Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991–2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). Independent predictors of HDV were assessed by logistic-regression analysis. The incidence of acute HDV per 1-million population declined from 3.2 cases in 1987 to 0.04 in 2019, parallel to that of acute HBV per 100,000 from 10.0 to 0.39 cases during the same period. The median age of cases increased from 27 years in the decade 1991-1999 to 44 years in the decade 2010-2019 (p < .001). Over the same period, the male/female ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.1, the proportion of coinfections increased from 55% to 75% (p = .003) and that of HBsAg positive acute hepatitis tested for by IgM anti-HDV linearly decreased from 50.1% to 34.1% (p < .001). People born abroad accounted for 24.6% of cases in 2004-2010 and 32.1% in 2011-2019. In the period 2010-2019, risky sexual behaviour (O.R. 4.2; 95%CI: 1.4-12.8) was the sole independent predictor of acute HDV; conversely intravenous drug use was no longer associated (O.R. 1.25; 95%CI: 0.15-10.22) with this. In conclusion, HBV vaccination was an effective measure to control acute HDV. Intravenous drug use is no longer an efficient mode of HDV spread. Testing for IgM-anti HDV is a grey area requiring alert. Acute HDV in foreigners should be monitored in the years to come

A preliminary fluid dynamic model of a vacuum micro-gripper with integrated release system

The miniaturization of an increasing number of complex hybrid micro-products is currently leading the development of several micro-components to manipulate and assemble, meeting various specifications related to the objects properties and the planned task. However, at the micro-scale, further challenges derive from the effects of surface forces between object and micro-gripper that have to be overcome for an effective and successful manipulation. When contact micro-grippers are used, specific solutions to support the release phase are needed. Further developments and novel tools should be developed for vacuum micro-grippers to actively release the components reliably and precisely. In this context, this paper presents a vacuum micro-gripper with an automatic releasing system able to overcome the adhesive forces simply and effectively. The paper reports the results of a preliminary computational fluid dynamics analysis and the development of a numerical model able to represent the main gripper characteristics and derive a first design procedure

Fluid Dynamics Aided Design of an Innovative Micro-Gripper

Part 5: Gripping and Handling Solutions in AssemblyInternational audienceThe increasing miniaturization of more and more systems and products is supporting the necessity to develop and handle micro-objects and micro-assembling tools. However, in comparison to bigger scale systems, micro-scale tasks undergo greater challenges due to the effect of unwanted sticking forces whose relative value may be predominant at the micro-scale. Systems to overcome these limiting factors have to be specifically developed to enable an effective and successful manipulation. In the case of contact micro-grippers, specific additional devices or manipulating strategies are used to assure the success of the release phase. In this context, this paper presents an innovative vacuum micro-gripper with a low-cost and simple automatic releasing device which can effectively overcome the adhesive forces. The paper, after illustrating the working principle of the gripper, discusses the preliminary results of a first computational fluid dynamics model useful to represent the main gripper characteristics and able to support a design procedure

In-hospital growth and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of very low birth weight infants

Background and ObjectivesVery low birth weight infants (VLBW) are at risk for adverse growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes. We aimed to evaluate the association between growth during Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) stay and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in a cohort of preterm VLBW newborns.MethodsWe conducted a longitudinal observational study in the Follow-up Service of our Clinic from January 2014 to April 2017. All preterm VLBW infants born at our hospital and enrolled in our follow-up program were considered eligible for the study. The neurodevelopmental assessment was performed using the Griffiths Mental Development Scales at 12 and 24 months corrected age.ResultsStudy population included 172 subjects (47.1% males) with a mean gestational age of 29 weeks and a mean birth weight of 1,117 g. A unitarian Δz-score increase in head circumference from birth to discharge was associated with a 1.6-point increase in General Quotient at 24 months corrected age. An association with subscales C and D was also found. Likewise, an increase in length Δz-score was associated with better 24-month subscale C scores although not reaching statistical significance. No relationship with the outcome at 24 months was found for weight gain.ConclusionsGrowth during NICU stay appears to be related to a more favorable neurodevelopmental outcome at 24 months corrected age, especially in the hearing and language domain (subscale C). The longitudinal evaluation of auxological parameters during hospitalization can contribute to the identification of subjects at risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in the first years of life