Biomedical Applications of Reactive Oxygen Species Generation by Metal Nanoparticles

The design, synthesis and characterization of new nanomaterials represents one of the most dynamic and transversal aspects of nanotechnology applications in the biomedical field. New synthetic and engineering improvements allow the design of a wide range of biocompatible nanostructured materials (NSMs) and nanoparticles (NPs) which, with or without additional chemical and/or biomolecular surface modifications, are more frequently employed in applications for successful diagnostic, drug delivery and therapeutic procedures. Metal-based nanoparticles (MNPs) including metal NPs, metal oxide NPs, quantum dots (QDs) and magnetic NPs, thanks to their physical and chemical properties have gained much traction for their functional use in biomedicine. In this review it is highlighted how the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in many respects could be considered a negative aspect of the interaction of MNPs with biological matter, may be a surprising nanotechnology weapon. From the exchange of knowledge between branches such as materials science, nanotechnology, engineering, biochemistry and medicine, researchers and clinicians are setting and standardizing treatments by tuning ROS production to induce cancer or microbial cell death

Longevity and health expectancy in an ageing society: implications for public health in Italy

Summary. Introduction. While the prolongation of life expectancy is due to medical, economic, social and public health advancements, longevity may not necessarily be an indicator of real development. Epidemiologic data indicate, in fact, that advanced age carries the risk of multiple diseases, disability and loss of autonomy. Materials and methods. How the years gained are lived need to be assessed evaluating quality of life, health status, and disability. Results and conclusions. Good health care planning should aim to ensure that the years of life gained are lived in good health conditions in the light of the World Health Organization's declaration that "increased longevity without quality of life is an empty prize. Health expectancy is more important than life expectancy"

Nanoparticle-assisted ultrasound: a special focus on sonodynamic therapy against cancer

At present, ultrasound radiation is broadly employed in medicine for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes at various frequencies and intensities. In this review article, we focus on therapeutically-active nanoparticles (NPs) when stimulated by ultrasound. We first introduce the different ultrasound-based therapies with special attention to the techniques involved in oncological field, then we summarize the different NPs used, ranging from soft materials, like liposomes or micro/nano-bubbles, to metal and metal oxide NPs. We therefore focus on the sonodynamic therapy and on the possible working mechanisms under debate of NPs-assisted sonodynamic treatments. We support the idea that various, complex and synergistics physical-chemical processes take place during acoustic cavitation and NP activation. Different mechanisms are therefore responsible for the final cancer cell death and strongly depends on not only the type and structure of NPs or nanocarriers, but also on the way they interact with the ultrasonic pressure waves. We conclude with a brief overview of the clinical applications of the various ultrasound therapies and the related use of NPs-assisted ultrasound in clinics, showing that this very innovative and promising approach is however still at its infancy in the clinical cancer treatment

Changes in sleep quality and sleep disturbances in the general population from before to during the COVID-19 lockdown: A systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionThis systematic review and meta-analysis aims to explore changes in sleep quality and sleep disturbances in the general population from before to during the COVID-19 lockdown.MethodsThe protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021256378) and the PRISMA guidelines were followed. The major databases and gray literature were systematically searched from inception to 28/05/2021 to identify observational studies evaluating sleep changes in the general population during the lockdown with respect to the pre-lockdown period. A random effects meta-analysis was undertaken for studies reporting (a) the means of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global scores or the means of the sleep onset latency (SOL) times (minutes - min) before and during the lockdown, (b) the percentages of poor sleep quality before and during the lockdown, or (c) the percentages of changes in sleep quality. Subgroup analysis by risk of bias and measurement tool utilized was carried out. A narrative synthesis on sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, insomnia and sleep medication consumption was also performed.ResultsSixty-three studies were included. A decline in sleep quality, reflected in a pooled increase in the PSQI global scores (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.26; 95% CI 0.17–0.34) and in SOL (SMD = 0.38 min; 95% CI 0.30–0.45) were found. The percentage of individuals with poor sleep quality increased during the lockdown (pooled relative risk 1.4; 95% CI 1.24–1.61). Moreover, 57.3% (95% CI 50.01–61.55) of the individuals reported a change in sleep quality; in 37.3% (95% CI 34.27–40.39) of these, it was a worsening. The studies included in the systematic review reported a decrease in sleep efficiency and an increase in sleep disturbances, insomnia, and in sleep medication consumption.DiscussionTimely interventions are warranted in view of the decline in sleep quality and the increase in sleep disturbances uncovered and their potentially negative impact on health. Further research and in particular longitudinal studies using validated instruments examining the long-term impact of the lockdown on sleep variables is needed.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021256378, identifier CRD42021256378

Physical activity and exercise for the prevention and management of mild cognitive impairment and dementia:A collaborative international guideline

Background: Physical activity and exercise have been suggested as effective interventions for the prevention and management of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, but there are no international guidelines. Objectives: To create a set of evidence- and expert consensus-based prevention and management recommendations regarding physical activity (any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in energy expenditure) and exercise (a subset of physical activity that is planned, structured, repetitive), applicable to a range of individuals from healthy older adults to those with MCI/dementia. Methods: Guideline content was developed with input from several scientific and lay representatives' societies. A systematic search across multidisciplinary databases was carried out until October 2021. Recommendations for prevention and management were developed according to the GRADE and complemented by consensus statements from the expert panels. Recommendations: Physical activity may be considered for the primary prevention of dementia. In people with MCI there is continued uncertainty about the role of physical activity in slowing the conversion to dementia. Mind-body interventions have the greatest supporting evidence. In people with moderate dementia, exercise may be used for maintaining disability and cognition. All these recommendations were based on a very low/low certainty of evidence. Conclusions: Although the scientific evidence on the beneficial role of physical activity and exercise in preserving cognitive functions in subjects with normal cognition, MCI or dementia is inconclusive, this panel, composed of scientific societies and other stakeholders, recommends their implementation based on their beneficial effects on almost all facets of health

Il paradosso della città in contrazione: la disaggregazione urbana come occasione di resilienza

Il presente contributo nasce a seguito delle attività di dialogo e confronto sviluppate durante il workshop Younger SIU 2021 “Pianificare la città in contrazione. Pratiche di ricerca e traiettorie progettuali” svolto a Torino il 15 e 16 giugno 2021. Nel guardare al tema del workshop in relazione alle questioni di resilienza e cambiamento climatico, il presente contributo propone alcune riflessioni che ruotano attorno a tre ordini di questioni centrali per il governo del territorio. Il primo fronte di discussione guarda alla comprensione delle dinamiche spaziali di interazione tra i fenomeni di contrazione demografica e di disaggregazione urbana. Un secondo elemento di riflessione si rivolge al riconoscimento di alcuni degli spazi ereditati dall’espansione urbana dello scorso secolo come serbatoi di vulnerabilità rispetto agli effetti della crisi climatica e ambientale e di potenzialità per la trasformazione ed il governo del territorio. L’ultimo fronte di discussione propone il riconoscimento di questi spazi di azione come una occasione di dialogo tra soggetti potenzialmente coinvolti nei processi di trasformazione delle città e del territorio

I disturbi uditivi nell'anziano.

La complessit\ue0 biologica, clinica ma soprattutto psico-sociale dell\u2019anziano \ue8 argomento di grande attualit\ue0 nel mondo geriatrico, che ha orientato le proprie ricerche a definire gli aspetti che comportano la comparsa e l\u2019evoluzione della fragilit\ue0. L\u2019invecchiamento, accompagnato dall\u2019aumento dell\u2019aspettativa di vita, implica la riduzione delle riserve funzionali di organi e apparati ed espone l\u2019individuo a un maggiore rischio di malattia. Il termine \u201cfragilit\ue0\u201d identifica proprio questa condizione di vulnerabilit\ue0, a volte difficile da riconoscere visto che le determinanti di tale processo sono molto diverse. I saggi di questo volume presentano i risultati di diversi studi della letteratura e in particolare dell\u2019Alvise Cornaro Center Study, e si soffermano su alcuni indicatori riconosciuti come segnali della fragilit\ue0, a partire dai disturbi visivi e uditivi. Identificare e comprendere il ruolo della fragilit\ue0 come condizione che interferisce con la durata della vita dell\u2019anziano costituisce il punto di partenza per pianificare interventi mirati a prevenirla e a combatterne le conseguenze, quali il decadimento funzionale e cognitivo