Organic Acids and Nature Identical Compounds Can Increase the Activity of Conventional Antibiotics Against Clostridium Perfringens and Enterococcus Cecorum In Vitro

SUMMARY In a global context of increased antibiotic resistance, feed additives with enhanced antimicrobial properties are a useful and increasingly needed strategy. Organic acids (OA) and botanical molecules such as nature identical compounds (NIC) have been shown to be effective against bacterial infections based on their antimicrobial activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the combination of OA or NIC with conventional antibiotics in poultry could increase antibiotic efficacy against Clostridium perfringens and Enterococcus cecorum. These organisms are the major poultry pathogens responsible for necrotic enteritis and bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis, respectively, and they have developed resistance to several antibiotics worldwide. A set of antimicrobial tests showed that both species had variable antibiotic sensitivity. Alternatively, OA and NIC were always effective in a dose-dependent manner, even when the antibiotics failed. For several strains, selected combinations of OA or NIC with antibiotics increased the bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics. Therefore, OA and NIC have potential to enhance the efficacy of conventional antibiotics against C. perfringens andE. cecorum

Experimental Validation of a Dynamic Model for Lightweight Robots

Nowadays, one of the main topics in robotics research is dynamic performance improvement by means of a lightening of the overall system structure. The effective motion and control of these lightweight robotic systems occurs with the use of suitable motion planning and control process. In order to do so, model-based approaches can be adopted by exploiting accurate dynamic models that take into account the inertial and elastic terms that are usually neglected in a heavy rigid link configuration. In this paper, an effective method for modelling spatial lightweight industrial robots based on an Equivalent Rigid Link System approach is considered from an experimental validation perspective. A dynamic simulator implementing the formulation is used and an experimental test-bench is set-up. Experimental tests are carried out with a benchmark L-shape mechanism

CT enterography as a powerful tool for the evaluation of inflammatory activity in Crohn's disease: relationship of CT findings with CDAI and acute-phase reactants

Few studies have correlated computed tomography enterography (CTE) findings with Crohn's disease (CD) clinical and biochemical activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate correlations between CTE findings with CD activity.The CTE datasets from 62 patients were retrospectively reviewed for different parameters: bowel wall thickening and hyperenhancement, mesenteric alterations, abdominal free fluid and complications related to the disease (fistulas, strictures, abscesses). Activity was assessed using the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and some biochemical markers (C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, alpha 2-globulins, fibrinogen, platelets, haemoglobin). Correlations between CTE parameters, clinical activity score and laboratory parameters were assessed by logistic regression.CDAI was significantly correlated with increased fat density (p = 0.03) and intestinal strictures (p = 0.04). Platelet counts were elevated in patients with enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes (p = 0.009) and the comb sign (p = 0.05). Serum alpha 2-globulins were higher in the presence of the comb sign (p = 0.03).The CTE finding of perienteric inflammation (increased fat density) and vascular engorgement of the vasa recta in CD patients suggest that the disease is clinically active and that these patients may require more aggressive treatment than patients without these findings

Clinical utility of dual energy computed tomography in gout: Current concepts and applications

Summary. Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis and is increasing in prevalence and incidence in many countries worldwide. Dual Energy Computed Tomography (DECT) has a high diagnostic accuracy in established gout, but its diagnostic sensitivity is low in subjects with recent-onset gout. A meta-analysis of 17 studies showed a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 0.85 and 0.88, respectively. DECT is a useful diagnostic tool for patients with contraindications for joint aspiration or for those who refuse joint aspiration. This article aims to give an up to date review and summary of existing literature on the role and accuracy of DECT in the imaging of gout. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Prevalence and clinical outcome of hepatic haemangioma with specific reference to the risk of rupture: a large retrospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence and incidence of hepatic haemangioma are estimated from autopsy series only. Although benign and generally asymptomatic, hepatic haemangioma can cause serious complications. AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of hepatic haemangioma and to attempt to quantify the risk of major complications such as spontaneous rupture. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the radiology database of a Regional University Hospital over a 7-year period: the radiological records of 83,181 patients who had an abdominal computed tomography or magnetic resonance scan were reviewed. Diagnoses made at imaging were reviewed and related to clinical course. RESULTS: Hepatic haemangioma was diagnosed in 2071 patients (2.5% prevalence). In 226 patients (10.9%), haemangioma had diameter of 4 cm or more (giant haemangioma). The risk of bleeding was assessed on patients without concomitant malignancies. Spontaneous bleeding occurred in 5/1067 patients (0.47%). All 5 patients had giant haemangioma: 4 had exophytic lesions and presented with haemoperitoneum; 1 with centrally located tumour experienced intrahepatic bleeding. CONCLUSION: Giant haemangiomas have a low but relevant risk of rupture (3.2% in this series), particularly when peripherally located and exophytic. Surgery might be considered in these cases

A simplified transfer matrix approach for the determination of the complex modulus of viscoelastic materials

Nowadays, several analytical and numerical approaches are available for analysing the performance of materials used in noise and vibration control applications. All these methodologies require knowledge of a set of input parameters which, in the case of viscoelastic materials, could exhibit strong dependence on frequency in the entire audible range. The aim of this paper is to present a simplified transfer matrix approach for the determination of the complex modulus for longitudinal waves of isotropic viscoelastic materials as a function of frequency. To that effect, the tested material is excited by an electromagnetic shaker and longitudinal waves are investigated. Using a frequency sweep as an excitation signal, the time domain response is measured downstream and upstream of the sample itself. A velocity transfer function is measured and, by using a transfer matrix model of the experimental setup, the complex wave number for longitudinal waves and, consequently, the complex modulus can be determined once the Poisson’s ratio is known in advance. The results are presented and discussed for different materials and compared with well-established quasi-static and dynamic techniques

The Adipose Organ Is a Unitary Structure in Mice and Humans

Obesity is the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. In mice and humans with obesity, the adipose organ undergoes remarkable morpho-functional alterations. The comprehension of the adipose organ function and organization is of paramount importance to understand its pathology and formulate future therapeutic strategies. In the present study, we performed anatomical dissections, magnetic resonance imaging, computed axial tomography and histological and immunohistochemical assessments of humans and mouse adipose tissues. We demonstrate that most of the two types of adipose tissues (white, WAT and brown, BAT) form a large unitary structure fulfilling all the requirements necessary to be considered as a true organ in both species. A detailed analysis of the gross anatomy of mouse adipose organs in different pathophysiological conditions (normal, cold, pregnancy, obesity) shows that the organ consists of a unitary structure composed of different tissues: WAT, BAT, and glands (pregnancy). Data from autoptic dissection of 8 cadavers, 2 females and 6 males (Age: 37.5 ± 9.7, BMI: 23 ± 2.7 kg/m2) and from detailed digital dissection of 4 digitalized cadavers, 2 females and 2 males (Age: 39 ± 14.2 years, BMI: 22.8 ± 4.3 kg/m2) confirmed the mixed (WAT and BAT) composition and the unitary structure of the adipose organ also in humans. Considering the remarkable endocrine roles of WAT and BAT, the definition of the endocrine adipose organ would be even more appropriate in mice and humans

Early diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidoses in developing countries: A low cost and easy execution approach

none16noopenGabrielli, Orazio; Zampini, Lucia; Monachesi, Chiara; Marchesiello, Rita Lucia; Padella, Lucia; Santoro, Lucia; Volpi, Nicola; Concolino, Daniela; Fiumara, Agata; Rigon, Laura; Mazzoli, Milena; Carnielli, Virgilio Paolo; Giovagnoni, Andrea; Catassi, Carlo; Galeazzi, Tiziana; Coppa, Giovanni ValentinoGabrielli, Orazio; Zampini, Lucia; Monachesi, Chiara; Marchesiello, Rita Lucia; Padella, Lucia; Santoro, Lucia; Volpi, Nicola; Concolino, Daniela; Fiumara, Agata; Rigon, Laura; Mazzoli, Milena; Carnielli, Virgilio Paolo; Giovagnoni, Andrea; Catassi, Carlo; Galeazzi, Tiziana; Coppa, Giovanni Valentin

Accuracy of magnetic resonance studies in the detection of chondral and labral lesions in femoroacetabular impingement : systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Several types of Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are commonly used in imaging of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), however till now there are no clear protocols and recommendations for each type. The aim of this meta-analysis is to detect the accuracy of conventional magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI), direct magnetic resonance arthrography (dMRA) and indirect magnetic resonance arthrography (iMRA) in the diagnosis of chondral and labral lesions in femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Methods: A literature search was finalized on the 17th of May 2016 to collect all studies identifying the accuracy of cMRI, dMRA and iMRA in diagnosing chondral and labral lesions associated with FAI using surgical results (arthroscopic or open) as a reference test. Pooled sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence intervals using a random-effects meta-analysis for MRI, dMRA and iMRA were calculated also area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was retrieved whenever possible where AUC is equivocal to diagnostic accuracy. Results: The search yielded 192 publications which were reviewed according inclusion and exclusion criteria then 21 studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria for the qualitative analysis with a total number of 828 cases, lastly 12 studies were included in the quantitative meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that as regard labral lesions the pooled sensitivity, specificity and AUC for cMRI were 0.864, 0.833 and 0.88 and for dMRA were 0.91, 0.58 and 0.92. While in chondral lesions the pooled sensitivity, specificity and AUC for cMRI were 0.76, 0.72 and 0.75 and for dMRA were 0.75, 0.79 and 0.83, while for iMRA were sensitivity of 0.722 and specificity of 0.917. Conclusions: The present meta-analysis showed that the diagnostic test accuracy was superior for dMRA when compared with cMRI for detection of labral and chondral lesions. The diagnostic test accuracy was superior for labral lesions when compared with chondral lesions in both cMRI and dMRA. Promising results are obtained concerning iMRA but further studies still needed to fully assess its diagnostic accuracy