Transport Processes in Porous Media by Self-Potential Method

A controlled diffusion/infiltration column experimental activity was carried out with the aim of monitoring the leakage of a salty water plume by time-lapse self-potential (SP) measurements. In particular, three tracer tests with different NaCl concentrations (6.00, 1.00, and 0.25 g L−1) were performed and all the measured SP signals showed a sharp reduction corresponding to the arrival of saline front with negative electrical potential values (−78.99±3.24 mV, −54.52±2.28 mV, and −24.12±1.21 mV) which decrease with increasing volume of tracer introduced into the column. Then, measured self-potential values were converted into salt concentration ones by the Planck-Henderson equation and sand diffusion (D) and longitudinal dispersivity (αL) values were estimated by modelling the transport equations in the COMSOL Multiphysics environment. Finally, the results show that measured and estimated NaCl concentrations are well correlated

Ambulatorio a gestione infermieristica per la rimozione del tappo di cerume

Il progetto per l'apertura di un ambulatorio infermieristico per la rimozione del tappo di cerume nell'Azienda USL di Rimini nasce nel 2007 e si è implementato nel tempo dando la possibilití  a infermieri esperti di agire le conoscenze acquisite. Obiettivo: dimostrare, tramite i dati di attivití , che l'ambulatorio a gestione infermieristica è in grado di dare una risposta tempestiva e appropriata all'utenza. Materiali e metodi: i dati di attivití  sono stati analizzati con statistiche descrittive e raccolti attraverso un' analisi retrospettiva. Risultati: l'implementazione dell'ambulatorio infermieristico ha portato nel 2010 ad un incremento delle prestazioni rispetto al 2009 che risultano pari a 682 ; i dati di attivití  del 2011 e 2012 mostrano un andamento più costante e un consolidamento di giornate di apertura e del numero di prestazioni svolte per seduta; tutte le problematiche di pertinenza specialistica sono state correttamente riconosciute dall'infermiere. Conclusioni: la gratificazione professionale dimostrata degli operatori, il buon funzionamento del servizio, il mantenimento degli standard qualitativi e la richiesta minima di risorse economiche per la realizzazione del progetto indicano che, l'ambulatorio a gestione infermieristica per la rimozione del tappo di cerume, potrebbe essere replicato anche in altre realtí  sanitarie. L'ipotesi di lavoro futura è rivolta alla realizzazione di un opuscolo informativo/formativo per gli utenti che soffrono di questo disturbo, un analisi del grado di soddisfazione dell'utenza e una nuova modalití  di refertazione infermieristica.Parole Chiave: tappo di cerume, competenze cliniche, ruolo infermieristicoWalk-in nursing clinic for earwax removalIn the USL Rimini was set up in 2007 a nursing service for the cerumen removal and it was implemented during time.To demonstrate through recorded activities data that this service managed by nurses is able to provide a timely and appropriate response to the users.  Activities data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.The implementation of the nursing service in 2010 led to an increase (= 682) in performance compared to 2009, activities data of 2011 and 2012 show a more consistent pattern and consolidation of open days and in the number of services performed per session, all issues reported by users have been properly recognized by specialist nurse. All positive insights in terms of improved job satisfaction, high quality standards, minimum requirement of financial resources indicate that this service, may be replicated in other health care facilities. Future developments of the service should be aimed at the development of  an informative brochure for users, an evaluation of users' satisfaction and an improvement of nursing notes

Impact of a mediterranean dietary pattern and its components on cardiovascular risk factors, glucose control, and body weight in people with type 2 diabetes: A real-life study

This study evaluates the relation of a Mediterranean dietary pattern and its individual components with the cardiovascular risk factors profile, plasma glucose and body mass index (BMI) in people with type 2 diabetes. We studied 2568 participants at 57 diabetes clinics. Diet was assessed with the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) questionnaire, adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated with the relative Mediterranean diet score (rMED). A high compared to a low score was associated with a better quality of diet and a greater adherence to the nutritional recommendations for diabetes. However, even in the group achieving a high score, only a small proportion of participants met the recommendations for fiber and saturated fat (respectively 17% and 30%). Nonetheless, a high score was associated with lower values of plasma lipids, blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin, and BMI. The relationship of the single food items components of the rMED score with the achievement of treatment targets for plasma lipids, blood pressure, glucose, and BMI were also explored. The study findings support the Mediterranean dietary model as a suitable model for type 2 diabetes and the concept that the beneficial health effects of the Mediterranean diet lie primarily in its synergy among various nutrients and foods rather than on any individual component

Distinct proteomic profiles characterise non-erosive from erosive reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: Erosive reflux disease (ERD) and non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) are often regarded as part of the spectrum of the same disease. AIM: To elucidate molecular features that characterise NERD and ERD at the protein level. METHODS: A total of 56 consecutive subjects were enrolled: 10 healthy subjects, 24 with NERD and 22 with ERD. Eight specimens were taken from macroscopically normal mucosa at 5 cm of gastro-oesophageal junction. Four were processed for the proteins extraction and four for evaluation using haematoxylin-eosin and immunohistochemistry. We used shotgun proteomics to identify tentative disease molecular features for ERD or NERD. Candidate distinctive proteins were verified using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Shotgun proteomics analysis revealed 33 differentially expressed proteins in NERD vs. ERD samples, involved in cellular proliferation, keratinisation, stress responses and sugar metabolism. Based on a gene ontology meta-analysis, seven of them were further analysed using Western blotting (WB) and four also using immunohistochemistry. We identified novel candidate disease molecular features for GERD and few distinctive proteins to discriminate NERD and ERD. In particular, Transitional Endoplasmic Reticulum ATPase (TER ATPase), GAPDH, Alpha 1 Acid Glycoprotein 1, Annexin A1, Calmodulin and 14-3-3 proteins were confirmed at WB analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Non-erosive reflux disease and ERD are distinct disease entities at the protein level. This study proposes an array of candidate biomarkers possibly useful to discriminate between NERD and ERD

Can supplementation of phytoestrogens/insoluble fibers help the management of duodenal polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis?

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder, and prophylactic colectomy has been shown to decrease the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC). Duodenal cancer and desmoids are now the leading causes of death in FAP. We evaluate whether 3 months of oral supplementation with a patented blend of phytoestrogens and indigestible insoluble fibers (ADI) help the management of FAP patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). In a prospective open label study, we enrolled 15 FAP patients with IPAA and duodenal polyps who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at baseline and after 3 months of treatment. The primary endpoint was the change in gene expression in polyp mucosa, whereas the secondary endpoint was the reduction in polyp number and size. After 3 months of ADI treatment, all patients showed a reduction in the number and size of duodenal polyps (P = 0.021). Analysis of the expression of CRC promoting/inhibiting genes in duodenal polyps biopsies demonstrated that different CRC-promoting genes (PCNA, MUC1 and COX-2) were significantly downregulated, whereas CRC-inhibiting genes (ER- f and MUC2) were significantly upregulated after ADI treatment. In conclusion, ADI proved to be safe and effective, and its long-term effects on FAP patients need further investigation. Judging from the results we observed on COX-2 and miR-101 expression, the short-term effects of ADI treatment could be comparable with those obtained using COX-2 inhibitors, with the advantage of being much more tolerable in chronic therapies and void of adverse events

Guidelines for the management of Helicobacter pylori infection in Italy: The III Working Group Consensus Report 2015

Knowledge on the role of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is continually evolving, and treatment is becoming more challenging due to increasing bacterial resistance. Since the management of HP infection is changing, an update of the national Italian guidelines delivered in 2007 was needed. In the III Working Group Consensus Report 2015, a panel of 17 experts from several Italian regions reviewed current evidence on different topics relating to HP infection. Four working groups examined the following topics: (1) "open questions" on HP diagnosis and treatment (focusing on dyspepsia, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin use and extra-gastric diseases); (2) non-invasive and invasive diagnostic tests; (3) treatment of HP infection; (4) role of HP in the prevention of gastric cancer. Statements and recommendations were discussed and a consensus reached in a final plenary session held in February 2015 in Bologna. Recommendations are based on the best current evidence to help physicians manage HP infection in Italy. The guidelines have been endorsed by the Italian Society of Gastroenterology and the Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy