Development of spinning-disk solid sample delivery system for high-repetition rate x-ray free electron laser experiments

X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) deliver intense x-ray pulses that destroy the sample in a single shot by a Coulomb explosion. Experiments using XFEL pulse trains or the new generation of high-repetition rate XFELs require rapid sample replacement beyond those provided by the systems now used at low repletion-rate XFELs. We describe the development and characterization of a system based on a spinning disk to continuously deliver a solid sample into an XFEL interaction point at very high speeds. We tested our system at the Linac Coherent Light Source and European XFEL hard x-ray nano-focus instruments, employing it to deliver a 25 μm copper foil sample, which can be used as a gain medium for stimulated x-ray emission for the proposed x-ray laser oscillator.

Reduced Dynamin-I levels in neurons lacking MUNC18-1

MUNC18-1/Syntaxin binding protein-1 (Stxbp1), binds Syntaxin-1. Together, these proteins regulate synaptic vesicle exocytosis and have a separate role in neuronal viability. In MUNC18-1/Stxbp1 null mutant neurons, Syntaxin-1 protein levels are 70% reduced. Here, we show that Dynamin-1 protein levels are reduced at least to the same extent, and DNM1 transcript levels are 50% reduced in MUNC18-1/Stxbp1 null mutant brain. Several, but not all, other endocytic proteins were also reduced, but to a lesser extent. The reduced Dynamin-1 expression was not observed in SNAP25 and MUNC13-1/2 null mutants, in which synaptic vesicle exocytosis is also blocked. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrated that Dynamin-1 and MUNC18-1 do not bind directly. Furthermore, MUNC18-1 levels were unaltered in neurons lacking all three Dynamin paralogs. Finally, overexpression of Dynamin-1 was not sufficient to rescue neuronal viability in MUNC18-1/Stxbp1 null mutant neurons, thus the reduction in Dynamin-1 is not the single cause for neurodegeneration of these neurons. The reduction of Dynamin-1 protein and mRNA, and other endocytosis proteins in Stxbp1 null mutant neurons suggests that MUNC18-1 directly or indirectly controls protein and mRNA levels of other presynaptic genes.

Hepatocellular carcinoma tumour burden score to stratify prognosis after resection

BACKGROUND

Although the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system has been largely adopted in clinical practice, recent studies have emphasized the need for further refinement and subclassification of this system.

METHODS

Patients who underwent hepatectomy with curative intent for BCLC-0, -A or -B hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) between 2000 and 2017 were identified using a multi-institutional database. The tumour burden score (TBS) was calculated, and overall survival (OS) was examined in relation to TBS and BCLC stage.

RESULTS

Among 1053 patients, 63 (6·0 per cent) had BCLC-0, 826 (78·4 per cent) BCLC-A and 164 (15·6 per cent) had BCLC-B HCC. OS worsened incrementally with higher TBS (5-year OS 77·9, 61 and 39 per cent for low, medium and high TBS respectively; P < 0·001). No differences in OS were noted among patients with similar TBS, irrespective of BCLC stage (61·6 versus 58·9 per cent for BCLC-A/medium TBS versus BCLC-B/medium TBS, P = 0·930; 45 versus 13 per cent for BCLC-A/high TBS versus BCLC-B/high TBS, P = 0·175). Patients with BCLC-B HCC and a medium TBS had better OS than those with BCLC-A disease and a high TBS (58·9 versus 45 per cent; P = 0·005). On multivariable analysis, TBS remained associated with OS among patients with BCLC-A (medium TBS: hazard ratio (HR) 2·07, 95 per cent c.i. 1·42 to 3·02, P < 0·001; high TBS: HR 4·05, 2·40 to 6·82, P < 0·001) and BCLC-B (high TBS: HR 3·85, 2·03 to 7·30; P < 0·001) HCC. TBS could also stratify prognosis among patients in an external validation cohort (5-year OS 79, 51·2 and 28 per cent for low, medium and high TBS respectively; P = 0·010).

CONCLUSION

The prognosis of patients with HCC varied according to the BCLC stage but was largely dependent on the TBS.

Custom made onlay implants in peek in maxillofacial surgery: a volumetric study

PURPOSE

Facially malformed patients often present a variable degree of facial imbalance even after basal bone correction, and resolution of the residual hard- and soft-tissue deficiencies and asymmetries of the face are of great importance for achieving a satisfactory post-implant procedure result. The use of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) implants for maxillofacial reconstruction has been documented in the literature, but the number of patients who have received them is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the overall volumetric results in patients with facial imbalance after onlay custom implant positioning for mandible and fronto-orbital reconstructions. Analysis was performed by confronting volumes with the use of three-dimensional (3D) photogrammetry.

METHODS

Fifteen patients were eligible for PEEK implant placements, eight for mandibular angle reconstruction, and seven for fronto-orbital reconstruction. Pre- and post-surgical 3D images of each patient's face were acquired. Facial asymmetry was analyzed by comparing each face with its mirrored copy.

RESULTS

Three-dimensional analyses have shown that some degree of volume imbalance was still present in the patients with only 1.32 ± 1.02 mm residual discrepancy after treatment.

CONCLUSION

Results of the study were found to fall within clinically acceptable limits since an asymmetry rate of < 3 mm is considered to fall into the norm.

Dramatic response to nivolumab in xeroderma pigmentosum skin tumor

We report the case of a 6-year-old female with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) who developed a nonoperable scalp tumor, treated with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) therapy (nivolumab). She presented with a sarcomatoid carcinoma of the scalp with bone lysis as well as vascular and meningeal contact. Nivolumab was initiated because it has emerged as a promising immunotherapy. We observed a dramatic tumor response with excellent tolerance. However, while on nivolumab therapy she developed two large skin melanomas and several squamous cell carcinomas, which have been resected. These results demonstrate that cancer immunotherapy in patients with XP can be impressive but complex and warrants further investigation.

Hydrogen-peroxide and silicone-hydrogel contact lenses: Worsening of external eye condition and tear film instability

PURPOSE

The aim is discussing the origins of worsening of external eye condition (EEC) and of tear film (TF) instability after wear of silicone-hydrogel contact lenses (CLs) with hydrogen-peroxide (H₂O₂) care system.

METHODS

EEC and TF stability were evaluated before and after 15days of wear combined with different care systems: (1) H₂O₂, (2) detergent solution and H₂O₂, (3) multipurpose solution (MPS), (4) H₂O₂ and artificial tears. In-vitro cell mortality tests were performed after 24h cell incubation with CLs treated with H₂O₂. Photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS) was carried out on tears of non-wearers and CL wearers who used MPS or H₂O₂ solution.

RESULTS

Worsening of EEC was observed only for the group using H₂O₂ (group 1). In-vitro, cell mortality was found higher for worn CL than for unworn CLs. Worsening of TF stability was observed regardless of care system and also PCS results on tears of CL wearers were found different compared to non-wearers regardless of care system. The only observed remedy for tear instability of CL wearers was found to be the administration of artificial tears.

CONCLUSIONS

Worsening of EEC of CL wearers using H₂O₂ is attributed to H₂O₂ scarce cleaning efficacy, which can be solved by adding a CL detergent solution. The origin of TF instability is found to be different. A remedy was found to be the administration of artificial tears, whose effect could be attributed either to the role of specific components or to rinsing and replacement of TF during wear.

The GOCCLES® medical device is effective in detecting oral cancer and dysplasia in dental clinical setting. Results from a multicentre clinical trial

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that the GOCCLES® medical device allows proper autofluorescence examination of the oral mucosa in a dental care setting. This is a non-randomised multicentre clinical trial on consecutive patients at risk for oral cancer. Patients underwent a classical naked eye inspection of the oral cavity followed by autofluorescence examination wearing the GOCCLES® spectacles while the light from a dental curing light irradiated the oral mucosa. Lesions were defined as visible potentially malignant lesions and/or fluorescence loss areas. All persisting lesions underwent excisional or incisional biopsy. Sixty-one patients were enrolled. Data from 64 biopsies were analysed. Of the 62 lesions identified by the device, 31 were true positives. The device identified 31 of 32 true positive lesions. One lesion (an invasive carcinoma) was not visible to the naked eye. The device identified all lesions classified as moderate dysplasia to invasive cancer. In 56.7% of cases, true positive lesions showed greater extension when observed through the device. The GOCCLES® medical device allowed the direct visualisation of fluorescence loss in patients suffering from mild to severe dysplasia and in situ to invasive oral cancer. It allowed autofluorescence examination with each source of light used during the study. These results suggest that the role of the autofluorescence visualisation is that of a complementary inspection following naked eye examination when dealing with patients at risk for oral cancer. The device allows detection of otherwise invisible lesions and otherwise impossible complete resections.

Osteoperiosteal free fibula flap as an effective preprosthetic reconstructive option in severe jaw atrophy and oncological resection

The gold standard in modern surgical treatment of patients with severe maxillo-mandibular atrophy must include the aim to achieve restoration of function and aesthetics with immediate reconstruction of the oro-mandibular defects. The medical records of 14 patients who were treated in a 5-year period (2010-2014) at our department with severe maxillary and mandibular atrophy, and reconstructed by vascularised free fibula flap were reviewed. Among the former, a total of 14 patients underwent maxillary and mandibular reconstruction using the osteoperiosteal fibula free flap. No major complications were reported. The main advantage of this technique is that it allows the formation of keratinised gengiva, which provides the best implantological options. The only disadvantage of the technique is that the wounds have to heal for second intention, and for this reason patients have to undergo strict follow-up for the first months after the operation. The aim of this article is to evaluate the efficiency of the technique in bone reconstruction after jaw resection or severe atrophy.

Risks in surgery-first orthognathic approach: complications of segmental osteotomies of the jaws. A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To date, no systematic review has been undertaken to identify the complications of segmental osteotomies. The aim of the present systematic review was to analyze the type and incidence of complications of segmental osteotomies, as well as the time of subjective and/or clinical onset of the intra- and post-operative problems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A search was conducted in two electronic databases (MEDLINE - Pubmed database and Scopus) for articles published in English between 1 January 2000 and 30 August 2015; only human studies were selected. Case report studies were excluded. Two independent researchers selected the studies and extracted the data. Two studies were selected, four additional publications were recovered from the bibliography search of the selected articles, and one additional article was added through a manual search.

RESULTS

The results of this systematic review demonstrate a relatively low rate of complications in segmental osteotomies, suggesting this surgical approach is safe and reliable in routine orthognathic surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the small number of studies included in this systematic review, the rate of complication related to surgery first approach may be slightly higher than those associated with traditional orthognathic surgery, since the rate of complications of segmental osteotomies must be added to the complication rate of basal osteotomies. A surgery-first approach could be considered riskier than a traditional one, but further studies that include a greater number of subjects should be conducted to confirm these findings.

Lipofilling as refinement procedure in maxillo-mandibular malformations

Maxillo-mandibular asymmetry has numerous aetiologies: congenital, traumatic, iatrogenic and post-oncologic. Patients with congenital dentofacial malformations are generally submitted to orthognathic surgery and/or additional procedures (genioplasty, alloplastic implants) with satisfactory results. However, despite achieving skeletal symmetry, noticeable facial asymmetry may persist.This study was performed in 45 patients (29 women and 16 men) operated between December 2012 and June 2014. All patients were affected by maxilla-mandibular asymmetry and underwent orthognatic surgery for hard tissue correction of the deformity. Residual facial alterations were then treated with lipofilling refinement proceure. In all cases good integration of the grafted fat was observed in the recipient sites. Retrospective analysis of photographic documentation showed progressive volumetric decrease for up to approximately 6 months after surgery; after that graft volume remained relatively stable. There were no significant surgical complications, either from the fat harvest site or the reconstructed site. Mild oedema and bruising were frequent during the first post-operative week. No haematomas, infections, vascular or nervous injuries were recorded. Twenty-four patients felt the need to have a second procedure. A second fat transfer was performed in 22 cases, and a third in 2 (total of 69 procedures). Based on the observations of our study, fat grafting is a simple, effective and reproducible technique, with a high satisfaction rate and few disadvantages or complications. We demonstrated that the success of lipofilling is dependent on the treated aesthetic subunits of the face. The malar and lateral cheek regions seem to be highly favourable for fat grafting, unlike the upper and lower lips subunits. Composite procedures using orthognathic surgery and autologous fat provide the surgeon with an additional, more customisable option for patients with maxillo-mandibular malformations.

Advances in the FTU collective Thomson scattering system

The new collective Thomson scattering diagnostic installed on the Frascati Tokamak Upgrade device started its first operations in 2014. The ongoing experiments investigate the presence of signals synchronous with rotating tearing mode islands, possibly due to parametric decay processes, and phenomena affecting electron cyclotron beam absorption or scattering measurements. The radiometric system, diagnostic layout, and data acquisition system were improved accordingly. The present status and near-term developments of the diagnostic are presented.

Efficacy of a single dose of low-level laser therapy in reducing pain, swelling, and trismus following third molar extraction surgery

The clinical efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for the reduction of pain, swelling, and trismus following the surgical extraction of third molars was evaluated. Mandibular third molars, with similar radiographic positions on two distinct sections, were extracted from 22 patients. Immediately after extraction from the randomly selected right or left side, LLLT was applied (study group). The same extraction procedure was performed 21 days later on the other third molar, without the application of LLLT (control group). LLLT was applied at 10 points: four intraoral in close proximity to the socket and six extraoral along the masseter muscle. Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale, swelling was measured as the distance from the tragus to the median base of the mentum, and trismus was assessed by the extent of mouth opening. Data were collected at four time points: before surgery, immediately after surgery, 48h postoperatively, and 7 days postoperatively. Compared with the control group, the study group showed significant reductions in pain, swelling, and trismus at 48h and 7 days postoperatively. In conclusion, a single dose of LLLT was effective at reducing the postoperative discomforts (pain, swelling, and trismus) associated with third molar extraction surgery.

Effect of prasugrel in patients with asthma: results of PRINA, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study

BACKGROUND

Although experimental studies have demonstrated that platelets are proinflammatory cells, no randomized studies have tested the anti-inflammatory effect of antiplatelet agents in humans. The platelet P2Y12 receptors mediated bronchial inflammation in a mouse model of asthma, suggesting that P2Y12 represents a pharmacologic target for asthma.

OBJECTIVES

In this proof-of concept, placebo-controlled, randomized, cross-over study, we tested the effects of the P2Y12 antagonist prasugrel on bronchial hyperreactivity of asthmatic patients.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Twenty-six asthmatic patients were randomly and blindly allocated to prasugrel (10 mg once daily) or placebo for 15 days. After a ≥ 15-day wash-out, patients were crossed over to the alternative treatment. Before and after each treatment, patients underwent a bronchial provocation test with mannitol and measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Inhibition of P2Y12 -dependent platelet reactivity (platelet reactivity index [PRI]) was measured with the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation assay.

RESULTS

The provocative dose of mannitol causing a 15% drop in forced expiratory volume in 1 s increased from 142 mg (95% confidence interval [CI] 82-202) to 187 mg (95% CI 113-262) after prasugrel treatment (P = 0.09), and did not change after placebo treatment (136 mg [95% CI 76-196] and 144 mg [95% CI 84-204], P = 0.65). FeNO did not change after either treatment. The PRI decreased from 80% (95% CI 77-83) to 23% (95% CI 7-29) after prasugrel treatment (P < 0.001) and remained unchanged after placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

Our proof-of-concept, randomized, controlled study is the first one to test in vivo the anti-inflammatory effects of platelet inhibition in human patients. The results suggest that pharmacologic inhibition of P2Y12 receptors may slightly reduce the bronchial inflammatory burden, and lay the groundwork for further studies, with clinical endpoints.

Mumps outbreak in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with large cohorts of susceptibles and genetically diverse strains of genotype G, Bosnia and Herzegovina, December 2010 to September 2012

A mumps outbreak reported from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina involved 7,895 cases between December 2010 and September 2012. This was the largest outbreak in the country since the introduction of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in 1980. The highest disease incidence was found among 15 to 19 year-olds. About 39% (3,050/7,895) of cases reported to be unvaccinated; the vaccination status of 31% (2,426/7,895) was unknown. A seroprevalence study among 150 asymptomatic contacts to mumps cases showed that about one third (45/150) were susceptible to mumps. Among 105 clinically suspected mumps patients hospitalised at the Clinical Centre of the University of Sarajevo, orchitis (60% of all males: 51/85) and meningitis (9%: 9/105) were the most common complications. Among 57 outbreak sequences obtained for the small hydrophobic gene, eight different variants of genotype G viruses were identified. The outbreak affected mainly age groups comprising individuals who were not vaccinated during or after the Bosnian war, as well as cantons with single dose immunisation policies until 2001. In addition to issues related to vaccination of individuals, differential responses to vaccines and vaccine strains, waning of antibodies and potentially also the genetically diverse variants of genotype G may have compounded the size and duration of the outbreak. Our report emphasizes the need for supplementary immunisation programmes in particular for adolescents and young adults.

Universal design and accessibility: an approach of the influence of muscle strength loss in the risk of falls in the elderly

This study was conducted with older adults living in a long-stay institution in the city of Foz do Iguacu, Parana, Brazil with the objective of assessing the influence of muscle strength loss in the risk of falls. The sample consisted of 65 elderly who walk without the aid of support for locomotion, 37 women and 28 men, aged between 67 and 80 years. The risk of falls was assessed through the TUG test. To determine the handgrip strength, a hand dynamometer model Jamar ( was used, which provides the result in kg / force (kgf), being held only with the dominant hand. The results showed that in the last 12 months, only 32% of the elderly surveyed had no fall and the average handgrip strength was 24.32 ( 11.22 kgf; 40% had one fall and the average handgrip strength was 23.82 ( 10.18 kgf; 8% had two falls and the average handgrip strength was 19.48 ( 8.21 kgf and 20% had more than one fall and the average handgrip strength of 18.13 ( 7.33 Kgf., indicating that the force levels are statistically lower among elderly at high risk of falls (p> 0.05). It was concluded that the lower the force level, the greater the likelihood of falls. Thus, it is important to stress that due to the loss of muscle strength, all ergonomic hazards and architectural barriers must be removed so that older adults can perform their tasks more easily, with comfort and safety.

Influence of gender on the prevalence of Rsi/WRULD in meat-packing plants

This research aimed to determine the handgrip strength difference between (♂) and (♀) and its influence on the incidence of RSI / WRULD in meat-packing plants. The study had the participation of 201 workers from the bone sector of a pig slaughterhouse located in the municipality of Sao Miguel do Iguacu, state of Parana, Brazil, being 98 men and 103 women with mean age of 34.3 ( ± 4.7 years) and weight of 66.3 (± 6.5 kg) for (♀) and 36.5 (± 6.4 years) and weight of 77.6 (± 5.8 kg) for (♂). Handgrip strength was used in the evaluation. Descriptive statistics and "t" test were applied, with significance level of 0.05% for strength test and percentage of pain levels. The results were presented according to gender (♂) 44.94 kgf (± 4.51) for the dominant hand (DH) and 41.09 kgf (± 4.09) for the non-dominant hand (NDH), and for males (♀), the average was 29.20 kgf (± 2.20) for DH and 28.40 kgf (± 2.39) for NDH. Statistical analysis indicated a "t" greater than 0.05 with 3.49% for DH and 2.95 for NDH, showing that (♂) and (♀) have strength levels significantly different in both hands and this study indicated that females have 35% less strength in the DH and 30.8% in the NDH. With regard to pain symptoms, pain for (♀) was higher than for (♂), with 21.5% in the shoulder region, 25% in neck, 48% in the column, 48.7% and in the arms and 48.8% in wrists and hands. It could be concluded that (♀) have less strength and higher percentage of pain in relation to (♂) when exposed to repetitive work and with identical tasks. Thus, it becomes clear that to avoid RSI / WRULD in meat-packing plants, companies should use knowledge on ergonomics in order to provide a work environment that respects the physiological differences between males and females.