Prophylaxis and therapy of viral infections in pediatric patients treated for malignancy

Infections are still an important cause of mortality and morbidity in pediatric cancer patients. Most of the febrile episodes in immunocompromised patients are classified as a fever of unknown origin (FUO) while bacteria are the more frequent causes of documented infections. Viral infections are also feared during chemotherapy but less data are available on their incidence and morbidity. We reviewed the literature on incidence, morbidity, and mortality of viral infections in children undergoing chemotherapy and discussed the evidence concerning the prophylaxis and the therapy

Photocatalytic processes as a potential solution for plastic waste management

Plastics have become a critical environmental problem due to their widespread use, high physico-chemical stability and the inefficiency of wastewater treatments. Despite the efforts to reduce production and to increase reuse and recycling, the current strategies for plastic waste treatment are not suitable to handle with the growing demand of plastics and the concomitant waste in an environmentally friendly manner. Herein, we review the existing strategies for the treatment of plastic waste, highlighting photocatalytic processes as a potential solution for the degradation of plastics. The possibility of incorporating photocatalysts to plastics during the production process could enhance their light-activated biodegradability. Parallelly, photocatalysts can be employed during waste treatment processes of non-biodegradable stable plastics. The scarcely studied factors affecting plastic photocatalytic degradation, namely catalyst type, reactor configuration, and radiation source (intensity and wavelength), are discussed, highlighting the role that photocatalytic processes can play in the future of plastic management. Finally, relevant quantification methods for measuring the photo-degradation of plastics are overviewed. We believe that photocatalysis can be an environmentally friendly strategy both to increase the biodegradability of plastics and to treat plastic waste. With this novel comprehensive overview, we hope to stimulate further research and innovation in this field.Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED481B 2019/091Universidade de Vigo/CISU

Analysis of creative and logical-spatial skills in blind children and adolescents

Este artículo muestra el proyecto de investigación y acción "Análisis y fortalecimiento del pensamiento divergente en niños y adolescentes ciegos y con discapacidad visual", financiado por la Universidad de Catania. A la luz de la importancia de las habilidades divergentes y lógico-espaciales para estas materias, en términos de habilidades para la vida y buenas prácticas educativas, este proyecto de investigación tiene como fin lograr los siguientes objetivos: a) realizar herramientas de evaluación de habilidades divergentes y lógico-espaciales y verificar la validez de estos instrumentos; b) explorar los factores del pensamiento divergente para comprender mejor las habilidades más deficientes; c) proceder al fortalecimiento de las habilidades divergentes menos adecuadas en los sujetos. Hicimos que Stamperia Braille de Catania imprimiera la prueba de pensamiento divergente de Williams (protocolo TCD A y B) y las matrices de Raven (estándar SPM y CPM de color) en relieve mediante termoformado en PVC con altura de relieve no inferior a 0,9 mm para permitir la comprensión háptica de los estímulos por parte de los ciegos. Para sujetos con discapacidad visual, los instrumentos están hechos con impresión láser a todo color a cuatro colores en papel de 80 gr/mq. En esta fase de la investigación, de acuerdo con la Unión Italiana de Ciegos de Catania, comenzamos a administrar estas herramientas a cinco sujetos ciegos.This paper displays the Action-research project “Analysis and strengthening of divergent thinking in blind and visually impaired children and adolescents”, funded by the University of Catania. In light of the importance of divergent and logical-spatial skills for these subjects, in terms of life skills and good educational practices, this research project is aimed to achieve the following objectives: a) to realize divergent and logical-spatial skills assessment tools and to verify the validity of these instruments; b) to explore the factors of divergent thinking in order to better understand the most deficient skills; c) to proceed with the strengthening of the more inadequate divergent abilities in the subjects. We had Stamperia Braille of Catania print the Williams’ Test of divergent thinking (TCD protocol A and B) and the Raven Matrices (standard SPM and colored CPM) in relief by thermoforming on PVC with relief height not lower than 0.9 mm in order to allow the haptic understanding of stimuli by the blind. For visually impaired subjects the instruments are made using full color four-color laser printing on 80 gr/mq paper. In this phase of the research, in agreement with the Italian Blind Union of Catania, we began to administer these tools to five blind subjects.peerReviewe

Exploring the Microbial Community of Traditional Sourdoughs to Select Yeasts and Lactic Acid Bacteria

Sourdoughs represent an awesome example of ecosystem in which yeasts and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) interact with each other, defining the characteristics of the final product in terms of composition, texture, taste and flavor. Therefore, the identification of dominant yeasts and LAB involved in the fermentation process can lead to the selection of starters with suitable fermentation aptitude and capable of producing desired aromas and/or aromatic precursors. In this work, two sourdoughs samples (A and B) for Panettone production were collected from an artisan bakery. Yeasts and bacteria were isolated at different fermentation steps on selective agar media. A total of 120 isolates were obtained and firstly characterized by conventional microbiological methods. Afterward, genomic DNA was extracted from the cultures, and (GTG)5-PCR fingerprinting analysis was carried out to reduce the redundance among the isolates. Representative yeasts and LAB strains, having a unique profile, were identified by sequencing the D1/D2 domain of the 26S rRNA and the 16S rRNA genes, respectively. The results highlighted the occurrence of Kazachstania humilis and Fructilactobacillus sanfranciscensis in both sourdoughs. Among LAB, also some other strains belonging to Lactobacillus genus were found. Moreover, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Staphylococcus spp. strains were detected in sample B. In this study, a pool of yeasts and LAB strains for producing starter cultures with specific technological traits for sourdoughs production was obtained

The social representation of sexual violence between "background and surface attitudes" a research with university students

The problem of "sexual violence", a central challenge of our society, keeps existing in spite of condamning stances from the institutions and the cultural world. It's a controvertial problem, especially regarding the rapists' specific behaviours and its quantitative consistence. The present paper was made with a sample of university students in order to verify the influence of gender, level and type of studies, and of psychosocial variables on the represantion of the phenomenon. The first results seem to confirm the hypotheses

Viaje a través de los "campos" del envejecimiento, del "mundo de los mayores" al "mundo de los mayores"

We conducted some researches in order to explore “fields” or dimensions of elderly people’s Quality of Life (QoL), both as self-perception and hetero-perception. A set of researches were conducted in Italy and Spain, involving seniors and university students. The aim was to explore the seniors’ QoL from both their and the students’ point of view. Results showed elderly people perceived their own life better than the “other” attributed to them; they were quite good at managing Positive and Negative Emotions. Spanish university students represented more positively the elderly people’s QoL than Italian colleagues. A Positive Affect as well as an empathic attitude towards seniors affected a better representation about elderly people’s QoL. Another set of studies was focused on the elderly people’s QoL and New Technologies (NTs) as these may offer opportunities both to maintain an independent lifestyle and to being involved in relevant activities. Most participants had nor any digital skills neither prejudices on the NTs; the perceived QoL was quite positive; Self-Efficacy believes were really high. The QoL was affected only by Self-Efficacy. A workshop was held, involving a small group of both disabled and healthy seniors; it was focused on the NTs, as tools to promote an active citizenship. After Training our seniors improved their Digital Skills and their own Quality of Life. In the end, a study was conducted in order to verify how both empathy (Empatic Concern; Perspective Taking), Theory on Mind (RMET) and contact worked well to improve QoL levels attributed to elders by a group of university students. On an applicative plan, empathy and TOM should represent the backdrop in supervised experiences of contact between students and elders. Further research will be conduct on this path.Llevamos a cabo algunas investigaciones para explorar los "campos" o las dimensiones de la Calidad de Vida (CdV) de las personas mayores, como autopercepción y heteropercepción. Se llevaron a cabo un conjunto de investigaciones en Italia y España, en las que participaron personas mayores y estudiantes universitarios. El objetivo era explorar la CdV de los adultos mayores tanto desde su punto de vista como el de los estudiantes. Los resultados mostraron que las personas mayores perciben su propia vida mejor que el "otro" que se les atribuye; fueron bastante buenos en la gestión de Emociones Positivas y Negativas. Los estudiantes universitarios españoles representan más positivamente la CdV de las personas mayores que los colegas italianos. Un Afecto Positivo así como una actitud empática hacia las personas mayores afectó a una mejor representación sobre la CdV de las personas mayores. Otro conjunto de estudios se centró en la CdV y las Nuevas Tecnologías (NT) de las personas mayores, ya que pueden ofrecer oportunidades tanto para mantener un estilo de vida independiente como para participar en actividades relevantes. La mayoría de los participantes no tenían ni habilidades digitales ni prejuicios sobre los NT; la QoL percibida fue bastante positiva; La autoeficacia cree que era realmente alta. La CdV se vio afectada solo por la autoeficacia. Se llevó a cabo un taller en el que participaron un pequeño grupo de ancianos discapacitados y sanos; se centró en los NT, como herramientas para promover una ciudadanía activa. Después del entrenamiento, nuestros adultos mayores mejoraron sus habilidades digitales y su propia calidad de vida. Al final, se realizó un estudio para verificar cómo la empatía (Empatic Concern, Perspective Taking), Theory on Mind (RMET) y el contacto funcionó bien para mejorar los niveles de CdV atribuidos a los mayores por un grupo de estudiantes universitarios. En un plan de aplicación, la empatía y TOM deben representar el telón de fondo en las experiencias supervisadas de contacto entre estudiantes y ancianos. La investigación adicional será la conducta en este camino

How can we enhance creativity in childhood? An action research with Italian children

Creativity was defined as “the centerpiece of an education that prepares a generation of change agents for doing good” (Sheridan-Rabideau, 2010). In the theoretical framework of the action research model (see Lewin, 1951) this study was aimed to propose a training to enhance creativity in children. According to the William’s model (1966, 1994), creativity is made by the following factors: fluency, flexibility, originality,elaboration and the ability to produce creative titles . Purpose: to explore the effects of a specific training on improvement of creativity factors. Training consisted of three steps (1 hour every one) in which the children, respectively, a) imagined to see objects looking in a Kaleidoscope and wrote a story with imagined objects; b) proposed ways to enhance a simple toy and to make it funny (see Torrance, 1989); c) found similarities between couples of objects. Sample: 36 Italian children (16 boys and 20 girls) aged between 7 and 8 years old, attending second classes of a primary school in Misterbianco (Italy). Participants were divided between experimental group (attending training) and control group (no training). Measures: The Italian version of Test of Divergent Thinking (TCT: Williams, 1994). We used protocol A to analyze levels of creativity before the training and protocol B (perfectly comparable with protocol A) to evaluate creativity after training. Results: Children reached levels of creativity similar to those obtained by children of the same age in our context (De Caroli, 2009). After training, children of the experimental group improved in flexibility (t= -2,872, p=.01), originality (t= -3,831, p=.001), elaboration (t= -6,096, p smaller than .001), and in titles production(t= -3,573, p=.002). No significant changes emerged in the Fluidity. Future research could deepen the effects of this training in children of different ages.Creativity was defined as “the centerpiece of an education that prepares a generation of change agents for doing good” (Sheridan-Rabideau, 2010). In the theoretical framework of the action research model (see Lewin, 1951) this study was aimed to propose a training to enhance creativity in children. According to the William’s model (1966, 1994), creativity is made by the following factors: fluency, flexibility, originality,elaboration and the ability to produce creative titles . Purpose: to explore the effects of a specific training on improvement of creativity factors. Training consisted of three steps (1 hour every one) in which the children, respectively, a) imagined to see objects looking in a Kaleidoscope and wrote a story with imagined objects; b) proposed ways to enhance a simple toy and to make it funny (see Torrance, 1989); c) found similarities between couples of objects. Sample: 36 Italian children (16 boys and 20 girls) aged between 7 and 8 years old, attending second classes of a primary school in Misterbianco (Italy). Participants were divided between experimental group (attending training) and control group (no training). Measures: The Italian version of Test of Divergent Thinking (TCT: Williams, 1994). We used protocol A to analyze levels of creativity before the training and protocol B (perfectly comparable with protocol A) to evaluate creativity after training. Results: Children reached levels of creativity similar to those obtained by children of the same age in our context (De Caroli, 2009). After training, children of the experimental group improved in flexibility (t= -2,872, p=.01), originality (t= -3,831, p=.001), elaboration (t= -6,096, p menor que .001), and in titles production(t= -3,573, p=.002). No significant changes emerged in the Fluidity. Future research could deepen the effects of this training in children of different ages

'Omics' and chemical approaches used to monitor iron-deficiency in citrus rootstocks

Two different 'omics' approaches were performed to a better comprehension of biological mechanisms involved in citrus iron (Fe) deficiency. Tips roots from Swingle citrumelo and Carrizo citrange (sensitive and tolerant rootstocks, respectively), growing in pots with control and chlorotic soil, were used for transcriptomic and proteomic analysis. CombiMatrix array was performed to isolate differential genes, among which glutathione peroxidase (GPX), SAUR gene and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) showed to be the most involved ones. They were switched on Swingle grown on calcareous conditions compared to Carrizo (in the same soil) and to the same stock in the control soil. The over-expression of GPX could be the effort of plants to neutralize the oxidative environment produced by stress. The involvement of auxin (and as consequence of SAUR gene) in the regulation of Fe deficiency responses is also well known. Both genes were considered in association to peroxidase, ferric chelate reductase activities, iron and chlorophyll content, to monitor the degree of suffering of rootstocks. Among differentially expressed proteins, identified by means of 2D-PAGE and RP-HPLC/nESI-MSMS, a strong down-regulation of cytosolic pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase β-subunit and NADPH-isocitrate dehydrogenase could produce plant inability to sustain the energetic request of cell roots

Disease Resistant Citrus Breeding Using Newly Developed High Resolution Melting and CAPS Protocols for Alternaria Brown Spot Marker Assisted Selection

Alternaria alternata is a fungus that causes a serious disease in susceptible genotypes of citrus, particularly in mandarins. The Alternaria citri toxin (ACT) produced by the pathogen induces necrotic lesions on young leaves and fruits, defoliation and fruit drop. Here, we describe two methods of marker-assisted selection (MAS) that could be used for the early identification of Alternaria brown spot (ABS)-resistant mandarin hybrids. The first method is based on a nested PCR coupled to high resolution melting (HRM) analysis at the SNP08 locus, which is located at 0.4 cM from the ABS resistance locus, and was previously indicated as the most suitable for the selection of ABS-resistant hybrids. The method was validated on 41 mandarin hybrids of the CREA germplasm collection, and on 862 progenies generated from five crosses involving different susceptible parents. Four out of five populations showed Mendelian segregation at the analyzed locus, while a population involving Murcott tangor as male parent showed distorted segregation toward the susceptible hybrids. The second method is based on a cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) marker that was developed using the same primers as the nested PCR at the SNP08 locus, coupled with BccI restriction enzyme digestion. To verify the reliability of the two genotyping methods, in vitro leaf phenotyping was carried out by inoculating A. alternata spores onto young leaves of 101 hybrids, randomly chosen among the susceptible and resistant progenies. The phenotyping confirmed the SNP08 genotyping results, so the proposed method of selection based on HRM or CAPS genotyping could be routinely used as an alternative to KBioscience competitive allele specific polymerase chain reaction (KASPar) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping system to improve citrus breeding programs. While the study confirmed that the SNP08 marker is a reliable tool for MAS of new citrus hybrids with different genetic backgrounds, it also identified a small group of genotypes where the resistance mechanism requires further investigation

Preventing transmission of infectious agents in the pediatric in-patients hematology-oncology setting: what is the role for non-pharmacological prophylaxis?

The most intensive chemotherapy regimens were used in the past for leukemia patients who were the main focus of trials on infections; today there are increasing numbers of children with solid cancer and considerable risk of infection who do receive intensive standard-dose chemotherapy. Despite a continuous will to protect the immune-compromised child from infections, evidence-based indications for intervention by non-pharmacological tools is still lacking in the pediatric hematology-oncology literature. Guidelines on standard precautions as well as precautions to avoid transmission of specific infectious agents are available. As a result of a consensus discussion, the Italian Association for Pediatric Hematology-Oncology (AIEOP) Cooperative Group centers agree that for children treated with chemotherapy both of these approaches should be implemented and vigorously enforced, while additional policies, including strict environmental isolation, should be restricted to patients with selected clinical conditions or complications. We present here a study by the working group on infectious diseases of AIEOP