A Trifunctional ATRP Initiator Bearing Adaptable Bonds

Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) allows for the production of polymers with precise control over molecular weight, dispersity, topology, composition, and functionality. Functional groups can be introduced into the polymer through post-functionalization of chain ends, or on the alkyl residue of the initiator, or by introducing functionalized (co)monomers, greatly greatly enhancing the targetable applications. In addition, the desired functional group can also be carried by the ATRP initiator. Some researchers have explored initiators with hydrolysis- or heat-sensitive functionalities to impart self-healing properties to the final polymer. However, the commonly used aliphatic halide ester initiators have shown poor thermal stability. To address this issue, we recently developed a novel bifunctional benzamide-containing initiator employed in ARGET ATRP of styrene, demonstrating enhanced thermal stability. Covalent Adaptable Networks (CANs) have emerged as a solution for improving the recyclability of thermoset materials. CANs can reorganize connectivity between chains upon thermal treatment, enabling reprocessing. Our goal is to modify the structure of the benzamide-containing initiator to develop a trifunctional initiator bearing adaptable bonds

Kinematic models of lower limb joints for musculo-skeletal modelling and optimization in gait analysis

Kinematic models of lower limb joints have several potential applications in musculoskeletal modelling of the locomotion apparatus, including the reproduction of the natural joint motion. These models have recently revealed their value also for in vivo motion analysis experiments, where the soft-tissue artefact is a critical known problem. This arises at the interface between the skin markers and the underlying bone, and can be reduced by defining multibody kinematic models of the lower limb and by running optimization processes aimed at obtaining estimates of position and orientation of relevant bones. With respect to standard methods based on the separate optimization of each single body segment, this technique makes it also possible to respect joint kinematic constraints. Whereas the hip joint is traditionally assumed as a 3 degrees of freedom ball and socket articulation, many previous studies have proposed a number of different kinematic models for the knee and ankle joints. Some of these are rigid, while others have compliant elements. Some models have clear anatomical correspondences and include real joint constraints; other models are more kinematically oriented, these being mainly aimed at reproducing joint kinematics. This paper provides a critical review of the kinematic models reported in literature for the major lower limb joints and used for the reduction of soft-tissue artefact. Advantages and disadvantages of these models are discussed, considering their anatomical significance, accuracy of predictions, computational costs, feasibility of personalization, and other features. Their use in the optimization process is also addressed, both in normal and pathological subjects

A multicenter study on reliability and validity of a new triage system: the Triage Emergency Method version 2

In Italy there are many triage guidelines and methods based on consensus. But, to our knowledge, there are few data on the reliability and predictive validity of triage systems adopted by Italian emergency departments. The Triage Emergency Method version 2 (TEM v2) is a new four-level in-hospital triage system. This paper presentes a before-and-after observational study performed using triage scenarios from June 2008 to September 2009 in 6 Italian emergency departments. Twelve nurses who received a 5-h training on TEM and a panel of experts on TEM assigned priority code to 66 scenarios. To test the inter-rater reliability among participants and the panel of experts (before and after the course), we used the weighted K statistic. We assessed the validity of TEM by calculating sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for predicting the reference standard's triage score. The TEM v2 showed good and very-good agreement among all 6 groups of nurses with a K range=0.61-1. Also, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of nurses' triage rating for predicting the reference standard's triage code was good (accuracy range=78-90%). In this multicenter study, TEM v2 has a good inter-rater reliability for rating triage acuity among all groups of participating nurses, with a K value similar to the reference standard reliability (K=0.75). Thus, the Triage Emergency Method version 2 seems to be valid and accurate in predicting a reference standard rating

In-Vivo Quantification of Knee Deep-Flexion in Physiological Loading Condition trough Dynamic MRI

The in-vivo quantification of knee motion in physiological loading conditions is paramount for the understanding of the joint’s natural behavior and the comprehension of articular disorders. Dynamic MRI (DMRI) represents an emerging technology that makes it possible to investigate the functional interaction among all the joint tissues without risks for the patient. However, traditional MRI scanners normally offer a reduced space of motion, and complex apparatus are needed to load the articulation, due to the horizontal orientation of the scanning bed. In this study, we present an experimental and computational procedure that combines an open, weight-bearing MRI scanner with an original registration algorithm to reconstruct the three-dimensional kinematics of the knee from DMRI, thus allowing the investigation of knee deep-flexion under physiological loads in space. To improve the accuracy of the procedure, an MR-compatible rig has been developed to guide the knee flexion of the patient. We tested the procedure on three volunteers. The overall rotational and positional accuracy achieved are 1.8◦ ± 1.4 and 1.2 mm ± 0.8, respectively, and they are sufficient for the characterization of the joint behavior under load

Validation of a one degree-of-freedom spherical model for kinematics analysis of the human ankle joint

During passive motion, the human tibiotalar (ankle) joint behaves as a single degree-of-freedom (1DOF) system [1,2]. In these conditions, fibres within the ligaments remain nearly isometric throughout the flexion arc and articular surfaces nearly rigid. Relevant theoretical models are showing that the ligaments and the articular surfaces act together as mechanisms to control the passive joint kinematics [3-5]. Kinematic measurements and corresponding model predictions also revealed that the instantaneous screw axes of passive motion pass near to a single point, hereinafter called pivot point [5]. The present study investigates the extent to which this motion is spherical-like

Multicenter observational study on the reliability of the HEART score

Objective To rapidly and safely identify the risk of developing acute coronary syndrome in patients with chest pain who present to the emergency department, the clinical use of the History, Electrocardiogram, Age, Risk Factors, and Troponin (HEART) scoring has recently been proposed. This study aimed to assess the inter-rater reliability of the HEART score calculated by a large number of Italian emergency physicians. Methods The study was conducted in three academic emergency departments using clinical scenarios obtained from medical records of patients with chest pain. Twenty physicians, who took the HEART score course, independently assigned a score to different clinical scenarios, which were randomly administered to the participants, and data were collected and recorded in a spreadsheet by an independent investigator who was blinded to the study\u2019s aim. Results After applying the exclusion criteria, 53 scenarios were finally included in the analysis. The general inter-rater reliability was good (kappa statistics [\u3ba], 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.57 to 0.70), and a good inter-rater agreement for the high- and low-risk classes (HEART score, 7 to 10 and 0 to 3, respectively; \u3ba, 0.60 to 0.73) was observed, whereas a moderate agreement was found for the intermediate-risk class (HEART score, 4 to 6; \u3ba, 0.51). Among the different items of the HEART score, history and electrocardiogram had the worse agreement (\u3ba, 0.37 and 0.42, respectively). Conclusion The HEART score had good inter-rater reliability, particularly among the high- and low-risk classes. The modest agreement for history suggests that major improvements are needed for objectively assessing this component. Keywords HEART score; HEART pathway; Chest pain; Acute coronary syndrome; Emergency service, hospita

ZFP36 stabilizes RIP1 via degradation of XIAP and cIAP2 thereby promoting ripoptosome assembly

BACKGROUND: ZFP36 is an mRNA binding protein that exerts anti-tumor activity in glioblastoma by triggering cell death, associated to an increase in the stability of the kinase RIP1. METHODS: We used cell death assays, size exclusion chromatography, Co-Immunoprecipitation, shRNA lentivectors and glioma neural stem cells to determine the effects of ZFP36 on the assembly of a death complex containing RIP1 and on the induction of necroptosis. RESULTS: Here we demonstrate that ZFP36 promotes the assembly of the death complex called Ripoptosome and induces RIP1-dependent death. This involves the depletion of the ubiquitine ligases cIAP2 and XIAP and leads to the association of RIP1 to caspase-8 and FADD. Moreover, we show that ZFP36 controls RIP1 levels in glioma neural stem cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: We provide a molecular mechanism for the tumor suppressor role of ZFP36, and the first evidence for Ripoptosome assembly following ZFP36 expression. These findings suggest that ZFP36 plays an important role in RIP1-dependent cell death in conditions where IAPs are depleted

Wodzicki Residue for Operators on Manifolds with Cylindrical Ends

We define the Wodzicki Residue TR(A) for A in a space of operators with double order (m_1,m_2). Such operators are globally defined initially on R^n and then, more generally, on a class of non-compact manifolds, namely, the manifolds with cylindrical ends. The definition is based on the analysis of the associate zeta function. Using this approach, under suitable ellipticity assumptions, we also compute a two terms leading part of the Weyl formula for a positive selfadjoint operator belonging the mentioned class in the case m_1=m_2.Comment: 24 pages, picture changed, added references, corrected typo