Performance of Machine Learning and Texture Analysis for Predicting Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer with 3T MRI.

Background: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of a Machine Learning (ML) algorithm based on Texture Analysis (TA) parameters in the prediction of Pathological Complete Response (pCR) to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy (nChRT) in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer (LARC) patients. Methods: LARC patients were prospectively enrolled to undergo pre- and post-nChRT 3T MRI for initial loco-regional staging. TA was performed on axial T2-Weighted Images (T2-WI) to extract specific parameters, including skewness, kurtosis, entropy, and mean of positive pixels.

Reduction of Cardiac Fibrosis by Interference With YAP-Dependent Transactivation.

Background: Conversion of cardiac stromal cells into myofibroblasts is typically associated with hypoxia conditions, metabolic insults, and/or inflammation, all of which are predisposing factors to cardiac fibrosis and heart failure. We hypothesized that this conversion could be also mediated by response of these cells to mechanical cues through activation of the Hippo transcriptional pathway. The objective of the present study was to assess the role of cellular/nuclear straining forces acting in myofibroblast differentiation of cardiac stromal cells under the control of YAP (yes-associated protein) transcription factor and to validate this finding using a pharmacological agent that interferes with the interactions of the YAP/TAZ (transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif) complex with their cognate transcription factors TEADs (TEA domain transcription factors), under high-strain and profibrotic stimulation.

Unusual computed tomography findings of gas in the superior mesenteric artery system with no signs of porto-mesenteric venous gas in a case of acute mesenteric ischemia.

Acute Mesenteric Ischemia (AMI) is a rare life-threatening entity caused by sudden interruption of the blood supply to a segment of the bowel due to impairment of mesenteric arterial blood flow or venous drainage. Clinical presentation varies according to the time course of vascular occlusion. Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (CT) of the abdomen represents the main diagnostic test for AMI diagnosis, enabling fast and excellent evaluation of the intestine, mesenteric vasculature, and other ancillary characteristics of AMI.

Blockchain in radiology research and clinical practice: current trends and future directions.

Blockchain usage in healthcare, in radiology, in particular, is at its very early infancy. Only a few research applications have been tested, however, blockchain technology is widely known outside healthcare and widely adopted, especially in Finance, since 2009 at least. Learning by history, radiology is a potential ideal scenario to apply this technology.

Structured Reporting of Computed Tomography in the Staging of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A Delphi Consensus Proposal.

Background: Structured reporting (SR) in radiology is becoming increasingly necessary and has been recognized recently by major scientific societies. This study aims to build structured CT-based reports in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms during the staging phase in order to improve communication between the radiologist and members of multidisciplinary teams.

Materials And Methods: A panel of expert radiologists, members of the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology, was established.

Structured Reporting of Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance in the Staging of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Delphi Consensus Proposal.

Background: Structured reporting (SR) in radiology has been recognized recently by major scientific societies. This study aims to build structured computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR)-based reports in pancreatic adenocarcinoma during the staging phase in order to improve communication between the radiologist and members of multidisciplinary teams.

Materials And Methods: A panel of expert radiologists, members of the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology, was established.

Structured reporting of computed tomography in the staging of colon cancer: a Delphi consensus proposal.

Background: Structured reporting (SR) in radiology is becoming increasingly necessary and has been recognized recently by major scientific societies. This study aims to build structured CT-based reports in colon cancer during the staging phase in order to improve communication between the radiologist, members of multidisciplinary teams and patients.

Materials And Methods: A panel of expert radiologists, members of the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology, was established.

The enigma of Pacini's discovery.

During the 1854 cholera outbreak in Florence, Italy, Filippo Pacini documented that the cause of the infection was a bacterium. This conclusion was also independently reached by John Snow during the 1854 cholera outbreak in London. By using an epidemiological method, Snow found that the infection spread through a polluted water network.

Computed Tomography Structured Reporting in the Staging of Lymphoma: A Delphi Consensus Proposal.

Structured reporting (SR) in radiology is becoming increasingly necessary and has been recognized recently by major scientific societies. This study aims to build structured CT-based reports for lymphoma patients during the staging phase to improve communication between radiologists, members of multidisciplinary teams, and patients. A panel of expert radiologists, members of the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology (SIRM), was established.

Hepatic pseudolesion as an unusual presentation of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome.

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome is a rare disorder manifesting as a complication associated with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. The initial presentation generally consists of concomitant right upper quadrant and lower abdominal pain. This syndrome is characterized by inflammation of the peritoneum with the involvement of hepatic capsule and the tissues surrounding the liver.

Low-volume reduced bowel preparation regimen for CT colonography: a randomized noninferiority trial.

Purpose: To determine whether the quality of a low-volume reduced bowel preparation (LV-RBP) for CT Colonography (CTC) is noninferior to full-volume reduced bowel preparation (FV-RBP) regimen.

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, consecutive participants referred for CTC were randomly assigned to receive LV-RBP (52.5 g of PMF104 in 500 mL of water) or FV-RBP (105 g of PMF104 in 1000 mL of water).

Scalp infection by Candida Albicans in an immunocompetent patient: a description of a rare case.

Candida is a large genus of yeast, consisting of about 150 species, among which C.albicans is the most prevalent fungal species of the human microbiota. C.

A novel bacterial l-arginine sensor controlling c-di-GMP levels in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Nutrients such as amino acids play key roles in shaping the metabolism of microorganisms in natural environments and in host-pathogen interactions. Beyond taking part to cellular metabolism and to protein synthesis, amino acids are also signaling molecules able to influence group behavior in microorganisms, such as biofilm formation. This lifestyle switch involves complex metabolic reprogramming controlled by local variation of the second messenger 3', 5'-cyclic diguanylic acid (c-di-GMP).

Mobile health clinic for the medical management of clinical sequelae experienced by survivors of the 2013-2016 Ebola virus disease outbreak in Sierra Leone, West Africa.

An Ebola survivor Mobile Health Clinic (MHC) was established to implement lasting changes in communities it operates by providing effective and efficient mobile healthcare. After months of development, the MHC solution was operationalised in February 2015, aiming to provide integrated primary healthcare services to address the medical and psychosocial needs of Ebola virus (EBOV) survivors living in areas with low medical coverage. A total of 910 medical consultations for 246 EBOV survivors were performed between 7 February 2015 and 10 June 2016.

Abusive use of antibiotics in poultry farming in Cameroon and the public health implications.

The types and methods of use of antibiotics in poultry farms in Cameroon, residual levels and potential microbial resistance were determined. A questionnaire-based survey identified the different antibiotics used and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine residual levels of antibiotics. Pathogens were isolated, identified by use of commercial API kits and minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) was determined.

A case of Scalp Rosacea treated with low dose doxycycline and probiotic therapy and literature review on therapeutic options.

Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory disorder showing a wide range of clinical features such as telangiectasia, erythema, papules, and pustules primarily involving the central part of face (forehead, cheeks and nose) although extra facial manifestation have been described. We describe a case of rosacea with predominant scalp involvement successfully treated with a 8-week-course of doxycycline 40 mg once a day and probiotic therapy twice a day (Bifidobacterium breve BR03, Lactobacillus salivarius LS01 1 × 10(9) UFC/dose).

Higher neutrophil counts before thrombolysis for cerebral ischemia predict worse outcomes.

Objective: To determine whether higher neutrophil counts before IV recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) administration in ischemic stroke (IS) patients are associated with symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhages (sICH) and worse outcomes at 3 months.

Methods: Blood samples for leukocyte, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts were drawn before IV rtPA administration in IS patients included in the cohorts of Lille and Helsinki. The primary endpoint was sICH (European Cooperative Acute Stroke-II definition).

A prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of Cistiquer in improving lower urinary tract symptoms in females with urethral syndrome.

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare Cistiquer, a new phytotherapeutic product developed for chronic bladder inflammatory diseases, and intra-vesical administration of gentamicin plus betametasone, in females with urethral syndrome.

Methods: Between september 2013 and may 2014, 60 women with urethral syndrome and trigonitis were incuded in this study. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with intra-vesical administration of betametasone 8 mg plus gentamicin 80 mg (group A), and oral administration of Cistiquer (group B) for 7 weeks.

Supramolecular association in proton-transfer adducts containing benzamidinium cations. III. Three molecular salts of 3-methoxy-, 4-methoxy- and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoates with benzamidine.

Three molecular salts, benzamidinium 3-methoxybenzoate, C7H9N2(+)·C8H7O3(-), (I), benzamidinium 4-methoxybenzoate, C7H9N2(+)·C8H7O3(-), (II), and benzamidinium 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate monohydrate, C7H9N2(+)·C10H11O5(-)·H2O, (III), were formed from the proton-transfer reactions of 3-methoxy, 4-methoxy- and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acids with benzamidine (benzenecarboximidamide, benzam). Monoclinic salts (I) and (II) have a 1:1 ratio of cation to anion. In monoclinic salt (III), two cation-anion pairs and two water molecules constitute the asymmetric unit.

Supramolecular association in proton-transfer adducts containing benzamidinium cations. II. Concomitant polymorphs of the molecular salt of 2,6-dimethoxybenzoic acid with benzamidine.

Two concomitant polymorphs of the molecular salt formed by 2,6-dimethoxybenzoic acid, C(9)H(10)O(4) (Dmb), with benzamidine, C(7)H(8)N(2) (benzenecarboximidamide, Benzam) from water solution have been identified. Benzamidinidium 2,6-dimethoxybenzoate, C(7)H(9)N(2)(+)·C(9)H(9)O(4)(-) (BenzamH(+)·Dmb(-)), was obtained through protonation at the imino N atom of Benzam as a result of proton transfer from the acidic hydroxy group of Dmb. In the monoclinic polymorph, (I) (space group P2(1)/n), the asymmetric unit consists of two Dmb(-) anions and two monoprotonated BenzamH(+) cations.

Hydrogen-bonded supramolecular motifs in the 1:1 monohydrated molecular adduct of acetoguanaminium chloride with acetoguanamine and in 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidinediium dichloride dihydrate.

In the 1:1 monohydrated molecular adduct 2,4-diamino-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-1-ium chloride 2,4-diamino-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazine monohydrate, C(4)H(8)N(5)(+).Cl(-).C(4)H(7)N(5).

Mutations in yeast mt tRNAs: specific and general suppression by nuclear encoded tRNA interactors.

Mutations in mitochondrial tRNA genes can produce alterations in tRNA structure resulting in defective mitochondrial protein synthesis and hence respiratory defects. Such defects are often at the origin of neurodegenerative diseases in humans and can be easily studied in yeast since respiratory deficient mutants are viable. Several nuclear encoded tRNA interactors have been shown to rescue the mitochondrial defects due to mutations in mitochondrial tRNAs.

Comparative molecular cytogenetic analysis of two congeneric species, Mugil curema and M. liza (Pisces, Mugiliformes), characterized by significant karyotype diversity.

Two congeneric mullet species, Mugil liza and M. curema, respectively with an all-uniarmed and an all-biarmed karyotype, were cytogenetically studied by base-specific fluorochrome staining and FISH-mapping of 45S and 5S ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) and the (TTAGGG)(n) telomeric repeats. Whereas 45S rDNA sites might be homeologus in the two species, 5S rDNA sites are not, as they are localized on chromosome arms of different size.