598 research outputs found
Exploring the Role of Lipid-Binding Proteins and Oxidative Stress in Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Focus on the Neuroprotective Effects of Nutraceutical Supplementation and Physical Exercise
No full textThe human brain is primarily composed of lipids, and their homeostasis is crucial to carry on normal neuronal functions. In order to provide an adequate amount of lipid transport in and out of the central nervous system, organisms need a set of proteins able to bind them. Therefore, alterations in the structure or function of lipid-binding proteins negatively affect brain homeostasis, as well as increase inflammation and oxidative stress with the consequent risk of neurodegeneration. In this regard, lifestyle changes seem to be protective against neurodegenerative processes. Nutraceutical supplementation with antioxidant molecules has proven to be useful in proving cognitive functions. Additionally, regular physical activity seems to protect neuronal vitality and increases antioxidant defenses. The aim of the present review was to investigate mechanisms that link lipid-binding protein dysfunction and oxidative stress to cognitive decline, also underlining the neuroprotective effects of diet and exercise
Benefits of Applying Nanotechnologies to Hydrogels in Efficacy Tests in Osteoarthritis Models—A Systematic Review of Preclinical Studies
No full textOsteoarthritis (OA) is a severe musculoskeletal disease with an increasing incidence in the worldwide population. Recent research has focused on the development of innovative strategies to prevent articular cartilage damage and slow down OA progression, and nanotechnologies applied to hydrogels have gained particular interest. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the state of the art on preclinical in vitro and in vivo efficacy studies applying nanotechnologies to hydrogels in OA models to elucidate the benefits of their applications. Three databases were consulted for eligible papers. The inclusion criteria were in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies, using OA cells or OA animal models, and testing hydrogels and nanoparticles (NPs) over the last ten years. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed. Eleven papers were included. In vitro studies evidenced that NP-gels do not impact on cell viability and do not cause inflammation in OA cell phenotypes. In vivo research on rodents showed that these treatments could increase drug retention in joints, reducing inflammation and preventing articular cartilage damage. Nanotechnologies in preclinical efficacy tests are still new and require extensive studies and technical hits to determine the efficacy, safety, fate, and localization of NPs for translation into an effective therapy for OA patients
A child with dermatomyositis and a suspicious lymphadenopathy.
No full textDermatomyositis (DM) in adults is frequently associated with cancer. In contrast, juvenile DM (JDM) is predominantly idiopathic and rarely reported with occult neoplasm. We describe a patient who presented with DM that was found to be a paraneoplastic manifestation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Although rare, paraneoplastic JDM must be suspected in the presence of unusual features such as elevated inflammatory markers or lymphadenopathy. Accurate clinical assessment including appropriate biopsies is needed before starting glucocorticoid therapy
Salmonella spp. prevalence and antimicrobial resistance pattern (phenotypic profiles and presence of genetic AMR determinants) of serotypes isolated from pet reptiles in Northern Italy
No full textA total of 324 cloacal swabs were collected from reptiles kept at pet animals import centres (48 samples), pet shops (103 samples), zoological park (71 samples) and private owners (102 samples) located in Northern Italy. Samples were collected from healthy snakes (n = 147), lizards (n = 85) and turtles (n = 92). Isolation, typization of Salmonella spp. and the evaluation of sensitivity to different classes of antimicrobial drugs (16 antimicrobial agents) were performed using the classical bacteriological and serological procedures and the agar disc diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer). Isolates showing particular phenotypic AMR profiles were subjected to further molecular characterizations, especially the detection by PCR and sequencing of genetic elements involved in the diffusion and dissemination of AMR among Enterobacteriaceae (i.e. class 1 and class 2 integrons and AMR genes codifying for the resistance to tetracycline, aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, phenicol compounds etc...).
Salmonella spp. was isolated from 205 (63.3 %) cloacal swabs. Prevalence data were different for snakes (76.9 %) and lizards (74.1 %) compared to turtles (31.5 %). Serotyping showed the presence of S. enterica subsp. enterica (53.2 %), S. enterica subsp. diarizonae (29.8 %), S. enterica subsp. houtenae (10.2 %), S. enterica subsp. salamae (6.3 %) and S. enterica subsp. arizonae (0.5 %).
Out of 205 isolates, only 12 (5.8 %) showed full susceptibility to all the drugs tested and 95 (46.3 %) strains showed multidrug-resistance (i. e. resistance to three or more antimicrobials). Out of the 205 isolates, only 1 carried class 1 integron and only few strains showed a correlation between the phenotypic and genotypic patterns of AMR. These data underlines the importance to carry out further genetic investigations to better understand the genetic bases and mechanisms of the diffusion of AMR among these strains
Production of Copper-61 from natZn(p,a)61Cu reaction route by solid target irradiation: preliminary results
No full textBullous Haemorrhagic Vasculitis Associated with Adalimumab in a Child with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
No full textN/
Tonsillectomy efficacy in children with PFAPA syndrome is comparable to the standard medical treatment: a long-term observational study
No full textTonsillectomy has recently been suggested as an effective treatment for PFAPA syndrome but little is known about its long-term efficacy. We compared the clinical features and the long-term outcome of a large cohort of patients with PFAPA syndrome treated with tonsillectomy or with standard medical treatment
Juvenile diabetes and systemic sclerosis: just a coincidence?
No full textBACKGROUND: Limited joint mobility (LJM), previously known as cheiroarthropathy, refers to the presence of reduced extension at the finger joints in people with diabetes and may be associated with scleroderma-like syndromes such as diabetic sclerodactyly. While scleroderma-like syndromes and LJM have been observed in patients with long-term diabetes and associated complications, the coexistence of diabetes with Juvenile systemic sclerosis (jSSc) is rarely described. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the case of a 14-year-old boy with long-lasting type 1 diabetes (T1D) and suspected LJM associated with Raynaud phenomenon, sclerodactyly and tapering of the fingertips. A comprehensive work-up showed positive autoantibodies (ANA, anti-Ro-52, anti-Mi-2b), abnormal nailfold capillaroscopy with a scleroderma pattern, interstitial lung disease and cardiac involvement. The overall clinical picture was consistent with the diagnosis of jSSc. CONCLUSIONS: LJM can be the initial sign of underlying systemic sclerosis. Nailfold capillaroscopy may help differentiate jSSc from classical LJM in pediatric patients with T1D and finger contractures or skin induration of no clear origin. This case report provides a starting point for a novel hypothesis regarding the pathogenesis of jSSc. The association between T1D and jSSc may be more than a coincidence and could suggest a relationship between glucose metabolism, fibrosis and microangiopathy
The Impact of Anti‐COVID Face Masks on Romantic Attraction: An Expectancy Violation Perspective
No full textDrawing upon expectancy violation theory (EVT), we conducted an experiment to
investigate the efects of anti-COVID masks on attraction in romantic frst encoun-
ters. Participants (N=160) evaluated potential partners on three attraction dimen-
sions before and after mask removal; the attractiveness of the target and whether
their face was initially covered with a mask were both manipulated. Dependent
variables were romantic attraction, pleasantness of specifc target’s features (e.g.,
gestures, voice), and participants’ general impression expressed as positive/nega-
tive trait attributions about the target’s hypothetical personality, respectively. We
conducted a pretest to select stimuli based on attractiveness ratings. Our hypoth-
eses were guided by expectancy violation theory (EVT) and predicted that, when
encountering a masked individual, mask removal may induce expectancy violation,
and thereby signifcantly afect romantic attraction and impressions of that person.
Positive violations were expected to increase attraction and improve impressions for
attractive targets, while negative violations to decrease attraction and worsen impres-
sions for unattractive targets. In the control group, where targets were unmasked
from the beginning of the study, attraction and impressions were predicted to remain
stable over time and refect actual attractiveness. Findings supported our hypotheses,
showing that frst encounters with people wearing a mask from the beginning can
induce abrupt expectancy violation when the mask is removed, which then manifests
either in increased attraction when the would-be romantic partner is attractive, or
in decreased attraction when this person is unattractive. A deeper understanding of
expectancy violation dynamics holds critical implications for appreciating the com-
plexities of interpersonal encounters
FRAGILE COUNTRIES AND THE 2008-2009 CRISIS.
No full textThis paper analyses the channels through which the economic and financial crisis of 2008-2009 is transmitted to fragile countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Trade stands out as the main direct channel, even though intra-Africa remittances play a relevant role, given that most migrants in Sub-Saharan Africa fragile countries cannot afford the cost of mi-grating to Europe or to the United States and stay close, remaining in the continent. Whether reduced aid flows also act as a crisis transmission channel remains an open question, even though preliminary estimates suggest that, at least in the medium run, OECD countries are likely to lower aid, with potentially very damaging effects on fragile countries. The paper also shows that fragile countries are characterised by very low re-silience and capacity to cope with shocks. It concludes, by highlighting how Sub-Saharan Africa fragile countries' policymakers' room for manoeuver is limited in periods of crisis because of low fiscal space and limited institutional capacity. It advocates that the right response to the crisis would be to mobilise domestic resources, although this will require functional institutions able to offset the potential trade-offs between adverse short-term shocks and a long-term perspective.financial crisis, Sub Saharan Africa, real transmission channels. JEL Classification F0 O1.
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