117 research outputs found
The Apulian Territory and the Typical Local Farmhouses: A Case of Study Through Landscape Analysis
The Apulian territory is strongly characterized by a rural architectural heritage with many historical features. Rural and agro-industrial buildings, their reuse or degradation, are the testimony of a history whose investigation is complex and varied over time. The Regional Territorial Landscape Plan, which entered into force in 2015, promotes the realization of a self-sustainable and lasting socio-economic development and education for an appropriate use of the regional territory. The knowledge, conservation, use and promotion of the Traditional Apulian Architectural Heritage are among its aims. This in fact constitutes the memory of a place, culturally identifies a local community and the territory. In-depth knowledge of the identifying characteristics of the rural heritage is essential before any recovery intervention specifically aimed at protecting and enhancing the buildings, the landscape and the environmental context. A recovery activity, mindful of these issues, can generate strategic resources for reaching wider objectives of regional development. This study aims to analyze the current relationship between ancient Apulian farmhouses that have been subject to functional restoration interventions and the landscape in which they are located, in order to outline strategies for the development and promotion of the related rural area
Enhancement of the Roman Bridge of Canosa in the Ofanto Valley Rural Landscape
The ancient Roman Bridge, 2,000 years old, is located on the old Via Traiana route, three kilometers far from the town of Canosa (Apulia Region), and for many centuries it was the connection between northern and southern part of the Apulia Region along the Adriatic coast. It has an imposing structure stonework, with a donkey back shape, built with five round arches supported by piers sustained by rostrums. During the Second World War, a concrete access way was realized in order to let the British and American army tank pass through the bridge. The âMunicipal Plan of the Tratturiâ qualifies the area as âsheep trails or pathâ that preserves the original consistency or that can be at the same renovated. Aim of the research is the requalification of the study area through analyses, plan and restructuring the ancient routes. In this study, the current status of the area is analyzed in detail and the inconsistency of the interventions is highlighted. The project proposal provides for new tourism paths equipped with cycle/pedestrian tracks and small resting and refreshment areas, intermodal exchange car parks and management structures, allowing the creation of a green tourist-cultural route
The severity of acute kidney injury predicts progression to chronic kidney disease
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with progression to advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). We tested whether patients who survive AKI and are at higher risk for CKD progression can be identified during their hospital admission, thus providing opportunities to intervene. This was assessed in patients in the Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System hospitalized with a primary diagnosis indicating AKI (ICD9 codes 584.xx). In the exploratory phase, three multivariate prediction models for progression to stage 4 CKD were developed. In the confirmatory phase, the models were validated in 11,589 patients admitted for myocardial infarction or pneumonia during the same time frame that had RIFLE codes R, I, or F and complete data for all predictor variables. Of the 5351 patients in the AKI group, 728 entered stage 4 CKD after hospitalization. Models 1, 2, and 3 were all significant with âc' statistics of 0.82, 0.81, and 0.77, respectively. In model validation, all three were highly significant when tested in the confirmatory patients, with moderate to large effect sizes and good predictive accuracy (âc' 0.81â0.82). Patients with AKI who required dialysis and then recovered were at especially high risk for progression to CKD. Hence, the severity of AKI is a robust predictor of progression to CKD
Prognosis and serum creatinine levels in acute renal failure at the time of nephrology consultation: an observational cohort study
The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between acute
serum creatinine changes in acute renal failure (ARF), before specialized
treatment begins, and in-hospital mortality, recovery of renal function, and
overall mortality at 6 months, on an equal degree of ARF severity, using the
RIFLE criteria, and comorbid illnesses. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of 1008
consecutive patients who had been diagnosed as having ARF, and had been admitted
in an university-affiliated hospital over 10 years. Demographic, clinical
information and outcomes were measured. After that, 646 patients who had
presented enough increment in serum creatinine to qualify for the RIFLE criteria
were included for subsequent analysis. The population was divided into two groups
using the median serum creatinine change (101%) as the cut-off value.
Multivariate non-conditional logistic and linear regression models were used.
RESULTS: A >or= 101% increment of creatinine respect to its baseline before
nephrology consultation was associated with significant increase of in-hospital
mortality (35.6% vs. 22.6%, p < 0.001), with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.81 (95%
CI: 1.08-3.03). Patients who required continuous renal replacement therapy in the
>or= 101% increment group presented a higher increase of in-hospital mortality
(62.7% vs 46.4%, p = 0.048), with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.66 (95% CI:
1.00-7.21). Patients in the >or= 101% increment group had a higher mean serum
creatinine level with respect to their baseline level (114.72% vs. 37.96%) at
hospital discharge. This was an adjusted 48.92% (95% CI: 13.05-84.79) more serum
creatinine than in the < 101% increment group. CONCLUSION: In this cohort,
patients who had presented an increment in serum level of creatinine of >or= 101%
with respect to basal values, at the time of nephrology consultation, had
increased mortality rates and were discharged from hospital with a more
deteriorated renal function than those with similar Liano scoring and the same
RIFLE classes, but with a < 101% increment. This finding may provide more
information about the factors involved in the prognosis of ARF. Furthermore, the
calculation of relative serum creatinine increase could be used as a practical
tool to identify those patients at risk, and that would benefit from an intensive
therapy
Acute kidney injury in children
Acute kidney injury (AKI) (previously called acute renal failure) is characterized by a reversible increase in the blood concentration of creatinine and nitrogenous waste products and by the inability of the kidney to regulate fluid and electrolyte homeostasis appropriately. The incidence of AKI in children appears to be increasing, and the etiology of AKI over the past decades has shifted from primary renal disease to multifactorial causes, particularly in hospitalized children. Genetic factors may predispose some children to AKI. Renal injury can be divided into pre-renal failure, intrinsic renal disease including vascular insults, and obstructive uropathies. The pathophysiology of hypoxia/ischemia-induced AKI is not well understood, but significant progress in elucidating the cellular, biochemical and molecular events has been made over the past several years. The history, physical examination, and laboratory studies, including urinalysis and radiographic studies, can establish the likely cause(s) of AKI. Many interventions such as ârenal-dose dopamineâ and diuretic therapy have been shown not to alter the course of AKI. The prognosis of AKI is highly dependent on the underlying etiology of the AKI. Children who have suffered AKI from any cause are at risk for late development of kidney disease several years after the initial insult. Therapeutic interventions in AKI have been largely disappointing, likely due to the complex nature of the pathophysiology of AKI, the fact that the serum creatinine concentration is an insensitive measure of kidney function, and because of co-morbid factors in treated patients. Improved understanding of the pathophysiology of AKI, early biomarkers of AKI, and better classification of AKI are needed for the development of successful therapeutic strategies for the treatment of AKI
Mitochondrial dysfunction and biogenesis: do ICU patients die from mitochondrial failure?
Mitochondrial functions include production of energy, activation of programmed cell death, and a number of cell specific tasks, e.g., cell signaling, control of Ca2+ metabolism, and synthesis of a number of important biomolecules. As proper mitochondrial function is critical for normal performance and survival of cells, mitochondrial dysfunction often leads to pathological conditions resulting in various human diseases. Recently mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to multiple organ failure (MOF) often leading to the death of critical care patients. However, there are two main reasons why this insight did not generate an adequate resonance in clinical settings. First, most data regarding mitochondrial dysfunction in organs susceptible to failure in critical care diseases (liver, kidney, heart, lung, intestine, brain) were collected using animal models. Second, there is no clear therapeutic strategy how acquired mitochondrial dysfunction can be improved. Only the benefit of such therapies will confirm the critical role of mitochondrial dysfunction in clinical settings. Here we summarized data on mitochondrial dysfunction obtained in diverse experimental systems, which are related to conditions seen in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Particular attention is given to mechanisms that cause cell death and organ dysfunction and to prospective therapeutic strategies, directed to recover mitochondrial function. Collectively the data discussed in this review suggest that appropriate diagnosis and specific treatment of mitochondrial dysfunction in ICU patients may significantly improve the clinical outcome
Predicting one-year mortality of critically ill patients with early acute kidney injury: data from the prospective multicenter FINNAKI study
Dendritic cell tumor in a salivary gland lymph node: a rare differential diagnosis of salivary gland neoplasms
Applications of artificial neural networks predicting macroinvertebrates in freshwaters
Inventory of current EU paediatric vision and hearing screening programmes
Background: We examined the diversity in paediatric vision and hearing screening
programmes in Europe.
Methods: Themes relevant for comparison of screening programmes were derived from
literature and used to compile three questionnaires on vision, hearing and public-health
screening. Tests used, professions involved, age and frequency of testing seem to influence
sensitivity, specificity and costs most. Questionnaires were sent to ophthalmologists,
orthoptists, otolaryngologists and audiologists involved in paediatric screening in all EU fullmember,
candidate and associate states. Answers were cross-checked.
Results: Thirty-nine countries participated; 35 have a vision screening programme, 33 a
nation-wide neonatal hearing screening programme. Visual acuity (VA) is measured in 35
countries, in 71% more than once. First measurement of VA varies from three to seven years
of age, but is usually before the age of five. At age three and four picture charts, including Lea
Hyvarinen are used most, in children over four Tumbling-E and Snellen. As first hearing
screening test otoacoustic emission (OAE) is used most in healthy neonates, and auditory
brainstem response (ABR) in premature newborns. The majority of hearing testing
programmes are staged; children are referred after one to four abnormal tests. Vision
screening is performed mostly by paediatricians, ophthalmologists or nurses. Funding is
mostly by health insurance or state. Coverage was reported as >95% in half of countries, but
reporting was often not first-hand.
Conclusion: Largest differences were found in VA charts used (12), professions involved in
vision screening (10), number of hearing screening tests before referral (1-4) and funding
sources (8)
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