Ash fusibility characteristics of some biomass feedstocks and examination of the effects of inorganic additives.

The increased consumption of solid biomass for energy production has raised a number of technical problems that are mainly related to the variability of the chemical-physical characteristics of feedstocks. The low melting temperature of their inorganic fraction is the main cause of these problems. In this work analysis and comparison of the thermal behaviour of ash from 20 different feedstocks highlighted that biomass materials with the same origin share similar qualitative and quantitative characteristics. A feedstock from a starch group, corn grain, was tested for the effects of four mineral additives (MgO, CaO, Ca- CO3, and SiO2) on ash deformation temperature. MgO and CaO seemed to be the most effective, raising ash melting temperature and enhancing the thermal behaviour of the feedstock. The results of supplementation of the initial corn grain, wheat straw and sunflower cake biomass demonstrated that the amount of additive to be used is a function of biomass type and can depend on its ash content.</p

Testosterone insulin-like effects: an in vitro study on the short-term metabolic effects of testosterone in human skeletal muscle cells

Testosterone by promoting different metabolic pathways contributes to short-term homeostasis of skeletal muscle, the largest insulin-sensitive tissue and the primary site for insulin-stimulated glucose utilization. Despite evidences indicate a close relationship between testosterone and glucose metabolism, the molecular mechanisms responsible for a possible testosterone-mediated insulin-like effects on skeletal muscle are still unknown

Gastrointestinal presentation of kawasaki disease: A red flag for severe disease?

Background Kawasaki disease (KD) is a febrile systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology and the main cause of acquired heart disease among children in the developed world. To date, abdominal involvement at presentation is not recognized as a risk factor for a more severe form of the disease. Objective To evaluate whether presenting abdominal manifestations identify a group at major risk for Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)-resistance and coronary lesions. Methods Retrospective study of KD patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2015 in 13 pediatric units in Italy. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of abdominal manifestations at onset. We compared their demographic and clinical data, IVIG-responsiveness, coronary ectasia/aneurysms, laboratory findings from the acute and subacute phases. Results 302 patients (181 boys) were enrolled: 106 patients with, and 196 patients without presenting abdominal features. Seasonality was different between the groups (p = 0.034). Patients with abdominal manifestations were younger (p = 0.006) and more frequently underwent delayed treatment (p = 0.014). In the acute phase, patients with abdominal presentation had higher platelet counts (PLT) (p = 0.042) and lower albuminemia (p = 0.009), while, in the subacute phase, they had higher white blood cell counts (WBC) and PLT (p = 0.002 and p < 0.005, respectively) and lower red blood cell counts (RBC) and hemoglobin (Hb) (p = 0.031 and p 0.009). Moreover, the above mentioned group was more likely to be IVIG-resistant (p < 0.005) and have coronary aneurysms (p = 0.007). In the multivariate analysis, presenting abdominal manifestations, age younger than 6 months, IVIG- resistance, delayed treatment and albumin concentration in the acute phase were independent risk factors for coronary aneurysms (respectively p<0.005, <0.005, = 0.005 and 0.009). Conclusions This is the first multicenter report demonstrating that presenting gastrointestinal features in KD identify patients at higher risk for IVIG-resistance and for the development of coronary aneurysms in a predominantly Caucasian population

Biodiversity of Prokaryotic Communities Associated with the Ectoderm of Ectopleura crocea (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa)

The surface of many marine organisms is colonized by complex communities of microbes, yet our understanding of the diversity and role of host-associated microbes is still limited. We investigated the association between Ectopleura crocea (a colonial hydroid distributed worldwide in temperate waters) and prokaryotic assemblages colonizing the hydranth surface. We used, for the first time on a marine hydroid, a combination of electron and epifluorescence microscopy and 16S rDNA tag pyrosequencing to investigate the associated prokaryotic diversity. Dense assemblages of prokaryotes were associated with the hydrant surface. Two microbial morphotypes were observed: one horseshoe-shaped and one fusiform, worm-like. These prokaryotes were observed on the hydrozoan epidermis, but not in the portions covered by the perisarcal exoskeleton, and their abundance was higher in March while decreased in late spring. Molecular analyses showed that assemblages were dominated by Bacteria rather than Archaea. Bacterial assemblages were highly diversified, with up to 113 genera and 570 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs), many of which were rare and contributed to <0.4%. The two most abundant OTUs, likely corresponding to the two morphotypes present on the epidermis, were distantly related to Comamonadaceae (genus Delftia) and to Flavobacteriaceae (genus Polaribacter). Epibiontic bacteria were found on E. crocea from different geographic areas but not in other hydroid species in the same areas, suggesting that the host-microbe association is species-specific. This is the first detailed report of bacteria living on the hydrozoan epidermis, and indeed the first study reporting bacteria associated with the epithelium of E. crocea. Our results provide a starting point for future studies aiming at clarifying the role of this peculiar hydrozoan-bacterial association

ASH FUSIBILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME BIOMASS FEEDSTOCKS AND EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECTS OF INORGANIC ADDITIVES

The increased consumption of solid biomass for energy production has raised a number of technical problems that are mainly related to the variability of the chemical-physical characteristics of feedstocks. The low melting temperature of their inorganic fraction is the main cause of these problems. In this work analysis and comparison of the thermal behaviour of ash from 20 different feedstocks highlighted that biomass materials with the same origin share similar qualitative and quantitative characteristics. A feedstock from a starch group, corn grain, was tested for the effects of four mineral additives (MgO, CaO, Ca- CO3, and SiO2) on ash deformation temperature. MgO and CaO seemed to be the most effective, raising ash melting temperature and enhancing the thermal behaviour of the feedstock. The results of supplementation of the initial corn grain, wheat straw and sunflower cake biomass demonstrated that the amount of additive to be used is a function of biomass type and can depend on its ash content.</p

Reconstruction of extended and morphologically varied alveolar ridge defects with the titanium mesh technique: Clinical and dental implants outcomes

A sample of 24 patients with varied morphologic defects were treated with 34 titanium meshes and particulate bone and rehabilitated at least 8 to 9 months thereafter with the placement of 88 implants. Of the 34 meshes, 4 had to be removed before implant placement (11.76% total failure) and 20 were exposed due to soft tissue dehiscence (58.82% of complications): 4 (11.77%) prematurely (within 4 to 6 weeks) and 16 (47.05%) delayed (after 4 to 6 weeks), with no compromise in implant placement. None of the 88 implants was lost (100% implant survival), and 15 demonstrated increased bone loss, yielding a cumulative implant success rate of 82.9%. This technique appears useful in treating extended and morphologically varied alveolar defects

A novel technique for digitalisation and customisation of reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene meshes: Preliminary results of a clinical trial

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical, radiographic and patient-related outcomes of a novel technique for digitalisation and customisation of reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene meshes in vertical ridge augmentation surgery. Materials and methods: A total of 10 patients (five men and five women, mean age 54 years) with vertical defects were included in the study. Prior to surgery, digital planning of bone augmentation, manufacturing of 3D printed models and replicas of the meshes and modelling of a customised reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene mesh were carried out. All patients were treated using a 50:50 mixture of xenogeneic and autogenous bone, customised reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene mesh and collagen membrane. After 6 to 9 months, computer-guided surgery was planned, the reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene mesh was removed and implants were placed in augmented sites using a fully guided surgical template. Patient-related outcomes, intraoperative timing, surgical and healing complications, vertical bone gain, bone density, pseudoperiosteum type and number and stability of implants were recorded. Results: All 10 patients were treated without surgical complications. Healing was largely uneventful, with the exception of one case of abscess formation without mesh exposure (exposure rate 0%). The mean duration of digital planning was 17.0 minutes, reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene mesh customisation took 9.0 minutes, and the total intraoperative time was 91.3 minutes. The mean planned bone volume was 1.52 cc, vertical bone defect depth was 6.0 ± 1.7 mm and vertical bone gain was 5.5 ± 1.9 mm; most sites showed medium bone density and a Type 1 pseudoperiosteum. All patient-related outcomes were favourable. Conclusions: The preliminary results of this pilot study demonstrated the feasibility and reliability of a fully digital workflow for the customisation of reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene mesh in vertical ridge augmentation