Biologically derived gels for the cleaning of historical and artistic metal heritage

In the general global rise of attention and research to seek greener attitudes, the field of cultural heritage (CH) makes no exception. In the last decades, an increasing number of sustainable and biologically based solutions have been proposed for the protection and care of artworks. Additionally, the safety of the target artwork and the operator must be kept as core goals. Within this scenario, new products and treatments should be explored and implemented in the common conservation praxes. Therefore, this review addressing metal heritage is aimed to report biologically derived gel formulations already proposed for this specific area as reliable tools for cleaning. Promising bio-gel-based protocols, still to be implemented in metal conservation, are also presented to promote their investigation by stakeholders in metal conservation. After an opening overview on the common practices for cleaning metallic surfaces in CH, the focus will be moved onto the potentialities of gel-alternatives and in particular of ones with a biological origin. In more detail, we displayed water-gels (i.e., hydrogels) and solvent-gels (i.e., organogels) together with particular attention to bio-solvents. The discussion is closed in light of the state-of-the-art and future perspectives

The impact of sex, gender and pregnancy on 2009 H1N1 disease

Children and young adults of reproductive age have emerged as groups that are highly vulnerable to the current 2009 H1N1 pandemic. The sex of an individual is a fundamental factor that can influence exposure, susceptibility and immune responses to influenza. Worldwide, the incidence, disease burden, morbidity and mortality rates following exposure to the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus differ between males and females and are often age-dependent. Pregnancy and differences in the presentation of various risk factors contribute to the worse outcome of infection in women. Vaccination and antiviral treatment efficacy also vary in a sex-dependent manner. Finally, sex-specific genetic and hormonal differences may contribute to the severity of influenza and the clearance of viral infection. The contribution of sex and gender to influenza can only be determined by a greater consideration of these factors in clinical and epidemiological studies and increased research into the biological basis underlying these differences

Seminal fluid metabolomic markers of oligozoospermic infertility in humans

Infertility affects 12–15% of couples worldwide, and male factors are the cause of nearly half of all cases. Studying seminal fluid composition could lead to additional diagnostic accuracy and a better understanding of the pathophysiology of male factor infertility. Metabolomics offers a new opportunity to evaluate biomarkers and better understand pathological mechanisms. The aim of the study was to identify new markers or therapeutic targets to improve outcomes in male factor or idiopathic infertility patients. Semen samples were obtained from 29 men with a normal spermogram test, and from 18 oligozoospermic men. Samples were processed and analyzed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy and, subsequently, multivariate and univariate statistical analyses. Receiving Operator Curves (ROC) and Spearman correlations were also performed. An Orthogonal Partial Least Square Discriminant Analysis supervised multivariate model was devised to compare the groups. The levels of fructose, myo‐inositol, aspartate and choline were altered. Moreover, Spearman Correlation associated fructose, aspartate and myo‐inositol with the total amount of spermatozoa, total motile spermatozoa, % of immotility and % of “in situ” spermatozoic motility respectively. NMR‐based metabolomics allowed the identification of a specific metabolic fingerprint of the seminal fluids of patients affected by oligozoospermia

Precision restoration: a necessary approach to foster forest recovery in the 21st century

We thank S. Tabik, E. Guirado, and Garnata Drone SL for fruitful debates about the application of remote sensing and artificial intelligence in restoration. E. McKeown looked over the English version of the manuscript. Original drawings were made by J. D. Guerrero. This work was supported by projects RESISTE (P18-RT-1927) from the Consejeria de Economia, Conocimiento, y Universidad from the Junta de Andalucia, and AVA201601.19 (NUTERA-DE I), DETECTOR (A-RNM-256-UGR18), and AVA2019.004 (NUTERA-DE II), cofinanced (80%) by the FEDER Program. F.M.-R. acknowledges the support of the Agreement 4580 between OTRI-UGR and the city council of La Zubia. We thank an anonymous reviewer for helpful comments that improved the manuscript.Forest restoration is currently a primary objective in environmental management policies at a global scale, to the extent that impressive initiatives and commitments have been launched to plant billions of trees. However, resources are limited and the success of any restoration effort should be maximized. Thus, restoration programs should seek to guarantee that what is planted today will become an adult tree in the future, a simple fact that, however, usually receives little attention. Here, we advocate for the need to focus restoration efforts on an individual plant level to increase establishment success while reducing negative side effects by using an approach that we term “precision forest restoration” (PFR). The objective of PFR will be to ensure that planted seedlings or sowed seeds will become adult trees with the appropriate landscape configuration to create functional and self-regulating forest ecosystems while reducing the negative impacts of traditional massive reforestation actions. PFR can take advantage of ecological knowledge together with technologies and methodologies from the landscape scale to the individual- plant scale, and from the more traditional, low-tech approaches to the latest high-tech ones. PFR may be more expensive at the level of individual plants, but will be more cost-effective in the long term if it allows for the creation of resilient forests able to providemultiple ecosystemservices. PFR was not feasible a few years ago due to the high cost and low precision of the available technologies, but it is currently an alternative that might reformulate a wide spectrum of ecosystem restoration activities.Junta de Andalucia P18-RT-1927European Commission AVA201601.19 A-RNM-256-UGR18 AVA2019.004OTRI-UGR 4580city council of La Zubia 458

Referral from vascular surgery to cardiovascular rehabilitation and related outcomes in patients with peripheral arterial disease: the THINKPAD-RELOADED survey.

The utilization of cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) programmes in patients with Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease (LEPAD) is generally poor, with limited evidence of current policies for referral. The aim of the study was to evaluate, within a cohesive network of CR and vascular surgery facilities with facilitated referral process, the clinical characteristic of LEPAD patients referred to CR and related outcomes, as compared to patients not referred. The present is an observational prospective study of consecutive patients recruited at vascular surgery facilities. Out of 329 patients observed, the average referral rate to CR was 34% (28% and 39% in patients with and without recent peripheral revascularization, p<0.05). LEPAD patients entering the CR programme were similar to those who did not according to sex, age, the vascular surgery setting of evaluation, and localization of arterial lesions. Patients with moderate intermittent claudication and patients with acute limb ischemia as index event were more represented among those who attended CR (41% vs 21% and 9% vs 2% respectively, p<0.05). Patients referred to CR had five times more episodes of acute coronary syndrome and heart failure as complication of the index event. The cardiovascular risk profile (obesity 29.5% vs 11%, p<0.05; hypercholesterolemia 80% vs 61%, p<0.05) was much worse in LEPAD patients referred to CR, but conversely, they better achieved secondary prevention targets, particularly for blood pressure control (97% vs 57%, p<0.05). All-cause 2-year mortality in the whole patients' population was 6%. Patients entering the CR programme displayed less events (13.5% vs 37.7%, p<0.05), mainly death (3.1% vs 11.3%, p<0.05) and limb-related events (4.2% vs 15.2%, p<0.05). The results of our study suggest that when a cohesive network of vascular surgery and CR facilities becomes available, the referral rate to rehabilitation may increase up to one third of eligible patients. Patients with higher comorbidity and cardiovascular risk seem to have priority in the referral process, nevertheless those with peripheral revascularization are still underestimated. Entering CR may ensure better cardiovascular risk profile and cardiovascular prognosis in LEPAD patients, and consequently the systematic adoption of this care model needs to be strongly recommended and facilitated

Protesi dentale fissa con cantilever supportata da impianti (PDFIC) ultracorti: nostra esperienza clinica

In questo studio siti edentuli mandibolari posteriori con osso alveolare molto riassorbito di tre pazienti sono stati riabilitati con Protesi dentale fissa con cantilever supportata da impianti (PDFIC) ultracorti e ne è stata valutata la sopravvivenza a due anni (T2) dalla protesizzazione. MATERIALI E METODI L'osteointegrazione degli impianti è stata valutata radiograficamente con l'utilizzo di radiografie periapicali, eseguite al tempo 0 (T0 applicazione della protesi), al tempo 1 (T1 a sei mesi) ed al tempo 2 (T2 a due anni), secondo la tecnica del cono lungo con centratore di Rinn e l’ausilio di una griglia millimetrata in rame di dimensioni 31x41 mm, applicata sulla pellicola radiografica , al fine di misurare in mm l'eventuale riassorbimento di osso crestale. RISULTATI In tutti e tre i pazienti si è osservato un riassorbimento medio (mesio-distale) della cresta ossea di 0.5 mm a T1; non ci sono state modifiche fra T1 e T2. CONCLUSIONI L’utilizzo di impianti corti e ultracorti si è dimostrato essere un’interessante opzione terapeutica e alternativa agli interventi di aumento verticale della cresta ossea, più rapida, più economica e con una ridotta morbilità (1) (2) (3) (4). Nonostante ciò, spesso ci si trova di fronte all'impossibilità di inserire un impianto nel sito edentulo. L'ausilio del cantilever in protesi implantare si è dimostrata essere una buona opzione per sopperire a tali problematiche. (5) (6). L'utilizzo di impianti corti per supportare una protesi con cantilever ha mostrato risultati simili a quelli degli impianti con lunghezze tradizionali (7). Nonostante il numero limitato di pazienti, in questo studio abbiamo osservato come, nei casi di pazienti con quantità di osso alveolare molto limitate, l'utilizzo di impianti ultracorti per supportare protesi dentale fisse con cantilever è da considerarsi una valida opzione terapeutica.Posterior mandibular edentulous ridges with extreme residual bone resorption within three patients have been rehabilitated using ultrashort implant-supported cantilever fixed dental prostheses (ICFDPs)(one5.0x5.0, three4.5x6, two4.0x5.0 Bicon Dental Implants, Boston, MA, USA) and 2 years survival rate since prosthetic rehabilitation (T2) has been evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Implants’ osseointegration has been evaluated at T0 (prostheses insertion) T1 (12 months after prostheses insertion) and T2 (24 months after prostheses insertion) using Periapical x-rays performed accordingly to the long cone paralleling technique and using both a Rinn positioning system and a radiographic template in order to evaluate in millimetres the amount of marginal bone loss in both mesial and distal point. RESULTS We have observed an average mesio-distal bone-loss of 0,5 mm at T1 within all the three patients while there hasn’t been any modification between T1 and T2, so as in accordance with other literature works (4). CONCLUSIONS Short and ultrashort implants rehabilitation have proven to be a valuable alternative therapy when compared to surgical vertical bone ridge augmentation procedures, the former being more inexpensive, more rapid and presenting less morbidity (1) (2) (3) (4); yet, it could still be impossible to insert an implant on the edentulous ridge. Implant-supported cantilever fixed dental prosthesis is a good option in order to provide such cases (5) (6).The choice of short implants instead of traditional ones as prosthesis’ support has proven to give similar results (7). Despite the limited number of patients, it’s been possible to show that ultrashort implant-supported cantilever fixed dental prosthesis (ICFDPs) is a valuable therapeutic option for patients with reduced amount of bone left. 1 Carl E. Misch, Jennifer Steigenga, Eliane Barboza, Francine Misch-Dietsh, Louis J. Cianciola, Christopher Kazor Short Dental Implants in Posterior Partial Edentulism: A Multicenter Retrospective 6-Year Case Series Study J Periodontol 2006;77:1340-1347. 2 Douglas Deporter, Bunnai Ogiso,Dong-Seok Sohn,Kevin Ruljancich, Michael PharoahUltrashort Sintered Porous-Surfaced Dental Implants Used To Replace Posterior Teeth J Periodontol 2008;79:1280-1286. 3 M. Esposito, G. Cannizarro, E. Soardi, G. Pellegrino, R. Pistilli, and P. Felice, “A 3-year post-loading report of a randomised controlled trial on the rehabilitation of posterior atrophic mandibles: Short implants or longer implants in vertically ugmented bone?” European Journal of Oral Implantology, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 301–311, 2011). 4 Eduardo Anitua, MD, DDS, PhD, Laura Piñas, Degree of Dentistry; Gorka Orive, PhDRetrospective Study of Short and Extra-Short Implants Placed in Posterior Regions: Influence of Crown-to-Implant Ratio on Marginal Bone LossClinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research 2013 5 Marco Aglietta Vincenzo Iorio Siciliano Marcel Zwahlen Urs Bragger Bjarni E. Pjetursson Niklaus P. Lang Giovanni E. Salvi A systematic review of the survival and complication rates of implant supported fixed dental prostheses with cantilever extensions after an observation period of at least 5 years Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 20, 2009 / 441–451 6 Aglietta M, Iorio Siciliano V, Blasi A, Sculean A, Bragger U, Lang NP, Salvi GE. Clinical and radiographic changes at implants supporting single-unit crowns (SCs) and fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) with one cantilever extension. A retrospective study.Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 23, 2012, 550–555 7 Anka k Ipikcioglu H Finite element stress analysis of the effect of short implants usage in place of cantilever exension in mandibular posterior edentulism Jornal of oral rehabilitation 2002 29; 350-35

The association between body fat and rotator cuff tear: the influence on rotator cuff tear sizes

Rotator cuff tear (RCT) has a multifactorial etiology. We hypothesized that obesity may increase the risk of RCT and influence tear size. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control design study was used. We studied 381 consecutive patients (180 men, 201 women; mean age ± standard deviation, 65.5 ± 8.52 years; range, 43-78 years) who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Tear size was determined intraoperatively. The control group included 220 subjects (103 men, 117 women; mean age ± standard deviation, 65.16 ± 7.24 years; range, 42-77 years) with no RCT. Body weight, height, and bicipital, tricipital, subscapularis, and suprailiac skinfolds of all participants were measured to obtain body mass index (BMI) and the percentage of body fat (%BF). For the purposes of the study, the 601 participants were divided into 2 groups by BMI (group A, BMI ≥ 25; group B, BMI < 25). The odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to investigate whether adiposity affects the risk of RCT. Data were stratified ac

Does immobilization position after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair impact work quality or comfort?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify subjective discomfort and decrease in working performance in patients submitted to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Methods: We enrolled 101 asymptomatic administrative employees (mean age 55). Subjects were asked to write a text using Microsoft Word and to make a table using Microsoft Excel, with and without shoulder braces which kept the right shoulder in neutral (brace A) and internal rotation (brace B). Total time needed to complete the tests and number of mistakes committed were annotated. Furthermore, a questionnaire to assess the subjective and interpersonal discomfort caused by the braces was compiled. Data were submitted to statistical analysis. Results: When any brace is worn, both times and mistakes are higher than those registered without brace (p < 0.02). Both times and mistakes are higher for brace B in comparison with brace A (p < 0.02). Subjects wearing brace B had a severe/very severe discomfort degree three times higher than that registered in subjects wearing brace A. Finally, 91 % of subjects preferred brace A to brace B. Discussion: If the choice of the brace is not supported by biological or clinical advantages, we recommend to use the brace that keeps the arm at the side, since it ensures better working performance and lower discomfort. It also received the greatest satisfaction of the respondents. Level of evidence: IV. © 2014 Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli.The purpose of this study was to quantify subjective discomfort and decrease in working performance in patients submitted to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. METHODS: We enrolled 101 asymptomatic administrative employees (mean age 55). Subjects were asked to write a text using Microsoft Word and to make a table using Microsoft Excel, with and without shoulder braces which kept the right shoulder in neutral (brace A) and internal rotation (brace B). Total time needed to complete the tests and number of mistakes committed were annotated. Furthermore, a questionnaire to assess the subjective and interpersonal discomfort caused by the braces was compiled. Data were submitted to statistical analysis. RESULTS: When any brace is worn, both times and mistakes are higher than those registered without brace (p < 0.02). Both times and mistakes are higher for brace B in comparison with brace A (p < 0.02). Subjects wearing brace B had a severe/very severe discomfort degree three times higher tha