Viscoelastic and Dynamic Properties of Soft Liners and Tissue Conditioners

The creep compliance and dynamic modulus of two tissue conditioners and five soft liners were determined after storage in water at 37 C. Under static conditions the tissue conditioners functioned like viscous liquids, whereas the soft liners were more elastic. In general, linear viscoelasticity was not observed. Under dynamic conditions, the materials were stiffer.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/67015/2/10.1177_00220345790580080601.pd

Contention postorthodontique avec attelle rigide en résine

We have done a clinical review of 30 cases of postorthodontic retention with resin splint, from canine to canine in both maxillary. We describe the procedure of making the splint, its placement, their incidence or clinical problems (inadequate adhesion, gingivitis...) and the psychologic or subjective patient aspects.Nous avons fait un examen clinique de 30 cas de contention postorthodontique avec attelle rigide en résine, de canine à canine sur les deux maxillaires. On décrit la fabrication de l’attelle, sa mise en place, les incidents possibles ou les problèmes cliniques apparus (mauvaise adhérence, gingivite...) et les aspects psychologiques ou subjectifs du patient

Time resolved particle dynamics in granular convection

We present an experimental study of the movement of individual particles in a layer of vertically shaken granular material. High-speed imaging allows us to investigate the motion of beads within one vibration period. This motion consists mainly of vertical jumps, and a global ordered drift. The analysis of the system movement as a whole reveals that the observed bifurcation in the flight time is not adequately described by the Inelastic Bouncing Ball Model. Near the bifurcation point, friction plays and important role, and the branches of the bifurcation do not diverge as the control parameter is increased. We quantify the friction of the beads against the walls, showing that this interaction is the underlying mechanism responsible for the dynamics of the flow observed near the lateral wall

Obtaining of repair lime mortars by mixing aerial lime and nanosilica

This work deals with the effect of the nanosilica addition on the performance of aerial lime mortars. Several lime mortars were prepared and modified upon the addition of 3, 6, 10 and 20 wt.% of nanosilica. The presence of nanosilica increased the water demand of the fresh mixtures and reduced the appearance of superficial cracks after the spreading of the mortars onto a porous stone. Setting time underwent a delay when the amount of nanosilica ranged from 3 to 10 wt.%. However, samples with 20 wt.% of nanosilica showed a shortened setting time compared to plain lime mortars. Nanosilica reacted with Ca(OH)2 particles, yielding C-S-H compounds and, acting as a nanofiller, nanosilica also caused a pore blockage in the mesoporous range. These facts resulted in an increase in both compressive strength and durability after undergoing freezing-thawing processes. Overall, the addition of nanosilica clearly improves several characteristics of the aerial lime mortars in order to prepare enhanced mixtures to be used for restoration works

Millikelvin magnetic relaxation measurements of alpha-Fe2O3 antiferromagnetic particles

In this paper we report magnetic relaxation data for antiferromagnetic alpha-Fe2O3 particles of 5 nm mean diameter in the temperature range 0.1 K to 25 K. The average spin value of these particles S=124 and the uniaxial anisotropy constant D=1.6x10^-2 K have been estimated from the experimental values of the blocking temperature and anisotropy field. The observed plateau in the magnetic viscosity from 3 K down to 100 mK agrees with the occurrence of spin tunneling from the ground state Sz = S. However, the scaling M vs Tln(nu t) is broken below 5 K, suggesting the occurrence of tunneling from excited states below this temperature.Comment: 4 pages (two columns), 4 figure

Computational analysis of clinical and molecular markers and new theranostic possibilities in primary open-angle glaucoma

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a paramount cause of irreversible visual disability worldwide. We focus on identifying clinical and molecular facts that may help elucidating the pathogenic mechanisms of the disease. By using ophthalmological approaches (biomicroscopy, ocular fundus, optical coherence tomography, and perimetry) and experimental tests (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and Western blot/immunoblotting) directed to evaluate the oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and neurodegeneration processes, we gather information to build a network of data to perform a computational bioinformatics analysis. Our results showed strong interaction of the above players and its downstream effectors in POAG pathogenesis. In conclusion, specific risk factors were identified, and molecules involved in multiple pathways were found in relation to anterior and posterior eye segment glaucoma changes, pointing to new theranostic challenges for better managing POAG progression

Long-term mechanical resistance and durability of air lime mortars with large additions of nanosilica

The performance of air lime mortars modified by the incorporation of large amounts of nanostructured colloidal silica ¿ nanosilica, NS - (6, 10 and 20 wt.% with respect to lime) was the main objective of this work. Fresh mixture properties (water demand, setting time and plastic shrinkage), mechanical strengths up to one year and specimens¿ durability after accelerated ageing conditions (climatic chamber, freeze-thaw cycles and sulfate attack by MgSO4 corrosion test) were evaluated. NS was seen to have a strong pozzolanic activity in air lime media. Although the addition of NS gave rise to an increase in volume contraction, the superficial cracking caused by the drying shrinkage was reduced. A noticeable increase in the compressive strength values was observed in the NS-bearing mortars owing to the NS filler effect and the C-S-H formation, as proved by SEM examination and MIP analysis. A honeycomb-shaped network of C-S-H phases appeared as the prevailing microstructure in mortars with large NS additions. In the face of accelerated ageing processes, the presence of NS made the mortars more durable, delaying the progress of decay

First-line single-agent regorafenib in frail patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a pilot phase II study of the Spanish Cooperative Group for the Treatment of Digestive Tumours (TTD)

BackgroundTreatment of frail patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) is controversial. This pilot phase II trial aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of regorafenib when administered in first-line to frail patients with advanced CRC.MethodsFrail patients without prior advanced colorectal cancer treatment were included in the study. Definition of frailty was defined per protocol based on dependency criteria, presence of chronic comorbid pathologies and/or geriatric features. Main objective: to assess progression-free survival (PFS) rate at 6months. Treatment consisted of 28-daycycles of orally administered regorafenib 160mg/day (3 weeks followed by 1 week rest).ResultsForty-seven patients were included in the study. Median age was 81years (range 63-89). Frailty criteria: dependency was observed in 26 patients (55%), comorbidities in 27 (57%) and geriatric features in 18 (38%). PFS rate at 6months was 45% (95% confidence interval [CI] 30-60]. Median PFS was 5.6months (95%CI 2.7-8.4). Median overall survival (OS) was 16months (95%CI 7.8-24). Complete response, partial response and stable disease were observed in one, two and 21 patients respectively (objective response rate 6.4%; disease control rate 51%). Thirty-nine patients (83%) experienced grade 3-4 adverse events (AEs). The most common grade 3-4 AEs were hypertension (15 patients; 32%), asthenia (14; 30%), hypophosphatemia (6; 13%); diarrhea (4; 8%), hand-foot-skin reaction (4; 8%). There were two toxic deaths (4.2%) (grade 5 rectal bleeding and death not further specified). Dose reduction was required in 26 patients (55%) and dose-delays in 13 patients (28%).ConclusionsThe study did not meet the pre-specified boundary of 55% PFS rate at 6months. Toxicity observed (83% patients experienced grade 3 and 4 AEs) preclude its current use in clinical practice on this setting. Disease control rate and overall survival results are interesting and might warrant further investigation to identify those who benefit from this approach.Trial registrationThis trial was prospectively registered at EudraCT (2013-000236-94). Date of trial registration: April 9th, 2013

Multitrait genome association analysis identifies new susceptibility genes for human anthropometric variation in the GCAT cohort

BACKGROUND: Heritability estimates have revealed an important contribution of SNP variants for most common traits; however, SNP analysis by single-trait genome-wide association studies (GWAS) has failed to uncover their impact. In this study, we applied a multitrait GWAS approach to discover additional factor of the missing heritability of human anthropometric variation. METHODS: We analysed 205 traits, including diseases identified at baseline in the GCAT cohort (Genomes For Life- Cohort study of the Genomes of Catalonia) (n=4988), a Mediterranean adult population-based cohort study from the south of Europe. We estimated SNP heritability contribution and single-trait GWAS for all traits from 15 million SNP variants. Then, we applied a multitrait-related approach to study genome-wide association to anthropometric measures in a two-stage meta-analysis with the UK Biobank cohort (n=336 107). RESULTS: Heritability estimates (eg, skin colour, alcohol consumption, smoking habit, body mass index, educational level or height) revealed an important contribution of SNP variants, ranging from 18% to 77%. Single-trait analysis identified 1785 SNPs with genome-wide significance threshold. From these, several previously reported single-trait hits were confirmed in our sample with LINC01432 (p=1.9×10-9) variants associated with male baldness, LDLR variants with hyperlipidaemia (ICD-9:272) (p=9.4×10-10) and variants in IRF4 (p=2.8×10-57), SLC45A2 (p=2.2×10-130), HERC2 (p=2.8×10-176), OCA2 (p=2.4×10-121) and MC1R (p=7.7×10-22) associated with hair, eye and skin colour, freckling, tanning capacity and sun burning sensitivity and the Fitzpatrick phototype score, all highly correlated cross-phenotypes. Multitrait meta-analysis of anthropometric variation validated 27 loci in a two-stage meta-analysis with a large British ancestry cohort, six of which are newly reported here (p value threshold <5×10-9) at ZRANB2-AS2, PIK3R1, EPHA7, MAD1L1, CACUL1 and MAP3K9. CONCLUSION: Considering multiple-related genetic phenotypes improve associated genome signal detection. These results indicate the potential value of data-driven multivariate phenotyping for genetic studies in large population-based cohorts to contribute to knowledge of complex traits

Solidification/stabilization of toxic metals in calcium aluminate cement matrices

The ability of calcium aluminate cement (CAC) to encapsulate toxic metals (Pb, Zn and Cu) was assessed under two curing conditions. Changes in the consistency and in the setting time were found upon the addition of the nitrates of the target metals. Both Pb and Cu caused a delay in CAC hydration, while Zn accelerated the stiffening of the mortar. Compressive strengths of the metal-doped mortars, when initially cured at 60ºC/100% RH, were comparable with that of the free-metal mortar. Three different pore size distribution patterns were identified and related to the compounds identified by XRD and SEM. Sorbent capacities of CAC for the toxic metals were excellent: a total uptake was achieved for up to 3 wt.% loading of the three metals. In this way, CAC mortars were perfectly able to encapsulate the toxic metals, allowing the use of CAC for waste management as proved by the leaching tests