Search

Background: The postharvest management of fresh figs is a susceptible phase that could impair the quality standards. Given the high perishability, their marketing is limited to around the production areas using open punnets and when marketed non-locally the use of modified-atmosphere packaging enables their quality maintenance up to 7-14 days, depending upon the cultivar, storage temperature, and packaging system. We show the results of the effectiveness of an innovative packaging system endowed with a breathable device (Blow Device®, BD) for fresh fig storage. BD was evaluated in comparison with a sealed (S) and a macro-perforated film-based tray (MF), at 2 and 8 °C. Results: The lowest rot decay incidence was observed in S and BD (5-20% after 21 days). S significantly mitigated rot and physical-mechanical decay rate compared with BD and MF. However, S led to anoxia, with relevant carbon dioxide (CO2) content (30-40%), tray volume increasing, and the highest titratable acidity values. The exploitation of BD led to 10-15% oxygen (O2) and 5-10% CO2, along with storage. After 14 days, the figs packed with BD had a negligible mass loss (0.2%) and excellent marketing quality parameters at both temperatures tested. Conclusion: Exploiting an open or sealed container for extend the fresh fig' storage is not appropriate due to the severe effect of O2 or CO2 accumulation, respectively. BD enables the maintenance of high quality standards for up to 21 days at 2 °C, suggesting it could represent a profitable and sustainable solution to prevent decay after picking and reduce food losses along with wider marketability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the current study was to examine, within an integrative predictive model, the relative contributions of sociodemographic variables, personal resources, and work wellbeing to teacher burnout. The research was conducted with special education teachers at Italian preschools-a context in which few previous studies have been carried out-and primary schools. A cross-sectional survey-based study with a sample of 194 kindergarten and primary school teachers was conducted. The results indicated that teachers' happiness at school and job satisfaction incrementally predicted variance in personal, work-related, and student-related burnout, even after controlling for the effects of sociodemographic factors and personal resources. Furthermore, the final integrative predictive model was similar for both kindergarten and primary teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is associated with increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) tone. Attenuating the SNS with renal denervation (RDT) might be helpful and there are no data currently in humans with HFpEF. Methods and results: In this single-centre, randomized, open-controlled study we included 25 patients with HFpEF [preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, left atrial (LA) dilatation or LV hypertrophy and raised B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) or echocardiographic assessment of filling pressures]. Patients were randomized (2:1) to RDT with the Symplicity? catheter or continuing medical therapy. The primary success criterion was not met in that there were no differences between groups at 12 months for Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire score, peak oxygen uptake (VO2) on exercise, BNP, E/e', LA volume index or LV mass index. A greater proportion of patients improved at 3 months in the RDT group with respect to VO2 peak (56% vs. 13%, P =0.025) and E/e' (31% vs. 13%, P =0.04). Change in estimated glomerular filtration rate was comparable between groups. Two patients required plain balloon angioplasty during the RDT procedure to treat renal artery wall oedema. Conclusion This study was terminated early because of difficulties in recruitment and was underpowered to detect whether RDT improved the endpoints of quality of life, exercise function, biomarkers, and left heart remodelling. The procedure was safe in patients with HFpEF, although two patients did require intraprocedure renal artery dilatation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the functional and structural brain correlates of eyelid myoclonus and absence seizures triggered by eye closure (eye closure sensitivity [ECS]). Methods Fifteen patients with eyelid myoclonus with absences (EMA, Jeavons syndrome), 14 patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGE) without ECS, and 16 healthy controls (HC) underwent an electroencephalography (EEG)-correlated functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and voxel brain morphometry (VBM) protocol. The functional study consisted of 30-second epochs of eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. The following EEG events were marked and the relative fMRI maps obtained: (1) eye closure times, (2) spontaneous blinking, and (3) spontaneous and eye closure-triggered spike and wave discharges (SWD; for EMA and IGE). Within-group and between-groups comparisons were performed for fMRI and VBM data as appropriate. Results In EMA compared to HC and IGE we found: (1) higher blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal related to the eye closure over the visual cortex, the posterior thalamus, and the network implicated in the motor control of eye closure, saccades, and eye pursuit movements; and (2) increments in the gray matter concentration at the visual cortex and thalamic pulvinar, whereas decrements were observed at the bilateral frontal eye field area. No BOLD differences were detected when comparing SWD in EMA and IGE. Interpretation Results demonstrated altered anatomo-functional properties of the visual system in EMA. These abnormalities involve a circuit encompassing the occipital cortex and the cortical/subcortical systems physiologically involved in the motor control of eye closure and eye movements. Our work supports EMA as an epileptic condition with distinctive features and provides a contribution to its classification among epileptic syndromes. Ann Neurol 2014;76:412-427 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose In relatively small series, autosomal dominant lateral temporal epilepsy ( ADLTE) has been associated with leucine-rich, glioma-inactivated 1 ( LGI1) mutations in about 50% of the families, this genetic heterogeneity being probably caused by differences in the clinical characteristics of the families. In this article we report the overall clinical and genetic spectrum of ADLTE in Italy with the aim to provide new insight into its nosology and genetic basis. Methods In a collaborative study of the Commission of Genetics of the Italian League Against Epilepsy (LICE) encompassing a 10-year period (2000-2010), we collected 33 ADLTE families, selected on the basis of the following criteria: presence of at least two members concordant for unprovoked partial seizures with prominent auditory and or aphasic symptoms, absence of any known structural brain pathology or etiology, and normal neurologic examination. The clinical, neurophysiologic, and neuroradiologic findings of all patients were analyzed and a genealogic tree was built for each pedigree. The probands' DNA was tested for LGI1 mutations by direct sequencing and, if negative, were genotyped with single-nucleotide polymorphism ( SNP) array to search for disease-linked copy-number variation CNV. The disease penetrance in mutated and nonmutated families was assessed as a proportion of obligate carriers who were affected. Key Findings The 33 families included a total of 127 affected individuals (61 male, 66 female, 22 deceased). The age at onset ranged between 2 and 60 years (mean 18.7 years). Ninety-one patients (72%) had clear-cut focal (elementary, complex, or secondarily generalized) seizures, characterized by prominent auditory auras in 68% of the cases. Other symptoms included complex visual hallucinations, vertigo, and déjà vu. Aphasic seizures, associated or not with auditory features, were observed in 20% of the cases, whereas tonic-clonic seizures occurred in 86% of the overall series. Sudden noises could precipitate the seizures in about 20% of cases. Seizures, which usually occurred at a low frequency, were promptly controlled or markedly improved by antiepileptic treatment in the majority of patients. The interictal electroencephalography ( EEG) studies showed the epileptiform temporal abnormalities in 62% of cases, with a slight predominance over the left region. Magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) or computerized tomography ( CT) scans were negative. LGI1 mutations (missense in nine and a microdeletion in one) were found in only 10 families (30%). The patients belonging to the mutated and not mutated groups did not differ except for penetrance estimate, which was 61.3% and 35% in the two groups, respectively (chi-square, p = 0.017). In addition, the disease risk of members of families with mutations in LGI1 was three times higher than that of members of LGI1-negative families (odds ratio [ OR] 2.94, confidence interval [CI] 1.2-7.21). Significance A large number of ADLTE families has been collected over a 10-year period in Italy, showing a typical and homogeneous phenotype. LGI1 mutations have been found in only one third of families, clinically indistinguishable from nonmutated pedigrees. The estimate of penetrance and OR, however, demonstrates a significantly lower penetrance rate and relative disease risk in non- LGI1-mutated families compared with LGI1-mutated pedigrees, suggesting that a complex inheritance pattern may underlie a proportion of these families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Worldwide left ventricular ( LV) twist is measured by 2 D speckle tracking acquiring apical short axis at a LV level where papillary muscles are no longer visible; however, we hypothesized that this methodological recommendation is not enough accurate to obtain a reliable measurement of apical rotation. Methods We measured twist and untwist rate in 30 healthy subjects by following the earlier method. By 3 D echocardiography, we identified two LV apex levels: (i) 3 D Apex, defined as the last apical slice at which LV cavity was visible; (ii) 2 D Apex, defined as the level where diameters are equal to those of apical LV short axis used for twist analysis in the same subject. The ratio between the distance of 2 D Apex and 3 D Apex from LV base was calculated and expressed as percentage (2 D Apex/3 D Apex). Results 2D Apex/3 D Apex was strongly related to the magnitude of twist and untwisting rate ( r = 0·82, P<0·001; r = −0·46, P = 0·015, respectively). The only determinant of twist was 2 D Apex/3 D Apex ( r2 = 0·68; r = 0·82; F ratio: 52·6, P<0·001); whereas untwisting rate was influenced by 2 D Apex/3 D Apex and age ( r2 = 0·42; r = 0·65; F ratio: 7·7; P = 0·003 for 2 D Apex/3 D Apex; and P = 0·011 for age). Conclusions Left ventricular apical level acquisition, even when recorded in a standard manner, determines variability of twist mechanics measurements. Thus, current anatomical markers used to identify LV apex for twist analysis are not reliable and need different standardization. 3D echocardiography may help in such standardization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Investigation of the correlation between bifurcation angles and outcomes is limited with discordant results. The aim of this study is to investigate left main (LM) and non-left main (N-LM) bifurcation angles and their modification after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Measurement of all three angles adds to our understanding of bifurcation anatomy and the resultant effect of different stenting techniques. Methods and Results: All three bifurcation angles were described according to the European Bifurcation Club definition: the A (proximal bifurcation angle), the B (distal bifurcation angle) and the C (main branch angle). Measurements were performed in 75 LM and 140 N-LM bifurcations. In LM bifurcations baseline mean values of C, A, and B were 151°± 28°, 131°± 32°, and 78 ± 28°, respectively. In bifurcations with 2 stents the B significantly decreased by a mean of 10° (P = 0.003) and A increased by 10° (P = 0.006). Crush stenting significantly decreased B (A – 14°; P = 0.020) and increased A (A + 21°; P = 0.005), particularly non-true bifurcations. In N-LM bifurcations mean values for C, A, and B were 156°± 19°, 144°± 22°, and 60°± 20°, respectively. Similar to LM bifurcations, the B became narrower mainly at the expense of the A, which became wider. In both types of bifurcations the greatest variation in A and B was found following 2-stent techniques performed in T-shaped (≥70°) bifurcations. Conclusions: In both LM and N-LM bifurcations we found a significant difference in A and B pre- and post-PCI. This difference was driven by the 2-stent technique and was most evident with a baseline bifurcation angle ≥70°. The Crush technique caused the largest angle variation post-procedure, particularly in non-true LM bifurcations. (J Interven Cardiol 2010;23:382–393) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous evidence has shown that Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients exhibited an increased risk of overt epileptic seizures or subclinical, non‐convulsive, epileptiform‐like electroencephalographic (EEG) signatures (i.e., spike‐sharp wave discharges, giant spikes, etc.) due to temporal and frontal lobe dysfunctions and aberrant cortical neural synchronization. In the present study, cortical sources of resting state eyes‐closed EEG (rsEEG) rhythms were estimated in patients with amnesic mild cognitive impairment due to AD (ADMCI), using normal elderly (Nold) and AD patients with dementia (ADD) as controls. The hypothesis was that rsEEG sources may be more abnormal in ADMCI with than without epileptiform‐like EEG signatures. Method: Clinical and rsEEG data in 35 ADD, 50 ADMCI, and 35 Nold subjects were available in an international archive. Age, gender, and education were carefully matched in the three groups. The Mini Mental State Evaluation (MMSE) score was matched between the ADMCI with and without epileptiform‐like EEG signatures (i.e., spike‐sharp wave discharges, giant spikes, etc.). No subject had received a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy. Individual alpha frequency peak (IAF) was used to determine the delta, theta, alpha1, alpha2, and alpha3 frequency band ranges. Fixed beta1, beta2, and gamma bands were also considered. eLORETA estimated the rsEEG cortical sources. Result: Frontal and temporal delta source activities were more abnormal in the ADMCI patients with epileptiform‐like EEG signatures (N = 13; 26%; ADMCI‐ELES) and ADD than the control ADMCI patients (N= 37; ADMCI‐noELES; Figure 1). This effect may not depend on sleep onset or epileptiform‐like EEG signatures as "biological artifacts" in the EEG signal, because of the present source analysis was performed from rsEEG epochs free from those signatures. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that in MCI patients, AD neuropathology may derange neurophysiological low‐frequency (i.e. delta) oscillatory mechanisms underpinning cortical arousal and quiet vigilance, and such derangement may be more pronounced in frontal and temporal cortical regions in ADMCI patients characterized by epileptiform EEG signatures. Future investigations should cross‐validate the present findings by a longitudinal prospective study testing. We predict that ADMCI patients with those delta source and epileptiform‐like EEG signatures may develop a fast disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Electroencephalography/functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG/fMRI) has been proposed recently as a tool to study electrophysiological activity and, consequently, detect brain regions activated during epileptiform EEG abnormalities. The purpose of the study was to review our two-year experience with studying ictal and interictal activities in patients with epilepsy. Methods: Using EEG/fMRI, we studied hemodynamic changes associated with ictal and interictal EEG abnormalities in 43 patients with partial (31 cases) or generalized (12 cases) epilepsy. Using two different paradigms (block design and event-related design), we studied several forms of EEG activity consisting of (i) interictal abnormalities constantly elicitable by specific stimulation (8 cases); (ii) focal and generalized interictal activity, such as focal spikes or typical and atypical generalized spike-and-wave discharges (18 cases); and (iii) focal and generalized ictal electro-clinical activity, such as tonic seizures or pseudo-absences in frontal lobe epilepsy, typical absences in idiopathic generalized epilepsy, complex partial seizures in temporal lobe epilepsy, and perisylvian seizures in special syndromes (17 patients). Results: EEG/fMRI revealed clear hemodynamic changes related to EEG abnormalities in 21 patients. In 18 of these patients, the changes were highly concordant with electro-clinical findings. In the remaining 22 patients, fMRI analysis data failed to show activation or deactivation clusters, probably owing either to lack or inadequate amount of temporal distribution of abnormal EEG activity, or to intrinsic methodological problems. Conclusions: By defining the electro-clinical and hemodynamic correlates of EEG activity, fMRI may shed light on the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying epileptic phenomena. However, as several methodological issues have yet to be addressed, further studies are warranted to assess the reliability and usefulness of EEG/fMRI in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RESEARCH: INTERVENTION: EDUCATION: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: OBJECTIVES To describe the clinical characteristics of children with internal anal sphincter (IAS) achalasia and to evaluate the benefit of intrasphincteric injection of Clostridium botulinum toxin.METHODS Retrospective review of the medical records of 20 patients (8 male, mean 5.8 ± 4.2 years) with severe chronic constipation and IAS achalasia. Each patient received four-quadrant, intrasphincteric injections of botulinum toxin at a dose of 15-25U per quadrant. Patients were reassessed 4 weeks-18 months after injection. We compared the clinical characteristics of these patients to 20 consecutive children (14 male, mean age 8.1 + 4.6 y) with functional constipation (control group).RESULTS The children with IAS achalasia had earlier onset of symptoms, less fecal soiling, and less withholding behavior than the control children. Response to botulinum injection was rated excellent by the parents in 60% and by the physician in 35% of children. There was wide individual variability in the frequency of defecation after therapy. Duration of response ranged from 1 week to 18 months.CONCLUSIONS Children with IAS achalasia have clinical characteristics differentiating them from children with functional constipation. Intra-anal injection of botulinum toxin is a safe and effective short-term treatment for these children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the toxic effects of acetaldehyde (Ach) is hampered by analytical difficulties which have been overcome by two new methods suitable for the measurement of Ach in plasma and red blood cells. The first procedure involves rapid separation of plasma, de-proteinization, and Ach derivatization with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydra-zine (DNP). After extraction with isooctane, the Ach-DNP complex is separated by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Red blood cell Ach is measured by a modification of the semicarbazide method. The red blood cell hemolysate is mixed with the semicarbazide solution and the extract is injected into the head-space gas chromatograph. The procedure minimizes the artifactual Ach formation which interferes with the direct hemolysis method when human blood is used. After 0.3 g/kg of ethanol, Ach values of 1.5 ± 0.2 and 9.9 ± 2.3 μ m were detected in plasma and red blood celts of healthy volunteers. These data indicate that an important fraction of Ach circulates in the red blood cells and can be missed or underestimated when only plasma Ach is measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a new method for the evaluation of conductimetric data collected during the in-line monitoring of the coupling step in solid-phase peptide synthesis. The control scheme relies on a feed-forward artificial neural network algorithm which can predict the final yield of the reaction within its initial 5 min by analyzing the conductivity signal profile. The yield values predicted by the artificial neural network algorithm result in good accordance with the data obtained by the commonly used ninhydrin test. © Munksgaard 1997. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo report three cases of laparoscopic treatment of benign uterine and adnexal masses during pregnancy and to discuss the feasibility of such procedures. InterventionsA pedunculated myoma, an ovarian teratoma and a luteal ovarian cyst were laparoscopically treated during pregnancy. The patients' pregnancies were at 8, 7 and 11 weeks of gestation, respectively. The procedure times were 72, 65 and 53 min, while the estimated blood losses were 60, 100 and 80 ml, respectively. No complications were observed and the pregnancies were completed with a vaginal delivery in the first two cases and with a Caesarean section in the third case. ConclusionsLaparoscopic management of gynaecological masses during pregnancy is still controversial. This report confirms that laparoscopy might be considered to be a safe, reliable and advantageous technique for the management of selected gynaecological pathologies during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]