Chemometric tools to point out benchmarks and chromophores in pigments through spectroscopic data analyses

Spectral preprocessing data and chemometric tools are analytical methods widely applied in several scientific contexts i.e., in archaeometric applications. A systematic classification of natural powdered pigments of organic and inorganic nature through Principal Component Analysis with a multi-instruments spectroscopic study is presented here. The methodology allows the access to elementary and molecular unique benchmarks to guide and speed up the identification of an unknown pigment and its recipe. This study is conducted on a set of 48 powdered pigments and tested on a real-case sample from the wall painting in S. Maria Delle Palate di Tusa (Messina, Italy). Four spectroscopic techniques (X-ray Fluorescence, Raman, Attenuated Total Reflectance and Total Reflectance Infrared Spectroscopies) and six different spectrometers are tested to evaluate the impact of different setups. The novelty of the work is to use a systematic approach on this initial dataset using the entire spectroscopic energy range without any windows selection to solve problems linked with the manipulation of large analytes/materials to find an indistinct property of one or more spectral bands opening new frontiers in the dataset spectroscopic analyses

Correlation between cephalometric variables and obstructive sleep apnoea severity in children.

Aim Alterations in craniofacial growth have been associated with obstructive sleep apnoea in children. The main objectives of this study were to analyse the correlation between cephalometric variables and Obstructive Apnea/Hypopnea Index (OAHI) in order to investigate if craniofacial features may influence the severity of obstructive sleep apnoea and to study the correlation between upper nasopharyngeal width and maxillomandibular skeletal discrepancy in sagittal and vertical plane. Materials and methods Study Design: Correlations between cephalometric variables and obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnea index and between upper airways space and maxillomandibular skeletal discrepancy were investigated. Forty-seven children with obstructive sleep apnoea diagnosed by overnight sleep study (polysomnography) underwent a lateral radiograph, orthodontic and ear-nose-throat examinations. Cephalometric analysis according to Kirjavainen has been performed to define skeletal and upper airways variables. Statistics: Spearman’s correlation analysis was performed between OAHI and all cephalometric variables. Pearson’s correlation analysis was performed between cephalometric variables of upper airway space and cephalometric variables related to maxillomandibular discrepancy. Chi-square test was used to compare occlusal features with adenoidal and tonsillar hypertrophy. Kruskal-Wallis rank test was used to compare OAHI with occlusal variables and adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Results The results show a positive correlation between OAHI and maxillomandibular discrepancy measured by ANB angle (rho=0.32; p=0.023). A significant correlation was found between upper nasopharyngeal width and vertical maxillomandibular skeletal discrepancy: 1) ad1-PNS were correlated to Mandibular Plane/SellaNasion angle (r=-0.36; p=0.012), Palatal Plane/Mandibular Plane angle (r=-0.39; p=0.007), and Posterior-Anterior Facial Height % (r=0.29; p=0.045); 2) ad2-PNS was correlated to Palatal Plane/Mandibular Plane angle (r=-0.39; p=0.007). No statistically significant differences were found in non-parametric tests between OAHI and occlusal variables or adenoidal and tonsillar hypertrophy. Conclusions The present study shows a significant correlation between maxillomandibular discrepancy and the severity of OSA. Moreover, the reduction of nasopharyngeal width was correlated to maxillomandibular hyperdivergent growth pattern. These results support the presence of a correlation between sleep-disordered breathing and craniofacial features even if the cause-effect relation is still unclear. Based on these evidences, we suggest the importance of orthodontic evaluation in the management of paediatric OSA

On the necessity of a customized knee spacer in peri-prosthetic joint infection treatment: 3d numerical simulation results

Peri-prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) dramatically affect human health, as they are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Two-stage revision arthroplasty is currently the gold standard treatment for PJI and consists of infected implant removal, an accurate debridement, and placement of antimicrobial impregnated poly-methyl-metha-acrylate (PMMA) spacer. The use of antibiotic-loaded PMMA (ALPMMA) spacers have showed a success rate that ranges from 85% to 100%. ALPMMA spacers, currently available on the market, demonstrate a series of disadvantages, closely linked to a low propensity to customize, seen as the ability to adapt to the patients’ anatomical characteristics, with consequential increase of surgical complexity, surgery duration, and postoperative complications. Conventionally, ALPMMA spacers are available only in three or four standard sizes, with the impossibility of guaranteeing the perfect matching of ALPMMA spacers with residual bone (no further bone loss) and gap filling. In this paper, a 3D model of an ALPMMA spacer is introduced to evaluate the cause-effect link between the geometric characteristics and the correlated clinical improvements. The result is a multivariable-oriented design able to effectively manage the size, alignment, stability, and the patients’ anatomical matching. The preliminary numerical results, obtained by using an “ad hoc” 3D virtual planning simulator, clearly point out that to restore the joint line, the mechanical and rotational alignment and the surgeon’s control on the thicknesses (distal and posterior thicknesses) of the ALPMMA spacer is mandatory. The numerical simulations campaign involved nineteen patients grouped in three different scenarios (Case N◦ 1, Case N◦ 2 and Case N◦ 3) whose 3D bone models were obtained through an appropriate data management strategy. Each scenario is characterized by a different incidence rate. In particular, the observed rates of occurrence are, respectively, equal to 17% (Case N◦ 1), 74% (Case N◦ 2), and 10% (Case N◦ 3)

A dominant mutation etiologic for human tricho-dento-osseous syndrome impairs the ability of DLX3 to downregulate ΔNp63α.

The homeodomain transcription factors play crucial roles in many developmental processes ranging from organization of the body plan to differentiation of individual tissues. The homeodomain protein Distal-less-3 (DLX3) has an essential role in epidermal stratification and development of ectodermal appendages, placenta and bones. A four-nucleotide deletion in the human DLX3 gene is etiologic for the human hereditary tricho-dento-osseous (TDO) ectodermal dysplasia, a dominant syndrome characterized by abnormalities in hair, nails, teeth, and bones. We have previously demonstrated that DLX3 gene expression induces degradation of ΔNp63α, a specific product of the TP63 gene, a master regulator of multi-layered epithelia. Here we show that the DLX3(TDO) mutant protein is unable to promote ΔNp63α protein degradation and impairs the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins and skin differentiation markers. However, we found that in cell expressing equal amounts of mutant and wild-type DLX3, ΔNp63α protein level is efficiently regulated implying that genetic heterozygosity at the DLX3 locus protects TDO patients from developing severe p63-associated skin defects

Can the onset of orbital cancer be the result of a prosthetic eye?

Lexenteratio orbitae è un intervento deturpante che si pratica in caso di infezioni orbitarie non responsive a terapia medica e in caso di tumori benigni ricorrenti e tumori maligni che insorgono dalle palpebre (carcinoma basocellulare, carcinoma squamocellulare, melanoma maligno della congiuntiva), dalle ghiandole lacrimali (carcinoma adenoideo cistico) o dalle strutture circostanti. In casi estremamente rari luso di protesi oculari dopo lenucleazione può causare linsorgenza di tumori orbitari. In questo articolo riportiamo il caso di un uomo di 54 anni che è stato sottoposto ad enucleazione dellocchio sinistro in seguito a ricorrenti distacchi di retina e che ha sviluppato, solo 30 anni dopo, un carcinoma epidermoidale infiltrante a rapida crescita. Abbiamo esaminato gli articoli in letteratura per valutare la rarità di tale occorrenza, i tempi dinsorgenza in seguito allenucleazione, i trattamenti e i risultati. Il nostro caso illustra il trattamento della patologia ed enfatizza la necessità di un attento esame della cavità orbitaria e della protesi oculare per identificare anche le irregolarità e i primi danni sulla superficie orbitaria anche nei casi in cui lexenteratio orbitae è stata eseguita per patologie benigne. Il nostro caso dimostra che il follow-up a lungo termine è fondamentale perché il tumore può insorgere a lunga distanza dopo lenucleazione

IN OPERATED FALLOT IS RV TELEDIASTOLIC VOLUME > 170 ML/M2 A VALID CUT-OFF FOR INDICATION TO PULMONARY VALVE REPLACEMENT?

Patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) repaired by means a transannular patch, suffer of residual pulmonary regurgitation leading to right ventricle (RV) dilatation. Several groups have recently demonstrated that if these pts are re-operated for pulmonary valve implant (PVR) since RV tele-diastolic volume (RVtd Vol) exceeds 170 mL/m2, the RV volumes do not decrease to normal values. However the beneficial hemodynamic effects of PVR still have to be weighted against the need for re-operation for valve failure.-

Regulatory Fit to Enhance User Engagement with an App Promoting Healthy and Sustainable Eating. An Experimental Study to Match Regulatory Concern and Anticipated Emotions

Mobile apps can effectively promote healthy and sustainable eating, but their success depends on initial user engagement. This study aimed to increase initial user engagement by tailoring app descriptions to users' regulatory focus (prevention versus promotion). Four conditions were created by combining two types of messages: regulatory concern (safety versus growth) and anticipated emotion (positive versus negative). The safety message emphasized the protection of health and the environment, while the growth message emphasized the improvement of well-being and environmental conservation. The message with the positive anticipated emotion described satisfaction with using the app, while the message with the negative anticipated emotion described dissatisfaction with not using the app. Participants' attitudes, desires, and intentions, as well as downloads of the app were measured to assess the effectiveness of the message. Promotion-focused individuals showed greater desire and were more likely to download the app when the message matched their focus (growth + positive anticipated emotions) than when it did not (safety + negative anticipated emotions). Conversely, prevention-focused individuals did not show increased engagement with regulatory congruent messages. These results suggest that tailoring app descriptions to users' regulatory focus may increase initial engagement among promotion-focused individuals. Further research is needed to investigate methods to increase engagement among prevention-focused individuals

Contribution of the massive photon decay channel to neutrino cooling of neutron stars

We consider massive photon decay reactions via intermediate states of electron-electron-holes and proton-proton-holes into neutrino-antineutrino pairs in the course of neutron star cooling. These reactions may become operative in hot neutron stars in the region of proton pairing where the photon due to the Higgs-Meissner effect acquires an effective mass $m_{\gamma}$ that is small compared to the corresponding plasma frequency. The contribution of these reactions to neutrino emissivity is calculated; it varies with the temperature and the photon mass as $T^{3/2}m_{\gamma}^{7/2} e^{-m_{\gamma}/T}$ for $T < m_{\gamma}$. Estimates show that these processes appear as extra efficient cooling channels of neutron stars at temperatures $T \simeq (10^9-10^{10})$ K.Comment: accepted to publication in Zh. Eksp. Teor. Fiz. (JETP