Correction: Functionalized graphene-based materials for cementitious applications.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D3RA06886B.].

Functionalized graphene-based materials for cementitious applications.

Graphene-based materials (GBM) are promising cementitious composite additives that can significantly improve the mechanical characteristics and durability of concrete due to their unique properties, such as high surface area and aspect ratio and excellent tensile strength, to name a few. To display their full potential, GBM have to be homogeneously dispersed into the aqueous environment of cement-based matrices. The present study addresses the issue of limited dispersibility in the aqueous media of GBM through the chemical functionalization of mono- and few-layer graphene structures with hydrophilic aryl sulfonate groups and shows that a series of mortar samples containing modified GBM exhibit increased flexural and compressive strength by up to 17% and 30%, respectively, compared to mortar references without additives.

Third whole-brain radiation therapy for multiple brain metastases. Should it be considered in selected patients?

Whole brain reirradiation for the treatment of multiple brain metastases has shown promising results. However, concerns remain over the possible neurotoxic effects of the cumulative dose as well as the questionable radiosensitivity of recurrent metastases. A second reirradiation of the whole brain is ordinarily performed in our department for palliative purposes in patients presenting with multiple metastatic brain progression.

Preclinical Models of Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related death amongst men in the United States. Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) can either arise de novo or emerge as a consequence of therapy. De novo NEPC is rare, with an incidence of <2% of all PCa cases.

Dioncophyllidine E: The first configurationally semi-stable, 7,3'-coupled naphthyldihydroisoquinoline alkaloid, from Ancistrocladus abbreviatus, with antiausterity activity against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells.

The discovery of a new naphthylisoquinoline alkaloid, dioncophyllidine E (4), from the tropical liana Ancistrocladus abbreviatus (Ancistrocladaceae) is described. Due to its rare 7,3'-coupling type, combined with the lack of an oxygen function at C-6, it is configurationally semi-stable at the biaryl axis, and thus occurs as a pair of slowly interconverting atropo-diastereomers, 4a and 4b. Its constitution was assigned mainly by 1D and 2D NMR.

Systematic Exploration of the Synthetic Parameters for the Production of Dynamic VO(M1).

Thermochromic dynamic cool materials present a reversible change of their properties wherein by increasing the temperature, the reflectance, conductivity, and transmittance change due to a reversible crystalline phase transition. In particular, vanadium (IV) dioxide shows a reversible phase transition, accompanied by a change in optical properties, from monoclinic VO(M1) to tetragonal VO(R). In this paper, we report on a systematic exploration of the parameters for the synthesis of vanadium dioxide VO(M1) via an easy, sustainable, reproducible, fast, scalable, and low-cost hydrothermal route without hazardous chemicals, followed by an annealing treatment.

EZH2-induced lysine K362 methylation enhances TMPRSS2-ERG oncogenic activity in prostate cancer.

The TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion is the most frequent alteration observed in human prostate cancer. However, its role in disease progression is still unclear. In this study, we uncover an important mechanism promoting ERG oncogenic activity.

Ancistrobrevidines A-C and related naphthylisoquinoline alkaloids with cytotoxic activities against HeLa and pancreatic cancer cells, from the liana Ancistrocladus abbreviatus.

From the leaves of Ancistrocladus abbreviatus (Ancistrocladaceae), six 5,1'-coupled naphthyldihydroisoquinoline alkaloids were isolated, ancistrobrevidines A-C (5-7), 5-epi-dioncophyllidine C (10), 6-O-methylhamatinine (8), and 6-O-methylancistectorine A (9); the two latter compounds were already known from related plants. Most strikingly, this series comprises alkaloids belonging to three different subclasses of naphthylisoquinolines. Ancistrobrevidine C (7) and the alkaloids 8 and 9, displaying the S-configuration at C-3 and an oxygen function at C-6, are three further representatives of the large subgroup of 5,1'-coupled Ancistrocladaceae-type compounds found in nature.

Exposure to occupational hazards and risk of sinonasal epithelial cancer: results from an extended Italian case-control study.

Objectives: There is sufficient evidence for a causal association of sinonasal epithelial cancers (SNEC) only for exposure to wood and leather dusts, nickel compounds and employment in isopropyl alcohol production. The aim of this study was to assess whether other occupational hazards are associated with the risk of SNEC for the main histologic types, namely adenocarcinoma (AD) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods: The study population included 375 incident SNEC cases collected from 1996 to 2014 (79% of all diagnosed SNEC) throughout the Piedmont region by the regional Sinonasal Cancer Registry, and 408 hospital controls.

Radiobiological Optimization in Lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy: Are We Ready to Apply Radiobiological Models?

Lung tumors are often associated with a poor prognosis although different schedules and treatment modalities have been extensively tested in the clinical practice. The complexity of this disease and the use of combined therapeutic approaches have been investigated and the use of high dose-rates is emerging as effective strategy. Technological improvements of clinical linear accelerators allow combining high dose-rate and a more conformal dose delivery with accurate imaging modalities pre- and during therapy.

The usefulness of sLORETA in evaluating the effect of high-dose ARA-C on brain connectivity in patients with acute myeloid leukemia: an exploratory study.

Cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) is one of the key drugs for treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML). High intravenous doses may produce a number of central nervous system (CNS) toxicities and contribute to modifications in brain functional connectivity. sLORETA is a software used for localizing brain electrical activity and functional connectivity.

Sinonasal cancer in the Italian national surveillance system: Epidemiology, occupation, and public health implications.

Background: Sinonasal cancer (SNC) is a rare tumor with predominant occupational etiology associated with exposures to specific carcinogens. The aim of this study is to describe SNC cases recorded in Italy in the period 2000-2016.

Methods: Clinical information, occupational history, and lifestyle habits of SNC cases collected in the Italian Sinonasal Cancer Register were examined.

Occupational risk factors for sinonasal inverted papilloma: a case-control study.

Objectives: Sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) is an uncommon benign tumour characterised by frequent recurrence and, in approximately 10% of cases, by neoplastic transformation. IP aetiology is unknown but human papillomavirus is detectable in about one quarter of tumours. As some occupational hazards have been reported to be possible risk factors for IP, the aim of this study was to assess risk for sinonasal IP associated with prior exposure to suspected occupational risk factors for sinonasal malignancies.

Cohort study of workers employed in an Italian tire manufacturing plant, 1962-2004.

Purpose: To investigate mortality and bladder cancer incidence among workers of a tire manufacturing plant where antioxidants severely contaminated by beta-naphthylamine were never used.

Methods: Mortality follow-up was performed of 9,501 workers first hired between 1962 when the plant started operations and 2000. Person-years of observation from 1962 to 2004, expected deaths, and standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated.

Procollagen propeptides: serum markers for atrial fibrosis?

Background: Atrial fibrosis and its spatial heterogeneity are regarded as a substrate for the perpetuation of atrial arrhythmias. During collagen synthesis and degradation, collagen propeptides and telopeptides are released into the blood. This study tested the hypothesis that serum markers of collagen turnover correlate with atrial fibrosis.

Uterine artery Doppler flow studies in obstetric practice.

In women who develop preeclampsia there is a pathological increase in placental vascular resistance should be detectable by abnormal Dopplerf low studies of the maternal uterine vessels. In women considered at low risk with abnormal early pregnancy uterine artery Doppler studies are needed. Until such time as these are available, routine uterine artery Doppler screening of women considered at low risk is not recommended.

Ventricular dysfunction associated with brain trauma is cause for exclusion of young heart donors.

Objective: Ventricular dysfunction (VD) in the context of brain death (BD) is one medical cause that may be reversed to extend the range of donors for cardiac transplant programs. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the causes for exclusion of potential heart donors and to define risk factors for VD among the BD population.

Materials And Methods: This study of 100 heart-beating potential donors defined subjects as those younger than 50 years.

[Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: two cases in intensive care].

Prion diseases or spongiform encephalopathies are a family of rare neurodegenerative diseases characterized by long incubation periods associated with slow, irreversible and invariably fatal evolution. In humans, they are classified as sporadic, acquired and hereditary or genetic. Diagnosing sporadic "Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease" (sCJD) is a real challenge for the intensive care physician, given the variability in its clinical presentation and its low incidence.

Postpartum period: three distinct but continuous phases.

Postpartum period is distinct in three phases. The third phase is the delayed postpartum period, which can last up to 6 months. Some changes to the genitourinary system are much longer in resolving, and some may never fully revert to the prepregnant state.

Antepartum haemorrhage.

Objective: Antepartum haemorrhage (APH) defined as bleeding from the genital tract in the second half of pregnancy, remains a major cause of perinatal mortality and maternal morbidity in the developed world.

Results: In approximately half of all women presenting with APH, a diagnosis of placental abruption or placenta praevia will be made; no firm diagnosis will be made in the other half even after investigations.

Conclusion: In cases presenting with APH, the evaluation consists of history, clinical signs and symptoms and once the mother is stabilized, a speculum examination and an ultrasound scan.

Obesity and fetal-maternal outcomes.

In women Obesity has a significant impact on every aspect of female reproductive life both in terms of infertility and early pregnancy complications. It is linked to a number of adverse obstetric outcomes as well as increased maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. These complications include miscarriage, congenital abnormalities, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, iatrogenic preterm delivery, post-dates pregangy with increased rates of induction of labour, caesarian section and complications during and following operative procedures, post-partum haemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, infection, venous thromboembolism and increased hospital day.

Putative protective effects of cesarean section on pelvic floor disorders.

Pregnancy can affect the lower genitourinary tract through physiologic changes, or traumatic injury tissue stretching and tearing, besides neurologic and vascular compression and compromise, and muscle strain are inevitable during childbirth.The levator ani complex of the pubococcygeus, puborectalis, and iliococcygeus muscles must allow passage of the fetus. The perineal body and external anal sphincter may become injured, with or without episiotomy, but sometimes as a necessary maneuver to allow passage of the fetal head or shoulders.

Post partum pelvic floor changes.

Pelvic-perineal dysfunctions, are the most common diseases in women after pregnancy. Urinary incontinence and genital prolapsy, often associated, are the most important consequences of childbirth and are determined by specific alterations in the structure of neurological and musculo-fascial pelvic support.Causation is difficult to prove because symptom occur remote from delivery.