60 research outputs found
Analisi delle decisioni della Commissione centrale per gli esercenti le professioni sanitarie relative ai farmacisti
No full textResistant hypertension in a patient with chronic type B aortic dissection : a selective indication for renal artery denervation treatment
No full textDEDALO: Device for Enhanced Dust Analyses with Light Obscuration sensors
No full textInstruments based on light obscuration sensors are widely used for measuring the size distribution of insoluble sub-visible particles in liquid suspensions, being fast and suitable for in situ and real-time measurements. Such instruments are typically calibrated by means of reference polystyrene spherical particles with a specific refractive index, which unavoidably leads to systematic errors when determining the size of particles of different materials. In this paper, we propose a reliable and consistent method to overcome this limitation by setting the refractive index value according to the sample, thus achieving an improved particle size distribution (PSD) measurement. An ad hoc, ready-to-use, open source code with a graphical interface able to drive an in-line instrument and obtain a real-time correction to the PSD has been developed. The method has been extensively validated with several oil emulsions characterized by different refractive index values and the results have been compared with an independent optical method. As an example of application, we have adopted this approach for the analysis of dust suspended in meltwater of an ice core from a glacier in the Aosta Valley (Italy). We believe that our approach will strongly improve the accuracy in characterizing liquid suspensions and reduce discrepancies between data obtained with different methods. The code has been made publicly available at: https://instrumentaloptics.fisica.unimi.it/dedalo/ and on the GitHub page of the corresponding author (https://github.com/LucaTeruzzi/DEDALO)
Skeletal mineralization in a prepubertal female population affected by juvenile idiopathic arthritis
No full textBackground: Puberty is an essential step in bone mass accrual. Growth failure and impairment of sexual maturation
are frequent manifestations of chronic illnesses in the paediatric population, and chronic rheumatologic disorders such
as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) are no exception to this.
Methods: The aim of our study was to prospectively evaluate bone density in adolescents females with JIA, and to
correlate the results with clinical variables, in particular with age at menarche. Lumbar spine (L2-L4) areal bone
mineral density (aBMD) (assessed by Dual X-ray Absorbiometry, DXA) was monitored every 6-12 months in a group
of 38 girls with JIA. The evaluated bone density accrual during the peripubertal time as well as absolute and relative
(Z-score) aBMD in relationship with age at menarche, JIA subset, disease activity (as evaluated by ESR and Hgb),
corticosteroid and methotrexate treatment (mean pro kg daily dose, cumulative dose) was assessed. Height, body mass
index (BMI), bone mass content (BMC) values were also collected. Volumetric BMD (vBMD) evaluated with a geometric
correction formula has been calculated and compared to aBMD.
Results: Patients were divided into two groups:
- group I included girls with menarche age within normal limits for italian standards;
- group II included girls with delayed menarche. The BMD values and Z scores in group I were not significantly different
to normal population. The BMD values and Z scores in group II were significantly decreased when compared
to the normal population (p<0.001). With a multivariate analysis only age at menarche seemed independently related
to peripubertal mineralization (p=0.025, r between -0.65 and -0.75). With a binary logistic analysis only disease
activity (ESR and Hgb values) seems independently related to a menarche delay (1.24±0.4 for each mm/h).
Conclusion: Our data show a critical role for disease activity in determination of a regular pubertal onset and an optimal
bone density achievemen
Metodi di valutazione della durabilità di tecniche di reintegrazione con malte di elementi di facciata in conglomerato cementizio armato
No full textINTEGRATED OPTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF AIRBORNE AND DEPOSITED MINERAL DUST TO IMPROVE THE UNDERSTANDING OF RADIATIVE TRANSFER PROCESSES THROUGH POLAR AND ALPINE SNOWPACKS
No full textThe Earth’s cryosphere is undergoing rapid transformation due to climate change, with
significant reductions in glacier mass and snow cover expected by the end of the century.
According to the 2021 IPCC report, mid-latitude glaciers may lose up to 80% of
their mass, while snow cover could decline by 90%. These changes will disrupt ecosystems
and have profound effects on human activities. Atmospheric aerosols play a crucial
role in climate regulation by interacting with solar and terrestrial radiation. These particles
influence the Earth’s radiative energy balance through scattering and absorption
processes, affecting cloud formation and precipitation. When deposited on snow and
ice, aerosols reduce surface albedo, accelerating melting. However, uncertainties persist
regarding the full extent of their impact due to incomplete knowledge of aerosol interactions
with visible and near-infrared light. Aeolian mineral dust, in particular, remains an
area of significant research interest due to its uncertain contribution to global radiative
balance. Framed in this context, ice cores from polar and Alpine regions also provide
essential historical records of atmospheric composition and climate variability. Chemical
and physical analyses reveal information on greenhouse gases, heavy metals, and
mineral dust, aiding climate reconstructions and model improvements. Another critical
research area concerns sunlight propagation in snowpacks. Fresh snow exhibits high
albedo, but impurities such as black carbon and mineral dust lower reflectivity, enhancing
melting. Despite numerical modeling efforts, experimental data on light penetration
within snow remains limited. To address these knowledge gaps, optical techniques provide
a non-invasive and non-destructive approach. This research aligns with national
and international objectives, contributing to improved climate modeling and a better
understanding of cryosphere changes
Proapoptotic effect of atorvastatin on stimulated rabbit smooth muscle cells
No full textThe in vitro and in vivo activity of atorvastatin and other 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMGCoA) reductase inhibitors (fluvastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin) has been investigated. Atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin caused a significant and dose-dependent (0.1-50 microM) reduction in cell multiplication of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) in cultures associated with the retardation of cycling cells in the G1 and G2/M compartments at 24 h, a phenomenon leading to apoptosis (programmed cell death) in several experimental in vitro models. The effects on the cell cycle resulted in a strong inhibition of cell proliferation at 48 h, followed by apoptosis when incubation was prolonged to 72 h as assessed by nuclei morphology and cytofluorimetric analysis of DNA. The apoptotic effect observed for the statins is completely prevented by the addition of exogenous mevalonate at a 100 microm concentration. in vivo SMC proliferation was stimulated by applying a silastic collar to the outside surface of carotid arteries in normocholesterolemic rabbits in the presence of an anatomically intact endothelium. The positioning of the collar promoted apoptosis in control vessels as assessed by Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase-dUTP-Biotin Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) assay. The pre-treatment with 5 mg kg-1 per day of atorvastatin before collar insertion strongly increased the number of TUNEL-positive cells, suggesting a pro-apoptotic effect of HMGCoA reductase inhibitors also in vivo, even though cell DNA rearrangement still needs to be excluded. No apoptotic signal was detectable in sham operated arteries with no collar in either control or atorvastatin-treated rabbits. These data indicate that HMGCoA reductase inhibitors effect on the arterial wall may involve the modulation of both cell proliferation and programmed cell deaths supporting a possible role of statins in the prevention of early lesion and restenosis
A Comparison of Response Criteria in Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Treated with Methotrexate And/or Anti-Tnfα Agents
No full text- …
