Lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide metabolites in a group of subjects with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

It is known that in OSAS the plasma lipid peroxidation has an opposite behavior in comparison with nitric oxide metabolites. In the re-examination of our survey of OSAS infjects we calculated the ratio between thiobarbituric acid reactive infstances (TBARS) and nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) in relation to OSAS severity. The study has regarded 48 OSAS infjects infdivided in two infgroups according to the apnea/hypopnea index-AHI-(Low=21 infjects with AHI 30). From the obtained data it is evident that the TBARS/NOx ratio is significantly higher in the H infgroup compared to L infgroup as well as this ratio is reduced in L infgroup in comparison with the whole group of OSAS infjects. In the entire group of OSAS infjects the TBARS/NOx ratio results positively correlated with AHI and ODI and inversely correlated with mSO2

One-hundred aortic valve replacements in octogenarians: Outcomes and risk factors for early mortality

Background and aim of the study: Today, ageing of the western population is causing aortic valve surgery to be performed in elderly patients with increasing frequency. The study aim was to evaluate surgical outcome in octogenarian patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods: A total of 100 patients (mean age 82.1 +/- 2.7 years; range: 80-95 years) who underwent AVR over a three-year period was reviewed. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting was performed in 34% of cases, and a bioprosthesis was implanted in 80%. The mean logistic EuroSCORE was 13.3%. Results: Operative mortality was 8.0%. In multivariate analysis, a logistic EuroSCORE >= 13.5% (p = 0.02), cross-clamp time >= 75 min (p = 0.02) and postoperative acute renal failure were predictors for in-hospital mortality. Follow up was 100% complete; the mean follow up period was 10.6 months. At one year after surgery, the actuarial survival rate of those patients who survived surgery was 86.1%. Postoperative dyspnea at one month (p = 0.004) was the only predictor of short-term mortality. Conclusion: Age in itself should not contraindicate surgery, and healthcare systems should be prepared to accommodate elderly patients who may require special resources

Analysis of the Blood Viscosity Behavior in the Sicilian Study on Juvenile Myocardial Infarction

Considering the role of hemorheology in coronary circulation, we studied blood viscosity in patients with juvenile myocardial infarction. We examined whole blood viscosity at high shear rate using the cone-on-plate viscosimeter Wells-Brookfield \ubd LVT and at low shear rate employing a viscometer Contraves LS30 in 120 patients (aged <46 years) with myocardial infarction, at the initial stage and subsequently 3 and 12 months after. At the initial stage, patients had an increased whole blood viscosity in comparison to normal controls. This hemorheological profile was not influenced by the cardiovascular risk factors, nor by the extent of coronary lesions, even if some differences were evident between patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI). The blood viscosity pattern at the initial stage did not influence recurring ischemic events or the onset of heart failure during an 18 months\u2019 follow-up. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio did not affect the blood viscosity pattern. We reevaluated 83 patients 3 months after and 70 patients 12 months after the acute coronary syndrome, and we found that the hemorheological parameters were still altered in comparison to normal controls at both times. We observed an impairment of the hemorheological pattern in young patients with myocardial infarction, partially influenced by the infarction type (STEMI and NSTEMI) and persisting in the long term

Repeatability of dental shade by digital spectrophotometry in current, former, and never smokers

Cigarette smoking contributes to poor oral health and dental discoloration. Therefore, stopping smoking may translate into measurable amelioration of dental shade indices. We compared dental shade parameters by digital spectrophotometry among current, former, and never smokers and verified their repeatability at 7 and 30&nbsp;days. Dental shade parameters (CIE L*a*b* and corresponding whiteness index for dentistry-WID) were measured in current, former, and never smokers with a digital spectrophotometer (Vita Easyshade V) on three separate study visits: at baseline (day 0), at day 7, and day 30. Dental shade parameters were analyzed in 18 current, 18 former, and 20 never smokers. The repeatability of shade parameters was consistent in current, former, and never smokers. L*, a*, b*, and WID show significant short and long-term repeatability (p &lt; 0.0001, by regression analyses). The mean (± SD) WID score of 13.42 (± 4.9) in current smokers was significantly lower compared to the WID score of 20.38 (± 5.3) in never smokers (p = 0.001). No significant differences were observed between current and former smokers and between former smokers and former smokers. Dental shade measurements by digital spectrophotometry were highly reproducible and showed that teeth whiteness of current smokers is substantially inferior compared to never smokers. Objective discrimination of dental shade can be a valuable regulatory science endpoint for investigating oral hygiene and dental aesthetics of consumer care products, smoking cessation medications, and tar-free tobacco products (e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, oral nicotine products) for cigarette substitution. Clinical trial registration: the study was not registered in ClinicalTrials.gov considering that it is a pilot study, parts of a larger project with ID: NCT04649645

Olea europea L. Leaves and Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Petals Extracts: Herbal Mix from Cardiovascular Network Target to Gut Motility Dysfunction Application

It is well known that diet and nutrition play a critical role in the etiopathogenesis of many disorders. On the other hand, nutrients or bioactive compounds can specifically target and control various aspects of the mechanism underlying the pathology itself, and, in this context, diseases related to intestinal motility disorders stand out. The Herbal Mix (HM) consisting of Olea europea L. leaf (OEE) and Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (HSE) extracts (13:2) has been proven to be a promising nutraceutical option for many diseases, but its potential in inflammatory-driven gastrointestinal disorders is still unexplored. In this study, HM effects on guinea-pig ileum and colon contractility (induced or spontaneous) and on human iNOS activity, as well as on human colorectal adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells, were studied. Results showed that the HM can control the ileum and colon contractility without blocking the progression of the food bolus, can selectively inhibit iNOS and possesses a strong pro-apoptotic activity towards Caco-2 cells. In conclusion, the present results suggest that, in some diseases, such as those related to motility disorders, an appropriate nutritional approach can be accompanied by a correct use of nutraceuticals that could help not only in ameliorating the symptoms but also in preventing more severe, cancer-related conditions

Validation and psychometric evaluation of the Italian version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale

Background: The advent of COVID-19 worldwide has led to consequences for people’s health, both physical and psychological, such as fear and anxiety. This is the case in Italy, one of the countries most affected by the pandemic. Given the heightened fear concerning COVID-19 in Italy., the present study analyzed the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S). Methods: The sample comprised 250 Italian participants who were administered Italian versions of the FCV-19S, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Severity Measure for Specific Phobia–Adult (SMSP-A). Several psychometric tests were performed to investigate the validity and reliability of the test including confirmatory factor analysis. Results: Analysis of the data showed satisfactory psychometric characteristics and confirmed the scale’s unidimensional properties. The seven FCV-19S items had acceptable correlations with the test total (from .443 to .784). Furthermore, the loadings on the factor were significant and strong (from .684 to .897). The internal consistency was very good (α = .871). Construct validity for the FCV-19S was supported by significant and positive correlations with the HADS (r=.649) and SMSP-A (r=.703). Conclusions: The Italian version of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale is valid and reliable in assessing fear of COVID-19 among the general Italian population

Sostenibilit\ue0 ambientale dei biocombustibili legnosi: importanza della filiera corta

Il legno \ue8 un materiale disponibile in abbondanza e, se la foresta \ue8 gestita in modo sostenibile, pu\uf2 rappresentare una fonte illimitata di materia prima per diversi settori industriali: dalla costruzione fino alla produzione di energia. Nel settore forestale, come in quello industriale, la domanda di una documentazione relativa alle sue prestazioni ambientali \ue8 in forte crescita. Per esempio, la certificazione ambientale di un prodotto da costruzione diventa necessaria in vista dell\u2019applicazione dei Criteri Ambientali Minimi (CAM) all\u2019edilizia a partire dall\u20191 gennaio 2021 mentre \ue8 gi\ue0 inclusa nella certificazione di qualit\ue0 dei biocombustibili solidi quali pellet (ENplus), bricchetti, cippato e legna da ardere (Biomassplus). Grazie alla competitivit\ue0 del costo della legna da ardere rispetto agli altri combustibili, l\u2019Italia storicamente ha una forte propensione all\u2019utilizzo di questo biocombustibile; tuttavia negli ultimi anni, si \ue8 sempre pi\uf9 sviluppato il mercato di importazione di legna da ardere, in particolar modo proveniente dall\u2019Est-Europa e dai Balcani. Il trasporto su strada della legna da ardere comporta degli input energetici nella filiera e conseguentemente delle emissioni di CO2. Questo studio confronta due diversi approcci di filiera: una filiera corta, in cui la legna da ardere \ue8 prodotta nella regione Veneto e in particolare in Cansiglio, e una filiera lunga, nella quale i tronchi per la produzione della legna da ardere vengono importati da paesi confinanti con l\u2019Italia. I tre obiettivi dello studio sono quelli di (i) valutare l\u2019impatto ambientale delle due filiere utilizzando 4 categorie di impatto, due globali (il potenziale di riscaldamento globale e il potenziale di riduzione dell\u2019ozono) e due locali (la formazione di smog fotochimico e la tossicit\ue0 umana); (ii) eseguire un\u2019analisi di sensitivit\ue0 per determinare la distanza critica del trasporto di legna da ardere e (iii) valutare la compensazione di CO2 in foresta. La metodologia adottata per la valutazione degli impatti ambientali delle due filiere \ue8 l\u2019analisi del ciclo di vita. Lo studio ha evidenziato che, nel caso della filiera corta, la fase critica del ciclo di vita \ue8 la combustione, mentre le operazioni forestali e il trasporto su strada hanno un contributo marginale sull\u2019impatto globale. Passando alla filiera lunga, escludendo le emissioni di CO2 di origine biogenica, il trasporto su strada diventa la fase critica