2,078 research outputs found
The Lamb-Bateman integral equation and the fractional derivatives
The Lamb-Bateman integral equation was introduced to study the solitary wave
diffraction and its solution was written in terms of an integral transform. We
prove that it is essentially the Abel integral equation and its solution can be
obtained using the formalism of fractional calculus.Comment: 3 pages; revised version (misprints corrected, acknowledgements
added
Rare diseases of the anterior segment of the eye: update on diagnosis and management
This special issue is focused on the current approaches used to identify and manage rare diseases of the anterior segment
of the eye, which range from congenital to acquired disorders that are caused by ocular or systemic conditions and often
have consequences that extend beyond the anterior segment of the eye
The Barthel index: italian translation, adaptation and validation
The Barthel Index (BI) is widely used to measure disability also in
Italy, although a validated and culturally adapted Italian version of
BI has not been produced yet. This article describes the translation
and cultural adaptation into Italian of the original 10-item version of
BI, and reports the procedures for testing its validity and reliability.
The cultural adaptation and validation process was based on data
from a cohort of disabled patients from two different Rehabilitation
Centers in Rome, Italy.
Forward and backward translation method was adopted by
qualified linguist and independent native English official translators.
The scale obtained was reviewed by 20 experts in psychometric
sciences. The Italian adapted version of the BI was then produced
and validated. A total number of 180 patients were submitted to the
adapted scale for testing its acceptability and internal consistency.
The total time of compilation was 5 ± 2,6 minutes (range 3-10).
Validation of the scale was performed by 7 trained professional
therapists that submitted both the translated and the adapted
versions to a group of 62 clinically stable patients (T-test=-2.051
p=0.05). The internal consistency by Cronbach’s alpha resulted
equal to 0.96. Test – retest intra – rater reliability was evaluated
on 35 cases; at test-retest was ICC=0.983 (95%IC: 0.967-0.992).
This is the first study that reports translation, adaptation and
validation of the BI in Italian language. It provides a new tool for
professionals to measure functional disability when appraising
Italian speaking disable patients in health and social care settings
along the continuum of care
Complex particles produced from graphite powder by acoustic cavitation in water
Abstract Spaghetti-like structures made of fibers whose diameter are of about 1–2 μm, straight structures from about 10–20 μm and optically semitransparent particles, with linear dimension up to about 0.3 mm, were obtained from fine graphite powder in water subjected for 20 h to acoustic cavitation at a frequency of 19.5 kHz. A picture of spaghetti-like structures obtained by scanning electron microscopy is reported. From X-ray diffraction pattern, it was found that the semitransparent precipitates have an amorphous nature
The mtDNA 15497 G/A polymorphism in cytochrome b in severe obese subjects from Southern Italy.
Background and aim: A large number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
mutations have been implicated in degenerative diseases and aging. The aim of this
study was to evaluate whether the 15497 G/A mtDNA polymorphism (G251S) in the
cytochrome b subunit of respiratory complex III, which has been associated with
obesity-related variables and lipid metabolism in a Japanese population, is
associated with severe obesity also in adult Caucasians from southern Italy.
Methods and results: Unrelated severely obese patients (n Z 317; BMI > 40 kg/m2)
and controls (n Z 217; BMI < 25 kg/m2) from Southern Italy were genotyped by
allelic discrimination TaqMan assay for the 15497 G/A mtDNA polymorphism. In
obese patients fasting serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and
glucose were measured enzymatically and sitting blood pressure and heart rate
were also collected. Mean levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose were
below the upper reference limit for healthy subjects. Female obese subjects
showed lower levels of blood pressure and heart rate and higher levels of
HDL cholesterol than male obese patients (P < 0.001). All the control subjects and 315/317 severely obese patients were homozygous for the G allele (wild type),
whereas only 2/317, were females homozygous for the A allele.
Conclusions: The mtDNA 15497 G/A polymorphism in cytochrome b was present in
0.6% obese subjects, two females whose lipid parameters and BMI were similar to
those of the overall group. Therefore, this mutation may appear to contribute in
rare instances to severe obesity but does not explain the majority of cases in our
population. A more extensive genetic haplogroup characterization is required to
identify associations to obesity in Caucasians
Effect of recombinant human nerve growth factor eye drops in patients with dry eye: a phase IIa, open label, multiple-dose study
Background: Dry eye disease (DED) affects more than 14% of the elderly population causing decrease of quality of life, high costs and vision impairment. Current treatments for DED aim at lubricating and controlling inflammation of the ocular surface. Development of novel therapies targeting different pathogenic mechanisms is sought-after. The aim of this study is to evaluate safety and efficacy of recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) eye drops in patients with DED. Methods: Forty consecutive patients with moderate to severe DED were included in a phase IIa, prospective, open label, multiple-dose, clinical trial to receive rhNGF eye drops at 20 μg/mL (Group 1: G1) or at 4 μg/mL (Group 2: G2) concentrations, two times a day in both eyes for 28 days (NCT02101281). The primary outcomes measures were treatment-emerged adverse events (AE), Symptoms Assessment in Dry Eye (SANDE) scale, ocular surface staining and Schirmer test. Results: Of 40 included patients, 39 completed the trial. Both tested rhNGF eye drop concentrations were safe and well tolerated. Twenty-nine patients experienced at least one AE (14 in G1 and 15 in G2), of which 11 had at least 1 related AE (8 in G1 and 3 in G2). Both frequency and severity of DED symptoms and ocular surface damage showed significant improvement in both groups, while tear function improved only in G1. Conclusions: The data of this study indicate that rhNGF eye drops in both doses is safe and effective in improving symptoms and signs of DED. Randomised clinical trials are ongoing to confirm the therapeutic benefit of rhNGF in DED. Trial registration number: NCT02101281
Open reduction and internal fixation combined with hinged elbow fixator in capitellum and trochlea fractures: a retrospective study of 15 patients followed for 29 months
Background and purpose The current surgical treatment for displaced fracture of the capitellum and trochlea is open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), but the results are often unsatisfactory, particularly with complex fractures. Furthermore, the surgical approach, the kind of osteosynthesis, and postoperative management are controversial. We evaluated the results of internal fixation combined with hinged external fixation. Methods We analyzed 15 patients with a mean age of 47 (18-65) years. Based on the Bryan-Morrey-McKee classification, the fractures were identified as type I in 6 cases and type IV in 9. Active and passive motion was started and activities of daily living were permitted on the second postoperative day. The mean follow-up time was 29 (12-49) months. Results In 13 cases, functional range of motion was obtained within 6 weeks of surgery. At final follow-up, 14 patients had a stable, pain-free elbow with a mean active range of motion of 13° to 140°. The average score on the Mayo elbow performance score was 98. Interpretation The use of the hinged fixator allows early motion of the elbow while preserving joint stability. It may have additional value in complex articular fractures when stable internal fixation cannot be obtained with ORIF, and in the presence of severe ligamentous injuries
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