Effects of a Home-Based Lifestyle Intervention Program on Cardiometabolic Health in Breast Cancer Survivors during the COVID-19 Lockdown

This study aimed to evaluate the cardiometabolic effects of a home-based lifestyle intervention (LI) in breast cancer survivors (BCSs) during the COVID-19 lockdown. In total, 30 BCSs (women; stages 0-II; non-metastatic; aged 53.5 ± 7.6 years; non-physically active; normal left ventricular systolic function) with a risk factor for recurrence underwent a 3-month LI based on nutrition and exercise. Anthropometrics, Mediterranean diet adherence, physical activity level (PAL), cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), echocardiographic parameters, heart rate variability (average standard deviation of NN intervals (ASDNN/5 min) and 24 h very- (24 hVLF) and low-frequency (24 hLF)), and metabolic, endocrine, and inflammatory serum biomarkers (glycemia, insulin resistance, progesterone, testosterone, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)) were evaluated before (T0) and after (T1) the LI. After the LI, there were improvements in: body mass index (kg/m2: T0 = 26.0 ± 5.0, T1 = 25.5 ± 4.7; p = 0.035); diet (Mediet score: T0 = 6.9 ± 2.3, T1 = 8.8 ± 2.2; p < 0.001); PAL (MET-min/week: T0 = 647 ± 547, T1 = 1043 ± 564; p < 0.001); VO2max (mL·min-1·kg-1: T0 = 30.5 ± 5.8, T1 = 33.4 ± 6.8; p < 0.001); signs of diastolic dysfunction (participants: T0 = 15, T1 = 10; p = 0.007); AS-DNN/5 min (ms: T0 = 50.6 ± 14.4, T1 = 55.3 ± 16.7; p = 0.032); 24 hLF (ms2: T0 = 589 ± 391, T1 = 732 ± 542; p = 0.014); glycemia (mg/dL: T0 = 100.8 ± 11.4, T1 = 91.7 ± 11.0; p < 0.001); insulin resistance (HOMA-IR score: T0 = 2.07 ± 1.54, T1 = 1.53 ± 1.11; p = 0.005); testosterone (ng/mL: T0 = 0.34 ± 0.27, T1 = 0.24 ± 0.20; p = 0.003); hs-CRP (mg/L: T0 = 2.18 ± 2.14, T1 = 1.75 ± 1.74; p = 0.027). The other parameters did not change. Despite the home-confinement, LI based on exercise and nutrition improved cardiometabolic health in BCSs

Adjuvant capecitabine in triple negative breast cancer patients with residual disease after neoadjuvant treatment: real-world evidence from CaRe, a multicentric, observational study

Background: In triple negative breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, residual disease at surgery is the most relevant unfavorable prognostic factor. Current guidelines consider the use of adjuvant capecitabine, based on the results of the randomized CREATE-X study, carried out in Asian patients and including a small subset of triple negative tumors. Thus far, evidence on Caucasian patients is limited, and no real-world data are available. Methods: We carried out a multicenter, observational study, involving 44 oncologic centres. Triple negative breast cancer patients with residual disease, treated with adjuvant capecitabine from January 2017 through June 2021, were recruited. We primarily focused on treatment tolerability, with toxicity being reported as potential cause of treatment discontinuation. Secondarily, we assessed effectiveness in the overall study population and in a subset having a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Results: Overall, 270 patients were retrospectively identified. The 50.4% of the patients had residual node positive disease, 7.8% and 81.9% had large or G3 residual tumor, respectively, and 80.4% a Ki-67 >20%. Toxicity-related treatment discontinuation was observed only in 10.4% of the patients. In the whole population, at a median follow-up of 15 months, 2-year disease-free survival was 62%, 2 and 3-year overall survival 84.0% and 76.2%, respectively. In 129 patients with a median follow-up of 25 months, 2-year disease-free survival was 43.4%, 2 and 3-year overall survival 78.0% and 70.8%, respectively. Six or more cycles of capecitabine were associated with more favourable outcomes compared with less than six cycles. Conclusion: The CaRe study shows an unexpectedly good tolerance of adjuvant capecitabine in a real-world setting, although effectiveness appears to be lower than that observed in the CREATE-X study. Methodological differences between the two studies impose significant limits to comparability concerning effectiveness, and strongly invite further research

Aceto: produzione, microbiota e composti bioattivi

L’aceto è il risultato di due processi fermentativi alcolico e acetico promossi rispettivamente da lieviti e batteri acetici. In base alle materie prime l’aceto può essere classificato in aceto di grano e aceto di frutta, e può essere ottenuto da processi fermentativi allo stato liquido (maggiormente utilizzati nei paesi Europei) o solido (nei paesi Asiatici). Dal punto di vista biotecnologico esistono diversi metodi per la produzione dell’aceto: metodi tradizionali, più lenti (il metodo di Orleans) e metodi rapidi (il metodo a coltura sommersa e generatore). A seconda delle materie prime utilizzate, metodo di produzione, tipologia di starter, pH, temperatura e concentrazione di ossigeno nell’aceto si possono ritrovare elementi nutritivi e composti bioattivi che conferiscono al prodotto proprietà antiossidanti, antibatteriche, antidiabetiche, antipertensivi, antitumorali. Nell’ambito della presente tesi è stata approfondita la produzione dell’aceto balsamico tradizionale di Modena mediante la collaborazione a distanza, causa normative anti-covid, con l’azienda “Consorteria Spilamberto di Modena”. Ciò ha previsto inoltre la partecipazione ad un corso di degustazione per la formazione di un gruppo di panel test per la commercializzazione del prodotto secondo il disciplinare D.O.P

Carbon nanofibers in polyurethane foams: Experimental evaluation of thermo-hygrometric and mechanical performance

Polymer nanocomposites synergistically combine the good thermal properties of the hosting polymer matrix with the high mechanical performance of the fillers, providing a new class of materials with superior properties. The present study aims to evaluate in a multidisciplinary way the enhancement in mechanical and thermalhygrometric properties of low and medium density nanophased polyurethane (PUR) foams with either randomly oriented or aligned nanofibers as compared to the neat ones. To this aim, 1% weight of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were homogeneously dispersed into polyol of PUR foam by an ultrasonic cavitation method. In parallel, a small amount of CNFs was functionalized in advance by a coprecipitation method so as to align them into the polymer matrix through an external low intensity magnetic field. SEM analyses were used to compare the microstructure of the neat and nanophased samples. Results have shown that the addition of carbon nanofibers in the foams products a closer structure with a more uniform size and shape. Moreover, functionalized CNFs play a significant role in regulating cells shape as well as strengthening cells walls. Mechanical test results also demonstrated that CNFs increase both strength and stiffness of the samples. The alignment of carbon nanofibers within medium density nanophased foams determines the highest mechanical properties. However, the more noticeable improvement in samples performance occurred in low density nanophased foams. Finally, carbon nanoparticles decrease the thermal conductivity and increase the resistance against water adsorption

Elastodontic therapy in a growing patient affected by dentinogenesis imperfecta

Aim. Dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI) is an autosomal dominant disorder of tooth development. This clinic condition can be associated with osteogenesis imperfecta. At first clinical examination, these patients have short roots and crowns, hypoplastic dentin, sane enamel which tends to deteriorate due to supporting lack and a larger breadth of the pulp chamber with respect to average. Moreover, the Dentinogenesis imperfecta (DI) is also associated with different degrees of discoloration, on a color spectrum from gray to yellow-brown. From a radiographic point of view, teeth affected from DI are called “specter teeth” because of the emptiness appeareance, as it is possible to observe only the polished outlines. We used an elastodontic therapy along patient growth from the deciduous dentition to permanent one, with second class malocclusion, deep bite and lower arch crowding. Materials and methods. Elastodontic braces are devices which allow through light forces use to carry out an eruptive guide for dental elements, improve deep bite and second class malocclusion through a preformed bite construction based on a mandibular advancement. Eventually, performing the so-called “lip bumper effect”. Initially, the patient, who was five and a half years old, was treated with an elastodontic brace “Nite-Guide”, which was carried both at night and on daylight (two hours per day) performing exercises aimed to activate facial muscles and facilitate the deep bite reopening. At a later stage, when the patient was 7 years old, during her first permanent molars and incisors eruption, following best practices, it has been placed a cloggedo- Guide Series G, which is usually utilized as a brace in case of mixed dentition. At 9 years with deep bite resolution, it was reported to the patient to use the occluded-o-Guide only at night to hold down previous results and sustain patient’s dental growth. At 11 years old, after successful teeth switching, it was prescribed an occluded-o-Guide Series N, which is functional for permanent dentition and guaranteed an eruptive guide for last dental elements. Results. The patient has corrected optimally her second class malocclusion, deep bite, and dental misalignment. The elastodontic devices have allowed a proper eruptive guide for all teeth in various commuting stages. Conclusion. This clinic case could be considered an exemplificative approach for all those patients with systemic and/or dental diseases that disallow adequate dental retention, which is necessary for most orthodontic appliances, whereas elastodontic devices do not require adequate dental retention thus result as the proper solution