3,518 research outputs found
Operative management of lumbar disc herniation : the evolution of knowledge and surgical techniques in the last century.
No full textRemoval of a herniated disc with the use of the operative microscope was first performed by Yasargil (Adv Neurosurg. 4:81-2, 1977) in 1977. However, it began to be used more and more only in the late 1980s (McCulloch JA (1989) Principles of microsurgery for lumbar disc disease. Raven Press, New York). In the 1990s, many spinal surgeons abandoned conventional discectomy with naked-eye to pass to the routine practice of microdiscectomy. The merits of this technique are that it allows every type of disc herniation to be excised through a short approach to skin, fascia and muscles as well as a limited laminoarthrectomy. For these reasons, it has been, and still is, considered the "gold standard" of surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniation, and the method used by the vast majority of spinal surgeons. In the 1990s, the advent of MRI and the progressive increase in definition of this modality of imaging, as well as histopathologic and immunochemical studies of disc tissue and the analysis of the results of conservative treatments have considerably contributed to the knowledge of the natural evolution of a herniated disc. It was shown that disc herniation may decrease in size or disappear in a few weeks or months. Since the second half of the 1990s there has been a revival of percutaneous procedures. Some of these are similar to the percutaneous automated nucleotomy; other methods are represented by intradiscal injection of a mixture of "oxygen-ozone" (Alexandre A, Buric J, Paradiso R. et al. (2001) Intradiscal injection of oxygen ozone for the treatment of lumbar disc herniations: result at 5 years. 12th World Congress of Neurosurgery; 284-7), or laserdiscectomy performed under CT scan (Menchetti PPM. (2006) Laser Med Sci. 4:25-7). The really emerging procedure is that using an endoscope inserted into the disc through the intervertebral foramen to visualize the herniation and remove it manually using thin pituitary rongeurs, a radiofrequency probe or both (Chiu JC. (2004) Surg Technol Int. 13:276-86). Microdiscectomy is still the standard method of treatment due to its simplicity, low rate of complications and high percentage of satisfactory results, which exceed 90% in the largest series. Endoscopic transforaminal discectomy appears to be a reliable method, able to give similar results to microdiscectomy, provided the surgeon is expert enough in the technique, which implies a long learning curve in order to perform the operation effectively, with no complications. All the non-endoscopic percutaneous procedures now available can be used, but the patient must be clearly informed that while the procedure is simple and rapid, at least for the disc L4-L5 and those above (except for laserdiscectomy under CT, that can be easily performed also at L5-S1), their success rate ranges from 60 to 70% and that, in many cases, pain may decrease slowly and may take even several weeks to disappear. © 2011 Springer-Verlag/Wien
Influence of Periodontal Status and Periodontopathogens on Levels of Oral Human β‐Defensin‐2 in Saliva
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Previous issue date: 2013Background: Expression patterns of human beta-defensin-2 (HBD-2) mRNA or HBD-2 protein concentration and periodontal diseases have been a focus of scientific research. This study compares the salivary levels of HBD-2 protein concentration of healthy patients and patients with gingivitis and chronic periodontitis (CP) and correlates these levels with the presence of periodontopathogens. Methods: A total of 89 patients were enrolled in this study: 31 periodontally healthy, 27 with gingivitis, and 31 with CP. Plaque and gingival indices, probing depth, and clinical attachment level were measured. The presence of Campylobacter rectus, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Prevotella intermedia was evaluated qualitatively by conventional polymerase chain reaction. HBD-2 quantification in saliva was performed using an immune enzymatic assay. Frequency of periodontopathogens and HBD-2 protein concentration was assessed. Association between HBD-2 protein concentration (>= 100 pg/mL) and the simultaneous presence of one to two, three to four, or five to six periodontopathogens was tested. Results: Although periodontally healthy individuals and patients with gingivitis showed similar HBD-2 levels, the CP group displayed an increased level of HBD-2. P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, T. forsythia, and T. denticola were more prevalent in CP; however, their mere presence was not related to the increased levels of HBD-2 (Pearson correlation and multinomial logistic regression model). Conclusions: Salivary HBD-2 protein concentration was higher in patients with CP compared with healthy individuals or patients with gingivitis. These different protein concentrations were not related to the frequency of periodontopathogens. Clinical inflammatory profile had a higher impact on salivary HBD-2 levels than bacteria.[Pereira, Alexandre L.; Franco, Gilson C.; Cortelli, Sheila C.; Aquino, Davi R.; Raslan, Suzane A.; Cortelli, Jose R.] Universidade de Taubaté (Unitau), Dept Periodontol, Sao Paulo, Brazil[Costa, Fernando O.] Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Dept Periodontol, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazi
La propuesta de contametría de Rafael Franco, desde el pensamiento complejo de Edgar Morin
No full textEste trabajo tiene como objetivo comprender la propuesta de Contametría del maestro Rafael Franco interpretándola a la luz de la teoría de la complejidad. Para ello se entendió el contexto que motivó al autor a plantear la teoría de la Contabilidad Integral y su tecnología la Contametría, también se estudió la teoría de la complejidad, desde Morin.
Se realizó bajo el enfoque cualitativo, siendo una investigación de tipo explicativa con la cual se caracterizó el pensamiento complejo de Edgar Morin por medio de la definición de un grupo de categorías que permitieron la identificación del pensamiento complejo en la propuesta contamétrica del maestro Rafael Franco.
Por dar un ejemplo, entre las categorías estudiadas se encuentra “La unión”, la cual, en el discurso de Morin se observa como necesaria para concebir procesos y ciencia, pues en la ausencia de esta existiría la simplificación e interacción entre los elementos; otra categoría es el “Orden/Desorden” orientado a comprender el caos del universo, ya que la ciencia tradicional
solo reconoce el pensamiento objetivo, generando así un orden científico. Por medio de estas y otras categorías, se logró identificar que estos elementos propios de la teoría de la complejidad, efectivamente se encuentran en la propuesta contamétrica objeto de estudio de este trabajo.Universidad Libre - Facultad de Ciencias económicas, administrativas y contables - Maestría en ContabilidadThis work aims to understand the proposal of Contametría of professor Rafael Franco interpreting it in the light of the theory of complexity. To this end, we understood the context that motivated the author to raise the theory of integral accounting and its technology Contametry, we also studied the theory of complexity by Morin.
It was carried out under the qualitative approach, being an explanatory type of research with which the complex thinking of Edgar Morin was characterized through the definition of a group of categories that allowed the identification of the complex thinking in the Contametric proposal of Professor Rafael Franco.
To give an example, among the categories studied is "Union", which in Morin's discourse is observed as necessary to conceive processes and science, since in the absence of this there would be simplification and interaction between the elements; another category is "Order/Disorder" oriented to understand the chaos of the universe, since traditional science only recognizes objective thinking, thus generating a scientific order. By means of these and other categories, it was possible to identify that these elements of complexity theory are indeed found in the Contametric proposal under study in this work
A novel design for an RF MEMS resistive switch on PCB substrate
No full textCopyright @ 2008 Stimulation Action on MEM
Energy and spin polarization analysis of near band gap photoemission in AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructures
No full textCharacterization of multiple antilisterial peptides produced by sakacin P-producing Lactobacillus sakei subsp. sakei 2a.
No full textAntimicrobial compounds produced by lactic acid bacteria can be explored as natural food biopreservatives. In a previous report, the main antimicrobial compounds produced by the Brazilian meat isolate Lactobacillus sakei subsp. sakei 2a, i.e., bacteriocin sakacin P and two ribosomal peptides (P2 and P3) active against Listeria monocytogenes, were described. In this study, we report the spectrum of activity, molecular mass, structural identity and mechanism of action of additional six antilisterial peptides produced by Lb. sakei 2a, detected in a 24 h-culture in MRS broth submitted to acid treatment (pH 1.5) and proper fractionation and purification steps for obtention of free and cell-bound proteins. The six peptides presented similarity to different ribosomal proteins of Lb. sakei subsp sakei 23K and the molecular masses varied from 4.6 to 11.0 kDa. All peptides were capable to increase the efflux of ATP and decrease the membrane potential in Listeria monocytogenes. The activity of a pool of the obtained antilisterial compounds [enriched active fraction (EAF)] against Listeria monocytogenes in a food model (meat gravy) during refrigerated storage (4 °C) for 10 days was also tested and results indicated that the populations of L. monocytogenes in the food model containing the acid extract remained lower than those at time 0-day, evidencing that the acid extract of a culture of Lb. sakei 2a is a good technological alternative for the control of growth of L. monocytogenes in foods.Fil: Gianni de Carvalho, Katia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos; ArgentinaFil: Bambirra, Felipe H. S.. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Nicoli, Jacques R.. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Oliveira, Jamil S.. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Santos, Alexandre M. C.. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; Brasil. Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo; BrasilFil: Bemquerer, Marcelo P.. Ministerio da Agricultura Pecuaria e Abastecimento de Brasil. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria; BrasilFil: Miranda, Antonio. Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo;Fil: Franco, Bernadette D. G. M.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi
Economic Impact of Rural Development Plan 2007 2013 in Tuscany
No full textIn 2007 in every European Union region, involved in the planning of Rural Development Plan (RDP), an independent evaluator should asses the impact of the plan in term of value added and productivity. Each region has adopted different methodologies but few of them have followed the indications of Common and Monitoring Evaluation Framework (CMEF) to evaluate the net value deriving by direct and indirect effect. IRPET, the Independent evaluator of Tuscany, utilising REMI-IRPET model has assed the impact of RDP on the main economic variables until 2020. Among 30 different measures it has been chosen only 5 of them that cover more than 54% of total amount of public and private investments. The economic impacts are also evaluated at provincial level.evaluation, regional model, rural development, Community/Rural/Urban Development,
The New Industrial Policy in Europe a Decade After (2002-2012)
No full textThis chapter sheds light on the “new” European industrial policy that has been coming to the fore ‒ in great part thanks to the efforts of the Brussels Commission ‒ since the beginning of the 21st century. The new approach that has evolved has become known as the “integrated” approach, due to its emphasis on integrating some of the fundamental “vertical applications” within the traditional “horizontal approach”. In so doing, the crucial development lies in the EU’s technology policy (R&D, human capital), a policy that should be given the same importance, on an EU-wide level, that is already afforded to the two other sides of the “Triangle of Industrial Policy”: competition policy and trade policy.
The fundamental theoretical position around which a proposal for a supranational policy-making approach to R&D, innovation, and human capital must develop is that which the author calls the “Jacquemin-Rodrik Synthesis”. On one side, we find the gap between the EU and the US as regards all of these aspects (the paper gives a quantified measurement of this). On the other side, we find the teachings of both Alexis Jacquemin (the 1980s) and Dani Rodrik (the 2000s): their theories suggest that the quintessence of economic development is “structural transformation”; in other words, the rise of new industries. These are increasingly more science-based in today's world. The manufacturing renaissance that the entire Western world is undergoing thus offers an opportunity to implement a new industrial policy directed first and foremost toward knowledge-based investments. In the specific case of the EU member states, this means abandoning essentially national policies, which by their very nature are fragmented, and coming together as a Union that can speak with a “single voice” in all areas relevant to microeconomic reforms
La nueva racionalidad y la fe en Dios
No full textThis article is a commentary on H. Küng's book, published in 1978, "Does God exist"? The author does not intend to deal with the totality of this work, which in the Spanish edition reaches almost one thousand pages, but to focus on one aspect particularly meaningful: Nietzsche's thought and its consequences in the contemporary world. Thus, the recuperation of the question about God, requires a previous step: the trust in the entirety of the real. In this way, it is intended to show that a fundamental trust is more rational than an existential position of mistrust. This is the reflection of Küng's book that R. Franco intends to assume from the pont of view of the critical analysisEste artículo es un comentario al libro de H. Küng, aparecido en 1978, "¿Existe Dios?". El autor no pretende abarcar la totalidad de esta obra, que en la edición española alcanza casi las mil páginas, sino centrarse en un aspecto especialmente significativo: el pensamiento de Nietzsche y sus consecuencias en el mundo contemporáneo. Así, la recuperación de la pregunta sobre Dios está necesitada de un paso previo: la confianza en el conjunto de lo real. De esta manera, se pretende mostrar que una confianza fundamental es más racional que una postura existencial de desconfianza. Esta es la reflexión del libro de Küng que R. Franco intenta asumir de manera crítica
Quale flexicurity? : Studi e politiche su flessibilità e sicurezza nel lavoro
No full textThe author presents the origins and transformation of the concept of flexicurity and stresses the problems with the implementation of the flexicurity model adopted by the European Union. He then proposes some research lines to make it more apt to guide labour market reform
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