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Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis in the UK: A 20‐year retrospective analysis of activity and haematological outcomes from the British Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (BSBMTCT)
No full textAutologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) has been developed as a treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) since 1995. The United Kingdom is one of the most active countries performing AHSCT for MS in Europe. We report the UK experience of AHSCT for MS in 364 patients with MS treated with AHSCT between 2002 and 2023. We report transplant-related mortality (TRM), AHSCT complications and efficacy as defined by expanded disability status scale (EDSS) progression-free survival (PFS) at 2 years and 5 years. 209 (58%) had relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) and 130 (36%) had progressive MS. Median EDSS at the time of HSCT was 6.0 (range: 0–9) and duration of disease was 10 years (range: 4–34). TRM was 1.4%, exclusively occurred in patients with advanced baseline disability (median EDSS: 6.5). Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) reactivation occurred in 75.9% of patients where EBV results were reported (235/311). Overall PFS was 83.5% at 2 years post-HSCT and 62.4% at 5 years. This large study demonstrates the evolution of this one-off treatment across the United Kingdom, its safety and sustained efficacy in patients with severe/refractory MS. The uneven geographical access is a future consideration in equitable delivery across the UK NHS as the evidence base for AHSCT in MS treatment pathways becomes stronger
Mechanical and magnetic properties of polylactide-cobalt ferrite nanocomposite for 3D printing
No full textIn this study, we employed fused deposition modeling (FDM) to fabricate polylactide (PLA) composites with 5 wt% and 10 wt% of CoFe2O4 (CFO) magnetic nanoparticles. The structural, mechanical, and magnetic properties of these nanocomposites were studied. Tensile testing revealed that as the concentration of CFO increased, both the tensile strength, from 26 MPa to 7 MPa, and deformation limits, from 4 % to 1 %, decreased. However, atomic force microscopy analysis showed an increase in the average Young's modulus of the surface. The results of magnetic measurements demonstrated that 3D technique enables one to controllably print the patterns which serve as the sources of local magnetic fields of complex geometries
Synthesis of titanium-based metal-organic frameworks for environmental interest applications
No full textMiss Impossible: negoziare modelli di genere per la GenZ, tra musica trap e social platform. Il caso di Anna Pepe
No full textAmong the main symbolic referents for Italian Gen Z identified in the literature, trap music and digital platforms emerge as particularly prominent. Trap, the most listened-to musical genre among Italian Gen Z and characterized by the youngest average age of artists in the history of recorded music, conveys complex meanings that require analysis through a trans- and cross-media lens. As a generational response to historical, political, economic, and media transformations, trap music reappropriates and reconfigures elements of hip-hop—especially gangsta rap—emphasizing success, power, and violence as markers of competence traditionally linked to hegemonic masculinity. However, trap culture also constitutes a space in which a number of female artists are currently gaining visibility and engaging in self-representation to an extent previously unseen in the history of Italian hip-hop. Building on this premise, the present contribution explores the trap scene as a gendered space, examining the negotiations, continuities, and ruptures of gender norms enacted within it by female artists. In particular, the analysis will focus on the figure of Anna Pepe, currently the most followed and listened-to female artist on the main digital platforms, and the subject of the highest number of post
Morphotectonics in intraplate setting: The case of the western border of the São Paulo Basin – Southeastern Brazil
No full textIn the last decades, many researches have highlighted the role of Neotectonics on landforms in intraplate settings. However, the low magnitude seismicity and the action of erosion and weathering, which obliterates traces of tectonic activity, present great challenges to recent tectonic studies in some regions, such as in the Precambrian basement of South and Southeast Brazil. In this way, the objective of this research is to explore the Neotectonic activity and its relationships with landforms in the transition between the western border of the São Paulo Basin (Paleogene) and the Precambrian basement. In order to achieve this aim, topographic and aeromagnetic lineaments were traced in Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (spatial resolution: 30 m) and aeromagnetic data, respectively, and compared with seismicity data. Structural data were surveyed in outcrops, and paleostresses were computed by the fault-slip inversion with Daisy 3 software. Morphometric indices (Stream Length-Gradient Index, Basin Shape, Asymmetry Factor) were calculated in order to evaluate possible tectonic signatures on landforms, especially in the drainage network. In addition, a detailed morphotectonic map of a subset of the study area was done. The results of this work indicate that the study area shows several traces of tectonic activity (rectilinear water divisors and streams, elbows, asymmetrical valleys, right-angle confluences, knickpoints, elongated drainage basins, triangular facets and hillslope breaks). However, there is not structural data supporting the hypothesis that old shear zones have been reactivated in the current tectonic environment. The strong tectonic control on the landscape seems to reflect particularly an adaptation of the fluvial system to ancient inherited structures printed in the Precambrian basement
Inside the structure of Mn2+ doped Cs2(Na1-xAgx)InCl6 persistent luminescence compounds
No full textThis study focuses on Mn-doped halide double perovskites (HDPs) with persistent luminescence (PeL), in both bulk and nanocrystal forms. Currently, PeL materials are commercially used in toys or emergency signals, but their potential applications extend to areas such as road markings, photocatalysis, biomedicine, and solar energy.
Cs2(Na1−xAgx)InCl6:Mn2+ is a high emissive material both in bulk (single crystals – SC) and at the nanoscale (nanoplates - NP; nanocubes – NC); moreover, the bulk material possesses a PeL measurable for hours. Surprisingly, at RT the PeL disappears in nanocrystals while they retain a considerable photoluminescence. Even if several hypotheses have been proposed, the cause of this behaviour remains unexplained. PeL is caused by traps, which could be local structural defects. So, we investigate these defects with X-ray Powder Diffraction, Pair Distribution Function analysis and X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure spectroscopy. In this work, we present data on crushed single crystals and nanocrystals of Cs2(Na0.2Ag0.8)InCl6:Mn2+, exploring the influence of size
Bone Health Determinants in Ambulant Prepubertal Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Treated With Deflazacort: Findings From a 3‐Year Study
No full textIntroduction/Aims: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is complicated by bone fragility. This study aimed to elucidate changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition over time and to explore associations with adiposity measures in DMD. Methods: A three-year follow-up analysis was performed of total body (TB) and lumbar spine (LS) dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements, anthropometric measures, Tanner stage and bone turnover biomarkers assessments, and the incidence of fragility fractures in 26 ambulant prepubertal DMD patients treated with deflazacort (DFZ). Results: Age at baseline was 7.7 years (interquartile range: 6–9.2). The TB BMD Z-score declined over time and was negatively related to the TB fat mass percentage and fat mass index (p < 0.05), but not to body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS). In contrast LS bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) Z-score remained stable and normal. The cumulative incidence of fragility fractures was 19.2%; DMD boys with fractures displayed a 1.5-fold higher decline of TB BMD Z-score/year (p < 0.05) and a worse adiposity profile compared to fracture-free patients. No difference was found in DFZ dose or duration between the two groups. Discussion: We observed a high incidence of fragility fractures, and identified fat tissue as a potential detrimental factor for bone health, suggesting a need for monitoring in DMD patients with excessive adiposity. Fat mass measures assessed by DXA could help to identify those at risk, enabling targeted interventions for better bone health. The co-occurrence of multiple glucocorticoid side effects might characterize patients at higher risk of fractures
Skeletal versus conventional anchorage in dentofacial orthopedics: an international modified Delphi consensus study
No full textBackground: To establish consensus of skeletal anchorage versus conventional anchorage in treating: 1. Maxillary transverse deficiency in growing and adult patients, 2. Class II skeletal disharmony due to mandibular retrusion in growing patients, 3. Class III skeletal disharmony in growing patients. Methods: A four-rounds modified Delphi method was conducted. A steering committee performed a literature selection and compiled a list of 33 statements. An international panel of 25 experts in orthodontics agreed to participate. In each round, panelists were asked to rate their level of agreement with each statement using a 5-point Likert scale and provide comments. Statements that reached consensus were either accepted or rephrased. Statements that did not reach consensus were either rephrased, rejected, or split into two statements or merged with another. Results: After the four rounds, 24 statements achieved consensus while 9 were rejected. The distribution of consensus statements was as follows: Maxillary transverse deficiency: 4 statements; Class II skeletal disharmony: 10 statements; Class III skeletal disharmony: 10 statements. Conclusions: This modified Delphi consensus study aimed to provide guidance for orthodontists in choosing between skeletal and conventional anchorage for various treatment conditions. The study generated 24 consensus statements across three key domains. While the Delphi method provides valuable expert opinions, future studies, including randomized controlled trials, are needed to confirm these findings and address remaining uncertainties. Such efforts will aid in refining orthodontic treatment protocols and enhancing patient outcomes
