A Performance Comparison of 3D Survey Instruments for Their Application in the Cultural Heritage Field.

Thanks to the recent development of innovative instruments and software with high accuracy and resolution, 3D modelling provides useful insights in several sectors (from industrial metrology to cultural heritage). Moreover, the 3D reconstruction of objects of artistic interest is becoming mandatory, not only because of the risks to which works of art are increasingly exposed (e.g., wars and climatic disasters) but also because of the leading role that the virtual fruition of art is taking. In this work, we compared the performance of four 3D instruments based on different working principles and techniques (laser micro-profilometry, structured-light topography and the phase-shifting method) by measuring four samples of different sizes, dimensions and surface characteristics. We aimed to assess the capabilities and limitations of these instruments to verify their accuracy and the technical specifications given in the suppliers' data sheets. To this end, we calculated the point densities and extracted several profiles from the models to evaluate both their lateral (XY) and axial (Z) resolution. A comparison between the nominal resolution values and those calculated on samples representative of cultural artefacts was used to predict the performance of the instruments in real case studies. Overall, the purpose of this comparison is to provide a quantitative assessment of the performance of the instruments that allows for their correct application to works of art according to their specific characteristics.

Sustained OMA1-mediated integrated stress response is beneficial for spastic ataxia type 5.

AFG3L2 is a mitochondrial protease exerting protein quality control in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Heterozygous AFG3L2 mutations cause spinocerebellar ataxia type 28 (SCA28) or dominant optic atrophy type 12 (DOA12), while biallelic AFG3L2 mutations result in the rare and severe spastic ataxia type 5 (SPAX5). The clinical spectrum of SPAX5 includes childhood-onset cerebellar ataxia, spasticity, dystonia and myoclonic epilepsy. We previously reported that the absence or mutation of AFG3L2 leads to the accumulation of mitochondria-encoded proteins, causing the overactivation of the stress-sensitive protease OMA1, which over-processes OPA1, leading to mitochondrial fragmentation. Recently, OMA1 has been identified as the pivotal player communicating mitochondrial stress to the cytosol via a pathway involving the inner mitochondrial membrane protein DELE1 and the cytosolic kinase HRI, thus eliciting the integrated stress response. In general, the integrated stress response reduces global protein synthesis and drives the expression of cytoprotective genes that allow cells to endure proteotoxic stress. However, the relevance of the OMA1-DELE1-HRI axis in vivo, and especially in a human CNS disease context, has been poorly documented thus far. In this work, we demonstrated that mitochondrial proteotoxicity in the absence/mutation of AFG3L2 activates the OMA1-DELE1-HRI pathway eliciting the integrated stress response. We found enhanced OMA1-dependent processing of DELE1 upon depletion of AFG3L2. Also, in both skin fibroblasts from SPAX5 patients (including a novel case) and in the cerebellum of Afg3l2-/- mice we detected increased phosphorylation of the α-subunit of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2α), increased levels of ATF4 and strong upregulation of its downstream targets (Chop, Chac1, Ppp1r15a and Ffg21). Silencing of DELE1 or HRI in SPAX5 fibroblasts (where OMA1 is overactivated at basal state) reduces eIF2α phosphorylation and affects cell growth. In agreement, pharmacological potentiation of integrated stress response via Sephin-1, a drug that selectively inhibits the stress-induced eIF2alpha phosphatase GADD34 (encoded by Ppp1r15a), improved cell growth of SPAX5 fibroblasts and cell survival and dendritic arborization ex vivo in primary Afg3l2-/- Purkinje neurons. Notably, Sephin-1 treatment in vivo extended the lifespan of Afg3l2-/- mice, improved Purkinje neuron morphology, mitochondrial ultrastructure and respiratory capacity. These data indicate that activation of the OMA1-DELE1-HRI pathway is protective in the context of SPAX5. Pharmacological tuning of the integrated stress response may represent a future therapeutic strategy for SPAX5 and other cerebellar ataxias caused by impaired mitochondrial proteostasis.

Evaluation of arterial stiffness in cardiac surgical patients using applanation tonometry.

Context: Applanation tonometry enables the noninvasive analysis of arterial pressure wave morphology. Applanation tonometry provides the augmentation index (AIx, %), an index of arterial stiffness that partially reflects arterial-ventricular (A-V) coupling. In addition, applanation tonometry provides the dP/dt (rate of intraventricular pressure variation over time), which reflects myocardial contractility, and the sub-endocardial viability ratio (SEVR, %), which is an indicator of myocardial oxygen supply and demand. There are no data on how cardiac surgery can modify these tonometry-derived indexes. Aim: The aim was to assess changes in AIx, dP/dt, and SEVR in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Subjects and Methods: This observational study was conducted at the University Hospital of Siena. We studied 32 patients before cardiac surgery in intensive care unit (ICU) on admission and at ICU discharge. We measured AIx, dP/dt, and SEVR using applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor). Changes in variables over time were evaluated by analysis of variance for repeated measurements. Results: AIx decreased significantly from T1 [28.8%, interquartile range (IQR) 21.6-36.6%] to T2 (16.2% IQR 8.1-22.4%) and T3 (14.5% IQR 7.9-23.6%) (P = 0.01). dP/dt increased significantly from T1 (635 mmHg/ms, IQR 534-756 mmHg/ms) to T3 (751 mmHg/ms, IQR 651-1013 mmHg/ms; P = 0.03). The SEVR was lower at T2 than at T1, but returned toward T1 values by T3. Conclusions: Cardiac surgery was associated with an improvement in arterial stiffness, A-V coupling, and myocardial contractility as assessed using applanation tonometry. The results suggest, however, a transient imbalance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand in the immediate postoperative period.

Tapentadol prolonged release for patients with multiple myeloma suffering from moderate-to-severe cancer pain due to bone disease.

CONTEXT: Myeloma bone disease (MBD) is a devastating complication of multiple myeloma that leads to severe pain. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of tapentadol prolonged release (PR) in the management of patients with MBD suffering from moderate-to-severe cancer pain. METHODS: A 12-week prospective study was carried out in 25 opioid-naïve MBD patients. Patients initially received twice-daily doses of tapentadol PR 50 mg. Doses were then managed to maintain adequate relief or dose-limiting toxicity. The following parameters were recorded at weekly intervals for 4 weeks, and then at weeks 8 and 12: pain, opioid-related adverse effects, use of other analgesics, DN4 (Douleur Neuropathique 4) score. Quality of life (SF-36 [36-item short-form health survey]) was measured at baseline and at final evaluation. RESULTS: Of 25 patients, 22 completed the study. Pain intensity significantly decreased from baseline to all the week intervals (P<0.01). Quality of life significantly improved with respect to all SF-36 subscale parameters (P<0.01), and so did both the physical and mental status (P<0.01). Tapentadol PR significantly reduced DN4 mean value (P<0.01) and the number of patients with neuropathic component (DN4 ≥4) (P<0.01). After 8 weeks of treatment, all patients were negative for the DN4 score. Tapentadol PR was well tolerated, and the use of other analgesics was reduced during the study period. CONCLUSION: Tapentadol PR started in doses of 100 mg/day was effective and well tolerated in opioid-naïve MBD patients with moderate-to-severe pain. Tapentadol PR can be considered a first-choice opioid in cancer patients suffering from mixed pain with a neuropathic component.

Non-analgesic effects of opioids: opioid-induced nausea and vomiting: mechanisms and strategies for their limitation.

Nausea and vomiting are common gastrointestinal symptoms following opioid administration, for either chronic or acute pain management. As a consequence, patients' dissatisfaction has a negative impact on treatment efficacy. A number of mechanisms have been identified, involving both central and peripheral sites. This article will review the pathophysiology of opioid-induced nausea and vomiting and the various pharmacological treatments currently available for its management. Preventive strategies and therapeutic approaches are evaluated in the perioperative setting and in chronic pain. Newer drugs include second generation serotonin receptor antagonists (palonosetron) and neurokinin-1 (NK-1) antagonists (aprepitant).

Cavity-enhanced generation of 6 W cw second-harmonic power at 532 nm in periodically-poled MgO:LiTaO3.

We report on efficient cw high-power second harmonic generation in a periodically poled LiTaO3 crystal placed in a resonant enhancement cavity. We tested three configurations, differing in the coupling mirror reflectivity, and a maximum conversion efficiency of about 76%, corresponding to 6.1 W of green light with 8.0 W of fundamental power, was achieved. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the highest cw power ever reported using a periodically-poled crystal in an external cavity. We observed photo-thermal effect induced by photon absorption at the mirrors and in the crystal, which however does not affect stable operation of the cavity. A further effect arises for two out of the three configurations, at higher values of the input power, which degrades the performance of the locked cavity. We suggest this effect is due to the onset of competing nonlinearities in the same crystal.

Continuous in situ measurements of volcanic gases with a diode-laser-based spectrometer: CO2 and H2O concentration and soil degassing at Vulcano (Aeolian islands: Italy).

We report on a continuous-measurement campaign carried out in Vulcano (Aeolian islands, Sicily), devoted to the simultaneous monitoring of CO2 and H2O concentrations. The measurements were performed with an absorption spectrometer based on a semiconductor laser source emitting around a 2-microm wavelength. The emitted radiation was selectively absorbed by two molecular ro-vibrational transitions specific of the investigated species. Data for CO2 and H2O concentrations, and CO2 soil diffusive flux using an accumulation chamber configuration, were collected at several interesting sampling points on the island (Porto Levante beach- PLB, Fossa Grande Crater - FOG- and Valley of Palizzi, PAL). CO2/H2O values, measured on the ground, are very similar (around 0.019 (+/- 0.006)) and comparable to the previous discrete detected values of 0.213 (Fumarole F5-La Fossa crater rim) and 0.012 (Fumarole VFS - Baia Levante beach) obtaid during the 1977-1993 heating phase of the crater fumaroles. In this work much more homogeneous values are found in different points of the three sites investigated. The field work, although carried out in a limited time window (25th-28th August 2004), pointed out the new apparatus is suitable for continuous gas monitoring of the two species and their ratios, which are important geochemical indicators of volcanic activity, for which other reliable continuous monitoring systems are not yet available.

Reduced hemodynamic load and cardiac hypotrophy in patients with anorexia nervosa.

BACKGROUND: Anorexia nervosa is associated with lower left ventricular mass (LVM) and systolic dysfunction. Whether these abnormalities reflect chronic protein-energy malnutrition or are primarily related to lower cardiac workload is unclear. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to verify whether low LVM in anorexia nervosa is explained by low hemodynamic load. DESIGN: Ninety-one women with anorexia nervosa [macro x +/- SD age: 20.5 +/- 6.1 y; body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 15.6 +/- 1.9; group 1] and 62 normal-weight female control subjects (age: 22.5 +/- 5.5 y; body mass index: 20.9 +/- 1.2; group 2) underwent Doppler echocardiography. LVM was evaluated as the percentage predicted by body height, sex, and stroke work (systolic blood pressure x stroke volume). RESULTS: The left ventricular chamber dimension was smaller and the chamber walls were thinner in group 1 than in group 2, which resulted in significantly lower LVM and LVM indexes (P < 0.0001). Ejection fraction, heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiac output were significantly (P < 0.007) lower in group 1, but peripheral resistance was substantially higher (P < 0.0001). The deviation of LVM from predicted values was lower and the proportion of subjects with inadequate LVM was significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (P < 0.0001). This difference was attenuated after adjustment for body weight and heart rate. There were no relations between LVM and laboratory tests in group 1. CONCLUSIONS: Anorexia nervosa is a condition of low hemodynamic load that leads to low LVM. Even with adjustment for stroke work, however, LVM is lower than would be predicted by height, because of the effect of body weight reduction (ie, wasting of lean body mass).

Depth variation bias and interaction with gain setting in ultrasonic tissue characterization by integrated backscatter analysis.

Integrated backscatter signal (IBS) has been proposed as a tool to measure cardiac fibrosis. To overcome problems associated with machine settings and attenuation of the chest wall, IBS has been expressed in relation to posterior pericardium, as a variation across cardiac cycle, or both. Depth of the reflecting structure has never been considered as a source of variability. Accordingly, we studied the effect of structure depth on IBS and examined its interaction with gain setting. Backscatter signals were recorded from plastic phantoms containing identical structures set at increasing depth and in 1 healthy volunteer using silicone spacers to modify depth, on a wide range of gain settings. In the phantom, IBS signal linearly decreased with increasing depth and nonlinearly increased with increasing gain (all r(2) > 0.97). In the healthy volunteer, results from septum were very similar to the phantom experiment. Values of septal IBS were adjusted using multiple regression coefficients for gain and depth from the phantom experiment and resulted in a near-complete offset of effect of depth and gain on septal IBS (P = not significant for both gain and depth). These assumptions were also used to compare IBS analysis between hypertensive patients and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Thus, depth and its relation with gain should be taken into account and might be almost fully predicted. Using appropriate regression modeling may allow analysis in optimal imaging conditions, tolerating between-patient comparisons even in limited diastolic frames.