Trajectory Discrimination and Peripersonal Space Perception in Newborns

The ability to discriminate the trajectories of moving objects is highly adaptive and fundamental for physical and social interactions. Therefore, we could reasonably expect sensitivity to different trajectories already at birth, as a precursor of later communicative and defensive abilities. To investigate this possibility, we measured newborns' looking behavior to evaluate their ability to discriminate between visual stimuli depicting motion along different trajectories happening within the space surrounding their body. Differently from previous studies, we did not take into account defensive reactions, which may not be elicited by impending collision as newborns might not categorize approaching stimuli as possible dangers. In two experiments, we showed that newborns display a spontaneous visual preference for trajectories directed toward their body. We found this visual preference when visual stimuli depicted motion in opposite directions (approaching vs. receding) as well as when they both moved toward the peripersonal space and differed only in their specific target (i.e., the body vs. the space around it). These findings suggest that at birth human infants seem to be already equipped with visual mechanisms predisposing them to perceive their presence in the environment and to adaptively focus their attention on the peripersonal space and their bodily self

A novel formulation of glucose‐sparing peritoneal dialysis solutions with l‐carnitine improves biocompatibility on human mesothelial cells

The main reason why peritoneal dialysis (PD) still has limited use in the management of patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) lies in the fact that the currently used glucose‐based PD solutions are not completely biocompatible and determine, over time, the degeneration of the peritoneal membrane (PM) and consequent loss of ultrafiltration (UF). Here we evaluated the biocompatibility of a novel formulation of dialytic solutions, in which a substantial amount of glucose is replaced by two osmometabolic agents, xylitol and L‐carnitine. The effect of this novel formulation on cell viability, the integrity of the mesothelial barrier and secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines was evaluated on human mesothelial cells grown on cell culture inserts and exposed to the PD solution only at the apical side, mimicking the condition of a PD dwell. The results were compared to those obtained after exposure to a panel of dialytic solutions commonly used in clinical practice. We report here compelling evidence that this novel formulation shows better performance in terms of higher cell viability, better preservation of the integrity of the mesothelial layer and reduced release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. This new formulation could represent a step forward towards obtaining PD solutions with high biocompatibility

fatigue life evaluation of car front halfshaft

Abstract The present paper is the result of the collaboration between the Engineering Department of Messina University and the car company Maserati S.p.A. The aim of this paper is to determine the T-N torsion fatigue curve at R= -1 of the mechanical system "front halfshaft" of an existing car. In particular, experimental fatigue tests were carried out in the laboratories of the Engineering Department of the University of Messina. Torsion fatigue tests of the entire mechanical system were carried out on 15 different front halfshafts. Evaluations of the crack propagation and of failure analysis were made to determine the causes of breakage. In conclusion, the T-N fatigue curve of the mechanical system "front halfshaft" has been obtained

Malar augmentation with zygomatic osteotomy in orthognatic surgery: Bone and soft tissue changes threedimensional evaluation: Malar Augmentation in Orthognatic Surgery

Background: The aim of this prospective study is to objectively assess 3D soft tissue and bone changes of the malar region by using the malar valgization osteotomy in concomitant association with orthognatic surgery. Materials and methods: From January 2015 to January 2018, 10 patients who underwent single stage bilateral malar valgization osteotomy in conjunction with maxillo-mandibular orthognatic procedures for aesthetic and functional correction were evaluated. Clinical and surgical reports were collected and patient satisfaction was evaluated with a VAS score. For each patient, maxillofacial CT-scans were collected 1 month preoperatively (T0) and 6 months after the operation (T1). DICOM data were imported and elaborated in the software MatLab, which creates a 3D soft tissue model of the face. 3D Bone changes were assessed importing DICOM data into iPlan (BrainLAB 3.0) software and the superimposition process was achieved using autofusion. Descriptive statistical analyses were obtained for soft tissue and bone changes. Results: Considering bone assessment the comparison by superimposition between T0 and T1 showed an increase of the distance between bilateral malar prominence (Pr – Pl) and a slight forward movement (87,65 ± 1,55 to 97,60 ± 5,91); p-value 0.007. All of the patients had improvement of α angle, ranging from 36,30 ± 1,70 to 38,45 ± 0,55, p-value 0,04 (αr) and 36,75 ± 1,58 to 38,45 ± 0,35; p-value 0,04 (αl). The distance S increased from 78,05 ± 2,48 to 84,2 ± 1,20; p-value 0,04 (Sr) and 78,65 ± 2,16 to 82,60 ± 0,90 (Sl); p-value 0,03. Considering the soft tissue, the comparison by superimposition between T0 and T1 showed an antero-lateral movement (p-value 0.008 NVL; p-value 0.001 NVR) of the malar bone projection together with an increase in width measurements (p-value 0,05 VL; p-value 0,01 VR). Angular measurement confirmed the pattern of the bony changes (p-value 0.034 αL; p-value 0,05 αR). Conclusion: The malar valgization osteotomy in conjunction with orthognatic surgery is effective in improving zygomatic projection contributing to a balanced facial correction in midface hypoplasia.3D geometrical based volume and surface analysis demonstrate an increase in transversal and forward direction. The osteotomy can be safely performed in conjunction with orthognatic procedures

Immunohistochemical expression of apoptotic factors, cytokeratins, and metalloproteinase-9 in periapical and epithelialized gingival lesions

The aim of the study was to assess the involvement of apoptotic factors, cytokeratins and metalloproteinase- 9 in the histogenesis of both Epithelialized Gingival Lesions (EGL) and Periapical Lesions (PAL). 55 consecutive patients, 30 with PAL and 25 with EGL, were selected for the study after clinical and radiological examinations. The PAL patients had severe periapical lesions and tooth decay with exposure of the pulp chamber. All PAL and EGL biopsies were surgically extracted, fixed in 10% buffered formalin, and processed for routine light microscopy. Ten biopsies of each category were processed for immunohistochemistry (IHC). Serial paraffin sections were stained by IHC with appropriate antibodies to detect cytokeratins (CKs) 1, 5, 8, 10 and 14, caspase-3 and -9, metalloproteinase-9, and for PCNA and TUNEL assays. Both PAL and EGL showed a high expression of the cytokeratin 1, 5 and 8 with higher expression in EGL. Moreover, CK10 was markedly less intense expressed in EGL compared to PAL, while CK14 was almost three times stronger expressed in EGL. The expression of caspase-3 and -9 was stronger in PAL compared to EGL, however, the difference was only significant for caspase-9. In PAL apoptosis detected by TUNNEL method and the expression of MMP-9 were higher than in EGL, whereas PCNA was significantly more expressed in EGL. The results clearly suggest that both lesions have exclusively an epithelial origin and that epithelial proliferation was correlated with the degree of apoptosis in both entities. PAL and EGL presented mostly similar cytokeratin expression except for CK10 and CK14, though with marked differences in the distribution and intensity of IHC reactions. Finally, the degradation of extracellular matrix in both lesions could be partially attributed to the strong presence of MMP-9. (Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2012, Vol. 50, No. 4, 497\u2013503

Conspiracy beliefs, regulatory self-efficacy and compliance with COVID-19 health-related behaviors: The mediating role of moral disengagement

Although recent studies on the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have highlighted the negative effects of moral disengagement on intentions to comply with COVID-19 containment measures, little is known about the mediating role of moral disengagement in the relationship between regulatory self-efficacy in complying with the containment measures, beliefs in conspiracy theories and compliance with COVID-19 health-related behaviors. Data were collected from 1164 young adults (women, N = 796; 68.4%; mean age 25.60 ± 4.40 years) who completed an online survey from 15th May to 22nd June 2021. Results of the multi-group path analyses indicated that higher beliefs in conspiracy theories were associated with lower compliance with COVID-19 health-related behaviors, whereas higher self-efficacy beliefs in complying with the containment measures were associated with higher compliance with COVID-19 health-related behaviors. Moral disengagement significantly mediated the associations between beliefs in conspiracy theories, regulatory self-efficacy, and compliance with COVID-19 health-related behaviors. Finally, the tested model was gender-invariant. Findings suggest that public health authorities and social care professionals should promote interventions aimed at improving regulatory self-efficacy, emphasizing the moral significance of respecting or ignoring the recommended COVID-19 measures (e.g., physical distance in public), and enhancing people's concern for the potential harms of their immoral actions

NKCC2 activity is inhibited by the Bartter's syndrome type 5 gain-of-function CaR-A843E mutant in renal cells.

The gain-of-function A843E mutation of the calcium sensing receptor (CaR) causes Bartter syndrome type 5. Patients carrying this CaR variant show a remarkably reduced renal NaCl reabsorption in the thick ascending limb (TAL) of Henle's loop resulting in renal loss of NaCl in the absence of mutations in renal Na(+) and Cl(-) ion transporters. The molecular mechanisms underlying this clinical phenotype are incompletely understood. We investigated, in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells and porcine kidney epithelial (LLC-PK1) cells, the functional cross-talk of CaR-A843E with the Na(+):K(+):2Cl(-) co-transporter, NKCC2, which provides NaCl reabsorption in the TAL. RESULTS: The expression of the CaR mutant did not alter the apical localisation of NKCC2 in LLC-PK1 cells. However, the steady-state NKCC2 phosphorylation and activity were decreased in cells transfected with CaR-A843E compared with the control wild-type CaR (CaR WT)-transfected cells. Of note, low-Cl(-)-dependent NKCC2 activation was also strongly inhibited upon the expression of CaR-A843E mutant. The use of either P450 ω-hydroxylase (CYP4)- or phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-blockers suggests that this effect is likely mediated by arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggested that the activated CaR affects intracellular pathways modulating NKCC2 activity rather than NKCC2 intracellular trafficking in renal cells, and throw further light on the pathological role played by active CaR mutants in Bartter syndrome type 5