Fluorine-based color centers in diamond.

We report on the creation and characterization of the luminescence properties of high-purity diamond substrates upon F ion implantation and subsequent thermal annealing. Their room-temperature photoluminescence emission consists of a weak emission line at 558 nm and of intense bands in the 600-750 nm spectral range. Characterization at liquid He temperature reveals the presence of a structured set of lines in the 600-670 nm spectral range. We discuss the dependence of the emission properties of F-related optical centers on different experimental parameters such as the operating temperature and the excitation wavelength. The correlation of the emission intensity with F implantation fluence, and the exclusive observation of the afore-mentioned spectral features in F-implanted and annealed samples provides a strong indication that the observed emission features are related to a stable F-containing defective complex in the diamond lattice.

Extraction of traditional COP-based features from COM sway in postural stability evaluation.

Postural control during quiet standing is evaluated by analyzing CoP sway, easily measured using a force platform. However, recent proliferation of motion tracking systems made easily available an estimate of the CoM location. Traditional CoP-based measures presented in literature provide information about age-related changes in postural stability and fall risk. We investigated, on an age-matched group of subjects, the relationship between classical CoP-based measures computed on sway path and statistical mechanics parameters on diffusion plot, with those extracted from CoM time-series. Our purpose is to understand which of these parameters, computed on CoM sway, can discriminate postural abnormalities, in order to use a video tracking system to evaluate balance in addition to motor capabilities.

Affordable, automatic quantitative fall risk assessment based on clinical balance scales and Kinect data.

The problem of a correct fall risk assessment is becoming more and more critical with the ageing of the population. In spite of the available approaches allowing a quantitative analysis of the human movement control system's performance, the clinical assessment and diagnostic approach to fall risk assessment still relies mostly on non-quantitative exams, such as clinical scales. This work documents our current effort to develop a novel method to assess balance control abilities through a system implementing an automatic evaluation of exercises drawn from balance assessment scales. Our aim is to overcome the classical limits characterizing these scales i.e. limited granularity and inter-/intra-examiner reliability, to obtain objective scores and more detailed information allowing to predict fall risk. We used Microsoft Kinect to record subjects' movements while performing challenging exercises drawn from clinical balance scales. We then computed a set of parameters quantifying the execution of the exercises and fed them to a supervised classifier to perform a classification based on the clinical score. We obtained a good accuracy (~82%) and especially a high sensitivity (~83%).

Alzheimer's disease, autoimmunity and inflammation. The good, the bad and the ugly.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been recognized as the most common cause of sporadic dementia. It represents both a medical and social problem, as it affects 10% of over-65 population. Even if the elderly are the most involved population, aging alone cannot be considered as the only cause of this disease. In this review we wanted to focus on the last hypotheses on the possible causes of this neuronal affection. We focused in particular on the role of inflammation and alteration of the inflammatory status that is typical of the elderly and may lead to chronic inflammation. The inflammation seems to be a cause of neuronal impairment and loss. Some studies have proposed a protective role of antiinflammatory drugs. Then we analyzed the role of genetic polymorphisms of some pro-inflammatory substances that seem to be linked to some cases of dementia. The complement system seems to have a role too, as some factors have been found in senile plaques, representing a possible involvement of classical complement pathway. One of the latest hypotheses is about the role of blood-brain barrier (BBB), as its loss of integrity may lead to a passage of proteins in cerebro spinal fluid (CSF), causing a compromised role of BBB in preserving the brain as an "immune sanctuary".

Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: an update.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also referred to as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), is a disease of unknown origin. It is classified as Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS) in the WHO International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and listed as sub-category at G93.3 under chapter G93, other disorders of the brain. ME/CFS is primarily an endemic disorder but occurs in both epidemic and sporadic forms. It affects all racial-ethnic groups and is seen in all socioeconomic strata. A diagnosis of CFS is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning other medical conditions, including psychiatric disorders, must be first ruled out. CFS is diagnosed if there is no other explanation for the fatigue and if the other symptoms did not develop before the fatigue. The estimated worldwide prevalence of CFS is 0.4?1 percent. The disease predominantly affects young adults, with a peak age of onset of between 20 and 40 years, and women, with a female to male ratio of 6:1. Mean illness duration ranges from 3 to 9 years. The patho-physiological mechanism of CFS is unclear but the immunological pattern of CFS patients gleaned from various studies indicates that the immune system is chronically activated. Besides the role of environmental insults (xenobiotics, infectious agents, stress) the genetic features of patients are studied to evaluate their role in triggering the pathology. At present there are no specific pharmacological therapies to treat the disease but a variety of therapeutic approaches have been described as benefiting patients. Treatment programs are directed at relief of symptoms, with the goal of the patient regaining some level of preexisting function and well-being.

Clinical results with Taleum in the treatment of extrinsic bronchial asthma.

Taleum inhalation aerosol, produced by EGIS Pharmaceuticals Works, was examined in an 8-week open cross-over self-controlled study in 50 patients suffering from extrinsic bronchial asthma. Intal powder capsule inhaled with the aid of a spinhaler was used as a reference drug. Changes in subjective complaints and symptoms were continuously recorded on a score scale in the patients' diary. The alterations in respiratory parameters were measured. Laboratory parameters were monitored. On the basis of the results Taleum spray was found to be effective in the prevention of bronchial asthma. It proved to be a well tolerated drug form of simple use.

Clinical observations with Paxirasol aerosol in patients suffering from chronic bronchitis accompanying silicosis.

Paxirasol aerosol applied in daily 3 x 5 puff doses in the treatment of silicosis patients is found to be a well tolerated drug form. In the course of the 21-day therapy especially coughing and chest pain were moderated, but the product also controlled, the catarrhal coat formation on the mucosa. It influenced abundant expectoration and dispnoea beneficially. During the therapy the laboratory parameters did not change. The objective respiratory parameters improved but the change was non-significant. Paxirasol aerosol is found useful in the treatment of chronic bronchitis accompanying silicosis. Evaluable side-effects were not registered.

Investigation of coagulation abnormalities in patients with erythema nodosum leprosum.

Twenty erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) patients were examined. Coagulation studies were carried out in 13 of them during their active stage and 7 in the latent stage. From these 13 patients, 6 were re-examined when the disease became latent. From these observations a conclusion can be drawn that there are coagulation abnormalities in the majority of ENL patients in the active stage and these abnormalities will return to normal values when the disease becomes latent.