31 visiones actuales de la transparencia

Treinta y una aportaciones de autores nacionales y extranjeros sobre la transparencia de las instituciones públicas y de los sujetos obligados por la Ley 19/2013 de 9 de diciembre y el derecho de acceso a la información pública

The Silent Epidemic of Diabetic Ketoacidosis at Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes in Children and Adolescents in Italy During the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020

To compare the frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 with the frequency of DKA during 2017-2019

Green Energy Harvester from Vibrations Based on Bacterial Cellulose

A bio-derived power harvester from mechanical vibrations is here proposed. The harvester aims at using greener fabrication technologies and reducing the dependence from carbon-based fossil energy sources. The proposed harvester consists mainly of biodegradable matters. It is based on bacterial cellulose, produced by some kind of bacteria, in a sort of bio-factory. The cellulose is further impregnated with ionic liquids and covered with conducting polymers. Due to the mechanoelectrical transduction properties of the composite, an electrical signal is produced at the electrodes, when a mechanical deformation is imposed. Experimental results show that the proposed system is capable of delivering electrical energy on a resistive load. Applications can be envisaged on autonomous or quasi-autonomous electronics, such as wireless sensor networks, distributed measurement systems, wearable, and flexible electronics. The production technology allows for fabricating the harvester with low power consumption, negligible amounts of raw materials, no rare elements, and no pollutant emissions

Bull's-eye pattern of pancreatic-duct stones on multidetector computed tomography and gene-mutation-associated pancreatitis (GMAP).

PURPOSE:This study prospectively assessed whether the presence of a bull's-eye pattern of pancreatic-duct stones on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) correlated with gene-mutation-associated pancreatitis (GMAP) and whether other signs suggestive of GMAP can be detected with MDCT.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Forty-seven patients with chronic calcific pancreatitis underwent genetic testing for CFTR, SPINK1 and PRSS1 mutations and an MDCT scan of the abdomen. Qualitative analysis assessed the presence or absence of pancreatic-duct stones with bull's-eye appearance. Quantitative analysis included the number and maximum diameter of stones and the diameter of the main pancreatic duct.RESULTS:Fifteen of 47 patients (32%) were positive for gene mutations (GMAP patients). The bull's-eye pattern was found in 10/15 patients (67%) with GMAP and in 4/32 (12%) patients with chronic pancreatitis not associated with GMAP (NGMAP; p<0.0001). The mean diameter of duct stones was 15 mm in patients with GMAP and 10 mm in patients with NGMAP (p<0.04).CONCLUSIONS:The presence of duct stones with a bull's-eye pattern correlates with GMAP. Duct stones with diameter ≥15 mm are another sign suggestive of GMAP

Direct involvement of the spleen in pancreatitis; a pictorial essay

Direct involvement of the spleen in pancreatic inflammatory disease was observed in nine patients with pancreatits, six with pseudocysts during chronic pancreatitis and three with acute pancreatitis. Three kinds of involvement (perisplenic, intrasplenic and mixed) are recognized and the prominent role of CT in this condition is discussed

Evaluation of pre-oxidation drinking water treatments for the removal of cyanotoxins produced by Microcystis aeruginosa

Occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms in freshwaters is increasing worldwide, affecting their water quality and ecosystems. Since these blooming events may be associated with the presence of cyanotoxins, their occurrence in freshwater reservoirs intended for drinking purpose may pose a serious threat for human health. In Italy, pre-oxidation of raw water with oxidants containing chlorine is a common practice within drinking plants to inactivate harmful organisms as Cyanobacteria, nevertheless their efficiency towards cyanotoxins is still debated. Here, two chlorine-based oxidants commonly used in Italian drinking water plants were tested on cultured Microcystis aeruginosa, and their effectiveness in removing cells and cyanotoxins was evaluated at increasing concentrations and exposure time. Both treatments were found to efficiently remove intracellular toxins from cyanobacterial biomass, especially at higher doses, whereas no major differences were observed when increasing exposure time. Nonetheless, a simultaneous increase of cyanotoxins in the extracellular fraction was observed, suggesting their possible release from cells to water. According to the treatment applied, different fate for toxins and unknown secondary metabolites was observed. Considerations for improvements of drinking water treatment to ensure safety and high quality standards of the final product are suggested, and innovative oxidant treatments to degrade cyanotoxins are discussed

Improvement of In Vivo Fluorescence Tools for Fast Monitoring of Freshwater Phytoplankton and Potentially Harmful Cyanobacteria

The use of multi-wavelength spectrofluorometers for the fast detection of algal taxa, based on chlorophyll a (Chl-a) emission spectra, has become a common practice in freshwater water management, although concerns about their accuracy have been raised. Here, inter-laboratory comparisons using monoalgal cultures have been performed to assess the reliability of different spectrofluorometer models, alongside Chl-a extraction methods. Higher Chl-a concentrations were obtained when using the spectrofluorometers than extraction methods, likely due to the poor extraction efficiencies of solvents, highlighting that traditional extraction methods could underestimate algal or cyanobacterial biomass. Spectrofluorometers correctly assigned species to the respective taxonomic group, with low and constant percent attribution errors (Chlorophyta and Euglenophyceae 6&ndash;8%, Cyanobacteria 0&ndash;3%, and Bacillariophyta 10&ndash;16%), suggesting that functioning limitations can be overcome by spectrofluorometer re-calibration with fresh cultures. The monitoring of a natural phytoplankton assemblage dominated by Chlorophyta and Cyanobacteria gave consistent results among spectrofluorometers and with microscopic observations, especially when cell biovolume rather than cell density was considered. In conclusion, multi-wavelength spectrofluorometers were confirmed as valid tools for freshwater monitoring, whereas a major focus on intercalibration procedures is encouraged to improve their reliability and broaden their use as fast monitoring tools to prevent environmental and public health issues related to the presence of harmful cyanobacteria

Role of multislice computed tomography in the diagnosis ofgene-mutation-associated pancreatitis (GMAP)

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to review the computed tomography (CT) features of the pancreatic parenchyma and ducts in patients with gene-mutation-associated pancreatitis (GMAP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients with GMAP were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the time interval between the onset of symptoms and the first CT examination (group A 25 months). RESULTS: On qualitative image assessment, in group A patients, pancreatic duct stones were detected in 2/13 with GMAP. All stones were calcified and homogenous. Enhancement of the pancreatic parenchyma was hypovascular in 7/13 patients. In group B patients, pancreatic duct stones were detected in 12/12 with GMAP. Stones were calcified in 10/12 cases and noncalcified (protein plugs) in 2/12; in 5/10 cases, the calcified stones were heterogeneous with noncalcified central core (bull's-eye appearance). Enhancement of the pancreatic parenchyma was hypovascular in 12/12 patients. On quantitative image assessment, in group A patients, the mean diameter of duct stones was 0.6 mm (range 0-5 mm). Mean diameter of the main duct in the pancreatic head and body/tail was 4.8 mm and 4.9 mm, respectively. In group B patients, the mean diameter of duct stones was 21.9 mm (range 2-50 mm). Mean diameter of the main duct in the pancreatic head and body/tail was 18.8 mm and 13.9 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS|: In patients with GMAP and time interval between symptom onset and first CT scan 25 months (group B), it identified large-calibre duct stones with bull's-eye appearance