Use of dairy and non-dairy Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paraplantarum and Lactobacillus pentosus strains as adjuncts in cheddar cheese

Lactobacilli have been used as adjunct cultures in the manufacture of different cheeses with the objective of accelerating ripening and/or improving cheese quality, but no studies have been conducted with strains from non-dairy origins. A miniature cheddar-type cheese model was used to screen ten dairy and non-dairy Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus paraplantarum and Lactobacillus pentosus strains for their performances as adjuncts in cheese manufacture. All strains were able to grow and survive in the cheese environment and produced only minor, although statistically significant, changes in gross cheese composition. Adjuncts affected secondary proteolysis causing differences in the levels of free amino groups, total free amino acids and reversed-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) profiles of pH 4.6-soluble extract. Three strains were selected on the basis of differences in proteolysis pattern and used in a pilot-plant production of cheddar cheese, which was ripened for 180 days. The results confirmed that use of L. plantarum adjuncts significantly affected secondary proteolysis as measured by free amino acid production with minor impact on gross composition and primary starter performance, but the impact on RP- HPLC profiles of pH 4.6-soluble extracts was not statistically significant. The use of a strain originally isolated from olive brine fermentation, L. plantarum P1.5, resulted in significantly improved preference scores over the control

A study on relationships between durum wheat semolina properties, technological mixing parameters and the properties of dough after mixing

Partial least square regression analysis was used to study the correlation between X variables (semolina quality, hydration level and mixing time) and Y variables, which were, in a first model, dough consistency during mixing, and, in a second model, dough properties after mixing (strength, elasticity, density) and leavening (maximum volume). The first model showed a predictive residual sum of squares (PRESS) of 2.98 and a predictive R2 (Q2) of 0.92, and highlighted the key role of hydration and mixing time ondough consistency. The second model had the best PRESS (8.25) and Q2 (0.94) values for dough volume and indicated that the volume increased with increasing mixing time until the dough consistency decreased of 20–30%. Dough volume was primarily affected by hydration. The model indicated that maximum volume after leavening, corresponding to optimum mixing time, was obtained with a soft and elastic dough, with a low-density valu

Demographic and epidemiological characteristics of Ukrainian refugees in an Italian Local Health Authority

Background The Russian invasion of Ukraine caused millions of Ukrainian refugees to flee to other nations. To provide the most appropriate assistance, host nations necessitate up-to-date information regarding Ukrainian refugee's demographic and epidemiological conditions. We aim to investigate the demographic composition, the COVID-19 vaccinations performed, specialist care provided and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in refugees assisted by an Italian Local Health Authority (LHA). Methods We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis from March to June 2022, analyzing the demographic and epidemiological status of Ukrainians. Statistical analyses were carried out to assess possible associations between NCDs distribution, age and gender. Results LHA Roma 1 assisted 9349 Ukrainian refugees. Of these, 2784 (29.8%) were males and 6565 (70.2%) were females, with a median age of 25 years. Two thousand four hundred and eighty-five Ukrainian refugees were vaccinated against COVID-19. Among them, 401 (16.1%) had at least one NCD. The most frequent groups of diseases were related to the circulatory system (50.6%), the endocrine system (24.9%), and mental and behavioral disorders (6.5%). Conclusion Refugees need healthcare services targeted mainly towards minors and females. It is essential to analyze and monitor the demographic and epidemiological conditions to provide evidence about patient management and the best care integrated into the health service of host countries

Image-Based Monitoring of Cracks: Effectiveness Analysis of an Open-Source Machine Learning-Assisted Procedure

The proper inspection of a cracks pattern over time is a critical diagnosis step to provide a thorough knowledge of the health state of a structure. When monitoring cracks propagating on a planar surface, adopting a single-image-based approach is a more convenient (costly and logistically) solution compared to subjective operators-based solutions. Machine learning (ML)- based monitoring solutions offer the advantage of automation in crack detection; however, complex and time-consuming training must be carried out. This study presents a simple and automated ML-based crack monitoring approach implemented in open sources software that only requires a single image for training. The effectiveness of the approach is assessed conducting work in controlled and real case study sites. For both sites, the generated outputs are significant in terms of accuracy (~1 mm), repeatability (sub-mm) and precision (sub-pixel). The presented results highlight that the successful detection of cracks is achievable with only a straightforward ML-based training procedure conducted on only a single image of the multi-temporal sequence. Furthermore, the use of an innovative camera kit allowed exploiting automated acquisition and transmission fundamental for Internet of Things (IoTs) for structural health monitoring and to reduce user-based operations and increase safety

The “Lazio advice” telemedicine platform. First results of general practitioners’ usage, facilitators and barriers in the local health authority Roma 1

Background: Telemedical approaches represent a valuable tool for the management of coronavirus disease 2019 patients, allowing daily clinical assessment, monitoring of vital parameters, remote visits, and prescription of treatment or hospital ization in case of clinical worsening. This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the use, barriers and facilitators of the “Lazio ADVICE” telemedical platform, a regional system for remote assistance for coronavirus disease 2019 patients at home, according to General Practitioners and Family Pediatricians of the Local Health Authority Roma 1, during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Methods: An interview-based survey was performed between December 2020 and January 2021. The survey investigated the demographic information of General Practitioner and Family Pediatricians, the knowledge of the platform, frequency of util ization, usefulness, strengths and weaknesses, and hypothesis of future implementation proposed. Results: We interviewed 214 physicians and 89 (41.6%) were classified as users and 125 (58.4%) as non-users. Older age and working in District 1, 14 and 15 (vs. District 13) significantly reduced the probability of using the platform physician. Among the 89 users, 19 (21.3%) used the platform every day or even several times a day, 40 (44.9%) several times a week but less than one access per day, 30 (33.7%) used the platform several times a month up to one entry per week. Most of them (92.3%) consider the platform useful. Barriers were poor integration with software and work routine (76.4%), and usability issues (53.9%). Among the 125 non-users, 14 (11.2%) didn’t know the existence of the platform, 60 (48.0%) never tried it and 51 (40.8%) tried to use it. Reported reasons for the interruption of use were not very user friendly (45.1%), perceived useless (37.3%), non-optimal functioning (23.5%), and lack of time (19.6%). Conclusion: The pandemic accelerated the implementation of telemedicine services around Lazio Region, starting a positive and continuous exchange of experiences, activities and best practices among physicians

Highly-integrated programs for the prevention of obesity and overweight in children and adolescent: results from a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Since overweight and obesity has become epidemic in children and adolescent, the aim of this study was to determine the role of highly-integrated programs in preventing and reducing prevalence of children and adolescent obesity and overweight. Methods: A systematic review of literature and a meta-analysis was conducted. Results: According to PRISMA guidelines, we identified 23 studies describing 14 programs. For 11 out of 14 programs, obese/overweight prevalence changing from baseline were definable and meta-analysis of them showed a significant change of obese/overweight prevalence (-0.03; 95% CI = -0.04 to -0.01; P < 0.0001). Secondary outcomes as dietary (such as vegetable intake, carbonated beverages, fruit juice, drinks, healthful food consumption), physical activity and TV-time-spent was analyzed in many of the studies to define community readiness and behavioral changes. Macro-interventions, based on what was observed in our systematic review have a high potential to reach the entire population. Conclusion: Adoption of coordinated cross-sectoral, multi-component and multi-stakeholder initiatives to oppose obesity remains a challenge, but it is also desirable as one of the possible solutions to this major public health issue

The impact of Public Reporting on clinical outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: To assess both qualitatively and quantitatively the impact of Public Reporting (PR) on clinical outcomes, we carried out a systematic review of published studies on this topic. METHODS: Pubmed, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases were searched to identify studies published from 1991 to 2014 that investigated the relationship between PR and clinical outcomes. Studies were considered eligible if they investigated the relationship between PR and clinical outcomes and comprehensively described the PR mechanism and the study design adopted. Among the clinical outcomes identified, meta-analysis was performed for overall mortality rate which quantitative data were exhaustively reported in a sufficient number of studies. Two reviewers conducted all data extraction independently and disagreements were resolved through discussion. The same reviewers evaluated also the quality of the studies using a GRADE approach. RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies were included. Mainly, the effect of PR on clinical outcomes was positive. Meta-analysis regarding overall mortality included, in a context of high heterogeneity, 10 studies with a total of 1,840,401 experimental events and 3,670,446 control events and resulted in a RR of 0.85 (95 % CI, 0.79-0.92). CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of PR programs at different levels of the healthcare sector is a challenging but rewarding public health strategy. Existing research covering different clinical outcomes supports the idea that PR could, in fact, stimulate providers to improve healthcare quality

Are undocumented migrants&#8217; entitlements and barriers to healthcare a public health challenge for the European Union?

Undocumented migrants (UMs) are at higher risk for health problems because of their irregular status and the consequences of economic and social marginalization. Moreover, the emergent reality of undocumented migration in Europe calls for action in the field of management of UM's health demands as their access to health services has become a sensitive political and social issue. In this light, this paper aims to address UMs' entitlement and barriers to healthcare and related policies citing evidence from peer-reviewed and grey literature concerning people living in a country within the European Union without the legal right to be/remain in the destination country. A systematic review was performed using several databases and websites, and a total of 54 publications in English, with full text available, were taken into consideration. Between 2000 and 2015, Europe hosted the second largest number of international migrants (20 million, 1.3 million per year) after Asia. Even though there is limited evidence specifically focused on UMs' health, it is possible to state that infectious diseases, chronic illnesses, mental disorders, maternal-child conditions, dental issues, acute illnesses and injuries are the most common pathologies. In most cases across Europe, UMs have access only to emergency care. Even in countries where they are fully entitled to healthcare, formal and informal barriers hinder them from being or feeling entitled to this right. Socio-cultural barriers, such as language and communication problems, lack of formal and informal social and healthcare networks and lack of knowledge about the healthcare system and about informal networks of healthcare professionals are all common impediments. From the healthcare providers' perspective, there can be difficulties in providing appropriate care and in dealing with cultural and language barriers and false identification. Communication strategies play a central role in addressing the inequalities in access to healthcare services, and the definition and provision of specific training, focused on UMs' health needs, would be desirable. Improving access to healthcare for UMs is an urgent priority since the lack of access is proven to have serious consequences for UMs' health and wellbeing. Notwithstanding, few available examples of policies and best practices aimed at overcoming barriers in the delivery of healthcare to UMs are available