University of Cagliari

About: University of Cagliari is a education organization based out in Cagliari, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Dopamine. The organization has 11029 authors who have published 29046 publications receiving 771023 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli Studi di Cagliari & Universita degli Studi di Cagliari.

Cancer-Related Anorexia/Cachexia Syndrome and Oxidative Stress: An Innovative Approach beyond Current Treatment

Abstract: Objective: Cancer-related anorexia/cachexia syndrome and oxidative stress play a key role in the progression and outcome of neoplastic disease. Patients and Methods: On the basis of our previously published studies and clinical experience, we have developed an innovative approach consisting of diet with high polyphenol content (400 mg), p.o. pharmaconutritional support enriched with n − 3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) 2 cans (237 mL each) per day, medroxiprogesterone acetate 500 mg/d, antioxidant treatment with α-lipoic acid 300 mg/d plus carbocysteine lysine salt 2.7 g/d plus vitamin E 400 mg/d plus vitamin A 30,000 IU/d plus vitamin C 500 mg/d, and selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor Celecoxib 200 mg/d. The treatment is administered for 16 weeks. The following variables are evaluated: ( a ) clinical variables (stage and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status); ( b ) nutritional variables (lean body mass, appetite, and resting energy expenditure); ( c ) laboratory variables (serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines, C-reactive protein, and leptin and blood levels of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant enzymes); and ( d ) quality of life variables (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30, EQ-5Dindex, and EQ-5DVAS). A phase II nonrandomized study has been designed to enroll 40 patients with advanced cancer at different sites with symptoms of cancer-related anorexia/cachexia syndrome and oxidative stress. Results: As of January 2004, 28 patients have been enrolled: 25 patients were evaluable and 14 of them have completed the treatment (20 patients have completed 2 months of treatment). As for clinical response, five patients improved, three patients remained unchanged, and six patients worsened. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (grade) 1 remained unchanged. As for nutritional/functional variables, the lean body mass increased significantly at 2 and 4 months. As for laboratory variables, reactive oxygen species decreased significantly and proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α decreased significantly. As for quality of life, it comprehensively improved after treatment. Conclusions: The treatment has been shown to be effective for clinical response, increase of lean body mass, decrease of reactive oxygen species and proinflammatory cytokines, and improvement of quality of life. The treatment has been shown to be safe with good compliance of patients. The study is in progress (14 further patients will be included).

Optimal Coordination of Energy Resources With a Two-Stage Online Active Management

Abstract: This paper presents an algorithm to be implemented in a distribution management system (DMS) that is capable of managing an active distribution network (ADN). This goal is achieved by minimizing the cost of system operation, which is expressed in terms of cost of energy losses, cost of curtailed energy, cost of reactive support, and cost of shed energy. Furthermore, the exploitation of network reconfiguration in ADNs is investigated. This paper shows that the coordination of flexible network topology with the continuous active management of energy resources allows improving the efficiency of power delivery. The proposed DMS algorithm allows reducing the risk of energy loss rise, caused by the bigger generation capacity and the deferment of network upgrade that may be a follow-up of ADNs. The proposed method has been applied on a test network to verify the validity of the approach.

Fully electronic DNA hybridization detection by a standard CMOS biochip

Abstract: A novel solid-state biosensor for label-free detection of DNA hybridization is presented. The new device is realized in a standard CMOS process, thus allowing the realization of low-cost, portable, fully integrated devices. The detection mechanism is based on the field-effect of the intrinsic negative electric charge of DNA molecules which modulates the threshold voltage of a floating-gate MOS transistor. A fluid cell was developed for delivering DNA samples on the active surface of the chip. The device has an integrated, individual counter-electrode, so dry measurements are possible increasing lifetime of the chip and speeding up the experiment. Successful measurements on a first prototype of the chip, hosting 16 sensors individually addressable, are provided as proof of concept.

Bactericidal Activities of the Pyrrole Derivative BM212 against Multidrug-Resistant and Intramacrophagic Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains

Abstract: The pyrrole derivative BM212 [1, 5-diaryl-2-methyl-3-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl-pyrrole] was shown to possess strong inhibitory activity against both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and some nontuberculosis mycobacteria. BM212 was inhibitory to drug-resistant mycobacteria and also exerted bactericidal activity against intracellular bacilli residing in the U937 human histiocytic lymphoma cell line.