Search

La pandemie mondiale de la Covid-19 a affecte chaque aspect de la vie, y compris celui de la creation artistique. Dans le monde de la mode, les regles de distanciation sociale ont pousse les createurs a inventer de nouvelles modalites de defile dans lesquelles se distinguent les Africains. Ce renouvellement des procedes de diffusion des creations va de pair avec la promotion d’une mode africaine innovante et engagee.

Introduction. Our study aim has been to investigate if the Umbrian population follows the healthy diet recommendations; mainly we focused on the daily intake of almost 5 portions of fruit and vegetables (five-a-day). Furthermore, we analyzed the relationship between fruits and vegetables consumption and other lifestyles in order to construct the relative health profile. Materials and methods. Data were extracted from three national population-based surveillance systems, including children (OKkio alla SALUTE), adults aged 18-69 years (PASSI) and elderly people (PASSI d'Argento). Among the 18-69 year-old people, multivariable analyses were used to compare the fruits/vegetables daily consumption with socio-demographic variables and healthy lifestyles patterns. Results. Fruits/vegetables average intake was less than 5 portions/ day in all age groups, and it was significantly lower when compared to the national average. The 5 fruits/vegetables daily portions consumption is more frequent with increasing age, higher education and among women. Moreover among the 18-69 year-old people, five-a-day was significantly associated with no economic difficulties, normal weight, not being sedentary, not being smoker, not alcohol drinking. Conclusions. In Umbria region the 5 portions/ day consumption was largely below the guidelines. Moreover, due to the associations, it could be used as a good trace of healthy lifestyles.

The mortality figures related to the coronavirus pandemic has been the topic of debate lately. Several hypothesis are made regarding the expected number of deaths in a region but there are various factors governing the same. In this paper, we have discussed the mortality figures in the Umbria region after analyzing the data from the national Health registry between December 2019 to April 2020; the period of infection and its comparison with the data from previous five years. The factors governing these figures were studied including temperature, standard mortality rates, territorial distribution, death due to all cases as well as the non-COVID deaths. A sharp increase in mortality figures was observed for the month of march and low temperature also had a role to play. However the difference when compared to previous 5 years was not significant as was expected at the start of the study. A single factor cannot be responsible for the total mortality figures in a region as is frequently predicted.

Our study aim has been to investigate if the Umbrian population follows the healthy diet recommendations; mainly we focused on the daily intake of almost 5 portions of fruit and vegetables (five-a-day). Furthermore, we analyzed the relationship between fruits and vegetables consumption and other lifestyles in order to construct the relative health profile.Data were extracted from three national population-based surveillance systems, including children (OKkio alla SALUTE), adults aged 18-69 years (PASSI) and elderly people (PASSI d'Argento). Among the 18-69 year-old people, multivariable analyses were used to compare the fruits/vegetables daily consumption with socio-demographic variables and healthy lifestyles patterns.Fruits/vegetables average intake was less than 5 portions/day in all age groups, and it was significantly lower when compared to the national average. The 5 fruits/vegetables daily portions consumption is more frequent with increasing age, higher education and among women. Moreover among the 18-69 year-old people, five-a-day was significantly associated with no economic difficulties, normal weight, not being sedentary, not being smoker, not alcohol drinking.In Umbria region the 5 portions/day consumption was largely below the guidelines. Moreover, due to the associations, it could be used as a good trace of healthy lifestyles.

The use of roll-your-own (RYO) cigarette has substantially increased in most high-income countries recently. This work aims to update Italian trends on loose tobacco sales and to describe the consumer profile of predominant RYO users. Data from the Italian Agency of Customs and State Monopolies and from PASSI (Italian behavioral risk factor surveillance system) were used. Information on 16,858 interviews to current smokers aged 18–69 was analyzed. Sales of loose tobacco increased more than sevenfold between 2004 and 2017. In 2015–2016, 11.6% of smokers reported smoking predominantly RYO cigarettes, with higher percentages among the youngest where a significant association between use of RYO and education was observed, unlike what happened in older adults. The association between economic difficulties and use of RYO was observed only in older adults. A growing trend in RYO cigarette sales was registered between 2004 and 2017. In young smokers, the greater use of RYO was observed among the most educated regardless of financial strain, while in older ones among those with economic difficulties.

Cervical cancer screening programmes in Italy actively invite all 25-64-year-old resident women for the Pap test every 3 years irrespective of their citizenship. Immigrant women come from countries where screening is absent or poorly implemented and the prevalence of human papillomavirus is often high. These women therefore have significant risk factors for cervical cancer. The Italian Group for Cervical Cancer Screening promoted a survey of all the screening programmes on the participation and the positivity and detection rates in Italian and foreign women in 2009-2011. Aggregated data for participation, cytology results, compliance with colposcopy and histology results were collected, distinguishing between women born in Italy and abroad. All comparisons were age adjusted. Forty-eight programmes out of 120 participated in the immigrant survey, with 3 147 428 invited and 1 427 412 screened Italian women and 516 291 invited and 205 948 screened foreign women. Foreign women had a slightly lower participation rate compared with Italians (39.9 vs. 45.4%), whereas compliance with colposcopy was similar (90%). Foreigners showed a higher risk of pathological findings than Italians: cytology positivity [relative risk (RR)=1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-1.27] and detection rate for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CIN2) (RR=1.39, 95% CI 1.31-1.47), CIN3 (RR=2.07, 95% CI 1.96-2.18) and cancer (RR=2.68, 95% CI 2.24-3.22). The ratio between cancer and CIN was higher in immigrants (0.06 vs. 0.04, P0.01). Foreign women had a higher risk of cervical precancer and cancer. Because of their high risk and because opportunistic screening does not cover this often disadvantaged group, achieving high participation in screening programmes for foreigners is critical to further reducing the cervical cancer burden in Italy.

Biofilm-forming ability is increasingly being recognized as an important virulence factor in several Staphylococcus species. This study evaluated the biofilm-forming ability of sixty canine derived clinical isolates of S. pseudintermedius, using three phenotypic methods, microtiter plate test (MtP), Congo red agar method (CRA) and tube adherence test, and the presence and impact of biofilm-associated genes (icaA and icaD). The results showed that icaA and icaD genes were detected concomitantly in 55 (91.7%) of 60 isolates. A majority (88.3%) of the strains screened had matching results by the tube adherence test, MtP and PCR analysis. Better agreement (95%) was found between the PCR-based analysis and the CRA. Results of the icaA and icaD gene PCRs showed good agreement with CRA results, with a kappa of 0.7. Comparing the phenotypic methods, the statistical analysis showed that the agreement among the phenotypical tests using categorical data was generally good. Considering two classes (biofilm producer and biofilm non-producer), the percentage of matching results between the CRA method and the tube adherence test and between the CRA method and the MtP was 93.3%. A concordance of 100% was revealed between the MtP and the tube adherence test. The results indicate a high prevalence of the ica genes within S. pseudintermedius isolates, and their presence is associated with in vitro formation of a biofilm. A combination of phenotypic and genotypic tests is recommended for investigating biofilm formation in S. pseudintermedius.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the antibiotic resistance and bio lm formation among a collection of 51 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius collected from canine pyoderma. All isolates were tested for the susceptibility to a panel of 14 antimicrobial agents by the disk di usion method in Müeller-Hinton agar. Oxacillin resistance was detected by subculture on oxacillin screening agar base. Bio lm formation was investigated by the Microtitre Plate test (MtP) and for some strains by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Antibiotic resistance pro ling demonstrated that 45/51 S. pseudintermedius isolates had a multi drug resistant (MDR) phenotype, exhibiting simultaneous resistance to at least 3 antibiotics categories; whereas 6 isolates showed a non-MDR phenotype. Thirty strains (59%) were resistant in oxacillin resistant screening agar, the same strains were also positive for mecA by PCR assay. All S. pseudintermedius isolates showed bio lm production by MtP method. Seventeen out of 51 isolates were classi ed as weakly adherent, 26 as moderately adherent, and 8 as strongly adherent. Moreover, no di erence in bio lm formation between meticillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) and meticillin-suscebtible S. pseudintermedius (MSSP) (P value0.05) was noted. The antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and bio lm formation could explain the di culty in treating S. pseudintermedius canine infections, chemotherapeutic failure, and consequently persistent infections.

Biofilm-forming ability is increasingly being recognized as an important virulence factor in several Staphylococcus species. This study evaluated the biofilm-forming ability of sixty canine derived clinical isolates of S. pseudintermedius, using three phenotypic methods, microtiter plate test (MtP), Congo red agar method (CRA) and tube adherence test, and the presence and impact of biofilm-associated genes (icaA and icaD). The results showed that icaA and icaD genes were detected concomitantly in 55 (91.7%) of 60 isolates. A majority (88.3%) of the strains screened had matching results by the tube adherence test, MtP and PCR analysis. Better agreement (95%) was found between the PCR-based analysis and the CRA. Results of the icaA and icaD gene PCRs showed good agreement with CRA results, with a kappa of 0.7. Comparing the phenotypic methods, the statistical analysis showed that the agreement among the phenotypical tests using categorical data was generally good. Considering two classes (biofilm producer and biofilm non-producer), the percentage of matching results between the CRA method and the tube adherence test and between the CRA method and the MtP was 93.3%. A concordance of 100% was revealed between the MtP and the tube adherence test. The results indicate a high prevalence of the ica genes within S. pseudintermedius isolates, and their presence is associated with in vitro formation of a biofilm. A combination of phenotypic and genotypic tests is recommended for investigating biofilm formation in S. pseudintermedius.

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is the most frequent staphylococcal species isolated from canine pyoderma. The control of S. pseudintermedius infection is often difficult due to the expanded antimicrobial resistance phenotypes. Antibiotic resistance in staphylococcal pathogens is often associated to mobile genetic elements such as the insertion sequence IS256 that was first described as a part of the transposon Tn4001, which confers aminoglycoside resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and in Staphylococcus epidermidis. In this study a collection of 70 S. pseudintermedius isolates from canine pyoderma was used to investigate antimicrobial susceptibility to 15 antibiotics and the presence of IS256, not revealed in S. pseudintermedius yet. Antibiotic resistance profiling demonstrated that all S. pseudintermedius isolates had a multi-drug resistance phenotype, exhibiting simultaneous resistance to at least five antibiotics; indeed methicillin resistant S. pseudintermedius isolates were simultaneously resistant to at least nine antibiotics and all were also gentamicin resistant. PCR analyses revealed the presence of IS256 in 43/70 S. pseudintemedius isolates. The association between the presence of IS256 and the resistance was particularly significant for certain antibiotics: cefovecin, amikacin, gentamicin and oxacillin (χ(2)p-value0.05). However, there was a striking result in frequency of strains resistant to gentamicin and oxacillin, suggesting a specific association between the presence of the IS256 element and the determinants for the resistance to these antibiotics. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing the detection of IS256 in S. pseudintermedius isolates and its association with antibiotic resistance. Our findings suggest that S. pseudintermedius may acquire antibiotic resistance genes through mobile genetic elements which may play a predominant role in the dissemination of multi-drug resistance.

The aim of this study was to determine serological values of lysozyme, hemolytic complement levels (alternative pathway), and bactericidal activ- ity of serum in turkeys kept in different rearing sys- tems (industrial, backyard, and experimental). Results showed that the values for serum bactericidal activity and hemolytic complement levels increased with age, and their values were higher in experimental and in industrial turkeys than in turkeys reared in backyard. Lysozyme concentration showed a similar pattern; its value was higher in the industrial and experimental groups than in the backyard group. Data obtained sug- gest that rearing system can have an influence on the natural immune parameters considered; experimental and industrial groups showed a similar trend, differenti- ated from that observed in the backyard group. In the backyard group, the values observed may suggest that hybrid turkeys, selected for high production, have dif- ficulty with being reared outside where predators (foxes and weasels) and weather conditions could be respon- sible for a stress situation.

This is the first paper describing the cloning of pigeon IFN-γ gene (PiIFN-γ) and the analysis of the in vitro expressed recombinant protein. The PiIFN-γ gene was identified by RT-PCR as a 498 bp, fragment coding for a precursor protein of 165 amino acids instead of 164 amino acids, as observed in the other avian species. The recombinant protein was expressed in vitro by an eukaryotic system and the biological properties of the cytokine were tested using a chicken macrophage cell line. The high degree of amino acid and nucleotide identity, shared with the ChIFN-γ, and the fact that the pigeon protein was functional on chicken cells, indicates a cross-reactivity between pigeon and chicken IFN-γ. The detection of the PiIFN-γ could represent an useful instrument in understanding the role played by this cytokine in immune response related to vaccinations and infectious diseases in the pigeon.

Adesione allo screening mammografico e livello di istruzione. Analisi del biennio 2004-2005 nel comune di Perugia per sezione censuaria di residenza - In this paper, in order to evaluate the access equity to mammographic screening program in the Local Health Unit of Perugia, during 2004-2005 years, we analyzed the participation rate by education level. As a proxy of individual educational level we used the percentage of low education (less than 5 school years) in any single census area where women lived. A slight but significant disadvantage has been measured among women living in areas with higher average educational levels. Methodological issues and particular socioeconomic feature in Perugia have been discussed. Key words: equity, screening, education, census area, epidemiology, perugina. Parole chiave: equita, screening, istruzione, sezione censimentaria, epidemiologia, Perugia.

The role of the horse in Coxiella burnetii infection has not been defined. Accordingly, a twofold approach was taken to further our knowledge on this topic: (1) conduct a systematic review of the literature to establish available evidence of C. burnetii infection in the horse; (2) undertake a biomolecular investigation of 122 cases of equine abortion, stillbirth and neonatal foal death, for the presence of C. burnetii using a PCR test targeting the IS1111 gene of C. burnetii. A review of the literature turned up seven studies that identified C. burnetii DNA in equine specimens, especially aborted fetuses, while an additional 34 studies sought to determine seroprevalence of the infection in the horse. A meta-analytical approach was taken to calculate a pooled mean seroprevalence in equines based on published studies. A seroprevalence of 15.8% (95% confidence interval: 9.6–23.0%) was obtained. This figure is comparable to those previously reported in other species, especially ruminants. None of the 122 cases of equine abortion, stillbirth or neonatal foal death were positive for C. burnetii DNA. C. burnetii has rarely been looked for in equine specimens in previous studies. Cases of equine abortion should be comprehensively investigated to assess the risk of abortion in a pregnant mare infected with C. burnetii. Consideration should also be given to the possible role of the horse as a source of the organism for other animal species including humans.

to measure the risk of having serious lesions and cervical cancer for immigrant women, by evaluating the impact of their lack of participation in the previous rounds.retrospective study.archive of the screening programme of Local Health Unit 2, Umbria. People subjected to the study: those adhering to the last round (2008- 2010) and belonging to an age group potentially capable of participating in all the previous rounds (1999-2007).positivity to Pap test; lesions that require colposcopy (AGCH,AGCUS,ASCH, HSIL); tumours (squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas).1.7% of the women were positive to the Pap test, 0.7% presented lesions with the immediate need for colposcopy, and 0.039% were diagnosed with cancer. The percentage of women who resulted either positive to the Pap test, or presenting lesions requiring colposcopy or with cancer, is significantly higher among those who come from poor countries. Furthermore, participation in previous rounds has proven to be protective with reference to the above-mentioned markers.the independent weight of several risk factors has emerged and consequently the need to promote with particular commitment the participation in screening of women coming from poor countries.

The present work investigated the occurrence of Giardia infection in Chinchilla lanigera reared in three Italian breeding facilities and determined their role as potential zoonotic reservoir. One hundred and four fecal samples were tested for the presence of Giardia spp. cysts using a Direct Fluorescent Assay (DFA). A high positivity rate (39.4%) was found despite all animals were asymptomatic at the time of sampling. Thirty-one positive samples were genetically characterized by sequence analysis of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of the Giardia ribosomal DNA. Assemblages B (29 isolates) and C (two isolates) were identified. These results showed that Giardia infection can be common in chinchillas, thus spurring further molecular epizootiological studies of the infection to assess the zoonotic potential or host specificity of their isolates, to determine the source of infections, to identify the routes of transmission, and to control the infection among animal populations.

The objective of this manuscript was to validate published PCR-based methods for detection of β-haemolytic Streptococci by comparison with established bacteriological techniques using 85 clinical isolates recovered from uterine swabs of mares with clinical signs of endometritis and to determine the distribution of SeeL/SeeM and SzeL/SzeM superantigens in isolates of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (S. equi) and S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus). The conventional bacteriological techniques showed the vast majority of these isolates (78) were S. zooepidemicus with just 5 Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (S. equisimilis) and 2 S. equi strains detected. The PCR analyses confirmed the bacteriological results demonstrating the reliability of the 16S rRNA PCR assay for detecting Streptococci, the multiplex PCR for differentiating between S. zooepidemicus, and S. equi, and PCR assays based on streptokinase genes for identification of S. equisimilis. PCRs for genes encoding superantigens revealed seeL and seeM specific amplicons with size of approximately 800 and 810 bp respectively for the S. equi strains and for 2 S. zooepidemicus strains. To our knowledge, this is the first report of szeL and szeM possession by S. zooepidemicus isolates derived from endometritis in mares.

The advent of the powerful electrophoretic technique, pulsed field gel electrophoresis, first developed on the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has brought a vital impulse to the genetic study on the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans. We report here on sizing and numbering of Candida chromosomes using transverse alternate field electrophoresis. Our results indicate the occurrence of nine to ten electrophoretic bands (depending on type of Candida strain), that range in approximate size from 1 to 3.5 Mbp, and may account for a higher overall chromosome number, because at least two of these bands appear to be doublets. This number of bands, with smaller size, is considerably higher than previously reported.

describing, using administrative data, the extent and modalities of hospitalization in terminally ill cancer patients, residing in Local Health Unit (LHU) 2 of Umbria Region, Italy.retrospective cohort study based on current administrative data: Nominative Registry of Causes of Death (ReNCaM) and Hospital Discharge Records (HDR).residents in LHU 2 dead of cancer (ICD9-CM categories: 140-239) in 2004-2006 (N=3,122).percentage of patients hospitalized within thirty days before death, percentage of those admitted to hospital within 2 days before death, percentage of patients discharged once dead, percentage of those discharged alive on the day of death. We used a multivariate logistic analysis model to assess the role played by the variables on the available indicators.percentage of patients hospitalized within thirty days before death was 56.5% (N=1,764) percentage of those admitted to hospital within 2 days before death was 9.0% (N=281) percentage of those discharged alive on the day of death was 24.4% (N=763); percentage of discharged alive on the day of death was 6,1% (N=190). The age group 40-59 years and any residence other than the District of Assisi (the first with a palliative care network), are factors associated with increased hospitalization in the terminally ill.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Helicobacter (H.) spp. in swine affected by gastric ulceration. Stomachs from 400 regularly slaughtered swine were subjected to gross pathological examination to evaluate the presence of gastric ulcers. Sixty-five samples collected from ulcerated pars esophagea and 15 samples from non-ulcerated pyloric portions were submitted to histopathological and molecular analyses, to detect Helicobacter spp., H. suis and H. pylori by PCR. Feces and saliva swabs were also collected from 25 animals in order to detect in vivo the presence of Helicobacter spp.. Gastric ulcers were detected in 373 cases (93%). The presence of ulcers in association with inflammatory processes was further confirmed by histological examination. Forty-nine percent (32/65) of the ulcerated esophageal portions as well as 53% (8/15) of the non-ulcerated pyloric portions were positive for Helicobacter spp. by PCR. The Helicobacter spp. positive samples were also positive for H. suis, while H. pylori was not detected. These results were confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis. With regard to feces and saliva samples, 15/25 (60%) and 16/25 (64%) were positive for Helicobacter spp. PCR, respectively but all were negative in H. suis and H. pylori specific PCR.

Mud-bath treatment has a relevant therapeutic activity in reducing symptoms and disabilities in rheumatic diseases, as studies on inflammation process and clinical symptomatology have shown. Objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of mud therapy by natural limans of Cervia on clinical parameters in patients with lumbar spine osteoarthrosis (OA).30 patients (20 females and 10 males) suffering from lumbar OA, diagnosed by clinical symptoms and X-Ray findings (osteophytosis, morphological changes of vertrebral somes, tightness of intervertebral spaces, alterated lumbar physiologic lordosis) were studied. All patients were examined first when recruited (T0) and after two weeks of therapy (T1). Interviews were submitted in order to estimate functional restrictions and pain. Statistical analysis was performed via t test for paired data.On the basis of the statistical analysis a very significant difference was demonstrated between the average values of the tests before and after the treatment. These results confirm the improvement of the symptoms concerning the pain, the articular functionality and the quality of life.The results of the study demonstrate the efficacy of the mud-bath treatment with natural limans of Cervia on the patients affected by lumbar spine osteoarthrosis (OA).