Search results for " Vita"

Refolding of the integral membrane protein light-harvesting complex II monitored by pulse EPR

2009

The major light-harvesting chlorophyll a / b complex (LHCII) of the photosynthetic apparatus in plants self-organizes in vitro. The recombinant apoprotein, denatured in dodecyl sulfate, spontaneously folds when it is mixed with its pigments, chlorophylls, and carotenoids in detergent solution, and assembles into structurally authentic LHCII in the course of several minutes. Pulse EPR techniques, specifically double-electron-electron resonance (DEER), have been used to analyze protein folding during this process. Pairs of nitroxide labels were introduced site-specifically into recombinant LHCII and shown not to affect the stability and function of the pigment-protein complex. Interspin dist…

The bronchodilatory effect of deep inspiration diminishes with aging

2004

AbstractDeep inspirations have the ability to dilate constricted airways. The impairment of this function has been associated with the occurrence of asthmatic symptoms. We evaluated whether the bronchodilatory effect of deep inspiration (DI) is affected by aging. We tested 25 healthy subjects (median age: 54 yrs, range: 25–83 yrs). Single dose methacholine (Mch) provocations were performed in the absence of DI, which induced at least 15% reduction in inspiratory vital capacity (IVC) from baseline. The post-Mch IVC measurement was followed by 4 DIs and by another IVC (post-DI IVC). The fractional difference between post-DI IVC and post-Mch IVC represented the % bronchodilation by DI. The % b…

Antioxidants: Role in the prevention and treatment of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

2022

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is one of the major causes of chronic respiratory diseases among infants. Both pharmacological and nonpharmacological approaches have been proposed for its management. Since oxidative stress is known to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of BPD, it is reasonable to consider the potential of antioxidant strategies in the prevention and treatment of this condition. Indeed, antioxidants can prevent or inhibit substrate oxidation. Some studies have evaluated the efficacy of the exogenous administration of vitamins and micronutrients in reducing the propagation of free radicals through their scavenging capacity. Nonetheless, encouraging preclinical results d…

Clinical and Functional Characteristics of COPD Patients Across GOLD Classifications: Results of a Multicenter Observational Study.

2019

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease. The severity grading systems proposed by the Global initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) have changed over time. The aim of the study was to evaluate if the different GOLD classifications can capture the complexity of the disease by investigating the distribution of lung function and clinical parameters across the GOLD classification systems. This was an observational, retrospective, multicentre study. COPD patients were stratified according to the GOLD severity grading proposed in the 2007, and to the ABCD assessment tool present in the 2011, and 2017 versions of the initiative. Data from body plethy…

A cross-sectional study assessing the relationship between BMI, asthma, atopy, and eNO among schoolchildren

2011

Increased body weight may influence airway inflammatory mechanisms.To assess whether overweight-obesity (OW-O), evaluated as increased body mass index, is associated either with exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), a marker of airway inflammation, or with allergic sensitization in a large sample of children and adolescents.A cross-sectional, epidemiological study was performed on a population sample of schoolchildren evaluating 708 subjects (age 10-16 years; BMI 13-39 kg/m(2)) by respiratory health questionnaire, skin prick tests, spirometry, and eNO measure.Prevalence rates were: OW-O 16.4%, asthma ever (A) 11.9%, and rhinoconjunctivitis (RC) 14.8%. Asthma ever and allergic sensitization were signi…

Assessing and accessing the small airways; implications for asthma management

2013

Despite the wealth of experience in the management of asthma, the disease remains inadequately controlled in some patients, who face long-term respiratory impairment and disability. The disease has been characterised as an inflammatory condition affecting first the larger airways and eventually the smaller airways, but there is evidence that peripheral airway involvement defines a particular and more severe phenotype of asthma. For this reason, assessing functional and biological parameters reflective of small airways involvement is important prognostically. No assessment method is universally and directly representative of peripheral airway function, but the traditional spirometric tests, …

Thermographic Analysis of Tooth Vascularization Using Thermal Stimulation

2018

Objective: The current pulp diagnostic techniques based on subjective patient response to electrical or thermal stimuli are unable to assess tooth vascularization, which is a true indicator of pulp vitality. The present study evaluates thermography as a pulp vitality test, assessing tooth recovery following thermal stimulation. Methods: A model simulating intrapulpal circulation was developed. Superficial thermographic measurements were obtained from teeth with and without elevation of the intracoronal temperature before and after applying thermal stress with cold. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the level of significance was set at P<0.05. Results: The model …

DOLORE E QUALITA' DELLA VITA.L'IMPORTANZA DELLA VMD

2012

Do mental health and vitality mediate the relationship between perceived control over time and fear of COVID-19? A survey in an Italian sample

2021

Several studies evidenced increased elevated symptomatology levels in anxiety, general stress, depression, and post-traumatic stress related to COVID-19. Real difficulties in the effective control of time that could be responsible for mental health issues and loss of vitality were also reported. Prior literature highlighted how perceived control over time significantly modulates anxiety disorders and promotes psychological well-being. To verify the hypothesis that perceived control over time predicts fear of COVID-19 and mental health and vitality mediate this relationship, we performed an online survey on a sample of 301 subjects (female = 68%; Mage = 22.12, SD = 6.29; age range = 18–57 ye…

Qualità della vita e carico assistenziale dei caregiver di pazienti affetti da demenza

2011

Obiettivo: In questo lavoro intendiamo valutare la qualità della vita e il grado di distress dei caregiver di pazienti affetti da demenza afferenti presso il Centro di Riferimento Regionale Demenze Senili-Alzheimer - Unità Valutativa Alzheimer, dell’A.S.P. di Palermo. Metodi: L’assessment si compone di una batteria testo-logica che comprende i seguenti tests: Relative Stress Scale, Caregivere Burden Inventory, Neuropsychiaric Inventory, Short Form-36 Healty Survey. Risultati: Dall’analisi dei dati emerge che il grado di stress del caregiver risulta proporzionale al numero di anni di accudimento del paziente. Inoltre i caregiver di sesso femminile dedicano un numero sensibilmente maggiore di…