Incidencia del envejecimiento del asfalto y del grado de fillerización en el fisuramiento de una carpeta asfáltica

Este trabajo estudia la incidencia que tiene el envejecimiento del asfalto y el aumento de MfillerM (como consecuencia de la degradación de los agregados pétreos) en las fisuras producidas en un pavimento urbano luego de un período prolongado de servicio. El envejecimiento del asfalto se estudia por medidas de consistencia y por espectrofotometría infrarroja. Se trata de poner en evidencia la influencia del grado de fillerización mediante ensayos mecánicos de estabilidad Hubbard Field, y por el estudio Teológico del sistema "filien-betún.This paper deals about the cracking produced by the bitumen ageing and by the increment of the mineral filler (as consequence of the aggregate degradation) of an urban pavement after a long-term performance. The ageing of the bitumen is studied by consistency measurements and by infrared spectrophotometry. The influence of the mineral filler is made evident by Hubbard Field stability and by the rheological behaviour of the filler- bitumen system

Improved cardiac performance with human calcitonin gene related peptide in patients with congestive heart failure

Study objective - The aim of the study was to assess the cardiovascular effects of human calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) in patients with congestive heart failure. Design - The effects of CGRP II (or β), 12.5 μg·h−1, given by intravenous infusion for 24 h to digitalised patients with congestive heart failure, were assessed by measurement of cardiac functional indices. Patients - Five patients (four female) were studied. Age was 73-82 years. Three were in New York Heart Association phase III and two in phase IV. Measurements and main results - The pre-ejection period to left ventricular ejection time ratio and the QT distance adjusted for heart rate were lowered by 21% and 4% respectively. The left ventricular shortening index was raised by 43%. The arterial pressure and heart rate did not change consistently. Conclusion - Calcitonin gene related peptide improves myocardial contractility in patients with congestive heart failure. This is the first time this has been show

An analysis of structural components of an urban pavement after 27 years of weathering

Este trabajo, se refiere al análisis efectuado sobre un pavimento urbano con 27 años de servicio, que a la fecha comienza a presentar los primeros signos de deterioro. Sobre el mismo, actualmente sometido a intenso tránsito, no se ha ejecutado en el transcurso de su vida útil ningún tipo de mejora ni mantenimiento. En virtud de una previsión elogiable por parte de los técnicos que en su oportunidad (año 1943) intervinieron en la dosificación de la carpeta de rodamiento, se conservan perfectamente preservadas las muestras de asfaltos que se utilizaron hace 27 años en dicha mezcla. Esta circunstancia permitió cotejar las características de estos betunes originales con las que presenta en la actualidad el asfalto recuperado del pavimento, como también determinar las variaciones de las características físico-mecánicas de la mezcla.This report present the results of an analysis made on a urban pavement when it begun to show the first signs of deterioration after 27 years of wearing. It is presently subjected to an intensive traffic by light and heavy vehicles and it was never subjected to improvements or maintenance. With a praiseworthy foresight the technicians who proportioned its materials in 1943 preserved the samples of the asphalts used for the road construction. This permits the confrontation of the original bitumes with those presently recuperated from the pavement, and the determination of the changes in physical and mechanical properties of the mixture after field use. A correlation of observed failures with assay results is attemped.Facultad de Ingeniería (FI

International Osteoporosis Foundation and European Calcified Tissue Society Working Group. Recommendations for the screening of adherence to oral bisphosphonates

Background Low adherence to oral bisphosphonates is a common problem that jeopardizes the efficacy of treatment of osteoporosis. No clear screening strategy for the assessment of compliance is widely accepted in these patients. Methods The International Osteoporosis Foundation and the European Calcified Tissue Society have convened a working group to propose a screening strategy to detect a lack of adherence to these drugs. The question to answer was whether the bone turnover markers (BTMs) PINP and CTX can be used to identify low adherence in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis initiating oral bisphosphonates for osteoporosis. The findings of the TRIO study specifically address this question and were used as the basis for testing the hypothesis. Results Based on the findings of the TRIO study, specifically addressing this question, the working group recommends measuring PINP and CTX at baseline and three months after starting therapy to check for a decrease above the least significant change (decrease of more than 38% for PINP and 56% for CTX). Detection rate for the measurement of PINP is 84%, for CTX 87% and, if variation in at least one is considered when measuring both, the level of detection is 94.5%. Conclusions If a significant decrease is observed the treatment can continue but if no decrease occurs the clinician should reassess to identify problems with the treatment, mainly low adherence</p

Soy protein supplementation does not cause lymphocytopenia in postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND: The health benefits of soy isoflavones have been widely investigated; however, there are some concerns as to whether soy isoflavones, similar to ipriflavone, a synthetic isoflavone, cause lymphocytopenia in postmenopausal women. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which 12-month supplementation of 25 g soy protein containing 60 mg isoflavones alters lymphocyte counts or other hematological parameters in postmenopausal women who were not on hormone replacement therapy. METHODS: Eighty-seven postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to receive either soy protein or an equivalent amount of control protein devoid of isoflavones. Fasting venous blood was collected at baseline and at the end of twelve month study period for complete blood count analyses. RESULTS: Between the two treatment groups, the percent changes in hematological parameters, including lymphocytes, were not different. While women consuming the soy supplement had an increase in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and red cell distribution width index (RDW; a marker of reticulocytes), women consuming the control diet had higher percentage of only MCHC. CONCLUSION: Overall, the results of the present study indicate that consumption of 25 g soy protein containing 60 mg isoflavones daily for one year does not cause lymphocytopenia

AKR1C enzymes sustain therapy resistance in paediatric T-ALL

BACKGROUND: Despite chemotherapy intensification, a subgroup of high-risk paediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (TALL) patients still experience treatment failure. In this context, we hypothesised that therapy resistance in T-ALL might involve aldo-keto reductase 1C (AKR1C) enzymes as previously reported for solid tumors.METHODS: Expression of NRF2-AKR1C signaling components has been analysed in paediatric T-ALL samples endowed with different treatment outcomes as well as in patient-derived xenografts of T-ALL. The effects of AKR1C enzyme modulation has been investigated in T-ALL cell lines and primary cultures by combining AKR1C inhibition, overexpression, and gene silencing approaches.RESULTS: We show that T-ALL cells overexpress AKR1C1-3 enzymes in therapy-resistant patients. We report that AKR1C1-3 enzymes play a role in the response to vincristine (VCR) treatment, also ex vivo in patient-derived xenografts. Moreover, we demonstrate that the modulation of AKR1C1-3 levels is sufficient to sensitise T-ALL cells to VCR. Finally, we show that T-ALL chemotherapeutics induce overactivation of AKR1C enzymes independent of therapy resistance, thus establishing a potential resistance loop during T-ALL combination treatment.CONCLUSIONS: Here, we demonstrate that expression and activity of AKR1C enzymes correlate with response to chemotherapeutics in T-ALL, posing AKR1C1-3 as potential targets for combination treatments during T-ALL therapy

A consensus-based approach on the management of patients with both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in the dermatological and rheumatological settings in Italy: The ADOI PSO-Amore Project

: Psoriasis is a complex disease often needing a multidisciplinary approach. In particular, the collaboration between dermatologist and rheumatologist is crucial for the management of patients suffering from both psoriasis (PSO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Here we report a series of recommendations from a group of experts, as a result of a Consensus Conference, defining the circumstances in which it is preferable or even mandatory, depending on the available settings, to rely on the opinion of the two specialists, jointly or in a deferred manner. Indications are given on how to organize a 3rd level joint Dermatology- Rheumatology care unit, in connection with 1st and 2nd level clinicians of both specialties, GPs, and other specialists involved in the management of psoriasis. A potential patient journey is suggested, that can be used as a basis for future design and validation of national and/or local diagnostic therapeutic and assistance pathways