100 research outputs found
Thermal imaging in the 3-5 micron range for precise localization of defects: Application on frescoes at the Sforza Castle
Infrared methods are of great importance in nondestructive testing of artworks, allowing a remote and wide-field imaging of interesting hidden features. Here we discuss a workflow based on thermal imaging in the mid infrared 3-5 micron range for the evaluation of subsurface defects in frescoes. Particular attention is payed to obtaining a high resolution (submillimetric) localization of the defects. The transfer of diagnostics techniques into real world applications, is discussed through the proof of concept of the proposed workflow on frescoes at the Sforza Castle (Milan, Italy)
Design, synthesis and preliminary in-vitro studies of novel boronated monocarbonyl analogues of Curcumin (BMAC) for antitumor and β-amiloyd disaggregation activity
Haemoglobin mass and running time trial performance after recombinant human erythropoietin administration in trained men
<p>Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) increases haemoglobin mass (Hbmass) and maximal oxygen uptake (vË™ O2 max).</p>
<p>Purpose: This study defined the time course of changes in Hbmass, vË™ O2 max as well as running time trial performance
following 4 weeks of rHuEpo administration to determine whether the laboratory observations would translate into actual
improvements in running performance in the field.</p>
<p>Methods: 19 trained men received rHuEpo injections of 50 IUNkg21 body mass every two days for 4 weeks. Hbmass was
determined weekly using the optimized carbon monoxide rebreathing method until 4 weeks after administration. vË™ O2 max
and 3,000 m time trial performance were measured pre, post administration and at the end of the study.</p>
<p>Results: Relative to baseline, running performance significantly improved by ,6% after administration (10:3061:07 min:sec
vs. 11:0861:15 min:sec, p,0.001) and remained significantly enhanced by ,3% 4 weeks after administration
(10:4661:13 min:sec, p,0.001), while vË™ O2 max was also significantly increased post administration
(60.765.8 mLNmin21Nkg21 vs. 56.066.2 mLNmin21Nkg21, p,0.001) and remained significantly increased 4 weeks after
rHuEpo (58.065.6 mLNmin21Nkg21, p = 0.021). Hbmass was significantly increased at the end of administration compared to
baseline (15.261.5 gNkg21 vs. 12.761.2 gNkg21, p,0.001). The rate of decrease in Hbmass toward baseline values post
rHuEpo was similar to that of the increase during administration (20.53 gNkg21Nwk21, 95% confidence interval (CI) (20.68,
20.38) vs. 0.54 gNkg21Nwk21, CI (0.46, 0.63)) but Hbmass was still significantly elevated 4 weeks after administration
compared to baseline (13.761.1 gNkg21, p<0.001).</p>
<p>Conclusion: Running performance was improved following 4 weeks of rHuEpo and remained elevated 4 weeks after
administration compared to baseline. These field performance effects coincided with rHuEpo-induced elevated vË™ O2 max and
Hbmass.</p>
Hydroxychloroquine drastically reduces immune activation in HIV-infected, antiretroviral therapy-treated immunologic nonresponders
Despite optimal suppression of HIV replication, restoration of CD4(+) T cells is not always achieved in antiretroviral therapy-treated individuals. Defective CD4 recovery in immunologic nonresponders is possibly associated with TLR-mediated immune activation driven by alterations of gut permeability. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) reduces endosomal TLR signaling; thus, we verified whether HCQ could dampen immune activation and be associated with an increase in CD4(+) T cells. To this end, we enrolled in a prospective study 20 HIV-infected immunologic nonresponders (CD4 count < 200 cells/mL or CD4 increase < 5% in the last 12 months) who received 400 mg/day HCQ for 6 months. HCQ had a notable impact on immune activation as shown by significant modifications of the following parameters: (1) reduced plasma lipopolysaccharide; (2) decreased TLR4-expressing CD14(+) cells, TLR4-mediated signal transduction, and mRNA synthesis; (3) reduced percentages of activated CD4(+) (CD4(+)/Ki67(+)) and CD14(+) (CD14(+)/CD69(+)) cells; (4) increased T-regulatory cells (Tregs), naive Tregs, and TLR4-expressing Tregs; (5) augmented plasmacytoid dendritic cells and reduced IFN alpha-secreting plasmacytoid dendritic cells; and (6) reduced IL-6 and TNF alpha production. HCQ-induced immune modulation was associated with increased percentages of circulating CD4(+) T cells and was mostly retained 2 months after therapy interruption. HCQ reduces lipopolysaccharide/TLR-mediated immune activation; this compound could be a useful immunomodulant in HIV-infected patients. This study is registered at EutraCT as 2009-012499-28 with study number HLS01/2009-1-16-03-2009. (Blood. 2011;118(12):3263-3272
Caries risk assessment in chilean adolescents and adults and its association with caries experience
Reproducible and label-free biosensor for the selective extraction and rapid detection of proteins in biological fluids
Ensino de lÃngua materna: dificuldades e necessidades formativas apontadas por professores na Educação Fundamental
Green method by diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy and spectral region selection for the quantification of sulphamethoxazole and trimethoprim in pharmaceutical formulations
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