Eye Tracking Impact on Quality-of-Life of ALS Patients

Chronic neurological disorders in their advanced phase are characterized by a progressive loss of mobility (use of upper and lower limbs), speech and social life. Some of these pathologies, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis, are paradigmatic of these deficits. High technology communication instruments, such as eye tracking, can be an extremely important possibility to reintroduce these patients in their family and social life, in particular when they suffer severe disability. This paper reports and describes the results of an ongoing experimentation about Eye Tracking impact on the quality of life of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. The aim of the experimentation is to evaluate if and when eye tracking technologies have a positive impact on patients' live

934 Artificial Liver Support in Children with Fulminant Hepatic Failure: Our Experience

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On the interactions of melatonin/β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex: A novel approach combining efficient semiempirical extended tight-binding (xtb) results with ab initio methods

Melatonin (MT) is a molecule of paramount importance in all living organisms, due to its presence in many biological activities, such as circadian (sleep–wake cycle) and seasonal rhythms (reproduction, fattening, molting, etc.). Unfortunately, it suffers from poor solubility and, to be used as a drug, an appropriate transport vehicle has to be developed, in order to optimize its release in the human tissues. As a possible drug-delivery system, β-cyclodextrin (βCD) represents a promising scaffold which can encapsulate the melatonin, releasing when needed. In this work, we present a computational study supported by experimental IR spectra on inclusion MT/βCD complexes. The aim is to provide a robust, accurate and, at the same time, low-cost methodology to investigate these inclusion complexes both with static and dynamic simulations, in order to study the main actors that drive the interactions of melatonin with β-cyclodextrin and, therefore, to understand its release mechanism

On the interactions of melatonin/β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex: A novel approach combining efficient semiempirical extended tight-binding (xtb) results with ab initio methods

Melatonin (MT) is a molecule of paramount importance in all living organisms, due to its presence in many biological activities, such as circadian (sleep–wake cycle) and seasonal rhythms (reproduction, fattening, molting, etc.). Unfortunately, it suffers from poor solubility and, to be used as a drug, an appropriate transport vehicle has to be developed, in order to optimize its release in the human tissues. As a possible drug-delivery system, β-cyclodextrin (βCD) represents a promising scaffold which can encapsulate the melatonin, releasing when needed. In this work, we present a computational study supported by experimental IR spectra on inclusion MT/βCD complexes. The aim is to provide a robust, accurate and, at the same time, low-cost methodology to investigate these inclusion complexes both with static and dynamic simulations, in order to study the main actors that drive the interactions of melatonin with β-cyclodextrin and, therefore, to understand its release mechanism

Muscular counterpulsation: preliminary results of a non-invasive alternative to intra-aortic balloon pump

OBJECTIVES: IABP is the most widely used form of temporary cardiac assist and its benefits are well established. We designed an animal study to evaluate a device based on muscular counterpulsation (MCP) that should reproduce the same hemodynamic effects as IABP in a completely non-invasive way. METHODS: Six calves, 60+/-4 kg, divided into 2 groups, in general anaesthesia, equipped with EKG, Swan-Ganz, pressure probe in the femoral artery and flow probe in the left carotid artery, received either IABP through right femoral artery, or muscle counterpulsation (MCP). MCP consists of electrically induced skeletal muscle contraction during early diastole, triggered by EKG and microprocessor controlled by a portable device. For each animal the following parameters were also considered: mean aortic pressure (mAoP), CO, CI, left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI), systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and mean femoral artery flow (Faf). We did 3 sets of measurements: baseline (BL), after 20 (M20) and 40 (M40) min of cardiac assistance. These measurements have been repeated after 40 min of rest for 3 times. Results are expressed as mean+/-SD. RESULTS: Baseline values: mAoP, 76.51+/-12 mmHg; mCVP, 11.5+/-3 mmHg; CO, 5+/-1 l/min per m(2); LVSWI, 0.77+/-0.2 KJ/m(2); SVR, 1040+/-15 dyns/cm(-5); Faf, 75.5+/-10 ml/min. IABP group: mAoP, 81.1+/-6 mmHg; mCVP, 1+/-0.1 mmHg; CO, 4.5+/-0.7 l/min per m(2); LVSWI, 0.69+/-0.2 KJ/m(2); SVR, 1424+/-8 dyns/cm(-5); Faf, 64.3+/-3 ml/min. MCP group: mAoP, 60.1+/-7 mmHg; mCVP, 23.6+/-2 mmHg; CO, 4.8+/-0.4 l/min per m(2); LVSWI, 0.69+/-0.2 KJ/m(2); SVR, 608+/-25 dyns/cm(-5); Faf, 92.3+/-12 ml/min. CONCLUSIONS: MCP and IABP had the same effects on CO and LVSWI. Moreover, MCP reduced SVR and increased the peripheral circulation without requiring any vascular access nor anticoagulation therapy

An observational study to assess Italian obstetrics providers' knowledge about preventive practices and diagnosis of congenital cytomegalovirus

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection can be easily prevented by hygienic measures. Up to date the majority of the studies in literature highlighted a reduction in cCMV antenatal counseling and its prevention. Our purpose was to evaluate obstetrics providers' knowledge about cCMV infection, management and the behavioral practices to avoid it. This is a cross-sectional survey carried out in Umberto I Hospital, "Sapienza"University of Rome between November 2019 and January 2020. We recruited 148 specialists and residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology through online anonymous multiple-choice 13-questions, 10 min-survey comparing responses between the two groups. A total of 94.6% of all participants said they always prescribe cytomegalovirus (CMV) serum screening: 73.6% of them regularly counsel about preventive practices, with specialists recording higher percentages (85.4 vs. 65.1%, p<0.005). We identified a good knowledge about the diagnostic pathway, but only 58.1% of our population knows the correct time of late amniocentesis. 12.2% of providers do not consider magnetic resonance (MRI) as a complementary exam. Prevention of maternal seroconversion is crucial: even if our data show an acceptable knowledge about antenatal counseling, we encourage clinicians to firmly inform and educate women about behavioral measures

Contegra conduit for reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract: a review of published early and mid-time results

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>The valved conduit Contegra (bovine jugular vein) has being implanted for more than 7 years in the right ventricular outflow tract and it is noted that the available reports have been mixed. The aim of this study is to review the reported evidence in the literature.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Search of the relevant literature for the primary endpoints of operative mortality and morbidity and secondary endpoints of follow-up haemodynamic performance including severe stenosis, regurgitation and need for reintervention are presented.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We selected and analysed 17 series including 767 patients. Commonest indication was Fallot's tetralogy. Operative mortality was 2.6%. Operative morbidity was 13.9%. In follow-up, the incidence of intraconduit stenosis was 10.9% (incidence of stenosis for the 12 millimetre conduit was 83.3% in one series) and that of at least moderate regurgitation was 6.3%.</p> <p>The aspirin users had a stenosis incidence of 10.5% compared to the non-users had a stenosis incidence of 9.6%.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A dissent on the performance of the Contegra is discussed, while results are satisfactory in the majority of studies apart for the smallest conduits (12 and 14 millimetre), suggesting an association to compromised run-off. The role of aspirin as antithrombotic modulator remains controversial.</p

Self-Regulation in a Web-Based Course: A Case Study

Little is known about how successful students in Web-based courses self-regulate their learning. This descriptive case study used a social cognitive model of self-regulated learning (SRL) to investigate how six graduate students used and adapted traditional SRL strategies to complete tasks and cope with challenges in a Web-based technology course; it also explored motivational and environmental influences on strategy use. Primary data sources were three transcribed interviews with each of the students over the course of the semester, a transcribed interview with the course instructor, and the students’ reflective journals. Archived course documents, including transcripts of threaded discussions and student Web pages, were secondary data sources. Content analysis of the data indicated that these students used many traditional SRL strategies, but they also adapted planning, organization, environmental structuring, help seeking, monitoring, record keeping, and self-reflection strategies in ways that were unique to the Web-based learning environment. The data also suggested that important motivational influences on SRL strategy use—self-efficacy, goal orientation, interest, and attributions—were shaped largely by student successes in managing the technical and social environment of the course. Important environmental influences on SRL strategy use included instructor support, peer support, and course design. Implications for online course instructors and designers, and suggestions for future research are offered