Antimicrobial Resistance in Physiological and Potentially Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated in Southern Italian Bats.

The spread of antimicrobial resistance is one of the major health emergencies of recent decades. Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria threaten not only humans but also populations of domestic and wild animals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distribution of antibiotic resistance (AMR) and multidrug resistance (MDR) in bacterial strains isolated from six Southern-Italian bat populations.

Cultivable Bacteria Associated with the Microbiota of Troglophile Bats.

Background: The study of bats is of significant interest from a systematic, zoogeographic, ecological, and physiological point of view. The aim of this study is to investigate the culturable aerobic enteric, conjunctival, and oral bacterial flora of bats to determine their physiological microbiome and to investigate the possible occurrence of pathogenic bacteria.

Methods: Five hundred and sixty-seven samples were collected from 189 individuals of four species of troglophile bats (, , , and ) living in Sicilian and Calabrian territory (Italy).

Phenotypic and genotypic study on antibiotic resistance and pathogenic factors of isolates from small ruminant mastitis milk in South of Italy (Sicily).

is the major cause of mastitis in small ruminants in the Mediterranean farms causing severe losses to dairy industry. Antibiotic treatment has been the most common approach to control these infections. Aim of this study was to investigate antimicrobial resistance (AMR), virulence factors and biofilm-related genes of 84 Sicilian strains of isolated from sheep and goats milk during two different periods δT (2006-2009) and δT (2013-2015).

Analysis of Eurasian Stone curlew () microbial flora reveals the presence of multi-drug resistant pathogens in agro-pastoral areas of Sicily (Italy).

Spread of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria in natural environments pose a risk to human and animal health. Wild birds are considered to be reservoirs of human pathogens and vectors of antimicrobial resistance distribution in the environment. The aim of this study is to assess the occurrence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in isolates from bird specimens living in three agro-pastoral areas of the southeastern Sicily.

Detection of multidrug resistance and extended-spectrum/plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamase genes in Enterobacteriaceae isolates from diseased cats in Italy.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from cats affected by diseases commonly encountered in practice, and to characterise the third-generation cephalosporin (3GC)-resistance molecular mechanisms involved.

Methods: Clinical samples (n = 100) included 58 rectal swabs from cats with diarrhoea, 31 nasal swabs from cats with clinical signs of upper respiratory tract disease, four ear swabs from cats with otitis, three conjunctival swabs from cats with conjunctivitis, two oral swabs from cats with stomatitis, one swab from a skin abscess and one urine sample from a cat with cystitis. A total of 125 Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from 90 cats.

Study of the spread of antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacteriaceae from wild mammals in the National Park of Aspromonte (Calabria, Italy).

Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria are a threat to global health. Epidemiological studies are necessary to gain a more detailed understanding of the transmission modality of resistant bacteria to wild animals and their diffusion into the environment to ensure a broader evaluation of the epidemiological role of wildlife. The study aimed to identify little-known epidemiological aspects by focusing on the isolation of Enterobacteriaceae in order to bring knowledge on the bacterial flora of wild mammals living in the National Park of Aspromonte (Calabria, Italy).

Topical Ocular Delivery of TGF-β1 to the Back of the Eye: Implications in Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Dysregulation of the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/selected small mother against decapentaplegic (SMAD) pathway can be implicated in development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and the delivery of TGF-β1 could be beneficial for AMD. We developed a new ophthalmic formulation of TGF-β1 assessing the ocular pharmacokinetic profile of TGF-β1 in the rabbit eye. Small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) loaded with TGF-β1 were complemented with Annexin V and Ca, and the vitreous bioavailability of TGF-β1 was assessed after topical ocular administration by a commercial ELISA kit.

Antimicrobial resistance patterns of Enterobacteriaceae in European wild bird species admitted in a wildlife rescue centre.

Wild birds have been considered to be reservoirs of enteric human pathogens and vectors of resistance dissemination to the environment. During annual migration, they potentially play a role in the epidemiology of human associated zoonoses. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Enterobacteriaceae members isolated from cloacal swabs of common European wild birds.

TGF-β1 prevents rat retinal insult induced by amyloid-β (1-42) oligomers.

To set up a retinal degenerative model in rat that mimics pathologic conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers, and assess the effect of TGF-β1. Sprague-Dawley male rats were used. Human Aβ1-42 oligomers were intravitreally (ITV) injected (10µM) in the presence or in the absence of recombinant human TGF-β1 (1ng/μl ITV injected).

Effect of radiation dose level on the detectability of pulmonary nodules in chest tomosynthesis.

Objective: To investigate the detectability of pulmonary nodules in chest tomosynthesis at reduced radiation dose levels.

Methods: Eighty-six patients were included in the study and were examined with tomosynthesis and computed tomography (CT). Artificial noise was added to simulate that the tomosynthesis images were acquired at dose levels corresponding to 12, 32, and 70% of the default setting effective dose (0.

Pulmonary nodule size evaluation with chest tomosynthesis.

Purpose: To evaluate intra- and interobserver variability, as well as agreement for nodule size measurements on chest tomosynthesis and computed tomographic (CT) images.

Materials And Methods: The Regional Ethical Review Board approved this study, and all participants gave written informed consent. Thirty-six segmented nodules in 20 patients were included in the study.

Evaluation of an improved method of simulating lung nodules in chest tomosynthesis.

Background: Simulated pathology is a valuable complement to clinical images in studies aiming at evaluating an imaging technique. In order for a study using simulated pathology to be valid, it is important that the simulated pathology in a realistic way reflect the characteristics of real pathology.

Purpose: To perform a thorough evaluation of a nodule simulation method for chest tomosynthesis, comparing the detection rate and appearance of the artificial nodules with those of real nodules in an observer performance experiment.

Detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the microbial flora from the conjunctiva of healthy donkeys from Sicily (Italy).

Objective: To describe the bacterial flora present in the normal conjunctiva of donkeys from Sicily (Italy).

Animals Studied: A total of 46 healthy donkeys housed in 3 locations within the territory of Palermo (Sicily, Italy) were studied. Donkeys ranged from 2 to 13 years of age, with a median age of 6 years.

Pathogenic microorganisms carried by migratory birds passing through the territory of the island of Ustica, Sicily (Italy).

Several studies have shown that migratory birds play an important role in the ecology, circulation and dissemination of pathogenic organisms. In October 2006, a health status evaluation was performed on a large population of migratory birds passing through the territory of Ustica (Italy), an island located on the migration route of many species of birds to Africa, and various laboratory tests were conducted. In total, 218 faecal swabs and the internal organs of 21 subjects found dead in nets were collected for bacteriological and virological examination, including avian influenza and Newcastle disease.

Learning aspects and potential pitfalls regarding detection of pulmonary nodules in chest tomosynthesis and proposed related quality criteria.

Background: In chest tomosynthesis, low-dose projections collected over a limited angular range are used for reconstruction of an arbitrary number of section images of the chest, resulting in a moderately increased radiation dose compared to chest radiography.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of learning with feedback on the detection of pulmonary nodules for observers with varying experience of chest tomosynthesis, to identify pitfalls regarding detection of pulmonary nodules, and present suggestions for how to avoid them, and to adapt the European quality criteria for chest radiography and computed tomography (CT) to chest tomosynthesis.

Material And Methods: Six observers analyzed tomosynthesis cases for presence of nodules in a jackknife alternative free-response receiver-operating characteristics (JAFROC) study.

Survey update on implementation, indications, and technical performance of computed tomography colonography in Sweden.

Background: Computed tomographic colonography (CTC) has gained increased acceptance in the last few years as a valid substitute for double-contrast barium enema (DCBE). However, implementation of new technologies is complex, since several factors may influence the process.

Purpose: To evaluate the current situation in Sweden concerning implementation of CTC, as compared to a previous national survey in 2005.

Evaluation of image quality and lesion perception by human readers on 3D CT colonography: comparison of standard and low radiation dose.

Aims: We compared the prevalence of noise-related artefacts and lesion perception on three-dimensional (3D) CT colonography (CTC) at standard and low radiation doses.

Methods: Forty-eight patients underwent CTC (64 x 0.625 mm collimation; tube rotation time 0.

Computer-aided detection (CAD) as a second reader using perspective filet view at CT colonography: effect on performance of inexperienced readers.

Aim: To evaluate whether computer-aided detection (CAD) as a second reader using perspective filet view [three-dimensional (3D) filet] improves the performance of inexperienced readers at computed tomography colonography (CTC) compared with unassisted 3D filet and unassisted two-dimensional (2D) CTC.

Material And Methods: Fifty symptomatic patients underwent CTC and same-day colonoscopy with segmental unblinding. Two inexperienced readers read the CTC studies on 3D filet and 2D several weeks apart.

Primary three-dimensional analysis with perspective-filet view versus primary two-dimensional analysis: evaluation of lesion detection by inexperienced readers at computed tomographic colonography in symptomatic patients.

Background: "Perspective-filet view" is a novel three-dimensional (3D) viewing technique for computed tomography colonography (CTC). Studies with experienced readers have shown a sensitivity for perspective-filet view similar to that of 2D or 3D endoluminal fly-through in detection of colorectal lesions. It is not known whether perspective-filet view, compared to axial images, improves lesion detection by inexperienced readers.

Feline calicivirus strains isolated in Italy.

Feline Calicivirus (FCV) has been recognised as major oral and respiratory pathogen of cats. The high correlation among the field viruses and FCV-F9 serotype has represented the immunological bases for the employ of FCV-F9 serotype as a vaccine for calicivirosis in cats. The aim of this paper was to evaluate, by in vitro neutralization assays, the antigenic correlation among the vaccine F9 and FCV field strains isolated in Sicily (Italy) from cats showing clinical forms referable to calicivirus infection.

Availability, indications, and technical performance of computed tomographic colonography: a national survey.

Purpose: To determine the availability, indications, and technique of computed tomographic colonography (CTC) in Sweden and to investigate opinions on its future role in colon imaging.

Material And Methods: In May 2004, a questionnaire on CTC was mailed to all Departments of Radiology in Sweden, and one year later a telephone interview was conducted with the departments that intended to start a CTC service.

Results: Ninety-nine departments (83%) answered the questionnaire, indicating that 23/ 99 (23.