The sutures in dentistry

In oral surgery, the last phase of a surgical operation is represented by the tissues suture, that allows the wound lips edges approximation and their stabilization, to promote haemostasis, to avoid the alimentary residues accumulation on the incision line and allow the first intention healing. A good suture avoids that the displacing forces generated by the muscular insertions, functional movements and by the external agents destabilize or cause the surgical wound deiscence. The purpose of this study was to re-examine the suture threads characteristics, properties and biological interactions evaluating the different studies published in literature results and conclusions. In conclusion, the authors recommended the use of the different suture threads on the dependence of the oral surgery operation type that must be performed, of the patient compliance and of the various suture materials physical and biocompatibility characteristics

The Fate of the First Galaxies. I. Self-Consistent Cosmological Simulations with Radiative Transfer

In cold dark matter (CDM) cosmogonies, low-mass objects play an important role in the evolution of the universe. Not only are they the first luminous objects to shed light in a previously dark universe, but, if their formation is not inhibited by their own feedback, they dominate the galaxy mass function until redshift z \sim 5. In this paper we present and discuss the implementation of a 3D cosmological code that includes most of the needed physics to simulate the formation and evolution of the first galaxies with a self-consistent treatment of radiative feedback. The simulation includes continuum radiative transfer using the ``Optically Thin Variable Eddington Tensor'' (OTVET) approximation and line-radiative transfer in the H_2 Lyman-Werner bands of the background radiation. We include detailed chemistry for H_2 formation/destruction, molecular and atomic cooling/heating processes, ionization by secondary electrons, and heating by Ly\alpha resonant scattering. We find that the first galaxies ("small-halos") are characterized by a bursting star formation, self-regulated by a feedback process that acts on cosmological scales. Their formation is not suppressed by feedback processes; therefore, their impact on cosmic evolution cannot be neglected. The main focus of this paper is on the methodology of the simulations, and we only briefly introduce some of the results. An extensive discussion of the results and the nature of the feedback mechanism are the focus of a companion paper.Comment: Accepted for publication on ApJ, 33 pages, including 14 figures and 2 tables. Movies and a higher quality version of the paper (figures) are available at: http://casa.colorado.edu/~ricotti/MOVIES.htm

Vaccinations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently requires administration of immunosuppressive therapies, which increases susceptibility to a number of infectious pathogens. However, many infections can be prevented by correct and appropriate utilization of vaccinations. While several guidelines have been published on vaccination schedules in patients with IBD, vaccination rates remain suboptimal and even lower than those in the general population. This is due to many factors including poor awareness of the importance of vaccines by gastroenterologists and general practitioners as well as potential prejudices of patients regarding the safety and benefits of vaccines. With the aim of increasing awareness about the key role of immunization in the management of patients with IBD, the present review examines the existing literature relating to the main vaccinations and their application in these patients. We also summarize current evidence in order to provide clinicians with an easy source of reference for the principal recommendations for prevention of infectious diseases in patients with IBD. In addition, the recommendations about traveling for IBD patients are briefly explored. Lastly, since it is important for gastroenterologists to be aware of recommendations on vaccination, we recommend implementing educational programs to ensure compliance with current guidelines

Monitoraggio delle risorse forestali in ambiente mediterraneo mediante telerilavamento

Monitoring forest resources in Mediterranean environment using remote sensing techniques. Since the Neolithic pastoralism has played a major role in the landscape changes of the Mediterranean basin; during the last century the increased anthropic pressure on Mediterranean ecosystems (overgrazing, fires, overcultivation of unsuitable areas) led to severe land degradation phenomena. The typical Mediterranean forest ecosystems have undergone a progressive and steady depletion, resulting in very fragmented and heterogeneous landscapes. In this context monitoring forest resources at regional scale represents a major issue towards the identification of areas threatened by land degradation where mitigation actions have to be carried out. Remote sensing is a powerful tool for monitoring natural and forest resources due to its synoptic and multitemporal characteristics. Nevertheless, the heterogeneity and rapid dynamics of secondary vegetation after disturbances (overgrazing or fires) make complex the use of the traditional classification techniques of remote sensed images. In this study we present preliminary results obtained with the application of traditional and innovating procedures for land cover classification (Maximum Likelihood Classification, Spectral Mixture Analysis) in central-eastern Sardinia

A demonstrator for bolometric interferometry

Bolometric Interferometry (BI) is one of the most promising techniques for precise measurements of the Cosmic Microwave Background polarization. In this paper, we present the results of DIBO (Demonstrateur d'Interferometrie Bolometrique), a single-baseline demonstrator operating at 90 GHz, built to proof the validity of the BI concept applied to a millimeter-wave interferometer. This instrument has been characterized in the laboratory with a detector at room temperature and with a 4 K bolometer. This allowed us to measure interference patterns in a clean way, both (1) rotating the source and (2) varying with time the phase shift among the two interferometer's arms. Detailed modelisation has also been performed and validated with measurements.Comment: 15 pages, 14 figure

Assessment for sonographic grading scales of the body fat changes related to the lipoatrophic findings of HIV patients in treatment with HAART

Methods We enrolled non-obese HIV patients (73 males and 42 females; body mass index <27 kg/m2). Clinical assessments of BFCs were defined by correspondence between the self-reports of patients and medical examinations. Fat redistribution was scored separately for face, arm and lower limbs on a scale ranging from 0 (absence) to 1 (mid) and 2–3 (severe BFCs). US scans of subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) were performed at 3 reference points: transversal scan at the deepest point of Bichat pad (facial SFT), long dorsal scan of arm (brachial SFT), and long scan of anterior face of thigh (crural SFT)

Clinical, epidemiological and virological features of acute hepatitis B in Italy

Purpose To evaluate the association of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes, basal core promoter (BCP)/precore (PC) and S gene mutations with the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of acute hepatitis B (AHB) in Italy. Methods During July 2005–January 2007, 103 symptomatic AHB patients were enrolled and prospectively followed up at 15 national hospitals. HBV genotypes, BCP/ PC and S gene variants were determined by nested-PCR and direct sequence analysis. Results Genotype D, A and F were detected in 49, 45 and 6 % of patients, respectively. BCP, PC, and BCP plus PC variants were found in 3.1, 11.3 and 7.2 % of patients, respectively. At enrollment, 68.3 % of patients were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive and 31.7 % HBeAg-negative. BCP/PC mutations were more common in HBeAg-negative than in HBeAg-positive patients (p < 0.0001). Compared to genotype D patients, those harboring non-D genotypes were more frequently males (p = 0.023), HBeAg-positive (p < 0.001), had higher bilirubin (p = 0.014) and viremia (p = 0.034) levels and less frequently carried BCP/PC mutations (p < 0.001). Non-D genotype patients more often were from Central Italy (p = 0.001) and reported risky sexual exposure (p = 0.021). Two patients had received vaccination before AHB: one harbored genotype F; the other showed a S gene mutation. Four patients developed fulminant AHB; mutations were found in 2 of 3 patients who underwent BCP/ PC sequencing. After a 6-month follow-up, only 2 (2.8 %) patients developed persistent infection. Conclusion AHB by non-D genotypes is increasing in Italy and is associated with risky sexual exposure. The ability of some genotypes to cause persistent and/or severe infection in Italy warrants larger studies for clarificatio

Self-bone graft and simultaneous application of implants in the upper jawbone. (Fit lock technique).

The implant-supported rehabilitation ofposterosuperior sectors may be sometimes conditioned by the pneumatization of the para-nasal sinuses, which decreases the possibility of implant placement when the bone height is < or = 4 mm. (prerequisite for primary stabilization). Sinus lift surgery with simultaneous application of implants is the procedure which provides the best chance of success compared to the application of the filling material only. There are many surgical techniques which combine autogenous bone grafting (ilium crest, calvaria,fibula) with implant placement. The objective of this report is to present a new technique which aims to minimize invasive bone grafting and patient morbidity. The authors performed a longitudinal study on 21 cases with a 94.5\% success rate, exemplified by one clinical case. The advantages of this technique are: 1) Functional and anatomical recovery of the jaw cavity. 2) Simultaneous application of implants when the bone is < or = 4mm. 3) Reduction of surgical times. 4) Reduced patient morbidity. 5) Local anesthesia

Feedback from Galaxy Formation: Production and Photodissociation of Primordial Molecular Hydrogen

We use one-dimensional radiative transfer simulations to study the evolution of H_2 gas-phase (H^- catalyzed) formation and photo-dissociation regions in the primordial universe. We find a new positive feedback mechanism capable of producing shells of H_2 in the intergalactic medium, which are optically thick in some Lyman-Werner bands. While these shells exist, this feedback effect is important in reducing the H_2 dissociating background flux and the size of photo-dissociation spheres around each luminous object. The maximum background opacity of the IGM in the H_2 Lyman-Werner bands is \tau_{H_2} ~ 1-2 for a relic molecular fraction x_{H_2}=2 x 10^{-6}, about 6 times greater than found by Haiman, Abel & Rees. Therefore, the relic molecular hydrogen can decrease the photo-dissociation rate by about an order of magnitude. The problem is relevant to the formation of small primordial galaxies with masses M_{DM} < 10^8 M_\odot, that rely on molecular hydrogen cooling to collapse. Alternatively, the universe may have remained dark for several hundred million years after the birth of the first stars, until galaxies with virial temperature T_{vir} > 10^4 K formed.Comment: Accepted for pubblication on ApJ vol 560, October 2001 with minor changes. 31 pages,including 12 figures and 1 table. Higher quality figures are available at: http://casa.colorado.edu/~ricotti/papers.htm

Tectosedimentary evolution of the Payogastilla Group and and its relation to Cenozoic volcanic arc, in the Calchaquí, Tonco and Amblayo valleys, Salta province, Argentina

Las características estratigráficas y sedimentológicas de los depósitos del Grupo Payogastilla son aspectos muy importantes a tener en cuenta para investigar la evolución tecto-sedimentaria de la cuenca de antepaís andino en el noroeste de la Argentina. El límite estratigráfico inferior del Grupo Payogastilla está marcado por una paraconcordancia con los depósitos de post-rift de la Formación Lumbrera (Subgrupo Santa Bárbara, Grupo Salta). El límite estratigrá- fico superior de la Formación Los Colorados, es paraconcordante y discordante; la subsidencia de la cuenca fue pareja entre ~35 a 21 Ma. En el Mioceno medio a superior, los depósitos de la Formación Angastaco, con espesores de 4550 m (río Calchaquí) y 1500 m (Tonco) reflejan una importante influencia tectónica, la que delimitó el depocentro de la cuenca de Angastaco, con un inicio en el valle El Tonco (>13,7 Ma) y posteriormente en el valle Calchaquí (~13 Ma). Con posterioridad a los ~13 Ma se habrían desarrollado incipientes barreras orográficas en el este (sierras Los Colorados y León Muerto), que durante el Mioceno superior (10 a 5 Ma) se habrían reactivado para formar cadenas orográficas importantes. Durante el Plioceno se habrían reactivado nuevamente los alzamientos tectónicos, generando sistemas fluviales entrelazados gravosos, con una marcada proveniencia desde el este. Los niveles de tobas intercalados en los depósitos de las formaciones Angastaco y Palo Pintado, muestran una clara signatura de arco indicando su proveniencia del arco activo a esos tiempos, con características que indican una componente cortical participante en sus magmas. Mientras que, los niveles piroclásticos intercalados en la Formación San Felipe, por su mayor carácter peraluminoso y sus menores contenidos en Na20 respecto a K20, que las ubican en el campo de los granitos tipo S, dando idea de componentes corticales distintas.The stratigraphic and sedimentological characteristics of Payogastilla Group deposits are very important to study tecto-sedimentary evolution of the Andean foreland basin in northwestern Argentina. The lower stratigraphic boundary of Payogastilla Group with the Lumbrera Formation (Santa Barbara Subgroup, Salta Group) deposits is a paraconformity. The upper stratigraphic boundary, the Colorados Formations is a paraconformity and a unconformity, the subsidence of the basin was uniform and the duration of the initial deposit was about ~35 to 21 Ma. During the middle to upper Miocene, represented by Angastaco Formation deposits, with a thickness of 4550 m (in Calchaquí river) and 1500 m (in Tonco) it took place a major tectonic influence, which delimited the basin depocenter in Angastaco basin. This event started in Tonco valley (>13.7 Ma) and later continued in Calchaquí valley (~13 Ma). Also in the ~13 Ma it have developed two orographic barriers (Los Colorados and León Muerto ranges), in the eastern, that during the Late Miocene (10-5 Ma) would have been reactivated to an important orographic chains form. During the Pliocene the tectonic uplifts would have reactivated, being registered as alluvial fans with a strong provenance from the east. Levels tuff deposits intercalated in Angastaco and Palo Pintado formations, show a clear signature of the arc indicating their origin of the arc active to those times with features that indicate a crustal component in their magmas participant. While pyroclastic levels intercalated in San Felipe Formation, with higher peraluminous character and lower Na20 K20 content regarding, which lie in the area of the type S granites, giving different cortical components idea.Fil: Galli, Claudia. Universidad Nacional de Salta; ArgentinaFil: Coira, Beatriz Lidia Luisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta; ArgentinaFil: Alonso, Ricardo Narciso. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta; ArgentinaFil: Matteini, Massimo. Universidade Do Brasilia; BrasilFil: Hauser, Natalia. Universidade Do Brasilia; Brasi