Sorption Thermodynamics of CO2, H2O, and CH3OH in a Glassy Polyetherimide: A Molecular Perspective

In this paper, the sorption thermodynamics of low-molecular-weight penetrants in a glassy polyetherimide, endowed with specific interactions, is addressed by combining an experimental approach based on vibrational spectroscopy with thermodynamics modeling. This modeling approach is based on the extension of equilibrium theories to the out-of-equilibrium glassy state. Specific interactions are accounted for in the framework of a compressible lattice fluid theory. In particular, the sorption of carbon dioxide, water, and methanol is illustrated, exploiting the wealth of information gathered at a molecular level from Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to tailor thermodynamics modeling. The investigated penetrants display a different interacting characteristic with respect to the polymer substrate, which reflects itself in the sorption thermodynamics. For the specific case of water, the outcomes from molecular dynamics simulations are compared with the results of the present analysis

Anterolateral Ligament of the Knee: Back to the Future in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Although the importance of the anterolateral stabilizing structures of the knee in the setting of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries has been recognized since many years, most of orthopedic surgeons do not take into consideration the anterolateral structures when performing an ACL reconstruction. Anatomic single or double bundle ACL reconstruction will improve knee stability, but a small subset of patients may experience some residual anteroposterior and rotational instability. For this reason, some researchers have turned again towards the anterolateral aspect of the knee and specifically the anterolateral ligament. The goal of this review is to summarize the existing knowledge regarding the anterolateral ligament of the knee, including anatomy, histology, biomechanics and imaging. In addition, the most common anterolateral reconstruction/tenodesis techniques are described together with their respective clinical outcomes

Meniscal root tear repair: why, when and how?

The integrity of the meniscal root insertions is fundamental to preserve correct knee kinematics and avoid degenerative changes of the knee. Injuries to the meniscal attachments can lead to meniscal extrusion, decreased contact surface, increased cartilage stress, and ultimately articular degeneration. Recent and well designed studies have clarified the anatomy and biomechanics of the medial and lateral meniscal roots. Although the treatment of meniscal root tears is still controversial, many different techniques have been described for root repair. The goal of this review is to summarize the existing knowledge regarding meniscal root tears, including anatomy, biomechanics and imaging. In addition, the most common surgical techniques, together with the clinical outcomes, are described

Walk Safe Project: Perceived Urban Safety related to Soundscape, Lightscape and Urban Decay

Starting from Lynch works [1], urban perceptive aspects are studied to improve the human-space interaction, mediated by visual, auditory and sensory receptors. Particularly in this historical period, safety and its perception are rarely the same: this depends on mental processes with various implications. Walk Safe Project aims to analyze the perception of urban safety in relation to soundscape, lightscape and urban decay, with the purpose to develop an evaluation protocol based on objective and subjective investigations. Walk Safe protocol was applied to four critical areas of the City of Turin (Italy). Subjective data, gathered by a 6 minutes-long survey, was obtained by 124 subjects from October to December 2018, during the night hours. Acoustic measurements were performed using the calibrated binaural recording system Siemens SCADAS XS and the values of A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level and some psychoacoustic metrics were extracted. Simultaneously HDR photos were taken in the observer direction and converted into luminance images, in order to document the lightscape. All the data were subsequently processed together through statistical analysis and perceived safety parameters were extracted. The results show that individual characteristic like gender, instruction level and frequency of use of the space have a fundamental role on perceived safety. Furthermore, the social presence and the environmental quality are strongly implicated, such as the buildings market value. Safety perception is negatively related to the pleasantness of technological sounds and positively related to the pleasantness of anthropic sound. Sharpness Aures and Tonality are the objective parameters that significantly relate with the pleasantness of anthropic soundscape. Perceived safety is also positively correlated to visual interest and visual lightness and to the architectural and urban quality aspects. [1] Lynch, K. The Image of the City; MIT Press: Cambridge, MA, USA, 1960

La complessit? della comunicazione scientifica in ambito epidemiologico: il caso Sebiorec

noViene presentata l\u27esperienza in corso nella Regione Campania per accomp agnare la trasmissione dei risultati dell\u27indagine epidemiologica Sebiorec, svolta tramite campionamento di sangue e latte materno. Si ? ritenuto cruciale dedicare particolare attenzione alle problematiche della comunicazione, grazie alla costituzione di un gruppo multidisciplinare, che ha contribuito alla realizzazione di una indagine qualitativa basata su interviste in profondit? e che fornir? strumenti utili alla comunicazione dei risultati. L\u27esperienza si inscrive nell\u27obiettivo di far evolvere l\u27approccio epidemiologico classico verso una eco-epidemiologia basata sull\u27integrazione di conoscenze sull\u27individuo e sulla comunit?, attraverso lo studio dei fattori di rischio, di esposizione e suscettibilit? individuale e di contesto sociale

Possible Implication of Local Immune Response in Darier's Disease: An Immunohistochemical Characterization of Lesional Inflammatory Infiltrate

Cell-mediated immunity is considered to be normal in Darier's Disease (DD), an inherited skin disorder complicated by skin infections. To date, there are no investigations on the local inflammatory infiltrate in DD skin lesions. In this immunohistochemical study we characterized and quantified it, making comparisons with two other inflammatory skin disorders, that is, pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and lichen ruber planus (LRP), and with the normal skin (NSk). We found a significant (P < .05) decrease of CD1a+ Langerhans cells (LCs) in DD, compared to PV, LRP, and NSk, and of CD123+ plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), compared to PV and LRP. We hypothesize that the genetic damage of keratinocytes might result in a loss of some subsets of dendritic cells and, consequently, in an impaired local immune response, which might worsen the infections that inevitably occur in this disease

Cell adhesion molecule L1 contributes to neuronal excitability regulating the function of voltage-gated Na+ channels

L1 (also known as L1CAM) is a trans-membrane glycoprotein mediating neuron-neuron adhesion through homophilic and heterophilic interactions. Although experimental evidence has implicated L1 in axonal outgrowth, fasciculation and pathfinding, its contribution to voltage-gated Na+ channel function and membrane excitability has remained unknown. Here, we show that firing rate, single cell spiking frequency and Na+ current density are all reduced in hippocampal excitatory neurons from L1-deficient mice both in culture and in slices owing to an overall reduced membrane expression of Na+ channels. Remarkably, normal firing activity was restored when L1 was reintroduced into L1-deficient excitatory neurons, indicating that abnormal firing patterns are not related to developmental abnormalities, but are a direct consequence of L1 deletion. Moreover, L1 deficiency leads to impairment of action potential initiation, most likely due to the loss of the interaction of L1 with ankyrin G that produces the delocalization of Na+ channels at the axonal initial segment. We conclude that L1 contributes to functional expression and localization of Na+ channels to the neuronal plasma membrane, ensuring correct initiation of action potential and normal firing activity

Pathological hip fracture in the elderly: review and proposal of an algorithm

Objective. Current Italian guidelines recommend surgery within 24 hours from admission for hip fractures of the elderly. In such patients, a pathologic fracture of the proximal femur is not an uncommon event and may be consequent to bone metastases or primary tumours. This paper aims to investigate the current literature and to propose an algorithm to manage patients more securely. Methods. A review of the literature on diagnostic and therapeutic tools in pathologic fractures of the hip was conducted. Evidence from the literature was merged to define a flowchart for a safe clinical-diagnostic pathway. Results. Proper imaging is essential in the management of bone metastases, along with appropriate laboratory tests and within a multi-disciplinary setting. While bone metastases are the expression of a systemic disease, bone sarcomas have an extremely aggressive local course and an incorrect surgical procedure could heavily affect prognosis of the patient. The surgeon should not rush to treat a suspicion of a pathological fracture without having performed all necessary investigations. Conclusions. Orthopaedists must doubt a pathologic fracture. An algorithm could help standardise procedures and provide a tool for safe management of these patients

CL316,243, a β3-adrenergic receptor agonist, induces muscle hypertrophy and increased strength.

Studies in vitro have demonstrated that β3-adrenergic receptors (β3-ARs) regulate protein metabolism in skeletal muscle by promoting protein synthesis and inhibiting protein degradation. In this study, we evaluated whether activation of β3-ARs by the selective agonist CL316,243 modifies the functional and structural properties of skeletal muscles of healthy mice. Daily injections of CL316,243 for 15 days resulted in a significant improvement in muscle force production, assessed by grip strength and weight tests, and an increased myofiber cross-sectional area, indicative of muscle hypertrophy. In addition, atomic force microscopy revealed a significant effect of CL316,243 on the transversal stiffness of isolated muscle fibers. Interestingly, the expression level of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) downstream targets and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was also found to be enhanced in tibialis anterior and soleus muscles of CL316,243 treated mice, in accordance with previous data linking β3-ARs to mTOR and NOS signaling pathways. In conclusion, our data suggest that CL316,243 systemic administration might be a novel therapeutic strategy worthy of further investigations in conditions of muscle wasting and weakness associated with aging and muscular diseases