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Zur arthroskopischen autologen Chondrozytentransplantation wurde ein biologisch abbaubares, biokompatibles Gerust auf der Basis von Hyaluronsaure verwendet. Alle Patienten wurden nach dem Score der International Repair Cartilage Society prospektiv evaluiert. Die Studie analysiert die klinischen Ergebnisse bei arthroskopisch behandelten Patienten mit 24-monatiger Nachbeobachtung. Wahrend der Behandlungs- und Nachbeobachtungszeit kam es weder zu Komplikationen aufgrund des Implantats noch zu schweren Nebenwirkungen. Nach 12 Monaten verbesserten sich objektiver als auch subjektiver IKDC-Score statistisch signifikant. Es ergab sich kein statistisch signifikanter Unterschied zwischen den klinischen Ergebnissen nach 12 und 24 Monaten. Dieses Verfahren der autologen Chondrozytentransplantation mit Matrix vereinfacht die Operation und ermoglicht eine arthroskopische Implantation mit reduzierter Operationsmorbiditat und Erholungszeit fur den Patienten.

Following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with the middle third part patellar tendon, the graft undergoes histological rearrangement due to biomechanical action, which transforms it into a structure similar to the normal ACL. The purpose of our study was to make a qualitative and quantitative histological evaluation, by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), of the neoligamentization process of a bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTPB) graft used as pro-ACL at different follow-up times. We analysed the ultrastructure of collagen fibrils by focusing on their size and distribution with respect to a normal patellar tendon and a normal ACL used as controls. Our results showed that up to 24 months follow-up, progressive ultrastructural changes towards the normal ACL were observed. At longer times after surgery (48 and 120 months) no further changes were evident and the ultrastructure showed a marked reduction in large fibrils, which was typical of the control patellar tendon, and a significant increase in small fibrils. The ultrastructure seemed to combine fibrils from two different morphological units. The BPTB graft used as ACL underwent a transformation process for up to two years. After that period the transformation ceased and for ten years failed to reach the ultrastructural aspect of a normal ACL. However, from an architectural point of view the graft was slowly transformed into a structure similar to ACL with respect to the different mechanical stresses the ligament has to sustain.

It has been hypothesized that concentrations of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) may be related to the extent of cytokine-mediated airway inflammation. Recent findings indicate the nasal airways as an important site of NO production. Our objective was to evaluate whether children with allergic rhinitis show different nasal NO levels when compared with normal healthy subjects and the effect of topical steroids and anti-histamine therapy. We have measured the concentration of NO drawn from the nose of 21 children (5-17 years old) affected by perennial allergic rhinitis (house dust mite) out of therapy for at least 3 weeks. Thirteen children were then treated with nasal beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) (400 micrograms daily) and eight subjects with nasal anti-histamine levocabastine (200 micrograms daily). Measurements were performed before and after 10 days of treatment. As a control group we evaluated 21 healthy children aged 5-15 years. To measure NO we used a chemiluminescence analyser. Before treatment the whole group of children with allergic rhinitis showed a mean (+/- SEM) nasal NO concentration of 267 +/- 18 ppb, significantly higher (P < 0.01) than the control group (186 +/- 15 ppb). The group of children treated with BDP showed, after 10 days of therapy, a significant (P < 0.05) decrease of nasal NO concentration (271 +/- 21 ppb vs. 212 +/- 20 ppb). Indeed, in the group treated with levocabastine, nasal NO concentrations did not present a significant difference (P not significant) compared with baseline (261 +/- 33 ppb and 252 +/- 31 ppb, respectively). These data suggest that (1) children with allergic rhinitis have higher levels of nasal NO than non-atopic controls and (2) intranasal steroid therapy significantly reduces nasal NO production in children with allergic rhinitis. We speculate that the allergic inflammatory response may influence the nasal NO levels and that NO measurements may be a useful marker of nasal inflammation.

Some ancient texts, such as Homer’s Iliad and the Book of Genesis in the Holy Bible, both of the IX century B.C., include descriptions of acetabular fractures. Between the VIII and the III century B.C, Etruscan people settled in Italy before Romans. In an Etruscan archaeological site a skeleton was found inside a tomb with a pelvic ring fracture. It is a vertical shear fracture with a sacro-iliac joint dislocation and a diastasis of pubic symphysis. This man lived in the V century B.C. His skeleton represents the most ancient evidence of a pelvic ring fracture we know of.

This article describes the clinical history of a patient admitted to the Emergency Room after severe infrascapular pain unaffected by breathing or postural changes. After thoracic CT a type B aortic dissection was diagnosed. On admission to the CCU, the patient's blood pressure was still high (210/120 mmHg). Sodium nitroprusside (1 microg/kg/min drip) was initiated. As blood pressure remained high after 24 h, the infusion rate was increased gradually up to 18 microg/kg/min. In the evening of the following day the patient was transferred to the operating room because acute renal failure (BUN 108 mg/dL, Cr 4.00 mg/dL) occurred and arterial pressure was still high (180/60 mmHg). A thoracic endoprosthesis was then inserted. During this procedure the patient was relaxed and his blood pressure was satisfactory (140/80 mmHg) without drugs. In order to further lower blood pressure and afterload before positioning the second prosthetic segment within the aortic arch, 1 microg/kg/min nitroprusside drip was continued. A few minutes initiation of the drip an abrupt rise in blood pressure (systolic 200 mmHg) was observed, which had to be controlled before continuing the procedure. Increased nitroprusside infusion and repeated boluses of 10 mg urapidil (3-4 boluses with an interval of 15 min) and 30 microg clonidine were unsuccessful. After 15 min with an increased nitroprusside infusion rate, the patient showed psychomotor agitation and O2 his saturation dropped to 91% while arterial pH was 7.2 and lactate concentration was 3.5 mmol/L. Nitroprusside infusion was discontinued, while 0.1 microg/kg/min fenoldopam (started when the patient arrived in the operating room) was continued without improvement. In order to complete the procedure, general anaesthesia with sevflurane (2 MAC) in air (FiO2= 40%) was induced. After successful reduction in blood pressure the procedure was completed. In the postoperative course the patient was admitted to the ICU.

The prevalence of Congenital Hip Disease (CDH) in Europe is ranging between 2% and 3%. There are, though, 3 regions where it reaches 4-5%: Bohemia (Cech Republic), Upper Palatinate (Germany) and Emilia Romagna (Italy). The Rizzoli Institute of Bologna, capital of Emilia Romagna, is traditionally the Orthopaedic Hospital treating these large number of patients of northern Italy. Thus, in a previous series of cementless Hip implants [1] published by us in 1994 the prevalence of CDH arthritis was 32%, that is one patient out of three undergoing THA in our department showed some degree of CDH, from minimal alteration to congenital iliac dislocation. In these cases, Total Hip Replacement for degenerative arthritis can be technically difficult. In fact, the Hip anatomy can be severely altered and component placement (especially the cup) is always complicate.Based on our experience, we have classified our cases in 3 groups according to their anatomo – pathologic picture which has determined the indication to a specific surgical procedure: Group A, B and C. First of all, we must say that femoral anatomical features, differently from acetabulum, tend not to vary with the severity of the disease and are fairly uniform. The main features of Dysplastic arthritis of the hip are: 1) FEMUR a straight and narrow femoral canal with a more or less severe anteversion (usually about 20°-25°; that is around 10° more than normal). Regarding to length, in our experience, dysplasic femora are generally hypoplasic (and then shorter than normal)) or normal, rarely hyper-plasic. With these features a straight stem is necessary, cemented or (better) cementless allowing the correction of the anteverted neck. 2) ACETABULUM = we have maintained the 3 groups of Hartofilakidis [2] with more attention to the acetabular morphology, designing an algoritm of the surgical treatment. A) Group A ("DYSPLASIA" of HARTOFILAKIDIS) (Fig. 1a-d) the acetabulum is small, the antero-lateral wall is deficient, sometimes absent, the medial wall is usually not too thick creating problems for placing the cup. 237 Tricks and tips: how to manage the implantation of ceramic implants

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a promising technique for in situ elemental analysis. A new mobile instrument for LIBS analysis, developed in a collaboration between Marwan Technology s.r.l. and the Applied Laser Spectroscopy Laboratory in Pisa, is presented, and some applications of it and results from it are outlined. The innovative experimental set-up, based on the use of two suitably retarded laser pulses and a standardless analysis procedure, which overcomes problems related to matrix effects, greatly improves the potential of this technique for accurate quantitative analysis.

New macrocyclic and macroacyclic Schiff bases have been obtained by condensation of 2,6-diformyl-4Z-phenols (Z = Cl, CH3, (CH3)3C) with the polyamines, 1,5-diamino-3-azapentane, 1,5-diamino-3-thiapentane and octadecylamine or 4-N-dodecyldiethylenetriamine. Their interaction with lanthanide(III) (Ln(III) = La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Yb) and the uranyl(VI) ions have been studied. The presence of aliphatic chains in the periphery of the coordination moiety of these ligands considerably enhances the solubility of the related complexes in organic solvents. The complexes, formulated as Ln(H2L)(X)3.nH2O or UO2L (H2L — unionized macrocyclic or macroacyclic ligands; X = NO3−, CI−1 n = 1, 0) have been synthesized by template procedure or by reaction of the appropriate metal salt with the preformed ligands. A study of the phase transfers of trivalent rare earths from nitrate and/or chloride media through an organic membrane to a receiving aqueous solution by the macrocyclic compounds has been undertaken and the results obtained for the extraction, transport and stripping of dysprosium (III) and lanthanum (III) ions are reported.

To evaluate the development of renal function in fetal malnutrition conditions, we tested glomerular filtration rate and fractional sodium excretion (FENa) of premature twins at birth (less than or equal to 35 weeks gestational age) with birthweight discordance, divided according to birthweight (less than or equal to 10% group A; higher birthweight group B). Groups A and B of twins are comparable in fluid intake, biochemical serum tests (glucose, sodium, potassium, albumin, total protein, osmolality and hematocrit) and also in percent weight decrease at 24 h of life. Moreover, both creatinine clearance (CrCl) and FENa result respectively correlated directly (r = +0.63) and indirectly (r = -0.46) with gestational age of twins. Consequently, CrCl (8.3 +/- 4.3 vs 8.3 +/- 4.5 ml/min/1.73 m2) and FENa (3 +/- 2.8 vs. 2.7 +/- 2.8%) do not result different in relation to birthweight discordance of premature twins. In conclusion, at birth, gestational age is the main determinant of kidney function in premature twins with birthweight discordance.

Cleaning is one of the most difficult operations encountered in the restoration of statuary. The fact that known cleaning methods are not entirely satisfactory has stimulated continuing research into new methods and processes. A novel method is proposed for cleaning superficial black scabs or patinas from works of art in marble or other stone by means of laser radiation. Surface cleaning results with a ruby laser are reported and compared with conventional techniques. Preliminary analyses of the laser process are quite favorable and indicate improved selectivity and graduation, self-limiting encrustation removal, and remarkably rapid surface coverage. Finally, the results of cleaning tests with various laser types are presented and discussed, and possible future developments and pratical applications of this new method of cleaning statuary are presented.

New macrocyclic and macroacyclic Schiff bases have been obtained by condensation of 2,6-diformyl-4Z-phenols (Z = Cl, CH 3 , (CH 3 ) 3 C) with 4-N-dodecyldiethylenetriamine or the polyamines, l,5-diamino-3-azapentane, 1,5-diamino-3-thiapentane and octadecylamine. Their interaction with lanthanide(III) (Ln(III) = La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Yb) and the uranyl(VI) ions have been studied. The complexes, formulable as Ln ( H 2 L )( X ) 3 · nH 2 O or UO 2 L (H 2 L — unionized macrocyclic or macroacyclic ligands; X = NO 3 − , Cl − , n = 1, 0), have been synthesized by template procedure or by reaction of the appropriate metal salt with the preformed ligands. They have been characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometric measurements, infrared and nmr spectroscopy (decoupling and n.O.e. nuclear Overhauser effect, experiments). A study of the phase transfers of trivalent rare earths from nitrate and/or chloride media through an organic membrane to a receiving aqueous solution by the macrocyclic compounds has been undertaken and the results obtained for the extraction, transport and stripping of dysprosium(III), europium(III) and lanthanum(III) ions are reported. It was verified that these ligands are efficient in the extraction of lanthanide(III) ions without the addition of a synergic agent. A high selectivity has been observed for dysprosium(III) or europium(III) with respect to lanthanum(III) from a mixture of La, Eu and Dy.

E' stata corretta l'assegnazione di un piccolo ovale del tardo Settecento creduto di Mauro Gandolfi ma certamente del padre suo, Gaetano, assai versato in simili, garbate rappresentazioni della sacra Famiglia, in ragione di questioni di stile; l'operina è infatti una raffigurazione di qualità elevata di un momento di serena, domestica quotidianità, sottolineato dalla felice invenzione del cerchio affettuoso delle braccia di Maria e Giuseppe che avvolgono il Bambino. Il secondo dipinto ha concesso l'indagine sulla decorazione d'interno di fine Settecento a Bologna, l'epoca in cui accanto ai modi del trionfante neoclassicismo ancora resisteva lo stile legato alla cultura Ancien Régime, pur nell'attenzione alla moda imperante. Il gusto garbato e di scelta elezione degli artisti dell'ultima generazione clementina dimostra la qualità di un insegnamento che non cede dinanzi al l'emergere del nuovo

In questa sede il dipinto in questione è stato restituito a Gaetano Gandolfi sulla base di una lettura stilistica e contenutistica; in precedenza era stato assegnato al figlio suo Mauro. L'opera viene interpretata secondo una inedita terpretazione che la pone in rapporto con il gusto neoclassico dominante

Completo esame dell'attività del miniatore bolognese Nicolò di Giacomo alla luce dei ritrovati corali ora nel Museo Diocesano di San Giovanni in Persiceto (Bo). Analisi dal punto di vista artistico di un'importante serie di corali liturgici eseguiti intorno al 1350 dal miniatore bolognese Nicolò di Giacomo

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