ITER collective Thomson scattering-Preparing to diagnose fusion-born alpha particles (invited).

The ITER Collective Thomson scattering (CTS) diagnostic will measure the dynamics of fusion-born alpha particles in the burning ITER plasma by scattering a 1 MW 60 GHz gyrotron beam off fast-ion induced fluctuations in the plasma. The diagnostic will have seven measurement volumes across the ITER cross section and will resolve the alpha particle energies in the range from 300 keV to 3.5 MeV; importantly, the CTS diagnostic is the only diagnostic capable of measuring confined alpha particles for energies below ∼1.7 MeV and will also be sensitive to the other fast-ion populations. The temporal resolution is 100 ms, allowing the capture of dynamics on that timescale, and the typical spatial resolution is 10-50 cm. The development and design of the in-vessel and primary parts of the CTS diagnostic has been completed. This marks the beginning of a new phase of preparation to maximize the scientific benefit of the diagnostic, e.g., by investigating the capability to contribute to the determination of the fuel-ion ratio and the bulk ion temperature as well as integrating data analysis with other fast-ion and bulk-ion diagnostics.

Association between maternal-infant bonding and depressive symptoms in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit mothers: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: Maternal perinatal depression has been associated with impaired mother-infant bonding. The adverse effect of this impaired bonding has been reported. This study aimed to investigate and compare the posnatal depressive symptoms and the mother-infant bonding in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and of mothers with healthy newborns respectively. Secondly, was to explore the association between depressive symptomatology and bonding in both groups. METHODS: In this case study, mothers in the early pospartum period who gave birth in the same perinatal center of Greece were recruited to participate. The cases consisted of 88 mothers of neonates who were hospitalized in the NICU and controls were 100 mothers of full-term healthy neonates. For the collection of the data questionnaires including demographics and perinatal variables were used. For the bonding and posnatal assessment, the Mother to Infant Bonding Scale, the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the mean of bonding scores of NICU mothers and the control group (t = -2.696, P = 0.008). NICU mothers presented lower scores in bonding with the newborn compared to the control group and presented higher depression scores compared to those of controls (χ2 = 28.588, P = 0.000). The depression scores were correlated with bonding scores in both groups. DISCUSSION: A NICU admission has an impact on bonding and in some way interacts with maternal pospartum mental health, therefore more research is needed. CONCLUSIONS: NICU mothers have been presented as more vulnerable than mothers of healthy infants since they expressed a lower mother-infant bonding and higher depression scores. The support of these vulnerable mothers and the facilitation of mother-infant bonding by the NICU staff is of utmost importance.

Asociación entre el vínculo madre-hijo y los síntomas depresivos en madres de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales: estudio caso-control / Association between maternal-infant bonding and depressive symptoms in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit mothers: A case-control study

Objetivos: Se ha asociado la depresión perinatal de la madre a un vínculo madre-hijo deficiente. Se ha reportado el efecto adverso de la deficiencia de dicho vínculo. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar y comparar los síntomas depresivos posnatales y el vínculo madre-hijo en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales (UCIN), y las madres con neonatos sanos, respectivamente. Y, en segundo lugar, explorar la asociación entre la sintomatología depresiva y los vínculos en ambos grupos. Métodos: En este estudio de casos se seleccionó a madres que se encontraban en el periodo posparto temprano, que habían dado a luz en el mismo centro perinatal de Grecia. Los casos consistieron en 88 madres de neonatos que fueron hospitalizados en la UCIN y 100 controles, consistentes en madres de neonatos sanos a término. Para la recopilación de los datos se utilizaron cuestionarios que incluían datos demográficos y variables perinatales. Para la evaluación del vínculo y la situación posnatal, se utilizaron la Mother to Infant Bonding Scale, el Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire y la Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Resultados: Existió una diferencia significativa entre las puntuaciones sobre el vínculo de las madres de la UCIN y el grupo control (t=–2,696, p=0,008). Las madres de la UCIN presentaron menores puntuaciones en términos de vínculo con los neonatos, en comparación con el grupo control, y presentaron puntuaciones más altas de depresión en comparación con los controles (χ2=28,588, p=0,000). Las puntuaciones sobre depresión guardaron relación con las puntuaciones sobre vínculos en ambos grupos. Discusión: El ingreso en la UCIN tiene un impacto sobre el vínculo e interactúa de alguna manera con la salud mental posparto de la madre. Por ello se hace necesaria más investigación.(AU)

Objectives: Maternal perinatal depression has been associated with impaired mother-infant bonding. The adverse effect of this impaired bonding has been reported. This study aimed to investigate and compare the posnatal depressive symptoms and the mother-infant bonding in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and of mothers with healthy newborns respectively. Secondly, was to explore the association between depressive symptomatology and bonding in both groups. Methods: In this case study, mothers in the early pospartum period who gave birth in the same perinatal center of Greece were recruited to participate. The cases consisted of 88 mothers of neonates who were hospitalized in the NICU and controls were 100 mothers of full-term healthy neonates. For the collection of the data questionnaires including demographics and perinatal variables were used. For the bonding and posnatal assessment, the Mother to Infant Bonding Scale, the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used. Results: There was a significant difference between the mean of bonding scores of NICU mothers and the control group (t=-2.696, P=.008). NICU mothers presented lower scores in bonding with the newborn compared to the control group and presented higher depression scores compared to those of controls (χ2=28.588, P=.000). The depression scores were correlated with bonding scores in both groups. Discussion: A NICU admission has an impact on bonding and in some way interacts with maternal pospartum mental health, therefore more research is needed. Conclusions: NICU mothers have been presented as more vulnerable than mothers of healthy infants since they expressed a lower mother-infant bonding and higher depression scores. The support of these vulnerable mothers and the facilitation of mother-infant bonding by the NICU staff is of utmost importance.(AU)

[Management of elective surgical activity in a tertiary hospital during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic]. / Gestión de la actividad quirúrgica electiva de un hospital terciario durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2.

INTRODUCTION: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, elective surgical activity was reduced to a minimum. As both the number of cases and the hospitalization needs for this pathology decreased, we thought it appropriate to progressively recover scheduled surgical activity. This work describes how, even with the current alarm state, we were able to practically normalize this activity in a few weeks. METHODS: Two weeks before the intervention, the patients included in the waiting lists were contacted by telephone. After checking their health status and expressing their desire to undergo surgery, they were provided with recommendations to decrease the risk of coronavirus infection. Likewise, an exclusive circuit was established to carry out, 48 hours before the intervention, the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by means of exudates nasopharyngeal PCR. The results were evaluated by each surgical service and the anesthesiology service. In addition, asymptomatic Surgical Area professionals could undergo weekly screening for the early detection of coronavirus according to the recommendations of Occupational Health. RESULTS: In the midst of a pandemic, scheduled surgical activity was reduced by 85%. From the week of April 13, the operating rooms available were recovered, which allowed practically all surgical activity to be recovered the week of May 25. CONCLUSIONS: The creation of circuits and procedures to streamline surgical activity, still in full force of the state of alarm, has allowed us, in a few weeks, to recover almost all of it.

Effectiveness of complementary irrigation routines in debriding pulp tissue from root canals instrumented with a single reciprocating file.

AIM: To compare histologically the debridement efficacy of four irrigation techniques in root canals instrumented with a reciprocating single file. METHODOLOGY: From recently extracted premolars with vital pulp, 68 were selected and classified as having round canals (mesiodistal diameter similar to buccolingual) or oval-shaped canals (mesiodistal diameter 2.5 times larger than buccolingual) (n = 32, each) by means of bidirectional radiographs. Four additional uninstrumented samples served as histological controls. The root canals of the specimens were accessed and then instrumented with Reciproc R25® and further assigned to one of four experimental groups according to the complementary irrigation technique: Group I, conventional syringe; Group II, passive ultrasonic irrigation; Group III, manual dynamic activation (MDA); and Group IV, EndoActivator® . Roots were then demineralized and the apical 3 mm was multi-sliced and processed for histologic examination. The percentage of residual pulp tissue was calculated at each cross section. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to evaluate the effects of irrigation technique, root canal shape and level of cross section on the percentage of residual pulp tissue (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Irrigation technique and root canal shape significantly influenced the percentage of residual pulp tissue (P < 0.05) of canals instrumented with the R25 instrument. Percentage of residual pulp tissue was significantly less using ultrasonic irrigation (P < 0.05), but there was no difference between other irrigation techniques (P > 0.05). Round canals retained significantly less percentage of residual pulp tissue compared to oval-shaped canals (P = 0.001). At 3 mm, there was less pulp tissue compared to levels 2 and 1 mm (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In canals instrumented with R25 files, ultrasonic irrigation was more effective in removing pulp tissue in the apical level, especially for the debridement of oval-shaped canals.

Circuito del paciente fallecido en el Hospital Garrahan: Implementación de Gestión por procesos y plan de mejora integral / Circuit of the deceased patient at Garrahan Hospital: implementation of process management and a comprensive plan for improvement

Ante circunstancias que concluyen en el fallecimiento de los pacientes, el Hospital Garrahan (HG) debe facilitar el duelo con medidas adecuadas y apropiadas en un contexto de respeto y contención, acompañando preguntas, dudas e incertidumbres familiares, respetando valores, evitando dificultades administrativas y legales. El objetivo fue trabajar sobre el proceso del paciente fallecido para ordenar la normativa histórica, reglamentarla y documentarla agregando avances tecnológicos. Se estableció un circuito que llamamos circuito del paciente fallecido (CPF). Es un proceso que comienza en la inscripción de la defunción, traslado del paciente a la morgue hasta la entrega a la familia. Involucra al hospital de forma transversal. A través del trabajo interdisciplinario, aplicando conceptos y herramientas de gestión, se trabajó un plan de mejora en la gestión del CPF, partiendo de la disposi- ción hospitalaria vigente, adecuando el Protocolo respectivo del Ministerio de Salud del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, estableciendo registros adecuados en todo el circuito. El diseño metodológico propuesto fue la planificación, desarrollo implementación de un plan de mejora en el CPF de acuerdo a gestión por procesos. Se desarrollaron las siguientes etapas: análisis de la situación de salud que generó la intervención, identificación del proceso en un mapa, identificación de problemas del CPF, revisión y análisis del proceso e implementación del plan de mejora. Este plan de mejora está sustentado en la Disposición N°238/ DME/17

When a patient dies in hospital, Garrahan Hospital should facilitate the process of mourning with adequate and appropriate measures in a context of respect and contention, providing support in case of questions, doubts, and uncertainties of the family, respecting values and avoiding administrative and legal difficulties. The aim of this project was to improve the processes related to the deceased patients organizing historical norms by establishing guidelines and documentation using new technological means. A circuit called circuit of the deceased patient (CDP) was established, consisting of a process that starts at the moment of the registration of death, followed by the transfer of the patient to the morgue, and finishing with the handing over to the family. The process involves the hospital transversally. In an interdisciplinary manner and using different management concepts and tools, a plan of improvement of the management of the CDP was developed, based on the current regulations of the hospital, adapting the protocol of the Ministry of Health of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires, establishing adequate records for the entire circuit. The proposed methodological design consisted of the planning, development, and implementation of a plan for the improvement of the CDP according to process management. The following stages were developed: analysis of the situation that led to the intervention, identification of the process on a map, identification of difficulties in the CDP, process revision and analysis and implementation of the improvement plan. The improvement plan is supported by Disposition N°238/DME/17

Testing of the ITER plasma position reflectometry high-field side in-vessel antenna assembly prototype.

The ITER plasma position reflectometry diagnostic aims to provide measurements of the edge plasma to correct or supplement the magnetics for plasma position control. It consists of five reflectometers, two of which have components installed inside the vessel. One of these systems probes the plasma from the high-field side using a bistatic array of small pyramidal horns located in the gap between two blankets. Electromagnetic simulations have shown that the blankets shape the radiation pattern and need to be considered as part of the antenna. Full-wave plasma simulations have confirmed these results and have also shown that the first-wall geometry may induce measurement errors above the required margin. To further address these issues, we manufactured a prototype of the high-field side antenna, which includes a mock-up of the blanket modules. Here, we present the results of the prototype tests, with and without the blankets, using a metallic mirror as a target. The signals reflected from the mirror are used to derive the mirror distance and assess the precision of the measurements under different arrangements. The sensitivity to the blankets' installation tolerances is also assessed by changing the antennas' position with respect to the blankets' surfaces and cut-outs.

Evaluation of waiting times for breast cancer diagnosis and surgical treatment

Purpose: To analyse any delays in breast cancer diagnosis and surgical treatment, influence of clinical and biological factors and influence of delays on survival. Methods/patients: A descriptive, observational, and retrospective study was conducted between 2006 and 2016 on stages I-III breast cancer patients. This is a retrospective review of health records to collect data on delays, patients’ clinical data, biological features of the tumour and information on treatment. Mortality data from the National Death Index. Results: In 493 evaluable patients, the median of days from the first symptom to mammography, biopsy, and surgery was 41, 57, and 92, respectively. The median of days from screening mammography to biopsy and surgery was 10 and 51, respectively. From biopsy to surgery, the median was 34 days in every case. Over the last 5 years, an increase in biopsy-surgery delay has been observed (p = 0.0001). Tumour stages I and II vs. stage III (RR 1.74. 95% CI 1.08-2.80, p = 0.027), diagnosis in screening (RR 0.66. 95% CI 0.45-0.96, p = 0.030), and use of magnetic resonance imaging (RR 2.08. 95 CI 1.21-3.56, p = 0.008) condition a greater biopsy-surgery delay. No influence of delays on survival has been identified. Conclusions: Delays in diagnosis and surgery in the case of women diagnosed on the basis of symptoms may be improved. There is a temporary tendency to a greater delay in surgery. Some clinical and biological factors must be taken into account to optimise delays. Survival results are not adversely affected by delays

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Evaluation of waiting times for breast cancer diagnosis and surgical treatment.

PURPOSE: To analyse any delays in breast cancer diagnosis and surgical treatment, influence of clinical and biological factors and influence of delays on survival. METHODS/PATIENTS: A descriptive, observational, and retrospective study was conducted between 2006 and 2016 on stages I-III breast cancer patients. This is a retrospective review of health records to collect data on delays, patients' clinical data, biological features of the tumour and information on treatment. Mortality data from the National Death Index. RESULTS: In 493 evaluable patients, the median of days from the first symptom to mammography, biopsy, and surgery was 41, 57, and 92, respectively. The median of days from screening mammography to biopsy and surgery was 10 and 51, respectively. From biopsy to surgery, the median was 34 days in every case. Over the last 5 years, an increase in biopsy-surgery delay has been observed (p = 0.0001). Tumour stages I and II vs. stage III (RR 1.74. 95% CI 1.08-2.80, p = 0.027), diagnosis in screening (RR 0.66. 95% CI 0.45-0.96, p = 0.030), and use of magnetic resonance imaging (RR 2.08. 95 CI 1.21-3.56, p = 0.008) condition a greater biopsy-surgery delay. No influence of delays on survival has been identified. CONCLUSIONS: Delays in diagnosis and surgery in the case of women diagnosed on the basis of symptoms may be improved. There is a temporary tendency to a greater delay in surgery. Some clinical and biological factors must be taken into account to optimise delays. Survival results are not adversely affected by delays.

Thermal analysis of the in-vessel components of the ITER plasma-position reflectometry.

The ITER plasma position reflectometry system measures the edge electron density profile of the plasma, providing real-time supplementary contribution to the magnetic measurements of the plasma-wall distance. Some of the system components will be in direct sight of the plasma and therefore subject to plasma and stray radiation, which may cause excessive temperatures and stresses. In this work, thermal finite element analysis of the antenna and adjacent waveguides is conducted with ANSYS V17 (ANSYS® Academic Research, Release 17.0, 2016). Results allow the identification of critical temperature points, and solutions are proposed to improve the thermal behavior of the system.

Performance assessment of the antenna setup for the ITER plasma position reflectometry in-vessel systems.

The design of the in-vessel antennas for the ITER plasma position reflectometry diagnostic is very challenging due to the need to cope both with the space restrictions inside the vacuum vessel and with the high mechanical and thermal loads during ITER operation. Here, we present the work carried out to assess and optimise the design of the antenna. We show that the blanket modules surrounding the antenna strongly modify its characteristics and need to be considered from the early phases of the design. We also show that it is possible to optimise the antenna performance, within the design restrictions.

Relating dynamic perception of reformulated cheese pies to consumers' expectations of satiating ability.

Designing satiating food is not an easy task. Food reformulation is normally done by altering the proportion of basic ingredients or by adding new minor ingredients. In general, the texture varies concomitantly with these changes, altering the way the food is processed orally and the complete eating experience. This highlights the interest of discovering how variations in minor ingredients influence texture and how this affects the dynamics of the oral trajectory. Six cheese pie formulations were prepared: basic recipe (Base), no egg (-Egg), no corn starch (-Corn starch) no sugar (-Sugar), added diary cream (+Cream) and extra skimmed milk powder (+Milk powder). Temporal dominance of sensations was used to show that the appearance and disappearance of each texture sensation dominance experienced in the mouth during the eating process differed among the six pies, as did their relation to the consumers' expectation of satiating capacity scores and to the changes in composition. Two extreme behaviors were found: suppression of egg/addition of extra milk powder made the pies initially drier and harder, while suppression of corn starch/addition of cream gave the samples a soft, moist early sensation. The former elicited higher expectations of satiating capacity. In addition, overall liking, liking evolving with time (dynamic liking) and the level of several key texture attributes' divergence from those of an "ideal" cheese pie were evaluated on bipolar just-about-right scales and through penalty analysis to gain insights into potential directions for reformulating acceptable pies.

Relating the effects of protein type and content in increased-protein cheese pies to consumers' perception of satiating capacity.

Since proteins have been shown to have the highest satiation-inducing effects of all the macronutrients, increasing the protein level is one of the main strategies for designing foods with enhanced satiating capacity. However, few studies analyze the effect that protein addition has on the texture and flavor characteristics of the target food item to relate it to the expected satiating capacity it elicits. The present work studied cheese pies with three levels of soy and whey proteins. Since the protein level altered the rheological behavior of the batters before baking and the texture of the baked pies, the feasibility of adding several protein levels for obtaining a range of final products was investigated. A check-all-that-apply questionnaire containing 32 sensory and non-sensory characteristics of the samples was given to consumers (n = 131) who also scored the perceived samples' satiating capacity. The results showed that the type and content of protein contributed distinctive sensory characteristics to the samples that could be related to their satiating capacity perception. Harder and drier samples (high protein levels) were perceived as more satiating with less perceptible sweet and milky cheese pie characteristic flavors. Soy contributed an off-flavour. These results will contribute to a better understanding of the interrelation of all these factors, aiding the development of highly palatable solid foods with enhanced satiating capacities.

Características mecánicas dinámicas de la tibia aislada de perro sometida a prueba de impacto / Dynamic mechanical characteristics of the isolated dog tibia, subjected to impact test

El propósito del presente trabajo es brindar información acerca de las propiedades biomecánicas y morfológicas de la tibia de perro sometida a cargas dinámicas. Los objetivos fueron evaluar la resistencia de la tibia frente al impacto mediante el Método de Ensayo Charpy, relacionar la misma con el área total, el área cortical y el área de la cavidad medular del hueso, comparándola entre talla, edad y sexo diferente. La importancia clínica, ortopédica y quirúrgica que reviste la región de la pierna del perro fundamenta esta investigación. Se utilizaron tibias de perro en condiciones aisladas, extraídas postmortem de 30 animales mestizos adultos jóvenes provenientes del servicio de zoonosis de la ciudad de Río Cuarto. Se determinó en la tibia derecha e izquierda: peso y longitud total del hueso, diámetros cráneo-caudal y latero-medial en la mitad de la diáfisis. A la tibia izquierda se le practicó osteotomía transversal en la mitad de su diáfisis. En la superficie de sección se midió: espesor de la cortical, diámetro medular y se obtuvo el área de sección total, área cortical y área medular. La tibia derecha fue sometida al Método de Ensayo Charpy. Se realizó el análisis estadístico correspondiente. La resistencia del hueso presentó una correlación de r=0,70 (p= 0,000019); r=0,67 (p=0,000059) y r=0,29 (p=0,12) con respecto a las áreas cortical, total y medular respectivamente. La morfología tiene influencia sobre las propiedades biomecánicas del hueso. A medida que aumenta el área cortical aumenta la energía de impacto absorbida. En cambio, a mayor área de cavidad medular la energía de impacto absorbida aumenta pero en menor magnitud. Existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p=0,0168) entre la talla del animal y la resistencia de la tibia. La edad (p=0,73) y el sexo (p=0,18) no presentaron influencias significativas sobre las propiedades biomecánicas de la tibia.

The purpose of this work is to provide information about biomechanical and morphological properties of the dog tibia bone subject to dynamic loads. The objectives were: evaluate the resistance of the tibia subject impact used Charpy test Method; linking it with total area, cortical area and bone marrow cavity; and compare it with weight, age and sex categories. The clinical, orthopedical and surgical relevance of the dog leg region is the basis for this research. Dog tibia were used in isolated conditions, removed postmortem from 30 adult animals defined raceless, from the zoonoses service of the city of Río Cuarto. Weight and total bone length, cranial-caudal and lateral-medial diameter in the middle of the diaphysis, were determined in the left and right tibia. The left tibia was osteotomized transversely in the middle of the diaphysis. On the surface section we measured: cortical thickness, diameter of the bone marrow cavity, and obtained the total section area, cortical area and medullary area. The right tibia was subjected to Charpy test method. Statistical analysis was performed accordingly. The bone strength showed a correlation of r=0.70 (p= 0.000019); r=0.67 (p=0.000059) and r=0.29 (p=0.12) with respect to the cortical area, total area and medullary area respectively. The morphology has influence on the biomechanical properties of bone, with increasing cortical area increases the impact energy absorbed. In contrast, a greater area of the medullary cavity of impact energy absorbed increases but to a lesser magnitude. There were statistically significant differences (p=0.0168) of size on the strength of the tibia. Age (p=0.7343) and sex (p=0.1898) had no significant influence on the biomechanical properties of the tibia.

Density profile measurements with X-mode lower cut-off reflectometry in ASDEX Upgrade.

Despite the fact that density profile measurements using X-mode lower cut-off reflectometry are foreseen to be used on ITER, little or no experience is available within the reflectometry community and to our knowledge no results on this subject have been published so far. In ASDEX Upgrade the multichannel broadband reflectometer is equipped with both O- and X-mode channels. While X-mode operation was designed for upper cut-off reflection, it is observed that for both high magnetic field and high density discharges the lower cut-off becomes accessible. Here we present reflectometry measurements obtained in ASDEX Upgrade using X-mode lower cut-off and compare both the resulting group delay and density profile with O-mode measurements performed simultaneously over the same plasma region. The possible use of this comparison to provide estimates of the magnetic field is briefly discussed.

Novel mono-static arrangement of the ASDEX Upgrade high field side reflectometers compatible with electron cyclotron resonance heating stray radiation.

The ASDEX Upgrade frequency modulated continuous wave broadband reflectometer system uses a mono-static antenna configuration with in-vessel hog-horns and 3 dB directional couplers. The operation of the new electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) launcher and the start of collective Thomson scattering experiments caused several events where the fragile dummy loads inside the high field side directional couplers were damaged, due to excessive power resulting from the ECRH stray fields. In this paper, we present a non-conventional application of the existing three-port directional coupler that hardens the system to the ECRH stray fields and at the same time generates the necessary reference signal. Electromagnetic simulations and laboratory tests were performed to validate the proposed solution and are compared with the in-vessel calibration tests.

Influence of nutritional knowledge on the use and interpretation of Spanish nutritional food labels.

UNLABELLED: The present study analyzed the nutritional knowledge of Spanish consumers and its relationship with the correct use of food labels. Consumers were asked about their nutritional knowledge and some functional foods and about their understanding of food labeling and their use of it to select healthy food. A 2-part questionnaire was employed. The 1st part concerned their knowledge of nutritional facts, including their knowledge about macronutrients and perception of certain functional foods, while the 2nd part addressed some questions regarding food labels. The results revealed no statistically significant differences in nutritional knowledge by either age or gender, but a direct relationship with educational level. The association between nutritional knowledge and the perception and understanding of food labeling showed that the nutritional label rarely influenced the food purchases of the group with low nutritional knowledge, who considered that this information was too technical. More than half of the consumers did not consider the calorie or sugar content important for selecting food. In addition, the group with low nutritional knowledge stated that they never or rarely looked at the food labels to check whether it was low-fat food that they were buying. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Knowing the status of the consumer's nutritional knowledge allows health campaigns to be designed; considering the influence of cultural factors and the perception of food labeling is very useful for promoting better nutritional information.

Position paper on tuberculosis screening in patients with immune mediated inflammatory diseases candidates for biological therapy.

UNLABELLED: Chronic immunosuppression is a known risk factor for tuberculosis. Our aim was to reach a consensus on screening and prevention of tuberculosis in patients with immune mediated inflammatory diseases candidates to biologic therapy. METHODS: Critical appraisal of the literature and expert opinion on immunosuppressive therapies and risk of tuberculosis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The currently recommended method for screening is the tuberculin skin test and the interferon gamma assay, after exclusion of active tuberculosis. Positively screened patients should be treated for latent tuberculosis infection. Patients may start biological therapy after 1 to 2 months, as long as they are strictly adhering to and tolerating their preventive regimen.