Eye Temperature Measured with Infrared Thermography to Assess Stress Responses to Road Transport in Horses.

The aim of the present study was to investigate eye temperature modifications after road transport in athletic horses habituated to travel. Eight adult Italian saddle horses traveled 100 km and, two weeks later, 300 km. Eye temperature (ET), rectal temperature (RT) and serum cortisol concentration were assessed before (T1), after (T2) and 60 min (T3) after the road transport. ET was evaluated with infrared thermography (IRT) in three regions of interest: EL1 (medial canthus), EL2 (central cornea) and EL3 (lateral canthus). Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures showed statistically higher values at T2 and T3 for EL1 (p < 0.01), EL2 (p < 0.01) and EL3 (p < 0.01) following the 100 km journey. RT (p < 0.01) showed higher values at T2 and T3 after the 100 km journey and higher values at T2 (p < 0.01) following the 300 km journey. ET values were positively correlated with RT at T1, T2 and T3 following the 100 km journey and at T2 following the 300 km journey and positively correlated with serum cortisol concentration at T1, T2 and T3 following the 100 km journey and at T2 and T3 following the 300 km journey. Eye temperature monitoring with IRT allows quick and practical strategies to monitor an animal's physiological state and welfare during daily activities.

Could the Anatomic Variants of the Superior Thalamic Vein (STV) Be Considered a Possible Landmark for Target Identification in Magnetic-Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasound Procedures? A Pilot Study Using Susceptibility Weighted Imaging Sequences.

During magnetic-resonance-guided focused ultrasound ablation of the ventral intermediate thalamic nucleus (VIM) for essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD), targeting is generally performed using a standard atlas-based stereotactic approach. The purpose of our work is to evaluate the anatomic variations in the venous vasculature of the thalamus in patients treated with MRgFUS, as a possible landmark for targeting. We retrospectively evaluated the relationship between the obtained thalamotomy lesion and the ipsilateral superior thalamic vein (STV). A total of 36 patients (25 ET and 11 PD) who underwent MRgFUS treatment were evaluated, and the STV was studied with susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) sequences. Based on the axial SWI images, the distance between the STV and the center of the lesion at the presumed site of the VIM was measured in follow-up MRI images one month after treatment. Statistical analysis shows that there is a correlation between the STV and the presumed site of the VIM. The STV visible in SWI could be used as an additional, real-time, and patient-specific anatomical landmark for VIM identification during MR examination and just before and during FUS treatment.

Sulforaphane Effects on Neuronal-like Cells and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Exposed to 2.45 GHz Electromagnetic Radiation.

Exposure to 2.45 GHz electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted from commonly used devices has been reported to induce oxidative stress in several experimental models. Our study aims to evaluate the efficacy of sulforaphane, a well-known natural product, in preventing radiation-induced toxic effects caused by a 24 h exposure of SH-SY5Y neuronal-like cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to 2.45 GHz EMR. Cells were exposed to radiation for 24 h in the presence or absence of sulforaphane at different concentrations (5-10-25 µg/mL). Cell viability, mitochondrial activity alterations, the transcription and protein levels of redox markers, and apoptosis-related genes were investigated. Our data showed a reduction in cell viability of both neuronal-like cells and PBMCs caused by EMR exposure and a protective effect of 5 µg/mL sulforaphane. The lowest sulforaphane concentration decreased ROS production and increased the Mitochondrial Transmembrane Potential (Δψm) and the NAD+/NADH ratio, which were altered by radiation exposure. Sulforaphane at higher concentrations displayed harmful effects. The hormetic behavior of sulforaphane was also evident after evaluating the expression of genes coding for Nrf2, SOD2, and changes in apoptosis markers. Our study underlined the vulnerability of neuronal-like cells to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress and the possibility of mitigating these effects by supplementation with sulforaphane. To our knowledge, there are no previous studies about the effects of SFN on these cells when exposed to 2.45 GHz electromagnetic radiation.

Using infrared thermography for the evaluation of road transport thermal homeostasis in athletic horse.

This study aimed to evaluate changes in body temperature in athletic horses during two different road transport distances. Six Italian Saddle horses were subjected to a 100 and 300 km transport during different times of day (am and pm). Rectal and cutaneous temperatures were recorded before (T0), immediately (following 5 min- T1) and 1 hour (T2) after transport by means of a rectal digital thermometer and a thermal infrared camera (FLIR T440) respectively, for the evaluation of left and right side of four body regions: jugular, shoulder, croup and inner thigh. There were no differences between left and right sides, inner thigh or rectal temperatures when comparing the transport distance, time points or time of day. At T0, jugular (P < 0.0001), shoulder (P < 0.01) and croup (P < 0.01) average temperatures were higher in the pm compared to those in the am in both journeys. At T1, jugular (P < 0.01) and croup (P < 0.01) temperatures were lower in the pm compared to am following the 300 km journey. Jugular temperature (P < 0.0001) was higher following the 300 km compared to the 100 km journey at each time point (T1 and T2) at both times of day (am and pm). Shoulder (P < 0.0001) and croup temperatures (P < 0.0001) were higher at T2 after the 300 km journey than at T2 after the 100 km journey). The current results suggested a difference between the two distances and the time of day appeared to have as great effect on ocular temperature as road transport distance.

Raman Spectroscopy and Cystic Fibrosis Disease: An Alternative Potential Tool for Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) Modulator Response Differentiation-A Pilot Study Based on Serum Samples.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that alters chloride transport in mucous membranes. Recent studies have demonstrated that treatment with modulators of the chloride channel reduces inflammatory markers, restoring, among others, the imbalance of lipids. In this study, we analyzed the serum samples of treated and non-treated patients with modulators with Raman spectroscopy. Nineteen (eight treated an eleven non-treated) patients were considered. The main difference between the two groups appeared in the 3020-2800 cm-1 range. A Voigt deconvolution fit was performed, and nine sub-bands were identified. To distinguish between treated and non-treated patients, the area ratio between the CH3 and CH2 vibration modes was calculated for each patient. The results were validated using statistical analyses. In particular, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Youden index (Y) were calculated (Area Under Curve (AUC): 0.977; Y: 3.30). An ROC curve represents the performance of the classification, illustrating the diagnostic ability of Raman spectroscopy. It was demonstrated that Raman spectroscopy is able to highlight peculiar differences between elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI)-treated and non-treated patients, in relation with lipids biomarkers.

Changes in cerebral cortex activity during a simple motor task after MRgFUS treatment in patients affected by essential tremor and Parkinson's disease: a pilot study using functional NIRS.

Objective.Magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) is a non-invasive thermal ablation method that involves high-intensity focused ultrasound surgery (FUS) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging for anatomical imaging and real-time thermal mapping. This technique is widely employed for the treatment of patients affected by essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD). In the current study, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to highlight hemodynamics changes in cerebral cortex activity, during a simple hand motor task, i.e. unimanual left and right finger-tapping, in ET and PD patients.Approach.All patients were evaluated before, one week and one month after MRgFUS treatment.Main results.fNIRS revealed cerebral hemodynamic changes one week and one month after MRgFUS treatment, especially in the ET group, that showed a significant clinical improvement in tremor clinical scores.Significance.To our knowledge, our study is the first that showed the use of fNIRS system to measure the cortical activity changes following unilateral ventral intermediate nucleus thalamotomy after MRgFUS treatment. Our findings showed that therapeutic MRgFUS promoted the remodeling of neuronal networks and changes in cortical activity in association with symptomatic improvements.

The Exposure to 2.45 GHz Electromagnetic Radiation Induced Different Cell Responses in Neuron-like Cells and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells.

Electromagnetic radiation emitted by commonly used devices became an issue for public health because of their harmful effects. Notably, 2.45 GHz electromagnetic radiation exposure has been associated with DNA damage and alterations in the central nervous system. We here investigated the effects of 2.45 GHz electromagnetic radiation on cell redox status by using human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, which were differentiated to neuronal-like cells, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), which were exposed to an antenna emitting 2.45 GHz electromagnetic radiation for 2, 24, and 48 h. We evaluated cell viability and mitochondrial activity alterations by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm), NAD+/NADH ratio, mitochondrial transcription factor A (mtTFA), and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene transcript levels. We also investigated apoptosis and autophagy, evaluating B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2), BCL2-associated X protein (BAX), and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3) gene transcript levels. Cell viability was significantly reduced after 24-48 h of exposure to radiation. ROS levels significantly increased in radiation-exposed cells, compared with controls at all exposure times. ΔΨm values decreased after 2 and 24 h in exposed SH-SY5Y cells, while in PBMCs, values decreased soon after 2 h of exposure. Alterations were also found in the NAD+/NADH ratio, mtTFA, SOD1, LC3 gene expression, and BAX/BCL2 ratio. Our results showed that neuron-like cells are more prone to developing oxidative stress than PBMCs after 2.45 GHz electromagnetic radiation exposure, activating an early antioxidant defense response.

Central and Peripheral Fatigue Evaluation during Physical Exercise in Athletic Horses by Means of Raman Spectroscopy.

The evaluation of the performance levels in athletic horses is of major importance to prevent sports injuries. Raman spectroscopy is an innovative technique that allows for a rapid evaluation of biomolecules in biological fluids. It also permits qualitative and quantitative sample analyses, which lead to the simultaneous determination of the components of the examined biological fluids. On the basis of this, the Raman spectroscopy technique was applied on serum samples collected from five Italian Saddle horses subjected to a standardized obstacle course preceded by a warm-up to evaluate the applicability of this technique for the assessment of central and peripheral fatigue in athletic horses. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture in a vacutainer tube with a clot activator before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 30 min and 1 h after the end of the obstacle course. Observing the obtained Raman spectra, the major changes due to the experimental conditions appeared in the (1300-1360) cm-1 and (1385-1520) cm-1 bands. In the (1300-1360) cm-1 band, lipids and tryptophan were identified; in the (1385-1520) cm-1 band, leucine, glycine, isoleucine, lactic acid, tripeptide, adenosine, and beta carotene were identified. A significant effect of exercise was recorded on all the sub-bands. In particular, a change immediately after exercise versus before exercise was found. Moreover, the mean lactic concentration was positively correlated with the Raman area of the sub-band assigned to lactic acid. In this context, the application of Raman spectroscopy on blood serum samples represents a useful technique for secondary-structure protein identification to investigate the metabolic changes that occur in athletic horses during physical exercise.

Comparison of clinical efficacy of three different dentin matrix biomaterials obtained from different devices.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to propose the clinical efficacy of the different dentin matrix obtained from three devices (BonMaker, Tooth Transformer, and Smart Dentin Grinder) and to show their morphological, physical, and biochemical characteristics using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The study included 70 patients who underwent bone augmentation using the BonMaker, Tooth Transformer, and Smart Dentin Grinder devices. In addition, 84 implants were placed. Furthermore, four samples, one for each device and one non-demineralized control, were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. RESULTS: In all patients, augmentation of bone defects with ground dentin matrix was successful, and implants showed correct osseointegration. The morphological organization, the chemical composition, and the presence of organic molecules in the dentin samples processed by the three different devices were demonstrated using SEM, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing BonMaker, Tooth Transformer, and Smart Dentin Grinder devices in our practice, we concluded that these systems, even with different structural and chemical differences of the dentin granules, have a comparable potential for obtaining regenerative material from the patient's own teeth.

Applicability of the auricular temperature for the assessment of body temperature in healthy large and small domestic species, in a normal metabolic state and in controlled environmental conditions.

In clinical practice, an important aspect of animal health status evaluation is the body temperature recording obtained using different methods. Within them, the non-contact and non-invasive infrared thermometer can provide an accurate estimation of body temperature improving the quality of care and medical decision. To evaluate the use of the monitoring of auricular temperature to improve the quality of care and medical decision. To evaluate the use of the monitoring of auricular temperature as indices of body temperature, as well as rectal temperature in eleven clinically healthy mixed bred cats, eleven Rottweiler dogs, and eleven Italian saddle horses temperature values were obtained by means of an infrared thermometer in the left and right ears and by means of a digital thermometer in the rectum. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated a statistically higher rectal temperature value than the temperature recorded in the left and right ears (P<0.001). In all species, no differences between the right and left ear were recorded (p>0.05). Cats and dogs showed a statistically higher auricular (p<0.001) and rectal (p<0.01) temperature compared to horses. No differences were observed between cats and dogs (p>0.05). Auricular and rectal temperature agreement was shown by the Bland-Altman test. Between the two methods, the average difference was 1.6 °C for cats, 1.4 °C for dogs, and 3.3 °C for horses. In dogs, rectal and auricular temperature showed a positive correlation (r2=0.78). In conclusion, only in healthy dogs maintained in controlled conditions the monitoring of auricular temperature reflects the clinical practice gold standard of core body temperature measurement represented by rectal temperature. The lower value of about 1.5 °C must be taken into consideration when this technique is used.

Occupational Exposure Assessment of the Static Magnetic Field Generated by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A Case Study.

Magnetic resonance (MR) systems are used in academic research laboratories and industrial research fields, besides representing one of the most important imaging modalities in clinical radiology. This technology does not use ionizing radiation, but it cannot be considered without risks. These risks are associated with the working principle of the technique, which mainly involves static magnetic fields that continuously increase-namely, the radiofrequency (RF) field and spatial magnetic field gradient. To prevent electromagnetic hazards, the EU and ICNIRP have defined workers' exposure limits. Several studies that assess health risks for workers and patients of diagnostic MR are reported in the literature, but data on workers' risk evaluation using nuclear MR (NMR) spectroscopy are very poor. Therefore, the aim of this research is the risk assessment of an NMR environment, paying particular attention to workers with active implantable medical devices (AIMDs). Our perspective study consisted of the measurement of the static magnetic field around a 300 MHz (7 T) NMR research spectrometer and the computation of the electric field induced by the movements of an operator. None of the calculated exposure parameters exceeded the threshold limits imposed by legislation for protection against short-term effects of acute occupational exposure, but our results revealed that the level of exposure exceeded the action level threshold limit for workers with AIMD during the execution of tasks requiring the closest proximity to the spectrometer. Moreover, the strong dependence of the induced electric field results from the walking speed models is shown. This case study represents a snapshot of the NMR risk assessment with the specific goal to increase the interest in the safety of NMR environments.

Short Communication: Use of Infrared Thermometers for Cutaneous Temperature Recording: Agreement with the Rectal Temperature in Felis catus.

In veterinary medicine, the gold standard for assessing body temperature is rectal temperature assessment. Considering that this procedure is stressful for many species, in particular for cats, it could be clinically important to consider an alternative approach for the monitoring of core body temperature. The aim of this study was to test if cutaneous temperature measurements by means of different infrared thermometers are in agreement with the most commonly used method for body temperature measurement in cats. The cutaneous temperature was recorded in the jugular, shoulder, rib, flank, and inner thigh, using three different non-contact infrared thermometers (IR1, IR2, and IR3) in 20 cats. The cutaneous temperature was then compared to the rectal temperature, recorded by means of a digital thermometer. The obtained data indicated that the cutaneous temperature recorded by the infrared thermometers was not in agreement with the data recorded by the digital thermometer in the rectum. In cats, the use of non-contact infrared thermometers gave no reproducible or constant data to justify their application for the recording of body temperature instead of rectal temperature recording. In addition, the infrared temperature measurement devices generated results that were not in good agreement among themselves, providing a novel result of clinical importance.

Eye surface infrared thermography usefulness as a noninvasive method of measuring stress response in sheep during shearing: Correlations with serum cortisol and rectal temperature values.

During shearing, animals' welfare is adversely affected and acute stress occurs. Once animal perceives a threat, it develops behavioral, autonomic, endocrine or immune responses to maintain homeostasis. This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of eye temperature assessment by infrared thermography (IRT) to evaluate acute stress response in sheep undergoing a shearing procedure. From each animal, blood sampling, rectal and eye temperature assessment were performed before shearing (TPRE), 5 (TPOST5) and 60 (TPOST60) minutes after the end of shearing procedure. On blood samples the serum cortisol concentrations were evaluated. Rectal temperature (TRECTAL) was measured using a digital thermometer. Thermographic acquisitions of eye temperature were performed from the eye total area (TEYE) and from three regions of interest (lateral canthus, TROI-1; central cornea, TROI-2; medial canthus, TROI-3). One-way analysis of variance showed a significant increase of serum cortisol concentration, TRECTAL, TEYE and TROI-3 (p < 0.001). Serum cortisol was positively correlated with TRECTAL and TROI-3 at TPOST5 and TPOST60. TRECTAL resulted positively correlated with TROI-3 at TPRE, TPOST5 and TPOST60. Agreement between TRECTAL and each eye temperature considered (TEYE, TROI-1, TROI-2, TROI-3) has been shown by Bland-Altman plots at each time point of monitoring period. The findings obtained in the current survey suggest that the medial canthus is the most suitable region for eye temperature measurement to asses stress response in animals. Moreover, this study highlighted the usefulness of IRT as an immediate and non-invasive physiological measure to assess stress response in sheep.

Raman Spectroscopic Study of Amyloid Deposits in Gelatinous Drop-like Corneal Dystrophy.

The genetic and histopathological features of the cornea of a Polish patient with Gelatinous Drop-like Corneal Dystrophy (GDCD) and the molecular composition with Raman spectroscopy of corneal deposits were examined. A 62 year-old Polish woman was diagnosed with GDCD and underwent penetrating corneal transplant. A blood sample was collected, and genetic analysis was performed. The cornea was processed for light microscopy and Raman analysis. The genetic exam revealed a previously undescribed homozygous 1-base pair deletion in exon 1 of TACSTD2 gene (c.185delT), resulting in a frame shift causing a premature stop codon. When compared with a control cornea, in GDCD cornea stained with PAS evident deposits were present over the anterior stroma, with apple green birefringence under polarized light. Raman spectroscopy showed peculiar differences between normal and GDCD cornea, consisting in peaks either of different height or undetectable in the normal cornea and related to amyloid. The possible causative role of the novel mutation was discussed and Raman spectroscopy as a further morphological tool in the evaluation of corneal dystrophies, characterized by the deposition of abnormal materials, was suggested.

Quantifying Serum Total Lipids and Tryptophan Concentrations by Raman Spectroscopy During Standardized Obstacle Course in Horses.

Raman spectroscopy is an inelastic light-scattering phenomenon that provides vibrational spectrum that contains information relative to chemical bonds and symmetry of a specific molecule, allowing the quali-quantitative simultaneous determination of several components in the biological fluids. Raman spectroscopy measurement returns a spectrum over a wavenumber range constituted by several bands representing biomarkers according to investigated biological matrices. In literature, it has been reported that at the frequencies inside the (1,300-1,360) cm-1 total lipids, and tryptophan have been identified. On the basis of that, the aim of the present study was to compare the serum concentration of total lipids and tryptophan in horses subjected to a standardized obstacle course, in comparison with the data obtained in the (1,300-1,360) cm-1 band. At this purpose, five clinically healthy and regularly trained Italian Saddle horses aged between 8, and 10 years old performed with the same rider an obstacle course of 350 m/min with twelve 1.30 m high jumps preceded by warm-up. Blood samples were collected by means of jugular venipuncture into a vacutainer tubes with clot activator at rest, after the exercise, and 30 minutes after the end of exercise. A high correlation was observed between the area of total lipids and tryptophan in the (1,300-1,360) cm-1 band and their serum concentrations in all experimental conditions. Our preliminary results give a hint to study the exact correspondence between the area that identify these parameters in Raman spectrum and their serum concentration in athletic horses.

Raman Spectroscopy Technique: A Non-Invasive Tool in Celiac Disease Diagnosis.

Celiac disease (CD) is diagnosed by a combination of specific serology and typical duodenal lesions. The histological confirmation of CD, mandatory in the majority of patients with suspected CD, is based on invasive and poorly tolerated procedures, such as upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. In this study we propose an alternative and non-invasive methodology able to confirm the diagnosis of CD based on the analysis of serum samples using the Raman spectroscopy technique. Three different bands centered at 1650, 1450 and 1003 cm-1 have been considered and the A1450/A1003 and A1650/A1003 ratios have been computed to discriminate between CD and non-CD subjects. The reliability of the methodology was validated by statistical analysis using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The Youden index was also determined to obtain optimal cut-off points. The obtained results highlighted that the proposed methodology was able to distinguish between CD and non-CD subjects with 98% accuracy. The optimal cut-off points revealed, for both the A1450/A1003 and A1650/A1003 ratios, high values of sensitivity and specificity (>95.0% and >92.0% respectively), confirming that Raman spectroscopy may be considered a valid alternative to duodenal biopsy and demonstrates spectral changes in the secondary structures of the protein network.

Experimental and Modeling Analyses of Human Motion Across the Static Magnetic Field of an MRI Scanner.

It is established that human movements in the vicinity of a permanent static magnetic field, such as those in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners induce electric fields in the human body; this raises potential severe risks of health to radiographers and cleaners exposed routinely to these fields in MRI rooms. The relevant directives and parameters, however, are based on theoretical models, and accurate studies on the simulation of the effects based on human movement data obtained in real conditions are still lacking. Two radiographers and one cleaner, familiar with MRI room activities and these directives, were gait analyzed during the execution of routine job motor tasks at different velocities. Full body motion was recorded in a gait laboratory arranged to reproduce the workspace of a room with an MRI full-body scanner. Body segments were tracked with clusters of at least three markers, from which position and velocity of the centroids were calculated. These were used as input in an established computer physical model able to map the stray field in an MRI room. The spatial peak values of the calculated electric field induced by motion of the head and of the entire body during these tasks, for both the health and sensory effects, were found smaller than the thresholds recommended by the European directives, for both 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI. These tasks therefore seem to guarantee the safety of MRI room operators according to current professional good practice for exposure risks. Physical modeling and experimental measures of human motion can also support occupational medicine.

The cold eye irrigation BSS solution used during phacoemulsification reduces post-surgery patients discomfort preventing the inflammation.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess whether the intraoperative use of the cold eye irrigation balanced salt solution (BSS) could have a protective effect in preventing the anterior chamber flare and conjunctival hyperemia and, thus, in reducing patients discomfort after phacoemulsification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: About 214 patients were enrolled and randomly divided into: patients whose eye were irrigated with BSS at ~ 20°C (Group 1) and patients whose eye were irrigated with BSS at 2.7°C (Group 2). Anterior chamber flare, visual analogue score and conjunctival hyperemia were evaluated at 1, 3, 5, and 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: In patients of Group 2 the anterior chamber flare, the visual analogue score and the conjunctival hyperemia, used as parameters to evaluated clinical inflammation, at 1 day after surgery were significantly lower than those in Group 1 who received BSS solution at operating room temperature (p < 0.001), while at day 3, 5, and 30 there were not any significant differences. CONCLUSION: Our study provided evidence supporting the efficacy of the treatment with cold irrigation solution on reduction of anterior chamber flare, pain and conjunctival hyperemia already at 1 day after phacoemulsification, suggesting that cooling procedure was fully effective at controlling early post-operative inflammation.

A Novel Phantom and a Dedicated Developed Software for Image Quality Controls in X-Ray Intraoral Devices.

BACKGROUND: Periodic quality control (QC) procedures are important in order to guarantee the image quality of radiological equipment and are also conducted using phantoms simulating human body. OBJECTIVE: To perform (QC) measurements in intraoral imaging devices, a new and simple phantom was manufactured. Besides, to simplify QC procedures, computerized LabView-based software has been devised, enabling determination of image quantitative parameters in real time or during post processing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this experimental study, the novel developed phantom consists of a Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) circular insert. It is able to perform a complete QC image program of X-ray intraoral equipment and also causes the evaluation of image uniformity, high and low contrast spatial resolution, image linearity and artefacts, with only two exposures. RESULTS: Three raters analyzed the images using the LabView dedicated software and determined the quantitative and qualitative parameters in an innovative and accurate way. Statistical analysis evaluated the reliability of this study. Good accuracy of the quantitative and qualitative measurements for the different intraoral systems was obtained and no statistical differences were found using the inter-rater analysis. CONCLUSION: The achieved results and the related statistical analysis showed the validity of this methodology, which could be proposed as an alternative to the commonly adopted procedures, and suggested that the novel phantom, coupled with the LabView based software, could be considered as an effective tool to carry out a QC image program in a reproducible manner.

Rutin-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation.

This study was aimed at preparing and characterizing solid lipid nanoparticles loading rutin (RT-SLNs) for the treatment of oxidative stress-induced diseases. Phospholipon 80H® as a solid lipid and Polysorbate 80 as surfactant were used for the SLNs preparation, using the solvent emulsification/diffusion method. We obtained spherical RT-SLNs with low sizes, ranging from 40 to 60 nm (hydrodynamic radius) for the SLNs prepared starting from 2% and 5% (w/w) theoretical amount. All prepared formulations showed negative zeta-potential values. RT was efficiently encapsulated within SLNs, obtaining high encapsulation efficiency and drug content percentages, particularly for SLNs prepared with a 5% theoretical amount of RT. In vitro release profiles and analysis of the obtained data applying different kinetic models revealed Fickian diffusion as the main mechanism of RT release from the SLNs. The morphology of RT-SLNs was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), whereas the interactions between RT and the lipid matrix were investigated by Raman spectroscopy, evidencing spectral modifications of characteristic bands of RT due to the establishment of new interactions. Finally, antioxidant activity assay on human glioblastoma astrocytoma (U373) culture cells showed a dose-dependent activity for RT-SLNs, particularly at the highest assayed dose (50 µM), whereas the free drug showed the lesser activity.