3D MODELING of A COMPLEX BUILDING: From MULTI-VIEW IMAGE FUSION to GOOGLE EARTH PUBLICATION

This paper presents a pipeline that aims at illustrating the procedure to realize a 3D model of a complex building integrating the UAV and terrestrial images and modifying the 3D model in order to publish to Google Earth in an interactive modality so as to provide better available models for visualization and use. The main steps of the procedure are the optimization of the UAV flight, the integration of the different UAV and ground floor images and the optimization of the model to be published to GE. The case study has been identified in a building, The Eremo di Santa Rosalia Convent in Sicily which hash more staggered elevations and located in the hills of the hinterland and of which, the online platform only indicate the position on Google Maps (GM) and Google Earth (GE) with a photo from above and a non-urban road whose GM path is not corresponding with the GE photo. The process highlights the integration of the models and showcases a workflow for the publication of the combined 3D model to the GE platform

Adipose-derived stem cells: true or false? A different point of view

SPECIAL EDITORIA

Freestyle-Like V-Y Flaps of the Eyebrow: A New Outlook and Indication of an Historical Technique

The eyebrow region is of utmost importance for facial movement, symmetry, and the overall cosmetic appearance of the face. Trauma or tumor resection often leave scars that may dislocate the eyebrow producing an alteration both in static symmetry of the face and in the dynamic expressivity. The authors present a technique for eyebrow's defects repair using the remaining eyebrow advancement by means of a "freestyle-like" V-Y flap. In the past two years a total of eight consecutive patients underwent excision of skin lesions in the superciliary region and immediate reconstruction with this technique. On histology, six patients were affected from basal cell carcinomas, one from squamous cell carcinoma, and one from congenital intradermal melanocytic nevus. The pedicle of the flap included perforators from the supratrochlear, supraorbital, or superficial temporalis artery. Advancement of the entire aesthetic subunit that includes the eyebrow using a V-Y perforator flap was performed successfully in all cases achieving full, tension-free closure of defects up to 3.0\u2009cm. "Freestyle-like" V-Y flaps should be considered as a first-line choice for partial defects of the eyebrow. The greater mobility compared to random subcutaneous flaps allows to reconstruct large defects providing an excellent cosmetic result

Similarity and differences in elderly patients with fixed airflow obstruction by asthma and by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

SummaryBackgroundEpidemiologic studies have demonstrated that elderly patients with fixed airflow obstruction can be affected by asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsWe studied 49 consecutive elderly outpatients, presenting fixed airflow obstruction, by clinical history (smoking), pulmonary function tests, blood gas analysis, and induced sputum.ResultsThe age was not different in patients with COPD (n=28) and asthma (n=21) (70.2±3.9 years vs. 69.6±3.7 years), also the degree of fixed airflow obstruction was similar (FEV1: 58.3±1.5% vs. 59.0±1.4% of predicted). Patients with asthma had significantly more eosinophils in peripheral blood (0.43±0.05×10−3μL vs. 0.27±0.1×10−3μL, P<0.0001), and in induced sputum (5.0% [(p25th and p75th) 5.0–6.0%] vs. 1.0% [(p25th and p75th) 0.01–1.0%]; P<0.0001), as well as serum ECP (18.6±4.9ng/mL vs. 7.7±4.7ng/mL, P<0.0001) and ECP in the induced sputum (31.6±2.9ng/mL vs. 5.6±4.9ng/mL, P<0.0001). Finally, in induced sputum the eosinophils EG2+ were higher in patients with asthma than in patients with COPD (40.5 [(p25th and p75th) 39.3–44.3] MFI vs. 3.9 [(p25th and p75th) 0–11.4] MFI, P<0.0001). They also had significantly higher diffusing capacity, and a greater reversibility to steroids, after 14-day course of therapy, whereas the reversibility to 400μg of salbutamol was similar.ConclusionDespite similar fixed airflow obstruction, elderly patients with asthma have distinct characteristics compared with patients with COPD

Association of kidney disease measures with risk of renal function worsening in patients with type 1 diabetes

Background: Albuminuria has been classically considered a marker of kidney damage progression in diabetic patients and it is routinely assessed to monitor kidney function. However, the role of a mild GFR reduction on the development of stage 653 CKD has been less explored in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic role of kidney disease measures, namely albuminuria and reduced GFR, on the development of stage 653 CKD in a large cohort of patients affected by T1DM. Methods: A total of 4284 patients affected by T1DM followed-up at 76 diabetes centers participating to the Italian Association of Clinical Diabetologists (Associazione Medici Diabetologi, AMD) initiative constitutes the study population. Urinary albumin excretion (ACR) and estimated GFR (eGFR) were retrieved and analyzed. The incidence of stage 653 CKD (eGFR &lt; 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) or eGFR reduction &gt; 30% from baseline was evaluated. Results: The mean estimated GFR was 98 \ub1 17 mL/min/1.73m2 and the proportion of patients with albuminuria was 15.3% (n = 654) at baseline. About 8% (n = 337) of patients developed one of the two renal endpoints during the 4-year follow-up period. Age, albuminuria (micro or macro) and baseline eGFR &lt; 90 ml/min/m2 were independent risk factors for stage 653 CKD and renal function worsening. When compared to patients with eGFR &gt; 90 ml/min/1.73m2 and normoalbuminuria, those with albuminuria at baseline had a 1.69 greater risk of reaching stage 3 CKD, while patients with mild eGFR reduction (i.e. eGFR between 90 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) show a 3.81 greater risk that rose to 8.24 for those patients with albuminuria and mild eGFR reduction at baseline. Conclusions: Albuminuria and eGFR reduction represent independent risk factors for incident stage 653 CKD in T1DM patients. The simultaneous occurrence of reduced eGFR and albuminuria have a synergistic effect on renal function worsening

A survey of clinical features of allergic rhinitis in adults

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) has high prevalence and substantial socio-economic burden. Material/Methods: The study included 35 Italian Centers recruiting an overall number of 3383 adult patients with rhinitis (48% males, 52% females, mean age 29.1, range 18\u201345 years). For each patient, the attending physician had to fill in a standardized questionnaire, covering, in particular, some issues such as the ARIA classification of allergic rhinitis (AR), the results of skin prick test (SPT), the kind of treatment, the response to treatment, and the satisfaction with treatment. Results: Out of the 3383 patients with rhinitis, 2788 (82.4%) had AR: 311 (11.5%) had a mild intermittent, 229 (8.8%) a mild persistent, 636 (23.5%) a moderate-severe intermittent, and 1518 (56.1%) a moderate-severe persistent form. The most frequently used drugs were oral antihistamines (77.1%) and topical corticosteroids (60.8%). The response to treatment was judged as excellent in 12.2%, good in 41.3%, fair in 31.2%, poor in 14.5%, and very bad in 0.8% of subjects. The rate of treatment dissatisfaction was significantly higher in patients with moderate-to-severe AR than in patients with mild AR (p<0.0001). Indication to allergen immunotherapy (AIT) was significantly more frequent (p<0.01) in patients with severe AR than with mild AR. . Conclusions: These fndings confirm the appropriateness of ARIA guidelines in classifying the AR patients and the association of severe symptoms with unsuccessful drug treatment. The optimal targeting of patients to be treated with AIT needs to be reassessed

Fat Transplantion: Different Clinical Applications to Achieve Symmetry in Face and Body Contouring

Introduction: Fat autograft was first described in 1893 by Neuber for cosmetic and congenital defects. Nowadays its use is becoming widespread for soft tissue augmentation to improve simmetry and contour in all areas of the face and body. The authors present their experience with face and body contouring by fat autograft in post-oncological, post-traumatic and cosmetic settings. Materials and Methods: Between 2005 and 2008 31 patients underwent fat autografting in the plastic surgery unit of the university of palermo. There were 10 cases of breast asimmetry after reduction mammaplasty, breast augmentation and breast recostruction; 3 cases of post-traumatic and 1 congenital deformities in the face; 20 cases of facial volume and shape restoration in the midface, lip and nasolabial fold. Results: Improvement of simmetry and contour restoration were obtained in all cases. 2 procedures were necessary on average. Probably due to the smaller amount of grafted fat, results are more reproducible in the face. Multiple stages were more frequently required in the breast. No relevant donor site morbity has been observed. The only complications were 2 cases of fat necrosis in the breast. Conclusion: Fat autografting is a useful tool to correct soft tissues asimmetries and to restore contour all over the body. Its efficacy is dependent on the amount of fat transferred and on the technique used in order to maximize take. The lesser the amount and the more accurate the placement, the better the take. however, multiple stages are frequently needed to optimize outcome

Molecular analysis of Spheroids from Adipose-derived Stem Cells (S-ASCs) during in vitro long-term culture.

Introduction: Adhesion-based culture conditions have been the standard for in vitro expansion of ASCs. However, stem cells from different organs may grow in suspension as spheroids. Spheroids from Adipose Stem Cells (S-ASCs) seem to represent an upstream stage of adherent ASCs (aASCs) that enter an early differentiation pathway leading to their adhesion. Molecular profiles of miRNAs and mRNAs were used between aASCs and S-ASCs to investigate our hypothesis. Methods: Lipoaspirate samples were processed for the extraction of S-ASCs. The miRNAs and mRNAs profile were analyzed using Taqman Assay in S-ASCs and aASCs. Statistically significant changes are considered up/down-regulation of miRNA expression higher than 2 folds compared to control (p<0.001). Results: We have previously demonstrated that SASCs displayed significant up-regulation of miR-142-3p and SOX2/OCT4/NANOG, typically expressed in pluripotent stem cells and down-regulation of early and late RNAs correlated with mesenchymal differentiation. We have performed the same molecular analysis in S-ASCs during long-term in vitro culture up to 28 days. We demonstrated the maintenance of stemness only in S-ASCs. Furthermore, we studied the molecular levels of miRNAs and mRNAs (such as miR-126 and VEGF) involved in angiogenesis, demonstrating the possibility of using SASCs also in tissue neovascularization. Conclusion: During long-term in vitro culture, stem cells can undergo morphological and genes alternations involved in cell regulation and senescence. Our molecular pattern supports the upstream nature and stemness maintenance of S-ASCs and the down-stream and more differentiated precursor nature of aASCs. This data represents the first step in the recognition of S-ASCs as true stem cell population within adipose tissue