Search

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is one of the most frequent adverse events compromising quality of life (QoL) in patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). However, CINV prophylaxis is still lacking uniformity for high-dose melphalan (HDM), which is used to condition patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Netupitant/palonosetron (NEPA) is administered with dexamethasone (DEXA) for CINV prevention in several chemotherapy regimens. Our study aims to assess the efficacy of NEPA, without DEXA, in preventing CINV in 106 adult patients with MM receiving HDM and ASCT. All patients had antiemetic prophylaxis with multiple doses of NEPA 1 h before the start of conditioning and after 72 h and 120 h. A complete response (CR) was observed in 99 (93%) patients at 120 h (overall phase). The percentage of patients with complete control was 93%. The CR rate during the acute phase was 94% (n = 100). During the delayed phase, the CR rate was 95% (n = 101). Grade 1 nausea and vomiting were experienced by 82% and 12% of the patients, respectively. Grade 2 nausea was reported in 18% and vomiting in 10% of patients. Our results showed, for the first time, that NEPA, without DEXA, was a well-tolerated and effective antiemetic option for MM patients receiving HDM followed by ASCT. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00520-021-06472-7.

Background Although local excision (LE) after neoadjuvant treatment (NT) has achieved encouraging oncological outcomes in selected patients, radical surgery still remains the rule when unfavorable pathology occurs. However, there is a risk of undertreating patients not eligible for radical surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with pathological incomplete response (ypT2) in a multicentre cohort of patients undergoing LE after NT and to compare them with ypT0-is-1 rectal cancers. Methods From 2010 to 2019, all patients who underwent LE after NT for rectal cancer were identified from five institutional retrospective databases. After excluding 12 patients with ypT3 tumors, patients with ypT2 tumors were compared to patients with ypT0-is-1 tumors). The endpoints of the study were early postoperative and long-term oncological outcomes. Results A total of 177 patients (132 males, 45 females, median age 70 [IQR 16] years) underwent LE following NT. There were 46 ypT2 patients (39 males, 7 females, median age 72 [IQR 18.25] years) and 119 ypT0-is-1 patients (83 males, 36 females, median age 69 [IQR 15] years). Patients with pathological incomplete response (ypT2) were frailer than the ypT0-is-1 patients (mean Charlson Comorbidity Index 6.15 ± 2.43 vs. 5.29 ± 1.99; p = 0.02) and there was a significant difference in the type of NT used for the two groups (long- course radiotherapy: 100 (84%) vs. 23 (63%), p = 0.006; short-course radiotherapy: 19 (16%) vs. 17 (37%), p = 0.006). The postoperative rectal bleeding rate (13% vs. 1.7%; p = 0.008), readmission rate (10.9% vs. 0.8%; p = 0.008) and R1 resection rate (8.7% vs. 0; p = 0.008) was significantly higher in the ypT2 group. Recurrence rates were comparable between groups (5% vs. 13%; p = 0.15). Five-year overall survival was 91.3% and 94.9% in the ypT2 and ypT0-is-1 groups, respectively (p = 0.39), while 5-year cancer specific survival was 93.4% in the ypT2 group and 94.9% in the ypT0-is-1 group (p = 0.70). No difference was found in terms of 5-year local recurrence free-survival (p = 0.18) and 5-year distant recurrence free-survival (p = 0.37). Conclusions Patients with ypT2 tumors after NT and LE have a higher risk of late-onset rectal bleeding and positive resection margins than patients with complete or near complete response. However, long-term recurrence rates and survival seem comparable.

The magnesium transporters TRPM7 and MagT1 are overexpressed in osteoblastogenesis. We have shown that silencing either TRPM7 or MagT1 accelerates the osteogenic differentiation of human bone mesenchymal stem cells. Here we demonstrate that the simultaneous downregulation of TRPM7 and MagT1 inhibits cell growth and activates autophagy, which is required in the early phases of osteoblastogenesis. In TRPM7/MagT1 downregulating cells the expression of two transcription factors required for activating osteogenesis, i.e. RUNX2 and OSTERIX, is induced more than in the controls both in the presence and in the absence of osteogenic stimuli, while COL1A1 is upregulated in co-silencing cells as much as in the controls. This explains why we found no differences in calcium deposition. We conclude that one of the two transporters should be expressed to accelerate osteogenic differentiation.

Mesenchymal stem cells are fundamental for bone formation and repair since they respond to microenvironmental stimuli by undergoing osteogenic differentiation. We show that the kinase and cation channel TRPM7 and the magnesium transporter MagT1 have a role in harmonizing the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. TRPM7 and MagT1 are upregulated in osteogenic differentiation and silencing either one accelerates osteogenic differentiation, partly through the activation of autophagy. Intriguingly, similar results were obtained when the cells were cultured under magnesium deficient conditions. These results underpin the contribution of magnesium, TRPM7 and MagT1 to autophagy and osteoblastogenesis.

This study investigated the effect of 4-d acute thermal treatments at 18 °C, 26 °C (control) and 34 °C on the nervous system of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) using a multidisciplinary approach based on behavioural tests and brain proteomic analysis. The behavioural variations induced by thermal treatment were investigated using five different tests, the novel tank diving, light and dark preference, social preference, mirror biting, and Y-Maze tests, which are standard paradigms specifically tailored for zebrafish to assess their anxiety-like behaviour, boldness, social preference, aggressiveness, and explorative behaviour, respectively. Proteomic data revealed that several proteins involved in energy metabolism, messenger RNA translation, protein synthesis, folding and degradation, cytoskeleton organisation and synaptic vesiculation are regulated differently at extreme temperatures. The results showed that anxiety-like behaviours increase in zebrafish at 18 °C compared to those at 26 °C or 34 °C, whereas anxiety-related protein signalling pathways are downregulated. Moreover, treatments at both 18 °C and 34 °C affect the exploratory behaviour that appears not to be modulated by past experiences, suggesting the impairment of fish cognitive abilities. This study is the continuation of our previous work on the effect of 21-d chronic treatment at the same constant temperature level and will enable the comparison of acute and chronic treatment effects on the nervous system function in adult zebrafish.

PURPOSE Unmet needs for advanced-disease cancer patients are fatigue, pain, and emotional support. Little information is available about the feasibility of interventions focused on patient-reported outcome measurement developed according to the Medical Research Council (MRC) Framework in advanced-disease cancer patients. We aimed to pilot a nurse-led complex intervention focused on QoL assessment in advanced-disease cancer patients. METHODS The INFO-QoL study was based on an exploratory, nonequivalent comparison group, pre-test-post-test design. Study sites received either the INFO-QoL intervention or usual care. Adult advanced-disease cancer patients admitted to hospice inpatient units that gave their informed consent were included in the study. Subjects were 187 patients and their families and 19 healthcare professionals. We evaluated feasibility, acceptability, and patients' outcomes using the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale. RESULTS Nineteen healthcare professionals were included. The mean competence score increased significantly over time (p

Background The application of different models of autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) in multiple myeloma has demonstrated the feasibility and safety of outpatient-based programs of care. Although several systematic reviews have evaluated the burden of caregivers, only a few studies have included outpatient ASCT. Patients and Methods The feelings of lack of family support, daily activities, and general health were compared between caregivers of 2 groups of patients with multiple myeloma who underwent inpatient (n = 71) or outpatient (n = 25) ASCT. Results The 3 features did not significantly differ between the 2 study groups at baseline, before, and 3 months after ASCT. Multivariate modeling showed that the baseline values were significantly related to the changes in study outcomes independent of patient and caregiver characteristics. Other correlates were caregivers’ work and patient age for impact on daily activities and disease burden across time for impact on general health (all P Conclusion The outpatient model neither improves nor impairs global caregivers’ burden compared to standard ASCT care. Further research is needed to confirm this observation and to better assess the burden and quality of life of caregivers and their influence on patient outcomes and quality of life.

Proteomic technologies have identified 234 peptidases in plasma but little quantitative information about the proteolytic activity has been uncovered. In this study, the substrate profile of plasma proteases was evaluated using two nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS methods. Multiplex substrate profiling by mass spectrometry (MSP-MS) quantifies plasma protease activity in vitro using a global and unbiased library of synthetic peptide reporter substrates, and shotgun peptidomics quantifies protein degradation products that have been generated in vivo by proteases. The two approaches gave complementary results since they both highlight key peptidase activities in plasma including amino- and carboxypeptidases with different substrate specificity profiles. These assays provide a significant advantage over traditional approaches, such as fluorogenic peptide reporter substrates, because they can detect active plasma proteases in a global and unbiased manner, in comparison to detecting select proteases using specific reporter substrates. We discovered that plasma proteins are cleaved by endoproteases and these peptide products are subsequently degraded by amino- and carboxypeptidases. The exopeptidases are more active and stable in plasma and therefore were found to be the most active proteases in the in vitro assay. The protocols presented here set the groundwork for studies to evaluate changes in plasma proteolytic activity in shock.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) tightly regulates the homeostasis of the central nervous system, and its dysfunction has been described in several neurological disorders. Since magnesium exerts a protective effect in the brain, we assessed whether supraphysiological concentrations of different magnesium salts modulate the permeability and magnesium transport in in vitro models of rat and human BBB. Among various formulations tested, magnesium pidolate was the most efficient in reducing the permeability and in enhancing magnesium transport through the barrier. We then compared magnesium pidolate and magnesium sulfate, a widely used salt in experimental models and in clinical practice. Magnesium pidolate performs better than sulfate also in preventing lipopolysaccharide-induced damage to in vitro generated BBB. We conclude that magnesium pidolate emerges as an interesting alternative to sulfate to protect BBB and maintain correct intracerebral concentrations of magnesium.

Bochdaleck hernia (BH) is a congenital diaphragmatic hernia that presents after birth with respiratory symptoms and needs surgical treatment in the neonatal period. However, there are some rare cases of adult presentation, which require surgery to avoid complications. BHs can be treated through several approaches, including laparoscopy. Laparoscopic treatment of a giant BH was successfully attempted on a woman affected by multiple myeloma, with severe dyspnoea and dysphagia. Preoperative work-up included chest X ray, CT-scan and MRI. The whole stomach, duodenum, the small bowel, the right and transverse colon, most descending colon and the pancreas were herniated into the thorax. The herniated viscera were totally reduced into the abdominal cavity and the large defect of the left diaphragm repaired with a biosynthetic web scaffold especially designed for diaphragmatic reconstruction. Finally, to avoid a compartment syndrome in an abdomen with not enough room for the reduced viscera, an extended right colectomy with extracorporeal anastomosis was carried out through a mini-laparotomy. At seven-month follow-up, the patient is symptomless and control CT scan showed no hernia recurrence. Laparoscopic repair of large symptomatic adult BHs can be performed successfully with significant clinical improvement, even in difficult cases and fragile patients.

N6-isopentenyladenosine is an anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic atypical nucleoside for normal and tumor cells. Considering the role of angiogenesis in various diseases, we investigated the cytotoxic effect of N6-isopentenyladenosine on human microvascular endothelial cells, protagonists in angiogenesis. Our results show that N6-isopentenyladenosine induced a significant reduction of cell viability, upregulated p21 and promoted caspase-3 cleavage in a dose dependent manner leading to apoptotic cell death as detected by FACS analysis. To understand structure-function relationship of N6-isopentenyladenosine, we investigated the effect of some N6-isopentenyladenosine analogs. Our results suggest that N6-isopentenyladenosine and some of its derivatives are potentially novel angiostatic agents and might be associated with other anti-angiogenic compounds for a better outcome.

PI3K is one of the most frequently mutated genes in cancers and has been the target of numerous anticancer therapies. With the additional development of therapeutics that mobilize the immune system, such as Abs with effector functions, bispecific Abs, and checkpoint inhibitors, many small molecule inhibitors that target PI3K are being combined with these immunomodulatory treatments. However, the PI3K pathway is also essential for lymphocyte function, and the presence of the PI3K inhibitor may render the immunomodulatory therapeutic ineffective in these combinatorial treatments. Therefore, therapeutics with enhanced activity, such as afucosylated Abs, which promote signaling and function, may be ideal in these types of treatments to offset the negative effect of PI3K inhibitors on immune cell function. Indeed, we show that afucosylated Abs can counterbalance these inhibitory effects on FcγRIIIa-driven signaling in human NK cells to produce signals similar to cells treated only with fucosylated Ab. Furthermore, NK cell activation, degranulation, chemokine/cytokine production, and Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity were similar between inhibitor-treated, afucosylated Ab–stimulated NK cells and cells activated only with its fucosylated counterpart. To our knowledge, these studies also identified a previously undefined role for phospho-S6 in human NK cells. In this study, a kinetic delay in PI3K-driven phosphorylation of S6 was observed to control transcription of the temporally regulated production of IFN-γ and TNF-α but not MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and RANTES. Together, these studies demonstrate the importance of the PI3K pathway for S6 phosphorylation in human NK cells and the need to combine PI3K inhibitors with therapeutic molecules that enhance immunomodulatory function for anticancer therapies.

The histones which pack new DNA during the S phase of animal cells are made from mRNAs that are cleaved at their 3' end but not polyadenylated. Some of the factors used in this reaction are unique to it while others are shared with the polyadenylation process that generates all other mRNAs. Recent work has begun to shed light on how the cell manages the assignment of these common components to the two 3' processing systems, and how it achieves their cell cycle-regulation and recruitment to the histone pre-mRNA. Moreover, recent and older findings reveal multiple connections between the nuclear organization of histone genes, their transcription and 3' end processing as well as the control of cell proliferation.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has become a popular stand-alone procedure among bariatric surgeons. Recently, Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction laparoscopic surgery has been introduced to avoid minilaparotomy, possibly reducing postoperative pain, hospital stay, and improving QoL and cosmetics. Operative steps and preliminary results of NOSE sleeve gastrectomy are described and reported.Five patients underwent NOSE LSG from November 2014 to March 2015. Selection criteria were as follows: age60 years, ASA score ≤III, BMI50. Operative steps are the same of standard LSG, but the stomach transection that starts higher on the greater curvature. A 2–3 cm width opening is created on the exceeding antrum and the resected stomach sutured to the calibration probe tip, which is pull back allowing transoral specimen extraction. The exceeding antrum is stapler-trimmed, allowing breach closure and completion of tubulization.Mean age was 41.6 years (median 43), average weight was 123.6 Kg (median 114), mean BMI 43.6 Kg/m2 (median 44). Mean operation time was 72 min (median 75). Mean and median postoperative stay were 4.6 and 5. No intraoperative nor postoperative complications occurred. Postoperative day 1 mean and median VAS pain score at were 1.4 and 1, respectively. Follow-up ranged 1–5 months (mean and median 3), average weight loss was 19.8 Kg (median 19), and excess weight loss 36.2 % (median 32 %).NOSE LSG potential advantages are as follows: improved cosmetics, decreased postoperative pain, possible incisional hernia rate reduction. No objective data are available to confirm these theoretical benefits; larger observational studies and RCTs are mandatory before clinical validation.

Replication-dependent histone genes are up-regulated during the G1/S phase transition to meet the requirement for histones to package the newly synthesized DNA. In mammalian cells, this increment is achieved by enhanced transcription and 3' end processing. The non-polyadenylated histone mRNA 3' ends are generated by a unique mechanism involving the U7 small ribonucleoprotein (U7 snRNP). By using affinity purification methods to enrich U7 snRNA, we identified FUS/TLS as a novel U7 snRNP interacting protein. Both U7 snRNA and histone transcripts can be precipitated by FUS antibodies predominantly in the S phase of the cell cycle. Moreover, FUS depletion leads to decreased levels of correctly processed histone mRNAs and increased levels of extended transcripts. Interestingly, FUS antibodies also co-immunoprecipitate histone transcriptional activator NPAT and transcriptional repressor hnRNP UL1 in different phases of the cell cycle. We further show that FUS binds to histone genes in S phase, promotes the recruitment of RNA polymerase II and is important for the activity of histone gene promoters. Thus, FUS may serve as a linking factor that positively regulates histone gene transcription and 3' end processing by interacting with the U7 snRNP and other factors involved in replication-dependent histone gene expression.

Organic–inorganic hybrid foams were prepared by using metakaolin or diatomite as a partial (or total) replacement of metakaolin, as precursor and metal silicon and whipped protein as blowing agents. The foamed systems were cured at defined temperature and time and then characterized by chemical point of view through Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction and by mechanical and morphological point of view by compression tests and scanning electron microscopy. The experimental findings highlighted that the replacement of diatomite in the formulation affected the morphological structure of the foams and consequently their mechanical properties, due to a different chemism between the sodium silicate and the solid phase. In particular, the consolidation mechanism in the diatomite based-hybrid foams changed from geopolymerization to a silicate polycondensation. Consequently, mechanical performances enhanced with increase of the diatomite content.

In this paper the synergistic effects of both 3-amminopropryltriethoxy silane (APTES) functionalization and silica enrichment of carbon nanotubes on thermal and thermal-mechanical properties of epoxy based composite materials were investigated. Pristine multiwalled carbon nanotubes were oxidized, functionalized with APTES and then modified with silica nanoparticles preformed through the Stober process. The FTIR, XPS and TGA analysis confirmed the occurrence of the silane functionalization and surface silica enrichment. TEM analysis showed the presence of a “bunches” morphology where silica nanoparticles aggregated around both the CNTs wall and their ends. Thermo-mechanical, thermal and flammability properties of nanocomposite containing 1 wt% of different fillers were determined and results compared to neat epoxy resin. Results showed that both the elastic and rubbery modulus increase with the addition of filler. In particular, in the rubbery region, the storage modulus of composites with silanized and silica enriched carbon nanotubes were about 240% and 285% higher than modulus of neat epoxy system. In the glassy region, a modest increment of 25% for the storage modulus was recorded. The glass transition temperature increased of about 20 °C with silica enriched carbon nanotubes alongside with a significant enhancement of the damping behavior.

First described in 1982, TME overcomes most of the concerns regarding adequate local control after anterior rectal resection. TME requires close sharp dissection along the so-called Heald's plane down to the levators, with distal dissection often cumbersome. In recent years, Transanal TME was introduced with the aim to improve distal rectal dissection and quality of mesorectal excision.A prospective, non-randomized study, started in 2013, is currently ongoing in two Italian Centers. Study objectives were assessing the safety of TaTME and TME quality. TaTME technique and technologies as performed in these centers and cumulative results at ≤30 postoperative days of the first 102 patients are reported.Early postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were 33.3% (34 pts, 16 Clavien-Dindo I + II and 18 Clavien-Dindo III + IV + V), and 1.96% (two deaths), respectively. The quality of mesorectal excision according to Quirke was: complete in 97.1% and nearly complete in 2.9% of the cases.The results confirm the effectiveness of TaTME, especially regarding the quality of the mesorectal dissection. Open questions regarding standardization, anatomical landmarks, indications, morbidity (with special regard to local infection and sepsis), learning curve and oncological outcomes require further answers from larger studies and RCTs before definitive validation of this procedure. .

Aim Emergency surgery is associated with higher mortality rates, especially in elderly patients presenting with emergent colorectal disease. The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes in elderly patients following emergency colorectal resection, with particular focus on octogenarians who presented a sixfold higher mortality rate with respect to other patients. Method This study examined 355 patients who underwent surgery at an Emergency Department for complications of colorectal disease between January 2007 and December 2009. Morbidity and mortality were analyzed on the basis of patients’ characteristics and presentation. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed on morbidity and mortality risk factors. Results Two-hundred and fifteen patients of > 65 years of age were included, 93 of whom were ≥ 80 years of age. The global mortality rate was 16%. In patients ≥ 80 years of age the mortality rate was 30%. The difference in mortality rate between patients

The present paper reports, for the first time, the successful fabrication of layered double hydroxide (Mg-Al LDH)-reinforced polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers by electrospinning. Either the LDH in carbonate form or an LDH organically modified with 12-hydroxydodecanoic acid (LDH-HA) were incorporated into PCL and electrospun using a voltage of 20 KV. The LDH-HA was prepared by an ionic exchange reaction from pristine LDH and encapsulated into PCL from acetone solutions at 15 wt %. The morphological analysis showed pure PCL fibers with an average diameter of 600 +/- 50 nm, and this dimension was maintained in the fibers with LDH, with the inorganic component residing outside the fibers and not exfoliated. At variance, the fibers with the LDH-HA showed a significantly lower average diameter in the range of 350 +/- 50 nm, indicating the improved electrospinnability of PCL. Moreover, the inorganic lamellae were exfoliated, as shown by X-rays and residing inside the nanofibers as demonstrated by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. The structural parameters, such as degradation temperature and crystallinity, were investigated for all the samples and correlated with the electrospinning process.

The 3' end processing of animal replication-dependent histone mRNAs is activated during G1/S-phase transition. The processing site is recognized by stem-loop binding protein and the U7 snRNP, but cleavage additionally requires a heat-labile factor (HLF), composed of cleavage/polyadenylation specificity factor, symplekin, and cleavage stimulation factor 64 (CstF64). Although HLF has been shown to be cell cycle regulated, the mechanism of this regulation is unknown. Here we show that levels of CstF64 increase toward the S phase and its depletion affects histone RNA processing, S-phase progression, and cell proliferation. Moreover, analyses of the interactions between CstF64, symplekin, and the U7 snRNP-associated proteins FLASH and Lsm11 indicate that CstF64 is important for recruiting HLF to histone precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA)-resident proteins. Thus, CstF64 is central to the function of HLF and appears to be at least partly responsible for its cell cycle regulation. Additionally, we show that misprocessed histone transcripts generated upon CstF64 depletion mainly accumulate in the nucleus, where they are targets of the exosome machinery, while a small cytoplasmic fraction is partly associated with polysomes.

Epoxy-based composites containing sodium montmorillonite (MMT) modified by silylation reaction with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (A1100) and N-(2-amino- ethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (A1120) were pre- pared. The effect of MMT chemical functionalization, as well as inorganic content and dispersion method (i.e., sonication or combination of sonication and ball-milling) on the mor- phology and mechanical and thermal properties of compo- sites was thoroughly investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis, dynamic mechanical and tensile static analysis, nanoindentation measurements and cone calorimeter tests. Morphological characterization showed that the MMT par- ticles are only slightly intercalated by epoxy molecules. Ten- sile stress, elongation at failure, and toughness of the epoxy composites based on silylated MMT were found to be improved. The presence of 1 and 3% wt/wt of A1100 and A1120 silylated MMT clays allowed the tensile elastic modu- lus to increase respectively, of about 10 and 15% with respect to the pristine epoxy matrix. The overall results showed that (1) the silylation of MMT clays is a valuable method to improve the interfacial interaction between filler and epoxy matrix and (2) the interfacial interaction plays a role more significant than the clay morphology (i.e., the extent of clay intercalation/exfoliation) over the composite properties. V C 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 124: 616-628, 2012

Background: Pneumomediastinum creation, in blunt chest trauma, results from Mackin effect in more than 95% of cases. Objectives: In this article we report two cases of blunt chest trauma, underlining the relationship between Macklin effect, pneumomediastinum and pneumoperitoneum, and analysing conservative and invasive treatment. Case reports: We report two cases of blunt chest trauma with Pneumomediastinum creation and no evidence of airway lesions. The first patient presented with malignant pneumomediastinum, created by Macklin effect, and pneumoperitoneum with intra-abdominal hypertension. He underwent invasive treatment. The second case shows how Macklin effect can be self-limiting. This patient underwent conservative treatment. Conclusions: In any case of post-traumatic pneumomediastinum, the Macklin effect should be suspected. Clinical observation is the treatment of choice since Macklin effect is self-limiting. There are some life-threatening event, like malignant pneumomediastinum and intra-abdominal hypertension that must be relieved and treated immediately.

Laparoscopic colectomy (LC) is slowly becoming the standard of care for elective resections. The use of LC in the emergency setting is relatively unstudied. Authors describe their experience with a series of 34 emergent and urgent LC cases for a variety of benign and neoplastic colorectal diseases, admitted from 2007 to 2009 at Emergency Department of a tertiary level hospital, comparing laparoscopic group with matched control open group. Twenty-one LC was performed for benign complicated disease, 12 for malignant disease and 1 for iatrogenic perforation during colonoscopy. Two cases were converted to open procedure (5.8%), the average operative time was 188 minutes (SD 61.84). The average postoperative length of hospital stay was 6.57 days (SD 1.75), with no postoperative mortality and no major morbidity. Results of laparoscopic group compared with 61 patients treated with open colorectal procedure confirm the advantages of laparoscopic approach similar to those established in elective colorectal surgery. With increasing experience, LC would be a feasible and an effective option in nonelective situations lowering complication rate and length of hospital stay.

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson, Alzheimer, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). In addition, aberrant mRNA splicing has been documented in neurodegeneration. To characterize the cellular response to mitochondrial perturbations at the level of gene expression and alternative pre-mRNA splicing we used splicing-sensitive microarrays to profile human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells treated with paraquat, a neurotoxic herbicide that induces the formation of reactive oxygen species and causes mitochondrial damage in animal models, and SH-SY5Y cells stably expressing the mutant G93A-SOD1 protein, one of the genetic causes of ALS. In both models we identified a common set of genes whose expression and alternative splicing are deregulated. Pathway analysis of the deregulated genes revealed enrichment in genes involved in neuritogenesis, axon growth and guidance, and synaptogenesis. Alterations in transcription and pre-mRNA splicing of candidate genes were confirmed experimentally in the cell line models as well as in brain and spinal cord of transgenic mice carrying the G93A-SOD1 mutation. Our findings expand the realm of the pathways implicated in neurodegeneration and suggest that alterations of axonal function may descend directly from mitochondrial damage. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The present studies provide the first example of a nanostructured thermoregulating textile materials obtained by electrospinning process. Microencapsulated phase change material was dispersed into a Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-acetone solution and electrospun at ambient temperature. The morphological analysis showed that the addition of microcapsules to the PCL lead to the formation of nanofibers with a significantly lower average diameter with respect to that obtained by pure PCL in the same conditions. The resulting functional material has demonstrated to have the higher efficiency in the thermoregulating effect in comparison with more of the dispersion methods used up to now.

In this paper we have studied the effect of increasing carbon multi-walled nanotube (CNT) concentration in composites of syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP) having the same crystalline form but different morphologies. The attention was focused on the form I of sPP with different degrees of perfection (in terms of percentages of chains in helical conformation, crystal dimensions and crystallinity) obtained using two different quenching temperatures from the melt, i.e. 25 and 100 °C. We observed a decreasing effect of the crystallization temperature on increasing the nanotube content up to the samples with 10% of CNT, that show a very similar structural organization independent of the undercooling. Only the amorphous phase turns out more relaxed in the samples crystallized at the highest temperature. Either the thermal or the mechanical properties are improved on increasing the CNT content in both series of samples. The electrical conductivity increases in a similar manner in both series of samples and between 1 and 3 wt% it shows a sizable step of about eight orders of magnitude, a phenomenon that can be regarded as the onset of a percolating structure for which charge transport may take place.

Carbon nanotubes composites can be profitably employed in different engineering applications due to their remarkable properties. In this research we have examined composites of syndiotactic Poly(propylene) (sPP) loaded with 1, 3 and 10 % wt/wt of Multi Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs). The physical and electrical properties of films produced by employing melt extrusion and by using two different quenching temperatures from the melt (25degC and 100degC) are studied. The presence of nanoparticles affects the structure and morphology of the matrix, increasing the crystallization kinetics and leading to more disordered forms, even for the higher quenching temperature. The composites reach high conductivity values with a CNTs content lower than that reported for other systems implying good dispersion of the CNTs in the sPP matrix.

Abstract Graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) react with elemental sulfur to provide a mechanically stable, spongy material characterized by good electrical conductivity and high surface development; such unique property combination makes these novel nanostructured materials very useful for applications in different technological fields. The carbon-sulfur reaction can be accurately investigated by thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy combined with scanning electron microscopy. The thermal treatment required for the formation of electrically conductive monosulfur connections among the GNP unities has been investigated. PACS 81.05.Ue, 81.05.Rm, 81.16.Be