Prognostic Role of CSF β-amyloid 1–42/1–40 Ratio in Patients Affected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

2021

The involvement of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been widely discussed and its role in the disease is still a matter of debate. Aβ accumulates in the cortex and the anterior horn neurons of ALS patients and seems to affect their survival. To clarify the role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ 1–42 and Aβ 42/40 ratios as a potential prognostic biomarker for ALS, we performed a retrospective observational study on a cohort of ALS patients who underwent a lumbar puncture at the time of the diagnosis. CSF Aβ 1–40 and Aβ 1–42 ratios were detected by chemiluminescence immunoassay and their values were correlated with clinical features. We found a signi…

Effects of Topical Hydrogen Purification on Skin Parameters and Acne Vulgaris in Adult Women

2021

Background: Acne vulgaris is a prevalent dermatological disease characterized by skin eruptions, which may decrease the sufferer’s quality of life. Hydrogen purification treatment is a new procedure used in cosmetology to improve the skin parameters of the face. This study examined the effectiveness of hydrogen purification treatment to improve women’s skin conditions with regard to acne vulgaris. Methods: In this study, 30 women participated who suffered from a high level of sebum and acne. The control group was comprised of 30 healthy women with a low level of sebum. The Hellgren–Vincent Scale and Derma Unit SSC 3 device were used to assess acne vulgaris severity and skin properties, resp…

Messages beyond the phone: Processing variable message signs while attending hands-free phone calls.

2021

We examined the effects of different types of cognitive distraction coming from a hands-free phone conversation on the processing of information provided by variable message signs (VMS), on driving performance indicators, and on a physiological index of mental effort (heart rate). Participants drove a route in a driving simulator and had to respond to VMS messages under three conditions: no-distraction, visuospatial distraction (attending phone calls with questions inducing visuospatial processing), and conceptual distraction (attending phone calls with questions requiring semantic memory). Results showed more errors responding to VMS messages in the visuospatial distraction condition. In a…

Music Therapy for Depression Enhanced With Listening Homework and Slow Paced Breathing: A Randomised Controlled Trial

2021

Introduction: There is evidence from earlier trials for the efficacy of music therapy in the treatment of depression among working-age people. Starting therapy sessions with relaxation and revisiting therapeutic themes outside therapy have been deemed promising for outcome enhancement. However, previous music therapy trials have not investigated this issue.Objective: To investigate the efficacy of two enhancers, resonance frequency breathing (RFB) and listening homework (LH), when combined with an established music therapy model (trial registration number ISRCTN11618310).Methods: In a 2 × 2 factorial randomised controlled trial, working-age individuals with depression were allocated into gr…

Role of Cachexia and Fragility in the Patient Candidate for Cardiac Surgery

2021

Frailty is the major expression of accelerated aging and describes a decreased resistance to stressors, and consequently an increased vulnerability to additional diseases in elderly people. The vascular aging related to frail phenotype reflects the high susceptibility for cardiovascular diseases and negative postoperative outcomes after cardiac surgery. Sarcopenia can be considered a biological substrate of physical frailty. Malnutrition and physical inactivity play a key role in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia. We searched on Medline (PubMed) and Scopus for relevant literature published over the last 10 years and analyzed the strong correlation between frailty, sarcopenia and cardiovascular…

Fiscal multipliers and job-protection regulation

2021

Abstract We study, both theoretically and empirically, how labor market regulation affects fiscal multipliers. We focus on the stringency of employment protection legislation, a prominent source of rigidity in European labor markets. First, using a small-open economy model that features labor-market search-and-matching frictions and nominal rigidities, we show that an increase in government spending has larger output effects when firing costs are lower. The importance of layoff costs for the public spending multiplier is larger in the absence of exchange rate adjustment and in a recession. Second, we confirm these findings empirically using a panel of 26 advanced countries over the period 1…

Metacognition and emotion regulation as treatment targets in binge eating disorder: a network analysis study

2021

Abstract Background This study aims to examine the underlying associations between eating, affective and metacognitive symptoms in patients with binge eating disorder (BED) through network analysis (NA) in order to identify key variables that may be considered the target for psychotherapeutic interventions. Methods A total of 155 patients with BED completed measures of eating psychopathology, affective symptoms, emotion regulation and metacognition. A cross-sectional network was inferred by means of Gaussian Markov random field estimation using graphical LASSO and the extended Bayesian information criterion (EBIC-LASSO), and central symptoms of BED were identified by means of the strength c…

Chemical characterisation of the gases released at Gyali Island, Dodecanese, Greece and preliminary estimation of the CO2 output

2021

Greece belongs to the most geodynamically active regions of the world and as such, it has to be considered an area of intense geogenic degassing. In terms of carbon, the territory is characterized by the high hydrothermal and volcanic activity of the South Aegean Active Volcanic Arc (SAAVA), and by widespread geological seeps of buried carbon dioxide and methane. In the present work, we investigate the island of Gyali located in the volcanic system Kos-Gyali-Nisyros. Nine gas samples have been collected on the island of Gyali in areas found both on land, in a small lake (∼2000 m2) along its beach, and in the sea close to the shore at shallow depths (<20 m). Results show that CO2 is the p…

Gait Symmetry Analysis in Patients after Treatment of Pilon Fractures by the Ilizarov Method

2021

The aim of this study was to comprehensively assess the gait parameters in patients who had undergone treatment of pilon fractures by the Ilizarov method. We analyzed gait parameters in patients who had undergone treatment for pilon fractures by the Ilizarov method

Effectiveness of some protective and self-cleaning treatments: a challenge for the conservation of temple G stone in Selinunte

2021

Abstract The Temple G of the Archaeological Park of Selinunte (Italy), the largest in Europe, is one of the most impressive temples in the Magna Grecia. Today, it is completely destroyed due to a strong earthquake occurred in the Middle Ages. The used stone is a calcarenite coming from the ancient and renowned quarries of Cusa near the acropolis. This work comes from the today’s proposal of Temple G anastylosis. The goal of the work is to provide the results relating the protective effectiveness of three polymer formulations, appropriately selected, on stone samples taken from the “Capitello” quarry, part of “Cusa quarries”. The formulations functionality was deployed by adding TiO2 nanopar…

Cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction by Fumaria officinalis extracts in leukemia and multiple myeloma cell lines

2021

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Fumaria officinalis (Fumariaceae) is recorded in the Kurdish ethnobotany for various health problems. Aim of the study: In this study, the cytotoxic activity of F. officinalis extracts on two leukemia and nine multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines was investigated. Materials and methods: The cytotoxic and ferroptotic activity were examined by resazurin reduction assay. Flow cytometry, immunoblotting assay and fluorescence microscopy were used to measure cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), loss integrity of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and autophagy. LC-ESI/MS was used to identify chemical constituents p…

Seasonal characterization of nutritional and antioxidant properties of Opuntia ficus-indica [(L.) Mill.] mucilage

2021

Abstract Opuntia ficus-indica fruit and cladodes are a source of mucilage, a carbohydrate complex, as well as of phytochemicals and other nutrients, useful in the food industry. Despite the environmental-based composition variability has been studied, there is no information on its seasonal variability, which is particularly important for its industrial use. In this study, some technological, nutritional, and bioactive properties of O. ficus-indica cladodes mucilage were analyzed during the seasonal growth period. Total proteins did not change during the whole period and the lipid content significantly decreased from winter to the onset of summer. The fatty acid profile showed high levels o…

When symptoms become side effects: Development of the side effect attribution scale (SEAS)

2021

Objectives\ud \ud Symptom misattribution is a central process in the nocebo effect but it is not accurately assessed in current side effect measures. We have developed a new measure, the Side Effect Attribution Scale (SEAS), which examines the degree to which people believe their symptoms are treatment side effects.\ud \ud \ud \ud Methods\ud \ud The SEAS was tested in three New Zealand studies: a vaccination sample (n = 225), patients with gout or rheumatoid arthritis (n = 102), and patients switching to a generic medicine (n = 69). The internal reliability of the scale was examined using Cronbach's alpha. To assess validity, the Side Effect Attribution Total Score and Side Effect Attributi…

Evaluation of Thin Film Microextraction for trace elemental analysis of liquid samples using LIBS detection

2021

An analytical methodology based in the combination of Thin Film Microextraction with Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (TFME-LIBS) was investigated, for the first time, for detection of Cu, Cr, Ni and Pb in aqueous solutions. In this methodology, the analytes were extracted in a thin film of adsorbent material deposited on a solid support, which was introduced in the sample to analyse. After extraction, the analytes retained in the adsorbent were analysed by LIBS. In order to obtain adsorbent films useful for the microextraction step, two different experimental procedures for film generation, denoted as Drop Casting Deposition and Mould Deposition, were evaluated. In both cases, graphene…

The effects of arterial CO2 on the injured brain: Two faces of the same coin

2021

Serum levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) closely regulate cerebral blood flow (CBF) and actively participate in different aspects of brain physiology such as hemodynamics, oxygenation, and metabolism. Fluctuations in the partial pressure of arterial CO2 (PaCO2) modify the aforementioned variables, and at the same time influence physiologic parameters in organs such as the lungs, heart, kidneys, and the gastrointestinal tract. In general, during acute brain injury (ABI), maintaining normal PaCO2 is the target to be achieved. Both hypercapnia and hypocapnia may comprise secondary insults and should be avoided during ABI. The risks of hypocapnia mostly outweigh the potential benefits. Therefore, i…

The Upsides and Downsides of High Self-Control: Evidence for Effects of Similarity and Situation Dependency

2021

High trait self-control is generally depicted as favorable. We investigated whether this holds for social perception. Using vignettes, we tested whether a person with high self-control is 1) preferred as a partner for all or only certain social situations, 2) perceived as less likeable than a person with low self-control, 3) liked more if the person is female and the behavior thus fits the sex-stereotype, and 4) perceived differently from a person with low self-control with respect to a wide range of adjectives used to describe personality. Competing theories are presented for each area. Results indicate that although high self-control is associated with a wide range of socially desirable t…

Who should get COVID-19 vaccine first? A survey to evaluate hospital workers’ opinion

2021

Prospective planning of COVID-19 vaccines allocation will be essential to maximize public health and societal benefits while preserving equity. Decisions about how to allocate limited supplies of vaccines need to be clear about the criteria used in setting priorities, with a specific commitment to transparency and communication. The aim of our study was to think through these competing demands, focusing on the opinion of healthcare workers (HCWs). The primary endpoint of the study was to assess the opinion of all the HCWs in a University based Italian Hospital about the fairest priority order to COVID 19 vaccines and to understand on which criteria the prioritization preferences of HCWs are…

CD133 expression in placenta chorioangioma presenting as a giant asymptomatic mass

2021

Background: Placental chorioangioma is the most common benign non-trophoblastic neoplasm of the placenta. Its clinical relevance lies in the size of the tumor since larger masses cause pregnancy complications, including an unfavorable neonatal outcome. Case presentation: We report the case of a 34-year-old second gravida and nullipara at the 35th week of gestation, admitted to the gynecological department for antibiotic-resistant fever. The cardiotocography performed during hospitalization showed an abnormal fetal pattern. A 2250 g newborn was delivered by cesarean section. No complications were observed during childbirth and postpartum was insignificant. On gross inspection a white fleshy …

Are There Any Parameters Missing in the Mathematical Models Applied in the Process of Spreading COVID-19?

2021

Simple Summary Nowadays, enhancing development of mathematical models is very important to help in the prediction of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID1-19). However, the vast majority of published model-based predictions do not cover people who left the epidemic COVID-19 positive (alive) and they must be included in studies to guarantee a more accurate model for application in public health. The epidemic development phenomenon can be obtained with a modelling framework. Abstract On 11 March 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). As of 12.44 GMT on 15 January 2021, it has produced 93,640,296 cases and 2,004,984 deaths. The use …

On the structural connectivity of large-scale models of brain networks at cellular level

2021

AbstractThe brain’s structural connectivity plays a fundamental role in determining how neuron networks generate, process, and transfer information within and between brain regions. The underlying mechanisms are extremely difficult to study experimentally and, in many cases, large-scale model networks are of great help. However, the implementation of these models relies on experimental findings that are often sparse and limited. Their predicting power ultimately depends on how closely a model’s connectivity represents the real system. Here we argue that the data-driven probabilistic rules, widely used to build neuronal network models, may not be appropriate to represent the dynamics of the …

Experimental application of digital image correlation for the tensile characterization of basalt FRCM composites

2021

Abstract Composites made with inorganic matrix, namely fabric reinforced cementitious mortar (FRCM) composites are becoming widespread as strengthening materials for existing masonry structures. These composites are made of a dry grid of fibres embedded in an inorganic matrix. FRCMs can be considered a valid alternative to traditional organic composites such as fibre reinforced polymers (FRPs) because of their better compatibility with the masonry support. This work presents an experimental study for the tensile characterization of a basalt fabric reinforced cementitious mortar (BFRCM) composite. Tensile tests were carried out on coupons reinforced with one, two or three layers of grid to i…

Mid-term Prognostic Implication of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with Prior Heart Failure diagnosis

2021

On-treatment serum albumin level can guide long-term treatment in patients with cirrhosis and uncomplicated ascites

2021

Background & Aims: The ANSWER study reported that long-term albumin administration in patients with cirrhosis and uncomplicated ascites improves survival. During treatment, serum albumin increased within a month and remained stable thereafter. In this post hoc analysis, we aimed to determine whether on-treatment serum albumin levels could guide therapy. Methods: Logistic regression was used to assess the association between baseline serum albumin and mortality, as well as to determine on-treatment factors associated with mortality and to predict the achievement of a given on-treatment serum albumin level. Survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier estimates and second-order polynomial regres…

Force-velocity profiling in athletes: Reliability and agreement across methods

2021

The aim of the study was to examine the test-retest reliability and agreement across methods for assessing individual force-velocity (FV) profiles of the lower limbs in athletes. Using a multicenter approach, 27 male athletes completed all measurements for the main analysis, with up to 82 male and female athletes on some measurements. The athletes were tested twice before and twice after a 2- to 6-month period of regular training and sport participation. The double testing sessions were separated by ~1 week. Individual FV-profiles were acquired from incremental loading protocols in squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ) and leg press. A force plate, linear encoder and a flight time cal…

Identification of metastasis-related genes by genomic and transcriptomic studies in murine melanoma.

2021

Abstract Aims We systematically characterized metastatic murine B16-F10 melanoma, a sub-line derived from murine melanoma B16-F1 cells. Materials and methods RNA-sequencing and network analyses (Ingenuity Pathway Analysis) were performed to identify novel potential metastasis mechanisms. Chromosomal aberrations were identified by multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (mFISH) using all 21 murine whole chromosome painting probes. Key findings Numerous genes were overexpressed in B16-F10 cells, some of which have been already described as being metastasis-linked. Nr5a1/sf1, a known prognostic marker for adrenal tumors, was 177-fold upregulated in B16-F10 cells compared to B16-F1 cells.…

Engineering Sr-doping for enabling long-term stable FAPb1xSrxI3 quantum dots with 100% photoluminescence quantum yield

2021

The Pb substitution in quantum dots (PQDs) with lesser toxic metals has been widely searched to be environmentally friendly, and be of comparable or improved performance compared to the lead-perovskite. However, the chemical nature of the lead substitute influences the incorporation mechanism into PQDs, which has not been explored in depth. In this work, we analyzed Sr-doping-induced changes in FAPbI3 perovskites by studying the optical, structural properties and chemical environment of FAPb1−xSrxI3 PQDs. The substitution of Pb by 7 at% Sr allows us to achieve FAPb1−xSrxI3 PQDs with 100% PLQY, high stability for 8 months under a relative humidity of 40–50%, and T80 = 6.5 m…

Population Pharmacokinetics of Palbociclib in aReal-World Situation

2021

Palbociclib is an oral cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that is used in combination with aromatase inhibitors in the treatment of postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer. Its metabolism profile is associated with an important interpatient variability. We performed a population pharmacokinetics study of palbociclib in women routinely followed in a cancer center. One hundred and fifty-one samples were analyzed. The sampling times after administration ranged from 0.9 to 75 h and the samples were taken between 1 and 21 days after the beginning of the palbociclib cycle. Palbociclib was determined using a validated mass spectrometry method. The best model that described the concentrat…

Analyzing Regional Geographic Challenges: The Resilience of Chinese Vineyards to Land Degradation Using a Societal and Biophysical Approach

2021

Land degradation, especially soil erosion, is a societal issue that affects vineyards worldwide, but there are no current investigations that inform specifically about soil erosion rates in Chinese vineyards. In this review, we analyze this problem and the need to avoid irreversible damage to soil and their use from a regional point of view. Information about soil erosion in vineyards has often failed to reach farmers, and we can affirm that to this time, soil erosion in Chinese vineyards has been more of a scientific hypothesis than an agronomic or environmental concern. Two hypotheses can be presented to justify this review: (i) there are no official and scientific investigations on viney…

The European COVID-19 drugs calculation tool: an aid for the estimation of the drugs needed during the SARS-CoV 2 pandemic

2021

Objective To create an informatics supportive tool, which can assist healthcare professionals in estimating potential requirements for essential drug supplies to respond to the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic based on epidemiological forecasting. Methods The tool was based on a Susceptible-Infected-Removed (SIR) epidemiological model in which the population is divided into three compartments and transmission parameters are specified to define the rate at which people move between stages. Appropriate data entry was guaranteed by the creation of structured guided paths. The drugs needed for the forecasted patients were estimated according to a list of critical care drugs compiled by consulting pr…

Drosophila Evolution over Space and Time (DEST) - A New Population Genomics Resource

2021

Abstract Drosophila melanogaster is a leading model in population genetics and genomics, and a growing number of whole-genome datasets from natural populations of this species have been published over the last 20 years. A major challenge is the integration of these disparate datasets, often generated using different sequencing technologies and bioinformatic pipelines, which hampers our ability to address questions about the evolution and population structure of this species. Here we address these issues by developing a bioinformatics pipeline that maps pooled sequencing (Pool-Seq) reads from D. melanogaster to a hologenome consisting of fly and symbiont genomes and estimates allele frequenc…

Sexualpädagogik: Anregungen zum Weiterdenken - Sexuality Education - Stimuli for Further Reflection

2021

Impact of Accessory Renal Artery Coverage on Renal Function during Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

2021

Background Long-term outcomes of accessory renal artery (ARA) coverage after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) are unknown. We analyzed the impact of ARA coverage on renal function long-term. Methods This retrospective, monocentric study included patients treated by EVAR between 2008 and 2016. Patients with at least one ARA covered with EVAR (ARA group) were compared with patients with no covered ARA (control group). Renal function was determined by estimating the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and graded according to chronic kidney disease (CKD) classification stages. Results A total of 184 patients were included (ARA group, n = 25; control group, n = 159). Renal risk factors were sim…

Influence of data input in the evaluation of Stress Intensity Factors from Thermoelastic Stress Analysis

2021

Abstract Thermoelastic Stress Analysis (TSA) is applied to evaluate the Stress Intensity Factor (SIF), T-stress and J-Integral in a Single-Edge-Notched-Tension sample undergoing fatigue cycling. The Williams’ series stress formulation and a least-square fitting (LSF) procedure are used to obtain the SIF and the T-stress. The evaluation is carried out with the aim to investigate the influence of the input data in the system of equations solved with the LSF, and in particular: the number of coefficients used in the Williams’ series and the choice and position of the fitted experimental data points. Three algorithms for the determination of the crack tip position are also evaluated: a coarse g…

Regional and experiential differences in surgeon preference for the treatment of cervical facet injuries: a case study survey with the AO Spine Cervi…

2021

Abstract Purpose The management of cervical facet dislocation injuries remains controversial. The main purpose of this investigation was to identify whether a surgeon’s geographic location or years in practice influences their preferred management of traumatic cervical facet dislocation injuries. Methods A survey was sent to 272 AO Spine members across all geographic regions and with a variety of practice experience. The survey included clinical case scenarios of cervical facet dislocation injuries and asked responders to select preferences among various diagnostic and management options. Results A total of 189 complete responses were received. Over 50% of responding surgeons in each region…

Necrotizing sialometaplasia of the tonsillar pillar. An unusual case

2021

Necrotizing Sialometaplasia (NS) is a rare, benign, self-limited, inflammatory and necrotizing reaction of the salivary glandular tissue. Due to the clinical picture (a painful ulcer with well-defined edges), and histopathological characteristics (nuclear and cellular pleomorphism of ductal cells) NS can mimic a malignant lesion. The correct diagnosis is important because NS shows a spontaneous resolution and therefore no further treatment is needed. We report a very unusual case of spontaneous and recurrent NS located on the anterior tonsillar pillar in a 43-year old man, which clinically mimics a malignant lesion. The clinician should be aware to include NS in the differential diagnosis o…

A whole blood test to measure SARS-CoV-2-specific response in COVID-19 patients

2021

Objectives To examine whether specific T-cell-responses to SARS-CoV-2 peptides can be detected in COVID-19 using a whole-blood experimental setting, which may be further explored as potential diagnostic tool. Methods We evaluated IFN-γ levels after stimulating whole-blood with spike and remainder-antigens peptides megapools (MP) derived from SARS-CoV-2 sequences; IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17A, eotaxin, basic FGF, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, PDGF, RANTES, TNF-α, VEGF were also evaluated. Results IFN-γ-response to spike and remainder-antigens MPs was significantly increased in 35 COVID-19-patients compare…