Predicting treatment recommendations in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

We designed, implemented, and tested a clinical decision support system at the Research Center for the Study of Menopause and Osteoporosis within the University of Ferrara (Italy). As an independent module of our system, we implemented an original machine learning system for rule extraction, enriched with a hierarchical extraction methodology and a novel rule evaluation technique. Such a module is used in everyday operation protocol, and it allows physicians to receive suggestions for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. In this paper, we design and execute an experiment based on two years of data, in order to evaluate and report the reliability of our suggestion system. Our results are encouraging, and in some cases reach expected accuracies of around 90%.

IONM and minimally invasive videoassisted thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: We know that benefits of MIVAT are related to a better cosmetic result and lower post-operative pain in comparison to CT. The incidence of nerve cold palsy is related to a correct identification of the recurrent laringeal nerve (RLN) as standard procedure in thyroid surgery. From September 2014 we have introduced the use of intraoperative neural monitoring(I-IONM) in all thyroidectomies in the Unit of General Surgery of University Hospital of Parma, including in MIVAT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have considered all patients treated from September 2014 to September 2017 for thyroid diseases using MIVAT and IONM. Intermittent neuromonitoring with NIM-3.0 equipment (Medtronic, Jacksonville, FL, USA) was used during all operations. We have recorded all data about age, sex, diagnosis, surgical time, i-IONM signal, postoperative pain, postoperative hypocalcemia after 24 hours, haematoma and vocal cord palsy. The mean hospital stay was collected from surgical procedure to hospital discharge. We have considered vocal dysfunctions that persist six months after surgery as permanent. RESULTS: From September 2014 to September 2017 we treated consecutively with both MIVAT and i-IONM 100 patients. Considering the extent of surgery, 26 pts underwent to hemithyroidectomy and 74 pts to total thyroidectomy. The mean surgical time was 61.8 minutes. In 7 cases the patients were affected by preoperative clinical dysphonia. Using I-IONM during thyroidectomy, we recorded in 5 cases (5%) a loss of signal; in two cases (2%) we experienced a temporary postoperative vocal cord palsy. DISCUSSION: In our experience the use of IONM has improved the safety during thyroidectomy because precision that can be achieved by endoscopic procedures is further improved by complementary use of IONM. The costs associated to a potential reduction of medical litigation have not been investigated.

Outcome of oral provocation test in egg-sensitive children receiving semi-fat hard cheese Grana Padano PDO (protected designation of origin) containing, or not, lysozyme.

PURPOSE: Lysozyme, obtained from egg white, is a potential food allergen used in the dairy industry to prevent late blowing of the loaf caused by the outgrowth of clostridial spores (Cl. butyricum and Cl. tyrobutyricum) during cheese aging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible correlation between egg protein allergy in pediatric age and sensitization to egg lysozyme, used for the preparation of Grana Padano cheese. METHODS: The tolerability of Grana Padano cheese has been evaluated in pediatric patients allergic to egg proteins through an oral provocation test with increasing amounts of cheese containing, or not, lysozyme at 12 and 24 months of aging. RESULTS: When lysozyme-sensitized children received 12-months aged and lysozyme-containing cheese, several immediate and late adverse reactions such as itching, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, dermatitis, rhinitis, bronchial asthma, urticaria, and angioedema were seen in 5 out of 21 subjects; only 1 out of 21 children showed an adverse reaction after challenge with 24-months-ripened lysozyme-containing cheese. CONCLUSIONS: There is a possible relationship between the severity of allergic reactions and the lysozyme-specific IgE level in blood. In particular vomiting, hypotension, and abdominal pain were present when IgE level was higher than 7 kU/L. A ripening time of 24 months may reduce allergy problems when lysozyme-containing cheese is given to sensitized subjects, probably due to the hydrolysis of antigenic epitopes during aging.

Transfer of melamine from feed to milk and from milk to cheese and whey in lactating dairy cows fed single oral doses.

A study was conducted to evaluate the excretion pattern, after a single oral dose, of melamine from feed into milk, and the subsequent transfer to cheese and whey. The transfer of cyanuric acid was also investigated. Twenty-four lactating Holstein cows were randomly allocated to 4 treatments and received single doses of melamine as follows: 0.05, 0.50, 5.00, and 50.00 g/cow for groups D1, D2, D3, and D4, respectively. Individual milk samples were collected for melamine and cyanuric acid analyses on d 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7. Milk collected individually from the second milking after melamine ingestion was used to make cheese on a laboratory scale. Melamine and cyanuric acid were extracted using a solid-phase extraction cartridge, and analyses were carried out by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. Maximal melamine concentrations occurred between 6 and 18 h after treatment and increased with log dose (linear and quadratic), ranging from 0.019 to 35.105 mg/kg. More than 60% of the melamine that was transferred to the milk was observed within 30 h after melamine ingestion. Melamine was not detected (limit of detection was 0.002 mg/kg) in milk 5 d after treatment in group D1, and 7 d after treatment in groups D2, D3, and D4. Blood urea nitrogen was not influenced by melamine ingestion. During cheese making, melamine was transferred mainly to the whey fraction. Cyanuric acid was not detected in any of the samples (milk, cheese, or whey). The excretion pattern of melamine in milk and whey may represent a health concern when cows ingest more than 0.50 g of melamine/d. However, only at intake levels of 5 and 50 g/d did cheese exceed the limits as set forth by the European Union. The results confirmed that melamine contamination of milk and milk products may be related not only to direct contamination, but also to adulteration of animal feeds.

Randomized, double blind placebo-controlled pilot study of the antihypertensive effects of Grana Padano D.O.P. cheese consumption in mild - moderate hypertensive subjects.

OBJECTIVE: Grana Padano, an Italian protected designation of origin (PDO) semi-fat cheese, undergoes a long ripening period during which the proteolysis carried out by natural starter lactic acid bacteria releases peptides having sustained angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity. The length (generally 3-8 amino acid residues) and the sequence of these peptides are responsible for their ability to elicit ACE-inhibitory activity. The aim of this study has been the evaluation of the effect of a daily dietary supplement consisting in a small amount (30 g/day) of Grana Padano cheese, in terms of the lowering of the blood pressure (BP) of mild-moderate hypertensive subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty mild-moderate hypertensive patients, with BP values not on target (> 140 and/or > 90 mmHg) after at least 3 months of stable treatment were considered in this randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study. All patients randomly received a dietary integration (30 g/day) of Grana Padano cheese or a placebo (made from flavored grated bread mixed with fats and salts in concentrations equal to those of the cheese). BP was evaluated at baseline and at the end of the active and placebo treatments (2 months each) by: - Office BP (OBP); - Automated Office BP (AOBP) using the BpTRU®, an automated oscillometric device that provides the average of multiple (n=6) blood pressure measurements; - Ambulatory Blood Pressure (ABP) 24 hour monitoring. RESULTS: Dietary integration with Grana Padano cheese resulted in a significant decrease in Office, Automated Office and Ambulatory BP. The mean decrease (vs. placebo) for 24-hour ABP was -3.5 mmHg for systolic and -2.4 mmHg for diastolic BP (p = 0.0063 and p = 0.0065, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Daily dietary integration with 30 g of Grana Padano DOP cheese effectively reduces BP and may help mild-to-moderate hypertensive patients to reach a target BP.

Effect of Bt corn on broiler growth performance and fate of feed-derived DNA in the digestive tract.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect on broiler performance of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn containing the Cry1A(b) protein compared with the corresponding near isogenic corn and to analyze the degradation of the Cry1A(b) gene in the digestive tract. Ross male broilers (432) were fed for 42 consecutive days with diets containing Bt or isogenic corn. Diet, Bt corn, and the isogenic form of the Bt corn were analyzed for composition and aflatoxin B1, fumonisin B1, and deoxynivalenol contents. Broiler body weight and feed intake were recorded at regular intervals (d 0, 21, and 42). The presence of the Cry1A(b) gene and plant-specific genes Zein and Sh-2 in gut contents of crop, gizzard, jejunum, cecum, and samples of blood was determined in 10 animals per treatment at the end of the trial using a PCR technique. Chemical composition was not different between Bt and its isogenic form, whereas the fumonisin B1 content for Bt was lower than for isogenic corn (2,039 vs. 1,1034 ppb; P < 0.05). The results of the growth study showed no difference for average daily weight gain (129.4 vs. 126.0 g/d), feed intake (63.4 vs. 61.8 g/d), and feed conversion ratio (1.95 vs. 2.02) among the groups. No significant relationship was observed between mycotoxins content and growth performances. Feed-derived DNA is progressively degraded along the digestive tract. Detection frequency of short fragments of maize-specific high copy number Zein gene was high but significantly decreased in distal sectors. An 1,800-bp fragment of the Cry1A(b) gene, corresponding to the minimal functional unit, was detected only in crop and gizzard of birds fed Bt corn. Sh-2 showed the same detection frequency of Cry1A(b) and was also found in birds fed isogenic corn. Blood samples were positive with low frequency only for the Zein gene fragment. No significant difference in DNA detection was observed between birds fed Bt and isogenic corn, indicating that DNA derived from transgenic feed undergoes the same fate as isogenic feed.

Prevalence of polycystic ovaries in women with acne.

The prevalence of polycystic ovaries was determined by pelvic ultrasound imaging in 119 women (mean age, 23.6 +/- 6.06 years; range, 14-45 years) with acne but with no menstrual disorders, obesity, or hirsutism, and in 35 healthy controls (mean age, 25 +/- 5.8 years; range, 21-40 years). Polycystic ovaries were found in 54 out of 119 patients with acne (45.37%) and in 6 out of 35 controls (17.14%). The results of this study indicate that polycystic ovaries are common in women with acne and not necessarily associated with menstrual disorders, obesity, or hirsutism.

A modified HPLC method for the determination of vancomycin in plasma and tissues and comparison to FPIA (TDX).

A modified high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the quantification of vancomycin levels in plasma and tissues is described. The method uses solid phase extraction (SPE) of vancomycin from the samples and reversed phase HPLC with UV detection. The method was fully validated in terms of recovery, linearity, selectivity and various stability conditions. Vancomycin was determined in plasma samples obtained from 15 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass, before and repeatedly during 12 h after drug administration. The vancomycin levels in plasma were measured by HPLC and by fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) (TDX). The following correlation was found: TDX = 0.84 HPLC + 1.04. The mean vancomycin levels in skin, fat, atrium, pericardium and sternum, before and after bypass, are reported.

[Evaluation of different electrocardiographic scores (QRS score) for estimating the ejection fraction of the left ventricle after acute myocardial infarct]. / Valutazione di differenti punteggi elettrocardiografici (QRS score) per la stima della frazione d'eiezione ventricolare sinistra dopo infarto miocardico acuto.

We calculated the QRS score using both the simplified Selvester's method and the Hills' one, extended to the 12 standard leads, from the electrocardiograms registered on the fifth and thirtieth day from the ischemic event from 50 infarcted patients whose radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction was known. The analysis of our results showed a very good correlation existing between the early and the late scores (r = 0.91 Hillis's method) as well as the equivalence of the two methods as witnessed by a correlation coefficient of 0.86 on the fifth day electrocardiogram and of 0.84 on the thirtieth day E.C.G. However the correlation between QRS score and left ventricular ejection fraction was quite weak ranging from -0.36 to -0.48 depending upon the method and the moment selected for the acquisition of the data. Even the attempt to correctly select patients with a higher risk identifying a QRS score able to predict a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (i.e. less than 40%) failed because of the low sensitivity and specificity of the method. We therefore believe that the QRS score or, at least the simplified one, is not useful to assess the residual left ventricular function after a myocardial infarction and its use should be reduced to the evaluation of the infarct size.

Transfer kinetics and coefficients of 90Sr, 134Cs, and 137Cs from forage contaminated by Chernobyl fallout to milk of cows.

A experiment was conducted to study kinetics, transfer coefficients, and biological half-lives of 90Sr, 134Cs, and 137Cs from feed to milk. A cow was fed a diet containing alfalfa hay contaminated by Chernobyl fallout for 14.5 wk. The time-dependent activity in milk was approximated by a two-compartment model with fast biological half-lives of 2, 0.9, and 1 d and slow biological half-lives of 36.9, 8.7, and 12.4 d for 90Sr, 134Cs, and 137Cs, respectively. The transfer coefficients determined in the experiment were 0.0008 d L-1 for 90Sr, 0.0029 d L-1 for 134Cs, and 0.0031 d L-1 for 137Cs. The biological elimination phases of 134Cs and 137Cs were described by a two-compartment model while a one-compartment model was proposed for 90Sr.

Melamine in eggs, plasma and tissues of hens fed contaminated diets.

A study was conducted to evaluate the excretion pattern of melamine from feed into eggs, plasma, kidney, liver and muscle of laying hens. In particular, 90 laying hens were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments and fed diets contaminated with melamine at a level of 2.5, 25 and 250 mg of melamine/kg of diet for T1, T2 and T3 groups, respectively. The diets were offered in six replicate boxes (five hens each) for 13 days. Eggs were collected from each group for melamine quantification on days 0, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 13. At the end of the experimental period, one hen per box was randomly selected and slaughtered to collect plasma, liver, kidney and muscle samples. During the experiment, feeding diets with increasing levels of melamine had no effect (P > 0.05) on weight gain, feed intake, egg production, egg weight and mortality of laying hens. The melamine in eggs increased from day 1 after melamine ingestion and reached a plateau between days 6 and 13 of melamine ingestion. At steady-state condition, the melamine egg concentrations increased (P < 0.01) with treatments, being 0.026, 0.352 and 4.631 mg/kg for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Similarly, the carryover of melamine from feed to egg increased (P < 0.05) with the levels of melamine in the diets, varying from 0.50 to 0.70 and 0.84 for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The melamine was detected in plasma of all tested groups, increasing (P < 0.01) with levels of melamine in the diets (0.030, 0.266 and 4.102 mg/l in T1, T2 and T3, respectively). Melamine was not detected in kidney, liver and muscle of hens fed T1. Except for kidney sampled in the T3, no melamine concentration higher than 2.5 mg/kg, representing the maximum allowable limit set by the US Food and Drug Administration and European Union for food and feeds, was measured. The melamine resulted higher in plasma and kidneys than in the liver and muscle both in T2 and T3. The results confirmed the presence of an excretion pattern of melamine from feed to eggs and tissues in laying hens.

Iodine and selenium carry over in milk and cheese in dairy cows: effect of diet supplementation and milk yield.

Iodine and selenium are essential trace elements involved in the regulation of thyroid metabolism and antioxidant status. Two experiments were undertaken on lactating cows to determine the milk concentrations of iodine and selenium, carry over (CO) in milk, the fraction in curdle portion and how milk yield affects the milk iodine and selenium concentrations and CO. Sources of elements were potassium iodide and sodium selenite. In Experiment 1, 12 cows were randomly allotted to three diet groups in a completely randomized design: control group (CTR) - total mixed ration (TMR) containing 1.71 and 0.08 mg/kg dry matter (DM); Group 1 (T1) - TMR plus 23.8 and 2.2 mg; Group 2 (T2) - TMR plus 45.5 and 4.3 mg, respectively, for iodine and selenium. In Experiment 2, 30 cows were allotted to three groups according to milk yield: high (H), average (A) and low (L). Within each group, cows were randomly assigned two levels of iodine and selenium: Level 1: TMR containing 1.55 and 0.15 mg/kg DM; Level 2: TMR plus 47.2 mg and 8.0 mg, respectively, iodine and selenium. In both experiments, individual milk samples were collected and analyzed for iodine and selenium contents. In Experiment 1, Grana Padano cheese was obtained at lab scale and the iodine and selenium fractions in the curd were measured. In Experiment 1, the iodine intake increased (P < 0.001) the concentration and total excretion in milk. The CO increased (P < 0.05) from 16 (CTR) to 27 (T1) and 26% (T2); the sampling time was significant (P < 0.05) with no interaction with treatments. Concentration of selenium in milk was increased (P < 0.05) by treatment and CO decreased (P < 0.01) from 26 (CTR) to 12 (T1) and 9% (T2). The iodine showed a mild enrichment factor in the curdle (about 1.7-fold), whereas selenium enriched five- to sevenfold. In Experiment 2, the level of iodine supplementation affected (P < 0.05) the concentration and total excretion in milk. No effects on milk iodine concentration were related to milk yield or milk yield × treatment interaction; however, the iodine excretion in milk was major (P < 0.05) in higher yielding groups. The iodine CO was affected (P < 0.05) by the milk yield in supplemented groups. The selenium milk concentration and excretion were affected (P < 0.01) by the milk yield, whereas the CO was affected (P < 0.05) by the milk yield and selenium supplementation. Results highlight the possibility of fortification with iodine in milk and selenium in cheese through animal feeding.

Effect of the inclusion of adsorbents on aflatoxin B1 quantification in animal feedstuffs.

The extraction efficiency of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in cattle feed containing nine adsorbents (ADSs) was investigated using two organic/aqueous solvents composed of methanol/water (80/20 v/v; MeOH) and acetone/water (85/15 v/v; AC). Samples were obtained including a highly AFB1-contaminated (HC) and a low-level AFB(1)-contaminated (LC) feedstuff (15.33 and 7.57 microg kg(-1), respectively), nine ADSs (four clay minerals; one yeast cell wall-based product; one activated carbon and three commercial ADS products) at two different levels of inclusion (10 and 20 g kg(-1)). After solvent extraction and immunoaffinity column clean-up, all samples were analysed for AFB1 by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. For each contamination level (HC and LC), the data obtained were analysed using a factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. Means were compared with the correspondent controls using the Dunnett's test. No statistical difference was found in AFB1 levels of feedstuffs not containing ADSs when extracted with AC or MeOH, even if numerically higher values were obtained with AC. A dose-dependent effect (p < 0.01) of ADSs inclusion was observed on AFB1 recoveries that were lower when the higher ADS level (20 g kg(-1)) was included in the HC and LC feedstuffs. Higher AFB(1) recoveries were obtained using AC compared with MeOH, both in HC (75.0% versus 12.0%, respectively) and in LC (84.0% versus 22.8%, respectively) ADSs containing feedstuffs. However, when the activated carbon and the sodium bentonite were included in feeds, lower AFB1 concentrations with respect to control values (p < 0.001 and <0.05, respectively) were obtained also using AC. The data obtained in this study indicate that routine use of the MeOH solvent for AFB1 analysis of unknown feedstuffs, can produce misleading results if they contain an ADS.

Review of predictive models for Fusarium head blight and related mycotoxin contamination in wheat.

Mould growth and mycotoxin production are related to plant stress caused by environmental factors such as: extreme weather; insect damage; inadequate storage conditions and incorrect fertilization; these predispose plants to mycotoxin contamination in the field. Fusarium species infect wheat during the flowering period. In addition to losses of yield, these fungi can also synthesize toxic components (mycotoxins) in suitable environmental conditions, thus threatening animal and human health. Given the severe consequences and the fact that mycotoxins affect production throughout the world, the ability to predict Fusarium head blight (FHB) and deoxynivalenol (DON) and other mycotoxin contamination is important to reduce the year-to-year risk for producers. Owing to these dangerous consequences in Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Italy, the United States and in Europe, computer models, based on weather variables (temperature, rainfall and moisture level), have been developed to predict the occurrence of FHB and DON contamination in wheat.

On the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in milk and dairy products.

Aflatoxins are toxic fungal metabolites found in foods and feeds. When ruminants eat AFB(1)-feedstuffs, they metabolise the toxin and excrete AFM(1) in milk. To control AFM(1) in foods it is necessary to reduce AFB(1) contamination of feeds for dairy cattle by preventing fungal growth and AFB(1) formation in agricultural commodities intended for animal use. Corn and corn-based products are one of the most contaminated feedstuffs; therefore risk factor analysis of AFB(1) contamination in corn is necessary to evaluate risk of AFM(1) contamination in milk and milk products. During the corn silage production, the aflatoxins production is mostly influenced by: harvest time; fertilization; irrigation; pest control; silage moisture; and storage practices. Due to the lower moisture at harvest and to the conservation methods, the corn grain is mostly exposed to the contamination by Aspergillus species. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the probability of this contaminant through choice of: hybrids; seeding time and density; suitable ploughing and fertirrigation; and chemical or biological control. Grains harvested with the lowest possible moisture and conservation moisture close to or less than 14% are necessary to reduce contamination risks, as is maintaining mass to homogeneous moisture. Kernel mechanical damage, grain cleaning practices and conservation temperature are also factors which need to be carefully controlled.