Cannabis Essential Oil: A Preliminary Study for the Evaluation of the Brain Effects

We examined the effects of essential oil from legal (THC <0.2% w/v) hemp variety on the nervous system in 5 healthy volunteers. GC/EIMS and GC/FID analysis of the EO showed that the main components were myrcene and β-caryophyllene. The experiment consisted of measuring autonomic nervous system (ANS) parameters; evaluations of the mood state; and electroencephalography (EEG) recording before treatment, during treatment, and after hemp inhalation periods as compared with control conditions. The results revealed decreased diastolic blood pressure, increased heart rate, and significant increased skin temperature. The subjects described themselves as more energetic, relaxed, and calm. The analysis EEG showed a significant increase in the mean frequency of alpha (8–13 Hz) and significant decreased mean frequency and relative power of beta 2 (18,5–30 Hz) waves. Moreover, an increased power, relative power, and amplitude of theta (4–8 Hz) and alpha brain waves activities and an increment in the delta wave (0,5–4 Hz) power and relative power was recorded in the posterior region of the brain. These results suggest that the brain wave activity and ANS are affected by the inhalation of the EO of Cannabis sativa suggesting a neuromodular activity in cases of stress, depression, and anxiety

How future surgery will benefit from SARS-COV-2-related measures: a SPIGC survey conveying the perspective of Italian surgeons

COVID-19 negatively affected surgical activity, but the potential benefits resulting from adopted measures remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in surgical activity and potential benefit from COVID-19 measures in perspective of Italian surgeons on behalf of SPIGC. A nationwide online survey on surgical practice before, during, and after COVID-19 pandemic was conducted in March-April 2022 (NCT:05323851). Effects of COVID-19 hospital-related measures on surgical patients' management and personal professional development across surgical specialties were explored. Data on demographics, pre-operative/peri-operative/post-operative management, and professional development were collected. Outcomes were matched with the corresponding volume. Four hundred and seventy-three respondents were included in final analysis across 14 surgical specialties. Since SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, application of telematic consultations (4.1% vs. 21.6%; p &lt; 0.0001) and diagnostic evaluations (16.4% vs. 42.2%; p &lt; 0.0001) increased. Elective surgical activities significantly reduced and surgeons opted more frequently for conservative management with a possible indication for elective (26.3% vs. 35.7%; p &lt; 0.0001) or urgent (20.4% vs. 38.5%; p &lt; 0.0001) surgery. All new COVID-related measures are perceived to be maintained in the future. Surgeons' personal education online increased from 12.6% (pre-COVID) to 86.6% (post-COVID; p &lt; 0.0001). Online educational activities are considered a beneficial effect from COVID pandemic (56.4%). COVID-19 had a great impact on surgical specialties, with significant reduction of operation volume. However, some forced changes turned out to be benefits. Isolation measures pushed the use of telemedicine and telemetric devices for outpatient practice and favored communication for educational purposes and surgeon-patient/family communication. From the Italian surgeons' perspective, COVID-related measures will continue to influence future surgical clinical practice

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10&nbsp;years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37&nbsp;years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

The Comet Interceptor Mission

Here we describe the novel, multi-point Comet Interceptor mission. It is dedicated to the exploration of a little-processed long-period comet, possibly entering the inner Solar System for the first time, or to encounter an interstellar object originating at another star. The objectives of the mission are to address the following questions: What are the surface composition, shape, morphology, and structure of the target object? What is the composition of the gas and dust in the coma, its connection to the nucleus, and the nature of its interaction with the solar wind? The mission was proposed to the European Space Agency in 2018, and formally adopted by the agency in June 2022, for launch in 2029 together with the Ariel mission. Comet Interceptor will take advantage of the opportunity presented by ESA’s F-Class call for fast, flexible, low-cost missions to which it was proposed. The call required a launch to a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth L2 point. The mission can take advantage of this placement to wait for the discovery of a suitable comet reachable with its minimum ΔV capability of 600 ms−1. Comet Interceptor will be unique in encountering and studying, at a nominal closest approach distance of 1000 km, a comet that represents a near-pristine sample of material from the formation of the Solar System. It will also add a capability that no previous cometary mission has had, which is to deploy two sub-probes – B1, provided by the Japanese space agency, JAXA, and B2 – that will follow different trajectories through the coma. While the main probe passes at a nominal 1000 km distance, probes B1 and B2 will follow different chords through the coma at distances of 850 km and 400 km, respectively. The result will be unique, simultaneous, spatially resolved information of the 3-dimensional properties of the target comet and its interaction with the space environment. We present the mission’s science background leading to these objectives, as well as an overview of the scientific instruments, mission design, and schedule

La chirurgia del Glioblastoma recidivo: outcome clinico ed assetto genetico

Il glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) è il tumore cerebrale primitivo maligno più frequente dell’età adulta, IV grado secondo la classificazione WHO 2016. L’evoluzione della patologia porta nella quasi totalità dei casi alla recidiva dopo il trattamento della lesione primitiva. Gli studi sul GBM, negli ultimi anni, sono stati rivolti in gran parte al profilo molecolare, valutando il suo impatto sulla prognosi e le modificazioni intercorrenti all’intervallo di tempo tra la prima resezione chirurgica e il re-intervento. Questo lavoro si è proposto di valutare retrospettivamente questi parametri attraverso l’analisi di 25 pazienti, selezionati all’interno dell’archivio dell’U.O. di Neurochirurgia dell’A.O.U.P. di Cisanello, sottoposti all’intervento chirurgico dei tumori primitivi e recidivanti (4 pazienti hanno subito un terzo intervento sulla presentazione della seconda recidiva). Attraverso l’intervista telefonica, la revisione delle cartelle cliniche e dei referti neuroradiologici pre- e post-operatori sono state raccolte informazioni circa la sede, le dimensioni, la presentazione clinica, l’estensione della resezione (EOR). L’analisi del profilo molecolare è stata effettuata mediante revisione dei referti anatomo-patologici con la consultazione dell’U.O. di Anatomia patologica. L’analisi dei dati ha mostrato un’età media di insorgenza di 58.7 anni (min 26-max 75) con un rapporto M:F di 2.6:1. La mediana di sopravvivenza globale (OS) risultante è stata di 21 mesi, l’intervallo medio tra il primo ed il secondo intervento è risultato di 44.4 settimane. La presentazione clinica della lesione primitiva ha mostrato variabilità tra i pazienti: 9 (36%) hanno avuto un esordio con lo sviluppo di crisi epilettica, 14 (56%) con sintomi da deficit focale, 5 (20%) con sintomatologia legata all’ipertensione endocranica. La distribuzione delle lesioni ha evidenziato la leggera prevalenza della localizzazione all’interno del lobo temporale sia sui casi sottoposti al primo intervento (10 pazienti, 40%) che al secondo (11 pazienti, 44%). È stata valutata la modificazione del profilo molecolare, attraverso l’analisi immunoistochimica delle proteine GFAP e p53, l’indicizzazione della proliferazione con MIB-1 e l’analisi genetica della metilazione del promotore MGMT, dei geni IDH1/2 e delle delezioni cromosomiche sui bracci 1p/19q. È stato possibile confermare l’importanza dell’estensione della resezione chirurgica nel trattamento dei GBM recidivi, in cui vi è un miglioramento dell’outcome clinico nei casi sottoposti a GTR (Gross Total Resection) rispetto a quelli sottoposti a STR (Subtotal Resection). È stato confermato il ruolo del gene MGMT nella risposta alla terapia adiuvante chemio-radioterapica, dimostrando un aumento della sopravvivenza nei pazienti che presentavano un fenotipo metilato. Di contro, è stato riscontrato l’aumento dei casi di ripresentazione con mutazione della proteina p53, rimarcando la sua correlazione con la progressione e l’aggravamento della neoplasia. Al netto dei risultati ottenuti e dello stato dell’arte, è evidente come le alternative terapeutiche efficaci siano ancora poche per il trattamento del GBM. D’altra parte, la tendenza verso la tipizzazione genetica e molecolare resta l’opzione su cui si potranno concentrare gli studi futuri al fine di integrare nello schema terapeutico i farmaci a bersaglio molecolare, che, ad oggi, non hanno ancora ricevuto risposte soddisfacenti in questo ambito. Resta di fondamentale importanza la terapia chirurgica, la quale, attraverso l’avanzamento tecnologico e l’introduzione di nuovi presidi intra-operatori, potrà essere sempre più radicale con la preservazione delle aree cerebrali eloquenti

Biomimetics of underwater hair cell sensing

Hair cells are ubiquitous in nature. These natural and efficient mechanoreceptors are exploited as efficient transducers for flow sensing and chemical sensing in many living systems, ranging from cells to aquatic animals. In aquatic environment hair cells are probably the most effective mechanism of sensing and environment perception. Mimicking these mechanoreceptors and their structure and behavior for developing MEMS artificial hair cells (AHC) could be a powerful approach for producing efficient underwater sensors and technologies. In this paper we review the most recent approaches and designs to realize waterproof hair cell-like mechanotransducers for applications in underwater flow and acoustic sensing, mimicking the so-called “lateral line” in fishes. Recent developments for the achievement of artificial lateral lines to be applied in underwater autonomous vehicles will be highlighted. Finally research strategies to obtain artificial hair cells biosensing in liquid environment will be introduced