Sulfonated Styrene-Grafted Polyvinylidene Fluoride Copolymers for Proton Exchange Membranes for AQDS/Bromine Redox Flow Batteries.

This study presents the preparation and electrochemical testing of sulfonated styrene-grafted poly(vinylidene fluoride) (pVDF) copolymers as proton exchange membranes (PEMs) for semi-organic redox flow batteries (RFBs) based on 9,10-anthraquinone-2,7-disulfonic acid (AQDS)/bromine. The copolymers are synthesized via a two-step procedure, involving i) atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene (Sty) for the grafting to the pVDF backbone and ii) the sulfonation of the polystyrene grafted side chains. Copolymers with different amounts of sulfonated styrene (SSty) in the side chains (i.

Usefulness of the SARC-F questionnaire and the measurement of the hand grip strength in predicting short-term mortality in older patients hospitalized for acute heart failure.

Purpose: Sarcopenia is a potentially reversible syndrome that increases the risk of cardiogenic cachexia and adverse outcomes in older patients with heart failure (HF). Despite its clinical significance, sarcopenia remains underdiagnosed due to the complexities of comprehensive assessment in patients with acute HF. This study aimed to evaluate whether the SARC-F questionnaire, its inviduals components, and the handgrip strength test (HGS) can predict short-term prognostic risk in very old patients recently discharged after acute HF.

A Randomized, Open-Label Study to Assess Efficacy of Weekly Assumption of Cholecalciferol versus Calcifediol in Older Patients with Hypovitaminosis D.

The aim of this single-center, open-label, randomized controlled study was to evaluate which formulation of vitamin D-between cholecalciferol and calcifediol-is most effective in the treatment of hypovitaminosis D in older adults. Demographic characteristics, clinical history, and comprehensive geriatric assessment were recorded at admission. Eligible patients were randomly assigned an equivalent vitamin D supplement, either with cholecalciferol or calcifediol, from the time of hospital admission to three months after discharge.

Prognostic Value of Glycated Hemoglobin in Frail Older Diabetic Patients With Hip Fracture.

Background: Previous studies have shown increased risk of fracture in older patients with poor or strict glycemic control (glycated hemoglobin, HbA1c, ≥ 8% or < 6-7% respectively); however, these reports did not investigate the oldest-old population. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and a patient-centered approach have been proven to improve the quality of care in the management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in the older patients, but data regarding T2DM in patients with fragility fractures are still lacking.

Aim: To investigate the prognostic role of HbA1c and frailty level in older diabetic patients admitted for hip fracture.

Dispersity within Brushes Plays a Major Role in Determining Their Interfacial Properties: The Case of Oligoxazoline-Based Graft Polymers.

Many synthetic polymers used to form polymer-brush films feature a main backbone with functional, oligomeric side chains. While the structure of such graft polymers mimics biomacromolecules to an extent, it lacks the monodispersity and structural purity present in nature. Here we demonstrate that side-chain heterogeneity within graft polymers significantly influences hydration and the occurrence of hydrophobic interactions in the subsequently formed brushes and consequently impacts fundamental interfacial properties.

Genetic interaction analysis of VEGF-A rs3025039 and VEGFR-2 rs2071559 identifies a genetic profile at higher risk to develop nodular goiter.

Context: Nodular goiter in patients from areas of iodine deficiency is due to the growth of follicular and endothelial cells, involving different vascular-related growth factors in its pathogenesis.

Objective: The aim of our study was to examine the association of known single polymorphisms of vascular endothelial growth factor-A [VEGF-A], VEGF receptor-2 [VEGFR-2] and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α [HIF-1α] genes or their genetic interactions with the risk of nodular goiter development.

Patients And Methods: 116 normal subjects, without any thyroid disease, and 108 subjects with nodular goiter [subjects with goiter and at least one thyroid nodule of > 1 cm of maximum size and in absence of signs of autoimmunity] were selected from a homogeneous population living in a mild iodine deficiency geographic area.

Overt and Subclinical Hypothyroidism in the Elderly: When to Treat?

Hypothyroidism is characterized by increased thyrotropin (TSH) levels and reduced free thyroid hormone fractions while, subclinical hypothyroidism (sHT) by elevated serum TSH in the face of normal thyroid hormones. The high frequency of hypothyroidism among the general population in Western Countries made levothyroxine (LT4) one of the 10 most prescribed drugs. However, circulating TSH has been demonstrated to increase with aging, regardless the existence of an actual thyroid disease.

Hypothyroidism in the Elderly: Who Should Be Treated and How?

Hypothyroidism is among the most frequent chronic diseases in the elderly, and levothyroxine (l-T4) is worldwide within the 10 drugs more prescribed in the general population. Hypothyroidism is defined by increased serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) values and reduced circulating free thyroid hormones, whereas subclinical hypothyroidism (sHT) is characterized by free hormone fractions within the normal ranges and has been divided into two classes, depending on circulating TSH levels (above or below 10 mIU/L). Given that during aging, a natural trend toward higher values of circulating TSH has been reported, it is necessary to verify carefully the diagnosis of sHT to tailor an appropriate follow-up and therapy, avoiding unnecessary or excessive treatment.

Modified Masquelet's technique with nail and allograft: A case report.

The large bone defect treatment is a challenge issue in modern orthopaedic trauma surgery. One of the most used technique is the Masquelet's technique. In this case report we used a modified Masquelet technique to fill a six centimeters bone gap in the proximal femur.

Thyroid Disrupting Chemicals.

Endocrine disruptor compounds are exogenous agents able to interfere with a gland function, exerting their action across different functional passages, from the synthesis to the metabolism and binding to receptors of the hormone produced. Several issues, such as different levels and time of exposure and different action across different ages as well as gender, make the study of endocrine disruptors still a challenge. The thyroid is very sensitive to the action of disruptors, and considering the importance of a correct thyroid function for physical and cognitive functioning, addressing this topic should be considered a priority.

Comparing regional models of congenital bleeding disorders: preliminary steps in the Italian context.

Background: Among these diseases, congenital bleeding disorders (CBD) represent a significant societal burden in terms of high morbidity costs and health outcomes. In Italy, the organization and provision of health care is a regional responsibility and regions must assure equity and quality to all their residents. This is also true for CBD care which is provided by 54 multidisciplinary Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs) distributed among the regions.

The correlation between preoperative levels of albumin and tlc and mortality in patients with femoral neck fracture.

A femoral neck fracture in an elderly patient often represents a major challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon who has to face not only the fracture, but also all the multiple issues related to age. Among others, malnutrition has been recognised as an important factor associated with severe aggravation in these patients. One-hundred-and-forty-seven patients were enrolled to investigate the use of two markers of patient nutritional status, i.

The difference in activity of daily living (ADL) and mortality in patients aged over 80 years with femoral neck fracture treated with hemiarthroplasty or osteosynthesis at 2 years of follow-up.

Introduction: Hip fractures are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the elderly and outcomes following hip fracture have been the focus of several studies over recent decades. Among all types of fall-related injuries, hip fractures cause the greatest number of deaths, lead to severe health problems and reduce quality of life. Improving the outcome of hip fracture surgery has thus become one of the main areas of interest for orthopaedic surgeons.

Proteomic analysis of fine-needle aspiration in differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules.

Thyroid nodules are common in the general population and vary widely in their propensity to harbor thyroid malignancies. The category of follicular lesion of undetermined significance, for instance, carries only a 15% risk of malignancy. The overarching aim of this work was the proteomic study of thyroid cancer because more effort needs to be placed on differentiating malignant thyroid nodules to avoid unnecessary thyroidectomy.

Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of Two Different Intramedullary Nails for Pertrochanteric Fractures of the Femur.

The purpose of this prospective randomized trial was to assess whether an intramedullary nail is superior or not to another one in the treatment of pertrochanteric fractures. Eighty-one patients with a 31-A1 or A2 Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) pertrochanteric fracture were randomly allocated to fixation with either the Gamma® or the ENDOVIS® nail. In order to estimate the functional outcome the Parker-Palmer mobility score, Barthel Index, and EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) were used.

Clinical and radiological results over the medium term of isolated acetabular revision.

Acetabular cup loosening is associated with pain, reduced function, and instability of the implant. If such event happens while the femoral implant is in a satisfactory position and is well fixed to the bone, isolated acetabular revision surgery is indicated. The aim of this single-center retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological results over the medium term (12-month follow-up mean 36, max 60) of isolated acetabular revisions surgery using a porous hemispheric revision shell matched with a cemented all-poly cup and large diameter femoral head (>32).

BRAF mutation analysis in thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology: our experience on surgical management of patients with thyroid nodules from an area of borderline iodine deficiency.

Purpose: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with cytologic evaluation is the most reliable tool for malignancy prediction in thyroid nodules, but cytologic diagnosis remains indeterminate for 12-18 % of nodules. BRAF V600E mutation has been reported to show a high specificity for malignant thyroid nodules and the use of this marker to refine indeterminate FNA cytology results may be a useful diagnostic adjunctive tool in the pre-operative evaluation of thyroid nodules. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of BRAF exon 15 mutation (V600E) and its clinical value as a diagnostic tool in a series of thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology from an area of borderline iodine deficiency.

Effect of vitamin D in fracture healing in a child: case report.

Unlabelled: In this report, we describe the effect of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on fracture healing in a young boy with a hypovitaminosis D who had a radius refracture. The radiographic evaluation of the callus formation shows a clear effect of vitamin D on fracture healing in absence of additional variables.

Introduction: Fracture healing restores the tissue to its original physical and mechanical properties and it involves a complex multistep process that involves response to injury, intramembranous bone formation, chondrogenesis, endochondral bone formation, and bone remodeling.

Presence in the pre-surgical fine-needle aspiration of potential thyroid biomarkers previously identified in the post-surgical one.

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) is usually applied to distinguish benign from malignant thyroid nodules. However, cytological analysis cannot always allow a proper diagnosis. We believe that the improvement of the diagnostic capability of pre-surgical FNA could avoid unnecessary thyroidectomy.

Comparison of the POSSUM score and P-POSSUM score in patients with femoral neck fracture.

Purpose: The ageing of the population in developed countries has led to an increased number of patients with hip fractures all over the world. POSSUM and P-POSSUM scores predict morbidity and mortality of patients who will be undergoing a surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate accuracy of these two scores in hip-fractured patients.

MicroRNA expression profile helps to distinguish benign nodules from papillary thyroid carcinomas starting from cells of fine-needle aspiration.

Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous noncoding RNAs that pair with target messengers regulating gene expression. Changes in miRNA levels occur in thyroid cancer. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with cytological evaluation is the most reliable tool for malignancy prediction in thyroid nodules, but cytological diagnosis remains undetermined for 20% of nodules.

Genetic markers to discriminate benign and malignant thyroid nodules with undetermined cytology in an area of borderline iodine deficiency.

Background: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) with cytologic evaluation is the most reliable tool for malignancy prediction in thyroid nodules, but cytologic diagnosis remains undetermined for 20% of nodules.

Aim: We investigated the diagnostic potential of a set of 6 marker genes to distinguish benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Subjects And Methods: The prospective study included 153 thyroid samples obtained by FNA of thyroid nodules from 151 patients (56 benign, 43 malignant, and 54 nodules with undetermined cytology).