Prognostic value of ECG changes detected by Holter monitoring in silent ischemic heart disease in the aged

Ischemic Cardiomiopathy (IC) is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly and its incidence increases progressively with age. Holter monitoring (HM) is used to study IC which reveals asymptomatic ischemic episodes identifiable with the depression of the ST tract. It has been demonstrated that these electric manifestations have the same unfavourable diagnostic value as those accompanied by pain. In order to evaluate the prevalence and prognostic significance of episodes of silent myocardial ischemia in the elderly patient, we examined 99 consecutive patients with stable clinical symptoms of myocardial ischemia and a positive ergometric test (ET). The patients were randomly divided according to age (< or = 65 years, >65 years) into two groups with homogeneous clinical feature, except for a higher prevalence of women in the second group. The HM analysis, carried out for 24 hours during common every day activities and after suspending anti-ischemic therapy, showed that 62 patients (63%) had 289 episodes of electric ischemia; 216 (75%) of these were asymptomatic, and, in the group of elderly there was a higher incidence of ST depression unaccompanied by pain (A vs B = 86 vs 132 episodes, p < 0.001). Comparing the patients with and without anamnestic evidence of myocardial infarction it was found that the first group presented a higher prevalence of ST depression both asymptomatic and symptomatic (147 vs 71 silent episodes, p < 0.001, and 49 vs 24 symptomatic episodes, p = 0.015 respectively), while no statistically significant differences were found between the two age groups. Electric alterations of the asymptomatic ischemic kind were more often found in subjects with stable angina, above all if elderly; this is important from a prognostic point of view as few elderly patients are capable of performing a maximal TE and it is thus significant of reduced coronary reserve. From our data we observed that in patients with stable angina, especially if elderly, Holter revealed asymptomatic ST depression analyzed considering both its length and magnitude, is able to give prognostic evidence of subsequent coronary events.     

Determination of Young's Modulus of Thin Films

An improved vibrating-reed method is described for determining Young's modulus of thin films deposited on both sides of a substrate. This technique consists of measuring the resonant frequency of a cantilever composite beam obtained by coating both sides of a substrate. The calculation procedure is presented to evaluate the film modulus from sample geometry, material density, and mechanical resonant frequency. For accurate determination of resonant frequency, the phase angle between the exciting and vibration signals is analyzed. Using the proposed technique, Young's modulus of ZrO₂ thin films is calculated, obtaining a value in agreement with literature data.     

Mathematical definition and analysis of the retinex algorithm

We present a detailed mathematical analysis of the original Retinex algorithm due to Land and McCann [J. Opt. Soc. Am. 61, 1 (1071)]. To this end, we propose an analytic formula that describes the algorithm behavior. More than one Retinex version (e.g., with and without threshold) is examined. The behavior of Retinex varying the number of paths is predicted, and its recursive iterations are mathematically analyzed using the formula. The mathematical setting presented serves as a common ground for the various Retinex implementations. Its validity is confirmed by the tests on images that we have performed.     

Significance of concentrations and ratio of immunoglobulin G and M in the evaluation of anti-Toxoplasma IGM

The Authors have tested the significance of the correlation of the mean total IgM concentration, the IgG: IgM ratio and the presence of specific anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgM, determined with different serological reactions. The piece of research has been carried out on 72 samples of subjects with active toxoplasmic infections.     

Expression and characterization of three important panallergens from hazelnut

Several hazelnut allergens with different clinical relevance and crossreactive properties have been identified and characterized so far. The aim of this study was to develop protocols for producing relatively large amounts of three recombinant hazelnut allergens Cor a 1.04, Cor a 2, and Cor a 8 in a folded and immunologically active form. The availability of well-characterized, pure recombinant allergens will improve diagnostic in vitro tests for food allergy, by allowing a highly sensitive component resolved diagnosis. Depending on the individual hazelnut allergen, protocols for heterologous production - either as fusion or nonfusion protein - were developed to obtain homogenous protein batches. The resulting proteins were purified by a two-step FPLC method and their IgE antibody reactivity was verified. Identity was verified by N-terminal sequencing and MALDI-TOF-MS analysis. Their secondary and tertiary structure was controlled by circular dichroism (CD)-spectroscopy and NMR analysis. Decisions on the strategies for expression and purification of allergens on a large scale were made on a case by case basis: Preparation of rCor a 1.04 and rCor a 2 as fusion proteins in E. coli from inclusion bodies resulted in approximately 10 mg pure protein per liter whereas rCor a 8 expression in yeast as nonfusion protein yielded 30 mg/L.     

Maternal dietary habits and mycotoxin occurrence in human mature milk

During 2006, 82 samples of human mature milk were collected at Italian hospitals and checked for aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) by immunoaffinity column extraction and HPLC. AFM1 was detected in four (5%) of milk samples (ranging from < 7 ng/L to 140 ng/L; mean level: 55.35 ng/L); OTA was detected in 61 (74%) of milk samples (ranging from < 5 ng/L to 405 ng/L; mean level: 30.43 ng/L. OTA levels were significantly higher (p less, not double equals 0.05) in milk of habitual consumers of bread, bakery products and cured pork meat. No other statistically significant differences were observed although habitual consumers of pasta (p = 0.059), cookies (p = 0.061) and juices (p = 0.063) had mean contamination values of OTA higher than the moderate consumer. The very few AFB1 positive samples did not allow statistical comparisons. The present study confirms that the occurrence of OTA in human milk is related to maternal dietary habits. The findings support the possibility of dietary recommendations to woman, during pregnancy and lactation, aimed to tentatively reduce the OTA contamination of human milk.     

Anti-listerial activity of a polymeric film coated with hybrid coatings doped with Enterocin 416K1 for use as bioactive food packaging

In this study, Enterocin 416K1, a bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus casseliflavus IM 416K1, was entrapped in an organic-inorganic hybrid coating applied to a LDPE (low-density polyethylene) film for its potential use in the active food packaging field. The antibacterial activity of the coated film was evaluated against Listeria monocytogenes NCTC 10888 by qualitative modified agar diffusion assay, quantitative determination in listeria saline solution suspension and direct contact with artificially contaminated food samples (frankfurters and fresh cheeses) stored at room and refrigeration temperatures. All investigations demonstrated that enterocin-activated coatings have a good anti-listeria activity. Qualitative tests showed a clear zone of inhibition in the indicator lawn in contact with and around the coated film. During the quantitative antibacterial evaluation the L. monocytogenes viable counts decreased to 1.5 log units compared to the control. The inhibitory capability was confirmed also in food-contact assays. In all food samples packed with coated films we observed a significant decrease in L. monocytogenes viable counts in the first 24 h compared to the control. This difference was generally maintained up to the seventh day and then decreased, with the exception of the cheese samples stored at refrigeration temperature.     

The use of recycled low-density polyethylene films from protective prepreg for the development of nanocomposites with bentonite clay

Prepreg is a pre-impregnated composite fiber where a thermoset polymer matrix material is present. Before being used, these materials are kept at low temperatures and have a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film for your protection. The increase in the use of structural composites based on prepregs causes an increase in the amount of protective LDPE film. This material is usually discarded or incinerated and can cause great damage to the environment. Thus, the present work aimed to study the feasibility of recycling up to 100% of protective LDPE (rLDPE) to develop blends-based nanocomposites with rLDPE/virgin LDPE (60/40, 70/30, 80/20, 90/10 and 100/0) with the addition of 5 wt% of compatibilizer agent (maleic anhydride grafted LDPE, LDPE-g-MA), and 1 wt% of bentonite (BNT) using a co-rotational twin-screw extruder, followed by hot pressing in a hydropneumatic press and die-cutting. Water absorption test, thermal aging resistance, morphological characterization by scanning electron microscopy, mechanical properties by Izod impact strength and tensile tests, and differential scanning calorimetry were performed. By the results, it was possible to verify the viability of 100% of the recycling of rLDPE. The results showed a good distribution of 1 wt% of BNT in the matrix, better mechanical properties when compared with virgin LDPE. Furthermore, the thermal properties, water absorption test, and thermal aging resistance showed no statistical differences between the samples. These results confirm the effectiveness and the environmental gain in the use of the recycled material.