Performance assessment of amplification and discrimination electronic devices for passive neutron measurements

The knowledge of the fissile material mass is a key challenge to enhance radioactive waste management and to ensure a high level of safety in nuclear industry. Data is analyzed according to the principles of the neutron measurement techniques. As proportional counters filled with 3He gas display high neutron detection efficiency and a good gamma-ray discrimination, they are the reference detector for passive neutron coincidence counting. A charge preamplifier or a current amplifier, depending on applications, collects the electric pulse produced by neutron interaction in the 3He gas and a threshold discriminator produces a logic pulse used for neutron counting. This paper describes the performance assessment of different commercially available electronics from Mirion Technologies, Precision Data Technology (PDT), Mesytec, as well as MONACO electronics originally developed by CEA LIST for fission chamber measurements in experimental reactors. Comparative passive neutron measurements are carried out with these electronics at CEA/DEN Nuclear Measurement Laboratory in Cadarache. Overall, PDT and Mesytec electronics show similar detection efficiency as the ACH-NA98 charge amplifier, which is commonly used in our laboratory for such applications. However, MONACO electronics have a lower detection efficiency, similar to Mirion 7820 current amplifier used in specific high-count rate applications. An optimisation of MONACO settings would probably be necessary to adapt to 3He counters instead of fission chambers.

Pathophysiology and Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Bone Fragility

Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have an increased risk of bone fragility fractures compared to nondiabetic subjects. This increased fracture risk may occur despite normal or even increased values of bone mineral density (BMD), and poor bone quality is suggested to contribute to skeletal fragility in this population. These concepts explain why the only evaluation of BMD could not be considered an adequate tool for evaluating the risk of fracture in the individual T2DM patient. Unfortunately, nowadays, the bone quality could not be reliably evaluated in the routine clinical practice. On the other hand, getting further insight on the pathogenesis of T2DM-related bone fragility could consent to ameliorate both the detection of the patients at risk for fracture and their appropriate treatment. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the increased risk of fragility fractures in a T2DM population are complex. Indeed, in T2DM, bone health is negatively affected by several factors, such as inflammatory cytokines, muscle-derived hormones, incretins, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production and cortisol secretion, peripheral activation, and sensitivity. All these factors may alter bone formation and resorption, collagen formation, and bone marrow adiposity, ultimately leading to reduced bone strength. Additional factors such as hypoglycemia and the consequent increased propensity for falls and the direct effects on bone and mineral metabolism of certain antidiabetic medications may contribute to the increased fracture risk in this population. The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature evidence that faces the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying bone fragility in T2DM patients.

P3405Association between heart rate thresholds for cardiovascular risk defined by new ESC/ESH Guidelines and neuroadrenergic markers

Background

The ESC/ESH Guidelines for hypertension issued in 2018 identify resting heart rate (HR) values greater than 80 beats/minute as predictors of cardiovascular risk, with the undocumented evidence that this detection might represent the occurrence of a sympathetic cardiovascular overdrive.

Purpose

In the present study we tested this hypothesis throughout the use of direct and indirect markers of sympathetic neural function.

Methods

In 167 untreated and uncomplicated mild-to moderate essential hypertensives recruited for different investigations and aged 51.8±3.2 years (mean±SEM) without other cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular disease, we measured clinic and ambulatory blood pressure (BP), HR (EKG), venous plasma norepinephrine (NE, HPLC assay) and efferent postganglionic muscle sympathetic nerve traffic (MSNA, microneurography). We then subdivided the study population in 2 groups according to HR values ≤ or >80 beats/minute.

Results

Sixty-eight patients displayed resting HR >80 beats/minute while the remaining 99 below this threshold value, the 2 groups showing superimposable age values and gender distribution. Body mass index, clinic and ambulatory BP were similar in the 2 groups this being the case also for LVMI and metabolic variables. In contrast MSNA values were significantly greater (P<0.02) in the former than in the latter group both when expressed as bursts incidence over time (49.2±1.8 vs 39.5±1.4 bs/min) and when corrected for HR (60.7±3.0 vs 51.4±2.5 bs/100 hb). NE showed a tendency to be greater in the former group without achieving, however, statistical significance. In the whole population there was a significant direct relationship between MSNA and HR values (r=0.61, P<0.01)

Conclusions

Thus hypertensive patients displaying HR >80 beats/minute are characterized by a marked sympathetic overdrive, particularly when direct adrenergic markers are employed. This finding suggests that cardiac and peripheral sympathetic activation may participate at the increased cardiovascular risk detected in this group of patients.

P1566Identification of the cardiovascular threshold limit for serum uric acid. Analysis from a general Italian population

Background

Serum uric acid (SUA) is increasingly recognised as an important predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and total mortality. However, the levels of SUA that discriminate across the different strata of risk for CVD and total mortality remain unknown, complicating the identification of subjects at high or low mortality risk for SUA in clinical practice.

Purpose

In this study we used a large Italian population comprising >3ehz748.0326 subjects to assess the threshold of SUA that increases the risk of total and CVD mortality.

Methods

The URic Acid Right for heArt Health (URRAH) study is a regional-basis multicentre cohort study which collected data from prospective studies and databases from different hypertension centres, including subjects with at least one measure of SUA and a follow-up of about 20 years. Total mortality was defined as mortality for any causes, cardiovascular mortality as death due to fatal myocardial infraction, stroke or heart failure. Multivariate dichotomic logistic and Cox regression models were used to confirm the relationship between SUA and mortality status both from cardiovascular and any causes, while ROC curves were used to identify the threshold of SUA that better discriminated people at higher or lower mortality risk.

Results

A total of 22.275 subjects had SUA and mortality information. Logistic regression identified a direct and strong association between SUA and an increased risk of total (OR 1.176, 95% CI 1.127–1.227) and CVD (OR 1.147, 95% CI 1.093–1.203) mortality, independently of other CVD risk factors (age, BMI, LDL cholesterol, diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, alcohol consumption and smoking). Cox models confirmed the presence of an independent association between SUA and any causes (HR 1.123, 95% CI 1.090–1.567) and CVD (HR 1.124, 95% CI 1.081–1.169) mortality. ROC curve analysis identified a cut-off value od SUA [(4.79 mg/dL (95% CI 4.7–5.4 mg/dl)] able to discriminate total mortality status, and a different one [(5.60 mg/dL (95% CI 5.09–5.89 mg/dl)] able to identify CVD mortality status. Multivariate Cox analysis adjusted for confounders confirmed that subjects with SUA >4.79 mg/dl had a significantly higher total mortality (HR 1.293, 95% CI 1.181–1.416) compared to those with SUA <4.79 mg/dl, independently of covariables. Similarly, subjects with SUA >5.60 mg/dl had a significantly higher CVD mortality (HR 1.428, 95% CI 1.273–1.600) than those with SUA <5.60 mg/dl after adjustment for the same confounders.

Conclusion

Levels of SUA that increase the risk of total and CVD mortality are significantly lower than those commonly used for the definition of hyperuricemia in clinical practice. Our data provide the first large evidence of a level of “cardiovascular” SUA that might be used in clinical practice to identify subjects at greater risk of total and CVD mortality.

P1688Behavior of indices of sympathetic activity in relation to sleep time duration in untreated hypertensives

Background

Short sleep duration and poor sleep quality has been reported to be associated with increased cardiovascular risk and increased incidence of cardiovascular events.

Purpose

Whether and what extent the pathophysiology of this association includes sympathetic abnormalities has never been examined via microneurography.

Methods

In 28 untreated mild-to moderate essential hypertensives aged 66.4±3.1 (mean±SEM) without other cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular disease (including obstructive sleep apnea) recruited from the outpatient clinic and referred for short sleep duration, we directly assessed at patients home via actigraphy (actiwatch spectrum activity monitor, Phillips) time sleep duration and efficiency. Measurements, performed during a day preceding or following the 7 day actigraphy evaluation, included microneurographic recording of efferent postganglionic sympathetic nerve traffic (MSNA), venous plasma norepinephrine (HPLC), clinic, 24 hour and beat to beat blood pressure and heart rate values. Sleep diary and a sleep questionnaire were also administered.

Results

Nine patients slept less than 6 hours per night (LSD), while the remaining ones between 6 to 7 (MSD, n=8) or more than 7 hours (GSD,N=11). The 3 groups showed similar age and gender distribution and a body mass index amounting to 28.1±0.8, 28.6±0.5 and 27.3±0.5 kg/m2 (P=NS). For similar mean blood pressure values LSD showed MSNA values significantly greater than GSD (53.4±4.9 vs 40.1±3.8bs/100hb, P<0.03), this being the case also for MSD (49.7±4.4, P<0.05 vs GSD but not SLD). HR was significantly elevated only in LSD group when compared to GSD, while no significant difference was found in plasma NE between the 3 groups.

Conclusions

The present study provides the first microneurographic direct evidence that short sleep duration is linked to a marked sympathetic activation, which may participate at the high cardiovascular risk of these subjects. The sympathetic overdrive affects both the cardiac and peripheral district but is not reflected by NE, which thus does not represent in this condition a valuable adrenergic marker.

Combined effects of nanoplastics and copper on the freshwater alga Raphidocelis subcapitata

Nanoplastics are recognized as able to interact with other pollutants including heavy metals, and with natural organic matter, with implications for the potential risks to biota. We investigated the interaction of carboxylated polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-COOH NPs) with copper (Cu) and algal exudates (EPS) and how such interaction could affect Cu toxicity towards the freshwater microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata. PS-COOH NPs behavior in the presence of Cu and EPS was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS), while PS-COOH NPs surface interaction with Cu ions and EPS was investigated by fluorimetric analysis. ICP-MS was used to test Cu ion adsorption to PS-COOH NPs in the presence and absence of algae. The interaction between PS-COOH NPs and the algal cell wall was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. Short- and long-term toxicity tests were carried out in parallel to assess the impact of PS-COOH NPs on algal growth. Results showed altered nanoparticle surface charge and hydrodynamic diameter following algal EPS exposure, supporting the hypothesis of a protein corona formation. In contrast, no absorption of Cu ions was observed on PS-COOH NPs, either in the presence or absence of algae. No differences on algal growth inhibition were observed between exposure to Cu only, and to Cu in combination with PS-COOH NPs, in short-term as well as long-term tests. However, after 72 h of exposure, the adsorption of PS-COOH NPs to algal cell walls appeared to correspond to morphological alterations, revealing potential disturbances in the mitotic cycle. Our findings confirm the ability of PS-COOH NPs to interact with EPS as shown for other nanomaterials. Environmentally realistic exposure scenarios are thus needed for evaluating nanoplastic toxicity, as nanoparticles will not maintain their pristine nature once released into natural media. Prolonged exposure and use of different end-points such as cell morphological changes and EPS production seem more reliable for the investigation of nanoplastic/algal cell interactions which can drive food chain transfer of nanoplastics and ultimately toxicity.

Investigation on the thermal gelation of Chitosan/β-Glycerophosphate solutions

This work deals with the effect of temperature on the thermal-gelation process of water solutions containing chitosan β-glycerolphosphate disodium salt hydrate. In particular, the attention is focused on the role played by temperature on the gel final properties, a very important aspect in the frame of drug delivery systems. The study was performed by combining rheology and low field nuclear magnetic resonance, two approaches that revealed to be highly synergic as they can detect different aspects of the developing polymeric network. This study indicates that 30 °C represent a sort of threshold for both the gelation kinetics and the gel final properties. Indeed, above this temperature, gelation kinetics was rapid and yielded to a strong gel. On the contrary, a slow kinetics and a final weak gel occurred below 30 °C. Finally, rheology and low field NMR allowed, independently, evaluating the time evolution of the network mesh size upon gelation.

Effect of a cauliflower (Brassica oleraceae var. Botrytis) leaf powder-enriched diet on performance, carcass and meat characteristics of growing rabbit

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a cauliflower leaf powder (CLP)-enriched diet on the performance, quality and antioxidative potential of rabbit meat. No significant differences were found for live performance parameters between rabbits fed with standard (SD) and CLP diet. Dietary supplementation influenced the meat traits of rabbits: CLP meat showed significantly lower drip loss after 48 h, cooking loss, and a significantly higher lightness (L*) and redness (a*) values, vitamin A and vitamin E content, and oxidative stability, compared to SD meat. Moreover, the CLP supplementation caused a significant decrease in SFA and increase in PUFA percentage of rabbit intramuscular fat. The statistical analysis also showed a significant effect of dietary fortification on phenolic content and antioxidant activity of rabbit meat which resulted higher in meat of CLP group. This study highlighted that dietary fortification with CLP is a valid strategy to produce rabbit meat with better technological and functional quality.

Effect of αS1-casein genotype on phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in goat milk yogurt fortified with Rhus coriaria leaf powder

The aim of this work was to evaluate the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of goat milk yogurt characterized by different α_S1-casein genotypes and fortified with Rhus coriaria leaf powder. The α_S1-casein genotype was determined by isoelectric focusing, total phenol content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method, phenolic compounds were identified and quantified by HPLC-UV analysis, and antioxidant activity was measured using 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid and ferric-reducing antioxidant power. The statistical analysis showed a significant effect of the studied factors. Comparing different genotypes it emerged that yogurt from goats with weak alleles at CSN1S1 loci (FF) showed the lowest phenolic compounds and therefore a lower antioxidant activity compared with yogurt from goats with strong alleles at CSN1S1 loci (AA, BB, AB). Rhus coriaria-fortified yogurt showed a significant increase in total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in comparison with plain yogurt. The FF-fortified yogurt presented the lowest total phenol content and antioxidant activity. This could be due to a greater capacity of proteins and peptides in this yogurt to form stable complexes with phenols. The different total phenol content detected in R. coriaria-fortified yogurt indicates that the α_S1-casein genotype influenced the amount of added phenols that are bound to the caseins and, therefore, the part that remains free and that affects the biological capacity of the final product.

Noninvasive evaluation of muscle mass by ultrasonography of quadriceps femoris muscle in End-Stage Renal Disease patients on hemodialysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Protein-Energy Wasting (PEW) is a pathological condition of renal patients with advanced Chronic Kidney Disease characterized by a progressive reduction of energy and protein assets. Nutritional status assessment, especially for what concerns muscle mass, is essential for both the identification of patients at risk for the development of PEW, as well as monitoring the effects of nutritional interventions. Ultrasound methods are easily applicable at the bedside for quantitative assessment of skeletal muscle. The present study was aimed at evaluating quadriceps rectus femoris thickness (QRFT) and quadriceps vastus intermedius thickness (QVIT) in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study. Three groups of adult patients were studied: young healthy subjects, well-nourished hospitalized patients with normal renal function, and End-Stage Renal Disease patients on hemodialysis (ESRD-HD). QRFT and QVIT were measured at two sites bilaterally (8 measures/patient) and were compared between groups, and also between subgroups of ESRD-HD patients stratified on the basis of conventional nutritional status parameters.

RESULTS

We enrolled 35 healthy subjects, 30 hospitalized patients, and 121 ESRD-HD patients on hemodialysis. QRFT and QVIT of ESRD patients on hemodialysis were lower than those of both control groups (P < 0.001). After stratifying ESRD patients into subgroups based on nutritional variable cut-offs commonly used to define PEW in this clinical setting (BMI [≥ 23 vs <23 kg/m²], albumin [≥3.8 vs <3.8 g/dL]) and malnutrition inflammation score (MIS) status (<6 vs ≥6), QRFT and QVIT of patients with worse nutritional status were significantly lower than those of well-nourished ESRD-HD patients (P value range: <0.001 to <0.05).

CONCLUSION

Skeletal muscle ultrasound is a simple and easily applicable bedside technique in the dialysis units, and could represent an adequate tool for the identification of patients with reduced muscle mass.

Co-exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles does not affect cadmium toxicity in radish seeds (Raphanus sativus)

Recent developments on environmental fate models indicate that as nano waste, engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) could reach terrestrial ecosystems thus potentially affecting environmental and human health. Plants can be therefore exposed to ENMs but controversial data in terms of fate and toxicity are currently available. Furthermore, there is a current lack of information on complex interactions/transformations to which ENMs undergo in the natural environment as for instance interacting with existing toxic compounds. The aim of the present study was to assess the behavior and biological effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (n-TiO₂) (Aeroxide P25, Degussa Evonik) and its interaction with cadmium (CdCl₂) in plants using radish seeds (Raphanus sativus L. Parvus) as model species. Radish seeds were exposed to n-TiO₂ (1-1000mg/L) and CdCl₂ (1-250mg/L) alone and in combination using a seed germination and seedling growth toxicity test OECD 208. Percentage of seed germination, germination index (GI) and root elongation were calculated. Cell morphology and oxidative stress parameters as glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase activities (CAT) were measured in radish seeds after 5 days of exposure. Z-Average, PdI and Z-potential of n-TiO₂ in Milli-Q water as exposure medium were also determined. DLS analysis showed small aggregates of n-TiO₂, negative Z-potential and stable PdI in seed's exposure media. Germination percentage, GI and root length resulted affected by n-TiO₂ exposure compared to controls. In particular, n-TiO₂ at 1mg/L and 100mg/L did not affect radish seeds germination (100%) while at concentration of 10mg/L, 200mg/L, 500mg/L, and 1000mg/L a slight but not significant decrease of germination % was observed. Similarly root length and GI resulted significantly higher in seeds exposed to 10mg/L and 200mg/L compared to 1mg/L, 100mg/L, 500mg/L, 1000mg/L and control (p < 0.05). On the opposite, CdCl₂ significantly abolished germination % and GI compared to control seeds and a concentration dependent decrease on root elongation was observed against controls (p < 0.05). As well, significant decrease of germination %, GI and root elongation was observed in seeds co-exposed to n-TiO₂ and CdCl₂ at the highest concentrations (1000mg/L n-TiO₂ and 250mg/L CdCl₂) compared to co-exposed seeds at low concentration (1mg/L n-TiO₂ and 1mg/L CdCl₂) and controls (p < 0.05). Root elongation significantly increase compared to control at the lowest co-exposure concentration (p < 0.05). Similarly at intermediate concentrations of 10 and 100mg/L in co-exposure conditions, n-TiO₂ did not affect CdCl₂ toxicity. Concerning antioxidant enzymes, a significant increase of CAT activity in seeds exposed to single high n-TiO₂ concentration (1000mg/L) was observed while n-TiO₂ (1mg/L), CdCl₂ (1 and 250mg/L) and co-exposure resulted significantly decreased compared to controls (p < 0.05). Regarding GST activity, a slight increase in seeds exposed to 1000mg/L n-TiO₂ but no significantly was observed, however both n-TiO₂ and CdCl₂ alone (1 and 250mg/L, respectively) or in combinations caused a significant decrease in GST activity (p < 0.05). Therefore, overall data support the hypothesis that the presence of n-TiO₂ do not affect the toxicity of CdCl₂ at least at the highest concentration (100 and 250mg/L) in radish seeds. Morphological alterations in nuclei, vacuoles and shape of radish root cells were observed upon single Cd exposure and not abolished in the presence of n-TiO₂. Nevertheless, although n-TiO₂ seems not to reduce Cd toxicity at high concentration (up to 250mg/L), interactions cannot be excluded based on obtained results.

Comparative ecotoxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles in natural seawater and reconstituted seawater using the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis

The impact of nanoplastics using model polystyrene nanoparticles (PS NPs), anionic (PS-COOH) and cationic (PS-NH₂), has been investigated on the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis, a major component of marine zooplanktonic species. The role of different surface charges in affecting PS NP behaviour and toxicity has been considered in high ionic strength media. To this aim, the selected media were standardized reconstituted seawater (RSW) and natural sea water (NSW), the latter resembling more natural exposure scenarios. Hatched rotifer larvae were exposed for 24h and 48h to both PS NPs in the range of 0.5-50μg/ml using PS NP suspensions made in RSW and NSW. No effects on lethality upon exposure to anionic NPs were observed despite a clear gut retention was evident in all exposed rotifers. On the contrary, cationic NPs caused lethality to rotifer larvae but LC₅₀ values resulted lower in rotifers exposed in RSW (LC₅₀=2.75±0.67µg/ml) compared to those exposed in NSW (LC₅₀=6.62±0.87µg/ml). PS NPs showed similar pattern of aggregation in both high ionic strength media (RSW and NSW) but while anionic NPs resulted in large microscale aggregates (Z-average 1109 ± 128nm and 998±67nm respectively), cationic NP aggregates were still in nano-size forms (93.99 ± 11.22nm and 108.3 ± 12.79nm). Both PDI and Z-potential of PS NPs slightly differed in the two media suggesting a role of their different surface charges in affecting their behaviour and stability. Our findings confirm the role of surface charges in nanoplastic behaviour in salt water media and provide a first evidence of a different toxicity in rotifers using artificial media (RSW) compared to natural one (NSW). Such evidence poses the question on how to select the best medium in standardized ecotoxicity assays in order to properly assess their hazard to marine life in natural environmental scenarios.

Follow-up of Antihypertensive Therapy Improves Blood Pressure Control: Results of HYT (HYperTension survey) Follow-up

INTRODUCTION

Although improved during the past few years, blood pressure control remains sub optimal.

AIM

The impact of follow-up assessment on blood pressure control was evaluated in a group of patients of the HYT (HYperTension survey), treated with a combination of different dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers (CCBs regimen) and inhibitors of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and with uncontrolled blood pressure. This was obtained assessing (a) the rate of blood pressure control at 3 and 6 months of follow-up in the whole group of patients, (b) the rate of blood pressure control and the average blood pressure values in subjects treated with different DHP-CCBs regimen.

METHODS

From the 4993 patients with uncontrolled blood pressure, (BP ≥ 140/90 or ≥140/85 in patients with diabetes), 3729 (mean age 61.2 ± 11.5 years), maintained CCBs regimen combined wih RAAS blockers and were evaluated at 3 and 6 months follow-up. At each visit BP (semiautomatic device, Omron-M6, 3 measurements), heart rate, adverse events and treatment persistence were collected.

RESULTS

At 1st and 2nd follow-up the rate of controlled BP was 63.5 and 72.8% respectively (p < 0.05 vs 35.3% at baseline), whereas in diabetes was 32.5 and 37.9% respectively (p < 0.05 vs 20% at baseline). No differences in heart rate were observed. No differences in control rate were observed between the different CCBs regimen. The incidence of drugs related adverse events was 3.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide evidence that: (a) the follow-up of hypertensive patients under therapy increase the rate of blood pressure control; (b) there is no significant difference in the antihypertensive effect between different CCBs regimen;

Cochlear, auditory brainstem responses in Type 1 diabetes: relationship with metabolic variables and diabetic complications

AIMS

Few studies have analysed the presence of hearing abnormalities in diabetes. We assessed the presence of subclinical auditory alterations and their possible association with early vascular and neurological dysfunction in young adults with Type 1 diabetes of long duration.

METHODS

Thirty-one patients with Type 1 diabetes (mean age 33 ± 2.3 years, disease duration 25.7 ± 4.2 years) and 10 healthy controls underwent pure tone audiometry (PTA), distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) analyses. Associations with metabolic variables and chronic complications were explored.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy controls, patients with diabetes had significantly higher mean hearing thresholds, although still within the normoacusic range. DPOAE intensities at medium frequencies (2.8-4 kHz) were significantly lower in patients with diabetes. In ABR, in addition to waves I, III and V, we observed the appearance of a visible wave IV in patients with diabetes compared with controls (prevalence 61% vs. 10%, P < 0.05), and its appearance was related to a prolonged I-V interval (4.40 ± 0.62 ms vs. 4.19 ± 0.58 ms, P < 0.05). Diastolic blood pressure was higher in people with abnormal DPOAE (P < 0.05), whereas systolic blood pressure correlated with wave V and interpeak I-V interval latencies. A trend towards an association between evidence of wave IV and the presence of somatic neuropathy or abnormal cardiovascular autonomic tests was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Young adults with long-term Type 1 diabetes have subclinical abnormalities in qualitative auditory perception, despite normal hearing thresholds, which might reflect neuropathic and/or vascular alterations.

The Snail repressor recruits EZH2 to specific genomic sites through the enrollment of the lncRNA HOTAIR in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

The transcription factor Snail is a master regulator of cellular identity and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) directly repressing a broad repertoire of epithelial genes. How chromatin modifiers instrumental to its activity are recruited to Snail-specific binding sites is unclear. Here we report that the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOTAIR (for HOX Transcript Antisense Intergenic RNA) mediates a physical interaction between Snail and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), an enzymatic subunit of the polycomb-repressive complex 2 and the main writer of chromatin-repressive marks. The Snail-repressive activity, here monitored on genes with a pivotal function in epithelial and hepatic morphogenesis, differentiation and cell-type identity, depends on the formation of a tripartite Snail/HOTAIR/EZH2 complex. These results demonstrate an lncRNA-mediated mechanism by which a transcriptional factor conveys a general chromatin modifier to specific genes, thereby allowing the execution of hepatocyte transdifferentiation; moreover, they highlight HOTAIR as a crucial player in the Snail-mediated EMT.

Survey on the use of insulin pumps in Italy: comparison between pediatric and adult age groups (IMITA study)

AIMS

The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) use in pediatric and adult age groups.

METHODS

Data were collected with a questionnaire sent by e-mail to CSII-experienced Diabetes Centers. The questionnaire assessed: (1) number of CSII-treated patients; (2) patient demographic data and characteristics; (3) structure and organization of Diabetes Centers providing CSII therapy; (4) pump characteristics (conventional pump, sensor-augmented pump); and (5) CSII dropouts.

RESULTS

A total of 217 out of 1093 Italian centers participated: 51 pediatric (23.5 %) and 166 (76.5 %) adult centers (AP). Compared to a survey performed in 2005, there was a significant increase in the number of pediatric units when compared to adult units (112 vs 37 %, respectively, p < 0.05). Pediatric age is characterized by a greater concern for quality of life and injections, and a higher dropout rate (10.6 vs 8.9 %) mainly related to pump wearability and site reactions. A complete diabetes-care team is associated with a superior use of technology (fewer dropouts, increased CGM and advanced bolus use) which is, however, still used in a small percentage of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In Italy, the number of CSII-treated pediatric patients (PP) is growing more significantly when compared to adults. Only 60 % of all patients are using advanced functions and 20 % are using CGMs continuously. This confirms the great interest in diabetes technology that is growing in pediatric diabetologists. However, much improvement is warranted in the organization and specialized training of pediatric, adult and transitional facilities.