Risk estimates and features of infectious events in subjects with different causes and level of neutropenia

Neutropenia is diagnosed when absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is less than 1,500 cells/µL.1  Specific causes and severity of neutropenia were directly related to the risk of infection. Four decades ago, Bodey et al. demonstrated an inverse relationship between neutrophils number and infection in subjects affected by acute leukemia after chemotherapy.2 The risk of infection increased when ANC was less than 500 cells/µL for a long period, whereas it is decreased when ANC is greater than 500 cells/µL and the duration of neutropenia is reduced

Polarità commerciali in Lombardia: tendenze evolutive e geografie a supporto della governance territoriale

Il settore della distribuzione commerciale in Italia è segnato negli ultimi anni da una serie di trasformazioni che hanno influenzato l’assetto del mercato nazionale. Il sistema d’offerta risultante non è omogeneamente distribuito nel territorio e uno degli elementi caratterizzanti è la presenza di “polarità commerciali” che si differenziano per dinamismo, attrattività e rilevanza degli impatti a scala sovralocale. L’obiettivo di questo contributo è quello di evidenziare l’insieme degli “effetti territoriali” delle Grandi Strutture di Vendita (GSV) con un approfondimento particolare per le “polarità commerciali pianificate”, usando come caso di studio il contesto regionale della Lombardia anche attraverso gli esiti di alcune recenti esperienze di ricerca curate dal Laboratorio Urb&Com del Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Architettura e Studi Urbani. Per farlo sono stati elaborati dati complessi relativi alle polarità pianificate e alla loro competizione per il presidio del mercato lombardo, identificando le pratiche insediative ricorrenti di queste strutture e i processi di adattamento al conteste regionale di strategie globali sviluppate dagli operatori. Questo approfondimento si è dimostrato un fertile campo di esplorazione, che ha permesso (a.) di definire una metodologia originale di studio delle Grandi Strutture di Vendita e, al contempo, (b.) di elaborare un quadro originale ed aggiornato della situazione lombarda, contributo di conoscenza utile a supportare le future politiche regionali sul tema e le programmazioni settoriali ad esso collegate (attività economiche, mobilità, lavoro, territorio, ecc.).Over the last two decades, the retail sector in Italy suffered a set of transformations that changed the national market. The resulting retail network is not homogeneously distributed over the national space and the presence of a variety of "retail polarities" – different in dynamism, appeal to users and spatial impacts – marks the offer. This contribution is aimed at focusing the impacts of the Grandi Strutture di Vendita (GSV), a typology of retail structures defined by Italian law that gathers together shopping malls, retail parks and large specialty stores. These are intended as "planned retail polarities" because developers need local and regional authorizations in their settlement process. Using the Lombardy Region as a case study and presenting the outcomes of a recent research developed by Urb&Com Lab research team, we propose a reading of several global trends, a new map of these structures and a critical interpretation of these information. Results of this exploration allowed us (a.) to define an original methodology to study GSVs and, at the same time, (b.) to provide an original and updated map of regional situation. This map could contribute to future regional policies on this topic and, more in general, to integrate the current sectoral view on retail to a wider regional agenda (that involve economy, mobility, labor market, sustainability, etc.)

The microbiota of Idaea inquinata developing on dry herbs

Idaea inquinata (Scopoli) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae, Idaeini) is a potential pest of stored food, mainly dry herbs. In this study, the role of diet in the shaping of the I. inquinata-associated bacterial community was investigated and its impact on insect performance (i.e., proportion of adult emergence and duration of postembryonic development). Larvae were reared on three diets with different nutritional compositions: (1) Matricaria chamomilla L. flowers, (2) Angelica archangelica L. roots, and (3) artificial diet. A DNA metabarcoding approach targeting V1-V2 and V4 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA was adopted to characterize the bacterial communities associated with adults and larvae reared on different diets, and estimate their composition and diversity. The core microbiota of this species was found to include some bacterial genera commonly associated with Lepidoptera. When a coverage-based integration of rarefaction and extrapolation of Hill numbers was used to compare groups of samples, the microbial diversity (estimated as phylogenetic diversity) differed among individuals reared on different diets, and also between larvae vs. adults. The lowest taxon diversity was found associated with individuals reared on M. chamomilla. Larvae fed with this fiber-rich diet had also a significantly slower development. The composition of the microbial community varied among individuals with different diets, but not between adults vs. larvae. This study highlights the important role of diet in shaping I. inquinata microbiota, but also suggests that the microbiota of non-feeding adult moths could be partially inherited from larvae

On-Sight and Red-Point Climbing : Changes in Performance and Route-Finding Ability in Male Advanced Climbers

Aim: In lead climbing, the ascent of the route can be defined as on-sight or red-point. On-sight is the more challenging style since it demands greater physiological and psychological commitment. The differences between the two modes in advanced climbers have not been studied much. Two essential skills needed to optimize performance, in both on-sight and in red-point climbing, are route interpretation (RI) ability and movements sequence recall. Therefore, this study aimed to compare performance between on-sight and red-point ascent in advanced climbers and evaluate how a climber\u2019s RI ability and movement sequences recall might change before and after on-sight and red-point climbing. Methods: Eighteen advanced male climbers (age 29.2 \ub1 4.7 years, body mass 67.8 \ub1 3.6 kg, stature 175.2 \ub1 2.4 cm, best red-point and on-sight grades 7b+/8a and 7a+/7b+, respectively) were video-recorded during the route ascent in on-sight and red-point modes to evaluate performance and to measure static and dynamic action times. RI ability and movement sequence recall were assessed before and after each climb. Level of anxiety was evaluated via a self-report questionnaire. Heart rate (fH), lactate concentration, ([La\u2013]), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were detected during and after each climb. Results: Compared to on-sight, an improvement in performance was observed in a red-point climb: the ascent was faster (148.7 \ub1 13.6 s and 179.5 \ub1 12.5 s, respectively, P < 0.05), smoother (significant reduction in exploratory moves and in stops times, P < 0.05), less demanding physiologically (lower fHpeak and [La\u2013]peak, P < 0.05), and psychologically (lower RPE, cognitive and somatic anxiety and higher self-confidence, P < 0.05). The RI ability was improved in red-point versus on-sight and, in the same mode, between pre and post ascent. Conclusion: Red-point climbing was found to be less demanding than on-sight, both physiologically and psychologically, under the conditions investigated by this study. Our findings suggest that RI is a trainable skill and underscore the importance of including specific techniques in training programs designed to improve interaction between perceptual, psychological, and physiological factors

Kinematic algorithm to determine the energy cost of running with changes of direction

Changes of direction (CoDs) have a high metabolic and mechanical impact in field and court team sports, but the estimation of the associated workload is still inaccurate. This study aims at validating an algorithm based on kinematic data to estimate the energy cost of running with frequent 180\ub0-CoDs. Twenty-six physically active male subjects (22.4\u202f\ub1\u202f3.2\u202fyears) participated in two sessions: (1) maximum oxygen uptake (V\u307O2,max) and maximal aerobic speed (MAS) test; (2) 5-m continuous shuttle run (two 5-min trials at 50% and 75% MAS, 6-min recovery). In (2), full-body 3D-kinematics and V\u307O2 were simultaneously recorded. Actual cost of shuttle running (Cmeas) was obtained from the aerobic, anaerobic alactic and lactic components. The proposed algorithm detects "braking phases", periods of mostly negative (eccentric) work occurring at concurrent knee flexion and ground contact, and estimates energy cost (Cest) considering negative mechanical work in braking phases, and positive elsewhere. At the speed of, respectively, 1.54\u202f\ub1\u202f0.17 and 1.90\u202f\ub1\u202f0.15\u202fm\u202fs-1 (rate of perceived exertion: 9.1\u202f\ub1\u202f1.8 and 15.8\u202f\ub1\u202f1.9), Cmeas was 8.06\u202f\ub1\u202f0.49 and 9.04\u202f\ub1\u202f0.73\u202fJ\u202fkg-1\u202fm-1. Cest was more accurate than regression models found in literature (p\u202f\u202f0.05; average error: 8.3%, root-mean-square error: 0.86\u202fJ\u202fkg-1\u202fm-1). The proposed algorithm improved existing techniques based on CoM kinematics, integrating data of ground contacts and joint angles that allowed to separate propulsive from braking phases. This work constitutes the basis to extend the model from the laboratory to the field, providing a reliable measure of training and matches workload

Susceptibility of maize genotypes to Rhyzopertha dominica (F.)

This work examined the survival of Rhyzopertha dominica on maize kernels differing either for specific traits or for their genetic background. Maize traits comprised endosperm starch composition, and accumulation of pigments, i.e., carotenoids and anthocyanins, in the aleurone, while maize genotypes included the B73 reference line, the high oil content RAlexo line and the commercial variety Zea mays everta (popcorn). Kernels of the different genotypes were classified according to the endosperm texture. The number of adults of R. dominica developing from neonate larvae on both whole and sectioned kernels was measured. Differences were only observed in experiments with whole kernels. The lowest value was observed for the B73 line, and the highest for the popcorn variety. These two genotypes have the lowest and highest proportions of vitreous endosperm, respectively. In our experimental conditions, variations in the insect attack were observed in different lines, thus indicating that the insect\u2013kernel interaction is influenced by quantitative more than single-gene traits

Evidence of balance training‐induced improvement in soccer‐specific skills in U11 soccer players

The present study aim was to determine the role of balance training in improving technical soccer skills in young players. Two U11 soccer teams were randomly assigned one to either balance training (BT; n=22) or control group (Ctrl; n=21). At the end of their habitual soccer training (identical in BT and Ctrl), BT underwent additional balance training for 12 weeks (3sessions/week, 20 min per session), while Ctrl had a 20\u2010min scrimmage. Before and after the intervention, BT and Ctrl underwent two soccer\u2010specific tests (Loughborough Soccer Passing, LSPT, and Shooting, LSST, Tests), and bipedal and unipedal balance evaluations. After intervention, both groups decreased the trials time and improved passing accuracy, with larger improvements in BT than Ctrl [LSPT penalty time (CI95%): \u20102.20 s (\u20102.72/\u20101.68); ES (CI95%): \u20102.54 s (\u20103.34/\u20101.74)]. Both groups improved balance ability, with BT showing larger increments in bipedal tests than Ctrl [static balance: \u201029 mm (\u201042/\u201016); ES: \u20101.39 (\u20102.05/\u20100.72); limit of stability: 4% (3/5); ES 3.93 (2.90/4.95); unipedal quasi\u2010dynamic balance: 0.07 a.u. (0.03/0.11); ES: 1.04 (0.40/1.67) and active range of motion: \u20105% (\u20108/\u20102); ES \u20100.89 (\u20101.51/\u20100.26)]. Low\u2010to\u2010moderate correlations between the players\u2019 technical level and unipedal balance ability were retrieved, particularly in the non\u2010dominant limb (R from 0.30 to 0.48). Balance training improved some technical soccer skills more than habitual soccer training alone, suggesting that young soccer players may benefit from additional balance training added to their traditional training

The importance of meal assessment in ALS patients

Background: the importance of instrumental evaluation of swallowing in ALS patients is highly recognized in order to assess swallowing safety and prevent pulmonary complications. However, swallowing performance during instrumental assessment may not be representative of what happens when consuming meals in everyday life. Indeed, as fatigue is a common feature in ALS patients, swallowing efficacy may progressively decline during mealtime consumption and food and liquid oral intake may not be sufficient. Objectives: to investigate the relationship between the performance during mealtime consumption and the efficacy of oral and pharyngeal phase of swallowing in ALS patients. Methods: thirteen ALS patients, 7 males and 6 females with a median age of 68.5 years (range 51-78) were enrolled in the study. Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) was conducted testing liquids, semisolids and, whether possible, solids. The Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) and the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) were used to assess the FEES. The Test of Mastication and Swallowing Solids (TOMASS) was performed. Tongue strength and resistance were assessed through the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). Patients completed the Eating Assessment Tool-10, a self-reported questionnaire. Typical oral intake was recorded using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS). Meal consumption was observed and scored through the Mealtime Assessment Scale (MAS); the time the patients needed to consume a meal was recorded. Correlations between MAS total score or time and PAS, DOSS, EAT-10, FOIS, TOMASS and IOPI measures were studied using Spearman\u2019s correlation coefficient. Results: a statistically significant correlation was found between MAS total scores and FOIS (r=0.755, p=0.007), EAT-10 (r=-0.724, p=0.012), tongue strength (r=0.718, p=0.019) and TOMASS total time (r=-0.709, p=0.046). Time needed to consume a meal significantly correlated with tongue resistance (r=0.675, p=0.032) and number of discrete bites during TOMASS (r=-0.793, p=0.033). No statistically significant correlations were found between MAS and PAS or DOSS. Discussion and conclusion: these preliminary results suggest that instrumental assessment of swallowing, especially FEES, may not be exhaustive in ALS patients as it does not predict patient\u2019s performance during meals. Efficacy of swallowing oral phase seems to be related to meal consumption more than pharyngeal phase. Therefore, our data stress the need of a comprehensive swallowing evaluation in ALS patients, including instrumental, oral phase and mealtime assessment, in order to estimate the risk of both pulmonary and nutritional complications related to dysphagia

The importance of meal assessment in ALS patients

Background: the importance of instrumental evaluation of swallowing in ALS patients is highly recognized in order to assess swallowing safety and prevent pulmonary complications. However, swallowing performance during instrumental assessment may not be representative of what happens when consuming meals in everyday life. Indeed, as fatigue is a common feature in ALS patients, swallowing efficacy may progressively decline during mealtime consumption and food and liquid oral intake may not be sufficient. Objectives: to investigate the relationship between the performance during mealtime consumption and the efficacy of oral and pharyngeal phase of swallowing in ALS patients. Methods: thirteen ALS patients, 7 males and 6 females with a median age of 68.5 years (range 51-78) were enrolled in the study. Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) was conducted testing liquids, semisolids and, whether possible, solids. The Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) and the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) were used to assess the FEES. The Test of Mastication and Swallowing Solids (TOMASS) was performed. Tongue strength and resistance were assessed through the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). Patients completed the Eating Assessment Tool-10, a self-reported questionnaire. Typical oral intake was recorded using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS). Meal consumption was observed and scored through the Mealtime Assessment Scale (MAS); the time the patients needed to consume a meal was recorded. Correlations between MAS total score or time and PAS, DOSS, EAT-10, FOIS, TOMASS and IOPI measures were studied using Spearman\u2019s correlation coefficient. Results: a statistically significant correlation was found between MAS total scores and FOIS (r=0.755, p=0.007), EAT-10 (r=-0.724, p=0.012), tongue strength (r=0.718, p=0.019) and TOMASS total time (r=-0.709, p=0.046). Time needed to consume a meal significantly correlated with tongue resistance (r=0.675, p=0.032) and number of discrete bites during TOMASS (r=-0.793, p=0.033). No statistically significant correlations were found between MAS and PAS or DOSS. Discussion and conclusion: these preliminary results suggest that instrumental assessment of swallowing, especially FEES, may not be exhaustive in ALS patients as it does not predict patient\u2019s performance during meals. Efficacy of swallowing oral phase seems to be related to meal consumption more than pharyngeal phase. Therefore, our data stress the need of a comprehensive swallowing evaluation in ALS patients, including instrumental, oral phase and mealtime assessment, in order to estimate the risk of both pulmonary and nutritional complications related to dysphagia

Specific adaptations in performance and muscle architecture after weighted jump-squat vs body mass squat jump training in recreational soccer players

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of weighted jump squat (WJST) vs body mass squat jump training (BMSJT) on quadriceps muscle architecture, lower-limb lean-mass (LM) and muscle strength, performance in change of direction (COD), sprint and jump in recreational soccer-players. Forty-eight healthy soccer-players participated in an off-season randomized controlled-trial. Before and after an eight-week training intervention, vastus lateralis pennation angle, fascicle length, muscle thickness, LM, squat 1-RM, quadriceps and hamstrings isokinetic peak-torque, agility T-test, 10 and 30m sprint and squat-jump (SJ) were measured. Although similar increases in muscle thickness, fascicle length increased more in WJST (ES=1.18, 0.82-1.54) than in BMSJT (ES=0.54, 0.40-0.68) and pennation angle only increased in BMSJT (ES=1.03, 0.78-1.29). Greater increases in LM were observed in WJST (ES=0.44, 0.29-0.59) than in BMSJT (ES=0.21, 0.07-0.37). Agility T-test (ES=2.95, 2.72-3.18), 10m (ES=0.52, 0.22-0.82) and 30m-sprint (ES=0.52, 0.23-0.81) improved only in WJST, while SJ improved in BMSJT (ES=0.89, 0.43-1.35) more than in WJST (ES=0.30, 0.03-0.58). Similar increases in squat 1-RM and peak-torque occurred in both groups. The greater inertia accumulated within the landing-phase in WJST vs BMSJT has increased the eccentric workload, leading to specific eccentric-like adaptations in muscle architecture. The selective improvements in COD in WJST may be related to the increased braking ability generated by the enhanced eccentric workload