This article tries to shed light on why gas relations between the EU and Russia, which were previously stable, have deteriorated since the introduction of institutional changes in the two regions. ...After identifying the areas of divergence in the context of European gas market liberalization, we then attempt to examine them in the context of the differing approaches to structuring this sector. The model of vertically unbundled network industries promoted by the EU is no longer the one that Russia intends to implement in its gas sector, despite the big changes taking place in its domestic market. All this is happening in a context where the economic stakes are very high. For the EU and its gas companies, access to Russia’s hydrocarbon resources is a key question. For Gazprom, the question is whether or not it can define strategies that are flexible enough to adapt to the changing conditions in the European gas market.
► In this study, we analyse the evolution of EU–Russia gas relation since the 1990s. ► The problems of defining new gas relations between the EU and Russia stem from a clash of values. ► The problem: Russia’s rejection of the EU’s power to enact rules for the gas industries and markets. ► For the EU and its gas companies, access to Russia’s hydrocarbon resources is a key question. ► For Gazprom, the question is whether it can define flexible strategies on the European gas market.
The aim of this study was to perform a positive-controlled field study under natural exposure conditions to test the efficacy of a newly developed chlorine dioxide-based postmilking teat disinfectant ...(experimental product, EX) for noninferiority compared with an already established chlorine dioxide-based teat disinfectant (positive control product, PC). After blocking by parity, approximately 200 Holstein cows in early to mid-lactation stages from a dairy farm near Padua, Italy, were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups. Over a 13-wk period between September and December 2021, the teats of cows were dipped with the EX or the PC after each milking. Milk samples were collected from individual quarters of enrolled cows for 13 wk to determine infection status. Teat condition was assessed at wk 1, 5, and 9. Mixed logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of treatment on the incidence of new intramammary infections. For the noninferiority analysis, the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval for the difference in new intramammary infection (NIMI) rate between the 2 treatments (EX − PC) had to be to the left of the critical value d (0.035) to conclude that EX was noninferior to PC in terms of the risk of NIMI. The results showed that the incidence of new infections in the quarters treated with EX (3.1%) was not different from that in the udder quarters treated with PC (2.6%). No overall difference was found between the treatments in terms of teat condition. As the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval of the NIMI rate difference was smaller than the predefined noninferiority limit, we concluded that the EX was noninferior compared with the PC.
Introduction
In December 2019, the first cases of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak related to acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection were reported in the Chinese ...city of Wuhan. European countries experienced a tragic growth in the number of Covid-19 cases although several restrictions have been imposed.
Objectives
The study is aimed to describe the first experience of the Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII in the city of Bergamo, Northern Italy.
Methods
The most relevant clinical characteristics of aged patients with COVID-19 and mental disorders have been described.
Results
According to the experience of the Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII, medical departments, after appropriate training of all healthcare workers, have been rapidly converted into specific units aimed at treating patients with COVID-19 infection. Specifically, we directly observed a rapidly growing request of psychiatric interventions in aged patients with COVID-19 infection due to the emergence of severe delirium (mainly hyperkinetic) which was reported in approximately 30−50% of cases increasing with age, psychomotor agitation, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. When compared with younger subjects, we found that subjects aged 65 or above with prolonged hospitalization in our hospital are more vulnerable to: 1) environmental factors (e.g., social isolation and distance from family members, stay in intensive/subintensive units, communication difficulties due to therapeutic devices); 2) individual factors (e.g., COVID-19 possible neurotropic properties, impairments in insight and cognitive dysfunctions, comorbid medical conditions, and use of multiple medications).
Conclusions
The main implications of the present findings have been discussed.
The aim of this study was to evaluate vaccine efficacy of a commercial vaccine (Startvac, Hipra Spain) aimed at reducing intramammary infections (IMI) with Staphylococcus aureus and ...coagulase-negative staphylococci under field conditions. During the 21-mo duration of the study, 1,156 lactations from 809 cows were enrolled in 2 herds. During the first phase of the trial, all cows that were due to calve were vaccinated until approximately 50% of cows in the milking herd were vaccinated (at ~6mo). At that point, when 50% vaccination coverage was reached, cows that were due to calve were randomly assigned to be vaccinated or left as negative controls. Cure rate, rate of new infection, prevalence, and duration of infections were analyzed. Vaccination resulted in a moderate reduction in incidence of new staphylococcal IMI and a more pronounced reduction in duration of IMI associated with reduction of the basic reproduction ratio of Staph. aureus by approximately 45% and of coagulase-negative staphylococci by approximately 35%. The utilization of vaccine in combination with other infection-control procedures, such as excellent milking procedures, treatment, segregation, and culling of known infected cattle, will result in an important reduction in incidence and duration of intramammary staphylococcal infections.
Purpose of Review
Developments in human-like and personified sex tech require familiarity with a range of technologically sophisticated sex toys. Most sex toys approximating full-sized human bodies ...are inanimate, but recent advances in robotics, artificial intelligence, and digital interfaces are being incorporated into sex toy designs with the aim of providing humanized sexual and emotional experiences for users. This narrative review of scholarship on sex dolls, sex robots, and other forms of personified sex tech covers theoretical debates, recent empirical findings, and identifies gaps for future research in this field.
Recent Findings
Review of 87scholarly books, articles, and essays reveals several trends in the field. First, despite continued calls for empirically driven work, the bulk of research on sex dolls, sex robots, and personified sex tech continues to be theoretical. In some cases, theoretical models discussing how people might be affected by human-like and personified sex tech have outpaced the technological capabilities of sex toy manufacturers. Another trend is the noticeable focus on developments and users in North American and European countries. Finally, sex doll ownership is primarily researched and theorized in ways that center heterosexual men as the primary users. While empirical research shows that single middle-aged heterosexual men use sex dolls and sex robots more than women, developments in personified sex tech may push the industry in new directions.
Summary
Current debates about sex dolls, sex robots, and personified sex tech frame such devices around the potential for escalation and harm reduction. Although more empirical attention is being paid to users’ motivations and experiences, a dearth of research directly addresses these debates. More research is needed to refine theoretical assertions about the potential benefits and harms of human-like and personified sex tech. Specifically, robust quantitative data and samples from outside of Western contexts are needed to better assess how such technologies affect users.
Considering the consequences on human health, in general population and workplace, associated with the use of new psychoactive substances and their continuous placing on the market, novel in vitro ...models for neurotoxicology research, applying human-derived CNS cells, may provide a means to understand the mechanistic basis of molecular and cellular alterations in brain. Cytotoxic effects of MAM-2201, a potent-naphthoyl indole derivative-synthetic cannabinoid, have been evaluated applying a panel of human cell-based models of neurons and astrocytes, testing different concentrations (1–30 µM) and exposure times (3–24-48 h). MAM-2201 induced toxicity in primary neuron-like cells (hNLCs), obtained from transdifferentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human umbilical cord. Effects occurred in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The lowest concentration affecting cell viability, metabolic function, apoptosis, morphology, and neuronal markers (MAP-2, NSE) was 5 μM, and even 1 μM induced apoptosis. Effects appeared early (3 h) and persisted after 24 and 48 h. Similar behavior was evidenced for human D384-astrocytes treated with MAM-2201. Differently, human SH-SY5Y-neurons, both differentiated and undifferentiated, were not sensitive to MAM-2201. On D384, the different altered endpoints were reversed, attenuated, or not antagonized by AM251 indicating that CB1 receptors may partially mediate MAM-2201-induced cytotoxicity. While in hNLCs, all toxic effects caused by MAM-2201 were apparently unrelated to CB-receptors since they were not evidenced by immunofluorescence. The present in vitro findings demonstrate the cytotoxicity of MAM-2201 on human primary neurons (hNLCs) and astrocytes cell line (D384), and support the use of these cellular models as species-specific in vitro tools suitable to clarify the neurotoxicity mechanisms of synthetic cannabinoids.
Background
Previous research has explored executive functions (EFs) and adaptive behaviour in children and adolescents with Down syndrome (DS), but there is a paucity of research on the relationship ...between the two in this population. This study aims to shed light on the profile of EFs and adaptive behaviour in DS, exploring the differences by age and investigating the relationship between these two domains.
Method
Parents/caregivers of 100 individuals with DS from 3 to 16 years old participated in the study. The sample was divided into preschoolers (3–6.11 years old) and school‐age children (7–16 years old). Parents/caregivers completed either the Preschool Version of the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function (for children 2–6.11 years old) or the Second Edition of the same Inventory (for individuals 7 + years old). Adaptive behaviour was assessed with the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale – Interview, Second Edition.
Results
Findings suggest that individuals with DS have overall difficulties, but also patterns of strength and weakness in their EFs and adaptive behaviour. The preschool‐age and school‐age children's EF profiles differed slightly. While both age groups showed Emotional Control as a relative strength and Working Memory as a weakness, the school‐age group revealed further weaknesses in Shift and Plan/Organise. As concerns adaptive behaviour, the profiles were similar in the two age groups, with Socialisation as a strength, and Communication and Daily Living Skills as weaknesses, but with a tendency for preschoolers to obtain intermediate scores for the latter. When the relationship between EFs and adaptive behaviour was explored, Working Memory predicted Communication in the younger group, while in the older group the predictors varied, depending on the adaptive domains: Working Memory was a predictor of Communication, Inhibit of Daily Living Skills, and Inhibit and Shift of Socialisation.
Conclusion
As well as elucidating the EF profiles and adaptive behaviour in individuals with DS by age, this study points to the role of EFs in adaptive functioning, providing important information for targeted interventions.
Abstract
Objective. The relationship between metformin accumulation and lactate increase is still debated. This observational case series aims to evaluate the correlation of metformin plasma levels ...with the pH, lactate and creatinine levels, and with the mortality rate in selected patients with metformin accumulation confirmed through metformin plasma concentration detection at hospital admission. Material and methods. All cases of lactic acidosis (pH, ≤ 7.35; arterial lactate, ≥ 5 mmol/L) related to metformin accumulation (plasma level ≥ 4 mcg/mL) from 2007 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Erroneous ingestion and voluntary overdoses were excluded. Epidemiological, medical history, clinical and laboratory data were evaluated in all cases. Results. Sixty-six patients were included. Thirty-one patients (47%) had contraindication to therapy with metformin. All patients showed severe lactic acidosis (pH, 6.91 ± 0.18; lactate, 14.36 ± 4.90 mmol/L) and acute renal failure (creatinine, 7.24 ± 3.29 mg/dL). The mean metformin plasma concentration was 40.68 ± 27.70 mcg/mL. Metformin plasma concentrations showed a correlation, statistically significant even if not strong, with creatinine (p = 0.002, R = 0.37), pH (p < 0.0001, R = − 0.43) and plasma lactate levels (p = 0.001, R = 0.41). Sixty-two (94%) underwent dialysis. Early mortality (before discharge from ICU) was 26% (17 cases). Lactate and metformin concentrations had mean levels not statistically different in surviving and deceased patients. Conclusions. Patients on chronic therapy with metformin may develop a mitochondrial-related toxicity that should be considered when patients present with lactic acidosis, renal failure, and frequently, a medical history of gastrointestinal manifestations during the days preceding the hospital admission. The correlation between metformin plasma concentrations and creatinine, pH, and lactate levels seems to be related to the mechanism of action (inhibition of complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain) and to the kinetic properties (high distribution volume and low protein binding) of the drug. The relevant early mortality seems not correlated with the levels of metformin or lactates: this could be due to the possible role of concurrent illness even if, such as for the relationships with lactate and creatinine, a more proper toxicological evaluation could be obtained by assessing metformin erythrocyte concentrations instead of the plasmatic ones.
In this study we investigated the circulation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in 2 dairy cattle farms (farm A and B), previously identified as MRSA-positive in bulk tank milk ...samples, and epidemiologically related to swine farms. Collected specimens included quarter milk samples and nasal swabs from dairy cows, pig nasal swabs collected at both the farm and slaughterhouse level, environmental dust samples, and human nasal swabs from the farms’ owners and workers. The prevalence of MRSA was estimated at the herd level by testing quarter milk samples. The prevalence of MRSA was 4.8% (3/63; 95% confidence interval=0–10.2%) and 60% (33/55; 95% confidence interval=47.05–72.95) in farm A and B, respectively. In farm A, MRSA was also isolated from humans, pigs sampled at both farm and slaughterhouse level, and from environmental samples collected at the pig facilities. The dairy cattle facilities of farm A tested negative for MRSA. In farm B, MRSA was isolated from environmental dust samples in both the cattle and pig facilities, whereas nasal swabs collected from cows and from humans tested negative. Sixty-three selected MRSA isolates obtained from different sources in farm A and B were genetically characterized by multilocus sequence typing, spa-typing, ribosomal spacer-PCR, and also tested for the presence of specific virulence genes and for their phenotypical antimicrobial susceptibility by broth microdilution method. Different clonal complex (CC) and spa-types were identified, including CC398, CC97, and CC1, CC already reported in livestock animals in Italy. The MRSA isolates from quarter milk of farm A and B mostly belonged to CC97 and CC398, respectively. Both lineages were also identified in humans in farm A. The CC97 and CC398 quarter milk isolates were also identified as genotype GTBE and GTAF by ribosomal spacer-PCR respectively, belonging to distinct clusters with specific virulence and resistance patterns. The GTBE and GTAF clusters also included swine, environmental, and human isolates from both farms. A high heterogeneity in the genetic and phenotypic profiles was observed in environmental isolates, in particular from farm B. These results demonstrate the possibility of a dynamic sharing and exchange of MRSA lineages or genotypes between different species and farm compartments in mixed-species farms. The risk of transmission between swine and related dairy cattle herds should be considered. Our findings also confirm the zoonotic potential of livestock-associated MRSA and underline the importance of applying biosecurity measures and good hygiene practices to prevent MRSA spread at the farm level and throughout the food production chain.
Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACE), which worsen the lifetime course of illness, and with signs of widespread disruption of white matter (WM) integrity in ...adult life. ACE are associated with changes in WM microstructure in healthy humans.
We tested the effects of ACE on diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) measures of WM integrity in 80 in-patients affected by a major depressive episode in the course of BD. We used whole-brain tract-based spatial statistics in the WM skeleton with threshold-free cluster enhancement of DTI measures of WM microstructure: axial, radial and mean diffusivity, and fractional anisotropy.
ACE hastened the onset of illness. We observed an inverse correlation between the severity of ACE and DTI measures of axial diffusivity in several WM fibre tracts contributing to the functional integrity of the brain and including the corona radiata, thalamic radiations, corpus callosum, cingulum bundle, superior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus and uncinate fasciculus.
Axial diffusivity reflects the integrity of axons and myelin sheaths, and correlates with functional connectivity and with higher-order abilities such as reasoning and experience of emotions. In patients with BD axial diffusivity is increased by lithium treatment. ACE might contribute to BD pathophysiology by hampering structural connectivity in critical cortico-limbic networks.
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