Aula Verde (tree room) as a link between art and science to raise public awareness of nature-based solutions

Nature-based solutions inherently require a multifaceted perspective that encompasses diverse fields. The aim of this project is to develop more effective nature-based solutions, climate action and environmental awareness by breaking down boundaries between disciplines and fostering a co-creative process. Concepts of ecology and urban forestry were combined with the research on political ecology, environmental humanities, land art, regenerative art, performing art, participatory art, and more-than-human art. This process resulted in the creation of Aula Verde Aniene. It is located in an urban park in Rome and consists of a stand of trees arranged in circles with a specific design to give the perception of being in an outdoor vegetated room. The project activities involved community participation through art performances and citizen science initiatives. Regulating and cultural ecosystem services of Aula Verde were assessed using i-Tree Eco software and citizens' surveys. Beyond numerical descriptions of ecosystem services, the manuscript introduces shinrin-yoku as a practice to raise awareness of nature. The distinctive approach here described contributed to convey a sense of belonging to the ecosystem to citizens. The project framework and study findings have been developed to formulate policy recommendations and disseminate a format that can be adapted to diverse locations.

Preparation and Reactivity Study of a Versatile Trifluoromethylthiolating Agent: S-Trifluoromethyl Trifluoromethanesulfonothioate (TTST)

A novel, air and thermally stable, yet highly reactive trifluoromethylthiolating reagent, CF3SO2SCF3 (1), was prepared easily in one step from commercially inexpensive CF3SO2Na and Tf2O. 1 is a highly versatile and atom-efficient reagent that can generate one equivalent of CF3S+, two equivalents of CF3S-, or a combination of CF3S./CF3. species. Many high-yielding CF3S reactions of C, O, S, and N-nucleophiles were achieved, including the simple-step preparations of many reported CF3S reagents. 1 delivered a hitherto hard-to-synthesize ArSOCF3 that was followed by a novel CF3SII-rearrangement. Through Cu or TDAE/Ph3P combinations, 1 generated two equivalents of CF3S anion species, and the photo-catalyzed reactions of alkenes with 1 provided CF3/CF3S-containing products in high atom-efficiency.

Regenerative Endodontic Therapy using a New Antibacterial Root Canal Cleanser in necrotic immature permanent teeth: Report of two cases treated in a single appointment

A case of regenerative endodontics: (a) before treatment; (b) post-treatment Xray; (c) follow-up at 6 months; (d) follow-up at 12 months.

Evaluation of the BAX® System for Detection of Salmonella in Selected Foods: Collaborative Study

A multilaboratory study was conducted to compare the automated BAX® System to the standard cultural methods for detection of Salmonella in selected foods. Five food types—frankfurters, raw ground beef, mozzarella cheese, raw frozen tilapia fish, and orange juice—at 3 inoculation levels, were analyzed by each method. A sixth food type, raw ground chicken, was tested using 3 naturally contaminated lots. A total of 16 laboratories representing government and industry participated. In this study, 1386 samples were analyzed, of which 1188 were paired samples and 198 were unpaired samples. Of the 1188 paired samples, 461 were positive by both methods and 404 were negative by both methods. Thirty-seven samples were positive by the BAX System but negative by the standard reference method, and 11 samples were positive by standard cultural method and negative by the BAX System. Of the 198 unpaired samples, 106 were positive by the BAX System and 60 were positive by the standard cultural method. A Chi square analysis of each of the 6 food types, at the 3 inoculation levels tested, was performed. For all foods, the BAX System demonstrated results comparable to those of the standard reference methods based on the Chi square results.

The effects of a new decontaminant solution on root canal bleeding during endodontic treatment: a randomized controlled study

Blood contamination of the canal during preparation and obturation can be a problem in Endodontics; this may result in apical microleakage. The purpose of this investigation was to observe and evaluate the hemostatic properties of biofilm decontaminant material (sulfonic/sulphuric acid solution, HybenX, EPIEN Medical) used in teeth with necrotic pulp and unstoppable bleeding after root canal shaping. A prospective study was designed with 2 randomized parallel groups: decontaminant material (experimental group) and sodium hypochlorite 5% (control group). The analysis of the root canal bleeding was evaluated by the clinician before and after the application of the sulfonic/sulphuric solution or sodium hypochlorite 5%, by measuring the millimeters of blood on a sterile paper point introduced in the root canal. Sixty patients with necrotic pulp and unstoppable bleeding were enrolled in this study and randomly divided into 2 groups: decontaminant material in 30 patients (experimental group) or sodium hypochlorite 5% in 30 patients (control group). T-test showed that the percentage change in millimeters of blood detected in the root canal was statistically greater for experimental group [mean difference: 0.74 (IC: 0.66-0.82); p less than 0.0001]. The hemostatic properties were better in the experimental group than in the sodium hypochlorite 5% group (control). Further research may be needed to confirm the results of this study..

Abstract P4-13-07: SEQUERPLUS: A multicenter real practice observational study investigating the endocrine-based (E) therapies sequential approach in hormonal receptor positive (HR+) HER2 negative (-) metastatic breast cancer (MBC)

Background: Despite the sequential E therapy is recognized as the preferred approach for HR+/HER2- MBC, no data from clinical trials support the choice between the different sequential strategies.

Methods: In this retrospective study descriptive statistics are reported using the median (Interquartile range, IQR) or frequency. Progression Free Survival (PFS) curves were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Analysis were performed by SPSS version 21.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL).

Results: From January 2006 to December 2017, 240 patients (pts) with HR+/HER2- MBC receiving at least two consecutive E therapies as first approach were selected from 12 italian cancer centers. The median age at the time of metastasis onset was 63.5 (IQR: 55-72.5) years; 184 (76.7%) pts were in menopausal status; 38 (16%) had de novo stage IV disease and the remaining 202 (84%) had recurrent BC with a median time of 78 months (5-396 months). At the beginning of MBC diagnosis, 148 (62%) pts had a single site of distant disease, 108 (45%) of whom had bone only disease and 45 (18.8%) presented visceral involvement too. The aromatase inhibitor (AI) was chosen as I-line therapy in 146 (60.9%) pts, followed by Fulvestrant (F) in 62 (25.8%) pts; the alternative I-line options were everolimus-exemestane (Eve-Exe), tamoxifene (T), Palbociclib (P)+AI and F+AI in 13 (5.4%), 14 (5.8%), 1 (0.4%) and 4 (1.7%) pts, respectively. The most favourite II-line option resulted F for 111 (46.2%) pts while the Eve-Exe combination was chosen in 70 (29.2%) pts, AI in 30 (12.5%) pts; T, AI+F, P+F and antiprogestincwere administered in 4 (1.7%), 4 (1.7%), 19 (7.9%) and 2 (0.8%) pts, respectively. For I and II-line, the AI followed by F (40%) and F followed by Eve-Exe (18%) were the most common sequential therapeutic approaches; the several alternative options were scanty used (in less than 10%). The median Progression-Free Survival (PFS) from first and second-line E therapies resulted 15.7 (95% CI 13.3-18.1) and 10.3 months (95% CI 8.7-11.9), respectively. Among 194 pts with disease progression after second-line E therapy, 87 (44.8%) received further E therapies with a median PFS 9.4 months (95% CI 7.9-10.9). The remaining 70 (29.2%) pts was treated with palliative chemotherapy. Interestingly, the median Overall Survival (OS) was even longer for pts receiving more lines of E therapies compared to the group with earlier introduction of chemotherapy (204.3 vs 92.8; p=0.007).

Finally, in the subgroup analyses a longer PFS benefit was observed in pts with disease recurrence over 12 months from initial diagnosis (38.1 vs 30.3 months p=0.04) and limited sites of disease involvement at the time of MBC diagnosis (37.6 vs 28.3 months, p=0.03)

Conclusions: The sequential use in first and second-line setting of E therapies for HR+/HER2- MBC improves median PFS up to 32.3 months. According to real practice experience the optimal sequences could be AIs followed by F and F followed by Eve-Exe. A role for these compounds should be redefined in the light of recently introduction of CDK 4/6 inhibitors in combination with AIs or F for the first or later lines.

Citation Format: Fabi A, Giannarelli D, Botticelli A, Scagnoli S, Pellegrino A, Fabbri A, Corsi D, Magri V, Pizzuti L, Paris I, Bruni V, Pace R, Lanzetta G, Stani S, Moscetti L, Marchetti P, Piesco G, Cognetti F, Rossi V. SEQUERPLUS: A multicenter real practice observational study investigating the endocrine-based (E) therapies sequential approach in hormonal receptor positive (HR+) HER2 negative (-) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-13-07.

Diabetes risk in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and a history of polycystic ovary syndrome: a retrospective cohort study

AIMS

To investigate whether polycystic ovary syndrome further increases postpartum diabetes risk in women with gestational diabetes mellitus and to explore relationships between polycystic ovary syndrome and incident diabetes in women who do not develop gestational diabetes.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study (Quebec Physician Services Claims; Hospitalization Discharge Databases; Birth and Death registries) included 34 686 women with gestational diabetes during pregnancy (live birth), matched 1:1 to women without gestational diabetes by age group, year of delivery and health region. Diagnostic codes were used to define polycystic ovary syndrome and incident diabetes. Cox regression models were used to examine associations between polycystic ovary syndrome and incident diabetes.

RESULTS

Polycystic ovary syndrome was present in 1.5% of women with gestational diabetes and 1.2% of women without gestational diabetes. There were more younger mothers and mothers who were not of white European ancestry among those with polycystic ovary syndrome. Those with polycystic ovary syndrome more often had a comorbidity and a lower proportion had a previous pregnancy. Polycystic ovary syndrome was associated with incident diabetes (hazard ratio 1.52; 95% CI 1.27, 1.82) among women with gestational diabetes. No conclusive associations between polycystic ovary syndrome and diabetes were identified (hazard ratio 0.94; 95% CI 0.39, 2.27) in women without gestational diabetes.

CONCLUSION

In women with gestational diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome confers additional risk for incident diabetes postpartum. In women without gestational diabetes, an association between PCOS and incident diabetes was not observed. Given the already elevated risk of diabetes in women with a history of gestational diabetes, a history of both polycystic ovary syndrome and gestational diabetes signal a critical need for diabetes surveillance and prevention.

Costal graft as a support for bone regeneration after mandibular juvenile ossifying fibroma resection: An unusual case report

Spontaneous regeneration of bone tissue after mandibular resection is rare in adults, although it does often take place in children. Periosteum conservation appears to play a major role in this healing process. We here report regarding a 5-year-old boy who exhibited a large mandibular trabecular juvenile ossifying fibroma. The lesion was treated by mandibulectomy, with careful preservation of the periosteal layer and immediate reconstruction with a costal graft by an intraoral approach. Monitoring over the course of a year revealed spontaneous mandibular regeneration, and it allowed for a series of measurements of the graft to be made. During this follow-up period, the mandibular height increased from 41.5% to 75.2% (P=0.0008) of the height of the unaffected mandibular height, while the width grew from 34.4% to 82.8% (P=0.0078) of the width of the healthy side, thus demonstrating the importance of a conservative approach regarding the periosteum in such situations. The costal graft acted as a support for bone regeneration by immobilizing the remaining bone fragments and by preventing soft-tissue prolapse.

Effects of hydroxocobalamin on carboxyhemoglobin measured under physiologic and pathologic conditions

CONTEXT

Pre-hospital administration of hydroxocobalamin (B12a) is used for empiric treatment of cyanide poisoning because cyanide poisoning is difficult to identify and requires immediate treatment. B12a interferes with the accuracy of several blood laboratory tests. This study aimed to explore how B12a affects carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) measurements in human blood at both physiologic and pathologic COHb levels.

METHODS

Several clinically relevant concentrations of B12a were added to human blood samples containing physiologic (∼ 3%) and pathologic (30% and 50%) COHb levels. We then measured the COHb levels of the samples using two different co-oximeters, the Radiometer ABL 700 and the Rapidpoint 500, and compared to their actual baseline COHb levels.

RESULTS

B12a had minimal effects on the COHb measured at both physiologic and pathologic levels when measured on the Radiometer. In contrast, the Rapidpoint B12a caused a dose-dependent decrease in the COHb measured, especially of pathologic COHb levels (∼ 30 and 50%).

CONCLUSION

The magnitude of B12a interference on measured COHb is dependent upon the specific co-oximeter used, the actual COHb level and the serum B12a concentration. These errors may potentially influence clinical decision making and thus affect patient outcomes. Our findings emphasize the importance of measuring COHb levels on blood samples collected prior to B12a administration.

Omne Ignotum pro Magnifico: characterization of commercial Bilberry extracts to fight adulteration

Thanks to their chemical composition, extracts from the bilberry are commonly used to manufacture food, health products, supplements and cosmetics. However, in this field, as in others, "the process is the product" and a careful characterization of the entire supply and production chain, from purity and quality of raw material to extraction procedures needs to be implemented by using validated, sensitive and specific techniques of analysis. This position paper discusses the importance of the characterization of bilberry extracts, in order to fight adulteration.

Apical plug technique using mineral trioxide aggregate: results from a case series

AIM

To examine the clinical and radiographic appearance of teeth that suffered premature interruption of root development and were treated by an mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) apical plug technique.

SUMMARY

Eleven teeth with immature root apices in 11 patients were treated nonsurgically by the manual application of MTA in the apical portion of the root canal under microscopic vision. Follow-up evaluations were performed at 1-2 years after treatment.

KEY LEARNING POINTS

Mineral trioxide aggregate appears to be a valid material to obtain periradicular healing in teeth with open apices and necrotic pulps. Ten out of 11 cases were associated with periradicular health at follow-up evaluation.

Psychopathological assessment in children affected by Duchenne de Boulogne muscular dystrophy

BACKGROUND

Several studies on the intelligence of children suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) found impairments in linguistic functions, memory and affective development. Memory deficit mainly involves long-term memory; short-term memory impairment was also present, even if less frequently. Some studies tried to establish a correlation between the distal deletion of the dystrophin gene and low intelligence levels.

METHODS

The present study investigated the cognitive, emotional and relational states in a group of DMD children. The patients were selected on the basis of physical examination, muscle biopsy, histochemical analysis, genetic testing, regular schooling. Molecular genetic testing detected a deletion in 2 high frequency deletion regions in all subjects. The following psychodiagnostic tests were used for assessment: WISC-R, Spontaneous Drawing, Draw-A-Person test, Family Drawing, Thematic Apperception test and Rorschach test.

RESULTS

No impairment of the intellectual function was detected in the group of children we examined; only 2 subjects had a total IQ below average. Instead, psychic disorders were detected such as proneness to isolation, self-depreciation, past experiences of marginalization, minor depressive symptoms, insecurity signs, hypochondriac worries and high level of anxiety. In addition children exhibited poor adaptation to the environment and labile affectivity, scarcely controlled by the higher conscious levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These disorders are often a dynamic prolongation of a psychological process starting when the diagnosis is made and continuing in a slow and latent fashion throughout the evolution of the disease.

A simple HPLC-UV method for the assay of ginkgolic acids in Ginkgo biloba extracts

Extracts from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba are among the most widely used phytotherapeutics. Some alkylphenols (ginkgolic acids, cardanols and cardols) have been described as potentially hazardous constituents in Ginkgo extracts. Accordingly, a requirement for a maximum concentration of ginkgolic acids has been proposed in the UE and US pharmacopoeias Ginkgo monographs establishing a limit value of 5 ppm. A novel HPLC-UV method, developed by the use of HPLC-APCI-MS HPLC-DAD techniques and allowing the identification of ginkgolic acids and related phenols, is described. The new analytical method, not requiring enrichment procedures, can be used for the quantification of ginkgolic acids in Ginkgo extracts.

Identification of Ruscus steroidal saponins by HPLC-MS analysis

A novel HPLC-UV method has been developed for the fingerprint analysis of the steroidal saponins in the rhizomes of three Ruscus species (Ruscus aculeatus, Ruscus hypoglossum and Ruscus colchicus). Saponins were identified by HPLC-ESI-MS. During the study a new major saponin was detected in the rhizomes of R. hypoglossum and R. colchicus. The structure of the new compound was defined as 1-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-6-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl]-1beta,3beta,22xi,26-tetrahydroxy-furost-5(6)-en-26-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (8) by spectral analysis.

[Periodontic-endodontic lesions: diagnostic and therapeutic indications]

The presence of connections between periodontium and endodontium can lead to the diffusion of an infection from one apparatus to another. The involvement of both periodontium and endodontium is defined as Combined Periodontic-Endodontic lesions. This definition is not based on the initial etiology of the lesion and either the endodontic or periodontal lesion may be the cause or the result of the other or both may develop independently. The lesions must be correctly diagnosed for the best therapeutic approach. The diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and radiographic analysis; clinical signs must show the presence of periodontal probing and pulpal necrosis. Radiographic examination can confirm the involvement of both periodontium and endodontium only if the lesion is present on the mesial and distal part of the diseased tooth; in the case of a palatal/lingual or vestibular lesion such evidence will not be detectable. The therapeutic approach is always based on an initial endodontic treatment followed, if needed, by the proper periodontal treatment.

Orientation dependence of NMR relaxation time, T(1rho), in lipid bilayers

The orientation dependence of the low frequency NMR relaxation time, T(1rho), of protons in aligned phospholipid bilayers was measured using 13C cross polarisation and direct proton experiments. The contribution of intra- and inter-molecular interactions to proton T(1rho) was determined by using dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) with one hydrocarbon chain deuterated and dispersed in perdeuterated DMPC. The results indicated that intramolecular motions on the kHz timescale were the major cause of T(1rho) relaxation in phospholipid bilayers.

Determination of ginsenosides in Panax ginseng roots by liquid chromatography with evaporative light-scattering detection

A liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for the determination of ginsenosides in Panax ginseng roots by using evaporative light-scattering detection. Eighteen ginsenosides were separated on a reversed-phase C18 column with water-ammonium acetate-acetonitrile as the mobile phase. The method is suitable for the routine determination of ginsenosides in P. ginseng roots and extracts. The validation of the method was comprehensive for efficiency and recovery optimization of the P. ginseng roots extraction, specificity by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, linearity, stability, reproducibility, repeatability, intermediate precision, and robustness.