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Project for the prevention of caries in the developmental age: Experience in kindergartens of Northern Italy
- Antonina Orlando, Stefano Brioschi, Luca Macca', Francesca Gennaro, Alice Cassera, Maria Cristina Panzeri, Paola Palestini, Emanuela Cazzaniga
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- Journal:
- Proceedings of the Nutrition Society / Volume 79 / Issue OCE2 / 2020
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 10 June 2020, E710
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- Article
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Abstract
Introduction: Caries is one of the most widespread chronic diseases in the world and in Italy, only 78.4% of the 4 years children are caries free. Caries is defined as an infectious multifactorial pathology and between the etiological factors that contribute to its developing we find excessive sugar consumption. Correct behaviours adopted since the pediatric age will allow the child to learn how to improve their lifestyle, thus protecting health. Parents must therefore be properly educated to transmit healthy habits to their children from the early years. The main goal of our project is the prevention of caries in the developmental age by means of educational interventions on parents of children in the kindergarten (0–3 years). The study assesses the oral hygiene and food habits of the child and caregiver at baseline and after 3 months from the interventions (follow-up).
Materials and Methods: We have used a questionnaire to collect the oral hygiene and food habits of parents and children. Next, dental hygienists and nutritionists organized training sessions for parents about correct oral hygiene and eating habits (in particular to reduce the sugar consumption). After 3 months from the training, the same questionnaires reconfirmed to evaluate the improvement of family habits.
Results: The number of participants was reduce from 99 to 68 at the follow-up. With regards to eating habits, after training, almost the whole of the sample began to practice breakfast, indicating that the actual importance of this meal was understood. The habit of morning and afternoon snack, essential for a growing child, has increased (from 84% at baseline to 94% at follow-up and from 92% to 97% respectively). The bad habit of the after dinner snack, often even after teeth brushing, has decreased consistently (32% to 22%).
The most significant advances in oral hygiene are those concerning tooth washing (86% to 97%), the average daily washing (1.27/die to 1.57/die), self-washing (33% to 30%), the use of toothpaste (85% to 90%) and fluoridated toothpaste (48% to 62%).
Discussion: Starting from the data obtained from our pilot study, we think that it is essential to intervene already in the first years of life, when the subject is still “plastic” and can be trained to perform correct eating habits and oral hygiene. Furthermore, reducing the consumption of foods rich in sugar does not have a positive effect only on the onset of caries but also on the health of the individual.
Eumelanin-Based Organic Bioelectronics: Myth or Reality?
- Mario Barra, Irene Bonadies, Cosimo Carfagna, Antonio Cassinese, Francesca Cimino, Orlando Crescenzi, Valeria Criscuolo, d'Ischia Marco, Maria Grazia Maglione, Paola Manini, Ludovico Migliaccio, Anna Musto, Alessandra Napolitano, Angelica Navarra, Lucia Panzella, Silvia Parisi, Alessandro Pezzella, Carmela Tania Prontera, Paolo Tassini
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- Journal:
- MRS Advances / Volume 1 / Issue 57 / 2016
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 28 December 2015, pp. 3801-3810
- Print publication:
- 2016
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Eumelanins, the black insoluble pigments of human skin, eyes and substantia nigra (neuromelanin), stand today as a unique source of inspiration for the design and implementation of soft biocompatible multifunctional materials for bio-optoelectronic devices. Interest in eumelanins stems from bioavailability, biocompatibility and a peculiar set of physicochemical properties, i.e. broadband absorption in the UV-visible range, intrinsic free radical character, water-dependent hybrid ionic–electronic conductor behaviour, supporting optimistic feelings about a possible rise of eumelanin-mimics as innovative bioinspired solutions for organic bioelectronics.
However, a number of conceptual and technological gaps still hinder a rapid progress of melanin-based organic electronics and bioelectronics, including in particular the limited contribution of electronic conductivity and current decay with time under biasing. Herein, we provide a concise overview of the structural and optoelectronic properties of melanins with a view to bringing to focus main issues and challenges en route to bioelectronic applications.
7 - Water and biofuels
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- By Anna Dalla Marta, University of Florence, Francesca Orlando, University of Milan, Marco Mancini, University of Florence, Simone Orlandini, University of Florence
- Edited by Jamie Pittock, Australian National University, Canberra, Karen Hussey, Australian National University, Canberra, Stephen Dovers, Australian National University, Canberra
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- Book:
- Climate, Energy and Water
- Published online:
- 05 April 2015
- Print publication:
- 19 March 2015, pp 108-122
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Summary
Introduction
The driving factor of the climate problem is the continuous increase of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from productive activities. Such emissions drive radiative forcing of climate and affect the radiation balance of the Earth (IPCC 2007) with global warming as a consequent effect. At a global level, GHG emissions originate from activities related to energy supply (electricity and heat generation) (41 per cent), industry (20 per cent), transport (22 per cent), residential and commercial sector (6 per cent) and 10 per cent other (forestry, agriculture, fishing, waste, etc.) (IEA 2012). The most problematic GHG, particularly due to released quantities, is carbon dioxide originated by fossil fuels combustion (60 per cent), which is mainly due to thermal and electric energy production (46 per cent) and transport (road, aviation, maritime, etc.; 23 per cent). Thus, fossil fuel is both the most widespread energy source and one of the biggest problems of modern society, due to its environmental impact and due to growing concern about the security of supply. All of these factors, together with a vision of development accompanied by energy independence, have led many countries (ie Europe, the United States, Brazil, India, China) to consider the production of energy from renewable sources, such as biomass, as an alternative to fossil fuels.
The term biomass encompasses a range of materials of heterogeneous nature with an organic matrix, able to be renewed and converted into energy. Biomass is the raw material for the production of biofuels for the transport sector, as well as of electricity and heat. In general, biomass can be considered a reservoir of solar energy captured and forfeited through the photosynthetic and metabolic processes of living organisms. Although also true for fossil fuels (coal, oil), which embed solar energy, they are relics of the geological past and cannot be renewed. In this context, energy crops should play an important role in the short-to-medium term in the replacement of fossil fuels, with global expansion of cultivated areas.