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Lactose malabsorption is a very common condition due to intestinal lactase deficiency. Post weaning, a genetically programmed and irreversible reduction of lactase activity occurs in the majority of the world's population. Lactose malabsorption does not necessarily result in gastrointestinal symptoms, i.e. lactose intolerance, which occurs in approximately one third of those with lactase deficiency. In the absence of well-established guidelines, the common therapeutic approach tends to exclude milk and dairy products from the diet. However, this strategy may have serious nutritional disadvantages. Mainly in particular categories, such as the older adults, the approach to lactose malabsorption may deserve careful considerations. Milk and dairy products are an important supply of a wide range of nutrients that contribute to meet the nutritional needs in different life stages. Dietary composition can significantly impact the mechanisms leading to age-related loss of bone mineral density, skeletal muscle mass or function and overall risk of sarcopenia. Moreover, in the latest years, different lines of evidence have highlighted an association between dairy intake and prevention of chronic diseases as well as all-cause mortality. The aim of this opinion paper is to provide an overview of lactose malabsorption and intolerance in the older adults and their implications in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cereal flour blending can reduce food insecurity risks, as well as contribute to economic and nutrition goals. Yet, the potential for blending has not been realized, and new products have not become scalable commercial propositions. Numerous experiments have shown the potential to produce acceptable foods derived from blended flours of diverse crops including wheat. An important question is whether the incentives, capacities and needs of farmers, processors and consumers have been considered. We argue that technical solutions must be developed within a specific agroecological, commercial, economic, and political environment. Innovations must address the clearly defined objectives of a wheat flour blending policy, if the potential benefits of blending for addressing food insecurity and economic stress are to be achieved. • Dependence on imports of cereals threatens food insecurity in many countries. • Blending wheat with other crops can ameliorate food insecurity and economic stress. • Technical and business challenges should be addressed by coherent blending policies. • Multistakeholder platforms can engage farmers, industry and public sector bodies. • Successful innovations depend on efficient agrifood chains and consumer acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, new conservative and non-resective surgical techniques, including palatopharyngeal surgical lifting and suspension (the ‘Roman blinds technique’) and modular barbed snore surgery (MBSS), have been successfully introduced for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). This pilot longitudinal study describes our preliminary experience with the ‘Alianza technique’ (the simultaneous use of Roman blinds and MBSS) in mild to moderate OSAS patients with concentric pharyngeal collapse at the velum, previously documented by means of drug-induced sleep endoscopy. Effectiveness of the surgical procedure was assessed by means of the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), overnight polysomnography, and a 0–10 snoring visual analogue scale (VAS); tolerability was assessed by means of a 0–10 pain VAS. The final analysis relating to 19 patients (18 males; 94.8%), with a mean age of 43.8 ± 8.8 years, showed a statistically significant reduction in mean post-operative apnea-hypopnea indexes (22.3 ± 5.1 vs 7.0 ± 9.4 events/hour; p -value = 0.002) and mean ESS scores (11.3 ± 5.4 vs 3.9 ± 4.0; p- value < 0.001). There was also a significant decrease in mean post-operative snoring VAS scores (9.5 ± 0.7 vs 2.1 ± 1.7; p-value < 0.001). Surgery was well tolerated in most patients (mean pain VAS scores on day seven: 2.4 ± 1.4), and there were no major complications. In experienced hands, the Alianza can be considered an effective and safe technique for the treatment of mild to moderate OSAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The aim of this study is to assess the effect of actual match effort on dynamic balance abilities in young elite soccer players. Methods Seventeen Under 15 male players who compete at national level participated in the study. Their dynamic balance was assessed by having them jump starting with both feet on the ground in a standing position and land on one foot only. Their vertical time to stabilization (vTTS) and postural sway were calculated before and after 35 min of an unofficial match. Postural sway was assessed on the basis of center-of-pressure (COP) trajectories. Parameters considered were sway area, COP displacements in the antero-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) directions and COP path length. Results After the match, a significant increase in vTTS (p = 0.007) COP path length (p = 0.001) and COP displacements in ML (p < 0.001) was observed. Such effects involve both non-dominant (vTTS, path length) and dominant limb (COP displacements). Conclusions The physical effort associated with the match induces significant impairments of players' dynamic balance abilities. On the basis of such findings, coaches might consider integrating training sessions with specific balance exercises as well as performing injury-prevention routines even when players are fatigued, to better adapt them to match conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superficial sediments were taken at the port of Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy), which includes the oil terminal of one of the largest oil refineries in the Mediterranean. Significant trace metal concentrations were found in the whole port area. Sequential extraction of metals from the different sediment fractions (BCR method) showed a higher risk of remobilisation for Cd, which is mostly bound to the exchangeable fraction. Foraminiferal density and richness of species were variable across the study area. The living assemblages were characterized by low diversity in samples collected close to the port areas. Ammonia tepida and bolivinids, which were positively correlated with concentrations of heavy metals and organic matter content, appeared to show tolerance to the environmental disturbance. The sampling sites characterized by the highest values of biotic indices were located far from the port areas and present an epiphytic and epifaunal biocoenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To assess the existence of correlations between static and dynamic balance abilities in young and professional elite soccer players. Design Cross-sectional. Participants Fifty-one elite players who regularly compete at national level divided into two groups: Professional (age 18-34, n = 20) and Under 15-17 (age 14-16, n = 31). Main outcome measures Dynamic balance was assessed for the case of a single-leg landing task by means of vertical time to stabilization (TTS) and postural sway calculated on the basis of center-of-pressure (COP) trajectories (sway area, COP displacements in antero-posterior and medio-lateral direction, COP path length). The same parameters were also measured for a 20 s one-legged stance to assess static balance abilities. Results No significant correlations were found between static and dynamic balance parameters except for TTS and COP displacements in the antero-posterior direction (r = 0.29, p = 0.003). Professional players are characterized by lower TTS in comparison with youth leagues players (0.767 vs. 1.188 s for the dominant limb, p < 0.001) and exhibit reduced sway area (of 34-40%, p < 0.05) for both conditions tested. Conclusion The assessment of balance in soccer players should be performed with both dynamic and static tests, considering that the postural control performances in the two cases are not related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integrated approach for the assessment of coastal sediment quality was utilised in three areas of Sardinia (Western Mediterranean, Italy). Sediments were analysed for trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), while benthic foraminifera were used as bioindicators. Furthermore, the embryo-toxicity test was used to provide ecologically relevant information using rapid and cost-effective screening tools. The aim was to evaluate the usefulness of coupling different analytical tools. The results revealed the presence of polluted sediments in areas exposed to petrochemical industries, smelters or military settlements. However, while foraminifera have presented similar indications for chemical analysis of contamination levels in the different areas, the toxicity test exhibited a poor relationship with the contaminants measured individually. The results raise questions concerning the bioavailability of contaminants released by sediments in the water column. Overall, the toxicity rate was significant in many samples in comparison with other sites studied in other Mediterranean regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Facial nerve paralysis is one of several possible complications following conservative parotidectomy. To assess three-dimensional facial movements non-invasively in patients with unilateral facial palsy following parotidectomy for benign tumours, the three-dimensional coordinates of 21 soft-tissue facial landmarks were recorded in 32 patients (21 HB I, 5 HB II, 6 HB III-IV; 3 months post-surgery follow-up), and 40 control subjects, during the performance of facial movements (smile, ‘surprise’, eye closure, single eye closure). For all symmetric animations, control subjects had larger total mobility than patients; mobility progressively decreased in patients with larger clinical grades. For asymmetric eye closures, HB I patients and control subjects had similar total movements, while HB II patients had smaller movements, especially for the paretic side eye closure; smaller total movements were found in HB III-IV patients. The method allowed the quantitative detection of alterations in facial movements. Significant differences between patients and control subjects in the magnitude and asymmetry of movements were found. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Accurate translation of mRNA into protein is vital for maintenance of cellular integrity. Translational fidelity is achieved by two key events: synthesis of correctly paired aminoacyl-tRNAs by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) and stringent selection of aminoacyl-tRNAs (aa-tRNAs) by the ribosome. AaRSs define the genetic code by catalyzing the formation of precise aminoacyl ester-linked tRNAs via a two-step reaction. AaRSs ensure faithful aa-tRNA synthesis via high substrate selectivity and/or by proofreading (editing) of noncognate products. About half of the aaRSs rely on proofreading mechanisms to achieve high levels of accuracy in aminoacylation. Editing functions in aaRSs contribute to the overall low error rate in protein synthesis. Over 40years of research on aaRSs using structural, biochemical, and kinetic approaches has expanded our knowledge of their cellular roles and quality control mechanisms. Here, we review aaRS editing with an emphasis on the mechanistic and kinetic details of the process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aim: To investigate the effect of appendectomy and cigarette smoking on the clinical course of diverticulosis. Materials and methods: A retrospective case–control study of 207 consecutive patients (45.8% male mean age 64.0 years), 150 with asymptomatic diverticulosis, and 57 with acute diverticulitis. Diagnosis of diverticulosis was defined on the basis of clinical and colonoscopic criteria, diverticulitis was defined by means of clinical, colonoscopic and computerised tomography criteria. Logistic regression function was used to define the relationship between the dependent variable (diverticulitis) and several covariates: sex, age, body mass index, smoking habit, and history of appendectomy. Results: According to the final model, the risk of diverticulitis was 4.94-fold higher (95% confidence interval: 1.98–12.37) in patients with a history of appendectomy with emergency resection, compared to patients not submitted to appendectomy or with a history of elective resection (P <0.001); and 2.79-fold higher (95% confidence interval: 1.30–5.96) in smokers than in non-smokers (P =0.008). The effects of the two determinants were found to be independent, thus the cumulative risk of diverticulitis was 13.78-fold higher for smokers with a history of emergency surgical treatment. Conclusion: Smoking and emergency appendectomy are important predictive factors for the clinical course of diverticulosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To assess sex- and age-related characteristics in standardized facial movements, 40 healthy adults (20 men, 20 women; aged 20–50 years) performed seven standardized facial movements (maximum smile; free smile; “surprise” with closed mouth; “surprise” with open mouth; eye closure; right- and left-side eye closures). The three-dimensional coordinates of 21 soft tissue facial landmarks were recorded by a motion analyser, their movements computed, and asymmetry indices calculated. Within each movement, total facial mobility was independent from sex and age (analysis of variance, p >0.05). Asymmetry indices of the eyes and mouth were similar in both sexes (p >0.05). Age significantly influenced eye and mouth asymmetries of the right-side eye closure, and eye asymmetry of the surprise movement. On average, the asymmetry indices of the symmetric movements were always lower than 8%, and most did not deviate from the expected value of 0 (Student''s t). Larger asymmetries were found for the asymmetric eye closures (eyes, up to 50%, p <0.05; mouth, up to 30%, p <0.05 only in the 20–30-year-old subjects). In conclusion, sex and age had a limited influence on total facial motion and asymmetry in normal adult men and women. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To study the benthic foraminifers’ response to heavy metal pollution and analyse the geochemical parameters, samples of surface sediments were collected in 2005 and 2006 from a polluted coastal zone shorefront to the industrial complex of Portoscuso–Portovesme (Sulcis, South-Western Sardinia). The samples came from the upper 1–2cm of the undisturbed sediments in water less than 2m deep, along coastline (about 8.5km in length) proximal to emerged alluvial plain. The entire examined marine area represents a shallow inner shelf, which is physiographically fairly protected and characterized by low turbulence, but subjected to southwards littoral drift. Geochemical analyses of seawater, sediments and foraminiferal tests correlated to biotic indexes (Dominance, Shannon–Weaver, Simpson, Eveness, Menhinick, Margalef, Equitability, Fisher-α, Berger-Parker and Q-mode Cluster Analyses – Ward Method) and provide data on environmental stress. A total of 38 benthic foraminiferal species were identified. Increasing pollution results in low species diversity, low population density and more frequent abnormal specimens. Results from ESEM images allow recognition of a strong infestation on the calcareous foraminiferal tests by microbial communities developed in the polluted environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

During root canal instrumentation, nickel-titanium rotary instruments are subjected to continual stresses inside the canal due to its anatomy and the hardness of the dentin they must cut. They must therefore be both stress-resistant and elastic. This study aimed to compare the mechanical behavior of two nickel-titanium rotary instruments (ProTaper and ProFile) by applying the finite element analysis method to produce a numerical evaluation. The nonlinear mechanical behavior of the alloy was taken into account during the study. The distribution of stresses due to torsional and bending moments was compared in the two experimental models. The ProFile model was found to be more elastic than the ProTaper model. Under equal loads, the ProTaper model showed lower and better distributed stresses than the ProFile model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is a complex disorder in which large volumes of dilute urine are excreted due to arginine-vasopressin deficiency, and it is caused by a variety of conditions (genetic, congenital, inflammatory, neoplastic, traumatic) that arise mainly from the hypothalamus. The differential diagnosis between diseases presenting with polyuria and polydipsia is challenging and requires a detailed medical history, physical examination, biochemical approach, imaging studies and, in some cases, histological confirmation. Magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard method for evaluating the sellar-suprasellar region in CDI. Pituitary stalk size at presentation is variable and can change over time, depending on the underlying condition, and other brain areas or other organs – in specific diseases – may become involved during follow up. An early diagnosis and treatment are preferable in order to avoid central nervous system damage and the risk of dissemination of germ cell tumor, or progression of Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis, and in order to start treatment of additional pituitary defects without further delay. This review focuses on current diagnostic work-up and on the role of neuroimaging in the differential diagnosis of CDI in children and adolescents. It provides an update on the best approach for diagnosis – including novel biochemical markers such as copeptin – treatment and follow up of children and adolescents with CDI; it also describes the best approach to challenging situations such as post-surgical patients, adipsic patients, patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or in critical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]