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Composites based on poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA) containing amorphized and crystalline cellulose reinforcements have been prepared and characterized. In order to improve the polymer/filler interfacial adhesion, an efficient compatibilizing agent has been synthesized by chemical modification of PBSA and characterized by FT-IR, FT-NIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Uncompatibilized and compatibilized composites have been tested through morphological, mechanical, calorimetric and thermogravimetric analysis. Moreover, water vapor permeability and biodegradation kinetics of composites have been investigated. The addition to PBSA of cellulose fillers differing from each other by crystallinity degree and morphology, and the use of a compatibilizing agent have allowed modulating tensile and thermal properties, water vapor transmission rate and biodegradation kinetic of the composites.

Background Cardiovascular complications after transplantation are an important cause of non–transplant-related deaths. Depression and anxiety are not unusual among organ recipients. Physical activity reduces cardiovascular risk and promotes a sensation of well-being. The aims of the study were to examine how exercise affects psychological well-being sensation in organ recipients and to describe the physician's role in promoting and controlling safe sport training in transplanted patients. Methods A descriptive study was conducted. A questionnaire was answered by participants of the “2012 Latin American Transplant Games.” Results One hundred sixty-six organ recipients completed the questionnaire. Eleven percent heard about the transplant games from a physician. Seventy percent had not received a proper medical pre-competitive evaluation. Only 39% trained in a supervised manner and 53% had experienced some kind of sport-related injury. Self-perception of global health was reported as excellent by 19.75%, very good by 43.95%, good by 30.67%, and regular or poor by 5.73%. An excellent or very good health perception was reported by 47.8% of those who practiced only one kind of sport versus 71.5% of those who practiced more than one sport and by 89.6% of those who performed isometric activity versus 59.3% of those who did not perform isometric activity. Conclusions Diversity of practiced sports and isometric activity are associated with a better self-reported health condition. Most participants had not received a proper medical pre-competitive evaluation; they trained in an unsupervised manner, and injuries were common.

To study 16Sr I-C phytoplasma (clover phyllody subgroup) transmission in cultivated areas where symptomatic strawberry plants show autumnal flowers with sepals instead of petals (virescence), and produce fruits with leaf-like tissues instead of seeds (phyllody), samples from 71 plants and from 2811 individuals of Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westw.) and Empoasca spp. insects were analysed, using molecular tools. Four symptomatic strawberry plantlets collected in the autumn of 2002, and one Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westw.) sample collected in June 2003, tested positive for 16SrI-C subgroup phytoplasmas. The plant and insect samples collected after autumn 2003 in the same two fields where the new strawberry plants showed absence of virescence and phyllody symptoms, tested negative for 16Sr I-C phytoplasmas using molecular analyses.

Complex technologies merging low-voltage bipolar devices and vertical current-flow power transistor allow more smart functions at low chip cost but pose problems during the design phase because there is no way to predict the influence of the high-voltage transistor over the control components by using standard bipolar junction transistor (BJT) models. In fact the large inductive load usually present in high-voltage power transistors applications forces both negative substrate voltage and spurious currents that can induce positive feedback among parasitic devices, downgrading the performance of a single device and so of the whole circuit. In this work we introduce a model for the five-terminal bipolar devices used in smart power applications. The model accounts for all main static and dynamic parasitic effects and gives results in very good agreement with experimental data on both simple devices and complex integrated circuits currently implemented in commercial products for microprocessor based engine management systems (EMS's).

Males with 100% of their sperm coated by antisperm antibody have a very small chance of achieving a pregnancy by intercourse or conventional intrauterine insemination (IUI). A previous study found that treatment of the sperm with the protein digestive enzyme chymotrypsin improved the efficacy of IUI. The present study was designed to corroborate or refute this previous study and compare efficacy to IVF with ICSI. This time the subjects were an even more difficult group with 100% of the sperm coated by autoantibodies.

Expression of histones in Escherichia coli is important in structural studies on chromatin, because it allows isotopic labeling such as deuteration and replacement of methionines with selenomethionine as well as expression of specific domains of histones. We show that full-length H5 cannot be expressed in E. coli. We have determined that the problem is translational rather than transcriptional. Pulse-labeling studies show that protein turnover is not the reason for lack of accumulation. On dissecting the gene, we find that the problem lies in expressing the highly charged C-terminal tail of H5. We can make progressively increasing amounts of the tail, but at the point where over two-thirds of this region is transcribed, the protein ceases to be made. Surprisingly, full-length H1 is made. In vitro studies show that the H5 gene can be translated in a rabbit reticulocyte system but not in an E. coli system, suggesting that there may be a difference in the ability of eukaryotic and prokaryotic ribosomes to translate this message. The expression of the globular domains of H5 and H1 posed a different problem. There was little or no expression of some of the constructs, even though they were fragments of larger constructs that were well made. Replacement of the first five codons downstream of the initiating ATG codon with those optimized for E. coli, and which were AT rich, restored expression. This may have general implications for expression of eukaryotic proteins in E. coli.

Since its global appearance, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has represented the most evident tear between bioethics/rhetoric and the reality of everyday life. All AIDS related issues are different in two macro areas, the first pertains to the clinicalpsychological aspect, the other a psycho-social dimension. The first derives from the consideration of current disease and health, and the second one focuses primarily on prevention and spread of the disease, considering that the only way to effectively fight AIDS is by preventing contagion. Over the past years, the approach towards AIDS has changed, from being seen as a social sore to a social-sanitary alarm, this in a certain way has favored the perception of the illness, which now is no longer necessarily associated with death. However something from the past has managed to survive, medicine and science have both evolved, and there have been numerous studies that highlight the process related to the disease, but the psychosocial perception has not changed, damaging who is affected finding themselves fighting against stigma, prejudice and exclusion. AIDS is not only an illness, but moreover configured as an attack on civil society, so those affected by it are removed or living in a constant state of discrimination, even if behind media campaigns and legislative measures aimed at supporting their quality of life. The AIDS epidemic infected more than 50 million and has claimed the lives of more than 20 million people worldwide; its devastating effect is particularly seen in the Third World. Sub-Saharan Africa is the epicenter of HIV, with 67% of the 33 million infected with HIV in the world and with 75% of deaths due to AIDS (UNAIDS, 2008). In eastern and southern Africa, infant mortality is one third to two thirds higher than it would have been in the absence of HIV and AIDS, and child mortality continues to rise, leading to a dramatic reduction in life expectancy (De Cock et al., 2000). Currently the progression of the infection in Western countries is slowing down, both because of the use of more effective therapies and the improvement of information and prevention of infection, and thanks to greater attention paid to early diagnosis. Furthermore, the rate of neonatal transmission is only about 2% thanks to the introduction of antiretroviral drugs and the use of elective Caesarean section.

BAG3 is required for IKK α nuclear translocation and emergence of castration resistant prostate cancer

e21519 Background: Chordoma is a rare primary bone tumor arising from primitive notochord remnants of axial skeleton. Adequate surgery still remains the mainstay of its therapeutic treatment. Methods: Our review has been focused on the clinical characteristics, type of treatment, and prognosis of 23 consecutive cases of chordomas observed from 2004 until today and followed by the same team of specialists (orthopedic surgeons and medical oncologists). Results: From June 2004 to December 2008, 23 pts with various stage of disease went to our observation. Male/female: 18/5. Median age at diagnosis: 60 yrs (range: 40 -74). Sites of origin: sacrum (10 pts), spine (12 pts), and skull base (1 pt). Ten pts (44%) had primary disease, 9 pts (39%) had recurrent disease, and 4 pts (17%) had developed metastatic lesions. Surgery was part of the treatment in 21 out of 23 pts. Surgical margins were rated as wide/marginal in 17 pts and intralesional in 4 pts. Adjuvant proton radiotherapy has been delivered to 2 pts. Conventional radiotherapy was performed in 4 pts. The rate of local relapse after primary surgical excision was 76%. The median time to recurrence was 14 months (range: 2–113).Sixteen pts with inoperable/unresectable or metastatic PDGFR β expressing disease were treated with imatinib mesylate (IM) in the context of a clinical trial and a subsequent expanded access program (Stacchiotti S., proc ASCO 2007. abstr. 10003). One pts received weekly cisplatin in combination with IM after progression during IM therapy. The 5-year survival rate of the entire series was 76 %. Two out of 17 pts (12%) surgically treated with adequate margins are still alive and without evidence of disease; two other pts died without evidence of disease. Conclusions: Despite the progress of current surgical techniques and some encouraging results with the use of targeted therapy, chordoma results, generally, in a long-lasting disabling and life-affecting disease. Nevertheless, specific experience of the multidisciplinar team is an important prerequisite to improve patients’ quality of life and, hopefully, outcome. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

To compare pregnancy outcome following frozen embryo transfer according to type of progesterone (P) support given in the luteal phase.Retrospective cohort analysis of frozen embryo transfer (ET) cycles in which ovulation was suppressed by graduated estradiol in the follicular phase. Two P regimens in the luteal phase were compared: P vaginal suppositories and intramuscular P vs intramuscular alone.The clinical and viable pregnancy rates were significantly higher for the women receiving only intramuscular P (57.6% and 43.7%) vs those receiving combined therapy (45.9% and 35.6%, respectively). The implantation rates were not significantly different (22.6% vs 19.5%).The increased pregnancy rates with intramuscular P may have been related to a higher number of embryos transferred (3.69 vs 3.26). Nevertheless, intramuscular P alone is at least as effective, if not more effective, than combined therapy for frozen embryo transfers.

A high DNA fragmentation index (DFI) when performing the sperm chromatin structural (SCSAr) assay was claimed to be so specific for male subfertility that even IVF with ICSI did not result in live pregnancies. The present study was designed to corroborate or refute these findings. The SCSA test was performed on the male partner from couples failing to have a successful pregnancy despite at least 2 previous IVF attempts. In contrast to the aforementioned studies, ongoing pregnancies were found despite working with a group of recalcitrant patients. Nevertheless, a high DFI score was associated with a trend for lower ongoing pregnancy rates especially related to a high miscarriage rate. Other more recent studies seem to support our conclusions. A high DFI score should influence a patient to choose IVF as a therapeutic modality sooner, especially with ICSI.

To determine if sildenafil improves endometrial thickness better than vaginal estradiol (E2) in women with a history of thin endometria.Women failing to attain an 8 mm endometrial thickness on either the oocyte retrieval cycle or their first frozen embryo transfer (ET) despite an oral graduated E2 regimen were treated again with graduated oral E2 and were also randomly assigned to vaginal sildenafil or vaginal E2 therapy. Endometrial thickness was compared between the groups.Neither vaginal E2 nor sildenafil significantly improved endometrial thickness or blood flow in the subsequent frozen ET-cycle.These data fail to corroborate previous claims that 25 mg sildenafil four times daily intravaginally can improve endometrial thickness.

Males with 100% of their sperm coated by antisperm antibody have a very small chance of achieving a pregnancy by intercourse or conventional intrauterine insemination (IUI). A previous study found that treatment of the sperm with the protein digestive enzyme chymotrypsin improved the efficacy of IUI. The present study was designed to corroborate or refute this previous study and compare efficacy to IVF with ICSI. This time the subjects were an even more difficult group with 100% of the sperm coated by autoantibodies.

The nature of the complexes of histones H1 and H5 and their globular domains (GH1 and GH5) with DNA suggested two DNA-binding sites which are likely to be the basis of the preference of H1 and H5 for the nucleosome, compared with free DNA. More recently the X-ray and NMR structures of GH5 and GH1, respectively, have identified two basic clusters on opposite sides of the domains as candidates for these sites. Removal of the positive charge at either location by mutagenesis impairs or abolishes the ability of GH5 to assemble cooperatively in 'tramline' complexes containing two DNA duplexes, suggesting impairment or loss of its ability to bind two DNA duplexes. The mutant forms of GH5 also fail to protect the additional 20 bp of nucleosomal DNA that are characteristically protected by H1, H5 and wild-type recombinant GH5. They still bind to H1/H5-depleted chromatin, but evidently inappropriately. These results confirm the existence of, and identify the major components of, two DNA-binding sites on the globular domain of histone H5, and they strongly suggest that both binding sites are required to position the globular domain correctly on the nucleosome.

We have been engaged in studies of the structure and condensation of chromatin into the 30 nm filament using small-angle neutron scattering. We have also used deuterated histone H1 to determine its location in the chromatin 30 nm filament. Our studies indicate that chromatin condenses with increasing ionic strength to a limiting structure that has a mass per unit length of 6-7 nucleosomes/11 nm. They also show that the linker histone H1/H5 is located in the interior of the chromatin filament, in a position compatible with its binding to the inner face of the nucleosome. Analysis of the mass per unit length as a function of H5 stoichiometry suggests that 5-7 contiguous nucleosomes need to have H5 bound before a stable higher order structure can exist.

Bcl2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) protein is a member of BAG family of co-chaperones that interacts with the ATPase domain of the heat shock protein (Hsp) 70 through BAG domain (110-124 amino acids). BAG3 is the only member of the family to be induced by stressful stimuli, mainly through the activity of heat shock factor 1 on bag3 gene promoter. In addition to the BAG domain, BAG3 contains also a WW domain and a proline-rich (PXXP) repeat, that mediate binding to partners different from Hsp70. These multifaceted interactions underlie BAG3 ability to modulate major biological processes, that is, apoptosis, development, cytoskeleton organization and autophagy, thereby mediating cell adaptive responses to stressful stimuli. In normal cells, BAG3 is constitutively present in a very few cell types, including cardiomyocytes and skeletal muscle cells, in which the protein appears to contribute to cell resistance to mechanical stress. A growing body of evidence indicate that BAG3 is instead expressed in several tumor types. In different tumor contexts, BAG3 protein was reported to sustain cell survival, resistance to therapy, and/or motility and metastatization. In some tumor types, down-modulation of BAG3 levels was shown, as a proof-of-principle, to inhibit neoplastic cell growth in animal models. This review attempts to outline the emerging mechanisms that can underlie some of the biological activities of the protein, focusing on implications in tumor progression.

The authors present the results of a survey of anesthesiologists members of the "SIAARTI (Società Italiana di Anestesia, Analgesia, Rianimazione e Terapia Intensiva) Committee for anesthesia and critical care in neurosurgery and neurology". Among the aims of the survey, was to evaluate when the interest in neuroscience of the members of this group started, and the clinical work dedicated to neuroanesthesia and critical care. At present, the group has grown to 143 members. In the questionnaire 105 members indicated the topic discussed for the medical degree thesis, and 87 indicated the thesis discussed for the board in anesthesia. As emerged from the topic of the thesis discussed for the medical degree, in 47% of the responders the interest in anesthesia began during the college. Of this, 6% chose a topic in neuroanesthesia and critical care. During the residency, the interest in neuroscience increased to 33%, that is 32 out of 97 responders discussed a thesis in neuroanesthesia and critical care. Forty-eight per cent of the members performs clinical work "exclusively" in neuroanesthesia, while 39% does it "mainly", and only 13% works in neurosurgery "fiftfully".

In alkaptonuric ochronosis, the absence of homogentisic acid oxidase results in the accumulation of homogentisic acid in the body. Associated renal failure is rare and usually occurs in the later stages of the disease. We report a 19-yr-old girl who presented initially with severe renal failure, without family or past history of illness. There was no significant proteinuria or hematuria. No clinical evidence of pigmentation such as skin and subcutaneous cartilages was noted. However, pigment deposits were identified in the renal biopsy specimens obtained within a week after admission and another after a month. Two months later the peritoneal dialysis fluid and skin progressively darkened, suggesting ochronosis. This was confirmed by the detection of homogentisic acid in the serum and urine. The patient expired in renal failure. Renal biopsy tissues showed diffuse chronic tubulo-interstitial disease characterized by widespread tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and a moderate degree of inflammation. Many tubular cells contained brown, coarsely granular ochronotic pigment (OP) and a few pigment casts were in the lumina. Similar deposits were also in the interstitium and within histiocytes. Ultrastructural studies of the glomeruli revealed small sparse OP deposits in the visceral and parietal epithelial cells, mesangial cells, and rare extracellular and basement membrane deposits. The tubulointerstitial changes were varied: atrophy and dilatation of tubules, varying degrees of lysosomal OP and degeneration of tubular cells, casts containing OP with crystalline material, histiocytes distended with OP, and free interstitial pigment deposition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Two groups of 50 children were included in a study to examine the use of atracurium and vecuronium. In both groups, newborns and infants showed a shorter onset time and a longer clinical duration of the first dose of the neuromuscular blocking drug. The duration of subsequent doses in the various age groups was not significantly different. Atracurium and vecuronium both have a short recovery index, good cardiovascular stability and do not interfere with ICP. The Authors emphasise the importance of monitoring the use of neuromuscular blocking drugs.

Psychic trouble is not generally recognised as a possible complication of posterior fossa surgery. Reviewing a series of 63 pediatric patients operated on for posterior fossa intraxial tumors, the Authors found 21 cases of psychic troubles in the post-operative period. The incidence was higher in: a) medulloblastoma; b) rostral vermis location; c) supracerebellar infratentorial and transvermian approach. The neuropathophysiological basis of the phenomenon is discussed.

Proper placement of the pediatric neurosurgical patient is strictly correlated to age (newborn, toddler, infant, juvenile). Each age group is reviewed on the basis of different morphological and pathophysiological aspects of typical neurosurgical positions (prone, supine, sitting, lateral).

The authors, following a report on cerebral physiology in childhood, report their experience of ICP and the administration of new drugs in anaesthesiologic practice. The effects of isoflurane, propofol, atracurium, vecuronium on ICP are reported.

A retrospective study in a pediatric population of 324 severe head trauma patients hospitalized at Santobone Children's Hospital has been carried out; diagnostic investigations and therapeutic aspects are stressed on the baw of pathophysiological features of such patients.

From 1974 through 1989, 36 patients with arteriovenous malformations were studied in the neurosurgical department of the Santobono Children's Hospital in Naples; 7 of these patients were younger than three years of age: 5 underwent surgery. The remaining 2 patients presented, respectively, an aneurysm of the vein of Galen and an arteriovenous malformation of the brain stem. Improvements in surgical and anesthesiological techniques allow to treat lesions considered as not amenable to surgery until recent years, with minimal occurrence of preoperative and postoperative complication and a significant amelioration of prognosis.

From 1974 through 1989, 36 patients with arteriovenous malformations were treated in the neuroradiological unit of the Santobono Children's Hospital, in Naples, 7 of these patients were younger than 3 years of age. During such a time-span, dramatic improvements in diagnostic work-up were jelded by introduction of CT-scan and MRI; better angiographic techniques, progress in anaesthesia drugs, equipment and procedures and more rational surgical modalities. Anaesthesia must be tailored in each patient with special consideration of the clinical and neurological conditions of the patients as well of the neuroradiological procedure, specifically, with minimal side effects on cardiovascular and respiratory functions as well on intracranial pressure. The present paper discuss of equipment for cardiovascular assistance and drugs to be employed in the various steps of the diagnostic work-up of such patients.

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) data have been obtained for C/sub 12/H/sub 25/(OC/sub 2/H/sub 4/)/sub n/SO/sub 4/Na, with n being 0, 1, 2, and 4. Results are presented for a series of solutions containing approximately 0.06 M surfactant in different D/sub 2/O/H/sub 2/O mixtures. The SANS data can be described in terms of a model of monodispersed hard spheres interacting via a screened Coulombic potential. 15 references, 3 figures, 3 tables.

The correlation in mean received power from four non-cosited 900 MHz sources is studied as a function of angle of arrival difference (AAD) at the mobile. Two tests are examined, one in the Washington-Baltimore area, and the other in the Chicago-Schaumburg area. Three hundred meter power averages were taken in Washington while 20 meter averages were obtained in Chicago. Weighted correlation coefficients averaging in the order of 0.7 were obtained at small AAD's. Serial correlations are also examined. A table lookup model of correlation coefficient versus AAD was obtained from the measurements. This was applied to the cellular system simulation to show differences in estimated performance with and without AAD correlation taken into account. The example given was assumed to be in an urban propagation enviroment with a 19-mile separation between co-channel users. Differences in 〈C〉/〈I〉 of 2.7 dB with omni antennas and 4.7 dB with 60-degree sector antennas are obtained at the level achievable at 90% of the locations.

This paper first deals with available 900 mhz. propagation models as found in the literature. These are mean path loss estimates for street coverage in rural, suburban and urban areas. Effects of log-normal variations are taken into account in estimating total coverage around a cell site. Irregular terrain is considered by estimates of added mean loss as a function of delta H, the height between 10% and 90% of the terrain variations. Path loss estimates using discrete terrain data are next considered. Model variations providing changes in mean level that follow building density variations from urban to rural are given. Calculated values are compared to measured data taken in the Washington Baltimore area. Available map data is used to apply mixed urban and suburban models to the calculation of mean path loss to illustrate improvements in accuracy of prediction. The additional mobility of the portable relative to a mobile is taken into account by estimates of in-building losses. These losses are taken relative to outside street or sidewalk mean levels. Recent results of measurements are given in which provisions are made for both first floor doorways and for penetration into the building. Estimated margins for the two cases are given and compared to existing literature. A set of criteria suitable for subjective evaluation of portable performance is given in the form of a rating table. Results of using this rating system in the Washington Baltimore area are given for nearly 50 locations using three base sites as sources.

This study attempts to evaluate the number of errors in site assignments that may occur during the process of handoff that is the process following the determination by the serving site that a marginal condition exists. Variations due to propagation and antenna's are introduced in a simulation by adding log-normal variables to the appropriate expected mean received carrier power from each site. Handoff threshold and handoff barrier values are shown to have a minor role. The major contributor is the log-normal standard deviation. Sites using omni receive antenna's are more prone to handoff errors than those using directive antenna's.