Financial analysis of acorns chain for food production

This study presents a decision support system for the financial analysis of an acorn chain used in food production. The application of these fruits, in fact, shows potential in human nutrition and valorization of rural and marginal areas. A multi-step production process is hypothesised with a different potential organizational structure of each phase and products to be sold. The net present value, pay-back period, safety margins, and internal rate of return are computed for the implemented scenario. The research was grounded on Italian-based data but can be easily transferred to other case studies. The results highlight potential economic suitability of the chain, although subject to a minimal value of prices and productivity. Future improvements and further integration of this study, such as the analysis of fluctuation’s risk of annual production or the need to investigate sensorial properties of acorns, are suggested and discussed

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) augmentation does not result in more favourable outcomes in arthroscopic meniscal repair: a meta-analysis

Background The efficacy and safety of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) augmentation for arthroscopic meniscal repair is controversial. This meta-analysis compared arthroscopic meniscal repair performed in isolation or augmented with PRP. Methods The present study was conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Pubmed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Embase were accessed in August 2021. All the clinical trials which compared arthroscopic meniscal repair performed in isolation or augmented with PRP were included. Results Eight hundred thirty-seven patients were included: 38% (318 of 837 patients) were women; the mean age of the patients was 35.6 (range, 20.8-64.3) years; the mean follow-up was 26.2 (range, 6-54) months. Similarity was found in analogue scale (VAS) (P = 0.5) and Lysholm (P = 0.9), and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores (P = 0.9). Similarity was found in the rate of failure (P = 0.4) and rate of revision (P = 0.07). Conclusion The current published scientific evidence does not support PRP augmentation for arthroscopic meniscal repair

Outpatient Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Outpatient total hip arthroplasty (THA) is increasingly popular. This meta-analysis investigated the potential advantages of outpatient regimes for THA. Methods: This study followed the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Embase, and Scopus databases were accessed in June 2021. All clinical studies investigating outpatient THA were considered. The outcomes of interest were pain, infection, mortality, revision, dislocation, readmission rates, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Results: Data from 102,839 patients were included. A total of 52% (153,168 of 102,839 patients) were women. The mean age of patients was 62.6 +/- 4.6 years, the mean BMI was 29.1 +/- 1.8 kg/m(2). Good comparability was found in age, BMI, and gender (p > 0.1). No difference was found in pain (p = 0.4), infections (p = 0.9), mortality (p = 0.9), rate of revision (p = 0.1), dislocation (p = 0.9), and readmission (p = 0.8). The outpatient group demonstrated a greater rate of DVT (OR 3.57; 95% CI 2.47 to 5.18; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: In selected patients, outpatient THA can be performed safely with optimal outcomes comparable with inpatient THA. Clear and comprehensive pre-operative planning should involve a multi-disciplinary group composed of orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthesia and rehabilitation specialists, and physiotherapists. Each centre performing outpatient THA should implement continuous homecoming welfare activity, to supervise physiotherapy and monitor anticoagulant therapy

The Polyamine Pathway as a Potential Target for Vascular Diseases: Focus on Restenosis

Polyamines are organic polycations expressed by all living organisms, which are known to play an essential role in cell proliferation and differentiation. Recent studies revealed their involvement also in cell contractility and migration and in programmed cell death. These processes are known to contribute to restenosis, a pathophysiological process occurring in 10-20% of patients submitted to revascularization procedures. The advent of bare metal stents and of drug-eluting stents has significantly reduced but not eliminated the incidence of restenosis, which thus remains a clinically relevant problem. Despite the potential role of the polyamine pathway as a therapeutic target due to its involvement in proliferation, apoptosis and migration of vascular cells, experimental inhibition of polyamine synthesis and/or uptake has been poorly investigated in animal models of vascular disease. Here we review the current knowledge about molecular mechanisms related to polyamine functions, with particular reference to the role played by polyamines in vascular cell pathophysiology, together with experimental evidence obtained so far in animal models of (re) stenosis. We also evaluate the advantages of different routes of administration of polyamine synthesis/transport inhibitors and polyamine analogue molecules. Increasing knowledge about the molecular mechanisms and functions of polyamines is expected to shed new light on their potential role as a therapeutic target for restenosis reduction

Liposomes for Intra-Articular Analgesic Drug Delivery in Orthopedics: State-of-Art and Future Perspectives. Insights from a Systematic Mini-Review of the Literature.

Background and objectives: Liposomal structures are artificial vesicles composed of one or several lamellae of phospholipids which surround an inner aqueous core. Given the amphoteric nature of phospholipids, liposomes are promising systems for drug delivery. The present review provides an updated synthesis of the main techniques for the production of liposomes for orthopedic applications, focusing on the drawbacks of the conventional methods and on the advantages of high pressure techniques. Materials and Methods: Articles published in any language were systematically retrieved from two major electronic scholarly databases (PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus) up to March 2020. Nine articles were retained based on the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses" (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: Liposome vesicles decrease the rate of inflammatory reactions after local injections, and significantly enhance the clinical effectiveness of anti-inflammatory agents providing controlled drug release, reducing toxic side effects. Conclusions: This review presents an update on the improvement in musculoskeletal ailments using liposome treatment