Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Italian Version of SWAL-QOL.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Italian SWAL-QOL (I-SWAL-QOL). The study consisted of five phases: item generation, reliability analysis, normative data generation, validity analysis, and responsiveness analysis. The item generation phase followed the five-step, cross-cultural, adaptation process of translation and back-translation. A group of 92 dysphagic patients was enrolled for the internal consistency analysis. Seventy-eight patients completed the I-SWAL-QOL twice, 2 weeks apart, for test-retest reliability analysis. A group of 200 asymptomatic subjects completed the I-SWAL-QOL for normative data generation. I-SWAL-QOL scores obtained by both the group of dysphagic subjects and asymptomatic ones were compared for validity analysis. I-SWAL-QOL scores were correlated with SF-36 scores in 67 patients with dysphagia for concurrent validity analysis. Finally, I-SWAL-QOL scores obtained in a group of 30 dysphagic patients before and after successful rehabilitation treatment were compared for responsiveness analysis. All the enrolled patients managed to complete the I-SWAL-QOL without needing any assistance, within 20 min. Internal consistency was acceptable for all I-SWAL-QOL subscales (α > 0.70). Test-retest reliability was also satisfactory for all subscales (ICC > 0.7). A significant difference between the dysphagic group and the control group was found in all I-SWAL-QOL subscales (p < 0.05). Mild to moderate correlations between I-SWAL-QOL and SF-36 subscales were observed. I-SWAL-QOL scores obtained in the pre-treatment condition were significantly lower than those obtained after swallowing rehabilitation. I-SWAL-QOL is reliable, valid, responsive to changes in QOL, and recommended for clinical practice and outcome research.

Bone and Soft Tissue Modifications in Immediate Implants Versus Delayed Implants Inserted Following Alveolar Ridge Preservation: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Part I: Esthetic Outcomes.

Soft tissue changes were evaluated over a period of 1 year in 48 patients who required extraction of a single tooth in the anterior maxillary arch (premolar to premolar) and its replacement with an implant. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: In group A, an immediate postextraction implant was placed, and the bone-to-implant gap was filled with bovine bone mineral; in group B, the alveolar ridge preservation technique was performed after extraction, and the implant was placed 4 months later. On the day of tooth extraction (T0) and 1 year after tooth extraction (T1), the soft tissue horizontal width, mesial and distal papillary levels, midfacial gingival level, and Pink Esthetic Score were evaluated in both groups. No significant differences were observed between the groups in any of the considered parameters. Statistically significant differences were found in the soft tissue horizontal width between T0 and T1. The clinical results of the two procedures were similar and comparable over time. When evaluating the stability of the soft tissue contour, and considering the specific indications of the two techniques, it is possible to choose either an immediate implant or an alveolar ridge preservation technique with staged placement.

Peculiar response to methylphenidate in adolescent compared to adult rats: a phMRI study.

RATIONALE: Adolescent rodents differ markedly from adults in several neuro-behavioural parameters. Moreover, 'paradoxical' responses to psychostimulants have been reported at this age. OBJECTIVES: Thus, we investigated the responses of adolescent (post-natal day, PND, 34 to 43) and adult (PND >60) Sprague-Dawley male rats to the psychostimulant drug methylphenidate (MPH). We used pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging (phMRI) performed at 4.7 T under isoflurane anaesthesia. Following anatomical MRI, axial gradient echo images were collected continuously. After baseline recording (32 min), animals received MPH (0 or 4 mg/kg i.p.) and were recorded for further 32 min. RESULTS: Region-specific changes in the blood-oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal were evident as a function of age. As expected, among adults MPH induced an increase of BOLD signal in nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and prefrontal cortex (PFC), with no effects in the hippocampus (Hip). Notably, among adolescents, MPH induced a marked and generalised decrease of BOLD signal, which occurred earlier in NAcc and PFC whilst being delayed in the Hip. Any bias in BOLD responses was excluded by the measurement of physiological parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings highlight the utility of phMRI in animal models. The peculiar negative BOLD effect found in adolescent rats may be suggestive of a reduced cerebro-vascular feedback and/or an increased MPH-induced neuronal activation. Data are relevant for a better understanding of brain/behavioural regulation during adolescent development. Moreover, a greater understanding of the differences between adult and adolescent drug responses will aid in the development of a more appropriate age-specific treatment strategy.

Anti-carbonic anhydrase II antibodies in systemic sclerosis: association with lung involvement.

Carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) is expressed on alveolar epithelium and participates to CO2 elimination, fluid secretion and post-capillary pH regulation. CAII is overexpressed in animal models of lung fibrosis in sites of epithelial injury. Autoantibodies directed against CAII (anti-CAII) have been described in sera from patients affected by systemic sclerosis (SSc), but no study focused on their clinical associations in this disease. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of anti-CAII in sera of SSc patients and to investigate their association with lung involvement. We performed ELISA to detect anti-CAII in 34 SSc patients who underwent pulmonary function tests (PFT) and Doppler echocardiography. We found increased prevalence and significantly elevated serum levels of anti-CAII in SSc patients affected by restrictive lung disease (RLD) compared to SSc patients without lung involvement and healthy controls. These findings suggest both a possible pathogenic role of anti-CAII in the development of lung damage and a potential clinical utility as serological marker of pulmonary involvement in SSc patients.