University of Milano-Bicocca

About: University of Milano-Bicocca is a education organization based out in Milan, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Blood pressure. The organization has 8972 authors who have published 22322 publications receiving 620484 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca & Universita degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca.

Effect of Recombinant Human Pentraxin 2 vs Placebo on Change in Forced Vital Capacity in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract: Importance Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease with poor prognosis. Approved therapies do not halt disease progression. Objective To determine the effect of recombinant human pentraxin 2 vs placebo on change from baseline to week 28 in mean forced vital capacity (FVC) percentage of predicted value. Design, Setting, and Participants Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted at 18 sites in 7 countries of eligible patients with IPF (N = 117; aged 40-80 years; FVC ≥50% and ≤90% predicted; ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second/FVC >0.70; diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide [Dlco] ≥25% and ≤90% predicted; and distance of ≥150 m on the 6-minute walk test). Study period was August 2015-May 2017. Interventions Patients were randomized to receive either recombinant human pentraxin 2 (10 mg/kg intravenous every 4 weeks, n = 77) or placebo (n = 39) for 24 weeks, and stratified by concurrent IPF treatment status. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was the least-squares mean change in FVC percentage of predicted value from baseline to week 28 (minimal clinically important difference, decline of 2%-6%). Secondary end points included mean change in lung volumes (total, normal, and interstitial lung abnormalities) on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and 6-minute walk distance (minimal clinically important difference, 24-45 m). Results Of 117 randomized patients, 116 received at least 1 dose of study drug (mean age, 68.6 years; 81.0% men; mean time since IPF diagnosis, 3.8 years), and 111 (95.7%) completed the study. The least-squares mean change in FVC percentage of predicted value from baseline to week 28 in patients treated with recombinant human pentraxin 2 was −2.5 vs −4.8 for those in the placebo group (difference, +2.3 [90% CI, 1.1 to 3.5]; P = .001). No significant treatment differences were observed in total lung volume (difference, 93.5 mL [90% CI, −27.7 to 214.7]), quantitative parenchymal features on HRCT (normal lung volume difference, −1.2% [90% CI, −4.4 to 1.9]; interstitial lung abnormalities difference, 1.1% [90% CI, −2.2 to 4.3]), or measurement of Dlco(difference, −0.4 [90% CI, −2.6 to 1.7]). The change in 6-minute walk distance was −0.5 m for patients treated with recombinant human pentraxin 2 vs −31.8 m for those in the placebo group (difference, +31.3 m [90% CI, 17.4 to 45.1]; P Conclusions and Relevance In this preliminary study, recombinant human pentraxin 2 vs placebo resulted in a slower decline in lung function over 28 weeks for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Further research should more fully assess efficacy and safety. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT02550873

Search for massive resonances decaying into pairs of boosted bosons in semi-leptonic final states at s = 8 TeV

Abstract: A search for new resonances decaying to WW, ZZ, or WZ is presented. Final states are considered in which one of the vector bosons decays leptonically and the other hadronically. Results are based on data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb^(−1) recorded in proton-proton collisions at √s = 8 TeV with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. Techniques aiming at identifying jet substructures are used to analyze signal events in which the hadronization products from the decay of highly boosted W or Z bosons are contained within a single reconstructed jet. Upper limits on the production of generic WW, ZZ, or WZ resonances are set as a function of the resonance mass and width. We increase the sensitivity of the analysis by statistically combining the results of this search with a complementary study of the all-hadronic final state. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set on the bulk graviton production cross section in the range from 700 to 10 fb for resonance masses between 600 and 2500 GeV, respectively. These limits on the bulk graviton model are the most stringent to date in the diboson final state.

Cancer registration in developing countries: luxury or necessity?

Abstract: Differences in culture and resources between low-income and high-income countries have resulted in unequal rights to health. In the past few decades, developing countries have had an increase in chronic-disease burden, including cancer. Cancer registries are urgently needed in developing countries because the cancer burden is usually poorly known. To fight this burden, the extent of the cancer must be known so that programmes for cancer control can be planned efficiently, not only to implement standards of care but also to define prevention strategies. In this Review, we advocate the need for availability of cancer data and discuss potential opportunities for hospital-based and population-based cancer registries to collaborate in providing these data in low-income countries.

Hydrogen Adsorption and Diffusion on the Anatase TiO2(101) Surface: A First-Principles Investigation

Abstract: The mechanisms of adsorption of hydrogen on the anatase TiO2(101) surface and of its diffusion in the bulk are investigated with DFT calculations and compared with similar results obtained for the diffusion of hydrogen on the rutile (110) surface. Because of the different oxygen environments in anatase and rutile surfaces, the H binding energy on the anatase surface is 0.2−0.3 eV smaller than in rutile. Various processes for H diffusion are investigated using the climbing nudged-elastic-band (cNEB) approach. We have identified three main diffusion mechanisms, leading to migration of H on the surface, diffusion into the bulk, and desorption of H2 molecule. Our calculated activation barrier (Eact) shows that migration of H into the bulk is the kinetically most favorable process.