Amiata donkey milk chain: animal health evaluation and milk quality

This study presents a investigation into the animal health and quality of Amiata donkey milk for human consumption. Thirty one lactating dairy jennies were examined. The following samples were collected: faecal samples from the rectum of animals for parasitological examination; cervical swabs for the detection of bacteria causing reproductive disorders; and blood samples for serological diagnosis of main zoonotic (Brucella spp., Leptospira spp.) and donkey abortion agents (Brucella spp., Leptospira spp., Salmonella abortus equi, Equine viral arterithis virus, Equine herpesvirus type 1). In addition, individual milk samples were collected and analyzed for mastitis-causing pathogens and milk quality. Regarding animal health, we detected a high prevalence of strongyle parasites in donkeys. It is very important to tackle parasitic diseases correctly. Selective control programmes are preferable in order to reduce anthelmintic drug use. For dairy donkeys, withdrawal periods from anthelmintic drugs need to be carefully managed, in accordance with EU and national regulations. The isolation of Staphylococcus aureus in milk highlights the importance of preventing contamination during milking, by adopting appropriate hygiene and safety practices at a farm level. Amiata donkey milk lysozyme actvity was high compared to cow’s milk, contribuiting to the inhibitory activity against certain bacteria. Donkey milk was characterized by a high lactose content, low caseins, low fat, higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids compared to ruminant milks. Unsaturated fatty acids and omega 3 fatty acids in particular have become known for their beneficial health effect, which is favourable for human diet. These characteristics make it suitable for infants and children affected by food intolerance/allergies to bovine milk proteins and multiple food allergies as well as for adults with dyslipidemias and in the prevention of cardiovascular disease

Surgical management of gynecomastia: Experience of a general surgery center

Aim. Gynecomastia is a common finding in male population of all ages. The aim of our study was to present our experience and goals in surgical treatment of gynecomastia. Patients and Methods. Clinical records of patients affected by gynecomastia referred to our Department of Surgery between September 2008 and January 2015 were analyzed. 50 patients were included in this study. Results. Gynecomastia was monolateral in 12 patients (24%) and bilateral in 38 (76%); idiopathic in 41 patients (82%) and secondary in 9 (18%). 39 patients (78%) underwent surgical operation under general anaesthesia, 11 (22%) under local anaesthesia. 3 patients (6%) presented recurrent disease. Webster technique was performed in 28 patients (56%), Davidson technique in 16 patients (32%); in 2 patients (4%) Pitanguy technique was performed and in 4 patients (8%) a mixed surgical technique was performed. Mean surgical time was 80.72±35.14 minutes, median postoperative stay was 1.46±0.88 days. 2 patients (4%) operated using Davidson technique developed a hematoma, 1 patient (2%) operated with the same technique developed hypertrophic scar. Conclusions. Several surgical techniques are described for surgical correction of gynecomastia. If performed by skilled general surgeons surgical treatment of gynecomastia is safe and permits to reach satisfactory aesthetic results

Newborn of mothers affected by autoimmune thyroiditis: the importance of thyroid function monitoring in the first months of life

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>evaluation of thyroid function in neonates born from mothers affected by autoimmune thyroiditis in order to define if a precise follow-up is necessary for these children. The influence of maternal thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and L-thyroxine therapy during pregnancy on neonatal thyroid function was also investigated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>129 neonates were tested for thyroid function by measurement of free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in 3^thday, 15^thday and at one month of life. TPOAb were measured in all patients; periodical control of thyroid function were performed until 6 months of life if Ab were positive. Data concerning etiology of maternal hypothyroidism and maternal replacement therapy with L-thyroxine during pregnancy were retrospectively collected.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>28% neonates showed at least a mild increase of TSH value at the different determinations. In the majority of them, a spontaneous completely normalisation of TSH value was observed within the first month life. L-thyroxine replacement therapy was started in 3 neonates. TPOAb titer and maternal L-thyroxine replacement therapy were not related to alteration of thyroid hormone function in our study population.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>transient mild elevation of serum TSH above the normal reference value for age is frequently observed in the first month of life in infants born from mothers affected by autoimmune thyroiditis. Persistent hyperthyrotropinemia requiring replacement therapy is observed in 2.2% of these neonates. According to our experience, follow-up is recommended in these newborns; the most accurate and not invasive way to carefully monitor these infants after neonatal screening for CH seems to be serum-testing TSH between 2^ndand 4^thweek of life.</p

Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging in gliomas: clinical diagnosis and radiotherapy planning

The reprogramming of cellular metabolism is a hallmark of cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) is a non-invasive diagnostic technique for investigating brain metabolism to establish cancer diagnosis and IDH gene mutation diagnosis as well as facilitate pre-operative planning and treatment response monitoring. By allowing tissue metabolism to be quantified, MRSI provides added value to conventional MRI. MRSI can generate metabolite maps from a single volume or multiple volume elements within the whole brain. Metabolites such as NAA, Cho and Cr, as well as their ratios Cho:NAA ratio and Cho:Cr ratio, have been used to provide tumor diagnosis and aid in radiation therapy planning as well as treatment assessment. In addition to these common metabolites, 2-hydroxygluterate (2HG) has also been quantified using MRSI following the recent discovery of IDH mutations in gliomas. This has opened up targeted drug development to inhibit the mutant IDH pathway. This review provides guidance on MRSI in brain gliomas, including its acquisition, analysis methods, and evolving clinical applications

Reconstruction of posterior auricular ear surface defects: “Ear Keystone graft”

Malignant cutaneous tumors are common on the external ear1 and reconstruction of posterior auricular surface's defects after surgical removal of cancer can be performed using different strategies. These techniques can be not easy or not really quick to perform, therefore we believe that it can be useful to propose another strategy to evaluate between the different reconstructive options in this anatomical region. The Keystone Design Perforator Island Flap (KDPIF), a curvilinear shaped trapezoidal design flap described by Felix C Behan in 2003,2 is a solution to reconstruct soft tissue defects in head and neck, trunk, and extremities. Based on fasciocutaneous perforators, this flap offers both the robust vascularity of perforator flaps and the relative ease and speed of local tissue rearrangement. In this regard we present our experience with the use of the KDPIF for the posterior surface of the auricle's reconstruction after removal of a skin epithelioma. This application of KDPIF has never been described in literature and it is a special feature due to the lack of perforating vessels that supply blood to the flap in this anatomical region

Metabolomic and imaging: A literature review

Introduction: Metabolome reflects the sum of all life processes in the cell-tissue-organ, belonging to all the systems that constitute the individual and it refers to metabolites included in a cell, tissue or organism. Since metabolites are various, in terms of chemical species and concentrations, it is necessary to conduct metabolite analysis with a variety of different analytical techniques. Imaging is the main part of these modern diagnosis pathways. Discussion: A narrative review of all the relevant papers known to the authors was conducted, researching the Pubmed database. Considering this last definition of the multimodal in vivo-in vitro approach, an essential and versatile diagnostic technique can be regarded as the most recent and crucial innovation in modern diagnostics: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). For the in vitro application, NMR has become an important tool for metabolomics. Metabolomics is defined as the quantitative and qualitative analysis of a large number of metabolites that are intermediate or final products of all the metabolic pathways in a biological system. Metabolomics aims to obtain a global understanding of living organisms to a deeper level than has so far been achieved through genomics and proteomics. This property is of great clinical importance in light of recent definitions of health and disease. Conclusion: This review highlights the workflow of a typical metabolomics study and summarises the most up-to-date results obtained from the latest in vivo imaging techniques and their technologies, focussing on the future perspective of in vivo MRS metabolomics

Modified pull-out suture in zone one injuries: button or gasket?

[No abstract available