Biomass-derived chemical substitutes for bisphenol A: recent advancements in catalytic synthesis

Rigid diols catalytically produced from biomass derivatives have been proposed as bisphenol A functional replacements

Occurrence of Legionella spp. in thermal environments: Virulence factors and biofilm formation in isolates from a spa☆ , ☆☆

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of Legionella spp. in the water system of a spa in the city of Naples by analyzing water, air and surface samples. On the whole, 312 samples were collected and analyzed in the course of 10 months. Legionella CYE Agar Base and Legionella Latex Test (Oxoid©) were used to identify and serotype presumptive Legionella pneumophila strains. A further identification was carried out by rDNA16S and ITS region amplification followed by a sequence analysis by DNA Sequencing Analysis software (Applied Biosystems). Similarity search was performed using BLAST algorithm against the GenBank database (NCBI GenBank). Specific in-vitro tests aimed to evaluate the production of esoenzymes (hemolysins, collagenases, mucinases, lipases, proteinases, DNAses, elastases) on GC-FC Agar were also carried out. Finally, a crystal violet staining method (absorbance at 570 nm) was used to evaluate the ability of the strains to produce biofilm in a 96-multiwell polyethylene plate. All samples were negative for L. pneumophila. Six different Legionella strains were isolated from water samples and identified as Legionella londiniensis and Legionella spp. A significant (from 1000 to 10,000 CFU/L) and a low to moderate (from 100 to 1000 CFU/L) contamination were detected respectively in the 5% and 4% of samples; 91% of water samples showed a Legionella spp. amount less than 100 CFU/L. Two Legionella londiniensis isolates showed collagenases, caseinases, proteinases and gelatinases activities, being classified as potentially pathogenic bacteria. None of the isolates were classified as strong biofilm producer but they showed a moderate to weak ability to form biofilm on polyethylene. This result is significant because large part of the spa pipelines is plastic-coated. The highest frequency of isolation of Legionella spp. was detected in the unit for Thermal Mud Therapy, which showed a relative risk value equal to 1.69 (CI 95% 0.60–4.70). Although our results proved a moderate contamination in different water samples, the presence of potentially pathogenic environmental strains of Legionella spp. should not be underestimated because most part of costumers attending the spa are old and sick people, and Legionella strains can represent a real risk

Bone fragility: conceptual framework, therapeutic implications, and COVID-19-related issues

Bone fragility is the susceptibility to fracture even for common loads because of structural, architectural, or material alterations of bone tissue that result in poor bone strength. In osteoporosis, quantitative and qualitative changes in density, geometry, and micro-architecture modify the internal stress state predisposing to fragility fractures. Bone fragility substantially depends on the structural behavior related to the size and shape of the bone characterized by different responses in the load–deformation curve and on the material behavior that reflects the intrinsic material properties of the bone itself, such as yield and fatigue. From a clinical perspective, the measurement of bone density by DXA remains the gold standard for defining the risk of fragility fracture in all population groups. However, non-quantitative parameters, such as macro-architecture, geometry, tissue material properties, and microcracks accumulation can modify the bone’s mechanical strength. This review provides an overview of the role of different contributors to bone fragility and how these factors might be influenced by the use of anti-osteoporotic drugs and by the COVID-19 pandemi

Rehabilitation of Neuromuscular Diseases During COVID-19: Pitfalls and Opportunities

The outbreak of COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has spread worldwide with a huge impact on the healthcare system. Compared to the previous coronaviruses-related pandemics, COVID-19 is more transmissible with potential systemic involvement and peculiar neurological manifestations, such as Guillan-Barrè syndrome up to critical illness myopathy, occurring in the intensive care setting. In this clinical scenario, people living with a neuromuscular disease (NMD) represent a vulnerable category with a high risk of a severe course of COVID-19. Moreover, in the NMD population, the management of respiratory and muscular impairments after SARS-CoV-2 infection might be troubling in terms of both pharmacological and rehabilitative approaches. To date, rehabilitation is still an unmet need in this population with several implications on NMD progression with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection. In particular, rehabilitation intervention for patients with NMD after COVID-19 are lacking. Therefore, in the current paper, we analyze the critical issues of COVID-19 on NMDs patients and propose a home-based rehabilitation program targeted for this population after mild to moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection

Breast Milk Hormones and Regulation of Glucose Homeostasis

Growing evidence suggests that a complex relationship exists between the central nervous system and peripheral organs involved in energy homeostasis. It consists in the balance between food intake and energy expenditure and includes the regulation of nutrient levels in storage organs, as well as in blood, in particular blood glucose. Therefore, food intake, energy expenditure, and glucose homeostasis are strictly connected to each other. Several hormones, such as leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and ghrelin, are involved in this complex regulation. These hormones play a role in the regulation of glucose metabolism and are involved in the development of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Recently, their presence in breast milk has been detected, suggesting that they may be involved in the regulation of growth in early infancy and could influence the programming of energy balance later in life. This paper focuses on hormones present in breast milk and their role in glucose homeostasis

Do Animals Play a Role in the Transmission of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)? A Commentary

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) belongs to the Beta-coronavirus genus. It is 96.2% homologous to bat CoV RaTG13 and 88% homologous to two bat SARS-like coronaviruses. SARS-CoV-2 is the infectious agent responsible for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which was first reported in the Hubei province of Wuhan, China, at the beginning of December 2019. Human transmission from COVID-19 patients or incubation carriers occurs via coughing, sneezing, speaking, discharge from the nose, or fecal contamination. Various strains of the virus have been reported around the world, with different virulence and behavior. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 shares certain epitopes with some taxonomically related viruses, with tropism for the most common synanthropic animals. By elucidating the immunological properties of the circulating SARS-CoV-2, a partial protection due to human–animal interactions could be supposed in some situations. In addition, differential epitopes could be used for the differential diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. There have been cases of transmission from people with COVID-19 to pets such as cats and dogs. In addition, wild felines were infected. All These animals were either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and recovered spontaneously. Experimental studies showed cats and ferrets to be more susceptible to COVID-19. COVID-19 positive dogs and felines do not transmit the infection to humans. In contrast, minks at farms were severely infected from people with COVID-19. A SARS-Cov-2 variant in the Danish farmed mink that had been previously infected by COVID-19 positive workers, spread to mink workers causing the first case of animal-to-human infection transmission that causes a moderate decreased sensitivity to neutralizing antibodies. Thus, more investigations are necessary. It remains important to understand the risk that people with COVID-19 pose to their pets, as well as wild or farm animals so effective recommendations and risk management measures against COVID-19 can be made. A One Health unit that facilitates collaboration between public health and veterinary services is recommended

Integrated geomorphological mapping in the north-western sector of Agrigento (Italy)

The geomorphologicalmap is an essential tool to performa proper urban planning inmountainous or hilly areas. In this paper amultidisciplinary approach to derive a 1:2000 geomorphologicalmap is described.The proposedmethodology consists of the integration between aerial photographs, acquired in 2003, and four datasets of Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) measures to update a pre-existing landslide inventory. The integrated data were used to achieve a validated geomorphological map by means of a geomorphological survey. The study area is located in southern Italy (Agrigento, Sicily). The city of Agrigento, included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO in 1997, is located on the Girgenti hill which is exposed on its northern side, to several landslide phenomena. The top of the hill is characterized by the presence of part of the cultural heritage of the city and is affected by rockfalls, rock topples and shallow-seated landslides, representing a serious risk for important historical buildings. The results demonstrate the validity of this method to achieve a suitable tool in landscape and cultural heritage management. © 2012 Journal of Maps

Automated cleaning of fan coil units with a natural detergent-disinfectant product

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Air conditioning systems represent one important source of microbial pollutants for indoor air. In the past few years, numerous strategies have been conceived to reduce the contamination of air conditioners, mainly in hospital settings. The biocidal detergent BATT2 represents a natural product obtained through extraction from brown seaweeds, that has been tested previously on multidrug-resistant microorganisms.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>BATT2 has been utilized for the disinfection of fan coil units from four air conditioning systems located in hospital environments with a mean degree of risk. Samples were collected from the air supplied by the conditioning systems and from the surfaces of fan coil units, before and after sanitization procedures. Total microbial counts at 37°C and 22°C and mycotic count at 32°C were evaluated. <it>Staphylococci</it> and <it>Pseudomonas aeruginosa </it>were also detected on surfaces samples.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The biodetergent was able to reduce up 50% of the microbial pollution of fan coil units surfaces and air supplied by the air conditioners.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>BATT2 could be considered for cleaning/disinfection of air conditioning systems, that should be performed on the basis of accurate and verifiable sanitization protocols.</p