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Biomedical subjects

M Pavia

Publications and source records attributed to M Pavia.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Consumers and foodborne diseases: knowledge, attitudes and reported behavior in one region of Italy.

A survey was conducted to investigate knowledge, attitudes and related behavior on foodborne diseases and food-handling practices among consumers in one region of Italy. A self-administered questionnaire was offered to a random sample of mothers of children attending public schools. Of the 394 responding mothers, 36% knew about all the six foodborne pathogens investigated but only 11.1% correctly indicated six related different food vehicles; education level was a predictor of this knowledge. A positive attitude towards foodborne disease control, significantly higher in older and more educated women, was reported by the great majority, who agreed that improper storage of food represents a health hazard (95.7%), that washing hands before handling unwrapped raw or cooked food reduces the risk of food poisoning (93.2%), and that the awareness of the temperature of the refrigerator is crucial in reducing risk of food poisoning (90.1%). Only 53.9% reported washing hands before and after touching raw or unwrapped food and 50.4% reported using soap to wash hands. A total of 75.6% clean kitchen benches after every use and 81.1% use hot water and soap for this purpose. Only 25.6% thaw food in the refrigerator and 49.9% put leftovers in the refrigerator soon after meals. Washing hands before and after touching unwrapped food was significantly higher in women living in larger families and who had been informed by physicians about foodborne diseases. Educational programs and the counseling efforts of physicians, particularly focused to less educated subjects, are greatly needed.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Hepatitis B and C virus infection in Crohn's disease.

Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) are at higher risk of hepatitis C (HCV) and B virus (HBV) infection, because of surgical and/or endoscopic procedures. However, the prevalence of HCV and HBV infection in CD is unknown. This issue may be relevant because of the growing use of immunomodulatory drugs in CD. The purpose of this study was to assess, in a multicenter study, the prevalence and risk factors of HCV and HBV infection in CD. The effect of immunomodulatory drugs for CD on the clinical course of hepatitis virus infections and of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) on the course of CD was examined in a small number of patients. Sera from 332 patients with CD and 374 control subjects (C) were tested for the following: hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb), HBcAb, HBeAg, HBeAb, anti-HCV, and HCV-RNA. An additional 162 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) were tested as a disease control group. Risk factors were assessed by multivariate statistical analysis. Infection by either HCV or HBV was detected in 24.7% of patients with CD. In the age groups younger than 50 years, HCV prevalence was higher in CD than in C (p = 0.01). HCV infection in CD was associated with surgery (OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.00-2.93; p = 0.04), blood transfusions (OR 3.39; 95% CI 1.04-11.04; p = 0.04), and age (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.61-3.56; p < 0.001). The event CD-related surgery appeared to be the main risk factor for HCV infection in CD. HCV prevalence was higher in CD (7.4%) than in UC (0.6%) (p = 0.001). HBcAb positivity was higher in CD (10.9%) and UC (11.5%) than in C (5.1%) (CD vs. C: p = 0.016; UC vs. C: p = 0.02), associated with age (OR 2.08; 95% CI 1.37-3.17; p = 0.001) and female gender (OR 2.68; 95% CI 1.37-3.17; p = 0.001) in CD and to UC duration (OR 1.20; 95% CI 1.06-1.36; p = 0.002). Immunomodulatory drugs did not influence the course of HBV or HCV infection in seven patients with CD, and IFN-alpha for chronic hepatitis C did not affect CD activity in six patients with CD. It is concluded that HBV prevalence is higher in CD than in C at all ages, whereas HCV prevalence is increased in young patients with CD, because of a greater need for surgery. The higher HCV (but not HBV) prevalence in CD than in UC suggests that the host immune response may influence the risk of HCV infection. Although a relatively high proportion of patients with CD showed HBV and/or HCV infections, this should not influence treatment strategies for CD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Cigarette smoking: knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in an adult population in Italy.

The study explores knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour regarding cigarette smoking and related factors in an adult population. A total of 935 parents of children attending the eighth class of ten randomly selected primary schools in Catanzaro (Italy) received a questionnaire consisting of questions on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, knowledge, behaviour and attitudes about cigarette smoking. Six hundred and sixty-nine parents returned the questionnaire, with a response rate of 71.5%. Knowledge of risk associated to smoking was significantly higher in more educated subjects and in past smokers compared to current. Current and past smokers were respectively 39.6% and 17.2%, and current smokers were younger, not married, less prone to consider smoking as a major risk for their health and more likely to live with other smokers compared to past and never smokers. Females of higher education were more likely to be current smokers, whereas male current smokers were more likely to be less educated compared to past or never smokers. The results strongly recommend the provision of accurate information about the health consequences related to smoking, with a more intensive involvement of health care providers, particularly targeted to women and younger age groups.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Prevalence of hospital-acquired infections in Italy.

A one-day prevalence survey was conducted in Calabria (Italy) to estimate the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) and the effect of different variables on HAI in 888 patients present in a ward for at least 24 hours and not due for discharge or transfer on the day of the survey. The overall prevalence of HAI was 1.7% and urinary tract and surgical wounds were the most frequent sites (each four patients, 26.7%). In only eight (53.3%) of the fifteen HAI detected, had a microbiological examination been requested and the only two positive culture results involved Pseudomonas aeruginosa (surgical site) and Escherichia coli (urinary tract). Results of multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that HAI differed significantly in prevalence between age groups, ward, and was higher in patients with urinary catheters and in those receiving antibiotics.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Proteolysis in Manchego-type cheese salted by brine vacuum impregnation.

A new salting procedure based on the brine vacuum impregnation of porous products was tested on Manchego-type cheese and compared with conventional brine immersion. Its effect on cheese proteolysis throughout a 90-d ripening period was determined. Three cheese regions were evaluated (the rind, the middle, and the internal regions). The parameters analyzed were total N, water-soluble N, soluble N in trichloroacetic acid and soluble N in phosphotungstic acid by using the Kjeldahl method, casein profile by urea-PAGE, and peptide profile of the water soluble nitrogen extract by reverse-phase HPLC. Free amino acid formation was monitored with a spectrophotometric method by using a Cd-ninhydrin reagent. Globally, proteolysis was significantly affected by ripening stage (increasing throughout all the maturation period studied) and cheese region (rind showed a proteolysis pattern different from the middle and internal regions). The salting procedure only affected cheese proteolysis in the rind, whereas conventional brine-salted cheeses showed lower proteolysis than vacuum-impregnated cheeses.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed2000

Vancomycin resistance and antibiotic susceptibility of enterococci in raw meat.

The purpose of this study was to investigate antimicrobial resistance, in particular to vancomycin, of enterococci in samples (100) of meat (beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, and pork) sold in retail outlets of Catanzaro (Italy). Enterococci were identified to the species level. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests for a large spectrum of antibiotics including glycopeptides were performed by the disk diffusion method. Kappa statistic was used to evaluate associations of resistance to vancomycin with other antimicrobials. Enterococci were isolated from 45% of the samples, mostly from chicken meat (65.4%). Overall, 29% of samples were contaminated by vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), whereas among those positive they represented 64.4% of isolates. Higher prevalence of vancomycin resistance was found in chicken samples (76.5%). The overall resistance to teicoplanin (TRE) was 30%, whereas among those positive, TRE represented 66.7% of isolates. The most frequent isolates were Enterococcus faecium (35.6%) and Enterococcus faecalis (33.3%). Resistance to vancomycin and teicoplanin was observed in 75% and 78.5% of E. faecium, and in 40% and 46.7% of E. faecalis, respectively. Most strains were susceptible to ampicillin (80%), while 88.9% were resistant to methicillin. The most effective antimicrobials were imipenem (73.3% susceptible) and rifampin (80%). The highest prevalence of resistance was for streptomycin (88.9%), tetracycline (84.4%), and erythromycin (75.6%). Resistance to vancomycin was significantly associated to methicillin, teicoplanin, erythromycin, tetracycline, and chloramphenicol. Further investigations about enterococcal colonization and infections in community and hospital subjects are needed.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Breast and cervical cancer screening: knowledge, attitudes and behavior among schoolteachers in Italy.

The study explores knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding screening for breast and cervical cancers. All female teachers in primary and secondary schools in Crotone and in Cassino (Italy) received a questionnaire on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, clinical history, knowledge, behavior and attitudes about breast and cervical cancer and related screening procedures. A response rate of 65% was achieved. Knowledge on effectiveness of mammography and pap test in finding related cancers was widely spread in the sample. Only about 30% and 50% had respectively undergone their last mammogram and pap test according to the recommended time interval. Having been examined by a physician in the previous year and having had a screening CBE or a screening pap smear in the past three years were significantly more likely in women who underwent mammography for screening purposes in the past two years. Pap smear in the previous three years was significantly more likely in women in their forties, with a higher family income and in those who had been examined by a physician in the previous year. The results strongly recommend continued emphasis of physicians on education of women regarding mammography and pap smear.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Mothers and vaccination: knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour in Italy.

The study evaluates knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour of mothers regarding the immunization of 841 infants who attended public kindergarten in Cassino and Crotone, Italy. Overall, 57.8% of mothers were aware about all four mandatory vaccinations for infants (poliomyelitis, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis B). The results of a multiple logistic regression analysis showed that this knowledge was significantly greater among mothers with a higher education level and among those who were older at the time of the child's birth. Respondents' attitudes towards the utility of vaccinations for preventing infectious diseases were very favourable. Almost all children (94.4%) were vaccinated with all three doses of diphtheria-tetanus (DT), oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV), and hepatitis B. The proportion of children vaccinated who received all three doses of OPV, DT or diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP), and hepatitis B vaccines within 1 month of becoming age-eligible ranged from 56.6% for the third dose of hepatitis B to 95.7% for the first dose of OPV. Results of the regression analysis performed on the responses of mothers who had adhered to the schedule for all mandatory vaccinations indicated that birth order significantly predicted vaccination nonadherence, since children who had at least one older sibling in the household were significantly less likely to be age-appropriately vaccinated. The coverage for the optional vaccines was only 22.5% and 31% for measles-mumps-rubella and for all three doses against pertussis, respectively. Education programmes promoting paediatric immunization, accessibility, and follow-up should be targeted to the entire population.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Zinc inhibits the in vitro conversion of thyroxine to triiodothyronine in brown adipose issue].

The effect of in vitro addition of zinc sulphate on T4 deiodination in brown adipose tissue (BAT) of rats exposed to 4 degrees C or 22 degrees C temperature during 24 h, was studied. Animals were killed by cervical dislocation and BAT was immediately removed and homogenized in sucrose buffer (320 mM) containing HEPES (10 mM) pH 7.4. The preparation was centrifuged at 4 degrees C during 10 min. Aliquots were separated adding 50, 100 microM, 1 o 5 mM zinc sulphate plus 0, 5, 10 or 25 mM dithiothreitol plus 1 microCi 125I-T4. The mixture was incubated at 37 degrees C during 60 min. Aliquots were applied to Whatman paper and chromatographed. BAT from control rats kept at 22 degrees C produced 79 +/- 30 pg T3/g protein/h. This value was significantly reduced in homogenates containing 1 or 5 mM zinc. In rats exposed to 4 degrees C, T3 production increased to 248 +/- 37 pg/mg protein/h. The addition of 100 microM, 1 or 5 mM zinc significantly decreased T3 production. The inhibitory action of zinc on BAT T4 deiodination may have a deleterious effect on BAT thermogenesis.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗
PubMed1998

Prevalence of dental caries in schoolchildren in Italy.

The caries experience and its potential risk indicators such as socioeconomic status, sweets consumption, toothbrushing habits, dental visit attendance pattern and salivary mutans streptococci (in 12 year old only), were assessed in schoolchildren raised and living in low fluoridated areas (Catanzaro, Italy). Caries-free prevalence in the 6-year-old was 52.9% in their primary dentition; the dmft and dmfs were 2.1 and 5.1, and both DMFT and DMFS were 0.1. Almost 91% of the dmft was attributable to active decay. The proportion of children with a dmft+DMFT > or = 1 and the dmft and dmfs were significantly higher in those with low socio-economic status. In the 12-year-old, 52.7% had a history of caries and the DMFT and DMFS were 1.5 and 2.6; the filled component was the dominant proportion. The more likely they visited a dentist for routine checkup, the higher socio-economic status (it was not associated with DMFT), the less frequently they had sweets, and the low level of Streptococcus mutans, the more likely they were caries-free and the less likely they were to have a high DMFT, DMFS, and DT. In the 15-year-old, 68.8% had a history of caries and the DMFT and DMFS were 2.8 and 4.8, with a higher prevalence of the F component. The children who visited a dentist for routine checkup had a significantly lower caries experience, DMFT, DMFS, and DT than the irregular attenders, and those with low socio-economic background were more likely to have a high DMFS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of the efficacy of glutaraldehyde and peroxygen for disinfection of dental instruments.

The antimicrobial and sporicidal activities in vitro and in vivo of 1% peroxygen (Virkon) and 2% alkaline glutaraldehyde (Asporin) were evaluated on dental instruments before and after cleaning. The in vitro antimicrobial activity against vegetative bacteria, bacterial spores and fungi indicated that glutaraldehyde is more active against these organisms than peroxygen. Asporin killed all vegetative bacteria within 1 min after cleaning, whereas Virkon was active, in the majority of cases, within 15 min and obtained a greater than 10(5)-fold reduction in count before killing for the vast majority of instruments, and for all micro-organisms. The spores of Bacillus subtilis were killed by Asporin within 4-5 h after cleaning, whereas Virkon required almost 20 h. A meticulous instrument cleaning process followed by an appropriate disinfection treatment assures a shorter disinfection time. Asporin should be recommended for chemical sterilization or high-level disinfection of dental instruments, and Virkon, if only disinfection is required, would seem to be a possible alternative, even if used with a higher exposure time.

Bacillus subtilis↗
PubMed1997

Appendicular bone density, biochemical markers of bone turnover and lifestyle factors in female teachers of Southern Italy.

The present study was designed to investigate relationships between urinary free pyridinolines (F-Pyr), serum osteocalcin (OC) and appendicular bone mineral density (BMD). Furthermore, possible correlations between such variables and putative risk factors for low bone density were also analysed. We were not able to find any relationships between biochemical markers of bone turnover and appendicular BMD or putative risk factors for osteoporosis at multivariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed a significant decrease of BMD when age increases (p < 0.001), with menopause and time since menopause (p < 0.001), while number of pregnancies (p = 0.018) was associated with a higher value of BMD. Age, menopause and time since menopause were significantly associated with urinary excretion of F-Pyr. Indeed age was an inverse effect modifier of the relationship between urinary excretion of F-Pyr and time since menopause.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Three-dimensional MR myelography of traumatic injuries of the brachial plexus.

PURPOSE: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of three-dimensional MR myelography in the evaluation of traumatic injuries of the brachial plexus. METHODS: Twenty patients with clinical and electromyographic evidence of traumatic brachial plexopathy were examined with three-dimensional MR myelography, conventional cervical myelography, and CT myelography 1 to 9 months after trauma. Three-dimensional MR myelography was performed on a 1.5-T MR unit with a constructive interference in steady state (CISS) technique. For each patient, maximum intensity myelographic projections and multiplanar reconstruction reformatted 1-mm axial sections were obtained from the same 3-D data set. Three-dimensional MR myelographic findings were compared with findings at cervical myelography and CT myelography. Surgical findings were available for comparison in 13 patients. RESULTS: Three-dimensional MR myelography enabled detection of meningoceles with avulsed or intact nerve roots, partial or complete radicular avulsions without disruption of the thecal sac, dural sleeve abnormalities, and dural scars. Assuming cervical myelography and CT myelography as the standards of reference, 3-D MR myelography showed 89% sensitivity, 95% specificity, and 92% diagnostic accuracy in the evaluation of nerve root integrity. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional MR myelography can show the majority of traumatic lesions that involve the proximal portion of the brachial plexus in a single rapid examination. On the basis of our findings, we propose this technique as a screening examination for patients with traumatic brachial plexus palsy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Appendectomy is an independent protective factor for ulcerative colitis: results of a multicentre case control study. The Italian Group for the Study of the Colon and Rectum (GISC)

BACKGROUND: Different exogenous factors are believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Smoking habits and other risk factors have received much attention. It has recently been reported that appendectomy decreases the risk of ulcerative colitis. AIM: Aim of the study was to further examine the role of appendectomy in ulcerative colitis. METHODS: A large multicentre case control study was performed. Cases were all patients with a recent new diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (from 1990 to 1994) at participating centres. One or two controls attending the orthopaedic and surgical units were considered and matched to cases for age (+/- 5 years), sex and year of diagnosis. A total of 536 cases and 755 controls were enrolled. Mean age of cases was 37.9 years (range 2-92). Assessment of exposure was done by examining the clinical records and by interview, if necessary. Smoking habits, alcohol consumption, use of oral contraceptives, type of occupation and area of residence were also recorded. Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by conditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Forty-one out of the 536 cases (7.6%) and 150 out of the 755 controls (19.9%) had been submitted to appendectomy. A total of 110 out of 536 cases (20.5%) and 135 out of 753 (17.9%) controls had had tonsillectomy. Seven out of 41 cases and 15 out of 755 controls underwent appendectomy for recurrent pain. In all ulcerative colitis patients, appendectomy had been performed before the onset of disease. When data were adjusted for the confounding variables, ulcerative colitis patients were less likely to have had appendectomy compared with controls (odds ratio = 0.3, confidence interval = 0.19-0.48). There was no significant association of ulcerative colitis with tonsillectomy (odds ratio = 1.09, confidence interval = 0.76-1.58). The well recognized inverse association of ulcerative colitis with cigarette smoking was also shown in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The present data emerging from a large multicentre study, confirm that appendectomy has a protective role for the development of ulcerative colitis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Oral health status and treatment needs in immigrants and refugees in Italy.

The caries prevalence, oral hygiene status, periodontal health and the treatment needs were assessed in immigrants and refugees in Catanzaro and Crotone, Italy. The mean DMFT and DMFS scores of adults, 18 or more years, were 8.1 and 33.1 for Yugoslavs, 7.4 and 28.8 for Moroccans, and 1.4 and 4.5 for Senegalese. The analysis of variance carried out on the three groups showed a significant inequality in their DMFT and DMFS scores. The stepwise linear regression showed that in the Moroccans and Yugoslavs the DMFT increased with age. The needs for dental extractions and for conservative dental care were respectively 15.8% and 39.5% in the Senegalese, 28.6% and 73.8% in the Yugoslavs, 32.7% and 77% in the Moroccans. Good oral hygiene status was scored for 26.3% Senegalese, 7.1% Yugoslavs, and 5.5% Moroccans. Good periodontal health was scored for 7.9%, 2.4%, and 1.2% of these groups. The analysis of variance carried out on the three groups showed a significant inequality in their OHI-S and PI, and the Bonferroni test showed a significant differences in both indices comparing the Senegalese with the Moroccans and in the OHI-S between Senegalese and Yugoslavs. The stepwise linear regression showed that in the Yugoslavs the OHI-S and in the Moroccans and Yugoslavs the PI increased with age. The results of this investigation demonstrated high caries prevalence, poor oral hygiene and periodontal health, and unmet needs for dental treatment in particular Moroccans and Yugoslavs, and a systematic and comprehensive implementation of oral health promotion program for these groups is a priority need.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Survey of reasons for extraction of permanent teeth in Italy.

The purpose of the study is to collect information on the reasons given by dentists, randomly selected from the Italian Dental and Maxillo-Facial Association's, for extracting permanent teeth in Italy. From the 164 dentists responding, 1056 teeth in 839 patients were extracted during two weeks of working activity. More than two-thirds of the teeth were extracted for dental caries (34.4%) and periodontal disease (33.1%). The mean number of teeth extracted per patient showed a significant increasing trend with increasing age, being 1.09 in those from 16 to 39 yr, 1.25 in the 40-59-yr-old group, to 1.54 in those over 59 yr of age (F = 21.44; P < 0.0001). The third molar was the most frequently extracted tooth and 41.3% were removed due to impaction reasons, in particular from the mandible. The first and second molars and the premolars were extracted most often because of caries; more than half of the incisors and the canines were extracted for periodontal reasons; the majority of the teeth removed for prosthetic reasons, 57.1%, were incisors and canines, especially in the mandible; of the teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons, 47.4% were first and second premolars. The prevalence of subjects with at least one tooth extracted for dental caries and for orthodontic reasons were respectively significantly higher in the irregular than the regular attenders (chi-square = 46.55; P < 0.0001), and in the regular than the irregular dental attenders (chi-square = 63.12; P < 0.0001). Dental practitioners should promote targeted initiatives for prevention and treatment of diseases in order to reduce in particular the incidence of tooth extraction because of caries and periodontal disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Dental health and treatment needs in institutionalized psychiatric patients in Italy.

The caries prevalence, oral hygiene status, periodontal health and the treatment needs were assessed in a group of institutionalized psychiatric patients in Catanzaro, Italy. Of the total sample of 297 subjects, 165 (55.6%) were males, the mean age was 55.1 yr, the great majority (90.6%) was able to care for themselves, on average they had been institutionalized for 12.9 yr, and almost two-thirds were schizophrenic (65%). They did not receive any assistance in daily oral hygiene procedures, only 7.4% had visited a dentist and exclusively for emergency care. A total of 33 (11.1%) patients were edentulous, and the multiple logistic regression analysis showed a highly significant increase of edentulousness with increasing age (P < 0.001). No caries-free subjects were found and among the dentate the DMFT and DMFS scores for all age groups were respectively 15.5 and 88.6. The stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the mean DMFT index increased with age (t = 6.86; P < 0.001), and in the partly or totally helpless patients it was significantly higher than in the self-sufficient patients (t = 2.78; P = 0.006). Of the 264 dentate subjects, only 25 (9.5%) had no need of dental treatment; 213 (80.7%) required extractions with a mean number per person of 6.3 and the need for conservative dental care was recorded in 154 (58.3%) patients with a mean need for patient of 2.8. Mean OHI-S score was 4.2 and the stepwise linear regression analysis showed that it increased with age (t = 5.73; P < 0.001) and with the length of institutionalization (t = 3.42; P < 0.001). Only 0.9% of the entire sample was found with healthy periodontal tissue; bleeding on probing or a higher score was found in 4.6% of examined sextants; calculus in 10.1%; shallow pockets and deep pockets in 19.6% and 64.8% of all sextants. The results of the multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the number of subjects with deep pockets as highest score increased with increasing age (P<0.001), and with the increasing length of institutionalization (P=0.005). The findings of this study demonstrate high caries prevalence, poor oral hygiene and periodontal health, and extensive unmet needs for dental treatment. More coordinated efforts between the social and dental care sector must be maintained to serve adequately the need of this disadvantaged group.

Adult↗