Natural and simulated aging of historical glasses

We thoroughly studied coloured glass tesserae of historical glass windows of the Santi Giovanni e Paolo Church in Venice by means of ESEM and XPS techniques in order to evaluate the weathering mechanisms of the glass surfaces. The results show a strong impoverishment of the relative content of alkaline ions on the surfaces. Moreover, we exposed the freshly broken surfaces of the samples (having the original glass composition) to an accelerated light and wet/dry aging process using the current rain composition of Venice and then compared to the natural aged surfaces. The results show the validity of the artificial aging methodology employed that allows the measurements of the different leaching rates of the samples

Profile of sugammadex for reversal of neuromuscular blockade in the elderly: Current perspectives

The number of elderly patients is increasing worldwide. This will have a significant impact on the practice of anesthesia in future decades. Anesthesiologists must provide care for an increasing number of elderly patients, who have an elevated risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Complications related to postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade, such as muscle weakness, airway obstruction, hypoxemia, atelectasis, pneumonia, and acute respiratory failure, are more frequent in older than in younger patients. Therefore, neuromuscular blockade in the elderly should be carefully monitored and completely reversed before awakening patients at the end of anesthesia. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are traditionally used for reversal of neuromuscular blockade. Although the risk of residual neuromuscular blockade is reduced by reversal with neostigmine, it continues to complicate the postoperative course. Sugammadex represents an innovative approach to reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by aminosteroid neuromuscular-blocking agents, particularly rocuronium, with useful applications in clinical practice. However, aging is associated with certain changes in the pharmacokinetics of sugammadex, and to date there has been no thorough evaluation of the use of sugammadex in elderly patients. The aim of this review was to perform an analysis of the use of sugammadex in older adults based on the current literature. Major issues surrounding the physiologic and pharmacologic effects of aging in elderly patients and how these may impact the routine use of sugammadex in elderly patients are discussed

Corrosion Behaviour of Room Temperature Cured Polysilazane-Derived Silica Coatings on Al 5086

Silica coatings from polysilazane precursors were prepared to protect aluminium substrates from corrosion. Polysilazane can be converted to silica by simple exposition to air or basic vapours and the properties of the synthesized film make this precursor a valuable choice to obtain solid, crack-free, highly adhesive and protective coatings. The optimal deposition, obtained at 15 cm min-1 of dip-coating withdrawal speed, 20% PHPS precursor in n-butyl ether, 24 hours of exposition to 10% ammonia vapours and 6 days of ageing in air, manages to slow down the corrosion process by three orders of magnitude, therefore providing a longer lasting commodity. Specimens have been characterized by IR and XPS spectroscopy, AFM imaging and electrochemical studies

Silica thin-films from perhydropolysilazane for the protection of ancient glass

Silica coatings from polysilazane precursors were prepared to protect ancient glass from weathering. Polysilazane can be converted to silica by simple exposition to air or basic vapours and the properties of the synthesized film make this precursor a valuable choice to obtain solid, crack-free, highly adhesive and protective coatings. The coating is prepared starting from a Perhydropolysilazane precursor (20% PHPS in n-butyl ether) that allows to achieve high-quality thin-films of silica at room temperature. The obtained films are uncoloured, even in absence of strong heat-treatment. Perhydropolysilazane (PHPS) is a polymer of [-SiH2-NH-SiH2-]n units. When deposited on a soda-lime microscope slide, it reacts with atmospheric moisture (Si-H and Si-NH bonds are hydrolysed to Si-O) and a silica film is produced. The conversion to silica is completed in about 2.5 hours, using vapours of a 10 mol L-1 ammonia solution. The reaction is promoted with the application of a weak heat-treatment (45-50 \ub0C), achievable using as heater a common tungsten filament lamp. The reaction of PHPS with atmospheric moisture produces a migration phenomenon of the mobile ions from the soda-lime glass to the film (in particular sodium, calcium and magnesium). The characteristics of the migration process vary according to the concentration of the precursor solution and the thickness of the film. Laboratory samples have been investigated by optical microscopy and surface techniques: XPS and SIMS. Preliminary evidences, obtained through the laser scanning confocal microscope (LEXT), on the application of such coatings at the surface of ancient stained glass are also discussed

Telemedicine in chronic disease management: a Public Health perspective

Introduction In 2014, the School of Hygiene of the University of Padua carried out an evaluation of home telemonitoring (HTM) programs for the management of chronic diseases. Our aims were to verify their efficacy, and to identify a model of care that could be integrated into the current health system. Our analysis addressed both organizational and clinical matters. Methods Our evaluation involved 19 reviews and 53 randomized controlled trials (RCT). Main selection criteria were: papers published over the last 15 years, HTM performed through a sensor system, data sent remotely to physicians, health out-comes and monitored parameters clearly stated. Included diseases were: heart failure, hypertension, COPD, asthma and diabetes. Results Several critical issues were highlighted. Due to the general tendency in the scientific literature to report HTM efficacy, there is a lack of conclusive evidence whether telemedicine actually improves both clinical (e.g. decreased disease/all-cause mortality, drop in disease/all-cause hospitalization rates, improvement in biological parameters and quality of life) and organizational (decreased length of hospital stay, decreased emergency room/other service use, decreased costs) outcomes or not. Discussion From a Public Health perspective, discrepancies and weaknesses may affect published results, since the best method for organizing and delivering telemedicine programs has not yet been identified. There is still no consensus on the following topics: setting: which context expresses the potential of technology best? No studies were found comparing, e.g., rural with urban communities. Within urban scenarios, samples do not discriminate users by their capability to access the healthcare network (e.g. residents in peripheral areas with limited transportation resources, rather than users with reduced mobility); target: it is unclear which demographic or socioeconomic characteristics users should possess to gain most benefit from HTM; duration and frequency: there are significant differences in RCT (and HTM program) duration. It has not been established whether HTM is more effective when permanently implemented, or only in the early stages of disease (i.e. until stabilization). There is no agreement on the optimal HTM implementation frequency, nor whether the patients should also receive traditional interventions (e.g. nurse home visits);scope: it has not been determined whether measurements should be disclosed to patients as educational means to improve disease management. However, past literature does include some indications that the effectiveness of HTM programs may be attributable to care intensification (or to a perceived intensification by the patient, as per the \u201cHawthorne effect\u201d described in sociology) or to the empowerment process. Conclusions HTM management of chronic diseases is a promising and remarkable strategy, still flawed by the lack of evidence. Reported efficacy, although modest, probably has a multifactorial origin. Our hypothesis is that it may not result from the technology itself, but from the impact of such process on multiple components of care, emphasizing patients' involvement and autonomy, and improving monitoring intensity. Further studies are needed to clarify the role played by the different HTM components (target, setting, etc.). The application of HTM as a tool for prevention, empowerment and reduction of healthcare access remains little explored

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) Biosensors based on Tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) with Glucose and Lactate Dehydrogenases encapsulated within Alginate Hydrogels

Two dehydrogenase enzymes (glucose, GDH, and lactate, LDH, dehydrogenases) encapsulated within alginate hydrogels were deposited on glassy carbon electrodes. The as-prepared enzyme modified alginate hydrogels were utilized as electrochemiluminescence (ECL)-based biosensors for the indirect detection of glucose and lactic acid upon reaction between NADH and tris(2,2′-bipyridyl) ruthenium (II) [Ru(bpy)3]2+. The ECL response was obtained from the redox reaction between the substrate, the cofactor NAD+ and the encapsulated enzyme. The production of NADH resulting from the enzymatic reaction led to the ECL emission upon reaction with [Ru(bpy)3]2+. The biosensors showed good stability and repeatability, with linear range between 0.56-4.2 µM and limit of detection of 0.84 µM for glucose, and linear range between 5-30 µM with a limit of detection of 2.52 µM for lactic acid. These ECL-based biosensors showed good sensitivity when tested in the presence of common interfering species. These biosensors were utilized in artificial sweat and were characterized by good reproducibility and repeatability. The results herein presented suggest that the dehydrogenases encapsulated within alginate hydrogels have potential for the development of biocompatible sensors for detection of glucose and lactic acid in physiological fluids

Self-reported genital warts among sexually-active university students: A cross-sectional study

Background: Genital warts are one of the most common forms of sexually-transmitted disease, but their epidemiology has yet to be thoroughly elucidated. The present study was designed to shed light on the prevalence of clinically-confirmed, self-reported genital warts (GWs) in a representative sample of the university population. Methods: In 2015, a cross-sectional survey was conducted on 11,096 individuals approached at the Students Information Bureau where they came to enroll for a university degree course. Participants completed an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire providing information on their sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behavior, and any history of clinically-diagnosed genital warts. Multivariate logistic regression was then used to identify any factors associated with the disease. Results: Our analysis was conducted on 9259 questionnaires (83.4%). Participants were a mean 21.8 +/- 4.8 years of age, and 59.6% were female. Overall, 124 individuals (1.3%, 95%CI: 1.0-1.6) reported having been diagnosed with genital warts: 48 men (1.3%, 95%CI: 0.9-1.6), and 76 women (1.4% 95%CI: 1.1-1.7). Overall, 22.5% of the sample were vaccinated (1.3% of the males and 36.8% of the females). The group of respondents aged 30 years or more had the highest incidence of genital warts (males: 5.6%, 95%CI: 2.5-8.6; females: 6.9%, 95%CI: 3.4-10.4). The independent risk factors associated with a history of disease were (for both genders) a history of other sexually-transmitted diseases, and >= 2 sex partners in the previous 24 months. A protective role emerged for routine condom use. Additional risk factors associated with genital warts in males concerned men who have sex with men, bisexuality vis-a-vis heterosexuality, and smoking. Conclusions: The findings emerging from our study help to further clarify the epidemiology of genital warts in young people, and may be useful to public health decision-makers. This study showed that genital warts occur in men as well as women, and suggests that both genders should be monitored for this disease to ascertain the effects of the free HPV vaccination offered to all girls in the Veneto in their 12th year of life since 2008, and to all boys of the same age since 2015

Voltammetry at Hexamethyl-P-Terphenyl Poly(Benzimidazolium) (HMT-PMBI)-Coated Glassy Carbon Electrodes: Charge Transport Properties and Detection of Uric and Ascorbic Acid

We describe the voltammetric behavior of an anion-exchange membrane, hexamethyl-p-terphenyl poly(benzimidazolium) (HMT-PMBI). The anion-exchange properties of HMT-PMBI chemically modified electrodes were investigated using K4Fe(CN)6 and K2IrCl6 as redox probes. The permselectivity properties of HMT-PMBI chemically modified electrodes were ascertained using tris(2-2’)bipyridyl-ruthenium(II) chloride Ru(bpy)32+. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were utilized to extract parameters such as the concentration of the redox mediators inside the films and the apparent diffusion coefficients. We found the concentration of K4Fe(CN)6 and K2IrCl6 redox species within HMT-PMBI-coated films to be on the order of 0.04–0.1 mol·dm−3, and values of Dapp ca. 10−10–10−9 cm2·s−1. To evaluate the possibility of using such a polymer coating in electroanalysis, HMT-PMBI-modified electrodes were utilized for the voltammetric detection of uric acid in artificial urine, Surine® and ascorbic acid in Vitamin C samples. The results showed that HMT-PMBI-coated electrodes can detect uric acid in Surine® with a limit of detection (LoD) of 7.7 µM, sensitivity of 0.14 µA·µM−1·cm−2, and linear range between 5 μM and 200 μM, whereas for Vitamin C tablets, the LoD is 41.4 µM, the sensitivity is 0.08 µA·µM−1·cm−2, and the linear range is between 25 μM and 450 μM

Intrinsic electrochemical activity of single walled carbon nanotube–Nafion assemblies

The intrinsic electrochemical properties and activity of single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) network electrodes modified by a drop-cast Nafion film have been determined using the one electron oxidation of ferrocene trimethyl ammonium (FcTMA+) as a model redox probe in the Nafion film. Facilitated by the very low transport coefficient of FcTMA+ in Nafion (apparent diffusion coefficient of 1.8 × 10−10 cm2 s−1), SWNTs in the 2-D network behave as individual elements, at short (practical) times, each with their own characteristic diffusion, independent of neighbouring sites, and the response is diagnostic of the proportion of SWNTs active in the composite. Data are analysed using candidate models for cases where: (i) electron transfer events only occur at discrete sites along the sidewall (with a defect density typical of chemical vapour deposition SWNTs); (ii) all of the SWNTs in a network are active. The first case predicts currents that are much smaller than seen experimentally, indicating that significant portions of SWNTs are active in the SWNT–Nafion composite. However, the predictions for a fully active SWNT result in higher currents than seen experimentally, indicating that a fraction of SWNTs are not connected and/or that not all SWNTs are wetted completely by the Nafion film to provide full access of the redox mediator to the SWNT surface