Pulse-Echo Monitoring of Concrete Damage and Spalling during Fire

Monitoring concrete damage and spalling progression in structural members during fire tests (hot conditions) is a central but challenging task, since the high temperatures involved make difficult the implementation of most of the common Non- Destructive evaluation methods. Hence, an advanced ultrasonic technique – Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo (UPE) – was recently adapted for real time survey in fire test, in order to evaluate the material damage during heating. The UPE technique was implemented at the cold (upper) face of concrete slabs (800x800x100 mm) heated at the bottom face according to the Standard Fire and subjected to biaxial compressive membrane loading. Different concretes were tested, with grades ranging from 40 to 60 MPa, with and without different kinds of fibre (monofilament or fibrillated polypropylene, or steel fibres). Furthermore, different load levels were applied, from 0 to 25% of the original compressive strength. During tests, spalling was generally observed in loaded plain concrete (up to 50-60 mm depth), while only slight scaling was experienced on unloaded samples or if polypropylene fibre was added. The method proved to be very effective in recognizing the decay of the Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV) with temperature and the role played by external loading and fibre type

Current strategies for tracheal replacement: A review

Airway cancers have been increasing in recent years. Tracheal resection is commonly performed during surgery and is burdened from post-operative complications severely affecting quality of life. Tracheal resection is usually carried out in primary tracheal tumors or other neoplasms of the neck region. Regenerative medicine for tracheal replacement using bio-prosthesis is under current research. In recent years, attempts were made to replace and transplant human cadaver trachea. An effective vascular supply is fundamental for a successful tracheal transplantation. The use of biological scaffolds derived from decellularized tissues has the advantage of a three-dimensional structure based on the native extracellular matrix promoting the perfusion, vascularization, and differentiation of the seeded cell typologies. By appropriately modulating some experimental parameters, it is possible to change the characteristics of the surface. The obtained membranes could theoretically be affixed to a decellularized tissue, but, in practice, it needs to ensure adhesion to the biological substrate and/or glue adhesion with biocompatible glues. It is also known that many of the biocompatible glues can be toxic or poorly tolerated and induce inflammatory phenomena or rejection. In tissue and organ transplants, decellularized tissues must not produce adverse immunological reactions and lead to rejection phenomena; at the same time, the transplant tissue must retain the mechanical properties of the original tissue. This review describes the attempts so far developed and the current lines of research in the field of tracheal replacement

Identification and molecular characterization of a novel mutation in MSH2 gene in a lynch syndrome family

Background and aim of the work: The Lynch Syndrome (LS) is associated with germline mutations in one of the MisMatch Repair (MMR) genes, including MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, MLH3 and MSH3. The molecular characterization of mutations in these MMR genes facilitates the pre-symptomatic diagnosis of subjects at risk to develop a colon cancer or a cancer LS-related. Methods: DHPLC and direct sequencing were performed for the mutation detection analysis. Results: In this study, we identified a novel frame shift mutation, the named is c.170delT in MSH2 gene that determined a premature stop codon and consequently, the formation of a truncated protein (p. Val56Glyfs*7). This is a novel mutation, as it has not been reported before in the international scientific literature. This mutation was found in two subjects (father and son) belonging to a LS family. However, they showed a different phenotype disease. Conclusion: In this study, we identified and characterized a novel MSH2 mutation; moreover, this study reaffirmed the importance of genetic testing in Lynch syndrome

Involvement of large rearrangements in MSH6 and PMS2 genes in southern Italian patients with Lynch syndrome

Background and aim of the work: The Lynch Syndrome (LS) is associated with germline mutations in one of the MisMatch Repair (MMR) genes. Most of germline mutations are point variants, followed by large rearrangements that account to 15-55% of all pathogenic mutations. Many study reporting the frequency of large rearrangements in the MLH1 and MSH2 genes were performed, while, little is known about the contribution of large rearrangements in other MMR genes, as PMS2 and MSH6. Therefore, in this study we investigated the involvment of large rearrangements in MSH6 and PMS2 genes in a well-characterized series of 20 LS southern Italian patients. Methods: These large rearrangements are not usually detected by methods of mutation analysis, such as denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and direct DNA sequencing, but they are detectable by a known technique as the Multiplex Ligation-Probe Dependent Amplification (MLPA) assay. Results: No large rearrangements were identified in MSH6 gene; instead, a large rearrangement was identified in PMS2 gene. A large duplication including the exons 3 and 4 of the PMS2 gene was identified in a patient who developed a rectum carcinoma at 45 years of age, an endometrial carcinoma and a vaginal cancer at the 65 years of age. Conclusion: We can affirm that the detection of large rearrangements in the MSH6 and PMS2 genes should be included in the routine testing for Lynch syndrome, especially considering the simplicity of the MLPA assay

Feeding the brain: the importance of nutrients for brain functions and health

\u2018We are what we eat\u2019, said the philosopher Feuerbach. In fact, the quality of the food we eat affects our mind as well: the brain, which represents 2% of our body weight, consumes about 20% of the calories we eat each day. Follow a few rules could therefore help to feed properly our brain, so it works to the best of its ability. It is important to know properties of foods especially regarding their aminoacidic composition because aminoacids are components of neurotransmitters, molecules needed for brain transmission and function. It is also possible to choose specific food to prevent or support different diseases that affects nervous system

Pancreatic islets from non-heart beating donor pig: Two-layer preservation method in an in vitro porcine model

Purpose: Pancreata from non-heart beating donors could represent an unlimited source of islets if their cell viability can be efficiently preserved during the time necessary to process the organs by the use of a better solution of preservation compared to the classic University of Wisconsin solution. The aim of this study was to determine whether it is possible to obtain functioning "alive islets" from non-heart-beating donors by comparing, on a porcine model, the classic "UW ice-store" method with a two-layer cold storage method (TLM) using oxygenated Perfluorocarbons (PFC) and UW.Methods: Whole pancreata were harvested from 20 NHBDs female pigs with similar characteristics and preserved for 4 h in UW solution (n=10) or TLM (UW/PFC) solution (n=10). The isolated islets were then evaluated for number, viability, purity, and insulin secretion, also estimated after 8 weeks of cryopreservation.Results: The total number of islets obtained from isolation, and their function assayed by the insulin stimulation index, before and after cryopreservation, showed a higher value in the TLM group. No significative differences in terms of purity and viability before and after cryopreservation were found when comparing the two groups.Conclusions: TLM solution for NHBDs porcine pancreata with cold ischemia time lower than 4 h offers significant advantages over UW solution storage, thereby increasing the isolation yield and isolation success rate of the pancreatic porcine islet

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (IBD) IN PREGNANCY: ANALYSIS OF THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF THE DISEASE ON THE FETUS AND THE NEWBORN AND THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES

The Inflammatory Bowel Diseases(IBD), are a group of inflammatory diseases characterized by the presence of chronic inflammation, i the absenc of infectious ethiology. The two most well-known diseases in this group are: Crohn's disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). In cases where iti is not possible to distinguish between CD and UC, it is called Indeterminated Colitis. IBD can affect women pregnant. The causes of IBD are unknown, and the clinical course of the sdisease is characterized by phases of activity and remission. UC is a chronic inflammation of the mucosa of the colon and involving predominantly the left colon and rectum. It is associatred with presence of blood and mucus in the stool, diarrhea and anemia. characteristically, CD involves entire mgastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. In CD, the inflammatory infiltrate involves the entire intestinal wall. Clinically manifested by abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss. The complications are stenosis, fistulas, abscesses, and perianal involvement. In IBD TNF_alpha and proinflammatory cytokines are overexpressed. The analysis of the scientific literature shows that fertility, in pregant women suffering from IBD, is preserved. It shows slightly reduced for CD and ileo-anal pouch. Women with active disease at the time of conception have an increased risk of spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, with low birth weight and congenital malformations of the fetus. The indications for surgical treatment are the same as for non-pregnant women. The inactive disease or ileo-anal pouch is not a contraindication to spontaneous vaginal delivery, as is happens in the case of active colitis or perirectal fistulas or rectovaginal fistulas. Safe drug during pregnancy are: 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), steroids, 6-Mercaptopurine (&MP), Atatioprine (AZA) and Infliximab. Contraindicateddrugs are Metrotrexate and Thalidomide. In conclusion, the expectations about pregnancy, in women affected of IBD, is similar to the general population, especiually if the conception occurs in inactive phase of the disease

INFLAMMATION IN IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME: MYTH OR NEW TREATMENT TARGET?

Low-grade intestinal inflammation plays a key role in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and this role is likely to be multifactorial. The aim of this review was to summarize the evidence on the spectrum of mucosal inflammation in IBS, highlighting the relationship of this inflammation to the pathophysiology of IBS and its connection to clinical practice. We carried out a bibliographic search in Medline and the Cochrane Library for the period of January 1966 to December 2014, focusing on publications decribing an interaction between inflammation and IBS. Several evidences demonstrate microscopic and molecular abnormalities in IBS patients. Understanding the mechanism underlying low-grade inflammation in IBS may help to design clinical trials to test the efficacy and safety of drugs that target this pathophysiologic mechanism

Simple and fast orotracheal intubation procedure in rat

Introduction: Endotracheal intubation in the rat is difficult because of extremely small size of anatomical structures (oral cavity, epiglottis and vocal cords), small inlet for an endotracheal tube and the lack of proper techniacal instruments. Matherial and Methods: In this study we used seventy rats weighthing 400-500 g. The equipment needed for intubation was an operating table, a longish of cotton, a cotton tip, orotracheal tube, neonatal laryngoscope KTR4, small animal ventilator, and isoflurane for inhalation anaesthesia. Premedication was carried out by medetomidine hydrochloride 1 mg/mL; then, thanks to a closed glass chamber, a mixture of oxygen and isoflurane was administered. By means of neonatal laryngoscope the orotracheal tube was advanced into the oral cavity untile the wire guide was visualized trough the vocal cords; then it was passed through them. The tube was introduced directly into into the larynx over the wire guide; successively, the guide was removed and the tube placed into the trachea. Breathing was confirmed using a glove, cut at the end of a finger, simulating a small ballon. Conclusions: We believe that our procedure is easier and faster than those previously reported in scientific literature. (www.actabiomedica.it

The long-term effects of probiotics in the therapy of ulcerative colitis: a clinical study

Aim. Intestinal dysbiosis seems to be the leading cause of inflammatory bowel diseases, and probiotics seems to represent the proper support against their occurrence. Actually, probiotic blends and anti-inflammatory drugs represent a weapon against inflammatory bowel diseases. The present study evaluates the long-term (2 years) effects of combination therapy (mesalazine plus a probiotic blend of Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus strain BGN4) on ulcerative colitis activity. Method. Sixty patients with moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis were enrolled: 30 of them were treated with a single daily oral administration of mesalazine 1200 mg; 30 patients received a single daily oral administration of mesalazine 1200 mg and a double daily administration of a probiotic blend of Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus strain BGN4. The treatment was carried out for two years and the clinical response evaluated according to the Modified Mayo Disease Activity Index. Results. All patients treated with combination therapy showed better improvement compared to the controls. In particular, the beneficial effects of probiotics were evident even after two years of treatment. Conclusions. A long-term treatment modality of anti-inflammatory drugs and probiotics is viable and could be an alternative to corticosteroids in mild-to moderate ulcerative colitis