Computer-aided cognitive training in patients with neurocognitive vascular impairment: effects on cognition, depression and behavior

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The Seascape of Demersal Fish Nursery Areas in the North Mediterranean Sea, a First Step Towards the Implementation of Spatial Planning for Trawl Fisheries

The identification of nursery grounds and other essential fish habitats of exploited stocks is a key requirement for the development of spatial conservation planning aimed at reducing the adverse impact of fishing on the exploited populations and ecosystems. The reduction in juvenile mortality is particularly relevant in the Mediterranean and is considered as one of the main prerequisites for the future sustainability of trawl fisheries. The distribution of nursery areas of 11 important commercial species of demersal fish and shellfish was analysed in the European Union Mediterranean waters using time series of bottom trawl survey data with the aim of identifying the most persistent recruitment areas. A high interspecific spatial overlap between nursery areas was mainly found along the shelf break of many different sectors of the Northern Mediterranean indicating a high potential for the implementation of conservation measures. Overlap of the nursery grounds with existing spatial fisheries management measures and trawl fisheries restricted areas was also investigated. Spatial analyses revealed considerable variation depending on species and associated habitat/depth preferences with increased protection seen in coastal nurseries and minimal protection seen for deeper nurseries (e.g. Parapenaeus longirostris 6%). This is partly attributed to existing environmental policy instruments (e.g. Habitats Directive and Mediterranean Regulation EC 1967/2006) aiming at minimising impacts on coastal priority habitats such as seagrass, coralligenous and maerl beds. The new knowledge on the distribution and persistence of demersal nurseries provided in this study can support the application of spatial conservation measures, such as the designation of no-take Marine Protected Areas in EU Mediterranean waters and their inclusion in a conservation network. The establishment of no-take zones will be consistent with the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy applying the ecosystem approach to fisheries management and with the requirements of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive to maintain or achieve seafloor integrity and good environmental status.Versión del editor4,411

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Exploratory study on the occurrence and dynamics of yeast-mediated nicotinamide riboside production in craft beer

none8noIn this study, nicotinamide riboside (NR), a form of vitamin B3, and its precursors nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and NAD+ were quantitated by a fluorometric assay in ten commercial craft beers and throughout the fermentation process of laboratory-scale beer. All tested beers from different commercial S. cerevisiae strains contained NAD+ (ranging from 1.10 μM to 17.80 μM). NR concentrations ranged from 0.48 to 3.25 μM, while the content of NMN was approximately 0.9 μM. NR and NMN were only present in beers produced with Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain US-05. Data from laboratory-scale beer productions using S. cerevisiae strain US-05 showed that the addition of hops [amarillo (alpha acid: 9.0%) (4 g/L) and centennial (alpha acid: 8.5%) (4 g/L) varieties] at the 9th day of fermentation significantly increased NR production up to 6.11 μM at the end of a typical fermentation of 21 days, and up to 11.42 μM at 45 days of fermentation. The rapid increase in NR formation only occurred if both hops and yeast were present, and the burst was also confirmed in fermentations trials performed with S. cerevisiae strain CBS1171T and by replacing wort with YPD medium. This study can serve as baseline for further research on yeast-hop interaction.noneCristiana Garofalo, Riccardo Sabbatini, Federica Zamporlini, Gabriele Minazzato, Ilario Ferrocino, Lucia Aquilanti, Nadia Raffaelli, Andrea OsimaniGarofalo, Cristiana; Sabbatini, Riccardo; Zamporlini, Federica; Minazzato, Gabriele; Ferrocino, Ilario; Aquilanti, Lucia; Raffaelli, Nadia; Osimani, Andre

Experiences of HIV-Related Stigma Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

Young men who have sex with men (MSM) represent an increasing number of new HIV infections in many communities. Many individuals still hold beliefs that may lead to discrimination against HIV-positive individuals. HIV stigma is associated with negative health and psychosocial outcomes and may lead to greater challenges for this marginalized population. This study describes stigma experienced by HIV-positive young MSM, explores its relationship to psychosocial measures, and tests the hypothesis that stigma scores will be higher in those diagnosed less than 1 year ago versus more than 1 year. From August 2004 to September 2005 young MSM completed a questionnaire including demographic information and psychosocial measures. Descriptive and bivariate analyses of association were used to interpret data from the total stigma scale and four subscales: personalized stigma (PS), public attitudes (PA), negative self-image (NSI), and disclosure concerns (DC). Index scores were calculated by standardizing each subscale for direct comparisons. The 42 participants were: mean 21.3 years; 45% black, 24% Hispanic, 26% white; 14% transgender; and 50% diagnosed HIV-positive less than 1 year. Participants reported HIV-related stigma across all domains with mean index subscale scores: PS 0.57, PA 0.61, NSI 0.63, DC 0.75 indicating that disclosure concerns were prevalent in comparison to other forms of HIV-related stigma. Stigma scores correlated with depression, social support, self-esteem, and romantic loneliness. Stigma scores did not differ for those diagnosed less than 1 year ago versus more than 1 year ago. Providers should address HIV-related stigma concerns, particularly disclosure, throughout the trajectory of the illness when caring for HIV-positive young MSM as a factor affecting health outcomes and psychosocial functioning

Low-Dose of Rocuronium During Thyroid Surgery: Effects on Intraoperative Nerve-Monitoring and Intubation

Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM) reduces the incidence of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (RLN) injuries during thyroid surgery. To preserve nerve function, long acting neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) should be avoided. However, NMBA are necessary for laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation. We designed this double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess if a low-dose of rocuronium given at intubation would affect the IONM data recorded before the thyroid dissection

Bread enriched with cricket powder (Acheta domesticus): A technological, microbiological and nutritional evaluation

Recently, the high nutritional value of edible insects attracted the attention of researchers and food industry for their potential use in foods with enhanced nutritional characteristics. In this study cricket (Acheta domesticus) powder was added to wheat flour to obtain bread with enhanced nutritional value. Bread loaves were obtained from doughs produced using different blends of wheat flour and cricket powder added in amounts of 10 or 30% (based on wheat flour) and baker's yeast and/or sourdough. Raw materials, dough and breads were subjected to technological, microbiological, chemical and sensory analyses. Overall, a negative linear correlation between the amount of added cricket powder and the dough technological parameters was seen. However, compared to control breads produced with the sole wheat flour, breads containing cricket powder showed a higher nutritional profile in terms of fatty acid composition, high protein content and occurrence of essential amino acids. Finally, bread enriched with 10% cricket powder showed a discrete global liking by untrained panelists. Data overall collected highlighted a good suitability of cricket powder for the production of enriched bread. Of note, the presence of spore-forming bacteria in cricket-based bread loaves, thus highlighting potential safety issues to be deepened. Industrial relevance: The present study demonstrated that edible insects powder can successfully be included in leavened baked goods to enhance their protein content. The present research also responds to the growing awareness of consumers towards innovative and wholesome leavened goods, proving that edible insects can constitute a novel source of innovative ingredients to be used in bread making

Yeast and mould dynamics in Caciofiore della Sibilla cheese coagulated with an aqueous extract of Carlina acanthifolia All.

Caciofiore della Sibilla is a speciality ewes’ milk cheese traditionally manufactured in a foothill area of the Marche region (Central Italy) with a crude extract of fresh young leaves of Carlina acanthifolia All. subsp. acanthifolia as a coagulating agent. The fungal dynamics and diversity of this speciality cheese were investigated throughout the manufacturing and 20-day ripening process, using a combined PCR–DGGE approach. The fungal biota of a control ewes’ milk cheese, manufactured with the same batch of milk coagulated with a commercial animal rennet, was also monitored by PCR–DGGE, in order to investigate the contribution of the peculiar vegetable coagulant to the fungal diversity and dynamics of the cheese. Based on the overall results collected, the raw milk and the dairy environment represented the main sources of fungal contamination, with a marginal or null contribution of thistle rennet to the fungal diversity and dynamics of Caciofiore della Sibilla cheese

Insight into the proximate composition and microbial diversity of edible insects marketed in the European Union

In recent years the idea of exploiting edible insects for their industrial production has attracted the attention of media, research institutions, and food industry operators, because of the numerous positive factors associated with this food source. Notwithstanding, insects are still underutilized in Western countries. Moreover, edible insects are carriers of natural microorganisms, hence, safety issues may arise from their industrial production. This study was aimed at providing insight into the proximate composition, with a focus in the fatty acid and amino acid composition, and microbial diversity of processed edible insects marketed in the European Union. A high content of protein and fat was seen, with values ranging from 59.46 to 46.78 % and 35.32 to 15.18 %, respectively, with nutritionally valuable characteristics in both the lipid fractions and amino acid profiles. Furthermore, a great variation in microbial counts was seen. Both commensal and potential pathogenic microorganisms ascribed to the genera Pediococcus, Weissella, Streptomyces, Acinetobacter, Agrococcus, Arthrobacter, Naxibacter, Planomicrobium, Rufibacter, Bacillus, Clostridium, Vibrio, Desulfovibrio, Loktanella, Escherichia, Tetrapisispora, Aspergillus, Eurotium, Debaryomyces, and Wallemia, were identified by PCR-DGGE. The high diversity in the chemical composition and microbial profile of the marketed edible insects analyzed suggest a role of both the rearing and processing procedures on these variables. The results overall collected encourage the exploitation of edible insects as a valuable large-scale, animal-based commodity