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In this paper, a comparison between two current-based Integral Equations approaches for eddy current problems is presented. In particular, the very well-known and widely adopted loop-current formulation (or electric vector potential formulation) is compared to the less common J-φ formulation. Pros and cons of the two formulations with respect to the problem size are discussed, as well as the adoption of low-rank approximation techniques. Although rarely considered in the literature, it is shown that the J-φ formulation may offer some useful advantages when large problems are considered. Indeed, for large-scale problems, while the computational efforts required by the two formulations are comparable, the J-φ formulation does not require any particular attention when non-simply connected domains are considered.

Surface charges accumulating on dielectrics during long-time operation of Gas Insulated High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC-GIS) equipments may affect the stable operation and could possibly trigger surface flashovers. In industrial applications, to quantify and identify the location of the surface charge accumulation from experimental measurements, the surface potential distribution is evaluated using, e.g., electrostatic probes, then the charge density is determined by solving an electrostatic problem based on an inversion procedure known as Charge Inversion Algorithm. The major practical limitation of such procedure is the inversion and the storage of the fully dense matrix arising from the representation via Integral Equations of the electrostatic phenomenon, resulting in O ( N 3 ) computational complexity and O ( N 2 ) memory requirement. In this paper it is shown how hierarchical matrices can be efficiently used to accelerate the charge inversion algorithm and, more importantly, reduce the overall memory requirement.

Objective: To analyse trends in mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) over the period 1965 to 1998 in the European Union, other European countries, the USA, and Japan. Methods and results: Data were derived from the World Health Organization database. In the European Union, CHD mortality in men rose from 146/100 000 in 1965–9 to 163/100 000 in 1975–9 and declined thereafter to 99/100 000 in 1995–8 (−39%). In women, the fall was from 70 to 45/100 000 (−36%). A > 55% decline in CVD was registered in both sexes. In eastern Europe, mortality from both CHD and CVD rose up to the early 1990s but has declined over the past few years in Poland and the Czech Republic. In the Russian Federation during 1995–8, mortality rates from CHD reached 330/100 000 men and 154/100 000 women and mortality rates from CVD were 203/100 000 men and 150/100 000 women—that is, they were among the highest rates worldwide. In the USA and Japan, long term trends were favourable for both CHD and CVD. Conclusions: Trends in mortality from CHD and CVD were favourable in several developed areas of the world, but there were major geographical differences. In a few eastern European countries, mortality from CHD and CVD remains exceedingly high.

Resveratrol is a non-flavonoid polyphenol that has attracted attention as a potential anticancer agent in vitro and in vivo, but scanty epidemiological data are available. We have therefore analysed the relation between dietary intake of resveratrol and breast cancer risk using data from a case-control study conducted between 1993 and 2003 in the Swiss Canton of Vaud on 369 cases and 602 controls. Compared with the lowest tertile of total resveratrol intake, the multivariate odds ratios (OR) were 0.50 for the intermediate and 0.39 for the highest tertile, and the trend in risk was significant. A significant inverse association was observed for resveratrol from grapes (OR = 0.64 and 0.55), but not for wine. The inverse relation between resveratrol and breast cancer risk was not explained by several potential confounding factors, including detailed allowance for alcohol intake, nor attributable to a non-specific favourable effect of fruit on breast cancer risk.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that occurs in two clinically indistinguishable forms: sporadic (SALS) and familial (FALS), the latter linked to several gene mutations, mostly inheritable in a dominant manner. Nearly 20% of FALS forms are linked to mutations in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene. Research on ALS relies on transgenic models and particularly on mice carrying a glycine-to-alanine conversion at the 93rd codon (G93A) of the hSOD1 gene. Although G93A transgenic mice have been widely employed in clinical trials and basic research, doubts have been recently raised from numerous reliable sources about their suitability to faithfully reproduce human disease. Besides, the scientific community has already foreseen swine as an attractive and alternative model to nonhuman primates for modeling human diseases due to closer anatomical, physiological and biochemical features of swine rather than rodents to humans. On this basis, we have produced the first swine ALS model by in vitro transfection of cultured somatic cells combined with somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). To achieve this goal we developed a SOD1(G93A) (superoxide dismutase 1 mutated in Gly93-Ala) vector, capable of promoting a high and stable transgene expression in primary porcine adult male fibroblasts (PAF). After transfection, clonal selection and transgene expression level assessment, selected SOD1(G93A) PAF colonies were used as nuclei donors in SCNT procedures. SOD1(G93A) embryos were transferred in recipient sows, and pregnancies developed to term. A total of 5 piglets survived artificial hand raising and weaning and developed normally, reaching adulthood. Preliminary analysis revealed transgene integration and hSOD1(G93A) expression in swine tissues and 360° phenotypical characterization is ongoing. We believe that our SOD1(G93A) swine would provide an essential bridge between the fundamental work done in rodent models and the reality of treating ALS.

Abstract Background Gaming and gambling in adolescence raise growing concerns. Gaming is increasingly resembling gambling due to factors such as the role of chance in video games, the opportunities for direct betting, and the possibility of ‘investing’ money. As literature shows, video games could facilitate the ‘transition’ both to gambling and gambling addiction. Therefore, research efforts should further investigate the relationship between problem gaming and problem gambling in adolescents, in order to explore implications for prevention and health promotion. Methods Data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) 2022 surveillance in the Lombardy Region (Italy) were employed to evaluate the association between gaming and gambling among students aged 15-17. Specifically, a logistic regression was conducted with problem gambling as the dependent variable (independent variables: problem gaming, age, gender, nationality, socio-economic status, and problematic use of social media). Results The odds of individuals with problematic video game use of being problem gamblers were approximately two times higher (OR = 2.092; 95% CI: 1.503-2.911) compared to those without problematic video game use. Similarly, social media usage was a risk factor, with the odds of being a problem gambler approximately two times higher (OR = 2.011; 95% CI: 1.322-3.058) for individuals with problematic social media use. Furthermore, the likelihood of being a problem gambler were six times higher for males (OR = 6.398; 95% CI: 4.388-9.328); odds also increased with age (OR = 2.049; 95% CI: 1.556-2.698). Conclusions Results from the HBSC Lombardy surveillance confirmed the association between problem gaming and problem gambling in adolescents. This evidence is acknowledged within the Problem Gambling Plan of the Lombardy Region, which outlines communication actions, as well as health promotion and prevention programs to be accomplished, particularly in school settings. Key messages • Rasing awareness on the risks of both gaming and gambling among adolescents and adults. • Highlighting the need to regulate advertising and limit the use of gambling-related elements in video games.

Abstract   Gambling is a complex phenomenon with significant impacts on public health, well-being, economy, and safety. The growing availability of onsite and online gambling represents a major risk factor for the population. In Italy, the total amount of money spent on gambling reached 150 billion euros in 2023 (+10,3% compared to 2022). Lombardy Region (LR) has developed an integrated intervention model based on One Health and Health in All Policies strategies, aiming to promote a systemic respons. LR has adopted an operational program (DGR80/2023, formerly DGR585/2016) for gambling prevention and control. The program provides for environmental prevention actions and support for health and social policies, promotion of health literacy in the population, strengthening preventive interventions and enhancing opportunities for early diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. This approach actively involves healthcare professionals, local authorities, communities, schools, workplaces, nonprofit entities, law enforcement and local networks. The LR model has led to stronger networks, greater integration between health and social sectors, increased preventive actions in school, work and community settings as well as improved opportunities for early diagnosis and care. Stable intersectoral partnerships have been established, with all stakeholders actively involved in design and implementation. The definition of shared indicators facilitated the development of a monitoring system focused on continuous improvement and dissemination of best practices. Lombardy experience demonstrates that an integrated approach, based on multi-level governance and the active participation of different stakeholders, enables the development of effective and sustainable responses to complex and multifactorial issues such as gambling. The systematic integration between health, social, educational, and security policies represents an opportunity that can be reproduced in other regional and national contexts. Key messages • The LR model demonstrates the effectiveness of an integrated approach to prevent gambling. • Multi-level and multi-stakeholder governance is a key element for policy innovation and sustainability.

VEGF coordinates complex regulation of cellular regeneration and interactions between endothelial and perivascular cells; dysfunction of the VEGF signaling system leads to retinopathy. Here, we show that systemic delivery of VEGF and placental growth factor (PlGF) by protein implantation, tumors, and adenoviral vectors ablates pericytes from the mature retinal vasculature through the VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1)-mediated signaling pathway, leading to increased vascular leakage. In contrast, we demonstrate VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) is primarily expressed in nonvascular photoreceptors and ganglion cells. Moreover, blockade of VEGFR1 but not VEGFR2 significantly restores pericyte saturation in mature retinal vessels. Our findings link VEGF and PlGF to cancer-associated retinopathy, reveal the molecular mechanisms of VEGFR1 ligand-mediated retinopathy, and define VEGFR1 as an important target of antiangiogenic therapy for treatment of retinopathy.

Hodgkin's disease mortality rates steadily declined by about 75% between the late 1960's and the late 1990's in the current European Union countries and the USA, and Japan. Eastern European countries, however, showed only an approximately 40% decline between the late 1960's and the early 1990's, and no further fall thereafter.

Mortality from gallbladder cancer has been traditionally high in Eastern Europe, and lower in northern countries. Trends in 18 European countries, including the European Union (EU) and selected Eastern European countries, have been updated using official death certification data abstracted from the WHO database over the period 1980-1999. In the EU, age-standardized rates declined by about 30% between the late 1980s and 1999 to reach 1.8/100 000 for women, and by about 10% to reach 1.4/100 000 for men. In the Czech Republic and Hungary, rates for women were over 6/100 000 until the early 1990s, and declined by about 25% thereafter. For males, gallbladder cancer mortality showed no consistent trend, with rates over 3/100 000. Thus, a high mortality area from gallbladder cancer is still evident for both sexes in Central and Eastern Europe. The trends in mortality from gallbladder cancer are probably influenced by changes in risk factor exposure, such as diet, nutrition or tobacco, but essentially reflect more widespread and earlier adoption of cholecystectomy in the EU, since gallstones are the major risk factor for gallbladder cancer. The data also indicate the scope for further improvement of the management of gallbladder disease in Eastern Europe.