A child opportunity index in Italy: a pilot proposal.

Background: The Child Opportunity Index (COI) is a new and innovative tool designed to assess the environment in which children grow up, offering a broad evaluation of the opportunities available to them in different neighborhoods. This initiative aims to ensure improvements in children's living conditions and future health outcomes.

Methods: The study was performed in the cities of Palermo and Rome.

"Pink power"-the importance of coralline algal beds in the oceanic carbon cycle.

Current evidence suggests that macroalgal-dominated habitats are important contributors to the oceanic carbon cycle, though the role of those formed by calcifiers remains controversial. Globally distributed coralline algal beds, built by pink coloured rhodoliths and maerl, cover extensive coastal shelf areas of the planet, but scarce information on their productivity, net carbon flux dynamics and carbonate deposits hampers assessing their contribution to the overall oceanic carbon cycle. Here, our data, covering large bathymetrical (2-51 m) and geographical ranges (53°N-27°S), show that coralline algal beds are highly productive habitats that can express substantial carbon uptake rates (28-1347 g C m day), which vary in function of light availability and species composition and exceed reported estimates for other major macroalgal habitats.

Metabolic scaling of an invasive mussel depends on temperature and chemical cues from an invasive predator.

Metabolism drives various biological processes, potentially influencing the ecological success and evolutionary fitness of species. Understanding diverse metabolic rates is fundamental in biology. Mechanisms underlying adaptation to factors like temperature and predation pressure remain unclear.

An integrated approach for the benthic habitat mapping based on innovative surveying technologies and ecosystem functioning measurements.

Among marine ecosystems globally, those in the Mediterranean Sea, are facing many threats. New technologies are crucial for enhancing our understanding of marine habitats and ecosystems, which can be complex and resource-intensive to analyse using traditional techniques. We tested, for the first time, an integrated multi-platform approach for mapping the coastal benthic habitat in the Civitavecchia (northern Latium, Italy) coastal area.

Predicting the effect of fouling organisms and climate change on integrated shellfish aquaculture.

Aquaculture industry represents a continuously growing sector playing a fundamental role in pursuing United Nation's goals. Increasing sea-surface temperatures, the growth of encrusting species and current cage cleaning practices proved to affect the productivity of commercial species. Here, through a Dynamic Energy Budget application under two different IPCC scenarios, we investigate the long-term effects of Pennaria disticha fragments' on Mytilus galloprovincialis' functional traits as a result of cage cleaning practices.

Disordered Eating, Eating Disorders, and Body Image in Midlife and Older Women.

Purpose Of Review: We review the evidence for the reported increase in disordered eating and body image disturbance occurring in women in middle age and later life. We describe the contributing factors that relate to the unique experience of eating disorders (EDs) at midlife and beyond. We review evidence for several key factors in this observation, specifically the bio-psycho-social and relational components of later life EDs.

A pilot study of multifamily therapy group for young adults with anorexia nervosa: Reconnecting for recovery.

Objective: We tested the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effect sizes on outcome measures of Reconnecting for Recovery (R4R) Multifamily Therapy Group for young adults with anorexia nervosa (AN).

Method: Ten participants (mean age = 23 years, SD = 3.6) meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition criteria for a restrictive eating disorder (AN or other specified feeding and eating disorder) and 14 family members received 16 R4R outpatient sessions over 26 weeks.

The recruitment and acceptability of a project ECHO® eating disorders clinic: a pilot study of telementoring for primary medical and behavioral health care practitioners.

Early identification and intervention are critical to prevent physical and mental health complications, chronicity, and premature death associated with eating disorders. However, primary medical and behavioral health care clinicians often do not feel confident or competent to diagnose and manage patients with eating disorders. This pilot study describes an innovative telementoring project ( that builds a geographically defined collaborative learning community to bridge the knowledge gap between eating disorder specialists located in eating disorder service sites and community-based practitioners, often living in remote areas.

The Use of Poly-4-Hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) Scaffold in the Ptotic Breast: A Multicenter Clinical Study.

Background: Mastopexy and reduction mammaplasty are often limited by the patient's poor native soft tissue quality, resulting in ptosis recurrence and loss of rejuvenated surgical results. Surgical scaffolds and acellular dermal matrices are used in these procedures to provide physical and mechanical stabilization of weakened or compromised tissue. GalaFLEX scaffold, made from poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB), is a next-generation product for soft tissue reinforcement that resorbs gradually while aiding tissue regeneration to achieve excellent outcomes.

Creating a Nursing Student Center for Academic and Professional Success.

Background: The purpose of this article is to describe the development of an innovative broad-based initiative supportive of academic and professional success, the Center for Academic and Professional Success (CAPS) at the University of Rochester School of Nursing. While CAPS was founded to support all nursing students, it was also carefully developed to meet the special needs of students in the accelerated program for non-nurses (APNN) due to their diversity and the intensity and rapidity of the APNN program.

Method: Faculty discussion, literature review, and student needs assessment findings informed program development.

Loss of BMP signaling through BMPR1A in osteoblasts leads to greater collagen cross-link maturation and material-level mechanical properties in mouse femoral trabecular compartments.

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathways play critical roles in skeletal development and new bone formation. Our previous study, however, showed a negative impact of BMP signaling on bone mass because of the osteoblast-specific loss of a BMP receptor (i.e.

Mechanical Loading Synergistically Increases Trabecular Bone Volume and Improves Mechanical Properties in the Mouse when BMP Signaling Is Specifically Ablated in Osteoblasts.

Bone homeostasis is affected by several factors, particularly mechanical loading and growth factor signaling pathways. There is overwhelming evidence to validate the importance of these signaling pathways, however, whether these signals work synergistically or independently to contribute to proper bone maintenance is poorly understood. Weight-bearing exercise increases mechanical load on the skeletal system and can improves bone quality.

WNT1-induced Secreted Protein-1 (WISP1), a Novel Regulator of Bone Turnover and Wnt Signaling.

WISP1/CCN4 (hereafter referred to as WISP1), a member of the CCN family, is found in mineralized tissues and is produced by osteoblasts and their precursors. In this study, Wisp1-deficient (Wisp1(-/-)) mice were generated. Using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, we showed that by 3 months, the total bone mineral density of Wisp1(-/-) mice was significantly lower than that of WT mice.

Measuring perceived mutuality in women with eating disorders: the development of the connection-disconnection scale.

This article describes the development and psychometric testing of the Connection-Disconnection Scale (CDS), the only self-report measure designed to assess perceived mutuality experienced in close relationships by women with eating disorders. Item development was informed by relational-cultural theory and focus groups with patients and recovered individuals. Content and construct validity, test-retest reliability, and internal consistency were examined in samples of female outpatient (n = 131) and partial hospitalization (n = 85) patients.

Identification of tuna species in commercial cans by minor groove binder probe real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences.

Three different minor groove binder (MGB) probe assays have been developed for rapid and accurate identification of the species commonly used for production of canned tuna, i.e. yellowfin (Thunnus albacares), bluefin (Thunnus thynnus) and albacore (Thunnus alalunga) tunas.

Best practice updates for multidisciplinary care in weight loss surgery.

The objective of this study is to update evidence-based best practice guidelines for multidisciplinary care of weight loss surgery (WLS) patients. We performed systematic search of English-language literature on WLS, patient selection, and medical, multidisciplinary, and nutritional care published between April 2004 and May 2007 in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library. Key words were used to narrow the search for a selective review of abstracts, retrieval of full articles, and grading of evidence according to systems used in established evidence-based models.

Nosocomial colonization due to imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa epidemiologically linked to breast milk feeding in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Aim: We describe a one-year investigation of colonization by imipenemresistant, metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the University Hospital of Palermo, Italy.

Methods: A prospective epidemiological investigation was conducted in the period 2003 January to 2004 January. Rectal swabs were collected twice a week from all neonates throughout their NICU stay.

The therapist's use of self-disclosure in a relational therapy approach for eating disorders.

One of the critical aspects of Relational Therapy (RT) that distinguishes it from other treatments for eating disorders is the therapist's use of self-disclosure. Self-disclosure is one way the therapist authentically represents her- or himself in the therapeutic relationship to foster relational movement and growth. This article makes use of an initial clinical vignette to compare and contrast the use of therapist self-disclosure within an RT approach with views of therapist self-disclosure from other psychotherapy traditions.

Salvage treatment of an irradiated, infected lumbosacral wound.

A 60-year-old male with lumbosacral multiple myeloma received 5100 cGy of external-beam radiation, thalidomide, and Decadron. He subsequently underwent excision of the epidural tumor, decompressive L4, L5, and S1 laminectomies, and bilateral L4-5 and L5-S1 medial facetectomies. The patient developed osteoradionecrosis, cerebrospinal fluid leak, wound infection, and sepsis.

Detection of Bacillus species in selected meals from an apulian catering service.

The authors have started a microbiological survey of the meals given in a factory canteen in the town of Bari with the evaluation of food contamination from the bacteria of the genus Bacillus. In the examined meals, all the detected Bacillus species have the potential to cause food-borne illnesses, even if the relatively low bacterial counts are not dangerous for healthy consumers. The study underlines the need of guidelines to enstablish which levels of food contamination are significant potential risks to all community catering service users.

A pilot investigation of the relation of perceived mutuality to eating disorders in women.

Relational theory predicts that lack of mutuality in important relationships leads to the development of psychological problems, including eating disorders. We sought to explore the association between perceived mutuality in relationships with partners and friends and eating disorders. Participants were 74 women, 35 with an eating disorder diagnosis and 39 non-psychiatric controls.

The relationship between perceived mutuality and bulimic symptoms, depression, and therapeutic change in group.

This pilot study examined (a) the effectiveness of short-term group relational therapy (RT) in comparison to short-term group cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and (b) the relationship between perceived mutuality (PM) in relationships and severity of bulimic and depressive symptoms in women with bulimia nervosa (BN). Fifteen women ages 20-54 diagnosed with BN (n=11) or binge-eating disorder (BED, n=4) were randomly assigned to a 16-week manualized RT or CBT group. The following measures were administered at baseline, at 8 and 16 weeks, and at 6th- and 12th-month follow-ups: Eating Disorders Inventory-2 (EDI-2), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Mutual Psychological Development Questionnaire (MPDQ).

Primary process and peer consultation: an experiential model to work through countertransference.

Various models exist for peer supervision and consultation of group therapy. This article documents the authors' experience using an experiential group consultation of group therapy model that relies on primary process to overcome countertransference dilemmas. A review of group therapy supervision and consultation models is followed by vignettes from the authors' experience.

Direct detection of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts by immunomagnetic separation-polymerase chain reaction in raw milk.

Cryptosporidium parvum is an emerging protozoan parasite responsible for several serious outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis, an enteric infection characterized by severe intestinal distress. This parasite can be transmitted through contaminated water and raw food in the oocyst form, which is resistant to many environmental stresses and food processes. C.

Bacteriocin-producing Lactobacillus sake as starter culture in dry sausages.

One hundred and fifty-two strains of Lactobacillus spp and Micrococcus spp, isolated from dry sausages, were screened for inhibitory activity. Two of the strains assayed of the genus Lactobacillus showed bactericidal activity. They were able to inhibit Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria seeligeri, Listeria innocua, Lactobacillus alimentarius and Lactobacillus bavaricus.