What is the relative contribution of biological and psychosocial factors to the generation of hypoxia headache?

ABSTRACTBackground: The biopsychosocial model claims that illness is generated by both biological and psychosocial factors. Accordingly, several studies have shown that both factors contribute to the generation of pain.Aims: The aim of the present study is to manipulate biological, psychological, and social factors in hypobaric hypoxia headache in order to understand their relative contribution to the generation of headache pain.Methods: Healthy subjects were subdivided into three groups and brought to our high-altitude labs for the assessment of hypoxia-induced headache, blood oxygen saturation (SO2), prostaglandins, and cortisol during the first 24 h after arrival. The first group did not undergo any manipulation. The second group (negative expectation) was told that severe headache would occur if SO2 dropped to less than 80% and their oximeters were set to display a saturation of 75%, even though real SO2 was much higher. The third group (negative expectation and social interaction) underwent the same ..

DNA methylation alterations caused by Leishmania infection may generate a microenvironment prone to tumour development

DNA methylation is an epigenetic signature consisting of a methyl group at the 5' cytosine of CpG dinucleotides. Modifications in DNA methylation pattern have been detected in cancer and infectious diseases and may be associated with gene expression changes. In cancer development DNA methylation aberrations are early events whereas in infectious diseases these epigenetic changes may be due to host/pathogen interaction. In particular, in leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Leishmania, DNA methylation alterations have been detected in macrophages upon infection with Leishmania donovani and in skin lesions from patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Interestingly, different types of cancers, such as cutaneous malignant lesions, lymphoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, have been diagnosed in patients with a history of leishmaniasis. In fact, it is known that there exists an association between cancer and infectious diseases. Leishmania infection may increase susceptibility to develop cancer, but the mechanisms involved are not entirely clear. Considering these aspects, in this review we discuss the hypothesis that DNA methylation alterations induced by Leishmania may trigger tumorigenesis in long term infection since these epigenetic modifications may enhance and accumulate during chronic leishmaniasis

An Overview of the Main Genetic, Epigenetic and Environmental Factors Involved in Autism Spectrum Disorder Focusing on Synaptic Activity

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that aects social interaction and communication, with restricted interests, activity and behaviors. ASD is highly familial, indicating that genetic background strongly contributes to the development of this condition. However, only a fraction of the total number of genes thought to be associated with the condition have been discovered. Moreover, other factors may play an important role in ASD onset. In fact, it has been shown that parental conditions and in utero and perinatal factors may contribute to ASD etiology. More recently, epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation and micro RNA alterations, have been associated with ASD and proposed as potential biomarkers. This review aims to provide a summary of the literature regarding ASD candidate genes, mainly focusing on synapse formation and functionality and relevant epigenetic and environmental aspects acting in concert to determine ASD onset

State-of-the-art of small-scale biomass gasification systems: An extensive and unique monitoring review

Abstract During the last few years, there has been an increasing interest in small-scale biomass gasification in Central and Northern Europe. Since 2011, almost fifty small-scale biomass gasification plants have been authorized and built in the South Tyrolean region (Italy), and most of them are currently operating. Within this framework, an extensive survey was performed by means of questionnaires to the plant owners for assessing the biomass and char flows in the region. Moreover, a comprehensive monitoring campaign was carried out onsite on representative plants of almost all the available operating technologies. For each of the monitored plants, the feedstock and the gasification products were characterized and their fluxes quantified, leading to energy and mass balances. This allowed collecting an extended set of data and drawing up a unique overview of the reference values for the ranges of operation of small-scale biomass gasification systems currently available in the European market, in terms of equivalence ratio, dry gas composition and heating value, specific electricity production, and conversion efficiencies. Moreover, samples of chars were deeply characterized, providing an insight into possible utilization pathways for the valorization of this by-product that is currently disposed of, representing an economical and environmental burden

Bioindicatori per Valutare la Qualità dei Suoli di Alcuni Parchi della Città di Roma

Il presente studio è stato effettuato alfine di stimare parte della qualità ambientale in alcuni parchi della città di Roma. Per tale indagine sono stati utilizzati muschi, suoli superficiali raccolti nei parchi di Villa Borghese, Villa Ada e Villa Doria Pamphili. Queste aree sono state scelte perché adiacenti a strade ad alto traffico veicolare. Complessivamente sono state approntate 11 stazioni di prelievo. Sono state valutate le concentrazioni di metalli pesanti quali Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, V, Zn, Pt e Rh in suoli e muschi, i valori ottenuti hanno permesso di osservare l¿andamento spaziale e identificare l¿origine delle ricadute degli elementi. In aggiunta su un campione composito di suolo per ogni "villa" è stata stimata la concentrazione di IPA, PCBs e Organoclorurati. Per una indagine più approfondita sono stati altresì utilizzati indicatori microbiologici, biochimici e molecolari della qualità del suolo al fine di valutare l¿effetto delle deposizioni al suolo di inquinanti presenti nell¿aria nei confronti della popolazione microbica e dei cicli biogeochimici. L¿insieme dei dati ottenuti ha permesso di valutare parte dello stato di salute dei tre parchi romani; l¿indagine andrebbe allargata sia agli altri parchi romani sia ai parchi di altre città italiane ed estere utilizzando la stessa metodica per una comparazione dei risultati e per conoscere la qualità dei parchi cittadini al fine di una corretta gestione. Parole chiave: parchi, muschi, suoli, batteri, metalli pesanti, IPA, PCBsJRC.H.7-Land management and natural hazard

Phleboviruses detection in Phlebotomus perniciosus from a human leishmaniasis focus in South-West Madrid region, Spain

Phlebotomus-borne (PhB-) viruses are distributed in large areas of the Old World and are widespread throughout the Mediterranean basin, where recent investigations have indicated that virus diversity is higher than initially suspected. Some of these viruses are causes of meningitis, encephalitis and febrile illnesses. In order to monitor the viral presence and the infection rate of PhB-viruses in a recently identified and well characterized human zoonotic leishmaniasis focus in southwestern Madrid, Spain, a sand fly collection was carried out. Methods Sand fly insects were collected in four stations using CDC light traps during 2012–2013 summer seasons. Screening for Phlebovirus presence both via isolation on Vero cells and via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using degenerated primers targeting a portion of the L segment, was performed. The serological identity and phylogenetic relationships on the three genomic segments of the viral isolates were carried out. Results Six viral isolates belonging to different serological complexes of the genus Phlebovirus were obtained from fifty pools on a total of 963 P. perniciosus (202 females). Phylogenetic analysis and serological assays allowed the identification of two isolates of Toscana virus (TOSV) B genotype, three isolates strongly related to Italian Arbia virus (ARBV), and one isolate of a novel putative Phlebovirus related to the recently characterized Arrabida virus in South Portugal, tentatively named Arrabida-like virus. Positive male sand fly pools suggested that transovarial or venereal transmission could occur under natural conditions. Conclusions Our findings highlighted the presence of different Phlebovirus species in the South-West area of the Madrid Autonomous Community where an outbreak of cutaneous and visceral human leishmaniasis has been recently described. The evidence of viral species never identified before in Spain, as ARBV and Arrabida-like virus, and TOSV B genotype focus stability was demonstrated. Environmental aspects such as climate change, growing urbanization, socio-economic development could have contributed to the genesis of this wide ecological niche of PhB-viruses and Leishmania spp. The potential role of vertebrates as reservoir for the phleboviruses identified and the possibility of Phleboviruses-Leishmania co-infection in the same sand fly should be assessed. Furthermore the PhB-viruses impact on human health should be implemented.This study was funded by EU grant FP7-261504 EDENext and is catalogued by the EDENext Steering Committee as EDENext432 (http://www.edenext.eu). The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission.S

Associated factors of depressive symptoms in the elderly: EpiFloripa study

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms in the elderly. METHODS Cross-sectional population based epidemiological study (The EpiFloripa Elderly survey) was carried out in two stage clusters, census tracts and households, with1.656 elderly individuals in Florianópolis, SC. The prevalence of depressive symptoms (outcome) was obtained using Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) and its associations with socio-demographic, health, behavioral and social variables were assessed. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using Poisson regression. RESULTS Depressive symptoms were observed in 23.9% of the elderly individuals (95%CI 21.84;26.01). In the final model, depressive symptoms were associated with: 5 to 8 years of schooling (PR = 1.50, 95%CI 1.08;2.08); one to four years of schooling (PR = 1.62, 95%CI 1.18;2.23) and no schooling (PR = 2.11, 95%CI 1.46;3.05); being in a worse financial condition than at the age of 50 (PR = 1.33, 95%CI 1.02;1.74); cognitive impairment (PR = 1.45, 95%CI 1.21;1.75); perceiving their health to be regular (PR = 1.95, 95%CI 1.47;2.60) or poor (PR = 2.64, 95%CI 1.82;3.83); functional dependence (PR =1.83, 95%CI 1.43;2.33) and chronic pain (PR = 1.35, 95%CI 1.10;1.67). Factors with protective effects were: being in the 70 to 79 year old age group (PR = 0.77, 95%CI 0.64;0.93); physical activity in leisure time (PR = 0.75, 95%CI 0.59;0.94); participation in social or religious groups (PR = 0.80, 95%CI 0.64;0.99) and having sexual relations (PR = 0.70, 95%CI 0.53;0.94). CONCLUSIONS : Adverse clinical situations, being socioeconomically disadvantaged and low social and sexual activity were associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly.OBJETIVO Analizar la prevalencia y factores asociados a síntomas depresivos en ancianos. MÉTODOS Estudio epidemiológico transversal y de base domiciliar (pesquisa EpiFloripa Anciano ) con 1.656 ancianos, realizado por conglomerados en dos fases, sectores censitarios y domicilios, en Florianópolis, SC, Brasil. La prevalencia de síntomas depresivos (resultado) fue obtenida por medio de la Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), y evaluadas asociaciones según variables sociodemográficas, de salud, comportamiento y sociales. Se calcularon tasas de prevalencia brutas y ajustadas con intervalo de 95% de confianza por regresión de Poisson. RESULTADOS La prevalencia de síntomas depresivos fue de 23,9% (IC95% 21,84;26,01). Los factores de riesgo asociados en el modelo final fueron: escolaridad de cinco a ocho años (RP = 1,50; IC95% 1,08; 2,08), uno a cuatro años (RP = 1,62; IC95% 1,18; 2,23) y ningún año de estudio (RP = 2,11; IC95% 1,46;3,05); situación económica peor al compararse con la que tenía a los 50 años (RP = 1,33; IC95% 1,02;1,74); déficit cognitivo (RP = 1,45; IC95% 1,21;1,75); percepción de salud regular (RP = 1,95; IC95% 1,47;2,60) y mala (RP = 2,64; IC95% 1,82;3,83); dependencia funcional (RP = 1,83; IC95% 1,43; 2,33) y dolor crónico (RP = 1,35; IC95% 1,10;1,67). Grupo etario de 70 a 79 años (RP = 0,77; IC95% 0,64;0,93); actividad física de placer (RP = 0,75; IC95% 0,59;0,94); participación en grupos de convivencia o religiosos (RP = 0,80; IC95% 0,64;0,99) y tener relación sexual (RP = 0,70; IC95% 0,53;0,94) se mostraron como factores protectores de la aparición de los síntomas depresivos. CONCLUSIONES Situación clínica adversa, desventaja socioeconómica y poca actividad social y sexual se mostraron asociados a los síntomas depresivos en ancianos

Medo de queda recorrente e fatores associados em idosos de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil

O medo de cair caracteriza-se pela ansiedade ao caminhar ou preocupação excessiva em cair. Objetivou-se investigar os fatores associados ao medo de queda recorrente entre os idosos de Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil. Foram investigados 266 idosos de um estudo de base populacional que sofreram quedas no ano anterior. Para análise estatística utilizou-se a regressão de Poisson a fim de verificar a associação entre o desfecho "medo de queda recorrente" e as covariáveis (socioeconômicas, atividade física, doenças, déficit cognitivo, convívio com amigos, características da queda e percepção de saúde), respeitando-se a hierarquia entre as variáveis. Dentre os idosos indagados, 57,1% apresentaram medo de queda recorrente. Na análise ajustada obteve-se associação significante entre o desfecho e ser do sexo feminino (p = 0,013), ter menor convívio com os amigos (p = 0,015), doença da coluna (p = 0,022) e limitações para atividades diárias após a queda (p = 0,001). Portanto, as campanhas de prevenção ao medo de nova queda devem visar prioritariamente às mulheres com limitação devido a quedas e com baixo convívio social