SARS-CoV-2 in Animal Companions: A Serosurvey in Three Regions of Southern Italy.

Several animal species have been found to be susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The occurrence of infection in dogs and cats living in close contact with owners deserves particular attention from public health authorities in a One Health approach. In this study, we conducted serological screening to identify SARS-CoV-2 exposure in the sera from dogs and cats in three regions of southern Italy sampled during the years 2021 and 2022.

Use of high-sensitivity cardiac troponins in the emergency department for the early rule-in and rule-out of acute myocardial infarction without persistent ST-segment elevation (NSTEMI) in Italy.

Serial measurements of cardiac troponin are recommended by international guidelines to diagnose myocardial infarction (MI) since 2000. However, some relevant differences exist between the three different international guidelines published between 2020 and 2021 for the management of patients with chest pain and no ST-segment elevation. In particular, there is no agreement on the cut-offs or absolute change values to diagnose non-ST-segment elevation MI (NSTEMI).

Different detection capabilities by mycological media for Candida isolates from mono- or dual-species cultures.

The aim of this study was to compare the Candida bromcresol green (BCG) medium with the chromogenic (CHROM) Brilliance Candida agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) media in regard to their capability of detecting Candida isolates from mono- or dual-species cultures. We prepared Candida isolates' suspensions to obtain mono-species (n = 18) or dual-species (n = 153) culture plates per each medium, and three readers independently observed 513 plates at 24-h, 48-h and 72-h incubation time. We scored reading results as correct, over or under detection compared to the expected species number(s).

Head-to-head comparison of plasma cTnI concentration values measured with three high-sensitivity methods in a large Italian population of healthy volunteers and patients admitted to emergency department with acute coronary syndrome: A multi-center study.

Background: The study aim is to compare cTnI values measured with three high-sensitivity (hs) methods in apparently healthy volunteers and patients admitted to emergency department (ED) with acute coronary syndrome enrolled in a large multicentre study.

Methods: Heparinized plasma samples were collected from 1511 apparently healthy subjects from 8 Italian clinical institutions (mean age: 51.5 years, SD: 14.

Evaluation of 99th percentile and reference change values of the hs-cTnI method using ADVIA Centaur XPT platform: A multicenter study.

Background: According to quality specifications required by international guidelines, the evaluation of the 99th URL value is a very difficult task that is usually beyond the capacity of a single laboratory. The aims of this article are to report and discuss the results of a multicenter study concerning the evaluation of the 99th percentile URL and reference change (RCV) of the ADVIA Centaur High-Sensitivity Troponin I (TNIH), recently distributed to the Italian clinical laboratories.

Materials And Methods: The reference population evaluated with ADVIA XPT method for the calculation of cTnI reference distribution parameters consisted of 1325 healthy adults subjects (age range from 18 to 86 years), including 653 women (mean age 50.

Evaluation of 99th percentile and reference change values of a high-sensitivity cTnI method: A multicenter study.

Background: The Italian Society of Clinical Biochemistry (SIBioC) and the Italian Section of the European Ligand Assay Society (ELAS) have recently promoted a multicenter study (Italian hs-cTnI Study) with the aim to accurately evaluate analytical performances and reference values of the most popular cTnI methods commercially available in Italy. The aim of this article is to report the results of the Italian hs-cTnI Study concerning the evaluation of the 99th percentile URL and reference change (RCV) values around the 99th URL of the Access cTnI method.

Materials And Methods: Heparinized plasma samples were collected from 1306 healthy adult volunteers by 8 Italian clinical centers.

[PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL URINE EXAMINATION: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE POST ANALYTICAL PHASE FROM THE INTERDISCIPLINARY URINALYSIS GROUP (GIAU)].

With these recommendations the Interdisciplinary Urinalysis Group (GIAU) aims to stimulate the following aspects : improvement and standardization of the post analytical approach to physical, chemical and morphological urine examination (ECMU); emphasize the value added to ECMU by selection of clinically significant parameters, indication of analytical methods, of units of measurement, of reference values; improvement of interpretation of dip stick urinalysis with particular regard to the reconsideration of the diagnostic significance of the evaluated parameters together with an increasing awareness of the limits of sensitivity and specificity of this analytical method. Accompanied by the skills to propose and carry out in-depth investigations with analytical methods that are more sensitive and specific;increase the awareness of the importance of professional skills in the field of urinary morphology and their relationships with the clinicians. through the introduction, in the report, of descriptive and interpretative comments depending on the type of request, the complexity of the laboratory, the competence of the pathologist;implement a policy of evaluation of the analytical quality by using, in addition to traditional internal and external controls, a program for the evaluation of morphological competence.

Fatal fulminant cryptococcemia complicating sarcoidosis: Is it to be expected?

Cryptococcosis may be a life-threatening complication of sarcoidosis. We describe a case of cryptococcemia that rapidly progressed toward fatality without apparent other sites of infection. We discuss on the importance of serum cryptococcal polysaccharide antigen testing for identifying at-risk patients who might benefit from timely diagnosis and treatment of cryptococcosis.

Role for irrigation and debridement in periprosthetic infections.

Irrigation and debridement (I&D) has been described as a possible option to eradicate early postoperative periprosthetic hip and knee infections, as well as late, acute, and hematogenous ones. Still, the literature fails to uniquely assess the effectiveness of this procedure and often provides conflicting evidence. To reconcile this difference, a systematic review of the available literature from 1970 to 2013 was undertaken.

[Vitamin D: from antirachitic factor to indicator of the general state of health].

Vitamin D has long been known for its effect of promoting intestinal absorption of calcium as well as bone mineralization and its deficiency leads to bone disease, rickets, once common in children. Recently, the receptor for vitamin D was found in cell types different from those commonly involved in calcium homeostasis and in vitro studies show that vitamin D is actively involved in cellular differentiation, also playing an antiproliferative, antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory function. In the meantime epidemiological observations showed an association between low levels of vitamin D and certain diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and some immune system defects (allergy, asthma, multiple sclerosis); taken together these data suggests that contrasting deficiency of vitamin D will contribute to lower the risk of several major diseases.

[Molecular aspects of obesity and related-pathologies].

The structure of human genetic machinery aimed at energy homeostasis has been set-up to face food deficiency rather than availability of a larger amount of calories compared with those needed for activities and works characterized by a little expenditure of energy. A epidemiologic-like, global-extended trend of obesity growth is observable, a condition associated with other pathologies that increase mobility and mortality in all ranges of ages. A correct management of obesity is a global challenge that involves both health improvement and socioeconomic aspects (i.

[An important variability factor in determination of urinary activity of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase: contamination of urine with semen].

Background: Urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (U-NAG) and its isoenzyme B (U-NAG-B) have been demonstrated useful and early markers of renal damage, although they are present in many other tissues and organs.

Objectives: To evaluate semen contamination of the urine and its role in variability of U-NAG.

Methods: To assess control group values beta2-microglobulin, retinol-binding protein and U-NAG were measured in the urine of 30 healthy, non-smoking and non metal-exposed adults (19 females and 11 males).

Cyclosporine: update on pharmacology, analytical techniques and therapeutic monitoring.

The Authors relate about the current state of knowledge on Cyclosporin A metabolism, mechanism of action, toxic potential, necessity of therapeutic monitoring. The methods for measurement of Cyclosporin A and its metabolites and the study of their immunosuppressive activity are described. Their use for measurement of Cyclosporin G is discussed.

Autoreactive response in seronegative homosexual men at high risk for HIV infection.

Peripheral autoreactive T cell response was evaluated by limiting dilution analysis of autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction cultures in 15 subjects at high risk for HIV infection and in 20 normal individuals. The two groups did not show a quantitative difference of peripheral autoreactive T cells, but they showed different kinetics. While controls provided a straight line passing through the origin, the majority of high risk individuals showed a curve with a limited linear portion at high cell concentration, indicating that different mechanisms regulate the autoreactive response in the two groups studied.

Evaluation of new product for hydroxyproline determination in HPLC.

For the determination of hydroxyproline, HPLC methods are specific and sensitive, but expensive and time consuming. The aim of this paper was to evaluate a modification to the HPLC method, which employs a precolumn derivatization by DABSYL chloride. The modified method includes a further derivatization by orthophthalaldehyde (OPA), but it simplifies the chromatographic separation, saving time and reagents.

[Urine bacterial flora and chemoantibiotic resistance: observations on ambulatory patients and hospitalized patients at the local health district No. 11 of Fabriano (Ancona)].

This paper reports the results of a study carried out on 4614 samples of urine from inpatients and outpatients according to the sex. The positive monomicrobic urine specimens were examined and isolated strains were tested against various antimicrobial drugs. Our findings showed that 43.

[In vitro evaluation of the antibiotic effect of imipenen on bacterial strains isolated mostly from compromised patients].

The antibacterial activity in vitro of Imipenem (N-formimidoyl-thienamycin) was studied on 237 recently-isolated nosocomial bacterial strains and compared with Aztreonam, Cefotaxime, Ceftazidime, Ceftriaxone, Piperacillin, Amikacin and Netilmicin through the determination of susceptibility by the Kirby-Bauer method. Taking into account that 65% bacterial strains, out of the examined ones, came from antibiotic high-pressure departments (45% from bone-marrow transplanted patients in the Hematological Department and 20% from Intensive Care Unit patients), the results obtained in vitro show an activity of Imipenem on Gram-negative bacteria as much as a 92.7% susceptibility and a 75.

[Total lactate dehydrogenase content and its isoenzymes in a human platelet subpopulation].

The morphological and functional variability of the platelets is on the way of the study. The morphological platelet transformations corresponding to functional attitudes, need of energetic pattern given by the content, in platelets, of enzymatic patrimony. The results show that the lactic-dehydrogenase and isoenzymes, content in the three studied platelet subpopulations, is different.

[Platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate, collagen and adrenaline in human platelet subpopulations].

The study of platelet aggregation is normally carried out with the use of "Platelet Rich Plasma" (PRP) in which is grouped the overall platelets population. We have divided this population in three defined subclasses by gradients with discontinuous density, so as to test their own functional response towards three aggregant agents: adenosine diphosphate, epinephrine and collagen. The obtained results have been compared by an Aggregation Index, calculated as a ratio between the maximum percentage of aggregation and platelets mass.

[Macro-CK type 1: a methodological study approach and its clinical significance].

Description of an analytical procedure in order to show the atypical-CK carriers that simulate an abnormal raising of CK-MB circulating levels in dosages for immune inhibition. This procedure was applied to two samples taken from patients of such a type, immune form neoplastic and cardiac pathology. A systematic dosage of a "real" MB isoenzyme is desirable in all the cases of very raised CK-MB activity.