A new macropterous Nocticola Bolivar, 1892 (Blattodea: Nocticolidae) from Singapore

Lucañas Cristian C.,Maosheng Foo 한국응용곤충학회 2023 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.26 No.2

A new epigean Nocticola Bolivar, N. pheromosa n. sp., is described from Singapore. This serves as the first record of the genus in Singapore. The new species closely resembles N. adebratti Roth in Roth & McGavin, 1994 in terms of macroptery and the shape of the ocelli but differs in terms of wing venations and male genital structure. Nocticola adebratti Roth from Borneo is redescribed. A key to known macropterous Nocticola is provided. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:66E068F2-4F41-4BF4-9C16-7D8C2E824E15.

Dietary analysis of eight insectivorous bats (Chiroptera) from Puting Bato Cave Complex, Burdeos, Polillo Island, Philippines

Phillip A. Alviola,Marnelli S. Alviola,Kirk J. Taray,Cristian C. Lucañas,Anna Pauline O. de Guia,Aimee Lynn B. Dupo,Virginia C. Cuevas,Nelson M. Pampolina,Ireneo L. Lit Jr. 국립중앙과학관 2023 Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Vol.16 No.3

Food habits of eight insectivorous bat species from Puting Bato Cave Complex, Polillo Island, wereexamined. Fecal samples collected from eight species of cave-dwelling insectivorous bats containedculled fragments from seven prey taxa (six insect orders and one fish prey). Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, andHymenoptera were the most consumed group in both percentage volume and percentage frequency. Thediet of Hipposideros diadema, H. pygmaeus, Rhinolophus arcuatus, and R. philippinensis mostly concurswith previous studies but with varying proportions. Baseline information on the diets of H. coronatus,M. paululus, R. macrotis, and R. rufus is provided in this study.

Single nucleotide polymorphism of GSTP1 and pathological complete response in locally advanced rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant concomitant radiochemotherapy

Luca Nicosia,Giovanna Gentile,Chiara Reverberi,Giuseppe Minniti,Maurizio Valeriani,Vitaliana de Sanctis,Luca Marinelli,Fabiola Cipolla,Ottavia de Luca,Maurizio Simmaco,Mattia F. Osti 대한방사선종양학회 2018 Radiation Oncology Journal Vol.36 No.3

Purpose: Standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer consists of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy with concomitant fluoropyrimidine or oxaliplatin and surgery with curative intent. Pathological complete response has shown to be predictive for better outcome and survival; nevertheless there are no biological or genetic factors predictive for response to treatment. We explored the correlation between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) GSTP1 (A313G) and XRCC1 (G28152A), and the pathological complete response and survival after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Genotypes GSTP1 (A313G) and XRCC1 (G28152A) were determined by pyrosequencing technology in 80 patients affected by locally advanced rectal cancer. Results: The overall rate of pathological complete response in our study population was 18.75%. Patients homozygous AA for GSTP1 (A313G) presented a rate of pathological complete response of 26.6% as compared to 8.5% of the AG+GG population (p = 0.04). The heterozygous comparison (AA vs. AG) showed a significant difference in the rate of pathological complete response (26.6% vs. 6.8%; p = 0.034). GSTP1 AA+AG patients presented a 5- and 8-year cancer-specific survival longer than GSTP1 GG patients (87.7% and 83.3% vs. 44.4% and 44.4%, respectively) (p = 0.014). Overall survival showed only a trend toward significance in favor of the haplotypes GSTP1 AA+AG. No significant correlations were found for XRCC1 (G28152A). Conclusion: Our results suggest that GSTP1 (A313G) may predict a higher rate of pathological complete response after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy and a better outcome, and should be considered in a more extensive analysis with the aim of personalization of radiation treatment.

Single nucleotide polymorphism of GSTP1 and pathological complete response in locally advanced rectal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant concomitant radiochemotherapy

Nicosia, Luca,Gentile, Giovanna,Reverberi, Chiara,Minniti, Giuseppe,Valeriani, Maurizio,de Sanctis, Vitaliana,Marinelli, Luca,Cipolla, Fabiola,de Luca, Ottavia,Simmaco, Maurizio,Osti, Mattia F. The Korean Society for Radiation Oncology 2018 Radiation Oncology Journal Vol.36 No.3

Purpose: Standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer consists of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy with concomitant fluoropyrimidine or oxaliplatin and surgery with curative intent. Pathological complete response has shown to be predictive for better outcome and survival; nevertheless there are no biological or genetic factors predictive for response to treatment. We explored the correlation between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) GSTP1 (A313G) and XRCC1 (G28152A), and the pathological complete response and survival after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Genotypes GSTP1 (A313G) and XRCC1 (G28152A) were determined by pyrosequencing technology in 80 patients affected by locally advanced rectal cancer. Results: The overall rate of pathological complete response in our study population was 18.75%. Patients homozygous AA for GSTP1 (A313G) presented a rate of pathological complete response of 26.6% as compared to 8.5% of the AG+GG population (p = 0.04). The heterozygous comparison (AA vs. AG) showed a significant difference in the rate of pathological complete response (26.6% vs. 6.8%; p = 0.034). GSTP1 AA+AG patients presented a 5- and 8-year cancer-specific survival longer than GSTP1 GG patients (87.7% and 83.3% vs. 44.4% and 44.4%, respectively) (p = 0.014). Overall survival showed only a trend toward significance in favor of the haplotypes GSTP1 AA+AG. No significant correlations were found for XRCC1 (G28152A). Conclusion: Our results suggest that GSTP1 (A313G) may predict a higher rate of pathological complete response after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy and a better outcome, and should be considered in a more extensive analysis with the aim of personalization of radiation treatment.

The Underutilization of Lifestyle Modifications in Primary Care Medicine

Jean-Marc Lucas(Jean-Marc Lucas ),Karl F. Kozlowski(Karl F. Kozlowski ) 사피엔시아 2019 Exercise Medicine Vol.3 No.-

Chronic disease accounts for the majority of deaths in the United States and is often attributed to obesity. A sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition are primary contributing factors to the development of obesity and thus chronic disease. Primary care providers are optimally positioned to prescribe exercise and nutrition (lifestyle medicine) as a treatment for chronic disease. Unfortunately, this opportunity seems to be regularly lost. Primary care providers often rely too heavily on weight loss pharmaceuticals and bariatric surgeries to treat obesity. This treatment approach however also does little to prevent and treat the accumulation of chronic diseases. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the efficacy of conventional medical weight loss treatments and determine why primary care providers may not prescribe exercise and nutrition more frequently. Our findings suggest that some primary care providers may be uncomfortable prescribing lifestyle medicine as they receive little formal education in this field. In conclusion, prescription of exercise and nutrition by primary care providers may elicit greater long-term weight loss than current medical weight management practices. Medical management is most likely effective when combined with lifestyle medicine. We propose that primary care providers be better trained in lifestyle medicine through their formal and clinical education. Rates of chronic disease accumulation may potentially decrease if providers prescribe lifestyle medical treatments more frequently.

DLC Coatings for Hydraulic Applications

Luca Nobili,Luca Magagnin 한국표면공학회 2008 한국표면공학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2008 No.-

99mTc-Pertechnetate Scintigraphy Predicts Successful Postoperative Ablation in Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma Patients Treated with Low Radioiodine Activities

Luca Giovanella,Gaetano Paone,Teresa Ruberto,Luca Ceriani,Pierpaolo Trimboli 대한내분비학회 2019 Endocrinology and metabolism Vol.34 No.1

Background: Postoperative routine radioiodine (RAI) treatment is currently debated for patients with low-risk differentiated thyroidcarcinoma (DTC) patients. If performed, a low 131I activity (i.e., 1 to 2 GBq) is recommended with the aim to ablate thyroid remnantand facilitate subsequent follow-up by thyroglobulin measurement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between postsurgical technetium-99m (99mTc)-pertechnetate scintigraphy and the rate of successful remnant ablation after low activityradioiodine ablation in patients with DTC. Methods: Enrolled were 193 patients with low risk DTC who underwent total thyroidectomy and RAI ablation with a fixed 1.1 GBqactivity of 131I. 99mTc-pertechnetate scans were done and thyrotropin stimulated thyroglobulin (sTg) levels measured just before ablation. Ablation effectiveness was assessed 6 to 12 months later by sTg measurement, neck ultrasound and diagnostic whole body scan. Results: A negative 99mTc-perthecnetate scans was the best predictor of successful ablation (P<0.001) followed by preablative sTglevels <0.8 ng/mL (P=0.008) and 99mTc-pertechnetate uptake rate values <0.9% (P=0.065). Neither sex nor age of the patient at thetime of ablation or tumor histology and size showed a significant association with the rate of successful ablation. Conclusion: The 99mTc-pertechnetate scintigraphy is a simple and feasible tool to predict effectiveness of low activity 131I thyroid toablate thyroid remnants in patients with DTC.

Experiments on Surface Waves Interacting with Flexible Aquatic Vegetation

Luca Cavallaro,Antonino Viviano,Giovanni Paratore,Enrico Foti 한국해양과학기술원 2018 Ocean science journal Vol.53 No.3

Surface wave interaction with aquatic vegetation appears to play a key role in coastal hydro-morpho-dynamics. As an example, the presence of a dense meadow at intermediate water depth is usually associated with a stable and resilient shore. Wave-meadow interactions are investigated here by means of physical modelling, with a focus on wave height distribution and hydrodynamics. The central part of a wave flume is covered by flexible artificial seagrass, composed of polyethylene leaves. This vegetation is tested in both near emergent and submerged conditions. The wave height reduction is evaluated by means of a drag coefficient defined from linear wave theory, which contains all the unknowns of the adopted methodology. The behaviour of such a coefficient is investigated as a function of a wave related Reynolds number. The influence of the flexibility of the leaves is also considered, together with a wave frequency parameter. The results show a complex behaviour with three different trends for near rigid, intermediate or highly flexible leaves. Amplitudes of the orbital velocities are investigated and show a fairly good match with the linear wave theory. On the contrary, the mean velocity along the water column appears to be modified by the seagrass for submerged leaves.

A New Surgical Approach for Direct Acoustic Cochlear Implant: A Temporal Bone Study

Luca Bruschini,Francesca Forli,Andrea De Vito,Stefano Berrettini 대한이비인후과학회 2016 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.9 No.4

Objectives. The direct acoustic cochlear implant (DACI) is among the latest developments in the field of implantable acoustic prostheses. The surgical procedure requires a mastoidectomy and a posterior-inferior tympanotomy, with access to the facial recess at the level of the oval window, in a complex and lengthy surgical approach. Here, we report a new and considerably shorter surgical approach. Methods. The new approach involves positioning of artificial incus above the oval window through the superior-anterior tympanotomy. We performed DACI placement in temporal bone specimens (n=5) to assess the feasibility of the new approach. Results. The average time for the DACI implant in the temporal bones was only 112 minutes (range, 94 to 142 minutes) and there was little clinical risk associated with the procedure. Access was easy and drilling was minimal. Conclusion. Our approach simplified the surgical procedure and consequently reduced the time required for DACI placement.

Application of the Fuzzy Logic for the Development of Automnomous Robot with Obstacles Deviation

Lucas Alves Dias,Roger William de Oliveira Silva,Paulo César da Silva Emanuel,André Ferrus Filho,Rodrigo Teixeira Bento 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2018 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.16 No.2

This paper proposed to elaborate a navigation system for an autonomous mobile robot, able to deviate from obstacles, from the study and application of Fuzzy Logic. With the algorithm in operation, it was verified that the Fuzzy logic offers a smoother transition in the movements. In order to validate the efficiency of the navigation system created, simulations were performed with the robot according to the rules inserted in the Fuzzy controller, where the input values of the sensors and the output values in the PWM of the board were analyzed. The results obtained were consistent with the responses given by the simulation in MatLab, following the same trend of behavior. With the realization of this project, it was concluded that the Fuzzy methodology presents a solution to the problems of navigation in real environments, allowing to implement a controller for an autonomous robot that can deflect obstacles avoiding their collision. One of the problems encountered is the angle of actuation of the ultrasonic sensors. This type of sensor works with an angle of actuation of 15◦, which leaves the robot with a low vision area in the use of three sensors. As a result, there may be no reading on objects entering zones without detection, leading to a collision with these obstacles. The responses were satisfactory, following the same trend behavior of the simulations of the Fuzzy controller.