A New Tool for Rectangular Dualization

OcORD is a software tool for rectangular dualization. Rectangular dualization is a dual representation of a plane graph introduced in the early seventies. It proved to be effective in applications such as architectural space planning and VLSI floorplanning. However, not all plane graphs admit a rectangular dual, which imposes severe limitations on its use in other applications. OcORD aims at freeing rectangular dualization from such restrictions and proving its effectiveness in graph visualization. This is achieved in two ways. Firstly, OcORD features a new linear-time algorithm creating a rectangular dual of any plane graph. Secondly, it shows how nice drawings of a graph can be easily obtained from its rectangular dual. Finally, the automatic generation of a Virtual World through rectangular dualization is described. [DOI: 10.1685/CSC09301] About DO

Analysis of Germline Gene Copy Number Variants of Patients with Sporadic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Reveals Specific Variations

Objectives: The rapid fatality of pancreatic cancer is, in large part, the result of diagnosis at an advanced stage in the majority of patients. Identification of individuals at risk of developing pancreatic adenocarcinoma would be useful to improve the prognosis of this disease. There is presently no biological or genetic indicator allowing the detection of patients at risk. Our main goal was to identify copy number variants (CNVs) common to all patients with sporadic pancreatic cancer. Methods: We analyzed gene CNVs in leukocyte DNA from 31 patients with sporadic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and from 93 matched controls. Genotyping was performed with the use of the GeneChip Human Mapping 500K Array Set (Affymetrix). Results: We identified 431 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) probes with abnormal hy-bridization signal present in the DNA of all 31 patients. Of these SNP probes, 284 corresponded to 3 or more copies and 147 corresponded to 1 or 0 copies. Several cancer-associated genes were amplified in all patients. Conversely, several genes supposed to oppose cancer development were present as single copy. Conclusions: These data suggest that a set of 431 CNVs could be associated with the disease. This set could be useful for early diagnosis

On line sensing of ultrafast laser microdrilling processes by optical feedback interferometry

The instantaneous measurement of both ablation front displacement and removal rate during ultrafast laser microdrilling is demonstrated by on line sensing technique based on optical feedback interferometry in both unipolar and bipolar semiconductor laser. The dependence of laser ablation dynamics on pulse duration, energy density and working pressure has been investigated, thus allowing a significant advancement of the basic understanding of the ultrafast laser-material interactions. Moreover, the detection system results high-sensitive, compact, and easily integrable in most industrial workstations, enabling the development of real-time control to improve ablation efficiency and quality of laser micromachining processes

CDX2 hox gene product in a rat model of esophageal cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Barrett's mucosa is the precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma. The molecular mechanisms behind Barrett's carcinogenesis are largely unknown. Experimental models of longstanding esophageal reflux of duodenal-gastric contents may provide important information on the biological sequence of the Barrett's oncogenesis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The expression of <it>CDX2 </it>hox-gene product was assessed in a rat model of Barrett's carcinogenesis. Seventy-four rats underwent esophago-jejunostomy with gastric preservation. Excluding perisurgical deaths, the animals were sacrificed at various times after the surgical treatment (Group A: <10 weeks; Group B: 10–30 weeks; Group C: >30 weeks).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No Cdx2 expression was detected in either squamous epithelia of the proximal esophagus or squamous cell carcinomas. <it>De novo </it>Cdx2 expression was consistently documented in the proliferative zone of the squamous epithelium close to reflux ulcers (Group A: 68%; Group B: 64%; Group C: 80%), multilayered epithelium and intestinal metaplasia (Group A: 9%; Group B: 41%; Group C: 60%), and esophageal adenocarcinomas (Group B: 36%; Group C: 35%). A trend for increasing overall Cdx2 expression was documented during the course of the experiment (<it>p </it>= 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>De novo </it>expression of Cdx2 is an early event in the spectrum of the lesions induced by experimental gastro-esophageal reflux and should be considered as a key step in the morphogenesis of esophageal adenocarcinoma.</p

Epidemiological patterns of asbestos exposure and spatial clusters of incident cases of malignant mesothelioma from the Italian national registry

Abstract BACKGROUND: Previous ecological spatial studies of malignant mesothelioma cases, mostly based on mortality data, lack reliable data on individual exposure to asbestos, thus failing to assess the contribution of different occupational and environmental sources in the determination of risk excess in specific areas. This study aims to identify territorial clusters of malignant mesothelioma through a Bayesian spatial analysis and to characterize them by the integrated use of asbestos exposure information retrieved from the Italian national mesothelioma registry (ReNaM). METHODS: In the period 1993 to 2008, 15,322 incident cases of all-site malignant mesothelioma were recorded and 11,852 occupational, residential and familial histories were obtained by individual interviews. Observed cases were assigned to the municipality of residence at the time of diagnosis and compared to those expected based on the age-specific rates of the respective geographical area. A spatial cluster analysis was performed for each area applying a Bayesian hierarchical model. Information about modalities and economic sectors of asbestos exposure was analyzed for each cluster. RESULTS: Thirty-two clusters of malignant mesothelioma were identified and characterized using the exposure data. Asbestos cement manufacturing industries and shipbuilding and repair facilities represented the main sources of asbestos exposure, but a major contribution to asbestos exposure was also provided by sectors with no direct use of asbestos, such as non-asbestos textile industries, metal engineering and construction. A high proportion of cases with environmental exposure was found in clusters where asbestos cement plants were located or a natural source of asbestos (or asbestos-like) fibers was identifiable. Differences in type and sources of exposure can also explain the varying percentage of cases occurring in women among clusters. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates shared exposure patterns in territorial clusters of malignant mesothelioma due to single or multiple industrial sources, with major implications for public health policies, health surveillance, compensation procedures and site remediation programs

Sex differences in response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines in Italian population

Since the beginning of mass vaccination campaign for COVID-19 in Italy (December 2020) and following the rapidly increasing vaccine administration, sex differences have been emphasized. Nevertheless, incomplete and frequently incoherent sex-disaggregated data for COVID-19 vaccinations are currently available, and vaccines clinical studies generally do not include sex-specific analyses for safety and efficacy. We looked at sex variations in the COVID-19 vaccine's effectiveness against infection and severe disease outcomes. We conducted a nationwide retrospective cohort study on Italian population, linking information on COVID-19 vaccine administrations obtained through the Italian National Vaccination Registry, with the COVID-19 integrated surveillance system, held by the Istituto Superiore di Sanita. The results showed that, in all age groups, vaccine effectiveness (VE) was higher in the time-interval &lt;= 120 days post-vaccination. In terms of the sex difference in vaccination effectiveness, men and women were protected against serious illness by vaccination in a comparable way, while men were protected against infection to a somewhat greater extent than women. To fully understand the mechanisms underlying the sex difference in vaccine response and its consequences for vaccine effectiveness and development, further research is required. The sex-related analysis of vaccine response may contribute to adjust vaccination strategies, improving overall public health programmes