Ambiente e Costituzione: una (prima) lettura di genere

Environment and Constitution: a (first) reading gender oriented – Considering the constitutional amendment of articles 9 and 41 of the Italian Constitution, the author reflects on the relationship between environmental sustainability and gender equality by answering to three main questions: Do the environmental sustainability and the social sustainability share any common objectives in the perspective of gender equality? What do environmental sustainability and gender equality have in common within the framework of the Italian Constitution? What is the relationship between women's rights and the protection of the environment, biodiversity, and ecosystems?

Quarant'anni (e pi\uf9) di tutela della salute degli stranieri in Italia (dalla legge n. 833/1978 istitutiva del Servizio sanitario nazionale al d.l. "sicurezza" n. 113/2018)

Both before and after the approval of Law n. 833/1978 (which founded the Italian Healthcare System), the Italian legislation have been broadly protecting the healthcare right of foreigner people. From 1998 until 2017 the regulations protecting foreigners\u2019 healthcare have been part of Immigration Law. Since 2017 they have been enshrined into the new \u201cLea\u201d (Essential Levels of Assistance): This fact could have positive implications both for the protection of healthcare right itself and for the division of competences between the State and the Regions. Most recently, Decrete Law n. 113/2018, by changing the Italian Immigration Law, introduced the residence permit for medical treatment. The A. observes how it poses several questions mostly about the responsibilities of health professionals. The same Decrete Law n. 113/2018 repealed the residence permit for humanitarian reasons. The A. explores the possibility, coming from the combined interpretation of artt. 32, c. 3 e 19, c. 1.1 of Italian Migration Law, of releasing to foreigners who need medical care the residence permit for torture

Quarant'anni (e pi\uf9) di tutela della salute degli stranieri in Italia (dalla legge n. 833/1978 istitutiva del Servizio sanitario nazionale al d.l. "sicurezza" n. 113/2018)

Both before and after the approval of Law n. 833/1978 (which founded the Italian Healthcare System), the Italian legislation have been broadly protecting the healthcare right of foreigner people. From 1998 until 2017 the regulations protecting foreigners\u2019 healthcare have been part of Immigration Law. Since 2017 they have been enshrined into the new \u201cLea\u201d (Essential Levels of Assistance): This fact could have positive implications both for the protection of healthcare right itself and for the division of competences between the State and the Regions. Most recently, Decrete Law n. 113/2018, by changing the Italian Immigration Law, introduced the residence permit for medical treatment. The A. observes how it poses several questions mostly about the responsibilities of health professionals. The same Decrete Law n. 113/2018 repealed the residence permit for humanitarian reasons. The A. explores the possibility, coming from the combined interpretation of artt. 32, c. 3 e 19, c. 1.1 of Italian Migration Law, of releasing to foreigners who need medical care the residence permit for torture

Determination of the optimal priming interval of rumen fluids used as inocula for the in vitro digestibility trials through radial enzyme diffusion method

Context: Determination of the neutral detergent fibre digestibility is one of the important parameters to consider when formulating diets. However, the in vitro determination shows low repeatability because of the source of rumen-fluid inoculum. Priming of the rumen fluid inocula, obtained through an oesophageal probe, has been proposed to overcome this issue. Aim: The objective of the study was to investigate the evolution of the microbial enzymatic activities of different rumen fluids during a priming procedure, to establish the fermentation interval that minimises the differences among rumen-fluid degradative potentials. Methods: Three farms for each type of diet were involved in the study. Rumen fluids were obtained from dry and lactating cows fed the following four diet types: 100% hay or a diet with 80: 20 forage: Concentrate ratio (F: C) as dry-cow diets, and ad libitum hay and concentrate, or a total mixed ration (both at 60: 40 F: C) as lactating-cow diets. On each farm, rumen fluid was collected from three Holstein cows by using an oesophageal probe, and mixed. Two aliquots of each rumen fluid mix were added to the medium containing the same priming substrate in an in vitro batch-fermentation system. During the incubation, the fermentation fluids were sampled in duplicate at 0-, 1-, 2-, 4-, 8-, 24- A nd 48-h intervals. Enzymatic activities of amylase, cellulase and xylanase were determined by radial enzyme diffusion method. Key results: Initial enzymatic activities were quite variable and increased with an increasing incubation time. By 24 h, amylase showed similar values among high-concentrate diet fermentation fluids, and a lower data dispersion in comparison to the other intervals cellulase was characterised by similar values in all the fermentation fluids derived from diets including concentrates, and xylanase showed similar activity in the fermentation fluids derived from high-concentrate diets. Development of the enzymatic activity of the fermentation fluids derived from the 100% hay diet differed from the others. Conclusions: A 24-h priming procedure was needed to stabilise and equalise the enzymatic activity of the rumen fluid from cows fed high-concentrate diets. This was not observed in rumen fluid from cows fed hay-based diets. Implications: The 24-h-primed rumen fluid can be used to increase the repeatability of neutral detergent fibre digestibility determination

Measurement of transfer of colostral passive immunity in dairy calves

Submitted 2020-07-03 | Accepted 2020-09-08 | Available 2020-12-01https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.mi-fpap.190-196The administration of high quality colostrum reduces preweaning morbidity, mortality and, therefore, economic losses related to replacement animals. It also stimulates and improves calf growth, increasing milk production and longevity of the future dairy cows. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of breed and parity of the dam on colostrum quality, and of breed and gender of the calf, and time from calf birth to the administration of the first colostrum meal on the transfer of passive immunity to the calf by the field test of the Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT) on calf serum. A further objective was to improve the diagnostic accuracy of the field FPT test through a second laboratory phase improving the turbidity evaluation. The amount of IgG fed to calves (IgG concentration multiplied by the volume of colostrum administered) was influenced by dam parity as significant differences (P 50 mg/ml) between 5 and 9 h of life was able to reduce the risk of FPT more effectively than the administration performed within the first 4 h of life. However, further studies on larger sample size is needed to confirm the present findings. The spectrophotometric measurements confirmed the results obtained by the field turbidity test at 14% sodium sulphite dilution. It would be interesting in future to expand the dataset and validate the spectrophometric method.Keywords: Failure of Passive Transfer, colostrum, immunoglobulin, breed, genderReferencesATKISON, D. J., VON KEYSERLINGK, M. A. G. and WEARY, D. M. (2017). Benchmarking passive transfer of immunity and growth in dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 100(5), 3773-3782. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-11800BESSER, T. E. and GAY, C. C. (1994). The importance of colostrum to the health of the neonatal calf. The Veterinary clinics of North America. Food animal practice, 10(1), 107-117. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-0720(15)30591-0COLEMAN, L. W. et al. (2015). Colostral immunoglobulin G as a predictor for serum immunoglobulin G concentration in dairy calves. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, 75, 3-8.CONNELLY, M. et al. (2013). Factors associated with the concentration of immunoglobulin G in the colostrum of dairy cows. Animal, 7(11), 1824-1832. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731113001444DEWELL, R. D. et al. (2006). Association of neonatal serum immunoglobulin G1 concentration with health and performance in beef calves. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 228(6), 914–921. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.228.6.914DONOVAN, G. A. et al. (1998). Associations between passive immunity and morbidity and mortality in dairy heifers in Florida, USA. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 34(1), 31-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-5877(97)00060-3GODDEN, S. (2008). Colostrum management for dairy calves. The Veterinary clinics of North America. Food animal practice, 24(1), 19-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2007.10.005GULLIKSEN, S. M. et al. (2008). Risk factors associated with colostrum quality in Norwegian dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 91(2), 704-712. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2007-0450HANG, B. P. T. et al. (2017). Colostrum quality, IgG absorption and daily weight gain of calves in small-scale dairy production systems in Southern Vietnam. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 49(6), 1143-1147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-017-1308-6HOPKINS, F. M., DEAN, D. F. and GREEN, W. (1984). Failure of passive transfer: comparison of field diagnosis methods. Modern Veterinary Practice, 65, 625-628.JASTER E. H. (2005). Evaluation of quality, quantity and timing of colostrum feeding on immunoglobulin G1 absorption in Jersey calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 88(1), 296-302. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(05)72687-4MALTECCA, C. et al. (2007). Estimation of genetic parameters for perinatal sucking behavior of Italian Brown Swiss calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 90, 4814–4820. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2007-0183MCGRATH, B. A., et al. (2016). Composition and properties of bovine colostrum: a review. Dairy Science & Technology, 96, 133-158. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13594-015-0258-xMCGUIRK, S. M. (2005). Herd-based testing for young stock. Proceedings of 38th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners pp. 146-148.MIYAZAKI, T., OKADA, K. and MIYAZAKI, M. (2017). Short communication: Neonatal calves coagulate first-milking colostrum and produce a large curd for efficient absorption of immunoglobulins after first ingestion. Journal of Dairy Science, 100(9), 7262-7270. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-12808MOORE, M. et al. (2005). Effect of delayed colostrum collection on colostral IgG concentration in dairy cows. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 226(8), 1375–1377. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2005.226.1375MULLER, L. D. and ELLINGER, P. K. (1981). Colostral immunoglobulin concentrations among breeds of dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 64(8), 1727-1730. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(81)82754-3NONNECKE, B. J. et al. (2003). Composition and functional capacity of blood mononuclear leukocyte populations from neonatal calves on standard and intensified milk replacer diets. Journal of Dairy Science, 86, 3592-3604. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(03)73965-4PARRISH, D. B. and FOUNTAINE, F. C. (1952). Contents of the alimentary tract of calves at birth. Journal of Dairy Science, 35, 839-845. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(52)93765-XQUIGLEY, J. D. and DREWRY, J. J. (1998). Nutrient and immunity transfer from cow to calf pre and postcalving. Journal of Dairy Science, 81, 2779-2790. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(98)75836-9RABOISSON, D., TRILLAT, P. and CAHUZAC, C. (2016). Failure of passive immune transfer in calves: A meta-analysis on the consequences and assessment of the economic impact. PLoS ONE, 11, e0150452. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0150452ROBISON, J. D., STOTT, G. and DENISE, S. (1988). Effects of passive immunity on growth and survival in the dairy heifer. Journal of Dairy Science, 71, 1283-1287. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(88)79684-8ROGERS, G. M. and CAPUCILLE, D. J. (2004). L’impiego del colostro per mantenere vivi e produttivi i vitelli da carne. Large Animals Review, 106, 19-25.SAVINI, E. (1946). Chimica ed analisi del latte e dei latticini. Edizione Hoepli, Milano.SEDLINSKA, M., KREJCI, J. and VYSKOCIL, M. (2005). Evaluation of field methods for determining immunoglobulins in sucking foals. Acta Veterinaria, 74, 51-58. https://doi.org/10.2754/avb200574010051TURINI, L. et al. (2020). The relationship between colostrum quality, passive transfer of immunity and birth and weaning weight in neonatal calves. Livestock Science, 238, 104033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104033TYLER, J .W. et al. (1996). Evaluation of 3 assays for failure of passive transfer in calves. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 10(5), 304-307. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.1996.tb02067.xWEAVER, D. M. et al. (2000). Passive transfer of colostral immunoglobulins in calves. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 14, 569-577. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2000.tb02278.xWOODING, F. B. P. (1992). Current topic: the synepitheliochorial placenta of ruminants: binucleate cell fusion and hormone production. Placenta, 13(2), 101-113. https://doi.org/10.1892/0891-6640(2000)0142.3.co;2ZAREI, S. et al. (2017). The impact of season, parity, and volume of colostrum on Holstein dairy cows colostrum composition. Agricultural Sciences, 8, 572-581. https://doi.org/10.4236/as.2017.8704

Measurement of transfer of colostral passive immunity in dairy calves

The administration of high quality colostrum reduces preweaning morbidity, mortality and, therefore, economic losses related to replacement animals. It also stimulates and improves calf growth, increasing milk production and longevity of the future dairy cows. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of breed and parity of the dam on colostrum quality, and of breed and gender of the calf, and time from calf birth to the administration of the first colostrum meal on the transfer of passive immunity to the calf by the field test of the Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT) on calf serum. A further objective was to improve the diagnostic accuracy of the field FPT test through a second laboratory phase improving the turbidity evaluation. The amount of IgG fed to calves (IgG concentration multiplied by the volume of colostrum administered) was influenced by dam parity as significant differences (P < 0.05) were detected between first- and fourth-parity cows, and between second- and fourth-parity cows. The administration of good quality colostrum (IgG > 50 mg/ml) between 5 and 9 h of life was able to reduce the risk of FPT more effectively than the administration performed within the first 4 h of life. However, further studies on larger sample size is needed to confirm the present findings. The spectrophotometric measurements confirmed the results obtained by the field turbidity test at 14% sodium sulphite dilution. It would be interesting in future to expand the dataset and validate the spectrophometric method

Pheromonal influences on sociosexual behavior in young women

Abstract A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a synthesized putative female pheromone was conducted with regularly menstruating, university women (N = 36, mean age = 27.8). The pheromone formula was derived from earlier work investigating the underarm secretions of fertile, sexually active, heterosexual women. A vial of either synthesized pheromone or placebo was selected blindly and added to a subject's perfume. Subjects recorded seven sociosexual behaviors and reported them weekly across three menstrual cycles. Beginning with Day 8 of each cycle, the first cycle contained a 2-week baseline period followed by an experimental period of as many as 3 weeks each from the next two cycles for a maximum of 6 weeks. The 19 pheromone and 17 placebo subjects did not differ significantly in age, weight, body mass index, dating status or ethnicity nor in reported accuracy, back-filling data, perception of a positive effect or perfume use. Placebo subjects were significantly taller than pheromone subjects. Except for male approaches, subjects did not differ significantly at baseline in average weekly sociosexual behaviors. A significantly greater proportion of pheromone users compared with placebo users increased over baseline in frequency of sexual intercourse, sleeping next to a partner, formal dates and petting/affection/kissing but not in frequency of male approaches, informal dates or masturbation. Three or more sociosexual behaviors increased over baseline for 74% of pheromone users compared with 23% of placebo users. We conclude that this synthesized pheromone formula acted as a sex attractant pheromone and increased the sexual attractiveness of women to men.

Discordant biochemical parameters of acromegaly remission do not influence the prevalence or aggressiveness of metabolic comorbidities: a single-center study

Purpose: The discrepancy between the biomarkers of disease's activity in acromegalic patients (GH and IGF-1) is almost frequent representing a challenge for the development of comorbidities in the long term. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of metabolic comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia) in surgically treated acromegalic patients with disease control and discordant GH and/or IGF-1 levels compared with those with concordant values.Patients and methods: Retrospective monocentric observational study on acromegalic surgically treated patients with biochemical remission (group A) or mild discordant GH or IGF-1 levels (group B). Metabolic complications and medical therapy were assessed at diagnosis and at the last follow-up visit. Severity of the disease was set for drug titration or shift to another molecule or more than before.Results: There were 18 patients that met the inclusion criteria [group A: nine patients; group B: nine patients, follow-up 7 years (IQR 5.0;11.25)]. The prevalence of female patients was significantly higher in the remission group compared with the discordant group (p < 0.02). Considering metabolic complications, at the last follow-up, 61.1% was affected by hypertension, 33.3% by diabetes, and 61.1% by dyslipidemia, without differences between groups. Drug characteristics (dose, shift, number) during the follow-up did not differ significantly between groups.Conclusion: Metabolic complications, mainly dyslipidemia, are frequent in cured acromegalic patients, but GH/IGF-1 discrepancy does not seem to represent a risk factor for their presence or persistence. More extended studies are needed to confirm our results in a long-term period