Fetal growth at term and placental oxidative stress in a tissue micro-array model: a histological and immunohistochemistry study.

This study examines 8-hydroxyguanine (8-oxo-Gua) staining in placental tissue samples based on fetal size at birth as well as its relationships with placental histology and other pregnancy variables. This prospective cohort study included women > 18 years with a singleton pregnancy, a live fetus, fluency in Italian, and delivery at term. A total of 165 pregnancies were included in the study. The nuclear syncytiotrophoblast 8-oxo-Gua staining score in LGA was substantially greater than in late FGR (p < 0.05), although the cytoplasm score was lower in SGA and LGA than in AGA (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a sex-specific pattern of 8-oxo-Gua staining was discovered in single-term placentas, with more oxidative damage found in the nuclei of syncytiotrophoblast cells and stromal and endothelial cells in AGA males compared to AGA females (p < 0.05). Second, the histological pattern of late FGR placentae differed by gender. Finally, a significant correlation (p < 0.05) was found between high-intensity 8-oxo-Gua staining in the cytoplasm of syncytiotrophoblast cells and thrombi in the chorionic plate or villi in males. On the other hand, female fetuses demonstrated a significant connection (p < 0.05) between high-intensity 8-oxo-Gua staining in endothelial and stromal cells and high birthweight MoM values. Our findings indicated a significant variation in the oxidative stress pattern between male and female placentae, implying that fetal growth is regulated differently in the two sexes.

Building a transnational biodiversity geo-database of the protected areas in the Adriatic-Ionian Macro-Region: approaches and results from the IMPRECO Project.

BACKGROUND: The main objective of the project Common strategies and best practices to IMprove the transnational PRotection of ECOsystem integrity and services - IMPRECO is to enhance the safeguarding of ecosystems and ecosystem services. Additionally, the aim of this project is to tackle their environmental vulnerability by strengthening the potential of the Protected Areas in biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem services conservation. This is expected to be addressed by maintaining it through their transnational networking located in the European Adriatic-Ionian Macro-Region. NEW INFORMATION: The aim of this research is: 1) to characterise the habitats and ecosystems involved in the coastal-marine protected areas considered; 2) to set a biodiversity baseline; 3) to understand what current ecosystems' conditions are; 4) to build up a transnational biomonitoring programme of target species and habitats and 5) to assess their response to pilot actions. To do so, a transnational inventory of species, habitats, ecosystems and ecosystem services was established, starting with the seven coastal-marine protected areas involved in the project. Data collection was carried out using different sources of information: scientific literature, officially available data from NATURA 2000 Standard Data Forms, checklists from local biomonitoring programmes, personal observations and citizen science, historical maps and data from new in-field analyses. Data were filled in the transnational biodiversity geo-databases according to the NATURA 2000 standards about habitat features, species protection level and species features. The presence of alien species (non-indigenous species, NIS) was also acknowledged and references about data collection were provided in the databases according to the Darwin Core standards.

Focal Vibration Training (Equistasi®) to Improve Posture Stability. A Retrospective Study in Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: For people with Parkinson's disease (PD), falls are a critical point. Focal vibration training (FVT) may represent a valid tool to improve postural performances and reduce the risk of falls. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of FVT to improve the postural stability in PD patients. METHODS: Since October 2015, 55 consecutive PD patients have been selected (T0) for an approach including FVT associated with a rehabilitative protocol (RP); after eight weeks (T1), those patients showing a relevant improvement in the clinical rating scales ((Timed Up and Go (TUG), Tinetti, Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) Part III, Berg Balance scale (BBS) and falls rate scale), continued with the FVT protocol (FVTRP group). The remaining patients continued with only the RP (RP group). In July 2018, we have extrapolated the data of the last clinical visit (T2) to observe any differences in the rate of falls. RESULTS: The FVTRP group shows a decrement in the rate of falls from 2.1 to 1.25 (p 0.036) and a stability of the levodopa equivalent daily dosage (LEDD). The RP group shows an increment of LEDD and stability in falls. CONCLUSIONS: FVT has been confirmed as a valid tool to enhance the effect of the rehabilitation protocol aimed at postural training.