Interactions between pea protein and gellan gum for the development of plant-based structures.

Plant-based analogs have been developed to mimic foods from animal sources by using ingredients from vegetable sources. Among the strategies to produce plant-based structures is the gelation of mixtures between plant proteins and polysaccharides. In this study, our aim was to investigate gels of pea proteins and gellan gum with high protein concentration and the addition of salt (potassium and sodium chloride). In the first step, a qualitative mapping was performed to select pea protein and gellan gum concentrations to produce self-sustainable gels. After that, the effect of salt addition was investigated for the formulations containing 10-15 % (wt) pea protein and 0.5-1 % (wt) gellan gum. The results showed that the gels containing potassium ions were more rigid and less deformable, with lesser water loss by syneresis. The morphological analysis showed a spatial exclusion of pea protein from the gel network mainly structured by the gellan gum. While potassium ions led to a more compact network, calcium ions promoted higher pores in the structure. Depending on the composition, the mechanical properties of gels were similar to some products from animal sources. So, the information obtained from these gels can be applied to the structuring of formulations in the development of plant-based analogs.

The misunderstanding of vaccine efficacy.

Although the efficacies of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, i.e., the virus that causes Covid-19, have been publicized and praised, and although they are assumed to encourage vaccine compliance, little is known about how well these figures are understood by the general public. Our study aims to fill this gap by investigating whether laypeople have an adequate grasp of what vaccine efficacy means and, if not, which misconceptions and consequences are the most common. To this end, we carried out three online behavioral experiments involving 1800 participants overall. The first, exploratory experiment, with a sample of 600 UK participants, allowed us to document, by means of both an open-ended question and a multiple-choice question, a common misinterpretation of the efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines as the non-incidence rate among the vaccinated. We formally demonstrated that this error leads to a systematic overestimation of the probability of individuals who are vaccinated developing Covid-19. The second experiment confirmed the prevalence of this misinterpretation in a new sample of 600 UK and Italian participants, by means of a slightly different multiple-choice question that included more response options. Finally, in a third experiment, involving another 600 UK and Italian participants, we investigated the behavioral implications of the documented error and showed that it might undermine the general positive attitude toward vaccines as well as the intention to get vaccinated. On the whole, the results of this study reveal a general misunderstanding of vaccine efficacy that may have serious consequences for the perceived benefits of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and, thus, the willingness to be vaccinated.

A CMOS application-specified-integrated-circuit for 40 GHz high-electron-mobility-transistors automatic biasing.

This paper presents the design and the experimental results of a CMOS Automatic Control System (ACS) for the biasing of High-Electron-Mobility-Transistors (HEMT). The ACS is the first low-power mixed-signal Application-Specified-Integrated-Circuit (ASIC) able to automatically set and regulate the operating point of an off-chip 6 HEMT Low-Noise-Amplifiers (LNAs), hence it composes a two-chip system (the ACS+LNAs) to be used in the Large Scale Polarization Explorer (LSPE) stratospheric balloon for Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) signal observation. The hereby presented ACS ASIC provides a reliable instrumentation for gradual and very stable LNAs characterization, switching-on, and operating point (<4 mV accuracy). Moreover, it simplifies the electronic instrumentation needed for biasing the LNAs, since it replaces several off-the-shelf and digital programmable device components. The ASIC prototype has been implemented in a CMOS 0.35 µm technology (12 mm2 area occupancy). It operates at 4 kHz clock frequency. The power consumption of one-channel ASIC (biasing one LNA) is 3.6 mW, whereas 30 mW are consumed by a single LNA device.

Very low noise AC/DC power supply systems for large detector arrays.

In this work, we present the first part of the power supply system for the CUORE and LUCIFER arrays of bolometric detectors. For CUORE, it consists of AC/DC commercial power supplies (0-60 V output) followed by custom DC/DC modules (48 V input, ±5 V to ±13.5 V outputs). Each module has 3 floating and independently configurable output voltages. In LUCIFER, the AC/DC + DC/DC stages are combined into a commercial medium-power AC/DC source. At the outputs of both setups, we introduced filters with the aim of lowering the noise and to protect the following stages from high voltage spikes that can be generated by the energy stored in the cables after the release of accidental short circuits. Output noise is very low, as required: in the 100 MHz bandwidth the RMS level is about 37 µV(RMS) (CUORE setup) and 90 µV(RMS) (LUCIFER setup) at a load of 7 A, with a negligible dependence on the load current. Even more importantly, high frequency switching disturbances are almost completely suppressed. The efficiency of both systems is above 85%. Both systems are completely programmable and monitored via CAN bus (optically coupled).

Cardio-respiratory and electromyographic responses to ergometer and on-water rowing in elite rowers.

The aim of this study was to compare muscle activation and cardio-respiratory response during ergometer and on-water rowing. Nine internationally competitive rowers (five Olympic Games medal winners, age 25.6 ± 4.8 years) were requested to perform a 1,000 m race simulation test in the two conditions. Surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals from trapezius superior (TRS), latissimus dorsi (LD), biceps brachii (BB), rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VAM), vastus lateralis (VAL), biceps femoris (BF) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were recorded continuously during the tests together with other cardio-respiratory parameters: heart rate (HR), ventilation (VE), oxygen consumption (VO2). On-water, subjects covered the same distance in a longer time (218.4 ± 3.8 s vs. 178.1 ± 5.6 s during ergometer test). TRS, LD, BB, RF, VAM and VAL muscle activation on-water was lower than off-water during the rowing race. VO2 and VE responses were similar between the two conditions even if the time to complete the 1,000 m race simulation test was higher on-water. The results indicate that for most of the analyzed muscles EMG activation on the ergometer is higher than on-water with the maximal activity at the beginning of the on-water test due reasonably to overcome the forces opposing the forward motion, while the ergometer task elicited increasing muscle activation over time. The present data may be considered by coaches when choosing a rowing ergometer in substitution for the training on-water or when relying on the indoor tests to select the crew.

Differential impact of acute bout of exercise on redox- and oxidative damage-related profiles between untrained subjects and amateur runners.

Despite the demonstrated exercise-induced increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, growing epidemiological evidence indicates that habitual, moderate physical activity reduces the incidence of several oxidative stress-based diseases. This apparent paradox can be explained taking into account that ROS produced during repeated exercise bouts may act as mild stressors able to trigger physiological and biomolecular hormetic responses through a number of redox-sensitive transcription pathways. Unfortunately, much more limited information is available from general population-based research, which could better reflect the condition of common people interested in achieving and maintaining good fitness levels. The present work aimed at investigating whether and how exercise-related habits in non-professional regular runners (n=33) can affect the systemic anti-oxidative capacity, and the resting serum levels of typical lipid peroxidation-related by-products and oxidatively-damaged proteins, in comparison with untrained sedentary individuals (n=25). We also analyzed in both groups the redox response elicited by a modified Bruce-based maximal exercise test on the same parameters. Our findings indicated that long-term regular and moderate practice of aerobic physical activity can increase antioxidant defense systems, lower the resting protein oxidation processes and reduce the immediate up-regulation of lipid-targeting oxidative stress in response to an acute bout of exercise.

Aerobic performance and antioxidant protection in runners.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is known to increase as a result of muscular contractile activity and this phenomenon may perturb the fine-controlled cellular redox homeostasis within cells and tissues. We studied the possible correlations between individual aerobic performance-related factors and the oxidative stress markers profile in the serum of thirty-five endurance male runners that experienced a modified Bruce-based maximal graded exercise test. Our investigation assessed the systemic levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl content (PCC) and total antioxidant status (TAS). We found that redox-related parameters and aerobic performance indicators were correlated. Indeed, significant negative associations between TAS and PCC (r-value -0.7, p<0.001) and between TAS and total protein content (r-value -0.4, p=0.005) were observed. A significant positive association between total protein and PCC (r-value 0.4, p=0.012) was also revealed. Only a trend of negative correlation between serum total protein and anaerobic threshold (r-value -0.3, p=0.07) was found. Interestingly, different responses in MDA levels were elicited by the ergometric test as a function of the individual anaerobic threshold. High aerobic capacities may be promising anthropometric factors indicative of adapted biochemical environments featuring enhanced protection against the oxidative challenge elicited by both regular endurance training and single intense exercise bouts.

Waste water from citrus processing as a source of hesperidin by concentration on styrene-divinylbenzene resin.

This paper describes a procedure for recovering hesperidin from the waste water of orange juice processing, namely, yellow water, by concentration of diluted extracts on styrene-divinylbenzene resin. Turbid raw material flowing out from centrifuges of essential oil separation contains considerable amount of hesperidin ( approximately 1 g/L) mainly associated with solid particles. Yellow water was treated with calcium hydroxide until pH 12 to solubilize hesperidin, filtered, neutralized at pH 6, and loaded on resin up to saturation. Desorption with 10% ethanol aqueous solutions at different NaOH concentrations (0.23-0.92 M) assured high concentration of hesperidin in selected fractions (10-78 g/L), from which it precipitated in high yield and purity immediately after acidification at pH 5. Best results were obtained using 0.46 M NaOH as eluent: 71.5% of the adsorbed hesperidin was desorbed in 300 mL, with an overall 64% yield of isolated product at 95.4% purity (HPLC). These experiments can constitute a useful starting point for an industrial application.

Recovery of hesperidin from orange peel by concentration of extracts on styrene-divinylbenzene resin.

This paper describes a new procedure for obtaining hesperidin from the waste orange peel of the citrus industry. It is based on the adsorption of dilute extracts of hesperidin on a styrene-divinylbenzene (SDVB) resin and the desorption in much more reduced volumes by means of alkaline eluents. Hesperidin immediately precipitates with good yield and high purity after acidification of the concentrated solutions, thus overcoming disadvantages due to the high dilution. Different experiments were carried out to examine operating conditions in each phase of the process. Hesperidin was extracted from peel with an aqueous saturated Ca(OH)(2) solution, allowing precipitation of calcium pectates from colloidal pectins that can interfere in the subsequent phases of adsorption and separation of hesperidin. The clear extracts were neutralized to optimize adsorption on resin. The most effective eluent was 0.5 N NaOH solution containing 10% ethanol. Recycling of the crystallization liquor improved the yield and purity of the product and reduced the acid amount required for neutralizing fresh alkaline extracts. Resin must be washed after each adsorption-desorption cycle and regenerated after five cycles. Results can constitute a useful starting point for an industrial application. A flow scheme of the process is also reported.

[The distal pedicle fasciocutaneous flaps of the leg. Analysis of 21 cases of lower limb reconstruction]. / I lembi fascio-cutanei di gamba a peduncolo distale. Analisi di 21 casi di ricostruzione dell'arto inferiore.

The fascio-cutaneous flaps with distal pedicle, with the new discoveries on fascial and septal circulation of the lower limbs, are a valid reconstructing method for the loss of substance localized on the third inferior of the leg and in the heel's region. In 21 patients, 18 men and 3 women, fascio-cutaneous flaps were employed for the traumatic loss of substance, just in two cases consequentially to removal of maligns lesions, all of them were omolaterals except in three cases in which cross-leg were used. The results are satisfying if we remember that just in two cases we had partial necrosis and in other two cases we had to reinstate the flap which had survived just in his deep position. The advantages of using this technique are supported by his good results and simple execution, realising anyhow that complicated or contaminated trumas need more complex plastic reconstruction.

Emotional profiles of families with a heart-operated patient: a pilot study.

Family interaction is a basic factor in determining the quality of life of patients undergoing heart surgery. The present study investigates the emotional attitudes in the relatives of 10 heart-operated patients. The results indicate that a high amount of relatives' emotional overinvolvement and warmth tends toward a correlation with lower anxiety and depression scores, and with a better 12-month outcome of the illness.

[The rectus-adductor syndrome. The nosographic picture and treatment criteria]. / Sindrome retto-adduttoria. Inquadramento nosografico e criteri di trattamento.

The authors present a detailed study on the rectum-adductor syndrome, describing etiopathogenesis, physiotherapy, medical clinical and surgical treatment. They point out the importance of a wide knowledge of this syndrome commonly occurring to football players but occasionally found in players of other sports.

[Venous grafts in reimplantation of the thumb]. / Innesti venosi nel reimpianto del pollice.

The Authors analyze their experience of 25 thumb reimplantations and revascularizations within 5 years. The importance of the first finger in the functional hand economy as well as the ratio between reimplantation take rate and degree of functional recovery with regard to the type of trauma, technique used, and possible and incidental complications are underlined. The venous autologous grafts are of great importance in this microsurgical area and they are more and more applied. In most cases, indeed, intimal lesions are more extended than their macroscopic appearance and the tract of damaged vessels is always wider than assessed. The graft interposition solves the problem with the further advantage to preserve the maximal bone length and to avoid especially contaminated areas. The results achieved confirm these statements and the Authors conclude for the absolute need of venous grafts in thumb reimplantations, especially after amputation from avulsion or crush traumas, even though a greater skill is necessary in using this technique.

[Latissimus dorsi flap in reconstructive surgery of the lower limbs]. / Il lembo libero di gran dorsale nella chirurgia ricostruttiva degli arti inferiori.

The free latissimus dorsi flap has been used to repair 10 complex losses of substance of the lower extremity. The results have shown the great reconstructive potentialities of the microvascular transfer of this muscle, considered by the authors the most versatile of the myocutaneous flaps. Among the advantages there are the extended surface, its thickness, its pedicle with adequate length and diameter as well as the absence of functional involvement, especially by preserving the upper branch of the thoracodorsal nerve. The indications, however, are limited due to a significant rate of complications which prevent its extended use.

Technical basis for magnetic resonance images.

The spin-echo procedure is the basic technique in a magnetic resonance (MR) study (the magnetization vector is flipped by 90 degrees onto the ortogonal plane to the main magnetic field). Very soon after the MR procedure was developed, it was pointed out how important it is to achieve the needed contrast with shorter repetition times (TRs) to reduce the imaging time. Recently, fast imaging techniques have been introduced (partial flip angles, short TRs, and the lack of 180 degrees radiofrequency pulses to refocus the spins are their main characteristics; the spins are refocused by the application of a gradient reversal technique). These techniques are particularly needed in pediatric neuroradiology, where the examination time must be as short as possible. At present, partial flip-angle techniques are almost completely replacing the conventional spin-echo procedure, but the variations in flip angle could result in a change in contrast. For these reasons, conventional spin-echo techniques may still be useful in a routine MR study.

[Magnetic resonance in brain tumors: a classification based on signal behavior in multiple echo sequences]. / La Risonanza Magnetica nei tumori cerebrali: classificazione in base al comportamento di segnale nelle sequenze in multieco.

MR is generally known to be more sensitive but less specific than CT in the detection of brain lesions. In our opinion multiple echo sequences can markedly improve MR specificity in the diagnosis of tumors. We reviewed a series of 343 intracranial tumors studied with MR using multiple echo sequences and histologically verified. On the basis of the different signal patterns we divided brain tumors into 5 classes. Class 1: the signal intensity of the tumor increases progressively in T2 WI (100% of craniopharyngiomas, 21/21; 100% of epidermoid tumors, 12/12; 81% of astrocytomas (grades I to III), 64/79; 65% of neurinomas, 30/46). Class 2: the signal intensity of the lesion decreases progressively in T2 WI: A) the tumor has higher signal intensity than the parenchyma in all echoes (100% of medulloblastomas, 14/14; 53% of pituitary adenomas, 15/28); B) the tumor has the same signal intensity as the parenchyma in late echo acquisitions (100% of ependymal tumors, 12/12; 60% of meningiomas, 25/41). Class 3: the tumor has the same signal intensity as the parenchyma in all echoes (34% of meningiomas, 14/41). Class 4: glioblastoma model: one or more cysts of high signal intensity in T2 WI and slightly hyperintense nodules and/or rings and hyperintense peritumoral edema (73% of glioblastomas, 35/48; 72% of metastases, 18/25). Class 5: oligodendroglioma model: mixed hyper/hypointense pattern; cyst, calcifications and edema are very difficult to recognize within the lesion (95% of oligodendrogliomas, 18/19). The signal pattern was sometimes characteristic but never pathognomonic. Nevertheless, this classification proved to be an useful criterion to restrict the number of possible diagnoses. The study of T1 and T2 values seems to be less useful.

Computer-assisted planning of stereotactic neurosurgical procedures.

To extend the advantages of stereotactic localization to open procedures, a computational device with a graphic output is introduced. It is designed to be used in the operating room, where it processes neuroradiological information (CT, MR, and angiography) acquired under stereotactic conditions. The surgeon can interact with neuroanatomical data, extracting borders of structures of surgical relevance. The resulting sets of outlines, shown tridimensionally within the reference of a stereotactic head holder, are presented with respect to the planned approaching trajectory. Color-coded high-resolution graphics show the relationship between lesions and normal brain structures and guide the surgeon's access to deep-seated lesions through small exposures.

Problems and perspectives of diagnostic imaging: the pineal region.

In 1970 the state of the art in neuroradiological diagnosis was considered satisfactory enough, if not almost perfect, by the people working in this field. But when a few years later Computerized Tomography appeared, a new impressive standard in neuroradiological resolution was achieved, moreover with a non-invasive method. In the '80 further improvement was brought by several striking new diagnostic technologies, such as Magnetic Resonance, Positron Emission Tomography and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography which allow the physician to achieve a new standard in non-invasive high resolution neuro-imaging which was simply unbelievable a few years ago. A new era is now beginning in the neuro-radiological sciences in which the new techniques surely allow the diagnosis towards disease previously escaping the neuro-radiological observation.

Cerebral MR findings in tuberous sclerosis.

Cerebral magnetic resonance (MR) and CT findings of two sisters affected by clinically defined tuberous sclerosis are reported. Magnetic resonance showed a greater number of lesions than did CT. In addition, MR depiction of the abnormalities better corresponded to the pathological findings usually described in this disease.