Publications by authors named "Carlo D'alessandro"
Background: With rectum-sparing protocols becoming more common for rectal cancer treatment, this study aimed to predict the pathological complete response (pCR) to preoperative chemoradiotherapy (pCRT) in rectal cancer patients using pre-treatment MRI and a radiomics-based machine learning approach.
Methods: We divided MRI-data from 102 patients into a training cohort ( = 72) and a validation cohort ( = 30). In the training cohort, 52 patients were classified as non-responders and 20 as pCR based on histological results from total mesorectal excision.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial effectiveness of two toothpastes—one with fluoride only and another with fluoride combined with zinc-citrate (ZCT), hydroxyapatite (HAP), and potassium-citrate (KCit)—tracking their clinical effects on tooth sensitivity, plaque buildup, and gingivitis over 4 weeks.
- Both toothpastes significantly reduced salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans; however, the experimental toothpaste (with ZCT, HAP, and KCit) showed a greater reduction in bacteria and reported lower sensitivity among users.
- Results suggest that the experimental toothpaste is more effective than fluoride-only toothpaste and may be particularly beneficial for patients prone to cavities or those dealing with dental sensitivity.
Article Synopsis
- Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and aggressive cancer treatment often involving a chemotherapy regimen called EDP-M (etoposide, doxorubicin, cisplatin, and mitotane) for advanced stages.
- A study analyzed the relationship between CT textural features at diagnosis and treatment response, enrolling 17 patients and using various evaluation criteria.
- Results indicated that specific textural features, such as long-run high grey level emphasis and histogram kurtosis, could predict treatment response, showing a promising accuracy in differentiating between responders and non-responders.
Article Synopsis
- - This systematic review evaluated different surface treatments for zirconia bonding, specifically comparing etching methods to airborne particle abrasion (APA) to see if etching could be a reliable alternative.
- - A total of 54 studies were analyzed, with most indicating that APA generally provided better bond strength than etching protocols, although some high concentrations of hydrofluoric acid showed comparable results.
- - The findings suggest that while APA is still the most effective method for zirconia surface treatment, certain etching solutions may perform equally well or better in specific scenarios, particularly with enamel and resin cement.
Introduction: Neurofibromatosis type I, also known as Von Recklinghausen disease, is a common phakomatosis affecting 1 in 2500-3000 live births; it may be associated with several common ocular findings, including Lisch nodules, plexiform neurofibromas, optic pathway gliomas, retinal astrocytic hamartomas and choroidal nodules.
Case Description: This report illustrates clinical evidence of simultaneous presence of retinal reactive astrocytic tumor (RRAT) and two retinal astrocytic hamartomas (RAH) in a 15 y/o patient with NF1, referred to our attention because of an asymptomatic fundus mass in his right eye of recent onset.
Conclusion: This case, in addition to considering NF1 as one of the ocular conditions associated with secondary RRAT, underlines the importance of early referral and continuous ophthalmological follow-up in preventing possible complications that could cause significant visual impairment in patients with NF1.
Objective: To evaluate the effects of an ammonia-based and a water-based silver-containing solutions on bonding performance and matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity of a universal adhesive to dentin after 1 year of artificial aging.
Methods: Mid-coronal dentin surfaces of 60 sound human molars were exposed and the following groups were formed according to the surface pre-treatment and etching mode of the universal adhesive (Zipbond Universal, SDI) (n = 10): G1) Zipbond in the self-etch mode (ZSE); G2) Riva Star (SDI) applied before ZSE; G3) Riva Star Aqua (SDI) applied before ZSE; G4) Zipbond in the etch-and-rinse mode (ZER); G5) Riva Star applied before ZER; G6) Riva Star Aqua applied before ZER. The specimens were sectioned and subjected to microtensile bond strength (µTBS) test at baseline (T) and after 12 months (T) of artificial storage.
Pancreatic transplantation is considered by the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes an acceptable surgical procedure in patients with type 1 diabetes also undergoing kidney transplantation in pre-final or end-stage renal disease if no contraindications are present. Pancreatic transplantation, however, is a complex surgical procedure and may lead to a range of postoperative complications that can significantly impact graft function and patient outcomes. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) is often adopted to evaluate perfusion of the transplanted pancreas, identify complications and as a guide for interventional radiology procedures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To answer the PICO(S) question: Is there a difference in clinical longevity between direct and indirect resin composite restorations placed on permanent posterior teeth?
Data: Randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) investigating direct and indirect resin composite restorations in posterior permanent teeth were considered.
Sources: Several electronic databases were searched, with no language or date restrictions. The revised Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias (RoB-2) was used to analyze the studies; meta-analyses were run and the certainty of evidence was assessed by the GRADE tool.
Objectives: To evaluate the influence of two glutaraldehyde-based desensitizers (L: GLUMA Desensitizer, Heraeus Kulzer and G: GLUMA Desensitizer PowerGel) prior to the adhesive procedures on microtensile bond strength (µTBS) to dentin and endogenous enzymatic activity.
Methods: Noncarious human third molars (N = 48) were cut to expose middle coronal dentin. Six experimental groups were formed according to the dentin pre-treatment (L or G) and the universal adhesives (IBU - iBond universal, Kulzer or AU - Adhese Universal, Ivoclar Vivadent) used in the self-etch mode (n = 8): 1) L/IBU; 2) G/IBU; 3) IBU; 4) L/AU; 5) G/AU; 6) AU.