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The primary contribution of the paper is to show that the Lyapunov–Krasovskii conditions available in the literature, for checking the input-to-state stability property of systems described by neutral functional differential equations in Hale’s form, are also necessary. It is shown that the Lyapunov–Krasovskii conditions available in the literature are equivalent to the input-to-state stability property, for an enlarged class of neutral systems. Finally, a novel necessary and sufficient condition for the input-to-state stability property is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is standard worldwide, in both industrial and academic activities, to design in continuous time a stabilizing state feedback for a nonlinear system and then implement it by digital devices using sampling and zero-order holding. It is well known, from practice, that stability is rather preserved if sampling is performed at suitable high frequency. This fact has been proved in the literature, also from a theoretical point of view, for delay-fr ee nonlinear systems. An analogous result has not been proved, from the theoretical point of view, for nonlinear retarded systems. Moreover, in the case of retarded systems, implementation by means of digital devices often requires some further approximation due to nonavailability in the buffer of the value of the system variables at some past times. In order to cope with this problem, we make use here of the well-known approximation scheme based on first order splines. We introduce the standard hypothesis that there exists a stabilizing continuous-time state feedback and that there exists a related suitable Lyapunov--Krasovskii functional (in a large class already introduced in the literature) for the continuous-time, globally asymptotically stable, closed-loop system. We show, for fully nonlinear retarded systems, that, by sampling at suitable high frequency the system (finite d imensional) variable, stabilization in the sample-and-hold sense is guaranteed, when the held input is obtained as a feedback of the (first order) spline approximation of the (infinite dimensional) system state, whose entries are available at sampling times. In case of nonuniform sampling, the current sampling period (time elapsed between the latest two samplings) has to be measured (for instance by a clock device set to zero at each sampling time). A sampled-data, event-based control law is also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the stabilization and the practical stabilization of nonlinear systems described by neutral functional differential equations in Hale’s form, affine in the control input. Artstein’s methodology and Sontag’s universal formula are investigated for this class of systems, by means of invariantly differentiable control Lyapunov–Krasovskii functionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between Dicrocoelium dendriticum and cancer has been poorly investigated so far, but a large amount of findings suggest that other trematodes can favour cancer in both animals and humans. In this study, the effects of D. dendriticum on cell proliferation, cell death mechanisms and oxidative stress induction were evaluated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines (HepG2 and HuH7). Results showed that short time exposure to low concentrations of somatic antigens from D. dendriticum caused slight proliferation in both HepG2 and HuH7 cells while high concentrations and long exposure time to extracts from D. dendriticum caused a significant growth inhibition. This effect was, however, not paralleled by apoptosis but it occurred with an about 40% increase of the formation of autophagic vacuoles. In the same experimental conditions, a strong oxidative stress was recorded with an about 100% increase of the intracellular O 2− . These data suggest the occurrence of an escape anti-apoptotic mechanism in HCC cells. In conclusion, these results suggest a role for D. dendriticum in the chronic oxidative stress and in the regulation of transformation processes in HCC warranting additional investigations in this specific area of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Dermatoscopy increases both the sensitivity and specificity of melanoma diagnosis. Reflectance confocal microscopy ( RCM) is a noninvasive technique that complements dermatoscopy in the evaluation of equivocal lesions at cellular resolution. Objectives To determine prospectively the potential impact of confocal microscopy when implemented in a routine melanoma diagnosis workflow. Methods Patients referred to a single melanoma clinic were consecutively enrolled. At dermatoscopy, patients were referred to one of the following pathways: (i) no further examination or (ii) RCM examination. On examination atypical lesion(s) were referred for either (a) RCM documentation (lesions with consistent suspicious clinical/dermatoscopic criteria, already qualified and scheduled for surgical excision) or (b) RCM consultation for equivocal lesions, where RCM diagnosis would determine lesion definite outcome (excision or digital follow-up). Results Reflectance confocal microscopy examination was performed for 41% of 1005 patients enrolled. In two-thirds of these cases RCM influenced the lesion outcome. The systematic application of RCM for equivocal lesions saved over 50% of benign lesions from unnecessary excision. The number needed to excise a melanoma was 6·8 with RCM examination, compared with a hypothetical 14·6 without RCM evaluation. Conclusions Reflectance confocal microscopy as a second-level examination to dermatoscopy proved to be highly accurate in diagnosis and reduced the number of unnecessary excisions. Improved accuracy, considering that RCM enabled the detection of the six melanomas (2%) in the group of 308 lesions eligible for follow-up, also minimizes the risk of referring a melanoma to digital dermatoscopy monitoring, and potentially losing the patient to follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the problem of the stabilization in the sample-and-hold sense for fully nonlinear systems with an arbitrary number of arbitrary discrete as well as of distributed time delays is studied. It is shown that steepest descent feedbacks, continuous or not, induced by Lyapunov--Krasovskii functionals in a suitable (large) class, are stabilizers in the sample-and-hold sense. The fact that discontinuities are overcome by the sampling and holding process enlarges greatly the possibility of finding successful controllers for retarded nonlinear systems, by means of control Lyapunov--Krasovskii functionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Endoparasites are infrequently reported in ferrets. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in pet ferrets in southern Italy. Fresh fecal samples were randomly collected from 50 ferrets housed in pet shops or privately owned. All fecal samples were processed using the FLOTAC pellet technique to identify and count helminthic eggs/larvae and protozoan cysts/oocysts. In addition, the samples were analyzed also by the Remel Xpect® Giardia/Cryptosporidium immunoassay. Intestinal parasites were detected in 15 out of 50 ferrets (30%). Eggs of ancylostomids were found in 28.0% (14/50) of the animals and oocysts of Sarcocystis were detected in one ferret (2.0%). None of the samples was positive for Cryptosporidium or Giardia. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of sarcosporidiosis in a pet ferret in Italy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper input-to-state practically stabilizing control laws for retarded, control-affine, nonlinear systems with actuator disturbance are investigated. The developed methodology is based on Artstein’s theory of control Lyapunov functions and related Sontag’s formula, extended to retarded systems. If the actuator disturbance is bounded, then the controller yields the solution of the closed-loop system to achieve an arbitrarily fixed neighborhood of the origin, by increasing a control tuning parameter. The considered systems can present an arbitrary number of discrete as well as distributed time-delays, of any size, as long as they are constant and, in general, known. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we present a Lyapunov–Krasovskii methodology for checking the global asymptotic stability and the input-to-state stability of systems described by retarded functional differential equations coupled with continuous time difference equations, often referred to as special neutral systems, with un-matched and piece-wise continuous initial conditions. The methodology provides results in terms of the norm for the non differentiated variable and does not require the preliminary check of input-to-state stability for the difference part of the system. The Lyapunov conditions are given without involving, not even formally, the solution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, the problem of the actuation disturbance affecting the control input is addressed for systems described by neutral functional differential equations in the Hale's form, which are state feedback globally stabilizable. An input-to-state stabilizing (with respect to an unknown actuation disturbance) new feedback control law is found by means of the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional by which the global uniform asymptotic stability of the unforced closed-loop system can be proved. Both the functionals describing the system equations and the Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional are just assumed to be Lipschitz on bounded sets. The involved time delays are assumed to be known. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To evaluate prostate cancer (PCa) detection and incidence of pathologically insignificant PCa (pIPCa) tumour using percent-free PSA (%f-PSA) in patients with total PSA 10 ng ml−1. From February 2002 to October 2009, 14 453 patients (median 60.5 years) were enrolled in a case-finding protocol for the early diagnosis of PCa. Indications to biopsy were suspicious digital rectal examination; PSA >10 ng ml−1; PSA2.5 ng ml−1, included between 2.6-4 and 4.1-10 ng ml−1 with %f-PSA <15, <20 and <25%, respectively. A median of 18 and 26 cores in case of primary and repeated biopsy were determined; 2123 men underwent prostate biopsy, of whom 1589 (74.8%) had a PSA 10 ng ml−1. A PCa was found in 777 (36.6%) and in 35 (23.3%) patients at primary and repeated biopsy: 459 and 26 men had PSA 10 ng ml−1 and 419 and 26 patients underwent surgery, respectively, 244 (58.3%) and 18 (69.2%) had an organ-confined PCa with a pIPCa incidence equal to 1.4 and 7.7%, respectively. Cancer detection rate of 28.8% in patients with PSA 10 ng ml−1 associated with a low incidence of pIPCa should induce to introduce %f-PSA in screening programmes to reduce the risk of overdiagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the incidence of indolent prostate cancer (PCa; <0.5 ml cancer and Gleason score, GS, ≤6) in men with microfocal PCa diagnosed on saturation biopsy (SPBx) submitted to radical retropubic prostatectomy. Methods: From January 2005 to December 2008, 413 patients (median age 61.5 years) underwent SPBx (median 30 cores). A single neoplastic microfocus (5% or less of cancer in a single core) was found in 55 men and all patients underwent retropubic prostatectomy. Median PSA was equal to 8.2 ng/ml, digital rectal examination was negative and GS was 6 in 40 cases and not evaluable in 15 cases. Results: Prostatectomy specimens showed a significant cancer in 48/55 (87.3%) patients with a median GS of 6.2 (range 5–8), presence of extraprostatic extension and positive surgical margins in 15 (27.3%) and 8 (14.5%) cases, respectively. Six patients had an indolent PCa, and in 1 case no tumor was found. Conclusions: Patients with a single microfocal PCa diagnosed on SPBx corresponded to an insignificant cancer in surgical specimens only in 12.7% of cases, but they should be informed that they may harbor more aggressive disease with a risk of non-organ-confined cancer that in our series was 27.3%. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate prostate cancer (PCa) detection after repeated negative saturation biopsy, 75 patients, aged 53–78 years, underwent transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) because of persistent suspicion of cancer; median PSA was 11.8 ng ml−1 and 58 men complained lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). In 12 (16%) and 3 (4%) men a T1a and T1b PCa was found with median PSA and Gleason score equal to 14.2 vs 23.6 ng ml−1 and 5.6 vs 7 ng ml−1. In case of persistent suspicion of PCa after repeated negative saturation biopsy, TURP may be proposed, aside from the coexistence of LUTS, to rule out a PCa, in younger patients with high PSA values (20 ng ml−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the role of quantitative histologic findings in predicting nonorgan-confined (non-OC) prostate cancer (PCa) in patients undergoing saturation prostate biopsy (SPBx). Methods: A total of 69 patients who had undergone SPBx underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy. Their prostate-specific antigen level was <10 ng/mL, and 49 and 20 patients had T1c and T2 PCa, respectively. The following biopsy variables from the quantitative histologic examination were evaluated as predictive of OC vs non-OC PCa: Gleason score (≤6 vs >6), total percentage of PCa (≤20% vs >20%), greatest percentage of PCa (≤50% vs >50%), number of PCa-positive cores (≤2 vs >2), presence of PCa-positive cores in both lateral margins (yes vs no), and PCa localization (unilateral vs bilateral). The results obtained from patients who had undergone SPBx were compared with those of 183 patients who had undergone 12-core prostate biopsy before radical retropubic prostatectomy. Results: Overall, 32 patients had non-OC PCa. Among the men with Stage T1c PCa, the quantitative histologic findings were predictive of non-OC PCa in 12 of 17 cases. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.935 ± 0.29, supporting the high accuracy of quantitative histologic examination in predicting for non-OC PCa. The sensitivity in patients who underwent SPBx vs the 12-core biopsy was 78.1% and 89.4%, respectively. Also, although the specificity of each histologic parameter was significantly lower in the SPBx group, it was equivalent using quantitative histologic examination (85.6% vs 86.5%). Conclusions: In the preoperative staging of patients with clinical Stage T1c-T2 PCa and a prostate-specific antigen level <10 ng/mL who had undergone SPBx, quantitative histologic examination demonstrated good accuracy in predicting for non-OC PCa only when all pathological variables were considered. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The input-to-state stability of time-invariant systems described by coupled differential and difference equations with multiple noncommensurate and distributed time delays is investigated in this paper. Such equations include neutral functional differential equations in Hale’s form (which model, for instance, partial element equivalent circuits) and describe lossless propagation phenomena occurring in thermal, hydraulic and electrical engineering. A general methodology for systematically studying the input-to-state stability, by means of Liapunov–Krasovskii functionals, with respect to measurable and locally essentially bounded inputs, is provided. The technical problem concerning the absolute continuity of the functional evaluated at the solution has been studied and solved by introducing the hypothesis that the functional is locally Lipschitz. Computationally checkable LMI conditions are provided for the linear case. It is proved that a linear neutral system in Hale’s form with stable difference operator is input-to-state stable if and only if the trivial solution in the unforced case is asymptotically stable. A nonlinear example taken from the literature, concerning an electrical device, is reported, showing the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, the plasma glucose regulation problem for type 2 diabetic patients is studied. A nonlinear time-delay model of the glucose–insulin regulatory system is exploited to design a quantized sampled-data static output feedback control, using only glucose measurements. It is shown that the proposed control law achieves semiglobal practical stability of the related quantized sampled-data closed-loop glucose–insulin system with arbitrary small steady-state tracking error. The controller involves past values of the glucose, which may not be available in the buffer, for instance because of non-uniform sampling. Such a drawback is overcome by means of spline interpolation. Furthermore, quantization in both input and output channels are taken into account. A pre-clinical validation, concerning the performances of the proposed glucose regulator, is carried out by means of a well-known simulator of diabetic patients, broadly accepted for testing insulin infusion therapies. The simulation results pave the way for further clinical evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a new Lyapunov-Krasovskii methodology for both the (local) asymptotic stability and the global asymptotic stability of non-linear coupled delay differential and difference equations is proposed. This methodology is based on the concept of input-to-state stability applied to the difference equation, for which a sufficient Lyapunov criterion is given, and on previous methodologies developed in the literature for linear delay descriptor systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In [Driver, R. D. (1962). Existence and stability of solutions of a delay-differential system. Archive for Rational Mechanics and Analysis 10, 401–426] a proper definition, not involving the solution, of the derivative of the Liapunov–Krasovskii functional for retarded functional differential equations with continuous right side is given and it is showed that this definition coincides with the non-constructive one given in Krasovskii [1956. On the application of the second method of A. M. Lyapunov to equations with time delays (in Russian). Prikladnaya Matematika i Mekhanika 20, 315–327] involving the solution, for functionals V which are locally Lipschitz (and not only continuous, as it is considered in most literature). In this paper, the result by Driver is extended to a general class of retarded functional differential equations coupled with continuous time difference equations with more general right sides, verifying the Carathéodory conditions. Such result is applied to build a new Liapunov–Krasovskii theorem for studying the input-to-state stability of time-invariant neutral functional differential equations with linear difference operator. An example taken from the literature, concerning transmission lines, is reported, showing the effectiveness of the methodology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents a Lyapunov–Krasovskii methodology for studying the input-to-state stability and the integral input-to-state stability of nonlinear time-delay systems. An integral input-state estimate which takes into account non-zero initial conditions is also proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective:: To establish the incidence of prostate cancer (PCa) in Sicily in patients who entered an early detection protocol. Methods:: From February 2002 to February 2004, 16,298 subjects aged 40–75 entered the protocol. Patients with suspicious DRE, PSA>10ng/ml, PSA≤2.5ng/ml, from 2.6 to 4ng/ml or from 4.1 to 10ng/ml with F/T PSA of ≤15%, ≤20% and ≤25% respectively underwent needle biopsy according to an extensive protocol. Results:: 3266 patients were eligible for biopsy; PSA was ≤4 in 12.7% and ≤10ng/ml in 63.9% of patients. A PCa was found in 1171 cases (36.9%) with a relationship between PCa incidence and PSA and age respectively (χ 2-test, p &#60;0.0001); 51.8% of patients with PCa had a PSA&#60;10 and 8.8% a PSA&#60;4ng/ml; 49% were clinically staged as T1c. The estimated odds ratios for each age group showed increased risk for PCa in the fourth decade with PSA between 2.6 and 4ng/ml (12.5 times higher) and in the fifth decade with PSA between 4.1 and 10ng/ml (6.2 times higher). Conclusions:: Age and serum PSA levels are the major risk factors for PCa. On their basis it is possible to modulate the most suitable timing for early diagnosis in individual patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A two-step Liapunov–Krasovskii methodology for checking the asymptotic stability of nonlinear coupled delay differential and continuous time difference equations is proposed here. The feasibility of such methodology is shown by means of Liapunov–Krasovskii functionals with nonconstant kernels in the integrals, for instance discretized Liapunov–Krasovskii ones. An illustrative example taken from the literature, showing the effectiveness of the proposed method, is reported. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: To evaluate whether the adjunct of an ultrasound contrast medium improves the detection rate of prostate cancer.Method: In 34 patients, scheduled to undergo a trans-perineal extended prostate biopsy, we carried out a color-Doppler ultrasound (CDU) of the prostate before and after i.v. injection of Levovist®, an ultrasound contrast medium. Further bioptic samples were taken in the areas where a marked increase in vascularization was noticed.Results: The overall diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and efficiency were respectively 72.7, 56.2 and 62.9% for transrectal ultrasound (TRUS); 80, 56.2 and 65.3% for CDU and 88.8, 54.5 and 68% for CDU after Levovist® injection; 66.5, 72.6 and 65.1% for digito-rectal examination (DRE); 100, 51.4 and 65.4% for total PSA; and 100, 88.8 and 94.3% for PSA free/total. In the 16 patients with prostate carcinoma, the sensitivity of CDU after Levovist® was 92.3, 66% for both DRE and TRUS, and 80% for DRE plus TRUS.Conclusions: Considering the cost and the results obtained (high sensitivity and low specificity), a routine use of Levovist® does not seem indicated in patients undergoing prostatic biopsy. An exception may be represented by patients with both negative DRE and TRUS.Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases (2003) 6, 159-162. doi:10.1038/sj.pcan.4500647 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the problem of the preservation of the full relative degree under sampling, for a particular class of nonlinear time delay systems. Advantages of the preservation of the relative degree; Effectiveness of the digital control law.

• A 8-year integrated program to control CE was implemented in southern Italy. • New strategies have been developed and applied for animal-centered interventions. • The control programme resulted in a noteworthy reduction of CE in livestock. • The new strategies developed could be extended to other endemic Mediterranean areas. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a severe zoonosis, caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. This helminth infection is of increasing public health and socio-economic concern due to the considerable morbidity rates that cause economic losses both in the public health sector and in the livestock industry. Control programmes against E. granulosus are considered long-term actions which require an integrated approach and high expenditure of time and financial resources. Since 2010, an integrated approach to control CE has been implemented in a highly endemic area of continental southern Italy (Campania region). Innovative procedures and tools have been developed and exploited during the control programme based on the following strategies: i) active and passive surveillance in livestock (using geospatial tools for georeferencing), ii) diagnosis in dogs (using the FLOTAC techniques and molecular analysis), iii) targeted treatment of farm dogs (using purpose-built confinement cages), iv) early diagnosis in livestock (by ultrasonography), v) surveillance in humans (through hospital discharge records analysis), vi) monitoring the food chain (analysing raw vegetables), vii) outreach activities to the general public (through dissemination material, e.g. brochures, gadgets, videos, virtual reality). Over eight years, the integrated approach and the new strategies developed have resulted in a noteworthy reduction of the parasite infection rates in livestock (e.g. up to 30 % in sheep). The results obtained so far highlight that using a one health multidisciplinary and multi-institution effort is of pivotal importance in preparing CE control programmes at regional level and could be extended to other endemic Mediterranean areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the tracking control problem for a class of nonlinear time‐delay systems is investigated. In particular, a new methodology for the design and the digital implementation of observer‐based tracking controllers is provided for a class of control‐affine nonlinear systems with state delays. First, a procedure for the design of continuous‐time observer‐based tracking controllers ensuring the global asymptotic stability of the corresponding closed‐loop tracking error system is provided for the considered class of systems. Then, sufficient conditions are provided for the existence of a suitably fast sampling and of an accurate quantization of the input/output channels such that the digital implementation of the proposed continuous‐time observer‐based tracking controller ensures the semi‐global practical stability property of the related sampled‐data quantized closed‐loop tracking error system, with arbitrarily small final target ball of the origin. Moreover, it is shown that, in the special case of delay‐free nonlinear systems, the sufficient conditions provided for the digital implementation of the proposed continuous‐time observer‐based tracking controller can be strongly relaxed. In the theory here developed, time‐varying sampling periods and nonuniform quantization of the input/output channels are taken into account. The proposed results are validated through examples concerning a class of neural networks systems and a class of time‐delay systems including, as a special case, a delay‐free actuated inverted pendulum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagnosis of gastrointestinal nematodes in livestock and companion animals has been neglected for years and there has been an historical underinvestment in the development and improvement of diagnostic tools, undermining the undoubted utility of surveillance and control programmes. However, a new impetus by the scientific community and the quickening pace of technological innovations, are promoting a renaissance of interest in developing diagnostic capacity for nematode infections in veterinary parasitology. A cross-cutting priority for diagnostic tools is the development of pen-side tests and associated decision support tools that rapidly inform on the levels of infection and morbidity. This includes development of scalable, parasite detection using artificial intelligence for automated counting of parasitic elements and research towards establishing biomarkers using innovative molecular and proteomic methods. The aim of this review is to assess the state-of-the-art in the diagnosis of helminth infections in livestock and companion animals and presents the current advances of diagnostic methods for intestinal parasites harnessing (i) automated methods for copromicroscopy based on artificial intelligence, (ii) immunodiagnosis, and (iii) molecular- and proteome-based approaches. Regardless of the method used, multiple factors need to be considered before diagnostics test results can be interpreted in terms of control decisions. Guidelines on how to apply diagnostics and how to interpret test results in different animal species are increasingly requested and some were recently made available in veterinary parasitology for the different domestic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We carried out the first survey of Hymenolepis spp. infection in pet rodents in Italy. Fresh fecal samples were collected from 172 pet rodents as follows: guinea pigs ( Cavia porcellus; n = 60), squirrels ( Callosciurus finlaysonii, Callosciurus prevosti, Tamias striatus, Tamias sibiricus, Sciurus calorinensis; n = 52), hamsters ( Phodopus campbelli, Mesocricetus auratus; n = 30), chinchillas ( Chinchilla lanigera; n = 13), rats ( Rattus norvegicus; n = 10), and mice ( Mus minutoides; n = 7). These animals were housed either in pet shops or in private houses. All fecal samples were processed using the FLOTAC pellet technique to assess the number of eggs per gram (EPG) of feces. Eggs of Hymenolepis nana were found in 24 out of 172 (13.9 %; 95 % confidence interval = 9.3-20.2 %) pet rodents. Of those rodents, 41.6 % (10/24) were rats (mean EPG = 55.7; range = 2-200), 29.2 % (7/24) mice (mean EPG = 64.5; range = 32-120), 25.0 % (6/24) were chinchillas (mean EPG = 25.5; range = 10-50), and 4.2 % (1/24) hamsters ( P. campbelli) (EPG = 86.0). In addition, Hymenolepis diminuta eggs were found in 2 out of 172 (1.2 %; 95 % confidence interval = 0.2-4.6 %) rodents examined, both of which (100 %; 2/2) were pet squirrels ( C. prevosti) (mean EPG = 10; range = 4-16). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a natural infection of H. diminuta in pet squirrels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper proposes new results concerning the problem of the control of a continuous stirred tank reactor with recycle. The novelty of the proposed results consists of a new nonlinear observer-based controller which is found by means of recent results of differential geometry for time-delay nonlinear systems, without using linear approximations of the model. Local convergence of the system state to the arbitrarily chosen operating point is theoretically proved. The significance of the proposed control law is shown by many simulations, which show high performances with any initial conditions, even at the start-up, and with critical cases of mismatched parameter values. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We project a novel digital control law for continuous stirred tank reactors, based on sampled measures of temperatures and reactant concentration, as it happens in practice. The methodology of relative degree preservation under sampling is used. It is proved that a suitably approximated sampled system, obtained by Taylor series expansion and truncation, in closed loop with the projected control law, is asymptotically stable, provided that a condition on the sampling period is verified. Such condition allows for values of the sampling period larger than necessary in practical implementation with usual technology. Many simulations show the high performance of the proposed digital control law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of patch test results has been performed visually and using ultrasound in the B mode. A positive test site has a typical ultrasonographic appearance, presenting a uniform hypoechogenic area in the dermis. In this zone, the mean amplitude of ultrasound reflection peaks decreases, and the extension of this area increases, together with the intensity of the eczematous reaction. A close correlation has been shown between visual scoring, amplitude decease and surface increase of the hypoechogenic area. This technique seems to provide a reproducible system for the evaluation of patch tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is defined as spontaneous occurrence of wheals and/or angioedema for ≥6 weeks. Omalizumab is a monoclonal anti‐IgE antibody effective in refractory CSU, but its mechanism of action and markers predictive of response remain not completely defined. Objectives: To correlate baseline levels of two proposed biomarkers, total IgE (bIgE) and d‐dimer (bd‐dimer), and clinical parameters to omalizumab response and to relapses after drug withdrawal. Methods: In this retrospective Italian multicentre study, clinical data were collected in 470 CSU patients, and bIgE and bd‐dimer were measured in 340 and 342 patients, respectively. Disease activity was determined by Urticaria Activity Score 7 (UAS7) at week 1 and 12 after omalizumab starting. Relapses were evaluated during a 2‐ and 3‐month interval after a first and a second course of treatment, respectively. Results: bIgE correlated to a good response to omalizumab since levels were significantly higher in responders than non‐responders (P = 0.0002). Conversely, bd‐dimer did not correlate to response. There was no correlation between both bIgE and d‐dimer and either first or second relapse. Disease duration was significantly longer in patients who experienced either first or second relapse (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0105, respectively), while baseline UAS7 correlated only to first relapse (P = 0.0023). Conclusions: Our study confirms bIgE as a reliable biomarker predicting response to omalizumab in CSU, while it does not support the usefulness of bd‐dimer unlike previous findings. CSU duration before omalizumab and baseline UAS7 may be clinical markers of relapse risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present study investigated the occurrence of endoparasites in pet squirrels in southern Italy. Fresh fecal samples were collected from 50 asymptomatic pet squirrels belonging to five different species (Callosciurus finlaysonii, n =6, C. prevosti, n =6; Tamias striatus, n =26, T. sibiricus, n =10; Sciurus carolinensis, n =2) housed both in pet shops and/or in private residences. All fecal samples were processed using the FLOTAC pellet technique to identify and count helminth eggs/larvae and protozoan cysts/oocysts. In addition, to detect Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. the samples were analyzed by the Remel Xpect® immunoassay. Helminth eggs were detected in 9 out of 50 squirrels. Specifically, eggs of Dicrocoelium dendriticum were found in 5 squirrels (C. finlaysonii, n =2; C. prevosti, n =2; T. striatus, n =1); eggs of the pinworm Syphacia spp. in 3 squirrels (C. prevosti, n =2; T. striatus, n =1); and eggs of gastrointestinal nematoda (Nippostrongylus-like) were found in 1 subject (C. prevosti). Finally, two squirrels (C. prevosti) had multiple parasitic infections with D. dendriticum and Capillaria hepatica, and with D. dendriticum and Strongyloides spp., respectively. None of the samples were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. or Giardia spp. or any other protozoa (e.g. Eimeria). To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a D. dendriticum natural infection in pet rodents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective:The objective of this work is to evaluate the association between Selenium (Se)-, Copper (Cu)- and Zinc (Zn)-circulating concentrations and indicators of nutritional status.Subjects/Methods:This study enroled 428 institutionalised elderly. The diagnostic tools used are a form to collect data regarding gender, age, duration of stay in nursing home, number of prescribed drugs, chronic diseases, Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), anthropometric measurements, albumin, transferrin and serum concentrations of Se, Cu and Zn. The collected data were analysed with descriptive assessments of the differences χ2, Student's t-test and analysis of variance. Multivariate linear regression were performed to evaluate the association between the concentrations of each trace elements and the other variables.Results:The study population was represented by 327 women and 101 men, of whom 13.8% were 65-75 years old and 47.4% were older than 85 years. According to the MNA score, 58.4% were at risk of malnutrition and 21.3% were malnourished. The results show a significant reduction in the average concentrations of Se and Zn in women when the nutritional status gets worse. The same trend, although not statistically significant, is also observed in men. In both genders, the Cu concentration does not show a statistically significant association with nutritional status. Multivariate linear regression show some positive or negative associations.Conclusions:Our study seems to confirm the association between Se and nutritional status, as well as with some blood chemistry parameters. The length of institutionalisation seems to be an independent predictor of Se concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carcinosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor with a biphasic morphology characterized by the presence of a malignant epithelial and mesenchymal component. It has been reported in many organs, including the genitourinary tract. We describe a case of a 47-year-old woman admitted to our hospital for history of recurrent urinary tract infection, dysuria and discharge of bloody fluid from the urethra at the end of urination. A tender palpable mass under the anterior vaginal wall was found and pathological examination showed a urethral carcinosarcoma. The histopathogenetic hypothesis and clinical management were considered in this report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a case of an 11-month-old girl who had had a cough since the age of 3 months. Result of the skin prick test (SPT) on the infant with common aeroallergens and foods; Comparison between the frequency of use of rubber teats or pacifiers and atopic latex-SPT-negative children.