2,023 research outputs found
Reduction of painful area as new possible therapeutic target in post-herpetic neuropathic pain treated with 5% lidocaine medicated plaster: a case series
No full textRoberto Casale,1,2 Maria Di Matteo,3,7 Cristina E Minella,4,7 Guido Fanelli,5,7 Massimo Allegri4,6,71Department of Clinical Neurophysiology and Pain Rehabilitation Unit, Foundation Salvatore Maugeri, IRCCS, Pavia, 2EFIC Montescano School, Montescano, 3Anesthesia and Intensive Care I, 4Pain Therapy Service, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, 5Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Therapy, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Parma, University of Parma, Parma, 6Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Science, University of Pavia, Pavia, 7Study In Multidisciplinary Pain Research Group, Parma, ItalyAbstract: Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is neuropathic pain persisting after an acute episode of herpes zoster, and is associated with severe pain and sensory abnormalities that adversely affect the patient's quality of life and increase health care costs. Up to 83% of patients with PHN describe localized neuropathic pain, defined as “a type of neuropathic pain characterized by consistent and circumscribed area(s) of maximum pain”. Topical treatments have been suggested as a first-line treatment for localized neuropathic pain. Use of 5% lidocaine medicated plaster could reduce abnormal nervous peripheral discharge and via the plaster could have a “protective” function in the affected area. It has been suggested that use of this plaster could reduce pain as well as the size of the painful area. To evaluate this possible outcome, we retrospectively reviewed eight patients with PHN, treated using 5% lidocaine medicated plaster. During a follow-up period of 3 months, we observed good pain relief, which was associated with a 46% reduction in size of the painful area after one month (from 236.38±140.34 cm2 to 128.80±95.7 cm2) and a 66% reduction after 3 months (81.38±59.19 cm2). Our study cohort was composed mainly of elderly patients taking multiple drugs to treat comorbidities, who have a high risk of drug–drug interactions. Such patients benefit greatly from topical treatment of PHN. Our observations confirm the effectiveness of lidocaine plasters in the treatment of PHN, indicating that 5% lidocaine medicated plaster could reduce the size of the painful area. This last observation has to be confirmed and the mechanisms clarified in appropriate larger randomized controlled trials.Keywords: localized neuropathic pain, topical treatment, chronic pain, drug–drug interactions, patient's outcom
Biogeochemical Cycling of contaminants in marine waters
No full textNegli ultimi secoli, l'incremento demografico, unitamente allo sviluppo di tecnologie, processi industriali, sfruttamento di risorse, processi di globalizzazione e nuove necessità di welfare, ha contribuito all'aumento degli inquinanti ambientali.
Questo studio si concentra sulla valutazione di contaminanti inorganici antropogenici appartenenti alla categoria dei metalli(oidi) pesanti (HMs), inclusi metalli e metalloidi, in diverse matrici ambientali legate all'ecosistema marino della costa di Ancona: acqua marina, sedimenti e deposizioni atmosferiche, analizzate in tre siti caratterizzati da differenti pressioni antropiche.
L'obiettivo è indagare le fluttuazioni stagionali, la distribuzione di questi contaminanti nei vari compartimenti ambientali e nelle frazioni delle stesse matrici (ad esempio, acqua marina in fase disciolta o particolata), per comprendere come le attività antropogeniche ne influenzino la dinamica e individuare le principali fonti di arricchimento.
Questo tipo di ricerca è essenziale per raccogliere dati utili alla comprensione del ciclo biogeochimico di tali contaminanti a livello globale, considerando l'importanza di un monitoraggio continuo per affrontare le sfide ambientali future.
Poiché le principali fonti di HMs nel contesto marino sono gli scarichi fluviali e fognari, con un contributo rilevante dalle deposizioni atmosferiche, sono state studiate anche le relazioni tra metalli e traccianti per valutare l'impatto delle attività antropogeniche sui livelli di contaminazione.
La tesi presenta i risultati di un monitoraggio mensile di oltre due anni, comprendente HMs, nutrienti e parametri fisico-chimici, con analisi della stagionalità, delle correlazioni tra variabili, della ripartizione e valutazioni statistiche approfondite.In the last centuries, the demographic increment combined with new technologies, new industrial needs, new material exploitation, globalization processes, and new welfare needs led to the increment of pollutants in the environment.
The present study focusses on the evaluation of many anthropogenic inorganic contaminants which belongs to the category of the Heavy Metal(loid)s, including both metals and metalloids, in different environmental matrices connected to the marine environment of the coastal area of Ancona: Seawater, Sediments, and Atmospheric depositions, in three different sites characterized by different anthropogenic pressures. This study aims to investigate the seasonal fluctuations, the repartition of these contaminants in these different environment compartments and in the different fractions of the same matrix (i.e. seawater dissolved or particulate), to investigate how the anthropogenic activities may alter them, and which are the prevalent activities responsible to the enrichment of these elements. This kind of works are also fundamental to provide and collect data which can help to better understand the Biogeochemical Cycling of such contaminants at a global level, knowing the importance of keep up the monitoring attention to face the global challenges of the future.
Considering the main sources of HMs in the marine environment is given by riverine and sewage discharge, with a non-negligible contribution incoming from atmospheric depositions, here, the relationships between metals and tracers will also be studied in order to determine the influence of the anthropogenic activity on such levels.
This PhD thesis cover more than two-year monthly monitoring of HMs, nutrients and other physical-chemical parameters in these sites, and the seasonality, relationships between the variables, the apportionment, and the statistical analysis is performed
TUTELA DEL LAVORO E LIBERTA' D'IMPRESA NEI PROCESSI DI ESTERNALIZZAZIONE
No full textL’elaborato analizza le conseguenze lavoristiche della successione fra imprenditori, muovendo da una ricognizione delle varie tipologie di esternalizzazione con le relative esigenze e principali criticità.
L’indagine si concentra in primo luogo sul trasferimento d’azienda, esaminando la normativa e la giurisprudenza europee per passare poi alla disciplina di diritto interno, alle procedure sindacali e a uno specifico focus sul trasferimento delle aziende in crisi.
Successivamente l’autore si sofferma sull’appalto, prendendone in particolare considerazione gli indici di genuinità, i criteri di distinzione dalla somministrazione illecita di manodopera e la tutela delle maestranze in caso di avvicendamento fra imprese.
Da ultimo, la ricerca approfondisce le c.d. “clausole sociali”, sia di prima che di seconda generazione, valutandone la compatibilità con il diritto eurounitario e con la costituzione nonché riflettendo sui possibili rimedi in caso di loro violazione.The author analyzes the labour consequences of the succession between entrepreneurs, starting from a recognition of the various types of outsourcing with the related needs and main critical issues.
The survey focuses primarily on the transfer of businesses, examining European legislation and case-law and then moving on to internal legislation, trade union procedures and a specific focus on the transfer of companies in crisis.
The author then dwells on the contract, taking into account in particular the indications of authenticity, the criteria of distinction from the illicit administration of labour and the protection of workers in the event of turnover between companies.
Finally, the research deepens the "social clauses", both first and second generation, assessing their compatibility with European law and with the constitution and reflecting on possible remedies in case of their violation
Ultra Low Carbon Vehicles: New Parameters for Automotive Design
No full textAs the influence of vehicle emissions on our environment has become better understood, the UK government has recently placed urgent emphasis on the implementation of low carbon
technologies in the automotive industry through: the UK Low Carbon Industrial Strategy. The overall objective is to offer big incentives to consumers and support for the development of infrastructure and engineering solutions. This scheme however does not consider how the development of functional and experiential user value might drive consumer demand, contributing to the adoption of low carbon vehicles (LCVs) in the mass market.
With the emergence of the North East of England as the UK’s first specialised region for the development of ultra-low carbon vehicles (ULCVs), ONE North East, as a development agency for the region's economic and business development, and Northumbria University Ideas-lab have supported a project to facilitate innovation through the collaboration of technology, research and development (R&D) and business. The High Value Low Carbon (HVLC) project aims to envisage
new user value made possible by the integration of low carbon vehicle platforms with new process and network technologies. The HVLC consortium represents vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers as well as technology based companies and through an ongoing process of design concept generation the project offers a hub for innovation led enterprise.
Whilst new technological developments in areas such as power generation, nano materials, hydrogen fuel cells, printed electronics and networked communications will all impact on future automotive design, the mass adoption of low carbon technologies represents a paradigm shift for the motorist. This paper aims to describe how the mapping of new parameters will lead to new transport scenarios that will create the space for new collaborative research on user experiences supported by innovative technologies and related services
Supervised Exercise in Water: Is It a Viable Alternative in Overweight/Obese People with or without Type 2 Diabetes? A Pilot Study
No full textThe study of the effects of a water-based exercise program in overweight/obese people with or without type 2 diabetes is a topic of relatively recent interest. This type of exercise presents some advantages in reducing the risk of injury or trauma, and it can be a valuable therapeutic card to play for sedentary or physically inactive patients who have chronic metabolic diseases. This work aims to make a contribution showing the effects of a water-based exercise intervention, supervised by graduates in sports sciences, in a group of overweight/obese people with or without type 2 diabetes. In total, 93 adults (age 60.59 ± 10.44 years), including 72 women (age 60.19 ± 10.97 years) and 21 men (age 61.95 ± 8.48 years), were recruited to follow a water-based exercise program (2 sessions/week, for 12 weeks) at the C.U.R.I.A.Mo. Healthy Lifestyle Institute of Perugia University. Results showed an improvement in body mass index (−0.90 ± 1.56, p = 0.001), waist circumference (−4.32 ± 6.03, p < 0.001), and systolic (−7.78 ± 13.37, p = 0.001) and diastolic (−6.30 ± 10.91, p = 0.001) blood pressure. The supervised water-based intervention was useful in managing patients with metabolic diseases who often present with other health impairments, such as musculoskeletal problems or cardiovascular or rheumatic disease that could contraindicate gym-based exercise
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Matteo Maria Boiardo (1441-1494)
No full textMatteo Maria Boiardo – contemporary of Sir Thomas Malory and forerunner of Shakespeare, Spenser, Milton, Cervantes, Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis – is best known as the author of the Orlando Innamorato [Orlando in Love], a poem in ottava rima organically merging Carolingian epic and Arthurian romance. He was also a lyric and pastoral poet, playwright, and translator of classical texts into the Italian vernacular. Matteo was active in Italy during the years of 1463 throughout 1494, the year of his death
Uno sguardo all'Est. Lavoro e diritti fondamentali in Russia e negli altri Paesi della Comunità di Stati indipendenti
No full textNel contributo l'autore, dopo aver esaminato i diritti fondamentali del lavoro presenti nelle Costituzioni dei Paesi della Comunità di Stati indipendenti, si sofferma sul diritto del lavoro russo. La trattazione, a carattere diacronico, abbraccia i rami principali del diritto del lavoro: il rapporto individuale, le relazioni collettive, il mercato del lavoro. L'autore rileva una sorprendente continuità nelle linee essenziali del diritto del lavoro russo, pur nel susseguirsi di sistemi socioeconomici completamente diversi. Egli conclude che il diritto del lavoro russo appartiene saldamente alla matrice europea della materia.The contribution of the author starts by examining fundamental labour rights recognised by the Constitutions of the Countries of the Community of Independent States. Then the author focuses upon Russian Labour Law, going through the history of the main branches of the discipline: the individual relationship, industrial relations, the labour market. The article finds a surprising continuity in the essential lines of Russian Labour Law, in spite of the completely different socio-economic systems that were experimented in Russia during the twentieth century. The author concludes that Russian Labour Law clearly belongs to the European matrix of the discipline
Update on Donkey Embryo Transfer and Cryopreservation
No full textDonkey species reproductive biotechnology studies had a dramatic increase after the Convention of Biological Diversity that took place in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 1992. The mechanization of agriculture of the 20th century took most of the developed countries donkey breeds close to extinction, and after Rio, the development of effective reproductive programs to save them was encouraged. Moreover, the recent interest in donkey milk, meat, and skin products transformed the donkey in a potential productive animal leading to the research and dissemination of desired productive tracts into its population. Among reproductive biotechnologies, the production and cryopreservation of embryos has a key role due to the possibility of producing and stocking valuable genetics potentially forever. Each species gametes and embryos from each species need specific media and protocols due to their particular characteristics. After more than 10 years of unsatisfactory results, embryo transfer and cryopreservation in the donkey moved from horse protocols to procedures more specifically tailored to the donkey species. Nowaday, pregnancy rates of 50% and 36% after the transfer of fresh and vitrified embryos, respectively, are possible in this species
Variables Affecting Veterinary Students’ Ability to Accurately Interpret Ovulation in Live Mare Palpation
No full textn a veterinary medicine curriculum, students' hands-on practice is essential but is still considered one of the major deficiencies in veterinary schools in Europe. After theoretical and basic practical training, students, under the control of experienced veterinarians (supervisors), monitored the reproductive cycle of embryo recipients by transrectal palpation and ultrasound. To evaluate the skills of students, the question "Has she ovulated?" was posed when a dominant follicle ≥ 35 mm was recorded in the previous day's examination and a score of 1 or 0 was assigned in the case of a correct or incorrect answer (test palpation), respectively. Study 1 involved the retrospective evaluation of 3,509 test palpation records of 43 students (31 females, 12 males) and showed a statistically significant positive correlation between the number of test palpations performed and the proportion of correct answers. There was a statistically significant effect of the number of test palpations performed by each student, their gender, and the season on the correct answers. When performing > 50 test palpations, a statistical difference between gender was observed (p < .05). Study 2 involved the prospective evaluation of 687 records on 52 standardbred or thoroughbred recipient mares collected from nine right-handed female students. The different mares, breed, occurrence of ovulation on the left or right ovary, and the presence of one or more large follicle(s) per ovary had no effect on the correct answers (p > .05). Individual students' performances were statistically different (p < .05), ranging from 60% to 92%
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