Axial and rotational alignment of lower limb in a Caucasian aged non-arthritic cohort

BackgroundThe alignment of human lower limb has been an area of ongoing study for decades. The purpose of this study was to analyze the axial and rotational alignment from hip to ankle in a Caucasian aged non-arthritic cohort.MethodsA non-arthritic cohort of aged patients was retrospectively analyzed by computer tomography. Anatomical-mechanical angle of femur (AMA), femur inclination (FI), femoral anteversion (FA), posterior condylar angle (PCA), proximal tibial torsion (TEAs-PTC and TEAs-PTT) and tibial fibular torsion (PTC-TFA) were measured.ResultsThe median age of the patients was 76 years (range 67 to 91 years). Regarding axial alignment, the AMA was 5 (2.94; 6.80). No significance differences were reported by side and age. AMA was significantly lower in men. The FI was 125.3 (120.0; 134.8) with no differences in terms of side, age or gender. Regarding torsion alignment, the median values of FA, PTC-TFA and TEAs-PTT were, respectively, 16.8, 28.5 and -1.4. No differences were reported by age. Right tibia was externally rotated by 1.5 degrees as compared to the left side (P 0.035).ConclusionThe broad variability of the parameters analyzed highlights the necessity for a more anatomical and individualized approach during surgery of lower limb. The present study offers the fundament to understand and treat lower limb deformities. Hence, these data can constitute the normal reference values useful to investigate lower limb malalignment. Moreover, it helps to assess the possible changes of axial and rotational alignment in idiopathic OA of lower limb.Level of evidence IIIRetrospective cohort stud

Fermion dynamics in torsion theories

In this work we have studied the non-geodesical behaviour of particles with spin 1/2 in Poincar\'e gauge theories of gravity, via the WKB method and the Mathisson-Papapetrou equation. We have analysed the relation between the two approaches and we have argued the different advantages associated with the WKB approximation. Within this approach, we have calculated the trajectories in a particular Poincar\'e gauge theory, discussing the viability of measuring such a motion.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figures, minor changes, conclusions unchanged. It matches the version published in JCA

Kidney dysfunction is associated with adverse outcomes in internal medicine COVID-19 hospitalized patients

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the kidney involvement as-sessed by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), the associations with specific clinical disease variables and laboratory findings, and the predictive role of eGFR on clinical outcomes of patients admitted with COVID-19 in Internal Medicine ward in the first wave. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical data of 162 consecutive patients hospitalized in the University Hospital Policlinico Umberto I in Rome, Italy, between December 2020 to May 2021 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The median eGFR was significantly lower in patients with worse outcomes than in patients with favorable outcomes [56.64 ml/min/1.73 m2 (IQR 32.27-89.73) vs. 83.39 ml/min/1.73 m2 (IQR 69.59-97.08), p<0.001]. Patients with eGFR < 60 ml/ min/1.73 m(2) (n=38) were significantly older com-pared to patients with normal eGFR [82 years (IQR 74-90) vs. 61 years (IQR 53-74), p<0.001] and they had fever less frequently [39.5% vs. 64.2%, p<0.01]. Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated that over-all survival was significantly shorter in patients with eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) (p<0.001). In mul-tivariate analysis, only eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 [HR=2.915 (95% CI=1.110-7.659), p<0.05] and plate-let to lymphocyte ratio [HR=1.004 (95% CI=1.002-1.007), p<0.01] showed a significant predictive val-ue for death or transfer to intensive care unit (ICU). CONCLUSIONS: Kidney involvement on ad-mission was an independent predictor for death or transfer to ICU among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The presence of chronic kidney dis-ease could be regarded as a relevant factor in risk stratification for COVID-19

Direct contribution of the sensory cortex to the judgment of stimulus duration

Decision making frequently depends on monitoring the duration of sensory events. To determine whether, and how, the perception of elapsed time derives from the neuronal representation of the stimulus itself, we recorded and optogenetically modulated vibrissal somatosensory cortical activity as male rats judged vibration duration. Perceived duration was dilated by optogenetic excitation. A second set of rats judged vibration intensity; here, optogenetic excitation amplified the intensity percept, demonstrating sensory cortex to be the common gateway both to time and to stimulus feature processing. A model beginning with the membrane currents evoked by vibrissal and optogenetic drive and culminating in the representation of perceived time successfully replicated rats' choices. Time perception is thus as deeply intermeshed within the sensory processing pathway as is the sense of touch itself, suggesting that the experience of time may be further investigated with the toolbox of sensory coding

Tailoring morphology and mechanical properties of PLA/PBSA blends optimizing the twin-screw extrusion processing parameters aided by a 1D simulation software

To promote sustainability, the adoption of biobased and biodegradable plastics is a compelling solution. However, the successful utilization of these materials is contingent upon achieving desired properties and the ability to scale up production processes. Particularly in the case of blend systems, synergising the advantages of different polymers is essential. Moreover, assessing processing behavior and optimizing parameters are pivotal. This study aims to improve the extrusion process parameters selection using a 1D software-assisted Design of Experiments (DoE) approach. Polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene succinate-co-adipate (PBSA), varying PLA/PBSA ratios, were analysed simplifying and expediting the parameters selection. Remarkably, even in the absence of compatibility agents, this work demonstrates the potential to modify the structure, thereby influencing properties and performance by manipulating the process conditions

Studio del deficit di alfa-1 antitripsina nella popolazione Sarda

Introduzione: L’ AATD e’ una forma genetica abbastanza comune di malattia epatica nel bambino e di enfisema polmonare ed epatopatia nell’adulto, pur facendo parte delle malattie rare. Si manifesta spesso con sintomatologia clinica aspecifica, con tempi e modalità variabili, e spesso non sono utilizzati i test molecolari per una diagnosi definitiva. La diagnosi di laboratorio è spesso casuale e può essere posta partendo dall’assenza del picco delle α1-globuline all’ESP. Tale carenza induce a sospettare l’AATD, che deve essere prima confermata con il dosaggio sierico e quando necessario deve essere studiato il profilo genico. Per questi motivi, è ragionevole pensare che l’AATD sia una condizione clinica sottostimata, da considerarsi probabilmente non una malattia rara, ma raramente diagnosticata. In Sardegna i casi di AATD sono correlati ad una mutazione nota come M-Malton/ M-Cagliari, rarissima nelle altre popolazioni, o alla mutazione S. Non disponiamo ancora di dati attendibili circa la frequenza di questa mutazione. Scopo del lavoro è quello di individuare i soggetti con AATD e calcolare la frequenza della mutazione nella popolazione da noi considerata, trovare un cut-off decisionale di laboratorio da utilizzare per stabilire quali pazienti studiare per la mutazione