Rapid and noninvasive quality control of anhydrous milk fat by PTR-MS: The effect of storage time and packaging.

In this study, proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (PTR-MS), coupled with a time-of-flight mass analyzer and a multipurpose automatic sampler, was evaluated as a rapid and nondestructive tool for the quality control of anhydrous milk fat. Anhydrous milk fats packed in cardboard and bag-in-box were compared during refrigerated shelf life at 4°C for 9 months. Anhydrous milk fat samples were taken at 120, 180, and 240 days and measured by PTR-MS during storage at 50°C for 11 days. Univariate and multivariate data analysis were performed in order to classify samples according to the packaging type and compare aromatic profiles. Markers related to both packaging and storage duration were identified, and all stored samples were clearly distinguishable from reference fresh samples. Significant differences in some key butter aroma compounds such as 2-pentanone, 2-heptanone, 2/3-methylbutanal, acetoin, and butanoic acid were observed between different types of packaging. During the refrigerated storage, differences related to packaging are more evident, while during the storage at 50°C, the fat oxidation induced by the high temperature becomes the most relevant phenomenon independently of the packaging type. These results indicate the importance of avoiding anhydrous milk fat storage at 50°C for long times during industrial production processes. All together data demonstrated the viability of PTR-MS as a rapid and high-sensitivity tool in agroindustry quality control program.

[Fatal neonatal listeriosis after maternal infection acquired with ingestion of fresh home-made cheese]. / Listeriosi neonatale mortale conseguente ad infezione materna acquisita con ingestione di formaggio fresco artigianale.

The authors report on a newborn admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Gaslini Institute for serious respiratory insufficiency who died on the third day of life because of a sepsis due to Listeria monocytogenes. The authors focus on the patient's history and clinical picture and on the histological evaluation of the lesions observed. The importance of infection in pregnancy and the possible severe consequences of listeriosis on the foetus are underlined, stressing the need for early diagnosis and adequate treatment.

Serum concentrations and safety of single daily dosing of amikacin in children undergoing bone marrow transplantation.

The serum concentrations and safety of single daily dosing of amikacin were studied in 16 episodes of fever and granulocytopenia in children undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Amikacin (20 mg/kg) was administered as a 20 min iv infusion once daily for 7 to 19 days; all patients received concomitant therapy with ceftazidime. Peak amikacin concentrations measured immediately after infusion on day 1 and 4 of therapy averaged 72.29 +/- 11.6 mg/l and 74.02 +/- 19.29 mg/l respectively. A slight but statistically significant increase 30 minute post-infusion concentrations was observed in most patients during therapy. Serum amikacin were less than 3 mg/l in all trough samples and within 6 h post-infusion in most patients. A significant increase in serum creatinine was observed in one patient, who was also receiving cyclosporin A. Auditory function was evaluated in 10 patients and showed no changes. Although other drugs were added to cover Gram-positive or fungal pathogens, all patients survived. These data combined with the recent experience of single daily dose amikacin in adults supports further evaluation of novel dosage regimens of aminoglycosides in children.

[Staphylococci in children's pathology (author's transl)]. / Stafilococchi implicati in patologia infantile.

In this paper we report and make short comments on data concerning 237 strains of Staphylococci isolated from 8820 samples of various pathologic material we tested when normal working in the Laboratory of our pediatric Institute. We noticed that 34.1% of cases were St. epidermidis or St. saprophyticus and we think that the frequency of such a results is related to the special conditions of subjects, all children or newborn children, so that also so called saprophytic Staphylococci may have etiological meaning.

[Results and consideration on blood cultures activity in a great children Hospital (author's transl)]. / Risultati e considerazioni sulla attivita' emocolturale in un istituto pediatrico.

This paper reports the results of blood cultures of a great children Hospital during the last three years. It regards 2164 blood cultures, 140 of which positive, and analyses the reasons that probably determinate the detected deficencies and defects.