Fracture mechanics of pseudoelastic NiTi alloys: review of the research activities carried out at University of Calabria

This paper reports a brief review of the research activities on fracture mechanics of nickel-titaniumbased shape memory alloys carried out at University of Calabria. In fact, this class of metallic alloys show aunusual fracture response due to the reversible stress-induced and thermally phase transition mechanismsoccurring in the crack tip region as a consequence of the highly localized stresses. The paper illustrates the mainresults concerning numerical, analytical and experimental research activities carried out by using commercialNiTi based pseudoelastic alloys. Furthermore, the effect of several thermo-mechanical loading conditions onthe fracture properties of NiTi alloys are illustrated

Fracture mechanics of pseudoelastic NiTi alloys: review of the research activities carried out at University of Calabria

This paper reports a brief review of the research activities on fracture mechanics of nickel-titanium based shape memory alloys carried out at University of Calabria. In fact, this class of metallic alloys show a unusual fracture response due to the reversible stress-induced and thermally phase transition mechanisms occurring in the crack tip region as a consequence of the highly localized stresses. The paper illustrates the main results concerning numerical, analytical and experimental research activities carried out by using commercial NiTi based pseudoelastic alloys. Furthermore, the effect of several thermo-mechanical loading conditions on the fracture properties of NiTi alloys are illustrated

INFLUENZA DELLA SALDATURA LASER SUL COMPORTAMENTO A MEMORIA DI FORMA A DUE VIE DI UNA LEGA NiTi

Nel presente lavoro è riportato lo studio del comportamento funzionale di un giunto saldato in lega NiTi a memoria di forma. In particolare, sono stati analizzati gli effetti della saldatura laser Nd:YAG sul comportamento a memoria di forma a due vie (Two Way Shape Memory Effect, TWSME) di una lega Ni- 51 at.% Ti, attraverso un confronto sistematico con i risultati relativi al materiale non saldato. Il TWSME è stato indotto nel materiale attraverso un opportuna procedura di training, che consiste nella ripetizione di cicli termomeccanici; successivamente, sono stati misurati i cicli di isteresi (temperatura-deformazione) caratteristici del TWSME. Sono stati valutati, inoltre, gli effetti del numero di cicli di training e delle deformazioni plastiche, che si generano nel materiale durante il processo di training, sul comportamento a memoria di forma del materiale. I risultati mostrano come il comportamento funzionale, e in particolare il TWSME, sia parzialmente preservato nel materiale saldato che, comunque, presenta valori di deformazioni plastiche maggiori rispetto al materiale base

A peripheral blood mononuclear cell-based in vitro model: A tool to explore indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1)

Background: Proinflammatory cytokines powerfully induce the rate-limiting enzyme indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO-1) in dendritic cells (DCs) and monocytes, it converts tryptophan (Trp) into L-kynurenine (KYN), along the kynurenine pathway (KP). This mechanism represents a crucial innate immunity regulator that can modulate T cells. This work explores the role of IDO1 in lymphocyte proliferation within a specific proinflammatory milieu. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclera cells (PBMCs) were isolated from buffy coats taken from healthy blood donors and exposed to a pro-inflammatory milieu triggered by a double-hit stimulus: lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus anti-CD3/CD28. The IDO1 mRNA levels in the PBMCs were measured by RT-PCR; the IDO1 activity was analyzed using the KYN/Trp ratio, measured by HPLC-EC; and lymphocyte proliferation was measured by flow cytometry. Trp and epacadostat (EP) were used as an IDO1 substrate and inhibitor, respectively. KYN, which is known to modulate Teffs, was tested as a positive control in lymphocyte proliferation. Results: IDO1 expression and activity in PBMCs increased in an in vitro pro-inflammatory milieu. The lymphoid stimulus increased IDO1 expression and activity, which supports the interaction between the activated lymphocytes and the circulating myeloid IDO1-expressing cells. The addition of Trp decreased lymphocyte proliferation but EP, which abrogated the IDO1 function, had no impact on proliferation. Additionally, incubation with KYN seemed to decrease the lymphocyte proliferation. Conclusion: IDO1 inhibition did not change T lymphocyte proliferation. We present herein an in vitro experimental model suitable to measure IDO1 expression and activity in circulating myeloid cells

Insight from an Italian Delphi Consensus on EVAR feasibility outside the instruction for use: the SAFE EVAR Study

BACKGROUND: The SAfety and FEasibility of standard EVAR outside the instruction for use (SAFE-EVAR) Study was designed to define the attitude of Italian vascular surgeons towards the use of standard endovascular repair (EVAR) for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) outside the instruction for use (IFU) through a Delphi consensus endorsed by the Italian Society of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (Societa Italiana di Chirurgia Vascolare ed Endovascolare - SICVE). METHODS: A questionnaire consisting of 26 statements was developed, validated by an 18 -member Advisory Board, and then sent to 600 Italian vascular surgeons. The Delphi process was structured in three subsequent rounds which took place between April and June 2023. In the first two rounds, respondents could indicate one of the following five degrees of agreement: 1) strongly agree; 2) partially agree; 3) neither agree nor disagree; 4) partially disagree; 5) strongly disagree; while in the third round only three different choices were proposed: 1) agree; 2) neither agree nor disagree; 3) disagree. We considered the consensus reached when >70% of respondents agreed on one of the options. After the conclusion of each round, a report describing the percentage distribution of the answers was sent to all the participants. RESULTS: Two -hundred -forty-four (40.6%) Italian Vascular Surgeons agreed to participate the first round of the Delphi Consensus; the second and the third rounds of the Delphi collected 230 responders (94.3% of the first -round responders). Four statements (15.4%) reached a consensus in the first rounds. Among the 22 remaining statements, one more consensus (3.8%) was achieved in the second round. Finally, seven more statements (26.9%) reached a consensus in the simplified last round. Globally, a consensus was reached for almost half of the proposed statements (46.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The relatively low consensus rate obtained in this Delphi seems to confirm the discrepancy between Guideline recommendations and daily clinical practice. The data collected could represent the source for a possible guidelines' revision and the proposal of specific Good Practice Points in all those aspects with only little evidence available

Ileo biliare: diagnosi e trattamento. Case report

Gli Autori presentano un caso di ileo biliare intermittente insorto per il passaggio di un grosso calcolo (oltre 4 cm di diametro) nel lume intestinale, attraverso una fistola colecistoduodenale. Viene sottolineata la peculiarità del caso clinico occorso alla loro osservazione per le caratteristiche della sintomatologia presentata dal paziente e per l’occasionalità dell’accertamento diagnostico avvenuto in corso di esame ecografico. La malattia, di non frequente riscontro e spesso diagnosticata in corso di interventi chirurgici in urgenza per occlusione intestinale, ha oggi un più precoce riconoscimento per la diffusione delle moderne tecniche di imaging. La sintomatologia può essere intermittente e, pur presentando i segni classici della occlusione intestinale, varia a seconda della sede dell’ostruzione. Una scelta terapeutica tempestiva endoscopica o chirurgica (open o laparoscopica) è destinata a ridurre la morbilità e la mortalità dei pazienti trattati in urgenza

Immunomodulatory Potential of Cannabidiol in Multiple Sclerosis: a Systematic Review

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Efficacy of treatments for MS is associated with risk of adverse effects, and effective and well-tolerated drugs remain a major unmet need. Cannabis (Cannabis sativa L., fam. Cannabaceae) and cannabinoids are popular among MS patients to treat spasticity and pain. Cannabinoids are endowed with remarkable immunomodulating properties, and in particular the non-psychotropic cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) is increasingly recognized as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive, nevertheless with excellent tolerability even at high doses. In this systematic review, we retrieved and critically evaluated available evidence regarding the immune and disease-modifying effects of CBD in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and in MS. Evidence in rodent models of EAE strongly supports CBD as effective, while clinical evidence is still limited and usually negative, due to paucity of studies and possibly to the use of suboptimal dosing regimens. Better characterization of targets acted upon by CBD in MS should be obtained in ex vivo/in vitro studies in human immune cells, and higher doses should be tested in well-designed clinical trials with clinically relevant efficacy endpoints. [Figure not available: see fulltext.