Feed-out rate used as a tool to manage the aerobic deterioration of corn silages in tropical and temperate climates.

There is an increasing recognition throughout the world that many of the feeding problems of dairy herds are linked to the presence of aerobically deteriorated parts on a silo face, causing farmers to pose questions on what amount of silage should be removed daily to feed their animals. Since an adequate feed-out rate helps to prevent silage spoilage, a simple tool is needed to manage the aerobic deterioration of corn silages during feed-out. The aims of this study were to develop an unloading rate index, which we have called the mass feed-out rate (MFR), expressed in kilograms of fresh matter silage unloaded daily per square meter of silo face, to better predict the aerobic deterioration of silage and to offer management solutions to help prevent spoilage, through a survey on 97 commercial dairy farms in Italy and Brazil. Silages were sampled and analyzed for their main microbial, fermentative, and nutritional characteristics, whereas silage temperatures were measured in the core and peripheral areas of the silo working face. Moreover, a detailed questionnaire on silo management and silage utilization was administered to the farmers during each farm visit. The size and silage density of the silos presented a wide variability in the 2 countries, thus indicating that different management practices were adopted during corn harvesting, silo filling, and silage compaction. The differences between pH and temperature in the peripheral areas and in the core of the silage (dpH and dT, respectively) were tested as a single indicator to identify any aerobic deteriorated areas on the silo face, associated with the yeast and mold counts. Both indicators correctly identified aerobic deterioration in 86.6% and 93.8% of the studied silos, respectively. The lactic acid and ethanol increased as the MFR increased, whereas the starch, dT, and the yeast and mold counts decreased with increasing MFR. A daily removal rate of over 250 kg of silage/m2 markedly reduced the risk of spoilage in corn silages at a farm level in both temperate and tropical environments. The new MFR index can substitute for the commonly used linear feed-out rate as it includes the silage density and can be obtained from 1 single recording.

Dairy farm management practices and the risk of contamination of tank milk from Clostridium spp. and Paenibacillus spp. spores in silage, total mixed ration, dairy cow feces, and raw milk.

The occurrence of Paenibacillus and Clostridium spores in silage is of great concern for dairy producers because their spores can contaminate milk and damage processed milk and semi-hard cheeses. Spoiled silage is considered to be the main contamination source of the total mixed ration (TMR), feces of dairy cows, and consequently bulk tank milk via the contamination of cow teats by dirt during milking. The presence of an anaerobic and facultative anaerobic sporeformer population in different matrices (soil, corn silage, other feeds, TMR, feces, and milk) and its transmission pathway has been studied on 49 dairy farms by coupling plate count data with 16S-DNA identification. The different matrices have shown a high variability in the anaerobic and facultative anaerobic spore count, with the highest values being found in the aerobically deteriorated areas of corn silages. Clostridium tyrobutyricum, Paenibacillus macerans, and Paenibacillus thermophilus were detected in all the matrices. The TMR spore count was influenced by the amount of spoiled corn silage in the TMR and by the care taken when cleaning the spoiled silage before feed-out. Most of the farms that prevent the presence of visible moldy silage in the silo and carefully clean to remove molded spots were able to maintain their TMR spore counts below 4.0 log spores/g. When a level of 4.5 log spores/g of TMR was exceeded, the feces presented a greater contamination than 3.0 log spores/g. Moreover, the higher the number of spores in the feces was, the higher the number of spores in the milk. Most of the farms that presented a feces contamination greater than 5.0 log spores/g had a higher milk spore contamination than 1,000 spores/L. Careful animal cleaning and good milking practices have been found to be essential to maintain low levels of contamination in bulk tank milk, but it has emerged that only by coupling these practices with a correct silage management and cleaning during TMR preparation can the contamination of milk by spores be kept at a low level. It has been found that aerobically deteriorated silage has a great capacity to contaminate TMR and consequently to increase the risk of milk spore contamination, even when routine milking practices are adopted correctly.

[Laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia and communicating hydrocele in children. Our experience in the last years]. / Reparación laparoscópica de la hernia inguinal e hidrocele en edad pediátrica. Nuestra experiencia en los últimos años.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia and hydrocele repair has become an alternative to the more frequently used inguinal approach. We describe our experience with the laparoscopic technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of laparoscopic inguinal hernia and hydrocele repair performed during the period between 2003-2016. We included patients < 14 years, with communicating hydrocele and/or indirect inguinal hernia diagnosis (N = 39). We have studied two cohorts; group A patients with indirect inguinal hernia (N = 31) and group B patients with communicating hydrocele (N = 8). We used intraperitoneal laparoscopic approach, performing herniorrhaphy of the internal inguinal orifice without resection of the hernial sac. The main outcome measurements were surgical indication and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The indication for laparoscopic repair was bilateral defects (46.2%), unilateral defects (28.2%), defects associated with umbilical hernia (23.1%) and associated with another pathology (2.6%). In group A the rate of complications that required new admission was 3.2% and the recurrence rate was 9.7%. In group B, was 12.5% ​​and 12.5% respectively. We have not observed a significant relationship with respect to patient age, laterality or suture used and the rate of complications in any of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitations of our study given the small sample size and retrospective nature, the complication rate (15%) is higher than that published in the literature. This makes us take a step back to reassess our indications and technique, and not forget that the laparoscopic approach is not a technique without risks and requires a learning curve.

OBJETIVOS: La reparación laparoscópica de la hernia inguinal e hidroceles en la edad pediátrica, se ha convertido en una alternativa a la herniorrafia inguinal clásica. Describimos nuestra experiencia en las intervenciones realizadas con dicha técnica. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Estudio retrospectivo de las reparaciones laparoscópicas de hernia inguinal e hidrocele realizadas en el periodo 2003-2016. Se han incluido pacientes <14 años, diagnosticados de hidrocele comunicante y/o de hernia inguinal indirecta (N=39), divididos en dos cohortes: grupo A pacientes con hernia inguinal indirecta y grupo B pacientes con hidrocele comunicante. Se ha empleado el abordaje laparoscópico intraperitoneal, y anillorrafia del orificio inguinal interno sin resección del saco herniario. Las variables principales estudiadas han sido la indicación quirúrgica y las complicaciones postquirúrgicas. RESULTADOS: Las indicaciones quirúrgicas han sido los defectos bilaterales (46,2%), defectos unilaterales (28,2%), defectos asociados a hernia umbilical (23,1%) y asociados a otra patología (2,6%). En el grupo A la tasa de complicaciones que precisaron de ingreso fue de 3,2% y la tasa de recurrencias fue de 9,7%; mientras que en el B han sido del 12,5% y del 12,5% respectivamente. No hay una relación significativa respecto a la edad, la lateralidad o la sutura utilizada y la tasa de complicaciones en ninguno de los grupos. CONCLUSIONES: A pesar de las limitaciones del estudio, el porcentaje total de complicaciones (15,3%) es más elevado que el publicado en la literatura. Esto nos hace reflexionar y no olvidar que el abordaje laparoscópico no es una técnica exenta de riesgos y requiere de una curva de aprendizaje.

Prescriptive appropriateness using inhalant and food allergen panels: a comparison between General Practitioners' and Allergists' prescription in Genoa (Italy).

SUMMARY: Background. Prescriptive appropriateness is an actual claim in healthcare, and it also concerns in vitro tests used in the allergy work-up, such as the serum allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) assay. In the Liguria Region, two panels were defined (for inhaled and food allergens) including 12 allergens. Their composition changed over time. Objectives. The aims of the present retrospective study were: i) to evaluate the percentage of positive tests, and ii) to compare the findings of sIgE assay on the basis of the general practictioners' (GPs) or specialist' prescription, considering both the old panels and the new panels. Methods. This retrospective study considered a population of adult patients, which consisted of 2368 subjects (68% females; mean age 50 years; age range: 10-103 years). Serum sIgE were measured by ImmunoCap system. Results. The percentages of positive tests were very low for food allergens and low for inhaled ones (ranging between 5% to 35%). There was change of prevalent prescriptor with new panels. Conclusions. This study underlines the relevance of prescriptive appropriateness in the allergy work-up. The sIgE assay should be limited to those allergens that have a clinical relevance, based on clinical history.

Hypertonic saline monotherapy in children with perennial allergic rhinitis: a pilot study.

Perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) is very common in children and has a relevant impact on their families. House dust mites (HDM) are the most relevant cause of PAR. The present pilot study aimed to evaluate whether hypertonic saline (3%) nasal spray as monotherapy is able to improve: nasal symptom severity and parental perception of rhinitis control, sleep, and school performance in HDM-mono-sensitized children with PAR. Globally, 25 children (13 males and 12 females; mean age 9.5±3.1 years) were treated for 3 weeks. They were visited at baseline, at the end of treatment, and after a 2-week follow-up. Hypertonic saline significantly reduced total symptom score, and improved the perception, according to their parents, of rhinitis control, sleep, and school performance. In conclusion, the present pilot study provided the first evidence that 3% hypertonic saline monotherapy was able to relieve nasal symptoms and parental perception of PAR impact as well as being safe and well tolerated.

Serum allergen-specific IgE, allergic rhinitis severity, and age.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by an IgE-mediated reaction. Aging usually induces a progressive decline of immune system function. There is common belief that both allergic symptoms severity and serum IgE production decline during aging. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the possible impact of age on: i) serum allergen-specific IgE levels in a large sample of subjects, and ii) AR symptom severity in a group of mono-allergic patients. METHODS: Serum allergen-specific IgE to birch, Bet v 1, Parietaria, and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were measured by immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) in a sample of 8098 subjects. AR symptom severity was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) in a sub-group of 531 mono-allergic patients. RESULTS: The analysis of variance showed that IgE to Bet v 1, birch, and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus significantly decreased considering the age, whereas IgE to Parietaria did not significantly decline in respect of the age. Considering the global sample of mono-allergic patients, elderly subjects (over 65 years old) tended to have lower IgE levels, but had significantly lower VAS rating, and significantly less sensitizations than adult subjects (18-65 years old). In both adult and elderly patients VAS strongly correlated with IgE values. CONCLUSIONS: Allergen-specific IgE levels tend to reduce with aging, but with differences between types of allergy. The IgE decrease is usually associated with reduced AR symptom severity. Elderly AR patients seem to have a different phenotype/endotype in comparison with adult AR ones, characterized by milder symptoms, lower IgE production, and less sensitizations. However, a close positive relationship between IgE values and VAS scores is shared by both adult and elderly AR patients, confirming the close link between allergy and symptoms that persists also in the elderly.

Characterization and treatment of enuresis in overactive bladder patients. / Caracterización y tratamiento de la enuresis en pacientes con vejiga hiperactiva.

OBJECTIVE: To define the types of overactive bladder (OAB) patient enuresis and study daytime bladder treatment response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, multi-center study of OAB patients with enuresis treated with anticholinergics or neuromodulation over 3 months from 2019 to 2021 was carried out. Variables achieved from the voiding calendar and PLUTSS (Pediatric Lower Urinary Tract Score System), as well as enuresis-related variables, were collected. Two study groups were created -primary enuresis (PE) and secondary enuresis (SE). Partial enuretic response (PER) was defined as a > 50% reduction in baseline enuresis, and complete enuretic response (CER) as a 100% reduction. A multivariate analysis was eventually conducted to detect CER independent predictive factors. RESULTS: 152 OAB patients were included. 109 of them (71.7%) had enuresis -29 (26.7%) SE and 80 (73.3%) PE. PLUTSS score was higher in PE patients than in SE patients (20.8 vs. 17.2; p= 0.001). PER and CER were significantly higher in the SE group (55.2% vs. 15%; p= 0.000 in PER, and 48.3% vs. 5%; p= 0.000 in CER). In the multivariate analysis, SE patients demonstrated to have a 50-fold increased probability of responding to daytime bladder treatment than PE patients (OR: 49.79; 95%CI: 6.73-36.8). CONCLUSIONS: Most OAB children have PE and not SE, which explains why enuresis does not typically respond to daytime bladder treatment. Characterizing the type of enuresis in OAB children is important to adequately approach treatment.

OBJETIVOS: Definir los tipos de enuresis de los pacientes con vejiga hiperactiva (VH) y estudiar su respuesta al tratamiento vesical diurno. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Estudio prospectivo y multicéntrico: pacientes con VH y enuresis, tratados con anticolinérgicos o neuromodulación durante 3 meses (2019-2021). Recogimos variables obtenidas del calendario miccional, cuestionario PLUTSS (Pediatric Lower Urinary Tract Score System), y relacionadas con la enuresis. Generamos 2 grupos de estudio: enuresis primaria (EP) y enuresis secundaria (ES). Consideramos respuesta parcial enurética (RPE) a la reducción del valor de enuresis inicial en más de un 50% y respuesta completa (RCE) el 100%. Finalmente realizamos un análisis multivariante para detectar factores predictivos independientes de RCE. RESULTADOS: Incluimos 152 pacientes con VH, 109 de los cuales presentaban enuresis (71,7%): 29 ES (26,7%) y 80 EP (73,3%). El valor PLUTSS fue mayor en pacientes con EP que en ES (20,8 vs. 17,2, p= 0,001.) La RPE y la RCE fueron significativamente mayores en el grupo de ES (55,2% vs. 15%, p= 0,000 en RPE y 48,3% vs. 5%, p= 0,000 en RCE). En el análisis multivariante se identificó que los pacientes con ES tienen una probabilidad de responder al tratamiento vesical diurno 50 veces superior que los pacientes con EP (OR 49,79, IC95% 6,73-36,8). CONCLUSIONES: La mayoría de niños con VH tienen una EP y no secundaria, por lo que generalmente la enuresis de estos pacientes no responde al tratamiento vesical diurno. Es importante caracterizar el tipo de enuresis de los niños con VH para plantear su tratamiento de forma adecuada.

Efficacy of sacral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in patients with overactive bladder refractory to anticholinergic treatment: a prospective multi-center study. / Eficacia de la electroestimulación transcutánea sacra en pacientes con vejiga hiperactiva refractarios a fármacos anticolinérgicos. Estudio prospectivo y multicéntrico.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether sacral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (S-TENS) is an effective treatment in patients refractory to anticholinergic drugs (Achs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective multi-center study of patients with overactive bladder (OB) refractory to Achs treated with S-TENS from 2018 to 2021 was carried out. S-TENS was applied over 3 months. Symptom progression was assessed using the voiding calendar and the Pediatric Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Score (PLUTSS), excluding questions 3 and 4 -referring to enuresis- so that progression of daytime symptoms only (LUTS variable) was analyzed. RESULTS: 66 patients -50% of whom were female- were included, with a mean age of 9.5 years (range: 5-15). S-TENS significantly lowered PLUTSS (19.1 baseline vs. 9.5 final, p< 0.001) and LUTS (13.1 baseline vs. 4.8 final, p< 0.001). It also reduced the number of mictions (8.5 baseline vs. 6.4 final, p< 0.001), while increasing urine volume in the voiding records (214 ml baseline vs. 258 ml final, p< 0.001). Enuresis was the only variable refractory to S-TENS. Complication rate was 3% (2 patients with dermatitis in the S-TENS application area). CONCLUSIONS: S-TENS is effective and safe in the short-term in patients with OB refractory to Achs. Further studies assessing long-term efficacy and potential relapses are required.

OBJETIVOS: Determinar si la electroterapia nerviosa transcutánea a nivel sacro (TENS-S) es un tratamiento efectivo en pacientes refractarios a fármacos anticolinérgicos (Ach). MATERIAL Y METODOS: Estudio prospectivo y multicéntrico: pacientes con VH refractaria a Ach tratados con TENS-S entre 2018-2021. El TENS-S se aplicó durante 3 meses. La evolución sintomática fue evaluada utilizando el calendario miccional y el cuestionario PLUTSS (Pediatric Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Score), pero excluyendo sus preguntas 3 y 4 (referidas a la enuresis) para analizar solamente la evolución de la sintomatología diurna (variable LUTS). RESULTADOS: Fueron incluidos 66 pacientes (50% niñas), con una edad media de 9,5 años (rango: 5-15). El TENS-S disminuyó significativamente el PLUTSS (19,1 inicial vs 9,5 final, p< 0,001) y el LUTS (13,1 inicial vs 4,8 final, p< 0,001). Además, redujo el número de micciones (8,5 inicial vs 6,4 final, p< 0,001) y aumentó el volumen de orina en los registros miccionales (214 ml inicial vs 258 ml final, p< 0,001). La enuresis fue la única variable refractaria al TENS-S. La tasa de complicaciones fue del 3% (2 pacientes, dermatitis en el área de aplicación del TENS-S). CONCLUSIONES: El TENS-S es efectivo y seguro a corto plazo en pacientes con VH refractarios a los Ach. Deben realizarse estudios para evaluar la eficacia a largo plazo y posibles recaídas.

Dichorionic pregnancy: delayed interval delivery with endoloop ligation.

We describe two cases of delayed delivery in dichorionic, diamniotic pregnancies, where we used an Endoloop ligature to clamp the umbilical cord with excellent maternal and fetal long-term outcome.

Use of magnetic double J stents in pediatric patients. / Uso de los catéteres doble J magnéticos en pacientes pediátricos.

OBJECTIVE: Traditionally, double J stent removal in pediatric patients has required cystoscopy under general anesthesia. Magnetic stents allow for double J stent removal without the need for anesthesia. This work describes our initial experience with these stents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study of patients under 14 years of age carrying magnetic double J stents from 2018 to 2021 was performed. Variables assessed included baseline diagnosis, surgical procedure, placement success rate, complications associated with use, and need for general anesthesia at removal. RESULTS: 23 stents (4.8 Fr, 15 cm-20 cm) were placed in 21 patients, 62% of whom were male. Mean age was 5.01 years (3 months-13 years). Indications for placement included Anderson-Hynes dismembered pyeloplasty (34.8%), endoscopic dilatation of the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) (21.8%), cystoscopic dilatation of the ureterovesical junction (UVJ) (17.4%), endoscopic lithotripsy (13.1%), renal trauma (4.3%), suspected retroiliac ureter (4.3%), and cystoscopic drainage of pyonephrosis (4.3%). Mean time of stent use was 4.2 weeks. 3 complications (13%) associated with the double J stent - 1 urinary tract infection (UTI), 1 stent obstruction, and 1 distal stent migration - were recorded. 95.5% of magnetic stents were successfully removed without anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic double J stents can be regarded as an effective alternative to conventional double J stents, since they avoid an additional surgical procedure with general anesthesia in pediatric patients.

OBJETIVOS: Tradicionalmente los catéteres doble J precisan de cistoscopia bajo anestesia general para su retirada en pacientes pediátricos. Los catéteres imantados permiten la retirada del doble J sin necesidad de anestesia. Mediante este trabajo describimos nuestra experiencia inicial con dichos catéteres. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Se ha realizado un estudio de cohorte prospectivo, de pacientes menores de 14 años portadores de doble J imantado desde 2018 a 2021. Las variables estudiadas han sido el diagnóstico inicial, el procedimiento quirúrgico realizado, la tasa de éxito en la colocación, las complicaciones derivadas de su uso y la necesidad de anestesia general en la retirada. RESULTADOS: Se han colocado 23 catéteres (4,8 Fr, 15-20 cm) en 21 pacientes, media de edad de 5,01 años (3 meses-13 años), el 62% varones. Las indicaciones para la colocación han sido: 34,8% tras pieloplastia desmembrada Anderson-Hynes, 21,8% tras dilataciones endoscópicas de la unión pielo-ureteral (UPU), 17,4% tras dilataciones cistoscópicas de la unión uretero-vesical (UUV), 13,1% tras litotricia endoscópica, 4,3% tras traumatismo renal, 4,3% sospecha de uréter retroilíaco y 4,3% tras drenaje cistoscópico de pionefrosis. La media de tiempo de uso de los catéteres ha sido de 4,2 semanas. Registramos tres complicaciones (13%) relacionadas con el doble J: una infección del tracto urinario (ITU), una obstrucción del catéter y una migración distal del catéter. El 95,5% de los imantados se retiraron con éxito sin anestesia. CONCLUSIONES: El doble J magnético puede considerarse una alternativa eficaz a los doble J clásicos, que puede evitar un procedimiento extra con anestesia general en los pacientes pediátricos.

[Current topics in pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics of antidepressant drugs]. / Actualités pharmacocinétiques et pharmacogénétiques des antidépresseurs.

For antidepressants as well as for other drugs, personalized prescription has become a major challenge, provided the large interindividual variability encountered both at the pharmacokinetic and the efficacy and tolerance levels. Better identification of the numerous relevant factors and quantification of their effects are prerequisites to progress in that direction. On the basis of recent literature, genetic factors are first reviewed, including polymorphisms of genes coding for drug-metabolizing enzymes, transporters and pharmacodynamic target molecules. Current recommendations with respect to therapeutic drug monitoring of antidepressants and use of pharmacogenetic testing are then summarized.

Allergen-specific IgE: comparison between skin prick test and serum assay in real life.

BACKGROUND: The most common sensitizing allergens in in the area of Liguria region (Northwestern Italy) are pollens, mainly Parietaria and cypress, house dust mites, i.e. Dermatophagoides, and pets. IgE assessment is a crucial step in allergy diagnosis. It may be performed by skin prick test (SPT) or serum IgE (sIgE) assay. Therefore, this study compared these two methods in a real-life setting. METHODS: This retrospective study included 793 subjects, who were referred to the Allergy Department for respiratory allergy during 2014. Inclusion criteria were i) documented diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (AR), and/or allergic asthma, and/or allergic conjunctivitis. SPT and sIgE assay were performed for 5 allergens, such as Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D1), cat (E1), Parietaria officinalis (W19), cypress (T23), and dog (E5), as they are the most common in our geographic area. RESULTS: Using a positive SPT result as the target condition, remarkably high and statistically significant values of AUC, ranging from 0.84 to 0.94, were found. On the basis of the Youden index the following optimal classification threshold values were also computed: D1 = 0.22, E1 = 0.26, W19 = 0.61, T23 = 0.25, E5 = 0.34. These values allowed to define a set of sensitivity/specifity estimates ranging from 0.75 to 0.93 and from 0.83 to 0.93, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that SPT and sIgE are two tests that are rather concordant, but with different sensitivity and specificity distinct for each allergen. In clinical practice, both tests should be used depending on clinical history features and obtained findings.

Inter-informant agreement and prevalence estimates for substance use disorders: direct interview versus family history method.

OBJECTIVES: Family studies typically use multiple sources of information on each individual including direct interviews and family history information. The aims of the present study were to: (1) assess agreement for diagnoses of specific substance use disorders between direct interviews and the family history method; (2) compare prevalence estimates according to the two methods; (3) test strategies to approximate prevalence estimates according to family history reports to those based on direct interviews; (4) determine covariates of inter-informant agreement; and (5) identify covariates that affect the likelihood of reporting disorders by informants. METHODS: Analyses were based on family study data which included 1621 distinct informant (first-degree relatives and spouses) - index subject pairs. RESULTS: Our main findings were: (1) inter-informant agreement was fair to good for all substance disorders, except for alcohol abuse; (2) the family history method underestimated the prevalence of drug but not alcohol use disorders; (3) lowering diagnostic thresholds for drug disorders and combining multiple family histories increased the accuracy of prevalence estimates for these disorders according to the family history method; (4) female sex of index subjects was associated with higher agreement for nearly all disorders; and (5) informants who themselves had a history of the same substance use disorder were more likely to report this disorder in their relatives, which entails the risk of overestimation of the size of familial aggregation. CONCLUSION: Our findings have important implications for the best-estimate procedure applied in family studies.

Prevalence of pathological gambling in Switzerland after the opening of casinos and the introduction of new preventive legislation.

OBJECTIVE: This survey aimed to evaluate the prevalence of pathological gambling (PG) in the Swiss population in 2005 and the link between PG and alcohol abuse. This replication study made it possible to compare the prevalence rates of PG measured before and after the introduction of casinos and new preventive legislation. METHOD: A total of 2803 telephone interviews were completed using standardized assessment instruments for identifying gamblers (South Oaks Gambling Screen) and alcohol abuse (CAGE). RESULTS: The past-year prevalence rates were 0.8% for problem and 0.5% for PG. No relationship was found between alcohol abuse and gambling behaviour. The past-year prevalence of disordered gambling did not change between 1998 and 2005. CONCLUSION: Despite widespread openings of casinos in Switzerland since 2002, the prevalence estimates of past-year disordered gambling have remained stable. The discussion focuses on different factors (social measures, legal obligations and social adaptational capacities) that may account for the stabilization of prevalence estimates.

Risk factors in newborns with severe acidosis at birth.

AIM: The identification of pre and postnatal risk factors as responsible of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury damage results very important in predicting the neurological outcome of newborns. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible correlation between pre and postnatal risk factors and severe acidosis at birth. METHODS: We collected all data of 559 newborns in our Hospital with risk factors. Risk factors have been subdivided in: maternal, placental, fetal, umbilical and obstetrical risk factors. RESULTS: Of 559 newborns we collected umbilical cord pH and base excess (BE) in 411. Of these, 32 showed severe acidosis at birth: 29 full-term and 3 preterm. Fourteen out of 32 had almost one obstetric risk factor. Among all obstetric risk factors the application of the vacuum was statistically significant (9/59 applications of vacuum; P 0.003). No signs of brain injury were seen at cerebral echography in 29 cases of acidosis at birth. In all 3 premature neonates we found intraventricular hemorrhage, but without apparent neurological consequences at follow-up. Of 559 newborns with risk factors 21 have been intubated at birth. Only in premature deliveries a significant correlation between intubation at birth and acidosis was found. CONCLUSION: The only factor which seems to play a significant role in developing a severe acidosis at birth is the use of vacuum in full-term deliveries. Umbilical cord pH and BE are related to intraventricular hemorrhage and need of intubation in delivery room for preterm infants. However, in both groups, no significant effect of acidemia on neurological outcome could be demonstrated.

Study on the structure and properties of wool keratin regenerated from formic acid.

Structural characteristics of keratin regenerated from water (KW) and from formic (KF) acid solutions were compared. Amino acid composition and molecular weight distribution of KW and KF samples were studied by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. Turbidity measurement showed that keratin dissolved in formic acid forms transparent and stable solutions and no flocculation occurs. In addition, because of its good solvation properties, studied by viscosity measurements, formic acid can be used as a co-solvent to prepare keratin-based blend solutions. Structural studies carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and near infrared (NIR) suggest that formic acid stabilizes the beta-sheet structure. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) reveals a higher thermal stability of keratin regenerated from formic acid with respect to keratin regenerated from water.

Dye removal by low cost adsorbents: hazelnut shells in comparison with wood sawdust.

Batch adsorption of Methylene Blue, up to 1000 mg L(-1), and Acid Blue 25, up to 500 mg L(-1), onto ground hazelnut shells was studied in comparison with sawdust of various species of wood, in order to explore the potential use of this material as low cost adsorbent for dye removal in dyehouse effluents. The adsorption kinetics was investigated according to Lagergren's model, but the best fit was achieved by a second order equation. The equilibrium data were processed according to Langmuir's model and higher adsorption capacity values towards both dyes were shown by hazelnut shells than wood sawdust. Moreover, fixed bed adsorption of Methylene Blue was performed on hazelnut shell columns and the breakthrough curves were determined by varying bed depth, flow rate and influent concentration. The data were processed according to Bohart-Adams model and the column performances could be predicted by the bed depth service time (BDST) approach.

Design of an accurate wireless data logger for vibration analysis with Android interface.

In this work a new accurate wireless data logger using the Android interface was developed to monitor vibrations at low-cost. The new data logger is completely autonomous and extremely reduced in size. This instrument enables data collection wirelessly and the ability to display it on any tablet or smartphone with operating system Android. The prototype allows the monitoring of any industrial system with minimal investment in material and installation costs. The data logger is capable of making 12.8 kSPS enough to sample up to 5 kHz signals. The basic specification of the data logger includes a high resolution 1-axis piezoelectric accelerometer with a working range of ±30 G. In addition to the acceleration measurements, temperature can also be recorded. The data logger was tested during a 6-month period in industrial environments. The details of the specific hardware and software design are described. The proposed technology can be easily transferred to many other areas of industrial monitoring.

Automatic bionalyzer using an integrated amperometric biosensor for the determination of L-malic acid in wines.

A new automatic bioanalyzer for L-malic acid using an integrated amperometric biosensor as detector is reported for the first time in this work. The biosensor is constructed by gold film sputtering deposition on a stainless steel disk electrode and co-immobilization of the enzymes malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and diaphorase (DP) together with the redox mediator tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) by means of dialysis membrane. The analytical performance of the biosensor was evaluated when it was used as amperometric detector in three different analytical methodologies: stirred solutions, semiautomatic FIA system and automatic bioanalyzer. The bienzyme biosensor exhibited great analytical performance in terms of sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility of the measurements and its usefulness was demonstrated by analyzing wine reference materials with certified content of L-malic acid. The attractive analytical and operational characteristics demonstrated by the automatic bioanalyzer make it a promising simple, rapid and field-based tool for routine wine and fruit control.

Association between bipolar disorder and monoamine oxidase A gene polymorphisms: results of a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: Although genetic factors have been implicated in the etiology of bipolar disorder, no specific gene has been conclusively identified. Given the link between abnormalities in serotonergic neurotransmission and bipolar disorder, a candidate gene association approach was applied to study the involvement of the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene, which codes for a catabolic enzyme of serotonin, in the susceptibility to bipolar disorder. METHOD: In France and Switzerland, 272 patients with bipolar disorder and 122 healthy subjects were typed for three polymorphic markers of the MAOA gene: the MAOA-CA repeat, the MAOA restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and a repeat directly adjacent to the variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) locus. RESULTS: A significant difference in the distribution of the alleles for the MAOA-CA repeat was observed between the female bipolar patients and comparison group. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in the French and Swiss population confirm findings from two studies conducted in the United Kingdom.