Assessment of nutritional status and body image perceptions on immigrants

The valuation of the nutritional status and body image perception of the immigrant population is important to detect exposed groups at risk and to make nutritional recommendations. The assessment of nutritional status can be carried out through different methods, among which Anthropometric ones are especially recommended in case of large immigrant flow. This assessment is an important basis for developing an effective strategy to improve nutrition and health status in immigrants

Ouabain-induced cytoplasmic vesicles and their role in cell volume maintenance

Cellular swelling is controlled by an active mechanism of cell volume regulation driven by a Na+/K+-dependent ATPase and by aquaporins which translocate water along the osmotic gradient. Na+/K+-pump may be blocked by ouabain, a digitalic derivative, by inhibition of ATP, or by drastic ion alterations of extracellular fluid. However, it has been observed that some tissues are still able to control their volume despite the presence of ouabain, suggesting the existence of other mechanisms of cell volume control. In 1977, by correlating electron microscopy observation with ion and water composition of liver slices incubated in differentmetabolic conditions in the presence or absence of ouabain, we observed that hepatocytes were able to control their volume extruding water and recovering ion composition in the presence of ouabain. In particular, hepatocytes were able to sequester ions and water in intracellular vesicles and then secrete themat the bile canaliculus pole.We named this “vesicularmechanismof cell volume control.” Afterward, thismechanism has been confirmed by us and other laboratories in several mammalian tissues.This review summarizes evidences regarding this mechanism, problems that are still pending, and questions that need to be answered. Finally, we shortly review the importance of cell volume control in some human pathological conditions

Human Activity Patterns and Skeletal Metric Indicators in the Upper Limb

This study investigates skeletal metric traits of long bones of upper limb and the relationship between these traits and human activity in males of a recent, well-documented skeletal sample of Italian population from the Frassetto collection (Department of Experimental Evolutionary Biology, University of Bologna). The study analyzes the impact of some human activities on the skeleton, taking into account the possibility of an assessment of functional stresses caused by these activities on the basis of metric characteristics. The data consist of measurements of linear and angular bone traits, obtained by traditional and new instruments. With the purpose to find out the best indicators of occupational stress among the measured traits and indices, univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were carried out. Then the results obtained previously were used to analyze a sample with unknown occupation. The efficacy of metric stress indicators is discussed

Human Activity Patterns and Skeletal Metric Indicators in the Upper Limb

This study investigates skeletal metric traits of long bones of upper limb and the relationship between these traits and human activity in males of a recent, well-documented skeletal sample of Italian population from the Frassetto collection (Department of Experimental Evolutionary Biology, University of Bologna). The study analyzes the impact of some human activities on the skeleton, taking into account the possibility of an assessment of functional stresses caused by these activities on the basis of metric characteristics. The data consist of measurements of linear and angular bone traits, obtained by traditional and new instruments. With the purpose to find out the best indicators of occupational stress among the measured traits and indices, univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were carried out. Then the results obtained previously were used to analyze a sample with unknown occupation. The efficacy of metric stress indicators is discussed

Current immigration to Europe from North Africa. Health and physical activity

Immigration to Europe - especially from neighbouring North Africa - is a consistent phenomenon with social and health-related implications. Even if in many cases immigrants come from lower-income countries, their health status is better than that of European-born citizens at immigration time, given their younger age. Still, the adoption of a Western life style, with increased caloric intake and reduced physical activity, may soon lead to a deterioration of individual health. European-born individuals engage more often in leisure-time physical activity than immigrants (especially women) and follow a more healthy diet. Thus, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes may have a higher prevalence in accustomed immigrants

Spondylolisthesis in an Etruscan Woman from Spina (Ferrara, Italy): an Iron Age Case Report

Spondylolisthesis consists of the slippage of a vertebra in relation to the one beneath. It is caused by separation of the neural arch from the vertebral body (spondylolysis), and predominantly occurs at the isthmus (pars interarticularis). Originally thought to be a congenital anomaly, its strict correlation with certain activities that seem to exert stress on lower spine was later demonstrated. This paper describes a case of progression of spondylolysis to spondylolisthesis found on an adult female skeleton from the Etruscan necropolis of Spina (Ferrara, Italy). The case in question was identified among 209 skeletons exhumed at Spina. As spondylolisthesis is strictly connected with activities that exert stress on lower spine, the evidence suggests that this woman was engaged in stressful physical activity, perhaps related to the specific trade function of the site

Spondylolisthesis in an Etruscan Woman from Spina (Ferrara, Italy): an Iron Age Case Report

Spondylolisthesis consists of the slippage of a vertebra in relation to the one beneath. It is caused by separation of the neural arch from the vertebral body (spondylolysis), and predominantly occurs at the isthmus (pars interarticularis). Originally thought to be a congenital anomaly, its strict correlation with certain activities that seem to exert stress on lower spine was later demonstrated. This paper describes a case of progression of spondylolysis to spondylolisthesis found on an adult female skeleton from the Etruscan necropolis of Spina (Ferrara, Italy). The case in question was identified among 209 skeletons exhumed at Spina. As spondylolisthesis is strictly connected with activities that exert stress on lower spine, the evidence suggests that this woman was engaged in stressful physical activity, perhaps related to the specific trade function of the site

Group-based Early Start Denver Model: un modello educativo per alunni con Disturbo dello Spettro Autistico nelle scuole dell’infanzia italiane

Research on the implementation of evidence-based-practices in education has increasingly focusedon identifying models for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that can be adaptable inpreschools. This article outlines the main features of the Group-based Early Start Denver Model(G-ESDM), an intervention for children with ASD that has gained prominence in recent years (Vivanti,Duncan, Dawson, Rogers, 2017). Based on the philosophy, principles and strategies of theEarly Start Denver Model (ESDM), the G-ESDM is a manualized evidence-based early interventionthat includes a set of strategies to adapt to the physical and social learning environment in orderto support pupil participation in classroom activities and the school community at large.While the presence of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Italian school settings representsa challenge for both special education scholars and teachers which has endorsed the paradigmof full inclusion, some reflections on the possibility of promoting the adoption of theG-ESDM in Italian preschools are required. This article outlines the main features of the G-ESDMmodels and concludes by illustrating a possible research itinerary for its implementation in theItalian educational system

Intracranial tuberculous mass lesions treated with thalidomide in an immunocompetent child from a low tuberculosis endemic country: A case report

Rationale: Tuberculous meningitis is a highly morbid, often fatal disease. Patient concern: We describe a case of an Italian child. Diagnoses: we diagnosed early a Tuberculous meningitis complicated by the occurrence of hydrocephalus, stroke, and paradoxical reaction with brain pseudo-abscesses. Interventions: The child started readily a specific therapy associated with steroids and thalidomide was introduced few month later. Outcomes: the patient had a favorable outcome without neurologic sequelae. Lessons: Despite the prompt specific anti-tubercular and adjuvant corticosteroid therapies, only the addition of thalidomide to the treatment allow to a favorable clinical outcome

Weight status, fatness and body image perception of North African immigrant women in Italy

Objective: To investigate the nutritional status of North African (NA) immigrant women in Italy, analysing their body size, adiposity and body image perception in comparison to Italian natives and NA residents. Design: The study utilized a cross-sectional design. Anthropometric traits were directly measured and a few indices were computed as proxy measures of nutritional status and adiposity. Body image perception was assessed using silhouette drawings. ANCOVA, adjusted for age, was used to compare anthropometric traits among different groups of women and the χ2 test to analyse differences in the prevalence of nutritional status. Setting: Italy and North Africa (Tunisia, Morocco). Subjects: A sample of 433 women aged 18–60 years old: NA immigrants (n 105); Italians (n 100); Tunisians (n 104); Moroccans (n 124). Results: Overweight/obesity prevalence was very high in immigrants (79·8 %). Immigrants had the highest BMI value, the greatest hip circumference and mid upper-arm circumference. Their triceps skinfold thickness was significantly higher than that of Italians, but lower than that of NA residents. Conclusions: NA immigrant women in Italy showed a higher incidence of overweight compared with Italians and NA residents. All groups showed a preference for a thinner body in comparison to their actual bodies and the immigrants are the most dissatisfied. Immigrants remain a high-risk group for obesity. Assessment of their body composition and health risk profile should be improved by using specific anthropometric measures that are easy to collect even in the case of large migration flows