Taphonomic analysis of the late Pleistocene small mammals of Quequén Salado river, Buenos Aires, Argentina

A taphonomic analysis was made on small mammal remains recovered from fossil bone accumulations, interpreted as whole and fragmented pellets from Upper Pleistocene levels of the Quequén Salado River cliffs (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Additionally, the probable source of the accumulation and some features associated with post-burial preservation processes are discussed. From the available information it is possible, through analyzing the anatomical representation of the remains and the degree of digestion, to show affinities with extant accumulations produced by nocturnal birds of prey. Nevertheless, breakage patterns are biased in this association as it shows much higher values than in recent analysis based on pellets of extant nocturnal raptors. Diagenetic bone fractures found in skeletal elements probably hidden the fractures produced at the moment of predation. Micro structural characteristics of remains conserved in pellets are indicative of good preservation indicating a rapid burial. Associated remains, interpreted as originating from disassembled pellets, also may have been buried rapidly as they do not show any weathering. From a biostratigraphic point of view and based on the associated mega mammals, this accumulation can be assigned to the Lujanian Stage/Age, Late Pleistocene.A análise tafonômica foi realizada em pequenos restos de mamíferos recuperados de acumulações fossilíferas, interpretadas como pelotas de regurgitação inteiras e fragmentadas, das falésias pleistocênicas do Rio Quequén Salado (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Além disso, a provável fonte da acumulação e algumas características associadas aos processos de pós-soterramento da preservação são discutidas. A partir das informações disponíveis, é possível, através da análise da representação anatômica dos restos e do grau de digestão, mostrar afinidades com acumulações comuns formadas por aves noturnas de rapina. No entanto, os padrões de quebra são tendenciosos para esta associação, pois mostra valores muito mais elevados do que em recente análise feita sobre estas aves. Fraturas ósseas de origem diagenética encontradas em elementos esqueletais provavelmente ocultam as fraturas produzidas no momento da predação. Microestruturas características dos restos conservados em pelotas são indicativos de boa preservação, indicando um soterramento rápido. Elementos associados, interpretados como provenientes de pelotas desagregadas também podem ter sido soterrados rapidamente, não apresentando intemperismo. Do ponto de vista bioestratigráfico e com base nos megamamíferos associados, essa assembleia fossilífera pode ser atribuída ao Piso/Idade Lujanense, Pleistoceno tardio.Fil: Montalvo, Claudia Inés. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Tomassini, Rodrigo Leandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Geología; ArgentinaFil: Visconti, Graciela. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Tiranti, Sergio. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Asentamiento Universidad San Martín de Los Andes; Argentin

Otolaryngologic symptoms in multiple sclerosis: a review

Many symptoms of multiple sclerosis may affect the ear, nose and throat. The most common otolaryngologic symptoms of multiple sclerosis are speech disorders, followed by sleep disorders, vertigo and disequilibrium, dysphagia, smell alterations, and hearing loss. Less common symptoms include sialorrhea, facial palsy, taste alterations, trigeminal neuralgia and tinnitus. The origin of otolaryngologic symptoms in multiple sclerosis is mainly central, although increasing evidence also suggests a peripheral involvement. Otolaryngologic symptoms in multiple sclerosis may have different clinical presentations; they can appear in different stages of the pathology, in some cases they can be the presenting symptoms and their worsening may be correlated with reactivation of the disease. Many of these symptoms significantly affect the quality of life or patients and lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Otolaryngologic symptoms are common in multiple sclerosis; however, they are often overlooked. In many cases, they follow the relapsing-remitting phases of the disease, and may spontaneously disappear, leading to a delay in multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Clinicians should be aware of otolaryngologic symptoms of multiple sclerosis, especially when they are associated to neurologic symptoms, as they may be early signs of a still undiagnosed multiple sclerosis or could help monitor disease progression in already diagnosed patients

Los marsupiales (Mammalia) del Mioceno Superior de la Formación Cerro Azul (Provincia de La Pampa, Argentina)

Se describe la asociación de marsupiales sudamericanos fósiles de edad Huayqueriense (Mioceno tardío) más completa hasta ahora conocida. Los ejemplares fueron exhumados de varias localidades fosilíferas nuevas del centro y norte de la provincia de La Pampa (Argentina central), en sedimentos asignables a la Formación Cerro Azul: Bajo Giuliani, Quehué, Telén, El Guanaco y Laguna Chillhué. El conjunto de las sedimentitas loessoides analizadas en los diferentes afloramientos de esta formación indica la existencia de depósitos lacustres en la base, a los que suprayacen niveles eólicos, ambos conevidencias pedogenéticas. El análisis de estas sedimentitas en cada una de las localidades estudiadas, permitió correlacionarlas en un perfil integrado de la Formación Cerro Azul. Esta formación es correlacionable con la «Formación Epecuén», al menos en la localidad Salinas Grandes de Hidalgo y, probablemente, con los términos superiores de la Formación Arroyo Chasicó. Los marsupiales fósiles exhumados representan la casi totalidad de los grandes linajes (órdenes) de este grupo existentes en América del Sur durante el Neógeno. El didélfido marmosino Zygolestes tatei sp. nov. se distingue de la especie tipo delgénero por su tamaño algo mayor, el tercer premolar inferior no reducido y por la menor reducción del metacónido en el último molar inferior. Otro marmosino, Thylamys pinei sp. nov., se diferencia del resto de los Marmosini conocidos por la gran proximidad entre el paracónido y el metacónido en los molares inferiores y la gran anchura del talónido en el m4. Los marmosinos Monodelphini Thylatheridium hudsoni y T. dolgopolae están abundantemente representados en varias localidades de esta formación y su análisis confirme las estrechas afinidades existentes entre este género y Monodelphis. Unos pocos ejemplares permiten reconocer la presencia de los didelfinos Hyperdidelphys pattersoniy una especie indeterminada de Lutreolina en esta fauna. Un fragmento mandibularincluyendo parte del último molar, podría constituir el registro más antiguo de un Sparassocynidae para el centro de Argentina. Los Borhyaenidae y Thylacosmilidae (Sparassodonta) también están representados por unos pocos restos sumamente fragmentarios. Pliolestes venetus sp. nov. (Paucituberculata, Caenolestidae) se distingue de la especie tipo del género por su menor tamaño y el mayor desarrollo y menor desplazamiento del metacónido en el primer molar inferior. Microtragulus rusconii (Argirolagida, Argirolagidae) es generalizada con respecto a las otras especies del género por la menor reducción del talónido del m4, y mantiene más afinidades con M. catamarcensis que con M. reigi. Hyperdidelphys, Lutreolina, Thylatheridium, Achlysictis y, tal vez, Microtragulus constituyen géneros comunes con aquellos procedentes de los niveles superiores del Valle de Santa María y Puerta de Corral Quemado en la provincia de Catamarca (noroeste de Argentina). Pliolestes y Zygolestes constituyen por el contrario taxones exclusivos de la Formación Cerro Azul para el centro de Argentina durante la edad Huayqueriense. La asociación de marsupiales exhumada en la Formación Cerro Azul es la más abundantedel Mioceno tardío de América del Sur. Su composición taxonómica confirma hipótesis previas sobre el importante recambio faunístico ocurrido en este continente como consecuencia de los cambios climático-ambientales que allí se produjeron a partir de mediados del Mioceno.We describe the most complete South American marsupial asociation of Huayquerian Age (late Miocene). Specimens were recovered fram several new localities of central and northem La Pampa province (central Argentina), at levels assignable to Cerro Azul Fm.: Bajo Giuliani, Quehué, Telén, El Guanaco, and Laguna Chillhué. Loessoid sediments studied fram this formation are indicative of lacustrine deposits overlied by eolian levels bearing evidences of pedogenesis. A study of these levels at each one of the new localities led to their correlation in an integrated prafile of Cerro Azul Fm. This formation corresponds to «Epecuén Fm.», at least in Salinas Grandes de Hidalgo, and prabably also to the upper levels of Arroyo Chasicá Fm. The studied marsupials are representative of almost all major lineages (orders) of South American Neogene marsupials. The marmosine didelphid Zygolestes tatei sp. nov. differs fram the type species of the genus in its larger size, unreduced third lower premolar, and in the less reduction of the metaconid in the last lower molar. Another marmosine, Thylamys pinei sp. nov., differs fram other Marmosini in the twinning of the para- and metaconid in the lower molars, and in the wider talonid of the m4. The Monodelphini marmosines Thylatheridium hudsoni y T. dolgopolae are abundant in severallocalities of this formation; their study confirms close affinities between this genus and Monodelphis. The didelphines Hyperdidelphys pattersoni and an indeterminate species of Lutreolina are also represented by a few specimens. A mandibular fragment including part of the last molar may represent the oldest record of a Sparassocynidae in central Argentina. The Borhyaenidae and Thylacosmilidae (Sparassodonta) are also recorded by a few, fragmentary specimens. Pliolestes venetus sp. nov. (Paucituberculata, Caenolestidae) differs fram the type species of the genus in its smaller size and in the larger, less displaced metaconid in the first lower molar. Microtragulus rusconii (Argirolagida, Argirolagidae) is generalized with respect to the other species of this genus in having a less reduced talonid in the m4, and shows closer affinities with M. catamarcensis than with M. reigi. Hyperdidelphys, Lutreolina, Thylatheridium, Achlysictis, and, prabably. Microtragulus, are common taxa with those of the Valle de Santa María and Puerta de Corral Quemado, in Catamarca province (northwestem Argentina). On the contrary, Pliolestes and Zygolestes constitute exclusive taxa of Cerro Azul Fm. for central Argentina during the Huayquerian Age. The marsupial asso- ciation recovered from levels of Cerro Azul Fm. is the most abundantly recorded from Upper Miocene levels in South America. Its taxonomic composition confirms previous hypotheses on the important faunal turnover that happened in this continent, as a consequence of the environmental changes occurred since the medial Miocene.Fil: Goin, Francisco Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Paleontología Vertebrados; ArgentinaFil: Montalvo, Claudia Inés. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Visconti, Graciela. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentin

Ca2+ ionophore A23187 can make mouse spermatozoa capable of fertilizing in vitro without activation of cAMP-dependent phosphorylation pathways

Ca2+ ionophore A23187 is known to induce the acrosome reaction of mammalian spermatozoa, but it also quickly immobilizes them. Although mouse spermatozoa were immobilized by this ionophore, they initiated vigorous motility (hyperactivation) soon after this reagent was washed away by centrifugation. About half of live spermatozoa were acrosome-reacted at the end of 10 min of ionophore treatment; fertilization of cumulus-intact oocytes began as soon as spermatozoa recovered their motility and before the increase in protein tyrosine phosphorylation, which started 30-45 min after washing out the ionophore. When spermatozoa were treated with A23187, more than 95% of oocytes were fertilized in the constant presence of the protein kinase A inhibitor, H89. Ionophore-treated spermatozoa also fertilized 80% of oocytes, even in the absence of HCO3-, a component essential for cAMP synthesis under normal in vitro conditions. Under these conditions, fertilized oocytes developed into normal offspring. These data indicate that mouse spermatozoa treated with ionophore are able to fertilize without activation of the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. Furthermore, they suggest that the cAMP/PKA pathway is upstream of an intracellular Ca2+ increase required for the acrosome reaction and hyperactivation of spermatozoa under normal in vitro conditions.Fil: Tateno, Hiroyuki. Asahikawa Medical University. Department of Biological Sciences; JapónFil: Krapf, Dario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Rosario. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Hino,Toshiaki. Asahikawa Medical University. Department of Biological Sciences; JapónFil: Sánchez Cárdenas, Claudia. Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. Instituto de Biotecnologia; MéxicoFil: Darszon, Alberto. Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. Instituto de Biotecnologia; MéxicoFil: Yanagimachi, Ryuzo. University of Hawaii Medical School. Institute for Biogenesis Research; Estados UnidosFil: Visconti, Pablo E.. University Of Massachussets; Estados Unido

Unilateral isolated primary cutaneous amyloidosis of the external auditory canal

Isolated primary cutaneous amyloidosis (PCA) of the external ear is extremely rare. We describe the case of a 65-year-old woman presenting with itching within the left external auditory canal (EAC). Otoscopy revealed a 3 mm whitish lesion involving the cartilaginous portion of the left EAC. The lesion was excised. Histological and immunohistochemical features were consistent with keratinic amyloidosis. A clinical workup was negative for systemic amyloidosis. As far as we know, only nine cases of PCA exclusively involving the EAC have been reported. The frequent occurrence of itching in these patients and the keratinic nature of the amyloid support the role of chronic stimulation/irritation in the pathogenesis of isolated amyloidosis the EAC

Mouse sperm membrane potential hyperpolarization is necessary and sufficient to prepare sperm for the acrosome reaction

Mammalian sperm are unable to fertilize the egg immediately after ejaculation; they acquire this capacity during migration in the female reproductive tract. This maturational process is called capacitation and in mouse sperm it involves a plasma membrane reorganization, extensive changes in the state of protein phosphorylation, increases in intracellular pH (pHi) and Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), and the appearance of hyperactivated motility. In addition, mouse sperm capacitation is associated with the hyperpolarization of the cell membrane potential. However, the functional role of this process is not known. In this work, to dissect the role of this membrane potential change, hyperpolarization was induced in noncapacitated sperm using either the ENaC inhibitor amiloride, the CFTR agonist genistein or the K+ ionophore valinomycin. In this experimental setting, other capacitation-associated processes such as activation of a cAMP-dependent pathway and the consequent increase in protein tyrosine phosphorylation were not observed. However, hyperpolarization was sufficient to prepare sperm for the acrosome reaction induced either by depolarization with high K+ or by addition of solubilized zona pellucida (sZP). Moreover, K+ and sZP were also able to increase [Ca2+]i in non-capacitated sperm treated with these hyperpolarizing agents but not in untreated cells. On the other hand, in conditions that support capacitation-associated processes blocking hyperpolarization by adding valinomycin and increasing K+ concentrations inhibited the agonist-induced acrosome reaction as well as the increase in [Ca2+]i. Altogether, these results suggest that sperm hyperpolarization by itself is key to enabling mice sperm to undergo the acrosome reaction.Fil: de La Vega Beltrán, José Luis. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Instituto de Biotecnología; MéxicoFil: Sánchez Cárdenas, Claudia. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Instituto de Biotecnología; MéxicoFil: Krapf, Dario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Hernández González, Enrique. Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados; MéxicoFil: Wertheimer Hermitte, Eva Victoria. University of Massachussets; Estados UnidosFil: Trevinio, Claudia L.. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Instituto de Biotecnología; MéxicoFil: Visconti, Pablo E.. University of Massachussets; Estados UnidosFil: Darszon, Alberto. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Instituto de Biotecnología; Méxic

The tyrosine kinase FER is responsible for the capacitation-associated increase in tyrosine phosphorylation in murine sperm

Sperm capacitation is required for fertilization. At the molecular level, this process is associated with fast activation of protein kinase A. Downstream of this event, capacitating conditions lead to an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation. The identity of the tyrosine kinase(s) mediating this process has not been conclusively demonstrated. Recent experiments using stallion and human sperm have suggested a role for PYK2 based on the use of small molecule inhibitors directed against this kinase. However, crucially, loss-of-function experiments have not been reported. Here, we used both pharmacological inhibitors and genetically modified mice models to investigate the identity of the tyrosine kinase(s) mediating the increase in tyrosine phosphorylation in mouse sperm. Similar to stallion and human, PF431396 blocks the capacitation-associated increase in tyrosine phosphorylation. Yet, sperm from Pyk2(-/-) mice displayed a normal increase in tyrosine phosphorylation, implying that PYK2 is not responsible for this phosphorylation process. Here, we show that PF431396 can also inhibit FER, a tyrosine kinase known to be present in sperm. Sperm from mice targeted with a kinase-inactivating mutation in Fer failed to undergo capacitation-associated increases in tyrosine phosphorylation. Although these mice are fertile, their sperm displayed a reduced ability to fertilize metaphase II-arrested eggs in vitro.Fil: Alvau, Antonio. University of Massachussets; Estados UnidosFil: Battistone, Maria Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Gervasi, Maria Gracia. University of Massachussets; Estados UnidosFil: Navarrete, Felipe A.. University of Massachussets; Estados UnidosFil: Xu, Xinran. State University of Colorado - Fort Collins; Estados UnidosFil: Sánchez Cárdenas, Claudia. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Instituto de Biotecnología; MéxicoFil: De la Vega Beltran, José Luis. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Instituto de Biotecnología; MéxicoFil: Da Ros, Vanina Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Greer, Peter. Queens University; CanadáFil: Darszon, Alberto. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Instituto de Biotecnología; MéxicoFil: Krapf, Diego. State University of Colorado - Fort Collins; Estados UnidosFil: Salicioni, Ana María. University of Massachussets; Estados UnidosFil: Cuasnicu, Patricia Sara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Visconti, Pablo E.. University of Massachussets; Estados Unido

Biphasic Role of Calcium in Mouse Sperm Capacitation Signaling Pathways

Mammalian sperm acquire fertilizing ability in the female tract in a process known as capacitation. At the molecular level, capacitation is associated with up-regulation of a cAMP-dependent pathway, changes in intracellular pH, intracellular Ca2+, and an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation. How these signaling systems interact during capacitation is not well understood. Results presented in this study indicate that Ca2+ ions have a biphasic role in the regulation of cAMP-dependent signaling. Media without added Ca2+ salts (nominal zero Ca2+) still contain micromolar concentrations of this ion. Sperm incubated in this medium did not undergo PKA activation or the increase in tyrosine phosphorylation suggesting that these phosphorylation pathways require Ca2+. However, chelation of the extracellular Ca2+ traces by EGTA induced both cAMP-dependent phosphorylation and the increase in tyrosine phosphorylation. The EGTA effect in nominal zero Ca2+ media was mimicked by two calmodulin antagonists, W7 and calmidazolium, and by the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A. These results suggest that Ca2+ ions regulate sperm cAMP and tyrosine phosphorylation pathways in a biphasic manner and that some of its effects are mediated by calmodulin. Interestingly, contrary to wild-type mouse sperm, sperm from CatSper1 KO mice underwent PKA activation and an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation upon incubation in nominal zero Ca2+ media. Therefore, sperm lacking Catsper Ca2+ channels behave as wild-type sperm incubated in the presence of EGTA. This latter result suggests that Catsper transports the Ca2+ involved in the regulation of cAMP-dependent and tyrosine phosphorylation pathways required for sperm capacitation.Fil: Navarrete, Felipe A.. University of Massachusetts; Estados UnidosFil: García Vázquez, Francisco A.. University of Massachusetts; Estados Unidos. Universidad de Murcia; EspañaFil: Alvau, Antonio. University of Massachusetts; Estados UnidosFil: Escoffier, Jessica. University of Massachusetts; Estados UnidosFil: Krapf, Dario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Sánchez Cárdenas, Claudia. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Salicioni, Ana M.. University of Massachusetts; Estados UnidosFil: Darszon, Alberto. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Visconti, Pablo E.. University of Massachusetts; Estados Unido

Victims and Corporations. Legal Challenges and Empirical Findings

La Direttiva 2012/29/UE tutela le vittime di reato e mira ad assicurare loro un pi\uf9 effettivo accesso alla giustizia nel rispetto delle garanzie del giusto processo, del diritto di difesa e del principio del contraddittorio. La Direttiva sottolinea, in particolare, la necessit\ue0 di proteggere in modo personalizzato e individualizzato tutte le vittime di reato, con speciale riguardo per le persone \u2018vulnerabili\u2019. Tanto negli ordinamenti nazionali quanto nell'operato delle istituzioni si riscontra, per\uf2, un\u2019ancora insufficiente attenzione verso una nutrita categoria di vittime: le vittime della criminalit\ue0 d\u2019impresa e, in particolare, le vittime di quella che la letteratura internazionale definisce corporate violence. Con la locuzione corporate violence si identificano le condotte penalmente rilevanti, pur riconducibili all'ordinaria attivit\ue0 d\u2019impresa, lesive della salute, dell'integrit\ue0 fisica o della vita delle persone: illeciti ambientali che determinano danni alla vita, alla incolumit\ue0 pubblica o individuale; commercializzazione di prodotti difettosi o pericolosi che cagionano pregiudizio alla vita o alla salute dei consumatori (per esempio, prodotti alimentari e farmaceutici); infortuni sul lavoro dovuti a violazione della disciplina sulla sicurezza sul lavoro. Il volume, frutto di un progetto finanziato dall\u2019Unione Europea (www.victimsandcorporations.eu), offre uno studio approfondito della Direttiva 2012/29/EU sotto i profili giuridici e vittimologico-criminologici, analizzando le implicazioni teoriche e pratiche dell\u2019applicazione della Direttiva Vittima in generale e nei casi di corporate violence, con un\u2019attenzione al pi\uf9 ampio quadro delle politiche europee in materia ambientale, farmaceutica e alimentare e delle politiche europee e internazionali in tema di vittime e soggetti vulnerabili. L\u2019opera affronta le principali questioni connesse alla peculiare vulnerabilit\ue0 delle vittime di corporate violence (squilibri informativi, patologie lungolatenti, incertezza scientifica, ecc.), delineando, anche alla luce delle indicazioni emerse da una articolata ricerca empirica, proposte e indicazioni in ordine alla partecipazione al procedimento penale e al sostegno, all\u2019assistenza e alla protezione delle persone offese. L\u2019opera include anche una serie di raccomandazioni, distillate dai significativi risultati del progetto e rivolte al legislatore e ai policy maker. Il volume \ue8 caratterizzato dal taglio interdisciplinare e da una costante lettura sistematica delle fonti normative europee e internazionali, anche alla luce della giurisprudenza della Corte di Giustizia dell\u2019Unione Europea e della Corte Europea dei Diritti dell\u2019Uomo. L\u2019opera si presta a essere strumento utile per studiosi e professionisti.The book is the final publication of the EU-funded project \u201cVictims and Corporations. Implementation of Directive 2012/29/EU for victims of corporate crimes and corporate violence\u201d (www.victimsandcorporations.eu). European Union Directive 2012/29/UE introduces a \u2018system\u2019 of minimum standards on the rights, support and protection for victims of crimes, and their participation to criminal proceedings, without prejudice to the rights of the offender. Within the scope of the Directive and its definition of \u2018victim\u2019, though, there is a relevant group of victims who have not yet received enough consideration, and whose access to justice may be at stake. It is the victims of corporate crimes, and particularly of corporate violence, meaning those criminal offences committed by corporations in the course of their legitimate activities, which result in harms to natural persons\u2019 health, integrity, or life. Within the vast area of corporate crime, the project and this publication focus on three main strands of victimisation: environmental crime, food safety violations and offences in the pharmaceutical industry with the aim to explore intersections and potential synergies between Directive 2012/29/EU and the existing body of EU legal tools in these three sectors. The publication also includes an overview of the current \u2018state of the art\u2019 with respect to the general issue of victims\u2019 rights, support and protection in light of the EU Directive; a comparison with the principles emerging from the ECtHR case law and the broader field of international law; a study of the existing criminological and victimological literature on corporate crime and corporate violence, its harms, and its victims, integrated with the results of the empirical research which was part of the Project; an analytical discussion of said results with respect to the specific issues related to access to justice by victims of corporate violence and to support needs of said victims; a discussion of the possible benefits of integrating a restorative justice approach in dealing with corporate violence crimes. The book is completed with a set of recommendations for national lawmakers and policymakers

Mortality and heart rate in the elderly: role of cognitive impairment

Mortality related to heart rate ( HR) increase in the elderly has not yet been well established. To ascertain the relationships among cognitive impairment ( CI), mortality, and HR increase, the authors prospectively studied a random sample of elderly subjects stratified according to presence or absence of CI. Elderly subjects randomly selected in 1991 ( n = 1332) were followed up for 12 years. Mortality was established in 98.1% of the subjects. When HR was stratified in quartiles (< 69,70-75,76-80, and > 80 bpm), mortality was linearly associated with increased HR in all ( from 47.7 to 57.0; r(2) = .43, p = .019) and in subjects without ( from 41.7 to 51.1%; r(2) = .50, p = .043) but not in those with CI ( from 57.5 to 66.1; r(2) = .20, p = .363). Cox regression analysis, adjusted for several variables, shows that HR doesn't predict mortality in all subjects ( RR 0.69; 95% CI = 0.27-1.73) or in those with CI ( RR 0.91; 95% CI = 0.81-1.02). In contrast, HR predicts mortality in subjects without CI ( RR 1.10; 95% CI = 1.00-1.22). Hence, HR increase is a predictor of mortality in elderly subjects without CI. However, when considering all elderly subjects and those with CI, HR increase seems to have no effect on mortality. Thus, CI should be considered when focusing on HR increase as risk factor for mortality in the elderly