Traceability and Authentication of Manila Clams from North-Western Adriatic Lagoons Using C and N Stable Isotope Analysis.

In the Adriatic lagoons of northern Italy, manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) farming provides important socio-economic returns and local clams should be registered with the Protected Designations of Origin scheme. Therefore, there is a need for the development of rapid, cost-effective tests to guarantee the origin of the product and to prevent potential fraud. In this work, an elemental analysis (EA) coupled with isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) was employed to identify the isotopic fingerprints of clams directly collected onsite in three Adriatic lagoons and bought at a local supermarket, where they exhibited certification. In particular, a multivariate analysis of C/N, δ13C and δ15N in manila clam tissues as well as δ13C in shells and Δ13C (calculated as δ13Cshell-δ13Ctissues) seems a promising approach for tracking the geographical origin of manila clams at the regional scale.

Postural and clinical outcomes of sustained natural apophyseal glides treatment in cervicogenic dizziness patients: A randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how self-report and posturographic measures could be affected in patients with cervicogenic dizziness undergoing sustained natural apophyseal glides. DESIGN: Randomised controlled single-blind study. SETTING: Tertiary rehabilitation centre. SUBJECTS: Patients affected by cervicogenic dizziness, diagnosed by applying accepted criteria. Forty-one patients (19 male, 22 female: mean age 44.3 ± 14.8 years) receiving treatment, and 39 patients (18 male, 21 female: mean age 43.8 ± 13.9 years) receiving placebo were included in the study. INTERVENTIONS: The treatment group underwent sustained natural apophyseal glides, while the placebo was constituted by a detuned laser. Both groups received their interventions six times over 4 weeks. MAIN MEASURES: Outcomes were tested by means of self-report measures such as perceived dizziness, neck disability, anxiety and depression. Also, cervical range of motion and posturography testing with power spectra frequency were analysed. RESULTS: When compared to placebo, treated patients demonstrated a significant decrease in perceived dizziness (post-treatment total Dizziness Handicap Inventory score 20.5 ± 5.3 as compared to 26.2 ± 6 baseline), neck disability and pain (Neck Disability Index and Neck Pain Index post-treatment scores 12.5 ± 4.3 and 45.6 ± 15.1, respectively, as compared to baseline scores of 15.1 ± 4.8 and 62.5 ± 14.3), as well as significant improvement in cervical range of motion and some posturographic parameters. CONCLUSION: Sustained natural apophyseal glides may represent a useful intervention in reaching short-term beneficial effects in patients with cervicogenic dizziness, with respect to self-perceived symptoms, proprioceptive integration and cervical range of motion improvement.

Combination of in-situ collagen injection and rehabilitative treatment in long-lasting facial nerve palsy: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Many rehabilitative attempts have been made to prevent or reduce residual deficits in patients with established and long-term facial palsy (FP). In many clinical settings in-situ injection of collagen-based medical devices have been demonstrated to provide nutritional support for tissues. AIM: To test the effectiveness of a collagen-based treatment for patients complaining of long standing FP, who are following a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation protocol (Kabat method) (group A), compared to a FP group only undergoing the Kabat method (group B). DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Tertiary referral outpatient center and University Hospital. POPULATION: Forty-one patients with a medical diagnosis of long-term unilateral peripheral FP. METHODS: Twenty-one Group A patients were compared, after randomization, to nineteen matched group B patients after 8 weeks of treatment. The outcomes were electromyographic findings, validated questionnaires (Facial Disability Index, FDI and General health-related quality of life assessment, QOL) and clinical grading (House-Brackmann, HB, and synkinesis grading scale). A correlation analysis was performed between pre-/post-treatment differences (Δ) in outcome and clinical-demographic measures. RESULTS: A significant within-subjects improvement, both in electrophysiological and questionnaire scores, was found in both groups. When compared with group B, group A patients exhibited a significant reduction of post-treatment polyphasic potentials of voluntary activity of orbicularis oculi (P=0.017) and oris (P=0.015) and a significant increase in post-treatment duration of voluntary activity of orbicularis oris (P=0.018). Group A subjects demonstrated a significant improvement in questionnaire subscales regarding overall disease perception. Although positive correlations between the ∆FDI and ∆percentage of polyphasic potentials of voluntary activity were found in both groups, negative correlations in group A were found between disease duration and ∆duration of voluntary activity of orbicularis oculi and oris. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of physical rehabilitative procedures with in-situ collagen injections, possibly acting in redirecting the phenomena of reinnervation/reorganization, demonstrated encouraging results in patients affected by long term FP. CLNICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: In-situ collagen injection could be a safe option enlarging the 'window of opportunity' to improve the voluntary muscle contraction pattern and general and specific disability referred by patients affected by long standing FP.

Self-perceived general and ear-nose-throat symptoms related to the COVID-19 outbreak: a survey study during quarantine in Italy.

OBJECTIVE: To survey perceived general and ear-nose-throat (ENT) symptoms of COVID-19 in relation to psychological impact, mental health, perception of information and demographic characteristics in quarantined subjects during a lockdown period in Italy. METHODS: Participants were 1380 respondents who completed an online survey. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between the independent variables and perceived symptoms. RESULTS: Participants reported different prevalences of perceived ENT and general symptoms. Coryza, cough, sore throat and tinnitus were the most common symptoms, and there was a low prevalence of anxiety, depression and stress compared with the psychological impact of the symptom. Comparison of the two symptom groups demonstrated a common need for updates, their relationship with the media and correct information about the route of transmission. CONCLUSIONS: The health information provided during a disease outbreak must be grounded in evidence. This would help to prevent adverse psychological reactions and somatization symptoms that can engulf healthcare systems, especially in clinical areas like ENT, which frequently treat airway problems.

Bridging the gap between temporomandibular disorders, static balance impairment and cervicogenic dizziness: Posturographic and clinical outcomes.

Several studies have investigated the possible influence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) on body posture and whether cervical spine disorders, such as cervicogenic dizziness (CGD) could play an additional role in affecting static balance. The purpose of this study was to analyze static postural behavior by means of static posturography, in patients affected by either TMD or CGD alone or by both conditions, and to compare findings with a group of healthy subjects. Significant changes in posturographic parameters were found among the three groups of patients and when compared with controls. When the three study groups were compared to each other, subjects affected by a combination of TMD and CGD showed worse postural performances with respect to subjects affected by CGD or TMD alone. Correlations with self-perceived dizziness, anxiety, depression and jaw functionality, investigated by means of validated questionnaires, were found among all patient groups. These results provide new evidences for the presence of static balance alterations in patients suffering from TMD with and without associated cervical spine impairment, by using a reliable diagnostic technique. Further studies are needed in order to identify any causal relation between these two disorders.

Reciprocal roles of joint position error, visual dependency and subjective perception in cervicogenic dizziness.

AIM: Since cervical joint position error (JPE) and visual dependency (VD) may reflect altered ascending inputs from the neck receptors, the aim of the present study was to test how these parameters may be impacted by those clinical parameters in cervicogenic dizziness (CGD) patients when compared with healthy subjects participants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 93 subjects participants fulfilling inclusion criteria for CGD and 98 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects volunteers - undergoing cervical relocation and rod and disc test to evaluate JPE and VD, respectively - were compared to each other. Cervical range of motion (CROM), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Neck pain intensity (NPI), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-17) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were also collected in both groups. RESULTS: When compared to healthy participants, CGD patients were found to have a higher degree of JPE in right (p = 0.008, mean difference, MD: 2.88) and left (p = 0.006, MD: 2.55) rotation as well as in extension (p = 0.011, MD: 2.31), flexion (p = 0.009, MD: 2.35) and mean value (p = 0.001, MD: 2.53) and higher degrees of error in CCW at +40° and -40° (p = 0.012, MD: 0.85 and p = 0.016, MD: 0.82, respectively) and CW at +40° and -40° (p = 0.018, MD: 0.83 and p = 0.015 MD: 0.81, respectively). CGD patients also demonstrated a significant reduction in degrees of CROM in active flexion (p = 0.011, MD: -34.63), extension (p = 0.018, MD: -21.67), left (p = 0.012, MD: -28.29) and right (p = 0.009, MD: -28.52) rotation, and left (p = 0.02, MD: -7.29) and right (p = 0.021, MD: -5.05) lateral flexion. Furthermore, these patients demonstrated higher scores in total DHI (p = 0.007, MD: 25.17) (and relative DHI-P, DHI-F, DHI-E; p = 0.009, MD: 11.4; p = 0.014, MD: 8.73 and p = 0.018, MD: 5.03, respectively), in TSK-17 (p = 0.017, MD: 17.56), and HADS, both in anxiety (p = 0.022, MD: 4.62) and depression (p = 0.02, MD: 7.31) subscale. CONCLUSIONS: A possible common physiopathological background may impact on processes involved in both the JPE and VD behaviour, entangled in a vicious circle with the impaired subjective clinical and quality of life perception.

The effects of nitrogen pollutants on the isotopic signal (δ15N) of Ulva lactuca: Microcosm experiments.

Effects of two chemical forms of Nitrogen (NH4+ and NO3-) on δ15N in Ulva lactuca were analysed separately and in mixture at two concentrations. We assessed whether the δ15N values of U. lactuca discriminate between Nitrogen from synthetic fertilisers (inorganic) and from fresh cow manure (organic), and the isotopic ability of the macroalga to reflect Nitrogen concentrations. Isotopic signature and N content of the macroalga reflected different nitrogenous sources and their concentrations after 48h. The inorganic Nitrogen source (NH4NO3) altered the isotopic values of the macroalgae more than Nitrogen from fresh cow manure (NO3-). δ15N values observed in the mixed solution did not differ from those displayed in NH4NO3 treatment alone. We conclude that stable isotope analysis of U. lactuca collected in an unpolluted site and experimentally submerged in sites suspected of being affected by disturbance is a useful tool for rapid monitoring of anthropogenic discharges of Nitrogen pollutants.

δ(15)N variation in Ulva lactuca as a proxy for anthropogenic nitrogen inputs in coastal areas of Gulf of Gaeta (Mediterranean Sea).

We tested the capacity of Ulva lactuca to mark N sources across large marine areas by measuring variation in its δ(15)N at several sites in the Gulf of Gaeta. Comparisons were made with the macroalga Cystoseira amentacea. Variation of δ(15)N values was assessed also in the coastal waters off the Circeo Natural Park, where U. lactuca and C. amentacea were harvested, as these waters are barely influenced by human activities and were used as reference site. A small fragment from each frond was preserved before deployment in order to characterize the initial isotopic values. After 48 h of submersion, U. lactuca was more responsive than C. amentacea to environmental variation and δ(15)N enrichment in the Gulf of Gaeta was observed. The spatial distribution of δ(15)N enrichment indicated that different macro-areas in the Gulf were affected by N inputs from different origins. Comparison of the δ(15)N values of fragments taken from the same transplanted frond avoided bias arising from natural isotopic variability.