Observing Etna volcano dynamics through seismic and deformation patterns.

Geophysical data provide the chance to investigate a volcano's dynamics; considerable information can especially be gleaned on the stress and strain patterns accompanying the internal processes and the effect of magma ascent on the main structures triggering earthquakes. Here, we analysed in detail the seismicity recorded over the last two decades on Etna volcano (southern Italy), focusing on earthquakes distribution and focal mechanism clustering; the ground deformation pattern affecting the volcanic edifice with the inflation and deflation phases was also examined. Analysed data were compared in order to shed light on possible relationships with the volcanic activity and to better understand the internal dynamics of the volcano over time.

A Novel Peptide with Antifungal Activity from Red Swamp Crayfish .

The defense system of freshwater crayfish as a diversified source of bioactive molecules with antimicrobial properties was studied. Antimicrobial activity of two polypeptide-enriched extracts obtained from hemocytes and hemolymph of were assessed against Gram positive (, and Gram negative (, ) bacteria and toward the yeast . The two peptide fractions showed interesting MIC values (ranging from 11 to 700 μg/mL) against all tested pathogens.

Developing Antibiofilm Fibrillar Scaffold with Intrinsic Capacity to Produce Silver Nanoparticles.

The development of biomedical systems with antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties is a difficult medical task for preventing bacterial adhesion and growth on implanted devices. In this work, a fibrillar scaffold was produced by electrospinning a polymeric organic dispersion of polylactic acid (PLA) and poly(α,β-(N-(3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl)-L-aspartamide-co-α,β-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-L-aspartamide) (PDAEA). The pendant catechol groups of PDAEA were used to reduce silver ions in situ and produce silver nanoparticles onto the surface of the electrospun fibers through a simple and reproducible procedure.

Correlating Rheological Properties of a Gellan Gum-Based Bioink: A Study of the Impact of Cell Density.

Here, for the production of a bioink-based gellan gum, an amino derivative of this polysaccharide was mixed with a mono-functionalized aldehyde polyethyleneglycol in order to improve viscoelastic macroscopic properties and the potential processability by means of bioprinting techniques as confirmed by the printing tests. The dynamic Schiff base linkage between amino and aldehyde groups temporally modulates the rheological properties and allows a reduction of the applied pressure during extrusion followed by the recovery of gellan gum strength. Rheological properties, often related to printing resolution, were extensively investigated confirming pseudoplastic behavior and thermotropic and ionotropic responses.

Integrating metabolome dynamics and process data to guide cell line selection in biopharmaceutical process development.

The successful development of mammalian cell culture for the production of therapeutic antibodies is a resource-intensive and multistage process which requires the selection of high performing and stable cell lines at different scale-up stages. Accordingly, science-based approaches exploiting biological information, such as metabolomics, can support and accelerate the selection of promising cell lines to progress. In fact, the integration of dynamic biological information with process data can provide valuable insights on the cell physiological changes as a consequence of the cultivation process.

Optimization of the Appearance Quality in CO Processed Ready-to-Eat Carrots through Image Analysis.

A high-pressure CO process applied to ready-to-eat food products guarantees an increase of both their microbial safety and shelf-life. However, the treatment often produces unwanted changes in the visual appearance of products depending on the adopted process conditions. Accordingly, the alteration of the visual appearance influences consumers' perception and acceptability.

New seismological data from the Calabrian arc reveal arc-orthogonal extension across the subduction zone.

The Calabrian Arc subduction-rollback system along the convergent Africa/Eurasia plate boundary is among the most active geological structures in the Mediterranean Sea. However, its seismogenic behaviour is largely unknown, mostly due to the lack of seismological observations. We studied low-to-moderate magnitude earthquakes recorded by the seismic network onshore, integrated by data from a seafloor observatory (NEMO-SN1), to compute a lithospheric velocity model for the western Ionian Sea, and relocate seismic events along major tectonic structures.

Diagnostic vitrectomy: a case series in a single referral center.

Objective: To study the results and safety of diagnostic vitrectomy in patients with unknown etiology panuveitis.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive observational study was carried out in which a total of 29 patients (37 eyes) were included, who underwent a vitreous biopsy due to acute intraocular inflammatory processes. In all, demographic and clinical data were collected.

Multimodal image characterization of paravenous atrophy.

The objective is to describe a clinical case of paravenous atrophy using a multimodal image. A 48-year-old man was visited and followed in the ophthalmology department of Hospital Clinic (Barcelona). Visual acuity, slit-lamp exam, retinography, autofluorescence, visual field, optical coherence tomography, and electrophysiology test were performed.

Multilocus Sequence Typing Reveals a New Cluster of Closely Related Genotypes in Italian Patients With Neurological Disorders.

is a pathogenic yeast that has emerged as an important cause of candidemia especially in elderly patients with hematological malignancies. Infections caused by this species are mainly reported from Latin America and Asian-Pacific countries although recent epidemiological data revealed that accounts for 6-16.4% of the bloodstream infections (BSIs) in Italy by representing a relevant issue especially for patients receiving long-term hospital care.

Slab narrowing in the Central Mediterranean: the Calabro-Ionian subduction zone as imaged by high resolution seismic tomography.

A detailed 3D image of the Calabro-Ionian subduction system in the central Mediterranean was obtained by means of a seismic tomography, exploiting a large dataset of local earthquakes and computing algorithms able to build a dense grid of measure nodes. Results show that the slab is continuous below the southern sector of the Calabro-Peloritan Arc, but the deformation processes developing at its edges are leading to its progressive narrowing, influencing tectonics and magmatism at the surface, and with possible stress concentration in the tip zones. In the southwest, the deformation occurring at a free slab edge lead to propagation of a vertical lithospheric tear in the overriding plate, which extends along a NW-SE fault system (Aeolian-Tindari-Letojanni) up to about 30 km into the Ionian Sea; further southeast, the lithosphere appears only flexed and not broken yet.

New Insights on Mt. Etna's Crust and Relationship with the Regional Tectonic Framework from Joint Active and Passive P-Wave Seismic Tomography.

In the Central Mediterranean region, the production of chemically diverse volcanic products (e.g., those from Mt.

Antimicrobial consumption and antimicrobial resistance: a snapshot of an Italian neuromuscular rehabilitation center.

The paper presents a snapshot of the incidence of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms and antimicrobial consumption in an Italian rehabilitation center over a two-year period (2014-2015). Data on microorganism identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were obtained from the diagnostic laboratory of the hospital. A set of indicators was assessed, including the incidence density of resistant isolates per 1000 patient-days (IDRI).

Urticaria and bacterial infections.

The association between urticaria and infectious diseases has been discussed for >100 years. However, a causal relationship with underlying or precipitating infection is difficult to establish. The purpose of this work was to perform a systematic analysis of the published cases of urticaria associated with bacterial infections.

Direct synthesis of C3-mono-functionalized oxindoles from N-unprotected 2-oxindole and their antileishmanial activity.

A novel approach for the synthesis of unprecedented C3-mono-functionalized indolin-2-ones is reported, starting from 2-oxindole and chalcones. The reactions proceed regioselectively under mild conditions, without di- and tri-alkylated side products. The new compounds have been evaluated in vitro for their antiproliferative effects against the protozoan Leishmania infantum.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter cloacae ventriculitis successfully treated with intraventricular colistin.

We present a case of post-neurosurgical ventriculitis caused by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacter cloacae successfully treated with intraventricular colistin. Enterobacter spp are intrinsically resistant to aminopenicillins, cefazolin, and cefoxitin due to the production of constitutive chromosomal AmpC beta-lactamases. Moreover, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacter spp have been identified in the USA and Europe, and carbapenems are considered the drug of choice in these cases.

Neonatal liver abscesses associated with candidemia: three cases and review of literature.

Background: Our aim was to identify risk factors for the development of neonatal Candida liver abscess and to find useful information to better manage this potentially fatal complication.

Methods: A computerized search was conducted using PubMed. Overall, three articles describing the history of seven infants were finally considered.

Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in zoonoses. A systematic review.

Background: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare syndrome that is often fatal despite treatment. It is caused by a dysregulation in natural killer T-cell function, resulting in activation and proliferation of histiocytes with uncontrolled hemophagocytosis and cytokines overproduction. The syndrome is characterized by fever, hepatosplenomegaly, cytopenias, liver dysfunction, and hyperferritinemia.

Time-resolved seismic tomography detects magma intrusions at Mount Etna.

The continuous volcanic and seismic activity at Mount Etna makes this volcano an important laboratory for seismological and geophysical studies. We used repeated three-dimensional tomography to detect variations in elastic parameters during different volcanic cycles, before and during the October 2002-January 2003 flank eruption. Well-defined anomalous low P- to S-wave velocity ratio volumes were revealed.

[The value of the triad: clinical examination, mammography and needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of breast carcinoma. Our experience].

Based on the authors' personal experience of the use of the triad, clinical examination, mammography and needle-aspiration cytology, in the strategic diagnosis of breast cancer, the paper emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis as the sole means of obtaining an improved outcome. Using this integrated methodology the authors have obtained a specificity of 99%, sensitivity of 97.8%, and a diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value for positive tests of 98%.

[The paraproteinemias. Clinico-biological study of hospital cases].

90 cases of paraproteinemia treated for 12 years, have been studied. The results, documented by a clinical and bio-humoral point of view, have been compared with those of largest and latest casistics. The Authors tried to see if there were some connections between serology, radiology, histology and clinical pictures of different cases of paraproteinemia both as far as the classes and the types.