RESUMO
UNLABELLED: We found an association between the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA both in osteoporotic bone tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the increase in circulating resorptive cytokines. INTRODUCTION: Our study was designed to determine whether C. pneumoniae infection may be involved in osteoporosis-associated bone loss. METHODS: The study included 59 women undergoing hip joint replacement surgery for femoral neck fracture: 32 with osteoporosis and 27 with osteoarthritis. A total of 118 tissue specimens (59 bone tissues, 59 PBMCs) were examined for C. pneumoniae DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serum levels of soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (sRANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 were also measured. RESULTS: C. pneumoniae DNA was detected in osteoporotic bone tissue whereas it was not found in non-osteoporotic bone tissue (p < 0.05). A significantly higher rate of C. pneumoniae DNA (p < 0.05) was found in PBMCs of osteoporotic patients than in those of osteoarthritis patients. Among osteoporotic patients, serum sRANKL, IL-1, and IL-6 concentrations as well as sRANKL/OPG ratio significantly differ between patients with bone tissue and PBMCs positive to C. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae-negative patients. CONCLUSION: The association between the presence of C. pneumoniae DNA, both in bone tissue and PBMCs, and the increase in sRANKL/OPG ratio as well as in IL-1ß and IL-6 levels observed in osteoporotic patients suggests C. pneumoniae infection as a new risk factor for osteoporosis.
Assuntos
Infecções por Chlamydophila/complicações , Chlamydophila pneumoniae/isolamento & purificação , Osteoporose Pós-Menopausa/microbiologia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Artroplastia de Quadril , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Infecções por Chlamydophila/sangue , Chlamydophila pneumoniae/genética , Citocinas/sangue , DNA Bacteriano/análise , Feminino , Fraturas do Colo Femoral/cirurgia , Cabeça do Fêmur/microbiologia , Humanos , Mediadores da Inflamação/sangue , Leucócitos Mononucleares/microbiologia , Osteoartrite do Quadril/cirurgia , Osteoporose Pós-Menopausa/sangue , Fraturas por Osteoporose/cirurgia , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
The field emission behaviour of a series of nanocrystalline N-doped diamond films has been investigated and interpreted on the basis of the structural and compositional characteristics of the layers. The diamond films, formed by crystallites with grain size in the range 20-100 nm were produced from CH4/H2 mixtures using a HF-CVD apparatus. Nitrogen was added to the gaseous reactants in form of both N2 and of Urea. Micro-Raman spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence have been used to define the structure of the deposits on a nanometric scale. The field emission measurements have been carried out under a pressure of 10(-6) mbar using a sphere-to-plane anode-cathode configuration. The characteristics of the emission from the various nanodiamond samples and from different regions of the same sample are discussed in terms of field threshold, current density, current stability.
RESUMO
The field emission properties of hybrid carbon nanotubes/nanodiamond structures produced by one-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process have been investigated in order to assess their application as electron emitters for cold cathodes. The electron emission properties of a series of samples have been investigated by current-pressure, current-voltage and current-time measurements with the aim of testing the emission stability under working conditions relevant to technological applications. Stable emission, high values of current density and lack of arcing have been observed during prolonged working cycles, and without degradation of the material structure.
Assuntos
Cristalização/métodos , Diamante/química , Microeletrodos , Nanotecnologia/métodos , Nanotubos de Carbono/química , Nanotubos de Carbono/ultraestrutura , Condutividade Elétrica , Eletrodos , Transporte de Elétrons , Substâncias Macromoleculares/química , Teste de Materiais , Conformação Molecular , Tamanho da Partícula , Propriedades de SuperfícieRESUMO
As nurses increasingly turn to teamwork as a viable option for accomplishing a myriad of duties and responsibilities, they are discovering that teamwork can also be a source of conflict. This article suggests that conflict is both inevitable and necessary within a team. A model is presented that aims not at reducing conflict but at making it more effective. The author traces the influence of preconflict conditions and perspective-taking on conflict and ultimately team effectiveness. Finally, to aid in applying the model to practice, two examples are presented, demonstrating both an ineffective and an effective use of conflict.
Assuntos
Conflito Psicológico , Relações Interprofissionais , Recursos Humanos de Enfermagem/organização & administração , Recursos Humanos de Enfermagem/psicologia , Equipe de Enfermagem/organização & administração , Processos Grupais , Humanos , Modelos PsicológicosRESUMO
Spinal injuries account for 5-15% of sport-related traumas. Equestrian sports are considered, together with rugby, motor sport and diving, the riskiest sport for severe spinal injuries. We investigated the biomechanical changes and repeated microtraumas in equitation. We examined with MR the lumbar spines of 12 professional horsewomen and horsemen, 18-51 years old (mean: 33.4 years), belonging to F.I.S.E. (the Italian Federation for Equestrian Sports) and classified as Olympic riders, Senior and Young European riders. An 0.3-T resistive and an 0.2-T permanent magnets with dedicated surface coils were used. We also examined a control group of non-professional healthy volunteers homogeneous by age. MR findings were classified as follows: 1) changes in normal bending and angles of the lumbar spine; 2) injuries and changes in lumbar disks; 3) changes in spinal ligaments; 4) vertebral body injuries. MR was very sensitive in the assessment of all lumbosacral components in all the athletes; besides yielding useful findings to integrate with clinical results, MR also has a predictive value relative to both the continuation of sports activity and the possible damage at the end of it.
Assuntos
Vértebras Lombares/patologia , Sacro/patologia , Traumatismos da Coluna Vertebral/patologia , Esportes , Adolescente , Adulto , Fenômenos Biomecânicos , Feminino , Humanos , Vértebras Lombares/lesões , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Sacro/lesõesRESUMO
As nurses increasingly turn to teamwork as a viable option for accomplishing a myriad of duties and responsibilities, they are discovering that teamwork can also be a source of conflict and stress. This article suggests that conflict is both inevitable and necessary within a team. A model of conflict is presented that aims not at reducing conflict, but at making it less distressing and thus more effective. The authors trace the influence of pre-conflict conditions and perspective-taking on conflict and ultimately team effectiveness. Finally, to apply the conflict model to practice, two examples are presented demonstrating both an ineffective and an effective use of conflict.
Assuntos
Conflito Psicológico , Equipe de Enfermagem/organização & administração , Doenças Profissionais/psicologia , Estresse Psicológico/psicologia , Eficiência Organizacional , Humanos , Modelos Psicológicos , Recursos Humanos de Enfermagem Hospitalar/psicologiaRESUMO
Defecography is a radiological examination providing morphological details of the anorectal tract. Over almost 3 years, 300 patients were examined. The authors report on the method and the pathologic conditions they observed. The patients were seated in latero-lateral position on a radiolucent water-filled commode: lead marks were taped to define perianal skin. 150 ml of high-density barium paste were introduced into the rectum and radiographs were then acquired, at rest and during squeezing and straining. All examination phases, especially the study of dynamic evacuation, were recorded on a videotape connected to a brilliance intensifier. From their experience, the authors conclude that defecography is a valuable tool in the diagnosis and evaluation of: rectocele, occult rectal prolapse, and elevator ani tone. The technique proved less useful in the evaluation of fecal incontinence. The authors strongly suggest that the patient be previously examined by a coloproctologist. Defecography is thought to help the surgeon in the choice of therapy, together with other diagnostic procedures and with clinical history.
Assuntos
Doenças Retais/diagnóstico por imagem , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Defecação , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Radiografia/métodosRESUMO
The advantages of the use of ceramic in prosthetics are well-known, especially the fact that the coefficient of friction is significantly lower at the bone-ceramic interface than at the bone-metal interface. For this reason, ceramic is used for the cephalic component of the hemiarthroplasty. The advantages of ceramic, however, are purely theoretical, and have never been scientifically proven. The aim of our study, conducted on 20 dogs, was to observe the long-term effects of femoral prosthesis with a ceramic or cobalt-chromium cephalic component upon the acetabular cartilage. Our research was conducted on homogeneous groups of dogs under similar conditions. At 8 months, the results showed evident cartilage damage that was equal in both groups. We therefore conclude that as far as everyday wear neither material is favored over the other.
Assuntos
Cartilagem Articular/patologia , Cabeça do Fêmur/cirurgia , Prótese de Quadril , Acetábulo , Animais , Cerâmica , Ligas de Cromo , Cães , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
The purpose of this study was to determine the biological effects of the elastic modulus of the femoral stem in canine hip arthroplasty. Cementless total hip arthroplasty was performed in 12 dogs, six had a low elastic modulus polyacetal resin stem and six had a high modulus stainless steel stem. The components were otherwise similar. At six and 12 months after operation, radiographic and histomorphometric analysis showed that those with steel implants had more cortical porosity than did the other group (p less than 0.01). We suggest that the elastic modulus of the implant is an important factor in controlling cortical bone resorption. A low modulus femoral prosthesis can significantly decrease bone resorption which might otherwise eventually lead to implant failure.
Assuntos
Osso e Ossos/fisiologia , Prótese de Quadril , Animais , Fenômenos Biomecânicos , Colágeno/análise , Cães , Elasticidade , Articulação do Quadril/diagnóstico por imagem , Articulação do Quadril/patologia , Modelos Biológicos , Osseointegração/fisiologia , Osteoblastos/citologia , Desenho de Prótese , Radiografia , Estresse MecânicoRESUMO
A rare case of Van Buchem's disease is described. This disease is a hereditary sclerosis dysplasia of bone which particularly affects the skull and long bones, the characteristic features being the endosteal deposition of bone, particularly in the diaphyses.
Assuntos
Osteocondrodisplasias , Adulto , Osso e Ossos/diagnóstico por imagem , Genes Recessivos , Humanos , Masculino , Osteocondrodisplasias/diagnóstico por imagem , Osteocondrodisplasias/genética , Radiografia , Crânio/diagnóstico por imagemAssuntos
Abscesso/diagnóstico por imagem , Doenças das Tubas Uterinas/diagnóstico por imagem , Doenças Ovarianas/diagnóstico por imagem , Abscesso/patologia , Enfisema/diagnóstico por imagem , Enfisema/patologia , Doenças das Tubas Uterinas/patologia , Feminino , Humanos , Histerossalpingografia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Doenças Ovarianas/patologia , Ovário/diagnóstico por imagem , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios XRESUMO
Prognostic significance of the skeletal lesions in multiple myeloma. Fifty-two patients with multiple myeloma have been analysed and relations between bone X-ray changes and several clinical biohumoral parameters and survival have been found. Our studies show no correlation between the extent of skeletal lesions and the seriousness of anaemia, or between bone marrow infiltration and renal involvement. The results also show that patients with apparently normal bones may also have serious anaemia, wide bone marrow infiltration and serious renal lesions rapidly leading to a poor prognosis. Comparison of survival curves, according to the grade of bone X-ray changes at presentation, shows no significant difference: the grade of bone lesions at diagnosis does not seem to considerably influence survival.
Assuntos
Doenças Ósseas , Mieloma Múltiplo , Idoso , Doenças Ósseas/sangue , Doenças Ósseas/mortalidade , Doenças Ósseas/patologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Mieloma Múltiplo/sangue , Mieloma Múltiplo/mortalidade , Mieloma Múltiplo/patologia , Estadiamento de Neoplasias , PrognósticoRESUMO
Two cases of achalasia of the lower third of the oesophagus are presented. Leucoplakia was encountered in one of the cases. The clinical, aetiopathogenic and x-ray diagnostic aspects of achalasia are described in relation to the possibility that it may be associated with neoplasia or pre-cancerous alterations. In both the above cases, early dysphagia was encountered.
Assuntos
Acalasia Esofágica/diagnóstico por imagem , Neoplasias Esofágicas/diagnóstico por imagem , Leucoplasia/diagnóstico por imagem , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Acalasia Esofágica/etiologia , Neoplasias Esofágicas/complicações , Estenose Esofágica/diagnóstico por imagem , Estenose Esofágica/etiologia , Refluxo Gastroesofágico/diagnóstico por imagem , Refluxo Gastroesofágico/etiologia , Humanos , RadiografiaRESUMO
Two observed cases of rheumatoid arthritis, one at an initial, the other at a very advanced stage, form the basis for a detailed report on the radiographic signs of the disease. Particular emphasis is placed on the possibilities offered by the various radiographic techniques for the evaluation of the sequelae of rheumatoid arthritis and for the early diagnosis of the disease.
Assuntos
Artrite Reumatoide/diagnóstico por imagem , Artrite/diagnóstico por imagem , Artrite/etiologia , Artrite Juvenil/diagnóstico por imagem , Artrite Reumatoide/complicações , Síndrome de Caplan/diagnóstico por imagem , Conjuntivite/etiologia , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Deformidades Adquiridas da Mão/diagnóstico por imagem , Deformidades Adquiridas da Mão/etiologia , Humanos , Cintilografia , Espondilite/diagnóstico por imagem , Síndrome , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X , Uretrite/etiologia , XerorradiografiaRESUMO
The CT is an important and valuable instrument in the study of the postoperative lumbar spine, in the patients which presented persistent clinical manifestation. In this report the technique with contrast enhancement is outlined, the criteria for its interpretations are presented, and its advantages and limitations are reviewed; pitfalls in technique interpretation are stressed. Two hundred and fifty patients are referred to the CT without and with i.v. contrast medium for this diagnostic request: scar or herniation at surgery level.
Assuntos
Deslocamento do Disco Intervertebral/diagnóstico por imagem , Intensificação de Imagem Radiográfica , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X , Adulto , Idoso , Meios de Contraste , Humanos , Vértebras Lombares , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , RecidivaRESUMO
On the basis of some observed cases the histological, clinical and radiological aspects of carcinoma of the gastric stump are described in detail. The condition is comparatively rare, but once it occurs, recurrences are fairly frequent and given the high mortality rate it requires prompt diagnosis. Double contrast examination of the digestive tract is a useful additional technique for this purpose.
Assuntos
Recidiva Local de Neoplasia/diagnóstico por imagem , Úlcera Péptica/cirurgia , Neoplasias Gástricas/cirurgia , Feminino , Gastrectomia , Humanos , Masculino , Recidiva Local de Neoplasia/cirurgia , Complicações Pós-Operatórias , Radiografia , Neoplasias Gástricas/diagnóstico por imagem , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
After an introductory review of ion radiation sickness and the problem of accidents with contrast media, the main complications in urography, cholecystocholangiography, bronchography, lymphography and computerised axial tomography are listed. The comparative frequency of such complications is deduced from a study of the literature.