Longitudinal Nutritional Intakes in Italian Pregnant Women in Comparison with National Nutritional Guidelines

Background: Nutritional quality during pregnancy is crucial for mother and child health and their short/long-term outcomes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the adherence to nutritional recommendations in Italy during the three pregnancy trimesters in Normal Weight (NW) and Over Weight (OW) women. Methods: Data from a multicenter randomized controlled trial included 176 women (NW = 133; OW = 43) with healthy singleton pregnancies enrolled within 13 + 6 weeks of gestation. Dietary intake was assessed every trimester by a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Results: OW and NW had similar gestational weight gain. However, as Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommend lower gestational weight gain (GWG) for OW, they exceeded the suggested range. In both groups, caloric intake during the three trimesters never met recommendations. Protein intake in first and second trimester was higher than recommendations, as was sugars percentage. Dietary fiber intake was lower in OW. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, calcium, iron and folic acid requirements were never satisfied, while sodium intake exceeded recommendations. Conclusions: NW and OW women in Italy do not adhere to nutritional recommendations during pregnancy, with lower caloric intake, protein and sugars excess and inadequacies in micronutrients intake. Pregnant women in Italy should be provided with an adequate counseling and educational intervention as well as supplementation when indicated.     

Production of Dense Cu-10Sn Part by Laser Powder Bed Fusion with Low Surface Roughness and High Dimensional Accuracy

Tin-bronze alloys with a tin content of at least 10 wt% have excellent mechanical properties, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. Among these alloys, Cu-10Sn was investigated in this study for production with the laser powder bed fusion process with a 500W Yb:YAG laser. In particular, a design of experiment (DoE) was developed in order to identify the optimal process parameters to obtain full density, low surface roughness, and high dimensional accuracy. Samples were characterized with Archimedes’ method and optical microscopy to determine their final density. It was shown that the first method is fast but not as reliable as the second one. A first mechanical characterization was performed through microhardness tests. Finally, a set of process parameters was identified to produce fully dense samples with low surface roughness and high accuracy. The results showed that the volumetric energy density could represent an approach that is too simplified, therefore limiting the direct correlation with the physical aspects of the process.     

Actualización en fascitis necrotizante

Necrotizing fasciitis is defined as a rapidly progressive infection of the skin and soft tissue that usually involves severe systemic toxicity. The incidence of this infection has increased in the last few decades and is estimated to affect one out of every 100,000 inhabitants in western European countries. This disease is the most serious form of skin and soft tissue infection, due to rapid destruction and necrosis of the fascia and subcutaneous fat, and the development of shock and multiorgan failure in about one third of patients.Although there are several predisposing factors for the development of the disease, especially for type I, or polymicrobial, necrotizing fasciitis, many patients are young and have no underlying chronic diseases, as is the case for type II, or streptococcal, necrotizing fasciitis. The diagnosis is mainly clinical, and urgent surgical consultation is required as soon as possible once suspicion is high, as the main determinant of mortality is the delay in surgical treatment. Overall mortality remains high, affecting more than 25% of patients. Surgical debridement is the mainstay of treatment, along with hemodynamic support and broad-spectrum antibiotics.     

FACTORS THAT PROMOTE AND PREVENT PREPARATION FOR FUTURE CARE NEEDS: PERCEPTIONS OF OLDER CANADIAN,GERMAN, AND U.S. WOMEN

The risk of needing help with household tasks or of requiring care in old age increases. Using semi-structured, qualitative interviews, beliefs about the usefulness versus uselessness of planning ahead for future care needs (FCN) were investigated in 23 East German, 10 U.S., and 10 Canadian elderly-community dwelling women ( S 65 years). Primary reasons in favor of planning for FCN were: gaining a feeling of security regarding the future, avoiding being a burden to potential helpers, and coping with one's present health conditions. Factors that prevent planning for FCN were: the difficulty foreseeing FCN, the lack of resources to plan, and low levels of perceived vulnerability. The women dealt with the contradictions between these factors that promote and prevent preparation by making general plans which could be adapted in the case of needing help by developing alternative plans or by avoidance of thinking about possible future health crises.