 to 10.6); among the younger individuals the risk was increased for secondary VTE (odds ratio 4.8, 95% CI, 2.3 to 9.8) but not for spontaneous VTE., Interpretation and Conclusions: The clinical penetrance of the thrombotic tendency associated with the G20210A prothrombin polymorphism is more expressed in the presence of a circumstantial risk factor (oral contraceptives, pregnancy, surgery, trauma) and in the presence of older age, which acts as an additional circumstantial risk factor. Accordingly, such situations should not discourage from carrying out laboratory screening.

Fifty-six patients with superficial thrombovaricophlebitis of the lower limbs were enrolled in an open and multicenter (4 centers) trial for a period of thirty days. Patients were randomly allocated to three treatment groups to receive a new low-molecular-weight dermatan sulfate (Desmin) at the dose, respectively, of 100 mg once daily by subcutaneous (SC) route, 100 mg twice a day SC, and 200 mg once daily by intramuscular (IM) route. The general and local tolerability and the clinical efficacy of the drug were evaluated by means of clinical, instrumental, and laboratory parameters. Desmin proved capable of effectively improving the symptoms of patients affected by thrombovaricophlebitis, inducing rapid regression by the tenth day of treatment. The daily dose of 200 mg (either SC or IM) was more effective than the 100 mg dose. The systemic tolerability of the drug, administered for the first time for one month, was extremely good, without significant variations in the relevant laboratory tests. Local tolerance (at the site of injection) of the drug was also good.