Soft elasticity optimises dissipation in 3D-printed liquid crystal elastomers.

Soft-elasticity in monodomain liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) is promising for impact-absorbing applications where strain energy is ideally absorbed at constant stress. Conventionally, compressive and impact studies on LCEs have not been performed given the notorious difficulty synthesizing sufficiently large monodomain devices. Here, we use direct-ink writing 3D printing to fabricate bulk (>cm3) monodomain LCE devices and study their compressive soft-elasticity over 8 decades of strain rate. At quasi-static rates, the monodomain soft-elastic LCE dissipated 45% of strain energy while comparator materials dissipated less than 20%. At strain rates up to 3000 s-1, our soft-elastic monodomain LCE consistently performed closest to an ideal-impact absorber. Drop testing reveals soft-elasticity as a likely mechanism for effectively reducing the severity of impacts - with soft elastic LCEs offering a Gadd Severity Index 40% lower than a comparable isotropic elastomer. Lastly, we demonstrate tailoring deformation and buckling behavior in monodomain LCEs via the printed director orientation.

EWHETA (Eat Well for a HEalthy Third Age) Project: novel foods to improve the nutrition in the elderly people.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality. However, by treating modifiable cardiovascular risk factors and following a healthy diet as the Mediterranean diet, we have opportunity to prevent CVD. In the EWHETA (Eat Well for a HEalthy Third Age) Project, our goal has been to develop novel foods ("Mediterranean Lasagne", MLs) in versions all nutritionally complete and well balanced in terms of calories, whole carbohydrates, fibers, source of vegetable proteins, and vegetable fats. MLs can be easy prepared at home (inexpensively) and used as fresh food or can be pre-prepared and used in residences for elderly people or in health care residencies. The project has saw the alliance between nutritionists and food and sensor scientists and the active involvement of older people in tasting the novel foods to achieve the final tasty versions of the MLs. We think that the nutritional components of these novel foods and its well-accepted taste, insert in a healthy diet and life style (fundamental aspects at every age), and could contribute to improve diet in the elderly people and prevent malnutrition.

Liquid crystal elastomer shell actuators with negative order parameter.

Liquid crystals (LCs) are nonsolids with long-range orientational order, described by a scalar order parameter 〈 P 2 〉 = 1 2 〈 3 cos 2 ß - 1 〉 . Despite the vast set of existing LC materials, one-third of the order parameter value range, -1/2 < 〈P 2〉 < 0, has until now been inaccessible. Here, we present the first material with negative LC order parameter in its ground state, in the form of elastomeric shells. The optical and actuation characteristics are opposite to those of conventional LC elastomers (LCEs). This novel class of anti-ordered elastomers gives access to the previously secluded range of liquid crystallinity with 〈P 2〉 < 0, providing new challenges for soft matter physics and adding a complementary type of LCE actuator that is attractive for applications in, e.g., soft robotics.

Liquid-crystal order during synthesis affects main-chain liquid-crystal elastomer behavior.

This study presents the first direct comparison of the influence of liquid-crystal order during synthesis on the thermo-mechanical behaviors of main-chain liquid-crystal elastomers (LCEs) in thiol-acrylate networks. Six polydomain nematic elastomer (PNE) chemistries were compared directly by synthesizing with the mesogens in either an isotropic state (i-PNE) or a nematic state (n-PNE). The i-PNE networks were created in the presence of solvent, which disrupted any liquid-crystal order during network formation. Conversely, the n-PNE networks were created without the presence of solvent below the isotropic transition (TNI). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was first performed, and it showed that i-PNE networks experienced a clearly defined nematic-to-isotropic transition upon heating, whereas the transition in n-PNE networks was unable to be identified, which may be the result of a nematic-to-paranematic phase transition. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) tests revealed that while both networks maintained elevated loss tangent in the nematic region, only i-PNE networks prominently displayed dynamic soft elasticity behavior. The two-way shape switching behaviors of LCE networks were examined using actuation tests under a 100 kPa bias stress. It showed that the strain amplitude strongly depends on synthesis history; it ranges from 66% to 126% in i-PNE samples and 3% to 61% in n-PNE samples. To help interpret the different actuation strain behaviors between i-PNEs and n-PNEs, wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) was then performed where the LCE samples were strained to 40%. The results showed that order parameter (S) in n-PNE samples (ranging from 0.37 to 0.50) is lower than that in i-PNE samples (0.54 for all cases), and the parameter decreased as the cross-linking density increased. The stress-strain behaviors of the LCE networks measured from uniaxial tension tests revealed that all i-PNE samples had a lower soft-elasticity plateau during loading compared to the n-PNE samples. Finally, free-standing strain recovery of LCE samples after being strained to 100% was investigated. Immediately after removing stress on the samples, i-PNE and n-PNE samples recovered 14% to 38% and 27% to 73% of strain, respectively. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different synthetic histories on LCE design.

Neuroendocrine tumors diagnosed at the Antonio Cardarelli hospital (Naples, Italy) between 2006-2009: a single-institution analysis.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare, with an incidence of about 5 per 100,000 inhabitants. As no study on NETs has ever been specifically conducted on the population of Campania, we performed a retrospective analysis of all newly diagnosed NETs at the Antonio Cardarelli hospital between 2006-2009. A search of the registry of the Pathology Department of the Antonio Cardarelli hospital was carried out to retrieve available data on all newly diagnosed NET cases. Two hundred and ninety-nine NET tumors were diagnosed at our Institution from January, 2006 to December, 2009. Globally, 121 patients (40% of the population) had a lung NET, while 92 patients (30% of the population) presented a GEP-NET. The most common primary tumor site varied by sex, with female patients being more likely to have a primary NET in the lung, breast or colon, and male patients being more likely to have a primary tumor in the lung. Also, twenty-three cases of breast NETs were identified, and clinical information regarding therapy and response was available for 22 patients. Our study represents a pioneering effort to provide the medical community in Campania with basic information on a large number of patients with different types of NETs. The Antonio Cardarelli hospital could greatly benefit from cooperation with other hospitals in order to become a highly specialized center for NETs in the region and Southern Italy.

Anticipatory control of impending postural perturbation in elite springboard divers.

Among athletes, elite springboard divers (ED) should develop an optimal anticipatory control of postural stability, as a result of specific training. Postural strategies of ED and healthy subjects (HS) while expecting an impending perturbation were compared. The mean center of pressure (COP) position was analyzed during control quiet stance (cQS) and during anticipatory quiet stance (aQS(1-4)), i.e., in expectation of four backward translations of the support surface. During cQS, COP position in ED was not significantly different as compared to HS. During aQS(1-4,) a significant increase in the mean COP position was observed in both groups with ED adopting a more forward inclined vertical alignment than HS. In ED specific training may have resulted in a reference frame offset in a more anterior direction while expecting an impending perturbation. We suggest that leaning more forward may represent a more reliable way of coping with predictable perturbations of postural stability.

Changes in coordination of postural control during dynamic stance in chronic low back pain patients.

The human postural system operates on the basis of integrated information from three independent sources: vestibular, visual and somatosensory. It is conceivable that a derangement of any of these systems will influence the overall output of the postural system. The peripheral proprioceptive system or the central processing of proprioceptive information may be altered in chronic low back pain (CLBP). We therefore investigated whether patients with CLBP exhibited an altered postural control during quiet standing. Dynamic posturography was performed by 12 CLBP patients and 12 age-matched controls. Subject's task was to stand quietly on a computer-controlled movable platform under six sensory conditions that altered the available visual and proprioceptive information. While the control of balance was comparable between the two groups across stabilized support surface conditions (1-3), CLBP patients oscillated much more than controls in the anterior-posterior (AP) direction in platform sway-referenced conditions (4-6). Control experiments ruled out that increased sway was due to pain interference. In CLBP patients, postural stability under challenging conditions is maintained by an increased sway in AP direction. This change in postural strategy may underlie a dysfunction of the peripheral proprioceptive system or the central integration of proprioceptive information.

Psychosocial issues of ART in aging male.

The role of androgens in human sexuality as regards the mechanism of erection and the pathogenesis of impotence is under debate. In addition, it is difficult to define the psychosocial impact of both hypogonadism and androgen replacement. However, sexual hormones largely influence mood, well-being, and quality of life. For this reason, despite the methodological difficulties of assessment, testosterone replacement has a deep impact on the social, psychological and sexual life of the treated patient. Considering the obvious characteristic of testosterone as an hormone, it appears evident that the endocrinologist is the unique experienced specialist able to diagnose and treat the hypogonadal men, monitoring potential side effects and following the psychosocial issues of androgen therapy.

Effects of yoghurt enriched with plant sterols on serum lipids in patients with moderate hypercholesterolaemia.

The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of consumption of a yoghurt-based drink enriched with 1-2 g plant sterols/d on serum lipids, transaminases, vitamins and hormone status in patients with primary moderate hypercholesterolaemia. Thirty patients were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: a low-fat low-lactose yoghurt-based drink enriched with 1 g plant sterol extracted from soyabean/d v. a low-fat low-lactose yoghurt, for a period of 4 weeks. After a 2-week wash-out period, patients were crossed over for an additional 4-week period. Second, after a 4-week wash-out period, eleven patients were treated with 2 g plant sterols/d in a second open part of the study for a period of 8 weeks. The yoghurt enriched with plant sterols significantly reduced, in a dose-dependent manner, serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels and LDL-cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol (P<0.001), whereas no changes were observed in HDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels, either in the first or the second part of the study. There were only slight, not statistically significant, differences in serum transaminase, vitamin and hormone levels. To conclude, a low-fat yoghurt-based drink moderately enriched with plant sterols may lower total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol effectively in patients with primary moderate hypercholesterolaemia.

The 'dark nucleus' and disruptions of follicular architecture: possible new histological aids for the diagnosis of the follicular variant of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid.

AIMS: In order to facilitate the diagnosis of malignancy in solitary thyroid nodules which are non-invasive low-grade tumours, i.e. follicular variant of papillary carcinoma (FVPC) for which few histological discriminators exist, a search was made for additional diagnostically useful histological features. METHODS AND RESULTS: Haematoxylin and eosin (H & E)-stained sections of 70 resection specimens of solitary thyroid nodules were re-evaluated by a panel of three pathologists, and their consensus and original diagnoses compared. In addition, H & E- and periodic acid-Schiff-stained sections were evaluated for various histological features and sections were stained by various immunohistochemical markers to evaluate their discriminative powers. The above features were also assessed in a group of 24 papillary carcinomas of the thyroid (PTCs) associated with regional metastases. The finding of 'Orphan Annie eye' nuclei was the best indicator of malignancy, and was closely related to the presence of nuclear grooves and cells with dense, dark nuclei. In addition, distorted follicular architectural features, i.e. 'interconnecting cell masses' and 'fenestration', were also significant indicators of malignancy. Tumours diagnosed as FVPCs had a significantly lower incidence of associated lymph node metastases than the classical PTCs. CONCLUSIONS: The use of optically clear nuclei as a diagnostic criterion when found only focally may not be sufficiently stringent in distinguishing FVPCs from follicular adenomas. When classical histological indicators of malignancy are equivocal, the diagnosis of FVPC may be facilitated by the above-mentioned features.

The immunomodulatory effects of anti-thyroid drugs are mediated via actions on thyroid cells, affecting thyrocyte-immunocyte signalling: a review.

The mechanism of action of the immunosuppressive effects of antithyroid drugs has remained a matter of controversy, despite our earlier contention that such effects in vivo were indirect; ie., it was our view that the drugs were acting on the thyroid cells, reducing their thyroid hormone production and other activities, with a consequent reduction in thyrocyte-immunocyte signalling. The reduction in the activation of CD4+ cells,the increased number and activation of CD8+ (and CD8+CDllb+) cells, and the reduction of soluble interleukin-2 receptors, thought once to be direct effects of the medication, are now shown to be due to amelioration of the hyperthyroidism. Thus the reduction in thyroid hormone production induced by the drugs is central to these actions. In addition, the iodination of thyroglobulin is inhibited by these agents, which may affect antigen presentation by the thyrocyte. Furthermore, there is now evidence that the thionamides interfere with thyrocyte expression of such molecules as Class I antigen, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, prostaglandin E2, and heat shock protein. The expression of thyrocyte Class II antigen is probably not inhibited by these drugs, although one group has shown that lectin-stimulated thyrocyte Class II expression is diminished by this treatment; this group postulated that this effect might be mediated by reduced interferon gamma production by T lymphocytes, but in vitro experiments do not corroborate this proposal. In any event, the actions as described of the effects of antithyroid drugs on the thyroid cells (particularly normalization of thyroid function) would certainly suffice to explain the diminution of thyroid antibodies (including thyroid stimulating antibody), the reduced immunological response, and the increased remission rate in Graves disease as a consequence of antithyroid drug therapy, without the need to invoke a direct immunosuppressive effect.

Effects of dietary virgin olive oil phenols on low density lipoprotein oxidation in hyperlipidemic patients.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of the dietary intake of extra virgin olive oil on the oxidative susceptibility of low density lipoproteins (LDL) isolated from the plasma of hyperlipidemic patients. Ten patients with combined hyperlipidemia (mean plasma cholesterol 281 mg/dL, triglycerides 283 mg/dL) consumed a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, with olive oil (20 g/d) as the only added fat, with no drug or vitamin supplementation for 6 wk. Then they were asked to replace the olive oil they usually consumed with extra virgin olive oil for 4 wk. LDL were isolated at the beginning, and after the 4 wk of dietary treatment. LDL susceptibility to CuSO4-mediated oxidation was evaluated by measuring the extent of lipid peroxidation. We also determined fatty acid composition and vitamin E in plasma and LDL and plasma phenolic content. Extra virgin olive oil intake did not affect fatty acid composition of LDL but significantly reduced the copper-induced formation of LDL hydroperoxides and lipoperoxidation end products as well as the depletion of LDL linoleic and arachidonic acid. A significant increase in the lag phase of conjugated diene formation was observed after dietary treatment. These differences are statistically correlated with the increase in plasma phenolic content observed at the end of the treatment with extra virgin olive oil; they are not correlated with LDL fatty acid composition or vitamin E content, which both remained unmodified after the added fat change. This report suggests that the daily intake of extra virgin olive oil in hyperlipidemic patients could reduce the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation, not only because of its high monounsaturated fatty acid content but probably also because of the antioxidative activity of its phenolic compounds.

Characterization of a novel HHV-8-positive cell line reveals implications for the pathogenesis and cell cycle control of primary effusion lymphoma.

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) represents a peculiar type of B cell lymphoma which associates with HHV-8 infection and preferentially grows in liquid phase in the serous body cavities. In this report, we provide the detailed characterization of a newly established PEL cell line, termed CRO-AP/6. The cell line was obtained from the pleural effusion of a HIV-positive patient with PEL. Its derivation from the tumor clone was established by immunogenotypic analysis. Detailed phenotypic investigations defined that CRO-AP/6 reflects pre-terminally differentiated B cells expressing the CD138/syndecan-1 antigen. Karyotypic studies of CRO-AP/6 identified several chromosomal abnormalities, whereas genotypic studies ruled out the involvement of molecular lesions associated with other types of B cell lymphoma. Both CRO-AP/6 and the parental tumor sample harbored infection by HHV-8. Conversely, EBV infection was present in the parental tumor sample although not in CROAP/6, indicating that CRO-AP/6 originated from the selection of an EBV-negative tumor subclone. The pattern of viral (HHV-8 v-cyclin) and cellular (p27Kip1) regulators of cell cycle expressed by CRO-AP/6, together with the results of growth fraction analysis, point to abrogation of the physiological inverse relationship between proliferation and p27Kip1 expression. Also, both CRO-AP/6 and the parental tumor sample display biallelic inactivation of the DNA repair enzyme gene O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) by promoter methylation. Overall, the CRO-AP/6 cell line may help understand cell cycle control of PEL cells, may clarify the relative contribution of HHV-8 and EBV to the disease growth and development and may facilitate the identification of recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities highlighting putative novel cancer related loci relevant to PEL.

Macroprolactinoma shrinkage during cabergoline treatment is greater in naive patients than in patients pretreated with other dopamine agonists: a prospective study in 110 patients.

To investigate whether previous treatment with bromocriptine (BRC) or quinagolide (CV) impairs a subsequent response to long-term cabergoline (CAB) treatment, we prospectively studied 110 patients with macroprolactinoma. Four groups of patients were considered: 1) naive: 26 untreated patients with a mean serum PRL levels of 1013.4 +/- 277.7 microg/L (+/- SEM; range, 185.5-5611 microg/L); 2) intolerant: 19 patients previously shown to be intolerant of BRC treatment with a mean serum PRL level of 539.4 +/- 172.2 microg/L (range, 174-3564 microg/L); 3) resistant: 37 patients shown to be resistant/hyporesponsive to BRC, CV, or both, with a mean serum PRL level of 602.6 +/- 136.8 microg/L (range, 148-3511 microg/L); and 4) responsive: 28 patients previously treated with BRC or CV for 1-5 yr, achieving normoprolactinemia and restoration of gonadal function, but no longer treated with BRC or CV because of poor compliance or because the drug was not available. After a 15- to 30-day washout period, the serum PRL level was 397 +/- 43.1 microg/L (140-978 microg/L). CAB treatment was given at doses ranging 0.25-3.5 mg weekly for 1 yr to 110 patients, for 2 yr to 104 patients, and for 3 yr to 81 patients. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and after 12, 24, and 36 months of CAB treatment to evaluate significant tumor shrinkage (>80% reduction of pretreatment tumor volume). Among the 26 naive patients, normoprolactinemia was achieved in 21 (80.8%) after 1-6 months at 0.25-2 mg/week and in 5 patients after 24 months at 0.5-3 mg/week. Tumor volume was reduced from 1431.5 +/- 310.3 to 47.2 +/- 21.5 mm3 (P < 0.0001); average tumor shrinkage was 92.1 +/- 2.9%; significant tumor shrinkage was observed in 92.3% of patients, and tumor mass completely disappeared in 16 patients (61.5%). Among the 19 intolerant patients, normoprolactinemia was achieved in 18 (94.7%) after 1-6 months of CAB treatment at 0.25-1 mg/week. One patient remained mildly hyperprolactinemic. Tumor volume was reduced from 1925 +/- 423.1 to 842.0 +/- 330.7 mm3 (P < 0.001); average tumor shrinkage was 66.2 +/- 6.4%; significant tumor shrinkage was obtained in 42.1% of patients, and tumor mass completely disappeared in 4 patients (21%). Among the 37 resistant patients, normoprolactinemia was achieved in 19 (51.3%) after 6-12 months at 1-2 mg/week and in the remaining 18 patients after 18-24 months at 3-3.5 mg/week. Tumor volume was reduced from 1208.0 +/- 173.7 to 471.2 +/- 87.3 mm3 (P < 0.005); average tumor shrinkage was 58.4 +/- 4.9%; significant tumor shrinkage was obtained in 10 of 33 patients (30.3%), and in no patient did tumor mass completely disappear. Among the 28 responsive patients, normoprolactinemia was achieved in 23 (82.1%) after 1-6 months at 1-2 mg/week and in 5 patients after 12 months at 3 mg/week. Tumor volume was reduced from 1351.3 +/- 181.5 to 757.1 +/- 193.6 mm3 (P < 0.01); average tumor shrinkage was 59.2 +/- 6.2%; significant tumor shrinkage was obtained in 10 of 26 patients (38.4%), and tumor mass completely disappeared in 4 patients (15.4%). Nadir PRL levels and percent tumor shrinkage during CAB treatment in naive patients were significantly lower (P < 0.001) and higher (P < 0.001), respectively, than those in the remaining three groups, and the average weekly dose of CAB in resistant patients was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that in the remaining three groups. A significant association was found between tumor shrinkage and previous treatments (chi2 = 27.1; P < 0.0001). At the multistep correlation analysis, nadir PRL levels were the strongest predictors of tumor shrinkage (r2 = 0.556; P < 0.0001), followed by CAB dose (r2 = 0.577; P < 0.0001). The tolerability was excellent in 105 patients (95.4%). In conclusion, the prevalence of macroprolactinoma shrinkage after CAB treatment at standard doses for 1-3 yr was higher in naive patients (92.3%) than in intolerant (42.1%), resistant (30.3%), and responsive patients (38.4%). Thus, C

Primary effusion lymphoma cell lines harbouring human herpesvirus type-8.

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a novel lymphoma entity consistently infected by HHV-8 that occurs predominantly in immunodeficient patients and is characterized by liquid growth in the serous body cavities. In order to facilitate the understanding of PEL pathogenesis and histogenesis, we have established three PEL cell lines termed CRO-AP/2, CRO-AP/3 and CRO-AP/5. All cell lines have been derived from HIV positive homosexual men affected by PEL with (in the case of CRO-AP/2 and CRO-AP/5) or without (in the case of CRO-AP/3) a previous history of Kaposi's sarcoma. The cell lines are representative of both virologic variants of PEL, i.e. HHV-8+ EBV+ PEL (CRO-AP/2 and CRO-AP/5) and HHV-8+ EBV- PEL (CRO-AP/3). Morphologic and phenotypic features of CRO-AP/2, CRO-AP/3 and CRO-AP/5 are typical of PEL, and include morphology bridging immunoblastic and anaplastic features as well as an indeterminate (non B- non T-cell) phenotype. The B-cell nature of the cell lines is documented by the presence of rearranged immunoglobulin genes. The detailed analysis of the molecular and phenotypic features of CRO-AP/2, CRO-AP/3 and CRO-AP/5 has allowed the identification of recurrent chromosomal abnormalities of PEL and has contributed to the definition of PEL as a lymphoma of post-germinal center, pre-terminally differentiated B-cells.

Primary Hodgkin's disease of the vagina.

We describe a patient with primary Hodgkin's disease (HD) of the vagina presenting with stage IEB. To our knowledge, this is the first case reported so far. Based on morphological and immunophenotypic features, the HD was classified as nodular sclerosis subtype, "syncytial" variant. The patient, a 64-year old woman, received chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy. She is still disease-free 14 months after diagnosis.