Prostatectomy: a Comparison of Cost-Benefit Analysis Between Open Surgery and Robotic Techniques

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miR-519d Overexpression Is Associated With Human Obesity

Obesity is a consequence of imbalance of food intake and energy expenditure that results in storage of energy as fat, primarily in adipose tissue. MicroRNAs are non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression in metabolic pathways and they are also involved in fat-cell development. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether microRNA dysfunction contributes to obesity. We analyzed, by microarray, the expression profile of 1,458 microRNAs in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) from nondiabetic severely obese (n = 20) and nonobese adults (n = 8). Among 42 differently expressed microRNAs, we confirmed by reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) that miR-519d was overexpressed whereas the protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARA) (a predicted miR 519d target) were lower, at western analysis, in severely obese vs. nonobese subjects. We also show that miR-519d specifically and dose-dependently suppressed translation of the PPARA protein, and increased lipid accumulation during preadipocyte differentiation. Because PPARA plays a central role in fatty acid homeostasis, and in the transcriptional regulation of genes that are necessary for maintenance of the redox balance during the oxidative catabolism of fatty acids, we suggest that PPARA loss and miR-519d overexpression could be associated with metabolic imbalance and subsequent adipocyte hypertrophy in SAT during obesity

Adenoviral gene transfer of PLD1-D4 enhances insulin sensitivity in mice by disrupting phospholipase D1 interaction with PED/PEA-15.

Over-expression of phosphoprotein enriched in diabetes/phosphoprotein enriched in astrocytes (PED/PEA-15) causes insulin resistance by interacting with the D4 domain of phospholipase D1 (PLD1). Indeed, the disruption of this association restores insulin sensitivity in cultured cells over-expressing PED/PEA-15. Whether the displacement of PLD1 from PED/PEA-15 improves insulin sensitivity in vivo has not been explored yet. In this work we show that treatment with a recombinant adenoviral vector containing the human D4 cDNA (Ad-D4) restores normal glucose homeostasis in transgenic mice overexpressing PED/PEA-15 (Tg ped/pea-15) by improving both insulin sensitivity and secretion. In skeletal muscle of these mice, D4 over-expression inhibited PED/PEA-15-PLD1 interaction, decreased Protein Kinase C alpha activation and restored insulin induced Protein Kinase C zeta activation, leading to amelioration of insulin-dependent glucose uptake. Interestingly, Ad-D4 administration improved insulin sensitivity also in high-fat diet treated obese C57Bl/6 mice. We conclude that PED/PEA-15-PLD1 interaction may represent a novel target for interventions aiming at improving glucose tolerance

Determinants of weight, psychological status, food contemplation and lifestyle changes in patients with obesity during the COVID-19 lockdown: a nationwide survey using multiple correspondence analysis

Introduction The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced most of the Italian population into lockdown from 11 March to 18 May 2020. A nationwide survey of Italian Clinical Nutrition and Dietetic Services (Obesity Centers or OCs) was carried out to assess the impact of lockdown restrictions on the physical and mental wellbeing of patients with obesity (PWO) who had follow-up appointments postponed due to lockdown restrictions and to compare determinants of weight gain before and after the pandemic. Methods We designed a structured 77-item questionnaire covering employment status, diet, physical activity and psychological aspects, that was disseminated through follow-up calls and online between 2 May and 25 June 2020. Data were analyzed by multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and multiple linear regression. Results A total of 1,232 PWO from 26 OCs completed the questionnaires (72% female, mean age 50.2 +/- 14.2 years; mean BMI 34.7 +/- 7.6 kg/m(2); 41% obesity class II to III). During the lockdown, 48.8% gained, 27.1% lost, while the remainder (24.1%) maintained their weight. The mean weight change was +2.3 +/- 4.8 kg (in weight gainers: +4.0 +/- 2.4 kg; +4.2% +/- 5.4%). Approximately 37% of participants experienced increased emotional difficulties, mostly fear and dissatisfaction. Sixty-one percent reduced their physical activity (PA) and 55% experienced a change in sleep quality/quantity. The lack of online contact (37.5%) with the OC during lockdown strongly correlated with weight gain (p < 0.001). Using MCA, two main clusters were identified: those with unchanged or even improved lifestyles during lockdown (Cluster 1) and those with worse lifestyles during the same time (Cluster 2). The latter includes unemployed people experiencing depression, boredom, dissatisfaction and increased food contemplation and weight gain. Within Cluster 2, homemakers reported gaining weight and experiencing anger due to home confinement. Conclusions Among Italian PWO, work status, emotional dysregulation, and lack of online communication with OCs were determinants of weight gain during the lockdown period

La ricerca che cambia. Atti del primo convegno nazionale dei dottorati italiani dell'architettura, della pianificazione e del design. Università Iuav di Venezia 19-20/11/2014

Sessioni parallele di discussione di Tesi di Dottorato, selezionate a livello nazionale. Tavolo di discussione: Teorie. Discussant Francesca Castanò, Seconda Università degli Studi di Napoli • Paola Gregory, Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza” • Maria Chiara Tosi, Università Iuav di Venezia. Relatori: Giulio Basili, Università degli Studi di Firenze • Vito De Bellis, Politecnico di Bari • Alioscia Mozzato, Università Iuav di Venezia • Daniele Pascale Guidotti Magnani, “Alma Mater Studiorum” Università di Bologna • Manuela Schirra, Università Iuav di Venezia • Francesco Scricco, Politecnico di Bar

The Industrial Development Areas.The case of Caserta

The volume presents the results of the multi-disciplinary research project PURE - Productive and Urban metabolism Resources. Eco-solutions for new lands, funded by our University with the funds of the V:ALERE project. This funding is intended to support the work of our researchers, promoting their role as principal investigators in research projects. The PURE project, led by a research group of the Department of Architecture and Industrial Design - DADI coordinated by Giuseppe Guida, has started from some research hypotheses according to which starting from what of active or abandoned remains from the phenomenon of the Industrial Development Areas there are conditions to propose redevelopment strategies and to reinterpret their role in the territory. For the DADI research team these areas can be redesigned as containers for environmental infrastructure, urban and metropolitan equipment, slow mobility routes, even wooded areas able to coexist with the production realities still present or to be installed

Progetto SOS.net ‘Sale operatorie sicure’ Adozione della Surgical safety checklist negli ospedali della Regione Emilia-Romagna

In 2008 the Who diffused the Guidelines for safe surgery. In 2010, following this milestone publication, the Regional agency for health and social care in Emilia-Romagna, supported by the Mod- ena university hospital, launched the SOS.net project aimed at implementing the Surgical safety checklist in order to improve safety in the operating room and to prevent potentially avoidable adverse events. The regional checklist – divided into two modules – includes a set of check to be carried out during the surgery, and determines possible deviations from the standard. This paper presents the results of the pilot study (2011): more than 60% of the surgical units was for- mally recruited and 52% was able to document the use of the checklist through a dedicated regional database. Overall, the use of the checklist was registered in 62,507 surgeries – 19% of the total num- ber of surgeries delivered at regional level – with a high variation among the different units (min 1.4; max 57.2). Among the 5426 reported deviations from the standard, the unmarked site is the more fre- quent (31.3%). Compliance of involved professionals was assessed through a questionnaire which re- ported an overall positive attitude towards the tool, but clarified the most relevant difficulties (mainly cultural and technical/organisational) for its routine implementation. The paper deals with the report- ed results, compares them with the literature, and identifies some future directions

miR-519d Overexpression Is Associated With Human Obesity.

Obesity is a consequence of imbalance of food intake and energy expenditure that results in storage of energy as fat, primarily in adipose tissue. MicroRNAs are non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression in metabolic pathways and they are also involved in fat-cell development. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether microRNA dysfunction contributes to obesity. We analyzed, by microarray, the expression profile of 1,458 microRNAs in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) from nondiabetic severely obese (n = 20) and nonobese adults (n = 8). Among 42 differently expressed microRNAs, we confirmed by reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) that miR-519d was overexpressed whereas the protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARA) (a predicted miR 519d target) were lower, at western analysis, in severely obese vs. nonobese subjects. We also show that miR-519d specifically and dose-dependently suppressed translation of the PPARA protein, and increased lipid accumulation during preadipocyte differentiation. Because PPARA plays a central role in fatty acid homeostasis, and in the transcriptional regulation of genes that are necessary for maintenance of the redox balance during the oxidative catabolism of fatty acids, we suggest that PPARA loss and miR-519d overexpression could be associated with metabolic imbalance and subsequent adipocyte hypertrophy in SAT during obesity