Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 in minced beef and dairy products in Italy

A total of 3879 samples of foodstuffs were examined for the presence of Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (VTEC O157). The survey was conducted by 9 of the 10 Italian Veterinary Public Health Laboratories. Samples were collected between May 2000 and September 2001 in 14 regions and comprised 931 minced beef specimens and 2948 dairy products (DP) with less than 60 days of ripening. The DP included 657 pasteurised and 811 unpasteurised bovine DP, 477 pasteurised and 502 unpasteurised ovine DP, and 501 water-buffalo’s milk mozzarella cheese. Samples were collected at retail level, from plants processing minced beef and dairy plants and from farms directly manufacturing cheeses. All the samples were tested using a sensitive procedure based on ISO/DIS 16654:1999 (later ISO 16654:2001), which includes an immunomagnetic separation step. A preliminary inter-laboratory trial was organised with artificially contaminated samples to assess the ability of all the participating laboratories to isolate E. coli O157 by the established procedure. VTEC O157 was isolated from four (0.43%) of the minced beef samples, collected in four different regions and during different months, but was not detected in any of the dairy products. E. coli O157 VT_eae+ was isolated from one raw cow’s milk cheese. This survey provided national data on the presence of VTEC O157 in foodstuffs, demonstrating a low prevalence of the organism. The survey also encouraged updating of knowledge and procedures on VTEC O157 in laboratories with official responsibility for microbiological testing of foods of animal origin

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of the Methanolic Extract of Cyrtocarpa procera Bark Reduces the Severity of Ulcerative Colitis in a Chemically Induced Colitis Model

Cyrtocarpa procera is a plant used in traditional Mexican medicine to treat different gastrointestinal problems. Here, we investigated the effects of a C. procera methanolic extract in DSS-induced colitis mice. Ulcerative colitis (UC) was induced by administering 4% DSS in drinking water to female BALB/c mice. Compared to untreated mice with UC, the treatment group receiving the C. procera extract presented less severe UC symptoms of diarrhea, bleeding, and weight loss. Additionally, colon shortening was significantly reduced, and at the microscopic level, only minor damage was observed. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFNγ in serum as well as the MPO activity in the colon were significantly reduced in the C. procera methanolic extract-treated group. Moreover, the extract of C. procera reduced oxidative stress during UC, preventing the deterioration of the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, and GPx. Additionally, the extract decreased lipid peroxidation damage and its final products, such as malondialdehyde (MDA). In agreement with this, in vitro assays with the C. procera extract displayed good antioxidant capacity, probably due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds, in particular the flavonoids that were identified, such as chrysin, naringenin, kaempferol, and catechin, which have been reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Therefore, the improvement of UC by the C. procera methanolic extract may be related to the action mechanisms of these compounds

Organization and regional distribution of centers for the management of children and adolescents with diabetes in Italy

The incidence of type 1 diabetes in childhood is increasing by 3 % per year, placing growing demands on healthcare professionals and medical expenditures. Aim of this study wars to assess the organization of care to children with diabetes in Italy

Epidemiologia della chetoacidosi diabetica in Italia

Ketoacidosis is a potentially life-threatening complication in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), particularly children. If diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is diagnosed late, the child risks cerebral edema, permanent neurological damage or even death. There have been only few studies of DKA in Italy. From January-May 2014 a nation-wide observational, retrospective study of DKA at diabetes onset was done by the Pediatric Diabetology Study Group (PDSG) of the Italian Society of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (ISPED), involving 76 Italian centers. DKA was defined using ISPAD criteria; 7457 new cases of T1DM were recruited from mainland Italy and the island of Sicily and 770 from Sardinia, in the period 2004-2013. On the mainland and in Sicily, DKA at diabetes onset was about 32.9% (95% CI 31.8-34.0%), and there was 6.6% (95% CI 6.02-7.20%) of the severe form. Mild and severe DKA risk was significantly higher in children aged 0-4 years; no significant temporal trend was found in the study period. Patients living in Sardinia or having a firstdegree relative with T1DM were at significantly lower risk of DKA at diabetes onset. In the ten-year study period three children died of DKA at onset and four suffered permanent neurological lesions. From November 2011-April 2012 the PDSG conducted a retrospective study based on a sample of 2025 patients with T1DM, aged 0-18 years, involving 29 national centers for pediatric diabetes. The incidence of DKA was 2.4% (IC 95% 1.8-3.1), with children older than ten years at significantly higher risk, probably due to shortages of insulin. Multiple analysis showed a higher risk of DKA in those using a rapid-acting insulin analog and in those with high HbA1c. Young mothers and low levels of education were also associated with DKA. In conclusion, although a wide network of specialized home pediatricians and pediatric diabetes centers is spread across the country, the incidence of DKA at diabetes onset is still high. Further social and health-system efforts are needed to boost awareness of this risk and to reduce damages and costs related to the complication

Epidemiology of diabetic ketoacidosis in Italy,Epidemiologia della chetoacidosi diabetica in Italia

Ketoacidosis is a potentially life-threatening complication in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), particularly children.If diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is diagnosed late, the child riskscerebral edema, permanent neurological damage or even death.There have been only few studies of DKA in Italy.From January-May 2014 a nation-wide observational, retro-spective study of DKA at diabetes onset was done by the Pe-diatric Diabetology Study Group (PDSG) of the Italian Society ofPediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (ISPED), involving 76 Italiancenters. DKA was defined using ISPAD criteria; 7457 new casesof T1DM were recruited from mainland Italy and the island of Si-cily and 770 from Sardinia, in the period 2004-2013. On the main-land and in Sicily, DKA at diabetes onset was about 32.9% (95%CI 31.8-34.0%), and there was 6.6% (95% CI 6.02-7.20%) of thesevere form. Mild and severe DKA risk was significantly higher inchildren aged 0-4 years; no significant temporal trend was foundin the study period. Patients living in Sardinia or having a first-degree relative with T1DM were at significantly lower risk of DKAat diabetes onset. In the ten-year study period three children diedof DKA at onset and four suffered permanent neurological lesions.From November 2011-April 2012 the PDSG conducted a retro-spective study based on a sample of 2025 patients with T1DM,aged 0-18 years, involving 29 national centers for pediatric dia-betes. The incidence of DKA was 2.4% (IC 95% 1.8-3.1), withchildren older than ten years at significantly higher risk, probablydue to shortages of insulin. Multiple analysis showed a higher riskof DKA in those using a rapid-acting insulin analog and in those with high HbA1c. Young mothers and low levels of education werealso associated with DKA.In conclusion, although a wide network of specialized home pedia-tricians and pediatric diabetes centers is spread across the coun-try, the incidence of DKA at diabetes onset is still high. Further socialand health-system efforts are needed to boost awareness of thisrisk and to reduce damages and costs related to the complication