Atomic scale interfacial magnetism and origin of metal-insulator transition in (LaNiO[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text]/(CaMnO[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text] superlattices: a first principles study.

Interfacial magnetism and metal-insulator transition at LaNiO[Formula: see text]-based oxide interfaces have triggered intense research efforts, because of the possible implications in future heterostructure device design and engineering. Experimental observation lack in some points a support from an atomistic view. In an effort to fill such gap, we hereby investigate the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of (LaNiO[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text]/(CaMnO[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text] superlattices with varying LaNiO[Formula: see text] thickness (n) using density functional theory including a Hubbard-type effective on-site Coulomb term. We successfully capture and explain the metal-insulator transition and interfacial magnetic properties, such as magnetic alignments and induced Ni magnetic moments which were recently observed experimentally in nickelate-based heterostructures. In the superlattices modeled in our study, an insulating state is found for n=1 and a metallic character for n=2, 4, with major contribution from Ni and Mn 3d states. The insulating character originates from the disorder effect induced by sudden environment change for the octahedra at the interface, and associated to localized electronic states; on the other hand, for larger n, less localized interfacial states and increased polarity of the LaNiO[Formula: see text] layers contribute to metallicity. We discuss how the interplay between double and super-exchange interaction via complex structural and charge redistributions results in interfacial magnetism. While (LaNiO[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text]/(CaMnO[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text] superlattices are chosen as prototype and for their experimental feasibility, our approach is generally applicable to understand the intricate roles of interfacial states and exchange mechanism between magnetic ions towards the overall response of a magnetic interface or superlattice.

Testing commercial biopreservative against spoilage microorganisms in MAP packed Ricotta fresca cheese.

Ricotta fresca cheese is susceptible to secondary contamination and is able to support the growth of pathogens or spoilage psychotrophic bacteria during storage. The aim of the present study was to evaluate which among three commercial biopreservatives was suitable to be used to control the growth of spoilage microorganisms in sheep's milk MAP ricotta fresca cheese. 144 Ricotta fresca cheese samples were inoculated either with the bioprotective culture Lyofast FPR 2 (including Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus plantarum e Lactobacillus rhamnosus) or Lyofast CNBAL (Carnobacterium spp) or the fermentate MicroGARD 430. Not inoculated control and experimental ricotta were MAP packed (30% CO2 and 70% N2) and stored at 4 °C. Triplicate samples were analyzed after 5 h and 7, 14 and 21 days after inoculation for total bacterial count, mesophilic lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp, Listeria monocytogenes, moulds and yeasts. Among the tested biopreservatives only Carnobacterium spp was able to control Pseudomonas spp and Enterobacteriaceae. The maximum reduction in the concentration of Pseudomonas spp and Enterobacteriaceae was respectively 1.93 and 2.66 log10 cfu/g, observed 14 days after production. Therefore, Carnobacterium spp was selected as the culture of choice to conduct a challenge study against Pseudomonas spp.

Trends in (LaMnO3)n/(SrTiO3)m superlattices with varying layer thicknesses.

We investigate the thickness dependence of the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of (LaMnO3)n/(SrTiO3)m (n, m = 2, 4, 6, 8) superlattices using density functional theory. The electronic structure turns out to be highly sensitive to the onsite Coulomb interaction. In contrast to bulk SrTiO3, strongly distorted O octahedra are observed in the SrTiO3 layers with a systematic off centering of the Ti atoms. The systems favour ferromagnetic spin ordering rather than the antiferromagnetic spin ordering of bulk LaMnO3 and all show half-metallicity, while a systematic reduction of the minority spin band gaps as a function of the LaMnO3 and SrTiO3 layer thicknesses originates from modifications of the Ti dxy states.

Antibiotic resistance assessment in S. aureus strains isolated from raw sheep's milk cheese.

In vitro activities of 16 antibiotics were tested against 36 Staphylococcus aureus (SA) strains isolated from raw sheep's milk cheese from six dairies. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using a broth microdilution method (CLSI). All 36 isolates were analyzed for the presence of the accessory gene regulator gene, agr (I-IV), and genes encoding resistance to methicillin (mecA), erythromycin (ermA), penicillin (blaZ), and vancomycin (vanA-B). The isolates were also analyzed for similarities in pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns. SA strains showed resistance to ampicillin (36.1%), penicillin (33.3%), tetracycline (11.1%), and cloxacillin (2.8%) but were susceptible (>or=94.4%) to 12 out of 16 tested antimicrobials. The overall susceptibility of the strains to oxacillin, vancomycin, and erythromycin was confirmed by the absence of the mecA, vanA-B, and ermA genes. The PFGE results showed that 32 strains belonged to 10 different clusters (P1-P10) while four strains were untypeable.

Molecular analysis of the pre-BCR complex in a large cohort of patients affected by autosomal-recessive agammaglobulinemia.

Autosomal-recessive agammaglobulinemia is a rare and heterogeneous disorder, characterized by early-onset infections, profound hypogammaglobulinemia of all immunoglobulin isotypes and absence of circulating B lymphocytes. To investigate the molecular basis of the disease, 23 patients with early-onset disease and no mutations in Bruton tyrosine kinase, the gene responsible for X-linked agammaglobulinemia, were selected and analyzed by direct sequencing of candidate genes. Two novel mutations in the mu heavy chain (muHC) gene (IGHM) were identified in three patients belonging to two unrelated families. A fourth patient carries a previously described G>A nucleotide substitution at the -1 position of an alternative splice site in IGHM; here, we demonstrate that this mutation is indeed responsible for aberrant splicing. Comparison of bone marrow cytofluorimetric profiles in two patients carrying different mutations in the IGHM gene suggests a genotype-phenotype correlation with the stage at which B-cell development is blocked. Several new single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) both in the muHC and in the lambda5-like/VpreB-coding genes were identified. Two unrelated patients carry compound heterozygous variations in the VpreB1 gene that may be involved in disease ethiology.

[Non-recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve: anatomy, frequency and surgical considerations]. / Il nervo laringeo inferiore non ricorrente: anatomia, incidenza e considerazioni chirurgiche.

AIM: Systematic exposure and isolation of the inferior laryngeal nerve in thyroid surgery is a secure method to prevent complications. The knowledge of the nerve anatomy and its anomalies is essential to reduce laryngeal nerve injuries. By a re-examination of literature we underline the importance and some particular anatomical aspects of the anomalies which, even if rare, present an incidence of about 1%. METHODS: From January 1995 to December 2002 in our hospital we performed 299 interventions for thyroid diseases: total thyroidectomy (254 cases), partial thyroidectomy (45 cases). In 2 cases we observed a high variant (type I) of non recurrent laryngeal nerve. RESULTS: The global incidence of non recurrent laryngeal nerve was 0.66% (2/299 operations) and 0.72% if we consider the explorations of the cervical right side (2/274) where this anomaly is more frequent. The incidence of nerve injuries was 2/299 (0,66%); we had no complications in the 2 cases of non recurrent nerve observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience in thyroid surgery confirms the common opinion that only the knowledge of the laryngeal nerve anatomy and the awareness of its anomalies, associated to the systematic exposure of the nerve during surgery can prevent surgical injuries.

Autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia caused by mutations in a putative LDL receptor adaptor protein.

Atherogenic low density lipoproteins are cleared from the circulation by hepatic low density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR). Two inherited forms of hypercholesterolemia result from loss of LDLR activity: autosomal dominant familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), caused by mutations in the LDLR gene, and autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia (ARH), of unknown etiology. Here we map the ARH locus to an approximately 1-centimorgan interval on chromosome 1p35 and identify six mutations in a gene encoding a putative adaptor protein (ARH). ARH contains a phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain, which in other proteins binds NPXY motifs in the cytoplasmic tails of cell-surface receptors, including the LDLR. ARH appears to have a tissue-specific role in LDLR function, as it is required in liver but not in fibroblasts.

Bowel obstruction after biliopancreatic diversion: a deceptive complication.

BACKGROUND: Although obesity surgery is now practiced in most of the world, many general surgeons, faced with an emergency, are not experienced in the diagnostic problems associated with these techniques, or about the most suitable treatment to resolve the acute pathology while preserving the weight loss. The biliopancreatic diversion (BPD), because of its complexity, could cause a delay in the diagnosis and therapy, with possible catastrophic consequences for the patient. METHODS: We report 3 patients with bowel obstruction after BPD. In the first patient intestinal occlusion was due to an adhesion obstructing the alimentary tract; in the other two patients the occlusion was localized to the biliopancreatic tract, due to a serrate stenosis of the entero-entero anastomosis in one patient and due to volvulus of the biliopancreatic loop in the other patient. RESULTS: Signs and symptoms were different according to whether the obstruction was in the alimentary tract or the biliopancreatic tract. In all cases a prompt gastrointestinal x-ray with barium and ultrasound scan and/or CT scan induced us to a mandatory laparotomy with resolution of the obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: After BPD, diagnosis of an intestinal obstruction must be made promptly. Even colleagues who express doubts must be persuaded to perform immediately an upper gastrointestinal tract x-ray and an U/S or CT scan. In this way, it may be possible to avoid intestinal resection and catastrophic complications.

Anatomical and descriptive study of the radial extensor muscle (M. extensor carpi radialis).

The M. extensores carpi radiales have been studied in detail in humans. The aim of this study was to carry out a comparative anatomical study of these muscles using four species--rabbit, cat, dog and sheep--and to propose a 'systematization' in a few standard models according to the morphological variations seen. In these species, there is marked morphological evolution, with two muscles in humans, one in sheep and a more or less distinct division of the muscle in the rabbit, cat and dog. Examination of the vascularization and nerve supply enables us to determine degrees of division in species with similar muscle morphology. Thus we were able to distinguish three morphological types which allow us to infer the morphological evolution of the M. extensores carpi radiales and to estimate the point at which one muscle became two. However, there is a strong chance that some process of convergence may have occurred, and in pentadactyl species many elements represent the plesiomorphis and are therefore of little use in constructing a classification on the basis of evolution.

Genetic linkage of hyper-IgE syndrome to chromosome 4.

The hyper-IgE syndrome (HIES) is a rare primary immunodeficiency characterized by recurrent skin abscesses, pneumonia, and highly elevated levels of serum IgE. HIES is now recognized as a multisystem disorder, with nonimmunologic abnormalities of the dentition, bones, and connective tissue. HIES can be transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait with variable expressivity. Nineteen kindreds with multiple cases of HIES were scored for clinical and laboratory findings and were genotyped with polymorphic markers in a candidate region on human chromosome 4. Linkage analysis showed a maximum two-point LOD score of 3.61 at recombination fraction of 0 with marker D4S428. Multipoint analysis and simulation testing confirmed that the proximal 4q region contains a disease locus for HIES.

Evaluation of IgA deficiency in Sardinians indicates a susceptibility gene is encoded within the HLA class III region.

IgA deficiency (IgA-D) has been associated with the HLA region, in particular with the North European haplotype HLA-A1, -B8, -DR3, but the exact location of the susceptibility gene(s) is unknown. Some reports suggest that a susceptibility gene is encoded in the class II region, while others implicate the class III region. We exploited differences between the common Sardinian and North European HLA-DR3 haplotypes to help localize the IgA-D susceptibility gene(s). With the knowledge that approximately 13% of HLA-DR3 homozygous individuals of North European origin are IgA-D, we examined 43 HLA-DR3 homozygous Sardinians to find that all had normal serum IgA, IgG and IgM levels. A detailed analysis of their MHC haplotypes indicated a common Sardinian HLA-DR3 haplotype TAP1A, TAP2A, HLA-DQB1*0201, -DQA1*0501, -DRB1*0301, LH1-(Z + 2), D3A-(Z + 2), C4B-0, C4A-L, G11-15, Bf-0-4, C2-a, HSP70-7.5, 9N3-(Z + 10), 82I-(Z - 2), TNFalpha-9, 62-(Z - 20), HLA-B18, -Cw5, -A30 which diverges from the common North European HLA-DR3 haplotype telomeric to the HLA-DR region. In parallel studies of five Sardinians with IgA-D, two of the 10 HLA haplotypes (20%) contained HLA-DR3, a frequency similar to that observed in the background population. One of these was the HLA-DR3- B8 North European haplotype, which occurs rarely in Sardinia. Our data favour the hypothesis that a class III region allele, present on the common North European but not on the Sardinian HLA-DR3 haplotype, confers susceptibility to IgA-D.

[Precision of drug dilution techniques]. / Precisione dei metodi di diluizione dei farmaci.

OBJECT: Evaluation of accuracy of three common dilution methods for drugs. EXPERIMENTAL PLAN: Perspective double blind investigation from March to June 1995. PLACE: Anaesthesia and Resuscitation Service of Children's Hospital of Iglesias (CA). METHODS: Forty dopamine at 2/1000 samples, obtained by dilution of dopamine at 40/1000 on sale with three different methods by five different operators, were analysed with a chromatography system in liquid phase at high pressure. RESULTS: Mean concentration with difference not exceeding 5% from the goal, are considered acceptable. Only one group of samples was found to be into these limits, but it was also the most dangerous for the high percentage of great mistakes in dilution. Although there are significant differences in the accuracy and safety of the three dilution methods, the highest and lowest final concentrations obtained differ very much from those estimated. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that drugs confections with proper dilution for different clinical uses might be on sale.

Severe recurrent ureteral stricture: the combined use of an anterograde and retrograde approach in the prone split-leg position without X-rays.

We report on a 50-year-old woman first treated by us in 1990 for uroseptic fever. Urography showed occlusion of the terminal tract of the lower third of the left ureter. The patient was submitted to successful left ureteroneocystostomy (UNCS). Three months later, she had a relapse of uroseptic fever, and urography showed right ingravescent dilation and excellent functional activity of the left urinary tract. Right UNCS was performed. A further relapse on the right side was again treated with UNCS and psoas-hitch bladder, but both the dilation and the occlusion persisted. Considering the state of the patient, and in order to remove the right nephrostomy that had been applied in the meantime, and to reduce the state of inflammation in view of further surgery, it was decided to treat the right ureteral total stenosis with ureteroscopic resection through the ureter facilitated by an other luminous flexible ureteroscope inserted upstream via nephrostomy. This technique is based on concepts searching for stenotic ureteral zones in transplanted kidneys, with the help of an adequate luminous catheter. An X-ray follow-up 9 months later evidenced that the maneuver was totally successful.

Neo-adjuvant organ-preserving chemotherapy in the management of locally advanced oral cavity and oropharynx cancer.

We designed an open, non-randomized clinical study to assess as the first endpoint the feasibility of sparing surgery and of preserving organ/function by using neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAG) in oral cavity and oropharynx cancer patients, and, as the second endpoint, the clinical response to this treatment approach and its duration. Moreover, an attempt was made to scale the extent of surgery by means of an Arbitrary Scale assigning different percentages to the different extents of surgical resection. Twenty-five patients with primary oral cavity and oropharynx cancer (stage III-TV) were enrolled in the study and were assigned to either the classical Al-Sarrafs regimen (1) (n=15) or to a regimen (2) consisting of cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) i.v. on day 1, 5-FU 600 mg/m(2) on days 2-5 and vinorelbine 20 mg/m(2) on days 2 and 8 (n=10). The 25 patients were all evaluable for response to NAC and 20 of them were evaluable for organ preservation. The overall response (OR) rate was 86.6% (13/15 patients) for regimen 1 (cisplatin + 5-FU) and 80% (8/10 patients) for regimen 2 (cisplatin + 5-FU + vinorelbine). The median follow-up duration was 20.6 months. 5/20 (25%) patients completely avoided surgery, 5/20 (25%) patients had a reduced extent of surgical resection, while: 10/20 (50%) patients received the previously planned surgical resection. Altogether, 10/20 (50%) patients treated with NAC either avoided or achieved a reduction in the previously planned surgical resection. Moreover, organ function was evaluated to support the assessment of treatment outcome in our patients. For this purpose we selected the Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer Patients: as expected, no significant impairment was detected in the area of comprehensibility of speech, but we were rather surprised that no significant impairment was found in the two areas of eating in public and normalcy of diet. NAG-associated toxicity was moderate and similar in the two chemotherapy regimens. The most relevant contributions offered by our study are represented by i) a Scale aimed at measuring as precisely as possible the reduction of surgical resection made possible by NAC compared to surgery planned before NAC and ii) an attempt to support the results with an assessment of treatment outcome.

Neo-adjuvant (primary) organ-preserving chemotherapy in the management of locally advanced laryngeal carcinoma.

We designed an open, non-randomized, phase II clinical study to assess as the first endpoint the feasibility of sparing surgery and of preserving organ/function by using neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) laryngeal cancer patients, and, as the second endpoint, the clinical response to this treatment approach and its duration. 32 patients with primary laryngeal cancer (stage III-IV) were enrolled in the study and were assigned to either the classical Al-Sarrafs regimen (20 patients) or to a regimen consisting of cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) i.v. on day 1, 5-FU 600 mg/m(2) on days 2-5 and vinorelbine 20 mg/m(2) on days 2 and 8 (12 patients). The patients were divided into 2 groups: A) those requiring total laryngectomy (TL) and B) those not requiring TL, i.e. patients eligible for conservative for conservative surgery. The 32 patients were all evaluable for response to NAC and 31 were evaluable for The complete remission rate was 50% (16/32) and the partial remission rate was 46.9% (15/32) with an overall response rate of 96.9%. The median follow-up duration was 20.2 months. Overall, 23 patients required TL (group A) and 8 patients a conservative laryngectomy (group B). 7/23 (30.5%) patients of group A did not undergo surgery (score 4) and 6/23 (26%) achieved a partial larynx preservation (3/23 score 3, 1/23 score 2, 2/23 score 1), while 10/23 (43.5%) received the previously planned TL (score 0). 5/8 (62.5%) patients of group B did not undergo surgery, whereas 3/8 (37.5%) received the previously planned surgery (score 0). Therefore, 12/31 patients (38.7%) completely avoided surgery and 6/31 (19.4%) achieved a reduction in the extent of planned surgical resection, that is 18/31 patients (58.1%) achieved a reduction in the extent of previously planned surgery attributable to NAG. Moreover, 3/31 patients underwent the previously planned conservative surgery consisting of H-SGL/HG. Altogether 21/31 (67.7%) patients preserved function. The most relevant contributions offered by our study are represented by i) a scale aimed at measuring as precisely as possible the reduction of surgical resection made possible by NAC compared to surgery planned before NAC and ii) by an attempt to support the results with an assessment of patients treatment outcome. Although the scale provided by us is an arbitrary one, it must be emphasized that our goal was to address the issue of quality of life in cancer patients by a more precise quantification of organ/function preservation.

[The immunological assessment of a combined therapeutic approach (chemo- + radiotherapy +/- surgery) including immunotherapy in neoplasms of the head and neck area at an advanced stage]. / Valutazione immunologica di un approccio terapeutico combinato (chemio + radioterapia +/- chirurgia) includente l'immunoterapia nelle neoplasie del distretto cervico-facciale in stadio avanzato.

Fourty-eight patients entered the study, 37 of whom were evaluable, who underwent a nonrandomized combined modality approach plus a randomized immunotherapy treatment assigning the patients to one of the three arms: 1) thymostimulin, 2) beta IFN, 3) thymostimulin + beta IFN. The patients enrollment started in May 1991 and was closed in February 1993: the final evaluation was in February 1994. An immunological evaluation was made for all patients enrolled. The immunological assessment confirms some previous reports, such as the defective proliferative response of PBMC, the high serum level and the low production in culture of soluble IL 2 receptor (s IL 2 R), the low serum level and the low production of IL 2, and moreover shows new data. It is noteworthy that the significant increases--especially for cytokines and s IL 2 R, except for IL 1 alpha which has decreased, both for serum levels and for culture production--are induced by treatment with beta IFN (or with thymostimulin + beta IFN), suggesting that beta IFn is the immunologically effective moiety.

[Propofol in Duchenne muscular dystrophy]. / Propofol nella miopatia di Duchenne. Caso clinico.

The authors used propofol in continuous infusion (4 mg x kg-1 x h) fentanyl, O2/N2O in CMW without any myorelaxant in a 11-year-old patient with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. This anesthesia technique proved to be safe and handy; allowing a nearly postoperative recovery of state of coscience; and ventilatory autonomy; without any cardio-vascular complication.

Cytotoxic activity of some gold(III) complexes.

The [Au(N-MeIm)Cl3], [Au(2-MeBO)Cl3] and [Au(2,5-diMeBO)Cl3] complexes (where N-MeIm = N-methylimidazole, 2-MeBO = 2-methylbenzoxazole and 2,5-diMeBO = 2,5-dimethylbenzoxazole), had been previously prepared and characterized by the Author. These compounds, when tested in vitro against murine leukemia cell lines L1210, human ovarian carcinoma A2780 and their sublines L1210/CDDP and A2780/CDDP resistant to cisplatin, in comparison with cisplatin and carboplatin, showed an interesting cytotoxicity, extended to resistant sublines.