418 research outputs found
First record of Panulirus regius (Decapoda: Palinuridae) in the Italian seas, with remarks on the earlier Mediterranean records
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Drug-resistant chronic cluster headache successfully treated with supraorbital plus occipital nerve stimulation. A rare case report
Chronic cluster headache (CCH) is a rare and extremely disabling headache syndrome with a recent clinical systematization of its clinical frame from the European Headache Federation [1]. We present a case of a young man affected by drug-resistant chronic CH (rCCH) who showed improvement after a two-time combined supraorbital and occipital nerve stimulation (S-ONS). The clinical improvement was still present at 6-month follow-up
Experimental multiphase estimation on a chip
Multiparameter estimation is a general problem that aims at measuring unknown
physical quantities, obtaining high precision in the process. In this context,
the adoption of quantum resources promises a substantial boost in the
achievable performances with respect to the classical case. However, several
open problems remain to be addressed in the multiparameter scenario. A crucial
requirement is the identification of suitable platforms to develop and
experimentally test novel efficient methodologies that can be employed in this
general framework. We report the experimental implementation of a
reconfigurable integrated multimode interferometer designed for the
simultaneous estimation of two optical phases. We verify the high-fidelity
operation of the implemented device, and demonstrate quantum-enhanced
performances in two-phase estimation with respect to the best classical case,
post-selected to the number of detected coincidences. This device can be
employed to test general adaptive multiphase protocols due to its high
reconfigurability level, and represents a powerful platform to investigate the
multiparameter estimation scenario.Comment: 10+7 pages, 7+4 figure
Dynamic modeling of levitation of a superconducting bulk by coupled -magnetic field and Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian formulations
Intrinsically stable magnetic levitation between superconductors and
permanent magnets can be exploited in a variety of applications of great
technical interest in the field of transportation (rail transportation), energy
(flywheels) and industry. In this contribution, we present a new model for the
calculation of levitation forces between superconducting bulks and permanent
magnet, based on the -formulation of Maxwell's equations coupled with an
Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian formulation. The model uses a moving mesh that
adapts at each time step based on the time-change of the distance between a
superconductor bulk and a permanent magnet. The model is validated against a
fixed mesh model (recently in turn validated against experiments) that uses an
analytical approach for calculating the magnetic field generated by the moving
permanent magnet. Then, it is used to analyze the magnetic field dynamics both
in field-cooled and zero-field-cooled conditions and successively used to test
different configurations of permanent magnets and to compare them in terms of
levitation forces. The easiness of implementation of this model and its
flexibility in handling different geometries, material properties, and
application scenarios make the model an attractive tool for the analysis and
optimization of magnetic levitation-based applications
Neonatal functional treatment for Pierre Robin Sequence
Objective: Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS) is a heterogeneous pathological condition characterized by the coexistence of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and cleft palate, resulting in upper airway tract obstruction. Among the treatment modalities, the orthodontic approach is one part of the comprehensive care of those patients and will be present in the treatment modalities during all the growth period of the child.Methods: All patients with PRS observed in the period 2013-2017 were treated with a definite functional approach. The results were retrospectively analyzed with regard to functional outcome, total treatment time, and number of plates provided for a single patient.Results: In all the patients, the indicated treatment protocol has been applied as early impression and plate supply, stimulation of bottle feeding with the use of the plate, eventual substitution of the plate if no more adequate to the transverse and sagittal growth of the palate, and continuing the use until the surgical closure of the cleft. All the patients showed a positive outcome to the proposed treatment approach, evaluated with regard to the incidence of feeding improvement and weight gain, to the limit for the surgical phase, in the absence of adverse effects.Conclusion: The use of a functional obturator plate, removing functional alterations to mandibular growth, reduces and, in some cases, eliminates the need for surgical intervention. As also stated in the literature, if despite the presence of the plate nutritional problems persist, immediate different surgical approaches, mainly mandibular osteodistraction, become necessary
Violacein, an indole-derived purple-colored natural pigment produced by Janthinobacterium lividum, inhibits the growth of head and neck carcinoma cell lines both in vitro and in vivo
Violacein (VIO; 3-[1,2-dihydro-5-(5-hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl)-2-oxo-3H-pyrrol-3-ylidene]-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one), an indole-derived purple-colored pigment, produced by a limited number of Gram-negative bacteria species, including Chromobacterium violaceum and Janthinobacterium lividum, has been demonstrated to have anti-cancer activity, as it interferes with survival transduction signaling pathways in different cancer models. Head and neck carcinoma (HNC) represents the sixth most common and one of the most fatal cancers worldwide. We determined whether VIO was able to inhibit head and neck cancer cell growth both in vitro and in vivo. We provide evidence that VIO treatment of human and mouse head and neck cancer cell lines inhibits cell growth and induces autophagy and apoptosis. In fact, VIO treatment increased PARP-1 cleavage, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, the inhibition of ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylation, and the expression of light chain 3-II (LC3-II). Moreover, VIO was able to induce p53 degradation, cytoplasmic nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) accumulation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. VIO induced a significant increase in ROS production. VIO administration was safe in BALB/c mice and reduced the growth of transplanted salivary gland cancer cells (SALTO) in vivo and prolonged median survival. Taken together, our results indicate that the treatment of head and neck cancer cells with VIO can be useful in inhibiting in vivo and in vitro cancer cell growth. VIO may represent a suitable tool for the local treatment of HNC in combination with standard therapies
Biomimetic toothpastes: remineralization potential of deciduous teeth
Aim: Primary teeth are subjected to a continuous process of de- and re-mineralization. To prevent loss of dental tissues, fluoride-containing toothpastes have been successfully applied as a global solution to mainly prevent dental caries and promote tooth re-mineralization. However, the swallowing of a high amount of fluoride in younger children would lead to potential risk of fluorosis. Newly developed biomimetic toothpastes have provided promising results in preventive den tistry, therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyse the ability of commercial toothpastes to diffuse into deciduous enamel layer to remineralize the crystal habitat.
Materials and Methods: Previously extracted primary teeth (n=8) were manually brushed for 15 days (3 times/day), using 3 different pediatric toothbrushes: (a) commercial toothpaste containing fluorine 500 ppm; (b) commercial toothpaste containing fluorine 1400 ppm; (c) toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite nanocrystal. Elements used as control (n = 2) were subjected to the manual brushing with water. Then, specimens were assessed by means of variable pressure scanning electron microscopy (VP-SEM).
Results: Toothpaste containing nanocrystals of hydroxyapatite seemed to better diffuse through the enamel layer of deciduous teeth. This biomimetic toothpaste might contribute to remineralize the loss of the mineral component and play a central role in the prevention of dental caries.
Conclusion: Biomimetic toothpastes would be considered a reliable alternative to fluoride-containing toothpaste. These preliminary results not only would improve the synthesis of novel biomaterials for deciduous teeth, but also would represent a positive global economic impact since the wide prevalence of dental caries affecting primary teeth
The winning game in the major football leagues
The new millennium was marked by the epic of the legendary Barcelona of Guardiola, the coach who revolutionized the world of football with his tiki taka. The search for this game made of fast ball exchanges, continuous changes of position and search for free space to occupy, however, has downgraded what is one of the main technical skills of the game of football, the dribbling. Starting with football schools Pedagogical value of the body and physical activity in childhood. 1vs1 has been set aside to favour other technical fundamentals, so we are in a period where fewer and fewer players take responsibility for trying a game in 1vs1, but prefer to pass the ball to their closest partner. This second study has analysed the scorer rankings of the top 4 European championships (Serie A, Premier League, Spanish League, Bundesliga) of the 2009/2010 and 2017/2018 seasons, taking into account not only the total goals, but also the average shots per game and the average dribbling per game
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