Steel-based applications in earthquake-prone areas

Steel-Earth project aims at distributing among technicians, engineers, design companies and standardization bodies the results of three past RFCS projects (Steel-Retro [3], Opus [2] and PrecaSteel [1]), providing useful tools for the design and for the retrofit of existing buildings. Technical documents and practical applications to case studies, regarding design of steel and composite steel/concrete buildings and innovative steel-based techniques for the retrofit of existing r.c. and masonry constructions, have been elaborated and collected into a volume distributed during the final workshop of the dissemination project. Pre-normative and background documents concerning the design of steel and composite structures and the rehabilitation of existing constructions have been prepared. A lot of attention has been paid to the analysis of the influence of overstrength factors on the seismic design of steel and composite structures. The prepared documents have been distributed to the attending people and to the members of WG 2 (CEN/TC 250/SC 8/WG 2 “Steel and Composite Structures”) during the final workshop of the project. Technical sheets, working examples and background documents have been translated into several languages (German, French, Italian, Romanian and Greek) and are free available on the website of the project (https://www.steelconstruct.com/site/), where information regarding Steel-Earth are also presented.11 Workshops in Italy, Greece, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Spain and Romania and 5 conferences in Emilia-Romagna have been organized, as well as 2 practical courses for engineers and academic people in Pavia (Italy). Flash-drives with the technical documents and applications elaborated in Steel-Earth have been distributed to the attending people

Long-term relationship between tobacco use and weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy

8 p.Fil: Signorini, Franco José. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Departamento de Cirugía General. Programa de Cirugía Bariátrica; Argentina.Fil: Polero, Virginia. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Departamento de Cirugía General. Programa de Cirugía Bariátrica; Argentina.Fil: Viscido, Germán. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Departamento de Cirugía General. Programa de Cirugía Bariátrica; Argentina.Fil: Navarro, Luciano. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Departamento de Cirugía General. Programa de Cirugía Bariátrica; Argentina.Fil: Obeide, Lucio. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Departamento de Cirugía General. Programa de Cirugía Bariátrica; Argentina.Fil: Moser, Federico. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Departamento de Cirugía General. Programa de Cirugía Bariátrica; Argentina.BACKGROUND: Smoking cessation had been typically associated with weight gain. We have reported that there is no relationship between tobacco use and weight loss after bariatric surgery in the short term. The objective of this study was to establish the relationship between weight loss and the smoking habit in patients undergoing bariatric surgery and to analyze weight loss on severe smokers and on those patients who stopped smoking during the long-term postoperative period. METHODS: One hundred eighty-four patients included in our previous study were contacted by phone at 7 years after sleeve gastrectomy. They were again divided into three groups: (A) smokers, (B) ex-smokers, and (C) non-smokers. Demographics and weight loss at 6, 12, 24, and 7 years were analyzed. Smokers were subdivided for further analysis into the following: group A1: heavy smokers, group A2: non-heavy smokers, group A3: active smokers after surgery, and group A4: quitters after surgery. Student test was used for statistics. RESULTS: One hundred two patients were included. The follow-up was 80.74 ± 7.25 month. Group A: 29 patients, group B: 34 patients, and group C: 39 patients. Mean BMI was 34.35 ± 8.44 kg/m2 and the %EWL was 56.95 ± 27. The subgroup analysis showed the following composition: group A1: 6 patients, group A2: 23 patients, group A3: 23 patients, and group A4: 6 patients. Weight loss difference among groups and subgroups was statistically non-significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study reaffirms the hypothesis that weight loss among bariatric patients is independent from smoking habit even at long-term follow-up and regardless from cessation.http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11695-018-3217-9info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionFil: Signorini, Franco José. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Departamento de Cirugía General. Programa de Cirugía Bariátrica; Argentina.Fil: Polero, Virginia. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Departamento de Cirugía General. Programa de Cirugía Bariátrica; Argentina.Fil: Viscido, Germán. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Departamento de Cirugía General. Programa de Cirugía Bariátrica; Argentina.Fil: Navarro, Luciano. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Departamento de Cirugía General. Programa de Cirugía Bariátrica; Argentina.Fil: Obeide, Lucio. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Departamento de Cirugía General. Programa de Cirugía Bariátrica; Argentina.Fil: Moser, Federico. Hospital Privado Universitario de Córdoba. Departamento de Cirugía General. Programa de Cirugía Bariátrica; Argentina.Cirugí

Semantic gaps in the theory and the practice of physical and sports education in the Italian context

Nowadays, we face a profound fragmentation of knowledge, which is addressed in distinctive ways, conforming to the specifics of each field of knowledge and having a specific lexicon and ways to interpret reality. To better understand and communicate the complexity of the reality of motor and sports sciences in Italy, it is necessary to study its ontology based on a holistic and comprehensive approach such as System Thinking (ST). So, this preliminary review aimed to verify the coherence of terminology used by Italian academics (who study methodologies related to teaching) and practical communities (who live the reality of daily teaching) in motor and sports sciences, specifically regarding the didactic of physical and sports education. For this purpose, according to Design Based Research (DBR), a first investigation of the interpretative semantics of the discipline’s specific terms was accomplished with the support of multiple sources of information such as documents, databases, and brainstorming performed by experts (representing the guiding team and stakeholders from all considered communities). Moreover, the frequency of some terms and keywords considered in European (ERC) and Italian (CUN) legislation was assessed to contextualize better the impact of common practice community keywords on the scientific and regulatory community. Successively, the studies that analyzed the terms from 2000 to 2020 in the leading scientific search engines (SCOPUS and Web of Science) were also investigated. Results indicate that in the CUN and ERC areas, there is a total absence of the most relevant lemma to the community of practice. Furthermore, significant terms such as play, sports education, psychomotricity, and gymnastics are less considered or unconsidered in the specific scientific and didactic fields. Possible solutions for a specific semantic model to reduce the gap are finally hypothesized and presented

Heller-Dor procedimento laparoscópico, tratamento da acalasia

Achalasia is an entity characterized by lack of peristalsis in the esophageal body and lack of relaxation or partial relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Surgical myotomy is the most widely used therapeutic modality.La acalasia es una entidad caracterizada por falta de peristaltismo en el cuerpo esofágico y ausencia de relajación o relajación parcial del esfínter esofágico inferior. La miotomía quirúrgica es la modalidad terapéutica más utilizada. Ver el video en YouTube https://youtu.be/hMB_uP0ZNL4Acalasia é uma entidade caracterizada por ausência de peristaltismo no corpo esofágico e ausência de relaxamento ou relaxamento parcial do esfíncter esofágico inferior. A miotomia cirúrgica é a modalidade terapêutica mais utilizada

Parasitosis Hepática: Presentación atípica

Los tumores hepáticos sólidos benignos están formados por un grupo heterogéneo de lesiones. Las parasitosis hepáticas conforman una causa etiológica poco frecuente de tumores hepáticos sólidos benignos. Objetivo. Reportar el caso de un paciente con tumores hepáticos solidos benignos tratado con embolización portal derecha y posteriormente hepatectomía. Caso clínico. Paciente de 60 años, sexo masculino,  al cual se le diagnostican múltiples tumores hepáticos sólidos, debido a cuadro de ictericia generalizada. Debido al cuadro sintomático, y al no poder descartar malignidad con las pruebas complementarias, se decide realizar cirugía. Previamente se realiza volumetría de la glándula hepática y embolización portal derecha para aumentar el remanente hepático futuro. Se realiza hepatectomía derecha y segmentectomía hepática IVa. Evoluciona con mejoría del cuadro ictérico y el resultado anatomopatológico informa lesión vinculable a parasitosis hepática.  Conclusión. Ante la presencia de un tumor hepático sólido, es necesario descartar etiología maligna de la lesión. Si no es posible descartar esto, o si el paciente persiste con sintomatología, la resección quirúrgica está indicada, teniendo en cuenta el volumen de la glándula hepática y del remanente hepático futuro

Effects of Atorvastatin on Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Mitochondrial Morphofunctionality in Hyperfibrinogenemia-Induced Atherogenesis

Relationship between hyperfibrinogenemia (HF), oxidative stress, and atherogenesis was established. Effect of atorvastatin (Ator) was assessed. Wistar male (6 months) rats were studied: Ctr, control, without HF induction; Ctr-Ator, without HF treated with atorvastatin; AI, atherogenesis induced, and AI-Ator, atherogenesis induced and treated with atorvastatin. Atherogenesis was induced by daily adrenaline injection (0.1 mL/day/rat) for 90 days; treatment started 15 days after induction. Fibrinogen (mg/dL) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured in plasma (mM) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (U/mL) in red cell lysate by spectrophotometry. Slices of aorta were analyzed by electron microscopy (EM). ANOVA and chi-square test were used; P<0.05 was established. There were no significant differences between Ctr and Ctr-Atorv in fibrinogen, NO, and SOD values. Comparing Ctr with AI an increase of fibrinogen is observed (P<0.001), but it decreased after administration of atorvastatin in AI-Ator (P<0.001). NO diminished in AI relative to Ctr and increased in AI-Ator (P<0.001). SOD showed an increase in AI and AI-Ator compared to Ctr (P<0.001). EM revealed expansion of intermembrane space and disorganization of crests in AI. In AI-Ator mitochondrial areas and diameters were similar to control. Atorvastatin normalizes HF, stabilizes NO, increases SOD, and produces a partial regression of mitochondrial lesions

Risk factors for surgical site infection in colon surgery in our population

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common nosocomial infection in surgical patients with an incidence that varies between 5-30%. Objective: Identify the risk factors for SSI in colonic surgery in our population. The secondary aims are to determine the incidence and type of SSI, as well as the incidence of an anastomotic leakage (AL). Methods: Case-control study of patients undergoing colectomy between 2010-2014 at the Hospital Privado Univeristario de Córdoba and Hospital Raúl Ferreyra. Conventional and laparoscopic interventions, with a 30-day postoperative follow up, between 20-85 years and an ASA I-III were included. Patients undergoing emergency surgery and recto-anal resections were excluded. SSI was defined as an infection that occurred within 30 days after surgery. Results: We included 238 patients. SSI was diagnosed in 27.7% (n=66) of the patients of which 12.2% were superficial, 4.6% deep incisional and 10.9% organ/space. Multivariate analysis showed that SSI was independently associated with male sex (odds ratio [OR] 3.15; IC95%:1.43-6.92; p=0.004), having undergone previous chemotherapy (OR 6.72; IC95%:1.48-30.93; p=0.01), need for conversion (OR 3.32; IC95%:1.13-9.77; p=0.02), reintervention within the 30 postoperative days (OR 12.34; IC95%:2.65-57.37, p=0.001) and AL (OR 12.83; IC95%:2.97- 55.5; p=0.001). AL had an incidence of 9.6%, of which 91% presented SSI and all were organ/space. Conclusion: We found that male sex, having undergone previous chemotherapy, conversion, reintervention within 30 postoperative days and AL are risk factors for SSI in our population. These results should be considered in implementing preventive measures for SSI.</p

Alterations in portal vein confluence during gastric cancer surgery: two case reports

This article presents two cases of extrahepatic portal vein anomalies that can be challenging during lymph node (LN) dissection in gastric cancer surgery. The first case was a participant for a clinical trial assessing the completeness of D2 LN dissection. The trial utilized near-infrared (NIR) lymphangiography with indocyanine green only after completing dissection of a certain topological LN station to detect any residual lymphatic tissue. However, the patient was excluded from the trial due to an unexpected extrahepatic portal vein confluence anomaly and aberrant common hepatic artery. Consequently, continuous lymphatic navigation with NIR imaging was utilized for remaining surgery. The second case featured a patient with an anteriorly positioned splenic vein, hindering LN dissection along the left gastric artery. Preoperative identification of great vessel anomalies around the stomach is critical to prevent life-threatening complications during LN dissection in gastric cancer surgery. Augmented imaging technology can be a valuable tool in ensuring oncologic safety and precision

Recurrent, founder and hypomorphic variants contribute to the genetic landscape of Joubert syndrome

Background Joubert syndrome (JS) is a neurodevelopmental ciliopathy characterised by a distinctive mid-hindbrain malformation, the 'molar tooth sign'. Over 40 JS-associated genes are known, accounting for two-thirds of cases.Methods While most variants are novel or extremely rare, we report on 11 recurring variants in seven genes, including three known 'founder variants' in the Ashkenazi Jewish, Hutterite and Finnish populations. We evaluated variant frequencies in similar to 550 European patients with JS and compared them with controls (&gt;15 000 Italian plus gnomAD), and with an independent cohort of similar to 600 JS probands from the USA.Results All variants were markedly enriched in the European JS cohort compared with controls. When comparing allele frequencies in the two JS cohorts, the Ashkenazim founder variant (TMEM216 c.218G&gt;T) was significantly enriched in American compared with European patients with JS, while MKS1 c.1476T&gt;G was about 10 times more frequent among European JS. Frequencies of other variants were comparable in the two cohorts. Genotyping of several markers identified four novel European founder haplotypes. Two recurrent variants (MKS1 c.1476T&gt;G and KIAA0586 c.428delG), have been detected in homozygosity in unaffected individuals, suggesting they could act as hypomorphic variants. However, while fibroblasts from a MKS1 c.1476T&gt;G healthy homozygote showed impaired ability to form primary cilia and mildly reduced ciliary length, ciliary parameters were normal in cells from a KIAA0586 c.428delG healthy homozygote.Conclusion This study contributes to understand the complex genetic landscape of JS, explain its variable prevalence in distinct geographical areas and characterise two recurrent hypomorphic variants