Proposta di una nuova tecnica di valutazione del dolore dell'articolazione temporo-mandibolare del cavallo e sua applicazione

La tesi tratta dell'applicazione di un nuovo strumento di valutazione del dolore dell'articolazione temporo-mandibolare del cavall

Preliminary Computational Framework to Map MRI-Derived Markers to predict Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy

Prediction of the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is still uncertain. On our previous CRT clinical research, we have found that a decrease in the ratio between the two principal axes of the 3D trajectory of the electrode at the pacing site (S1/S2) recorded before and after pacing could define a marker between responders and non-responders to CRT. The aim of this work is to design a framework to map the S1/S2 marker on the 3D ventricular anatomy as a preliminary test to verify if the concept of the S1/S2 may predict the response to CRT in a pre-implant scenario. Based on MR images of a CRT candidate, the 3D mesh of the left ventricle geometry is constructed. Using image registration we are able to track the deformation of the mesh throughout the cardiac cycle and to compute the trajectory of each point of the mesh. Then the S1/S2 is calculated for every trajectory and mapped on a 3D geometry representation. We have applied this framework to one CRT patient, highlighting that in the area in which the electrode was placed the S1/S2 was low. This value suggests a poor possibility of a pacing-induced decrease for the S1/S2 ratio after implant. Consistently the patient was classified as non-responder at the clinical follow-up. Ongoing work focuses on the clinical validation of S1/S2 as a tool for the prediction of CRT response and the acquisition of MR data of potential candidates to CRT for the assessment of the presented framework

PERFORMANCES NA ANTIGUIDADE: NARRATIVAS, PRÁTICAS E MATERIALIDADE

Apresentação do dossiê

Considerações sobre a eficiência de misturas de concreto de cimento Portland com base no conceito de empacotamento de partículas

O concreto é o material de construção mais utilizado e nos últimos anos, estudos têm sido desenvolvidos em busca de materiais com desempenho mecânico e durabilidade superior. Com a finalidade de abranger a realidade das obras civis no que se refere à produção in loco do concreto convencional e de alta resistência, diversos métodos de dosagem são propostos. Apesar de esses métodos permitirem obter a proporção ideal entre os materiais constituintes da mistura de concreto, é possível otimizar a composição aplicando-se o conceito de empacotamento de partículas. Diante disso, o presente estudo tem por objetivo avaliar a eficiência do empacotamento de partículas de misturas de concretos de cimento Portland amplamente utilizados na prática da construção civil, obtidas por métodos de dosagem tradicionais. Para isso, foram produzidos três traços de concreto utilizando o método de dosagem tradicional IPT/EPUSP, sendo dois para concretos com classe de resistência convencional e um de alta resistência. Conhecendo a proporção e a distribuição granulométrica dos materiais constituintes desses concretos, o coeficiente de distribuição de cada mistura foi determinado considerando o modelo de empacotamento de Alfred. Posteriormente, mantendo-se o mesmo coeficiente de distribuição, as misturas de concretos foram otimizadas aplicando o conceito de empacotamento de partículas, sendo determinadas as propriedades físicas e mecânicas dos concretos. No processo de otimização, verificouse lacunas entre as distribuições granulométricas dos materiais constituintes normalmente considerados na produção dos concretos, caracterizando uma deficiência quanto ao empacotamento. Com relação as propriedades do concreto no estado endurecido, as misturas otimizadas apresentaram, em geral, propriedades físicas e mecânicas superiores aos concretos de referência.  Palavras-chave: Concreto, Método de dosagem, Empacotamento de partículas, Modelo de Alfred, Coeficiente de distribuição

Contributions of symptomatic osteoarthritis and physical function to incident cardiovascular disease

Abstract Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with worsening physical function and a high prevalence of comorbid health conditions. In particular, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is higher in individuals with OA than the general population. Limitations in physical function may be one pathway to the development of CVD among individuals with OA. This study evaluated associations of symptomatic knee OA (sxKOA), baseline physical function and worsening of function over time with self-reported incident CVD in a community-based cohort. Methods Our sample consisted of individuals from the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project who did not report having CVD at baseline. Variables used to evaluate physical function were the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), time to complete 5 chair stands, and the 8-ft walk. Worsening function for these variables was defined based on previous literature and cutoffs from our sample. Logistic regression analyses examined associations of sxKOA, baseline function and worsening of function over time with self-reported incident CVD, unadjusted and adjusted for relevant demographic and clinical characteristics. Results Among 1709 participants included in these analyses, the mean age was 59.5 ± 9.5 years, 63.6% were women, 15% had sxKOA, and the follow up time was 5.9 ± 1.2 years. About a third of participants reported worsening HAQ score, about two-fifths had worsened chair stand time, half had worsened walking speed during the 8-ft walk, and 16% self-reported incident CVD. In unadjusted analyses, sxKOA, baseline function, and worsening function were all associated with self-reported incident CVD. In multivariable models including all of these variables, sxKOA was not associated with incident CVD, but worsening function was significantly associated with increased CVD risk, for all three functional measures: HAQ odds ratio (OR) = 2.49 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.90–3.25), chair stands OR = 1.58 (95% CI 1.20–2.08), 8-ft walk OR = 1.53 (95%CI 1.15–2.04). These associations for worsening function remained in models additionally adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics related to CVD risk. Conclusions The association between symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease risk was explained by measures of physical function. This highlights the importance of physical activity and other strategies to prevent functional loss among individuals with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

Circadian blueprint of metabolic pathways in the brain

The circadian clock is an endogenous, time-tracking system that directs multiple metabolic and physiological functions required for homeostasis. The master or central clock located within the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus governs peripheral clocks present in all systemic tissues, contributing to their alignment and ultimately to temporal coordination of physiology. Accumulating evidence reveals the presence of additional clocks in the brain and suggests the possibility that circadian circuits may feed back to these from the periphery. Here, we highlight recent advances in the communications between clocks and discuss how they relate to circadian physiology and metabolism