BINET - Analisi di dati sanitari mediante SNA Validit? degli indicatori statistici ottenuti rispetto a metodologie tradizionali

Social Network technology in the healthcare field aims to establish a non-conventional graph analysis methodology. BINET project (Business Intelligence framework based on Social Network technology) has developed an application framework to test SN methodologies on health data. Scientific validation of the methodology focuses on analyzing therapeutic, time and spatial associations among treatments, e.g. drug prescriptions and diagnosis made during hospitalization, to find correlations between treatments of individuals and patient outcome. In this report, following the testing of the BINET application framework, we compare the validity and accuracy of network statistical indicators with those obtained through traditional methods

Beneficial effects of the ketogenic diet on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A comprehensive review of the literature

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major cause of chronic liver disease, characterized by hepatic fat accumulation and possible development of inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer. The ketogenic diet (KD), with its drastic carbohydrate reduction, is a now popular weight loss intervention, despite safety concerns on a possible association with fatty liver. However, KDs were also reported to be beneficial on hepatic pathology, with ketone bodies recently proposed as effective modulators of inflammation and fibrosis. If the beneficial impact of weight loss on NAFLD is established, less is known on the effect of macronutrient distribution on such outcome. In a hypocaloric regimen, the latter seems not to be crucial, whereas at higher calorie intake, macronutrient ratio and, theoretically, ketosis, may become important. KDs could positively impact NAFLD for their very low carbohydrate content, and whether ketosis plays an additional role is unknown. Indeed, several mechanisms may directly link ketosis and NAFLD improvement, and elucidating these aspects would pave the way for new therapeutic strategies. We herein aimed at providing an accurate revision of current literature on KDs and NAFLD, focusing on clinical evidence, metabolic pathways involved, and strict categorization of dietary interventions

Circulating SIRT1 inversely correlates with epicardial fat thickness in patients with obesity

Background and aim: Obesity is increasing worldwide and is related to undesirable cardiovascular outcomes. Epicardial fat (EF), the heart visceral fat depot, increases with obesity and correlates with cardiovascular risk. SIRT1, an enzyme regulating metabolic circuits linked with obesity, has a cardioprotective effect and is a predictor of cardiovascular events. We aimed to assess the relationship of EF thickness (EFT) with circulating SIRT1 in patients with obesity. Methods and results: Sixty-two patients affected by obesity and 23 lean controls were studied. Plasma SIRT1 concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). EFT was measured by echocardiography. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, heart rate (HR), blood pressure, and laboratory findings (fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, cholesterol, and triglycerides) were assessed. SIRT1 was significantly lower (P = 0.002) and EFT was higher (P < 0.0001) in patients with obesity compared with lean controls. SIRT1 showed a negative correlation with EFT and HR in the obesity group (rho = -0.350, P = 0.005; rho = -0.303, P = 0.008, respectively). After adjustment for obesity-correlated variables, multiple linear regression analysis showed that EFT remained the best correlate of SIRT1 (beta = -0.352, P = 0.016). Conclusions: Circulating SIRT1 correlates with the visceral fat content of the heart. Serum SIRT1 levels might provide additional information for risk assessment of coronary artery disease in patients with obesity. (C) 2016 The Italian Society of Diabetology, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition, and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Aplikasi Bahan Organik Pada Piringan Kelapa Sawit Untuk Meningkatkan Populasi Cacing Tanah Dan Ketersediaan Hara P Dan K

The earthworm contribute to soil fertility and environment quality but they need a suitable habitat to survive on the land including the presence of organic material as a food source. The present study was conducted in Sei Pancur Plantation, Tanjung Morawa, in March - September 2015. The design used in study was a factorial randomized block design consists two factors. The first was various types of organic materials : without organic matter (B0) ; litter (B1) ; empty fruit bunches oil palm (B2) ; litter+T.harzianum (B3) ; and empty fruit bunches oil palm+T.harzianum (B4). The second were method of application : evenly spread a layer (C1) ; stacked around turn rod (C2) ; and stacked on the edge of weeded circle (C3). The result found that application of organic materials significantly increased P-available, K-exchangeable, and earthworm. Method of applications significantly increased P-available and earthworm populations. The relationship among interaction of both significantly increased phosphate available and earthworm populations. Application on the edge of weeded circle was the best way to reduce P-available and earthworm populations. Empty fruit bunches oil palm+T.harzianum reduced K-exchangeable. Empty fruit bunches oil palm increased earthworm populations and litter+T.harzianum increased P-available.Key words : earthworm, method of applicaton, weeded circle, organic materialsThe earthworm contribute to soil fertility and environment quality but they need a suitable habitat to survive on the land including the presence of organic material as a food source. The present study was conducted in Sei Pancur Plantation, Tanjung Morawa, in March - September 2015. The design used in study was a factorial randomized block design consists two factors. The first was various types of organic materials : without organic matter (B0) ; litter (B1) ; empty fruit bunches oil palm (B2) ; litter+T.harzianum (B3) ; and empty fruit bunches oil palm+T.harzianum (B4). The second were method of application : evenly spread a layer (C1) ; stacked around turn rod (C2) ; and stacked on the edge of weeded circle (C3). The result found that application of organic materials significantly increased P-available, K-exchangeable, and earthworm. Method of applications significantly increased P-available and earthworm populations. The relationship among interaction of both significantly increased phosphate available and earthworm populations. Application on the edge of weeded circle was the best way to reduce P-available and earthworm populations. Empty fruit bunches oil palm+T.harzianum reduced K-exchangeable. Empty fruit bunches oil palm increased earthworm populations and litter+T.harzianum increased P-available

Potensi Bakteri Azotobacter Dan Hijauan Mucuna Bracteata Dalam Meningkatkan Hara Nitrogen Kompos Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit

Potency of Azobacter and Mucuna bracteata forage in increasing the nitrogen content of oil palm empty fruit bunch (TKKS) compost. The management of oil palm empty fruit bunch (TKKS) is still a problem. One of the alternative to utilize this by product is by composting, but there's still a problem in the low content of nitrogen. The nitrogen can be added from N fertilizer, manure, or by using N-fix microorganisms. The research was aimed to evaluate the potential of Azotobacter and Mucuna bracteata forage in increasing the nitrogen content of TKKS compost. The research was done using Factorial Randomized Block Design, consisting of 2 factors and 3 replication. The first factor was the inokulation time of Azotobacter that consists of 5 treatments (without application, initial application, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks after composting) and the second factor was the composition of compost ingredient that consists of 3 treatments (100% TKKS, 80% TKKS + 20% M.bracteata, and 60% TKKS + 40% M.bracteata). The result showed that the formulation of compost ingreadients with M.bracteata forage influenced the rate of decomposition and nitrogen content significantly. The increased of nitrogen was 15.20% at the composition of 60% TKKS + 40% M.bracteata. The inoculation time (initial and 2 weeks after composting) increased 2.23% nitrogen content of TKKS. Interaction between Azotobacter application time at 4 weeks after composting with compost composition at 100% TKKS increased nitrogen content about 7.27%. The increasing nitrogen at the composition 80% TKKS + 20% M.bracteata increased nitrogen content about 8.24% by applying Azotobacter in the initial time of composting. Meanwhile, by increasing the amount of M. bracteata did not increase the nitrogen content. Keywords : oil palm empty bunches compost, Azotobacter, M. bracteata, nitroge

Solid Waste Minimization in Malaysia

Malaysia has taken initiative in enforcing the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act 2007 (Act 672) since 2011 to ensure the uniformity of law relating to the solid waste management and public cleansing. Despite the alarming issues on the increasing of solid waste generation, Malaysian government has made solid waste separation at source as mandatory starting 1st September 2015 at eight states. Solid waste separation at source has been seen as the best practice of solid waste minimization where it eliminates and reduces the amount of solid waste produced by the society. The government has taken seriously in solid waste separation at source as the lifespan of disposal site has been decreased and limited space for the new disposal site due to the increasing cost of solid waste management. Hence, to overcome the increasing of solid waste generation, an integrated solid waste minimization through recycling should be implemented as it is involved in minimizing resource and offers the best outcome for the environment. Thus, this paper discussed the overview of solid waste minimization in Malaysia and the stakeholder’s role and their obstacles in solid waste minimization to attract the public participate in reducing the solid waste generation as an efficient solid waste management. A proper solid waste management ensures a sustainable development of Malaysia in terms of health, socio-economy and environment respectively towards Malaysian Vision of 2020

Perkembangan Cacing Pontoscolex corethrurus Pada Media Kultur Dengan Berbagai Jenis Tekstur Tanah dan Bahan Organik: Growth of Pontoscolex corethrurus on Culture Media With Various Soil Texture and Organic Matter

Aplikasi Pontoscolex corethrurus pada lahan memberikan dampak positif terhadap sifat tanah. Selama ini P.corethrurus yang digunakan dikoleksi langsung dari lahan yang mana cukup memakan waktu dan biaya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui jenis tekstur tanah dan bahan organik terbaik pada media kultur buatan dalam mendukung perkembangan P.corethrurus. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di laboratorium ekologi dan biologi tanah Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Sumatera Utara. Penelitian ini dilakukan selama dua tahapan dengan menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok Faktorial. Faktor pertama jenis tekstur tanah yaitu lempung berpasir (60% pasir ; 24% debu; 16% liat), liat (28 % pasir; 20% debu; 52% liat), serta lempung berliat (36% pasir, 28% debu, 36% liat) dan faktor kedua jenis bahan organik terdiri dari tanpa bahan organik, kotoran sapi, kotoran kambing, dan serasah daun karet. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa jenis tekstur tanah terbaik dalam meningkatkan biomassa dan jumlah kokun P.corethrurus secara berturut-turut adalah lempung berpasir, lempung berliat, dan liat. Jenis bahan organik terbaik dalam meningkatkan biomassa dan jumlah kokun P.corethrurus pada penelitian tahap 1 secara berturut-turut adalah kotoran kambing, kotoran sapi, serasah daun karet, dan tanpa bahan organik. Kotoran kambing yang diaplikasikan pada tanah bertekstur lempung berpasir dan kotoran kambing yang diaplikasikan pada tanah bertekstur liat memiliki potensi yang sama dalam meningkatkan biomassa P.corethrurus hanya pada satu tahapan penelitian. &nbsp; Application of Pontoscolex corethrurus gives the positive effect to soil properties. Recently, P.corethrurus is directly collected from field which are time consuming and costly. This research aimed to determine the best organic matter and soil texture types as the artificial culture medium in supporting the P.corethrurus growth. This research was conducted in Ecological and Biological Laboratory, Agriculture Faculty, University of Sumatera Utara. This research was conducted in two phases, with using factorial randomized block design. The first factor was types of soil texture i.e. sandy loam (60% sand; 24% silt; 16% clay), Clay (28% sand; 20% silt; 52% clay), clay loam (36% sand; 28% silt; 36% clay). The second factor was types of organic matter i.e. without organic matter, cow manure, sheep manure, and hevea leaf litter. The result showed that in both phases of experiment the best soil texture types in increasing earthworm biomass and cocoon number of P.corethrurus was sandy loam, following with treatment on texture clay loam, and clay respectively. The best organic matter treatments in increasing earthworm biomass and cocoon number of P.corethrurus in phase 1 was sheep manure, cow manure, Hevea leaf litter, and without organic matter respectively. Application of sheep manure on sandy loam soil and application of sheep manure on clay soil had the same potency in increasing P.corethrurus biomass only in first phase experiment

Ontologie e modellazione di dati sanitari - Attivit? di ricerca nell\u27ambito del progetto ODINET

The Odinet project has as its primary objective to conduct research and development aimed at defining a technological framework for online access and dissemination of structured and heterogeneous data. This report carried out a survey of the main methods of modeling for the identification, cataloging and presentation of data on the Web. In particular, the purpose is to provide guidance on what specific technologies to be adopted in the field of Semantic Web and Linked Open Data, in order to be able to exploit the best information contained in the Public Administration data regarding the healthcare domain

Analisi di rete basata sul modello matematico dei grafi, sperimentazione nell\u27ambito del progetto BINET

The research activity carried out in BINET project aims at designing a Business Intelligence framework based on Social Network technology, better known as Complex Networks in the healthcare field, in order to establish a platform to analyze data through non-conventional graph methodologies and interfaces (graph data-browsing). Scientific validation of methodologies used by the framework is carried out in the healthcare field and focuses on the analysis of therapeutic, time and spatial associations among the various treatments, such as outpatient, drug prescriptions, length of hospital stays etc., received by the patients recruited for the study, to find out correlations between treatments at the individual level and enabling patient "follow-up". Another aspect of the validation concerns the analysis of papers extracted from epidemiological and clinical databases in order to identify emerging technologies, standard of care, "benchmarking" among various operational units dealing with the same pathologies, as well as population profiling to enable identification of homogeneous groups, from a socio-demographic point of view and healthcare demand, subject to tailored prevention campaigns. A more specific application deals with the analysis of drug prescriptions to find out correlations between patient pathology profiles (derived from all treatments and diagnosis received by patients) and prescriptive behaviors of their general practitioners in order to define shared "guidelines" and identify standard practices to compare with practice guidelines. The document describe some sperimentation in these area