Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy associated with severe left ventricular involvement in a cat.

An 8-year-old, 4 kg, intact female, domestic shorthaired cat was referred for tachypnea and pleural effusion. A 24-h Holter recording showed numerous polymorphic ventricular premature complexes with left and right bundle branch block morphology. Echocardiographic examination revealed right atrial and ventricular dilation. The right ventricular free wall was thin and aneurysmal. The cat died 10 days after initiation of antiarrhythmic therapy. Gross and histopathological findings were consistent with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) associated with severe left ventricular involvement

3D beam-column finite element under non-uniform shear stress distribution due to shear and torsion

The paper discusses the application of a 2-node, three-dimensional (3D) beam-column finite element with an enhanced fiber cross-section model to the inelastic response analysis of concrete members. The element accounts for the local distribution of strains and stresses under the coupling of axial, flexural, shear, and torsional effects with an enriched kinematic description that accounts for the out-of-plane deformations of the cross-section. To this end the warping displacements are interpolated with the addition of a variable number of local degrees of freedom. The material response is governed by a 3D nonlinear stress-strain relation with damage that describes the degrading mechanisms of typical engineering materials under the coupling of normal and shear stresses. The element formulation is validated by comparing the numerical results with measured data from the response of two prismatic concrete beams under torsional loading and with standard beam formulations

Functional implications of minor mandibular asymmetry: clinical and digital research on a sample of healthy patients

OBJECTIVE.The aim of the study is to evaluate the influence that the mandibular asymmetry could have towards the other components of the Stomathognatic system and to further related structures from a functional point of view. MATERIALS and METHODS. A sample of 18 young asymmetric patients, in healthy status, was investigated with clinical evaluation and questionnaires and digital devices such as Electromiography, Stabilometry, T-scan and Formetric. Descriptive and quantitative statistical analysis were performed. RESULTS. ASIM electromyography index was significant only in a short percentage of the sample. Hypertonia of temporalis muscle in the same side of mandibular deviation and the cross-activation of the contralateral masseter were present. The data of the stabilometric platform showed that only 33% of patients had a load discrepancy between right and left side. All patients presented similar and limited postural anomalies during the Formetric examination. No significant results emerged from statistics . CONCLUSIONS. From the emerging data, mandibular asymmetry does not seem to be considered a potential risk factor for the development of functional anomalies both in the stomatognatic system and in the postural one. The only issue that should be considered is the condylar retrusion of the mandibular shortest side that is a possible destabilizing factor of the TMJ condyle-disc coordination

Functional implications of minor mandibular asymmetry: clinical and digital research on a sample of healthy patients

OBJECTIVE.The aim of the study is to evaluate the influence that the mandibular asymmetry could have towards the other components of the Stomathognatic system and to further related structures from a functional point of view. MATERIALS and METHODS. A sample of 18 young asymmetric patients, in healthy status, was investigated with clinical evaluation and questionnaires and digital devices such as Electromiography, Stabilometry, T-scan and Formetric. Descriptive and quantitative statistical analysis were performed. RESULTS. ASIM electromyography index was significant only in a short percentage of the sample. Hypertonia of temporalis muscle in the same side of mandibular deviation and the cross-activation of the contralateral masseter were present. The data of the stabilometric platform showed that only 33% of patients had a load discrepancy between right and left side. All patients presented similar and limited postural anomalies during the Formetric examination. No significant results emerged from statistics . CONCLUSIONS. From the emerging data, mandibular asymmetry does not seem to be considered a potential risk factor for the development of functional anomalies both in the stomatognatic system and in the postural one. The only issue that should be considered is the condylar retrusion of the mandibular shortest side that is a possible destabilizing factor of the TMJ condyle-disc coordination

Clinical risk in rehabilitation: an exploratory investigation in Campania Region

BACKGROUND: Clinical risk management is a comprehensive programme that encompasses all the measures implemented to improve the quality of the healthcare service and ensure patient safety, which is based on learning through error. This process is intended to bring about ongoing improvements in clinical practice, starting with risk identification, before moving on to risk assessment and analysis, in order to reduce risks where possible. When clinical risk management is applied in rehabilitation, the first step involves identifying errors by assessing adverse events, which are considered to indicate the existing risk. Our work aims to explore the characteristics of the clinical risk in rehabilitation so as to learn more about its extent, its components, and its implications for the user. METHODS: Our study involved numerous workers operating in four different branches of rehabilitation - speech therapy, physiotherapy, psychomotor education and occupational therapy - at forty-nine private rehabilitation centres in the province of Naples, an area that has not been studied before. A questionnaire was drafted regarding the main errors committed in the rehabilitation sector. It was then distributed and collected in again, after which the results were analysed and outcomes measured. Out of a total of 556 questionnaires distributed, 493 were returned (88.6% response rate.). RESULTS: The study revealed that for all the rehabilitation branches considered, the macro-category of errors linked to technical and professional aspects accounted for the highest percentage of the total errors (39%). In this study, the most frequent errors linked to technical and professional aspects were: wrong dose errors, treatment planning errors and functional assessment errors. CONCLUSIONS: There is an evident need to take action in order to manage the clinical risk in rehabilitation: to promote a concept of errors as opportunities for learning and improvement; to maintain the focus on both individual responsibility and on any systemic failings; to share fundamental values such as transparency, collaboration between workers, communication with patients, and a commitment to ongoing improvements in healthcare quality

A novel universal device "LINGUAL RING Ri.P.A.Ra" for TMDs and cranio-cervico-mandibular pains: preliminary results of a randomized control clinical trial

The aim of this study was to evaluate functionality and clinical application of a novel immediate device in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). To address the research purpose, authors developed and implemented a randomized control clinical trial

Cap rock efficiency of geothermal systems in fold-and-thrust belts: Evidence from paleo-thermal and structural analyses in Rosario de La Frontera geothermal area (NW Argentina)

Cap rock characterization of geothermal systems is often neglected despite fracturing may reduce its efficiency and favours fluid migration. We investigated the siliciclastic cap rock of Rosario de La Frontera geothermal system (NW Argentina) in order to assess its quality as a function of fracture patterns and related thermal alteration. Paleothermal investigations (XRD on fine-grained fraction of sediments, organic matter optical analysis and fluid inclusions on veins) and 1D thermal modelling allowed us to distinguish the thermal fingerprint associated to sedimentary burial from that related to fluid migration. The geothermal system is hosted in a Neogene N-S anticline dissected by high angle NNW- and ENE-striking faults. Its cap rock can be grouped into two quality categories: • rocks acting as good insulators, deformed by NNW–SSE and E–W shear fractures, NNE-SSW gypsum- and N-S-striking calcite-filled veins that developed during the initial stage of anticline growth. Maximum paleo-temperatures (< 60 °C) were experienced during deposition to folding phases.• rocks acting as bad insulators, deformed by NNW-SSE fault planes and NNW- and WNW-striking sets of fractures associated to late transpressive kinematics. Maximum paleo-temperatures higher than about 115 °C are linked to fluid migration from the reservoir to surface (with a reservoir top at maximum depths of 2.5 km) along fault damage zones.This multi-method approach turned out to be particularly useful to trace the main pathways of hot fluids and can be applied in blind geothermal systems where either subsurface data are scarce or surface thermal anomalies are lacking.Fil: Maffucci, R.. Universita Degli Studi Della Tuscia; Italia. Universita Degli Studi Roma Tre; ItaliaFil: Corrado, Sveva. Universita Degli Studi Roma Tre; ItaliaFil: Aldega, L.. Instituto de Investigaciones Universitarias Roma la Sapienza; ItaliaFil: Bigi, S.. Instituto de Investigaciones Universitarias Roma la Sapienza; ItaliaFil: Chiodi, Agostina Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energía no Convencional. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Física. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energía no Convencional; ArgentinaFil: Di Paolo, L.. Eni E&P Division; ItaliaFil: Giordano, G.. Universita Degli Studi Roma Tre; ItaliaFil: Invernizzi, C.. Universita Degli Di Camerino; Itali

"All on short" prosthetic-implant supported rehabilitations

Objectives. Short implants are increasing their popularity among clinicians who want to fulfill the constant demanding of fixed prosthetic solutions in edentulous jaws. The aim of this report was to propose a new possibility to project and realize an occlusal guided implant cross-arch prosthesis supported by ultra-short implants, describing it presented an edentulous mandible case report. Methods. A 61-year-old, Caucasian, female patient who attended the dental clinic of the University of L’Aquila presented with edentulous posterior inferior jaw and periodontitis and periimplantitis processes in the anterior mandible. The remaining tooth and the affected implant were removed. Six 4-mm-long implants were placed to support a cross-arch metal-resin prosthesis. Results. At 1-year follow-up clinical and radiological assessment showed a good osseointegration of the fixtures and the patient was satisfied with the prosthesis solution. Conclusion. The method, even if it requires further validation, seems to be a valid aid in solving lower edentulous clinical cases, and appears less complex and with more indications of other proposals presented in the current clinical literature. Our case report differs from the current technique All-on-Four, which uses four implants in the mandible to support overdenture prosthesis, assuring a very promising clinical resul

Testosterone insulin-like effects: an in vitro study on the short-term metabolic effects of testosterone in human skeletal muscle cells

Testosterone by promoting different metabolic pathways contributes to short-term homeostasis of skeletal muscle, the largest insulin-sensitive tissue and the primary site for insulin-stimulated glucose utilization. Despite evidences indicate a close relationship between testosterone and glucose metabolism, the molecular mechanisms responsible for a possible testosterone-mediated insulin-like effects on skeletal muscle are still unknown

Cardiac oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines response after myocardial infarction

Oxidative stress in heart failure or during ischemia/reperfusion occurs as a result of the excessive generation or accumulation of free radicals or their oxidation products. Free radicals formed during oxidative stress can initiate lipid peroxidation, oxidize proteins to inactive states and cause DNA strand breaks. Oxidative stress is a condition in which oxidant metabolites exert toxic effects because of their increased production or an altered cellular mechanism of protection. In the early phase of acute heart ischemia cytokines have the feature to be functional pleiotropy and redundancy, moreover, several cytokines exert similar and overlapping actions on the same cell type and one cytokine shows a wide range of biological effects on various cell types. Activation of cytokine cascades in the infarcted myocardium was established in numerous studies. In experimental models of myocardial infarction, induction and release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-&alpha (Tumor Necrosis Factor &alpha), IL-1&beta (Interleukin- 1&beta) and IL-6 (Interleukin-6) and chemokines are steadily described. The current review examines the role of oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines response following acute myocardial infarction and explores the inflammatory mechanisms of cardiac injur