A new digital image correlation software for displacements field measurement in structural applications

Recently, there has been a growing interest in studying non-contact techniques for strain and displacement measurement. Within photogrammetry, Digital Image Correlation (DIC) has received particular attention thanks to the recent advances in the field of low-cost, high resolution digital cameras, computer power and memory storage. DIC is indeed an optical technique able to measure full field displacements and strain by comparing digital images of the surface of a material sample at different stages of deformation and thus can play a major role in structural monitoring applications. For all these reasons, a free and open source 2D DIC software, named py2DIC, was developed at the Geodesy and Geomatics Division of DICEA, University of Rome "La Sapienza". Completely written in python, the software is based on the template matching method and computes the displacement and strain fields. The potentialities of Py2DIC were evaluated by processing the images captured during a tensile test performed in the Lab of Structural Engineering, where three different Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer samples were subjected to a controlled tension by means of a universal testing machine. The results, compared with the values independently measured by several strain gauges fixed on the samples, demonstrate the possibility to successfully characterize the deformation mechanism of the investigated material. Py2DIC is indeed able to highlight displacements at few microns level, in reasonable agreement with the reference, both in terms of displacements (again, at few microns in the average) and Poisson's module

REM-Sleep Behavior Disorder in Patients With Essential Tremor: What Is Its Clinical Significance?

Objective: REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is an important risk factor for the dementia development and for the deterioration of autonomic functions in patients with Parkinson's Disease. RBD has also been reported in patients with Essential Tremor (ET). However, its clinical significance in ET remains still unknown. We aimed to investigate clinical, neuropsychological and cardiac autonomic scintigraphic differences between ET patients with and without RBD.Methods: To assess RBD symptoms, RBD Single-Question has been administered in a cohort of 55 patients with a clinical diagnosis of ET. Patients with clinical RBD underwent polysomnography (PSG) confirmation. All patients completed a battery of neuropsychological assessment of memory, executive function, attention, language, and visuospatial function. Cardiac MIBG scintigraphy was performed in order to measure the cardiac autonomic innervation.Results: Ten ET patients (18%) had a PSG-confirmed RBD (ETRBD+). Compared to ET patients without RBD (ETRBD−), significantly reduced scores on memory domain tests such as Rey auditory verbal learning test immediate recall (p = 0.015) and Rey auditory verbal learning test delayed recall (p = 0.004) and phonemic fluency test (p = 0.028) were present in ETRBD+. By contrast, no other significant clinical difference has emerged from the comparison between two ET groups. Similarly, ETRBD+ patients have cardiac MIBG tracer uptake in the normal value range as occurred in those with ETRBD−.Conclusions: This study improves the knowledge on clinical significance of RBD symptoms in ET patients. Our preliminary findings demonstrate that presence of RBD in ET is associated with neurocognitive impairment, but not with cardiac autonomic dysfunction. Further longitudinal studies are needed to investigate whether ET patients with RBD will develop a frank dementia over the time

Effects of Spider Venom Toxin PWTX-I (6-Hydroxytrypargine) on the Central Nervous System of Rats

The 6-hydroxytrypargine (6-HT) is an alkaloidal toxin of the group of tetrahydro-β-carbolines (THβC) isolated from the venom of the colonial spider Parawixia bistriata. These alkaloids are reversible inhibitors of the monoamine-oxidase enzyme (MAO), with hallucinogenic, tremorigenic and anxiolytic properties. The toxin 6-HT was the first THβC chemically reported in the venom of spiders; however, it was not functionally well characterized up to now. The action of 6-HT was investigated by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) and intravenous (i.v.) applications of the toxin in adult male Wistar rats, followed by the monitoring of the expression of fos-protein, combined with the use of double labeling immunehistochemistry protocols for the detection of some nervous receptors and enzymes related to the metabolism of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (CNS). We also investigated the epileptiform activity in presence of this toxin. The assays were carried out in normal hippocampal neurons and also in a model of chronic epilepsy obtained by the use of neurons incubated in free-magnesium artificial cerebro-spinal fluid (ACSF). Trypargine, a well known THβC toxin, was used as standard compound for comparative purposes. Fos-immunoreactive cells (fos-ir) were observed in hypothalamic and thalamic areas, while the double-labeling identified nervous receptors of the sub-types rGlu2/3 and NMR1, and orexinergic neurons. The 6-HT was administrated by perfusion and ejection in “brain slices” of hippocampus, inducing epileptic activity after its administration; the toxin was not able to block the epileptogenic crisis observed in the chronic model of the epilepsy, suggesting that 6-HT did not block the overactive GluRs responsible for this epileptic activity

Lasers and Energy Devices for the Skin: Conventional and Unconventional Use

No abstract availabl

Un nuovo approccio fototerapico alle dermatosi croniche

308-nm excimer light has been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of a variety of chronic skin diseases. Objectives of this study were to analyse the efficacy of MEL in vitiligo, mycosis fungoides and alopecia areata, and to examine the potential new indication of genital lichen sclerosus, prurigo, nodularis, localized scleroderma and granuloma annulare. 71 patients with common and persistent skin diseases were enrolled in this study: 32 with vitiligo (generalized and acro-facial type); 11 with prurigo nodularis; 9 with mycosis fungoides (MF) stage Ia, 8 with alopecia (2 universalis and 6 areata), 5 with localized scleroderma, 5 with genital lichen sclerosus, and 3 with granuloma annulare. The 308-nm excimer monochromatic non-coherent light was used at a fluence rate of 48 mW/ cm2 with a maximum irradiation area of 512 cm2 at 15 cm from the skin. Starting MED was based on a predetermined MED and subsequent doses according to clinical appearance and treatment response. An average of 12 sessions (from 6 to 18) was performed once weekly (range total dose 4-12.5J/cm2). Clinical response was evaluated using photographs, biopsies and specific clinical score. Follow-up was 6 and 12 months in psoriasis, 12 months in mycosis fungoides and 4 months for all other conditions. We observed complete remission in all patients affected by mycosis fungoides, excellent repigmentation in one third of vitiligo patients, hair re-growth in 3 patients with alopecia areata, an overall improvement in prurigo nodularis, a partial remission in patients affected by localised scleroderma, a complete remission in most patients with genital lichen sclerosus and granuloma annulare. We therefore confirm the use of MEL as a valid choice for the treatment of vitiligo and MF and we report for the first time that MEL produces a therapeutic response in prurigo nodularis, localised scleroderma, genital lichen sclerosus and granuloma annulare. These findings represent an important advance in their treatment suggesting MEL as a valid and new therapeutic optio

New topical treatments for psoriasis

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a common immune-mediated disorder that in 70% of cases appears in mild or mild-to-moderate form. Psoriasis is usually treated with topical medications and/or phototherapy with variable efficacy in controlling the disease. AREAS COVERED: For the past three decades, research has been focused on systemic agents for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis, particularly with the introduction of biologic agents or 'small molecules'. In parallel, novel advances in topical antipsoriatic agents have been made, experiencing a 'new era', with the development of new formulations and the identification of new therapeutic targets. These agents, having a different spectrum of action from traditional agents, are actually being tested in pre-marketing clinical trials and they may potentially represent promising treatment options that could enlarge the therapeutic armamentarium for the treatment of psoriasis. EXPERT OPINION: Future antipsoriatic topical agents show new modality of action in blocking the pathogenic process leading to psoriatic plaque formation

Topical treatment of severe xerosis: results of an observational study

Dry skin refers to an itchy eczema condition commonly seen, due to the extreme dryness of the skin. This situation occours when the skin protective layer which contains water, decreases. This situation can be related to physiological and pathological conditions. Objectively, skin appears dry, finely scaly, rough to the touch, sometime fissured and sometime associated with itching and/or burning. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the clinical efficacy, in the main forms of skin xerosis, of a cosmetic product for topical use, consisting of a mixture of active ingredients (L-carnitine, biotin and vitamin B12) capable of performing moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and soothing action. 30 patients were selected, and randomly divided into 2 groups: a first group of 20 patients who applied the active ingredient and a second group of 10 patients to whom the package contained a placebo. Everyone applied the product 2 times/day on affected areas. We adopted objective and subjective evaluation criteria, such as: erythema, desquamation and lichenification in a scale from 1 to 4. Furthermore, subjective symptoms were evaluated through a visual analogue scale (VAS) from 1 to 10 regarding itch. This product was capable to reduce skin xerosis in all the indications. We can therefore conclude that the use of a topical product containing L-carnitine, biotin and vitamin B12 represents a valid therapeutic approach to xerosis, induced by skin diseases such as atopic dermatiti

Topical treatment of contact dermatitis with natural active principles

Contact dermatitis is a common inflammatory skin condition characterized by erythematous and pruritic skin lesions that occur after contact with a foreign substance. There are two forms of contact dermatitis: irritant (80% of cases) and allergic (20% of cases). The clinical features of contact dermatitis include, in the early stages, lesions characterized by erythema and vesiculation at the place of contact with the irritant (DIC) or sensitizing (DAC) substance. When it persists for a long time and becomes chronic, there is a reduction of erythema and the skin becomes dry. Itch is often associated with lesions; scratching induces lichenification with thickening and hyperkeratosis. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the clinical efficacy, in the main forms of contact dermatitis, of a cosmetic product for topical use, consisting of a mixture of active principles (biotin, L-carnitine, panthenol, bisabolol and α-tocopherol) capable of performing moisturizing, anti-inflammatory and soothing action, immediately and long term. 30 patients were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups: a first group of 20 patients who applied the active principle and a second group of 10 patients who used placebo. All had to apply the product 2 times/day on the affected areas. We evaluated the treatment benefits during 4 follow-up visits every 15 days (T0-T3). Objective and subjective criteria have been adopted for clinical evaluation: in particular objective symptomes: erythema, vesiculation, desquamation and lichenification, were assessed. Furthermore, subjective symptoms were evaluated through a visual analogue scale (VAS) from 1 to 10 regarding itch. The product was judjed by the patients as cosmetically pleasing, without the occurrence of undesired reaction to short-or long-term. The considerable objectivity improvement of the lesions, and the reduction of itching symptoms was observed in almost all the cases treated with this cosmetic product. Maintenance of results were evacuate through the increase of hydration, as consequence of the restoration of the stratum corneum function. The reconstruction of a proper epidermal barrier function, related to the anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, and soothing properties of the substances studied, may explain the greater improvement in the group that underwent active treatmen