Nitrogen and energy partitioning in two genetic groups of pigs fed low-protein diets at 130 kg body weight

The aim was to evaluate the effect of low-protein (LP) or low-amino acid diets on digestibility, energy and nitrogen (N) utilisation in 2 genetic groups (GG) of pigs (129±11 kg BW). Duroc×Large White (A) pigs were chosen to represent a traditional GG for ham production, and Danbred Duroc (D) pigs to represent a GG with fast growing rate and high carcass lean yield. Dietary treatments: a conventional diet (CONV) containing 13.2% CP, and two LP diets, one with LP (10.4%) and low essential AA (LP1), the second with LP (9.7%) and high essential AA (LP2). Compared to CONV, LP2 had the same essential AA content per unit feed, while LP1 the same essential AA content per unit CP. Feed was restricted (DMI=6.8% BW0.75). Four consecutive digestibility/balances periods were conducted with 24 barrows, 12 A and 12 D. Metabolic cages and respiration chambers were used. No significant difference between diets was registered for digestibility. Nitrogen excreted: 41.3, 33.4 and 29.0 g/d (P=0.009), for CONV, LP1 and LP2 diets, respectively. Nitrogen retention was similar between the diets. Heat production (HP) was the lowest for LP diets. There was a tendency (P=0.079) for a lower energy digestibility in D group. The D pigs also had a higher HP and hence a lower retained energy in comparison with the A pigs. In conclusion: it is possible to reduce N excretion using very LP diets and LP-low AA diets; Danbred GG have a higher heat production and a lower energy retention than A pigs

Effects of benzoic acid on nitrogen, phosphorus and energy balance and on ammonia emission from slurries in the heavy pig

The effects of two dietary levels of benzoic acid on nitrogen, phosphorus and energy balance were evaluated in the typical Italian heavy pig during the last phase of growth. Six Landrace x Large White barrows of 125 kg body weight (BW) on average were used in a repeated 3x3 Latin Square design and housed in metabolic cages to collect faeces and urine separately, in 3 collection periods of 7 days, after 14 days of adaptation. The animals were individually housed in open circuit respiration chambers to determine the energy metabolism. The dietary treatments were as follows [% on dry matter (DM)]: i) diet C (control): 14.2 crude protein (CP), 3.7 EE, 13.8 NDF; ii) diet B05: diet C plus 0.5% benzoic acid; iii) diet B10: diet C plus 1.0% benzoic acid. DM fed was fixed at 6.8% BW0.75. Apparent digestibility was similar among treatments for all the parameters studied. Nitrogen (N) retention was 35.8, 37.4, 41.6% of intake N for C, B05 and B10, respectively, with no significant difference. Energy and phosphorus balances were not influenced by dietary treatments. Ammonia nitrogen emission from the slurry, expressed as a proportion of the initial slurry nitrogen, was decreased (P=0.049) by the inclusion of benzoic acid in the diet: 35.2, 28.1, 26.2% for C, B05, B10, respectively. The addition of benzoic acid to the diet determined a numerically decrease of the urinary pH. In conclusion, the inclusion of benzoic acid in the diet of the heavy pig is beneficial to the environment without effects on N, phosphorus (P) and energy balances

Endovascular Treatment of an Infrarenal Aortic Epithelioid Angiosarcoma Causing Critical Limb Ischemia in an 80-year-old Patient: A Case Report

Aortic angiosarcomas (AAS) occur in approximately one case per million people annually and are often difficult to diagnose due to their nonspecific clinical and radiological symptoms. An 80-year-old female presented with the absence of pulses of both lower limbs and feet tissue loss. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan showed the occlusion of the infrarenal abdominal aorta extending to the aortic bifurcation, involving both common and external iliac arteries up to the superficial femoral artery bilaterally. A Fogarty embolectomy of both side femoral axes was performed followed by a covered endovascular reconstruction of the aortic bifurcation (CERAB) with a covered stent graft and two covered iliac stents placed in a kissing stent configuration. Histological examination of the Fogarty embolectomy samples revealed an aortic localization of epithelioid angiosarcoma. Healing of feet trophic lesions was observed 2 months after surgery, regardless of physical and rehabilitation team intervention progressive cachexia and physical deterioration led the patient to death 5 months postoperatively. Due to their nonspecific clinical presentation, AAS are typically late diagnosed with poor prognosis despite treatment. Endovascular treatment was chosen as the only feasible option, given the high risk of limb loss and poor general health conditions. Moreover, it led to significant improvement in patient’s quality of life with no postoperative complications. Endovascular treatment associated with a physical and rehabilitation program may be advised as a less invasive alternative, for palliative or emergent clinical presentation in order to avoid short-term complications with poor impact on survival and quality of life

The presence of Homo in Sicily: evidence, hypotheses and uncorroborated ideas. An archaeo-anthropological perspective

This article summarises the main findings and data on the ancient peopling of the Mediterranean island of Sicily through an archaeo-anthropological perspective. The hypothesis surrounding the presence of the Lower Palaeolithic in Sicily with more ancestral species of Homo is also extensively reviewed and it is explained why there are not sufficient elements to maintain it. Finally, future multidisciplinary proposals are made to fill the gap on Sicilian cave archaeology

Road traffic pollution and childhood leukemia: a nationwide case-control study in Italy

Background The association of childhood leukemia with traffic pollution was considered in a number of studies from 1989 onwards, with results not entirely consistent and little information regarding subtypes. Aim of the study We used the data of the Italian SETIL case-control on childhood leukemia to explore the risk by leukemia subtypes associated to exposure to vehicular traffic. Methods We included in the analyses 648 cases of childhood leukemia (565 Acute lymphoblastic–ALL and 80 Acute non lymphoblastic-AnLL) and 980 controls. Information on traffic exposure was collected from questionnaire interviews and from the geocoding of house addresses, for all periods of life of the children. Results We observed an increase in risk for AnLL, and at a lower extent for ALL, with indicators of exposure to traffic pollutants. In particular, the risk was associated to the report of closeness of the house to traffic lights and to the passage of trucks (OR: 1.76; 95% CI 1.03–3.01 for ALL and 6.35; 95% CI 2.59–15.6 for AnLL). The association was shown also in the analyses limited to AML and in the stratified analyses and in respect to the house in different period of life. Conclusions Results from the SETIL study provide some support to the association of traffic related exposure and risk for AnLL, but at a lesser extent for ALL. Our conclusion highlights the need for leukemia type specific analyses in future studies. Results support the need of controlling exposure from traffic pollution, even if knowledge is not complete

Managing Popliteal Artery Injury During Orthopedic Surgery: An Evidence-Based Approach

Objectives: Popliteal artery injuries (PAIs), though rare, are serious complications of orthopedic procedures involving the knee, such as total knee arthroplasty (TKA), high tibial osteotomy, and trauma-related surgeries. This review aims to evaluate anatomical and clinical risk factors, diagnostic modalities, and management strategies for PAIs to support improved surgical outcomes. Methods: A narrative review was conducted by analyzing articles published in the last 10 years from PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases. Search terms included “popliteal artery injury,” “knee surgery,” “vascular complications,” and “orthopedic vascular trauma.” Studies addressing incidence, anatomical considerations, risk stratification, diagnostic tools, and treatment approaches for PAIs in the context of knee procedures were included. Results: The reviewed literature reports a PAI incidence ranging from 0.03% to 0.51%, with higher risk in revision surgeries and patients with comorbidities such as peripheral artery disease, obesity, or advanced age. Anatomical proximity of the popliteal artery to the surgical field increases vulnerability to direct trauma, traction, or compression. Clinical presentations include dissection, thrombosis, or transection, often leading to acute limb ischemia. Imaging modalities like Doppler ultrasonography, computed tomography angiography (CTA), and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are essential for prompt diagnosis. Surgical and hybrid endovascular interventions have demonstrated efficacy in restoring perfusion and minimizing morbidity. Conclusion: Accurate risk assessment, vigilant surgical technique, and timely vascular evaluation are critical for reducing PAI-related complications. Integrating contemporary imaging and revascularization strategies enhances limb preservation and improves outcomes in complex knee surgeries

A Chatbot for Asylum-Seeking Migrants in Europe

We present ACME: A Chatbot for asylum-seeking Migrants in Europe. ACME relies on computational argumentation and aims to help migrants identify the highest level of protection they can apply for. This would contribute to a more sustainable migration by reducing the load on territorial commissions, Courts, and humanitarian organizations supporting asylum applicants. We describe the background context, system architecture, underlying technologies, and a case study used to validate the tool with domain experts

Atmosferic pressure non-thermal plasma: Preliminary investigation

Antibacterial activity of atmosferic pressure non-thermal plasma (APNTP) was assessed for bacterial, yeast and mold strains. This investigation is to be considered preliminary: a second step is envisaged in which the efficacy of the technique and the device will be assessed directly on food of animal and plant origin. The strains (ATCC or wild type) of Listeria innocua, Escherichia coli, Salmonella thyphimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus mirabilis (bacteria); Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Cladosporium herbarum, Fusarium graminearum, Geotrichum candidum, Penicillium roqueforti, Rhizopus nigricans (moulds); Candida parapsilosis and Candida albicans (yeasts) were subjected to plasma plume generated by the action of electric fields with a gas mixture (oxygen and helium) delivered for 5 min at a distance of 2 cm. Types of experiments were listed as following: microorganism at concentration 1×10^8 and 1×104 cfu on PCA (Plate Count Agar); Listeria innocua and Salmonella thiphymurium at concentration 1×10^4 cfu on semi-synthetic and synthetic medium; mycetes (moulds and yeasts) at concentration 1×10^8 and 1×10^4 cfu on SDA (Sabouraud Dextrose Agar). The results obtained on the bacteria subjected to atmospheric cold plasma were evident on all the strains tested except for Proteus mirabilis (1×10^8 cfu), most evident at a concentration of 1×10^4 cfu, not only on culture media PCA but also on semi-synthetic medium and jelly meat-PCA medium. In spite of bacterial results, treatment with plasma plume did not decrease or inhibit of fungal growth. That means plasma plume was neither fungicidal nor fungistatic activities

Three-dimensional Laser Scanning Confocal Analysis of Conjunctival Microcysts in Glaucomatous Patients Before and After Trabeculectomy

In glaucoma, conjunctival epithelial microcysts (CEM) have been extensively investigated by means of laser scanning confocal microscopy. In the present case series, we examined eight glaucomatous patients undergoing trabeculectomy to obtain a 3-dimensional (3-D) characterization of CEM