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Purpose Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women in terms of incidence and mortality. Age is undoubtedly the biggest breast cancer risk factor. In this study we examined clinical, histological, and biological characteristics and mortality of breast cancer in elderly women along with their changes with advancing age. Methods We reviewed 63 original articles published between 2006 and 2016 concerning women over 70 years with breast cancer. Results Compared to patients 70–79 years, patients aged 80 and over had larger tumor size with fewer T1 (42.9% vs 57.7%, p < 0.01) and more T2 lesions (43.5% vs 33.0%, p < 0.01). Lymph nodes and distant metastases were more frequent, with more N + (49.5% vs 44.0%, p < 0.01) and more M1 (8.0% vs 5.9%, p < 0.01). Infiltrating mucinous carcinomas were more frequent (4.3% vs 3.7%, p < 0.01). Tumors had lower grades, with more grade 1 (23.2% vs 19.8%, p = 0.01) and fewer grade 3 (21.5% vs 25.5%, p < 0.01), and were more hormone-sensitive: PR was more often expressed (72.6% vs 67.3%, p < 0.01). Lympho-vascular invasion was less frequent in the 80 years and over (22.9% vs 29.7%, p = 0.01). Breast cancer-specific mortality was higher both at 5 years (25.8% vs 17.2%, p < 0.01) and 10 years (32.7% vs 26.6%, p < 0.01). Conclusion Clinico-pathological characteristics, increased incidence, and mortality associated with aging can be explained on one hand by biological changes of the breast such as increased estrogen sensitivity, epithelial cell alterations, immune senescence, and tumor microenvironment modifications. However, sociologic factors such as increased life expectancy, under-treatment, late diagnosis, and insufficient individual screening, are also involved.

. Since 2012, thanks to the installation of the high-resolution echelle spectrograph in the optical range HARPS-N, the Italian telescope TNG (La Palma) became one of the key facilities for the study of the extrasolar planets. In 2014 TNG also offered GIANO to the scientific community, providing a near-infrared (NIR) cross-dispersed echelle spectroscopy covering 0.97-2.45μm at a resolution of 50000. GIANO, although designed for direct light-feed from the telescope at the Nasmyth-B focus, was provisionally mounted on the rotating building and connected via fibers to only available interface at the Nasmyth-A focal plane. The synergy between these two instruments is particularly appealing for a wide range of science cases, especially for the search of exoplanets around young and active stars and the characterisation of their atmosphere. Through the funding scheme “WOW” (a Way to Others Worlds), the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) proposed to position GIANO at the focal station for which it was originally designed and the simultaneous use of these spectrographs with the aim to achieve high-resolution spectroscopy in a wide wavelength range (0.383-2.45μm) obtained in a single exposure, giving rise to the project called GIARPS (GIANO-B & HARPS-N). Because of its characteristics, GIARPS can be considered the first and unique worldwide instrument providing not only high resolution in a large wavelength band, but also a high-precision radial velocity measurement both in the visible and in the NIR arm, since in the next future GIANO-B will be equipped with gas absorption cells.

Eastern Sicily is characterised by fast tectonic uplift, intricate GPS-derived velocity fields, and significant seismic activity. Mount Etna, the largest subaerial active volcano in Europe, dominates the landscape, influencing the development of large-scale instability processes on the facing continental margin. South of Etna, the Malta Escarpment discloses crustal thinning, with active tectonics, extensional faults, and half grabens. Indications of active tectonics extend to northern sectors, suggesting a lithospheric tear and interaction with the Calabria-Peloritani uplift. This area has been affected by historical seismicity, with the 1693 earthquake triggering tsunami waves up to 15m high. Offshore seismic events, including the one in 1908, induced slope failures and turbidity currents on the Ionian abyssal plain, witnessed by several breaks in submarine cables. The continental margins of this region are generally characterized by narrow shelves and tectonically-controlled steep slopes, which are susceptible to different mass-wasting processes.

ObjectivesTo describe the long-term prognosis of epilepsy and prognostic patterns in a large cohort of newly diagnosed patients and identify prognostic factors.MethodsStudy participants were 13 Italian epilepsy centres with accessible records dating back to 2005 or earlier, complete data on seizure outcome and treatments, precise epilepsy diagnosis, and follow-up of at least 10 years. Records were examined by trained neurology residents for demographics, seizure characteristics, neurological signs, psychiatric comorbidity, first electroencephalogram (EEG) and MRI/CT, epilepsy type and aetiology, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and 1-year, 2-year, 5-year and 10-year seizure remissions. Five predefined prognostic patterns were identified: early remission, late remission, relapsing-remitting course, worsening course and no remission. Prognostic factors were assessed using multinomial logistic regression models.Results1006 children and adults were followed for 17 892 person-years (median 16 years; range 10–57). During follow-up, 923 patients (91.7%) experienced 1-year remission. 2-year, 5-year and 10-year remissions were present in 89.5%, 77.1% and 44.4% of cases. 5-year remission was associated with one to two seizures at diagnosis, generalised epilepsy, no psychiatric comorbidity, and treatment with one or two AEDs during follow-up. 10-year remission was associated with one or two AEDs. The most common prognostic pattern was relapsing-remitting (52.2%), followed by early remission (24.5%). 8.3% of cases experienced no remission. Predictors of a relapsing-remitting course were <6 seizures at diagnosis, (presumed) genetic aetiology and no psychiatric comorbidity.ConclusionsFew seizures at diagnosis, generalised epilepsy and no psychiatric comorbidity predict early or late seizure freedom in epilepsy. Achieving remission at any time after the diagnosis does not exclude further relapses.

Abstract Several studies have been carried out to expand the use of Ricinus communis L. castor bean (Ricinus communis L castor bean.). This oilseed finds appropriate conditions for its development in Brazil, with more than 700 applications. The main allergens of this plant are Ric c1 and Ric c3, that cross-react with various aeroallergens and food allergens such as peanuts, soybeans, corn, and wheat. This study aimed to determine the effect of mutations in Ric c3 amino acid residues known to affect IgE binding and allergy challenges. Based on the Ric c3 structure, B-cell epitopes, and amino acid involved in IgE binding, we produce recombinant mutant protein, mrRic c3, secreted from E. coli. Strategic glutamic acid residues in IgE-biding regions were changed by Leucine. The allergenicity of mrRic c3 was evaluated by determination of IgE, IgG1, and total IgG in immunized Balb/c mice and by degranulation assays of mast cells isolated from Wistar rats. The mrRic c3 presented a percentage of mast cell degranulation close to that seen in the negative control, and the immunization of mice with mrRic c3 presented lower levels of IgE and IgG1 than the group treated with the protein without mutations. The mutant mrRic c3 had an altered structure and reduced ability to stimulate pro-inflammatory responses and bind IgE but retained its ability to induce blocking antibodies. Thus, producing a hypoallergenic mutant allergen (mrRic c3) may be essential in developing new AIT strategies. Resumo Vários estudos têm sido realizados para ampliar o uso da mamona Ricinus communis L. (Ricinus communis L), oleaginosa que encontra condições adequadas para seu desenvolvimento no Brasil com mais de 700 aplicações. Os principais alérgenos desta planta são Ric c1 e Ric c3 que apresentam reação cruzada com vários alérgenos dispersos no ar e alérgenos alimentares, como amendoim, soja, milho e trigo. Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar o efeito de mutações nos resíduos de aminoácidos, presentes, em epítopos ligantes de IgE, de Ric c3 envolvidos no desencadeamento de respostas alérgicas. Com base na estrutura de Ric c3, epítopos de células B, e aminoácidos envolvidos na ligação de IgE, produzimos, em E. coli. uma proteína mutante recombinante, denominada mrRic c3. Resíduos estratégicos de ácido glutâmico, presentes nestes epítopos, foram alterados por Leucina. A alergenicidade da proteína mrRic c3 foi avaliada pela determinação dos níveis séricos de IgE, IgG1 e IgG total em camundongos Balb/c imunizados com a proteína mutante e por ensaios de degranulação de mastócitos isolados de ratos Wistar. A proteína mrRic c3 promoveu um percentual de degranulação de mastócitos próximo ao observado no controle negativo e camundongos imunizados com mrRic c3 apresentou níveis de IgE e IgG1 menores que o grupo tratado com a proteína recombinante nativa. A mutante mrRic c3 apresentou estrutura alterada e capacidade reduzida de estimular respostas pró-inflamatórias e de se ligar a IgE, mas manteve sua capacidade de induzir anticorpos bloqueadores. Assim, a produção de um alérgeno mutante hipoalergênico (mrRic c3) pode ser uma etapa essencial no desenvolvimento de novas estratégias para a AIT.

A gravitational interaction of a scalar field with conformal coupling n R 6 φ 2 (n = const) is considered within the framework of the affine-metric theory of gravitation, with the interaction with torsion and nonmetricity taken into account. It is shown that for different values of the constant n different forms of nonlinearities are induced in the scalar field and, in particular, for n = –1 a nonlinearity corresponding to the potential of the axion field is induced. Possible astrophysical consequences of such an effect are considered.

Fifty-three patients with hematological malignancies who underwent Allo-SCT from HLA-identical siblings were randomly assigned to receive glutamine-enriched parenteral nutrition—PN (GlPN, n =27) or standard PN (PN, n =26), in isonitrogenous solutions. Deaths (D+100 and D+180), infections, acute GVHD, length of stay, time of neutropenia and intestinal permeability (IP) were studied. Ages, gender, diagnosis, disease status and treatment variables were equally distributed between groups. Survival on D+180 was increased in GlPN (74%) vs PN (46%), P =0.03 (log-rank), as on D+100 ( P =0.05). Most deaths occurred before D+100, especially in PN (10/26, 39%) vs GlPN (4/27, 15%). GVHD was the most frequent cause of death (8/21, 38%), especially in PN ( n =6, five before D+100). Other outcomes were not affected. IP was affected on admission, was not affected by glutamine enrichment, but consistently worsened throughout the study. Results showed that GlPN was efficacious in increasing short-term survival after Allo-SCT. Benefits of glutamine seem to be independent of mucosal protection, as IP was not affected by its use. A trend to a lower incidence of GVHD deaths may suggest an immunomodulatory role of glutamine.

BackgroundStent assisted coiling of unruptured wide necked intracranial aneurysms require antiplatelets to prevent stent thrombosis. The effect of the loading dose of antiplatelets prior to the stent coiling procedure in an unsecured wide necked ruptured intracranial aneurysm is not known.ObjectiveTo report any potential complication associated with the use of both aspirin and clopidogrel in stent assisted coiling of ruptured wide necked intracranial aneurysms.MethodsConsecutive patients who underwent stent assisted coiling for ruptured wide necked intracranial aneurysm were enrolled from 2005 to 2009. Patients' demographics, including Hunt and Hess grade, Fisher scale, and location and size of aneurysms, were collected. Complications such as rupture of aneurysm, thromboembolic events, ventriculostomy associated or systemic hemorrhages were recorded. Additionally, a 90 day outcome measurement was obtained using the Glasgow Outcome Scale.Results22 patients with a mean age of 50±13 years underwent stent assisted coiling. A loading dose of clopidogrel 300 mg and aspirin 325 mg orally were given prior to stent placement. There was no intraoperative rupture of aneurysm, ventriculostomy associated hemorrhage or systemic hemorrhagic event. There were two episodes of stent thrombosis; one was an asymptomatic event which developed during the stent assisted coiling procedure and resolved spontaneously; the other was symptomatic which required intra-arterial administration of glycoprotein IIbIIIa receptor antagonist. There was no mortality and good outcome was observed in 82% of patients.ConclusionIn our series of carefully selected patients, therapeutic dual antiplatelet loading prior to stent assisted coiling of ruptured wide necked intracranial aneurysm was not associated with increased bleeding complications. However, thromboembolic events remain the main challenge. Further study is required to confirm the safety of antiplatelet loading in stent assisted ruptured intracranial aneurysm coiling.

Lodi, M., Chinosi, S., Faverzani, S. and Ferro, E. 2007. Clinical and ultrasonographic features of the Canine Hepatocellular Carcinoma (CHC). Veterinary Research Communications, 31(Suppl. 1), 293-295 [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Issue Title: Special Issue: Lix Annual Meeting of the Italian Society for Veterinary Sciences (Sisvet) Viareggio 2005