Angled implant brush for hygienic maintenance of full-arch fixed-implant rehabilitations: a pilot study

Setti, Paolo,Pesce, Paolo,Dellepiane, Elena,Bagnasco, Francesco,Zunino, Paola,Menini, Maria Korean Academy of Periodontology 2020 Journal of Periodontal & Implant Science Vol.50 No.5

Purpose: This pilot study was conducted to evaluate the cleaning efficacy of an angled implant brush for home oral hygiene of full-arch fixed-implant prostheses. Methods: Forty-one patients treated with a full-arch implant rehabilitation in the maxilla or mandible (164 implants) for at least 4 months were enrolled. The screw-retained fixed prostheses were removed and baseline (T0) parameters were recorded, including plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD), and bleeding on probing (BOP). All patients completed a 5-item questionnaire on hygiene maintenance and received an implant brush for home hygiene. After 1 month (T1) PI, PD, and BOP were recorded again and patients completed a 7-item questionnaire to evaluate their satisfaction with the implant brush. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to evaluate the significance of changes in PI, PD, and BOP. A P value <0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: A statistically significant reduction of BOP (0.62±0.6 at T0 vs. 0.5±0.5 at T1; P=0.032) was found, while no statistically significant changes in PD (1.74±0.5 mm at T0 vs. 1.77±0.5 mm at T1; P=0.050) or PI (1.9±0.7 at T0 vs. 1.7±0.7 at T1; P=0.280) occurred. According to the 7-item questionnaire, patients reported no difficulty in using the angled brush (63.4%) and deemed it highly (46.3%) or very highly (4.8%) effective in improving their home oral hygiene. Conclusions: Within the limits of the present pilot study, the patients experienced a reduction of BOP 1 month after being instructed to use the angled implant brush. The angled implant brush appeared to be a well-accepted device for home-care hygiene of full-arch fixed-implant rehabilitations.

Dietary Regulations of the Intestinal Barrier Function at Weaning

Bosi, Paolo,Gremokolini, Cyrien,Trevisi, Paolo Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2003 Animal Bioscience Vol.16 No.4

Weaning is a complex phase when the mammal suffers the action of different stressors that contribute to negatively affect the efficiency of the intestinal mucosa and of the whole local integrated system, that acts as barrier against any nocuous agent. The components of this barrier are mechanical, chemical, and bacteriological; immunological and not. The development of contact with a saprophyte microflora and the maintenance of feed intake after the interruption of motherly nutrition are essential for the maturation of an equilibrated local immune function and for a functional integrity of villi. Opportunities and limits of some dietary strategies that can contribute to reduce negative effects of weaning on health and performance are discussed. Knowledges on the possible mechanism of action of probiotics are upgraded, particularly for their supposed role in the balance between different immune functions (effectory/regulatory). Some tools to control pathogen microflora are reviewed (acids, herbs, immunoglobulin sources) and practical feeding systems are proposed.

Current Diagnosis and Management of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

( Paolo Maria Leone ),( Luca Richeldi ) 대한결핵 및 호흡기학회 2020 Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases Vol.83 No.2

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP) one of the most common interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) is characterized by exposure to an inhaled inciting antigen that leads to a host immunologic reaction determining interstitial inflammation and architectural distortion. The underlying pathogenetic mechanisms are unclear. The absence of international shared diagnostic guidelines and the lack of a “gold-standard” test for HP combined with the presence of several clinical and radiologic overlapping features makes it particularly challenging to differentiate HP from other ILDs, also in expert contests. Radiology is playing a more crucial role in this process; recently the headcheese sign was recognized as a more specific for chronic-HP than the extensive mosaic attenuation. Several classification proposals and diagnostic models have been advanced by different groups, with no prospective validation. Therapeutic options for HP have been limited to antigen avoidance and immunosuppressant drugs over the last decades. Several questions about this condition remain unanswered and there is a need for more studies.

In Vitro Stimulation of Murine Peritoneal Monocytes Induced by Alginates

Paolo Pasquali,Amy Zalcman,Susanna Murtas,Rosanna Adone,Gianfranco Brambilla,Franco Ciuchini,Monica Cagiola,Cinzia Marianelli 대한약학회 2005 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.28 No.8

In this trial we assessed the effect of soluble alginates on murine cells. Mouse peritoneal monocytes were stimulated in vitro with a solution of alginate. The production of TNF-α and nitric oxide (NO), the expression of surface molecules CD80 and CD86, and the ability of monocytes to phagocyte bacteria were assessed, in order to evaluate the effect of alginate on cell functionality. We showed that mouse peritoneal monocytes stimulated with alginate produce NO and TNF-α. In addition, alginate is able also to increase their phagocytic activity and to a lesser extent also to increase the expression of CD80. Even with different degrees, it implies that alginates per se act directly on immune response, being able to effectively stimulate proinflammatory activity. These findings corroborate the idea that alginates can represent interesting adjuvants to use to increase the efficacy of antigenic stimulation.

Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults: Current Status and New Horizons

Paolo Pozzilli,Silvia Pieralice 대한내분비학회 2018 Endocrinology and metabolism Vol.33 No.2

Autoimmune diabetes is a heterogeneous disease which can arise at any age. Subjects with adult-onset autoimmune diabetes who do not necessitate insulin-therapy for at least 6 months after diagnosis are demarcated as having latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). This condition is more heterogeneous than young-onset autoimmune diabetes and shares clinical and metabolic characteristics with both type 2 and type 1 diabetes. Patients with LADA are considered by having highly variable β-cell destruction, different degrees of insulin resistance and heterogeneous titre and pattern of islet autoantibody, suggesting different pathophysiological pathways partially explaining the heterogeneous phenotypes of LADA. To date the heterogeneity of LADA does not allow to establish a priori treatment algorithm and no specific guidelines for LADA therapy are available. These subjects are mostly treated as affected by type 2 diabetes, a factor that might lead to the progression to insulin-dependency quickly. A personalised medicine approach is necessary to attain optimal metabolic control and preserve β-cell function to decrease the risk of long-term diabetes complications. Recent data concerning the use of oral antidiabetic agents as dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists indicate up-and-coming results in term of protect C-peptide levels and improving glycaemic control. This review summarises current knowledge on LADA, emphasising controversies regarding its pathophysiology and clinical features. Moreover, we discuss data available about novel therapeutic approaches that can be considered for prevention of β-cell loss in LADA.

Poly(lactic acid)/poly(lactic‑co‑glycolic acid)‑based microparticles: an overview

Paolo Blasi 한국약제학회 2019 Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation Vol.49 No.4

Background Poly(glycolic acid), poly(lactic acid) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) were approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the 1970s as materials for the manufacturing of bioresorbable surgical sutures, but soon became the reference materials for the preparation of sustained release formulations, especially injectable microparticles. Since the 1986 approval of Decapeptyl ® SR, the first product based on PLGA microspheres, more than 15 such products have been approved for clinical use. Area covered This article highlights the key steps that brought to the development of injectable poly(lactic acid)/poly(lacticco- glycolic acid) microparticles for the sustained release of active pharmaceutical ingredients. After a brief history of some pioneering works that opened the field of controlled drug delivery, the key steps that led to the development of these polymers and the approval of the first microparticle-based medicinal products are reviewed. Finally, the general characteristics of these polymers are described and the classical preparation method is explained. Expert opinion Poly(lactic acid)/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles are among the most successful drug delivery systems. The recent approval of new medicinal products based on PLGA microspheres is the proof that pharmaceutical companies have continued to exploit this drug delivery technology. The possible development of generics and the continuous discovery of therapeutic peptides will hopefully further the success of microsphere technology.

HIV Infection Control: A Constructive Algorithm for a State-based Switching Control

Paolo Di Giamberardino,Daniela Iacoviello 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2018 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.16 No.3

The control of the HIV infection is considered in the framework of the optimal control theory within the problem of resource allocation. A control action, changing the intervention strategy on the basis of the updated situations, is proposed. The switching instants are not fixed in advance but are determined along with the final control time. A constructive algorithm to compute iteratively the switching control is outlined. The solutions obtained provide interesting and promising results.

Predictive Formulation for the Ultimate Combinations of Axial Force and Bending Moment Attainable by Steel Members

Paolo Foraboschi 한국강구조학회 2020 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.20 No.2

This paper is devoted to quantitative safety assessment of steel beam-columns, and delivers a plain analytical formulation for predicting the ultimate combinations of axial force and bending moment, allowing for material and geometric non-linearities. The formulation easily permits the ultimate interaction diagram of a steel member to be accurately constructed, as well as the structure to be checked for combined axial force and lateral load. It applies specifically to columns but can be used for any members. The formulation is also configured as a tool for straightforward design and construction. To that end, the structure is converted from an imperfect geometrically non-linear system into a geometrically linear system without imperfections, which allows the structure to be designed and dimensioned referring to the first order moments. The paper gives a detailed account of the mathematical developments and the final expressions, including some illustrative examples.

Comparison of Local Sclerotherapy With Lauromacrogol Versus Nasal Packing in the Treatment of Anterior Epistaxis

Paolo Farneti,Ernesto Pasquini,Vittorio Sciarretta,Giovanni Macrì2,Giulia Gramellini,Antonio Pirodda 대한이비인후과학회 2016 Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology Vol.9 No.2

Objectives. Epistaxis is one of the most common otorhinolaryngologic emergencies representing more than 12% of conditions managed at the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Emergency Consulting Room of our Otorhinolaryngologic Unit each year. The elevated frequency of this pathology makes it necessary to adopt the most effective and least expensive therapeutic strategy available. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy, costs and morbidity of nasal packing (NP), which is the mainstay of treatment for anterior epistaxis in our ENT Emergency Consulting Room versus submucosal infiltrations of lauromacrogol (LA). Methods. A retrospective study was designed from August 2012 to April 2013 involving 53 patients suffering from anterior epistaxis. Anterior NP was used in 27 patients versus 26 patients undergoing 27 procedures performed with submucosal infiltrations of LA (or polidocanol). Outcomes for each treatment were evaluated. Patients in group 1 were treated with LA 400 injection next to the bleeding point: 0.5- to 1-mL single or multiple infiltrations with a 27-gauge needle. The whitening of the nasal mucosa around the bleeding point during infiltration was considered a marker of correct procedure in order to achieve the best results. Bilateral treatment was also performed at the same time. Patients in group 2 were treated with standard NP. Results. Bleeding recurrence was higher in the NP group even if it was not statistically significant (P=0.2935). However, the LA infiltrations were better tolerated with lower morbidity and costs as compared to NP. No complications were observed in either group. Conclusion. LA infiltrations were shown to be a viable alternative in anterior epistaxis treatment. They are safe, easy to use with good efficacy and have a low cost.

A numerical tool for thermo-mechanical analysis of multilayer stepped structures

Paolo Emilio Bagnoli,Maria Girardi,Cristina Padovani,Giuseppe Pasquinelli 국제구조공학회 2013 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.48 No.6

An integrated simulation tool for multilayer stepped pyramidal structures is presented. The tool, based on a semi-analytical mathematical strategy, is able to calculate the temperature distributions and thermal stresses at the interfaces between the layers of such structures. The core of the thermal solver is the analytical simulator for power electronic devices, DJOSER, which has been supplemented with a mechanical solver based on the finite-element method. To this end, a new ele-ment is proposed whose geometry is defined by its mean surface and thickness, just as in a plate. The resulting mechanical model is fully three-dimensional, in the sense that the deformability in the direction orthogonal to the mean surface is taken into account. The dedicated finite element code developed for solving the equilibrium problem of structures made up of two or more superimposed plates subjected to thermal loads is applied to some two-layer samples made of silicon and copper. Comparisons performed with the results of standard finite element analyses using a large number of brick elements reveal the soundness of the strategy employed and the accuracy of the tool developed.