The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and other markers of inflammation in cats tested for Leishmania infantum and feline immunodeficiency virus antibodies.

Background: In endemic areas, Leishmania infantum and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) co-infection occurs in cats, and may favour a progressive course of feline leishmaniosis. Abnormalities in serum protein fractions have been reported, but inflammation markers have scarcely been studied. Erythrocyte sediment rate (ESR) is a marker of inflammation that is poorly used in veterinary medicine, but it has been evaluated in EDTA blood using a recently introduced automatic device.

Pilot Study on QTc Interval in Dogs Treated with Domperidone.

Domperidone is used as an immunomodulatory drug for infection and disease in dogs. However, a pro-arrhythmic side effect, caused by prolonged QT intervals, is reported in humans. This pilot study evaluated the corrected QT (QTc) interval in dogs treated with domperidone for preventive or therapeutic management of leishmaniosis.

Older Age, a High Titre of Neutralising Antibodies and Therapy with Conventional DMARDs Are Associated with Protection from Breakthrough Infection in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients after the Booster Dose of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine.

: We aimed to analyse the incidence and severity of breakthrough infections (BIs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients after a COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination booster dose. : We enrolled 194 RA patients and 1002 healthcare workers (HCWs) as controls. Clinical, lifestyle and demographic factors were collected at the time of the third dose, and immunogenicity analyses were carried out in a subgroup of patients at 4-6 weeks after the third dose.

High Acoustic Impedance and Attenuation Backing for High-Frequency Focused P(VDF-TrFE)-Based Transducers.

Backing materials with tailored acoustic properties are beneficial for miniaturized ultrasonic transducer design. Whereas piezoelectric P(VDF-TrFE) films are common elements in high-frequency (>20 MHz) transducer design, their low coupling coefficient limits their sensitivity. Defining a suitable sensitivity-bandwidth trade-off for miniaturized high-frequency applications requires backings with impedances of >25 MRayl and strongly attenuating to account for miniaturized requirements.

SARS-CoV-2 Breakthrough Infections According to the Immune Response Elicited after mRNA Third Dose Vaccination in COVID-19-Naïve Hospital Personnel.

Background: Vaccine-induced SARS-CoV-2-anti-spike antibody (anti-S/RBD) titers are often used as a marker of immune protection and to anticipate the risk of breakthrough infections, although no clear cut-off is available. We describe the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine breakthrough infections in COVID-19-free personnel of our hospital, according to B- and T-cell immune response elicited one month after mRNA third dose vaccination.

Methods: The study included 487 individuals for whom data on anti-S/RBD were available.

Inkjet-printed P(VDF-TrFE) film for high-frequency annular array.

An innovative processing to deposit P(VDF-TrFE) film on silicon wafers by an inkjet printing method was used to fabricate high-frequency annular array prototype. This prototype has a total aperture of 7.3 mm and 8 active elements.

Acute febrile illness is associated with Rickettsia spp infection in dogs.

Background: Rickettsia conorii is transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks and causes Mediterranean Spotted Fever (MSF) in humans. Although dogs are considered the natural host of the vector, the clinical and epidemiological significance of R. conorii infection in dogs remains unclear.

Prevalence of antibodies against Rickettsia conorii, Babesia canis, Ehrlichia canis, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum antigens in dogs from the Stretto di Messina area (Italy).

The aims of this study were to determine the seroprevalence for Rickettsia conorii, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia canis in outdoor-kennelled dogs (n=249) from the Stretto di Messina (Italy) and to compare seroprevalence in 2 public shelters and 4 privately-owned kennels where different tick-preventive measures were implemented in order to focus on the specific sanitary risk posed by public shelters in southern Italy for tick-borne pathogens. R. conorii (72%) and B.

Detection of Leishmania infantum DNA by real-time PCR in canine oral and conjunctival swabs and comparison with other diagnostic techniques.

The use of non invasive sampling, such as collection of conjunctival swabs, as a diagnostic tool for the detection of Leishmania DNA is of interest. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of detecting Leishmania infection with the use of conjunctival swab samples in dogs living in a highly endemic area for leishmaniosis and to investigate, for the first time, the presence of Leishmania DNA in oral swabs in the same population. One hundred sixty-three dogs living outdoor and recruited in various provinces of Sicily were studied.

[Analysis of violence against health care workers through medical surveillance at the workplace in a 8-yr period].

Physical and moral violence against the workers of a local public health unit is perspectively studied in the period 2005-2011. Data were collected during periodic medical surveillance of all workers exposed to risk and with more than one year of seniority. The prevalence of the phenomenon is constant in the period under review.

[Decreto Legislativo 81/08 and occupational health: regulations for use and constructive criticism].

The D.Lgs 81/08, born in a particular social period, is often unclear and incongruent, with consequently difficulties for the Occupational Health Physician. Considering the important role of the Occupational Health Physician in prevention (workers' health and safety) and health promotion in the workplace, the aim of this paper is to report and discuss critically his daily practice (risk assessment, health surveillance, health promotion.

Quantification of muscle volume by echography: comparison with MRI data on subjects in long-term bed rest.

The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of an echographic method for measuring the change in leg muscle volume against the gold standard, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Leg muscle volume was measured using an echographic scanner, which consisted of two metallic rails on which a probe holder moved via an electric engine. Ten to 20 transverse muscle views were collected along the area scanned, and the muscle cross-sectional area (CSA, cm2) was measured on each of them.

Use of a robotic arm to perform remote abdominal telesonography.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to design and validate a method of performing sonography between an expert center and an isolated site. A sonography probe is held on the patient by a robotic arm and remotely controlled from the expert's center. The robotic arm reproduces all the movements of the expert's dummy probe on the patient probe.

Vascular distribution of an ultrasound contrast agent used to simulate decompression bubbles.

Objective: The objectives of this preliminary work were to evaluate the distribution of an ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) (microbubbles) in different arterial regions (brain, kidney, lower limbs) using the Doppler spectrum brightness analysis and to discuss the results in the context of decompression physiology.

Method: There were four patients who instrumented with two pulsed Doppler sensors in order to monitor in real-time the spectrum of the middle cerebral femoral arteries. Renal arteries were investigated using an echo-Doppler probe handled by a sonographer.

Assessment of the calf vein cross section change during stand-test after a 90 day bed rest by echography.

Objective: To evaluate the contribution of the calf veins distension during stand test to orthostatic intolerance (OI).

Method: The population consisted of a control group (Co, n=9) and an exercise (Fly-Wheel) counter-measure group (CM, n=9). Calf vein cross section area was assessed by echography during pre and post HDT stand-tests.

Calf venous volume during stand-test after a 90-day bed-rest study with or without exercise countermeasure.

The objectives to determine both the contribution to orthostatic intolerance (OI) of calf venous volume during a stand-test, and the effects of a combined eccentric-concentric resistance exercise countermeasure on both vein response to orthostatic test and OI, after 90-day head-down tilt bed-rest (HDT). The subjects consisted of a control group (Co-gr, n = 9) and an exercise countermeasure group (CM-gr, n = 9). Calf volume and vein cross-sectional area (CSA) were assessed by plethysmography and echography during pre- and post-HDT stand-tests.