67 research outputs found
Single-frequency MOPA Er<sup>3+</sup> DBR fiber laser for WDM digital telecommunication systems
No full textThe realization, the characteristics and the bit-error-rate (BER) performance of a single frequency, linear polarization Er3+-doped distributed Bragg reflector fiber laser are reported. The device, pumped at 980 nm, gives a maximum output power of 13 mW with an overall slope efficiency η =24%, a continuous wave intensity ripple around 1% and a linewidth of 2.2 kHz. The BER test, performed without any polarization control system in a complete 475-km-long 2.5-Gb/s wavelength-division-multiplexed transmission line, shows only a 0.5-dB penalty is introduced
Poled glass optical communication devices
No full textA review of electro-optic and nonlinear optical devices based on poled glass is presented, including recent developments and potential applications
Unexpected discovery of massive liver echinococcosis. A clinical, morphological, and functional diagnosis
No full textWe report a case of symptomatic massive liver echinococcosis due to Echinococcus granulosus, unexpectedly found in a 34 year old woman living in Apulia, Italy. Based on size (max diameter 18 cm), clinical presentation, geographical area, and natural history of echinococcosis, we estimate that the initial infection should have occurred 9-20 yrs before. Presenting symptoms were those of typical mass effect with RUQ pain, pruritus, malaise, and recent weight loss. Abdominal ultrasound diagnosis of probable echinococcal cyst was subsequentely confirmed by positive serology and further detailed by radiological imaging. The cyst was massively occupying subdiaphragmatic liver segments and extending to the omentum and the stomach. The characteristics of the lesion were compatible with the WHO 2003 classification type CE2l, indicating a large active fertile cyst with daughter cysts. The cyst was successfully treated with medical therapy followed by surgery. The prevalence, diagnostic workup, management, and costs of echinococcosis are discussed in this case presentation
Thermal poling of silica in air and under vacuum: the influence of charge transport on second harmonic generation
No full textA comparison between thermal poling of silica in air and in vacuum is reported. It is shown that the second-order susceptibility and thickness of the nonlinear layer as well as their time evolution are highly dependent on the surrounding poling atmosphere. In the vacuum case a charge distribution (under the anode) more complex and broader than that for the air case has also been revealed by laser induced pressure pulse measurements. A multiple charge carrier model can explain the formation and evolution of the depletion region under the anode. The findings are relevant to achieve improved nonlinearities in fibre and waveguide devices
Effects of dietary education, followed by a tailored fructose-restricted diet in adults with fructose malabsorption
No full textOBJECTIVE: Fructose is absorbed by GLUT transporters in the small intestine. If this process is inadequate, abdominal symptoms because of fructose intolerance may arise. The effect of a tailored fructose-restricted diet on gastrointestinal complaints was assessed in patients with fructose intolerance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following an abnormal fructose breath test (50 g), 107 patients (64 also with lactose intolerance) entered three study periods: weeks 0-32 (free diet), weeks 32-36 (progressive increasing amount of fructose up to quantity inducing symptoms, 'trigger dose'), and weeks 36-48 (tailored fructose-restricted diet according to the 'trigger dose'). A subgroup of 15 patients underwent additional fructose breath tests (35, 25 g) to compare three different doses. RESULTS: At baseline, the most frequent symptoms were bloating and abdominal pain, and were more severe with combined fructose and lactose intolerance. During the free diet, patients reported eliminating (48%) or reducing (52%) fructose-containing foods, with a significant improvement in symptoms (abdominal pain from 79.7 +/- 1.3 to 19.3 +/- 1.8 mm; bloating from 83.1 +/- 1.3 to 19.4 +/- 1.8 mm; number of evacuations/day from 3.9 +/- 0.16 to 1.1 +/- 0.04; Bristol score from 5.1 +/- 0.14 to 3.8 +/- 0.1, P < 0.00001). During the tailored fructose-restricted diet, the consistent improvement in symptoms persisted and was similar to the improvement on free diet (abdominal pain 23.6 +/- 1.9 mm; bloating 19.4 +/- 1.8 mm; number of evacuations/day 1.7 +/- 0.07; Bristol score 3.5 +/- 0.06, P<0.00001 vs. baseline). A dose-dependent effect of fructose was observed on symptoms during the fructose breath test. CONCLUSION: In our setting, individuals with fructose intolerance show an inappropriate dietary self-management. By contrast, a tailored fructose-restricted diet improves gastrointestinal symptoms without senseless food deprivation
Corrigendum to ‘Adiponectin involved in portal flow hepatic extraction of 13C-methacetin in obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver.’ [European Journal of Internal Medicine 89C (2021) 56–64] (European Journal of Internal Medicine (2021) 89 (56–64), (S0953620521001084), (10.1016/j.ejim.2021.03.036))
No full textThe authors regret that a mistake was made in the spelling of one of the co-author's name. The third author's name is: Harshitha Shanmugam DOI of original article: 10.1016/j.ejim.2021.03.03
A novel cluster of patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) in southern Italy
No full textBackground: Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disorder characterised by recurrent attacks of fever and serositis (peritonitis, pleuritic or synovitis) affecting mainly populations of Mediterranean origin. Aim: To describe a relatively new cluster of FMF subjects from Apulia and Basilicata regions (southern Italy). Patients and methods: Subjects were screened for FMF using the Tel-Hashomer criteria and genetic analysis. Demographic data were taken from patientsâ files and direct interviews. Patients were investigated about attack duration, intensity and site, body temperature, skin manifestations and overall quality of life before and after treatment with colchicine. Inflammatory parameters were also measured between these periods. Results: Forty-nine subjects had FMF (M : F = 26 : 23, age 38 years ± 2 SE) and followed-up up to 8 years. The age at disease onset was 22·1 years ± 1·2SE and the diagnostic delay was 15·5 years ± 1·9SE. The majority of patients (82%) suffered from abdominal pain, and 35% had undergone prior abdominal surgery or laparotomy. Severity score (ISSF) was mild in 43% of patients and intermediate in 57% of patients. Serum amyloid A (SAA) was increased in 20% of patients (16·9 ± 3·7, normal range < 6·4 mg/dL). In over 95% of patients, inflammation markers, duration and intensity of febrile painful attacks, quality of life and ISSF score improved dramatically following colchicine treatment. Conclusion: The Apulia region represents a new endemic area for FMF. Clinical presentation of FMF can be misleading and requires a complete and early workup to recognise the disease and avoid unjustified surgery. Colchicine remains the gold standard therapy to prevent FMF attacks and fatal long-term complications
Unexpected discovery of massive liver echinococcosis. A clinical, morphological, and functional diagnosis
No full textWe report a case of symptomatic massive liver echinococcosis due to Echinococcus granulosus, unexpectedly found in a 34 year old woman living in Apulia, Italy. Based on size (max diameter 18 cm), clinical presentation, geographical area, and natural history of echinococcosis, we estimate that the initial infection should have occurred 9-20 yrs before. Presenting symptoms were those of typical mass effect with RUQ pain, pruritus, malaise, and recent weight loss. Abdominal ultrasound diagnosis of probable echinococcal cyst was subsequentely confirmed by positive serology and further detailed by radiological imaging. The cyst was massively occupying subdiaphragmatic liver segments and extending to the omentum and the stomach. The characteristics of the lesion were compatible with the WHO 2003 classification type CE2l, indicating a large active fertile cyst with daughter cysts. The cyst was successfully treated with medical therapy followed by surgery. The prevalence, diagnostic workup, management, and costs of echinococcosis are discussed in this case presentatio
Adiponectin involved in portal flow hepatic extraction of 13C-metacethin in obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver
No full textObesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are high prevalence, inter-related conditions at increased risk for advanced liver diseases and related mortality. Adiponectin and leptin have divergent roles in the pathogenesis of fat accumulation and NAFLD. However, the relationships between body and liver fat accumulation, early modification of liver function and unbalanced adipokine levels are still scarcely explored. We studied by (13C)-methacetin breath test ((13C)-MBT) 67 adults stratified according to body mass index, and to presence/absence of ultrasonographic nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (uNAFLD). uNAFLD was detected in 20%, 73% and 96% of normal weight, overweight and obese subjects, respectively. The delta over baseline after 15 min (DOB15), a marker of hepatic extraction efficiency from portal blood flow, was lower in obese than in normal weight subjects, and in subjects with-, as compared to those without uNAFLD. The cumulative percent dose recovery after 30 min (cPDR30), a marker of liver microsomal function, was lower in uNAFLD patients. DOB15 was positively correlated with adiponectin levels in obese and in uNAFLD patients. uNAFLD patients also showed a positive correlation between cPDR30 values and adiponectin. Our data indicate the existence of early alterations of liver function in obese and in patients with uNAFLD. These dysfunctions are linked to altered leptin/adiponectin balance and can be identified noninvasively by (13C)-MBT
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