Water removal from raw milk at the point of production

Milk processing plants are becoming fewer in number and larger in size. As a result, the distance the raw milk is transported from the point of production to the processing site increases. Because the major component in raw milk is water, the reduction of water at the production site would result in lower transportation costs as well as lower energy needs. Water can be removed from milk through a membrane filtration. This study showed that concentration of raw milk allowed for the microbes to partition into the milk solids fraction. Microbial numbers increased during refrigerated storage of this concentrated raw milk

[The mandatory diaper peek in newborn girls]

We present a 3 day old girl born at term presenting with an interlabial, cystic mass. Pregnancy, delivery and routine antenatal screening were unremarkable. The smooth lesion was located in the anterior half of the vulva, covered with thin vessels. The medially displaced urethra and the medio-posteriorly displaced hymen were identified. Voiding was not impaired. We discuss the differential diagnosis of vulvar masses in the newborn girl. A thorough clinical examination must be the standard of care of pediatric examinations in infants

Pain Levels of Women Diagnosed with Endometriosis: Is There a Difference in Younger Women?

STUDY OBJECTIVE Early diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis affecting adolescent women are important in preventing chronic pain. Our aim was to analyze the clinical characteristics and severity of symptoms in adolescent patients with endometriosis compared to older patients. METHODS This single-center retrospective cohort study in a tertiary referral hospital analyzed women whose first consultation at the certified endometriosis center of the Bern University Hospital between January 2017 and December 2020 resulted in the clinical diagnosis of endometriosis. Patients, divided into 2 groups by age, reported Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores for non-cyclic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyschezia, dysuria, and dyspareunia. The symptom types and severity in the two groups were compared. The young patients with endometriosis were analyzed in greater detail, comparing VAS scores and types of endometriosis. RESULTS From a total of 826 patients, 144 (17.4%) patients aged ≤24 years old and 682 (82.6%) patients aged >24 years old were compared. The younger patients reported significantly higher pain scores for dysmenorrhea (VAS 7.3 vs. VAS 6.6, p= 0.015), dyspareunia (VAS 4.6 vs. VAS 3.4, p= 0.001), and non-cyclic pelvic pain (VAS 4.3 vs. 3.7, p= 0.032) compared to the older patient collective. Similar results were found when excluding patients with hormonal treatment. CONCLUSION Young patients with clinically diagnosed endometriosis have significantly higher dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia pain levels than older patients. By acknowledging and understanding this, early diagnosis and adequate treatment can be promoted. Dyspareunia in adolescents in particular merits clinical attention

A Review of Astigmatism and its Possible Genesis

Astigmatism is a refractive condition encountered commonly in clinical practice. This review presents an overview of research that has been carried out examining various aspects of this refractive error. We examine the components of astigmatism and the research into the prevalence and natural course of astigmatic refractive errors throughout life. The prevalence of astigmatism in various ethnic groups and diseases and syndromes is also discussed. We highlight the extensive investigations that have been conducted into the possible aetiology of astigmatism, however, no single model or theory of the development of astigmatism has been proven conclusively. Theories of the development of astigmatism based on genetics, extraocular muscle tension, visual feedback and eyelid pressure are considered. Observations and evidence from the literature supporting and contradicting these hypotheses are presented. Recent advances in technology such as wavefront sensors and videokeratoscopes have led to an increased understanding of ocular astigmatism and with continued improvements in technology, our knowledge of astigmatism and its genesis should continue to grow