An easier and safe affair, pleural drainage with ultrasound in critical patient: a technical note

Abstract Thoracic ultrasound is a powerful diagnostic imaging technique for pleural space disorders. In addition to visualising pleural effusion, thoracic ultrasound also helps clinicians to identify the best puncture site and to guide the drainage insertion procedure. Thoracic ultrasound is essential during these invasive manoeuvres to increase safety and decrease potential life-threatening complications. This paper provides a technical description of pigtail-type drainage insertion using thoracic ultrasound, paying particular attention to indications, contraindications, ultrasound guidance, preparation/equipment, procedure and complications

A flow cytometry-based assay to determine the ability of anti-Streptococcus pyogenes antibodies to mediate monocytic phagocytosis in human sera.

Streptococcus pyogenes, commonly referred to as Group A Streptococcus (Strep A), causes a spectrum of diseases, with the potential to progress into life-threatening illnesses and autoimmune complications. The escalating threat of antimicrobial resistance, stemming from the prevalent reliance on antibiotic therapies to manage Strep A infections, underscores the critical need for the development of disease control strategies centred around vaccination. Phagocytes play a critical role in controlling Strep A infections, and phagocytosis-replicating assays are essential for vaccine development. Traditionally, such assays have employed whole-blood killing or opsonophagocytic methods using HL-60 cells as neutrophil surrogates. However, assays mimicking Fcγ receptors- phagocytosis in clinical contexts are lacking. Therefore, here we introduce a flow cytometry-based method employing undifferentiated THP-1 cells as monocytic/macrophage model to swiftly evaluate the ability of human sera to induce phagocytosis of Strep A. We extensively characterize the assay's precision, linearity, and quantification limit, ensuring robustness. By testing human pooled serum, the assay proved to be suitable for the comparison of human sera's phagocytic capability against Strep A. This method offers a valuable complementary assay for clinical studies, addressing the gap in assessing FcγR-mediated phagocytosis. By facilitating efficient evaluation of Strep A -phagocyte interactions, it may contribute to elucidating the mechanisms required for the prevention of infections and inform the development of future vaccines and therapeutic advancements against Strep A infections

Use of Flow Cytometry to Evaluate Phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus by Human Neutrophils

Neutrophils play a key role in the human immune response to Staphylococcus aureus infections. These professional phagocytes rapidly migrate to the site of infection to engulf bacteria and destroy them via specialized intracellular killing mechanisms. Here we describe a robust and relatively high-throughput flow cytometry assay to quantify phagocytosis of S. aureus by human neutrophils. We show that effective phagocytic uptake of S. aureus is greatly enhanced by opsonization, i.e. the tagging of microbial surfaces with plasma-derived host proteins like antibodies and complement. Our rapid assay to monitor phagocytosis can be used to study neutrophil deficiencies and bacterial evasion, but also provides a powerful tool to assess the opsonic capacity of antibodies, either in the context of natural immune responses or immune therapies

Natural Human Immunity Against Staphylococcal Protein A Relies on Effector Functions Triggered by IgG3

Staphylococcal protein A (SpA) is a multifunctional, highly conserved virulence factor of Staphylococcus aureus. By binding the Fc portion of all human IgG subclasses apart from IgG3, SpA interferes with antibody and complement deposition on the bacterial surface, impairing staphylococcal clearance by phagocytosis. Because of its anti-opsonic properties, SpA is not investigated as a surface antigen to mediate bacterial phagocytosis. Herein we investigate human sera for the presence of SpA-opsonizing antibodies. The screening revealed that sera containing IgG3 against SpA were able to correctly opsonize the target and drive Fcγ receptor-mediated interactions and phagocytosis. We demonstrated that IgG3 Fc is significantly more efficient in inducing phagocytosis of SpA-expressing S. aureus as compared to IgG1 Fc in an assay resembling physiological conditions. Furthermore, we show that the capacity of SpA antibodies to induce phagocytosis depends on the specific epitope recognized by the IgGs on SpA molecules. Overall, our results suggest that anti-SpA IgG3 antibodies could favor the anti-staphylococcal response in humans, paving the way towards the identification of a correlate of protection against staphylococcal infections

Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation, and Intensive Care expert consensus statement on the use of lung ultrasound in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (ITACO)

Background To produce statements based on the available evidence and an expert consensus (as members of the Lung Ultrasound Working Group of the Italian Society of Analgesia, Anesthesia, Resuscitation, and Intensive Care, SIAARTI) on the use of lung ultrasound for the management of patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit. Methods A modified Delphi method was applied by a panel of anesthesiologists and intensive care physicians expert in the use of lung ultrasound in COVID-19 intensive critically ill patients to reach a consensus on ten clinical questions concerning the role of lung ultrasound in the following: COVID-19 diagnosis and monitoring (with and without invasive mechanical ventilation), positive end expiratory pressure titration, the use of prone position, the early diagnosis of pneumothorax- or ventilator-associated pneumonia, the process of weaning from invasive mechanical ventilation, and the need for radiologic chest imaging. Results A total of 20 statements were produced by the panel. Agreement was reached on 18 out of 20 statements (scoring 7–9; “appropriate”) in the first round of voting, while 2 statements required a second round for agreement to be reached. At the end of the two Delphi rounds, the median score for the 20 statements was 8.5 [IQR 8.9], and the agreement percentage was 100%. Conclusion The Lung Ultrasound Working Group of the Italian Society of Analgesia, Anesthesia, Resuscitation, and Intensive Care produced 20 consensus statements on the use of lung ultrasound in COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. This expert consensus strongly suggests integrating lung ultrasound findings in the clinical management of critically ill COVID-19 patients

Monitoring and predicting the risk of violence in residential facilities. No difference between patients with history or with no history of violence

none34noopende Girolamo, Giovanni; Buizza, Chiara; Sisti, Davide; Ferrari, Clarissa; Bulgari, Viola; Iozzino, Laura; Boero, Maria Elena; Cristiano, Giuseppe; De Francesco, Alessandra; Giobbio, Gian Marco; Maggi, Paolo; Rossi, Giuseppe; Segalini, Beatrice; Candini, Valentina; Andreose, Suor; Basso, Pasquale; Beneduce, Rossella; Bertolotti, Pietro; Braida, Vanda; Bonelli, Marina; Bongiorno, Fanny; Bussi, Riccardo; Castagno, Elisa; Dominicis, Fabio; Ghersi, Loredana; Greppo, Stefania; Sodano, Alessandro Jaretti; Leporatti, Massimo; Presti, Eleonora Lo; Milone, Valeria; Panigada, Fausto; Pasquadibisceglie, Livia; Rigamonti, Danilo; Rillosi, Lucianade Girolamo, Giovanni; Buizza, Chiara; Sisti, Davide; Ferrari, Clarissa; Bulgari, Viola; Iozzino, Laura; Boero, Maria Elena; Cristiano, Giuseppe; De Francesco, Alessandra; Giobbio, Gian Marco; Maggi, Paolo; Rossi, Giuseppe; Segalini, Beatrice; Candini, Valentina; Andreose, Suor; Basso, Pasquale; Beneduce, Rossella; Bertolotti, Pietro; Braida, Vanda; Bonelli, Marina; Bongiorno, Fanny; Bussi, Riccardo; Castagno, Elisa; Dominicis, Fabio; Ghersi, Loredana; Greppo, Stefania; Sodano, Alessandro Jaretti; Leporatti, Massimo; Presti, Eleonora Lo; Milone, Valeria; Panigada, Fausto; Pasquadibisceglie, Livia; Rigamonti, Danilo; Rillosi, Lucian

Informe de la Campaña 2020/21 en el Centro Sur de Santa Fe

La campaña ha presentado una altísima heterogeneidad de rendimientos, no fue infrecuente encontrar más de 1200 kg/ha de diferencia entre lotes contiguos en donde se habían hecho planteos tecnológicos muy similares. Estos registros, ponen en evidencia que la planificación a largo plazo de las tecnologías de procesos (rotación de cultivos, prácticas que favorezcan la mejora en los balances de agua, fechas de siembra, etc.) permite disminuir el impacto negativo de un período de déficit hídrico prolongado e inusual como el que acaeció en esta campaña.EEA OliverosFil: Enrico, Juan Martin. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros; ArgentinaFil: Bacigaluppo, Silvina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros; ArgentinaFil: Vita Larrieu, Eduardo Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Máximo Paz; ArgentinaFil: Palu, Estefania Maria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Máximo Paz; ArgentinaFil: Boero, Leandro Ruben. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela. Agencia de Extensión Rural Galvez; ArgentinaFil: Calcha, Jose Alfredo Nicolas. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela. Agencia de Extensión Rural Galvez; ArgentinaFil: Tamagnone, M. Actividad privada; ArgentinaFil: Mendez, Jose Maria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Totoras; ArgentinaFil: Prieto, Gabriel Maria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Arroyo Seco; ArgentinaFil: Gentili, Oscar Alfredo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Casilda; ArgentinaFil: Pagani, Ricardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Las Rosas; ArgentinaFil: Lago, Maria Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros; Argentin

Quality of residential facilities in Italy: satisfaction and quality of life of residents with schizophrenia spectrum~disorders

Background Recovery and human rights promotion for people with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders (SSDs) is fundamental to provide good care in Residential Facilities (RFs). However, there is a concern about rehabilitation ethos in RFs. This study aimed to investigate the care quality of Italian RFs, the quality of life (QoL) and care experience of residents with SSD. Methods Fourty-eight RFs were assessed using a quality assessment tool (QuIRC-SA) and 161 residents with SSD were enrolled. Seventeen RFs provided high intensity rehabilitation (SRP1), 15 medium intensity (SRP2), and 16 medium-low level support (SRP3). Staff-rated tools measured psychiatric symptoms and psychosocial functioning; user-rated tools assessed QoL and satisfaction with services. RFs comparisons were made using ANOVA and Chi-squared. Results Over two-thirds patients (41.5 y.o., SD 9.7) were male. Seventy-six were recruited from SRP1 services, 48 from SRP2, and 27 from SRP3. The lowest QuIRC-SA scoring was Recovery Based Practice (45.8%), and the highest was promotion of Human Rights (58.4%). SRP2 had the lowest QuIRC-SA ratings and SRP3 the highest. Residents had similar psychopathology (p = 0.140) and functioning (p = 0.537). SRP3 residents were more employed (18.9%) than SRP1 (7.9%) or SRP2 (2.2%) ones, and had less severe negative symptoms (p = 0.016) and better QoL (p = 0.020) than SRP2 residents. There were no differences in the RF therapeutic milieu and their satisfaction with care. Conclusions Residents of the lowest supported RFs in Italy had less severe negative symptoms, better QoL and more employment than others. The lowest ratings for Recovery Based Practice across all RFs suggest more work is needed to improve recovery

Trigo pan: comportamiento agronómico y calidad comercial de la Red de cultivares comerciales en el centro-sur de Santa Fe. Campaña 2020-21.

Desde la Estación Experimental Agropecuaria del INTA Oliveros se desarrolla en forma ininterrumpida desde hace 22 años, una red de ensayos de trigo en su área de influencia. La misma comprende lotes de productores de cultivares comerciales de distintos criaderos. Acompañan este proceso las Agencias de Extensión (AER) de Gálvez y Carlos Pellegrini, unidades que dependen de la Estación Experimental Agropecuaria del INTA Rafaela. Estos ensayos se realizan en macro parcelas en campo de productores, excepto en la localidad de Oliveros que fueron en microparcelas. Los cultivares participantes se agruparon según su precocidad en dos grupos: ciclo largo e intermedio y ciclo corto.EEA OliverosFil: Manlla, Amalia Graciela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros; ArgentinaFil: Almada, Gustavo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela. Agencia de Extensión Rural Carlos Pellegrini; ArgentinaFil: Boero, Leandro Ruben. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela. Agencia de Extensión Rural Galvez; ArgentinaFil: Calcha, Jose Alfredo Nicolas. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela. Agencia de Extensión Rural Galvez; ArgentinaFil: Casasola Farre, Erica Alejandra. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Casilda; ArgentinaFil: Gentili, Oscar Alfredo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Casilda; ArgentinaFil: Malmantile, Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Venado Tuerto; ArgentinaFil: Mendez, Jose Maria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Totoras; ArgentinaFil: Loto, Ariel Roberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Arroyo Seco; ArgentinaFil: Prieto, Gabriel Maria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Arroyo Seco; ArgentinaFil: Vita Larrieu, Eduardo Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Máximo Paz; ArgentinaFil: Pagani, Ricardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros. Agencia de Extensión Rural Las Rosas; ArgentinaFil: Lago, Maria Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Oliveros; ArgentinaFil: Alberione, Enrique Javier. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Marcos Juárez; Argentin