Robust biomarkers for anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) activity in the human brain are essential to increase the probability of successful drug development. The frequency analysis of ...electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, either spontaneous or evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS-EEG) can provide cortical readouts for AEDs. However, a systematic evaluation of the effect of AEDs on spontaneous oscillations and TMS-related spectral perturbation (TRSP) has not yet been provided. We studied the effects of Lamotrigine, Levetiracetam, and of a novel potassium channel opener (XEN1101) in two groups of healthy volunteers. Levetiracetam suppressed TRSP theta, alpha and beta power, whereas Lamotrigine decreased delta and theta but increased the alpha power. Finally, XEN1101 decreased TRSP delta, theta, alpha and beta power. Resting-state EEG showed a decrease of theta band power after Lamotrigine intake. Levetiracetam increased theta, beta and gamma power, while XEN1101 produced an increase of delta, theta, beta and gamma power. Spontaneous and TMS-related cortical oscillations represent a powerful tool to characterize the effect of AEDs on in vivo brain activity. Spectral fingerprints of specific AEDs should be further investigated to provide robust and objective biomarkers of biological effect in human clinical trials.
AbstractThe paper deals with discrete vapor cavity models (DVCM) to reproduce transient cavitating pipe flows. Since features and limits of the classic DVCM are well known from literature, some ...developments are here considered and analyzed: the continuity equation for the cavity is written in terms of mass balance instead of volume balance, allowing calculations with appropriate computational fine grids; a lower threshold is introduced for pressure, in order to prevent it from dropping below vapor pressure; prediction-correction steps are introduced in the numerical solution procedure; and the two-dimensional (2D) description of the flow field is considered assuming axial-symmetric flow, in order to evaluate unsteady friction without the need of parameters calibration. Computational results, which are sensitive also to a weighting parameter used in the numerical process, are compared with each other, with results of a bubble flow model, and with experimental measurements reported in the literature. In order for such comparisons to be meaningful, the numerical simulation must not be limited to the first few cavitation events but must be extended in time. All one-dimensional (1D) models are weakly sensitive to grid size, except for one case with severe cavitation, whereas 2D model results are practically grid-independent. The comparison of numerical and experimental results shows that the effects of the physically based corrections (mass balance and lower threshold for pressure) are generally small but not negligible and consist of a slight increase of dissipations. In general, 2D models improve the performance of DVCMs; in particular, their results better reproduce the shape of the head function and reduce numerical spikes, but also provide an excess of energy dissipation which causes numerical results to be anticipated with respect to experimental traces. The comparison of results of DVCMs and a bubble flow model, in their 1D and 2D forms, with experiments shows that the latter performs better. As a result of the present study, all DVCMs should therefore be used with care and be limited either to cases of weak cavitation or to the first phases of the phenomenon.
AbstractThis paper deals with two-phase flow models of transient cavitating pipe flow, showing how bubble-flow models and shallow-water models can be considered in a unitary framework by only ...changing the geometry of the cross section. A bubble-flow cavitation model and a shallow-water cavitation model are proposed, taking into account the convective terms. Computational results are compared with those of two previous simpler bubble-flow models and with experimental measurements reported in the literature. Both quasi-steady one-dimensional (1D) and quasi-two-dimensional (2D) forms of all models are considered. For the examined cases, numerical analysis shows that 1D models converge for similar grid resolution; 2D models reach convergence with coarser longitudinal grids than, or at most with same grids as, 1D models. Comparison with measurements reveals that in order to properly investigate the capabilities of models, the computation must proceed way in time. Indeed, the first cavitation event (or, in some cases, the first few cavitation events) is very well reproduced with all models, both 1D and 2D, but over time remarkable differences in numerical results can be observed. The 1D models overestimate head values, generally do not reproduce well the shape of the function, and are delayed in time with respect to measurements, whereas 2D models reproduce very well the peaks and shapes of the head as function of time, but their results are anticipated in time with respect to measurements, suggesting that energy dissipation is overestimated. The comparison of results of the different 2D models shows, for the examined cases, very small differences, justifying the adoption of simpler models.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with electromyography (EMG) has widely been used as a non-invasive brain stimulation tool to assess excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance. E/I imbalance ...is a putative mechanism underlying symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Combined TMS-electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) provides a detailed examination of cortical excitability to assess the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. This study aimed to investigate differences in TMS-evoked potentials (TEPs), TMS-related spectral perturbations (TRSP) and intertrial coherence (ITC) between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls.
TMS was applied over the motor cortex during EEG recording. Differences in TEPs, TRSP and ITC between the patient and healthy subjects were analysed for all electrodes at each time point, by applying multiple independent sample t-tests with a cluster-based permutation analysis to correct for multiple comparisons.
Patients demonstrated significantly reduced amplitudes of early and late TEP components compared to healthy controls. Patients also showed a significant reduction of early delta (50–160 ms) and theta TRSP (30-250ms),followed by a reduction in alpha and beta suppression (220–560 ms; 190–420 ms). Patients showed a reduction of both early (50–110 ms) gamma increase and later (180–230 ms) gamma suppression. Finally, the ITC was significantly lower in patients in the alpha band, from 30 to 260 ms.
Our findings support the putative role of impaired GABA-receptor mediated inhibition in schizophrenia impacting excitatory neurotransmission. Further studies can usefully elucidate mechanisms underlying specific symptoms clusters using TMS-EEG biometrics.
•Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) revealed cortical inhibition deficit in schizophrenia.•This tool has recently been combined with electroencephalography (TMS-EEG).•TMS-EEG may shed more light into the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.•TMS-EEG biometrics showed altered excitation/inhibition balance in schizophrenia.•TMS-EEG fingerprints may provide a marker of diagnosis and treatment response.
MULTISPECTRAL UAV DATA ENHANCING THE KNOWLEDGE OF LANDSCAPE HERITAGE Santoro, V.; Patrucco, G.; Lingua, A. ...
International archives of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences.,
01/2023, Letnik:
XLVIII-M-2-2023
Journal Article, Conference Proceeding
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Landscape heritage, especially if it does not arouse great public echoes, needs great attention, starting from knowledge and metric documentation processes to which reality-based sensing techniques ...often contribute significantly. The primary purpose of this work is to reflect on the possibility of identifying submerged built heritages, which are sometimes characterised by precarious safety conditions due to abandonment, through multispectral photogrammetric technologies with primary data acquired by UAVs. The experience carried out in an impervious alpine territory foresees the close relationship of integration of photogrammetric techniques in the visible and the multispectral ranges, with the integration of terrestrial scanning solutions from slam-based mobile systems, to validate the results provided by the analysis of the spectral signatures of different kind of soils.
Conventional wastewater treatment methods have shown to be unsuitable for a complete elimination of iodinated X-ray contrast agents (ICMs), which have thus been found in wastewater treatment plant ...(WWTP) effluent and in surface water. Once in the surface water, they could be transformed through different processes and form several transformation products that may need to be monitored as well. To this end, we studied the abatement and transformation of ICMs by combining laboratory experiments with in field analyses. We irradiated different aqueous solutions of the selected pollutants in the presence of TiO2 as photocatalyst, aimed to promote ICMs degradation and to generate photoinduced transformation products (TPs) similar to those occurring in the environment and effluent wastewater. This experimental strategy has been applied to the study of three ICMs, namely iopromide, iopamidol and diatrizoate. A total of twenty-four, ten, and ten TPs were detected from iopamidol, diatrizoate and iopromide, respectively. The analyses were performed using a liquid chromatography-LTQ-FT-Orbitrap mass spectrometer. The mineralization process and acute toxicity evolution were assessed as well over time and revealed a lack of mineralization for all ICMs and the formation of harmful byproducts.
After characterizing these transformation products, WWTP effluent and surface water taken from several branches of the Chicago River were analyzed for ICMs and their TPs. HRMS with MS/MS fragmentation was used as a confirmatory step for proper identification of compounds in water and wastewater samples. All three of ICM were detected in the effluent and surface water samples, while no significant amount of TPs were detected.
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•The transformation of three ICM (Iopamidol, diatrizoate and iopromide) was assessed.•A total of forty-five TPs were detected via LC-HRMS.•A lack of mineralization and the formation of harmful byproducts occurred for all ICMs.•ICMs and their TPs were searched in river and WWTP effluent waters.
The aquatic environmental fate of ethylhexyl methoxy cinnamate (EHMC), one of the most used UVB filters worldwide, was studied by assessing its environmental persistence and photoinduced ...transformations. The role of direct and indirect photolysis was evaluated. Direct photolysis was shown to play a key role, and this process is expected to be the main attenuation route of EHMC in sunlit surface waters. In contrast, the reaction with OH radicals would be negligible and that with 3CDOM* would at most be a secondary process.
The measurement of the quantum yield of direct photolysis and of the rate constants of reaction with photogenerated transient species (or, sometimes, the use of reasonable values for the latter) allowed the prediction of the EHMC half-life time in surface waters, by means of a validated photochemical model. The predicted EHMC lifetime is of the order of hours to a few days in fair-weather summertime, and the main factors controlling the EHMC phototransformation in sunlit surface waters would be the water depth and the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content.
The formation of transformation products (TPs) was followed as well via HPLC/HRMS. Three TPs were detected in the samples exposed to UVA radiation, while one additional TP was detected in the samples exposed to UVB radiation. The detected TPs comprised 4-methoxybenzaldehyde, a hydroxylated derivative and dimeric species. Through the use of heterogeneous photocatalysis with TiO2, seven additional TPs were identified, most of them resulting from the further degradation of primary TPs formed through direct photolysis and that might be detected in aquatic systems as well. The photodegradation of EHMC in the presence of TiO2 yielded more toxic TPs than the parent compound (as determined with the Vibrio fischeri Microtox assay). The increased toxicity is partially accounted for by the formation of 4-methoxybenzaldehyde.
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•Study of the photolytic and photocatalytic transformation of EHMC in water.•The role of direct and indirect photolysis was evaluated.•Predicted EHMC lifetime is of the order of hours to a few days in fair-weather summertime.•We identify 11 phototransformation products using HPLC–HRMS.
Agricultural by-products could be used as alternative raw materials in rabbit nutrition as they have been found to be highly nutritious and low cost feeding sources. The aim of this study was to ...estimate the nutritive value and potential use of bilberry pomace (BP) for growing rabbits. A total of 144 Grimaud rabbits (35 days old) were allotted to four groups and fed with a diet containing increasing level of BP: BP0 (basal diet), BP5, BP10 and BP15 containing 0, 50, 100 and 150 g/kg respectively. Growth trial lasted 48 days; apparent digestibility was evaluated, starting at 46 days of age, over 4 consecutive days. The nutritive value of BP was measured using the mean digestibility of the experimental diets. At 83 days of age, rabbits were slaughtered: blood, and liver and kidney samples were collected in order to determine the blood parameters and the antioxidant enzyme activities of the tissues. Moreover, caecal content was sampled and gut microbiota assessed by means of amplicon-based high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing and PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. The digestible protein was estimated to 104 g/kg of DM while digestible energy to 9.44 MJ/kg DM for incorporation rate up to 150 g/kg. During the finishing period, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio showed linear response to BP increase (P=0.008 and <0.001, respectively). During all the period, both parameters decreased linearly and quadratically with increasing BP inclusion levels (P<0.001) up to 100 g/kg of BP. A significant effect of the antioxidant status was found in the kidneys and liver (P<0.05) where the glutathione peroxidase activity increased as the BP increased. As far as gut microbiota is concerned, BP increased the relative abundance of the Clostridium, Oscillospira, Ruminococcus and Ruminococcaceae species which were clearly associated with the BP inclusion level. In conclusion, BP showed a potential use as an alternative protein and fibre sources for growing rabbits.
Debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) is an attractive treatment option for prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). However, reported success rates and predictors of DAIR failure vary ...widely. The primary aim of this study is to report the outcome of DAIR in patients with hip and knee PJIs receiving short course of antibiotic therapy. The secondary aim is to identify risk factors for DAIR failure.
We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of all hip and knee PJIs consecutively diagnosed at Quadrante Orthopedic Center, an Italian orthopedic hospital highly specialized in prosthetic surgery, from January 1, 2013 to January 1, 2019, and we analyzed those treated with DAIR.
Forty-seven PJIs occurred after 5102 arthroplasty procedures. Twenty-one patients (45%) aged 71 years were treated with DAIR for hip (62%) and knee (38%) PJIs. These were classified as early PJIs in 76% cases, delayed in 19% and late in 5%. Median time from PJI-related symptoms onset to implant revision surgery was 12 days (IQR, 7–20 days). The median duration of antibiotic treatment after surgery was 63 days (IQR, 53–84 days). Sixteen (76%) patients were cured after a median follow-up of 2197 days (IQR, 815–2342 days), while 5 (24%) experienced failure. At multivariate analysis, delayed/late PJIs were significantly associated with failure (OR = 12.51; 95% CI 1.21–129.63, p = 0.03).
DAIR represents an effective strategy for the treatment of early PJIs in spite of short course of antibiotic therapy.
We report the first measurement of the absolute branching fraction for Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e}. This measurement is based on 567 pb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data produced at sqrts=4.599 GeV, ...which is just above the Λ_{c}^{+}Λover ¯_{c}^{-} threshold. The data were collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage rings. The branching fraction is determined to be B(Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e})=3.63±0.38(stat)±0.20(syst)%, representing a significant improvement in precision over the current indirect determination. As the branching fraction for Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e} is the benchmark for those of other Λ_{c}^{+} semileptonic channels, our result provides a unique test of different theoretical models, which is the most stringent to date.
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