Qualitatitive and quantitative analysis of fish spoilage processes for development of new food monitoring systems

This study investigates the growth and metabolite production of microorganisms causing spoilage of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) fillets packaged under air and modified atmosphere (60 % CO2, 40 % O2). Samples were provided by two different retailers (A and B). Storage of packaged fillets occurred at 4 °C and 8 °C. Microbiological quality and metabolite production of cod fillets stored in MAP 4 °C, MAP 8 °C and air were monitored during 13 days, 7 days and 3 days of storage, respectively. Volatile compounds concentration in the headspace were quantified by Selective ion flow tube mass spectrometry and a correlation with microbiological spoilage was studied. The onset of volatile compounds detection was observed to be mostly around 7 log cfu/g of total psychrotrophic count. Trimethylamine and dimethyl sulfide were found to be the dominant volatiles in all of the tested storage conditions, nevertheless there was no close correlation between concentrations of each main VOC and percentages of rejection based on sensory evaluation. According to results it was concluded that they cannot be considered as only indicators of the quality of cod fillets stored in modified atmosphere and air.  

Analisi morfometrica classica ed EFA (Elliptic Fourier Analysis) degli otoliti del genere Mullus in Alto - Medio Adriatico.

L’obiettivo del presente lavoro di tesi è stato quello di analizzare i campioni di otoliti delle due specie del genere Mullus (Mullus barbatus e Mullus surmuletus) per mezzo dell’Analisi Ellittica di Fourier (EFA) e l’analisi di morfometria classica con gli indici di forma, al fine di verificare la simmetria tra l’otolite destro e sinistro in ognuna delle singole specie di Mullus e se varia la forma in base alla taglia dell’individuo. Con l’EFA è stato possibile mettere a confronto le forme degli otoliti facendo i confronti multipli in base alla faccia, al sesso e alla classe di taglia. Inoltre è stato fatto un confronto tra le forme degli otoliti delle due specie. Dalle analisi EFA è stato possibile anche valutare se gli esemplari raccolti appartenessero tutti al medesimo stock o a stock differenti. Gli otoliti appartengono agli esemplari di triglia catturati durante la campagna sperimentale MEDITS 2012. Per i campioni di Mullus surmuletus, data la modesta quantità, sono stati analizzati anche gli otoliti provenienti dalla campagna MEDITS 2014 e GRUND 2002. I campioni sono stati puliti e analizzati allo stereomicroscopio con telecamera e collegato ad un PC fornito di programma di analisi di immagine. Dalle analisi di morfometria classica sugli otoliti delle due specie si può sostenere che in generale vi sia una simmetria tra l’otolite destro e sinistro. Dalle analisi EFA sono state riscontrate differenze significative in tutti i confronti, anche nel confronto tra le due specie. I campioni sembrano però appartenere al medesimo stock. In conclusione si può dire che l’analisi di morfometria classica ha dato dei risultati congrui con quello che ci si aspettava. I risultati dell’analisi EFA invece hanno evidenziato delle differenze significative che dimostrano una superiore potenza discriminante. La particolare sensibilità dell’analisi dei contorni impone un controllo di qualità rigoroso durante l’acquisizione delle forme.

UWB radar sensor networks: Detection algorithms design and experimental analysis

In the last years radar sensor networks for localization and tracking in indoor environment have generated more and more interest, especially for anti-intrusion security systems. These networks often use Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology, which consists in sending very short (few nanoseconds) impulse signals. This approach guarantees high resolution and accuracy and also other advantages such as low price, low power consumption and narrow-band interference (jamming) robustness. In this thesis the overall data processing (done in MATLAB environment) is discussed, starting from experimental measures from sensor devices, ending with the 2D visualization of targets movements over time and focusing mainly on detection and localization algorithms. Moreover, two different scenarios and both single and multiple target tracking are analyzed.

Investigating interocclusal perception in tactile teeth sensibility using symmetric and asymmetric analysis

The purpose of this clinical trial was to determine the active tactile sensibility of natural teeth and to obtain a statistical analysis method fitting a psychometric function through the observed data points. On 68 complete dentulous test persons (34 males, 34 females, mean age 45.9 ± 16.1 years), one pair of healthy natural teeth each was tested: n = 24 anterior teeth and n = 44 posterior teeth. The computer-assisted, randomized measurement was done by having the subjects bite on thin copper foils of different thickness (5-200 µm) inserted between the teeth. The threshold of active tactile sensibility was defined by the 50% value of correct answers. Additionally, the gradient of the sensibility curve and the support area (90-10% value) as a description of the shape of the sensibility curve were calculated. For modeling the sensibility curve, symmetric and asymmetric functions were used. The mean sensibility threshold was 14.2 ± 12.1 µm. The older the subject, the higher the tactile threshold (r = 0.42, p = 0.0006). The support area was 41.8 ± 43.3 µm. The higher the 50% threshold, the smaller the gradient of the curve and the larger the support area. The curves showing the active tactile sensibility of natural teeth demonstrate a tendency towards asymmetry, so that the active tactile sensibility of natural teeth can mathematically best be described by using the asymmetric Weibull function.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in patients starting antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

In patients with HIV-1 infection who are starting combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), the incidence of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is not well defined. We did a meta-analysis to establish the incidence and lethality of the syndrome in patients with a range of previously diagnosed opportunistic infections, and examined the relation between occurrence and the degree of immunodeficiency. Systematic review identified 54 cohort studies of 13 103 patients starting ART, of whom 1699 developed IRIS. We calculated pooled cumulative incidences with 95% credibility intervals (CrI) by Bayesian methods and did a random-effects metaregression to analyse the relation between CD4 cell count and incidence of IRIS. In patients with previously diagnosed AIDS-defining illnesses, IRIS developed in 37.7% (95% CrI 26.6-49.4) of those with cytomegalovirus retinitis, 19.5% (6.7-44.8) of those with cryptococcal meningitis, 15.7% (9.7-24.5) of those with tuberculosis, 16.7% (2.3-50.7) of those with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, and 6.4% (1.2-24.7) of those with Kaposi's sarcoma, and 12.2% (6.8-19.6) of those with herpes zoster. 16.1% (11.1-22.9) of unselected patients starting ART developed any type of IRIS. 4.5% (2.1-8.6) of patients with any type of IRIS died, 3.2% (0.7-9.2) of those with tuberculosis-associated IRIS died, and 20.8% (5.0-52.7) of those with cryptococcal meningitis died. Metaregression analyses showed that the risk of IRIS is associated with CD4 cell count at the start of ART, with a high risk in patients with fewer than 50 cells per microL. Occurrence of IRIS might therefore be reduced by initiation of ART before immunodeficiency becomes advanced.

Lack of social support in the etiology and the prognosis of coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the relevance of low social support for the development and course of coronary heart disease (CHD).

Intravaginal practices, vaginal infections and HIV acquisition: systematic review and meta-analysis

Intravaginal practices are commonly used by women to manage their vaginal health and sexual life. These practices could, however, affect intravaginal mucosal integrity. The objectives of this study were to examine evidence for associations between: intravaginal practices and acquisition of HIV infection; intravaginal practices and vaginal infections; and vaginal infections and HIV acquisition.

Inpatient rehabilitation specifically designed for geriatric patients: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

To assess the effects of inpatient rehabilitation specifically designed for geriatric patients compared with usual care on functional status, admissions to nursing homes, and mortality.

Long-term antibiotic treatment for Crohn's disease: systematic review and meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials

We investigated the effectiveness of long-term antibiotic treatment in patients with Crohn's disease.

Sacral neuromodulation for neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction: systematic review and meta-analysis

Context Treatment of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) is a challenge, because conventional therapies often fail. Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) has become a well-established therapy for refractory non-neurogenic LUTD, but its value in patients with a neurologic cause is unclear. Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of SNM for neurogenic LUTD. Evidence acquisition Studies were identified by electronic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and ScienceDirect (on 15 April 2010) and hand search of reference lists and review articles. SNM articles were included if they reported on efficacy and/or safety of tested and/or permanently implanted patients suffering from neurogenic LUTD. Two reviewers independently selected studies and extracted data. Study estimates were pooled using Bayesian random-effects meta-analysis. Evidence synthesis Of the 26 independent studies (357 patients) included, the evidence level ranged from 2b to 4 according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Half (n = 13) of the included studies reported data on both test phase and permanent SNM; the remaining studies were confined to test phase (n = 4) or permanent SNM (n = 9). The pooled success rate was 68% for the test phase (95% credibility interval [CrI], 50–87) and 92% (95% CrI, 81–98%) for permanent SNM, with a mean follow-up of 26 mo. The pooled adverse event rate was 0% (95% CrI, 0–2%) for the test phase and 24% (95% CrI, 6–48%) for permanent SNM. Conclusions There is evidence indicating that SNM may be effective and safe for the treatment of patients with neurogenic LUTD. However, the number of investigated patients is low with high between-study heterogeneity, and there is a lack of randomised, controlled trials. Thus, well-designed, adequately powered studies are urgently needed before more widespread use of SNM for neurogenic LUTD can be recommended.

Trigonal and peritrigonal lesions of the lateral ventricle-surgical considerations and outcome analysis of 20 patients

The aim of this study is to review the results and clinical outcome of patients with surgically treated lesions within the trigone of the lateral ventricle. This is a retrospective case series of 20 (eight male, 12 female) patients with lesions of the trigone of the lateral ventricle operated between 1998 and 2008. All lesions were removed via the transcortical temporal and transcortical parietal route. Surgical complications and outcome were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). There were four children and 16 adults with a mean age of 42?±?22 years (min?=?1, max?=?74). Eight (40%) lesions grew within the trigone of the dominant hemisphere. In 17 cases, the lesion was purely intraventricular, and in three cases, a slight paraventricular extension was seen. The mean size was 4.5 cm of maximal diameter. Surgical removal was achieved via the transcortical parietal route in 13 cases (65%) and the transcortical temporal route in seven cases (35%). In all cases, complete resection was possible. According to the mRS, 13 patients improved, five remained the same, and two were lost to follow-up. One patient had an increased visual field deficit postoperatively and new hemiparesis and aphasia, but returned to the preoperative level within a few weeks. In one patient, an acute myocardial infarction occurred due to previous cardiac stent placement and in-stent stenosis. Even large trigonal lesions can be resected with low morbidity using a transcortical approach depending on the peritrigonal extension of the tumor.

Functional parkin promoter polymorphism in Parkinson's disease: new data and meta-analysis

A functional SNP (rs9347683) in the promoter region of the parkin gene had been implicated as a risk factor in older Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.

Effects of antihypertensive-drug class on interindividual variation in blood pressure and risk of stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Unexplained differences between classes of antihypertensive drugs in their effectiveness in preventing stroke might be due to class effects on intraindividual variability in blood pressure. We did a systematic review to assess any such effects in randomised controlled trials.