1,721,039 research outputs found

    Dynamic identification of a concrete bridge with orthotropic plate-type deck

    No full text
    This paper continues a line of research aimed at the development of a dynamically-based health condition monitoring of bridge structures in the area of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy. One subject of this research program has been a two-span highway bridge with concrete slab supported by closely spaced precast beams, a constructive typology which is quite diffuse in the regional highway network. Forced-vibration tests and experimental modal analysis were used to determine the vibration properties of the structure. An identification procedure based on dynamic data allowed to define an accurate orthotropic plate model of the deck and to improve the description of some constructional details in the finite-element model of the bridge, such as the boundary conditions on abutments and the connection between deck and pier. The usefulness of the combined experimental and analytical process in identification of structural properties has been proven, and the procedure can be applied to other structures of the same typology

    Microcapsule a doppio strato di polisaccaridiutilizzabili come veicoli per la somministrazione oraledi sostanze biologicamente attive

    No full text
    The present invention relates to microcapsules with a double-layer of natural polysaccharides - chitosan and alginate - gelified and stabilized by means of a divalent ion containing inside at least one biologically active substance. The microcapsules of the invention can be employed as carriers for the oral administration of biologically active substances, also associated with an adjuvant of the biological response of the same, administered for a preventive or therapeutic purpose. These substances can be chosen, for example, from antigens and adjuvants, suitable for immune response stimulation against infective and non-infective agents, or from chemotherapeutics and adjuvants with therapeutic type effects. According to the type of biologically active substance encapsulated in the microcapsules, there can be a variety of uses for oral vaccination or therapy in the human and veterinary field

    Ligamentous reconstruction of scapholunate dislocation through a double dorsal and palmar approach

    No full text
    Six patients, were treated for scapholunate dissociation by reconstruction of both the palmar and dorsal parts of the scapholunate interosseous ligament through a combined palmar and dorsal approach. The mean active range of motion of the wrist at final follow-up was 44° of flexion and 58° of extension and the mean hand grip strengths was 88% of that of the contralateral hand. The average time to return to work was 105 days and the mean DASH score at a mean follow-up of 32 months was 18. At follow-up, radiographs showed maintenance of the anatomical reduction of the scapholunate articulation in all cases and the scapholunate angle was normal in five patients. © 2006 The British Society for Surgery of the Hand

    Decreased cholesterol levels reflect a consumption of anti-inflammatory isoprenoids associated with an impaired control of inflammation in a mouse model of mevalonate kinase deficiency

    No full text
    Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate, in a mouse model of mevalonate kinase deficiency (MKD), the possible link between inflammatory symptoms and serum cholesterol levels. Materials and methods Balb/c mice were treated with alendronate and bacterial muramyl dipeptide. Body temperature, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) secretion and serum cholesterol levels were measured. Results An increased production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β (p < 0.05) and a rise in body temperature (p < 0.05) was observed, while, in parallel, serum cholesterol concentration significantly decreased (p < 0.05). These effects were completely reversed when animals were treated with exogenous isoprenoids. Conclusions In the mouse model of MKD, the inflammatory response is associated with a reduction in cholesterol levels, and hence this parameter could be used as an indicator of isoprenoid consumption. In addition, plant derived isoprenoids could represent candidate treatments for this disease

    TRAIL administration down-modulated the acute systemic inflammatory response induced in a mouse model by muramyldipeptide or lipopolysaccharide

    No full text
    The potent inducer of apoptosis TRAIL/Apo2 ligand is now under considerations in clinical trials for the treatment of different types of cancer. Since the natural history of cancer is often characterized by microbial infections, we have investigated the effect of recombinant human TRAIL in a mouse model of systemic acute inflammation of microbial origin represented by BALB/c mice treated with either bacterial muramyldipeptide (MDP) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). When administered intraperitoneally (i.p.), these inflammatory bacterial compounds triggered a severe systemic inflammatory response within 2. h, represented by body temperature elevation, increase of circulating serum amyloid-A (SAA) and of the number of leukocytes in the peritoneal cavity. Moreover, both MDP and LPS induced a significant elevation of the circulating levels of several inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Noteworthy, pre-treatment with recombinant human TRAIL 48 and 72. h before administration of either MDP or LPS, significantly counteracted all acute inflammatory responses, including the elevation of key pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines such as IL-1α, IL-6, G-CSF, MCP-1. These data demonstrate for the first time that TRAIL has a potent anti-inflammatory activity, which might be beneficial for the anti-tumoral activity of TRAIL. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd

    Tecnica personale per l'accesso dorsale al polso (Personal technique for wrist dorsal approach)

    No full text
    In hand disorders surgical procedures are more and more widely used and often it's necessary to approach the wrist by the dorsal way. Beneath anatomy of this region is well known, there is still room enough to develop new surgical exposure techniques mostly related to physiology and biomechanics. Our goals are to present an innovative surgical dorsal exposure of the wrist, to show its use for different problems solving, and to evaluate its mini-invasive and functional outcome. Our inedited surgical technique is presented. Since November 1999 to February 2008, this technique has been used by the same surgeon in 60 cases for different pathologies and procedures: 14 SNAC-SLAC wrists III-IV treated by proximal row resection and ResurfaceCapitate Pyrocarbon Implant (RCPI), 2 Fenton syndromes by bone graft and RCPI, 6 SNACSLAC II by proximal row resection +/- radial styloidectomy, 2 SLAC III by scaphoidectomy and capito-lunate arthrodesis, 12 scapho-lunate recent dissociations by ligamentoplasty (double approach), 4 scapho-lunate inveterate dissociations by Cuenod Saffar-Romano modified technique and 4 by synthetic ligaments, 1 fracture of the scaphoid proximal pole by synthesis-revascularization-S.L.ligament reconstruction, 15 Kienbock's diseases revascularized by II m.c. artery +/- radial osteotomy. Patients have been evaluated at follow up through the DASHdisability questionnaire, theMayo score for the force, ROM, pain, satisfaction grade. Results are good and encouraging for these applications. In conclusion this new technique with its limited exposure permits an early mobilization with a lower risk of stiffness and can be considered mini-invasive. © Mattioli 1885

    Personal technique for wrist dorsal approach

    No full text
    In hand disorders surgical procedures are more and more widely used and often it's necessary to approach the wrist by the dorsal way. Beneath anatomy of this region is well known, there is still room enough to develop new surgical exposure techniques mostly related to physiology and biomechanics. Our goals are to present an innovative surgical dorsal exposure of the wrist, to show its use for different problems solving, and to evaluate its mini-invasive and functional outcome. Our inedited surgical technique is presented. Since November 1999 to February 2008, this technique has been used by the same surgeon in 60 cases for different pathologies and procedures: 14 SNAC-SLAC wrists III-IV treated by proximal row resection and Resurface-Capitate Pyrocarbon Implant (RCPI), 2 Fenton syndromes by bone graft and RCPI, 6 SNACSLAC II by proximal row resection +/- radial styloidectomy, 2 SLAC III by scaphoidectomy and capito-lunate arthrodesis, 12 scapho-lunate recent dissociations by ligamentoplasty (double approach), 4 scapho-lunate inveterate dissociations by Cuenod Saffar-Romano modified technique and 4 by synthetic ligaments, 1 fracture of the scaphoid proximal pole by synthesis-revascularization-S.L.ligament reconstruction, 15 Kienbock's diseases revascularized by II m.c. artery +/- radial osteotomy. Patients have been evaluated at follow up through the DASH disability questionnaire, the Mayo score for the force, ROM, pain, satisfaction grade. Results are good and encouraging for these applications. In conclusion this new technique with its limited exposure permits an early mobilization with a lower risk of stiffness and can be considered mini-invasive
    corecore