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Opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) is the most widespread therapy for both females and males opioid addicts. While many studies have evaluated the OMT impact on men’s sexuality, the data collected about the change in women’s sexual functioning is still limited despite the fact that it is now well-known that opioids - both endogenous and exogenous - affect the endocrine system and play an important role in sexual functioning. The present study aims to determine how OMT with buprenorphine (BUP) or methadone (MTD) affects sexual health in women; examining also any possible emerging correlation between sexual dysfunction (SD), type of opioid and patients’ mental health. This multi-center study case recruited 258 female volunteers attending Italian public Addiction Outpatients Centers that were stabilized with OMT for at least 3 months. SD was assessed with the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale. The twelve-item General Health Questionnaire was used to assess participants’ mental health conditions. The results show that 56.6% of women receiving OMT for at least 3 months presented SD without significant differences between MTD e BUP groups. The majority of the subjects with SD have a poorer quality of intimate relationships and worse mental health than the average. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the largest report on the presence of SDs in women as a side effects of MTD and BUP used in OMT. Since SDs cause difficulties in intimate relationships, lower patients’ quality of life and interfere with OMT beneficial outcomes, we recommend that women undertaking an opioid therapy have routine screening for SD and we highlight the importance to better examine opioid-endocrine interactions in future studies in order to provide alternative potential treatments such as the choice of opioid, opioid dose reduction and hormone supplementation.

Dibothriocephalosis is a fish-borne parasitic zoonosis that is caused by tapeworms of the Dibothriocephalus (syn. Diphyllobothrium) genus. This paper describes a human case of dibothriocephalosis associated with the consumption of a presumably infected fish, prepared at a restaurant near Iseo Lake (northern Italy). A month after, the patient found a segment of a worm in her stool. Molecular analysis identified it as Dibothriocephalus latus (syn. Diphyllobothrium latum). Several studies reported D. latus infections in patients from the subalpine regions of Switzerland, France, and Italy, but no cases have been reported from this area in the last 10 years. This report updates the epidemiology of dibothriocephalosis and emphasises the importance of collaboration among healthcare institutions for a prompt diagnosis and the need for food safety education for Food Business Operators and consumers to reduce transmission risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anatomy of the sciatic nerve allows it to be blocked at different levels using various anesthetic approaches. However, for several reasons, performing these approaches may be challenging or disadvantageous in specific categories of patients, particularly in obese patients. The objective of this brief technical report is to describe a new technical approach to sciatic nerve block, designed to simplify the procedure for certain categories of patients and less experienced practitioners. Since 2010, more than 5000 procedures have been performed by both experienced anesthesiologists and novice trainees in several hospitals. The ultrasound lateral mid-shaft technique appears to be a safe and effective method for performing a sciatic nerve block, even in obese patients with significant subcutaneous fat and unclear ultrasound images. This approach is particularly beneficial given the various anatomical variations that can occur. By targeting the mid-thigh area, the ultrasound beam accesses anatomical structures that are more superficial, improving the technique's efficacy. Various hospital groups have been performing this technique as a routine procedure, achieving a success rate of nearly 100%. This impressive success rate exceeds that of other conventional techniques documented in the literature. Additionally, there have been significant improvements in comfort and ease for anesthetists. This method allows the anesthetic to spread around the paraneural sheath, covering the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve. Finally, it is performed in the supine position without the need to mobilize the lower limbs, ensuring patient comfort, especially in cases of fractures or lower limb injuries. Further studies are needed to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neste artigo apresentamos os resultados parciais de uma pesquisa de mestrado sobre formação continuada de professores universitários e os ambientes colaborativos on-line. O referencial teórico está voltado para a formação de professores numa abordagem construcionista contextualizada com as redes de aprendizagem, sustentadas por ambientes colaborativos on-line, como o Moodle, software adotado pela instituição particular de ensino superior envolvida. Trata-se de uma “investigação-formação”, e a coleta de dados inicial se deu por meio de análise documental, questionários e entrevistas e um curso piloto de capacitação docente para uso do Moodle. Como resultado preliminar, podemos constatar a viabilidade de implantação do processo de formação continuada em serviço visando o uso crítico e reflexivo do ambiente colaborativo on-line Moodle como facilitador da aprendizagem. Os resultados do curso piloto serviram para redesenhar uma nova capacitação, mais adequada ao referencial teórico da pesquisa e tem refletido positivamente no contexto institucional. Abstract: This paper presents the partial results of a Masters work on continuous training of university teachers and online collaborative environments. The theoretical reference is based on the training of teachers in a constructionist approach along with the networks of learning, supported by on-line environments, such as Moodle, software adopted by the particular institution of higher education involved in this survey. The initial collecting data saw through document analysis, questionnaires and interviews and a pre- training teaching course for the use of Moodle. As a preliminary result, we can see the feasibility of deployment of the process of the continuous formation through a critical and reflective use of Moodle as a facilitator of learning. The results of the course served to redraw a new training, better suited to the theoretical benchmark of search as well as to reflect positively on the institutional context.

Natural rubber/cis-1,4-polybutadiene (NR/BR) blends with two types of layered nanofillers, montmorillonite (MMT) and layered double hydroxide (LDH), both in pristine and organically modified forms are produced and investigated. Faster curing is found for all the NR/BR blends, except for the one containing the unmodified MMT. This effect can be attributed to the groups placed in the interlayer regions of the clays; more precisely to ammonium groups for the organo-MMTs and to--OH groups for LDHs. Mechanical properties and thermal stability of rubber compounds are investigated. It has been demonstrated that the performance of the final nanocomposite is significantly affected by the kind of clay. Particularly, the organo-MMTs provoke an improvement of the mechanical properties and increase the thermal stability of about 4-5 C in respect to the pure NR/BR matrix. On the contrary, the poor compatibility of unmodified MMT and of LDH clays with the rubber blend is evident and no enhancement on the composite performance has been observed. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 53:671-678, 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers, INTRODUCTION In recent years, layered silicate nanocomposites have attracted considerable attention by materials scientists (1-4). Owing to nanometer thickness and high aspect ratio of nanoclays, these nanocomposites exhibit significant improvements [...]