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Introduction The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced most of the Italian population into lockdown from 11 March to 18 May 2020. A nationwide survey of Italian Clinical Nutrition and Dietetic Services (Obesity Centers or OCs) was carried out to assess the impact of lockdown restrictions on the physical and mental wellbeing of patients with obesity (PWO) who had follow-up appointments postponed due to lockdown restrictions and to compare determinants of weight gain before and after the pandemic. Methods We designed a structured 77-item questionnaire covering employment status, diet, physical activity and psychological aspects, that was disseminated through follow-up calls and online between 2 May and 25 June 2020. Data were analyzed by multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and multiple linear regression. Results A total of 1,232 PWO from 26 OCs completed the questionnaires (72% female, mean age 50.2 ± 14.2 years; mean BMI 34.7 ± 7.6 kg/m2; 41% obesity class II to III). During the lockdown, 48.8% gained, 27.1% lost, while the remainder (24.1%) maintained their weight. The mean weight change was +2.3 ± 4.8 kg (in weight gainers: +4.0 ± 2.4 kg; +4.2% ± 5.4%). Approximately 37% of participants experienced increased emotional difficulties, mostly fear and dissatisfaction. Sixty-one percent reduced their physical activity (PA) and 55% experienced a change in sleep quality/quantity. The lack of online contact (37.5%) with the OC during lockdown strongly correlated with weight gain (p < 0.001). Using MCA, two main clusters were identified: those with unchanged or even improved lifestyles during lockdown (Cluster 1) and those with worse lifestyles during the same time (Cluster 2). The latter includes unemployed people experiencing depression, boredom, dissatisfaction and increased food contemplation and weight gain. Within Cluster 2, homemakers reported gaining weight and experiencing anger due to home confinement. Conclusions Among Italian PWO, work status, emotional dysregulation, and lack of online communication with OCs were determinants of weight gain during the lockdown period.

Naples, Italy

Nella progettazione di sottosistemi complessi dell'autoveicolo è necessaria un'attenta valutazione delle tolleranze dimensionali e geometriche per garantire il montaggio e la funzionalità; la disponibilità dei sistemi CAT (Computer Aided Tolerancing) che assistono nelle progettazione e verifica delle tolleranze favorisce il miglioramento dell’assemblabilità sin dalla fase d'impostazione del progetto. Le potenzialità di tali strumenti sono illustrate con un caso applicativo: la progettazione delle asole per l'assemblaggio del gruppo motopropulsore su scocca, sviluppato presso Elasis, Sistema Ricerca Fiat nel Mezzogiorno.

Nel presente lavoro è illustrata la sintesi dei risultati di uno studio sulle risorse idriche sotterranee dell’Italia Meridionale (Allocca et alii, 2007), sviluppato nell’ambito del programma INTERREG IIC e finanziato dalla CEE. Le analisi condotte sono state finalizzate a ricostruire un quadro sintetico, ma dettagliato, dello stato delle conoscenze delle risorse idriche sotterranee dell’Italia meridionale continentale e della sua attuale utilizzazione. I principali prodotti interpretativi conseguiti sono: 1) carta idrogeologica, alla scala 1:250.000, rappresentativa di tutte le unità/strutture idrogeologiche che, per estensione e tipologia, hanno rilevanza a livello regionale; 2) note illustrative che sintetizzano lo stato delle conoscenze per ciascuna unità/struttura idrogeologica. I metodi di analisi e i risultati ottenuti rappresentano la base conoscitiva attualmente richiesta dalla Direttiva 2000/60/CE, agli Stati Membri, riguardante l’identificazione e la caratterizzazione idrogeologica dei corpi idrici sotterranei, che abbiamo considerato non come volumi di acque sotterranee (sensu Direttiva 2000/60/CE), bensì come corpi geologici acquiferi (Meinzer, 1923).

This work deals with a numerical investigation which has been carried out to study the crash behaviour of an automotive substructure located in the rear part of a vehicle, using a new stochastic methodology, Stochastic Design Improvement (SDI). Fundamentally, an iter-ative Monte Carlo simulation procedure was executed, whose trials consisted of deterministic numerical analyses based on explicit fnite element methodologies. The SDI procedure has been applied to reduce of a given amount the maximum displace-ment of a rigid barrier impacting against the rear substructure of a vehicle in a particular crash test. The procedure allowed an e±cient solution to the considered problem and the fnal results were validated through experimental tests.

The present paper deals with the problem of the ergonomics of maintenance tasks in automotive industry pursuing the following aims: analysis of Human Modelling Software and their use in automotive task analysis; development of a design methodology (named EDIVE)for maintainability of the component parts of a car engine compartment in a virtual environment and, finally, the individuation of an optimal postural sequence to disassemble such components, taking into account human factors. In the paper the authors show how to integrate DMU tools and Digital Human Modelling software in order to individuate the optimal postural sequence of an operator that have to disassemble a component part of a car engine compartment.

Florence - Italy

Rimini, Italy

Rimini - Italy

Como - Italy

Palliative tendon transfer procedures for radial nerve palsy are continuing to evolve. This paper reports outcomes of 10 patients with isolated and traumatic radial nerve palsy underwent "minimal transfer". All patients improved functionally and could attend their routine activities. The flexor carpi ulnaris and palmaris longus tendon transfer has some advantages in terms of simplicity, shorter operative time, less morbidity, better wrist and finger extension and thumb extension and abduction.

Hypothenar hammer syndrome is a rare condition of ulnar artery aneurysm or thrombosis, which can be associated with a neuropathy of the ulnar nerve. There is no agreement regarding an optimal diagnosis and treatment for this syndrome. Most authors suggest angiography as the gold standard for diagnosis and recommend observation for the thrombotic type, and reconstructive surgery for the aneurysmal type. We report here our diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm, reviewing 9 patients with ulnar artery thrombosis and nerve entrapment at Guyon's canal; and an evaluation of the type of management including: anamnesis, diagnostic tests, and reconstructive surgery. We consider resection of the arterial thrombotic segment as the treatment of choice, due to the fact that ulnar arterial thrombosis can induce severe chronic inflammation into Guyon's canal and ulnar nerve sufferance. Therefore, we propose a planned approach, including 3 steps: clinical evaluation with Tinel and Allen's tests; magnetic resonance and ultrasound images; ulnar nerve decompression and arterial reconstruction. We believe that this practice is important for the early therapy of ulnar arterio-neuropathy in affected patients.

Morton's neuroma is a common foot problem associated with pain.In 52 patients intermetatarsal spaces were operated on for Morton's neuralgia Gautier surgical treatment. The procedure included dorsal incision, division of the deep intermetatarsal ligament, and resection of the common digital nerve including the neuroma. Results. The outcome of the operation was excellent in 47 patients.The results show the efficacy of the surgical treatment of Morton's neuralgia with a dorsal incision, over a long follow-up period.

Epithelioid sarcoma is an infrequent tumour, especially in upper limb, which nerve spread is not common. We describe the case of a 27 years old caucasian male with initial diagnosis of Dupuytren's disease. He underwent palmar fascia surgery, but the surgical treatment was followed by recurrence of the deformity in retraction of 4th and 5th finger of the left hand. When he presented himself at our attention, the patient underwent surgical biopsy and new histological examination was made with diagnosis of epithelioid sarcoma. We highlight essentially two aspects of this case: the diagnostic delay of tumour caused by simulation of the Dupuytren's disease and the atypical perineural spread along the median nerve.

Amputation neuroma is the consequence of a traumatic event that interrupt the anatomic structure of a nerve. After the lesion, the nerve begin an plerosis attempt. This condition determines hyposensitivity on its innervation area and a painful syndrome. The pattern's resolution is possible with the neuroma's tissue exeresis and the sinking of proximal stump into closer tissue. This operation reduces or eliminates axonal nerve's flux. The hyaluronic acid (Hyaloglide 0.8-1 ml) use is based on the necessity of proximal stump preservation from mechanical and thermic stimuli that are responsible of typical neuroma's symptoms. In this study we used hyaluronic acid on six painful amputation neuroma patterns on sensitive nerves of upper and lower extremities.

Double compression of a peripheral nerve is not rare in medical practice. This article describes an ulnar neuropathy along the elbow and the wrist segments with electro-diagnostic examination (EDX). The proximal compression was an ulnar entrapment at the olecranon-epitrochlear semi-canal; the distal one was after the canal of Guyon, due to an arthro-synovial cyst arising from the pisohamatum joint. There aren't analogous clinical reports in the literature.