Physiological, perceptual, and biomechanical differences between treadmill and overground walking in healthy adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare physiological, perceptual and biomechanical outcomes between walking on a treadmill and overground surfaces. Five databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science) were searched until September 2022. Included studies needed to be a crossover design comparing biomechanical, physiological, or perceptual measures between motorised-treadmill and overground walking in healthy adults (18-65 years) walking at the same speed (<5% difference). The quality of studies were assessed using a modified Downs and Black Quality Index. Meta-analyses were performed to determine standardised mean difference ± 95% confidence intervals for all main outcome measures. Fifty-five studies were included with 1,005 participants. Relative oxygen consumption (standardised mean difference [95% confidence interval] 0.38 [0.14,0.63]) and cadence (0.22 [0.06,0.38]) are higher during treadmill walking. Whereas stride length (-0.36 [-0.62,-0.11]) and step length (-0.52 [-0.98,-0.06]) are lower during treadmill walking. Most kinetic variables are different between surfaces. The oxygen consumption, spatiotemporal and kinetic differences on the treadmill may be an attempt to increase stability due to the lack of control, discomfort and familiarity on the treadmill. Treadmill construction including surface stiffness and motor power are likely additional constraints that need to be considered and require investigation. This research was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship. Protocol registration is CRD42020208002 (PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) in October 2020.

Relative oxygen consumption is greater on a treadmill when compared with overground when walking at similar speeds and needs to be considered when prescribing exercise.Walking on a treadmill results in several biomechanical changes compared to overground that may be related to changes in gait stability.It may be favourable for rehabilitation purposes for people to initially walk on a treadmill due to lower vertical ground reaction force at push-off and lower joint moments at the knee and ankle.

Muographic monitoring of the volcano-tectonic evolution of Mount Etna.

At Mount Etna volcano, the focus point of persistent tectonic extension is represented by the Summit Craters. A muographic telescope has been installed at the base of the North-East Crater from August 2017 to October 2019, with the specific aim to find time related variations in the density of volcanic edifice. The results are significant, since the elaborated images show the opening and evolution of different tectonic elements; in 2017, a cavity was detected months before the collapse of the crater floor and in 2018 a set of underground fractures was identified, at the tip of which, in June 2019, a new eruptive vent started its explosive activity, still going on (February, 2020). Although this is the pilot experiment of the project, the results confirm that muography could be a turning point in the comprehension of the plumbing system of the volcano and a fundamental step forward to do mid-term (weeks/months) predictions of eruptions. We are confident that an increment in the number of telescopes could lead to the realization of a monitoring system, which would keep under control the evolution of the internal dynamic of the uppermost section of the feeding system of an active volcano such as Mount Etna.

The NUMEN project: Heavy-Ion Double Charge Exchange reactions towards 0νββ NME determination / El proyecto NUMEN: reacciones de intercambio de cargas dobles de iones pesados hacia la determinación de 0νββ NME

Abstract NUMEN proposes cross sections measurements of Heavy-Ion double charge exchange reactions as an innovative tool to access the nuclear matrix elements, entering the expression of the life time of Neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ). A key aspect of the projectis the use at INFN-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud (LNS) of the Superconducting Cyclotron (CS) for the acceleration of the required high resolution and low emittance heavy-ion beams and of MAGNEX large acceptance magnetic spectrometer for the detection of the ejectiles. The experimental measurements of double charge exchange reactions induced by heavy ions present a number of challenging aspects, since such reactions are characterized by very low cross sections. First experimental results give encouraging indication on the capability to access quantitative information towards the determination of the Nuclear Matrix Elements for 0νββ decay.

Resumen NUMEN propone mediciones de secciones eficaces de reacciones de intercambio de carga doble de iones pesados como una herramienta innovadora para acceder a los elementos de la matriz nuclear, entrando en la expresión del tiempo de vida de la desintegración beta doble sin neutrino (0νββ). Un aspecto clave del proyecto es el uso en INFN-Laboratori Nazionali del Sud (LNS) del ciclotrón superconductor (CS) para la aceleración de los haces de iones pesados de alta resolución y baja emitancia requeridos y del espectrómetro magnético de gran aceptación MAGNEX para la detección de los residuos eyectados. Las mediciones experimentales de reacciones de intercambio de carga doble inducidas por iones pesados presentan una serie de aspectos desafiantes, ya que tales reacciones se caracterizan por secciones eficaces muy bajas. Los primeros resultados experimentales dan una indicación alentadora sobre la capacidad de acceder a información cuantitativa para la determinación de los Elementos de la Matriz Nuclear para la descomposición de 0νββ.

Design and characterisation of a real time proton and carbon ion radiography system based on scintillating optical fibres.

This paper describes the design and characterization of a charged particle imaging system composed of a position sensitive detector and residual range detector. The position detector consists of two identical overlying and orthogonal planes each of which consists of two layers of pre-aligned and juxtaposed scintillating fibres. The 500µm square section fibres are optically coupled to two Silicon Photomultiplier arrays using a channel reduction system patented by the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare. The residual range detector consists of sixty parallel layers of the same fibres used in the position detector each of which is optically coupled to a Silicon Photomultiplier array by wavelength shifting fibres. The sensitive area of the two detectors is 9×9cm(2). Characterising the position sensitive and the residual range detectors to reconstruct the radiography, is fundamental to validating the detectors' designs. The proton radiography of a calibrated target in imaging conditions is presented. The spatial resolution of the position sensitive detector is about 150µm and the range resolution is about 170µm. The performance of the prototypes were tested at CATANA proton therapy facility (Laboratori Nazionali del Sud, INFN, Catania) with energy up to 58MeV and rate of about 10(6) particles per second. The comparison between the simulations and measurements confirms the validity of this system.

Running retraining to treat lower limb injuries: a mixed-methods study of current evidence synthesised with expert opinion.

IMPORTANCE: Running-related injuries are highly prevalent. OBJECTIVE: Synthesise published evidence with international expert opinion on the use of running retraining when treating lower limb injuries. DESIGN: Mixed methods. METHODS: A systematic review of clinical and biomechanical findings related to running retraining interventions were synthesised and combined with semistructured interviews with 16 international experts covering clinical reasoning related to the implementation of running retraining. RESULTS: Limited evidence supports the effectiveness of transition from rearfoot to forefoot or midfoot strike and increase step rate or altering proximal mechanics in individuals with anterior exertional lower leg pain; and visual and verbal feedback to reduce hip adduction in females with patellofemoral pain. Despite the paucity of clinical evidence, experts recommended running retraining for: iliotibial band syndrome; plantar fasciopathy (fasciitis); Achilles, patellar, proximal hamstring and gluteal tendinopathy; calf pain; and medial tibial stress syndrome. Tailoring approaches to each injury and individual was recommended to optimise outcomes. Substantial evidence exists for the immediate biomechanical effects of running retraining interventions (46 studies), including evaluation of step rate and strike pattern manipulation, strategies to alter proximal kinematics and cues to reduce impact loading variables. SUMMARY AND RELEVANCE: Our synthesis of published evidence related to clinical outcomes and biomechanical effects with expert opinion indicates running retraining warrants consideration in the treatment of lower limb injuries in clinical practice.

Specific detection of Arcobacter spp. in estuarine waters of Southern Italy by PCR and fluorescent in situ hybridization.

AIM: To evaluate the reliability of culture-independent methods in comparison with culture-dependent ones for the detection of Arcobacter spp. in estuarine waters of Southern Italy. METHODS AND RESULTS: PCR and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) procedures were used to detect arcobacters directly in water samples and after enrichment cultures. The samples totally were positive by molecular methods (PCR and FISH) but only 75% were culture positive, confirming the limitation of these latter to detect Arcobacter spp. in natural samples. Culturable arcobacters were retrieved in all times except in July, and isolated species were ascribed only to Arcobacter cryaerophilus. CONCLUSIONS: Culturable and nonculturable forms of Arcobacter in the estuarine environment were present. PCR assays were more sensitive than traditional culture in detecting Arcobacter butzleri and A. cryaerophilus. FISH comparatively to PCR technique may provide information about cell morphology and viability of single cells. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our investigation indicates the existence of an environmental reservoir of potential pathogenic arcobacters in an estuarine Italian area, which may survive under a viable but not culturable state.

Induction and resuscitation of viable nonculturable Arcobacter butzleri cells.

Two strains of Arcobacter butzleri, ATCC 49616 and an environmental isolate, became nonculturable in seawater microcosms at 4 degrees C by 20 days and at room temperature by 14 days. Nonculturable cells were viable for up to 270 days of incubation in microcosms. Resuscitation of A. butzleri cells from microcosms at both temperatures was achieved 9 days after nutrient addition.

Male sexuality and regulation of emotions: a study on the association between alexithymia and erectile dysfunction (ED).

Alexithymia is a multidimensional construct that describes a constellation of personality features characterised by difficulties in differentiating, identifying and communicating emotions. The purpose of the present study was to investigate prevalence of alexithymia in outpatients with erectile dysfunction (ED), both in the psychogenic lifelong type (PLED) and in the acquired one (PAED). ED severity was evaluated with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and alexithymia was measured using the Italian version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). The results suggest a high incidence of alexithymic characteristics in patients with psychogenic ED, a positive correlation between the alexithymia level and ED severity in patients with PAED and statistically significant differences in the alexithymia level between the two subgroups PLED and PAED. We assumed that alexithymia contributes to the origin of the PLED, and to a more severe manifestation of ED, once it appears in the acquired form.

[The role of anti-nucleosome antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus. Results of a study of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and other connective tissue diseases]. / Ruolo degli anticorpi anti-nucleosomi nel lupus eritematoso sistemico. Risultati di uno studio condotto in pazienti con lupus eritematoso sistemico ed altre connettiviti sistemiche.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence and the disease specificity of anti-nucleosome antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus and their association with disease activity and renal involvement. METHODS: Anti-nucleosome antibodies were measured by ELISA in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (47), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (22), mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) (19), systemic sclerosis (SSc) (11) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) (10). Anti-dsDNA antibodies were measured by IIF on Crithidia luciliae. In the patients with SLE serum levels of C3 and C4 complement components were also measured. Sera of 22 healthy individuals were assayed as controls. SLE activity was evaluated by the ECLAM score. RESULTS: Anti-nucleosome antibodies were found in 40 patients with SLE (85.1%), in 10 with RA (45.4%), in 8 with MCTD (42.1%), in 4 with SSc (36.3%), in 1 with SS (10%) and in none of the healthy controls. Anti-dsDNA antibodies were found in 23 patients with SLE and were absent in the patients with other CTD and in controls. All the patients with SLE and renal involvement were positive both for anti-dsDNA antibodies and anti-nucleosome antibodies. No significant correlation was observed between anti-nucleosome antibodies and disease activity and renal involvement. CONCLUSION: Anti-nucleosome antibodies are present in a high percentage of the patients with SLE but they don't seem to be specific markers of the disease. Our data don't support a clear correlation between anti-nucleosome antibodies and disease activity and renal involvement.

Cerebral vasculitis in a patient with HCV-related type II mixed cryoglobulinemia.

The peripheral nervous system is often involved in patients with mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC), while there are few reports of central nervous system involvement. We describe a case of HCV-related type II MC with peripheral and central nervous system involvement. A 61-year-old woman, suffering from flaccid tetraparesis, was referred to our department because of an increasing disability. The presence of delirium prompted us to also investigate the central nervous system. MMSE, EEG, EMG, brain CT-scan, color-Doppler of neck vessels, retinal fluorangiography and brain MRI were performed. These investigations suggested a cerebral vasculitis. The finding of very low C4 serum levels, together with high rheumatoid factor serum levels, suggested the search for cryoglobulins. The laboratory findings showed a HCV-related type II (IgMk) MC. A marked improvement of symptoms and of laboratory data was obtained by treatment with methylprednisolone + cyclophosphamide.

[Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome associated with rheumatoid arthritis. A case report]. / Sindrome ipereosinofila idiopatica ed artrite reumatoide. Descrizione di un caso.

The idiopathic hypereosinophilic sindrome (HES) is a disease characterized by persistent blood eosinophilia (> 1500 eosinophils/mm3 > 6 months) -in absence of other ethiologies for eosinophilia (parasitic, allergic, immunological or malignant diseases)- associated with multiple organ involvement (heart, lung, central nervous system, skin, bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract). Reports on rheumatologic manifestations in patients with HES are very rare. In the case we report a typical rheumatoid arthritis developed in a 58-year-old woman with HES treated with glucocorticoids. Because of the marked glucocorticoids side effects shown by the patient (cushingoid habitus, hyperglycemia), we stopped this treatment and replaced it at first by methotrexate and later by cyclosporin, both of them associated with sulfasalazine. These drugs revealed very efficacious both on articular pathology and on the clinical and laboratory manifestations of HES. These data suggest that common pathogenetic mechanisms are likely acting in rheumatoid arthritis and idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome.

Influence of 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid on interleukin-18 production in colorectal cancer patients.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to evaluate the IL-18 blood concentrations of operated colorectal cancer patients and their possible variation in response to combination chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid. METHODS: IL-18 levels were assayed in sera of 18 healthy donors and 18 surgical colorectal cancer patients before and after adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid. An ELISA kit for human IL-18 was used for the assay. RESULTS: Colorectal cancer patients showed significantly higher baseline levels of IL-18 than healthy donors (p<0.005). Furthermore, serum IL-18 levels increased significantly with respect to baseline in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that treatment with 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid may provoke an increase in IL-18 serum levels in colorectal cancer patients. This increase may help to explain the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-FU in colorectal cancer.

Olanzapine-induced diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To report two cases of new-onset diabetes mellitus resulting after the initiation of olanzapine treatment. CASE SUMMARY: A 31-year-old African American man and a 44-year-old white man, both with schizoaffective disorder, developed diabetes mellitus within weeks or months of olanzapine initiation. DISCUSSION: Our reports of new-onset diabetes due to olanzapine are consistent with those in the literature. Although the mechanism is not yet known, it has been hypothesized that perhaps damage to the pancreatic islet cells, weight gain, dysregulation of the sympathetic system, and insulin resistance are contributing factors. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes mellitus secondary to olanzapine use seems to be a rare occurrence. However, certain risk factors such as obesity, family history, and concomitant medications may predispose an individual to development of diabetes mellitus while taking olanzapine. An increased awareness of this reaction is essential in the treatment of patients at risk. Periodic serum glucose monitoring in these individuals may be warranted.

Does the ICD 10 classification accurately describe subtypes of borderline personality disorder?

The aim of the paper is to explore whether the division of borderline personality disorder, as described in the DSM classification, into impulsive and borderline subtypes of emotionally unstable personality disorder in the ICD classification of personality disorder, is a valid division. The self-report questionnaire responses of 288 referrals to a personality disorder service were rated on each of the eight criteria for DSM-III-R diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. Factor analysis identified two factors; factor one closely corresponds with the borderline subtype of ICD10, whilst factor two closely corresponds with the impulsive subtype of ICD10. Criteria common to both factors unstable relationships and identity confusion - were considered core features of borderline personality disorder. The pattern of occurrence of the two factors was similar to the complex binary picture described by ICD10. However there were also differences. Firstly, identity confusion is found to be a core feature of both our factors, and this does not conform to the restriction of identity confusion to the borderline subtypes in ICD10. Secondly, we found a residual pool of undifferentiated borderline patients and a small group of pure non-impulsive borderline patients who are not currently accommodated within the ICD10 emotionally unstable personality disorder. We conclude that future classifications of this disorder should accommodate four subtypes, and suggest these subtypes have implications for treatment and further research.

[Anticardiolipin antibodies in hemodialysis patients and in renal transplant recipients: prevalence and significance]. / Anticorpi anticardiolipina in pazienti in emodialisi e con trapianto renale: prevalenza e significato.

Increased anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) serum levels have been recently described in haemodialysis patients and in renal transplant recipients, with a prevalence ranging from 4.8 to 46.4%. The causes and the clinical significance of aCL positivity in these patients are uncertain. We measured IgG- and IgM-aCL serum levels in 61 haemodialysis patients, in 14 renal transplant recipients and in 38 healthy controls. Increased levels of IgG-aCL were found in 4 haemodialysis patients (6.55%), in 2 transplant patients (14%) and in 2 of the healthy controls (5.26%). IgM-aCL serum levels were normal in all the patients. After one year of follow-up, no vascular events have been observed in aCL positive patients. It is probable that the presence of aCL in the serum of patients with end-stage renal disease is only an epiphenomenon and does not play a pathogenetic role.

[High levels of blood IgA in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Alti livelli di IgA seriche in pazienti con artrite reumatoide.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum levels of IgA, IgG and IgM were measured in 46 patients (34 women, 12 men) with rheumatoid arthritis. The duration of the disease ranged from 6 months to 30 years; the patients follow-up ranged from 6 months to 12 years. RESULTS: Serum IgA levels higher than the normal (> 450 mg/dl) were found in 20 patients (43.4%). These patients had mean levels of IgG, C3c and erythrocyte sedimentation rate significantly higher than the patients with normal IgA levels. CONCLUSIONS: A significant relationship between the IgA levels and the activity of the disease or its clinical and radiological features was not observed. On the other hand, a relationship was observed between IgA levels and the mean duration of the disease which was significantly more prolonged in patients with high IgA serum levels.