Out of sight out of mind: Perceived physical distance between the observer and someone in pain shapes observer's neural empathic reactions

Social and affective relations may shape empathy to others' affective states. Previous studies also revealed that people tend to form very different mental representations of stimuli on the basis of their physical distance. In this regard, embodied cognition and embodied simulation propose that different physical distances between individuals activate different interpersonal processing modes, such that close physical distance tends to activate the interpersonal processing mode typical of socially and affectively close relationships. In Experiment 1, two groups of participants were administered a pain decision task involving upright and inverted face stimuli painfully or neutrally stimulated, and we monitored their neural empathic reactions by means of event-related potentials (ERPs) technique. Crucially, participants were presented with face stimuli of one of two possible sizes in order to manipulate retinal size and perceived physical distance, roughly corresponding to the close and far portions of social distance. ERPs modulations compatible with an empathic reaction were observed only for the group exposed to face stimuli appearing to be at a close social distance from the participants. This reaction was absent in the group exposed to smaller stimuli corresponding to face stimuli observed from a far social distance. In Experiment 2, one different group of participants was engaged in a match-to-sample task involving the two-size upright face stimuli of Experiment 1 to test whether the modulation of neural empathic reaction observed in Experiment 1 could be ascribable to differences in the ability to identify faces of the two different sizes. Results suggested that face stimuli of the two sizes could be equally identifiable. In line with the Construal Level and Embodied Simulation theoretical frameworks, we conclude that perceived physical distance may shape empathy as well as social and affective distance

A carbon nanotube/poly [Ni-(Protoporphyrin IX)] composite for amperometric detection of long chain aliphatic amines

Poly [Ni-Protoporphyrin] film (pNiPP), containing multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) was used to cover a glassy carbon electrode. The hybrid material (pNiPP/MWCNT) successfully combines the permselectivity of pNiPP with the high conductivity of MWCNT.The modified electrode was used to perform amperometric detection of long chain aliphatic amines (LCAA) in order to prevent the passivation effect of the aliphatic chain. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) demonstrated that the pNiPP/MWCNT facilitates the electron transfer reaction. The charge transfer resistance (Rct) values were significantly lower by up to one order of magnitude compared to the bare electrode. Differential pulse polarography (DPP) showed a marked decrease of the overpotential generated by the aliphatic chain. The calibration of the amperometric peak area vs. concentrations of derivatized LCAA exhibits a linear response within the range of 0.018 and 28μM and correlation coefficient (R2) higher than 0.999 (n=5). The quantitation limit of the pNiPP/MWCNT electrode is about 400 times lower than the UV-visible detection. RSD of 7.2%, 5.8%, 2.5% and 2.3% was obtained for concentrations of 0.028, 0.28, 2.8 and 28μM of ferrocenyl octadecylamine. A solution of sphingosine, 0.23μM, was exclusively detected with HPLC-ECD with pNiPP/MWCNT electrode.Fil: Gravielle, Maria Clara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas ; ArgentinaFil: Rinaldi, Ana Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas ; ArgentinaFil: Dabas, Paula Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas ; ArgentinaFil: Rezzano, Irene Noemí. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas ; Argentin

ENT surgical emergencies during the COVID-19 outbreak

Introduction: The restrictive measures adopted by the Italian Government during the COVID-19 outbreak caused dramatic changes in routine public health care. Surprisingly, emergency activity also registered a reduction in frequency. Methods: This multicentre retrospective study aims to investigate eventual changes in ENT surgical emergencies in a highly populated area of southern Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data concerning the period between the February 1 and the May 31, 2020 were collected from the main three hospitals in the district and compared with the same period of 2019. Results: A substantial reduction was found in the number of ENT emergency interventions in 2020 compared to the same period of 2019, particularly in the main lockdown phase and in the tertiary referral centre. Conclusions: The reduction in the absolute number of emergency ENT interventions can be only partially explained by social distancing and home confinement. We have reason to believe that some of these patients may have not sought medical support due to fear of nosocomial SARS-CoV2 infection. This study could represent a trigger for further implementation of health system responses to emergencies in a period of transition that is likely to last for a prolonged period of time

Anti-inflammatory effect of simvastatin in an experimental model of spinal cord trauma: involvement of PPAR-α

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Statins such as simvastatin are inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase used in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. In addition to their cholesterol-lowering activities, statins exert pleiotropic anti-inflammatory effects, which might contribute to their beneficial effects on lipid-unrelated inflammatory diseases. Recently it has been demonstrated that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α mediates anti-inflammatory effects of simvastatin in vivo models of acute inflammation. Moreover, previous results suggest that PPAR-α plays a role in control of secondary inflammatory process associated with spinal cord injury (SCI).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>With the aim to characterize the role of PPAR-α in simvastatin activity, we tested the efficacy of simvastatin (10 mg/kg dissolved in saline i.p. 1 h and 6 h after the trauma) in an experimental model of SCI induced in mice by extradural compression of the spinal cord (T6-T7 level) using an aneurysm clip with a closing force of 24 g via a four-level T5-T8 laminectomy, and comparing mice lacking PPAR-α (PPAR-α KO) with wild type (WT) mice. In order to elucidate whether the effects of simvastatin are due to activation of the PPAR-α, we also investigated the effect of a PPAR-α antagonist, GW6471 (1 mg/kg administered i.p. 30 min prior treatment with simvastatin) on the protective effects of on simvastatin.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Results indicate that simvastatin activity is weakened in PPAR-α KO mice, as compared to WT controls. In particular, simvastatin was less effective in PPAR-α KO, compared to WT mice, as evaluated by inhibition of the degree of spinal cord inflammation, neutrophil infiltration, nitrotyrosine formation, pro-inflammmatory cytokine expression, nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation, inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, and apoptosis. In addition we demonstrated that GW6471 significantly antagonized the effect of the statin and thus abolished the protective effect.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study indicates that PPAR-α can contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity of simvastatin in SCI.</p

A methodology for the evaluation of morphology-based constitutive laws of corroded steel rebars

The assessment of degraded reinforced concrete (RC) existing structures is nowadays a topical problem since several ones have an age close to or higher than their design life. The degradation state of the structure needs to be properly assessed and included in the adopted numerical or analytical models. In this framework, rebars corrosion phenomena can modify the structural behavior of RC members, especially when the corrosive attack is localized in specific areas. As an example, in presence of localized concentrations of chlorides, pitting corrosion of the steel bars occurs, with a localized reduction of the bar section through pits. In this work, the results of a preliminary experimental survey performed on artificially corroded steel rebars are shown, to define an integrated methodology for the definition of material constitutive laws, accounting for morphological aspects of the corrosion phenomenon. A set of steel rebars, embedded in concrete prisms, have been artificially corroded with an accelerated process through electrolytic cells, to obtain local marked pits. The steel rebars have been extracted, cleaned, weighed and subjected to 3D scanning using two different techniques (one based on laser scanning and the other based on structured-light scanning) to evaluate the effective corrosion amount and morphology. Finally, tensile tests were carried out to evaluate the stress-strain curves and the values of yielding, ultimate strengths and elongation to fracture. The presented data and methodology can represent a useful reference for the definition of phenomenological constitutive laws for steel rebars affected by pitting corrosion

Identification of Anti-Neuroinflammatory Bioactive Compounds in Essential Oils and Aqueous Distillation Residues Obtained from Commercial Varieties of Cannabis sativa L

Neuroinflammation, which is mainly triggered by microglia, is a key contributor to multiple neurodegenerative diseases. Natural products, and in particular Cannabis sativa L., due to its richness in phytochemical components, represent ideal candidates to counteract neuroinflammation. We previously characterized different C. sativa commercial varieties which showed significantly different chemical profiles. On these bases, the aim of this study was to evaluate essential oils and aqueous distillation residues from the inflorescences of three different hemp varieties for their anti-neuroinflammatory activity in BV-2 microglial cells. Cells were pretreated with aqueous residues or essential oils and then activated with LPS. Unlike essential oils, aqueous residues showed negligible effects in terms of anti-inflammatory activity. Among the essential oils, the one obtained from 'Gorilla Glue' was the most effective in inhibiting pro-inflammatory mediators and in upregulating anti-inflammatory ones through the modulation of the p38 MAPK/NF-kappa B pathway. Moreover, the sesquiterpenes (E)-caryophyllene, alpha-humulene, and caryophyllene oxide were identified as the main contributors to the essential oils' anti-inflammatory activity. To our knowledge, the anti-neuroinflammatory activity of alpha-humulene has not been previously described. In conclusion, our work shows that C. sativa essential oils characterized by high levels of sesquiterpenes can be promising candidates in the prevention/counteraction of neuroinflammation

Sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy: Long-term outcome in a large cohort

To assess the long-term outcome of sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE)

Natural flavonoids inhibit the plasma membrane Ca 2+ -ATPase

Research on flavonoids from plant sources has recently sparked increasing interest because of their beneficial health properties. Different studies have shown that flavonoids change the intracellular Ca 2+ homeostasis linked to alterations in the function of mitochondria, Ca 2+ channels and Ca 2+ pumps. These findings hint at plasma membrane Ca 2+ -ATPase (PMCA) involvement, as it transports Ca 2+ actively to the extracellular medium coupled to ATP hydrolysis, thus maintaining ion cellular homeostasis. The present study aims to investigate the effect of several natural flavonoids on PMCA both in isolated protein systems and in living cells, and to establish the relationship between flavonoid structure and inhibitory activity on PMCA. Our results show that natural flavonoids inhibited purified and membranous PMCA with different effectiveness: quercetin and gossypin were the most potent and their inhibition mechanisms seem to be different, as quercetin does not prevent ATP binding whereas gossypin does. Moreover, PMCA activity was inhibited in human embryonic kidney cells which transiently overexpress PMCA, suggesting that the effects observed on isolated systems could occur in a complex structure like a living cell. In conclusion, this work reveals a novel molecular mechanism through which flavonoids inhibit PMCA, which leads to Ca 2+ homeostasis and signaling alterations in the cell.Fil: Ontiveros, Mallku Qhapaj. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Rinaldi, Debora Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Marder, Nora Mariel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Espelt, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Mangialavori, Irene Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Vigil, Maximiliano Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Rossi, Juan Pablo Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Ferreira Gomes, Mariela Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; Argentin

Upscaling of Electrospinning Technology and the Application of Functionalized PVDF-HFP@TiO2 Electrospun Nanofibers for the Rapid Photocatalytic Deactivation of Bacteria on Advanced Face Masks

In recent years, Electrospinning (ES) has been revealed to be a straightforward and innovative approach to manufacture functionalized nanofiber-based membranes with high filtering performance against fine Particulate Matter (PM) and proper bioactive properties. These qualities are useful for tackling current issues from bacterial contamination on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) surfaces to the reusability of both disposable single-use face masks and respirator filters. Despite the fact that the conventional ES process can be upscaled to promote a high-rate nanofiber production, the number of research works on the design of hybrid materials embedded in electrospun membranes for face mask application is still low and has mainly been carried out at the laboratory scale. In this work, a multi-needle ES was employed in a continuous processing for the manufacturing of both pristine Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride-co-Hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanofibers and functionalized membrane ones embedded with TiO2 Nanoparticles (NPs) (PVDF-HFP@TiO2). The nanofibers were collected on Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) nonwoven spunbond fabric and characterized by using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), Raman spectroscopy, and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis. The photocatalytic study performed on the electrospun membranes proved that the PVDF-HFP@TiO2 nanofibers provide a significant antibacterial activity for both Staphylococcus aureus (~94%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (~85%), after only 5 min of exposure to a UV-A light source. In addition, the PVDF-HFP@TiO2 nanofibers exhibit high filtration efficiency against submicron particles (~99%) and a low pressure drop (~3 mbar), in accordance with the standard required for Filtering Face Piece masks (FFPs). Therefore, these results aim to provide a real perspective on producing electrospun polymer-based nanotextiles with self-sterilizing properties for the implementation of advanced face masks on a large scale