Comparative study of Tb production via Dy precursor with p, d and α beams on natural targets for medical applications.

Three different reactions with the use of natural targets are investigated to produce Tb for medical applications from the decay of its precursor Dy. The TALYS code has been exploited to optimize the cross section description and to improve the agreement with the full set of available data. The study is completed by a theoretical model for the two radio-chemical separations: optimal solutions are presented for the production of high quality Tb samples, guaranteed by the absence of the main contaminant, Tb.

The innovative Mn for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging: Production cross section modeling and dosimetric evaluation.

Background: Manganese is a paramagnetic element suitable for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of neuronal function. However, high concentrations of Mn can be neurotoxic. Mn may be a valid alternative as positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent, to obtain information similar to that delivered by MRI but using trace levels of Mn , thus reducing its toxicity.

Total hip arthroplasty planning.

Preoperative planning is mandatory to achieve the restoration of a correct and personalized biomechanics of the hip.The radiographic review is the first and fundamental step in the planning. Limb or pelvis malpositioning during the review results in mislead planning.

Plasma clusterin as a candidate pre-diagnosis marker of colorectal cancer risk in the Florence cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition: a pilot study.

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the major causes of cancer mortality world-wide. Prevention would improve if at-risk subjects could be identified. The aim of this study was to characterise plasma protein biomarkers associated with the risk of colorectal cancer in samples collected prospectively, before the disease diagnosis.

Effects of cigarette smoking on the human urinary proteome.

In this pilot study we used a proteomic approach to compare the urinary protein patterns of healthy smokers and non-smokers. Proteins were resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified by mass spectrometry. The relative abundance of three inflammatory proteins (S100A8, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4, CD59) and that of two isoforms of pancreatic alpha amylase was significantly higher in smokers.

Bulky DNA adducts, 4-aminobiphenyl-haemoglobin adducts and diet in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) prospective study.

In contrast to some extensively examined food mutagens, for example, aflatoxins, N-nitrosamines and heterocyclic amines, some other food contaminants, in particular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and other aromatic compounds, have received less attention. Therefore, exploring the relationships between dietary habits and the levels of biomarkers related to exposure to aromatic compounds is highly relevant. We have investigated in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort the association between dietary items (food groups and nutrients) and aromatic DNA adducts and 4-aminobiphenyl-Hb adducts.

4-Aminobiphenyl-hemoglobin adducts and risk of smoking-related disease in never smokers and former smokers in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition prospective study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether biomarkers of environmental tobacco smoke exposure [i.e., 4-aminobiphenyl-hemoglobin (4-ABP-Hb) adducts] were predictive of the risk of tobacco-related cancers and diseases.