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Biomedical subjects

S Lombardo

Publications and source records attributed to S Lombardo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Adhesive restorations: comparative evaluation between the adhesion of the glass-ceramics to the composite cement and the adhesion of the ceromer to the composite cement.

AIM: The aim of this work is to compare the adhesion of the glass-ceramic (empress II) to the composite cement and the adhesion of the ceromer to the composite cement. METHODS: From each of the above materials, 10 little blocks, of 8 x 6 x 2 mm size, have been prepared. All the surface treatments suggested by the manufacturing industry have been performed: sandblasting and acid-etching of the ceramic, ceromer surface roughening with diamond bur and silanization and bonding application on both materials. A homogeneous layer of cement has been placed between couples of blocks of the same material and photopolymerised. Every sample, consisting of 2 bonded blocks, has been submitted to a traction force on a universal test machine connected with a computerized measure system (SINTEC D/10). Samples have been anchored to the machine binding devices by a bicomponent epoxy glue. Data on the breaking charge have been recorded and an analysis of the broken surfaces has been performed in order to classify the breaking modalities. RESULTS: The results ontained showed that the composite-glass-ceramic adhesion force (mean value 64 Mpa) was remarkably higher than the composite-ceromer adhesion (mean value 37.21 Mpa). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the broken surfaces by SEM showed that a mixed fracture occurred in all samples (both partly adhesive and cohesive).

Ceramics↗
PubMed2002

[In vitro evaluation of chromatic stability in new-generation composites].

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet light exposure produces chromatic changes in composites used for esthetic restoration. The aim of the study was to compare the chromatic changes induced by accelerated aging in two composites of new generation: Tetric Ceram and Diamond Crown. METHODS: Five samples were prepared for each composite, each divided into two pieces, one exposed to accelerated aging obtained by ultraviolet-light exposure for 24 hours, and one maintained in dark. Thereafter, the samples were lighted by a light beam and the percentage of reflected light was assessed. The distribution of the levels of red, green and blue was assessed using a camera connected to a PC with a software for image processing. RESULTS: For both the composites, the values of the three colors were significantly lower in the samples artificially aged (p<0.0001). The values concerning to the Tetric Ceram were significantly lower than those of Diamond Crown (p<0.0001). The latter showed aging-induced variation significantly smaller than the former. CONCLUSIONS: Both the composites showed significant chromatic variations after 24 hours artificial aging. Diamond Crown showed significantly better stability.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed2001

Oral nitric oxide during plaque deposition.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the most powerful antibacterial compounds. We investigated if NO oral production increases during dental plaque deposition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oral NO and salivary nitrite were measured in 31 healthy subjects - 11 smokers and 20 nonsmokers - with natural healthy teeth, in the morning after tooth cleaning (baseline), after withdrawal of oral hygiene for 24 h and again after tooth cleaning. RESULTS: NO and nitrite were significantly higher during plaque deposition than with clean teeth: mean NO values +/- SEM were 44.3 +/- 4.9 parts per billion (ppb) at baseline, 58.8 +/- 3.7 ppb with plaque and 43.6 +/- 3.7 ppb after tooth cleaning, P < 0.05; nitrite values were 32.9 +/- 5.5 microm at baseline, 66.4 +/- 8.2 with plaque and 37.5 +/- 5.5 after tooth cleaning, P < 0.01. During plaque deposition, oral NO was significantly directly related to salivary nitrite (r = 0.497, P = 0.002) and so were their respective changes after tooth cleaning (r = 0.577, P < 0.001). Smokers had significantly lower oral NO than nonsmokers, with both clean and dirty teeth (P < 0.001), and higher bacteria counts in the plaque (38.6 +/- 11.5 vs. 19.9 +/- 2.3, P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Oral NO production increases during de novo deposition of dental plaque. NO might be an early host defence mechanism against bacterial proliferation in the plaque. Such a mechanism is inhibited by cigarette smoking.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Analysis of patient flows via data mining.

The paper presents DoMiner, a data mining tool for the analysis of patient flows among public hospitals and care units. DoMiner is based on the theory of rough sets, and allows for the extraction of association rules from data base tables. The paper describes both the clustering and rule extraction algorithm of DoMiner, and illustrates an introductory analysis example.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2000

Transurethral microwave thermotherapy of the prostate without intravenous sedation: results of a single United States center using both low- and high-energy protocols. TJUH TUMT Study Group.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have indicated that high-energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) requires intravenous (IV) sedation and/or narcotics for patient tolerance. This study was performed to determine tolerability, patient acceptance, and efficacy of TUMT using both low- and high-energy protocols in a single United States university setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 11, 1997 and October 28, 1999, 210 men (mean age 64.9 +/- 9.1 years) presenting with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) received treatment with a Prostatron TUMT using either the low-energy Prostasoft 2.O or high-energy Prostasoft 2.5 software. Each patient had digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen level consistent with BPH, American Urological Association symptom score > or = 15, and Qmax <15 mL/s. Each patient received TUMT with only ibuprofen 400 mg by mouth (PO), lorazepam 1.0 mg PO, and ketorolac 30 mg intramuscularly (IM) prior to TUMT. A few patients who were concerned about limited pain threshold received oxycodone 5 mg/acetaminophen 325 mg PO. Of 210 patients treated, 12-month efficacy data were available for analysis in 80 patients. RESULTS: Forty-eight men (mean age 65 +/- 9.2 years) received low-energy 2.0 software TUMT, and 32 men (mean age 65.1 +/- 9.2 years) were treated with high-energy 2.5 software. Mean prostatic volume was 44.3 +/- 23.9 mL and 60.7 +/- 26.4 mL for the 2.0 and 2.5 groups, respectively. Mean energy delivered was 108.8 +/- 50.4 kJ and 173.1 +/- 41.1 kJ for the 2.0 and 2.5 treatment groups, respectively. International Prostate Symptom Score decreased from 23 pre-TUMT to 8 post-TUMT and 21 pre-TUMT to 10 post-TUMT at 12 months in the 2.0 and 2.5 groups, respectively. Mean peak flow rate improved 31.9% from 9.1 mL/s pre-TUMT to 12.0 mL/s post-TUMT and 45.8% from 9.6 mL/s pre-TUMT to 14.0 mL/s post-TUMT at 12 months in the 2.0 and 2.5 groups, respectively. All but two patients tolerated treatment without IV sedation. One patient experienced intolerable rectal spasm, and treatment was terminated in another patient because of poorly controlled hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Patients can be treated safely with TUMT using either low or high energy, with almost universal patient tolerance and without the need for IV sedation or narcotics, if they premedicated effectively using a PO/IM regimen. Patients experience significant relief of symptoms whether low- or high-energy TUMT is used; however, high-energy TUMT improves flow rate to a greater extent than does low-energy therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Correlation between edentulism, sleep disorders and arterial hypertension. Preliminary research].

BACKGROUND: Respiratory disturbances during sleep are considered risk factors for arterial hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Edentulism, by decreasing retro-pharyngeal space, may favor upper airway occlusion during sleep. Aim of the study is to evaluate whether edentulism is associated with greater prevalence of sleep disturbances, arterial hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. METHODS: Eighty edentulous subjects with dentures (removed during sleep) and 57 subjects with natural teeth, matched for age, underwent assessment of oral conditions and recording of questionnaires on diseases and respiratory sleep disturbances. RESULTS: Edentulous subjects had a significantly higher prevalence of arterial hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, than subjects with natural teeth. CONCLUSIONS: In edentulous subjects, removing dentures during sleep may favor respiratory disorders, and increase the risk for hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[The influence of edentulism on spirometric values].

BACKGROUND: Aim of the paper is to study whether edentulism, by causing a decrease in size and tone of pharyngeal musculature, may affect spirometric measurements. METHODS: Spirometry was recorded with and without dentures in 58 edentulous subjects, 36 asymptomatic normal subjects (N) and 22 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In 10 subjects retropharyngeal space with and without dentures was assessed by cephalometry. RESULTS: In the N group, removing dentures produced a significant decrease in lung volumes and airflow rates, while in COPD patients it was ineffective. In both groups, retropharyngeal space was significantly decreased by removing dentures. CONCLUSIONS: Edentulism, by decreasing extrathoracic airway caliber, influences significantly spirometric measurements in normal subjects but not in those with COPD.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Radiographic magnification in the diagnosis of traumatic lesions of the hyoid-larynx complex.

This paper proposes the use of radiographic magnification to detect the effects of neck traumas. This technique, both fast and economical, has proved to be particularly useful in all those cases where post mortem examinations failed to detect valid evidence of lesions of the hyoid-larynx complex. This is the case with corpses in an advanced stage of putrefaction where death occurred as a result of pressure or when a soft object is placed between the victim's neck and the assailant's hands. The radiological study was performed "on site" on four cases of medicolegal interest and its potential was confirmed.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Sexual abuse history of women treated in a psychiatric outpatient clinic.

The prevalence of sexual abuse and its association with specific axis I diagnoses among 38 women patients in a psychiatric outpatient clinic were examined. Sexual abuse history was recorded in a face-to-face interview, severity of the abuse was rated on a 3-point scale, and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R and a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scale were administered. Twenty-seven of the 38 patients (71 percent) had experienced sexual abuse. Anxiety disorders and affective disorders were the most frequent axis I disorders among the sexually abused patients. No significant relationship was found between abuse and severity of PTSD scores.

Adolescent↗