53 research outputs found
BRCA 1 AND 2 MUTATION CARRIERS. THE IMPACT OF AGE AT FIRST PREGNANCY AND EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING
No full textreserved/
Considerazioni sui risultati funzionali delle anastomosi colorettali e coloanali con e senza pouch
No full textIn the last two decades one of the main targets of anorectocolonic surgery has been to develop sphincter saving procedure able to achieve good results with acceptable five-years survivals, optimal local control of the diseases and low rate of local cancer recurrence. Partially the development of new operative techniques such as low colorectal and coloanal anastomoses with or without pouch, the TME operation and the nerve sparing procedure have reach this target. In fact, often after these operations we can observe a functional syndrome called "Post Anterior Resection Syndrome". The basis of this syndrome have to researched in anatomical and physiological alterations that followed a reconstructive operation. It is characterized by frequency and fragmentation of the stool, feeling of incomplete evacuation, tenesmus and urgency. Fecal continence may be compromised to different levels: usually with alteration limited to soiling and impaired control of flatus, occasionally with loss of liquid stool, rarely with loss of solid stools. The anorectal function will be altered for long time following the surgical procedure and the stabilization of functional results may require 1-3 years. On the basis of these considerations, the authors examine the etiopathogenesis and clinical presentation of the "Post Anterior Resection Syndrome", suggesting some expedients to prevent the functional problems. Analysing our experience and a wide specific bibliography, they also underline the indispensable point to achieve a good functional results after a reconstructive procedure. The author conclude asserting that the absence of these points have to be carefully valued because, in these situations, a simply colostomy is able to guarantee a better quality of life that a colorectal/coloanal anastomoses with or without pouch but associated to functional problems
Considerazioni sui risultati funzionali delle anastomosi colorettali e coloanali con e senza pouch
No full textIn the last two decades one of the main targets of anorectocolonic surgery has been to develop sphincter saving procedure able to achieve good results with acceptable five-years survivals, optimal local control of the diseases and low rate of local cancer recurrence. Partially the development of new operative techniques such as low colorectal and coloanal anastomoses with or without pouch, the TME operation and the nerve sparing procedure have reach this target. In fact, often after these operations we can observe a functional syndrome called "Post Anterior Resection Syndrome". The basis of this syndrome have to researched in anatomical and physiological alterations that followed a reconstructive operation. It is characterized by frequency and fragmentation of the stool, feeling of incomplete evacuation, tenesmus and urgency. Fecal continence may be compromised to different levels: usually with alteration limited to soiling and impaired control of flatus, occasionally with loss of liquid stool, rarely with loss of solid stools. The anorectal function will be altered for long time following the surgical procedure and the stabilization of functional results may require 1-3 years. On the basis of these considerations, the authors examine the etiopathogenesis and clinical presentation of the "Post Anterior Resection Syndrome", suggesting some expedients to prevent the functional problems. Analysing our experience and a wide specific bibliography, they also underline the indispensable point to achieve a good functional results after a reconstructive procedure. The author conclude asserting that the absence of these points have to be carefully valued because, in these situations, a simply colostomy is able to guarantee a better quality of life that a colorectal/coloanal anastomoses with or without pouch but associated to functional problems
Pneumococcal Carriage in Young Children One Year after Introduction of the 13-Valent Conjugate Vaccine in Italy
No full textIn mid 2010, the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was replaced by the 13-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for childhood immunization in Italy. Our objective in this study was to obtain a snapshot of pneumococcal carriage frequency, colonizing serotypes, and antibiotic resistance in healthy children in two Italian cities one year after PCV13 was introduced.Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained from 571 children aged 0-5 years from November 2011-April 2012. Pneumococcal isolates were serotyped and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Penicillin and/or erythromycin non-susceptible isolates were analyzed by Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST).Among the children examined, 81.2% had received at least one dose of PCV7 or PCV13 and 74.9% had completed the recommended vaccination schedule for their age. Among the latter, 57.3% of children had received PCV7, 27.1% PCV13, and 15.6% a combination of the two vaccines. The overall carriage rate was 32.9%, with children aged 6-35 months the most prone to pneumococcal colonization (6-23 months OR: 3.75; 95% CI: 2.19-6.43 and 24-35 months OR: 3.15, 95%CI: 2.36-4.22). A total of 184 pneumococcal isolates were serotyped and divided into PCV7 (5.4%), PCV13 (18.0%), and non-PCV13 (82.0%) serotypes. Serotypes 6C, 24F, and 19A were the most prevalent (10.3%, 8.6%, and 8.1%, respectively). The proportion of penicillin non-susceptible (MIC >0.6 mg/L) isolates was 30.9%, while 42.3% were erythromycin resistant. Non-PCV13 serotypes accounted for 75.4% and 70.8% of the penicillin and erythromycin non-susceptible isolates, respectively.Our results revealed low rates of PCV7 and PCV13 serotypes in Italian children, potentially due to the effects of vaccination. As the use of PCV13 continues, its potential impact on vaccine serotypes such as 19A and cross-reactive serotypes such as 6C will be assessed, with this study providing a baseline for further analysis of surveillance isolates
Potential Use of Jatropha Curcas L. on Marginal Lands of Southern Italy
No full textAbstractIn the last years public and scientific debate about the reduction of CO2 and polluting emissions has intensified and the importance of renewable energies and fuel has increased. Scientific researches on the economic possibility to use wood and biomass to obtain electric and thermal energy has shown contrasting results. Jatropha curcas is a multipurpose plant with many attributes and considerable potential. This species is considered of a great interest for plant oil production purposes in the last years, also for its ability to grow on ‘marginal lands’, not suitable for food crops. In these conditions, prohibitive for other species, it may be also utilized to prevent and/or control soil erosion and to reclaim abandoned lands because of its widespread root apparatus development. This approach requires strategic and spatial planning for the land use. The present study shows preliminary results froma research project, funded by the Calabria Region, aimed to promote the cultivation of Jatropha in Calabrian marginal areas, for agriculture and bioenergy purposes. Several experimental fields with Jatropha plants, performed last winter in Calabria, produced positive results, and first processes for biodiesel extraction have been started. In conclusion, the considerable potential of this plant, the low input requirements and its lower CO2 footprint in comparison with other oil-bearing crops, as well as the ability to prevent soil erosion problems, are the main advantages and the main reasons to promote J. curcas L. cultivation in Calabrian marginal soils
Author's personal copy A review of research on the impact of professional learning communities on teaching practice and student learning
No full textAbstract After an overview of the characteristics of professional learning communities (PLCs), this manuscript presents a review of 10 American studies and one English study on the impact of PLCs on teaching practices and student learning. Although, few studies move beyond self-reports of positive impact, a small number of empirical studies explore the impact on teaching practice and student learning. The collective results of these studies suggest that well-developed PLCs have positive impact on both teaching practice and student achievement. Implications of this research and suggestions for next steps in the efforts to document the impact of PLCs on teaching and learning are included.
Abiotic and Herbivory Combined Stress in Tomato: Additive, Synergic and Antagonistic Effects and Within-Plant Phenotypic Plasticity
No full textBackground: Drought, N deficiency and herbivory are considered the most important stressors caused by climate change in the agro- and eco-systems and varied in space and time shaping highly dynamic and heterogeneous stressful environments. This study aims to evaluate the tomato morpho-physiological and metabolic responses to combined abiotic and herbivory at different within-plant spatial levels and temporal scales. Methods: Leaf-level morphological, gas exchange traits and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) profiles were measured in tomato plants exposed to N deficiency and drought, Tuta absoluta larvae and their combination. Additive, synergistic or antagonistic effects of the single stress when combined were also evaluated. Morpho-physiological traits and VOCs profile were also measured on leaves located at three different positions along the shoot axes. Results: The combination of the abiotic and biotic stress has been more harmful than single stress with antagonistic and synergistic but non-additive effects for the morpho-physiological and VOCs tomato responses, respectively. Combined stress also determined a high within-plant phenotypic plasticity of the morpho-physiological responses. Conclusions: These results suggested that the combined stress in tomato determined a “new stress state” and a higher within-plant phenotypic plasticity which could permit an efficient use of the growth and defense resources in the heterogeneous and multiple stressful environmental conditions
The implementation of elementary professional learning communities: a mixed methods study
No full textTwenty-first century teachers need to be adaptable and open to change in order to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. As such, professional development that supports teachers’ continuous growth is vital. One of the most promising forms of professional development that provides teachers with ongoing opportunities for collaboration and critical reflection are professional learning communities (PLCs) (Dufour, 2014; Owen, 2015; Tam, 2015; Vescio et al., 2008; Wells & Feun, 2013). While there is evidence of the potential of PLCs to improve the quality of instruction in schools, the favorable outcomes of PLCs are dependent on their implementation. This mixed methods study examined PLC implementation in one New Jersey school district to inform how it might be improved. This study also aimed to learn about stakeholders’ perceptions of PLC practices and to compare these perceptions with DuFour et al.’s (2010) critical attributes of effective PLCs. By merging quantitative survey data with qualitative interview data, two cases were selected and compared to gain an understanding of the factors mediating PLC implementation.
Data analysis revealed two themes: 1.) principal leadership is crucial to developing effective PLCs and includes providing supportive structures for collaboration and granting teachers the autonomy to direct their PLCs, 2.) PLC teams need to establish collaborative cultures through structured accountability, trusting relationships and engagement in collective inquiry. The implications of these findings for the school district include supporting principals in leading PLCs through ongoing professional development, developing a repository of PLC materials in the district to support teachers in developing collaborative PLCs, encouraging teacher leadership and principal-teacher collaboration through formal structures and yearly evaluation of district PLCs. Implications of these findings are also considered for principal preparation in higher education. Keywords: professional learning communities, teacher leadership, distributed leadership; collaborationEd.D.Includes bibliographical reference
Right patient approach to experimental stromal cell therapies for gastrointestinal tumors
No full textThe wind's response to transient mesoscale pressure fields associated with squall lines
No full textMay 1990.A simple one-dimensional slab model has been developed to examine the wind's response to transient mesoscale pressure fields that frequently accompany mature midlatitude squall lines. The model numerically solves a form of the momentum equation that includes the pressure gradient force, advection, and the frictional force. The Coriolis force is neglected since attention is focused on time periods of 1-2 hrs. The pressure field is specified by a sine wave with a constant phase speed. The amplitude of this wave is initially zero, but then increases linearly with every timestep until t = 2 hrs. At this time, the wave reaches its predetermined maximum amplitude. This pressure wave represents a mesohigh and wake low that have the same amplitude and phase speed. Since these features are transient, the air lacks sufficient time to achieve a balanced state. Therefore, winds are directed forward through the mesohigh, and rearward through the wake low, at right angles to the isobars. This airflow pattern produces an axis of divergence to the rear of the mesohigh, with convergence occurring near the back edge of the wake low. The model is able to accurately simulate the airflow near these pressure features. Pressure waves with various maximum amplitudes and phase speeds are used in the model for the purpose of comparison. Model results vary slightly as the phase speed and maximum amplitude of the pressure wave is changed. Air parcel trajectories are used to help explain these variations. Model results are compared to the observed airflow near the mesohigh and wake low associated with an intense squall line that moved through Oklahoma and Kansas on 10-11 June 1985. The time period of interest is 0100–0400 UTC on the 11th of June, during which the squall line, as well as the mesoscale pressure fields, reached their maximum intensity. Cross sections through the center of the mesohigh and wake low indicate that the pressure field were roughly sinusoidal with an amplitude of approximately 2.5 mb. Therefore, model results obtained using a 2.5 mb maximum amplitude pressure wave are used for the comparison. The model derived wind field is similar to the observed wind field in many respects. Differences can be attributed to several factors, one of which is the fact that the pressure field, specified in the model, is only an approximation to the observed pressure field. Finally, a discussion of the frictional force is presented. To assess the relative importance of the surface friction term, a scale analysis of the momentum equation is performed. This analysis shows that this term is only one order of magnitude smaller than the next smallest term in the momentum equation. Therefore, surface friction cannot be neglected. Slight variations in model results occur as the magnitude of the term varies. The effects of momentum transport from above on the surface wind field are also discussed. It appears that such transport is only important near the leading convective line where convective scale updrafts and downdrafts are occurring. Behind the convective line, the rain cooled air is much too stable, and the convective scale motion is too weak, for significant momentum transport into the boundary layer.Research supported by NOAA under grant no.NA 85 RAH 05045
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