211 research outputs found
Exploring sex differences: insights into gene expression, neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, cognition, and pathology
Increased knowledge about sex differences is important for development of individualized treatments against many diseases as well as understanding behavioral and pathological differences. This review summarizes sex chromosome effects on gene expression, epigenetics, and hormones in relation to the brain. We explore neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, cognition, and brain pathology aiming to explain the current state of the art. While some domains exhibit strong differences, others reveal subtle differences whose overall significance warrants clarification. We hope that the current review increases awareness and serves as a basis for the planning of future studies that consider both sexes equally regarding similarities and differences
Burst strength of BIOLOX\uaedelta femoral heads and its dependence on low-temperature environmental degradation
Zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) currently represents the bioceramic gold standard for load-bearing components in artificial hip joints. ZTA is long known for its high flexural strength and fracture toughness, both properties arising from a microscopic crack-tip shielding mechanism due to the stress-induced tetragonal-to-monoclinic (t\u2192m) polymorphic transformation of zirconia. However, there have been concerns over the years regarding the long-term structural performance of ZTA since the t\u2192m transformation also spontaneously occurs at the material's surface under low-temperature environmental conditions with a concomitant degradation of mechanical properties. Spontaneous surface degradation has been extensively studied in vitro, but predictive algorithms have underestimated the extent of in vivo degradation observed in retrievals. The present research focused on burst-strength assessments of
828 mm ZTA femoral before and after long-term in vitro hydrothermal ageing according to ISO 7206-10. An average burst strength of 52 kN was measured for pristine femoral heads. This value was 3c36% lower than results obtained under the same standard conditions by other authors. A further loss of burst strength 3c13% in ultimate load) was observed after hydrothermal ageing, with increased surface monoclinic content ranging from 3c6% to >50%. Nevertheless, the repetitively stressed and hydrothermally treated ZTA heads exceeded the minimum burst strength stipulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) despite severe test conditions. Lastly, Raman spectroscopic assessments of phase transformation and residual stresses on the fracture surface of the femoral heads were used to clarify burst-strength fluctuations and the effect of hydrothermal ageing on the material's overall strength degradation
Case Report: Circulating Myeloid-Derived Suppressive-Like Cells and Exhausted Immune Cells in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Three Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
none12noImmune checkpoint inhibition induced a great step forward in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer patients. In cancer immune microenvironment many checkpoints were studied and their involvement could represent a mechanism of resistance to cancer immunotherapy. For this reason, the inhibition of multiple immune checkpoints is under development. However, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and exhausted immune cells could limit the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. We analyzed the variation of circulating immune suppressive-like cell subsets and exhausted immune cells in three non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with the combination of anti-CTLA-4 plus anti-PD-1 plus anti-LAG-3 at T0 (baseline), T1 (after 2 months) and T2 (after 4 months). We also describe the clinical and radiological course of the disease during this treatment in all three patients. We observed both clinical differences and changes in the composition of immune suppressive-like cell subsets and exhausted immune cells between the patients receiving the same schedule of treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The study on a wider patient population and experimental model design could help to clarify the kinetics of these cell subpopulations with the perspective to find new targets for treatment or new biomarkers for resistance to cancer immunotherapy.openBronte G.; Verlicchi A.; De Matteis S.; Rossi A.; Affatato A.; Sullo F.G.; Gianni C.; Canale M.; Burgio M.A.; Delmonte A.; Milella M.; Crino L.Bronte, G.; Verlicchi, A.; De Matteis, S.; Rossi, A.; Affatato, A.; Sullo, F. G.; Gianni, C.; Canale, M.; Burgio, M. A.; Delmonte, A.; Milella, M.; Crino, L
The influence of simulator input conditions on the wear of total knee replacements: an experimental and computational study
Advancements in knee replacement design, material and sterilisation processes have provided improved clinical results. However, surface wear of the polyethylene leading to osteolysis is still considered the longer-term risk factor. Experimental wear simulation is an established method for evaluating the wear performance of total joint replacements. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of simulation input conditions, specifically input kinematic magnitudes, waveforms and directions of motion and position of the femoral centre of rotation, on the wear performance of a fixed-bearing total knee replacement through a combined experimental and computational approach. Studies were completed using conventional and moderately cross-linked polyethylene to determine whether the influence of these simulation input conditions varied with material. The position of the femoral centre of rotation and the input kinematics were shown to have a significant influence on the wear rates. Similar trends were shown for both the conventional and moderately cross-linked polyethylene materials, although lower wear rates were found for the moderately cross-linked polyethylene due to the higher level of cross-linking. The most important factor influencing the wear was the position of the relative contact point at the femoral component and tibial insert interface. This was dependent on the combination of input displacement magnitudes, waveforms, direction of motion and femoral centre of rotation. This study provides further evidence that in order to study variables such as design and material in total knee replacement, it is important to carefully control knee simulation conditions. This can be more effectively achieved through the use of displacement control simulation
High efficacy of onabotulinumtoxinA treatment in patients with comorbid migraine and depression: a meta-analysis
Background: Migraine and depression are highly prevalent and partly overlapping disorders that cause strong limitations in daily life. Patients tend to respond poorly to the therapies available for these diseases. OnabotulinumtoxinA has been proven to be an effective treatment for both migraine and depression. While many studies have addressed the effect of onabotulinumtoxinA in migraine or depression separately, a growing body of evidence suggests beneficial effects also for patients comorbid with migraine and depression. The current meta-analysis systematically investigates to what extent onabotulinumtoxinA is efficient in migraineurs with depression. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed based on PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science from the earliest date till October 30 th, 2020. Mean, standard deviation (SD) and sample size have been used to evaluate improvement in depressive symptoms and migraine using random-effects empirical Bayes model. Results: Our search retrieved 259 studies, eight of which met the inclusion criteria. OnabotulinumtoxinA injections administered to patients with both chronic migraine and major depressive disorder led to mean reduction of -8.94 points (CI [-10.04,-7.84], p < 0.01) in the BDI scale, of -5.90 points (CI [-9.92,-1.88], p < 0.01) in the BDI-II scale and of -6.19 points (CI [-9.52,-2.86], p < 0.01) in the PHQ-9 scale, when evaluating depressive symptoms. In the case of the migraine-related symptoms, we found mean reductions of -4.10 (CI [-7.31,-0.89], p = 0.01) points in the HIT6 scale, -32.05 (CI [-55.96,-8.14], p = 0.01) in the MIDAS scale, -1.7 (CI [-3.27,-0.13], p = 0.03) points in the VAS scale and of -6.27 (CI [-8.48,-4.07], p < 0.01) migraine episodes per month. Comorbid patients showed slightly better improvements in BDI, HIT6 scores and migraine frequency compared to monomorbid patients. The latter group manifested better results in MIDAS and VAS scores. Conclusion: Treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA leads to a significant reduction of disease severity of both chronic migraine and major depressive disorder in patients comorbid with both diseases. Comparative analyses suggest an equivalent strong effect in monomorbid and comorbid patients, with beneficial effects specifically seen for certain migraine features
Un approccio innovativo per una migliore comprensione dell’interazione sismica tra suolo e strutture: il test site di Ferrara
Abstract assent
Incorporating corrosion measurement in hip wear simulators: An added complication or a necessity?
Corrosion is not routinely considered in the assessment of the degradation or the lifetime of total hip replacement bearing surfaces. Biomechanical simulations are becoming ever more complex and are taking into account motion cycles that represent activities beyond a simple walking gait at 1 Hz, marking a departure from the standard ISO BS 14242. However, the degradation is still very often referred to as wear, even though the material loss occurs due to a combination of tribological and corrosion processes and their interactions. This article evaluates how, by incorporating real-time corrosion measurements in total hip replacement simulations, pre-clinical evaluations and research studies can both yield much more information and accelerate the process towards improved implants
Olive Oil effectively mitigates ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Osteoporosis, a reduction in bone mineral density, represents the most common metabolic bone disease. Postmenopausal women are particularly susceptible to osteoporosis when their production of estrogen declines. For these women, fracture is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of olive oil supplementation against osteoporosis in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We studied adult female Wistar rats aged 12-14 months, divided into three groups: sham-operated control (SHAM), ovariectomized (OVX), and ovariectomized rats supplemented with extravirgin olive oil (Olive-OVX) orally for 12 weeks; 4 weeks before ovariectomy and 8 weeks after. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected. Plasma levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitrates were assayed. Specimens from both the tibia and the liver were processed for light microscopic examination. Histomorphometric analysis of the tibia was also performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The OVX-rats showed a significant decrease in plasma calcium levels, and a significant increase in plasma ALP, MDA, and nitrates levels. These changes were attenuated by olive oil supplementation in the Olive-OVX rats. Light microscopic examination of the tibia of the OVX rats revealed a significant decrease in the cortical bone thickness (CBT) and the trabecular bone thickness (TBT). In addition, there was a significant increase in the osteoclast number denoting bone resorption. In the Olive-OVX rats these parameters were markedly improved as compared to the OVX group. Examination of the liver specimens revealed mononuclear cellular infiltration in the portal areas in the OVX-rats which was not detected in the Olive-OVX rats.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Olive oil effectively mitigated ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats, and is a promising candidate for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.</p
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