In this paper, a wearable platform for monitoring the wrist flexion and extension is reported. Differently, from similar devices already presented in literature, organic field-effect transistors will ...be effectively employed as strain sensors. We propose a novel device, fabricated over flexible plastic substrates, and capable to operate at low voltages (≤2 V). Thanks to these properties, the proposed devices can be integrated into a custom-made Lycra® glove for wrist motion monitoring without affecting the naturalness of movements, and interfaced with a portable readout electronic module. The readout electronics is able to transduce the current variation in the transistor structure into a voltage signal, opportunely conditioned and converted for proper acquisition by the elaboration unit. Control software allows users to set different control signals, including sensor polarization and overall amplification, to carry out sensor calibration and to finally record and real-time signal visualization. A complete electrical characterization of fabricated strain sensors is reported, as well as the evaluation of their functionality when mounted on the glove. The readout circuit is described, with details about the analog front-end design and simulation. Finally, the correct functionality of the complete system is demonstrated by the experimental acquisition of wrist movements and resolution evaluation. Thanks to the intrinsic properties of organic electronics in terms of lightweight, the platform represents a valuable system for non-invasive, imperceptible, and comfortable evaluation of wrist motion in real time, thus being effective for different applications such as rehabilitation and occupational health.
Sebaceous adenoma (SA) is a rare solitary tumor that preferentially affects the forehead and scalp. The objective of this case report was to determine the efficacy and safety of a 10,600-nm carbon ...dioxide (CO
2
) laser device in the treatment of large scalp SA, using a new scanning system which allows to speed up the removal of the lesion. A 65-year-old male with SA on the scalp area underwent one session with the CO
2
laser system. For this procedure, a new scanner system with 7-inch or 4-inch focal handpieces were used. A local anesthesia with lidocaine was performed before laser treatment. Some possible side effects such as dyschromia, burning sensation, bleeding and mild to moderate post-treatment erythema, itching, crusting, and edema, were checked. In order to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment, clinical photos that documented the patient lesion were captured before treatment and at 1 month of follow-up. The clinical and aesthetic results observed after laser procedure were excellent, with a complete remission of patient’s scalp SA lesion at 4 weeks’ follow-up. Patient satisfaction was very high, and no side effects were observed. This laser system technology allows for precise, effective, and targeted action on the lesions treated while simultaneously protecting the surrounding areas, ensuring the best possible re-epithelialization.
Background and Objectives: For nearly 15 years, carbon dioxide (COsub.2) laser has been the gold standard in skin rejuvenation. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a new ...laser device which combines COsub.2 and 1540 nm wavelengths in wrinkles reduction, using a recently developed scanning unit named the µScan DOT scanner. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 female patients underwent from two to four laser treatment sessions performed once every 45–90 days. Wrinkles reduction was evaluated using the Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Classification System (FWCS). Evaluations of five-point Global Patient’s Assessment (PGA) and an Oedema and Erythema index based on a four-point scale were carried out. A careful photographic evaluation was performed to observe the patients’ aesthetic improvements. All the assessments were performed before and at 3 months follow up (3 MFU) after the last treatment session. Results: The mean FWCS score significantly (p < 0.01) decreased from 5.45 ± 2.21 at baseline to 3.3 ± 1.78 at 3 MFU after the last treatment session. In total, 8/20 (40%) subjects reported excellent improvement, 7/20 (35%) subjects showed good improvement, 5/20 (25%) subjects showed slight improvement, and 0/20 (0%) subjects showed no improvement. Concerning the Oedema index, 15/20 subjects experienced a mild one, 5/20 subjects experienced a moderate one, and none of 20 experienced a severe one, while for the Erythema index, 1/20 patients experienced mild, 18/20 patients experienced moderate, and only 1/20 patient experienced severe erythema. No severe adverse events were observed. Conclusions: This dual-wavelength laser technique may become a promising new option for safe, nonsurgical improvement for skin rejuvenation with an extremely low risk of scarring or hypopigmentation and shorter healing times.
Background and Objectives: For many years, fully ablative laser treatments, particularly those performed with a carbon dioxide (COsub.2) laser, were regarded as the gold standard for resurfacing. ...This study’s goal is to assess the depth that can be reached by a new COsub.2 scanner system, through a skin model with greater dermal thickness, to use in the treatment of deep scarring. Materials and Methods: Male human skin tissue was laser-treated using a COsub.2 fractional laser and a new scanning system, and all samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, dehydrated using a series of crescent alcohol, embedded in paraffin, sectioned in series (4–5 µm thick), stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and then analysed under an optical microscope. Results: From the epidermis through the underlying papillary and reticular dermis to various depths of the dermis, microablation columns of damage and coagulated microcolumns of collagen were observed. The reticular dermis was fully penetrated up to 6 mm at higher energy levels (210 mJ/DOT), resulting in deeper tissue injury. Although the laser might penetrate further, the skin stops there, leaving just the fat and muscular tissue. Conclusions: The deep layers of the dermis can be penetrated by the COsub.2 laser system throughout the entire dermal thickness when using the new scanning system, suggesting that this laser’s potential impact, at the selected settings, covers all skin targets required to perform superficial or deep treatments on any dermatological issue. Finally, patients who have problems, such as morbid scar-deep complications, which affect their quality of life, are more likely to profit from this innovative technique.
: For many years, fully ablative laser treatments, particularly those performed with a carbon dioxide (CO
) laser, were regarded as the gold standard for resurfacing. This study's goal is to assess ...the depth that can be reached by a new CO
scanner system, through a skin model with greater dermal thickness, to use in the treatment of deep scarring.
: Male human skin tissue was laser-treated using a CO
fractional laser and a new scanning system, and all samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, dehydrated using a series of crescent alcohol, embedded in paraffin, sectioned in series (4-5 µm thick), stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and then analysed under an optical microscope.
: From the epidermis through the underlying papillary and reticular dermis to various depths of the dermis, microablation columns of damage and coagulated microcolumns of collagen were observed. The reticular dermis was fully penetrated up to 6 mm at higher energy levels (210 mJ/DOT), resulting in deeper tissue injury. Although the laser might penetrate further, the skin stops there, leaving just the fat and muscular tissue.
: The deep layers of the dermis can be penetrated by the CO
laser system throughout the entire dermal thickness when using the new scanning system, suggesting that this laser's potential impact, at the selected settings, covers all skin targets required to perform superficial or deep treatments on any dermatological issue. Finally, patients who have problems, such as morbid scar-deep complications, which affect their quality of life, are more likely to profit from this innovative technique.
This review examines the physiological and molecular bone marrow abnormalities associated with diabetes and discusses how bone marrow dysfunction represents a potential root for the development of ...the multiorgan failure characteristic of advanced diabetes. The notion of diabetes as a bone marrow and stem cell disease opens new avenues for therapeutic interventions ultimately aimed at improving the outcome of diabetic patients.
Diabetes mellitus is a global health problem that results in multiorgan complications leading to high morbidity and mortality. Until recently, the effects of diabetes and hyperglycemia on the bone marrow microenvironment—a site where multiple organ systems converge and communicate—have been underappreciated. However, several new studies in mice, rats, and humans reveal that diabetes leads to multiple bone marrow microenvironmental defects, such as small vessel disease (microangiopathy), nerve terminal pauperization (neuropathy), and impaired stem cell mobilization (mobilopathy). The discovery that diabetes involves bone marrow‐derived progenitors implicated in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis has been proposed as a bridging mechanism between micro‐ and macroangiopathy in distant organs. Herein, we review the physiological and molecular bone marrow abnormalities associated with diabetes and discuss how bone marrow dysfunction represents a potential root for the development of the multiorgan failure characteristic of advanced diabetes. The notion of diabetes as a bone marrow and stem cell disease opens new avenues for therapeutic interventions ultimately aimed at improving the outcome of diabetic patients.
Metastatic CRC (mCRC) is a molecular heterogeneous disease. The aim of this review is to give an overview of molecular-driven treatment of mCRC patients.
A review of clinical trials, retrospective ...studies and case reports was performed regarding molecular biomarkers with therapeutic implications.
wild-type status was confirmed as being crucial for anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies and for rechallenge strategy. Antiangiogenic therapies improve survival in first- and second-line settings, irrespective of
status, while tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) remain promising in refractory mCRC. Promising results emerged from anti-HER2 drugs trials in HER2-positive mCRC. Target inhibitors were successful for
mutant mCRC patients, while immunotherapy was successful for microsatellite instability-high/defective mismatch repair (MSI-H/dMMR) or DNA polymerase epsilon catalytic subunit (
) mutant patients. Data are still lacking on
, and TGF-β, which require further research.
Several molecular biomarkers have been identified for the tailored treatment of mCRC patients and multiple efforts are currently ongoing to increase the therapeutic options. In the era of precision medicine, molecular-biology-driven treatment is the key to impro patient selection and patient outcomes. Further research and large phase III trials are required to ameliorate the therapeutic management of these patients.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of being overweight and metabolic syndrome (MS) among people living with HIV (PHIV) in three different cross‐sectional studies conducted ...over three different periods: 2005, 2011 and 2015.
Methods
This was a multi‐centre, nationwide study. Data were collected in three studies from the CISAI group – SIMOne, HIV‐HY and STOPSHIV – and included a total of 3014 PHIV.
Logistic regression odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to account for age and gender difference among three groups when comparing MS prevalence and being overweight; potential confounders were accounted for by including them in the regression equation.
Results
Overall, the mean age was 46.9 ± 10.2 years, and men comprised 73.3% of participants. Comparing 2005, 2011 and 2015, MS was present in 34.5%, 33.0% and 29.3% of PHIV, respectively. Adjusted OR for MS was 0.64 (95% CI: 0.52–0.78) in 2011 and 0.56 (95% CI: 0.46–0.69) in 2015 compared with 2005, while BMI (kg/m2) increased from 23.6 in 2005, 24.5 in 2011 and 24.5 in 2015, with a concomitant increase of being overweight from 29.4% to 39.5% to 39.6% (p < 0.0001).
Conclusions
In recent years, PHIV have had a significantly improved metabolic profile compared with previously, despite increasing weight and BMI.
Dyslipidemia represents a significant non-infectious comorbidity among people living with HIV. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact on lipid profile of switches from an efavirenz (EFV) or ...protease inhibitor/ritonavir (PI/r)-based regimen to a rilpivirine (RPV) or a once-daily integrase inhibitor-based regimen.
We analyzed data from SCOLTA prospective database. All patients with HIV-RNA < 50 copies/ml in therapy with two NRTI + EFV or PI/r were included if they switched from EFV to dolutegravir (group EFV-DTG), elvitegravir (EFV-EVG), or RPV (EFV-RPV) and from PI/r to DTG (PI/r-DTG), PI/r to EVG (PI/r-EVG), or PI/r to RPV (PI/r-RPV). Total cholesterol (TC), TC/HDL ratio, LDL-cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides (TG) were compared at baseline, six months and one year. Comparisons among groups were performed by a general linear model.
Four hundred and ninety patients were enrolled, 24.9% female, mean age 47.3 years (±10.1). According to ART switch, 11.4% were classified in group EFV-DTG, 3.9% in EFV-EVG, 23.9% in EFV-RPV, 17.6% in PI/r-DTG, 17.8% in PI/r-EVG, and 25.5% in PI/r-RPV. After adjusted analysis, TC significantly decreased in all groups but EFV-EVG, TC/HDL in all but EFV-DTG and EFV-EVG, while the reduction of TG was significant only in switches to RPV (EFV-RPV and PI/r-RPV). The one year decrease of TC, TC/HDL, LDL and TG was higher in patients with higher baseline levels of the same variable (p < .0001 for all).
In SCOLTA, all switches from PI/r regimens gave advantages on lipid profile, while stopping EFV had consistently favorable lipid effects only if replaced by RPV.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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