Status of low-energy accelerator-based BNCT worldwide and in Argentina.

Existing and active low-energy Accelerator-Based BNCT programs worldwide will be reviewed and compared. In particular, the program in Argentina will be discussed which consists of the development of an Electro-Static-Quadrupole (ESQ) Accelerator-Based treatment facility. The facility is conceived to operate with the deuteron-induced reactions 9Be(d,n)10B and 13C(d,n)14N at 1.45 MeV deuteron energy, as neutron sources. Neutron production target development status is specified. The present status of the construction of the new accelerator development laboratory and future BNCT centre is shown.

[Congenital dacryocystocele: Surgical treatment or routine follow-up?]. / Dacryocystocèles congénitales : traitement chirurgical ou simple surveillance ?

INTRODUCTION: Congenital dacryocystoceles are rare and often misunderstood pathologies. Their treatment varies and consists in simple follow-up, lacrimal catheterization or endoscopic surgical drainage, depending on medical teams. The aim of our study was to discuss the place of endoscopic drainage in the treatment of congenital dacryocystocele. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review on 18 cases of congenital dacryocystoceles taken in charge in a tertiary care center between 2009 and 2012. RESULTS: Thirteen newborns, including five bilateral cases, were taken in charge. The average age was 14.6 days. Six newborns presented with an acute dacryocystitis at the time of diagnosis. No respiratory complications were observed. Spontaneous drainage of the dacryocystocele was observed in 38.8% of the cases, occurring at 22 days of life on average. Endonasal endoscopic drainage was performed in 66.6% of the cases. No recurrence or complication was observed after surgery. After spontaneous drainage, one recurrence was observed. The mean follow-up period of these patients was 8.8 months. DISCUSSION: Spontaneous drainage is common. Conservative management may therefore be considered in absence of infection. In case of infection and/or persistence of dacryocystocele after 4 weeks of life, endonasal surgical drainage should be considered. Imaging of the facial structure should be performed before any surgical treatment.

Injectable microcarriers as human mesenchymal stem cell support and their application for cartilage and degenerated intervertebral disc repair.

Degeneration of the intervertebral disc (IVD) is a progressive and chronic process, and the high incidence of discogenic disorders calls for new therapeutic approaches, such as cell-based therapies using three dimensional cultures and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), which can differentiate to chondrogenic- and IVD-lineages. Here, we investigated the growth and differentiation of human MSC culture on biodegradable collagen scaffolds in order to obtain an injectable suspension. Commercially available wound dressings were downsized to dimensions between 100 and 1500 µm and seeded with freshly isolated or early passages MSC. Proliferation rate and chondrogenic differentiation potential was tested at oxygenation levels of 2%, 5%, 10% and 21% in static and dynamic cultures. Evaluation methods included cell viability test, disc marker genes expression (aggrecan, collagen type I and type II), histological detection of proteoglycans and immunohistochemical analysis. On microcarriers, freshly isolated MSC had lower proliferation rate and chondrogenic differentiation potential compared with early passages MSC. Proliferation of MSC was significantly increased 1.7-fold at 5% oxygen level and in combination with dynamic culture was further increased to 2.3-fold, with respect to normoxia. Chondrogenesis was positively affected by 2% and 5% hypoxia, as shown by increased transcription levels and protein expression of collagen type II and proteoglycan accumulation in static cultures, while it was inhibited in dynamic cultures. Collagen type I and aggrecan expression were not affected by hypoxia. In conclusion, collagen based microcarriers are a suitable support for in vitro MSC growth and chondrogenesis especially when cultured at 5% oxygen level.

Degenerated human intervertebral discs contain autoantibodies against extracellular matrix proteins.

Degeneration of intervertebral discs (IVDs) is associated with back pain and elevated levels of inflammatory cells. It has been hypothesised that discogenic pain is a direct result of vascular and neural ingrowth along annulus fissures, which may expose the avascular nucleus pulposus (NP) to the systemic circulation and induce an autoimmune reaction. In this study, we confirmed our previous observation of antibodies in human degenerated and post-traumatic IVDs cultured in vitro. We hypothesised that the presence of antibodies was due to an autoimmune reaction against specific proteins of the disc. Furthermore we identified antigens which possibly trigger an autoimmune response in degenerative disc diseases. We demonstrated that degenerated and post-traumatic IVDs contain IgG antibodies against typical extracellular proteins of the disc, particularly proteins of the NP. We identified IgGs against collagen type II and aggrecan, confirming an autoimmune reaction against the normally immune privileged NP. We also found specific IgGs against collagens types I and V, but not against collagen type III. In conclusion, this study confirmed the association between disc degeneration and autoimmunity, and may open the avenue for future studies on developing prognostic, diagnostic and therapy-monitoring markers for degenerative disc diseases.

Spontaneous osteo-dural fistulae of petrous bone posterior wall.

OBJECTIVE: To raise awareness of the possibility of spontaneous temporal bone cerebrospinal fistula in case of clear retrotympanic effusion. CASE REPORT: A 63-year-old man with no particular history presented with unilateral spontaneous right retrotympanic clear effusion. CT found defects in the posterior part of the right temporal bone, in contact with arachnoid granulations, with no other visible abnormalities. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Unilateral clear retrotympanic effusion in an adult subject should, apart from serous otitis media, suggest possible cerebrospinal fistula. In the absence of otologic or traumatic history, arachnoid granulation is one possible etiology, inducing spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leakage when facing the temporal bone. Diagnosis is suggested by bone defects in the tegmen tympani or posterior wall of the temporal bone on CT, with the adjacent mastoid cavities filled with fluid. Pneumococcal vaccination and early surgical repair of the fistula should be performed to avoid neuromeningeal infection.

Assessment of nutritional status at the time of diagnosis in patients treated for head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nutritional status at the time of diagnosis of patients treated for head and neck cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Single-centre prospective study. Nutritional assessment comprised: clinical interview, physical examination, and a laboratory work-up. Clinical interview assessed: reference weight, diet, calorie intake, causes of weight loss, use of dietary supplements. A subjective global assessment of nutritional status (Detsky index) was established on the basis of clinical interview. The patient's height and weight were determined and serum albumin was assayed. Weight loss, body mass index, and Buzby index were then calculated. Two groups of malnourished patients were distinguished: moderately malnourished (group 1), severely malnourished (group 2). Variables were compared between the two groups by Chi(2) test. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-nine patients were included in the study: 145 had a history of smoking and alcohol abuse, 82 (48.5%) were malnourished and 47 of them were classified in group 1. All patients of group 1 had a normal or pureed diet. 21 (69%) patients of group 2 had a pureed or liquid diet. The mean daily calorie intake was 31kcal/kg/24h for group 1 and 20kcal/kg/24h for group 2. The main causes of weight loss were pain and dysphagia. Dietary supplements were not used by any of the patients in group 1 and by four (13%) patients in group 2. The concordance between the Detsky index and objective nutritional status was 92% for the overall population. Malnutrition was significantly more frequent among males (P=0.01), alcohol users (P=0.02), elderly subjects (P=0.01), patients with pharyngeal tumour (P=0.03), and patients with advanced tumour stage (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of malnutrition among patients with head and neck cancer is high. Assessment of nutritional status and appropriate management must be part of the initial work-up of these patients.

Role of hypoxia and growth and differentiation factor-5 on differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells towards intervertebral nucleus pulposus-like cells.

There is evidence that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate towards an intervertebral disc (IVD)-like phenotype. We compared the standard chondrogenic protocol using transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFß) to the effects of hypoxia, growth and differentiation factor-5 (GDF5), and coculture with bovine nucleus pulposus cells (bNPC). The efficacy of molecules recently discovered as possible nucleus pulposus (NP) markers to differentiate between chondrogenic and IVD-like differentiation was evaluated. MSCs were isolated from human bone marrow and encapsulated in alginate beads. Beads were cultured in DMEM (control) supplemented with TGFß or GDF5 or under indirect coculture with bNPC. All groups were incubated at low (2 %) or normal (20 %) oxygen tension for 28 days. Hypoxia increased aggrecan and collagen II gene expression in all groups. The hypoxic GDF5 and TGFß groups demonstrated most increased aggrecan and collagen II mRNA levels and glycosaminoglycan accumulation. Collagen I and X were most up-regulated in the TGFß groups. From the NP markers, cytokeratin-19 was expressed to highest extent in the hypoxic GDF5 groups; lowest expression was observed in the TGFß group. Levels of forkhead box F1 were down-regulated by TGFß and up-regulated by coculture with bNPC. Carbonic anhydrase 12 was also down-regulated in the TGFß group and showed highest expression in the GDF5 group cocultured with bNPC under hypoxia. Trends in gene expression regulation were confirmed on the protein level using immunohistochemistry. We conclude that hypoxia and GDF5 may be suitable for directing MSCs towards the IVD-like phenotype.

Spatial distribution of indoor radon in Triveneto (Northern Italy): a geostatistical approach.

The study of spatial distribution of the indoor radon has assumed in the last years a lot of interest. The geostatistical techniques turn out to be particularly promising. The present work presents the results of a study where around 4000 indoor radon data from Veneto, Friuli Venezia-Giulia and Alto Adige, collected during the sampling campaigns performed in dwellings and in schools, have been analyzed. After the definition of the common data set, the study of the spatial distribution of the phenomenon has been performed by examining the experimental variograms. Declustering techniques have been applied. Predictive maps were defined by using simulation techniques; they allow to determine the probabilities of exceeding defined concentration levels, the 'radon-prone' areas. Systematic results regarding the validation of these maps are reported. This methodological study indicates how it is possible to understand the geographical variability of the phenomenon, trying to find out correlations among indoor radon, geological characteristics (i.e. lithology, morphology, tectonics, soil gas) and building-specific features, which can significantly influence radon concentrations.

Does predation risk influence habitat use by northern redbelly dace Phoxinus eos at different spatial scales?

This study investigated the relationship between spatial variations in predation risk and abundance of northern redbelly dace Phoxinus eos at both macroscale (littoral v. pelagic zones) and microscale (structured v. open water habitats in the littoral zone) of Canadian Shield lakes. Minnow traps were placed in both structured and open water habitats in the littoral zone of 13 Canadian Shield lakes, and estimates of the relative predation risk of P. eos in both the pelagic and the littoral zones were obtained from tethering experiments. Results showed that (1) the mean abundance of P. eos in the littoral zone was positively correlated with the relative predation risk in the pelagic zone, (2) P. eos preferentially used structured over open water habitats in the littoral zone and (3) this preference was not related to the relative predation risk in the littoral zone but decreased as the relative predation risk increased in the pelagic zone. At the lake level, these results support the hypothesis that P. eos enter the littoral zone to avoid pelagic piscivores. At the littoral zone level, the results do not necessarily contradict the widely accepted view that P. eos preferentially use structured over open habitats to reduce their predation risk, but suggest that flexibility in antipredator tactics (e.g. shelter use v. shoaling) could explain the spatial distribution of P. eos between structured and open water habitats.

Efecto de la vitamina E en el proceso de hemostasia de individuos sanos / Effect of vitamin E in haemostasis of healthy individuals

La vitamina E (VE) es una vitamina liposoluble que actúa como antioxidante y ha sido asociada a tiempos prolongados de sangramiento en individuos sanos. El objetivo del siguiente trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de la VE en el proceso de coagulación de personas sanas. Fueron incluidos en el estudio 211 individuos sanos sin historia de enfermedades que comprometieran la hemostasia y separados en dos grupos dependiendo de la ingesta o no de VE. Los datos epidemiológicos de cada paciente así como el tiempo de protrombina (PT) y el tiempo parcial de tromboplastina (PTT) fueron recolectados. Todos los datos fueron analizados mediante el programa estadístico SPSS versión 13.0 y las medias comparadas usando la prueba estadística t de student. 114 individuos consumian al menos 400mgrs diarios de VE por un lapso no menor de 3 meses (75 mujeres y 39 hombres, edad promedio de 53.82+1.7 años) y 97 individuos que no consumian VE (55 mujeres y 42 hombres, edad media de 54.29+1.9 años) fueron incluidos como grupo control. El grupo que consumía VE mostró valores de PT estadísticamente mayores que los controles (p=0.001) (14.3+0.23seg y 13.2+0.23seg respectivamente). Así mismo, los valores de PTT del grupo VE estuvieron estadísticamente por encima de los pacientes control (p<0.0001) (31.19+0.33seg y 28.69+0.18seg respectivamente). El presente estudio sugiere que el consumo contínuo de VE podría alterar los valores de PT y PTT en individuos sanos y por tal razón modificar el proceso de coagulación normal

Vitamin E (VE) is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant and it has been associated to prolonged bleeding in healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of VE in haemostasis. 211 healthy individuals were included and separated into groups depending on the VE ingest. Epidemiological data, prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) were collected. Data was analysed using SPSS 13.0 and means compared by t student test. 114 individuals consuming VE regularly (75 women and 39 men, mean age 53.82+1.7 years) and 97 controls (55 women and 42 men, mean age 54.29+1.9 years) were evaluated. VE group showed PT values significantly higher (p=0.001) than controls (14.3+0.23sec and 13.2+0.23sec respectively), as well as statically augmented PTT times (p<0.0001) (31.19+0.33sec 28.69+0.18sec respectively). VE may alter PT and PTT values in healthy people and therefore modifies haemostasis

Radon concentration in waters of geothermal Euganean basin--Veneto, Italy.

Since ancient times the warm thermal waters of Euganean basin, Italy, have been used for therapeutic purposes. The radioactive characteristics, assumed in depth, are due, in particular, to radon gas, which when released during the therapies in the indoor thermal room, determines exposure for the workers. The preliminary results of the project, the purpose of which is to analyze the totality of thermal springs, are presented. The concentrations, obtained by gamma spectrometry, show a high variability, and are comparable to those in other thermal springs in Italy and abroad. Possible correlations with geophysical factors, such as the temperature and depth of springs, have been investigated. A geostatistical analysis of the radon data has also been carried out, through the study of the experimental variogram, obtained by kriging one map of the radon concentration: such an approach is useful not only for mapping but also for giving one possible interpretation of the examined phenomenon through structural geologic characteristics.

Validation of a geographic information system for the evaluation of the soil radon exhalation potential in South-Tyrol and Veneto, Italy.

The PERS (soil radon exhalation potential) project was promoted by ANPA (Italian Environmental Protection Agency) together with the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Rome: the aim was to produce a geographic information system allowing the discovery of regions with different radon exhalation potential starting from some territorial knowledge. Some environmental measurements were carried out within this project in selected areas in South-Tyrol and Veneto. The measurement of radon in springwater and groundwater as well as in soil gas plays a decisive role for the validation of the algorithm for computing the PERS. Along with technical aspects, a possible use of the PERS method by the Regional Environmental Protection Agencies and by other agencies is discussed with the scope of identifying radon prone areas, as stated in the Italian 'Decreto Legislativo' 26 May 2000, n. 241. Moreover the forecasting power of PERS regarding indoor radon concentration is analysed.