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We exploit the increased sensitivity of the recently installed AO SOUL at the LBT to obtain new high-spatial-resolution NIR images of the massive young stellar object IRAS20126+4104 and its outflow. We aim to derive the jet proper motions and kinematics, as well as to study its photometric variability by combining the novel performances of SOUL together with previous NIR images. We used both broad-band ($K_{s}$, $K'$) and narrow-band (Br$\gamma$, H2) observations from a number of NIR cameras (UKIRT/UFTI,SUBARU/CIAO,TNG/NICS,LBT/PISCES,and LBT/LUCI1) to derive maps of the continuum and the H$_2$ emission in the 2.12 $\mu$m line. Three sets of images, obtained with AO systems (CIAO,2003; FLAO,2012; SOUL,2020), allowed us to derive the proper motions of a large number of H$_2$ knots along the jet. Photometry from all images was used to study the jet variability. We derived knot proper motions in the range of 1.7-20.3 mas yr$^{-1}$ (i.e. 13-158 km s$^{-1}$ at 1.64 kpc, avg. outflow tangential velocity $\sim$ 80 km s$^{-1}$). The derived knot dynamical age spans a $\sim$ 200-4000 yr interval. A ring-like H$_2$ feature near the protostar location exhibits peculiar kinematics and may represent the outcome of a wide-angle wind impinging on the outflow cavity. Both H$_2$ geometry and velocities agree with those inferred from proper motions of the H$_2$O masers, located at a smaller distance from the protostar. Although the total H$_2$ line emission from the knots does not exhibit time variations at a $\widetilde{>}$ 0.3 mag level, we have found a clear continuum flux variation (radiation scattered by the dust in the cavity opened by the jet) which is anti-correlated between the blue-shifted and red-shifted lobes and may be periodic (with a period of $\sim$ 12-18 yr). We suggest that the continuum variability might be related to inner-disc oscillations which have also caused the jet precession., Comment: 26 pages, 22 figures, 2 mpeg files, accepted by Astronomy & Astrophysics

Riassunto Obiettivi Valutare l’efficacia del PLGA, biomateriale alloplastico originato dalla polimerizzazione dell’acido polilattico e poliglicolico, nei difetti parodontali infraossei. Metodi Il metodo di valutazione usato e rappresentato dal test t di Student, confrontando in base ai valori di PPD e CAL e alla Rx siti test e siti controllo (trattati con la chirurgia a lembi tradizionale) nello stesso paziente. Risultati La nostra sperimentazione ci ha permesso di verificare la capacita osteoconduttiva del materiale in esame, un effettivo guadagno di attacco clinico accompagnato da ricrescita ossea (documentata radiograficamente) e l’assenza di complicanze. Conclusioni Le tecniche rigenerative in parodontologia permettono di conseguire una riduzione della profondita della tasca parodontale, determinando cosi la piena guarigione dei tessuti di supporto del dente. Per raggiungere un risultato predicibile e di alto livello, l’odontoiatra deve effettuare un esame critico delle varie opzioni terapeutiche, sfruttando e rendendo al meglio ogni caratteristica del singolo biomateriale che intende usare.

Context. Beating the Earth’s day-night cycle is mandatory for long and continuous time-series photometry and had been achieved with either large ground-based networks of observatories at different geographic longitudes or when conducted from space. A third possibility is offered by a polar location with astronomically-qualified site characteristics. Aims. In this paper, we present the first scientific stellar time-series optical photometry from Dome C in Antarctica and analyze approximately 13,000 CCD frames taken in July 2007. Methods. The optical pilot telescope of the “International Robotic Antarctic Infrared Telescope”, named “small IRAIT” (sIRAIT), and its UBV RI CCD photometer were used in BV R for a continuous 243 hours (10.15 days) with a duty cycle of 98% and a cadence of 155 sec. The prime targets were the chromospherically active, spotted binary star V841 Cen and the non-radially pulsating �-Scuti star V1034 Cen. Results. We confirm the known 0.2-day fundamental period of V1034 Cen and found a total of 23 further periods between 2.2 hours and 3.5 days. V841 Cen’s V amplitude due to spots appeared to be at a record high of 0. 4 in V in July 2007. We present a spot-model analysis with a light-curve inversion technique and found the star with a spot filling factor of 44% of the visible hemisphere, among the highest ever measured values for active stars, and a temperature difference photosphere minus spot of 750±100 K. Its odd-numbered (for a single site) rotation period was determined with a higher precision than before (5.8854±0.0026 days) despite the comparably short data set. The rms scatter from a 2.4-hour data subset was 3 mmag in V and 4.2 mmag in R. The differential data quality is 3–4 times better than with the 25cm Fairborn Automatic Photoelectric Telescope in southern Arizona and is likely due to the exceptionally low scintillation noise at Dome C. Conclusions. We conclude that high-precision CCD photometry with exceptional time coverage and cadence can be obtained at Dome C in Antarctica and be successfully used for time-series astrophysics.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the long term results of ribbond retainer after orthodontic treatment. One hundred and thirty patients who were orthodontically treated satisfied the inclusion criteria of having received a semipermanent retention were treated with FRC lingual retainers (Ribbond (®)). It was performed a follow up evaluation after 2 years average from the retainer application and any complication or failure was recorded. Data from 119 remaining patients that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed and no instances of loosening were observed. It may be concluded that orthodontic canine-to-canine FRC retainers provide aneffective means of retaining realigned anterior teeth for at least two years.

The new 8.4m LBT adaptive secondary AO system, with its novel pyramid wavefront sensor, was used to produce very high Strehl (75% at 2.16 microns) near infrared narrowband (Br gamma: 2.16 microns and [FeII]: 1.64 microns) images of 47 young (~1 Myr) Orion Trapezium theta1 Ori cluster members. The inner ~41x53" of the cluster was imaged at spatial resolutions of ~0.050" (at 1.64 microns). A combination of high spatial resolution and high S/N yielded relative binary positions to ~0.5 mas accuracies. Including previous speckle data, we analyse a 15 year baseline of high-resolution observations of this cluster. We are now sensitive to relative proper motions of just ~0.3 mas/yr (0.6 km/s at 450 pc) this is a ~7x improvement in orbital velocity accuracy compared to previous efforts. We now detect clear orbital motions in the theta1 Ori B2/B3 system of 4.9+/-0.3 km/s and 7.2+/-0.8 km/s in the theta1 Ori A1/A2 system (with correlations of PA vs. time at >99% confidence). All five members of the theta1 Ori B system appear likely as a gravitationally bound "mini-cluster". The very lowest mass member of the theta1 Ori B system (B4; mass ~0.2 Msun) has, for the first time, a clearly detected motion (at 4.3+/-2.0 km/s; correlation=99.7%) w.r.t B1. However, B4 is most likely in an long-term unstable (non-hierarchical) orbit and may "soon" be ejected from this "mini-cluster". This "ejection" process could play a major role in the formation of low mass stars and brown dwarfs.

e18063 Background: Despite a number of effective first-line regimens, virtually all patients (pts) with advanced NSCLC will relapse. A second line therapy with docetaxel or pemetrexed, according to tumour histotype, represents the standard treatment for pts with a good performance status (PS). The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for pre-treated NSCLC pts have added a valid option in this setting. Methods: We have analyzed outcome data of 85 NSCLC pts (table), who received after a platinum-based chemotherapy, a second-line therapy with docetaxel, pemetrexed, erlotinib or gefitinib (expanded access program), in order to assess and compare their efficacy and tolerability in this setting. Results: As regards chemotherapy, pemetrexed was superior to docetaxel in all measures (RR 45% vs 5 %, TTP 5.5 vs 4.5 months, median survival 13.8 vs 9.9 months), but only RR was statistically significant (p=0.003). Gefitinib obtained a better TTP and OS than erlotinib, although the differences were not sta...

e12005 Background: Elderly breast cancer patients have an increased risk of toxicity from chemotherapy, especially from anthracycline-based regimens. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) has shown a better tolerability profile also in combination with gemcitabine (GEM), as evidenced in several phase II trials. The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the safety and activity of this combination in chemo-naïve or pre-treated elderly patients with advanced breast cancer. Methods: From January 2006 to March 2008, 39 patients (pts) with age ≥ 65 received, at our institution, PLD 25 mg/m2 (day 1, q21) and GEM 800 mg/m2 (days 1 and 8, q21). Median age was 72 (range, 65–79). ECOG PS was 0/1/2 in 14/23/2 pts, respectively. 12 pts (31%) were chemo-naïve, 20 (51%) received prior adjuvant anthracycline-based regimens, and 7 (18%) received other chemotherapies. PLD-GEM combination was administered as first line in 35 pts (90%). Median left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at baseline was 61% (range, 50%-75%). 28 patients (72%) had metastatic disease: 10 in liver, 6 in lung, 2 in skin, and 10 in multiple sites. Estrogen receptor was positive in 32 pts (82%); HER-2+ in 5 pts; 7 pts were triple negative. Results: A total of 206 cycles were administered with a mean number of cycles per patient of 5.2 (range, 3–12). Grade 3–4 neutropenia occurred in 4 (10%) and 3 patients (8%), respectively; grade 3 anemia in two pts (5%). Non-hematological toxicity was mild, with 5 cases (13%) of grade 3 mucositis, and 2 cases (5%) of grade 2 palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome. No modifications in LVEF or toxic deaths were documented. We observed 1 CR (2.5%) and 11 PR (28.2%). Eighteen (44%) patients experienced SD for 16 weeks and an overall clinical benefit of 76.8%. Conclusions: The combination of PLD and GEM has a favorable tolerability and a safety profile with an evident clinical benefit and should represent an interesting treatment option in elderly women with advanced breast cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

15036 Background: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme in the folate metabolism pathway. Two common genetic polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) are associated with reduced MTHFR activity. The aim of our study was to analyze the distribution of C677T and A1298C MTHFR gene polymorphisms in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients (pts), to evaluate their role as predictive markers of 5-FU toxicity in adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes of 23 pts, using Puregene Genomic DNA Purification System. Pts (9 M/14 F) with histologically confirmed CRC, were treated with 5-FU containing adjuvant therapy. Median age was 61.5 (range 39–75). Genotyping for MTHFR polymorphism was carried out by DG-DGGE (double gradient-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis). Results: The distribution of MTHFR T677 mutated allele in our population was 41.3%. Genotype frequencies were 47.8% for heterozygous CT677, 34.8% for the wild-type CC677 and 17.4% for the homozygous ...

A case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma occurring in the gingival tissue on the site of the mandibular right canine is reported. The histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features are discussed and compared with the recent literature on malignant fibrous histiocytomas.

This article reviews the situation for robotization of telescopes and instruments at the Antarctic station Concordia on Dome C. A brain-storming meeting was held in Tenerife in March 2007 from which this review emerged.We describe and summarize the challenges for night-time operations of various astronomical experiments at conditions “between Earth and Space” and conclude that robotization is likely a prerequisite for continuous astronomical data taking during the 2000-hour night at Dome C. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)