46 research outputs found
Ghost Particle Velocimetry as an alternative to ΜPIV for micro/milli-fluidic devices
No full textGhost Particle Velocimetry (GPV) has only been recently introduced and has already been proven useful in small scale phenomena investigations, such as the study of the flow field during single droplets generation in microfluidic devices. In this work, GPV was used to experimentally investigate fluid flow close to a T-shaped branched junction in a millimetre sized device. The experimental setup allowed for the first time, the study of complex fluid dynamic structures such as vortices and recirculation zones. Several experiments were performed to exploit the capability of GPV in carrying out flow field measurements, at different Reynolds numbers within the laminar flow regime and for two channel sizes. The results were validated by verifying the steady state and stability conditions and by comparing them with results obtained using the well-established micron-scale Particle Image Velocimetry (μPIV). Differences between these two velocimetry techniques were analysed in terms of qualitative and quantitative parameters, to attain a performance comparison and understand the strengths and weaknesses of each respective method
Cranial porosity: distribution and relationship between cribra cranii and cribra orbitalia across time in Italy
No full textThe interpretation of porosity on the ectocranial surface (cribra cranii) and on the orbital roofs (cribra orbitalia) is a debated topic, as regard to the etiological factors implied in their onset and to the relationship among them. In this research, cribra cranii (CC) and cribra orbitalia (CO) were investigated in various samples from the Italian peninsula across time, from the Roman age to the post-medieval period (1st- 17th century CE) with the aim at comparing their distribution and prevalence in different socioeconomic contexts and among groups (by sex and age) diachronically. The relationship between the two alterations was evaluated. The sample under study (N= 353) was recovered in five Italian sites as follows: two Roman Imperial age urban (n=105) and suburban (n=60) necropolises from Rome, a late antique suburban necropolis from Pisa (n=66), a medieval rural cemetery from Siena (n=85), and a modern period urban cemetery from Lucca (n=37); the last three sites are located in Tuscany. The porosities were macroscopically evaluated in terms of severity and by reparative stage.
Data analysis by sex and age indicated no significant difference between males and females in the prevalence of both CC (M=67.4%, F=60.0%) and CO (M=58.9%, F=53.3%), while significant differences were evidenced between adults and non-adults in some necropolis and in the total sample. CC were more frequent in adults (63.4%) than in non-adults (50.0%); CO showed an opposite trend (adults=55.7%; non-adults=73.7%). Among the affected individuals, the 36.5% of adults showed both CC and CO , while this association in non-adults was higher (60.5%). These results seem to confirm the absence of a direct relationship between CC and CO in the adult subsample. The diachronic comparison showed slight differences limited to a few historical periods
Studio multidisciplinare dei resti mortali mummificati di sant’Atto da Pistoia († 1153)
No full textNel dicembre 2019, nella cattedrale di San Zeno di Pistoia, sono stati eseguiti la ricognizione canonica e lo studio multidisciplinare dei resti mortali di sant’Atto da Pistoia († 1153). L’indagine, che è proseguita nei mesi successivi, ha compreso lo studio antropologico e paleopatologico, lo studio radiologico convenzionale e con Tomografia Computerizzata TC, lo studio istologico e immunoistochimico, la datazione radiometrica e l’analisi isotopica per la ricostruzione del modello nutrizionale e del luogo di provenienza. I risultati della ricerca hanno rivelato che sant’Atto è un corpo umano antico che ha subito un processo di mummificazione naturale. Lo stato di conservazione del corpo è buono, anche se sono state osservate e documentate evidenze di restauro. La ricostruzione del profilo biologico di Atto delinea un individuo di sesso maschile di oltre 50 anni di età con una statura di circa 168- 170 cm. Dall’indagine paleopatologica e radiologica è emerso che il santo soffriva di carie, antracosi polmonare e artrosi. Lo studio istologico ha mostrato lo stato ottimale dei tessuti biologici. La datazione al radiocarbonio colloca la morte di Atto tra il X e l’XI secolo. Il profilo nutrizionale indica una dieta basata su proteine terrestri e marine, compatibili con lo status di abate e vescovo. L’analisi isotopica suggerisce, infine, una compatibilità di provenienza del santo con alcune aree geografiche della penisola italiana, tra le quali l’arco alpino, la Toscana, il Lazio e la Calabria
Stable isotopic reconstruction of dietary changes across Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages in Tuscany
No full textThe transition from Late Antiquity to the Medieval period is considered one of the greatest periods of social, political, and economic upheaval in Europe, and has left its mark on the historical consciousness of people in this part of the world. Nevertheless, there remains considerable debate as to the degree to which the diets and economic status of different sections of society were impacted by this transition, with these so-called ‘Dark Ages’ often being uniformly considered as static and impoverished, particularly for populations along the Mediterranean rim. Such questions are especially important in central Italy, with its position at the former core of the Roman Empire leaving it most vulnerable to the major social and political shifts of the first millennium AD. However, direct insights into the diets of individuals in this region, across this key period, have been scarce, particularly in diachronic perspective. Here, we apply stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) analysis to bone collagen (n = 76), and stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotope analysis to tooth enamel (n = 34), to human, and associated faunal, individuals dated to Late Antiquity (3rd–5th centuries AD) and the Medieval period (mid 6th–mid 13th centuries AD) in Tuscany. δ13C measurements of both tooth enamel bioapatite and bone collagen suggest that a predominantly C3 diet during Late Antiquity was gradually supplemented by increased C4 consumption during the Medieval period. We interpret this as a shift from an agricultural focus on wheat following the Roman agrarian tradition towards the inclusion of millet as a reliable fallback food. We argue that this was part of a growing local and regional resilience amongst communities in the Medieval period, with more diverse agricultural systems and cultural preferences following a transition from the Roman classical civilization toward a Germanic tradition whose economy was based on the diverse cultivation of “minor crops” and close integration of pastoral husbandry livestock
Stunted growth in nonadults during the Late Antique Little Ice Age in Central Italy. Climate change and its impact on health conditions: the Late Antique Little Ice Age in Central and Northern Italy,
No full textPalaeoproteomic characterization of archaeological dental calculus reveals precarious periodontal health in pre-Roman Italy (7th–4th century BCE)
No full text: Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the tooth-supporting structures, is a key indicator of oral health in palaeopathology. While poor oral hygiene, systemic diseases, and genetics are well-established contributors, the dietary impact has often been underestimated. Clinical studies, however, link diets high in fermentable carbohydrates and meat to inflammation. We investigated periodontal disease by analyzing interdental septa in 63 individuals from elite and non-elite groups in pre-Roman Italy (7th-4th centuries BCE), a period of social stratification, intensified agriculture, and increased cereal consumption. Macroscopic analysis was combined with proteomics of dental calculus from 33 individuals. Of the 1890 septa considered, 23 % displayed signs of periodontitis, with significantly higher rates in males. Prevalence increased with age in both sexes. Proteomic findings identified Porphyromonas gingivalis, a key periodontal pathogen, in 10 of 19 well-preserved dental calculus samples. While plaque accumulation is the main trigger for periodontitis, our findings highlight the dietary role in disease susceptibility. Carbohydrate-rich foods adhere to teeth and nourish bacteria, worsening periodontal conditions. At the same time, greater access to animal protein, particularly among emerging elites, may have contributed to inflammation. We propose that a proinflammatory diet may have been a major contributor to the proliferation of pathogenic oral microbiota
A catastrophic case of fever of unknown origin
No full textBackground: Pancytopenia is a feature of many life-threateningconditions, ranging from drug-induced bone marrow hypoplasia,infection disease to severe hematologic disorders.Clinical case: 38-year-old woman was referred to the clinic forfever associated with epigastric pain and vomiting. She had ahistory of three months intermittent fever. In the Emergency de-partment: pancytopenia, impaired hepatic function and increaseof D-dimer. In our clinic at subsequent laboratory tests: hapto-globin consumed, hyperferritinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hy-pofibrinogenemia, high IL6 values, beta2-microglobulin,EBV-DNA positivity, peripheral blood lymphocyte typing sugges-tive for chronic lymphoproliferative disorder T. Total body CTshowed bilateral pleural effusion, diffuse lymphadenopathy,marked hepato-splenomegaly. It was decided to perform BME(aspects of hemophagocytosis and peripheral T-cell lymphomanos) and to start immediately supportive and HLH specific ther-apy. During the 5th night, progressive respiratory failure so shewas intubated and transferred to the ICU, where she died theday after.Conclusions: Hemophagocytic lymphoistiocytosis (HLH) is a rarecondition characterized by a poor prognosis. Most common causesof secondary HLH are malignancies. As no single clinical manifes-tation is diagnostic for HLH, the diagnosis require high index ofsuspicion. The early recognition and treatment of this clinical con-dition are essential elements in the management of this pathology,although burdened by a high mortality rat
Inhibition of T cell proliferation by cholera toxin involves the modulation of costimulatory molecules CTLA-4 and CD28
No full textCholera toxin (CT) is known to inhibit the proliferation of murine and human T lymphocytes. In this study we have analysed the mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effect of CT on subpopulations of human CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. We show that CT dramatically prevents the activation of resting T lymphocytes, whereas it has a minor effect on cells that have been previously activated. Analysis of DNA content of the CT-treated T cells showed an arrest in the G0/G1 phase and this correlated with high expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27kip. Moreover, we show that CT up-regulates the expression of the inhibitory molecule CTLA-4 in naïve, effector and memory resting CD4+ T cells and in resting CD8+ T lymphocytes. The regulation of CTLA-4 expression by CT is at the transcriptional level. Indeed, in cells treated with CT we observed an increase of two mRNA variants coding for the membrane and the soluble CTLA-4 molecules. In parallel with the up-regulation of the inhibitory CTLA-4, CT down-modulates the costimulatory molecule CD28 on CD4+ and CD8+ resting T cells. The increased expression of CTLA-4 played a role in controlling T cell activation and function as blocking anti-CTLA-4 F(ab′)2 mAbs partially inhibited anti-CD3 mAbs induced proliferation. These findings show that the inhibition of T cell proliferation by CT affects early stages of the T cell activation and involves the modulation of costimulatory molecules CTLA-4 and CD28 on resting T cells. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Primary care management strategies and COVID-19 related hospitalization: a population- based study
No full textBackground: Due to SARS-CoV-2 rapid mutations, the ending of the pandemic is still proceeding at a slow pace and there is the
need to strengthen and invest in health systems that avoid hospital overload and its consequences on patients’ health. Most
symptomatic infections have mild to moderate respiratory symptoms and patients are managed in the context of primary
care. In Italy, literature on COVID-19 outpatients management
by general practitioners (GPs) is scarce. This study explores the
effect of GP active care and monitoring on COVID-19-related
hospitalization in patients in the province of Modena (Italy) and
investigates the possible determinants of GP’s management.
Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of SARS-CoV-2 infected adult outpatients managed by their GPs from March 2020 to April 2021 in the province of Modena (Italy). Data on GPs’ characteristics, management strategies (visits and remote
monitoring), patients’ socio-demographic characteristics, and
hospitalization were extracted from the GP’s electronic
medical records and were analyzed using descriptive statistics
and multiple logistic regression.
Results: 46 GPs agreed to participate, and 5340 patients were included in the analyses. 3014 (56%) patients received active daily remote monitoring and 840 (16%) were visited at home.
Remote monitoring and home visits were both associated with
a reduction of the probability of hospitalization rate of
approximately 50% (respectively OR:0.52, 95%CI:0.33, 0.80
and OR:0.50, 95%CI;0.33, 0.78). Preliminary analysis of
determinants showed that GPs’ patient load, setting, age, and
sex were significantly associated with management strategies.
Conclusions: Active monitoring performed by GPs was effective in reducing the probability of hospitalization. Primary and hospital care integration can be effective for COVID-19 management. Studies on GPs’ characteristics and patient load and their effect on their ability to care for patients are neede
