Ultrasonographic diagnosis of adnexal masses: interobserver agreement in the interpretation of videos, using IOTA terminology.

Objectives: Aim of this study is to estimate interobserver agreement in classifying adnexal tumors using IOTA terms, simple rules and subjective assessment. In addition, we related observers' accuracy with their experience in gynecological ultrasonography and the year of IOTA certification.

Methods: Eleven observers with three different levels of experience evaluated videoclips of 70 adnexal masses, defining tumor type according to IOTA terms and definitions, classifying the mass using IOTA Simple rules and Subjective assessment as well as providing Color Score evaluation.

Real life use of prostacyclin analog (iloprost), a multi-centric survey data from the Scleroderma study group Emilia Romagna (Sclero-RER) and review of the literature.

Background And Aim: Iloprost is recommend worldwide for the treatment of RP and the healing of DUs. The aim of this study is to report the regimens of Iloprost administered in different rheumatological centers within the same regional Health System Methods: A questionnaire exploring different items related to the use of Iloprost was developed and reviewed by three expert rheumatologists. The questionnaire was distributed as an online survey to all local SSc referral centers in Emilia-Romagna (Italy).

Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Applications to Reduce Metal Artifacts in Hip Prostheses: A Phantom Study.

Metal components of hip prostheses cause severe artifacts in CT images, influencing diagnostic accuracy. Metal artifact reduction (MAR) software and virtual monoenergetic reconstructions on dual-energy CT (DECT) systems are possible solutions that should be considered. In this study, we created a customized adjustable phantom to quantify the severity of artifacts on periprosthetic tissues (cortical and spongious bone, soft tissues) for hip prostheses.

Nonequilibrium dynamics of adaptation in sensory systems.

Adaptation is used by biological sensory systems to respond to a wide range of environmental signals, by adapting their response properties to the statistics of the stimulus in order to maximize information transmission. We derive rules of optimal adaptation to changes in the mean and variance of a continuous stimulus in terms of Bayesian filters and map them onto stochastic equations that couple the state of the environment to an internal variable controlling the response function. We calculate numerical and exact results for the speed and accuracy of adaptation and its impact on information transmission.

A Cationic Contrast Agent in X-ray Imaging of Articular Cartilage: Pre-Clinical Evaluation of Diffusion and Attenuation Properties.

The aim of this study was the preliminary assessment of a new cationic contrast agent, the CA4+, via the analysis of spatial distribution in cartilage of ex vivo bovine samples, at micrometer and millimeter scale. Osteochondral plugs ( = 18) extracted from bovine stifle joints ( = 2) were immersed in CA4+ solution up to 26 h. Planar images were acquired at different time points, using a microCT apparatus.

Plethysmography System to Monitor the Jugular Venous Pulse: A Feasibility Study.

Cerebral venous outflow is investigated in the diagnosis of heart failure through the monitoring of jugular venous pulse, an indicator to assess cardiovascular diseases. The jugular venous pulse is a weak signal stemming from the lying internal jugular vein and often invasive methodologies requiring surgery are mandatory to detect it. Jugular venous pulse can also be extrapolated via the ultrasound technique, but it requires a qualified healthcare operator to perform the examination.

Translating RB1 predictive value in clinical cancer therapy: Are we there yet?

The retinoblastoma RB1 gene has been identified in the 80s as the first tumor suppressor. RB1 loss of function, as well alterations in its pathway, occur in most human cancers and often have prognostic value. RB1 has a key role in restraining cell cycle entry and, along with its family members, regulates a myriad of cellular processes and affects cell response to a variety of stimuli, ultimately determining cell fate.

Functional expression of calcium-permeable canonical transient receptor potential 4-containing channels promotes migration of medulloblastoma cells.

Key Points: The proton sensing ovarian cancer G protein coupled receptor 1 (OGR1, aka GPR68) promotes expression of the canonical transient receptor potential channel subunit TRPC4 in normal and transformed cerebellar granule precursor (DAOY) cells. OGR1 and TRPC4 are prominently expressed in healthy cerebellar tissue throughout postnatal development and in primary cerebellar medulloblastoma tissues. Activation of TRPC4-containing channels in DAOY cells, but not non-transformed granule precursor cells, results in prominent increases in [Ca ] and promotes cell motility in wound healing and transwell migration assays.

Spatio-temporal correlations in models of collective motion ruled by different dynamical laws.

Information transfer is an essential factor in determining the robustness of biological systems with distributed control. The most direct way to study the mechanisms ruling information transfer is to experimentally observe the propagation across the system of a signal triggered by some perturbation. However, this method may be inefficient for experiments in the field, as the possibilities to perturb the system are limited and empirical observations must rely on natural events.

Memristive behaviour in poly-acrylic acid coated TiO nanotube arrays.

This work investigates titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (TiO-NTA) grown by anodic oxidation as an active material for memristive applications. In particular, metal-insulator-metal structures made of vertically oriented amorphous TiO-NTA grown on titanium foil were exploited in Ti/TiO-NTA/Pt devices. The deposition of a polymeric thin film between NTA and top electrodes significantly improved the stability of the devices and increased by more than double the off/on resistance ratio.

Anticancer therapeutic strategies based on CDK inhibitors.

Normal cell cycle progression is controlled by the sequential action of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), the activity of which depends on their binding to regulatory partners (cyclins). Deregulation of cell cycle is one of the first steps that transform normal cells into tumor cells. Indeed, most cancer cells bear mutations in members of the pathways that control the CDK activity.

Imatinib treatment inhibit IL-6, IL-8, NF-KB and AP-1 production and modulate intracellular calcium in CML patients.

Imatinib (IM) is considered the gold standard for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment, although resistance is emerging as a significant problem. The proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) play an important role in cell proliferation, survival, and resistance to glucocorticoid-mediated cell death. Several transcription factors such as NF-KB and AP-1 are activated in response to physiopathological increases and modulation of intracellular calcium levels.

Lung Cancer: Are we up to the Challenge?

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide among both men and women, with more than 1 million deaths annually. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 80% of all lung cancers.Although recent advances have been made in diagnosis and treatment strategies, the prognosis of NSCLC patients is poor and it is basically due to a lack of early diagnostic tools.

Specific determination of beta-galactocerebrosidase activity via competitive inhibition of beta-galactosidase.

Background: The determination of cellular beta-galactocerebrosidase activity is an established procedure to diagnose Krabbe disease and monitor the efficacy of gene/stem cell-based therapeutic approaches aimed at restoring defective enzymatic activity in patients or disease models. Current biochemical assays for beta-galactocerebrosidase show high specificity but generally require large protein amounts from scanty sources such as hematopoietic or neural stem cells. We developed a novel assay based on the hypothesis that specific measurements of beta-galactocerebrosidase activity can be performed following complete inhibition of beta-galactosidase activity.