Influence of occlusal vertical dimension on cervical spine mobility in sports subjects

Introduction: In the scientific literature, a number of studies have reported conflicting results regarding the effects of occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) on sports-related skills. The purpose of this study was to increase OVD in sports subjects so as to specifically investigate the influence on cervical spine mobility. In particular, we measured cervical range of motion (ROM) before and after increasing OVD in individuals, either with or without malocclusion, analyzing both sports and sedentary subjects. Materials and methods: Participants were divided into two groups: a sports group (SG) and a control group (CG), each including 18 subjects. The SG was composed of sports subjects (age: 2…

ARTRITE IDIOPATICA GIOVANILE E FITNESS: UN LAVORO DI SQUADRA

I pazienti affetti da Artrite Idiopatica Giovanile (AIG) presentano capacità funzionali articolari e muscolari, tolleranza all’esercizio aerobico e anaerobico ridotti con una limitazione della fitness rispetto ai loro coetanei. In periodi di remissione, l’attività motoria è una strategia di follow-up sicura, con risvolti terapeutici positivi, in grado di migliorare non solo la fitness, ma anche l’escursione articolare, la forza muscolare, la qualità di vita. E’ stato recentemente dimostrato che lo svolgimento regolare di attività motoria riduce il dolore e l’uso di FANS. L’obiettivo dello studio è stato di valutare i deficit di equilibrio e di postura e la fitness di bambini e adolescenti a…

Le caratteristiche del gruppo

Identità territoriale e promozione della destinazione. Il caso studio di Menfi. Un approccio geografico.

VISUOMOTOR INTEGRATION SKILLS IN CHILDREN AFFECTED BY OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Introduction: Sleep related breathing disorders (SRBD) consist of frequent and repetitive episodes of pharyngeal obstruction during sleep, with consequent intermittent hypoxia, sleep architecture fragmentation, daytime sleepiness and/or behavioural problems and executive impairment in children. When untreated, SRBD and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) mainly, may impact school performance, cognition, metabolism, and cardiovascular function. Aim of the present study is assessing the visuomotor integration skills in children affected by OSA. Materials and methods: 57 subjects affected by mild-to severe OSA, PSG diagnosed according to international diagnostic criteria, (31 males and 26 f…

The influence of sounds in postural control

Postural control is a polisensory system based on the synergism of visual, proprioceptive (kinaesthetic), auditory and labyrinthic (both otolithic and canalar) inputs. Each individual, according to age, organizes different somatosensorial strategies in order to manage postural control. Therefore the prevalence of visual, auditory, proprioceptive and labyrinthic input management varies from subject to subject during growth. It is known that during the first year of age, before the achievement of an erect posture, this latter is mainly managed according to auditory and labyrinthic stimuli, whereas once the bipodalic stance is achieved, afferent proprioceptive information from the foot and fro…

Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the tonsil: A new management

Introduction: Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a rare tumor of all plasma cell neoplasms. The tumor is mainly localized in the head and neck region, but rarely involving the tonsil. Case presentation: The authors report the 5th case of EMP of the tonsil in the literature occurred in a 57-year-old Caucasian male. Conclusions: Through a review of the relevant literature, we consider adjuvant radiotherapy not necessary for EMP of tonsil because of an adequate resection achieved by surgery.

Pregnancy e-health: a multicenter Italian cross-sectional study on internet use and decision-making among pregnant women

Background Our study aimed to estimate the prevalence of pregnancy e-health seekers in a large Italian sample; to explore the factors influencing the choices of the childbearing women regarding their lifestyles after internet consultation; and finally to investigate potential differences between primiparous and multiparous women in internet use to find information about pregnancy. Methods A multicentre survey was carried out in seven Italian cities. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire administered in waiting rooms of outpatient departments by medical doctors. Respondents were questioned about their sociodemographic status, their use of the internet to seek pregnancy inform…

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Abstract Background Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18–49, 50–69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results NNVs were more favourable in su…

Orexin system: Network multi-tasking

Orexin system regulates sleep/wake states and its deficiency result in narcolepsy thus indicating the crucial role of orexins in maintaining wakefulness. There are two types of orexin peptides: the orexin-A (OXA or hypocretin 1) and orexin-B (OXB or hypocre- tin 2). The Majority of the central nervous system orexin peptides are synthesized in neurons located in the lateral and back hypotha- lamus and send projections throughout the brain regions Orexin neurons are “multi-tasking” hence regulating also energy homeosta- sis, reward systems and feeding behaviour through connection with hypothalamic nuclei and through responsiveness to leptine and glucose. It has recently been found a connectio…

Leisure-time physical activity for health promotion in elderly: initial evidence from the ‘‘Passiata Day’’ model

Purpose: Falls prevention interventions are a priority for public health systems in order to reduce falls-related high costs. The University Hospital of Palermo promoted the ‘‘Passiata Day’’ model, an initiative of the Department of Geriatrics that provided a 1-h walk for once a week in a park of Palermo. It was guided by a graduate in physical education and a medical doctor. The aim of this study was to evaluate posturographic parameters in a sample of elderly including a group of subjects that had been walking regularly in the ‘‘Passiata Day’’ model for 6 months and a group of sedentary elderly subjects. Methods: A number of 109 older people were recruited at the University Hospital of Pa…

COVID-19: opinions and behavior of Italian general population during the first epidemic phase

Background and aim: On January 9, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Chinese health authorities had identified a new coronavirus strain never before isolated in humans, the 2019-nCoV later redefined SARS-CoV-2, that still today represent a public health problem. The present survey started on 10 February 2020 with the aim of a) assessing the risk perception in healthcare workers and young students, following the evolution of attitudes, perception and knowledge over time, b) provide useful information to the general population during survey. Results: A study sample consisting of 4116 Italian in-dividuals of both sexes was enrolled. High levels of risk perception, low perc…

Body balance and postural control in patients with dizziness

The ability to maintain body balance and postural control is regulated by a central integration process of afferent inputs received from peripheral sensory components such as the somatosensory, visual, and vestibular apparatus, which control the tonic postural system by modulating efferent information. It is widely recognized that stimuli from the visual and the vestibular systems provide information on the position of the head relative to the trunk and contribute to the orientation and the movement of the body in the environment. For these reasons, the vestibular system plays a key role in controlling body balance. Indeed, several studies have shown the presence of imbalance, postural inst…

Borderline intellectual functioning and parental stress: An italian case-control study

Introduction: Borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) children comprises a group of subjects whit intelligence quotient (IQ) ranging 71-85, with a prevalence about 13.6%. Several studies pinpointed the role of parenting on BIF management. Aim of present study was evaluating with objective and validated tool the parental stress rate in mothers of an Italian sample of BIF children. Materials and methods: 26 BIF children (20 males and 6 females) aged 6-10 years (mean age 10.36± 2.03), according to DSM-5 criteria, and 53 (42 males and 11 females) typical developing children (mean age 10.58 ± 1.97) were recruited for present study. Mothers of all enrolled children underwent an evaluation with …

Structural properties of the range-II- and range-III order in amorphous-SiO2 probed by electron paramagnetic resonance and Raman spectroscopy

In the present work we report an experimental investigation by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy on the hyperfine structure of the E. point defect, probing the local arrangement of the network (range-II order), and by Raman spectroscopy on the D 1 and D 2 lines, probing mean features of the network (range-III order). Our studies, performed on a-SiO 2 samples thermally treated at 1000 °C in air for different time durations, show that changes of the hyperfine structure and of the D 1 and D 2 lines occur in a correlated way. These results give strong evidence that the range-II and range-III order properties are intimately related to each other and that these properties are determine…

Association between sleep-disordered breathing and hearing disorders: Clinical observation in Sicilian patients

Introduction: To examine the putative association between Sleep-Disordered breathing and hearing disorders Material and methods: 120 Sicilian subjects ranging from 14 to 85 years of age who were divided in 46 cases suffering from tinnitus (G1 group) and 74 controls (G2 group) were evaluated through STOP BANG screening questionnaire and Four-Variable Screening Tool; after Data collecting each subject underwent Audiological assessment by multi-frequency audiometry (PTA) and Transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE-diagnostic) for each ear. Results: Cases showed: PTA significantly severe than the control group (58.70% vs. 16.89% hearing loss; P<0.001), such as a lower signal-to-noise r…

EMotional Intelligence And Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome In Children: Preliminary Case-Control Study

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) affects up to 4% of pediatric population, with many co-morbidities in the medium-long term. Functional alterations in prefrontal cortex (PFC) may explain why OSAS impacts aspects such as: executive functions, memory, motor control, attention, visual-spatial skills, learning and mood regulation. Emotional intelligence (EI) is a complex neuropsychological function that could be impaired in many clinical conditions. Aim of the study is to evaluate the difference in emotional intelligence skills among children with OSAS and healthy subjects Materials and methods: 29 children (16 males) mean age 9.5 ± 1.54 years, affected by OSAS were compare…

Mediterranean diet and dietary protein supplementation as possible predicting variables of weight management: An update of the protein project

Introduction: The Mediterranean diet is known to support the prevention of several chronic diseases and excessive weight gains. However, relevant investigations were performed in a clinical setting and healthy and physical active individuals were not considered. The aim of this study was therefore to understand the effects of protein supplements intake on body mass index (BMI) in healthy active individuals following the Mediterranean diet. Materials and methods: A face-to-face questionnaire was administered to 667 subjects, 627 living in a Mediterranean area (MD) and 40 in a non-Mediterranean area (NMD); questionnaire enquired dietary behaviors, including a comparison between dietary patter…

Advanced SVG Triangulation/Polygonalization of Digital Images

The motor development of preterm infants after the neonatal intensive care unit

The extra uterine environment is a hostile environment, due to noises, lights and different biological activities compared to intra uterine environment for infants born preterm or underweight. Stress and painful experiences may also impact developmental outcomes. In addition, developmental delay risks increase with the decrease in gestational age. Thus, those born with immature developed systems may need neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in order to allow a correct growth and body maturation. In general, infants that need NICUs suffer from a slower development compared to their full-term peers. This may translate in a delay in oral, tactile, kinesthetic, vestibular, auditory, olfactory, …

Pharmacokinetic Study on Adenomatous Prostate Tissue Concentrations of Cef operazone

Cephalosporins do not reach active therapeutical concentrations in the prostatic tissue in patients suffering from chronic bacterial prostatitis. Cefoperazone is an exception. Its efficacy in the trea

Effects of tinnitus on postural control and stabilization: A pilot study

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the tinnitus's impacts on postural control. Material and methods: Sixty-six subjects (age: 46,71 ± 15,12 years, height 166,32 ± 8,88 cm, weight 64,85 ± 12,57 kg) with idiopathic tinnitus were recruited for the study and were tested. Each subject underwent to ‘Romberg test’, ‘Static balance’ and ‘posture analysis’. Static balance and posture analysis were performed two times, with open and close eyes, and were measured through the FreeMed posturography system. Results: showed that subjects had worse Baropodometric performances respect to benchmarks; moreover according to literature the results show that these patients had significant differ…

Beneficial effects of pasta during pregnancy: The positive effects of mediterranean diet

Pregnancy is a physiological state during which the woman's body undergoes profound modifications. During this time, every woman must be nourished in such a way as to maintain herself in good health and at the same time allow the fetal tissues to form and develop in the best way. Proper nutrition is one of the fundamental prerequisites for the normal evolution of both pregnancy and fetal growth: the quantity and quality of food and drinks must be scrupulously controlled. Contrariwise, it is important to avoid the excess calories and macronutrients. In fact, during pregnancy, it may be just as harmful as their shortage, especially in overweight and obese women, for which the risk of miscarri…

Bezier curves approximation of triangularized surfaces using SVG

This paper presents a technique to convert surfaces, obtained through a Data Dependent Triangulation, in Bezier Curves by using a Scalable Vector Graphics File format. The method starts from a Data Dependent Triangulation, traces a map of the boundaries present into the triangulation, using the characteristics of the triangles, then the estimated barycenters are connected, and a final conversion of the resulting polylines in curves is performed. After the curves have been estimated and closed the final representation is obtained by sorting the surfaces in a decreasing order. The proposed techniques have been compared with other raster to vector conversions in terms of perceptual quality.

The variation of the balance strategy during the lifespan: a pilot stduy

Executive functioning in autism spectrum disorders: a case-control study in preschool children.

Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurobehavioral and developmental conditions that include impairments in a triad of behavioral domains: social development, communication and repetitive behavior/obsessive interests. This case-control study aims to assess executive functioning in ASD preschoolers. Methods: A sample of 50 children participated in the study (24 males and 26 females; age ranged between 2.7 and 3.5 years). The study sample was subdivided into two groups: 25 ASD children and 25 typically developing children as a control group. All participants were administered the BRIEF-P test to assess executive functioning. Results: The two groups were counterbalanced for age an…

Mind, brain and altered states of consciousness

The consciousness is the expression of an enormous and complex variety of neurobiological events, phenomenological and psychological that, from the early stages of development, prepare the emergence soil of the Self. It is a complex of tangible and intan- gible characters distinct from one another - neural infrastructure, awareness, temporality, qualitative subjectivity, intentionality - to such an extent as to seem welded faces of the same prism. Consciousness is not a simple function of the mind, but its organization. In this paper we intend to show how its order is not strictly hierarchical, but sustained by multiple horizontal levels, each of which in a structural and functional continu…

Executive functioning in preschool children affected by autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a complex set of neurological dysfunction and development characterized by deficits in social and non-verbal interaction. Few studies have explored the executive functioning in ASD preschoolers. The aim of this pilot study is the assessment of executive functioning in preschool children with ASD. Material and methods: 8 ASD children (7 males, 1 female) mean age 3.09 (SD ± 0.83 years) were enrolled in the study and compared with a control group of 15 typically developing children (12 males, 3 females) (mean age 24.3 ± 0.61). All subjects underwent assessment of executive functioning with the BRIEF-P test. Results: The two groups were matched …

The role of temporomandibular disorders in the genesis of tinnitus

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are musculoskeletal pain conditions characterized by pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and/or mastication muscles. Patients with TMD are frequently affected by otolaryngological symptoms like tinnitus, with a prevalence ranging from 2% to 59% of cases. There is still a debate in the scientific community about the relationship between tinnitus and TMD and actually the causal connection between them is not well understood. A possible explanation could be found in the ontogenetic development and in the mechanical and neuronal connections of the masticatory system and the middle ear. Additionally a potential role of TMD in tinnitus onset is suggested by…

Intramuscular migration of calcium deposits into the deltoid muscle: two cases of a rare complication of rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy

Rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy is a common non-traumatic shoulder pain condition that occurs predominantly in the supraspinatus tendon. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation of calcific tendinopathy (US-PICT) is a valid treatment in the resorptive phase. A complication of calcific tendinopathy is migration of calcium deposits outside the tendon. The most common site of migration is the subacromialsubdeltoid bursa (SASD). Another, but not frequent, type of migration is the intramuscular migration which mostly affects the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus and the biceps brachii muscles. This paper reports two cases of migration of calcification from the supraspinatus tendon to the delt…

Automatic Conversion Technique from Data Dependent Triangulation to SVG B-Splines

Postural and neuromuscular strategies during upright stance and hand standing

Nocturnal obstructive respiratory events severity is associated with low parental quality

Objective: Despite of the large prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in pediatric age, numerous aspects of its impact on day life and on parental quality are still poor studied and considered in the clinical management. The study evaluated the stress levels and copying styles in a large sample of mother of children with OSAS. Method: 374 mothers of children affected by OSAS (mOSAS) were compared with a group of mothers of 421 neurotypical healthy children (mTDC) for stress perceived stress levels and for coping strategies. Subjects were recruited from Italian Regions in Sicily, Campania, Calabria and Umbria. Results: Among both groups mOSAS and mTDC no differences were repo…

Influence of Ge doping level on the EPR signal of Ge(1), Ge(2) and E'Ge defects in Ge-doped silica

Abstract We present an experimental investigation on the Ge doping level dependence of the Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) signal spectral features of the Ge(1), Ge(2) and E'Ge defects induced in Ge doped silica. We have studied samples produced by sol–gel or PCVD techniques and doped with different amounts of Ge up to 20% by weight. The samples were gamma or beta ray irradiated and successively they were thermally treated to isolate the EPR signals of the different point defects. The data show that the EPR line shapes of the Ge(1) and the Ge(2) centers are progressively modified for doping level higher than 1%, whereas the line shape of the E'Ge defect appears independent from the do…

Evaluation of the podalic support in subjects with dyslexia: a pilot study

How sports affect static baropodometry? An observational study carried out in women living in southern Italy

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was two-fold: (a) to investigate the relationship between plantar pressure and surface distribution between athletes and sedentary women; and (b) to see the differences, if any, in these parameters between two groups and also the differences between the sports within athletes’ group. Methods: One hundred and seventy-three (173) female participants were enrolled in this study, where ninety-eight (98) were sedentary (age: 24.23 ± 6.11 years; height 161.11 ± 6.44 cm; weight 56.70 ± 8.19 kg; BMI 21.81 ± 2.52 kg/m2; Body Surface Area (BSA) 1.59 ± 0.13; shoe nr. 37.83 ± 1.53) while seventy-five (75) were athletes (age 22.47 ± 4.89 years; height 159.98 ± 5…