Climate change impact assessment on Veneto and Friuli Plain groundwater. Part I: an integrated modeling approach for hazard scenario construction

Climate change impacts on water resources, particularly groundwater, is a highly debated topic worldwide, triggering international attention and interest from both researchers and policy makers due to its relevant link with European water policy directives (e.g. 2000/60/EC and 2007/118/EC) and related environmental objectives. The understanding of long-term impacts of climate variability and change is therefore a key challenge in order to address effective protection measures and to implement sustainable management of water resources. This paper presents the modeling approach adopted within the Life+ project TRUST (Tool for Regional-scale assessment of groUndwater Storage improvement in adaptation to climaTe change) in order to provide climate change hazard scenarios for the shallow groundwater of high Veneto and Friuli Plain, Northern Italy. Given the aim to evaluate potential impacts on water quantity and quality (e.g. groundwater level variation, decrease of water availability for irrigation, variations of nitrate infiltration processes), the modeling approach integrated an ensemble of climate, hydrologic and hydrogeologic models running from the global to the regional scale. Global and regional climate models and downscaling techniques were used to make climate simulations for the reference period 1961-1990 and the projection period 2010-2100. The simulation of the recent climate was performed using observed radiative forcings, whereas the projections have been done prescribing the radiative forcings according to the IPCC A1B emission scenario. The climate simulations and the downscaling, then, provided the precipitation, temperatures and evapo-transpiration fields used for the impact analysis. Based on downscaled climate projections, 3 reference scenarios for the period 2071-2100 (i.e. the driest, the wettest and the mild year) were selected and used to run a regional geomorphoclimatic and hydrogeological model. The final output of the model ensemble produced information about the potential variations of the water balance components (e.g. river discharge, groundwater level and volume) due to climate change. Such projections were used to develop potential hazard scenarios for the case study area, to be further applied within climate change risk assessment studies for groundwater resources and associated ecosystems. This paper describes the models' chain and the methodological approach adopted in the TRUST project and analyzes the hazard scenarios produced in order to investigate climate change risks for the case study area.

Cell fusion promotes chemoresistance in metastatic colon carcinoma

Chemoresistance is an important concern in the treatment of metastatic colon cancer. It may emerge through selection of clones that are inherently resistant from the outset or through mechanisms acquired during treatment. Cell fusion represents an efficient means of rapid phenotypic evolution that make cells with new properties at a rate exceeding that achievable by random mutagenesis. Here, we first identified a number of proteins involved in cell fusion using a shotgun proteomics approach, then we investigated the role of these proteins namely tetraspanin CD81/CD9, ADAM10, GTP-binding protein α13, radixin, myosin regulatory light chain and RhoA in the regulation of colon cancer cell fusion. We also found a previously unrecognized role of ADAM10, Gα13 and RhoA in promoting cell fusion. Finally, we show that the occurrence of cell fusion in a metastatic model of colon carcinoma causes the appearance of cells resistant to both 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin. These findings highlight the importance of cell fusion in cancer progression and raise significant implications for overcoming chemoresistance in metastatic colon cancer.

Identification of bovine sperm head for morphometry analysis in quantitative phase-contrast holographic microscopy

An investigation is reported of the identification and measurement of region of interest (ROI) in quantitative phase-contrast maps of biological cells by digital holographic microscopy. In particular, two different methods have been developed for in vitro bull sperm head morphometry analysis. We show that semen analysis can be accomplished by means of the proposed techniques . Extraction and measurement of various parameters are performed. It is demonstrated that both proposed methods are efficient to skim the data set in a preselective analysis for discarding anomalous data.

Somatic SF3B1 mutation in myelodysplasia with ring sideroblasts

BACKGROUND

Myelodysplastic syndromes are a diverse and common group of chronic hematologic cancers. The identification of new genetic lesions could facilitate new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

METHODS

We used massively parallel sequencing technology to identify somatically acquired point mutations across all protein-coding exons in the genome in 9 patients with low-grade myelodysplasia. Targeted resequencing of the gene encoding RNA splicing factor 3B, subunit 1 (SF3B1), was also performed in a cohort of 2087 patients with myeloid or other cancers.

RESULTS

We identified 64 point mutations in the 9 patients. Recurrent somatically acquired mutations were identified in SF3B1. Follow-up revealed SF3B1 mutations in 72 of 354 patients (20%) with myelodysplastic syndromes, with particularly high frequency among patients whose disease was characterized by ring sideroblasts (53 of 82 [65%]). The gene was also mutated in 1 to 5% of patients with a variety of other tumor types. The observed mutations were less deleterious than was expected on the basis of chance, suggesting that the mutated protein retains structural integrity with altered function. SF3B1 mutations were associated with down-regulation of key gene networks, including core mitochondrial pathways. Clinically, patients with SF3B1 mutations had fewer cytopenias and longer event-free survival than patients without SF3B1 mutations.

CONCLUSIONS

Mutations in SF3B1 implicate abnormalities of messenger RNA splicing in the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes. (Funded by the Wellcome Trust and others.).

[Syncope and occupational risk survey: the role of continuing education and multidisciplinary approach]

Syncope is a common disorder characterized most of the times by a positive clinical outcome. However, it may turn to a life threatening event even for working colleagues and third party when occurring during an high risk job. We have recently found that, out of 670 patients admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) for syncope, about 50% were potential workers, being their age between 18 and 65 years. Also, we found that in this group of patients syncope recurrence was as high as 11% at 6 months. It is unknown how physicians address the problem of the occupational risk in patients suffering from syncope and how occupational aspects are taken into account in the clinical judgment before work readmission. One hundred eighty five doctors (149 occupational physicians, OP), participating in a work-shop on syncope, were asked to fulfill a questionnaire about their clinical experience and their attention to the occupational aspects in patients after syncope. Despite long lasting clinical experience, 41% of OP did not scrutinize syncope as a relevant symptom in their daily activity. 65% of the other specialists were used to address the occupational risk aspects in their syncope patients. A multidisciplinary approach involving continuing education on safety at work might reduce work accidents due to syncope relapse and promote a safe and suitable re-employment of patients with syncope. scrutinize syncope as a relevant symptom in their daily activity. 65% of the other specialists were used to address the occupational risk aspects in their syncope patients. A multidisciplinary approach involving continuing education on safety at work might reduce work accidents due to syncope relapse and promote a safe and suitable re-employment of patients with syncope.

[Syncope and work: role of the occupational physician and global risk stratification]

Safety risk for subjects suffering from syncope while working has not been as yet addressed by occupational medicine. The present study was aimed at evaluating a new developed methodology for job tasks risk stratification in patients with syncope. During a work-shop on syncope and occupational risk, 149 occupational physicians (OP) with about 10 years of clinical experience were asked to fulfil a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) concerning the doctor's estimated potential damage (D) to the worker and the probability of a damage to occur (P) should syncope take place during the job task. Five job tasks characterized by different risk for safety (1, driving; 2, toxic products handling; 3, job performed closed to hot surfaces o free flames; 4, surgical activity; 5, office job) were identified. OP correctly stratified the risk associated to the different job tasks in patients with syncope. Unexpectedly, task #3 was given a risk similar to that obtained in drivers. This might be of paramount clinical and social importance when patients with syncope have to return to their job tasks.

Embryonic genotype and inbreeding affect preimplantation development in cattle

Infertility in cattle herds is a growing problem with multifactorial causes. Embryonic genotype and level of inbreeding are among the many factors that can play a role on reproductive efficiency. To investigate this issue, we produced purebred and crossbred bovine embryos by in vitro techniques from Holstein oocytes and Holstein or Brown Swiss semen and analyzed several cellular and molecular features. In the first experiment, purebred and crossbred embryos, obtained from abattoir oocytes, were analyzed for cleavage, development to morula/blastocyst stages, amino acid metabolism and gene expression of developmentally important genes. The results indicated significant differences in the percentage of compacted morulae, in the expression of three genes at the blastocyst stage (MNSOD, GP130 and FGF4) and in the utilization of serine, asparagine, methionine and tryptophan in day 6 embryos. In the second experiment, bovine oocytes were collected by ovum pick up from ten Holstein donors and fertilized with the semen of the respective Holstein sires or with Brown Swiss semen. The derived embryos were grown in vitro up to day 7, and were then transferred to synchronized recipients and recovered on day 12. We found that purebred/inbred embryos had lower blastocyst rate on days 7-8, were smaller on day 12 and had lower expression of the trophoblast gene PLAC8. Overall, these results indicate reduced and delayed development of purebred embryos compared with crossbred embryos. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that embryo genotype and high inbreeding can affect amino acid metabolism, gene expression, preimplantation development and therefore fertility in cattle.

Abstract P1-11-20: Open-Label Phase II Study of Neoadjuvant Bevacizumab Combined with FEC→Paclitaxel in Patients with Inflammatory or Locally Advanced Breast Cancer

Background: There is strong evidence that VEGF plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of human breast cancer. Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody, specifically inhibits VEGF. The combination of first-line bevacizumab with chemotherapy significantly improved the activity in comparison to chemotherapy alone in three randomized phase III trials in metastatic breast cancer patients (pts). In early breast cancer, the FEC→Paclitaxel regimen is a highly active standard therapy. Therefore we initiated a trial to evaluate the combination of bevacizumab with this efficacious chemotherapy regimen for the treatment of stage III or inflammatory early breast cancer (LABC).

Patients and Methods: The study is designed to evaluate a sequential regimen of FEC90 followed by the combination of paclitaxel and bevacizumab as neoadjuvant therapy in patients with HER2-negative locally advanced (stage III or inflammatory) breast cancer. Patients are treated with neoadjuvant FEC 600/90/600 mg/m2 q21d x 4, followed by paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 weekly x 12 combined with bevacizumab 10 mg/kg q2w x 6. Patients undergo surgery 4 weeks after completing chemotherapy. Pathologic complete response (pCR), the primary endpoint, is defined as no evidence of invasive tumor in the final surgical sample both in the breast and axilla. Secondary endpoints include objective clinical response rate (RR), disease-free interval, overall survival, rate of breast-conserving surgery, and the safety of the regimen.

Results: Between Feb 2008 and Dec 2009, 54 pts (mean age of 51±7.5 years) were enrolled into the study. To date, 32 pts have completed neoadjuvant treatment and surgery and are evaluable for response. Baseline characteristics in these 32 patients were as follows: cT3/cT4b: 20 (63%) and/or cN2/cN3: 14 (43%); estrogen receptor (ER) positive: 24 (75%) and 8 (25%) triple-negative (TN), defined as ER negative, progesterone receptor-(PgR-) negative, and HER2 negative. Histological type was ductal carcinoma in 24 patients (75%), lobular carcinoma in 4 (13%), inflammatory breast cancer in 1 (3%), and other in 3 (9%). Mastectomy was performed in 22 patients (69%) and breast-conserving surgery in 10 patients (31%). After neoadjuvant treatment, 8/32 patients (25%) achieved a pCR.

Conclusions: This open-label, multicenter, phase II study demonstrated that the FEC→Paclitaxel plus bevacizumab combination is a highly active neoadjuvant treatment for HER2-negative locally advanced breast cancer. A 25% of pCR in this group of pts with high tumor burden, i.e. the LABC, is oneof the most promising chemotherapeutic regimen if confirmed in the final analyis. Results for all 54 pts enrolled will be presented at the meeting.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-11-20.

Evolution patterns of raltegravir-resistant mutations after integrase inhibitor interruption

The objective of this study was to address the evolution of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) mutations resistant to the integrase inhibitor raltegravir after drug interruption. Thirteen HIV-1 infected patients undergoing virological failure due to the selection of raltegravir-resistant variants, who had interrupted raltegravir treatment, were enrolled. For all patients, the virological failure was associated with the selection of variants, with mutations conferring resistance to all of the drugs present in their regimens. Patients were prospectively monitored at baseline (raltegravir interruption) and every 4-24 weeks for clinical, virological and immunological parameters, including HIV-1 viraemia, CD4(+) T-cell counts, and sequence analysis of the HIV-1 integrase sequence. Reversion to the wild-type HIV-1 integrase sequence genotype was observed between 4 and 36 weeks after raltegravir withdrawal in eight out of the 13 patients. Reversion was not observed in three patients. In two patients, reversion was partial at week 24 from raltegravir interruption. These results highlight that in eight out of 13 patients under treatment with raltegravir and experiencing a virological failure, HIV-1 variants harbouring mutations associated with raltegravir resistance become undetectable after drug interruption within a few weeks (in some cases, very rapidly). This occurs under different therapy regimens and in patients receiving 3TC mono-therapy. In the other patients, complete reversion of the integrase sequence is not observed, and either primary or secondary resistance mutations are fixed in the replication competent viral population in vivo also for long time, suggesting that other factors may influence this dynamic process.

Digital self-referencing quantitative phase microscopy by wavefront folding in holographic image reconstruction

A completely numerical method, named digital self-referencing holography, is described to easily accomplish a quantitative phase microscopy for microfluidic devices by a digital holographic microscope. The approach works through an appropriate numerical manipulation of the retrieved complex wavefront. The self-referencing is obtained by folding the retrieved wavefront in the image plane. The folding operation allows us to obtain the correct phase map by subtracting from the complex region of interest a flat area outside the microfluidic channel. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the method, quantitative phase maps of bovine spermatozoa and in vitro cells are retrieved.

Changing patterns in HIV-1 non-B clade prevalence and diversity in Italy over three decades

BACKGROUND

HIV-1 non-B subtypes have recently entered Western Europe following immigration from other regions. The distribution of non-B clades and their association with demographic factors, over the entire course of the HIV-1 epidemic, have not been fully investigated in Italy.

METHODS

We carried out a phylogenetic analysis of HIV-1 pol sequences derived from 3670 patients followed at 50 Italian clinical centres over nearly three decades.

RESULTS

Overall, 417 patients (11.4%) carried non-B subtypes. The prevalence of non-B strains increased from 2.6% in 1980-1992 to 18.9% in 1993-2008 (P<0.0001) in a subset of 2479 subjects with a known year of diagnosis. A multivariate analysis on a subset of 1364 patients for whom relevant demographic data were available indicated that African ethnicity, heterosexual route of infection and year of diagnosis were independently associated with non-B HIV-1 infection (P ≤ 0.0001). All pure subtypes, except for clade K, and seven circulating recombinant forms were detected, accounting for 56.6 and 34.1% of the non-B infections, respectively. The F1 subtype was the most prevalent non-B clade among Europeans and was acquired heterosexually in half of this patient population. Unique recombinant forms accounted for 9.4% of the non-B sequences and showed a B/F1 recombination pattern in one-third of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The circulation of non-B clades has significantly increased in Italy in association with demographic changes. Spread of the F1 subtype and B/F recombinants appears to predominate, which may result in a redistribution of the relative proportions of the different strains, and this could lead to overlapping epidemics. Thus, the HIV-1 landscape in Italy may in future be distinct from that of the rest of Europe.

In vivo effects of rosiglitazone in a human neuroblastoma xenograft

BACKGROUND

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extra-cranial solid tumour in infants. Unfortunately, most children present with advanced disease and have a poor prognosis. There is in vitro evidence that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) might be a target for pharmacological intervention in NB. We have previously demonstrated that the PPARgamma agonist rosiglitazone (RGZ) exerts strong anti-tumoural effects in the human NB cell line, SK-N-AS. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether RGZ maintains its anti-tumoural effects against SK-N-AS NB cells in vivo.

METHODS AND RESULTS

For this purpose, tumour cells were subcutaneously implanted in nude mice, and RGZ (150 mg kg(-1)) was administered by gavage daily for 4 weeks. At the end of treatment, a significant tumour weight inhibition (70%) was observed in RGZ-treated mice compared with control mice. The inhibition of tumour growth was supported by a strong anti-angiogenic activity, as assessed by CD-31 immunostaining in tumour samples. The number of apoptotic cells, as determined by cleaved caspase-3 immunostaining, seemed lower in RGZ-treated animals at the end of the treatment period than in control mice, likely because of the large tumour size observed in the latter group.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that RGZ effectively inhibits tumour growth in a human NB xenograft and our results suggest that PPARgamma agonists may have a role in anti-tumoural strategies against NB.