281 research outputs found
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Occurrence of ESKAPE Bacteria Group in Dogs, and the Related Zoonotic Risk in Animal-Assisted Therapy, and in Animal-Assisted Activity in the Health Context
Animal-assisted interventions are widely implemented in different contexts worldwide. Particularly, animal-assisted therapies and animal-assisted activities are often implemented in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other health facilities. These interventions bring several benefits to patients but can also expose them to the risk of infection with potentially zoonotic agents. The dog is the main animal species involved used in these interventions. Therefore, we aimed at collecting data regarding the occurrence of the pathogens ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp.) in dogs, in order to draft guidelines concerning the possible monitoring of dogs involved in animal-assisted therapies and animal-assisted activities in healthcare facilities. We performed a literature search using the PRISMA guidelines to examine three databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Out of 2604 records found, 52 papers were identified as eligible for inclusion in the review/meta-analysis. Sixteen papers reported data on E. faecium; 16 on S. aureus; nine on K. pneumoniae; four on A. baumannii; eight on P. aeruginosa; and six on Enterobacter spp. This work will contribute to increased awareness to the potential zoonotic risks posed by the involvement of dogs in animal-assisted therapies, and animal-assisted activities in healthcare facilities
Michele Mastroianni, Le âAntigoniâ sofoclee del Cinquecento francese
Michele Mastroianni ha giĂ fornito lâedizione critica commentata dellâinedita Antigone de SophoclĂ©s di Calvy de La Fontaine (cfr. questi «Studi», 135, 2001, pp. 625-626) e pubblicato saggi sulle riscritture cinquecentesche del tragico classico. Partendo ora dallâanalisi dei rifacimenti dellâAntigone di Sofocle nel Cinquecento francese (vengono analizzate le Antigoni di Calvy de La Fontaine del 1542, di BaĂŻf del 1573, di Garnier del 1580, e le traduzioni latine di Hervet, di Rataller e di Lale..
Michele Mastroianni, Tra favola ed emblema: i âSonnets Franc-Comtoisâ attribuiti a Chassignet
Nel moltiplicarsi degli studi sullâemblematica (vedi almeno i lavori recenti di Anne-Ălisabeth Spica, di Alison Saunders e, a monte, di GisĂšle Mathieu-Castellani) e sulla favolistica rinascimentale (a partire dalla monografia fondatrice di Barbara Tiemann e dalle indagini di Gianni Mombello e della sua scuola), il saggio di Michele Mastroianni sui Sonnets Franc-Comtois attribuiti a Chassignet (1615 c.) si propone di cogliere il nesso fra i due generi (emblema e favola, appunto) in una raccolt..
Androgenetic alopecia: a review
Purpose
Androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male
pattern baldness, is the most common type of progressive
hair loss disorder in men. The aim of this paper is to review
recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology and
molecular mechanism of androgenetic alopecia.
Methods
Using the PubMed database, we conducted a
systematic review of the literature, selecting studies pub-
lished from 1916 to 2016.
Results
The occurrence and development of androgenetic
alopecia depends on the interaction of endocrine factors and
genetic predisposition. Androgenetic alopecia is character-
ized by progressive hair follicular miniaturization, caused
by the actions of androgens on the epithelial cells of
genetically susceptible hair follicles in androgen-dependent
areas. Although the exact pathogenesis of androgenetic
alopecia remains to be clari
fi
ed, research has shown that it is
a polygenetic condition. Numerous studies have unequi-
vocally identi
fi
ed two major genetic risk loci for androge-
netic alopecia, on the X-chromosome AR
â
EDA2R locus and
the chromosome 20p11 locus.
Conclusions
Candidate gene and genome-wide association
studies have reported that single-nucleotide polymorphisms
at different genomic loci are associated with androgenetic
alopecia development. A number of genes determine the
predisposition for androgenetic alopecia in a polygenic fashion. However, further studies are needed before the
specific genetic factors of this polygenic condition can be
fully explaine
Diagnostic Applications of Intraoral Scanners: A Systematic Review
In addition to their recognized value for obtaining 3D digital dental models, intraoral
scanners (IOSs) have recently been proven to be promising tools for oral health diagnostics. In this
work, the most recent literature on IOSs was reviewed with a focus on their applications as detection
systems of oral cavity pathologies. Those applications of IOSs falling in the general area of detection
systems for oral health diagnostics (e.g., caries, dental wear, periodontal diseases, oral cancer) were
included, while excluding those works mainly focused on 3D dental model reconstruction for implan tology, orthodontics, or prosthodontics. Three major scientific databases, namely Scopus, PubMed,
and Web of Science, were searched and explored by three independent reviewers. The synthesis
and analysis of the studies was carried out by considering the type and technical features of the IOS,
the study objectives, and the specific diagnostic applications. From the synthesis of the twenty-five
included studies, the main diagnostic fields where IOS technology applies were highlighted, ranging
from the detection of tooth wear and caries to the diagnosis of plaques, periodontal defects, and other
complications. This shows how additional diagnostic information can be obtained by combining
the IOS technology with other radiographic techniques. Despite some promising results, the clinical
evidence regarding the use of IOSs as oral health probes is still limited, and further efforts are needed
to validate the diagnostic potential of IOSs over conventional tool
Innovative dry powder formulations of flavonoids for pulmonary administration in cystic fibrosis
Hazelnut (Corylus avellana l.) shells extract: Phenolic composition, antioxidant effect and cytotoxic activity on human cancer cell lines
Hazelnut shells, a by-product of the kernel industry processing, are reported to contain high amount of polyphenols. However, studies on the chemical composition and potential effects on human health are lacking. A methanol hazelnut shells extract was prepared and dried. Our investigation allowed the isolation and characterization of different classes of phenolic compounds, including neolignans, and a diarylheptanoid, which contribute to a high total polyphenol content (193.8 ± 3.6 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g of extract). Neolignans, lawsonicin and cedrusin, a cyclic diarylheptanoid, carpinontriol B, and two phenol derivatives, C-veratroylglycol, and ÎČ-hydroxypropiovanillone, were the main components of the extract (0.71%-2.93%, w/w). The biological assays suggested that the extract could be useful as a functional ingredient in food technology and pharmaceutical industry showing an in vitro scavenging activity against the radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) (EC50 = 31.7 ”g/mL with respect to α-tocopherol EC50 = 10.1 ”g/mL), and an inhibitory effect on the growth of human cancer cell lines A375, SK-Mel-28 and HeLa (IC50 = 584, 459, and 526 ”g/mL, respectively). The expression of cleaved forms of caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) suggested that the extract induced apoptosis through caspase-3 activation in both human malignant melanoma (SK-Mel-28) and human cervical cancer (HeLa) cell lines. The cytotoxic activity relies on the presence of the neolignans (balanophonin), and phenol derivatives (gallic acid), showing a pro-apoptotic effect on the tested cell lines, and the neolignan, cedrusin, with a cytotoxic effect on A375 and HeLa cells
Flavonoid microparticles by spray-drying: Influence of enhancersof the dissolution rate on properties and stability
Naringenin (Nn) and Quercetin (Q) have numerous health benefits particularly due to their antioxidant
properties. However, their low solubility, bioavailability and stability limit their use as components for
functional foods, nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical agents. In this research, Nn- and Q-microparticles
were produced by a spray-drying process using a combination of cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) as
coating gastroresistant polymer and swelling or surfactant agents as enhancers of dissolution rate.
Raw materials and microparticles produced were all characterized by particle size analysis, differential
scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and imaged by electron and fluorescence microscopy. During
12 months, storage stability was evaluated by analyzing drug content, HPLC and DSC profiles, as well
as antioxidant activity (DPPH test). In vitro dissolution tests, using a pH-change method, were carried
out to investigate the influence of formulative parameters on flavonoid release from the microparticles.
Presence of a combination of CAP and surfactants or swelling agents in the formulations produced microparticles
with good resistance at low pH of the gastric fluid and complete flavonoid release in the intestinal
environment. The spray-drying technique and the process conditions selected have given satisfying
encapsulation efficiency and product yield. The microencapsulation have improved the technological
characteristics of the powders such as morphology and size, have given long-lasting storage stability
and have preserved the antioxidant properties
- âŠ