1,721,029 research outputs found
Multitasking nanoparticles for theranostics: from the synthesis to in vitro applications
No full textQuesta tesi di dottorato illustra lo studio di nanoparticelle multitasking e superparamagnetiche di Fe3O4@Cu@Au per possibili applicazioni nell'ambito della teranostica. In dettaglio mediante diverse sintesi inorganiche si sono realizzate nanoparticelle metalliche che, data la loro struttura multifasica, possono essere impiegate come agenti di contrasto in diverse tecniche di diagnostica medica come MRI, grazie al core di magnetite che ne consente anche il confinamento magnetico attraverso l'applicazione di campi magnetici esterni ed in PET, per lo strato intermedio di rame. Lo strato esterno di oro conferisce ai nanosistemi biocompatibilità e possibilità di essere funzionalizzati con molecole di interesse biomedico come farmaci, polimeri e proteine. Il legame con specifici composti permette di modulare le proprietà dei nanosistemi in accordo alle necessità del paziente e della malattia da trattare. Pertanto, alle nanoparticelle metalliche, dopo caratterizzazione chimico-fisica con XRPD, AFM, TEM e VSM, sono state legate molecole di sintesi e commerciali e il loro binding studiato attraverso XPS, IR, UV-Vis e fluorescenza. Inoltre è stato affrontato lo studio dell'internalizzazione di queste nanoparticelle in cellule del sistema immunitario, come microglia e granulociti, al fine di poter utilizzare le stesse cellule per il trasporto dei nanomateriali nell'organismo, superando i problemi più comuni dell'applicazione in vivo delle nanoparticelle come la rapida clearance e formazione della protein corona. Il ruolo di difesa di queste cellule con la loro capacità di raggiungere i tessuti malati, potrebbe consentire un maggior accumulo locale dei nanosistemi, aumentandone la concentrazione in situ e quindi le capacità terapeutiche e diagnostiche. Infine, si è studiata la capacità delle nanoparticelle funzionalizzate con determinate molecole organiche di interagire ed essere internalizzate selettivamente in cellule non fagocitarie (cellule tumorali MCF-7 e MDA-MB-231) attraverso endocitosi recettore mediata. L’ ingolfamento specifico nel target cellulare scelto permette di considerare queste nanoparticelle degli agenti teranostici particolarmente promettenti. Gli studi di internalizzazione sono stati svolti mediante tecniche di microscopia come AFM, SEM, microscopia a fluorescenza
Metals used in maxillofacial surgery
Full text linkThe goal of maxillofacial surgery is to restore the shape and functionality of maxillofacial region. In the past years, there has been a tremendous progress in this field because of significant advances in biotechnology that provided innovative biomaterials to efficiently reconstruct the maxillofacial injured region. By using appropriate selection of the implant biomaterial, it is possible to reconstruct the native tissue, both in form and function. The ideal biomaterial should mimic native tissues regarding density, strength, and modulus of elasticity. Autografts are currently the gold standard for replacement of missing tissues, but synthetic biomaterials have been widely used because they eliminate the discomfort to take the replacement tissue from the donor site. Among synthetic biomaterials, different metals may be utilized to efficiently reconstruct the maxillofacial injured region. This article makes an effort to summarize the most important metals in use in maxillofacial surgery, and point out advantages and disadvantage of each typ
Bone mineralization and immediate function of six dental implants in patients with Klinefelter syndrome
Full text linkPatients with Klinefelter syndrome face many challenges in oral treatment and bone mineralization due to multiple systemic dysfunctions. This case report follows the geometrical treatment with immediate implant loading of an adult male patient with Klinefelter syndrome. Satisfactory results were demonstrated in clinical follow-up
The deviated nasal tip: a personal technique for correction using monolateral crural overlay and monolateral dome truncation
No full textBackground: To present a novel approach to correct nasal tip deviation with monolateral crural overlay or monolateral dome truncation, presenting as an isolated deformity or in complex nose deviations. Nasal tip deviation can be congenital or posttraumatic, due to a dislocated septum or cartilaginous septal or lower lateral cartilage malformations. Although some treatment strategies have been introduced, appropriate treatment remains a challenge because of the complexity and variability of such deformities.
Methods: It had been assumed that in most nasal tip deviations, a lower lateral cartilage was longer than the contralateral one. The authors analyzed 158 patients from January 2015 to October 2019 with nasal tip deviation and corrected the deviated tip by using a monolateral interruptive technique (lateral crural overlay or monolateral dome truncation) on the lower lateral cartilage. Photographic comparison between preoperative and at least 1-year follow-up for nasal axis deviation variable was analyzed and a self-assessment questionnaire was administrated to the patients at 1-year follow-up.
Results: The mean nasal deviation was 6.59° (±3.1°) preoperatively and 1.56° (±0.26°) postoperatively (p < 0.05). The range of differences between pre and postoperative deviations was 2.7° to 15.1°, and the mean difference was 6.1° (±3.21°). Of the 84 patients, 47 (55.95%) were very satisfied, 33 (39.28%) were satisfied, and 4 (4.76%) were unsatisfied with surgical the results and required revision surgery.
Conclusions: In authors' hands, monolateral interruptive techniques (lateral crural overlay or monolateral dome truncation) are a viable and feasible option to restore nasal tip symmetry. These techniques achieved high satisfaction rates among patients and resulted in reliable and reproducible symmetry immediately visible after surgery and stable over time (1-year postsurgery controls)
The caudal septum pivot technique for short nose correction
No full textThe short nose represents one of the greatest challenges in rhinoplasty. It is characterized by a reduced distance from the nasal radix to the tip-defining points, often associated with inadequate tip projection. Several techniques have been described for correction of short nose with the common objective of replacing and rebuilding the osteocartilaginous framework. One of the most effective method to correct the short nose is the septal extension graft. The authors describe the caudal septum pivot (CSP) technique, a simple method to elongate short noses by using a graft inserted in the dorsal septum after its division using as pivot the caudal portion, without detaching it from its natural anchorage to the anterior nasal spine. A retrospective analysis was performed reviewing the clinical charts and the operative records of 315 patients who underwent revision rhinoplasty from January 2015 to June 2019; among this group, 34 were considered eligible for the study. The patients (8 men, 26 women; mean age: 25.4 years; age range: 22-53 years) were divided into two groups: in 12 patients (Group 1) the CSP technique was performed, while Group 2 was composed of 22 patients who received a more classic treatment with a septal extension graft. To evaluate the outcomes, nasal length, tip projection, and tip rotation were measured pre- and 1 year postoperatively on digital photographs of each patient. Nasal anthropometric measurements revealed, at 12-month visit follow-up, an improvement in nasal length, tip projection, and nasolabial angle was achieved in all the patients. The comparison of the pre- and postoperative values showed a statistically significant reduction in the nasolabial angle ( p <0.05) and an increase in the tip projection ( p <0.05) and in the nasal lengthening ( p <0.05) in both groups. In authors' experience, the CSP technique could be considered a safe, reliable, and effective alternative technique in selected patients
Determination of vertical dimension of an implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation with surface electromyography: case report
No full textDetermination of vertical dimension of an implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation with surface electromyography: case report.
Abstract
The aim of each prosthetic rehabilitation is to achieve a proper occlusion structurally and functionally integrated in the individual neuromuscolar system.
This is particularly important in implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation because the main cause of implant failure is the presence of an abnormal forces distribution(1).
The forces acting on a prosthetic rehabilitation are amplified by an incorrect determination of Vertical Dimension(2).
The methods proposed in the literature for the determination of occlusion Vertical Dimension are manifold but at present there is no consensus on the methodology to be used for both the variability of results between different methods, both because no author takes into account the effect that the new Vertical Dimension produces on the neuromuscular individual system(3-5).
The aim of this study is to evaluate the possibility of determining a "individually correct" Vertical Dimension through the use of the Surface Electromyography (sEMG).
For this study was selected one male patient, 55 age old, which needed of an superior overdenture.
Were performed three acquisitions throught the use of the electromyograph*: the first at the time of delivery of provisional prothesis, the second after modify of provisional prosthesis and the third at the delivery of final prosthetic.
The "individually correct" Vertical Dimension was achieved by the modify of provisional prosthetic, following the stabilization of indices indicated by the software**: Temporal POC, Masseter POC, Activity Coefficient, Asymmetry Index, Torque and, above all, Impact..
At the time of delivery of final prosthesis, all the considered indices showed the values in the biological range.
The results obtained show that the use of surface electromyography allows to combine the qualitative information with quantitative measurements, allowing the determination of a individually correct Vertical Dimension.
The use of this tool, therefore, can become part of the prosthetic protocol, guiding the operator through the various phases of the prosthetic rehabilitation. This can certainly influence in positive the success rate of implant, since in a system in neuromuscolar equilibrium the overload components of the implant are reduced. A proper distribution of masticatory loads through the prosthetic system, in conjunction with proper hygiene procedures and appropriate strategies for the preservation, is the best guarantee of long-term survival of each implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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