New applications for the One Health: Healthcare Zooanthropology and the Federico II Model of Zootherapy

The adoption of One Health, the historic resolution that ensued from the understanding between the American Medical Association and the American Veterinary Association in 2007, defined and promoted the concept of One Health as "the combined effort of multiple professional disciplines to achieve optimal health of humans, animals and the environment". Despite One Health was at first aimed at infectious diseases, over time it has inevitably permeated other areas, emphasizing how different health issues should be addressed through a holistic approach which looks at the overall health through the development and application of advanced and multidisciplinary for the benefit of humans, domestic animals and biodiversity. As a result of the need to evaluate the person in its complexity, in the context of human and veterinary medicine, there has been a growing interest in integrated approaches whose aim is prevention, diagnosis and treatment of certain diseases. More specifically, the need to develop new policy approaches that can also act upon environmental, psychosocial and lifestyle factors has led to the creation of Healthcare Zooanthropology, understood as the study, administration and application of the relationship between humans and animals in contexts that are both healthcare/therapeutic and didactic which can be an effective resource for health promotion. In this specific context, the Doctor in Veterinary Medicine casts his figure in the social dimension as the bridge of the interspecific relationship and as the synthesis of its expression by serving as the professional guarantor for the safeguard and the promotion of health and welfare of humans and animals alike through the development of specific health and therapeutic protocols that are applicable within specific Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs). This dissertation has two main objectives. The first is to apply the Federico II Model of Zootherapy whose multidisciplinary team is entrusted with activating a communication system and an interspecific relationship that has the dog co-therapist as its focus. The second objective is to verify the data pertaining to the effects of three different possibilities of application of the above mentioned Model. To do so, the analyses of psychological and biochemical parameters were conducted on the humans whereas the behavioural and health parameters were tested on the animal involved. The experimental application of the Model was carried out in three different contexts connected to ageing. More specifically: 1) Evaluation of the efficacy of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) based on the reality orientation therapy (ROT) in Alzheimer’s disease patients via analysis of psychological parameters: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and 5-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). 2) Zootherapy as an wellness-promoting intervention in patients affected with Dementia and depression via salivary cortisol measurement in the Veterinary Zootherapist, co-therapist dogs and in the patient(s). 3) One project in health prevention and well-being promotion in older healthy individuals by enhancing the symbolic value of the dog and through the measurement of salivary cortisol in the Veterinary Zootherapist and in the elderly. Moreover, in line with the One Health policies and as planned for by the specific health-related protocols fostered by the Federico II Model, three different investigations were conducted so as to correctly analyse, evaluate and prevent zoonosic risk in dogs that were involved in the AAIs settings: 1) Epidemiological survey of Pasteurella multocida from oral cavity of dogs. 2) Epidemiological survey of Thermotolerant Campylobacter in dogs at Dog Educational Centres. 3) Parasitic infections in dogs involved in Animal Assisted Interventions

Parasitic infections in dogs involved in animal-assisted interventions

Animal Assisted Interventions (AAIs) programmes have been considered useful in different settings, such as hospital, therapeutic, educational and assisted living environments. In these contexts, all animals, and particularly dogs, should be subjected to appropriate health controls to prevent a potential risk of transmission of zoonotic agents. Domestic dogs are reservoirs of many zoonotic pathogens including several gastrointestinal parasites (protozoa and helminths). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of the protozoan Giardia duodenalis and zoonotic gastrointestinal nematodes (geohelminths) in dogs hosted in a dog educational centre in the city of Naples (southern Italy) where the animals were trained to AAI. Between April and June 2016, 74 dog faecal samples were analysed using the FLOTAC dual technique to detect G. duodenalis cysts and other parasitic elements. Out of the 74 faecal samples examined, 18 (24.3%; 95% CI = 15.4–35.9) were positive for parasitic elements. Specifically, 8 were positive for G. duodenalis (44.4%; 95% CI = 22.4–68.7). In addition, some co-infections were also found: one sample (5.6%; 95% CI = 0.3–29.4) resulted positive to both Toxocara canis and Trichuris vulpis and two samples (11.1%; 95% CI = 1.9–36.1) were positive to both G. duodenalis and Ancylostomidae. Given that children, young adults and immunocompromised individuals are among the main users of the AAIs, specific guidelines targeting G. duodenalis and other gastrointestinal zoonotic parasites should be formulated in order to develop effective control and prevention strategies and reduce the zoonotic risk favoured by the human-dog interaction

Nutraceutical characterization of anthocyanin-rich fruits produced by «Sun Black» tomato line

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most cultivated vegetable in the world and it represents a large source of bioactive compounds, including carotenoids and polyphenols (phenolic acids and flavonoids). However, the concentration of flavonoids in tomato is considered sub-optimal, particularly because anthocyanins are not generally present. Therefore, this crop has been the object of an intense metabolic engineering in order to obtain anthocyanin-enriched tomatoes by using either breeding or transgenic strategies. Some wild tomato species, such as S. chilense and S. cheesmaniae, biosynthesize anthocyanins in the fruit sub-epidermal tissue, and some alleles from those genotypes have been introgressed into a new developed purple tomato line, called “Sun Black” (SB). It is a tomato line with a purple skin color, both in green and in red fruit stages, due to the biosynthesis of anthocyanins in the peel, and a normal red color pulp, with a taste just like a traditional tomato. SB is the result of a breeding programme and it is not a genetically modified (GM) product. We report the chemical characterization and structure elucidation of the attractive anthocyanins found in the peel of SB tomato, as well as other bioactive compounds (carotenoids, polyphenols, vitamin C) of the whole fruit. Using one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments, the two main anthocyanins were identified to be petunidin 3-O-[6″-O-(4‴-O-E-p-coumaroyl-α-rhamnopyranosyl) -β-glucopyranoside]-5-O-β-glucopyranoside (petanin) and malvidin 3-O-[6″-O-(4‴-O-E-p-coumaroyl-α-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-glucopyranoside]-5-O-β-glucopyranoside (negretein). The total anthocyanins in the whole ripe fruit was 1.2 mg/g dry weight (DW); 7.1 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW). Chlorogenic acid (the most abundant phenolic acid) was 0.6 mg/g DW; 3.7 mg/100 g FW. The main flavonol, rutin was 0.8 mg/g DW; 5 mg/100 g FW. The total carotenoid content was 211.3 μg/g DW; 1,268 μg/100 g FW. The total phenolic content was 8.6 mg/g DW; 52.2 mg/100 g FW. The vitamin C content was 37.3 mg/100 g FW. The antioxidant activities as measured by the TEAC and ORAC assays were 31.6 and 140.3 μmol TE/g DW, respectively (193 and 855.8 μmol TE/100 g FW, respectively). The results show the unique features of this new tomato genotype with nutraceutical properties.publishedVersio

The Prognostic Role of Baseline Eosinophils in HPV-Related Cancers: a Multi-institutional Analysis of Anal SCC and OPC Patients Treated with Radical CT-RT

Background and Aim Anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) are rare tumors associated with HPV infection. Bioumoral predictors of response to chemoradiation (CT-RT) are lacking in these settings. With the aim to find new biomarkers, we investigated the role of eosinophils in both HPV-positive anal SCC and HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). Methods We retrieved clinical and laboratory data of patients with HPV-positive anal SCC treated with CT-RT in 5 institutions, and patients with locally advanced OPC SCC treated with CT-RT in 2 institutions. We examined the association between baseline eosinophil count (the best cutoff has been evaluated by ROC curve analysis: 100 x 109/L) and disease-free survival (DFS). Unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios by baseline characteristics were calculated using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results Three hundred four patients with HPV-positive anal SCCs and 168 patients with OPCs (122 HPV-positive, 46 HPV-negative diseases) were analyzed. In anal SCC, low eosinophil count (9/L) correlates to a better DFS (HR = 0.59; p = 0.0392); likewise, in HPV-positive OPC, low eosinophil count correlates to a better DFS (HR = 0.50; p = 0.0428). In HPV-negative OPC, low eosinophil count confers worse DFS compared to high eosinophil count (HR = 3.53; p = 0.0098). After adjustment for age and sex, eosinophils were confirmed to be independent prognostic factors for DFS (HR = 4.55; p = 0.0139). Conclusion Eosinophil count could be used as a prognostic factor in anal HPV-positive SCC. The worse prognosis showed in HPV-positive patients with high eosinophil count is likely to derive from an unfavorable interaction between the HPV-induced immunomodulation and eosinophils, which may hamper the curative effect of RT

Insight in cognitive impairment assessed with the Cognitive Assessment Interview in a large sample of patients with schizophrenia

The Cognitive Assessment Interview (CAI) is an interview-based scale measuring cognitive impairment and its impact on functioning in subjects with schizophrenia (SCZ). The present study aimed at assessing, in a large sample of SCZ (n = 601), the agreement between patients and their informants on CAI ratings, to explore patients' insight in their cognitive deficits and its relationships with clinical and functional indices. Agreement between patient- and informant-based ratings was assessed by the Gwet's agreement coefficient. Predictors of insight in cognitive deficits were explored by stepwise multiple regression analyses. Patients reported lower severity of cognitive impairment vs. informants. A substantial to almost perfect agreement was observed between patients' and informants' ratings. Lower insight in cognitive deficits was associated to greater severity of neurocognitive impairment and positive symptoms, lower severity of depressive symptoms, and older age. Worse real-life functioning was associated to lower insight in cognitive deficit, worse neurocognitive performance, and worse functional capacity. Our findings indicate that the CAI is a valid co-primary measure with the interview to patients providing a reliable assessment of their cognitive deficits. In the absence of informants with good knowledge of the subject, the interview to the patient may represent a valid alternative

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 < 0.0001) and diagnostic evaluations (16.4% vs. 42.2%; p < 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 < 0.0001) or urgent (20.4% vs. 38.5%; p < 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 < 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

RESEARCH ARTICLE Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus L) Anthocyanins as Ingredients for Functional Foods

In the recent years many studies on anthocyanins have revealed their strong antioxidant activity and their possible use as chemotherapeutics. The finding that sour cherries (Prunus cerasus L) (also called tart cherries) contain high levels of anthocyanins that possess strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties has attracted much attention to this species. Here we report the preliminary results of the induction of anthocyanin biosynthesis in sour cherry callus cell cultures. The evaluation and characterization of the in vitro produced pigments are compared to those of the anthocyanins found in vivo in fruits of several sour cherry cultivars. Interestingly, the anthocyanin profiles found in whole fruit extracts were similar in all tested genotypes but were different with respect to the callus extract. The evaluation of antioxidant activity, performed by ORAC and TEAC assays, revealed a relatively high antioxidant capacity for the fruit extracts (from 1145 to 2592 µmol TE/100 g FW) and a lower one for the callus extract (688 µmol TE/100 g FW)

An experience of Animal Assisted Education for emotional literacy of preschool children

Introduction/Background: In the school context the presence of animals promotes, in students, the development of cognitive skills and attentional, which allows them to facilitate the orientation and definition of future goals. Therefore we proposed intervention in kindergarten to understand how the interaction with the animals can help children to the knowledge of their own emotions and those of others. Method/samples: The team was formed by Vet, Psychologist and dog. The activities took place during school hours and were addressed to 21 students belonging to a class of third-school (5 years). The intervention lasted six group meetings on a monthly basis, of which the first meeting was introductory, while the following five have concerned the primary emotions such as joy, anger, fear, sadness, disgust, surprise. Results: The presence of animals has facilitated the structuring of a playful mood, opening the activities with good disposition and interest. During the activity, in fact, the students were able to experience the dynamics of management and contact with emotional aspects elicited by the new situation, learning to reduce the states of concern and to mitigate those expressed in the early moments of over-excitement. Discussion/Conclusion: The presence of a multidisciplinary team was functional structuring of the intervention of EEA presented and its development within of school context. The proposed activities will be guided by a playful approach, they can help children recognize and understand their primary emotions, companions and animals; they can help to develop in them, new knowledge and skills related to their relational world

Meeting the Emotion! Application of the Federico II Model for Pet Therapy to an experience of Animal Assisted Education (AAE) in a primary school

Authors discuss some criteria they found useful for an Animal Assisted Education (AAE) intervention in a primary school aimed to promote, in children, interaction with animals, helping them to acknowledge their own emotions and those of others. Generally, these interventions are considered as a valid support for children with emotional or behavioral disorders, but they can also be an interest of Health Psychology as a protective factor against marked statuses of stress, anxiety and difficulties in training programs. In this paper, authors propose an intervention realized according Guidelines proposed in the Federico II Model for Pet Therapy, with a team was made by a psychologist and a veterinarian, with a specific training in Human-Animal Interaction (HAI), a dog and three donkeys. The intervention, addressed to 21 students belonging to a third grade class (8 years old), aimed to promote a contact with primary emotions such as joy, anger, fear, sadness, disgust, surprise. The proposed activities, guided by a playful approach, helped children to recognize and understand these emotions and to develop their relational skill