The effect of humeral tray thickness on glenohumeral loads in a reverse shoulder 'smart' implant.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to observe the effects of changing humeral tray thickness on the resultant of intraoperative glenohumeral joint loads using a load-sensing system (LSS).

Methods: An rTSA was performed on fresh frozen full-body cadaver shoulders by using an internal proprietary LSS on the humeral side. The glenohumeral loads (Newtons) and the direction of the resultant force applied on the implant were recorded during four standard positions (External rotation, Extension, Abduction, Flexion) and three "complex" positions of Activity Daily Life ("behind back", "overhead reach" and "across chest").

[Follow-up of patients after an acute coronary event: the Apulia PONTE-SCA program].

Background: Patients who suffered from acute coronary syndrome (ACS) need a tight follow-up in order to optimize therapy and prevent adverse events. The aim of the PONTE-SCA Puglia program was to evaluate the impact of an integrated management of patients between hospital and local territorial outpatient facilities on adherence and outcome of patients discharged after ACS event.

Methods: This was a prospective, longitudinal, cohort study which enrolled patients who suffered ACS and/or coronary revascularization in a Hub hospital of ASL Bari.

Food Hygiene Surveillance in Italy: Is Food Ice a Public Health Risk?

Food ice is used as an ingredient or as a coolant in drinks and in the storage of food, especially fishery products. Studies show that ice can be polluted both by chemical substances and by bacteria and fungi. In particular, the presence of fungi in these food matrices has acquired an important role in Public Health, as it can represent a risk factor for fungal complications in immunocompromised subjects.

Evaluation of Air Contamination in Orthopaedic Operating Theatres in Hospitals in Southern Italy: The IMPACT Project.

Postoperative infections are a concern, especially in total knee and total hip arthroplasty. We evaluated the air quality in orthopaedic operating theatres in southeastern Italy to determine the level of bacterial contamination as a risk factor for postoperative infection. Thirty-five hospitals with operating theatres focused on total knee and total hip arthroplasty participated.

Legionella and legionellosis in touristic-recreational facilities: Influence of climate factors and geostatistical analysis in Southern Italy (2001-2017).

Legionella is the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, a flu-like illness normally acquired following inhalation or aspiration of contaminated water aerosols. Our recent studies revealed that climatic parameters can increase the number of reported cases of community-acquired Legionnaires' disease. Here, we evaluated the presence of Legionella in water networks and the distribution of Legionnaires' disease cases associated with touristic-recreational facilities in the Apulia region (southern Italy) during the period 2001-2017 using geostatistical and climatic analyses.

Observational study on hospital building heritage and microbiological air quality in the orthopedic operating theater: the IM.PA.C.T. Project.

Background: The study investigated 35 orthopedic OTs [17 with mixed flow (M-OTs), 18 with turbulent flow (T-OTs)].

Methods: The OTs were divided into two categories based on recurring architectural and construction solutions, collected by a survey form: type-A (recently built or renovated rooms), and type-B (other OTs). Assessment of microbial air contamination (colony forming units (cfu)/m3 obtained by active sampling via Surface Air System) was then performed.

Study on the Activity of Five Disinfectants against Nosocomial Bacteria.

Nosocomial infections cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the pathogenic organisms responsible for such infections can develop resistance to antimicrobial agents. Understanding the activity of disinfectants against clinical and environmental bacterial isolates is therefore crucial. We analysed the in vitro activity of five antimicrobial products (phenolic compounds, didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC), sodium hypochlorite, isopropanol + ammonium compounds (IACs), hydrogen peroxide) against 187 bacterial strains comprising clinical isolates, as well as 30 environmental isolates of from hospital water samples.

Aflatoxin contamination in nuts marketed in Italy: preliminary results.

Background: Aflatoxins (AFs) are one of the main groups of mycotoxins produced by molds. Nuts, although recognized as a food with health benefits, are frequently contaminated by AFs.

Study Design: In this preliminary study we evaluated the contamination by total AFs and AFB1 in different types of nuts from different countries marketed in Apulia.

Control and prevention measures for legionellosis in hospitals: A cross-sectional survey in Italy.

Risk assessment, environmental monitoring, and the disinfection of water systems are the key elements in preventing legionellosis risk. The Italian Study Group of Hospital Hygiene of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine, and Public Health and the Italian Multidisciplinary Society for the Prevention of Health Care-Associated Infections carried out a national cross-sectional survey to investigate the measures taken to prevent and control legionellosis in Italian hospitals. A multiple-choice questionnaire was developed, comprising 71 questions regarding hospital location, general characteristics, clinical and environmental surveillance, and control and preventive measures for legionellosis in 2015.

Analysis of a Steerable Needle for Fine Needle Aspiration and Biopsy: Efficiency and Radiation Dose Compared With a Conventional Straight Needle.

Purpose: Percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided needle biopsy has proven to be an efficacious method for sampling of many soft tissue lesions, especially deep-seated masses in the abdomen and pelvis. This study sought to test the potential for a novel steerable needle to improve localization and to reduce procedure duration and radiation dose compared with a conventional straight needle.

Material And Methods: A fresh, raw meat sample (lean bovine flank) was imbedded with cylindrical radiopaque and radiolucent obstacles designed to simulate vessels (radiolucent objects) and bones (radiopaque objects) on CT.

Invitro antifungal susceptibilities of Candida species to liposomal amphotericin B, determined using CLSI broth microdilution, and amphotericin B deoxycholate, measured using the Etest.

The antifungal susceptibilities of 598 isolates of Candida spp. (bloodstream and other sterile sites) to liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB) versus amphotericin B (AmB) were determined. MICs were calculated using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute broth microdilution (M27-A3) method for L-AmB and the Etest method for AmB.

Epidemiology of candidemia in neonatal intensive care units: a persistent public health problem.

Background: Candidemia has become an increasingly important problem in infants hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). Candida species are the third most common agents of late-onset infections in critically ill neonates and they are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. In this study we evaluated the epidemiology of Candida bloodstream infections in the NICU of an Italian university hospital during a 15-year period.

Prevalence and characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates in food industry workers.

Background: Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a pathogen spread not only in the hospital environment but also in the community and amongst livestock (LA-MRSA). LA-MRSA can be transmitted to humans that live in close contact with MRSA-colonized animals, and human colonization and/or infection has been reported worldwide, particularly among those involved with livestock farming.

Antibiotic susceptibility of Legionella pneumophila strains isolated from hospital water systems in Southern Italy.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the susceptibility of environmental strains of Legionella spp. to 10 antimicrobials commonly used for legionellosis therapy. A study of environmental strains could be useful to timely predict the onset of antibiotic resistance in the environment before it is evidenced in clinical specimens.

Does optimal lesion preparation reduce the amount of acute recoil of the Absorbe BVS? Insights from a real-world population.

Objectives: To evaluate the acute recoil of the ABSORB bioabsorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) and its relationship with procedural characteristics in a real world population.

Background: In vivo acute recoil of the BVS was evaluated in selected patients.

Methods: Acute recoil was studied with videodensitometry in a consecutive series of patients treated by means of a BVS, and the results were compared with those obtained in subjects receiving an everolimus-eluting stent (EES).

Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods sampled from a catering service in Apulia, Italy.

Objective: Listeria monocytogenes is currently considered a relevant emerging food-borne pathogen. In particular, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) illustrates its widespread presence in different foods. In the present article, L.

Computed tomographic diagnosis of pneumatosis intestinalis: clinical measures predictive of the need for surgical intervention.

Objective: To determine which clinical, laboratory, and radiographic parameters predict positive operative findings in patients with pneumatosis intestinalis on computed tomography (CT).

Design: Retrospective record review.

Setting: Tertiary care hospital and affiliated community hospital.