showing 36 of ~574560 from 574555 documents
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…
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…
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…
Intermediate units in multinational corporations: A resource dependency view on coordinative versus entrepreneurial roles
2021
Abstract Due to the dispersion of headquarters’ activities across organizational and geographical boundaries, intermediate units (IUs) are emerging as a key actor of international business. IUs are intermediate structural layers between headquarters (HQ) and local subsidiaries with specific HQ responsibilities. Our study relies on original data of 67 IUs and, taking on a Resource Dependence approach, explores empirically the two HQ roles attributed to IUs: coordinative versus entrepreneurial. According to our results, the main differences between both roles relate to external network embeddedness, internal network position and autonomy. We argue that these differences arise from the dominan…
Influence of grain quality, semolinas and baker’s yeast on bread made from old landraces and modern genotypes of Sicilian durum wheat
2021
Abstract Several studies showed that products made with ancient wheat genotypes have beneficial health properties compared to those obtained with modern wheat varieties, even though the mechanisms responsible for the positive effects are not clear. Ancient durum wheat genotypes are being currently used for the production of pasta, bread and other typical bakery products but the consumption is strictly local. In this work 15 genotypes of Triticum turgidum subsp. durum, including 10 ancient and 5 modern, were characterized for their technological traits through the determination of different parameters: protein content, dry gluten, gluten index, yellow index, ash, P/L, W and G. In addition, t…
Pinpointing the PRDM9-PRDM7 Gene Duplication Event During Primate Divergence
2021
Studies on the function of PRDM9 in model systems and its evolution during vertebrate divergence shed light on the basic molecular mechanisms of hybrid sterility and its evolutionary consequences. However, information regarding PRDM9-homolog, PRDM7, whose origin is placed in the primate evolutionary tree, as well as information about the fast-evolving DNA-binding zinc finger array of strepsirrhine PRDM9 are scarce. Thus, we aimed to narrow down the date of the duplication event leading to the emergence of PRDM7 during primate evolution by comparing the phylogenetic tree reconstructions of representative primate samples of PRDM orthologs and paralogs. To confirm our PRDM7 paralogization patt…
Impact of COVID-19 on the work of Spanish dentists: An early response to the pandemic
2021
Background This study aimed to assess the quality of the information about COVID-19 that Spanish dentists felt they were provided; their opinion about the actions by Health Institutions; their perception of the risk infection at work; and the security measures implemented to prevent contagion. Material and Methods A specific questionnaire was developed and made available online from March 18th to 20th 2020. Dentists working in Spain were invited to answer. Questions were divided in 4 sections: demographic data and professional activity; specific information on COVID-19 and opinion about the decisions taken by Dental Councils and Health Authorities; risk assessment for SARS-CoV-2 in dental p…
The Co-Design of a Counter-Narrative Social Campaign: Second Generation Youths Against Radicalization
2021
This paper deals with the OLTRE project (ISF - DG Migration and Home Affairs, EU) funded for preventing the radicalization of the second-generation of migrants in Italy. This essay aims to study the production of an online communication campaign co-designed by second-generation youths. The four Universities engaged in the project, in order to collect the issues for the campaign made an in-depth sociological research and an interdisciplinary social network analysis. We will present the results of the non-standard field research. Starting from the different dimensions of the risk of radicalization proposed by the kaleidoscopic overview of risk factors (Sieckelinck and Gielen 2018: 5; Ranstorp…
Adaptive live video streaming on low-cost wireless multihop networks for road traffic surveillance in smart cities
2021
Abstract Traffic surveillance is an important issue for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) that helps detect incidents automatically, such as wrong-way drivers, still-standing vehicles and jams. Sometimes these systems require a fast and short-term deployment of video cameras. In these cases, ad-hoc networks could be a low-cost and feasible option, but they have poor performance for video delivery. Thus, we propose a smart live video adaptive streaming technique in order to transport video streams from the cameras to the external road traffic monitoring servers. To achieve this goal, these networks need a thorough study in order to analyze video quality under their inherent constraint…
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…
Rickettsiales in Italy
2021
There is no updated information on the spread of Rickettsiales in Italy. The purpose of our study is to take stock of the situation on Rickettsiales in Italy by focusing attention on the species identified by molecular methods in humans, in bloodsucking arthropods that could potentially attack humans, and in animals, possible hosts of these Rickettsiales. A computerized search without language restriction was conducted using PubMed updated as of December 31, 2020. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was followed. Overall, 36 species of microorganisms belonging to Rickettsiales were found. The only species identified in human tissues we…
FUNCTIONALIZED HALLOYSITE NANOTUBES FOR ENHANCED REMOVAL OF Hg2+ IONS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
2021
AbstractWater is essential for humans, animals, and plants; pollutants, usually derived from anthropogenic activities, can have a serious effect on its quality. Heavy metals are significant pollutants and are often highly toxic to living organisms, even at very low concentrations. Among the numerous removal techniques proposed, adsorption onto suitable adsorbent materials is considered to be one of the most promising. The objective of the current study was to determine the effectiveness of halloysite nanotubes (HNT) functionalized with organic amino or thiol groups as adsorbent materials to decontaminate polluted waters, using the removal of Hg2+ ions, one of the most dangerous heavy metals…
The growing role of precision medicine for the treatment of autoimmune diseases; results of a systematic review of literature and Experts’ Consensus
2021
International audience; Autoimmune diseases (AIDs) share similar serological, clinical, and radiological findings, but, behind these common features, there are different pathogenic mechanisms, immune cells dysfunctions, and targeted organs. In this context, multiple lines of evidence suggest the application of precision medicine principles to AIDs to reduce the treatment failure. Precision medicine refers to the tailoring of therapeutic strategies to the individual characteristics of each patient, thus it could be a new approach for management of AIDS which considers individual variability in genes, environmental exposure, and lifestyle. Precision medicine would also assist physicians in ch…
Influence of habitual dairy food intake on LDL cholesterol in a population-based cohort
2021
Background: Cholesterol has a pivotal role in human physiology, exerting both structural and functional activity. However, higher blood cholesterol levels, especially low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), are a major cardiovascular risk factor. Therefore, special attention has been given to the effect of dietary factors in influencing LDL-C blood levels. In particular, much research has focused on dairy products, since they are a main component of different dietary patterns worldwide. A large body of evidence did not support the hypothesis that dairy products significantly increase circulating LDL-C, but no definitive data are available. Hence, we aimed to assess the relationships am…
Impact of acidic volcanic emissions on ash leaching and on the bioavailability and mobility of trace metals in soils of Mt Etna
2021
We report on original geochemical data, which combine the rainfall trace metal contents from three different areas of Mt. Etna, variably fumigated by the volcanic plume, and those from soils, collected over the whole volcano. Trace element contents in rainfall appear mostly related to acidic ash leaching, while only for the most volatile elements (Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, As, Sb, Tl, Se) we suggest a derivation from magmatic degassing. We analyzed separately the labile fraction of soil samples, considered the fraction bioavailable to plants and soil organisms living in. The complexing medium used to extract the bioavailable fraction simulates the growth environment of plant roots.The contents of tra…
Influence of dental occlusion conditions on plantar pressure distribution during standing and walking – A gender perspective
2021
Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate gender-specific influences of different symmetric and asymmetric occlusion conditions on postural control during standing and walking. The study involved 59 healthy adult volunteers (41 f/19 m) aged between 22 and 53 years (30.2 ± 6.3 years). Postural control measurements were carried out using a pressure plate by measuring plantar pressure distribution during standing and walking test conditions. Seven different occlusion conditions were tested. Prior to a MANOVA model analysis, the relationship between the two test conditions were checked using a factor analysis with a varying number of factors (between 2 and 10). The plantar pressure dist…
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Polyphenols Contained in Mediterranean Diet in Obesity: Molecular Mechanisms
2021
Nutrition transition can be defined as shifts in food habits, and it is characterized by high-fat (chiefly saturated animal fat), hypercaloric and salty food consumption at the expense of dietary fibers, minerals and vitamins. Western dietary patterns serve as a model for studying the impact of nutrition transition on civilization diseases, such as obesity, which is commonly associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. In fact, reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction can be associated with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-mediated inflammation in obesity. NF-κB regulates gene expression of several oxidant-responsive adipokines including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Moreover, AMP-act…
Special Issue "Centenarians-A Model to Study the Molecular Basis of Lifespan and Healthspan".
2021
People are living longer, not, as was previously the case, due to reduced child mortality, but because we are postponing the ill-health of old age [...]
Vascular Adhesion Protein 1 Mediates Gut Microbial Flagellin-Induced Inflammation, Leukocyte Infiltration, and Hepatic Steatosis
2021
Toll-like receptor 5 ligand, flagellin, and vascular adhesion protein 1 (VAP-1) are involved in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This study aimed to determine whether VAP-1 mediates flagellin-induced hepatic fat accumulation. The effects of flagellin on adipocyte VAP-1 expression were first studied in vitro. Then, flagellin (100 ng/mouse) or saline was intraperitoneally injected into C57BL/6J (WT) and C57BL/6-Aoc3-/- (VAP-1 KO) mice on a high-fat diet twice a week every 2 weeks for 10 weeks. After that, the effects on inflammation, insulin signaling, and metabolism were studied in liver and adipose tissues. Hepatic fat was quantified histologically and biochemically. Because flagellin cha…
The Factors Affecting Expansion of Reactive Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL) From Bladder Cancer and Potential Therapeutic Applications
2021
Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) therapy was shown to provide durable objective response in patients with metastatic melanoma. As a fundamental first step to bring TIL therapy to clinical use, identification of patients whose tumors yield optimal numbers of reactive TIL is indispensable. We have previously shown that expansion of tumor reactive TIL from primary bladder tumors and lymph node metastases is feasible. Here, we performed TIL harvesting from additional surgical specimens (additional 31 primary tumors and 10 lymph nodes) to generate a heterogenous cohort of 53 patients with bladder cancer (BC) to evaluate the tumor characteristics that lead to tumor-reactive TIL expansion. Amo…
Biological Profiling of Semisynthetic C19-Functionalized Ferruginol and Sugiol Analogues
2021
[EN] The abietane-type diterpenoids are significant bioactive compounds exhibiting a varied range of pharmacological properties. In this study, the first synthesis and biological investigation of the new abietane-diterpenoid (+)-4-epi-liquiditerpenoid acid (8a) together with several of its analogs are reported. The compounds were generated from the readily available methyl callitrisate (7), which was obtained from callitrisic acid present in Moroccan Sandarac resin. A biological evaluation was conducted to determine the effects of the different functional groups present in these molecules, providing basic structure-activity relationship (SAR) elements. In particular, the ferruginol and sugi…
Medication for Acromegaly Reduces Expression of MUC16, MACC1 and GRHL2 in Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumour Tissue
2021
Acromegaly is a disease mainly caused by pituitary neuroendocrine tumor (PitNET) overproducing growth hormone. First-line medication for this condition is the use of somatostatin analogs (SSAs), that decrease tumor mass and induce antiproliferative effects on PitNET cells. Dopamine agonists (DAs) can also be used if SSA treatment is not effective. This study aimed to determine differences in transcriptome signatures induced by SSA/DA therapy in PitNET tissue. We selected tumor tissue from twelve patients with somatotropinomas, with half of the patients receiving SSA/DA treatment before surgery and the other half treatment naive. Transcriptome sequencing was then carried out to identify diff…
Universities' Reporting on SDGs: Using THE Impact Rankings to Model and Measure Their Contribution to Sustainability
2021
Higher education institutions (HEIs) have voiced growing concerns about sustainability issues since Agenda 2030 was approved, but this is not enough for societal stakeholders seeking and delivering innovation and excellence. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action, and pose a challenge for HEIs as for the efforts made to fulfill them and knowing how to assess their performance. However, the metric management system implemented by HEIs quickly led to rankings emerging, which compare HEIs to metrics not related to the sustainability dimensions of the 17 SDGs. The main aim of the paper is to assess the level of repo…
Coffee Silverskin and Spent Coffee Suitable as Neuroprotectors against Cell Death by Beauvericin and α-Zearalenol: Evaluating Strategies of Treatment
2021
Coffee silverskin and spent coffee have been evaluated in a neuroblastoma cell line (SH-SY5Y cells) against beauvericin (BEA) and α-zearalenol (α-ZEL)-induced cytotoxicity with different strategies of treatment. First, the direct treatment of mycotoxins and coffee by-products extracts in SH-SY5Y cells was assayed. IC50 values for α-ZEL were 20.8 and 14.0 µM for 48 h and 72 h, respectively and, for BEA only at 72 h, it was 2.5 µM. Afterwards, the pre-treatment with spent coffee obtained by boiling water increased cell viability for α-ZEL at 24 h and 48 h from 10% to 16% and from 25% to 30%, respectively
Targeted Poverty Alleviation and Households’ Livelihood Strategy in a Relation-Based Society: Evidence from Northeast China
2021
Although China is experiencing a transition from a relation-based society to a rule-based society, relationships among acquaintances still play an important role in resource allocation, such as the allocation of policy resources. This is particularly true in rural China, where targeted poverty alleviation is prevalent and a relation-based social structure still dominates. However, it is still unknown how relationships affect the livelihood strategy of households in rural China and how poverty alleviation policies plays a role between them. Therefore, this paper embeds poverty alleviation into the relation-based society and explores how households respond to the policy in this specific conte…
Patient-reported impact of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: protocol for a real-world digital lifestyle study
2021
Abstract Background Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a rare, chronic, progressive motor and sensory neuropathy that affects the peripheral nervous system, leading to progressive, predominantly distal muscle weakness, atrophy, sensory loss and progressive limb dysfunction. As with many rare diseases, there is a lack of patient-reported data with which to understand and address patient needs. This study aims to explore the real-world impact of CMT from the patient perspective. Methods This is a prospective, digital lifestyle study of at least 2,000 people with CMT, >18 years, resident in the following countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and the USA. Participants will be re…
Gender differences in original Archivos de Bronconeumología publications, 2001-2018
2021
Abstract Introduction Gender inequality exists in scientific publications. The aim of this study was to determine changing patterns in gender differences and factors associated with the positioning of authors’ names in original articles published in Archivos de Bronconeumologia (AB). Methods We performed a bibliometric study of articles published in AB between 2001 and 2018. Author gender was analyzed in four scenarios: first author, last author, middle authors, and mentee authors. Comparisons were made by authors’ specialties, funding received, multicenter studies, specialist areas, and others. Multivariate models adjusted for the percentage of registered physicians in the Spanish health s…
Magnolol and Honokiol: Two Natural Compounds with Similar Chemical Structure but Different Physicochemical and Stability Properties
2021
Magnolia spp. extracts are known for their use in traditional Korean, Chinese, and Japanese medicine in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, anxiety, and allergies. Among their main components with pharmacological activity, the most relevant are magnolol and honokiol, which also show antitumoral activity. The objectives of this work were to study some physicochemical properties of both substances and their stability under different conditions of temperature, pH, and oxidation. Additionally, liposomes of honokiol (the least stable compound) were formulated and characterized. Both compounds showed pH-dependent solubility, with different solubility–pH profiles. Magnolol showed a lower …
Supramolecular Chirogenesis in Bis-Porphyrin: Crystallographic Structure and CD Spectra for a Complex with a Chiral Guanidine Derivative
2021
The complexation of (3aR,7aR)-N-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)octahydro-2H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-imine (BTI), as a guest, to ethane-bridged bis(zinc octaethylporphyrin), bis(ZnOEP), as a host, has been studied by means of ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and circular dichroism (CD) absorption spectroscopies, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and computational simulation. The formation of 1:2 host-guest complex was established by X-ray diffraction and UV-Vis titration studies. Two guest BTI molecules are located at the opposite sides of two porphyrin subunits of bis(ZnOEP) host, which is resting in the anti-conformation. The complexation of BTI molecules proceed via coordination of the imine nitr…
Calcium phosphate/polyvinyl acetate coatings on SS304 via galvanic co-deposition for orthopedic implant applications
2021
Abstract In this work, the galvanic deposition method is used to deposit coatings of brushite/hydroxyapatite/polyvinyl acetate on 304 stainless steel. Coatings are obtained at different temperatures and with different sacrificial anodes, consisting of a mixture of brushite and hydroxyapatite. Samples are aged in a simulated body fluid (SBF), where a complete conversion of brushite into hydroxyapatite with a simultaneous change in morphology and wettability occurred. The corrosion tests show that, compared with bare 304, the coating shifts Ecorr to anodic values and reduces icorr Ecorr, and icorr has different values at different aging times due to chemical interactions at the solid/liquid i…
Tablets for all? Testing the screen inferiority effect with upper primary school students
2021
Abstract Educational institutions across the world are increasingly integrating tablets in the classroom, under the assumption that tablets improve students' learning. However, little research has specifically focused on the effects of tablets on reading comprehension of primary school children. Based on previous research with undergraduate students, we tested the hypothesis that primary school students will get more distracted, and subsequently comprehend less, when reading expository texts on tablets, as opposed to paper, particularly when they read under time pressure. In addition, from the lens of the comprehension levels hypothesis, we also analyzed the extent to which higher text comp…
DHA induces Jurkat T-cell arrest in G2/M phase of cell cycle and modulates the plasma membrane expression of TRPC3/6 channels.
2021
Abstract We investigated whether docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a dietary n-3 fatty acid, modulates calcium (Ca2+) signaling and cell cycle progression in human Jurkat T-cells. Our study demonstrates that DHA inhibited Jurkat T-cell cycle progression by blocking their passage from S phase to G2/M phase. In addition, DHA decreased the plasma membrane expression of TRPC3 and TRPC6 calcium channels during T-cell proliferation. Interestingly, this fatty acid increased plasma membrane expression of TRPC6 after 24 h of mitogenic stimulation by phorbol-13-myristate-12-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin. These variations in the membrane expression of TRPC3 and TRPC6 channels were not directly correlated with…
Nutritional quality of littoral macroinvertebrates and pelagic zooplankton in subarctic lakes
2021
Littoral benthic primary production is considered the most important energy source of consumers in subarctic lakes. We analyzed essential fatty acid (EFA) and amino acid (EAA) content of 23 littoral benthic macroinvertebrate taxa as well as cladocerans and copepods from pelagic and littoral habitats of 8–9 subarctic lakes to compare their nutritional quality. Pelagic crustacean zooplankton had significantly higher EFA and total FA content (on average 2.6‐fold and 1.6‐fold, respectively) than littoral macroinvertebrates in all our study lakes. Specifically, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), one of the most important EFA for juvenile fish, was almost exclusively found in pelagic copepods. In littor…
Impact of Thoracic Endografting on the Hemodynamics of the Native Aorta: Pre- and Postoperative Assessments of Wall Shear Stress and Vorticity Using …
2021
Purpose To quantify the hemodynamic consequences of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) by comparing the preoperative and postoperative wall shear stress (WSS) and vorticity profiles on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Materials and Methods The pre- and postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans from 20 consecutive patients (median age 69 years, range 20–87) treated for different thoracic aortic pathologies (11 aneurysms, 5 false aneurysms, 3 penetrating ulcers, and 1 traumatic aortic rupture) were segmented to construct patient-specific CFD models using a meshless code. The simulations were run over the cardiac cycle, and the WSS and vorticity values measured at th…
Performance, balance and posture variations with Occlusal Splint and Taopatch® devices: a retrospettive cross-over study
2021
Background The aim of the study was to evaluate how muscular performances, balance and posture were influenced applying Occlusal Splints and Taopatch® 8 (Tao Technologies Srls, Cittadella, Padua, Italy) devices in athletes. Methods Eighteen athletes, 7 females and 11 males, with an average age of 23.8 years, were included. Two devices were used: 1) a customized soft occlusal splint to be applied to the lower ach; 2) nanotechnological devices based on carbon nanotubules and quantum dots (Taopatch®) positioned on C7 and xiphoid process. Four functional tests were performed: surface electromyography (sEMG), kinesiography, the squat jump and counter movement jump and handgrip test. The tests we…
Psychometric properties of the stress control mindset measure in university students from Australia and the UK
2021
Abstract Introduction Beliefs about the consequences of stress, stress mindsets, are associated with health and performance outcomes under stress. This article reports the development and examination of the psychometric properties of a measure of stress mindset: The Stress Control Mindset Measure (SCMM). The measure is consistent with theory on mindsets about self‐attributes and conceptualizes stress mindset as the extent to which individuals endorse beliefs that stress can be enhancing. Methods The study adopted a correlational cross‐sectional survey design in two student samples. Undergraduate students from an Australian university (Sample 1, N = 218) and a UK university (Sample 2, N = 21…