Evaluation of Electronic-Ionic Transport Properties of a Mg/Zr-Modified LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathode for Li-Ion Batteries

There is an enormous drive for moving toward cathode material research in LIBs due to the proposal of zero-emission electric vehicles together with the restriction of cathode materials in design. LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO) attracts great research interests as high-voltage Co-free cathodes in LIBs. However, a more extensive study is required for LNMO due to its poor electrochemical performance, especially at high temperature, because of the instability of the LNMO interface. Herein, we design structural modifications using Mg and Zr to alleviate the above-mentioned drawbacks by limiting Mn dissolution and tailoring interstitial sites (which are shown by structural and electrochemical characterizations). This strategy enhances the cycle life up to 1000 cycles at both 25 and 50 °C. In addition, a thorough characterization by impedance spectroscopy is applied to give an insight into the electronic and ionic transport properties and the intricate phase transitions occurring upon oxidation and reduction

Morphology of spine and footprint in athletes from different sports: an integrate approach to evaluate posture

Posture is a complex process determined by the interaction of several body structures. In the past years, different direct and indirect procedures have been proposed to understand how these anatomical structures could be modified by forces exerted during sport practice (Queen et al, 2007). A particular attention has been focused on the variations in athletes from different sports to highlight eventual correlations between morpho-functional modifications, postural diseases and injuries (Cain et al, 2007). The aim of this work is to study the morphological aspects of the footprint and the spine in different athletes by an integrate approach. 115 subjects were tested and divided accordingly to the specific sport activity (control, basketball, volleyball, football, gymnastics); only subjects without previous or current diseases of the bones, joints and muscles have been considered. The electronic baropodometry has been used to measure the pressure distribution exerted on each foot during static and dynamic conditions; the Surfacer has been used to record the position of chosen points on the back. Our results indicated that, in comparison with controls, athletes from different sports displayed specific and significant modifications in foot type and in the back morphology; in particular, statistical analysis showed that in basketball and gymnastics athletes, significant changing in foot type and in the back morphology were present; moreover, in volleyball athletes, significant changing were found in foot type. Therefore, our results suggest that each sport could determinate specific postural changes during sport practice. Our data could be useful to develop specific training protocols aimed to prevent alterations in spine morphology and foot type that are associated with sport practice and could determine injuries or other postural diseases. Reference

Functional Significance and Predictive Value of MicroRNAs in Pediatric Obesity: Tiny Molecules with Huge Impact?

Obesity is a major health concern. While some children develop comorbidities such as insulin resistance and low-grade systemic inflammation upon weight gain, others stay metabolically healthy. There is an urgent need for clinically relevant markers with prognostic value related to disease development and intervention success. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are established biomarkers for several disease states. Herein, we give a brief overview of miRNA biogenesis and function and the potential role of circulating miRNA in the context of pediatric obesity

Neuro-degenerative and vascular diseases: methodology for functional recovery

Posture refers to the position of the body in space that is expressed through the interaction of all the districts and systems such as the musculoskeletal system, the central and peripheral nervous system. Alterations in imbalances and associated diseases produce a structural and physiologic reorganization of the anatomical structures to improve postural dynamics. Generally, these changes can occur due to trauma or following the onset of neurodegenerative diseases or vascular problems that, in different ways, ranging to compromising the proper functioning of one of the components involved in postural processes. Currently postural diseases are treated by passive (brace and orthosis) and active (robotic device and traditional rehabilitation) methods according with the severity of imbalance (1). The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of an innovative exoskeleton, called Human Body Posturizer (HBP), in rehabilitation of different neurodegenerative and vascular diseases. We recruited 37 subjects divided according to the pathology: 9 subjects with Parkinson’s disease, 14 with multiple sclerosis, 10 post-stroke patients and 4 with infantile cerebral palsy. Subjects underwent 4 weeks HBP treatment, consisting of 30 minutes, with different timing and duration of treatment depending on the specific pathology. The samples were analyzed by using of Electronic Baropodometer, Stabilometric Platform and Sensorizer FreeSense. Each subject was sampled before and after treatment and differences between pre and post treatment were subjected to statistical analysis. In all groups, we found significant differences in the comparison between the measurements performed before and after treatment with HBP. These changes have allowed to pointing out the improvement in the parameters analyzed in the post-treatment tests. Thus, as demonstrated by other studies (2), the use of HBP could represent an integrative therapy for different postural diseases and it can be inserted as a supportive therapy during the rehabilitation process in neurodegenerative and vascular diseases

New methodology for a correct gait

A proper biomechanics of the foot is fundamental for the maintenance of posture and for a symmetrical distribution of plantar pressures. It ‘been shown that high plantar pressures are greater risks of damage to be covered by the same foot that the anatomical structures involved in the above processes postural(1). Thus numerous studies have investigated the effectiveness of orthotics that, by increasing the contact surface between the foot and the ground, they were going to decrease the load associated with certain anatomical districts(2). The aim of our study was to evaluate, through static and dynamic baropodometry, the effectiveness of the regular gait, a new support that has the task of stabilizing the arch of the foot in static and to allow proper movement of the same. These subjects underwent rating scales and baropodometric examination before and after using the orthotics. It was carried out both the analysis monopodalic, for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the insole in the redistribution of pressures between different zones of a same foot, both the bipodalic for the evaluation of the symmetry in the distribution of the pressures between the different feet. The results obtained, subjected to statistical analysis for significance, show that the insole, to how it was designed, is able to restore a correct distribution of the parameters both in analysis monopodalic that bipodalic and both in static and dynamic conditions. These redistributions, in addition, also remain in the tests posttreatment without footwear, showing that the particular conformation of the plantar, with supports positioned in specific districts of the arch of the foot, is able to stimulate the proprioceptors present therein and therefore to enable a reorganization at the central level . This reorganization allows the subject treated with the regular gait to maintain the morphology and the smooth running of the propeller breech during movement not only while wearing the insole, but also after it has been remove

Plantar support for a correct gait

Postural adjustments to maintain static and dynamic balance depend on the relationship between sensory input organs and the environment. The study of foot posture assists in the evaluation of overall posture. The human foot is the basis of support and propulsion for gait and it provides support and flexibility for effective weight transfer (1). Foot posture involves the integration of sensory information from the periphery to the body, especially mechanoreceptors in the sole of the foot, related to gravitational acceleration, the environment and the position of the segments of the body. Numerous studies have investigated the effectiveness of orthotics that, by increasing the contact surface between the foot and the ground, were going to decrease the load associated with certain areas of plantar surface (2). The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of innovative insoles, named Regular Gait (RG), on plantar pressures distribution during standing position and walking in healthy subjects; therefore, we investigated whether these effects are maintained after insole removing. 30 subjects were tested; these were free of foot diseases or damage to the anatomical structures involved in the processes above posture. These subjects underwent rating scales and static and dynamic baropodometric examination before and after using RG. The results obtained, subjected to statistical analysis for significance, show that the RG, for as we have designed, is able to restore a correct distribution of the parameters both in static and dynamic conditions. We have also shown that the best results were obtained only after a month of treatment with RG and that the results obtained persist even in the tests post-treatment without insoles. The fact we charged to the special geometry with which the insole is designed: its supports, that are located in specific regions of the plantar arch, go to stimulate the mechanoreceptors found there. In this way, through the streets proprioceptive, you can obtain a reorganization of the plantar stance even at the higher nervous centers level. This allowed the subjects treated to improve their posture both while walking and during the maintenance of the upright position. As far demonstrated , the RG seems to be a tool whose potential does not end in the modification of the plantar stance, but that influences a number of processes, by acting on the kinetic chains that originate from the foot

The Potential Health Benefits of Polyphenol-Rich Extracts from Cichorium intybus

Phytochemicals can exert their bioactivity without reaching the systemic circulation; scarcely absorbed antioxidants might reach the large bowel contributing to protection from oxidative damage-induced gastrointestinal diseases. In the present work, we aimed to study the relationship between potential activity of polyphenol-rich extracts from Cichorium intybus L. and changes in morphological characteristics on Caco-2 cells. Phytochemicals content (carotenoids and flavonoids) and total antioxidant activity of Red Chicory of Treviso and Variegated Chicory of Castelfranco were evaluated. The bioactivity of polyphenol-rich extracts from chicories was studied in in vitro Caco-2 cell monolayers model. Morphological characteristics changes to test the antioxidant and/or prooxidant effect were verified by histological analysis and observed by Electronic Scansion Microscopy (SEM). On Caco-2 cell model, the polyphenols fractions from chicories have indicated a moderate antioxidant behavior until 17 μM concentration, while 70 μM and 34 μM exert cytotoxic effects for Treviso’s and Castelfranco’s Chicory, respectively, highlighted by TEER decreasing, increased permeability, and alteration of epithelium. Our findings support the beneficial effects of these products in counteracting the oxidative stress and cellular damage, induced in vitro on Caco-2 cell model, through interaction with the mucopolysaccharide complexes in the glycocalyx, maintaining in vivo a healthy and effective intestinal barrier