Transfer of foodborne pathogenic bacteria to non-inoculated beef fillets through meat mincing machine.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the transfer of pathogens population to non-inoculated beef fillets through meat mincing machine. In this regard, cocktails of mixed strain cultures of each Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium and Escherichia coli O157:H7 were used for the inoculation of beef fillets. Three different initial inoculum sizes (3, 5, or 7 log CFU/g) were tested. The inoculated beef fillets passed through meat mincing machine and then, six non-inoculated beef fillets passed in sequence through the same mincing machine without sanitation. The population of each pathogen was measured. It was evident that, all non-inoculated beef fillets were contaminated through mincing with all pathogens, regardless the inoculum levels used. This observation can be used to cover knowledge gaps in risk assessments since indicates the potential of pathogen contamination and provides significant insights for the risk estimation related to cross-contamination, aiming thus to food safety enhancement.

Identifying governance strategies that effectively support ecosystem services, resource sustainability, and biodiversity.

Conservation scientists, national governments, and international conservation groups seek to devise, and implement, governance strategies that mitigate human impact on the environment. However, few studies to date have systematically investigated the performance of different systems of governance in achieving successful conservation outcomes. Here, we use a newly-developed analytic framework to conduct analyses of a suite of case studies, linking different governance strategies to standardized scores for delivering ecosystem services, achieving sustainable use of natural resources, and conserving biodiversity, at both local and international levels. Our results: (i) confirm the benefits of adaptive management; and (ii) reveal strong associations for the role of leadership. Our work provides a critical step toward implementing empirically justified governance strategies that are capable of improving the management of human-altered environments, with benefits for both biodiversity and people.

Acute partial rupture of the common extensor tendon.

Rupture of the common extensor tendon is the most common acute tendon injury of the elbow. The authors describe a case of a patient with a clinical history of tendinopathy caused by functional overload of the common extensor tendon, treated also with infiltrations of steroids, and subsequent partial rupture of the tendon during sport activity. The diagnosis was made clinically and at ultrasound (US) examination; US follow-up after some time showed the healing of the lesion. This case confirms that injections of steroids may be a contributory cause of tendon rupture, and emphasizes the sensitivity and specificity of US in the study of pathologies of the elbow tendons.

Current devices of respiratory physiotherapy.

In recent years patients with respiratory diseases use various devices, which help the removal of mucus from the airways and the improvement of pulmonary function. The aim of the present study is to determine the effectiveness of the current devices of respiratory physiotherapy, as it comes from the review of literature. The current devices of physiotherapy for patients with respiratory diseases, are presented as an alternative therapy method or a supplemental therapy and they can motivate patients to apply therapy by themselves. These devices seem to increase patients' compliance to daily treatment, because they present many benefits, as independent application, full control of therapy and easy use. These devices are the Positive Expiratory Pressure, the High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation, the Oral High Frequency Oscillation, the Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation, the Incentive Spirometry the Flutter and the Acapella and the Cornet. Current devices seem to be effective in terms of mucus expectoration and pulmonary function improvement, as it is shown by published studies. The choice of the suitable device for each patient is a challenge for the physiotherapist in order to achieve better compliance in daily treatment. More controlled studies are needed due to the fact that the number of published studies is limited.

[Dilated myocardiopathy and polymyositis. A clinical case and critical review of the literature]. / Miocardiopatia dilatativa e polimiosite. Caso clinico e revisione critica della letteratura.

A patient affected by a "limb-girdl syndrome" type of polymyositis shows clinical symptoms and signs of progressively worsening dilatative myocardiopathy. The diagnosis was based on well established criteria, such as the following: EF < 45-55%, left ventricular telediastolic diameter higher than 2.7 cm/mq, and normal wall thickness (L. Mestroni 1994, W.H. Abelmann 1989, et al.). The above-mentioned clinical picture was further complicated by amiodarone induced thyrotoxicosis. After the case presentation, and having exhaustively and critically revised the existing literature on polymyositis associated dilatative myocardiopathy and on eventual joint pathogenetic mechanisms, the essay in question focuses on the discussion of the clinical data brought forth in the first part.

Phosphorus-31 NMR study of the effects of UV on squirrel lenses.

In a series of 31P NMR experiments the effects of near-UV radiation on the phosphorus metabolites in pigmented lenses from grey squirrels were studied; UV radiation ranged from 300 to 400 nm, peaking at 365 nm. Squirrels were killed, intact lenses removed, exposed to UV, put in an NMR perfusion cell, and 31P NMR spectra were recorded. In vitro exposure of squirrel lenses for periods ranging from 4 to 22 hr were made. ATP levels, as measured by NMR, decreased as the radiation dose increased. For a 22-hr exposure (121 J cm-2) ATP levels decreased by 67% relative to control values. At lower dose levels there was a correspondingly smaller decrease in ATP levels. Histological examination showed UV-irradiated lenses had disrupted epithelium, loss of attachment to cortical fiber cells and fluid accumulation under the capsule. It is clear that lenticular exposure to near-UV, predominantly at 365 nm (UV-A), does cause metabolic deterioration through degradation of normal ATP energy levels. The grey squirrel pigmented lens strongly absorbs near-UV radiation which enhances the observed metabolic changes and observed opacities. The results demonstrate the utility of using 31P NMR to evaluate metabolic changes associated with near-UV irradiation.