Impaction of permanent mandibular second molar: a retrospective study

Objective: To determine the prevalence of impacted mandibular second molar (MM2) and the association between MM2 impaction and crowding. The clinical significance of the angle between first and second mandibular molar and of the space between the first mandibular molar (MM1) and the anterior margin of mandibular ramus in MM2 impaction were also evaluated. Material and Methods: In this retrospective study , from the dental records of 2,945 caucasian young orthodontics patients, 40 subjects with MM2 impaction were included in a study group (SG) and compared with a control group (CG) of 200 subjects without MM2 impactions. The crowding, the angle of inclination of MM2, the distance between MM1 and mandibular ramus, the canine and molar relationships, and the lower centre line discrepancy were measured. For the statistical analysis , descriptive statistics and t-Student for independent sample groups were used. Results: The prevalence of impacted MM2 was 1.36%. The independent-Samples t-Test between SG and CG showed: the presence of crowding (P<=0.001), an higher angle values of MM2 inclination (P<=0.001) and a smaller distance between MM1 and the anterior margin of mandibular ramus (P<=0.001) in the SG. Conclusion: The impaction of MM2 is a relatively rare occurrence in orthodontic caucasian populations. The crowding, a higher angle values of MM2 inclination and a reduced distance between MM1 and the anterior margin of mandibular ramus, at the time of one third of MM2 root formation (T1), characterize MM2 impaction

Avaliação da eficácia, segurança e tolerabilidade da sibutramina em obesos - estudo randomizado duplo-cego

This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of sibutramine in the management of obese patients for a 6-month period. METHOD: Sixty-one obese patients (BMI >;30, ;5% in 40% of the patients on sibutramine compared with 12.9% in the placebo group. We also detected weight gain in 45.2% of the placebo group compared to 20% in the sibutramine group. The sibutramine group showed improvement in HDL- cholesterol values (increased by 17%) and triglyceride values (decreased by 12.8%). This group also showed an increase in systolic blood pressure (6.7%, 5 mmHg). There were no changes in echocardiograms comparing the beginning and end of follow-up, and side effects did not lead to discontinuation of treatment. DISCUSSION: Sibutramine proved to be effective for weight loss providing an 8% loss of the initial weight. Compliance to prolonged treatment was good, and side effects did not result in discontinuation of treatment. These data confirmed the good efficacy, tolerability, and safety profiles of sibutramine for treatment of obesity.O presente estudo objetivou comparar a eficácia, segurança e tolerabilidade da sibutramina em pacientes obesos. MÉTODO: Selecionamos 61 pacientes obesos (3

Blood Pressure Measurements Taken by Patients are Similar to Home and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurements

OBJECTIVE: To compare blood pressure measurements taken at home by physicians, nurses, and patients with office blood pressure measurement , ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and home blood pressure measurement. METHODS: A total of 44 patients seen by a home care program were studied. Protocol 1 a) blood pressure was measured by the patient, a physician and a nurse during a regular home visit (Home1); b) home blood pressure measurement was measured for 4 days (HBPM1); c) office blood pressure measurement was measured by a physician, a nurse, and the patient; and by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Protocol 2 blood pressure was measured by the patient, a physician, and a nurse during a special home visit in the presence of a physician and a nurse only (Home2); and b) home blood pressure measurement was taken for the second time (HBPM2). Echocardiography, guided by a two-dimensional echocardiograph, was performed. RESULTS: Protocol 1: a) office blood pressure measurement and Home1 were significantly higher than ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, except for systolic and diastolic office blood pressure measurement taken by the patient or a family member, systolic blood pressure taken by a nurse, and diastolic blood pressure taken by a physician. b) ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and HBPM1 were similar. Protocol 2: a) HBPM2 and Home2 were similar. b) Home2 was significantly lower than Home1, except for diastolic blood pressure taken by a nurse or the patient. There were significant relationships between: a) diastolic blood pressure measured by the patient and the thickness of the interventricular septum, posterior wall, and left ventricular mass; and b) ambulatory and HBPM2 diastolic and systolic blood pressure taken by a physician (home2) and left ventricular mass. Therefore, the data indicate that home blood pressure measurement and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring had good prognostic values relative to "office measurement." CONCLUSION: This study showed that the measurement most similar to home blood pressure measurement and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was blood pressure measured by the patient, and that home blood pressure measurement and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring had good prognostic value relative to "office measurements"

Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease

Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.

Effects of objects and light colours on emotions, mood, performance and health: a comprehensive approach.

Colours and lights have an influence on humans, mood and performance. In an indoor environment, walls and furniture colours affect the perception of the space and induce different emotions and psychological states. In the scientific literature several experiments have been addressed to study color preferences and emotional effects, also looking at different applications. Despite different adopted methods and visual tasks, findings are in quite agreement in asserting that "cool colours" as blue and green are relaxing, calming and peaceful, whereas "warm colours" as red and yellow result activating and arousing. On the other side "neutral colours" have less impact on emotions. As it is well known, white light emitted by lamps and luminaires is characterized by a colour tone, expressed by means of the correlated colour temperature(CCT). All experimental researches performed on circadian effects of light demonstrate that cool light, rich in short wavelengths, has a greater effect in terms of melatonin suppression rather than warm light, assuming the same illuminance value at the eye's level. CCT is not a synthetic parameter able to accurately quantify melatonin suppression, for example it roughly indicates that when very high values are attained, corresponding to a bluish white, circadian stimulus is high as well, once fixed the illuminance values. On the contrary warm light, characterized by low CCT values and corresponding to a reddish white has a lower impact, all other conditions being equal. Furthermore, researches confirmed that blue enriched light, i.e. light with a great amount of short‐wavelength radiations and CCT greater than 10000K has a positive effect both on seasonal affective disorder (bright light reduces SAD symptoms) and on cognitive performance in educational and office environments, stimulating attention and alertness. As a consequence of the above reported statements, some contradictions seem to appear: in order to obtain relaxing environments cool colours for furniture are recommended, whereas red objects or walls can induce arousal or sense of danger or of alert. At the same time, warmer lights (i.e. reddish lights) are more relaxing and cooler lights (bluish) have a greater effect on melatonin suppression and alertness. As the colour of light is concerned, other parameters have an impact on environmental perception, as illuminances, as well as for the objects colours, not only hue, but also chroma and value are involved. In order to better understand and overcome these contradictions, we first provide a critical analysis of the current literature and present a preliminary analysis of comparisons between different spectral irradiances at the eye, troughout combined effects of light sources SPDs and objects spectral reflectances. This could be a first step of a wider research aimed to provide advices for interior and lighting designers on proper colour choices of either light and furniture for different applications

How the colours of objects and light affect human emotions, performance and health. The need for a holistic approach to design indoor environment

Colours and lights have been shown to influence mood and performance, "cool colours" like blue and green are relaxing and peaceful to the eye, whereas "warm colours" such as red and yellow seem activating and arousing. Cool light, rich in short wavelength radiations, has also a significant effect in terms of circadian rhythm synchronization by inducing melatonin suppression. For colours to be used in industrial objects, social and cultural factors also play a significant role. The choice of colours in indoor environments, for both objects and light, should thus be done considering all these aspects. However, these different approaches lead to different points of view and to hardly comparable results. Also, the design process is unique and the final user is not able to distinguish between colour perception, visual and non visual effects of light as well as messages that can be expressed by means of colour patterns. It appears necessary to establish reciprocal interactions among the different disciplines involved in the choice of objects and light colours, and namely among researchers in medical science, psychology, lighting and industrial design, in order to assess an interdisciplinary methodology that can be applied to indoor design

How the colours of objects and light affect human emotions, performance and health. The need for a holistic approach to design indoor environment.

Colours and lights have been shown to influence mood and performance, "cool colours" like blue and green are relaxing and peaceful to the eye, whereas "warm colours" such as red and yellow seem activating and arousing. Cool light, rich in short wavelength radiations, has also a significant effect in terms of circadian rhythm synchronization by inducing melatonin suppression.For colours to be used in industrial objects, social and cultural factors also play a significant role.The choice of colours in indoor environments, for both objects and light, should thus be done considering all these aspects. However, these different approaches lead to different points of view and to hardly comparable results. Also, the design process is unique and the final user is not able to distinguish between colour perception,visual and non visual effects of light as well as messages that can be expressed by means of colour patterns.It appears necessary to establish reciprocal interactions among the different disciplines involved in the choice of objects and light colours, and namely among researchers in medical science, psychology, lighting and industrial design, in order to assess an interdisciplinary methodology that can be applied to indoor desig

Cosmetic results in 242 patients treated by conservative suegery for breast cancer

5nonenoneC. D'ANIELLO; L. GRIMALDI; A. BARBATO; B. BOSI; A. CARLI.D'Aniello, Carlo; Grimaldi, Luca; A., Barbato; B., Bosi; Carli, Alfons

Accuracy of Two Stereolithographic Surgical Templates: A Retrospective Study.

Background: The use of computer software and stereolithography for dental implant therapy has significantly increased during the last few years. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the mean accuracy and maximum deviations values of dental implant placement using two stereolithographic (SLA) guide systems. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients were selected and 227 implants were inserted using bone-, tooth- and mucosa-supported SLA surgical guides. Thirty-one guides, both single- and multiple-type, were used. Some of the single-type surgical guides were fixed with osteosynthesis screws. A postoperative computer tomography (CT) was performed and an iterative closest point algorithm was used to match the jaw of the CT preoperative with the jaw of the postoperative CT. Quantitative data of each group were described. The t-test was used to determine the influence of the utilization of the different types of SLA on accuracy values. Results: t-Test demonstrated a better accuracy of the multiple-type guides in almost all deviation values when the mucosa-supported guides were considered. Regarding the bone-supported template, the single-type fixed group showed a better accuracy while the highest values of deviation were registered by the multiple-type guides. The single-type group showed a better accuracy when the tooth support was considered. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicated best accuracy of the single-type guide using a bone or tooth support. The multiple-type guide recorded the best accuracy data when the mucosa support was considered comparing either a fixed and a not-fixed single-type guide

A SECOND-SKIN FAÇADE SYSTEM TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND AESTHETIC APPEAL: THE CASE STUDY OF MONTERUSCELLO

In Italy, approximately 40% of the total energy consumption can be directly attributed to the building sector, which is also responsible for about 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. This is due mainly to the old age of most of the Italian buildings (-42% is more than 50 years old) and the slow renovation rates (-1%/year), resulting in poor energy performances. Over the years, several systems have been proposed to improve their energy efficiency, indoor comfort, and sustainability, with a particular interest in improving the building’s envelope and façade systems due to the holistic influence of passive systems on the building design. This research focuses on evaluating a passive retrofit action on an existing building typology, namely the public housing of the Monteruscello district in Pozzuoli (south of Italy), from energy and environmental points of view. The district is realized on an area of -4 km2 after the earthquake in 1980 to provide housing for 20000 people, and is mainly composed of 4-level multifamily buildings. The buildings were made with prefabricated elements, which allowed for quick construction times, but entailed several construction problems due to the poor experience of local workers with the adopted technologies. Consequently, today the district’s buildings suffer severe degradation and need energy and aesthetic upgrades. To carry out the analysis, the 4-level multifamily building is modeled in TRNSYS considering its construction characteristics, then the installation of a second-skin façade system is simulated to assess its energy and environmental impact across a whole year. The second-skin design thoughtfully combines 3D-printed modules and fabric sections, providing energy and aesthetic improvements. The simulation results returned a notable reduction in terms of primary energy consumption and carbon dioxide equivalent emissions in the retrofit cases compared to the reference case, with a significant impact when extending the retrofit on the whole district