Prognostic impact of pretreatment cell-free DNA concentration in newly diagnosed peripheral T-cell lymphomas.

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) have a poor prognosis and, to date, there are no reliable predictive biomarkers of response. In this work we explored the prognostic impact of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) concentration in 75 newly diagnosed patients enrolled in a prospective multicenter study. Pre-treatment cfDNA was strongly associated with clinical risk factors and was identified as a superior predictor for shorter progression-free survival in multivariable analysis, outweighing canonical risk parameters. Furthermore, we identified a cfDNA value above which survival worsens. In conclusion, pre-treatment cfDNA concentration represents an easily usable predictive biomarker that is highly associated with survival of PTCL patients.

Juniperanol: First total synthesis and evaluation in Type 2 Diabetes disease.

The first total synthesis of juniperanol, the tricyclic sesquiterpenoid enantiomer of α-cedrol is described. The synthesis relies on stereoselective gold-catalyzed Ohloff-type propargylic ester rearrangement performed on a 10 g scale, and a carbocationic cascade in the presence of acetyl methanesulfonate. The ability of juniperanol to interfere in glucose processes in different cell types is described.

In ovo injection of ascorbic acid and higher incubation temperature modulate blood parameters in response to heat exposure in broilers.

1. This study analysed whether in ovo injection of ascorbic acid before incubation and at high incubation temperature influenced blood characteristics and performance in broilers reared in different temperature conditions. 2. A total of 3,000 fertile eggs from broiler breeders (Cobb®) were randomly divided into three incubation treatments: no ascorbic acid injection and egg incubation at 37.5°C (control); no ascorbic acid injection and egg incubation at 39°C; in ovo ascorbic acid injection prior to incubation (6 µg AA/100 µl water) and egg incubation at 39°C. 3. Male chicks hatched from the three incubation treatments were submitted to three distinct rearing temperatures (control, cold and hot) from the third week of age onwards (540 chicks were divided into 6 treatments with 5 replicates per treatment). 4. Measurements at 42 d showed that, after egg incubation at 39°C, the haematocrit, haemoglobin values, ionised calcium and glucose concentrations were increased and base excess values were reduced. However, in ovo injection of ascorbic acid normalised all these parameters. 5. Partial CO2 and O2 pressure were higher with increased rearing temperature. Blood pH was lower when eggs were incubated at 39°C and injected with ascorbic acid. In ovo injection of ascorbic acid induced leucocytosis due to lymphocytosis and heterophilia, restored basophils rate and led to monocytopoenia. Leucocytosis was triggered by hot rearing temperature due to lymphocytosis, eosinophilia and heterophilia. 6. The results obtained in this study showed that in ovo injection of ascorbic acid before incubation may serve as a long-term stimulator and modulator of the broiler immune system, and that high incubation temperatures induce adaptations in the electrolytic balance, minimising or avoiding the occurrence of respiratory alkalosis under hot rearing temperature.

Reinforcing effect of organo-modified layered silicates in high-density polyethylene.

This study focuses on the understanding of the reinforcing effect given by organo-modified layered silicates to a high-density polyethylene and the influence on the crystallization properties of this polymer. The addition of organo-modified clay to high-density polyethylene resulted in an evident increase in the tensile and flexural Young's modulus of the material with respect to unfilled polymer. The morphology, crystallinity, and thermo-oxidative stability of such nanocomposites were investigated using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and oxidation induction time test. The materials obtained show tactoid as well as intercalated and exfoliated structures with different dominant states depending on the loading level and process conditions. It was observed that organic ions not only change mixing behavior but also influence material properties, including the degree of crystallinity and the stability to the thermo-oxidative phenomena.

[Clinical use of GIC: indications and limits]. / Impiego clinico dei CVI: indicazioni e limiti.

Due to high cariostatic activity, glass ionomer are irreplaceable component in restorative armamentarium. Clinician needs to stock several types of material since characteristics (film thickness, radiopacity, viscosity, colors, ecc.) are adapted for specific uses.