Induction of immune response after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccination in healthcare workers

[no abstract available

Evaluation of Legionella Air Contamination in Healthcare Facilities by Different Sampling Methods: An Italian Multicenter Study

Healthcare facilities (HF) represent an at-risk environment for legionellosis transmission occurring after inhalation of contaminated aerosols. In general, the control of water is preferred to that of air because, to date, there are no standardized sampling protocols. Legionella air contamination was investigated in the bathrooms of 11 HF by active sampling (Surface Air System and Coriolis®μ) and passive sampling using settling plates. During the 8-hour sampling, hot tap water was sampled three times. All air samples were evaluated using culture-based methods, whereas liquid samples collected using the Coriolis®μ were also analyzed by real-time PCR. Legionella presence in the air and water was then compared by sequence-based typing (SBT) methods. Air contamination was found in four HF (36.4%) by at least one of the culturable methods. The culturable investigation by Coriolis®μ did not yield Legionella in any enrolled HF. However, molecular investigation using Coriolis®μ resulted in eight HF testing positive for Legionella in the air. Comparison of Legionella air and water contamination indicated that Legionella water concentration could be predictive of its presence in the air. Furthermore, a molecular study of 12 L. pneumophila strains confirmed a match between the Legionella strains from air and water samples by SBT for three out of four HF that tested positive for Legionella by at least one of the culturable methods. Overall, our study shows that Legionella air detection cannot replace water sampling because the absence of microorganisms from the air does not necessarily represent their absence from water; nevertheless, air sampling may provide useful information for risk assessment. The liquid impingement technique appears to have the greatest capacity for collecting airborne Legionella if combined with molecular investigation

DAFNES: A distributed algorithm for network energy saving based on stress-centrality

We focus on the problem of reducing power consumption in backbone networks by putting in sleep mode IP links in order to save energy. We propose a new algorithm, called DAFNES, which relies on the stress centrality index in order to take the switch off decision. Differently from previous work in the literature, our algorithm requires neither the complete knowledge of the traffic matrix nor a careful tuning of the input parameters. Results, obtained over two realistic case studies, prove the efficiency and efficacy of our solution, with more than 50% of power saving while preserving Quality of Service constraints in terms of network connectivity, link congestion avoidance and increase of path lengths. Moreover, we show that the extra overhead required for running the distributed solution is limited compared to the amount of traffic exchanged in the network by the users. Finally, we face different implementation issues, including: (i) the reduction of the number of times our solution is applied, (ii) the evaluation of the algorithm performance on an emulated testbed

Pitfalls in lateral retinaculum release [Gli insuccessi nel release del retinacolo laterale]

Lateral retinaculum release (LRR) is a commonly performed procedure with variable acceptable (good and excellent) results, from 14% to 99%. LRR has been used to treat various patello-femoral disorders, such as anterior knee pain, patellar instability, acute and recurrent patellar dislocation, chondromalacia patellae, P/F arthrosis but only lateral hyperpression syndrome is associated with satisfactory results. In the absence of documented patellar tilt, LRR is fraught with pitfalls about indications and diagnosis, surgical procedure, complications and patient compliance. LRR is recommended for patients with patello-femoral pain and a tight lateral retinaculum after a period of at least 6 months of conservative treatment. Results may be compromised by chondral degeneration. Dislocation of the patella is frequently associated with a hypermobile patella: release of the lateral restraint in the presence of an already incompetent medial restraint may ultimately result in patellar malalignment and hypermobiltty. LRR can be performed as open, mini-open, arthroscopically assisted or all-arthroscopic procedure. The most important error in surgical technique is related to the extension of the release. Over-release of the vastus lateralis can affect the normal quadriceps kinematics, with muscle atrophy and quadriceps tendon rupture. Under-release is generally due to an incomplete dissection of patello-tibial ligament. The overall complication rate in LRR is 7,2-11%. Hemarthrosis is the most frequent complication; negative prognostic factors are the use of a tourniquet, the percutaneous technique, post-operative suction drain for 24 hours or longer. Recurrent medial subluxation of the patella is a rare, disabling condition that can be the result of an excessive lateral retinacular of both open and arthroscopic technique. Conservative treatment is recommended and surgical correction must be considered only as a salvage procedure. Lateral release is capable of producing high rates of success with a low incidence of complications when used with the proper indication and surgical techniqu

In vivo regeneration of small-diameter (2 mm) arteries using a polymer scaffold

The difficulty of obtaining significant long-term patency and good wall mechanical strength in vivo has been a significant obstacle in achieving small-diameter vascular prostheses. The aim of the present study was to develop a prosthetic graft that could perform as a small-diameter vascular conduit. Tubular structures of hyaluronan (HYAFF-11 tubules, 2 mm diameter, 1 cm length) were grafted in the abdominal aorta of 30 rats as temporary absorbable guides to promote regeneration of vascular structures. Performance was assessed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and ultra-structural analysis. These experiments resulted in three novel findings: 1) complete endothelialization of the tube's luminal surface occurred; 2) sequential regeneration of vascular components led to complete vascular wall regeneration 15 days after surgery; and 3) the biomaterial used created the ideal environment for the delicate regeneration process during the critical initial phases, yet its biodegradability allowed for complete degradation of the construct four months after implantation, at which time, a new artery remained to connect the artery stumps. This study assesses the feasibility to create a completely biodegradable vascular regeneration guide in vivo, able to sequentially orchestrate vascular regeneration events needed for very small artery reconstruction

Macrophage Stimulating Protein May Promote Tubular Regeneration after Acute Injury

Macrophage-stimulating protein (MSP) exerts proliferative and antiapoptotic effects, suggesting that it may play a role in tubular regeneration after acute kidney injury. In this study, elevated plasma levels of MSP were found both in critically ill patients with acute renal failure and in recipients of renal allografts during the first week after transplantation. In addition, MSP and its receptor, RON, were markedly upregulated in the regenerative phase after glycerol-induced tubular injury in mice. In vitro, MSP stimulated tubular epithelial cell proliferation and conferred resistance to cisplatin-induced apoptosis by inhibiting caspase activation and modulating Fas, mitochondrial proteins, Akt, and extracellular signal–regulated kinase. MSP also enhanced migration, scattering, branching morphogenesis, tubulogenesis, and mesenchymal de-differentiation of surviving tubular cells. In addition, MSP induced an embryonic phenotype characterized by Pax-2 expression. In conclusion, MSP is upregulated during the regeneration of injured tubular cells, and it exerts multiple biologic effects that may aid recovery from acute kidney injury

Evaluation of Legionella Air Contamination in Healthcare Facilities by Different Sampling Methods: An Italian Multicenter Study

Abstract: Healthcare facilities (HF) represent an at-risk environment for legionellosis transmission occurring after inhalation of contaminated aerosols. In general, the control of water is preferred to that of air because, to date, there are no standardized sampling protocols. Legionella air contamination was investigated in the bathrooms of 11 HF by active sampling (Surface Air System and Coriolis®) and passive sampling using settling plates. During the 8-hour sampling, hot tap water was sampled three times. All air samples were evaluated using culture-based methods, whereas liquid samples collected using the Coriolis® were also analyzed by real-time PCR. Legionella presence in the air and water was then compared by sequence-based typing (SBT) methods. Air contamination was found in four HF (36.4%) by at least one of the culturable methods. The culturable investigation by Coriolis® did not yield Legionella in any enrolled HF. However, molecular investigation using Coriolis® resulted in eight HF testing positive for Legionella in the air. Comparison of Legionella air and water contamination indicated that Legionella water concentration could be predictive of its presence in the air. Furthermore, a molecular study of 12 L. pneumophila strains confirmed a match between the Legionella strains from air and water samples by SBT for three out of four HF that tested positive for Legionella by at least one of the culturable methods. Overall, our study shows that Legionella air detection cannot replace water sampling because the absence of microorganisms from the air does not necessarily represent their absence from water; nevertheless, air sampling may provide useful information for risk assessment. The liquid impingement technique appears to have the greatest capacity for collecting airborne Legionella if combined with molecular investigation