Estimation of maximum thermo-hygrometric index thresholds affecting milk production in Italian Brown Swiss cattle

It is known that heat stress affects dairy cow performance in multiple ways: physiological, behavioral, reproductive, and productive. The aim of the present study was to determine if a threshold of temperature-humidity index (THI) exists for multiple milk production traits (milk yield, fat-corrected milk, protein and fat yield and percentage, energy-corrected milk, cheese production, and cheese yield) in Italian Brown Swiss dairy cows from the period 15 d before the day of the Italian Breeders Association test-day sampling. A 10-yr data set (2009-2018) containing 202,776 test-day records of 23,296 Brown Swiss cows was matched with the maximum THI. In all parities considered, no THI thresholds were observed for milk yield in Brown Swiss. In contrast, a THI threshold of 75 was identified for fat-corrected milk. No THI threshold was found for fat percentage, but fat yield showed the highest THI thresholds in cows of first and second parity. Protein yield and cheese production were affected by heat stress with average THI threshold of 74. The THI thresholds identified indicate that the Brown Swiss breed has higher thermal tolerance versus literature values reported for Holstein cows. As THI rises, Brown Swiss cows tend to produce the same volume of milk, but with a decreasing quality with regard to components. Further study is necessary to estimate the genetic component of heat tolerance, in Brown Swiss cattle, considering that the correct estimation of THI thresholds represents the first step to identify components that could be included in selection procedures.

Platelet number is positively and independently associated with glycated hemoglobin in non-diabetic overweight and obese subjects

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

A significant increase in platelet count may be a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This study investigates the association between platelet number and glucose metabolism, evaluated by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, in a apparently healthy population represented by overweight and obese subjects with normal glucose and HbA1c levels.

METHODS AND RESULTS

As many as 240 subjects, 177 women and 63 men, aged 18-70 years, were enrolled. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels, platelet count and fasting blood glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, HbA1c, uric acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were evaluated. Concerning the univariate correlation analyses between platelets number and all other variables, platelet count was significantly (and positively) correlated only with HbA1c (P < 0.05) and female sex (P < 0.01). HbA1c (P < 0.05), female sex (P < 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.01), positively, and age (P < 0.05) and systolic blood pressure (P < 0.05), negatively, were significantly and independently associated to platelet count in a final multiple regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study showing a strong positive and independent relationship between HbA1c and platelet number in non-diabetic overweight and obese subjects.

Platelet number is negatively and independently associated with carotid intima-media thickness in apparently healthy overweight/obese subjects

BACKGROUND AND AIM

A significant change of platelet number may be a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between platelet number and early signs of atherosclerosis, evaluated by carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT), in a apparently healthy population mainly represented by obese subjects.

METHODS AND RESULTS

As many as 961 subjects, 686 women and 275 men, aged between 18 and 74 years, were enrolled in the study. Of these, 54 individuals (5.6% of all subjects) were normal weight, 259 individuals (27.0% of all subjects) were overweight, and 648 individuals (67.4% of all subjects) were obese. Waist circumference (WC) and blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, high and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and platelet count were also detected in all subjects, who underwent carotid echo color doppler ultrasound to measure c-IMT. c-IMT was significantly and positively associated to age (r = 0.204, P < 0.0001), fasting glucose (r = 0.073, P < 0.0240), total cholesterol (r = 0.096, P = 0.0031), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.140, P < 0.0001 and r = 0.119, P < 0.0003 respectively); c-IMT was significantly and negatively correlated with platelet count (r = -0.165, P < 0.0001). Only age (P < 0.0001) and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.0393), positively, and platelet number (P < 0.0001), negatively, were significantly and independently associated to c-IMT in a final multiple regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

Lower platelet number represented an independent determinant of c-IMT in a population, mainly represented by obese patients. These results suggest that a decrease of platelet number may well be an early defensive mechanism in subjects developing the thickening of carotid artery.

Sporadic melanoma in South-Eastern Italy: the impact of melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) polymorphism analysis in low-risk people and report of three novel variants

Environmental and genetic risk factors are involved in the development of melanoma. The role of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene has been investigated and differences according to geographic areas have been described. To evaluate the role of some clinical and genetic risk factors in melanoma development, we performed a case-control study involving 101 melanoma patients and 103 controls coming from South-Eastern Italy (Puglia), after achieving informed consent. We confirmed the role of known clinical risk factors for melanoma. Furthermore, 42 MC1R polymorphisms were observed. Three of these variants (L26V, H232L, D294Y) were not previously reported in the literature. Their predicted impact on receptor function was evaluated using bioinformatic tools. We report an overall frequency of MC1R variants in our population higher than in Northern or Central Italy. The most common polymorphism found was V60L, that has been recently reported to spread among South Mediterranean population. This variant influenced phenotypic characteristics of our population while it did not impinge on melanoma risk. An increased risk of melanoma was associated with two or more MC1R variants, when at least one was RHC, compared to people carrying the MC1R consensus sequence or a single MC1R polymorphism. Interestingly, we observed an increased risk of melanoma in subjects with darker skin and lower nevus count, usually considered at low risk, when carrying MC1R polymorphisms.

Hospitalisation for COPD in Puglia: the role of hospital discharge database to estimate prevalence and incidence

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), although largely preventable, is a great health burden in all the countries worldwide. Statistics of morbidity and mortality of COPD show the need for correct management of the disease. Chronic Obstructive Respiratory Diseases (DRG 88) are in 9th place for discharge in in-patient hospital admission. It is necessary to establish specific indicators which are efficacious and relevant for the patient, the doctor and the health manager. This study will analyse the information in respect of hospital admissions (Hospital discharge database) in Puglia for the period 2000-2005.

METHODS

The analysis was carried out utilising the Puglia Region hospital patient discharge database, selecting those patients with admission for chronic respiratory disease as principal or secondary diagnosis.

RESULTS

Chronic respiratory diseases are more frequent in males and in people over 45 years old with frequency increasing with age. Geographical distribution shows that there are greater rates of hospitalisation in big cities and in the neighbourhood of industrial areas. Although the trend over time is slight. A higher percentage of re-admission has been found for patients with COPD, and the interval between the two admissions occurs within one or two months; the diagnosis at the second admission is the same as for the first. 10.6% of discharge forms report one diagnosis, especially in patients older than 65 years of age. Little could be said about diagnostic procedures because these are not reported on the discharge form.

CONCLUSION

Hospitalisation data confirms expectations regarding age and sex of patients. The high hospitalisation rates indicate that in-patients care still remains the only viable treatment for COPD and other chronic respiratory diseases. The high number of exacerbations reflect the absence of out-patients service or community care, and the same diagnosis in more than one episode shows the lack of efficiency of health services and disease management. This data is necessary to understand disease distribution and the modification of disease management in order to reduce health care costs, to increase efficacy in disease control and to limit repeated exacerbation and so to obtain the maximum benefit for the patients.