705 research outputs found
USE OF AUTOLOGOUS PLATELET GEL FOR RECURRENCE OF PERINEAL AND SACROCOCCIGEAL FISTULA
No full textUSE OF AUTOLOGOUS PLATELET GEL FOR RECURRENCE OF PERIANAL AND SACRO-COCCIGEAL FISTULA A. Giuliani, G. Ferrazza, D. Crocetti, L. de Anna, E. Orsi, F. Guerra, F. La Torre Coloproctology Unit, Department of Emergency, Policlinico Umberto I, University of ‘‘La Sapienza’’, Rome, Italy Abstract The treatment of Sinus Pilonidalis and Perianal Fistulas is still not entirely standardised due to the frequency of relapses, the inconvenience for patients and last but not least, for the economic commitment by the health-care structure. The potential therapeutic value and versatility of products stemming from blood and platelets have long stimulated research and interest in the field of surgery. The autologous gel platelets (PG), generated by activated human thrombin and platelets, represent a new biotechnology for angiogenesis stimulation on speeding up the healing and regeneration of tissues. Do not underestimate its effect as analgesic. Our study shows the employment of gel platelets in the treatment of complicated wounds and recurrences following surgery for Sinus Pilonidalis and Perianal Fistulas . From January 2006 to May 2009, we selected eight patients (6 males and 2 females, aged between 19 and 54 years) with infected wound following surgery for Sinus Pilonidalis and 10 patients (6 males and 4 females, aged between 31 and 72 years) with recurrence after Perianal Fistulas Our results, although obtained on a small group of patients, support the safety and efficacy of PG in the treatment of infected wounds following surgery for the excision of Sinus Pilonidalis and Perianal Fistulas relapses. Further studies and longer follow-up are needed to come to any conclusion
In orbit performance of the UNISAT terrestrial technology solar panels
No full textThe UNISAT microsatellite solar panels are manufactured using a terrestrial technology solar panel fabrication technique, with some modification to improve reliability and make the system withstand the launch and space environment. The solar cells are encapsulated between two layers made of a special sunlight transparent polymer, resistant to UV exposure and with very good mechanical properties. This technology, available at Eurosolare. has been employed for many years in terrestrial applications, including extreme environments, such as the Antartic polar region and Sahara desert, but there is no space flight experience. The ground tests performed for the UNISAT solar panels predict a reliable lifetime of about one year and data collected show also their good electrical performance in orbit. The UNISAT experience shows that in low cost space missions terrestrial technology solar panels can be employed, leaving the designer free to choose the most appropriate solar cell size and to cut down costs and development time
Apparecchio e metodo per la caratterizzazione ottica in luce diffusa di materiali e dispositivi fotovolataici
No full textL'invenzione concerne una metodologhia ed un apparato combinato per eseguire misure di riflettanza e trasmittanza emisferica/emisferica comprendente una sorgente di luce, una sfera integratrice a cui è connesso un primo fotodiodo di misura collegabile a un radiometro multicanale, detta sfera integratrice avendo un diffusore di luce interno, una prima finestra d'ingresso, un oblò che serve ad osservare l'interno della sfera, e una seconda finestra di interfacciamento con una sfera supplementare di dimensioni più piccole di quelle della sfera integratrice principale, a cui è connesso un secondo fotodiodo di misura collegabile a detto radiometro multicanale, detta sfera supplementare essendo anche fornita di un oblò che serve a traguardare all'interno di essa
Radio-chemotherapy with Temozolomide in Elderly Patients with Glioblastoma. A Mono-institutional Experience
No full textAim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the toxicity and clinical outcome of radio-chemotherapy with temozolomide in patients with glioblastoma aged more than 65 years. Materials and Methods: The analysis was performed in 20 male and 20 female patients with a mean age at diagnosis of 71.2 (range=65-81) years, with Karnofsky performance status greater than 70 without important comorbidities. Results: Toxicities related to temozolomide and concomitant radiochemotherapy were similar to those reported for younger patients. The median time to progression and median overall survival of the entire cohort, from the date of diagnosis, were 10.6 (range=6.7-14.4) months and 19.3 (range=17.8-20.7) months, respectively. No significant results for overall survival analysis were found for age at diagnosis and cardiovascular risk factors, as covariates, with hazard ratios of 1.00 (95% confidence interval=0.92-1.10) and 0.9 (95% confidence interval=0.43-1.88), respectively. Conclusion: Considering the relative good toxicity profile and the efficacy of treatment, our experience supports the use of radiochemotherapy with temozolomide in older patients with glioblastoma
Evaluating the effect of pupil dilation on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography measurements and their quality score
No full textBackground: Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) provides fast scan speed and high scan resolution improving its diagnostic accuracy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if SD-OCT measurements and their quality score are influenced by pupil dilation. Methods: Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL), ganglion cell complex (GCC) and optic nerve head (ONH) were measured in one eye of 57 glaucoma patients and 36 healthy subjects using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) before and after pupil dilation. Comparisons were made between measurements and their quality score pre- and post dilation (Signal Strength Index, SSI). Overall RNFL, average GCC and ONH rim volume were considered in the analysis. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between pre- and post-dilation measurements in both groups (glaucoma: RNFL 80 ± 15 μm vs 80 ± 16 μm, p = 0.87; GCC 81.35 ± 13.4 μm vs 81.10 ± 13.14 μm, p = 0.92; ONH 0.05 ± 0.11 mm3 vs 0.04 ± 0.07 mm3, p = 0.74; controls RNFL 99 ± 12 μm vs 98 ± 14 μm, p = 0.70; GCC 92.12 ± 6.7 μm vs 91.54 ± 7.05 μm, p = 0.72; ONH 0.11 ± 0.1 mm3 vs 0.04 ± 0.07 mm3, p = 0.36) nor between pre- and post-dilation quality score (glaucoma SSI RNFL 54.3 ± 10.3 vs 51.7 ± 18.1, p = 0.12; SSI GCC 58 ± 9.5 vs 57 ± 8.09, p = 0.55; SSI ONH 48.5 ± 7.6 vs 46.6 ± 7.2, p = 0.16; controls SSI RNFL 57 ± 10.3 vs 54 ± 9.31, p = 0.2; SSI GCC 60.9 ± 8.1 vs 58.8 ± 7.3, p = 0.3; SSI ONH 51.5 ± 8.9 vs 50.4 ± 8.3, p = 0.59). Conclusion: Pupil dilation doesn't affect SD-OCT measurements and their quality score
Variable Spectral Response Photodetector Based on Crystalline/Amorphous Silicon Heterostructure
No full textA novel photodetector based on a p-i-n amorphous silicon/n-p crystalline silicon stacked heterostructure, which exhibits either infrared or visible response, depending on the polarity of the applied bias is described. The energy gap and the thickness of the layers inside amorphous diode have been optimized to obtain a wavelength selection (centered at 480 nm and 780 nm) with high rejection ratio and good quantum efficiencies. Absolute values of the quantum yield as high as 80% in both the two spectral bands have been obtained thanks to an Al-doped ZnO conductivity transparent film deposited on the top of the devic
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