Four-Year Monitoring of Foodborne Pathogens in Raw Milk Sold by Vending Machines in Italy

Prevalence data were collected from official microbiological records monitoring four selected foodborne pathogens (Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter jejuni) in raw milk sold by self-service vending machines in seven Italian Regions (n. 60907 samples from 1239 vending machines) during the years 2008 to 2011. Data of samples analyzed both by culture-based and real-time PCR methods were collected in one Region. A total of 100 raw milk consumers in four regions were interviewed while purchasing raw milk from vending machines. One hundred and seventy eight samples out of 60907 were positive for one of the four foodborne pathogens investigated; overall, 18 samples were positive for Salmonella spp., 83 for L. monocytogenes, 24 for E. coli O157:H7 and 53 for C. jejuni in the seven Regions investigated. There were no significant differences in prevalence among Regions, but a significant increase in C. jejuni prevalence was observed over the years. A comparison of the two different analysis methods showed that real-time PCR is from 2.71 to 9.40 times more sensitive than culture-based method. Data on consumer habits showed that some behaviors may enhance the risk of infection due to raw milk consumption: 37% of consumers do not boil milk before consumption, 93% never use an insulated bag to transport raw milk home, and raw milk is consumed by children under five years of age. The study emphasizes that end-product controls alone are not sufficient to guarantee an adequate level of consumer protection. The beta distribution of positive samples in this study and the data on raw milk consumer habits are useful and appropriate for the development of a National Quantitative Risk Assessment of Salmonella spp., L. monocytogenes, E. coli O157 and C. jejuni related to raw milk consumption

Developing virtue ethics in management: a case of an interdisciplinary educational approach

Purpose: This paper aims to present and discuss an interdisciplinary educational approach to business ethics, based on a virtue ethics framework and the common good paradigm. This approach addresses the challenges that businesses face in building legitimacy and creating shared values. Design/methodology/approach: The paper presents a case study of an experience of an interdisciplinary postgraduate course, discussing both the design of the program and its first results. Findings: The paper focuses on the theoretical and practical reasons for the interdisciplinary nature of business ethics education and contributes to the literature on business ethics education as well as training and educational practices in academic and professional contexts. Practical implications: This paper can positively influence business education practices by sharing a replicable educational model and fostering virtuous practices that contribute to renewing the perception of the purpose of firms. Social implications: Improving business ethics education can positively affect the social performance of firms contributing to the common good. Originality: The paper presents an innovative interdisciplinary educational program that, to the best of our knowledge of the current literature, can be consider an original contribution

Subclavian carotid transposition for symptomatic subclavian artery stenosis or occlusion. A comparison with the endovascular procedure.

ABSTRACT. Background. Although subclavian-carotid transposition (SCT), among all extrathoracic revascularization procedures, has emerged as the treatment of choice for symptomatic subclavian artery (SA) stenosis or occlusion, some authors advocate percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting as the optimum primary therapy. To assess safety, efficacy and durability of SCT in the treatment of symptomatic SA stenosis or occlusion. Methods: Design: Review of a prospectively maintained vascular surgical registry. Setting: University vascular surgical service. Patients: Thirty-nine patients requiring surgery for symptomatic stenosis or occlusion of the proximal SA from September 1985 to August 1999. Intervention: Subclavian-carotid transposition. Measures: Data were collected prospectively from hospital charts and office medical records to determine demographics, risk factors, presenting clinical manifestation, blood pressure differentials, location of SA lesion and early postoperative outcome. Long-term follow-up was possible in all patients. Patency of the revascularization was determined by physical examination and non-invasive laboratory studies. Results. The perioperative mortality and morbidity rates were 2.5% (1 of 39) and 2.5% (1of 39), respectively. Immediate relief of symptoms was achieved in 100% of cases. Mean follow-up was 6.8 years. Neither revascularization failed during follow-up period, nor patient had recurrent symptoms. The overall survival rates at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years were 100%, 100%, 86% and 68%. Overall late mortality rate was 18.4%: no death was stroke related. Conclusions. SCT is a very safe and effective surgical procedure for the treatment of symptomatic SA atherosclerotic disease, with excellent long-term patency