Prevalence of Johne\u27s-disease infections in Umbria, Italy

Ukupno 788 uzoraka seruma uzetih od mliječnih goveda u Umbriji, Italija, ispitano je na prisustvo antitijela na Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) pomoću komercijalnog ELISA testa (imunoenzimski test). Uzorkovane životinje uzgajane su na 19 farmi iz središnjeg dijela pokrajine Umbrije (okruzi Perugia i Assisi). Koristeći graničnu vrijednost za pozitivan test prema preporuci proizvođača, utvrđene su 44 pozitivne životinje (5,6%). Na temelju osjetljivosti i specifičnosti ELISA testa koje navodi proizvođač, izračunato je da je ukupna učestalost bolesti u mliječnih goveda u Umbriji ustvari iznosila 9,7% (granice pouzdanosti 99%, 7,0%, 12,4%).A total of 788 serum samples from dairy cattle in Umbria, Italy, were tested for the presence of antibodies to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The sampled animals came from 19 herds representative of the central area of the Umbria County (Perugia and Assisi districts). Using the manufacturers suggested cut-off for a positive test, 44 animals (5.6%) were positive. Using the sensitivity and specificity claimed by the manufacturer of the ELISA kit, the true prevalence in Umbria dairy cattle overall was calculated as 9.7% (99% CI, 7.0%, 12.4%).Insgesamt 788 Serummuster, genommen von Milchrindvieh in Umbria/Italien, wurden auf Anwesenheit von Antikörpern auf Mycobacterium avium subsp. Paratuberculosis (MAP) mit Hilfe von kommerziellem ELISA Test (Immunoenzymtest) geprüft. Die gemusterten Tiere wurden auf 19 Farmen in mittlerem Teil der Provinz Umbria (Kreise Perugia und Assisi) gezüchtet. Nach Anweisung des Herstellers benutzte man den Grenzwert für positiven Test, so wurden 44 positive Tiere (5,6 %) festgestellt. Auf Grund der Empfindlichkeit und der Spezifität des ELISA Testes, die der Hersteller anführt, wurde ausgerechnet, dass die gesamte Häufigkeit der Krankheit bei Milchrindvieh in Umbria wirklich 9,7 % betrug (Grenzen der Zuversichtlichkeit 99 %, 7,0 %, 12,4 %).E’ stata valutata la prevalenza dell’enterite paratubercolare in alcuni allevamenti di bovini da latte in Umbria. Allo scopo č stato effettuato uno screening tramite test ELISA che consente l’individuazione di animali con immunitŕ umorale nei confronti di MAP (Mycobacterium avium complex). Il test ELISA ha messo in evidenza una prevalenza variabile nelle aziende saggiate, con una media complessiva del 5.6% ed una prevalenza vera nella regione del 9.7% (limiti fiduciari 99%, 7.0%, 12.4%)

THE ROLE OF OXIDATIVE STRESS IN THE NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS OF PRETERM

n/

OFF-LABEL USE OF PAMIDRONATE IN HYPER-CALCEMIC NEWBORN AFFECTED BY SUBCUTANEOUS FAT NECROSIS AFTER THERAPEUTIC HYPOTERMIA

n/

Management of oxygen saturation monitoring in preterm newborns in the NICU: the Italian picture

Background: Although many studies emphasize the importance of using oxygen saturation (SpO2) targets in the NICUs, there is a wide variability in used saturation ranges among centers. Primary aim was to draw a representative picture on how the management of oxygen monitoring is performed in the Italian NICUs. Second aim was to identify healthcare-professionals related factors associated with oxygen targeting in the preterm population. Methods: Cross-sectional study with data collection via an electronic survey form. A questionnaire containing pre-piloted and open questions on monitoring and management of the SpO2 was administered to neonatologists across the network of the Italian Society of Neonatology. The questions focused on: the infrastructure, specific training, healthcare professionals and patients-related factors. The results of the survey were anonymously collected, summarized and analyzed. Results: Out of 378 questionnaires, 93 were correctly filled. Thirty-six different SpO2 ranges were observed. Centers using written standard operating procedures on oxygen management and SpO2 monitoring maintained a correct average range of SpO2 90–95%, avoided hyperoxia and reconsidered saturation targets in relation to comorbidities. 39.8% of responders disabled alarms during neonatal care. One center used biomarkers for complete monitoring of neonatal oxygenation status. Conclusions: There is considerable variation in SpO2 targets for preterm infants in the Italian NICUs. Standard operating procedures and specific training for health care personnel are the main factors playing a role for the correct maintenance of the recommended oxygen targets in preterms

Biomarkers of oxidative stress in fetal and neonatal diseases

Oxidative stress (OS) is strongly involved in the pathogenesis of many fetal and newborn diseases. A low efficient antioxidant systems in preterm babies are not able to counteract the harmful effects of free radicals (FRs), leading to "FRs-related disease" of newborns promoting cellular, tissue and organ damages. The dangerous effects of FRs are linked to their property of being very unstable molecules and their ability to react with lipids, proteins, polysaccharides, nucleic acids, causing functional alterations within the cell, until cell death. OS is difficult to be measured in vivo, because FRs have a very short half-life. Actually, measurements of lipid peroxidation reach high specificity and sensitivity with the discovery of stable compounds, isoprostanes. Recent studies evaluating the damaging effects of FRs in the perinatal period, have observed a direct relation between the degree of OS and the severity of oxidative damage in the course of pregnancy and in perinatal period, with an interesting predictive role of OS biomarkers for diseases resulting from oxidative injury. The validation of a biomarker profile for early identification of newborns at high risk of OS, will pave the way to new clinical preventative or therapeutic approaches to reduce the prevalence of neonatal disability

Biomarkers of oxidative stress in fetal and neonatal diseases.

Oxidative stress (OS) is strongly involved in the pathogenesis of many fetal and newborn diseases. A low efficient antioxidant systems in preterm babies are not able to counteract the harmful effects of free radicals (FRs), leading to "FRs-related disease" of newborns promoting cellular, tissue and organ damages. The dangerous effects of FRs are linked to their property of being very unstable molecules and their ability to react with lipids, proteins, polysaccharides, nucleic acids, causing functional alterations within the cell, until cell death. OS is difficult to be measured in vivo, because FRs have a very short half-life. Actually, measurements of lipid peroxidation reach high specificity and sensitivity with the discovery of stable compounds, isoprostanes. Recent studies evaluating the damaging effects of FRs in the perinatal period, have observed a direct relation between the degree of OS and the severity of oxidative damage in the course of pregnancy and in perinatal period, with an interesting predictive role of OS biomarkers for diseases resulting from oxidative injury. The validation of a biomarker profile for early identification of newborns at high risk of OS, will pave the way to new clinical preventative or therapeutic approaches to reduce the prevalence of neonatal disability

New pharmacologic and therapeutic approaches for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in the newborn

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is still an important cause of neonatal mortality and long-term disabilities. The understanding of the differential responses to hypoxia-ischemia as an initial insult leading to cellular degeneration in brain has opened the way to develop new pharmacologic and therapeutic approaches. Due to the complex pathophysiology, therapies can target early pathways such as oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis or delayed pathways such as the privation of growth factors and cell death. Pharmacological interventions should start at different points of time according to their mechanisms of action. The association of moderate hypothermia with neuroprotective drugs may decrease cell injury and optimize endogenous repair. More basic science research focusing on the mechanisms of injury are required. Moreover, clinical trials are needed to detect safely and effectiveness drugs and to establish the optimal time of action for each on