The spread of Caulerpa cylindracea in Calabria (Italy) and the effects of shipping activities

A survey to state the spread of Caulerpa cylindracea in the Calabrian Tyrrhenian coasts has been undertaken. The research aims to value the role of shipping activities in the ten-year’s study from 1999 to 2009, as a vector in the spreading of the species. The outcome of this study has shown that, during the last ten years, the species has colonized most of the regional coastline, on all kinds of substrata, in areas closed to harbours and subjected to high rate of sedimentation. The main effects of Caulerpa cylindracea colonization have resulted in a gradual decrease of crustose species while the turf ones have increased their abundance, altering the native structure of the macroalgal assemblages. These results confirm the extremely invasive behaviour of this strain in the Calabrian Tyrrhenian coasts and, more generally, in the Mediterranean Sea

Neuromuscular adaptations to a motor skills training program for adults with intellectual disabilities

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the relationship between an injury reduction program and the improvement of stability and muscle strength in adults with intellectual disabilities because, so far, the impact of strength training has been little studied in people with intellectual disabilities. Specifically, a sample of 16 people (aged between 20 and 40) divided randomly into 2 groups: A experimental with specific protocol and control B with traditional program. The training period lasted 3 months with 3 sessions per week. Tests were administered before the start of the program and after 3 months to assess stability and physical fitness. Physical fitness tests assessed the functional aspects of muscle strength and endurance, as well as flexibility. In order to identify the factors associated with the participation of physical activity among active subjects, staff and assisted placement organizations were asked to identify the people they believed to be physically active. The results indicated differences in performance between the two groups. Group A presented better strength in the lower limbs and increased mobility with the use of Pearson's correlation statistical tool and Student's t test. Therefore, the null hypothesis is confirmed

Application of isocapnic hyperpnea in the treatment of vertebral column paramorphisms: Clinical case reports

The aim of the study is to frame the use of Isocapnic Hyperpnea in the treatment of different spine paramorphisms through the use of SpiroTiger©. Several studies in recent years are increasingly looking for the current correlations between the respiratory musculature and the Fine Postural System. Based on this consideration, we decided to use respiratory exercise to induce a considerable modification of postural alignment. To provide meaningful data, we associated an objective baseline assessment with an objective assessment using spinometry. Four subjects are identified, undergoing an initial objective assessment of posture and spinometry (Spinal mouse M360©) who, after having carried out Respiratory Training with SpiroTiger© and postural gymnastics, were followed-up between the 5th and 8th sessions. The first two cases had postural alterations (lumbar hyperlordosis and dorsal cyphosis) while the assessment of the other subjects showed no postural deficits in the upright station. However, during anterior bending and/or the extension of the trunk in maximum inhalation, there were joint limitations that reduced the Range of Motion (ROM). Although the subjects examined had different Paramorphisms, the final assessment shows in all cases an increase in the ROM of the spine (bending=6-12°/extension=2°), better postural alignment resulting in a reduction in algies

Antiproliferative Activity of Mycalin A and Its Analogues on Human Skin Melanoma and Human Cervical Cancer Cells

Mycalin A, a polybrominated C15 acetogenin isolated from the encrusting sponge Mycale rotalis, displays an antiproliferative activity on human melanoma (A375) and cervical adenocarcinoma (HeLa) cells and induces cell death by an apoptotic mechanism. Various analogues and degraded derivatives of the natural substance have been prepared. A modification of the left-hand part of the molecule generates the most active substances. A structurally simplified lactone derivative of mycalin A, lacking the C1–C3 side chain, is the most active among the synthesized compounds exhibiting a strong cytotoxicity on both A375 and HeLa cells but not but not on human dermal fibroblast (HDF) used as healthy cells. Further evidence on a recently discovered chlorochromateperiodate-catalyzed process, used to oxidise mycalin A, have been collected

The Role of Internalized Transphobia, Loneliness, and Social Support in the Psychological Well-Being of a Group of Italian Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Youths

lthough transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) youth represent a highly resilient community capable of successfully overcoming adverse life circumstances, they still face social stigma that negatively impacts their health, being at risk of developing negative feelings toward their own TGNC identity (i.e., internalized transphobia). A poorly investigated dimension in TGNC health research is perceived loneliness. Thus, within the minority stress theory, the present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of loneliness and the moderating role of social support in the relationship between internalized transphobia and psychological well-being among 79 Italian TGNC youths aged 18 to 30-years-old who participated in an online survey. The main results show that loneliness partially mediated the relationship between internalized transphobia and psychological well-being. In addition, social support emerged as a significant moderator, as the impact of internalized transphobia on psychological well-being decreased at moderate and high levels of social support, but not at low levels. The findings have significant implications for clinical practice and psychosocial interventions to reduce the impact of internalized stigma and stress on psychological health

The Role of Internalized Transphobia, Loneliness, and Social Support in the Psychological Well-Being of a Group of Italian Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Youths

Although transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) youth represent a highly resilient community capable of successfully overcoming adverse life circumstances, they still face social stigma that negatively impacts their health, being at risk of developing negative feelings toward their own TGNC identity (i.e., internalized transphobia). A poorly investigated dimension in TGNC health research is perceived loneliness. Thus, within the minority stress theory, the present study aimed to investigate the mediating role of loneliness and the moderating role of social support in the relationship between internalized transphobia and psychological well-being among 79 Italian TGNC youths aged 18 to 30-years-old who participated in an online survey. The main results show that loneliness partially mediated the relationship between internalized transphobia and psychological well-being. In addition, social support emerged as a significant moderator, as the impact of internalized transphobia on psychological well-being decreased at moderate and high levels of social support, but not at low levels. The findings have significant implications for clinical practice and psychosocial interventions to reduce the impact of internalized stigma and stress on psychological healt

Evolution of Surgical Management of Hemorrhoidal Disease: An Historical Overview

Enfermedad hemorroidal; Terapias quirúrgicasMalaltia hemorroidal; Teràpies quirúrgiquesHemorrhoidal disease; Surgical therapiesHemorrhoidal disease (HD) is the symptomatic enlargement and/or distal displacement of the normal hemorrhoidal cushions and is one of the most frequent diseases in colorectal surgery. Several surgical or office-based therapies are currently available, with the aim of being a more tailored approach. This article aimed to elucidate the historical evolution of surgical therapy for HD from ancient times, highlighting the crucial steps, controversies, and pioneers in the field. In contrast with the previous literature on the topic that is often updated to the 1990s, with the introduction of stapled hemorrhoidopexy and transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization, this article describes all new surgical and office-based treatments introduced in the first 20 years of the 2000s

The Ks Brief Stimulator® role in postural alterations treatment: Clinical case reports

The aim of the study was to evaluate the modulations of the postural tonic system, observing the variations of plantar support. We worked on the restoration of the diaphragm function through respiratory gymnastics strategy that provides for the use of the KS Brief Stimulator® tool. For the study, 5 subjects between the ages of 10 and 27, male and female, were recruited, all with different postural alterations. The subjects underwent a preliminary baropodometric evaluation and then treated, on a monthly basis for a total of 5 months, with the KS brief Stimulator® technology and re-evaluated at the end of each treatment. Twice a week everyone carried out adapted physical activity protocols. At the end of each treatment the results of the baropodometric tests reported changes in terms of improvement of the pressure centre, showing a more congruous value than the concept of the centre of gravity and changes in the distribution of loads in both feet, in all subjects. Concluding, we could deduce the fundamental role of the diaphragm muscle in the global postural rebalancing and affirm that the application of the Ks brief Stimulator® technology, alongside the kinesiological work, represents the keystone for the restoration of the diaphragmatic function

Hydrodynamic ex vivo analysis of valve sparing techniques: assessment and comparison

OBJECTIVES: Valve-sparing procedures are surgical techniques allowing to restore adequate function of the native aortic valve by replacing the dysfunctional ascending aorta with a prosthetic conduit. A number of techniques are currently used, such as Yacoub's remodelling and David's reimplantation, based on a regular straight conduit. More recently, the De Paulis proposed the use of bulging conduits to reconstruct the shape of the Valsalva sinuses. This work investigates the impact of the valve-sparing technique on the aortic valve function. METHODS: The performance of three porcine aortic roots (Medtronic Freestyle™) was assessed in a cardiovascular pulse duplicator before and after performing three alternative valve-sparing procedures: David's reimplantation, Yacoub's remodelling and De Paulis' reimplantation. RESULTS: The porcine aortic roots, representative of the healthy native configuration, were characterised by the highest efficiency, with a mean energetic dissipation under normal operating conditions of 26 mJ. David's and Yacoub's techniques resulted in significantly lower performance (with mean energetic loss of about 70 mJ for both cases). The De Paulis' procedure exhibited intermediate behaviour, with superior systolic performance and valve dynamics similar to the native case, and a mean energetic loss of 38 mJ. CONCLUSIONS: The dynamics and performance after valve-sparing strongly depend on the adopted technique, with the use of conduits replicating the presence of Valsalva sinuses restoring more physiological conditions

Salmo salar fish waste oil: Fatty acids composition and antibacterial activity

Background and aims Fish by-products are generally used to produce fishmeal or fertilizers, with fish oil as a by-product. Despite their importance, fish wastes are still poorly explored and characterized and more studies are needed to reveal their potentiality. The goal of the present study was to qualitatively characterize and investigate the antimicrobial effects of the fish oil extracted from Salmo salar waste samples and to evaluate the potential use of these compounds for treating pathogen infections. Methods Salmo salar waste samples were divided in two groups: heads and soft tissues. Fatty acids composition, and in particular the content in saturated (SAFAs), mono-unsaturated (MUFAs) and Polyunsaturated (PUFAs) fatty acids, was characterized through GC/MS Thermo Focus GC-DSQ II equipped with a ZB-5 fused silica capillary tubes column. The antimicrobial activity of the salmon waste oils was evaluated through the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration assay and the antibiotics contamination was determined by Liquid Chromatography with tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. All experiments were done at least in triplicate. Results GC/MS analysis has shown the specific fatty acid composition of the salmon waste oils and their enrichment in MUFAs and PUFAs, with special reference to omega-3, -6, -7, -9 fatty acids. Furthermore, our study has highlighted the antimicrobial activity of the fish waste oil samples against two Gram+ and Gram- bacterial strains. Conclusions These data confirm that the fish waste is still quantitatively and qualitatively an important source of available biological properties that could be extracted and utilized representing an important strategy to counteract infective diseases in the context of the circular economy