Outbreak of Salmonella Newport associated with internationally distributed raw goats' milk cheese, France, 2018.

Raw milk cheeses are commonly consumed in France and are also a common source of foodborne outbreaks (FBOs). Both an FBO surveillance system and a laboratory-based surveillance system aim to detect Salmonella outbreaks. In early August 2018, five familial FBOs due to Salmonella spp. were reported to a regional health authority. Investigation identified common exposure to a raw goats' milk cheese, from which Salmonella spp. were also isolated, leading to an international product recall. Three weeks later, on 22 August, a national increase in Salmonella Newport ST118 was detected through laboratory surveillance. Concomitantly isolates from the earlier familial clusters were confirmed as S. Newport ST118. Interviews with a selection of the laboratory-identified cases revealed exposure to the same cheese, including exposure to batches not included in the previous recall, leading to an expansion of the recall. The outbreak affected 153 cases, including six cases in Scotland. S. Newport was detected in the cheese and in the milk of one of the producer's goats. The difference in the two alerts generated by this outbreak highlight the timeliness of the FBO system and the precision of the laboratory-based surveillance system. It is also a reminder of the risks associated with raw milk cheeses.

Steady-state pharmacokinetics of idebenone in healthy volunteers.

An open study was conducted with 12 healthy male Caucasian volunteers to determine the single dose and steady-state pharmacokinetics in plasma after a total daily dose of 90 mg of idebenone administered as 45 mg twice daily for 10 consecutive days. In the dose regimen investigated, multiple daily doses of 90 mg of idebenone were well tolerated by healthy male volunteers and were not associated with any clinically relevant changes in ECG or clinical laboratory parameters. The results of the physical examinations after study termination revealed normal findings in all volunteers. To evaluate the single dose and steady-state pharmacokinetic profile, blood samples were collected at predetermined time points during the study. In those subjects examined, generally good systemic exposure with rapid absorption of idebenone was obtained throughout the entire dosing period. Exposures to idebenone and its metabolites after both single and repeated oral doses of idebenone were comparable in magnitude. Further, the exposures attained were generally consistent with those observed in a previous study after 30 mg three times daily. All pharmacokinetic assessments were associated with a low to moderate degree of inter-subject variability.

Pre-surgery information and psychological adjustment to enterostomy.

The post-surgery psychological adjustment to enterostomy was examined in a longitudinal study of 120 patients. Subjects were representative of the general enterostomy patients population. All had undergone surgery in various hospitals located in Rome and its surroundings. Adjustment to enterostomy was longitudinally evaluated by interviewing patients at various intervals after enterostomy: soon after surgery; 1 year after surgery; more than 1 year after surgery. When patients were initially interviewed, information was requested on how they were informed of their clinical condition which led to surgery, as well as of enterostomy and its consequences. 42% reported a low level of understanding about enterostomy on the basis of information received during hospitalization. Patients were consequently divided into two groups, one including those judged as adequately informed (AI), and the other including those judged as not adequately informed (NAI). These groups were compared, for immediate adjustment to enterostomy (within 3-6 mos. since surgery), delayed adjustment (1 yr. since surgery), and prolonged adjustment (more than 1 yr. since surgery). Patients of NAI group demonstrated a consistently poorer pattern of adjustment in all parameters under study (emotional, cognitive, behavioral, social) and their adjustment to enterostomy did not show any spontaneous improvement over the time. AI patients, on the other hand, showed a more favorable level of adjustment since after surgery and a more positive pattern in the follow-up period. Adequate information before surgery and during hospitalization has been evidenced as a necessary component of patient care and a very important element in determining the optimal functional and psychological recovery of patients with enterostomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Hormonal and psychophysiologic responses under conditions of experimental stress in subjects with essential arterial hypertension]. / Risposte ormonali e psicofisiologiche in condizioni di stress sperimentale in soggetti con ipertensione arteriosa essenziale.

Two sex balanced groups of 6 subjects each (hypertensive patients vs normotensive subjects) were monitored for both biochemical and psychophysiological variables under stress (PRA, Adrenal Corticosteroid, Aldosterone, HR and Blood Pressure). A computed controlled RT procedure was employed as stress stimulation. The results suggest that different coping mechanisms are present in hypertensives and normotensives. Hypertensives were more emotionally involved and less efficient in stimulus habituation. Biochemical mechanisms have been hypothesized to explain these differences.

Reliability between the five forms of the Randt Memory Test and their equivalence.

The Randt Memory Test (RMT), a recently developed memory test for longitudinal assessment of mild and/or moderate memory deficits provides five different parallel forms. The aim of this study was to control the reliability between forms and their equivalence. A randomized sequence of these five forms was administered to 20 young, healthy university students, balanced by sex, to exclude possible interference due to large IQ discrepancy and/or different degrees of age-related impairment. An analysis of variance for repeated measures was carried out to evaluate the between form equivalence and the possible sequential effect on repetitions. Reliability between forms was also controlled by the Cronbach's alpha. Results show a sufficient high internal consistency and stability of the RMT when used in a repeated measures model, and suggest the need to develop time related curves of the RMT scores for groups of patients with diverse memory disturbances.

Post-traumatic headache: neuropsychological and clinical aspects.

Seventy patients suffering from post-traumatic headache were studied. Pain characteristics, personality and intellectual functions were assessed to be related to cranial trauma. No evident signs of brain damage were present, but an impairment related to pain in personal adjustment and well-being reducing work and study capabilities was identified. A psychopathological condition described as anxiety with somatizations and conversion mechanisms was found and when compared with the psychopathological characteristics from a group of common headache patients no differences were obtained between the two groups. DSM III diagnostic possibilities for post-traumatic headache patients were discussed.