Recognizing megatsunamis in Mediterranean deep sea sediments based on the massive deposits of the 365 CE Crete event.

The Mediterranean Sea hosts two subduction systems along the convergent Africa-Eurasia plate boundary that have produced strong ground shaking and generated tsunamis. Based on historical descriptions and sedimentary records, one of these events, in 365 CE, impacted a broad geographical area, including tsunami evidence for distances of 700-800 km from the source event, qualifying it as a 'megatsunami'. Understanding how megatsunamis are produced, and where they are more likely, requires a better understanding of the different secondary processes linked to these events such as massive slope failures, multiple turbidity current generation, and basin seiching. Our sedimentary records from an extensive collection of cores located in distal and disconnected basins, identify turbidites which are analyzed using granulometry, elemental (XRF), micropaleontological, and geochemical data in order to reconstruct their coastal or marine source. The results show that the 365 CE basin floor sediments are a mixture of inner shelf and slope materials. The tsunami wave produced multiple far-field slope failures that resulted in stacked basal turbidites. It also caused transport of continent-derived organic carbon and deposition over basal turbidites and into isolated basins of the deep ocean. The composition of sediment in isolated basins suggests their deposition by large-scale sheet like flows similar to what has been caused by the Tohoku earthquake associated tsunamis. This is significant for rectifying and resolving where risk is greatest and how cross-basin tsunamis are generated. Based on these results, estimates of the underlying deposits from the same locations were interpreted as possible older megatsunamis.

Gas and seismicity within the Istanbul seismic gap.

Understanding micro-seismicity is a critical question for earthquake hazard assessment. Since the devastating earthquakes of Izmit and Duzce in 1999, the seismicity along the submerged section of North Anatolian Fault within the Sea of Marmara (comprising the "Istanbul seismic gap") has been extensively studied in order to infer its mechanical behaviour (creeping vs locked). So far, the seismicity has been interpreted only in terms of being tectonic-driven, although the Main Marmara Fault (MMF) is known to strike across multiple hydrocarbon gas sources. Here, we show that a large number of the aftershocks that followed the M 5.1 earthquake of July, 25th 2011 in the western Sea of Marmara, occurred within a zone of gas overpressuring in the 1.5-5 km depth range, from where pressurized gas is expected to migrate along the MMF, up to the surface sediment layers. Hence, gas-related processes should also be considered for a complete interpretation of the micro-seismicity (~M < 3) within the Istanbul offshore domain.

Control of osmotic pressure to improve cell viability in cell-laden tissue engineering constructs.

Design of tissue engineering strategies deals with the need to balance both biomaterials characteristics and techniques specificities, often resulting in cell-compromising processing conditions. One important factor often disregarded is the osmotic pressure to which cells are exposed. An in-house microfluidic system was used to prove that addition of an osmotic regulator significantly benefits the generation of viable cell-laden hydrogels under harsh processing conditions. Human adipose-derived stem cells were resuspended in 1.5% alginate and 1% gellan gum (GG; w/v) solutions containing different concentrations (0.12 m, 0.25 m and 1.5 m) of sucrose as osmotic regulator. GG (in water) and alginate (in water or phosphate-buffered saline) solutions were used to vary the conditions under which cells were kept prior processing. Independently of the polymer, addition of sucrose did not affect the processing conditions or the viscosity of the solutions, except at 1.5 m. The obtained results clearly demonstrate that inclusion of 0.25 m sucrose during processing of the cell-laden hydrogels allowed to keep cell viability around 80%, in opposition to the 20% observed in its absence, both for GG and alginate-derived hydrogels prepared in water. Impressively, the level of cell viability observed with the inclusion of 0.25 m sucrose, 76% for GG and 86% for alginate, was similar to that obtained with the standard alginate solution prepared in phosphate-buffered saline (82%). The beneficial effect of sucrose was observed within the first 5 min of processing and was maintained for prolonged experimental setups with viability values above 50%, even after a 2-h time-frame and independently of the material.

Lower plate serpentinite diapirism in the Calabrian Arc subduction complex.

Mantle-derived serpentinites have been detected at magma-poor rifted margins and above subduction zones, where they are usually produced by fluids released from the slab to the mantle wedge. Here we show evidence of a new class of serpentinite diapirs within the external subduction system of the Calabrian Arc, derived directly from the lower plate. Mantle serpentinites rise through lithospheric faults caused by incipient rifting and the collapse of the accretionary wedge. Mantle-derived diapirism is not linked directly to subduction processes. The serpentinites, formed probably during Mesozoic Tethyan rifting, were carried below the subduction system by plate convergence; lithospheric faults driving margin segmentation act as windows through which inherited serpentinites rise to the sub-seafloor. The discovery of deep-seated seismogenic features coupled with inherited lower plate serpentinite diapirs, provides constraints on mechanisms exposing altered products of mantle peridotite at the seafloor long time after their formation.

The impact of the 1999 Mw 7.4 event in the Izmit Bay (Turkey) on anthropogenic contaminant (PCBs, PAHs and PBDEs) concentrations recorded in a deep sediment core.

The 1999 Mw 7.4 earthquake triggered a tremendous human tragedy and had a great social impact over the population of the Izmit Bay, one of the most industrialized area of Turkey. Although the successive environmental disasters were well documented, information on its sedimentary record is lacking. The present research aims at filling this gap, through the analysis of organic contaminants (PCBs, PAHs, and PBDEs) in a dated sediment core collected in the depocenter of the Karamürsel Basin in 2005. Profiles of total PCBs and total PAHs overlap the timing of industrialization in the area (starting in the 1960s) with values increasing as the population and the number of industrial plants grew larger. Profiles for PBDEs are in accordance with increasing urban inputs but are probably affected by processes of natural formation and post-depositional mixing. The continuous sedimentary record is interrupted at a level dating back to 1980 due to the erosion caused by the 1999 earthquake, having removed a 5-7cm thick sediment layer. Contaminant concentrations in the deepest 10-15cm of a 30cm thick seismo-turbidite unit, triggered by the 1999 event, increase with the progressive fining up and evidence massive transport of sediments from coastal, more polluted sites of the north-eastern Karamürsel shelves and shores. Additional inputs of PAHs are also evident, originating from a fire at the oil refinery that followed the shaking. The effects of the earthquake generated tsunami, its backwash fluxes and the following seiches are not uniquely displayed by each class of contaminants, and they could probably reflect successive inputs deriving from different parts of the basin that are subject to anthropogenic impacts of different nature. Concentrations measured at the top of the core are consistent with an unvaried input of pollutants in the period 1980-2005.

[Liver abscess]. / Abcès hépatiques.

Liver abscess is a rare and severe infection. Incidence increases because of aging of population, advances in liver and biliary surgery including liver transplantation, and immunodeficiency factors. Diagnosis depends mainly on imaging and needle aspiration for microbiological identification. Treatment is based on antibiotics, percutaneous or surgical drainage, and control of the primary source.

[Water perception and utilization in a sample of students in the province of Viterbo]. / Percezione ed utilizzo di acqua in un campione di studenti della provincia di Viterbo.

Nowadays water quality is certainly one of the issues of major concern. Control on waterway considerably involves public hygiene services and represents a prevention activity and a measure of public health safety, which often is unknown to the population. For this reason the Public Hygiene Service of Viterbo L.H.U. (Local Health Unit) in collaboration with the Institute of Hygiene of the Catholic University of Rome carried out a survey to evaluate perception towards tap water quality in a sample of students. During the last decade tap and mineral water consumption habits turned out to be constant. The great majority of students reported to use widely mineral water at home; mineral water consumption was high regardless of social class. Since our investigation found a large use of mineral water in this town, the L.H.U. could intervene to modify these attitudes, starting up with an education campaign of the population: tap water is indeed subject to quality controls with a higher frequency compared to mineral water.

Reproductive male-mediated risk: spontaneous abortion among wives of pesticide applicators.

This study was conducted among 32 pesticide applicators occupationally exposed to pesticides to determine whether paternal exposure is associated with an increased risk of spontaneous abortion. The ratio of abortion was compared between applicators and a group of 51 food retailers (control population). The ratio of abortions/pregnancies for applicators was 0.27 and for retailers 0.07. OR for spontaneous abortion adjusted for age of wife and smoking of parents is 3.8 times greater than for the control population in the multiple logistic regression model and 7.6 times with interaction effects model.

Risk of thyroid nodules in subjects occupationally exposed to radiation: a cross sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine, by ultrasonography the prevalence of thyroid nodules in a cross sectional study of male medical workers occupationally exposed to chi radiation at the Pisa hospital, in comparison with controls matched for age and sex. METHODS: 50 male medical workers exposed to radiation were randomly matched for age (+/- 2 years) with 100 male workers not occupationally exposed to ionising radiation who lived in a slightly iodine deficient area of Tuscany (Lunigiana) (control group 1), and with 100 male workers not exposed to radiation who lived in the same area (Pisa) (control group 2). RESULTS: Of the occupationally exposed subjects, thyroid nodules were detected in 19/50 (38.0%). Among controls, thyroid nodules were detected in 19/100 subjects of control group 1 and in 13/100 of control group 2. Comparison of exposed and control groups, stratified into 30-39, 40-49, and 50-59 year old age subgroups, showed a higher significant relative risk for thyroid nodules in the exposed subjects. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that occupational exposure to radiation may be a risk factor for thyroid nodules.

[Liver function tests, hepatitis A, B, C markers and HIV antibodies in patients with Basedow's ophthalmopathy treated with intravenous immunoglobulins]. / Monitoraggio delle prove di funzione epatica, dei markers dell'epatite A, B, C e degli anticorpi anti HIV nei pazienti trattati con immunoglobuline endovena (IVIG) per oftalmopatia basedowiana.

Recent reports of transmission by intravenous gamma-globulin preparations of A, B, C and non-A non-B hepatitis (NANBH), including several cases that progressed to severe liver damage and death, have raised concerns about the safety of intravenous gamma-globulins. To assess this issue 15 patients treated with high-dose "intravenous immunoglobulin" (IVIG) for Graves' Ophthalmopathy had serial determination of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT), gamma glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT), alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin that were performed regularly at interval of 3 weeks during IVIG treatment and 6 months after the end of the treatment. Hepatitis A, B, C and HIV markers were determined before, during and 6 months after the end of the treatment. The standard dosage was 400 mg per Kg body weight IVIG (3 cycles of 5 days and 12 of 1 day, every 21 days). Transient minor elevations were observed for GPT, for GOT, for gamma-GT and alkaline phosphatase. None of the elevations were considered indicative of NANBH or of any chronic hepatic disease. Transient presence of hepatitis A, B and C antibodies were observed in 6 patients. All patients remained negative for hepatitis B antigens throughout the study. HIV antibodies resulted always negative in all patients. In conclusion this study suggests the hepatitis and HIV safety of IVIG.

Clinical picture of endemic cretinism in central Apennines (Montefeltro).

Endemic cretinism is still present in an endemic goiter area of the central Apennines (Montefeltro) (goiter prevalence 55%; mean urinary iodine level 39 micrograms/g creatinine). Clinical and biochemical features of patients with myxedematous, neurologic, and mixed cretinism were studied. Also, in this area, as in most other, neurologic cretinism is more prevalent than myxedematous and mixed forms. The hormonal profiles of the three types of cretinism were clearly different. Nevertheless, all myxedematous cretins had some neurologic disorders (hyperreflexia, increased muscle tone, disorder of gait, Babinski sign, hypoacusia) that were similar to those present in neurologic cretins. These findings suggest that neurologic damage is very similar in all forms of endemic cretinism, reflecting a diffuse insult to the developing fetal nervous system. Furthermore, these data support the hypothesis that the primary pathophysiologic event in the different types of endemic cretinism is represented by maternal and fetal hypothyroidism, while differences may be explained by the extent and duration of postnatal hypothyroidism. All the cretins were over 35 of age, suggesting a severe iodine deficiency in the past decades, and a progressive improvement of nutritional status resulted in "silent iodine prophylaxis." However, recent studies have revealed the persistence of a moderate iodine deficiency, a high prevalence of neurologic hypoacusia, and reduction of mental performance in normal schoolchildren of this area. These findings constitute strong evidence in favor of adequate iodine prophylaxis.

Somatostatin effect in postprandial hypoglycemia.

The effect of the administration of oral glucose with or without a simultaneous intravenous somatostatin infusion on blood glucose, immunoreactive insulin, C-peptide, and glucagon levels in seven patients with idiopathic postprandial hypoglycemia was studied. Oral glucose alone induced an excessive insulin response and hypoglycemia, whereas a slight suppression in glucagon levels without any increase at the hypoglycemic nadir was observed. The simultaneous administration of somatostatin significantly reduced the insulin response and induced a slower rise of blood glucose; no hypoglycemia developed. Only minor variations in glucagon were observed with respect to the basal test. A rebound in insulin, C-peptide, and glucagon levels was observed at the end of the somatostatin infusion. These data show that somatostatin can suppress glucose-induced hypoglycemia in these subjects, thus suggesting that its long-acting analogues might be worth a therapeutic trial in severe idiopathic postprandial hypoglycemia.

Circulating neuron-specific enolase in medullary thyroid cancer.

The utility of determining circulating neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in medullary thyroid carcinoma was assessed in 25 patients followed up for a mean period of 45.6 months. In 5 patients tested before any treatment serum NSE concentrations were in the normal range. After total thyroidectomy abnormally high serum NSE concentrations (more than 9.8 ng/ml) were found in 1/3 patients with normal calcitonin (CT) in remission, in 2/10 with elevated CT levels but no evidence of disease and in 9/12 with elevated CT levels and documented metastases. The mean (+/- SD) NSE value in this last group was 12.0 +/- 12.6 ng/ml, significantly higher than in the other groups (p less than 0.005). The time course of serum NSE in patients with long follow-up seems to indicate that serum NSE rises when a large tumor mass is present and usually parallels the pattern of circulating CT. Effective treatment of the metastases is usually followed by reduction of serum NSE. Thus, serum NSE can serve as an additional humoral marker for medullary thyroid carcinoma, its elevation being associated with important metastatic involvement and with a poor prognosis of the tumor.