AngioLab: integrated technology for patient-specific management of intracranial aneurysms.

AngioLab is a software tool developed within the GIMIAS framework and is part of a more ambitious pipeline for the integrated management of cerebral aneurysms. AngioLab currently includes three plug-ins: angio segmentation, angio morphology and stenting, as well as supports advanced rendering techniques for the visualization of virtual angiographies. In December 2009, 23 clinicians completed an evaluation questionnaire about AngioLab. This activity was part of a teaching course held during the 2(nd) European Society for Minimally Invasive Neurovascular Treatment (ESMINT) Teaching Course held at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain. The Automated Morphological Analysis (angio morphology plug-in) and the Endovascular Treatment Planning (stenting plug-in) were evaluated. In general, the results provided by these tools were considered as relevant and as an emerging need in their clinical field.

Spatial analysis and surname analysis: complementary tools for shedding light on human longevity patterns.

Starting from the observation that human longevity patterns show regional variations, we applied Spatial Analysis (using the Geographic Information System) and Surname Analysis to highlight the effect of the population genetic structure on such patterns. The study was carried out in Calabria, a southern Italian region which is characterized by a wide variability of geographic features (high mountains and deep valleys which created geographic isolates in the past). We identified three zones of high longevity: a male and a female longevity zone were located near the town of Cosenza (northern Calabria), while a male longevity zone was located in a mountainous and quite isolated part of the province of Reggio Calabria (southern Calabria). The latter zone was characterized by the lowest Female/Male ratio in nonagenarians observed to date. By applying surname analysis (Fisher's alpha) we found a significant negative correlation between surname abundance and index of longevity, showing that this isolated zone of male longevity presents a high level of inbreeding. On the whole, the results showed the effectiveness of spatial analysis in revealing geographical longevity patterns, and highlighted the importance of the population genetic structure in shaping such patterns.

FEM analysis of RF breast ablation: multiprobe versus cool-tip electrode.

BACKGROUND: Radio-frequency ablation (RFA) has recently received much attention as an effective minimally invasive strategy for the local treatment of tumors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of single-needle cool-tip RF breast ablation in terms of temperature distribution and duration of the procedure as compared to multiprobe RF breast ablation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two different commercially available radiofrequency ablation needle electrodes were compared. Finite-element method (FEM) models were developed to simulate the thermoablation procedures. A series of ex vivo radiofrequency thermal lesions were induced to check the response of the FEM calculations. RESULTS: Data obtained from FEM models and from ex vivo procedures showed that cool-tip RF breast ablation assures better performances than multiprobe RF breast ablation in terms of temperature distribution and duration of the procedure. Histopathological analysis of the cool-tip RF thermoablated specimens showed successful induction of coagulation necrosis in the thermoablated specimens. CONCLUSION: Data obtained from FEM models and from ex vivo procedures suggest that the proposed cool-tip RF breast ablation may kill more tumor cells in vivo with a single application than the multiprobe RF breast ablation.

Genes and longevity: a genetic-demographic approach reveals sex- and age-specific gene effects not shown by the case-control approach (APOE and HSP70.1 loci).

Association analyses between gene variability and human longevity carried out by comparing gene frequencies between population samples of different ages (case/control design) may provide information on genes and pathways playing a role in modulating survival at old ages. However, by dealing with cross-sectional data, the gene-frequency (GF) approach ignores cohort effects in population mortality changes. The genetic-demographic (GD) approach adds demographic information to genetic data and allows the estimation of hazard rates and survival functions for candidate alleles and genotypes. Thus mortality changes in the cohort to which the cross-sectional sample belongs are taken into account. In this work, we applied the GD method to a dataset relevant to two genes, APOE and HSP70.1, previously shown to be related to longevity by the GF method. We show that the GD method reveals sex- and age-specific allelic effects not shown by the GF analysis. In addition, we provide an algorithm for the implementation of a non-parametric GD analysis.

Effect of convective disturbances induced by g-jitter on the periodic precipitation of lysozyme.

Numerical simulations are carried out to investigate the crystallization process of a protein macromolecular substance under two different conditions: pure diffusive regime and microgravity conditions present on space laboratories. The configuration under investigation consists of a protein reactor and a salt chamber separated by an "interface". The interface is strictly related to the presence of agarose gel in one of the two chambers. Sedimentation and convection under normal gravity conditions are prevented by the use of gel in the protein chamber (pure diffusive regime). Under microgravity conditions periodic time-dependent accelerations (g-jitter) are taken into account. Novel mathematical models are introduced to simulate the complex phenomena related to protein nucleation and further precipitation (or resolution) according to the concentration distribution and in particular to simulate the motion of the crystals due to g-litter in the microgravity environment. The numerical results show that gellified lysozyme (crystals "locked"on the matrix of agarose gel) precipitates to produce "spaced deposits". The crystal formation results modulated in time and in space (Liesegang patterns), due to the non-linear interplay among transport, crystal nucleation and growth. The propagation of the nucleation front is characterized by a wave-like behavior. In microgravity conditions (without gel), g-jitter effects act modifying the phenomena with respect to the on ground gellified configuration. The role played by the direction of the applied sinusoidal acceleration with respect to the imposed concentration gradient (parallel or perpendicular) is investigated. It has a strong influence on the dynamic behaviour of the depletion zones and on the spatial distribution of the crystals. Accordingly the possibility to obtain better crystals for diffraction analyses is discussed.

Numerical and experimental analysis of periodic patterns and sedimentation of lysozyme.

This paper deals with experimental investigation, mathematical modelling and numerical simulation of the crystallization processes induced by counter diffusion method of a precipitant agent in a lysozyme protein solution. Novel mathematical strategies are introduced to simulate the experiments and in particular to take into account the kinetics of the growth process and the motion of the crystals due to the combined effect of gravitational force and viscous drag if the sedimenting process is allowed (protein chamber free of gel). Comparison between experimental observations and numerical simulations in the presence of convection and sedimentation and without them provides a validation of the model. The crystal formation in gel results modulated in space. If the gel matrix is not present, convective cells arise in the protein chamber due to local inversions in the density distribution associated to nucleation phenomena. As time passes, these vortex cells migrate towards the top of the protein chamber exhibiting a different wave number according to the distance from the gel interface. The sedimentating particles produce a wake due to depletion of protein from the surrounding liquid. The models and the experiments may represent a useful methodology for the determination of the parameters and conditions that may lead to protein crystallization.

The study of APOA1, APOC3 and APOA4 variability in healthy ageing people reveals another paradox in the oldest old subjects.

The genes coding for apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1), apolipoprotein C3 (APOC3) and apolipoprotein A4 (APOA4) are tandemly organised within a short region on chromosome 11q23-q24. Polymorphisms of these genes have been extensively investigated in lipoprotein disorders and cardiovascular diseases, but poorly investigated in healthy ageing. The aim of this study was to describe possible modifications of the APOA1, APOC3, and APOA4 gene pool by cross-sectional studies carried out in a healthy ageing population whose ages ranged from 18 to 109 years (800 subjects, 327 males and 473 females, free of clinically manifested disease, and with emato-chemical parameters in the norm). APOA1-MspI-RFLP (-75 nt from the transcription starting site), APOC3-SstI-RFLP (3'UTR, 3238 nt), and APOA4-HincII-RFLP (Asp127/Ser127) were analysed according to age and sex. A significant age-related variation of the APOA1 gene pool was observed in males. An analysis of the allele average effect exerted by APOA1-MspI-RFLP A/P alleles (Absence/Presence of the restriction site) on lipidemic parameters in 46-80 year old males showed that allele A decreased, while allele P significantly increased, serum LDL-cholesterol. Unexpectedly, the P allele was over-represented in the group of the oldest old subjects, thus giving evidence of another "genetic paradox of centenarians".

Theory and simulation of buoyancy-driven convection around growing protein crystals in microgravity.

We present an order-of-magnitude analysis of the Navier-Stokes equations in a time-dependent, incompressible and Boussinesq formulation. The hypothesis employed of two different length scales allows one to determine the different flow regimes on the basis of the geometrical and thermodynamical parameters alone, without solving the Navier-Stokes equations. The order-of-magnitude analysis is then applied to the field of protein crystallization, and to the flow field around a crystal, where the driving forces are solutal buoyancy-driven convection, from density dependence on species concentration, and sedimentation caused by the different densities of the crystal and the protein solution. The main result of this paper is to provide predictions of the conditions in which a crystal is growing in a convective regime, rather than in the ideal diffusive state, even under the typical microgravity conditions of space platforms.

Genes and longevity: lessons from studies of centenarians.

In population studies of aging, the data on genetic markers are often collected for individuals from different age groups. The idea of such studies is to identify "longevity" or "frailty" genes by comparing the frequencies of genotypes in the oldest and in the younger groups of individuals. In this paper we discuss a new approach to the analysis of such data. This approach, based on the maximum likelihood method, combines data on genetic markers with survival information obtained from standard demographic life tables. This method allows us to evaluate survival characteristics for individuals carrying respective candidate genes. It can also be used in the estimation of the effects of allele-area and allele-allele interaction, either in the presence or absence of hidden heterogeneity. We apply this method to the analysis of Italian data on genetic markers for five autosomal loci and mitochondrial genomes. Then we discuss basic assumptions used in this analysis and directions of further research.

Effects of microgravity on the crystal quality of a collagen-like polypeptide.

(Pro-Pro-Gly)(10) is one of the most widely studied collagen polypeptide models. Microgravity crystal growth of (Pro-Pro-Gly)(10) was carried out in the Advanced Protein Crystallization Facility aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-95 mission. Crystals were successfully grown in all experiments, using both dialysis and free-interface diffusion methods. The quality of the microgravity-grown crystals and of ground-grown counterparts was assessed by X-ray synchrotron diffraction. Microgravity-grown crystals exhibited a significant improvement in terms of dimensions and resolution limit. As previously reported, crystals were orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1). However, the diffraction pattern showed weak reflections, never previously measured, that were consistent with new unit-cell parameters a = 26.9, b = 26.4, c = 182.5 A. This allowed the derivation of a new model for the arrangement of the triple-helical molecules in the crystals.

Genes, demography, and life span: the contribution of demographic data in genetic studies on aging and longevity.

In population studies on aging, the data on genetic markers are often collected for individuals from different age groups. The purpose of such studies is to identify, by comparison of the frequencies of selected genotypes, "longevity" or "frailty" genes in the oldest and in younger groups of individuals. To address questions about more-complicated aspects of genetic influence on longevity, additional information must be used. In this article, we show that the use of demographic information, together with data on genetic markers, allows us to calculate hazard rates, relative risks, and survival functions for respective genes or genotypes. New methods of combining genetic and demographic information are discussed. These methods are tested on simulated data and then are applied to the analysis of data on genetic markers for two haplogroups of human mtDNA. The approaches suggested in this article provide a powerful tool for analyzing the influence of candidate genes on longevity and survival. We also show how factors such as changes in the initial frequencies of candidate genes in subsequent cohorts, or secular trends in cohort mortality, may influence the results of an analysis.

Age-related changes of the 3'APOB-VNTR genotype pool in ageing cohorts.

The analysis of seven different age cohorts (697 individuals from 10 to 109 years old) revealed age-related changes in the 3'APOB-VNTR genotype pool. By recoding the 3'APOB-VNTR alleles into three size-classes (small, S, 26-34 repeats; medium, M, 35-39 repeats; large, L, 41-55 repeats), an age-related convex trajectory of the frequency of SS homozygotes was found. The frequency of SS in the genotype pool increased from the group aged 10-19 years (3.06 +/- 1.74%) to that aged 40-49 years (8.51 +/- 4.07%). Then it declined reaching the minimum value in centenarians (1.58 +/- 0.90%). The observed trajectory is in agreement with that expected by assuming crossing of mortality curves relevant to subgroups of individuals having different genotypes.

Gene/longevity association studies at four autosomal loci (REN, THO, PARP, SOD2).

The possibility that four loci (REN, THO, PARP, SOD2) are associated with longevity was explored by comparing the genotypic pools of subjects older than 100 years with those of younger subjects matched for sex and geographic area (northern and southern Italy). The markers (all located within the respective gene) were HUMREN4; HUMTHO1; HUMPARP (gt)845nt; SOD2(C/T)401nt. In order to reduce the number of genotypes, multiallelic polymorphisms were recoded as diallelic according to allele size and frequency patterns (small: S, and large: L, alleles). A significant loss of LL homozygous genotypes was found at the THO locus in male but not in female centenarians with respect to matched controls. On the other hand no significant difference was found between case/control genotypic frequencies at REN, PARP, SOD2 loci. The latter loci therefore do not affect inter-individual variability in life expectancy (at least in terms of qualitative variants associated with the tested markers). However, the data is consistent with an association between the THO locus and longevity.

Protein crystal growth in the Advanced Protein Crystallization Facility on the LMS mission: a comparison of Sulfolobus solfataricus alcohol dehydrogenase crystals grown on the ground and in microgravity.

Crystals of alcohol dehydrogenase from Sulfolobus solfataricus were grown in the Advanced Protein Crystallization Facility during the Life and Microgravity Sciences Spacelab mission on the US Space Shuttle. Large diffracting crystals were obtained by dialysis, whereas only poor-quality crystals were obtained by vapour diffusion. The quality of both the microgravity and ground-based crystals was analysed by X-ray diffraction. There was some improvement in terms of size and diffraction resolution limit for the microgravity crystals. However, the twinning observed in the Earth-grown crystals was also present for those grown in microgravity.

Linkage disequilibrium studies in the thyroid peroxidase and apolipoprotein B genes.

Linkage disequilibria in the apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene (EcoRI RFLP/3' APOB VNTR) and in the thyroid peroxidase (TPO) gene (AcyI RFLP/TPO VNTR) were investigated in a sample of 100 individuals from southern Italy. By recoding multiallelic data as diallelic data, each RFLP-VNTR system showed linkage disequilibrium significantly different from zero (EcoRI RFLP/3' APOB VNTR: p < 0.001; AcyI RFLP/TPO VNTR: p < 0.025), thus suggesting that the VNTR arrays are stable. Furthermore, the relationship between the 3' APOB (2p24-p23) and TPO (2pter-p24) VNTR multiallelic systems was also analyzed. The two VNTR polymorphisms were found to be in linkage equilibrium, thus indicating that they can be used together in forensic casework.

Cosmic dust analog simulation in a microgravity environment: the STARDUST program.

We have undertaken a project called STARDUST which is a collaboration with Italian and American investigators. The goals of this program are to study the condensation and coagulation of refractory materials from the vapor and to study the properties of the resulting grains as analogs to cosmic dust particles. To reduce thermal convective currents and to develop valuable experience in designing an experiment for the Gas-Grain Simulation Facility aboard Space Station Freedom we have built and flown a new chamber to study these processes under periods of microgravity available on NASA's KC-135 Research Aircraft. Preliminary results from flights with magnesium and zinc are discussed.

RFLPs of the APOB gene: comparative study between Greeks and southern Italian peoples.

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) at codons 2488 (XbaI), 3611 (MspI), and 4154 (EcoRI) of the apolipoprotein B gene were investigated in sample groups from Athens (Greece) and Calabria (southern Italy) to verify whether the distribution of the APOB gene variants in Calabria, where Greek colonization occurred in the eighth century B.C., reflects that of the present Greek population. A sample from Apulia, a southern Italian region having a history different from that of Calabria, was also analyzed. Three specific DNA regions, each containing the polymorphic site, were amplified by polymerase chain reaction on 243 samples, and the restriction data for the three groups were compared. The allelic frequencies of the samples from Apulia and Greece showed variability patterns that agree with those found in Caucasians, whereas the Calabrian sample shows remarkable peculiarities, mainly for the EcoRI RFLP. Linkage disequilibrium analyses of pairs of markers showed strong D linkage values between X-M markers, whereas the D linkage values between M-R markers were too small to be reliably estimated. Last, for both Apulians and Greeks, X-R markers showed linkage disequilibrium, whereas for Calabrians they did not. Estimates of XMR haplotypic frequencies were computed; they were found to be appreciably different between Calabrian and Greek samples, whereas the frequencies in the Apulian sample were approximately midway between those in Calabrians and Greeks.

EcoRI-RFLP of the Apo B gene: a study in a sample group from south Italy.

EcoRI restriction analysis at codon 4154 of the Apo B gene was performed in a sample of 90 subjects from southern Italy (sample S), using total blood cell DNA amplified by PCR. A group of 46 subjects from northern Italy (sample N) was also investigated for comparison. Southern Italians showed an incidence of the R2 allele (absence of the cutting site) twice as high as that found in northern Italians (48 v. 21%). By ASPCR the mutation which abolishes the restriction site was confirmed as being G----A at the first base of the 4154 codon of the Apo B gene (Glu----Lys) in both S and N samples. By studying the variability of cholesterolaemia among different EcoRI genotypes in the S sample, it was estimated that the average effect of the R2 allele is to lower serum cholesterol by 8.5 mg/dl.

Drift, admixture, and selection in human evolution: a study with DNA polymorphisms.

Accuracy of evolutionary analysis of populations within a species requires the testing of a large number of genetic polymorphisms belonging to many loci. We report here a reconstruction of human differentiation based on 100 DNA polymorphisms tested in five populations from four continents. The results agree with earlier conclusions based on other classes of genetic markers but reveal that Europeans do not fit a simple model of independently evolving populations with equal evolutionary rates. Evolutionary models involving early admixture are compatible with the data. Taking one such model into account, we examined through simulation whether random genetic drift alone might explain the variation among gene frequencies across populations and genes. A measure of variation among populations was calculated for each polymorphism, and its distribution for the 100 polymorphisms was compared with that expected for a drift-only hypothesis. At least two-thirds of the polymorphisms appear to be selectively neutral, but there are significant deviations at the two ends of the observed distribution of the measure of variation: a slight excess of polymorphisms with low variation and a greater excess with high variation. This indicates that a few DNA polymorphisms are affected by natural selection, rarely heterotic, and more often disruptive, while most are selectively neutral.