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Interest has arisen on the anti-inflammatory action of dietary components, including long-chain n-3 fatty acids (LCn3) and polyphenols (PP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diets rich in PP and oily fish (high-LCn3 diets) on markers of subclinical inflammation and growth factors in people at high cardiometabolic risk. Individuals with high waist circumference and one more component of metabolic syndrome were randomized to one of the following isoenergetic diets: low LCn3&amp, PP, high LCn3, high PP, high LCn3&amp, PP. Before and after 8 weeks, fasting and postprandial plasma concentrations of hs-CRP and fasting serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, INF-γ, TNF-α, FGF, VEGF, PDGF-ββ, G-CSF, and GM-CSF were determined. An oily fish diet reduced fasting plasma hs-CRP (1.28 ± 12.0, −12.5 ± 6.9, 22.5 ± 33.6, −12.2 ± 11.9, 8-week percent change, Mean ± SEM, low LCn3&amp, PP group, respectively), postprandial 6h-AUC hs-CRP (4.6 ± 16.3, −18.2 ± 7.2, 26.9 ± 35.1, −11.5 ± 11.8, 8-week percent change) and fasting IL-6 (20.8 ± 18.7, −2.44 ± 12.4, 28.1 ± 17.4, −9.6 ± 10.2), IL-17 (2.40 ± 4.9, −13.3 ± 4.9, 3.8 ± 4.43, −11.5 ± 4.7), and VEGF (−5.7 ± 5.8, −5.6 ± 7.5, 3.5 ± 5.8, −11.1 ± 5.5) (8-week percent change, p &lt, 0.05 for LCn3 effect for all, no significant effect for PP, 2-factor ANOVA). An oily fish diet improved subclinical inflammation, while no significant effect was observed for dietary polyphenols.

Background Here, we evaluate the effects of a diet rich in low-glycaemic index carbohydrates and fibre (CHO/Fibre diet) or monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA diet), on fasting and postprandial adiponectin concentrations and their relationship with the beneficial effects of the experimental diets on postprandial glucose metabolism and liver fat in type 2 diabetes (T2D).Methods Fasting and postprandial adiponectin plasma concentrations were measured before and after dietary interventions in the participants to a randomized controlled trial (NCT01025856), wherein 37 men and 8 women with T2D, aged 35-70 years, followed a CHO/Fibre diet or a MUFA diet for an 8-week period. Hepatic fat content by H-1 NMR and fasting and postprandial plasma glucose and insulin measurements were also available.Results Fasting adiponectin plasma levels did not change after both diets. Postprandial adiponectin significantly increased after the CHO/fibre diet (9.9 +/- 1.6 mu g/mL vs. 10.8 +/- 2.3 mu g/mL; P = .033) but not after the MUFA diet (10.6 +/- 1.8 mu g/mL vs. 10.6 +/- 1.6 mu g/mL; P = .935) with a significant difference between changes (P = .035). In the combined CHO/Fibre and MUFA groups, fasting and postprandial adiponectin significantly and inversely correlated with postprandial insulin iAUC at baseline and after intervention, and with liver fat content after intervention.Conclusions A diet rich in CHO/Fibre increased postprandial plasma adiponectin significantly more than a MUFA diet in patients with T2D. Independently of diet, adiponectin levels associated with postprandial insulin concentrations. The dietary interventions modulated the relationship between adiponectin and liver fat.

Dietary (poly)phenol intake has been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular mortality and new events. However, no conclusive data can be drawn from clinical trials evaluating the effects of (poly)phenols on cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, the mechanisms of action behind the beneficial association of (poly)phenol intake with cardiovascular health are not completely understood. Therefore, this perspective aimed to highlight the main methodological limitations that might explain the conflicting results obtained so far. In addition, novel insights on local and systemic effects of (poly)phenols were discussed. Finally, some critical issues to take into consideration in future studies were reported. This more comprehensive approach could represent a strategy to deeply understand the effects of (poly)phenols on human health.

Adults with central adiposity and other features of the metabolic syndrome have a markedly elevated risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). A Mediterranean-style healthy eating pattern (MED-HEP) and consumption of foods with a lower glycemic index (GI) are potential dietary approaches to curb the T2D and CVD epidemic. However, experimental evidence of the effectiveness of MED-HEP and of the contribution of GI towards improving indices of glucose homeostasis, especially among non-diabetic people, are lacking. Therefore, we developed the MedGI-Carb trial, a multi-center (Italy, Sweden, and United States) intervention in adults with at least two components of the metabolic syndrome (elevated waist circumference + one other component) that aims to improve markers of glucose homeostasis through dietary modification. All participants were randomized to consume an isocaloric high- or low-GI MED-HEP for 12 weeks. We hypothesized that indexes of insulinemia (primary outcome: postprandial insulin and glucose after standardized breakfast and lunch; secondary outcomes: fasting plasma glucose and insulin, HbA1c, 24-h continuous glucose monitoring) would be improved more with the low-GI versus the high-GI MED-HEP. Additionally, we hypothesized that consumption of a MED-HEP would improve other markers of cardiometabolic health and well-being (fasting blood pressure, fasting lipid profile, sleep quality, satiety, global metabolic alterations in the plasma metabolome, changes in the gut microbiota, subjective health and well-being), with no difference between groups. Collectively, the design of MEDGI-Carb allows several different research questions to be explored. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03410719.

Plasma lipoprotein composition, especially in the postprandial state, could be relevant for cardiovascular risk and could be influenced by eating habits. This study evaluated the effects of a polyphenol-rich diet on postprandial lipoprotein composition in individuals at high cardiometabolic risk. Seventy-eight individuals with high waist circumference and at least another component of the metabolic syndrome were randomized to either a high-polyphenol (HighP) or low-polyphenol (LowP) diet. Before and after the 8-week intervention, chylomicrons, VLDL1, VLDL2, IDL, LDL, HDL particles, and their lipid concentrations were determined over a 6-h high-fat test meal with high or low-polyphenol content, according to the diet assigned. VLDL1 postprandial areas under the curve (AUCs) were lower for cholesterol (Chol) (1.48 ± 0.98 vs. 1.91 ± 1.13 mmol/L × 6 h, M ± SD, p = 0.014) and triglycerides (Tg) (4.70 ± 2.70 vs. 6.02 ± 3.07 mmol/L × 6 h, p = 0.005) after the HighP than after the LowP diet, with no changes in Chol/Tg ratio. IDL Chol AUCs were higher after the HighP than after the LowP diet (1.29 ± 0.77 vs. 1.01 ± 0.51 mmol/L × 6 h, p = 0.037). LDL Tg AUCs were higher after the HighP than after the LowP diet (1.15 ± 0.33 vs. 1.02 ± 0.35 mmol/L × 6 h, p

The emergence of pan-resistant strains in nosocomial settings underscores the urgent need of novel therapies targeting vital bacterial functions. Bacterial iron metabolism is a fascinating target for new antimicrobials. Iron mimetic metal Ga(III) has been repurposed as an antimicrobial drug, in pre-clinical studies and recent clinical studies have raised the possibility of using Ga(III) for the treatment of P. aeruginosa pulmonary infection. Ga(III) has been approved by FDA for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune and bone resorption disorders. However, some critical issues affect the therapeutic schedule of Ga(III), principally the intra-venous (i.v.) administration, and the nephrotoxicity caused by prolonged administration. Ga(III) aerosolization could represent a viable alternative for treatment of lung infections, since delivery of antimicrobial agents to the airways maximizes drug concentration at the site of infection, improves the therapeutic efficacy, and alleviates systemic toxic effects. We demonstrate the advantage of inhaled vs i.v. administered Ga(III), in terms of bio-distribution and lung acute toxicity, by using a rat model. In vivo results support the use of Ga(III) for inhalation since intra-tracheal Ga(III) delivery improved its persistence in the lung, while the i.v. administration caused rapid clearance and did not allow to attain a significant Ga(III) concentration in this organ. Moreover, local and systemic acute toxicity following intra-tracheal administration was not observed, since no significant signs of inflammation were found. At this stage of evidence, the direct administration of Ga(III) to the lung appears feasible and safe, boosting the development of Ga(III)-based drugs for inhalation therapy.

Additive manufacturing (AM) maturity allows diffusion of this technology in conventional production environments. In the decision to adopt a new technology, production costs are one of the most important factors to analyse, even if they are not developed enough yet. In the last decade, several cost models for AM have been proposed, but each of them focuses on a specific aspect of the process, lacking the ability to consider the effective costs associated with AM, i.e. regarding AM as part of a more general production context. The aim of this study is to develop a cost model that evaluates process costs of AM for relevant technologies such as stereolithography, selective laser sintering and electron beam melting when integrated in a general production process. The integration of AM on the shop floor is proved by the introduction of an index such as the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) index, which allows this evaluation to be more connected to real production system issues. At the end of the paper, an experiment to compare the results of the proposed model with those of previous studies is reported and it is put in evidence how this model overcomes the previous problem of estimation.

Background & aims: Dietary polyphenols have beneficial effects on glucose/lipid metabolism in subjects at high risk to develop type 2 diabetes; however, the underlying mechanisms are not clear. We aimed to evaluate: 1) the acute effects of the consumption of a drink rich in polyphenols from red grape pomace (RGPD) on glucose/insulin and triglyceride responses to a standard meal in healthy individuals, and, 2) the relationship between plasma levels of phenolic metabolites and metabolic parameters. Methods: Twelve healthy men, aged 20-40 years participated in a randomized, controlled study according to a cross-over design. After a 3-day low-polyphenol diet, all participants consumed, on two different days and separated by a one week interval, after an overnight fast, a drink rich in polyphenols (1.562 g gallic acid equivalents (GAE)) or a control drink (CD, no polyphenols), followed after 3 h by a standard meal (960 kcal, 18% protein, 30% fat, 52% CHO). Blood samples were taken at fasting, 3 h after the drink, over 5 h after the standard meal and at fasting on the next day to measure plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, triglyceride and phenolic metabolites. Results: Glycemic and triglyceride post-meal responses were similar after both the RGPD and the control drink. In contrast, postprandial insulin incremental area (iAUC0-5h) was 31% lower (p < 0.05), insulin secretion index was 18% lower (p < 0.016) and insulin sensitivity (SI) index was 36% higher (p = 0.037) after the RGPD compared to CD. Among phenolic metabolites, gallic acid correlated inversely with the insulin response (r = -0.604; p = 0.032) and positively with the SI index (r = 0.588, p = 0.037). Conclusions: RGPD consumption acutely reduced postprandial insulin levels and improved insulin sensitivity. This effect could be likely related to the increase in gallic acid levels. This drink, added to usual diet, could contribute to increase the daily intake of polyphenols, with potential health benefits. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02865278

From the past decades, increasing attention has been paid to the quality level of technological and mechanical properties achieved by the Additive Manufacturing (AM); these two elements have achieved a good performance, and it is possible to compare this with the results achieved by traditional technology. Therefore, the AM maturity is high enough to let industries adopt this technology in a more general production framework as the mechanical manufacturing industrial one is. Since the technological and mechanical properties are also beneficial for the materials produced with AM, the primary objective of this paper is to focus more on managerial facets, such as the cost control of a production environment, where these new technologies are present. This paper aims to analyse the existing literature about the cost models developed specifically for AM from an operations management point of view and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of all models.

The aim of this paper was to investigate prerequisites for safety equipment in the surrounding area of soccer playing-fields. Therefore, the frequency and location of overstepping boundary line events (OBEs) occurring when football players are crossing the boundary lines and leaving the regular field. Commercial television video footage of 28 matches in UEFA European Championship 2012 and of 46 matches in FIFA World Cup 2006 were analysed. To accurately identify portions of playfield outline where an OBE occurred, the four different field lines, two Goal lines and two Side lines were divided in 46 segments, defined as “boundary-line-segment” (BLS). Statistical analysis was used to prove if OBEs were uniformly distributed over all playfield BLSs. The results indicated remarkable differences in OBE frequencies among football field areas. In particular, goal-line-BLSs have shown to be the most critical zones of the pitch outline, with different number of OBEs on the two goal lines. This opposes the expected symmetry in OBE distribution as a consequence of the usually adopted directions of football playing and equal boundary areas surrounding goal posts. Furthermore, absolute OBE frequencies on Side line near to the technical area appeared to be greater than the homologues on the opposite side line. The distribution pattern of OBEs over all BLS can be explained by two main influencing effects: the side line effect (SLE—players behave differently at the sideline of the technical area compared to opposite side line because of different distance to advertisements boards) and the leg side effect (LSE—most players prefer to use their right leg to kick the ball). Findings in terms of OBE frequencies should be taken into account to establish right priority of actions for safety intervention by responsible and technicians of Sports fields. © 2016, International Sports Engineering Association.

Background and aim To evaluate glycemic variability (GV) and oxidative stress in patients who achieved type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remission after bariatric surgery (BS). Methods and results Twenty-two patients (M/F10/12, age 50 ± 9 years, BMI 31 ± 6 kg/m2) who were in remission of T2DM (T2DM remitters) after BS since at least 1 year and 22 age-, sex- and BMI-matched control subjects were studied. Of the BS group, eleven subjects had undergone Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and eleven subjects sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), 7 days-continuous glucose monitoring, 24-h urinary excretion of 8-isoprostaglandin F2α (8-isoPGF2α) and dietary intake evaluation were performed. According to general linear model for repeated measures, glucose and insulin response during OGTT were significantly different in T2DM remitter than in control subjects (p < 0.001, for both). All measures of GV (standard deviation, coefficient of variation and mean amplitude of glucose excursions) were significantly higher in T2DM remitters than in controls, (p < 0.001 for all). These indexes were higher among RYGB than SG patients (p < 0.05). The time spent out of the 60–160 mg/dl range was significantly longer in T2DM remitters undergoing RYGB than in controls (p < 0.02). Mean 24-h urinary 8-isoPGF2α excretion was significantly higher in T2DM remitters than that of control subjects (p = 0.04). All GV indexes were directly correlated with blood glucose levels at 30 and 60 min during OGTT (p < 0.05–0.001). Conclusion Remission of T2DM after BS is characterized by high GV and high oxidative stress in the face of fasting blood glucose and HbA1c within the normal range.

This paper examines user behavior during multimodal human-computer interaction (HCI). It discusses how pointing, natural language, and graphical layout should be integrated to enhance the usability of multimodal systems. Two experiments were run to study simulated systems capable of understanding written natural language and mouse-supported pointing gestures. Results allowed to: (a) develop a taxonomy of communication acts aimed at identifying targets; (b) determine the conditions under which specific referent identification strategies are likely to be produced; (c) suggest guidelines for designing effective multimodal interfaces; (d) show that performance is strongly influenced by interface graphical layout and by user expertise. Our study confirms the value of simulation as a tool for building HCI models and supports the basic idea that linguistic, visual, and motor cues can be integrated to favor effective multimodal communication.