Lean body weight-tailored Iodinated contrast Injection in obese patient. boer versus James Formula

Purpose. To prospectively compare the performance of James and Boer formula in contrast media (CM) administration, in terms of image quality and parenchymal enhancement in obese patients undergoing CT of the abdomen. Materials and Methods. Fifty-five patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 kg/m2were prospectively included in the study. All patients underwent 64-row CT examination and were randomly divided in two groups: 26 patients in Group A and 29 patients in Group B. The amount of injected CM was computed according to the patient's lean body weight (LBW), estimated using either Boer formula (Group A) or James formula (Group B). Patient's characteristics, CM volume, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of liver, aorta and portal vein, and liver contrast enhancement index (CEI) were compared between the two groups. For subjective image analysis readers were asked to rate the enhancement of liver, kidneys, and pancreas based on a 5-point Likert scale. Results. Liver CNR, aortic CNR, and portal vein CNR showed no significant difference between Group A and Group B (all P ≥ 0.177). Group A provided significantly higher CEI compared to Group B (P = 0.007). Group A and Group B returned comparable overall subjective enhancement values (3.54 and vs 3.20, all P ≥ 0.199). Conclusions. Boer formula should be the method of choice for LBW estimation in obese patients, leading to an accurate CM amount calculation and an optimal liver contrast enhancement in CT

High Efficiency and New Potential of RSLDE: A Green Technique for the Extraction of Bioactive Molecules from Not Completely Exhausted Plant Biomass and Organic Industrial Processing Waste

A product is characterized by low environmental impact if, during the whole process (from extraction of raw materials from solid natural matter to disposal), its negative contribution to environment modification is significantly reduced or eliminated. According to circular economy, it is important to take into consideration other aspects, such as the possibility to improve the efficiency of extraction process by modifying the principle on which it is based and allowing the recovery of not completely exhausted waste, obtaining other active ingredients, and favoring the recycling of normally eliminated materials. The purpose of this work was to propose more efficient and greener alternatives to conventional solid–liquid extraction processes. Major features are the rapidity of the process, extraction at room temperature and high yields. Rapid Solid–Liquid Dynamic Extraction (RSLDE) represents an innovative solid–liquid extraction technology that allows the solid matrices containing extractable substances in an organic or inorganic solvent and their mixtures to be exhausted in shorter time than current techniques. The principle at the basis of this novel process consists of the generation of a negative pressure gradient between the inside and the outside of the solid matrix, which induces the extraction of compounds not chemically linked to the solid matter, being insoluble in the extractant liquid. Therefore, this work focuses on how RSLDE can potentially bring several improvements in the field of solid–liquid extraction, especially for industrial applications

A simple HPLC-DAD method for the analysis of melamine in protein supplements: validation using the accuracy profiles.

The study presents a fully validated simple high-performance liquid chromatography method with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), able to accurately determine the melamine, fraudulently added, in protein supplements, commonly used from healthy adults to enhance exercise or sport performance. The validation strategy was intentionally oriented towards routine use and the reliability of the method rather than extreme performance. For this reason, validation by accuracy profile, including estimation of uncertainty, was chosen. This procedure, based on the concept of total error (bias + standard deviation), clearly showed that this method was able to determine melamine over the range of 0.05–3.0 mg Kg−1, selected by taking into account the maximum residue levels (MRLs) proposed by European legislation to distinguish between the unavoidable background presence of melamine and unacceptable adulteration. The accuracy profile procedure established that at least 95% of the future results obtained with the proposed method would be within the ±15% acceptance limits of the validated HPLC-DAD method over the whole defined concentration range

Italian Lycium barbarum L. Berry: Chemical Characterization and Nutraceutical Value:

Lycium barbarum L. has received considerable attention in recent years also in western countries because of the interesting healthy value of these berries. In this paper, goji samples cultivated in Southern Italy were analyzed for their chemical composition and nutritional profile in order to characterize fruits of Italian origin and to increase the awareness about their nutraceutical value. Lipid fraction was characterized by high percentages of unsaturated fatty acids, in particular oleic and linoleic acids, and very low values of atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes (0.1 and 0.2, respectively). In addition, goji berry was an interesting source of phytosterols (41.5 mg/100 g), essentially represented by β-sitosterol. Carotenoid analysis showed the presence of zeaxanthin, in esterified form, with high content of zeaxanthin dipalmitate (277.9 mg/100 g). Finally, in vitro antioxidant capacity and phenolic compounds were investigated. The results suggested that goji hydro-alcoholic extract possessed the ability to scavenge free radicals. Phenolic acids were clearly the most abundant compounds followed by flavonols and favanols. The results reported in this study confirm that Italian L. barbarum berry is a rich source of bioactive molecules with nutraceutical properties

Analisi di una proposta inclusiva per soggetti BES attraverso la pratica sportiva di squadra

The inclusion is a phenomenon that involves contemporary society. The school inclusion, in particular, is confronted with the educational emergencies that require appropriate teaching responses that must be developed in suitable learning environments. The purpose of the research was to promote inclusive relationships between SEN subjects and all the other students, so that the school can promote the right that a person is considered equal to others but different at the same time along with the other, through an act motor nature trail to favor group collaborative activities with the game of basketball.L’inclusione è un fenomeno che investe la società contemporanea. L’inclusione scolastica, in particolare, si deve confrontare con le emergenze educative che necessitano di adeguate risposte didattiche che devono essere sviluppate in idonei ambienti di apprendimento. Lo scopo della ricerca è stato quello di favorire le relazioni inclusive tra i soggetti BES e tutti gli altri allievi, affinchè la scuola possa promuovere il diritto che un soggetto venga considerato uguale agli altrima allo stesso tempo diverso insieme agli altri, attraverso un percorso didattico motorio atto a favorire le attività collaborative di gruppo con il gioco della pallacanestro

Valorizzazione del corpo nella proposta didattica al soggetto con Sindrome dello Spettro Autistico

The theoretical and diagnostic approaches to Autistic Syndrome havechanged over the years following the results of clinical studies that have establishedthe organic etiology as well as behavioral. It is still difficult toidentify with certainty the cause of the disease but are more clear types oftreatments to use. At scholastic level, the number of autistic children attendingpublic schools has increased and intervention teaching techniqueswere perfected. Of particular importance is the enhancement of the bodythat silent body must become a living body capable of action and conveyemotions limiting redundancies, stereos and establishing effective relationships.Gli approcci teorici e diagnostici relativi alla Sindrome Autistica sono mutatinel corso degli anni in seguito ai risultati delle ricerche cliniche che hannosancito l’etiologia organica oltre che comportamentale. Risulta ancora difficileindividuare con certezza la causa della patologia ma sono più chiari letipologie di trattamenti da utilizzare. A livello scolastico il numero deisoggetti autistici frequentanti le scuole pubbliche è aumentato e sono stateperfezionate le tecniche didattiche d’intervento. Particolare importanzariveste la valorizzazione del corpo che da corpo muto deve diventare uncorpo vivo capace di agire e trasmettere emozioni limitando le ridondanze,le stereotipie e stabilendo efficaci relazioni

Evaluation of sambucus Nigra L. Biopotential as an unused natural resource

An unbreakable relationship between plants, nutrition, and health has directed researchers to deeply investigate and characterize the biopotential and medicinal properties of traditional foods. The aim of this study is to analyze and compare the phytochemical composition and biological potential of plant extracts with the idea of defining the most potent extracts as a natural source of bioactive molecules and their application in different industries. We evaluated unused plant species Sambucus nigra L. for investigation of bioactivities as potential natural products. Extracts of fresh elderberry fruits were obtained by modern (microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE)) and traditional (maceration (MAC)) extraction techniques, using 50% ethanol (50% EtOH) and water (H2O) of different polarities. In analyzed extracts, rutin and chlorogenic acid were dominant compounds in both 50% EtOH and H2O extracts, while ursolic acid was identified in 50% EtOH extracts as a terpenic compound with notable concentration. Elderberry extracts were evaluated regarding antioxidant, neuroprotective, antityrosinase, and antidiabetic abilities: MAE extracts had the best overall activity, and in general, 50% EtOH extracts were more potent than water extracts. The correlation of the dominant compound—rutin with all biological activities, indicates the importance of its presence in elderberries. S. nigra fruits showed excellent biopotential and opened possibilities of creating new food products or remedies, which are not present on the market because elderberry extracts are an exceptional source of rutin, chlorogenic acid, and ursolic aci