68 results on '"Murgia L"'
Search Results
2. Distributions of sawflies and aculeates in a heterogenous secondary acid forest in Artikutza (Navarre) (Insecta : Hymenoptera)
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MARTINEZ DE MURGIA, L., VAZQUEZ, M.A., NIEVES-ALDREY, J.L.
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Distribución ,sínfitos ,aculeados ,Hymenoptera ,bosque mixto de pinos ,hayedo ,Navarra ,Science - Abstract
La distribución de las especies de sínfitos y aculeados ha sido investigada por medio de seis trampas Malaise instaladas en dos series de vegetación adyacentes y sucesivas, bosque mixto de pinos y hayedo, en la reserva forestal de Arikutza (Navarra). La comparación entre series de vegetación y localización de las trampas en sínfitos, avispas, abejas y hormigas sugiere que la distribución de las especies puede estar relacionada con la distribución espacial de los distintos recursos de alimentación, reproducción, nidificación o hibernación. Los claros, el cauce del río y la madera muerta proveen variedad de fuentes de diversidad.
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- 2002
3. Datos preliminares sobre la presencia de Ismarus dorsiger (Haliday, 1831) (Hymenoptera : Diapriidae) en el País Vasco, primera cita en la Comunidad Autónoma
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MARTINEZ DE MURGIA, L.
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Science - Published
- 1998
4. Primera cita del genus Nephrocerus Zetterstedt, 1838 para la península Ibérica (Diptera : Pipunculidae)
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KEHLMAIER, Ch., MARTINEZ DE MURGIA, L.
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Science - Published
- 1998
5. Modeling tomato growth and production in a photovoltaic greenhouse in southern Italy
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Deligios, P.A., primary, Cossu, M., additional, Murgia, L., additional, Sirigu, A., additional, Urracci, G., additional, Pazzona, A., additional, Pala, T., additional, and Ledda, L., additional
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- 2017
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6. Solar light distribution inside a greenhouse with the roof area entirely covered with photovoltaic panels
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Cossu, M., primary, Ledda, L., additional, Deligios, P.A., additional, Sirigu, A., additional, Murgia, L., additional, Pazzona, A., additional, and Yano, A., additional
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- 2017
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7. Effects of the photovoltaic roofs on the greenhouse microclimate
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Cossu, M., primary, Yano, A., additional, Murgia, L., additional, Ledda, L., additional, Deligios, P.A., additional, Sirigu, A., additional, Chessa, F., additional, and Pazzona, A., additional
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- 2017
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8. Analysis of buffalo teat skin temperature in two milking vacuum levels using infrared thermography
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Gatto, M., Massimo Morgante, Murgia, L., Caria, M., Calogero Stelletta, and Pazzona, A.
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- 2009
9. Phytomass production from Silybum marianum for bioenergy
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Sulas L., Murgia L., and Ventura A.
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food and beverages - Abstract
Silybum marianum Gaertner is a herbaceous thorny member of the Compositae family common in the native flora of the Mediterranean basin. S. marianum seeds contain a complex substance called silymarin well appreciated for the treatment of human liver diseases and animal wellbeing. For its high aggressive vegetative growth causing depression of adjacent plants it is reputed as a dangerous weed in cropping areas. On the other hand, the rusticity and the high growth rates of S. marianum make it interesting for bioenergy purposes in rainfed Mediterranean environments. A research was started in Sardinia in order to evaluate the performances of this species in terms of biomass production under low input conditions. Data on undisturbed dry matter accumulation, yield, and phytomass partitioning into its components (leaves, stems and heads) were collected. The heating value and the energy balance of the crop were also assessed. The first year results are reported in this paper.
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- 2008
10. L’analisi della composizione del sudore come strumento d’indagine medica
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DI FRANCESCO, Fabio, Tabucchi, S, Murgia, L, and Onor, Massimo
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- 2008
11. Lanalisi della composizione del sudore come strumento dindagine medica
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Di Francesco F., Tabucchi S., Murgia L., and Onor M.
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- 2008
12. Monitoraggio non invasivo di terapie anticoagulanti orali
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Murgia, L., Ghimenti, Silvia, Onor, Massimo, ALDO PAOLICCHI, and Fabio Di Francesco
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- 2008
13. Understanding selectivity mechanism of human asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) toward Gal- and Man-type ligands for predicting interactions with exogenous sugars
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Massarelli, I, Murgia, L, Bianucci, A. M., Chiellini, Federica, and Chiellini, Emo
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- 2007
14. Prediction of HERG Potassium Channel Affinity by Traditional QSAR and Volsurf Approach
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Bianucci, ANNA MARIA PAOLA, Coi, Alessio, Massarelli, Ilaria, Murgia, L., and Saraceno, Marilena
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- 2005
15. Evaluation of the performance of the first automatic milking system for buffaloes
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Caria, M., primary, Tangorra, F.M., additional, Leonardi, S., additional, Bronzo, V., additional, Murgia, L., additional, and Pazzona, A., additional
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- 2014
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16. Effects of the working vacuum level on mechanical milking of buffalo
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Caria, M., primary, Murgia, L., additional, and Pazzona, A., additional
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- 2011
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17. Thermographic study of the ovine mammary gland during different working vacuum levels
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Stelletta, C., primary, Murgia, L., additional, Caria, M., additional, Gianesella, M., additional, Pazzona, A., additional, and Morgante, M., additional
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- 2010
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18. Effects of low vacuum levels on vacuum dynamics during milking
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Pazzona, A., primary, Caria, M., additional, Murgia, L., additional, and Sistu, L., additional
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- 2007
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19. Focus on ... Professional Recognition: The Envelope, Please: Nominate a Colleague for an SAF Award
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Murgia, L., primary and McKernon, C., additional
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- 2003
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20. Focus on ... Public Outreach: How to Apply for a Foresters' Fund Grant
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Murgia, L., primary
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- 2003
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21. Focus on…Students and New Professionals: Gain and Share Knowledge, Skills, and Expertise—At Your Computer
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Murgia, L., primary
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- 2002
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22. Estimation of Noise-induced Hearing Impairment Risk in Sheep Dairy Farming
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Pazzona, A., primary and Murgia, L., additional
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- 1993
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23. Bullous pemphigoid in a 106-years old female,Pemfigoide bolloso in una paziente di 106 anni
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Ventura, V., Posadinu, M., Deiana, M., Baralla, A., Pasella, S., Murgia, L., Pinna, S., Canu, E., Zinellu, A., Sotgia, S., Ciriaco Carru, and Deiana, L.
24. Thermographyc study of the ovine mammary gland during different working vacum levels
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Calogero Stelletta, Murgia, L., Caria, M., Matteo, Pazzona, A., and Massimo Morgante
25. Interleukins and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN),Interleuchine e necrolisi tossica epidermica
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Ventura, V., Posadinu, A., Deiana, M., Angela Baralla, Pasella, S., Murgia, L., Pinna, S., Canu, E., Marchisio, A., Zinellu, A., Carru, C., and Deiana, L.
26. Using infrared thermography to monitor the effect of different milking vacuum levels on teat tissue in dairy ewes
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Murgia, L., Calogero Stelletta, Caria, M., Matteo, Gatto, Michele, Pazzona, A., and Massimo Morgante
27. Thermographic study of the ovine mammary gland during different working vacuum levels
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Stelletta, C., Murgia, L., Caria, M., Gianesella, M., Pazzona, A., and Morgante, M.
- Abstract
AbstractThermography is a non-contact, non-invasive technique that detects surface heat emitted as infrared radiation. Because skin temperature reflects the status of underlying tissue metabolism and blood circulation, abnormal thermal patterns can signify areas of superficial inflammation or circulatory impairments (i.e. congestion). In sheep different methods have been adopted to measure udder blood circulation and the effect of cold exposure and lactation on the distribution of blood flow. The effect of milking procedures on udder and teat skin temperature was investigated in cows through thermographic scanning. Thermography results in a very useful tool to evaluate, estimate and differentiate short and longer-term tissue reactions to machine milking. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of working vacuum level on udder and teat temperature changes during milking procedures and the recovery by indirect monitoring of the circulatory impairments of teat tissue via infrared thermography. Two groups of six lactating Sarda ewes were milked experimentally at two vacuum levels (28 and 42 kPa) and same pulsation parameters (120 cycles/min and 60% ratio). Thermographic images (Flir System, ThermaCam P25, sensitivity of 0.08 °C) of posterior udder area (PUA) and teats (teat base – TB; mid teat – MT and teat tip – TT) were taken pre-milking (PM), during milking (M) (only for PUA), and immediately after milking (IAM) up to 2 minutes after milking (AM+). Temperatures were recovered by processing the thermographic images in ThermaCam Researcher Basic 2.8 SR-1 Software (Flir System). The PUA showed a drop of 1°C in both treatments between PM and M. After milking, values did not show remarkable changes. The vacuum level effect on teats temperature results to be different between treatments. Results during IAM indicate a general drop of the teats temperatures and specifically for high vacuum level (from 39.82 to 37.92 °C and from 39.71 to 37.75 °C for low and high vacuum level respectively). During AM+ (monitored up to 60 sec - AM +30; up to 90 sec - AM+60 and up to 120 sec – AM+90) the increase of teat temperatures were different (P<0.05) between vacuum levels (AM+30: 38.12 vs37.54 °C; AM+60: 38.19 vs37.96 °C and AM+90: 39.02 vs38.58 °C for low and high vacuum level respectively). Differences among TB, MT and TT were evident also at AM+90 only for the high vacuum level while in low one, at the same time, it was persistent only the difference between TT and TB. The higher teat temperature for the low vacuum level could be attributable to a faster return to a normal condition of the blood flow in all teat locations. Teat circulation impairments due to milking procedures need further surveys.
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- 2007
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28. EFFECTS OF A LOW VACUUM LEVEL ON VACUUM STABILITY AND MILKING PARLOR PERFORMANCE FOR SHEEP.
- Author
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Pazzona, A., Carria, M., and Murgia, L.
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SHEEP milking , *MILKING machines , *VACUUM , *AGRICULTURAL equipment , *ANIMAL culture - Abstract
In line with the current interest in animal welfare in animal husbandry, this study of two groups of 24 sheep compares milking performances at a low vacuum level (28 kPa) and at a standard level (42 kPa) that is normally used for sheep. The two working vacuum levels were tested with three different combinations of pulsator rate and pulsator ratio. Each of the experiments lasted 21 days, of which 11 were for adaptation and 10 were for collecting data. The milking machine used was a low line with 24 stalls, 12 milking units controlled by two operators, a milk line 74 mm in diameter, and a cluster with a total mass of 490 g. The measurements performed were the dynamics of the vacuum level in the short milk tube and the milk line during milking, and the time duration for each individual milking. There were no significant differences in fluctuations in vacuum in either the short tube or the milk line at the two vacuum levels used. By contrast, there was a significant increase in vacuum fluctuations in the short milk tube when the pulsator ratio changed from 50% to 60%. The milk flow time for each sheep increased on average by 17% with low vacuum, while the throughput of the system was reduced by some 4%, from 333 to 321 sheep/h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2009
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29. Effects of low vacuum levels on vacuum dynamics during milking
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Lelia Murgia, Maria Caria, Antonio Luigi Pazzona, Luisella Sistu, Pazzona, A., Caria, M., Murgia, L., and Sistu, L.
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medicine.medical_specialty ,Materials science ,Operative parameters, Vacuum fluctuation, Sheep, Milking ,Physics::Medical Physics ,technology, industry, and agriculture ,food and beverages ,Mechanics ,Milking ,Surgery ,body regions ,General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology ,fluids and secretions ,surgical procedures, operative ,Low vacuum ,medicine ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Tube (fluid conveyance) ,lcsh:Animal culture ,lcsh:SF1-1100 ,AGR/09 Meccanica agraria - Abstract
One of critical points of the milking unit is the short milk tube. Here milk plugs can cause abrupt variations in vacuum which are stressful for the animals. Our trials allowed us to define the effects of the operational vacuum and pulsation on vacuum stability in the short milk tube. Reducing the vacuum from 42 to 28 kPa did not produce appreciable variations in vacuum fluctuation. It was 9.2 kPa for the low vacuum and 9.8 kPa for the standard vacuum. Changing the pulsation rate from 150 to 120 cycles/min did not modify the vacuum stability in the short milk tube. By contrast, raising the pulsation ratio from 50% to 60% significantly increased the amplitude of vacuum fluctuation in the short milk tube.
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- 2007
30. Multiple sclerosis in twins from continental Italy and Sardinia: a nationwide study
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Ristori G, Cannoni S, Stazi MA, Vanacore N, Cotichini R, Alfo M, Pugliatti M, Sotgiu S, Solaro C, Bomprezzi R, Di Giovanni S, Figa` Talamanca L, Nistico L, Fagnani C, Neale MC, Cascino I, Giorgi G, Battaglia MA, Buttinelli C, Tosi R, Salvetti M, M. Melato, R. Dellantonio, L. Sironi, E. Bottacchi, M. Signorino, R. Angeloni, L. Curatola, C. Paci, M. Ragno, G. Sirocchi, AM. Vurchio, E. Duc, D. Spitaleri, M. Trojano, M. Liguori, N. Cimini, G. Moretto, M. Porta, MR Rottoli A. Mamoli, M. Camerlingo, E. Nardozza, T. Sacquegna, S. Stecchi, C. Scandellari, L. Callea, R. Capra, M. Codella, M. G. Marrosu, E. Cocco, A. Spissu, G. Cossu, S. Tronci, A. Di Lauro, E. Lombardi, A. Reggio, F. Patti, P. Valentino, A. Quattrone, D Farina, M. E. Nives, A. Lugaresi, F. Perla, M. G. Rosso, M. R. Tola, E. Granieri, MP Amato L. Massacesi, E. Millefiorini, V. Durastanti, G. L. Mancardi, A. Murialdo, NR. Pizio, P. Bellantonio, R. Fantozzi, R. Totaro, A. Carolei, F. Giramma, A. T. Lazzaro, C. Giraldi, M. Mazzoni, G. Giuliani, E. Pucci, P. Previdi, MC. Fazio, M. Buccafusca, P. Girlanda, C. Messina, G. D’Aleo, C. Milanese, L. Lamantia, D. Caputo, E. Scarpini, R. Clerici, L. Moiola, M. Gironi, E. Merelli, F. Casoni, S. Bonavita, G. Tedeschi, M. Leone, D. Mittino, SB. Murgia, L. Musu, P. Gallo, P. Perini, E. Frasson, G. Salemi, G. Cuccia, E. Montanari, L. Manneschi, D. Saviola, M. Antonelli, V. Cosi, R. Bergamaschi, V. Gallai, D. Murasecco, P. Sarchielli, R. Urcioli, G. Perticoni, G. Meucci, G. Moscato, B. Lucci, E. Covezzi, MG. Coniglio, D. Acquistapace, L. Motti, B. Dossi Curro`, M. Frontoni, C. Mainero, P. Giannetti, I. Pestalozza, S. Di Legge, M. Spadaro, C. Pozzilli, S. Romano, B. Mercuri, C. Scoppetta, C. Gasperini, S. Galgani, MG. Grasso, S. Paolucci, PA. Tonali, A. Leonardi, A. Oneto, G Rosati, M. A. Sotgiu, A. Bertolotto, M. Capobianco, L. Durelli, M. Clerico, L. Sosso, R. Bongioanni, D. Orrico, C. Carbonin, U. Freo. M. Zaffaroni, A. Ghezzi, N. Falcone, Ristori G, Cannoni S, Stazi MA, Vanacore N, Cotichini R, Alfo M, Pugliatti M, Sotgiu S, Solaro C, Bomprezzi R, Di Giovanni S, Figa` Talamanca L, Nistico L, Fagnani C, Neale MC, Cascino I, Giorgi G, Battaglia MA, Buttinelli C, Tosi R, Salvetti M, M. Melato, R. Dellantonio, L.Sironi, E. Bottacchi, M. Signorino, R. Angeloni, L. Curatola, C. Paci, M. Ragno, G. Sirocchi, AM. Vurchio, E. Duc, D. Spitaleri, M. Trojano, M. Liguori, N. Cimini, G. Moretto, M. Porta, MR Rottoli A. Mamoli, M. Camerlingo, E. Nardozza, T. Sacquegna, S. Stecchi, C. Scandellari, L. Callea, R. Capra, M. Codella, M. G. Marrosu, E. Cocco, A. Spissu, G. Cossu, S. Tronci, A. Di Lauro, E. Lombardi, A. Reggio, F. Patti, P. Valentino, A. Quattrone, D Farina, M. E. Nives, A. Lugaresi, F. Perla, M. G. Rosso, M.R. Tola, E. Granieri, MP Amato L. Massacesi, E. Millefiorini, V. Durastanti, G. L. Mancardi, A. Murialdo, NR. Pizio, P. Bellantonio, R. Fantozzi, R. Totaro, A. Carolei, F. Giramma, A. T. Lazzaro, C. Giraldi, M. Mazzoni, G. Giuliani, E. Pucci, P. Previdi, MC. Fazio, M. Buccafusca, P. Girlanda, C. Messina, G. D’Aleo, C. Milanese, L. Lamantia, D. Caputo, E. Scarpini, R. Clerici, L. Moiola, M. Gironi, E. Merelli, F. Casoni, S. Bonavita, G. Tedeschi, M. Leone, D. Mittino, SB. Murgia, L. Musu, P. Gallo, P. Perini, E. Frasson, G. Salemi, G. Cuccia, E. Montanari, L. Manneschi, D. Saviola, M. Antonelli, V. Cosi, R. Bergamaschi, V. Gallai, D. Murasecco, P. Sarchielli, R. Urcioli, G. Perticoni, G. Meucci, G. Moscato, B. Lucci, E. Covezzi, MG. Coniglio, D. Acquistapace, L. Motti, B. Dossi Curro`, M. Frontoni, C. Mainero, P. Giannetti, I. Pestalozza, S. Di Legge, M. Spadaro, C. Pozzilli, S. Romano, B. Mercuri, C. Scoppetta, C. Gasperini, S. Galgani, MG. Grasso, S. Paolucci, PA. Tonali, A. Leonardi, A. Oneto, and G Rosati, M. A. Sotgiu, A. Bertolotto, M. Capobianco, L. Durelli, M. Clerico, L. Sosso, R. Bongioanni, D. Orrico, C. Carbonin, U. Freo. M. Zaffaroni, A. Ghezzi, N. Falcone
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Male ,Questionnaires ,Multiple Sclerosis ,Concordance ,Population ,Twins ,Dizygotic twins ,Disease cause ,Multiple Sclerosis, Epidemiology, Twins ,Cohort Studies ,Cohort Studies, Disease Susceptibility, Female, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Humans, Italy ,epidemiology, Male, Multiple Sclerosis ,epidemiology/genetics, Questionnaires, Regression Analysis, Twins ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,medicine ,Humans ,Genetic Predisposition to Disease ,education ,education.field_of_study ,epidemiology/genetics ,business.industry ,Multiple sclerosis ,medicine.disease ,Penetrance ,Twin study ,Confidence interval ,Neurology ,Italy ,Regression Analysis ,Settore MED/26 - Neurologia ,Female ,epidemiology ,Neurology (clinical) ,Disease Susceptibility ,business ,Demography - Abstract
Knowledge about the balance between heritable and nonheritable risk in multiple sclerosis (MS) is based on twin studies in high-prevalence areas. In a study that avoided ascertainment limitations and directly compared continental Italy (medium-prevalence) and Sardinia (high-prevalence), we ascertained 216 pairs from 34,549 patients. This gives a twinning rate of 0.62% among MS patients, significantly less than that of the general population. In continental Italy, probandwise concordance was 14.5% (95% confidence interval, 5.1-23.8) for monozygotic and 4.0% (95% confidence interval, 0.8-7.1) for dizygotic twins. Results in Sardinia resemble those in northern populations but in limited numbers. Monozygotic concordance was 22.2% (95% confidence interval, 0-49.3) probandwise, but no concordant dizygotic pairs were identified. A questionnaire on 80 items possibly related to disease cause was administered to 70 twin pairs, 135 sporadic patients, and 135 healthy volunteers. Variables positively (7) or negatively (2) associated with predisposition and concordance in twins largely overlapped and were mainly linked to infection. If compared with previous studies, our data demonstrate that penetrance in twins appears to correlate with MS prevalence. They highlight the relevance of nonheritable variables in Mediterranean areas. The apparent underrepresentation of MS among Italian twins draws attention to protective factors, shared by twins, that may influence susceptibility.
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- 2006
31. A new point-of-care test for the rapid antimicrobial susceptibility assessment of uropathogens.
- Author
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Arienzo A, Murgia L, Cellitti V, Ferrante V, Stalio O, Losito F, Gallo V, Tomassetti F, Marino R, Cristofano F, Orrù M, Visca P, Di Somma S, Silvestri L, Ziparo V, and Antonini G
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- Humans, Anti-Bacterial Agents pharmacology, Anti-Bacterial Agents therapeutic use, Drug Resistance, Microbial, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Point-of-Care Testing, Urinary Tract Infections diagnosis, Urinary Tract Infections drug therapy, Urinary Tract Infections microbiology
- Abstract
Bacterial resistance to antimicrobials is considered a major issue worldwide. This condition may account for treatment failure of urinary tract infections, which are among the most common infections both in community and healthcare settings. Therapy against uropathogens is generally administered empirically, possibly leading to unsuccessful therapy, recurrence and development of antibiotic resistance. The reduction in analytical time to obtain antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) results could play a key role in reducing the cost of healthcare, providing information about antibiotic efficacy and thus preventing from either exploiting new and expensive antibiotics unnecessarily or using obsolete and ineffective ones. A more rational choice among treatment options would hence lead to more effective treatment and faster resolution. In this paper we evaluated the performance of a new Point Of Care Test (POCT) for the rapid prediction of antimicrobial susceptibility in urine samples performed without the need of a laboratory or specialized technicians. 349 patients were enrolled in two open-label, monocentric, non-interventional clinical trials in partnership with an Emergency Medicine ward and the Day Hospital of two large healthcare facilities in Rome. Antibiogram was carried out on 97 patients. Results from analysis of urine samples with the POCT were compared with those from routine AST performed on culture-positive samples, displaying high accuracy (>90%) for all tested antimicrobial drugs and yielding reliable results in less than 12 hours from urine collection thus reducing analytical and management costs., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2023 Arienzo et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)
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- 2023
- Full Text
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32. Application of the Micro Biological Survey analytical method for the determination of bacterial load in cow raw milk.
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Cornacchia A, Saletti MA, Di Marzio V, Salini R, Marfoglia C, Tieri E, D'Alterio N, Marri N, Losito F, Arienzo A, Murgia L, Antonini G, Amatiste S, Leboffe L, and Pomilio F
- Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of "Micro Biological Survey - MBS Test" in the enumeration of bacterial load in cow raw milk. The MBS test is based on a colorimetric method recently developed and patented by "Roma Tre" University, Italy. The evaluation of the performance of the MBS method was carried out by comparison with plate count at 30°C (gold standard) and flow cytometry. Thirteen independent set of experiments were performed analyzing a total of 104 samples of cow raw milk with the selected methods. Results obtained using the MBS method are comparable with those obtained with the plate count method at 30°C (CFU/mL) and flow cytometry technology; in particular, the results obtained with the MBS method are very close to plate count's at 30°C. On the other hand, there are statistically significant differences between these two methods' and flow cytometry technology's results that could be due to the different experimental conditions., Competing Interests: Conflict of interests: The authors declare no potential conflict of interests., (©Copyright: the Author(s).)
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- 2020
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33. Microbiological Quality of Ready-to-Eat Leafy Green Salads during Shelf-Life and Home-Refrigeration.
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Arienzo A, Murgia L, Fraudentali I, Gallo V, Angelini R, and Antonini G
- Abstract
The market of ready-to-eat leafy green salads is experiencing a noticeable growth in Europe. Since they are intended to be consumed without additional treatments, these ready-to-eat products are associated with a high microbiological risk. The aim of this work was to evaluate the microbiological quality and safety of ready-to-eat leafy green salads sold in widespread supermarket chains in Lazio, Italy, on the packaging date during shelf-life and during home-refrigeration. The study also aimed to determine the differences between low-, medium-, and high-cost products. Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes were chosen as safety indicators as specified by European regulations while total aerobic mesophilic bacteria and Escherichia coli were chosen as quality indicators as suggested by national guidelines. Analyses were performed following the ISO standards and in parallel for the evaluation of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, with an alternative colorimetric system, the Micro Biological Survey method, in order to propose a simple, affordable and accurate alternative for testing the microbiological quality of products, especially suitable for small and medium enterprises and on-site analyses. The study revealed high, unsatisfactory, total bacterial loads in all analyzed samples on the packaging date and expiry date and a very high prevalence of Salmonella spp. (67%) regardless of the selected varieties and cost categories; L. monocytogenes was not recovered aligning with the results obtained in other studies.
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- 2020
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34. Rapid Microbiological Assessment in Raw Milk: Validation of a Rapid Alternative Method for the Assessment of Microbiological Quality in Raw Milk.
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Marri N, Losito F, Le Boffe L, Giangolini G, Amatiste S, Murgia L, Arienzo A, and Antonini G
- Abstract
The consumption of dairy products and the dairy industry are one of the main global agri-food sectors for its size, economic importance, and level of technology. Microbiological quality of pasteurized milk or other milk products is dependent on microbiological quality of raw milk. A variety of microbiological count methods is available for monitoring the hygienic quality of raw milk. Among them, the pour plate method is the official essay for counting the number of colony-forming units in milk samples according to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) No. 4833-1:2013. The aim of the present study is the validation of the Micro Biological Survey (MBS) method, against the reference plate-count method, for the assessment of the microbiological quality of raw milk. This comparative study, performed in collaboration with the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana M. Aleandri (IZSLT), demonstrates the accuracy of this alternative method for the determination of total viable bacterial count in cow's raw milk. The results obtained with the MBS method highlight its potential as a valid tool for reliable microbiological analysis in dairy industries.
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- 2020
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35. A new point-of-care test for the rapid detection of urinary tract infections.
- Author
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Arienzo A, Cellitti V, Ferrante V, Losito F, Stalio O, Murgia L, Marino R, Cristofano F, Orrù M, Visca P, Di Somma S, Silvestri L, Ziparo V, and Antonini G
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- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Clinical Laboratory Techniques methods, Clinical Laboratory Techniques standards, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, ROC Curve, Reproducibility of Results, Sensitivity and Specificity, Urinalysis standards, Urinary Tract Infections etiology, Point-of-Care Testing, Urinalysis methods, Urinary Tract Infections diagnosis
- Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections in all age groups. Fast and accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure a timely and effective therapy. Alongside with reference culture-based methods, several point-of-care tests (POCTs) for early detection of UTIs have been developed, but they have not been significantly implemented in current clinical practice. The Micro Biological Survey (MBS) POCT is a simple test developed by MBS Diagnostics Ltd. (London, UK) for the detection and management of UTIs. The present study has been undertaken to investigate the potentials and limits of the MBS POCT. A total of 349 patients were enrolled in two open-label, monocentric, non-interventional clinical trials in collaboration with an Emergency Medicine department and the outpatient clinic of two hospitals in Rome. Results of urine analysis using the MBS POCT were compared with those of the routine culture-based tests for UTI diagnosis performed by the hospital laboratory. The MBS POCT provided fast results revealing high bacterial count UTIs (≥ 10
5 CFU/ml) with 97% accuracy, 92% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 99% PPV, and 96% NPV within a 5-h analytical time threshold.- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
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36. Landscape of transcriptome variations uncovering known and novel driver events in colorectal carcinoma.
- Author
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Pira G, Uva P, Scanu AM, Rocca PC, Murgia L, Uleri E, Piu C, Porcu A, Carru C, Manca A, Persico I, Muroni MR, Sanges F, Serra C, Dolei A, Angius A, and De Miglio MR
- Subjects
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Alternative Splicing, Base Sequence, Colon cytology, Colon metabolism, Colon pathology, Colorectal Neoplasms pathology, Female, Genomics, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Mutation, RNA-Seq, Colorectal Neoplasms genetics, Gene Expression Profiling
- Abstract
We focused on an integrated view of genomic changes in Colorectal cancer (CRC) and distant normal colon tissue (NTC) to test the effectiveness of expression profiling on identification of molecular targets. We performed transcriptome on 16 primary coupled CRC and NTC tissues. We identified pathways and networks related to pathophysiology of CRC and selected potential therapeutic targets. CRC cells have multiple ways to reprogram its transcriptome: a functional enrichment analysis in 285 genes, 25% mutated, showed that they control the major cellular processes known to promote tumorigenesis. Among the genes showing alternative splicing, cell cycle related genes were upregulated (CCND1, CDC25B, MCM2, MCM3), while genes involved in fatty acid metabolism (ACAAA2, ACADS, ACAT1, ACOX, CPT1A, HMGCS2) were downregulated. Overall 148 genes showed differential splicing identifying 17 new isoforms. Most of them are involved in the pathogenesis of CRC, although the functions of these variants remain unknown. We identified 2 in-frame fusion events, KRT19-KRT18 and EEF1A1-HSP90AB1, encoding for chemical proteins in two CRC patients. We draw a functional interactome map involving integrated multiple genomic features in CRC. Finally, we underline that two functional cell programs are prevalently deregulated and absolutely crucial to determinate and sustain CRC phenotype.
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
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37. Multiple Signatures of the JC Polyomavirus in Paired Normal and Altered Colorectal Mucosa Indicate a Link with Human Colorectal Cancer, but Not with Cancer Progression.
- Author
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Uleri E, Piu C, Caocci M, Ibba G, Sanges F, Pira G, Murgia L, Barmina M, Giannecchini S, Porcu A, Serra C, Scanu AM, De Miglio MR, and Dolei A
- Subjects
- Adenocarcinoma metabolism, Adenocarcinoma pathology, Adenocarcinoma virology, Adenoma metabolism, Adenoma pathology, Adenoma virology, Aged, Antigens, Viral, Tumor metabolism, Colonic Neoplasms metabolism, Colonic Neoplasms pathology, Colorectal Neoplasms metabolism, Colorectal Neoplasms pathology, DNA, Viral genetics, Disease Progression, Female, Humans, Intestinal Mucosa metabolism, Intestinal Mucosa pathology, Male, Middle Aged, Polyomavirus Infections metabolism, Polyomavirus Infections pathology, Tumor Virus Infections metabolism, Tumor Virus Infections pathology, Colonic Neoplasms virology, Colorectal Neoplasms virology, Intestinal Mucosa virology, JC Virus pathogenicity, Polyomavirus Infections virology, Tumor Virus Infections virology
- Abstract
The JC polyomavirus (JCV) has been repeatedly but discordantly detected in healthy colonic mucosa, adenomatous polyps, and colorectal cancer (CRC), and proposed to contribute to oncogenesis. The controversies may derive from differences in JCV targets, patient's cohorts, and methods. Studies of simultaneous detection, quantification, and characterization of JCV presence/expression in paired samples of normal/altered tissues of the same patient are lacking. Therefore, we simultaneously quantified JCV presence (DNA) and expression (mRNA and protein) of T-antigen ( T-Ag ), Viral Protein 1 ( Vp1 ), and miR-J1-5p in paired normal/altered tissues of CRC or polyps, and from controls. JCV signatures were found in most samples. They increased in patients, but were higher in normal mucosa than in corresponding polyp or CRC lesions. JCV non-coding control region (NCCR) DNA rearrangements increased in CRC patients, also in normal mucosa, thus before the onset of the lesion. A new ∆98bp NCCR DNA rearrangement was detected. T-Ag levels were higher in normal mucosa than in adenoma and adenocarcinoma lesions, but decreased to levels of controls in established CRC lesions. In CRC, miR-J1-5p expression decreased with CRC progression. Vp1 expression was not detected. The data indicate a JCV link with the disease, but possible JCV contributes to oncogenesis should occur at pre-polyp stages.
- Published
- 2019
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38. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in breast cancer: a Sardinian preliminary case-control study.
- Author
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Castiglia P, Sanna V, Azara A, De Miglio MR, Murgia L, Pira G, Sanges F, Fancellu A, Carru C, Bisail M, and Muroni MR
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Body Mass Index, Breast Neoplasms pathology, Case-Control Studies, Female, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Humans, Italy, Lymphatic Metastasis genetics, Middle Aged, Breast Neoplasms genetics, Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) genetics, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
- Abstract
Two common polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene, C677T and A1298C, are associated with reduced enzyme activity and may be associated with breast cancer susceptibility. We performed a case-control study to investigate the association between the two SNPs in the MTHFR gene and risk of breast cancer. In total, 58 breast cancer patients and 58 unaffected controls were enrolled in the study. Polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism technique (PCR-RFLP) was conducted to determine the genotypes. No significant differences were found in the genotypes of the two polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene between cases and controls. The OR and 95% CI for the 677CC, 677CT and 677TT genotypes were 1.00, 0.95 (0.39-2.31) and 0.87 (0.27-2.80), respectively; those of the 1298AA, 1298AC and 1298CC genotypes were 1.00, 0.59 (0.26-1.36) and 0.78 (1.32-4.66) respectively. Furthermore, it has been shown in patients with breast cancer a risk of presenting with an aggressive biophenotype about twice or three times higher in the presence of the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms, respectively. Finally, the A1298Cpolymorphism is significantly associated with increased recurrence risk of lymph node-positive breast cancer. Our study has not shown a significant association between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and breast cancer risk. However, it highlighted the key-role played by the presence of mutant alleles for both polymorphisms in increasing the risk of developing more aggressive phenotypes; moreover, specifically in A1298C, it might also lead to a higher risk of developing lymph node metastasis., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
39. Energy and environmental performances of hybrid photovoltaic irrigation systems in Mediterranean intensive and super-intensive olive orchards.
- Author
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Todde G, Murgia L, Deligios PA, Hogan R, Carrelo I, Moreira M, Pazzona A, Ledda L, and Narvarte L
- Subjects
- Agricultural Irrigation methods, Morocco, Portugal, Technology, Agricultural Irrigation instrumentation, Crop Production methods, Electric Power Supplies, Olea growth & development, Solar Energy
- Abstract
Over the last decades, traditional olive production has been converted to intensive and super-intensive cultivation systems, characterized by high plant density and irrigation. Although this conversion improves product quality and quantity, it requires a larger amount of energy input. The new contributions in this paper are, first, an analysis of the energy and environmental performance of two commercial-scale high peak-power hybrid photovoltaic irrigation systems (HPVIS) installed at intensive and super-intensive Mediterranean olive orchards; second, an analysis of PV hybrid solutions, comparing PV hybridization with the electric power grid and with diesel generators; and finally, a comparison of the environmental benefits of HPVIS with conventional power sources. Energy and environmental performances were assessed through energy and carbon payback times (EPBT and CPBT). The results show EPBT of 1.98 and 4.58 years and CPBT of 1.86 and 9.16 years for HPVIS in Morocco and Portugal, respectively. Moreover, the HPVIS were able to achieve low emission rates, corresponding to 48 and 103 g CO
2 e per kWh generated. The EPBT and CPBT obtained in this study were directly linked with the irrigation schedules of the olive orchards; therefore, weather conditions and irrigation management may modify the energy and environmental performances of HPVIS. The consumption of grid electricity and diesel fuel, before and after the implementation of HPVIS, was also analyzed. The results obtained show fossil energy savings of 67% for the Moroccan farm and 41% for the Portuguese installation. These savings suggest that the energy produced by HPVIS in olive orchards will avoid the emissions of a large amount of greenhouse gas and the exploitation of natural resources associated with fossil fuel production., (Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
40. Field application of the Micro Biological Survey method for the assessment of the microbiological safety of different water sources in Tanzania.
- Author
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Gionfriddo M, Nicolosi B, Murgia L, Arienzo A, Gara L, and Antonini G
- Abstract
Access to safe water is stated within human rights as essential for life, as water can be a source of severe enteric infections threatening human health, in particular children from Developing Countries. Along with reference methods, need is pressing for alternative methods to flank reference ones to improve water safety on-site monitoring and in the absence of scientific facilities or even electricity supply. The Micro Biological Survey (MBS) method has already been successfully applied to water safety assessment in Developing Countries. A total of 18 water samples were collected from different sources (rivers, dug wells, tap water) within the Rukwa Region, Tanzania, and underwent analysis for Total Coliforms following the MBS method. Globally, rivers showed more frequently contamination, followed by dug wells, tap water and tanks. Results demonstrate the need for continuous monitoring of water sources, even in difficult frameworks lacking electric supply, to help improve control over water quality, possibly using alternative methods to simplify existing protocols., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: the authors declare no potential conflict of interest.
- Published
- 2018
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41. miRNA-135b Contributes to Triple Negative Breast Cancer Molecular Heterogeneity: Different Expression Profile in Basal-like Versus non-Basal-like Phenotypes.
- Author
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Uva P, Cossu-Rocca P, Loi F, Pira G, Murgia L, Orrù S, Floris M, Muroni MR, Sanges F, Carru C, Angius A, and De Miglio MR
- Subjects
- Female, Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic, Genetic Heterogeneity, Humans, Kaplan-Meier Estimate, Middle Aged, Neoplasm Proteins genetics, Neoplasms, Basal Cell pathology, Prognosis, Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms classification, Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms pathology, Biomarkers, Tumor genetics, MicroRNAs genetics, Neoplasms, Basal Cell genetics, Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms genetics
- Abstract
The clinical and genetic heterogeneity of Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and the lack of unambiguous molecular targets contribute to the inadequacy of current therapeutic options for these variants. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a class of small highly conserved regulatory endogenous non-coding RNA, which can alter the expression of genes encoding proteins and may play a role in the dysregulation of cellular pathways. Our goal was to improve the knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis of TNBC subgroups analyzing the miRNA expression profile, and to identify new prognostic and predictive biomarkers. We conducted a human miRNome analysis by TaqMan Low Density Array comparing different TNBC subtypes, defined by immunohistochemical basal markers EGFR and CK5/6. RT-qPCR confirmed differential expression of microRNAs. To inspect the function of the selected targets we perform Gene Ontology and KEGG enrichment analysis. We identified a single miRNA signature given by miR-135b expression level, which was strictly related to TNBC with basal-like phenotype. miR-135b target analysis revealed a role in the TGF-beta, WNT and ERBB pathways. A significant positive correlation was identified between neoplastic proliferative index and miR-135b expression. These findings confirm the oncogenic roles of miR-135b in the pathogenesis of TNBC expressing basal markers. A potential negative prognostic role of miR-135b overexpression might be related to the positive correlation with high proliferative index. Our study implies potential clinical applications: miR-135b could be a potential therapeutic target in basal-like TNBCs., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Field Application of the Micro Biological Survey Method for the Assessment of the Microbiological Safety of Different Water Sources in Horn of Africa and the Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Moringa Oleifera in Drinking Water Purification.
- Author
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Losito F, Arienzo A, Somma D, Murgia L, Stalio O, Zuppi P, Rossi E, and Antonini G
- Abstract
Water monitoring requires expensive instrumentations and skilled technicians. In developing Countries as Africa, the severe economic restrictions and lack of technology make water safety monitoring approaches applied in developed Countries, still not sustainable. The need to develop new methods that are suitable, affordable, and sustainable in the African context is urgent. The simple, economic and rapid Micro Biological Survey (MBS) method does not require an equipped laboratory nor special instruments and skilled technicians, but it can be very useful for routine water analysis. The aim of this work was the application of the MBS method to evaluate the microbiological safety of different water sources and the effectiveness of different drinking water treatments in the Horn of Africa. The obtained results have proved that this method could be very helpful to monitor water safety before and after various purification treatments, with the aim to control waterborne diseases especially in developing Countries, whose population is the most exposed to these diseases. In addition, it has been proved that Moringa oleifera water treatment is ineffective in decreasing bacterial load of Eritrea water samples.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. Job Factors Associated with Occupational Injuries and Deaths in the United States Forestry Industry.
- Author
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Rosecrance J, Lagerstrom E, and Murgia L
- Abstract
Work in the forestry industry is recognised internationally as high risk for occupational injuries and deaths. Forestry logging operations generally involve felling trees, skidding (moving trees and logs from the stump to the point of delivery), and transporting trees to mills. Loggers need to recognize the hazards associated with identifying dangerous (dead) trees, felling, delimbing, bucking, debarking, chipping, skidding, yarding, loading, unloading, and transporting logs. The purpose of this study was to determine the specific work conditions and job factors that workers identified as greatest risk for injury or death in logging operations in the intermountain region of Montana and Idaho. The study investigators recruited professional loggers through logging companies and professional logging associations in the states of Idaho and Montana. The professional loggers were asked to participate in focus group meetings regarding their perception of the association between logging tasks and logging injuries / deaths. One focus group session of 16 participants for 90 minutes was conducted and moderated by the investigators. The focus group moderator posed a series of questions designed to promote group discussion regarding logging practices and injuries. Injury data from workers' compensation reports was also shared with the participants and served as a basis for the focus group questions. Felling trees was often associated with injuries sustained from falling branches. Conventional chainsaw logging and skyline skidding were perceived as high-risk processes. Loggers indicated that being struck by the carriage attached to the skyline was a significant risk. Other risks identified included being hit by the butt of swinging trees when that became snagged or caught on tree stumps as they were being skidded up the slope. Workers identified working on steep slopes as well as working in below freezing temperatures as a major risk for injury. Physical fatigue while performing strenuous work for 8-10 hours was also identified as a risk for injury. The results of this study identified work conditions (extreme cold temperatures, steep incline of mountain slope), as well as job factors (felling trees, skyline skidding, driving logging trucks) that professional loggers perceived as contributing to increased risk for occupational related injury and death. The conditions and factors identified will be used to target interventions that reduce the risk of logging injuries in the future. Due to the remote nature of the logging work in this region, emergency first-aid training among the crewmembers was thought to be a critical part of logging safety. A culture promoting safety was also stressed for professional loggers.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. Risk assessment of cheese processing tasks using the Strain Index and OCRA Checklist.
- Author
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Rosecrance J, Paulsen R, and Murgia L
- Abstract
The purpose of this study was to conduct and compare two ergonomic risk assessment methods often used in occupational health research and practice: the Strain Index (SI) and Occupational Repetitive Actions (OCRA) Checklist. Seven raters used the SI and OCRA Checklist to assess task-level physical exposures to the upper extremity of workers performing 21 cheese-manufacturing tasks. Of the total task exposures assessed with both methods, nearly half (49.1%) were classified as hazardous using the OCRA Checklist while 60.2% were classified as hazardous using the SI. Although the underlying injury risk characterization constructs of the SI and OCRA Checklist differ, the results indicated that the SI and OCRA Checklist often classified job tasks into similar risk categories. The differences in risk classifications determined by the SI and OCRA Checklist for job tasks were likely related to the definition of variables measured by these assessment methods as well as the complexity of tasks evaluated. By design, the SI is specific to the distal upper extremity while the OCRA Checklist accounts for the entire upper extremity including the shoulder. When conducting risk assessments of industrial work tasks, the choice of analysis tools should be based on the purpose of the assessment and the complexity of task functions. Both the SI and OCRA Checklist yield risk assessment ratings that are similar for cheese processing tasks.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. Comparison of Upper Limb Muscle Activity among Workers in Large-Herd U.S. and Small-Herd Italian Dairies.
- Author
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Masci F, Mixco A, Brents CA, Murgia L, Colosio C, and Rosecrance J
- Abstract
Objectives: Commercial cow milking tasks, regardless of dairy size, have been documented in many regions of the world as strenuous work requiring high muscular effort, awkward positions, and task repetition. Large-herd dairies are common in the U.S., while Europe historically has mostly small-herd dairies. The objective of this study was to compare the upper limb muscle activity during milking tasks between workers at large-herd U.S. dairies and small-herd Italian dairies. This is the first international study directly comparing upper limb muscle activity among dairy workers from different countries using identical methods., Methods: Data were collected at 6 large-herd dairies in the U.S. region of Colorado and at 21 small-herd Italian dairies in the Lombardy region. Surface electromyography (sEMG) from the trapezius, anterior deltoid, biceps brachii, wrist flexors, and wrist extensors muscles was recorded from all participating workers (N = 65). Electromyography data were normalized to functional maximum voluntary contractions. Anthropometric measurements were also recorded., Results: Upper limb muscle activity was generally greater among workers in the large-herd U.S. dairies compared with small-herd Italian dairies. The amount of muscular rest as a percent of the work time was significantly greater among large-herd U.S. dairy workers., Conclusion: The differences revealed in sEMG and percent muscular rest among workers from the U.S. and Italy are likely due in part to differences in work processes adopted by fast-paced industrialized large-herd dairies compared with the slower, but sustained work processes performed at small-herd dairies.
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
46. Analysis of PIK3CA Mutations and Activation Pathways in Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
- Author
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Cossu-Rocca P, Orrù S, Muroni MR, Sanges F, Sotgiu G, Ena S, Pira G, Murgia L, Manca A, Uras MG, Sarobba MG, Urru S, and De Miglio MR
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases, ErbB Receptors genetics, Female, Genes, ras genetics, Humans, Middle Aged, PTEN Phosphohydrolase genetics, Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf genetics, Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt genetics, Signal Transduction genetics, ras Proteins genetics, Mutation genetics, Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases genetics, Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms genetics
- Abstract
Background: Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) accounts for 12-24% of all breast carcinomas, and shows worse prognosis compared to other breast cancer subtypes. Molecular studies demonstrated that TNBCs are a heterogeneous group of tumors with different clinical and pathologic features, prognosis, genetic-molecular alterations and treatment responsivity. The PI3K/AKT is a major pathway involved in the regulation of cell survival and proliferation, and is the most frequently altered pathway in breast cancer, apparently with different biologic impact on specific cancer subtypes. The most common genetic abnormality is represented by PIK3CA gene activating mutations, with an overall frequency of 20-40%. The aims of our study were to investigate PIK3CA gene mutations on a large series of TNBC, to perform a wider analysis on genetic alterations involving PI3K/AKT and BRAF/RAS/MAPK pathways and to correlate the results with clinical-pathologic data., Materials and Methods: PIK3CA mutation analysis was performed by using cobas® PIK3CA Mutation Test. EGFR, AKT1, BRAF, and KRAS genes were analyzed by sequencing. Immunohistochemistry was carried out to identify PTEN loss and to investigate for PI3K/AKT pathways components., Results: PIK3CA mutations were detected in 23.7% of TNBC, whereas no mutations were identified in EGFR, AKT1, BRAF, and KRAS genes. Moreover, we observed PTEN loss in 11.3% of tumors. Deregulation of PI3K/AKT pathways was revealed by consistent activation of pAKT and p-p44/42 MAPK in all PIK3CA mutated TNBC., Conclusions: Our data shows that PIK3CA mutations and PI3K/AKT pathway activation are common events in TNBC. A deeper investigation on specific TNBC genomic abnormalities might be helpful in order to select patients who would benefit from current targeted therapy strategies.
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. The inter-rater reliability of Strain Index and OCRA Checklist task assessments in cheese processing.
- Author
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Paulsen R, Gallu T, Gilkey D, Reiser R 2nd, Murgia L, and Rosecrance J
- Subjects
- Cheese, Humans, Observer Variation, Reproducibility of Results, Risk Assessment methods, Sprains and Strains, Upper Extremity physiology, Checklist, Food-Processing Industry, Health Status Indicators, Occupational Health, Task Performance and Analysis
- Abstract
The purpose of this study was to characterize the inter-rater reliability of two physical exposure assessment methods of the upper extremity, the Strain Index (SI) and Occupational Repetitive Actions (OCRA) Checklist. These methods are commonly used in occupational health studies and by occupational health practitioners. Seven raters used the SI and OCRA Checklist to assess task-level physical exposures to the upper extremity of workers performing 21 cheese manufacturing tasks. Inter-rater reliability was characterized using a single-measure, agreement-based intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Inter-rater reliability of SI assessments was moderate to good (ICC = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.45-0.73), a similar finding to prior studies. Inter-rater reliability of OCRA Checklist assessments was excellent (ICC = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.70-0.89). Task complexity had a small, but non-significant, effect on inter-rater reliability SI and OCRA Checklist scores. Both the SI and OCRA Checklist assessments possess adequate inter-rater reliability for the purposes of occupational health research and practice. The OCRA Checklist inter-rater reliability scores were among the highest reported in the literature for semi-quantitative physical exposure assessment tools of the upper extremity. The OCRA Checklist however, required more training time and time to conduct the risk assessments compared to the SI., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Carpal tunnel syndrome among ewe dairy farmers in Sardinia, Italy.
- Author
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Rosecrance J, Marras T, Murgia L, Tartaglia R, and Baldasseroni A
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Agricultural Workers' Diseases diagnosis, Agricultural Workers' Diseases etiology, Animals, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome diagnosis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome etiology, Cross-Sectional Studies, Electrodiagnosis, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Italy epidemiology, Male, Middle Aged, Prevalence, Sheep, Young Adult, Agricultural Workers' Diseases epidemiology, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome epidemiology, Dairying
- Abstract
Background: The region of Sardinia, Italy is known internationally for the production of cheeses made from ewe's milk. Although the use of automated milking equipment is available in ewe dairy operations, traditional hand milking is still performed on many ewe farms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among farmers that manually milk ewes., Methods: Worker demographics, upper limb symptoms, and electrophysiologic studies were obtained on 76 ewe farmers recruited from a random sample of 109 in northern Sardinia. Characteristic hand symptoms and electrophysiologic studies were used in the case definition of CTS., Results: Of the 76 farmers evaluated, 42 (55.3%) fit the case definition of CTS in at least one hand. Assuming that all non-respondents did not have CTS, the CTS prevalence ratio would have been 38.5% (42/109) among the randomized sample of ewe farmers., Conclusions: These findings suggest that CTS is a significant occupational health issue for ewe farmers that continue the traditional methods of manual milking. The recent trend in automated ewe milking machines may help reduce the prevalence of CTS among the next generation of Italian ewe farmers., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
49. Ex vivo impact of functionalized carbon nanotubes on human immune cells.
- Author
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Delogu LG, Venturelli E, Manetti R, Pinna GA, Carru C, Madeddu R, Murgia L, Sgarrella F, Dumortier H, and Bianco A
- Subjects
- Cells, Cultured, Humans, Materials Testing, Cytokines immunology, Immunity, Innate drug effects, Immunity, Innate immunology, Nanotubes, Carbon toxicity, T-Lymphocytes drug effects, T-Lymphocytes immunology
- Abstract
Aim: Different studies, carried out by us and others, have investigated the impact of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in vitro and in animal models. To date, only a few studies have been performed on human cells ex vivo. There is also a lack of comparison between CNTs with varied functionalization and structural properties and their impact on different cell types., Materials & Methods: The present ex vivo human study focuses on the impact of a series of functionalized multiwalled CNTs on human T and B lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells and monocytes., Results: Smaller diameter nanotubes are internalized more efficiently. Viability assays displayed the absence of cytotoxicity of all multiwalled CNTs used. Activation assay demonstrated a strong effect on monocytes and NK cells., Conclusion: Our results, on human cells ex vivo, confirmed previous studies demonstrating appropriately functionalized CNTs are nontoxic. The effects on cell functionality were significant for the monocytes and NK cells. These findings encourage the possible use of CNTs for biomedical applications either as carriers of therapeutic molecules or as immune modulator systems.
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
50. Measurement of warfarin in the oral fluid of patients undergoing anticoagulant oral therapy.
- Author
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Ghimenti S, Lomonaco T, Onor M, Murgia L, Paolicchi A, Fuoco R, Ruocco L, Pellegrini G, Trivella MG, and Di Francesco F
- Subjects
- Administration, Oral, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Anticoagulants analysis, Blood Coagulation drug effects, Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid methods, Drug Monitoring methods, Female, Fluorometry methods, Humans, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, International Normalized Ratio, Male, Middle Aged, Principal Component Analysis, Reproducibility of Results, Saliva metabolism, Warfarin analysis, Anticoagulants therapeutic use, Saliva drug effects, Warfarin therapeutic use
- Abstract
Background: Patients on warfarin therapy undergo invasive and expensive checks for the coagulability of their blood. No information on coagulation levels is currently available between two controls., Methodology: A method was developed to determine warfarin in oral fluid by HPLC and fluorimetric detection. The chromatographic separation was performed at room temperature on a C-18 reversed-phase column, 65% PBS and 35% methanol mobile phase, flow rate 0.7 mL/min, injection volume 25 µL, excitation wavelength 310 nm, emission wavelength 400 nm., Findings: The method was free from interference and matrix effect, linear in the range 0.2-100 ng/mL, with a detection limit of 0.2 ng/mL. Its coefficient of variation was <3% for intra-day measurements and <5% for inter-day measurements. The average concentration of warfarin in the oral fluid of 50 patients was 2.5±1.6 ng/mL (range 0.8-7.6 ng/mL). Dosage was not correlated to INR (r = -0.03, p = 0.85) but positively correlated to warfarin concentration in the oral fluid (r = 0.39, p = 0.006). The correlation between warfarin concentration and pH in the oral fluid (r = 0.37, p = 0.009) confirmed the importance of pH in regulating the drug transfer from blood. A correlation between warfarin concentration in the oral fluid and INR was only found in samples with pH values ≥7.2 (r = 0.84, p = 0.004)., Conclusions: Warfarin diffuses from blood to oral fluid. The method allows to measure its concentration in this matrix and to analyze correlations with INR and other parameters.
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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