Materials for the onset. A story of necessity and chance.

We review the reactions that take place in the HCN/NH2COH/catalysts system. In a vision of origin-of-life as emergence of new properties in complexity, the effectiveness of HCN/NH2COH chemistry is so robust and variegate to look unreasonable. In a logic close to Occamian simplicity, this chemistry embodies necessity.

Epidemiological analysis on 2375 patients with TMJ disorders: basic statistical aspects.

The aim of this work was to present data from a large sample of patients with Temporo-Mandibular Disorders (TMD) in order to clarify some aspects of the development of pathological conditions that affect large parts of the population. This preliminary work put in relation, through an epidemiological evaluation, anamnestic and clinical data collected from a sample of 2375 patients affected by TMD. Personal data were provided by questionnaire (age, sex, status, etc.

Adenosine A1 receptor stimulation enhances osteogenic differentiation of human dental pulp-derived mesenchymal stem cells via WNT signaling.

In this study, mesenchymal stem cells deriving from dental pulp (DPSCs) of normal human impacted third molars, previously characterized for their ability to differentiate into osteoblasts, were used. We observed that: i) DPSCs, undifferentiated or submitted to osteogenic differentiation, express all four subtypes of adenosine receptors (AR) and CD73, corresponding to 5'-ecto-nucleotidase; and ii) AR stimulation with selective agonists elicited a greater osteogenic cell differentiation consequent to A1 receptor (A1R) activation. Therefore, we focused on the activity of this AR.

Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes on demand by polymer wrapping.

Efficient selection of semiconducting SWCNTs of large diameter range (0.8-1.6 nm) on demand is demonstrated.

Age and gender distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in the metropolitan area of Naples.

Objective: To assess any time-related variations in the distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in the metropolitan area of Naples, Italy.

Methods: HCV genotypes were analysed in 255 HCV RNA-positive patients with chronic HCV infection, observed from 2009 to 2011, and compared with data pertaining to a sample of 176 HCV RNA-positive patients observed from 2006 to 2008.

Results: In both periods of analysis, genotype 1b was predominant (51.

Prevalence of latent tuberculosis, syphilis, hepatitis B and C among asylum seekers in Malta.

Background: In the last few years, Malta has witnessed increasing immigration flows from the Libyan coasts. Public health policies are focused on screening migrants for tuberculosis, whereas no systematic actions against STIs are implemented. The aim of this study is to define the epidemiological profile of asylum seekers in Malta as regards syphilis, hepatitis B, C and latent tuberculosis, thus supporting screening policies.

Large-area fiber-optic gyroscope on a multiplexed fiber network.

We describe a fiber-optic gyroscope based on the Sagnac effect, realized on a multiplexed telecom fiber network. Our loop encloses an area of 20 km² and coexists with Internet data traffic. This Sagnac interferometer is capable of detecting signals that are larger than 10(-8) (rad/s)/√Hz, thus approaching ring laser gyroscopes without using a narrow-linewidth laser or sophisticated optics.

Active disturbance rejection control of temperature for ultrastable optical cavities.

This paper describes the application of a novel active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) to the stabilization of the temperature of two ultra-stable Fabry-Perot cavities. The cavities are 10 cm long and entirely made of ultralow- expansion glass. The control is based on a linear extended state observer that estimates and compensates the disturbance in the system in real time.

Evaluation of military trauma system practices related to complications after injury.

Background: The Joint Theater Trauma System (JTTS) was developed with the vision that every soldier, marine, sailor, and airman injured on the battlefield would have the optimal chance for survival and maximum potential for functional recovery. In this analysis, we hypothesized that injury and complication after injury surveillance information diffusion through the JTTS, via the dissemination of clinical practice guidelines and process improvements, would be associated with improved combat casualty clinical outcomes.

Methods: The current analysis was designed to profile different aspects of trauma system performance improvement, including monitoring of frequent posttraumatic complications, the assessment of an emerging complication trend, and measurement of the impact of the system interventions to identify potential practices for future performance improvement.

Evaluation of military trauma system practices related to damage-control resuscitation.

Background: The Joint Theater Trauma System (JTTS) was developed with the vision that every soldier, marine, sailor, and airman injured on the battlefield would have the optimal chance for survival and maximum potential for functional recovery. In this analysis, we hypothesized that information diffusion through the JTTS, via the dissemination of clinical practice guidelines and process improvements, would be associated with the acceptance of evidence-based practices and decreases in trauma practice variability.

Methods: The current evaluation was designed as a single time-series quasi-experimental study as a preanalysis and postanalysis relative to the implementation of clinical practice guidelines and process improvement interventions.

Chlamydia pneumoniae and osteoporosis-associated bone loss: a new risk factor?

Unlabelled: We found an association between the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA both in osteoporotic bone tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the increase in circulating resorptive cytokines.

Introduction: Our study was designed to determine whether C. pneumoniae infection may be involved in osteoporosis-associated bone loss.

Platelet gel in cutaneous radiation dermatitis.

Introduction: Radiotherapy, alone or in combination with chemotherapy and/or surgery, is a fundamental and irreplaceable method of treating tumours. Nonetheless, although the technological advances made during recent years and the associated improvements in this type of treatment have reduced the incidence of complications, 5-15 % of patients still experience damage to the healthy tissues exposed to radiation. Cutaneous and mucosal lesions are severe collateral effects of radiotherapy that have an enormous impact on a patient's quality of life.

Safety and efficacy of subcutaneous hepatitis B immunoglobulin after liver transplantation: an open single-arm prospective study.

Life-long hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) administration is a main component of prophylactic strategy to prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV) reinfection after liver transplantation (LT). Long-term effects of HBIG treatment are known only for intravenous (IV) and intramuscular formulations. To evaluate safety and efficacy of self-administered SC HBIG, 135 LT patients receiving a 48-week treatment were analyzed.

Varicocele in younger as risk factor for inguinal hernia and for chronic venous disease in older: preliminary results of a prospective cohort study.

Background: Varicocele, inguinal hernia, and chronic venous insufficiency are often associated. Varicocele has its maximum prevalence in younger age, whereas hernia and chronic venous disease appear later. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between these conditions.

Randomised study comparing 48 and 96 weeks peginterferon α-2a therapy in genotype D HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B.

Objective: Treatment with peginterferon α-2a (PegIFN) for 48 weeks is the standard of care for selected HBeAg-negative patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), but with limited treatment efficacy. A study was undertaken to investigate whether treatment extension to 96 weeks improves the outcome in this patient population.

Methods: 128 HBeAg-negative patients (120 genotype D) were randomised to weekly 180 μg PegIFN for 48 weeks (group A, n=51), 180 μg PegIFN for 48 weeks followed by 135 μg weekly for an additional 48 weeks (group B, n=52) or 180 μg PegIFN plus lamivudine (100 mg/day) for 48 weeks then 135 μg PegIFN for 48 weeks (group C, n=25).

From the one-carbon amide formamide to RNA all the steps are prebiotically possible.

Formamide provides the raw material and the reaction leads connecting hydrogen cyanide HCN chemistry with higher complexity molecular structures. Formamide is liquid between 4 and 210 °C and, upon heating in the presence of one of several catalysts, affords nucleic bases, acyclonucleosides, carboxylic acids and aminoacids. In formamide in the presence of a source of phosphate, nucleosides are non-fastidiously phosphorylated in every position of the sugar residue, also yielding cyclic nucleotides.

Genetics first or metabolism first? The formamide clue.

Life is made of the intimate interaction of metabolism and genetics, both built around the chemistry of the most common elements of the Universe (hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon). The transmissible interaction of metabolic and genetic cycles results in the hypercycles of organization and de-organization of chemical information, of living and non-living. The origin-of-life quest has long been split into several attitudes exemplified by the aphorisms "genetics-first" or "metabolism-first".

Safety and effectiveness of sorafenib in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in clinical practice.

Background: Sorafenib is currently the only approved systemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: to evaluate safety and effectiveness of sorafenib in the field of practice.

Methods: We report a single-centre experience on 116 advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with sorafenib between February 2008 and March 2011.

Realization of an ultrastable 578-nm laser for an Yb lattice clock.

In this paper, we describe the development of an ultrastable laser source at 578 nm, realized using frequency sum generation. This source will be used to excite the clock transition (1)S(0) - (3)P(0) in an ytterbium optical lattice clock experiment. Two independent ultrastable lasers have been realized, and the laser frequency noise and stability have been characterized.

Generation of RNA molecules by a base-catalysed click-like reaction.

The problem of the abiotic origin of RNA from prebiotically plausible compounds remains unsolved. As a potential partial solution, we report the spontaneous polymerization of 3',5'-cyclic GMP in water, in formamide, in dimethylformamide, and (in water) in the presence of a Brønsted base such as 1,8-diazabicycloundec-7-ene. The reaction is untemplated, does not require enzymatic activities, is thermodynamically favoured and selectively yields 3',5'-bonded ribopolymers containing as many as 25 nucleotides.

Neurological L5 burst fracture: posterior decompression and lordotic fixation as treatment of choice.

Purpose: We report our experience and literature review concerning surgical treatment of neurological burst fractures of the fifth lumbar vertebra.

Materials And Methods: Nineteen patients with L5 neurological burst fractures were consecutively enrolled; 6 patients had complete motor deficits, and 12 had sphincter dysfunction. We performed 18 posterior and one combined approaches.

Formamide and the origin of life.

The complexity of life boils down to the definition: "self-sustained chemical system capable of undergoing Darwinian evolution" (Joyce, 1994) [1]. The term "self-sustained" implies a set of chemical reactions capable of harnessing energy from the environment, using it to carry out programmed anabolic and catabolic functions. We briefly present our opinion on the general validity of this definition.

Laser ablation for small hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide and is increasingly detected at small size (<5 cm) owing to surveillance programmes in high-risk patients. For these cases, curative therapies such as resection, liver transplantation, or percutaneous ablation have been proposed. When surgical options are precluded, image-guided tumor ablation is recommended as the most appropriate therapeutic choice in terms of tumor local control, safety, and improvement in survival.