Occult hepatitis B virus infection predicts non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in severely obese individuals from Italy

Obesity is associated with\ua0non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), which may progress towards non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) may contribute to hepatic damage in patients with\ua0chronic liver disease\ua0of different aetiologies (eg\ua0HCV, alcohol). However, information on the prevalence and clinical impact of OBI in obese individuals is lacking. The aims of this study were to investigate NASH prevalence and risk factors in obese people who underwent bariatric surgery

Retinal Protection and Distribution of Curcumin in Vitro and in Vivo

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a secondary complication of diabetes, is a leading cause of irreversible blindness accounting for 5% of world blindness cases in working age. Oxidative stress and inflammation are considered causes of DR. Curcumin, a product with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, is currently proposed as oral supplementation therapy for retinal degenerative diseases, including DR. In this study we predicted the pharmacodynamic profile of curcumin through an in silico approach. Furthermore, we tested the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin on human retinal pigmented epithelial cells exposed to oxidative stress, human retinal endothelial and human retinal pericytes (HRPCs) cultured with high glucose. Because currently marketed curcumin nutraceutical products have not been so far evaluated for their ocular bioavailability; we assessed retinal distribution of curcumin, following oral administration, in rabbit eye. Curcumin (10 μM) decreased significantly (p < 0.01) ROS concentration and TNF-α release in retinal pigmented epithelial cells and retinal endothelial cells, respectively. The same curcumin concentration significantly (p < 0.01) protected retinal pericytes from high glucose damage as assessed by cell viability and LDH release. Among the tested formulations, only that containing a hydrophilic carrier provided therapeutic levels of curcumin in rabbit retina. In conclusion, our data suggest that curcumin, when properly formulated, may be of value in clinical practice to manage retinal diseases

La paratiroidectomia radioguidata

Gli Autori, dopo un’attenta analisi della letteratura scientifica sulle metodiche di diagnostica strumentale (con particolare attenzione a quelle medico-nucleari) e di terapia chirurgica delle patologie paratiroidee, riferiscono la loro esperienza sull’impiego della chirurgia mininvasiva radioguidata con MIBI e gamma-probe per l’individuazione intraoperatoria delle ghiandole patologiche. Dopo aver presentato la loro casistica, gli Autori concludono affermando che tale metodica è rapida, poco invasiva, poco costosa e sicuramente utile nell’individuare ghiandole patologiche o ectopiche. Essa può essere universalmente impiegata in quanto, a fronte di numerosi vantaggi, quali riduzione dei tempi operatori e di degenza, maggiore radicalità, utilizzo di tecniche mininvasive, non presenta significative limitazioni tecniche e/o problemi di natura radio-protezionistica

Aggregation processes of perylene bisimide diimidazolium salts

The supramolecular aggregation of three diimidazolium- functionalized perylene bisimides, differing in the alkyl chain length was investigated. These salts form aggregates in solvents like chloroform, dichloromethane, and glycerol. Solvent-, concentration-, and temperature-dependent spectroscopic studies were carried out, evidencing the occurrence of an isodesmic, enthalpy-driven aggregation process, underpinned by p–p stacking and hydrogen bonding. Moreover, dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements and SEM images revealed that these salts aggregate in chloroform into elongated structures

Powering wireless sensor nodes with micro fuel cells

A novel approach to achieve long term system operation is using hydrogen fuel cells, which feature much higher energy density if compared with standard batteries. In this demonstrator we show a power unit which activates the hydrogen flow through an electrovalve to recharge the batteries, minimizing hydrogen waste and significantly boosting lifetime. Experimental results demonstrate 85% of efficiency

A Measurement Tool for Simulation-Based Training in Emergency Medicine: The Simulation Module for Assessment of Resident Targeted Event Responses (SMARTER) Approach

The use of simulation in graduate medical education affords unique opportunities for increasing the quality of a resident’s educational experiences. Additionally, simulation poses a set of challenges that must be met to realize the full potential on learning and assessment practices. This article presents a methodology for creating simulation scenarios and accompanying measurement tools that are systematically linked in a direct and explicit manner to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) core competencies. This method, the Simulation Module for Assessment of Resident’s Targeted Event Responses (SMARTER), is an 8 step process that addresses the critical challenges of performance measurement in simulations and the need to document Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education core competency based learning outcomes. The SMARTER methodology is discussed in detail and 3 examples of scenario content and measurement tools generated with the SMARTER approach are provided. Additionally, results from an initial evaluation of the practicability and utility of the SMARTER measurement tools are discussed

Promoting Teamwork: An Event-Based Approach To Simulation-Based Teamwork Training For Emergency Medicine Residents

The growing complexity of patient care requires that emergency physicians (EPs) master not only knowledge and procedural skills, but also the ability to effectively communicate with patients and other care providers and to coordinate patient care activities. EPs must become good team players, and consequently an emergency medicine (EM) residency program must systematically train these skills. However, because teamwork-related competencies are relatively new considerations in health care, there is a gap in the methods available to accomplish this goal. This article outlines how teamwork training for residents can be accomplished by employing simulation-based training (SBT) techniques and contributes tools and strategies for designing structured learning experiences and measurement tools that are explicitly linked to targeted teamwork competencies and learning objectives. An event-based method is described and illustrative examples of scenario design and measurement tools are provided. © 2008 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine