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This research investigates the effects of using edible gel coatings and bio-based packaging materials on extending the shelf life of cherry tomatoes. Two edible gel coatings (guar gum and guar gum +5% of a lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck pomace extract obtained in the research laboratory) were applied on cherry tomatoes, then they were packaged in bio-based materials (cellulose tray + PLA lid). Guar gum, glycerol, sorbitol, extra virgin olive oil, and tween 20 were used in coating formulation. Uncoated tomatoes packed in bio-based materials and conventional plastic (PET trays + lid) were tested as a control. Samples were stored for 45 days at 20 °C and their quality parameters were evaluated. Coated tomatoes maintained firmness and weight, and the enriched coated samples showed a significant increase in phenol content, derived from the antioxidant extract. Samples packed in PET showed a sensory unacceptability (

Abstract Several theories have tried to elucidate the mechanisms behind the pathophysiology of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). However, this process is complex and remains mostly unknown. In this study we performed a retrospective randomised analysis comparing the cortical atrophy of 190 patients with unilateral CSDH, with 190 healthy controls. To evaluate the extent of cortical atrophy, CT scan images were utilised to develop an index that is the ratio of the maximum diameter sum of 3 cisterns divided by the maximum diameter of the skull at the temporal lobe level. Also, we reported, for the first time, the ultrastructural analyses of the CSDH using a combination of immunohistochemistry methods and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Internal validation was performed to confirm the assessment of the different degrees of cortical atrophy. Relative Cortical Atrophy Index (RCA index) refers to the sum of the maximum diameter of three cisterns (insular cistern, longitudinal cerebral fissure and cerebral sulci greatest) with the temporal bones' greatest internal distance. This index, strongly related to age in healthy controls, is positively correlated to the preoperative and post-operative maximum diameter of hematoma and the midline shift in CSDH patients. On the contrary, it negatively correlates to the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS). The Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (AUROC) showed that RCA index effectively differentiated cases from controls. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the newly formed CD-31 positive microvessels are higher in number than the CD34-positive microvessels in the CSDH inner membrane than in the outer membrane. Ultrastructural observations highlight the presence of a chronic inflammatory state mainly in the CSDH inner membrane. Integrating these results, we have obtained an etiopathogenetic model of CSDH. Cortical atrophy appears to be the triggering factor activating the cascade of transendothelial cellular filtration, inflammation, membrane formation and neovascularisation leading to the CSDH formation.

In the second half of the twentieth century, after the Second World War, a considerable migration from inland to coastal areas was observed in many territories, especially in the Mediterranean. This process has caused the expansion of existing coastal settlements and the construction of numerous new towns, often substituting beaches and dune systems. All this has often altered the equilibrium conditions of several coastal ecosystems thereby triggering shoreline erosion processes. This issue is particularly important in territories such as Calabria, a region of southern Italy subject to considerable anthropogenic pressures and characterized by over 750 km of coast. The paper analyses the correlations between shoreline erosion and anthropogenic pressure in Calabria. For this purpose, historical and current cartographic Open Data, such as shapefiles, cartography, and satellite imagery, were analysed using QGIS. The analysis showed a strong correlation between the anthropogenic pressures, in terms of the expansion of the inhabited centres and, therefore, of the man-made areas near the shoreline, and the triggering of shoreline erosion processes. Finally, this analysis is of interest in the field of coastal area planning and management, and it is easily applicable and replicable as it is based on Open Data and free software.

Abstract Background The 3q29 microduplication syndrome is a rare genomic disorder characterized by an extremely variable neurodevelopmental phenotype usually involving a genomic region ranging from 1.6 to 1.76 Mb. A small microduplication of 448.8 Kb containing only two genes was recently described in a patient with a 3q29 microduplication that was proposed as the minimal critical region of overlap of this syndrome. Methods Molecular karyotyping (array‐CGH) was performed on DNA extracted from peripheral blood samples using Agilent‐California USA Human Genome CGH Microarray 4 × 180 K. The proband and his younger brother were further tested with a next generation sequencing (NGS) panel including genes implicated in autism spectrum disorder and in neurodevelopmental disorders. Quantitative real‐time PCR was applied to verify the abnormal array‐CGH findings. Results Here, we report on a family with two males with neurodevelopmental disorders and an unaffected sibling with a small 3q29 microduplication (432.8 Kb) inherited from an unaffected mother that involves only two genes: DGL1 and BDH1. The proband had an additional intragenic duplication inherited from the unaffected father. Further testing was negative for Fragile X syndrome and for genes implicated in autism spectrum disorder and in neurodevelopmental disorders. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, one of the family members here analyzed is the second reported case of a patient carrying a small 3q29 microduplication including only DGL1 and BDH1 genes and without any additional genetic aberration. The recognition of the clinical spectrum in patients with the critical region of overlap associated with the 3q29 duplication syndrome should prove valuable for predicting outcomes and providing more informed genetic counseling to patients with duplications in this region.

The issue of coastal erosion currently affects most of the world’s coastal territories. This erosion is generally caused by an alteration of coastal and river dynamics both due to the action of natural factors and to the increase in anthropogenic pressure, mainly observed in the second half of the last century after the end of the Second World War. In the future, this issue may be more affected by climate change. This paper describes the shoreline evolutionary trends at different time scale along the Calabrian coasts, a region in southern Italy, in over 50 sample areas. Calabria represents an interesting case study due to its geomorphological peculiarities and due to its considerable anthropogenic pressures, which have caused extensive erosive processes. In addition, this paper analyzes the main causes of these evolutionary trends and classifies them using a quick methodology based on a shoreline variation rate of a fixed area. This is an index-based methodology and is a part of a new generally index-based coastal risk assessment methodology, developed by the Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria and the Calabria Region and which is currently in progress. The main result is that the sample areas in the erosion classes prevail over those in the advancement class for very long-term, long-term and middle-term time interval while for short-term and most recent time interval the sample areas in the advancement class prevail over those in the erosion classes.

The analysis of shoreline changes is very important for coastal planning and management. In territories such as Calabria (Italy), characterized by significant anthropogenic pressures and various eroded coasts, the knowledge of the shoreline changes, and the factors that influence them, is necessary for management and planning of coastal areas. In fact, shoreline position is one of the most important indicators of coastal dynamics. From this point of view recent advances in remote sensing and GIS techniques allow to estimate with great precision the shoreline changes over the years. The paper analyzes the shoreline changes near the mouth of the Sant’Agata River (Reggio Calabria, Italy), carried out through the comparison of various cartography data. Furthermore, the paper analyzes the main factors influencing the coastal dynamics in order to identify possible correlation between these factors and the shoreline changes. The analysis of these factors shows that, in this case study, the rainfall regime has a considerable influence on shoreline change. The methodology described in this paper is particularly useful for better understanding the factors that most influence the coastal balance and, therefore, is applicable to many contexts which are similar to the Sant’Agata river mouth.

Coastal flooding is an important current issue due to climate change and due to significant increases in anthropogenic pressures observed in the second half of the last century. Indeed, climate change has been causing an increase in the frequency and the intensity of various natural events such as floods and sea storms; anthropogenic pressures have caused an increase in impermeable surfaces with negative consequences on the vulnerability of territories under the action of natural events. In this paper, we analyze the effects of climate change in terms of possible increases in floodable areas and in terms of population, infrastructure, coastal dunes, and sites of social, economic, and strategic interest exposed along the coasts of the region of Calabria in southern Italy. Calabria was chosen as a case study due to its geomorphological peculiarities and its considerable anthropogenic pressures. These peculiarities cause significant variability of weather and sea conditions among the different coastal areas, which influences the coastal dynamics and the characteristics of meteorological events. The main results show that, in the analyzed areas, the floodable areas double between current and future scenarios, involving both significant percentages of the population and railways, highways, industrial areas, and coastal dunes.

The wave climate is highly variable temporally and spatially, depending mainly on the atmospheric conditions and on fetch extensions. Wave climate is one of the main causes of coastal erosion processes, together with anthropogenic pressure and with coastal and river sedimentary balance. Therefore, a detailed spatial and temporal knowledge of wave climate is very important in managing coastal areas and in planning coastal defense works. This paper describes an analysis of the wave climate carried out along the Calabrian coasts in over 50 areas, each of them covering an average of 15 km of coastline. For each area, over 40 years of wave data were analyzed to calculate over 20 parameters, representative of annual and seasonal average and maximum wave conditions. The large number of areas is related to the geomorphological and climatic complexity of Calabria. This analysis mainly highlighted that the two Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts are very different from the wave climate point of view. Indeed, the Ionian coast is heavier in ordinary wave conditions, while the Tyrrhenian coast is heavier in extreme wave conditions.

In the second half of the twentieth century, after the Second World War, a considerable migration from inland to coastal areas was observed in many territories, especially in the Mediterranean. This process has caused the expansion of existing coastal settlements and the construction of numerous new towns, often substituting beaches and dune systems. All this has often altered the equilibrium conditions of several coastal ecosystems thereby triggering shoreline erosion processes. This issue is particularly important in territories such as Calabria, a region of southern Italy subject to considerable anthropogenic pressures and characterized by over 750 km of coast. The paper analyses the correlations between shoreline erosion and anthropogenic pressure in Calabria. For this purpose, historical and current cartographic Open Data, such as shapefiles, cartography, and satellite imagery, were analysed using QGIS. The analysis showed a strong correlation between the anthropogenic pressures, in terms of the expansion of the inhabited centres and, therefore, of the man-made areas near the shoreline, and the triggering of shoreline erosion processes. Finally, this analysis is of interest in the field of coastal area planning and management, and it is easily applicable and replicable as it is based on Open Data and free software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: When transporting liquids, in particularly over long distances, dynamic forces in the system can present a risk. The larger the system size, and the greater the pressure, the more harmful the impact is of such forces. Water is transported in this way for domestic, industrial, and fire-fighting purposes. One of the impulses of dynamic force application may be the transition of the pressure wave in the water hammer. Methods: In this paper, the results of measured dynamic forces and associated displacements recorded on the model caused by transient flow conditions are presented. For measured forces, the displacements of the pipe were also calculated by using the oscillation motion equations. Force measurements and displacement analyses were carried out in laboratory on the model of a simple fire protection system equipped with three nozzles. Results and Conclusions: The measurement results and calculations were used to calibrate a mathematical model created using MATLAB software.

Introduction Almost all organs can be involved in the infection by Epstein–Barr virus and consequently, the beginning symptoms of infectious mononucleosis may be different.Materials and methods We report a case of infection by Epstein–Barr virus in a 17-year-old girl whose primary manifestation was an initially monolateral and subsequently bilateral dacryoadenitis.Results The incidence of acute dacryoadenitis by Epstein–Barr virus is valued around one case per million people per year, but it is probably underestimated: it is due to infiltration of the lacrimal gland by activated lymphocytes.Discussion An acute dacryoadenitis, especially when it affects a young adult and when bilateral, should guide the diagnostic and haematochemical and serological investigations towards a systemic disease such as infectious mononucleosis. It is almost always responsive to a systemic corticosteroid therapy, but in some cases it can progress towards a dacryocystitis and exceptionally towards the Sjögren syndrome. Appropriate and timely treatment will be able to reduce any subsequent complications.

Introduction: In humans the normal development of cortical regions depends on the complex interactions between a number of proteins that promote the migrations of neuronal precursors from germinal zones and assembly into neuronal laminae. ASTN2 is one of the proteins implicated in such a complex process. Recently it has been observed that ASTN2 also regulates the surface expression of multiple synaptic proteins resulting in a modulation of synaptic activity. Several rare copy number variants (CNVs) in ASTN2 gene were identified in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention deficit–hyperactivity disorders and intellectual disability. Methods: By using comparative genomic hybridization array technology, we analyzed the genomic profiles of five patients of three unrelated families with NDDs. Clinical diagnosis of ASD was established according to the Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (APA 2013) criteria. Results: We identified new rare CNVs encompassing ASTN2 gene in three unrelated families with different clinical phenotypes of NDDs. In particular, we identified a deletion of about 70 Kb encompassing intron 19, a 186 Kb duplication encompassing the sequence between the 5′-end and the first intron of the gene and a 205 Kb deletion encompassing exons 6–11. Conclusion: The CNVs reported here involve regions not usually disrupted in patients with NDDs with two of them affecting only the expression of the long isoforms. Further studies will be needed to analyze the impact of these CNVs on gene expression regulation and to better understand their impact on the protein function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Introduction: Almost all organs can be involved in the infection by Epstein–Barr virus and consequently, the beginning symptoms of infectious mononucleosis may be different. Materials and methods: We report a case of infection by Epstein–Barr virus in a 17-year-old girl whose primary manifestation was an initially monolateral and subsequently bilateral dacryoadenitis. Results: The incidence of acute dacryoadenitis by Epstein–Barr virus is valued around one case per million people per year, but it is probably underestimated: it is due to infiltration of the lacrimal gland by activated lymphocytes. Discussion: An acute dacryoadenitis, especially when it affects a young adult and when bilateral, should guide the diagnostic and haematochemical and serological investigations towards a systemic disease such as infectious mononucleosis. It is almost always responsive to a systemic corticosteroid therapy, but in some cases it can progress towards a dacryocystitis and exceptionally towards the Sjögren syndrome. Appropriate and timely treatment will be able to reduce any subsequent complications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]