47 research outputs found
Correction to: Human behavior and Homo-mammal interactions at the first European peopling: new evidence from the Pirro Nord site (Apricena, Southern Italy)
In the original publication of this article, one of the author names was incorrectly captured. The first name should be Razika, then family name should be ChelliâCheheb
Simple Parameters from Complete Blood Count Predict In-Hospital Mortality in COVID-19
The clinical course of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is highly heterogenous, ranging from asymptomatic to fatal forms. The identification of clinical and laboratory predictors of poor prognosis may assist clinicians in monitoring strategies and therapeutic decisions
Simple smartphone-based artworks diagnostics by Moire method and a diffractive optical element
The moire method is a well-known tool in NDT; it is based on the principle of superposition of two sets of lines or gratings, which creates a moire pattern that can reveal surface deformations caused by underlying defects or damage. In this paper, we propose a simple artwork diagnostic using the moire method and a smartphone. The technique is based on coupling the acquisition of fringe patterns by the smartphone camera to an effective fringe generator. The fringe generator consists of a diffractive optical element (DOE) illuminated by a laser diode; this optical device proved to be very effective thanks to its ability to produce in a simple way grid patterns of different spatial frequencies. The smartphone camera is used to capture the grid patterns and to store them in the cloud. We demonstrate the proposed approach by giving some preliminary experimental results
Case Report: Liraglutide for Weight Management in Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndromic Obesity
Genetic obesity, including syndromic and non-syndromic forms, represents a minority of cases compared to essential obesity but gene dysregulations lead to complex clinical conditions that make their management particularly difficult. Among them, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a multisystem human genomic imprinting disorder characterized by overgrowth. We describe the first case of liraglutide treatment in an 18-year-old boy patient affected by BWS complicated by macroglossia, cryptorchidism, nephroblastoma, organomegaly, microscopic lymphocytic colitis, pharmacologically treated arterial hypertension, obesity, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. He presented a normal cognitive development. Body mass index at the time of first transition visit in the adult endocrinology department at the age of 18-years-old was 40.6 kg/m2 without glucose metabolism impairment. Lifestyle interventions failed because of poor compliance. During 20 months of 3.0 mg liraglutide treatment, a weight loss of 19Â kg (â13.3%) and BMI reduction of 6.8 points were registered without side effects. To date, liraglutide treatment was effective on obesity in 7 subjects with Prader Willy Syndrome and 14 with melanocortin-4 receptor mutations. The efficacy of liraglutide in BWS could be related to a crosstalk among glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 system, mechanisms related to the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1C (CDKN1C), and dopamine mesolimbic circuit. Clinical trials aiming at a tailored medicine in genetic obesity are needed
Regulation of gh and gh signaling by nutrients
Growth hormone (GH) and insulinâlike growth factorâ1 (IGFâI) are pleiotropic hormones with important roles in lifespan. They promote growth, anabolic actions, and body maintenance, and in conditions of energy deprivation, favor catabolic feedback mechanisms switching from carbohydrate oxidation to lipolysis, with the aim to preserve protein storages and survival. IGFâ I/insulin signaling was also the first one identified in the regulation of lifespan in relation to the nutrientâsensing. Indeed, nutrients are crucial modifiers of the GH/IGFâI axis, and these hormones also regulate the complex orchestration of utilization of nutrients in cell and tissues. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge on the reciprocal feedback among the GH/IGFâI axis, macro and micronutrients, and dietary regimens, including caloric restriction. Expanding the depth of information on this topic could open perspectives in nutrition management, prevention, and treatment of GH/IGFâI deficiency or excess during life
Real-world evaluation of weekly subcutaneous treatment with semaglutide in a cohort of Italian diabetic patients
Purpose: Registered trials and real-world evidence (RWE) studies provided evidence on the efficacy of once-weekly (OW) semaglutide on hyperglycaemia and cardiovascular risk factors as add-on or de-novo treatment in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: In a retrospective analysis of electronic data files from 258 T2D patients, this RWE study aimed to explore the impact of OW semaglutide on biochemical and anthropometric outcomes after 6 and 12 months in patients receiving at least one prescription of OW semaglutide between September 2019 and May 2021. Results: During the study period, 154 and 56 consecutive patients completed the 6 and 12 months of OW semaglutide treatment. HbA1c levels decreased by -1.02±0.1% after 6 months and -1.1±0.1% after 12 months of OW semaglutide (p<0.0001 for both). At these time-points, HbA1c values were <7% in 61% and 57% of cases. HbA1c reduction was greater in patients with higher baseline HbA1c levels and it occurred irrespective of gender, age, insulin therapy and complications. The residual number of cases with HbA1c â„9% by the study end was low (5.3% vs 18.9% at baseline). Weight loss occurred in 73.5% and 78.1% of cases and, compared to baseline, it was â„5% in 21.2- 25.4% and â„10% in 6.8-18.2% after 6 and 12 months, respectively. Significant predictors of HbA1c reduction after 6 months of OW semaglutide treatment were baseline HbA1c (p<0.0001), bodyweight reduction (p<0.0001) and disease duration (p<0.001), while baseline HbA1c was the only predictor of HbA1c response after 12 months (p<0.0001). Reported adverse events were consistent with the known safety profile of semaglutide. Conclusions: Real-world evaluation of weekly subcutaneous treatment with semaglutide in a cohort of Italian diabetic patients
A method for building community resilience to climate change in emerging coastal cities
Rapidly urbanising coastal locations represent prototypes of future cities. While these "sea change" locations will face a range of issues associated with rapid growth such as infrastructure provision and enhancement of social capital, anticipated environmental impacts are likely to add significant challenges. Climate change is likely to have dramatic impacts on sea change communities through diminished potable water supplies, rising sea levels, storm surges, and increased intensity of flood events - with indirect impacts on health, financial sectors, and biodiversity. Given the inherent diversity within sea change communities with regard to age, culture, and socio-economic status there are likely to be differences in ways of adapting, the ability to adapt, and the desired direction of any changes. Cognizant of the potential enormity of climate change impacts, the need for rapid responses, and the diversity within communities, this paper proposes a participatory and transformative method to work with communities in responding to climate change and variability within rapidly urbanising coastal locations. The method focuses on determining probable futures for various communities of place and interest within sea change areas and aims to build the capacity for dynamic on-going learning to achieve those futures, both within and between the communities. Through this process community members may be empowered with dynamic and future-orientated learning skills that build upon community knowledge, innovation, and resilience