Effectiveness of the “ecological beach” model: Beneficial management of posidonia beach casts and banquette

The accumulation of Posidonia oceanica dead leaves on the beaches of the Mediterranean shores is a natural phenomenon. They are either temporary or permanent structures (banquettes) and represent a valuable resource, with important ecosystem functions including coastal protection against erosion. Nevertheless, the perception of these plant accumulations by the different stakeholders (beach managers, local administrations and tourists) is often negative; they consider these deposits a malevolent waste to be removed, rather than a natural and valuable component of the coastline. We propose an integrated/beneficial management model for posidonia deposits, called ECOLOGICAL BEACH, firstly proposed in France, and recently implemented and applied in Italy. The model promotes the preservation of posidonia beach casts on site, with a balanced coexistence of natural and anthropic elements. The model fosters the several important ecosystem services of the beach casts and contributes to coastal preservation. To successfully spread the model, several activities must be implemented: a regulatory framework, the collection of data about the occurrence of beach casts, management protocols and educational programs. The most important activity is the educational one, based on the dissemination of the ecological and economic value of the beach casts, aimed at switching the perception of this phenomenon towards positive appraisal

The long isoform uncoupling protein-3 (UCP3L) in human energy homeostasis

The biological role(s) proposed for UCP3 in energy homeostasis have been based primarily upon amino acid sequence homology to UCP1. Spontaneous mutations of UCP3 have been described in humans, but not in rodents. The functional consequences—or lack thereof—of these mutations in humans will be of great importance in elucidating the biology of this protein. The results of two such studies are summarized here. © 1999 Stockton Press. All rights reserved

Gokyo Khumbu/Ama Dablam Trek 2012

In the expedition Gokyo Khumbu/Ama Dablam Trek 2012, we studied the effects of two 12-day training periods performed both at sea level and at high altitude. The main results on adult women have been published in six original articles. In women, high altitude trekking induced CD69 T cell activation and promoted anti-stress effects of the immune responses and the oxidative balance (1). Low-to-moderate exercise training at s.l. improves the regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle and depicted the epigenetic signature of satellite cells. The cell differentiation was favored by increased [Ca2+]i and fusion index (2). On the contrary, the training in hypobaric-hypoxia induced oxidative stress and impaired the regenerative capacity of satellite cells (6). Although training did not significantly modify muscle phenotype , it induced beneficial adaptations of the oxygen transport-utilization systems witnessed by faster VO2 kinetics at exercise onset (3). The two training periods did not influence the postural stability (4). In young adult women, micturition physiological parameters were affected during adaptation to hypoxia; the correlation with SpO2 strongly suggests a role of hypoxia in these changes (5

Human dental pulp pluripotent-like stem cells promote wound healing and muscle regeneration

Background: Dental pulp represents an easily accessible autologous source of adult stem cells. A subset of these cells, named dental pulp pluripotent-like stem cells (DPPSC), shows high plasticity and can undergo multiple population doublings, making DPPSC an appealing tool for tissue repair or maintenance. Methods: DPPSC were harvested from the dental pulp of third molars extracted from young patients. Growth factors released by DPPSC were analysed using antibody arrays. Cells were cultured in specific differentiation media and their endothelial, smooth and skeletal muscle differentiation potential was evaluated. The therapeutic potential of DPPSC was tested in a wound healing mouse model and in two genetic mouse models of muscular dystrophy (Scid/mdx and Sgcb-null Rag2-null γc-null). Results: DPPSC secreted several growth factors involved in angiogenesis and extracellular matrix deposition and improved vascularisation in all three murine models. Moreover, DPPSC stimulated re-epithelialisation and ameliorated collagen deposition and organisation in healing wounds. In dystrophic mice, DPPSC engrafted in the skeletal muscle of both dystrophic murine models and showed integration in muscular fibres and vessels. In addition, DPPSC treatment resulted in reduced fibrosis and collagen content, larger cross-sectional area of type II fast-glycolytic fibres and infiltration of higher numbers of proangiogenic CD206+ macrophages. Conclusions: Overall, DPPSC represent a potential source of stem cells to enhance the wound healing process and slow down dystrophic muscle degeneration

Application of systematic design methods to cultural heritage preservation

The preservation of cultural heritage often involves the design of systems with different purposes, as for example the devices for extraction of data from inaccessible locations and/or demonstrative models. For the latter, when the starting information about the model to be designed is incomplete, the task is not trivial, and different interpretations of the system can lead to different design outcomes. Moreover, other requirements concerning size, materials and interactivity, make this a real engineering design task, where actors with conflicting needs can be involved. Accordingly, to ensure a comprehensive fulfilment of the task, it is possible to follow engineering systematic design approaches that, even if originally developed for the development of industrial systems, can be conveniently used for different fields of application. More specifically, these design methods ensure the design of cost-effective solutions by reducing the useless and costly design iterations that often characterize non-structured procedures. In particular, the present paper shows the application of systematic methods for the interpretation, the design and the development of realistic physical models from some of the Leonardo da Vinci’s machines, for the Museo Leonardiano of Vinci (Italy). The followed approach allowed to efficiently gather the starting list of design requirements, and to engage a successful interaction among the designers, the historians, the museum staff and the architect involved in the showroom design. The key points of the systematic design methodology are presented in this paper, together with some applicative examples from the Da Vinci’s models. Other possible application of systematic design approaches are also presented, with the aim of showing some representative examples were the Engineering design and problem-solving methods can support the preservation of cultural heritage

Elbow arthroplasty: current techniques and complications

This handbook provides detailed, state-of-the-art information on total elbow replacement, covering all relevant aspects, from basic science and pathogenesis to clinical and instrumental evaluation, and treatment techniques. Elbow arthroplasties have undergone a considerable evolution in recent decades due to better anatomical and biomechanical knowledge, continuous development of biomaterials, improvement of operative techniques and better definition of the surgical indications. This book enables readers to better understand the main indications, the outcomes and the complications following total elbow arthroplasty, radial head arthroplasty, radiocapitellar arthroplasty and distal humerus hemiarthroplasty. The closing section addressing the post-operative management of the patients who have undergone elbow replacement is provided in order to optimize the relationship between the orthopedic surgeon and the rehabilitation physician. Written by leading experts in the field, the book is an invaluable tool for experienced surgeons, orthopedic residents and shoulder fellows