Several mountainous regions are currently affected by syn- or post-orogenic active extension. We investigate how a newly-formed normal fault interacts with structures inherited from a previous ...contractional phase. To this end, we use analog models that adopt an innovative technique for performing a precut that mimics such inherited structures into a clay layer; this clay layer is laid on top of a master fault simulated by two rigid blocks sliding along an inclined plane. We carry out six experiments with variously oriented precuts and compare the results with those obtained in a reference isotropic experiment. All other conditions are identical for all seven realizations. Fault evolution is monitored by taking closely-spaced snapshots analyzed through the Digital Image Correlation method. We find that the upward propagation of the normal fault can be either accelerated or decelerated depending on the presence of a precut and its orientation. Such precuts can also promote or inhibit the formation of bending-moment faults. These interactions between master fault and precut also affect the shape of the fault-related syncline–anticline pair.
•Analysis of normal faults that form in areas previously affected by contractional tectonics.•New normal faults inevitably interact with inherited faults during their development.•We use analogue models with precuts in wet kaolin to simulate pre-existing faults.•We found that development of normal faults and related structures depends on the orientation of pre-existing faults.
No large study has ever evaluated the efficacy, safety and tolerability of meropenem/clavulanate to treat multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR- and XDR-TB). The aim of this ...observational study was to evaluate the therapeutic contribution, effectiveness, safety and tolerability profile of meropenem/clavulanate added to a background regimen when treating MDR- and XDR-TB cases.Patients treated with a meropenem/clavulanate-containing regimen (n=96) showed a greater drug resistance profile than those exposed to a meropenem/clavulanate-sparing regimen (n=168): in the former group XDR-TB was more frequent (49% versus 6.0%, p<0.0001) and the median (interquartile range (IQR)) number of antibiotic resistances was higher (8 (6-9)versus 5 (4-6)). Patients were treated with a meropenem/clavulanate-containing regimen for a median (IQR) of 85 (49-156) days.No statistically significant differences were observed in the overall MDR-TB cohort and in the subgroups with and without the XDR-TB patients; in particular, sputum smear and culture conversion rates were similar in XDR-TB patients exposed to meropenem/clavulanate-containing regimens (88.0% versus 100.0%, p=1.00 and 88.0% versus 100.0%, p=1.00, respectively). Only six cases reported adverse events attributable to meropenem/clavulanate (four of them then restarting treatment).The nondifferent outcomes and bacteriological conversion rate observed in cases who were more severe than controls might imply that meropenem/clavulanate could be active in treating MDR- and XDR-TB cases.
Philadelphia (Ph)-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) constitutes a heterogeneous subset of ALL with a uniformly unfavorable prognosis. The identification of mutations amenable to treatment with ...tyrosine kinase-inhibitors (TKIs) represents a promising field of investigation. We report the case of a young patient affected by relapsed/refractory Ph-like ALL treated with chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells after successful bridging with compassionate-use ponatinib and low-dose prednisone. We restarted low-dose ponatinib maintenance three months later. Twenty months later, measurable residual disease negativity and B-cell aplasia persist. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reporting the use of ponatinib in Ph-like ALL as a bridge to and maintenance after CAR-T cell therapy.
Introduction:
2019-novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has recently struck Northern Italy. Limited data are available about COVID-19 during pregnancy and infancy, mostly from China. Herein, ...our experience on a safe perinatal management of neonates born to COVID-19 mothers is reported.
Method:
Since late February through May 15, 2020, 375 pregnant women delivered at our City Hospital in Piacenza, at the epicenter of the Italian epidemic. Of these, 144 were tested via a SARS-CoV-2 quantitative rRT-PCR nasopharyngeal swab prior to delivery, firstly on the basis of epidemiological and clinical criteria, then adopting a universal screening approach. All newborns from SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers were tested via nasopharyngeal swab at birth, on day 3 and/or day 7. In case of positive result, they were re-tested on day 14.
Results:
Fifteen women tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. All newborns except one were born at term. All of them were non-infected at birth, irrespective of mode of delivery; 13 out 15 remained negative; the two positive neonates became negative by day 14 of life. All of them have always remained asymptomatic. All newborns except two were allowed to have immediate bonding, permanent rooming-in, and direct breastfeeding.
Conclusions:
Our study supports the claim that COVID-19 in pregnancy is not associated with worse clinical outcomes compared to non-COVID-19 pregnant women and/or with higher rates of preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction. Intrauterine vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 seems to be unlikely. Breastfeeding appears to be safe and protective for the neonate, once appropriate preventive measures are adopted.
New Italian data on the distribution of Annex I Habitats are reported in this contribution. Specifically, 8 new occurrences in Natura 2000 sites are presented and 27 new cells are added in the EEA 10 ...km × 10 km reference grid. The new data refer to the Italian administrative regions of Apulia, Campania, Calabria, Lazio, Tuscany, Umbria, Sardinia, and Sicily.
This technical note describes the investigations performed along the Saint Martin La Porte tunnel between chainage 1229 and 1325 m in order to determine the state of stress in the concrete lining. A ...cast in place lining was chosen in an attempt to stop the large convergences, which occurred in a section where the yield-control support system was not yet used. The laboratory tests performed for the characterisation of the mechanical behaviour of the concrete, the in situ stress relief tests in the lining and simplified numerical modelling will be presented.
Respiratory allergies are known to affect people all over the world. Environmental factors related to pollution play a significant etiopathogenic role in this regard. Polluting sources are industrial ...activities and urban traffic, capable of generating various types of pollutants that trigger inflammatory, direct, and indirect damage to tissues, promoting allergic symptoms, even serious ones, and interfering with the pharmacologic response. They are also able to modify pollen, promoting allergic sensitization. Pollution could have played a significant predisposing role in the ongoing morbidity and mortality of SARS‐CoV‐2.
To evaluate the performances of an allergen microarray in multi-sensitized allergic patients with respiratory symptoms.
321 patients and 92 controls were included in this study. Specific serum IgE ...were assayed using ImmunoCAP ISAC, a microarray containing 103 components derived from 47 allergens and results were compared with extract-based ImmunoCAP Allergens sIgE to 15 common airborne allergens.
The reproducibility of ISAC was good. The Positive Percent Agreement (PPA) varied between 75% and 100% for sIgE levels above 1
kUA/l. For samples with sIgE levels below 0.1
kUA/l, the Negative Percent Agreement (NPA) ranged between 90% and 100%. Notably, 58% of respiratory allergy patients had IgE to food-specific proteins and 52% resulted sensitized to cross-reactive pan-allergens.
ImmunoCAP ISAC detects allergen sensitization at component level and adds important information by defining both cross and co-sensitization to a large variety of allergen molecules.
In the frame of the Integrated Method for Advanced Geothermal Exploration (IMAGE) Project, a reliable exploration and resource assessment workflow was implemented on the basis of an integrated and ...multidisciplinary approach. Our study addressed to a better understanding of the thermal structure of the deepest part of the Larderello geothermal field (Southern Tuscany, Italy) by integrating structural, geological, geochemical, geochronological, petrological and geophysical data. With the aim to characterize the reservoir located nearby an important seismic reflector (the K-horizon), we systematized the available data and, successively, we applied a numerical thermal modelling approach to test our hypotheses and concepts.
Abstract
Objectives
The prevalence and clinical implications of small airways involvement in SSc are still to be fully elucidated. The goal of the present work is to assess the prevalence of small ...airways dysfunction by impulse oscillometry and to determine whether it correlates with selected disease-related features and respiratory-related quality of life.
Methods
Ninety-four SSc patients and 93 healthy controls were studied by impulse oscillometry measurements. Small airways dysfunction was defined as the difference between resistance at low frequency, i.e. 5 Hz, and resistance at high frequency, i.e. 20 Hz, termed ‘R5-R20’, ⩾0.07 kPa/l/s. The St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire was used to measure health impairment in SSc patients. Radiological features of small airways disease and parenchymal abnormalities on high resolution CT chest scans were jointly assessed by two thoracic radiologists.
Results
Small airways dysfunction was present in 21.5% of the SSc patient cohort, with a prevalence almost 5-fold higher compared with controls, and it was significantly associated with worse respiratory-related quality of life. Radiological features consistent with small airways abnormalities were detected in 25% of SSc patients, mostly in the absence of interstitial lung changes. Combining functional and radiological evaluations, one-third of the SSc cohort showed at least one feature of small airways involvement, which was associated with the lcSSc phenotype and with longer disease duration.
Conclusion
The current study strengthens the hypothesis that small airway dysfunction might be a feature of SSc-related lung involvement, providing the first data on its significant impact on respiratory-related quality of life. A full assessment of lung function in SSc patients should include impulse oscillometry as a complementary technique, due to potential clinical and therapeutic implications.
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