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The present document constitutes Part 2 of the EoETALY Consensus Statements guideline on the diagnosis and management of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) developed by experts in the field of EoE across Italy (i.e., EoETALY Consensus Group). Part 1 was published as a different document, and included three chapters discussing 1) definition, epidemiology, and pathogenesis; 2) clinical presentation and natural history and 3) diagnosis of EoE. The present work provides guidelines on the management of EoE in two final chapters: 4) treatment and 5) monitoring and follow-up, and also includes considerations on knowledge gaps and a proposed research agenda for the coming years. The guideline was developed through a Delphi process, with grading of the strength and quality of the evidence of the recommendations performed according to accepted GRADE criteria.This document has received the endorsement of three Italian national societies including the Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE), the Italian Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (SINGEM), and the Italian Society of Allergology, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology (SIAAIC). The guidelines also involved the contribution of members of ESEO Italia, the Italian Association of Families Against EoE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic type 2-mediated inflammatory disease of the esophagus that represents the most common eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease. Experts in the field of EoE across Italy (i.e., EoETALY Consensus Group) including gastroenterologists, endoscopists, allergologists/immunologists, and paediatricians conducted a Delphi process to develop updated consensus statements for the management of patients with EoE and update the previous position paper of the Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE) in light of recent evidence. Grading of the strength and quality of the evidence of the recommendations was performed using accepted GRADE criteria. The guideline is divided in two documents: Part 1 includes three chapters, namely 1) definition, epidemiology, and pathogenesis; 2) clinical presentation and natural history, and 3) diagnosis, while Part 2 includes two chapters: 4) treatment and 5) monitoring and follow-up. This document has received the endorsement of three Italian national societies including the SIGE, the Italian Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (SINGEM), and the Italian Society of Allergology, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology (SIAAIC). With regards to patients' involvement, these guidelines involved the contribution of members of ESEO Italia, the Italian Association of Families Against EoE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duplex stainless steels (DSS) are defined by their equal phase composition of ferrite and austenite. However, the in-situ formation of this duplex microstructure in laser-based additive manufacturing (AM) is still a challenging topic. Nanoparticle addition is a promising approach to tailor the microstructure of steels in AM. Therefore, DSS doped with 0.5 wt.-% NiO nanoparticles was fabricated by laser-based powder bed fusion (PBF-LB) and directed energy deposition (DED-LB). While having no impact on the phase composition in PBF-LB, the addition of NiO nanoparticles showed a significant increase in austenite content of 9% compared to the unmodified powder in DED-LB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electro-active scaffolds play an important role in bone tissue engineering applications, serving as physical substrates for cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, ultimately realizing new bone regeneration. This paper discusses a novel strategy to synthesize graphene through laser-induced surface doping, using bone collagen as the carbon source, serving as a key functional filler to be combined with biocompatible, biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), for the fabrication of the next generation electro-active bone tissue engineering scaffolds. Scaffolds are fabricated through material-extrusion additive manufacturing. The developed graphene is proven to present a significant enhancement effect on surface and mechanical properties over the conventional graphene material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manufacturing processes are becoming increasingly data-driven. Integrating manufacturing data and process models in real-time, a digital twin (DT) may function as an autonomous and dynamic digital replica. This, in turn, may enable manufacturers to not only understand and monitor a process but also proactively control it in real-time or a product over its life cycle. This paper examines the DT concept and its evolution and presents a future DT framework. DTs' key components (e.g., process models) and implementation are focused on additive manufacturing, electrical discharge machining, and electrochemical machining. Furthermore, current challenges and future research directions are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex thermal history in directed energy deposition (DED) may induce microstructural heterogeneity and cause early failure of printed parts. This work investigated the effect of thermal history on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a DED-printed nickel–aluminum–bronze part for the first time. The printed part exhibited significant heterogeneity in the microstructure and tensile properties at its top, middle, and bottom locations. The microstructure at the top and middle locations consisted of a coarse α phase, while the bottom location possessed the Widmanstätten α phase embedded in the β' matrix. The highest mechanical strengths were achieved at the bottom location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ageing population and new diseases are requiring the development of novel therapeutical strategies. 3D bioprinting an novel application domain of additive manufacturing emerged as a potential transformative strategy for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. This paper introduces the concept of 3D bioprinting, discussing in detail key requirements of bio-inks and main materials used to encapsulate cells. Recent advances related to the use of smart materials and the concept of 4D printing is also discussed. Main 3D bioprinting techniques are described in detail and key limitations highlighted. Successful cases, demonstrating the relevance of 3D bioprinting are also presented. Finally, the paper addresses the main research challenges and future perspectives in the field of 3D bioprinting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although influenza viruses cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, the impact of these infections on children in France and in other European countries has not been extensively characterized. The primary objective of the present study was to describe the burden of influenza disease on hospitalized children under 2 years of age in France, using data from the national hospital discharge summary database (Programme de Médicalisation des Systèmes d'Information, PMSI).Methods: In a retrospective study of hospital admissions for influenza among children under the age of 2 in France, we extracted and analyzed hospital administrative data from the PMSI database (from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2020).Results: From 2011 to 2020, 28,507 children under the age of 2 were admitted to hospital with a primary or secondary diagnosis of influenza infection. The hospital admission rate was 205 per 100,000 for children under the age of 2, 276 per 100,000 for children under the age of 12 months, and 135 per 100,000 for children aged between 12 and 23 months. Children under 6 months of age were the most affected (45.4%). An underlying condition was identified for 9.4% of the children, and 2.2% of the children were admitted to the intensive care unit. The death rate was 0.12 per 100,000 for children under 2, 0.11 per 100,000 for children under 12 months, and 0.16 per 100,000 for children aged between 12 and 23 months.Conclusions: In France, the burden of influenza disease is significant in children under the age of 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In REM sleep, the glycinergic or GABAergic pre-motor neurons of the ventromedial medulla and the spinal cord activated from sublaterodorsal nucleus. • Safinamide is an α-aminoamide that has both dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic mechanisms and modulation of stimulated release of glutamate. • The neuropathological basis of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder is not yet fully understood. A primary dysfunction of descending, inhibitory systems is favored. • Safinamide might improve RBD symptoms by modulating the glutamate pathway. Rapid Eye Movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is characterized by dream enactment and loss of muscle atonia during REM-sleep. RBD as a premotor feature occurred souvent in patients who develop Parkinson's disease. The glutamatergic, glycinergic, and GABA-ergic systems appear to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of RBD. The present exploratory longitudinal cross-over study aimed to observe the effect of safinamide on RBD symptoms. Thirty patients with PD and RBD were randomized into two groups (15 subjects each), those that received for a period of 3-months safinamide (50 mg/die) in addition (Group A +) or in absence (Group B −) to the usual antiparkinsonian therapy. Patients exploring the clinical and video-polysomnographic changes occurred during this pharmacological therapy. Twenty-two of 30 patients reported clear improvement in symptoms during safinamide treatment, and 16 were absolutely free from clinical RBD-symptoms at the end of the treatment. Eight patients reported slight improvement in RBD-symptoms. In 6/30 patients no substantial improvement was recorded about clinical RBD-symptoms had frightening dreams or from the bed after 1-week of treatment. In addition, after safinamide, the mean UPDRS-II and III scores decreased, while PDSS-2 score indicating an improvement in both motor symptoms and nocturnal sleep features. A significant reduction of sleep behavior disorder by questionnaire-Hong Kong-score (RBDQ-HS), mainly for two individual RBDQ-HK-items (dream related movements and failing out of bed) was registered. This pilot study indicated that safinamide is well tolerated and improves RBD-symptom in parkinsonian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effectiveness of bowel cleansing is a key element for high-quality colonoscopy. Recently, a 1 L polyethylene glycol plus ascorbate (PEG-ASC) solution has been introduced, but effectiveness and safety of this preparation have not been assessed in IBD patients. This study aims to evaluate effectiveness and safety of 1 L PEG-ASC solution in patients with IBD compared to controls. We retrospectively analysed prospectively collected data on a cohort of 411 patients performing a colonoscopy after preparation with 1 L PEG-ASC, consecutively enrolled in 5 Italian centres. Overall, 185/411 (45%) were patients with IBD and 226/411 (55%) served as controls. A significantly higher cleansing success was achieved in IBD patients (92.9% vs 85.4%, p = 0.02). The multiple regression model showed that presence of IBD (OR=2.514, 95%CI=1.165–5.426; P = 0.019), lower age (OR=0.981, 95%CI=0.967–0.996; P = 0.014), split preparation (OR=2.430, 95%CI=1.076–5.492; P = 0.033), absence of diabetes (OR=2.848, 95%CI=1.228–6.605; P = 0.015), and of chronic constipation (OR=3.350, 95%CI=1.429–7.852; P = 0.005), were independently associated with cleansing success. The number of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) (51 vs 62%, p = 0.821), and of patients with TEAEs (22.2% vs 21.2%, p = 0.821), were similar in IBD patients and in controls, respectively. Results from this study support the effectiveness and safety of 1 L PEG-ASC solution in IBD patients, which may improve the definition of endoscopic outcomes both in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontitis has been defined as the Sixth complication of Diabetes Mellitus. Since both diabetes mellitus and periodontitis have a high prevalence in the general population, the Italian Society of Diabetology, the Italian Society of Periodontology and Implantology and the Italian Association of Clinical Diabetologists revised the present scientific literature in the present consensus report. A bi-directional interaction was demonstrated: Patients affected by type 1 and type 2 diabetes have a higher prevalence of periodontitis than the general population, due to several metabolic factors (e.g. chronic hyperglycemia, autoimmunity, dietary and life-style factors); similarly, periodontitis predisposes to type 2 diabetes mellitus mainly via the increase of systemic cytokines release. Conversely, improvement of metabolic control of diabetic patients delay the progression of periodontitis as well as periodontitis treatment reduces glycosylated hemoglobin levels in blood. Due to the bi-directional causal interaction between periodontitis and diabetes mellitus, a strict collaboration among dentists and diabetologists is required and strongly recommended. The inter-societies consensus proposes specific flow-diagrams to improve the treatment of patients and management of the general population regarding the issue of periodontitis and diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-precision powder bed fusion (PBF), together with highly complex geometries necessitate a much more scalable representation of the geometry and an efficient computational pipeline. This paper presents a new digital design and manufacturing paradigm to solve the scalability and efficiency challenges by using the concept of STL-free workflow. It seamlessly integrates implicit solid modelling for design and direct slicing for manufacturing without any intermediate steps related to STL meshes. The presented paradigm has been validated by two case studies involving complex geometries filled with multiscale triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS), which are fabricated by PBF with laser beam size 25 µm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious medical emergency once considered typical of type 1 diabetes (T1DM), but now reported to occur in type 2 and GDM patients as well. DKA can cause severe complications and even prove fatal. The aim of our study was to review recent international and national guidelines on diagnosis, clinical presentation and treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis, to provide practical clinical recommendations.Methods and Results: Electronic databases (MEDLINE (via PUB Med), Scopus, Cochrane library were searched for relevant literature. Most international and national guidelines indicate the same accurate flow chart to diagnose, to evaluate from clinical and laboratory point of view, and treat diabetic ketoacidosis.Conclusion: Prompt diagnosis, rapid execution of laboratory analysis and correct treatment are imperative to reduce the mortality related to diabetic ketoacidosis. These recommendations are designed to help healthcare professionals reduce the frequency and burden of DKA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need for substantial changes in the procedures for accessing healthcare services. Even in the current pandemic, we should not reduce our attention towards the diagnosis and treatment of GDM. The purpose of this document is to provide a temporary guide for GDM screening, replacing the current guidelines when it is not possible to implement standard GDM screening because of an unfavorable risk/benefit ratio for pregnant women or when usual laboratory facilities are not available.Data Synthesis: At the first visit during pregnancy, we must exclude the presence of "Overt diabetes" in all women. The criteria for the diagnosis of overt diabetes are either fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL, or random plasma glucose ≥200 mg/dL, or glycated hemoglobin ≥6.5%. When the screening procedure (OGTT) cannot be safely performed, the diagnosis of GDM is acceptable if fasting plasma glucose is ≥ 92 mg/dL. In order to consider the impaired fasting glucose as an acceptable surrogate for the diagnosis of GDM, the fasting glucose measurement should be performed within the recommended time windows for the risk level (high or medium risk).Conclusions: The changes to the screening procedure for GDM reported below are specifically produced in response to the health emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, these recommended changes should cease to be in effect and should be replaced by current national guidelines when the healthcare authorities declare the end of this emergency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lower limb neurologic deficit after vaginal delivery remains poorly understood. The objective of this study was to describe the incidence, characteristics and prognosis associated with nerve injury occurring to women during vaginal delivery.Methods: A single-center observational study of women who complained about a lower limb neurologic deficit that appeared immediately after vaginal delivery. The follow-up period was up to four years.Results: Among the 10 569 women with a singleton vaginal delivery during the 30-month study period, 31 (0.3%) reported a neurologic deficit. Most women were nulliparous (71%) and the mean duration of the second stage of labor was 94 min [range 13-224 min]. In two-thirds of cases, delivery required instrumental assistance. Most neurologic deficits were sensory (67.7%) and primarily involved femoral nerve territory (83.9%). Most women recovered within six weeks (69.2%). In one case (a sensory deficit of the entire right leg), recovery only occurred after 3.5 years.Conclusion: Neurologic deficit was identified in 0.3% of our vaginal delivery population. Recovery from neurologic deficit may take many weeks and may occasionally be disabling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Les reconversions professionnelles, de plus en plus nombreuses en France, amènent souvent l'adulte à rompre avec son ancienne activité pour s'engager, entre autres, vers la création d'entreprise. Ce projet entrepreneurial se situe au croisement de plusieurs temporalités, que cette contribution a investigué. La question centrale est de savoir si les dispositifs d'accompagnement à la construction du projet entrepreneurial viennent soutenir ou bousculer les temporalités de l'adulte en reconversion vers la création d'entreprise, savoir comment ces adultes en reconversion se saisissent des temporalités du processus entrepreneurial (croyances, ressentis, représentations) et des temporalités des dispositifs d'accompagnement et de conseil (de façon structurante, pour construire progressivement cette nouvelle identité professionnelle d'entrepreneur ou de façon assujettissante). À partir d'entretiens semi-directifs menés auprès de neuf adultes sur leur expérience de la reconversion professionnelle vers la création d'entreprise, cette recherche fournit une clé de lecture des temporalités plurielles générées par la relation entre le désir de liberté qui motive le processus et le cadre normatif des dispositifs. L'analyse de contenu thématique qui a été effectuée a permis d'identifier les étapes de la transition, les temporalités des processus de reconversion et de création, les logiques d'action et enfin les formes de relations. La mise en évidence de l'existence de temporalités assujettissantes et émancipatrices que l'acteur s'efforce de faire coexister par un travail personnel d'appropriation a permis de construire quatre figures temporelles de l'adulte en reconversion vers l'entrepreneuriat : l'auteur de son œuvre, le décideur de son avenir, le monnayeur de ses actions et de son temps et le coureur de fond. More and more vocational retraining in France lead the adults to break with his former career for engaging in a new occupation. This entrepreneurial project is at the crossroads of several temporalities, which this paper has investigated. We study mainly the processes of retraining to start up a company. The goal is to know if the devices of accompaniment to the construction of the entrepreneurial project come to support or interfere the temporalities of the adult in retraining to creation of company. We want to know how these adults in retraining seize these temporalities of the entrepreneurial process (beliefs, feelings, representations) and these temporalities of the assistance and counseling devices (in a structuring way, to gradually build this new professional identity of entrepreneur, or limiting way, like a form of subjugation). Nine adults were interviewed in semi-structured interviews about their experience of retraining to start a new business. This research provides a key to seeing the plural temporalities arising from the relationship between the desire for autonomy and the normative framework of the devices. A thematic content analysis was carried out, to identify the phases of the transition, the temporalities of the processes of retraining and creation, the logics of actions and the forms of relationships. The actor strives to make the limiting and emancipatory temporalities coexist through a personal work of appropriation. This allowed to construct four figures of adulthood in retraining towards entrepreneurship: the author of his artwork, the decision maker of his future, the coin adult of his actions and his time, and the runner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The indication to sentinel node biopsy (SNB) for thin melanomas (Breslow <1 mm) is still subject to controversies. The aim of this paper is to review all SNB performed for thin melanoma and to analyze factors related to lymphatic metastasis. Moreover, the diagnostic performance of the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th AJCC classifications for cutaneous melanoma were investigated. Methods All sentinel node biopsies performed for thin melanomas were selected from a multicentre prospectively-collected database. For each patient the following was collected: age, sex, date of treatment, site of primary melanoma, histopathologic features (Breslow, Clark, number of mitoses/mm2, presence of ulceration) and the results of the sentinel node biopsy. Results From 1998 to 2017 were performed a total of 1272 SNB for thin melanoma. Mean age was 51years with 48.7% of male patients. Overall, 5.6% positive SNB were found. At univariate and multivariate analyses, Breslow thickness and ulceration were related to the presence of lymphatic metastasis. We compared the four versions of the AJCC classification: among pT1a patients there were respectively 5.32%, 5.63%, 3.72% and 3.49% of positive SNB. Conclusions in thin melanoma Breslow thickness and ulceration were the only factors related to a positive SNB. Although convincing improvements resulted from the implementation of AJCC classifications with a reduction of positive biopsies among pT1a, a 10.71% rate among all positive nodes remains in the low-risk group. No recommendations can be drawn from this research and adjunctive evidences are needed to better identify patients at risk of nodal metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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There is a significant unmet clinical need for modular and customized porous biodegradable constructs (scaffolds) for non-union large bone loss injuries. This paper proposes modelling and biomanufacturing of modular and customizable porous constructs for patient-specific critical bone defects. A computational geometry-based algorithm was developed to model modular porous constructs using a parametric femur model based on the frequency of common injuries. The generated modular constructs are used to generate biomimetic path planning for three-dimensional (3D) printing of modular scaffold pieces. The developed method can be used for regenerating bone tissue for treating non-union large bone defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare the mortality rates from COVID-19 among indigenous populations of the Amazon and Andean regions of Peru during the years 2020, 2021 and 2022. Secondary analysis of 33,567 data from the COVID-19 Notification System of the National Epidemiology Center, Prevention and Control of Diseases (CDC-Peru), from the years 2020–2022. The variables were age, sex, belonging to the Andean or Amazonian ethnic group, number and type of symptoms and risk conditions, abnormal findings in chest X-rays, year of data collection for hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Poisson family generalized linear regression models with logarithmic linkage and robust variance were used to establish differences in mortality between ethnic groups. Crude and adjusted risk ratio (RR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. 33,567 participants with an average age of 33.6 years were included, 44.4 % were men and 70.2 % belonged to the Amazonian ethnic group. Most of those affected by COVID-19 presented 2 symptoms (38.8 %), 4.8 % presented some risk condition, 1451 (4.3 %) were hospitalized, and 433 (1.3 %) died. The adjusted analysis showed that the Andean group, compared to the Amazonian, tended to have a higher probability of death, and this association was statistically significant, RR =7.6, 95 % CI (5.5–10.5). Patients from Andean indigenous communities had an almost 8 times higher risk of death from COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • An object-based method was developed to map woody cover from UAV multispectral data. • Proportional woody cover derived from the method matched manually-derived estimates. • The technique works on data from different sensors and processing methods. • Results can be used to monitor revegetation efforts on mine sites. Abstract Revegetation success is a key element of mine site rehabilitation. A number of criteria related to mine site close-out are associated with revegetation. The monitoring of mine site revegetation efforts have traditionally been undertaken using field-based plot or transect methods. Often the sampling design for this monitoring is limited due to resource constraints, therefore reducing the statistical power of the data and missing information over most of the mine site. The recent advances in Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) technology for remote sensing enables the collection of appropriate scale data over entire mine sites reducing the need for sampling and eliminating potential bias. This paper describes an object-based technique for extracting woody cover and estimating proportional woody cover from RPAS imagery over the rehabilitated Jabiluka mine site located in the tropical north of Australia. The technique was tested on three data sets that covered three different dates, two different sensors, and two different processing methods. Overall woody cover detection accuracies from each data set were over 95%. Proportional woody cover derived from the technique showed strong linear relationships with manually estimated cover (r 2 > 0.88). This study shows that the technique is robust and works with a range of RPAS data sets and enables at scale analysis of woody cover change between dates. The technique will be an important component of ongoing monitoring of mine site revegetation in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waveforms of gravitational waves provide information about a variety of parameters for the binary system merging. However, standard calculations have been performed assuming a FLRW universe with no perturbations. In reality this assumption should be dropped: we show that the inclusion of cosmological perturbations translates into corrections to the estimate of astrophysical parameters derived for the merging binary systems. We compute corrections to the estimate of the luminosity distance due to velocity, volume, lensing and gravitational potential effects. Our results show that the amplitude of the corrections will be negligible for current instruments, mildly important for experiments like the planned DECIGO, and very important for future ones such as the Big Bang Observer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A challenge for tissue engineering is to produce synthetic scaffolds of adequate chemical, physical and biological cues effectively. This paper describes a plasma-assisted bio-extrusion system to produce functional-gradient scaffolds; it comprises pressure-assisted and screw-assisted extruders, and plasma jets. This paper also describes how the system conducts plasma surface modification during the polycaprolactone scaffold fabrication process. Water contact angle and in vitro biological tests confirm that the plasma modification alters the hydrophilicity properties of synthetic polymers and promotes proliferation of cells, leading to homogeneous cell colonization. The results suggest this system is promising for producing functional gradient scaffolds of biomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the heavy metals in urban environments derives from road traffic, particularly from tyres and brake wear (non-exhaust emission sources). These pollutants contaminate the soil, where several organisms have a primary ecosystem role (e.g., springtails, ants, earthworms). Springtails (Collembola) are soil-dwelling animals regulating soil fertility, flow of energy through above- and below-ground food webs, and they contribute to soil microbial community dispersion and biodiversity maintenance. In this study we investigated the ecotoxicological effects of oral exposure to particles emitted from brake pads and cast-iron brake discs in the euedaphic collembola species Orthonychiurus folsomi under laboratory conditions. Our results showed that chronic exposure to brake wear particles can have sub-lethal effects both at low and high concentrations and it can cause histological alterations. Here, SEM-EDX was applied to observe the particulate and we found its chemical markers in the gut and faeces of collembola, while histological analysis detected alterations of the digestive and reproductive systems and of the abdominal fat body at high concentrations. [Display omitted] • Brake wear debris is a mixture of metal-oxides and -sulphides. • Ecotoxicology of brake wear debris was investigated with a deep-living soil collembola species. • Long-term exposure causes high mortality and reproduction impairment. • Lethal and sub-lethal effects are at exposure level below toxicity thresholds for single metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel methodology to easily access imidazolidin-2-ones from propargylamines, primary amine and CO 2 with TBD (1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene) or MTBD (7-methyl-1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene) as catalysts under solvent-free conditions is here reported. Bicyclic guanidines, able to catalyze the formation of oxazolidinones from secondary propargylamines and CO 2 , are now presented for the first time as effective organocatalysts for the chemical fixation of CO 2 into linear and cyclic ureas. Plausible reaction pathways are proposed on the basis of experimental findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the design of experiments in the analysis of multiparametric problems related to the quality assurance in radiotherapy. The main motivation is to use this statistical method to optimize the quality assurance processes in the validation of beam models. Method Considering the Varian Eclipse system, eight parameters with several levels were selected: energy, MLC, depth, X, Y 1 and Y 2 jaw dimensions, wedge and wedge jaw. A Taguchi table was used to define 72 validation tests. Measurements were conducted in water using a CC04 on a TrueBeam STx, a TrueBeam Tx, a Trilogy and a 2300IX accelerator matched by the vendor. Dose was computed using the AAA algorithm. The same raw data was used for all accelerators during the beam modelling. Results The mean difference between computed and measured doses was 0.1 ± 0.5% for all beams and all accelerators with a maximum difference of 2.4% (under the 3% tolerance level). For all beams, the measured doses were within 0.6% for all accelerators. The energy was found to be an influencing parameter but the deviations observed were smaller than 1% and not considered clinically significant. Conclusion Designs of experiment can help define the optimal measurement set to validate a beam model. The proposed method can be used to identify the prognostic factors of dose accuracy. The beam models were validated for the 4 accelerators which were found dosimetrically equivalent even though the accelerator characteristics differ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this retrospective study was to assess epidemiology and echocardiographic findings of pericardial effusion in canine patients and to determine the clinical usefulness and safety of a new pericardiocentesis technique, using a “ fistula needle ” for hemodialysis. A database of 5304 dogs of different breeds, age, gender, type, and severity of the cardiac disease, referred for a specialist cardiology and echocardiographic examination from 2009-2016, was reviewed. All the dogs were subjected to echocardiography; when possible and required, an echo-guided pericardiocentesis was performed by mean of a 17 G “ fistula needle ” commonly used for hemodialysis. Complete echocardiography was repeated at the end of each pericardiocentesis. Pericardial effusion was identified by echocardiography in 91 dogs (1.71%), 20 were female (21.98%) and 71 were male (78.02%). PE caused cardiac tamponade in 38/91 cases (41.76%). A clear evidence of a neoplasm was found in 33 cases (36.26%). In 32 cases (35.16%) severe degenerative mitral and tricuspid valve disease was detected as the cause of the pericardial effusion. Echo-guided pericardiocentesis was performed in 28 cases (30.77%) with cardiac tamponade. No adverse effects were found in any of the patients during the 48 hours of follow up after pericardiocentesis. This study showed the high incidence of pericardial effusion due to severe bilateral degenerative valve disease in adult to elderly dogs of different breeds. Moreover, the use of a “ fistula needle ” for pericardiocentesis in dogs showed no adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 4-year-old cocker spaniel, male, of 12 kg body weight was presented because of the onset of polyuria or polydipsia. From the first months of its life, the dog had exhibited constant serous to mucopurulent nasal discharge, productive cough, sneezing, reverse sneezing, otitis, and recurrent episodes of fever. The respiratory signs had been treated several times with antibiotics, without ever achieving a complete resolution. Clinical examination revealed normal rectal temperature (38.3°C), increased respiratory rate (40 breaths/min), a copious mucous nasal discharge and right deviation of the heart apex beat ( ictus cordis ). Increased respiratory sounds with moist rales and crackles were found on chest auscultation. An increase in serum creatinine, urea and phosphorus, hypoalbuminemia and proteinuria were found. Lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs of the thorax and of the abdomen showed the transposition of the heart, with the cardiac apex pointing toward the right (dextrocardia), bronchointerstitial lung pattern, areas of consolidation, lesions consistent with bronchiectasis caves and a mirror-image of abdominal organs, confirming the diagnosis of complete situs inversus (CSI). Respiratory signs, combined with CSI, suggested the diagnosis of Kartagener syndrome (KS). Abdominal ultrasound showed an increase in the echogenicity of the renal parenchyma, a loss of definition of the corticomedullary line, slight bilateral pyelectasis, and decreased cortical perfusion. The dog died 2 months later because of a further worsening of the clinical condition. Necroscopy demonstrated the existence of CSI, rhinosinusitis, bronchitis, and bronchiectasis, so confirming the diagnosis of KS, and renal amyloidosis. This is the first case reported in veterinary medicine of the presence of renal amyloidosis together with KS in a dog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel hybrid biomanufacturing system, called Plasma-assisted Bioextrusion System (PABS), has been developed to produce multi-material and functional graded scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. It combines pressure-assisted extrusion heads, screw-assisted extrusion heads and plasma jets, allowing surface of printed scaffolds matching the characteristics of the surrounding tissue. This paper explores this system to produce PCL and PCL/CNT scaffolds for bone applications. Processing conditions were optimized in terms of deposition velocity, screw rotational velocity and the effect of these parameters on the morphological and mechanical properties of produced scaffolds assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orthopedic problems are significantly increasing posing pressure to healthcare systems. Traditional clinical procedures for traumatic bone fracture applications comprise the use of high stiffness metallic implants caused by the built-up material and implant design. These implants show a high mechanical mismatch comparing to bone properties resulting in stress shielding phenomena that leads to less dense and fragile bone. This paper follows a design phase by exploring the use of 3D Topology Optimization to create lightweight metallic implants with reduced stiffness, thus minimising stress shielding and bone loss problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statement of problem Yttria-stabilized zirconia used for the fabrication of crowns and fixed prostheses may require intraoral adjustments after placement and cementation. Grinding and polishing methods may result in changes in the surface characteristics of zirconia. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess the effect of polishing procedures on surface roughness, topographical and phase changes of zirconia, and wear of the opposing dentition. Material and methods Presintered and precut yttria-stabilized zirconia specimens (10×10×1 mm) were divided into 4 groups (control, Intensiv, Shofu, 3M ESPE) depending on the polishing method used to prepare the specimens. All tests were carried out in triplicate. The specimens were polished depending on the polishing regimen, while the control was left untreated. The specimens were thermocycled for 3000 cycles, with a temperature range of 5°C to 55°C. The surface roughness, elemental, and phase changes caused by polishing before and after thermocycling were assessed with surface profilometry, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction analysis. The wear on antagonist steatite balls was also measured after mastication simulation. Statistical analysis was performed using 1-way ANOVA and the Tukey post hoc test to perform multiple comparison tests (α=.05). Results The polishing procedures increased surface roughness (Ra) of yttria-stabilized zirconia from 0.52 for the control specimen to 0.73 for Intensiv, 0.70 for Shofu, and 0.70 for 3M ESPE ( P <.05), which was reduced by thermocycling to 0.44 (control), 0.58 (Intensiv), and 0.58 (Shofu) ( P <.001), while roughness remained unchanged for 3M ESPE specimens (0.75; P =.452). The deposition of aluminum when using Shofu abrasives and nickel in Intensiv was demonstrated. Phase changes were observed on the zirconia surface with formation of the monoclinic phase in all polishing methods. Specimen aging enhanced the surface phase changes and also induced compressive stresses in zirconia polished with Intensiv. The different polishing protocols did not affect the wear to the antagonist ( P >.05). Conclusions Polishing zirconia increased surface roughness and led to surface phase changes, but wear to the antagonist was not affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate how well future large-scale radio surveys could measure different shapes of primordial non-Gaussianity; in particular we focus on angle-dependent non-Gaussianity arising from primordial anisotropic sources, whose bispectrum has an angle dependence between the three wavevectors that is characterized by Legendre polynomials P L and expansion coefficients c L . We provide forecasts for measurements of galaxy power spectrum, finding that Large-Scale Structure (LSS) data could allow measurements of primordial non-Gaussianity that would be competitive with, or improve upon, current constraints set by CMB experiments, for all the shapes considered. We argue that the best constraints will come from the possibility to assign redshift information to radio galaxy surveys, and investigate a few possible scenarios for the EMU and SKA surveys. A realistic (futuristic) modeling could provide constraints of f NL loc ≈ 1 ( 0 . 5 ) for the local shape, f NL of O ( 10 ) ( O ( 1 ) ) for the orthogonal, equilateral and folded shapes, and c L = 1 ≈ 80 ( 2 ) , c L = 2 ≈ 400 ( 10 ) for angle-dependent non-Gaussianity showing that only futuristic galaxy surveys will be able to set strong constraints on these models. Nevertheless, the more futuristic forecasts show the potential of LSS analyses to considerably improve current constraints on non-Gaussianity, and so on models of the primordial Universe. Finally, we find the minimum requirements that would be needed to reach σ ( c L = 1 ) = 10 , which can be considered as a typical (lower) value predicted by some (inflationary) models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel method of integrated modelling and bio-additive manufacturing of hybrid bioinspired structures is presented. An algorithm is developed to generate optimized and continuous path plan while changing material and internal composition spatially and hierarchically based on the assigned functionality. Biodegradable polymers and hydrogels are used as reinforcing and biological functional bioinks respectively. A new hybrid multi-head 3D bioprinter is developed to manufacture designed three-dimensional constructs depositing bioinks layer-by-layer. Simultaneous incorporation of multiple deposition heads and integrated path planning provide the benefits of using the deposition-on-demand of multi-material bio-inks. The modelled constructs are analyzed and bioprinted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a widely used non-invasive neuromodulatory technique. When applied in sleep medicine, the main hypothesis explaining its effects concerns the modulation of synaptic plasticity and the strength of connections between the brain areas involved in sleep disorders. Recently, there has been a significant increase in the publication of rTMS studies in primary sleep disorders. A multi-database-based search converges on the evidence that rTMS is safe and feasible in chronic insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), restless legs syndrome (RLS), and sleep deprivation-related cognitive deficits, whereas limited or no data are available for narcolepsy, sleep bruxism, and REM sleep behavior disorder. Regarding efficacy, the stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex bilaterally, right parietal cortex, and dominant primary motor cortex (M1) in insomnia, as well as the stimulation of M1 leg area bilaterally, left primary somatosensory cortex, and left M1 in RLS reduced subjective symptoms and severity scale scores, with effects lasting for up to weeks; conversely, no relevant effect was observed in OSAS and narcolepsy. Nevertheless, several limitations especially regarding the stimulation protocols need to be considered. This review should be viewed as a step towards the further contribution of individually tailored neuromodulatory techniques for sleep disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of reconstructive surgery, a great challenge is represented by bone injuries beyond the self-repair threshold. Autologous bone grafts may be considered the gold standard. Anyway, such approach is limited by the amount of tissue required for grafting and by donor site morbidity. To overcome these drawbacks, bone tissue engineering represents a promising solution. 3D fully biodegradable and nanocomposite scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration, consisting of poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) reinforced with hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles, were developed using an additive manufacturing process. The effect of nanoparticles and architecture (i.e., lay-down pattern) on the mechanical/functional and biological properties was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In General Relativity, the constraint equation relating metric and density perturbations is inherently nonlinear, leading to an effective non-Gaussianity in the dark matter density field on large scales—even if the primordial metric perturbation is Gaussian. Intrinsic non-Gaussianity in the large-scale dark matter overdensity in GR is real and physical. However, the variance smoothed on a local physical scale is not correlated with the large-scale curvature perturbation, so that there is no relativistic signature in the galaxy bias when using the simplest model of bias. It is an open question whether the observable mass proxies such as luminosity or weak lensing correspond directly to the physical mass in the simple halo bias model. If not, there may be observables that encode this relativistic signature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]