Introduction
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by cognitive deficits, loss of daily functions, and mental and behavioral disorders, which cause stress and negatively ...affect the quality of life. Studies in the field suggest that combining cognitive training with physical activity can reduce the risk of developing the disease and, once neurodegeneration has begun, it slows its progress. In particular, virtual reality and augmented reality administer cognitive stimulation while providing a link to autobiographical memory through reminiscence, enabling the improvement of the person's quality of life. The present protocol aims to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive and physical treatments, integrated with the addition of virtual reality and reminiscence elements, using the Brainer software, in which people will find cognitive training, and the jDome
®
BikeAround™ system, which will allow participants to pedal along a personalized path projected on a schematic, using an exercise bike connected to the system.
Methods and analysis
For this study, 78 patients with mild Alzheimer's dementia were recruited and divided into the Experimental Group (EG) and Control Group (CG). Sixteen treatment sessions of 60 min each were conducted for both groups (2 training sessions per week, for 8 weeks), including 1 patient at a time. The EG received cognitive treatment with Brainer and physical training with jDome, while the CG received cognitive treatment with Brainer and physical training with a classic bicycle. The evaluation mainly focused on the assessment of the person's cognitive status. Other analyses were conducted on the quality of life, mood, behavioral disorders, and physical function, which were considered secondary outcomes.
Discussions
The ultimate goal of the present study is to test the effectiveness of a treatment for people with mild Alzheimer's focused on the integration of cognitive training and aerobic physical activity, using an exercise bike, with the addition of virtual reality and reminiscence elements.
Ethics and dissemination
The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the IRCCS INRCA. It was recorded in
ClinicalTrials.gov
on 2 June 2022 with the number NCT05402423. The study findings will be used for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presentations in scientific meetings.
Background
Dementia is a neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by impaired cognitive functions associated with psychological and behavioral disorders. The informal caregiver has a central role in ...the life of the person with dementia. Committing a large part of the day to caring for the assisted person inevitably has an effect on the caregiver’s life.
Objective
The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of a psychosocial intervention dedicated to a group of informal caregivers of patients with Alzheimer disease. The intervention will be guided by a trained psychologist who will facilitate the participants’ expression of their emotional states, as compared to a traditional self-help group.
Methods
The intervention described in this paper was designed and developed for the project INNovazione sociale e tecnologica per le FAMIGLIE che assistono malati affetti da Alzheimer (InnFamiglia). The study is designed as a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The RCT includes an experimental group, in which the participants will undertake the psychosocial intervention, and a control group, where participants will receive support according to traditional self-help methodology. Interventions for both groups will last 4 months and will be comprised of 16 sessions.
Results
Participant recruitment, enrollment, and data collection began in 2021. Enrollment continued until September 2022, at which time the last group began the intervention. Data collection will be completed by December 2022, and data analysis will be completed by March 2023. The study findings will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and will be presented at scientific meetings. Summaries of the results will also be made available to investigators for dissemination within their clinics.
Conclusions
We hypothesize that the experimental group will be more effective in managing caregiver burden and coping strategies and that this will improve the perception of well-being, anxiety, and depression among caregivers. Our study aims to compare two groups receiving different interventions: a self-help group and a psychosocial group with elements of emotional support. This study may also give us more information about the most appropriate ways to support and help caregivers of people with dementia.
International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)
DERR1-10.2196/37496
The addition of surface functional groups to single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) is realized as an opportunity to achieve enhanced functionality in the intended application. At the same time, ...several functionalized SWNTs (fSWNTs), compared to SWNTs, have been shown to exhibit decreased cytotoxicity. Therefore, this unique class of emerging nanomaterials offers the potential enhancement of SWNT applications and potentially simultaneous reduction of their negative human health and environmental impacts depending on the specific functionalization. Here, the percent cell viability loss of Escherichia coli K12 resulting from the interaction with nine fSWNTs, n-propylamine, phenylhydrazine, hydroxyl, phenydicarboxy, phenyl, sulfonic acid, n-butyl, diphenylcyclopropyl, and hydrazine SWNT, is presented. The functional groups range in molecular size, chemical composition, and physicochemical properties. While physiochemical characteristics of the fSWNTs did not correlate, either singularly or in combination, with the observed trend in cell viability, results from combined light scattering techniques (both dynamic and static) elucidate that the percent loss of cell viability can be correlated to fSWNT aggregate size distribution, or dispersity, as well as morphology. Specifically, when the aggregate size polydispersity, quantified as the width of the distribution curve, and the aggregate compactness, quantified by the fractal dimension, are taken together, we find that highly compact and narrowly distributed aggregate size are characteristics of fSWNTs that result in reduced cytotoxicity. The results presented here suggest that surface functionalization has an indirect effect on the bacterial cytotoxicity of SWNTs through the impact on aggregation state, both dispersity and morphology.
A systematic revision of the literature was conducted in order to undertake a comprehensive meta-analysis of all published observational studies on melanoma. An extensive analysis of the ...inconsistencies and variability in the estimates was performed to provide some clues about its Epidemiology. Following a systematic literature search, relative risks (RRs) for sun exposure were extracted from 57 studies published before September 2002. Intermittent sun exposure and sunburn history were shown to play considerable roles as risk factors for melanoma, whereas a high occupational sun exposure seemed to be inversely associated to melanoma. The country of study and adjustment of the estimates adjuste for phenotype and photo-type were significantly associated with the variability of the intermittent sun exposure estimates (
P
=
0.024, 0.003 and 0.030, respectively). For chronic sun exposure, inclusion of controls with dermatological diseases and latitude resulted in significantly different data (
P
=
0.05 and 0.031, respectively). Latitude was also shown to be important (
P
=
0.031) for a history of sunburn; studies conducted at higher latitudes presented higher risks for a history of sunburns. Role of country, inclusion of controls with dermatological diseases and other study features seemed to suggest that “well conducted” studies supported the intermittent sun exposure hypothesis: a positive association for intermittent sun exposure and an inverse association with a high continuous pattern of sun exposure
The mechanisms by which mitochondrial metabolism supports cancer anabolism remain unclear. Here, we found that genetic and pharmacological inactivation of pyruvate dehydrogenase A1 (PDHA1), a subunit ...of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC), inhibits prostate cancer development in mouse and human xenograft tumor models by affecting lipid biosynthesis. Mechanistically, we show that in prostate cancer, PDC localizes in both the mitochondria and the nucleus. Whereas nuclear PDC controls the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor (SREBF)-target genes by mediating histone acetylation, mitochondrial PDC provides cytosolic citrate for lipid synthesis in a coordinated manner, thereby sustaining anabolism. Additionally, we found that PDHA1 and the PDC activator pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase 1 (PDP1) are frequently amplified and overexpressed at both the gene and protein levels in prostate tumors. Together, these findings demonstrate that both mitochondrial and nuclear PDC sustain prostate tumorigenesis by controlling lipid biosynthesis, thus suggesting this complex as a potential target for cancer therapy.
A systematic meta-analysis of observational studies of melanoma and family history, actinic damage and phenotypic factors was conducted as part of a comprehensive meta-analysis of all major risk ...factors for melanoma. Following a systematic literature search, relative risks were extracted from 60 studies published before September 2002. Fixed and random effects models were used to obtain pooled estimates for family history (RR
=
1.74, 1.41–2.14), skin type (I
vs. IV: RR
=
2.09, 1.67–2.58), high density of freckles (RR
=
2.10, 1.80–2.45), skin colour (Fair
vs. Dark: RR
=
2.06, 1.68–2.52), eye colour (Blue
vs. Dark: RR
=
1.47, 1.28–1.69) and hair colour (Red
vs. Dark: RR
=
3.64, 2.56–5.37), pre-malignant and skin cancer lesions (RR
=
4.28, 2.80–6.55) and actinic damage indicators (RR
=
2.02, 1.24–3.29). Sub-group analysis and meta-regression were carried out to explore sources of between-study variation and bias. Sensitivity analyses investigated reliability of results and publication bias. Latitude and adjustment for phenotype were two study characteristics that significantly influenced the estimates.
Tenebrio molitor represents one of the most popular species used for the large-scale conversion of plant biomass into protein and is characterized by high nutritional value. In the present laboratory ...study, the bacterial biota characterizing a pilot production chain of fresh T. molitor larvae was investigated. To this end, different batches of fresh mealworm larvae, their feeding substrate (wheatmeal) and frass were analyzed by viable microbial counts, PCR-DGGE and Illumina sequencing. Moreover, the occurrence of Coxiella burnetii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) was assessed through qualitative real-time PCR assays. Microbial viable counts highlighted low microbial contamination of the wheatmeal, whereas larvae and frass were characterized by high loads of Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria, and several species of mesophilic aerobes. Spore-forming bacteria were detected to a lesser extent in all the samples. The combined molecular approach used to profile the microbiota confirmed the low microbial contamination of wheatmeal and allowed the detection of Enterobacter spp., Erwinia spp., Enterococcus spp. and Lactococcus spp. as dominant genera in both larvae and frass. Moreover, Klebsiella spp., Pantoea spp., and Xenorhabdus spp. were found to be in the minority. Entomoplasmatales (including Spiroplasma spp.) constituted a major fraction of the microbiota of one batch of larvae. From the real-time PCR assays, no sample was positive for either C. burnetii or STEC, whereas P. aeruginosa was detected in one sample of frass. Based on the overall results, two sources of microbial contamination were hypothesized, namely feeding with wheatmeal and vertical transmission of microorganisms from mother to offspring. Since mealworms are expected to be eaten as a whole, the overall outcomes collected in this laboratory study discourage the consumption of fresh mealworm larvae. Moreover, microbial loads and the absence of potential pathogens known to be associated with this insect species should be carefully assessed in order to reduce the minimum risk for consumers, by identifying the most opportune processing methods (e.g., boiling, frying, drying, etc.).
•Mealworm larvae, frass and wheatmeal were studied through a polyphasic approach.•Enterobacter, Erwinia, Enterococcus and Lactococcus dominated in larvae and frass.•The presence of Entomoplasmatales in larvae was ascertained.•Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected via real-time PCR in one sample of frass.•Real-time PCR showed the absence of Coxiella burnetii and Shiga-toxin E. coli.
Eutrophication affects coastal oceans worldwide, modifies primary production and sediment biogeochemistry and, overall, is progressively compromising marine ecosystems' integrity. Because of their ...known bioturbation ability, sea cucumbers are supposed to be candidates for mitigating benthic eutrophication. To provide insights on this, we investigated differences in organic matter quantity and biochemical composition (as proxies of benthic trophic status) of sediments and feces of the sea cucumber Holothuria tubulosa acclimated in mesocosms at temperatures comprised between natural conditions (14-26 °C) and an extreme of 29 °C (representing the highest anomaly under heat waves in the Mediterrranean Sea). Organic matter features differed significantly between sediments characterized by different trophic statuses and the holothuroid's feces, though with some exceptions. Feces resulted almost always organically enriched when compared with the ambient sediments, though with variable differences in composition in sediments characterized by different initial trophic status. Our results point out that sea cucumbers maintain their bioreactor capacity at all experimental temperatures including the (anomalous) highest one, irrespectively of the available food, suggesting that they could be profitably utilized to mitigate benthic eutrophication also in a warmer Mediterranean Sea.
•Bloodstream infections in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).•Secondary infection in patients with COVID-19.•Spread of multi-drug-resistant pathogens among patients with ...COVID-19.•Impact on the health system of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Correlation between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and superinfections has been investigated, but remains to be fully assessed. This multi-centre study reports the impact of the pandemic on bloodstream infections (BSIs).
This study included all patients with BSIs admitted to four Italian hospitals between 1 January and 30 June 2020. Clinical, demographic and microbiologic data were compared with data for patients hospitalized during the same period in 2019.
Among 26,012 patients admitted between 1 January and 30 June 2020, 1182 had COVID-19. Among the patients with COVID-19, 107 BSIs were observed, with an incidence rate of 8.19 episodes per 1000 patient-days. The incidence of BSI was significantly higher in these patients compared with patients without COVID-19 (2.72/1000 patient-days) and patients admitted in 2019 (2.76/1000 patient-days). In comparison with patients without COVID-19, BSI onset in patients with COVID-19 was delayed during the course of hospitalization (16.0 vs 5 days, respectively). Thirty-day mortality among patients with COVID-19 was 40.2%, which was significantly higher compared with patients without COVID-19 (23.7%). BSIs in patients with COVID-19 were frequently caused by multi-drug-resistant pathogens, which were often centre-dependent.
BSIs are a common secondary infection in patients with COVID-19, characterized by increased risk during hospitalization and potentially burdened with high mortality.
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