Salt and Health: Survey on Knowledge and Salt Intake Related Behaviour in Italy.

Background And Aim: Excess sodium intake is a recognised causal factor of hypertension and its cardiovascular complications; there is however a lack of practical instruments to assess and monitor the level of knowledge and behaviour about dietary salt intake and to relate these factors to the population general dietary habits.

Methods And Results: A self-administered questionnaire was developed to assess the salt and health related knowledge and behaviour of the Italian population through an online survey. A sample of 11,618 Italian participants completed the questionnaire.

Combined Application of Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Insecticides in the Control of Leaf-Miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) on Tomato.

The present research aimed to investigate the compatibility of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) and registered insecticides for the control of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in the tomato crop, as well as the susceptibility of pupae of T. absoluta to EPNs combined with different percentages below the recommended dose of compatible chemical insecticides in laboratory conditions and in the greenhouse. The species of EPN used was Heterorhabditis amazonensis JPM4.

Diet and primary prevention of stroke: Systematic review and dietary recommendations by the ad hoc Working Group of the Italian Society of Human Nutrition.

Background And Aims: To systematically review the latest evidence on established and emerging nutrition-related risk factors for incidence of and mortality from total, ischemic and haemorrhagic strokes. The present review was conducted in the framework of the work carried out through 2015 and 2016 for the preparation of the Italian Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Stroke, 8th Edition, by ISO-SPREAD (Italian Stroke Organization and the Stroke Prevention and Educational Awareness Diffusion).

Methods And Results: Systematic review of articles focused on primary prevention of stroke published between January 2013 to May 2016 through an extensive search of the literature using MEDLINE/PUBMED, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library.

Effect of dietary sodium restriction on arterial stiffness: systematic review and meta-analysis of the randomized controlled trials.

Objective: Arterial stiffness is an independent cardiovascular risk factor and sodium intake could be a determinant of arterial stiffness. Nevertheless, the studies that investigated the effect of reducing dietary sodium intake on arterial stiffness in humans provided inconsistent results. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of the available randomized controlled trials of salt restriction and arterial stiffness to try and achieve more definitive conclusions.

Interactive Universal Design Kiosks: Explanations About Social Inclusion Features in Architectural Design.

This paper details a set of self-supporting and illuminated panels that work together but independently in order to emphasize the explanation of building features and activities that are based on Universal Design guidelines. The exhibition is based on two structures that are arranged in semi-circles (A and B). They are integrated to form a carpeted path where the visitor will be gradually exposed to the concepts related to the principles of Universal Design.

The Olivetti Heart Study: Predictive value of a new adiposity index on risk of hypertension, blood pressure, and subclinical organ damage.

Background And Aims: Recently, some studies have indicated that a new anthropometric index, body adiposity index (BAI), could be more strongly correlated with the percentage of body fat than BMI. However, the results on its role in predicting cardiovascular risk were not univocal. Therefore, the aim of our study was to compare the predictive role of BMI and BAI on risk of hypertension (HP), blood pressure (BP) changes, and subclinical organ damage after an 8-year follow-up, in a sample of adult men participating in the Olivetti Heart Study.

Potassium-rich diet and risk of stroke: updated meta-analysis.

Recently a few prospective population studies provided additional and heterogeneous information concerning the reported statistical associations between potassium (K) intake and stroke risk. Therefore, we updated our previous meta-analysis of K intake and risk of cerebrovascular events. Three studies were added to the previous analysis, and the results of the comparison between the event rate in the two extreme categories of K intake were used.

Does selenium matter in cardiometabolic disorders? A short review of the evidence.

Selenium is an essential micronutrient in the human diet. It is a constituent of selenoproteins, linked to cysteine, and is involved in the defense against oxidative stress. Few studies suggested a role of selenoproteins in the prevention of chronic degenerative disorders, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, and infertility.

Walking execution is not affected by divided attention in patients with multiple sclerosis with no disability, but there is a motor planning impairment.

Purpose: We analysed the cognitive influence on walking in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, in the absence of clinical disability.

Method: A case-control study was conducted with 12 MS patients with no disability and 12 matched healthy controls. Subjects were referred for completion a timed walk test of 10 m and a 3D-kinematic analysis.

Gait characteristics of multiple sclerosis patients in the absence of clinical disability.

Purpose: Motor deficits in lower extremities and gait abnormalities are a major feature of the multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Patients with minimal clinical disability have subtle gait changes. The aim of this study was to analyze the gait characteristics of MS patients in the absence of clinical disability.

Factors for lower walking speed in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to analyze factors related to lower walking speed in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Methods.

Nutritional status is related to fat-free mass, exercise capacity and inspiratory strength in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Introduction: Being overweight or obese is associated with a higher rate of survival in patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This paradoxical relationship indicates that the influence of nutritional status on functional parameters should be further investigated.

Objective: To investigate the impact of nutritional status on body composition, exercise capacity and respiratory muscle strength in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

New drug targets for hepatitis C and other Flaviviridae viruses.

The Flaviviridae family comprises the genus Flavivirus, Hepacivirus and Pestivirus. These viruses are responsible for considerable human and animal disease and mortality worldwide. Flaviviruses cause a range of acute febrile illnesses along with encephalitic or haemorrhagic diseases.

Characterization and partial isolation of ouabain-insensitive Na(+) -ATPase in MDCK I cells.

We show that MDCK I cells express, besides the classical (Na(+)+K(+))ATPase, a Na(+)-stimulated ATPase activity with the following characteristics: (1) K(0.5) for Na(+) 7.5+/-1.