Acta Orientalia Vilnensia
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Impact of mepolizumab on the AAV-PRO questionnaire in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: data from a European multicentre study
No full textObjectives: To prospectively evaluate the impact and the rapidity of the effect of mepolizumab on the ANCA-associated vasculitis patient-reported outcomes (AAV-PRO) questionnaire and patient global assessment (PtGA) in an international, multicentre cohort of patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Methods: Patients with active EGPA initiating treatment with mepolizumab were included. PtGA and the AAV-PRO score were assessed at baseline and after 7, 14, 30, 90 and 180 days. Predictors of response of the AAV-PRO questionnaire were investigated. Results: Seventy patients were included: female 54.3%, median age 56 years (48-65), 63 (90%) with a relapsing/refractory course. PtGA showed a statistically significant decrease within 7 days. At 14 days, all the AAV-PRO domains, except treatment side effects, showed a statistically significant decline. The improvement at 6 months was greatest in organ-specific symptoms (ratio 0.53), physical function (ratio 0.57), and PtGA (ratio 0.58). PtGA and higher disease activity positively correlated with the AAV-PRO scores throughout the study. Female patients reported a greater burden in terms of systemic symptoms, treatment side effects, social and emotional impact, and concerns about the future. Conversely, age, educational level, damage accrual, mepolizumab dose and ANCA status had no effect on the AAV-PRO scores. Conclusions: Mepolizumab was associated with a quick and remarkable improvement of health-related quality of life in patients with EGPA. These findings highlight its early and sustained benefits beyond disease control and support the integration of the AAV-PRO questionnaire into routine clinical practice
Testable dark matter solution within the seesaw mechanism
No full textThe dark matter problem, together with the discovery of neutrino masses from the observation of the oscillation phenomenon, represents one of the most important open questions in particle physics. A concurrent solution arises when one of the right-handed neutrinos, necessary for the generation of light neutrino masses, is the dark matter candidate. In this letter, we study the generation of such a dark matter candidate relying solely on the presence of neutrino mixing. This tightly links the generation of dark matter with searches in laboratory experiments on top of the usual indirect dark matter probes. We find that the regions of parameter space producing the observed dark matter abundance can be probed with electroweak precision observables, charged lepton flavor violation searches, as well as, collider searches when the mass of the heavy neutrino lies at the TeV scale
Studio retrospettico sui decessi per patologie dell'apparato circolatorio in sicilia
No full textLa salute del sistema circolatorio rappresenta una delle principali preoccupazioni sanitarie a livello globale. Le malattie determinate da un mal funzionamento del sistema cardio-vascolare rappresentano in Italia la prima causa di disabilità e di morte costituendo circa il 38% di tutti i decessi un dato allarmante che mette in luce la necessità di interventi mirati
Questa analisi si propone di esaminare i registri di mortalità per malattie del sistema circolatorio in Sicilia, con l’obiettivo di evidenziare tendenze e fattori di rischi
Deep Learning in Multiomics Sciences: Where We are, Emerging Topics, and Future Challenges
No full textMultiomics is an emerging biological analysis approach in which the datasets come from multiple “omics”, such as genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics. Nowadays, the convergence of Deep Learning and multiomics sciences presents an unprecedented opportunity to dissect the intricate interplay of biological processes. Specifically, multiomics data integration, propelled by Deep Learning methodologies, has revolutionised biological research, enabling a more holistic understanding of complex biological systems and disease mechanisms. This paper explores the current landscape of Deep Learning applications in multiomics, highlighting state-of-the-art techniques, emerging research areas, and the challenges that lie ahead. In particular, we delve into the application areas and computational methods that have been considered so far, offering guidance to researchers navigating this intricate field
Passive Indoor People Counting by Bluetooth Signal Deformation Analysis with Deep Learning
No full textIdentificazione di placche carotidee vulnerabili mediante analisi radiomica, computazionale e geometrica
No full textIn ambito cardiovascolare, è ampiamente riconosciuto che la presenza di flusso turbolento, in particolare nella regione della biforcazione carotidea, rappresenta un fattore determinante per l’insorgenza di placche aterosclerotiche. La presenza di tali placche comporta una progressiva riduzione del lume vascolare e un incremento del rischio di eventi ischemici cerebrali.
Il presente elaborato di tesi si propone di analizzare la biforcazione carotidea in un campione di 129 pazienti, utilizzando immagini in formato DICOM acquisite tramite tomografia computerizzata (TC). L’obiettivo principale consiste nell’ effettuare un’analisi radiomica finalizzata allo sviluppo di un algoritmo di apprendimento automatico per la classificazione delle placche carotidee in sintomatiche e asintomatiche. Tale classificazione si prefigge di fornire un supporto decisionale utile per l’identificazione precoce di pazienti che potrebbero beneficiare di interventi chirurgici preventivi al fine di ridurre il rischio di ictus ischemico.
A completamento dell’analisi radiomica, sono state condotte simulazioni di fluidodinamica computazionale (CFD) e analisi geometriche del lume vascolare per ciascun paziente. Queste ulteriori indagini sono volte ad individuare possibili correlazioni tra le caratteristiche geometriche e fluidodinamiche del vaso e la vulnerabilità delle placche, intesa come propensione alla rottura e alla conseguente insorgenza di eventi ischemici.
I risultati ottenuti evidenziano le potenzialità di un approccio integrato basato su analisi radiomica, simulazioni di fluidodinamica computazionale (CFD) e valutazioni morfologiche del vaso. mettendo tuttavia in luce alcune limitazioni metodologiche. Alla luce di tali considerazioni, in prospettiva futura, si ritiene auspicabile un approfondimento delle diverse metodologie impiegate per affinare l’accuratezza e l’affidabilità dei risultati.It is widely accepted in the cardiovascular field that the presence of turbulent flow, particularly in the region of the carotid bifurcation, is a major factor in the development of atherosclerotic plaques. The presence of such plaques results in a progressive reduction of the vascular lumen, increasing the likelihood of cerebral ischemic events.
The aim of this thesis is to analyze the carotid bifurcation in a sample of 129 patients using DICOM format images obtained by computed tomography (CT). The main objective is to perform a radiomic analysis aimed at developing a machine learning algorithm for the classification of carotid plaques into symptomatic and asymptomatic. This classification is intended to provide decision support for the early identification of patients who are candidates for preventive surgery to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke.
To complement the radiomic analysis, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and geometric analyses of the vessel lumen were performed for each subject. These additional studies were designed to identify possible correlations between the geometric and fluid dynamic characteristics of the vessel and plaque vulnerability, understood as the propensity for rupture and subsequent occurrence of ischemic events.
The results obtained highlight the potential of an integrated approach based on radiomic analysis, CFD and morphological study of the vessel, although they highlight some methodological limitations. In light of these considerations, it is considered desirable to further investigate the different methodologies used in order to refine the accuracy and reliability of the results
RGO-Si QDs hybrid photodetector with enhanced photosensitivity
No full textThis study presents a hybrid metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) photodetector integrating silicon quantum dots (Si QDs) with a multilayer reduced graphene oxide (rGO) film. A 1 nm amorphous silicon-on-insulator (SOI) film, deposited by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), undergoes solid-state dewetting to form single-crystal Si QDs (∼6 nm) encapsulated in SiO2. A multilayer graphene film is then deposited via spray coating, oxidized, and chemically reduced to obtain rGO, as confirmed by Raman analysis. The hybrid MIS structure, with transparent AuPd contacts, is characterized by capacitance-voltage (C-V) and current-voltage (I-V) measurements. The rGO enhances optoelectronic performance by improving charge collection and interaction with Si QDs. Experimental results demonstrate ultra-low dark current and a photocurrent amplified up to 100 times under low bias, highlighting the synergy between Si QDs' optical properties and rGO's efficient charge transport and open new pathways for the development of high-sensitivity, low-power optoelectronic devices
Natural Radioactivity Content and Radon Exhalation Rate Assessment for Building Materials from the Archaeological Park of Tindari, Sicily, Southern Italy: A Case Study
No full textThis paper presents a case study of the natural radioactivity level and radon exhalation in limestone and sandstone rocks from the archaeological park of Tindari, located in Sicily, southern Italy. These rocks were representative of natural stones utilised as building materials in the studied area. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were assessed using high purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometry. Subsequently, the absorbed gamma dose rate (D), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), activity concentration index (ACI), and alpha index (Iα) were quantified to evaluate potential radiological health risks associated with radiation exposure from the analysed rocks. Finally, E-PERM electret ion chamber measurements were conducted to accurately quantify the radon exhalation rate from the investigated samples. The results obtained in this case study provide a foundation for further research into the background radioactivity levels in natural stones employed as building materials
Plasma Production by Laser Ablation of Heavy Metals
No full textAn Nd:YAG focused laser operating at 1064 nm, 3 ns pulse width, 360 mJ pulse energy, is employed to irradiate heavy metals, such as Ta, W, Pt, Au, and Pb. The in-vacuum irradiation produces an expanding plasma at the target surface which has high density, temperature, and kinetic energy of emitted ions. Ions have a velocity of the order of 104 m/s with a charge state up to about 10+ and large ion energy distribution from some eV up to values of the order of some keV. The measurements of the ion emission, their velocity, and energy have been performed using a Faraday cup ion collector connected in time-of-flight (TOF) configuration. The ion energy, charge state, and energy distributions were performed using a cylindrical electrostatic ion deflector (IEA) with high energy resolution. The measurements are investigated and compared with literature and theoretical prediction models
Immunological Markers Associated with Skin Manifestations of EGPA
No full textEosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare systemic vasculitis with
eosinophilic inflammation and variable clinical presentations. Although skin manifestations
are frequent, current classification criteria do not include them, which may underestimate
their diagnostic value. This prospective observational study aimed to assess systemic and
skin involvement as well as eosinophilia, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA),
and Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) serum levels in 20 EGPA patients followed for one
year at the University Hospital of Messina, Italy, before starting Mepolizumab, 300 mg.
Eosinophilia, ANCA status, systemic and skin involvement were also evaluated at 6 and
12 months; a literature review on these data supplements our findings. Skin involvement
was present in 55% of patients, including purpura, urticarial vasculitis, angioedema, maculopapular
rash, and nodules, mostly in ANCA-negative patients, though purpura was
more frequent in ANCA-positive cases but without any statistically significant correlation.
ANAs were present in 50% of patients, together with ANCA in two subjects and without
in eight. Mepolizumab significantly reduced eosinophil levels, BVASs, and corticosteroid
dependence, with notable improvement in skin symptoms. In conclusion, skin manifestations
are common in EGPA and may represent useful indicators of disease activity. Their
integration with ANCA status, eosinophil counts, and positivity to other autoantibodies
could enhance diagnostic and monitoring strategies identifying different clusters of EGPA
patients even if the small sample size limits the generalizability of the findings