A comparison of node vaccination strategies to halt SIR epidemic spreading in real-world complex networks.

We compared seven node vaccination strategies in twelve real-world complex networks. The node vaccination strategies are modeled as node removal on networks. We performed node vaccination strategies both removing nodes according to the initial network structure, i.e., non-adaptive approach, and performing partial node rank recalculation after node removal, i.e., semi-adaptive approach. To quantify the efficacy of each vaccination strategy, we used three epidemic spread indicators: the size of the largest connected component, the total number of infected at the end of the epidemic, and the maximum number of simultaneously infected individuals. We show that the best vaccination strategies in the non-adaptive and semi-adaptive approaches are different and that the best strategy also depends on the number of available vaccines. Furthermore, a partial recalculation of the node centrality increases the efficacy of the vaccination strategies by up to 80%.

Fatty acid content profile and main constituents of Corylus avellana kernel in wild type and cultivars growing in Italy.

The kernel composition (moisture, ash, protein, carbohydrate, calories, fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids) of two hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) cultivars ('Tonda Gentile Trilobata' and 'Tonda Gentile Romana') and of two wild types growing in different climatic conditions (north-west and central Italy) was evaluated. The main kernel component was fatty acid (65.9 ± 1.8%, mean value), and the most abundant fatty acid in hazelnut was oleic acid (C18:1) (83.5 ± 1.0%, mean value). The saturated fatty acids are the minor compounds in kernel hazelnut, resulting in a unsatured fatty acid to saturated (U/S) fatty acid ratio of 9.0 ± 1.6. Compared to other tree nuts and vegetable oils, hazelnut oil is among the ones with the highest contents of monounsaturated and the lowest content of saturated fatty acid. Thus, hazelnut may be beneficial for the human diet preventing cholesterol-based atherosclerosis and ischemic cardiovascular diseases.

Activated factor VII-antithrombin complex predicts mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Plasma concentration of activated factor VII (FVIIa)-antithrombin (AT) complex has been proposed as an indicator of intravascular exposure of tissue factor. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this observational study were to evaluate (i) FVIIa-AT plasma concentration in subjects with or without coronary artery disease (CAD) and (ii) its association with mortality in a prospective cohort of patients with CAD. METHODS: FVIIa-AT levels were measured by elisa in 686 subjects with (n = 546) or without (n = 140) angiographically proven CAD. Subjects with acute coronary syndromes and those taking anticoagulant drugs at the time of enrollment were excluded. CAD patients were followed for total and cardiovascular mortality. RESULTS: There was no difference in FVIIa-AT levels between CAD (84.8 with 95% confidence interval [CI] 80.6-88.2 pmol L(-1) ) and CAD-free subjects (83.9 with 95% CI 76.7-92.8 pmol L(-1) ). Within the CAD population, during a 64-month median follow-up, patients with FVIIa-AT levels higher than the median value at baseline (≥ 79 pmol L(-1) ) had a two-fold greater risk of both total and cardiovascular mortality. Results were confirmed after adjustment for sex, age, the other predictors of mortality (hazard ratio for total mortality: 2.05 with 95% CI 1.22-3.45, hazard ratio for cardiovascular mortality 1.94 with 95% CI 1.01-3.73, with a slight improvement of C-statistic over traditional risk factors), FVIIa levels, drug therapy at discharge, and even patients using all the usual medications for CAD treatment. High FVIIa-AT levels also correlated with increased thrombin generation. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study suggests that plasma concentration of FVIIa-AT is a thrombophilic marker of total and cardiovascular mortality risk in patients with clinically stable CAD.

First Report of a Pythiogeton sp. Causing Root and Basal Stalk Rot of Wild Rice in California.

In the summer of 2012, an outbreak of a newly discovered root and basal stalk rot of wild rice (Zizania palustris L.) cv. Franklin was observed in a 16-ha field in Big Valley, Lassen County, California (GPS coordinates 41°08'41.93″ N 121°10'07.49″ W). Infected plants exhibiting rot and dieback of roots and stalks were in various stages of decline, including death. Symptomatic stem and root tissues from affected plants were surface disinfected in 1% NaOCl for 90 s and placed on PARP agar plates, which were then incubated at 25°C in the dark for 1 week. Hyphal tips were used to start and maintain the organism in pure cultures. Isolates were transferred into petri plates with water and sterilized blades of turfgrass for the production of hyphae and reproductive structures. Isolates had coenocytic hyphae and produced zoospores 20 to 30 µm in diameter outside of sporangia (75 to 160 × 46 to 110 µm) from a naked mass of protoplasm, unlike from a vesicle, which is characteristic of Pythium spp. (2). Based on these morphological features, the isolate was tentatively identified as a Pythiogeton sp. Total genomic DNA was extracted from mycelia using the DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA). The internal transcribed spacers (ITS) 1 and 2 flanking the 5.8S rRNA regions were amplified by PCR and sequenced using universal ITS5 and ITS4 primers. A BLAST search of the 855-bp sequences revealed 98% similarity with a sequence of P. ramosum isolate Pg-164 (GenBank Accession No. JQ610190.1). The 21 nucleotide differences suggest that the isolate from wild rice may be an unreported species. The sequences were submitted to GenBank (KF719169). To fulfill Koch's postulates and confirm pathogenicity, 100 wild rice seeds were surface disinfected in 1% NaOCl for 90 s and placed in a 500 ml sterile pot with 250 g of autoclaved sand. Three 5 mm-diameter disks from the margin of a 7-day-old culture growing on PARP were placed in each of five pots. As a control, three 5 mm-diameter disks from a non-inoculated PARP plate were placed in five different pots, and five pots with autoclaved sand were not inoculated. All pots were kept in a randomized complete block design at 25°C for 14 days under a 14-h photoperiod. The pathogenicity test was repeated three times. After 14 days, the inoculated plants in all tests developed root and basal stalk rot, consistent with the symptoms observed on diseased wild rice in the field. The Pythiogeton sp. was consistently re-isolated on PARP from symptomatic plants but not from control plants. The non-inoculated wild rice plants remained asymptomatic. DNA sequences of the ITS region of the re-isolated Pythiogeton sp. revealed 100% identity with the isolate from the field. There have been reports of P. zeae on corn in Korea and P. zizaniae on water bamboo in Taiwan (1,2,3). This is the first report of a Pythiogeton sp. on wild rice. References: (1) P. J. Ann et al. Mycologia 98:116, 2006. (2) J. Huang et al. Mycoscience 54:130, 2013. (3) H. J. Jee et al. Mycologia 92:522, 2000.

Development of the ITER magnetic diagnostic set and specification.

ITER magnetic diagnostics are now in their detailed design and R&D phase. They have passed their conceptual design reviews and a working diagnostic specification has been prepared aimed at the ITER project requirements. This paper highlights specific design progress, in particular, for the in-vessel coils, steady state sensors, saddle loops and divertor sensors. Key changes in the measurement specifications, and a working concept of software and electronics are also outlined.

Bronchial carcinoid tumours in children: surgical treatment and outcome in a single institution.

BACKGROUND: Carcinoid tumors are low grade, malignant, neuroendocrine neoplasms. Although rare, they represent the most common primary bronchial tumours in childhood. The aim of our study was to analyse the long-term survival and surgical treatment outcome in our young patients operated for carcinoid tumour. PATIENTS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 15 paediatric patients who underwent surgery at our Institution. There were 11 male and 4 female patients with a median age of 15 years (range 8-18). All carcinoids were centrally located and symptomatic. RESULTS: We performed 10 (66.7%) parenchyma-saving procedures (5 sleeve lobectomies, 3 sleeve resections of the main bronchus, 2 bronchoplasties associated with lung resection) and 5 (33.3%) standard resections (3 bilobectomies and 2 lobectomies). There were 13 typical and 2 atypical carcinoids. Three patients (20%) had nodal metastases. There were no surgery-related deaths or complications. At long-term follow-up all patients presented with regular growth and all but one are alive. Two (13.3%) patients needed re-operation. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that, in experienced and skilled hands, conservative procedures are the treatment of choice for the management of paediatric bronchial carcinoids. Relapses can be successfully treated with re-operation and they can occur even after many years, underlining the importance of long-term follow-up.

Occurrence of fungi in water used at a haemodialysis centre.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to identify and determine the diversity, occurrence and distribution of fungi in water used at a haemodialysis centre. METHODS AND RESULTS: Samples in the hydraulic circuit for the distribution of the water, dialysate samples and samples of sterilization solution from dialysers were collected over a 3-month period, and 500 ml of each sample was filtered through membranes. All together 116 isolates of fungi were recovered from 89% of all water samples collected inside the haemodialysis unit, with prevalence of moulds in tap water samples and of yeasts in dialysate samples. Fusarium spp. was the most abundant genus found, whereas Candida parapsilosis was the predominant yeast species. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that various fungi were present in the water system. These data suggest the inclusion of the detection and quantification of fungi in the water of haemodialysis. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The recovery of fungi from aqueous haemodialysis environments implies a potential risk for haemodialysis patients and indicates the need for continuous maintenance and monitoring. Further studies on fungi in haemodialysis water systems are required to investigate the organism ability to persist, their role in biofilm formation and their clinical significance.

Sleeve resections and bronchoplastic procedures in typical central carcinoid tumours.

BACKGROUND: Typical carcinoids are low grade malignant neuroendocrine neoplasms, mostly located centrally in the tracheobronchial tree. The aim of our study was to analyse the long-term survival and surgical treatment outcome in patients submitted to parenchyma-sparing resections for typical central carcinoid tumours. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 70 patients who underwent sleeve resections or bronchoplastic procedures. We performed 21 sleeve lobectomies, 9 sleeve resections of the main bronchus, 25 bronchoplasties associated with lung resections and 15 isolated wedge bronchoplasties. Nine patients (12.8%) had nodal metastases. RESULTS: There was no operative mortality; postoperative complications occurred in one patient (1.4%) who presented an empyema. At long-term follow-up evaluation, we were able to report good results: all patients were alive and nobody manifested recurrence; one patient had a late cicatricial bronchial stenosis, which was treated with laser therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This series of central typical bronchial carcinoids, treated with sleeve or bronchoplastic resection, demonstrated an excellent outcome. Our results suggest that, in experienced and skilled hands, conservative procedures must be considered the treatment of choice for the management of these tumours.

Natural infection of Alternanthera tenella (Amaranthaceae) by a new potyvirus.

A virus was isolated from joyweed (Alternanthera tenella Colla-Amaranthaceae), a common weed in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Examination by electron microscopy showed long flexuous particles with an average length of 756 nm in crude sap. Serological results showed positive reaction with antisera to PVY-O. A fragment of 1772 nucleotides was sequenced. The CP sequence shares 76% of identity with the CP of Potato virus Y strain NTN. These results confirm that the virus is a new potyvirus infecting A. tenella, and the name Alternanthera mild mosaic virus (AltMMV) is proposed.

Surgical treatment of posttransplant bronchial stenoses: case reports.

BACKGROUND: Bronchial stenoses are still a frequent complication after lung transplantation. The stenosis usually involves the anastomotic site, but rarely a distal site. The first choice treatment is an endoscopic balloon dilatation, laser ablation, and stenting. Unrelenting strictures may require an open surgical approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1995 and 2006, 154 patients underwent lung transplantation, including 134 who survived the perioperative period and were followed to evaluate the incidence of bronchial stenosis. Among 219 anastomoses at risk, 13 (5.9%) stenoses occurred in 11 patients. Conservative endoscopic management was effective for eight patients, but a surgical approach was necessary for three patients with segmental distal stenosis. RESULTS: One patient received a lower sleeve bilobectomy; one patient, wedge bronchoplasty of the bronchus intermedius; and another patient, an isolated sleeve resection of the bronchus intermedius. All patients had good outcomes with resolution of stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, the surgical approach for bronchial strictures after lung transplantation is a good option. Parenchyma-sparing techniques are feasible and effective.

Long-term results of surgical management of pulmonary metastases from renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has a poor prognosis and conventional treatments such as chemoradiotherapy show little efficacy. Surgical resection of pulmonary metastases from RCC is a widely accepted treatment, even if selection criteria based on prognostic factors have still not been defined. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term survival, clinical outcome and prognostic factors after surgery. METHODS: Between 1988 and 2004, 59 patients underwent resection of pulmonary metastases from RCC. Univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors was carried out. RESULTS: Complete resection was achieved in 54 (91.5 %) patients. No intra- or postoperative mortality occurred, 5 (8.5 %) patients experienced postoperative complications. Overall, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 86.5 %, 63 % and 53 %, respectively. Age at the time of pulmonary resection was found to be the only independent factor influencing prognosis. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary resection of metastases from RCC is a safe and effective treatment associated with a low morbidity and mortality and with high long-term survival. The lack of other effective therapies suggests use of the surgical approach whenever possible.

The surgeon and the oncologist in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

A strict collaboration is necessary between the oncologist and the surgeon, both must know the respective problematic and competences and must contribute together to all phases of clinical management of patients affected by NSCLC.

Surgical outcome of combined pulmonary and atrial resection for lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The study was carried out to assess the short and long-term outcome of patients with non-small cell lung cancer infiltrating the left atrium treated by surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the hospital files of twenty-three consecutive patients operated on between 1982 and 2001 in two units of Thoracic Surgery. Four patients received an induction regimen. Fourteen right pneumonectomies, 8 left pneumonectomies and 1 right inferior lobectomy were performed. No cardiopulmonary bypass was employed. RESULTS: In all patients the diagnosis of T4 atrial invasion was confirmed by pathological examination. A complete resection was achieved in nineteen patients (83%). With respect to nodal staging, there were 13 N0, 5 N1 and 4 N2 cases, respectively. Two deaths occurred during the one month postoperative period (9%). Three patients had postoperative atrial fibrillation. Two other patients had postpneumonectomy empyema without bronchopleural fistula and recovered, one after thoracoscopic debridement and the second after open window thoracostomy. Follow-up was completed on September 2002; only one patient was lost to follow-up. Median survival, excluding the perioperative mortality, was 20 months (range 4 - 62 months). The survival rate, calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method, was estimated as 63% at 1 year, 2 % at 3 years and 10% at 5 years. Using a Cox model analysis, lymph node stage and completeness of resection were not independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of NSCLC with left atrial invasion complete resection is technically feasible in most instances without cardiopulmonary bypass. The acceptable operative risk and the encouraging long-term survival observed in this series suggest that NSCLC invading the left atrium should not be systematically considered as a definitive contraindication to surgery.

Pharmacologically active plant metabolites as survival strategy products.

The fact that plant organisms produce chemical substances that are able to positively or negatively interfere with the processes which regulate human life has been common knowledge since ancient times. One of the numerous possible examples in the infusion of Conium maculatum, better known as Hemlock, a plant belonging to the family umbelliferae, used by the ancient Egyptians to cure skin diseases. The current official pharmacopoeia includes various chemical substances produced by secondary plant metabolisms. For example, the immunosuppressive drugs used to prevent organ transplant rejection and the majority of antibiotics are metabolites produced by fungal organisms, pilocarpin, digitalis, strophantus, salicylic acid and curare are examples of plant organism metabolites. For this reason, there has been an increase in research into plants, based on information on their medicinal use in the areas where they grow. The study of plants in relation to local culture and traditions is known as "ethnobotany". Careful study of the behaviour of sick animals has also led to the discovery of medicinal plants. The study of this subject is known as "zoopharmacognosy". The aim of this article is to discuss the fact that "ad hoc" production of such chemical substances, defined as "secondary metabolites", is one of the modes in which plant organisms respond to unfavourable environmental stimuli, such as an attack by predatory phytophagous animals or an excessive number of plant individuals, even of the same species, in a terrain. In the latter case, the plant organisms produce toxic substances, called "allelopathic" which limit the growth of other individuals. "Secondary metabolites" are produced by metabolic systems that are shunts of the primary systems which, when required, may be activated from the beginning, or increased to the detriment of others. The study of the manner in which such substances are produced is the subject of a new branch of learning called "ecological biochemistry".

Surgical results for multiple primary lung cancers.

OBJECTIVE: The development of a multiple primary lung cancer (MPLC) is not rare in long-term survivors after curative resections. We analysed our experience in order to verify surgical results and long-term survival in our patients. METHODS: From 1971 to 1999, 80 patients with MPLC (two tumours each, total 160) were treated at the Division of Thoracic Surgery of the University of Padua. Our criteria for the definition of a synchronous or metachronous cancer are those proposed by Martini and Melamed. We had 19 patients with a synchronous tumour and 61 patients with a metachronous tumour. We performed 95 lobectomies, 5 completion pneumonectomies and 53 segmentectomies. Of 160 MPLCs, 60 were squamous carcinomas, 78 adenocarcinomas, 8 small cell lung cancers, 9 large cell lung cancers and 5 other tumours. Of 160 MPLCs, 140 were N0 disease (87.5%) and 20 were N1 or N2 disease (12.5%). RESULTS: The overall 30-day mortality was 2.5% (2 patients). Eighteen patients (22.5%) had postoperative complications. Survival at 5 and 10 years for all patients was 72% and 58%, respectively. Five-year survival for patients with metachronous and synchronous disease from the time of initial diagnosis of cancer was 85% and 20% (P=0.001), and 10-year survival was 58% and 0% (P=0.001), respectively. Survival after the development of a metachronous lesion was 51% at 5 years and 20% at 10 years. The 5-year survival of patients with metachronous tumours undergoing standard surgical procedures of the second tumour was 52%; the 5-year survival of patients undergoing atypical or segmental resections was 55%. CONCLUSIONS: Careful follow-up is recommended in all patients surviving curative resection. More accurate selection criteria for MPLC is required. An aggressive surgical approach is justified in patients with MPLC and offers the greatest chance for long-term survival even in the case of limited resection.

Vegetation evolution in a reclaimed area contaminated with dioxin.

The results of a study on the evolution of the vegetation in a reclaimed area contaminated with dioxin are presented. Phytosociological relevés were carried out in 1992-1993 and in 1998 in 25 easily recognizable points. Elaborations on the species number, life forms, chorological types, vertical structure and ecological indicator values were realized. The most outstanding results regard the biodiversity, with floristic changes; the ecology, with increase in the ecological diversity, and the structure, with increase in the cover and complexity. The increase in the shrub layer is a clear indication of structural evolution. If, on the one hand, the vegetation structure indicates evolution of the system, on the other, the present floristic composition is still the result of the starting conditions. The observed floristic changes arise from autogenic floristic readjustments because there are no allogenic floristic increases. This is due to the isolation of the area which is completely surrounded by human sites, mostly of an urban type.

The role of surgery in integrated therapies for non-small-cell lung cancer.

Surgery represents the best treatment for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In selected cases, even locally-advanced cancers may be suitable for surgical treatment. The combination of chemotherapy (with or without radiotherapy) and surgery has proved potentially useful in improving survival, but pre-operative treatment may represent a risk factor for the onset of post-operative complications. Studies performed to date indicate the need for further multidisciplinary research with a view to identifying more advantageous treatment modalities, particularly for locally-advanced NSCLC.

Long term results of surgery and chemotherapy in small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to analyse long-term results of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) treated at the same institution according to a prospective study including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. METHODS: From 1981 to 1995, 104 patients with a proven histology of SCLC underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Fifty-one patients with operable stage I or II lesion received surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Fifty-three patients with proved SCLC and clinical stage III received induction chemotherapy followed by surgery and radiotherapy. All patients received from four to six courses of chemotherapy and 36 had prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI). All patients had follow-up for at least 1 year, and survival time was calculated from the date of the diagnosis until death or most recent follow-up. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients were male and eight female. We performed 29 pneumonectomies, eight bilobectomies, 66 lobectomies and one no resection. Regarding the clinical stage, 35 patients (33.6%) had stage I, 16 patients (15.4%) had stage II and 53 (51%) had stage III. Post-operative pathologic staging revealed stage I in 37 patients (35.6%), stage II in nine patients (8.6%), stage III in 45 patients (43.3%), and in 13 patients (12.5%) there was no more tumor. The 30-day mortality was 2% (two patients). Fourteen patients (13.4%) had post-operative complications. Fifty-one patients (49%) had a relapse. The median follow-up was 55 months. Twenty-six patients remain alive and 78 patients have died. The overall 5-year survival rate was 32%, with an estimate median survival time of 28 months; according to the pathologic stage, the survival data were 52.2%, 30% and 15.3% for stage I, II and III, respectively (P < 0.001). The 5-year survival was 41% in patients without SCLC after chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: As with non-small cell lung cancer, survival following surgery and chemotherapy clearly correlates with the stage. At present, it is not clear whether surgery is truly effective for patients with SCLC. In our experience, the complete elimination of small cell lung cancer is associated with an improvement in survival (41% at 5 years).

The role of diagnostic hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy in assisted reproductive technologies.

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence of unsuspected endouterine abnormalities in patients for whom IVF-ET repeatedly fails. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Infertility Unit of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy. PATIENT(S): One hundred patients for whom two IVF-ET cycles failed in which > or =2 good-quality embryos were transferred. INTERVENTION(S): In-office diagnostic hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Relation between IVF-ET failure and unsuspected endouterine abnormalities. RESULT(S): In 18 patients, hysteroscopy showed an important unsuspected endouterine abnormality. Fifteen of these patients did not become pregnant after IVF-ET, and 3 became pregnant but had a spontaneous abortion. Histologic examination of the endometrium revealed chronic endometritis in 1 patient and tuberculous endometritis in another. CONCLUSION(S): Previous studies have reported that the incidence of endouterine abnormalities is high in patients undergoing IVF-ET. Our data confirm the previous reports and lead us to conclude that diagnostic hysteroscopy should be performed on all patients before they undergo IVF-ET.