Self-assessment of the quality of vision: association of questionnaire score with objective clinical tests.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association of a quality of life-visual function questionnaire with an objective clinical test of visual function. METHODS: We have developed a questionnaire to assess self-reported visual satisfaction in ophthalmic patients suffering from chronic eye conditions causing visual impairment. The questionnaire was administered to 120 patients suffering from age-related cataract, chronic open angle glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, branch retinal vein occlusion, and presbyopia or minor refractive defects. All the participants also underwent determination of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, glare, and visual field. RESULTS: The questionnaire has a good reproducibility, a high internal consistency, and is able to discriminate between the different groups of patients. The total questionnaire score is significantly associated with the results of all visual function tests with the exception of glare. When entered into a multiple linear regression model, near visual acuity and contrast sensitivity are still considerably associated with the total questionnaire score. The psychological attitude of the patient towards his/her health problem is also associated with the total average score. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the model explains 49% of the variance in the average questionnaire score.

Preliminary study on the mineral apposition rate in distal femoral epiphysis of New Zealand white rabbit at skeletal maturity.

Studies investigating the effect of different factors on the skeletal system require characterization of an appropriate animal model. Rabbits are among the most commonly studied animals for medical research, being used in about 35% of musculoskeletal research studies. The present dynamic cross-sectional histomorphometric study quantitatively determined mineral apposition rates (MARs) in the distal femoral epiphysis in four regions of interest (ROIs) in New Zealand white rabbits. ROIs included the craniolateral (CrL), caudolateral (CaL), craniomedial (CrM) and caudomedial (CaM) areas, using a reference height at different stages of skeletal maturity corresponding to experimental ages of 6, 7 and 8 months old (M6, M7 and M8). We evaluated whether a correlation exists in MARs between the times and the regions examined. Such data could be used in studies on growth of the rabbit's femur, on biomaterials for bone integration or regeneration and on growth disturbances produced by various pathologic factors. We found no interaction at the experimental times; thus, M6, M7 and M8 are considered homogeneous in terms of MARs. The velocity profiles of the MARs were statistically significantly different among the considered ROIs. For all experimental times, the CrM region had a higher MAR than the other ROIs. Both the CrM and CaM ROIs had higher MARs than the corresponding lateral ROIs. Our results indicate that bone formation is not constant within the cross-section, but is statistically different between the ROIs considered.

Airborne pollen concentrations and the incidence of allergic asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis in northern Italy from 1992 to 2003.

BACKGROUND: Aeroallergens and the environment play an important role in the pathogenesis of respiratory allergies. In a 12-year study carried out in Northern Italy (geographic area of Parma), the effects of airborne pollen and meteorological conditions on the incidence of allergic asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis were evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among 9,060 subjects examined for respiratory pathologies at our Allergy Unit, Parma Hospital, Italy, from 1992 to 2003, only 1,054 positive to only one type of inhalant allergen in the skin prick test were studied, to avoid bias of cross-reactivity. Allergy and clinical aspects were compared with the duration of the pollination period, and peaks and total concentrations of airborne pollen. RESULTS: Our data showed a significantly growing trend of allergy to mites, pets and birch pollen and a significant increase in asthma, and a significantly decreasing trend of positive reactions to grasses and a decrease in rhinoconjunctivitis. At the same time, there was a significant decrease in total pollen counts, concentration peaks and pollination period of grasses. A significant increase was only observed in ragweed and ash-olive total and peak pollen concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Significant correlations between the increasing incidence in asthma and allergy to mites, pets and birch pollen are shown. The decrease in the total pollen count and concentration peaks of grass pollen was correlated to the decreasing trend of rhinoconjunctivitis. The trend of increasing concentrations of ash-olive and ragweed pollen was not accompanied by an increase in the related allergy.

[The fertility decline of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Presentation and summary of the relationships]. / Il declino della fecondita. Secoli XIX e XX. Presentazione e riassunto delle relazioni.

PIP: The author reviews and evaluates the findings of various authors concerning the modern decline of European fertility, with a focus on the situation in Italy. Particular attention is given to the work of Massimo Livi-Bacci.^ieng

[Growth, employment and "necessary" immigration: a debate with demographic data on Emiglia-Romagna]. / Sviluppo, occupazione e immigrazione "necessaria": dibattito con i dati demografici dell'Emiglia-Romagna.

PIP: "In Emiglia-Romagna [Italy] and in Central and Northern Italy the reduction in the number of young people, caused by the falling birth rate, has started to involve individuals in working and reproductive age groups.... With demographic data for the Emiglia-Romagna region six scenarios are constructed concerning the effects of an increase in fertility rates (to levels of equilibrium) and workforce participation (to European levels) and the demographic differences between younger and older generations on the job market. Estimates are calculated concerning the size of immigration flows deemed necessary for immediate production needs and for re-balancing the population's age structure in the future." (EXCERPT)^ieng

[Surname and name analyses of the demographic, biological, and cultural variations of the community and the population]. / Analisi con cognomi e nomi delle variazioni demografiche biologiche e culturali di comunita e popolazioni.

PIP: The use of surnames and given names to identify and study subpopulations is explored using data from Italian marriage records from 29 parishes in Alta Val Parma from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and more recent data from the Lipari Islands. (SUMMARY IN ENG AND FRE)^ieng

[Biodemography: analyses on an actual urban population]. / Biodemografia: analisi su una popolazione urbana attuale.

PIP: The population dynamics of the Italian city of Parma are analyzed over the period 1989-1993 using data from the city's population records. Separate consideration is given to migration to and from the city, family characteristics, and family migration.^ieng

[Formation and size of complete families in the high Parma valley, 1750-1924].

PIP: The study represents an attempt to reconstruct fertility rates on families over 3 centuries in 40 parishes in the High Parma Valley, in Central Italy. It was possible to reconstruct family sizes of families who remained stable in their villages for several generations, and it was noted that male mortality amply exceeded female mortality. Because of the death of the father before the mother's 50th birthday, which, for the purpose of this study, is taken as onset of menopause and, hence, of sterility, many families remained incompleted. Mean number of children per family increases from 1750 to the middle 1800s; it then remains stable till the end of the century, to rapidly decrease from that moment on. The highest number of children per family was calculated to be 8 for the period 1800-1849 for women who were 15-19 at time of marriage.^ieng

Prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in the population of the area of Parma (Italy).

Between 1987 and 1991, the prevalence of IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii was determined by ELISA in 28,247 serum samples belonging to 19,432 subjects of the area of Parma (Italy). The overall prevalence was 48.5%. The correlation of infection with age, performed on 420 sera, showed a significant increase of positivity until 30-40 approximately years. In consecutive sera obtained from 172 subjects, the IgG and IgM production was analyzed for about 8 months, and four different patterns were delineated which were comprehensive of the wide range of immunological responses to Toxoplasma gondii exposure observed. Among pregnant females the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was 48.7%, and 5 cases of seroconversion during the pregnancy were observed (0.27%) from which two cases of congenital toxoplasmosis originated.