Search

In this work, calcium niobium gallium garnet (Ca3Nb1.6875Ga3.1875O12 - CNGG) ceramic samples single-doped with Tb3+ and co-doped with Tb3+ and Yb3+ ions were sintered by the solid-state reaction method. The structural characterization of the samples was carried out by X-ray diffraction measurements. The optimal concentration of Tb3+ ions corresponding to the maximum luminescence in the green spectral range in CNGG: x at% Tb (x = 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) was determined to be 4 at%. The time-resolved luminescence of the 5D4 level (Tb3+) in the CNGG:x at% Tb samples was analysed to explore the quenching mechanisms involved in the Tb3+ green emission. Co-doped CNGG:4 at% Tb,y at% Yb (y = 0.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10) ceramics were prepared and investigated. It is shown that CNGG:4 at% Tb,y at% Yb phosphors exhibit intense green luminescence under ultra-violet (UV), visible (VIS), and near-infrared (NIR) excitation, thus demonstrating the presence of simultaneous down-conversion (DC) and up-conversion (UC) processes. The dependence of the UC luminescence intensity on the diode laser pumping power was measured and the results indicate a two-photon process based on cooperative energy transfer (CET). Under UV excitation, the lifetime of the 5D4 (Tb3+) level slowly increases with increasing of Yb3+ concentration suggesting the energy transfer from Yb3+ to Tb3+ ions, while under NIR excitation, the lifetime of the 5D4 (Tb3+) level decreases with increasing of Yb3+ ions concentration, indicating the presence of a strong energy transfer from Tb3+ to Yb3+ ions. The highest energy transfer efficiency of ηET ∼ 42 % was determined for the CNGG:4 at% Tb, 10 at% Yb sample. The obtained results indicate that CNGG:(Tb3+, Yb3+) could be efficient new yellowish-green-emitting phosphors.

As a prominent problem in the modern society and showing an increasing prevalence, sleep disorders including frequently obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) raises the issue of the multiple health and socio-professional debilitating effect. This study aimed to assess by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire the sleep disturbances and their impact on socio-professional capacities in patients with OSA. We evaluated through the PSQI a group of 144 patients with suspected sleep disorders, whom 22 were diagnosed with OSA by polysomnography. For OSA patients, we analyzed the associated comorbidities and the characteristics of sleep disturbances and their influence on quality of socio-professional life. The main associated comorbidities to our OSA patients were the hypertension (90.90%), the type II diabetes (40.91%) and the metabolic syndrome (31.83%). We found that the most important sleep disturbances that affected the quality of life are the sleep interruptions, the waking up too early, the late falling asleep and snoring. The most significant problems induced by sleep disorders were communication problems and concentration disorders, with more than three times a week for at least 36.36% of patients. The work capacity was affected at least once a month in 77.27% of OSA patients, 40.91% reported at least one episode per week. Based on the results of PSQI and the characteristics of clinical OSA assessment, we can conclude that the patients with OSA present an impaired quality of socio-professional life.

The aim of this study is to analyse (i) the collective effectiveness in the attack phases of team Romania at the Women World Championship in Japan, 2019 and (ii) whether the forced changes made just two days before the start of the competition had any impact on the final results. As it had been through a generational transition and had also been confronted with injuries and doping cases right before the debut of the competition, the Romanian team had an unstable evolution, being either severely defeated or winning games by a low margin. Game expertise and scoring index were the main factors that affected the ranking, to the disadvantage of Romania, in this important tournament.

Background In spite of prolonged disease remission of IBD patients, induced by the new biological molecules, a significant number of them suffer from persistent debilitating symptoms with major impact on the quality of life. Frequently, these symptoms are due to post-inflammatory motility changes and misinterpreted as functional disorders. Our aim is to identify and characterize the anorectal motility dysfunction in IBD patients. Methods We are conducting an ongoing prospective study started in August 2019, which includes the IBD patients admitted in a Tertiary Gastroenterology Centre in Bucharest, with specific symptoms (anorectal pain, incontinence, difficult defecation). We perform high resolution anorectal manometry using Sandhill Scientific systems, the parameters being analysed using InSIGHT software. The manometric testing comprise measurements of anorectal pressure at rest, during squeeze, simulated evacuation, rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) and rectal sensory testing, in compliance with International Anorectal Physiology Working Group protocol. Results We studied 21 patients (12 patients with Ulcerative Colitis and 9 patients with Crohn’s Disease, 15 females and 6 males, mean age 40 (±11.43) years. Only 23.1% (5 patients) had rectal active involvement. Symptoms were reported by 81.0% (17) patients: pain (57.1%), anal incontinence (94.1%), difficult evacuation (29.4%), urgency (64.7%) and intolerance of rectal therapies (35.3%); rectal inflammation was not correlated with the presence of symptoms in our study group (p= 0.53). Modified manometric parameters were found in 81.0% patients and were associated with previous pelvic surgical interventions (p Conclusion There is a considerable number of patients with anorectal motility changes. Therefore, pelvic floor investigation is an essential tool in the management of IBD patients with anorectal symptoms.

Background IBD are chronic diseases that require multiple endoscopic and imaging assessments, being diseases that not only involve a multitude of medical resources but patient compliance too. Bowel ultrasound (BUS) is a useful imaging tool in monitoring inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) patients. Current guidelines recommend BUS altogether with other cross-sectional imaging methods to diagnose, monitor IBD patients and also for detecting complications and post-surgery recurrence. A multitude of ultrasonographic features are used to describe pathologic findings related to IBD but not all of them are easy to integrate in clinical practice, especially in unexperienced hands. Methods Our study included 117 IBD patients of which 28 were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and 89 with Crohn’s disease. Diagnosis was established endoscopically and histologically and both patients with active and inactive disease were included. Exclusion criteria consisted in patients with other causes of inflammatory syndrome, patients with solely rectal localization of the disease or a surgical history. Subjects were prospectively evaluated using BUS and several sonographic aspects of the bowel wall were monitored: bowel wall thickness, bowel echo pattern, Doppler signal (DS) presence, hypertrophic mesenteric fat, and the presence of lymph nodes. Biological markers of inflammation were obtained including faecal calprotectin. Patients were followed up for the next 6 months and data regarding treatment intensification was noted. All patients signed an informed consent, and the study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Fundeni Clinical Institute. Results Significantly higher values of clinical and biological markers were associated with the presence of parietal DS (p Conclusion DS is one of the most important BUS features to use in evaluating and monitoring IBD patients and could have a role in disease decision making. This finding should advocate for this imaging method in clinical practice, and even low BUS-experience practitioners are encouraged to use it.

No prospective study has specifically examined the serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the early shock phase of burn-injured patients. Thus, we aimed to detect early changes, activity dynamics, and the predictive value of MMP-9, TIMP-1, and the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio to better understand the early repair mechanisms for the development of future therapies for patients with thermal burns. Twenty-five patients with a total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burn

Otorhinolaryngology is a vast domain that requires the aid of many resources for optimal performance. The medical devices utilized in this branch share common problems, such as the formation of biofilms. These structured communities of microbes encased in a 3D matrix can develop antimicrobial resistance (AMR), thus making it a problem with challenging solutions. Therefore, it is of concern the introduction in the medical practice involving biomaterials for ear, nose and throat (ENT) devices, such as implants for the trachea (stents), ear (cochlear implants), and voice recovery (voice prosthetics). The surface of these materials must be biocompatible and limit the development of biofilm while still promoting regeneration. In this respect, several surface modification techniques and functionalization procedures can be utilized to facilitate the success of the implants and ensure a long time of use. On this note, this review provides information on the intricate underlying mechanisms of biofilm formation, the large specter of implants and prosthetics that are susceptible to microbial colonization and subsequently related infections. Specifically, the discussion is particularized on biofilm development on ENT devices, ways to reduce it, and recent approaches that have emerged in this field.

Burn injuries can trigger tissue changes that can explain the variation in the level of different biochemical markers that can be recorded both locally or systemically. Some events observed in burn wounds such as vascular hyperpermeability have been associated with the release of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) after trauma. Because it is unknown whether the serum levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 are a consequence of these destructions or a local response to thermal damage, we decided to follow their dynamics. Twenty-five patients (mean age 49.40±17.55 years) with a total body surface area (TBSA) affected by a thermal burn of

The response of a position-sensitive Li-glass scintillator detector to $\alpha$-particles from a collimated $^{241}$Am source scanned across the face of the detector has been measured. Scintillation light was read out by an 8 X 8 pixel multi-anode photomultiplier and the signal amplitude for each pixel has been recorded for every position on a scan. The pixel signal is strongly dependent on position and in general several pixels will register a signal (a hit) above a given threshold. The effect of this threshold on hit multiplicity is studied, with a view to optimize the single-hit efficiency of the detector., Comment: 23 pages, 7 figures, to be submitted to Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A

The inner ear is sensitive to various infections of viral, bacterial, or fungal origin, which, if left untreated, may lead to hearing loss or progress through the temporal bone and cause intracranial infectious complications. Due to its isolated location, the inner ear is difficult to treat, imposing an acute need for improving current therapeutic approaches. A solution for enhancing antimicrobial treatment performance is the use of nanoparticles. Different inorganic, lipidic, and polymeric-based such particles have been designed, tested, and proven successful in the controlled delivery of medication, improving drug internalization by the targeted cells while reducing the systemic side effects. This paper makes a general presentation of common inner ear infections and therapeutics administration routes, further focusing on newly developed nanoparticle-mediated treatments.

The response of a position-sensitive Li-glass scintillator detector being developed for thermal-neutron detection with 6 mm position resolution has been investigated using collimated beams of thermal neutrons. The detector was moved perpendicularly through the neutron beams in 0.5 to 1.0 mm horizontal and vertical steps. Scintillation was detected in an 8 X 8 pixel multi-anode photomultiplier tube on an event-by-event basis. In general, several pixels registered large signals at each neutron-beam location. The number of pixels registering signal above a set threshold was investigated, with the maximization of the single-hit efficiency over the largest possible area of the detector as the primary goal. At a threshold of ~50% of the mean of the full-deposition peak, ~80% of the events were registered in a single pixel, resulting in an effective position resolution of ~5 mm in X and Y. Lower thresholds generally resulted in events demonstrating higher pixel multiplicities, but these events could also be localized with ~5 mm position resolution., Comment: 23 pages, 8 figures

Matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) expression levels have been demonstrated to have prognostic value in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The present study hypothesized that melatonin, a small lipophilic molecule primarily secreted by the pineal gland, may be able to regulate MMP activity in OSCC progression. This study aimed to investigate the associations between melatonin, MMPs, TIMPs and the histopathological characteristics of patients with OSCC. A total of 40 men with OSCC (mean age, 57±7 years) and 30 healthy men (mean age, 56±5 years) were enrolled in the present study. Enzyme immunoassays were used to measure the serum levels of melatonin, MMP-9, MMP-2, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 before and after transoral surgery for OSCC. Serum melatonin level was significantly lower in patients with OSCC compared with controls, both pre-surgery and 2 days after surgery (P

The authors regret that an author name was incorrectly spelled as “Okhlobystiy AV”. The correct spelling is “Okhlobystin AV”. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.

The response of a position-sensitive Li-glass based scintillation detector to focused beams of 2.5 MeV protons and deuterons has been investigated. The beams were scanned across the detector in 0.5 mm horizontal and vertical steps perpendicular to the beams. Scintillation light was registered using an 8 by 8 pixel multi-anode photomultiplier tube. The signal amplitudes were recorded for each pixel on an event-by-event basis. Several pixels generally registered considerable signals at each beam location. The number of pixels above set thresholds were investigated, with the optimization of the single-hit efficiency over the largest possible area as the goal. For both beams, at a threshold of ~50% of the mean of the full-deposition peak, ~80% of the events were registered in a single pixel, resulting in an effective position resolution of ~5 mm in X and Y., 22 pages, 8 figures, to be submitted to Nucl. Instr. and Meth. in Phys. Res. A

Melatonin, the primary hormone produced by the pineal gland, is intensely assessed for its anticancer properties. This study aimed to reveal the clinical significance of serum melatonin levels in predicting the severity of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). For this purpose, 40 male patients with OSCC and 30 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. The serum levels of melatonin were determined by ELISA. The results revealed that the melatonin concentrations were significantly lower in the patients with OSCC compared with the controls (18.2 vs. 47.6 pg/ml, P

The paper proposes the development of a guitar audio amplifier that is made from a low-priced IC LM386 chip, this amplifier can also be used for radios and other electronic projects IC LM 386 is a reliable and versatile chip that can be used even to make an oscillator that can output sine or square waves. The purpose behind developing this guitar audio amplifier is to offer an easy and economical way to build a good sounding amplifier.

Deficient antibody production in patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is accompanied by an inability to produce free light chains (FLCs), particularly kappa (κ) FLC, due to B-cell dysfunction. We found that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) administration, in a patient with CVID and (κ) FLC deficiency, for o short period of only 6 months, induced after discontinuation of treatment some kind of “long-lasting active immunity”, leading to the secretion of immunoglobulin (κ) FLCs. A remarkable finding of our study is how effectively IVIg therapy led to a calculable (κ/λ) FLCs ratio, within the reference range. IVIg therapy may have functioned as an idiotype vaccine which induced a humoral response. To date, several questions remain open. For instance, from a clinical standpoint, we do not know whether this form of active immunotherapy has the potential to cure or just to control the immunoglobulin (κ) FLC deficiency. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

The paper proposes the development of a wireless video camera that is used to capture images from any microscope, and is universally compatible with the standard C-Mount. The purpose behind developing this camera is to offer an economical alternative to the current high-priced microscopy camera without compromising performance. In addition this camera has the technology to work wirelessly.

Thousands of microorganisms coexist within the human microbiota. However, certain conditions can predispose the organism to the overgrowth of specific pathogens that further lead to opportunistic infections. One of the most common such imbalances in the normal oral flora is the excessive growth of Candida spp., which produces oral candidiasis. In immunocompromised individuals, this fungal infection can reach the systemic level and become life-threatening. Hence, prompt and efficient treatment must be administered. Traditional antifungal agents, such as polyenes, azoles, and echinocandins, may often result in severe adverse effects, regardless of the administration form. Therefore, novel treatments have to be developed and implemented in clinical practice. In this regard, the present paper focuses on the newest therapeutic options against oral Candida infections, reviewing compounds and biomaterials with inherent antifungal properties, improved materials for dental prostheses and denture adhesives, drug delivery systems, and combined approaches towards developing the optimum treatment.

Background—Children with genetic disorders have multiple anatomical and physiological conditions that predispose them to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). They should have priority access to polysomnography (PSG) before establishing their therapeutic protocol. We analyzed the prevalence and the severity of OSAS in a particular group of children with genetic disorders and strengthened their need for a multidisciplinary diagnosis and adapted management. Methods—The retrospective analysis included children with genetic impairments and sleep disturbances that were referred for polysomnography. We collected respiratory parameters from sleep studies: apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), SatO2 nadir, end-tidal CO2, and transcutaneous CO2. Subsequent management included non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or otorhinolaryngological (ENT) surgery of the upper airway. Results—We identified 108 patients with neuromuscular disorders or multiple congenital anomalies. OSAS was present in 87 patients (80.5%), 3 of whom received CPAP, 32 needed another form of NIV during sleep, and 15 patients were referred for ENT surgery. The post-therapeutic follow-up PSG parameters confirmed the success of the treatment. Conclusions—The upper airway obstruction diagnostics and management for children with complex genetic diseases need a multidisciplinary approach. Early detection and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing in children with genetic disorders is a priority for improving their quality of life.

Even though commercial companies play a really important role in the economic functioning and development, now, in crisis conditions, the future for some of them is unknown. As a result of the release of crisis caused by „Coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome 2, abbreviated SARS-CoV-2”, these companies are facing novel negative situations, not being able to manifest temporarily or normally the activity. From a systematic point of view, this crisis has the role of a really powerful disturbing factor. The creditors and investors are in a similar fragile situation. This paper identifies some scientific methods which can decrease the negative appeared problems, building models that take into account the limited resources that companies face and that they can lead to improving their economic situation. As an application, part of the essay presents the synthesis of the main assets and malfunctions of a company established in Romania. The elaboration of future strategies will be achieved through the systematic research of the admissible bases, aiming at maximizing the objective function. The type of equilibrium by reverse induction will be established, thus obtaining the set of the best cost variants. Linear programming will generate the optimal solution capable of exploiting the opportunities offered by the market with a minimal impact of disruptive factors.

Systematic and continuous monitoring of athletic performance for the purpose of developing incrementally adaptive optimized training solutions is often presented as the future of more efficient training systems. This is a shared view in the specialty literature, with authors such as Lyle J (2005, p. 21) stating that “operational training implies the existence of a continuous monitoring process, not only within a competition but also within the training and preparation”. The periodic analysis of key performance parameters with a great effect on performance during a sports contest is a process based on a coherent, self-adaptive and continuously developing system, being the result of a a systemic analysis mechanism that focuses on the analytical evaluation, data collection and analytics, interpreting, and reporting the information obtained as a result of the research. Our approach is to apply and expand on the video analysis method by focusing on certain key questions: how much, how well, how precise but with what costs, with what effort, with what efficiency. Eliminating the “traditional” methods prompt the conclusions that using advanced mechatronic devices render us capable continuous monitoring, recording, and developing comparison solutions that enable concrete interventions on improving the technical execution of various athletic events and more.

In this article, the corrosion processes that occur in metallic fixed dental restorations from a group of patients with oral lichen planus are investigated throughout electrochemical characterizations. Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a non-infectious, chronic, autoimmune disorder, of unknown aetiology, which involves the oral mucosa and sometimes, it has a malignant transformation. The presence of oral metals is incriminated as a trigger factor in the pathology of OLP. In order to emphasise this influence, the alloys recovered after the removal of some old metal restorations in OLP patients were analysed. Their composition was determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Open circuit potential measurements, Tafel analysis and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were also carried out. The studied alloys were high copper alloys and chromium–nickel base alloys with different electrochemical behaviour. The results suggested a correlation between corrosion process in the oral environment and oral lichen planus pathology.

Rationale: Cochlear implantation is the most effective method of rehabilitation for patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. Binaural hearing forms the basis of the development of hearing-associated cortical networks in infants and toddlers, but simultaneous bilateral implantation is often postponed due to the demands of classical surgical methods, which are associated with large incisions and a deep bony well. Objective: The authors report on the use of a modern, thin implant type and the possibilities it provided to simplify the surgical technique. Methods and results: Recent models of the Cochlear™ Nucleus® implant family were studied in an international retrospective multi-center study: 6 otolaryngologists in 5 centers shared their experiences on 73 consecutively implanted, thin implants. The surgical incision could be made shorter than before and only shallow bony wells or none at all were created in 4 out of 5 centers. No complications occurred. Discussion: This study underlines that implants with thin electronics capsules enable a simplified, fast and safe implantation procedure that allows simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation.

Background. Adenoidectomy remains a frequent surgical approach for recurrent upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in children. We research if only age and collectivity are responsible for recurrences, or other anatomic conditions can account for the history of the patient. Design. Retrospective case series review. Material and method. Questionnaire about respiratory symptoms and correlations observed between the history of the patient and the presence or absence of short soft palate. Results. 102 children could provide enough data to be included in the study. Frequent URTI were observed in 30% of the affected children and only 16% of their normal peers. 41% of URTIs each persisted longer than 10 days in short soft palate children vs. 17% in normal patients. Broncho-pulmonary complications were encountered in 44% of children with short palate as opposed to 27% in others. Conclusions. Short velli palatini can disturb normal swallowing process and allow rhinopharyngeal chronic inflammation. That can lead to persistent recurrent URTIs, more probable chronic obstruction through the adenoids and other diseases in pediatric ENT practice.

Recurrent cholesteatoma and local mastoid morbidity account for common patient complaints in our pediatric department. Objective. To describe a surgical technique used for 2 difficult cholesteatoma pediatric cases, in order to prevent mastoid cavity associated disease. Material. 2 cases with recurrent cholesteatoma and mastoid morbidity were surgically approached by reconstructing the posterior osseous canal wall. Results. Anatomical results were satisfactory on short term monitoring. Long-term results need further evaluation. Conclusion. Posterior canal wall reconstruction represents a useful option for mastoid cavity patients with local recurrent disease.

Cricoid malformations vary according to their severity and anatomic features. Some of them get a delayed diagnosis in spite of the complex medical care. Objective: To present a case with a laryngeal malformation and our surgery technique. Material, method: A case presentation of a cannulated child, who previously had a heart surgery, with difficult decannulation. Results: The patient was considered to have an acquired subglottic stenosis due to his medical record. A cricoid cartilage malformation was elicited intraoperatively. A submucosal drilling of the redundant cartilage, with a preservation of the covering laryngeal mucosa was performed. Decannulation was possible at 13 days after surgery. Conclusion: Instead of having extensive resection surgery we decided to perform an endolaryngeal submucosal drilling, after laryngofissure, with quick and long lasting success. Laryngeal surgery should always be tailored to the patient needs and the surgeon’s preferences.

BACKGROUND The balance between collagenolysis and its inhibition is critical during extracellular matrix remodeling in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). An imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) plays a critical role in the development of tumor cell invasion and metastasis. The purpose of the study was to determine MMP-9/TIMP-1 and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios in the sera of patients with HNSCC in relation to clinicopathological parameters. METHODS Serum samples from seventy patients with HNSCC were measured by ELISA, before and 2 days after surgery. Forty healthy volunteers were selected as controls. RESULTS Preoperative MMP-9/TIMP-1 and MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratios were significantly higher in HNSCC patients than in the control group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Changes in MMP-9 concentration and MMP9/TIMP-1 ratio after surgery had a negative correlation with lymph node involvement (r = - 0.35, p = 0.021 and r = - 0.37, p = 0.013), while changes in TIMP-1 had a positive one (r = 0.45, p = 0.006). Histological grade was positively correlated with the changes in circulating TIMP-2 level (r = 0.39, p = 0.021). No significant correlation was discovered between MMP-2/TIMP-2 ratio and tumor grade or any clinicopathological variables. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that an imbalance between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 could play an important role in metastatic spread via lymphatic pathways of HNSCC cells. MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio and, in particular, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, may represent suitable biomarkers for early diagnosis and detection of disease progression and dissemination in HNSCC patients.

Osteomas of the external ear are uncommon benign tumors that need to be differentiated from the external ear canal exostoses, bony proliferations that are linked mainly to cold-water exposure. Clinical manifestations vary from no symptoms to recurrent local infections and external ear cholesteatoma. Objective: presenting a rare case that we did not find described in the published literature. A patient with multiple long-term asymptomatic osteomas of both external ear canals presented to our department. Material: Data recorded from the patient’s medical record was reviewed and analyzed. Surgery was performed and histology confirmed the presumptive diagnosis. Results: There was a discrepancy between the local severity of the disease, with a complete obstruction of his ear canals, and the long-term disease-free status of the patient. Conclusion: We hypothesized about the etiology of these multiple bilateral osteomas of the EAC, in light of the clinical and surgical findings.

In the present work we present preliminary research on producing of transparent polycrystalline ceramics. Samarium doped Yttrium oxide (1%, 3% and 5%) and Neodymium (1%) doped YAG (Y3Al5O12) translucent ceramics were fabricated by solid-state reaction. Commercial nanopowders was used as the starting materials: Sm2O3 (6μm) and Y2O2 (20-50 nm) for Sm3+: Y2O3 and α-Al2O3, Y2O3 and Nd2O3 (20-50 nm) for Nd3+: YAG. For the preparation of Nd3+: YAG, 0.5 wt% tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was use as sintering additive, and 1 wt % PEG (polyethylene glycol-400) as dispersant.

BACKGROUND Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is characterized by the upregulation of a large number of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The aim of the study was to investigate the level of MMP-9 in the sera of HNSCC patients and its relationship to clinicopathological features. METHODS Serum samples from sixty-five patients (56M/9F, 59.11 ± 9.02 years) with HNSCC were quantitatively measured by ELISA assay, before and two days after surgery. Forty healthy volunteers served as controls (29M/ 11F, 56.21 ± 12.13 years). RESULTS Median serum concentrations of MMP-9 were consistently upregulated in HNSCC patients both preoperatively (1593.0 ng/mL, IQR: 833.0 - 1942.0 ng/mL) and postoperatively (1382.0 ng/mL, IQR: 778.6 - 2062.0 ng/mL) in comparison to healthy controls (291.3 ng/mL, IQR: 223.8 - 330.5 ng/mL) (p < 0.001). Pretreatment levels of MMP-9 were related to the size of primary tumor (p = 0.018) and lymph node involvement (p = 0.045). No statistically significant association was found between serum MMP-9 concentrations and clinical stage or degree of differentiation of the tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS Serum MMP-9 level could be used as a diagnostic tool for early detection of HNSCC and for determining prognosis. Moreover, our results suggest that MMP-9 might be a good marker in evaluating the size of the primary tumor and lymph node involvement. Further studies are needed to show whether MMP-9 could serve as a marker for recurrence.

This paper considers an industrial identification tool for cross-directional (CD) process of continuous web manufacturing such as papermaking. A special focus is on identification of the mapping between CD actuators and measured profiles of the web properties from input-output process data. The developed algorithms are based on nonlinear parametric models of the CD response shape and mapping and minimize a model fit error for a two-dimensional array of data. The algorithms are deployed as a part of an automated process control support tool and have been successfully used over a period of time on many paper mills with various types of the CD actuators. The paper is illustrated by identification results from a real-life paper mill.

The study of ENT cancer allows the implementation of molecular biology methods in diagnosis, predicting the evolution of the disease and suggesting a certain treatment. MMPs are proteolytic enzymes, zinc dependent endopeptidases, secreted by tissues and proinflammatory cells that play a role in the clearance of cell surface receptors. They are expressed as zymogens (inactive forms). Proteolytic enzymes cleave zymogens generating active forms. They are involved in cell proliferation, adhesion, differentiation, migration, angiogenesis, apoptosis and host defense.

Cubic Y3ScxAl3-xO12 (YSAG) crystals are attractive laser-host materials due to their high thermal conductivity, broad spectral region, chemical stability, strong Stark splitting and relatively low phonon energies. However, it is very difficult to grow large-size single crystals with high quality because of the high melting point (~19500C). On the other hand, polycrystalline ceramics have lower sintering temperature, about 1750oC. Moreover, because of the absence of segregation coefficient, ceramics can be doped with a higher fraction of active ions and can be fabricated in larger sizes compared to single crystals. In this work we present the results of our research on the production of samarium doped YSAG (Sm3+:YSAG) transparent polycrystalline ceramics for visible laser emission [1, 2]. High purity ?-Al2O3 (99.99+% purity, ~100-nm diameter), Y2O3 (99.99% purity, 20 to 40 nm diameter), Sc2O3 and Sm2O3 (99.99% purity) powders were used as starting materials. The selected composition is Sm0.03Y2.97Sc2Al3O12. The powders were magnetically mixed in stoichiometric ratio in anhydrous ethylic alcohol for 24 h. As sintering additive, 0.5 wt.% of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was used. The alcohol solvent was removed by drying the slurry at 800C. The dried powder was milled and pressed at low pressure (10 MPa) into pellet with half of inch diameter in a metal mold and then cold isostatically pressed at 240 MPa. Before sintering, the sample was heated at 8000C for removing organic substances used in preparation.

There is little awareness and a lack of data on the prevalence of hospital malnutrition in gastro-enterology departments. Since part of these patients are referred for surgical treatment and poor nutritional status is a known risk factor for perioperative morbidity, we conducted a prospective study aimed to screen for the nutritional risk and assess the prevalence and risk factors of malnutrition in gastro-enterology departments in Romania.We included patients consecutively admitted to 8 gastroenterology units over a period of three months in our study. Nutritional risk was evaluated using NRS 2002. Malnutrition was defined using BMI ( 20 kg m2) or and 10% weight loss in the last six months.3198 patients were evaluated, 51.6% males and 48.4% females, with the mean age of 54.5 Â+- 14.3 years. Overall percentage of patients at nutritional risk was 17.1%, with the highest risk for patients with advanced liver diseases (49.8%), oncologic (31.3%), inflammatory bowel diseases (20.2%), and pancreatic diseases (18.9%). The overall prevalence of malnutrition was of 20.4%, higher for advanced liver diseases (39.4%), inflammatory bowed diseases (30.6%), oncologic (26.8%) and pancreatic diseases (23%). Independent risk factors for malnutrition were younger age (p 0.0001), female gender (p 0.0001), a higher (A ≥ 3) NRS (p 0.0001), presence of neoplasm (p 0.0001), of advanced liver disease (p=0.0003) and a reduction of 25% of dietary intake (p 0.0001).One in five patients admitted to gastroenterology units could benefit from prompt nutritional intervention. Correction of nutritional status is mandatory before any surgical procedure. Emphasis on nutritional evaluation at admission and beginning of nutritional therapy where needed are particularly required in patients with advanced liver diseases, digestive neoplasms, inflammatory bowel diseases and pancreatic diseases.NRS= nutritional risk score, BMI = body mass index, IBD = inflammatory bowel diseases.

Liver biopsy, an invasive method, is the gold standard for differentiate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) from other stages of fatty liver disease. A noninvasive test to diagnose NASH and disease severity before surgery and also for monitoring disease status after bariatric surgery (BS) will be an important medical challenge.To create a noninvasive biomarkers model for the diagnosis of NASH in overweight, obese and morbidly obese patients (MOP).Sixty patients (mean BMI= 47.81kg/m2) were admitted after exclusion of other causes of liver disease. Liver biopsies were obtained at the time of the bariatric surgery or by percutaneous liver biopsy and graded using Kleiner score. Continuous variables were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum test and for prediction of NASH we used logistic regression.Logistic regression analysis showed that BMI, ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), HOMA-R, hs-CRP, M30, M65, leptine and adiponectine levels remained independent predictors for NASH (p less than 0.02). Using AUC analysis, we established the following cutoff levels being indicative of NASH: BMI ė 47 kg/m2, ALT ė 32 IU/mL, AST ė 25 IU/mL, ALP ė 85 IU/mL, HOMA-IR ė 4, M65 ė 389 U/L. Adiponectine less than 13.5 mg/L. A NASH-score, calculated as the sum of these 7 parameters, at a cutoff level of 4 points, can accurately predict NASH (sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 93.94% and AUC of 0.9576).We propose a noninvasive model for NASH diagnosis in MOP that should be validated prospectively. Using this noninvasive score, NASH would be predicted without the risks of liver biopsy.