Biomedical subjects

S Semeraro

Publications and source records attributed to S Semeraro.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Bonding characteristics of newly developed all-in-one adhesives.

This study evaluated the microtensile bond strength and the interfacial morphology of newer adhesives. The occlusal surfaces of extracted teeth were ground flat for random allocation to four equal groups. Resin composite was bonded to each surface using either Clearfil SE Bond [SEB], Clearfil Protect Bond [PB], G-Bond [GB], or an experimental adhesive, SSB-200 [SSB]. After storage for 24 h in water at 37 degrees C, they were sectioned into beams (cross-sectional area 1 mm(2)) for microtensile bond strength testing (muTBS) at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The load at failure of each was recorded; the data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Games Howell tests. The surfaces of the fractured specimens were observed using SEM. For the ultra-morphology of the interface, the occlusal surfaces of four more teeth were prepared as before and a thin layer of flowable resin composite was bonded to each surface using one of the four adhesives. The mean muTBS ranged from 39.68 MPa (GB) to 64.97 MPa (SEB). There were no statistical differences between SEB and SSB, or between PB and GB (p > 0.05). The muTBS of SEB and SSB were significantly greater than that of PB and GB (p < 0.05). SEMs of the fractured surfaces revealed a mixed (cohesive/interfacial) failure. TEM examination highlighted differences in the hybrid layer; SEB had a thicker layer than the others. In conclusion, the newer all-in-one adhesives produced a thin hybrid layer but varied in their bond strengths. The 2-step self-etching adhesives do not necessarily produce higher bond strengths than that of the all-in-one systems.

Composite Resins↗

PubMed2005

Adhesion molecules in inflammatory bowel disease: therapeutic implications for gut inflammation.

Mucosal endothelium has become one of the major areas of investigation in gut inflammation. It is now well recognised that it plays an active role in the pathogenesis of both forms of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, since endothelial cells regulate mucosal immune homeostasis, acting as "gatekeepers", controlling leukocyte accumulation in the interstitial compartment. This process is mediated by leukocyte-endothelial adhesion molecules. This paper reviews the major molecules that mediate leukocyte-endothelial interactions, and summarises the results of the most recent clinical trials targeting adhesion molecules in inflammatory bowel disease.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Effectiveness of geriatric evaluation and care. One-year results of a multicenter randomized clinical trial.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of outpatient elderly care based on Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). Eleven hospital Geriatric Evaluation and Management units (GEMs) systematically screened 1386 inpatients over a 10-month period, using the same uniform selection plan which included 15 programmed exclusion-inclusion criteria and a standard CGA. At the end of this screening, 152 eligible frail elderly patients were randomized to either a comprehensive outpatient GEMs program (intervention group: N=79) or to usual care by their family doctors (control group: N=73). We did not find any statistically significant difference between the two groups at entry. During the one-year follow-up period, 6 GEMs patients (7.6%) and 12 controls (17.1%) died, without significant differences between the two survival curves. Only three patients (all controls) ultimately dropped out, and eight (3 unit patients and 5 controls) entered a nursing home. GEMs patients were significantly more likely to have individual improvement in mental status (p=0.006), morale (p=0.024) and functional level (p=0.023), compared to controls. Even though intervention participants spent fewer days in hospital and nursing home (p<0.05), they received much more home care and day-hospital assistance (p<0.001), which explains why total expenditure on health care was the same in the two groups. We conclude that: 1) a standardized selection plan may contribute to identify the older inpatients in need of CGA; and 2) CGA-based outpatient care may be clinical- and cost-effective if directly managed by GEMs, and may provide targeted older patients with more substantial benefits than standard care, without inflating health care expenses.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Efficacy, tolerability and influence on "quality of life" of nifedipine GITS versus amlodipine in elderly patients with mild-moderate hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this study was to compare efficacy, tolerability and influence on quality of life (QOL) of nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system (NI) 30-60 mg once a day vs amlodipine (AM) 5-10 mg once a day in elderly patients with mild-moderate hypertension. DESIGN: This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter study. After a 2-week single-blind placebo run-in, patients were randomized to either NI 30 mg or AM 5 mg. Responders continued on the same dosage for 16 additional weeks, while non-responders were titrated to 60 mg NI or 10 mg AM. METHODS: Blood pressure was measured by mercury sphygmomanometer and efficacy equivalence of NI and AM tested by covariance analysis. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was the primary efficacy parameter, its baseline value being taken as covariate while centers effect and treatment interaction were included as fixed effects in the analysis model. The secondary efficacy variables systolic blood pressure (SBP) and scores for QOL were analyzed according to the same model. RESULTS: At the end of the study, overall mean DBPs, calculated as least-square means (LSMEANS), in the "by protocol" population were 87.5 mmHg for NI and 86.7 for AM (difference 0.8 mmHg with 90% CI -1.2 to 2.8 mmHg). In the "by intention to treat" (ITT) population LSMEANS were 87.6 mmHg for NI and 86.4 mmHg for AM (difference 1.2 mmHg with 90% CI -0.6 to 3.1 mmHg). SBP LSMEANS in the "by protocol" population were 147.7 mmHg for NI and 147.3 mmHg for AM (difference 0.3 mmHg, with 90% CI -3.7 to 4.3); corresponding values in the "by ITT" population were 148.0 mmHg for NI and 147.2 for AM (difference 0.8 mmHg, with 90% CI -2.8 to 4.6). Mean values for QOL parameters were not significantly different. A total of 173 episodes of adverse events were documented in 54 patients (26 NI and 28 AM), dropouts were 15 (20% of group) on NI and 21 (28%) on AM. CONCLUSIONS: NI 30-60 mg was shown to be as efficacious and safe as AM 5-10 mg in elderly patients with mild-moderate hypertension. QOL improved compared to baseline with no significant difference between the two drugs, thus confirming a positive class effect for calcium antagonists.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Inhibitor sensitivity of respiratory complex I in human platelets: a possible biomarker of ageing.

NADH-Coenzyme Q reductase was assayed in platelet mitochondrial membranes obtained from 19 pools of two venous blood samples from female young (19-30 years) individuals and 18 pools from aged ones (66-107 years). The enzyme activities were not significantly changed in the two groups, but a decrease of sensitivity to the specific inhibitor, rotenone, occurred in a substantial number of aged individuals. The results are in agreement with the predictions of the mitochondrial theory of ageing and may be used to develop a sensitive biomarker of the ageing process.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

A multicenter randomized trial of comprehensive geriatric assessment and management: experimental design, baseline data, and six-month preliminary results.

Between October 1992 and July 1993, 11 Northern Italian geriatric departments systematically screened 1386 inpatients hospitalized for at least 10 days. Of those screened, 74% (N = 1019) were excluded by one or more of 7 exclusion criteria; 32% (N = 118) of the 367 remaining subjects failed to meet more than 1 of 8 inclusion criteria. The 11 Geriatric Evaluation Units (GEUs) examined the remaining eligible 249 inpatients with a uniform comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) plan, which included a number of validated assessment scales. Of those evaluated, 39% (N = 97) were ineligible for the study because of being unwilling, noncompliant, too sick or "not truly frail", and the remaining 152 (11% of all patients screened) were randomly enrolled in two groups; 79 were assigned to the GEU (experimental group), and 73 to standard care in the National Health Care System (control group). At entry there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. At 6 months, preliminary results are encouraging; GEU patients had a lower mortality than controls (2 vs 8, 2.5% vs 10.9%; p < 0.05). Slight differences were seen in both clinical-cognitive-affective-functional status and the use of health and social care resources. Only 3 subjects dropped out, 8 refused further follow-up, and 3 went to a nursing-home. We conclude that a standardized selection plan can recognize frail elderly inpatients and that GEU care seems to achieve good results.

Aged↗

PubMed1971