3,972 research outputs found

    Use of Foley catheter in control of internal carotid hemorrhage during endoscopic endonasal surgery

    Get PDF
    Internal carotid artery (ICA) injuries during endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) are rare life-threatening events. We describe a technique to manage ICA injuries based on the use of Foley catheters.A 26-year-old female underwent endoscopic transnasal trans-sphenoidal removal of pituitary adenoma. Cerebrospinal fluid leak occurred 4 days postoperatively. During repair procedure, accidental injury of ICA occurred. Emergency nasal packing through positioning of four Foley urologic catheters was successfully performed to stop bleeding. The patient did not report neurologic deficits.In author's opinion, Foley catheters are suitable to obtain immediate bleeding control since they are rapidly available and easily usable

    Performance of Optically Readout GEM-based TPC with a 55Fe source

    Full text link
    Optical readout of large Time Projection Chambers (TPCs) with multiple Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs) amplification stages has shown to provide very interesting performances for high energy particle tracking. Proposed applications for low-energy and rare event studies, such as Dark Matter search, ask for demanding performance in the keV energy range. The performance of such a readout was studied in details as a function of the electric field configuration and GEM gain by using a 55^{55}Fe source within a 7 litre sensitive volume detector developed as a part of the R\&D for the CYGNUS project. Results reported in this paper show that the low noise level of the sensor allows to operate with a 2~keV threshold while keeping a rate of fake-events lesser than 10 per year. In this configuration, a detection efficiency well above 95\% along with an energy resolution (σ\sigma) of 18\% is obtained for the 5.9 keV photons, demonstrating the very promising capabilities of this technique

    The relationship regulator: a buyer-supplier collaborative performance measurement system

    Get PDF
    Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose an innovative buyer-supplier performance measurement system (PMS) (called relationship regulator – RelReg), aimed at stimulating collaboration on mutual performance. The RelReg is described all throughout the phases of its lifecycle: first, design features and visual representation of the new measurement framework are reported; second, guidelines on how to implement, use and review the system are provided, highlighting the role of the buyer and the supplier at each step. Design/methodology/approach A theory building and testing approach is applied. The RelReg developed features primarily ground on previous scientific contributions matched with empirical evidence collected through case studies, workshops and focus groups. The resulting conceptual model is then validated through a dyadic buyer-supplier case study. Findings Two conceptual frameworks are provided: the RelReg dashboard – a multidimensional PMS; and the RelReg lifecycle – set of activities to be performed by both the buyer and the supplier all along the adoption process. Moreover, empirical insights on relevant issues to be considered when adopting the RelReg are reported. Originality/value The RelReg represents an innovative and smart tool, allowing buyer-supplier dyads to collaborate on relationship performance. </jats:sec

    GLP-1 receptor agonists and renal outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and diabetic kidney disease: State of the art

    Get PDF
    Background: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are highly effective in improving glycaemic control either as monotherapy or in combination with other hypoglycaemic drugs, and have low incidence of side effects, such as hypoglycaemia, nausea and weight gain, thus increasing patients' adherence to therapy. Methods: In this review we report the most recent studies demonstrating the beneficial effects of GLP-1RAs on renal outcomes, and also discuss the direct and indirect mechanisms through which they confer kidney protection. Finally, we discuss the metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects of GLP-1RAs in diabetic patients with COVID-19 disease. Results: GLP-1RAs have a nephroprotective action, which is expressed through both indirect (improvement of blood pressure and glycaemic control, weight loss) and direct (restoration of normal intrarenal haemodynamics, prevention of ischaemic and oxidative damage) effects. They have shown also metabolic and anti-inflammation beneficial effects in patients with COVID-19 disease. Conclusions: GLP-1RAs prevent albuminuria and slow the decline of renal function towards end stage renal disease in patients with diabetic kidney disease. They might be an opportunity to break the typical inflammation processes of COVID-19 disease

    Cryotolerance of equine spermatozoa correlates with specific fatty acid pattern: A pilot study

    Get PDF
    Sperm cryopreservation represents a powerful tool for horse breeding. To improve the efficiency of artificial insemination in the horse using cryopreserved spermatozoa, an adequate understanding of the underlying biophysical properties that affect sperm cryosurvival needs to be reached yet. In this pilot study, we described isolation and analysis of the main fatty acids from sperms of stallions classified as good and poor freezers (7 GF and 5 PF, according to sperm motility and viability, before and after cryopreservation). Fatty acid profiles were only assessed in pre-thaw sperms. Eight main fatty acids were identified, using gas chromatography, and their contents were expressed as percentage of the total lipid content. We found that lauric, myristic and oleic acid (C12:0, C14:0 and C18:1n9c) turned out to be about 2-fold more abundant in the sperm cells of the GFs compared with PFs. Moreover, we described for the first time the presence of a very high amount of a trans geometrical isomer of linoleic acid, linolelaidic acid (C18:2n6t), in pre-thaw PF spermatozoa. Notably, we found in fresh sperms of PF stallions a ratio of unsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids which was twice that of those of GF group, suggesting a positive effect of a high saturated-to-unsaturated fatty acid ratio for the “freezability” of equine spermatozoa. Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) confirmed the relationships between specific fatty acids and cryotolerance of equine spermatozoa, also providing a graphical classification and additional information about the dominant variables governing the classification process

    Plasma fibrinogen: now also an antidepressant response marker?

    Get PDF
    Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the leading causes of global disability. It is a risk factor for noncompliance with medical treatment, with about 40% of patients not responding to currently used antidepressant drugs. The identification and clinical implementation of biomarkers that can indicate the likelihood of treatment response are needed in order to predict which patients will benefit from an antidepressant drug. While analyzing the blood plasma proteome collected from MDD patients before the initiation of antidepressant medication, we observed different fibrinogen alpha (FGA) levels between drug responders and nonresponders. These results were replicated in a second set of patients. Our findings lend further support to a recently identified association between MDD and fibrinogen levels from a large-scale study

    Behavioural and biochemical stress responses of Palinurus elephas after exposure to boat noise pollution in tank

    Get PDF
    This study examined the effects of boat noise on the behavioural and biochemical parameters of the Mediterranean spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas).The experiment was conducted in a tank equipped with a video and audio recording system. 18 experimental trials, assigned to boat noise and control conditions, were performed using lobsters in single and group of 4 specimens. After a 1. h habituation period, we audio- and video-recorded the lobsters for 1. h. During the experimental phase, the animals assigned to the boat groups were exposed to boat noise pollution (a random sequence of boat noises). Exposure to the noise produced significant variations in locomotor behaviours and haemolymphatic parameters. Our results indicate that the lobsters exposed to boat noises increased significantly their locomotor activities and haemolymphatic bioindicator of stressful conditions such as glucose, total proteins, Hsp70 expression and THC when tested both singly and in groups. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd
    corecore