A photogrammetric method for target monitoring inside the MEG II detector.

An automatic target monitoring method based on photographs taken by a CMOS photo-camera has been developed for the MEG II detector. The technique could be adapted for other fixed-target experiments requiring good knowledge of their target position to avoid biases and systematic errors in measuring the trajectories of the outcoming particles. A CMOS-based, high resolution, high radiation tolerant, and high magnetic field resistant photo-camera was mounted inside the MEG II detector at the Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland). MEG II is used to search for lepton flavor violation in muon decays. The photogrammetric method's challenges, affecting measurements of low momentum particles' tracks, are the high magnetic field of the spectrometer, high radiation levels, tight space constraints, and the need to limit the material budget in the tracking volume. The camera is focused on the dot pattern drawn on the thin MEG II target, about 1 m away from the detector endcaps where the photo-camera is placed. Target movements and deformations are monitored by comparing images of the dots taken at various times during the measurement. The images are acquired with a Raspberry board and analyzed using custom software. Global alignment to the spectrometer is guaranteed by corner cubes placed on the target support. As a result, the target monitoring fulfills the needs of the experiment.

Optical design of a light-emitting diode lamp for a maritime lighthouse.

Traffic signaling is an emerging field for light-emitting diode (LED) applications. This sustainable power-saving illumination technology can be used in maritime signaling thanks to the recently updated norms, where the possibility to utilize LED sources is explicitly cited, and to the availability of high-power white LEDs that, combined with suitable lenses, permit us to obtain well-collimated beams. This paper describes the optical design of a LED-based lamp that can replace a traditional lamp in an authentic marine lighthouse. This source recombines multiple separated LEDs realizing a quasi-punctual localized source. Advantages can be lower energy consumption, higher efficiency, longer life, fewer faults, slower aging, and minor maintenance costs. The proposed LED source allows us to keep and to utilize the old Fresnel lenses of the lighthouse, which very often have historical value.

Acute physical activity and delayed attention in primary school students.

To examine the influence of different types of exertion on immediate and delayed attention in 116 primary school children divided in three groups of exertion [cognitive exertion - CE (school curricular lesson), physical exertion - PE (traditional physical education lesson), mixed cognitive and physical exertion - CPE (coordinative physical education lesson)]. CPE was the combination of physical load due to the practice of physical exercises and of cognitive load requested to perform movement-based problem solving tasks requiring accurate timing, temporal estimations, temporal production, and spatial adjustments. Children's attentional capacity was tested before (pre) and after (at 0 min and at 50 min post) a CE, a PE, or a CPE lesson, using the d2-test of attention, and analyzed using a 3 × 3 × 2 mixed analysis of covariance with exertion type and time as within factors, gender as between factor, and baseline data as covariate. Effect sizes were calculated as partial eta squared (ƞ(2)). Results showed that participants' attentional performance was significantly affected by exertion type (P < 0.0001), by time (P < 0.0001) and by exertion type × time interactions (P < 0.0001). The effect sizes ranged from medium (0.039) to large (0.437). Varying the type of exertion has different beneficial influences on the level of attention in school children.

Reduction of plasma aldosterone and arterial stiffness in obese pre- and stage1 hypertensive subjects after aerobic exercise.

Obesity-related hypertension is associated with increased activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), increasing arterial stiffness. Aerobic exercise decreases pulse wave velocity (PWV), therefore a treatment option for hypertension and obesity. Assess RAAS activity and PWV before and after 4 weeks of aerobic training in unmedicated, pre-to-stage-1 hypertensives. Ten obese subjects (52±3.2 years, body mass index=33.5±1.4) performed 30 min of aerobic exercise on a treadmill 3 days per week at 65% of peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak). Descriptive characteristics, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), PWV, and a blood draw was performed at baseline, following the 4-week control and training interventions. No differences in descriptive characteristics during the control period were observed, however, a significant decrease in plasma aldosterone (ALDO) (255.4±75 to 215.8±66 pg ml(-1), P=0.001), SBP (140±12 to 136±10.4 mm Hg; P=0.02), DBP (89±4.2 to 85±6.3 mm Hg; P=0.03) and central PWV (11.2±0.6 to 9.8±0.8 m s(-1); P=0.04) was shown pre-to-post exercise training. Four weeks of moderate-intensity aerobic training in obese, hypertensives decreases plasma ALDO independently of body weight and is significantly correlated to decreases in PWV reductions.

Association of pregnancy and Candida vaginal colonization in women with or without symptoms of vulvovaginitis.

AIM: Candida infection is one of the main causes of vulvovaginitis. The experience of symptoms of vulvovaginitis during pregnancy changes in relation to clinical, behavioral, and demographic factors. Candidiasis is associated with an increased risk of delivery complications. In some studies pregnant women are found more symptomatic than non-pregnant women, but in others a higher prevalence of asymptomatic infections is described during pregnancy. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of Candida vaginal colonization in pregnant women, and investigate if the occurrence of symptoms is influenced by pregnancy, in a population of Italian native and immigrant women. METHODS: A total of 344 outpatients, who visited the laboratory for routine genital examination, independently of pregnancy or presence or absence of symptoms of vulvovaginitis, were evaluated. RESULTS: Colonization by Candida spp. was significantly higher in pregnant than non-pregnant patients (31.4% vs. 19.9%; χ2=5.59; P=0.018), nevertheless pregnant women were significantly more often asymptomatic compared to non-pregnant (46.5% vs. 16%; χ2=42.31; P<0.0001). In the sub-group of women colonized by Candida spp., pregnancy resulted significantly associated to asymptomatic infection (58.1% vs. 30.8%; χ2 =6.18; P=0.013). A binary logistic regression analysis showed pregnancy or lactobacilli colonization independently associated to a lower probability of experiencing symptoms of vulvovaginitis (respectively: P<0.0001 and P=0.008). CONCLUSION: Pregnancy seems to be independently associated to Candida spp. asymptomatic vaginal infection. Given that candidiasis has been associated with possible delivery complications, these results suggest to screen for Candida spp. vaginal colonization asymptomatic women during pregnancy.

Is the new AquaTrainer® snorkel valid for VO2 assessment in swimming?

The Cosmed AquaTrainer® snorkel, in connection with the K4b2 analyzer, is the most recent instrument used for real time gas analysis during swimming. This study aimed to test if a new AquaTrainer® snorkel with 2 (SV2) or 4 (SV4) valves is comparable to a standard face mask (Mask) being valid for real time gas analysis under controlled laboratory and swimming pool conditions. 9 swimmers performed 2 swimming and 3 cycling tests at 3 different workloads on separate days. Tests were performed in random order, at constant exercise load with direct turbine temperature measurements, breathing with Mask, SV4 and SV2 while cycling, and with SV2 and SV4 while swimming. A high agreement was obtained using Passing - Bablok regression analysis in oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, tidal volumes, pulmonary ventilation, expiratory fraction of oxygen and carbon dioxide, and heart rate comparing different conditions in swimming and cycling. Proportional and fixed differences were always rejected (95% CI always contained the value 1 for the slope and the 0 for the intercept). In conclusion, the new SV2 AquaTrainer® snorkel, can be considered a valid device for gas analysis, being comparable to the Mask and the SV4 in cycling, and to the SV4 in swimming.

[Hormone replacement therapy after total thyroidectomy. Can the combined treatment be considered effective to get metabolic adequacy? Preliminary results]. / Terapia ormonale sostitutiva dopo tiroidectomia totale. Il trattamento ormonale combinato può essere considerato efficace strumento di adeguatezza metabolica? Risultati preliminari.

INTRODUCTION: Even if T4 is standard treatment for hypothyroidism after thyroidectomy, a treatment with T4 plus T3 has been proposed as an alternative reproducing carefully the physiology of the thyroid. We performed an observational study about the effects of the combined replacement therapy with T4 and T3 in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty thyroidectomized patients (not for cancer), in T4 replacement therapy, were included in the study. Such a therapy has been changed by administering T3 and T4 in proportion 1/16. Adverse effects, clinical parameters and general health perceptions (SF36 Questionnaire) have been considered at the time of enrollment (T0), after 30 days (T1) and after 60 days (T2). RESULTS: No differences in weight, cardiac frequency and blood pression have been found between T0 and T2. A not statistically significant reduction has been found in total cholesterol (3 mg/dL) and triglycerides (3.29 mg/dL) levels. A reduction of complaints referred by the patients at T0 has been revealed in T2: anxiety from 21 to 13 patients; headache from 22 to 13; tiredness from 17 to 8 (p<0.05); sleepiness from 25 to 15 (p<0.05). About the questionnaire, in the General Health Perception sub-score has been found a not significant increase of the parameter. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: T4 replacement therapy is of proved efficacy, notwithstanding some complaints afflict a share of patients. To improve the quality of life of these patients, we consider relevant the reduction of complaints and the improvement of well-being and cognitive function obtained by the combined T4 and T3 treatment. Moreover, even if the production of T3 from T4 usually ensures euthyroidism in all tissues, contemporary pathologies and alterations determined by the oldness can disturb the enzymatic activity, which is the essential requirement of T4 therapy. These preliminary findings in a small group of patients encourage further studies on a larger patient population.

[Liposarcoma of the leg]. / Liposarcoma dell'arto inferiore.

The Authors report an interesting case of liposarcoma of the leg and review the international Literature. Moreover, a particular analysis of different aspects such as anatomy, clinic, diagnosis and treatment has been carried out.

[The colecistectomy in primary sclerosing cholangitis: case report and review of literature]. / Indicazione alla colecistectomia nella colangite sclerosante primitiva: presentazione di un caso clinico e revisione della letteratura.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory condition affecting intra- and extra-hepatic biliary system. The aim of this study is to stress the importance of cholecystectomy in patients with PSC. Consideration should be given to performing a cholecystectomy in PSC patients with gallbladder adenomyomas or calculi, even asymptomatic; this happens in approximately 15% of cases.

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma of the thoracic wall.

The authors report the CT features of a very rare case of Extraskeletal Myxoid Chondrosarcoma of the thoracic wall, one of a few malignant primary bone tumors which rarely originate from soft tissues.

[Is blood transfusion a risk factor in colorectal surgery for cancer?]. / L'emotrasfusione è un fattore di rischio nella chirurgia colorettale per cancro?

Personal experience in the treatment of 93 cases of cancer of the large bowel and rectal localization is reported 32 patients (A group) received blood transfusions, 61 patients (B group) hadn't any transfusions or autotransfusions. Postoperative morbidity was 34.37% in A group and 14.75% in B group. The Authors stress the basic importance of autotransfusions as well in patients surgically treated for colorectal cancer.

[Morphologic and biochemical kinetics of the pathogenesis of acute lung injury by endotoxin in rats]. / Cinetica morfologica e biochimica della patogenesi del danno polmonare acuto da endotossina nel ratto.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To highlight the intervention sequence of cells and their products (RO degree and NO) involved in the pathogenesis of lung injury caused by the instillation of endotoxin in rats. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: An experimental comparative study in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiments were performed using intratracheal instillation of endotoxin in rats (5 mg/kg in 0.125 ml of saline solution). Untreated rats or those instilled with saline solution alone formed the control group. All animals were sacrificed 12, 24 and 48 hours after instillation and the following studies were performed on both lungs: 1) morphological study (optical and electronic); 2) assay of lung MDA; 3) NADPH-diaphorase evaluation using a histochemical method. RESULTS: Lung damage evolves gradually over 48 hours. After the first 12 hours, neutrophil granulocytes were present in the lung capillaries together with monocytes; monocytes were also present in the interstitium. During the following hours, monocytes differentiated into macrophages and, once activated, the granulocytes passed into the interstitium. The parenchyma appears to be extensively altered. Tissular MDA gradually increases until it reaches a maximum level (p < 0.01 vs basal) at 48 hours. Positivity for NADPH-d in macrophage and/or fibroblastic cells was evident after 24 hours and increased after 48 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Acute lung injury caused by endotoxin involves both NO and RO degree. Their production is related to different cell types and follows slightly different kinetic.

Evolution of endotoxin induced acute lung injury in the rat.

To clarify the evolution of acute lung injury induced by endotoxin, the progression of lung damage in 26 rats submitted to intratracheal instillation of 5 mg/kg body weight endotoxin was examined by blood gas analysis, computerized tomography, light and electron microscopy. Hypoxaemia, hypercapnia, acidosis and inhomogeneous bilateral infiltrates developed gradually within 48 hours. Monocytes appeared within blood capillaries and the instertitium by 12 hours after treatment, then migrated into alveoli and underwent progressive differentiation into macrophages by 24 hours after treatment. Granulocytes were found within blood capillaries at an early stage, but outside capillaries only at 48 hours. Hyperplasia of type II pneumocytes and hypertrophy of interstitial fibroblasts also occurred at 48 hours. These data suggest that the pathogenesis of endotoxin induced pulmonary injury proceeds through an early phase of granulocyte migration inside capillaries and monocyte extravasation, an intermediate phase of monocyte differentiation into macrophages inside alveoli and a late phase of diffuse infiltration of alveoli by newly differentiated macrophages and late-extravasated neutrophils.

The handing over of foundlings in the early XIX century: an unpublished study on the medical and social problems of newborn babies abandoned in the hospital of Città di Castello.

The problems of illegitimate births in the early XIX century. The newborn babies were abandoned at the "Rota" of the hospital. The handing over of the newborn babies to the Rota avoided their being left with unknown persons, who, attracted by infant cries from a bundle in front of a Church or Convent, might be unreliable though compassionate. The hospital was the safest place for the babies as it provided immediate care but only after their souls had been given priority. First baptism and then medical care. For concealment the parents' names were not revealed. The baby was handed over by friends or well-wishers, a midwife or a neighbour that took interest in the baby receiving the required attention.

Cholinergic and glutaminergic control of hippocampal RSA during behavior in rabbits.

An experimental model, with novel environmental stimuli, has been used in order to study the effects of cholinergic and glutaminergic modulation on hippocampal electrical activity and behavior. The test consisted in the introduction of a rabbit in an experimental cage in the absence of external stimuli (neutral environment) followed by the introduction into the cage of a novel object containing odorous vegetable branches, a stuffed sparrow-hawk and a live cat. The effects of drug treatments on hippocampal rhythmic slow activity (RSA) parameters (total amount, episode durations and frequency) were studied. Physostigmine (0.1 mg/kg) increased RSA amount both during immobility and movements and was effective only on the frequency of the immobility related RSA. Scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg) reduced the percentage of RSA occurring during immobility and movements and the frequency of the movement related RSA. Glutamic acid diethyl ester (GDEE) (400 micrograms), injected into the dorsal hippocampus, had qualitative effects similar to those obtained with scopolamine, but, quantitatively, they were less pronounced. The combination between GDEE and scopolamine potentiated the effects of the two drugs. Results support the assumption that cholinergic septal input is responsible for hippocampal RSA and the glutaminergic entorhinal input to the hippocampus modulates RSA, probably under cholinergic control.

Effect of piracetam plus choline treatment on hippocampal rhythmic slow activity (RSA) and behavior in rabbits.

The effects of chronic treatment with piracetam (100 mg/Kg) plus choline (100 mg/Kg) on rabbits' hippocampal electrical activity and behavior have been studied. Animals were exposed to a neutral environment, in the absence of any external stimulus, and then to an object and a stuffed sparrow-hawk. Results show a drug related reduction in the amount of the hippocampal rhythmic slow activity (RSA) and an increase in RSA high frequency values in the presence of the object and of the stuffed animal, but not in the neutral environment. This would suggest that piracetam plus choline treatment has an effect on RSA in situations in which selective attention is required.

Dorsolateral PAG neurons: tonic immobility and morphine effect in freely moving rabbits.

The activity of 33 neurons of pontomesencephalic dorsolateral periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), not triggered by motor or sensory stimuli, has been recorded during tonic immobility (animal hypnosis) and after morphine injection (5 mg/kg IV). Several parameters of neural activity were chronically studied, including: frequency, variability and pattern of discharge. Tonic immobility affected the frequency and the variability of the firing rate of the majority of neurons. Morphine decreased frequency and increased variability of 73.3% of the neurons. Maximal morphine effect was observed with a wide range of latencies and was independent of frequency and variability. The negative relationship between frequency and variability recorded during the control period, wa abolished by morphine. Changes in the pattern of discharge were also observed after morphine injections. The effect of tonic immobility and morphine are discussed in the light of the relationships existing between PAG neurons and fear motivated behavior.