Mechanisms underlying center of pressure displacements in obese subjects during quiet stance

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>the aim of this study was to assess whether reduced balance capacity in obese subjects is secondary to altered sensory information.</p> <p>Design</p> <p>cross sectional study.</p> <p>Subjects</p> <p>44 obese (BMI = 40.6 ± 4.6 kg/m², age = 34.2 ± 10.8 years, body weight: 114,0 ± 16,0 Kg, body height 167,5 ± 9,8 cm) and 20 healthy controls (10 females, 10 males, BMI: 21.6 ± 2.2 kg/m², age: 30.5 ± 5.5 years, body weight: 62,9 ± 9,3 Kg, body height 170,1 ± 5,8 cm) were enrolled.</p> <p>Measurements</p> <p>center of pressure (CoP) displacements were evaluated during quiet stance on a force platform with eyes open (EO) and closed (EC). The Romberg quotient (EC/EO) was computed and compared between groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>we found statistically significant differences between obese and controls in CoP displacements (p < 0.01) and no statistically significant differences in Romberg quotients (p > 0.08).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>the increased CoP displacements in obese subjects do not need an hypothesis about altered sensory information. The integration of different sensory inputs appears similar in controls and obese. In the latter, the increased mass, ankle torque and muscle activity may probably account for the higher CoP displacements.</p

Self-Assembled Lipid Nanoparticles for Oral Delivery of Heparin-Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Theranostic Purposes

Recently, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have attracted increasing attention owing to their potential as an oral delivery system, promoting intestinal absorption in the lymphatic circulation which plays a role in disseminating metastatic cancer cells and infectious agents throughout the body. SLN features can be exploited for the oral delivery of theranostics. Therefore, the aim of this work was to design and characterise self-assembled lipid nanoparticles (SALNs) to encapsulate and stabilise iron oxide nanoparticles non-covalently coated with heparin (Fe@hepa) as a model of a theranostic tool. SALNs were characterised for physico-chemical properties (particle size, surface charge, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro stability, and heparin leakage), as well as in vitro cytotoxicity by methyl thiazole tetrazolium (MTT) assay and cell internalisation in CaCo-2, a cell line model used as an indirect indication of intestinal lymphatic absorption. SALNs of about 180 nm, which are stable in suspension and have a high encapsulation efficiency (>90%) were obtained. SALNs were able to stabilise the heparin coating of Fe@hepa, which are typically unstable in physiological environments. Moreover, SALNs-Fe@hepa showed no cytotoxicity, although their ability to be internalised into CaCo-2 cells was highlighted by confocal microscopy analysis. Therefore, the results indicated that SALNs can be considered as a promising tool to orally deliver theranostic Fe@hepa into the lymphatic circulation, although further in vivo studies are needed to comprehend further potential applications

the curious phenomenon of dual positive circulating cells longtime overlooked tumor cells

Abstract The presence in the blood of patients with solid tumors of circulating cells expressing both epithelial and leukocyte markers (dual-positive cells, DPcells), has often been reported, though it has never been investigated in detail. A recent study suggested that DPcells are hybrid cells derived from the fusion of tumor cells with macrophages. Such fusion hybrids acquire macrophage-associated features endowing them with accelerated growth, increased motility, enhanced invasion activity and thus, a higher efficiency in metastasis formation. However, no direct evidence proving the tumor origin of circulating DPcells was provided in patients. Here we contribute a review of literature data on DPcells and on the hybrid theory with the aim of putting the current evidence both in a biological and clinical perspective and to generate new hypotheses on the mechanisms underlying tumor progression. To add further biological and clinical context to our literature review, we also report some preliminary data from our laboratory on the identification of DPcells in several solid tumors and confirmation of their malignant genotype, thus classifying them as DP-CTCs

Bendaggio a base di poliuretano e idrogel comprendente clorexidina

The present invention is directed to a composition comprising a polyurethane covalently bond with a hydrogel forming polymer, and chlorexidine. [0002] More particularly, the invention is directed to a composition comprising: a polyurethane substrate; a hydrogel forming polymer on at least one of the two faces of the polyurethane substrate; chlorexidine on the at least one face comprising the hydrogel forming polymer; wherein the hydrogel polymer is covalently bond to the polyurethane substrate and chlorexidine is present in an amount comprised between 0.01 and 10.0 wt %, preferably from 0.1 to 5 wt % based on the total weight of the composition

Nanocelluloses: Synthesis, Modification and Applications

Nanocelluloses: Synthesis, Modification and Applications is a book that provides some recent enhancements of various types of nanocellulose, mainly bacterial nanocellulose, cellulose nanocrystals and nanofibrils, and their nanocomposites. Bioactive bacterial nanocellulose finds applications in biomedical applications, https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9101352. Grafting and cross-linking bacterial nanocellulose modification emerges as a good choice for improving the potential of bacterial nanocellulose in such biomedical applications as topical wound dressings and tissue-engineering scaffolds, https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9121668. On the other hand, bacterial nanocellulose can be used as paper additive for fluorescent paper, https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9091322, and for the reinforcement of paper made from recycled fibers, https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9010058. Nanocellulose membranes are used for up-to-date carbon capture applications, https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9060877. Nanocellulose has been applied as a novel component of membranes designed to address a large spectrum of filtration problems, https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9060867. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) in random composite mats prepared using the electrospinning method are widely characterized in a large range of physical chemical aspects, https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9050805. Similarly, physical chemical aspects are emphasized for carboxylated cellulose nanofibrils produced by ammonium persulfate oxidation combined with ultrasonic and mechanical treatment, https://doi.org/10.3390/nano8090640. It is extraordinary how nanocellulose can find application in such different fields. Along the same lines, the contributions in this book come from numerous different countries, confirming the great interest of the scientific community for nanocellulose

BENDAGGIO A BASE DI POLIURETANO E IDROGEL COMPRENDENTI NANOPARTICELLE DI ARGENTO

The present invention is directed to a composition comprising a polyurethane covalently bond with a hydrogel forming polymer, and silver nanoparticles. [0002] More particularly, the invention is directed to a composition comprising: a polyurethane substrate; a hydrogel forming polymer on at least one of the two faces of the polyurethane substrate; silver nanoparticles on the at least one face comprising the hydrogel forming polymer; wherein the hydrogel forming polymer is covalently bond to the polyurethane substrate and the silver nanoparticles are present in an amount comprised between 0.001 and 2 wt % based on the total weight of the composition

Réactions de la Presse milanaise et de Felice Cameroni (juillet-août 1896)

Messa Vismara Elena. Réactions de la Presse milanaise et de Felice Cameroni (juillet-août 1896). In: Cahiers Edmond et Jules de Goncourt n°4, 1995. Hommage à Edmond de Goncourt pour le centième anniversaire de sa mort. pp. 71-88

Sur une dédicace et une lettre conservées à la Scala

Messa Vismara Elena. Sur une dédicace et une lettre conservées à la Scala. In: Cahiers Edmond et Jules de Goncourt n°7, 1999. pp. 180-184

Dédicace et envois des naturalistes français à Felice Cameroni

Messa Vismara Elena. Dédicace et envois des naturalistes français à Felice Cameroni. In: Cahiers Edmond et Jules de Goncourt n°6, 1998. pp. 245-258