Temperature-humidity index monitoring during two summer seasons in dairy cow sheds in Mugello (Tuscany).

Many studies have reported that the impact of high temperatures affects physiology, welfare, health, and productivity of farm animals, and among these, the dairy cattle farming is one of the livestock sectors that suffers the greatest effects. The temperature-humidity index (THI) represents the state of the art in the evaluation of heat stress conditions in dairy cattle but often its measurement is not carried out in sheds. For this reason, the aim of this study was the monitoring of the THI in three dairy cattle farms in Mugello (Tuscany) to understand its influence on dairy cows. THI values were calculated using meteorological data from direct observation in sheds and outdoor environments. Data relating to the animal's behavior were collected using radio collars. The Pearson test and Mann-Kendall test were used for statistical analysis. The results highlighted a significant (P < 0.001) upward trend in THImax during the last 30 years both in Low Mugello (+ 1.1 every 10 years) and in High Mugello (+ 0.9 every 10 years). In Low Mugello sheds, during the period 2020-2022, more than 70% of daytime hours during the summer period were characterized by heat risk conditions (THI > 72) for livestock. On average the animals showed a significant (P < 0.001) decrease in time spent to feeding and rumination, both during the day and the night, with a significant (P < 0.001) increase in inactivity. This study fits into the growing demand for knowledge of the micro-climatic conditions within farms in order to support resilience actions for protecting both animal welfare and farm productivity from the effects of climate change. This could also be carried out thanks to estimation models which, based on the meteorological conditions forecast, could implement the thermal stress indicator (THI) directly from the high-resolution meteorological model, allowing to get a prediction of the farm's potential productivity loss based on the expected THI.

Wild ungulates and environmental temperature: analysis on the possible utilization of data from sensor placed on GPS collars.

GPS collars for wildlife provide a large amount of spatio-temporal location data and are frequently equipped with sensors that record the animal-level environmental temperature at a schedulable sampling frequency. The simultaneous collection of environmental temperature and animal location may contribute not only to deepen the understanding of animal behavior in different climatic conditions, but also to increase the knowledge of climate features in inaccessible areas. The measurement of environmental temperature provided by the sensors, however, can be biased by several factors (e.g., surface temperature of the animal, direct solar radiation, precipitation), so in-depth studies are required to verify the correlation. The aim of this study was to identify an equation for correcting the collar-recorded temperature data, allowing to improve and refine the results obtained by the analysis of spatial data and to highlight the environmental factors having the greatest impact on the accuracy of the measures. Temperature data from GPS collars were obtained within a research on spatial behavior on 11 hinds while spatialized temperature data were obtained from LAMMA-IBIMET dataset. These data showed high correlation and an identical trend, although the GPS collar temperature data was always higher. This model could represent a tool to obtain an accurate measurement of temperatures in complex geographical areas with wild animals but low density of weather stations. The availability of corrected temperature data, recorded simultaneously with the animal location, could be useful for a more accurate comprehension of animal behavior in free-ranging conditions, both in case of forthcoming studies and to valorize existing datasets.

Seasonal differences in climate in the Chianti region of Tuscany and the relationship to vintage wine quality.

Climatic factors and weather type frequencies affecting Tuscany are examined to discriminate between vintages ranked into the upper- and lower-quartile years as a consensus from six rating sources of Chianti wine during the period 1980 to 2011. These rankings represent a considerable improvement on any individual publisher ranking, displaying an overall good consensus for the best and worst vintage years. Climate variables are calculated and weather type frequencies are matched between the eight highest and the eight lowest ranked vintages in the main phenological phases of Sangiovese grapevine. Results show that higher heat units; mean, maximum and minimum temperature; and more days with temperature above 35 °C were the most important discriminators between good- and poor-quality vintages in the spring and summer growth phases, with heat units important during ripening. Precipitation influences on vintage quality are significant only during veraison where low precipitation amounts and precipitation days are important for better quality vintages. In agreement with these findings, weather type analysis shows good vintages are favoured by weather type 4 (more anticyclones over central Mediterranean Europe (CME)), giving warm dry growing season conditions. Poor vintages all relate to higher frequencies of either weather type 3, which, by producing perturbation crossing CME, favours cooler and wetter conditions, and/or weather type 7 which favours cold dry continental air masses from the east and north east over CME. This approach shows there are important weather type frequency differences between good- and poor-quality vintages. Trend analysis shows that changes in weather type frequencies are more important than any due to global warming.

Environmental Temperature, Other Climatic Variables, and Cardiometabolic Profile in Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Objectives: To evaluate CV profiles, periprocedural complications, and in-hospital mortality in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) according to climate. Methods: Data from 2478 AMI patients (1779 men; mean age 67 ∓ 13 years; Pasquinucci Hospital ICU, Massa, Italy; 2007-2018) were retrospectively analyzed according to climate (LAMMA Consortium; Firenze, Italy) by using three approaches as follows: (1) annual warm (May-October) and cold (November-April) periods; (2) warm and cold extremes of the two periods; and (3) warm and cold extremes for each month of the two periods. Results: All approaches highlighted a higher percentage of AMI hospitalization for patients with adverse CV profiles in relation to low temperatures, or higher periprocedural complications and in-hospital deaths. In warmer times of the cold periods, there were fewer admissions of dyslipidemic patients. During warm periods, progressive heat anomalies were characterized by more smoker (approaches 2 and 3) and young AMI patient (approach 3) admissions, whereas cooler times (approach 3) evidenced a reduced hospitalization of diabetic and dyslipidemic patients. No significant effects were observed for the heat index and light circulation. Conclusions: Although largely overlapping, different approaches identify patient subgroups with different CV risk factors at higher AMI admission risk and adverse short-term outcomes. These data retain potential implications regarding pathophysiological mechanisms of AMI and its prevention.

A risk-analysis approach to the evaluation of analytical quality.

BACKGROUND: Setting specifications for analytical quality is always difficult. The risk-management approach might be a way to do so. In this approach, the definition of the required analytical quality is based on the evaluation of patient risk. Risk derives from the probability of error and from the damage that such an error might cause. METHODS: Eight Italian laboratories took part in this experiment. Measurements of glucose and total calcium were taken as examples. Analytical quality was evaluated using a specific ring trial with a frozen serum pool and by means of internal quality-control data. The total allowable error was defined according to biological variation specifications. The probability of error was extracted from the imprecision and comparative bias data of each laboratory. The damage caused by a wrong result was evaluated using the absolute probability judgment approach. RESULTS: According to the iso-risk plots (standardized hyperboles on a graph where the x-axis represents damage and the y-axis represents probability) for glucose, all the laboratories were working with an analytical quality that guaranteed low risk for patients. On the contrary, for total calcium none of the laboratories exhibited sufficient quality to guarantee low risk for patients, the presence of bias being the most relevant problem. CONCLUSIONS: The results seem to demonstrate the applicability of the risk approach to the analytical phase, indicating a new possible way to define analytical quality targets.

CSF proteomic analysis in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus selected for the shunt: CSF biomarkers of response to surgical treatment.

The aim of our pilot study was to investigate, by a proteomic approach, the expressed differences in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein patterns in order to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Seventeen patients with NPH, selected by Intracranial-Pressure monitoring (ICPmo), underwent implantation of a shunt and after 6 months were clinically re-evaluated. Thirteen patients improved, whereas four did not. During ICPmo CSF was collected and its proteoma was analyzed by 2D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. The over-expression of alpha2HS glycoprotein, alpha1 antichimotrypsin and alpha1beta glycoprotein and the under-expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, apolipoproteins (AIV, J and E), complement C3c, anti-thrombin, alpha2 antiplasmin and albumin seem to be associated with a positive response to surgery. Most of these proteins have been reported to be altered in Alzheimer disease, supporting the hypothesis of a possible link between these two nosological entities.

The role of N-terminal PRO-brain natriuretic peptide and echocardiography for screening asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction in a population at high risk for heart failure. The PROBE-HF study.

BACKGROUND: Screening for asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction (ALVD) in subjects at risk for heart failure (HF) can affect clinical management. The aim of the present study is to examine the role of NT-pro BNP in the diagnosis of ALVD in subjects with hypertension and diabetes from primary care. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 1012 subjects with hypertension and/or diabetes and no symptoms or signs of HF were assessed by B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) assay and echocardiography. Diastolic dysfunction was present in 368/1012 subjects (36.4%): 327 (32.4%) with mild diastolic dysfunction and 41 (4%) with a moderate-to-severe diastolic dysfunction. Systolic dysfunction was present in 11/1012 (1.1%). NT-proBNP levels were 170 +/- 206 and 859 +/- 661 pg/mL, respectively, in diastolic and systolic dysfunction and 92 +/- 169 in normal subjects (P < .0001). Pooling moderate-to-severe diastolic with systolic dysfunction, a total of 52 subjects (5.1 %) were obtained: best cutoff value of NT-proBNP was 125 pg/mL (males <67 years: sensitivity [Sens] 87.5%, specificity [Spec] 92.7%, negative predictive value [NPV] 99.5%, positive predictive value [PPV] 33.3%; females <67 years: Sens 100%, Spec 84.1%, NPV 100%, PPV 33.3%; males >or=67 years: Sens 100%, Spec 77.1%, NPV 100%, PPV 32.5%; females >or=67 years: Sens 100%, Spec 59.9%, NPV 100%, PPV 23%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ALVD in subjects at risk for HF is 5.1%. Because of its excellent NPV, NT-proBNP can be used by general practitioners to rule out ALVD in hypertensive or diabetic patients.

Cystatin C reference values and aging.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the reference values for serum cystatin C (CysC) with a particular focus on the effect of aging. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was performed on a consecutive series of subjects (258 men and 396 women). Laboratory parameters and a detailed personal and family medical history were collected. RESULTS: CysC showed a significant correlation with age in both sexes, which was confirmed with multivariate linear regression after adjustment for SCr (serum creatinine). Age-related reference intervals were established for cystatin C (<45 years, <0.95 mg/L and >45 years, <1.20 mg/L). CONCLUSIONS: The use of CysC reference values adjusted for age should be carefully taken into consideration.

Weather-Related Flood and Landslide Damage: A Risk Index for Italian Regions.

The frequency of natural hazards has been increasing in the last decades in Europe and specifically in Mediterranean regions due to climate change. For example heavy precipitation events can lead to disasters through the interaction with exposed and vulnerable people and natural systems. It is therefore necessary a prevention planning to preserve human health and to reduce economic losses. Prevention should mainly be carried out with more adequate land management, also supported by the development of an appropriate risk prediction tool based on weather forecasts. The main aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between weather types (WTs) and the frequency of floods and landslides that have caused damage to properties, personal injuries, or deaths in the Italian regions over recent decades. In particular, a specific risk index (WT-FLARI) for each WT was developed at national and regional scale. This study has identified a specific risk index associated with each weather type, calibrated for each Italian region and applicable to both annual and seasonal levels. The risk index represents the seasonal and annual vulnerability of each Italian region and indicates that additional preventive actions are necessary for some regions. The results of this study represent a good starting point towards the development of a tool to support policy-makers, local authorities and health agencies in planning actions, mainly in the medium to long term, aimed at the weather damage reduction that represents an important issue of the World Meteorological Organization mission.

Temperature Characterization of Different Urban Microhabitats of Aedes albopictus (Diptera Culicidae) in Central-Northern Italy.

Aedes albopictus (Skuse) is an invasive mosquito species that has spread to many countries in temperate regions bordering the Mediterranean basin, where it is becoming a major public health concern. A good knowledge of the thermal features of the most productive breeding sites for Ae. albopictus is crucial for a better estimation of the mosquitoes' life cycle and developmental rates. In this article, we address the problem of predicting air temperature in three microhabitats common in urban and suburban areas and the air and water temperature inside an ordinary catch basin, which is considered the most productive breeding site for Ae. albopictus in Italy. Temperature differences were statistically proven between the three microhabitats and between the catch basin external and internal temperature. The impacts on the developmental rates for each life stage of Ae. albopictus were tested through a parametric function of the temperature, and the aquatic stages resulted as being the most affected using the specific temperature inside a typical catch basin instead of a generic air temperature. The impact of snow cover on the catch basin internal temperature, and consequently on the mortality of diapausing eggs, was also evaluated. These data can be useful to improve epidemiological models for a better prediction of Ae. albopictus seasonal and population dynamics in central-northern Italian urban areas.

Evaluation of the analytic performances of the new HPLC system HLC-723 G7 for the measurement of hemoglobin A1c.

OBJECTIVES: The analytical performance of a new automated HPLC system, for the determination of HbA1C in blood (Tosoh HLC-723 G7), was studied. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study design included the evaluation of imprecision, linearity, interference and carryover. Comparison study was performed by comparing HbA1C results with those obtained from an established method (Bio-Rad Variant II). RESULTS: Total imprecision was less than 1.34% and the results were linear up to 17.2% HbA1C. The method showed a wide analytical range, and no carryover between specimens. Comparison study yielded, r=0.989, Sy.x=0.255, regression equation (y=0.9895x-0.35); Bland-Altman plot showed a mean bias=- 0.43% HbA1C with confidence limits ranging from -0.48% to -0.38% HbA1C. The presence of abnormal hemoglobin was clearly revealed, and no interference from labile HbA1C was apparent. CONCLUSION: The HLC-723 G7 instrument seems to be a reliable system for routine assay of HbA1C.

Transmission potential of chikungunya virus and control measures: the case of Italy.

During summer 2007 Italy has experienced an epidemic caused by Chikungunya virus - the first large outbreak documented in a temperate climate country - with approximately 161 laboratory confirmed cases concentrated in two bordering villages in North-Eastern Italy comprising 3,968 inhabitants. The seroprevalence was recently estimated to be 10.2%. In this work we provide estimates of the transmission potential of the virus and we assess the efficacy of the measures undertaken by public health authorities to control the epidemic spread. To such aim, we developed a model describing the temporal dynamics of the competent vector, known as Aedes albopictus, explicitly depending on climatic factors, coupled to an epidemic transmission model describing the spread of the epidemic in both humans and mosquitoes. The cumulative number of notified cases predicted by the model was 185 on average (95% CI 117-278), in good agreement with observed data. The probability of observing a major outbreak after the introduction of an infective human case was estimated to be in the range of 32%-76%. We found that the basic reproduction number was in the range of 1.8-6 but it could have been even larger, depending on the density of mosquitoes, which in turn depends on seasonal meteorological effects, besides other local abiotic factors. These results confirm the increasing risk of tropical vector-borne diseases in temperate climate countries, as a consequence of globalization. However, our results show that an epidemic can be controlled by performing a timely intervention, even if the transmission potential of Chikungunya virus is sensibly high.

Computer-assisted detection of monoclonal components: results from the multicenter study for the evaluation of CASPER (Computer Assisted Serum Protein Electrophoresis Recognizer) algorithm.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the potential use of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) in the evaluation of serum protein electrophoresis, we set up a multicenter study involving six Italian laboratories. For this purpose, we developed an algorithm named CASPER (Computer Assisted Serum Protein Electrophoresis Recognizer). METHODS: A total of 59,516 samples from the six centers were divided into three groups. Training and validation sets were used to develop the neural network, whereas evaluation set was used to test the performance of CASPER in recognizing abnormal electrophoretic profiles. RESULTS: CASPER showed 93.0% sensitivity and 47.4% specificity. CASPER sensitivity and specificity ranged in the six sites from 88% (site 3) to 97% (site 5) and from 36% (site 6) to 53% (site 3), respectively. Sensitivity for gamma zone was 94.6%, for beta zone 89.7% and for oligoclonal patterns 92.0%. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of the CASPER algorithm does not allow us to recommend its use as a replacement for the visual inspection, but it could be helpful in avoiding accidental misclassifications by the operator. Moreover, the CASPER algorithm may be a useful tool for training operators and students. This study evidenced a high inter-observer variability, which should be addressed in a dedicated study. Data set to train and validate ANNs should contain a huge range and an adequate number of different abnormalities.

Process and risk analysis to reduce errors in clinical laboratories.

BACKGROUND: An important point in improving laboratory quality is the definition of some indicators to be monitored as measures of a laboratory trend. The continuous observation of these indicators can help to reduce errors and risk of errors, thus enhancing the laboratory outcome. In addition, the standardization of risk evaluation techniques and the definition of a set of indicators can eventually contribute to a benchmarking process in clinical laboratories. METHODS: Five Italian hospital laboratories cooperated in a project in which methodologies for process and risk analysis, usually applied in fields other than healthcare (typically aeronautical and transport industries), were adapted and applied to laboratory medicine. The collaboration of a board of experts played a key role in underlining the limits of the proposed techniques and adapting them to the laboratory situation. A detailed process analysis performed in each center was the starting point, followed by risk analysis to evaluate risks and facilitate benchmarking among the participants. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The techniques applied allowed the formulation of a list of non-conformities that represented risks of errors. The level of risk related to each was quantified and graphically represented for each laboratory to identify the risk area characteristic for each of the centers involved.

Laboratory network of excellence: enhancing patient safety and service effectiveness.

Clinical laboratories have undergone major changes due to technological progress and economic pressure. While costs of laboratory testing continue to be the dominant issue within the healthcare service worldwide, quality, effectiveness and impact on outcomes are also emerging as critical value-added features. Five Italian laboratories are therefore promoting a network of excellence by investigating markers of effectiveness of laboratory services and sharing their experience of using them in clinical practice. In the present study we report preliminary data on indicators of quality in all phases of the so-called total testing process, the key to evaluating all phases of the total testing process, including the appropriateness of test requests and data interpretation. Initial findings in evaluating pre-analytical causes of specimen rejection in three different laboratories and the effects of introducing three laboratory clinical guidelines are reported. These data should stimulate debate in the scientific community and encourage more clinical laboratories to use the same indicators to improve clinical effectiveness and clinical outcomes within the healthcare service.

Lack of concordance between the 75-g and 100-g glucose load tests for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is common and can have a substantial impact on fetal growth, birth weight, and morbidity. The American Diabetes Association recommends GDM testing with either a 3-h, 100-g glucose load (100 g) (criteria according to Am J Obstet Gynecol 1982;144:768-73) or a 2-h, 75-g glucose load (75g). We investigated the comparability of the 75 g and the 100g tests in the diagnosis of GDM. METHODS: From January 1997 to December 1999, in 1061 consecutive Caucasian nonobese and nondiabetic pregnant women who attended the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, we performed GDM testing with a 75-g load during 2 periods of pregnancy: early (16-20 weeks) and late (26-30 weeks). Because we assumed there would be few GBM cases in women with a 1-h plasma glucose <1300 mg/L in the 75 g test, we did not retest these women. We retested the remaining women with possible or diagnosed GDM with a 100-g load within a week. RESULTS: GDM was diagnosed in 41 of 227 women with the 100-g load and 15 of 227 with the 75-g load (11 concordant); the kappa index was 0.21. At 26-31 weeks of pregnancy, 484 of 976 women (49.9%) underwent both tests. GDM was diagnosed in 60 of 484 woman with the 100-g load and in 26 of 484 with the 75-g load (13 concordant); the kappa index was 0.18. CONCLUSIONS: Among women with possible GDM in both early and late periods of pregnancy, there was only weak diagnostic agreement between results determined with 75-g and 100-g glucose loads.

Epoetin alpha, epoetin beta and darbepoetin alfa: two-dimensional gel electrophoresis isoforms characterization and mass spectrometry analysis.

Since 1989 recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) has been used as a drug for the correction of anemia, but the misuse of rhEPO as an ergogenic agent among athletes is a widespread doping practice. As a consequence there is a need for developing reference methods for the detection of rhEPO in biological fluids, and to be able to differentiate the recombinant from the natural protein. Recombinant human erythropoietin differs from its natural counterpart in the glycidic part of the molecule. Three different commercial recombinant products Epoetin alpha (Eprex, Janssen Cilag), Epoetin beta (Neorecormon, Roche) and Darbepoetin alfa (Nespo, Dompè) have been used to evaluate the performance of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry (MS) for the separation of isoforms and the identification of the proteins respectively. All the compounds studied were well separated by means of 2-DE: Epoetin alpha and beta focused in the same isoelectric point region giving rise to six and eight spots respectively, whereas Darbepoetin alfa was found in a more acidic zone with two spots. Results obtained with micro high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-time of flight (TOF) MS and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight MS for the three rhEPOs are reported. These preliminary results suggest that by means of 2-DE and MS it should be possible to reveal the presence of rhEPOs for antidoping purposes.

Plasma adiponectin and hyperglycaemia in diabetic patients.

The insulin-sensitising adipose hormone adiponectin is reduced in type 2 diabetic patients. We assessed the relationships between plasma adiponectin and chronic hyperglycaemia. Adiponectin levels and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured at enrolment and after 90 days in 16 patients with type 2 diabetes aged (mean +/- SEM) 63.0 +/- 0.6 years, with body mass index (BMI) 30.2 +/- 0.5 kg/m2 and HbA1c concentration 7.4 +/- 0.1%, who did not modify their hypoglycaemic treatment during the observation period. Furthermore, plasma adiponectin was measured in 29 adult patients with type 1 diabetes and compared with 29 control subjects matched for sex, age, BMI, waist circumference and bioimpedance-estimated fat mass. In type 2 diabetic patients at enrolment, adiponectin concentration correlated with BMI (r = -0.46; p < 0.05), but not with HbA1c. During the prospective observation, variations of adiponectin showed a significant correlation with variations of BMI (r = -0.47; p < 0.01), but not with variations of HbA1c concentration. These results were confirmed by multivariate analysis after adjustment for sex and age. Adiponectin levels in type 1 diabetic patients (380.8 +/- 13.7 ng/ml in women, 192.5 +/- 13.9 ng/ml in men) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in control subjects (277.6 +/- 11.0 ng/ml in women, 102.7 +/- 5.1 ng/ml in men); plasma adiponectin correlated significantly with BMI and waist circumference, but not with HbA1c. In conclusion, the reduction of plasma adiponectin levels in type 2 diabetic patients does not appear to be determined by chronic hyperglycaemia. Adiponectin levels are increased in type 1 diabetes, but this phenomenon is not attributable to differences in nutritional status or body composition.