81 research outputs found
Biomarkers in post-reperfusion syndrome after acute lower limb ischaemia
Ischaemia reperfusion (I/R) injury refers to tissue damage caused when blood supply
returns to the tissue after a period of ischaemia. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs),
neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and cytokines are biomarkers
involved in several vascular complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
role of MMPs, NGAL and inflammatory cytokines in I/R syndrome. We conducted an
open label, multicentric, parallel group study, between January 2010 and December
2013. Patients with acute limb ischaemia were enrolled in this study and were divided
into two groups: (i) those subjected to fasciotomy and (ii) those not subjected to fasciotomy,
according to the onset of compartment syndrome. Plasma and tissue values
of MMPs and NGAL as well as plasma cytokines were evaluated. MMPs, NGAL and
cytokine levels were higher in patients with compartment syndrome. Biomarkers evaluated
in this study may be used in the future as predictors of I/R injury severity and its
possible evolution towards post-reperfusion syndrome
Microscopy assisted fabrication of a hydrogel-based microfluidic filter
A porous filter is fabricated directly inside a microfluidic circuit using a photoreticulable hydrogel. The filter could be used for separation of cells from blood, removal of particles or solutes, such as proteins, in microdialysis and microfiltering. The filter is realized by in situ polymerization approach: a liquid hydrogel is injected in a microfluidic circuit channel where the filter is formed in a specific location by polymerization of UV light, focused by an optical microscope
Pain in Multiple System Atrophy a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Background: Individuals with multiple system atrophy (MSA) often complain about pain, nonetheless this remains a poorly investigated non-motor feature of MSA. Objectives: Here, we aimed at assessing the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors for pain in individuals with MSA. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyzes (PRISMA) guidelines, we systematically screened the PubMED, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases for papers published in English until September 30, 2022, combining the following keywords: “pain,” “multiple system atrophy,” “MSA,” “olivopontocerebellar atrophy,” “OPCA,” “striatonigral degeneration,” “SND,” “Shy Drager,” and “atypical parkinsonism.”. Results: The search identified 700 records. Sixteen studies provided information on pain prevalence in cohorts of MSA individuals and were included in a qualitative assessment based on the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS) tool. Thirteen studies (11 cross-sectional, two longitudinal) scored ≥14 points on QUADAS assessment and were included in a quantitative analysis, pooling data from 1236 MSA individuals. The resulting pooled prevalence of pain in MSA was 67% (95% confidence intervals [CI] = 57%–75%), and significantly higher in individuals with MSA of parkinsonian rather than cerebellar type (76% [95% CI = 63%–87%] vs. 45% [95% CI = 33%–57%], P = 0.001). Pain assessment tools and collected information were highly heterogeneous across studies. Two studies reported pain treatment strategies and found that only every second person with MSA complaining about pain had received targeted treatment. Conclusions: We found that pain is a frequent, but still under-recognized and undertreated feature of MSA. Further research is needed to improve pain detection and treatment in MSA
New perspectives in silicon micro and nanophotonics
In the last two decades, there has been growing interest in silicon-based photonic devices for many optical applications: telecommunications, interconnects and biosensors. In this work, an advance overview of our results in this field is presented. Proposed devices allow overcoming silicon intrinsic drawbacks limiting its application as a photonic substrate. Taking advantages of both non-linear and linear effects, size reduction at nanometric scale and new two-dimensional emerging materials, we have obtained a progressive increase in device performance along the last years. In this work we show that a suitable design of a thin photonic crystal slab realized in silicon nitride can exhibit a very strong field enhancement. This result is very promising for all photonic silicon devices based on nonlinear phenomena. Moreover we report on the fabrication and characterization of silicon photodetectors working at near-infrared wavelengths based on the internal photoemission absorption in a Schottky junction. We show as an increase in device performance can be obtained by coupling light into both micro-resonant cavity and waveguiding structures. In addition, replacing metal with graphene in a Schottky junction, a further improve in PD performance can be achieved. Finally, silicon-based microarray for biomedical applications, are reported. Microarray of porous silicon Bragg reflectors on a crystalline silicon substrate have been realized using a technological process based on standard photolithography and electrochemical anodization of the silicon. Our insights show that silicon is a promising platform for the integration of various optical functionalities on the same chip opening new frontiers in the field of low-cost silicon micro and nanophotonics
Investigating the seismic response of URM walls with irregular opening layout through different modeling approaches
TThe façade and internal walls of unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings often present an
irregular opening layout, due to architectural reasons or modifications to the structure, which
make the expected seismic damage pattern less predictable a priori. Therefore, the
discretization of the walls in structural components is not standardized, conversely to cases
with a regular opening layout for which the available modeling methods are corroborated by
seismic damage surveys reporting recurrent failure patterns. The structural component
discretization is a relevant step for the code-conforming seismic assessment, typically based
on comparing the internal forces and drifts of each component to strength criteria and drift
thresholds. Therefore, the lack of well-established approaches can significantly influence the
assessment. The issue is even more evident when the structural components must be identified
a priori in the modeling stage, namely for equivalent frame models. The applicability of
available methods for discretization of URM walls with irregular opening layout has been
already investigated in literature, but a conclusive judgment requires further studies.
In this context, this paper presents an overview of the preliminary results addressing the
numerical modeling of this type of walls within the framework of the DPC-ReLUIS 2022-2024
project (Subtask 10.3), funded by the Italian Department of Civil Protection. The Subtask
aims to propose consensus-based recommendations for researchers and practitioners which
can contribute to harmonize the use of different modeling approaches. Seven research groups
are involved in the research, adopting different modeling approaches and computer codes,
but similar assumptions and the same analysis method (pushover) are used. The benchmark
URM structure illustrated in the paper is a two-story wall from which four configurations
with increasing irregularity of opening layout were derived. The results of four modeling
approached are presented. Three of them reproduce the mechanical response of masonry at
the material scale by means of FE models implemented in OpenSees, DIANA and Abaqus
software, while the remaining approach describes the mechanical response of masonry at the
macro-element scale in 3DMacro software. Results were compared in terms of capacity
curves, predicted failure mechanisms and evolution of internal forces in piers. The adoption
of consistent assumptions among the different approaches led to an overall agreement of
predictions at both wall and pier scales, particularly in terms of damage pattern with higher
concentration of damage at the ground story. Despite that, differences on the pushover curves
have been highlighted. They are mainly due to some deviations of the internal forces in squat
piers deriving from a complex load flow in these elements.DPC - Dipartimento della Protezione Civile, Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri(LA/P/0112/2020
Fortificazioni d’eccellenza nel territorio siciliano. Il caso dell’edificio in opera isodoma a C. da Ossini-S. Lio (Lentini)
Il contributo presenta la possibile identificazione di un edificio rappresentato da J.-P. Houel nel corso del suo tour dell’isola fatto nel XVIII secolo: sulla base di considerazioni topografiche e archeologiche, si presenta l’ipotesi della pertinenza del monumento greco di contrada Ossini-S. Lio (Lentini), e la sua identificazione con un edificio fortificato (una balostasis?)
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