A Self-sensing Inverse Pneumatic Artificial Muscle

In recent years, the inverse pneumatic artificial muscles attained great attention in soft robotics, especially for the wider motion range compared to traditional positive pneumatic actuators. Besides self-sensing is a recognized highly desirable property for soft actuators to enable proprioception and to facilitate the soft robots control, a self-sensing strategy for a soft inverse pneumatic muscle was still missing. In this paper, we present the first self-sensing inverse pneumatic artificial muscle in which the reinforcing but compliant element that guides the actuator motion during actuation has not only a mechanical function but, being also electrically conductive, it endows the actuator with self-sensing. Here, the actuator design and manufacturing are described, together with an electro- mechanical characterization. In addition, we demonstrate its self-sensing capability in a dynamic setting, by predicting the actuator strain from its electric resistance variation, through a calibration model

Gingival overgrowth caused by Olmesartan Medoxomil: Observational study

Objective: Olmesartan Medoxomil is a type 1 receptor antagonist an antagonist of type 1 receptor (AT1) of angiotensin II (A-II) that inhibits numerous actions of A-II in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). A-II is a significant and multifunctional peptide involved in the pathophysiology of blood hypertension and for this reason it represents the main target in several classes of drugs used to treat and control arterial hypertension, such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-i), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and renin direct inhibitors. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether the two drugs that have as an active principle Olmesartan Medoxomil, with and without the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide, are able to determine gingival overgrowth. Study Design: 108 subjects were examined and divided into three groups: G1, subjects treated with Olmesartan Medoxomil and hydrochlorothiazide (n=60); G2, subjects received only Olmesartan Medoxomil (n=24); G3, control group without pharmacological therapies (n=24). The plaque index (IP) and the gingival overgrowth index (OI) were recorded, considering the vertical and horizontal components. Results: Vertical overgrowth averaged between 0.17 \ub1 0.15 (G3) and 0.34 \ub1 0.26 (G2) showing statistically significant differences (p <0.05) compared to the other groups. Horizontal overgrowth ranged from 0.18 \ub1 0.26 (G3) to 0.49 \ub1 0.35 (G2) showing statistically significant differences (p <0.05). Conclusions: antihypertensive agents as Olmesartan Medoxomil may result in mild gingival overgrowth in the upper and lower frontal dental elements not related to other etiological factors

Volumetric analysis of gingival crevicular fluid and peri-implant sulcus fluid in healthy and diseased sites: A cross-sectional split-mouth pilot study

Background: Researchers have recently drawn attention to the analysis of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and peri-implant sulcus fluid (PISF) for the implementation of the diagnosis of periodontal and peri-implant disease. Nevertheless, the measurements of volume and biomarkers concentration can be critically biased when data collected from studies with parallel group design are compared, given the technical difficulties, methodological variables, as well as the variability of crevicular fluid characteristics among different individuals. Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the GCF and PISF volumes in healthy and diseased sites belonging to the same patient. Method: Ten patients presenting a periodontally healthy tooth, a tooth with periodontitis, an implant with healthy peri-implant tissues and an implant with peri-implantitis were enrolled. Samples of GCF and PISF were collected from each site of interest and their volume measured with a Periotron 8000 device. Non-parametric statistical analysis was performed to test the significance of the differences in GCF and PISF volumes between i) sites of teeth and dental implants with the same condition of health or disease and ii) healthy and diseased sites of both teeth and dental implants subgroups. The correlation between probing pocket depth (PPD) and fluid production was also tested (p<0.05). Results: Healthy periodontal and peri-implant tissues produced comparable amounts of fluid that was significantly lower than in diseased sites (p<0.05). In the presence of diagnosed disease, the volumes of GCF and PISF were similar, too. The correlation between PPD and fluid production was significant only in healthy sites (PPD/GCF, \u3c1=0.890, p<0.001; PPD/PISF, \u3c1=0.810; p<0.005). Conclusion: The periodontal and peri-implant tissues behaved similarly in terms of fluid production in condition of both health and active disease

Volumetric analysis of gingival crevicular fluid and peri-implant sulcus fluid in healthy and diseased sites: A cross-sectional split-mouth pilot study

Background: Researchers have recently drawn attention to the analysis of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and peri-implant sulcus fluid (PISF) for the implementation of the diagnosis of periodontal and peri-implant disease. Nevertheless, the measurements of volume and biomarkers concentration can be critically biased when data collected from studies with parallel group design are compared, given the technical difficulties, methodological variables, as well as the variability of crevicular fluid characteristics among different individuals. Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the GCF and PISF volumes in healthy and diseased sites belonging to the same patient. Method: Ten patients presenting a periodontally healthy tooth, a tooth with periodontitis, an implant with healthy peri-implant tissues and an implant with peri-implantitis were enrolled. Samples of GCF and PISF were collected from each site of interest and their volume measured with a Periotron 8000 device. Non-parametric statistical analysis was performed to test the significance of the differences in GCF and PISF volumes between i) sites of teeth and dental implants with the same condition of health or disease and ii) healthy and diseased sites of both teeth and dental implants subgroups. The correlation between probing pocket depth (PPD) and fluid production was also tested (p<0.05). Results: Healthy periodontal and peri-implant tissues produced comparable amounts of fluid that was significantly lower than in diseased sites (p<0.05). In the presence of diagnosed disease, the volumes of GCF and PISF were similar, too. The correlation between PPD and fluid production was significant only in healthy sites (PPD/GCF, ρ=0.890, p<0.001; PPD/PISF, ρ=0.810; p<0.005). Conclusion: The periodontal and peri-implant tissues behaved similarly in terms of fluid production in condition of both health and active disease

Dose-Related Effects of Repeated ETC-216 (Recombinant Apolipoprotein A-IMilano/1-Palmitoyl-2-Oleoyl Phosphatidylcholine Complexes) Administrations on Rabbit Lipid-Rich Soft Plaques In Vivo Assessment by Intravascular Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

ObjectivesThis study sought to evaluate in vivo the minimal dose of apolipoprotein (apo) A-IMilano phospholipid complex (recombinant apoA-IMilano and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl phosphatidylcholine complexes [ETC-216]) able to induce atherosclerosis regression in a rabbit model of lipid-rich plaques.BackgroundA single high dose of recombinant apoA-IMilano has promoted atherosclerosis regression in animal models. More recently, regression of atherosclerosis was achieved in coronary patients by repeated infusions of ETC-216.MethodsThirty-six rabbits underwent perivascular injury at both carotid arteries, followed by a 1.5% cholesterol diet. After 90 days, rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups and treated 5 times with vehicle or ETC-216 at 5, 10, 20, 40, or 150 mg/kg dose every 4 days. Carotid plaque changes were evaluated in vivo by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), performed before and at the end of treatments. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were also recorded after administration of the second dose for rabbits infused with vehicle 40 or 150 mg/kg.ResultsAtheroma volume in vehicle-treated rabbits increased dramatically between the first and the second IVUS analyses (+26.53%), whereas in ETC-216–treated animals, a reduced progression at the lower doses and a significant regression at the higher doses, up to −6.83%, was detected. Results obtained by MRI analysis correlated significantly with those at IVUS (r = 0.706; p < 0.0001). The MRI evaluations after the second infusion established that a significant regression was achieved with only 2 administrations of the highest dose.ConclusionsThese results confirm the efficacy of ETC-216 for atherosclerosis treatment and provide guidance for dose selection and frequency to obtain a significant reduction of plaque volume

Loss of FGFR4 promotes the malignant phenotype of PDAC

Transcriptomic analyses of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have identified two major epithelial subtypes with distinct biology and clinical behaviours. Here, we aimed to clarify the role of FGFR1 and FGFR4 in the definition of aggressive PDAC phenotypes. We found that the expression of FGFR4 is exclusively detected in epithelial cells, significantly elevated in the classical PDAC subtype, and associates with better outcomes. In highly aggressive basal-like/squamous PDAC, reduced FGFR4 expression aligns with hypermethylation of the gene and lower levels of histone marks associated with active transcription in its regulatory regions. Conversely, FGFR1 has more promiscuous expression in both normal and malignant pancreatic tissues and is strongly associated with the EMT phenotype but not with the basal-like cell lineage. Regardless of the genetic background, the increased proliferation of FGFR4-depleted PDAC cells correlates with hyperactivation of the mTORC1 pathway both in vitro and in vivo. Downregulation of FGFR4 in classical cell lines invariably leads to the enrichment of basal-like/squamous gene programs and is associated with either partial or full switch of phenotype. In sum, we show that endogenous levels of FGFR4 limit the malignant phenotype of PDAC cells. Finally, we propose FGFR4 as a valuable marker for the stratification of PDAC patients

Arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy: molecular genetics into clinical practice in the era of next generation sequencing

Sudden death, ventricular arrhythmia and heart failure are common features in arrhythmogenic right-ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), an inheritable heart muscle disease, characterized by clinical and genetic heterogeneity. So far, 13 disease genes have been identified, responsible for around 60% of all ARVC cases. In this review, we summarize the main clinical and pathological aspects of ARVC, focusing on the importance of the genetic testing and the application of the new sequencing techniques referred to next generation sequencing technology

The impact of frailty syndrome and risk scores on emergency cholecystectomy patients

PURPOSE: Cholecystectomy, which is one of the most common surgical procedures, is also performed in the emergency setting. A number of risk scores have been introduced in recent studies; moreover, over the last few years literature has focused on surgical patients with frailty syndrome. The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether frailty syndrome and the risk scores are correlated with morbidity, post-operative hospital stay and the ICU admission rate following emergency cholecystectomy. METHODS: Eighty-five consecutive patients of >65 years of age who underwent cholecystectomy were selected from 2306 emergency procedures for inclusion in the present study. The patients were assessed for frailty syndrome and their scores were calculated on the basis of chart review. Univariate analyses were performed to compare severe frailty patients to intermediate frailty and robust patients. ROC and logistic regression analyses were performed with the end-points of morbidity, hospital stay and ICU admission. RESULTS: In addition to having worse ASA, inflammatory and risk values than robust patients, frailty syndrome patients also had higher rates of morbidity and ICU admission and longer hospitalization periods. A logistic regression analysis showed that the P-Possum was independently correlated with morbidity. Frailty and open surgery were independently correlated with longer hospitalization, whereas ICU admission was correlated with worse ASA and P-Possum values. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty syndrome significantly impacts the length of hospitalization in patients undergoing emergency cholecystectomy. Although the ORs were limited, the P-Possum value was independently associated with the outcome

t-Butylsarcosinedithiocarbamato gold(III)-based anticancer agents: design, in vitro biological evaluation and interaction with model biomolecules

As a further extension of our research work focusing on the development of gold(III)-dithiocarbamato derivatives as potential anticancer agents, the new complexes [AuIIIX2(dtc-Sar-O(t-Bu))] (X = Cl (1)/Br (2)) are here reported. The compounds were characterized by means of FT-IR, ESI mass, and mono- and multidimensional NMR spectroscopy. In order to get further insights into the possible behavior under physiological conditions, their affinity toward selected model biomolecules was spectroscopically investigated in detail. Remarkably, they seem to react very slowly with isolated dAMP (but not dGMP), forming a species identified as [AuIII(dtc-Sar-O(t-Bu))(dAMP-N1,C6NH)]+. In presence of GSH they undergo sudden reduction to the gold(I) counterpart [AuIII2(dtc-Sar-O(t-Bu))2], whereas only secondary interactions seem to occur when reacted with BSA. According to in vitro cytotoxicity studies, both complexes turned out to be highly effective toward all the human tumor cell lines evaluated (HeLa, L540 and U937), reporting IC50 values lower than cisplatin. Apoptosis was proved a major cell death mechanism and, accordingly, DNA fragmentation was observed. Remarkably, cell cycle progression was negligibly affected, thus supporting the hypothesis a different mechanism of action from clinically-established platinum-based drugs