In this paper, different Silicon PhotoMultiplier (SiPM) sensors have been tested with charged particles to characterize the Cherenkov light produced in the sensor protection layer. A careful position ...scan of the SiPM response has been performed with different prototypes, confirming the large number of firing cells and proving almost full efficiency, with the SiPM filling factor essentially negligible. This study also allowed us to study the time resolution of such devices as a function of the number of firing cells, reaching values below 20 ps. These measurements provide significant insight into the capabilities of SiPM sensors in direct detection of charged particles and their potential for several applications.
In this paper, evidence that the increased response of SiPM sensors to the passage of charged particles is related mainly to Cherenkov light produced in the protection layer is reported. The response ...and timing properties of sensors with different protection layers have been studied.
The purpose of this article is to give an overview and discuss the relevant regulations in place, or under consideration, regarding healthcare-related personal genetics services in Europe - this is a ...rapidly evolving field and in most European Union (EU) countries the regulatory framework is not yet clear. The review will be framed from the perspective of potential service providers (companies, health services and practitioners, including medical, nutritional, complementary, etc), the growing number of which will need to be aware of potential regulatory hurdles existing now and that may arise in the future. The main conclusion from the survey is that strict regulations regarding practitioner-delivered personal genetic-testing services are unlikely to be enforced over the next 5 years in most EU countries, with the exception of Germany. There is broad-based, but by no means universal, support for a strong voluntary code of practice as an alternative to government regulations to protect consumers and to enable all stakeholders to recognise serious and reputable service providers. On the other hand, there are influential bodies calling for strict regulation. As genotyping costs rapidly fall, it is likely that it will become routine and a major challenge that does not seem to be addressed by current debate on regulations is the emergence of companies offering/selling personal genetic services based on a customer's pre-existing genetic results and therefore no actual laboratory testing involved.
Hair follicles are known to contain a well-characterized niche for adult stem cells: the bulge, which contains epithelial and melanocytic stem cells. Stem cells in the hair bulge, a clearly ...demarcated structure within the lower permanent portion of hair follicles, can generate the interfollicular epidermis, hair follicle structures, and sebaceous glands. The bulge epithelial stem cells can also reconstitute in an artificial
system to a new hair follicle.
In this study, we have developed a new method to isolate human adult stem cells by mechanical centrifugation of punch biopsy from human hair follicles without culture condition. Here, we used human follicle stem cells (HFSCs), to improve the hair density in 11 patients (38 to 61 years old) affected by AGA in stage 3-5 as determined by the Norwood-Hamilton classification scale.
The primary outcomes were microscopic identification and counting of HFSCs. The secondary outcomes were clinical preliminary results and safety and feasibility in HFSCs-treated scalp. Each scalp tissue suspension contained about 3,728.5±664.5 cells. The percentage of hair follicle-derived mesenchymal stem cells CD44+ from dermal papilla (DP) was about 5%+0.7% whereas the percentage of hair follicle epithelial stem cells CD200+ (from the bulge) was about 2.6%+0.3%. In total, 23 weeks after the last treatment with HFSCs mean hair count and hair density increases over baseline values. In particular, a 29%±5% increase in hair density for the treated area and less than a 1% increase in hair density for the placebo area.
We have shown that the isolated cells are capable to improve the hair density in patients affected by androgenetic alopecia (AGA). These cells appear to be located in the bulge area of human.
AbstractThe double-stack Multigap Resistive Plate Chamber (MRPC) is the detector chosen for the large Time-Of-Flight system of the ALICE experiment at CERN LHC. The TOF barrel has to cover an area of ...160 m2 and has to be highly segmented (160.000 readout pads of 2.5×3.5 cm2) in order to keep the occupancy at the 15% level. In this article recent results on several prototype MRPCs are presented, with particular emphasis on the study of the uniformity of these devices.
Double layer dermal substitute (DS) consist of a 3‐dimensional collagen structures and a superficial silicon layer that are positioned within the defect provide to promote tissue regeneration in skin ...wounds. DS often have unique physical characteristics due to differences in manufacturing techniques. The aim of this study is the clinical and histological comparison of Nevelia and Integra double layer DSs in patients with post‐traumatic injury wounds. Thirty patients with post‐traumatic wounds localised on the inferior limbs were randomised in 2 groups Nevelia or Integra, followed by autologous dermal epidermal graft (DEG). Clinical results were evaluated through the healing time; Manchester Scar Scale (MSS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 1, 2, and 3 weeks and after 1 and 3 years. Histological and immunohistochemical evaluation were performed at 0, 2, and 3 weeks. The difference in healing time between groups (P = .467, log‐rank test), pain and self‐estimation was not statistically significant after 35, 42, and 49 days and at 1‐year follow up. Histological data showed evident healing of wound after 2 weeks compared with preoperative with both DSs. At 3 weeks reepithelialisation and dermal regeneration were evident with both substitutes; however Nevelia showed early regenerative properties in terms of epidermal proliferation and dermal renewal compared with Integra. Nevelia showed also a more evident angiogenesis vs Integra evaluated as α‐SMA immunohistochemistry. Differences in the MSS score were statistically significant at 3 years follow up in favour of Nevelia group (P = .001). At long‐term follow up, Nevelia showed a better clinical outcome measured as MSS score vs Integra measured as MSS. Histological and immunohistochemistry data showed that Nevelia allows faster neoangiogenesis and tissue regeneration with neoformed tissue architecture closer to the physiology of the skin.
This paper reports on the results of time resolution measurements of detectors consisting of SiPMs coupled to a scintillator. The R&D has been performed both in a cosmic-ray setup, at the Bologna ...INFN laboratories, and in a beam test, at the CERN T10 beam line. Different couplings, direct or by means of optical fibres, have been tested. The measurements indicate that to reach better time resolutions, it is important to have a direct coupling between the SiPM and the scintillator. A time resolution of 67 ps has been achieved, for the direct coupling, broadened by the full electronics chain jitter.
Breast cancer remains the most common tumor in women, and new techniques for post- surgical breast reconstruction have been recently introduced. These new procedures include autologous fat grafting ...with or without the enrichment with autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF), platelet-derived growth factors and insulin. The reported improvement of fat graft viability with these techniques likely depends on the presence in the SVF of multipotent resident adipose derived-stem cells (ASCs). The clinical advantage derives from the plasticity of ASCs and their ability to generate new functional adipose tissue and vessels. However, there is an ongoing debate regarding the possible interplay between breast tumor cells and resident or transplanted ASCs for their capacity to locally secrete growth factors. Most of the data in the literature concerning ASCs is derived from in vitro models, whereas the knowledge of ASC behavior in vivo remains scarce. Recent reports concerning SVF/ASC enrichment of fat graft did not describe any significant worsening of prognosis for patients undergoing those procedures. However, further studies and longer follow-ups are needed to specifically define technical procedures and to confirm the safety of procedures of SVF/ASC enrichment during post-surgical breast reconstruction.
BACKGROUND:Developing cartilage constructs with injectability, appropriate matrix composition, and persistent cartilaginous phenotype remains an enduring challenge in cartilage repair. The combined ...use of autologous chondrocyte micrografts and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an alternative that opens a new era in this field.
METHODS:At the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy, 11 patients underwent nasal alar reconstruction with chondrocyte micrografts gently poured onto PRP in solid form. A computed tomographic scan control was performed after 12 months. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to investigate difference in cartilage density between native and newly formed cartilages.
RESULTS:The constructs of chondrocyte micrografts–PRP that were subcutaneously injected resulted in a persistent cartilage tissue with appropriate morphology, adequate central nutritional perfusion without central necrosis or ossification, and further augmented nasal dorsum without obvious contraction and deformation.
CONCLUSION:This report demonstrated that chondrocyte micrografts derived from nasal septum poured onto PRP in solid form are useful for cartilage regeneration in patients with external nasal valve collapse.
A randomized trial enrolled 7554 patients with atrial fibrillation who were at increased risk of stroke but not candidates for vitamin K antagonists. Participants were assigned to aspirin or aspirin ...plus clopidogrel. At a median of 3.6 years, the risk of major vascular events decreased significantly with clopidogrel, primarily because of reduced risk of stroke. The risk of major bleeding increased significantly with clopidogrel.
At a median of 3.6 years, the risk of major vascular events decreased significantly with clopidogrel, primarily because of reduced risk of stroke. The risk of major bleeding increased significantly with clopidogrel.
Atrial fibrillation is a common cardiac arrhythmia that increases the risk of stroke by a factor of five.
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Adjusted-dose vitamin K antagonists and antiplatelet agents reduce the risk of stroke by 64% and 22%, respectively.
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As compared with aspirin, vitamin K antagonists reduce the risk of stroke by 38% but more than double the risk of intracranial hemorrhage and increase the risk of major extracranial hemorrhage by 70%. They do not reduce mortality from any cause or from vascular causes.
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On the basis of these data, vitamin K antagonists are recommended for patients at higher risk for stroke, and . . .
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