Intranasal rapamycin ameliorates Alzheimer-like cognitive decline in a mouse model of Down syndrome

Background: Down syndrome (DS) individuals, by the age of 40s, are at increased risk to develop Alzheimer-like dementia, with deposition in brain of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Our laboratory recently demonstrated the disturbance of PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis in DS brain, prior and after the development of Alzheimer Disease (AD). The aberrant modulation of the mTOR signalling in DS and AD age-related cognitive decline affects crucial neuronal pathways, including insulin signaling and autophagy, involved in pathology onset and progression. Within this context, the therapeutic use of mTOR-inhibitors may prevent/attenuate the neurodegenerative phenomena. By our work we aimed to rescue mTOR signalling in DS mice by a novel rapamycin intranasal administration protocol (InRapa) that maximizes brain delivery and reduce systemic side effects. Methods: Ts65Dn mice were administered with InRapa for 12 weeks, starting at 6 months of age demonstrating, at the end of the treatment by radial arms maze and novel object recognition testing, rescued cognition. Results: The analysis of mTOR signalling, after InRapa, demonstrated in Ts65Dn mice hippocampus the inhibition of mTOR (reduced to physiological levels), which led, through the rescue of autophagy and insulin signalling, to reduced APP levels, APP processing and APP metabolites production, as well as, to reduced tau hyperphosphorylation. In addition, a reduction of oxidative stress markers was also observed. Discussion: These findings demonstrate that chronic InRapa administration is able to exert a neuroprotective effect on Ts65Dn hippocampus by reducing AD pathological hallmarks and by restoring protein homeostasis, thus ultimately resulting in improved cognition. Results are discussed in term of a potential novel targeted therapeutic approach to reduce cognitive decline and AD-like neuropathology in DS individuals

Ruolo della colon-TC nel paziente anziano con colonscopia controindicata o incompleta

Scopo: Valutare accuratezza, efficacia diagnostica e sicurezza della colon-TC (CTC) in pazienti anziani con sospetta patologia non candidabili alla colonscopia o nei quali quest\u2019ultima fosse risultata incompleta e non dirimente per la diagnosi. Materiali e metodi: Sono state eseguite 83 CTC in pazienti con et\ue0 >= 75 anni (media 86 \ub1 5,52; range 75-97) per completamento diagnostico in caso di colonscopia controindicata o incompleta, come da linee guida ESGE/ESGAR 2015. Gli esami si sono svolti previa preparazione intestinale, fecaltagging, insufflazione rettale di CO2 e iniezione endovenosa di spasmolitico, salvo controindicazioni. Sono state effettuate scansioni dirette a paziente prono e supino, ricostruzioni multiplanari e navigazione 3D. Ogni studio \ue8 stato esaminato da 2 radiologi. Risultati: La preparazione intestinale \ue8 stata valutata soddisfacente nel 80,7% dei casi. La quantit\ue0 media di CO2 insufflata \ue8 stata di 3,6 litri. La valutazione dei segmenti colici dopo distensione, compresa la navigazione 3D, \ue8 stata completa nel 91,6% dei pazienti, con un picco del 96,1% nei 55 pazienti di et\ue0 compresa tra 75 e 85 anni. 62 esami (74,7%) sono risultati positivi: 19 per polipi di dimensioni > 6 mm (5 sessili e 14 peduncolati), 12 per ispessimenti parietali di tipo neoplastico, 45 per patologia diverticolare; in 14 casi si \ue8 avuta la concomitante presenza di pi\uf9 reperti. Nessuna complicanza procedurale. Conclusioni: La CTC, nei pazienti ultrasettantacinquenni con sufficienti preparazione intestinale ed insufflazione rettale di CO2, completa in gran parte dei casi la diagnosi di una sospetta patologia colica in modo sicuro, relativamente poco invasivo e ben tollerato, consentendo una pronta prosecuzione delle cure

Yield and Quality of Essential Oils in Hemp Varieties in Different Environments

Due to its possible utilization in cosmetics, medicine and crop protection, as a valuable alternative to petrochemical-derived products, hemp essential oil is now considered a product with high value added and a promising marketing potential. This experiment was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effect of four different locations of Northern Italy during two years (four environments) and three hemp monoecious varieties on the production and quality of essential oils (EOs) obtained by inflorescences harvested at full flowering of female flowers. The highest inflorescence yield was obtained at Maiano 2017, where a superficial groundwater layer (1.5 m) was present, with values that ranged from 1.69 of Fedora to 2.06 t ha 121 of Futura. EOs production ranged between 3.4 and 4.9 L ha 121 , affected mainly by the variety effect. The terpene in EOs, very similar between varieties and environments, was mainly composed of sesquiterpenes (caryophillene and humulene, as the most abundant) rather than monoterpenes (\u3b1-pinene, \u3b2-myrcene and trans-\u3b2-ocimene, in particular). Phytocannabinoids, and in particular cannabidiol (CBD), were not removed from tissues by the steam during hydrodistillation, and if this is confirmed by further experiments, the residual biomass, now considered as waste, could assume significant importance as a source for further utilization

Bleaching techniques impact on some quality parameters in two different cold-pressed oils obtained at farm scale

The consumption of cold-pressed oil, such as linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) and hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) oil has increased recently. In these oils obtained on the farm, a large number of components able to affect oil quality (mainly chlorophylls) are present. Given this, an experiment was conducted with the following aims: (1) to compare different bleaching methods by applying ultrasound waves and earths in cold-pressed hempseed and linseed oils and (2) to evaluate the effect of different types (acid-activated and natural) and amount (2% and 4%) of earths with different processing temperatures (60 and 80°C) in hempseed oil, utilizing a bleaching method with earths alone. Regarding the linseed oil, any bleaching methodologies adopted must not include ultrasound treatment, as the high temperatures reached determine high levels of oxidation to the detriment of the oil. Concerning the hemp oil, the natural earths, especially at farm level, should be preferred, because in addition to removing chlorophyll satisfactorily, when used at 4% even at the lowest temperature (60°C), an improvement of the stability and nutritional value (Vit. E) of the oil was observed

The Performance and Potentiality of Monoecious Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Cultivars as a Multipurpose Crop

Given the growing interest in multipurpose hemp crop, eight monoecious cultivars were compared in a two-year trial for quantitative and qualitative yield in a Mediterranean environment characterized by a temperate and humid climate with hot summers. All hemp cultivars were evaluated for yield potential of (i) seed plus stem at seed maturity, and (ii) essential oil yield from inflorescences harvested at full flowering. The second goal was set to test the ability of cultivars to supply new seeds after the removal of inflorescence at full flowering. Among the cultivars, Fedora obtained the best results for seed (0.79 and 0.52 t ha1) and vegetable oil yield (0.17 and 0.09 t ha1) normally and with inflorescence removed plants, respectively. Futura, conversely, showed the best results for inflorescence (3.0 t ha1), essential oil (9 L ha1), and stem yield at seed maturity (8.34 t ha1), as means across the two years. The cultivars studied generally reached the grain-filling stage during a period that was drier and warmer than the average of the same multi-year period, and this negatively affected seed quality. The oil fatty acid composition was mainly composed of polyunsaturated fatty acids (75% on average) and not affected by the cultivar. In conclusion, although the hemp grower should always clearly know the main production objective of the crop, the monoecious cultivars available today allow a multipurpose use of hemp crop, improving the sustainability of the cultivation activity

Relationship between gastric pouch and GERD after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

open9noAims and objectives Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) is considered safe and effective even as conversion procedure after primary bariatric operations. The correlation between gastric pouch volumes and gastro-esophageal reflux disease's (GERD) symptoms (heartburn, reflux, regurgitation) remains unclear (1, 2). With this study we want to assess a correlation between the gastric remnant size and GERD.openPomerri, F.; Romanucci, G.; Barbiero, G.; Zuliani, M.; Ortu, V.; Miotto, D.; Albanese, A.; Prevedello, L.; Foletto, M.Pomerri, Fabio; Romanucci, G.; Barbiero, G.; Zuliani, M.; Ortu, V.; Miotto, Diego; Albanese, A.; Prevedello, L.; Foletto, M

Intranasal Rapamycin Ameliorates Alzheimer-Like Cognitive Decline in a Mouse Model of Down Syndrome

Background: Down syndrome (DS) individuals, by the age of 40s, are at increased risk to develop Alzheimer-like dementia, with deposition in brain of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Our laboratory recently demonstrated the disturbance of PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis in DS brain, prior and after the development of Alzheimer Disease (AD). The aberrant modulation of the mTOR signalling in DS and AD age-related cognitive decline affects crucial neuronal pathways, including insulin signaling and autophagy, involved in pathology onset and progression. Within this context, the therapeutic use of mTOR-inhibitors may prevent/attenuate the neurodegenerative phenomena. By our work we aimed to rescue mTOR signalling in DS mice by a novel rapamycin intranasal administration protocol (InRapa) that maximizes brain delivery and reduce systemic side effects. Methods: Ts65Dn mice were administered with InRapa for 12 weeks, starting at 6 months of age demonstrating, at the end of the treatment by radial arms maze and novel object recognition testing, rescued cognition. Results: The analysis of mTOR signalling, after InRapa, demonstrated in Ts65Dn mice hippocampus the inhibition of mTOR (reduced to physiological levels), which led, through the rescue of autophagy and insulin signalling, to reduced APP levels, APP processing and APP metabolites production, as well as, to reduced tau hyperphosphorylation. In addition, a reduction of oxidative stress markers was also observed. Discussion: These findings demonstrate that chronic InRapa administration is able to exert a neuroprotective effect on Ts65Dn hippocampus by reducing AD pathological hallmarks and by restoring protein homeostasis, thus ultimately resulting in improved cognition. Results are discussed in term of a potential novel targeted therapeutic approach to reduce cognitive decline and AD-like neuropathology in DS individuals

Crescimento e tolerância de mudas de Ilex paraguariensis A.St.-Hil. cultivadas em solo contaminado com cobre

Copper (Cu) is a micronutrient necessary for plant development, as it is included in the structure of enzymatic compounds and activators. However, at high soil concentrations it can become toxic to plant metabolism. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the growth and tolerance of Ilex paraguariensis seedlings grown in copper contaminated soil. The study was conducted in a greenhouse of the Department of Forestry Engineering, Federal University of Santa Maria, Campus Frederico Westphalen, RS, between March and September 2018. The seedlings of Ilex paraguariensis used in the experiment were acquired from a nursery located in the municipality of Arvorezinha, RS. The treatments applied were five doses of Cu (0 - control, without addition of copper; 100; 200; 300 and 400 mg Kg-1 of soil). The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with 10 replications, each repetition being one plant per pot. After exposure to different treatments under soil cultivation at 150 days, plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, root, stem and leaf dry mass and tolerance index were evaluated. The results showed that the copper doses reduced the seedlings height and stem diameter. The dry mass of all collected partitions showed reduction from the use of 200 mg kg-1 of soil. The plants submitted to higher Cu (400 mg kg-1 soil) showed a reduction in leaf area of 64.7% in relation to the control. The species Ilex paraguariensis presented a tolerance index higher than 60% up to 300 mg kg-1 Cu.O cobre (Cu) é um micronutriente necessário ao desenvolvimento das plantas, pois está incluído na estrutura de compostos enzimáticos e ativadores. Contudo, em altas concentrações no solo pode se tornar tóxico ao metabolismo vegetal. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento e tolerância de mudas de Ilex paraguariensis cultivadas em solo contaminado com cobre. O estudo foi conduzido em casa de vegetação do Departamento de Engenharia Florestal, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Campus de Frederico Westphalen, RS, entre os meses de março e setembro de 2018. As mudas de Ilex paraguariensis utilizadas no experimento foram adquiridas de um viveiro localizado no município de Arvorezinha, RS. Os tratamentos aplicados foram cinco doses de Cu (0 - controle, sem adição de cobre; 100; 200; 300 e 400 mg Kg-1 de solo). O experimento foi implantado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 10 repetições, sendo cada repetição uma planta por vaso. Após a exposição aos diferentes tratamentos, sob cultivo em solo aos 150 dias, avaliou-se a altura de planta, diâmetro do caule, área foliar, massa seca de raiz, caule e folhas e índice de tolerância. Os resultados evidenciaram que as doses de cobre reduziram a altura e diâmetro de caule das mudas. A massa seca de todas as partições coletadas mostrou redução a partir da utilização de 200 mg kg-1 de solo. As plantas submetidas a maior dose de Cu (400 mg kg-1 de solo) apresentaram redução na área foliar de 64,7% em relação à testemunha. A espécie Ilex paraguariensis apresentou o índice de tolerância superior a 60% até a dose de 300 mg kg-1 de Cu

Health professionals who have worked in COVID-19 immunization centers suffer the effects of violence

BackgroundThe phenomenon violence against health professionals has received increasing attention in recent years because of its frequency and significant impact on victims’ mental health and disruption of health services. Despite this attention, little is known about the incidence of workplace violence in the highly politicized immunization services. Therefore, we decided to examine the prevalence of workplace violence in the COVID-19 immunization campaign, the risk and protective factors, and the impact on victims’ mental health.MethodsBetween March and April 2022, we conducted an anonymous online survey among health professionals working in COVID-19 vaccination centers in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region (Italy). We used the Questionnaire for Workplace Violence in Healthcare Settings and the Impact of Event Scale–Revised.ResultsOf the 200 participants, 93 (46.5%) reported being victims of an act of violence during the vaccination campaign, 60 of them verbally and 7 physically. In 35.5% of cases, the IES score indicated a possible post-traumatic stress reaction in the victim. Opinions on measures to prevent violence and support workers in the workplace differed according to the sex of the health professional, with women emphasizing the need for self-defense training and improvement of security arrangements (p < 0.001).ConclusionOne-third of health professionals involved in the COVID-19 immunization campaign reported that their mental health was affected by workplace violence. Public health professionals dealing with politicized and debated issues such as immunization should receive more attention, as should the implementation of a more structured and multidisciplinary approach to the problem within healthcare organizations

Rapporto 2007 su consumo e dipendenze da sostanze in Emilia-Romagna.

Report on the state of legal and illegal substances use in the territory of Emilia-Romagna Region.Il report analizza il fenomeno delle dipendenze nel territorio della Regione Emilia-Romagna. La descrizione del fenomeno si sviluppa intorno all\u27analisi degli indicatori individuati dall\u27Osservatorio Europeo delle Dipendenze di Lisbona (OEDT): 1-uso di sostanze nella popolazione generale (questo indicatore va a rilevare i comportamenti nei confronti di alcol e sostanze psicoattive da parte della popolazione generale); 2-prevalenza d\u27uso problematico delle sostanze psicoattive; 3-domanda di trattamento degli utilizzatori di sostanze; 4-mortalit? degli utilizzatori di sostanze; 5-malattie infettive. Altri due importanti indicatori che si stanno sviluppando, e che vengono qui illustrati, sono l\u27analisi delle Schede di Dimissione Ospedaliera (SDO) e gli indicatori relativi alle conseguenza sociali dell\u27uso di droghe (criminalit? droga correlata). Inoltre sono state applicate diverse metodologie standard di stima sia per quantificare la quota parte sconosciuta di utilizzatori di sostanze che non afferiscono ai servizi, sia per identificarne alcune caratteristiche