POLYCHLORODIBENZODIOXINS (PCDDs), POLYCHLORODIBENZO-FURANS (PCDFs), AND DIOXIN-LIKE POLYCHLOROBIPHENYLS (DL-PCBs) IN MILK, MOZZARELLA CHEESE, WHEY, AND WHEY CHEESE FROM BUFFALOES RAISED IN THE CAMPANIA REGION

Dioxins (PCDDs and PCDFs) and PCBs are a group of and toxic organo-chlorinated chemicals comprising hundreds of structurally related compounds (congeners) classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). It is acknowledged that 17 PCDD and PCDF congeners are of major concern due to their toxicity; 12 PCB congeners are also recognized to express dioxin-like toxicity and are thereby identified as DL-PCBs. Due to their high persistence and lipophilic nature, dioxins and PCBs tend to accumulate in fat and their bio-accumulation through the food chain may pose the risk of causing adverse effects to human health. For the general population, dietary intake is the most important pathway of exposure to the aforesaid environmental contaminants: meat, milk and dairy products, and fish and other seafood products contribute to total daily intake for more than 90 %. To prevent excessive human exposure to dioxins and DL-PCBs, the European Commission established maximum levels for dioxins and the sum of dioxins and DL-PCBs in an array of food components mainly of animal origin (Regulation EC 1881/2006). In this study, dioxins and DL-PCB concentrations were measured in buffalo milk collected from three impounded Campania farms producing milk with different contamination levels. The fate of contaminants in mozzarella cheese, whey, and whey cheese was also investigated. Analyses were carried out by HRGC-HRMS using US EPA Method 1613. The results of this study show the carry-over of the contamination from milk to its dairy products

INTRA-DUODENAL RELEASE OF A BITTER COMPOUND DECREASES CALORIC INTAKE IN HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

Background and aim: α-gustducin and bitter taste receptors (T2R) are expressed both in the oral cavity and in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Experimental data showed that bitter tastants induce the release of gut hormones from enteroendocrine cells in the gut, suggesting a possible role of bitter taste receptors in the control of food intake and GI functions. We aimed to test the effects of a bitter taste receptor agonist on food intake and GI feelings. Material and methods: We enrolled 19 healthy subjects (9 males, age 27±7, BMI 24±6) in a double-blind placebo controlled study. Each subject randomly received an acid-resistant capsule containing placebo or 18 mg of quinine HCl. 60 minutes after capsule administration, the subjects underwent to an ad libitum test, until the maximum satiation. Meal test was composed by white bread, cheese and meat cream (89 kcal/portion: 50% carbohydrate, 31% fat, 19% protein). Caloric intake, meal duration and satiation levels, scored on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were calculated at the end of the meal test. A questionnaire assessing GI sensations (bloating, fullness, nausea, epigastric discomfort and hunger) was administered before and at the end of the test. Data (mean ± SD) were compared by using paired t test. Results: No oral bitter sensation or side effects was observed both with quinine HCland placebo. No significant differences in terms of GI sensations and hunger feelings were observed between the two sessions of the study. The amount of calories ingested was significantly lower when subjects received quinine HCl than placebo (564±262 vs 667±278 kcal; p=0.02). Conversely, quinine HCl did not affect the meal duration (14.4±4.2 vs 16.6±4.6 min; p=NS) and the satiationintensity (82 vs 82 mm; p=NS). Conclusions: The intra-duodenal release of a bitter compound significantly decreases caloric intake in an ad libitum test meal without affecting GI sensations and hunger feeling. As the bitter compound does not influence meal duration, we hypothesize that quinine HCl decreases the caloric intake by affecting the rate of meal portions consumption. Evaluation of gut hormones kinetics and studies with other bitter taste receptor agonist are needed to establish the role of gastrointestinal bitter taste receptor in the control of food intak

Predictors of abdominal pain severity in patients with constipation-prevalent irritable bowel syndrome

Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have been associated to altered colonic motility and sensation. Smoking affects pain perception and is a risk factor in the development of post-infectious IBS, but its effect on abdominal pain and colonic transit remains to be elucidated in IBS. Forty patients with IBS-C and 28 with IBS-M were selected based on Rome IV criteria. Colonic transit time was studied and smoking habit was recorded. Presence of mild or severe abdominal pain and the prevalent pain characteristics (diffuse or localized, chronic or acute, with cramps or gradually distending) were recorded. Data were analyzed by univariate and stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis to verify the risk association between pain and all other variables. IBS-C patients had a longer transit time in the right colon and scored more chronic pain than IBS-M patients. When severity of abdominal pain was used as discriminating factor, a significant number of subjects reporting severe pain were males and smokers (16/30 vs. 4/38 and 20/30 vs. 4/38, both ƿ <0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that smoking was an independent factor associated with severe abdominal pain (OR 14.3, CI 2-99, p=0.007). Smoking was not associated with colonic transit times and colonic transit was not associated with IBS symptoms' severity (both ƿ =N.S.) Smoking was the only factor independently associated with severe abdominal pain. As smoking does not seem to affect colonic transit time, we suggest that smoking may influence visceral perception and symptoms severity in IBS patients

Resonance phenomena in asymmetric superconducting quantum interference devices

Theory of self induced resonances in asymmetric two-junction interferometer device is presented. In real devices it is impossible to have an ideal interferometer free of imperfections. Thus, we extended previous theoretical approaches introducing a model which contains several asymmetries: Josephson current $\epsilon$, capacitances $\chi$ and dissipation $\rho$ presented in an equivalent circuit. Moreover, non conventional symmetry of the order parameter in high temperature superconducting quantum interference devices forced us to include phase asymmetries. Therefore, the model has been extended to the case of $\pi$-shift interferometers, where a phase shift is present in one of the junctions.Comment: accepted to PRB, low quality figure

Dynamical effects of an unconventional current-phase relation in YBCO dc-SQUIDs

The predominant d-wave pairing symmetry in high temperature superconductors allows for a variety of current-phase relations in Josephson junctions, which is to a certain degree fabrication controlled. In this letter we report on direct experimental observations of the effects of a non-sinusoidal current-phase dependence in YBCO dc-SQUIDs, which agree with the theoretical description of the system.Comment: 4 pages, 4 ps figures, to apprear in Phys. Rev. Let

Integrated Bimodal Fitting for Unilateral CI Users with Residual Contralateral Hearing

Background: The aim of this study was to compare, in users of bimodal cochlear implants, the performance obtained using their own hearing aids (adjusted with the standard NAL-NL1 fitting formula) with the performance using the Phonak Naìda Link Ultra Power hearing aid adjusted with both NAL-NL1 and a new bimodal system (Adaptive Phonak Digital Bimodal (APDB)) developed by Advanced Bionics and Phonak Corporations. Methods: Eleven bimodal users (Naìda CI Q70 + contralateral hearing aid) were enrolled in our study. The users’ own hearing aids were replaced with the Phonak Naìda Link Ultra Power and fitted following the new formula. Speech intelligibility was assessed in quiet and noisy conditions, and comparisons were made with the results obtained with the users’ previous hearing aids and with the Naída Link hearing aids fitted with the NAL-NL1 generic prescription formula. Results: Using Phonak Naìda Link Ultra Power hearing aids with the Adaptive Phonak Digital Bimodal fitting formula, performance was significantly better than that with the users’ own rehabilitation systems, especially in challenging hearing situations for all analyzed subjects. Conclusions: Speech intelligibility tests in quiet settings did not reveal a significant difference in performance between the new fitting formula and NAL-NL1 fittings (using the Naída Link hearing aids), whereas the performance difference between the two fittings was very significant in noisy test conditions

Long-Term Functional Results of a Modified Caudal-to-Cranial Approach in Laparoscopic Segmental Left Colectomy for Diverticular Disease

A modified caudal-to-cranial approach to perform laparoscopic left colectomy for benign diseases has been recently designed to facilitate the low-tie mesenteric dissection. A chart review has been performed including all consecutive patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis who have been treated by segmental left colectomy with a caudal-to-cranial approach. A total of 34 patients were included in the study. 21 patients were male, mean age was 54.1±11.3, and mean BMI was 26±5.5. Patients with ASA Score I were 7, with ASA II were 9, and with ASA Score III were 5. Incontinence Score (IS) resulted in an average of 5±2,2 grade of incontinence and the CS score showed an average of 10±3,2 grade of constipation. Health status, evaluated by Short Form-36 questionnaire, was demonstrated in these patients' great physical function, role, general health, and social function. The anorectal manometry performed 6 months after surgery showed a normal value in terms of the anal resting pressure (47±13 mmHg) and an increased volume to stimulate desire to defecate (197±25 ml). The length of the anal sphincter was normal compared to the reference value (37±5.4 mm). Although further studies are required to obtain definitive conclusions, our results are encouraging to propose low-tie segmental colectomy as the standard procedure for the treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis, and our modified surgical approach could be considered useful to facilitate the surgical approach

Prenatal tobacco smoke exposure increases hospitalizations for bronchiolitis in infants

BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) is a worldwide health problem and it is considered a risk factor for pregnant women's and children's health, particularly for respiratory morbidity during the first year of life. Few significant birth cohort studies on the effect of prenatal TSE via passive and active maternal smoking on the development of severe bronchiolitis in early childhood have been carried out worldwide. METHODS: From November 2009 to December 2012, newborns born at ≥ 33 weeks of gestational age (wGA) were recruited in a longitudinal multi-center cohort study in Italy to investigate the effects of prenatal and postnatal TSE, among other risk factors, on bronchiolitis hospitalization and/or death during the first year of life. RESULTS: Two thousand two hundred ten newborns enrolled at birth were followed-up during their first year of life. Of these, 120 (5.4%) were hospitalized for bronchiolitis. No enrolled infants died during the study period. Prenatal passive TSE and maternal active smoking of more than 15 cigarettes/daily are associated to a significant increase of the risk of offspring children hospitalization for bronchiolitis, with an adjHR of 3.5 (CI 1.5-8.1) and of 1.7 (CI 1.1-2.6) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm the detrimental effects of passive TSE and active heavy smoke during pregnancy for infants' respiratory health, since the exposure significantly increases the risk of hospitalization for bronchiolitis in the first year of lif

Risk factors for bronchiolitis hospitalization during the first year of life in a multicenter Italian birth cohort

BACKGROUND: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one of the main causes of respiratory infections during the first year of life. Very premature infants may contract more severe diseases and 'late preterm infants' may also be more susceptible to the infection. The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk factors for hospitalization during the first year of life in children born at different gestational ages in Italy. METHODS: A cohort of 33-34 weeks gestational age (wGA) newborns matched by sex and age with two cohort of newborns born at 35-37 wGA and > 37 wGA were enrolled in this study for a three-year period (2009-2012). Hospitalization for bronchiolitis (ICD-9 code 466.1) during the first year of life was assessed through phone interview at the end of the RSV season (November-March) and at the completion of the first year of life. RESULTS: The study enrolled 2314 newborns, of which 2210 (95.5 %) had a one year follow-up and were included in the analysis; 120 (5.4 %) were hospitalized during the first year of life for bronchiolitis. Children born at 33-34 wGA had a higher hospitalization rate compared to the two other groups. The multivariate analysis carried out on the entire population associated the following factors with higher rates for bronchiolitis hospitalization: male gender; prenatal treatment with corticosteroids; prenatal exposure to maternal smoking; singleton delivery; respiratory diseases in neonatal period; surfactant therapy; lack of breastfeeding; siblings <10 years old; living in crowded conditions and/or in unhealthy households and early exposure to the epidemic RSV season. When analysis was restricted to preterms born at 33-34 wGA the following variables were associated to higher rates of bronchiolitis hospitalization: male gender, prenatal exposure to maternal smoking, neonatal surfactant therapy, having siblings <10 years old, living in crowded conditions and being exposed to epidemic season during the first three months of life. CONCLUSION: Our study identified some prenatal, perinatal and postnatal conditions proving to be relevant and independent risk factors for hospitalization for bronchiolitis during the first year of life. The combination of these factors may lead to consider palivizumab prophylaxis in Italy