Temperature dependence of thermal properties of ex vivo liver tissue up to ablative temperatures.

Thermal properties of ex vivo bovine liver were measured as a function of temperature, by heating tissue samples in a temperature-controlled oil bath over a temperature range from about 21 °C to about 113 °C. Results evidenced temperature-dependent non-linear changes of the thermal properties, with the temperature of 100 °C representing a break point: the thermal properties increased with temperature up to 99 °C and then decreased above 100 °C. The rate of increase appeared dramatic between 90 °C and 99 °C, owing to the onset of vaporisation of water contained in the tissue. In particular, at 99 °C, the thermal conductivity reported an increase of about four times with respect to the value measured at 90 °C, whilst about a two-fold increase was reported for both the volumetric heat capacity and the thermal diffusivity. Temperatures higher than 100 °C were reached only after complete vaporisation of water contained in the tissue, resulting in about 70% loss of weight from the tissue. An overall decrease of about 71% and 63% was reported for the thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity, respectively, in the temperature range 101 °C-113 °C. A decrease of about 25% was reported in the measured values of the thermal diffusivity in the temperature range 101 °C-108 °C, whilst a slight increase of measured values, not statistically significant, was observed in the temperature range 108 °C-113 °C. The temperature dependent changes of the thermal parameters were modelled with non-linear regression analysis to calculate the best-fit curves interpolating measured data. The proposed regression models could be used to numerically assess the changes in the thermal properties of biological tissues at supra-physiological temperatures relevant in thermal ablation procedures, as well as their effect on the prediction of the ablation zone dimensions in computational models for treatment planning.

Microbial tracking of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in a pediatric hospital setting.

We investigated the clonal relatedness of seven multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, as well as three susceptible K. pneumoniae isolates collected during hospital outbreaks and outbreak-related microbiological surveillance, respectively. The relatedness among K. pneumoniae isolates was assessed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and automated repetitive-sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) genotyping and the results were compared to a proteomic phenotyping performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). All typing methods agreed on the generation of three different clusters of K. pneumoniae isogenetic/related MDR strains. After strengthening hospital infection control measures, no other spreading events involving MDR-K. pneumoniae were reported until the end of the observation period. This preliminary investigation suggests that, in a hierarchical approach to bacterial typing, MALDI-TOF MS proteome profiling might offer a fast and valuable preliminary screening tool able to support microbiologists during nosocomial outbreak surveys.

Profile of the oral healthcare team in countries with emerging economies.

Health is a critical dimension of human well-being and flourishing, and oral health is an integral component of health: one is not healthy without oral health. Significant barriers exist to ensuring the world's people receive basic healthcare, including oral healthcare. Amongst these are poverty, ignorance, inadequate financial resources and lack of adequate numbers of educated and trained (oral) healthcare workers. Emerging economies are encouraged to develop a national strategic plan for oral health. International organizations have developed goals for oral health that can be referenced and adapted by emerging economies as they seek to formulate specific objectives for their countries. Demographic data that assess the nature and extent of oral diseases in a country are essential to sound planning and the development of an oral healthcare system that is relevant, effective and economically viable. Prevention should be emphasized and priority consideration be given to oral healthcare for children. The types and numbers of members of the oral healthcare team (workforce) will vary from country to country depending on the system developed. Potential members of the workforce include: generalist dentists, specialist dentists, dental therapists, dental hygienists, denturists, expanded function dental assistants (dental nurses) and community oral health workers/aides. Competences for dentists, and other members of the team, should be developed to ensure quality care and developed economies should cooperate with emerging economies. The development, by more advanced economies, of digital, virtual curricula, which could be used by emerging economies for educating and training members of the oral healthcare team, should be an important initiative. The International Federation of Dental Educators and Associations (IFDEA) should lead in such an effort.

Analysis of intrinsic pH, soluble solids and buffer effect of non-alcoholic drinks.

The aim of the present study was to determine in vitro the erosive capacity of different common drinks employing intrinsic pH, soluble solids and buffer effect at pH 5.5 and pH 7.0 as end-points. Fifty- two drinks of mass consumption were selected and grouped according to type into 3 groups: 1: Juices (n = 23); 2: soy beverages (n = 18); 3: carbonated drinks (n = 11). The mean and standard deviation were calculated for each drink and for each group of drinks. The statistical analysis of the data was performed by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test for multiple comparisons. Statistical significance was set at p < or = 0.05. The data showed that the 3 groups exhibited initial acid pH values. Natural juices had the greatest buffer effect. The soluble solids, expressed as Brix Grades, showed statistically significant differences between the regular and light forms of carbonated and soy beverages. The light and regular forms of the drinks included in the study failed to show statistically significant differences at pH 5.5 and pH 7.0.

Analysis of intrinsic pH, soluble solids and buffer effect of non-alcoholic drinks.

The aim of the present study was to determine in vitro the erosive capacity of different common drinks employing intrinsic pH, soluble solids and buffer effect at pH 5.5 and pH 7.0 as end-points. Fifty- two drinks of mass consumption were selected and grouped according to type into 3 groups: 1: Juices (n = 23); 2: soy beverages (n = 18); 3: carbonated drinks (n = 11). The mean and standard deviation were calculated for each drink and for each group of drinks. The statistical analysis of the data was performed by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukeys test for multiple comparisons. Statistical significance was set at p < or = 0.05. The data showed that the 3 groups exhibited initial acid pH values. Natural juices had the greatest buffer effect. The soluble solids, expressed as Brix Grades, showed statistically significant differences between the regular and light forms of carbonated and soy beverages. The light and regular forms of the drinks included in the study failed to show statistically significant differences at pH 5.5 and pH 7.0.

Analysis of intrinsic pH, soluble solids and buffer effect of non-alcoholic drinks

The aim of the present study was to determine in vitro the erosive capacity of different common drinks employing intrinsic pH, soluble solids and buffer effect at pH 5.5 and pH 7.0 as end-points. Fifty- two drinks of mass consumption were selected and grouped according to type into 3 groups: 1: Juices (n = 23); 2: soy beverages (n = 18); 3: carbonated drinks (n = 11). The mean and standard deviation were calculated for each drink and for each group of drinks. The statistical analysis of the data was performed by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test for multiple comparisons. Statistical significance was set at p < or = 0.05. The data showed that the 3 groups exhibited initial acid pH values. Natural juices had the greatest buffer effect. The soluble solids, expressed as Brix Grades, showed statistically significant differences between the regular and light forms of carbonated and soy beverages. The light and regular forms of the drinks included in the study failed to show statistically significant differences at pH 5.5 and pH 7.0.

New phenotypic aspects in a family with Lynch syndrome II.

Increasing attention has been given to hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). This report provides medical genetic/pathologic findings on an HNPCC kindred from southern Italy that shows criteria consistent with Lynch syndrome II. An international collaborative effort led to extension of this kindred with disclosure of a potentially new spectrum of phenotypic findings: an excess of gastric carcinoma; complete intestinal metaplasia and chronic atrophic gastritis restricted to the antrum; an apparent excess of colonic mucosal macrophagia, which by special stain appeared to be positive for mucin, with a constant content of both sialo and sulfomucin, a lack of iron, and an inconstant positivity for lysozyme obtained by immunoperoxidase technique; and findings of crypt atrophy of the colonic mucosa. During the relatively short period of investigation of this family, an intensive educational and surveillance program has been mounted in the interest of improving cancer control through direct application of knowledge of natural history and the risk factor evidence through pedigree assessment.