Face memory and facial expression recognition are both affected by wearing disposable surgical face masks

Faces are fundamental stimuli for social interactions since they provide significant information about people's identity and emotional states. With the outburst of the COVID-19 pandemic, global use of preventive measures, such as disposable surgical face masks (DSFMs), has been imposed. The massive use of DSFMs covering a large part of the face could interfere with identity and emotion recognition. Thus, the main aim of the current study was (i) to assess how DSFMs affect identity recognition (Experiment 1), (ii) how DSFMs affect emotion recognition (Experiment 2), and (iii) whether individual empathy levels correlate with emotion recognition with DSFMs. The potential relation between identity and emotion recognition with and without DSFMs was also investigated. Two tasks were administered to 101 healthy participants: (i) the Old-new face memory task aimed to assess whether the learning context (i.e., DSFMs on/off) affects recognition performance, whereas (ii) the Facial affect task explored DSFMs' effect on emotion recognition. Results from the former showed that the stimuli's features in the learning stage affect recognition performances; that is, faces wearing DSFMs were better recognized if wearing DSFMs at first exposure and vice versa. Results from the Facial affect task showed that DSFMs lead to reduced disgust, happiness, and sadness recognition. No significant correlation emerged between identity and emotion recognition. The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) was administered to assess affective and cognitive empathy; however, IRI scores did not correlate with either face memory recognition or facial affect recognition. Overall, our results demonstrate (a) a "context effect" for face memory with and without DSFMs; (b) a disruptive effect of DSFMs depending on the expressed emotion; and (c) no correlation between empathy and emotion recognition with DSFMs.

The impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on Oncologic and Degenerative Spine Surgery Department activity: the experience of Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute under COVID-19 lockdown

OBJECTIVE

Experience of Department of Oncologic and Degenerative Spine Surgery of Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic lockdown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective observational study of surgically treated patients from 09th March 2020 to 04th May 2020.

DATA COLLECTED

age, sex, type of disease, neurological status, days of hospitalization, complications and type of discharge. A comparison analysis with same period of the last year was performed in order to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 spreading on daily surgical activity.

RESULTS

A total of 107 surgical procedures in 102 patients were performed from 09th March 2020 to 04th May 2020. Analysis showed a statistically significant difference in age, sex, ASIA class and type of treated disease compared to the same period of the last year (p=0.042, 0.006, 0.022 and 0.007, respectively). No statistically significant differences were observed in type of discharge, length of hospitalization and complications (p= 0.447, 0.261 and 0.127, respectively). 3 COVID-19 infections have been identified in hospitalized patients. 1 COVID-19 patient wad admitted from Emergency Department and was managed according to a dedicated path.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical activity was paradoxically increased during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic lockdown through the management of urgent and non-deferrable spinal disease with a low rate (3,9%) of COVID-19 infections.

Biomaterials as bone graft substitutes for spine surgery: from preclinical results to clinical study

Vertebral fusion is performed in order to stabilize the spine in the presence of degenerative, traumatic or oncological pathologies that alter its stability. The autologous bone, harvested from the patient’s iliac crest or from the lamina during surgery, is still considered the “gold standard” for spine fusion due to its osteogenic, osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties. However, several biological and synthetic bone substitutes have been introduced as alternatives for regenerating bone tissue. We have studied in particular the use of ceramic biomaterials prepared from hydroxypatite (HA), starting from in vitro analysis, through an in vivo study on ovine animal model and a post-market surveillance analysis, to finally design and perform a clinical study, which is ongoing in our Department. In the first step, HA-derived biomaterials were tested in vitro in the presence of bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and evaluated for their ability to activate precursor cells. In the second step, the biomimetic bone graft substitute SintLife® putty (MgHA) was evaluated in vivo. A posterolateral fusion procedure was applied on 18 sheep, where a fusion level was treated with MgHA, while the other level was treated with autologous bone. Microtomography and histological/histomorphometric analysis were performed six months of after surgery. In the third step, we reported the results of a post-market surveillance study conducted on 4 independent cohorts of patients (total 115 patients), in which HA-derived biomaterials were used as bone graft substitutes or extenders. Finally, a clinical study has been designed and approved by the Ethics Committee of our Institute and is currently ongoing. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the ceramic biomaterial SintLife® putty for bone replacement in patients treated by posterolateral fusion for degenerative spine disorders. HA biomaterials were effective in promoting the in vitro growth of hMSCs and their osteogenic differentiation. In the animal model, SintLife® putty has been effective in generating neo-formed bone tissue with morphological and structural features similar to those of the pre-existing bone. The post-market surveillance analysis has not reported any intra-operative nor early or late post-operative adverse events. Seven patients are currently recruited for the clinical trial designed to evaluate Sintlife efficacy for spine fusion (FU range: 1-7 months). No adverse events have been recorded. The first CT analysis performed at 6 months FU showed a good spine fusion. The study is ongoing. Our results, obtained from in vitro, preclinical and clinical studies, suggest that biomaterials derived from hydroxyapatite could be a valid alternative to autologous bone graft for vertebral fusion. This would potentially avoid or reduce the need of autologous bone harvesting and therefore, the risk of drawback-related side effects.

Minimally-invasive treatment of calcaneal fractures: A review of the literature and our experience

The optimal treatment of calcaneal fractures (CF) is currently controversial and is still under debate. It is well established that conservative treatment of these fractures is associated with poor results. Several surgical techniques are described in the literature; however, there is no consensus on which of these is more effective. The main goals of surgery are to restore the subtalar joint congruence, and calcaneal width, height, shape and alignment, thus avoiding medial and lateral impingement and enabling the patient to resume a normal lifestyle. ORIF is the most popular technique for these fractures, but it is associated with high rates of wound complications, hardware failure and infections. Several minimally-invasive techniques have been developed recently for the treatment of CF, with the common aim to be as simple, effective and inexpensive as possible and to reduce surgical times, complications and length of hospital stay.

Fast growing pseudotumour in a hairdresser after metal-on-metal hip resurfacing: a case report

A 44-year-old female hairdresser who underwent metal-on-metal hip resurfacing (MOMHR) for hip osteoarthritis developed a benign pelvic pseudotumour. Elevated levels of chromium and cobalt ions were detected in the blood. Patch testing after pseudotumor formation, showed positive skin reactions to cobalt and nickel. Marked hypereosinophilia was noted, as well as the presence of eosinophils in the pseudotumor mass. A revision to a ceramic-on-ceramic implant was performed. Radiographs showed no implant loosening or bone resorption. We hypothesized that a steep cup positioning as well as hypersensitivity response to the metal nanoparticles and ion release may have induced pseudotumour development. Currently there is no evidence that negative patch testing reduces the probability to develop an adverse reaction to metal debris therefore we suggest to carefully investigate patient medical history regarding occupation exposure and daily contact with jewellery, beauty and cleaning products before implanting MOMHR. The main challenge is to identify a sensitive patient candidate to MOMHR never suspected to be.

A comparison of hemiarthroplasty with a novel polycarbonate-urethane acetabular component for displaced intracapsular fractures of the femoral neck: a randomised controlled trial in elderly patients

We undertook a randomised controlled trial to compare bipolar hemiarthroplasty (HA) with a novel total hip replacement (THR) comprising a polycarbonate-urethane (PCU) acetabular component coupled with a large-diameter metal femoral head for the treatment of displaced fractures of the femoral neck in elderly patients. Functional outcome, assessed with the Harris hip score (HHS) at three months and then annually after surgery, was the primary endpoint. Rates of revision and complication were secondary endpoints. Based on a power analysis, 96 consecutive patients aged > 70 years were randomised to receive either HA (49) or a PCU-THR (47). The mean follow-up was 30.1 months (23 to 50) and 28.6 months (22 to 52) for the HA and the PCU group, respectively. The HHS showed no statistically significant difference between the groups at every follow-up. Higher pain was recorded in the PCU group at one and two years' follow-up (p = 0.006 and p = 0.019, respectively). In the HA group no revision was performed. In the PCU-THR group six patients underwent revision and one patient is currently awaiting re-operation. The three-year survival rate of the PCU-THR group was 0.841 (95% confidence interval 0.680 to 0.926). Based on our findings we do not recommend the use of the PCU acetabular component as part of the treatment of patients with fractures of the femoral neck.

Risk factors for HBV/HIV/HCV in drug addicts: a survey of attendees of a department of pathological dependence

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to determine risk factors for the acquisition of HIV, HBV and HCV infections among Injection Drug Users (IDUs) who attended the out-patient clinic of the Department of Pathological Dependence at Bari Hospital in Bari Province (Italy).

METHODS

The study was conducted in the year 2008 using the information available in the out-patient files of 291 drug addicts who were undergoing treatment.

RESULTS

Their average age was 29.3 and 133 (45.7%) of them were affected by HIV/HBV/WHCV. The use of injected heroin, being separated or divorced, and having committed a crime were found to be risk factors for infection by HIV/ HBV/ HCV, while having a school diploma or a university degree and the use of cannabinoids were negatively associated with the infective diseases.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

While the data from the Italian Departments of Pathological Dependence concerning HIV diffusion in treated patients have been showing a reduction in the number of cases of seropositivity, drug addiction in industrialized countries is still the second most important risk factor, after promiscuous sexual behaviour, for infection by parenteral transmission. Correct risk assessment is essential for the planning of effective strategies for primary and secondary prevention.

Quality in emergency departments: a study on 3,285,440 admissions

INTRODUCTION

A multi-centre study has been conducted, during 2005, by means of a questionnaire posted on the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine (SIMEU) web page. Our intention was to carry out an organisational and functional analysis of Italian Emergency Departments (ED) in order to pick out some macro-indicators of the activities performed. Participation was good, in that 69 ED (3,285,440 admissions to emergency services) responded to the questionnaire.

METHODS

The study was based on 18 questions: 3 regarding the personnel of the ED, 2 regarding organisational and functional aspects, 5 on the activity of the ED, 7 on triage and 1 on the assessment of the quality perceived by the users of the ED.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The replies revealed that 91.30% of the ED were equipped with data-processing software, which, in 96.83% of cases, tracked the entire itinerary of the patient. About 48,000 patients/year used the ED: 76.72% were discharged and 18.31% were hospitalised. Observation Units were active in 81.16% of the ED examined. Triage programmes were in place in 92.75% of ED: in 75.81% of these, triage was performed throughout the entire itinerary of the patient; in 16.13% it was performed only symptom-based, and in 8.06% only on-call. Of the patients arriving at the ED, 24.19% were assigned a non-urgent triage code, 60.01% a urgent code, 14.30% a emergent code and 1.49% a life-threatening code. Waiting times were: 52.39 min for non-urgent patients, 40.26 min for urgent, 12.08 for emergent, and 1.19 for life-threatening patients.

Synthesis and SAR of new 5-phenyl-3-ureido-1,5-benzodiazepines as cholecystokinin-B receptor antagonists

A series of 5-phenyl-3-ureidobenzodiazepine-2,4-diones was synthesized and evaluated as cholecystokinin-B (CCK-B) receptor antagonists. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies revealed the importance of the N-1 substituent for potent and selective CCK-B affinity. Addition of substituents at the urea side chain provided in some cases more potent compounds. Moreover the introduction of bulky substituents such as adamantylmethyl at N-1 and resolution of the racemic ureas resulted in our lead compound GV150013.

Statistical analysis on a series of glycine antagonists

Quantitative structure-activity relationships of two series of glycine antagonists, pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazines and pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine N-oxides, was performed using PLS (Projection on Latent Variables) and traditional physico-chemical and topological descriptors. The effect of substitution on the heteroaromatic ring was investigated with the aim of further improving the affinity (expressed as pKi) of these derivatives towards the strychnine-insensitive glycine binding site associated with the NMDA receptor. A significant model was obtained for both series of compounds. Structure-activity implications are discussed.

(E)-3-(2-(N-phenylcarbamoyl)vinyl)pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid derivatives. A novel class of glycine site antagonists

The synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of novel (E)-3-(2-(N-phenylcarbamoyl)-vinyl)pyrrole-2-carboxylic acids bearing alkyl, acyl, alkoxy, phenyl, and halo substituents at the 4- and 5-positions of the pyrrole ring are reported. These compounds were studied for their in vitro affinity at the strychnine-insensitive glycine-binding site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor complex. In the [3H]glycine binding assay (E)-4,5-dibromo-3-(2-(N-phenylcarbamoyl)vinyl)pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid 6w (pKi = 7.95 +/- 0.01) and the 4-bromo-5-methyl 6j (pKi = 7.24 +/- 0.01) and 4,5-dimethyl 6g (pKi = 6.70 +/- 0.03) analogues were the most active compounds of the series. Qualitative structure-activity analysis points to a negative correlation between bulk of the C-4 and C-5 substituents and affinity which is enhanced by halo-substituents. QSAR analysis by the Hansch descriptors F, R, pi, and MR, on a subset of compounds with pKi > or = 4, indicates that electron-withdrawing groups at C-4 and C-5 enhance the affinity. Bulk and lipophilicity are also relevant for the substituents at these positions. 6g was found to be a full antagonist (alpha = 0; enhancement of the [3H]TCP binding). The in vivo potency of 6g, 6j, and 6w was evaluated by the inhibition of NMDA-induced convulsions in mice by both the i.v. and po routes; 6w was the most active compound (ED50 = 3 x 10(-3) (0.8-10) g/kg, i.v. and 30 x 10(-3) (4.5-61) g/kg, p.o.). The results of this study indicate that the 3,4-disubstitutedpyrrole-2-carboxylate represents a novel template for the design of new glycine antagonists.

Substituted indole-2-carboxylates as in vivo potent antagonists acting as the strychnine-insensitive glycine binding site

A series of indole-2-carboxylates bearing suitable chains at the C-3 position of the indole nucleus was synthesized and evaluated in terms of in vitro affinity using [3H]glycine binding assay and in vivo potency by inhibition of convulsions induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) in mice. 3-[2-[(Phenylamino)carbonyl]ethenyl]-4,6-dichloroindole-2-carboxyl ic acid (8) was an antagonist at the strychnine-insensitive glycine binding site (noncompetitive inhibition of the binding of [3H]TCP, pA2 = 8.1) displaying nanomolar affinity for the glycine binding site (pKi = 8.5), coupled with high glutamate receptor selectivity (> 1000-fold relative to the affinity at the NMDA, AMPA, and kainate binding sites). This indole derivative inhibited convulsions induced by NMDA in mice, when administered by both iv and po routes (ED50 = 0.06 and 6 mg/kg, respectively). The effect of the substituents on the terminal phenyl ring of the C-3 side chain was investigated. QSAR analysis suggested that the pKi value decreases with lipophilicity and steric bulk of substituents and increases with the electron donor resonance effect of the groups present in the para position of the terminal phenyl ring. According to these results the terminal phenyl ring of the C-3 side chain should lie in a nonhydrophobic pocket of limited size, refining the proposed pharmacophore model of the glycine binding site associated with the NMDA receptor.

Properties of thin-rod immobilized pH gradients

Immobilized pH gradient gel rods, 1.5 mm in diameter, were cast with a manifold connected to high-precision burettes. The reproducibility of gel length was ca. 1.7 mm. The average standard deviation sigma x for spot position was 2 mm after one-dimensional and 5.8 mm after two-dimensional runs. In order to bring to completion the elution of the salt fronts into the electrode compartments, carrier ampholytes had to be included in the gel formulation at concentrations of at least 0.5-1%, depending on the pH range. The presence of carrier ampholytes, however, was troublesome in two respects: the gel tended to shrink and the cathodic bands drifted with time. Ionic components in the sample were tolerated up to the following concentrations: NaCl 8 mumoles, sodium dodecyl sulfate 10 micrograms per tube. In presence of non-ionic detergents, the gels moved as a whole towards the cathode.

Immunological study on the wall proteins of different fruiting portions in Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) Kummer and Agaricus bisporus (Lge.) Sing

Immunological techniques are useful to clarify the sistematic scheme utilized for mushrooms. By comparing the various fruiting portions, a different composition in protein was observed in the cell wall of spores, pileus and stipe. The differences were present both in Agaricus bisporus and in Pleurotus ostreatus. The results indicate that a well definite choice of the utilized portions is necessary for comparative studies. In the Basidiomycetes the meiospores represent the more useful development stage to carry out immunological comparisons.