Inventory of landslides triggered by an extreme rainfall event in Marche-Umbria, Italy, on 15 September 2022.

Systematic and timely documentation of triggered (i.e. event) landslides is fundamental to build extensive datasets worldwide that may help define and/or validate trends in response to climate change. More in general, preparation of landslide inventories is a crucial activity since it provides the basic data for any subsequent analysis. In this work we present an event landslide inventory map (E-LIM) that was prepared through a systematic reconnaissance field survey in about 1 month after an extreme rainfall event hit an area of about 5000 km2 in the Marche-Umbria regions (central Italy). The inventory reports evidence of 1687 triggered landslides in an area of ~550 km2. All slope failures were classified according to type of movement and involved material, and documented with field pictures, wherever possible. The database of the inventory described in this paper as well as the collection of selected field pictures associated with each feature is publicly available at figshare.

Assessing Progress Towards SDGs Implementation Using Multiple Reference Point Based Multicriteria Methods: The Case Study of the European Countries.

To achieve the UN 2030 Agenda Goals, and considering their complexity and multidisciplinary, Multi-criteria analysis appears to be a suitable approach to give a true support to public decision makers in defining policy lines. This study focuses on the application of the Multiple Reference Point Weak-Strong Composite Indicators (MRP-WSCI) and its partially compensatory version (MRP-PCI), to assess, in the framework of the UN 2030 Agenda, the sustainability of the 28 members of the European Union (pre-Brexit). Countries were analyzed and compared according to their conditions and progress against the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, considering three reference years: 2007, 2012 and 2017. The analysis shows that Nordic countries reach a good level of global sustainability, with values of the indicators, W-W-W and S-W-W, between 2 and 3; while the States of east Europe, in particular Romania, Bulgaria and Greece, stay at the worst levels, having overall indicators values less than 1.5. Furthermore, the results highlight how countries in the lower group have difficulties especially in social and economic sustainability. On the other hand, states with a good overall condition record the worst results in the environmental dimension, such as the Netherlands, which shows, for the year 2017, a value for this sphere less than 2, while in the other two show a good value (over 2.5).

Brillouin-Raman microspectroscopy for the morpho-mechanical imaging of human lamellar bone.

Bone has a sophisticated architecture characterized by a hierarchical organization, starting at the sub-micrometre level. Thus, the analysis of the mechanical and structural properties of bone at this scale is essential to understand the relationship between its physiology, physical properties and chemical composition. Here, we unveil the potential of Brillouin-Raman microspectroscopy (BRaMS), an emerging correlative optical approach that can simultaneously assess bone mechanics and chemistry with micrometric resolution. Correlative hyperspectral imaging, performed on a human diaphyseal ring, reveals a complex microarchitecture that is reflected in extremely rich and informative spectra. An innovative method for mechanical properties analysis is proposed, mapping the intermixing of soft and hard tissue areas and revealing the coexistence of regions involved in remodelling processes, nutrient transportation and structural support. The mineralized regions appear elastically inhomogeneous, resembling the pattern of the osteons' lamellae, while Raman and energy-dispersive X-ray images through scanning electron microscopy show an overall uniform distribution of the mineral content, suggesting that other structural factors are responsible for lamellar micromechanical heterogeneity. These results, besides giving an important insight into cortical bone tissue properties, highlight the potential of BRaMS to access the origin of anisotropic mechanical properties, which are almost ubiquitous in other biological tissues.

Mechano-chemistry of human femoral diaphysis revealed by correlative Brillouin-Raman microspectroscopy.

Brillouin-Raman microspectroscopy is presented as an innovative label-free all-optical investigation approachable to characterize the chemical composition and the mechanical properties of human tissues at micrometric resolution. Brillouin maps unveil mechanical heterogeneities in a human femoral diaphysis, showing a ubiquitous co-existence of hard and soft components, even in the most compact sections. The novel correlative analysis of Brillouin and Raman maps shows that the relative intensity of Brillouin peaks is a good proxy for the fraction of mineralized fibers and that the stiffness (longitudinal elastic modulus) of the hard component is linearly dependent on the hydroxyapatite concentration. For the soft component, a gradient of composition is found, ranging from an abundance of proteins in the more compact, external, bone to abundance of lipids, carotenoids, and heme groups approaching the trabecular, inner, part of the diaphysis. This work unveils the strong potential of correlative mechano-chemical characterization of human tissues at a micrometric resolution for both fundamental and translational research.

Brillouin micro-spectroscopy of subchondral, trabecular bone and articular cartilage of the human femoral head.

Brillouin micro-spectroscopy is applied for investigating the mechanical properties of bone and cartilage tissues of a human femoral head. Distinctive mechanical properties of the cartilage surface, subchondral and trabecular bone are reported, with marked heterogeneities at both micrometric and millimetric length scales. A ubiquitous soft component is reported for the first time, characterized by a longitudinal modulus of about 4.3 GPa, possibly related to the amorphous phase of the bone. This phase is mixed, at micrometric scales, with a harder component, ascribed to mineralized collagen fibrils, characterized by a longitudinal modulus ranging between 16 and 25 GPa.

Suramin, an experimental chemotherapeutic drug, activates the receptor for epidermal growth factor and promotes growth of certain malignant cells.

Previous studies have shown that suramin is capable of disrupting autocrine growth involving coexpression of platelet-derived growth factor and its receptors in a fibroblast model for mesenchymal oncogenesis. Suramin is currently in use as an experimental drug for the treatment of patients with epithelial cell tumors. In the present study, we have investigated the efficacy of suramin in a carcinoma model system. Our findings demonstrate that suramin enhances cell surface signaling in A431 cells by activating an autocrine loop involving the receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGFR). The mechanism of suramin action was shown to be indirect, not affecting the ability of ligand to bind and activate the EGFR. Instead, suramin induced the release of membrane-bound transforming growth factor alpha, thereby increasing its potential to activate cell surface EGFRs. Since suramin potently blocks tyrosine phosphorylation induced by platelet-derived growth factor but can activate the growth pathway regulated by the EGFR, biological responses of tumor cells to suramin treatment may differ dramatically.

High-contrast Brillouin and Raman micro-spectroscopy for simultaneous mechanical and chemical investigation of microbial biofilms.

Mechanical mapping with chemical specificity of biological samples is now made possible by joint micro-Brillouin and micro-Raman measurements. In this work, thanks to the unprecedented contrast of a new tandem Fabry-Perot interferometer, we demonstrate simultaneous detection of Brillouin and Raman spectra from different Candida biofilms. Our proof-of-concept study reveals the potential of this label-free joint micro-spectroscopy technique in challenging microbiological issues. In particular, heterogeneous chemo-mechanical maps of Candida biofilms are obtained, without the need for staining or touching the sample. The correlative Raman and Brillouin investigation evidences the role of both extracellular polymeric substances and of hydration water in inducing a marked local softening of the biofilm.

Acquisition of Involuntary Spinal Locomotion (Spinal Walking) in Dogs with Irreversible Thoracolumbar Spinal Cord Lesion: 81 Dogs.

BACKGROUND: Spinal walking (SW) is described as the acquisition of an involuntary motor function in paraplegic dogs and cats without pain perception affected by a thoracolumbar lesion. Whereas spinal locomotion is well described in cats that underwent training trials after experimental spinal cord resection, less consistent information is available for dogs. HYPOTHESIS: Paraplegic dogs affected by a thoracolumbar complete spinal cord lesion undergoing intensive physical rehabilitation could acquire an autonomous SW gait under field conditions. ANIMALS: Eighty-one acute paraplegic thoracolumbar dogs without pelvic limb pain perception. METHODS: Retrospective study of medical records of dogs selected for intensive rehabilitation treatment in paraplegic dogs with absence of pain perception on admission and during the whole treatment. Binary regression and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze potential associations with the development of SW. RESULTS: Autonomous SW was achieved in 48 dogs (59%). Median time to achieve SW was of 75.5 days (range: 16-350 days). On univariate analysis, SW gait was associated with younger age (P = .002) and early start of physiotherapy (P = .024). Multivariate logistic regression showed that younger age (≤60 months) and lightweight (≤7.8 kg) were positively associated with development of SW (P = .012 and P < .001, respectively). BCS, full-time hospitalization, and type and site of the lesion were not significantly associated with development of SW. CONCLUSIONS: Dogs with irreversible thoracolumbar lesion undergoing intensive physiotherapic treatment can acquire SW. Younger age and lightweight are positively associated with the development of SW gait.

Interaction of fibrinogen with murine melanoma cells: covalent association with cell membranes and protection against recognition by lymphokine-activated killer cells.

B16/F10 melanoma cells, in a medium containing fibrinogen, form a coating of fibrin(ogen) on their surfaces. This coating is cross-linked in a manner characteristic of catalysis by cellular transglutaminase. The fibrin(ogen) coating on the surface of these tumor cells provides protection against the lytic effect of autologous lymphokine-activated killer cells.

A machine learning tool for re-planning and adaptive RT: A multicenter cohort investigation.

PURPOSE: To predict patients who would benefit from adaptive radiotherapy (ART) and re-planning intervention based on machine learning from anatomical and dosimetric variations in a retrospective dataset. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 90 patients (pts) treated for head-neck cancer (H&N) formed a multicenter data-set. 41 H&N pts (45.6%) were considered for learning; 49 pts (54.4%) were used to test the tool. A homemade machine-learning classifier was developed to analyze volume and dose variations of parotid glands (PG). Using deformable image registration (DIR) and GPU, patients' conditions were analyzed automatically. Support Vector Machines (SVM) was used for time-series evaluation. "Inadequate" class identified patients that might benefit from replanning. Double-blind evaluation by two radiation oncologists (ROs) was carried out to validate day/week selected for re-planning by the classifier. RESULTS: The cohort was affected by PG mean reduction of 23.7±8.8%. During the first 3weeks, 86.7% cases show PG deformation aligned with predefined tolerance, thus not requiring re-planning. From 4th week, an increased number of pts would potentially benefit from re-planning: a mean of 58% of cases, with an inter-center variability of 8.3%, showed "inadequate" conditions. 11% of cases showed "bias" due to DIR and script failure; 6% showed "warning" output due to potential positioning issues. Comparing re-planning suggested by tool with recommended by ROs, the 4th week seems the most favorable time in 70% cases. CONCLUSIONS: SVM and decision-making tool was applied to overcome ART challenges. Pts would benefit from ART and ideal time for re-planning intervention was identified in this retrospective analysis.

Hormonal control of the IGF system in the sea bream ovary.

Numerous studies have described the presence of an intragonadal IGF system involved in regulation of gametogenesis in teleost fish. In the present study, the in vivo effects of estradiol-17beta (E2) and growth hormone (GH) exposure on IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF1R, and IGFBP2 gene expression in sea bream ovary were monitored by RT-PCR during prereproductive and reproductive periods. The evidence demonstrates that both hormones investigated here affect the ovarian IGF system, showing that it is not only under GH control, but also can be regulated by sexual hormones; this hormonal modulation is related to reproductive phase.

Feasibility of preoperative chemoradiation in rectal cancer patients aged 70 and older.

In the present study, we report results of 28 rectal cancer patients, aged 70 years and older, treated with preoperative radiotherapy and 5FU concomitant chemotherapy. Twenty-eight out of 136 patients treated in our Department between 1997 and 2004 aged > or = 70 years, mean 73 (range 70-81); 3 T2, 18 T3, 7 T4; 15 N0, 5N1, 8 N2; Radiotherapy (5040 cGy, 28 fractions) was delivered combined with 5FU - based concomitant chemotherapy. Compliance to chemoradiotherapy was excellent. Major acute toxicity (> or = G3) evaluation showed haematological Grade 3 only in 2 patients. No severe acute Gastrointestinal toxicity was observed. All patients underwent surgery without severe perioperative complications. Complete pathological response pT0 was found in 3 patients (11%). Overall T downstaging occurred in 61% of the cases. Mean follow up was 34 months (range 4- 84). Kaplan Meier Overall Survival and Disease Free Survival at 5 years were 74% (95% CI 54 -95) and 65% (95% CI 38-93), respectively. Only 1 patient showed G3 diarrhea according to CTCAE that interfered with his Quality of Life and required hospitalization. In conclusion, concomitant radiochemotherapy 5FU based is safe in rectal cancer patients aged > or = 70 with a good tumour downstaging (61% of patients) and excellent feasibility. No treatment related death was observed.

Contrasting effects of estrogen on transthyretin and vitellogenin expression in males of the marine fish, Sparus aurata.

A partial cDNA encoding for the C-terminus of vitellogenin (VTG) was cloned from liver of Sparus aurata male treated with 17beta-estradiol (E(2)). E(2) treatment of S. aurata males resulted in increased synthesis and secretion of VTG protein into the plasma, determined by a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a time-dependent manner. While VTG mRNA was induced by E(2) treatment, transthyretin (TTR) mRNA levels were reduced. These data provide the first demonstration that estrogen exhibits contrasting effect on VTG and on TTR gene expression in teleosts.

Inhibition of melanoma pulmonary metastasis by methylxanthines due to decreased invasion and proliferation.

Theophylline- and caffeine-treated B16-F10 cells exhibited low adhesion to laminin/collagen type IV and reduced invasion through Matrigel in an in vitro assay. In contrast, theobromine appeared ineffective. When young adult C57BL/6 mice were injected intravenously with theophylline-treated B16-F10 cells, the number of surface lung tumours was markedly reduced. Densitometric analyses performed on digitalized microscopic images of histological sections of lung were used to estimate the frequency (number of lung foci; NLF) and the size (average area of metastatic foci; AMF) of the resulting tumour foci. These parameters were correlated to the proliferation (AMF) and invasion (NLF) of melanoma cells in vivo. The data showed a similar theophylline-induced decrease in the AMF and NLF values (71%, P < 0.01). Caffeine treatment produced a more pronounced decrease in the AMF (61%, P < 0.01) than in the NLF (25%, P < 0.01). To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that theophylline and caffeine possess the capacity to inhibit not only cell proliferation, but also the metastatic behaviour of melanoma cancer cells.

p21(WAF1/Cip1) retards the growth of human squamous cell carcinomas in vivo.

The excessive proliferation exhibited by cancer cells is frequently a result of their failure to adequately regulate cell cycle progression. In the present study, we developed a xenograft model of oral cancer in athymic mice, using squamous carcinoma cell lines and examined the ability of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 (WAF1/Cip1) to retard tumour growth in vivo, using a retroviral delivery system. Human p21 cDNA was cloned by polymerase chain reaction, expressed, and the encoded protein shown to have biological activity in in vitro kinase assays. Amphotropic retrovirus cultures which expressed recombinant p21 were generated and used to treat established squamous cell carcinoma xenografts. Two weeks following onset of treatment tumours injected with p21 virus producer cells showed a reduction in size between 3- and 10-fold compared with tumours which received control cells which produced control virus alone. The data indicate that recombinant p21 may be of future use for therapeutic intervention in oral cancer.

P53 and cyclin D1 staining patterns of malignant and premalignant oral lesions in age-dependent populations.

OBJECTIVE: Recent epidemiologic studies have identified a trend of increasing cancer incidence in younger patients. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this might be reflected by different molecular mechanisms for tumor development. STUDY DESIGN: Dysplastic and malignant oral lesions from age-distinct patient populations were immunohistochemically analyzed for expression of p53 and cyclin D1. Chi-square analysis was used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of "older" and 75% of "younger" carcinomas stained positively with p53; 63% of carcinomas in the older population and 55% of carcinomas in the younger population showed cyclin D1 positivity. Dysplasias showed similar cyclin D1 staining in both groups. Interestingly, 100% of "younger" dysplasias stained positively for p53, whereas 35.3% of "older" dysplastic lesions showed immunoreactivity. Staining of carcinomas was not statistically significant, whereas p53 staining of dysplasias proved highly significant (P < .025). CONCLUSIONS: p53 immunoreactivity is detectable at an earlier stage of carcinogenesis in younger patients than in the traditional risk population for oral cancer.

[Radiation-surgical treatment of cancer of the female breast]. / Il trattamento radio-chirurgico del cancro della mammella femminile.

Findings were reviewed of 1566 female patients with primary breast carcinoma treated with radical or total mastectomy followed by postoperative radiation therapy during the 22 year period 1960-82. The five-year overall survival for the axillary node-positive breast cancer group was 58.3 percent, as compared with 79.9 percent for the node-negative group. The survival rates were also analyzed in terms of age of the patients and number of the axillary positive nodes present. The ratios of observed deaths to expected deaths were turned from many times greater than unity into nearly the expected number, after ten year follow-up period. These findings showed that host factors are capable of destroying tumor cells both in node-negative and in node-positive patients. The significance of axillary negative nodes was emphasized. The rates of locoregional recurrences and distant metastases for node-negative patients were analyzed; these observations suggested that routine postoperative radiotherapy should be considered also in node-negative breast cancer patients.

[Surgical and radiologic treatment of cancer of the uterine body. Results of 12 years]. / Il trattamento radiochirurgico del cancro del corpo dell'utero. Risultati di 12 anni.

Findings were reviewed of 518 female patients with carcinoma of the body of the uterus treated and followed up during the 12 year period 1970-1982. For the patients treated with total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy followed by postoperative radiation therapy, the five-year overall survival was 88% for stage I histologic grade G1, as compared with 73% for stage I grade G2 + G3 and 48% for stages II + III. The survival rates were also analyzed in terms of myometrial infiltration. The rates of pelvic and paraaortic nodal metastases were analyzed; these observations suggested that routine postoperative radiotherapy should be considered.

Comparing Landslide Maps: A Case Study in the Upper Tiber River Basin, Central Italy.

/ The preparation of landslide maps is an important step in any landslide hazard assessment. Landslides maps are prepared around the world, but little effort is made to assess their reliability, outline their main characteristics, and pinpoint their limitations. In order to redress this imbalance, the results of a long-term research project in the Upper Tiber River basin in central Italy are used to compare reconnaissance and detailed landslide inventory maps, statistical and geomorphologically based density maps, and landslide hazard maps obtained by multivariate statistical modeling. An attempt is made to discuss advantages and limitations of the available maps, outlining possible applications for decision-makers, land developers, and environmental and civil defence agencies. The Tiber experiment has confirmed that landslides can be cost-effectively mapped by interpreting aerial photographs coupled with field surveys and that errors and uncertainties associated with the inventory can be quantified. The experiment has shown that GIS makes it easy to prepare landslide density maps and facilitates the production of statistically based landslide hazard models. The former supply an overview of the distribution of landslides that is easily comprehended but do not provide insight on the causes of instability. The latter, giving insight into the causes of instability, are diagnostically powerful, but are difficult to prepare and exploit.