Basic fibroblast growth factor mediates carotid plaque instability through metalloproteinase-2 and –9 expression

OBJECTIVE(S): We hypothesized that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) may exert a role in carotid plaque instability by regulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). METHODS: Plaques obtained from 40 consecutive patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were preoperatively classified as soft or hard. Serum bFGF was pre- and postoperatively measured. The release of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the blood serum, and the activity, production and expression in the carotid specimens was analyzed. Specific anti-bFGF inhibition tests were performed in vitro on human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (HUASMC) to evaluate the role of bFGF in the activity, production and expression of MMP-2 and -9. RESULTS: Twenty-one (53%) patients had a soft carotid plaque and 19 (48%) a hard plaque. Preoperative bFGF serum levels were higher in patients with soft plaques [soft=34 (28-39) pg/mL and hard=20 (17-22) pg/mL-p<0.001] and postoperatively returned to normal values (when compared to 10 healthy volunteers). The serum levels of MMP-2 in patients' with soft plaques were higher than those in patients' with hard plaques [soft=1222 (1190-1252) ng/mL and hard=748 (656-793)ng/mL-p<0.0001]. MMP-9 serum values were 26 (22-29) ng/mL for soft plaques and 18 (15-21) ng/mL for hard plaques (p<0.0001). We found increased activity, production and expression of MMP-2 and -9 in soft plaques compared to hard plaques (p<0.001). In vitro inhibition tests on HUASMC showed the direct influence of bFGF on the activity, production and expression of MMP-2 and -9 (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: bFGF seems to exert a key role in carotid plaque instability regulating the activity, production and expression of MMP thus altering the physiologic homeostasis of the carotid plaque

Definition of a shortcut methodology for assessing flood-related Na-Tech risk

Abstract. In this paper a qualitative methodology for the initial assessment of flood-related Na-Tech risk was developed as a screening tool to identify which situations require a much more expensive quantitative risk analysis (QRA). Through the definition of some suitable key hazard indicators (KHIs), the proposed methodology allows the identification of the Na-Tech risk level associated with a given situation; the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was used as a multi-criteria decision tool for the evaluation of such qualitative KHIs. The developed methodology was validated through two case studies by comparing the predicted risk levels with the results of much more detailed QRAs previously presented in literature and then applied to the real flood happened at Spolana a.s., Neratovice, Czech Republic in August 2002.</p

Risk factors for adenocarcinoma in the surgically transposed colon not exposed to the fecal stream. Etiological considerations extrapolated to sporadic colon carcinoma in the general population

The aim of the study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with de novo secondary adenocarcinoma arising in the operatively transposed colon not exposed to the fecal stream

Comparison of mandibular arch expansion by the schwartz appliance using two activation protocols: A preliminary retrospective clinical study

Background and objectives: Dental crowding is more pronounced in the mandible than in the maxilla. When exceeding a significant amount, the creation of new space is required. The mandibular expansion devices prove to be useful even if the increase in the lower arch perimeter seems to be just ascribed to the vestibular inclination of teeth. The aim of the study was to compare two activation protocols of the Schwartz appliance in terms of effectiveness, particularly with regard to how quickly crowding is solved and how smaller is the increasing of vestibular inclination of the mandibular molars. Materials and methods: We compared two groups of patients treated with different activation's protocols of the lower Schwartz appliance (Group 1 protocol consisted in turning the expansion screw half a turn twice every two weeks and replacing the device every four months; Group 2 was treated by using the classic activation protocol-1/4 turn every week, never replacing the device). The measurements of parameters such as intercanine distance (IC), interpremolar distance (IPM), intermolar distance (IM), arch perimeter(AP), curve of Wilson (COW), and crowding (CR) were made on dental casts at the beginning and at the end of the treatment. Results: A significant difference between protocol groups was observed in the variation of COWL between time 0 and time 1 with protocol 1 with protocol 1 subjects showing a smaller increase in the parameter than protocol 2 subjects. The same trend was observed also for COWR, but the difference between protocol groups was slightly smaller and the interaction protocol-by-time did not reach the statistical significance. Finally, treatment duration in protocol 1 was significantly lower than in protocol 2. Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that the new activation protocol would seem more effective as it allows to achieve the objective of the therapy more quickly, and likely leading to greater bodily expansion

Durability of adhesion between an adhesive and post-space dentin: Push-out evaluation at one and six months.

Aims The aim of this study was to investigate, by means of the push-out test, the bond of Prime & Bond NT at various post-space dentin locations and the influence of time of water storage on bond strength values. Methods 30 single-rooted teeth were used for the bond strength measurement. In each tooth fiber posts were cemented with the commercial bonding system “Prime & Bond NT” in combination with the resin-based filling material “Opticore Cure Core Composite”. After 24 h (group A: 10 roots), 1 month (group B: 10 roots), and 6 months (group C: 10 roots) of water storage, the specimens were sectioned in 1 mm-thick slices for the push-out test. The data were divided into three regions (coronal/middle/apical) and analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis Test and Mann-Whitney U Test (p<0.05). Results The bond strength values registered did not show statistically significant differences within group A and C; within group B statistically significant differences were found between the coronal and the middle thirds and between the coronal and the apical third. The apical bond strength values did not show any statistically significant difference among the three groups (Kruskal-Wallis test); in the middle thirds a statistically significant difference was found at 6 months when compared with the 24 h and 1-month samples. In the coronal thirds was found a statistically significant difference between 1 month and 6 months. Analysis of the specimens under optical microscope revealed a prevalence of adhesive failures between fiber post and root dentin. Conclusions Bond strength values are lower at the apical third. Over time the adhesion of the fiberpost/luting cement/post-space dentin does not remain stable

Luminescent Re(I)/Au(I) Species As Selective Anticancer Agents for HeLa Cells

A series of neutral and cationic heterotrimetallic complexes of the type fac-[Re(CO)3(bipy(CC)2-(AuL)2)X]n, where bipy(CC)2 is 4, 4'-alkynyl-2, 2'-bipyridine; L is either triphenylphosphine (PPh3), [1, 3-bis(2, 6-diisopropylphenyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene] (IPr), or tert-butyl isocyanide (CNtBu); and X is a chloride (n = 0) or acetonitrile (n = 1), were synthesized and characterized together with their Re(I) precursors, i.e., fac-[Re(CO)3(bipy(CC)2)X]n. X-ray diffraction of complexes 1, 3, and 6 corroborated the expected octahedral and linear distribution of the ligands along the Re(I) and Au(I) centers, respectively. Luminescent studies showed that all the complexes displayed a broad emission band centered between 565 and 680 nm, corresponding to a 3MLCT from the Re(I) to the diimine derivative. The presence of the gold fragment coordinated to the diimine ligand shifted in all cases the emission maxima toward higher energies. Such an emission difference could be potentially used for assessing the precise moment of interaction of the probe with the biological target if the gold fragment is implicated. Antiproliferative studies in cancer cells, A549 (lung cancer) and HeLa (cervix cancer), showed a generalized selectivity toward HeLa cells for those heterotrimetallic species incubated at longer times (72 vs 24 h). ICP-MS spectrometry revealed the greater cell internalization of cationic vs neutral species. Preliminary fluorescence microscopy experiments showed a different behavior of the complexes in HeLa and A549 cell lines. Whereas the complexes in A549 were randomly distributed in the outside of the cell, those incubated with HeLa cells were located close to the cellular membrane, suggesting some type of interaction, and possibly explaining their cellular selectivity when it comes to the antiproliferative activity displayed in the different cell lines

La gestión hotelera de e-wom. un análisis intercultural España-Italia

A lack of research in intercultural comparisons has been identified from the national and industrial perspective, and under the perceptions of those who make decisions about hotel services, particularly those related to the use of technologies. thus, the specific objective of this study is to determine if the Spanish and Italian hotel industries converge or diverge in the process of acceptance, use and management of e-wom. with this aim, the e-wIp model is tested through a multi-group analysis (mga) with partial least Squares-Structural Equation modelling (plS-SEm). then, a Hierarchical Cluster is carried out. the results announce more convergence than divergence and other collateral findings. Several useful conclusions are providedSe ha observado una falta investigación en análisis comparativos interculturales desde la perspectiva nacional e industrial y desde las percepciones de los decisores sobre los servicios hoteleros, particularmente los relacionados con el uso de las tecnologías. así, el objetivo de este estudio es averiguar si las industrias hoteleras de España e Italia convergen o divergen en el proceso de aceptación, uso y gestión del boca-oído electrónico. Con este fin, se contrasta el modelo e-wIp a través de análisis multi-grupo (amg) con plS-SEm (partial least Squares-Structural Equation modelling). un análisis Cluster Jerárquico complementa el estudio. los resultados informan de una mayor convergencia que divergencia así como otra información colateral, lo que conduce a proporcionar conclusiones de utilida

The hotel management of e-wom. a cross-cultural analysis Spain-Italy

A lack of research in intercultural comparisons has been identified from the national and industrial perspective, and under the perceptions of those who make decisions about hotel services, particularly those related to the use of technologies. Thus, the specific objective of this study is to determine if the Spanish and Italian hotel industries converge or diverge in the process of acceptance, use and management of e-WOM. with this aim, the e-wIp model is tested through a multi-group analysis (MGA) with partial least Squares-Structural Equation modelling (plS-SEm). Then, a Hierarchical Cluster is carried out. the results announce more convergence than divergence and other collateral findings. Several useful conclusions are provide

Association between Anatomical Variations and maxillary canine impaction: A retrospective study in orthodontics

This study aims to evaluate whether or not there is a higher prevalence of skeletal abnormalities in subjects with maxillary canine impaction (MCI). This retrospective study was performed on 67 subjects with maxillary canine impaction (test group) and on 67 patients without dental displacement (control group). Sella turcica bridging (SB), ponticulus posticus (PP), atlas posterior arch deficiency (APAD) and the morphology of sella turcica and pterygopalatine fissure were evaluated on lateral cephalometric radiographs. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square, Mann-Whitney test and multivariate logistic models; the level of significance was p &lt; 0.05. Results showed that in the test and control groups 87% and 62.7% of patients had SB, respectively. PP was observed in 60% of patients in the test group and in 16.4% of patients in the control group. APAD was observed in 9% of test group and in 4.5% of the control group. Skeletal anomalies were significantly increased (p &lt; 0.05) in subjects with MCI. A significant difference between the groups was observed in regards to the shape of the pterygopalatine fissure, found to be less wide and longer in the test group. SB, PP and APAD were higher in subjects with MCI; furthermore, an elongated pterygopalatine fissure was significantly associated with MCI