2,630 research outputs found
La XXIX Biennal de Venècia (1958) i l’exposició 'Arte e Contemplazione' (Palazzo Grassi, 1961)
No full textIntervenció a càrrec de la professora de la UdG, Maria-Josep Balsach sobre la XXIX Biennal de Venècia l'any 1958 i l’exposició 'Arte e Contemplazione' al Palazzo Grassi, l'any 19616818.mp4
6818.mp
Association of global CpG methylation status with gene expression phenotypes in normal and cancer cells
No full textAssociation of global CpG methylation status with gene expression phenotypes in normal and cancer cells
Anna DE GRASSI
Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari, via Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
Cytosine methylation at CpG dinucleotides is a major mechanism of epigenetic regulation of gene expression, whereas methylation of promoters and demethylation of gene bodies are typically associated with transcriptional repression and vice versa (1). Poor is instead known about the forces that generate variable degrees of global CpG methylation in the genomes of different cells and how the gene expression phenotypes are consequently altered. The ENCODE project has recently furnished and invaluable data platform for this investigation, by systematically performing high-throughput experiments in several human cell lines (2). Forty-five normal and cancer cell lines were collected from the ENCODE platform for which both reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) data and exon array data are publicly available. A subset of ~130,000 CpG sites scattered throughout the genome were selected for the high reproducibility among RRBS replicates and were used to estimate the global CpG methylation status of each cell line. Using this estimation, cancer cell lines were distinguishable from primary cell lines with 100% sensitivity and specificity. The global CpG methylation degree was higher in cancer cells than in normal cells in all the genome compartments (exons, introns, promoter and intergenic regions), suggesting that at least one component of the CpG methylation profile of cancer cells is due to a basal and homogeneous hypermethylation along the genome. By comparing the CpG methylation status of cell lines and the expression level of ~20,000 genes in the same cell set, several genes were detected whose expression profile significantly correlates with the global CpG methylation degree. The top positively correlated genes include DNA methyltransferases and genes encoding proteins involved in nucleosome organization and assembly, as well as in histone exchange. Beside furnishing a list of candidate genes whose expression profile associates with the hypermethylation of cancer cells, these results suggest that an increased global CpG methylation status might be determined by the over-expression of DNA methyltransferases, and not by the transcriptional repression of DNA demethylator genes, and by an extensive remodeling of chromatin.
References:
1. Ball MP et al. Nat Biotechnol. 27, 361-368 (2009). doi: 10.1038/nbt.1533.
2. Encode Project Consortium. Nature 489, 57-74 (2012). doi: 10.1038/nature11247
Application of the IS-MP-IA model to the German economy and policy implications
No full textExtending the IS-MP-IA model developed by Romer (2000) and applying the GARCH (Engle, 1982, 2001) methodology, the author finds that equilibrium GDP in Germany is positively affected by stock market performance and real exchange rate appreciation, and negatively influenced by the expected inflation rate, the government deficit/GDP ratio, and the U.S. federal funds rate. The relatively low deficit/GDP ratio of 1.83% in 2003 indicates that its fiscal condition was healthy. However, some other EU members may need to exercise fiscal discipline. Because real appreciation has a positive impact on output, a stronger euro may not be a concern for Germany but may be worried by those EU member nations which depend upon exports to stimulate their economies.
Reconfiguration Viewer
No full textGrassi PR, Pohl C, Porrmann M. Reconfiguration Viewer. In: Design Automation and Test in Europe, DATE University Booth. Nice, France; 2009.The proposed approach allows debugging of partial dynamic reconfiguration. It shows where and when FPGA areas are reconfigured at runtime
Management of Combined Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Posterolateral Corner Tears: A Systematic Review.
No full textBACKGROUND:
A consensus on the treatment of combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterolateral corner (PLC) injuries is still lacking.
PURPOSE:
To review the available literature on the management of these combined lesions to investigate the influence that injuries of knee posterolateral structures play in the outcome of an ACL lesion.
STUDY DESIGN:
Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.
METHODS:
A comprehensive search was performed on PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, and Google Scholar databases using various combinations of the following keywords: "posterolateral corner," "plc," "posterolateral instability," "posterolateral injury," "anterior cruciate ligament," and "acl."
RESULTS:
A total of 6 studies involving 95 patients were included. For those with PLC lesions, 14 patients were treated nonoperatively, 9 underwent an early anatomic repair, while the remaining 72 underwent a reconstruction. In all 95 patients, an ACL reconstruction was performed. Sixty-seven of the 72 patients who underwent a PLC reconstruction were assessed for anteroposterior laxity, with a mean side-to-side difference of 1.5 ± 1.1 mm. Evaluated by the objective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Knee Form, 88% of the patients who underwent a PLC reconstruction were graded as good/excellent (A/B). The 9 patients who underwent an early surgical repair of the PLC lesion were evaluated by means of the objective IKDC score, with 3 patients (33%) graded as good/excellent (A/B), and by means of a clinical evaluation, with 5 of 9 patients (56%) graded as 1+ for varus laxity. For the 14 patients who were managed nonoperatively for PLC injuries, the only clinical score available was the subjective IKDC score, with a mean value of 80.5 (87.8 for the 6 patients with type A PLC injuries and 75.0 for type B PLC injuries).
CONCLUSION:
There is a paucity of literature focused on the management of combined ACL and PLC injuries. Combined ACL and PLC reconstruction seems to be the most effective approach to these combined lesions. However, future work is needed to explore the long-term outcome of the different treatment options
Thoracic endovascular stent graft repair for ascending aortic diseases.
No full textOBJECTIVES: We describe the preliminary results of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in a group of patients with ascending aortic disease from the Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment (GREAT). METHODS: We identified TEVAR performed for diseases truly originating from the ascending aorta. Between July 2011 and May 2015, 5014 patients were enrolled; six (0.12%) were identified and included in the analysis. One further patient was withdrawn from the study due to lack of a signed consent form. Patients having a "zone 0" proximal landing zone reported for their TEVAR without the presence of an ascending aortic disease were not included. Reinterventions of previous open and endovascular repair were also excluded. RESULTS: Three males and three females were treated. Mean age was 69 years ± 10 years (range, 58-83 years). Indication for TEVAR was atherosclerotic aneurysm (n = 4; ruptured, n = 1), complicated type A dissection (n = 1, rupture), and pseudoaneurysm (n = 1). Mean maximum aortic lesion diameter was 60 mm 14 (range, 39-77 mm). Urgent intervention was performed in three (50%) cases. Primary clinical success was 100%. There was no TEVAR-related in-hospital mortality. Open conversion was never required. Complication such as cerebrovascular accidents, valve impairment, or myocardial infarction did not occur. All patients were discharged home alive. No patient was lost at a median follow-up of 26 months (range, 16-72 months). During the follow-up, no patient died and ongoing primary clinical success was maintained in all patients. Reintervention was never required; endoleaks, migrations, fractures, or ruptures were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary "real-world" experience of ascending TEVAR shows satisfactory outcomes at short-term follow-up. Although concerns remain for "off-label" use of standard devices, TEVAR-related complications were not observed. Longer follow-up data are expected to confirm durability of these results
Meaning of free intraperitoneal fluid in small-bowel obstruction: preliminary results using high-frequency microsonography in a rat model
No full textOBJECTIVES:
The aim of this study was to detect the onset, evolution, and meaning of extraluminal free fluid in a rat model of small-bowel obstruction using high-frequency microsonography.
METHODS:
Small-bowel obstruction was surgically created in 8 rats divided into 2 groups of 4 rats each. All rats were examined by high-frequency microsonography to monitor the evolution of small-bowel obstruction and the abdominal sonographic findings. In group 2 rats, the obstruction was resolved 2 hours after surgery.
RESULTS:
In all rats, free peritoneal fluid was detected just near the obstructed loop after 1 hour and in the hepatorenal recess after 2 hours. These features progressively increased in the following hours in group 1 rats. In group 2, the amount of free fluid decreased shortly after removing the obstruction.
CONCLUSIONS:
Free fluid is an early finding in small-bowel obstruction, and the increase or decrease of its amount is correlated with the worsening or resolution of the obstruction
Early MRI findings of small bowel obstruction: an experimental study in rats
No full textThis study was undertaken to identify the early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of small bowel obstruction (SBO) and to analyse their evolution over time comparing them with histological findings.
SBO was surgically induced in 10 rats divided into two groups monitored at predetermined time points until the 8th hour: group 1, macroscopically observed and group 2, investigated with 7-Tesla micro-MRI (7T mu-MR). At the end of observation, the bowel was excised for histological analysis.
7T mu-MRI T2-w sequences acquired 15 min after SBO, showed early evidence of bowel wall hyperintensity and a small amount of peritoneal free fluid. At 1 h, a hyperintensity of the loop proximal to the obstruction was found and, after 4 h, free fluid between the loops, bowel wall thickening and increased wall hyperintensity were also found. After 6 h hypotonic reflex ileus (only gas-filled dilated loops) was detected, which became paralytic ileus (dilation with air-fluid levels) after 8 h. The MRI findings were all confirmed at histological examination.
This study allows definition of the early MRI features of SBO (peritoneal free fluid and hyperintensity of the injured bowel) and their chronological evolution, also confirmed by histological examination. Our data suggest a potential role of MR imaging in the early diagnostic assessment and management of patients with SBO. The chance to achieve an early detection of bowel injury and to correlate the histological pattern with imaging findings could contribute to a finer and earlier diagnosis and a more effective treatment
Early MRI findings of small bowel obstruction: an experimental study in rats.
No full textAbstract
PURPOSE:
This study was undertaken to identify the early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of small bowel obstruction (SBO) and to analyse their evolution over time comparing them with histological findings.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
SBO was surgically induced in 10 rats divided into two groups monitored at predetermined time points until the 8th hour: group 1, macroscopically observed and group 2, investigated with 7-Tesla micro-MRI (7 T μ-MR). At the end of observation, the bowel was excised for histological analysis.
RESULTS:
7 T μ-MRI T2-w sequences acquired 15 min after SBO, showed early evidence of bowel wall hyperintensity and a small amount of peritoneal free fluid. At 1 h, a hyperintensity of the loop proximal to the obstruction was found and, after 4 h, free fluid between the loops, bowel wall thickening and increased wall hyperintensity were also found. After 6 h hypotonic reflex ileus (only gas-filled dilated loops) was detected, which became paralytic ileus (dilation with air-fluid levels) after 8 h. The MRI findings were all confirmed at histological examination.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study allows definition of the early MRI features of SBO (peritoneal free fluid and hyperintensity of the injured bowel) and their chronological evolution, also confirmed by histological examination. Our data suggest a potential role of MR imaging in the early diagnostic assessment and management of patients with SBO. The chance to achieve an early detection of bowel injury and to correlate the histological pattern with imaging findings could contribute to a finer and earlier diagnosis and a more effective treatment
Patients' survival in lung malignancies treated by microwave ablation: our experience on 56 patients
No full text- …
