Non-neural phenotype of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy: Results from a large cohort of Italian patients

Objective: To carry out a deep characterisation of the main androgen-responsive tissues involved in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). Methods: 73 consecutive Italian patients underwent a full clinical protocol including biochemical and hormonal analyses, genitourinary examination, bone metabolism and densitometry, cardiological evaluation and muscle pathology. Results: Creatine kinase levels were slightly to markedly elevated in almost all cases (68 of the 73; 94%). 30 (41%) patients had fasting glucose above the reference limit, and many patients had total cholesterol (40; 54.7%), low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (29; 39.7%) and triglyceride (35; 48%) levels above the recommended values. Although testosterone, luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone values were generally normal, in one-third of cases we calculated an increased Androgen Sensitivity Index reflecting the presence of androgen resistance in these patients. According to the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), 7/70 (10%) patients reported severe lower urinal tract symptoms (IPSS score >19), and 21/73 (30%) patients were moderately symptomatic (IPSS score from 8 to 19). In addition, 3 patients were carriers of an indwelling bladder catheter. Videourodynamic evaluation indicated that 4 of the 7 patients reporting severe urinary symptoms had an overt prostate-unrelated bladder outlet obstruction. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan data were consistent with low bone mass in 25/61 (41%) patients. Low bone mass was more frequent at the femoral than at the lumbar level. Skeletal muscle biopsy was carried out in 20 patients and myogenic changes in addition to the neurogenic atrophy were mostly observed. Conclusions: Our study provides evidence of a wide non-neural clinical phenotype in SBMA, suggesting the need for comprehensive multidisciplinary protocols for these patients. \ua9 2016 Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited

FUSIONS Definitional Framework for Food Waste

none21To develop reliable food waste estimates, which can be accurately repeated over time, it is necessary to produce data within a robust methodological framework. This must comprise a consistent definition of food waste and its components, and consistent system boundaries for the food supply chain. The absence of a framework for defining food waste to date has led to the production of datasets that are not always comparable or transparent as to which fractions are included. A common definitional framework will support policy-makers at both EU and Member State level, and stakeholders across the food supply chain, by enabling them to accurately track the rate of food waste reduction, and the effectiveness of their waste prevention strategies. The development of this framework for defining food waste signals a key step towards improving our understanding of the food waste challenge in Europe and its consistent use will help measure progress towards both resource efficiency and food security goals.openKarin Östergren; Jenny Gustavsson; Hilke Bos-Brouwers; Toine Timmermans; Ole-Jørgen Hansen; Hanne Møller; Gina Anderson; Clementine O’Connor; Han Soethoudt; Tom Quested; Sophie Easteal; Alessandro Politano; Cecilia Bellettato; Massimo Canali; Luca Falasconi; Silvia Gaiani; Matteo Vittuari; Felicitas Schneider; Graham Moates; Keith Waldron; Barbara RedlingshöferKarin Östergren; Jenny Gustavsson; Hilke Bos-Brouwers; Toine Timmermans; Ole-Jørgen Hansen; Hanne Møller; Gina Anderson; Clementine O’Connor; Han Soethoudt; Tom Quested; Sophie Easteal; Alessandro Politano; Cecilia Bellettato; Massimo Canali; Luca Falasconi; Silvia Gaiani; Matteo Vittuari; Felicitas Schneider; Graham Moates; Keith Waldron; Barbara Redlingshöfe

Multiple Flaps for Trochanteric Pressure Sore Reconstruction: A Case Series

Trochanteric pressure sores can be quite difficult to treat, especially in cases of large bone involvement requiring a wide debridement. The residual wound is large and deep, and the reconstruction must ensure a complete fill of all dead spaces, then must be covered with adequate tissue to allow for healing, and reduce the risk of recurrence. We report a case series of spinal cord-injured patients affected by a trochanteric pressure sore. The reconstruction was achieved using a combination of muscle and a cutaneous muscle flap from the thigh. The result was complete healing of the wound with no recurrence at 18 months. In these cases, muscle or musculocutaneous flaps are the better choices because they permit the use of a good volume of viable tissue. In some cases, the flap can be combined to obtain a better result

La produzione dei modelli 3D per il sistema informativo dei portici di Bologna

Tra le iniziative previste per la candidatura dei portici di Bologna per il World Heritage Sites dell'UNESCO \ue8 previsto anche lo sviluppo di una piattaforma on-line attraverso la quale si possa accedere al patrimonio di dati, informazioni e risorse relativi al sistema portici bolognesi. Il cuore della piattaforma consister\ue0 in una serie di modelli 3D reality-based ad alta qualit\ue0 (realizzati tramite tecniche di fotogrammetria) utilizzabili e navigabili all'interno dle sistema che costituir\ue0 l'interfaccia principale di interazione. le procedure per la costruzione dei modelli 3D assicurano una uniformit\ue0 della qualit\ue0 e una coerenza dei modelli 3D rispetto alla realt\ue0, con particolare attenzione al colore delle superfici murarie

Visualizing the smallest details: the digital replica of the Annunciation by Beato Angelico

Painted during the first thirty years of the XV century, the Annunciation by the Dominican friar Giovanni da Fiesole, best known as Beato Angelico, represents the ideal intersection of the Renaissance perspective with the medieval educational value reserved to art masterpieces. This paper introduces the techniques and the procedures specifically developed to display and interactively visualize a digital replica of the Annunciation, by means of AnnunciatiOn App, a custom Real-Time Rendering application that was officially presented during the opening of the exhibition "Masaccio and Angelico. Dialogue on truth in painting", at the Museo della Basilica di Santa Maria delle Grazie in San Giovanni Valdarno, last September 2022 and still open. AnnunciatiOn App, targeted to museum visitors but also to scholars and restorers, successfully performed at the museum as a didactic kiosk hosting a 4k touch screen and a desktop computer integrated by a custom soft touch keyboard, developed by the research team

Strumenti per lo studio dei portici di Bologna: un approccio attraverso una collezione di modelli digitali

Il sistema dei portici di Bologna rappresenta un patrimonio distintivo e peculiare della citt\ue0 tale da aver portato, nel 2006, alla sua inclusione nella temptative list italiana per il World heritage sites dell' UNESCO e, il prossimo anno, alla presentazione della candidatura definitiva. L'occasione offerta dalla presentazione del dossier di candidatura ha spinto l'Amministrazione Comunale a varare un progetto a sostegno della candidatura, diviso in diversi livelli di azione, che prevede, tra l'altro, lo sviluppo di una piattaforma on-line attraverso la quale si possa accedere al patrimonio di dati, informazioni e risorse relativi al sistema portici bolognesi. Il nostro contributo si propone di descrivere le tecniche di costruzione dei modelli 3D reality-based che arricchiranno questa piattaforma e che hanno l'obiettivo fondamentale nel porsi come raccoglitore della conoscenza esistente e da investigare. Il lavoro non parte da zero ma ha un consistente grounding in una serie di procedure sviluppate con l'obiettivo di assicurare una uniformit\ue0 della qualit\ue0 e coerenza dei modelli digitali 3D, cos\uec come della fedelt\ue0 della riproduzione del colore delle superfici murarie, in grado di garantire, a partire da tecniche di foto-modellazione, un basso costo di sviluppo. Su esse sono state realizzate nuove implementazioni che permetteranno ai modelli 3D di sviluppare ulteriori applicazioni culturali e promozionali di tipo cross-mediale, quali ad esempio app per i dispositivi mobili, e la mappatura di eventi architettonici tridimensionali e/o di realt\ue0 aumentata

The Second Life of Food: An Assessment of the Social Impact of Food Redistribution Activities in Emilia Romagna, Italy

The increased relative poverty and migration crisis in Europe are determining a raise of food insecurity levels. Cities and regions are experiencing—and to some extent stimulating—a growth of food recovery initiatives. Food redistribution activities (FRAs) are acknowledged as a tool for addressing food insecurity and preventing food surplus wastage ensuring economic, environmental, and social benefits. This paper aimed to identify the characteristics of FRAs and their social impact in the context of the Emilia Romagna region (Italy). A literature review and two experts’ consultations were carried out to inventory and categorize relevant social impacts. A questionnaire was then drafted and submitted to a sample of FRAs operating in the region. Results provided a profile of the surveyed food redistribution activities in terms of type of food redistributed, service provided, and workforce. In addition, the qualitative investigation allowed the identification of hotspots in terms of social, economic, psychological, health, and political impacts as perceived by engaged stakeholders

Piazze, palazzi del potere e mercati del cibo nell'Italia di Dante.

Progetto interuniversitario selezionato dalla CRUI (Conferenza dei Rettori dell Universit\ue0 italiane) e da Padiglione Italia per EXPO 2015. Il progetto ha visto la realizzazione di un docufilm (durata 32 minuti), proiettato nell'auditorium del Padiglione Italia (8 Luglio 2015), e l'organizzazione di un incontro pubblico, volto a illustrare la metodologia adottata per la realizzazione del docufilm nel quale sono state ricostruite in 3D le piazze del mercato del cibo di Bologna, Firenze, Milano e Verona. Il dibattito ha messo in luce, in un contesto internazionale quale \ue8 l'Esposizione Universale di Milano 2015, le ricadute che tale genere di prodotti, che coniugano Storia e 3D, hanno positivamente sia nell'offrire un nuovo modo di raccontare la Storia, sia nell'incentivare un Turismo culturale che gradisce comprendere le radici storiche del presente