Mediterranean diet as a natural supplemental resource for athletes and physical activity.

The WHO Global Action Plan on physical activity underlines the binomial "diet and physical activity" for the maintenance of well-being state. The adequate nutritional intake is required for sport and can be achieved by a well-adjusted diet without adding artificial food supplements, whose abuse can even represent a risk and appear as an antechamber of doping. Within a national doping prevention project, a peer education tool was realized in the form of a book and e-book, based on the principle of the Mediterranean Diet as an effective nutritional support in sport and physical activity. This health-literacy book contains recipes from all Italian regions revised for their capability to satisfy sport nutritional needs.

Self-assembly of mono- and bidentate oligoarylene thiols onto polycrystalline Au.

Four thiolated oligoarylene molecules (i) 4-methoxy-terphenyl-4″-methanethiol (MTM), (ii) 4-methoxy-terphenyl-3″,5″-dimethanethiol (MTD), (iii) 4-nitro-terphenyl-4″-methanethiol (NTM), and (iv) 4-nitro-terphenyl-3″,5″-dimethanethiol (NTD) were synthesized and self-assembled as monolayers (SAMs) on polycrystalline Au electrodes of organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). SAMs were characterized by contact angle and AC/DC electrochemical measurements, whereas atomic force microscopy was used for imaging the pentacene films grown on the coated electrodes. The electrical properties of functionalized OFETs, the electrochemical SAMs features and the morphology of pentacene films were correlated to the molecular organization of the thiolated oligoarylenes on Au, as calculated by means of the density functional theory. This multi-methodological approach allows us to associate the systematic replacement of the SAM anchoring head group (viz. methanethiol and dimethanethiol) and/or terminal tail group (viz. nitro-, -NO2, and methoxy, -OCH3) with the change of the electrical features. The dimethanethiol head group endows SAMs with higher resistive features along with higher surface tensions compared with methanethiol. Furthermore, the different number of thiolated heads affects the kinetics of Au passivation as well as the pentacene morphology. On the other hand, the nitro group confers further distinctive properties, such as the positive shift of both threshold and critical voltages of OFETs with respect to the methoxy one. The latter experimental evidence arise from its electron-withdrawing capability, which has been verified by both DFT calculations and DC electrochemical measurements.

Impact of mechanical and thermo-chemical pretreatments to enhance anaerobic digestion of poly(lactic acid).

To date, the introduction of biodegradable plastics such as PLA in anaerobic digestion systems has been limited by a very low rate of biodegradation. To overcome these limitations, pretreatment technologies can be applied. In this study, the impact of pretreatments (mechanical, thermal, thermo-acid, and thermo-alkaline) was investigated. Mechanical pretreatment of PLA improved its biodegradation rate but did not affect the ultimate methane potential (430-461 NL CH4 kg-1 VS). In parallel, thermal and thermo-acid pretreatments exhibited a similar trend for PLA solubilization. Both of these pretreatments only achieved substantial solubilization (>60%) at higher temperatures (120 and 150 °C). At lower temperatures (70 and 90 °C), negligible solubilization (between 1 and 6%) occurred after 48 h. By contrast, coupling of thermal and alkaline pretreatment significantly increased solubilization at the lower temperatures (70 and 90 °C). In terms of biodegradation, thermo-alkaline pretreatment (with 5% w/v Ca(OH)2) of PLA resulted in a similar methane potential (from 325 to 390 NL CH4 kg-1 VS) for 1 h at 150 °C, 6 h at 120 °C, 24 h at 90 °C, and 48 h at 70 °C. Reduction of the Ca(OH)2 concentration (from 5% to 0.5% w/v) highlighted that a concentration of 2.5% w/v was sufficient to achieve a substantial level of biodegradation. Pretreatment at 70 and 90 °C using 2.5% w/v Ca(OH)2 for 48 h resulted in biodegradation yields of 73% and 68%, respectively. Finally, a good correlation (R2 = 0.90) was found between the PLA solubilization and its biodegradation.

Comparison of HER2 status in primary and paired metastatic sites of gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Trastuzumab has recently shown efficacy in the treatment of HER2-positive advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. Although antibody-based therapies target the metastatic disease, HER2 status is usually evaluated in the primary tumour because metastatic sites are rarely biopsied. The aim of this study was to compare HER2 status in primary and paired metastatic sites of gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS: The HER2 status was assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 72 secondary lesions of gastric adenocarcinoma and in the corresponding primary tumours. RESULTS: Concordance of FISH results, evaluable in 68 primary and matched metastatic sites, was 98.5%. Concordance of IHC results, available in 39 of the 72 paired cases, was 94.9%. Only one case showed discordance between primary tumour and metastasis, being negative by both IHC and FISH in the primary and showing HER2 overexpression and amplification in the corresponding pancreatic lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: The high concordance observed between HER2 results obtained by both IHC and FISH on primary tumours and corresponding metastases suggests that in gastric cancer HER2 status is maintained in most cases unchanged during the metastatic process.

Impact of temporal variability of radon concentration in workplaces on the actual radon exposure during working hours.

For workplaces where significant diurnal variations in radon concentrations are likely, measurements to evaluate average radon concentration during working hours could be useful for planning an optimized protection of workers according to the 2013/59/Euratom Directive. However, very few studies on this subject, generally limited to periods of few weeks, have been published. Therefore, a study has been conducted to evaluate the actual long-term radon exposure during working hours for a sample of 33 workplaces of four different types (postal offices, shops, restaurants, municipal offices), mainly located at the ground floor, and with expected considerable air exchange rate occurring during working hours due to frequent entrance/exit of persons or mechanical ventilation. The results show that the difference between the average radon level during working hours and that one during the whole day is about 20% on average and ranges from 0 to 50%. These observed differences, generally smaller compared with those found in other similar studies, are nearly the same if the analysis is restricted to workplaces with annual radon level higher than 300 Bq m-3, and therefore natural or mechanical ventilation normally present during working hours of the monitored workplaces cannot be considered an effective mitigation measure. However, the costs and time-response characteristics of the active monitors, as those used for the present study, will probably allow using more frequently a similar measurement strategy in workplaces.

Development of a framework of quality assurance practices for a radon passive dosemeter service.

Etched track detectors are widely used for the detection of radon and its decay products. The reliability of radon measurement performed with such devices requires that laboratories producing analytical data are able to provide results of the required quality. The need for uniform results from laboratories at an international level therefore requires the implementation of a quality assurance programme, the harmonization of criteria, sampling procedures, calculations and the reporting of results, agreed on the basis of fundamental principles and international standards. The quality assurance programme described here is the first step on the way to ISO/IEC 17025 certification for the RI-RN (ISPESL) laboratory.

Building material radon emanation and exhalation rate: Need of a shared measurement protocol from the european database analysis.

In this paper the authors present a collection of radon emanation and exhalation rate data of about 2000 samples of building materials used in Europe. The data analysis highlighted some critical issues, such as the use of different units to express radon exhalation rate, the use of different measurement techniques and the general lack of information about density and thickness of samples. In many cases these differences of type and amount of information make difficult a reliable comparison of the obtained data. In the light of these considerations, the need arises to start, at both national and European level, a research activity aimed to develop a shared protocol for measuring the radon exhalation rate based on widely used and reliable measurement techniques. At European level, this protocol could support in forthcoming EU Member States national radon action plans, to take into account the contribution of building materials to the indoor radon concentrations.

Cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) concentration in an ovine model of myocardial ischemia.

Cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) is a polypeptide involved in myocardial contraction and has been shown to be a highly sensitive biomarker of myocardial injury in humans. Chronic myocardial ischemia was induced in eight adult sheep by anterior coronary artery legation. Forty-five days after coronary artery legation, sheep underwent autologous myoblasts implantation to the infarct area to improve local tissue regeneration. Blood samples were taken at regular intervals before and after the induced coronary ischemia and myoblast implantation and serum levels of cTnI were assessed with chemiluminescent immunodosage using a commercially available anti-human cTnI monoclonal antibody. cTnI levels began to increase the day after coronary legation and after myoblast implantation and gradually recovered to physiological levels in the next 14 days. Furthermore, the commercial anti-human antibody was shown to completely cross react with the ovine polypeptide as well as with canine, swine and equine sera.

Updated database on natural radioactivity in building materials in Europe.

The paper presents the latest collection of activity concentration data of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 4 K) in building materials. This database contains about 24200 samples of both bulk materials and their constituents (bricks, concrete, cement, aggregates) and superficial materials used in most European Union Member States and some European countries. This collection also includes radiological information about some NORM residues and by-products (by-product gypsum, metallurgical slags, fly and bottom ashes and red mud) which can be of radiological concern if recycled in building materials as secondary raw materials. Moreover, radon emanation and radon exhalation rate data are reported for bricks and concrete.

Radiological characterization of the ancient Roman tuff-pozzolana underground quarry in Orvieto (Italy): A natural laboratory to revisit the interactions between radionuclides and aerosols.

Orvieto (Italy) has a large network of underground tunnels quarried to extract tuff and pozzolana by Etruscans and Romans. One of these tunnels was chosen as natural laboratory to compare different radiation measurement and dose assessment methods. Indeed, tuff and pozzolana are very rich in natural radioactivity and are interesting from the radiation protection point of view since they are still used as building materials. In order to characterize this site an in situ experimental procedure was followed. It consisted in measurements carried out with different instruments: two portable gamma ray spectrometers, two gamma dose rate meters, two radon monitors and one two channel working level monitor. Samples of tuff and pozzolana stones were also collected to be measured with gamma spectrometry in laboratory. Due to the high content of 238U, 232Th (more than 200 Bq kg-1 for both radionuclides) and 40K (more than 2000 Bq kg-1) of tuff and pozzolana, elevated levels of exposure to natural radioactivity were found: indeed, with different instruments and approach, a gamma dose rate of about 1 µGy h-1 and an average radon concentration of about 10,000 Bq m-3, with a Potential Alpha Energy Concentration (PAEC) of 288 MeV cm-3, were measured. The radiological characteristics of Orvieto underground quarry make it a perfect site for "in field" intercomparisons of different measurement and dose assessment methods.

AN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION BY USING AN ALL-ENCOMPASSING PASSIVE RADON MONITOR.

The recently developed radon film-badge makes it possible to measure radon indoors, in soil, in water and/or in aqueous media (e.g. mud). As a result of its wide response linearity, this monitor has been successfully used to measure radon in-water with concentrations from 10 to ~10 000 Bq/L. By exploiting the unique characteristics of this badge, a mini-survey has been carried out by Health Canada in which radon in water was measured from 12 private wells, as well as in tap water originating from the Ottawa River. Due to the widespread interest of different laboratories in using these passive monitors, laboratories were provided with plastic films to construct their own badges by using in-house CR-39 detectors. Monitors were then irradiated by a known radon concentration at the National Institute of Radiation Metrology (ENEA)'s radon chamber and sent back to each laboratory for processing and counting. Even though these laboratories have been using different etching- and counting-procedures, the film-badge responses varied only within ~12%.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids and neurological diseases.

This review summarizes the knowledge of the role of dietary PUFAs, especially omega-3, on normal brain function. Furthermore, it reports the evidence pointing to potential mechanisms of omega-3 fatty acids in development of neurological disorders and efficacy of their supplementation in terms of symptom management.

A step towards accreditation: A robustness test of etching process.

In the present study the robustness of the etching process used by our laboratory was assessed. The strategy followed was based on the procedure suggested by Youden. Critical factors for the process were estimated using both Lenth's method and Dong's algorithm. The robustness test evidences that particular attention needs to be paid to the control of the etching solution's temperature.

Clinical outcome of latissimus dorsi tendon transfer and partial cuff repair in irreparable postero-superior rotator cuff tear.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Irreparable rotator cuff tears are a common cause of pain in adult population, requiring in many cases a surgical treatment. Possible alternatives are debridement, partial repair, muscle transfers and joint replacement. We evaluated two groups of patients with irreparable rotator cuff tear treated surgically: one group received an arthroscopic-assisted latissimus dorsi tendon transfer (LDTT), and the other an arthroscopic rotator cuff partial repair. Aim of our study was to compare clinical results and quality of life in two groups of patients with massive irreparable rotator cuff tear: one receiving an arthroscopic LDTT and the other receiving an arthroscopic rotator cuff partial repair. METHODS: Forty patients were assigned to two groups: 20 patients to group TT treated with LDTT and 20 patients to group PR treated with a partial repair. The average follow-up duration was 2.8 years (1-5, SD 3). Pre- and postoperative modified UCLA shoulder score, ROM, measurement of the strength and the rotator cuff quality of life (RC-QOL) were used to asses the outcome. RESULTS: LDTT showed significative improvements when compared to partial repair in UCLA score results, strength and RC-QOL questionnaire. No differences were found between the groups in pain relief. CONCLUSION: Both techniques are effective in reducing patients' symptoms. We believe that in younger, high-demanding patients with no or mild osteoarthritis, the LDTT represents a valid treatment option with better modified UCLA score improvement and strength at our follow-up.

Modulation of ceramide-induced NF-kappaB binding activity and apoptotic response by caffeic acid in U937 cells: comparison with other antioxidants.

Ceramide acts as second messenger in the signal transduction triggered by a variety of stress stimuli and extracellular agents. Stress response through ceramide is involved in the development of many human diseases, such as atherosclerosis, inflammation, neurodegenerative disorders, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Dietary polyphenols have been reported to exert a beneficial effect on the onset and development of most of these human chronic-degenerative pathologies. However, the mechanisms underlying this beneficial effect are mostly not understood at the present. To investigate the ability of polyphenols in modulating fundamental cellular functions, we studied the effect of caffeic acid, a widespread phenolic acid largely present in human diet, in the modulation of ceramide-induced signal transduction pathway leading to apoptosis in U937 cells, in comparison with other established antioxidants of nutritional interest (N-acetylcysteine, d-alpha-tocopherol acetate and ascorbic acid). Our results indicate that caffeic acid efficiently inhibits both ceramide-induced NF-kappaB binding activity and apoptosis at micromolar concentration. Other antioxidants tested are totally ineffective in inhibiting apoptosis, although affecting NF-kappaB activation. Caffeic acid was found to inhibit protein tyrosine kinase activity, suggesting that this mechanism can be on the basis of the inhibition of apoptosis. Our results suggest that dietary caffeic acid might modulate ceramide-induced signal transduction pathway and NF-kappaB activation through either antioxidant and nonantioxidant mechanisms.

Fasting insulin and uric acid levels but not indices of iron metabolism are independent predictors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a common reason for hepatological consultation and may herald severe hepatic and extra-hepatic disease. The aetiopathogenesis of this condition is an area of increasing interest. AIM: To evaluate anthropometric and biochemical factors associated to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a case-control study. Methods. Demographic and biochemical data of 60 consecutive patients with bright liver absent-to-low alcohol consumption, no evidence of viral, genetic and autoimmune diseases, were compared to those of 60 age- and gender-matched historical controls without fatty liver by univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Patients were more often hypertriglyceridaemic, obese and diabetic than controls (p<.01). Mean values of alanine transaminase, gammaglutamyltranspeptidase, triglycerides, uric acid, fasting and log insulin, transferrin percent saturation and ferritin were significantly higher in the patients, while transferrin and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, a quantitative insulin sensitivity index, were lower. No iron storage was found in those who underwent liver biopsy At univariate analysis the relative risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease significantly increased (p<0. 05) with increasing body mass index, fasting insulin, alanine transaminase, uric acid, triglycerides and gammaglutamyltranspeptidase; it decreased with increasing transferrin and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index. Multiple logistic regression analysis disclosed only fasting insulin and uric acid to be independent predictors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Fasting insulin and serum uric acid levels indicating insulin resistance, but not indices of iron overload, are independent predictors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Mature results of a prospective randomized trial comparing a three-weekly with an accelerated weekly schedule of cisplatin in advanced ovarian carcinoma.

In a retrospective analysis of a series of clinical trials by Levin and Hryniuk in 1987, the average relative dose intensity of first-line chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer correlated significantly with clinical response and survival, and cisplatin was the only drug for which the outcome correlated with the individual drug relative dose intensity. There was a need to test whether and to what extent this evidence would be confirmed in a prospective evaluation. In this study 101 patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma were randomized to receive the same total dose of cisplatin but at the conventional 3-weekly schedule (CTWS) (100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks for six cycles) (51 patients) or at an experimental accelerated weekly schedule (AWS) (100 mg/m2 every week for two triplets of three cycles separated by a 5-week interval) (50 patients). To benefit from a multidrug regimen at the same extent, patients in both arms sequentially received four cycles of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. The median follow-up period of this study is 9.7 years. In 42 and 40 patients of the two arms having evaluable response, the clinical complete response rates to cisplatin were 14% and 22% and the complete plus partial response rates were 48% and 55% in the CTWS and in the AWS arm, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant. However, the survival curves were similar during the first 2 years but clearly diverged thereafter in favor of the AWS arm (p = 0.07). At 5 years, 12% and 30% of the patients were still alive in the CTWS and in the AWS arm, respectively. Hematologic toxicity was not relevant in either arm of the study. Nonhematologic toxicity, especially ototoxicity, was substantial and significantly higher in the AWS arm. Although statistically nonsignificant, this AWS regimen of cisplatin is associated with long-term better survival compared to the CTWS regimen in advanced ovarian carcinoma. This accelerated approach administering cisplatin should be further investigated, especially in patients with low residual disease after primary surgery.

[The estimation of p50 by the algorithm proposed by Siggard-Andersen. Its experimental assessment in critical patients]. / Calcolo della p50 mediante l'algoritmo proposto da Siggaard-Andersen. Valutazione sperimentale in pazienti critici.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the ability of O. Siggaard-Andersen algorithm in the estimation of the "in vivo" p50 and standard p50 values from a single blood sample with sO2% less than or equal to 97. DESIGN: comparison between measured and calculated standard p50 values. SETTING: Intensive care unit. PATIENTS: thirteen cardio-pulmonary critical ill patients. Mean age of seventy-four years (range 53-84 years). MEASUREMENT: The experimental measurement of p50 standard (p50st sper) was performed tonometering the venous blood samples (60 specimens) using an IL-237 tonometer at 37 degrees C, with two different gas mixtures to obtain pCO2 at 5.33 kPa (DS = 0.06), and pO2 at levels to achieve sO2% values close to 50%. The gases's complete equilibration was not deemed important. The pO2 values were corrected to a pH of 7.40 using a Bohr factor = -0.48 and the p50 was taken by simple interpolation of points on the sO2%/pO2 diagram. Calculated standard p50 (p50st calc) and calculated "in vivo" p50 on the venous specimens (No. 60) and the correspondent arterial specimens with sO2% less than or equal to 97 (No. 40) were obtained by Siggaard-Andersen's computerized algorithm. Blood specimen analysis was performed by means of an ABL3 Radiometer gas analyzer and an OSM3 Radiometer oximeter. Statistical analysis was made by Anova test for liner regression. RESULTS: There was excellent correlation between the 60 experimental p50st determined by Siggaard-Andersen's oxygen dissociation curve on the same blood samples. The regression equation was: p50st sper = -0.79 + 1.21 x p50st calc, r = 0.90, R2 = 81.1%; with F = 249.5 and less than 10(-5). No good correlation was found between p50st and standards p50 calculated on arterial specimens (p50st calc art): p50 = 1.38 + 0.52 x p50st calc art, r = 0.52, R2 = 26.6%, F = 14 e P less than 10(-3). Regression of in vivo P50 calculated on correspondent venous samples (p50 ven) was: p50 ven = 0.79 = 0.77 x p50 art, r = 0.93, R2 = 87.2%, F = 256 and P less than 10(-5). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the curve describes the curve also at high saturation when it is not longer linear. Accurate measurement (including dishemoglobin percentage) and sO2% less than or equal to 97 are necessary. We did not perform experimental measurements of "in vivo" p50 but we postulate that as the p50st was well calculated so too would be the p50 "in vivo" at 37 degrees C.

[Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced-stage bladder carcinoma. A randomized prospective study comparing MVAC and MVEEC]. / Chemioterapia neoadiuvante nel carcinoma vescicale in stadio avanzato. Studio prospettico randomizzato tra la combinazione MVAC ed MVEEC.

The Authors report the results with combination of cisplatin, methotrexate, vinblastine with adriamycin or epidoxorubicin (MVAC v MVEEC), in the neoadjuvant treatment of muscle-infiltrating bladder cancer (T2-4NO-1MO), before cystectomy. MVAC has been used in 29 patients and MVEEC in 25, who met eligibility criteria. Results from this prospective randomised trial show that MVAC and MVEEC can produce clinical and pathologic down-staging in 40-50% of cases: cCR+cPR are 15/28 (54%), pCR+pPR are 11/25 (44%). The survival duration of "pathologic" responders has been significantly longer than that of no responders (median no achieved at 200 weeks v 124 weeks for "pathologic" no responders). We conclude that neoadjuvant chemotherapy with MVAC or MVEEC select the more responsive patients, who have a longer survival.