Analysis of postures for handwriting on touch screens without using tools

The act of handwriting affected the evolutionary development of humans and still impacts the motor cognition of individuals. However, the ubiquitous use of digital technologies has drastically decreased the number of times we really need to pick a pen up and write on paper. Nonetheless, the positive cognitive impact of handwriting is widely recognized, and a possible way to merge the benefits of handwriting and digital writing is to use suitable tools to write over touchscreens or graphics tablets. In this manuscript, we focus on the possibility of using the hand itself as a writing tool. A novel hand posture named FingerPen is introduced, and can be seen as a grasp performed by the hand on the index finger. A comparison with the most common posture that people tend to assume (i.e. index finger-only exploitation) is carried out by means of a biomechanical model. A conducted user study shows that the FingerPen is appreciated by users and leads to accurate writing traits

Persistent intraepithelial lymphocytosis in celiac patients adhering to gluten-free diet is not abolished despite a gluten contamination elimination diet

The gluten-free diet (GFD) is the only validated treatment for celiac disease (CD), but despite strict adherence, complete mucosal recovery is rarely obtained. The aim of our study was to assess whether complete restitutio ad integrum could be achieved by adopting a restrictive diet (Gluten Contamination Elimination Diet, GCED) or may depend on time of exposure to GFD. Two cohorts of CD patients, with persisting Marsh II/Grade A lesion at duodenal biopsy after 12–18 months of GFD (early control) were identified. Patients in Cohort A were re-biopsied after a three-month GCED (GCED control) and patients in Cohort B were re-biopsied after a minimum of two years on a standard GFD subsequent to early control (late control). Ten patients in Cohort A and 19 in Cohort B completed the study protocol. There was no change in the classification of duodenal biopsies in both cohorts. The number of intraepithelial lymphocytes, TCR + (T-Cell Receptor gamma delta) T cell and eosinophils significantly decreased at GCED control (Cohort A) and at late control (Cohort B), compared to early control. Duodenal intraepithelial lymphocytosis persisting in CD patients during GFD is not eliminated by a GCED and is independent of the length of GFD. [NCT 02711696

Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Semen Quality in Healthy Young Men Living in a Contaminated Area

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors that have been implicated in potential damage to human semen. However, the studies conducted so far provide contrasting results. Our study aimed to investigate the associations between PCB serum and semen levels and semen quality in high school and university students living in a highly PCB-polluted area of Italy. Subjects with a normal body mass index who did not make daily use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or medication were selected. All participants provided a fasting blood and a semen sample. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to determine the concentrations of 26 PCB congeners. The concentrations of PCB functional groups and total PCBs were also computed. A total of 143 subjects (median age 20, range 18–22 years) were enrolled. The median total PCB concentrations were 3.85 ng/mL (range 3.43–4.56 ng/mL) and 0.29 ng/mL (range 0.26–0.32 ng/mL) in serum and semen, respectively. The analysis of the associations between sperm PCB concentration and semen parameters showed (a) negative associations between some PCB congeners, functional groups and total PCBs and sperm total motility; (b) negative associations of total PCBs with sperm normal morphology; and (c) no association of PCBs with sperm concentration. Subjects at the highest quartile of semen total PCB concentration had 19% and 23% mean reductions in total motility and normal morphology, respectively, compared to those at the lowest quartile. The analysis of the associations of serum PCB levels with sperm parameters yielded null or mixed (some positive, other negative) results. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence of a negative effect of some PCB congeners and total PCBs in semen on sperm motility and normal morphology. However, the associations between the concentration of serum and semen PCB congeners and functional groups and sperm quality parameters were inconsistent

Mediterranean-Oriented Dietary Intervention Is Effective to Reduce Liver Steatosis in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Results from an Italian Clinical Trial

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in western countries. Lifestyle interventions are recommended as the primary therapy for NAFLD. Methodology. In this clinical trial, NAFLD patients were enrolled in a 12-month dietary intervention aimed to improve their eating habits according to the Mediterranean pattern, with scheduled appointments every three months. After the exclusion of steatosis, healthy subjects were recruited and received general advice based on current Italian food-based dietary guidelines. Results. One hundred and 8fty 8ve subjects aged 20–59 years underwent (i) liver ultrasound (US), (ii) clinical and anthropometric evaluations, (iii) blood tests, and (iv) assessment of dietary habits. According to US evaluation, 73 of them had severe, moderate, or mild liver steatosis (NAFLD patients) and 82 had no liver steatosis (healthy controls). Fifty-eight NAFLD patients and 73 controls completed the study. Among NAFLD patients, 26 (45%) downgraded steatosis severity, 12 of which achieved complete steatosis regression (21%). *ree of the healthy controls developed NAFLD. *e NAFLD patients improved their dietary habits and reduced BMI and waist circumference, during the study period, more than healthy controls. Liver steatosis remission/regression was independent of changes in BMI or liver enzymes and was more frequent among patients with mild steatosis at baseline. Conclusions. Mediterranean dietary advices, without a personalised meal planning, were eCcient in reducing/remitting NAFLD, especially among patients with mild disease, which argues in favour of early identi8cation and lifestyle intervention. *is trial is registered with NCT03300661

The metabolic adaptation evoked by arginine enhances the effect of radiation in brain metastases

Selected patients with brain metastases (BM) are candidates for radiotherapy. A lactatogenic metabolism, common in BM, has been associated with radioresistance. We demonstrated that BM express nitric oxide (NO) synthase 2 and that administration of its substrate l-arginine decreases tumor lactate in BM patients. In a placebo-controlled trial, we showed that administration of l-arginine before each fraction enhanced the effect of radiation, improving the control of BM. Studies in preclinical models demonstrated that l-arginine radiosensitization is a NO-mediated mechanism secondary to the metabolic adaptation induced in cancer cells. We showed that the decrease in tumor lactate was a consequence of reduced glycolysis that also impacted ATP and NAD+ levels. These effects were associated with NO-dependent inhibition of GAPDH and hyperactivation of PARP upon nitrosative DNA damage. These metabolic changes ultimately impaired the repair of DNA damage induced by radiation in cancer cells while greatly sparing tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.Fil: Marullo, Rossella. Cornell University; Estados UnidosFil: Castro, Monica. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Yomtoubian, Shira. Cornell University; Estados UnidosFil: Nieves Calvo Vidal, M.. Cornell University; Estados UnidosFil: Revuelta, María Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Krumsiek, Jan. Cornell University; Estados UnidosFil: Nicholas, Andrew P.. Cornell University; Estados UnidosFil: Cresta Morgado, Pablo. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Yang, ShaoNing. Cornell University; Estados UnidosFil: Medina, Vanina Araceli. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Roth, Berta María Cristina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Bonomi, Marcelo. Ohio State University; Estados UnidosFil: Keshari, Kayvan R.. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Estados UnidosFil: Mittal, Vivek. Cornell University; Estados UnidosFil: Navigante, Alfredo Hugo. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Cerchietti, Leandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; Argentin

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

Whole grain perceptions and consumption attitudes: Results of a survey in Italy

Objectives: The consumption of whole grains is widely recognised as healthy and included in several national dietary guidelines. Despite that, the consumption of whole grain products remains sub-optimal. Methods: We developed a questionnaire investigating perceptions of price, taste, positive and negative health effects, sustainability and versatility of whole grains and the consumption frequency of whole grain food products. This questionnaire was administered to a sample of 1,014 individuals in Northern Italy. Results: We observed an overall positive attitude towards whole grain products, especially in relation to positive health effects, versatility and taste, that resulted in strong drivers for whole grain consumption. Age, gender and educational level were identified as influences on whole grain perceptions, especially for taste and positive health effects. Respondents were clustered according to the attitudes they expressed. Conclusion: The characteristics of these clusters could be used to customise future nutritional education programmes

Cooking Skills, Nutrition Knowledge and Eating Behaviours Among Italian Adolescents During COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from the Online Survey COALESCENT (Change Among Italian Adolescents).

: An online survey was submitted to students attending high schools in a province of North Italy. According to changes in food consumption, we assigned an eating habit index (EHI) score ranging from -31 to 38, reflecting respectively a worsening or an improvement in diet quality, compared to the period before the pandemic. We divided respondents into three groups considering cooking ability and number of meals able to prepare: high, medium and low cooking skills. : Overall, our results suggest that COVID-19 pandemic positively influenced cooking skills among adolescents. Good cooking abilities were associated with better nutrition knowledge and healthier eating habits, including a lower consumption of ultra-processed foods. Projects aimed to improve culinary skills in adolescents could be of value in promoting a healthier lifestyle