Stellar populations dominated by massive stars in dusty starburst galaxies across cosmic time.

All measurements of cosmic star formation must assume an initial distribution of stellar masses-the stellar initial mass function-in order to extrapolate from the star-formation rate measured for typically rare, massive stars (of more than eight solar masses) to the total star-formation rate across the full stellar mass spectrum 1 . The shape of the stellar initial mass function in various galaxy populations underpins our understanding of the formation and evolution of galaxies across cosmic time 2 . Classical determinations of the stellar initial mass function in local galaxies are traditionally made at ultraviolet, optical and near-infrared wavelengths, which cannot be probed in dust-obscured galaxies2,3, especially distant starbursts, whose apparent star-formation rates are hundreds to thousands of times higher than in the Milky Way, selected at submillimetre (rest-frame far-infrared) wavelengths4,5. The 13C/18O isotope abundance ratio in the cold molecular gas-which can be probed via the rotational transitions of the 13CO and C18O isotopologues-is a very sensitive index of the stellar initial mass function, with its determination immune to the pernicious effects of dust. Here we report observations of 13CO and C18O emission for a sample of four dust-enshrouded starbursts at redshifts of approximately two to three, and find unambiguous evidence for a top-heavy stellar initial mass function in all of them. A low 13CO/C18O ratio for all our targets-alongside a well tested, detailed chemical evolution model benchmarked on the Milky Way 6 -implies that there are considerably more massive stars in starburst events than in ordinary star-forming spiral galaxies. This can bring these extraordinary starbursts closer to the 'main sequence' of star-forming galaxies 7 , although such main-sequence galaxies may not be immune to changes in initial stellar mass function, depending on their star-formation densities.

A novel schistosome species hosted by Planorbella (Helisoma) trivolvis is the most widespread swimmer's itch-causing parasite in Michigan inland lakes.

Cercarial dermatitis ('swimmer's itch'; SI), characterized by small itchy bumps caused by schistosome parasites of birds and mammals, is a common problem in Michigan. Research on avian schistosomes began nearly 100 years ago in Michigan inland lakes, yet scientists are still uncovering basic biological information including the identification of local snail and parasite species that cause SI. Previous research primarily focused on lakes in the northern half of Michigan's lower peninsula, although SI occurs throughout the state. We surveyed snails and snail-borne trematodes in lakes across Michigan's lower peninsula and used quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of filtered water samples to identify parasites to the species level, including a recently discovered parasite species that uses the snail Planorbella (Helisoma) trivolvis as its intermediate host. Most SI mitigation efforts have focused on a parasite species hosted by the snail Lymnaea catescopium ( = Stagnicola emarginata); however, lymnaeid snails and their associated schistosome species were largely restricted to northern lakes. In contrast, P. trivolvis and its associated parasite species were common in both northern and southern Michigan lakes. A third schistosome species associated with physid snails was also present at low levels in both northern and southern lakes. These results indicate that the recently discovered parasite species and its planorbid snail intermediate host may be more important drivers of Michigan SI than previously thought, possibly due to increased definitive host abundance in recent decades. These results have potentially important implications for SI mitigation and control efforts.

Minimal Data Set for Remote Clinical Consultations in Restorative Dentistry - An Exploratory Case Study.

In the UK, general dental practitioners (GDPs) in primary care are supported in the patient care decision-making-process by specialist consultants in secondary care centres. The consultation, undertaken as an in-person consultation between the patient and the consultant, consists of a comprehensive clinical assessment; The outcome is conveyed to the patient, GDP and other stakeholders as appropriate. Tele-dentistry has the potential to provide an alternative approach through a Remote Clinical Consultation (RCC). To make the encounter as efficient as possible it is helpful to identify data that is essential for the safe and effective conduct of the process. The aims of this exploratory case study are (i) to discriminate between data sets of specialist clinical consultations in endodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics; and (ii) to investigate the opinions of secondary care providers for in-person and RCCs. An online questionnaire was administered to secondary care specialty clinicians in restorative dentistry in the UK (Specialist consultants and senior trainee grades). Results: It is feasible to identify a generic minimum data set for specific consultation processes specifics vary between specialties and experience of the clinician. Views of the consultation process, in-person vs remote, varied between consultants and trainee grades.

Glucose-lowering effect and glycaemic variability of insulin glargine, insulin detemir and insulin lispro protamine in people with type 1 diabetes.

AIM: To compare, using a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, the effect on glycaemic variability of insulin glargine, detemir and lispro protamine. METHODS: A total of 49 white people with type 1 diabetes, not well controlled by three times daily insulin lispro, taken for at least 2 months before study and on a stable dose, were enrolled. The study participants were randomized to add insulin glargine, detemir or lispro protamine, once daily, in the evening. We used a CGM system, the iPro Digital Recorder (Medtronic MiniMed, Northridge, CA, USA) for 1 week. Glycaemic control was assessed according to mean blood glucose values, the area under the glucose curve above 3.9 mmol/l (AUC(>3.9)) or above 10.0 mmol/l (AUC(>10.0)), and the percentage of time spent with glucose values >3.9 or >10.0 mmol/l. Intraday glycaemic variability was assessed using standard deviation (s.d.) values, the mean amplitude of glycaemic excursions and continuous overlapping of net glycaemic action. Day-to-day glycaemic variability was assessed using the mean of daily differences. RESULTS: The s.d. was found to be significantly lower with insulin lispro protamine and glargine compared with insulin detemir. AUC(>3.9) was higher and AUC(>10.0) was lower with insulin lispro protamine and glargine compared with detemir. The mean amplitude of glycaemic excursions and continuous overlapping net glycaemic action values were lower with insulin lispro protamine and glargine compared with detemir. In addition, the mean of daily differences was significantly lower with insulin lispro protamine and glargine compared with detemir. Fewer hypoglycaemic events were recorded during the night-time with insulin lispro protamine compared with glargine and detemir. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that insulin lispro protamine and glargine are more effective than detemir in reducing glycaemic variability and improving glycaemic control in people with type 1 diabetes. Insulin lispro protamine seems to lead to fewer hypoglycaemic events than other insulin regimens.

Comparison of vildagliptin and glimepiride: effects on glycaemic control, fat tolerance and inflammatory markers in people with type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: To compare the effects of vildagliptin with those of glimepiride on glycaemic control, fat tolerance and inflammatory markers in people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving metformin treatment. METHODS: A total of 167 participants were randomized to vildagliptin 50 mg twice a day or glimepiride 2 mg three times a day, for 6 months. We evaluated the following variables: BMI; glycaemic control; fasting plasma insulin; homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index; fasting plasma proinsulin; glucagon; lipid profile; adiponectin; high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; interleukin-6; and tumour necrosis factor-α. A euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp procedure and an oral fat load test were also performed. RESULTS: Despite a similar decrease in HbA1c levels (P = 0.009, and P = 0.008, respectively), body weight increased with glimepiride (P = 0.048 vs baseline) and decreased with vildagliptin (P = 0.041 vs baseline and vs glimepiride). Fasting plasma insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index were significantly lower with vildagliptin compared with glimepiride (P = 0.035 and 0.047). M value, an index of insulin sensitivity, increased with vildagliptin, both compared with baseline and with glimepiride (P = 0.028 and 0.039, respectively). Vildagliptin improved all post-oral fat load peaks of lipid profile compared with glimepiride. Adiponectin levels were higher (P = 0.035) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were lower (P = 0.038) with vildagliptin vs glimepiride. During the oral fat load test, interleukin-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and tumour necrosis factor-α peaks were lower and adiponectin peak was higher in the vildagliptin group than in the glimepiride group. There was a higher dropout rate as a result of hypoglycaemia in the glimepiride group than in the vildagliptin group. CONCLUSIONS: Vildagliptin was more effective than glimepiride in reducing post-oral fat load peaks of lipid-trafficking adipocytokines and inflammatory markers.

Controlling the alien hand through the mirror box. A single case study of alien hand syndrome.

Disruption of motor control in the alien hand syndrome might result from a dissociation between intentions and sensory information. We hypothesized that voluntary motor control in this condition could improve by restoring the congruency between motor intentions and visual feedback. The present study shows that, in one patient with right alien hand syndrome, the use of a mirror box paradigm improved motor speed. We speculate that the visual feedback provided by the mirror increases the sense of congruence between intention and sensory feedback, leading to motor improvement.

A randomized, placebo-controlled study on the effects of a nutraceutical combination of red yeast rice, silybum marianum and octasonol on lipid profile, endothelial and inflammatory parameters.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a combination of red yeast rice, Silybum marianum and octasonol compared to placebo on lipid profile, endothelial, and inflammatory parameters in low risk dislipidemic patients. One hundred and thirty-four dislipidemic patients were randomised to take placebo or a patented nutraceutical association in tablet form (Zeta ColestRT), 1 tablet /day (immediately after the dinner), for three months in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. At baseline and after 3 months the following were evaluated: body weight, body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipid profile, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), metalloprotineases-2 and -9 (MMP-2 and MMP-9), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The nutraceutical combination decreased total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol compared to baseline (p = 0.042, and p = 0.041, respectively) and to placebo (p = 0.039, and p = 0.037, respectively). Triglycerides were reduced by the active treatment (p = 0.039), but not by placebo, even if, in group to group comparison, no differences were recorded (p = 0.061). All adipocytokines were reduced by the nutraceutical combination, in particular p = 0.044 for sICAM-1, p = 0.045 for sVCAM-1, p = 0.040 for sE-selectin, p = 0.035 for MMP-2, p = 0.039 for MMP-9, p = 0.038 for Hs-CRP, p = 0.036 for TNF-α, and p = 0.036 for IL-6 compared to baseline, and p = 0.042 for sICAM-1, p = 0.043 for sVCAM-1, p = 0.042 for sE-selectin, p = 0.031 for MMP-2, p = 0.038 for MMP-9, p =0.038 for Hs-CRP, and p = 0.043 for TNF-alpha, espectively, compared to placebo. We can conclude that a combination of red yeast rice, Silybum marianum and octasonol was effective in improving lipid profile, endothelial, and inflammatory parameters in low risk dislipidemic patients.

Effects of enalapril/lercanidipine combination on some emerging biomarkers in cardiovascular risk stratification in hypertensive patients.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: There is considerable interest in pharmacogenetic and molecular biomarkers. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of enalapril/lercanidipine combination on some emerging biomarkers for cardiovascular risk stratification of hypertensive patients, such as lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], soluble advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and serum myeloperoxidase (MPO). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Three hundred and forty-five patients were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, clinical trial: 120 hypertensive patients were randomized to enalapril 20 mg, 110 to lercanidipine 10 mg and 115 to enalapril/lercanidipine 20/10 mg fixed combination. We measures the following markers at baseline and after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months: blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipid profile, Lp(a), sRAGE, sCD40L and MPO. RESULTS: There was a decrease in blood pressure in all groups compared with baseline, even if, as expected, enalapril/lercanidipine combination was more effective in reducing blood pressure compared with the monotherapies. No variations in lipid profile or FPG were recorded in any of the groups. Lercanidipine, but not enalapril, improved Lp(a) levels compared with baseline. The combination enalapril/lercanidipine improved it more than the single therapies. All treatments increased sRAGE levels, and decreased sCD40L and MPO, with a better effect seen with the enalapril/lercanidipine combination compared with single monotherapies. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: The combination enalapril/lercanidipine seems to be better than the single monotherapies in reducing not only blood pressure, but also the levels of some emerging biomarkers, potentially useful for cardiovascular risk stratification of hypertensive patients.

Effects of Berberis aristata/Silybum marianum association on metabolic parameters and adipocytokines in overweight dyslipidemic patients.

Nutraceuticals and functional foods have attracted considerable interest as potential alternative therapies for treatment of different cardiovascular disorders and insulin resistance. We evaluated the efficacy of a combination of Berberis Aristata/Silybum Marianum extract (Berberol®) in a sample of overweight, dyslipidemic patients at low cardiovascular risk. We enrolled 105 Caucasian, euglycemic, overweight, dyslipidemic patients, of either sex. At baseline all patients underwent a 6 months run-in period during which they followed an adequate diet and practiced physical activity. At the end of the run-in period, patients were randomised to take placebo or a combination of Berberis aristata/Silybum marianum, 1 tablet during the lunch and 1 tablet during the dinner, for three months, in a double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Berberis aristata/Silybum marianum and placebo were then interrupted for 2 months (wash-out period), and all patients continued with only diet and physical activity. At the end of the wash-out period, patients re-started Berberis aristata/Silybum marianum or placebo twice a day for further 3 months. We evaluated during the run-in period, at randomisation, before and after the wash-out period these parameters: body weight and BMI, fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile, insulin resistance, retinol binding protein-4 (RBP-4), adiponectin (ADN), resistin. Total cholesterol, LDL-C, and Tg decreased, and HDL-C increase after 3 months of Berberis aristata/Silybum marianum, both compared to baseline and placebo. Berberis aristata/Silybum marianum decreased fasting plasma insulin, and HOMA-IR, both compared to baseline and to placebo. Moreover, there was a decrease of RBP-4, and resistin, and an increase of ADN after 3 months of Berberis aristata/Silybum marianum. All these positive effects disappeared after the wash-out period, and re-appeared after the re-introduction of the drug. We observed a significant correlation between HOMA-index decrease and resistin, and RBP-4 decrease, and between HOMA-index decrease and ADN increase in Berberis aristata/Silybum marianum group, but not in placebo group. Berberis aristata/Silybum marianum fixed combination seems to be safe and effective in improving lipid profile, but also in improving insulin resistance and adipocytokines levels.

Isolation and characterization of APLP2 encoding a homologue of the Alzheimer's associated amyloid beta protein precursor.

Familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder that includes a rare early-onset form linked to mutations in the amyloid b protein precursor (APP) gene. Clues to the function of APP derive from the recent finding that it is a member of a highly conserved protein family that includes the mammalian amyloid precursor-like protein (APLP1) gene which maps to the same general region of human chromosome 19 linked to late-onset FAD. Here we report the isolation of the human APLP2 gene. We show that APLP2 is a close relative of APP and exhibits a very similar pattern of expression in the brain and throughout the body. Like APP, APLP2 contains a cytoplasmic domain predicted to couple with the GTP-binding protein G(o) indicating that it may be an additional cell surface activator of this G protein.

The Wilson disease gene is a copper transporting ATPase with homology to the Menkes disease gene.

Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the toxic accumulation of copper in a number of organs, particularly the liver and brain. As shown in the accompanying paper, linkage disequilibrium & haplotype analysis confirmed the disease locus to a single marker interval at 13q14.3. Here we describe a partial cDNA clone (pWD) which maps to this region and shows a particular 76% amino acid homology to the Menkes disease gene, Mc1. The predicted functional properties of the pWD gene together with its strong homology to Mc1, genetic mapping data and identification of four independent disease-specific mutations, provide convincing evidence that pWD is the Wilson disease gene.

Two-stage revision of septic knee prosthesis with articulating knee spacers yields better infection eradication rate than one-stage or two-stage revision with static spacers.

PURPOSE: The best method for treating chronic periprosthetic knee infection remains controversial. Randomized, comparative studies on treatment modalities are lacking. This systematic review of the literature compares the infection eradication rate after two-stage versus one-stage revision and static versus articulating spacers in two-stage procedures. METHODS: We reviewed full-text papers and those with an abstract in English published from 1966 through 2011 that reported the success rate of infection eradication after one-stage or two-stage revision with two different types of spacers. RESULTS: In all, 6 original articles reporting the results after one-stage knee exchange arthoplasty (n = 204) and 38 papers reporting on two-stage revision (n = 1,421) were reviewed. The average success rate in the eradication of infection was 89.8% after a two-stage revision and 81.9% after a one-stage procedure at a mean follow-up of 44.7 and 40.7 months, respectively. The average infection eradication rate after a two-stage procedure was slightly, although significantly, higher when an articulating spacer rather than a static spacer was used (91.2 versus 87%). CONCLUSIONS: The methodological limitations of this study and the heterogeneous material in the studies reviewed notwithstanding, this systematic review shows that, on average, a two-stage procedure is associated with a higher rate of eradication of infection than one-stage revision for septic knee prosthesis and that articulating spacers are associated with a lower recurrence of infection than static spacers at a comparable mean duration of follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

[Neuroimaging and definition of transient ischemic attack]. / Neuroimaging e definizione di attacco ischemico transitorio.

AIM: Transient ischemic attack (TIA) has to be considered an "alarm bell" of a more or less severe organic or systemic vasculopathy. Positive findings at neuroimaging means tissue damage. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the role of neuroimaging in the management of patients presenting with TIA, and to consider the relative implications. METHODS: In a consecutive series of 82 patients (53 males, 29 females, mean age: 65.9±13.1 years) admitted for TIA, it was possible to review the history and the clinical data of 66 patients, including ABCD2 score, laboratory including plasmatic D-dimer, and neuroimaging data including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging including diffusion-weighted with apparent diffusion coefficient measure (DWI-ADC) obtained at diagnosis and by a week later (16 by CT, and 50 by DWI-ADC). Thirty-three patients underwent DWI-ADC within 24 hours from symptoms onset. Statistical analysis has been performed by non-parametric tests (χ2 and Mann-Whitney), and logistic regression by a commercially available software. RESULTS: CT and/or DWI-ADC showed signs of acute ischemic lesions in 23/66 (35%) patients. 12 out of the 35 patients with a 24-hour DWI-ADC follow-up were positive. Statistical analysis showed that positive neuroimaging was significantly associated only with familial history of cardiovascular diseases (P<0.012) and previous TIA/stroke (P<0.046). CONCLUSION: In this patients series, at least 35% of patients with TIA had a positive neuroimaging, especially DWI-ADC. Positive neuroimaging seems an independent factor. Patients with TIA need an early assessment by neuroimaging including DWI-ADC, in order to obtain a correct classification and prognosis.

Back in control of intentional action: Improvement of ideomotor apraxia by mirror box treatment.

OBJECTIVES: A novel method of rehabilitation for ideomotor apraxia (IMA), using a modified version of the mirror box (MB), is proposed. The rationale is based on the theory that disrupted body representation occurs in IMA and that MB training may improve body representation. In the present MB training, patients observed and reproduced movements made by the experimenter in a mirror. The visual perspective gave the illusory sensation of seeing one's own affected hand in the mirror. METHODS: Thirteen patients were included in the study; apraxia was measured four times: i) at baseline; ii) after a week of unspecific poststroke rehabilitation (rest); iii) after a week of imitation training for apraxia, used as a control; and iv) after a week of MB training. Imitation and mirror box training were presented in counterbalanced order between participants. The effect of the mirror box on a measure of body representation was also assessed. RESULTS: The results show that MB training improved apraxia when compared to the outcomes in both the imitation and rest conditions. The improvement correlates with the impact of the mirror box on the body representation (i.e., the degree of embodiment). CONCLUSIONS: MB training shows promising effects in promoting recovery from apraxia. The hypothesis is that the mirror box triggers a quickly generated sense of embodiment of the reflected moving arm into the observer's body representation. This embodiment of the visuomotor features of the observed movements would positively affect motor programming, promoting motor improvement. Crucially, this effect seems to extend to actions performed outside the mirror box setup, enhancing patients' performance on an apraxia test.

Management of cesarean delivery in a parturient with sickle cell disease.

Chronic hemolysis and intermittent vaso-occlusion in sickle cell disease can lead to recurrent blood transfusions with related complications such as antibody formation and rarely, life-threatening reactions. We report a case of a parturient who presented with complications of sickle cell disease and who later had fetal compromise that required an emergent cesarean delivery. Complex management decisions were made, aided by technologies such as rotational thromboelastometry, quantitative blood loss analysis and cell salvage.

Implicit mechanisms of body image alterations: The covert attention exposure effect.

Visual exposure to extreme-sized bodies elicits explicit self-body image variations. Several features of such modulation remain to be clarified. In this study we explored whether this effect: (i) acts on implicit mechanisms in modifying one's body-size perception, (ii) is body-exposure-specific also at the implicit level, and (iii) is modulated by interoceptive sensibility. We assigned a covert attention task to 100 women, exposing them to extreme-sized bodies (thin and fat) or extreme-sized objects (thin and fat bottles). Before and after the attentional exposure, we tested the association between the "self/others" and "thin/fat" concepts using an Implicit Association Test. We also collected a measure of interoceptive sensibility by means of a self-report questionnaire. Results showed that participants exposed to fat bodies implicitly presented a stronger association between the "self" and "thin" concepts. This association was significantly weaker in the group exposed to thin bodies. This effect was absent after exposure to thin and fat bottles. Notably, participants with a higher tolerance of negative bodily interoceptive signals were less susceptible to the malleability of body image exerted by the exposure attentional task. Our findings shed new light on the relationship between the perception of internal (e.g., visceral) and external (e.g., visual) signals in the representation of our body.

Trans-Radial Approach: technical and clinical outcomes in neurovascular procedures.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate efficacy and safety of Trans-Radial Approach (TRA) in cerebral angiography for diagnostic and therapeutic purpose. METHODS: We retrospectively included consecutive patients eligible for TRA cerebral angiography at our Institution between September 2019 and January 2020. Cerebral DSA was classified in diagnostic (one-vessel imaging) or therapeutic (emergency/elective). Technical and clinical outcome were recorded for each group. RESULTS: A total of 61 TRA angiographies were evaluated. Right-sided TRA was obtained in 85,2% of all cases. Interventional procedures included 11 strokes, 2 ruptured aneurysms, 2 unrupted aneurysms, 1 DAVF and 3 symptomatic atheromatous intracranial stenosis. Successful TRA angiographies were obtained in 97,6% and 94,7% for diagnostic and therapeutic group, respectively. No major radial artery complications were recorded. Mean puncture-to-final angiogram was 11 and 62 min for diagnostic and therapeutic groups, respectively. Mean radial compression maintenance was 4 h, allowing patients discharge within 6 h in all cases undergone diagnostic angiography. CONCLUSIONS: TRA could be a valid technique in terms of efficacy and safety both for diagnostic and therapeutic cerebral angiographies, with low complication rate.

Natural Radioactivity of the Crystalline Basement Rocks of the Peloritani Mountains (North-Eastern Sicily, Italy): Measurements and Radiological Hazard.

Crystalline rocks can produce dangerous radiation levels on the basis of their content in radioisotopes. Here, we report radiological data from 10 metamorphic and igneous rock samples collected from the crystalline basement of the Peloritani Mountains (southern Italy). In order to evaluate the radiological properties of these rocks, the gamma radiation and the radon emanation have been measured. Moreover, since some of these rocks are employed as building materials, we assess the potential hazard for population connected to their use. Gamma spectroscopy was used to measure the 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity concentration, whereas the radon emanation was investigated by using a RAD 7 detector. The results show 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity concentration values ranging from (17 ± 4) to (56 ± 8) Bq kg-1, (14 ± 3) to (77 ± 14) Bq kg-1 and (167 ± 84) to (1760 ± 242) Bq kg-1, respectively. Values of the annual effective dose equivalent outdoor range from 0.035 to 0.152 mSv y-1, whereas the gamma index is in the range of 0.22-0.98. The 222Rn emanation coefficient and the 222Rn surface exhalation rate vary from (0.63 ± 0.3) to (8.27 ± 1.6)% and from (0.12 ± 0.03) to (2.75 ± 0.17) Bq m-2 h-1, respectively. The indoor radon derived from the building use of these rocks induces an approximate contribution to the annual effective dose ranging from 8 to 176 µSv y-1. All the obtained results suggest that the crystalline rocks from the Peloritani Mountains are not harmful for the residential population, even though they induce annual effective doses due to terrestrial gamma radiation above the worldwide average values. Moreover, their use as building materials does not produce significant health hazards connected to the indoor radon exposure.

Candidate gene for the chromosome 1 familial Alzheimer's disease locus.

A candidate gene for the chromosome 1 Alzheimer's disease (AD) locus was identified (STM2). The predicted amino acid sequence for STM2 is homologous to that of the recently cloned chromosome 14 AD gene (S182). A point mutation in STM2, resulting in the substitution of an isoleucine for an asparagine (N141l), was identified in affected people from Volga German AD kindreds. This N141l mutation occurs at an amino acid residue that is conserved in human S182 and in the mouse S182 homolog. The presence of missense mutations in AD subjects in two highly similar genes strongly supports the hypothesis that mutations in both are pathogenic.

Everything is worth when it is close to my body: How spatial proximity and stimulus valence affect visuo-tactile integration.

The peripersonal space (PPS) is the space surrounding our body, represented in a multisensory fashion by integrating stimuli of different modalities. Recently, it has been demonstrated that PPS is emotionally connoted, being sensitive to the different affective valence of the stimuli located inside it. However, how visuo-tactile interactions can be spatially shaped by intrinsic or acquired valence of stimuli is not clear. To investigate this, we conducted three experiments in which participants performed a visuo-tactile interaction task, while the intrinsic valence (Exp. 1 and 2) or the learned valence (Exp. 3) of visual stimuli was manipulated. Participants were asked to respond as fast as possible to a tactile stimulus that was delivered while a visual stimulus was approaching (Exp.1 and 3) or receding (Exp.2) from the hand. Touch was synchronized with different distances of the visual stimulus from the hand. We found that both the expectancy of stimulus and the distance of the visual one from the hand impact RTs to tactile targets. Crucially, we found that spatial modulation was also influenced by stimulus valence, but only for the approaching and not the receding stimuli. At far distances, neutral stimuli yielded overall slower RTs than intrinsically positive or negative stimuli (Experiment 1), while no modulation was exerted by the level of conditioning (Experiment 3). At near distances, response to touches accompanied by looming neutral stimuli became as fast as that occurring with positive and negative ones. Stimulus valence did not interact with the expectancy of a tactile stimulus (Experiment 2). Overall, these findings support the vision that visuo-tactile interactions can be dynamically modulated by the valence of looming visual stimuli when these are located at longer distances from the body. When closer to it, all stimuli acquire saliency, regardless of their intrinsic or acquired valence, due to their proximity, and then relevance, to the body. Overall, a view of PPS as a gradient modulating visuo-tactile integration, also based on stimulus valence, is discussed.