197,341 research outputs found
THE GREY WATERFOOTPRINT OF CATTLE GRAZING: A CASE OF STUDY FOR ITALY
No full textWater footprint accounting has contributed to show that livestock production, and dairy production in particular,
have a non-negligible impact in terms of freshwater appropriation (Palhares and Mezzopane, 2015).
In this line of research, Allocca et al (2018) have contributed to the scientific debate pointing out that livestock
grazing can have a substantial effect in terms of the environment-related grey water footprint (GWFenv)
originating from microbial contamination. However, cattle grazing can be a source of contamination also for
chemical parameters, precisely nitrate, nitrite and ammonium. Albeit the microbial impact of cattle grazing
has been documented by Allocca et al. (2018), they did not take into account possible consequences of the
grazing activity in terms of chemical contamination, namely nitrates. This aspect is worth to be examined,
since nitrates are important parameters to be evaluated when establishing guidelines for protecting aquatic
life and/or ambient water quality for recreation use
Effect of prolonged gastric distension on motor function of LES and of proximal stomach
No full textGastric distension is a potent stimulus of transient lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation. To investigate the time effect of prolonged gastric distension on the rate of transient LES relaxations, LES pressure, and the motor and sensory functions of the proximal stomach, we performed a continuous isobaric distension of the proximal stomach at the 75% threshold pressure for discomfort for 2 h in seven healthy subjects. A multilumen assembly incorporating a sleeve and an electronic barostat was used. The rate of transient LES relaxations (n/30 min) was constant during the first hour [4.1 ± 1.2 (0-30 min) and 5.4 ± 1.1 (30-60 min)] but markedly decreased (P < 0.05) in the second hour [2.1 ± 0.5 (60-90 min) and 2.3 ± 0.9 (90-120 min)], whereas LES pressure, baseline volume and volume waves within the gastric bag, hunger, and fullness did not change throughout the experiment. It is concluded that the rate of transient LES relaxations decreases with time during prolonged gastric distension, thus suggesting that this type of stimulus should not be used in sequential experimental conditions
Machine, mind and language in post-cartesian natural history of animals. Claude Perrault (1613-1688) and the early parisian Académie royale des sciences
No full textThis paper considers the reception of the Cartesian bête-machine doctrine in Claude Perrault’s comparative anatomy and zoological studies, carried out at the early Académie royale des sciences. Perrault rejects both the Cartesian hypothesis
of beasts as mere automata and of Pineal Gland as siège de l’âme within the human brain, by affirming a causal role of the animal soul - conceived as an immaterial agent spread in the whole body - in the functional regulation of all life processes, including animal language. Animals have an “internal reasoning” that guides their actions, according to Perrault, and the inflexions of their voices are proper to make their intentions known each othe
Environmental impact of cattle grazing on a karst aquifer in the southern Apennines (Italy): quantification through the grey water footprint
No full textIn this paper we draw on a unique dataset of hydrological and microbiological time series to apply water footprint (WF) methodology to quantify the environmental impact of cattle grazing on karst area in a regional park of the southern Apennines (Italy). The use of WF methodology in the same specific environment where relevant data are monitored, and the hydrogeological and microbiological characterisation of the study area, validate the results of our WF assessment, that can be summarised as follows. First, we show that an ecological indicator such as the grey water footprint (GWF) may be of particular relevance to the park authority to implement policies to preserve groundwater quality. Second, we introduce a new metric, referred to as the environment-related grey water footprint (GWFenv), to estimate the virtual water needed to absorb the microbial pollution of a cattle grazing process
Review article: optimal preparation for surgery in Crohn's disease
No full textBackgroundOne-third of Crohn's disease (CD) patients will undergo abdominal surgery within the first 5years of diagnosis. AimTo review the available evidence on pre-operative optimisation of CD patients. MethodsThe literature regarding psychological support, radiological imaging, abdominal abscess management, nutritional support, thromboembolic prophylaxis and immunosuppression in the perioperative setting was reviewed. ResultsFor diagnosis of fistulas, abscesses and stenosis, ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have a high diagnostic accuracy. Under either CT or US guidance, it is possible to perform abscess percutaneous drainage (PD), which, with systemic antibiotic therapy, should be the first-line approach to intra-abdominal abscesses. CD patients with weight loss <10% within the last 3-6months, body mass index <18.5kg/m(2) and/or albumin levels <30g/L, are at an increased risk of post-operative complications. Pre-operative nutritional support should be used in these patients. IBD patients undergoing surgery have a higher risk of venous thromboembolic disease than patients with colorectal cancer, and current guidelines recommend that they should receive prophylaxis with heparin. Whether the use of anti-TNF agents before surgery increases the likelihood of post-operative complications, is the subject of much debate. To date, cumulative evidence from most studies (all retrospective) suggests that there is no such risk increment. Prospective studies are necessary to firmly establish this conclusion. ConclusionsPreparation for surgery requires close interaction between surgeons, gastroenterologist, radiologists, psychologists and the patient. Correct pre-operative planning of surgical treatment has a major impact on the outcome of such treatment
Review article: optimal preparation for surgery in Crohn's disease
No full textBackgroundOne-third of Crohn's disease (CD) patients will undergo abdominal surgery within the first 5years of diagnosis.
AimTo review the available evidence on pre-operative optimisation of CD patients.
MethodsThe literature regarding psychological support, radiological imaging, abdominal abscess management, nutritional support, thromboembolic prophylaxis and immunosuppression in the perioperative setting was reviewed.
ResultsFor diagnosis of fistulas, abscesses and stenosis, ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have a high diagnostic accuracy. Under either CT or US guidance, it is possible to perform abscess percutaneous drainage (PD), which, with systemic antibiotic therapy, should be the first-line approach to intra-abdominal abscesses. CD patients with weight loss <10% within the last 3-6months, body mass index <18.5kg/m(2) and/or albumin levels <30g/L, are at an increased risk of post-operative complications. Pre-operative nutritional support should be used in these patients. IBD patients undergoing surgery have a higher risk of venous thromboembolic disease than patients with colorectal cancer, and current guidelines recommend that they should receive prophylaxis with heparin. Whether the use of anti-TNF agents before surgery increases the likelihood of post-operative complications, is the subject of much debate. To date, cumulative evidence from most studies (all retrospective) suggests that there is no such risk increment. Prospective studies are necessary to firmly establish this conclusion.
ConclusionsPreparation for surgery requires close interaction between surgeons, gastroenterologist, radiologists, psychologists and the patient. Correct pre-operative planning of surgical treatment has a major impact on the outcome of such treatment
Effect of phasic contractions and tone of the proximal stomach on triggering of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation
No full textWe hypothesized that transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) is triggered by a discrete motor event, i.e., a phasic contraction or a tonic change of the proximal stomach. The combined esophageal manometry-gastric barostat tracings obtained from 11 healthy subjects during 2-hr continuous isobaric gastric distension were reviewed. Volume waves, i.e., phasic contractions, were analyzed in the 1 and 5 min before onset of each TLESR and in corresponding control periods. Intrabag volume, i.e., proximal gastric tone, was also measured in the 5-min periods. The number of volume waves was similar in the 1- and 5-min pre-TLESR and control periods (0 [0-1], median [IQ range], vs 0 [0-1] and 4 [0.8-5] vs 3 [2-4], respectively], and so were their amplitude, duration, and frequency distribution. Five-minute intrabag volume was also similar (529 ± 77 [mean ± SE] vs 532 ± 74 ml). Our observations suggest that TLESR is not triggered by a preceding phasic contraction or by a different tone of the proximal stomach
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