Archivio istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi di Parma
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Ectopic Atrial Beats May Cause a ZigZag Pattern at Intrapartum Recording of the Fetal Heart Rate Using Fetal Scalp Electrode
No full textIntroduction: Fetal scalp electrode (FSE) is considered the gold standard for the intrapartum monitoring of the fetal heart rate (FHR) being associated with the lowest rate of signal loss and artifacts including the recording of the maternal heart rate. FSE acquires a fetal electrocardiogram and evaluates the time intervals between successive R waves. As such, it allows the recording of the beat-to-beat fluctuation of the FHR. However, due to the precise estimation of the inter-beat interval, FSE may also demonstrate recurrent atrial ectopic beats and register a highly oscillatory FHR pattern mimicking a saltatory or ZigZag appearance. Case Presentation: We herein describe a case of intrapartum supraventricular ectopic beats leading to the recording of a saltatory appearance of the FHR that could be demonstrated using FSE only and precluded a reliable assessment of intrapartum fetal oxygenation. Transabdominal gray-scale and M-mode ultrasound assessment of the fetal heart documented supraventricular ectopic beats recurring in 1 out of 10–12 beats, thus supporting the hypothesis that the abnormal FHR pattern on the CTG trace was secondary to fetal arrhythmia and not to rapidly evolving fetal hypoxia. Conclusion: In supraventricular fetal arrhythmia, the use of FSE for continuous intrapartum FHR monitoring differently from external ultrasound transducer may capture a highly variable CTG pattern which is caused by the registration of the ectopic atrial beats and not by a rapidly evolving hypoxia
Killer Peptide-Containing Polyelectrolytic Nanocomplexes to Fight Toxoplasma gondii Infection
No full textAdherence to the Mediterranean Diet Among Families from Four Countries in the Mediterranean Basin
No full textBackground/Objectives: The cultural and socioeconomic changes to which societies are exposed can alter individuals’ lifestyles and dietary habits. The nutritional patterns of Mediterranean countries may also be affected by these factors at varying levels, depending on the changing social characteristics of the countries. This study aimed to determine Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) adherence among family members from four Mediterranean countries (Türkiye, Spain, Italy, and Lebanon). Methods: The survey was structured around sociodemographic data, family relationships, the Mediterranean diet adherence screener (MEDAS), the Mediterranean lifestyle index (MEDLIFE), the Mediterranean diet quality index (KIDMED), and the obstacles and drivers of MedDiet adherence. Results: The data were obtained from adults (n = 812), with the contribution of their children (n = 500) if they had any. According to the MEDAS, 22% of the adults strongly adhered to the MedDiet. Similar results were obtained when Mediterranean lifestyle adherence was analyzed using the MEDLIFE score, with 20% of the adults presenting a strong adherence, while significantly stronger adherence was found in Lebanon than in the other countries. Regarding the children and adolescents, around 30% presented strong adherence to the MedDiet. Price, availability, and accessibility were significant obstacles, whereas the perceptions of health and diet quality were identified as the drivers of the MedDiet. Conclusions: Overall, our results highlight the need for national policies to reduce the economic burden of healthy food options while encouraging equitable access to re-popularize the MedDiet pattern. Future research should focus on intervention strategies tailored to different age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds, the long-term impact of family-based strategies, and the cultural influences on MedDiet adherence
Iron Photocatalysis for C─H Functionalizations
No full textPhoto-assisted, iron-catalyzed C─H functionalizations represent nowadays a sustainable tool to develop unprecedented transformations, unviable by common catalytic organometallic approaches promoted by transition metals. In fact, the use of this new technology allows for more efficient synthetic transformations by increasing the chemo-, regio- and site-selectivity of the catalysis while reducing the formation of by-products and shortening reaction times. Further, the replacement of precious transition-metals with iron catalysts is highly desiderable for the development of environmentally-friendly synthetic methods. Within this review, we aim to summarize the latest achievements combining the most abundant and safe transition metal in “outer-sphere” C─H functionalization reactions mediated by light for the formation of new C─C and C─Het bonds, including challenging C─N, C─P, C─B and C─S bonds. Particular attention has been directed toward the description of mechanistic aspects of the iron catalysis and the application of the synthetic methods for late-stage C─H functionalizations of polymers, marketed drugs, biologically-active compounds and materials
Ex-vivo drug response profiling guides therapy in a case of high-risk acute undifferentiated leukemia with PICALM::MLLT10
No full textHigh-pressure processing technology as a novel approach for improving the shelf-life of fresh hop cones
No full textAim:
Hop cones (Humulus lupulus L.) are essential for the beer flavour, but they deteriorate quickly due to moisture, oxidation, and microbes. Methods like vacuum-nitrogen packaging, cold, and anaerobic storage slowed the degradation of compounds. However, long-term freshness maintenance is difficult and challenging; high-pressure processing (HPP) offers a sustainable way to extend shelf life, and it could enhance the availability without affecting quality.
Methods:
Fresh Cascade hop cones were submerged in liquids (water (W), 0.5% citric acid (CA) solution, and 0.6% acerola extract (AE)) and treated with HPP at 600 MPa/3 min. Samples were examined for color, oil content, bitter acid, aroma compounds, and microbial growth at 0, 15, 30, and 60 days.
Results:
At day 0, samples exhibited the highest L* values, which decreased across all liquid treatments after 15 days. By day 30, AE-treated samples had slightly higher all color values than other treatments. W-treated samples significantly dropped a* values at day 60, and CA caused significantly lower b* values across all storage conditions. W-treated samples had a higher browning index at day 60, while the CA-treated sample showed a lower index at day 15 than AE and W, which had similar values. No significant differences were found among the liquid treatments in essential oil yield, however, it was decreased after 15 days of storage compared to day 0. α-acids were higher at day 0 (6.09±0.02%) for all liquid treatments, with a general decline by day 60 (3.58%). W-treated samples showed a significantly lower α-acid at 15, 30, and 60 days. Conversely, AE treatment had higher β-acid at 15 and 30 days. At day 60, CA and W-treatments showed much lower β-acid than AE. Total phenolic content was highest in CA (19.36 mg GAE/g DW) samples at 15 days, and it decreased as storage increased. Although storage time had little effect on bacteria counts, CA-treatment significantly increased microbial growth compared to AE and W-treatments.
Conclusion:
Microbiologically, samples remained stable for 30 days, except CA. Bitter acids showed minimal change, while HP with acerola extract improved color and aroma. Oil yield, browning, and compound varied with treatment and storage
Antimicrobial Activity of Copper(II), Nickel(II) and Zinc(II) Complexes with Semicarbazone and Thiosemicarbazone Ligands Derived from Substituted Salicylaldehydes
No full textAntibiotic resistance is a problem repeatedly reported by health authorities. Metalloantibiotics, i.e., biologically active compounds containing one or more metal ions, can be an important resource in the fight against bacteria and fungi. Here, we report the results obtained with a panel of copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes with thiosemicarbazone, semicarbazone and acylhydrazone ligands on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, taken as model systems of human pathogens. To increase the solubility in water, the sulfonic group was introduced on some of the ligands, isolating them as sodium salts (NaH2L4-NaH2L7). Complexes 1–14 were isolated, fully characterized and the X-ray structures of 11, 12 and 13 were obtained. While all the ligands have no antimicrobial activity, the copper(II) complexes 1 and 4 and the nickel(II) complex 2, obtained from thiosemicarbazone ligands, showed good activity, in particular against S. aureus; these complexes were investigated in depth, calculating their respective IC50 values (4.2 μM, 3.5 μM and 61.8 μM, respectively). It should be noted that nickel(II) complex 2 does not show hemolytic activity and has a favorable SI value. While all the copper(II) complexes completely degraded the plasmid DNA in presence of H2O2, nickel(II) complex 2 cleaved the plasmid DNA leading to the formation of the relaxed nicked conformation, thus suggesting a different mechanism of action
The effects of a modified deep serratus anterior plane block on surgical stress and perioperative neurocognitive disorders in elderly patients undergoing thoracic surgery: a randomized clinical study
No full textBackground: Perioperative stress response is an important risk factor for perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) in elderly patients. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of a modified deep serratus anterior plane block (DSPB) combined with general anesthesia on surgical stress and PND in elderly patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Methods: A total of 66 patients undergoing thoracic surgery were randomly assigned to receive either a single-shot DSPB or local block after tracheal intubation using ropivacaine 0.5% (20 mL). The primary outcomes were the visual analog scale (VAS) scores at each time point. The secondary outcomes included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score before surgery and after discharge from the hospital (or seventh day postoperatively), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and serum cortisol levels, drug consumption, vital signs, and blood gas analysis. Results: Ultimately, 60 patients were enrolled in the study. The VAS scores were significantly lower in the DSPB group than the local block group (all P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the blood gas analysis index total carbon dioxide (TCO2) content (27.71±3.49 vs. 29.31±2.26 mmHg) between the two groups (P<0.05). The length of hospitalization was shorter in the DSPB group than the local block group (6.03±1.35 vs. 7.20±1.49 days), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of the MoCA scores before surgery and after hospitalization (or the seventh day postoperatively), stress indices, vital signs, bispectral index (BIS) value, blood gas analysis (except TCO2), and drug use during extubation at each time point (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Compared with the local block, the elderly patients undergoing thoracic surgery who received the DSPB had a superior analgesic effect, a lower VAS score, and shorter length of hospitalization. As a DSPB does not require ultrasound equipment, it is simpler and easier to operate than a local block, and is especially suitable for widespread implementation in small hospitals
Photomechanochemistry: harnessing mechanical forces to enhance photochemical reactions
No full textPhotomechanochemistry, i.e., the merger of light energy and mechanical forces, is emerging as a new trend in organic synthesis, enabling unique reactivities of fleeting excited states under solvent-minimized conditions. Despite its transformative potential, the field faces significant technological challenges that must be addressed to unlock its full capabilities. In this Perspective, we analyze selected examples to showcase the available technologies to combine light and mechanical forces, including manual grinding, vortex and shaker mixing, rod milling, and ball milling. By examining the advantages and limitations of each approach, we aim to provide an overview of the current state of synthetic photomechanochemistry to identify opportunities for future advancements in this rapidly evolving area of research
