This study aimed to evaluate the cardiometabolic effects of a home-based lifestyle intervention (LI) in breast cancer survivors (BCSs) during the COVID-19 lockdown. In total, 30 BCSs (women; stages 0–II; non-metastatic; aged 53.5 ± 7.6... more
This study aimed to evaluate the cardiometabolic effects of a home-based lifestyle intervention (LI) in breast cancer survivors (BCSs) during the COVID-19 lockdown. In total, 30 BCSs (women; stages 0–II; non-metastatic; aged 53.5 ± 7.6 years; non-physically active; normal left ventricular systolic function) with a risk factor for recurrence underwent a 3-month LI based on nutrition and exercise. Anthropometrics, Mediterranean diet adherence, physical activity level (PAL), cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), echocardiographic parameters, heart rate variability (average standard deviation of NN intervals (ASDNN/5 min) and 24 h very- (24 hVLF) and low-frequency (24 hLF)), and metabolic, endocrine, and inflammatory serum biomarkers (glycemia, insulin resistance, progesterone, testosterone, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)) were evaluated before (T0) and after (T1) the LI. After the LI, there were improvements in: body mass index (kg/m2: T0 = 26.0 ± 5.0, T1 = 25.5 ± 4.7; ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Myogenesis is a multistep process controlled by a transcriptional cascade in which myogenesis regulatory factors (MRFs) have a crucial role [1]. MRFs are a family of basic helix-loop-helix proteins, composed by Myo-D, Myf-5, Myogenin and... more
Myogenesis is a multistep process controlled by a transcriptional cascade in which myogenesis regulatory factors (MRFs) have a crucial role [1]. MRFs are a family of basic helix-loop-helix proteins, composed by Myo-D, Myf-5, Myogenin and MRF-4 [2]. They are not activated at the same time: in fact, Myo-D and Myf-5 induce differentiation at earlier step, while Myogenin and MRF-4 are
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
A new, mesophillic, facultatively anaerobic, psychrotolerant bacterium, strain ANG-SQ1T (T = type strain), was isolated from a microbial community colonizing the accessory nidamental gland of the squid Loligo pealei. It was selected from... more
A new, mesophillic, facultatively anaerobic, psychrotolerant bacterium, strain ANG-SQ1T (T = type strain), was isolated from a microbial community colonizing the accessory nidamental gland of the squid Loligo pealei. It was selected from the community on the basis of its ability to reduce elemental sulfur. The cells are motile, Gram-negative rods (2.0-3.0 microns long, 0.4-0.6 micron wide). ANG-SQ1T grows optimally over the temperature range of 25-30 degrees C and a pH range of 6.5-7.5 degrees C in media containing 0.5 M NaCl. 16S rRNA sequence analysis revealed that this organism belongs to the gamma-3 subclass of the Proteobacteria. The closest relative of ANG-SQ1T is Shewanella gelidimarina, with a 16S rRNA sequence similarity of 97.0%. Growth occurs with glucose, lactate, acetate, pyruvate, glutamate, citrate, succinate, Casamino acids, yeast extract or peptone as sole energy source under aerobic conditions. The isolate grows anaerobically by the reduction of iron, manganese, ni...
Research Interests:
The future of VR applications for mental health is currently regarded as depending on the rational development of ideas and systems. Criteria to guide this development have been suggested that are both clear and agreeable. Their... more
The future of VR applications for mental health is currently regarded as depending on the rational development of ideas and systems. Criteria to guide this development have been suggested that are both clear and agreeable. Their application, however, may not be easy at this stage. While we may already be able to predict costs of specific VR applications, a period of more extensive clinical research is needed in order to assess adequately any benefit. In our still limited experience, the development of VR applications to increase the diagnostic sensitivity of traditional tests to strategy application disorders is worthwhile, but the uniqueness of VR assets may make the adherence to some of the proposed criteria somewhat problematic.
Research Interests:
The occurrence, diversity, and pathogenicity of Vibrio spp. were investigated in two estuaries along the Italian Adriatic coast. Vibrio alginolyticus was the predominant species, followed by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, non-O1 Vibrio... more
The occurrence, diversity, and pathogenicity of Vibrio spp. were investigated in two estuaries along the Italian Adriatic coast. Vibrio alginolyticus was the predominant species, followed by Vibrio parahaemolyticus, non-O1 Vibrio cholerae, and Vibrio vulnificus. By using a biochemical fingerprinting method, all isolates were grouped into nine phenotypes with similarity levels of 75 to 97.5%. The production of toxins capable of causing cytoskeleton-dependent changes was detected in a large number of Vibrio strains. These findings indicate a significant presence of potentially pathogenic Vibrio strains along the Adriatic coast.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
A series of eight new cavitand receptors were prepared in an effort to obtain selective mass sensors for the detection of acetates. The desired synergy between the cavity inclusion and H-bonding was obtained introducing a carboxylic... more
A series of eight new cavitand receptors were prepared in an effort to obtain selective mass sensors for the detection of acetates. The desired synergy between the cavity inclusion and H-bonding was obtained introducing a carboxylic residue on one of the bridging groups, which delimitate the cavity at the upper rim. The orientation of the COOH group inward or outward (cavitands 3-in and 4-out) determines a different ability to detect acetates according to their chain length. Acetate versus ester discrimination has been obtained by extending the cavity rim using a 4-chloro-phenoxy substituent in the inward position (cavitand 8-out).
Research Interests:
... both H. sinapizans and Laccaria bicolor out competed T. borchii whereas in calcareous soil only H. sina-pizans was able to form abundant mycorrhizae when ... same locations and at the same time of year as Amanita muscaria or Amanita... more
... both H. sinapizans and Laccaria bicolor out competed T. borchii whereas in calcareous soil only H. sina-pizans was able to form abundant mycorrhizae when ... same locations and at the same time of year as Amanita muscaria or Amanita excelsa in Austria, England, Ita-...
Bacterial diversity of Fossa (pit) cheese during ripening and its related environment was investigated by culture-dependent and -independent methods. The dominant clones during cheese ripening, among 244 16S rRNA genes (rDNA), belonged to... more
Bacterial diversity of Fossa (pit) cheese during ripening and its related environment was investigated by culture-dependent and -independent methods. The dominant clones during cheese ripening, among 244 16S rRNA genes (rDNA), belonged to Firmicutes (99%) mainly affiliated with Lactococcus lactis and Streptococcus thermophilus starter species. Sequencing of 16S rDNA from 171 isolates cultured in M17 and MRS media showed an
Research Interests:
Low-level oxidative stress induces an adaptive response commonly defined as hormesis; this type of stress is often related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) originating from the mitochondrial respiratory chain (mitochondrial hormesis or... more
Low-level oxidative stress induces an adaptive response commonly defined as hormesis; this type of stress is often related to reactive oxygen species (ROS) originating from the mitochondrial respiratory chain (mitochondrial hormesis or mitohormesis). The accumulation of transient low doses of ROS either through chronic physical activity or caloric restriction influences signaling from the mitochondrial compartment to the cell, reduces glucose metabolism, induces mitochondrial metabolism, increases stress resistance and ultimately, increases lifespan. Mitochondrial formation of presumably harmful levels (chronic and/or excessive) of ROS within skeletal muscle has been observed in insulin resistance of obese subjects, type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as in impaired muscle function associated with normal aging. Advances in mitochondrial bioimaging combined with mitochondrial biochemistry and proteome research have broadened our knowledge of specific cellular signaling and other relate...
Oxygen production / consumption dynamics in three phytoplankton species (20-25 µm in effective dia- meter), Dunaliella salina (Chlorophyceae), Thalassiosira weissflogii (Bacillariophyceae) and Heterocapsa triquetra (Dinophyceae), was... more
Oxygen production / consumption dynamics in three phytoplankton species (20-25 µm in effective dia- meter), Dunaliella salina (Chlorophyceae), Thalassiosira weissflogii (Bacillariophyceae) and Heterocapsa triquetra (Dinophyceae), was experimentally determined when cells circulated within a simulated upper mixed layer (UML). Samples were exposed to three radiation treatments receiving: a) full solar radiation (PAB, 280-700 nm), b) PAR+UV-A (PA, 320-700 nm), and c)
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Llama population from Argentina is mainly concentrated in the Andean Puna, Jujuy. Llamas represent an important economic resource for the Andean communities. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of antibodies against... more
Llama population from Argentina is mainly concentrated in the Andean Puna, Jujuy. Llamas represent an important economic resource for the Andean communities. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of antibodies against viral antigens associated to viral diseases of economic impact (neonatal diarrhea, reproductive and respiratory syndromes). A total of 349 serum samples from adult llamas were analyzed. The obtained antibody prevalence was 100 % for Rotavirus A and 70 % for Bovine parainfluenza virus 3. In contrast, no reactors were detected to Bovine herpesvirus 1, Bovine viral diarrhea virus 1, Human influenza A virus (H1N1) and Equine influenza virus (H3N8). These results confirm the wide circulation of rotavirus and parainfluenza virus in Argentinean llamas and suggest that susceptibility to infection with bovine herpesvirus, pestivirus and influenza A viruses is low. This serologic survey provides novel information regarding the epidemiology of viral diseases aff...
Research Interests:
The collaboration between or two scientific institutions is giving significant contributions to VR research into several fields of clinical application. Concerning the important issue of side- effects, future studies will clarify whether... more
The collaboration between or two scientific institutions is giving significant contributions to VR research into several fields of clinical application. Concerning the important issue of side- effects, future studies will clarify whether the encouraging results obtained in the recent past on patients with neurological diseases can be confirmed, and whether specific recommendations for the use of immersive VR in selected
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
This study describes mitochondrial behaviour during the C2C12 myoblast differentiation program and proposes a proteomic approach to mitochondria integrated with classical morphofunctional and biochemical analyses. Mitochondrial... more
This study describes mitochondrial behaviour during the C2C12 myoblast differentiation program and proposes a proteomic approach to mitochondria integrated with classical morphofunctional and biochemical analyses. Mitochondrial ultrastructure variations were determined by transmission electron microscopy; mitochondrial mass and membrane potential were analysed by Mitotracker Green and JC-1 stains and by epifluorescence microscope. Expression of PGC1α, NRF1α, and Tfam genes controlling mitochondrial biogenesis was studied by real-time PCR. The mitochondrial functionality was tested by cytochrome c oxidase activity and COXII expression. Mitochondrial proteomic profile was also performed. These assays showed that mitochondrial biogenesis and activity significantly increase in differentiating myotubes. The proteomic profile identifies 32 differentially expressed proteins, mostly involved in oxidative metabolism, typical of myotubes formation. Other notable proteins, such as superoxide d...
Research Interests:
... Micro-morphological features of the cultures were only examined in mWPM since in this medium the fungal colonies are looser than in hsPDA ... seem to vary according to the fungus life stage and environmental conditions, since some... more
... Micro-morphological features of the cultures were only examined in mWPM since in this medium the fungal colonies are looser than in hsPDA ... seem to vary according to the fungus life stage and environmental conditions, since some Authors (Tozzi et al., 1980-81; Brunner et al ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Strength & Conditioning, Anthropometry, Linear models, Energy Metabolism, Italy, and 13 moreHumans, Male, Heart rate, The, Fires, Adult, Physiological Stress Markers, Skin Temperature, Cross Sectional Studies, Task Performance and Analysis, *Physical Exertion, Protective Clothing, and *Hot Temperature
Research Interests:
In this random study, the efficacy of either colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS) or metronidazole in combination with an H2-antagonist in the treatment of various gastric pathologies was evaluated, along with the trends in antibody levels.... more
In this random study, the efficacy of either colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS) or metronidazole in combination with an H2-antagonist in the treatment of various gastric pathologies was evaluated, along with the trends in antibody levels. Among the 40 Helicobacter pylori-positive patients with various gastroduodenal pathologies who underwent chemotherapy, 27 were treated with CBS and 13 with metronidazole. H. pylori was eradicated in 48.14% of the patients treated with CBS and 53.8% of those treated with metronidazole. After therapy, no statistically significant or slight decrease in the serum levels of antibodies was found.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Engineering, Earth Sciences, Mass Spectrometry, Housing, Fungi, and 19 moreAspergillus, Biological Sciences, Humans, Solid Phase Microextraction, Gas Chromatography, Exposure, CHEMICAL SCIENCES, Indoor air pollution, Time Factors, Staphylococcus, Gas Chromatography/mass Spectrometry, Microchemistry, Dust, Chaetomium Globosum, Organic Chemicals, Calcium Sulfate, Volatile organic compound, Indoor air, and Volatilization
Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynaecological malignancy, and represents the leading cause of gynecologic cancer-related death in Europe and United States. The majority of the cases are in fact diagnosed in advanced stage, with... more
Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynaecological malignancy, and represents the leading cause of gynecologic cancer-related death in Europe and United States. The majority of the cases are in fact diagnosed in advanced stage, with limited chance to be cured. Optimal management of advanced ovarian cancer includes histopathological diagnosis, accurate surgical staging, debulking surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. The combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel is commonly recognised as the standard regimen because of tolerability and activity. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy provides superior efficacy results, but its use is still controversial because of poor tolerability and compliance. Unfortunately, despite its chemosensitivity, the majority of ovarian cancer patients, including those who achieve a complete response to first-line chemotherapy, will relapse and eventually die. Among the strategies to improve patient outcome, maintenance therapy has failed to show a consistent benefit across clinical trials. Salvage second-line therapy is generally based on rechallenge with platinum in patients with platinum sensitive disease. Patients with platinum resistant/refractory might benefit from liposomal doxorubicin or topotecan. Other active cytotoxics include docetaxel, gemcitabine, etoposide and vinorelbine as well as epothilone derivatives such as patupilone which is still in development. Among targeted agents, the antiangiogenic agent bevacizumab seems extremely promising and is actively investigated in combination with first-line chemotherapy. More recently, interesting results have been obtained with the inhibitors of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) in patients with BRCA-mutated tumors.