121 research outputs found
Morphometric and chemical characterization of bone grafting particles used in guided bone regeneration
Objetivos: Realizar un análisis morfométrico y químico de distintas partículas óseas de relleno utilizadas para
tratamientos de regeneración ósea guiada en odontología.
Métodos: Se analizaron distintas partículas óseas comerciales de origen alogénico (OS, UNC y MO), xenogénico
(BO) y aloplástico (GP). Se utilizó como control tejido óseo obtenido de cirugía de dientes retenidos.
Para el análisis morfométrico se analizaron las partículas óseas con lupa estereoscópica y se determinó el
tamaño medio de las mismas. En el análisis químico se utilizó el microanálisis por energía dispersiva de
rayos X (EPXMA). Para ello las muestras fueron criodesecadas, recubiertas en carbón y analizadas en un
microscopio electrónico de barrido con el fin de determinar en forma cuantitativa (mmol/kg) los elementos
de Ca y P. Asimismo, se determinó la relación Ca/P de cada grupo experimental.
Resultados: El análisis morfométrico mostró que los tamaños medios de partículas óseas (mm) en orden
creciente fue: UNC: 0,45; OS: 0,48; BO: 0,65; GP: 0,76; MO: 0,88. Cuando realizamos el análisis microanalítico
observamos que todas las partículas óseas de relleno poseían una concentración de Ca menor al control.
Por otra parte, MO presentó una concentración de P estadísticamente superior con respecto a las demás
partículas óseas y al control. La relación Ca/P mostró ser estadísticamente menor en MO con respecto a los
demás grupos experimentales.
Conclusiones: La caracterización morfológica y química de las partículas óseas de relleno permitió conocer
con mayor precisión el tamaño de las partículas óseas así como la concentración de Ca y P presente en
las mismas, datos que utilizados junto a otras valoraciones clínicas permitiría obtener un tratamiento de
regeneración ósea guiada más efectivo en odontología.Purpose: To perform a morphometric and chemical analysis of different bone graft materials used for
guided bone regeneration treatments in dentistry.
Methods: allogenic bone graft (OS, UNC and MO), xenogenic bone graft (BO) and alloplastic bone graft
(GP), were analyzed. The bone tissue obtained from retained teeth surgery was used as a control. The
morphometric analysis of particles was performed by using a stereoscopic magnifying glass and the
average particle size was determined. Besides, X-ray dispersive energy microanalysis (EPXMA) was used
in the chemical analysis. Bone graft particles were freeze dried, coated with carbon and analyzed in a
scanning electron microscope in order to quantitatively determine (mmol/kg) the elements Ca and P. Ca/P
ratio was determined for each experimental group.
Results: Morphometric analysis showed that the mean bone particle size (mm) in increasing order
was: UNC: 0.45; OS: 0.48; BO: 0.65; GP: 0.76; MO: 0.88. Microanalytical analysis showed that the Ca
concentration in different experimental groups is less than the control. On the other hand, MO presented
a statistically higher concentration of P than the other particles and the control. Ca/P ratio was statistically
lower in MO c ompared to the other experimental groups.
Conclusions: The morphological and chemical characterization of the bone particles allowed to know with
greater precision the particle size, as well as the concentration of Ca and P present in them, data that should
be used together with other clinical evaluations for guided bone regeneration treatments in dentistry
Slow Roll Reconstruction: Constraints on Inflation from the 3 Year WMAP Dataset
We study the constraints on the inflationary parameter space derived from the
3 year WMAP dataset using ``slow roll reconstruction'', using the SDSS galaxy
power spectrum to gain further leverage where appropriate. This approach
inserts the inflationary slow roll parameters directly into a Monte Carlo
Markov chain estimate of the cosmological parameters, and uses the inflationary
flow hierarchy to compute the parameters' scale-dependence. We work with the
first three parameters (epsilon, eta and xi) and pay close attention to the
possibility that the 3 year WMAP dataset contains evidence for a ``running''
spectral index, which is dominated by the xi term. Mirroring the WMAP team's
analysis we find that the permitted distribution of xi is broad, and centered
away from zero. However, when we require that inflationary parameters yield at
least 30 additional e-folds of inflation after the largest observable scales
leave the horizon, the bounds on xi tighten dramatically. We make use of the
absence of an explicit pivot scale in the slow roll reconstruction formalism to
determine the dependence of the computed parameter distributions on the pivot.
We show that the choice of pivot has a significant effect on the inferred
constraints on the inflationary variables, and the spectral index and running
derived from them. Finally, we argue that the next round of cosmological data
can be expected to place very stringent constraints on the region of parameter
space open to single field models of slow roll inflation.Comment: 26 pages, 11 figures, JHEP format. v2: version accepted by JCAP:
minor clarifications and references added, 1 figure added, v3: 1 reference
adde
Big Data Analytics for Earth Sciences: the EarthServer approach
Big Data Analytics is an emerging field since massive storage and computing capabilities have been made available by advanced e-infrastructures. Earth and Environmental sciences are likely to benefit from Big Data Analytics techniques supporting the processing of the large number of Earth Observation datasets currently acquired and generated through observations and simulations. However, Earth Science data and applications present specificities in terms of relevance of the geospatial information, wide heterogeneity of data models and formats, and complexity of processing. Therefore, Big Earth Data Analytics requires specifically tailored techniques and tools. The EarthServer Big Earth Data Analytics engine offers a solution for coverage-type datasets, built around a high performance array database technology, and the adoption and enhancement of standards for service interaction (OGC WCS and WCPS). The EarthServer solution, led by the collection of requirements from scientific communities and international initiatives, provides a holistic approach that ranges from query languages and scalability up to mobile access and visualization. The result is demonstrated and validated through the development of lighthouse applications in the Marine, Geology, Atmospheric, Planetary and Cryospheric science domains
Design, data management, and population baseline characteristics of the PERFORM magnetic resonance imaging project
Quantitative information from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may substantiate clinical findings and provide additional insight into the mechanism of clinical interventions in therapeutic stroke trials. The PERFORM study is exploring the efficacy of terutroban versus aspirin for secondary prevention in patients with a history of ischemic stroke. We report on the design of an exploratory longitudinal MRI follow-up study that was performed in a subgroup of the PERFORM trial. An international multi-centre longitudinal follow-up MRI study was designed for different MR systems employing safety and efficacy readouts: new T2 lesions, new DWI lesions, whole brain volume change, hippocampal volume change, changes in tissue microstructure as depicted by mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy, vessel patency on MR angiography, and the presence of and development of new microbleeds. A total of 1,056 patients (men and women ≥55 years) were included. The data analysis included 3D reformation, image registration of different contrasts, tissue segmentation, and automated lesion detection. This large international multi-centre study demonstrates how new MRI readouts can be used to provide key information on the evolution of cerebral tissue lesions and within the macrovasculature after atherothrombotic stroke in a large sample of patients
Molecular analysis of the vaginal response to estrogens in the ovariectomized rat and postmenopausal woman
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Vaginal atrophy (VA) is the thinning of the vaginal epithelial lining, typically the result of lowered estrogen levels during menopause. Some of the consequences of VA include increased susceptibility to bacterial infection, pain during sexual intercourse, and vaginal burning or itching. Although estrogen treatment is highly effective, alternative therapies are also desired for women who are not candidates for post-menopausal hormone therapy (HT). The ovariectomized (OVX) rat is widely accepted as an appropriate animal model for many estrogen-dependent responses in humans; however, since reproductive biology can vary significantly between mammalian systems, this study examined how well the OVX rat recapitulates human biology.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analyzed 19 vaginal biopsies from human subjects pre and post 3-month 17β-estradiol treated by expression profiling. Data were compared to transcriptional profiling generated from vaginal samples obtained from ovariectomized rats treated with 17β-estradiol for 6 hrs, 3 days or 5 days. The level of differential expression between pre- vs. post- estrogen treatment was calculated for each of the human and OVX rat datasets. Probe sets corresponding to orthologous rat and human genes were mapped to each other using NCBI Homologene.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A positive correlation was observed between the rat and human responses to estrogen. Genes belonging to several biological pathways and GO categories were similarly differentially expressed in rat and human. A large number of the coordinately regulated biological processes are already known to be involved in human VA, such as inflammation, epithelial development, and EGF pathway activation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>At the transcriptional level, there is evidence of significant overlap of the effects of estrogen treatment between the OVX rat and human VA samples.</p
Rationale, design and population baseline characteristics of the PERFORM Vascular Project: an ancillary study of the Prevention of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular Events of ischemic origin with teRutroban in patients with a history oF ischemic strOke or tRansient ischeMic attack (PERFORM) trial
<p><b>Purpose</b></p>
<p>PERFORM is exploring the efficacy of terutroban
versus aspirin for secondary prevention in patients with a
history of ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks
(TIAs). The PERFORM Vascular Project will evaluate the
effect of terutroban on progression of atherosclerosis, as
assessed by change in carotid intima-media thickness
(CIMT) in a subgroup of patients.</p>
<p><b>Methods and results</b></p>
<p>The Vascular Project includes structural
(CIMT, carotid plaques) and functional (carotid
stiffness) vascular studies in all patients showing at least
one carotid plaque at entry. Expected mean follow-up is
36 months. Primary endpoint is rate of change of CIMT.
Secondary endpoints include emergent plaques and assessment
of carotid stiffness. 1,100 patients are required for
90% statistical power to detect treatment-related CIMT
difference of 0.025 mm. The first patient was randomized
in April 2006.</p>
<p><b>Conclusions</b></p>
<p>The PERFORM Vascular Project will investigate
terutroban’s effect on vascular structure and function in
patients with a history of ischemic stroke or TIAs.</p>
Large Non-Gaussianities in Single Field Inflation
We compute the 3-point correlation function for a general model of inflation
driven by a single, minimally coupled scalar field. Our approach is based on
the numerical evaluation of both the perturbation equations and the integrals
which contribute to the 3-point function. Consequently, we can analyze models
where the potential has a "feature", in the vicinity of which the slow roll
parameters may take on large, transient values. This introduces both scale and
shape dependent non-Gaussianities into the primordial perturbations. As an
example of our methodology, we examine the ``step'' potentials which have been
invoked to improve the fit to the glitch in the for ,
present in both the one and three year WMAP data sets. We show that for the
typical parameter values, the non-Gaussianities associated with the step are
far larger than those in standard slow roll inflation, and may even be within
reach of a next generation CMB experiment such as Planck. More generally, we
use this example to explain that while adding features to potential can improve
the fit to the 2-point function, these are generically associated with a
greatly enhanced signal at the 3-point level. Moreover, this 3-point signal
will have a very nontrivial shape and scale dependence, which is correlated
with the form of the 2-point function, and may thus lead to a consistency check
on the models of inflation with non-smooth potentials.Comment: 23 pages JHEP-style, 7 Figures. Updated with improved results.
Accepted for publication by JCA
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Levodopa–carbidopa intrajejunal infusion in Parkinson’s disease: untangling the role of age
Objectives
Levodopa–Carbidopa Intrajejunal gel (LCIG) infusion is an effective intervention for people with advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). Although age may not be a limiting factor for LCIG implant, no data are available on late elderly PD (LE-PD) subjects. In this cross-sectional, we aimed to demonstrate if older age may impact on quality of life (QoL), motor and non-motor symptoms severity, and profile of side effects in PD treated with LCIG.
Methods
Out of 512 PD subjects treated with LCIG at 9 Italian PD centers, we selected 25 LE-PD defined as age ≥ 80 years at last follow-up who were available to attend the study visit. Twenty-five PD patients (Control-PD, defined as age < 75 years at last follow-up) matched to LE-PD by disease and LCIG duration served as control group. The following motor and non-motor variables were ascertained: quality of life (PDQ-8), time spent in ON, wearing-off Questionnaire, Unified PD Rating Scale, freezing of gait questionnaire, Parkinson’s disease sleep scale-2, Non Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS), and MOCA.
Results
No statistically significant differences were found between LE-PD and Control-PD on PDQ-8 and several motor and non-motor variables. LE-PD had less frequent and milder impulsive–compulsive behaviors and milder dyskinesia. At multivariable regression, worse quality of life was associated with UPDRS-III and NMSS scores but not to age at study visit and age at LICG implant. Rate of adverse effects was similar in both groups. Drop-out rate calculated in the whole PD cohort was comparable between the two groups.
Conclusion
Our data provide evidence that valuable LCIG infusion might be achieved in late elderly PD
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Levodopa Equivalent Dose of Safinamide: A Multicenter, Longitudinal, Case-Control Study
Background
Effects of dopaminergic medications used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) may be compared with each other by using conversion factors, calculated as Levodopa equivalent dose (LED). However, current LED proposals on MAO-B inhibitors (iMAO-B) safinamide and rasagiline are still based on empirical approaches.
Objectives
To estimate LED of safinamide 50 and 100 mg.
Methods
In this multicenter, longitudinal, case–control study, we retrospectively reviewed clinical charts of 500 consecutive PD patients with motor complications and treated with (i) safinamide 100 mg (N = 130), safinamide 50 mg (N = 144), or rasagiline 1 mg (N = 97) for 9 ± 3 months and a control group of patients never treated with any iMAO-B (N = 129).
Results
Major baseline features (age, sex, disease duration and stage, severity of motor signs and motor complications) were similar among the groups. Patients on rasagiline had lower UPDRS-II scores and Levodopa dose than control subjects. After a mean follow-up of 8.8-to-10.1 months, patients on Safinamide 50 mg and 100 mg had lower UPDRS-III and OFF-related UPDRS-IV scores than control subjects, who in turn had larger increase in total LED than the three iMAO-B groups. After adjusting for age, disease duration, duration of follow-up, baseline values and taking change in UPDRS-III scores into account (sensitivity analysis), safinamide 100 mg corresponded to 125 mg LED, whereas safinamide 50 mg and rasagiline 1 mg equally corresponded to 100 mg LED.
Conclusions
We used a rigorous approach to calculate LED of safinamide 50 and 100 mg. Large prospective pragmatic trials are needed to replicate our findings
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