Crowdfunding and accounting history: the construction of the Gran Madre di Dio Church (Turin, 1814 - 1832)

This study emphasizes the history of accountancy, shedding light on its link with artistic and cultural patrimony, an issue that is scarcely addressed but is nearly always a matter underlying the greatest monuments of our civilization. As a case study, this study focuses on one of the significant architectural monuments of the City of Turin: the “Church of Gran Madre di Dio”; which was built to celebrate a historical and political event. Today it is a place of worship, a tourist attraction and a pilgrimage site. The current study corrects, from an accounting and historical perspective, the paucity of knowledge related to the Church of “Gran Madre di Dio”, and it also highlights the social impact its construction had upon the Turin area

Proximal mandibular nerve block using electrolocation in 10 dogs undergoing mandibular surgery: a case series report.

Peripheral nerve block performed using electrical stimulation (i.e. electrolocation) is widely used for perioperative pain management during several surgical procedures in dogs (Campoy 2008), but few data are reported concerning its application to invasive maxillofacial surgery (Carotenuto et al 2011). The aim of this case series report is to evaluate the efficacy of proximal mandibular nerve block (PMNB) in perioperative pain management in dogs undergoing mandibulectomy. Ten dogs of various breeds, (six spayed females and four neutered males of 10.353.09 years and mean weight of 19.5615.19 kg) presenting either neoplasia or mandibular fracture and scheduled for mandibulectomy were premedicated with intramuscular acepromazine maleate (0.02 mg/kg); after induction of general anaesthesia, bilateral PMNB was performed with ropivacaine 0.75% (2 mg/kg) inserting the stimulated needle in temporomandibular joint direction. Whenever intraoperative nociception occurred, intravenous rescue analgesia was provided (fentanyl 3 g/kg). Carprofen was administered subcutaneously as a sole postoperative treatment (3 mg/kg) and postoperative analgesia was assessed for at least 24 hours by a blind operator, accordingly to the Glasgow composite pain scale (Reid et al 2007); when it overcame a threshold of 5/24, intravenous rescue analgesia was administered (methadone, 0.2 mg/kg). In eight out of ten dogs no intraoperative nociception was shown, while in two dogs a single intravenous fentanyl administration was sufficient to provide additional analgesia. No acute and medium term complications were observed and postoperative analgesia lasted for 20.5±6.1 hours. PMNB seems to provide effective perioperative long-lasting analgesia leading to a reduction in intra- and postoperative drug administration

Serum uric acid levels and risk of developing preeclampsia

Si bien se conoce que existe una asociación entre los niveles elevados de ácido úrico y la preeclampsia, el debate sobre su aplicación clínica aún está abierto. Nuestro objetivo fue estudiar la utilidad del dosaje periódico del ácido úrico sérico durante el embarazo para identificar gestantes con mayor riesgo de desarrollar preeclampsia. Realizamos un estudio retrospectivo en gestantes primíparas: 79 normotensas y 79 con preeclampsia atendidas en el Hospital Nacional Posadas durante el año 2010. Se analizaron los niveles séricos de ácido úrico, creatinina y urea, y los datos de proteinuria de las historias clínicas de las mujeres embarazadas. Los niveles de ácido úrico fueron similares en ambos grupos durante la primera mitad de la gestación. Sin embargo, a partir de la semana 20, el ácido úrico se incrementó 1.5 veces en gestantes preeclámpticas, sin cambios en la uremia y creatininemia, descartándose así el compromiso renal. Además, encontramos que niveles más altos de ácido úrico se correlacionaban con bajo peso del recién nacido. También vimos que las gestantes con antecedentes familiares de hipertensión eran más propensas a desarrollar esta condición. Por otro lado, no observamos una relación directa ni con el sexo fetal ni con el tiempo de aparición de los síntomas clínicos. Estos hallazgos sugieren que los cambios en las concentraciones de ácido úrico se deberían a alteraciones en los estadios iniciales de la preeclampsia. Por ello, la monitorización de los niveles del mismo durante el embarazo podría contribuir al abordaje precoz de este desorden gestacional.It is well known that preeclampsia is associated to high uric acid levels, but the clinical assessment of this relationship is still under consideration. Our research was to evaluate if periodic doses of uric acid during pregnancy might help to identify a high risk group prior to the onset of preeclampsia. We conducted a retrospective investigation in 79 primary gestates with normal blood pressure and 79 women with preeclampsia who were assisted at Hospital Nacional Posadas during 2010. Serum uric acid levels, creatininemia, uremia, and proteinuria data from the clinical records of the pregnant women were considered. Uric acid levels were similar in both groups during the first half of gestation. However, as of the 20th week, uric acid increased 1.5-times in preeclamptic women with no changes in creatinine and urea, confirming that these patients had no renal complications. Furthermore, we noted that higher levels of uric acid correlated with low birth weight. We also observed that pregnant women with a family history of hypertension were more likely to develop this condition. Moreover, we did not find a direct relationship with the fetal sex or the appearance of clinical symptoms. The analytical evidence suggests that changes in uric acid concentrations may be due to metabolic alterations at the initial stages of preeclampsia. Therefore, we propose that monitoring levels of uric acid during pregnancy might contribute to the early control of this condition.Fil: Corominas, Ana. Hospital Nacional Prof. Dr. Alejandro Posadas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas; ArgentinaFil: Balconi, Silvia. Hospital Nacional Prof. Dr. Alejandro Posadas; ArgentinaFil: Palermo, Mario. Hospital Nacional Prof. Dr. Alejandro Posadas; ArgentinaFil: Maskin, Bernardo. Hospital Nacional Prof. Dr. Alejandro Posadas; ArgentinaFil: Damiano, Alicia Ermelinda. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas. Cátedra de Biología Celular y Molecular; Argentina. Universidad Autónoma de Chile; Chile. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Fisiología y Biofísica Bernardo Houssay; Argentin

Endocrine pancreas development at weaning in goat kids

Eighteen three-day old Saanen goat kids were divided into MILK and WEAN groups. MILK kids received goat milk to age 48 days; WEAN kids were initially fed milk but started weaning at 25 days and were completely weaned by 40 days. Total intake per group was recorded daily. On day 25, 40 and 48, body weights were recorded, and plasma samples were taken and analyzed for glucose, free amino-acids and insulin. On day 48, all animals were slaughtered and pancreas samples were analyzed for total DNA and RNA content. Histological sections of pancreas were examined by light microscope and images analyzed by dedicated software. Seven days after the beginning of the weaning program, dry matter intake in the WEAN group began to decrease compared to the MILK one. Nonetheless, body weight did not differ throughout the study period. Weaning significantly decreased plasma levels of glucose, amino-acids and insulin. No difference was observed in pancreatic DNA and RNA content. Histological analysis of pancreas showed that the size of pancreatic islets was not different, but islet number per section was lower in the pancreas of WEAN animals. In conclusion, weaning affects glucose and amino-acid metabolism and influences endocrine pancreas activity and morphology

Utility of preoperative systemic inflammatory biomarkers in predicting postoperative complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy: Literature review and single center experience

BACKGROUNDThe role of preoperative inflammatory biomarkers (PIBs) in predicting postoperative morbidity has been assessed in colorectal and otorhinolaryngeal surgery. However, data regarding the role that preoperative inflammatory biomarkers have on morbidity after pancreaticoduodenectomiy (PD) are less consistent.AIMTo assess the utility of PIBs in predicting postoperative complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy.METHODSA database of 317 consecutive pancreaticoduodenectomies performed from April 2003 to November 2018 has been retrospectively analyzed. Data regarding preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived NLR and C-reactive protein (CRP), and postoperative complications of 238 cases have been evaluated. Exclusion criteria were: age < 18-years-old, previous neoadjuvant treatment, absence of data about PIBs, concomitant hematological disorders, and presence of active infections at the moment of the surgery. PIBs were compared using Mann-Whitney's test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to define the cutoffs. The positive predictive value (PPV) was computed to evaluate the probability to develop complication. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.RESULTSAccording to the literature findings, only four papers have been published reporting the relation between the inflammatory biomarkers and PD postoperative morbidity. A combination of preoperative and postoperative inflammatory biomarkers in predicting complications after PD and the utility of preoperative NLR in the development of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) have been reported. The combination of PIBs and postoperative day-1 drains amylase has been reported to predict the incidence of POPF. According to our results, CRP values were significantly different between patients who had/did not have postoperative complications and abdominal collections (P < 0.05). Notably, patients with preoperative CRP > 8.81 mg/dL were at higher risk of both overall complications and abdominal collections (respectively P = 0.0037, PPV = 0.95, negative predictive value [NPV] = 0.27 and P = 0.016, PPV = 0.59, NPV = 0.68). Preoperative derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) (cut off > 1.47) was also a predictor of abdominal collection (P = 0.021, PPV = 0.48, NPV = 0.71). Combining CRP and dNLR, PPV increased to 0.67. NLR (cut off > 1.65) was significantly associated with postoperative hemorrhage (P = 0.016, PPV = 0.17, NPV = 0.98).CONCLUSIONPIBs may predict complications after PD. During postoperative care, PIB levels could influence decisions regarding the timing of drains removal and the selection of patients who might benefit from second level diagnostic exams

Rapid Assay to Evaluate the Total Antioxidant Capacity in Donkey Milk and in more Common Animal Milk for Human Consumption

The milk antioxidants, by preventing lipid peroxidation, maintain milk quality, but they also exert a beneficial effect on the consumer’s health, in particular that of infants. Donkey Milk (DM), for its nutritional, functional and bioactive components, seems to be one of the best substitutes of breast milk when the latter is not available. However, there are few data about its antioxidant properties. In this study, the Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) of donkey milk was determined by means of an in micro-plate assay. DM samples were analyzed at the first, third and fifth month of the lactation period (n 6/period), comparing results to those obtained in milk of different dairy species (goat, ewes, cows) and in breast milk using the same assay. The lactation periods did not affect the TAC of DM, whereas significant different values (P<0.001) were observed between species. The breast milk showed the lowest TAC value, followed by its progressive increase in donkey, cow’s, goat’s and ewe’s milk. The rapid test here adopted can be successfully employed for a reliable monitoring of the TAC in DM and, thanks to the constant antioxidant supply, DM can also be sponsored as a valid alternative to infant milk nutrition

Different Biliary Microbial Flora Influence Type of Complications after Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Single Center Retrospective Analysis

Background: Bacterobilia is associated with postoperative morbidity after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), mostly due to infectious complications. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of bacteria species isolated from intraoperative biliary cultures, and related complications after PD. Methods: An ANOVA test was used to assess the prevalence of isolated bacterial species and postoperative complications. The odds ratio was computed to evaluate the association between biliary cultures and each complication, Endoscopic Retrograde CholangioPancreatography (ERCP) and each complication, ERCP and biliary cultures, Delayed Gastric Emptying (DGE) and Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula (POPF). Results: Positive biliary cultures were found in 162/244 (66%) PDs. Different prevalences of polymicrobial biliary culture were detected in patients with postoperative complications. In SSIs, a significant prevalence of biliary culture positive for E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoni AE and Enterococcus f AE calis (p &lt; 0.001) was detected. Prevalences of polymicrobial biliary cultures with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoni AE, Enterococcus f AE calis and Enterococcus f AE cium were significantly associated with POPF (p &lt; 0.001). Biliary culture positive for Escherichia coli, Enterococcus f AE calis and Enterococcus f AE cium showed a higher prevalence of intra-abdominal collection and DGE (p &lt; 0.001). Notably, Escherichia coli was significantly associated with DGE as a unique complication (OR = 2.94 (1.30-6.70); p &lt; 0.01). Conclusions: Specific prevalences of polymicrobial bacterobilia are associated with major complications, while monomicrobial Escherichia coli bacterobilia is associated with DGE as a unique complication after PD