Welfare indicators during broiler slaughtering.

1. The aim of this study was to identify the most relevant welfare indicators for unloading, lairage, stunning, killing and post-mortem inspection in a poultry slaughter plant. Different indicators were unloading duration, lairage time, environmental variables in the lairage facilities, shackling time and electrical variables used in the water bath. 2. Lairage time did not correlate strongly with dead on arrival. Heat stress was limited by means of ventilation systems, correct cage placement and appropriate stocking density per crate. The acceptable shackling period was about 30 s. 3. The presence of a corneal reflex showed that an animal was alive, while spontaneous wing flapping, spontaneous eye blinking and response to a painful stimulus were regarded as indicators of stunning efficiency. 4. It was concluded that the presence of recent traumatic injuries during the post-mortem inspection could be a valid means to establish whether corrective measures concerning the handling, transport and loading procedures should be taken.

[The assessment of functional capacity in workers with the thoracic outlet syndrome. A pilot study]. / Valutazione della capacità funzionale in lavoratori affetti da sindrome dello stretto toracico. Uno studio pilota.

Occupational specialists are well aware of the lack of objective measurements for the diagnosis and the functional evaluation of workers affected by thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). Subjects affected by TOS refer pain, sensation of fatigue in the arm frequently aggravated by overhead work. A "stick-up" position tends to close the costoclavicular space and tense the neck and shoulder muscles to bring into play the abnormal compression mechanism that may affect the brachial plexus nerves and the subclavian vessels. In a previous study, we demonstrated the reliability of an isokinetic hand grip endurance test. In this pilot study we asked 7 industrial workers affected by TOS to perform a 30-second isokinetic endurance test for hand gripping with a Lido WorkSET dynamometer. Tests were performed in two positions (resting and "stick-up" position) before and after a 3-week intensive rehabilitation program. In addition, the subjects performed daily aerobic exercise with an arm crank ergometer. Objective indexes of posttreatment improvement were found. Subjects were able to generate higher grip forces during the isokinetic hand grip endurance test and to sustain higher mechanical workload with the arm ergometer at the same intensity level for longer duration after completion of the rehabilitation program.

[Evaluation of the capacity of work using upper limbs after radical latero-cervical surgery]. / La valutazione della capacità lavorativa con gli arti superiori dopo intervento di svuotamento latero-cervicale.

Evaluation of arm work capacity after radical neck surgery. The aim of this paper is to describe an approach for the assessment of work capacity in patients who underwent radical neck surgery, including those treated with radiation therapy. Nine male patients, who underwent radical neck surgery 2 months before being referred to our Unit, participated in the study. In addition to manual muscle strength test, we performed the following functional evaluations: 0-100 Constant scale for shoulder function; maximal shoulder strength in adduction/abduction and intrarotation/extrarotation; instrumental. We measured maximal isokinetic strength (10 repetitions) with a computerized dynamometer (Lido WorkSET) set at 100 degrees/sec. During the rehabilitation phase, the patients' mechanical parameters, the perception of effort, pain or discomfort, and the range of movement were monitored while performing daily/occupational task individually chosen on the simulator (Lido WorkSET) under isotonic conditions. On this basis, patients were encouraged to return to levels of daily physical activities compatible with the individual tolerable work load. The second evaluation at 2 month confirmed that the integrated rehabilitation protocol successfully increased patients' capacities and "trust" in their physical capacity. According to the literature, the use of isokinetic and isotonic exercise programs appears to decrease shoulder rehabilitation time. In our experience an excellent compliance has been noted. One of the advantages of the method proposed is to provide quantitative reports of the functional capacity and therefore to facilitate return-to-work of patients who underwent radical neck surgery.

Work capacity of the upper limbs after mastectomy.

Cancer patients are now more often long-term survivors and their needs for returning to social and productive activities have become a primary focus of intervention. The purpose of the present study was to propose an objective evaluation test for predicting endurance capacity in breast cancer patients after surgery, in order to optimize return to work or previous daily activities, and for monitoring changes during rehabilitation. Twenty female patients (mean age: 44 +/- 5), who underwent radical breast surgery 2 months before being referred to our Unit, participated in the study. In addition to the measures of the circumferences in the arm-forearm and manual muscle strength test, we performed the following functional evaluations: 0-100 Constant scale for shoulder function; instrumental evaluation of daily/occupational upper limb activities (Lido WorkSET). We monitored the mechanical parameters, the perception of effort, pain or discomfort, and the range of movement while performing a 3-minute steady daily/occupational task chosen by the subject. Patients were asked to perform the 3-minute test at three different intensities ("moderate", "somewhat hard", "hard") until the perception of fatigue, pain or discomfort was rated > 3 on the 10 point Borg's scale. The 'power-duration' product (Watt x min) defined by the three tests (see Fig. 1) represented the individual tolerable work load, since subjective indicators of pain/discomfort remained within tolerable limits during the exertion. On this basis, patients were encouraged to return to levels of daily physical activities compatible with the individual tolerable work load. The second evaluation, although no statistical analysis was performed, confirmed that the "guided" daily activity in a 2-month period increased patients' capacities and "trust" in their physical capacity.

[Long-term evaluation of immunosuppressive therapy in childhood idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis]. / Valutazione a lungo termine della terapia immunosoppressiva nella emosiderosi polmonare idiopatica dell'infanzia.

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPM) is a rare disease of unknown etiology, whose diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic approach is still open to discussion. In this paper the authors report a study regarding three cases of IPH initially detected in 13, 11 and 7 year-old children. The patients were treated with cyclophosphamide and prednisone according to different cycles depending on the clinical stage in the disease. All three patients are still alive after 10, 6 and 5 years since initial diagnosis. This therapeutic protocol therefore seems to be effective in preventing the progression of IPH and in maintaining the patients in an asymptomatic condition.

Tolerable exercise intensity in the early rehabilitation of paraplegic patients. A preliminary study.

Accessible indicators for setting exertion levels in newly injured paraplegias could be useful to improve their daily and occupational performances in less time than is presently required. Eight male newly injured paraplegic subjects performed progressive resisted and endurance exercise tests on an arm cranking ergometer. Cardiorespiratory parameters during exercise were monitored with an oxygen uptake analyzer and perceived exertion was rated on Borg's 10-point scale. Four subjects (Group A) underwent an 'enhanced' rehabilitation protocol which included aerobic arm training sessions. The prescription of exercise intensity was tailored to each subject's tolerable power output for prolonged exertion. The remaining four (Group B) followed a 'conventional' rehabilitation program. Tests were repeated in both groups after 6 weeks. We observed a greater improvement in endurance capacity in Group A than in Group B after completion of the rehabilitation program. A 6-week 'enhanced' rehabilitation program based on a 'moderate' intensity of exercise was well tolerated and effective in improving the fitness levels of newly injured paraplegic subjects. Subjective perception has been shown to be a simple and accessible indicator for setting exertion levels.

Drenaje biliar transhepatico quirurgico en sedal. / Surgical transhepatic biliary drainage in sedal

Se presenta la experiencia reunida durante 5 anos (20 casos), con la utilizacion de una modalidad tecnica de drenaje biliar transhepatico en U.El procedimiento resulto muy util, en lo que respecta a las lesiones quirurgicas de las vias biliares en las que las caracteristicas locales, dificultaban realizar otro tipo de tecnica en los canceres de las vias biliares en los que en su mayoria se obtuvo un buen resultado paliativo, en las dificiles situaciones de los quistes hidatidicos abiertos en la via biliar, en la estenosis postcolangitis y en el absceso intrahepatico

Drenaje biliar transhepatico quirurgico en sedal. / Surgical transhepatic biliary drainage in sedal

Se presenta la experiencia reunida durante 5 anos (20 casos), con la utilizacion de una modalidad tecnica de drenaje biliar transhepatico en U.El procedimiento resulto muy util, en lo que respecta a las lesiones quirurgicas de las vias biliares en las que las caracteristicas locales, dificultaban realizar otro tipo de tecnica en los canceres de las vias biliares en los que en su mayoria se obtuvo un buen resultado paliativo, en las dificiles situaciones de los quistes hidatidicos abiertos en la via biliar, en la estenosis postcolangitis y en el absceso intrahepatico

Biopsia del pancreas con aguja de Nordenstrom. Nota previa. / Biopsy of the pancreas using the Nordenstrom needle. Previous note

Se presentan 55 casos de biopsia del pancreas con aguja de Nordenstrom, efectuadas en los ultimos 5 anos. Se obtuvo un 76% de aciertos diagnosticos, con 1 solo caso de fistula pancreatica que curo a los pocos dias

Biopsia del pancreas con aguja de Nordenstrom. Nota previa. / Biopsy of the pancreas using the Nordenstrom needle. Previous note

Se presentan 55 casos de biopsia del pancreas con aguja de Nordenstrom, efectuadas en los ultimos 5 anos. Se obtuvo un 76% de aciertos diagnosticos, con 1 solo caso de fistula pancreatica que curo a los pocos dias