Compared Analysis of Metro Networks Supported by Graph Theory

This paper brings into focus the topological and geographical evaluation of metro networks through the definition of a methodological approach based on a set of indicators, a lot of which are defined in the sector literature. Once the methodology was stated, the results of an application on the metro networks of 13 big metropolitan areas were illustrated. Statistical comparative analyses are proposed to classify networks.     

Distribution of serotypes and pulsotypes of Listeria monocytogenes from human,food and environmental isolates (Italy 2002–2005)

This work was undertaken to study the serotypes and pulsotypes of 674 Listeria monocytogenes isolates from human (57), food (558) and environmental (59) sources, collected from different Italian geographical areas during 2002–2005, to determine whether certain subtypes were associated with certain foods and more often involved in cases of listeriosis, and to determine possible geographical or temporal associations. Eleven different L. monocytogenes serotypes were found in the food, environmental and human isolates. Most isolates belonged to only four serotypes (1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, 4b). The isolates were divided into 133 distinct AscI pulsotypes grouped into 26 pulsogroups. Pulsogroups ranged from a minimum of 2 up to 212 isolates, and contained 1–19 different pulsotypes. When associations between subtypes and isolates from specific foods selected as being most frequently involved in cases of listeriosis were tested some of these associations were highly significant but not exclusive, indicating that there was no close correlation between specific subtypes and specific food products. Despite the limitations of this study (few human isolates versus many food isolates prevalently collected from one food category), we believe that a large-scale database of L. monocytogenes subtypes and a timely epidemiological investigation can facilitate risk assessment and outbreak detection and control.     

Pathology of idiopathic megarectum and megacolon

BACKGROUND: Central venulitis denotes a histologic lesion of the allograft liver characterized by perivenular and subendothelial mononuclear inflammation of the terminal hepatic venules associated with varying degrees of perivenular hepatocyte dropout. Although this lesion has generally been considered a manifestation of acute rejection, some have suggested that it instead represents tacrolimus hepatotoxicity. METHODS: We therefore compared the clinicopathologic features of 30 episodes of isolated central venulitis with 22 episodes of combined central venulitis and typical portal acute rejection occurring in 27 patients. Nineteen of the patients received tacrolimus and eight received cyclosporine as primary immunosuppression. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the two groups, except that isolated central venulitis more often displayed a mild inflammatory component (P=0.007) with small lymphocytes as the predominant cell type (P=0.002). None of the patients had tacrolimus or cyclosporine levels that exceeded the therapeutic range, and none had other clinical evidence of drug toxicity. Usual antirejection therapy was instituted in all but two episodes; response was evident in 93% (28 of 30) of the isolated central venulitis and 86% (19 of 22) of the central venulitis-portal acute rejection group, with histologic regression documented in all follow-up specimens (four and five, respectively). Due to persistent central venulitis, two cyclosporine patients were switched to tacrolimus, with prompt resolution. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are inconsistent with the concept that central venulitis represents drug toxicity and indicate instead that it is a form of acute allograft rejection.     

Transport Costs in the Automotive Supply Chain

The study, carried out within the LogNet research project financed by Calabria region, deals with the analysis of the automotive supply chain. In particular, after a first examination of the characteristics of the whole automotive supply chain, attention was focussed on its final part, that is, on transport and end-market distribution. The paper proposes specific models, which are differentiated by the transport mode （road, rail, sea） they are involved, to estimate the temporal and monetary costs related to the activity of goods distribution to the compounds/end-clients. The proposed mode/ling formulations concern two different areas of investigation： the network segment and interchange nodes. Each cost item is also calculated through aggregate formulations （where the cost is function of a single significant variable in relation to a unit cost parameter） and disaggregate formulations （where each cost item is separately considered）. The models have been applied to a study carried out for the modal transfer of vehicles in the port of Gioia Tauro, south of Italy. The analysis has allowed, on the one hand, to calibrate certain models and, on the other, to simulate certain scenario hypotheses to verify the technical feasibility of a different structure for the automotive supply chain in Italy.     

Elucidation of the flavonoid and furocoumarin composition and radical-scavenging activity of green and ripe chinotto (Citrus myrtifolia Raf.) fruit tissues,leaves and seeds

Citrus myrtifolia Raf. (chinotto) flavedo, albedo and carpel membranes from green and ripe fruits, as well as seeds and leaves, were investigated for the first time for their flavonoid and furocoumarin composition. Twenty-three unique compounds distributed in the different fruit/plant parts were identified and quantified. All samples analysed contained flavanone O-glycosides, flavone C- and O-glycosides and furocoumarins; flavedos and albedos also contained significant amounts of polymethoxyflavones. Flavedo and albedo extracts were found to be richest in flavonoids and furocoumarins, containing up to 1.95 g/kg fresh weight. Flavedo, albedo and carpel membranes from ripe fruits were found to be richer than the corresponding tissues from unripe fruits. The remarkable radical-scavenging activity of all the extracts was tested by DPPH^•, ABTS^•+ and FRAP methods, revealing that (i) they were particularly efficient in quenching ABTS^•+ radical cations (up to 9.8 mM Trolox equivalents), and (ii) flavedo and albedo extracts, on average, showed the highest antioxidant capacity.     

Role of acetylcholine in negative patterning in turtles (Chrysemys picta).

Turtles were run on a negative patterning task involving 2 positive elements, a key with white stripes on a black background, and a solid red key, and a compound stimulus combining the 2 elements, white stripes on a red background. Injections of scopolamine, methylscopolamine, or saline were started at the same time that the compound stimulus was introduced, after the animals had been autoshaped to press the key for each of the elements. Scopolamine disrupted the learning of negative patterning, but methylscopolamine had no effect. In contrast, learning of a simple discrimination between the elements was not affected by scopolamine. These results show that muscarinic cholinergic receptors are involved in the learning of negative patterning in turtles. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Identification and characterization of CDS2, a mammalian homolog of the Drosophila CDP-diacylglycerol synthase gene

The technique of intracranial microdialysis was used to investigate the effects of aging on the striatal dopaminergic system of the anesthetized Fischer 344 rat. Microdialysis probes were implanted into the striatum of young (2-8 months) and aged (24-28 months) urethane anesthetized rats. Striatal dialysate levels were analyzed for dopamine (DA), dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and serotonin (5-HT) by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. As compared to the young animals, basal extracellular levels of DA and DOPAC were significantly decreased in two groups of aged animals. Stimulation with excess potassium added through the microdialysis probe produced a robust overflow of DA in the young and aged rat striatum, but the evoked overflow of DA was not diminished in the aged rat striatum as compared to young animals. In contrast, d-amphetamine-evoked overflow of DA was again robust in young and aged animals, but was greatly decreased in the aged rat striatum as compared to the signals recorded in the young rats. Taken together with previous reports, these data support the hypothesis that a major change in the regulation of DA release that occurs in aging involves changes in the function of the neuronal uptake of DA, which may be a compensatory property of DA neurons in senescence.     

Gastrointestinal transit in patients with idiopathic megarectum

PURPOSE: In patients with idiopathic megarectum, it is unknown whether abnormality is limited to the dilated large bowel or whether the upper gut is abnormal, as in the various forms of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. This has important implications for treatment, especially surgery. METHODS: Ten patients (4 females; median age, 18 (range, 17-26) years) with idiopathic megarectum had contrast studies of the upper and lower gut, radioisotope (technetium-99m liquid and indium-111 solid phase) measurement of gastric, small-bowel, and colonic regional transit, and radiopaque marker colonic studies. RESULTS: All patients had a dilated large bowel. No patient had radiographic evidence of upper gut dilation. Four patients had normal and six patients had abnormally slow gastric emptying. Both the radioisotope scans and radiopaque marker studies showed abnormal colonic transit. Regions of delay corresponded with the region of dilated bowel. Symptoms of abdominal distention and bloating did not correspond to abnormalities of gastric emptying but rather with effectiveness of rectal evacuation. CONCLUSION: Patients with idiopathic megarectum have abnormal colonic transit, delay occurring predominantly in the dilated gut. Marker studies are less sensitive than isotope studies but provide adequate information for clinical purposes. Although motility abnormalities of the upper gut are common, symptoms correlate with large-bowel abnormalities.