NICU Infants & SNHL: Experience of a western Sicily tertiary care centre

Introduction: The variability of symptoms and signs caused by central nervous system (CNS) lesions make multiple sclerosis difficult to recognize,Introduction: This study adds the evaluation of the independent etiologic factors that may play a role in the development of SNHL in a NICU population. We compared neonatal intensive care unit NICU infants with sensorineural hearing loss SNHL to age and gender matched normal hearing NICU controls. Materials and methods: 284 consecutive NICU infants positive to the presence of risk indicators associated with permanent congenital, delayed-onset, or progressive hearing loss underwent to global audiological assessment. The following risk factors were researched, making a distinction between prenatal and perinatal risk factors: in the first group, family history of permanent childhood hearing impairment, consanguinity, pregnant maternal infection and drugs exposition during pregnancy; in the second group, premature birth, respiratory distress, hyperbilirubinemia requiring exchange tranfusion, very low birth weight, cranio-facial abnormality, perinatal infections, ototoxic drugs administration, acidosis, hyponatremia, head trauma. Results: The analysis of the auditory deficit for infants according to numbers of risk factors showed mean values of: 78 + 28.08 dB nHL for infants positive to two risk factors; 75.71 + 30.30 dB nHL in cases positive to three risk factors; 96.66 + 34.46 dB nHL for four risk factors and 85 + 35 dB nHL in case of >5 risk factors. Conclusion: NICU infants have greater chances of developing SNHL, because of the presence of multiple risk factors; in fact, as the number of coexisting risk factors increases, the prevalence rate of SNHL also increases (r=0.81)

A Tactile Sensor Device Exploiting the Tunable Sensitivity of Copper-PDMS Piezoresistive Composite

Abstract A low cost and highly mechanically flexible 8x8 pressure matrix sensor with dedicated electronics has been fabricated with an innovative metal-elastomer composite material. Under the action of a compressive stress the material exhibits a giant piezoresistive effect varying its electrical resistance of several orders of magnitude. This phenomenon can be tuned by changing the material composition parameters, directly modifying the sensitivity of the sensor. The micro casting fabrication technique, used for the preparation of self standing sheet of functional material, gives the possibility of easily fabricating complex-shaped structure suitable for integration on robot surface for tactile sensing. The sensor has been tested with a customized electronic circuit after an exhaustive characterization of the functional properties of the material

monitoring the dye impregnation time of nanostructured photoanodes for dye sensitized solar cells

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are getting increasing attention as low-cost, easy-to-prepare and colored photovoltaic devices. In the current work, in view of optimizing the fabrication procedures and understanding the mechanisms of dye attachment to the semiconductor photoanode, absorbance measurements have been performed at different dye impregnation times ranging from few minutes to 24 hours using UV-Vis spectroscopy. In addition to the traditional absorbance experiments, based on diffuse and specular reflectance on dye impregnated thin films and on the desorption of dye molecules from the photoanodes by means of a basic solution, an alternative in-situ solution depletion measurement, which enables fast and continuous evaluation of dye uptake, is presented. Photoanodes have been prepared with two different nanostructured semiconducting films: mesoporous TiO2, using a commercially available paste from Solaronix, and sponge-like ZnO obtained in our laboratory from sputtering and thermal annealing. Two different dyes have been analyzed: Ruthenizer 535-bisTBA (N719), which is widely used because it gives optimal photovoltaic performances, and a new metal-free organic dye based on a hemisquaraine molecule (CT1). Dye sensitized cells were fabricated using a customized microfluidic architecture. The results of absorbance measurements are presented and discussed in relation to the obtained solar energy conversion efficiencies and the incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiencies (IPCE)

Influence of composition, bonding characteristics and microstructure on the electrochemical and optical stability of AlOxNy thin films

Thin films of AlOxNy were deposited by magnetron sputtering in a wide composition range. Different structures and morphologies were observed, depending on the composition and bonding states, which opened the possibility to tailor the properties of this oxynitride system between those of pure Al and those of nitride and oxide films. In a wide range of stoichiometries, one can report the formation of nanocomposite porous films, where Al nanoparticles are dispersed in an amorphous matrix of AlOxNy. The electrochemical behaviour of the films was studied in isotonic NaCl solution. It was observed that the pitting 2 potential characteristic of aluminium disappears with the incorporation of oxygen and nitrogen in the films, being replaced by a smooth current increase. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy performed during 35 days showed that the corrosion resistance of the films steadily increases. The unusual optical reflectance profile of some films is maintained after immersion for several months.Fundação para a Ciência e a TecnologiaPrograma Pessoa 2010/2011, Cooperação Portugal/França, Proc.º 441.00, Project“COLOURCLUSTER”

Pediatric trauma and emergency surgery: an international cross-sectional survey among WSES members

Background: In contrast to adults, the situation for pediatric trauma care from an international point of view and the global management of severely injured children remain rather unclear. The current study investigates structural management of pediatric trauma in centers of different trauma levels as well as experiences with pediatric trauma management around the world. Methods: A web-survey had been distributed to the global mailing list of the World Society of Emergency Surgery from 10/2021-03/2022, investigating characteristics of respondents and affiliated hospitals, case-load of pediatric trauma patients, capacities and infrastructure for critical care in children, trauma team composition, clinical work-up and individual experiences with pediatric trauma management in response to patients´ age. The collaboration group was subdivided regarding sizes of affiliated hospitals to allow comparisons concerning hospital volumes. Comparable results were conducted to statistical analysis. Results: A total of 133 participants from 34 countries, i.e. 5 continents responded to the survey. They were most commonly affiliated with larger hospitals (> 500 beds in 72.9%) and with level I or II trauma centers (82.0%), respectively. 74.4% of hospitals offer unrestricted pediatric medical care, but only 63.2% and 42.9% of the participants had sufficient experiences with trauma care in children ≤ 10 and ≤ 5 years of age (p = 0.0014). This situation is aggravated in participants from smaller hospitals (p < 0.01). With regard to hospital size (≤ 500 versus > 500 in-hospital beds), larger hospitals were more likely affiliated with advanced trauma centers, more elaborated pediatric intensive care infrastructure (p < 0.0001), treated children at all ages more frequently (p = 0.0938) and have higher case-loads of severely injured children < 12 years of age (p = 0.0009). Therefore, the majority of larger hospitals reserve either pediatric surgery departments or board-certified pediatric surgeons (p < 0.0001) and in-hospital trauma management is conducted more multi-disciplinarily. However, the majority of respondents does not feel prepared for treatment of severe pediatric trauma and call for special educational and practical training courses (overall: 80.2% and 64.3%, respectively). Conclusions: Multi-professional management of pediatric trauma and individual experiences with severely injured children depend on volumes, level of trauma centers and infrastructure of the hospital. However, respondents from hospitals at all levels of trauma care complain about an alarming lack of knowledge on pediatric trauma management

AlNx and a-SiOx coatings with corrosion resistance properties for dental implants

Aluminium nitride thin films were deposited on titanium fixtures, while silicon oxide thin films were deposited on titanium fixtures and chromium-cobalt substrates, using the RF magnetron sputtering technique. Each coating showed different corrosion behaviours when electrochemical characterisations were made in a simulated biological environment, i.e. Hank's solution. Although aluminium nitride was more effective in reducing the localised corrosion on titanium implants, silicon oxide showed the best behaviour against general corrosion and results were consistent for the two kinds of substrates. Moreover the application of a SiO2/AlN bilayer onto the Ti fixtures improved the performances of each separate coating. When the coated surfaces were compared to uncoated substrates, there was no statistically significant difference in cell viability in the response of two different human osteoblastic cell lines — Saos-2 and MG-63. Field emission scanning electron microscopy assessed the surface morphology of coated and uncoated samples, whilst Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was applied to investigate the bonding structure of barrier layers on silicon samples. On the basis of the data obtained, we are of the opinion that the tested materials show some promising characteristics for the fabrication of novel dental implants with reduced ion release propertie

AlNx and a-SiOx coatings with corrosion resistance properties for dental implants

Aluminium nitride thin films were deposited on titanium fixtures, while silicon oxide thin films were deposited on titanium fixtures and chromium–cobalt substrates, using the RF magnetron sputtering technique. Each coating showed different corrosion behaviours when electrochemical characterisations were made in a simulated biological environment, i.e. Hank's solution. Although aluminium nitride was more effective in reducing the localised corrosion on titanium implants, silicon oxide showed the best behaviour against general corrosion and results were consistent for the two kinds of substrates. Moreover the application of a SiO2/AlN bilayer onto the Ti fixtures improved the performances of each separate coating. When the coated surfaces were compared to uncoated substrates, there was no statistically significant difference in cell viability in the response of two different human osteoblastic cell lines — Saos-2 and MG-63. Field emission scanning electron microscopy assessed the surface morphology of coated and uncoated samples, whilst Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was applied to investigate the bonding structure of barrier layers on silicon samples. On the basis of the data obtained, we are of the opinion that the tested materials show some promising characteristics for the fabrication of novel dental implants with reduced ion release properties

The role of clarithromycin in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis

The anti-inflammatory effects of macrolides, particularly clarithromycin, have been described in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps and also other chronic inflammatory airway diseases. There is no consensus in the literature on the efficacy of clarithromycin in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with sinonasal polyposis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of prolonged low-dose clarithromycin therapy in patients with chronic polyp rhinosinusitis (CRSwP) after endoscopic breast surgery (ESS)

Si-Based Amorphous Thin Films for the Performance Improvement of Dental Prostheses and Implants

It is well known that determining the physico-chemical surface properties of both dental and intrabony prostheses is a powerful means that may help elucidating some fundamental features of the interface between the recipient tissues and the prosthesis itself. When dealing with dental prostheses (total dentures, fixed dental prostheses, partial removable dental prostheses), a continuous contact with different tissues and body fluids is required for their different parts. Indeed roughness, porosity and surface energy, as well as surface elemental composition, will strongly influence the response of the tissues, eventually contributing to the success or fail of the prosthesis. This is even more true for the implant-supported fixed dental prostheses, where an intra-bony part, i.e. the dental implant, is connected through a transmucous structure, i.e. the implant abutment, to the intraoral part, i.e. the fixed prosthesis. Thus the same titanium material is supposed to enhance both bone and epithelial healing, whilst the intraoral framework and artificial teeth -which may be made by several different materials- are to avoid bacterial adhesion as much as possible. Several surface modification processes are currently used in order to improve the prostheses performances, but many of them are still not completely satisfactory, and a continuous research effort is still required to improve their effectiveness. In this chapter, we describe the use of silicon-based amorphous thin film alloys to improve the performances of dental prostheses and implants. Indeed, hydrogenated amorphous silicon-based alloys, such as amorphous hydrogenated silicon-oxygen (a-SiOx:H) alloys possess interesting properties, which can be exploited for the surface modification of dental prostheses and implants. They are inert and largely biocompatible materials and do not embed dangerous metallic elements, such as Ni, Al, Cr, or Mo, which could be released into the body during the long term contact within living tissues. Moreover, the hydrogen incorporation, which is typical of amorphous material grown by plasma-assisted CVD techniques, has already been proven helpful in enhancing the biocompatibility of silicon and silicon-based materials. We studied the effects of amorphous silicon-based alloys for the performance improvement of several bulk materials used for the fabrication of prostheses and implants, including ceramics, resins, titanium and cobalt-chromium alloys. The films showed interesting properties as for the bacterial adhesion reduction, the biocompatibility improvement and the corrosion protection of bulk materials under stud

Si-Based Amorphous Thin Films for the Performance Improvement of Dental Prostheses and Implants

It is well known that determining the physico-chemical surface properties of both dental and intrabony prostheses is a powerful means that may help elucidating some fundamental features of the interface between the recipient tissues and the prosthesis itself. When dealing with dental prostheses (total dentures, fixed dental prostheses, partial removable dental prostheses), a continuous contact with different tissues and body fluids is required for their different parts. Indeed roughness, porosity and surface energy, as well as surface elemental composition, will strongly influence the response of the tissues, eventually contributing to the success or fail of the prosthesis. This is even more true for the implant-supported fixed dental prostheses, where an intra-bony part, i.e. the dental implant, is connected through a transmucous structure, i.e. the implant abutment, to the intraoral part, i.e. the fixed prosthesis. Thus the same titanium material is supposed to enhance both bone and epithelial healing, whilst the intraoral framework and artificial teeth –which may be made by several different materials- are to avoid bacterial adhesion as much as possible. Several surface modification processes are currently used in order to improve the prostheses performances, but many of them are still not completely satisfactory, and a continuous research effort is still required to improve their effectiveness. In this chapter, we describe the use of silicon-based amorphous thin film alloys to improve the performances of dental prostheses and implants. Indeed, hydrogenated amorphous silicon-based alloys, such as amorphous hydrogenated silicon-oxygen (a-SiOx:H) alloys possess interesting properties, which can be exploited for the surface modification of dental prostheses and implants. They are inert and largely biocompatible materials and do not embed dangerous metallic elements, such as Ni, Al, Cr, or Mo, which could be released into the body during the long term contact within living tissues. Moreover, the hydrogen incorporation, which is typical of amorphous material grown by plasma-assisted CVD techniques, has already been proven helpful in enhancing the biocompatibility of silicon and silicon-based materials. We studied the effects of amorphous silicon-based alloys for the performance improvement of several bulk materials used for the fabrication of prostheses and implants, including ceramics, resins, titanium and cobalt-chromium alloys. The films showed interesting properties as for the bacterial adhesion reduction, the biocompatibility improvement and the corrosion protection of bulk materials under study