The use of a non-absorbable membrane as an occlusive barrier for alveolar ridge preservation: A one year follow-up prospective cohort study

The aims of this study were to obtain preliminary data and test the clinical efficacy of a novel nonporous dense-polytetrafluoroethylene (d-PTFE) membrane (permamem®, botiss) in alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) procedures with a flapless approach. A traumatic extraction was performed in the premolar maxillary area, and a d-PTFE membrane was used to seal the alveolar cavity: no biomaterial was used to graft the socket and the membrane was left intentionally exposed and stabilized with sutures. The membrane was removed after four weeks and dental implants were placed four months after the procedure. The primary outcome variables were defined as the dimensional changes in the ridge width and height after four months. A total of 15 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean width of the alveolar cavity was 8.9 ± 1.1 mm immediately after tooth extraction, while four months later a mean reduction of 1.75 mm was experienced. A mean vertical reduction of 0.9 ± 0.42 mm on the buccal aspect and 0.6 ± 0.23 mm on the palatal aspect were recorded at implant placement. Within the limitations of this study, the d-PTFE membrane proved to be effective in alveolar ridge preservation, with the outcomes of the regeneration not affected by the complete exposure of this biomaterial

Responses to stress: Investigating the role of gender, social relationships, and touch avoidance in italy

Stress is a physiological response to internal and external events we call “stressors”. Response to the same daily stressors varies across individuals and seems to be higher for women. A possible explanation for this phenomenon is that women perceive sociality, relationships, and intimacy— important sources of both stress and wellbeing—differently from how men experience them. In this study, we investigate how gender, attachment, and touch avoidance predict stress responses on a sample of 335 Italians (216 females; age = 35.82 ± 14.32). Moreover, we analyze the network of relationships between these variables through multiple linear regression and exploratory network analysis techniques. The results recontextualize the role of gender in determining stress responses in terms of (lack of) confidence and touch avoidance toward family members; attitudes toward relationships seem to be the main determinants of stress responses. These results have implications for reducing stress in both clinical settings and at a social level

Fractional differentiability for solutions of nonlinear elliptic equations

We study nonlinear elliptic equations in divergence form $${\operatorname{div}}{\mathcal A}(x,Du)={\operatorname{div}}G.$$ When ${\mathcal A}$ has linear growth in $Du$, and assuming that $x\mapsto{\mathcal A}(x,\xi)$ enjoys $B^\alpha_{\frac{n}\alpha, q}$ smoothness, local well-posedness is found in $B^\alpha_{p,q}$ for certain values of $p\in[2,\frac{n}{\alpha})$ and $q\in[1,\infty]$. In the particular case ${\mathcal A}(x,\xi)=A(x)\xi$, $G=0$ and $A\in B^\alpha_{\frac{n}\alpha,q}$, $1\leq q\leq\infty$, we obtain $Du\in B^\alpha_{p,q}$ for each $p<\frac{n}\alpha$. Our main tool in the proof is a more general result, that holds also if ${\mathcal A}$ has growth $s-1$ in $Du$, $2\leq s\leq n$, and asserts local well-posedness in $L^q$ for each $q>s$, provided that $x\mapsto{\mathcal A}(x,\xi)$ satisfies a locally uniform $VMO$ condition

Structural connectivity and functional properties of the macaque superior parietal lobule

Despite the consolidated belief that the macaque superior parietal lobule (SPL) is entirely occupied by Brodmann’s area 5, recent data show that macaque SPL also hosts a large cortical region with structural and functional features similar to that of Brodmann’s area 7. According to these data, the anterior part of SPL is occupied by a somatosensory-dominated cortical region that hosts three architectural and functional distinct regions (PE, PEci, PEip) and the caudal half of SPL by a bimodal somato-visual region that hosts four areas: PEc, MIP, PGm, V6A. To date, the most studied areas of SPL are PE, PEc, and V6A. PE is essentially a high-order somatomotor area, while PEc and V6A are bimodal somatomotor–visuomotor areas, the former with predominant somatosensory input and the latter with predominant visual input. The functional properties of these areas and their anatomical connectivity strongly suggest their involvement in the control of limb movements. PE is suggested to be involved in the preparation/execution of limb movements, in particular, the movements of the upper limb; PEc in the control of movements of both upper and lower limbs, as well as in their interaction with the visual environment; V6A in the control of reach-to-grasp movements performed with the upper limb. In humans, SPL is traditionally considered to have a different organization with respect to macaques. Here, we review several lines of evidence suggesting that this is not the case, showing a similar structure for human and non-human primate SPLs

Synthesis and reactivity of an iridium complex based on a tridentate aminophosphano ligand

The iridium(iii) hydride compound IrH{¿3C, P, P'-(SiNP-H)}(CNtBu)2]PF6] (1PF6) was obtained by reaction of Ir(SiNP)(cod)]PF6] with CNtBu as the result of the intramolecular oxidative addition of the SiCH2-H bond to iridium(i) SiNP = Si(CH3)2{N(4-tolyl)PPh2}2, SiNP-H = CH2Si(CH3){N(4-tolyl)PPh2}2]. The mechanism of the reaction was investigated by NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations showing that the pentacoordinated intermediate Ir(SiNP)(cod)(CNtBu)]PF6] (2PF6) forms in the first place and that further reacts with CNtBu, affording the square planar intermediate Ir(SiNP)(CNtBu)2]PF6] (3PF6) that finally undergoes the intramolecular oxidative addition of the SiCH2-H bond. The reactivity of 1PF6 was investigated. On one hand, the reaction of 1PF6 with N-chlorosuccinimide or N-bromosuccinimide provides the haloderivatives IrX{¿3C, P, P'-(SiNP-H)}(CNtBu)2]PF6] (X = Cl, 4PF6; Br, 5PF6), and the reaction of 5PF6 with AgPF6 in the presence of acetonitrile affords the solvato species Ir{¿3C, P, P'-(SiNP-H)}(CH3CN)(CNtBu)2]2+ (62+) isolated as the hexafluorophosphate salt. On the other hand, the reaction of 1PF6 with HBF4 gives the iridium(iii) compound IrH(CH2SiF2CH3)(HNP)2(CNtBu)2]BF4] (7BF4) as the result of the formal addition of hydrogen fluoride to the Si-N bonds of 1+ HNP = HN(4-tolyl)PPh2]. A similar outcome was observed in the reaction of 1PF6 with CF3COOH rendering 7PO2F2. In this case the intermediate IrH{¿2C, P-CH2SiMeFN(4-tolyl)PPh2}(HNP)(CNtBu)2]+ (8+) was observed and characterised in situ by NMR spectroscopy. DFT calculations suggests that the reaction goes through the sequential protonation of the nitrogen atom of the Si-N-P moiety followed by the formal addition of fluoride ion to silicon. Also, the crystal structures of SiNP, 1PF6, 4PF6 and 7BF4 have been determined by X-ray diffraction measurements. © 2022 The Royal Society of Chemistr

Morfología, caracterización y distribución geográfica de Blechnum cordatum (Blechnaceae-Pteridophyta).

Morfología, caracterización y distribución geográfica de Blechnum cordatum (Blechnaceae-Pteridophyta). Blechnum cordatum fue estudiado en especímenes de numerosas localidades de su extensa área de distribución. Crece en Mesoamérica, Antillas, Sudamérica, desde Venezuela y Colombia a Bolivia, SE y centro de Brasil, Paraguay, Argentina, centro y S de Chile e islas de Juan Fernández. Es una especie poco vulnerable, tolerante, con esporófitos grandes, rizomas erectos escamosos, frondas dimorfas con estípites y otros ejes escamosos; láminas estériles lanceoladas a oblongas con pinnas coriáceas, lanceolado-oblongas, finamente denticuladas a aserradas, superficialmente escamosas y pilosas, unidas al raquis por la costa (pecioluladas), con bases cuneadotruncadas a subcordadas o auriculadas y láminas fértiles estrechamente lanceoladas con el tejido vegetativo de las pinnas reducido a la porción de la lámina que lleva el cenosoro continuo e indusio ondulado a eroso. Las venas son simples, geminadas y bifurcadas al azar a distancias variables de la costa y terminan en grandes hidatodos activos, sobresalientes o más o menos planos. Los aeróforos, presentes sólo en la base de las pinnas, pueden faltar. Las esporas son monoletas, con perisporio crestado-reticulado que lleva procesos filiformes y exosporio subliso a granulado. La especie se describe e ilustra en detalle, se actualiza su taxonomía y se comentan sus afinidades con otras especies neotropicales y paleotropicales del género.Morphology, characterization, and geographical distribution of Blechnum cordatum (Blechnaceae-Pteridophyta). Specimens of Blechnum cordatum from localities of its large geographical area were analized. The species grows in Mesoamerica, Antillas and South America, from Venezuela and Colombia to Bolivia, SE and centre of Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, centre and S of Chile, and Juan Fernández Islands. Blechnum cordatum is a tolerant, not vulnerable species, with large sporophytes; erect, scaly rhizomes; dimorphic fronds with scaly stipes and axes; lanceolate sterile laminae with lanceolate to oblong, coriaceae, finely denticulate to serrate, superficially scaly and hairy, attached by costa (peciolulate) pinnae, with cuneate- truncate to subcordate or auriculate bases, and narrowly lanceolate fertile laminae with vegetative tissue of pinnae reduced to the portion which support the undulate to erose indusia and continuous coenosorus. Veins are free, simple, geminate and furcate, the latter ramdomly dividing at different distances from the costa, all ending in large, active hydathodes. Aerophores, located only at the base of pinnae, may be absent. Spores have a cristate-reticulate perispore with filiform, ramified processes, and a smooth to granulate exospore.Based on this study, a new description of Blechnum cordatum, and its taxonomy is presented, along with comments on affinities with other neotropical and paleotropical species of the genus

Estudios esporales en especies del grupo Blechnum penna-marina (Blechnaceae-Pteridophyta).

ABSTRACT. Study of the spores of species of the Blechnum penna-marina group (BlechnaceaePteridophyta). The spores of eleven taxa of the Blechnum penna-marina group, B.asperum, B. blechnoides, B. corralense, B. fernandezianum, B. microphyllum, B. mochaenum subsp. achalense, B. mochaenum subsp. mochaenum, B. mochaenum subsp. squamipes, B. penna-marina, B. spicant, and B. stoloniferum were studied with light, and scanning electron microscopes . Spores are monolete and ellipsoidal in all taxa, with macro-ornamentation predominantly among muriform types. Sporoderm consists of a psilate, rugulate, or more or less supperficially granulate exospore, and a rugate, rugulate, venulose-rugulate, fossulate-rugulate, cristate-reticulate perispore. An exception are B. fernandezianum spores, with psilate perispores that bear orbicules. The perispore is a stratified, rather complex wall formed by three strata of different thickness and morphology: an outer continuous stratum, which bears the elements of the sculpture, a middle stratum which is alveolate, foliose or bear pillar-like elements, and a very thin, not clearly defined inner stratum. Blechnum mochaenum subsp. mochaenum and B. penna-marina showed larger spores in some specimens, a condition that may be related with different ploidia. Macro-ornamentation and morphology of the perispore of some taxa is also found in species of other groups of Blechnum. Performed studies suggest that spore characters do not define a particular group but the taxa, which is considered a new promising perspective for the systematic of the whole genus.Key words. Blechnaceae, Blechnum, B. penna-marina group, spores, morphology, systematicsRESUMEN. Estudios esporales en especies del grupo Blechnum penna-marina (BlechnaceaePteridophyta). Las esporas de once taxones del grupo B. penna marina, B. asperum, B. blechnoides, B. corralense, B. fernandezianum, B. microphyllum, B. mochaenum subsp. achalense, B. mochaenum subsp. mochaenum, B. mochaenum subsp. squamipes, B. penna-marina, B. spicant y B. stoloniferum se estudiaron con microscopio de luz y electrónico de barrido. Las esporas son monoletes y elipsoidales en todos los taxones, con macro-ornamentación predominantemente muriforme. El esporodermo consiste de un exosporio psilado, rugulado o con superficie granular y un perisporio rugado, rugulado, venuloso-rugulado, fosulado-rugulado o crestado-reticulado. Una excepción son las esporas de B. fernandezianum, con perisporios psilados con orbículas. El perisporio es estratificado, con capas de diferente morfología y espesor: una capa externa continua, que soporta los elementos de la escultura, una media, alveolar, foliosa o con elementos columnares y una interna muy delgada que no siempre se distingue claramente. Algunos ejemplares de B. mochaenum subsp. mochaenum y B. penna-marina mostraron esporas más grandes en algunos ejemplares, lo que podría relacionarse con diferentes niveles de ploidía. La macro-ornamentación de las esporas y la morfología de las capas observadas en algunos taxones se encuentra también en esporas de otros grupos del género. Los estudios llevados a cabo sugieren que los rasgos esporales no definen un grupo particular sino taxones, una conclusión que abre perspectivas prometedoras para la sistemática del género.Palabras clave. Blechnaceae, Blechnum, grupo B. penna-marina, esporas, morfologia, sistemátic

Duchenne muscular dystrophy: From diagnosis to therapy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked inherited neuromuscular disorder due to mutations in the dystrophin gene. It is characterized by progressive muscle weakness and wasting due to the absence of dystrophin protein that causes degeneration of skeletal and cardiac muscle. The molecular diagnostic of DMD involves a deletions/duplications analysis performed by quantitative technique such as microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH), Multiple Ligation Probe Assay MLPA. Since traditional methods for detection of point mutations and other sequence variants require high cost and are time consuming, especially for a large gene like dystrophin, the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has become a useful tool available for clinical diagnosis. The dystrophin gene is large and finely regulated in terms of tissue expression, and RNA processing and editing includes a variety of fine tuned processes. At present, there are no effective treatments and the steroids are the only fully approved drugs used in DMD therapy able to slow disease progression. In the last years, an increasing variety of strategies have been studied as a possible therapeutic approach aimed to restore dystrophin production and to preserve muscle mass, ameliorating the DMD phenotype. RNA is the most studied target for the development of clinical strategies and Antisense Oligonucleotides (AONs) are the most used molecules for RNA modulation. The identification of delivery system to enhance the efficacy and to reduce the toxicity of AON is the main purpose in this area and nanomaterials are a very promising model as DNA/RNA molecules vectors. Dystrophinopathies therefore represent a pivotal field of investigation, which has opened novel avenues in molecular biology, medical genetics and novel therapeutic options

PIP-II SSR2 Cavities Fabrication and Processing Experience

The Proton Improvement Plan-II (PIP-II [1]) linac will include 35 Single Spoke Resonators type 2 (SSR2). A preproduction SSR2 cryomodule will contain 5 jacketed cavities. Several units are already manufactured and prepared for cold testing. In this work, data collected from the fabrication, processing and preparation of the cavities will be presented and the improvements implemented after the completion of the first unit will be highlighted