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Launched onboard the BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) in October 2018, the Mercury Radiometer and Thermal Infrared Spectrometer (MERTIS) is on its way to planet Mercury. MERTIS consists of a push-broom IR-spectrometer (TIS) and a radiometer (TIR), which operate in the wavelength regions of 7-14 μm and 7-40 μm, respectively. This wavelength region is characterized by several diagnostic spectral signatures: the Christiansen feature (CF), Reststrahlen bands (RB), and the Transparency feature (TF), which will allow us to identify and map rock-forming silicates, sulfides as well as other minerals. Thus, the instrument is particularly well-suited to study the mineralogy and composition of the hermean surface at a spatial resolution of about 500 m globally and better than 500 m for approximately 5-10% of the surface. The instrument is fully functional onboard the BepiColombo spacecraft and exceeds all requirements (e.g., mass, power, performance). To prepare for the science phase at Mercury, the team developed an innovative operations plan to maximize the scientific output while at the same time saving spacecraft resources (e.g., data downlink). The upcoming fly-bys will be excellent opportunities to further test and adapt our software and operational procedures. In summary, the team is undertaking action at multiple levels, including performing a comprehensive suite of spectroscopic measurements in our laboratories on relevant analog materials, performing extensive spectral modeling, examining space weathering effects, and modeling the thermal behavior of the hermean surface.

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-020-00780-w

Background: The 2006 Massachusetts health reform substantially decreased uninsurance rates. Yet, little is known about the reform's impact on actual health care utilization among poor and minority populations, particularly for receipt of inpatient surgical procedures that are commonly initiated by outpatient physician referral. Methods: Using discharge data on Massachusetts hospitalizations for 21 months before and after health reform implementation (7/1/2006-12/31/2007), we identified all nonobstetrical major therapeutic procedures for patients aged 40 or older and for which ≥ 70% of hospitalizations were initiated by outpatient physician referral. Stratifying by race/ethnicity and patient residential zip code median (area) income, we estimated prereform and postreform procedure rates, and their changes, for those aged 40-64 (nonelderly), adjusting for secular changes unrelated to reform by comparing to corresponding procedure rate changes for those aged 70 years and above (elderly), whose coverage (Medicare) was not affected by reform. Results: Overall increases in procedure rates (among 17 procedures identified) between prereform and postreform periods were higher for nonelderly low area income (8%, P=0.04) and medium area income (8%, P<0.001) cohorts than for the high area income cohort (4%); and for Hispanics and blacks (23% and 21%, respectively; P<0.001) than for whites (7%). Adjusting for secular changes unrelated to reform, postreform increases in procedure utilization among nonelderly were: by area income, low = 13% (95% confidence interval (CI) = [9%, 17%]), medium = 15% (95% CI [6%, 24%]), and high = 2% (95% CI [-3%, 8%]); and by race/ethnicity, Hispanics = 22% (95% CI [5%, 38%]), blacks = 5% (95% CI [-20%, 30%]), and whites = 7% (95% CI [5%, 10%]). Conclusions: Postreform use of major inpatient procedures increased more among nonelderly lower and medium area income populations, Hispanics, and whites, suggesting potential improvements in access to outpatient care for these vulnerable subpopulations.

We explore the involvement of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)-converting enzyme (TACE) in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor 2 (VEGFR2) (VEGF-A/VEGFR2)-mediated angiogenesis in Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), one of the most common autoimmune rheumatic diseases. To test the hypothesis that SS autoantibodies (Abs) regulate VEGF-A/VEGFR2 expression by a TACE-dependent nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation pathway, their effects on the expression and activation of the VEGF-A/TACE/VEGFR2/NF-κB pathway were determined in human salivary gland epithelial cells (SGEC). An enhanced angiogenesis in SS salivary gland biopsies was observed, associated with an increased VEGF-A expression and activation of VEGF-A/VEGFR2 signaling. Human cytokine array analysis of the pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic protein response in SGEC treated with SS Abs revealed an overexpression of multiple pro-angiogenic factors. TACE RNA knockdown, the use of anti-VEGF-A monoclonal antibody and the inhibition of NF-κB activity significantly abrogated the release of pro-angiogenic factors, demonstrating that VEGF-A/TACE/VEGFR2/NF-κB axis dysfunction may be contributory to pathogenesis and exacerbation of this autoimmune condition.

Background Growth related oncogene-alpha (GRO-α), a member of the CXC chemokine family, and its receptor CXC chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) are involved in the inflammatory processes. In many models of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, blockade of CXCR2 substantially reduces leukocyte recruitment, tissue damage and mortality. There are evidences that the CXCR2 expression can also be regulated, by enzymatic cleavage via metalloproteinases. Actually, the ADAM17 inhibitors are under development for the treatment of a variety of inflammatory autoimmune disorders. In addition, the ADAM17 activation was recently associated with the chronic inflammatory condition observed in Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). Objectives To better understand the molecular mechanisms by which the GRO-α /CXCR2 system is involved in the SS inflammatory condition and clarify the role of ADAM17 activation in the modulation of the GRO-α/CXCR2 chemokine system in epithelial cells (SGEC) from SS salivary glands. Methods RT-PCR, Real Time-PCR, western blot, ELISA, flow cytometry techniques were employed to examine the expression of GRO-α /CXCR2 system in presence or not of the ADAM17 inhibitor TAPI-1 in salivary gland epithelial cells cultures from SS patients. Results The CXCR2 overexpression observed in SS SGEC resulted dramatically decreased by ADAM17 inhibitor TAPI-1. In addition, comparing the expression levels of ADAM17 in healthy SGEC in presence or not of GRO-α treatment, we observed that GRO-α, dose-dependently, influences ADAM17 activation, effect that was inhibited by blocking the interaction of GRO-α with its CXCR2 receptor. Conclusions Our data show for the first time that ADAM17 has an important role in GRO-α/CXCR2 system activity regulation, suggesting that regulating CXCR2/ADAM17 interaction could be an attractive therapeutic target in SS. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Background The transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway has long been considered a prototypical pro-inflammatory signalling pathway, largely based on the role of NF-κB in the expression of pro-inflammatory genes including cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. The NF-κB pathway does indeed regulate pro-inflammatory cytokine production, leukocyte recruitment, or cell survival, which are important contributors to the inflammatory response during the development of autoimmune diseases. Although aberrant regulation in the NF-κB signal transduction pathway involving the inhibitory IκBa was observed in several autoimmune disorders, thereis presently nopublication investigating the alteration of IκBα expression in human salivary gland epithelial cells (SGEC) from SS patients. Objectives In this study we examine the expression of the NF-κB inhibitory protein termed IκBα in SGEC comparing it with SGEC from healthy controls, to test the hypothesis that an altered expression of IκBα occurs in SGEC from SS biopsies. Methods RT-PCR, Real Time-PCR, western blot, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry were employed to examine the expression IκBα in SS biopsies in comparison with salivary gland biopsies from healthy subjects. Results Changes in the levels of IκBαin SS SGEC in comparison with healthy subjects were demonstrated, suggesting that the attenuated expression of IκBα could contribute to the deregulation of NF-κB pathways in SS. Given its key function in the fine-tuning of NF-κB signalling, it was to be expected that defects in IκBα expression or function could lead to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. In line with gene and protein analysis results, we delineated the changes in IκBα both at gene and protein expression levels, finding a clear reduction of IκBα in tissue samples from active Sjögren’s syndrome patients in comparison with healthy subjects. In biopsy specimens, we found a moderate positive staining for the IκBα protein in healthy controls examined in theimmunohistochemical study, located in the cytoplasm of acini and ductal cells. Conversely, SS salivary gland biopsies elicited a weak cytoplasmic positivity for IκBα. Conclusions The analysis of IκBα expression at salivary gland epithelial cell level could be a potential new hallmark of SS progression and sustain a rationale to more deeply investigate the therapeutic potential of specific NF-κB inhibitors in SS. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

The Sabatini Volcanic District belongs to the Roman magmatic province of Central Italy, and the Tufo Giallo della Via Tiberina was one of the most voluminous pyroclastic flow-forming eruptions in this district. Post-depositional processes strongly affected this pyroclastic flow deposit leading to the crystallization of different authigenic phases (chabazite, phillipsite, feldspar). A field volcanological survey, along with a careful mineralogical characterization of a large amount of samples of the lithified facies, allowed us to reconstruct a type section primarily based on the amounts of the main authigenic phases. Chabazite always prevailed over phillipsite throughout the entire section, although in the innermost portions of the deposit, where temperatures remained high, chabazite mostly converted into a more stable phase such as an adularia-like phase. In addition to the zeolitization process, the fairly strong mechanical properties of this tuff can be also ascribed to the diffuse occurrence of microcrystalline calcite, which re-precipitated as a secondary phase after the dissolution of carbonaceous clasts.

Interventions including physical exercise may help improve the outcomes of late-life major depression, but few studies are available. To investigate whether augmenting sertraline therapy with physical exercise leads to better outcomes of late-life major depression. Primary care patients (465 years) with major depression were randomised to 24 weeks of higher-intensity, progressive aerobic exercise plus sertraline (S+PAE), lower-intensity, non-progressive exercise plus sertraline (S+NPE) and sertraline alone. The primary outcome was remission (a score of ≤10 on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression). A total of 121 patients were included. At study end, 45% of participants in the sertraline group, 73% of those in the S+NPE group and 81% of those in the S+PAE group achieved remission (P = 0.001). A shorter time to remission was observed in the S+PAE group than in the sertraline-only group. Physical exercise may be a safe and effective augmentation to antidepressant therapy in late-life major depression.

In this study we present temperature profiles in the lower atmosphere of Mars from simultaneous observations performed by the Planetary Fourier Spectrometer (PFS) aboard the Mars Express spacecraft and the Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini‐TES) aboard the Mars Exploration Rovers. Thermal infrared spectra were collected in both the upward and downward looking geometries from the surface and from orbit, respectively. We used two sets of criteria to select PFS observations. These criteria took into account the location around the landing sites of the rovers, the local time (LT), and the solar longitude (Ls) corresponding to the Martian solar day (sol). The first set of criteria included PFS measurements carried out within ±1° in latitude and longitude, within 1 h in local time, and on the same sol. From the restricted set of measurements we conclude that the PFS data are consistent with the Mini‐TES data. The next set of criteria covered the area 5° × 5° around the landing sites, within 1 h in local time and within 9 sols. The latter criteria allow us to study the variation of parameters LT, distance, and Ls and their influence on changes of temperature profiles. This comparison for the group with relaxed criteria showed also that local time has strongest effect on temperature differences. The main purpose of this study is to confirm the validity of PFS temperature profiles close to the surface. Atmospheric temperatures below 5 km are retrieved from satellite measurements with a large uncertainty because of poor pieces of information in the wings of the CO2 absorption band at 667 cm−1. The Mini‐TES temperature profiles span atmospheric layers below 2 km. The good correspondence observed in a number of cases confirms the possibility of using PFS measurements to investigate the lower atmosphere.

BepiColombo has a larger and in many ways more capable suite of instruments relevant for determination of the topographic, physical, chemical and mineralogical properties of Mercury’s surface than the suite carried by NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft. Moreover, BepiColombo’s data rate is substantially higher. This equips it to confirm, elaborate upon, and go beyond many of MESSENGER’s remarkable achievements. Furthermore, the geometry of BepiColombo’s orbital science campaign, beginning in 2026, will enable it to make uniformly resolved observations of both northern and southern hemispheres. This will offer more detailed and complete imaging and topographic mapping, element mapping with better sensitivity and improved spatial resolution, and totally new mineralogical mapping. We discuss MESSENGER data in the context of preparing for BepiColombo, and describe the contributions that we expect BepiColombo to make towards increased knowledge and understanding of Mercury’s surface and its composition. Much current work, including analysis of analogue materials, is directed towards better preparing ourselves to understand what BepiColombo might reveal. Some of MESSENGER’s more remarkable observations were obtained under unique or extreme conditions. BepiColombo should be able to confirm the validity of these observations and reveal the extent to which they are representative of the planet as a whole. It will also make new observations to clarify geological processes governing and reflecting crustal origin and evolution. We anticipate that the insights gained into Mercury’s geological history and its current space weathering environment will enable us to better understand the relationships of surface chemistry, morphologies and structures with the composition of crustal types, including the nature and mobility of volatile species. This will enable estimation of the composition of the mantle from which the crust was derived, and lead to tighter constraints on models for Mercury’s origin including the nature and original heliocentric distance of the material from which it formed.