Mesoangioblasts of inclusion-body myositis: a twofold tool to study pathogenic mechanisms and enhance defective muscle regeneration

Mesoangioblasts are a class of adult stem cells of mesoderm origin, potentially useful for the treatment of primitive myopathies of different etiology. Extensive in vitro and in vivo studies in animal models of muscular dystrophy have demonstrated the ability of mesoangioblast to repair skeletal muscle when injected intra-arterially. In a previous work we demonstrated that mesoangioblasts obtained from diagnostic muscle biopsies of IBM patients display a defective differentiation down skeletal muscle and this block can be corrected in vitro by transient MyoD transfection. We are currently investigating different pathways involved in mesoangioblasts skeletal muscle differentiation and exploring alternative stimulatory approaches not requiring extensive cell manipulation. This will allow to obtain safe, easy and efficient molecular or pharmacological modulation of pro-myogenic pathways in IBM mesoangioblasts. It is of crucial importance to identify factors (ie. cytokines, growth factors) produced by muscle or inflammatory cells and released in the surrounding milieu that are able to regulate the differentiation ability of IBM mesoangioblasts. To promote myogenic differentiation of endogenous mesoangioblasts in IBM muscle, the modulation of such target molecules selectively dysregulated would be a more handy approach to enhance muscle regeneration compared to transplantation techniques

Stressed caregivers. An observational study in a rehabilitation care home in western Sicily

Introduction: Caregiver is the person who takes care of the patient from the practical point of view, helping him in managing the disease and carrying out daily activities, but also supporting him on an emotional level. Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that may be accompanied by a change in attitude from positive and caring to negative and unconcerned. The aim of the study was to understand what factors were associated with having panic attacks or crying crises in the caregivers of our study population. Materials and methods: The study design is observational. An anonymous questionnaire was administered to caregivers of the patients of a hospital for the intensive post-acute rehabilitation from April 2016 to December 2018. The statistical significance level chosen for the entire analysis was 0.05. The covariates to be included were selected using a stepwise backward selection process, with a univariate p-value <0.25 as the main criterion. Results are expressed as adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Results: The sample consists of 302 caregivers (60.93% was females and 39.07% was males). The mean age of the sample is 53.42 years old (SD ± 12.19). The multivariable logistic regression model shows that the risk to have panic or crying crisis is significantly associated with the following indipendent variables: female gender (aOR 27.06); living with the patient (aOR 4.38); had claimed that the problems related to the illness of their family member is a source of stress (aOR 23.54), smoking cigarettes (aOR 14.68); had claimed that taking care of their client affected their personal financial statement/career (aOR 5.95), having free time (aOR 7.68). Conclusions: In our study we found a greater probability of having panic attacks or crying crises in female subjects, smokers, who think they have sacrificed their careers to take care of the person they follow from a welfare point of view. Certainly in the light of what has emerged it is necessary to dedicate and pay close attention to the psychological and social aspects of the caregiver

Nursing students and depressive symptomatology: An observational study in University of Palermo

Purpose - Depression is a common and serious medical illness, considered as a public health issue because it interferes with the interpersonal, social and professional functioning of the individual, and its frequency is constantly increasing. According to a recent review, approximately 34 per cent of nursing students had experienced depression worldwide. The university period may represent a moment in which the mental well-being of students is subjected to stress with a relative predisposition to the development of diseases related to mood disorders. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence and examine the socio-demographic correlates of depressive symptomatology. Design/methodology/approach - In April 2019, a questionnaire was administered to all the nursing students of University of Palermo of the three years of course, accompanied by informed consent. Multivariable logistic regression was performed. The statistical significance level chosen for all analyses was 0.05. The results were analyzed using the STATA statistical software version 14. Results are expressed as adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95 per cent confidence intervals. Findings - The sample consists of 493 students who completed the questionnaire, and the average age of the sample participants is 21.88 years. The multivariable logistic regression model shows that the risk to have depressive symptomatology is significantly associated with the following independent variables: female gender (aOR 1.91), being single (aOR 1.87), second year of study (aOR 1.94), third year of study (aOR 1.92), not performing regular physical activity (aOR 1.78) and perceived low health status (aOR 3.08). Originality/value - This study shows that belonging to the female gender, being further along in the years of study, having a chronic illness and perceiving a low state of health are all factors that can increase the risk of developing the symptoms of depression; rather, regular physical activity, friendship and romantic relationships can be considered factors protecting them from the risk of falling into depression that can undermine both the study and work performance. Certainly, it is important to analyze all the involved variables to improve the global health not only of the nursing students but of all the students

Modified carboxymethylcellulose‐based scaffolds as new potential ecofriendly superplasticizers with a retardant effect for mortar: From the synthesis to the application

This article is focused on the research and development of new cellulose ether derivatives as innovative superplasticizers for mortar systems. Several synthetic strategies have been pursued to obtain new compounds to study their properties on cementitious systems as new bio‐based additives. The new water‐soluble admixtures were synthesized using a complex carboxymethylcellulose‐based backbone that was first hydrolyzed and then sulfo‐ethylated in the presence of sodium vinyl sulphonate. Starting with a complex biopolymer that is widely known as a thickening agent was very challenging. Only by varying the hydrolysis times and temperatures of the reactions was achieved the aimed goal. The obtained derivatives showed different molecular weight (Mw) and anionic charges on their backbones. An improvement in shear stress and dynamic viscosity values of CEM II 42.5R cement was observed with the samples obtained with a longer time of higher temperature hydrolysis and sulfo‐ethylation. Investigations into the chemical nature of the pore solution, calorimetric studies and adsorption experiments clearly showed the ability of carboxymethyl cellulose superplasticizer (CMC SP) to interact with cement grains and influence hydration processes within a 48‐h time window, causing a delay in hydration reactions in the samples. The fluidity of the cementitious matrices was ascertained through slump test and preliminary studies of mechanical and flexural strength of the hardened mortar formulated with the new ecological additives yielded values in terms of mechanical properties. Finally, the computed tomography (CT) images completed the investigation of the pore network structure of hardened specimens, highlighting their promising structure porosity

Bis(phenoxyimine)zirconium and -titanium Catalysts Affording Prevailingly Syndiotactic Polypropylenes via Opposite Modes of Monomer Insertion.

A zirconium(IV) complex bearing two N-(3-methylsalicylidene)-2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoroaniline and two Cl ligands has been synthesized (1). X-ray analysis indicates that 1 adopts a distorted octahedral structure with a trans-O, cis-N, and cis-Cl arrangement, similarly to previously reported complexes of this class. Polymerization of propene at room temperature in the presence of 1 activated by methylaluminoxane results in the production of poorly stereoregular, prevailingly syndiotactic polypropylene. The polymer microstructure is in agreement with a “chain-end” mechanism of steric control, with Pr ) 0.67 (where Pr is the probability of a syndiotactic placement). End group analysis, also using deuterium labeling techniques, and NMR analysis of a copolymer of propene with trace amounts of [1-13C]-ethylene, indicate a prevailing primary insertion mode in both initiation and propagation, in contrast to the prevailingly secondary regiochemistry established for related bis(phenoxyimine) titanium catalysts. To discriminate the role played by the nature of the metal from any ligand effect, a titanium complex bearing the same phenoxyimine ligands has been also tested, resulting in the production of a polypropylene having a very similar structure, with Pr ) 0.71. Investigation of the regiochemistry shows that propagation prevailingly occurs via secondary insertion of propene. Thus, zirconium and titanium complexes bearing the same ligands afford prevailingly syndiotactic polypropylenes having very similar structures, but via opposite regiochemistries

New Bimetallic Catalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) Based on Ni and Pt Carbide: Synthesis, Characterization and Electrochemical Studies

A novel synthesis route yielding materials suitable for use as catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells is reported. A reaction between two inorganic salts in the presence of an organic binder leads to a metallorganic precursor, which is subsequently thermally decomposed to produce the final material. The temperature of the final thermal treatment step was found to be a critical parameter influencing the efficiency of the electrocatalyst in the ORR; the range between 400°C and 700°C was explored. A thorough analysis of the chemical composition of the products demonstrated that this synthesis route can yield materials having the desired metal composition. The determination of the electrochemical efficiency towards the ORR showed that several of the materials produced through this synthesis route have an overall activity much higher than that of commercial electrocatalysts with a similar platinum content