Search

Summary Objective To identify research gaps and inform implementation we systematically reviewed the literature evaluating cost-effectiveness of recommended treatments (education, exercise and diet) for the management of hip and/or knee OA. Methods We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, National Health Services Economic Evaluation Database, and EconLit from inception to November 2019 for trial-based economic evaluations investigating hip and/or knee OA core treatments. Two investigators screened relevant publications, extracted data and synthesized results. Risk of bias was assessed using the Consensus on Health Economic Criteria list. Results Two cost-minimization, five cost-effectiveness and 16 cost-utility analyses evaluated core treatments in six health systems. Exercise therapy with and without education or diet was cost-effective or cost-saving compared to education or physician-delivered usual care at conventional willingness to pay (WTP) thresholds in 15 out of 16 publications. Exercise interventions were cost-effective compared to physiotherapist-delivered usual care in three studies at conventional WTP thresholds. Education interventions were not cost-effective compared to usual care or placebo at conventional WTP thresholds in three out of four publications. Conclusions Structured core treatment programs were clinically effective and cost-effective, compared to physician-delivered usual care, in five health care systems. Providing education about core treatments was not consistently cost-effective. Implementing structured core treatment programs into funded clinical pathways would likely be an efficient use of health system resources and enhance physician-delivered usual primary care.

Despite the rich observational results on interstellar magnetic fields in star-forming regions, it is still unclear how dynamically significant the magnetic fields are at varying physical scales, because direct measurement of the field strength is observationally difficult. The Davis-Chandrasekhar-Fermi (DCF) method has been the most commonly used method to estimate the magnetic field strength from polarization data. It is based on the assumption that gas turbulent motion is the driving source of field distortion via linear Alfv\'en waves. In this work, using MHD simulations of star-forming clouds, we test the validity of the assumption underlying the DCF method by examining its accuracy in the real 3D space. Our results suggest that the DCF relation between turbulent kinetic energy and magnetic energy fluctuation should be treated as a statistical result instead of a local property. We then develop and investigate several modifications to the original DCF method using synthetic observations, and propose new recipes to improve the accuracy of DCF-derived magnetic field strength. We further note that the biggest uncertainty in the DCF analysis may come from the linewidth measurement instead of the polarization observation, especially since the line-of-sight gas velocity can be used to estimate the gas volume density, another critical parameter in the DCF method., Comment: 20 pages, 17 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

Background: Clinicians and decision-makers are mostly interested in how the overall effect in a randomized controlled trial impact patient differently due to differential treatment effects. Subgroup analyses of randomized trials examine if the overall treatment effect is consistent among the subgroup or to identify groups that modify the intervention effects. Well defined and performed subgroup analyses led to critical policy decisions; however, inappropriately performed subgroup analyses had resulted in incorrect decisions with negative consequences. This systematic review examines the reporting quality and the subgroup analyses’ credibility in stroke clinical trials. Methods and analysis: We will extract relevant studies from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science using three concepts in the Medical Subject Headings (MESH) heading. Two reviewers will independently screen the title, abstract, and full text of relevant studies. We will examine the risk of bias and the credibility of reported subgroup analyses using two validated instruments, i.e., Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool for randomized trials version 2 (RoB 2) and the Instrument for assessing the Credibility of Effect Modification Analyses (ICEMAN), respectively. Random effects regression will be used to evaluate study characteristics associated with the credibility of subgroup analyses in the included studies.Expected outcomes: This research aims to review the quality of subgroup analyses’ results and reporting. The research’s results will also provide critical methodological contributions to the statistical literature of clinical trials. Ethics and dissemination: This systematic review does not require primary patient data and does not require ethical approval. The review’s results will be published in a peer-review and scientific conferences.Trial registration number: CRD42020223133

Modern membrane science and technology aids engineers in developing and designing more efficient and environmentally friendly processes. This book describes optimal material and membrane selection as well as applications in numerous industries. This work is the ideal introduction for engineers working in membrane science and applications (wastewater, desalination, adsorption, catalysis), process engineers in separation science, biologists and biochemists, environmental scientists, as well as students of these disciplines. Its multidisciplinary approach also stimulates thinking about hybrid technologies for current and future life-saving applications.

Relazione tecnica (mesi 17-35) del progetto 'Recupero e valorizzazione di Acque di Vegetazione olearie per nuove applicazioni Eco-friendly nelle Lavorazioni conciarie' (RAVEL) POR CALABRIA FESR-FSE 2014-2020 - ASSE I - PROMOZIONE DELLA RICERCA E DELL'INNOVAZIONE Obiettivo specifico 1.2 "Rafforzamento del sistema innovativo regionale e nazionale" Azione 1.2.2 "Supporto alla realizzazione di progetti complessi di attività di ricerca e sviluppo su poche aree tematiche di rilievo e all'applicazione di soluzioni tecnologiche funzionali alla realizzazione delle strategie di S3"

Introduction: Vanishing white matter disease (VWM) is an autosomal recessive leukodystrophy caused by mutations genes encoding the translational initiation factor 2B: EIF2B1-EIFB5. It is a heterogeneous neurological disorder with prominent cerebellar ataxia and spasticity in childhood-onset form and behavioural changes, dementia and seizures in adult-onset form (#15% of cases). The course of the disease is chronic progressive with episodes of stress-provoked rapid neurological deterioration. Purpose of the study: We present the case of a 60 years old patient, MTHFR homozygous, presenting white matter lesions and a subcortical vascular encephalopathy being diagnosed. To investigate a possible genetic cause, suspecting CADASIL, genetic and genomic analysis were performed. Materials and Methods: For genetic and genomic investigations, Sanger sequencing of NOTCH3 gene, linked to CADASIL disease, and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) analysis were performed on the patient. NOTCH3 sequencing was performed using primer pairs for all 22 exons, while for NGS analysis, we used a genes panel including 753 genes involved in neurological diseases. Libraries were prepared using Ion Ampliseq Library preparation kit 2.0 (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and they were run on Ion Torrent PGM (Thermo Fisher Scientific). We performed the alignment using Torrent Suite v. 5.10 and we used ANNOVAR for annotation step. Results: Sanger sequencing did not reveal any mutation in NOTCH3 gene, excluding CADASIL disease as the genetic cause responsible for the clinical history of our patient. NGS detected a novel heterozygous non- synonimous variant in exon 5 of EIF2B3 gene (c. C554G; p. S185C), whose mutations have been strongly related to leukoencephalopathy and VWM disease. Furthermore, all in silico analysis conducted on this variant predicts its deleterious impact that could affect protein function. Conclusion: S185C variant in EIF2B3 gene was discovered in an atypical condition of adult onset Leukodistrophy, a disease that usually occurs in childhood. It is uncertain if S185C could be responsible for the clinical history of our patient or if the peculiarity of his symptoms could be related to the potential contribution of this new detected variant on the phenotypical spectrum observed in the disease.

The chapter provides basic knowledge of the production, characterization, and applications of nanoengineered membranes in biotechnological sectors.

Relazione tecnica (mesi 1-9) del progetto 'Recupero e valorizzazione di Acque di Vegetazione olearie per nuove applicazioni Eco-friendly nelle Lavorazioni conciarie' (RAVEL) POR CALABRIA FESR-FSE 2014-2020 - ASSE I - PROMOZIONE DELLA RICERCA E DELL'INNOVAZIONE Obiettivo specifico 1.2 "Rafforzamento del sistema innovativo regionale e nazionale" Azione 1.2.2 "Supporto alla realizzazione di progetti complessi di attività di ricerca e sviluppo su poche aree tematiche di rilievo e all'applicazione di soluzioni tecnologiche funzionali alla realizzazione delle strategie di S3"

Short Introduction Analyzing the use of membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology in patents development as well as their industrial application, it seems that the major development has been obtained by MBR for water treatment, whilst lower efforts have been devoted to MBR for pharmaceutical, food, cosmetics, etc. This is mainly due to more strict regulations that govern the discharge of waste water into the environment. However, the need to promote more sustainable processes for industrial production will force the development of MBR also in other fields, including biorefinery for bioderived chemicals. Furthermore, biosensing and decontamination of harmful substances in air, water, and food is becoming also very crucial in modern society. Biocatalytic membranes using immobilized enzymes will certainly play a key role. Despite the vast literature about immobilized enzyme, fundamental understanding on how to govern enzyme immobilization to keep native specific activity while increasing catalytic activity as well as how to avoid enzyme deactivation during membrane cleaning and maintenance still struggle scientists and technologists. Long term studies that proof the technology robustness, when existing, are proprietary. In this work, parameters that strongly affect immobilized enzyme performance will be discussed. Strategies to reversibly immobilize enzymes on membranes, in order to remove it during membrane cleaning will be presented. The development of biocatalytic membrane reactors (BMRs) lab prototypes for bioderived molecules (such as oleuropein aglycon) and for organophosphate decontamination will be presented as case studies. Material and Methods The biomolecules used were: ?-glucosidase from almond, phosphotriesterase, protein G, lipase and Bovine serum albumin. Commercial magnetic nanoparticles are used (MNP). Both hydrophilic (regenerated cellulose, home-made alumina membranes) and hydrophobic (PVDF) membrane were used. Immobilization methods were based on covalent bond and by magnetic force. Results and Discussion The amount of immobilized enzyme and its spatial distribution within the membrane support plays a crucial role, as it influences crowding phenomena that reduces specific activity and mass trasport. The final immobilized enzyme characteristics and its possible molecular aggregation at the membrane level is mainly affected by properties of enzyme molecules in starting solution used to carry out the immobilization procedure. Therefore, a careful characterization, of free enzyme to determine its dynamic diameter, aggregation state and charge is very useful, since it can predict the way in which it rearranges on the membrane surface during immobilization. The enzyme loading capacity for a given membrane must be matched with the enzyme-loaded membrane productivity (or immobilized enzyme catalytic activity, i.e moles/time) and with the enzyme specific activity (moles/time·mass of immobilized enzyme). This permits to work at the highest efficiency with proper enzyme amount, thus avoiding waste of enzyme and further resistance to mass transport (Fig. 1). Taking into account these aspects, continuous biocatalytic membrane systems were developed which demonstrated good performance. In one case an intensified multiphase process, which integrates a biocatalytic membrane reactor and a membrane emulsification process was developed to produce oleuropein aglycon, an antioxidant molecule difficult to stabilize and not yet available commercially in a pure form. The system was able to sequestrate the poor water stable intermediate reaction product in the organic phase, preventing its rearrangement in less valuable molecules. In another case study, a very long stability of phosphotriesterase was obtained in a continuous biocatalytic membrane reactor for organophosphate degradation, demonstrating a constant specific activity for one year of observation. On the contrary the free enzyme lost completely its activity within two months. We have also demonstrated that magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) containing immobilized enzyme and deposited on the membrane by magnetic field were able to control membrane fouling during pectins hydrolysis. Furthermore it was possible to remove/reload enzyme-loaded MNP as necessary. The cake layer thickness was much lower (67% less) when using this strategy compared to bare membrane. Figure 1. Performance of biocatalytic membrane reactor as a function of the increase of immobilized enzyme (crude extract of lipase covalently immobilized on home-made alumina membrane) Conclusions BMR will become a key technology to implement precise selective and clean process in industrial application in the logic of green and intensified processes. The work carried out contributed to elucidate basic properties that affect biocatalyst and overall process performance.

The effect on the gas transport properties of Matrimid&reg, 5218 of blending with the polymer of intrinsic microporosity PIM-EA(H2)-TB was studied by pure and mixed gas permeation measurements. Membranes of the two neat polymers and their 50/50 wt % blend were prepared by solution casting from a dilute solution in dichloromethane. The pure gas permeability and diffusion coefficients of H2, He, O2, N2, CO2 and CH4 were determined by the time lag method in a traditional fixed volume gas permeation setup. Mixed gas permeability measurements with a 35/65 vol % CO2/CH4 mixture and a 15/85 vol % CO2/N2 mixture were performed on a novel variable volume setup with on-line mass spectrometric analysis of the permeate composition, with the unique feature that it is also able to determine the mixed gas diffusion coefficients. It was found that the permeability of Matrimid increased approximately 20-fold with the addition of 50 wt % PIM-EA(H2)-TB. Mixed gas permeation measurements showed a slightly stronger pressure dependence for selectivity of separation of the CO2/CH4 mixture as compared to the CO2/N2 mixture, particularly for both the blended membrane and the pure PIM. The mixed gas selectivity was slightly higher than for pure gases, and although N2 and CH4 diffusion coefficients strongly increase in the presence of CO2, their solubility is dramatically reduced as a result of competitive sorption. A full analysis is provided of the difference between the pure and mixed gas transport parameters of PIM-EA(H2)-TB, Matrimid&reg, 5218 and their 50:50 wt % blend, including unique mixed gas diffusion coefficients.

The immobilization of biomolecules, such as antibodies, is an essential technique in several biotechnological applications, including immunosensors1. A key step in the development of biofunctional surfaces is the design of experimental and operational procedures for biomolecules immobilization. Thus, it is important to investigate the boundary conditions (including the choice of a suitable surface, the way of immobilization and the proteins bulk properties) to control proteins surface coverage, distribution, orientation and related bioactivity. Among the different existing immobilization methods, the covalent immobilization provides high surface loading and low protein loss. In this work, the covalent immobilization of three different proteins (BSA, protein G and the enzyme lipase from C. Rugosa) on regenerated cellulose membranes was studied, with the aim to investigate the influence of the proteins bulk properties (effective size, aggregation phenomena) on the resulting protein surface coverage and distribution, for the development of biofunctional membranes with covalently bounded protein G, for the oriented immobilization of antibodies2. The membrane was initially modified for the introduction of aldehyde functional groups able to bind proteins covalently. The individual proteins size and aggregation phenomena were studied by Dynamic Light Scattering by simulating the operating parameters used during the immobilization step. Atomic force microscopy was used to monitor proteins surface coverage and distribution. The maximum surface coverage achieved with BSA and protein G was 2.40 ± 0.03 mg/g and 2.65 ± 0.07 mg/g, respectively, leading to the formation of a protein monolayer on the membrane surface. On the contrary, the immobilized amount of lipase was high, leading to the formation of protein multilayer. The proteins binding kinetic was also studied. A good correlation between the proteins behavior in solution and the membrane surface coverage was found. Finally, protein G-immobilized membrane was used for antibody oriented immobilization with high efficiency.

Membrane technologies are the main processes used at large scale for the separation of antioxidant compounds from different sources. They offer severaladvantages over conventional methods, in terms of high separation efficiency, low energy requirements, mild operating conditions, no additives, absence of phase transition, simple equipment and easy scale-up. Pressure-driven membrane operations include microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO). These processes cover most of the "5-Stages Universal Recovery Processing" strategy since they can be used as macroscopic pretreatment (MF), in macro- and micro-molecules separation (UF), in purification (NF) and concentration (RO).

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP, MIM 18260) comprises a group of inherited neurodegenerative disorders that are characterized by progressive spasticity and weakness of lower extremities, due to a length dependent dying back degeneration of corticospinal tracts. Clinically, HSP can be classified as pure if spastic paraparesis occurs in isolation, and complex if other neurological or non-neurological features are present. Autosomal dominant (AD), autosomal recessive (AR) and X linked modes of inheritance have been described).Among these, the autosomal recessive spastic paraplegia form 35 (SPG35) is characterized by childhood onset of spasticity, cognitive decline and leukodystrophy). Additional clinical features such as seizures, dysphagia, dysarthria, dystonia, neuropathy and brain iron accumulation were also observed (2-3). Several patients were described with different combination of these features. Mutations in the fatty acid 2-hydroxylase (FA2H) gene have been associated to the SPG35 form. FA2H encodes a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent monooxygenase, involved in the synthesis of 2-hydroxy fatty acid galactolipids, that are the major component of myelin sheath).

The present work describes a new method to produce membranes of poly(Acrylic-acid-Xmonomer) using the grafting procedure. PVDF foils irradiated with Ar + beam with energies between 30 and 150 keV were employed as substratum. Different combinations of monomers in water solutions were used: acrylic acid (AAc); acrylic acid–glycidyl methacrylate (AAc–GMA); acrylic acid–styrene (AAc–S), acrylic acid-N-isopropyl acrylamide (AAc–NIPAAm) and acrylic acid- N -isopropyl acrylamide–glycidyl methacrylate (AAc-NIPAAm–GMA). A large percentage of grafting results for specific values of: ion fluence and energy, AAc and sulfuric acid concentration, and different substrata PVDF polymorphous (alpha or beta). At a particular time of the grafting process, the poly(AAc-Xmonomer) membranes detach from the substratum and continue their grafting in the solution. This method is useful to produce increased replicated membranes of the irradiated original surface.

Ion beam irradiation is a well known means to change the physico-chemical properties of polymers, and induced bio and citocompatibility in controlled conditions and in selected areas of surface. However, the enhancement of cell adhesion on a modified substrate does not mean that the surface is adequate for functional cells. The purpose of the present work is to study proliferation, changes in cytoskeleton and cell morphology on substrates as a function of irradiation parameters. We irradiated polypropylene with sulfur (S) ion-beam at energies of 110 MeV with fluences between 1 × 106 and 2 × 1010 ions cm−2. NIH 3T3 cells were cultured on each sample. Cell morphology was observed using phase contrast microscopy and cytoskeleton proteins with fluorescence microscopy. The analysis show different cellular responses as a functions of irradiation parameter, strongly suggests that different underlying substratum can result in distinct types of cytoskeleton reorganization. Fil: Arbeitman, Claudia Roxana. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia Física (Centro Atómico Constituyentes). Proyecto Tandar; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Ibañez, Irene Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Garcia Bermudez, Gerardo Jose. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia Física (Centro Atómico Constituyentes). Proyecto Tandar; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Duran, Hebe Alicia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia Física (Centro Atómico Constituyentes). Proyecto Tandar; Argentina Fil: del Grosso, Mariela Fernanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia Física (Centro Atómico Constituyentes). Proyecto Tandar; Argentina Fil: Salguero, Noelia. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia Física (Centro Atómico Constituyentes). Proyecto Tandar; Argentina Fil: Mazzei, Rubén Omar. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica; Argentina

We describe a case of endovascular treatment in a 64-year-old woman affected by a penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU) of the abdominal aorta with a 26-mm pseudoaneurysm involving the celiac trunk (CT) origin and with superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion in the first 30 mm. The patient underwent stenting to treat the SMA occlusion and subsequent deployment of a custom-designed fenestrated endovascular stent-graft to treat the PAU involving the CT origin. Follow-up at 6 months after device placement demonstrated no complications, and there was complete thrombosis of the PAU and patency of the two branch vessels.

When polymers are irradiated with heavy ions new chemical groups are created in a few microns of the material. The irradiation changed the polarity and wettability on the surface so that could enhance the biocompatibility of the modified polymer. The study of chemistry and nanoscale topography of the biomaterial is important in determining its potential applications in medicine and biotechnology, because their strong influence on cell function, adhesion and proliferation. In this study, thin films of Polystyrene and Polypropylene samples were modified by irradiation with low energy ion beams (30-150 keV) and swift heavy ions both with various fluences and energies. The changes were evaluated with different methods. Adhesion of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts onto unirradiated and irradiated surfaces has been studied by in vitro techniques. The correlations between physicochemical properties as a function of different irradiations parameters were compared with cell adhesion on the modified polymer surface. Fil: Arbeitman, Claudia Roxana. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia Física (Centro Atómico Constituyentes). Proyecto Tandar; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: del Grosso, Mariela Fernanda. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia Física (Centro Atómico Constituyentes). Proyecto Tandar; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Ibañez, Irene Laura. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia Física (Centro Atómico Constituyentes). Proyecto Tandar; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Garcia Bermudez, Gerardo Jose. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia Física (Centro Atómico Constituyentes). Proyecto Tandar; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Duran, Hebe Alicia. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia Física (Centro Atómico Constituyentes). Proyecto Tandar; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Chappa, Veronica Cecilia. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Investigación y Aplicaciones No Nucleares. Gerencia Física (Centro Atómico Constituyentes). Proyecto Tandar; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Mazzei, Rubén Omar. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Behar, M.. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil

Notre but etait de prouver la faisabilite et la securite d'un protocole de sortie precoce et protegee un jour apres une endarteriectomie carotidienne (EC) utilisant un systeme de monitorage par telemedecine. Sur 147 malades operes de 163 EC, nous avons selectionne un groupe A de 36 malades remplissant les criteres de sortie un jour apres l'intervention chirurgicale. Un manometre pour prise de pression electronique, un videophone, un anti-hypertenseur (amlodipine) et un questionnaire de satisfaction ont ete donnes a tous les malades du groupe A. Avec un programme de video-communication lie au Web, nous avons monitore toutes les quatre heures (de 8 heures du matin a 8 heures du soir) pendant deux jours la plaie chirurgicale, la pression arterielle et la frequence cardiaque des malades. Les autres malades ont ete inclus dans le groupe B. Nous n'avons note aucune difference entre les groupes A et B concernant les caracteristiques demographiques, les facteurs de risque, les lesions carotidiennes, la duree de l'intervention, les complications post-operatoires ou les pertes sanguines. Vingt et un malades du groupe A sont effectivement sortis un jour apres l'intervention chirurgicale. Aucun hematome cervical ne s'est developpe. Trois poussees d'hypertension arterielle ont ete traitees avec succes dans le groupe A. D'apres le questionnaire, un sentiment d'insecurite lors de la sortie etait evident mais il s'est rapidement dissipe. Le cout global de la connexion video etait de 25,39 ± 0,25 euros par malade. L'EC peut etre realisee en toute securite avec une sortie le lendemain en utilisant un systeme de monitorage par telemedecine dans des cas selectionnes. Notre protocole a permis en toute securite une sortie precoce, entrainant une diminution des couts hospitaliers.

Nuestro objetivo fue demostrar la viabilidad y seguridad de un protocolo para el alta precoz a las 24 h despues de la endarterectomia carotidea (EAC) por medio de un sistema de monitorizacion con telemedicina (TMD). Entre 147 pacientes intervenidos para 163 EAC, seleccionamos un grupo (A) de 36 pacientes que cumplian los criterios para el alta un dia despues de la intervencion. A cada paciente del grupo A se le proporciono un manometro electronico de presion arterial, un videotelefono movil, un farmaco antihipertensivo (amlodipino), y un cuestionario de satisfaccion del paciente. Con un programa de videocomunicacion conectado a la Web, monitorizamos cada 4 h (desde las 8 de la manana hasta las 8 de la tarde) durante 2 dias la herida quirurgica, la presion arterial y la frecuencia cardiaca de los pacientes. Los otros pacientes se incluyeron en el grupo control B (controles). No se observaron diferencias relativas a las caracteristicas demograficas, factores de riesgo, lesiones carotideas, tiempo quirurgico, complicaciones postoperatorias o perdida hematica entre ambos grupos. Fueron dados de alta un dia despues de la cirugia 21 pacientes del grupo A. No se desarrollo hematoma cervical. En el grupo A tres crisis hipertensivas fueron tratadas satisfactoriamente. A partir del cuestionario, surgio una sensacion de inseguridad en el momento del alta, que se resolvio rapidamente. El coste global de las videoconexiones fue de 25,39 ± 0,25 euros por paciente. La EAC puede efectuarse sin riesgos como procedimiento quirurgico de 24 h mediante un sistema de monitorizacion TMD en casos seleccionados. Nuestro protocolo permitio un alta precoz sin riesgos, que se asocio a una disminucion de los costes hospitalarios.

When ions suddenly pass through a polymeric material a very complex path of excited and ionized molecules is induced. Experimental data of grafting yield and new chemical groups formation present a maximum as a function of radiation fluence. We have found a correlation between this characteristic ion fluence and the stopping power. Their values lie approximately on a straight line with a negative slope and this correlation persists for an extended range, almost two orders of magnitude in stopping power variations. In the present work we will try to explain the observed correlation applying a known radial distribution of deposited energy induced by ion interaction with polymers.

In order to continue with a systematic study that include different polymers and monomers, the residual active sites produced by heavy ion beams, that remain after the etching process, were used to start the grafting process. To produce tracks, foils of polypropylene (PP) were irradiated with 208 Pb of 25.62 MeV/n. Then, these were etched and grafted with acrylic acid (AA) monomers. Experimental curves of grafting yield as a function of grafting time with the etching time as a parameter were measured. Also, the grating yield as a function of the fluence and etching time was obtained. In addition, the permeation of solutions, with different pH, through PP grafted foils was measured.

The present work is part of a systematic study that involves different polymeric substrates and monomers with the purpose to induce grafting on etched tracks. The residual active sites produced by heavy ion beams, remaining after the etching process, were used to start the grafting process. In order to produce tracks on foils of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) they were irradiated with 208 Pb of 25.62 MeV/n or with 115 MeV Cl ions. Then, they were etched and grafted with N -isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) monomers. Experimental curves of grafting yield as a function of fluence with the etching time as a parameter were measured. Also, the grafting yield as a function of the grafting and etching time was obtained. The replica method allowed the observation of the shape of the grafted tracks using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition NIPAAm grafted foils were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Polypropylene (PP) and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films were irradiated with 100 keV Argon ions and with different fluences from 1012 up to 2 × 1015 cm−2. PP and PVDF films were grafted with styrene and PVDF was also grafted with acrylic acid (AA). The grafting yields were determined by measuring the weight differences and analysing the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV–visible (UV–Vis) spectra. The effects on the measured grafting yields for different ion fluences and monomer concentrations were studied and are reported in this paper. The grafting yield exhibit the common feature of showing a maximum as a function of the ion fluence. To our knowledge the present work study systematically for the first time the grafting process induced by the irradiation with low energy Argon beams on the surface of PVDF and PP samples.

Poly(propylene) foils were irradiated with Ag ions and then chemically etched to produce samples with structured surfaces. After the etching procedure the active sites that remain on the latent track were used to graft acrylic acid. Nuclear tracks before grafting were visualised using a transmission electron microscope. The grafting yields were determined by weight measurements as a function of ion fluence, etching and grafting time, and were also analysed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Both measurements suggest that the acrylic acid was grafted on etched tracks using the active sites produced by the swift heavy ion beam.

Structural analysis with infrared spectroscopy was carried out on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The polyethylene was irradiated using Li, C, N, S and I heavy ion beams with different fluences. The analysis showed that the absorbance of the C C stretching vibration from trans-vinylene groups containing hydroperoxides presents a maximum at certain ion fluence and is correlated with the ion stopping power. The results were analyzed by a Monte Carlo simulation program that models the irradiation process from a geometrical point of view, in which the latent tracks consist in a central core zone surrounded by a larger perturbed region. This study suggests that it is possible to estimate the core dimension from absorbance measurements as a function of fluence. A possible relationship between this C C structure with the cross-link of two polymeric chains is discussed.

Polypropylene (PP) foils were irradiated with 100 keV energy Argon ions at different fluences ranging from 1012 up to 2 × 1015 cm−2 and then grafted with acrylic acid (AA). The grafting yield was measured by weight difference and the structural changes on the films were analysed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Different parameters that determined the grafting process such us fluence, grafting time and monomer concentration were analysed. The grafting reached an optimum value at 79% in aqueous solution at 30 min grafting time. The grafting yield as a function of the ion fluence plot, presented a maximum value, as previously found in a study of heavy beam on polymers.

The surface of the polymer was modified by the effects of different radiations. Foils of poly(vinylidene fluoride) were irradiated with different swift heavy ions such us: proton, alpha particles, chlorine and fission fragments. The active sites created by the irradiation of the polymer were used to graft different monomers likes: styrene, HEMA, MMA, AA and NIPAAm. The grafting yield was measured as a function of the ion fluence and its results interpreted using a theoretical model based on the target theory. The correlation between the maximum of the grafting yield versus the ion mass was discussed.

The radiation induced graft polymerisation is a well known method to obtain new materials. Until recently only conventional radiation sources, such as 60 Co and electron beams were used. Moreover, part of the damage induced in polymers by heavy ions can produce active sites (peroxides and hydroperoxides) useful to initiate grafting reactions. In this way, the damage induced in polypropylene (PP) by a 25 MeV proton beam was used to initiate grafting reactions by the peroxide method. So, polymer surface modification was obtained by grafting different monomers onto PP films. The present work shows the grafting yield of acrylic acid, methyl methacrylate and styrene as a function of proton fluency and dose. The experimental points obtained by grafting PP foils were fitted according to the equations deduced supposing the target theory

We compared the intra-operative diagnostic value of CDS vs IA-DSA in identifying major and minor technical defects after CEA. Between August 1997 and December 1998, 138 consecutive patients undergoing 141 carotid endarterectomies were intra-operatively investigated with colour duplex scan and intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography. Thirty-six (25.5%) technical defects were identified. Four (11.1%) major defects were detected by both methods and they were immediately corrected. Fifteen (41.6%) minor defects were detected by both methods, thirteen (36.1%) minor defects were detected by colour duplex but ignored by angiography. Angiography detected four (11.1%) kinkings missed with the colour duplex. The overall sensitivity of both methods for major defect was 100%. The sensitivity of colour duplex for minor defects was 87% vs 59% for angiography. On the basis of our study, colour duplex could be considered the choice method for quality control after carotid endarterectomy.

Polymer surface modifications are obtained by the application of radiation treatments and other physico-chemical methods: fission fragment (ff) irradiation and etching. The biocompatibility of the surface is then observed by cell seeding and cell adhesion experiments. Approaches to improvement of the cell adhesion are obtained by different methods: for example, in PS, cell adhesion is improved after ion implantation; in PMMA, after bombarding the polymer, the surface is reconditioned with surfactants and proteins and in PVDF, cell adhesion is assayed on nuclear tracks membranes. In this work, we obtained important cell adhesion improvements in PP films by irradiation with swift heavy ions and subsequent etching of the nuclear tracks. We use BOPP (isotactic −25 μm thickness). Irrradiations were performed with a Cf-252 californium ff source. The source has a heavy ff and a light one, with 160–200 MeV energy divided among them corresponding to ff energies between 1 and 2 MeV/amu. A chemical etching procedure consisting of a solution of sulphuric acid and chromium three oxide at 85 °C was used. The 3T3 NIH fibroblast cell line was used for the cell adhesion experiment. Here we report for the first time, the results of a series of experiments by varying the ff fluence and the etching time showing that attachment and spreadout of cells are very much improved in this cell line according to the number of pores and the pore size.

Polymer surface modifications are obtained by the application of radiation treatments and other physico-chemical methods: fragment fission (ff) or ion implantation, etching and grafting procedure. Poly vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) foils were irradiated during different times to produce pores of different diameters through the foils. In this way, nuclear track membranes (NTM) were produced with different track diameters and track numbers. Active sites were formed using a γ-ray Co-60 source and then contacted with N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) to obtain a graft copolymer that responds to environmental conditions. The present work shows the grafting yield as a function of: γ-dose, NIPAAm concentration, pore diameter, track density, etc.

New powder X-ray diffraction data of adenosineC10H13N5O4were reported: cell parameters area=4.8386(4) Å,b=10.2919(4) Å,c=11.8555(4) Å,β=99.298(5)°, volume 582.63(4)Å for the monoclinic space groupP21. The strongest lines are: 7.723 (100), 5.085 (50), 5.851 (45), 4.710 (11), 3.881 (10), 3.899 (9), 3.292 (9), and 3.261 (9). Reported intensities are validated by Rietveld analysis. The data consist of measured positions and intensities and cover an angular range up to 75° 2θ and are significantly better than PDF 35-1977. Experimental, calculated, and difference patterns are also reported.

Two galactolipids, 1 and 2, were isolated and identified both in olive fruits and in olive oil. They are characterized by a low polarity, despite the presence of a diglycosidic unit, giving, in water, micelles. Because of this characteristic, compounds 1 and 2 could be responsible for the stability of the light emulsion typical of freshly produced olive oil. The presence of hydrophilic ortho-diphenolic compounds enhances the antioxidant properties of this oil, particularly in the first period after the production. In addition, the functions present in 1 and 2 are susceptible to hydrolysis and may be easily modified in the alkaline treatment used for the olive oil refining process. For this reason, their presence in olive oil may be a very useful indication of the untreated food product.