Experimental characterization of gaseous ion beams produced with the advanced ion source for hadrontherapy (AISHa) at 18 GHz

The Advanced Ion Source for Hadrontherapy (AISHa) is an electron cyclotron resonance ion source operating at 18 GHz, developed at the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, with the aim of producing high intensity and low emittance highly charged ion beams for hadrontherapy purposes. Moreover, thanks to its unique peculiarities, AISHa is a suitable choice for industrial and scientific applications. In the framework of the INSpIRIT and IRPT projects, in collaboration with the Centro Nazionale di Adroterapia Oncologica, new candidates for cancer treatment are being developed. In particular, the paper presents the results of the commissioning of four ion beams of interest for hadrontherapy: H+, C4+, He2+, and O6+. Their charge state distribution in the best experimental conditions, their emittance, and brightness will be critically discussed, along with the role of ion source tuning and space charge effects in beam transport. Perspectives for further developments will also be presented.

Hocus Pocus: The Role Of Handheld Ultrasonography In Predicting Disease Extension And Endoscopic Activity In Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) assessment still requires ileocolonoscopy (IC). Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) has emerged as a non-invasive assessment tool, and the Milan Ultrasound Criteria (MUC) score has been validated to estimate and grade UC disease activity. Recently, handheld IUS (HHIUS) has been used in several clinical settings, but data about its use in UC are limited. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of HHIUS compared to conventional (IUS) in detecting UC extension and activity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From November 2021 to September 2022, we prospectively enrolled UC patients afferent to our third-level IBD Unit for IC evaluation. Patients underwent IC, HHIUS, and IUS. Ultrasound activity was defined by MUC > 6.2, while endoscopic activity was defined by a Mayo endoscopic score (MES) > 1. Cohen's k test was applied to test the concordance between IUS-MUC and HHIUS-MUC after MUC dichotomization (MUC>6.2, yes/no).

RESULTS

86 patients with UC were enrolled. No significant difference was recorded between IUS and HHIUS at the per-segment extension (p=N.S.), and both procedures were comparable in terms of results of bowel wall thickness (BWT) and bowel wall stratification (BWS) assessment (p=N.S.). IUS and HHIUS displayed excellent agreement when the MUC score system was applied (k = 0.86, p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Handheld intestinal ultrasound and IUS are comparable in UC extension definition and MUC evaluation. HHIUS could be reliable for detecting disease activity and estimating its extension, providing close monitoring. It also represents a non-invasive, easily practicable investigation, allowing immediate medical decisions with significant time and cost advantages.

Trocar vs. Seldinger small bore pleural drains: does the technique influence the outcomes? A prospective single-centre study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to compare two positioning techniques of 12-French (Fr) thoracic drains in terms of efficacy, safety, and patient comfort.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a prospective, non-randomized, competitive, non-inferiority study comparing the Seldinger vs. Trocar technique. The primary endpoint was an analysis of the factors that led to unsuccessful drainage positioning. Between the two groups, clinical variables, procedure times, pain, and complications were compared.

RESULTS

Seventy-two patients were enrolled in group 1 (Seldinger) and 45 in group 2 (Trocar). The mean procedural time was 7.93±3.02 min vs. 7.09±3.67 min, respectively (p: 0.33). The mean VAS for procedural pain was 2.22±1.47 vs. 2.80±1.88, p: 0.07, and the mean at day 2 was 3.6±1.2 in the SBWGD group vs. 2.7±1.1 in the Unico Group (p: 0.04). There was no difference in terms of complications, residual effusion, and pneumothorax at the first post-procedural chest X-ray. Four days after the procedure, the drain removal rate was 11.6% in group 1 vs. 25% in group 2 p: 0.063). The chest tube was removed after a mean period of 8.87±7.20 days after resolution of pleural effusion or tube dislodgement (7 cases in group 1 vs. 11 in group 2, p: 0.053).

CONCLUSIONS

The two techniques resulted in comparable pain and complication rates. Both drains are well-tolerated and efficient at draining pleural effusion, with very low rates of complications and failure. We recommend inserting a longer tube for patients who require chest drainage for an extended period of time.

P-310 The last journey: 448KHz electrostimulation and its effects on the endometrium of women going through menopause

Study question

Could 448KHz electrostimulation be beneficial in the endometrial preparation for transfer in pre-menopausal or menopausal women?

Summary answer

Few women had adequate endometrium (8.3%) with standard treatments, which increased to 54.1% when combined with aspirin-sildenafyl, while when combined with 448KHz is over 75%

What is known already

We know that electrical stimulation is used in tissue engineering as a new regenerative medicine approach, which promotes cell proliferation and differentiation. In addition, it improves cell membrane permeability and cell metabolism.

Study design, size, duration

In the retrospective clinical study a total of 96 patients were considered, all in premenopausal or menopausal state, with inadequate endometrial response to common therapies and failure to transfer. In the following cycle, attempts were made to optimize the level of endometrial preparation by various approaches.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The instrument used for electrostimulation was INDIBA. The 96 patients were divided into 4 groups: group A received estrogen therapy and 448KHz electrostimulation, group B received estrogen therapy, group C received estrogen therapy, aspirin and sildenafyl support, group D received estrogen therapy, aspirin-sildenafyl support and 448KHz electrostimulation.

Main results and the role of chance

Electrostimulation was found to be beneficial in group A (with electro-stimulation) where 75% of patients had an endometrium suitable for transfer compared to group B (without electro-stimulation) with only 8.3%. Similarly, group C (without electro-stimulation) had 54.1% of patients with a suitable endometrium, while group D (with electro-stimulation) had 87.5%.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The limitations are related to the nature of the study, which is retrospective, so although the starting conditions were evaluated to reduce bias, we suggest confirmation with a prospective randomized clinical trial to validate these data, which will be our next objective.

Wider implications of the findings

The common therapeutic approach of endometrial preparation, when combined with electrostimulation, leads to a drastic decrease in cancelled cycles due to an inadequate endometrium.

Trial registration number

not applicable

Effectiveness and Safety of Long-Term Dupilumab Treatment in Elderly Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: A Multicenter Real-Life Observational Study

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in treating elderly patients with atopic dermatitis from baseline to 52 weeks.

METHODS

A retrospective observational real-life study was conducted in a group of elderly patients with severe atopic dermatitis treated with dupilumab for 52 weeks. Inclusion criteria were: age ≥ 65 years; diagnosis of atopic dermatitis made by an expert dermatologist; Eczema Area and Severity Index ≥ 24; and a contraindication, side effects, or failure to respond to cyclosporine. The primary outcome was the mean percentage reduction in the Eczema Area and Severity Index score from baseline to week 52. Secondary measures included the mean percentage reduction in the Pruritus and Sleep Numerical Rating Scales and the Dermatology Life Quality Index, and the types and rates of adverse events from baseline to week 52.

RESULTS

One hundred and five patients were eligible for the study. Flexural dermatitis was the most frequent clinical phenotype (63.8%). The coexistence of more than one clinical phenotype was found in 70/105 (66.6%) patients. We observed a reduction in all disease severity scores from baseline to week 52 (p < 0.001). Adverse events were recorded in 30/105 (28.6%) patients, with conjunctivitis and injection-site reaction the most frequent.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, dupilumab is an effective and safe treatment for the long-term management of atopic dermatitis in patients aged over 65 years.

Gut Microbiota and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: The Effect of Mediterranean Diet

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic autoimmune disease resulting from a complex interplay between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Regarding the latter, gut microbiota has a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of T1DM, by affecting intestinal permeability, molecular mimicry, and modulating innate and adaptive immune system, as described in several previous studies. The composition of the gut microbiota is largely influenced by diet. Some observational studies have shown that a low fiber intake is associated with the development of many inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases. In this context, the Mediterranean diet (MD), which is based on high consumption of cereals (preferably as whole grains), legumes, nuts, vegetables, fruits, olive oil, and fish, could play a protective role. Many of the characteristic components of MD have functional characteristics with positive effects on health and well-being. Eating habits are the main significant determinants of the microbial multiplicity of the intestine and the food components influence both microbial populations and their metabolic activities from the early stages of life. Moreover, food metabolites influence the immune response. The intestine is considered the primary site where food metabolites mediate their effects, through epithelial integrity or mucosal immunity. The compromised epithelial integrity allows the translocation of bacteria and/or the diffusion of their products, such as food antigens and lipopolysaccharides, from the intestinal lumen to the tissues, which could enhance the stimulation of immune cells, contributing to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, such as T1DM. The intake of a high amount of fiber and therefore of prebiotics with MD allows the microbiota to have a good microbial balance. Moreover, as more dietary fibers are ingested, a higher amount of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) is produced by anaerobic gut microbiota, promoting gut homeostasis, to which also contribute tryptophan metabolites and omega-3-fatty acids. Furthermore, the higher intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids and omega-3-fatty-acids contribute to a better metabolic control. In this review we report the relationship between gut microbiota and T1DM and we explore the effects of Mediterranean diet on microbiota as a potential therapeutic strategy, aimed at preventing or delaying progression of T1DM and its complications.

Use of Dupilumab for 543 Adult Patients with Moderate-To-Severe Atopic Dermatitis: A Multicenter, Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Dupilumab has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in clinical trials. However, evidence of real-world experience with dupilumab in a broader population is limited to date.

METHODS

Adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD, defined as an Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) score of 24 or higher, treated with dupilumab at ten Italian academic centers, were included in the study. Physician-reported outcome measures (EASI), patient-reported outcome measures (pruritus and sleep score, Dermatology Life Quality Index, DLQI) and serological markers [immunoglobulin (Ig) E and eosinophil count] after 16 weeks were analyzed.

RESULTS

We enrolled 543 patients with moderate-to-severe AD. Two patients (0.4%) discontinued treatment. The median ± interquartile percentage change from baseline to 16 weeks of treatment in the EASI score was -87.5±22.0 (p<0.001). EASI-50, EASI-75 and EASI-90 response rates were 98.1%, 81.5%, and 50.8% after 16 weeks. At 16 weeks, 93.0% of the patients had achieved a 4- point or higher improvement in DLQI from baseline. During dupilumab treatment, 12.2% of the patients developed conjunctivitis, and total IgE significantly decreased (p<0.001). Interestingly, in the multivariate logistic regression model, the risk of developing dupilumab-related conjunctivitis was associated with early AD onset [OR, 2.25; 95%CI, 1.07-4.70; p=0.03] and presence of eosinophilia [OR, 1.91; 95%CI, 1.05-3.39; p=0.03].

CONCLUSION

To date, this is the broadest real-life study in AD patients treated with dupilumab. We observed significant improvements induced by dupilumab in adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD, to a greater extent than those reported in clinical trials.

Experimental characterization of the AISHa ion source

The Advanced Ion Source for Hadrontherapy (AISHa) has been designed to generate high brightness multiply charged ion beams for hadron therapy applications. AISHa is a compact electron cyclotron resonance ion source whose hybrid magnetic system consists of a permanent Halbach-type hexapole magnet and a set of independently energized superconducting coils. This has allowed us to achieve high performances in a cost effective way. During the commissioning phase, a few criticalities have been observed and fixed in 2018/19; the improvements will be briefly described and the results of the operations with a single 18 GHz generator will be presented. Particular relevance will be given to the production of high intensity beams of oxygen, argon, and carbon, the latter having huge importance for hadron therapy applications. Perspectives for further improvements, including double frequency heating, will also be highlighted.

Comprehensive analysis of the self-assembled formation of GaN nanowires on amorphous Al x O y : in situ quadrupole mass spectrometry studies

A comprehensive description of the self-assembled formation of GaN nanowires (NWs) by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PAMBE) on amorphous-Al _x O _y buffered Si is presented. The incubation time that precedes the formation of GaN NWs is analyzed as a function of the growth parameters using line-of-sight quadrupole mass spectrometry. We found that the incubation time follows an Arrhenius-type temperature dependence as well as an inverse power law with respect to the Ga flux. Our results reveal a weaker dependence of the incubation time on the Ga flux and faster nucleation on amorphous-Al _x O _y in comparison to conventional nitridated Si substrates. In addition, an unprecedented analysis of the dependence of the incubation time on the N flux demonstrates a stronger dependence of the incubation time on the N than on the Ga flux. Our results are summarized in growth diagrams to visualize the impact of the growth parameters on the incubation time. The diagrams can also be used to predict the incubation time for so far unexplored growth conditions. Finally, we measured the desorbing Ga flux upon the nucleation stage to determine the growth parameters that result in effective N-rich conditions as required for the self-assembled formation of GaN NWs. These original measurements were combined with the knowledge gained on the incubation time to create a growth map that illustrates the different growth regimes that can be obtained when GaN is grown on an amorphous-Al _x O _y buffer layer, regardless of the host substrate. Such a map provides a useful guide to induce the growth and control the morphology of GaN NW ensembles on amorphous-Al _x O _y . Results presented in this work allow to conclude that amorphous-Al _x O _y is preferred over nitridated Si as it enables shorter incubation times as well as a wider range of growth parameters to induce the self-assembled formation of GaN NWs in PAMBE.

Interfacial reactions during the molecular beam epitaxy of GaN nanowires on Ti/Al2O3

We investigate the occurrence of interfacial reactions during the self-assembled formation of GaN nanowires on Ti/Al₂O₃(0001) substrates in plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The conditions typical for the synthesis of ensembles of long nanowires (>1 μm) are found to promote several chemical reactions. In particular, the high substrate temperature leads to the interdiffusion of Al and O at the Ti/Al₂O₃ interface resulting in the formation of Al _x Ti _y O_1-x-y and Ti _x O_1-x compounds. Furthermore, O is found to incorporate into the nanowires degrading their luminescence by heavy n-type doping. At the same time, impinging Ga and N species react with the substrate giving rise to the simultaneous formation of single-crystalline TiN and Ga _x Ti _y O_1-x-y compounds. The latter compounds tend to form hillocks at the substrate surface, on top of which nanowires elongate with large tilt angles with respect to the substrate normal. We develop here a specific process in order to mitigate the detrimental effects of these interfacial reactions, while maintaining the low areal density and absence of coalescence which is the strong asset of growing nanowires on Ti/Al₂O₃. We find that the combination of a thick Ti film with an intentional low temperature nitridation step preceding nanowire growth and a limited growth temperature results in ensembles of uncoalesced and well-oriented nanowires with luminescence properties comparable to those of standard GaN nanowires prepared on Si. All these properties, together with the inherent benefits of integrating semiconductors on metals, make the present materials combination a promising platform for the further development of group-III nitride nanowire-based devices.

Chemical profiling and multivariate data fusion methods for the identification of the botanical origin of honey

The characterization of 72 Italian honey samples from 8 botanical varieties was carried out by a comprehensive approach exploiting data fusion of IR, NIR and Raman spectroscopies, Proton Transfer Reaction - Time of Flight - Mass Spectrometry (PTR-MS) and electronic nose. High-, mid- and low-level data fusion approaches were tested to verify if the combination of several analytical sources can improve the classification ability of honeys from different botanical origins. Classification was performed on the fused data by Partial Least Squares - Discriminant Analysis; a strict validation protocol was used to estimate the predictive performances of the models. The best results were obtained with high-level data fusion combining Raman and NIR spectroscopy and PTR-MS, with classification performances better than those obtained on single analytical sources (accuracy of 99% and 100% on test and training samples respectively). The combination of just three analytical sources assures a limited time of analysis.

In Situ Hpa II Endonuclease Digestion on Fixed Chromatin of Solid Tumor Cells

Neoplastic cells from different tumors (lung, colon, rectal, and pancreatic carcinoma, synovial sarcoma, and Wilm's tumor) were fixed on slides and in situ digested with Hpa II and Msp I restriction enzymes. Staining of samples with the DNA specific fluorochrome ethidium bromide showed a clearcut decreased fluorescence after Hpa II digestion in neoplastic cells as compared to normal controls, whereas Msp I digestion produced the same pattern in neoplastic and in normal cells. The authors hypothesize that the altered state of methylation in neoplastic cells could affect the Hpa II activity on fixed chromatin.

A Mathematical Model Describing the Glycemic Response of Diabetic Patients to Meal and i.v. Infusion of Insulin

Nine type 1 diabetic patients were studied for 24 hours. Düring this period they were given three calibrated meals. The glycemia was feedback-controlled by means of an artificial pancreas. The blood concentration of glucose and the infusion speed of the insulin were measured every minute. The experimental data referring to each of the three meals were used to estimate the Parameters of a mathematical model suitable for describing the glycémie response of diabetic patients at meals and at the i. v. infusion of exogenous insulin. From the estimate a marked dispersion of the Parameters was found, both interindividual and intraindividual. Nevertheless the models thus obtained seem to be usable for the synthesis of a feedback controller, especially in view of creating a portable artificial pancreas that now seems possible owing to the realization (so far experimental) of sufficiently reliable glucose concentration sensors.

Amyloid Bone Disease and Highly Permeable Synthetic Membranes

The effect of different highly permeable membranes on amyloid bone disease (ABD) was retrospectively evaluated in patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT) in our Unit with a dialytic age of more than 4 years. A group of 36 patients (age 60 ± 12 years) after a variable period (28 ± 29 months) on hemodialysis with cuprophane membrane (CU-HD), were moved to HDF with a reinfusate volume of 22 ± 1 1/session, for a period of 65 ± 26 months using the following membranes: AN69 1.6 m2, PAN 1.8, PMMA 2.1, PS 1.3, polyamide (PA) 1.3 and 1.6. Bone x-rays of wrists, hips and shoulders were taken annually and the presence of ABD was evaluated according to generally accepted criteria. ABD occurred in 4 patients after a period of 73 ± 30 months on CU-HD only; it developed in 4/7 patients an AN69, in 4/6 on PAN, in 3/5 on PMMA, in 3/5 on PS; no patient of the 13 on PA developed ABD. Comparing patients on PA with those on other synthetic membranes, no significant difference was found in dialysis time (73 ± 19 vs 83 ± 28 months) as well as in age (59 ± 13 vs 61 ± 11 years) at ABD on set, when present. These data strongly encourage prospective studies enrolling more patients for a longer period of observation in order to evaluate possible differences on ABD development among various synthetic membranes.

Fast classification of hazelnut cultivars through portable infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics

The authentication and traceability of hazelnuts is very important for both the consumer and the food industry, to safeguard the protected varieties and the food quality. This study investigates the use of a portable FTIR spectrometer coupled to multivariate statistical analysis for the classification of raw hazelnuts. The method discriminates hazelnuts from different origins/cultivars based on differences of the signal intensities of their IR spectra. The multivariate classification methods, namely principal component analysis (PCA) followed by linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), with or without variable selection, allowed a very good discrimination among the groups, with PLS-DA coupled to variable selection providing the best results. Due to the fast analysis, high sensitivity, simplicity and no sample preparation, the proposed analytical methodology could be successfully used to verify the cultivar of hazelnuts, and the analysis can be performed quickly and directly on site.

Effect of surface roughness, chemical composition, and native oxide crystallinity on the orientation of self-assembled GaN nanowires on Ti foils

We report on plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxial growth of almost randomly oriented, uniformly tilted, and vertically aligned self-assembled GaN nanowires (NWs), respectively, on different types of polycrystalline Ti foils. The NW orientation with respect to the substrate normal, which is affected by an in situ treatment of the foil surface before NW growth, depends on the crystallinity of the native oxide. Direct growth on the as-received foils results in the formation of ensembles of nearly randomly oriented NWs due to the strong roughening of the surface induced by chemical reactions between the impinging elements and Ti. Surface nitridation preceding the NW growth is found to reduce this roughening by transformation of the uppermost layers into TiN and TiO _x N _y species. These compounds are more stable against chemical reactions and facilitate the growth of uniformly oriented GaN NW ensembles on the surface of the individual grains of the polycrystalline Ti foils. If an amorphous oxide layer is present at the foil surface, vertically oriented NWs are obtained all across the substrate because this layer blocks the transfering of the epitaxial information from the underlying grains. The control of NW orientation and the understanding behind the achievement of vertically oriented NWs obtained in this study represent an important step towards the realization of GaN NW-based bendable devices on polycrystalline metal foils.

Investigation on the influence of spray-drying technology on the quality of Sicilian Nero d'Avola wines

The purpose of the present work was to find a correlation between microencapsulation technology applied to wines and the resulting quality of the wine itself in terms of volatile composition and phenolic profile. To this aim, samples of Nero d'Avola wines produced in Sicily (Italy) were investigated in order to: i) elucidate the aromatic composition by means of HS-SPME coupled with GC-MS; ii) assess the polyphenolic content by UHPLC mass spectrometry; iii) compare the results obtained from both the screenings with those relative to the same wines that had previously been subjected to spray-drying. The results showed a marked reductionThe results here obtained evidenced a marked reduction of odour active compounds in microencapsulated wines, after resolubilization in water/ethanol; when considering the total amount of volatiles, a twofold reduction was observed. Conversely, the qualitative analysis of phenolic compounds and anthocyanin-derived pigments showed no influence of the spray-drying process on these functional constituents.

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP): when radiologist makes the difference

Lipoid pneumonia is an uncommon disorder characterized by accumulation of lipid components into the interstitial and alveolar compartment. The usual classification distinguishes endogenous and exogenous and acute or chronic forms, related to the type of fats, the amount of damage and the time of exposure. We describe a case of exogenous lipoid pneumonia by inhalation of vaseline used for cleaning of the tracheostoma in a 63-year-old female, presenting as cough, worsening dyspnea in few weeks. The diagnosis was finally established with a re-evaluation of BAL with specific staining for lipids, revealing the presence of foamy macrophages lipids rich, according to HRCT findings.

The role of the heme oxygenase system in the metabolic syndrome

Molecular chaperones and the heat shock response play a major role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis under various pathological conditions. In particular, their role is to regulate protein conformation, protect proteins from misfolding and aggregation, and maintain signalling and organellarnetworks. Among variousheat shock proteins, Hsp32 also known as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), has demonstrated an important role in metabolic syndrome. In particular, the HO system seems to play a major role in the complex pathophysiological cascade involved in insulin resistance mechanisms, and adipocyte functions as measured by the release of important adipokynes. The aim of the present review is to point out the role of HO-1 in metabolic syndrome, and how to exploit its beneficial effects as a therapeutic strategy to prevent complicationsof andto improve insulin sensitivity.

Determination of eight polyphenols and pantothenic acid in extra-virgin olive oil samples by a simple, fast, high-throughput and sensitive ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method

A new ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry method for a fast and sensitive determination of eight polyphenols (hydroxytyrosol, catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, oleuropein, quercetin, rutin, tyrosol) and panthotenic acid in extra-virgin olive oil was developed. The method does not require long sample pre-treatment and presents the lowest limit of detection and limit of quantitation values present in literature. Inter- and intra-day variability, linear dynamic range of the calibration curve, recovery and matrix effect were also determined and investigated. The method was applied to several oil samples of different type and origin. Given its accuracy, precision and rapidity, the method is characterized by an interestingly high throughput, reliability, and sensitivity.

Automated setup for magnetic hysteresis characterization based on a voltage controlled current source with 500 kHz full power bandwidth and 10 A peak-to-peak current

This paper describes the design of a system for the characterization of magnetic hysteresis behavior in soft ferrite magnetic cores. The proposed setup can test magnetic materials exciting them with controlled arbitrary magnetic field waveforms, including the capability of providing a DC bias, in a frequency bandwidth up to 500 kHz, with voltages up to 32 V peak-to-peak, and currents up to 10 A peak-to-peak. In order to have an accurate control of the magnetic field waveform, the system is based on a voltage controlled current source. The electronic design is described focusing on closed loop feedback stabilization and passive components choice. The system has real-time hysteretic loop acquisition and visualization. The comparisons between measured hysteresis loops of sample magnetic materials and datasheet available ones are shown. Results showing frequency and thermal behavior of the hysteresis of a test sample prove the system capabilities. Moreover, the B-H loops obtained with a multiple waveforms excitation signal, including DC bias, are reported. The proposal is a low-cost and replicable solution for hysteresis characterization of magnetic materials used in power electronics.

Behavioral assays with mouse models of Alzheimer's disease: practical considerations and guidelines

In Alzheimer's disease (AD) basic research and drug discovery, mouse models are essential resources for uncovering biological mechanisms, validating molecular targets and screening potential compounds. Both transgenic and non-genetically modified mouse models enable access to different types of AD-like pathology in vivo. Although there is a wealth of genetic and biochemical studies on proposed AD pathogenic pathways, as a disease that centrally features cognitive failure, the ultimate readout for any interventions should be measures of learning and memory. This is particularly important given the lack of knowledge on disease etiology - assessment by cognitive assays offers the advantage of targeting relevant memory systems without requiring assumptions about pathogenesis. A multitude of behavioral assays are available for assessing cognitive functioning in mouse models, including ones specific for hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. Here we review the basics of available transgenic and non-transgenic AD mouse models and detail three well-established behavioral tasks commonly used for testing hippocampal-dependent cognition in mice - contextual fear conditioning, radial arm water maze and Morris water maze. In particular, we discuss the practical considerations, requirements and caveats of these behavioral testing paradigms.

Role of Nutraceuticals in Cancer Therapy

<p>Nutraceuticals are natural bioactive products with food value and promising therapeutic properties in several diseases. Current cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, induce unintended side effects compromising also health and well-being of patients. Emerging studies suggest that some plant-based agents may impact cellular and molecular processes underlying tumor progression. However, some of these molecules might also play an antagonistic activity against classic therapeutic agents. The aim of this article is to review the current knowledge underpinning the use of nutraceuticals in cancer prevention and therapy.</p>

Inhibition of ErbB receptors, Hedgehog and NF-kappaB signaling by polyphenols in cancer

Carcinogenesis is a multi-step process triggered by cumulative genetic alterations, which drive the progressive transformation of a normal cell into a cancer cell. Among the signal transduction pathways whose cross-talk plays an important role in neoplastic transformation are those mediated by ErbB receptors, NF-kappaB and the Hedgehog (HH)/glioma-associated oncogene (GLI) cascade. Polyphenols can be employed to inhibit the growth of cancer cells due to their ability to modulate the activity of multiple targets involved in carcinogenesis through simultaneous direct interaction or modulation of gene expression. This review will describe the cross-talk between ErbB receptors, NF-kappaB and the Hedgehog (HH)/glioma-associated oncogene (GLI) signaling pathways and the potential role of polyphenols in inhibiting this dialogue and the growth of cancer cells.