Recent advances in the translational research showed that dietary nutrients have critical importance to the microbioma balance in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the alteration of the ...intestinal microbiota in order to achieve, restore, and maintain favorable balance in the ecosystem, and the activity of microorganisms present in the gastrointestinal tract is necessary for the improved health condition of the host. The objective of this translational study was to evaluate, in a pediatric population, the efficacy and safety of prophylactic probiotics for a better nutritional absorption capacity in the view to enhance their overall health and immunity.
A total of 40 pediatric patients between the ages of 14 and 18 years were enrolled in the study and divided under two categories (treated/active group and placebo group). Three-time points clinical evaluations were performed: a baseline assessment (Time 0), a second evaluation at 5 weeks after the start of probiotic use (Time 1), and a final evaluation at the timeline after 10 weeks (Time 2). In the initial phase of the study, the recruited subjects underwent a panel of initial T0 clinical tests. For each of the patients, a blood sample was taken in order to evaluate the following biochemical measurements: Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Calcium, Zinc, and Iron. Moreover, an initial nutritional evaluation was carried out through which the nutritionist estimated the body composition of the subject (weight and body mass index), the caloric needs and dietary behaviour of each recruited patient.
Eligible participants were randomized into placebo (n = 20) or treated/active (n = 20) treatment conditions by random allocation using a computerized random number generator, ensuring all investigators remained blind to the treatment distribution. The data were compared within and between groups using statistical methods. The results confirmed that the probiotic supplementation was effective in increasing the overall blood biomarkers levels of vitamins, calcium, and mineral absorption from baseline to 10 weeks of treatment, compared with the placebo.
Probiotics may be suggested as supplements to improve biomarkers serum concentration if administered for a period of at least ≥ 5 weeks. However, further studies are required for optimal recommendations in patient treatment.
This paper aims at proposing a possible alternative point of view to investigate the vulnerability of urban systems. The basic ideal refers to the possibility of thinking about vulnerability as ...deriving by the interactions of several risks that can affect the urban system and by the interactions among them. In this sense, it is possible to refer to an “integrated territorial risk”. Considering the city as a complex and dynamic system that while evolving produce entropy is the main theoretical reference supporting this study. The loss of energy during the evolution of the system corresponds to some conditions of inefficiency that involve the whole system and, as such, this lost energy can be assumed as a “systemic entropy”. Is it possible to measure the levels of this vulnerability of the urban system when it stays in ordinary conditions, namely not during stress states that modify the state of equilibrium of the system itself? It is possible to assess the production of this “internal entropy”? In order to answer to these questions in mind, this study aims at analyzing dyscrasias that can occur within the main components of the urban system in order to individuate possible strategies able both to mitigate the fragility of the urban system and to improve its resilience.
•The city has to be considered as complex and dynamic systems.•Entropy can be assumed as resulting from dyscrasias within the urban system.•Urban risks and entropy are connected each other.•Resilience is an internal force shifting the system towards an equilibrium.•The assessment of dyscrasias represents a tool for managing urban transformations.
The High-Energy Particle Detector (HEPD) module is designed to measure the pitch angle and energy of electrons and protons fluxes trapped in the Earth Magnetosphere with energies 3-100 MeV and 30-300 ...MeV respectively. Because of the launch of the CSES-02 satellite, an interesting option for improving the HEPD is to endow the tracking module with ALPIDE monolithic active pixel, specifically developed for the ITS upgrade of ALICE experiment at CERN. In this work we present the project of a modular and compact particle tracker made of 5 turrets, making use of 150-pixel sensors equipped with Hybrid Integrated Circuit (HIC) and supported by Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRPs) staves housed in an aluminum case. All envisaged solutions have been validated with an intense campaign of qualification tests, concerning vibrations and thermal stresses. The HEPD-02 tracker project foreruns the massive usage of CFRPs for space initiatives both of scientific and exploratory nature.
In recent years, an important number of studies have emphasized the psychopharmacological actions of cycloleucine (1-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid) acting on the NR1 subunit (glycine allosteric ...site) of NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartic acid) receptor. We studied the effects of its injection in an anxiety test.
The elevated plus maze test was used. Male rats bilaterally cannulated into the nucleus accumbens septi (NAS) were employed. Rats were divided into 5 groups that received either 1 µL injections of saline or cycloleucine (0.5, 1, 2, or 4 µg) 15 min before testing.
Time spent in the open arm was significantly increased by cycloleucine treatment with all doses (1 and 2 µg, p < 0.05; 0.5 and 4 µg, p < 0.01), like number of extreme arrivals (0.5 and 1 µg, p < 0.05; 2 µg, p < 0.01; and 4 µg, p < 0.001). Open arm entries were increased by the highest dose only (4 µg, p < 0.01).
Present results show no difference between all doses in the time spent in the open arm, suggesting an indirect, noncompetitive action of the drug. The increase in extreme arrivals and open arm entries suggests a dose influence in these parameters. We conclude that cycloleucine influence on the NMDA receptors within NAS leads to anxiolytic-like effects and behavioral disinhibition, which once more confirms the involvement of NAS in anxiety processing.
Data collection has suggested a complex correlation between the gut microbiota (GM) and bone homeostasis involving host-microbiota crosstalk. Although the GM is known to affect bone metabolism, the ...mechanisms linked with these effects remain unclear. The aim of this review is to current insight advances regarding how gut-derived hormones regulate bone homeostasis in humans, emphasizing gut-bone axis and bone regeneration. The GM may be engaged in bone metabolism and fracture risk. Additional investigations of the fundamental microbiota-related pathways in bone metabolism may uncover treatment strategies and enable the prevention of osteoporosis. A better knowledge of gut hormones' action on bone homeostasis may lead to new strategies for preventing and treating skeletal frailty related to age.
This paper presents lessons learnt through empirical research work developed in three metropolitan cities in South Italy aimed at exploring if and how the “Smart” framework might improve urban ...planning in cities with lacks in planning processes. Authors argue that organized networks of citizens (such as non-profit organizations or private associations) together with networks of institutions (such as partnerships amongst municipalities or universities) are needed in order to improve the smartness of a city; technologies are framed as opportunities and supports for more inclusive and informed decision-making processes, i.e. as a tool, rather than as a goal, for effective smartness. The paper discusses the primary findings of a Research Project conducted at the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering (DICEA), University of Naples, titled “Smart Energy Master for the Energy Management of Territory” funded by EU.
The methodology is based on the case-study method, whose sources of evidence are: quantitative indicators, archival documents, and excerpts from interviews with key stakeholders. In detail, the paper focuses on three Southern Italian cities (Reggio Calabria, Catania and Palermo), which have been clustered for similar challenges they have to face, in relation to their geographical proximity and cultural features. Findings show the twofold use of technologies for cities: on the one hand, technology may be perceived as a panacea and Smart initiatives may be isolated and episodic experiments; on the other, technologies may be critically incorporated in complex policies and initiatives aimed at regenerating urban areas holistically, and Smart initiatives may be coordinated and well-connected experiences. Authors argue that the second cases are feasible approaches for improving urban planning in challenging South-European contexts.
•Empirical research work developed in three metropolitan cities in South Italy, questioning the framework “Smart” in cities with lacks in planning processes.•Methodology is based on case-study method. Sources of evidence: quantitative indicators, archival documents, and excerpts of key interviews.•Findings show the two-fold use of technologies for cities: on one side, technocracy; on another side, technologies as supports for urban revitalization.•Authors argue that the second role of technology may improve urban planning in challenging South-European contexts.•Authors also argue that organized networks of citizens are needed in order to improve the smartness (intended as human and social capital) of a city.
Following the decision to maintain the International Space Station (ISS) on orbit until at least 2020 (possibly until 2028) the AMS collaboration decided to correspondingly extend the lifetime of the ...experiment. Since the limited amount of helium used to cool the superconducting magnet allowed for only a limited run time of the experiment, a change from the superconducting magnet to the permanent magnet used in AMS-01 became necessary. Due to the lower magnetic field, to maintain the resolution the silicon tracker also had to be reconfigured with the installation of a silicon plane on the top of the experiment and a new plane above the electromagnetic calorimeter.
Molnupiravir (MOV) is an oral antiviral drug that received use authorization in Vietnam for the treatment of mild COVID-19 (F0). There was a need to develop alternative approaches that allowed ...patients to access medication, decongest hospitals, clinics, and facilities, and protect people from infection. During the COVID-19 crisis, the Ninh Thuan Health Authorities implemented the home delivery of medication by community health workers. This study conducted in collaboration with two important Italian entities the Aldo Moro University of Bari City and the 118 Department of Territorial Emergency System (118 SET) of Taranto City aimed to evaluate the implementation of home delivery F0 treatment package assessing the rate of infection recovering during the coronavirus pandemic in Ninh Thuan province, Vietnam.
A convergent mixed methods research, based on a longitudinal study with quantitative research and qualitative assessments, evaluated four implementation outcomes: the feasibility, fidelity, coverage, sustainability, and effectiveness of the initiative. Data sources included routinely collected data, a telephonic survey of patients, an analysis of set-up and recurrent costs, as well as descriptive exploratory qualitative and quantitative analysis.
After taking the MOV for 5 days, only 35 out of the initial 400 F0 patients remained positive, while 365 patients (91.2%) were negative (CT≥30). Whilst, the successful rate after using the drug during the course accounted for 99.85% and 100% after the entire treatment course, without any death. After 5 days of taking the drug, a positive test result (CT<30) was associated with age group ≥60 (OR=2.7) and comorbidities (OR=3.0) (p<0.05) compared to negative and positive results (CT≥30). Negative factors impacting F0 at home include a shortage of healthcare workers, inadequate supply of thermometers and SpO2 meters, and insufficient financial support for healthcare workers.
MOV caused a reduction in the risk of hospitalization or death in mild COVID-19 patients, and molnupiravir was also found to be well tolerated and safe without any major adverse events during the administration period.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a worldwide medical challenge due to the scarcity of proper information and remedial resources. The ability to efficiently avoid a further ...SARS-CoV-2 pandemic will, therefore, depend on understanding several factors which include host immunity, virus behavior, prevention measures, and new therapies. This is a multi-phase observatory study conducted in the SG Moscati Hospital of Taranto in Italy that was converted into COVID-19 Special Care Unit for SARS-Co-V2 risk management. Patients were admitted to the 118 Emergency Pre-Hospital and Emergency Department based on two diagnostic criteria, the nasopharyngeal swab assessed by reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) and CT-scan image characterized by ground glass opacity. Patients were divided into four groups, positive-positive (ER-PP), negative-positive (ER-NP), negative-negative (ER-NN) and a group admitted to the ICU (ER-IC). A further control group was added when the T and B lymphocyte subsets were analyzed. Data included gender, age, vital signs, arterial blood gas analysis (ABG), extensive laboratory results with microbiology and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) which were analyzed and compared. Fundamental differences were reported among the groups. Males were significantly higher in PP, ICU, and NP groups, from 2 to 4-fold higher than females, while in the NN group, the number of females was mildly higher than males; the PP patients showed a marked alkalotic, hypoxic, hypocapnia ABG profile with hyperventilation at the time of admission; finally, the laboratory and microbiology results showed lymphopenia, fibrinogen, ESR, CRP, and eGFR were markedly anomalous. The total number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was dramatically reduced in COVID-19 patients with levels lower than the normal range delimited by 400/μL and 800/μL, respectively, and were negatively correlated with blood inflammatory responses.
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