Sensor-Based Balance Training with Exergaming Feedback in Subjects with Chronic Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: As one of the leading causes of disability in the world, stroke can determine a reduction of balance performance with a negative impact on daily activity and social life. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of sensor-based balance training with exergaming feedback on balance skills in chronic stroke patients.

Methods: 21 individuals (11F, 57.

Legionella anisa or Legionella bozemanii? Traditional and molecular techniques as support in the environmental surveillance of a hospital water network.

Understanding the actual distribution of different Legionella species in water networks would help prevent outbreaks. Culture investigations followed by serological agglutination tests, with poly/monovalent antisera, still represent the gold standard for isolation and identification of Legionella strains. However, also MALDI-TOF and mip-gene sequencing are currently used.

The effects of whey protein fibrils on the linear and non-linear rheological properties of a gluten-free dough.

The increasing awareness of the celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder caused by the consumption of products containing gluten, has led to a growing interest in the development of gluten-free bakery products. In this study, whey protein fibrils (WPFs) were incorporated to mimic the fibrous network of gluten. The rheological properties and microstructure of the developed gluten-free doughs were evaluated and compared with gluten doughs.

Diversity of rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria isolated from dried fruit of Ficus carica.

There is currently an increasing demand for the characterization of endophytic bacteria isolated from different parts of plants (rhizosphere, roots, fruit, leaf) in order to improve the organic agriculture practices. The current research was performed to identify both rhizospheric bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of in three different sites in the north of Tunisia and endophytic bacteria isolated from dried figs. We then characterized them for a diversity of plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities.

Feasibility of a tailored home-based exercise intervention during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of a home-based moderate-to-vigorous intensity, phased (introduction, intermediate, maintenance), exercise prescription in breast cancer patients receiving cardiotoxic neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods: Nineteen breast cancer patients were randomized to intervention or control for the duration of chemotherapy (16-24 weeks). The intervention was one aerobic exercise session at 80-90% VO for 25 min/week and 65%-75% VO for ≥ 50 min/week.

Ready to eat shelf-stable brown rice in pouches: effect of moisture content on product's quality and stability.

Despite several nutritional benefits of brown rice (BR) its consumption remains limited compared to white rice. Two of the major barriers to its consumption are long cooking time and limited shelf life. However, those two hurdles can be overcome through the development of shelf-stable BR pouches to create new ready-to-eat (RTE) products, a food category that is gaining important market shares.

Comparison of analytical approaches for identifying airborne microorganisms in a livestock facility.

An intensive study, applied to a site characterized by multiple sources of microorganisms, was aimed at understanding the best approach to study bioaerosol. Culture-based, molecular biological, and chemical methods were applied to Particulate Matter (PM) samples collected in a livestock facility, during spring and autumn seasons, in two different outdoor areas. The first one was close to a place where feed was stored and handled and the second next to an open cowshed.

First insights into oxidative stress and theoretical environmental risk of Bronopol and Detarox® AP, two biocides claimed to be ecofriendly for a sustainable aquaculture.

Bronopol and Detarox® AP are broad spectrum antimicrobial biocides of growing interest for the aquaculture sector. While their effectiveness against aquatic pathogens has been demonstrated, toxicity data on wild or farmed species are still lacking, as is information on their potential environmental risk for aquatic ecosystems. With this study, we assessed the acute and sublethal toxicity of Bronopol and Detarox® AP in the freshwater bivalve Sinanodonta woodiana and their theoretical risk for aquatic ecosystem.

Limited hydrolysis and conjugation of zein with chitosan oligosaccharide by enzymatic reaction to improve functional properties.

In order to improve its aqueous solubility and emulsifying function, zein was partially hydrolyzed by trypsin and conjugated to chitosan oligosaccharide lactate by transglutaminase. Hydrolysis and covalent linkage to chitosan oligosaccharide was confirmed by free amine content, gel electrophoresis, and infrared spectroscopy. Enzymatic glycosylation was optimized at pH 6, 44 °C, and 4 h to bind approximately 95% of the free amines in the hydrolysates to chitosan oligosaccharide.

Incorporation of Plasticizers and Co-proteins in Zein Electrospun Fibers.

As a means to alter the physical properties of electrospun zein fibers, plasticizers (glycerol, lactic acid, and oleic acid) or co-proteins (casein, whey protein, rice protein) were mixed with zein using the solvents acetic acid or aqueous ethanol with or without sodium hydroxide. Incorporating plasticizers or co-proteins had a negligible impact on solution viscosity, solution surface tension, and fiber formation, although electron microscopy of fiber mats showed an increase in bead formation with added co-proteins. Gel electrophoresis identified casein and whey protein in spun mats.

Characterization of long-range transported bioaerosols in the Central Mediterranean.

Airborne bacteria were characterized over a 2-y period via high-throughput massive sequencing of 16S rRNA gene in aerosol samples collected at a background mountain European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) Network site (Monte Martano, Italy) located in the Central Mediterranean area. The air mass origin of nineteen samples was identified by air mass modelling and a detailed chemical analysis was performed. Four main origins (Saharan, North-western, North-eastern, and Regional) were identified, and distinct microbial communities were associated with these air masses.

Electrospinning Induced Orientation of Protein Fibrils.

Amyloid-like fibrils are prepared from protein in the lab by controlled heat treatments, yet these must be further assembled to match the desirable mechanical and structural properties of biological fibers. Here, β-lactoglobulin fibrils were incorporated into poly(ethylene oxide) fibers of 40-180 nm diameter by electrospinning. Protein fibrils presented as short segments dispersed within electrospun fibers, with no change in fibril diameter after electrospinning.

Rheology, microstructure and phase behavior of potato starch-protein fibril mixed gel.

Effects of adding whey protein fibrils to gels of potato starch with 8 % solids content were determined by rheology, microscopy, and calorimetry. Adding fibrils to starch at 50 % content (w/w) increased starch gelatinization temperature by 1.5 °C but decreased associated enthalpy.

Evaluation of Bioaerosol Bacterial Components of a Wastewater Treatment Plant Through an Integrate Approach and In Vivo Assessment.

Wastewater carries different pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms that can be dispersed in the surrounding environment. Workers who frequent sewage treatment plants can therefore be exposed to aerosols that contain a high concentration of potentially dangerous biological agents, or they can come into direct contact with contaminated material. This can lead to allergies, infections and occupational health-associated diseases.

Plant-microorganisms interaction promotes removal of air pollutants in Milan (Italy) urban area.

Plants and phyllosphere microorganisms may effectively contribute to reducing air pollution in cities through the adsorption and biodegradation of pollutants onto leaves. In this work, during all seasons, we sampled atmospheric particulate matter (PM) and leaves of southern magnolia Magnolia grandiflora and deodar cedar Cedrus deodara, two evergreen plant species widespread in the urban area of Milan where the study was carried out. We then quantified Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) both in PM and on leaves and used sequencing of 16S rRNA gene, shotgun metagenomics and qPCR analyses to investigate the microbial communities hosted by the sampled leaves.

High risk of thrombosis recurrence in patients with homozygous and compound heterozygous factor V R506Q (Factor V Leiden) and prothrombin G20210A.

Objective: Heterozygous Factor V R506Q [Factor V Leiden (FVL)] and prothrombin G20210A (PGM), the most common inherited thrombotic disorders in the Caucasian population, confer a low-moderate risk for first venous thromboembolic (VTE) event. We investigated the thrombotic complications of rare homozygous and compound heterozygous FVL and PGM.

Methods: A cohort of patients with homozygous and compound heterozygous FVL and PGM were evaluated at a major referral center in Central Pennsylvania, USA between June 2001 and March 2019.

Airborne bacteria and persistent organic pollutants associated with an intense Saharan dust event in the Central Mediterranean.

In this paper, we present a comprehensive taxonomic survey of the bacterial community and accurate quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with an intense Saharan dust advection, which impacted Central Mediterranean area in the whole 2014-2015 period. This work is part of an intensive field campaign at the EMEP regional background site of Monte Martano (Central Italy), considered well representative of long-range transport in the Central Mediterranean area. 22 samples have been characterized in their provenance region and have been considered for the chemical and biological characterization.

Structured emulsions as butter substitutes: effects on physicochemical and sensory attributes of shortbread cookies.

Background: Reformulation of foods products to reduce total and saturated fats while maintaining acceptable structure, texture and mouthfeel poses an important challenge to the food industry. In this work, the use of structured emulsions (fibre-induced oil-in-water biphasic systems with reduced total and saturated fats) is proposed to replace butter in shortbread cookies.

Results: Use of structured emulsions resulted in softer dough that was still workable using a traditional process.

Sonographic diagnosis of a radiographically occult displaced fracture of a costal cartilage.

We report the case of a 22-year-old athlete who sustained a blunt thoracic trauma to the right chest causing a costal cartilage fracture. Plain radiographs revealed no abnormalities while sonographic (US) examination performed a week later because of persistent pain led to the diagnosis of a displaced fracture of the right tenth costal cartilage. A follow-up US examination confirmed the healing of the fracture and allowed the patient to return to competitive sport activity.

Characterization of the Skin Microbiota in Italian Stream Frogs (Rana italica) Infected and Uninfected by a Cutaneous Parasitic Disease.

In human and wildlife populations, the natural microbiota plays an important role in health maintenance and the prevention of emerging infectious diseases. In amphibians, infectious diseases have been closely associated with population decline and extinction worldwide. Skin symbiont communities have been suggested as one of the factors driving the different susceptibilities of amphibians to diseases.