Continuous monitoring of noise levels in the Gulf of Catania (Ionian Sea). Study of correlation with ship traffic.

Acoustic noise levels were measured in the Gulf of Catania (Ionian Sea) from July 2012 to May 2013 by a low frequency (<1000Hz) hydrophone, installed on board the NEMO-SN1 multidisciplinary observatory. NEMO-SN1 is a cabled node of EMSO-ERIC, which was deployed at a water depth of 2100m, 25km off Catania. The study area is characterized by the proximity of mid-size harbors and shipping lanes. Measured noise levels were correlated with the passage of ships tracked with a dedicated AIS antenna. Noise power was measured in the frequency range between 10Hz and 1000Hz. Experimental data were compared with the results of a fast numerical model based on AIS data to evaluate the contribution of shipping noise in six consecutive 1/3 octave frequency bands, including the 1/3 octave frequency bands centered at 63Hz and 125Hz, indicated by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC).

Consensus on the use of cyclosporine in dermatological practice. Italian Consensus Conference.

Cyclosporine A (CsA) efficacy and safety have been proven in various dermatoses both in adults and in children even as long-term treatment. Over the last 25 years, Italian dermatologists have gathered relevant experience about CsA treatment for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. This paper has been developed by an Italian Consensus Conference and it is aimed at providing recommendations based on real-world clinical experience in adult patients, consistent with efficacy and safety data arising from the scientific literature. The paper is mainly focused on the analysis of the optimal therapeutic schemes for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, in terms of doses and treatment duration, according to individual characteristics and to the severity of the disease. Moreover, it overviews ideal management, taking into account pharmacological interactions, influence of comorbidities, and the most common adverse events related to CsA treatment.

Cyclosporine and herbal supplement interactions.

Cyclosporine (CyA) is a well-known immunosuppressant with a narrow therapeutic window. Its bioavailability is affected by many other traditional drugs and herbal extracts. Cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 and protein P-glycoprotein (P-gp) are involved in CyA bioavailability. Interactions of CyA with herbal extracts are not well known, but, given their increased concomitant use, it is important to know which extracts, many of which are commonly self-prescribed, can affect CyA blood concentrations. Decreased CyA blood concentration has been shown with St John's wort in case reports and, in vivo animal studies, with ginger, liquorice, scutellariae radix, and quercetin. Increased CyA concentration has been reported in patients with grapefruit juice, chamomile, or berberine, and with cannabidiol or resveratrol in animal studies. Effects of Echinacea and Serenoa repens on CyA levels have not been shown consistently, but concomitant use should be avoided. Although findings from animal studies cannot be directly translated into humans, avoiding concomitant use of herbal extracts is prudent until human clinical studies have ruled out any possible interaction. Clinicians should interview their patients carefully about their use of herbal supplements before CyA administration, and those receiving CyA should be warned about possible interactions between herbal preparations and CyA.

Cyclosporine regimens in plaque psoriasis: an overview with special emphasis on dose, duration, and old and new treatment approaches.

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is one of the most effective systemic drugs available for the treatment of psoriasis, as evidenced by the results of several randomized studies and by a prolonged experience in dermatological setting. In clinical practice, CsA is usually used for the induction of psoriasis remission at a daily dose included in the range of 2.5-5 mg/kg and with intermittent short-term regimens, lasting on average 3-6 months. The magnitude and rapidity of response are dose dependent, as well as the risk of development of adverse events. Therefore, the dose should be tailored to patient's needs and general characteristics and adjusted during the treatment course according to both the efficacy and tolerability. Some studies support the feasibility of pulse administration of CsA for a few days per week for both the induction and the maintenance of response in psoriasis patients. This paper will review the data on CsA regimens for plaque-type psoriasis and will focus the attention on dose, treatment duration, novel schedules, and role in combination therapies, including the association with biologicals.

Colecistectomía transumbilical mediante técnica híbrida: un nuevo abordaje prometedor / Transumbilical cholecystectomy using hybrid technique: A new promising approach

Objetivos. La utilización de imanes en la colecistectomía transumbilical mejora la triangulación y logra una visión crítica óptima. No obstante, la atracción entre los imanes puede provocar colisiones y su manejo dificulta el proceso, siendo este hecho más relevante en pediatría. Con el objetivo de simplificar la técnica y disminuir la curvad e aprendizaje, hemos elaborado un modelo híbrido con un solo imán. Material y métodos. Revisión retrospectiva de las colecistectomías realizadas en nuestro servicio entre junio 2011 y julio 2012. La técnica combina el uso de un imán y una pinza curva. A través de la incisión transumbilical, colocamos un trocar de 12 mm y otro flexible de 5 mm. Por el primero introducimos el imán encargado de traccionar del fundusvesicular y el laparoscopio con canal de trabajo. El trocar flexible se usa para la pinza curva, manejada por el ayudante para movilizar el infundíbulo. El cirujano opera por el canal de trabajo del laparoscopio. Resultados. Veintiséis pacientes fueron intervenidos con esta técnica. La edad media fue 14 años (4-17) y el peso 50 kg (18-90), siendo el 65% niñas. El tiempo operatorio medio fue 62 minutos (50-70) y la visión crítica de seguridad se logró en todos los casos. No hubo entrecruzamientos de las pinzas ni de las manos de los cirujanos. No existieron complicaciones intraoperatorias ni postoperatorias. La estancia hospitalaria fue 1,4 ± 0,6 días y la mediana de seguimiento 201 días (42-429).Conclusiones. La técnica hibrida, combinando imán y pinza curva, simplifica la cirugía transumbilical. Parece una alternativa factible y segura para la colecistectomía transumbilical y potencialmente reproducible (AU)

Objectives. The use of magnets in transumbilical cholecystectomy improves triangulation and achieves optimal critical view. However, theattraction between magnets can cause collisions and their management complicates the procedure, and this will become more important in children. In order to simplify the technique, we have developed a hybrid model with a single magnet. Material and methods. Retrospective review of cholecystectomies performed in our department between June 2011 and July 2012. The technique combines the use of a magnet and a curved (..) (AU)

[Transumbilical cholecystectomy using hybrid technique: a new promising approach]. / Colecistectomia transumbilical mediante técnica híbrida: un nuevo abordaje prometedor.

OBJECTIVES: The use of magnets in transumbilical cholecystectomy improves triangulation and achieves optimal critical view. However, the attraction between magnets can cause collisions and their management complicates the procedure, and this will become more important in children. In order to simplify the technique, we have developed a hybrid model with a single magnet. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of cholecystectomies performed in our department between June 2011 and July 2012. The technique combines the use of a magnet and a curved grasper. Through transumbilical incision, a 12 mm trocar and another flexible 5 mm are placed. Laparoscope with working channel uses the 12 mm trocar. The magnet is introduced to the abdominal cavity using the working channel to provide cephalad retraction of gallbladder fundus. Curved grasper is run by the assistant to mobilize the infundibulum across flexible trocar. The surgeon operates through the working channel of the laparoscope. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were operated on with this technique. Mean age was 14 years (4-17) and weight 50 kg (18-90). 65% were girls. The mean operative time was 62 minutes (50-70) and the critical view of safety was achieved in all cases. Instrumental collision or hands crossing were not seen. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The hospital stay was 1.4 +/- 0.6 days and the median follow-up 201 days (42-429). CONCLUSIONS: The hybrid technique, combining magnet and a curved grasper, simplifies transumbilical surgery. It seems a feasible and safe for transumbilical cholecystectomy and potentially reproducible.

Dielectron production in 12C+12C collisions at 2A GeV with the HADES spectrometer.

The invariant-mass spectrum of e+e- pairs produced in 12C+12C collisions at an incident energy of 2 GeV per nucleon has been measured for the first time. The measured pair production probabilities span over 5 orders of magnitude from the pi(0)-Dalitz to the rho/omega invariant-mass region. Dalitz decays of pi(0) and eta account for all the yield up to 0.15 GeV/c(2), but for only about 50% above this mass. A comparison with model calculations shows that the excess pair yield is likely due to baryon-resonance and vector-meson decays. Transport calculations based on vacuum spectral functions fail, however, to describe the entire mass region.

Evaluation of two biodegradable polymeric systems as substrates for bone tissue engineering.

The aim of this study was to evaluate two biodegradable polymeric systems as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Rat bone marrow cells were seeded and cultured for 1 week on two biodegradable porous polymeric systems, one composed of poly(ethylene glycol)-terephthalate/poly(butylene terephthalate) (PEGT/PBT) and the other composed of cornstarch blended with poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (SPCL). Porous hydroxyapatite granules were used as controls. The ability of cells to proliferate and form extracellular matrix on these scaffolds was assessed by a DNA quantification assay and by scanning electron microscopy examination; their osteogenic differentiation was screened by the expression of alkaline phosphatase. In addition, the in vivo osteogenic potential of the engineered constructs was evaluated through ectopic implantation in a nude mouse model. Results revealed that cells were able to proliferate, differentiate, and form extracellular matrix on all materials tested. Moreover, all constructs induced abundant formation of bone and bone marrow after 4 weeks of implantation. The extent of osteogenesis (approximately 30% of void volume) was similar in all types of implants. However, the amount of bone marrow and the degree of bone contact were higher on HA scaffolds, indicating that the polymers still need to be modulated for higher osteoconductive capacity. Nevertheless, the findings suggest that both PEGT/PBT and SPCL systems are excellent candidates to be used as scaffolds for a cell therapy approach in the treatment of bone defects.

Strong enhancement of extremely energetic proton production in central heavy ion collisions at intermediate energy.

The energetic proton emission has been investigated as a function of the reaction centrality for the system (58)Ni + (58)Ni at 30A MeV. Extremely energetic protons (E(NN)(p) > or = 130 MeV) were measured and their multiplicity is found to increase almost quadratically with the number of participant nucleons, thus indicating the onset of a mechanism beyond one- and two-body dynamics.

Nuclear detecting systems at LNL and LNS: foreseen experiments to provide basic data for heavy-ion risk assessment.

The use of existing detecting systems developed for nuclear physics studies allows collecting data on particle and ion production cross-sections in reactions induced by Oxygen and Carbon beams, of interest for hadrontherapy and heavy-ion risk assessment. The MULTICS and GARFIELD apparatus, together with the foreseen experiments, are reviewed.

[Screening for lead poisoning in children by measuring lead levels in housing: a study of the Paris region]. / Dépistage du saturnisme infantile à partir de la recherche de plomb dans l'habitat: une étude en région parisienne.

Screening programs for lead poisoning in France rely usually on the preliminary identification of risk factors among children seen in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) clinics. To assess the potential relevance of screening strategies based on the quantification of exposure to lead in housing, we estimated first the prevalence of exposure to lead in a representative sample of older buildings, then the prevalence of lead poisoning among children living in those buildings where high levels of lead had been found. Exposure to lead was measured in dust and paint samples collected in hallways and other collective areas of the buildings. Venous blood samples were collected from the children aged 10 months to 6 years residing in buildings where lead exceeded 1.5 g/kg in paint samples or 1000 micrograms/m2 in dust samples. Paint and dust samples were collected in 137 buildings: 74% presented high dust and/or paint lead contents. Blood samples were collected from 145 out of a total of 189 children residing in these buildings: blood lead levels (PbB) were higher than or equal to 10 micrograms/dl for 65% of these children; 29% were higher than or equal to 15 micrograms/dl, 16% higher than or equal to 20 micrograms/dl. Out of 42 children with PbB > or = 15 micrograms/dl, 21 had not been previously identified through the screening program conducted in local MCH clinics. Clinic-based and environment-based screening appeared to be complementary. It seems thus justified to develop screening strategies based on the assessment of exposure to lead in the environment.