Casale Monferrato Research Articles

Analysis of geographical distribution of high-grade glioma diagnoses in the Alessandria province: pilot study preliminary results

Background: one under-researched line of investigation is gliomas, which are a group of malignant brain tumours with highly poor prognoses. Despite efforts to identify environmental risk factors for gliomas, their etiology still remains unclear. It turns out that several future developments are needed in order to understand other potential risk factors. To this end, the primary objective of the present pilot study is to conduct an assessment of the spatial distribution of high-grade brain tumor cases in the province of Alessandria, where possible risk factors such as the presence of chemical industries and asbestiform fibers are found. Materials and Methods: the study sample consisted of all patients diagnosed with high-grade glioma between January 2018 and April 2023, residents in the province of Alessandria at the time of diagnosis and referred to the health facilities of the "Azienda Sanitaria Locale di Alessandria" and the "Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera di Alessandria". Biographical and pathological history variables were collected, and finally, data were processed in aggregate and anonymized form. A total of 103 deceased patients were enrolled, stratified by age and type of diagnosis. Results: it was seen that the city with the most cases was Alessandria, with 27 diagnoses found during the period under review (26.2%), followed by cities of Acqui Terme, Casale Monferrato, and Novi Ligure with seven diagnoses (6.8%). Preliminary results presented in this paper were compared with data already published. Conclusions: analyses performed to arrive at an initial geographical distribution of high-grade glioma diagnoses are consistent relative to the population density of each municipality considered.

CASALE MONFERRATO REMEDIATION: ASBESTOS POLLUTION AND SAFETY MEASURES TO PROTECT WORKERS AND ENVIRONMENT

Asbestos is considered one of the most harmful occupational carcinogens causing more than 100,000 deaths per year and exposure to airborne asbestos fibers is held responsible for half of the deaths from occupational cancer (caused by mesothelioma, asbestos-related cancer and asbestosis). Because of this, this substance is now banned in 52 Countries, including Italy, which prohibited the extraction, and marketing of asbestos in 1992. Many areas have therefore been identified in this European Country as highly contaminated by asbestos. Among them also the area of Monferrato, which includes the Municipality of Casale Monferrato and 46 neighboring municipalities. The Eternit asbestos cement plant, located in the municipality of Casale, caused the contamination. The aim of this paper is to describe the complex remediation activities conducted in this wide area, located in northern Italy, highlighting the main phases and the most important issues during the remediation execution; moreover the purpose is to recall the appropriate prevention and protection measures to adopt to prevent new asbestos exposures and to emphasize their importance. This study can serve as an important reference for the academic participants involved in this field at European or international level.

Improving the dynamic behaviour of historic buildings using experimental data: application to a Baroque church

Vibration-based Structural Health Monitoring represents an efficient and reliable tool to build models that can predict the dynamic behaviour of heritage structures for, but not limited to, monitoring purposes. Indeed, built heritage consists of unique structures often characterized by high fragility, and the design of interventions implies several challenges, also related to restrictions on the application of modern regulations. In this context, the corroboration of the mechanical model should accompany the entire process, from design to implementation, with test campaigns performed before and after the strengthening operations to assess their effectiveness. Thus, the work presents the experimental process used for the tailoring of the seismic upgrading interventions on the church of Santa Caterina, in Casale Monferrato. More recently, the model has been updated with the results acquired from a permanent monitoring system installed in 2022, following the interventions, hence allowing assessments of their effectiveness.

Quality of life in patients with PICC diagnosed with mesothelioma: Results of a multicenter epidemiological survey (LifePICC).

Pleural mesothelioma (PM) is a rare and aggressive cancer. PICC devices are widely used in cancer patients. The aim of the study is to evaluate the quality of life of patients with PICC diagnosed with PM treated at the Hospital of Casale Monferrato and Alessandria (Italy), an area with a high incidence of asbestos-related diseases. Longitudinal prospective observational study with data collection at PICC insertion (T0), after 3 months (T1), 6 months (T2), and 9 months (T3). Participants were aged >18 years, diagnosed with PM, eligible for PICC insertion. Questionnaires used: EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-LC13, and HADS rating scale. Twenty-eight patients were enrolled. The mean age was 68.93 years (SD 9.13), mostly male (57.1%). The most frequent cancer stage at diagnosis was III (39.3%), then I (32.1%), and IV (21.4%). 85.7% were treated with chemotherapy, 14.3% also with immunotherapy. 96.4% of patients reported no complications during PICC implantation. The perception of health status and quality of life, measured on a scale of 1-7, was in line with an average score of 5 during the evaluation period. The total anxiety and depression score remained normal for most patients (0-7). The PICC management involved a multidisciplinary team with different skills: study findings revealed the key role that dedicated nurses play in PICC placement and ensuring patient problems are promptly addressed. From our study results, PICC placement does not seem to negatively impact the patient's quality of life.

NRTS: A Client-Server Architecture for Supporting Education in a Neonatal Resuscitation Simulation Scenario.

In this paper, we describe Neonatal Resuscitation Training Simulator (NRTS), an Android mobile app designed to support medical experts to input, transmit and record data during a High-Fidelity Simulation course for neonatal resuscitation. This mobile app allows one to automatically send all the recorded data from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Casale Monferrato Children's Hospital, (Italy) to a server in the cloud managed by the University of Piemonte Orientale (Italy). The medical instructor can then view statistics on simulation exercises, that may be used during the debriefing phase for the evaluation of multidisciplinary teams involved in the simulation scenarios.

Feasibility of a questionnaire on asbestos awareness among students: a pilot study

Background: there is no resolutive treatment for asbestos-related diseases, but prevention plays a key role. This survey was conducted to test the feasibility of a questionnaire to measure the awareness on asbestos among the students in a specific asbestos polluted area. Furthermore, we carried out a preliminary assessment of student awareness on this topic. Methods: a questionnaire was used among secondary school students of Casale Monferrato. This considered the levels of sensitivity, knowledge, and experienced emotions. Results: 788 students completed the questionnaire out of a total of 3600 (22.2%). Thirty-five percent of the students were poorly informed about the asbestos issue, 26% felt that they had basic information on this topic. Twelve percent of the students thought that asbestos is no longer a problem. Conclusions: it emerges the strong need to become more knowledgeable on asbestos’ history. A questionnaire is a useful tool, but structural changes are needed to facilitate the analysis of the results.

Integrated 3D Mapping and Diagnosis for the Structural Assessment of Architectural Heritage: Morano's Parabolic Arch.

The architectural heritage of the 20th century is affected by several conservation problems in terms of material preservation, structural analysis, and reuse. Among these, material degradation and durability issues are the ones that have the most effect on the health state and, consequently, the survival of the constructions of the period. In order to conduct a proper analysis for preservation purposes, an interdisciplinary approach is necessary. The parabolic arch in Morano sul Po (Italy) is a reinforced concrete landmark in the Casale Monferrato area and is related to the industrial vocation of the territory, which is indissolubly linked to the cement production chain. The present paper reports the results of a non-destructive test campaign by a Politecnico di Torino multidisciplinary group, which combined acquisitions using different methods. The paper highlights the importance of a structured procedure to integrate different information coming from different techniques. The aim was to assess the health state of the structure and define the best procedures for building an information system based on the as-built modeling strategy, which could serve as the basis to provide conservation guidelines.

The Italian Experience in the Development of Mesothelioma Registries: A Pathway for Other Countries to Address the Negative Legacy of Asbestos.

Asbestos (all forms, including chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite) is carcinogenic to humans and causally associated with mesothelioma and cancer of the lung, larynx, and ovary. It is one of the carcinogens most diffuse in the world, in workplaces, but also in the environment and is responsible for a very high global cancer burden. A large number of countries, mostly with high-income economies, has banned the use of asbestos which, however, is still widespread in low- and middle-income countries. It remains, thus, one of the most common occupational and environmental carcinogens worldwide. Italy issued an asbestos ban in 1992, following the dramatic observation of a large increase in mortality from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in exposed workers and also in subjects with non-occupational exposure. A mesothelioma registry was also organized and still monitors the occurrence of mesothelioma cases, conducting a case-by-case evaluation of asbestos exposure. In this report, we describe two Italian communities, Casale Monferrato and Broni, that faced an epidemic of mesothelioma resulting from the production of asbestos cement and the diffuse environmental exposure; we present the activity and results of the Italian mesothelioma registry (ReNaM), describe the risk-communication activities at the local and national level with a focus on international cooperation and also describe the interaction between mesothelioma registration and medical services specialized in mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment in an area at high risk of mesothelioma. Finally, we assess the potential application of the solutions and methods already developed in Italy in a city in Colombia with high mesothelioma incidence associated with the production of asbestos-cement materials and the presence of diffuse environmental asbestos pollution.

The transferability and validity of a population-level simulation model for the economic evaluation of interventions in diabetes: the MICADO model

AimsValid health economic models are essential to inform the adoption and reimbursement of therapies for diabetes mellitus. Often existing health economic models are applied in other countries and settings than those where they were developed. This practice requires assessing the transferability of a model developed from one setting to another. We evaluate the transferability of the MICADO model, developed for the Dutch 2007 setting, in two different settings using a range of adjustment steps. MICADO predicts micro- and macrovascular events at the population level.MethodsMICADO simulation results were compared to observed events in an Italian 2000–2015 cohort (Casale Monferrato Survey [CMS]) and in a Dutch 2008–2019 (Hoorn Diabetes Care Center [DCS]) cohort after adjusting the demographic characteristics. Additional adjustments were performed to: (1) risk factors prevalence at baseline, (2) prevalence of complications, and (3) all-cause mortality risks by age and sex. Model validity was assessed by mean average percentage error (MAPE) of cumulative incidences over 10 years of follow-up, where lower values mean better accuracy.ResultsFor mortality, MAPE was lower for CMS compared to DCS (0.38 vs. 0.70 following demographic adjustment) and adjustment step 3 improved it to 0.20 in CMS, whereas step 2 showed best results in DCS (0.65). MAPE for heart failure and stroke in DCS were 0.11 and 0.22, respectively, while for CMS was 0.42 and 0.41.ConclusionsThe transferability of the MICADO model varied by event and per cohort. Additional adjustments improved prediction of events for MICADO. To ensure a valid model in a new setting it is imperative to assess the impact of adjustments in terms of model accuracy, even when this involves the same country, but a new time period.

Clinical Research Coordinator and Clinical Research Nurse: education and role at the Clinical Trial Center of Alessandria

The increasing complexity of clinical research makes it indispensable for an Institution that wants to conduct clinical trials to have an Organisational Structure and a dedicated multidisciplinary team. Since 2013, the public Hospital "SS Antonio and Biagio and C. Arrigo" of Alessandria (AO AL) has established a Clinical Trial Center (CTC), that has now become a centralized inter-company sector of the Research and Innovation Department. The CTC is part of the Research Infrastructure with its head office at AO AL and a further office at the Local Health Authority Territorial Hospital "S. Spirito" of Casale Monferrato (ASL AL). The CTC aims to design high standard clinical trials, ensuring better efficiency in their activation, management and data management according to the Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. Over the years, the CTC has grown and gained professional skills such as the Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) and the Clinical Research Nurse (CRN), not yet officially recognized by the National Health System. These are skilled professional figures, that have been adequately trained even with post-graduate education through a 1st level Master in "Data Management and Coordination of Clinical Trials" which was activated by the University of Eastern Piedmont in collaboration with AO AL. The number and diversity of the activities carried out by CRCs and CRNs within the CTC has led them to develop a tool that strategically permits to recollect and record the time needed to perform these tasks with the aim of evaluating the different types of activities undertaken and assessing the needs of new staff. The organizational model adopted by the AO AL and the ASL AL through a centralized inter-company CTC represents a unique organizational model in the regional scenario and a peculiarity within the Public Health Authority not as yet recognized as Scientific Institutes for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare.

Pleural mesothelioma: research of mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis. The role of CD10

The present study was conducted at Surgical Pathology Department of “Santo Spirito” hospital in Casale Monferrato (AL) and in collaboration with the Cellular Biology and Physiology laboratory located in the institution of DiSIT-Università del Piemonte Orientale. In the pathology facility a retrospective analysis on the immunohistochemical expression of CD10 marker in malignant pleural mesothelioma was delineated. For this purpose it was collected a sample of 63 pleural biopsies with a diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma come in the period of January 2015 and November 2020. In this cohort, CD10 expression was assessed from a prognostic perspective and in relation to morphologic aspects of the neoplasm. Results from previous analysis built the basis of the experiment conducted in the DiSIT facility. Two pleural mesothelioma cell lines, REN and MM98, got incubated with the cytokine TGF-β aiming to analyze the potential relationship between epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and CD10 cell expression pattern. Bioinformatic server Haddock 2.4 helped to predict and model potential cross-talk between EMT underlying pathways and CD10 signalling. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess prognostic role of CD10 immunohistochemical expression in a cohort of patients affected by pleural mesothelioma. Second goal was to analyze the relationship between CD10 biopsy expression, phenotypical and imunophenotypical features (referring in particular to PDL-1 expression) of the neoplasm. Results from this retrospective analysis established next aim of the study: induction of EMT in two mesothelioma cell lines, REN and MM98, and analysis of change in CD10 cellular pattern. Final goal was to predict a potential cross-talk between EMT related pathways and CD10 activity based on bioinformatic server Haddock 2.4.Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis of biopsies and cell cultures were processed on Ventana Benchmark immunostainer. Tools adopted in qRT-PCR of cell cultures were: Power Sybr Green Mastermix probes (Ambion Austin, TX, USA) and KiCqStart® SYBR® Green primers (Sigma-Aldrich); Real-Time PCR CFX384 detection system (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA, USA). Gene expressione was measured with ∆∆Ct method. Parametrization of CD10 immunohistochemical expression was accomplished with cell imaging software CellProfiler 3.1.9. Statistical analysis were ran with R software version 3.6.2. Results: CD10 showed to be a negative prognostic factor, positively associated to neoplastic grade, in the cohort of patients analyzed. Induction of EMT in REN and MM98 TGF-β treated cultures, augmented CD10 cytosolic expression against non-treated cultures. Specifically, a change in CD10 immunoexpression pattern, from membranous to cytosolic, was observed for EMT+ REN cell culture. This data agrees with prevalent CD10 cytosolic expression observed in mesothelioma with low differentiation, where differentiation represents a function of EMT. Furthermore, Haddock data highlighted a potential promotion of EMT by CD10 via a NF-kB interaction. CD10 could establish a positive feedback loop with EMT. Conclusion: CD10 represents a positive marker of neoplastic progression in pleural mesothelioma that, based on its expression level, can stratify survival. Experimental data showed that CD10 could be upregulated by EMT pathways. Bionformatic analysis also suggest that CD10 could interact with EMT establishing a positive feedback loop. Clarifying tumorigenicity of CD10 in mesothelioma is fundamental to define its possible therapeutic role.

The role of mismatch repair proteins expression in colorectal cancer

In the present study, carried out during the internship in Surgical Pathology of Santo Spirito Hospital in Casale Monferrato, a score based on the quantification of mismatch repair proteins (MMR) in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma was devised, to determine whether a different expression in these proteins could correlate with some morphological parameters, and therefore whether it was possible to define a prognostic stratification for these patients. Objective During this period, 73 cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma referred from 01/01/2020 to 31/03/2021 were analyzed. The cases were investigated by immunohistochemical examination to assess the expression of mismatch repair proteins. Subsequently, the immunohistochemical preparations were observed by light microscopy, evaluating a total percentage of expression in the tumor tissue, in order to perform a correlation study between the expression of mismatch repair proteins and some morphological characteristics of the tumor at diagnosis. The total expression of MLH1 protein, as representative of the MLH1/PMS2 heterodimer, and of MSH6 protein, as representative of the MSH2/MSH6 heterodimer, was quantified. Methodology Evaluation of microsatellite instability was obtained by immunohistochemical investigation using ROCHE's automated VENTANA Bench-Mark Ultra platform. Correlation study, between tumor morphological data at diagnosis and expression of mismatch repair proteins, was performed by use of parametric and nonparametric tests.Results Total expression of MSH6 protein was higher than MLH1 expression in 60 of 73 cases. MSH6 protein is more frequently associated with high expression (from 75% to 100%) than MLH1, which is characterized by a lower expression range. The correlation test of MLH1 expression per- centage with perineural invasion gave a statistically significant results, with a p-value below the limit of significance (p=0.007191). In the case of MSH6, statistically significant p-values were shown for tumor budding (p=0.02577), perineural invasion (p=0.007498) and growth margin (p=0.04664). Conclusions Quantifying MMR protein expression in MSS tumors could be a valuable aid in therapeutic choice, as well as in prognostic stratification of MSS patients between subjects with high expression, and thus less aggressive tumors, and subjects with low expression lesions of MLH1 and/or MSH6, and thus more biologically aggressive tumors. If a different expression in mismatch repair proteins correlates with morphological characteristics of greater or lesser malignancy, it could be hypothesized that patients with MSS colorectal cancer, treated with the same therapy, may have a greater or lesser response, depending on the percentage of expression of mismatch repair proteins, estimating a more effective adjuvant therapeutic response in subjects with high expression.

Environmental asbestos exposure and clustering of malignant mesothelioma in community: a spatial analysis in a population-based case\u2013control study

BackgroundNeighborhood exposure to asbestos increases the risk of developing malignant mesothelioma (MM) in residents who live near asbestos mines and asbestos product plants. The area of Casale Monferrato (Northwest Italy) was impacted by several sources of asbestos environmental pollution, due to the presence of the largest Italian asbestos cement (AC) plant. In the present study, we examined the spatial variation of MM risk in an area with high levels of asbestos pollution and secondly, and we explored the pattern of clustering.MethodsA population-based case–control study conducted between 2001 and 2006 included 200 cases and 348 controls. Demographic and occupational data along with residential information were recorded. Bivariate Kernel density estimation was used to map spatial variation in disease risk while an adjusted logistic model was applied to estimate the impact of residential distance from the AC plant. Kulldorf test and Cuzick Edward test were then performed.ResultsOne hundred ninety-six cases and 322 controls were included in the analyses. The contour plot of the cases to controls ratio showed a well-defined peak of MM incidence near the AC factory, and the risk decreased monotonically in all directions when large bandwidths were used. However, considering narrower smoothing parameters, several peaks of increased risk were reported. A constant trend of decreasing OR with increasing distance was observed, with estimates of 10.9 (95% CI 5.32–22.38) and 10.48 (95%CI 4.54–24.2) for 0–5 km and 5–10 km, respectively (reference > 15 km). Finally, a significant (p < 0.0001) excess of cases near the pollution source was identified and cases are spatially clustered relative to the controls until 13 nearest neighbors.ConclusionsIn this study, we found an increasing pattern of mesothelioma risk in the area around a big AC factory and we detected secondary clusters of cases due to local exposure points, possibly associated to the use of asbestos materials.

Condition Assessment of an Early Thin Reinforced Concrete Vaulted System

ABSTRACT For the analysis and conservation of architectural heritage a multi-disciplinary approach is required. In the specific case of early concrete buildings, survey and experimental investigations constitute a fundamental source of information for verifying the actual structural behavior and the residual safety levels. This paper reports the direct experience acquired from an extensive experimental campaign conducted on the Paraboloide in Casale Monferrato. The study aims to be an example of how condition assessment of the structural heritage of the early 1900s, with an apparently simple geometric shape and composition, can actually contribute in understanding hidden structural complexity. Moreover, this work may provide useful information to researchers and practitioners who are approaching this specific structural typology (e.g., the industrial heritage represented by parabolic concrete silos). In more details, results are presented regarding the in-situ investigations, and the laboratory tests carried out to analyze the mechanical performance inherent to both (i) local aspects of the structure, such as the quality of the materials and connections, and (ii) global aspects, such as the modal response of the structure. Furthermore, considerations are made on the results of the experimental campaign, also through the corroboration of numerical models.

IMPROVING SURVIVAL IS NOT THE ONLY RELEVANT OUTCOME FOR PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM MALIGNANT PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA AND THEIR CAREGIVERS: AN EXPLORATIVE STUDY (POINTINME_EXPLOR)

Background: The study was aimed at exploring the patients’ and caregivers’ expectations on treatment outcomes, the understanding of the information delivered by the oncologists during the first and reevaluation visits and the role of the general practitioners (GP) in the management of patients suffering from advanced Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) in the area of Casale Monferrato, in the North West of Italy, where the incidence of mesothelioma is more than 30 times higher than the median incidence in Europe. A multiprofessional mesothelioma unit involving specialists and also GPs has been created since 2012 to globally assist patients in each step of the diagnostic and therapeutic process. This study was conducted to better understand the need of MPM patients in our area and their satisfaction about the care provided within the unit. Methods: Patients and caregivers were asked to fill in a multiple-choice questionnaire after the first visit or the re-evaluation visits (the ones in which a new treatment program was communicated) asking what is most important as the result of treatment, how much the oncologist was clear in communicating the diagnosis, the therapeutic options, the side effects, the role of the GP in supporting the care process and the trust-relationship with both the referral oncologist and the GP. Patients were also asked about the importance of having a referral caregiver. Results: From March to August 2019, 31 consecutive patients, 18 males and 13 females, median age 71 (IQR 66-75) and 29 caregivers, 7 males and 22 females, median age 63 (IQR 49-67) were enrolled in the study. Improving survival was the most relevant expected outcome in 48% and 69% of patients and caregivers, respectively followed by maintenance of the quality of life (38% and 17%), having the minimal number of accesses in the hospital as possible (8% vs 4%) and improving symptoms (6% and 10%). Seventy-seven% of patients and 72% of caregivers stated that the communication of the diagnosis was very clear, 74% of patients and 72% of caregivers stated that explanations about treatments were very clear, 90% of both patients and caregivers stated that the communication of side effects was sufficiently clear. Ninety% of patients and 86% of caregivers are completely satisfied about the relationship with the referral oncologist whereas 58% of patients and 55% of caregivers are completely satisfied with the support given by the GP. Ninety-three% of patients think that having a referral caregiver is of utmost importance and 80% of patients appreciate the presence of a palliative expert in the patient-care team whereas 52% of patients think to require a psychological support. Conclusions: This study highlights that in the high incidence area of MPM of Casale Monferrato, only half of advanced MPM patients and less that 2/3 of caregivers think that improving survival is the most relevant treatment outcome. The majority of patients and caregivers state to have clear information about diagnosis, treatment and related side effects and feel satisfied about the relationship with the specialists of the mesothelioma unit.

Prediction of mortality and major cardiovascular complications in type 2 diabetes: External validation of UK Prospective Diabetes Study outcomes model version 2 in two European observational cohorts.

To externally validate the UK Prospective Diabetes Study Outcomes Model version 2 (UKPDS-OM2) by comparing the predicted and observed outcomes in two European population-based cohorts of people with type 2 diabetes. We used data from the Casale Monferrato Survey (CMS; n = 1931) and a subgroup of the Hoorn Diabetes Care System (DCS) cohort (n = 5188). The following outcomes were analysed: all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), ischaemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, and congestive heart failure (CHF). Model performance was assessed by comparing predictions with observed cumulative incidences in each cohort during follow-up. All-cause mortality was overestimated by the UKPDS-OM2 in both the cohorts, with a bias of 0.05 in the CMS and 0.12 in the DCS at 10 years of follow-up. For MI, predictions were consistently higher than observed incidence over the entire follow-up in both cohorts (10 years bias 0.07 for CMS and 0.10 for DCS). The model performed well for stroke and IHD outcomes in both cohorts. CHF incidence was predicted well for the DCS (5 years bias -0.001), but underestimated for the CMS cohort. The UKPDS-OM2 consistently overpredicted the risk of mortality and MI in both cohorts during follow-up. Period effects may partially explain the differences. Results indicate that transferability is not satisfactory for all outcomes, and new or adjusted risk equations may be needed before applying the model to the Italian or Dutch settings.

A Tenth-Century Fragment of the Metrical Calendar of Gambera from the Lake Constance Region

The Gambera Missal is an illustrated missal written around 1500, now in the Archivio Capitolare at Casale Monferrato. The manuscript includes the text of a Latin metrical calendar (the “Metrical Calendar of Gambera” or MCG) which, based on the feasts included, was suggested to have been composed some 450 years earlier and had a connection to the Abbey of St. Gall. This article discusses a second witness to the MCG, a single leaf that was used as a binding for a seventeenth-century book. The fragment has metrical text and computistical data virtually identical to that in the Gambera manuscript, and a large Ottonian painted KL (for “Kalends”). Based on the handwriting and style of the initials, the fragment dates to the second-half of the tenth century, likely from the Lake Constance area.

Variation and Genetic Parameters of Leaf Morphological Traits of Eight Families from Populus simonii × P. nigra

Leaf morphology in Populus L. varies extensively among sections, species and clones under strong genetic control. P. nigra L. (section Aigeiros), with large and triangular leaves, is a commercial forest tree of economic importance for fast growth and high yield in Europe. P. simonii Carr. (section Tacamahaca) with small land rhomboid ovate leaves performs cold and dry resistance/tolerance in the semi-arid region of Northern China. Leaf morphological traits could be used as early indicators to improve the efficiency of selection. In order to investigate the genetic variation pattern of leaf morphology traits, estimate breeding values (combining ability), as well as evaluate crossing combinations of parents, 1872 intersectional progenies from eight families (P. simonii × P. nigra) and their parents were planted with cuttings for the clonal replicate field trial in Northern China. Four leaf size traits (area, perimeter, length, width) and roundness were measured with leaf samples from the 1-year-old clonal plantation. Significant differences regarding leaf traits were found between and among three female clones of P. simonii from Inner Mongolia, China and six male clones of P. nigra from Casale Monferrato, Italy. The genetic variation coefficient, heritability and genetic variance component of most traits in male parents were greater than these of female parents. Heritability estimates of male and female parents were above 0.56 and 0.17, respectively. Plentiful leaf variations with normal and continuous distributions exited in the hybrid progenies among and within families with the genetic variation coefficient and heritability above 28.49 and 0.24, respectively. Heritability estimates showed that leaf area was the most heritable trait, followed by leaf width. The breeding value ranking of parents allowed us to select the parental clones for new crosses and extend the mating design. Two male parental clones (N430 and N429) had greater breeding values (general combining ability, GCA) of leaf size traits than other clones. The special combining ability (SCA) of the crossing combination between P. simonii cl. ZL-3 and P. nigra cl. N430 was greater than that of others. Eight putatively superior genotypes, most combined with the female parental clone ZL-3, can be selected for future testing under near-commercial conditions. Significant genetic and phenotypic correlations were found between five leaf morphology traits with the coefficients above 0.9, except for leaf roundness. The results showed that leaf morphology traits were under strong genetic control and the parental clones with high GCA and SCA effects could be utilized in heterosis breeding, which will provide a starting point for devising a new selection strategy of parents and progenies.

Everyday Suffering and the Abstract Time-Reckoning of Law

How does time structure the allocation of responsibility in the context of large-scale corporate crimes? Focusing on the Processo Eternit – a criminal case brought against the former main investor in Europe’s largest asbestos-processing factory in Casale Monferrato (Italy) – this article compares the temporal order of the lived experience of the asbestos disaster in the affected community with the abstract time-reckoning of law. The everyday suffering in the form of the long-term health effects, inscribed in the body through the asbestos fibre, collides with the statute of limitation of the alleged crimes, as stipulated in law and endorsed in the court room. It examines how these incommensurable temporalities reconfigure the allocation of moral and legal responsibility for an industrial disaster and shows how these contradictions are related to the victims’ expectations of justice and their experience of injustice.

Efficacy of a Semi Automated Commercial Closed System for Autologous Leukocyte- and Platelet-Rich Plasma (l-prp) Production in Dogs: A Preliminary Study.

Simple SummaryThere are few publications on the subject of canine platelet concentrates and further studies are required to characterize these for clinical applications. The aim of this study determined platelet, erythrocyte, and leukocyte counts in canine leukocyte- and platelet rich plasma (L-PRP) produced using a commercial semi-automated closed system (CPUNT 20, Eltek group, Casale Monferrato, Alessandria, Italy). Whole blood (WB) from 30 healthy dogs was used. In 10 L-PRP bovine thrombin activated samples platelet-derived growth factor isoform BB (PDGF-BB) concentration was also measured. The CPUNT 20 produced clinically useful quantities of sterile canine L-PRP containing a high concentration of platelets (767,633 ± 291,001 μL, p < 0.001), with a 4.4 fold increase in platelet count, lower concentration of erythrocytes (528,600 ± 222,773 μL, p < 0.001) and similar concentration of leukocytes (8422 ± 6346 μL, p = 0.9918) compared with WB. Neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes average percent content in L-PRP was 14.8 ± 13.2, 71.7 ± 18.5 and 10.7 ± 6.4, respectively. Activated L-PRP has an average of 3442 ± 2061 pg/mL of PDGF-BB.Background: To characterize the cellular composition (platelets, erythrocytes, and leukocytes) and determine platelet-derived growth factor isoform BB (PDGF-BB) concentration in canine leukocyte- and platelet rich plasma (L-PRP) produced using a commercial semi-automated closed system. Methods: Twenty milliliters of citrated whole blood were obtained from 30 healthy un-sedated canine blood donors and processed using a semi-automated completely closed commercial system (CPUNT 20, Eltek group, Casale Monferrato, Alessandria, Italy) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Erythrocyte, leukocyte, and platelet counts were determined in both whole blood (WB) and resultant L-PRP. The PDGF-BB concentration was evaluated after bovine thrombin activation of 10 L-PRP samples. Results: This commercial system produced on average 2.3 ± 0.7 mL of L-PRP containing a high concentration of platelets (767,633 ± 291,001 μL, p < 0.001), with a 4.4 fold increase in platelet count, lower concentration of erythrocytes (528,600 ± 222,773 μL, p < 0.001) and similar concentration of leukocytes (8422 ± 6346 μL, p = 0.9918) compared with WB. L-PRP had an average of 3442 ± 2061 pg/mL of PDGF-BB after thrombin activation. Neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes average percent content in L-PRP was 14.8 ± 13.2, 71.7 ± 18.5 and 10.7 ± 6.4, respectively. Conclusion: Sterile canine L-PRP prepared using this semi-automated closed system is easy to obtain, produces a significant increase in platelet count compared to WB and contains a detectable concentration of PDGF-BB after activation. Additional in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to assess inflammatory markers concentration and the therapeutic efficacy of this L-PRP in dogs.