The Coexistence of asthma and Chronic Ostructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): prevalence and risk factors in young, middle-aged and elderly people from the general population

Background: The joint distribution of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has not been well described. This study aims at determining the prevalence of self-reported physician diagnoses of asthma, COPD and of the asthma-COPD overlap syndrome and to assess whether these conditions share a common set of risk factors. Methods: A screening questionnaire on respiratory symptoms, diagnoses and risk factors was administered by mail or phone to random samples of the general Italian population aged 20–44 (n = 5163) 45–64 (n = 2167) and 65–84 (n = 1030) in the frame of the multicentre Gene Environment Interactions in Respiratory Diseases (GEIRD) study. Results: A physician diagnosis of asthma or COPD (emphysema/chronic bronchitis/COPD) was reported by 13% and 21% of subjects aged &lt;65 and 65–84 years respectively. Aging was associated with a marked decrease in the prevalence of diagnosed asthma (from 8.2% to 1.6%) and with a marked increase in the prevalence of diagnosed COPD (from 3.3% to 13.3%). The prevalence of the overlap of asthma and COPD was 1.6% (1.3%–2.0%), 2.1% (1.5%–2.8%) and 4.5% (3.2%–5.9%) in the 20–44, 45–64 and 65–84 age groups. Subjects with both asthma and COPD diagnoses were more likely to have respiratory symptoms, physical impairment, and to report hospital admissions compared to asthma or COPD alone (p&lt;0.01). Age, sex, education and smoking showed different and sometimes opposite associations with the three conditions. Conclusion: Asthma and COPD are common in the general population, and they coexist in a substantial proportion of subjects. The asthma-COPD overlap syndrome represents an important clinical phenotype that deserves more medical attention and further research.</br

Characterisation of Microbial Community Associated with Different Disinfection Treatments in Hospital hot Water Networks

Many disinfection treatments can be adopted for controlling opportunistic pathogens in hospital water networks in order to reduce infection risk for immunocompromised patients. Each method has limits and strengths and it could determine modifications on bacterial community. The aim of our investigation was to study under real-life conditions the microbial community associated with different chemical (monochloramine, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide) and non-chemical (hyperthermia) treatments, continuously applied since many years in four hot water networks of the same hospital. Municipal cold water, untreated secondary, and treated hot water were analysed for microbiome characterization by 16S amplicon sequencing. Cold waters had a common microbial profile at genera level. The hot water bacterial profiles differed according to treatment. Our results confirm the effectiveness of disinfection strategies in our hospital for controlling potential pathogens such as Legionella, as the investigated genera containing opportunistic pathogens were absent or had relative abundances ≤1%, except for non-tuberculous mycobacteria, Sphingomonas, Ochrobactrum and Brevundimonas. Monitoring the microbial complexity of healthcare water networks through 16S amplicon sequencing is an innovative and effective approach useful for Public Health purpose in order to verify possible modifications of microbiota associated with disinfection treatments

The MAORY first-light adaptive optics module for E-ELT

The MAORY adaptive optics module is part of the first light instrumentation suite for the E-ELT. The MAORY project phase B is going to start soon. This paper contains a system-level overview of the current instrument design

Modelling human choices: MADeM and decision‑making

Research supported by FAPESP 2015/50122-0 and DFG-GRTK 1740/2. RP and AR are also part of the Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center for Neuromathematics FAPESP grant (2013/07699-0). RP is supported by a FAPESP scholarship (2013/25667-8). ACR is partially supported by a CNPq fellowship (grant 306251/2014-0)

Lifestyle and food habits changes after migration: a focus on immigrant women in Modena (Italy)

Background: This study aimed to explore post-migration lifestyle and weight changes in a sample of migrant women recruited in Modena, Italy. Taking into account the importance of the perceived personal susceptibility in improving prevention and treatment seeking behaviors, we further investigated women’s self-recognition of overweight/obesity. We also examined the changes in self-perceived quality of life after the arrival in Modena. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 97 female migrants visiting a family counseling in Modena. Socio-demographic information, post-migration changes in lifestyle, dietary habits and selfperceived quality of life were obtained by administering an anonymous questionnaire, created ad hoc with expert consultation and previously tested in a pilot study. Thereafter blood pressure, height and weight were measured. Results: More than half of the sample met criteria for overweight/obesity and 58% reported a weight increase after the arrival in Italy. The increased risk of weight gain after migration was significantly associated with women age, lower education level, African ethnicity and post-migration increased consumption of cheese and snacks/sweets. After applying a conditional multiple logistic regression, ethnicity, age and increased post-migration cheese consumption remained the main predictors of weight gain. More than half of subjects with BMI ≥25 Kg/m2 were not aware of their own overweight or obesity. Such weight underestimation was more common in African migrants than in other ethnicities. Findings about the perceived quality of life showed an overall improved economic situation, although more than half of women revealed deterioration in their social relationships after migration. Conclusions: Our results are important to identify the gaps in the current migrant populations’ health promotion in Modena and suggest that strategies to support female migrants to reinforce good dietary patterns may be the key in preventing unhealthy weight gain. Indeed, understanding immigrant women’s culture, beliefs and traditions of their country of origin, as well as food acculturation, is essential to improve the efficiency of these interventions

Effects of Ferrocene and Ferrocenium on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells and Interconnection with Regulated Cell Death Pathways

The effects of ferrocene (Fc) and ferrocenium (Fc+) induced in triple negative human breast cancer MCF-7 cells were explored by immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and transmission electron microscopy analysis. The different abilities of Fc and Fc+ to produce reactive oxygen species and induce oxidative stress were clearly observed by activating apoptosis and morphological changes after treatment, but also after tests performed on the model organism D. discoideum, particularly in the case of Fc+. The induction of ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death driven by an overload of lipid peroxides in cellular membranes, occurred after 2 h of treatment with Fc+ but not Fc. However, the more stable Fc showed its effects by activating necroptosis after a longer-lasting treatment. The differences observed in terms of cell death mechanisms and timing may be due to rapid interconversion between the two oxidative forms of internalized iron species (from Fe2+ to Fe3+ and vice versa). Potential limitations include the fact that iron metabolism and mitophagy have not been investigated. However, the ability of both Fc and Fc+ to trigger different and interregulated types of cell death makes them suitable to potentially overcome the shortcomings of traditional apoptosis-mediated anticancer therapies

CONCENTRATIONS OF ESSENTIAL AND TOXIC ELEMENTS IN HUMAN MILK AND INFANT FORMULAS

Human milk represents the most suitable pattern of nutrients to meet the physiological requirements of the young infant and exclusive breast feeding is recommended up to 6 months of age. When breast feeding is not possible, infant formulas are often used as substitutes for human milk, hence, an accurate knowledge of their composition, also in term of trace elements, is essential to understand if the nutrient requirements of the infant fed with formulas are adequate. Essential trace elements play a relevant role in growth and development. Although they are required only in small amounts, the intake may not always be adequate, and their amount in formula composition has received insufficient attention. Moreover, infant formula and human milk may hold toxic elements as a result of environment pollution or food processing. The main objective of this study is to compare the total concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Se, Cr, Ni, Cd and Pb in a representative sample of infant starting (0-6 months) formulas consumed in Italy (n=35) with just as many breast milk samples of healthy lactating women from Modena (Italy) and collected on 30 day postpartum. The element concentrations were determined by ICP-MS after microwave digestion. The levels of essential elements in infant formulas were within min/max of recommended values established by the European directives. Concentrations of Pb and Cd were detected in some infant formulas, although none in amounts that could represent a health hazard for the consumer. As expected Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn are significantly higher in all investigated formulas compared to breast milk, due to fortification associated with their poor absorption from artificial products. Growing evidence of negative effects on cognitive development from excessive Mn intake suggests a reconsideration on the real need to fortify commercial human-milk substitutes to high concentrations, in order to ensure infant healt

Trace Elements in Human Milk from Italian Lactating Women: Comparison with Infant Formulas

Background: Human milk is the best source of nutrition for the newborns, and exclusive breastfeeding is recommended by WHO up to 6 months of age. It contains all the nutrients and essential trace elements necessary to ensure correct functioning of the organism. Infant formulas, the most common substitutes for human milk, usually contain nutrient levels modeled to have a composition similar to human milk. However, few recent data on nutrient levels in breast milk and infant formula are available from women living in Italy. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of five essential (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Se) and four non-essential/toxic elements (Ni, Cr, Cd, Pb) in infant formulas and breast milk of women living in Modena, Italy and to compare them with recommended values. Methods: 130 samples of human milk (mature milk: 30-40 days postpartum) and a representative sample of infant formulas (0-6 months) sold in Italy were analyzed by ICP-MS in triplicate after microwave digestion. Results: Breast milk showed adequate levels of essential trace elements, despite the inter-individual variability observed, which was not influenced by women' characteristics and dietary habits. Non-essential/toxic elements content was well below the maximum tolerable limits set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). In infant formulas as well, essential element levels were within the European recommended values, however, Fe and Mn levels, were significantly higher than in breast milk. Conclusions: The levels of essential micronutrients in lactating women living in Modena are suitable for the proper development of infants and no risk for excessive toxic elements intake was detected. Infant formulas show high fortification with Fe and Mn. Considering the growing evidence of cognitive development effects due to an excessive Mn intake, a deeper discussion on infants' Mn requirement is needed. According to our findings, breastfeeding should be still encouraged and recommended

Studio dell’impatto di diverse strategie di disinfezione sulla comunità microbica delle reti idriche ospedaliere tramite l’applicazione della genomica.

Introduzione. La maggior parte delle strutture sanitarie applica al sistema idrico trattamenti di disinfezione in continuo al fine di ridurre il rischio infettivo. Tali trattamenti possono modificare la composizione della comunità batterica dei sistemi di distribuzione dell'acqua sia in termini di abbondanza che di varietà di genere. Le tecnologie NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) e gli strumenti bioinformatici utilizzati negli studi di metagenomica consentono di rilevare tutti i batteri coltivabili e non, appartenenti alla comunità microbica della rete idrica indagata, sequenziando segmenti del loro DNA. Scopo dello studio è valutare l’impatto di diversi trattamenti di disinfezione sulla comunità microbica presente nelle reti di distribuzione dell’acqua calda dell’Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena tramite queste tecnologie. Materiali e metodi. L’ospedale oggetto dello studio comprende un monoblocco principale e quattro palazzine separate provviste ciascuna della propria centrale idrica. Tutti gli edifici sono alimentati da acqua fredda clorata proveniente dall’acquedotto comunale. Sono stati raccolti campioni di acqua fredda in ingresso (in due sessioni di campionamento a distanza di un anno) e di acqua calda da ricircoli e punti distali di quattro reti idriche, di cui tre trattate con diversi biocidi (monocloramina, perossido di idrogeno e biossido di cloro) e una rete non trattata chimicamente. Ogni campione è stato analizzato per la caratterizzazione del microbioma tramite NGS. Risultati. Le acque fredde in ingresso presentavano profili microbici comuni, confermati nella loro similitudine anche a distanza di un anno dal primo campionamento. Nello specifico, Proteobacteria e Bacteroidetes rappresentavano i phyla predominanti e Burkholderia, Sediminibacterium, e Bradyrhizobium i generi prevalenti e comuni a tutte queste acque. Nelle reti idriche trattate predominavano alcuni generi resistenti a condizioni ambientali sfavorevoli quali Bradyrhizobium (rete trattata con perossido di idrogeno e biossido di cloro), Mycobacterium (perossido di idrogeno), Gallionella (monoclorammina) e Blastomonas (biossido di cloro). Generi termofili (Thermobaculum) predominavano invece nelle acque non trattate chimicamente che avevano una temperatura più elevata (>50°C) rispetto alle reti trattate tenute tra 40°C e 45°C per evitare la degradazione dei biocidi stessi. In tutti i campioni, Legionella spp e Pseudomonas spp risultavano inferiori all’1% sul totale dei generi identificati. Conclusioni. La caratterizzazione dei profili microbici delle reti idriche ospedaliere mediante l’analisi metagenomica rappresenta un approccio innovativo nella sua applicazione in Sanità Pubblica. Tutti i sistemi di disinfezione studiati sono risultati efficaci nel controllare la contaminazione da Legionella e Pseudomonas all’interno delle reti idriche ospedaliere. I nostri risultati suggeriscono un impatto diverso dei tre biocidi sui profili batterici delle acque calde, selezionando alcuni generi resistenti a stress ossidativi e limitatamente alla rete trattata con perossido di idrogeno patogeni opportunisti appartenenti al genere Mycobacterium. Ulteriori indagini sarebbero necessarie per monitorare nel tempo la stabilità della comunità microbica nelle reti idriche trattate

An age standardized prevalence estimate and a sex and age distribution of myotonic dystrophy types 1 and 2 in the Rome province, Italy

Prevalence estimates for the 2 forms of myotonic dystrophy types 1 and 2 (DM1 and DM2) are not exhaustive or non-available. Our aim was to estimate the minimum prevalence of DM1 and DM2 in Italy in the Rome province, applying standards of descriptive epidemiology. METHODS: All patients with a molecular diagnosis of DM1/DM2 and residents in the Rome province in 2013 have been enrolled, and the age-standardized prevalence has been calculated, assuming a Poisson distribution and adjusting for age. RESULTS: We identified 395 DM1 patients: the age-standardized prevalence for total, females and males was 9.65, 8.35 and 11.07/100,000, respectively. The mean age of subjects differed considerably according to CTG repeat length (p = 0.001). Forty DM2 patients were identified. The age-standardized prevalence for total, females and males was 0.99, 1.07 and 0.90/100,000, respectively. The mean age was 57.05. CONCLUSIONS: We estimated for the first time the age-standardized prevalence and the sex and age distribution of DM1 and DM2 in a general population. A higher prevalence of males in DM1 and females in DM2 and a higher mean age of DM2 patients (+8 years) were ascertained. Prevalence of DM2 was 10% that of DM1. These prevalence values are probably lower than mutational rates due to the incomplete penetrance of DM1 mutations and to the clinical elusiveness of DM2. Our findings will be useful in designing cohort studies and for developing a disease registr