General Relativity and the AKSZ Construction.

In this note the AKSZ construction is applied to the BFV description of the reduced phase space of the Einstein-Hilbert and of the Palatini-Cartan theories in every space-time dimension greater than two. In the former case one obtains a BV theory for the first-order formulation of Einstein-Hilbert theory, in the latter a BV theory for Palatini-Cartan theory with a partial implementation of the torsion-free condition already on the space of fields. All theories described here are BV versions of the same classical system on cylinders. The AKSZ implementations we present have the advantage of yielding a compatible BV-BFV description, which is the required starting point for a quantization in presence of a boundary.

Gravitational Constraints on a Lightlike Boundary.

We analyse the boundary structure of general relativity in the coframe formalism in the case of a lightlike boundary, i.e. when the restriction of the induced Lorentzian metric to the boundary is degenerate. We describe the associated reduced phase space in terms of constraints on the symplectic space of boundary fields. We explicitly compute the Poisson brackets of the constraints and identify the first- and second-class ones. In particular, in the 3+1-dimensional case, we show that the reduced phase space has two local degrees of freedom, instead of the usual four in the non-degenerate case.

Trypanosoma cruzi nucleoside diphosphate kinase 1 ( TcNDPK1) has a broad nuclease activity.

Here, we present the characterization of a trypanosomatid nucleoside diphosphate kinase (TcNDPK1) exhibiting nuclease activity. This is the first identification of a NDPK with this property in trypanosomatid organisms. The recombinant TcNDPK1 protein cleaves not only linear DNA, but also supercoiled plasmid DNA. Additionally, TcNDPK1 is capable of degrading Trypanosoma cruzi genomic DNA. ATP or ADP did not affect the nuclease activity, while the absence of Mg2+ completely inhibits this activity. NDPK and nuclease activities were inhibited at the same temperature, suggesting the presence of related catalytic sites. Furthermore, phenogram analysis showed that TcNDPK1 is close to Drosophila melanogaster and human NDPKs. The unspecific nuclease activity could suggest a participation in cellular processes such as programmed cell death.

Environmental complexity of a port: Evidence from circulation of the water masses, and composition and contamination of bottom sediments.

Ports are complex environments due to their complicated geometry (quays, channels, and piers), the presence of human activities (vessel traffic, shipyards, industries, and discharges), and natural factors (stream and torrent inputs, sea action, and currents). Taking these factors into consideration, we have examined the marine environment of a port from the point of view of the circulation of the water masses, hydrological characteristics, distribution of the sediment grain-size, mineralogical characteristics, and metal concentrations of the bottom sediments. Our results show that, in the case of the Port of Genoa (north-western Italy), the impact of human activities (such as a coal power-plant, oil depots, shipyards, dredging of the bottom sediments, etc.), natural processes (such as currents, fresh water and sediment inputs from the torrents), and the morphology of the basin, are important factors in the sediment, water, and metal distributions that have given rise to a complex environment.

Consideraciones radiológicas del cáncer de pulmón y Covid-19: una mirada oncológica / Radiological considerations of lung cancer and Covid-19: a oncology look

Patients with SARS-Cov-2 infection and lung cancer have an unfavorable prognosis, characterized by higher rates of respiratory failure, use of invasive mechanical ventilation and higher mortality rates. Due to similarities in affected organs in Covid-19 and lung cancer, the radiological accurate diagnosis has become a challenge for physicians. Radiologic findings of lung cancer, such as parenchymal consolidation, spiculation and microlobulations are not specific. Imaging findings of Covid-19 in patients with lung cancer consist of multiple patchy multifocal bilateral ground-glass opacities and consolidations, being hardly distinguishable from an underlying lung malignancy. Differential radiological diagnosis in patients with lung cancer and Covid-19 must include pneumonitis and lung toxicity caused by chemotherapy, target therapies and radiotherapy. Follow-up and simulation tomography in radiotherapy have become an unexpected ally in the early detection of Covid-19 in asymptomatic stages in lung cancer patients. Patients with lung cancer should have particular considerations due to their high risk and the adverse effects of systemic therapies and radiotherapy. (AU)

Evaluation of the boundary condition influence on PAH concentrations in the water column during the sediment dredging of a port.

The mobilisation of sediments and related contaminants connected to dredging activities is one of the most critical issues to the environmental risk and exposure assessment of a dredging project. The aim of this paper was an investigation of the mobilisation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) due to the dredging of the Port of Genoa (Italy) to identify the temporal and spatial extent of the contaminant transport, and the influence of the dredging and the boundary conditions on it. The results showed relatively low background PAH concentrations in the water column and confirmed the dredging as the primary rising factor of concentrations in the water column, but also showed a complex scenario in which the different environmental and dredging factors forced the concentrations at different levels and moments. The post dredging phase showed PAH values close to the background conditions and the concentrations remained relatively high only for a few PAHs.

Familial mandibuloacral dysplasia: report of an additional Italian patient.

Mandibuloacral dysplasia is a rare condition. Only 11 families have been reported and five of them were Italian, while consanguinity was found only in one report. We describe an additional Italian patient born from consanguineous parents.

Single daily dose of cefodizime in patients with community-acquired pneumonia: an open-label, controlled, randomized study. The Italian Multicentre Community-Acquired Pneumonia Group.

The objective of this study was to compare the clinical and bacteriologic efficacy and safety of cefodizime 1 g intramuscularly (IM) once daily (group A) versus cefodizime 1 g IM twice daily (group B) and versus ceftriaxone 1 g IM once daily (group C) in patients with community-acquired pneumonia. A total of 298 patients, affected by bronchopneumonia or pneumonia with known or suspected bacterial cause, new focal signs on examination of chest, and radiographic evidence of a recent infiltrate, were randomized in three comparable groups. The infection was rated as mild, moderate, or severe. A total of 283 patients were assessable for efficacy: 95 in group A, 94 in group B, and 94 in group C. Mean (+/- SD) duration of treatment was 5.96 +/- 1.39 days in group A, 6.24 +/- 1.57 days in group B, and 6.66 +/- 1.95 days in group C. Symptoms such as purulent sputum, cough, and dyspnea improved significantly after treatment in all groups; temperature normalized by about day 3. Clinical efficacy was rated good in 94.74% of patients in group A, in 92.55% in group B, and in 87.23% in group C. Positive bacteriologic cultures were obtained before treatment from 144 patients: bacteriologic responses were rated good in 98.11%, 98.08%, and 92.80% in groups A, B, and C, respectively. No significant differences were found between the three treatment groups for any measures of clinical efficacy. No serious adverse event occurred in any of the groups. We conclude that cefodizime 1 g IM once daily is an effective dosing regimen in the treatment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

Neuropsychological follow-up in early-treated congenital hypothyroidism: a problem-oriented approach.

Screening programs for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) dramatically improved the neuropsychological prognosis in affected children. However, mild impairments in cognitive performances, poorer motor skills, defective language abilities, and learning problems have been reported in some studies of early-treated CH children. The occurrence of these defects makes neuropsychological follow-up mandatory. The aim of the present study was to identify those neuropsychological functions that are more frequently affected in early-treated CH children and that might require prompt rehabilitation treatment to prevent permanent defects. The study group involved 24 CH children. Levothyroxine (LT4) treatment (initial dose 8-10 microg/kg per day) was started at mean age of 28 days (range 15-45) and was then adjusted with the goal to keep thyrotropin (TSH) and free thyroid hormone levels in the normal range. Cognitive evaluation was performed at 3, 5, and 7 years of age and did not significantly differ from that of controls. Mean neurological scores were lower in children 5 years of age than in controls. Children with severe neonatal hypothyroidism (serum thyroxine [T4] < 2 microg/dL) had significantly lower neurological scores compared to less affected CH children and normal controls. The most affected functions were balance, extremity coordination, fine motricity, quality of movements, associated movements, and head movements. Language disorders were observed in half of CH children at 3 and 5 years of age, but moderately severe defects were restricted to those with severe neonatal hypothyroidism. In conclusion, a problem-oriented, simplified neuropsychological follow-up of early-treated children with CH should not systematically include the frequent repetition of time-consuming and expensive psychometric tests because individual IQ scores are in the normal range of tests in almost all CH children and can be differentiated from those of normal controls only on a population-statistic basis. Selected tests of motor proficiency are indicated at 3 and 5 years of age to detect those defects in motor skills that appear to be more specifically affected in CH children. Language performances are at particular risk in CH children, and should be always checked at 3 and 5 years of age. Children with even mild language disorders or delayed language achievements should be regularly reevaluated at 6-month intervals and, if no spontaneous improvement is observed, they should receive specific rehabilitation treatment. No further motor and language evaluation is warranted in CH children with normal tests at age 5 years.

Social adjustment in children with Down mental retardation (MRD) and Fragile-X mental retardation (MRX).

BACKGROUND: Since adjustment abilities became important in mental retardation (MR) diagnosis, it seemed interesting to study social adjustment in persons with MR Down (RMD) and MR Fragile-X (RMX). These two syndromes are the most common causes of MR of chromosomal origin. To evaluate the influence of temperament insofar as behavior and temperament are concerned in social adjustment, we studied temperamental dimensions (emotionality, activity, sociability and shyness) and social functioning (attention problems and withdrawal). METHODS: Our study group was composed of 35 children with MR; 23 with RMD (F=14) age range 4 to 21, and 12 (F=1) with RMX age ranged from 5 to 19. #Social adjustment was evaluated by two scales: EAS and CBCL. RESULTS: The six evaluated dimensions of adjustment functioning (emotionality, activity, sociability, shyness, attention problems and withdrawal) differ in the two MRD and MRX groups. MRX scores are all higher except for sociability; shyness, attention problems and emotionality show a significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: The RMX group is that one may have more difficulty in social adjustment. This is because they are characterized by hyperactivity, withdrawal, low attention, low social function and high emotionality that are all negative symptoms for a social adjustment. In our study group MRD have higher values in the sociability area and they don't show relevant behavioral disorders and they have got more adaptive abilities. We may hypothesize that this attitude is a part of their genetic structure, and also that the best social adjustment of Down persons may be linked to a better interaction with the environment.

Our eight-year experience with human umbilical vein grafts.

From 1977 through 1984, 58 arterial reconstructions using glutaraldehyde-tanned human umbilical vein (H.U.V.) grafts were carried out: 41 femoropopliteal, 4 composite aortopopliteal (a Dacron graft was inserted proximally), 5 femorotibial, 6 axillofemoral, 1 femorofemoral, and 1 iliofemoral bypass. Autogenous saphenous vein was absent or inadequate in all patients. Limb salvage was the primary indication for surgery (89.7%). Five and 8 years cumulative patency rates were 42.8% and 35.1% respectively for all H.U.V. by-passes and 52.4% and 41.9% respectively for femoropopliteal by-passes. Four out of the 5 femorotibial by-passes failed during the first month following surgery. Two of the 6 axillofemoral and 3 of the 4 composite aortopopliteal by-passes thrombosed within 1 and 3 years after surgery, respectively. Perioperative mortality was 5.1%, while overall mortality was 17.2%. The following conclusions can be drawn from these results: H.U.V. grafts did not achieve cumulative patency rates superior to those reported with autogenous saphenous vein, in limb salvage situations, when the saphenous vein is not available, the H.U.V. graft offers acceptable salvage rates, results from the 8-year follow-up period demonstrate the durability and long-term patency of H.U.V. grafts.

Atherosclerotic aneurysm of the deep femoral artery.

A rare case of acutely thrombosed atherosclerotic aneurysm of the deep femoral artery is herein described. A review of the literature revealed 12 other reported cases of deep femoral aneurysm. However none were treated by resection and replacement using a human umbilical vein graft which was chosen in the present case because the autogenous saphenous vein was not available.

Multiple aneurysmal dilatations in a knitted dacron velour graft.

The formation of multiple aneurysms in the midportion of Dacron grafts has been reported only twice in the surgical literature. In the present case, three aneurysmal dilatations developed 6 years following an orto-femoral Dacron graft implantation. Multiple structural defects in the Dacron prosthesis appear to be the most likely cause of the graft failure.

Different effects of atropine and cimetropium bromide on gastric emptying of liquids and antroduodenal motor activity in man.

Atropine (1 mg intravenously) and a new antimuscarinic compound, cimetropium bromide (5 mg intravenously), as well as placebo (physiological saline) were tested for their effects on gastric emptying and antroduodenal motility in healthy humans. In a first single-blind cross-over study, the emptying rate was assessed in 12 subjects by measuring paracetamol absorption. In a second single-blind parallel-group study, antroduodenal motor activity was measured in 20 subjects through four perfused open tip catheters with orifices positioned in the antroduodenal region. Atropine, unlike cimetropium bromide, significantly delayed gastric emptying. Antral and duodenal motility index was reduced significantly by atropine, but not by cimetropium bromide. Heart rate significantly increased only after atropine. Three subjects taking atropine complained of dry mouth and one of blurred vision. In conclusion, the results of these studies show that atropine, unlike cimetropium bromide, strongly inhibits gastric emptying of liquids and reduces antroduodenal motor activity in man.

Post-operative analgesia with tramadol: a controlled study compared with an analgesic combination.

The analgesic action of tramadol in the post-operative period was compared with that of an analgesic combination (Nisidin) in a sample of 60 patients (31 male, 29 female) aged between 20 and 70 years undergoing surgical operations on the abdomen involving opening of the peritoneum. The study was carried out according to a controlled and randomized experimental design. Tramadol in 100 mg/2 ml vials and Nisidin in 2 ml vials were administered parenterally at a dosage of three vials a day during the first three days of the post-operative period. The analgesic action of tramadol was shown to be more effective than that of Nisidin both after the first dose and during the three days of observation (p < 0.01). Local and general safety were good in both groups, and respiratory and heart rates did not undergo clinically significant modifications. In conclusion, tramadol proves to be particularly indicated in the treatment of post-operative pain, given that it has analgesic action combined with good local and general safety.

[A retrospective study on the efficacy of the treatment of functional dyspepsia. An evaluation of 166 cases]. / Studio retrospettivo sull'efficacia del trattamento della dispepsia funzionale. Valutazione di 166 casi.

A retrospective study is reported carried out on a group of 166 patients affected by dyspeptic syndrome who presented at least 3 of the 9 symptoms which characterise this pathology. One hundred and twenty-eight patients underwent prokinetic drug therapy and 38 received placebo. Clinical parameters were evaluated following one month of therapy all patients in order to compare them to basal values. The results obtained confirm a satisfactory efficacy of the prokinetic treatment in improving dyspeptic symptoms. Although administered to a smaller number of patients, placebo was also found to play an important role in the multifactorial etiopathogenesis of the dyspeptic syndrome on a functional basis.

The effects on colonic mucosa of transposition to the stomach.

In order to investigate the morphological and functional changes produced in the colonic mucosa after prolonged exposure to gastric juices, 24 colonic patches were implanted on the gastric body and the gastric antrum. The specimens were removed, two, four or six months after surgery, and several morpho-functional changes were observed. These included a gastric-like transformation of the superficial epithelial cells, the presence, exclusively in the colonic patches implanted in the gastric body, of cells with large osmiophilic cytoplasmic granules and a progressive increase in sialomucin secretion with an almost complete disappearance of sulfomucins.

[Treatment of recurrences of duodenal ulcer: seasonal or long-term therapy?]. / Trattamento delle recidive dell'ulcera duodenale: terapia stagionale o long-term?

Many recently published papers have focused on the problem of the treatment of recurring duodenal ulcers and time trends, given the rate of late recurrences observed with long-term protocol. The results of trials with seasonal protocols are therefore presented. Given the seasonal trends in duodenal ulcer recurrence, a stable oscillatory behaviour with fluctuations of 6-month periodicity was demonstrated with the use of conventional statistical methods. With the utilization of the more sophisticated spectral analysis of data from many centers in Italy, the time trends of this condition have been characterized in greater detail, and cycles of increased recurrences every 4, 6 and 12 months have been evidenced. On the basis of these data, a randomized controlled trial in 60 patients treated with cimetidine, 30 patients in long-term and 30 in seasonal treatment showed similar results: the recurrence rate was 30% in both groups over a 12-month period. Preliminary results of a new multicenter trial in 110 patients with the same protocol (cimetidine 400 mg nocte), confirm these results. In conclusion, the two trials tend to confirm the validity of preventive protocols that respect seasonal fluctuations.

Detection of incipient object slippage by skin-like sensing and neural network processing.

Detection of incipient slippage is of great importance in robotics for the control of grasping and manipulation tasks. Together with fine-form reconstruction and primitive recognition, it has to be the main feature of an artificial tactile system. The system presented here is based on a neural network used to detect incipient slippage and on a skin-like sensor sensible to normal and shear stresses. Normal and shear stresses components inside the sensor are the input data of the neural net. An important feature of the system is that the a priori knowledge of the friction coefficient between the sensor and the object being manipulated is not needed. To validate the method we worked on both simulated and experimental data. In the first case, the finite element method is used to solve the direct problem of elastic contact in its full nonlinearity by resorting to the lowest number of approximations regarding the real problem. Simulation has shown that the network learns and is robust to noise. Then an experimental test was carried out. Experimental results show that, in a simple case, the method is able to detect the insipiency of slippage between an object and the sensor.

[Case reports of emergency exeresis for intractable pulmonary hemorrhages]. / Contributo casistico al trattamento exeretico urgente delle emorragie polmonari irrefrenabili.

Five cases of surgically treated unrestrainable pulmonary haemorrhage are described. The satisfactory results obtained show that pulmonary exeresis, in some cases of haemorrhages, is the only effective method for saving the patient's life and removing the anatomic cause of the haemorrhage.