170,614 research outputs found
The Fall of Troy, the Glory of Athens: Chorus and Community in Euripides’ Trojan Women
No full textThis chapter explores the dynamics of interaction between the two communities involved in the first production of Euripides’ Troades, namely the fictitious community of Troy, constantly evoked throughout the play, and the Athenian civic body taking part in the dramatic festival. The paper’s main claim is that, within the choral interventions of Troades, Euripides projects Athens onto Troy by blurring the boundaries between their civic identities. Focusing on the first stasimon, the discussion argues that various concomitant factors (poetic tradition, use of ‘choral projection’, imagery related to Panathenaea) were intended to encourage an assimilation of the Trojan women’s perspective on the part of the audience
Parity-violating CFT and the gravitational chiral anomaly
No full textWe illustrate how the conformal Ward identities (CWI) and the gravitational chiral anomaly completely determine the structure of the (TTJ5) (graviton -graviton -chiral gauge current) correlator in momentum space. This analysis extends our previous results on the anomaly vertices (AVV) and (AAA), as well as the (TJJ) parity -odd conformal anomaly vertex in general CFTs. The (TTJ5) plays a fundamental role in the analysis of the conformal backreaction in early Universe cosmology, affecting the particle content and the evolution of the primordial plasma. Our approach is nonperturbative and not Lagrangian based, requiring the inclusion of a single anomaly pole in the solution of the anomaly constraint. The pole and its residue, along with the CWIs, determine the entire correlator in all of its sectors (longitudinal/transverse), all of which are proportional to the same anomaly coefficient. The method does not rely on a specific expression of the CP-odd anomalous current, which in free field theory can be represented either by a bilinear fermion current or by a gauge -dependent Chern-Simons current; it relies solely on the symmetry constraints. We compute the correlator perturbatively at one loop in free field theory and verify its exact agreement with the nonperturbative result. A comparison with the perturbative analysis confirms the presence of a sum rule satisfied by the correlator, similar to the parity -even (TJJ) and the chiral (AVV)
World perspective and celiac disease epidemiology
No full textIn Europe and the USA, the mean frequency of celiac disease (CD) in the general population is approximately 1%, with some regional differences, the reasons for which remain elusive. A similar disease prevalence has been found in other countries mostly populated by individuals of European origin, e.g. Australia and Argentina. In Western countries, a true rise in overall CD prevalence of CD has been documented. CD is a common disorder in North Africa, the Middle East and India; however, the diagnostic rate is low in these countries due to low availability of diagnostic facilities and poor disease awareness. The highest CD prevalence in the world (5.6%) has been described in an African population originally living in Western Sahara, the Saharawi, of Arab-Berber origin. The reasons for this high CD frequency are unclear but could be primarily related to recent dietary changes and genetic factors, given the high level of consanguinity of this population. Further studies are needed to quantify the incidence of the celiac condition in apparently 'celiac-free' areas such as Sub-Saharan Africa and the Far East. In many developing countries, the frequency of CD is likely to increase in the near future given the diffuse tendency to adopt Western, gluten-rich dietary patterns. As most cases currently escape diagnosis all over the world, an effort should be made to increase the awareness of CD polymorphism. A cost-effective case-finding policy and new strategies of mass CD screening could significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with untreated disease. The current high prevalence of CD is just the last link in a chain of events started about 10,000 years ago after wheat domestication and diffusion from the Middle East. We hypothesize different mechanisms to explain the so-called evolutionary celiac paradox of co-localization of gluten consumption and HLA CD-predisposing genotypes
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency exacerbates LV dilation but does not affect function after myocardial infarction
No full textPerioperative Heart-Brain Axis Protection in Obese Surgical Patients: the Nutrigenomic Approach
No full textThe number of obese patients undergoing cardiac and noncardiac surgery is rapidly increasing because they are more prone to concomitant diseases, such as diabetes, thrombosis, sleep-disordered breathing, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Even if guidelines are already available to manage anesthesia and surgery of obese patients, the assessment of the perioperative morbidity and mortality from heart and brain disorders in morbidly obese surgical patients will be challenging in the next years. The present review will recapitulate the new mechanisms underlying the heart-brain axis (HBA) vulnerability during the perioperative period in healthy and morbidly obese patients. Finally, we will describe the nutrigenomics approach, an emerging noninvasive dietary tool, to maintain a healthy body weight and to minimize the HBA propensity to injury in obese individuals undergoing all types of surgery by personalized intake of plant compounds that may regulate the switch from health to disease in an epigenetic manner. Our review provides current insights into the mechanisms underlie HBA response in obese surgical patients and how they are modulated by epigenetically active food constituents
Acerentulus tortii Galli, Capurro, Lionetti & Zinni, 2017, sp. nov.
No full textAcerentulus tortii sp. nov. Figures 1–18, Tables 1, 2 Type material. Holotype female from soil collected under Abies cephalonica 650 m a.s.l., near Stropones (38° 36’ N, 23° 54’ E), Euboea Island, Central Greece, 30th April 1987, coll. B. Hauser; 8 male and 30 female paratypes, same locality as holotype. Other material examined. Five pre-imagos, 4 maturus juniors, 2 larvae II. The holotype and most of the paratypes are deposited in the Geneva Natural History Museum, Switzerland (MHNG registry number of the series: Ir-87/26). Two paratypes (1 male, 1 female) are deposited in the collection of Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell’Ambiente e della Vita (DISTAV) of Genoa University. Description. Female and male dimensions significantly different only in body length (Mann-Whitney U = 28, z = -2.0333, p <0.05). Length of females 1200 ± 153 µm (935‒1435, n = 15), length of males 1053 ± 130 µm (869—1290, n = 8). Head 139 ± 7 µm long in dorsal view (127—161; n = 23). Setae sd4, sd5 and l3 short and thin; seta d6 absent (Fig. 1). Frontal pore fp present, anterior to level of pseudoculi (Fig. 1). Pseudoculus almost circular, diameter 10 ± 1 µm (9—12, n = 24), longitudinally divided (Fig. 2); PR = 13.4 ± 1.1 (11.5—16, n = 23). Proximal part of the maxillary gland canal (Fig. 3) 32 ± 3 µm long (27—37, n = 22), with tripartite posterior dilation, CF = 4.3 ± 0.3 (3.7—4.9, n = 21). Maxillary palpus with two seta-like sensilla (Fig. 4). Labial palpus with apical tuft of setae and long, slender sensillum (Fig. 5). Foretarsus length 117 ± 4 µm (110—125, n = 23), claw 31 ± 2 µm (28—35, n = 22), without inner tooth or outer flap; TR = 3.9 ± 0.3 (3.4—4.4, n = 22); empodium length 5 ± 1 µm (4—6, n = 18), EU = 0.15 ± 0.02 (0.13—0.18, n = 18); S-shaped seta slightly longer than claw, length 33 ± 2 µm (30—36, n = 8). Sensillum t1 claviform, BS = 0.35 ± 0.02 (0.30—0.39, n = 23); t2 thin, t3 shaped like a willow leaf. Sensillum a passing the base of d; b passing the base of γ3; c shorter than b, just reaching γ3; d short, not reaching e; e slightly passing the base of g; f slightly closer to e than to g, apices of both f and g not reaching the base of claw; f longer than g. Sensillum a' broad and distal to t1, short, not reaching base of b'; b' thin and slightly passing base of c'; c' thin, its apex not reaching base of claw. Ventral seta β1 shorter than interior seta δ4; δ4 situated proximally to c’; δ-setae all rather short (Figs. 6, 7). Foretarsal pore present near sensillum c (Fig. 6). Middle tarsus length 50 ± 3 µm (44—57, n = 21), claw length 21 ± 3 µm (15—26, n = 21). Hind tarsus length 59 ± 3 µm (52—67, n = 21), claw length 22 ± 2 µm (range: 17—26; n = 21). Inner margin of middle and hind tarsus coxae with pointed tooth. Thoracic tergite I with two pairs of setae (Table 1). Thoracic tergites II–III (Fig. 8) each with two pairs of dorsal anterior setae (A2, A4); setae P2a nearer to P3 than to P2. Seta P5 very short. Length ratio of setae P1: P2 on pronotum 1:2.64 (2.17—3.46, n = 23) on mesonotum 1:1.26 (1.11—1.52, n = 21). Tergite I with three pairs of anterior setae (A1, A2, A5) with seta A5 very short; setae P1a, P3a, P4a and P5 absent. Tergites II–V each with three pairs of anterior setae (A1, A2, A5); setae P1a and P3a absent. Tergites VI–VII (Fig. 9) with 4 pairs of anterior setae (A1, A2, A4, A5); P1a and P3a absent on tergite VI. Tergite VIII with 3 pairs of anterior setae (A2, A4, A5); P1a absent. Tergites IX and X with 12 setae; tergites XI and XII with 6 and 9 setae, respectively (Fig. 10). Prosternum, mesosternum and metasternum formulas typically 4+4/6, 5+2/4 and 7+2/4, respectively (Figs. 11, 12); seta M of meso- and metasternum bordered by lightly granulated area (Fig. 12). Sternites I–VII with 3 anterior setae (Fig. 13); sternite VIII with 4 anterior setae and 2 posterior setae; sternites IX–XI with 4 setae; sternite XII with 6 setae (Fig. 14). On thoracic tergites II–III sl pores present; al pore present only on tergite II (Fig. 8, Table 2). Psm pores present on abdominal tergites I—VIII; al on tergites II–VII; psl on VI and VII (Fig. 9). Thoracic sternites and abdominal sternites I—III without pores. Sternites IV and V with spsm pores near the base of P1 (Fig. 13). Sternite VI with two groups of spsm pores (1—3) symmetrically placed anterior to P1. Sternite VII with spm pore near its hind margin, between P1 setae (Fig. 13). Pores in some specimens flanked by 2 or three small teeth (Fig. 13). Connecting lines on anterolateral corners of sternites IV–VI absent. Abdominal appendages II and III each with three setae (Fig. 15). Granular latero-dorsal area on tergite VI elongated, roughly rectangular (Fig. 9). Striate band on Abd. VIII well developed, with distinct striae (Figs. 10, 14); comb with about 1 0–12 regular teeth (Fig. 16). Nearly continuous row of minute granules just posterior to the striate band (Figs. 10, 14). Male squama genitalis with 5 + 5 setae (Fig. 17). Female squama genitalis with tripartite acrostylus (Fig. 18). Variability. One adult with asymmetrical presence of long P2a seta on tergite VII. Pre-imago. Length of body 1002 ± 71 µm (941—1104, n = 4); head length 125 ± 7 µm (118—133, n = 4); foretarsus length 97 ± 4 µm (93—102, n = 5); TR = 3.4 ± 0.2 3.3—3.6, n = 5); BS = 0.36 ± 0.03 (0.32—0.41, n = 5). Chaetotaxy (Table I) and porotaxy (Table II) identical to those of adults. Maturus junior. Length of body 834 ± 88 µm (744—931, n = 4); head length 117 ± 6 µm (111—125, n = 4); foretarsus length 91 ± 5 µm (85—96; n = 4); TR = 3.6 ± 0.2 (3.4—3.8, n = 4); BS = 0.34 ± 0.01 (0.33—0.35, n = 4). Chaetotaxy (Table I) differing from that of adults in absence of seta A4 on tergite VI; setae 1a and 2a absent on tergite X; seta P2 absent on thoracic sternite I; seta 2 absent on sternite XI. Larva II. Length of body 517, 596 µm; head length 96, 104 µm; foretarsus length 71 µm; TR = 3.1, 3.6; BS = 0.37, 0.39. Anterior setal rows absent on Abd. I—VII (Table I). Etymology. This species is dedicated to our friend and master Dr. Carlo Torti. 1 Following Galli & Capurro (2013). Diagnosis and discussion. Acerentulus tortii sp. nov. belongs to the A. cunhai species group (Nosek, 1973), members of which have a short foretarsal sensillum a not reaching seta γ3, and sensilla b and c subequal in length. A key to species belonging to this group was given by Shrubovych et al. (2014). In the new species foretarsal sensillum b is slightly longer than c; d and e are short; apices of f, g and c' do not reach the base of the claw; a' is broad, short, not reaching base of b'; b' and c' are thin. The connecting line on sternites IV—VI is absent. Pores are absent on the meso- and metasternum and on sternites I–III; symmetrical groups of spsm pores are present on sternite VI. The female squama genitalis has tripartite acrostylus. In the key of Shrubovych et al. (2014) A. tortii sp. nov. will trace to A. christensoni (Ewing, 1940). Acerentulus christensoni has a very long foretarsal sensillum b, much longer than c and reaching seta γ4, and long sensillum f reaching the base of the claw. Acerentulus tortii n. sp. is also quite similar to A. rafalskii Szeptycki, 1979, which differs from the new species in having foretarsal sensilla b and c subequal (both passing γ3), sensillum d long and reaching f, e long (widely passing g), a’ very short (barely reaching t2), the presence of an asymmetrical spsm pore on sternite III (1 + 0), shorter foretarsus (79–82 µm vs 110–125 µm), comb VIII with 8–9 teeth and male squama genitalis with 6 + 6 setae. The chaetotaxy of the new species also is similar to that of A. cunhai Condé, 1950, A. sexspinatus Womersley, 1936, A. keikoae keikoae Imadaté, 1988 and A. kermadecensis Ramsay & Tuxen, 1978. This last species differs from A. tortii in having an elongated pseudoculus with an additional structure at the end of the lever, 6 setae on sternite XI, foretarsal sensillum b more proximal than c, and d long, passing base of e. In A. keikoae keikoae setal numbers on sternites VII and XI are 3/9 (Pc present) and 6, respectively, differing from those of the new species; foretarsal sensillum a’ is long and reaches b’; and c’ is long (passing base of claw). A. sexspinatus is bigger than A. tortii n. sp. (body length 1725 µm, head 160 µm, foretarsus 130 µm) and is characterized by a particularly short claw (TR = 6); sternite XI bearing 6 setae; foretarsal sensillum a’ long, passing b’; and c’ long (reaching base of claw). A. cunhai differs from the new species in porotaxy: the meso- and metasternum have an sc pore, sternite I has an asymmetrical spsm pore (1 + 0) and sternite VII bears an asymmetrical pore near P1. The foretarsal sensillum a of A. cunhai is short, barely reaching base of d; d is long, passing f; and the female squama genitalis is bipartite.Published as part of Galli, Loris, Capurro, Matteo, Lionetti, Giuseppe & Zinni, Matteo, 2017, Acerentulus tortii sp. nov. from Greece (Protura: Acerentomidae), pp. 437-443 in Zootaxa 4232 (3) on pages 437-442, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4232.3.12, http://zenodo.org/record/31210
Prestroke barley beta-D-glucan supplementation protects heart and brain from consequences of ischemic stroke regardless of caloric restriction
No full textBackground: Chronic psychosocial stress (PS) and diet-induced obesity cause HBAd, yet its impact on post-stroke outcome is uncertain. 3% barley beta-D-glucan (BBG) supplementation in a high-fat diet (HFD) prevented HBAd in obese PS-exposed mice. We hypothesize that prestroke BBG dietary supplementation may protect heart and brain from stroke's severe consequences regardless of calorie restriction.
Methods: MCAO was performed on adult male C57BL/6J mice with (n=8) and without (n=8) HBAd. Long-term PS exposure caused HBAd in HFD-induced obese mice. HBAd mice were administered an HFD diet with (HFD-beta, n=4) or without (HFD, n=4) 3% BBG before a stroke. Both groups got a month-long normocaloric diet without BBG after stroke. Baseline and 30-day post-stroke motor brain and heart function were assessed. Grid walking, cylinder tests, and
echocardiography measured motor brain and heart function
Results: HBAd mice exhibited severe stroke-induced brain injury compared to mice without HBAd. Motor recovery was significantly improved in HFD-beta mice within 30 days after MCAO, whereas
heart rate was significantly reduced by 30% in both groups without changes of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function. However, heart rate was positively correlated with brain motor recovery only in treated mice. After stroke, HFD-beta had significantly lower end-diastolic interventricular septum thickness than HFD mice.
Conclusions: Pre-stroke HFD BBG supplementation reduced brain ischemia damage and cardiac remodeling in mice with lowered heart rate. Our data suggest BBG supplementation of HFD is sufficient to preserve brain and cardiac function after a stroke in high-risk patients regardless subsequent caloric restriction
Modulating Fatty Acid Oxidation in Heart Failure
No full textIn the advanced stages of heart failure, many key enzymes involved in myocardial energy substrate metabolism display various degrees of down-regulation. The net effect of the altered metabolic phenotype consists of reduced cardiac fatty oxidation, increased glycolysis and glucose oxidation, and rigidity of the metabolic response to changes in workload. Is this metabolic shift an adaptive mechanism that protects the heart or a maladaptive process that accelerates structural and functional derangement? The question remains open; however, the metabolic remodelling of the failing heart has induced a number of investigators to test the hypothesis that pharmacological modulation of myocardial substrate utilization might prove therapeutically advantageous. The present review addresses the effects of indirect and direct modulators of fatty acid (FA) oxidation, which are the best pharmacological agents available to date for 'metabolic therapy' of failing hearts. Evidence for the efficacy of therapeutic strategies based on modulators of FA metabolism is mixed, pointing to the possibility that the molecular/biochemical alterations induced by these pharmacological agents are more complex than originally thought. Much remains to be understood; however, the beneficial effects of molecules such as perhexiline and trimetazidine in small clinical trials indicate that this promising therapeutic strategy is worthy of further pursuit
Fibroblasti cardiaci sono modulati direttamente da esteri misti degli acidi ialuronico, butirrico e retinico.
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