1,721,023 research outputs found
Role of endocrine therapy in combination with anti-HER2 therapy and CDK4/6 inhibitors in hormone receptor positive/HER2 positive breast cancer
No full textIn clinical practice, patients with advanced ER+/HER2+ BC are treated with a combination of anti-HER2 and
chemotherapy as first choice but it is clear that a proportion of these derive prolonged benefit from the combination of hormonal therapy (HT) and anti-HER2 therapy (AH2T). Preclinical evidence from cellular models of BC indicates that ER and HER2 pathways are strictly interdependent and that targeting both pathways in ER+/HER2+ BC might be an effective therapeutic strategy; few trials investigated this combination showing a significant, albeit modest, clinical improvement. CDK4/6 pathway acts downstream of both the ER and HER2 pathways. CDK4/6 inhibitors (PD)have shown synergistic activity with HT or AH2T but data on the combination of PD with both HT and AH2T in ER+/HER2+ BC are lacking. PD activity is dependent on an intact RB pathway; therefore we analyzed whether Cyclin D/Rb/E2F pathway might help discriminating the subgroup of ER+/HER2+ BC resistant to PD therapy. We developed a gene expression signature of Rb-loss-of-function, the RBsig, that included a final set of 87 genes that is predictive of resistance to PD in BC cell lines. An in-silico analisys on a meta-dataset of neoadjuvant trials has also shown a good performance of RBsig in prediction of a better response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These data suggest RBsig as a potential marker for identifying patients with differential benefit from chemotherapy or HT+PD, both in combination with AH2T
A tiered approach to natural background level (nbl) assessment in groundwater under a non hazardous waste land fill in Latium region (Italy)
Get PDFThis paper deals with the results of investigation and monitoring activity on groundwater flowing under an area of a non hazardous waste landfill, placed in the Agro Romano, in the South Rome town area, near to Colli Albani Volcanic region. The geological framework is mainly dominated by pyroclastic deposits of Colli Albani Volcanic Complex named pozzolanelle and tufo lionato.
The purpose of the study has been the investigation of the origin of concentration values referred to Arsenic, Manganese, and Fluoride, exceeding the European law limit values. In order to identify whether the observed concentrations represent a naturally-occurring condition or they are due to an anthropogenic source, it was applied a tiered up approach. As a matter of fact in the aim of following a tiered approach, they were analyzed, different aspects like: the impacts coming from
anthropogenic activities, regional and site specific geology knowledge, the mineralogic properties of the geological outcrops, site specific geochemistry, statistical approach. Carrying on a background analysis early may become an important guideline for statutory requirements in the site assessment based on legal fixed concentrations
FIRST RESULTS ON THE GEOCHEMICAL CHARCTERIZATION OF SOME ARSENIC CONTAMINATED GROUNDWATER TO BETTER ADDRESS THEIR EXPLOITATION FOR CIVIL USE
No full textExploitation of arsenic contaminated groundwater in Viterbo region of Central Italy has been suspected to cause adverse health effects among the population. This paper focuses the recent status of knowledge about arsenic in groundwater of Viterbo Region. This area is located between the Tyrrhenian Sea coast and the Central Apennines mountains, and was formed by volcanic activities (acidic and K-alkaline magmatism) in the late Pliocene - Pleistocene period, and lays on the sedimentary basins of upper Miocene-Pleistocene age, elongated between ridges of Mesozoic- Paleogene sedimentary rocks, the latter overlying a Paleozoic-Triassic metamorphic basement. They have been analysed data coming from over then 200 different groundwater sources including wells and springs, located in the whole region of Viterbo. During sample collections from 2007 to 2009, a series of in-situ measurements were conducted: pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), temperature, redox potential (Eh) and alkalinity. The concentrations of major anions (Cl−, NO3− and SO42−), cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and NH4+), arsenic and other trace element were determined by laboratory analysis. The target of this study has been the interpretation of these properties and the geochemical modelling of them to better address the groundwater exploitation for domestic use in the area. All of the available existing arsenic data sets have been collated and collected and incorporated into a Geographical Information System (GIS) system for production of maps to highlight environmental contamination and processes or distribution of As in groundwater. Graphical relationship between the concentrations of arsenic were correlated with major cations and anions, measured in groundwater used for domestic supply, to identify the source and mechanism of arsenic release in the volcanic and sedimentary aquifers of Viterbo Region. The identified hydrofacies have been integrated into GIS system to show the distribution of the dominant facies for each municipality. For each resource, hydrofacies and arsenic concentrations have been correlated to understand relationship between the enrichment of arsenic in groundwater on the different facies properties. Some interesting results came out to address the groundwater exploitation
Background assessment in groundwater flowing under a non hazardous waste land fill in south part of Rome area
No full textThis study presents the first results of investigation and monitoring activity on
groundwater referred to an area of a non hazardous waste landfill, located in the Agro
Romano, at South of Rome, close to Colli Albani Volcanic region. The geological
setting is mainly dominated by pyroclastic deposits of Colli Albani Volcanic Complex
named pozzolanelle and tufo lionato.
The purpose is to focus on the levels of Arsenic, Manganese, and Fluoride, exceeding
the law limit values, in order to set up the range of their background concentrations, to
identify the origin of the presence of these trace elements, to determine whetever the
observed concentrations represent a naturally-occurring condition or were due to an
anthropogenic source, applying a multiple approach which assemble the following lines:
the site releases by anthropogenic activity, regional and site specific geology
knowledge, the mineralogic characteristics of the geological outcrops site specific
geochemistry, statistical approach. Carrying on a background analysis early may
become an important guidance for statutory requirements in the site assessment based
on legal fixed concentrations
Integrated groundwater characterization for biodiversity protection in limpopo national park (Mozambico)
No full textThis paper deals with the first results coming from the research activity of the SECOSUD Phase II, called “Conservation and equitable use of biological diversity in the SADC region (Southern African Development Community) a project supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the SADC [1]. The goal of this tiered study is to give an integrated view of three focus themes inside the area of Limpopo National Park, in Limpopo River Basin: groundwater, climate change, biodiversity. Limpopo National Park is one of the jewels in the crown of Mozambique’s protected areas: it is exceptionally rich in biodiversity and, as such, has a wide variety of genes, species and ecosystems. Groundwater, climate change, biodiversity make a linked system. The way to protect and keep biodiversity is to evaluate the implications between these themes, because climate change has a large impact on groundwater, which plays a crucial role in supplying water and biodiversity depends on groundwater quality and quantity. The management of biodiversity and ecosystems, highly dependent on water and how rainfall may evolve over the basin plays a crucial role on aquifer recharge. For a comprehensive groundwater recharge assessment, the first phase of the present study focused the impact of the climate change on groundwater recharge ranging from the regional scale of Mozambique to local scale of Limpopo Park area. Mozambique is situated on the East coast of Southern Africa between 10”27’S and 26”52’S latitude. The morphology of the country can be characterized by distinct units such as coastal lowlands, middle plateaus, uplands plateaus, mountainous area. The climate of Mozambique varies spatially from the North where is under the influence of the equatorial low pressure zone, to the South where it is influenced by the subtropical and anti-cyclonic zone. The prominent geological features are the Precambrian crystalline rocks of the Basement Complex, Karoo Sedimentary Rocks, Post Cambrian Volcanic and igneous Rocks and Meso- Kenozoic Sedimentary rocks. The main hydrogeological units correspond to geological units and are: aquifers related to the crystalline basement complex, aquifers occurring in Karoo formations and aquifers related to post Karoo formations [2]. The method employed was the reverse groundwater balance technique for the assessment of potential infiltration factor. As first step the study aims to evaluate the total rainfall received at Mozambique to understand rainfall variability in time by a statistical technique. Monthly precipitations historical series, referred to 23 years of measurements, were available. These records data were collected in meteorological network stations in Mozambique. Afterwards, we carried on the assessment of the effective infiltration action on the basis of an infiltration coefficient evaluated taking the conditions of rock outcropping from the Soil and Terrain database (SOTER) for Southern Africa [3] The intent of the study is to evaluate the groundwater active recharge and how it is sensitive to climate change
Soil control of trace metals concentration in a photovoltaic power plant project site in Pontina Plain (Center of Italy)
No full textAutocrine pheromone signalling regulates community behaviour in the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum
No full textGroundwater management strategy in Limpopo national park (Mozambico) aimed to preserve biodiversity
No full textThis paper presents the first phase of a study held in the context of the SECOSUD Phase II project, called “Conservation and equitable use of biological diversity in the SADC region (Southern African Development Community), which aims at promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable economic development in the SADC [1]. The development goal of the Project is to contribute to stop biodiversity loss by supporting the development of conservation strategies. An important step in developing conservation of biodiversity requires a successful groundwater protection. Conservation of biodiversity depends on groundwater needs strategies that allows for the use of groundwater in a way that is compatible with the persistence of ecosystems in natural area, such as Limpopo Transfrontier Park, in the Southern African Region. Groundwater is a key element n the SADC region Groundwater is the primary source of water for people living in the SADC region, because it is used extensively throughout the southern African region, including the Limpopo River basin, supplying a large percentage of water for irrigation, rural water supply schemes and mining. The province has limited surface and ground water resources. Most of the water management areas are severely stressed and many people still do not have access to the accepted minimum supply of water. The goal of the strategy is to make sure that the water resources of protected areas are managed in an equitable manner so as to ensure the long-term sustainability of those resources, in order to the continue availability and security of supply of suitable quality water for all consumptive users and for the needs of the environment. Crystalline basement rock is distributed extensively throughout Africa and underlies large parts of the semi-arid Limpopo Province in South Africa. The development of crystalline basement aquifers as a reliable source of water supply is notoriously complex, and groundwater occurrence is spatially highly variable. Some of the greatest groundwater needs occur in the region and groundwater is the only dependable source of water for many users. The aim of the study is to provide an assessment of the actual groundwater monitoring network and in consideration of the growing demand for water, there is a need to understand the effects of planting on water rescouces to estimate crop water requirement for the focus area, as last step of the methodological strategy. This paper would outline a methodology on where to focuse future research
New methodologies for the definition of some heavy metals origin in sediments: a case history coming from an application in pontina plain
No full textThe relationship between the concentration of rare earth elements in landfill soil and their distribution in the parent material:.A case study from Cerreto, Roccasecca, Central Italy
No full textIn order to identify new survey methods for the environmental characterisation of areas affected by anthropogenic pressure, several geochemical investigations were conducted on a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill in Central Italy: the Cerreto landfill. The area is characterised by a substrate of continental deposits formed by clay and sand, and alluvial deposits associated with different depositional events of the main rivers present in the study area. This study aims to analyse the rare earth elements (REEs) in the Cerreto landfill mass within the landfill soil to assess the REEs availability and to evaluate their behaviour in an area affected by anthropogenic impact. REEs soil patterns are used to assess possible anomalies present and even to investigate soil parent material to identify the background values of the study area. The study of REEs involves the analysis of both the exchangeable fraction, which is a bioavailable fraction and is therefore of interest for its correct assessment of environmental impact and the pseudo-total fraction, which is required by Italian Legislative Decree 152/006.
The results obtained show significant anomalies, excluding possible anthropogenic contributions to the study
area, and confirm a common source for the soils inquired
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