Search

Background: A microsurgical auricular flap represents a single-step technique for the reconstruction of full-thickness defects of the ala nasi. To achieve the best surgical outcomes, it is essential to have an exhaustive knowledge of the vascular network to improve the management of the surgical flap. This study aimed to provide an anatomical and surgical guide for a well-designed reconstruction of the ala nasi using a free preauricular flap. Methods: In this study, three fresh-frozen and two formalin-fixed human head specimens injected with red silicone rubber to enhance the arterial facial system were used. The reconstruction of the full-thickness defect of the ala nasi was performed using a microsurgical auricular flap technique, with the dimensions of the ala nasi and the preauricular flap duly noted. In addition, anatomical dissections were conducted, during which the positions and diameters of the main donor and recipient vessels were measured. Results: A presurgical evaluation was performed to define the flap design. A comparison of the shape and mean dimensions of the ala nasi defect (height 9.66 ± 1.40 mm; thickness 3.52 ± 0.53 mm) and the preauricular flap (height 8.50 ± 2.68 mm; thickness 3.92 ± 1.29 mm) indicated that this flap was an optimal option for the reconstruction of the ala nasi. The surgical procedure involved the full-thickness removal of the ala nasi, and the harvesting and insertion of the preauricular flap. The anatomical measurements demonstrated that the facial artery and veins were the optimal recipient vessels, with a diameter of >1 mm (2.08 ± 0.56 and 2.85 ± 0.74 mm), suitable for anastomosis with the superficial temporal artery and vein (1.86 ± 0.58 and 1.66 ± 0.15 mm). In addition, the postsurgical evaluations indicated a slight mean difference in the thickness (1.14 ± 0.65 mm) and height (1.68 ± 1.18 mm) between the ala nasi and helix and a satisfactory VAS score (7.9 ± 0.57). Conclusions: Our surgical and anatomical data provide compelling evidence in favour of free preauricular flap reconstructions of the ala nasi. This procedure allows for the correct choice of recipient vessels and the creation of a well-designed surgical flap.

In residential buildings that are private, autonomous, and occupied spaces for most of the time, it is necessary to maintain good indoor air quality (IAQ), especially when there are children, elderly, or other vulnerable users. Within the development of sensors, their low-cost features with adequate accuracy and reliability, as well as Internet of Things applications, make them affordable, flexible, and feasible even for ordinary occupants to guarantee IAQ monitoring in their homes. This systematic review searched papers based on Scopus and Web of Science databases about the Low-Cost Sensors (LCS) and IoT applications in residential IAQ research, and 23 studies were included with targeted research contents. The review highlights several aspects of the active monitoring strategies in residential buildings, including the following: (1) Applying existing appropriate sensors and their target pollutants; (2) Applying micro-controller unit selection; (3) Sensors and devices’ costs and their monitoring applications; (4) Data collection and storage methods; (5) LCS calibration methods in applications. In addition, the review also discussed some possible solutions and limitations of LCS applications in residential buildings based on the applications from the included works and past device development experiences.

Several studies have confirmed the importance of career education in promoting career development in children. This study aims to test whether specific career education interventions would develop new conceptions about career choice and career attainment in kindergarten pupils. The intervention was conducted directly by teachers who were adequately trained and supervised. The career conceptions were assessed in experimental and control groups through the Conceptions of Career Choice and Attainment protocol, before and after career education intervention. The results showed that the two groups started from the same level and increased their conceptions over time. However, the experimental groups increased them much more, and statistically significantly, than the control groups.

Physiological ageing and tumorigenesis are both associated with epigenomic alterations in human tissue cells, the most extensively investigated of which entails de novo cytosine methylation (i.e., hypermethylation) within the CpG dinucleotides of CpG islands. Genomic regions that become hypermethylated during tumorigenesis are generally believed to overlap regions that acquire methylation in normal tissues as an effect of ageing. To define the extension of this overlap, we analysed the DNA methylomes of 48 large-bowel tissue samples taken from women of different ages during screening colonoscopy: 18 paired samples of normal and lesional tissues from donors harbouring a precancerous lesion and 12 samples of normal mucosa from tumour-free donors. Each sample was subjected to targeted, genome-wide bisulphite sequencing of ~2.5% of the genome, including all CpG islands. In terms of both its magnitude and extension along the chromatin, tumour-associated DNA hypermethylation in these regions was much more conspicuous than that observed in the normal mucosal samples from older (vs. younger) tumour-free donors. 83% of the ageing-associated hypermethylated regions (n = 2501) coincided with hypermethylated regions observed in tumour samples. However, 86% of the regions displaying hypermethylation in precancerous lesions (n = 16,772) showed no methylation changes in the ageing normal mucosa. The tumour-specificity of this latter hypermethylation was validated using published sets of data on DNA methylation in normal and neoplastic colon tissues. This extensive set of genomic regions displaying tumour-specific hypermethylation represents a rich vein of putative biomarkers for the early, non-invasive detection of colorectal tumours in women of all ages.

The article compares microsurgical transcranial, endoscopic endonasal, and endoscopic-assisted transorbital approaches to the orbit and surrounding skull base regions. The study conducted on cadaveric head specimens found that microsurgical orbitotomies and cranio-orbitotomies provided better lateral and posterior orbital exposure, while endoscopic approaches were superior for accessing medial and deep orbital structures. Each approach had distinct advantages, with microsurgical approaches preferred for lateral skull base interventions and endoscopic approaches for medial skull base access. [Extracted from the article]

Background: A microsurgical auricular flap represents a single-step technique for the reconstruction of full-thickness defects of the ala nasi. To achieve the best surgical outcomes, it is essential to have an exhaustive knowledge of the vascular network to improve the management of the surgical flap. This study aimed to provide an anatomical and surgical guide for a well-designed reconstruction of the ala nasi using a free preauricular flap. Methods: In this study, three fresh-frozen and two formalin-fixed human head specimens injected with red silicone rubber to enhance the arterial facial system were used. The reconstruction of the full-thickness defect of the ala nasi was performed using a microsurgical auricular flap technique, with the dimensions of the ala nasi and the preauricular flap duly noted. In addition, anatomical dissections were conducted, during which the positions and diameters of the main donor and recipient vessels were measured. Results: A presurgical evaluation was performed to define the flap design. A comparison of the shape and mean dimensions of the ala nasi defect (height 9.66 ± 1.40 mm; thickness 3.52 ± 0.53 mm) and the preauricular flap (height 8.50 ± 2.68 mm; thickness 3.92 ± 1.29 mm) indicated that this flap was an optimal option for the reconstruction of the ala nasi. The surgical procedure involved the full-thickness removal of the ala nasi, and the harvesting and insertion of the preauricular flap. The anatomical measurements demonstrated that the facial artery and veins were the optimal recipient vessels, with a diameter of >1 mm (2.08 ± 0.56 and 2.85 ± 0.74 mm), suitable for anastomosis with the superficial temporal artery and vein (1.86 ± 0.58 and 1.66 ± 0.15 mm). In addition, the postsurgical evaluations indicated a slight mean difference in the thickness (1.14 ± 0.65 mm) and height (1.68 ± 1.18 mm) between the ala nasi and helix and a satisfactory VAS score (7.9 ± 0.57). Conclusions: Our surgical and anatomical data provide compelling evidence in favour of free preauricular flap reconstructions of the ala nasi. This procedure allows for the correct choice of recipient vessels and the creation of a well-designed surgical flap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Urban planning is a key tool to promote health in cities. The COVID-19 emergency accelerated several social, environmental, and digital challenges, stressing the importance of some issues regarding housing, urban mobility, green areas, and health service networks, urban health policies, and actions. These issues were the subject of an intensive residential course (the 57th) held in Erice, Sicily, in June 2021 in the “International School of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine G. D’Alessandro”, and the main findings are described here. Methods. Lectures presented the topics, subsequently developed them, and argued them in parallel practical sessions using the World Café technique, since it is well suited for the interaction of participants and the involvement of groups. Results. The World Café provides new insights into how to improve the livability and health of urban spaces, and a set of strategies and actions were proposed for each topic. Discussion and Conclusions. All attendees agreed on the importance of participation in the planning processes, but also on the need for strong political support to ensure the resources needed and a full integration of health with other local policies. A multidisciplinary approach to developing systemic operational capacities and health literacy is considered pivotal to raising awareness and participation.

In residential buildings that are private, autonomous, and occupied spaces for most of the time, it is necessary to maintain good indoor air quality (IAQ), especially when there are children, elderly, or other vulnerable users. Within the development of sensors, their low-cost features with adequate accuracy and reliability, as well as Internet of Things applications, make them affordable, flexible, and feasible even for ordinary occupants to guarantee IAQ monitoring in their homes. This systematic review searched papers based on Scopus and Web of Science databases about the Low-Cost Sensors (LCS) and IoT applications in residential IAQ research, and 23 studies were included with targeted research contents. The review highlights several aspects of the active monitoring strategies in residential buildings, including the following: (1) Applying existing appropriate sensors and their target pollutants; (2) Applying micro-controller unit selection; (3) Sensors and devices' costs and their monitoring applications; (4) Data collection and storage methods; (5) LCS calibration methods in applications. In addition, the review also discussed some possible solutions and limitations of LCS applications in residential buildings based on the applications from the included works and past device development experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the application of Universal Design (UD) principles to university environments, aiming to improve the experiences of students and staff by fostering inclusivity in educational and social spaces. The research began with a literature review and employed the 'Design for All A.U.D.I.T.' tool, developed by Politecnico di Milano. This tool was adapted to evaluate six buildings across two universities in Milan: Politecnico di Milano and Statale University. The buildings ranged from the most recent to medium-aged and the oldest on each campus. The assessment focused on three main categories--physical, social, and sensory-cognitive quality--across eight key areas, including outdoor environments, entrances, halls, horizontal and vertical circulation, restrooms, classrooms, and study/leisure spaces. A binary scoring system was used to calculate the satisfaction of requirements, previously weighted by experts. The evaluation revealed that newer buildings generally scored higher on average (77%) compared to those from the 1960s (62%) and historical ones (67%). Despite higher scores, newer constructions often prioritized educational spaces over social and leisure areas, resulting in a lack of student gathering spaces. Significant issues included poor entrance design, inadequate wayfinding strategies, and a lack of inclusive classroom features, although restroom facilities consistently demonstrated good accessibility. The most recent building at Politecnico di Milano scored highest overall but struggled in leisure and study rooms, as did the new building at Statale University. This research highlights both the current state and potential for improvement in university architecture through the lens of UD. The study underscores that innovative design does not always equate to user satisfaction and provides an objective tool to aid decision-makers in enhancing the accessibility and inclusivity of university spaces, ultimately improving the well-being of all users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background As the quality and quantity of patient-centered care may be perceived differently by recipients and independent observers, assessment of humanization of pediatric care remains an elusive issue. Herein we aim to analyze differences between the degrees of verified existing vs. perceived humanization issues of a pediatric ward. Furthermore, we examine whether there is concurrence between the degrees of humanization perceived by users (parents/visitors) vs. staff members. Methods The study was conducted in the pediatric wards of seven medical centers of the Campania region (Italy) categorized as general (n = 4), children’s (n = 1), and university (n = 2) hospitals. The degree of existing humanization was assessed by a multidisciplinary focus group for each hospital through a pediatric care-oriented checklist specifically developed to individuate the most critical areas (i.e., those with scores

Since people spend most of their time inside buildings, indoor air quality (IAQ) remains a highlighted topic to ensure in the built environment to improve public health, especially for vulnerable users. To achieve a better indoor environment quality (IEQ), some countries’ governments or regional institutions have developed and published reference guideline values of various air pollutants to prevent the IAQ from becoming adverse to occupants. Beyond guidelines by World Health Organization (WHO), in some countries, there are specific institutional requirements on the IAQ, and others integrated it into the building regulation for the built environment. This paper is based on the literature research, summarized from previously conducted works by the authors, on the chemical reference values of IAQ-related regulations and guidelines published by several Governments or related institutions from various regions around the World. Despite these efforts at standardization and legislation, many indoor air quality monitoring activities conducted in several countries still fall short of the main indications produced. By comparing the reference values of 35 pollutants, both physical and chemical ones, which are proposed in documents from 23 regions included so far, the IAQ research and prevention actions on progress in different regions should be included in monitoring plans with guidelines/reference values in their current state. The outcome of the paper is to define the current trends and suggest some perspectives on the field of interest for improving the indoor air quality of generic spaces at an international level. It becomes evident that, at the global level, IAQ represents a complex political, social, and health challenge, which still suffers from the absence of a systematic and harmonized approach. This is not a new situation; the issue was raised more than 40 years ago, and despite efforts and a pandemic, the situation has not changed.